Good News from New England, Account 2
Of the planting of the Goſpel of our Lord Chriſt in the Mattachuſets, and other adjacent COLLONIES.
WHen theſe perſecuted ſervants of Chriſt Jeſus firſt ſet foot on theſe American ſhores, having their tongues untied from the Prelates Injunctions, they preach with all diligence to their Auditors, doubling their hours to regain their loſt time, being throughly warm'd with the manifeſtation of the love of their Lord Chriſt, in bearing them in his arms through the boyſtrous waves, a depthleſs Ocean; theſe exil'd Miniſters of Chriſt ſoon began to gather into Churches, as meete ſtones were offered; and now you ſhall ſee how they haſted after fat Benefites, every one endeavouring to aſſociate themſelves with plain honeſt-hearted Chriſtians rich in grace, the Lord aſſiſting: with full purpoſe of heart to cleave unto the Lord Chriſt, and ſubmit to his kingdome according to the rule of his word made known unto them: and alſo to exhort one another while it is called to day, (and this is the ſubſtance of that Church-covenant that ſo many are greived at;) this they doe with ſolemne and ſerious ſeeking of the Lord by prayer & faſting. And now I beſeech you all that rightly love the Lord Chriſt, forbeare taking up any prejudice againſt this poor people from the report of others. Could your eyes and eares ſee & heare their comely order, and with what ſpirituall expreſſions the Lord aſſiſts his ſervants in the Miniſtry, it would aſſuredly (God helping) cauſe your bowels to yern toward them & the Churches to which they doe belong: many of whom hereafter are expreſſed by name, together with their annuall maintenance ſo neere, as for the preſent I could gather. Only take notice New Englands pounds in ſome things cal'd currant pay, will hardly hold out with old England Angells, and yet will they not be gone from their flockes for thicker fleeces, unleſſe example prove prejudiciall to others.
Salem: Mr. Hugh Peters (in Engl.) Mr. Edw. Norris, 60. pound
Charles Town: M. Zach. Sims, 90. l. Mr. Tho. Allen 60. l.
Boſton: Mr. John Cotton, 90. l. M. John Wilſon 60 l.
Roxbury: M Thomas Wells. (in England) 80. l.
Dorcheſter: M. Richard Mathers, 70. l.
Watertown: M. Fran. Knowles, 80 l.
Linne: M. Sam. Whiting, 45. l. M. Tho. Cobbit, 45 l.
Ipſwich: M. Nat. Rogers 70. l. M. John Norton, 70. l.
Hingham: M. P. Hubbert, 60. l.
Waymouth: Mr. Tho. Thatcher, 50 l.
Rowly: M. Ezek. Rogers, 80. l. M. Sam. Mathers, 30. l.
Cambridge: M. Tho. Sheppard, 70. l.
Deddam: M. John Allen, 50. l.
Concord: M. Buckly, 70. l.
Salisbury: M. Th. Woſter, 45. l.
Newberry M. Tho. Parker, 40. l. M. Jam. Noyſe, 60. l.
Hampton: M. Boulton, 40. l.
Sudbury: M. Edm. Browne, 40. l.
Braintree: M. Henry Flint, 30. l. M. Wil. Tompſon, 30. l.
Dover: M. Dan. Maud, 40. l.
Gloſter: M. Richard Blindman, 40. l.
Wooborn: M. Tho. Carter, 60. l.
Redding: M. Green, 30. l.
Wenham: M. David Tisk, 20. l.
Harerhill: Mr. John Ward.
Andover: Mr. Woodbridge.
Theſe 26. Churches are in the government of the Mattachuſets, beſides theſe Townes following: Mancheſter, (Mr. Smith:) Hull, (Mr. Matthews:) Exeter (Mr. Norcraft:) Strawbery Banks (St. Batelie. New Medowes, (Mr. Knight,) who is gone to England.
The Worthies of the other Colonies I omit, all men of eſteeme: Theſe are men choſen to office by the people, and ordained in preſence of one or two magiſtrates, together with the Elders and meſſengers of as many Churches as may conveniently ſend, who are as ſo many faithfull witneſſes to the orthodox judgement, and pious life of ſuch as are to teach the people; which Elders and meſſengers in the name of their Churches, hold out the communion and fellowſhip they deſire to have with them.
Since Englands troubles, theſe Churches have been very frequent in extraordinary ſeeking of the Lord, with much affection, faſting and praying, not without teares and ſtrong cries for an happy Iſſue to the glory of God, and the good of his people. In admitting perſons to the ſacramentall union, they endeavour to ſee the manifeſtation of Gods grace wrought upon their ſouls, expreſſed by their godly lives and converſations, either by continued obſervance, or honeſt teſtimony, they are admitted by the Elders, with conſent of the people; and all excommunications are by the ſame authority of the Elders, and conſent of the people, in the name of the Lord Jeſus Chriſt adminiſtred to the terror of ſcandalous profeſſors. As for prayer, ſinging of Pſalmes, and the word preached, all are partakers of: and all children and ſervants in publick catechiſed, and verely the thirſting deſires they have that all may come to the truth, even as it is in Jeſus, appeares by the affable and courteous carriage of all that preach the word, being inſtant in ſeaſon and out of ſeaſon, &c. who are reputed both learned and judicious, and by Gods bleſſing on their labours, have gained many a ſoule to Chriſt. The people of theſe Colonies are generally labor ous after knowledge in religion, to which end they have ſocieties, or neighbourly invitatations each of other, for edification; in which the induſtrious paines and care of their miniſter to propagate the truth, appeares, praying and opening the Scriptures thus privatly, beſides all their publick adminiſtrations. This truth may ſerve to ſhew the ſavourineſſe of this ſalt: And now to take away the wonder how theſe miniſters and people ſhould come by ſo many back friends, walking in meaſure ſo inoffenſively, you ſhall underſtand, holineſſe, righteouſneſſe, humility, and learning in ſome called of Chriſt to be able miniſters of his word and doctrine; divers, who love the preheminence of both ſexes, having taken a trick to preach to advance themſelves, began to inveigh againſt learning, Scholars, and Colledges, and in mean time ſtretching out what themſelves had, till they rent into non-ſenſe, and verily theſe ſoon grew to a round company praiſing one anothers parts when others would not; and to cauſe others to admire them, they queſtion the ancient truths taught by their miniſters, and that before the whole congregation, and tell you the meaning of the originall Text. Theſe were abler to diſcerne (as they apprehend) than their Elders, who were fit for the Sacrament, delighting to ſhew their skill that way. Again, all know nothing is more oppoſite than damnable errors and ſaving truth. Now the unanimous agreement duplicate page duplicate page of their teaching Elders in the truth, hath cauſed thoſe who are contrary minded, to miſreport their words and actions, cunningly caſting falſe gloſſes on their doctrines, ſlighting all thoſe godly Chriſtians who agree in the fame truths, as weak punies, taking up all they have on truſt. Further, take notice that our Engliſh nation having been accuſtomed after 16 yeares of age, to receive the Sacrament: now ſome here in theſe Colonies being upon good ground denied, with bitter ſpeeches, and taunting language, upbraid both magiſtrates, miniſters and people, powring out their complaints into their boſoms who are their good frends in England, telling they are abridged of the liberties of Engliſh ſubjects, &c. Laſtly, certain perſons more affecting trade than truth, prove diſcontented with ſuch as are againſt the ſufferi…g groſſe errors. Theſe are the rubs have been caſt in the way to hinder the through reformation; yet now, though with great difficulty, nearer accompliſhed than ever, if luke-warm liberty hinder not the good work of our God. And as for theſe inſtruments whom the Lord hath made uſe of, you marre the work, if you attribute ought unto them, and it will be very diſtaſtfull to their Chriſtian appetites; yet I will ſhew their proſecuting the work in the following meeter.
VVHat creature man that is ſo apt to take
His praiſe, who work and workman both did make,
In telling of theſe Worthies work then I
Own none but God, and yet his meanes I eye,
Who though nine hundred leagues at ſea, hath ſent
Theſe twenty Worthies, who their time have ſpent
In preaching Chriſt, his mind and will reveale
From Scripture light each ſervants portion deale.
One opens Propheſies as yet to come,
So ready is the Scripture in his tongue.
That word and ſenſe his memory retaines,
Cleare Scripture light, all by great labour gaines.
One hewes the cords of wicked works with ire-
Full Arguments as God doth him require.
One pretious Balm from Chriſts deare ſufferings fa…,
Wounded to heale; if heale to faſt, then frets
Down the proud fleſh from thought of knowledge riſing,
Till Chriſt alone they know, him onelyonly prizing.
One Sheppard he takes reſtleſſe pains that none
Themſelves delude with happy ſtate as one
Belov'd of God in Chriſt, and therefore makes
Cleare evidence from Gods word, whom he takes,
And wholly bent to ſave his flock from rearing,
With watchfull eye 'way ſheep ſlaying Wolves is ſcaring.
One labours faith may get aſſurance faſt,
One he exhorts the anchor, hope to caſt.
One follows peace, and bids all folk purſue it,
One's for freſh love, and when it's old renew it.
One puts in minde with patience to abide,
One ceaſe from ſtrife, take meekneeſſe on your ſide.
One to humility exhorts with care,
One wills their lives may paſſe in godly feare.
One cheerfull bids in ſpirits joy to cheere.
One would men mourn with thoſe are mourners here.
One bounty doth by his example teach,
One zeal to God and's truth doth daily preach.
One heavenly mindedneſſe perſwadeth ſtill,
One Chriſtian boldneſſe ſeated in the will.
One purity and holineſſe commends,
One's for juſt dealing both with foes and friend.
One he exhorts all Chriſtian watch to keep,
One prayer would with ſighes and groanes ſo deep.
One unto reading Scripture men perſwades,
One labour bids for food that never fades.
One to redeem their time exhorteth all,
One looking round, for wary walking calls.
One he perſwades m…n buy the truth, not ſell,
One would men ſhould in moderateneſſe excell.
One for renew'd …epentance daily ſtrives,
One's for a conſcience cleare in all mens lives.
One he exhorts all men Gods word to heare,
One doth beſeech to lend obedient eare.
One he deſires evils appearance ſhun,
One with diligence would all ſhould be done.
One ſhewes their woe that will not God believe;
One doth beſeech Gods Spirit they'l not grieve.
One wiſhes none to deep deſpair do run,
One bids beware none to peſumption come.
One wils that all at murmuring take heed,
One ſhewes that ſtrife and envie ſhould not breed.
One ſhewes the hatred God to pride doth beare,
One covetouſneſſe cries down with belliſh feare.
One to luke-warmneſſe wiſhes none doe grow,
One none for feare forſake the truth they know.
One idle talk and fooliſh jeſting ſhun,
One bids that none unto uncleanneſſe run.
One ſayes, none ſhould ſelf-ſeeking entertain,
One teaches all in anger ſhould contain.
One idleneſſe dehorts with meekle paine,
One bids beware of error-breaching brains.
One would all men ſurfets exceſſe take heed,
One worlds joy and ſorrow doe not exceed.
One ignorance would not mens ſoules ſhould ſtay,
One in known ſins bids men they would not ſtay.
One wiſhes none of Faith doe ſhipwrack make,
One their firſt love in Chriſt, that none forſake.
One in their breaſt would none two hearts ſhould beare,
One woe of hypocrites doth oft declare.
One bids beware, hardneſſe of heart will breed,
One, to adde ſin to ſin that none proceed.
One lying tongues doth tell God hateth ſuch,
One bids beware, for Satans wiles are much.
One ſayes gainſt all, power from Chriſt is had,
One bids all be with's armour ever clad.
I name but one, 'cauſe all as one the ſame,
Exhort, dehort, in the Lord Chriſt his Name,
Minding all ſtill it's Chriſt his will that all
Depart from ill, that on Gods Name doe call.
And further they profeſſe that Chriſt alone,
Works …ll in his, and for his every one.
So grace is free, and nothing we to cauſe
The cords of love with which Gods Spirit drawes.
Which Spirit plainly doth appeare in all
Theſe preachings that from ear then lips doe fall
Like d…aw on graſſe, however ſome deny it
As legall they: from Gods word doe thou try it.
And neighbour John, yet one thing more now mind,
Their learned counſell helps the truth to finde.
Coupling theſe men in Synods God hath bleſt.
By his word truth is found, error confeſt.
As helpfull unto godly learning they,
With Schooles and Colledge, finde out learnings way.
Theſe people, though much weakned in their eſtates, for the ſpace of ten yeares, yet have erected Schooles in divers Townes, and alſo a Colledge in the Town of Cambridge, called Harves Colledge: The Preſident being an able Proficient in the Tongues, very ſtudious to promote learning, witneſſe the young Audients both here and gone for England, hopefull inſtruments in the hands of the Lord for future times: the Preſident is Mr. Dunſter.
Yet unto God this people feeling ſayes,
Not unto us, but to thy name be praiſe.
Now muſt I mind what hindrances remain
To blaſt the fruit of all theſe Worthies pain.
Some would none ſhould endevour unity,
Tyrants (ſay they) do hinder liberty:
Why truth's but one, and Chriſt will make you free,
Come to the Word, let that your touch-ſtome bee.
Some feare Presbytery hath too great power,
If you are Chriſts, then all they have is yours.
Some odd ones ſay they Independents are,
Therefore in others counſel they'l noe ſhare
But now Ile end, and tell you friend, what will
Perſwade their way do…old with ſtill.
Strong Arguments doe papers fill each way
With words of heat: bu… honeſt Iohn now ſtay,
Ʋnto experience let thy judgement bow,
Let actions ſpeake, and not mens words to you.
For little time, ſome ſubtile Foxes will
Bridle their nature, and yet Foxes ſtill.
Lord Biſhops did ſome errors fend from ſheep,
So beaſts of prey others from preying keep.
Some new raiſd errors Biſhops power deny
To ſide with truth, and yet their error eye.
Neare twenty yeares theſe Churches you may trace
In godly ſteps, no falſe way they'l embrace.
Look in this glaſſe that thus is ſlubberd or'e,
And you may ſee foure things uneyd before.
No Prelate no King: that's not ſo, for ſee
Here Churches power and command agree,
Of civill power to which theſe Churches yeeld
Humble obedience, as their duty held.
Next note, ſome ſay, Opinions none muſt touch,
For feare they wrong the conſciences of ſuch,
With word of truth, God helping true endeavours,
Chriſts Paſtor here error and conſcience ſevers.
Third, Law and Goſpel at ſuch oddes have ſet,
That Rule of walking from it none may get.
But here experience from Gods word is found,
Gods folk with's word walk wary, looking round.
Laſt, humane learning is no mean, ſome ſay;
Bloſt by the Lord, to find his word and way,
But as a meanes this people found it have,
Yet truſt not means, its onelyonly God muſt ſave.
But England now to thee Il'e means commend,
Make uſe of theſe before their life they end.
The grave, godly, and judicious Mr. Hooker is laid in earth Mr. Philips, Mr. Huet, Mr. Harver, and ſome others of like eſteem yet remaining in the united Colonies, of name and note: OnelyOnly my friend John, ſee here a ſhort obſervation taken from the whole for thy own uſe.
Church-covenant Band brought in with liberty,
But cauſeth men to walk licentiouſly.
Some buy the truth: for conſcience liberty,
Error's brought in to blind men damningly.
And now before I end, let me tell thee who are like to reap benefite by tranſporting themſelves to thoſe Colonies: Firſt, Merchants who are skild in commerce with forraigne nations, lying near the Indies, and well ſtored with ſhip proviſion cheaper than England.
Secondly, Sea-men are well imploid, if skild in Navigation, ſhipping increaſing every day, and would be farre more, had they Maſters to manage the work.
Thirdly, Has band-men are like to benefit themſelves much all ſorts of cattell increaſing exceedingly, and tillage proſpering, that thouſands of Acres are broken up yearly.
Fourthly, all manuall occupations are falling into their ranks and places daily, (onelyonly Printers of Cards, and Dice-makers, I could wiſh to forbeare,) very few but have increaſed in the riches of this life; and further how now men of eſtates may improve what they have to their great advantage. And this I dare aſſure that one hundred pounds will doe that which five hundred could not doe at firſt planting of this little Common-wealth, which was the reaſon ſo many ſunk in their eſtates; but now they ſee it too late, and ſome will not wait the Lords leaſure for repairing, but forſake their ſtation, with others have gained much, and carry it to other places to ſhew, and ſo loſe it again. But my Iohn, be thou more ſtable.
Laſt, let all thoſe who deſire to have themſelves diſcovered to themſelves, reſort to this place; where, if they ſeek not themſelves they may finde themſelves, if not already loſt in ſelfe-conceitedneſſe of ſome ſtrong opinion, for which if they deſire to be admired, let them leave this long voyage, and keep at home.
FINIS.
End of the text · Edward Winslow, Good News from New England (1648)