The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion, Title page 1 – Dedication

The Redeemed Captive Returning to Zion · Title page 1 – Dedication

The Redeemed Captive, Returning to ZION. A Faithful HISTORY OF Remarkable Occurrences, IN THE Captivity AND THE Deliverance OF Mr. John Williams; Miniſter of the Goſpel, in DEERFIELD, Who, in the Deſolation which befel that Plantation, by an Incurſion of the French & Indians, was by Them carried away, with his Family, and his Neighbourhood, unto CANADA.

Whereto there is annexed a SERMON Preached by him, upon his RETURN, at the Lecture in Boſton, Decemb. 5. 1706. On thoſe Words, Luk. 8. 39. Return to thine own Houſe, and ſhew how great Things God hath done unto thee.

Boſton in N. E. Printed by B. Green, for Samuel Phillips, at the Brick Shop 1707.

Imprimatur, J. Dudley.

The DEDICATION. To His EXCELLENCY, JOSEPH DUDLEY, Eſqr. Captain General and GOVERNOUR in Chief, in and over Her Majeſties Province of the Maſſachuſetts-Bay in New-England, &c.

SIR,

IT was a Satyrical Anſwer, and deeply reproachful to Mankind, which the Philoſopher gave to that Queſtion, What ſooneſt grows old? Replyed, Thanks. The reproach of it would not be ſo ſenſible, were there not ſenſible Demonſtrations of the Truth of it, in thoſe that wear the Character of the Ingenuous. Such as are at firſt Surprized at, and ſeem to have no common reliſh of Divine Goodneſs; yet too ſoon loſe the Impreſſion: They Sang God's Praiſe, but ſoon forgat His Works. That it ſhould be thus with reſpect to our Ben…factors on Earth, is contrary to the Ingenuity of Humane Nature: But that our grateful Reſentments of the Signal Favours of Heaven, ſhould ſoon be worn off by Time, is to the laſt degree Criminal and Unpardonable.

It would be unaccountable Stupidity in me, not to maintain the moſt Lively and Awful Senſe of Divine Rebukes, which the Holy GOD has ſeen meet in Spotleſs Sovereignty to diſpenſe to me, my Family and People, in delivering us into the hands of thoſe that Hated us: who Led us into a ſtrange Land; My Soul has Theſe ſtill in Remembrance, and is Humbled in me: However GOD has given us plentiful occaſion to Sing of Mercy as well as Judgment. The wonders of Divine Mercy, which we have ſeen in the Land of our Captivity, and Deliverance there-from, cannot be forgotten without incurring the guilt of the blackeſt Ingratitude.

To preſerve the Memory of Theſe, it has been thought adviſeable to Publiſh a Short Account of ſome of Thoſe Signal Appearances of Divine Power and Goodneſs for us; hoping it may Serve to excite the Praiſe, Faith and Hope of all that Love GOD; And may pecultarly Serve to Cheriſh a Grateful Spirit, and to render the Impreſſions of GOD'S Mighty Works indelible on my Heart, and on Thoſe that with me, have ſeen the Wonders of the Lord, and Taſted of His Salvation: That we may not fall under that heavy Charge made againſt Iſrael of old, Pſal. 78. 11, 42. They forgat His works, and the wonders He ſhewed them: They remembred not His Hand, nor the Day that He delivered them from the Enemy.

And I cannot SIR, but think it moſt agreeable to my Duty to GOD our Supream Redeemer, to mention your EXCELLENCY'S Name with Honour; Since Heaven has Honoured you as the prime Inſtrument in returning our Captivity. Sure I am, The Laws of Juſtice and Gratitude (which are the Laws of God) do challenge from us the moſt Publick acknowledgments of your uncommon Sympathy with us, your Children, in our bonds, Expreſſed in all Endearing methods of Parental Care and Tenderneſs. All your People are cheriſht under your Wings, happy in your Goverment; and are obliged to Bleſs GOD for you: And among your People, thoſe that are immediately expoſed to the Outrages of the Enemy, have peculiarly felt Refreſhment from the benign Influences of your Wiſe and Tender Conduct; and are under the moſt Senſible engagements to acknowledge your EXCELLENCY, under GOD, as the breath of their Noſtrils.

Your Uncommon Sagacity and Prudence, in contriving to looſe the Bonds of your Captived Children; your unwearied Vigour, and Application, in purſuing them, to work our Deliverance, can never be enough Praiſed. It is moſt Notorious that nothing was thought too Difficult by you to Effect this Deſign; in that you readily ſent your own Son, Mr. William Dudley, to undergo the hazards & hardſhips of a Tedious Voyage, that this affair might be Tranſacted with Succeſs; which muſt not be forgotten, as an Expreſſion of your great Solicitude & Zeal to recover us from the Tyranny & Oppreſſion of our Captivity.

I doubt not but that the GOD, whom herein you have Served, will remember, and gloriouſly Reward you; And may Heaven long preſerve you at our Helm, a Bleſſing ſo neceſſary for the Tranquility of this Province, in this Dark and Tempeſtuous Seaſon; May the beſt of Bleſſings from the Father of Lights, be ſhowred down upon your Perſon, Family & Government; which ſhall be the Prayer of,

Your EXCELLENCY'S Moſt Humble, Obedient, and Dutiful Servant, John Williams. … …

p. 1THE Redeemed Captive, Returning TO ZION.

THE Hiſtory I am going to Write, proves, That Days of Faſting & Prayer without REFORMATION, will not avail, to Turn away the Anger of God from a Profeſſing People; & yet Witneſſeth, How very advantagious, gracious Supplications are, to prepare particular Chriſtians, Patiently to ſuffer the Will of God, in very trying Publick Calamities. For ſome of us moved with fear, ſet apart, a day of Prayer, to ask of God, either to ſpare, and ſave us from the hands of our Enemies, or to prepare us to Sanctify, and Honour Him in what way ſoever, He ſhould come ſorth, towards us. The Places of Scripture from whence we were entertained, were Gen. 32. 10, 11. I am not worthy of the leaſt of all the Mercies, and of all the Truth which thou …aſt ſhewed unto thy ſervant … Deliver me, I pray p. 2thee, from the hand of my Brother, from the hand of Eſau: for I fear him, leſt he will come and ſmite me, and the Mother with the Children. [In the forenoon.] And Gen. 32. 26. And he ſaid, Let me go, for the day breaketh: and he ſaid, I will not let thee go, except thou bleſs me. [In the afternoon.] From which we were call'd upon to ſpread the cauſes of fear, relating to our own Selves, or Families before God; as alſo, how it becomes us with an undeniable importunity to be following God, with earneſt Prayers for His bleſſing, in every condition. And it is very Obſervable; how GOD ordered our Prayers, in a peculiar manner to be going up to Him; to prepare us with a right Chriſtian Spirit, to undergo, and endure Suffering Trials.

Not long after, the Holy, and Righteous God, brought us under great Trials, as to our Perſons and Families, which put us under a neceſſity, of ſpreading before Him in a Wilderneſs, the diſtreſſing dangers and calamities of our Relations; Yea, that call'd on us notwithſtanding ſeeming preſent frowns, to reſolve by His Grace not to be ſent away without a bleſſing. Jacob in wreſtling has the hollow of his Thigh put out of joint; and it is ſaid to him, Let me go: yet he is rather animated, to an Heroical Chriſtian reſolution to continue earneſt, for the bleſſing, than diſcouraged from asking.

ON the Twenty-ninth of February 1703, 4. Not long before break of day, the Enemy came in like a Flood upon us; our Watch being unfaithful▪ an evil whoſe awful effects, in a ſurprizal p. 3of our Fort, ſhould beſpeak all Watchmen to avoid, as they would not bring the charge of blood upon themſelves. They came to my Houſe in the beginning of the Onſet, and by their violent endeavours to break open Doors, and Windows, with Axes, and Hatchets, Awaken'd me out of Sleep; on which I leapt out of bed, and running toward the door, perceived the Enemy making their entrance into the Houſe: I called to awaken two Souldiers; in the Chamber; and returned towards my bedſide, for my Arms: the Enemy immediately brake into the Room, I judge to the number of Twenty, with Painted Faces, and hideous Acclamations. I reach'd up my hands to the Bed-teſter, for my Piſtol, uttering a ſhort Petition to God, For Everlaſting Mercies for me & mine, on the account of the Merits of our Glorify'd Redeemer; Expecting a preſent paſſage through the Valley of the ſhadow of Death: Saying in my ſelf, as Iſaiah 38. 10, 11. I ſaid, in the cutting off my days, I ſhall go to the gates of the grave: I am deprived of the reſidue of my years. I ſaid, I ſhall not ſee the Lord, even the Lord, in the land of the Living: I ſhall behold man no more with the inhabitants of the World. Taking down my Piſtol, I Cockt it, and put it to the breaſt of the firſt Indian who came up; but my Piſtol miſſing fire, I was ſeized by Three Indians, who diſarmed me, and bound me Naked, as I was in, my Shirt, and ſo I ſtood for near the ſpace of an hour: binding me, they told me they would carry me to Quebeck. My Piſtol miſſing fire, was an occaſion of my Life's being preſerved: Since which I have alſo found it profitable to be croſs'd in my own p. 4Will. The judgment of God did not long ſlumber▪ againſt one of the Three which took me, who was a Captain, for by Sun-riſing he received a Mortal Shot▪ from my next Neighbours houſe; who oppoſed ſo great a number of French & Indians as Three hundred, and yet were no more than Seven men in an Ungariſon'd houſe.

I cannot relate the diſtreſſing care I had for my dear Wife, who had lien-in but a few Weeks before, and for my poor Children, Family, and Chriſtian Neighbours. The Enemy fell to riffling the houſe, and entred in great numbers into every room of the houſe. I beg'd of God, to Remember Mercy in the midſt of Judgment: that He would ſo far reſtain their Wrath, as to prevent their Murdering of us: that we might have Grace to Glorify His Name, whether in Life or Death; and as I wa… able committed our State to God. The Enemies who entred the Houſe were all of them Indians and Marqua's, inſulted over me a while, holding up Hatchets over my head, threatning to burn all I had; but yet God beyond expectation made us in a great meaſure to be Pityed: for tho' ſome were ſo cruel and barbarous as to take, & carry to the door, Two of my Children and Murder them, as alſo a Negro Woman; yet they gave me liberty to put on my Clothes, keeping me bound with a Cord on one arm, till I put on my Cloths to the other; and then changing my Cord, they let me dreſs my ſelf, and then Pinioned me again. Gave liberty to my dear Wife to dreſs herſelf, & our Children. About Sun an hour high, we were all carryed out of the p. 5houſe, for a March, and ſaw many of the Houſes of my Neighbours in Flames, perceiving the whole Fort, one houſe excepted, to be taken. Who can tell, what Sorrows pierced our Souls, when we ſaw our ſelves carryed away from Gods Sanctuary, to go into a ſtrange Land, expoſed to ſo many Trials? the journey being at leaſt Three hundred Miles we were to Travel; the Snow up to the Knees, and we never inur'd to ſuch hardſhips and fatigues▪ the place we were to be carryed to, a Popiſh Country. Upon my parting from the Town they fired my Houſe & Barn. We were carryed over the River, to the foot of the Mountain, about a Mile from my Houſe, where we found, a great number of our Chriſtian Neighbours, Men, Women & Children, to the number of an hundred, Nineteen of which were afterward Murdered by the Way, and Two ſtarved to Death, near Cowaſs, in a time of great Scarcity or Famine, the Salvages underwent there. When we came to the foot of our Mountain, they took away our Shoes, and gave us, in the room of them Indian-Shoes, to prepare us for our Travel. Whilſt we were there the Engliſh beat out a Company, that remained in the Town, and purſued them to the River, Killing and Wounding many of them; but the body of the Army, being Alarm'd, they repulſed thoſe few Engliſh that purſued them.

I am not able to give you an account of the number of the Enemy Slain, but I obſerved after this fight, no great inſulting Mirth, as I expected; and ſaw many Wounded Perſons, and for ſeveral days together they buryed of their party, & one of chief p. 6Note among the Macqua's. The Governour of Canada, told me, his Army had that Succeſs with the loſs but of Eleven men, Three French-men, One of which was the Lieutenant of the Army, Five Macqua's, and Three Indians: but after my Arrival at Quebeck, I ſpake with an Engliſh man, who was taken the laſt War, and Married there, and of their Religion; who told me, they loſt above Forty, and that many were Wounded: I replyed the Governour of Canada ſaid, they loſt but Eleven men: He anſwered, 'tis true, That there were but Eleven killed out-right at the taking of the Fort, but that many others were Wounded, among whom was the Enſign of the French; but ſaid he, they had a fight in the Meadow, and that in both Engagements, they loſt more than Forty. Some of the Souldiers, both French and Indians then preſent told me ſo (ſaid he) adding, That the French always endeavour, to conceal the number of their Slain.

After this, we went up the Mountain, and ſaw the ſmoak of the Fires in the Town, and beheld the awful deſolations of our Town: And before we marched any farther, they kill'd a Sucking Child of the Engliſh. There were ſlain by the Enemy of the Inhabitants of our Town to the number of Thirty-eight, beſides Nine of the Neighbouring Towns▪ We Travel'd not far the firſt day; God made the Heathen, ſo to Pity our Children, that though they had ſeveral Wounded Perſons, of their own to carry, upon their Shoulders, for Thirty Miles, before they came to the River, yet they carryed our Children, uncapable of Travelling, upon their Shoulders, p. 7and in their Arms. When we came to our Lodging place, the firſt Night, they dugg away the …now, and made ſome Wigwams, cut down ſome of the ſmall branches of Spruce-trees to lye down on, and gave the Priſoners ſome-what to eat; but we had but little Appetite. I was Pinioned, and bound …own that Night, and ſo I was every Night whilſt I was with the Army. Some of the Enemy who brought drink with them, from the Town, fell to Drinking, and in their Drunken fit, they kill'd my Negro man, the only dead Perſon, I either ſaw at the Town, or in the Way. In the Night an Engliſh Man made his eſcape: in the Morning I was call'd for, and ordered by the General to tell the Engliſh, That if any more made their eſcape, they would burn the reſt of the Priſoners. He that took me was unwilling to let me ſpeak with any of the Priſoners, as we March'd; but on the Morning of the Second day, he being appointed to guard the Rear, I was put into the hands of my other Maſter, Who permitted me to ſpeak to my Wife, when I overtook her, and to Walk with her to help her in her Journey. On the Way we diſcourſed of the happineſs of them who had a right to an Houſe not made with Hands, Eternal in the Heavens; and God for a Father, and Friend; as alſo, That it was our reaſonable Duty, quietly to ſubmit, to the Will of God, and to ſay, The Will of the Lord be done. My Wife told me her ſtrength of body began to fail, & that I muſt expect to part with her; Saying, She hoped God would preſerve my Life, and the Life of ſome, if not of all of our Children, with us; and p. 8commended to me, under God, the care of them She never ſpake any diſcontented Word as to what had befal'n us, but with ſuitable expreſſions juſtifyed God, in what had befal'n us. We ſoon made an halt, in which time my chief Surviving Maſter came up, upon which I was put upon Marching with the foremoſt, and ſo made to take my laſt fare-well of my dear Wife, the deſire of my Eyes, and companion in many Mercies and Afflictions. Upon our Separation from each other, we askt for each other, Grace ſufficient, for what God ſhould call us to: After our being parted from one another, ſhe ſpent the few remaining Minutes of her ſtay, in Reading the Holy Scriptures; which ſhe was wont Perſonally every day to delight her Soul in Reading, Praying, Meditating of, and over, by her ſelf, in her Cloſet, over and above what ſhe heard out of them in our Family Worſhip. I was made to Wade over a ſmall River, and ſo were all the Engliſh, the Water above Knee-deep, the Stream very Swift; and after that, to Travel up a ſmall Mountain, my Strength was almoſt ſpent, before I came to the top of it: No ſooner had I overcome the difficulty of that aſcent, but I was permitted to ſit down, & be unburthened of my Pack; I ſat pitying thoſe who were behind, and intreated my Maſter, to let me go down, and help up my Wife, but he refuſed, and would not le… me ſtir from him. I ask'd each of the Priſoner (as they paſſed by …) after her, and heard that i… paſſing through the aboveſaid River, ſhe fell down and was plunged over Head and Ears in the Water after which ſhe travelled not far, …or at the Foot … p. 9this Mountain, the cruel and blood thirſty Salvage who took her, ſlew her with his Hatchet, at one ſtroak; the tidings of which were very awful: and y…t ſuch was the hard-heartedneſs of the Adverſary, that my Tears were reckoned to me as a reproach. My loſs, and the loſs of my Children was great, our hearts were ſo filled with Sorrow, that nothing but the comfortable hopes of her being taken away in Mercy, to her ſelf, from the evils we were to ſee, feel and ſuffer under; (and joyn'd to the Aſſembly of the Spirits of juſt men made perfect, to reſt in Peace, and joy unſpeakable, and full of glory; and the good pleaſure of God thus to exerciſe us,) could have kept us from ſinking under, at that time. That Scripture, Job 1. 21.—Naked came I out of my Mothers womb, and Naked ſhall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, bleſſed be the Name of the Lord: Was brought to my Mind, and from it, That an Afflicting God was to be Glorifyed; with ſome other places of Scripture, to perſwade to a Patient bearing my Afflictions.

We were again call'd upon to March, with a far heavier Burden on my Spirits, than on my Back, I beg'd of God, to Over-rule in His Providence, that the Corpſe of One ſo dear to me, and of one whoſe Spirit, He had taken to dwell with Him in Glory, might meet with a Chriſtian burial, and not be left for Meat, to the Fowls of the Air, and Beaſts of the Earth: A Mercy that God graciouſly vouchſafed to grant. For God put it into the hearts of my Neighbours, to come out as far as ſhe lay, to take up her Corpſe, recarry it to the Town, and decently to p. 10bury it, ſoon after. In our March they killed another Sucking Infant of one of my Neighbours; and before Night, a Girl of about Eleven years of Age. I was made to Mourn, at the Conſideration of my Flocks being ſo far a Flock of Slaughter, many being Slain in the Town, and ſo many Murdered in ſo few Miles from the Town; and from fears what we muſt yet expect, from ſuch who delightfully imbrued their hands in the blood of ſo many of His People. When we came to our lodging Place, an Indian Captain from the Eaſtward ſpake to my Maſter about killing of me, and taking off my Scalp. I lift up my heart to God, to implore His Grace, and Mercy in ſuch a time of need; and afterwards I told my Maſter, if he intended to kill me, I deſired he would let me know of it, aſſuring him that my Death after a promiſe of Quarter would bring the guilt of blood upon him. He told me he would not kill me: We laid down and Slept for God Suſtained and kept us. In the Morning we were all called before the chief Sachems of the Macqua's, and Indians, that a more equal diſtribution might be made of the Priſoners, among them: at my going from the Wigwam, my beſt Clothing was taken away from me. As I came nigh the Place appointed, ſome of the Captives met me, and told me, they thought the Enemies were going to burn ſome of us, for they had peeled off the bark from ſeveral Trees, and acted very ſtrangely. To whom I replyed, They could act nothing againſt us, but as they were permitted of God, and I was perſwaded, He would prevent ſuch Severities. When we came to the Wigwam p. 11appointed, ſeveral of the Captives were taken from their former Maſters, and put into the hands of others: but I was ſent again to my two Maſters, who brought me from my Houſe.

In our fourth days March the Enemy killed another of my Neighbours, who being nigh the time of Travail, was wearied with her Journey. When we came to the great River, the Enemy took Slayes to draw their Wounded, ſeveral of our Children, and their Packs; and Marched a great pace. I Travelled many hours in Water up to the ankles: near Night I was very Lame, having before my Travel wrong'd my anckle-bone and ſinews: I thought, ſo did others, that I ſhould not be able to hold out to Travel far. I lift up my Heart to God (my only refuge) to remove my Lameneſs, and carry me through with my Children and Neighbours, if He judg'd it beſt; however I deſired God would be with me in my great Change, if He call'd me by ſuch a Death to Glorify Him: and that He would take care of my Children, and Neighbours, and bleſs them; and within a little ſpace of time, I was well of my Lameneſs, to the joy of my Children, and Neighbours, that ſaw ſo great an alteration in my Travelling.

On the Saturday, the Journey was long and tedious; we travelled with ſuch ſpeed, that four Women were tired, and then Slain by them who led them Captive.

On the Sabbath Day we reſted, and I was permitted to Pray and Preach to the Captives. The place of Scripture ſpoken from, was Lam. 1. 18. The Lord p. 12…s righteous, for I have rebelled againſt his commandment: …ear, I pray you, all people, and behold my Sorrow: my virgins and … men are gone into captivity. The Enemy who ſaid to us, Sing us one of Zions Songs; were ready ſome of them, to upbraid us, becauſe our Singing was not ſo loud as theirs. When the Macqua's and Indians were chief in power, we had this revival in our bondage; to joyn together in the Worſhip of God, and encourage one another to a Patient bearing the Indignation of the Lord, till he ſhould plead our cauſe. When we arrived to New France we were forbiden Praying one with another, or joyning together in the Service of God.

The next day, ſoon after we Marched, we had an Alarm; on which many of the Engliſh were bound: I was then near the Front, and my Maſters not with me; ſo I was not bound. This Alarm was occaſioned by ſome Indians ſhooting at Geeſe that flew over them, that put them into a conſiderable conſternation, and fright: but after they came to underſtand they were not purſued by the Engliſh, they boaſted, That the Engliſh would not come out after them, as they had boaſted before, we began our Journey in the Morning. They kill'd this day Two Women, who were ſo faint they could not Travel.

The next day in the Morning, before we Travelled, one Mary Brooks, a pious Young Woman, came to the Wigwam where I was, and told me She deſired to bleſs God, who had inclined the heart of her Maſter, to let her come to take her farewell to me. Said ſhe, by my falls on the Ice yeſterday I p. 13wrong'd my ſelf, cauſing an Abortion this Night, ſo that I am not able to Travel far; I know they will kill me to day: but (ſayes ſhe) God has (Praiſed be His Name) by His Spirit with His Word, ſtrengthened me to my laſt encounter with Death: and mentioned to me ſome places of Scripture ſo ſeaſonably ſent in for her ſupport. And (ſays ſhe) I am not afraid of Death, I can through the Grace of God, chearfully ſubmit to the Will of God. Pray for me (ſaid ſhe) at parting, That God would take me to Himſelf. Accordingly ſhe was killed that day. I mention it to the end, I may ſtir up all in their Young Days, to improve the Death of CHRIST by Faith, to a giving them an holy boldneſs in the day of Death.

The next day we were made to Scatter one from another into ſmaller Companies; and one of my Children carryed away with Indians, belonging to the Eaſtern parts. At Night my Maſter came to me, with my Piſtol in his hand, and put it to my breaſt, and ſaid, Now I will kill you, for (ſaid he) at your Houſe you would have killed me with it if you could. But by the Grace of God, I was not much daunted, and whatever his intention might be; God prevented my Death.

The next day, I was again permitted to Pray with that Company of Captives with me, and we allowed to Sing a Pſalm together. After which, I was taken from all the Company of the Engliſh, excepting two Children of my Neighbours, one of which a Girl of four years of Age, was kill'd by her Maqua Maſter, the next Morning, the Snow being p. 14ſo deep, when we left the River, that he could not carry the Child and his Pack too.

When the Sabbath came, one Indian ſtaid with me, and a little Boy Nine years old, whilſt the reſt went a hunting. And when I was here, I thought with my ſelf, that God had now ſeparated me from the Congregation of His People, who were now in His Sanctuary where He Commandeth the B…ſſing, even Life for ever: And made to bewail my Unfruitfulneſs under, and Unthankfulneſs for ſuch a Mercy. When my Spirit was almoſt over-whelmed within me at the conſideration of what had paſſed over me, and what was to be expected; I was ready almoſt to Sink in my Spirit. But God ſpake thoſe Words with a greater efficacy then man could ſpeak them, for my ſtrengthning and ſupport: Pſal. 118. 17. I ſhall not dye, but live: and declare the works of the Lord. Pſal. 42. 11. Why art thou caſt down, O my Soul? and why art thou diſquieted within me? hope thou in God: for I ſhall yet praiſe him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God. Nehem. 1. 8, 9. Remember I beſeech thee, the word that thou commandedſt thy Servant Moſes, ſaying, If ye tranſgreſs, I will ſcatter you abroad among the Nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you caſt out unto the uttermoſt part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have choſen, to ſet my Name there. Thoſe Three places of Scripture, one after another by the Grace of God, ſtrengthened my Hopes, that God would ſo far reſtrain the Wrath of the Adverſary, that the greateſt number of us left alive, ſhould be carried p. 15through ſo tedious a Journey. That tho' my Children had no Father to take care of them, that Word quieted me to a patient waiting to ſee the end the Lord would make, … 19. 11. Leave thy fatherleſs Children, I will preſerve them al…ve, and let thy Widows truſt in me. Accordingly God carryed them Wonderfully through great Difficulties and Dangers. My youngeſt Daughter, Aged Seven years, was carryed all the Journey, & look'd after with a great deal of Tenderneſs. My youngeſt Son, Aged Four years, was Wonderfully preſerved from Death; for though they that carryed him, or draw'd him on Sleyes, were tired with their Journeys, yet their Salvage cruel Tempers, were ſo over-ruled by God, that they did not kill him, but in their pity, …he was ſpared, and others would take care of him; ſo that four times on the Journey he was ſpared, and others would take care of him, till at laſt he arrived at Mont-Royal, where a French Gentlewoman pitying the Child, redeemed it out of the hands of the Heathen. My Son Samuel, and my Eldeſt Daughter were pityed, ſo as to be drawn on Sleyes, when unable to Travel. And tho' they ſuffered very much through Scarcity of Food, and tedious Journeys, they were carryed through to Mont-Royal. And my Son Stephen about Eleven years of Age, Wonderfully preſerved from Death, in the Famine whereof three Engliſh Perſons dyed, and after Eight Months brought into Shamblee.

My Maſter returned on the Evening of the Sabbath, and told me, he had killed five Mo…ſe. The next day we removed to the place where he killed them. p. 16We tarryed there three days, till we had roſted and dryed the Meat. My Maſter made me a pair of Snow-ſhoes, for (ſaid he) You cannot poſſibly Travel without; the Snow being knee-deep. We parted from thence heavy laden; I Travelled with a burden on my back, with Snow-ſhoes Twenty-five Miles the firſt day of wearing them; and again the next day till afternoon; and then we came to the French River. My Maſter at this place took away my pack, and draw'd the whole load on the Ice: but my bones ſeemed to be miſplaced, and I unable to Travel with any ſpeed. My feet were very ſore, and each Night I wrung Blood out of my Stockings, when I pulled them off. My Shins alſo were very ſore, being cut with Cruſty Snow, in the time of my Travelling without Snow-ſhoes. But finding ſome dry Oak-leaves, by the River banks, I put them to my Shins, and in once applying of them, they were healed. And here my Maſter was very kind to me, would alwayes give me the beſt he had to Eat; and by the goodneſs of God, I never wanted a Meals Meat, during my Captivity; tho' ſome of my Children and Neighbours, were greatly Wounded, (as I may ſay) with the Arrows of Famine, and Pinching want; having for many dayes nothing but Roots to live upon, and not much of them neither. My Maſter gave me a piece of a BIBLE; never diſturbed me in Reading the Scriptures, or in Praying to God. Many of my Neighbours alſo, found that Mercy in their Journey, to have Bibles, Pſalm-books, Catechiſms, and Good Books, put into their hands, with liberty to uſe them; and yet after their Arrival at p. 17Canada, all poſſible endeavours were uſed, to deprive them of them. Some of them ſay, their Bibles were demanded by the French Prieſts, and never re-delivered to them, to their great grief and ſorrow.

My March on the French River was very ſore, for fearing a Thaw, we Travelled a very great pace; my Feet were ſo bruiſed, and my joynts ſo diſtorted by my Travelling in Snow-ſhoes, that I thought it unpoſſible to hold out. One Morning a little before break of day, my Maſter came & awaken'd me out of my Sleep, Saying, Ariſe, Pray to God, and Eat your Breakfaſt, for we muſt go a great way to day. After Prayer, I aroſe from my knees, but my feet were ſo Tender, Swoln, Bruiſed, and full of Pain, that I could ſcarce ſtand upon them, without holding on the Wigwam. And when the Indians ſaid, You muſt run to day; I anſwered, I could not run: My Maſter pointing out to his Hatchet, ſaid to me, Then I muſt daſh out your Brains, and take off your Scalp. I ſaid I ſuppoſe then you will do ſo, for I am not able to Travel with ſpeed. He ſent me away alone, on the Ice. About Sun half an hour high, he overtook me, for I had gone very ſlowly, not thinking it poſſible to Travel Five Miles. When he came up he called me to Run; I told him I could go no faſter; he paſſed by without ſaying one Word more: So that ſometimes I ſcarce ſaw any thing of him for an hour together. I Travel'd from about break of day, till dark, never ſo much as ſet down at noon to Eat Warm Victuals; Eating frozen Meat, which I had in my Coat Pocket, as I Travel'd. We went p. 18that day Two of their dayes Journey, as they came down. I judge we went Forty or Forty five Miles that day. God Wonderfully ſupported me, and ſo far renewed my Strength, that in the afternoon I was Stronger to Travel than in the forenoon. My Strength was reſtored and renewed to admiration. We ſhould never diſtruſt the care and compaſſion of God, who can give Strength to them who have no might, and power to them who are ready to faint.

When we entred on the Lake the Ice, was very rough, and uneven, which was very grievous to my feet, that could ſcarce endure to be ſet down on the Smooth Ice, on the River; I lift up my cry to God in Ejaculatory requeſts, That He would take notice of my State, and ſome way or other relieve me. I had not Marched above half a Mile, before there fell a Moiſt Snow, about an inch and half deep, that made it very ſoft for my feet, to paſs over the Lake, to the place where my Maſters Family was. Wonderful favours in the midſt of trying Afflictions! We went a days Journey from the Lake, to a ſmall Company of Indians, who were a hunting; they were after their manner kind to me, and gave me the beſt they had, which was Mooſe-fleſh, Ground-nuts and Cramberrys, but no Bread: For Three Weeks together I eat no Bread. After our ſtay there, and undergoing difficulties in Cutting of Wood, and ſuffering from Louzineſs, having Louzy old Clothes of Souldiers, put upon me, when they ſtript me of mine, to Sell to the French Souldiers in the Army.

p. 19We again began a March for Shamblee, we ſtay'd at a branch of the Lake, and feaſted Two or Three days on Geeſe we killed there. After another days Travel, we came to a River where the Ice was thaw'd, we made a Cannoe of Elm-bark, in one day; and arrived on a Saturday near noon at Shamblee, a ſmall Village, where is a Gariſon, & Fort of French Souldiers. This Village is about Fifteen Miles from Mont-Royal. The French were very kind to me: A Gentleman of the Place, took me into his Houſe, and to his Table; and lodged me at Night on a good Feather-bed. The Inhabitants, and Officers were very obliging to me, the little time I ſtay'd with them, and promiſed to Write a Letter to the Governour in Chief, to inform him of my paſſing down the River. Here I ſaw a Girl taken from our Town, and a young Man, who informed me, that the greateſt part of the Captives were come in, and that Two of my Children were at Mont-Royal; that many of the Captives had been in, Three Weeks before my arrival: Mercy in the midſt of Judgment! As we paſſed along the River towards Sorel, we went into an Houſe where was an Engliſh Woman of our Town, who had been left among the French in order to her Conveyance to the Indian Fort. The French were very kind to her, and to my ſelf, and gave us the beſt Proviſion they had; and ſhe Embarkqued with us to go down to St. Francois Fort. When we came down to the firſt Inhabited Houſe at Sorel, a French Woman came to the River ſide, and deſired us to go into her Houſe, and when we were entred, She compaſſioned our State, and told us, She had in the laſt War been a Captive among p. 20the Indians, and therefore was not a little ſenſible of our difficulties. She gave the Indians ſomething to eat in the Chimny corner, and ſpread a cloth on the Table for us with Napkins; Which gave ſuch offence to the Indians, that they haſted away, and would not call in at the Fort. But where▪ ever we entred into Houſes, the French were very Courteous. When we came to St. Francois River, we found ſome difficulty by reaſon of the Ice; and entring into a Frenchmans Houſe, he gave us a loaf of Bread, and ſome Fiſh to carry away with us; but we paſſed down the River till Night, and there Seven of us Supped on the Fiſh▪ called Bull-be…d or Pout, and did not eat it up, the Fiſh was ſo very large.

The next Morning we met with ſuch a great quantity of Ice, that we were forced to leave our Cannoe, and Travel on Land. We went to a French Officers houſe, who took us into a private Room, out of the ſight of the Indians, and treated us very Courteouſly. That Night we arrived at the Fort call'd St. Francois; Where we found ſeveral poor Children who had been taken from the Eaſtward, the Summer before, a ſight very Affecting, they being in habit very much like Indians, and in Manners very much Symbolizing with them. At this Fort lived two Jeſuits one of which was made Superiour of the Jeſuits at Quebeck. One of theſe Jeſuits met me at the Fort Gate, and asked me to go into the Church, and Give God Thanks for preſerving my Life, I told him I would do that in ſome other Place. When the Bell rang for Evening Prayers, he that took me, Bid me go; but I refuſed: The Jeſuit p. 21came to our Wigwam, and Prayed a ſhort Prayer; and invited me to Sup with them; and juſtifyed the Indians in what they did againſt us: Rehearſing ſome things done by Major Walden, above Thirty years ago; and how juſtly God retaliated them in the laſt War, and inveighed againſt us for beginning this War with the Indians. And ſaid, We had before the laſt Winter, and in the Winter been very Barbarous, and Cruel in burning and killing Indians. I told them, That the Indians in a very Perſidious manner, had committed Murders on many of our Inhabitants, after the Signing Articles of Peace: and as to what they ſpake of Cruelties, they were undoubtedly Falſehoods, for I well knew, the Engliſh were not approvers of any inhumanity, or barbarity towards Enemies. They ſaid, An Engliſh man had killed one of St Caſteen's Relations, which occaſioned this War: for, ſay they, The Nations in a general Counſel, had concluded not to engage in the War, on any ſide, till they themſelves were firſt moleſted, and then all of them as one, would engage againſt them that began a War with them; and that upon the killing of Caſteens Kindſman, a Poſt was diſpatched to Canada, to advertiſe the Maqua's, and Indians, that the Engliſh had begun a War. On which they gathered up their Forces, and that the French joyned with them, to come down on the Eaſtern Parts; and that when they … near New-England, ſeveral of the Eaſtern Indians, told them of the Peace made with the Engliſh, and the ſatisfaction given them from the Engliſh for that Murder. But the Macqua's told them, it was now too late; for they were ſent … and were now come, and would f…ll on them, if without their conſent they made a Peace p. 22with the Engliſh. Said alſo, That a Letter was ſhow… them ſent from the Governour of Port-Royal, which he ſaid, was taken in an Engliſh Ship, being a Letter from the Queen of England, to our Governour, Writing how She approved his deſigns, to Enſnare and deceitfully to ſeiz… on the Indians; ſo that being inraged from that Letter, and being forced as it were, they began the preſent War. I told them the Letter was a Lye forged by the French.

The next Morning the Bell Rang for Maſs: My Maſter bid me go to Church: I refuſed: he threatned me, and went away in a rage. At Noon the Jeſuits ſent for me, to dine with them; for I eat at their Table all the time I was at the Fort. And after Dinner, they told me, the Indians would not allow of any of their Captives ſtaying in their Wigwams, whilſt they were at Church; and were reſolved by force and violence to bring us all to Church, if we would not go without. I told them it was highly unreaſonable ſo to impoſe upon thoſe who were of a contrary Religion; and to force us to be preſent at ſuch Service, as we Abhor'd, was nothing becoming Chriſtianity. They replyed, They were Salvages, and would not hearken to reaſon, but would have their Wills: Said alſo, If they were in New-England themſelves, they would go into their Churches to ſee their Wayes of Worſhip. I anſwered, th… caſe was far different, for there was nothing (themſelves being judges) as to matter or manner of Worſhip, but what was according to the Word of God, i… our Churches; and therefore it could not be an of fence to any mans Conſcience. But among them there were Idolatrous Superſtitions in Worſhip: they p. 23ſaid, Come and ſee, and offer us Conviction, of what is Superſtitious in Worſhip. To which I anſwered, That I was not to do Evil that Good might come on it; and that forcing in matters of Religion was hateful. They anſwered, The Indians were reſolved to have it ſo, & they could not pacify them without my coming; and they would engage they ſhould offer no force or violence to cauſe any compliance with their Ceremonies.

The next Maſs, my Maſter bid me go to Church: I objected; he aroſe and forcibly pulled me out by Head and Shoulders out of the Wigwam to the Church, that was nigh the doo… So I went in and ſat down behind the door, and there ſaw a great confuſion, inſtead of any Goſpel Order. For one of the Jeſuits was at the Altar, ſaying Maſs in a Tongue Unknown to the Salvages, and the other, between the Altar & the door, ſaying and ſinging Prayers among the Indians at the ſame time; and many others were at the ſame time ſaying over their Pater Noſters, and Ave Mary, by tale from their Chapelit, or Beads on a String. At our going out we ſmiled at their Devotion ſo managed; which was offenſive to them: for they ſaid, We made a Deriſion of their Worſhip. When I was here, a certain Salvageſs dyed; one of the Jeſuits told me, She was a very holy Woman, who had not committed One Sin in Twelve years. After a day or two the Jeſuits ask'd me, What I thought of their Way, now I ſaw it? I told them, I thought Chriſt ſaid of it, as Mark. 7. 7, 8, 9. Howbeit, in vain do they Worſhip me, teaching for doctrines the Commandments of men. For laying aſide the Commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men, as the waſhing of pots, and cups: and many other p. 24ſuch like things ye do. And he ſaid unto them, Full we… …e reject the commandment of God, that ye may keep … own tradition. They told me, They were not the Commandments of men, but Apoſtolical Traditions, of equal authority with the Holy Scriptures. And that after my Death, I would bewail my not Praying to the Virgin Mary; and that I ſhould find the want of her Interceſſion for me, with her Son; judging me to Hell for aſſerting, the Scriptures to be a perfect rule of Faith: and ſaid, I abounded in my own ſenſe, entertaining explications contrary to the ſenſe of the Pope, regularly ſitting with a general Council, explaining Scripture, and making Articles of Faith. I told them, It was my Comfort that Chriſt was to be my Judge, and not they at the Great Day: And as for their cenſuring and judging of me, I was not moved with it. One day a certain Salvageſ… taken Priſoner in Philips War, who had lived at Mr. Buckleys at Wethersfield, called Ruth, who could ſpeak Engliſh very well; who had been often at my Houſe, but was now proſelyted to the Romiſh Faith, came into the Wigwam, and with her an Engliſh Maid, who was taken the laſt War, who was dreſs'd up in Indian Apparel, could not ſpeak one word of Engliſh, who ſaid ſhe could neither tell her own name, or the name of the place from whence ſh… was taken. Theſe two talked in the Indian Diale… with my Maſter a long time; after which my Maſter bad me …reſs my ſelf; I told him I would not he commanded me ſeveral times, and I as often refuſed. Ruth ſaid, Mr. Williams you know the Scripture, and therefore act againſt your own light p. 25for you know the Scripture ſaith, Servants obey your Maſters; he is your Maſter, and you his Servant. I told her ſhe was ignorant, and knew not the meaning of the Scripture, telling her, I was not to diſobey the Great God to obey any Maſter, and that I was ready to ſuffer for God if called thereto: On which ſhe talked to my Maſter, I ſuppoſe ſhe interpreted what I ſaid. My Maſter took hold of my hand to force me to Croſs my ſelf, but I ſtrugled with him, and would not ſuffer him to guide my hand, upon this he pulled off a Crucifix from his own neck, and bad me Kiſs it; but I refuſed once and again; he told me be would daſh out my brains with his Hatchet if I refuſed. I told him I ſhould ſooner chuſe death then to Sin againſt God; then he ran and catcht up his Hatchet, and acted as tho' he would have daſhed out my Brains; ſeeing I was not moved, he threw down his Hatchet, ſaying, he would firſt bite off all my nails if I ſtill refuſed; I gave him my hand and told him, I was ready to ſuffer, he ſet his teeth in my thumb nails and gave a gripe with his teeth, and then ſaid, no good Miniſter, no love God, as bad as the Devil; and ſo left off. I have reaſon to bleſs God who ſtrengthened me to withſtand; by this he was ſo diſcouraged as never more to meddle with me about my Religion. I aſkt leave of the Jeſuits to Pray with thoſe Engliſh of our Town that were with me, but they abſolutely refuſed to give us any permiſſion to pray one with another, and did what they could to prevent our having any diſcourſe together.

After a few days the Governour de …audrel, Governour in Chief, ſent down two men with Letters p. 26to the Jeſuits, deſiring them to order my being ſent up to him to Mont-Royal, upon which one of the Jeſuits went with my two Maſters, and took me along with them, as alſo two more of Deerfield, a man and his Daughter about Seven years of Age. When we came to the Lake, the Wind was tempeſtuous & contrary to us, ſo that they were afraid to go over; they Landed and kindled a fire, & ſaid they would wait a while to ſee whether the Wind would fall or change. I went a ſide from the Company among the Trees, and ſpread our caſe with the temptations of it before God, and pleaded that He would order the ſeaſon ſo, that we might not go back again, but be furthered on our Voyage, that I might have opportunity to ſee my Children and Neighbours, and converſe with them, and know their ſtate. When I returned, the Wind was more boiſterous, and then a ſecond time, and the Wind was more fierce; I reflected upon my ſelf for my unquietneſs, and the want of a reſigned will to the Will of God. And a third time went & bewailed before God my anxious cares, and the tumultuous workings of my own heart, begg'd a Will fully reſigned to the Will of God, and thought that by the Grace of God I was brought to ſay Amen, to whatever God ſhould determine, Upon my return to the Company, the Wind was yet high; the Jeſuit and my Maſter ſaid, come we will go back again to the Fort, for there is no likelihood of proceeding in our Voyage, for very frequently ſuch a Wind continues three days, ſometimes fix; after it continued ſo many hours, I ſaid to them, the Will of the Lord be done; p. 27and the Cannoe was put again into the River, and we embarqued. No ſooner had my Maſter put me into the Cannoe, and put off from the Shoar, but the Wind fell, and coming into the middle of the River, they ſaid, We may go over the Lake well enough: and ſo we did. I promiſed, if God gave me Opportunity I would ſtir up others to Glorify God in a continued perſevering, committing their ſtraights of heart to Him; He is a Prayer bearing God, and the Stormy Winds obey Him. After we paſſed over the Lake, the French where ever we came were very compaſſionate to us.

When I came to Mont-Royal, which was Eight Weeks after my Captivity; the Governour de' Vaudrel redeemed me out of the hands of the Indians, gave me good Clothing, took me to his Table, gave me the uſe of a very good Chamber; and was in all reſpects relating to my outward man, courteous and charitable to admiration. At my firſt entring into his Houſe, he ſent for my two Children, who were in the City, that I might ſee them; and promiſed to do what he could to get all my Children & Neighbours out of the hands of the Salvages. My change of Dyet after the difficulties of my Journey's, cauſed an alteration in my Body: I was Phyſick'd, Blooded, and very tenderly taken care of in my Sickneſs The Governour redeemed my Eldeſt Daughter out of the hands of the Indians; and ſhe was carefully tended in the H…ſpital, until ſhe was well of her Lameneſs; & by the Governour provided for with reſpect, during her ſtay in the Country. My youngeſt Child was redeemed by a Gentlewoman in the City p. 28a the Indians paſſed by. After the Indians had been at their Port & diſcourſed with the Prieſts, they came back and offered to the Gentlewoman a man for the Child alle…ging that the Child could not be profitable to her, but the man would, for he was a Weaver, and his ſervice would much advance the deſign ſhe had of making cloth: but God over-ruled ſo far that this Temptation to the Woman prevailed not for an exchange; for had the Child gone to the Indian Fort, in an ordinary way it had abode there ſtill, as the reſt of the Children carryed thither do. The Governour gave orders to certain Officers to get the reſt of my Children out of the hands of the Indians, and as many of my Neighbours as they could. After Six Weeks a Merchant of the City obtained my Eldeſt Son, that was taken to live with him: he took a great deal of pains to perſwade the Salvages to part with him. An Indian came to the City (Sagamore George of Pennacook) from Cowaſ…, and brought word of my Son Stephen's being near Cowaſs, & ſome Money was put into his hand for his Redemption, and a promiſe of full ſatisfaction if he brought him; but the Indian proved unfaithful, and I never ſaw my Child till a year after. The Governour ordered a Prieſt to go along with me to ſee my youngeſt Daughter among the Macqua's, and endeavour her … with him; he was very courteous to me, and from his Pariſh which was near the Macqua▪ Fort, he wrote a Letter to the Jeſuit to deſire … to ſend my Child to ſee me, and to ſpeak with them that took her, to come along with it. But the Jeſuit wrote back a Letter, That I ſhould not be permitted p. 29to ſpeak with, or ſee my Child, if I came that my labour would be loſt; and that the Macqua's would aſſoon part with their hearts, as my Child. At my return to the City, I with an heavy heart carryed the Jeſuits Letter to the Governour, who, when he read it, was very angry, and endeavoured to comfort me, aſſuring me, I ſhould ſee it, and ſpeak with it; and he would to his utmoſt endeavour its ranſom: Accordingly he ſent to the Jeſuits who were in the City, and bid them improve their intereſt for the obtaining the Child. After ſome days, he went with me in his own Perſon to the Fort. When we came thither, he diſcourſed with the Jeſuits: after which my Child was brought into the Chamber where I was. I was told I might ſpeak with her, but ſhould be permitted to ſpeak to no other Engliſh Perſon there. My Child was about Seven years old; I diſcourſed with her near an hour; ſhe could Read very well, and had not forgotten her Catechiſm; and was very deſirous to be redeemed out of the hands of the Macqua's, and bemoaned her State among them, telling me how they prophaned God's Sabbath's: and ſaid, She thought that a few days before they had been mocking the Devil, and that one of the Jeſuits ſtood and look'd on them. I told her, ſhe muſt Pray to God for His Grace every day; She ſaid, She did as ſhe was able, and God heipt her: but ſays ſhe, They force me to ſay ſome Prayers in Latin, but I dont underſtand one word of them, I hope it wont do me any harm. I told her, ſhe muſt be careful ſhe did not forget her Catechiſm, and the Scriptures, ſhe had learnt by heart. She told the Captives after I was gone, as ſome of them have ſince informed p. 30me, almoſt every thing I ſpake to her; and ſaid, She was much afraid ſhe ſhould forget her Catechiſm, having none to inſtruct her. I ſaw her once a few days after in the City, but had not many Minutes of time with her, but what time I had, I improved to give her the beſt advice I could. The Governour laboured much for her redemption, at laſt he had a promiſe of it, in caſe he would procure for them an Indian Girl in her ſtead. Accordingly he ſent up the River ſome hundreds of Leagues for one, but it was refuſed, when offered by the Governour: he offered them an hundred pieces of Eight for her Redemption, but it was refuſed. His Lady went over to have beg'd her from them, but all in vain; its there ſtill; and has forgotten to ſpeak Engliſh. Oh! that all who peruſe this Hiſtory would joyn in their ſervent requeſts to God, with whom all things are poſſible, that this poor Child, and ſo many others of our Children who have been caſt upon God from the Womb, and are now Out-caſt ready to periſh, might be gathered from their diſperſions, and receive Sanctifying Grace from God! When I had diſcourſed with the Child, and was coming out of the Fort, one of the Jeſuits went out of the Chamber with me, and ſome Souldiers, to convey me to the Cannoe. I ſaw ſome of my poor Neighbours, who ſtood with longing expectations to ſee me, and ſpeak with me, and had leave from their Salvage Maſters ſo to do. I was by the Jeſuit himſelf thruſt along by force, and permitted only to tell them ſome of their Relations (they askt after) were well in the City, and that with a very audible voice; being not permitted to come near to them. After p. 31my return to the City I was very Melancholly, for I could not be permitted ſo much as to Pray with the Engliſh, who dwelt in the ſame houſe. And the Engliſh who came to ſee me, were moſt of them put back by the Guard at the door, and not ſuffered to come & ſpeak with me. Sometimes the Guard was ſo ſtrict that I could ſcarce go aſide on neceſſary occaſions without a repulſe; and whenever I went out into the City (a favour the Governour himſelf never refuſed when I ask it of him) there were ſpies to watch me, and to obſerve whether I ſpake to the Engliſh. Upon which I told ſome of the Engliſh, they muſt be careful to call to mind & improve former Inſtructions, and endeavour to ſtand at a further diſtance for a while, hoping that after a ſhort time I ſhould have more liberty of converſing with them. But ſome ſpies ſent out, found on a Sabbath Day more then Three (the number we by their order publiſhed were not to exceed together) of us in Company, who informed the Prieſt; the next day one of the Prieſts told me, I had a greater number of the Engliſh with me, and that I had ſpoken ſomething reflecting on their Religion. I ſpake to the Governour that no forcible means might be uſed with any of the Captives reſpecting their Religion; he told me, He allowed no ſuch thing. I am perſwaded that the Governour if he might act as himſelf, would not have ſuffered ſuch things to be done as have been done, and that he never did know of ſeveral things acted againſt the Engliſh.

At my firſt coming to Mont-Royal, the Governour told me, I ſhould be ſent home aſſoon as Captain Battiſs p. 32was returned and not before; and that I was taken in order to his Redemption. The Governour ſought by all means to divert me from my Melancholly Sorrows, and always ſhow'd a willingneſs for ſeeing my Children. And one day I told him of my deſign of walking into the City; he pleaſantly anſwered, Go with all my Heart. His Eldeſt Son went with me as far as the door & ſaw the Guard ſtop me, he went in and informed his Father, who came to the door and askt, Why they affronted the Gentleman going out? They ſaid, It was their Order: But with an angry countenance he ſaid, His Orders were that I ſhould not be ſtopt. But within a little time I had my orders to go down to Quebeck. Another thing ſhowing that many things are done without the Governours conſent, tho' his Name be uſed to juſtify them, (viz.) I askt the Prieſt, after I had been at Mont-Royal two days, leave to go and ſee my youngeſt Child; he ſaid, When ever you would ſee it tell me, and I will bring it to you; for, ſays he, The Governour is not willing you ſhould go thither. And yet not many days after when we were at Dinner, the Governours Lady (ſeeing me ſad) ſpake to an Officer at Table, who could ſpeak Latin, to tell me, That after Dinner I ſhould go along with them and ſee my two Children. And accordingly after Dinner I was carryed to ſee them; and when I came to the houſe I found three or four Engliſh Captives, who lived there, and I had leave to diſcourſe with them. And not long after the Governours Lady askt me, to go along with her to the … to … one of my Neighbours Sick there.

p. 33One day one of the Jeſuits came to the Governour, and told the Company there, That he … ſaw ſuch Perſons as were taken from Deerfield. Said he, The Macqua's will not ſuffer any of their Priſoners to abide in their Wigwams whilſt they themſelves are at M…ſs, but carry them with them to the Church, and they cant be prevailed with to fall down on their knees to Pray there, but no ſooner are they returned to their Wigwams, out they fall down on their knees to Prayer. He ſaid, They could do nothing with the grown Perſons there; and they hundred the Childrens complying. Where-upon, the Juſuits counſel'd the Macqua's to Sell all the grown Perſon… from the Fort; a ſtratagem to ſeduce poor Children. Oh Lord! Turn the Counſels of theſe Ahitcphels into fooliſhneſs, and make the Counſels of the Heathen of none effect!

Here I obſerved, they were wonderfully lifted up with Pride, after the return of Captain Montin…g from Northampton with News of Succeſs: they boaſted of their Succeſs againſt New-England. And they ſent out an Army as they ſaid of Seven hundred men, if I miſtake not, Two hundred of which were French, in company of which Army went ſeveral Jeſuits; and ſaid, They would l…y deſ…e all the places on Connecticut River. The Superiour of the Prieſts told me, Their General was a very Prudent and Brave Commander of undaunted Courage, and he doubted not but they ſhould have great Succeſs. This Army went away in ſuch a boaſting, triumphant manner, that I had great hopes God would diſcover and diſappoint their deſigns: our Prayers were not wanting for the Blaſting ſuch a Bloody deſign. The Superiour of the p. 34Prieſts ſaid to me, Dont flatter your ſelves in hopes of a ſhort Captivity; for, ſaid he, There are two young Princes contending for the Kingdom of Spain; and a Third, that care was to be taken for his Eſtabliſhment, on the Engliſh Throne. And boaſted what they would do to Europe; and that we muſt expect not only Europe, but in New-England the Eſtabliſhment of Popery. I ſaid, Glory not, God can make great changes in a little time, and revive His own Intereſt, and yet Save His poor afflicted People. Said he, The time for Miracles is paſt; and in the time of the laſt War, the King of France was as it were againſt all the World, and yet did very great things, but now the Kingdom of Spain is for him, and the Duke of Bavaria, and the Duke of Savey, &c. and ſpake on a lofty manner of great things to be done by them: and having the World as I may ſay in ſubjection to them.

I was ſent down to Quebeck in Company of Governour de Ramſey, Governour of Mont-Royal, and the Superiour of the Jeſuits, and ordered to live with one of the Council; from whom I received many favours for Seven Weeks. He told me, It was the Prieſts doings to ſend me down before the Governour came down; & that if I went much to ſee the Engliſh, or they came much to viſit me, I ſhould yet certainly be ſent away where I ſhould have no converſe with the Engliſh. After my coming down to Quebeck, I was invited to Dine with the Jeſuits, and to my face they were civil enough. But after a few days a young Gentleman came to my Chamber, and told me, that one of the Jeſuits (after we had done Dinner) made a few Diſticks of Verſes & gave them to his Scholars p. 35to Tranſlate into French: he ſhew'd them to me. The import of them was, That the King of France his Grand-Son had ſent out his Huntſmen, & that they had taken a Wolf, who was ſhut up, and now he hopes the Sheep would be in ſafety. I knew at the reading of them what he aimed at, but held my Peace, as tho' I had been ignorant of the Jeſuits intention. Obſerving this reproaching Spirit, I ſaid in my Heart, If God will bleſs, let men curſe if they pleaſe; and I look'd to God in CHRIST the Great Shepherd to keep his ſcattered Sheep among ſo many Romiſh Revenous Wolves, and to remember the reproaches where with his Holy Name, Ordinances, and Servants were daily reproached. And upon an obſervation of the time of theſe Verſes being compoſed, I find that near the ſame time the Biſhop of Canada with Twenty Eccleſiaſticks were taken by the Engliſh, as they were coming from France, and carried into England as Priſoners of War.

One Sabbath day Morning I obſerved many Signs of approaching Rain, a great moiſture on the Stones of the Hearth & Chimny-jams. I was that day invited to Dine with the Jeſuits; and when I went up to Dinner, it began to Rain a ſmall dri…ling Rain: The Superiour told me, They had been Praying for Rain that Morning: And l…, (ſays he) It begins to Rain. I told him, I could tell him of many inſtances of Gods hearing our Prayers for Rain. However in the afternoon there was a general Proceſſion of all orders, Prieſts, Jeſuits and Fryars, and the Citizens in great Pomp, carrying (as they ſaid) as an holy relique, one of the bones of St. Paul. The next day I was p. 36invited to the Prieſts Seminary to Dinner; Oh, ſaid they, we went in Proceſſion Yeſterday for Rain, and ſee what a Plentiful Rain followed. I anſwered, we had been anſwered when Praying for Rain, when no ſuch Signs of Rain, and the beginnings of Rain preceeded, as now with them, before they appointed or began their Proceſſion, &c. However, they upbraided me, That God did not approve of our Religion, in that He diſregarded our Prayers, and accepted theirs. For (ſaid they) We hear you had dayes of Faſting and Prayer before the Fleet came to Quebeck; God would not regard your Prayers, but heard ows, & almoſt in a miraculous way preſerved us when aſſaulted, and refuſed to hear your Faſt-day-Prayers for your Preſervation, but heard ours for your Deſolation, and our Succeſs. They boaſted alſo of their King, and his greatneſs, and ſpake of him as tho' there could be no Settlement of the World, but as he pleaſed; reviling us as in a low & languiſhing caſe, having no King, but being under the Government of a Queen: And ſpake as tho' the Duke of Bavaria would in a ſhort time be Emperour. From this day forward God gave them to hear ſorrowful Tidings from Europe: That a War was commenced againſt the Duke of Savoy, and ſo their Enemies increaſed. Their Biſhop taken, & Two Millions of Wealth with him. News every year more diſtreſſing and impoveriſhing of them; and the Duke of Bavaria ſo far from being Emperour, that he is diſpoſſeſs'd of his Dukedom; & France ſo far from being ſtrengthned by Spain that the Kingdom of Spain like to be an occaſion of the Weakning and Impoveriſhing their own Kingdom: they themſelves ſo reporting. And their great Army going p. 37againſt New-England turn'd back aſhamed; and they diſcouraged and diſhearten'd, and every year very exerciſing fears & cares, as to the Salvages who live up the River. Before the return of that Army, they told me, We were led up & down and Sold by the Heathen, as Sheep for the Slanghter, and they could not deviſe what they ſhould do with us, we ſhould be ſo many Priſoners, when the Army returned. The Jeſuit told me, It was a great Mercy that ſo many of our Children were brought to them, and that now eſpecially ſince they were not like ſpeedily to be returned, there was hope of their being brought over to the Romiſh Faith. They would take the Engliſh Children born among them, and againſt the conſent of their Parents Baptize them. One Jeſuit came to me and askt, whether all the Engliſh at Lo…et, (a place not far from Quebeck where the Salvages lived) were Baptized? I told him they were. He ſaid if they be not, let me know of it, that I may Baptize them, for fear they ſhould dye and be damn'd, if they dyed without Baptiſm. Says he, When the Salvages went againſt you, I charg'd them to Baptiſe all Children before they killed them: ſuch was my deſire of your E…rnal Salvation tho' you were our Enemies. There was a Gentleman called Monſier de Beauville, a Captain, the Brother of the Lord Intendant, who was a good friend to me, and very courteous to all the Captives; he …ent me an Engliſh Bible, and when he went to France gave it me.

All means were uſed to ſeduce poor Souls.

I was invited one day to Dine with one of … Note, as I was going, met with the Superior of the p. 38Jeſuits coming out of the Houſe, and he came in after dinner; and preſently it was propounded to me, if I would ſtay among them and be of their Religion, I ſhould have a great and honourable Penſion from the King every year. The Superior of the Jeſuits turned to me, and ſaid, Sir, you have manifeſted much grief and ſorrow for your ſeparation from ſo many of your Neighbours and Children; if you will now comply with this offer and propoſal, you may have all your Children with you; and here will be enough for an honourable maintainance for you and them. I anſwered, Sir, If I thought your Religion to be true, I would imbrace it freely without any ſuch offer, but ſo long as I believe it to be what it is, the offer of the whole World is of no more value to me than a Blackberry; and manifeſted ſuch an abhorrence of this propoſal, that I ſpeedily went to take my leave and be gone. Oh! Sir (ſaid he) ſet down, why in ſuch a hurry, you are alone in your Chamber, divert your ſelf a little longer, and fell to other diſcourſe, and within half an hour ſays again: Sir, I have one thing earneſtly to requeſt of you, I pray pleaſure me! I ſaid, let your Lordſhip ſpeak; (ſaid he,) I pray come down to the Palace to morrow morning, and honour me with your Company in my Coach to the great Church, it being then a Saints day. I anſwered ask me any thing wherein I can ſerve you with a good Conſcience, and I am ready to gratifie you, but I muſt yet ask your excuſe here; and immediately went away from him. Returning unto my Chamber, I gave God thanks for his upholding o… p. 39me, and alſo made an enquiry with my ſelf, whether I had by any action given encouragement for ſuch a temptation. Not many days after, and a few days before Governour de' Vaudrel coming down, I was ſent away Fifteen Miles down the River, that I might not have opportunity of converſe with the Engliſh. I was courteouſly treated by the French, and the Prieſt of that Pariſh; they told me he was one of the moſt Learned men in the Country; he was a very ingenious man, zealous in their way, but yet very familiar. I had many diſputes with the Prieſts who came thither, & when I uſed their own Authors to confute ſome of their Poſitions; my Books borrowed of them were taken away from me, for they ſaid, I made an ill uſe of them. They having many of them boaſted of their Unity in Doctrine and Profeſſion, were loth I ſhould ſhow them from their own beſt approved Authors, as many different Opinions, as they could charge againſt us. Here again, a Gentleman in the preſence of the Old▪ Biſhop and a Prieſt, offered me his Houſe, and whole Living, with aſſurance of Honour, Wealth and Employment, if I would imbrace their ways. I told them, I had an indignation of Soul againſt ſuch offers on ſuch terms, as parting with what was more valuable than all the World; alleadging, What is a man profited if he gain the whole World, & loſe his own Soul? or what ſhall a man give in exchange for his Soul? I was ſometimes told, I might have all my Children if I would comply, and muſt never expect to have them on any other terms; I told them, my Children were dearer to me than all the world, but I would not deny p. 40Chriſt and his Truths for the having of them with me; I would ſtill put my truſt in God who could perform all things for me.

I am perſwaded that the Prieſt of that Pariſh where I kept, abhorred their ſending down the Heathen to commit Outrages againſt the Engliſh, ſaying, it was more like committing Murders, than managing a War. In my Confinement in this Pariſh, I had my undiſturbed opportunities to be humbly imploring Grace for our ſelves, for Soul and Body, for His protecting preſence with New-England, and His diſappointing the bloody deſigns of Enemies; that God would be a little Sanctuary to us in a Land of Captivity, and that our Friends in New-England, might have Grace to make a more thankful and fruitful improvement of means of Grace than we had done; who by our neglects find our ſelves out of Gods Sanctuary.

On the Twenty-firſt of October, 1704. I received ſome Letters from New-England, with an account that many of our Neighbours eſcaped out of the deſolations in the Fort, and that my Dear Wife was recarried and decently Buried. And that my Eldeſt Son who was abſent in our deſolation, was ſent to Colledge and provided for; which occaſioned Thanksgiving to God in the midſt of Afflictions, and cauſed Prayers even in Canada, to be going daily up to Heaven for a Bleſſing upon Benefactors, ſhowing ſuch kindneſs to the deſolate and afflicted. The conſideration of ſuch crafty deſigns to enſnare young ones, and to turn them from the Simplicity of the Goſpel, to Romiſ… ſuperſtition, was very exerciſing; ſometimes they p. 41would tell me my Children, ſometimes my Neighbours were turned to be of their Religion. Some made it their work to allure poor Souls by flatteries and great promiſes, ſome threatned, ſome offered abuſive carriages to ſuch as refuſed to go to Church and be preſent at Maſs; for ſome they induſtriouſly contrived to get them Married among them. A Prieſt drew up a Compendium of the Romiſh Catholick Faith, and pretended to prove it by the Scriptures, telling the Engliſh, that all they required was contained in the Scriptures, which they acknowledged to be the Rule of Faith and Manners; but it was by Scriptures horribly perverted and abuſed. I could never come to the ſight of it, (tho' I often earneſtly entreated a Copy of it) until I was a Shipboard for our Voyage for New-England; but hearing of it, I endeavoured to poſſeſs the Engliſh with their danger of being cheated with ſuch a pretence. I underſtood they would tell the Engliſh that I was turn'd, that they might gain them to change their Religion; theſe their endeavours to ſeduce to Popery were very exerciſing to me▪ And in my Solitarineſs I drew up theſe following Sorrowful, Mournful, Conſiderations, tho' unus'd to, & unskilful in Poetry, yet in a plain ſtile for the uſe of ſome of the Captives, who would ſometimes make their ſecret Viſits to me, which at the deſire of ſome of them, are here made publick.