A Description of the New Heaven, Letter 1 – Letter 2

A Description of the New Heaven · Letter 1 – Letter 2

p. 13This is the Anſwer which we have made to the Articles ſent by you, according to the meaſure and portion of Faith which God hath given us. Let Him be pleaſed to cauſe that it may not dye in us; but may produce fruits worthy of his Children. He giving us Perſeverance in the ſame, we will aſcribe Praiſe and Thanks unto Him to all Eternity. Amen.

JEAN du BORDEL.

MATTHIEU VERMEIL.

PIERRE BOURDON.

ANDRE la FON.

When their Orthodox Confeſſion was ſent to Villagagnon, he declared them Hereticks upon the Articles relating to the Sacrament of the Altar, and Vows; and ſaid twas unlawfull for them to live any longer, leſt the Company ſhould be infected with their Poiſon. Yet his reſolution to put them to death, he kept as privat as he could, till Friday, the 9th of February, 1558. on which day he orderd them to be brought from the Continent. Their friends with tears diſſwaded them from going to their ſlaughter. But they conſidering that God p. 14might have brought them into thoſe parts, and preſerved them in millions of dangers for this end; could not find in their hearts to deſert the Cauſe of their dear Lord Jeſus: So John Bordel, Matthew Vermeil, and Andrew la Fon went into the boat: But Peter Bourdon was left behind very ſick. Being come to the Iſland, Villagagnon commanded that they ſhould be brought before him, who holding their Confeſſion of Faith in his hand, asked if they made and ſigned it. They anſwered that they made it and ſignd it, every one owning his Hand; and ſeeing it was according to the Confeſſion of the holy Apoſtles and Martyrs of the primitive Church, they were reſolved, by the Grace of God, to maintain it. Their words were ſcarce out, before Villagagnon diſcoverd a furious countenance, threatening to put them to death, if they continued in their damnable Opinion. And preſently commanded his Executioner to put Irons on their Legs; and to every Chain to hang fifty, or ſixty pound weight: and orderd them to be ſhut up in a naſty dark Priſon, and ſet a Guard of armed men upon them. They comforted one another in Prayer & ſinging of Pſalms. All the Company of the Iſland was very much troubled at this action, and ſecretly comforted the Priſoners, and gave them proviſions which they ſtood in need of. The next day in the morning, he went well armd, with a page, into a little Hall, whither he ſent for John Bordel in his Irons; of whom he demanded an explanation of the article of the Sacrament, He confeſſed that the Bread and Wine were Signs of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jeſus Chriſt, confirming it by the ſaying of St Auguſtin. Villag. in a great paſſion, gave him a blow on the face with his fiſt; whereupon much blood flowed from his noſe and mouth. To the blow he added words agreeable; You have lyed, Villain, St Auſtin never ſaid ſo: Before I eat, I will reward the fruits of your Obstinacy. As ſome tears fell with the blood, Vil. upbraided him, calling him a puny freſh water ſouldier, that would cry for a fillip! Then he asked him if he would maintain what he had writ and ſignd. Bordel anſwered, Yes, untill by Authority of the holy Scriptures I am otherwiſe taught. V. ſeeing the ſtedfaſtneſs of the man, commanded his Executioner to bind him, and carry him to a Rock which the water coverd twice a day, three foot. He and his page being armd, attended the poor Sufferer to the place appointed. Bordel paſſing by the priſon where his companions were, cryed out to them, with a loud Voice, Be of good Courage, you will quickly be delivered from this miſerable life. As he went along, he ſung Pſalms, to the aſtoniſhment of bloody V. and his Executioner. Being upon the Rock, twas with much adoe that he got leave to commend himſelf to God in prayer, before he went out of p. 15the world. The Executioner being too ſlow for furious V. he threatend him with a cat of nine tails, if he did not make haſte: therefore he immediatly threw him into the Sea, where he rendred to God his Spirit, calling upon the Name of our Lord Jeſus till he was drownd.

Matthew Vermeil was brought next, being greatly aſtoniſhed at the death of his companion, he pleaded with V. for his life with ſuch Expoſtulations, Have we robbed you, or evilly entreated the leaſt of your ſervants? Have we plotted your death, or done any thing to your diſhonour? No Villain! ſaid he; you and your companions dye for no ſuch things as theſe; but becauſe you are a moſt dangerous Peſt to be ſeparated from the Church, leſt you ſpoil the reſt of my company. The Martyr anſwered, Eight moneths are not paſſed ſince you made an ample confeſſion of the Points for which you make us dye this day. Afterward he petitioned him again for his life, offering to become his ſervant. V. ſaid he had nothing for him to do: but he would think of it, if he would recant his Error. Vermeil ſeeing no hope given him, but what was deſtructive to his Salvation, became thereby reſolv'd in his mind, and Cryed out with a loud Voice, I had rather dye, to live eternally with the LORD: than to live a little while, and dye for ever with Satan. After he had made his Prayer upon the Rock, and commended his Soul to the Care of God, he freely delivered himſelf into the hands of the Executioner; and Crying out with a loud Voice, Lord Jeſus! have mercy on me! He gave up the ghoſt. Andrew la Fon had not ſtrength enough to climb up into this Rock of Martyrdom: but by Promiſes & Threatenings, was drawn to ſome degree of Recantation: Or elſe was favoured by Villagagnon for the ſake of his Trade of a Tailor, which was very neceſſary. And ſo his life was ſpared.

But the bloody Sacrifice of Vil. is not yet ended: One Victim remains; viz. Peter Bourdon, who was left very ſick on the Continent. Villagagnon went himſelf thither, took one aſhoar with him. His firſt ſalutation to the poor ſick man was that he muſt get up, and go into the boat. Bourdon would have excuſed himſelf, from his inability to do him any ſervice by reaſon of ſickneſs. Villagagnon told him, this was to cure him. The poor man not being able to ſtand, much leſs go; he cauſed him to be carried aboard. Villagagnon asked whether he would ſtand to the Confeſſion he had ſignd. He anſwered, he would conſider of it. As ſoon as they came aſhoar, the Executioner bound him without any more adoe, advertiſing him to have a care of his Conſcience. Bourdon ſuppoſing that to be the place where his companions obtained the Victory over death; he recommended his ſoul to God, and Cryed with a loud Voice, Lord p. 16God! I am of the ſame Paſte with my Companions, who maintained the Combat for thy Name, with glory and honour. I pray Thee, ſhew me Favour, that I may not ſuccumb amidst the Allurements of Satan, the World, and the Fleſh. I pray Thee, pardon all my Tranſgreſſions & Offences that I have committed againſt thy Majesty: and this in the Name of thy welbeloved Son, our Lord. Having prayed thus, he turned himſelf towards Villagagnon, and asked him for what he was to dye. For ſigning an heretical and ſcandalous Confeſſion, ſaid Villagagnon. When he asked upon what point, he was declared an heretick; Villagagnon told him it was no time to diſpute, but to look to his Conſcience: and bid the Executioner make haſte. Bourdon ſeeing that Divine and humane Laws were as it were buried, being very reſolute, he ſubmitted himſelf to the Executioner; and calling for the Help and Favour of God, he dyed in the Lord. This Tragoedy was ended about ten in the morning. After which, Villagagnon exhorted the people to avoid the Sect of the Lutherans; with which he himſelf was once infected, to his great grief. He threatened death to the obſtinat; ſaying, that every one ought to obſerve what their fathers religiouſly taught them. This day he commanded plenty of Proviſions to be given to the Artificers and Labourers, in token of Rejoicing. He had written to ſome Courtiers, that if they would not blame him for carrying Preaching into Braſil, what great matters he would do againſt the Miniſters; promiſing to ſilence them.French put to be ſword by …e Portug…ls. …eylyn Coſmog. …g. 1080. After his great Cruelty, his Affairs went every day to wreck: Returning to France, he fell into Diſgrace there; at laſt a ſecret fire conſumed him by degrees, and he dyed miſerably, without repenting of his Apoſtaſie. French Martyrol. lib. 7. fol. 400, to 404. and 414, to 418. Alſo Fox, his Table of French Martyrs, Vol. 2. p. 129. In this hiſtory, we are rather to admire the Grace of God helping three of this Company to go ſo far; than that the fourth went no further: Eſpecially conſidering how deſtitute they were of Books, and of Friends that durſt ſpeak a word on their behalf; and above all, of their godly, learned Miniſters, who might counſel them, and comfort them in their Agonies: whenas they had to do with a haſty furious Tyrant, more like a Leopard, than a Lord.

But to return to Revel. 6.9: There ſeems to be a Diſtribution of Martyrs into two Claſſes. The firſt were ſlain becauſe they were Christians; the latter were ſlain becauſe they were Not Papists. For the WORD of God] i. e. For the ſake of Chriſt: They were for JESUS, and not for Jupiter. Testimony is, as it were, a Term of Art pointing to the Sack cloth Witneſſes mentioned Chap. 11. p. 17dwell upon the Earth] This Phraſe ſeems to be a ſtated Periphraſis for Antichriſtians; who impudently pretend to the Monopoly of all that is Eccleſiaſtical: whereas it is here ſaid, that they themſelves are Extra Eccleſiam. And white Robes were given unto every one of them] The very material garments in which they commonly ſuffered, were of that Colour. And theſe words ſeem to be meant of the Juſtice done to the Memory of theſe ſlain Martyrs, by the True and Univerſal Hiſtories that were written of Them about this time, whereby they were vindicated from the Reproaches of their beaſtly Purſuers; and had their Proper Character given them. Their filthy garments and Crowns painted with Devils, were taken off from them; and Fair Mitres were ſet upon their Heads, and they were clothed with change of Raiment. So much as might be, a particular Account was given of each ones Birth, Education, Employment, and Cauſes of Suffering. Illyricus, his Catalogus Testium Veritatis was printed at Baſil 1556. About the ſame time John Criſpin, Beza's intimat friend, writ the French Martyrology at Geneva; which has been very much enlarged, a compleat and excellent Compoſure: And tis remarkable, that the words of Rev. 6.9, 10. are ſet before us in the Title-page. John Fox began his univerſal Hiſtory of Martyrs, at Baſil, during his exile there; and perfected it at London, after his return. At firſt, he writ in Latine, and ſent the Copy to Baſil to be printed, where the Work is in great Eſtimation; as alſo in divers other foreign Nations. Legatur Martyrologium Joh. Foxi, ſaith judicious Pareus in his learned Commentary upon Rev. 16.6. Col. 821. His more compleat Engliſh Edition was finiſhed about the Year 1570. Thus Chriſt commanded the Keepers of his Great Ward Robe, to clothe his Martyrs with rich and coſtly white Robes of Latine, Engliſh, and French Contexture. Mr. Fox affirms, that by the Iniquity of Time, this Work could not be contrived in any Kings Reign ſince the Conqueſt, before the Halcyon days of Queen Eliſabeth. One Reaſon why this important Work could beſt be performed then, may be gathered from the Triumph which this Learned Unwearied Author gives the Art of Printing, invented about the Year 1450. Of which,1450. take this ſpecimen: By this Printing, as by the Gift of Tongues, and as by the ſingular Organ of the Holy Ghoſt, the Doctrine of the Goſpel ſoundeth to all Nations and Countries under Heaven; and what God revealeth to one man, is diſperſed to many; and what is known in one Nation, is opened to all. Vol. 1. P. 863. The Uſefulneſs of Martyrologies, He expreſſeth thus, Et tamen voluit hoc enodo tua declarare Majeſtas, nobiſque innoteſcere hominibus, quam honorificum fit, pro tui nominis gloria fortiter dimicantes, occumbere, quorum. Tu p. 18vitam a cinere ac rogo ſic vindicas, ſic cauſam tueris, ſic dignitatem illuſtras; ut candem, cum gloriae foenore, abs Te recipiant clariorem, quam ſi nunquam alioqui perdidiſſent. The beſt word the Lord Cardinal, and Biſhops could afford Mr. George Wiſehart, was, Falſe Heretick, Runnagate, Traitor, and Thief. But when this Cauſe is brought before Mr. Fox by an Appeal, He by a very juſt and impartial Sentence aſſures us, that he was a moſt charitable Gentleman, a very good Scholar, a vertuous Traveller, an orthodox, holy man of God, and bleſſed Martyr of Jeſus. Vol. 2. p. 521. Very notable is the Reſtauration of the Memory of Martin Bucer, & Paulus Phagius, by Matthew Parker, Edmund Grindal, Gualter Haddon and others, the Commiſſioners of Queen Eliſabeth. Cardinal Poole's commiſſioners had been ſuch Unrighteous and Cruel Exactors, as to make the Bones of thoſe Worthies to pay for their Orthodoxy, and fruitfull Diligence in the Famous Univerſity of Cambridge. It was expreſsly mentioned in their commiſſion, ad corum qui in baereſi deceſſerint, memoriam damnandum. And part of their ſentence was, Eorum Memoriam condemnandum eſse, & condemnamus. See the Hiſtory at large, Vol. 3. P. 639. of the Ninth Edition. In this manner, by theſe printed Martyrologies, adorned with lively Cutts; the bleſſed Martyrs are, all under one, both gloriouſly Apparelled; and alſo placed in the open View of the whole World of Chriſtians whom John perſonates.

And it was ſaid unto them, that they ſhould rest yet for a little ſeaſon] Now what the Lord will do with this wicked World,See Rogers's Nanman …, 601, 602. or what Reſt He will give to his Church after theſe long Sorrows; He is our Father in Heaven, His Will be done in Earth as ſeemeth beſt to his divine Majeſty. In the mean time, let us for our parts, WAIT upon his Graces Leiſure; and glorifie his holy Name; and edifie one another with all Humility. John Fox his Proteſtation, Vol. 1.

I was now about to have paſſed on to the Sixth Vial; but am interrupted by ſome of my Friends, who ſuppoſe that not one of the Vials is yet poured out. To which Objection, I have nothing more ſatisfactory to my ſelf, to ſay, than what I writ in anſwer to Mr. Benjamin Eliot, April, 7. 1685. Some object, that Revel. 11.19. & Rev. 15.5. intend the ſame Thing: and the Witneſſes are not yet riſen, and therefore there is no Vial as yet poured out. Vide Med. lib. 3. cap. 6. P. 735. Anſw. See Med. Synchron. 5. Sect 3 P. 534. The word Temple, in both places, ſignifies the Reformed Church faſhioned according to the Commandment of Chriſt, and his Apoſtles; and ſeparated from that ſorry earthy heaven conformable to the inventive fancys of men. But theſe two Scriptures have reſpect to very different Times, and Conditions of this Church. The Opening p. 19mentioned Rev. 15.5. precedes that mentioned Rev. 11.19. ſome hundreds of Years. The Temple Rev. 15.5. is the Temple of the Tabernacle of the Teſtimony. Tabernacle] intimating its ambulatory, and movable condition; taken down in one place, and ſet up in another, according to the holy, wiſe, and ſoveraign Pleaſure and Providence of God: And this may be ſpoken in contradiſſinction to the Temple Rev. 11.19. wherein God will ſettle his Abode, Pſal. 46.4.

Testimony] The Sack-cloth Witneſſes are the conſtituent parts of this Temple; which for the firſt Ages of it, was more cloſely ſhut, and leſs viſible: and began now to be more open, when the Commiſſioners of the Sack-cloth Teſtimony ſtood forth, in order to the execution of their Charge. On the other hand, the Church Revel. 11.19. is called the Temple of GOD, intimating that God had a more viſible, avowed, and immediat Hand in building this Temple. As the New-Jeruſalem is ſaid to come down from God out of Heaven. It may alſo imply the Excellency and Glory of this Church above the former.Oſtendit aper tum SPONS Patrocinium. Brightma… Cantic. 6.2. fol. 105.Song 6:2 And therefore God will avowedly and plainly Own this Church to be His, by his Wonder-working Providence in the face of the whole World. Whereas God did but privatly, and partially favour the other. And that, many times, Not to ſave them from death (The Witneſſes muſt be ſlain) but to ſtrengthen them, and inable them to dye Triumphing. As it fared with Chriſt their Head. In this Divine Temple, the Ark of the Covenant is Seen: There's another difference. Mr. Mede conjectures it may be meant of Chriſt's Perſonal Appearance. See lib. 5. cap. 11. P. 1114. However, then it will ſatisfactorily and plainly appear to the Saints, that God in Chriſt, is a God Keeping Covenant; a God of Truth, Fullfilling every good Word He hath ſpoken concerning his Choſen, and concerning his Enemies. Then, and not till then, will it fully appear, that God is a faithfull Keeper of that Covenant recorded Jerem. 31.31. and Heb. 8.8. The Iſraelites had indeed ſerved Baal, and not Jehovah: Therefore it was fit that God ſhould carry it towards them as Baal did to his prophets, 1 Kings, 18.26. — 29. But now, God will of his bounteous Grace provide, that there ſhall be no more National, permanent Apoſtaſie.

For the Confirmation of what has been ſaid, take a few words of my ever honoured Maſter, the late Reverend, Learned and Holy Mr. Thomas Parker, in a Manuſcript of his upon Iſai. 60. Nova Hieroſolyma quae bic deſcribitur, eſt ipſa Philadelphienſis Eccleſia, quoad antitypum, inchoata a temporibus Wi…lefi; ante cujus pedes adorabunt omnes ipſius inimici, in compenſationem Patientiae, qua ſustinuerat Opprobrium antegreſsum tempora Wicleſi; et qua ſuſtinuerat Opprobrium & Perſecutiones p. 20paſſim crumpentes in primordijs Regni Christi, post Wiclephum, restituti. Haec etjam eſt ipſa Nova Hieroſolyma quae deſcribitar Apoc. 21. Comprehendit autem ſtatum imperfectiorem, 1371inchoatum a temporibus Wiclefi; et ſtatum perfectiorem post finem annorum Antichristi; et etjam Perfectum tandem, introducendum in Gloria Caeleſti. Et paulo poſt, Violentia in ea jam ex parte ceſſavit; ſaltem imperfectius, et Vicibus alternis: ſed tandeno perfecte ceſſabit &c. Sol igitur illius nunquam occumbet, quoniam bostes Lucem ejus nunquam extinguent: licet ad tres dies & dimidium, Voti ſui compotes futuri videantur.

Upon theſe grounds, the forementioned Objection ceaſeth to be cogent with me. And I am ſo far from thinking that no Vial is yet poured forth; that I am apt to conclude, that no leſs than Five ANGELS have already poured out their Vials. So many gueſſes have been made about the Subject of the Fourth Vial; that if I do enter a claim for the Sun of Perſecution, I ſhall no more incur the danger of being extravagant, than ſome that have gone before me. Certainly, that is the Sun that conſolidates and cheriſhes the Antichriſtian State. As for the Fifth Vial; Bullinger, Brightman, Forbes, Pareus, Mede, and Company Interpreters of the Revelation, have poured that to purpoſe. As alſo Dr. Whitaker, The Author of the Hiſtory of the Council of Trent, Chamier, Robert Parker, Dr. Ames, Dr. Owen, cum multis Alijs And ſeeing the Tower of Babel hath no other foundation than the Uncertain Vanity of the Apoſtle Peter's having been at Rome: Uldaricus Velenus did the Babylonians a ſingular diſpleaſure in writing a Treatiſe to prove that He was never there. Bellarmin. de Pontif. lib. 2. cap. 1. The truth is, except their Index expurgatorius be enlarged with many Clauſes of Scripture, the Probability lies on Velenus his ſide; Ten to One. And Bellarmin's arguing from Peter's Tomb, is unſound. For it was cuſtomary at Rome, to make Funeral Solemnitys, and erect Monuments for perſons dying abroad. Alcyone reſolved to pay that Reſpect to her husband Ceyx, who was loſt at Sea. Ovid Metamor. lib. 11. & lib. 12. princip.

Si non Urna, tamen junget nos Littera; ſi non

Oſſibus Oſſa meis, at Nomen Nomine tangam.

How eaſy was it for the modern Romans to make uſe of this Cuſtom when it might ſerve their turn. Moreover if this Vial partly intends Impreſſions to be made upon the City of Rome it ſelf; yet we need not wait longer for them. There was a joſtling between Charles the Emperour, 1527and Clement the Biſhop. The Emperours Army in their march towards Naples, wanting both Pay, and Proviſions; Charles Duke of Bourbon, was fain to calm them, by promiſing the Liberty of furniſhing themſelves at Rome. Upon the fifth of May, 1527 They p. 21incamped in a meadow near the City. From thence He ſent a Trumpet to the Pope, to demand paſſage for his Army through the City, in his way to Naples. The next morning, May, 6. at break of day. He drew near the Suburbs, by way of the Mountain, and Santo Spirito; wherein he was favoured by a very thick Miſt; which riſing before day, and increaſing with degrees of Fogg and thickneſs, became ſuch a Covert to the whole Camp, that his Souldiers were not diſcerned till they were near the place where they began a furious Aſſault. The Noble Duke marched in the head of his Troops, carrying a ſcaling Ladder in his hand; and was unhappyly ſlain with an Harquebuſe ſhot. Philibert of Chalon Prince of Orange cauſing his body to be covered with a cloak, maintained the Charge very vigorouſly, and by dint of Sword forced his Entrance. The defendents fled before him; their Fear being far above any other ſenſe or paſſion in them; and the Suburbs were entirely abandoned, and left a prey to the Conquerours.Fondly truſti… to his Excommunication of Bourbon and the Army. Clement was in the Palace of the Vatican, expecting the iſſue; who hearing that the Enemies were entered, diſcovered his Paſſions of Fear and frailty; and with certain Cardinals preſently betook himſelf to the Caſtle of St Angelo. He was in doubt whether it were beſt to abide there; or to retire to ſome place of greater ſurety. In the mean time, Berard de Padoa, who was fled from the Imperial Army, certified the Pope, that the Duke of Bourbon the General was dead, and that their Courage was thereby ſo much abated, that they deſired an Accord with him: in which matter they ſent out men to parly with the Principals. On the day following, while the Pope was in this perplexity, not knowing what courſe to take; the Spaniards ſeeing neither Order, nor Counſel to defend the Quarter beyond Tiber, entered without any Reſiſtance; and the ſame evening, they entered by the bridge Xiſto, into the City of Rome, where all was turned into Flight, and Confuſion. For want of great Artillery, the firſt Dispute was ſharp; in which there fell of the Imperialiſts One Thouſand. Being exaſperated by this Loſs, and the death of their General; they ſlew and put to the Sword Four Thouſand. In their pillaging, ſmall regard was had to Friends or Favourites; much leſs was reſpected the Authority of Cardinals and Prelates, tho of their own Nation; Or the Dignity of Rich Temples, Relicks, Dedications. It is hard to particulariſe the greatneſs of the Prey. But that which made the Spoil infinite in Value, was the Quality and great number of Priſoners, Redeemed with moſt rich and huge Ranſoms. The Launceknights, being Germans and favourers of Luther; bore no good will to the Church of Rome. Theſe took priſoners certain Prelates, whom they apparelled p. 22with the Habits and marks of their Dignities, and then ſet them upon Aſſes and lean Mules, with their faces reverſed to the crowpe of the beaſts; and ſo led them through the City of Rome, upbraiding & terrifying of them with the Name of Luther. **Symonds on he Fifth Vial …. 251.Many of them they variouſly tormented; ſo that ſome firſt yielded a Ranſom, and then their Lives. The Cardinal of Sienna compounded with the Spaniards; and was afterward made priſoner by the Launceknights, who made booty of his Palace, and then led him all naked with buffets and baſtinados, into the borough. He was driven to redeem his life out of their hands with a promiſe of five thouſand Ducats. The Cardinals Minerva and Ponſaro paved the Ranſom they were rated at, after they had been in a vile Spectacle carried in Proceſſion through the Town of Rome. Fox, Vol. 2. p. 199, 202.One called the Cardinal Sanctorum quatuor, or Cardinal of Pouch, was ſlain. To theſe Stroaks was ſuperadded that of the Plague, which invaded the City and Souldiers at the ſame time; and made its Entrance alſo into the impregnable Caſtle of St Angelo, to the great danger of the Pope's life: about whom died certain ſpecial Men who did ſervice to his perſon. The Pope was at laſt ſo far meekened by the complication of many preſſing Calamities attending a ſtrait Siege, as to be brought to a Compoſition with the Imperialiſts. He was to make preſent payment of threeſcore thouſand Ducats to the Launceknights; and to the Spaniards, thirty and five thouſand: This being done, they were to ſet him at liberty with all the Cardinals. Within three moneths after, other like great Sums were to be paid to the Spaniards and Launceknights, according to their portions; which together with the Sums that had been paid, amounted to more than three hundred and fifty thouſand Ducats. That he might make theſe Payments, and deliver himſelf from the heavy yoke of his Impriſonment, he created certain Cardinals for Money, of whom the moſt part, for their Learning or Vertue, were Unworthy ſo great Honour. The Cardinals Ceſis and Urſin were delivered to the Souldiers as Hoſtages, who were led by the Cardinal Colonno to Grottaferara. And ſo all things having their orderly Expedition, the Spaniards were to guard him to a place of Surety the tenth of December. But he fearing ſome variation or ill Accident, ſtole away out of the Caſtle the night before, in the habit of a Merchant, and was guarded to Orvietto. The Sculdiers ſatisfied of all their Payments from the time of the Pope's delivery, with forty thouſand Ducats over and above, as impreſt money for two days, they marched out of Rome the 17th day of February, a day which had been moſt joyfull, and of ſpecial Reſpiration to the wretched people of Rome; if their Calamities, which they ſuppoſed to be ended by the departure p. 23of the Launceknights, had not eſtſoons recontinued in a new courſe by the Abbot of Farfa, and others of the family of the Urſins; who entering the Town with the payſants of their dominions, did for many days many great Inſolencies. By reaſon of theſe Calamities, grievous for their continuance, and lamentable for their wretched Succeſſion; deſcending from one Enemy that was ill, to another that was werſe, the City of Rome was not only made naked of a great part of her Inhabitants, with the deſolation of many houſes and Palaces: but alſo it ſtood rent and defaced in Images of ancient and worthy preſence, &c. Guicciardin, lib. 18. pag. 851 — 878. Thuanus ſpeaks after this manner, Caeſar, ut injuriam ſibi a Clemente illatam ulciſceretur, nominis pontificij auctoritatem per omnem Hiſpaniam abolet; exemplo ab Hiſpanis posteritati relicto, poſſe eccleſiaſticam diſciplinam citra nominis pontifi…ij auctoritatem, ad tempus conſervari. Eodem tempore Columnij a Caeſare inſtigati, Romam occupant, & Clementem in Mauſoleo Hadriani obſident. Nec multo poſt totis viribus Romam itum, Duce Borbonio, et urbe impetu capta & direpta IOCCCC. postquam a Totila postremo vastata fuit, anno, abunde de Clementis ambigua fide Caeſari ſatisfactum est. Hiſtor. lib. 1. p. 17. Ceſars aboliſhing the Popes Authority for a while, might lead the way to Henry the Magnificent his Unckle, to do it for good and all. Guicciardin reports the Imperial Army to conſiſt of Four and Twenty Thouſand;XL Thouſand Onuph. p. 382 viz. eight thouſand Spaniards, twelve thouſand Launceknights, and four thouſand Italians: an Army ſufficient to do in Italy what they pleaſed. The Cardinals that were in Italy made a motion, that as well they as the other Cardinals beyond the Mounts, might aſſemble together at Avignion, to take Counſel in ſo troubleſom a time, what courſe to hold for the ſtability of the Church. But becauſe they would not all at one time, range themſelves under the power of ſo mighty Princes, they declined it. The Pope's chief hope was in Francts the French King, who had been Caeſars Priſoner but a little before; and now the Dauphin, and Duke of Orleance were in his hand as Hoſtages. Which rendred his motions ſlow and irregular, as of a perſon in Fetters. So that Monſieur Lawtrech commander of the Leaguers Army advanced not ſo far as Rome. And Tiber by its Overflowing, incommoded a Party of their Men. The Emperour alſo had a conſiderable Intereſt in Italy. Pompeijus Columna the Cardinal, who much Influenced the People, was at his devotion; and the Duke of Ferrara ſtrongly ſolicited Charles Duke of Bourb…n to ſurpriſe Rome, as the only Expecient for ſecuring his Maſters Intereſts. By ſuch means it came to paſs that the Imperial Army had no leſs than Nine Moneths time to pillage Rome. Where the Pope contrary to his cuſtom, his nature, and p. 24all expectation, did not only conſtantly remain; but being confident of defending the City, he did not only forbid Men to go away; but alſo made an Ordinance that no Goods ſhould be carried out; which Merchants and Artificers would have ſecured by ſending them down the River. Ea Nocte nihil unquam lugubrius aut funeſtius Roma vidit, ſaith Onuphrius in the life of Clement, p. 382. col 2. Now if one or two Kings did ſo far waſte Rome by the by, and as it were in Jeſt: When the Seventh Vial's Turn comes, the Ten Kings will do it perfectly, and with a Vengeance. For Rome will be reſerved till then, Ut ſentiat ſe mori. If the Papiſts object the death of the Duke of Bourbon: That Loſs was well repaired by the Choice of the Prince of Orange in his ſtead; by which means Rome's Night was made more dark, and came on the faſter. And Johannes Medices, one of the chief Commanders on Clement's ſide, fell alſo by a ſhot. Even Monſieur Lawtrech, the Pope's deliverer, died in the Camp not very long after; and moſt of his Army was ſwept away by the Plague. Not above three Years after, the River Tiber received a Commiſſion to make ſome conſiderable addition to the Ruine of Rome. Tiberis alveum egreſſus magis quam ad eam diem hominum memoria, vel vetustis monumentis relatum eſset, Urbem inundavit, incredibili cum Romanorum damno, et aedium detrimento. Onuphr. p. 384. col. 1.

Upon all, or ſome of theſe Conſiderations, it ſeems to me probable that Five of the Vials are already poured out. Not but that they hold on their courſe ſtill; and will do ſo, untill the Confluence of them all do with irreſiſtible Force ingulf Antichriſtianiſme in utter Ruine. The truth is, all the Vials may in ſome ſence be ſaid to have been poured out together at the beginning of this Period of Rome's gradual Decay. Yet there are critical Times, and characteriſtical paſſages of divine Providence, wherein each Vial obtains the ſucceſſive Regency appointed them of Chriſt. And the Sixth Angel ſeems now to ſtand ready with his Vial, waiting only for the Word to be given for the pouring of it out. The pouring out of this Vial will dry up the Antichriſtian Intereſts in the New World: and thereby prepare the way for the Kings of the Eaſt. This is agreeable to the analogy of Interpretation generally given by the Ancients; and more lately by Bullinger, Pareus, Cowper, and many others. Only as Euphrates is one individual River, ſo tis ſuitable to limit it to this Continent; thereby to keep it as it were within its banks. There is an harmony between the Third and Sixth Vials. In the pouring out of that, the Antichriſtian Rivers were made bloody, by the Civil, and Military Sword: By the pouring out of this, the Great River is wholly dryed up; ſo that Nothing of it is left remaining to make Babylon glad. p. 25Conſequently, the Armagedduntine Expedition will ſome way reſemble that of 1588. Only it will be much greater, and more fatal to the principal Undertakers. Mr. Brightman couples Revelaton, 16.16. with Daniel, 11.45. So that if the genuine ſence of that place hath been given, we know where to look for the drying up of Euphrates. And to make the Turkiſh Empire the ſubject of the Sixth Vial, ſeems heterogeneous: For Euphrates muſt needs be parcel of the Waters upon which the Whore ſits at the time when this great River comes to be dried up: Which the Sun of Righteouſneſs will do, by cauſing ſo much of her dominion to ceaſe for ever. The Pope and his followers, by warring againſt the Turk, do not dry up Euphrates: but do inlarge the Papal, by the diminution of the Ottoman Empire. And although the paſſing away of the ſecond Wo be matter of univerſal Joy; yet to make it to be the drying up of Euphrates, ſeems hard: For the Sixth Vial doth not carry off an Old Plague; but brings on a New one. Neither did I ever hear that the Reformed Churches fared ſo much the better for the taking of Buda, as to make me think that Euphrates was then partly dried up. Moreover this is a new accommodation. The firſt that I find of it, is in Mr. Fox, p. 373. Probably, if he had met with it before, he would have mentiond it; that being his profeſſed deſign, Praefat. p. 6. But he acknowledgeth Interpreters went another way, and endeavours to reſute them. Pareus ſpeaks thus, Neque nova vel recens a nobis excogitata est haec interpretatio. Eandem enim ANONYMUS meus ante 260. annos expreſſit his verbis, &c. col. 839. The inconſiſtency of this Opinion with Mede's Hypotheſes, makes not a little againſt it. He himſelf ſeems to be put upon bending the fourth, to make it conform; aut ſaltem quod beſtiae ſaluti innexum, ejuſque intereſt. p. 656. Although ſo great a Pilot's taking this path, was an extraordinary prejudice; yet many learned Expoſitours have ſtill choſen to go in that which was the beaten Road in Mr. Fox's time; and, as I ſuppoſe, was, and is the KING's high Way. Mend but the Chronology of Alcaſ…s dream, and what he hath written upon the Sixth Vial, becomes a very good Proteſtant Expoſition; Etenim repente, et praeter opinionem, alius uxorem propriam eſſe Christianam deprehendit, alius filiam, …atres alius, alius cognatos & affines; ac demum omnes pariter anim…dverterunt Christianam Fidem ſeſe in mediam Romam, et in ipſas …orum domos inſinuaſſe, atque adeo vix aliquam eſse ſuper, quo non coeleſtis ille penetraſſet Ignis, quem Chriſtus in terra accenſurus advenit. p. 730. To his own that golden Promiſe belongs, The Lord will dry up Euphrates to make a way for his ſcattered ones. Some think it concerns the Return of the Jews miraculouſly; as once through the Red Sea. Rogers's Naam. p. 228.

p. 26Sed, Quorſum haec? What Concernment hath America in theſe Things! America is not any part of the Apocalyptical Stage. The Promiſe of preaching the Goſpel to the whole World, is to be underſtood of the Roman Empire only, according to the extent of it in John's time: As it is ſaid Auguſtus made a decree that all the world ſhould be taxed. The Roman Empire contained about a third part of the Old World: and this Triental only was to be concernd with the Apocalypſe. The Propheſies of the Revelation extend but to ſuch Kingdoms or Monarchies of the World, where the Church in all Ages ſtill was: therefore not to the West-Indians, nor Partarians, nor Chineſes, nor Eaſt-Indians.

But what ſhall we ſay, if the Stone which theſe Builders have refuſed, ſhould be made the Head of the Corner? Lo, we heard of it at Ephratah: we found it in the fields of the wood. Or if it be not made a Corner-ſtone: that it ſhould be quite thrown by, and not be at all laid in the Building: is more than can be proved from the Scriptures. I ſuppoſe there is nec vola, nec veſtigium of any ſuch thing to be found there. Who art thou that judgest another Mans Servant? to his own Maſter he standeth or falleth: Yea, he ſhall be holden up: for GOD is able to make him ſtand; may be applicable here. There is a vaſt odds between hiſtorical and prophetical Scriptures, as to the manner of their declaration. Augustus taxed as much of the World as he could; taxed all his world. Why may not Jeſus, in like manner; give Law to all His World, without asking Caeſars leave? To tedder the Scriptures, and tie them to the Herculean Pillars; takes off all the Luſtre of the Spaniſh Motto, PLUS ULTRA; and makes the Glory of it to dwindle away to very nothing. But the Word of God is not bound. To go about to do it, is, I fear, to limit the Holy One of Iſrael; and injuriouſly to ſpoil the Church of that Doxology, In God will I praiſe the Word: in the Lord will I praiſe the Word. I have ſeen an and of all perfection; but thy Commandment is exceeding broad. It was ſo in David's time: but now, tho the Scripture Canon be compleat, it is ſo …ar ſhrunk, as to extend but to about a Quarter of the Old World! For they who have no ſhare in the Revelation, tis hard to think how they will be able to make out a good Title to any portion of Scripture: this being the laſt, and moſt comprehenſive of all. And what a Rack of Romanizáng, endleſs, incurable Torture, muſt this needs faſten ſerious Chriſtians upon. Whenas after diligence to acquaint themſelves with the Scriptures, and to obtain the Favour of God in the ways there marked out: ſtill all is bootleſs, except they can prove themſelves to dwell within the bounds of the Roman Empire. Which, as to multitudes, is a doubt that all the Learning in p. 27Europe, is not ſufficient to reſolve. And what ſhall become of Scotland, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Poland, Bohemia, Moſcovia, Buch…, Brerew…d.much of Germany, and a great deal more of Europe beſide? According to this Reckoning, theſe Nations muſt be Extra Eccleſiam, becauſe they are Extra Imperium: As alſo, by far the greateſt part of Aſia, and Africa, and all America. The firſt and moſt, ſo far as I know, that hath given countenance to this Bill of Excluſion; is the Conjecture of the Learned and Pious Mr. Mede. And therefore it may not be amiſs to take a View of that Chapter entituled, DE GOGO & MAGOGO in Apocalypſi Conjectura. lib. 3. p. 713. Altho the Author be incomparably more than my Match; yet the Honour of being a Retainer to my Noble Lord Say; Love to my Country; and the Advantage, as I apprehend, on my ſide, do prompt me to the Undertaking. Dr. Twiſse in a Letter to Mr. Jeſeph Mede, dated Ap. 6. 1635. mentions his having written to my Lord Say touching his Counſels for advancing the Plantations of the West, and telling him, that his Lordſhip little thought that they tended to promote the Kingdom of Gog and Magog. My Lord in his Anſwer to the Doctor, gave a touch only thereupon; which was this, That ſurely, the Americans were not Gog and Magog. The Dr. writ more largely of this Subject in his next Letter. Upon this his Lordſhip wrote a large Letter Oppoſing the Conceipt of Gog, and Magog; tho the Millennium of Chriſt's Kingdom were granted; yet not a little againſt that alſo. Epiſt. 50. p. 993. Had this Letter of the L. Say been in print, probably, there had been nothing left unanſwered; or at leaſt there had been a trodden Path: whereas now I muſt beat out my way as well as I can.

Conjectura] Thus I have told you out my fancy of the Inhabitants of that World: which tho it be built upon mere Conjectures; and Not upon firm grounds; &c. Epist. 43. p. 981. Let but thoſe who quote Mr. Mede, imitate his Modeſty; and as yet no great trouble occurs.

APocalypſis codex eſt fatorum eccleſiae Gentium, non Judaeorum. Habent enim Judaei de ſuo &c. neque noſtra ullate…s opus babent.

Theſe Pronouns, Meum and Tuum, in a buſineſs of this nature, I cannot away with. This being one of the firſt Writts of Partition brought for dividing the Scriptures, that I have taken notice of. The Scriptures are an Eſtate holden in Joint Tenancy; and none have any preferible Right in them. From the Epiſtle Dedicatory; Unto his Servants; we muſt with Mr. De…t conclude, that the whole Doctrine of the Revelation appertaineth to the Univerſal Church of Chriſt throughout all the World, in all Times and Ages. p. 8. The Bodleian p. 28Library is not the Propriety of this or the other particular College, or Hall; much leſs, of the happy Keeper of it: but of the Renowned Univerſity of Oxford. By which means the whole World is benefited by their Illuminations.…uard Batc. vel. p. 108. The Apocalypſe is a moſt illuſtrious Epithalamium ſuited to the ſtately Magnificence of the Bridegroom, and of the Bride. Now the Jews upon their Return, will eminently ſuſtain that Character. The New Jeruſalem is that which the Old and New Teſtament do ring of. This City of God is eſpecially made up of Jews, and from thence it hath its Name. Goodwin, Rev. p. 28. Therefore, ſeeing the Parchments belong to thoſe who have the Eſtate; this Book muſt needs belong to the Jews: becauſe the glorious Things that are ſpoken of therein, are eminently ſpoken of them. Our LORD, whoſe this Book is, and his Servant John, the writer of it, were Jews; and there have been of that Nation converted in all Ages, who have kept Poſſeſſion for the reſt: ſo that I cannot diſcern any incongruity in affirming that this Book belongs to them alſo; and gives an Account of God's Providence toward them; eſpecially upon their Return. [Return Return, O Shulamite! Return Return!] But, let us ſee what is laid in againſt their Claim.

Ambitu ſuo Gentes] The Church conſiſts not of Gentiles only. The four Quarters of the World with all their Furniture, make the Apocalyptical Stage: and in every one of theſe are the diſperſed Jew; to be found. Eodem (ni fallor) faciunt &c.] If there be not Room enough in Rev. 10.11. to entertain the Jews, I cannot imagine any thing large enough to comprehend them.

Sed omnium maxime illud confirmat Parabolarum Symbolorumque propheticorum in hoc Libro indoles atque ingenium; in quibus nempe paſſim obſervare licet, Judaeos, ſive ſynagogam Iſraeliticam, Perſonam Verae Christi Eccleſiae ex Gentibus ſurrogatae, ſuſtinere: Gentes contra, typum Idolatrarum, ejuſdemque Eccleſiae hostium; &c. Atqui in ea Prophetia ubi Gens Iſraelitica alienam perſonam ſuſtinet; ibi ſuam ipſius geſtare nullo modo veriſimile eſt: quandoquidem illud fieri nequit, quin totius Parabolae ratio conturbaretur. &c.

It is indeed a ſugular Honour to that Nation, that ſincere Chriſtians; ſuch as with inviolable Chaſtity keep themſelves to the Inſtitutions of their LORD, ſhoold be called Jews, Rev. 2.9. But to take an occaſion from thence, to exclude all Jacob's Poſterity from this Privilege, is to argue perverſely. Our Saviour doth not deny Nathanael to be a Jew, by pronouncing him an Iſraelite indeed. The Revelation doth not ſo much regard what Nation a man is of: but whether he be a follower of the LAMB, or no. For he is not a Jew [in this ſpiritual ſence] which is one outward… [only] But he is a Jew p. 29which is one inwardly. Rom. 2.9. In this glorious State of the Church which John introduceth, the Jews muſt needs be very much concerned; becauſe Chriſts Receiving them again, is a notable means reſerved of God, to revive, and bring on the Spring of the Gentiles, and to cauſe them to flouriſh, as is herein deſcribed. Rom. 11.15. And yet there is no difference between the Jew, and the Greek: for the ſame LORD ever all, is Rich unto all that call upon him.

Hinc adeo fit ut tantillum &c.] The Jews are not mentioned by the by only; but directly, and on purpoſe; as in the beginning of the nineteenth chapter. And that which is laſt accompliſhed; is firſtly and chiefly deſigned by the Efficient. I will be their GOD, and they ſhall be my People: Is the moſt Great, and Glorious, and All that can be ſaid. Whatſoever elſe is ſpoken, muſt be only in explanation of this; or it will be perfectly blaſphemous Nonſence. Upon which conſideration, me thinks tantillum, and Sponſa AGNI, do not ſtand well together in the ſame chapter. However, we are beholden to this great and worthy Author, for his concurrent Teſtimony, that the Jews are the People intended in the ſixteenth, and nineteenth Chapters. Pari ratione] May it not with more, or equal ſtrength be argued, New-Jeruſalem is not the ſame with Jeruſalem: but as Jeruſalem was to the weſtward of Babylon; ſo New-Jeruſalem muſt be to the weſtward of Rome; to avoid diſturbance in the Order of theſe Myſteries. If we might be allowed to take Mr. Mede's words as they ſeem to ſound at the firſt hearing; they would ſignifie no leſs; New-Jeruſalem is not the whole Church; but the Metropolis thereof, and of the New World. Epist. 20. p. 944. The thirty ſeventh of Ezekiel treateth of the Marriage of the LAMB. Therefore it ſeemeth probable that the thirty eighth Chapter treateth of the ſame Gog and Magog that John doth; the ſame Order being kept in both places. If Ezekiel have ſome reſpect to former Enemies; that doth not hinder, but that this might be the ultimat and principal Aim of the Propheſie. The Reverend, Learned and Holy Mr. John Cotton, had much of the meaning of this myſterious Book ſhewed him be Chriſt, as a Bleſſing upon his much Prayer and Study, in order to his Expoſition of the ſame in his weekly Lecture at Boſton in New England. He hath written thus,

This Gog cannot be Gyges, nor Antiochus Epiphanes. This Gog in Ezekiel, is the ſame with this Gog in the Text. For 1. Gog in Ezekiel is foretold (when he ſhall come) to be the ſame whom the Prophets of old ſpake of, Ezek. 38.17. 2. Gog in Ezekiel, cometh after the Reſurrection and Reunion of Judah and Iſrael, Ezek. 37. throughout. And upon his Deſtruction, Ezekiel ſeeth a Viſion of a glorious Church of the Jews, Chapt. 40. to the p. 30end of the Book. So doth this Gog ariſe up to fight againſt the Holy, after the firſt Reſurrection of the Churches of Jews and Gentiles. And after his Deſtruction, John ſeeth the New Jeruſalem come down out of Heaven, Chapt. 21. to the end of the Book.

When the Saints and Witneſſes of Jeſus Chriſt have enjoyed the Liberty, Purity, and Authority of Church Government, for the ſpace of a Thouſand Years, after the Deſtruction of Antichriſt; Satan will again find Liberty and Power to deceive the Nations, Princes and People, in great multitudes, to war againſt the Church; eſpecially againſt Jeruſalem. V. 7, 8, 9.

Taken out of a Manuſcript of Mr Cotton's own Hand-writing, p. 34, 36. Mr. Greenhil upon Ezek. 38.5, 6. p. 496. Obſerves, From all quarters of the World there be Enemies ready to combine and act with Gog &c. Thoſe of the Eaſt, comprehended under Perſia; thoſe of the South, intended under Ethiopia; thoſe of the Weſt, included in Lybia; and thoſe of the North, contained under Gomer, and the houſe of Togarmah, were all at the beck of Gog, to go againſt Jeruſalem; the Servants, and Worſhip of God therein.

Ex quo autem hominum genere Hostis hic noviſſimus — Ex gentibus in oppoſito nobis Hemiſphaerio, quas Deus Opt. Max. occulto ſuo judicio, maximam partem, nunquam ſit Evangelij ſui lumine perfuſurus.

Moſes, Deut. 29.29. ſpeaking, for ought I know, of the Unparalleld Providences awaiting the aboriginal Natives of America, ſhuts up all with that ſolemn and ſilencing Axiom, The Secret things belong unto the LORD our GOD. A man may know more by himſelf, than all others can; and yet he cannot lawfully account himſelf a Caſtaway; much leſs may he denounce another man Reprobate; and leaſt of all, a whole World of men: except he ſhall ſuppoſe himſelf licenced to caſt firebrands, arrows and death; and ſay, Am not I in ſport? One of the chief Spices wherewith Hiſtorians have embalmed the Memory of Iſabella Queen of Castile, is, that ſhe did greatly love Learned men, who were of good Converſation; eſpecially Prelats of an holy and religious Life, preferring ſuch. Accordingly, Twelve learned Clerks of good and holy life, according to thoſe times, were ſent over with Chriſtopher Columbus in his ſecond Voyage. Grimeſton Hiſt. of Spain, p 845, 949. And we would fain hope there might be ſome Gold among the counterfeit mettal; the time of Refining not being then far come on. According to Mr. Mede's Simile in his excellent Diſcourſe upon Iſai. 2.2, 3, 4. Diſc. 29. p. 185. Dr. Whitaker de notis Eccleſ p. 505. ſpeaks not without hope of the Americans, as if it might fare better with them, than with their Teachers. Quod ſiqui forte illorum, Scripturas intelligunt, ſi Dominus illis ſuum Spiritum dederit: p. 31poſſunt in meliori ſtatu eſse, quam ſunt ipſi Monachi, & Joſuitae, a quibus inſtructi ſunt. Haec qualiſcunque Evangelij praedicatio, cenſeti debet prodromus praedicationis incorruptae, quae ſuo tempore ſubſequetur. Alſted his continuation of Chamier, de notis Eccleſiae, p. 102. Mr. Mede mentions a Sentence taken out of a Treatiſe publiſhed Anno 1120. Sicut fumus praecedit ignem, victoriam pugna; ſic et gloriam Chriſti, tentatio Antichriſti. Book, 3. p. 888. In Mr. Broughton's Explication of the Holy Apocalypſe, chap. 11. p. 141. are theſe words, The West-Indians ſeem to come of the East: as both ſpeak ſome Hebrew. Now God driveth us to both Indians, not for Pepper, and Tabacco: but in time, to ſhew his Name. And the Jeſuites, in teaching the Holy Trinity, Perſon, and Juſtice of Chriſt, may ſave many. Mr. Daniel Rogers, Mr. Mede's Tutor, a Man of vaſt Parts, writeth favourably of the New Engliſh Plantations in America; and ariſeth a Note higher, in expreſſing his hopes of the Converſion of the Natives, Who can, or dare deny, but that the calling of thoſe Americans to the knowledge of the Truth, may ſeem a weighty Occaſion to expect from God the gift of Miracles? Naaman &c. p. 6, 169. Mr. Henry Scudder, a ſolid & fruitful Divine; in opening thoſe words in the Lords Prayer, Our Father which art in Heaven, p. 117, 118. hath this Uſe, Whereas we read and hear of much People both in Aſia, and America, that worſhip and pray unto the very Devil, not with inward worſhip only (for if theſe only, did ſo, it were happy with many that are called chriſtians) but with outward worſhip alſo: Tho we cannot ſpeak to them, to reclaim them of this devilliſh Idolatrie; yet in compaſſion we ſhould ſpeak to God for them, that He would pleaſe to ſend the Light of his glorious Truth and Goſpel, to diſcover their Sin unto them, and to recover them out of the ſnare of the Devil, who holdeth them captive at his will. I do urge this the rather, becauſe I am perſwaded, that when all Iſrael ſhall be called, namely, when the two Sticks propheſied of by Ezekiel, Ezek. 37.16. Rom. 11.26.Ezek 37:16Rom 11:26ſhall be joined into One Stick: when, as the Apoſtle ſaith, All Iſrael ſhall be ſaved, which State of theirs, v. 15. he calleth a receiving of Life from the dead: When this ſhall come to paſs, I doubt not but Many of thoſe deceived ſouls, which yet never heard of the Goſpel (except by Papiſts, who make them whom they convert, thrice more the children of the Devil, than before) ſhall have part in the ſame Reſurrection: Let us therefore pray for them.

Having ſeen theſe three Worthies thus pleading and wreſtling for the New World; as alſo Dr. Ames, and Mr. Nicholas Eſtwick, as far as I can gather, a well wiſher thereunto: Remembring too that they were all, of Chriſt-College in Cambridge; it gives me occaſion to ſay, p. 32Una cademque Demus, Vulnus Ope…que tulit.

If the ancient name Vates, may ſtill be allowed to Poets; it will be the more conſiderable, that Mr. Abraham Cowley hath ſaid,

At tu praeteritas tandem obliviſcere clades,

Nam tanti non parva Deus tibi, America, vindex,

Et dedit & majora dabit ſolatia damni.

Gaude ſorte tua; pars omnis amara vorata est

Jam dudum: dulcis ſupereſt: &c. &c.

Ingenium, pietas, artes, ac bellica virtus

Hue profugae venient, & regna illuſtria condent.

Et domine his virtus crit, & fortuna ministra.

Plantar. lib. 5. p. 252, 253. Likewiſe, Herbert's Poems entertain us very nobly with a good Preſage for the New World; p. 191.

Then ſhall Religion to America flee:

They have their Times of Goſpel, ev n as we.

Not doubting but that theſe Authorities, being brought to the King's Scales, will be over Weight; I paſs on. Nostri vero Hemiſpharij orbem, quem Oceanus ambitu ſuo circumſcribit] God hath founded the American Tebel, upon the Seas, and eſtabliſhed it upon the Floods. For Rivers, Lakes, and Seas, America refuſeth to give place. Quique ſolus Antiquis creditus est bumani generis domicilium.]

The Ancients believed there was no Earth here. The doctrine of Antipodes, was with them, Hereſie. Virgilius was condemned for it. So that by this argument, the Inhabitants of the New World tread water. But to argue from an antiquated Opinion, after it is, by Experience, convicted of eſſential and total Error; is truly to perſonat Water, as to its inſtability. One may equally faſten the ſame Imputations upon Aſia, Africa, and Europe, becauſe Montezuma & his Subjects, did not believe there was any ſuch Place, or People. In que primus home conditus, &c.] I ſhall always think the worſe of Holineſs of Places, for Mr. Mede's ſake; ſeeing it hath put one of his Learning and Charity, upon throwing away the New World at a caſt: For that ſeems to be the only baſis of this argumentation. And yet one would think, That the Fall of Mankind, Judas's Treaſon, and Mahomet's Alcoran, do but ill favourdly contribute towards the ſanctification of Aſia. Eorum diſcipuli praedicarunt.] Thuanus was of Opinion, that God raiſed the Spaniards to that Height of Power, that they might be fit Inſtruments for carrying the Goſpel into theſe remote Parts: and ſpeaks thus of it, Non mediocre, meo quidem judicio, operae pretium fuit, ubi nullus omnino terras eſſe credidit antiquitas, ibi inter tot gentes antea incognitum CHRIST I Nomen vel perperam audiri & celebrari. Hiſtor. lib. 1. p. 10. F. But to leave other American Plantations, it is p. 33certainly known, That the Diſciples of CHRIST have, for theſe Seventy ſeven Years, conſtantly and publickly preached the everlaſting Goſpel in New England in America; and have kept his Sabbath. It ſhould ſeem Mr. Estwick had alleged the Converſion of ſome Americans; by Mr. Mede's Reply, March, 22. 163 6/7 Epiſt. 69. p. 1034. But the New Englanders have not yet converted one; the Spaniards have, but unto Antichrist, not to Christ: and the Story of their Converſion is ſuch as may make a man juſtly ſuſpect there hath ſcarce yet been ever a true Chriſtian of that Race] It is a received Maxim, that into whatſoever place Jeſus Chriſt ſendeth the Goſpel of his Grace; in that Place He hath People to be ſaved. And who can certainly fix the Moment when Chriſt ſhall begin this myſterious Work? At the date of this Letter, ſixteen Years were run out, after Chriſt began to ſettle his Abode here.May America proſper, as Winthrop, & Wilſon, and Company cam into it upon good Grounds And I preſume, the Negative teſtimony of a Perſon three Thouſand miles off the Place concerned, will not obtain much credit with equal Judges. Eſpecially, remembring that the 43th Epiſtle begins thus, Concerning our Plantation in the American World, I wiſh them as well as any body: tho I differ from them far; both in other things, and the grounds they go upon. Neither can I believe, that the Captain of our Salvation hath landed his Forces here, to diſturb and vex Satan only;**1 Kings, 20 23, 28. but to fight with him in good Earneſt, and break his Head. It is remarkable what Mr. Nathanael Morton relates of one Squanto an Indian, in his New-England's Memorial, p. 25, 35, 40. He proved a ſpecial Inſtrument ſent of God for the good of the Engliſh, and was their Interpreter; directed them in planting of their Corn; where to Fiſh; and was alſo their Pilot to bring them to unknown places; and never left them untill his death. He was a Native of this place where Plimouth is, and ſcarce any left beſides him. The great Sachem Maſſaſciet ſought his li…e; which cauſed him to ſtick cloſe to the Engliſh. Being on a Voyage to buy Corn, by reaſon of croſs Winds they put in at Mannamork, where Squanto fell ſick, and in a few days dyed. A little before his death, he deſired Governour Bradford (who was then there) to pray for him, that he might go to Engliſh-mans God in Heaven: and bequeathed many of his Things to his Engliſh Friends, for a Remembrance of his Love: of whom they had a great Loſs. This fell out in the Year 1622. As Rahab, he with the uttermoſt hazard of his life changed ſides; left his countrymen, and eſpouſed the Intereſt of Strangers: And therefore I dare not deny, but that Rahab and he do now fare alike. This Year the Indians were exceedingly affected with the Providence of God in ſending a plenteous Rain upon the very ſame day that the Engliſh had ſet apart, and ſought it by humble and fervent Prayer. All the morning p. 34and the greateſt part of the day, it was clear weather, no cloud, or ſign of Rain to be ſeen. Yet towards Evening it began to be overcaſt, and ſhortly after to rain. It came without either Wind, or Thunder, or any Violence; but by degrees, and in that Abundance, as that the Earth was thorowly ſoaked therewith: which did apparently revive the languiſhing Corn and other Fruits; to their own & the Indians Admiration. One of them was heard to ſay, Now I ſee that Engliſh-mans God is a good God: for He hath heard you, and ſent you Rain; and that without thundering Storms and Tempeſts; which uſe to break down our Corn. Surely, your God is a Good God! The Drought laſted from the third week in May, to the middle of July; without any Rain; and with great Heat, for the moſt part. N. E. Memorial, p. 37, 38. Since the death of our Author, many of them have been converted; a ſatisfactory Account whereof was ſent over to England, and is in Print: by means whereof, many fervent Prayers were offered up to God on their behalf. So that we may hope, the Children of ſo many Prayers ſhall not finally miſcarry. The New Teſtament was tranſlated into their own Language, and came forth in Print, in September, 1661. …000. Copies of a more correct Edition were printed Anno 1685.1661. And ſince that time, the whole Bible hath been given them by the ſingular Induſtry of Mr. John Elict, at the Coſt of the Honorable Corporation; and a Catechiſe, and ſeveral books of practical Divinity, to boot. There are alſo ſeveral Churches of them wherein the Ordinances of Chriſt are adminiſtred, and his Sabbath ſanctified. Which Congregations may be compared to a piece of a Pomgranat within the Locks of the New Engliſh Church. To the many printed Teſtimonies of Mr. John Eliot; Father, and Son, Mr. Thomas Mahew, Mr. Henry Whitfield, and others; one manuſcript Evidence may be added. Major Daniel Gookin, a Perſon of known Integrity; who tho he were an Aſſiſtant, yet diſdained not to accept the Government of the Indians, and was very converſant with them; both at Cambridge, and at their own homes, for many Years together. Anno 1674. He writ a Treatiſe thereabout; which he entituled, INDIANS CONVERTED. In the 64th page, is this Paſſage, For my own part, I have no doubt; but am fully ſatisfied, according to judgement of Charity, that divers of them do fear God, and are true Believers. Well then, as to the Maſſachuſets, Triumphant Whitaker's Hypotheſis is happily made a Theſis; Scripturas intelligunt, Dominus illis ſuum Spiritum dedit.

Cujus finibus Judaeorum illa per omnes Gentes diſperſio concluditur]

It is well known what Swarms of Jews did dwell in Spain, eſpecially from the times of Adrian the Emperour. 1492But in the Year 1492. Ferdinand and Iſabel, King and Queen of Castile, made an Edict, p. 35whereby all Jews, which inhabited in Caſtile, or Leon, were enjoined to turn to the Chriſtian Religion, and to be baptized within three Moneths; on pain of having their Goods cofiſcat, and perpetual Baniſhment. By this means the miſerable People were brought into Great Perplexity. The moſt religious of them took counſel in the three moneths ſpace of delay before they were to leave the Country; and found means to ſend away their Money and chief Goods out of Spain; wherein they were aided by many honeſt minded Chriſtians; who did help to hide them. Others, who valued their eaſe, Native-Country, and Goods, above all other matters; were baptiſed, and made profeſſion of the Chriſtian Religion. And in proceſs of time, the noble Families of Spain allied themſelves by Marriage, to that Race. Grimeſton, Hiſt. Spain, p. 946, 947. This was called the great Diſperſion. One hundred and two and twenty Thouſand Families were driven out of Spain: and were forbidden to return, upon pain of forfeiting both Eſtate and Life. Meminit hujus exilij Dav. Gans P. 1. pag. 60. b vocat Ejectionem magnam; qua innumeri Solum, plurimi etjam Religionem mutarint. Scribit Calamitatem illius temporis ne quidem exprimi poſſe. Plura habet Schebh. Jehuda, p. 38, 39, 40. Hottinger. de Judaiſmo, p. 914. Eodem illo Anno, Hebraeos univerſos, quorum ingens & infinitus prope numerus crat, Hiſpaniae finibus excedere juſſit. Et ut Haereticos, Mauros, et Hebraeorum reliquias e ſuo regno penitus evelleret, ſanctum Inquiſitionis officium instituit. Hiſpan. illuſtrat. p. 1188.

The very ſame Year, 1492. Chriſtopher Columbus found out the New World for Castile and Leon. And altho the New World was not yet made ready for the Entertainment of the ejected Jews; or elſe the Jews were not yet fit to dwell in a place of their Own: Yet conſidering the Synchroniſme of this Baniſhment, and Diſcovery; with the marvellous Perplexity the diſtreſſed Outcaſts were in, not knowing whither to go: As alſo the great Gain that this Navigation afforded; the hopes ſome might conceive of managing themſelves more ſafely with their feigned Religion, which they had not proved, in a remote Place, than at home: Conſidering alſo the mixture of thoſe Nations by Inter Marriages; and that the greateſt and beſt part of America is peopled by Spaniards, and Portugals: It is not improbable, but many Jews may reſide there, tho covered with a Spaniſh Vail Manaſseh Ben Iſrael, Downam, Thorowgood, Eliot, and others were of Opinion that America was firſt peopled by the Ten Tribes. God's removing Iſrael out of his ſight,2 Kings, 17. v. 18, 20, 23. is no leſs than three times mentioned; which may inſinuate the Remoteneſs of that Land, into which God by his Providence intended to caſt them. And none was ſo remote, and ſo much out of ſight, as America. Mr. Greenhil thinks p. 36it is no Haereſie to ſay, Chriſt meant the Ten Tribes, John, 10.16. alluding to Ezek. 37.22, 24. cap. 37. p. 462. If it be no Haereſie to ſay, the Ten Tribes are the Sheep: Why ſhould it be accounted Haereſie to ſay, America is the diſtinct Fold there implied? For Chriſt doth not affirm that there ſhall be one Fold; but that there ſhall be ONE FLOCK, ONE SHEPHERD! But however it might be when Mr. Mede writ, Now it is manifeſt to all, that very conſiderable Numbers of Jews are ſeated in the New World; where they merchandize, have their Synagogues, and places of Burial. At Spikes's in Barbados, there is a Street called Jews Street; tho moſt live at the Bridge; and there is the Burying Place for both Towns. At Jamaica there are a great many; and Port-Royal alſo hath its Jews Street; by the ſame Token, that the Formidable Earthquake left that ſtanding; tho their Synagogue, which ſtood in another Street, was thrown down by it. This Earthquake happened upon the Third day of the Week, about a Quarter of an hour before Noon; being the Seventh of June, 1692. A very great Treaſure of Merchandiſe, and of Silver, and Gold, then periſhed. Many Houſes were ſwallowed up; others thrown down; at the Point, and over the Iſland; eſpecially ſuch as were built of Stone and Brick. A very fair Church at Port-Royal, and another newly built at Ligania, were turned into heaps of Rubbiſh. The Church at the Spaniſh Town, was broken to pieces. The Rocks, and High Mountains could not withſtand its Force; but they alſo being touchd, did ſmoke: In a moment, they loſt all their Verdure, and many cubits of their Stature. Near Two Thouſand Perſons died; whole Families being ſwallowd up together. This Loſs was, in a manner, peculiar to the Point; very few comparatively, being ſlain in other parts of the Iſland. Some of New England were there left with the deſtroying Angel: Others were taken into Protection; who, with a grateful Remembrance of God's diſtinguiſhing Favour towards them, have given me the ſubſtance of this Account. Upon this occaſion, the Prodigious Earthquakes of Lima, in Peru, of Sicilia, and Naples, might be mentioned: but that the Digreſſion would ſeem too long. Only it may be noted, that they are all Spaniſh: and that there was but the diſtance of ſeven Moneths between this of Jamaica, and the moſt Dreadful EARTHQUAKE of Sicilia: For that was ſent in January following, upon the Lord's day, being New-Years day, according to the Julian Account. To return to the Jews; There are ſeveral Families of them at New York; and New England is ſeldom wholly without them. Now there are two at Boston; viz. Mr. Joſeph Frazon, and Samuel Frazon, his brother, to whom I am beholden for a ſight of the Spaniſh Bible. Joſeph p. 37Frazon was ſometime Scholar to the learned Yeoſuah Da Sylva, in London. They acquaint me, that the Jews were formerly very numerous in the Dutch Plantations in Braſil: their Father and Grandfather did dwell there. Olinda was taken by the Dutch, Anno 1629. how ſoon the Jews followed them thither, I am not certain. But upon the Surrender of thoſe Places to the Portugals, they were diſperſed. Yet at Suranam, and Curaſſo, there are plenty of them ſtill. Probably, theſe Jews will be converted, before any great Numbers of the Indians, ſhall I ſay, or Iſraelites be brought in. That that ancient Propheſie may be fullfilled, Zech. 12 7. The LORD alſo ſhall ſave the tents of Judah Firſt, that the glory of the houſe of David, and the glory of the Inhabitants of Jeruſalem do not magnifie themſelves againſt Judah. To be for ſome time defrauded and deprived of her Husband, was Rachels diſgrace and grief; which was renewed and multiplied by Barrenneſs after her enjoyment of him. Gen. 30.1. And when Rachel ſaw that ſhe bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her ſiſter. But when the Times of Refreſhing by the New Jeruſalem, ſhall come, Joſeph ſhall take away his Mothers Reproach, and her Children ſhall be more & mightier than her Siſters. Inſomuch that there will be need of the forementioned Expedient, to keep the balance. Iſa. 11.13. The Envie alſo of Ephraim ſhall depart, and the Adverſaries of Judah ſhall be cut off: Ephraim ſhall not envie Judah, and Judah ſhall not vex Ephraim. Iſa. 54.1. Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear: Break forth into ſinging, and cry a…oud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the deſolate, than the children of the married wife, ſaith the LORD. That America hath been deſolate and unmarried for innumerable Ages, is a moſt ſad and awfull Truth: That ſhe may now receive Jeſus Chriſt as her Husband; will be the deſire and Prayer of all that favour the duſt of Zion.

Caeteraque Prophetarum Oracula adimpleta] To ſtrive to exclude America from having any concernment in Mat. 24.14. Luke, 24.47. & Act. 1.8. Or, to go about to prove that theſe Scriptures had their Accompliſhment in the New World, before the Spaniſh Diſcovery: is to give learned Bellarmin the better end of the Staff. De Romano Pon. lib. 3 cap. 4. In this Encounter, Whitaker himſelf is nearer a Foil, than Triumph. An Papa ſit Antichrislus, p. 663, 664. Yet the Cardinal miſtakes in placing this before the coming of Antichriſt: There is no colour for that; no more than there is to imagine that the prevailing Rage of Antichriſt, in the Three Days & Half, can compriſe his Beginning, and total Duration. However, 'tis a ridiculous thing for learned men with their cockle ſhells to pretend to lade the Ocean dry. Known unto the Lord are all his Works: and no doubt but He hath p. 38ſpoken of them in his Word; which Word abides for ever. So that what cometh to paſs in the New World, muſt be referred to ſome Propheſie. And to make America to be the whole, and only Object of the Curſes denounced againſt Gog and Magog; and to ſhut them out from all Promiſed Bleſſings; is altogether Unſcriptural and Unreaſonable.

Univerſum, & ſolum] A Quo Warranto may well be brought againſt this Charter, without any danger of the Imputation of Arbitrary or illegal Proceeding. Both parts may ſafely be denied.

Univerſum] Many times the place moſt given to Salt, is very near to that which is moſt Fruitfull. All the Children of Iſrael had Light in their Dwellings; when all the reſt of Aegypt were under the Confinement of thick Darkneſs. How many barren Heaths are there in fruitfull England; which from Age to Age, do affront and baffle all the Wit and Induſtry of the Nation! How often hath it Rained this Summer, upon one Town; and not upon another: tho not twenty miles off! In Hungarie, and Greece; Moſques, and Chriſtian Churches are to be found in the ſame City. The 18th of the Revelation gives us ground to expect, that Babylon will not be favoured with the Privileges of Chriſt's Kingdom: For it ſhall become the habitation of Devils, and the hold of every foul Spirit, and a cage of every Unclean and hatefull bird. Alcaſar thinks the Scripture intends mysticas feras, & mysticos bubones, & inferorum volucres. p. 765. They that dwell at Rome after the pouring out of the Seventh Vial, ſhall have nothing in them that is good and deſirable; neither really, nor in the Opinion of other men: but the various Qualities of them all, ſhall be curſed, and hatefull. Unleſs an abſolute Deſolation be intended in the laſt verſes of that Chapter.

Solum] It is generally concluded from thoſe words, Come out of her my People, that a little before the pouring out of the Seventh Vial; a Remnant of the Lamb's Followers ſhall be found in Rome. Why may we not as well hope that God hath reſerved Saints in Mexico, & other places of America? Our being without the certain knowledge of it, is no more than what befell Elijah, Rom. 11.4. Mr. Strong, in his Sermon upon Ezek. 47.11. ſpeaks thus, The Times to which this Propheſie relates, are the Times of the Calling of the Jews: p. 3. The Time therefore is to come: do you long for it, and pray for it. &c. p. 5.

Doct. Some men that live under the pureſt, and the most powerfull Ordinances; are, in Judgement, given up unto a perpetual Barrenneſs. p. 12. According to Mr. Strong (who well anſwers his Name) If the Waters flow only in Aſia, Africa, and Europe; yet ſtill, Univerſum will come off maimed: If they reach America alſo; the Barrier Solum p. 39will by them be removed. And it is moſt certain, that they are running in the New World; and I believe, as certain, that they will never ceaſe to run there: but will riſe higher and higher, untill they become a Very Long, and Broad, and Deep RIVER. Becauſe the People that are planted by them, begin to be placed under the Influences of that New National Covenant, Jer. 31.31. and Heb. 8.8.

Quicquid vero extra hoc Gentium eſt (locis nimirum ubi Inferorum ſedem collocavit Antiquitas) &c.] Deteſtatione quidem Lect hic opus eſt: … Reſponſione.Theſe Profane and Old wives Fables look ugliiv every where; but eſpecially in a Concern of this Moment; and in ſo beautifull, and well born a Work, as Mr. Mede's is: And therefore Averſation from them ought to be natural to us; as from ſome amphibious, ſerpentine Deformity.

Conſule R. Epiſcopum Armach. Reſponſ. ad Jeſuitam, p. 337, 338, 339, &c margine.] With all my heart! I am glad of this Invitation into the Company of ſo great a Doctor as USSHER. For extinguiſhing the imaginary flames of Purgatory, we need not go far to fetch Water: p. 163. And we need not go further than this venerable Author, to expoſe this Antick Fancy of America's being Hell. The material Spheres in ancient time were not made movable in their ſockets, as they are now, that they might be ſet to any Elevation of the Pole: but were fixt to the Elevation of XXXVI degrees;Pag. 336, 337 which was the height of the Rhodian Climat. The Horizon which divided this Sphere through the middle, & ſeparated the viſible part of the World, from the inviſible; was commonly eſteemed the utmoſt bound of the Earth: ſo that whatſoever was under that Horizon, was accounted to be under the Earth. For neither the common people, nor yet ſome of the learned Doctors of the Church could be induced to believe that which our daily Navigations find now to be moſt certain; that there ſhould be another Southern Hemiſphere of the Earth, inhabited by any Antipodes. And this proceeded from no other ground, but the Vulgar opinion, that the Southern Hemiſphere of the Earth was not inhabited by Living men, as our Northern is.Pag. 340. Inſomuch that ſome of the heathen Atheiſts, finding the contrary to be True by the diſcourſe of right Reaſon; endeavoured to perſwade themſelves from thence, that there was no ſuch place as Hades at all. Eſſe autem hujus infernae Regionis, vaſtaeque Abyſſi Incolas plures, beati Johannis Apocalypſi docemur. &c. Hilar. in Pſalm: 2 fol. 139. A. It ſhould ſeem that according to St. Hilary, and Usſher, Revelation 5.13. taketh in America: For every Creature Under the Earth, and ſuch as are in the Sea, are brought in ſaying, Bleſſing, Honour, Glory and Power be unto him that ſitteth upon the Throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. This Imployment ſeems to be a Demonſtration that p. 40God would Create a New Heaven in the New World. There is no manner of difference betwixt the lower Hemiſphere of the Earth, and that wherein we live. p. 342. Mr. Hugh Sanford in a learned Treatiſe DE DESCENSU &c. printed at Amsterdam, 1611. (which work was carried on and perfected by Mr Robert Parker, **…other of the …montioned …. Thomas …ker.a man of great Learning and Piety) hath ſpoken much to the ſame purpoſe. Indo locus factus ect fabulae, Solem, cum oritur, ab Oceano ſurgere: & in Oceani aquis ardentem rotam tingere, cum occidit. Imo non fabulis tantum jactatum istud: ſed in historias etjam conjectum, videre licet & ridere. p. 61. This gave occaſion to that Fable of the Suns coming up out of the Sea, when it riſeth: and of plunging the flaming Chariot in the Ocean, at Sun ſetting. Yea, we may look and laugh, to ſee that this ſhould not only be toſſed to & fro in Romances; but that it ſhould alſo be ſtuffed into hiſtories. Qui altiora ſcrutantur, referunt Inferos ad Sphaerae rationem, inquit Servius: ſic ut Antipodes nobis Inferi; nos illis. lib. 2. pag. 63, 64, 132. Wherefore, I hope our honoured Mother will not account it undutifull or indecent for me to ſay, The Inhabitants of Boſton in Lincoln-Shire are no leſs Inferi to us; than the Inhabitants of Boſton in New-England are to them. Nevertheleſs, I freely Acknowledge, that as Chriſtopher Columbus called the firſt Land he diſcovered, St. SAVIOUR: So, many Things alleged by Cardinal Bellarmin and others, about the Deſcent into Hell; are wonderfully ſuited to the going of Chriſt Jeſus into America. Chriſtus fuit in Inferno Laber, & Liberator aliorum. Non autem vocatur poena ſi Rex inviſar Carcerem, ut aliquos liberet: ſed vocatur Dignatio & Humilitas. Bellarm. de Chriſti Anima, lib. 4. cap. 16. col. 462. For Philippi. 2.10. and Zech. 9.11. ſee cap. 10. col. 446. & cap. 11. col. 447. Iſa 45.22, 23, 24, 25 Rom. 14.11. The truth is, there is ſo much Confuſion in the diſcourſes upon this ſubject, that a man cannot tell when he is in Heaven,Parker, lib. 3. pag. 43. and when he is in Hell. Tunc enim Paradiſum Triumphator ingreſſus eſt, cum ad Inferos penetravit: Philo Carpathiorum Epiſc. in Cant. 6. aplid USSER. p. 350. Margin. Some learned Proteſtants do obſerve there is no determinat mention made either of aſcending, or deſcending: and that the words literally interpreted, import no more but this;Pſal. 110.6, 7Ps 110:6Ps 110:7 HE WENT UNTO THE OTHER WORLD. p. 352. Now the New World, the Valley of Baca was the doleful Receptacle of Ungodly and Chriſtleſs Men, perfectly expoſed to the Craf. and Cruclty of Evil Angels. So near an Approach to; ſo compleat a Reſemblance of Hell, was not elſewhere to be found in rerum natura. JESUS CHRIST came hither to Viſit this Priſon, to Preach to the miſerable Priſoners; and, in ſpight of their ſi…ly Jaylor, to Say, Go forth: to them that are in Darkneſs, Shew your ſelves. Iſaiah, 49 9. p. 41Parker de Deſcenſu. lib. 4. p. 133. If we turn to Zech. 9.11.Bella…min…d Purgatoric. Lib. 1. Cap. Mr. Bulkeley on the Goſpel Covenant, ſhews that the Propheſie belongs to this Time; and the words immediately foregoing, demonſtrate that it pertaineth to this Place; viz. the New World. Probably, Joſeph was here in this Wilderneſs Pit, wherein was no Water. However, theſe Inhabitants were exactly in the circumſtances of Joſeph; out of which they could by no means get; being Priſoners there; or perſons bound, as the word ſignifies: which is the Indian way of Impriſoning. In this Valley of the ſhadow of death, under invincible Ignorance, they did live and walk. They had no Goſpel, no Publication of the Saving Grace of God in Jeſus Chriſt; not ſo much as any Fame or Rumor of it; which might ſet the moſt ready and athletick Induſtry on work. The Natives are alſo much addicted to Forts and Caſtles, as they call them; which are ineffectual to preſerve them from Slaughter. Our Bleſſed Saviour Jeſus Chriſt offers them a Cure of this Vanity, and adviſeth them to turn to Him, as to an impregnable Strong Hold: and ſo renders them Priſoners of Hope; who till now were ſhut up in the loweſt Dungeon of Darkneſs and Deſpair. That which inclines me to underſtand the Scripture in this Sence, is, The Pit is One individual Pit; whereas the Jews of the Old World are in ſeveral Pits; viz. Aſia, Africa, and Europe. And if they ſhould be call'd One Pit; yet in this Pit there was Water; which ſome of them have all along drunk of: and the obſtinat Reſuſal of the moſt, is a dreadful Aggravation of their Sin and Miſery. Let us look into one place in the New Teſtament; that Celebrated place, Matth. 12.29. Mark, 3.27. Or elſe how can one enter into a ſtrong mans houſe, and ſpoil his goods, except he first Binde the ſtrong man, and then he will ſpoil his Houſe? Luke, 11.21, 22. When a ſtrong man armed keepeth his Palace, his goods are in peace: But when a ſtronger than he ſhall come upon him, & overcome him, he taketh from him all his armour wherein he trusted, and divideth his ſpoils. Parker, de Deſcenſu &c. lib. 4. p. 105, 6, 7. After Auſtin, de Civitate Dei, lib. 20. cap. 7. col. 1205. C. & cap. 8. col. 1211. I take this Conqueſt and Binding, to be the ſame with that mentioned Revel. 20.1, 2. The words are metaphorical, borrowed from the manner of Taking, and ſacking or plundering of a garriſond Houſe, or City. The word Houſ, may be here uſed; becauſe of all Proprieties, a mans Houſe is the moſt Proper. Every man is a Monarch, and ought to bear Rule in his own Houſe: there he expects to be at Reſt and Peace. Matthew and Mark mention the Taking, and Luke adds the Dividing of the Spoil. So far as we know, Satan the grand and Proud Uſurper had all to himſelf in America. Altho the Houſe and Furniture belonged to GOD; yet he was wrongfully got into p. 42Poſſeſſion, and gave out that all was his Own; that he was the god of all this World: and he could by no means be ouſted, but by a greater Force. Negat forti et valido tyranno abrogari poſse imperium, donee ſuis armis ſpoliatus fuerit: quia niſi alia vis ſuperior oppoſita faerit, nunquam ſponte ceſſurus est: ſaith Maſter Calvin, Harmon. p. 157. Whereas there was none ſo much as to move any Queſtion about it; much leſs to conteſt it in Law, or contend for it by force of Arms. This Triumph was reſerved for the Lord Jeſus Chriſt, who comes to conquer this Tyrant, and ſpoil his Goods. Si quidem ipſe alligavit fortem, diripuitque Vaſa illius, videlicet nos, quibus ad omnia mala opera fuerat abuſus: fecitque vaſa Utilia Domino. Baſilius & alij. apud Parkerum, p. 106. Chriſtleſs Men and Women are Satans Goods. And Chriſt bindes Satan, by Unbinding them. And divides this Spoil to this and the other valiant and faithful Captain, and private Souldier; according to his Soveraign good Pleaſure. This Captain General will make thorow Work of it; He will not take this houſe, and enter into it & take a little Plunder, and then leave it: but He will ſpoil Satan's Houſe, ſo as for ever to preclude him from returning thether again, to play Rex, as he had done before. Let it be remembred, that I go not about to exclude other parts of the World: but to ſhew that the Americans are, at this Time, very Emphatically Concerned: Their Redeemer is Strong, the LORD of Hosts is his Name, He ſhall thorowly plead their cauſe, that he may give Rest to the Land, and diſquiet the inhabitants of Babylon. Jeremiah, 50.34.

Igne coelitus perdendas, justo, licet ignoto nobis, judicio reſervatum iri.] What a Pity it is,Nimirum has …rberes Regiones illas ſignificare, quae harum feraces imprimis ſunt. Brightm. Cant 4. fol. 73.Song 4 that becauſe the American Mulbery trees are not ſo early in putting forth as ſome other: therefore they muſt all preſently be condemned to the Fire! Seeing the First Reſurrection is near at hand; it were better to wait a little, and ſee what God will do for them therein. For we are certain that if they have a part given them in the firſt Reſurrection; they will not be obnoxious to the mentioned Judgment. In orbis noſiri meditullio ſitae] The ſituation of Jeruſalem is not ſo Central; but that a Voyage may be made from London, to Mexico, in as little time, as from London, to Jeruſalem. In that reſpect, If the New World ſhould be made the ſeat of New Jeruſalem; if the City of the Great KING ſhould be ſet on the Northern ſide of it: Engliſhmen would meet with no Inconvenience thereby; and they would find this Convenience; that they might viſit the Citizens of New Jeruſalem, and their Countrymen, all under one. As they go thether, Barbados ſtands advanced three hundred Leagues Eaſtward, ready to meet them with a Welcom to the New World. And Jamaica is poſted juſt in the way, to invite them thother, or to ſalute p. 43them in their paſſing by, and to pilot them to St Juan de Ulva, if there be occaſion. When homeward bound, Providence will firſtly take care of them; and after that, they will have their Countrymen to friend all along ſhoar. Solitary Bermuda will be overjoyd, if they happen to touch there. And if in that Latitude, any Captain ſhall commmand, Helm a Starboard, on purpoſe to viſit our New Engliſh Tuzah; they will be met with anſwerable Reſpect; & mutual Kindneſs ſhall render the Congreſs happy. Yea, if the ſpending of a Maſt, or ſpringing of a Leak, do oblige them to ſuch a Diverſion, the Pleaſantneſs of the Effect, in bringing good Company together, ſhall help to qualifie the bitterneſs of the Cauſe. Ad cujus minimum fines, Regnum Chriſti portenſum iri, testantur Prophetatum oracula] This word minimum contains in it the moſt Light for America, of any one in the whole Chapter. The worthy Author ſeems here to begin to relent. By this means being fairly got without the Inviſible walls of the Imperial Priſon, and expatiating as far as Japan, and the Cape of Good Hope; I know nothing ſhould hinder, but that we may from thence take Shipping for the New World. As for Pſalm, 72.8. and Iſa. 49.6. they are ſummoned to ſpeak on our ſide. And there are no leſs than Six times Three very Credible Witneſſes, who have given their Affidavit, that the Converſion of American Indians is an Accompliſhment of thoſe glorious Propheſies. Their Teſtimony is to be ſeen at large in their Epiſtle ſet before a Book publiſhed at London, in the Year 1652. entituled, Strength out of Weakneſs. Or a Glorious MANIFESTATION of the further Progreſs of the GOSPEL AMONGST THE INDIANS IN NEW ENGLAND. &c.

The Epiſtle is as followeth;

Chriſtian Reader,

Theſe enſuing Letters do repreſent unto thee, and to the Churches, the Outgoings of Chriſt, as a Light to the Gentiles, that the Grace which brings Salvation, hath appeared unto them alſo in the furtheſt parts of the Earth, for the accompliſhment of that ancient and glorious Promiſe; I will alſo give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayſt be my ſalvation to the End of the earth. Iſa. 49.6. &c. We have therefore thought fit to commend this great work of Chriſt unto the view of all the Saints, under theſe following Conſiderations. 1. Hereby the Kingdom of Chriſt is enlarged, A…ma diaboli Gentes crant; …c autem Gent…um vulneratu…. cap… qu… hab. … A…. in Pſal. 118.Ps 118and the Promiſe made unto him, in the Covenant between him and his Father, accompliſhed, his Dominion ſhall be from Sea to Sea, & from the Floud unto the Worlds End. Therefore his deſign is upon all the Kingdoms of the Earth, that he may take poſſeſſion of them for Himſelf: They ſhall all become the Kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Chriſt, Rev. 11.15. And the Kingdom, & Dominion under the whole Heaven, p. 44being ſo poſſeſſed by Chriſt, ſhall be given to the People of the Saints of the moſt High, Dan. 7.18, 27 &c. 2. The glorious Goſpe… of Chriſt is hereby Propagated, &c. 3. Hereby the Souls of men are reſcued out of the ſnare of the Devil, in which they were before held captive by him at his will. &c. 4. Hereby the fullneſs of the Gentiles draweth near to be accompliſhed, that the Calling of the Jews may be haſtened. &c. The firſt Converſion of the Gentiles in its fullneſs, makes way for the coming in of the Jews, the Kings of the East. &c.

5. That the LORD hath bleſſed the labours of our Brethren, who were driven out from among us. A gracious heart, as he prays for, ſo he cannot but rejoyce in the ſucceſs of other mens labours, as well as his own. So the work which is Gods, may proſper, whoever be the Inſtrument; 'tis enough to him. &c. 6. This we hope may be but the Firſt fruits of thoſe great Nations unto Chriſt. The Lord doth not uſually, cauſe to bring forth, and then ſhut the womb, Iſaiah, 66.9. Let no man deſpiſe the day of ſmall things: The Lord hath opened a great door, which we hope Satan ſhall never be able any more to ſhut. &c.

This we humbly offer unto all thoſe that love the Lord JESUS in ſincerity; and remain

Thine in the furtherance of the Goſpel,

William Gouge.

Tho: Goodwin.

Lazarus Seaman.

John Owen.

Edm: Calamy.

Joſeph Caryl.

Jer: Whittaker.

Will: Greenhil.

George Griffith.

Henry Whitfield.

Will: Spurſtow.

William Bridge.

Simeon Aſhe.

Sidrach Simpſon.

William Strong.

Philip Nye.

William Carter.

Ralph Venning.

p. 45In quatuor angulis terrae] In the four Quarters of the Earth, Rev. 20.8. In Aſia, Africa, Europe, America: Eaſt, Weſt, North, and South; ſaith Mr. Cotton, MSS. p. 33. Phraſi repetita ex cap. 7.1 hoc est, univerſo Chriſtianiſmo per omnes mundi partes dilatato: Ubique enim graſſabitur apoſtaſia; ſed magis in Oriente & Occidente, ubi apices erunt imperij, &c. Pareus, col. 1111. To ſuppoſe that America ſhould not at all be containd in Rev. 7.1. and that all America, and no other part of the World beſide, ſhould be expreſſed by the very ſame words, Rev. 20 8. Is to me, a perfect Riddle; which I can by no means expound. And it ſeems Pareus never dream'd of any ſuch thing. Gog et Magog ſunt Nationes parentes Turcico imperio, Brightm. p. 658. Quorum utrumque in Orbis Americani, Arctici et Antarctici incolas competere, nemíni rei Geographicae perito, ignotum eſt] The whole Empire of America being Europaean, is a firm and plain Demonſtration of its being acceſſible. Barthol. de las Caſas would fain make us believe that it hath been invaded before now. Dr. Whitaker reports that the Spaniards killd more than they left alive. de notis Eccl. p. 505. Carthagena was Aſſaulted & Taken by Sir Francis Drake, 1585. & this very Summer, 1697. Emptied of vaſt Treaſures, by a French Fleet. Ab Eſſe ad Poſſe, valet Conſequentia. As for New Spain; by reaſon of the Iſthmus, ſitum ita comparatum habent; as that they may be more eaſily attacked on both ſides, than Jeruſalem can. Europe excells in Shipping; and the Trade Wind carrieth their Fleets thether. From China, Japan, and other parts of Aſia; a Fleet may invade them on the ſide of Acapulco. Whereas, if the Americans had Ships enough to make up a Fleet, and ſhould ſend it from Acapulco Weſtward; they have a long Voyage to the Philippine Iſlands; and then they have all the length of Aſia to ſail over ſtill: beſides the difficulty and danger of paſſing the ſtraits and ſands of the Red Sea. Making no allowance for Oppoſition by the way, all along the Coaſt of Aſia, for Fifteen Hundred Leagues together. Tamque invidendae felicitatis Orbem] If Acosta, and our Country man Gage, and Thouſands more may be credited; Nature hath not been ſo ſparing towards America, Mat. 18.19.20. Quum autem inaeſtimabile bonura ſit, Chriſtum habere in omnibus negot… is Praefidem, qui conſilia & eventus benedicat, &c. Calvin, p. 24Matt 18:19Matt 18:20as to give her cauſe to envy her Siſters. And as for the Saving Grace of God; it is Soveraign and Free: and the Promiſes of it are made to Perſons, and not to Places. Therefore let not the Four Siſters fall out by the way: but let them honour themſelves, by accounting it their greateſt Beauty and Pleaſure, to converſe together in Unity; and quietly to wait, till the Mind of Jeſus Chriſt concerning this matter, be more fully diſcovered: All, and every one, firmly reſolving to follow the LAMB whitherſoever He ſhall go, eſteeming that Peſt, and moſt Pleaſant, which He ſhall pleaſe to Determine. p. 46For if the Condition of the New World be in this reſpect,Parker, lib. 2. p. 64. Inferiour; yet I hope, it will be ſo Good, that the Better ſhall not be envied; but Letters ſhall really and truly be ſuperſcribed, Inferi Superis Salatem. If it be Superiour; the Envy of Ephraim will then naturally depart: Ephraim ſhall not envy Judah; and Judah ſhall not vex Ephraim.

Si verum ſit quod Fullerus noster probare contendit, &c. Vid eum Miſcell. ſacr. lib. 2. cap. 4. in fine] Having met with ſuch obliging Entertainment from Archbiſhop USSHER, I was the more emboldened to go and ſpeak with Learned Mr. Nicholas Fuller: and if it be gratefull to the Reader; it ſhall not be burdenſom to me, to tell the ſubſtance of the Diſcourſe; which was this;

Cum ergo Sacae ſeu Scythae ſemper numeroſiſſimi ſuerint, ſolique omnium nationum frequentibus migrationibus aſſueti; pluſquam probabile profecto eſt, ab ipſis primum habitatam fuiſſe quoque Indiam Occidentalem, quam paſſim Americam dicunt, vere ac merito Columbinam potius dicerent, a magnanimo Heroe Chriſtophoro Columbo Genuenſi primo terrarum illarum inveſtigatore atque inventore plane Divinitus conſtituto, Nov. O…b. c. 84, & 85. Certa nempe res eſt, gentes univerſas ex hac continente quam nos accolimus, in quaſlibet Orbis terrarum plagas, tanquam colonias, initio fuiſſe deductas. Hinc ergo Columbina primum incolas acceperit neceſſe eſt. Atqui ex omnibus hujus continentis tractibus longe aptiſſimus eſt Japheticus (quocunque nomine cenſeatur, Scythicus, Sarmaticus, Cimbricus vel Cimmerius, Celticus denique Septentrionalis iſte, quem nos ſpectamu) ad rem illam perficiendam. Nam ſine ulla controverſia multo is quidem propior eſt Columbinae. &c. Quare proculdubio a Japheti poſtetis Septentrionalium partium continentis iſtius incolis habitari primum coepta eſt America, ſeu verius Columbina. Atque iſtis valde conveniunt quae commemorat Antonius Galvanus, generoſae ſtirpis Luſitanus (qui diu apud Indos Moluccenſes cum poteſtate ſuerat) in libello quodam ſuo de nova…um terrarum Inventoribus Anglice a Richardo Hackluito noſtro recens edito; nimirum Tabencos (quos vocat) ſeu Chinenſes vehementer confirmare, ſeſe omnium primos in longinq…as O bis regiones navibus trajeciſſe; cumque ſint totius Tartariae gens illuſtriſſima, ſe maximae parti Scythiae olim ſuiſſe dominatos. Inſuper ait, prorſus credibile videri a Chinenſibus hiſce, Tartariſve aut Scyt… Orientalibus repertam fuiſſe Columbinam, et incolis repletam. Nam nationes ejus et moribus vivendique ra…ione & corporis totius ſ…o, videlicet parvis oculis, naribus ſimis, aliiſque proprietatibus, perſimiles ſunt Chinenſibus. Utut hoc erat, ſatis tamen apertum eſt illud, Americanos, ſeu Columbinos primos e terra Japhetica, i. e. tractu hoc Septentrionali, in regionem illam longe p. 47ampliſſimam vereque Novum Orbem conceſſiſſe, ac ſequentibus ſeculis ulterius etiam vel ſua ſponte vel pulſos a finitimis fortioribus, ſuperato freto Magellanico, in climata Auſtrali Polo vicina proceſſiſſe. Nihil enim impediebat; cum fretum illud mire anguſtum ſit, utpote unius alicubi & perpaucarum alibi Leucarum, teſte omni Exceptione majore nobiliſſimo Navarcho noſtro Franciſco Draco, primario ordinis Equeſtris viro, qui idipſum totum perluſtravit. Quamobrem QUANDOQUIDEM ad Europam, Septentrionalemque & Boreum Aſiae tractum Novus Orbis veluti immenſae magnitudinis auctarium acceſſit, et Japheto poſteriſque ejus jure haereditario in perpetuam poſſeſſionem obtigit, negari non poteſt perfecte atque abſolute impletam eſſe propeticam Patriarchae benedictionem, et Japhetum veriſſime ſic nominatum ut cui dilataverit, h. e. vaſtiſſimum planeque ſtupendae amplitudinis ſpatium, duplicis portionis inſtar, non parce & reſtricte, ſed largiſſime effuſiſſimeque admenſae, conceſſerit Deus.

Theſe are the Sentiments of Mr. Nicolas Fuller concerning the New World, and them that dwell therein; both as to what is paſt, and to come. If they do but outlive the ſpringing of this Mine, they are like to be out of danger of any further deſign this Chapter hath upon them. This learned Man, agreeable to his great Ingenuity, endeavours to do Columbus the Juſtice, as to eternize his Honour, by engraving his Name upon the World of his Diſcovery. It is every where called America: but according to Truth, and Deſert; men ſhould rather call it Columbina, from the magnanimous Heroe Chriſtopher Columbus a Genueſe, who was manifestly Appointed of GOD to be the Finder out of theſe Lands. But why ſhould a learned Man make all this Dirige for Columbus's Name! What matter is it how America be called?1300. For Flavio of Malphi in Naples hath, in great meaſure, applied the Vertues of the Loadſtone to the Mariners Compaſs, in Vain; the Portugals have found the length of Africa's foot, in Vain; the Spaniards ſent out the Italian Dove, in Vain; Sir Francis Drake hath ſailed round the World, and made thorow Lights to it, in Vain; and Hakluyt and Purchas have, with endleſs Labour, acquainted Engliſhmen with theſe Things, in Vain: If after all, we go about to turn the American Euphrates into a Stygian Lake! The breaking of this One Inſtrument, ſpoils us of the long expected, and much deſired Conſort of Muſick.

Another thing that Mr. Fuller drives at, is, he would fain have it believ'd, that America was firſt peopled by the Poſterity of our Great Grandfather JAPHETH; tho he will not be very ſtrict with us, as to the particular branch of that Wide Family; as the Breadth of his Parentheſis ſhews. Well then! the Americans are not Cham's children; p. 48nor heirs of his Curſe: as ſome have gueſſed. That Obſtacle is removed out of the way of their Converſion. And by this Argument it may be more firmly proved that Engliſhmen ſhall be Gog & Magog: for without controverſie,…28. …mbden, Erit … 132. …id. USSER. …e Brit. Eccl. …rimordijs. p. …90 — 395. …equitur dein…e Anglia Ve…us &c. they are originally Cimbrians, as Pontanus affirms. Rerum Danic. Hiſt. lib. 1. p. 12. & lib. 2. p. 58, 80. Some learned Authors conjecture that they are derived from the very Sacae mentioned by our Author Verſtegan, p. 14, 20. And this Opinion finds Favour with Cambden, in his excellent Britannia, p. 129. Howbeit, that conceipt of the beſt learned Germans may ſeem worthy acceptance, who ſuppoſe that the Saxons deſcended from the Sacae, a moſt noble Nation, and of much worth in Aſia, and ſo called Sacoſones, that is, the Sons of the Sacae. Well may New-England brook its Name; ſeeing, as to its Inhabitants, it is every way of Kin to England. And Mr. Roger Williams's Key into the Language of America, hath one ward more than ever I was aware of; p. 53.

Boast not proud Engliſh, of thy birth and blood:

Thy brother Indian is by birth as good.

Make ſure thy ſecond Birth;Act. 17.26. Epheſ. 2.3.Acts 17:26Eph 2:3 elſe thou ſhalt ſee

Heaven ope to Indians wilde: but ſhut to thee.

As for the confounding of the Gog and Magog in the Revelation, with Ezekiel's; the confuſion which our Author would have others avoid; he himſelf ſeems partly to fall into, in making the Americans Magogiticae gentis colonias: ſeeing John his Gog and Magog are not brought upon the Stage till a Thouſand Years hence. Moreover, if there be any thing in being deſcended of the Scythians, to entail the Curſe of Gog and Magog: twill make the Argument more ſtrong, to bring them from Aſia, and Europe: for no body doubts, but that there are of their Offspring in thoſe parts. Not to inſiſt on the Opinion received in China, and credited by Antonius Galvanus; that the Americans are Colonies ſent from that Nation: The principal Deſign of Mr. Fuller's whole Diſcourſe appears in the laſt clauſe of it, the ſence of which is this, WHEREFORE, foraſmuch as unto Europe, and the Northern parts of Aſia, there is the Acceſſion of the New World, a ſurpluſſage of boundleſs Bigneſs; and is fallen by right of Inheritance, to Japheth, To Have and to Hold to him and his Heirs for Ever: It cannot be denied, but that the prophetical Bl…ſſing of the Patriarch is perfectly and abſolutely fulfilled; and that Japheth was most truly ſo called, as unto whom God would give Enlargement, h. e. grant for a Double Portion a moſt huge Tract of Land of marvellous Extent; and that not upon a ſcanty and ſtrict; but upon a most Large and Liberal admeaſurement.

But now the calculation of this Chapter turns all this Bleſſing into a Curſe; all this Bread and Fiſh, into Stones and Serpents. Who had p. 49not rather be without a Portion, than have one ſo ill Condition'd? So then, from Mr. Fuller's Deſign this Conjecture doth toto Caelo errare; and as, with ſubmiſſion, I conceive, from the Truth it ſelf. If it appear ſo to do; Mr. Mede would have it known, that his Deſire is, Not to have it any longer reckened to have been ſpoken, or written by Him. Epiſt. Lectori, p. 540. With this Sentence …ull of ſo much Candor, I take leave of the worthy Author, as to this Controverſy. But I would not ſeparate Mr. Nicholas Fuller from Dr. Thomas Fuller, for Names ſake. Amongſt many of his pleaſant and profitable Writings, there is his Holy State, the 16th Chapter treating of Plantations, hath this paſſage in the cloſe of it;

I am confident that America (tho the youngeſt Siſter of the four) is now grown marriageable, and daily hopes to get Chriſt to her Husband, by the preaching of the Goſpel. This makes me attentively to liſten after ſome Proteſtant Firſt-fruits, in hope the Harveſt will ripen afterwards.

Lift up your heads, O ye Gates [of Columbina] and be ye lift up, ye Everlaſting Doors, and the KING of Glory ſhall come in.

This SCRIPTURE would have made a moſt deſirable & pleaſant Concluſion of this ſmall diſquiſition: but that the Reader may expect to ſee what Renowned Dr. Twiſſe hath written in compliance with the forementioned Conjecture: becauſe every one is not ſo happy as to be Owner of Mr. Mede's Works.

It ſeems Dr Twiſse did at firſt, keck and ſtrain at our Authors Millennium, as to the proper and perſonal Reſurrection of the Saints. To facilitate the ſwallowing of it, Mr. Mede ſent him his Conjecture incloſed in a Letter dated January, 31. 1634/5.Epiſt. 41. p. 975. I perceive what it is that moſt pincheth you in the Millenarian Prophecy; to wit, that of Gog and Magog. Wherefore I ſend you incloſed herewith, my C…j…cture thereof &c. This is the firſt appearance of it, that I remember: and was in manuſcript probably, by the care to return it again ſpeedily. But it may make an Inhabitant of Columbina rather queſtion the Truth of ſuch a Millennium, than confirm him in the belief of it; if it require ſuch Aid. Dr. Twiſse his Anſwer to this Letter, bears dare the 2d of March next following; out of which I have tranſcribed the Paragraph that chiefly concerns the Conjecture; which is as followeth; NOW, I beſeech you, let me know what your Opinion is of our Engliſh Plantations in the New World. Heretofore I have wondered p. 50in my thoughts at the Providence of God concerning that World, not diſcovered till this Old World of ours is almoſt at an end: and then no footſheps found of the knowledge of the True God; much leſs of Chriſt. And then conſidering our Engliſh Plantations of late, and the Opinion of many grave Divines, concerning the Geſpel's fleeting Westward: ſo…ti…res I have had ſuch thoughts;☞ Why may not that be the Place of NEW JERU…ALEM? But you have handſomly and fully cleared me from ſuch odd conceits. But what? I pray, ſhall our Engliſh there, degenerate and joyn themſelves with Gog and Magog? We have heard lately divers ways, that our people there, have no hope of the Converſion of the Natives. And the very Week after I received your last Letter, I ſaw a Letter written from New England, diſcourſing of an impoſſibility of ſubſisting there; and ſeems to prefer the Conſiſſion of God's Truth in any condition here in Old England, rather than run over to enjoy their liberty there; yea and that the Goſpel is like to be more dear in New England, than in Old: and laſtly, unleſs they be exceeding carefull, and God wonderfully mercifull; they are like to loſe that life and zeal for God and his Truth, in New England, which they enjoyed in Old; as whereof they have already wofull experience, and many there feel it to their ſmart. Epiſt. 42. p. 979.

The Work of God in carrying the New Engliſh Colonies over the Great & wide Sea,Let Bozius brag on! Nihil inde prof…cerunt, nihil gromoverunt. and Tranſplanting them in America; was a very direct and poſitive Anſwer to that Boaſt of the Papiſts; Haereſes autem Lutheranorum nunquam tranſierunt Mare: The Lutheran Hereſies did never croſs the Seas. Bellarmin. de Amplitudine Eccl. lib 4. cap. 7. The Oppoſition hereby made to the Unexpected Acceſſions to Antichriſt, in the New World; brings to mind a Verſe of the late Learned and Laborious Preſident of Harvard College, Mr. Charles Cha…ney,

If Fourty-two ſtand ſtedfast in the West,

Then Fourty two is Babel'd in the East.

The Author was ſo mighty in the Scriptures, ſo Pious, and ſuch a great Maſter of Languages; that his Conjecture concerning Babel deſerves Credit: and with the good leare of his Learned Sons, I take the Verſe to be reciprocally True; and will venture to ſay,

If Fourty two be Babeld in the East,

Then Fourty-two ſtands ſtedfast in the West.

It may be hoped that Chriſt will be ſo far from quitting what He hath already got in New England; that He will ſooner enlarge his Dominion, by bringing on a glorious Reformation in New Spain; and ſo making the New World deſerve the ſignificant Name of Columbina: Of which Mr. Thomas Gage hath given us a good Omen, in his ſucceſsfull Zeal exerciſed in Mixco near Guatema…a, about the Year 1635. Our Countryman having by long and diligent Search, found p. 51out a Pagan Idol (a Statue of Wood) in a dark Wilderneſs Cave; cauſed it to be privatly conveyed to the Church on the Lord's Day, and hid in the Pulpit. Out of Exod. 20.3. he preached againſt Idolatry and Idols, which have eyes, and ſee not, &c. Sermon being ended, he ſet up the black ſtaring Idol upon the Pulpit, in open view; and upbraided him ſufficiently with his Nothingneſs, and inability to ſpeak for, or defend himſelf: and then orderd him to be hewen in very ſmall pieces, and to be caſt into a fire of coals and burned in the midſt of the Church, before a great Aſſembly. The Indians, called Fuenies, who had worſhipped him, were ſurpriſed and confounded. The Spaniards cried out joyfully, Victor! Victor! Others repeated Gloria a noſtro Dios, Glory to our God. New Survey &c. cap. 20. pag. 397. Their lady mary not having any better eyes, to ſee; or ears, to hear; or tongue, to ſpeak, than the courſe clowniſh Indian Idol had; let Ovid be admitted, on her behalf, to ſay, Nomine mutato, Cauſa relata mea est.

Firſt Thoughts are ſometimes the beſt. The Doctor had once very high Thoughts of the Goſpels Enterance into America; which put him upon ſaying, Why may not that be the place of New-Jeruſalem? And it is not altogether inconſiderable, that Mr. Mede's Clavis was firſt printed in the Year, 1627. which was a notable means to revive the Thinking and Speaking of New Jeruſalem. And this was the Year wherein the Deſign for planting of the Goſpel in New England, began to be ripened. For in the Year 1628. the firſt Town in the Maſſachuſets Bay, was begun by Mr. John Endecott, **This was a ſingular Honour prepard by God for him. And when He was choſen Deputy-Gov. five times & fifteen times Governour: He very honorably diſcharged the Truſt repoſed in him; & put off thoſe Robes, & his Life together; March 15. 1664, 65.and was called SALEM; which may give occaſion to hope, that GOD in tendeth to write upon theſe Churches the Name of New Jeruſalem: They ſhall be near of Kin to, and ſhall much reſemble that City of GOD. But what ſhould oblige Dr. Twiſse to change his minde? It is moſt certain, that unleſs Chriſtians be exceeding carefull, and GOD Wonderfully Mercifull; Religion in Europe muſt inſtantly Expire. As to America, He cannot without great Reluctancy, give up his Engliſh Friends there: who differed from Mr. Mede; Epiſt. 55, 57, 70, 74.and agreed well with them in the Grounds upon which they went thither. But, as Epiſt. 50. p. 991. The Doctor was ſo intirely taken up in Vindic…ing the Grace, Power, and Providence of God, as to their Intenſive Nature: that, according to his ſingular Modeſty, he fully ſubmitted the Conſideration of their Extenſiveneſs, unto Mr. Mode; as more ſtudied in Apocatyptical Myſteries. That theſe good So… of Jeſus Chriſt, prepared to endure hardſhip, ſhould yet be ſurpriſed with Temptations; is no wonder. For Satan was …re as in his Houſe ſtrongly Fortified, and well Moted in; was abundantly ſtored with Arms & p. 52Ammunition: Here he had his Head Quarters, his Palaces; his Throne, kept his Court; exerciſed an Univerſal, Unlimited, Unqueſtioned Juriſdiction Here were none ſhut up or left; not ſo much as one little town or ſingle family that held it out. Nay, being in love with Bondage, they take up Arms againſt their Deliverer; and ſtrive with all their might to courinue the Tyrant in quiet Poſſeſſion. Innumeri enim ſunt laquei ad il aq…eandes homines: imo jam ſibi mancipatos, compedibus varijs it a c…mslring…; ut Servitutem cui addicti ſunt, po…us foveant, quam ad Libertatem u…o modo adſpirent. &c. Calvin. Harmon in Mat. 12.29. p. 157. He will not fail therefore to uſe all his Policy and Power, all his Methods and Stratagems of War againſt theſe Recruits, coming over to rainforce the Invaſion of his Dominions. Old and experienced Souldiers may be wounded and worſted in particular Encounters; eſpecially in great Expeditions that are New and Unuſual. But if they are ſenſible of their wounds, and complain of the ſmart of them, by that we know for certain, that they are not ſlain. As it was once ſaid of Jeruſalem; ſo it may be now ſaid of Babylon, in the ſight and hearing of all their Antichriſtian and Pagan Armies; Tho ye had ſmitten the whole Army of them that fight againſt you, and there remained but wounded men among them, yet ſhould they riſe up every man in his tent, & burn this city with fire. Jer. 37.10. For their Captain is not only Invincible, but Invulnerable; not liable to the leaſt imaginable hurt or bruiſe. He will rally his Forces again, Neither will He draw them off: but keep the Field; and gain a compleat and deciſive Victory: Leſt otherwiſe ſome ſhould ſurmiſe that the ſtrong man was ſtronger than JESUS. As for their Hopes of Converting the Natives; Mr. COTTON's Sentiments may be ſeen by a few clauſes taken out of his Manuſcript on the Revelation; Chapter, 6.12. Doct. 1. A corrupt & falſe Religion, tho never ſo firmly eſtabliſhed, univerſally received, and anciently continued: will come at length to be ſhaken, and aboliſhed; and all the Profeſſors and maintainers thereof, utterly aſhamed and confounded. R. 2. From the Right of Christ to Inherit the whole Earth, and all the Nations in it. Pſal. 2.8, 9. Zech. 14.9. U. 1. To expect the certain Ruine of all falſe Religions; Indian, Turkiſh, yea, and Popiſh too. Rev. 18.21.

Rev. 12 7, 8 9. U. 1. To teach us to take up the like War againſt the gods of theſe Indians. — We ſhall find the War difficult.

Rev. 15.8. U. To teach us, Not to wonder at the backwardneſs of the…e Indians to be converted unto our Religion. It is here propheſied, they are not able, nor ſhall be able to enter till theſe Plagues are fulfilled.

2. Eſp…ily, Pray we for the Calling of the Jews If the caſting away of the Jews brought in Aſia, and Europe (a great part of both) with ſome part of Africa: How much more ſhall their Converſion, which is p. 53their Fullneſs, bring in a greater Harveſt of theſe three Parts of the World, and America beſides?

Mr. Joſeph Caryl, one of David s Worthies beforementioned, ſpeaks thus, We have heard of the Firſt fruits, and Second fruits of India in New England, unto Chriſt: and theſe are a fair Aſſurance of a plentifull Harveſt there, in due time. A bleſſed Foundation is laid; yea, the Building begins to appear above ground, in the viſible Profeſſion, or profeſſed Subjection of many poor Souls unto the Goſpel of Chriſt. May we not therefore hopefully expect, that the Top Stone ſhall be ſet up with a Shout of GRACE! GRACE! to it? Epiſt. to a further Account of the Progreſs of the Goſpel amongſt the Indian; in New England, printed Anno 1660.

Mr. Richard Mather, part of whoſe Character is, ſtrenuus Veritatis Aſſertor, being preſent when many Indians made their Confeſſions; hath given his Teſtimony concerning them, in ſuch words as theſe; The admitting them into any Churches of the Engliſh (for ought I know) might ſpeedily be done, and with much ſatisfaction, &c. Tho they be not combined into Church-Eſtate, there is ſo much of God's Work amongſt them; as that I cannot but account it a great Evil; yea, a great Injury to God and his Goodneſs; for any to make light, or nothing of it. &c. Their whole Carriage, with plenty of Tears trickling down the cheeks of ſome of them, did argue to us, that they ſpake with much good Affection, and holy Fear of God: and it much affected our hearts. &c.

The Epiſtle begins thus; THE Amplitude, and large Extent of the Kingdom of Jeſus Chriſt upon Earth, when the Heathen ſhall be his Inheritance, and the Uttermoſt parts of the Earth his Poſſeſſion, &c: is a thing plainly and plentifully foretold, & promiſed in the Holy Scriptures; Pſal 2.8. & 22.27. & 72.11. & 86.9. Dan. 2 35, 44, 45. & 7.26, 27. Zech. 14.9. &c. And to ſay no more, the Lord's marvellous Soveraignty and Liberty is to be obſerved, who till now of late, hath ſeen meet never to look after this People: but hath ſuffered them all this while to walk in their own ways; ways of Sin, and ways of Death. Yea, and tho there have been Plantations of the Engliſh in the Country now 20. Years, and more; yea, ſome a matter of 30. Years, or thereabout: Yet of all this time (except ſome little workings in a few) no conſiderable work of Grace hath appeared amongſt the Indians, till now of late. So true is that Saying; The Times and Seaſons, the Father hath put them in his Own Power. Act. 1.7. &c. This noble Epiſtle was dated at Dorcheſter, in New England; December, 13th 1652. Thus we ſee, theſe grave and great Divines did not deſpair of; but believe the p. 54Converſion of the Natives. And they lived to ſee the Dawning of that Joyfull Day. A Letter written by the honourable John End cote Eſq then Governour, hath theſe paſſages in it; I eſteem it not the leaſt of God's Mercies that hath ſhirred up the hearts of any of the people of God to be inſtrumental in the enlarging of the Kingdom of his dear Son, here amongſt the heathen Indians: which was one End of our coming hither; and it is not fruſtrated. It was propheſied of old, and now begins to be accompliſhed, Pſal. 2.8. The Foun dation is laid; and ſuch a one, that I verily believe, the gates of Hell ſhall never prevail againſt. &c. Boſton; 8r 27. 1651. Take alſo the Teſtimony of holy Mr. William Leverich of Sandwich, who took much pains to eſpouſe the Indians to Chriſt; not without good ſucceſs.

Mr. John Oxenbridge, the late worthy Paſtor of the firſt Church of Chriſt in Boſton; while he dwelld at Suranam, was by the Father of Spirits ſtrongly preſſed in his own Spirit, to open his mouth for the Dumb, which cannot ſpeak for themſelves, tho they greatly need it. Whereupon, with very pious Affection, and much diligent Reading He compiled a notable Treatiſe of 254. Pages in Quarto, entituled, A Plea for the Dumb Indian.

The Text is Rom. 15.20, 21. Yea, ſo have I ſtrived to preach the Goſpel, not where Christ was named, lest I ſhould build upon another man's foundation: but as it is written, **Iſe. 52.1….To whom he was not ſpoken of, they ſhall ſee: and they that have not heard, ſhall understand. Many other Places are alleged to prove the Americans Intereſt in the Promiſes. I ſhall mention a few, which are by others improved to the ſame purpoſe; as hoping that a cord of ſo many wreaths will not eaſily be broken. The Books of Moſes, and the hiſtorical part of the Old Teſtament do ſpeak of, and promiſe this Goſpelling of the Heathen; Indians as well as others. Gen. 9.27. GOD ſhall enlarge Japheth, and he ſhall dwell in the tents of Shem. **If the aboriginal Natives in America are deſcended of SHEM; the European Plan tations are … Fullfillment of this Propkeſie.p. 16. Pſal. 2.8. & 48.2, 10. & 72.8, 9, 10, 11, 17, 19. & 82.8. & 113.3, 4. Iſa. 2.2, 3, 4. All nations ſhall flow unto it. If GOD ſo widens his Promiſe: who may dare ſo to narrow it, as to exclude the Indians? The Lord forbid that any who have already taſted how good he is to themſelves, that were Unworthy before, and Unthankfull after: the Lord I ſay, forbid that any ſuch ſhould lodge, or admit ſo Uncharitable a thought in their hearts! What? to cut off, and that for ever, ſo great a part of Mankind from the Bleſſing of the Goſpel! Where there is neither Greek, nor Jew, Barbarian, Scythian. Coloſ. 3.11. Mr. Oxenbridge thinks that the Ten Tribes may be in America; and that the opinion of its being peopled by Carthaginians, is a clear Miſtake. The 2d Chapter p. 55of the 2d Part contains Motives to Goſpellize the Heathen, ſuch as the Indians are. The Firſt Motive is the Command of GOD, whoſe we are, and whom we profeſs to ſerve. This Command is either plainly expreſſed; or cloſely implyed in the Promiſes. An expreſs Command is to be ſeen in Mark, 16.15. Go ye into all the World, and preach the Goſpel to every Creature. Mat. 28.19, 20. It is neceſſary the Fullneſs of the Gentiles ſhould come in: and doth Faith come upon any by Chance? Why ſhould bounds be ſet to the word of Faith, ſo long as Infidelity remains? With what Confidence, what Conſcience do we not offer Christ to them that have him not? Do we detain the Word of God in Unrighteouſneſs? Bernard. lib. 3. cap. 1. de Conſid.

Another Motive offers it ſelf from the Coming of our dear LORD; which, if real Chriſtians, we do deſire: but if intelligent ones, will not expect (becauſe we cannot obtain) till the Indians be Goſpellized. Mat. 24.14. And this Goſpel of the Kingdom ſhall be preached in All the World, for a witneſs unto All Nations, and then ſhall the End come. I need not again reſcue this Text to the ſence that favours the Indians Goſpelling: but rather imploy it in this Service. Chriſtians, Would you not gladly have Chriſt come? Do you not long for ſuch a Day of his Preſence, as will never be obſcured by a Night of Abſence or Withdrawing? Do you not look out ſharp for Him, to end the Violences and Abuſes of the ſons of Wickedneſs? To diſpatch this Vain and Vexatious world? What ſay you? Do you ſo love Chriſt, as to ſay with the Bride, by the ſame Spirit, Come Lord Jeſus! Come quickly! Are you in good earneſt that hear this? Deſire then, Pray and Labour that the Goſpel may be preached in all the World; in this Indian End of it. For till then, Chriſt himſelf tells you, He will not, He cannot come. The Door is, as it were, ſhut againſt Him. How do you deſire Him to come in, and yet ly drowſing and turning on your Bed, as a Door upon the hinge? You are trying near hand, how you can ſhift for your Selves; and ſo in effect, ſhift off CHRIST, who is all this while kept without door. For Love, or Shame, Get Up! and Open the Door! 2 Peter, 3.12. Looking for, and haſting unto the coming of the day of God. Sit not then ſtill: but as we uſe to do with deſirable and welcom Gueſts, go out to meet Him, and bring Him in. What is done or prepared by Papiſts among Indians, is not to be deſpiſed; but improved by Proteſtants. There may be ſome ſincere Labourers and Converts among them. For Urbanus Calveto tells me of a Spaniſh Biſhop of Mexico converted to the Truth. I cannot but think well of Betanzus of Guatemala. Bruno, p. 174 256, 257.Nor may I deem otherwiſe of Did. Lopez. His Letter hath a Chriſtian ſavour in it. Yea,pag. 3 Gage confeſſeth that he had known ſome of ſober Converſation, p. 56that had liſted themſelves for the Indian Miſſions. And Acoſta ſaith there are Men of God; they are ſcarce indeed. But I may not paſs by Joſeph Acosta himſelf, 7whom I am inclined to judge a ſerious Man for the Converſion of the Indians. In this Work he ſpent 17. 9Years: and when he departed from them, he was followed with Tears and Cries. I cannot but eſteem him for his preſſing and maintaining ſo heartily the Preaching of Chriſt to be the principal Thing. 10And he accounts it Ridiculous, for the Indians to ſay them Prayers they underſtand not a word of. He makes Explicit Faith neceſſary; and ſaith it is not enough for vulgar people to profeſs that they hold what the Church believes. He ſaith that Prayer is moſt needfull in this Buſineſs: becauſe it is all of God and his Grace; and not of Merits.…06. Pareus, Nat. 23.3. Moreover, it was ſaid by Hilary and Jerom, that the hearts of the Hearers may be more holy than the lips of the Prieſts.

By means of the Spaniard, the Indians have a School in every Town for Reading and Writing: and Officers of their own to do Juſtice; except in matters of Life.Gage, 146. I conceive Hope and Joy, when I read what catachetical Doctrine was by a Synod at Lima appointed to be taught an Indian that would become a Chriſtian; He muſt believe in One God;Acoſta, 467. Father, Son, and Holy Ghoſt: and that this God is Maker of All; and giveth eternal Glory to the good, and Torment to the Wicked. None is freed from Evil, but by Jeſus Chriſt made Man, and ſuffering for Man: and that He is our LORD and Redeemer, and Only Hope; and Reigneth in Heaven. In Baptiſine a man is made [profeſſedly] his Servant. If an Indian believe theſe Things, and Repent of his paſt life, and now will live according to the Command of God: he may be accepted for a Chriſtian.

Let Proteſtants now, for ſhame, ariſe, and ſhew that they have ſome breathings of a true Apoſtolical Spirit in them. I conclude with that of the Prophet; Drop down, ye Heavens, from above, and let the Skies pour down Righteouſneſs. Iſa. 45.8.

The 189th Page ſhews the Nobility of Virginia's Original.1607. 1610. Moſt of the Adventurers were of ſuch Quality, as not to be likely to deſign their own Profit. In their 53d Order it is Appointed, that they ſhall (according to the firſt Inſtitution and Profeſſion of this Company) Adviſe and deviſe to the utmoſt of their Power, the beſt Means for reclaiming the barbarous Natives, and bringing them to the true Worſhip of God, Civility of Life, and Virtue. I knew one who under the name of duſt and aſhes, gave 500 l. in Gold, for the breeding of Indian Children in true Religion;Fair. Barber. and then in Trades, that they might live honeſtly. And a zealous Miniſter made a conſiderable Collection in the Eaſt-India Fleet,Vatr. Cap. and. for the ſame End. Mr. p. 57Nicolas Farrar gave 300 l. towards a College; to be paid when Ten Indian Children ſhould be placed in it: and in the mean time, 24 l. per annum, to three diſcreet godly Men in the Colony; which ſhould honeſtly bring up three Indian Children, in Chriſtian Religion, and ſome good Courſe to live by. And the Company of Virginia did yearly appoint a Committee to take into their care the matter of the College to be erected in Virginia, for the Converſion of Infidels. To theſe Offerers, we may well add thoſe that offered themſelves. Mr. Glover that wanted no Employ; yet would go with Sir Thomas Dale: When alſo went Mr. Alexander Whitaker (Son to that famous Profeſſor in Cambridge) being well ſettled in England, on a Living and Means of his own; yet had his heart ſtirred up to preach the Goſpel in Virginia: ſo that no diſſwaſion nor diſcouragement could withdraw him from the Voyage.

The 10th Chapter p. 220. argueth for the planting of Colonies truly Chriſtian, in America; for the Vindication of the Honor of God and Chriſtian Religion horribly and unmatchably ſcandalized by the barbarous Cruelties of the Spaniards. Yeel, 2.3.The Land was as the Garden of Eden, or Paradiſe, before them; and behind them a deſolate Wilderneſs. They have fullfilled, and ſurpaſſed the Miſchievouſneſs of old Babylon, Iſa. 14.17. foreign Regionem Viventium. Parker, …. 2. p. 15 Pſal. 24.1. & 50.12.Isa 14:17Ps 24:1Ps 50:12in making the World [the Habitable or Fertile World; as Gataker there] as a Wilderneſs, and destroying the Cities thereof. Now the Good Lord by his Good Spirit lift up a Standard againſt the Cruel Enemy of Christ and Mankind; that ſuch Enemies may be ſcattered. And let the Lord lift up his Hand; declare his Power to the Gentiles, that they may be gathered to, and by the Standard of the Goſpel. And I would bleſs them in the Name of the Lord, that with true hearts ſhall go forth to either part of this Work. Iſa. 59 19. & 49.22.

The fervent Zeal of this learned and holy Man, would provoke a very Stone to ſpeak: and therefore I hope the Chriſtian Reader will lend a favoutable Ear to my ſhort Antiphony; What hath Old-anti-Christ to do in the New World! By their own Conleſſion, their Ch. is an Old woman, paſt Child bearing.S…d nos …x…am … ſenectu tem agneſc…s qu… …modum Nec Dei. Whitaker, p 5.4. Let them ſeek their heretook… where they cast f…nae them. Nam Eccleſia omnium cenſenſu. etjam haereticerum, jam ſenuit: ſi ergo in ſua adoleſcentia ac juventute non creviſſet, quomodo nunc in ſenectute creſceret? Bellarmin. de not. Eccleſi…, lib. 4. cap. 7. col. 175. & 176. D. One of this Mark may indeed be the Pope's Where: but the Spouſe of CHRIST, ſhe cannot be. For it is altogether impoſſible that the LAMB's Wife ſhould ever wax Old, and become Unfruitfull. Her Youth is renewed as the Eagles. It is moſt certain that the True Church will be Ten times more Vigorous and Fruitfull than ever before. In this Inſtance, Bellarmin's Fiddle is miſerably out of Tune, if compared with David's Harp; Pſ. p. 5845 16. In ſtead of thy Fathers ſhall be thy Children. & 113, 9. He maketh the barren woman to keep houſe; to be a joyfull Mother of Children: praiſe ye the LORD. Compare this with the Wedding mentioned Rev. 19.1….7. where likewiſe the burden of the Song is Alle…ujah: and Rev. 21.5. Behold, I make all things NEW; and we ſhall perceive a perfect raviſhing Diapaſon.

As for the Dearneſs of the Goſpel in New England; being Fore warnd we ought to be Fore-armd, that we may not be outbid. Truth is a Kind of Gold that cannot be bought too dear. Truth is ſuch a Commodity as never broke the Buyer, whatever it cost him. Caryl on Job, 12.16. My honoured Paſtor, the Reverend Mr. Samuel Willard, a perſon eminent for Soundneſs of Judgement, and Clearneſs of Expreſſion; lately preached and printed ſome excellent Sermons, the Text & Title whereof is Buy the Truth, and Sell it not. In the 48, 49.68, 69. pages, there are Lines very proper for the New-Engliſh Planters: as alſo in the 117, 118, and 125. pages of Covenant Keeping the way to Bleſſedneſs. May they accordingly, Obtain Mercy, and finde Grace to help in time of Need! If we conſult the memorable Epiſtle of Mr. Shepard of Cambridge, and Mr. Allin of Dedham, before their Anſwer to the Nine Poſitions; Or, if we inquire of the Learned and Judicious Mr. Jonathan Mitchel, and Mr. Urian Oakes; **Rlection-Sermon, p. 17-21we ſhall finde, they reckoned that the Planters had a good Bargain. And this Amiable Quaternion were all born in England; but choſe to have their Graves here at our Cambridge, and Dedham.

An impoſſibility of ſubſiſting there] As this ſeems to be all;Attend we our Errand upon which Christ ſent us into the Wilderneſs, & He will provide Bread for us. Mr. Dauforth Elect. Sermon, pag. 22. ſo this is Argument enough, if it can be made out. Miraculous Samſon could not withſtand Thirſt; nor Prodigious Jonathan, Hunger. Upon the Reſettlement of Virginia by the Lord la Ware, June, 9. 1610. there is this remark, This was the Arm of the Lord of Hosts, who would have his People paſs the Red Sea & Wilderneſs; and then to poſſeſſe the Land of Canaan. Altho there were not Ten to One, yet there were Ten to Two of thoſe who went to ſearch the Land of Canaan; who reported A Land that eateth up the Inhabitants thereof! Num. 13.32. And ſome pious honeſt man, being ſurrounded with Difficulties at his firſt coming hither; might Unadviſedly write a diſcouraging Letter: Unto which, his never Returning to England, and the flouriſhing circumſtances of his Grandſon at this day in New England, are a very deſirable and pleaſant Contradiction.p. 107. Capt. John Smith in his Hiſtory publiſhed Anno 1624. affirms that he found New England well inhabited with a goodly,p. 209, 215. ſtrong, and well proportioned People. And the Proverb is, Shew me the Man, and not the Meat. And if men can be contented with the Food and Raiment intended in 1 Tim. 6.8. they p. 59need not fear ſubſiſting where Aſh, Cheſnut, Hazel, Oak & Walnut do naturally and plentifully grow. But for this, let Mr. Morden be conſulted,p. 607-61…. to whom N. E. is beholden for the fair Character given them in his Geographie. It is remarkable, that Mr. Parker, who was a ſucceſsfull Schoolmaſter at Newbury in Barkſhire, in the happy days of Dr. Twiſse; was much about this time preaching and Proving at Ipſwich in Eſſex, That the Paſſengers came over upon good Grounds, and that GOD would multiply them as He did the Children of Iſrael. His Text was Exod. 1.7. As Mr. Nicolas Noyes, who was an Auditor, and is yet living, lately informed me. Mr. Parker was at this time; 1634. principally concerned in beginning Newbury, where the Learned and Ingenious Mr. Benjamin Woodbridge, Dr. Twiſse's Succeſſor, had part of his Education under his Unckle Parker. Mary Brown [now Godfry] the Firſt-born of Newbury, is yet alive; and is become the Mother and Grandmother of many children.Beſides all than have iſſued out to begin other Plantations. And ſo many have been born after her in the Town, that they make two Aſſemblies, wherein GOD is ſolemnly worſhipped every Sabbath Day. And

As long as Plum Iſland ſhall faithfully keep the commanded Poſt; Notwithſtanding all the hectoring Words, and hard Blows of the proud and boiſterous Ocean; As long as any Salmon, or Sturgeon ſhall ſwim in the ſtreams of Merrimack; or any Perch, or Pickeril, in Crane-Pond; As long as the Sea-Fowl ſhall know the Time of their coming, and not neglect ſeaſonably to viſit the Places of their Acquaintance; As long as any Cattel ſhall be fed with the Graſs growing in the Medows, which do humbly bow down themſelves before Turkie-Hill; As long as any Sheep ſhall walk upon Old Town Hills, and ſhall from thence pleaſantly look down upon the River Parker, and the fruitfull Mariſhes lying beneath; As long as any free and harmleſs Doves ſhall find a White Oak, or other Tree within the Townſhip, to perch, or feed, or build a careleſs Neſt upon; and ſhall voluntarily preſent themſelves to perform the office of Gleaners after Barley Harveſt; As long as Nature ſhall not grow Old and dote; but ſhall conſtantly remember to give the rows of Indian Corn their education, by Pairs: So long ſhall Chriſtians be born there; and being firſt made meet, ſhall from thence be Tranſlated, to be made partakers of the Inheritance of the Saints in Light. Now, ſeeing the Inhabitants of Newbury, and of New England, upon the due Obſervance of their Tenure, may expect that their Rich and Gracious LORD will continue and confirm them in the Poſſeſſion of theſe invaluable Privileges: Let us have Grace, whereby we may ſerve GOD acceptably with Reverence and godly Fear. For our GOD is a conſuming Fire. Heb. 12.28, 29.

p. 60The mention of Mary Brown brings to mind an idle Whimſey, as if Perſons born in N.E. would be ſhort liv'd. Whereas the Native: live long. And a Judgment concerning Engliſh-men cannot well be made till Twenty or Thirty years hence. Capt. Peregrine White born Novemb. 1620. is yet alive, and like to live. Major William Bradford (whoſe honorable Father Governour Bradford married here) is more than 73. years old; and hath worn a Bullet in his Fleſh above 20 of them. Elizabeth Alden **Whoſe Grand daughter is a Mother.(now Paybody) Capt. John Alden her brother, Alexander Standiſh, and John Howland have lived more than Seventy years.

This Summer,…mkle the Reverend Mr. James Noyes was a painfull Labourer in God's Vineyard at Newbury. Enſign James Noyes hath happily diſcovered a Body of Marble at Newbury, within half a mile of the Navigable part of Little River; by which means much better Lime may be made, than of Oyſter ſhells or West-India Lime-ſtones; and afforded at a much cheaper rate. This Summer a Contribution hath been made at Rode-Iſland and Narraganſet; but firſtly and principally at Connecticut, by a Brief from the honorable the Governour & Council there: By the continuance of which brotherly Love, many Hundreds in this Province, almoſt quite ſlain with Hunger, have been reſcued and revived. It is obſervable that by far the greateſt part of our Divines have received their Birth and Education here: Who by ſolidity of Learning, ſoundneſs of Doctrine, and Integrity of Life, do give much honour to their Lord and Maſter. And as Dr. Twiſſe's VINDIC…E came out Anno 1632. quickly after the Settlement of New England, which was in the Years 1620, 1628, 1630. So that Faith which the Doctor did Earneſtly and Victoriouſly contend for; is no where more Unanimouſly, Skillfully, and Reſolutely deſended than here.Holy Shepard hath his Waſh. Elect. Sermon, pag. 16. As a Memorial for the Plantations of JESUS CHRI…T in New England, a worthy Divine, whoſe honorable Parents were born here, is erecting a Teſtimonial Pillar more ornamental and durable th…n poli…ed Marble. And this very Year, notwithſtanding the Plaſt, the Worm, the Froſt, the Drought, the War: The Inhabitants of Faufield, Newten, Rowley, and Excenter, have been at the Charge to build themſelves very fair and large Meeting Houſes for the pu…li… Worſhip o… GOD. I would thin hope, that the End of the Lord with New England, Chap. 13.15.will be ſuch as was with Job: Becauſe the Language of this Thing ſee noth to be, The He Slay us, yet will we Tray…a H…d.

October, 7. 1697.

End of the text · Samuel Sewall, A Description of the New Heaven (1697)