a description of new england: or the obseruations, and discoueries, of captain iohn smith (admirall of that country) in the north of america, in the year of our lord with the successe of sixe ships, that went the next yeare ; and the accidents befell him among the french men of warre: with the proofe of the present benefit this countrey affoords: whither this present yeare, , eight voluntary ships are gone to make further tryall. smith, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a description of new england: or the obseruations, and discoueries, of captain iohn smith (admirall of that country) in the north of america, in the year of our lord with the successe of sixe ships, that went the next yeare ; and the accidents befell him among the french men of warre: with the proofe of the present benefit this countrey affoords: whither this present yeare, , eight voluntary ships are gone to make further tryall. smith, john, - . pass, simon van de, ?- , engraver. [ ], , [ ] p., folded plate : map printed by humfrey lownes, for robert clerke; and are to be sould at his house called the lodge, in chancery lane, ouer against lincolnes inne, at london : . with an additional leaf of prince charles's new names for new england places. variant: lacking this leaf. the map has heading "new england", imprint "london printed by geor: low [or "iames reeue"]"; most states dated . it is signed "simon passæus sculpsit. robert clerke excudit". for a fuller discussion of states of the map see sabin and . running title reads: the description of new england, by captaine iohn smith. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng new england -- description and travel -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a description of new england : or the observations , and discoueries , of captain iohn smith ( admirall of that country ) in the north of america , in the year of our lord : with the successe of sixe ships , that went the next yeare ; and the accidents be fell him among the french men of warre : with the proofe of the present benefit this countrey affoords : whither this present yeare , , eight voluntary ships are gone to make further tryall . at london printed by humfrey lownes , for robert clerke ; and are to be sould at his house called the lodge , in chancery lane , ouer against lincolnes inne . . to the high hopefvl charles , prince of great britaine . sir : so fauourable was your most renowned and memorable brother , prince henry , to all generous designes ; that in my discouery of virginia , i presumed to call two namelesse headlands after my soueraignes heires , cape henry , and cape charles . since then , it beeing my chance to range some other parts of america , whereof i heere present your highness the description in a map ; my humble sute is , you would please to change their barbarous names , for such english , as posterity may say , prince charles was their godfather . what here in this relation i promise my countrey , let mee liue or die the slaue of scorne & infamy , if ( hauing meanes ) i make it not apparent ; please god to blesse me but from such accidents as are beyond my power and reason to preuent . for my labours , i desire but such conditions as were promised me out of the gaines ; and that your highnesse would daigne to grace this work , by your princely and fauourable respect vnto it , and know mee to be your highnesse true and faithfull seruant , iohn smith . to the right honourable and worthy lords , knights , & gentlemen , of his maiesties councell , for all plantations and discoueries ; especially , of new england . seeing the deedes of the most iust , and the writings of the most wise , not onely of men , but of god himselfe , haue beene diuersly traduced by variable iudgements of the times opinionists ; what shall such an ignorant as i expect ? yet reposing my selfe on your fauours , i present this rude discourse , to the worldes construction ; though i am perswaded , that few do think there may be had from new england staple commodities , well worth or pound a yeare , with so small charge , and such facilitie , as this discourse will acquaint you . but , lest your honours , that know mee not , should thinke i goe by hearesay or affection ; i intreat your pardons to say thus much of my selfe : neere twice nine yeares , i haue beene taught by lamentable experience , aswell in europe and asia , as affrick , and america , such honest aduentures as the chance of warre doth cast vpon poore souldiers . so that , if i bee not able to iudge of what i haue seene , contriued , and done ; it is not the fault either of my eyes , or foure quarters . and these nine yeares , i haue bent my endeauours to finde a sure foundation to begin these ensuing protects : which though i neuer so plainely and seriously propound ; yet it resteth in god , and you ▪ still to dispose of . not doubting but your goodnesse will pardon my rudenesse , and ponder errours in the balance of good will ▪ no more : but sacring all my best abilities to the good of my prince , and countrey , and submitting my selfe to the exquisit iudgements of your renowned vertue , i euer rest your honours , in all honest seruice , i. s. to the right vvorshipfull aduenturers for the countrey of new england , in the cities of london , bristow , exceter , plimouth , dartmouth , bastable , totneys , &c. and in all other cities and ports , in the kingdome of england . if the little ant , & the sillie bee seek by their diligence the good of their commonwealth ; much more ought man. if they punish the drones and sting them steales their labour ; then blame not man. little hony hath that hiue , where there are more drones then bees : and miserable is that land , where more are idle then well imployed . if the indeauours of those vermin be acceptable , i hope mine may be excuseable ; though i confesse it were more proper for mee , to be doing what i say , then writing what i knowe . had i returned rich , i could not haue erred : now hauing onely such fish as came to my net , i must be taxed . but , i would my taxers were as ready to aduenture their purse● , as i , purse , life , and all i haue : or as diligent to furnish the charge , as i know they are vigilant to crop the fruits of my labours . then would i not doubt ( did god please i might safely arriue in new england , and safely returne ) but to performe somewhat more then i haue promised , & approue my words by deeds , according to proportion . i am not the first hath beene betrayed by pirats : and foure men of warre , prouided as they were , had beene sufficient to haue taken sampson , hercules , and alexander the great , no other way furnisht then i was . i knowe not what assurance any haue do passe the seas , not to bee subiect to casualty as well as my selfe : but least this disaster may hinder my proceedings , or ill will ( by rumour ) the behoofefull worke i pretend ; i haue writ this little : which i did thinke to haue concealed from any publike vse , till i had made my returnes speake as much , as my pen now doth . but because i speake so much of fishing , if any take mee for such a deuote fisher , as i dreame of nought else , they mistake mee . i know a ring of golde from a graine of barley , aswell as a goldesmith : and nothing is there to bee had which fishing doth hinder , but furder vs to obtaine . now for that i haue made knowne vnto you a fit place for plantation , limited within the bounds of your patent and commission ; hauing also receiued meanes , power , and authority by your directions , to plant there a colony , and make further search , and discouery in those parts there yet vnknowne : considering , withall , first those of his maiesties councell , then those cities aboue named , and diuerse others that haue beene moued to lend their assistance to so great a worke , doe expect ( especially the aduenturers ) the true relation or euent of my proceedings which i heare are so abused ; i am inforced for all these respects , rather to expose my imbecillitie to contempt , by the testimonie of these rude lines , then all should condemne me for so bad a factor , as could neither giue reason nor account of my actions and designes . yours to command , iohn smith . in the deserued honour of the author , captaine iohn smith , and his worke. damn'd enuie is a sp'rite , that euer haunts beasts , mis-nam'd men ; cowards or ignorants . but , onely such shee followes , whose deere worth ( maugre her malice ) sets their glorie forth . if this faire ouerture , then , take not ; it is enuie's spight ( dear friend ) in men-of-wit ; or feare , lest morsels , which our mouthes possesse , might fall from thence ; or elsetis sottishnesse . if either ; ( i hope neither ) thee they raise ; thy * letters are as letters in thy praise ; who , by their vice , improue ( when they reprooue ) thy vertue ; so , in hate , procure thee loue. then , on firme worth : this monument i frame ; scorning for any smith to sorge such fame . io : dauies , heref : to his worthy captaine the author . that which wee call the subiect of all storie , is truth , which in this worke of thine giues glorie to all that tho-hast done . then , scorne the spight of enuie ; which doth no mans merits right . my sword may helpe the rest : my pen no more can doe , but this ; i 'aue said enough before . your sometime souldier , i. codrinton , now templer . to my worthy friend and coson , captaine iohn smith . it ouer-ioyes my heart , when as thy words of these designes , with deeds i doe compare . heere is a booke , such worthy truth affords , none should the due desert there of impare ; sith thou , the man , deseruing of these ages , much paine hast ta'en for this our kingdoms good , in climes vnknowne , mongst turks and saluages , t' inlarge our bounds ; though with thy losse of blood . hence damn'd detraction : stand not in our way . enuie , it selfe , will not the truth gainesay . n. smith . to that worthy and generous gentleman , my verie good friend , captaine smith . may fate thy proiect prosper , that thy name may be eternised with liuing fame : though soule detraction honour would peruert , and enuie euer waits vpon desert : in spight of pelias , when his hate lies colde , returne as iason with a sleece of golde . then after-ages shall record thy praise , that a new england to this i le didst raise : and when thou dy'st ( as all that liue must die ) thy fame liue heere ; thou , with eternitie . r : gunnell . to his friend cap : smith , vpon his description of new england . sir ; your relations i haue read : which shewe , ther 's reason i should honour them and you : and if their meaning i haue vnderstood , i dare to censure , thus : your proiect 's good ; and may ( if follow'd ) doubtlesse quit the paine , with honour , pleasure and a trebble gaine ; beside the benefit that shall arise to make more happie our posterities . for would we daigne to spare , though 't were no more then what o're-filles , and surfets vs in store , to order nature's fruitfulnesse a while in that rude garden , you new england stile ; with present good , ther 's hope in after-daies thence to repaire what time and pride decaies in this rich kingdome . and the spatious west beeing still more with english blood possest , the proud iberians shall not rule those seas , to checke our ships from sayling where they please ; nor future times make any forraine power become so great to force a bound to our . much good my minde fore-tels would follow hence with little labour , and with lesse expence . thriue therefore thy designe , who ere enuie : england may ioy in england's colony , virginia seeke her virgine sisters good , be blessed in such happie neighbourhood : or , what-soere fate pleaseth to permit , be thou still honor'd for first moouing it . george wither , è societate lincol. in the deserued honour of my honest and worthie captaine , iohn smith , and his worke. captaine and friends when i peruse thy booke ( with iudgements eyes ) into thy heart i looke : and there i finde ( what sometimes - albyon ) knew ) a souldier , to his countries-honour , true . some fight for wealth ; and some for emptie praise ; but thou alone thy countries fame to raise . with due discretion , and vndanted heart , i ( oft ) so well haue seene thee act thy part in deepest plunge of hard extreamitie , as forc't the troups of proudest foes to flie . though men of greater ranke and lesse desert would pish-away thy praise , it can not start from the true owner : for , all good-mens tongues shall keepe the same . to them that part belongs . if , then , wit , courage , and successe should get thee fame ; the muse for that is in thy debt : a part whereof ( least able though i bee ) thus heere i doe disburse , to honor thee . rawly croshaw . michael phettiplace , william phettiplace , & richard wisfing , gentlemen , and souldiers vnder captaine smiths command : in his deserued honor for his worke , and worth . vvhy may not we in this worke haue our mite , that had our share in each black day and night , when thou virginia foildst , yet kept'st vnstaind ; and held'st the king of paspeheh enchaind . thou all alone this saluage sterne didst take . pamunkes king wee saw thee captiue make among seauen hundred of his stoutest men , to murther thee and vs resolued ; when fast by the hand thou ledst this saluage grim , thy pistoll at his breast to gouerne him : which did infuse such awe in all the rest ( sith their drad soueraigne thou had'st so distrest ) that thou and wee ( poore sixteene ) safe retir'd vnto our helplesse ships . thou ( thus admir'd ) didst make proud powhatan , his subiects send to lames his towne , thy censure to attend : and all virginia's lords , and pettie kings , aw'd by thy vertue , crouch , and presents brings to gaine thy grace ; so dreaded thou hast beene : and yet a heart more milde is seldome seene ; so , making valour vertue , really ; who hast nought in thee counterfet , or slie ; if in the sleight bee not the truest art , that makes men famoused for faire desert . who saith of thee , this sauors of vaine-glorie , mistakes both thee and vs , and this true storie . if it bee ill in thee , so well to doe ; then , is it ill in vs , to praise thee too . but , if the first bee well done ; it is well , to say it doth ( if so it doth ) excell ! praise is the guerdon of each deere desert , making the praised act the praised part with more alacritie : honours spurre is praise ; without which , it ( regardlesse ) soone decaies . and for this paines of thine wee praise thee rather , that future times may know who was the father of this rare worke ( new england ) which may bring praise to thy god , and profit to thy king. a description of new-england , by captaine iohn smith . in the moneth of aprill , . with two ships from london , of a few marchants , i chanced to arriue in new-england , a parte of ameryca , at the i le of monahiggan , in of northerly latitude : our plot was there to take whales and make tryalls of a myne of gold and copper . if those failed , fish and furres was then our refuge , to make our selues sauers howsoeuer : we found this whale-fishing a costly conclusion : we saw many , and spent much time in chasing them ; but could not kill any : they beeing a kinde of iubartes , and not the whale that yeeldes finnes and oyle as wee expected . for our golde , it was rather the masters deuice to get a voyage that proiected it , then any knowledge hee had at all of any such matter . fish & furres was now our guard : & by our late arriual , and long lingring about the whale , the prime of both those seasons were past ere wee perceiued it ; we thinking that their seasons serued at all times : but wee found it otherwise ; for , by the midst of iune , the fishing failed . yet in iuly and august some was taken , but not sufficient to defray so great a charge as our stay required . of dry fish we made about . of cor fish about . whilest the sailers fished , my selfe with eight or nine others of them might best bee spared ; ranging the coast in a small boat , wee got for trifles neer beuer skinnes , martins , and neer as many otters ; and the most of them within the distance of twenty leagues . we ranged the coast both east and west much furder ; but eastwards our commodities were not esteemed , they were so neare the french who affords them better : and right against vs in the main was a ship of sir frances popphames , that had there such acquaintance , hauing many yeares vsed onely that porte , that the most parte there was had by him . and leagues westwards were two french ships , that had made there a great voyage by trade , during the time wee tryed those conclusions , not knowing the coast , nor saluages habitation . with these furres , the traine , and cor-fish i returned for england in the bark : where within six monthes after our departure from the downes , we safe arriued back . the best of this fish was solde for fiue pound the hundreth , the rest by ill vsage betwixt three pound and fifty shillings . the other ship staied to fit herselfe for spaine with the dry fish which was sould , by the sailers reporte that returned , at forty ryalls the quintall , each hundred weighing two quintalls and a halfe . new england is that part of america in the ocean sea opposite to noua albyon in the south sea ; discouered by the most memorable sir francis drake in his voyage about the worlde . in regarde whereto this is stiled new england , beeing in the same latitude . new france , off it , is northward : southwardes is virginia , and all the adioyning continent , with new granado , new spain , new andolosia and the west indies . now because i haue beene so oft asked such strange questions , of the goodnesse and greatnesse of those spatious tracts of land , how they can bee thus long vnknown , or nor possessed by the spaniard , and many such like demands ; i intreat your pardons , if i chance to be too plaine , or tedious in relating my knowledge for plaine mens satisfaction . florida is the next adioyning to the indes , which vnprosperously was attempted to bee planted by the french. a country farre bigger then england , scotland , france and ireland , yet little knowne to any christian , but by the wonderful endeuours of ferdinando de soto a valiant spaniard : whose writings in this age is the best guide knowne to search those parts . virginia is no ile ( as many doe imagine ) but part of the continent adioyning to florida ; whose bounds may be stretched to the magnitude thereof without offence to any christian inhabitant . for from the degrees of . to . his maiestie hath granted his letters parents , the coast extending south-west and north-east aboute miles ; but to follow it aboard , the shore may well be . at the least : of which , . miles is the most giues entrance into the bay of chisapeak , where is the london plantation : within which is a country ( as you may perceiue by the description in a booke and map printed in my name of that little i there discouered ) may well suffice people to inhabit . and southward adioyneth that part discouered at the charge of sir walter rawley , by sir ralph lane , and that learned mathematician mr. thomas heryot . northward six or seauen degrees is the riuer sadagahock , where was planted the westerne colony , by that honourable patrone of vertue sir iohn poppham lord chief iustice of england . ther is also a relation printed by captaine bartholomew gosnould , of elizabeths iles : and an other by captaine waymoth , of pemmaquid . from all these diligent obseruers , posterity may be bettered by the fruits of their labours . but for diuers others that long before and since haue ranged those parts , within a kenning sometimes of the shore , some touching in one place some in another , i must entreat them pardon me for omitting them ; or if i offend in saying that their true descriptions are concealed , or neuer well obserued , or died with the authors : so that the coast is yet still but euen as a coast vnknowne and vndiscouered . i haue had six or seauen seuerall plots of those northren parts , so vnlike each to other , and most sodiffering from any true proportion , or resemblance of the countrey , as they did mee no more good , then so much waste paper , though they cost me more . it may be it was not my chance to see the best ; but least others may be deceiued as i was , or through dangerous ignorance hazard themselues as i did , i haue drawen a map from point to point , i le to i le , and harbour to harbour , with the soundings , sands , rocks , & land-marks as i passed close aboard the shore in a little boat ; although there bemany things to bee obserued which the haste of other affaires did cause me omit : for , being sent more to get present commodities , then knowledge by discoueries for any future good , i had not power to search as i would : yet it will serue to direct any shall goe that waies , to safe harbours and the saluages habitations : what marchandize and commodities for their labour they may finde , this following discourse shall plainely demonstrate . thus you may see , of this . miles more then halfe is yet vnknowne to any purpose : no not so much as the borders of the sea are yet certainly discouered . as for the goodnes and true substances of the land , wee are for most part yet altogether ignorant of them , vnlesse it bee those parts about the bay of chisapeack and sagadahock : but onely here and there wee touched or haue seene a little the edges of those large dominions , which doe stretch themselues into the maine , god doth know how many thousand miles ; whereof we can yet no more iudge , then a stranger that saileth betwixt england and france can describe the harbors and dangers by landing here or there in some riuer or bay , tell thereby the goodnesse and substances of spaine , italy , germany , bohemia , hungaria & the rest . by this you may perceiue how much they erre , that think euery one which hath bin at virginia vnderstandeth or knowes what virginia is : or that the spaniards know one halfe quarter of those territories they possesse ; no , not so much as the true circumference of terra incognita , whose large dominions may equalize the greatnesse and goodnes of america , for any thing yet known . it is strange with what small power hee hath raigned in the east indes ; and few will vnderstand the truth of his strength in america : where he hauing so much to keepe with such a pampered force , they neede not greatly feare his furie , in the bermudas , virginia , new france , or new england ; beyond whose bounds america doth stretch many thousand miles : into the frozen partes whereof one master hutson an english mariner did make the greatest discouerie of any christian i knowe of , where he vnfortunately died . for affrica , had not the industrious portugales ranged her vnknowne parts , who would haue sought for wealth among those fryed regions of blacke brutish negers , where not withstanding all the wealth and admirable aduentures & endeauours more then yeares , they knowe not one third of those blacke habitations . but it is not a worke for euery one , to manage such an affaire as makes a discouerie , and plants a colony : it requires all the best parts of art , iudgement , courage , honesty , cōstancy , diligence and industrie , to doe but neere well . some are more proper for one thing then another ; and therein are to be imployed : and nothing breedes more confusion then misplacing and misimploying men in their vndertakings . columbus , cortez , pitzara , soto , magellanes , and the rest serued more then a prentiship to learne how to begin their most memorable attempts in the west indes : which to the wonder of all ages succesfully they effected , when many hundreds of others farre aboue them in the worlds opinion , beeing instructed but by relation , came to shame and confusion in actions of small moment , who doubtlesse in other matters , were both wise , discreet , generous , and couragious . i say not this to detract any thing from their incomparable merits , but to answer those questionlesse questions that keep vs back from imitating the worthinesse of their braue spirits that aduanced themselues from poore souldiers to great captaines , their posterity to great lords , their king to be one of the greatest potentates on earth , and the fruites of their labours , his greatest glory , power and renowne . that part wee call new england is betwixt the degrees of . and : but that parte this discourse speaketh of , stretcheth but from pennobscot to cape cod , some leagues by a right line distant each from other : within which bounds i haue seene at least . seuerall habitations vpon the sea coast , and sounded about excellent good harbours ; in many whereof there is ancorage for . sayle of ships of any burthen ; in some of them for : and more then iles ouergrowne with good timber , of diuers sorts of wood , which doe make so many harbours as requireth a longer time then i had , to be well discouered . the principall habitation northward we were at , was pennobscot ▪ southward along the coast and vp the riuers we found mecadacut , segocket , pemmaquid , nusconcus , kenebeck , sagadahock , and aumoughaawgen ; and to those countries belong the people of segotago , paghhuntanuck , pocopassum , taughtanakagnet , warbigganus , nassaque , masherosqueck , wawrigweck , moshoquen , wakcogo , passharanack , &c. to these are allied the countries of aucocisco , accominticus , passataquack , aggawom , & naemkeck : all these , i could perceiue , differ little in language , fashion , or gouernment : though most be lords of themselues , yet they hold the bashabes of pennobscot , the chiefe and greatestamongst them . the next i can remēber by name are mattahunts ; two pleasant iles of groues , gardens and corne fields a league in the sea from the mayne . then totant , massachuset , pocapawmet , quonahassit , sagoquas , nahapassumkeck , topeent , seccasaw , totheet , nasnocomacack , accomack , chawum ; then cape cod by which is pawmet and the i le nawset , of the language , & alliance of them of chawum : the others are called massachusets ; of another language , humor and condition : for their trade and marchandize ; to each of their habitations they haue diuerse townes and people belonging ; and by their relations and desriptions , more then seuerall habitations and riuers that stretch themselues farre vp into the countrey , euen to the borders of diuerse great lakes , where they kill and take most of their beuers and ouers . from pennobscot to sagadahock this coast is all mountainous and iles of huge rocks , but ouergrowen with all sorts of excellent good woodes for building houses , boats , barks or shippes ; with an incredible abundance of most sorts of fish , much fowle , and sundry sorts of good fruites for mans vse . betwixt sagadahock and sowocatuck there is but two or three sandy bayes , but betwixt that and cape god very many : especialy the coast of the massachusets is so indifferently mixed with high clayie or sandy cliffes in one place , & then tracts of large long ledges of diuers sorts , and quarries of stones in other places so strangely diuided with tinctured veines of diuers colours : as , free stone for building , slate for tiling , smooth stone to make fornaces and forges for glasse or iron , and iron ore sufficient , conueniently to melt in them : but the most part so resembleth the coast of deuonshire , i thinke most of the cliffes would make such lime-stone : if they be not of these qualities , they are so like , they may deceiue a better iudgement then mine ; all which are so neere adioyning to those other aduantages i obserued in these parts , that if the ore proue as good iron & steele 〈◊〉 those parts , as i know it is within the bounds of the countrey , i dare engage my head ( hauing but men skilfull to worke the simples there growing ) to haue all things belonging to the building the rigging of shippes of any proportion , and and good marchandize for the fraught , within a square of or leagues : and were it for a good rewarde , i would not feare to prooue it in a lesse limitation . and surely by reason of those sandy cliffes and cliffes of rocks , both which we saw so planted with gardens and corne fields , and so well inhabited with a goodly , strong and well proportioned people , besides the greatnesse of the timber growing on them , the greatnesse of the fish and the moderate temper of the ayre ( for of twentie fiue , not any was sicke , but two that were many yeares diseased before they went , not withstanding our bad lodging and accidentall diet ) who can but approoue this a most excellent place , both for health & fertility ? and of all the foure parts of the world that i haue yet seene not inhabited , could i haue but meanes to transport a colonie , i would rather liue here then any where : and if it did not maintaine if selfe , were wee but once indifferently well fitted , let vs starue . the maine staple , from hence to bee extracted for the present to produce the rest , is fish ; which howeuet it may seeme a mean and a base commoditie : yet who who will but truely take the pains and consider the sequell , i thinke will allow it well worth the labour . it is strange to see what great aduentures the hopes of setting forth men of war to rob the industrious innocent , would procure ; or such massie promises in grosse : though more are choked then well fedde with such hastie hopes . but who doth not know that the poore hollanders , chiefly by fishing , at a great charge and labour in all weathers in the open sea , are made a people so hardy , and industrious ? and by the venting this poore commodity to the easterlings for as meane , which is wood , flax , pitch , tarre , rosin , cordage , and such like ( which they exchange againe , to the french , spaniards , portugales , and english , &c. for what they want ) are made so mighty , strong and rich , as no state but venice , of twice their magnitude , is so well furnished with so many faire cities , goodly townes , strong fortresses , & that aboundance of shipping and all sorts of marchandize , as well of golde , siluer , pearles , diamonds , pretious stones , silkes , veluets , and cloth of golde ; as fish , pitch , wood , or such grosse commodities ? what voyages and discoueries , east and west , north and south , yea about the world , make they ? what an army by sea and land , haue they long maintained in despite of one of the greatest princes of the world ? and neuer could the spaniard with all his mynes of golde and siluer , pay his debts , his friends , & army , halfe so truly , as the hollanders stil haue done by this contemptible trade of fish . diuers ( i know ) may alledge , many other assistances : but this is their myne ; and the sea the source of those siluered streames of all their vertue ; which hath made them now the very miracle of industrie , the pattern of perfection for these affaires : and the benefit of fishing is that primum mobile that turnes all their spheres to this height of plentie , strength , honour and admiration . herring , cod , and ling , is that triplicitie that makes their wealth & shippings multiplicities , such as it is , and from which ( few would thinke it ) they yearly draw at least one million & a halfe of pounds starling ; yet it is most certaine ( if records be true ) : and in this faculty they are so naturalized , and of their vents so certainely acquainted , as there is no likelihood they will euer bee paralleld , hauing or busses , flat bottomes , sword pinks , todes , and such like , that breedes them saylers , mariners , souldiers and marchants , neuer to be wrought out of that trade , and fit for any other . i will not deny but others may gaine as well as they , that will vse it , though not so certainely , nor so much in quantity ; for want of experience . and this herring they take vpon the coast of scotland and england ; their cod and ling , vpon the coast of izeland and in the north seas . hamborough , & the east countries , for sturgion and cauiare , gets many thousands of pounds from england , and the straites : portugale , the biskaines , and the spaniards , make or saile yearely to cape-blank , to hooke for porgos , mullet , and make puttardo : and new found land , doth yearely fraught neere sayle of ships with a sillie leane skinny poore-iohn , and corfish , which at least yearely amounts to or pound . if from all those parts such paines is taken for this poore gaines of fish , and by them hath neither meate , drinke , nor clothes , wood , iron , nor steele , pitch , tarre , nets , leades , salt , hookes , nor lines , for shipping , fishing , nor prouision , but at the second , third , fourth , or fift hand , drawne from so many seuerall parts of the world ere they come together to be vsed in this voyage : if these i say can gaine , and the saylers liue going for shares , lesse then the third part of their labours , and yet spend as much time in going and comming , as in staying there , so short is the season of fishing ; why should wee more doubt , then holland , portugale , spaniard , french , or other , but to doe much better then they , where there is victuall to feede vs , wood of all sorts , to build boats , ships , or barks ; the fish at our doores , pitch , tarre , masts , yards , and most of other necessaries onely for making ? and here are no hard landlords to racke vs with high rents , or extorted fines to consume vs , no tedious pleas in law to consume vs with their many years disputations for iustice : no multitudes to occasion such impediments to good orders , as in popular states . so freely hath god & his maiesty bestowed those blessings on thē that will attempt to obtaine them , as here euery man may be master and owner of his owne labour and land ; or the greatest part in a small time . if hee haue nothing but his hands , he may set vp this trade ; and by industrie quickly grow rich ; spending but halfe that time wel , which in england we abuse in idlenes , worse or as ill . here is ground also as good as any lyeth in the height of forty one , forty two , forty three , &c. which is as temperate and as fruitfull as any other paralell in the world . as for example , on this side the line west of it in the south sea , is noua albion , discouered as is said , by sir francis drake . east from it , is the most temperate part of portugale , the ancient kingdomes of galazia , biskey , nauarre , arragon , catalonia , castilia the olde , and the most moderatest of castilia the new , and valentia , which is the greatest part of spain : which if the spanish histories bee true , in the romanes time abounded no lesse with golde and siluer mines , then now the west indies ; the romanes then vsing the spaniards to work in those mines , as now the spaniard doth the indians . in france , the prouinces of gasconie , langadock , auignon , prouince , dolphine , pyamont , and turyne , are in the same paralel : which are the best & richest parts of france . in italy , the prouinces of genua , lumbardy , & verona , with a great part of the most famous sate of venice , the dukedoms of bononia , mantua , ferrara , rauenna , bolognia , florence , pisa , sienna , vrbine , ancona , and the ancient citie and countrey of rome , with a great part of the great kingdome of naples . in slauonia , istrya , and dalmatia , with the kingdomes of albania . in grecia , that famous kingdome of macedonia , bulgaria , thessalia , thracia , or romania , where is seated the most pleasant and plētifull citie in europe , constantinople . in asia also , in the same latitude , are the temperatest parts of natolia , armenia , persia , and china , besides diuers other large countries and kingdomes in these most milde and temperate regions of asia . southward , in the same height , is the richest of golde mynes , chily and baldiuia , & the mouth of the great riuer of plate , &c : for all the rest of the world in that height is yet vnknown . besides these reasons , mine owne eyes that haue seene a great part of those cities and their kingdomes , as well as it , can finde no aduantage they haue in nature , but this , they are beautified by the long labour and diligence of industrious people and art. this is onely as god made it , when he created the worlde . therefore i conclude , if the heart and intralls of those regions were sought : if their land were cultured , planted and manured by men of industrie , iudgement , and experience ; what hope is there , or what neede they doubt , hauing those aduantages of the sea , but it might equalize any of those famous kingdomes , in all commodities , pleasures , and conditions ? seeing euen the very edges doe naturally afford vs such plenty , as no ship need returne away empty : and onely vse but the season of the sea , fish will returne an honest gaine , beside all other aduantages ; her treasures hauing yet neuer beene opened , nor her originalls wasted , consumed , nor abused . and whereas it is said , the hollanders serue the easterlings themselues , and other parts that want , with herring , ling , and wet cod ; the easterlings , a great part of europe , with sturgion and cauiate ; cape-blanke , spaine , portugale , and the leuant , with mullet , and puttargo ; new found land , all europe , with a thin poore iohn : yet all is so ouerlaide with fishers , as the fishing decayeth , and many are constrained to returne with a small fraught . norway , and polonia , pitch , tar , masts , and yardes ; sweathland , and russia iron , and ropes ; france , and spaine , canuas , wine , steele , iron , and oyle ; italy and greece , silks , and fruites . i dare boldly say , because i haue seen naturally growing , or breeding in those parts the same materialls that all those are made of , they may as well be had here , or the most part of them , within the distance of leagues for some few ages , as from all those parts ; vsing but the same meanes to haue them that they doe , & with all those aduantages . first , the ground is so fertill , that questionless it is capable of producing any grain , fruits , or seeds you will sow or plant , growing in the regions afore named : but it may be , not euery kinde to that perfection of delicacy ; or some tender plants may miscarie , because the summer is not so hot , and the winter is more colde in those parts wee haue yet tryed neere the sea side , then we finde in the same height in europe or asia ; yet i made a garden vpon the top of a rockie i le in . ½ , leagues from the main , in may , that grew so well , as it serued vs for sallets in iune and iuly . all sorts of cattell may here be bred and fed in the iles , or peninsulaes , securely for nothing . in the interim till they encrease if need be ( obseruing the seasons ) i durst vndertake to haue corne enough from the saluages for men , for a few trifles ; and if they should bee vntoward ( as it is most certaine they are ) thirty or forty good men will be sufficient to bring them all in subiection , and make this prouision ; if they vnderstand what they doe : whereof may nine monethes in the yeare be imployed in making marchandable fish , till the rest prouide other necessaries , fit to furnish vs with other commodities . in march , aprill , may , and halfe iune , here is cod in abundance ; in may , iune , iuly , and august mullet and sturgion ; whose roes doe make cauiare and puttargo . herring , if any desire them , i haue taken many out of the bellies of cods , some in nets ; but the saluages compare their store in the sea , to the haires of their heads : and surely there are an incredible abundance vpon this coast . in the end of august , september , october , and nouember , you haue cod againe , to make cor fish , or poore iohn : and each hundred is as good as two or three hundred in the new-found land. so that halfe the labour in hooking , splitting , and turning , is saued : and you may haue your fish at what market you will , before they can haue any in new-found land ; where their fishing is chiefly but in iune and iuly : whereas it is heere in march , aprill , may , september , october , and nouember , as is said . so that by reason of this plantation , the marchants may haue fraught both out and home : which yeelds an aduantage worth consideration . your cor-fish you may in like manner transport as you see cause , to serue the ports in portugale ( as lisbon , auera , porta port , and diuers others , or what market you please ) before your ilanders returne : they being tyed to the season in the open sea ; you hauing a double season , and fishing before your doors , may euery night sleep quietly a shore with good cheare and what fires you will , or when you please with your wiues and familie : they onely , their ships in the maine ocean . the mullets heere are in that abundance , you may take them with nets , sometimes by hundreds , where at cape blank they hooke them ; yet those but one foot and a halfe in length ; these two , three , or foure , as oft i haue measured : much salmon some haue found vp the riuers , as they haue passed : and heer the ayre is so temperate , as all these at any time may well be preserued . now , young boyes and girles saluages , or any other , be they neuer such idlers , may turne , carry , and return fish , without either shame , or any great paine : hee is very idle that is past twelue yeares of age and cannot doe so much : and she is very olde , that cannot spin a thred to make engines to catch them . for their transportation , the ships that go there to fish may transport the first : who for their passage will spare the charge of double manning their ships , which they must doe in the new-found land , to get their fraught ; but one third part of that companie are onely but proper to serue a stage , carry a barrow , and turne poor iohn : notwithstanding , they must haue meate , drinke , clothes , & passage , as well as the rest . now all i desire , is but this ; that those that voluntarily will send shipping , should make here the best choise they can , or accept such as are presented them , to serue them at that rate : and their ships returning leaue such with me , with the value of that they should receiue comming home , in such prouisions and necessarie tooles , armes , bedding and apparell , salt , hookes , nets , lines , and such like as they spare of the remainings ; who till the next returne may keepe their boates and doe them many other profitable offices : prouided i haue men of ability to teach them their functions , and a company fit for souldiers to be ready vpon an occasion ; because of the abuses which haue beene offered the poore saluages , and the liberty both french , or any that will , hath to deale with them as they please : whose disorders will be hard to reforme ; and the longer the worse . now such order with facilitie might be taken , with euery port towne or citie , to obserue but this order , with free power to conuert the benefits of their fraughts to what aduantage they please , and increase their numbers as they see occasion ; who euer as they are able to subsist of themselues , may beginne the new townes in new england in memory of their olde : which freedome being confined but to the necessity of the generall good , the euent ( with gods helpe ) might produce an honest , a noble , and a profitable emulation . salt vpon salt may assuredly be made ; if not at the first in ponds , yet till they bee prouided this may be vsed : then the ships may transport kine , horse , goates , course cloath , and such commodities as we want ; by whose arriuall may be made that prouision of fish to fraught the ships that they stay not : and then if the sailers goe for wages , it matters not . it is hard if this returne defray not the charge : but care must be had , they arriue in the spring , or else prouision be made for them against the winter . of certaine red berries called alkermes which is worth ten shillings a pound , but of these hath been sould for thirty or forty shillings the pound , may yearely be gathered a good quantitie . of the musk rat may bee weil raised gaines , well worth their labour , that will endeuor to make tryall of their goodnesse . of beuers , otters , martins , blacke foxes , and furres of price , may yearely be had or : and if the trade of the french were preuented , many more : this yeare were brought from those northren parts into france ; of which trade we may haue as good part as the french , if we take good courses . of mynes of golde and siluer , copper , and probabilities of lead , christall and allum , i could say much if relations were good assurances . it is true indeed , i made many trials according to those instructions i had , which doe perswade mee i need not despaire , but there are metalls in the countrey : but i am no alchymist , nor will promise more then i know : which is , who will vndertake the rectifying of an iron forge , if those that buy meate , drinke , coals , ore , and all necessaries at a deer rate gaine ; where all these things are to be had for the taking vp , in my opinion cannot lose . of woods seeing there is such plenty of all sorts , if those that build ships and boates , buy wood at so great a price , as it is in england , spaine , france , italy , and holland , and all other prouisions for the nourishing of mans life ; liue well by their trade : when labour is all required to take those necessaries without any other tax ; what hazard will be here , but doe much better ? and what commoditie in europe doth more decay then wood ? for the goodnesse of the ground , let vs take it fertill , or barren , or as it is : seeing it is certaine it beares fruites , to nourish and feed man and beast , as well as england , and the sea those seuerall sorts of fish i haue related . thus seeing all good prouisions for mans sustenance , may with this facility be had , by a little extraordinarie labour , till that transported be increased ; and all necessaries for shipping , onely for labour : to which may bee added the assistance of the saluages , which may easily be had , if they be discreetly handled in their kindes ; towards fishing , planting , and destroying woods . what gaines might be raised if this were followed ( when there is but once men to fill your store houses , dwelling there , you may serue all europe better and farre cheaper , then can the izeland fishers , or the hollanders , cape blank , or new found land : who must be at as much more charge , then you ) may easily be coniectured by this example . . pound will fit out a ship of . & of a tuns : if the dry fish they both make , fraught that of . and goe for spaine , sell it but at ten shillings a quintall ; but commonly it giueth fifteen , or twentie : especially when it commeth first , which amounts to or pound : but say but tenne , which is the lowest , allowing the rest for waste , it amounts at that rate , to pound , which is the whole charge of your two ships , and their equipage : then the returne of the money , and the fraught of the ship for the vintage , or any other voyage , is cleere gaine , with your shippe of a tuns of train and oyle , besides the beuers , and other commodities ; and that you may haue at home within six monethes , if god please but to send an ordinarie passage . then sauing halfe this charge by the not staying of your ships , your victual , ouerplus of men & wages ; with her fraught thither of things necessarie for the planters , the salt being there made : as also may the nets & lines , within a short time : if nothing were to bee expected but this , it might in time equalize your hollanders gaines , if not exceed them : they returning but wood , pitch , tarre , and such grosse commodities ; you wines , oyles , fruits , silkes , and such straits commodities , as you please to prouide by your factors , against such times as your shippes arriue with them . this would so increase our shipping and sailers , and so employ and encourage a great part of our idlers and others that want imployments fitting their qualities at home , where they shame to doe that they would doe abroad ; that could they but once taste the sweet fruites of their owne labours , doubtlesse many thousands would be aduised by good discipline , to take more pleasure in honest industrie , then in their humours of dissolute idlenesse . but , to returne a little more to the particulars of this countrey , which i intermingle thus with my proiects and reasons , not being so sufficiently yet acquainted in those parts , to write fully the estate of the sea , the ayre , the land , the fruites , the rocks , the people , the gouernment , religion , territories , and limitations , friends , and foes : but , as i gathered from the niggardly relations in a broken language to my vnderstanding , during the time i ranged those countries &c. the most northren part i was at , was the bay of pennobscot , which is east and west , north and south , more then ten leagues : but such were my occasions , i was constrained to be satisfied of them i found in the bay , that the riuer ranne farre vp into the land , and was well inhabited with many people , but they were from their habitations , either fishing among the iles , or hunting the lakes and woods , for deer and beners . the bay is full of great ilands , of one , two , six , eight , or ten miles in length , which diuides it into many faire and excellent good harbours . on the east of it , are the tarrantines , their mortall enemies , where inhabit the french , as they report that liue with those people , as one nation or family . and northwest of pennobscot is mecaddacut , at the foot of a high mountaine , a kinde of fortresse against the tarrantines , adioyning to the high mountaines of pennobscot , against whose feet doth beat the sea : but ouer all the land , iles , or other impediments , you may well see them sixteene or eighteene leagues from their situation . segocket is the next ; then nusconcus , pemmaquid , and sagadahock . vp this riuer where was the westerne plantation are aumuckcawgen , kinnebeck , and diuers others , where there is planted some corne fields . along this riuer or miles , i saw nothing but great high cliffes of barren rocks , ouergrowne with wood : but where the saluages dwelt there the ground is exceeding fat & fertill . westward of this riuer , is the countrey of aucocisco , in the bottome of a large deepe bay , full of many great iles , which diuides it into many good harbours . sowocotuck is the next , in the edge of a large sandy bay , which hath many rocks and iles , but few good harbours , but for barks , i yet know . but all this coast to pennobscot , and as farre i could see eastward of it is nothing but such high craggy cliffy rocks & stony iles that i wondered such great trees could growe vpon so hard foundations . it is a countrie rather to affright , then delight one . and how to describe a more plaine spectacle of desolation or more barren i knowe not . yet the sea there is the strangest fish-pond i euer saw ; and those barren iles so furnished with good woods , springs , fruits , fish , and foule , that it makes mee thinke though the coast be rockie , and thus affrightable ; the vallies , plaines , and and interior parts , may well ( notwithstanding ) be verie fertile . but there is no kingdome so fertile hath not some part barren : and new england is great enough , to make many kingdomes and countries , were it all inhabited . as you passe the coast still westward , accominticus and passataquack are two conuenient harbors for small barks ; and a good countrie , within their craggie cliffs . angoam is the next ; this place might content a right curious iudgement : but there are many sands at the entrance of the harbor : and the worst is , it is inbayed too farre from the deepe sea. heere are many rising hilles , and on their tops and descents many corne fields , and delightfull groues . on the east , is an i le of two or three leagues in length ; the one halfe , plaine morish grasse fit for pasture , with many faire high groues of mulberrie trees gardens : and there is also okes , pines , and other woods to make this place an excellent habitation , beeing a good and safe harbor . naimkeck though it be more rockie ground ( for angoam is sandie ) not much inferior ; neither for the harbor , nor any thing i could perceiue , but the multitude of people . from hence doth stretch into the sea the faire headland tragabigzanda , fronted with three iles called the three turks heads : to the north of this , doth enter a great bay , where wee founde some habitations and corne fields : they report a great riuer , and at least thirtie habitations , doo possesse this countrie . but because the french had got their trade , i had no leasure to discouer it . the iles of mattahunts are on the west side of this bay , where are many iles , and questionlesse good harbors : and then the countrie of the massachusets , which is the paradise of all those parts : for , heere are many iles all planted with corne ; groues , mulberries , saluage gardens , and good harbors : the coast is for the most part , high clayie sandie cliffs . the sea coast as you passe , shewes you all along large corne fields , and great troupes of well proportioned people : but the french hauing remained heere neere sixe weekes , left nothing , for vs to take occasion to examine the inhabitants relations , viz. if there be neer three thousand people vpon these iles ; and that the riuer doth pearce many daies iourneies the intralles of that countrey . we found the people in those parts verie kinde ; but in their furie no lesse valiant . for , vpon a quarrell wee had with one of them , hee onely with three others crossed the harbor of quonahassit to certaine rocks whereby wee must passe ; and there let flie their arrowes for our shot , till we were out of danger . then come you to accomack , an excellent good harbor , good land ; and no want of any thing , but industrious people . after much kindnesse , vpon a small occasion , wee fought also with fortie or fiftie of those : though some were hurt , and some slaine ; yet within an houre after they became friendes . cape cod is the next presents it selfe : which is onely a headland of high hils of sand , ouergrowne with shrubbie pines , hurts , and such trash ; but an excellent harbor for all weathers . this cape is made by the maine sea on the one side , and a great bay on the other in forme of a sickle : on it doth inhabit the people of pawmet : and in the bottome of the bay , the people of chawum . towards the south and southwest of this cape , is found a long and dangerous shoale of sands and rocks . but so farte as i incircled it , i found thirtie fadom water aboard the shore , and a strong current : which makes mee thinke there is a channell about this shoale ; where is the best and greatest fish to be had , winter and summer , in all that countrie . but , the saluages say there is no channell , but that the shoales beginne from the maine at pawmet , to the i le of nausit ; and so extends beyond their knowledge into the sea. the next to this is capawack , and those abounding countries of copper , corne , people , and mineralls ; which i went to discouer this last yeare : but because i miscarried by the way , i will leaue them , till god please i haue better acquaintance with them . the massachusets , they report , sometimes haue warres with the bashabes of pennobskot ; and are not alwaies friends with them of chawun and their alliants : but now they are all friends , and haue each trade with other , so farre as they haue societie , on each others frontiers . for they make no such voiages as from pennobskot to cape cod ; seldom to massachewset . in the north ( as i haue said ) they begunne to plant corne , whereof the south part hath such plentie , as they haue what they will from them of the north ; and in the winter much more plenty of fish and foule : but both winter and summer hath it in the one part or other all the yeare ; being the meane and most indifferent temper , betwixt heat and colde , of all the regions betwixt the lyne and the pole : but the furs northward are much better , and in much more plentie , then southward . the remarkeablest iles & mountains for land-markes are these ; the highest ile is sorico , in the bay of pennobskot : but the three iles and a rock of matinnack are much furder in the sea ; metinicus is also three plaine iles & a rock , betwixt it & monahigan : monahigan is a rounde high i le ; and close by it monanis , betwixt which is a small harbor where we ride . in damerils iles is such another : sagadahock is knowne by satquin , and foure or fiue iles in the mouth . smyths iles are a heape together , none neere them , against accominticus . the three turks heads are three iles seen fa● to sea-ward in regard of the headland . the cheefe headlands are onely cape tragabig●anda and cape cod. the cheefe mountaines , them of pennobscot : the twinkling mountaine of aucocisco ; the greate mountaine of sasanon ; and the high mountaine of massachusit : each of which you shall finde in the mappe ; their places , formes , and altitude . the waters are most pure , proceeding from the intrals of rockie mountaines ; the hearbes and fruits are of many sorts and kindes : as alkermes , currans , or a fruit like currans , mulberries , vines , respices , goosberries , plummes , walnuts , chesnuts , small nuts , &c. pumpions , gourds , strawberries , beans , pease , and mayze ; a kinde or two of flax , wherewith they make nets , lines and ropes both small and great , verie strong for their quantities . oke , is the chiefe wood ; of which there is great difference in regard of the soyle where it groweth . firre , pyne , walnut , chesnut , birch , ash , elme , cypresse , ceder , mulberrie , plumtree , hazell , saxefrage , and many other sorts . eagles , gripes , diuerse sorts of haukes , cranes , geese , brants , cormorants , ducks , sheldrakes , teale , meawes , guls , turkies , diue-doppers , and many other sorts , whose names i knowe not . whales , grampus , porkpisces , turbut , sturgion , cod , hake , haddock , cole , cusk , or small ling , shark , mackerell , herring , mullet , base , pinacks , cunners , pearch , eels , crabs , lobsters , muskles , wilkes , oysters , and diuerse others &c. moos , a beast bigger then a stagge ; deere , red , and fallow ; beuers , wolues , foxes , both blacke and other ; aroughconds , wild-cats , beares , otters , martins , fitches , musquaslus , & diuerse sorts of vermine , whose names i know not . all these and diuerse other good things do heese , for want of vse , still increase , & decrease with little diminution , whereby they growe to that abundance . you shall scarce finde any baye , shallow shore , or coue of sand , where you may not take many clampes , or lobsters , or both at your pleasure , and in many places lode your boat if you please ; nor iles where you finde not fruits , birds , crabs , and muskles , or all of them , for taking , at a lowe water . and in the harbors we frequented , a little boye might take of cunners , and pinacks , and such delicate fish , at the ships sterne , more then sixe or tenne can eate in a daie ; but with a casting-net , thousands when wee pleased : and scarce any place , but cod , cuske , holybut , mackerell , scate , or such like , a man may take with a hooke or line what he will. and , in diuerse sandy baies , a man may draw with a net great store of mullets , bases , and diuerse other sorts of such excellent fish , as many as his net can drawe on shore : no riuer where there is not plentie of sturgion , or salmon , or both ; all which are to be had in abundance obseruing but their seasons . but if a man will goe at christmasse to gather cherries in kent , he may be deceiued ; though there be plentie in summer : so , heere these plenties haue each their seasons , as i haue expressed . we for the most part had little but bread and vineger : and though the most part of iuly when the fishing decaied they wrought all day , laie abroade in the iles all night , and liued on what they found , yet were not sicke : but i would wish none put himself long to such plunges ; except necessitie constraine it : yet worthy is that person to starue that heere cannot liue ; if he haue sense , strength and health : for , there is no such penury of these blessings in any place , but that a hundred men may , in one houre or two , make their prouisions for a day : and hee that hath experience to mannage well these affaires , with fortie or thirtie honest industrious men , might well vndertake ( if they dwell in these parts ) to subject the saluages , and feed daily two or three hundred men , with as good corne , fish , and flesh , as the earth hath of those kindes , and yet make that labor but their pleasure : prouided that they haue engins , that be proper for their purposes . who can desire more content , that hath small meanes ; or but only his merit to aduance his fortune , then to tread , and plant that ground hee hath purchased by the hazard of his life ? if he haue but the taste of virtue , and magnanimitie , what to such a minde can bee more pleasant , then planting and building a foundation for his posteritie , gotte from the rude earth , by gods blessing & his owne industrie , without preiudice to any ? if hee haue any graine of faith or zeale in religion , what can hee doe lesse hurtfull to any ; or more agreeable to god , then to seeke to conuert those poore saluages to know christ , and humanitie , whose labors with discretion will triple requite thy charge and paines ? what so truely sutes with honour and honestie , as the discouering things vnknowne ? erecting townes , peopling countries , informing the ignorant , reforming things vniust , teaching virtue ; & gaine to out natiuemother-countrie a kingdom to attend her ; finde imployment for those that are idle , because they know not what to doe : so farre from wronging any , as to cause posteritie to remember thee ; and remembring thee , euer honour that remembrance with praise ? consider : what were the beginnings and endings of the monarkies of the chaldeans , the syrians , the grecians , and romanes , but this one rule ; what was it they would not doe , for the good of the commonwealth , or their mother-citie ? for example : rome , what made her such a monarchesse , but onely the aduentures of her youth , not in riots at home , but in dangers abroade ? and the iustice and iudgement out of their experience , when they grewe aged . what was their ruine and hurt , but this ; the excesse of idlenesse , the fondnesse of parents , the want of experience in magistrates , the admiration of their vndeserued honours , the contempt of true merit , their vniust iealosies , their politicke incredulities , their hypocriticall seeming goodnesse , and their deeds of secret lewdnesse ? finally , in fine , growing onely formall temporists , all that their predecessors got in many years , they lost in few daies . those by their pains & vertues became lords of the world ; they by their ease and vices became slaues to their seruants . this is the difference betwixt the vse of armes in the field , & on the monuments of stones ; the golden age and the leaden age , prosperity and miserie , iustice and corruption , substance and shadowes , words and deeds , experience and imagination , making commonwealths and marring commonwealths , the fruits of vertue and the conclusions of vice . then , who would liue at home idly ( or thinke in himselfe any worth to liue ) onely to eate , drink , and sleepe , and so die ? or by consuming that carelesly , his friends got worthily ? or by vsing that miserably , that maintained vertue honestly ? or , for being descended nobly , pine with the vaine vaunt of great kindred , in penurie ? or ( to maintaine a silly shewe of brauery ) toyle out thy heart , soule , and time , basely , by shifts , tricks , cards , & dice ? or by relating newes of others actions , sharke here or there for a dinner , or supper ; deceiue thy friends , by faire promises , and dissimulation , in borrowing where thou neuer intendest to pay ; offend the lawes , surfeit with excesse , burden thy country , abuse thy selfe , despaire in want , and then couzen thy kindred , yea euen thine owne brother , and wish thy parents death ( i will not say damnation ) to haue their estates ? though thou seest what honours , and rewards , the world yet hath for them will seeke them and worthily deserue them . i would be sory to offend , or that any should mistake my honest meaning : for i wish good to all , hurt to none . but rich men for the most part are growne to that dotage , through their pride in their wealth , as though there were no accident could end it , or their life . and what hellish care do such take to make it their owne miserie , and their countries spoile , especially when there is most neede of their imployment ? drawing by all manner of inuentions , from the prince and his honest subiects , euen the vitall spirits of their powers and estates : as if their bagges , or bragges , were so powerfull a defence , the malicious could not assault them ; when they are the onely baite , to cause vs not to be onely assaulted ; but betrayed and murdered in our owne security , ere we well perceiue it . may not the miserable ruine of constantinople , their impregnable walles , riches , and pleasures last taken by the turke ( which are but a bit , in comparison of their now mightines ) remember vs , of the effects of priuate couetousness ? at which time the good emperour held himselfe rich enough , to haue such rich subiects , so formall in all excesse of vanity , all kinde of delicacie , and prodigalitie . his pouertie when the turke besieged , the citizens ( whose marchandizing thoughts were onely to get wealth , little conceiuing the desperate resolution of a valiant expert enemy ) left the emp. so long to his conclusions , hauing spent all he had to pay his young , raw , discontented souldiers ; that sodainly he , they , and their citie were all a prey to the deuouring turke . and what they would not spare for the maintenance of them who aduentured their liues to defend them , did serue onely their enemies to torment them , their friends , and countrey , and all christendome to this present day . let this lamentable example remember you that are rich ( seeing there are such great theeues in the world to robbe you ) not grudge to lend some proportion , to breed them that haue little , yet willing to learne how to defend you : for , it is too late when the deede is a-doing . the romanes estate hath beene worse then this : for , the meere couetousnesse and extortion of a few of them , so mooued the rest , that not hauing any imployment , but contemplation ; their great iudgements grew to so great malice , as themselues were sufficient to destroy themselues by faction : let this mooue you to embrace imployment , for those whose educations , spirits , and iudgements , want but your purses ; not onely to preuent such accustomed dangers , but also to gaine more thereby then you haue . and you fathers that are either so foolishly fond , or so miserably couetous , or so willfully ignorant , or so negligently carelesse , as that you will rather maintaine your children in idle wantonness , till they growe your masters ; or become so basely vnkinde , as they wish nothing but your deaths ; so that both sorts growe dissolute : and although you would wish them any where to escape the gallowes , and ease your cares ; though they spend you here one , two , or three hundred pound a yeer ; you would grudge to giue halfe so much in aduenture with them , to obtaine an estate , which in a small time but with a little assistance of your prouidence , might bee better then your owne . but if an angell should tell you , that any place yet vnknowne can afford such fortunes ; you would not beleeue him , no more then columbus was beleeued there was any such land as is now the well knowne abounding america ; much lesse such large regions as are yet vnknowne , as well in america , as in affrica , and asia , and terra incognita ; where were courses for gentlemen ( and them that would be so reputed ) more suiting their qualities , then begging from their princes generous disposition , the labours of his subiects , and the very marrow of his maintenance . i haue not beene so ill bred , but i haue tasted of plenty and pleasure , as well as want and miserie : nor doth necessity yet , or occasion of discontent , force me to these endeauors : nor am i ignorant what small thanke i shall haue for my paines ; o● that many would haue the worlde imagine them to be of great iudgement , that can but blemish these my designes , by their witty obiections and detractions : yet ( i hope ) my reasons with my deeds , will so preuaile with some , that i shall not want imployment in these affaires , to make the most blinde see his owne senselesnesse , & incredulity ; hoping that gaine will make them affect that , which religion , charity , and the common good cannot . it were but a poore deuice in me , to deceiue my selfe ; much more the king , & state , my friends , and countrey , with these inducements : which , seeing his maiestie hath giuen permission , i wish all sorts of worthie , honest , industrious spirits , would vnderstand : and if they desire any further satisfaction , i will doe my best to giue it : not to perswade them to goe onely ; but goe with them : not leaue them there ; but liue with them there . i will not say , but by ill prouiding and vndue managing , such courses may be taken , may make vs miserable enough : but if i may haue the execution of what i haue proiected ; if they want to eate , let them eate or neuer digest me. if i performe what i say , i desire but that reward out of the gaines may sute my paines , quality , and condition . and if i abuse you with my tongue , take my head for satisfaction . if any dislike at the yeares end , defraying their charge , by my consent they should freely returne . i feare not want of companie sufficient , were it but knowne what i know of those countries ; & by the proofe of that wealth i hope yearely to returne , if god please to blesse me from such accidents , as are beyond my power in reason to preuent : for , i am not so simple , to thinke , that euer any other motiue then wealth , will euer erect there a commonweale ; or draw companie from their ease and humours at home , to stay in new england to effect my purposes . and lest any should thinke the toile might be insupportable , though these things may be had by labour , and diligence : i assure my selfe there are who delight extreamly in vaine pleasure , that take much more paines in england , to enioy it , then i should doe heere to gaine wealth sufficient : and yet i thinke they should not haue halfe such sweet content : for , our pleasure here is still gaines ; in england charges and losse . heer nature and liberty affords vs that freely , which in england we want , or it costeth vs dearely . what pleasure can be more , then ( being tired with any occasion a-shore ) in planting vines , fruits , or hearbs , in contriuing their owne grounds , to the pleasure of their owne mindes , their fields , gardens , orchards , buildings , ships , and other works , &c. to recreate themselues before their owne doores , in their owne boates vpon the sea , where man woman and childe , with a small hooke and line , by angling , may take diuerse sorts of excellent fish , at their pleasures ? and is it not pretty sport , to pull vp two pence , six pence , and twelue pence , as fast as you can hale and veare a line ? he is a very bad fisher , cannot kill in one day with his hooke and line , one , two , or three hundred cods : which dressed and dryed , if they be sould there for ten shillings the hundred , though in england they will giue more then twentie ; may not both the seruant , the master , and marchant , be well content with this gaine ? if a man worke but three dayes in seauen , he may get more then hee can spend , vnlesse he will be excessiue . now that carpenter , mason , gardiner , taylor , smith , sailer , forgers , or what other , may they not make this a pretty recreation though they fish but an houre in a day , to take more then they eate in a weeke : or ? if they will not eate it , because there is so much better choise ; yet sell it , or change it , with the fisher men , or marchants , for any thing they want . and what sport doth yeeld a more pleasing content , and lesse hurt or charge then angling with a hooke , and crossing the sweete ayre from i le to i le , ouer the silent streames of a calme sea ? wherein the most curious may finde pleasure , profit , and content . thus , though all men be not fishers : yet all men , whatsoeuer , may in other matters doe as well . for necessity doth in these cases so rule a common wealth , and each in their seuerall functions , as their labours in their qualities may be as profitable , because there is a necessary mutuall vse of all . for gentlemen , what exercise should more delight them , then ranging dayly those vnknowne parts , vsing fowling and fishing , for hunting and hauking ? and yet you shall see the wilde haukes giue you some pleasure , in seeing them stoope ( six or seauen after one another ) an houre or two together , at the skuls of fish in the faire harbours , as those a-shore at a foule ; and neuer trouble nor torment your selues , with watching , mewing , feeding , and attending them : nor kill horse and man with running & crying , see you not a hauk ? for hunting also : the woods , lakes , and riuers , affoord not onely chase sufficient , for any that delights in that kinde of toyle , or pleasure ; but such beasts to hunt , that besides the delicacy of their bodies for food , their skins are so rich , as may well recompence thy dayly labour , with a captains pay . for labourers , if those that sowe hemp , rape , turnups , parsnips , carrats , cabidge , and such like ; giue , , , shillings yearely for an acre of ground , and meat drinke and wages to vse it , and yet grow rich : when better , or at least as good ground , may be had and cost nothing but labour ; it seemes strange to me , any such should there grow poore . my purpose is not to perswade children from their parents ; men from their wiues ; nor seruants from their masters : onely , such as with free consent may be spared : but that each parish , or village , in citie , or countrey , that will but apparell their fatherlesse children , of thirteene or fourteen years of age , or young maried people , that haue small wealth to liue on ; heere by their labour may liue exceeding well : prouided alwaies that first there bee a sufficient power to command them , houses to receiue them , meanes to defend them , and meet prouisions for them ; for , any place may bee ouerlain : and it is most necessarie to haue a fortresse ( ere this grow to practice ) and sufficient masters ( as , carpenters , masons , fishers , fowlers , gardiners , husbandmen , sawyers , smiths , spinsters , taylors , weauers , and such like ) to take ten , twelue , or twentie , or as ther is occasion , for apprentises . the masters by this may quicklie growe rich ; these may learne their trades themselues , to doe the like ; to a generall and an incredible benefit , for king , and countrey , master , and seruant . it would bee an historie of a large volume , to recite the aduentures of the spanyards , and portugals , their affronts , and defeats , their dangers and miseries ; which with such incomparable honour and constant resolution , so farre beyond beleefe , they haue attempted and indured in their discoueries & plantations , as may well condemne vs , of too much imbecillitie , sloth , and negligence : yet the authors of those new inuentions , were held as ridiculous , for a long time , as now are others , that doe but seek to imitate their vnparalleled vertues . and though we see daily their mountaines of wealth ( sprong from the plants of their generous indeuours ) yet is our sensualitie and vnto wardnesse such , and so great , that wee either ignorantly beleeue nothing ; or so curiously contest , to preuent wee knowe not what future euents ; that wee either so neglect , or oppresse and discourage the present , as wee spoile all in the making , crop all in the bloominig ; & building vpon faire sand , rather then rough rockes , iudge that wee knowe not , gouerne that wee haue not , feare that which is not ; and for feare some should doe too well , force such against their willes to be idle or as ill . and who is he hath iudgement , courage , and any industrie or qualitie with vnderstanding , will leaue his countrie , his hopes at home , his certaine estate , his friends , pleasures , libertie , & the preferment sweete england doth afford to all degrees , were it not to aduance his fortunes by inioying his deserts ? whose prosperitie once appearing , will incourage others : but it must be cherished as a childe , till it be able to goe , and vnderstand it selfe ; and not corrected , nor oppressed aboue it strength , ere it knowe wherefore . a child can neither performe the office , nor deedes of a man of strength , nor indure that affliction he is able ▪ nor can an apprentice at the first performe the part of a maister . and if twentie yeeres bee required to make a child a man , seuen yeares limited an apprentice for his trade : if scarce an age be sufficient to make a wise man , or a states man , and commonly , a man dies ere he hath learned to be discreet : if perfection be so hard to be obtained , as of necessirie there must bee practice , as well as theorick : let no man much condemne this paradox opinion , to say , that halfe seauen yeeres is scarce sufficient , for a good capacitie , to learne in these affaires , how to carrie himselfe : and who euer shall trie in these remote places the erecting of a colony , shall finde at the ende of seauen yeares occasion enough to vse all his discretion : and , in the interim all the content , rewards , games , and hopes will be necessarily required , to be giuen to the beginning , till it bee able to creepe , to stand , and goe , yet time enough to keepe it from running , for there is no feare it wil grow too fast , or euer to any thing ; except libertie profit , honor , and prosperitie there found , more binde the planters of those affaires , in deuotion to effect it ; then bondage , violence , tyranny , ingratitude , and such double dealing , as bindes free men to become slaues , and honest men turne knaues : which hath euer bin the ruine of the most popular common-weales ; and is verie vnlikelie euer well to begin in a new . who seeth not what is the greatest good of the spanyard , but these new conclusions , in searching those vnknowne parts of this vnknowne world ? by which meanes hee diues euen into the verie secret of all his neighbours , and the most part of the world : and when the portugale and spanyard had found the east and west indies ; how many did condemn themselues , that did not accept of that honest offer of noble columbus ? who , vpon our neglect , brought them to it , perswading our selues the world had no such places as they had found : and yet euer since wee finde , they still ( from time to time ) haue found new lands , new nations , and trades , and still daily dooe finde both in asia , africa , terra incognita , and america ; so that there is neither soldier nor mechanick , from the lord to the begger , but those parts afforde them all imploiment ; and discharge their natiue soile , of so many thousands of all sorts , that else , by their sloth , pride , and imperfections , would long ere this haue troubled their neighbours , or haue eaten the pride of spaine it selfe . now he knowes little , that knowes not england may well spare many more people then spaine , and is as well able to furnish them with all manner of necessaries . and seeing , for all they haue , they cease not still to search for that they haue not , and know not ; it is strange we should be so dull , as not maintaine that which wee haue , and pursue that wee knowe . surely i am sure many would taste it ill , to bee abridged of the titles and honours of their predecessors : when if but truely they would iudge themselues ; looke how inferior they are to their noble vertues , so much they are vnworthy of their honours and liuings : which neuer were ordained for showes and shadowes , to maintaine idlenesse & vice ; but to make them more able to abound in honor , by heroycall deeds of action , iudgement , pietie , and vertue . what was it , they would not doe both in purse and person , for the good of the commonwealth ? which might moue them presently to set out their spare kindred in these generous designes . religion , aboue all things , should moue vs ( especially the clergie ) if wee were religious , to shewe our faith by our workes ; in conuerting those poore saluages , to the knowledge of god , seeing what paines the spanyards take to bring them to their adulterated faith . honor might moue the gentrie , the valiant , and industrious ▪ and the hope and assurance of wealth , all ; if wee were that we would seeme , and be accounted . or be we so far inferior to other nations , or our spirits so far deiected , from our auncient predecessors , or our mindes so vpon spoile , piracie , and such villany , as to serue the portugall , spanyard , dutch , french , or turke ( as to the cost of europe , too many doo● ) rather then our god , our king , our country , & our selues ? excusing our idlenesse , and our base complaints , by want of impioiment ; when heere is such choise of all sorts , and for all degrees , in the planting and discouering these north parts of amemerica . now to make my words more apparent by my deeds ; i was , the last yeare , . to haue staied in the countrie , to make a more ample triall of those conclusions with sixteene men ; whose names were gent. thomas dirmir . edward stalings . daniel cage . francis abbot . iohn gosling . souldiers . william ingram . robert miter . dauid cooper . iohn partridge , and two boies . sailers . thomass digbie . daniel baker . adam smith . thomas watson walter chissick iohn hall. i confesse , i could haue wished them as many thousands , had all other prouisions bin in like proportion : nor would i haue had so fewe , could i haue had meanes for more : yet ( would god haue pleased wee had safely arriued ) i neuer had the like authoritie , freedom , and prouision , to doe so well . the maine assistance next god , i had to this small number , was my acquaintance among the saluages ; especially , with dohannida , one of their greatest lords ; who had liued long in england . by the meanes of this proud saluage , i did not doubt but quickly to haue gotte that credit with the rest of his friends , and alliants , to haue had as many of them , as i desired in any designe i intended , and that trade also they had , by such a kind of exchange of their countrie commodities ; which both with ease & securitie in their seasons may be vsed . with him and diuerse others , i had concluded to inhabit , and defend them against the terentynes ; with a better power then the french did them ; whose tyranny did inforce them to imbrace my offer , with no small deuotion . and though many may thinke me more bolde then wise , in regard of their power , dexteritie , treacherie , and inconstancie , hauing so desperately assaulted & betraied many others : i say but this ( because with so many , i haue many times done much more in virginia , then i intended heere , when i wanted that experience virginia taught me ) that to mee it seemes no daunger more then ordinarie . and though i know my selfe the meanest of many thousands , whose apprehensiue inspection can pearce beyond the boundes of my habilities , into the hidden things of nature , art , and reason : yet i intreate such giue me leaue to excuse my selfe of so much imbecillitie , as to lay , that in these eight yeares which i haue been conuersant with these affairs , i haue not learned there is a great difference , betwixt the directions and iudgement of experimentall knowledge , and the superficiall coniecture of variable relation : wherein rumor , humor , or misprision haue such power , that oft times one is enough to beguile twentie , but twentie not sufficient to keep one from being deceiued . therefore i know no reason but to beleeue my own eies , before any mans imagination , that is but wrested from the conceits of my owne proiects , and indeauours . but i honor , with all affection , the counsell and instructions of iudiciall directions , or any other honest aduertisement ; so farre to obserue , as they tie mee not to the crueltie of vnknowne euents . these are the inducements that thus drew me to neglect all other imployments , and spend my time and best abilities in these aduentures . wherein , though i haue had many discouragements by the ingratitude of some , the malicious slanders of others , the falsenesse of friendes , the trechery of cowards , and slownesse of aduenturers ; but chiefly by one hunt , who was master of the ship , with whom oft arguing these proiects , for a plantation , howeuer hee seemed well in words to like it , yet he practiced to haue robbed mee of my plots , and obseruations : and so left mee alone in a desolate i le , to the fury of famine , and all other extreamities ( lest i should haue acquainted sir thomas smith , my honourable good friend , & the councell of virginia ) to the end , he and his associates , might secretly ingrosse it , ere it were knowne to to the state : yet that god that alway hath kept me from the worst of his dissimulations . notwithstanding after my departure , hee abused the saluages where hee came , and betrayed twenty seauen of these poore innocent soules , which he sould in spaine for slaues , to mooue , their hare against our nation , aswell as to cause my proceedings to be so much the more difficult . now , returning in the bark , in the fift of august i arriued at plimouth : where imparting those my purposes to my honourable friende sir ferdinando gorge , and some others ; i was so incouraged , and assured to haue the managing their authoritie in those parts , during my life , that i ingaged my selfe to vndertake it for them . arriuing at london , i found also many promise me such assistance , that i entertained michaell cooper the master , who returned with mee , and others of the company . how hee dealt with others , or others with him i know not : but my publike proceeding gaue such incouragement , that it became so well apprehended by some fewe of the southren company , as these proiects were liked , & he furnished from london with foure ships at sea , before they at plimouth had made any prouision at all , but onely a ship cheefely let out by sir ferdinando gorge ; which vpon hunts late trecherie among the saluages , returned as shee went , and did little or nothing , but lost her time . i must confesse i was beholden to the setters forth of the foure ships that went with cooper ; in that they offered mee that imploiment if i would accept it : and i finde , my refusall hath incurred some of their displeasures , whose fauor and loue i exceedingly desire , if i may honestly inioy it . and though they doe censure me as opposite to their proceedings ; they shall yet still in all my words and deedes finde , it is their error , not my fault , that occasions their dislike : for hauing ingaged my selfe in this businesse to the west countrie ; i had beene verie dishonest to haue broke my promise ; nor will i spend more time in discourie , or fishing , till i may goe with a companie for plantation : for , i know my grounds . yet euery one that reades this booke can not put it in practice ; though it may helpe any that haue seene those parts . and though they endeauour to worke me euen out of my owne designes , i will not much enuy their fortunes : but , i would bee sory , their intruding ignorance should , by their defailements , bring those certainties to doubtfulnesse : so that the businesse prosper , i haue my desire ; be it by londoner , scot , welch , or english , that are true subiects to our king and countrey : the good of my countrey is that i seeke ; and there is more then enough for all , if they could bee content but to proceed . at last it pleased sir ferdinando gorge , and master doctor sutliffe deane of exceter , to conceiue so well of these proiects , and my former imployments , as induced them to make a new aduenture with me in those parts , whither they haue so often sent to their cōtinuall losse . by whose example , many inhabitants of the west coūtry , made promises of much more then was looked for , but their priuate emulations quickly qualified that heat in the greater number ; so that the burden lay principally on them , and some few gentlemen my friends , in london . in the end i was furnished with a ship of . and another of . but ere i had sayled leagues , shee broke all her masts ; pumping each watch or strokes : onely her spret saile remayned to spoon before the wind , till we had re-accommodated a iury mast , & the rest , to returne for plimouth . my vice-admirall beeing lost , not knowing of this , proceeded her voyage : now with the remainder of those prouisions , i got out again in a small barke of tuns with men ( for this of and prouision for ) which were the before named , and other saylors for the ship . with those i set saile againe the of iune : where what befell me ( because my actions and writings are so publicke to the world , enuy still seeking to scandalize my indeauours , & seeing no power but death , can stop the chat of ill tongues , nor imagination of mens mindes ) lest my owne relations of those hard euents , might by some constructors , be made doubtfull , i haue thought it best to insert the examinations of those proceedings , taken by sir lewis stukley a worthie knight , and vice admirall of deuonshire ; which were as followeth . the examination of daniel baker , late steward to captaine iohn smith in the returne of plimouth ; taken before sir lewis stukley knight , the eight of december . who saith , being chased two dayes by one fry , an english pirate , that could not board vs , by reason of foule weather , edmund chambers , the master iohn miner , his mate , thomas digby the 〈◊〉 , and others importured his saide captaine to yeeld ; houlding it vnpossible hee should defend himselfe : and that the saide captaine should send them his boate , in that they had none : which at last he concluded vpon these conditions , that fry the pyrate should vow not to take any thing from captaine smith , that might ouerthrowe his voyage , nor send more pirats into his ship then hee liked off ; otherwaies , he would make sure of them he had , and defend himselfe against the rest as hee could . more : he confesseth that the quarter-masters & chambers receiued golde of those pirats ; but how much , he knoweth not : nor would his captain come out of his caben to entertaine them ; although a great many of them had beene his saylers , and for his loue would haue wasted vs to the iles of flowers . at fyall , wee were chased by two french pyrats , who commanded vs amaine . chambers , minter , digby , and others , importuned againe the captaine to yeeld ; alledging they were turks , and would make them all slaues : or frenchmen , and would throw them all ouer board if they shot but a peece ; and that they were entertained to fish , and not to fight : vntill the captaine vowed to fire the powder and split the ship , if they would not stand to their defence ; whereby at last wee went cleere of them , for all their shot . at flowers , wee were chased by foure french men of warre ; all with their close fights afore and after . and this examinants captaine hauing provided for our defence , chambers , minter , digby , and some others , againe importuned him to yeeld to the fauour of those , against whom there was nothing but ruine by fighting : but if he would goe aboard them , in that hee could speake french , by curtesie hee might goe cleere ; seeing they offered him such faire quarter , & vowed they were protestants , and all of rochell , and had the kings commission onely to take spaniards , portugales , and pyrats ; which at last hee did : but they kept this examinates captaine and some other of his company with him . the next day the french men of warre went aboard vs , and tooke what they listed , and diuided the company into their seuerall ships , and manned this examinates ship with the frenchmen ; and chased with her all the shippes they saw : vntill about fiue or six dayes after vpon better consideration , they surrendered the ship , and victualls , with the most part of our prouision , but not our weapons . more : he confesseth that his captain exhorted them to performe their voyage , or goe for new found land to returne fraughted with fish , where hee would finde meanes to proceed in his plantation : but chambers and minter grew vpon tearms they would not ; vntill those that were souldiers concluded with their captaines resolution , they would ; seeing they had clothes , victualls , salt , nets , & & lines sufficient , & expected their armes : and such other things as they wanted , the french men promised to restore , which the captaine the next day went to seeke , and sent them about loading of commodities , as powder , match , hookes , instruments , his sword and dagger , bedding , aqua vitae , his commission , apparell , and many other things ; the particulars he remembreth not : but , as for the cloath , canuas , and the captaines cloathes , chambers , and his associats diuided it amongst themselues , and to whom they best liked ; his captaine not hauing any thing , to his knowledge , but his wastecoat and breeches . and in this manner going from ship to ship , to regaine our armes , and the rest ; they seeing a sayle , gaue chase vntill night . the next day being very foule weather , this examinate came so neete with the ship vnto the french men of warre , that they split the maine sayle on the others spret sayle yard . chambers willed the captaine come aboard , or hee would leaue him : whereupon the captaine commanded chambers to send his boate for him . chambers replyed shee was split ( which was false ) telling him hee might come if he would in the admiralls boat . the captaines answer was , he could not command her , nor come when hee would : so this examinate fell on sterne ; and that night left his said captaine alone amongst the french men , in this manner , by the command of chambers , minter , and others . daniel cage , edward stalings , gentlemen ; walter chissell , dauid cooper , robert miller and iohn partridge , beeing examined , doe acknowledge and confesse , that daniel baker his examination aboue writen is true . now the cause why the french detayned me againe , was the suspicion this chambers and minter gaue them , that i would reuenge my selfe , vpon the bank , or in new found land , of all the french i could there incounter ; & how i would haue fired the ship , had they not ouerperswaded mee : and many other such like tricks to catch but opportunie in this maner of leaue me . and thus they returned to plimouth ; and perforce with the french i thus proceeded . being a fleet of eight or nine sayle , we watched for the w'est indies fleet , till ill weather separated vs from the other . still we spent our time about the iles neere fyall : where to keepe my perplexed thoughts from too much meditation of my miserable estate , i writ this discourse ; thinking to haue sent it you of his maiesties councell , by some ship or other : for i saw their purpose was to take all they could . at last we were chased by one captain barra , and english pyrat , in a small ship , with some twelue peeces of ordinance , about thirty men , and neer all starued . they sought by curtesie releefe of vs ; who gaue them such faire promises , as at last wee betrayed captaine wolliston ( his lieftenant ) and foure or fiue of their men aboard vs , and then prouided to take the rest perforce . now my part was to be prisoner in the gun-roum , & not to speake to any of them vpon my life : yet had barra knowledge what i was . then barra perceiuing wel these french intents , made ready to fight , and wolliston as resolutely regarded not their threats , which caused vs demurre vpon the matter longer , som sixteene houres ; and then returned their prisoners , and some victualls also , vpon a small composition . the next wee tooke was a small english man of poole from new found land. the great caben at this present , was my prison ; from whence i could see them pillage those poore men of all that they had , and halfe their fish when hee was gone , they sould his poore cloathes at the maine mast , by an outcry , which scarce gaue each man seauen pence a peece . not long after , wee tooke a scot fraught from saint michaels to bristow : hee had better fortune then the other . for , hauing but taken a boats loading of suger , marmelade , suckets , and such like , we discried foure sayle , after whom we stood ; who forling their maine sayles attended vs to fight . but our french spirits were content onely to perceiue they were english red crosles . within a very small time after , wee chased foure spanish shippes came from the indies : wee fought with them foure or fiue houres , tore their sayles and sides ; yet not daring to board them , lost them . a poore c●ruell of brasile , was the next we chased : and alter a small fight , thirteene or fourteen of her men being wounded , which was the better halfe , we tooke her , with chests of sugar . the next was a west ind●es man , of tuns , with hides , chests of cutchanell , coffers of wedges of siluer , ryalls of , and fix offers of the king of spaines treasure , besides the pillage and rich coffers of many rich passengers . two monethes they kept me in this manner to manage their fights against the spaniards , and be a prisoner when they tooke any english . now though the captaine had oft broke his promise , which was to put me a-shore on the iles , or the next ship be tooke ; yet at last , he was intreated i should goe for france in the caruell of sugar : himself resolued still to keepe the seas . within two dayes after , we were haled by two west indy men : but when they saw vs waue them for the king of france , they gaue vs their broad sides , shot through our mayne mast and so left vs. hauing liued thus , neer three moneths among those french men of warre ; with much adoe , we arriued at the gulion , not far from rochel ; where instead of the great promises they alwaies fed me with , of double satisfaction , and full content , they kept me fiue or six daies prisoner in the caruell , accusing me to bee him that burnt their colony in new france ; to force mee giue them a discharge before the iudge of the admiralty , and so stand to their curtesie for satisfaction , or lie in prison , or a worse mischiefe . to preuent this choise , in the end of such a storme that beat them all vnder hatches , i watched my opportunity to get a-shore in their boat ; where-into , in the darke night , i secretly got : and with a halfe pike that lay by me , put a drift for rat ile : but the current was so strong and the sea so great , i went a drift to sea ; till it pleased god the winde so turned with the tide , that although i was all this fearefull night of gusts and raine , in the sea , the space of houres , when many ships were driuen a shore , and diuerse split ( and being with sculling & bayling the water tired , i expected each minute would sinke mee ) at last i arriued in an oazie i le by charowne ; where certaine fowlers found mee neere drowned , and halfe dead , with water , colde , and hunger . by those , i sound meanes to gette to rochell ; where i vnderstood the man of warre which we left at sea , and the rich prize was split , the captaine drowned and halfe his companie the same night , within seauen leagues of that place , from whence i escaped alone , in the little boate , by the mercy of god ; far beyond all mens reason , or my expectation . arriuing at rochell , vpon my complaint to the iudge of the admiralitie , i founde many good words , and faire promises ; and ere long many of them that escaped drowning , tolde mee the newes they heard of my owne death : these i arresting , their seuerall examinations did so confirme my complaint , it was held proofe sufficient . all which being performed according to the order of iustice , from vnder the iudges hand ; i presented it to the english ambassador then at burdeaux , where it was my chance to see the arriuall of the kings great mariage brought from spaine . of the wrack of the rich prize some . crownes worth of goods came a shore & was saued with the caruell , which i did my best to arrest : the iudge did promise me i shold haue iustice ; what will bee the conclusion as yet , i know not . but vnder the colour to take pirats and west-indie men ( because the spanyards will not suffer the french trade in the west-indies ) any goods from thence , thogh they take them vpon the coast of spaine , are law full prize ; or from any of his territories out of the limits of europe . leauing thus my businesse in france , i returned to plimouth , to find them that had thus buried me amongst the french : and not onely buried mee , but with so much infamy , as such trecherous cowards could suggest to excuse their villanies : but my clothes , bookes , instruments , armes , and what i had , they shared amongst them , and what they liked ; saying , the french had all was wanting ; and had throwne them into the sea , taken their ship , and all , had they not runne away & left me as they did . the cheeftaines of this mutinie that i could finde , i laied by the heeles ; the rest , like themselues , confessed the truth as you haue heard . now how i haue or could preuent these accidents , i rest at your censures . but to the matter . newfound-land at the first , i haue heard , was held as desperate a fishing , as this i proiect in new england . placentia , & the banke , were also as doubtfull to the french : but , for all the disasters happened mee , the businesse is the same it was : and the fiue ships ( whereof one was reported more then three hundred tunnes ) went forward ; & found fish so much , that neither izeland-man , nor new foundland-man , i could heare of hath beene there , will goe any more to either place , if they may goe thither . so , that vpon the returne of my viceadmirall that proceeded on her voyage when i spent my masts , from plimouth this yeare are gone foure or fiue saile : and from london as many ; onely to make voyages of profit : where the englishmen haue yet bneene , all their returnes together ( except sir fr. popphames ) would scarce make one a sauer of neere a douzen i could nominate ; though there be fish sufficient , as i perswade my selfe , to fraught yearely foure or fiue hundred sayle , or as many as will goe . for , this fishing stretcheth along the coast from cape cod to newfound-land , which is seauen or eight hundred miles at the least ; and hath his course in the deepes , and by the shore , all the yeare long ; keeping their hants and feedings as the beasts of the field , & the birds of the aire . but , all men are not such as they should bee , that haue vndertaken those voiages : and a man that hath but heard of an instrument , can hardly vse it so well , as hee that by vse hath contriued to make it . all the romanes were not scipioes : nor all the geneweses , columbuses : nor all spanyards , corteses : had they diued no deeper in the secrets of their discoueries , then wee , or stopped at such doubts and poore accidentall chances ; they had neuer beene remembred as they are : yet had they no such certainties to begin as wee . but , to conclude , adam and eue did first beginne this innocent worke , to plant the earth to remaine to posteritie : but not without labour , trouble & industrie . noe , and his family , beganne againe the second plantation ; and their seede as it still increased , hath still planted new countries , and one countrie another : and so the world to that estate it is . but not without much hazard , trauell , discontents , and many disasters . had those worthie fathers & their memorable off-spring not beene more diligent for vs now in these ages , then wee are to plant that yet vnplanted , for the after liuers : had the seede of abraham , our sauiour christ , and his apostles , exposed themselues to no more daungers to teach the gospell , and the will of god then wee ; euen wee our selues , had at this present been as saluage , and as miserable as the most barbarous saluage yet vnciuilized . the hebrewes , and lacedaemonians , the goths , the grecians , the romanes , and the rest , what was it they would not vndertake to inlarge their territories , enrich their subiects , resist their enemies ? those that were the founders of those great monarchies & their vertues , were no siluered idle golden pharises , but industrious iron-steeled publicans : they regarded more prouisions , and necessaries for their people , then iewels , riches , ease , or delight for themselues . riches were their seruants , not their maisters . they ruled ( as fathers , not as tyrantes ) their people as children , not as slaues : there was no disaster , could discourage them ; and let none thinke they incountered not with all manner of incumbrances . and what haue euer beene the workes of the greatest princes of the earth , but planting of countries , and ciuilizing barbarous and inhumane nations , to ciuilitie and humanitie ? whose eternall actions , fill our histories . lastly , the portugales , and spanyards : whose euerliuing actions , before our eyes will testifie with them our idlenesse , and ingratitude to all posterities , and the neglect of our duties in our pietie and religion we owe our god , our king , and countrie ; and of want charity to those poore saluages , whose countrie wee challenge , vse and possesse ; except wee bee but made to vse , and marre what our fore-fathers made , or but onely tell what they did , or esteeme our selues too good to take the like paines . was it vertue in them , to prouide that doth maintaine vs ? and basenesse for vs to doe the like for others ? surely no. then seeing we are not borne for our selues , but each to helpe other , and our abilities are much alike at the houre of our birth , and the minute of our death : seeing our good deedes , or our badde , by faith in christs merits , is all we haue to carrie our soules to heauen , or hell : seeing honour is our liues ambition ; and our ambition after death , to haue an honourable memorie of our life : and seeing by noe meanes wee would bee abated of the dignities & glories of our predecessors ; let vs imitate their vertues to bee worthily their successors . finis . at london printed the . of iune , in the yeere of our lord . to his worthy captaine , the author . oft thou hast led , when i brought vp the rere in bloodie wars , where thousands haue bin slaine . then giue mee leaue , in this some part to beare ; and as thy seruant , heere to read my name . t is true , long time thou hast my captaine beene in the fierce wars of transiluania : long ere that thou america hadst seene , or led wast captiued in virginia ; thou that to passe the worlds foure parts dost deeme no more , then t' were to goe to bed , or drinke , and all thou yet hast done , thou dost esteeme as nothing . this doth cause mee thinke that thou i 'aue seene so oft approu'd in dangers ( and thrice captiu'd , thy valor still hath freed ) art yet preserued , to conuert those strangers : by god thy guide , i trust it is decreed . for mee : i not commend , but much admire the england yet vnknowne to passers by-her . for it will praise it selfe in spight of me ; thou it , it thou , to all posteritie . your true friend , and souldier , ed. robinson . to my honest captaine , the author . malignant times ! what can be said or don , but shall be censur'd and traduc't by some ! this worthy work , which thou hast bought so dear , ne thou nor it , detractors neede to fear . thy words by deedes so long thou hast approu'd , of thousands knowe thee not thou art belou'd . and this great plot will make thee ten times more knowne and beleu'd , than ere thou wert before . i neuer knew a warryer yet , but thee , from wine , tobacco , debts , dice , oaths , so free . i call thee warrier : and i make the bolder ; for , many a captaine now , was neuer souldier . some such may swell at this : but ( to their praise ) when they haue don like thee , my muse shall raise their due deserts to worthies yet to come , to liue like thine ( admir'd ) till day of doome . your true friend , somtimes your soldier , tho. carlton . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * hioderers . notes for div a -e my first voyage to new-england . the situation of new england . notes of florida . notes of virginia . the description of new england . the particular c●untries or gouernments . the mixture of an excellent soyle . a proofe of an excellent temper . a proofe of health . st●ple commodities present . the hollanders fishing . which is fifteen hundred thou and pound . examples of the altitude comparatiuely . the particular staple commodities that may be had . the nature of ground approoued . the seasons for fishing approoued . imployment for poore people and fatherlesse children . the facility of the plantation . 〈◊〉 commodities . an example of the gains vpon euery yeare or from one thes returne . a description of the countries in particular , and their situations . a good countrie . the land-markes . hearbs . woods . birds . fishes . beasts . a note for men that haue great spirits , and smal meanes an example of secure couetousness . the authors conditions . the planters pleasures , and profits . imployments for gentlemen . imployments for labourers . examples of the spanyard . the blisse of spaine . my second voyage to new england . the occasion of my returne . my reimbarkment , incounters with py●●●s and imprisonment by the french. captaine fry 〈…〉 the one of , the other . the admirall tuns , peeces , murderers , men , with long pistols , pocket pistol , musket , sword and poniard , the vice-admirall tuns , the rere-admiral , the other : all had men most armed as is said . the gentlemen and souldiers were euer willing to fight . a double treachery . a ●●eet of nine french men of war , and ●ights with the spaniards . a prize worth crow● a prize worth crownes . my escape from the french men . sir thomas edmunds . they betraied mee hauing the broad seale of england and neere twentie sayle of english more , besiles them concealed in like manner were betrayed that year my returne for england , the successe of my vice admirall and the foure ships of london , from new england . an essay for the recording of illustrious providences wherein an account is given of many remarkable and very memorable events which have hapned this last age, especially in new-england / by increase mather, teacher of a church at boston in new-england. mather, increase, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) an essay for the recording of illustrious providences wherein an account is given of many remarkable and very memorable events which have hapned this last age, especially in new-england / by increase mather, teacher of a church at boston in new-england. mather, increase, - . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by samuel green for joseph browning and are to be sold at his shop ..., boston in new-england : . errata on p. . reproduction of original in the bodleian library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng providence and government of god. witchcraft -- new england -- early works to . new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an essay for the recording of illvstriovs providences : wherein an account is given of many remarkable and very memorable events , which have hapned this last age ; especially in new-england . by increase mather , teacher of a church at boston in new-england . psal. . . oh that men would praise the lord for his goodness , and for his wonderful works to the children of men. psal. . . one generation shall praise thy works to another , and shall declare thy mighty acts ▪ boston in new-england , printed by samuel green for ioseph browning , and are to be sold at his shop at the corner of the prison-lane next the town-house , . the preface . about six and twenty years ago , ● design for the recording of illustrious providences , was under serious consideration among some eminent ministers in england and in ireland . that motion was principally set on foot by the learned mr. matthew pool , whose synopsis criticorum , and other books by him emitted , have made him famous in the world. but before any thing was brought to effect , the persons to have been imployed , had their thoughts diverted another way . nevertheless , there was a m. ss . ( the composer whereof is to me unknown ) then written , wherein the subjects proper for this record , and some rules for the better managing a design of this nature , are described . in that m. ss . i find notable stories related and attested , which elsewhere i never met with . particularly , the sory of mr. earl of colchester , and another mentioned in our subseqnent essay . and besides those , there are some very memorable passages written , which have not as yet been published , so far as i understand . there are in that m. ss . several remarkables about apparitions , e. g. it is there said , that dr. frith , ( who was one of the prebends belonging to windsor ) lying on his bed , the chamber doors were thrown open , and a corps with attending torches brought to his bed-side upon a bier ; the corps representing one of his own family : after some pause , there was such another shew , till he , the said dr. his wife and all his family were brought in on the bier in such order as they all soon after died . the dr. was not then sick , but quickly melancholly , and would rising at midnight repair to the graves and monuments at eaton colledge ; saying , that he and his must shortly take up their habitation among the dead . the relater of this story ( a person of great integrity ) had it from dr. frith's son , who also added , my fathers vision is already executed upon all the family but my self , my time is next , and near at hand . in the mentioned m. ss . there is also a marvelous relation concerning a young scholar in france : for , it is there affirmed , that this prophane student , having by extravagant courses outrun his means ; in his discontent walking solitarily , a man came to him , and enquired the cause of his sadness . which he owning to be want of money , had presently a supply given him by the other . that being quickly consumed upon his lusts ; as soon as his money was gone his discontent returned ; and in his former walk , he met with his former reliever , who again offered to supply him ; but askt him to contract with him to be his , and to sign the contract with his blood. the woful wretch consented : but not long after , considering that this contract was made with the devil ; the terrors of his conscience became insupportable ; so as that he endeavoured to kill himself to get out of them . some ministers , and other christians being informed how matters were circumstanced , kept dayes of prayer for him and with him : and he was carefully watched that so he might be kept from self-murder . still he continued under terror , and said he should do so , as long as the covenant which he had signed , remained in the hands of the devil . hereupon , the ministers resolve to keep a day of fasting and prayer in that very place of the field where the distressed creature had made the woful bargain , setting him in the midst of them . thus they did , and being with special actings of faith much enlarged to pray earnestly to the lord to make known his power over satan , in constraining him to give up that contract , after some hours continuance in prayer , a cloud was seen to spread it self over them , and out of it the very contract signed with the poor crearures blood was dropped down amongst them ; which being taken up and viewed , the party concerned took it , and tore it in pieces . the relator had this from the mouth of mr. beaumond , a minister of note at caon in normandy , who assured him that he had it from one of the ministers that did assist in carrying on the day of prayer when this memorable providence hapned . nor is the relation impossible to be true , for luther speaks of a providence not unlike unto this , which hapned in his congregation . this m. ss . doth also mention some most remarkable iudgments of god upon sinners , as worthy to be recorded for posterity to take notice of . it is there said , that when mr. richard iuxon was a fellow of kings colledge in cambridge , he led a most vicious life : and whereas ▪ such of the students as were serious in matters of religion , did endeavour by solemn fasting and prayer to prepare themselves for the communion which was then ( this was about the year ) on easter-day . this iuxon spent all the time of preparation in drunken wild meetings , and was up late and drunk on the saturday night . nevertheless , on the lords day , he came with others to the communion , and sat next to the relator , who knowing his disorder the night before , was much troubled : but had no remedy ; church-discipline not being then so practised as ought to have been . the communion being ended , such of the scholars as had the fear of god in their hearts , repaired to their closets . but this iuxon went immediately to a drunken-meeting , and there to a cockfight , where he fell to his accustomed madness , and pouring out a volley of oaths and curses ; while these were between his lips , god smote him dead in the twinkle of an eye . and though iuxon were but young , and of a comely person , his carcase was immediately so corrupted as that the stench of it was insufferable , insomuch that no house would receive it ; and his friends were forced to hire some base fellows to watch the carcase till night ; and then with pitch and such like gums covered him in a coffin , and so made a shift to endure his interment . there stood by a scholar , whose name was george hall , and who acted his part with iuxon in his prophaneness : but he was so astonished with this amazing providence of god , as that he fell down upon his knees , begging pardoning mercy from heaven , and vowing a reformation ; which vow the lord enabled him to keep , so as that afterwards he became an able and famous minister of the gospel . one strange passage more i shall here relate out of the m. ss . which we have thus far made mention of . therein i find part of a letter transcribed ; which is as followeth : lismore , octob. . . in another part of this countrey , a poor man being suspected to have stollen a sheep was questioned for it ; he forswore the thing , and wished that if he had stollen it , god would cause the horns of the sheep to grow upon him . this man was seen within these few dayes by a minister of great repute for piety , who saith , that the man has an horn growing out of one corner of his mouth , just like that of a sheep : from which he hath cut seventeen inches , and is forced to keep it tyed by a string to his ear , to prevent its growing up to his eye : this minister not only saw but felt this horn , and reported it in this family this week , as also a gentleman formerly did , who was himself an eye-witness thereof . surely such passages are a demonstrative evidence that there is a god , who judgeth in the earth , and who though he stay long , will not be mocked alwayes . i shall say no more concerning the m. ss . only that it was sent over to reverend mr. davenport , by ( as i suppose ) mr. hartlib . how it came to lie dormient in his hands i know not : though i had the happiness of special intimacy with that worthy man , i do not remember that ever i heard him speak any thing of it . but since his death , looking over his m. ss's i met with this , and communicated it to other ministers , who highly approved of the noble design aimed at therein . soon after which , some proposals in order to the reviving of this work were drawn up , and presented at a general meeting of the ministers in this colony , may . . which it may not be unsuitable here to recite . some proposals concerning the recording of illustrious providences . i. in order to the promoving of a design of this nature , so as shall be indeed for gods glory , and the good of posterity , it is necessary that utmost care shall be taken that all , and only remarkable providences be recorded and published . ii. such divine iudgements , tempests , floods , earth-quakes , thunders as are unusual , strange apparitions or what ever else shall happen that is prodigious , witchcrafts , diabolical possessions , remarkable iudgements upon noted sinners : eminent deliverances , and answers of prayer , are to be reckoned among illustrious providences . iii. inasmuch as we find in scripture , as well as in ecclesiastical history , that the ministers of god have been improved in the recording and declaring the works of the lord ; and since they are in divers respects under peculiar advantages there unto : it is proposed , that each one in that capacity may diligently enquire into , and record such illustrious providences as have hapned , or from time to time shall happen , in the places whereunto they do belong : and that the witnesses of such notable occurrents be likewise set down in writing . iv. although it be true , that this design cannot be brought unto perfection in one or two years , yet it is much to be desired that something may be done therein out of hand , as a specimen of a more large volumn , that so this work may be set on foot , and posterity may be encouraged to go on therewith . v. it is therefore proposed that the elders may concurre in desiring some one that hath leisure and ability for the management of such an undertaking , with all convenient speed to begin therewith . vi. and that therefore other elders do without delay make enquiry concerning the remarkable occurrents that have formerly fallen out , or may fall out hereafter , where they are concerned , and transmit them unto the aforesaid person , according to the directions above specified , in order to a speedy publication . vii . that notice be given of these proposals unto our brethren , the elders of the neighbour colonies , that so we may enjoy their concurrence , and assistance herein . viii . when any thing of this nature shall be ready for the presse , it appears on sundry grounds very expedient , that it should be read , and approved of at some meeting of the elders , before publication . these things being read and considered ; the author of this essay , was desired to begin the work which is here done ; and i am engaged to many for the materials , and informations which the following collections do consist of . it is not easie to give an account of things , and yet no circumstantial mistakes attend what shall be related . nor dare i averr , that there are none such in what follows . only i have been careful to prevent them ; and as to the substance of each passage , i am well assured it is according to truth . that rare accident about the lightning which caused a wonderful change in the compasses of a vessel then at sea , was as is in the book expressed page . . only it is uncertain whether they were then exactly in the latitude of . for they had not taken an observation for several dayes , but the master of the vessel affirms that to be the latitude so near as they could conjecture . since the needle was changed by the lightning , if a lesser compass be set over it , the needle therein ( or any other touched with the load-stone ) will alter its polarity , turn about to the south , as i have divers times to my great admiration experimented . there is near the north-point a dark spot , like as if it were burnt with a drop of brimstone , supposed to be caused by the lightning . whether the magnetic impressions on that part of the needle being dissipated by the heat of the lightning , and the effluvia on the south end of the needle only remaining untouched thereby , be the true natural reason of the marvelous alteration ; or whither it ought to be ascribed to some other cause , the ingenious may consider . there is another remarkable passage about lightning which hapned at duxborough in new-england , concerning which i have lately received this following account . september . . ( being the lords day ) there were small drizling showers , attended with some seldome and scarce perceivable rumbling thunders until towards the evening ; at what time mr. constant southworth of duxbury returning home after evening exercise , in company with some neighbours , discoursing of some extraordinary thunder-claps with lightning , and the awful effects and consequents thereof , ) being come into his own house ( there were present in one room , himself , his wife , two children , viz. thomas ( he was afterwards drowned ) and benjamin , ( he was long after this killed by the indians ) with philip delano a servant , ) there broke perpendicularly over the said house and room a most awful and amazing clap of thunder , attended with a violent flash , or rather flame of lightning ; which brake and shivered one of the needles of the katted or wooden chimney , carrying divers splinters seven or eight rods distance from the house : it filled the room with smoke and flame . set fire in the thatch of a leanto which was on the backside of a room adjoyning to the former , in which the five persons abovementioned were . it melted some pewter , so that it ran into drops on the out-side , as is often seen on tin ware ; melted round holes in the top of a fire-shovel proportionable in quantity to a small goose-shot ; struck mrs. southworths arm so that it was for a time benummed ; smote the young child benjamin in his mothers ' arms , deprived it of breath for a space , and to the mothers apprehension squeased it as flat as a planck ; smote a dog stone-dead which lay within two foot of philip delano , the dog never moved out of his place or potsture , in which he was when smitten , but giving a small yelp , and quivering with his toes , lay still , blood issuing from his nose or mouth . it smote the said philip , made his right arm senseless for a time , together with the middle finger in special ( of his right hand ) which was benummed , and turned as white as chalk or lime , yet attended with little pain . after some few hours that finger began to recover its proper colour at the knuckle , and so did gradually whiten unto its extremity ; and although the said delano felt a most vioilent heat upon his body , as if he had been scorched in the midst of a violent burning fire , yet his clothes were not singed , neither had the smell of fire passed thereon . i could not insert this story in its proper place , because i received it after that chapter about thunder and lightning was printed . some credible persons who have been eye-witnesses of it , inform me , that the lightning in that house at duxborough , did with the vehemency of its flame , cause the bricks in the chimney to melt like molten lead : which particular was as remarkable as any of the other mentioned in the narrative , and therefore i thought good here to add it . in this essay , i design no more than a specimen ; and having ( by the good hand of god upon me ) set this wheel a going , i shall leave it unto others , whom god has fitted , and shall incline thereto , to go on with the undertaking . some digressions i have made in distinct chapters , handling several considerable cases of conscience , supposing it not unprofitable , or improper so to do ; since the things related gave the occasion : both leisure and exercise of judgement are required in the due performance of a service of this nature : there are some that have more leisure , and many that have greater abilities than i have : i expect not that they should make my method their standard ; but they may follow a better of their own , as they shall see cause . the addition of parallel stories is both pleasing and edifying : had my reading and remembrance of things been greater , i might have done more that way , as i hope others will in the next essay . i could have mentioned some very memorable passages of divine providence , wherein the countrey in general hath been concerned . some remarkables of that kind are to be seen in my former relations of the troubles occasioned by the indians in new-england . there are other particulars no less worthy to be recorded , but in my judgement , this is not so proper a season for us to divulge them . it has been in my thoughts to publish a discourse of miscellaneous observations , concerning things rare and wonderful ; both as to the works of creation and providence ; which in my small readings i have met with in many authors : but this must suffice for the present . i have often wished , that the natural history of new-england , might be written and published to the world ; the rules and method described by that learned and excellent person robert boyle esq. being duely observed therein . it would best become some scholar that has been born in this land , to do such a service for his countrey . nor would i my self decline to put my hand ( so far as my small capacity will reach ) to so noble an undertaking , did not manifold diversions and employments prevent me from attending that which i should account a profitable recreation . i have other work upon me , which i would gladly finish before i leave the world , and but a very little time to do it in : moreover , not many years ago , i lost ( and that 's an afflictive loss indeed ! ) several moneths from study by sickness . let every god-fearing reader , joyn with me in prayer , that i may be enabled to redeem the time , and ( in all wayes wherein i am capable ) to serve my generation . increase mather , boston in new-england , ianuary , / . remarkable providences . chap. i. of remarkable sea deliverances . mr. anthony thacher's relation concerning his and his wives being marvelously preserved alive , when all the ships company perished . the wonderful preservation of major gibbons and his company . several other remarkable sea-deliverances mentioned by mr. janeway , wherin n. e. men were concerned . mr. grafton's preservation . a vessel lately coming from bristol for new-england , saved out of great distress at sea. some providentially met with by a new-england vessel in an open boat , many leagues off from anyshoar , strangely preserved . an account of a remarkable sea-deliverance which hapned this present year . another like unto it which hapned above twenty years ago . the royal pen of the prophet david hath most truly affirmed , that they who go down to the sea in ships , that do business in great waters , see the works of the lord , and his wonders in the deep . and in special , they see wonders of divine goodness in respect of eminent deliverances wrought by the hand of the most high , who stills the noise of the seas , the noise of their waves . it is meet that such providences should be ever had in remembrance , as most of all by the persons concerned in them , so by others , that the god of salvation , who is the confidence of them that are afar off upon the sea , may have eternal praise . many remarkable stories of this kind , are to be seen in books already published . e. g. in mandels●o's travels , h●ck●uit , and linshoten's voyages ; wanley's histo●y ; causin's holy court ; mr. burton's treatises lately printed , and in mr. ianeway's sea-deliverances . i shall in this chapter confine my self unto things which have hapned either in new-england , or wherein n-england vessels have been concerned . we shall begin with that remarkable sea-deliverance which mr. anthony thacher did experience at his first coming to new-england . a full and true relation whereof , i find in a letter directed to his brother mr. peter thacher , then a faithful minister of christ in sarum in england ( he was father to my worthy dear friend mr. thomas thacher late pastor of one of the churches in this boston . ) this letter of mr. anthony thacher's to his brother being written within a few dayes after that eminent providence hapned unto him , matters were then fresh in his memory ; i shall therefore here insert his narrative in his own words ; who expresseth himself as followeth ▪ i must turn my drowned pen and shaking hand to indite the story of such sad news as never before this hapned in new-england . there was a league of perpetual friendship between my cousin avery ( note that this mr. avery was a precious holy minister who came out of england with mr. anthony thacher ) and my self never to forsake each other to the death , but to be partakers of each others misery or welfare , as also of habitation in the same place . now upon our arrival in new-england , there was an offer made unto us . my cousin avery was invited to marble-head to be their pastor in due time ; there being no church planted there as yet , but a town appointed to set up the trade of fishing . because many there ( the most being fishermen ) were something loose and remiss in their behaviour ; my cousin avery was unwilling to go thither , and so refusing we went to newbery , intending there to sit down . but being solicited so often both by the men of the place , and by the magistrates , and by mr. cotton , and most of the ministers , who alledged what a benefit we might be to the people there , and also to the countrey and common-wealth ; at length we embraced it , and thither consented to go . they of marble-head forthwith sent a pinnace for us and our goods . we embarqued at ipswich , august . . with our families and substance , bound for marble-head , we being in all twenty three souls , viz. eleven in my cousin's family , seven in mine , and one mr. william eliot sometimes of new sarum , and four mariners . the next morning having commended our selves to god , with chearful hearts , we hoised sail ; but the lord suddenly turned our chearfulness into mourning and lamentations . for on the fourteenth of this august . about ten at night , having a fresh gale of wind , our sails being old and done were split . the mariners because that it was night , would not put to new sails , but resolved to cast anchor till the morning . but before day-light , it pleased the lord to send so mighty a storm , as the like was never known in new-england since the english came , nor in the memory of any of the indians . it was so furious that our anchor came home . whereupon the mariners let out more cable , which at last slipt away . then our sailers knew not what to do , but we were driven before the wind and waves . my cousin and i perceived our danger , solemnly recommended our selves to god the lord both of earth and seas , expecting with every wave to be swallowed up and drenched in the deeps . and as my cousin , his wife , and my tender babes sat comforting and chearing one the other in the lord against ghastly death , which every moment stared us in the face , and sat triumphing upon each ones forehead , we were by the violence of the waves and fury of the winds , ( by the lords permission ) lifted up upon a rock between two high rocks , yet all was one rock , but it raged with the stroke which came into the pinnace , so as we were presently up to our middles in water as we sat . the waves came furiously and violently over us , and against us , but by reason of the rocks proportion could not lift us off , but beat her all to pieces . now look with me upon our distress , and consider of my misery , who beheld the ship broken , the water in her , and violently overwhelming us , my goods , and provisions swimming in the seas , my friends almost drowned , and mine own poor children so untimely ( if i may so term it without offence ) before mine eyes drowned , and ready to be swallowed up and dashed to pieces against the rocks by the merciless waves , and my self ready to accompany them . but i must go on to an end of this woful relation . in the same room whereas he sat , the master of the pinnace not knowing what to do , our fore-mast was cut down , our main-mast broken in three pieces , the fore part of the pinnace beat away , our goods swimming about the seas , my children bewailing me , as not pittying themselves , and my self bemoaning them ; poor souls , whom i had occasioned to such an end in their tender years , whenas they could scarce be sensible of death . and so likewise my cousin , his wife , and his , children , and both of us bewailing each other , in our lord and only saviour jesus christ , in whom only we had comfort and cheerfulness , insomuch that from the greatest to the least of us , there was not one scri●c● or out-cry made , but all as silent sheep were contentedly resolved to die together lovingly , as since our acquaintance we had lived together friendly . now as i was sitting in the cabbin room-door with my body in the room , when lo one of the sailers by a wave being washed out of the pinnace was gotten in again , and coming into the cabbin room over my back , cried out , we are all cast away , the lord have mercy upon us , i have been washed over-board into the sea , and am gotten in again . his speeches made me look forth . and looking towards the sea , and seeing how we were , i turned my self to my cousin and the rest , and spake these words , oh cousin , it hath pleased god to cast us here between two rocks , the shoar not far off from us , for i saw the tops of trees when i looked forth . whereupon the master of the pinnace looking up at the scuttle hole of the quarter deck , went out at it , but i never saw him afterwards . then he that had been in the sea , went out again by me , and leapt overboard towards the rocks , whom afterwards also i could not see . now none were left in the barque that i knew or saw , but my cousin , his wife and children , my self and mine , and his maid-servant . but my cousin thought i would have fled from him , and said unto me , oh cousin leave us not , let us die to-together , and reached forth his hand unto me . then i letting go my son peter's hand took him by the hand , and said , cousin , i purpose it not , whithe shall i go ? i am willing and ready here to die with you and my poor children . god be merciful to us , and receive us to himself , adding these words , the lord is able to help and deliver us . he replied , saying , truth cousin , but what his pleasure is we know not ; i fear we have been too unthankful for former deliverances , but he hath promised to deliver us from sin and condemnation , and to bring us safe to heaven through the alsufficient satisfaction of jesus christ , this therefore we may challenge of him . to which i replying said , that is all the deliverance i now desire and expect . which words i had no sooner spoken , but by a mighty wave i was with the piece of the barque washed out upon part of the rock , where the wave left me almost drowned , but recovering my feet i saw above me on the rock my daughter mary , to whom i had no sooner gotten , but my cousin avery , and his eldest son came to us , being all four of us washed out by one and the same wave , we went all into a small hole on the top of the rock , whence we called to those in the pinnace to come unto us , supposing we had been in more safety than they were in . my wife seeing us there was crept up into the scuttle of the quarter deck to come unto us , but presently came another wave and dashing the pinnace all to pieces , carried my wife away in the scuttle , as she was , with the greater part of the quarter deck unto the shoar ; where she was cast safely , but her legs were something bruised , and much timber of the vessel being there also cast , she was sometime before she could get away being washed by the waves . all the rest that were in the barque were drowned in the merciless seas . we four by that wave were clean swept away from off the rock also , into the sea ; the lord in one instant of time disposing of fifteen souls of us , according to his good pleasure and will , his pleasure and wonderful great mercy to me was thus . standing on the rock as before you heard , with my eldest daughter , my cousin and his eldest son , looking upon , and talking to them in the barque , whenas we were by that merciless wave washed off the rock , as before you heard . god in his mercy caused me to fall by the stroke of the wave flat on my face , for my face was toward the sea , insomuch that as i was sliding off the rock into the sea , the lord directed my toes into a joynt in the rocks side , as also the tops of some of my fingers with my right hand , by means whereof , the wave leaving me , i remained so , having in the rock only my head above the water . when on the left hand i espied a board or plank of the pinnace . and as i was reaching out my left hand to lay hold on it , by another coming over the top of the rock , i was washed away from the rock , and by the violence of the waves was driven hither and thither in the seas a great while , and had many dashes against the rocks . at length past hopes of life , and wearied in body and spirits , i even gave over to nature , and being ready to receive in the waters of death , i lifted up both my heart and hands to the god of heaven . for note , i had my senses remaining perfect with me all the time that i was under and in water , who at that instant lifted my head above the top of the water , that so i might breathe without any hindrance by the waters . i stood bolt upright as if i had stood upon my feet , but i felt no bottom , nor had any footing for to stand upon , but the waters . while i was thus above the water , i saw by me a piece of the mast , as i suppose about three foot long , which i laboured to catch into my arms . but suddenly i was overwhelmed with water , and driven to and fro again , and at last i felt the ground with my right foot . when immediately whilest i was thus groveling on my face , i presently recovering my feet , was in the water up to my breast , and through gods great mercy had my face unto the shoar , and not to the sea. i made hast to get out , but was thrown down on my hands with the waves , and so with safety crept to the dry shoar . where blessing god , i turned about to look for my children and friends , but saw neither , nor any part of the pinnace , where i left them as i supposed . but i saw my wife about a butt length from me getting her self forth from amongst the timber of the broken barque : but before i could get unto her , she was gotten to the shoar : i was in the water after i was washed from the rock , before i came to the shoar a quarter of an hour at least . when we were come each to other , we went and sat under the bank. but fear of the seas roaring and our coldness would not suffer us there to remain . but we went up into the land and sat us down under a cedar tree which the wind had thrown down , where we sat about an hour almost dead with cold . but now the storm was broken up , and the wind was calm , but the sea remained rough and fearful to us . my legs were much bruised , and so was my head , other hurt had i none , neither had i taken in much quantity of water : but my heart would not let me sit still any longer , but i vvould go to see if any more were gotten to the land in safety , especially hoping to have met with some of my own poor children , but i could find none , neither dead nor yet living . you condole with me my miseries , who now began to consider of my losses . now came to my remembrance the time and manner , how and when i last saw and left my children and friends . one was severed from me sitting on the rock at my feet , the other three in the pinnace : my little babe ( ah poor peter ) sitting in his sister ediths arms , who to the uttermost of her power sheltred him from the waters , my poor william standing close unto them , all three of them lo●king ruefully on me on the rock ; their very countenances calling unto me to help them , whom i could not go unto , neither could they come at me , neither would the merciless waves afford me space or time to use any means at all , either to help them or my self . oh i yet see their cheeks , poor silent lambs , pleading pity and help at my hands . then on the other side to consider the loss of my dear friends , with the spoiling and loss of all our goods and provisions , my self cast upon an unknown land , in a wilderness , i knew not where , nor how to get thence . then it came to my mind how i had occasioned the death of my children , who caused them to leave their native land , who might have left them there , yea , and might have sent some of them back again and cost me ●othing : these and such like thoughts do press down my heavy heart very much . but i must let this pass , and will proceed on in the relation of gods goodness unto me in that desolate island , on which i was cast . i and my wife were almost naked both of us , and wet and cold even unto death , . i found a snapsack cast on the shoar , in which i had a steel and flint and powder-horn . going further i found a drowned goat , then i found a hat , and my son william's coat , both which i put on . my wife found one of her petticoats which she put on . i found also two cheeses and some butter driven ashoar . thus the lord sent us some clothes to put on , and food to sustain our new lives which we had lately given unto us ; and means also to make 〈◊〉 , for in an horn i had some gun-powder , which to mine ow● ( and since to other mens ) admiration was dry . so taking a piece of my wives neckcloth , which i dried in the sun , i struck fire , and so dried and warmed our wet bodies , and then skinned the goat , and having found a small brass-pot , we boyled some of her . our drink was brackish water ; bread we had none . there we remained until the monday following , when about three of the clock in the afternoon , in a boat that came that way , we went off that desolate island ; which i named after my name , thachers woe , and the rock avery his fall : to the end that their fall and loss , and mine own might be had in perpetual remembrance . in the isle lieth buried the body of my cousins eldest daughter , whom i found dead on the shoar . on the tuesday following in the afternoon we arrived at marble-head . thus far is mr. thachers relation of this memorable providence . we proceed to some other : remarkable was that deliverance mentioned both by mr. ianeway , and mr. burton , wherein that gallant commander major edward gibbons of boston in new-england , and others were concerned . the substance of the story is this . a new-england vessel going from boston to some other parts of america , was through the continuance of contrary winds , kept long at sea , so that they were in very great straits for want of provision , and seeing they could not hope for any relief from earth or sea , they apply themselves to heaven in humble and hearty prayers , but no calm ensuing , one of them made this sorrowful motion , that they should cast lots , which of them should die first , to satisfie th● ravenous hunger of the rest . after many 〈◊〉 sad debate , they come to a result , the lot is cast , and one of the company is taken , but where is the executioner to be found to act this office upon a poor innocent ? it is death now to think who shall act this bloody part in the tragedy : but before they fall upon this in-voluntary execution , they once more went unto their prayers , and while they were calling upon god , he answered them , for there leapt a mighty fish into the boat , which was a double joy to them , not only in relieving their miserable hunger , which no doubt made them quick cooks , but because they looked upon it to be sent from god , and to be a token of their deliverance . but alas ! the fish is soon eaten , and their former exigencies come upon them , which sin● their spirits into despair ; for they know no● of another morsel . to lot they go again the second time , which falleth upon another person ; but still none can be found to sacrifice him ; they again send their prayers to heaven with all manner of fervency , when behold a second answer from above ! a great bird lights , and fixes it self upon the mast● which one of the company espies , and he goes , and there she stands , till he took her with his hand by the wing . this was life from the dead the second time , and they feasted themselves herewith , as hoping that second providence was a fore-runner of the●r compleat deliverance . but they have still the same disappointments , they can see no land , they know not where they are . hunger encreaseth again upon them , and they have no hopes to be saved but by a third miracle . they are reduced to the former course of casting lots , when they were going to the heart-breaking work , to put him to death whom the lot fell upon , they go to god their former friend in adversity , by humbl● and hearty prayers ; and now they look an● look again ; but there is nothing : their prayers are concluded , and nothing appears , yet still they hoped and stayed ; till at last one of them espies a ship , which put new life into all their spirits . they bear up with their vessel , they man their boat , and desire and beg like perishing , humble supplicants to board them , which they are admitted . the vessel proves a french vessel , yea , a french pirate . major gibbons petitions them for a little bread , and offers ship and cargo for it . but the commander knows the major , ( from whom he had received some signal kindnesses formerly at boston ) and replied readily , and chearfully , major gibbons , not a hair of you or your company shall perish , if it●ly in my power to preserve you . and accordingly he relieveth them , and sets them safe on shoar . memorable also is that which mr. ianeway in his remarkable sea-deliverances , p. . hath published . he there relates that in the year . a ketch whereof thomas woodbery was master , sailing from new-england for barbadoes ; when they came in the latitude of . gr . because there was some appearance of foul-weather , they lowred their sails , sending up one to the top of the mast , he thought he saw something like a boat floating upon the sea , and calling to the men below , they made towards it , and when they came near , it appeared to be a long-boat with eleven men in it , who had been bound for virginia ; but their ship proved leaky , and foundred in the sea ; so that they were forced suddenly to betake themselves to their long-boat ; in the which they had a capstone bar , which they made use of for a mast , and a piece of canvas for a sail , so did they sail before the wind. but they having no victuals with them , were soon in miserable distress . thus they continued five dayes , so that all despaired of life . upon the sixth day they concluded to cast lots for their lives , viz. who should die that the rest might eat him , and have their lives preserved . he that the lot fell upon , begged for his life a little longer ; and being in their extremity , the wonder-working providence of god was seen : for they meet with this new-england vessel , which took them in , and saved their lives . an hour after this a terrible storm arose , continuing forty hours , so that if they had not met the vessel that saved the● in the nick of opportunity , they had all perished : and if the new-england men ha● not taken down some of their sails , or ha● not chanced to send one up to tallow the mast , this boat and men had never been seen by them . thus admirable are the workings of divine providence in the world. yet further ; that worthy and now blessed minister of god mr. iames ianeway , hath published several other remarkable sea-deliverances ; of which some belonging to new-england were the subjects . he relates ( and i am informed that it was really so ) that a small vessel ( the masters name philip hungare ) coming upon the coast of new-england suddenly sprang a leak , and so foundered . in the vessel there were eighteen souls , twelve of which got into the long boat. they threw into the boat some small matters of provision , but were wholly without fire . these twelve men sailed five hundred leagues in this small boat , being by almost miraculous providences preserved therein for five weeks together . god sent relief to them by causing some flying fish to fall into the boat , which they eat raw , and were well pleased therewith . they also caught a shark and opening his belly , sucked his blood for drink . at the last the divine providence brought them to the west-indies . some of them were so weak as that they soon died ▪ but most of them lived to declare the works of the lord. again he relates that mr. ionas clark of new-england going for virginia , the vessel was cast ashoar in the night . they hoped to get their ship off again ; to which end the master with some others going in the boat , when they were about sixty fathom from the shoar , there arose a great sea which broke in upon them , and at last turned the boat over . four men were drowned . mr. clark was held under water till his breath was gone , yet ( through the good hand of a gracious god ) he was set at liberty , and was enabled to swim to the shoar , where the providence of god did so over-rule the hearts of barbarians , as that they did them no hurt , until at last they were brought safe unto the english plantations . these things have ( as was said ) been related by mr. ianeway . i proceed therefore to mention some other sea-deliverances . and that notable preservation deserves to be here inserted and recorded ; wherein mr. iohn grafton and some others of his ships company were concerned ; who as they were bound in a voyage from salem in new-england , for the west-indies , in a ketch called the providence ; ( on september ● . ) their vessel suddenly struck upon a rock ; at the which they were amazed , it being then a dark and rainy night ; the force of the wind and sea broke their vessel in a moment . their company was ten men in number , whereof six were drowned . the master and the mate were left upon the rock . as they sat there , the sea came up to their wasts . there did they embrace each other , looking for death every moment ; and if the tide had risen higher it would have carried them off . by the same rock was one of the sea-men , being much wounded and grievously groaning . in the morning they saw an island about half a mile off from them . the rocks were so sharp and cragged that they could not tread upon them with their bare feet , nor had they shoes or stockins . but they found a piece of tarpoling , which they wrapped about their feet , making it fast with rope-yarns ; so getting each of them a stick , they sometimes went on their feet , and sometimes crept , until at last they came to the island , where they found another of their company ashoar , being carried thither by a piece of the vessel . upon the island they continued eight dayes , four of which they had no fire . their provision was salt fish and rain water , which they found in the holes of the rocks . after four dayes they found a piece of touch-wood , which the mate had formerly in his chest , and a piece of flint , with which having a small knife they struck fire . a barrel of flower being cast on shoar they made cakes thereof . now their care was how to get off from the island , there being no inhabitants there . finding a piece of the main-sail , and some hoops of cask they framed a boat therewith . yet had they no tools to build it with . but providence so ordered , that they found a board twelve foot long , and some nails ; also a box was cast ashoar wherein was a bolt-rope needle ; they likewise found a tar-barrel , wherewith they tarred their canvas . thus did they patch up a boat in fashion like a birchen canoo ; and meeting with some thin boards of sieling which came out of the cabbin , they made paddles therewith , so did they venture in this dangerous vessel ten leagues , until they came to anguilla , and st. martins , where they were courteously entertained , the people admiring how they could come so many leagues in such a strange kind of boat. besides all these particulars , which have been declared , information is brought to me concerning some sea-preservations which have hapned more lately . there was a small vessel set sail from bristol to new-england , sept. . . the masters name william dutten . there were seven men in the vessel , having on board provision for three moneths , but by reason of contrary winds , they were twenty weeks before they could make any land ; and some unhappy accidents fell out which occasioned their being put to miserable straits for victuals , but most of all for drink . the winds were fair and prosperous until october . when they supposed themselves to be gotten leagues westward . but after that the no● west winds blew so fiercely , that they were driven off from the coast of new-england , so that december . they concluded to bear away for barbadoes . but before this , one of their barrels of beer had the head broken out , and the liquor in it lost . they had but seven barrels of water , three of which proved leaky , so that the water in them was lost . when their victuals failed , the providence of god sent them a supply by causing dolphins to come near to the vessel , and that still as their wants were greatest , nor could they catch more than would serve their present turn . but still their misery upon them was great , through their want of water . sometimes they would expose their vessels to take the rain-water , but oft when it rained the winds were so furious , that they could save little or no rain , yet so it fell out that when they came near to the latitude of barmudas they saved two barrels of rain-water , which caused no little joy amongst them . but the rats did unexpectedly , eat holes through the barrels , so that their water was lost again . once when a shower of rain fell they could save but a pint , which though it was made bitter by the tar , it seemed very sweet to them . they divided this pint of rain-water amongst seven , drinking a thimble full at a time , which went five times about and was a great refreshing to them . on ianuary . a good shower of rain fell ; that so they might be sure to save some water , and not be again deprived thereof by the rats ; they layed their shirts open to the rain , and wringing them dry , they obtained seven gallons of water , which they put into bottles , and were for a time much refreshed thereby . but new straits come upon them . they endeavoured to catch the rats in the vessel , and could take but three or four , which they did eat , and it seemed delicate meat to their hungry souls . but the torment of their drought was insufferable . sometimes for a week together they had not one drop of fresh water . when they killed a dolphin they would open his belly and suck his blood a little to relieve their thirst . yea , their thirst was so great that they fell to drinking of salt-water . some drank several gallons , but they found that it did not allay their thirst . they greedily drank their own urine when they could make any . they would go over-board with a rope fastned to their bodies , and put themselves into the water , hoping to find some refreshment thereby . when any of them stood to steer the vessel ▪ he would think a little to refresh himself by having his feet in a pail of sea-water . in this misery some of the sea-men confessed that it was just with god thus to afflict them ▪ in that they had been guilty of wasting good drink , and of abusing themselves therewith before they came to sea. the divine providence so ordered , that on february , they met with a vessel at sea , which hapned to be a guiny man ( samuel ricard master ) their boat was become leaky , that they could not go aboard , if it had been to save their lives . but the master of the other vessel understanding how it was with them , very courteously sent his own boat to them , with ten pieces of guiny beef , two ankors of fresh water , and four bushels of guiny corn , whereby they were sustained until they arrived at barbadoes ; being weak and spent with their hardships , but within a fortnight they were all recovered , and came the next summer to new-england . this account i received from the mate of the vessel , whose name is ioseph butcher . remarkable also , is the preservation of which some belonging to dublin in ireland had experience ; whom a new-england vessel providentially met , in an open boat , in the wide sea , and saved them from perishing . concerning which memorable providence , i have received the following narrative : a ship of dublin burdened about seventy tuns andrew bennet master , being bound from dublin to virginia ; this vessel having been some weeks at sea , onward of their voyage , and being in the latitude of . about leagues distant from cape cod in new-england , on april . . a day of very stormy weather , and a great sea , suddenly there sprang a plank in the fore part of the ship , about six a clock in the morning : whereupon the water increased so fast in the ship , that all their endeavours could not keep her from sinking above half an hour : so when the ship was just sinking , some of the company resolved to lanch out the boat , which was a small one . they did accordingly , and the master , the mate , the boat-swain , the cook , two fore-mast-men and a boy , kept such hold of it , when a cast of the sea suddenly helped them off with it , that they got into it . the heaving of the sea now suddenly thrust them from the ship , in which there were left nineteen souls , viz. men and three women ; who all perished in the mighty waters , while they were trying to make rafters by cutting down the masts , for the preservation of their lives , as long as might be . the seven in the boat apprehended themselves to be in a condition little better then that of them in the ship , having neither sails nor oars , neither bread nor water , and no instrument of any sort , except a knife and a piece of deal-board , with which they made sticks , and set them up in the sides of the boat , and covered them with some irish-cloth of their own garments , to keep off the spray of the sea , as much as could be by so poor a matter . in this condition they drave with an hard wind and high sea all that day , and the night following . but in the next morning about six a clock , they saw a ketch ( the master whereof was mr. edmund henfield of salem in new-england ) under sail ▪ which ketch coming right with them , took them up and brought them safe to new-england . and it is yet further remarkable , that when the ship foundred , the ketch which saved these persons was many leagues to the westward of her , but was by a contrary wind caused to stand back again to the eastward where these distressed persons were ( as hath been said ) met with , and relieved . another remarkable sea-deliverance , like unto this last mentioned , hapned this present year ; the relation whereof take as followeth . a ship called the swallow , thomas welden of london master ; on their voyage from st. christophers towards london , did on march . last ( being then about the latitude of . ) meet with a violent storm . that storm somewhat allayed , the ship lying in the ●rough of the sea , her rudder broke away . whereupon the mariners veered out a cable , and part of a mast to steer by ; but that not answering their expectation , they took an hogs-head of water , and fastned it to the cable to steer the ship ; that also failing , they laid the ship by : ( as the sea-mens phrase is ) and on march . an exceeding great storm arose , which made the vessel ly down with her hatches under water , in which condition she continued about two hours , and having much water in the hold , they found no other way to make her rise again , but by cutting down her masts , and accordingly her main-mast and her mizen-mast being cut●down , the ship righted again . the storm continuing , on march . the ship made very bad steeridge , by reason of the loss of her rudder and masts , the sea had continual passage over her , and one sea did then carry away the larbord quarter of the ship , and brake the side from the deck , so that there was an open passage for the sea to come in at that breach ; and notwithstanding their endeavours to stop it with their bedding , cloathes , &c. so much water ran in by the sides of the ship , that it was ready to sink . now all hopes of saving their lives being gone ; the divine providence so ordered , that there appeared a vessel within sight , which hapned to be a french ship bound from st. iohn de luce to grand placentia in new-found land ; this vessel took in the distressed english-men , carried them to grand placentia , from whence the master and sundry of the m●●iners procured passage in a ketch bound for boston in new-england . there did they arrive iune . . declaring how they had seen the wonders of god in the deep ▪ as hath been expressed . there was another memorable sea-deliverance like unto these two last . the persons concerned in it being now gone out of the world , i have not met with any who perfectly remember the particular year wherein that remarkable providence hapned ; only that it was about twenty two years ago : when a ship ( william laiton master ) bound from pas●●taqua in new-england to barbadoes , being leagues off from the coast , sprang a leak . they endeavoured what they could to clear her with their pump for fourteen hours . but the vessel filling with water , they were forced ( being eight persons ) to betake themselves to their boat , taking with them a good supply of bread , and a pot of butter . the master declaring that he was perswaded they should meet with a ship at sea that would relieve them : but they had little water , so that their allowance was at last a spoonful in a day to each man. in this boat did they continue thus distressed for dayes together . after they had been twelve dayes from the vessel , they met with a storm which did ●ery much endanger their lives , yet god preserved them . at the end of eighteen dayes a flying fish fell into their boat , and having with them an hook and line , they made use of that fish for bait , whereby they caught two dolphins . a ship then at sea , whereof mr. samuel scarlet was commander , apprehending a storm to be near , that so they might fit their rigging in order to entertain the approaching storm , suffered their vessel to drive right before the wind ; and by that means they hapned to meet with this boat full of distressed sea-men . captain scarlet 's vessel was then destitute of provision ; only they had on board water enough and to spare . when the mariners first saw the boat , they desired the master not to take the men in , because they had no bread nor other victuals for them ; so that by receiving eight more into their company , they should all die with famine . captain scarlet who as after he left using the sea , he gave many demonstrations both living and dying of his designing the good of others , and not his own particular advantage only , did at this time manifest the same spirit to be in him ; and therefore would by no means hearken to the selfish suggestions of his men , but repli●● to them , ( as vet not knowing who they were ) it may be these distressed creatures are our own countrey-men , or if no● , they are men in misery , and therefore what ever come of it , i am resolved to take them in , and to trust in god who is able to deliver us all . nor did god suffer him to lose any thing by this noble resolution . for as in captain scarlet 's ship there was water which the men in the boat wanted , so they in the boat had bread and the two dolphins lately caught , whereby all the ships company were refreshed . and within few dayes they all arrived safe in new-england . chap. ii. a further account of some other remarkable preservations . of a child that had part of her brains struck out , and yet lived and did well . remarkable deliverances of some in windsor . of several in the late indian war. the relation of a captive . skipper . how 's memorable preservation . several examples somewat parallel , wherein others in other parts of the world were concerned . besides those notable sea-deliverances which have been in the former chapter related , many other memorable providences and preservations have hapned . a multitude of instances to this purpose are now lost in the grave of oblivion , because they were not recorded in the season of them . but such observables as i have been by good hands acquainted with , i shall here further relate . remarkable was the preservation and restoration which the gracious providence of god vouchsafed to abigail eliot , the daughter of elder eliot of boston in new-england ; concerning whom a near and precious relation of hers , informs me , that when she was a child about five years old , playing with other children under a cart an iron hinge being sharp at the lower end hapned to strike her head between the right ear and the crown of her head , and pierced into the skull and brain . the child making an out-cry , the mother came ; and immediately drew out the iron , and thereupon some of the brains of her child which stuck to th● iron , and other bits were scattered on her forehead . able chyrurgeons were sent for ; in special mr. oliver and mr. prat. the head being uncovered , there appeared just upon the place where the iron pierced the skull , a bunch as big as a small egg. a question arose , whether the skin should not be cut and dilated from the orifice of the wound to the swelling , and so take it away . this mr. pr●t inclined unto , but mr. oliver opposed , pleading that then the air would get to the brain , and the child would presently die . mr. oliver was desired to undertake the cure. and thus was his operation . he gently drove the soft matter of the bunch into the wound , and pressed so much out as well he could ; there came forth about a spoonful , the matter which came forth was brains and blood ( some curdles of brain were white and not stained with blood ) so did he apply a plaister . the skull wasted where it was pierced to the bigness of an half crown piece of silver or more . the skin was exceeding tender , so that a silver plate like the skull was alwayes kept in the place to defend it from any touch or injury . the brains of the child did swell and swage according to the tides . when it was spring tide , her brain would heave up the tender skin , and fill the place sometimes . when i● it was nip tide , they would be sunk and fallen within the skull . this child lived to be the mother of two children . and ( which is marvelous ) she was not by this wound made defective in her memory or understanding . in the next place , we shall take notice o● some remarkable preservations which sundry in windsor in new-england have experience● the persons concerned therein being desiro●● that the lords goodness towards them may be ever had in remembrance : wherefore a faithful hand has given me the following account . ianuary . , three women , viz. the wives of lieut. filer , and of ioh● drake , and of nathaniel lomas ▪ having crossed connecticut river upon a necessary and neighbourly account , and having done the work they went for , were desirous to return to their own families ; the river being at that time partly shut up with ice old and new ▪ and partly open . there being some pains taken aforehand to cut a way through the ice , the three women abovesaid got into a canoo , with whom also there was nathaniel bissel , and an indian . there was likewise another canoo with two men in it , that went before them to help them in case they should meet with any distress , which indeed quickly came upon them ; for just as they were getting out of the narrow passage between the ice , being near the middle of the river , a great part of the upper ice came down upon them , and struck the end of their canoo , and broke it to pieces ; so that it quickly sunk under them : the indian speedily got upon the ice , but nathaniel bissel , and the abovesaid women were left floating in the middle of the river , being cut off from all manner of humane help besides what did arise from themselves , and the two men in the little canoo , which was so small that three persons durst seldom , if ever , venture in it , they were indeed discerned from one shore , but the dangerous ice would not admit from either shore , one to come near them . all things thus circumstanced , the suddenness of the stroke and distress ( which is apt to amaze men , especially when no less then life is concerned ) the extream coldness of the weather , it being a sharp season , that persons out of the water were in danger of freezing , the unaptness of the persons to help themselves , being mostly women , one big with child , and near the time of her travel ( who was also carried away under the ice ) the other as unskill'd and unactive to do any thing for self-preservation as almost any could be , the waters deep , that there was no hope of footing , no passage to either shore , in any eye of reason , neither with their little canoo , by reason of the ice , nor without it , the ice being thin and rotten , and full of holes . now , that all should be brought off safely without the loss of life , 〈◊〉 wrong to health , was counted in the day 〈◊〉 it a remarkable providence . to say , how 〈◊〉 was done , is difficult , yet something of 〈◊〉 manner of the deliverance may be 〈◊〉 , the abovesaid nathaniel bissel perceiving their danger , and being active in swimming , endeavoured what might be , the preservation of himself , and some others , he strove to have swum to the upper ice , but the stream being too hard , he was forced downwards to the lower ice , where by reason of the slipperiness of the ice , and disadvantage of the stream , he found it difficult getting up ; at length by the good hand of providence , being gotten upon the ice , he saw one of the women swimming down under the ice , and perceiving an hole , or open place , some few rods below , there he waited , and took her up as she swum along . the other two women were in the river , till the two men in the little canoo came for their relief ; at length all of them got their heads above the water , and had a little time to pause , though a long , and difficult , and dangerous way to any shore , but by getting their little canoo upon the ice , and carrying one at a time over hazardous places , they did ( though in a long while ) get all safe to the shore , from whence they came . remarkable also , was the deliverance which iohn and thomas bissel of windsor aforesaid , did at another time receive . iohn bissel on a morning about break of day taking nails out of a great barrel wherein was a considerable quantity of gun-powder , and bullets , having a candle in his hand , the powder took fire , thomas bissel was then putting on his clothes , standing by a window , which though well fastened , was by the force of the powder carried away at least four rods ; the partition-wall from another room was broken in pieces ; the roof of the house opened and slipt of the plates about five foot down ; also the great girt of the house at one end broke out so far , that it drew from the summer to the end , most of its tenant : the woman of the house was lying sick , and another woman under it in bed , yet did the divine providence so order things as that no one received any hurt , excepting iohn bissel , who fell through two floors into a cellar his shoes being taken from his feet , and found at twenty foot distance , his hands and his face very much scorched , without any other wound in his body . it would fill a volume to give an account of all the memorable preservations in the time of the late war with the indians . remarkable was that which hapned 〈◊〉 iabez musgrove of newbery , who being sh● by an indian , the bullet entred in at his ear and went out at his eye , on the other side of his head , yet the man was preserved from death , yea , and is still in the land of the living . likewise several of those that were taken captive by the indians are able to relate affecting stories concerning the gracious providence of god , in carrying them through many dangers and deaths , and at last setting their feet in a large place again . a worthy person hath sent me the account which one lately belonging to deerfield , ( his name is quintin stockwell , ) hath drawn up respecting his own captivity and redemption , with the more notable occurrences of divine providence attending him in his distress , which i shall therefore here insert in the words by himself expressed : he relateth as followes ; in the year . september . between sun-set and dark , the indians came upon us ; i and another man , being together , we ran away at the out-cry the indians made , shouting and shooting at some other of the english that were hard by . we took a swamp that was at hand for our refuge ; the enemy espying us so near them , ran after us , and shot many guns at us , three guns were discharged upon me , the enemy being within three rod of me , besides many other , before that . being in this swamp that was miry , i slumpt in , and fell down , whereupon one of the enemy stept to me , with his hatchet lift upto knock me on the head , supposing that i had been wounded , and so unfit for any other travel . i ( as it hapned ) had a pistol by me , which though uncharged , i presented to the indian , who presently stept back ; and told me , if i would yield , i should have no hurt , he said ( which was not true ) that they had destroyed all hatfield , and that the woods were full of indians , whereupon i yielded my self , and so fell into the enemies hands , and by three of them was led away unto the place , whence first i began to make my flight , where two other indians came running to us , and the one lifting up the butt end of his gun , to knock me on the head , the other with his hand put by the blow , and said , i was 〈◊〉 friend . i was now by my own house which the indians burnt the last year , and i was about to build up again , and there i 〈◊〉 some hopes to escape from them ; there 〈◊〉 an horse just by , which they bid me take , ● did so , but made no attempt to escape ther● by , because the enemy was near , and the beast was slow and dull , then was i in hopes they would send me to take my own horses , which they did , but they were so frighted that i could not come near to them , and so fell still into the enemies hands , who now took me , and bound me , and led me away , and soon was i brought into the company of captives , that were that day brought away from hatfield , which were about a mile off ; and here methoughts was matter of joy and sorrow both , to see the company : some company in this condition being some refreshing , though little help any wayes ; then were we pinioned and led away in the night over the mountains , in dark and hideous wayes , about four miles further , before we took up our place for rest , which was in a dismal place of wood on the east side of that mountain . we were kept bound all that night . the indians kept waking and we had little mind to sleep in this nights travel , the indians dispersed , and as they went made strange noises , as of wolves and owles , and other wild beasts , to the end that they might not lose one another ; and if followed they might not be discovered by the english. about the break of day , we marched again and got over the great river at p●comptuck river mouth , and there rested about two hours . there the indians marked out upon trays the number of their captives and slain as their manner is . here was i again in great danger ; a quarrel arose about me , whose captive i was , for three took me . i thought i must be killed to end the controversie , so when they put it to me , whose i was , i said three indians took me , so they agreed to have all a share in me : and i had now three masters , and he was my chief master who laid hands on me first , and thus was i fallen into the hands of the very worst of all the company ; as ashpelon the indian captain told me ; which captain was all along very kind to me , and a great comfort to the english. in this place they gave us some victuals , which they had brought from the english. this morning also they sent ten men forth to town to bring away what they could find , some provision , some corn out of the meadow they brought to us upon horses which they had there taken . from hence we went up about the falls , where we crost that river again ; and whilst i was going , i fell right down lame of my old wounds that i had in the war , and whilest i was thinking i should therefore be killed by the indians , and what death i should die , my pain was suddenly gone , and i was much encouraged again . we had about eleven horses in that company , which the indians made to carry burthens , and to carry women . it was afternoon when we now crossed that river , we travelled up that river till night , and then took up our lodging in a dismal place , and were staked down and spread out on our backs ; and so we lay all night , yea so we lay many nights . they told me their law was , that we should lie so nine nights , and by that time , it was thought we should be out of our knowledge . the manner of staking down was thus ; our arms and legs stretched out were staked fast down , and a cord about our necks , so that we could stir no wayes . the first night of staking down , being much tired , i slept as comfortably as ever ; the next day we went up the river , and crossed it , and at night lay in squakheag meadows ; our provision was soon spent ; and while we lay in those meadows the indians went an hunting , and the english army came out after us : then the indians moved again , dividing themselves and the captives into many companies , that the english might not follow their tract . at night having crossed the river , we met again at the place appointed . the next day we crost the river again on squakheag side , and there we took up our quarters for a long time , i suppose this might be about thirty miles above squakheag , and here were the indians quite out of all fear of the english ; but in great fear of the mohawks ; here they built a long wigwam . here they had a great dance ( as they call it ) and concluded to burn three of us , and had got bark to do it with , and as i understood afterwards , i was one that was to be burnt . sergeant plimpton an other , and benjamin wait his wife the third : though i knew not which was to be burnt , yet i perceived some were designed thereunto , so much i understood of their language : that night i could not sleep for fear of next dayes work , the indians being weary with that dance , lay down to sleep , and slept soundly . the english were all loose , then i went out and brought in wood , and mended the fire , and made a noise on purpose , but none awaked , i thought if any of the english would wake , we might kill them all sleeping , i removed out of the way all the guns and hatchets : but my heart failing me , i put all things where they were again . the next day when we were to be burnt , our master and some others spake for us , and the evil was prevented in this place : and hereabouts we lay three weeks together . here i had a shirt brought to me , to make , and one indian said it should be made this way , a second another way , a third his way . i told them i would make it that way that my chief master said ; whereupon one indian struck me on the face with his fist. i suddenly rose up in anger ready to strike again , upon this hapned a great hubbub , and the indians and english came about me ; i was fain to humble my self to my master , so that matter was put up . before i came to this place , my three masters were gone a hunting , i was left with an other indian , all the company being upon a march , i was left with this indian , who fell sick , so that i was fain to carry his gun and hatchet , and had opportunity , and had thought to have dispatched him , and run away ; but did not , for that the english captives had promised the contrary to one another , because if one should run away , that would provoke the indians , and indanger the rest that could not run away . whilest we were here , benjamin stebbins going with some indians to wachuset hills , made his escape from them , and when the news of his escape came ; we were all presently called in and bound ; one of the indians a captain among them , and alwayes our great friend , met me coming in , and told me stebbins was run away ; and the indians spake of burning us ; some of only burning and biting off our fingers by and by . he said there would be a court , and all would speak their minds , but he would speak last , and would say , that the indian that let stebbins run away was only in fault , and so no hurt should be done us , fear not : so it proved accordingly . whilest we lingered hereabout , provision grew scarce , one bears foot must serve five of us a whole day ; we began to eat horse-flesh , and eat up seven in all : three were left alive and were not killed . whilest we had been here , some of the indians had been down and fallen upon hadley , and were taken by the english , agreed with , and let go again ; and were to meet the english upon such a plain , there to make further terms . ashpalon was much for it , but wachuset sachims when they came were much against it : and were for this , that we should meet the english indeed , but there fall upon them and fight them , and take them . then ashpalon spake to us english , not to speak a word more to further that matter , for mischief would come of it . when those indians came from wachuset , there came with them squaws , and children about four-score , who reported that the english had taken uncas , and all his men , and sent them beyond seas , they were much enraged at this , and asked us if it were true ; we said no , then was ashpalon angry , and said , he would no more believe english-men . for they examined us every one apart ; then they dealt worse by us for a season than before : still provision was fearce . we came at length to a place called squaw-maug river , there we hoped for sammon , but we came too late . this place i account to be above two hundred miles above deerfield : then we parted into two companies ; some went one way and some went another way ; and we went over a mighty mountain , we were eight dayes a going over it , and travelled very hard , and every day we had either snow or rain : we noted that on this mountain all the water run northward . here also we wanted provision ; but at length met again on the other side of the mountain , viz. on the north side of this mountain at a river , that run into the lake , and we were then half a dayes journey off the lake , we stayed here a great while to make canoos to go over the lake ; here i was frozen , & here again we were like to starve : all the indians went a hunting but could get nothing : divers dayes they powow'd but got nothing , then they desired the english to pray , and confessed they could do nothing ; they would have us pray , and see what the english-man's god could do . i prayed , so did serjeant plimpton , in another place . the indians reverently attended , morning and night ; next day they got bears : then they would needs have us desire a blessing , return thanks at meals : after a while they grew weary of it , and the sachim did forbid us : when i was frozen they were very cruel towards me , because i could not do as at other times . when we came to the lake we were again sadly put to it for provision ; we were fain to eat touch●wood fryed in bears greace , at last we found a company of raccoons , and then we made a feast ; and the manner was , that we must eat all . i perceived there would be too much for one time , so one indian that sat next to me , bid me slip away some to him under his coat , and he would hid● it for me till another time ; this indian as soon as he had got my meat , stood up and made a speech to the rest , and discovered me ; so that the indians were very angry , and cut me another piece , and gave me raccoon grease to drink , which made me sick and vomit . i told them i had enough ; so that ever after that they would give me none● but still tell me , i had raccoon enough : so i suffered much , and being frozen was full of pain , and could sleep but a little , yet must do my work . when they went upon the lake , and as they came to the lake , they light of a moose and killed it , and staid there till they had eaten it all up ; and entring upon the lake there arose a great storm , we thought we should all be cast away , but at last we got to an island , and there they went to powawing . the powa● said that benjamin wait , and another man ▪ was coming , and that storm was raised to cast them away : this afterward appeared to be true , though then i believed them not . upon this island we lay still several dayes , and then set out again , but a storm took us , so that we lay to and fro upon certain islands about three weeks : we had no provision but raccoons , so that the indians themselves thought they should be starved . they gave me nothing , so that i was sundry dayes without any provision : we went on upon the lake upon that isle about a dayes journey : we had a little sled upon which we drew our load ; before noon , i tired , and just then the indians met with some french-men ; then one of the indians that took me came to me , and called me all manner of bad names ; and threw me down upon my back : i told him i could not do any more , then he said he must kill me , i thought he was about it , for he pulled out his knife , and cut out my pockets , and wrapt them about my face , helped me up , and took my sled and went away , and gave me a bit of biscake , as big as a walnut , which he had of the french-man , and told me he would give me a pipe of tobacco ; when my sled was gone , i could run after him , but at last i could not run , but went a foot-pace , then the indians were soon out of sight , i followed as well as i could ; i had many falls upon the ice ; at last i was so spent , i had not strength enough to rise again , but i crept to a tree that lay along , and got upon it , and there i lay ; it was now night , and very sharp weather : i counted no other but that i must die there ; whilest i was thinking of death , an indian hallowed , and i answered him ; he came to me , and called me 〈◊〉 names , and told me if i could not go 〈◊〉 must knock me on the head ; i told him he must then so do ; he saw how i had wallowed in that snow , but could not rise : then ▪ he took his coat , and wrapt me in it , and went back , and sent two indians with a sled , one said he must knock me on the head , the other said no , they would carry me away and burn me ; then they bid me stir my instep to see if that were frozen , i did so , when they saw that , they said that vvas wurregen ; there vvas a chirurgeon at the french that could cure me ; then they took me upon the sled , and carried me to the fire , and they then made much of me ; pulled off my vvet , and vvrapped me in dry clothes , made me a good bed. they had killed an otter , and gave me some of the broth , and a bit of the flesh : here i slept till tovvards day , and then vvas able to get up , and put on my clothes ; one of the indians awaked , and seeing me go , shouted , as rejoycing at it : as soon as it vvas light i and samuel russel vvent before on the ice , upon a river , they said i must go vvhere i could on foot , else i should frieze . samuel russel slipt into the river vvith one foot , the indians called him back and dried his stockins , and then sent us avvay ; and an indian vvith us to pilot us : and vve vvent four or five miles before they overtook us : i was then pretty well spent ; samuel russel was ( he said ) faint , and wondred how i could live , for he had ( he said ) ten meals to my one : then i was laid on the sled , and they ran away with me on the ice , the rest and samuel russel came softly after . samuel russel i never saw more , nor know what became of him : they got but half way , and we got through to shamblee about midnight . six miles of shamblee ( a french town ) the river was open , and when i came to travail in that part of the ice , i soon tired ; and two indians run away to town , and one only was left : he would carry me a few rods , and then i would go as many , and that trade we drave , and so were long a going six miles . this indian now was kind , and told me that if he did not carry me i would die , and so i should have done sure enough : and he said , i must tell the english how he helped me . when we came to the first house there was no inhabitant : the indian spent , both discouraged ; he said we must now both die , at last he left me alone , and got to another house , and thence came some french and indians , and brought me in : the french were kind , and put my hands and feet in cold water , and gave me a dram of brandey , and a little hasty pudding and milk ; when i tasted victuals i was hungry , and could not have forborn it , but that i could not get it ; now and then they would give me a little as they thought best for me ; i lay by the fire with the indians that night , but could not sleep for pain : next morning the indians and french fell out about me , because the french as the indian said , loved the english better than the indians . the french presently turned the indians out of doors , and kept me , they were very kind and careful , and gave me a little something now and then ; while i was here all the men in that town came to see me : at this house i was three or four dayes , and then invited to another , and after that to another ; at this place i was about thirteen dayes , and received much civility from a young man , a batchelour , who invited me to his house , with whom i was for the most part , he was so kind as to lodge me in the bed with himself , he gave me a shirt , and would have bought me , but could not , for the indians asked a hundred pounds for me . we were then to go to a place called surril , and that young-man would go with me , because the indians should not hurt me : this man carried me on the ice one dayes journey : for i could not now go at all : then there was so much water on the ice , we could go no further : so the frenchman left me , and provision for me ; here we stayed two nights , and then travailed again , for then the ice was strong ; and in two dayes more i came to surril ; the first house we came to was late in the night , here again the people were kind . next day being in much pain , i asked the indians to carry me to the chirurgeons , as they had promised , at which they were wroth , and one of them took up his gun to knock me ; but the french-men would not suffer it , but set upon him , and kicked him out of doors ; then we went away from thence to a place two or three miles off , where the indians had wigwams ; when i came to these wigwams some of the indians knew me , and seemed to pity me . while i was here , which was three or four dayes , the french came to see me , and it being christmas time , they brought cakes and other provisions with them , and gave to me , so that i had no want : the indians tried to cure me , but could not , then i asked for the chirurgeon , at which one of the indians in anger , struck me on the face with his fist , a french● m●n being by , the french-m●n spake to him , i knew not what he said , and went his way by and by came the captain of the place into the wigwam with about twelve armed men , and asked where the indian was that struck the english-man , and took him and told him he should go to the bilboes , and then be hanged : the indians were much terified at this , as appeared by their countenances and trembling . i would have gone too , but the french-man bid me not fear , the indians durst not hurt me . when that indian was gone , i had two masters still , i asked them to carry me to that captain that i might speak for the indian , they answered , i was a fool , did i think the french-men were like to the english , to say one thing and do another ? they were men of their words , but i prevailed with them to help me thither , and i spake to the captain by an interpreter , and told him i desired him to set the indian free , and told him what he had done for me , he told me he was a rogue , and should be hanged ; then i spake more privately , alledging this reason , because all the english captives were not come in , if he were hanged , it might fare the worse with them ; then the captain said , that was to be considered : then he set him at liberty , upon this condition , that he should never strike me more , and every day bring me to his house to eat victuals . i perceived that the common people did not like what the indians had done and did to the english. when the indian was set free , he came to me , and took me about the middle , and said i was his brother , i had saved his life once , and he had saved mine ( he said ) thrice . then he called for brandy and made me drink , and had me away to the wigwams again , when i came there , the indians came to me one by one , to shake hands with me , saying wurregen netop ; and were very kind , thinking no other , but that i had saved the indians life . the next day he carried me to that captains house , and set me down ; they gave me my victuals and wine , and being left there a while by the indians , i shewed the captain my fingers , which when he and his wife saw , he and his wife run away from the sight , and bid me lap it up again , and sent for the chirurgeon , who when he came , said he could cure me , and took it in hand , and dressed it ; the indian towards night came for me , i told them i could not go with them , they were displeased , called me rogue , and went away ; that night i was full of pain , the french did fear that i would die , five men did watch with me , and strove to keep me chearly : for i was sometimes ready to faint : often times they gave me a little brandy . the next day the chirurgion came again , and dressed me ; and so he did all the while i was among the french. i came in at christmass , and went thence may d. being thus in the captain 's house , i was kept there till ben. wait● came : & my indian master being in want of money , pawned me to the captain for . beavers , or the worth of them , at such a day ; if he did not pay he must lose his pawn , or else sell me for twenty one beavers , but he could not get beaver , and so i was sold. but by being thus sold he was in gods good time set at liberty , and returned to his friends in new-england again . thus far is this poor captives relation concerning the changes of providence which passed over him . there is one remarkable passage more , affirmed by him : for he saith , that in their travails they came to a place where was a great wigwam ( i. e. indian house ) at both ends was an image ; here the indians in the war time were wont to powaw ( i. e. invocate the devil ) and so did they come down to hatfield , one of the images told them they should destroy a town ; the other said no , half a town . this god ( said that indian ) speaks true , the other was not good , he told them lies . no doubt but others are capable of declaring many passages of divine providence no less worthy to be recorded than these last recited ; but inasmuch as they have not been brought to my hands , i proceed to another relation . very memorable was the providence of god towards mr. ephraim how of new-haven in new-england , who was for an whole twelve moneth given up by his friends as a dead man , but god preserved him alive in a desolate island where he had suffered shipwrack , and at last returned him home to his family . the history of this providence might have been mentioned amongst sea-deliverances , yet considering it was not only so , i shall here record what himself ( being a godly man ) did relate of the lords marvelous dispensations towards him , that so others might be incouraged to put their trust in god , in the times of their greatest straits and difficulties . on the . of august , in the year . the said skipper how with his two eldest sons set sail from new-haven for boston in a small ketch , burden tun or thereabout : after the dispatch of their business there , they set sail from thence for new-haven again , on the th of september following : but contrary winds forced them back to boston , where the said how was taken ill with a violent flux , which distemper continued near a moneth , many being at that time sick of the same disease , which proved mortal to some . the merciful providence of god having spared his life , and restored him to some measure of health ; he again set sail from boston , october . by a fair wind they went forward so as to make cape cod ; but suddenly the weather became very tempestuous , so as that they could not seize the cape , but were forced off to sea ; where they were endangered in a small vessel by very fearful storms and outragious winds and seas . also , his eldest son fell sick and died in about eleven dayes after they set out to sea. he was no sooner dead , but his other son fell sick and died too . this was a bitter cup to the good father . it is noted in chron. . . that when the sons of ephraim were dead , ephraim their father mourned many dayes , and his brethren came to comfort him . this ephraim when his sons were dead his friends on shore knew it not , nor could they come to comfort him . but when his friends and relations could not , the lord himself did : for they died after so sweet , gracious and comfortable a manner , as that their father professed he had joy in parting with them . yet now their outward distress and danger was become greater , since the skipper's two sons were the only help he had in working the vessel . not long after , another of the company , viz. caleb iones , ( son to mr. william iones one of the worthy magistrates in new-haven ) fell sick and died also , leaving the world with comfortable manifestations of true repentance towards god , and faith in jesus christ. thus the one half of their company was taken away , none remaining but the skipper himself , one mr. augur , and a boy . he himself was still sickly , and in a very weak estate , yet was fain to stand at the helm hours , and hours at a time ; in the mean time the boisterous sea overwhelming the vessel , so as that if he had not been lasht fast , he had certainly been washed over-board . in this extremity , he was at a loss in his own thoughts , whether they should persist in striving for the new-england shore , or bear away for the southern islands . he proposed that question to mr. augur , they resolved that they would first seek to god by prayer about it , and then put this difficult case to an issue , by casting a lot. so they did ; and the lot fell on new-england . by that time a moneth was expired , they lost the rudder of their vessel , so that now they had nothing but god alone to rely upon . in this deplorable state were they for a fortnight . the skipper ( though infirm ( as has been expressed ) yet for six weeks together , was hardly ever dry ; nor had they the benefit of warm food for more then thrice or thereabouts . at the end of six weeks , in the morning betimes , the vessel was driven on the tailings of a ledge of rocks , where the sea broke violently ; looking out they espied a dismal rocky island to the leeward , upon which if the providence of god had not by the breakers given them timely warning , they had been dashed in pieces . and this extremity was the lords opportunity to appear for their deliverance ; they immediately let go an anchor , and get out the boat ; and god made the sea calm . the boat proved leaky ; and being in the midst of fears and amazements they took little out of the vessel . after they came ashoar they found themselves in a rocky desolate island ( near cape sables ) where was neither man not beast to be seen , so that now they were in extream danger of being starved to death . but a storm arose which beat violently upon the vessel at anchor , so as that it was staved in pieces ; and a cask of powder was brought ashore , ( receiving no damage by its being washed in the water ) also a barrel of wine , and half a barrel of molosses , together with many things useful for a tent to preserve them from cold . this notwithstanding , new and great distresses attended them . for though they had powder and shot , there were seldom any fowls to be seen in that dismal and desolate place , excepting a few crows , ravens and gulls . these were so few as that for the most part , the skipper shot at one at a time . many times half of one of these fowls with the liquor made a meal for three . once they lived five dayes without any sustenance , at which time they did not feel themselves pincht with hunger as at other times ; the lord in mercy taking away their appetites , when their food did utterly fail them . after they had been about twelve weeks in this miserable island , mr. how 's dear friend and consort mr , augur died ; so that he had no living creature but the lad before mentioned to converse with : and on april . . that lad died also , so that the master was now left alone upon the island , and continued so to be above a quarter of a year , not having any living soul to converse with . in this time he saw several fishing vessels sailing by , and some came nearer the island than that which at last took him in ; but though he used what means he could that they might be acquainted with his distress , none came to him , being afraid : for they supposed him to be one of those indians who were then in hostility against the english. the good man whilest he was in his desolate estate , kept many dayes of fasting and prayer , wherein he did confess and bewail his sins , the least of which deserved greater evils than any in this world ever were or can be subject unto ; and begged of god that he would find out a way for his deliverance . at last it came into his mind , that he ought very solemnly to praise god ( as well as pray unto him ) for the great mercies and signal preservations which he had thus far experienced . accordingly he set apart a day for that end , spending the time in giving thanks to god for all the mercies of his life , so far as he could call them to mind , and in special for those divine favours which had been mingled with his afflictions ; humbly blessing god for his wonderful goodness in preserving him alive by a miracle of mercy . immediately after this , a vessel belonging to salem in new-england providentially passing by that island , sent their boat on shore , and took in skipper how , who arrived at salem , july . . and was at last returned to his family in new-haven . upon this occasion it may not be amiss to commemorate a providence not altogether unlike unto the but now related preservation of skipper how. the story which i intend is mentioned by mandelsloe in his travails , page . and more fully by mr. clark in his examples , vol. . page . mr. burton in his prodigies of mercies , page . yet inasmuch as but few in this countrey have the authors mentioned , i shall here insert what has been by them already published . the story is in brief as followeth : in the year . a fleming whose name was pickman , coming from norway in a vessel loaden with boards , was overtaken by a calm , during which the current carried him upon a rock or little island towards the extremities of scotland . to avoid a wreck he commanded some of his men to go into the shallop , and to tow the ship. they having done so , would needs go up into a certain rock to look for birds eggs : but as soon as they were got up into it , they at some distance perceived a man , whence they imagined that there were others lurking thereabouts , and that this man had made his escape thither from some pyrates , who , if not prevented , might surprize their ship : and therefore they made all the hast they could to their shallop , and so returned to their ship. but the calm continuing , and the current of the sea still driving them upon the island , they were forced to get into the long-boat , and to tow her off again . the man whom they had seen before was in the mean time come to the brink of the island , and made signs with his hands lifted up , and sometimes falling on his knees , and joyning his hands together , begging and crying to them for relief . at first they made some difficulty to get to him , but at last , being overcome by his lamentable signs , they went nearer the island , where they saw something that was more like a ghost than a living person ; a body stark naked , black and hairy , a meagre and deformed countenance , with hollow and distorted eyes ; which raised such compassion in them , that they essayed to take him into the boat : but the rock was so steepy thereabouts , that it was impossible for them to land : whereupon they went about the island , and came at last to a flat shore , where they took the man aboard . they found nothing at all in the island , neither grass nor tree , nor ought else from which a man could procure any subsistence , nor any shelter , but the ruins of a boat , wherewith he had made a kind of a hutt , under which he might lie down and shelter himself , against the injuries of wind and weather . no sooner were they gotten to the ship , but there arose a wind , that drave them off from the island : observing this providence , they were the more inquisitive to know of this man , what he was , and by what means he came unto that uninhabitable place ? hereunto the man answered ; i am an english man , that about a year ago , was to pass in the ordinary passage-boat from england to dublin in ireland ; but by the way we were taken by a french pirate , who being immediately forced by a tempest , which presently arose , to let our boat go ; we were three of us in it , left to the mercy of the wind and waves , which carried us between ireland and scotland into the main sea : in the mean time we had neither food nor drink , but only some sugar in the boat ; upon this we lived , and drank our own urine , till our bodies were so dried up , that we could make no more : whereupon one of our company being quite spent , died ; whom we heaved overboard : and a while after a second was grown so feeble , that he had laid himself along in the boat , ready to give up the ghost : but in this extremity it pleased god that i kenned this island afar off , and thereupon encouraged the dying man to rouse up himself , with hopes of life : and accordingly , upon this good news , he raised himself up , and by and by our boat was cast upon this island , and split against a rock . now we were in a more wretched condition than if we had been swallowed up by the sea , for then we had been delivered out of the extremities we were now in for want of meat and drink ; yet the lord was pleased to make some provision for us : for on the island we took some sea-mews , which we did eat raw : we found also in the holes of the rocks , upon the sea-side , some eggs ; and thus had we through gods good providence wherewithal to subsist , as much as would keep us from starving : but what we thought most unsupportable , was thirst , in regard that the place afforded no fresh water but what fell from the clouds , and was left in certain pits , which time had made in the rock . neither could we have this at all seasons , by reason that the rock being small , and lying low , in stormy weather the waves dashed over it , and filled the pits with salt water . when they came first upon the island about the midst of it , they found two long stones pitched in the ground , and a third laid upon them , like a table ; which they judged to have been so placed by some fishermen to dry their fish upon ; and under this they lay in the nights , till with some boards of their boat , they made a kind of an hutt to be a shelter for them . in this condition they lived together , for the space of about six weeks , comforting one another , and finding some ease in their common calamity : till at last one of them being left alone , the burden became almost insupportable : for one day , awaking in the morning he missed his fellow , and getting up , he went calling and seeking all the island about for him , but when he could by no means find him , he fell into such despair , that he often resolved to have cast himself down into the sea , and so to put a final period to that affliction , whereof he had endured but the one half , whilst he had a friend that divided it with him . what became of his comrade he could not guess , whether despair forced him to that extremity , or whether getting up in the night , not fully awake , he fell from the rock , as he was looking for birds eggs : for he had discovered no distraction in him , neither could imagine that he could on a sudden fall into that despair , against which he had so fortified himself by frequent and fervent prayer . and his loss did so affect the surviver , that he often took his beer , with a purpose to have leaped from the rocks into the sea , yet still his conscience stopped him , suggesting to him , that if he did it , he would be utterly damned for his self-murther . another affliction also befel him , which was this ; his only knife wherewith he cut up the sea-dogs and sea-mews , having a bloody cloth about it , was carried away ( as he thought ) by some fowl of prey ; so that , not being able to kill any more , he was reduced to this extremity , with much difficulty to get out of the boards of his hutt , a great 〈◊〉 which he made shift so to sharpen upon the stones , that it served him instead of a knife . when winter came on , he endured the greatest misery imaginable : for many times the rock and his hutt were so covered with snow , that it was not possible for him to go abroad to provide his food ; which extremity put him upon this invention : he put out a little stick at the crevice of his hutt , and baiting it with a little sea-dogs fat , by that means he got some sea-mews , which he took with his hand from under the snow , and so kept himself from starving . in this sad and solitary condition , he lived for about eleven moneths , expecting therein to end his dayes , when gods gracious providence sent this ship thither , which delivered him out of the greatest misery that ever man was in . the master of the ship commiserating his deplorable condition , treated him so well , that within a few dayes he was quite another creature ; and afterwards he set him a shore at derry in ireland ; and sometimes after he saw him at dublin : where such as heard what had hapned unto him , gave him money , wherewithal to return into his native countrey of england . thus far is that ●●ation . i have seen a manuscript , wherein many memorable passages of divine providence are recorded . and this which i shall now mention amongst others . about the year . a ship fell foul upon the rocks and sands , called the rancadories , sixty leagues distant from the isle of providence . ten of the floating passengers got to a spot of land , where having breathed awhile , and expecting to perish by famine , eight of them chose rather to commit themselves to the mercy of the waters ; two only stood upon the spot of land , one whereof soon died , and was in the sands buried by his now desolate companion . this solitary person in the midst of the roaring waters was encompassed with the goodness of divine providence . within three dayes god was pleased to send this single person ( who now alone , was lord and subject in this his little common-wealth ) good store of fowl , and to render them so tame , that the forlorn man could pick and chuse where he list . fish also were now and then cast up within his reach , and somewhat that served for fewel , enkindled by flint to dress them . thus lived that insulary anchorite for about two years , till at last having espied a dutch vessel , he held a rag of his shirt upon the top of a stick towards them , which being come within view of , they used means to fetch him off the said-spot of sand , and brought him to the isle of providence . the man having in so long a time conversed only with heaven , lookt at first very strangely , and was not able at first conference promptly to speak and answer . chap. iii. concerning remarkables about thunder and lightning . one at salisbury in new-england struck dead thereby . several at marshfield . one at north-hampton . the captain of the castle in boston . some remarkables about lightning in rocksborough , wenham , marble-head , cambridge . and in several vessels at sea. some late parallel instances , of several in the last century . scripture examples of men slain by lightning . there are who affirm that although terrible lightnings with thunders have ever been frequent in this land , yet none were hurt thereby ( neither man nor beast ) for many years after the english did first settle in these american desarts . but that of later years fatal and fearful slaughters have in that way been made amongst us , is most certain . and there are many who have in this respect been as brands plucked out of the burning , when the lord hath overthrown others as god overthrew sodom and gomorrah . such solemn works of providence ought not to be forgotten . i shall now therefore proceed in giving an account of remarkables respecting thunder and lightning , so far as i have received credible information concerning them ; the particulars whereof are these which follow : in iuly . a man whose name was partridge ( esteemed a very godly person ) at salisbury in new-england was killed with thunder and lightning , his house being first set on fire thereby , and himself with others endeavouring the quenching of it , by a second crack of thunder with lightning ( he being at the door of his house ) was struck dead , and never spake more . there were ten other persons also that were struck and lay for dead at the present , but they all revived , excepting partridge . some that viewed him , report that there were holes ( like such as are made with shot ) found in his clothes , and skin . one side of his shirt and body was scorched , and not the other . his house , though ( as was said ) set on fire by the lightning in divers places , was not burnt down , but preserved by an abundance of rain falling upon it . iuly . . there hapned a storm of thunder and lightning with rain , in the town of marshfield in plimouth colony in new-england : mr. nathaneel thomas , iohn philips , and another belonging to that town , being in the field , as they perceived the storm a coming , betook themselves to the next house for shelter : iohn philips sat down near the chimney , his face towards the inner door . a black cloud flying very low , out of it there came a great ball of fire , with a terrible crack of thunder ; the fire-ball fell down just before the said philips , he seemed to give a start on his seat , and so fell backward , being struck dead , not the least motion of life appearing in him afterwards . captain thomas who sat directly opposite to iohn philips , about six foot distance from him , and a young child that was then within three foot of him , through the providence of god received no hurt , yet many bricks in the chimney were beaten down , the principal rafters split , the battens next the chimney in the chamber were broken , one of the main posts of the house into which the summer was framed rent into shivers , and a great part of it was carried several rod from the house , the door before philips , where the fire came down , was broken . on the of april a. d. . a company of the neighbours being met together at the house of henry condliff in north-hampton in new-england , to spend a few hours in christian conferences , and in prayer ; there hapned a storm of thunder and rain ; and as the good man of the house was at prayer , there came a ball of lightning in at the roof of the house which set the thatch on fire , grated on the timber , pierced through the chamber-floor , no breach being made on the boards ; only one of the jouyces somewhat rased ; matthew cole ( who was son in law to the said condliff ) was struck stone dead as he was leaning over a table , and joyning with the rest in prayer . he did not stir nor groan after he was smitten , but continued standing as before , bearing upon the table . there was no visible impression on his body or clothes , only the sole of one of his shoes was rent from the upper leather . there were about twelve persons in the room ; none else received any harm , only one woman ( who is still living ) was struck upon the head , which occasioned some deafness ever since . the fire on the house was quenched by the seasonable help of neighbours . iuly . . there were terrible cracks of thunder . an house in boston was struck by it , and the dishes therein melted as they stood on the shelves , but no other hurt done in the town . only captain davenport ( a worthy man , and one that had in the pequot war , ventured his life , and did great service for the countrey ) then residing in the castle where he commanded : having that day wrought himself weary , and thinking to refresh himself with sleep , was killed with lightning , as he lay upon his bed asleep . several of the souldiers in the castle were struck at the same time ; but god spared their lives . it has been an old opinion mentioned by plutarch ( sympos . lib. . q. . ) that men asleep are never smitten with lightning ; to confirm which it has been alledged , that one lying asleep , the lightning melted the money in his purse without doing him any further harm : and that a cradle , wherein a child lay sleeping , was broken with the lightning , and the child not hurt ; and that the arrows of king mithridates being near his bed , were burnt with lightning , and yet himself being asleep received no hurt ; but as much of all this , may be affirmed of persons awake . and this sad example ( triste jaces lucis evitandumque bidental ) of captain davenport , whom the lightning found and left asleep , does confute the vulgar error mentioned . and no doubt but that many the like instances to this have been known in the world , the records whereof we have not . but i proceed : iune . . in marshfield , another dismal storm of rain with thunder and lightning hapned . there were then in the house of iohn philips ( he was father of that iohn philips who was slain by lightning in the year . ) fourteen persons ; the woman of the house calling earnestly to shut the door , that was no sooner done , but an astonishing thunder-clap fell upon the house rent the chimney , and split the door . all in the house were struck . one of them ( who is still living ) saith , that when he came to himself , he saw the house full of smoke , and perceived a grievous smell of brimstone , and saw the fire ly scattered ; though whether that fire came from heaven or was violently hurled out of the hearth , he can give no account . at first he thought all the people present , except himself , had been killed . but it pleased god to revive most of them . only three of them were mortally wounded with heavens arrows , viz. the wife of iohn philips , and another of his sons a young man about twenty years old , and william shertly , who had a child in his arms , that received no hurt by the lightning when himself was slain . this shertly was at that time a sojourner in iohn philips his house ; having been a little before burnt out of his own house . the wife of this shertly was with child and near her full time , and struck down for dead at present , but god recovered her , so that she received no hurt , neither by fright nor stroke . two little children sitting upon the edge of a table , had their lives preserved , though a dog which lay behind them under the table was killed . in the same year ( in the latter end of may ) samuel ruggles of rocksborough in new-england , going with a loaden cart , was struck with lightning . he did not hear the thunder-clap , but was by the force of the lightning e're he was aware , carried over his cattle about ten foot distance from them . attempting to rise up he found that he was not able to stand upon his right leg , for his right foot was become limber , and would bend any way , feeling as if it had no bone in it , nevertheless , he made a shift with the use of one leg to get to his cattle ( being an horse and two oxen ) which were all killed by the lightning . he endeavoured to take off the yoak from the neck of one of the oxen , but then he perceived that his thumb and two fingers in one hand were stupified that he could not stir them ; they looked like cold clay , the blood clear gone out of that part of his hand . but by rubbing his wounded leg and hand , blood and life came into them again . as he came home pulling off his stocking , he found that on the inside of his right leg ( which smarted much ) the hair was quite burnt off , and it looked red . just over his ankle his stocking was singed on the inside , but not on the outside , and there were near upon twenty marks about as big as pins heads , which the lightning had left thereon . likewise the shoe on his left foot , was by the lightning struck off his foot , and carried above two rods from him . on the upper leather at the heel of the shoe , there were five holes burnt through it , bigger than those which are made with duck shot . as for the beasts that were slain , the hair upon their skins was singed , so that one might perceive that the lightning had run winding and turning strangely upon their bodies , leaving little marks no bigger then corns of gun-powder behind it . there was in the cart a chest which the lightning pierced through , as also through a quire of paper and twelve napkins , melting some pewter dishes that were under them . at another time in rocksborough , a thunder storm hapning , broke into the house of thomas bishop , striking off some clapboards , splitting two studs of the end spar , and running down by each side of the window , where stood a bed with three children in it . over the head of the bed were three guns and a sword , which were so melted with the lightning that they began to run . it made a hole through the floor , and coming into a lower room it beat down the shutter of the window , and running on a shelf of pewter , it melted several dishes there ; and descending lower , it melted a brass morter , and a brass kettle . the children in the bed were wonderfully preserved : for a lath at the corner of it was burnt , and splinters flew about their clothes and faces , and there was not an hands breadth between them and the fire , yet received they no hurt . on the of may ( being the lords day ) a. d. . the people at wenham ( their worthy pastor mr. antipas newman being lately dead ) prevailed with the reverend mr. higginson of salem , to spend that sabbath amongst them . the afternoon sermon being ended , he with several of the town went to mr. newman his house ; w●●lest they were in discourse there , about the word and works of god , a thunder storm arose . after a while a smart clap of thunder broke upon the house , and especially into the room where they were sitting , and discoursing together ; it did for the present deafen them all , filling the room with smoke , and a strong smell as of brimstone . with the thunder-clap , came in a ball of fire as big as the bullet of a great gun , which suddenly went up the chimney , as also the smoke did . this ball of fire was seen at the feet of richard goldsmith , who sat on a leather chair , next the chimney , at which instant he fell off the chair on the ground . as soon as the smoke was gone , some in the room endeavoured to hold him up , but found him dead ; also the dog that lay under the chair was found stone dead , but not the least hurt done to the chair . all that could be perceived by the man , was , that the hair of head near one of his ears was a little singed . there were seven or eight in that room , and more in the next ; yet ( through the merciful providence of god ) none else had the least harm . this richard goldsmith , who was thus slain , was a shoemaker by trade , being reputed a good man for the main ; but had blemished his christian profession by frequent breaking of his promise , it being too common with him ( as with too many professors amongst us ) to be free and forward in engaging but backward in performing . yet this must further be added , that half a year before his death , god gave him a deep sence of his evils , that he made it his business not only that his peace might be made with god , but with men also , unto whom he had given just offence . he went up and down bewailing his great sin in promise-breaking ; and was become a very conscientious and lively christian , promoting holy and edifying discourses , as he had occasion . at that very time when he was struck dead , he was speaking of some passages in the sermon he had newly heard , and his last words were , blessed be the lord. in the same year , on the . of iune , being saturday in the afternoon ; another thunder-storm arose ; during which storm iosiah walton ( the youngest son of mr. william walton late minister of marble-head ) was in a ketch coming in from sea , and being before the harbours mouth , the wind suddenly shifted to the northward ; a violent gust of wind coming down on the vessel , the seamen concluded to hand their sails , iosiah walton got upon the main-yard to expedite the matter , and foot down the sail ; when there hapned a terrible flash of lightning , which breaking forth out of the c●o●d , struck down three men who were on the deck , without doing them any hurt ; but iosiah walton being ( as was said ) on the main-yard , the lightning shattered his thigh-bone all in pieces , and did split and shiver the main-mast of the vessel , and scorcht the rigging . iosiah walton falling down upon the deck , his leg was broken short off . his brother being on the deck , did ( with others ) take him up , and found him alive , but sorely scorched and wounded . they brought him on shore to his mothers house . at first he was very sensible of his case ; and took leave of his friends , giving himself to a serious preparation for another world. his relations used all means possible for his recovery ; though he himself told them he was a dead man , and the use of means would but put him to more misery . his bones were so shattered , that it was not possible for the art of man to reduce them ; also , the violent heat of the weather occasioned a gangrene . in this misery he continued until the next wednesday morning ; and then departed this life ; he was an hopeful young-man . in the year . on the th . of iune , at cambridge in new-england ; a thunder-clap with lightning broke into the next house to the colledge . it tore away and shattered into pieces a considerable quantity of the tyle on the roof thereof . in one room there then hapned to be the wife of iohn benjamin ( daughter to thomas swetman , the owner of the house ) who then had an infant about two moneths old in her arms ; also another woman . they were all of them struck ; the child being by the force of the lightning carried out of the mothers arms , and thrown upon the floor some distance from her . the mother was at first thought to be dead , but god restored her , though she lost the use of her limbs for some considerable time . her feet were singed with the lightning , and yet no sign thereof appearing on her shoes . also the child and the other woman recovered . in the next room were seven or eight persons who received no hurt . it was above a quarter of an hour before they could help the persons thus smitten , for the room was so full of smoke ( smelling like brimstone ) that they could not see them . some swine being near the door as the lightning fell , were thrown into the house , and seemed dead awhile , but afterwards came to life again . a cat was killed therewith . a pewter candlestick standing upon a joynt-stool ; some part of it was melted and carried away before the lightning , and stuck in the chamber floor over head , like swan shot , and yet the candlestick it self was not so much as shaken off from the stool whereon it stood . iune . . there was an amazing thunder-storm at hampton in new-england . the lightning fell upon the house of mr. ioseph smith , strangely shattering it in divers places . his wife ( the grand-daughter of that eminent man of god , mr. cotton , who was the famous teacher of the church of christ , first in old , and then in new boston ) lay as dead for the present ; being struck down with the lightning , near the chimney , yet god mercifully spared and restored her . but the said smith his mother ( a gracious woman ) was strvck dead and never recovered again . besides all these which have been mentioned , one or two in connecticut colony , and four persons dwelling in the northern parts of this countrey , were smitten with the fire of god , about sixteen years ago ; the circumstances of which providences ( though very remarkable ) i have not as yet received from those that were acquainted therewith ; and therefore cannot here publish them . also , some remarkables about thunder hapned the last year . a reverend friend in a neighbour colony , in a letter bearing august . . writeth thus ; we have had of late great storms of rain and wind , and some of thunder and lightning , whereby execution has been done , though with sparing mercy to men : mr. jones his house in new-haven , was broken into by the lightning , and strange work made in one room especially , in which one of his children had been but a little before . this was done june . . a little after which at norwalk , there were nine working oxen smitten dead at once , within a small compass of ground . the next moneth at greenwich , there were seven swine and a dog ●illed with the lightning , very near a dwelling house , where a family of children ( their parents not at home when lightning hapned ) were much frighted , but received no other hurt : what are these but warning pieces , shewing that mens lives may go next ? thus he , i proceed now to give an account of some late remarkables about thunder and lightning , wherein several vessels at sea were concerned . iuly . . a vessel whereof mr. thomas berry was master , set sail from boston in new-england , bound for the island of madera●● about . h. p. m. being half way between cape cod and brewsters islands , they were becalmed ; and they perceived a thunder-shower arising in the north-northwest . the master ordered all their sails ( except their two courses ) to be furled . when the shower drew near to them , they had only the fore-sail abroad ; all the men were busie in lashing fast the long-boat ; the master was walking upon the deck , and as he came near the main-mast , he beheld something very black fly before him , about the bigness of a small mast , at the larboard side ; and immediately he heard a dreadful and amazing noise , not like a single canon , but as if great armies of men had been firing one against another ; presently upon which the master was struck clear round , and fell down for dead upon the deck , continuing so for about seven minutes ; but then he revived , having his hands much burnt with the lightning . the ship seemed to be on fire ; and a very great smoke having a sulphurous smell came from between the decks ; so that no man was able to stay there , for more than half an hour after this surprizing accident hapned . the main-mast was split from the top-gallant-mast head to the lower deck . the partners of the pump were struck up at the star-board side , and one end of two cabbins staved down betwixt decks . two holes were made in one of the pumps about the bigness of two musquet bullets . they were forced to return to boston again , in order to the fitting of the vessel with a new mast. through the mercy of the most high , no person in the vessel received any hurt , besides what hath been expressed . yet it is remarkable that the same day , about the same time , two men in or near wenham were killed with lightning , as they sat under a tree in the woods . on iune the sixth a. d. . a ship called the iamaica merchant , captain ioseph wild commander , being then in the gulph of florida , lat. . gr . about h. p. m. was surprized with an amazing thunder shower ; the lightning split the main-mast , and knocked down one of the sea-men , and set the ship on fire between decks , in several places . they used utmost endeavour to extinguish the fire , but could not do it ; seeing they were unable to overcome those flames , they betook themselves to their boat. the fire was so furious between the cabbin and the deck in the steeridge , that they could not go to the relief of each other , insomuch that a man and his wife were parted . the man leaped over-board into the sea , and so swam to the boat : his wife and a child were taken out of a gallery window into the boat. three men more were saved by leaping out of the cabbin window . there were aboard this vessel which heaven thus set on fire , thirty four persons ; yet all escaped with their lives : for the gracious providence of god so ordered , as that captain iohn bennet was then in company , who received these distressed and astonished creatures into his ship : so did they behold the vessel burning , until about h. p. m. when that which remained sunk to the bottom of the sea. the master with several of the seamen were by captain bennet brought safe to new-england , where they declared how wonderfully they had been delivered from death which god both by fire and water had threatned them with . march . , . a ship whereof robert luist is master being then at sea ( bound for new-england ) in lat. . gr . about . h. a. m ▪ it began to thunder and lighten . they beh●ld three corpusants ( as mariners call them ) on the yards : the thunder grew fiercer , and thicker than before . suddenly their vessel was filled with smoke , and the smell of brimstone , that the poor men were terrified with the apprehension of their ships being on fire . there came down from the clouds a stream or flame of fire as big as the ships mast , which fell on the middle of the deck , where the mate was standing , but then was thrown flat upon his back with three men more that were but a little distance from him . they that were yet untouched , thought , not only that their fellow mariners had been struck dead , but their deck broken in pieces by that blow , whose sound seemed ●o them to exceed the report of many great guns fired off at once . some that were less dangerously hurt , made an out-cry that their legs were scalded ; but the mate lay speechless and senseless . when he began to come to himself , he made sad complaints of a burden lying upon his back . when day came , they perceived their main-top-mast was split ▪ and the top-sail burnt . the lightning seemed like small coals of fire blown over-board . there is one remarkable more about thunder and lightning , which i am lately informed of by persons concerned therein ; some circumstances in the relation being as wonderfull , as any of the preceding particulars ▪ thus it was : on iuly . in the year ▪ the ship called albemarl ( whereof mr. edward lad was then master ) being an hundred leagues from cape cod , in lat. . about h. p. m. met with a thunder storm . the lightning burnt the main-top-sail , split the main-cap in pieces , rent the mast all along . there was in special one dreadful clap of thunder , the report bigger than of a great gun , at which all the ships company were amazed ; then did there fall something from the clouds upon the stern of the boat , which broke into many small parts ; split one of the pumps , the other pump much hurt also . it was a bituminous matter , smelling much like fired gun-powder . it continued burning in the stern of the boat , they did with sticks dissipate it , and poured much water on it , and yet they were not able by all that they could do to extinguish it , until such time as all the matter was consumed . but the strangest thing of all , is yet to be mentioned . when night came , observing the stars , they perceived that their compasses were changed . as for the compass in the biddikil , the north point was turned clear south . there were two other compasses unhung in the locker , in the cabbin . in one of which the north point stood south , like that in the biddikil ; as for the other , the north point stood west . so that they sailed by a needle whose polarity was quite changed . the seamen were at first puzled how to work their vessel right , considering that the south point of their compass was now become north , but after a little use , it was easie to them . thus did they sail a thousand leagues . as for the compass wherein the lightning had made the needle to point westward , since it was brought to new-england the glass being broke , it has by means of the air coming to it , wholly lost its virtue . one of those compasses which had quite changed the polarity from north to south , is still extant in boston ; and at present in my custody . the north point of the needle doth remain fixed to this day , as it did immediately after the lightning caused an alteration . the natural reason of which may be enquired into in the next chapter : but before i pass to that , it may be , it will be grateful to the reader , for me here to commemorate some parallel instances , which have lately hapned in other parts of the world , unto which i proceed , contenting my self with one or two examples , reserving others for the subsequent chapter ; where we shall have further occasion to take notice of them . the authors ephemeridum medico-physicarum germanicarum , have informed the world , that on august . . it thundred and lightned as if heaven and earth would come together . and at the house of a gentleman who lived near bergen , the fiery lightning flashed through four inner rooms at once , entring into a beer cellar , with its force it threw down the earthen vessels , with the windows and doors where it came : but the tin and iron vessels were partly melted , and partly burnt with black spots remaining on them . where it entred the cellar , the barrels were removed out of their right places ; where it went out , it left the taps shaking . in one room the binding was taken off from the back of a bible , and the margin was accurately cut by the lightning without hurting the letters , as if it had been done by the hands of some artists : beginning at the re●elation , and ( which is wonderful ) ending with the twelfth chapter of epistle to the corinthians , which chapter fell in course to be expounded in publick the next lords day . six women sitting in the same chimney filled with a sulphurous and choaking mist , that 〈◊〉 could scarce breathe ; not far from the bed of a woman that was then lying in , were struck down , the hangings of the room burnt , and the mother of the woman in child-bed lay for dead at present ; but after a while , the other recovering their sences , examined what hurt was done to the woman thought to be dead : her kerchief was burnt as if it had been done with gun-powder ; she had about her a silver chain , which was melted and broke into five parts : her under garments were not so much as singed ; but just under her paps she was very much burnt . after she came to her self , she was very sensible of pain in the place where the lightning had caused that wound . to lenifie which womens milk was made use of . but blisters arising , the dolour was increased , until a skilful physician prescribed this unguent . r. mucilag . sem. cydoniorum c. aq . malv . extract half an ounce . succ. planta● . rec . an ounce and half . lytharg . aur . subt . pert . half a drachm . m. ad fict . whereby the inflamation was allayed . by the same authors , it is also related , that in iune a. d. . an house was struck with lightning in four places , in some places the timber was split , and in other places had holes made in it , as if bored through with an awger , but no impression of fire 〈◊〉 any where to be seen . a girl fifteen years old , sitting in the chimney , was struck down and lay for dead , the space of half an hour . and it is probable , that she had never recovered , had not an able physician been sent for , who viewing her , perceived that the clothes about her breast were made to look blewish by the lightning : it had also caused her paps to look fiery and blackish , as if they had been scorched with gun-powder . under her breast the lightning had left creases , a cross her body , of a brownish colour . also some creases made by the lightning as broad as ones finger run along her left leg reaching to her foot. the physician caused two spoonfuls of apoplectick water to be poured down her throat , upon which she instantly revived , complaining of a great heat in her jaws and much pain , in the places hurt by the lightning . half a drachm of pulvis bezoarticus anglicus , in the water of sweet chervil was given to her , which caused a plentiful sweat , whereby the pain in her jaws was dimi●ished . being still feave●ish , an emulsion made with poppy seed , millet , carduus benedictus , &c. was made use of , upon which the patient had ease and recovered . it appears by this as well as other instances , that great care should be had of those that are thunde-struck , that they be not given up for quite dead , before all means be used in order to their being revived . paulus zacchias in questionibus medicis giveth rules whereby it may be known whether persons smitten with lightning be dead , past all recovery or no. and the history put forth by iaccbus iavellus in an epistle emitted with his medicinae compendium , describes the cure of persons struck with lightning . i have not my self seen those books ; but whoso shall see cause to obtain and consult them , will i suppose find therein things worth their reading and consideration . something to this purpose i find in the scholion on the germ. ephem . for the year . obs . . p. . the reader that is desirous to see more remarkable instances about thunder and lightning , wherein persons living in former age were concerned , if he please to look into zuinger his theatrum vit . human. vol. . lib. . p. . & lib. . p. , . & vol. . lib. . p. . & vol. . lib. . p. . he will find many notable and memorable passages which that industrious author hath collected . though none more awful ( to my remembrance ) than that which hapned a. d. . when meckelen ( a principal city in brabant ) was set on fire , and suffered a fearful conflagration by lightning : so it was , that at the very time . when this thunder-storm hapned , an inn-keeper ( whose name was croes ) had in his house some guests , who were playing at cards . the inn-keeper going into his wine-celler to fetch drink for his merry guests , at that moment the furious tempest plucked up the house and carried it a good way off . every one of the men that were playing at cards were found dead with their cards in their hands ; only the inn-keeper himself , being in the wine-cellar ( which was arched ) escaped with his life . this brings to mind a strange passage related by cardan ( de variet lib. . c. . ) who saith , that eight men sitting down together under an oak , as they were at supper , a flash of lightning smote and ●lew them all ; and they were found in the very posture that the lightning surprized them in : one with the meat in his mouth , another seemed to be drinking , another with a cup in his hand , which he intended to bring to his mouth , &c. they looked like images made black with the lightning . as for scripture examples of men slain by lightning ; it is the judgement of the judicious and learned zuinger , that the sodomites & those that being with corab in his conspiracy presumed to offer incense ▪ numb . . . and nadab and abihu , and th●● two semicenturions with their souldiers , who came to apprehend the prophet elijah , were all killed by lightning from heaven . chap. iv. some philosophical meditations . concerning antipathies and sympathies . of the loadstone . of the nature and wonderful effects of lightning . that thunder-storms are often caused by satan ; and sometimes by good angels . thunder is the voice of god , and therefore to be dreaded . all places in the habitable world are subject to it more or less . no amulets can preserve men from being hurt thereby . the miserable estate of wicked men upon this account , and the happiness of the righteous , who may be ●●●ve all disquieting fears , with respect unto such terrible accidents . having thus far related many remarkable providences , which have hapned in these goings down of the sun ; and some of the particulars , ( especially in the last chapter ) being tragical stories : the reader must give me leave upon this occasion a little to divert and recreate my mind , with some philosophical meditations ; and to conclude with a theological improvement thereof . there are wonders in the works of creation as well as providence , the reason whereof the most knowing amongst mortals , are not able to comprehend . dost thou know the ballancings of the clouds , the wondrous works of him who is perfect in knowledge ? i have not yet seen any who give a satisfactory reason of those strange fountains in new spain , which ebb and flow with the sea , though far from it ; and which fall in rainy weather , and rise in dry ; or concerning that pit near st. bartholmew's into which if one cast a stone though never so small , it makes a noise as great and terrible as a clap of thunder . it is no difficult thing to produce a world of instances , concerning which the usual answer is , an occult quality is the cause of this strange operation , which is only a fig-lea● whereby our common philosophers seek to hide their own ignorance . nor may we ( with erastus ) deny that there are marvelous sympathies and antipathies in the natures of things . we know that the horse does abominate the camel ; the mighty elephant is afraid of a mouse : and they say that the lion , who scorneth to turn his back upon the stoutest animal , will tremble at the crowing of a cock. some men also have strange a●tipathies in their natures against that ●ort of food which others love and live upon . i have read of one that could not endure to eat either bread or flesh. of another that fell into a swoonding fit at the smell of a rose . others would do the like at the smell of vineger , or at the sight of an eel or a frog . there was a man that if he did hear the sound of a bell , he would immediately die away . another if he did happen to hear any one sweeping a room , an inexpressible horror would sieze upon him . another if he heard one whetting a knife his gumms would fall a bleeding . another was not able to behold a knife that had a sharp point , without being in a strange agony . quercetus speaketh of one that died as he was sitting at the table , only because an apple was brought into his sight . there are some who if a cat accidentally come into the room , though they neither see it , nor are told of it , will presently be in a sweat and ready to die away . there was lately one living in stow-market , that when ever it thundred would fall into a violent vomiting , and so continue until the thunder-storm was over . a woman had such an antipathy against cheese that if she did but eat a piece of bread , cut with a knife , which a little before had cut cheese , it would cause a deliquium , yet the same woman when she was with child delighted in no meat so much as in cheese . there was la●ely ( i know not but that he may be living still ) a man that if pork , o● any thing made of swines flesh were brought into the room , he would fall into a convulsive sardonian laughter ; nor can he for his heart leave as long as that object is before him , so that if it should not be removed , he would certainly laugh himself to death . it is evident that the peculiar antipathies of some persons are caused by the imaginations of their parents . there was one that would fall into a syncope if either a calves-head or a cabbage were brought near him . there were n●●vi materni upon the hypocondria of this person , on his right side there was the form of a calves head , on his left side a cabbage imprinted there by the imagination of his longing mother . most wonderful is that which libavius and others report , concerning a man that would be surprized with a lipothymy at the sight of his own son ; nay , upon his approaching near unto him , though he saw him not , for which some assigned this reason , that the mother when she was with child , used to feed upon such meats as were abominable to the father ( concerning the rationality of this conjecture see sr. kenelm digby's disco●●●e of bodies , p. , . ) but others said that the midwife who b●ought him into the world was a witch . nor are the sympathies in nature less wonderful than the antipathies . there is a mutual friendship between the olive tree and the myrtle . there is a certain stone called pantarbe which draws gold unto it . so does the adamas hairs and twigs . the sympathy between the load-stone and iron , which do mutually attract each other , is admirable . there is no philosopher but speaketh of this . some have published whole treatises ( both profitable and pleasant ) upon this argument ; in special gilbert , ward , cabeus , kepler , and of late kircherus . i know many fabulous things have been related concerning the load-stone by inexperienced philosophers , and so believed by many others , e. g. that onions , or garlick , or ointments will cause it to lose its vertue . iohnston , ( and from him dr. brown in his vulgar errors ) hath truly asserted the contrary . every one knoweth that the head of a needle touched therewith will continue pointing towards the north pole : so that the magnet leaveth an impression of its own nature and vertue upon the needle , causing it to stand pointed as the magnet it self doth : the loadstone it self is the hardest iron ; and it is a thing known that such mines are naturally so ( notwithstanding the report of one who saith , that lately in devonshire , load-stones were found otherwise ) posited in th● earth . just under the line the needle lieth parallel with the horizon , but sailing north or south it begins to incline and increase according as it approacheth to either pole , and would at last endeavour to erect it self , whence some ascribe these strange effects to the north star , which they suppose to be very magnetical . there is reason to believe that the earth is the great magnet . hence ( as mr. seller observes ) when a bar of iron has stood long in a window , that end of it which is next to the earth will have the same vertue which the load-stone it self has . some place the first meridian at the azores , because there the needle varies not : but the like is to be said of some other parts of the world ; yea under the very same meridian in divers latitudes there is a great variation as to the pointing of the needle . it is affirmed , that between the shore of ireland , france , spain , guiny , and the azores , the north point varies towards the east , as some part of the azores it deflecteth not . on the other side of the azores , and this side of the aequator , the north point of the needle wheeleth to the west ; so that in the lat. . near the shore , the variation is about gr . but on the other side of the aequator it is quite otherwise , for in brasilia the south point varies gr . unto the west , but elongating from the coast of brasilia toward the shore of africa it varies eastward , and arriving at the cape d●las aquilas , it rests in the meridian and looketh neither way . dr. brown in he psudodoxia epidemica p. . does rationally suppose that the cause of this variation may be the inequality of the earth variously disposed , and indifferently mixed with the sea. the needle driveth that way where the greater and most powerful part of the earth is placed . for whereas on this side the isles of azores the needle varies eastward , it may be occasioned by that vast tract , viz. europe , asia and africa , seated towards the east , and disposing the needle that way . sailing further it veers its lilly to the west , and regards that quarter wherein the land is nearer or greater ; and in the same latitude , as it approacheth the shore augmenteth its variation . hence at rome there is a less variation ( viz. but five degrees ) than at london , for on the west side of rome are seated the great continents of france , spain , germany ; but unto england there is almost no earth west , but the whole extent of europe and asia lies eastward , and therefore at london the variation is degrees . thus also , by reason of the great continent of brasilia , the needle deflects towards the land degrees ▪ but at the straits of magellan , where the land is narrowed , and the sea on the other side , it varies but or . so because the cape of de las agullas hath sea on both sides near it , and other land remote , and as it were aequidistant from it , the needle conforms to the meridian . in certain creeks and vallies it proveth irregular ; the reason whereof may be some vigorous part of the earth not far distant . thus d. brown , whose arguings seem rational . some have truly observed of crocus martis or steel corroded with vineger , sulphur , or otherwise , and after reverberated by fire , that the load-stone will not at all attract it : nor will it adhere , but ly therein like sand. it is likewise certain , that the fire will cause the load-stone to lose its vertue ; inasmuch as its bituminous spirits are thereby evaporated . porta ( lib. . cap. . ) saith that he did to his great admiration see a sulphurous flame brake out of the load-stone which being dissipated , the stone lost it 's attractive vertue . moreover , the load-stone by being put into the fire may be caused quite to change its polarity . the truly noble and honourable robert boyle esq , many of whose excellent observations and experiments have been advantagious , not only to the english nation but to the learned world ; in his book of the usefulness of experimental ; natural philosophy , page . hath these words ; taking an oblong load-stone , and heating it red hot , i found the attractive faculty in not many minutes , either altogether abolish● , or at least so impaired and weakened , that i was scarce if at all able to discern it . but this 〈◊〉 been observed , though not so faithfully re●ated , by more than one ; wherefore i shall add , that by refrigerating this red hot load-stone either north or south , i found that i could give its extream● a polarity ( if i may so speak ) which they would readily display upon an 〈◊〉 needle freely placed in aequilibrium : and not only so ▪ but i could by refrigerating the ●●me end , sometimes north , and sometimes south , in a very short time change the poles of the load-stone a● pleasure , making that which was a q●arter of 〈◊〉 hour before the north pole , become● the south ; and on the contrary , the formerly southern pole become the northern . and this change was wrought on the load-stone , not only by cooling it directly north and south , but by cooling it perpendicularly : that end of it which was contiguous to the ground growing the northern pole and so ( according to the laws magnetical ) drawing to it the south end ; and that which was remotest from the contrary one : as ●f indeed the terrestial globe were as some magnetic philosophers have supposed it , but a great magnes , since its effluvium's are able in some cases to impart a magnetic faculty to the load-stone it self , thus far mr. boyle ; also d. brown shews , that if we erect a red hot wire until it cool , then hang it up with wax and untwisted silk where the lower end and that which cooled next the earth does rest , that is the northern point . and if a wire be heated only at one end , according as the end is cooled upwards or downwards , it respectively requires a verticity . he also observes , if a load-stone be made red hot in the fire , it amits the magnetical vigor it had before , and acquireth another from the earth , in its refrigeration , for that part which cooleth next the earth will acquire the respect of the north ; the experiment whereof he made in a load-stone of parallelogram or long square figure , wherein only inverting the extreams as it came out of the fire , he altered the poles or faces thereof at pleasure . unto some such reason as this , must the wonderful change occasioned by the lightning in the compasses of mr. lad's vessel be ascribed : probably the heat of the lightning caused the needle to lose its vertue , and the compass in the bidikle might stand pointed to the south , and that unhung in the locker to the west , when they grew cold again , and accordingly continue pointing so ever after . there is also that which is very mysterious and beyond humane capacity to comprehend , in thunder and lightning . the thunder of his power , who can understand ? also , can any understand the spreadings of the clouds , or the noise of his tabernacle ? hence elihu said ( some interpreters think there was a thunder-storm at the very instant when those words were spoken ) in iob . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 he thundreth marveils . it is indeed manifest that these wonderful meteors are generated out of a nitrous and sulphurous matter . hence it is commonly out of dark and thick clouds that hail and coals of fire break forth , psal. . , . the scent which the lightning useth to leave behind it , in places where it falls , is a sufficient evidence of its being of a sulphurous nature . nay the persons ( as well as places ) smitten there with have sometimes smelt strong of brimstone . two years ago there was a ship riding at anchor in a place in france ; and a furious tempest suddenly arising , the main-mast wes split in pieces with a clap of thunder ; the pendant on the top of the main-top-mast was burnt to ashes , twelve men were beat upon the deck , five of which lay for dead a considerable time , no pulse or breath being perceived , their eyes and teeth immovable , yet had they no visible wound , only an intolerable smell of brimstone ; about half an hour after by rubbing and forceing open their mouths , and pouring down some cordials , they recovered . at the same time six others were miserably burnt , their flesh being scorched , yet their garments not so much as singed ; their skin much discoloured . see mr. burton's miracles of nature , page . likewise , august . . a man walking in the field near darkin in england , was struck with a clap of thunder . one who was near him , ran to take him up , but found him dead , and his body exceeding hot● and withal smelling so strong of sulphur that he was forced to let him ly a considerable time ere he could be removed . it is reported , that sometimes thunder and lightning has been generated out of the sulphurous and bituminous matter which the fiery mountain aetna hath cast forth , we know that when there is a mixture of nitre , sulphur , and unslaked lime , water will cause fire to break out . and when unto nitre brimstone is added , a report is caused thereby . and unquestionably , nitre is a special ingredient in the matter of thunder and lightning ; this we may gather from the descension of the flame , which descends not only obliquely but perpendicularly , and that argues it does so not from any external force , but naturally● mr. william clark in his natural history of nitre , observes that if the quantity of an ounce be put in a fire-shovel , and a live coal put upon it , the fire-shovel in the bottom will be red hot , and burn through whatever is under it ; which demonstrates that this sort of fire does naturally burn downwards , when as all other fires do naturally ascend . for this cause stella cadens is rationally concluded to be a nitrous substance ; the like is to be affirmed of the lightning . hence also is its terrible and irresistable force . the nitre in gunpowder is as the aforesaid author expresseth it anima pyrii pulveris , sulphur without salt peter has no powerful expulsion with it . the discharging great pieces of ordnance is f●tly called artificial thundring and lightning , since thereby men do in a moment blow up houses , beat down castles , batter mountains in pieces . so that there is nothing in nature does so admirably and artificially resemble the thunder and lightning , both in respect of the report , and the terrible , and sudden and amazing execution done thereby : flammas iovis & sonitus imitatu● olympi : hence as those that are shot with a bullet do not hear the gun , being struck before the report cometh to their ears ; so is it usually with them that are thunder-struck , the lightning is upon them before the noise is heard . men commonly tremble at the dreadful crack when as , if they hear any thing , the danger useth to be past as to that particular thunder-clap ; though another may come and kill them before they hear it . the nitre in the lightning may likewise be esteemed the natural cause of its being of so penetrating and burning a nature . for there is not the like fiery substance in the world again as nitre is . many have been of the opinion that there is a bolt or stone de●cending with the thunder , but that 's a vulgar error , the fulmen or thunder-bolt is the same with the lightning , being a nitro-sulphurious spirit . it must needs be a more subtile and spiritual body than any stone is of , that shall penetrate so as these meteors do . it s true that our translation reads the words in psal. . . he gave their flocks to hot thunder-bolts : but the original word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated thunderbolts , signifieth burning coals ; so that lightning is thereby intended . avicenn● doth indeed say , that he saw a thunder-bolt which fell at corduba in spain , and that it had a sulphurous smell , and was like a●moni●● . it is possible that not only sulphurous and bituminous but stony substances may be generated in the clouds with the lightning . george agricola writeth that near lurgea , a mass of iron being fifty pound in weight , fell from the clouds , which some attempted to make swords of , but the fire could not melt it , nor hammers bring it into form . in the year . at ensishemium , a stone of three hundred pound weight fell from the clouds , which is kept as a monument in the temple there . and in , a stone came out of the clouds in thuringia , which was so hot that it could not be touched , with which one might strike fire as with a flint . there is now to be seen at dresden a stone which descended out of a cloud ; and is reserved amongst the admiranda belonging to the elector of saxony : some lately living were present at the fall of that stone . again an● . in bohemia , a considerable quantity of brass●mettal fell from the clouds . no longer since than may . . at a village near 〈◊〉 in germany , there was a tempes● of lightning , and a great multitude of stones of a green and partly caerulean colour fell therewith , and a considerable mass of mineral matter , in tast like vitriol , being pondrous and friable , having also metallick sparks like gold intermixed . that which is by some called the rain-stone or thunder-bolt , was by the antients termed ceraunia , because of the smell like that of an horn when put into the fire , which does attend it . learned gesner . ( who in respect of his vast knowledge in the works of god , may be called the solomon of the former age ) saith that a gentleman gave him one of those stones , supposing it to be a thunder-bolt , and that it was five digits in length , and three in breadth . this sort o● stone is usually in form like unto an iron wedge , and has an hole quite through it . ioh. de laet in his treatise de gemmis lib. ● gap. . relates that he saw another of those stones . boetius ( de gemmis lib. . cap. . ) reports that many persons worthy of credit , affirmed that when houses or trees had been broken with the thunder , they did by digging find such stones in the places where the stroke was given . nevertheless , that ful●inous stones or thunderbolts do alwayes descen● out of the clouds , when such breache● are made by the lightning , is ( as i said ) 〈◊〉 vulgar err●r . the effects produced by the lightning are exceeding marvelous , sometimes gold , silver , brass , iron has been melted thereby , when the things wherein they have been kept , received no hurt ; yea , when the wax on the bags which contained them , has not been so much as melted . liquors have been thereby exhausted out of vessels , when the vessels themselves remained untouched : and ( which is more wonderful ) when the cask has been broken by the lightning , the wine has remained as it were included in a skin , without being spilt ; the reason whereof sennertus supposeth to be , in that the heat of the lightning did condense the exterior parts of the wine . it is also a very strange thing , which histories report concerning marcia ( a roman princess ) that the child in her body was smitten and killed with lightning , and yet the mother received no hurt in her own body . it is hard to give a clear and satisfactory reason why if a piece of iron be laid upon the cask it prevents the thunder from marring the wine contained therein , and also keeps milk from turning . the virtuosi of france in their philosophical conferences ( vol. . p. . ) suppose a sympathy between iron and the gross vapors of thunder and lightning . they say that which is commonly called the thunder-bolt does sometimes resemble steel , as it were to shew the correspondence that there is between iron and thunder : so that the air being impregna●e by those noisome vapours which are of the same nature with iron , meeting with some piece of it laid on a vessel , is joyned to the iron by sympathy , the iron by its attractive vertue receives them , and by its retentive retains them , and by that means prevents the effects . this conjecture is ingenious nor is it easie to give a solid reason why the lightning should hurt one creature rather than another . naturalists observe that it is 〈◊〉 feles canes & capras magis illorum obnoxios 〈◊〉 observatio sedula dedit , saith iohnston . bart●●linus conjectures the reason to be the hali●●s in the bodies of those creatures , which are●●it nutriment for the fulminious spirits to p●● upon . when fire is set to a train of gunpowder ; it will run accordingly straight or crooked , upwards or downwards as the matter it feeds upon is disposed : so proportionably here : but this is a subject for ingenious minds further to inquire into . it is moreover difficult to determine how men are killed therewith , when no visible impression is made upon their bodies . some think it is by meer instantaneous suffocation of their a●mal spirits . that poysonful vapours do sometimes● attend the lightning is manifest . seneca saith , that wine which has been congealed with the lightning , after it is dissolved , and in appearance returned to its pristine state , it causeth the persons that shall drink of it , either to die or become mad . naturalists observe , that venemous creatures being struck with lightning lose their poyson ; the reason of which may be , not only the heat but the venome of those vapours attracting the poyson to themselves . and that vapors will kill in a moment is past doubt . in the philosophical transactions for the year . ( p. . ) it is related that seven or eight persons going down stairs into a coal-pit , they fell down dead as if they had been shot : there being one of them whose wife was informed that her husband was stifled , she went near to him without any inconvenience ; but when she went a little further , the vapors caused her instantly to fall down dead . and it is famously known , concerning the lake avernus in campania , that if birds attempt to fly over it , the deadly vapors thereof kill them in a moment . but the lightning doth more than meerly suffocate with mortiferous vapors . it sometimes penetrates the brain , and shrivels the heart and liver when nothing does appear outwardly . and it does ( as dr. goodwin in his lately published judicious discourse about the punishment of sinners in the other world ( p. . ) aptly expresseth ) lick up . the vital and animal spirits that run in the body , when yet the body it self remains unburnt . those spirits are the vinculum , the tye of union between the soul and body , which the lightning may consume without so much as singing the body or cloaths there● nevertheless , upon some it leaveth direful marks , and breaketh their very bones in pieces , and sometimes tears away the flesh from the bones . there are some remarkable instances confirming this , published in the philosophical transactions . dr. wallis in a letter written at oxford , may. . . giving an account of a very sad accident which had then newly hapned there . he saith , that two schollars of wadham colledge , being alone in a boat ( without a waterman ) having newly thrust off from shore , at medley to come homewards , standing near the head of the boat , were presently with a stroke of thunder or lightning , both struck off out of the boat into the water , the one of them stark dead , in whom though presently taken out of the water ( having been by relation scarce a minute in it ) there was not discerned any appearance of life , sense or motion : the other was stuck fast in the mud ( with his feet downwards , and his upper parts above water ) like a post not able to help himself out ; but besides a present astonying or numness had no other hurt : but was for the present so disturbed in his senses that he knew not how he came out of the boat , nor could remember either thunder or lightning that did effect it : and was very feeble and faint upon it ( which though presently put into a warm bed ) he had not throughly recovered by the next night ; and whither since he have or no , i know not . others in another boat , about ten or twenty yards from these ( as by their description i estimate ) felt a disturbance and shaking in their boat , and one of them had his chair struck from under him , and thrown upon him , but had no hurt . these immediately made up to the others , and ( some leaping into the water to them ) presently drew them into the boat or on shore ; yet none of them saw these two fall into the water ( not looking that way ) but heard one of them cry for help pesently upon the stroke , and smelt a very strong stinking smell in the air ; which , when i asked him that told it me , what kind of stink ? he said , like such a smell , as is perceived upon the striking of flints together . he that was dead ( when by putting into ( a warm bed , and rubbing , and putting strong waters into his month , &c. no life could be brought into him ) was the next morning brought to town ; where among multitudes of others , who came to see ; dr. willis . dr. mellington , dr. lower , and myself , with some others , went to view the corps , where we found no wound at all in the skin ; the face and neck swart and black , but not more than might be ordinary , by the setling of the blood : on the right side of the neck was a little blackish spott about an inch long , and about a quarter of an inch broad at the broadest , and was as if it had been seared with a hot iron : and as i remember , one somewhat bigger on the left side of the neck below the ear . streight down the breast , but towards the left side of it , was a large place , about three quarters of a foot in length , and about two inches in breadth ; in some places more , in some less which was burnt and hard , like leather burnt with the fire , of a deep blackish red colour , not much unlike the scorched skin of a rosted pig : and on the forepart of the left shoulder such another spot about as big as a shilling ; but that in the neck was blacker and seemed more seared . from the top of the right shoulder , sloping downwards towards that place in his breast , was a narrow line of the like scorched skin ; as if somewhat had come in there at the neck , and had run down to the breast and there spread broader . the buttons of his dublet were most of them off , which some thought might have been torn off with the blast , getting in at the neck , and then bursting its way out , for which the greatest presumption was ( to me ) that besides four or five buttons wanting towards the bottom of the breast , there were about half a dozen together clear off from the bottom of the collar downwards , and i do not remember that the rest of the buttons did seem to be near worn out , but almost new . the collar of his doublet just over the fore-part of the right shoulder was quite broken asunder , cloth and stiffening , streight and downwards , as if cut or chopt asunder , but with a blunt tool ; only the inward linnen or ●ustian lining of it was whole , by which , and by the view of the ragg'd edges , it seemed manifest to me , that it was from a stroke inward ( from without ) not outwards from within . his hat was strangely torn , not just on the crown , but on the side of the hat , and on the brim . on the side of it was a great hole , more than to put in ones fist through it : some part of it being quite struck away , and from thence divers gashes every way , as if torn or cut with a dull tool , and some of them of a good length , almost quite to the edges of the brim . and besides these , one or two gashes more , which did not communicate with that hole in the side . this also was judged to be by a stroke inwards ; not so much from the view of the edges of those gashes ( from which there was scarce any judgement to be made either way ) but because the lining was not torn , only ript from the edge of the hat ( where it was sown on ) on that side where the hole was made . but his hat not being found upon his head , but at some distance from him , it did not appear against what part of his head that hole was made . another sad disaster hapned ianuary , . when one mr. brooks of hampshire going from winchester towards his house near andover , in very bad weather , was himself slain by lightning , and the horse he rode on under him . for about a mile from winchester he was found with his face beaten into the ground , one leg in the stirrup , the other in the horses main ▪ his cloathes all burnt off his back , not a piece as big as an hankerchief left intire , and his hair and all his body singed . with the force that struck him down , his nose was beaten into his face , and his chin into his breast ; where was a wound cut almost as low as to his navil ; and his clothes being as aforesaid torn , the pieces were so scattered and consumed , that not enough to fill the crown of a hat could be found . his gloves were whole , but his hands in them singed to the bone. the hip-bone and shoulder of his horse burnt and bruised , and his saddle torn in little pieces . very remarkable also was that which hapned forty five years ago at another place in england , viz. withycomb in devonshire , where on october . a. d. . being sabbath day , whilest the people were attending the publick worship of god , a black cloud coming over the church , there was suddenly an amazing clap of thunder , and with it a ball of fire came in at the window , whereby the house was very much damnified , and the people many of them struck down . some of the seats in the body of the church were turned upside down , yet they that sa● in them received no hurt . a gentleman of note there ( one mr. hill ) sitting in his seat by the chancil , had his head suddenly smitten against the wall , by which blow he died that night . another had his head cloven , his skull rent in three pieces , and his brains thrown upon the ground whole . the hair of his head through the violence of the blow stuck fast to the pillar that was near him . a woman attempting to run out of the church , had her clothes set on fire ; and her flesh on her back torn almost to the very bone . see mr. clarks examples vol. . chap. . p , . it is not heresie to believe that satan has sometimes a great operation in causing thunder-storms . i know this is vehemently denied by some . the late witch-advocates call it blasphemy . and an old council did anathematize the men that are thus perswaded : but by their favour ; an orthodox & rational man may be of the opinion , that when the devil has before him the vapors and materials out of which the thunder and lightning are generated , his art is such as that he can bring them into form . if chymists can make their aurumfulminans , what strange thing● may this infernal chymist effect ? the holy ptures intimate as much as this cometh to in the sacred story concerning iob , we find that satan did raise a great wind which blew down the house where iob's children were feasting . and it is said , chap. . ver . . that the fire of god fell from heaven , and burnt up the sheep and the servants ; this 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 fire of god was no doubt thunder and lightning ; and such as was extraordinary , and is therefore expressed with the name of god , as is usual amongst the hebrews . satan had a deep policy in going that way to work , thereby hoping to make iob believe god was his enemy . mr. caryl ( according to his wonted manner ) does both wittily and judiciously paraphrase upon the place ; the fire of god ( saith he ) here is conceived to have been some terrible flash of lightning ; and it is the more probable because it is said to fall down from heaven , that is , cut of the air. there satan can do mighty things , command much of the magazine of heaven , where that dreadful artillery which makes men tremble , those fiery meteors , thunder and lightning are stored and lodged . satan let loose by god can do wonders in the air ; he can raise storms , he can discharge the great ordnance of heaven , thunder and lightning ; and by his art can make them more terrible and dreadful than they are in their own nature . satan is said to be the prince of the power of the air , eph. . . and we read of the working of satan with all power and signs , and lying words , thess. . . it is moreover predicted in the revelation , that antichrist should cause fire to come down from heaven , rev. . . accordingly we read in history , that some of the popes have by their skill in the black art , caused balls of fire to be seen in the air. so then it is not beyond satans power to effect such things , if the great god give him leave , without whose leave he cannot blow a feather : much less raise a thunder-storm . and as the scriptures intimate satan's power in the air to be great , so histories do abundantly confirm it by remarkable instances . one of the scholars of empedocles has testified , that he saw his master raising winds and laying them again ; and there were once many witnesses of it , whence they called empedocles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 clemens alexandrinus mentions this as unquestionably true . our great rainold ( de libris apoeryphis lect. . ) saith , that we may from iob conclude , it was not impossible for empedocles by the devils aid , to do as has been reported of him . dio relates that when the roman army in the dayes of the emperour cl●udius , pursuing the africa● , was in extream danger of perishing by drought : a magician undertook to procure water for them , and presently upon his incantations , an astonishing shower fell . iovianus pontanus reports , that when king ferdinand besieged the city suella , all the waters in the cisterns being dried up , the citizens had like to have lost their lives by the prevailing drought . the popish priests undertook by conjuration to obtain water . the magical ceremonies by them observed were most horrid and ridiculous . for they took an asse , and put the sacrament of the eucharist into his mouth , sang funeral verses over him , and then buried him alive before the church doors ; as soon as these rites , so pleasing to the devil were finished , the heavens began to look black , and the sea to be agitated with winds , and anon it rained , and lightned , after a most horrendous manner . smetius in his miscellanies , lib. . relates that a girl foolishly imitating the ceremonies of her nurse , whom she had sometimes seen raising tempests , immediately a prodigious storm of thunder and lightning hapned , so as that a village near lipsia was thereby set on fire ▪ this relation is mentioned by sennertus , as a thing really true . at some places in denmark , it is a common and a wicked practice to buy winds , when they are going to sea● if satan has so far the power of the air as to cause winds , he may cause storms also livy reports concerning romulus , that he was by a tempest of thunder and lightning transported no man knew whither , being after that never heard of . meurerus ( in comment meteorolog . ) speaketh of a man , that going between lipsia and torga , was suddenly carried out of sight by a thunder-storm , and never seen more . and the truth of our assertion , seems to be confirmed by one of those sad effects of lightning mentioned in the precedeing chapter . for i am informed that when matthew cole was killed with the lightning at north-hampton , the d●mon● which disturbed his sister ann cole ( forty miles distant ) in hartford , spoke of it ; intimating their concurrence in that terrible accident . the iewish rabbins affirm , that all great and suddain destructions are from satan , the angel of death . that he has frequently a● hand therein is past doubt . and if the fallen angels are able ( when god shall grant the● a commission ) to cause fearful and 〈◊〉 thunders , it is much more true concerning the good and holy angels , king. . , 〈◊〉 when the law was given at mount 〈◊〉 there were amazing thundrings and lightnings , wherein the great god saw meet to make use of the ministry of holy angels , act. . . gal. . . heb. . . some think that sodom was destroyed by extraordinary lightning . it s certain that holy angels had an hand in effecting that desolation , gen. . . we know that one night the angel of the lord smote in the camp of the assyrians an . it is not improbable , but that those assyrians were killed with lightning : for it was with respect to that tremendous providence , that those words were uttered , who amongst us shall dwell with the devouring fire , isai. . . ecclesiastical history informs us that the iews being encouraged by the apostate iulian , were resolved to re-build their . temple ; but lightning from heaven consumed not only their work , but all their tools and instruments wherewith that cursed enterprize was to have been carried on , so was their design utterly frustrate . why might not holy angels have an hand in that lightning ? there occurs to my mind , a remarkable passage mentioned by dr. beard in his chapter about the protection of holy angels over them that fear god ( p. . ) he saith , that a certain man travelling between two woods in a great tempest of thunder and lightning , rode under an oak to shelter himself , but his horse would by no means stay under that oak , but whither his master would or no , went from that tree and stayed very quietly under another tree not far off ; he had not been there many minutes before the first oak was torn all to fitters with a fearful clap of thunder and lightning . surely there was the invisible guardianship of an holy angel in that providence . but though it be true , that both natural causes and angels do many times concurre when thunder and lightning , with the awful effects thereof , happen ; nevertheless , the supream cause must not be disackno●ledged . the eternal himself has a mighty hand of providence in such works . he thundreth with the voice of his excellency . among the greeks thunder was stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the scripture calls it the voice of the lord. the god of glory thundereth . the voice of the lord is very powerful , the voice of the lord is full of majesty , the voice of the lord breaketh the cedars , the voice of the lord divideth the flames of fires : lightnings are also said to be the arrows of god , psal. . . upon which account the children of men ought to dread the hand of the highest therein . and the more for that all places in the habitable world are exposed unto dangers and destruction by this artillery of heaven ; though some parts of the earth are naturally subject thereunto more than others . acosta saith , that it seldom thunders about brasil ; but such lightnings are frequent there , as make the night appear brighter than the noon day . travell●rs report , that there are some snowy mountains in africa , on which the cracks of thunder are so loud and vehement , as that they are heard fifty miles off at sea. in some parts of tartaria , it will both snow and thunder at the same time . in the northern climates , there use to be vehement thunders , and men are often struck dead thereby ; in the province of terravara in spain , grows the wood for the cross , to which superstious papists attribute a power to preserve men from thunder . so did the gentiles of old , vainly think to secure themselves from heavens gun-shot , by carrying those things about them , which they supposed would be as amulets to defend them from all harm . the tents of the old emperors were made of seal-leather , because they imagined that the sea-calf could not be thunder-struck . tyberius wore a crown of lawrel upon his head , for that the philosophers told him that the lightning could not hurt the bay tree . r●diginus affirms the like concerning the fig-tree . but others declare that they have seen the laurel smitten and withered with the lightning : therefore the conimbricensian philosophers acknowledge this immunity to be fictitious . the like vanity is in their opinion , who suppose that the stone by philosophers called brontias ( i. e. ) the thunder-bolt will secure them from harm by lightning . to conclude , most miserable is the state of all christless sinners , who know not but that every thunder-storm which comes , may send them to hell in a moment . hi sunt qui trepidant & ad omnia fulgur● pallent , cum tonat , exanimes primo quoque murmure coeli . the psalmist alludes to a thunder● storm , when he saith , the lord will rain upon the wicked snares ( the lightning cometh suddenly , and taketh men as birds in snare before they think of it ) fire and brimstone ▪ and a tempest of horrors , psal. . . the atheism of epicurus of old , ( and of some i● these dayes ) who taught , that inasmuch 〈◊〉 thunder proceeds from natural causes , it is 〈◊〉 childish thing for men to have an awe upo● their hearts when they hear that voice , i say such atheism is folly and wickedness . for the great god maketh the way for the lightning of thunder ; nor does it ever miss or mistake its way , but alwayes lights where god has appointed it , iob . . he directs the lightning under the whole heaven , and unto the ends of the earth ; after it a voice roareth , that they may do whatsoever he commanded them upon the face of the world in the earth , iob . , . yea , and good men should from this consideration be incited to endeavour that their garments be kept from defilement , and that they be alwayes walking with god , since they know not but that death may come upon them suddenly in such a way and by such means as this ; as to outward evils , there is one event to the righteous and to the wicked ; to him that sacrificeth & to him that sacrificeth not , as is the good so is the sinner . the examples mentioned in the proceding chapter do confirm it , since divers of those whom the thunder killed , were good men . and they that are in christ , and who make it their design to live unto god , need not be dismayed at the most terrifying thunder-claps , no more than a child should be afraid when he hears the voice of his loving father . notable is that passage related by mr. ambrose , in his treatise of angels ( p. . & by mr. clark , vol. . p. . ) a prophane man , who was also a persecutor of mr. bolton , riding abroad , it thundred very dreadfully ; at the which the man greatly trembled ; his wife , who was eminent for godliness being with him , asked , why he was so much afraid ? to whom he replied ; are not you afraid to hear these dreadful thunder claps ? no ( saith she ) not at all , for i know it is the voice of my heavenly father ; and should a child be afraid to hear , his fathers voice ? at the which the man was amazed , concluding with himself , these puritans have a divine principle in them , which the world seeth not , that they should have peace and serenity in their souls when others are filled with dismal fears and horrors . he thereupon went to mr. bolton , bewailing the wrong he had done him , begging his pardon and prayers , and that he would tell him what he must do that so his soul might be saved : and he became a very godly man ever after . this was an happy thunder-storm . chap. v. concerning things preternatural which have hapned in new-england . a remarkable relation about ann cole of hartford . concerning several witches in that colony . of the possessed maid at groton . an account of the house in newberry lately troubled with a daemon . a parallel story of an house at tedworth in england . concerning another in hartford . and of one in portsmouth in new-england lately disquieted by evil spitits . the relation of a woman at barwick in new-england molested with apparitions , and sometimes tormented by invisible agents . inasmuch as things which are praeternatural , and not accomplished without diabolical operation , do more rarely happen , it is pity but that they should be observed . several accidents of that kind have hapned in new-england ; which i shall here faithfully relate so far as i have been able to come unto the knowledge of them . very remarkable was that providence wherein ann cole of hartford in new-england was concerned . she was , and is accounted a person of real piety and integrity . nevertheless , in the year . then living in her fathers house ( who has likewise been esteemed a godly man ) she was taken with very strange fits , wherein her tongue was improved by a daemon to express things which she her self knew nothing of . sometimes the discourse would hold for a considerable time . the general purpose of which was , that such and such persons ( who were named in the discourse which passed from her ) were consulting how they might carry on mischievous designs against her and several others , mentioning sundry wayes they should take for that end , particularly that they would afflict her body , spoil her name , &c. the general answer made amongst the daemons , was , she runs to the rock . this having been continued some hours , the d●mons said , let us confound her language , that she may tell n● more tales . she uttered matters unintel●igible . and then the discourse passed into a dutch-tone ( a dutch family then lived in the town ) and therein an account was given of some afflictions that had befallen divers ; amongst others , what had befallen a woman that lived next neighbour to the dutch family , whose arms had been strangely pinched in the night , declaring by whom ▪ and for what cause that course had been taken with her . the reverend mr. stone ( then teacher of the church in hartford ) being by , when the discourse hapned , declared , that he thought it impossible for one not familiarly acquainted with the dutch ( which ann cole had not in the least been ) should so exactly imitate the dutch-tone in the pronunciation of english. several worthy persons , ( viz. mr. iohn whiting , mr. samuel hooker , and mr. ioseph hains ) wrote the intelligible sayings expressed by ann cole , whilest she was thus amazingly handled . the event was that one of the persons ( whose name was greensmith ) being a lewd and ignorant woman , and then in prison on suspicion for witch-craft ) mentioned in the discourse as active in the mischiefs done and designed , was by the magistrate sent for ; mr. whiting and mr. haines read what they had written ; and the woman being astonished thereat , confessed those tings to be true , and that she and other persons named in this preternatural discourse , had had familiarity with the devil : being asked whether she had made an express covenant with him ; she answered , she had not , only as she promised to go with him when he called , which accordingly she had sundry times done ; and that the devil told her that at christmass they would have a merry meeting , and then the covenant between them should be subscribed . the next day she was more particularly enquired of concerning her guil●●especting the crime she was accused with . she then acknowledged , that though when mr. hains began to read what he had taken down in writing , her rage was such that she could have torn him in pieces , and was as resolved as might be to deny her guilt ( as she had done before ) yet after he had read awhile , she was ( to use her own expression ) as if her flesh had been pulled from her bones , and so could not deny any longer : she likewise declared , that the devil first appeared to her in the form of a deer or fawn , skipping about her , where with she was not much affrighted , and that by degrees he became very familiar , and at last would talk with her . moreover , she said that the devil had frequently the carnal knowledge of her body . and that the witches had meetings at a place not far from her house ; and that some appeared in one shape , and others in another ; and one came flying amongst them in the shape of a crow . upon this confession , with other concurrent evidence , the woman was executed ; so likewise was her husband , though he did not acknowledge himself guilty . other persons accused in the discourse made their escape . thus doth the devil use to serve his clients . after the suspected witches were either executed or fled , ann cole was restored to health , and has continued well for many years , approving her self a serious christian. there were some that had a mind to try whither the stories of witches not being able to sink under water , were true ; and accordingly a man and woman mentioned in an cole's dutch-toned discourse , had their hands and feet tyed , and so were cast into the water , and they both apparently swam after the manner of a buoy , part under , part above the water . a by-stander imagining that any person bound in that posture would be so born up , offered himself for trial , but being in the like maner gently laid on the the water , he immediately sunk right down . this was no legal evidence against the suspected persons ; nor were they proceeded against on any such account ; however doubting that an halter would choak them , though the water would not ; they very fairly took their flight , not having been seen in that part of the world since . whether this experiment were lawful , or rather superstitious and magical , we shall ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) enquire afterwards . another thing which caused a noise in the countrey , and wherein satan had undoubtedly a great influence , was , that which hapned at groton . there was a maid in that town ( one elizabeth knap ) who in the moneth of october , anno. . was taken after a very strange manner , sometimes weeping , sometimes laughing , sometimes roaring hideously , with violent motions and agitations of her body , crying out money , money , &c. in november following , her tongue for many hours together was drawn like a semicircle up to the roof of her mouth , not to be removed , though some tried with their fingers to do it . six men were scarce able to hold her in some of her fits , but she would skip about the house yelling and looking with a most frightful aspect . december . her tongue was drawn out of her mouth to an extraordinary length ; and now a daemon began manifestly to speak in her . many words were uttered wherein are the labial letters , without any motion of her lips , which was a clear demonstration that the voice was not her own . sometimes words were spoken seeming to proceed out of her throat , when her mouth was shut . sometimes with her mouth wide open , without the use of any of the organs of speech . the things then uttered by the devil were chiefly railings and revilings of mr. willard ( who was at that time a worthy and faithful pastor to the church in groton . ) also the daemon belched forth most horrid and nefandous blasphemies , exalting himself above the most high. after this she was taken speechless for some time . one thing more is worthy of remark concerning this miserable creature . she cried out in some of her fits , that a woman , ( one of her neighbours ) appeared to her , and was the cause of her affliction . the person thus accused was a very sincere , holy woman , who did hereupon with the advice of friends visit the poor wretch ; and though she was in one of her fits , having her eyes shut , when the innocent person impeached by her came in ; yet could she ( so powerful were satans operations upon her ) declare who was there , and could tell the touch of that woman from any one 's else . but the gracious party thus accused and abused by a malicious devil , prayed earnestly with and for the possessed creature ; after which she confessed that satan had deluded her ; making her believe evil of her good neighbour without any cause . nor did she after that complain of any apparition or disturbance from such an one . yea , she said , that the devil had himself in the likeness and shape of divers tormented her , and then told her it was not he but they that did it . as there have been ●●veral persons vexed with evil spirits , so divers houses have been wofully haunted by them . in the year , the house of william morse in newberry in new-england , was strangely disquieted by a daemon . after those troubles began , he did by the advice of friends write down the particulars of those unusual accidents . and the account which he giveth thereof is as followeth ; on december . in the night time , he and his wife heard a noise upon the roof of their house , as if sticks and stones had been thrown against it with great violence ; whereupon ●e rose out of his bed , but could see nothing . lo●k●ng the doors fast , he returned to bed again . about midnight they heard an hog making a great noise in the house , so that the man rose again , and found a great hog in the house , the door being shut , but upon the opening of the door it ran●out . on december . in the morning , the●● were five great stones and bricks by an invisible hand thrown in at the west end of th● house while the mans wife was making the bed , the bedstead was lifted up from the floor , and the bedstaff flung out of the window , and a cat was hurled at her ; a long staff danced up and down in the chimney ; a burnt brick , and a piece of a weather-board were thrown in at the window : the man at his going to bed put out his lamp , but in the morning found that the saveall of it was taken away , and yet it was unaccountably brought into its former place . on the same day , the long staff but now spoken of , was hang'd up by a line , and swung to and fro , the man's wife laid it in the fire , but she could not hold it there , inasmuch as it would forcibly fly out ; yet after much ado with joynt strength they made it to burn . a shingle flew from the window , though no body near it , many sticks came in at the same place , only one of these was so scragged that it could enter the hole but a little way , whereupon the man pusht it out , a great rail likewise was thrust in at the window , so as to break the glass . at another time an iron crook that was hanged on a nail , violently flew up and down ▪ also a chair flew about , and at last lighted on the table where victuals stood ready for them to eat , and was likely to spoil all , only by a nimble catching they saved some of their meal with the loss of the rest , and the overturning of their table . people were sometimes barricado'd out of doors , when as yet there was no body to do it : and a chest was removed from place to place , no hand touching it . their keys being tied together , one was taken from the rest , & the remaining two would fly about making a loud noise by knocking against each other . but the greatest part of this devils feats were his mischievous ones , wherein indeed he was sometimes antick enough too , and therein the chief sufferers were , the man and his wife , and his grand-son . the man especially had his share in these diabolical molestations . for one vvhile they could not eat their suppers quietly , but had the ashes on the hearth before their eyes thrown into their victuals ; yea , and upon their heads and clothes , insomuch that they were forced up into their chamber , and yet they had no rest there ; for one of the man's shoes being left below , 't was filled vvith ashes and coals , and throvvn up after them . their light was beaten out , and they being laid in their bed with their little boy betvveen them , a great stone ( from the floor-of the loft ) vveighing above three pounds vvas throvvn upon th● mans stomach , and he turning it down upon the floor , it was once more thrown upon him . a box , and a board were likewise thrown upon them all . and a bag of hops was taken out of their chest , wherewith they were beaten , till some of the hops were scattered on the floor , where the bag was then laid , and left . in another evening , when they sat by the fire , the ashes were so whirled at them , that they could neither eat their meat , nor endure the house . a peel struck the man in the face . an apron hanging by the fire , was flung upon it , and singed before they could snatch it off . the man being at prayer with his family , a beesom gave him a blow on his head behind , and fell down before his face . on another day , when they were winnowing of barley , some hard dirt was thrown in , hitting the man on the head , and both the man and his wife on the back ; and when they had made themselves clean , they essayed to fill their half bushel but the foul corn was in spite of them often cast in amongst the clean , and the man being divers times thus abused was forced to give over what he was about . on ianuary ( in particular ) the man had an iron pin twice thrown at him , and his inkhorn was taken away from him while he was writing , and when by all his seeking it he could not find it , at last he saw it drop out of the air , down by the fire : a piece of leather was twice thrown at him ; and a shoe was laid upon his shoulder , which he catching at , was suddenly rapt from him . an handful of ashes was thrown at his face , and upon his clothes : and the shoe was then clapt upon his head , and upon it he clapt his hand , holding it so fast , that somewhat unseen pulled him with it backward on the floor . on the next day at night , as they wer● going to bed , a lost ladder was thrown against the door , and their light put out ; and when the man was a bed , he was beaten with an heavy pair of leather breeches , and pull'd by the hair of his head and beard , pinched and scratched , and his bed-board was taken away from him ; yet more in the next night , when the man was likewise 〈◊〉 bed ; his bed-board did rise out of its place , notwithstanding his putting forth all hi● strength to keep it in ; one of his 〈◊〉 brought out of the next room into his bed ▪ and did prick him ; the clothes wherewith he hoped to save his head from blows we●● violently pluckt from thence . within a nig●●● or two after , the man and his wife received both of them a blow upon their heads , but it was so dark that they could not see the stone which gave it ; the man had his cap pulled off from his head while he sat by the fire . the night following , they went to bed undressed , because of their late disturbances , and the man , wife , boy , presently felt themselves pricked , and upon search found in the bed a bodkin , a knitting needle , and two sticks picked at both ends . he received also a great blow , as on his thigh , so on his face , which fetched blood : and while he was writing a candlestick was twice thrown at him , and a great piece of bark fiercely smote him , and a pail of water turned up without hands . on the of the mentioned moneth , frozen clods of cow-dung were divers times thrown at the man out of the house in which they were ; his wife went to milk the cow , and received a blow on her head , and sitting down at her milking-work had cow-dung divers times thrown into her pail , the man tried to save the milk , by holding a piggin side-wayes under the cowes belly , but the dung would in for all , and the milk was only made fit for hogs . on that night ashes were thrown into the porridge which they had made ready for their supper , so as that they could not eat it ; ashes were likewise often thrown into the man's eyes , as he sat by the fire . and an iron hammer flying at him , gave him a great blow on his back ; the man's wife going into the cellar for beer , a great iron peel flew and fell after her through the trap-door of the cellar ; and going afterwards on the same errand to the same place , the door shut down upon her , and the table came and lay upon the door , and the man was forced to remove it e're his wife could be released from where she was ; on the following day while he was writing , a dish went out of its place , leapt into the pale , and cast water upon the man , his paper , his table , and disappointed his procedure in what he was about ; his cap jumpt off from his head , and on again , and the pot-lid leapt off from the pot into the kettle on the fire . february . while he and his boy were eating of cheese , the pieces which he cut were wrested from them , but they were afterwards found upon the table under an apron , and a pair of breeches : and also from the fire arose little sticks and ashes , which flying upon the man and his boy , brought them into an uncomfortable pickle ; but as for the boy which the last passage spoke of , there remains much to be said concerning him , an● a principal sufferer in these afflictions : for on the . of december , he sitting by his grandfather , was hurried into great motions and the man thereupon took him , and made him stand between his legs , but the chair danced up and down , and had like to have cast both man and boy into the fire : and the child was afterwards flung about in such a manner , as that they feared that his brains would have been beaten out ; and in the evening he was tossed as afore , and the man tried the project of holding him , but ineffectually . the lad was soon put to bed , and they presently heard an huge noise , and demanded what was the matter ? and he answered that his bed-stead leaped up and down : and they ( i. e. the man and his wife ) went up , and at first found all quiet , but before they had been there long , they saw the board by his bed trembling by him , and the bed-clothes flying off him , the latter they laid on immediately , but they were no sooner on than off ; so they took him out of his bed for quietness . december . the boy was violently thrown to and fro , only they carried him to the house of a doctor in the town , and there he was free from disturbances , but returning home at night , his former trouble began and the man taking him by the hand ▪ they were both of them almost tript into the fire . they put him to bed , and he was attended with the same iterated loss of his clothes . shaking off his bed-board , and noises , that he had in his last conflict ; they took him up , designing to sit by the fire , but the doors clattered , and the chair was thrown at him , wherefore they carried him to the doctors house , and so for that night all was well . the next morning he came home quiet , but as they were doing somewhat , he cried out that he was prickt on the back , they looked , and found a three-tin'd fork sticking strangely there ; which being carried to the doctors house , not only the doctor himself said that it was his , but also the doctors servant affirmed it was seen at home after the boy was gone . the boys vexations continuing , they left him at the doctors , where he remained well till awhile after , and then he complained he was pricked , they looked and found an iron spindle sticking below his back ; he complained he was pricked still , they looked , and found pins in a paper sticking to his skin ; he once more complained of his back , they looked , and found there a long iron , a bowl of a spoon , and a piece of a pansheard . they lay down by him on the bed , with the light burni●g , but he was twice thrown from them , and the second time thrown quite under the bed ; in the morning the bed was tossed about with such a creaking noise , as was heard to the neighbours ; in the afternoon their knives were one after another brought , and put into his back , but pulled out by the spectators ; only one knife which was missing seemed to the standers by to come out of his mouth : he was bidden to read his book , was taken and thrown about several times , at last hitting the boys grandmother on the head . another time he was thrust out of his chair and rolled up and down with out cries , that all things were on fire ; yea , he was three times very dangerously thrown into the fire , and preserved by his friends with much ado . the boy also made for a long time together a noise like a dog , and like an hen with her chickens , and could not speak rationally . particularly , on december . he barked like a dog , and clock't like an hen , and after long distraining to speak , said , there 's powel , i am pinched ; his tongue likewise hung out of his mouth , so as that it could by no means be forced in till his fit was over , and then he said 't was forced out by powel . he & the house also after this ●●d rest till the ninth of ianuary : at which time because of his intolerable ravings , and because the child lying between the man and his wife , was pulled out of bed , and knockt so vehemently against the bed-stead boards , in a manner very perillous and amazing . in the day time he was carried away beyond all possibility of their finding him . his grandmother at last saw him creeping on one side , and drag'd him in , where he lay miserable lame , but recovering his speech , he said , that he was carried above the doctors●house , and that powel carried him , and that the said powel had him into the barn , throwing him against the cart-wheel there , and then thrusting him out at an hole ; and accordingly they found some of the remainders of the threshed barley which was on the barn-floor hanging to his clothes . at another time he fell into a swoon , they forced somewhat refreshing into his mouth , and it was turned out as fast as they put it in ; e're long he came to himself , and expressed some willingness to eat , but the meat would forcibly fly out of his mouth ; and when he was able to speak , he said powel would not let him eat : having found the boy to be best at a neighbours house , the man carried him to his daughters , three miles from his own . the boy was growing antick as he was on the journey , but before the end of it he made a grievous hollowing , and when he lighted , he threw a great stone at a maid in the house , and fell on eating of ashes . being at home afterwards , they had rest awhile , but on the of ianuary in the morning he swooned , and coming to himself , he roared terribly , and did eat ashes , sticks , rug-yarn . the morning following , there was such a racket with the boy , that the man and his wife took him to bed to them . a bed-staff was thereupon thrown at them , and a chamber pot with its contents was thrown upon them , and they were severely pinched . the man being about to rise , his clothes were divers times pulled from them , himself thrust out of his bed , and his pillow thrown after him . the lad also would have his clothes plucked off from him in these winter nights , and was wofully dogg'd with such fruits of devilish spite , till it pleased god to shorten the chain of the wicked daemon . all this while the devil did not use to appear in any visible shape , only they would think they had hold of ▪ the hand that sometimes scratched them ; but it would give them the slip . and once the man was discernably beaten by a fist , and an hand got hold of his wrist which he saw , but could not catch ; and the likeness of a blackmore child did appear from under the rugg and blanket , where the man lay , and it would rise up , fall down , nod & slip under the clothes when they endeavoured to clasp it , never speaking any thing . neither were there many words spoken by satan all this time , only once having put out their light , they heard a scraping on the boards , and then a piping and drumming on them , which was followed with a voice , singing revenge ! revenge ! sweet is revenge ! and they being well terrified with it , called upon god ; the issue of which was , that suddenly with a mournful note , there were six times over uttered such expressions as alas ! alas ! me knock no more ! me knock no more ! and now all ceased . the man does moreover affirm , that a seaman ( being a mate of a ship ) coming often to visit him , told him that they wronged his wife who suspected her to be guilty of witchraft ; and that the boy ( his grandchild ) was the cause of this trouble ; and that if he would let him have the boy one day , he would warrant him his house should be no more troubled as it had been ; to which motion he consented . the mate came the next day betimes , and the boy was with him until night ; after which his house he saith was not for some time molested with evil spirits . thus far is the relation concerning the daemon at william morse his house in newbery . the true reason of these strange disturbances is as yet not certainly known : some ( as has been hinted ) did suspect morse's wife to be guilty of witchcraft . one of the neighbours took apples which were brought out of that house and put them into the fire ; upon which they say , their houses were much disturbed . another of the neighbours , caused an horse-shoe to be nailed before the doors , & as long as it remained so , they could not perswade the suspected person to go into the house ; but when the horse-shoe was gone , she presently visited them . i shall not here inlarge upon the vanity and superstition of those experiments , reserving that for another place : all that i shall say at present is , that the daemons whom the blind gentiles of old worshipped , told their servants , that such things as these would very much affect them ; yea , and that certain characters , signs and charms would render their power ineffectual ; and accordingly they would become subject , when their own directions were obeyed . it is sport to the devils when they see silly men thus deluded and made fools of by them . others were apt to think that a seaman by some suspected to be a conjurer , set the devil on work thus to disquiet morse's family . or it may be some other thing as yet kept hid in the secrets of providence might be the true original of all this trouble . a disturbance not much unlike to this hapned above twenty years ago , at an house in tedworth , in the county of wilts in england , which was by wise men judged to proceed from conjuration . mr. mompesson of tedworth being in march . at lungershall , and hearing a drum beat there , he demanded of the bailiff of the town what it meant , who told him , they had for some dayes been troubled with an idle drummer , pretending authority , and a pass under the hands of some gentlemen . mr. mompesson reading his pass , and knowing the hands of those gentlemen , whose names were pretended to be subscribed , discovered the cheat , and commanded the vagrant to put off his drum , and ordered a constable to secure him : but not long after he got clear of the constable . in april following , mr. momposson's house was much disturbed with knocking 's , and with drummings ; for an hour together a daemon would beat round-heads and cuckolds , the tattoo and several other points of war as well as any drummer . on november . the daemon made a great noise in the house , and caused some boards therein to move to and fro in the day time when there was an whole room full of people present . at his departure , he left behind him a sulphurous smell , which was very offensive . the next night , chairs walked up and down the room ; the childrens shoes were hurled over their heads . the minister of the town being there , a bed-staff was thrown at him , and hit him on the leg , but without the least hurt . in the latter end of december , . they heard a noise like the jingling of money , the occasion of which was thought to be , some words spoken the night before , by one in the family ; who said that faires used to leave money behind them , and they wished it might be so now . in ianuary lights were seen in the house , which seemed blue and glimmering , and caused a great stiffness in the eyes of them that saw them . one in the room ( by what authority i cannot tell ) said , satan , if the drummer set thee a work give three knocks and no more , which was done accordingly . once when it was very sharp severe weather , the room was suddenly filled with a noisome smell , and was very hot though without fire . this daemon would play some nasty and many ludicrous foolish tricks . it would empty chamber-pots into the beds ; and fill porringers with ashes . sometimes it would not suffer any light to be in the room , but would carry them away up the chimney . mr. mompesson coming one morning into his stable , found his horse on the ground , having one of his hinder legs in his mouth , and so fastened there , that it was difficult for several men with a leaver to get it out . a smith lodging in the house , heard a noise in the room , as if one had been shoeing an horse , and somewhat come as it were with a pincers snipping at the smith's nose , most part of the night . the drummer was under vehement suspicion for a conjurer . he was condemned to transportation . all the time of his restraint and absence , the house was quiet . see mr. glanvil's collection of modern relations , p. . &c. but i proceed to give an account of some other things lately hapning in new-england , which were undoubtedly praeternatural , and not without diabolical operation . the last year did afford several instances , not unlike unto those which have been mentioned . for then nicholas desborough of hartford in new-england , was strangely molested by stones , pieces of earth , cobs of indian corn , &c. falling upon and about him , which sometimes came in through the door , sometimes through the window , sometimes down the chimney , at other times they seemed to fall from the floor of the chamber , which yet was very close ; sometimes he met with them in his shop , the yard , the barn , and in the field at work . in the house , such things hapned frequently , not only in the night but in the day time , if the man himself was at home , but never when his wife was at home alone . there was no great violence in the motion , though several persons of the family , and others also were struck with the things that were thrown by an invisible hand , yet they were not hurt thereby . only the man himself had once his arm somewhat pained by a blow given him ; and at another time , blood was drawn from one of his legs by a scratch given it . this molestation began soon after a controversie arose between desborough and another person , about a chest of clothes which the other said that desberough did unrighteously retain : and so it continued for some moneths ( though with several intermissions . ) in the latter end of the last year , when also the man's barn was burned with the corn in it ; but by what means it came to pass is not known . not long after , some to whom the matter was referred , ordered desberough to restore the clothes to the person who complained of wrong ; since which he hath not been troubled as before . some of the stones hurled were of considerable bigness ; one of them weighed four pounds , but generally the stones were not great , but very small ones . one time a piece of clay came down the chimney , falling on the table which stood at some distance from the chimney . the people of the house threw it on the hearth , where it lay a considerable time : they went to their supper , and whilest at their supper , the piece of clay was lifted up by an invisible hand , and fell upon the table ; taking it up , they found it hot , having lain so long before the fire , as to cause it to be hot . another providence no less remarkable than this last mentioned , hapned at portsmouth in new-england , about the same time : concerning which i have received the following account from a worthy hand . on iune . . being the lords day , at night showers of stones were thrown both against the sides and roof of the house of george walton : some of the people went abroad , found the gate at some distance from the house , wrung off the hinges , and stones came thick about them : sometimes falling down by them , sometimes touching them without any hurt done to them , though they seemed to come with great force , yet did no more but softly touch them ; stones flying about the room the doors being shut . the glass-windows shattered to pieces by stones that seemed to come not from without but within ; the lead of the glass casements , window-bars , &c. being driven forcibly outwards , and so standing bent . while the secretary was walking in the room a great hammer came brusling along against the chamber floor that was over his head , and fell down by him . a candlestick beaten off the table . they took up nine of the stones and marked them , and laid them on the table , some of them being as hot as if they came out of the fire ; but some of those mark't stones were found flying about again . in this manner , abou● four hours space that night : the secretary then went to bed , but a stone came and broke up his chamber-door , being put to ( not lockt ) a brick was sent upon the like errand . the abovesaid stone the secretary lockt up in his chamber , but it was fetched out , and carried with great noise into the next chamber . the spit was carried up chimney , and came down with the point forward , and stuck in the back-log , and being removed by one of the company to one side of the chimney , was by an unseen hand thrown out at window . this trade was driven on the next day , and so from day to day , novv and then there would be some intermission , and then to it again . the stones vvere most frequent vvhere the master of the house vvas , vvhether in the field or barn , &c. a black cat vvas seen once vvhile the stones came , and vvas shot at , but she vvas too nimble for them . some of the family say , that they once savv the appearance of an hand put forth at the hall windovv , throvving stones tovvards the entry , though there vvas no body in the hall the vvhile : sometimes a dismal hollovv vvhistling vvould be heard ; sometimes the noise of the trotting of an horse , and snorting , but nothing seen . the man went up the great bay in his boat to a farm he had there , and while haling wood or timber to the boat he was disturbed by the stones as before at home . he carried a stirrup iron from the house down to the boat , and there left it ; but while he was going up to the house , the iron came jingling after him through the woods , and returned to the house , and so again , and at last went away , and was heard of no more . their anchor leapt over-board several times as they were going home and stopt the boat . a cheese hath been taken out of the press and crumbled all over the floor . a piece of iron with which they weighed up the cheese-press stuck into the wall , and a kittle hung up thereon . several cocks of english-hay mowed near the house , were taken and hung upon trees ; and some made into small whisps , and put all up and down the kitchin , cum multis aliis , &c. after this manner , have they been treated ever since at times ; it were endless to particularize . of late they thought the bitterness of death had been past , being quiet for sundry dayes and nights : but last week we●e some returnings again ; and this week ( aug. . . ) as bad or worse than ever . the man is sorely hurt with some of the stones that came on him , and like to feel the effects of them for many dayes . thus far is that relation . i am moreover informed , that the daemon was quiet all the last winter , but in the spring he began to play some ludicrous tricks , carrying away some axes that were locked up safe . this last summer he has not made such disturbances as formerly . but of this no more at present . there have been strange and true reports concerning a woman now living near the salmon falls in barwick ( formerly called kittery ) unto whom evil spirits have sometimes visibly appeared ; and she has sometimes been sorely tormented by invisible hands : concerning all which , an intelligent person has sent me the following narrative . a brief narrative of sundry apparitions of satan unto and assaults at sundry times and places upon the person of mary the wife of antonio hortado , dwelling near the salmon falls : taken from her own mouth , aug. . . in iune . ( the day forgotten ) at evening , the said mary heard a voice at the door of her dwelling , saying , what do you here ? about an hour after , standing at the door of her house , she had a blow on her eye that settled her head near to the door-post , and two or three dayes after , a stone , as she judged about half a pound or a pound weight was thrown along the house within into the chimney , and going to take it up it was gone ; all the family was in the house , and no hand appearing which might be instrumental in throwing the stone . about two hours after , a frying-pan then hanging in the chimney was heard to ring so loud , that not only those in the house heard it , but others also that lived on the other side of the river near an hundred rods distant or more . whereupon the said mary and her husband going in a cannoo over the river , they saw like the head of a man new-shorn , and the tail of a white cat about two or three foot distance from each other , swimming over before the cannoo , but no body appeared to joyn head and tail together ; and they returning over the river in less than an hours time , the said apparition followed their cannoo back again , but disappeared at landing . a day or two after , the said mary was stricken on her head ( as she judged ) with a stone , which caused a swelling and much soreness on her head , being then in the yard by her house , and she presentl● entring into her house was bitten on both arms black and blue , and one of he● b●easts scratched ; the impressions of the teeth being like mans teeth , were plainly seen by many : whereupon deserting their house to sojourn at a neighbours on the other side of the river , there appeared to said mary in the house of her sojourning , a woman clothed with a green safeguard , a short blue cloak , and a white cap , making a profer to strike her with a fire-brand , but struck her not . the day following the same shape appeared again to her , but now arrayed with a gray gown , white apron , and white head-clothes , in appearance laughing several times , but no voice heard . since when said mary has been freed from those satanical molestations . but the said antonio being returned in march last with his family , to dwell again in his own house , and on his entrance there , hearing the noise of a man walking in his chamber , and seeing the boards buckle under his feet as he walked , though no man to be seen in the chamber ( for they went on purpose to look ) he returned with his family to dwell on the other side of the river ; yet planting his ground though he forsook his house , he hath had five rods of good log-fence thrown down at once , the feeting of neat cattle plainly to be seen almost between every row of corn in the field yet no cattle seen there , nor any damage done to his corn , not so much as any of the leaves of the corn cropt . thus far is that narrative . i am further informed , that some ( who should have been wiser ) advised the poor woman to stick the house round with bayes , as an effectual preservative against the power of evil spirits . this counsel was followed . and as long as the bayes continued green , she had quiet ; but when they began to wither , they were all by an unseen hand carried away , and the woman again tormented . it is observable , that at the same time three houses in three several towns should be molested by daemons , as has now been related . chap. vi. that there are daemons . and possessed persons . signs of such . some mad men are really possessed . notwithstanding many fabulous stories about witchcrafts . that there are witches proved by three arguments . that houses are sometimes troubled by evil spirits . witchcraft often the cause of it . sometimes by the devil without witchcraft ; ordered by providence as punishment for sin. the disturbance in waltons house further considered , with a parallel story . that the things related in the preceding chapter were undoubtedly praeternatural and diabolical . the sadduces of those dayes being like unto avic●nna , and averroes , and other atheistical philosophers in former times ; say that there are no spirits , and that all stories concerning them are either fabulous or to be ascribed unto natural causes . amongst many others , the learned voetius ( in disp . de operationibus daemonum ) has sufficiently refuted them . and as the experience of other ages and places of the world ; so the things which divine providence hath permitted and ordered to come to pass amongst our selves ( if the scriptures were silent ) make it manifest beyond all contradiction , that there are devils infesting this lower world. most true it is , that satan and all his wicked angels are limited by the providence of god : so as that they cannot hurt any man or creature , much less any servant of his , without a commission from him , whose kingdom is over all . it is a memorable passage , which chytraeus relateth concerning luther , that when he was sought after by his popish and implacable enemies ( being then hid by the duke of saxony ) they consulted with magicians that so they might find where luther absconded , but the wizzards confessed they could not discover him . undoubtedly the devils knew where luther hid himself ; only god would not suffer them to reveal it . nevertheless , the lord doth for wise and holy ends , sometimes lengthen the chain which the infernal lions are bound fast in . and as there are many tremendous instances confirming the truth hereof , so that of satan's taking bodily possession of men , is none of the least . sometimes indeed it is very hard to discern between natural diseases and satanical possessions ; so as that persons really possessed have been thought to be only molested with some natural disease , without any special finger of the evil spirit therein . fernelius ( de abditis rerum causis , lib. . cap. . ) speaketh of a certain young gentleman , that was taken with strange convulsions , which did surprize him at least ten times in a day . in his fits he had the use of his speech and reason free . otherwise his disease would have been judged no other than an ordinary epilepsy . much means was used by skilful physitians for his relief , but without success for three moneths together ; when all on a sudden , a daemon began to speak out of the miserable patient ; and that with not only latin but greek sentences , which the afflicted party himself had no knowledge of ; and the daemon discovered many secrets both of the physitians and of other persons that attended , deriding them for their vain attempts to cure a man whom he had the possession of . there are sundry authors ( in special balduinus in his cases of conscience , and darrel in his history of the seven possessed persons in lancashire ) who have endeavoured to describe and characterise possessed persons . and such particulars as these following are by them mentioned as signs of possession . . if the party concerned shall reveal secret things , either past or future , which without supernatural assistance could not be known , it argueth possession . . if he does speak with strange languages , or discover skill in arts and sciences never learned by him . . if he can bear burthens , and do things which are beyond humane strength . . uttering words without making use of the organs of speech , when persons shall be heard speaking , and yet neither their lips nor tongues have any motion , t is a sign that an evil spirit speaketh in them . . when the body is become inflexible . . when the belly is on a sudden puft up , and instantly flat again . these are thought to be certain arguments of an energumenical person . some other signs are mentioned by thyraeus ( de obsessis part . cap. , . ) there are who conceive ( and that as they suppose upon scripture grounds : ) that men may possibly be daemoniacal , when none of those mentioned particulars can be affirmed of them . the excellently learned and judicious mr. mede , is of opinion , that the daemoniacks whom we read so frequently of in the new-testament , were the same with epilepticks , lunaticks , and mad men. the turks at this day have their mad men in great veneration , supposing them to be acted by a spirit , but they ( in that being themselves mad ) take it to be a good when as 't is an evil spirit that does operate in such persons . and that the iews of old did look upon maniacks to be possessed with an evil spirit , is evident from that expression of theirs , ioh. . . he hath a devil and is mad. moreover , we read of one , mat. . . that was lunatick , and did oft fall into the fire , and oft into the water . now that this lunatick person was a daemoniack is clear from ver . . where t is said , that iesus rebuked the devil and he departed out of him . and of the same person t is said , in luk. . a spirit taketh him and teareth him . so beza and heinsius , in mat. . . & . . it has been commonly said that in christs time more persons were possessed with evil spirits than ever was known before or since ; but if that were so , the iews , and probably some historians would have noted it as a thing strange and extraordinary ; whenas we read of no such observation to be made on those times . and saith mr. mede , ( in his discourse on iohn . . ) if those possessed persons were not such as we now adayes conceive to be no other than mad men , the world must be supposed to be well rid of devils , which for my part i believe it is not . there is in special , a sort of melancholy madness , which is called lycanthropia , or lupina insania , h. e. when men imagine themselves to be turned into wolves or other beasts . hippocrates relates concerning the daughters of king praetus , that they thought themselves kine . wierus ( de praestigiis daemonum , l. . c. . ) speaketh of one in padua , that would not believe to the contrary but that he was a wolf : and of a spaniard , who thought himself a bear. euwichius ( and from him horestus ) writeth of a man that was found in a barn under the hay , howling and saying he was a wolf. the foolish rusticks , who surprized him , began to flay him , that so they might see if he had not hair growing on the inside of his skin .. forestus has many instances to this purpose . heurnius saith , that it is a disease frequent in bohemia and hungaria . no doubt but this disease gave occasion to pliny's assertion , that some men in his time were turned into wolves , and from wolves into men again . hence was ovid's fable of lycaon , and the tale of pausanias , being ten years a wolf , and then a man again . he that would see more instances , may read austin de civ . dei. l. . c. . burton of melancholly . pag. . they that are subject unto this malady , for the most partly hid all the day , and go abroad in the night , barking and howling at graves and in desarts . we may suppose that nebuchadnezzar was troubled with this disease . and that such persons are molested with a daemon is evident from luk . . with mark. . , . the possessed person there spoken of was lycanthropos . there are that acknowledge the existence of spirits , and that the bodies of men are sometimes really possessed thereby ; who nevertheless will not believe there are any such woful creatures in rerum naturâ , as witches , or persons confoederate with the devil . i have read of a famous wizard , whose name was william de lure , that after he had laboured much in opposing their opinion , who think that there are men on earth joyned in an explicit confoederacy with the fiends of hell , was himself convicted and condemned for that crime which he designed to make the world believe that no man was or could be guilty of . i shall not suspect all those as guilty of witchcraft , nor yet of heresie , who call the received opinion about witches into question . there are four or five english writers , viz. mr. scot , ady , and of late wagstaff and webster , and another anonymous author ; who do with great vehemence affirm that never any did maintain that familiarity with the evil spirits , which is commonly believed . wierus ( otherwise a judicious author ) conceiveth that all those things supposed to be done by witches are done by the evil spirits themselves , without any confoederates . but he is sufficiently refuted by binsfieldius , bodinus , sennertus , and others . true it is , that many things have been looked upon as proceding from witchcraft , when it has not been so . the sympathies and antipathies of nature have sometimes been esteemed the effects of witchcraft . a sympathetical powder , made without any magical ceremonies has done strange things , so as that the artist which used it , has upon that account been suspected of witchcraft . a man may easily by such natural magick , as is described by porta , and by weckerus de secretis make the ignorant beheve he is a wizard . it is also true , that the world is full of fabulous stories concerning some kind of familiarities with the devil , and things done by his help , which are beyond the power of creatures to accomplish . what fables are there concerning incubi and succubae , and of men begotten by daemons ? no doubt but the devil may delude the fancy that one of his vassals shall think ( as the witch at hartford did ) that he has carnal and cursed communion with them , beyond what is real . nor is it impossible for him to assume a dead body , or to form a lifeless one out of the elements , and therewith to make his witches become guilty of sodomy . austin saith , they are impudent who deny this . but to imagine that spirits shall really generate bodies , is irrational . i am not ignorant , that that there have been men in the world ( more than one or two ) pretended to be thus begotten and born . thus doth niderius affirm concerning all the old inhabitants of the isle of cyprus . the like has been reported concerning arcturus , and concerning our british merlin . yea , the gentiles believed that homer , aeneas , hercules , and others were begotten by daemons ; whom thereupon they esteemed as semidei . and olympias the mother of alexander the great , supposed her self to be with child by iupiter hammon . when her husband king philip of macedon was absent from her , nectanebus ( an egyptian prince and a great magician ) sent her word that iupiter would embrace her , and that he would come to her such a night in the form of a dragon ; at the time appointed nectanebus himself by his magical impostures made olympias believe that a dragon was in the room , and so did himself do that which the deluded queen thought iupiter had done . i doubt not but that merlin and others imagined to come into the world not in the usual way , were the sons of daemons just as alexander was . it has been a received maxim , that though the devil may by his art produce insects and vermin ( to the generation whereof a seminal vertue is not alwayes necessary ) yet he cannot bring forth a perfect animal . how then is it consistent with reason , that he should produce a real man , who is of all animals the most perfect , and noble ? it is also extreamly fabulous , that witches can transform themselves or others into another sort of creatures , e. g. into horses , wolves , cats , mice , &c. carminibus circe socios mutavit ulyssis . a blind heathenish phansie : and yet stories of this nature have been generally believed ; and i have not without wonderment seen grave authors relating them , as if the things had been really so . but it is beyond the power of all the devils in hell to cause such a transformation ; they can no more do it than they can be the authors of a true miracle ( see horstius inst. med. disp. . exercit. . quest. . ) though i deny not but that the devil may so impose upon the imagination of witches as to make them believe that they are transmuted into beasts . sennertus ( in pract. med. l. . part . cap. . ) reports that a noble person , and one worthy of credit , gave him an account of a strange passage to this purpose , which himself was particularly acquainted with . the story is this ; a certain woman , being in prison on suspicion for witchcraft ; pretneding to be able to turn her self into a wolf , the magistrate before whom she was brought promised her , that she should not be put to death , in case she would then in his presence so transform her self . which she readily consented unto . accordingly she anointed her head , neck and arm-pits ; immediately upon which she fell into a most profound sleep , for three hours ; after which she suddenly rose up , declaring that she had been turned into a wolf , and been at a place some miles distant , and there killed first a sheep , and then a cow ; the magistrate presently sent to the place ; and found that first a sheep and then a cow had there been killed . wierus and baptista porta have divers stories to the same purpose . it is then evident , that the devil himself did that mischief , and in the mean time the witches who were cast into so profound a sleep by him , as that they could not by any noises or blows be awakened , had their phansies imposed upon by dreams and delusions according to the pleasure of their master satan . it must moreover , be sadly confessed , that many innocent persons have been put to death under the notion of witch-craft , whereby much innocent blood hath been shed . especially it hath been so in popish times and places . superstitious and magical wayes of trying wtiches have been a bloody cause of those murders . sometimes persons have been tried for witch-craft by hot , sometimes by cold water ( of which more in the eighth chapter of th●s essay ) sometimes by pricking them ; sometimes by sticking awls under their seats , sometimes by their ability , or otherwise to repeat the lords prayer . an irish witch which was tried at youghall , sept. . . being by the court put upon repeating the fifth petition , alwayes left out the words forgive us our trespasses . another witch tried at taunton . could not repeat the last petition , but though she was directed to say it after one that repeated it distinctly , would say lead us into temptation , and could never repeat it right , though she tried to do it half a score times . but judge archer did wisely admonish the jury , that they were not in the least measure to guid their verdict by that , since it was no legal evidence . the author of the advertisement to mr. glanvil's relations ( p. . ) saith that his curiosity led him to examine certain witches at the castle in cambridge , and that the most notorious witch of them all pleaded that she was no witch , because she was able to say the lords prayer and the creed , and though she was out in repeating the creed , and said the lords prayer right . but from such considerations as those which have been mentioned , wierus and some others not atheists but persons of worth , have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 run into an extream on the other hand , so as to question whether there were any persons really confoederate with the infernal spirits . nevertheless , that there have been such , the following arguments do manifest . . the argument by many insisted on from the scriptures is irrefragable . therein witch-crafts are forbidden . and we often read in the scripture of metaphorical bewitchings , nahum . . gal. . . which similitudes are undoubtedly taken from things that have a real existence in rerum natura . yea , the scripture makes particular mention of many that used those cursed arts and familiarities with the devil , e. g. iannes , and iambres , balaam , manasseh , simon , elymas . nor is the relation which the scripture giveth of the witch of endor , and the reasons from thence deduced , to prove the being of witches , sufficiently confuted by any of our late witch-advocate● . though ( as one speaketh ) some men to elude the argument from that instance , play more hocus-pocus tricks in the explication of that passage than the witch her self did in the raising deceased samuel . it is a poor evasion in those who think to escape the dint of this argument , by pretending that the witches and familiar spirits spoken of in the scripture , were only iuglers , or men that by legerdemain would do strange feats of activity . the divine law requires that such witches should be cut off by the sword of justice ; which may not be affirmed of every one that shall without any confoederacy with the devil play tricks of legerdemain . . experience has too often made it manifest that there are such in the world as hold a co respondence with hell. there have bin known wizards ; yea such as have taught others what ceremonies they are to use in maintaining communion with devils . trithemius his book de septem intelligentiis , and cornelius agrippa's books of occult philosophy , wherein too much of these nefandous abominations is described , are frequently in the hands of men . several other books there are extant , which do professedly teach the way of familiarity with daemons . the titles whereof , as also the names of the authors that have published them , i designedly forbear to mention , lest haply any one into whose hands this discourse may come , should out of wicked curiosity seek after them to the ruine of his soul. there are famous histories of several , who had their paredri or familiar spirits , some in one likeness , some in another , constantly attending them . thus had apollonius thyanaeus of old . and of later times mich. scot , and iosephus niger . likewise cardanus ( de subtilitate , lib. . p. . ) writeth , that his own father had such a familiar for thirty years together . so had christopher waganeer a familiar in the form of an ape for seven years attending him ; so had folpardus , which two were at last carried away body and soul by the devil ; unto whose service they had devoted their lives . there is also a true ( as well as a romantick ) story of faustus . the excellent camerarius in his horae subs●civae cent. . cap. . relateth strange things of him , which he received from those who knew faustus , and were ey-witnesses of his magical and diabolical impostures : he also had a familiar devil in form of a monk accompanying of him for the space of twenty four years . housdor●ius , and lonicer ad praec . p. . speak of faustus . melancthon declares that he knew the man : so that naudeus is to be convinced of vanity , in denying that ever there was such a person in the world. in a word , it is a thing known , that there have been men who would discourse in languages , and reason notably about sciences which they never learned ; who have revealed secrets , discovered hidden treasures , told whither stolen goods have been conveyed , and by whom ; and that have caused bruit creatures , nay statues or images to speak , and give rational answers . the iews teraphims oftentimes did so : vide r. sol. iarchi in hos. . . selden de diis syriis . part . cap. . thom. contra gentes lib. . cap. . such things as these cannot be done by the help of meer natural causes . it must needs be then , that the practisers of them are in confoederacy with satan . . there have been many in the world , who have upon conviction confessed themselves guilty of familiarity with the devil . a multitude of instances this way are mentioned by bodinus , codron●hus , delrio , iacquerius , remigius , and others . some in this countrey have affirmed , that they knew a man in another part of the world , above fifty years ago , who having an ambitious desire to be thought a wise man ; whilest he was tormented with the itch of his wicked ambition , the devil came to him , with promises that he should quickly be in great reputation for his wisdom , in case he would make a covenant with him ; the conditions whereof were , that when men came to him for his counsel , he should labour to perswade them that there is no god , nor devil , nor heaven , nor hell ; and that such a term of years being expired , the devil should have his soul. the articles were consen●ed to . the man continuing after this to be of a very civil conversation , doing hurt to none , but good to many ; and by degrees began to have a name to be a person of extraordinary sagacity , and was sought unto far and near for counsel , his words being esteemed oracles by the vulgar . and he did according to his covenant upon all occasions secretly disseminate principles of athe●sm , not being suspected for a wizard . but a few weeks before the time indented with the devil was fulfilled ; inexpressible horror of conscience surprized him , so that he revealed the secret transactions which had passed betwixt himself and the devil . he would sometimes , with hideous roarings tell those that came to visit him , that now he knew that there was a god and a devil , and an heaven , and an hell. so did he die a miserable spectacle of the righteous and fearful judgement of god. and every age does produce new examples of those that have by their own confession made the like cursed covenants with the prince of darkness . in the year , several who were indicted at the assizes held at taunton in somersetshire , confessed that they had made an explicit league with the devil , and that he did baptise pictures of wax with oyl , giving them the names of those persons they did intend mischief unto . anno. . one iohn stuart , and his sister annabil stuart , at the assizes held at paysley in scotland , confessed that they had been in confoederacy with the devil ; and that they had made an image of wax , calling it by the name of sr. george maxwel , sticking pins in the sides and on the breast of it . such an image with pins in it , was really found in the witches houses ; and upon the removal of it , the pins being taken out , sir george had immediate ease , and recovered his health . there is lately published ( by dr. horneck ) the history of the witches in sweden , by whose means that kingdom was fearfully plagued : upon examination they confessed their crime , & were executed in the year . and no longer since than the last year , viz. on aug. . . three women who were executed at exon in devonshire , all of them confessed that they had had converses and familiarities with the devil . but the instance of the witch executed in hartford , here in new-england ( of which the preceding chapter giveth an account ) considering the circumstances of that confession , is as convictive a proof as most single examples that i have met with . it is a vain thing , for the patrons of witches to think that they can sham off this argument , by suggesting that these confessions did proceed from the deluded imaginations of mad and melancholly persons . some of them were as free from distemperature in their brains , as their neighbours . that divers executed for witches have acknowledged things against themselves which were never so , i neither doubt or deny . and that a deluded phansie may cause persons verily to think they have seen and done these things which never had any existence , except in their own imaginations is indisputable . i fully concur with a passage which i find , in worthy dr. owen's late excellent discourse about the work of the spirit in prayer ( page . ) where he has these words : we find by experience that some have had their imaginations so fixed on things evil and noxious by satanical delusions , that they have confessed against themselves things and crimes that have rendred them obnoxious to capital punishment , whereof they were never really and actually guilty . this notwithstanding , that persons whose judgement and reason has been free from disturbance by any disease , should not only voluntarily acknowledge their being in cursed familiarities with satan , but mention the particular circumstances of those transactions , and give ocular demonstration of the truth of what they say , by discovering the stigmata made upon their bodies , by the devils hand : and that when more than one or two have been examined apart , they should agree in the circumstances of their relations , and yet that all this should be the meer effect of melancholly or phrensie , cannot without offering violence to reason and common sense be imagined . and as there are witches so many times they are the causes of those strange disturbances which are in houses haunted by evil spirits , such as those mentioned in the former chapter . instances concerning this may be seen in mr. glanvils collections , together with the continuation thereof ; published the last year by the learned dr. henry more . sometimes providence permits the devil himself ( without the use of instruments ) to molest the houses of some as a punishment for sin committed . most commonly either for the sin of murder . plutarch writes that the house of pusanias was haunted by an evil spirit after he had murdered his wife . many like instances , have been reported and recorded by credible authors . or else for the sin of theft . as for walton the quaker of portsmouth , whose house has been so strangely troubled , he suspects that one of his neighbours has caused it by witchcraft , she ( being a widow-woman ) chargeth him with injustice in detaining some land from her . it is none of my work to reflect upon the man , nor will i do it ; only if there be any late or old guilt upon his conscience it concerns him by confession and repentance to give glory to that god , who is able in strange wayes to discover the sins of men. i shall here take occasion to commemorate an alike notable scene of providence , which was taken notice of in another part of the world s●il . at brightling in sussex in england : the minister in that town ( viz. mr. ioseph bennet ) has given a faithful account of that strange providence , which is published by mr. clark in his examples , vol. . page , &c. i shall relate it in his words , thus he writeth concerning it : anno christi . there was at brightling an amazing providence , containing many strange passages . a wonderful hand of god , by what instrument or instruments soever ; which was , a fire strangely kindled , which burnt down a mans house , and afterwards kindled in another , to which the mans goods were carried , and to which , himself , and his wife , and his servant girl were removed ; and several things were thrown by an invisible hand , powerfully convincing , and thereby discovering the hypocrisie and theft of the man , and for a warning to others to take heed of the like . november . in the evening . the fire first kindled in this man's milk-house , and november . there was dust thrown upon this man and his wife , as they lay in bed together , and there was knocking several times and the same morning divers things were thrown about , and the fire again kindled in the milk-house , which was yet put out by the woman her self ; then it kindled in the eves of the house , in the thatch , which was put out by a man which was their next neighbour . that night as the man had a pot of beer in his hand , a stone fell into the pot : then did he set down the pot upon the table . when some men came to be with them that night , they were speaking how convenient it would be to have a tub filled with water , to stand ready , in case they should have occasion to use it , and as they were going out of the door to prepare it , the fire again kindled in the milk-house , and suddenly the whole house was on fire , but most of the goods and household-stuff were carried out and preserved : the fire was a strange fire , very white , and not singing their hands when they pulled the things out of it . the next day the houshold-stuff was carried to another house , wherein was a family : but those were to be in one end of the house , and the other , in the other end . but before the man and his wife went to bed , there was dust thrown upon them , which so troubled them , that the man having another man with them , and a candle and lanthorn in his hand , came up to me ( saith my author ) who was in bed , and asleep , but when i was awakened , i heard him say , the hand of god still pursues me , and so he intreated me to go down with him , and accordingly i and my brother went down , where we found them in the house , greatly troubled by reason of things that were thrown about , and some things were thrown presently after we came in . hereupon we went to prayer , and as i was kneeling down , dust was thrown upon me , but afterwards all was quiet , so long as we were at prayer . when we arose from prayer , i applied my self to the reading of a portion of scripture , which was psal. . the man standing by me , and holding the candle , but presently something did beat out the light ; whereupon the man said , that some body else must hold it . presently a knife was thrown at me , which fell behind me ; my brother said , he saw it come . then a chopping knife was thrown ( i think at the man's wife ) whereupon the man said , things are thrown at others for my sake . at length he fell upon his knees , and confessed that he had been an hypocrite , and a pilfering fellow , and that he had robbed his master , &c. and he was willing to separate the things which he had taken wrongfully from the rest , which he did accordingly ; laying forth several things which he said , were none of his , naming the persons from whom he had taken them : and as a great chest was carrying forth , trenchers , platters , and other things were thrown about in so dreadful a manner , that one not much noted for religion , said , pray you let us go to prayer ; and indeed that was our only refuge , so to go to god ; and so we spent our time as well as we could , in prayer , reading some portions of scripture , and singing of psalms : and though divers things were thrown , as a dish several times , so that once i had a smart blow on the cheek with a dish , and the man that lived in the house had his boots thrown at him , and a chopping knife twice , crabs out of a tub standing in the midst of the room , a fire brand though without fire , and an hammer thrown twice , and a bible . the man's wife who lived in the house , usually took up the things thus thrown ; yet still in time of prayer , all was quiet . in the morning after i had prayed ( before which prayer i was hit with a dish ) my brother and i came away , and as we were coming near home , we turned aside to speak with a friend , but before we got home , we heard that the house was on fire : hereupon they sent for me again , and in the mean time , they carried out their goods , pulled off the thatch , and quenched the fire ; yet ( as i heard ) it kindled again , and again , till all the man's goods were carried out : and when these people whose house was burnt down to the ground , together with all their goods , were removed into the field , all was quiet in this second house ; but somethings were thrown in the field ; and in the afternoon , when another minister and i went to them , some assured us that some things had been thrown . this was november . the night following some noise was heard among the houshold-stuff , as was testified to me . thus these poor creatures were distressed , their house was burned down , that to which they were removed several times fired , so that neither they nor their goods might stay any longer there , nor durst any other receive them : but they , with their goods were forced to lie in the open field for divers dayes and nights together ; being made a sad spectacle to all sorts of people that came far and near , to see and hear of the business . hereupon i sent to some neighbouring ministers , to joyn with us in keeping a fast on november . and four spent the time in prayer and preaching . the sermons were upon these texts , iob . . if thou prepare thine heart , and stretch out thine hands towards him : if iniquity be in thine hand , put it far away , and let not wickedness dwell in thy tabernacles . for then shalt thou lift up thy face without spot ; yea , thou shalt be stedfast , and shalt not be afraid , &c. amos . . shall a trumpet be blown in the city , and the people not be afraid ? shall there be evil in a city and the lord hath not done it ? luk. . , . &c. suppose ye that these galileans were sinners above all the galileans , because they suffered such things ? i tell you nay : but except ye repent , ye shall all likewise perish : or those eighteen , &c. isai. . , , . the sinners in sien are afraid , fearfulness hath surprized the hypocrites . who among us shall dwell with devouring fire ? who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings ? he that walketh righteously and speaketh uprightly : he that despiseth the gain of oppression , that shaketh his hand from holding bribes , that stoppeth his ears from hearing of blood , and shutteth his eyes from seeing of evil : he shall dwell on high . his place of desire shall be the munitions of rocks : bread shall be given him , his water shall be sure . the distressed persons attended diligently , and a great congregation was assembled . these providential dispensations were not ordinary ; yet there was a seeming blur cast , though not on the whole yet upon some part of it ; for their servant girl was at last found throwing some things : and she afterwards confessed that an old woman came to her , november . a little before these things come to pass , and told her that her master and dame were bewitched , and that they should hear a great fluttering about their house for the space of two dayes ; she said also , that the old woman told her , that she must hurl things at her master and dame , and withal bad her not to tell , for if she did the devil would have her : and she confessed that she hurled the fire-brand , an hammer , and an iron tack ; and said , that she did it because the old woman bad her , and said to her , that if she hurled things about the house it would be the better . but besides the throwing of the things about , there were other passages of providence very observable an remarkable . one house was at several times strangely fired , and notwithstanding the warning they had , at last quite burned down : and another house to whom they removed , greatly molested , and at length fired . besides the efficacy of prayer is most observable , for the encouragement of the duty , and god's omniscient and omnipotent providence wonderfully magnified , thus to discover the hypocrisie and theft of the man , and yet withall , graciously and mercifully delivering them . for though they were not wholly delivered when the fast was first appointed , yet after the fast they were fully freed , and not at all any more troubled in that manner . thus far is mr. bennets relation . that the things which have been related in the chapter immediately praeceding , came not to pass without the operation of daemons is so manifest , as that i shall not spend many words concerning it . though whether the afflicted persons were only possessed , or bewitched , or both , may be disputed . as for the maid at groton , she was then thought to be under bodily possession : her uttering many things ( some of which were diabolical railings ) without using the organs of speech , and being able sometimes to act above humane strength , argued an extraordinary & satanical operation . concerning the woman in berwick . evil spirits without being set on work by instruments , have sometimes caused the like molestation ; but commonly such things are occasioned by witchcraft . dr. balthasar han ( who was chief physitian to the prince elector of saxony ) relates concerning one of his patients : that in november . she was to the amazement of all spectators , pricked and miserably beaten by an invisible hand ; so as that her body from head to foot was wounded , as if she had been whipped with thorns . sometimes a perfect sign of the cross was imprinted on her skin ; sometimes the usual configurations whereby astronomers denote the caelestial bodies , such as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and their conjunctions , and oppositions by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and the characters used by chymists 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. ( in which sciences , though that be not usual for those of her sex , she was versed ) these characters would remain for several weeks after the invisible hand had violently impressed them on her body ; also a needle was thrust into her foot , which caused it to bleed . once she took the needle & put it into the fire ; & then an old woman to whom she had given some of her wearing linnen , appeared to her with a staff in her hand , striking her with a cruel blow , & saying give me my needle . at last the miserable patient by constant attendance to prayer and other religious exercises was delivered from her affliction . many instances of an alike nature to this , are to be seen in the writings of those that treat upon subjects of this kind . sometimes ( as voetius and others observe ) bodily possessions by evil spirits are an effect of witch-craft . examples confirming this , are mentioned by hierom , in the life of hilarion ; theodoret in his history of the fathers , and by anastasius . and there are more instances in sprenger , and in tyraeus de daemoniacis . it may be ann cole of hartford might be subject to both of these miseries at the same time . though she be ( and then was ) esteemed a truly pious christian ; such amazing afflictions may befall the righteous as well as the wicked in this world. the holy body of iob , that so his patience might be tried ; was sorely handled by satan . we read in the gospel of a daughter of abraham , whom satan had bound for eighteen years , luk. . . mary magdalen , and several others who had been molested and possessed by evil spirits , yet belonged to god , and are now in heaven . so might ann cole be a true christian , and yet be for a time under satan's power as hath been related . and that her malady was not a meer natural disease , is past all doubt , inasmuch as in those strange paroxysmes wherewith she was at times surprized , the tone of her discourse would sometimes be after a language unknown to her . lemnius indeed supposeth that melancholly humors may cause persons not only to divine , but to speak with strange tongues ; and forestus lib. . observat . ) does not contradict his opinion . but the unreasonableness of that phansie has been sufficiently evinced by sundry learned men. vide iohnston , thaumatograph , sect. . chap. . art. . la torr , disp. . how shall that be in the mouth which never was in the mind ; and how should that be in the mind , which never came there through the outward senses ? this cannot be without some supernatural influence . as when things destitute of reason , have given rational answers unto what hath been demanded of them ; it must needs have proceded from the operation of a supernatural agent . it is reported that one of the popes in way of pleasancy , saying to a parrat , what art thou thinking of ? the parrat immediately replied , i have considered the dayes of old , the years of antient times ▪ at the which , consternation fell upon the pope and others that heard the words , concluding that the devil spake in the parrat ▪ abusing scripture expressions ; whereupon they caused it to be killed . de la cerda speaketh of a crow , that did discourse rationally ; undoubtedly , it was acted by a caco-daemon : some write of achilles his horse , and that simon magus had a dog that would discourse with him ; yea , it is storied concerning the river causus , and the keel of ship argus ; and of many statues , that they have been heard speaking . the image of memnon in aegypt , as the rising sun shined upon its mouth began to speak . the image of iuno moneta , being asked if she would be removed to rome : replied , that she would . the image of fortune being set up , said rite me consacrastis . valer. maxim. lib. capult . a gymnosophist in ethiopia caused an elm with a low and soft voice to salute apollonius . such things must needs be the operation of caco-daemons . the like is to be concluded , when any shall utter themselves in languages which they were never learned . it is not they but a spirit which speaketh in them . the noble man whom fernelius writeth of , was first known to be possessed by a daemon , inasmuch as many sentences uttered by him were greek , in which language the diseased person had no knowledge . a maid in frankford was concluded to be possessed , it that when in her fits , she could speak the high dutch language perfectly , though she never learned it . manlius writeth of a possessed woman , who used to speak latin , and greek to the admiration of all that heard it . i remember an honourable gentleman told me , that when he was at somers in france a woman there was possessed with a devil ; many learned divines , both protestants and papists discoursing with her ; she would readily answer them , not only in the french tongue , but in latin , greek or hebrew . but when one mr. duncan , after he had discoursed and received answers in more learned languages , spake to her in the british tongue , the daemon made no reply ; which occasioned great wonderment , and too much sporting about a sad and serious matter . chap. vii . concerning apparitions . that they are not so frequent in places where the gospel prevaileth as in dark corners of the earth . that good angels do sometimes visibly appear . confirmed by several histories . that caco-daemons oftentimes pretend to be good angels . that satan may appear in the likeness of holy men ; proved by notable instances . concerning the appearance of persons deceased . the procuring cause thereof is usually some sin committed . some late remarkable examples . of mens covenanting to appear after their death . it is an heavy judgement when places are infested with such doleful spectres . as yet no place , nor any person in new-england ( excepting the instances before mentioned ) have been troubled with aparitions : some indeed have given out , that i know not what spectres were seen by them ; but upon enquiry , i cannot find that there was any thing therein , more than phansie , and frightful apprehensions without sufficient ground . nevertheless , that spirits have sometimes really ( as well as imaginarily ) appeared to mortals in the world , is amongst sober men beyond controversie . and that such things were of old taken notice of , we may rationally conclude from that scripture , luk. . . where it is said , that the disciples were terrified and affrighted , and supposed that they had seen a spirit . it is observable , that such frightful spectres do most frequently shew themselves in places where the light of the gospel hath not prevailed . some have propounded it as a question worthy the inquiring into ; what should be the reason that daemons did ordinarily infest the gentiles of old , as also the east and west indians of later times , and that popish countries are still commonly and grievously molested by them ; but in england , and scotland , and in the united provinces , and in all lands where the reformed religion hath taken place , such things are more rare . popish authors do acknowledge that as to matter of fact it is really thus ; and the reason which some of them assign for it , is , that the devils are so sure of their interest in heretical nations , as that they pass over them , and come & molest papists , whom they are most afraid of losing . but they should rather have attributed it to the light of the gospel , and the power of christ going along therewith . iustin martyr , tertullian , and others observe that upon the first promulgation of the gospel , those diabolical oracles , whereby satan had miserably deceived the nations , were silenced ; in which respect the word of christ luk. . . was wonderfully fulfilled . the like may be said as to protestant being less imposed upon then popish nations , by deceitful daemons . it is moreover , sometimes very difficult to pass a true judgement of the spectres which do appear , whether they are good or evil angels , or the spirits of deceased men . that holy angels were frequently seen in old times , we are from the scriptures of truth assured . and that the angelical ministration doth still continue is past doubt , heb. . . but their visible appearance is less frequent than formerly . they do invisibly perform many a good office for the heirs of salvation continually . nor is it to be questioned , but they may still appear visibly , when the work which they are sent about cannot otherwise be performed . i would not reject as fabulous all those passages which are related by judicious authors referring to this subject . at a time when grynaeus , melancthon , and several other learned men were discoursing together at an house in spyres , there came a man of very grave and godly countenance into the house , desiring to speak with melancthon ; who going forth to him , he told him that within one hour some officers would be at that house to apprehend grynaeus , and therefore required melancthon to advise grynaeus to flee out of that city ; and having so spoken , he vanished out of sight . melancthon returning into the room , recounted the words of this strange monitor ; whereupon grynaeus instantly departed ; and he had no sooner boated himself upon the rhine , but officers came to lay hold of him . this story is mentioned by melancthon in his commentary upon dani●l . and he concludeth that the man who had appeared to him was indeed an angel , sent in order to grynaeus his being delivered from the bloody hands of them that sought his life . many instances like to this i could mention . but i shall only take notice of a strange providence which came to pass of late years ; the particulars whereof are known to some who i suppose may be still living . i find the history of the matter i intend in mr. clark's examples , vol. . page , . it is in brief as followeth ; one samuel wallas of stamford in lincolnshire , having been in a consumption for thirteen years , was worn away to a very skeleton and lay bed-rid for four years . but april . . being the lords day , about h. p. m. finding himself somewhat revived , he got out of the bed , and as he was reading a book entituled , abraham's suit for sodom , he heard some body knock at the door . whereupon ( there being none then in the house but himself ) he took a staff in the one hand , and leaning to the wall with the other , came to the door , and opening it , a comely and grave old man of a fresh complexion , with white curled hair , entred ; and after walking several times about the room , said to him , friend , i perceive you are not well . to whom wallas replied , he had been ill many years , and that the doctors said his disease was a consumption , and past cure , and that he was a poor man , and not able to follow their costly prescriptions , only he committed himself and life into the hands of god , to dispose of as he pleased . to whom the man replied , thou sayest very well , be sure to fear god , and serve him ; and remember to observe what now i say to thee ; tomorrow morning go into the garden , and there take two leaves of red sage ▪ and one of blood-wort ; and put those three leaves into a cup of small beer , and drink thereof as oft as need requires ; the fourth morning cast away those leaves , and put in fresh ones , thus do for twelve dayes together ; and thou shalt find e're these twelve dayes be expired , through the help of god thy disease will be cured , and the frame of thy body altered . also he told him that after his strength was somewhat recovered , he should change the air , and go three or four miles off ; and that within a moneth he should find that the clothes which he had on his back would then be too strait for him : having spoken these things , he again charged samuel wallas to remember the directions given to him , but above all things to fear god , and serve him . wallas asked him , if he would eat anything ? unto whom he answered , no friend , the lord christ is sufficient for me . seldom do i drink any thing but what cometh from the rock . so wishing the lord of heaven to be with him , he departed . samuel wallas saw him go out of the door , and went to shut the door after him , at which he returned half way into the entry again , saying friend , remember what i have said to you , and do it , but above all fear god , and serve him . wallas beheld the man passing in the street , but none else observed him , though some were then standing in the doors opposite to wallas his house . and although it rained when this grave person came into the house , and had done so all that day , yet he had not one spot of wet or dirt upon him . wallas followed the directions prescribed , and was restored to his health within the dayes mentioned . the fame of this strange providence being noised abroad , sundry ministers met at stamford , to consider and consult about it , who concluded that this cure was wrought by a good angel , sent from heaven upon that errand . however it is not impossible , but that holy angels may appear , and visibly converse with some . yet for any to desire such a thing is unwarrantable , and exceeding dangerous . for thereby some have been imposed upon by wicked daemens , who know how to transform themselves into angels of light. bodinus hath a strange relation of a man that prayed much for the assistance of an angel ; and after that for above thirty years together , he thought his prayer was heard ; being often admonished of his errors by a caelestial monitor , as he apprehended , who once appeared visibly in the form of a child ; otherwhile in an orb of light. would sometimes speak to him when he saw nothing . yet some fear that this spirit which he took to be his good genius was a subtle cacodaemon . plato writeth concerning socrates , that he had a good genius attending him , which would still admonish him if he were about to do any thing that would prove ill or unhappy . the story of the familiarity which was between dr. dee and kellet , with the spirits which used to appear to them , is famously known . those daemons would pretend to discover rare mysteries to them , and at times would give them good advices in many things , so that they verily thought they had had extraordinary communion with holy angels , when as it is certain they were deceived by subtile and unclean devils , since the spirits they conversed with , did at last advise them to break the seventh commandment of the moral law. satan to insinuate himself and carry on a wicked design , will sometimes seem to perswade men unto great acts of piety . remigius ( and from him others ) write of a young man whose name was theodore maillot , unto whom a daemon appearing , advised him to reform his life , to abstain from drunkenness , thefts , uncleanness , and the like evils ; and to fast twice a week , to be constant in attendance upon publick worship , and to be very charitable to the poor . the like pious advice did another daemon follow a certain woman with , unto whom he appeared . could a good angel have given better counsel ? but this was satans policy , hoping that thereby he should have gained an advantage to take silly souls alive in his cruel snare . like as thieves upon the road will sometimes enter into religious discourse , that so their fellow-travellers may have good thoughts of them , and be the more easily dispoyled by them . and as the evil spirit will speak good words , so doth he sometimes appear in the likeness of good men , to the end that he may the more effectually deceive and delude all such as shall be so unhappy as to entertain converses with him . no doubt but that he knows how to transform himself into the shape of not only an ordinary saint , but of an apostle , or holy prophet of god , cor. . , . this we may gather from the sacred history of dead samuel's appearing to saul . some are of opinion that real samuel spake to saul , his soul being by magical incantations returned into his body , so divers of the fathers and school-men ; also mendoza , delrio , and other popish authors . of late m. glanvil and dr. windet , do in part favour that notion . but tertullian , and the author of the quest. and respons . which pass under the name of iustin martyr are of the judgement , that a lying daemon appeared to saul in samuel's likeness . our protestant divines generally are of this judgment . it was customary amongst the gentiles for magicians and necromancers to cause dead persons to appear , and they would bring whomsoever they were desired to call for . thus did a wizard by pompeys command , call a dead souldier , of whom he enquired of the event of the pharsalic war , vide lucan lib. . many examples to this purpose , are recorded in the histories of former times ; and mentioned by the old poets . those apparitions were cacodaemons , which feigned themselves to be the spirits of men departed . i see no cogent reason why we should not conclude the like with respect unto samuel's appearing unto saul . most certain it is , that the souls of holy men departed , are not under the power of devils , much less of magicians to bring them hither when they please . as for those that are gone into the other world , there is a gulf fixed , that if men would they cannot pass into this world again without leave , luk. . . if dives could not bring lazarus his soul out of abraham's bosome , how the witch of endor should be able to bring samuel's soul from thence i know not . lyra ( and from him others ) pretends that god then interposed and sent real samuel as he unexpectedly appeared to baalam , when imployed about his magical impostures . but i dare not believe that the holy god , or the true samuel would seem so far to countenance necromancie or psycomancy as this would be , should the soul of samuel really return into the world , when a witch called for him , saul desiring that it might be so . this opinion establisheth necromancy , the main principal upon which that cursed and lying art is built , being this , that it is possible for men to cause the souls of dead persons to be brought back again . this seeming samuel did not at all ascribe his appearance to the extraordinary providence of god , but rather to the devil , since he complained that saul had by the witch disquieted him . the appearing samuel was seen ascending out of the earth , whenas the true samuel would rather have appeared as descending from heaven . moreover the words of the witches , samuel , when he said , tomorrow thou and thy sons shall be with me , sam. . . are hardly consistent with truth . nor is it likely , that the true samuel would preach nothing but desperation to saul , without so much as once exhorting him in a way of repentance , to endeavour that his peace might be made with that god whom he had provoked by his sins , v. p. martyr . in sam. . p. , . and voet. de spectris page . this instance then , doth suffic●ently prove that satan may appear in the shape of an holy man. some acknowledge that he may do so as to persons that are dead , but that he cannot personate good and innocent men who are still living . it is by some reported , that mr. cotton did once deliver such a notion . nothing is more frequent , then for the judgment of worthy men to be misrepresented after they are gone , and not capable of clearing themselves . i know mr. cotton was a man of great reading , and of deep judgment . i shall therefore rather suppose that they who relate mr. cotton's opinion , did themselves mistake him , then believe that a man so learned and wise , would express himself , as some say he did . sure i am , that authentick historians mention examples to the contrary . memorable is that which lavater ( de spectris part. cap. . p. mihi . ) hath testified , sc. that the praefect of zurick travelling abroad with his servant betimes in the morning , they saw an honest citizen committing nefandous villany , at the which being astonished , they returned back , and knocking at the citizens door , they found him in his own house , nor had he been abroad that morning , so that what the praefect and his servant beheld , appeared to be nothing else but a diabolical illusion ; a spiteful daemon designing to blast the credit , and take away the life of an innocent man. it is also reported by albertus granzius ( lib. . cap. . ) that kunegund the empress , was for some time thought to be guilty of adultery , by reason that a noble person was frequently seen going out of her chamber ; but it after appeared that the suspected noble person had not been there , only a daemon in his shape . i concern not my self , with the authentickness of that relation . the matter in hand is sufficiently confirmed by a thing that hapned more lately , and nearer home : for if any of the old puritans , who lived in colchester in england , fifty years ago , be yet surviving , they can doubtless remember the strange things which hapned to one mr. earl , a young man in those dayes . the devil did then frequently appear to him in the shape of some of his acquaintance , and would perswade him to three things . . that he should abstain from praying . . that he should not frequent church-meetings . . that he should never marry . but he did not hearken to these suggestions . the night wherein he was married , soon after he and his wife were bedded , the devil came into the room , and pulled two of his teeth out of his head , which put him to great pain ; whereupon he cried out , and when his friends came in , they found his mouth bloody , and used means to ease his pain . this mr. earl was afterwards for the space of ten years ever and anon assaulted by the devil , who under many appearances of his friends , did endeavour to seduce him . there were then two famous men ministers of those parts , viz. mr. iohn rogers of dedham , ( who was father to the late eminent mr. nathaniel rogers of ipswich in new-england ) and mr. liddal of colchester . with these mr. earl did converse for comfort and instruction ; but chiefly with mr. liddal , then whom there was not a man more eminent for godliness . it fell out once that the devil came to mr. earl in mr. liddal's shape , and as mr. earl's custom was , he did propose to the seeming mr. liddal his cases of conscience , but found that mr. liddal did not discourse after his ordinary rate , which made him suspect whether he was not imposed upon by a deceitful daemon . the next day going to mr. liddal's house , he enquired whether he was with him the day before , mr. liddal told him that he was not ; then said mr. earl it was my enemy in your shape . what a miserable man am i , that know not when i speak with my enemy or with my friend ? to which mr. liddal replied , if you would know when you speak with a spirit or with a man , remember and follow the advice of christ ; who when he appeared to his disciples after his resurrection , and they thought he had been a spirit , and were therefore troubled ; he said to them , handle me and see , for a spirit hath not flesh and bones as you see me have , luk. . . this advice mr. earl followed . for not long after the devil coming to him in mr. liddal's shape , he went to take hold on his arms , but could feel no substance , only a vanishing shadow . it seems that this mr. earl was once an athiest , that did not believe that there was either god or devil , & would often walk in solitary and dismal places , wishing for the sight of a spirit ; and that he was first assaulted by a devil in a church-yard . and though god mercifully gave him repentance yet he was miserably haunted with an evil spirit all his dayes . i find that mr. clark in his first vol. of examples , chap. . p. . hath some part of this strange providence , but he mentions not mr. earl's name . a gentleman worthy of credit affirmed this relation to be most certainly true , according to the particulars which have been declared . i have thought it therefore not unworthy the publication . there is another remarkable passage to this purpose , which hapned of later years , wherein the turkish chaous baptized at london , ianuary . a. d. . was concerned . this chaous being alone in his chamber , . h. p. m. a person in the likeness of mr. dury , the minister with whom he did most ordinarily converse , came and sat by him . this seeming mr. dury told him , that he had waited with a great deal of patience as to the matter of his baptism ; and that himself had endeavoured by all means possible to procure it , to be performed with publick countenance ; and to that effect , had dealt with richard , and several of his counsel , but that now he perceived that it was in vain to strive or wait longer . and therefore advised him not to be much troubled at it , but setting his mind at rest , to leave these thoughts , and take up his resolution another way . when the chaous heard this discourse , being much perplexed in his spirit , he lifted up his hands and eyes to heaven , uttering words to this effect . o my lord iesus christ , what a miserable thing is this , that a true christian cannot be owned by other christians ; that one who believeth on thee cannot be baptized into thy name . when he had so spoken , looking down , he saw no body , the appearance of mr. dury being vanished , which was at first an amazement to him ; but recollecting himself , he began to rejoyce , as hoping that satan would be disappointed of his plot. about h. at night , the true mr. dury met with the chaous who acquainted him with what hapned to him , so did he more fully understand how he had been imposed upon by satan . the mentioned instances , are enough to prove that the devil may possibly appear in the shape of good men , and that not only of such as are dead , but of the still living . it might as a further confirmation of the truth we assert , have been here noted , that the devil doth frequently amongst the papists visibly appear , pretending to be christ himself , as their own authors do acknowledge . they affirm , that he came in the shape of christ to pachomius and to st. martin . so hath he often appeared in the form of the virgin mary , whereby miserable souls have been seduced into gross idolatries . it is likewise reported , that when luther had spent a day in fasting and prayer , there appeared to him one seeming to be christ ; but luther said to him , away thou confounded devil , i will have no christ but what is in my bible , whereupon the apparition vanished . as for the spirits of men deceased , it is certain they cannot reassume their bodies , nor yet come to men in this world when they will , or without a permission from him , in whose hand they are . chrysostom in his second sermon concerning lazarus , saith that daemons would oftentimes appear , falsly pretending themselves to be the souls of some lately dead . he saith , that he himself knew many daemoniacks , that the spirits in them would feign the voices of men lately killed , and would discover the secrets of such persons , professing that they were the souls of those very men . but those were no other then devilish lies . upon which account men had need be exceeding wary what credit they give unto , or how they entertain communion with such spectres . i do not say that all such apparitions are diabolical . only that many of them are so . and as yet i have not met with any 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 whereby the certain appearance of a person deceased , may be infallibly discerned from a meer diabolical illusion . the rules of judging in this case described by malderus are very fallible . as for the moving and procuring cause of such apparitions , commonly it is by reason of some sin not discoverable in any other way . either some act of injustice done , or it may be some murder committed . platina , nauclerus , and others relate , that pope benedict . . did after his death appear sitting upon a black horse before a bishop of his acquaintance , declaring the reason to be , in that he had in his life time nefariously consumed a great sum of money , which belonged to the poor . and there are fresh examples to this purpose lately published in the second edition of mr. glanvils sadducismus triumphatus . he there speaks of a man in guilford , unto whom belonged some copy-hold land , which was to descend to his children , he dying , leaving no child born , his brother took possession of the estate . so it hapned that the deceased man's wife conceived with child but a little before her husbands death , which after she perceived , by the advice of her neighbours , she told her brother in law how matters were circumstanced ; he railed upon her , calling her whore , and said he would not be fooled out of his estate so . the poor woman went home troubled , that not only her child should lose the land , but which was worse , that she should be thought an whore. in due time she was delivered of a son. some time after which , as her brother in law was going out of the field , his dead brother ( the father of the injured child ) appeared to him at the stile , and bid him give up the land to the child , for it was his right . the brother being greatly affrighted at this spectre , ran away , and not long after came to his sister , saying , she had sent the devil to him , and bid her take the land ; and her son is now possessed of it . the same author relates , that the wife of dr. bretton of deptford ( being a person of extraordinary piety ) did appear after her death . a maid of hers , whose name was alice ( for whom in her life time she had a great kindness ) married a near neighbour . as this alice was rocking her infant in the night , some one knocking at the door , she arose and opened it , and was surprized by the sight of a gentlewoman , not to be distinguished from her late mistriss . at the first sight she expressed great amazement , and said were not my mistress dead i should conclude you are she . the apparition replied , i am she which was your mistriss ; and withal added , that she had a business of great importance to imploy her in , and that she must immediately go a little way with her . alice trembled , and entreated her to go to her master , who was fitter to be employed than she . the seeming mistriss replied , that she had been in the chamber of him who was once her husband , but he was asleep ; nor had she any commission to awake him . alice then objected that her child was apt to cry vehemently , and should she leave it , some hurt might come to him . the apparition replied , the child shall sleep until you return . seeing there was no avoiding it ; alice followed her over the style into a large field , who said , observe how much of this field i measure with my feet , and when she had took a good large leisurly compass , she said , all this belongs to the poor ; it being gotten from them by wrongful means , and charged her to go and tell her brother , whose it was at that time , that he should give it up to the poor again forthwith as he loved her and his deceased mother . this brother was not the person that did this unjust act , but his father . she added , that she was the more concerned , because her name was made use of in some writing that related to this land. alice asked her how she should satisfie her brother that this was no cheat or delusion of her phansie ? she replied , tell him this secret which he knows that only himself and i am privy to , and he will believe you . alice promised her to go on this errand . she entertained her the rest of the night with divine discourse , and heavenly exhortations . but when the twilight appeared , the spectre said , i must be seen by none but your self , and so disappeared . immediately alice makes hast home , being thoughtful for her child , but found it as the spectre said , fast asleep in the cradle . that day she went to her master , the doctor , who amazed at the account she gave , sent her to his brother in law. he at the first hearing of alice's story , laughed at it heartily ; supposing her to be troubled with strange whimsies . but then she told him of the secret , which her appearing mistriss the gentleman's sister , had revealed ; upon which he presently changed his countenance , and told her he would give the poor their own , which accordingly he did , and they now enjoy it . d. bretton himself ( being a person of great sincerity ) gave a large narrative of his wives apparition , to several ; and amongst others to dr. whichcot . and this narrative was attested unto by mr. edward fowler , feb. . . see mr. glanvil's collection of relations , p. . in the same book , p. . he relates concerning one francis taverner , that in september . riding late at night from hilbrough in ireland there appeared to him one in the likeness of iames haddock , formerly an inhabitant in malone , where he died five years before . taverner asked him who he was ? the spectre replied , i am iames haddock ; you may call me to mind by this token , that about five years ago , i and two other friends were at your fathers house , and you by your fathers appointment brought us some nuts , therefore be not afraid . and told him if he would ride along with him he would acquaint him with a business he had to deliver to him . which taverner refused to do ; upon his going from the spectre , he heard hideous scrieches and noises , to his great amazement . the night after there appeared again to him , the likeness of iames haddock ; telling him , that the woman , who had been his wife , when living ; was now married unto one davis in malone ; and that the said davis and his wife wronged the son of iames haddock ; and that the will of haddock , who had given a lease to his son , was not fulfilled ; and therefore he desired taverner to acquaint them therewith , and to see his son righted . taverner neglected to deliver his message , whereupon the spectre appeared again unto him in divers formidable shapes , threatning to tear him in pieces , if he did not do as he was required . this made him leave his house where he dwelt in the mountains and remove to the town of belfast , where it appeared to him again in the house of one pierce , severely threatning of him . upon which taverner being much troubled in his spirit , acquainted some of his friends with his perplexity . they take advice from dr. downs , then minister in belfast . and mr. iames south , chaplain to the lord chichester , who went with taverner to the house of davis , and in their presence he declared to her , that he could not be quiet for the ghost of her former husband iames haddock , who threatned to tear him in pieces , if he did not tell her she must right iohn haddock her son by him , in a lease wherein she and davis her now husband had wronged him . two nights after the spectre came to him again , looking pleasantly upon him , asking if he had done the message ? he answered , he had . then he was told , he must do the like to the executors . the day following dr. ieremie taylor bishop of down , conner , and dromore , being to keep court at dromore ; ordered his secretary ( thomas alcock ) to send for taverner , who accordingly came , and was strictly examined . the bishop advised him , the next time the spectre appeared to him , to ask him these questions : when●● are you ? are you a good or a bad spirit ? where is your abode ? what station do you hold ? how are you regimented in the other world ? and what is the reason that you appear for the relief of your son in so small a matter , when so many widows and orphans are oppressed in the world , and none of their relations appear as you do to right them ? that night taverner lodged at my lord conways , where he saw the spectre coming over a wall ; and approaching near to him , asked if he had done his message to the executor also ? he replied , he had , and wondred that he should be still troubled . the apparition bid him not be afraid , for it would not hurt him , nor appear to him any more , but to the executor , if the orphan were not righted . taverners brother being by , put him in mind to propound the bishops questions to the spirit . which he did ; but the spectre gave no answer to them ; only seemed to crawl on his hands and feet over the wall again , and vanished with a melodious harmony . the pe●sons concerned about the lease ( much against their wills ) disposed of it for the use of haddock's son , only for fear lest the apparition should molest them also . thus concerning this . before i pass to the next relation , i cannot but animadvert upon what is here expressed , concerning the questions which the bishop would needs have propounded to , and resolved by this spectre . i am perswaded , that the apostle paul who speaks of a mans intruding into those things which he hath not seen , col. . . would hardly have given such counsel as the bishop did . one of his questions , ( viz. are you a good or a bad spirit ? ) seems to be a needless and impertinent enquiry . for good angels never appear in the shape of dead men ; but evil and wicked spirits have oftentimes done so . his other queries favour too much of vain curiosity . they bring to mind what is by that great historian thuanus ( lib. . page . ) reported concerning peter cotten the jesuit , who having a great desire to be satisfied about some questions which no man living could resolve him in ; he applied himself to a maid who was possessed with a devil , charging the spirit in her to resolve his proposals . some of which were relating to this world , e. g. he desired the devil , if he could , to tell him when calvinism would be extinguished ; and what would be the most effectual means to turn the kingdome of england from the protestant to the popish religion . what would be the issue of the wars and great designs then on foot in the world ? other of his enquiries respected the old world , e. g. how noah could take the living creatures that were brought into the ark ? who those sons of god were that loved the daughters of men ? whether serpents went upon feet before adam's fall , &c. some of his questions respected the other world ; he would have the spirit to resolve him , how long the fallen angels were in heaven before they were cast down from thence ? and what is the most evident place in the scripture to prove that there is a purgatory ? who are the seven spirits that stand before the throne of god ? who is the king of the arch-angels ? where paradise is ? now let the reader judge whether d. taylors questions , when he would have the spectre resolve him , where is your abode ? what station do you hold ? how are you regimented in the other world ? &c. be not as curious as some of these of the jesuits . wise men thought it tended much to the disreputation of peter cotton when through his incogitant leaving the book wherein his enquiries of the daemon were written with a friend ; the matter came to be divulged . i cannot think that dr. taylors secretary his publishing these curiosities of his lord , hath added much to his credit amongst sober and judicious persons . there is a tragical passage related in the story of the daemon which for three moneths molested the house of mr. perreaud a protestant minister in matiscon . one in the room would needs be propounding needless questions for the devil to answer , though mr. perreaud told him of the danger in it . after a deal of discourse ; the devil said to him , you should have hearkened to the ministers good counsel , who told you that you ought not to ask curious questions of the devil , yet you would do it , and now i must school , you for your pains . presently upon which , the man was by an invisible hand plucked up by his thumb , and twirled round , and thrown down upon the floor , and so continued in most grievous misery . i hope then , that none will be emboldened from the bishops advice , to enquire at the mouth of devils or of apparitions , until such time as they know whether they are devils or no. but to pass on . that the ghosts of dead persons have sometimes appeared that so the sin of murder ( as well as that of theft ) might be discovered , is a ●●hing notoriously known . i shall only mention two or three examples for this ; and the rather because some who are very unapt to believe things of this nature , yet have given credit to those relations . two of the stories are recited by mr. webster in his book of witchcraft . he saith , ( p. . ) that about the year . one fletcher of rascal , a town in the north-riding of yorkshire , a yeoman of a good estate married a woman from thornton brigs , who had formerly been naught with one ralph raynard , who kept an inn , within half a mile from rascal , in the high road betwixt york and thuske , his sister living with him ; this raynard continuing in unlawful lust with fletcher's wife , and not being content therewith , conspired the death of fletcher ; one mark dunn being made privy , and hired to assist in the murther ; which raynard and dunn accomplished upon may day , by drowning him , as they were travelling all three together , from a town called huby , and acquainted the wife with the deed , she gave them a sack , therein to convey his body , which they did , and buried it in raynard's back side , or croft , where an old oak had been stubbed up , and sowed mustard-seed in the place , thereby to hide it ; they then continued their wicked course of lust and drunkenness ; and the neighbours did much wonder at fletchers absence , but his wife excused it , and said , he was only gone aside for fear of some writs being served upon him , and so it continued till about iuly th . after , when raynard going to topcliff-fair , and setting up his horse in the stable , the spirit of fletcher in his usual shape and habit , did appear unto him , and said , o ralph , repent , repent , for my revenge is at hand ; and ever after , until he was put in the goal the spirit seemed continually to stand before him , whereby he became sad and restless , and his own sister over-hearing his confession and relation of it to another person , did through fear of losing her own life , immediately reveal it to sr. william sheffield , who lived in rascal ; whereupon raynard , dunn , and the wife , were all three apprehended , and sent to the goal at york , where they were condemned and executed , near the place where raynard lived ; and fletcher was buried ; the two men being hung up in chains , and the woman burned under the gallows . i have recited this story punctually , as a thing that hath been very much fixed on my memory ( being then but young ) and a certain truth , i being ( with many more ) an ear-witness of their confessions , and eye-witness of their executions , and likewise saw fletcher when he was taken up , where they had buried him in his clothes , which were a green fustian doublet pinckt upon white , and his walking boots , and brass spurs , without rowels . thus mr. webster . again , the same author ( p. . ) relates that about the year . there lived one walker , near chester , who was a yeoman of a good estate , and a widower ; he had a young kins-woman to keep his house , who was by the neighbours suspected to be with child , and was sent away one evening in the dark , with one mark sharp a collier , and was not heard of , nor little notice taken of her , till a long time after one iames grayham a miller , who lived two miles from walker's house , being one night alone very late in his mill , grinding corn , about twelve a clock at night , the doors being shut , there stood a woman in the midst of the floor , with her hair hanging down all bloody , and five large wounds in her head ; he was very much frighted , yet had the courage to ask her who she was , and what she wanted ? to whom she answered , i am the spirit of such a woman , who lived with walker , and being got with child by him , he promised to send me to a private place , where i should be well lookt to , till i was brought a bed , and well , and then i should come again and keep his house , and accordingly ( said the apparition ) i was one night late sent away with one mark sharp , who upon a moor , ( naming a place which the miller knew ) slew me with a pick ( such as men dig coals withal ) and gave me these five wounds , and after threw my body into a coal-pit hard by , and hid the pick under the bank , and his shoes and stockins being bloody , he endeavoured to wash them , but seeing the blood would not wash off , he left them there ; and the apparition further told the miller , that he must be the man to reveal it , or else she must still appear and haunt him . the miller returned home very sad , and heavy , but spake not one word of what he had seen , yet eschewed as much as he could to stay in the mill in the night without company , thinking thereby to escape the seeing this dreadful apparition ; but notwithstanding , one night when it began to be dark , the apparition met him again , and seemed very fierce and cruel , threatning him , that if he did not reveal the murder , she would continually pursue and haunt him ; yet for all this , he still concealed it , until st. thomas eve before christmas , when being soon after sun-set walking in his garden , she appeared again , and then so threatned and affrighted him , that he promised faithfully to reveal it the next morning : in the morning he went unto a magistrate , and discovered the whole matter , with all the circumstances , and diligent search being made , the body was found in a cole-pit , with five wounds in the head , and the pick , and shoes , and stockins yet bloody , and in every circumstance as the apparition had related to the miller● ▪ whereupon walker and mark sharp were both apprehended , but would confess nothing . at the assizes following , ( i think it was at durham ) they were arraigned , found guilty , and hanged ; but i could never hear that they confessed the fact. it was reported that the apparition did appear to the judge , or the fore-man of the jury , but of that i know no certainty . there are many persons yet alive that can remember this strange murder , and i saw and read the letter which was sent to serjeant hutton about it , from the judge before whom they were tried , which maketh me relate it with greater confidence . thus far we have mr. webster's relations . it is also credibly attested that a thing no less remarkable than either of the former , hapned but nine years ago at another place in england . the sum of the story as it is published in mr. glanvil's collection of relations , p. . is this : on the ninth of november . thomas goddard of marlborough in the country of wilts , as he was going to ogborn , about . h. a. m. he met the apparition of his father in law edward avon , who had beed dead about half a year . he seemed to stand by the stile , which goddard was to go over . when he came near , the spectre spake to him with an audible voice , saying , are you afraid ? to whom he answered , i am , thinking of one who is dead and buried , whom you are like . to which the apparition replied , i am be ; come near me i will do you no harm ; to which goddard replied , i trust in him who hath bought my soul with his precious blood , you shall do me no harm . then the spectre said , how stand cases at home ? goddard askt what cases ? then it asked him , how doth william and mary ? meaning belike , his son william and his daughter mary , whom this goddard had married . and it said , what ? taylor is dead ; meaning as goddard thought , one of that name in london , who had married another of avon's daughters , and died in september before this . the spectre offered him some money , desiring it might be sent to his daughter that was lately become a widow ; but goddard answered , in the name of iesus christ i refuse all such money . then the apparition said , i perceive you are afraid , i will meet you some other time : so it went away . the next night about h. it came and opened his shop-window , and looked him in the face , but said nothing . and the next night after as goddard went into his back-side with a candle light in his hand , but he being affrighted ran into his house , and saw it no more at that time . but on thursday november . as he came from chilton , the apparition met him again , and stood ( about eight foot ) directly before him , and said with a loud voice , thomas , bid william avon take the sword which he had of me , which is now in his house , and carry to the wood as we goe to alton to the upper end of the wood by the wayes side , for with that sword i did wrong above thirty years ago , & he never prospered since t was his . and do you speak with edward lawrence , and i desire you to pay him twenty shillings out of the money which you received of iames eliot at two payments ; for i borrowed so much money of edward lawrence , and said that i had paid him , but i did not pay it him . this money was received of iames eliot on a bond due to avon and goddard had it at two payments after avon had been dead several moneths . lawrence saith that he lent avon twenty shillings in money about twenty years ago , which was never paid him again . november . goddard did by order from the mayor of the town , go with his brother in law william avon , with the sword to the place where the apparition said it should be carried . and coming away thence goddard looking back saw the same apparition , whereupon he called to his brother in law , and said , here is the apparition of your father ; william replied , i see nothing , then goddard fell on his knees , and said , lord , open his eyes that he may see . but william said , lord grant i may not see it , if it be thy blessed will. then the ghost did to goddard's apprehension becken with his hand . to whom goddard said , what would you have me to do ? the apparition replied , take up the sword and follow me . to which he said , should both of us come ? or but one of us ? the spectre replied , thomas do you take up the sword. so he took it up and followed the apparition about ten poles into the wood . then the spectre coming towards goddard he stept back two steps ; but it said to him , i have a permission to you , and a commission not to touch you . then it took the sword , and wen● to the place at which before it stood , and pointed the top of the sword into the ground and said , in this place was buried the body of him whom i murdered in the year . but it is now rotten and turned to dust. whereupon goddard said , for what cause did you murder him ? the seeming avon replied i took money from the man , and he contended with me , and so i murdered him . then goddard said , who was confederate with you in the murder ? the spectre answered , none but my self . what ( said goddard ) would you have me do in this thing ? the apparition replied , only to let the world know that i murdered a man , and buried him in this place , in the year . then the spectre laid down the sword on the bare ground there , whereupon grew nothing , but seemed to goddard to be as a grave sunk in . all this while william avon remained where goddard left him , and said he saw no apparition , only heard goddard speak to the spectre , and discerned another voice also , making reply to goddard's enquiries , but could not understand the words uttered by that voice . the next day the mayor caused men to dig in the place where the spectre said the body was buried , but nothing could be found . these examples then , shew that the ghosts of dead men do sometimes appear , and that for such causes as those mentioned . there have been some in the world so desperate as to make solemn covenants with their living friends , to appear unto them after their death ; and sometimes ( though not alwayes ) it hath so come to pass . it is a remarkable passage which baronius relates concerning marsilius ficinus , and his great intimate michael mercatus . these two having been warmly disputing about the immortality of the soul , entred into a solemn vow , that if there were truth in those notions about a future state in another world , he which died first should appear to his surviving friend . not long after this , ficinus died. on a morning when mercatus was intent upon his studies , he heard the voice of ficinus his friend at his window with a loud cry , saying , o michael , michael , vera , vera sunt illa : o my friend michael , those notions about the souls of men being immortal they are true , they are true . whereupon , mercatus opened his window , and saw his friend marsilius ficinus , whom he called unto , but he vanished away . he presently sent to florence to know how ficinus did , and was informed that he died about the hour when his ghost appeared at mercatus his window . there are also later instances , and nearer home , not altogether unlike to this . for in mr. glanvil's late collection of relations , ( which we have had occasion more than once to mention . ) it is said , that dr. farrar and his daughter , made a compact , that the first of them which died , if happy , should after death appear to the surviver if possible ; his daughter with some difficulty consenting to the agreement . some time after , the daughter living then near salisbury , fell in labour , and having by an unhappy mistake a noxious potion given to her , instead of another prepared , suddenly died. that very night she appeared in the room where her father then lodged in london , and opening the curtains looked upon him . he had before heard nothing of her illness , but upon this apparition confidently told his servant that his daughter was dead , and two dayes after received the news . likewise one mr. watkinson , who lived in smithfield , told his daughter ( taking her leave of him , and expressing her fears that she should never see him more ) that should he die , if ever god did permit the dead to to see the living , he would see her again . now after he had been dead about half a year ; on a night when she was in bed but could not sleep , she heard musick , and the chamber grew lighter and lighter , she then saw her father by the bed-side . who said mall , did not i tell thee that i would see thee again ? he exhorted her to be patient under her afflictions , and to carry it dutiful towards her mother ; and told her that her child that was born since his departure should not trouble her long . and bid her speak what she would speak to him now , for he must go and she should see him no more upon earth , vid. glanvil's collections , p. , . sometimes the great and holy god , hath permitted , and by his providence ordered such apparitions to the end that atheists might thereby be astonished and affrighted out of their infidelity . nam primus timor fecit in orbe deos. remarkable and very solemn is the relaon of the appearance of major sydenbam's ghost , mentioned in the book but now cited ( p. . ) it is in brief this . major george sydenham of delverton in somerset , and captain william dyke of skillgate in that county ; used to have many disputes about the being of god , and the immortality of the soul : in which point they continued unresolved . to issue their controversies , they agreed that he that died first should the third night after his funeral , between the hours of twelve and one , appear at a little house in the garden . after sydenham was dead , captain dyke repairs to the place appointed between them two . he acquainted a near kinsman , dr. thomas dyke with his design , by whom he was earnestly disswaded from going to that place at that time ; and was told , that the devil might meet him and be his ruine , if he would venture on in such rash attempts . the captain replied , that he had solemnly engaged , and nothing should discourage him ; accordingly betwixt twelve and one he went into the garden-house , and there tarried two or three hours , without seeing or hearing any thing more than what was usual . about six weeks after , captain dyke rides to eaton , to place his son a scholar there . the morning before he returned from thence , after it was light , one came to his bed-side , and suddenly drawing back the curtains , calls cap. cap. ( which was the term of familiarity which the major when living used to call the captain by ) he presently perceived it was his major , and replieth , what my major ! on the table in the room there lay a sword which the major had formerly given to the captain . after the seeming major had walked a turn or two about the room , he took up the sword , and drew it out , and not finding it so bright and clean as it ought , cap. cap. ( said he ) this sword did not use to be kept after this manner , when it was mine . he also said to the captain , i could not come to you at the time appointed , but i am now come to tell you , that there is a god , and that he is a very just and a terrible god , and if you do not turn over a new leaf , you will find it so . so did he suddenly disappear . the captain arose , and came into another chamber ( where his kinsman dr. dyke lodged ) but in a visage and form much differing from himself , his hair standing , his eyes staring , and his whole body trembling , telling with much affection what he had seen . the captain lived about two years after this , but was much altered in his conversation , the words uttered by his majors ghost , ever sounding in his ears . thus of that remarkable providence . i have not mentioned these things , as any way approving of such desperate covenants . there is great hazard attending them . it may be after men have made such agreements , devils may appear to them , pretending to be their deceased friends , and thereby their souls may be drawn into woful snares ▪ who knoweth whether god will permit the persons , who have thus confederated , to appear in this world again after their death , and if not then the surviver will be under great temptation unto atheism ; as it fell out with the late earl of rochester , who ( as is reported in his life , p. . by dr. burn●t ) did in the year . enter into a formal ingagement with another gentleman , not without ceremonies of religion , that if either of them died , he should appear and give the other notice of the future state , if there were any . after this the other gentleman was killed , but did never appear after his death to the earl of rochester , which was a great snare to him , during the rest of his life . though when god awakened the earl's conscience upon his death-bed , he could not but acknowledge , that one who had so corrupted the natural principles of truth as he had , had no reason to expect that such an extraordinary thing should be done for his conviction . or if such agreement should necessitate an apparition , how would the world be confounded with spectres ? how many would probably be scared out of their wits ? or what curious questions would vain men be proposing about things which are ( and it is meet they should be ) hid from mortals . i cannot think that men who make such covenants ( except it be with very much caution , as i have heard that mr. knewstubs and another eminent person did ) are duely mindful of that scripture , deut. . . the secret things belong to the lord ; but those things which are revealed belong to us . moreover , such sights are not desirable . for many times they appear as forerunners of notable judgements at hand . i could instance out of approved history , how particular families have found that things of this nature , have come to them as the messengers of death . lavater in his book de spectris , and goulartius in his select history , say , that spectres are the harbingers of publick mutations , wars , and calamitous times . voetius in his disputation de peste , sheweth that sometimes the plague or strange diseases follow after such appearances . there was lately a very formidable apparition at meenen ▪ we are advised , that there did appear in that place , a person all in white , with a mitre on his head , being followed with two more in black ; after him came four or five squadrons , who drew up as if they intended to storm the town . the souldiers there refused to stand their centry , having been so affrighted as that some of them fell down in their posts . these spectres appeared every night in iune , . how it is there since that , or what events have followed in that place , i know not ▪ but i find in credible authors , that oftentimes mischief and destruction unto some or other hath been the effect of apparitions . luther tells us of a shepherd ( of whom also he speaketh charitably ) that being haunted with a spirit ; the apparition told him , that after eight dayes he would appear to him again , and carry him away , and kill him ; and so it came to pass : the ministers whom the poor man acquainted with his sorrowful estate , advised him not to despair of the salvation of his soul , though god should suffer the devil to kill his body . i have read of threescore persons all killed at once by an apparition . george agricola giveth an account of twelve men , that as they were digging in the mines , a spectre slew them . some have been filled with such anxiety at the appearance of a spectre , that in one nights time the hair of their heads has turned white . lavater speaketh of a man , who one night meeting with an apparition , the terror of it caused such a sudden change in him , as that when he came home , his own children did not know him . we may then conclude that the witlings of this drolling age know not what they do , when they make themselves sport with subjects of this nature . i shall only add this further here , that from the things which have been related , it is evident that they are mistaken who suppose devils cannot appear to men except with some deformities whereby they are easily discovered . the nymphs which deluded many of old , when the world was buried under heathenism ; were daemons , presenting themselves in shapes very formose . vide martinit lexic . in verbo nymphae . chap. viii . several cases of conscience considered . that it is not lawful to make use of herbs or plants to drive away evil spirits . nor of words or characters . an objection answered . whether it be lawful for persons bewitched , to burn things or to nail horse-shoes before their doors , or to stop urin in bottles , or the like , in order to the recovery of health . the negative proved by several arguments . whether it be lawful to try witches by casting them into the water . several reasons evincing the vanity of that way of probation . some other superstitions witnessed against . the preceding relations about witchcrafts and diabolical impostures give us too just occasion to make enquiry into some cases of conscience , respecting things of this nature . and in the first place the quaere may be ; whither it is lawful to make use of any sort of herbs or plants to preserve from witchcrafts , or from the power of evil spirits ? the answer unto which is ; that it is in no wise lawful , but that all attempts of that nature are magical , and diabolical , and therefore detestable superstition . as appears . in that if the devils do either operate or cease to do mischief upon the use of such things it must needs be in that they are signs which give notice to the evil spirits what they are to do ; now for men to submit to any of the devils sacraments is implicitly to make a covenant with him . many who practise these ne●arious vanities little think what they do . they would not for the world ( they say ) make a covenant with the devil , yet by improving the devils signals , with an opinion of receiving benefit thereby , they do the thing which they pretend to abhor . for , . angels ( bad as well as good ) are by nature incorporeal substances . there are some authors who by a corporal substance intend no more but a real being ; so that the term is by them used in opposition to meer phantasms in that sence , none but sadduces will deny angels to be corporeal . and in that respect the antient doctors , tertullian and others call them corpora . but commonly a body is set in opposition to a meer spiritual substance , mat. . . heb. . . and thus it is certain that daemons are incorporeal , eph. . . they are frequently , not only by authors , but in the holy scripture stiled spirits , because of their being incorporeal . and thence it is that they are not visible or palpable or any way incurring the outward sences , luk. . . homer saith that when the ghost of anticlea appeared to ulysses , he attempted three times to embrace that image , but could feel nothing ; for it had not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but as virgil expresseth it , tenues sine corporevitas . cajetan & vasquez affirm , that apparitions can at no time be felt . it is not to be doubted but that spirits may make use of vehicles , that are subject to the outward senses ; nevertheless , a meer spirit cannot be touched by humane hands . moreover , we read of a legion of daemons possessing one miserable body , luk. . . a legion is at least ; now if they were corporeal substances , it could not be that so many of them , should be in the same person at the same time . and if they are incorporeal substances , then it is not possible that herbs or any sensible objects should have a natural influence upon them , as they have upon elementary bodies . this argument is of such weight , as that porphyrius , & other heathenish authors who affirm that daemons are affected with smells , & with blood , &c. suppose them to have aereal bodies . so do some talmudical & cabalistical writers ; they hold that there are a middle sort of devils , made of fire and air , who live upon the liquidity of the air , and the smoke of fire , &c. these they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . munster in his notes on lev. . does out of r. abraham , cite many passages to this purpose . but such iewish fables are so foolish , as that they need no confutation . and as the argument we have mentioned is a sufficient refutation of them that imagine a natural vertue to be in herbs , whereby evil spirits are driven away ; so may it be improved against their superstition , who suppose that fumes are of force to expel daemons . the author of the book of tobit chap. . tells a tale , that the heart and liver of a fish , if a smoke be made therewith , the devil will smell it , and then be forced to flee away from any one that shall be troubled with an evil spirit ; and that tobit following the counsel which raphael gave him about these matters , the devil was fain to run for it , as far as to the utmost parts of aegypt , chap. , ver . , . this passage , is so far from being divine , as that indeed it is prophane and magical . whereas the author saith , that whoever is troubled with an evil spirit , shall by that means ●ind relief , he does expresly contradict the son of god , who has taught otherwise , mat. . . mark . . and his ascribing such vertue to the heart of a fish , is as true as what cornelius agrippa saith , who affirms that the gall of a black dog will drive away evil spirits , and free from witchcrafts . and there is as much credit to be given to these things as to another iewish fable , viz. that the clapping of a cocks wings will make the power of daemons to become ineffectual ; yet that this fable hath obtained too much credit in the world is evident by words of prudentius , who saith , ferunt vagantes daemonas laetos tenebres noctium gallo canente exterritos sparsim timere & cedere . . god in his holy word has forbidden his people to imitate the heathen nations . he requires , that those who profess his name should not learn the way of the heathen● nor do after their manners , lev. . . ier. . . but to attempt the driving away of evil spirits by the use of herbs , fumes , &c. is an heathenish custom . whoso shall read proclus his book de sacrificio & magia , will see how the ethnicks taught , that smells and smokes would cause daemons to depart . and the like they believed ( and practised accordingly ) with respect unto several sorts of herbs . see sennertus med. pract. l. . part. . cap. . dioscorides being deceived with the doctrine of that great magician pythagoras , saith , that the sea-onion being hung in the porch of an house , will keep evil spirits from entring therein . in that book which passeth under the name of albertus magnus de mirabilibus mundi , ( though picus mirandula in his disputation about magick is so favourable as to think albertus was not the author of it ) but that the true author has abusively prefixed albertus his name ) there are many superstitious vanities of this nature ; which in times of popish darkness were received from the arabians and other heathenish worshippers of the devil . it is true , that the iews did some of them practise this kind of magick . iosephus ( antiq. lib. . cap. . ) confesseth that those of their nation ( in special one whose name was eleazar ) did by holding an herb ( viz. that called solomons seal ) to the noses of daemoniacks , draw the devils out of them . he speaketh untruly , in saying , that they learned such nefarious arts from solomon , for they had them from the heathen , who received them from the devil himself ; as is evident from another passage in the mentioned iosephus . in his history of the wars with the iews , lib. . cap. . he says , that there is a root by the iews , called baaras , which if a man pluck it up , he dieth presently ; but to prevent that they make bare the root , and then tye it with a string to a dog , who going away to follow his master , easily plucks up the root , whereupon the dog dieth , but his master may then without danger handle the root , and thereby fright the devils out of persons possessed with infernal spirits : whom he ( in that also following the heathen ) supposes to be the spirits of wicked men deceased . and that the iews received these curious or rather cursed arts from ethnicks , is manifest , inasmuch as pliny taught that the herb called aglaophotis had power to raise the gods , ( so did they call the devils whom they served . ) now that was the same herb with baaras ; for as delacampius , rainold , and others have observed , both name● have the same signification . so then the making use of herbs to fright away devils , or to preserve from the power of witches , is originally an heathenish custome , and therefore that which ought to be avoided and abhorred by those that call themselves christians . it is no less superstitious , when men endeavour by characters , words or spells , to charm any witches , devils or diseases . such persons do ( as fuller speaks ) fence them selves with the devils shield against the devils sword , agrippa in his books de occulta phi●osophia has many of these impious curiosities . but in his book of the vanity of sciences , chap. . he acknowledgeth that he wrote his other book of occult philosophy , when he was a young man , and bewails his iniquity therein , confessing that he had sinfully mispent precious time in those unprofitable studies . there is also an horrid book full of conjurations and magical incantations , which the prophane author hath ventured to publish under the name of king solomon : there cannot be a greater vanity than to imagine that devils are really frighted with words and syllables : such practices are likewise of diabolical and heathenish original . they that have read subjects of this nature , are not ignorant of what is related concerning the strange things done by the incantations of that famous wizard apollonius . the like has been also noted of the brackmanes of old , who were much given to such unlawful arts. it is still customary amongst the heathenish africans , by incantations to charm serpents ; which when they are in that way brought to them by the devil , they use with the blood of such serpents to anoint their weapons , that so they may become the more mortiferous . and that the like incantations were practised amongst the gentiles of old is evident from that verse of virgil , in his eclog. frigidus in pratis cantando rumpiter anguis . as also by that of ovid in metam . lib. . viperias rumpi verbis & carmina fauces . yea , the holy scriptures intimate , that such diabolical practices were used by some in the dayes of old , those words of david , psal. . , . imply no less , as our excellent rainold has with great learning and judgement evinced . it must be acknowledged that the notion which many have from austin taken up , as if serpents to avoid the power of charms , would lay one ear to the ground , and with their tails stop the other ear , is to be reckoned amongst vulgar errors ; nevertheless , that there were then charmers in the world , the mentioned ( as well as other ) scriptures notifie . moreover , those inchanters had their formulae , whereby they did imprecate the persons whom they designed hurt unto ; and the devil ( when the great and holy god saw meet to permit him ) would upon the using of those words go to work , and do strange things . hence livy speaks of the devotaria carmina used by wizards . the truth of this is also manifest from some passages in aeschines his oration against ctesiphon . and of this nature were balaams curses , desired by baalak , as enchantments against iacob , numb . . . & . . if it had not been a thing famously known , that baalam ( a black wizard ) did mischief others by his incantations , the king of moab would never have sent to him for that end . and as witchcrafts of this kind were frequent among the gentiles who kn●w not god ; so in a more especial manner amongst the ephesians before they were enlightened by the gospel of jesus christ. upon their conversion to the christian faith , as many as had used curious ( i. e. as the syriac translation rightly interprets magical ) arts , brought their books together and burned them before all men , acts . . which sheweth that ephesus did once abound with these heathenish superstitions . they pretended that they could by certain words cure diseases , eject devils , &c. hence it became a proverbial phrase , to say , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when magical spells and incantations were intended . hesychius mentions some of those charms being obscure & barbarous words ; such as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. these words they would sometimes carry about with them , fairly written ; and then they were a sacrament for the devil to operate by . that insignificant word abr●dacara , is by sammonious mentioned as a magical spell ; which hobgoblin word the late miracle monger or mirabilarian stroaker , in ireland , valentin greatrix attempted to cure an ague by . porphyrius saith , that the egyptians had symbols , which serapis appointed them to use in order to the driving away d●mons . now he whom the egyptians called serapis , is by the greeks called pluto , and by the i●ws bel-zebub . and as the heathen learned such things from bel-zebub , so have the papists ( who are called gentiles in the scripture , rev. . . and well they may be so , since as to all manner of idolatry and superstition they gentilize ) from them learned to cure diseases , and drive away evil spirits by words and spells , exor●izations , &c. matthiolus reports that he knew a man that would and that without seeing the persons wounded , by charms heal those that were stung with deadly serpents ; and fernelius saith , that he has seen some curing a feaver only by muttering words , without the use of any natural means . not only professed heathen but papists , have by reciting certain verses , bin wont to cure other diseases . yea they have practised to free persons from the epilepsie ; by mentioning the names of the three kings of colon ( as the wise men which came from the east , are usually called ) hence are those celebrated verses : haec tria qui secum portabit nomina regum solvitur a morbo christi pietate caduco . it is too well known , that popish countries do still abound with such superstitious vanities as these mentioned . and as voetius ( in his dissertation de exorcismo ) truly tells them , the exorcizations of the papists are as like those of the heathen as milk is like to milk , or as one egg is like to another . i know that some popish authors ( who are more ingenious ) write against attempting the cure of diseases by words or charms . fernelius , benevenius and ( as i remember ) valesius disapprove of it . but few ( if any ) of them are against conjuring away evil spirits , by words , and i know not what formulae of their own , or rather of the devils inventing . one of them ( viz. hieronymus mengus ) having published a book filled with con●urations entituleth it , the scourge of devils . it adds to the abomination when men shall not only break the first and second commandment , but the third also , by making use of any of the sacred names or titles belonging to the glor●●●s god , or to his son jesus christ , as charms ; 〈◊〉 which nothing is more frequent amongst r●manists . to conclude , god in his word doth with the highest severity condemn all such practices , declaring not only that ●●chanters and charmers are not to be tolerated amongst his people ; but that all who do such things are an abomination to him , deut. . , , . the iews are wont to be extreamly charitable towards those of their own nation , affirming , that every israelite shall have a part in the world to come ; only they except such as shall by incantation heal diseases . there are some that practise such things in their simplicity , not knowing that therein they gratifie the devil . voetiu● in his disputation , de magia , p. . speak● of one that according to the vain conversation received by tradition from fo●e fathers would sometimes attempt things of this nature , but upon voetius his instructing him concerning the sin and evil which was there● in , the man durst never more do as formerly if this discourse fail into the hands of an● whose consciences tell them they have been guilty of the same iniquity ; god gran that it may have the same effect on them . it is a marvelous and an amazing thing , that in such a place as new-england , where the gospel hath shined with great power and glory , any should be so blind as to make attempts of t●●s kind ; yet some such i know there have been . a man in boston gave to one a sealed paper , as an effectual remedy against the tooth-ach , wherein were drawn several confused characters , and these words written , in nomine patris filii , & spiritus sancti , preserve thy servant , such an one . ( bodinus and others write of a convicted witch , whose name was barbary dore , that confessed she had often cured diseases , by using the like words unto those mentioned . ) not long since a man left with another in this town , as a rare secret a cure for the ague , which was this , five letters , viz. 〈…〉 , &c. were to be written successively on pieces of bread and given to the patient , on one piece he must write the word kalendant , and so on another the next day , and in five dayes ( if he did believe ) he should not fail of cure . these considerations have made me the more willing a little to inlarge upon the argument in hand . but before i proceed to handle the next case , it may not be amiss to answer that which seems the most considerable allegation against the arguments thus far insisted on . it is then by some objected that musick driveth away evil spirits . for when david took an harp and played with his hand , the evil spirit departed from saul , sam. . . so that it seems the devils are driven away by sounds , and why not then by words , or fumes , or herbs ? ans● . it is confessed that satan does take great advantage from the ill humors and diseases which are in the bodies of men greatly to molest their spirits . especially it is true concerning melancholly , which has therefore been called balneum diaboli , the devils bath , wherein he delights to be stirring . . when bodily diseases are removed by the use of natural means , the matter upon which the evil spirit was wont to operate being gone , he does no more disturb and disquiet the minds of men as before that he did . the passive disposition in the body ceasing , the active affliction caused by the devil ceaseth also . rulandus writes of possessed persons who were cured by emetic medicines , clearing them of those melancholly humors , by means whereof the evil spirit had sometimes great advantages over them . this also po●p●natius does by many instances confirm . s●nn●rtus likewise has divers passages to the same purpose . also we see by frequent experience , persons strangely hurried by satan , have by the blessing of god upon the endeavou● of the physitian been delivered from those woful molestations . ferrarius , delrio , burgensis , and others , commenting on sam. . conceive that the ingress and egress of evil s●irits depends upon the humors and dispositions of the body ; which assertion is not unive sally true : for sometimes the devil hath laughed at the physitians , who have thought by medicinal applications to dispossess him . examples for this may be seen in fernelius and codronchus . wherefore voetius in his disputation , de emergumenis , page . speaketh cautiously and judiciously , in asserting that we may not suppose that the devils taking bodily possession of this or that person , depends wholly upon corporeal dispositions ; nevertheless that natural distempers sometimes are an occasion thereof . . it is also true that musick is of great efficacy against melancholly discomposures . this notwithstanding , there is no reason to conclude with mendozo , bodin , and others , that musick is so hateful to the devil , as that he is necessitated to depart when the pleasant sound is made . if that were so , how comes it to pass that appearing daemons do sometimes depart with a melodious sound ? or that in the conventicles of witches there is musick heard ? but la torr has notably confuted such imaginations . indeed the sweetness and delightfulness of musick has a natural power to lenifie melancholly passions . they say that pythagoras by musick restored a frantick man to his wits again . thus was saul's pensive spirit refreshed by david's pleasant harp , and when he was refreshed and well , the evil spirit which took advantage of his former pensiveness , upon his alacrity departed from him . so that it remains still a truth , that corporeal things have no direct physical influence upon infernal spirits , and that therefore for men to think that they shall drive away daemons by any such means is folly and superstition . i shall add no more in answer to the first quaere proposed . a second case , which we shall here take occasion to enquire into , is , whether it be lawful for bewitched persons to draw blood from those whom they suspect for witches , or to put urin into a bottle , or to nail an horse-shoe at their doors , or the like , in hopes of roc●vering health thereby ? ans. there are several great authors who have discovered and declared the evil of all such practices . in special voetius , sennertus , and our perkins disapprove thereof . there is another question much what of the same nature with this , viz. whether a bewitched person may lawfully cause any of the devils symbols to be removed in order to gaining health ? as suppose an image of wax in which needles are fixed , whereby the devil doth at the instigation of his servants , torment the diseased person whether this being discovered may be taken away , that so the devils power of operation may cease , and that the sick person may in that way obtain health again ? the affirmative of this quaestion is stiffly maintained by scotus , cajetan , delrio , malderus , and by popish authors generally . yet amongst them hesselius , estius , and sanchez , hold the negative . and so do all our protestant writers , so far as i have had occasion to observe . and although some make light of such practices , and others undertake to justifie them , yet it cannot justly be denied but that they are impious follies . for . they that obtain health in this way have it from the devil . the witch cannot recover them , but by the devils help . hence as it is unlawful to entreat witches to heal bewitched persons , because they cannot do this , but by satan , so is it very sinful by scratching , or burnings , or detention of urin , &c. to endeavour to constrain them to unbewitch any ; for this is to put them upon seeking to the devil . the witch does neither inflict nor remove the disease , but by the assistance of the devil ; therefore either to desire or force thereunto , is to make use of the devils help . the person th●s recovered cannot say , the lord was my heal●r , but the devil was my healer . certainly it were better for a man to remain sick all his dayes , yea ( as chrysostom speaks ) he had better die then go to the devil for health . hence . men and women have by such practices as these mentioned , black commerce and communion with the devil . they do ( though ignorantly ) concern and involve themselves in that covenant which the devil has made with his devoted and accursed vassals . for , whereas it is pleaded , that if the thing bewitched be thrown into the fire , or the urin of the sick stopped in a bottle , or an horse-shoe nailed before the door , then by vertue of the compact which is between the devil and his witches , their power of doing more hurt ceaseth ; they that shall for such an end so practise , have fellowship with that hellish covenant . the excellent sennertus argueth solidly , in saying , they that force another to do that which he cannot possibly do , but by vertue of a compact with the devil , have themselves implicitly communion with the diabolical covenant . and so is the case here . who was this art of unbewitching persons in such a way first learned of ? if due enquiry be made , it will be found that magicians and devils were the first discoverers . porphyrie saith , it was by the revelation of the daemons themselves that men came to know by what things they would be restrained from , and constrained to this or that : eujeb . praep . evan. l. . c. . dr. willet in ex. . quest. . to use any ceremonies in vented by satan , to attain a supernatural end , implies too great a concernment with him . yea , such persons do honour and worship the devil by hoping in his salvation . they use means to obtain health which is not natural , nor was ever appointed by god , but is wholly of the devils institution ; which he is much pleased with , as being highly honoured thereby . nay such practices do imply an invocation of the devil for relief , and a pleading with him the covenant which he hath made with the witch , and a declaration of confidence that the father of lies will be as good as his word . for the nefandous language of such a practice , is this : thou o devil , hast made a covenant with such an one , that if such a ceremony be used , thou wilt then cease to torment a poor creature that is now afflicted by thee . we have used that ceremony , and therefore now o satan we expect that thou shouldest be as good as they word which thou hast covenanted with that servant of thine , and cease tormenting the creature that has been so afflicted by thee . should men in words speak thus , what horrid impiety were it● therefore to do actions which import no less , is ( whatever deluded souls think of it ) great and hainous iniquity . . let such practitioners think the best of themselves , they are too near a kin to those creatures who commonly pass under the name of white witches . they that do hurt to others by the devils help , are called black witches : but there are a sort of persons in the world , that will never hurt any , but only by the power of the infernal spirits they will un-bewitch those that seek unto them for relief : i know that by constantius his law , black witches were to be p●nished , and white ones indulged : but m. perkins saith , that the good witch is a more horrible and detestable monster than the bad one . balaam was a black witch , and simon magus a white one . this later did more hurt by his cures , than the former by his curses . how persons that shall unbewitch others by putting u●●n into a bottle , or by casting excrements into the fire , or nailing of horse-shoes at mens doors , can wholly clear themselves from being white witches , i am not able to understand . . innocent persons have been extreamly wronged by such diabolical tricks . for sometimes ( as is manifest from the relation of the groton maid , mentioned in the fifth chapter of this essay ) the devil does not only himself inflict diseas●s upon men , but represent the visages of innocent persons to the phansies of the diseased , making them believe that they are tormented by them , when only himself does it . and in case they follow the devils direction , by observing the ceremonies which he has invented , hee 'l afflict their bodies no more . so does his malice bring the persons accused by him ( though never so innocent ) into great suspicion . and he will cease afflicting the body of one , in case he may ruin the credit of another , and withal endanger the souls of ●hose that hearken to him . if the devil upon scratchings , or burnings , or stoppings of urin , or the nailing of an horse-shoe , &c. shall cease to afflict the body of any , he does this either as being compelled thereto , or voluntarily . to imagine that such things shall constrain the evil spirit to cease afflicting , whether he will or no , is against all reason . but if he does this voluntarily , then instead of hurting their bodies , he does a greater mischief to souls . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the devil heals the body that he may wound the soul. he will heal them with all his heart , provided that he may but thereby draw men to look unto him for help , instead of seeking unto god alone , in the use of his own means , and so receive that honour ( the thing that he aspires after ) which is the lords due . how gladly will that wicked spirit heal one body upon condition that he may entangle many souls with superstition . and if men and women ( especially in places of light ) will hearken to him , it is a righteous thing with god to suffer it to be thus . it is past doubt that satan , who has the power of death , heb. . . has also ( by divine permission ) power to inflict , and consequently to remove diseases from the bodies of men . in natural diseases he has many times a great operation , and is willing to have them cured rather by the use of superstious then of natural means . it is noted in the germanic ephemeris for the year . that a man troubled with a fistula , which the physitians by all their art could no way relieve ; a person that was esteemed a wizard undertook to cure him ; and applying a powder to the wound , within a few dayes the sick party recovered . the powder was some of the ashes of a certain woman who had been burnt to death for a witch . this was not altogether so horrid as that which is by authors worthy of credit reported to come to pass , in the days of pope adrian vi. when the plague raging in rome , a magician ( whose name was demetrius spartan ) caused it to be stayed by sacrificing a bull to the devil . see p. iovius histor. lib. . such power hath the righteous god given unto satan over the sinful children of men ; yea such a ruler hath he set over them as a just punishment for all their wickedness . his chief design is to improve that power which by reason of sin he hath obtained to seduce into more sin . and the holy god to punish the world for iniquity , often suffers the enemy to obtain his desires this way . what strange things have been done , and how have diseases been healed by the sign of the cross many times ? by which means satans design in advancing 〈◊〉 to the destruction of thousands of souls , has too successfully taken place . and this 〈◊〉 did he early and gradually advance amongst christians . i have not been able without astonishment to read the passages related by austin de civitate dei lib. . cap. . he there speaks of one innocentia , whom he calls a most religious woman , who having a cancer in her breast ; the most skilful physitians doubted of the cure . but in her sleep she was admonished to repair unto the font where she had been baptized , and there to sign that place with the sign of the cross , which she did , and was immediately healed of her cancer . in the same chapter , he reports that a friend of hesperius did from ierusalem send him some earth that was taken out of the place where our lord christ had been buried ; & that hesperius had no sooner received it but his house which before had been molested with evil spirits was rid of those troublesome guests . he giveth an account also , of strange cures wrought by the reliques of the martyrs . it was not ( he saith ) known where the bodies of protasius and gervas ( holy martyrs ) were buried ; but ambrose had it revealed to him in his sleep ; and a blind man approaching near unto th● bodies instantly received his sight . another was cured of blindness by the reliques of the martyr stephen . and a child playing abroad , a cart wheel run over him and bruised him , so that it was thought he would immediately expire ; but his mother carrying him into the house that was built to honour the memory of st. stephens life and health were miraculously continued . many other wonderful cures doth austin there mention , as done by stephen's reliques . but who seeth not that the hand of ioab was in all these things ? for by this means satan hath filled the world with superstition . the cross is worshipped ; the reliques of martyrs are adored ; the honour due to god alone is given to the creature . the same method has the grand enemy observed , that so he might bring that superstition of iconolatry or image worship , which is so provoking to the jealous god , into repute amongst christians . it would be endless to enumerate how many in popish countries have been cured of diseases which for their sins god hath suffered the devil to punish them with , by touching the image of this or that saint . nay , some whose bodies have been possessed with evil spirits , have in that way of superstition found relief ; in a more especial manner , when the image of the virgin mary hath been presented before persons possessed , the devil in them hath cried out , and shrieked after a fearful manner , as if he had been put to horrible torture at the sight of that image , and so hath seemed to depart out of the miserable creature molested by him ; and all this that so deluded papists might be hardened in their superstitious opinion of that image . many such devices hath satan to ensnare and ruin the souls of men. some report that the bodies of excommunicates in the greek churches at this day , are strangely handled by the devil , after death hath taken hold of them . m. ricaut in his relation of the present state of the greek churches , page . &c. saith that a grave kaloir told him that to his own certain knowledge , a person who fell under their church-censure , after he had been for some time buried , the people where his corps lay interred , were affrighted with strange apparitions , which they concluded arose from the grave of the accursed excommunicate , which thereupon was opened , and they found the body uncorrupted , and replete with blood , the coffin furnished with grapes , nuts , &c. brought thither by infernal spirits . the kaloirs resolved to use the common remedy in those cases , viz. to cut the body in several parts , and to boyl it in wine , as the approved means to dislodge the evil spirit , but his friends intreated rather that the sentence of excommunication might be reversed , which was granted . in the mean time prayers , and masses , and offerings were presented for the dead , and whilst they were performing these services , on a sudden was heard a rumbling noise in the coffin of the dead party . which being opened , they found the body consumed and dissolved into dust , as if it had been interred seven years . the hour and minute of this dissolution being compared with the date of the patriarchs release when signed at constantinople , was found exactly to agree with that moment . if there be truth in this relation , 't is a dreadful evidence of satans reigning amongst a superstitious people , who nevertheless call themselves christians ; and that he does by such means as these keep them under chains of darkness still . the devil hath played such reax as these are , not only amongst christians but amongst the gentiles of old . for titus latinus was warned in his sleep that he should declare unto the senate that they must reniew that stage-plays ; he neglecting to deliver his message , was again by the same daemon spoken unto in his sleep● and severely reproved for his omission , and his son died . still persisting in his omission the daemon again cometh to him , so that he was surprized with an acute and horrible disease . hereupon by counsel of his friends , he was carried in his bed into the senate , and as soon as he had declared what he had seen , his health was restored , that he returned home upon his feet : the issue was , stage-plays were more in fashion than ever before . augustin de civitate dei , lib. . cap. . learned men are not ignorant that strange● cures were effected amongst the heathen by the use of talismans , or images ; of which inventions zoroaster ( the father of magicians ) is supposed to be the first author . it is reported that virgil made a brazen fly , and a golden horse-leach , whereby flies were hindred from coming into naples , and the horse-leaches were all killed in a ditch . thus doth beelzebub draw miserable men into superstition . and although i am upon a serious subject , and my design in writing these things ; that is so i might bear witness against the superstition , which some in this land of light have been found guilty of ; and that ( if god shall bless what has been spoken to convince men of the error of their way ) the like evils may no more be heard of amongst us ; this notwithstanding ; it may not be improper here to recite some facetious passages , which i have met with in hemmingius his discourse , de superstitione magica , since they are to my present purpose , as discovering what delight the infernal spirits take in drawing men to make use of superstitious means for the recovery of health unto their bodies . the learned author mentioned , reports , that as he was instructing his pupils in the art of logic , he had occasion to recite a couple of verses consisting of nine hobgoblin words , fecana , cajeti , daphenes , &c. adding by way of joke , that those verses would cure a feaver , if every day a piece of bread were given to the sick person , with one of these words written upon it . a simple fellow that stood by , thought hemmingius had been in earnest in what he spoke , and not long after having a servant that fell sick of a feaver , he gave him the first day a bit of bread , with a paper wherein fecana was written , and so on for six dayes until he came to the word gebali ; and then on a sudden his servant was well again . others seeing the efficacy of the amulet did the like , and many were cured of feavers thereby . in the same chapter , p. . hemingius writeth of a knavish scholar , that a certain woman repairing to him for help , who was excedingly troubled with sore eyes , promising him a good reward for his cure , the knave , though he had no skill , yet for lucre sake , he promised to effect the cure ; and in order thereto taketh a piece of paper , and maketh therein characters , unto which he never saw the like before , only then devised them , and writeth in great letters these abominable words , diabolus eruat tibi oculos , & foramina stercoribus impleat . ( the papists say that their saint francis caused the devil to depart out of a possessed person by using an alike bruitish expression . ) he folded up the paper in a cloth , requiring the diseased party to wear it about her neck , which she did and her disease was healed . after two years , being desirous to know what was in the paper , she caused it to be opened and read ; and being greatly offended and inraged at this indignity , cast the paper away , immediately upon which her sore eyes returned again . without doubt then , the devils design in this cure , was to● encourage the prophane impostor to endeavour the removal of diseases by like superstitious and wicked practices , whereby his own and the souls of others unto whom he should impart the mystery , would be endangered . the like is to be affirmed concerning attempts to heal diseases , by scratching suspected witches , or stopping urin in bottles , nailing of horse ●shoes , &c. it may be the time will come , when they that have been thus foolish , will feel their own consciences smiting them for what they have done . let them remember the example of that gracious and famous gentlewoman , mrs. honeywood ; the occasion of whose sorrowful and doleful desertion , was , in that having a child sick , she asked counsel of a wizard about its recovery . certainly , it is better for persons to repent of sin the procuring cause of all affliction , and by the prayer of faith to betake themselves to the lord jesus , the great physitian both of body and soul , and so to wait for healing in the use of lawful means , until god shall see meet to bestow that mercy on them ; i say this is better , than to follow such dark methods as those declared against , wherein if they have found any success , they may fear it is in wrathful judgment unto them or theirs . some observe that persons who receive present healing in such unlawful wayes , usually come to unhappy ends at last . let me then conclude the answer unto the case propounded with the words which th angel bid the prophet elijah speak to ahaziah's messengers , king. . . is it because there is no god in israel , that you go to baalzebub the god of ekron ? there is another case of conscience which may here be enquired into , viz. whether it be lawful to bind persons suspected for witches , and so cast them into the water , in order to making a discovery of their innocency or guiltiness ; so as that if they keep above the water , they shall be deemed as confoederate with the devil , but if they sink they are to be acquitted from the crime of witchcraft . as for this way of purgation it cannot be denied but that some learned men have indulged it . king iames approveth of it , in his discourse of witch-craft b. . chap. . supposing that the water refuseth to receive witches into its bosom , because they have perfidiously violated their covenant with god , confirmed by water in baptism . kornmannus and scribonius do upon the same ground justifie this way of tryal . but a worthy casuist of our own , giveth a judicious reply to this supposal , viz. that all water is not the water of baptism , but that only which is used in the very act of baptism . moreover , according to this notion the proba would serve only for such persons as have been baptized . wierus and bodinus have written against this experiment . so hath hemmingius ; who saith , that it is both superstitious and ridiculous . likewise , that learned physitian iohn heurnius has published a treatise , which he calls , responsum ad supremam curiam hollandiae , nullum esse aequae innatationem lamiarum indicium . that book i have not seen , but i find it mentioned in m●ursius his athenae batavae . amongst english authors , dr. cott hath endeavoured to shew the unlawfulness of using such a practice . also mr. perkins is so far from approving of this probation by cold water , as that he rather inclines to think that the persons who put it in practice are themselves after a sort practisers of witch-craft . that most learned , judicious , and holy man , gisbertus voetius in his forementioned exercitation de magia , p. . endeavours to evince that the custom of trying witches by casting them into the water is unlawful , a tempting of god , and indirect magic . and that it is utterly unlawful , i am by the following reasons convinced : . this practice has no foundation in nature , nor in scripture . if the water will bear none but witches , this must need proceed either from some natural or some supernatural cause . no natural cause is or can be assigned why the bodies of such persons should swim rather than of any other . the bodies of witches have not lost their natural properties , they have weight in them as well as others . moral changes and viceousness of mind , make no alteration as to these natural proprieties which are inseparable from the body . whereas some pretend that the bodies of witches are possessed with the devil , and on that account are uncapable of sinking under the water ; malderus his reply is rational , viz. that the allegation has no solidity in it , witness the gadarens hoggs , which were no sooner possessed with the devil but they ran into the water , and there perished . but if the experiment be supernatural , it must either be divine or diabolical . it is not divine ; for the scripture does no where appoint any such course to be taken to find out whether persons are in league with the devil or no. it remains then that the experiment is diabolical . if it be said , that the devil has made a compact with wizards , that they shall not be drowned , and by that means that covenant is discovered ; the reply is , we may not in the least build upon the devils word . by this objection the matter is ultimately resolved into a diabolical faith. and shall that cast the scale , when the lives of men are concerned ? suppose the devil saith these persons are witches , must the judge therefore condemn them ? . experience hath proved this to be a fallacious way of trying witches , therefore it ought not to be practised . thereby guilty persons may happen to be acquitted , and the innocent to be condemned . the devil may have power to cause supernatation on the water in a person that never made any compact with him . and many times known and convicted wizards have sunk under the water when thrown thereon . in the bohemian history mention is made of several witches , who being tried by cold water were as much subject to submersion as any other persons . delrio reports the like of another witch . and godelmannus speaks of six witches in whom this way of trial failed . malderus saith it has been known that the very same persons being often brought to this probation by water , did at one time swim and another time sink ; and this difference has sometimes hapned according to the different persons making the experiment upon them ; in which respect one might with greater reason conclude that the persons who used the experiment were witches , then that the persons tried were so . . this way of purgation is to be accounted of , like other provocations or appeals to the judgement of god , invented by men : such as camp-fight , explorations by hot water , &c. in former times it hath been customary ( and i suppose t is so still among the norwegians ) that the suspected party was to put his hand into s●alding water , and if he received no hurt thereby then was he reputed innocent ; but if otherwise , judged as guilty . also , the trial by fire ordeal has been used in our nation in times of darkness . thus emma the mother of king edward the confessor , was led barefoot and blindfold over certain hot irons , and not hapning to touch any of them , was judged innocent of the crime which some suspected her as guilty of . and kunegund wife to the emperour henry ii. being accused of adultery , to clear her self , did in a great and honourable assembly take up seven glowing irons one after on other with her bare hand , and had no harm thereby . these bloody kind of experiments are now generally banished out of the world. it is pity the ordeal by cold water is not exploded with the other . . this vulgar probation ( as it useth to be called ) was first taken up in times of superstition , being ( as before was hinted of other magical impostures ) propagated from pagans to papists , who would ( as may be gathered from bernards serm. in cantica ) sometimes bring those that were under suspicion for heresie unto their purgation in this way . we know that our ancestors , the old pagan saxons had amongst them four sorts of ordeal ( i. e. trial or iudgement as the saxon word signifies ) whereby when sufficient proof was wanting , they sought ( according as the prince of darkness had instructed them ) to find out the truth concerning suspected persons , one of which ordeals was this , the persons surmised to be guilty , having cords tied under their arms , were thrown with it into some river , to see whether they would sink or swim . so that this probation was not originally confined to witches , but others supposed to be criminals were thus to be tried : but in some countries they thought meet thus to examine none but those who have been suspected for familiarity with the devil . that this custom was in its first rise superstitious is evident from the ceremonies of old used about it . for the proba is not canonical , except the person be cast into the water with his right hand tied to his left foot . also , by the principle , which some approvers of this experiment alledge to confirm their fansies ; their principle is , nihil quod per necromantian fit , potest in aqua fallere aspectum intuentium . hence william of malmsbury , lib. . p. . tells a fabulous story ( though he relates it not as such ) of a traveller in italy that was by a witch transformed into an asse , but retaining his humane understanding would do such feats of activity , as one that had no more wit than an asse could not do ; so that he was sold for a great price ; but breaking his halter he ran into the water , and thence was instantly unbewitched , and turned into a man again . this is as true as lucian's relation about his own being by witch-craft transformed into an asse ; and i suppose both are as true as that cold water will discover who are witches . it is to be lamented , that protestants should in these dayes of light , either practise or plead for so superstitious an invention , since papists themselves have of later times been ashamed of it . verstegan in his antiquities , lib. . p. . speaking of the trials by ordeal , and of this by cold water in particular , has these words ; these aforesaid kinds of ordeals , the saxons long after their christianity continued : but seeing they had their beginnings in paganism and were not thought fit to be continued amongst christians ; at the last by a decree of pope stephen ii. they were abolished . thus he . yea , this kind of trial by water , was put down in paris a. d. . by the supream court there . some learned papists have ingenuously acknowledged that such probations are superstitious . it is confessed that they are so , by tyraeus , binsfeldius , delrio , and by malderus de magia , tract . . cap. . dub. . who saith , that they who shall practise this superstition , and pass a judgement of death upon any persons on this account , will ( without repentance ) be found guilty of murder before god. it was in my thoughts to have handled some other cases of the like nature with these insisted on : but upon further consideration , i suppose it less needful , the practices which have given occasion for them being so grosly superstitious , as that they are ashamed to show their heads openly . the chaldae●ns and other magicians amongst the heathen nations of old , practised a sort of divination by sieves ( which kind of magic is called coscinomantia ) the like superstition has been frequent in popish countries , where they have been wont to utter some words of scripture , and the names of certain saints over a sieve , that so they might by the motion thereof , know where something stollen or lost was to be found . some also have believed that if they should cast lead into the water , then saturn would discover to them the thing they enquired after . it is not saturn but satan that maketh the discovery , when any thing is in such a way revealed . and of this sort is the foolish sorcery of those women that put the white of an egg into a glass of water , that so they may be able to divine of what occupation their future husbands shall be . it were much better to remain ignorant than thus to consult with the devil . these kind of practices appear at first blush to be diabolical ; so that i shall not multiply words in evincing the evil of them . it is noted that the children of israel did secretly those things that are not right against the lord their god , king. . . i am told that there are some who do secretly practise such abominations as these last mentioned , unto whom the lord in mercy give deep and unfeigned repentance and pardon for their grievous sin. chap. ix . a strange relation of a woman in weymouth in new-england , that has been dumb and deaf ever since she was three years old , who nevertheless has a competent knowledge in the mysteries of religion , and is admitted to the sacrament . some parallel instances of wayes to teach those that are naturally deaf and dumb to speak . another relation of a man in hull in new-england , under whose tongue a stone bred . concerning that petrification which humane bodies are subject unto . that plants and diverse sorts of animals have sometimes bred in the bodies of men. having dispatched the digression , which the things related in some of the preceding chapters did necessarily lead us into : i now proceed in commemorating some other remarkables , which it is pity but that posterity should have the knowledge of . i shall in this chapter only take notice of two particulars amongst our selves , with some parallel instances which have hapned in other parts of the world. i am informed that there is now at weymouth in new-england a man and his wife who are both of them deaf , and that the woman had been so from her infancy ; and yet that she understands as much concerning the state of the country , and of particular persons therein , and of observable occurrences , as almost any one of her sex ; and ( which is more wonderful ) though she is not able to speak a word , she has by sings made it appear that she is not ignorant of adam's fall , nor of man's misery by nature , nor of redemption by christ , and the great concernments of eternity , and of another world , and that she her self has had experience of a work of conversion in her own soul. i have made enquiry about this matter of some that are fully acquainted therewith , and have from a good hand received this following account . matthew prat aged about fifty five years , was in his minority by his godly parents educated religiously , and taught to read : when he was about twelve years old , he became totally deaf by sickness , and so hath ever since continued ; after the loss of his hearing he was taught to write : his reading and writing he retaineth perfectly , & makes much good improvement of both , but his speech is very broken , and imperfect , not easily intelligible ; he maketh use of it more seldom , only to some few that are wonted to it . he discourseth most by signs , and by writing . he is studious and judicious in matters of religion , hath been in church-fellowship , a partaker of all ordinances near thirty years , hath approved himself unto good satisfaction therein , in all wayes of church communion , both in publick and private ; and judged to be a well wrought convert and real christian. sarah prat his wife , being about forty three years old , was also quite deprived of hearing by sickness , when about the third year of her age , after she could speak , and had begun to learn letters , having quite lost hearing , she lost all speech ( doubtless all remembrance and understanding of words and language , ) her religious parents being both dead , her godly brother ephraim hunt ( yet surviving ) took a fatherly care of her , she also happily fell under the guardianship and tuition of the reverend mr. thomas thacher , who laboured with design to teach her to understand speech or language by writing , but it was never observed that any thing was really effected ; she hath a notable accuracy and quickness of understanding by the eye , she discourseth altogether by signs , they that are able to discourse with her in that way , will communicate any matter much more speedily ( and as full ) as can be by speech , and she to them . her children sign from the breast , and learn to speak by their eyes and fingers sooner than by their tongues . she was from her child-hood naturally sober , and susceptible of good civil education , but had no knowledge of a deity , or of any thing that doth concern another life and world . yet god hath of his infinite mercy , revealed himself , his son , and the great mysteries of salvation unto her by an extraordinary and more immoderate working of his spirit ( as t is believed ) in a saving work of conversion . an account of her experiences was taken from her in writing by her husband ; upon which she was examined by the elders of the church , they improving her husband and two of her sisters , intelligent persons , and notably skill'd in her artificial language ; by whose help they attained good satisfaction , that she understandeth all the principles of religion : those of the unity of the divine essence , trinity of persons , the personal union , the mystical union , they made most diligent enquiry about , and were satisfied that her knowledge and experience was distinct and ●ound , and they hoped saving . she was under great exercise of spirit , and most affectionately concerned for and about her soul , her spiritual and eternal estate . she imparted her self to her friends , and expressed her desire of help . she made use of the bible and other good books , and remarkt such places and passages as suited her condition , and that with tears ; she did once in her exercise , write with a pin upon a trencher three times over , ah poor s●ul ! and therewithal burst forth into tears , before divers of her friends . she hath been wont to enquire after the text , and when it hath been shewed to her to look and muse upon it . she knoweth most , if not all persons names that she hath acquaintance with . if scripture names , will readily turn and point to them in the bible . it may be conceived , that although she understands neither words , letters , nor language ; yet she understands things hieroglyphically . the letters and words are unto her but signs of the things , and as it were hieroglyphicks . she was very desirous of church-communion in all ordinances , and was admitted with general and good satisfaction , and hath approved her self to the best observation , a grave and gracious woman . they both attend publick worship with much reverence and constancy , and are very inoffensive ( and in divers respects ) exemplary in their conversation . thus far is that narrative , written iune . . i suppose no one that rightly consider the circumstances of this relation will make a scruple about the lawfulness of admitting such persons to participate in the holy mysteries of christ's kingdom . all judicious casuists determine , that those who were either born , or by any accident made deaf and dumb , if their conversation be blameless , and they able by signs ( which are analogous to verbal expressions ) to declare their knowledge and faith ; may as freely be received to the lords supper , as any that shall orally make the like profession . of this judgement was luther . and melancthon ( in consil . part . page . ) gerhad loc. com. tom. . thes. . alting loc. gom. part . page . voetius disp. select . part . in appendice de surdis . balduinus in his cases of conscience ( lib. . c. . ) does confirm this by producing several instances of dump● persons admitted to the communion . it s certain that some such have been made to understand the mysteries of the gospel , so as to suffer martyrdome on that account . in the year , one that was deaf and dumb , being solicited by the papists to be present at masse , chose rather to suffer death . it is also a thing known , that men are able by signs to discourse , and to communicate their sentiments one to another . there are above thirty mutes kept in the ottoman court for the grand seignior to sport with : concerning whom mr. ricaut in his history of the present state of the ottoman empire ( p. . ) reports , that they are able by signs not only to signifie their sence in familiar questions , but to recount stories , and understand the fables of the turkish religion , the laws and precepts of the alcoran , the name of mahomet , and what else may be capable of being expressed by the tongue . this language of the mutes is so much in fashion in the ottoman court , that almost every one can deliver his sense in it . and that deaf persons have been sometimes able to write , and to understand what others say to them by the very motion of their lips is most certain . camerarius tells us of a young man and a maid then living at noremberg , who though deaf and dumb , could read and write , and cypher , and by the motion of a mans lips , knew his meaning . platerus speaketh of one deaf and dumb born , that yet could express his mind in a table-book , and understood what others wrote therein , and was wont to attend upon the ministry of o●colampadius , understanding many things by the motion of the lips of the preacher . mr. clark in his examples ( vol. . chap. . ) saith , that there was a woman in edinburg in scotland ( her name was ●●nnet lowes ) who being naturally deaf and dumb , could understand what people said meerly by the moving of their lips. it is famously known that mr. crisp of london , could do the like . borellus giveth an account of one that lost his hearing by a violent disease when he was five years old , yet if they did but whisper to him , he could by their lips perceive what they said . there is one now living ( or that not many years since was so ) in silesia in whom that disease of the small pox caused a total deafness ; who nevertheless , by exact observing the motion of mens lips , can understand what they say ; and if they do but whisper he perceives what they say better than if they vociferate never so loudly . he attends upon publick sermons , being able to give an account of what is delivered , provided he may but see the preacher speaking , though he cannot hear a word . it is consistent with reason that mutes should understand what others say by the motion of their lips , since it is evident that the lips are of great use in framing speech . hence iob calls his speech , the moving of his lips , chap. . ver. , and we know that tongueless persons by the help of their lips and other organs of speech have been able to speak . ecclesiastical story informs us of several confessors of the truth , who after their tongues were cut out by bloody persecutors could still bear witness to the truth . honorichius ( that cruel king of the vandals ) caused the tongues of many to be violently pluckt out of their mouths ; who after that could speak as formerly : only two of them when they became guilty of the sin of uncleanness were able to speak no more ; this has been attested by three credible witnesses who knew the persons : see mr. baxter's church history , p. . there is lately published ( in latin ) a very strange relation of a child in france ( his name was peter durand ) who being visited with the small pox when he was about six years old , his tongue putrified , and was quite consumed . after which ( the uvula in his mouth being longer than it was before ) he could by the help of the other organs of speech discourse as plainly as if he had never lost his tongue . these things are marveilous . and yet i have lately met with a passage more strange than any of these related . there is ( or was in the year . ) living near kerchem in germany , a man ( his name is iohn algair ) who suddenly lost the use of his speech : the case has been so with him , that fourteen years together , he can never speak but at one hour of the day , just as the sun cometh to the meridian he has the liberty of his speech for an hour and no more ; so that he knoweth exactly when it is twelve a clock , because then he can speak , and not a minute before that , nor a minute after one . this is related in the germanic ephemerides of miscellaneous curiosities , for the year . observat. . it is evident that the sun has a marvelous influence as to some diseases , which the bodies of men are subject unto . for in egypt though the plague rage the day before , on that very day when the sun enters into leo , it ceaseth , when also the floods of nilus abate , as geographers inform us . moreover , it is possible by art to teach those that are by nature deaf and dumb to speak . the dectylogy of beda is pretty , whereby men speak as nimbly with the fingers as with the tongue ; taking five fingers of the one hand for vowels , and the several positions of the other for consonants . but that deaf persons may learn to speak , happy experience hath proved , and that by many instances . a castro has given an account of the method by him successfully observed in teaching a boy to speak that was born deaf . after the use of some purgative medicines , he caused the hair to be shaved off from his head , over the coronal ●uture ; and then frequently anointed the shaven place with a mixture of aqua vitae , salt peter , oyl of butter , almonds , &c. having done this , he began to speak to the deaf person ( not at his ear , but ) at his coronal ●uture ; and there after the use of unctions and emunctions the sound would pierce , when at his ears it could not enter , so did he by degrees teach him to speak ( vide ephem . german . anno . observat. . ) but others have with good effect , followed another kind of method . there was a spanish noble man ( brother to the constable of castile ) who being born deaf and consequently dumb from his infancy , physitians had long in vain tried experiments for his relief . at last a certain priest undertook to teach him to speak . his attempt was at first laughed at , but within a while the gentleman was able ( notwithstanding his deafness still remained ) to converse and discourse with any friend . he was taught to speak by putting a cord about his neck , and straitning or losening the same , to advertise him when to open or shut his mouth , by the example of his teacher . nor was there any difference found between his speech and that of other men , only that he did not regulate his voice , speaking commonly too high ( vid. conferences of virtuosi p. . ) not long since fran. mercur. helmont , designing to teach a deaf man to speak , concluded it would be more easily practicable if the experiment were made with an eastern wide-mouthed language , which does remarkably expose to the eye the motions of the lips , tongue and throat . accordingly he tried with the hebrew tongue ; & in a short time his dumb schollar became an excellent hebrician . others have lately been as successful in their attempts to cause deaf persons to speak and understand the europaean languages . we need not go out of our own nation , for there we find living instances . in the philosophical transactions for the year . numb . . an account is given concerning mr. daniel whaley of north-hampton in england ; who by an accident lost his hearing when he was about five years of age ; and so his speech , not at once , but by degrees in about half a years time . in the year . the learned and ingenious dr. wallis of oxford , undertook to teach the deaf gentleman to speak and write . nor did the doctor fail in attaining his end . for in the space of one year , the dumb man had read over great part of the english bible , and had attained so much skill as to express himself intelligibly in ordinary affairs , to understand letters written to him , and to write answers to them . and when forreigners out of curiosity came to visit him , he was able to pronounce the most difficult words of their language ( even polish it self ) which any could propose unto him . nor was this the only person on whom the doctor shewed his skill , but he has since done the like for another ( a gentleman of a very good family ) who did from his birth want his hearing . likewise dr. holder in his late book about the natural production of letters , giveth rules for the teaching of the deaf and dumb to speak . i have the rather mentioned these things ; for that there are several others in this countrey who are deaf and dumb ; whenas if they had an ingenious instructor ; i am abundantly satisfied that they might be taught to speak , their deafness notwithstanding . nor is this more difficult than it is to learn those that are blind to write ; which though some may think it impossible and incredible , there is ( or at least three years ago there was ) a living instance to convince them . for in the weekly memorials for the ingenious , lately published at london ( in page . ) i find an observable passage which i shall here cause to be transc●ibed and inserted . from the journal des scavans , set forth march . . an extract of a letter written from lyons , by m. spon . m. d. &c. concerning a remarkable particular . esther elizabeth van waldkirk , daughter of a merchant of shaffhausen , residing at geneva , aged at present nineteen years , having been blind from two moneths old , by a distemper falling on her eyes , nevertheless hath been put on to the study of learning by her father , so that she understands perfectly french , high-dutch and latin ; she speaks ordinarily latin with her father , french with her mother , and high-dutch with the people of that nation ; she hath almost the whole bible by heart ; is well skill'd in philosophy ; plays on the organs and violin ; and which is wonderful in this condition , she hath learned to write , by an invention of her fathers , after this manner : there was cut for her upon a board , all the letters of the alphabet , so deep as to feel the figures with her fingers , and to follow the traces with a pencil , till that she had accustomed her self to make the characters . afterwards they made for her a frame , which holds fast her paper when she will write , and which guids her hand to make straight lines ; she writes with a pencil rather than with ink , which might either foul her paper , or by failing , might cause her to leave words imperfect . 't is after this manner that she writes often in latin to her friends , as well as in the other two languages . but thus much may suffice to be spoken about mutes , and the possibility of their being taught intelligibly to express themselves , though their deafness should still remain . i now proceed unto things of another nature : and the next remarkable which we shall take notice of , is , concerning one now in hull in new-england ( viz. lieutenant collier ) who about sixteen years ago , being sensible of pain in his throat , made use of the common remedies in that case , but to little effect . at last the pain about those parts became very extream , especially when he drank any beer , nor was he able to swallow without much difficulty , so that he lived upon water and liquid substances . after he had been for some time in this misery , a stone appeared under his tongue , which though visible to the eye , continued there for some dayes before it was taken out ; and at last of it self fell into his mouth , ( and so into his hands ) leaving an hose behind it at the roof of his tongue . this stone i have by me , whilest i w●ite this , only some part of it is broken away ; that which remains , weighs twelve grains . the person concerned , affirms , that it was first of a yellowish colour , but now it is white , not being an inch in length , in shape somewhat resembling a mans tongue . but that which made the matter the more strange , was , that when he had occasion to void urin , he was in as much pain as if the stone had been in his bladder or kidney ; for when his urin passed from him , he was usually put into a sweat with pain and anguish ; the reason whereof i shall leave unto the more curious inquisitors into nature to determine . there are lapideous humors in the bodies of men , occasioned sometimes by colds , sometimes by ill diet which are apt to become stones . it is related by the late german curiesi , that in the year . a person of quality in● dantzick was much afflicted with a painful tumor in his tongue , a skilful chirurgeon perceiving a stone there , cut it out , upon which the patient recovered , the stone being as big as a small olive . the like hapned to another in the year . again in the year . a gentlewoman in gr●nberg , having been for several years in the spring and in the fall aff●icted with a pain in her tongue , at last the pain became intollerable , untill a stone as big as a a filberd● nut came out of her tongue , upon which she had ease . in the philosophical transactions , for the year . page . an account is given of a man in england who had a stone breeding under his tongue , occasioned by his suffering much cold in a winter sea-voyage . not long after his landing , he found an hard lump in the place where the stone was generated . there were eight years between the time of the stones first breeding and its being taken away . upon a fresh cold-taking he suffered much pain , but when his cold was over his pain ceased . at last it caused a swelling about his throat , especially at the first draught of beer at meals . the last summer of his af●●iction , the stone caused him to be vertiginous ; and some dayes before its excision , such an abundance of rheume and spittle f●owed out of his his mouth , as would presently wet all the bed about him . the stone weiged but seven grains , being much of the shape of our ordinary horse-beans . this stone was by judicious observators judged to be one of those tumors called atheroma , and therefore the name they would have it called by , is lapis atheromatis . stones have been taken out of the jovnts of many gouty persons , some cold imposthume arising in their joynts before . senner●us , flat●rus , barth●linus , skenckius , and other learned men have observed that humane bodies are subject to p●trification in every part of them , and many notable instances to this purpose are mentioned in the philosophical transactions at london ; and by the curiesi in forreign countries . i presume it will not be unacceptable unto such as have not those books , for me to relate some examples out of them to our present purpose . there was then , a man who being troubled with a catarrh and obstruction of urin , when a vein was opened there came four stones out of it . again a person that was much afflicted with a distillation of rhume . and another that was continually imployed in preparing lime . small stones bred in their lungs , many of which ( as big as peas ) were coughed up . a stone as big as a gooses egg was found adhaering to the liver of the countess of nadasti . one that died by a violent pain in his head , there was found a stone therein between the dura and the pia mater . a woman that died by nephretick pains , the physitian found her left kidney to be filled with large stones , as for the right kidney the substance of it was converted into a perfect stone . in the same year there was an ox near padua , in italy , which could by no means be made fat ; but was observed to be strangely stupid , and to hold down his head after an unusual manner ; they that killed him , found that his brains were petrified , being as hard as marble . the like hapned to another ox in suecia . nor are humane bodies wholly free from the like petrification ; for anatomists of good credit , affirm that they have known several dissected by them , whose brains were in part petrified . nay the heart it self is not exempted from this misery . there were three stones found in the heart of the emperour maximilian ii. it is no less strange that bones should be generated in the lungs , heart , and other bowels . nothing in nature seems more mysterious than that which hapned to the brother of the illustrious caspar horwath , a baron in the kingdom of hungaria , who having been for some 〈◊〉 consumptive , after his death the 〈◊〉 opened him , and found in the midst of 〈◊〉 heart ( which was very much dried ) a bone like an almond , perfectly expressing the genuine effigies of the dead gentleman , representing his very beard , and all the feature● of his face so exactly , as that it was not possible for any artist to have drawn a pic●●●e more like the person , than nature had performed in this bone ( vide germ. ethem . ●n . . o●serv . . p. . ) moreover , credible hi●tories report , that in africa , the bo●●●s of men ( and of other animals ) have been turned into perfect stones . nor is that much less prodigious which 〈◊〉 reports concerning a tailors wife ( her 〈◊〉 was c●lu●ba chatry ) who having 〈◊〉 with child , the usual time for deliver being come , was in great pain , and other 〈…〉 of birth appeared , yet she was never delivered , but lived twenty eight yea●s in much mis●ry , still retaining her burden . 〈…〉 death , the physitians foun● 〈…〉 child within her was turned into 〈…〉 med. lib. . part . c●p. . 〈…〉 hath 〈…〉 this . and within a 〈…〉 a thing as prodigious and aston●●●ng ( though without any lapidification ) as any of the fo●mer relations . for in the year . the wife of iohn ●●get at t●louse in france , being with child and come to her f●ll time , was in travailing pains , but no child followed . for the space of twenty years she perceived the child to stir , with many t●oublesome symptoms accompanying ; but for the six last years of her life , she perceived it not to move ; falling sick she requested a chirurgeon to open her after she was dead ; that being done , a child was found in her body , neither putrifi●d nor yet petrified . all the inward parts of the child were discoloured with a blackishness , except the heart , which was red , and without any issuing blood . this infant weighed eight pound averdupoise . the mother died , iune . . being about the sixty fourth year of her age. i should hardly give credit to a story so stupendous and incredible , were it not mentioned in the philosophical transactions ( no. . p. . as a thing most undoubtedly true . but to conclude the discourse we are upon , i shall only add here , that it is not so strange for stones to breed in all parts of the bodies of men , as for plants , and diverse sorts of animals to be formed therein : yet many authors have attested to this . and a late writer affirms that there was not long since a woman who having drunk stagnating water out of a pond where frogs used to keep , grew cachectical , and swelled so as that she was thought to be hydropical . one evening walking near the ponds where the frogs croked , she perceived frogs to croke in her belly . acquainting a physitian , he gave her a strong cathartick , whereupon she cast up two living frogs pretty large , green on their back and yellow under their bellies , and voided three dead by siege , with a great deal of greenish serum , after which she was well disposed . again in the year . a man living near lyons in france , voided a worm seven ells long , scaly like a serpent , and hairy . see the weekly memorials for the ingenious , p. , , . chap. x. of remarkable tempests in new-england . a remark upon the hurricane , anno. . a remarkable accident by a sudden freezing of rain in the year . a strange whirl-wind in cambridge . another in new-haven colony . another at springfield . some parallel instances . of earthquakes in this countrey . land wonderfully removed . parallel stories . of remarkable floods this year , not only in new-england , but in other parts of the world. an account of a prodigious flood in france five years ago , with conjectures concerning the natural reason of it . other remarkables besides those already mentioned , have hapned in this countrey , many of which i cannot here insert , as not having received a full and clear account concerning them . nevertheless , such particulars as i have by good and credible hands been informed of , i shall further add . and let it be here recorded , that we have seen diverse tempests in new-england , which deserve to have a remark set upon them , in respect of some notable circumstances wherewith they have been attended . i have not heard of any storm more dismal than the great hurricane which was in august . the fury whereof threw down ( either breaking them off by the bole or plucking them up by the roots ) thousands of great trees in the woods . of this some account is given by mr. 〈◊〉 , in the first chapter of our present collection . and i must confess , i have peculiar reason to commemorate that solemn providence , inasmuch as my father and mothe● , and four of my brethren were then in a vessel upon the coast of new-england , being at anchor amongst the rocks at the isles of sholes when the storm began ; but their cables broke , and the ship was driving directly upon a mighty rock , so that all their lives 〈◊〉 given up for lost , but then in an instant of time , god turned the wind about , which carried them from the rock of death before their eyes : this memorable providence is mentioned in my fathers life , both in that edition published in this countrey , page , . and also in that published by mr. cl●rk in his last volumn of lives , page . wherefore i shall not here further enlarge upon it . in the year . near the town of concord in new-england , there hapned that which is somewhat rare , and therefore to be reckoned amongst remarkable accidents . in the moneth of february , it having rained a great part of the day , at night it froze extreamly , so as that many limbs were broken off from many trees by the weight of the ice , caused by the sudden friezing of the rain upon the boughs . it was somewhat formidable to hear the crackings ma●e a good part of the night , by the falling of so much wood ( thousands of cords ) as was by that means occasioned . of later years several places in this countrey have been visited with strange and awful tempests . that was very remarkable which hapned in cambridge in new-england , iuly . . the persons who were witnesses of that very amazing providence have declared what themselves observed about it . the history whereof i shall here insert , a worthy person having furnished me with the following narrative . samuel stone of cambridge in new-england does declare and testifie , that iuly . . about two of clock in the afternoon , he being with his young son in the field , the wind then southerly , he observed a cloud in the north-west in opposition to the wind , which caused a singing noise in the air , and the wind increased , till the whirl-wind came , which began in the mead●● near where he was , though then it was not so violent as it proved afterwards , as it passed by him it sucked up and whirled about the hay that was within the compass of it : it passed from him towards his house over an hill , tearing down several trees as it went along ; and coming to his barn car●ied off a considerable part of the roof ( about twenty four foot one way , and thirty the other , fell near the dwelling-house where people were , yet could not its fall be heard by them ( yet it was so great that it was heard by some a mile off ) by reason of the great rushing noise of the wind. afterwards as it pressed towards matthew bridge's house , it tore down some trees and indian corn , and there rose up into the air for the space of a quarter of a mile ; afterwards it came down upon the earth in a more violent manner ; the effects whereof he saw not , but it may be known by the following relation . matthew bridge who was an eye-witness of what hapned , declares that he observed a thick cloud coming along his fathers field before his house , as to appearance very black ; in the inside of the cloud as it passed over him , there seemed to be a light pillar as he judged about eight or ten foot diameter , which seemed to him like a screw or solid body . it s motion was continually circular , which turned about the rest of the cloud . it passed along upon the ground , tearing all before it , bushes by the roots , yea the earth it self , removing old trees as they lay along on the earth , and stones of a great magnitude , some of which could not be found again : great trees were twisted and torn down , and carried a distance from the place where they were ; branches of trees , containing about a load of wood , were blown from their bodies ▪ and carried forty yards or more . the cloud it self was filled with stones , bushes , boughs , and other things that it had taken up from the earth , so that the top and sides of the cloud seemed like a green wood. after it went from him , it went a mile and half before it scattered , bearing down the trees before it above a mile in breadth ; passing through a thick swamp of spruse , pine , and other young trees ( which was about half a mile through ) it laid all flat to the ground , yet the trees being young , are since risen up : it was observable as it passed through a new planted orchard , it not only pulled up some of the young trees by the roots , but broke off some of them in the bodies , about two or three foot high ▪ as if they had been shot off not hurting the stocks . moreover , there was such a great noise made by the storm , that other considerable noises at the same time , as falling of very great trees very near one , 〈◊〉 not be heard . the above said 〈…〉 , and a boy with him endeavoured to run to 〈…〉 , but were prevented by the sto●m , so that they were necessitated to ly 〈◊〉 upon the ground behind some bushes , and this thick cloud and pillar passed so near them as almost to touch their feet , and with its force bent the bushes down over them , and yet their lives were preserved . iohn robbins a servant man was suddenly slain by this storm , his body being much bruised , and many bones broken by the violence thereof . thus concerning that . the last year was attended with sundry remarkable tempests in several parts of this countrey . one of which hapned in new-haven colony , iune . . concerning which i have received from a good hand the following account . this storm began about h. p. m. and continued two hours . it reached stratford , milford , ●airfield , new-haven , and it was very violent in every one of these places , especially milford , where three barns were blown down by it , and one house new built , that was forty foot in length , well inclosed , was moved from the foundation at one corner , near two foot and an half ; but the greatest strength of the storm was about six miles above stratford , as is evident by the great havock , that is there made , for the compass of half a mile in breadth , scarce a tree left standing , which is not shaken by the storm ; the strongest oaks are torn up by the roots , some two foot , some three foot and more over ; young saplins that were not so big as a mans middle , were broken off in the midst : this storm came out of the west , and the wind did before the end somewhat vere towards the north ; it was attended with a violent rain : the very noise of the wind in the woods , was such , as that those that were in it could not hear the fall of a tree a few rods from them . great limbs of trees were carried like feathers in the air an incredible distance from the trees they were broken from : many that were at work in the woods were in great danger , and had no way to preserve themselves but by running into open plains , where there were no trees . the strength of the storm passed along east and by south , over stratford river , and between milford and new-haven , and there it passed away into the sound towards long-island : many thousands of trees were blown down both above and below the place before specified , but in the compass of that half mile , the greatest strength of the storm was ; for here almost there was an universal destruction of all the trees , leaving the place upon hills so naked that very few trees are found standing . thus of that tempest . also , on iune . . there were the most amazing lightnings that have been known in new-england , a great part of the night being thereby made as light as the day . in some places grievous hail fell with the lightning , breaking the windows of some houses . but at springfield it was most dreadful , where great pieces of ice , som● seven , some nine inches about , fell down from the clouds with such violence that the shingles upon some houses were broken thereby , and holes beat into the ground , that a man might put his hand in . several acres of corn ( both wheat and indian ) were beat down and destroyed by the hail . yet this hail-storm ( though terrible ) was not comparable to that which hapned three years ago in another part of the world , viz. at the town of bl●is in france , where the people were by the amazing fury of a prodigious tempest affrighted out of their sleep , and forced to rise out of their beds that they might save their lives . several houses , and two ( churches ) meeting-houses , were beat down to the ground . this tempest was likewise accompanied with a most prodigious hail , many thousand stones being found as big as a mans ●ist . this unusual artillery of heaven , broke all the slates wherewith the hou●es were covered , and the glass-windows , all over the town , as if they had been beaten in a morter . without the town eight whole parishes with the fields adjacent were wholly ruined by that hail , in such a terrible manner , that it seemed as if no corn had been sown , or vines planted there . four other parishes were much endamaged , multitudes of chimneys beaten down , so that the damage thereby , with the breaking of the windows and tyles , were valued to be above two hundred thousand crowns ; and the harm in the vineyards , and corn-fields invaluable . the divine providence was very much seen , in that man , woman nor child were killed in this fearful desolation . the reader may see a more full relation of this prodigious hail-storm in mr. burton's surprising miracles of nature , page , . as for those sudden gusts wherewith part of cambridge , and several towns near new-haven in n●●-e●gland were alarm'd , the like hapned at a 〈◊〉 in england , fourteen years ago ; the 〈◊〉 whereof may be seen in the 〈◊〉 transactions numb . . page . 〈◊〉 i shall here insert . it is that which 〈◊〉 , octob. . . betwixt five and ●ix of the clock in the evening , the wind 〈◊〉 , at ashley in north-hamptonshire , hapned a formidable hurricane , scarce bearing sixty yards in its breadth , and spending it self 〈◊〉 about seven minutes of time . its first disc●●n'd assault was upon a milk-maid , taking her pail and hat from off her head ; and carrying it many scores of yards from her , where it lay undiscovered some dayes . next , it storm'd the yard of one sprigge , dwelling in westthorp ( a name of one part of the town ) where it blew a wagon-body off of the axel-trees , breaking the wheels and axel-trees in pieces , and blowing three of the wheels so shattered over a wall. the wagon stood somewhat cross to the passage of the wind. another wagon of mr. sali●b●ries marched with great speed upon its wheels against the side of his house to the astonishment of the inhabitants . a branch of an as●-tree of that bigness that two lusty men could scarce lift it , blew over mr. salisburies house without hurting it ; and yet this branch was torn from a tree , an hundred yards distant from that house . a slate was found upon a window of the house of samuel templer esqr. which very much bent an iron bar in it ; and yet t is certain ▪ that the nearest place , the slate was at first forced from , was near two hundred yards . not to take notice of its stripping of several houses ; one thing is remarkable , which is , that at mr. maidwells senior , it forced open a door , breaking the latch , and thence marching through the entry , and forcing open the dairy door , it overturned the milk-vessels , and blew out three panes or lights in the window ; next it mounted the chambers , and blew out nine lights more : from thence it proceeded to the parsonage , whose roof it more than decimated ; thence crosseth the narrow street , and forcibly drives a man headlong into the doors of tho. brigges ▪ then it passed with a cursory salute at thomas marstones , down to mr. george wignils , at least a furlongs distance from marstons , and two furlongs from sprigges , where it plaid notorious exploits , blowing a large hovel of peas from its supporters , and settling it cleaverly upon the ground , without any considerable damage to the thatch . here it blew a gate post , fixed two foot and an half in the ground , out of the earth , and carried it into the fields , many yards from its first abode . thus much concerning remarkable tempests . earthquakes deserve to be mentioned amongst remarkable providences , since aristotle himself could say , that the man is stupid and unreasonable who is not affected with them . this part of the world hath not been altogether free from such tremendous accidents , albeit , through the gracious providence of god ) there never was yet any harm done amongst us thereby , so far as i have heard . the year . was attended with a considerable earth-quake . there are who affirm that they heard a strange kind of noise before the earth began to tremble . another earth-quake was observed in some parts of new-england , anno domini . also in in the year . on the , , and of ianuary , the earth was shaken at least six times in the space of three dayes . i remember that upon the first approach of the earth-quake , the things on the shelves in the house began to move . many people ran out of their houses with fear and amazement : but no house fell , nor was any damage sustained . there was another earth-quake● april . . we in boston were sensible of it , but some other parts of the countrey were more terribly shaken . the indians say that the earth-quake this year , did stop the course of a considerable river . it is also reported , that amongst the french in nova-scotia , there hapned an earth-quake which rent an huge rock asunder to the center , wherein was a vast hollow of an immeasurable depth . concerning earth-quakes which have lately hapned in remoter parts of the world ▪ i shall not here insert any thing , having mentioned them in my discourse of comets , printed the last year . only therein i have not taken notice of that memorable earth-quake ▪ may . . having received information concerning it more lately . such readers as are inquisitive into things of this nature ▪ may see that earth-quake described and discoursed on , in the weekly memorials for the ingenious ▪ page , &c. remarkable was that which hapned a. d. . at a place called kenebunck , in the province of main in new-england , where not far from the river side a piece of clay ground , was thrown up over the top of high oakes that grew between it and the river , into the river , stopping the course thereof , and leaving an hole forty yards square , wherein were thousands of clay bullets , like musket bullets . it is also remarkable , that the like to this hapned at casco ( twenty miles to the eastward of the other place ) much about the same time : whether the removal of this ground did proceed from an earth-quake , or by the eruption of mineral vapors , or from some other cause , may be disputed . they that would give a probable conjecture concerning the natural cause , must first know whether a great drought , or much rain , or both successively , did not proceed , of which i am not informed . the like memorable accidents have hapned in several places in england , both in the former , and in this present age ; which it may be t will be pleasing and edifying to some readers for me here to commemorate . to proceed . the like to what hath been related , fell out . in hereford-shire ; marcley hill , in the east part of the shire ; with a roaring noise , removed it self from the place where it stood , and for three dayes together travelled from its old seat . it began first to take its journey , february . being saturday , at six of the clock at night , and by seven of the clock next morning , it had gone forty paces , carrying with it sheep in their cotes , hedg rows , and trees , whereof some were overturned ▪ and some that stood upon the plain are firmly growing upon the hill , those that were east were turned west , and those in the west were set in the east . in this remove it overthrew kinnaston chappel , and turned two high-wayes near an hundred yards from their old paths . the ground that thus removed was about twenty six acres , which opening it self with rocks and all , bore the earth before it for four hundred yards space , without any stay , leaving pasturage in place of the tillage , and the tillage overspread the pasturage . lastly overwhelming its lower parts , it mounted to an hill of twelve fathom high , and there rested , after three dayes travel . again on the third of ianuary , a. d. . at hermitage in dorset-shire , a place of ground of three acres , removed from its old place ( as is testified by stow in his summary ) and was carried over another closure where alders and willows grew , the space of forty rod or perches , and stopped the high-way that led to corne , and the hedges that it was inclosed with , inclose it still , and the trees stand bolt upright , and the place where this ground was before , is left like a great pit. also on the fourth of august . at motingham in kent , after a very violent tempest of thunder and rain , the ground suddenly began to sink , and three great elms growing upon it , were carried so deep into the earth , that no part of them could any more be seen . the hole left is in compass eighty yards , and a line of fifty fathom plummed into it finds no bottom . also december . . a mile and half from westram southward ( which is not many miles from moti●gam ) two closes lying together , separated , with an hedge of hollow ashes ; there was found a part thereof twelve pearches long , to be sunk six foot and and an half deep ; the next morning fifteen foot more ; the third morning eighty foot more at the least , and so daily that great trench of ground containing in length about eighty pearches , and in breadth twenty eight , began with the trees and hedges on it , to lose it self from the rest of the ground lying round about it , and withal to move and shoot forward day and night for eleven dayes . the ground of two water-pits , the one six foot deep of water , the other twelve at the least , and about four pearches over in breadth , having sundry tuffs of alders and ashes growing in the bottoms , with a great rock of stone under them , were not only removed out of their places , and carried towards the south , at least four pearches a pieces , but withal mounted aloft , and become hills , with their sedge , flags , and black mud upon the tops of them , higher than the face of the water which they had forsaken ) by three foot , and in the place from which they are removed ; other ground which lay higher is descended , receiving the water which lies upon it . moreover , in one peace of the plain field , there is a great hole made by linking of the earth to the depth of thirty foot at the least , being in breadth in some places two pearches over , and in length five or six pearches . also there an hedge thirty pearches long , carried southwad with his trees , seven pearches at the least ; and sundry other sinkings there be in divers places , one of sixty foot , another of forty seven , and another of thirty four foot , by means of which confusion is is come to pass , that where the highest hills were , there be the deepest dales , and the lowest dales are become the highest ground . the whole measure of breaking , was at the least nine acres . one instance more i find to the like purpose in mr. childrey his britannia baconica , pag. where speaking of the natural rarities of cheshire , he thus writeth , iuly . . about . h. in the parish of bukley , was heard a very great noise like thunder afar off , which was much wondered at , because the sky was clear , and no appearance of a cloud . shortly after a neighbour comes to me ( saith the author of this relation ) and told me i should see a very strange thing , if i would go with him , so coming into a field , called the lay-field , we found a very great bank of earth which had many tall oaks growing on it , quite sunk under the ground , trees and all . at first we durst not go near it , because the earth for near twenty yards round about is exceeding much rent , and seems ready to fall in ; but since that time my self and some others by ropes have ventured to see the bottom , i mean to go to the brink , so as to discern the visible bottom , which is water , and conceived to be about thirty yards from us , under which is sunk all the earth about it for sixteen yards round at least ; three tall oaks , a very tall awber , and certain other small trees , and not a sprigg of them to be seen above water : four or five oaks more are expected to fall every moment and a great quantity of land is like to fall , indeed never ceasing more or less , and when any considerable clod falls , it s much like the report of a canon . we can discern the ground hollow above the water a very great depth , but how far hollow , or how far deep is not to be found out by man. some of the water was drawn out of this pit with a bucket , and they found it to be as salt as sea-water ; whence some imagine that there are certain large passages there , into which the sea flows under ground , but i rather think , that this salt-water is no more but that which issues from those salt springs about nantwich , and other places in this shire . but of this no more at present . some remarkable land-floods , have likewise hapned in new , england . nor is that which came to pass this present year to be here wholly passed over in silence . in the spring time the great river at connecticot useth to overflow , but this year it did so after midsummer ▪ and that twice : for iuly . . a considerable flood unexpectedly arose , which proved detrimental to many in that colony . but on august . a second and a more dreadful flood came . the waters were then observed to rise twenty six foot above their usual boundaries . the grass in the meadows , also the english grain was carried away before it . the indian corn by the long continuance of the waters is spoiled : so that the four river towns viz. windsor , hartford , weathersfield , middle-town , are extream sufferers . they write from thence , that some who had hundreds of bushels of corn in the morning , at night had not one peck left for their families to live upon . there is an awful intimation of divine displeasure remarkable in this matter ; inasmuch as august . a day of publick humiliation with fasting and prayer , was attended in that colony , partly on the account of gods hand against them in the former flood ; the next week after which , the hand of god was stretched out over them again , in the same way , after a more terrible manner then at first . it is also remarkable that so many places should suffer by inundations as this year it hath been . for at the very same time when the flood hapned at connecticot , there was an hurricane in virginia attended with a great exundation of the rivers there , so as that their tobacco and their indian corn is very much damnified . moreover , we have received information this summer , that the mighty river danow ( the biggest in europe ) hath overflowed its banks , by means whereof many have lost their lives . also near aix in france , there lately hapned an unusual flood , whereby much harm was done ; and had the waters continued rising but one hour longer , the city had probably been destroyed thereby . there was likewise a sudden and extraordinary flood in iamaico , which drowned many ( both men and beast ) and was very detrimental to some plantations there . they that came lately from thence , assure us that the waters in some places arose an hundred and fifty foot . such mighty streams did the heavens suddenly power down upon them . thus doth the great god who sits king upon the floods for ever , make the world see how many wayes he hath to punish them , when it shall seem good unto him . many such things are with him . there are who think that the last comet , and those more rare conjunctions of the superiour planets , hapning this year , have had a natural influence into the mentioned inundations . concerning the flood at connecticot , as for the more immediate natural cause , some impute it to the great rain which preceded . others did imagine that some more than usual cataracts did fall amongst the mountains , there having been more rain then what now fell , sometimes when no such flood has followed . it is not impossible , but that the wind might be a secondary cause of this calamity ; judicious observators write concerning the river dee in cheshire in england , that though much rain do fall , it riseth but little , but if the south wind beat vehemently upon it , then it swells and overflows the grounds adjoyning extreamly ; the reason of which is , that the river being broad towards the sea , when the rain falls it hath a quick and easie passage , but the south wind brings the sea in , and doth somewhat stop the free passage of the river into the sea. whether there might not be some such natural reason of the great flood in connecticot at this time ; the ingenious upon the place , who know best how things are there circumstanced may consider . with us in boston it was then at first an euroclydon ; but in the afternoon the wind became southerly , when it blew with the greatest fierceness . if it were so at connecticot , it seems very probable that the fury of the wind gave a check to the free passage of the river , which caused the sudden overflowing of the waters . it has moreover been by some observed , that the breaking forth of subterraneous waters has caused very prodigious floods . since the dayes of noah , when the fountains of the great deep were opened , no history mentions a more surprizing and amazing inundation than that which hapned five years ago at gascoyn in france ) proceeding ( as t is probably judged ) from the irruption of waters out of the earth . concerning which remarkable accident , a judicious account is given in the late philosophical collections , published by mr. robert hook , page . there being but one of these books in the countrey ; the ingenious will not blame me , if i here insert what is there related , which is as followeth ; in the beginning of the moneth of iuly , . after some gentle rainy dayes which had not swelled the waters of the garonne more than usual ; one night this river swelled all at once so mightily , that all the bridges and mills above tolouse were carried away by it . in the plains which were below this town , the inhabitants who had built in places , which by long experience they had found safe enough from any former inundation , were by this surprized , some were drowned together with their cattle ; others had not saved themselves but by climbing of trees , and getting to the tops of houses ; and some others which were looking after their cattle in the field , warned by the noise which this horrible and furious torrent of water ( rowling towards them with a swiftness like that of the sea ( in britain he means ) made at a distance , could not scape without being overtaken , though they fled with much precipitation : this nevertheless did not last many hours with this violence . at the same time exactly , the two rivers only of adour and gave , which fall from the pyraenean hills , as well as the geronne , and some other small rivers of gascoyn , which have their source in the plain , as the gimone , the save and the ratt , overflowed after the same manner , and caused the same devastations . but this accident hapned not at all to the aude , the ariege , or the arise ▪ which come from the mountains of toix , only that they had more of the same then those of the conseraut , the comminge , the bigorre . those who have heard talk of those inundations at a distance , were not at all astonished at it , believing it to proceed from the violent rains of some tempests which had suddenly filled these rivers , or that they had caused a sudden thaw of the snow of the pyraeneans , which had swelled the rivers that were near . monsieur martel of montabaun , advocate of the parliament , and inquisitive and learned man hath searched after this cause of this deluge ( by the order of monsieur foucault intendant de iustice en la generalite de montaban , one not less seeing and understanding in ingenious sciences , than expert and exact in the performance of his charge and imployment ) understanding that this overflowing could not be produced by either of the forementioned causes , and being assured that it must have had one more extraordinary than all these . and first he grounded his thoughts upon the report of the people of the place who were witnesses of this prodigy . and above all of those who being in the highest valleys of the pyraeneans at the very source , had either seen or known all circumstances , for they all agreed , that it had rained indeed but that the rain was neither so great , nor lasted so long as to swell the rivers to that excess , or to melt the snow off the mountains . but the nature of these waters , and the manner of their flowing from the mountains , confirmed him perfectly in his sentiments . for , . the inhabitants of the lower pyraeneans observed , that the waters overflowed with violence from the entrails of the mountains , about which there were opened several channels , which forming so many furious torrents tore up the trees , the earth and great rocks in such narrow places where they found not a passage large enough . the water which also spouted from all the sides of the mountain in innumerable jets , which lasted all the time of the greatest overflowing , had the tast of minerals . . in some of these passages the waters were stinking ( as when one stirs the mud at the bottom of mineral water ) in such sort that the cattle refused to drink of it , which was more particularly taken notice at lombez , in the overflowing of the save , ( which is one of the rivers ) where the horses were eight hours thirsty before they would endure to drink it . . the bishop of lombez having a desire to cleanse his gardens , which the save passing through by many channels by this overflowing , had filled with much sand and mud ; those which entred them felt an itching like to that which one feels when one bathes in salt-water , or washes one self with some strong lixivial : these waters have caused the same kind of itching risings in the skin . this last observation is not less strong then both the others to prove ▪ that this over-flowing was not either caused by the rains , or by the meltings of the snow , because this itching could not be produced by either of the said waters , which are not at all of this nature , but by some mineral juice , either v●riolic or aluminous , which the waters had dissolved in the bowels of the mountains , and had carried along with it in passing through those numerous crannies . and t is for this reason that monsieur martel believes he had found out the true cause of this overflowing to be nothing else but the subterraneous waters ; for if the heavens have not supplied his prodigious quantity of waters , neither by the rain , nor the melting of the snow : it cannot come else where then from the bowels of the earth , from whence passing through divers channels , it had contracted and carried along with it that stinking and pungent quality . but this much concerning late remarkable floods . chap. xi . concerning remarkable judgements . quakers judicially plagued with spiritual iudgments . of several sad instances in long-island . and in plimouth colony . that some of the quakers are really possessed with infernal spirits . proved by a late wonderful example of one at balsham near cambridge in england . of several who imprecated vengeance upon themselves . the woful end of drunkards . and of those that have designed evil against the churches of christ in new-england . those memorable iudgements which the hand of heaven has executed upon notorious sinners , are to be reckoned amongs remarkable providences . lubricus his locus & difficilis . he undertakes a difficult province that shall relate all that might be spoken on such a subject , both in that it cannot but be gravaminous to surviving relations , when such things are published , also in that men are apt to misapply the unsearchable judgements of god , which are a great deep , as iob's friends did ; and wicked papists have done the like , with respect to the untimely death of famous zuinglius . we may not judge of men meerly by outward accidents which befal them in this world , since all things happen alike unto all , and no man knoweth either love or hatred by all that is before them . we have seen amongst our selves , that the lords faithful servants have sometimes been the subjects of very dismal dispensations . there hapned a most awful providence at farmington in connecticot colony , dec. . . when the house of serjeant iohn hart taking fire in the night , no man knows how , ( only it is conjectured that it might be occasioned by an oven ) he and his wife , and six children were all burned to death before the neighbours knew any thing of it , so that his whole family had been extinguished by the fatal flames of that unhappy night , had not one of his children been providentially from home at that time . this hart was esteemed a choice christian , and his wife also a good woman . such things sometimes fall upon those that are dear unto god , to intimate , if this be done to the green tree , what shall be done to the dry , that is fit for nothing but the fire . nevertheless , a judgement may be so circumstanced , as that the displeasure of heaven is plainly written upon it , in legible characters . on which account it is said , that the wrath of god is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men , rom. . . sundry learned men have published whole volumns profitable to be read , on this subject , e. g. goulartius his historical collections . honsdorsius in his historical theater ; which is inlarged by lonicerus . chassalion his memorable histories of the judgements of god. and amongst our english writers , d. beard in his theater of gods judgements , with dr. taylor 's additions ; and mr. clark in his two volumns of examples , have said enough to convince atheists that there is a god , and that there is a judgement . yea , the divine providence in remarkable punishments inflicted upon very wicked men has been so conspicuous and glorious , as that the gentiles of old could not but take notice of it . the poet could say , raro antecedentem scelestum deseruit pede paena claudo . and whereas epicures did object that evil men sometimes escape punishment a long time ; plutarch ( whose works beza esteemed to be amongst the most excellent of humane writings ) has a notable treatise , the design whereof is to vindicate divine justice in this matter . many remarkable example to our present purpose , have hapned in new-england , and more than i shall at present take notice of . all wise men that are acquainted therewith , observe the blasting rebukes of providence upon the late singing and dancing quakers , in signal instances , two or three of which may be here recorded , that so others may hear and fear and do no more so wickedly . the first instance , shall be that which concerns the unhappy man that was murdered in long-island , of which a good hand in those parts , in a letter bearing date , decemb. . . writes as follows . there went down about a moneth since three mad quakers , called thomas case's crew , one man named denham , belonging to newer-snicks , and two women with him belonging to oyster-bay ; these went down to south-hold , where they meet with samuel banks of fairfield , the most blasphemous villain , that ever was known in these parts . these joyning together with some other inhabitants of south-hold , of the same spirit ; there went into their company a young merchant , named thomas harris , who was somewhat inclining to the quakers before ; ( he belonged to boston ) they all got about him , and fell a dancing and singing , according to their diabolical manner . after some time , the said harris began to act like them , and to dance , and sing , and to speak of extraordinary raptures of joy ; and to cry out upon all others as devils , that were not of their religion ; which also they do frequently : when the said harris manifested these signs of conversion , as they accounted it ; they solemnly accepted of him as one of their company ; and banks or denham ( for i have forgotten which of the two ) gave him this promise , that hence forward his tongue should be as the pen of a ready writer , to declare the praises of their lord. after this , the young man who was sober and composed before , ran up and down , singing ioy , and calling such devils as should say any thing in way of opposition : and said his father was a devil that begat him . quickly after he went from the town of south-hold , to a farm belonging to that town , to the house of a quaker of the same spirit , and went to bed before the rest of the family , and when a young man of the same house went to go to bed to him , he told him that he must get up , and go to south-hold that night , where he had left banks and the rest ; the young man endeavoured to perswade him to lie still till day , but he would not , but gat up , and went away ; after some time he was missed , and enquiry made for him , but he could not be heard of , only his hat , and gloves , and neck-cloth was found in the road from the farm to the town . and two dayes after , banks looking into a bible , suddenly shut it again , crying out , his friend harris was dead ; the next day he was found by the sea side , about a quarter of a mile from the place , where his hat and other things were found , but out of the road , with three holes like stabs in his throat , and no tongue in his head , nor the least sign thereof , but all was clear to his neck-bone within , his mouth close shut , one of his eyes hanging down upon his cheek out of his head , the other sunk so deep in his head that at first it seemed quite out , but was whole there . and mr. ioshua hobart , who was one of them to view his dead body , told me that there was no sign of any tongue left in his mouth , such was the end of that tongue which had the promise of being as the pen of a ready writer . further the night after he was buried , captain young ( who is high sheriff and chiefly concerned in looking after the business ) as he told me himself , being in bed , in the dead of the night , was awakened by the voice of this harris , calling to his window very loud , requiring him to see that justice was done him ; this voice came three times in that night ; the next night when he was asleep , it came into his house , close to his bed-side , and called very loud , asking him if he heard him , and awaked him . thus concerning that tragical story . an intelligent and credible person living upon that island , in a letter , dated september . . adds as follows ; there was about four years since , by some of the same crew , another attempt made amongst us , which was also attended with the like providence , though not so fatal an issue ; there was a young woman , a daughter of a quaker among us , who was howled into their society , as harris was , and quickly fell to railing on others , and then to raving , being in a dreadful condition , so that several persons of their gang watched with her , and she was made wonderful strong to out-strive them , and to break away from them . one of their own party newly in favour with them , told me that he was by in the night when they watched with her , and in the very darkness of the night , they heard a very doleful noise , like the crying of a young child in the yard or field near the house , which filled the auditors with some fearful apprehensions , which when the young woman heard , she violently brake from her attendance , saying , the lord calls me , and i must go , so in the dark she got from them , to the cry-ward as they supposed , and it was a good space of time before they could find her , and then she was as one affrighted , and bereaved of understanding , and continued so a space of time , sometimes ridiculous to behold , sometimes very awful , till such times as justice wood of huntington , by the use of means recovered her , which her quaking friends notwithstanding their brags could not do ; so that i heard her husband say , that he was convinced that the devil was among them . this providence was at that time fearful among us , yet since , both that woman and her husband are railing quakers , and do hum and revile as the rest of them , though several forsook their society upon this account . thus hee : that which was perpetrated by this woful generation of quakers , no longer since than this last summer in plimouth colony , is horrid to be related . yet inasmuch as the publication of it , will make appear unto all mankind , that quakers are under the strong delusions of satan ; i think my self bound to acquaint the world , that not many moneths ago , a man passing under the name of ionathan dunen ( alias singleterry ) a singing quaker , drew away the wife of one of marshfield to follow him ; also one mary ross falling into their company , was quickly possessed with the devil , playing such frentick and diabolical tricks , as the like hath seldom been known or heard of . for she made her self naked , burning all her clothes ; and with infinite blasphemy said that she was christ , and gave names to her apostles , calling dunen by the name of peter , another by the name of thomas , declaring that she would be dead for three dayes , and then rise again ; and accordingly seemed to die ; and while she was pretendedly dead , her apostle dunen gave out , that they should see glorious things after her resurrection . but that which she then did , was , she commanded dunen to sacrifice a dog. the man and the two women quakers danced naked together , having nothing but their shirts on . the constable brought them before the magistrates in plimouth , where ross uttered such prodigious blasphemy as is not fit to be mentioned , dunen fell down like a dead man upon the floor , and so lay for about an hour , and then came to himself . the magistrates demanding the reason of his strange actings , his answer was , that marry ross bid him , and he had no power to resist . thus when men will not receive the truth in the love of it , the righteous judgement of god sends upon them the efficacy of error , that they shall believe a lie . that the quakers are some of them undoubtedly possessed with evil and infernal spirits , and acted in a more than ordinary manner by the inmates of hell , is evident , not only from the related instances , but by other awful examples which might be mentioned . they are indeed to be pitied , in that they themselves know not that an evil spirit doth possess and act them . yet others should from that consideration dread to come among such creatures , lest haply the righteous god suffer satan to take possession of them also . memorable and marvelous is that relation published the last year , by dr. henry more , in his addition to mr. glanvils collections , page . &c. wherein a true and faithful account is given of a man whose name is robert churchman , living at balsham in cambridge-shire , who was for some time inveigled in quakerisme , and then an infernal spirit spake in him , pretending to be an angel of light. inasmuch as there is ( so far as i have heard ) but one of those books in this countrey ; i suppose it will be a service for the truth , and may ( if the lord please to add his blessing ) tend to reclaim some from the error of their way , and to deterr those from quakerisme who have through the temptations of satan any inclinations thereunto , if that notable history should be more divulged ; i shall therefore here insert it . and thus it was , dr. templar ( the minister in balsham ) perceiving that robert churchman was in danger of being poysoned and seduced by the papers which the quakers had been dispersing in that place , desired him , that when any of their books came to his hands , he might have the perusal of them . which being granted , he suggested that it would be very convenient that the person who had given him that book should be present when they considered it together . this also was consented to . when the quaker came , a special subject of the discourse was , whether the scripture is to be owned as a rule : this the quaker denied , asserting that the rule was within them . hereupon dr. templar desired churchman to take notice , that the quakers did not own the scriptures to be their rule , which before this conference he would not believe concerning them . the next time he met with his brother thomas churchman , he acquainted him with the conference which had been in dr. templars house , and said for his part he would not be of that religion which did disown the scripture to be the rule . not long after , the wife of the forementioned quaker coming to his house to visit his wife , he met her at the door , and told her she should not come in , intimating that her visit would make division betwixt them . after some parley the quakers wife spake unto him in these words , thou wilt not believe unless thou see a sign , and thou mayest see some such . within a few nights after , robert churchman had a violent storm upon the room where he lay , when it was very calm in all other parts of the town , and a voice within him , as he was in bed , spake to him , and bid him sing praises , sing praises ; telling him , that he should see the glory of the new ierusalem ; about which time 〈◊〉 glimmering light appeared all about the room . toward the morning the voice commanded him to go out of his bed naked , with his wife and children . they all standing upon the floor , the spirit making use of his tongue , bid them to lie down and put their mouthes in the dust ▪ which they did accordingly . it likewise commanded them to go and call his brother and sister , that they might see the new-ierusalem , to whom he went naked about half a mile . when he had delivered his message , that which spake within him to denounce wrath against them , and declare that fire and brimstone would fall upon them , as it did upon sodom and gomorrah , if they did not obey ; and so he returned to his own house . where upon the floor of a low room , he stood-about three or four hours . all that while he was acted in a very unusual manner , sometimes the spirit within forced him to sing , sometimes to bark like a dog. when his brother and sister who followed him were very importunate with him to resist it , it bid him to kill them , making use of these words , these my enemies which would not that i should reign over them , bring them and slay them before my face . it made him to utter with great readiness ; many places of scripture , which he had no knowledge of before . the drift of what was spoken , was to perswade him to comply with the quakers , and it named some which lived in the neighbouring towns. about three or four hours being thus spent , he came to himself , and was able to give a perfect account of what had be fallen him . several nights after , the same trouble returned upon him . his wife was tortured with extraordinary pains ; the children which lay in the room , complained that their mouthes were stopped with wool as they were in bed. the disturbance was so great , that he had thoughts of leaving his house for a time , and made it his desire to be at dr. templars ; who prevailed with him not to be so sudden in his removal , but to make some further trial. it pleased god upon a continuation with him in prayer every day in the house , that he was at last perfectly free from all molestation . the quakers hearing of his condition , gave it out , that the power of god would come upon him again , and that the wound was but skinned over by the priest. which made dr. templar the more importunate with him to keep close to the publick worship of god , and to have nothing to do with them or their writings . which direction he followed till november . and then perusing one of their books , a little after upon the tenth day of that moneth his troubles returned . a voice within him began to speak to him after the former manner . the first sentence which it uttered was , cease thou from man , whose breath is in his nostrils , for wherein is he to be accounted . the design which he discerned it did aim at , was to take him off from comeing to the church ( where he had been that day ) and from hearing the word of god it suggested several other scriptures in order to the perswading of him to a compliance with the quakers , and told him , that it would strive with him as the angel did with iacob , until the breaking of the day , at which time it left him . the two next nights it gave him the same molestation , saying , it must be with him as it was with david , who gave no sleep to his eyes , nor slumber to his eye-lids , until he found a place for the lord , an habitation for the mighty god of iacob . upon wednesday at night he was very peremptory in his resisting of it . when it began to solicit him , he replied , that he saw it was a spirit of delusion , which he would not obey . upon which the spirit deno●nced a curse against him in these words , go ye cursed into everlasting fire , and so left him with a very great heat in his body . after this , he was in his own apprehension in a very comfortable condition , and while he was considering what had hapned , a voice within him speake to him , saying , that the spirit which was before upon him was a spirit of delusion , but now the true spirit of god was come into him . it acquainted him , that the doctrine of the trinity was true , and that god had an elect people , and that those whom the father elected the son hath redeemed , and when christ redeemeth , the holy ghost sanctifieth , and told him that the minister of the town would further instruct him about the truth of these things . upon thursday morning about break of day , it set him upon his knees as he was in bed , and bid him farewel . the same day it came upon him in the field as he was going to , and coming from the market , & pressed upon him to believe that it was the good spirit which he was acted with , which he still doubted of . one night that week amongst many arguments which it used to that purpose , it told him if he would not believe without a sign , he might have what sign he would . upon that robert church-man desired , if it was a good spirit , that a wier-candlestick which stood upon the cup-board might be turned into brass , which the spirit said he would do . presently there was a very unsavoury smell in the room , like that of the snuff of a candle newly put out ; but nothing else was done towards the fulfilling of the promise . upon the lords day following , he then attending the publick worship of god , it came upon him . when the chapters were named , he turned to them in his bible , but was not able to read . when the psalm was sung , he could not pronounce a syllable . upon monday morning his speech was wholly taken away from him . when the minister in that place came to him , and asked him how it was with him , he moved his head towards him , but was not able to speak ; the minister waited an hour or two in the room , hoping that his speech might have returned unto him , and that he might have gained from him some account of his condition . but finding no alteration , he desired those who were present to joyn with him in prayer . as they were praying churchman's body was with much violence thrown out of bed , and then with great vehemency he called to the minister dr. templar to hold his tongue . when prayer was done , his tongue was bound as before , till at last he broke out into these words : thine is the kingdom , thine is the kingdom ; which he repeated ( as was judged ) above an hundred times . sometimes he was forced into extream laughter , sometimes into singing , his hands were usually imployed in beating his breast . all of them who stood by , could discern unusual heavings in his body . this distemper did continue towards the morning of the next day , and then the voice within him signified to him that it would leave him , 〈◊〉 him get upon his knees in order to that end , which he did , and then presently he had a perfect command of himself . when dr. templar came to him , he gave a sober account of all the passages of the day before , having a distinct remembrance of what the spirit forced him to do , and what was spoken to him by those that stood by . in particular he told the doctor that he was compelled to give him that disturbance in prayer , before-mentioned ; the spirit using his limbs and tongue , as it pleased , contrary to the inclination of his own mind . upon the thursday following , the spirit began to rage after its former manner , as dr. templar was at prayer with him , it was very discernable how it wrought upon his body , forced him to grate his teeth , and draw his mouth awry . he told the minister after he had done , that it bid him to denounce woe against him . it pleased god upon continuance in prayer with him , at last to release him of all his trouble , and so far to make it advantagious to him and to his wife , and some others , which were too much by-assed with the principles of the quakers , that now they have a perfect dislike of that way , and do diligently attend upon the publick worship of god. thus concerning this strange but true relation . we may by this judge whose servants the singing quakers are ; and what spirit doth powerfully breath in , and act those miserable and deluded enthusiasts . but i shall say no more to the quakers at present ; only pray that such of them as have not sinned unto death , may have their eyes opened , and ( if possible ) be delivered out of the snares of satan , by whom they are taken captive at his will. it hath been by many observed , that men addicted to horrid cursings and execrations , have pulled down the imprecated vengeance of heaven upon themselves . sundry very awful examples of this kind have lately hapned : i shall here mention one or two . the hand of god was very remarkable , in that which came to pass in the narraganset countrey in new-england , not many weeks since . for i have good information , that on august , . a man there ( viz. samuel wilson ) having caused his dog to mischief his neighbours cattle , was blamed for his so doing . he denied the fact with imprecations , wishing that he might never stir from that place if he had so done . his neighbour being troubled at his denying the truth , reproved him , and told him he did very ill to deny what his conscience knew to be truth . the atheist thereupon used the name of god in his imprecations ; saying , he wished to god he might never stir out of that place , if he had done that which he was charged with . the words were scarce out of his mouth before he sunk down dead , and never stirred more ; a son in law of his standing by and catching him as he fell to the ground . a thing not unlike to this hapned ( though not in new-england yet ) in america , about a year ago . for in september . a man at the isle of providence belonging to a vessel whereof one wollery was master , being charged with some deceit in a matter that had been committed to him , in order to his own vindication , horridly wished that the devil might put out his eyes , if he had done as was suspected concerning him . that very night a rhume fell into his eyes , so as that within a few dayes he became stark blind . his company being astonished at the divine hand which thus conspicuously and signally appeared ; put him ashore at providence , and left him there . a physitian being desired to undertake his cure , hearing how he came to lose his sight , refused to meddle with him . this account i lately received from credible persons , who knew and have often seen the man whom the devil ( according to his own wicked wish ) made blind , through the dreadful and righteous judgement of god. moreover , that worse than bruitish sin of drunkenness , hath been witnessed against from heaven by severe and signal iudgements . it was a sign of the fearful wrath of god , upon that notorious drunkard , at a place called seatucket in long-island ; who as he was in drink , fell into the fire ( the people in the house then being in bed and asleep ) and so continued for some considerable time , until he received his deaths wound . at his first awakening he roared out fire ! fire ! as if it had been one in hell , to the great astonishment of all that heard him . one in the house flung a pail of water on him to quench his clothes , but that added to his torment ; so he continued yelling after an hideous manner , fire ! fire ! and within a day or two died in great misery . and though this drunkard died by fire , it is remarkable that many of those who have loved drink , have died by water , and that at the very time when their understandings have been drowned with drink . it is an awful consiration , that there have been at several times above forty persons in this land , whom death hath found in that woful plight , so that their immortal souls have gone out of drunken bodies , to appear before god the judge of all . that remarkable iudgement hath first or last fallen upon those who have sought the hurt of the people of god in new-england , is so notorious , as that it is become the observation of every man. this israel in the wilderness hath eat up the nations his enemies , he hath broke their bones , and pierced them through with his arrows . some adversaries have escaped longer unpunished than others ; but then their ends have been of all the most woful , and tragical at last . i shall instance only in what hath lately come to pass , with respect unto the heathen who rose up against us , thinking to swallow us up quick , when their wrath was kindled against us . blessed be the lord , who hath not given us a prey to their teeth . the chieftains amongst them were all cut off , either by sword or sickness in the war time , excepting those in the eastern parts , whose ring-leaders outlived their fellows ; but now god hath met with them . there were in special two of those indians , who shed much innocent blood , viz. simon and squando . as for bloody simon , who was wont to boast of the mischiefs he had done , and how he had treacherously shot and killed such and such english-men , he died miserably the last winter , another indian discharging a gun hapned to shoot simon , so as to break his arm. after which he lived two years , but in extremity of pain , so as that the indians when enquired of , how simon did ; their usual answer was worse then dead . he used all means that earth and hell ( for he betook himself to powaws ) could afford him for his recovery , but in vain . thus was the wickedness of that murtherer at last returned upon his own head . concerning squando , the sachem of the indians at saco ; the story of him is upon sundry accounts remarkable . many years ago he was sick , and near unto death , after which he said , that one pretending to be the english-mans god , appeared to him in form of an english minister ; and discoursed with him , requiring him to leave off his drinking of rum , and religiously to observe the sabbath day , and to deal justly amongst men , withal promising him that if he did so , then at death his soul should go upwards to an happy place ; but if he did not obey these commandments , at death his soul should go downwards , and be for ever miserable . but this pretended god said nothing to him about iesus christ. however , this apparition so wrought upon squando , as that he left his drunkenness , and became a strict observer of the sabbath day ; yea , so as that he alwayes kept it as a day of fast , and would hear the english ministers preach , and was very just in his dealing . but in the time of the late indian war , he was a principal actor in the bloody 〈…〉 in that part of the countrey . 〈…〉 year the pretended english-mans god , appeared to him again , as afore , in the form of a minister , requiring him to kill himself , and promising him that if he did obey , he should live again the next day , and never die more . squando acquainted his wife , and some other indians with this new apparition , they most earnestly advised him not to follow the murderous counsel which the spectre had given . nevertheless , he since hath hanged himself , and so is gone to his own place . this was the end of the man that disturbed the peace of new-england . chap. xii . an account of some remarkables at norwich in new-england : special answers of prayer made in that place . that people marvelously preserved . the scandalous miscarriage of one so over-ruled by providence , as to be an occasion of the conversion of several others . a further account of some personal deliverances in norwich . concerning sudden deaths which have hapned in new-england . there is lately come to my hand an account of some remarkables , which have hapned at norwich in new-england ; drawn up by mr. fitch , the judicious and eminently faithful pastor of the church in that place ; which that others may be incouraged to follow his example , in observing , and recording the special works of divine providence , i shall here insert , as i received it , and so hasten to finish this essay . it is that which follows . remarkable providences at norwich . . many times the heavens have been shut up but god hath answered our prayers in sending rain , and sometimes so speedily and so plentifully after our seeking the lord by fasting and prayer , that the heathen , now for more than twenty years upon occasion of want of rain , will speak to us to call upon the name of the lord our god ; one especial instance of this kind i have already given , and it s upon record , in the history of the war with the indians in new-england . . many among us have been in more than ordinary hazard by rattle-snakes , some have set their feet upon them , some have been bitten by them upon the skin , and one as he was stooping down to drink at a spring of water , spied a rattle-snake within two foot of his head rising up against him ; thus manifold wayes in danger by this venimous creature , and yet none of us have suffered any harm , but only one was bitten in the finger , and in a short time perfectly healed . . in the time of the wars with the indians , we were not only preserved from the heathen in the midst of the heathen , but by the lords making some of them to be a wall of defence unto us . and thus we were saved by a destroying means . and at this time the providence of god was very remarkable in preserving many of our people , in one of our garrisons , who were driven to garrison several houses , and the house of which now i speak , did contain about sixty persons ; and in this house one of the souldiers taking a gun loaden with bullets into his hand , as he stood in a lower room , the lock being half bent , and he holding the gun right upwards , the gun was discharged , though many people were in the chamber , yet none of them suffered any harm , because providence did guid the shot into the summer , that piece of timber which is the support of the chamber . also one in the same house , looking with a candle under a bed for something he wanted , fired some flax , which filled the room with flame and smoke , and two small children lay sleeping in this peril , but were preserved from the fire , or any harm by the throng of people in the room , at length one of the children was taken up by one of the men with a purpose of throwing it out of the chamber window , but at that very moment thers was such an abatement of the flame , and hope that the worst of the danger was past , that he held the child in his arms ; and yet presently after the fire brake out again in the uppermost room in the house , nigh to a barrel of gun-powder : but some were guided , strengthened and succeeded in their endeavour , to the extinguishing the fire ; so that the lives , and limbs , and goods of all these was preserved by the good hand of god , who doth wonderfully when we know not what to do . . one of the children of the church grown up , ( though not in full communion ) was left to fall into a most notorious abominable practice , which did occasion the church to meet and humble their souls by fasting and prayer , and at this time in the sermon and prayer , it was declared , that the lord had determined either to bring our children nearer to him , & not to suffer them to live out of full communion with his church , or else he would in his anger leave them to such abominations as shall cut them off from his church ; and since this time , many young people have by the grace of the lord been prepared for full communion , and have taken hold of the covenant , confessing , that they have felt the impression of that word upon that abashing occasion spoken : and thus the fall of one hath been the rising of many . where sin abounds , the lord can make grace to superabound . concerning some personal deliverances . there was a young-man endeavouring to subdue a young horse ; and a rope at one end of it was fastned about the horses neck , but the horse running with great speed , the other end of the rope caught the foot of this young man , as in a snare , and was so entangled therein , that he was drawn ten rods upon his back in a very rough and uneven place of land , he being utterly unable to free himself , and none at hand that could help him ; and thus it being come to this extremity , the horse of himself stood still , so long , and no longer time , than that the young man did clear his foot out of the rope ; and thus was delivered out of the danger , and suffered not a broken bone , nor any considerable bruise or harm . there was another young , man , who sat upon a plough-beam , and suddenly his cattle moving his plough turned , and one of his legs was entangled within the plough , and the plough-irons pressing hard against some part of his body , but could not free himself ; and the more he called to the cattle , the more speedily they moved , and thus was in danger of being torn in pieces ; but in this extremity it was not long before the cattle of themselves stood still . there was another young man , who did fall about ten foot from some part of the mill timber into deep waters , and a place of many rocks , a stream very violent , and he was carried about eleven rod down the stream , where there was a great piece of ice , and while he was in this confounded and amazed posture , his hand was guided to take hold of that ice , and there to hold until one who saw him fall , did adventure upon that ice , and drew him out of the waters , and thus they were both delivered . there was a very aged man among us , who riding in his cart over a river , and when the cattle were coming out of the river , he endeavoured to come out of the cart , but he did fall down so nigh to the wheel , that it began to press hard against his breast , and he only speaking to the cattle they stood still , and ceased moving till he was removed out of the danger , otherwise , if they had moved a few inches more , he had been prest to death . thus far is mr. fitch's narrative . had all others been as diligent in observing the works of god , as this worthy person has , the account of new-englands remarkabl●s would have been more full and compleat . but other things must be left for another attempt of this kind . i shall only add at present , that there have been many sudden deaths in this countrey , which should not pass without some remark . for when such strokes are multiplied , there is undoubtedly a speaking voice of providence therein . and so it hath been with us in new-england this last year , and most of all the last summer . to my observation in august last , within the space of three or four weeks , there were twelve sudden deaths ( and it may be others have observed more than i did ) some of them being in respect of sundry circumstances exceeding awful . let me only add here , that sudden death is not alwayes a judgement unto those who are taken out of an evil world : it may be a mercy to them , and a warning unto others , as the sudden death of the prophet ezekiels wife was . many of whom the world was not worthy , have been so removed out of it . moses died suddenly . and so have some excellent persons in this countrey done . governour eaton at new-haven , and governour haines at hartford died in their sleep without being sick . that excellent man of god mr. norton , as he was walking in his house in this boston , was taken with a syncope , fell down dead and never spake more . the like has hapned to other servants of god in other parts of the world. famous mr. v●nes , on a lords day after he had preached and administred the sacrament , went to bed well , and went to heaven that night . nor is there any rule or reason for christians to pray absolutely against sudden death . some holy men have with submission to the will of the most high , desired and prayed for such a death . so did mr. capel , and god gave him his desire ; for on september . . having preached twice that day , and performed religious duties with his family , he went to bed and died immediately . the like is reported by dr. euller , in his church history , concerning that angelical man mr. brightman , who would often pray , ( if god saw fit ) that he might die rather a sudden than a lingring death , and so it came to pass . for as he was travelling in the coach with sr. iohn osborne , and reading of a book ( for he would lose no time ) he was taken with a fainting fit , and though instantly taken out in the arms of one there present , and all means possible used for his recovery , he there died , august . . the learned & pious wolfius ( not the divine who has written commentaries on several parts of the scriptures ; but he that published lectionum memorabilium & reconditarum centenarios ) on may . . being in usual health , was , after he had dined , surprised with a sudden illness , whereof he died within a few hours . that holy man iacobus faber , who did and suffered great things for the name of christ , went suddenly into the silent grave : on a day when some friends came to visit him , after he had courteously entertained them , he laid himself down upon his bed to take some repose ; and no sooner shut his eyes , but his heaven-born soul took its flight into the world of souls . the man who being in christ , shall alwayes be doing something for god , may bid death welcome when ever it shall come , be it never so soon , never so suddenly . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 errata . page . line . for lat. . read lat. . p. . l. . r. his psudo doxa . p. . l. . for those r. these . p. . l. . for so r. see . p. l. ult . r. horstius . p. . l. . dele were . p. l. ult . r. goodly . p. . l. ult . for any r. away . p. . l. . r. serrarius . p. . l. ult . before if . add p. . l. . r. stephen . p. . l. . for that it r. is that , p. . l. . after instance should have been a full point . p. . l. . r. dactylogy . p. . l. . for butter r. bitter . p. . l. . for proceed r. precede . p. . l. . r. thomas . the contents . chap. i. of remarkable sea-deliverances . mr. anthony thacher's relation , concerning his and his wives being marvelously preserved alive , when all the ships company perished . the wonderful preservation of major gibbons and his company . several other remarkable sea-deliverances mentioned by mr. janeway , wherein new-england men were concerned . mr. grafton's preservation . a vessel lately coming from bristol for new-england saved out of great distress at sea. some providentially met with by a new-england vessel in an open boat , many leagues off from any shoar , strangely preserved . an account of a remarkable sea-deliverance which hapned this year . another like unto it above twenty years ago . page . chap. ii. a further account of some other remarkable preservations . of a child that had part of her brains struck out and yet lived and did well . remarkable deliverances which some in windsor had experience of . several in the late indian war. the relation of a captive . skipper how 's memorable preservation . several examples somewhat parallel , wherein others in other parts of the world were concerned . page . chap. iii. of remarkables about thunder and lightning . one at salisbury in new-england struck dead thereby . several at marshfield . one at north-hampton . the captain of the castle in boston . some remarkables about lightning in roxborough , wenham , marble-head , cambridge , hampton : and in several vessels at sea. some late parallel instances . of several in the last century . scripture examples of men slain by lightning . page . chap. iv. some philosophical meditations . concerning antipathies and sympathies . of the load-stone . of the nature and wonderful effects of lightning . that thunder-storms are often caused by satan ; and sometimes by good angles . thunder is the voice of god and therefore to be dreaded . all places in the habitable world are subject to it more or less . no amulets can preserve men from being hurt thereby . the miserable estate of wicked men upon this account , and the happiness of the righteous , who may be above all disquieting fears , with respect unto such terrible accidents . p. . chap. v. concerning things praeternatural , which have hapned in new-england . a remarkable relation about ann cole of hartford . concerning several witches in that colony . of the possessed maid at groton . an account of the house in newbery lately troubled with a daemon . a parallel story of an house at tedworth in england . concerning another in hartford , and of one in portsmouth in new-england lately disquieted by evils spirits . an account of the woman at kitry molested with apparitions , and sometimes tormented by invisible agents . page . chap. vi. that there are daemons . and possessed persons . signs of such . some maniacks are daemoniacks . notwithstanding many fabulous stories about witchcrafts , that there are witches proved by three arguments . that houses are sometimes troubled by evil spirits . witchcraft often the cause of it . sometimes by the devil without witchcraft ; ordered by providence as a punishment for sin . the disturbance in walton's house further considered ; with a parallel story . that the things related in the preceding chapter were undoubtedly preter-natural and diabolical . page . chap. vii . concerning apparitions . that they are not so frequent in places where the gospel prevaileth , as in the dark corners of the earth . that good angels do sometimes visibly appear . confirmed by several histories . that cacodaemons oftentimes pretend to be good angels . that satan may appear in the likeness of holy men ; proved by notable instances . concerning the appearance of persons deceased . the procuring cause thereof is usually some sin committed . some late remarkable examples . of mens covenanting to appear after their death . it is an heavy iudgment when places are infested with such doleful spectres . page . chap. viii . several cases of conscience considered . that it is not lawful to make use of herbs or plants to drive away evil spirits . nor of words or characters . an objection answered . whether it be lawful for persons bewitched to burn things , or to nail horse-shoes before their doors or to stop vrin in bottles , or the like ' in order to the recovery of health . the negative proved by several arguments . whether it be lawful to try witches by casting them into the water . several reasons evincing the vanity of that way of probation . some other superstitions witnessed against . page . chap. ix . a strange relation of a woman in wey-mouth in new-england that hath been dumb and deaf ever since she was three years old , who nevertheless hath a competent understanding in the mysteries of religion ; and is admitted to partake of the sacrament . some parallel instances . of wayes to teach deaf persons to speak . of a man in hull in new-england under whose tongue a stone bred . concerning that petrification , which humane bodies are subject to . that divers sorts of animals have sometimes been formed in the bodies of men. page . chap. x. concerning some remarkable tempests in new-england . a remark upon the hurricane , anno. . an observable accident by a sudden freezing of rain in the year . a strange whirl-wind in cambridge , a. d. . another at new-haven the last year . an hail-storm at springfield . some parallel instances . of earth-quakes in this countrey . land wonderfully removed . parallel stories . of remarkable floods this year , not only in new-england but in other parts of the world. an account of a prodigious flood in france five years ago , with conjectures concerning the natural reason of it . p. . chap. xi . concerning some remarkable judgments . quakers judicially plagued with spiritual iudgements . of several sad instances in long-island ; and in plimouth colony . that some of the quakers are really possessed with infernal spirits . proved by a late wonderful and astonishing example of one in balsham in cambridge-shire . of several that have● imprecated vengeance upon themselves . the woful end of drunkards . and of those that have designed evil against the churches of christ in new-england . page . chap. xii . an account of some remarkables at norwich in new-england . special answers of prayer made in that place . that people marvelously preserved . the scandalous miscarriage of one so over-ruled by providence as to become an occasion of the conversion of several . a further account of some personal deliverances in norwich . concerning sudden deaths which have hapned in new-england . page . finis . advertisement . some sermons concerning the works of divine providence , and on several other subjects , preached by the author of this book about remarkable providences ; are designed to be shortly published . gospel order revived being an answer to a book lately set forth by ... increase mather ... entituled, the order of the gospel, &c ... / by sundry ministers of the gospel in new england. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) gospel order revived being an answer to a book lately set forth by ... increase mather ... entituled, the order of the gospel, &c ... / by sundry ministers of the gospel in new england. colman, benjamin, - . pemberton, ebenezer, - . woodbridge, timothy, - . bradstreet, simon, - . [ ], p. printed [by william bradford], [new york] : . collaboration on authorship has been ascribed at various times to timothy woolbridge, benjamin colman, simon bradstreet and ebenezer pemberton. errata: p. [ ] reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng mather, increase, - . -- order of the gospel. new england -- church history. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion advertisement . the reader is desired to take notice , that the press in boston is so much under the aw of the reverend author , whom we answer , and his friends , that we could not obtain of the printer there to print the following sheets , which is the only true reason why we have sent the copy so far for its impression . gospel order revived , being an answer to a book lately set forth by the reverend mr increase mather , president of harvard colledge , &c. entituled , the order of the gospel , &c. dedicated to the churches of christ in new-england . by sundry ministers of the gospel in new-england . prov. . . he that is first in his own cause seemeth just , but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him . isa . . . to the law and to the testimony , if they speak not according to this word , it is because there is no light in them . printed in the year . errata . advert . l. ult . r. it is printed . ep. ded. side l. . r. ground . s. l. r. wills . l. . r. impose one . l. . r. anti-synodalia . s. l. . r. voluminous . s. l. , r. banner . s. l. . r. sell . l. , r. inartificial . s. l. . r. publickly preached . gosp . ord. p. l. , r , that when . p. l. . r. invention . p. l. . r. notions . p. l. . r. stumble . p. l. . r , altogether . l. that at p. l. , r. of their ways . p. l. . r. synodical . l. . r. we leave the author to be chastized p. l. . r. without this . p. l. . r. apostolical . l. . r. one only excepted . p. l. . r. their persons . p. l. ult . r. we 'l for once give our . p. l. , r. his book . l. . r. were greater . p. l. antep . r. ferre . p. l. . r. ●● exemplary . the epistle dedicatory , to the churches of christ in n. england . it can incur no just censure that we address our selves to the churches of christ here in the following sheets , inasmuch as they are but a reply to a book lately dedicated unto them . nor does our zeal , ( we hope ) for truth , the honour of god , & the safety , peace & flourishing of these churches come short of what our reverend author may be inspired with in his performance we make the same glorious pretence with him to maintain & defend the order of the gospel , altho' we cannot allow what is suggested in the title page , that every principle so strenuously contended for in that treatise , is either professed or practised by the churches of christ in new-england . one part , at least , therefore of his book the reverend author ought to have published in his own name , and not have obtruded it on the churches here , whose practise never gave grounds to suspect them leavened with so gross thoughts , as particularly his doctrine of the ordination of ministers is . we will not guess at the authors secret aim , or whom in particular he raises his batteries against we'd charitably hope he has no private interest to bribe him in this affair ; and we hope for a like favourable and candid construction of this reply . indeed the name prefix't to that faulty treatise , may be presumed , with a multitude of prejudiced people , to weigh down all the reasons and arguments which can possibly be brought for their conviction . and we have no such advantage to boast of ; yet are happy in this , that we are not over-awed by any name , and the truth we know is greater , and more venerable than all things . it s well known how liberal some men are of the odious brand of apostates , for every one who cannot digest the late published orders : but , without arrogance , 〈…〉 sume , as more due , the title of proficients , and doubt not to make it out , that our dissent from many of them is so far from a going back from any gospel truth or order , that it is rather a making progress , and advancing in the evangelical discipline . it is a groundless calumny which is suggested , that a latitude beyond what our author contends for , is but a betraying the liberties and priviledges which our lord jesus christ has given to his church , or the brethren of the church . these we profess to prize and stand for , and would by no means lose . but wherein do they consist ? not in the brethrens challenging any part of the ministerial work ! not in imposing upon others any thing which christ has not imposed ! which is but a debarring christians of the priviledges they have a right to . but they consist ( as we conceive ) in such things as these , that our consciences be not imposed on by men or their traditions , christ being the alone lord of the conscience , cor. . . that believers are through christ , freed from the guilt and dominion of sin , from the curse of the law , and from the sting and terror of death . that we have the liberties of gods house and ordinances , & therein communion with god. that we may have the benefit of the gifts of his ministers for edification , and such like , according to the apostles doctrine , cor. . . nor is that objection less frivolous , when if we appear less rigid than others of the reverend authors severity , we are reflected on as casting dishonour on our parents , & their pious design in the first settlement of this land no , we reverence our ancestors , and the memory of their divine zeal and constancy , and would derive it as a truth sacred to our posterity , that it was a religious interest which carried them through all the amazing difficulties & discouragements in that undertaking . but yet , the particular design or end has been some-what differently conveyed unto us . some have carried it as if the great end were the conversion of the heathen ; and there have been great complaints by some of late , how this has been neglected and contradicted , and another course taken up , whereby instead of bringing the heathen into the church of god , many whose fathers and themselves were once of the visible church , are now strangely left out , scarce any face of religion remaining among them . as for this , we bewail it , and look upon it as a reproach to the land , and would therefore countenance no such principles or practices as have any tendency to such apostacy . again , some have made this the great design , to be freed from the impositions of men in the worship of god , wherewith they were sometimes burthened ; and as they sought freedom for themselves , we cannot suppose they design'd to impose upon others in this we are risen up to make good their grounds . the reverend mr. willard in his sermon of the sinfulness of worshipping god with mens institutions , p. . gives this as the errand of our fore-fathers into this wilderness , namely , to sequester themselves into a quiet corner of the world , where they might enjoy christs unmixt institutions , and leave them uncorrupted to posterity ; and the gain-saying or counter working this , is , as he intimates , to cast dishonour upon them , or call them fools . this charge falls heavy on those who are for imposing their will on others . we crave no more but to enjoy the institutions of christ unmix't . and it appears very strange that those who fl●d from an act of uniformity , should presently impose on themselves , on their neighbours , and entail the mischief on their posterity . some indeed would make the design of our first planters to consist in some little rites , modes or circumstances of church discipline , and those such as the word of god no where requires these are the men who dishonour their country , and their fathers memory , by making their great design to lie in so small matters . and it is notorious there has been no agreement in these points from the beginning . it s known there was anti-synodatia printed , and who had a hand in it , and how modest his dissent was , and in what terms they contradicted what the synod had established , tho' the like is criminal and insufferable in any other . these principles in church discipline are also wrote against in english by the assembly of divines , by mr. c●●dry , mr. ratherford , mr. ba●ly , &c. in a word , if it be the truth , according to gods word , we stand for , it would not be grievous to any of our pious ancestors , were they now on earth ; neither will it be grievous to them now in heaven : nor should it be grievous to any good man to receive conviction . we refer all therefore to the word of god , to the law and to the testimony . in the preface or epistle to said book , we find several things that might be justly excepted against , but designing neither to be contentious nor volumnious , we shall speak but to one or two . in pag. . the reverend author is pleased to number up seven or eight erronious doctrines , as he apprehends them to be ; & the consequence from all is this , that if we espouse these principles , we give away the whole congregational cause at once . whence we perceive now the professed cause which the author engages in ; tho' we hope it is not the name or the party , but the truths they delend . we shall have occasion to examine these principles hereafter ; it may su●ti●e here to say , they are craftily & unfairly worded , & in the dress they are here clad , we do not espouse them ; yet according to their most fair & genuine construction there is a great deal of truth in most of them . and this is but a block the author politickly casts in the way , which at last we fear may but discourage some from embracing the congregational way , seeing it must needs fight for its life against some truths . it s hard kicking against the pricks , acts . . another thing remarkable in the preface is the authors heat and 〈◊〉 , pag . shall we then by silence betray the truth ? shall we re●ort , therefore we are bold to speak too . who is on the lord side ? who ? shall we answer , we are , we trust ( through gods grace ) together with you ; and all other siding 〈◊〉 would have in contempt is there no one that will stand up for the churches of christ ▪ god orbid but we should , had others declined it ! the good people in them then may well think their watch-men are all either dead or a sleep : or if they talk light and heady , they may conclude them in a trance , or not quite awaked . 〈◊〉 which cause it is that i dedicate this ensuing dissertation . and for the same cause we address you in the following answer . it is not my cause , but yours . nor is it ours , but the churches . and every good christians in common . did i say yours ? nay , it is christ cause . we list under the same banners , and would to god we were all as really , as we would seem to be divested wholly of carnal self ........ for truly our present defence is become the peculiar concern of these churches . but why all this heat ? we would not interpret too hard ; but these expressions seem plainly to carry this sense , that every one who obeys not the late published orders , is an opposer of truth , not on the lord side , enemies to the cause of christ , and the churches of new-england . whereupon the reverend author roules himself , and sounds an alarm to the churches , to put down all such if this be not involv'd in it , we would beg his pardon , and be informed better . but truly , sir , it is a mistaken zeal , ●dly lavish'd away , and not kindled from above ; ●or we know no such conspiracy against the truths of our lord jesus christ , or against the good of the churches in new-england , altho' we are not proselyted to some of your particular opinions . it appears to us , that the reverend authors infirmity in this matter , is the same with the apostle johns , mark . . master , we saw one casting out devils in thy name , and he followeth not us ; and we forbad him , because he followed not us . which too forward zeal ou● lord checks , and reconciles the matter , vers . , . and ●esus answered , forbid him not ; he that is not against ●● is on our part . but in this case , as in many others we ●ould instance in if need were , the reverend author , tho' very zealous for a time , yet is not very steady & constant ; for before he ends his book , he comes about again , in pag , . where he proposeth his brothers essay for union wherein he shows how inconsiderable the differences are between those of the presbyterian and congregational judgment , that they need not set truth to purchase peace . and yet by the cry just now , you would have thought all the truths of christ trampeled under foot , the cause of religion deserted . and and a formidable war commenced by the presbyterians against the order of the gospel . it is observable , that the reverend author in the dissertation of the following questions , makes use of abundance of quotations from several famous persons in their generations ; but in some the sence is perverted to a wrong end , beside the obvious intention of the writers ; in some he brings them in contradicting at one time what they said at another , and sets some in opposition to others . and where he endeavours to confirm his tenets by the testimony of some he might , if he had pleased , have brought many others to contradict the same thing . but this is a good way to amuse the reader , and to cloud his mind , and to terrifie him , by mustering a legion of 〈…〉 artifica● arguments . we shall be sparing in quotations , and pass by many cited by the author , tho' we approve them not . only we crave leave to present one quotation , which may be of use to us all along , being we are unwilling to be imposed on to believe what god never spoke , or to do what god never requir'd . it is that of the reverend mr. willa●a , in his fore-quoted sermon , pag. . . hence it follows , that there ●s nothing to be received by us on this account , but what has gods seal affixed to it . it s therefore enough to set us down resolved against any such thing , if we can say there is a silence about it in the scripture , that god has no where commanded it in his word , either expresly , or by just and necessary consequence , it s no order of his devising . scripture silence about any tradition gives a full condemnation , what ever ●leas men may bring for it , as , that it is profitable , many have been edified by it , it is a prudent way to secure the interest of religion ; many wise , holy learned men have pleaded for it and practised it ; that there is much of decency in it and the thing it self is no waye : harm●u● . a●l this is fully answered with that one word , god has spoke nothing about it , heb. . . it never entered into his h●art to enjoyn it . jer. . . thus he . this being publickly practised and printed so long a go by so eminent a minister , and never since contradicted , we take it for granted , that none have any thing to say against it . and we are thankful to him for furnishing us with a doctrine so fully laid down , to bear off the institutions , traditions and impositions that men would lay upon us . but it is high time now to consider the questions which the reverend author propounds , and the answer he gives to each of them . in which attempt we shall offer no other apology for our brevity , save that our author himself 〈…〉 ight have been as brief , and yet full as clear and 〈…〉 iv● . gospel order revived , &c. the two first questions might have been wholy spared , yet may serve as a good introduction to others of a●● ill aspect . quest . . whether particular churches ought to consist of saints and true believers in christ ? it is granted that the matter of a particular church ( for the question is not stated with reference to the catholick ) is visible saints . and tho' the answer is not given in the words , yet we would charitably hope his sense is the same , with the united ministers in london . that none shall be admitted as members in order to communion , in all the special ordinances of the gospel , but such as are knowing and sound in the fundamental doctrines of the christian religion , without scandal in their lives , and to a judgment regulated by the word of god , are persons of visible godliness and honesty , credibly professing cordial subjection to jesus christ . had our reverend author only said thus much ( and indeed more is needless ) he had saved us the labour of any reflections on this part of his essay . but there is one passage in p. which we cannot but except against . a scripture , saith he , which has respect in the times of the gospel , severely rebukes those ministers , which shall bring men that are uncircumcised in bear● ( unregenerate persons ) into the sanctuary , into the church of god , to eat the bread and drink the blood , which 〈…〉 y that are there , partake o● , ezek. . , . a hard saying , and w●o can ●ear it . the text is here mangled , and the principal things left out . what god has joyned , our reverend author has seperated , to drive on his design . the text saith uncircumcised in heart , and uncircumcised in flesh : but here we have it only uncircumcise in hea●t , interpreted unregenerate persons . what a rebuke is this to the best of ministers because ( forsooth ) they are not heart searchers , and dare not invade the prerogative of god. did the reverend author or the church with him , never admit any un 〈…〉 ●erate person to communion with them ? he will not dare to pretend to it , and therefore the rebuke is to himself . we know our lord jesus christ admitted judas uncircumcised in heart , an unregenerate person to holy things ; and in the purest ages of the church there were hypocrites crept in , many of whom turned apostates . nay , our author is so sensible of this , that p. . he quotes the opinion of the reverend m. co●ton , that its better to admit diverse hypocrites than to keep out one sincere child of god. it is obvious then that hypocrites may be admitted , and yet the minister incur neither the rebukes of conscience , or of this scripture : nay , he may be approved of god , as doing his duty , though hypocrisie may too well consist with sufficient knowledge found belief , a blameless life , a credible profession , &c. to conclude , it s very observeable , the reverend author closes this first enquiry , by saying , that the churches here are free to admit those into their communion , who are thus qualified . we marvel then his zeal is not stirred to rebuke them afresh . but what will the reader think if we should make an apology after all for the reverend author , and assure him he means no more , than that ministers ought not to admit known infidels or prophane ; for , for his part , he pretends not to know mens hearts . we only can intreat the reader not to rebuke the author too severely for his inconsistency , for he may mean well , and all parties are agreed . unless he should imagine himself attacqued by the reverend author of the doctrine of instituted churches . q . whether there ought not to be a tryal of persons concerning their qualifications and fitness for church communion , before they are admitted thereunto ? we shall not here examine the force of the authors arguments , whether they unresistably conclude , or not ; and whether the consequence is good from the tryal of the apostles , the porters at the temple , or the angels at the gates of the mystical jerusalem , to the tryal of church members . it suffices that the reverend author has modestly stated this truth , and cited us to a merciful bar , the judgment seat of a rational charity , where the judge avoids severity , and the tryal is managed with abundant tenderness : the bruised reed is not broken , nor the smoaking flax quenched : the tender lambs find the kind shepherds arms to fold them , and a gentle carriage in his bosom . this is indeed the part of the good shepherd , and we could now gladly commit our selves to the reverend authors pastoral care . so many good words remove all jealousie of a rigid tryal . but alas ! the clouds return upon us , and a black doubt is started , as follows . q whether are not the brethren , and not the elders of the church only , to judge concerning the qualifications and fitness of those who art admitted into their communion ? the reverend author allows there may be a difference of apprehension , as to this point , and yet no breach of union . we think so too , and therefore as we continue to honour the person , though we expose his opinion ; so we ●o●● the negative will not dele●ve the popular cry , oh apostacy ! apostacy ! the difference , as the reverend author tells us , is between the brethren of the presbyterian and the congregational way , the former giving this power only to the eldership , the latter joyning the fraternity with them . he takes up for the latter ; but whether he proves it , the world may see when we have considered his arguments . in the fore-going chapter , when he would prove there ought to be a tryal of persons , he tells us of the porters that were set ut the gates of the temple , chron. . but those porters were officers coron . ● . . so he instances in the twelve angels at the gates of the mystic 〈…〉 jerusalem , which tho' it may imply that the g●●es were kept , yet not that the fraternity were the keepers . he instances also in phillip and john the baptist , which if it argues any thing , is applicable only to the officers , and not in the brother-hood . but to examine his strength in this chapter what he calls argument , may more truly be stiled dogmatical affirming , or a more mean begging the question . till pag. , . he quotes a cripture or two in proof of his assertions , ●●i● . corinth . . . cor. . . in both which places the apostle is writing to the church at corinth , about excommunicating the l●cestuou● person to h●●●●n , and the restoring him again upon his repentance . and w 〈…〉 t the reverend author to the same holy aposti● for an ●●swer . 〈…〉 t is that known place , corinth . ● . chap. where he compares the church to a mans body , and shows the distinct offices and operations of the respective members , as the eye and ear , the hand and foot. and to render the allusion the more intelligible , he names the officers god had set over his church , as more immediately referred to v. . god has set some in his church , first , apostles , secondarily , prophets , thirdly , teachers — and in the close of the . chap. he adds , let all things be done decently and in order . the result of all is this . the apostle would have every one to keep his proper place and sphere , and do his own work , soil in the censure of the faulty person , the eldership were to do theirs , the brotherhood not to usu 〈…〉 or arrogate any thing above their province . for as the apostle queries , v. are all apostles ? are all prophets ? are all teachers ? i. e. in a govern'd body we cannot expect all should be governors , vid. pool's annot. there is another text also produced to prove the power of the brethren , scil . mat. . . and if he shall neglect to hear them , tell it to the church . this text has been often brought on this account , and sometimes on other accounts and as often answered , yet here brought again , but it will not answer the end . the context supposes an offender , and the wronged party proceeding against him ; and here are three steps the dissatisfied person is directed to take , in order to heal the wound given , . ) to tell the offender his fault in private . ) to tell him before or witnesses , and if the end be not obtained ; . ) to tell it to the church . suppose now a person acting according to this rule ( as we could give instances if need were ) when the first step did not gain his brother , nor the second answer the end , at last the dissatisfied person carried the case to the pastor , and now he reckened he had told it to the church . the pastor sending so the offendor presently convinced him , brought him to repentance , and to give satisfaction , and the thing was issued . here the rule was attended , the church told , the offendor healed , the wronged person satisfied , and the matter issued , when the brotherhood all this while knew nothing of it . it is evident from the next verse , that by the church must be meant those who had power to bind and loose , which power christ had given to the apostles . moreover let the sense be that the offence is to be told to the rulers first , and then by then to the multitude ; not for the multitude to judge of it , but for their warning and example , for their prayers for the offendor , and their approbacion of the elders censure , and that they might take care to avoid the familiarity of such an insectious sinner , vid. pools annot. but if scripture will not prove the power of the brethren , possibly some venerable maxim may do the feat . quod ●angie omnes debet ab omnibus approbari . but alas ! this maxim gives so much to the sisters , as to the brethren . surely it is no divine oracle , it neither came from heaven , nor is it according to the manners of men upon earth . if a master of a family take in a so●ou●nor or a servant ; all are concerned , but their vote is not asked . if a captain list a souldier , all the company is concerned , but it is done by his authority , without asking their leave . and pray carry this m●x●m to the colledge , and see if the president and fellows will stand by it in their admissions . if it be objected , that even in all these cases if there be any sufficient reasons presented by those concerned , a prudent ruler will yield to it ; we easily grant it , and therefore it s not unfit that men be proposed to the congregation , if there be any thing to object against their lives , &c. another argument for the brethrens power in admission , is , lest the whole power should sometimes reside in the hands of a single minister , and that this is unreasonable we have a speech quoted from the presbiterian ministers in london . but it is strangely perverted from their true meanning , as appears not only from the whole series and scope of the book , but also from what is expressed in the page quoted ( p. . ) where they say , that the power cannot be placed in the whole church collectively taken . the scripture makes an exact distinction between rulers and ruled . they only plead that there should be more rulers in a church then one ; or that , when there are more , then the power belongs to the whole meaning , the ruling elders as well as the teaching . and what is that to the power of the brethren ? one officer has power in plain cases to act in the kings name . indeed our saviour did frequently send forth his disciples two and two but yet phillip was sent alone to baptize the ethiopian eunuc 〈…〉 it will not excuse a minister in the neglect of christs work , because he has no fellow labourers with him . but the strongest argument comes last . the way to keep popery our of the world , saith our author , is for the fraternity to assert and maintain that power , which does of right belong to them . in answer to which , we need only blot out the word fraternity , and in its room write the word ela●rship . an excellent argument that will equally prove either way ; and by the change of a word serve , also to answer doctor owens long speech , which ends that chapter . in short , all power is firstly in christs ●a●ds , and our reverend author produces no commission or order from christ , for the ●rethren ●● ma 〈…〉 ge the affairs o● his house in his name ; for he has appointed officers of his own to that end . q. . whether is it necessary t●at persons at their admission into the church should make a publick relation of the time and manner of their conversion ? the reverend author answers in the negative , and adds , that the churches of n. e ▪ do not impose it , ●or ought it to be required or desired . he gives four substantial reasons why it ought not and had he stopt here , he had done well , or had he added more reasons to those four , as he could have done , it had been an acceptable performance . but about he wheels again , and seems to plead hard for it , or something like it , which he calls the practice of the churches of new england . this he would recommend from a story receiv'd from the reverend mr. eliot , but we have heard another story from the same reverend person , how when one of the brethren was highly commending his neighbours relation , and prefer●●●g it to others , the said mr. eliot turned upon him , and said , a● brother ! don 't be so much taken with fine words , but look to the mans conversation . the author relates another story from the reverend mr. ho● , of one who through importunity was brought to make a relation , and made the congregation weep , when he did it ; but whether for joy or grief , we are left in the dark . the author gives us his arguments , but they do not reach his end . he pleads for them in that they are edifying ; but we have known some that have been no ways so ; or granting they were always so , can that justifie the instituting and imposing them ? would it ●ot be edifying if every sabbath day evening , some well disposed ( talkative ) brethren should stand up and relate the experiences of the week past ? yet shall we make it a law or custom ? will not some people assure you , they have been wonderfully edified by a womans preaching in publick ? and yet will our reverend author be induced to prostitute his pulpit to them , or part with a sallary to cherish their zeal . again , the relation of experiences is pleaded for , in that god may be honoured by them . but we have known some to gods dishonour , being in●●pid , sensless things , to use our authors own words , meer formalities , too scandalous and superstitious . he saith , they are a means to gain love with the children of god. but we have known some that have lost love and credit by them . but the question is , whether they are an instituted means for any of these ends ? whether appointed by god , to promote his glory , edisie the congregation , or gain love ? if not , they are but the institutions of men , and therefore to be rejected , as the before quoted mr. willard instructs us . god has appointed the preaching the gospel , the sacraments , &c. for edification , and the promoting christian love among his people ; but we read nothing of these imposed relations , neither when christ himself , nor when his apostles after him , administred this holy sacrament . nor is there any appearance of such a custom in the primitive church . indeed , there are some occasions , as our author observes , on which a person who has had a remarkable conversion , may declare it : but there 's neither precept nor rule in the word of god , that it should be done at this set time , and in publick . and with what sace can we impose it , when our fathers fled from the impositions of men ? whether arbitrary impositions are insufferable in themselves , or not ; yet certainly they are ●old and insolent in new-england , where the greatest out-cry is made against them in others . but it would make a man smile , were he never so serious or displeased , to read the texts that are brought for this custom ; as that psal . ● . i have not concealed thy truth from the great congregation . and indeed the royal prophet had been inexcusable if he had , as a minister would now , that should not declare to his flock the whole counsel of god. again , psal . . . he says , come and hear all you that fear god , and i will declare what he has done for my soul . we imagine the reverend author supposes the psalmist thus calling aloud in some vast religious concourse , and that in order to his partaking of the priviledges of the jewish church . but should we grant a supposal so ridiculous and extravagant , yet this makes nothing for imposing relations , for then it should have been spoken and challenged by the people . do you come , and stand forth , sir , and tell us what god has done for your soul , and then we admit you to all the priviledges of the temple . another text strangely perverted to scare some good people is , that , mat. . . whosoever denyeth me before men , him will i also deny before my father which is in heaven . as if there were no confessing christ , without making formal speeches in the church . and as if a credible profession of our faith in christ , the taking his name upon us in baptism , and the renewal of our baptismal vow , and a devout attendance on the ordinances of the gospel , were not the true confession our lord expects ! wo be to the world , if all were to be rated , denyers of christ ; who whether from inability , modesty or a just indignation , refuse to make a quaint speech in the church . the last scripture we shall name , which has been equally abused with the rest is that in pet. . . that christians should be ready to give a reason of the hope that is in them , to everyone that asketh it , to wit , in a proper place and time , for a fit end , and on sufficient reasons , where there is authority to command , or it is desired with modesty . the sense indeed is , that we should be ready to defend our faith against the scoffs and cavils of infidels and persecutors : and that it is a shame to christians not to be able to argue for their religion , and confute gain-sayers . so that if you would infer hence any publick speech in the church , it must be rather an apology for the christian religion , or a sermon to prove its reasonableness and evidence ; but neither is it in the least intimated that this should be made a stated term of communion ; and we are sure the church has no more power to debar the resuser from any christian priviledge then to require oaths , subscriptions , and conformity to a thousand more ceremonies . we have but one remark more to make here , and that is , the apostle requires this reason of our hope to be given with meekness & fear . the true sense whereof is , that which we are contending even with infidels , yet we must not argue with an intemperate passion or zeal . or if we construe it , as in opposition to pride and presumption of a mans own g●f●s and abilities ; it is a severe rebuke to many of our bold and forward zealots , who have been famed for their promptness to speak in the church , and the first that have fallen under its deserved ●ash . we should indeed be better reconciled to this custom of relations , were this prescribed meekness and fear more visible in them . but this is the misery , the more meek and fearful are hereby kept out of gods house , while the more conceited and presum●tuous never boggle at this , o● any thing else . but it seems there is a gross corruption of this laudable practice which the author does well to cen●ure ; and that is , when some , who have no good intention of their own , get others to devise a relation for them . the author may be satisfied there is something of truth in such reports ; neither charity nor interest should make us too incredu●●us . but then he passes a severe sentence on such lyars to the holy ghost . which they truly deserve , i● in their relations they pretended to tell the time and manner of their conversion , or if they so much as suggested it to be their own devising ; but if it be only a profession of their faith & repentance , it is not material who composes it , if they can conscientiously subscribe to it . and indeed a general . form might be best of all in the case , if they must needs be made us . to sum up all , we not only believe ( with our author ) that such as delude the church , by bringing relations not of their own devising , do exceedingly provoke the lord ; but also that the imposers of them as a term of communion , do so too . q● . . hath t●● church covenant , as commonly practised in the churches of new. england , any scripture foundation ? in reference to this question , the reverend author and others of his opinion , in their discourses about it , love much to keep in the dark . we confess our selves at a loss about those words ( as commonly practised ) and solomon has long ago told us , that he that answers a matter before he understands it , it is a folly and shame to him . the reverend author knows we suppose , or if he don't , we do , that in some churches of n. e. they have no church covenant at all , and that in other churches it is differently p 〈…〉 ▪ some understand by it only a covenanting with god to perform by his grace the duties we owe to him , and our christian b●e●●●en , & accordingly ●o propose it ; others mean by it a covenant with a particular church , whereby they are bound to walk in communion therewith , till by their consent dismissed . others will have it to be a necessary qualification in order to a persons partaking of the lords supper , either there or else where ; and others have notions of it quite different from all these . the reverend author first bears us down with a formidable authority , telling us the question was considered at a general convention of the ministers , may , ● and that all the ministers then present save one , did concur in the affirmative , but we have heard q●●te otherwise , and that it was then proposed and urged to have the church covenant more distinctly opened , though it was not hearkened to . it is a good policy to hurry on a vote their cause depends on , and like a first principle , it must not be deliberated or debated ; and such , as we hear , was the mannagement of that vote . and it is observeable the reverend author avoids ( whether indust●iousty or no , we shall not guess ) to state the nature of this covenant , but confusedly saith , as it is practised by the churches in n. e. in the preface we have the authors own description of this covenant , where he calls it explic●t covenanting with god and his church , and sometimes with god and his people . but we renew our complaint , that we are yet most miserably in the dark . it might be enquired here , whether it be two distinct covenants , one with god and the other with his people ? i● so , which of them is the proper church covenant ? if but one , whether it binds the person that enters into it , to perform the same duties to god , and to the church ▪ and in case a person be dismissed , whether it is from his whole duty or from a part of it ? and whether god and his church promise ●he same thing to the party covenanting ? these queries are offer'd only to provoke a clear state of the thing debated , which should be cleared to the understandings of people , before it s imposed on their consciences , as a term of communion . but before our author ends this chapter , he puts another disguise , and a more taking face on this matter . he would inf●●uate that the church covenant , as practised in new-england , is nothing more than the publick profession of faith , and promise of a holy l●●● ; for which he quotes both synods and several private reverend mens names . but this unfair dealing may be stript of its disguise , by shewing in what sence we allow a church covenant , and in what sence we allow it not . st . we own and plead for a covenant with god , whereby a person or people become his , and b●nd themselves to walk in all his ways . this was the covenant that constituted israel of old to be a church and people of god , and which god made with abraham and his seed after him , by which ●● became , in a special manner , their god , and they his people ▪ this is the covenant that israel renewed with god in the wilderness , ●●cut . . , . to this god annexed his seals , circum●●sion in the days of old , and baptism under the gospel . it s by this covenant that a person or people are united to christ the head , and do become members of his body . by this the catholick church is constituted , and we have an interest in all those priviledges that belong to believers , as such . this is the covenant we own , and which we renew every time we attend the publick wors●i● of god , psal . . . and this covenant ought to be explicit , openly professed and published to the world. it is a false and abusive in nu●tion ( but frequently made in an awful desk ) that people are against all explicit covenanting , or the open renewal of it ; for there is no pretence for such a c●lumny , that we can hear of : it must therefore arise either from idle fears , or some mischievous policy . ●ly . we also highly approve of a covenant of reformation . a great 〈…〉 uty in times of apostacy , and gross corruption of manners ; to covenant to put away these and those reigning sins , to return to the lord , and perform such particular duties as have been visibly neglected . o● this we have frequent instances in scripture , ezra . dly . we may also allow a covenant between minister & people , whereby they ●i●● themselves to th●se respective duties , that the word of god has made incumbent on them , on account of that relation . but we altogether deny a church covenant in the following sense , and say , our lord jesus christ has no where appointed in his word , that there should be a covenant ent●●'d into by some persons of a christian society , exclusive of the rest , whereby they being in covenant one with another , should thereby call themselves a church of christ , making the ordinances of christ , or any of them to depend on this covenant , so that those who scruple it , or refuse to joyn in it , shall on that account , not enjoy them . and that those who are thus covenanted , or the major part of them , have power to make or unmake officers , to admit or reject church members , to mannage discipline , to order the affairs of christs house in his name , as if they had warrant and commission from him so to do . of such a church covenant neither moses , nor christ himself , the prophets nor the aposties have spoke any thing . none of the scriptures , arguments or quotations of our reverend author prove any thing of it . we will take leave therefore to call it mans covenant , and no● gods , for it has nor gods seal affixed to it ; & though good , wise or learned men may endeavour to obtrude it , and plead , its harmless , ●●ifying , or for the interest of religion , yet according to the afore-quoted rule of the reverend mr. willard , we are to reject it , and shall do so , till it comes with a divine stamp . but possibly this may be called a misrepresentation . you will say , who owns it , or will plead for it in this dress ? we answer , by querying , whether there be not several that own and plead for the things contained in it ? we wish there were a less number . but to evince it , let us take it into the several parts . are there none that plead for a seperate covenant , which some ( and generally the lesser part ) must enter into ? and if it be good , and for good ends , why must so many be excluded ? if it be to reform manners , if to maintain the ministry and worship of god , if to lay stricter bonds of duty , if to bring men more effectually to submit to discipline , why then are not the whole brought in ? for the whole congregation are oblig'd to these duties , and why must the covenant be seperate ? again , do not some plead , it is requisit , in order to a persons partaking of the lords supper ? but did our lord jesus christ require any such thing when he first instituted that holy sacrament ? did the apostles when they administred it ? was it the term of communion in the primitive church ? or where i● the scripture that commands it ? and why should gods holy ordinances be annexed to mens covenant ? again , do not some plead , that those who thus covenant , have the power to make and unmake officers ? the reverend author will not scape here , whose opinion in this matter we shall see hereafter . and , finally , do not some pretend , ●●at these are the persons commissioned by christ , for the admitting and rejecting of church members ? this the reverend author defends with all his might , under the third question , tho' , as we showed , he could find no proof . and so much for the church covenant , which is a stranger to the scripture , and has no foundation in the word of god. q. . is publick reading of the scriptures , without explication or exhortation there-with , part of the work incumbent on a minister of the gospel ? the author does not mean , ( as we suppose , ) if there be no explication or exhortation throughout the whole time of exercise . if he doth , he fights with the air , for we know no sect of men but have some explication , tho' many among us neglect reading . we therefore take his sense to be this , if no explication follow immediately without the interposition of prayer , or any other part of divine worship . for we conceive that the ordinary preaching the word may very properly be call'd exposition , explication & exhortation , and that in every sermon there is a competent portion of scripture for one time explicated and applyed . no● can we imagine , the reverend author means that every clause a minister reads in publick should be in a formal manner explicated : methinks it should satisfie , if after one or more chapters read , some select clause , verse o● paragraph be insisted on and expounded , i. e. chosen as a text , and preached on . we are obliged to the author , if but for quoting the text in timothy , where it is given him in charge , as his ministerial work , to give attendance to reading , as well as to doctrine & exhortation that the jews were wont to read the scriptures in their synagogue , saith the reverend author , we all know ; and that it was their duty to read the scripture at some set and solemn times , we also know ; for so it was appointed , deut. . . again , he grants that in just in martyrs time the scriptures were read , and thereupon followed a sermon . we should have been thankful if he had added more proofs , by way of encouragement ( as he could easily have done ) and thereby confirmed some that are apt to stagger . he could have to●d how the assembly of divines at west minster , do order and advise to i● : he could have quoted the many famous churches that do practise it at this day : he could have named several famous ministers in england , and some in new-england , that plead for it , and practise it . he could have told of more than the bishop of derry that complain of the neglect of it , and that ( to use the wo●ds of a most eminent divine not far from us ) as the most just reproach that the churches of new-england labour under . he could have told , for encouragement , that it is a clause in our publick confession of faith in new-england , chap. . which treats of religious worship , and the sabbath day , sect. ▪ the reading the scriptures , preaching and hearing the word of god , singing of psalms , as also the administration of baptism and the lords supper , are all parts of the religious worship of god , to be performed in obedience to god with vnderstanding , faith , reverence and godly ●ear . finally , he could have told us ( had he searched all our new-england antiquities on this head ) how in the preface to our version of the psalms , the reading of david's psalms as other scriptures ) in churches , is taught to be one end of them , as well as singing of them , which is another end . it is ridiculous to say , that reading , with exposition is here meant ; for then why was it not so said ? however , it looks very oddly , that they who neither read nor exp●u●d , should talk so much , and quote so many name● , as our author has done , for a practice which they never intended to come up unto . we have heard what our author has said , and much more that he could have said to encourage this good practice : his discouragements follow : and first , he brands it with a hard uncouth name , and twice tells us , that som● call it dumb reading ▪ we wish he had named those that so term it . there is so much venom in the epithite , and so complicated a mali●nity in the phrase , that we fear its infectious , and may propagate a spirit of pride , & contempt of his neighbours , and irreverence to his maker . the author well thought , so odious a mark on the front , would give all honest people a disgust to ●● villanous and stigmatiz'd a practice . but his policy has failed him , for it raises a just indignation in all sensible and ●n●enuous christians . we will for once inform the reverend author , that the scriptures are read in churches audibly and intelligibly . nor can we guess what dumb reading should mean , unless when men sleep over their books ; and in charity to the author , we wish he had been a sleep when this unlucky word dro●t from his pen. we are further beholden to the author for his judgment , that the reading of one chapter , with a brief explication , wi●● edifie the congregation more than the bare reading of twenty chapters . but this is only his single opinion , and as it will not weigh against the daily experience of thousands of people , who must judge for themselves ; so neither does it favour of modesty , to think any one of his sermons o● short comments , can edifie more than the reading of twenty chapters . we would not charge on the reverend author all the hard consequences of his own words , or we should say , that it is audacious so vilely to disparage the inspirations of god. alas ! sir , the scripture wants nothing of ours to make it perfect . we have the confessions of many who have come to hear the word read with prejudice , that god gives it authority from the lips of the minister ▪ and we know , that as all scripture is given by inspiration of god , so it is in it self profitable ( without any help or advantage from us ) for doctrine , for reproof , for correction , for instruction in righteousness — ●o perfect the man of god , the minister as well as his people ; and if it were not so in it self , it could not be so by being explained . here let our confession of faith speak for us , chap. . sect. . all things in scripture are not alike plain in themselues , nor alike clear unto all ; yet those things w 〈…〉 are necessary to be known , believed and observed for salvation , are so clearly propounded & opened in some place o● scripture or other , that not only the learned , but the unlearned , in a due use of the ordinary means , may attain unto a sufficient understanding of them . there is one argument in pag● , ▪ brought by the reverend author against this dumb reading , but so picious a stu●●ble , so miserable an incon●equence , that we are loath to name i● . to issue this head , we are more and more confirmed , that the reading gods word in the great congregation , is so far from being offensive to god , that it is the greatest reverence and honour we can do it , and the most suitable acknowledgment we can make to him , who in mercy has given us his word , and will judge the world by it at the great day . qu. . is baptism to be administred to all children , whom any professing christians shall engage to see educated in the christian religion ? the reverend author , according to his wonted bounty , a● first dash concedes to us , that he will not oppose the adoptive right . we then declare our selves satisfied , and crave no more ; for we do not conceive that any man can engage or undertake for the education of a child in the christian religion , unless he has the authority of a parent devolved on him , for the government of the child . nor would any conscientious minister accept the engagement of one who has no power or ability to perform his vows . so that this engagement necessarily implyes the care and authority of a father , and consequently there is an adoptive right to baptism . but the author stumbles at the phrase , professed christians , and seems to think that the question , if carried in the affirmative , would conclude for papists , socinians , and the groslest hereticks , as also for the most notorious prostigates , and prophane persons ; as if it ever entered into the heart of a protestant divine to accept the engagement of some lewd debauchce or professed papist to institute his child for the devil or popery . our complaint here is the same that the reverend mr. how once made of his adversaries , that ●e gravely falls a combating with his own man of straw , and so we are to be tortured in effigie . but to pacific him , we would inform him what a charitable man would understand by a professed christian , vi● . the s●me that our catechism does , when it instructs us , that baptism is not to be administred to any till they profess their faith in christ , and obedience to him . we leave our author therefore to fight it out with that reverend assembly , for truly his argument is form●dable against them , in as much as papists , socinians , heretick ; the prophane , &c. do all profess their faith in christ , and obedience to him . such is the power of interest , faction , passion and personal opposition , that it blinds a man on a suddain to fight with those truths which he has learned and reverenced from his infancy . qu. . is baptism in a private house , where there is no church assembly , allowable ? the question seems to grant , there may be a church assembly in a private house ( as we read , rom. . . phil. . ) so there may be a publick place , and no assembly ▪ we agree with the reverend author , that baptism is a part of the publick ministry , nor may it be administred by one who is not called to the publick ministry ; neither should it usually and o●●ina●●ly be administred but in a full congregation , and in the most publick manner , nor would we drop a word to discourage so pious a practice . yet , let the congregation be never so great , if the administrator be not a publick minister , commissioned by our lord jesus christ , it may be called private baptism , and altogether unallowable ; and if the number of people be small , and the place otherwise private , yet if the administrator be a publick officer and minister of christ , the baptism may in a sense be called publick , and in some cases ( as that of dangerous sickness ) not only allowable but necessary , and a duty . when a justice of the peace acts in his office , though but few are present , yet they are acts of publick authority , as truly as those done in higher courts , and with greater solemnity . altho among us , where churches are orderly settled , there is little occasion either for private preaching or baptism , it being certain the more publick both are , the more god and his ordinances are honoured , & th● general profit of his people consulted . but yet ( as was hinted before ) there are some cases of necessity , wherein it s ones duty to seek a more private baptism ; the providence of god not permitting a more publick attendance , and no minister ought to refuse their desire . as for instance , in apparent danger of death , it would be cruelty to deny such a request , if privacy be the only objection . we need not suggest , that all what we call private baptism there may be a competent number of people present ; the neighbourhood being called in , and notice given to some of the brethren of the church . we observe a good medium herein between the two dangerous extreams . we avoid all unnecessary & common baptizing in private , for which our brethren in england are so very faulty ; and we would correct our own defects here at home , in refusing to baptise in private , be the extremity never so great , or life never so ●azardous . not that we are at all ti●ged with the error of st. austin , namely , a pe●swasion of the absolute necessity of baptism to salvation : ●ut we ●●●eem i● the most publick owning of god which the state of the person admits of or the providence of god a● present allows , and 〈…〉 good to ●e found in the way of blessing , and we may expect that 〈…〉 his own instit●tions . 〈…〉 the lawfulness of private baptism , in cases of necessity , abundantly appears from that one instance of the goaler , acts . . to ●●●ch our author answers , st. paul was an extraordinary officer . but by his leave , that is nothing to the purpose ; for the ordinary ministers of the gospel succeed the apostles in those thing in ta●e of an ordinary and standing nature in the church , as baptism i● ▪ ●ndeed , his other reason is good , that it was difficult , if no● impossible to get a congregation of christians ; and therefore necessity was put upon the apostle to baptize the goaler and family in private ; which plainly holds forth thus much , that in like cases of necessity , as in times of persecution , danger of death &c. the same practice is allowable and a duty ; wherein we have the promise of christs gracious presence with us , as well as when it i● administred in a larger congregation mat. . . for where two o● th●●e are gathered together in any name , there a● i in the midst of them . q. o●ght all that contribute towards the maintenance to have the privileage of voting in the election of a pastor ? the reverand author in the very first line of his answer to this question , t●r●sts in a most ●●kind in●●nuation , and not altogether free from calumny , as if the affirmative could not be maintained , but the change of simony must be incurred . we therefore once for al profess , that we abhor as much as he pretend to do , the thought that money should purchase us church priviledges ; but this is so wide a ramble that it is not worth while to say more to it . all the authors arguments under this head infer only that it is the churches priviledge to chuse their own minister . and ●●der his th argument he tells us , that nothing is more evident , then that in the first ages of the church , pastors were chosen by all and only their flocks . which we verily believe , no● could he have expressed the truth in more apt words . for long since he has caught us , i ●as adult baptized persons are of the church , and 〈◊〉 proved it in his treatise annixed to the first principles of new england , under which denomination they claim the priviledge of voting in the election of a minister . indeed there is one argument at first blush seems pretty plausible , p. . for them who have no rig●● to the lord● supper themselves , ●o ap●on●t ●●● shall be the dispencer o● that ordinance to others , is ●ig●ly irrational . we answer ; the administration of the lords supper is but one part of a ministers work , and but a little part , compared with all the rest . let us turn the argument then , and say , for some few to appoint who shall be the preacher to the whole congregation , is as highly irrational . suppose we what is frequent in this country ) thirty or forty communicants , and it may be two hundred to be admitted in convenient time ; is it not every whi● as absurd , that not one of these who are to be examined , prepared and admitted to this holy ordinance , shall have liberty to chuse the person who shall do this work for t●em ; but the person must be altogether chose by others , wh●● he has not this work to do for . a hopeful argument that will help both sides ! the reverend author calls it a priviledge purchased for the communicants only by the blood of christ ; but he gives no proof a● all of any such appropriation , and leaves ●● yet in the firm belief , that the priviledge is purchased for the whole flock , who had need stand for their own . we might here borrow of the author the maxim he gave us in another case , quod tangit omnes ●●b●t a● o●●●b●s app 〈…〉 ar● it was exploded in the other case , but if he will give u● leave to put in aequaliter ( quod tangit omne● aequaliter , &c. ) then ●t would suit the cas● , and afford him some conviction . the reverend author also gives us another maxim in pag. . with this elogium , that it has its foundation in nature and reason , though we are sure it makes strongly against him here , namely ▪ that which pertains to all is not valid , if some of all sorts have not a consent in it ; for some places have no communicants , and there all grant this right and priviledge belongs to the whole : if afterwards they come to have some communicants , by what rule or reason do they take away that priviledge which belonged to others before ? in short , let our author find one text that limits or confines it to the communicants alone , and then deprive the majority . but since scripture fails him , he has another refuge , viz. the authority of the synod , and the law of the land. the last of these we think excepts boston , and of both we need only say , that as they were done by men , so they may be altered and undone by the same men , when they please . it is also hinted , that this may prove fatal to the churches . but there is no danger , truth does no harm ; and we rather think it may be retorted on the author and his practice . there was lately a grievous complaint made by a principal man of swanzy , before some ministers and others , that the law which gives the power to the communicants only to call a minister , is like to ruin them and their posterity forever , by excluding them from an able and orthodox ministry , and the ordinances ; for the baptists taking advantage thereby , have set up a gifted brother , and spoil the place of the publick ministry . qu. . is it expedient that churches should enter into a cons●ciation or agreement that matters of more than ordinary ●●●ortance , such as the gathering a new church , the ordination , deposition , or translation of a pastor , be done with common consent ? the reverend author answers , that it is both expedient and necessary ; though he had answered as well , had he said , it is altogether needless . but le●t we be mis-understood in this matter , let the reader carefully observe , we do not mean that the communion , or fellowship , or prayer , or assistance , or duties that the church or people of god owe to one another , are needless . but for particular churches , that are parts , and result from the catholick , and are united to the head , and in covenant with him , and bound to perform all duties both to the head & to all the members respectively ; for such to talk of entering into an agreement on this account , seems very idle and needless . to i●●ustrate the matter ; if a servant has bound himself to a master , he need not go to make new covenants to carry it dutifully to the mistress , lovingly to the children , faithfully to the fellow servants , this being all contained in the masters covenant . so , if a person marry a husband , she has no need to make a new covenant with his father , that he shall be her father , or that his brothers , sisters or other relations shall become hers , this being all ●mplyed in the m●●●i●g● covenant : the respective duties must be performed , but there is no need of new agreements or covenants to be entered into mr. burroughs , as quoted by the reverend author , expresses this well . they are bound in consc●ince to give an account of the wayes to churches about them , or to any other who shall req●ir● it ; and this not in an a●bitra●● way , ●●t as a duty they owe to god and man. the united b●eth●e● in london speak yet more fully in the chapter of communion o● c●ur●●es , ● . . we agree that particular churches ought not to walk so dist●●ct and seperate from each other , as o● to have care and tenderness to one another . but their pastors ought to have frequent meeting together , that by mutual advice , support , encouragement and b●ot●●●ly intercourse , they may strengthen the ●earts and hands of each other in the ways of the lord. we may add here the whole chapter of occasional meetings of ministers , and so dismiss this question . qu. . may the brethren in churches , and not the pastors only , be sent unto , and have their voice in ecclesiastical councils ? it is to be observed , that by this means the brethren in a synod will surpass the elders in number , and by a cabal may easily out vote them ▪ wherefore we can never believe that our lord jesus christ has left every private brother an equal vote with any of his officers , in ruling o●●●●●agi●g his church . it will be granted that the advantage is of the elders side , as to learning , prudence , par●● , piety , zeal and devotion , at least , taking the whole synod together ; yet that men of mean parts , no education , nor under the awe of an office that obliges to the care of souls peculiarly , should be equalled to the former in all decisions , tho' not debates , whereof they are uncapable , is very unaccountable . indeed , had our lord in his word positively required this , we might expect that his spirit of counsel would more abundantly reside on the weaker vessels ; but otherwise , to fill a council from the plough , and the ●●all , is a tempting christ , and betraying the church . neither are we ignorant what tools they are in the hands of any one designing man of a reverend and august name , let his opinions be what they will ; these are bigg●●s , and the man is himself a synod . we co●s●ss such a man would be tempted to stand up for the brethrens authority , which is his own support , and the mean while the church is like to be well govern'd . but what is a further outrage to the sacred office , the author will not let ministers fit as officers of christ , or as persons authorized by him ; for thus he expresses himself , pag. it s not their office , but the churches delegation , that g●v●●● power to th 〈…〉 members of sy●●●● ▪ the specificating act in which synod all power , and so the rig●● o● a decisive vote ●●●o●nded , is t●e churches delegation . and to prove this , he instancet● i● the first synod that ever sate , as ●e terms that acts . a copy and samplar left to all succeding generations . but how comical is this ? as if that was so constituted , or its members delegated by particular churches . or , how long had this inspired synod sat before that case was brought before them ? or were they summoned upon this single occasion ? truly the author beg● the whole , and proves nothing of it . indeed , the reverend author tells us in the same page , that of these delegates from the churches , the ●l●ers o●g●t to be the principal , or principally concerned . a mighty grace ineed ! yet even this cannot be allowed , and he consistent with himself ; for in the next page he tells us , there are some brethren in the churches , whose gifts and abilities are beyond their pastors , and some again are more noble and honourable . now if they are alike delegated , and those can act no more in the name of christ than the other , pray why should they be the principal ? why may not a ●rother of equal authority as●ume and arrogate the first place to himself , which if he chance to do , we leave the author to be catechized by him , and to do pennance patiently by his own principles . qu. . doth the essence of a ministers call consist in his being ordained with the imposition of hands by other ministers ? qu. . may a men be ordained a pastor , except to a particular 〈…〉 , ana in the presence o● that church ? we joyn these two together , partly because they are of near affinity , and partly because some things the reverend author asserts under one of them , may indifferently be referred to the other . our chief exceptions may be reduced to these five . 〈…〉 . that he asserts , she essence of a ministers call consists in a mutual election between him and his people , pag . if we under●tand the author , he means , that a person cannot be a minister without his mutual election , and that with it he may , and is . he had just before no●ed , that some think the essence of the ministry to he in orai 〈…〉 on ; others , in its being done by a bishop ; which last no●●o●●●ts off ( saith ●● ) m●st of the ministers in france , switzerland , denmark , 〈…〉 d , scotland , &c. but , to retort you words , sir , we think that your assertion cuts off more both for number and for eminence . it cuts off the prophets , the apostles and evangelists ! it cuts off all the bishops that are and have been . and though these in general , may signifie l●●tie with our reverend author , yet some of them he mentions as great and eminent lights . he cuts off thousands of presbyters , famous ministers , who apprehending the essence of their ministerial call to ●ie in their being ordained and sent of god , do who●y wave this mutual election , as a little thing . the scipture speaks ●ery highly and honourably of the ministerial calling . they are ●a●ed ministers of god , of christ , of the new testament , of the gospe● : ministers in the lord , ambassadors for christ ; angels , lights , stewards of the mysteries of god , &c. all whi●● th●ws , that not only the ●●●enc● , but the excellency of the ministry con●●sts in their relation to god and our lord jesus christ , and to that seperate and sacred work that the holy ghost has called them unto , acts ● . but what scripture in●i●●tes to us , that their essence or emmency lies in their relation to this or that particular people ? the prophets of old never pleaded their election by man , but that they were called , sent , ordained and commissioned by god. the authors chief argument here is a supposition of shipwrack upon some desolate island : and we easily grant , that one of the company being elected , may become a minster of god unto them , but it is more from the providence and call of god , than their election . it s god must furnish 〈…〉 it● god must incline him to undertake it : its god that ●●i●s up the people to receive and entertain him as a minister : god gives success to his ministry , &c. but besides this , it is to be considered , that god does not tye himself to those means which he has tyed us unto in ordinary cases ; according to that usual saying , jus divinum p●s●tivum cedit juri divino natural● . the case is who●●y extraordinary , and god that makes the necessity wi●● also dispence with our unavoidable complyance . were our author in the right , the sinful will of man , whereon the election does depend , might frustrate the whole ministry that christ has instituted . but , alas ! whether men will hear , o● whether they will for bear , our lord will send his ministers ; and whether men will call them or no , they shall beforced to confess , verily , we had prophets among us , ezek. ▪ . we wonder also , that they ●●o insist upon it , that it is christs peculiar prerogative to state his own worship , should s●oil him of another part of it , to make his own officers . if the people may do one , why not the other ? and it increases our wonder , that the reverend author should revive this assertion at this ti 〈…〉 of day , forty six years after it has been so learnedly and so fully refu●ed in jus divinum ministerij eva g●li●i , published by the provincial assembly of london , chap. . without taking notice of their answers and arguments . dly . we shall p●ss by several things in these chapters , which in a severe disquisition , we might justly except against . our second charge is , that he makes imposition of hands a little unnecessary ceremony . though we can distinguish between ordination and i ●position of hands , and approve what the afore-mentioned assembly says , pag. . we must distinguish between the substance , essence and formal act of ordination , and the rite used therein . the essential act of ordination is the constit●ting or appointing a man to be a minister , or the sending him with power and authority to preach the gospel ▪ the rit● is imposition of hands . yet we can see no reason why this rit● , being of divine institution , t●m . . . used by the apostles , the primitive church , and generally since the reformation , should now be run down as so triffling a ceremony ▪ we know the reyerend author could have quoted a whole l●af of famous authors , who speak highly for it . if the provincial assembly at london displease him , the new-england plat-form may satisfie him , that church officers are not only to be ●●o●●n by the church , but ab●● ordained by imposition of hands , and prayer ; or the answer to the questions , that says expresly , ordination is necessary by divine institution . but , i● the author indeed disquieted it the imposition of hands , because but a ceremony ? it is out looking back to pag and we shall see he as much magnifies and contends for as meer a rite , to be sure , s●●l . the right hand of fellowship . the reverend author not only speaks meanly of the laying on of hands of the presbytery , but ●● too ●●ch countenances the imposition of hands by brethren , or persons out of office. his text of scripture , numb . , , . respecting the children of israel ▪ s putting their hands on the levites , is so fully and punctually answered by the provincial assembly of london , pag. . that we remit the reader thither , for ●● love ●ot to transeribe . in the new testament he owns there is no instance of persons out of office imposing hands . and notwithstanding all his instances , the apostles assertion stands good , heb. . . and without all contradiction , the less is blessed of the greater . the authors next essay is , to remove the weighty objection , that none can give what himself hath not . and this he does by some simili●udes . to touch upon one , pag. . a woman ( saith he ) by giving her ●el● in marriage , causeth the man , to ●●o●● she giveth her self , ●● have the power of a husband ; but no man will be so absurd ●● to say , that a woman has formally the power of an ●●●sh●●d . a poor return ind●●d , to so weighty an objection ! an unmarri●d woman has power over her self , to rule and govern her self and her actions , as fully as the husband has , when she is married : though a particular church , without any officer , has not power to ●eed , teach , govern themselves , and ad 〈…〉 ordinances . here ●● a plain disparity ! moreover , it is gro●● , ●●●u●d to affirm , that the wife gives the power to the husband . indeed , she gives her self , but it is the institution and command of god , that gives the power ; and could we suppose that to be laid aside , they would be equal . to be sure , it women once get this notion by the end , that they give the power to their husbands , we should soon have them indenting , limiting and reserving in part to themselves , by a marriage contract , as well their power and authority , as their estates . ly . the author asserts , that no man ought to be ordained a pastor , except unto a particular church , pag. . which kind of doctrine doth indeed startle us , because it manifests the reverend 〈◊〉 to be very u●stable in his judgment . it is credibly reported , that at a general convention of ministers at boston , may . . ( and there are enough yet living , who knew the truth of ●t , to whom we appeal ) this question was discussed , whether a minister might be ordained , though he had , as yet , no particular church , in order to 〈◊〉 administration of baptism , and the gathering & settling a church ? this , as we are told , had a more peculiar reference to mr. clap's nation at rhode island , and it was voted and carried in the affirmative ; and what is yet stranger , was lead on and put to the vote by the author himself , he being the moderator of the assembly . upon this conclusion mr. williams was ordained in the colledge hall , in order to his voyage to barbadoes . now it is wonderful to us , how the contrary to that which was a truth two years ago , should obtain now . possibly the reverend author'● modesty won't suffer him to think the ballance equal , or we would put the late vote of may , in the scale against the council of calcedon , p . ly , we crave the readers patience , and will offer but one remark upon these two chapters . in pag. ▪ its said , pastar and flock are relates , and therefore one cannot be without the other . it is contrary to the rules of reason ( as logicians know ) that the relate should be without its correlate . to say , that a wandering levite , who has no flock , is a pastor , is as good sence as to say , to the who has no children is a father , and the man who has no wife , is a husband this is worn thred-bare , and answered long ago by the assembly at london , and others , and sometimes by the author himself . a minister may be considered under a double notion , as a minister of c 〈…〉 t , or of this or that particular church . in this latter sence they are relate & correlate , and no otherwise . hence , if he leaves them , he ceases to be their minister and they cease to be his flock ▪ but still he may be a minister of christ , and they a church of christ . and thus in that little book that is en●it●led , the judgment of several divines of the congregational way , concerning a pastors power occasionally to exe●t ministerial acts in another church , besides that which is his particular flock ; the reverend author expresses himself after this manner , pag. . the ministerial power which a pastor has received from the lord jesus christ , ●● not so ●o●fined to his particular flock , as that he shall cease to be a minister when he shall act in the name of the lord else where . and a little after , i am , as to this particular , fully of the same judgment with the learned dr. j. owen in 〈◊〉 judicious treatise concerning a gospel church , pag. , where he has these words , although we have no concer●●●us in the sig●ent of an indelible character accompanying sacred orders , yet we do not think the pastoral office is such a thing as a man must leave be●●nd him every time he goes from home ; for my own part , ● i did not think my self b●●nd to preach as a minister authorized , in all places , and ●● all occasions when i am called thereunto , i think i should never preach more in this world. thus dr. owen . we see then , that our reverend author and the famous dr. owen plainly hold , that though there be a relation to a particular flock , yet a minister is so au●hro●zed by jesus christ , that he is capable in his name to perform ministerial acts in other places , and upon all occasions . and were not our author sincerely of this opinion , we cannot but think he would highly condemn any minister that should be absent from his flock four years together , upon any service whatsoever . ●ure , if he be no way capable to act as a minister of jesus christ , he is all that while but as a stray bird , idly wandering from its nest . yet at this time , our author would bear the world in hand , that a minister has no power to act as such , but to his particular flock ▪ and therefore quotes the words of the plat-form , chap. . sect . . he that is clearly loosed from his office relation to that church whereof he was . a minister , cannot be looked on as an officer , nor perform any act of o 〈…〉 e in any other church , unless he be again called unto office. but a more eminent assembly of divines at london , have quoted this very paragraph , pag ● and severely , but justly answered it as a great ●bs●rdity , and contrary to sound doctrine . the answer to the other part of the question , whether a minister should be ordained only in the presence of that church where he is ●●serve ● will result from what has been already laid down . the presence of christ must be supposed , when ever a person is seperated to his ministry ; but seeing our lord commissions none immediately , such must be present as have power to authorize , commission and give the charge in his name . when ever a call is given , received and accepted , whether it be by words , message or letter , both minister and people are conceived , as present face to face . but the circumstances of times , places , persons , distance , &c. must determine this matter ; which as they m●● fall out , may sometimes render it both prodent , regular and necessar● , ( & then its the voice of providence ) for a min 〈…〉 to be ordained on one land , and to serve in another . q. . is the practice of the churches of new-england in granting letters of dismission or recommendation from one church to another , according to scripture , and the example of other churches ? the reverend author refers to many scriptures to prove the affirmative , but not one of them reaches the question , or proves ●● dismission for this end , soil to take a person off from being a member of one church , to be made a member of another . the epistles or letters he refers to , are all apo●ta●●cal or ministerial ; not the letters of one church to another , some only excepted , which is mentioned as writ by the brethren ; but apol●● , on whole behalf they wrote , was not a member of their church ; nor do they write to those in achaia to receive him as a member , but rather as a minister , or as a christian of eminence and singular goodness . indeed there may be a good use of letters of recommendation , and especially among strangers and where a member removes from one church to another , a mutual satisfaction may be laboured after . but we cannot but think such letters frivilous , when in the same town , and at two streets distance , a person known over all the town for an exemplary conversation , prefers anothers ministry . civility will constrain such persons to acquaint then ministers of their purposes , and the same christian civility obliges such a minister to acquaint the other pastor ( if need be ) to whose ministry they repair , that they have carried themselves well in his communion , and that he hopes they may prove blessings in all other . but as for the brethren , we need not go to them , to make a second speech , now to ask leave to with-draw , and to render an account to every impertinent talker who thinks the man married to him , and that his bed is broke into , or that there 's no just reason for a divorce . moreover , some people are forever dissatisfied ; neither conveniencies of habitation , liking the others ministry , profiting under it , or dislike of some customs and practices which he would willingly be rid of the light of , can satisfy . and what must the grieved person do further in this case ? why , truly he has done his duty , and may hear and communicate , where god and his own sober conscience directs him . no● ought any minister of christ , to reject his claim to the lords table with him . to say no more , our reverend author having in a former treatise proved that persons baptized are thereby subjects of discipline , we think they all ought to be accountable to the society where they are ; there persons being dismissed by the providence of god , whether they have letters of dismission or not . else by their principles , an ordained minister in london , formerly of communion with a church in boston , being called to office in a particular church , and having accepted the pastoral care thereof , must first send over a pacquet to new-england for a letter of dismission . and don't you think he would be well imployed ? qu. is not the asserting that a pastor may administer the sacrament to another church besides his own particular church , at the a●fire of that other church , a declension from the first principles of new-england , and of the congregational way ? the reverend author answers , no , not at all . had the question been , whether this be a deci●●sion from the tru●● , we had fully joyned with him in the answer . it being true doctrine , that a minister upon desire , may as well minister to another church , as to ●●● own : both being churches of christ , and he a minister of christ , there being but one faith , one body , one baptism . but had we been of the authors principles , which he pleads for in this book , we must have answered , that ●● is a great a●●stacy and declension . and when the reverend author first put out this in the year ▪ some of the old men and women did express themselves after this rate — that it was not thus from the beginning , and that he had pull'a such a pin out of the good ole ●ay , as would in a little w●ile bring the whole abri●k to the ground . no● was this complaint without reason , for if particular churches are specifically distin●● ▪ if pastor and flock are relate ●●● correlate , that give being to one another , as husband and wife ; if the ●ssence of a ministers call lie in a mu●●●l election between the church and him ; then we can by no means allow the authors assertion , that a pastor may administer , &c t●● in vain to plead , i were may be at well commu●●●● of officers , as of members ; for these principles will not allow so much as a member of one church to communicate in another . hence the ac●●e mr. hooker ( ●● the author 〈…〉 iles him ) could never get over that difficulty , but looks upon it as unwarrantable or private members to communicate in another church . neither can dr. oven or dr. goodwin ( whom he 〈…〉 pillars among the congregational ) though they twist and squeze and strain hard , maintain this 〈…〉 on these principles , no● satisfy a ●ational mind about it . tho' they plead they are transient members for that time , yet this no more excuses it , than if an a●ult●●●s ●o hi 〈…〉 ●●● shame and folly , should excuse it by saying — she made the man her husband for that turn and act . for if we run it to the narrow , the administrator must deliver the sacrament as an officer , or not , there is no medium : if as an officer , then he his power from christ , as such , to administer the sacrament where he i● occasionally called . and then down go the authors principles at once , of the churches being specifically distinct , of the essence of the ministerial call lying in the mutual election of minister and people , of pastor and flock being relate and correlate , so as to give being to each other , as such ; or else on the other hand , it must be said , that a minister , when he administers to another flock , acts not as an officer , but as a private man ; and this lays all in common , and destroys the ministerial power at once . and to attempt to reconcile it with our new-england platform , will be but ( as mr. hooker has the expression ) to make the plat-form to speak daggers and contradictions . neither can it be pretended , that the generality of the ministers in new-england were of that mind in the beginning . in the answer of the elders of several churches in n. england , unto the nine positions , it is said , position . if you mean by a ministerial act , such an act of authority and power in dispensing gods ordinances , as a minister does perform to the church whereunto ●● is called to be a minister , then we a●ny that he can perform any ministerial act to any other church but his own , because his office extends no farther t●a● his call. and now we appeal to the reader , if the reverend author must not either renounce these his darling principles , or own himself guilty of that declension from the first principles of new-england , which in another he would call apostacy . and indeed , we know well enough , that a few years ago , no young man could have escaped that odious brand , that durst have printed such a principle . but all is well that we do our selves , and every other congregational tenet had been laudably rejected , had some men the doing of it . let another presume , he is a back●●i●er , an apos●a●● , ●●●u● , ●a●b , contemptuous , and despis●● of his fathers . the same thing ▪ ( to a●ude to the authors words , pag. . ) in one man , is a modest inoffensive dissent in another , a daring contradiction to synods . qu. . is it a duty for christians in their prayers , to make use of the words of that which is commonly called the lords prayer ? though the authors answer hereto be very large , yet we shall say very little to it , or against it . he yeilds and allows , it may be lawfully used , as well as other prayers and passages in scripture , in our addresses to heaven : that it has been used in antient times , he does not deny ; and we know that it is most frequently used by the most famous divines in these days . and he gives us an instance of mr. je● . burroughs , which we thank him for , having never heard it before . that it has been abused to superstition , and the tryal of witch-craft , we also know ; but the abuse of a thing does not take away the proper lawful use of it ; nor is it fit so far to gratifie those that made it a charm , as ●o●●h●t reason to ●●●rain to use it . but verily the author would have us more superstitious that we are willing to be ; for he quarrels ●● the varying but of one word or clause in this excellent form of prayer : if instead of debts or sin● we say trespasses , it is a fearful crime . for why ? says the author , it smells rank of the li●●●gy , its le●●n'd ●●● of the common-prayer book . he might have said rather , that we learn first to read ●● so in our horn-books , and are mis-taught from our infancy . but truly , we account this difference of translation a petty thing . and if instead of hallowed , the author would say sanctified ; and instead of daily bread , he would chuse to say convenient food , we should not full foul on him . no , says the author , pag. . why then you give up the cause . in truth , then the author has no adversary in the world , where the lords prayer is used in any language beside the greek ; for who bind● himself to a translation , as to an original ? but the author's meaning is apparent , he would insinuate into the heedless reader , that whoever useth the lords prayer , ought not to vary one word from the words christ gave it in ▪ and truly , then they must , like barbarians to the people , tone it in the original greek . we would offer here one query more . does the author mean , in stating this question , to enquire whether it be an indispensible duty to use the words of the lords prayer in all our addresses to god , so that as often as we bow our knees in prayer , we should think it necessary to repeat this form ? here again he would have no adversary under heaven yet the question may be strained to all this , and he has taken no care to bound it . but to detain the reader no longer , 't is enough and enough that the reverend author justifies it as lawful ; for then doubtless it may be sometimes proper : for that would be a strange thing indeed , that is always lawful , and never ( in no circumstances , not in that of mr. burroughs himself i can be proper . but since 't is lawful , i' 〈…〉 or once give my sence when it is proper , s●il , when people have been long taught and made to believe , that the use of it is superstitious , to place a great part of their religion in the dislike of it ; to think this a principal ground of non-conformity , and a distinguishing badge of a dissenter ; or , that it is too vain a formality to comport w●●h the spirit of devotion . then , if ever , it is high time to correct such a prejudice , and to show the people it may be used without superstition , and that neither the spirit of religion , nor yet the arguments for episcopacy , presbyteria●●sm nor independency are any ways concerned in this affair . here we would crave the readers patience for one quotation , and the rather inasmuch as the n●●● of mr. philip henry may be of more authority with the reverend author , than many arguments , when barely offered by us . it is said in the th page of mr henry's life , that he looked upon the lords prayer to be not only a directory or pattern for prayer , but ( according to the advice of the assembly of divines ) proper to be used as a form. he thought it was an error on the o●e hand to lay so much stress upon it , as some do , who think no solemn prayer accepted , nor ●o solemn administration of worship compleat without it ; and he thought it an error on the other hand not to use it at all , since it is a prayer , a compendious comprehensive prayer , and may be of use to us , at least , as other scripture prayers ; but he thought it a much greater error to be angry at those who do use i● , to judge and censure them , and for no other reason to conceive prejudices against them and their ministry . a great strait ( faith he ) poor ministers are in , when some will not hear them , if they do not use the lords prayer , and others will no● hear them it they do ! what is to be done in this case ? we must walk according to the light we have , and approve our selves to god , either in using or no● using it , and wait for the day when god will mend the matter , which i 〈…〉 he will do in his own due time . — — thus spake the holy and heavenly mr henry , and with ●i● the late reverend dr. bates , who writ●s the dedication of his life , and as h● hath fully expressed our sense in this matter , so we would wait and pray with him , for the happy day . well , but if the case be so circumstanced , says the author , pag. . that it cannot be done without offence , it is rather a duty , and will be most pleasing to christ , not to use it as a ●orm . but then such offence must be manifested , and appear to be conscientious . this confirms what i before suggested , that there is a riv●●ed prejudice people are educated in against this practice , that they start at it as a thing in it self sinful and scandalous . but to show we are in charity with the author , and all those who omit the use of this excellent form of prayer , we shall close this chapter in the words of st. paul , rom . . let u●● h●m that ca●●th de●p●●● him that ●a●e●● no● ; and let not ●●m that ●a●eth no● , judge him that ●ateth . qu. . may the churches under the presbyterian and congregational discipline maintain communion with one another , notwithstanding their different sentiments , as 〈◊〉 church government ? the author answers , that they may and ought to do so . and truly , had this book contained only this one question and answer , it might have turned to more edification than the whole . he tells us , there was greater differences than these in the apostolick churches 〈◊〉 thinks then we of latter days may the better ●ear with one another ▪ the effusions of the spirit of peace and truth being since much restrained the reverend author observes further , that both perswasions have been confessors and fellow sufferers , and he thinks this should endear them . we think so too , but to our sorrow , some of us have heard ho●● it hath been in england , & now , alas ! we see it verified in our ●uthor ▪ that when their own persecution ceases , they carry on the tragedy on others ▪ we do not wonder at what the author saith mr. baxter told him , that if all independants were like n. england independants , he would soon be 〈◊〉 ▪ for we can easily guess what deceived that excellent person ( whose moderation s●ited his pie●y & devotion ) into so endearing an expression . he form'd his idea of new-england independency by the authors plausible carriage when in london , which though for that time might be very sincere , yet either the difference of the climate , or that his dominion here is more rightful , quite a●e●● him . we are assured , the author is esteemed more a presbyterian than a cengregational man , by scores of his friends in london ▪ 〈◊〉 is lov'd and reverenced for a moderate spirit , a peaceable disposition , and a temper so widely different from his late brothers in lo●don . he was most conversant at the presbyterian board , and of●●●est in their pulpits , and professed the greatest reverence for their persons . and no wonder mr. baxter should be so e●amoured of such independents ! did our reverend author appear the same here , we should be his 〈◊〉 p●oselites too . but we are loath to say how he forfeits that venerable character , which might have consecrated his name to posterity , more than his learning , or other honorary titles can . to confirm what we have here said , the author deelar●s how instrumental he was to promote the union betwixt the united brethren in london . we only wish he would be as cordial and active to keep it , as he was to make it ; or else the world will think his zeal 〈◊〉 it was , because far enough from home , where interest was not touched . as for the three articles of vnion , which the author transcribes , we would endeavour to maintain them , and all the rest . but there are some cases and times , when ministers of some particular opinions will not bear to be consulted with . or if there is a necessity of disobeying their opinions for once , it is best not to consult them , meerly to do their counsels the more despight . we think this modest and ingenuous . nor can it be reasonably expected that a congregational classis ( if such there be ) should be consulted in those things which are properly presbyterian , their prejudice , in favour of their own opinions , rendering them unfit to advise with in that matter ; and the more serious the application to such is , the more severely would they think themselves ●antered . as to his query , whether the embodying into a church state be not a mighty matter ? we must needs profess , we want some better account what that is , before we can so esteem it . we read nothing in scripture of gathering a church , or embodying it into a church state , unless it refers to the converting and baptizing of heathen , and then administring the ordinances of the gospel in a stated way to competent numbers , whose convenience will permit them to meet constantly at one and the same place of worship . all further solemnity in this matter is ex abundant● , and therefore the matter seems not so very weighty . vve now humbly take leave of the author and his book , wishing there had been no occasion for these reflections , and accounting it a sufficient apology , that we have been contending for what we apprehend to be the truth ; and it became the more necessary to vindicate it , lest it should suffer more by the reverend author's name and authority , than by 〈◊〉 arguments . so far is the presidency of the colledge from being a protection , that it is the lo 〈…〉 est argument in on 〈◊〉 for a zealous us con●u●●tion . not can the reverend author much resent this our search after truth , if he remembers the liberty that the humble and ho●y mr. baxter once pray'd him to take , in 〈◊〉 and re●uting any errors he should find in his books , or should the author 〈◊〉 angry , it would but cause us to suspect ( what a bundance of people have 〈◊〉 obstinately believed ) that the contest for his part is more for lordship and dominion than for truth . 't is possible some good people may blame us , for carrying on the c●●t●●tion , wherein , as one saith , though there be but little truth gain'd yet a great deal of charity may be 〈◊〉 . we hope the best , as to both these ; but however it happens , we are willing to promise the reader , that scarce any thing shall provoke us further to concern our selves in these disputes : no , not so much as to make any return , should a thousand pretended answers be published ; for we love not to be contentions , b 〈…〉 s the reverend author is wont to say in like cases ▪ it suffices that 〈◊〉 have born our testimony . and here we must do justice also to those who have first openly asserted and practised those truths among us . they deserve well of the churches of christ , and though at present decryed as apostates and back●●●ders , the generations to come will bless them . so a score of years or more p●st , the enlargement of baptism was cryed out upon , as a woful declension ▪ but the present generation feels the happy effects of it , and rising up at the reformers names , do call them blessed . to concluds all it is the answerers sincere desire and design , if it be possible , and as far as in them is , to live peaceably with all men . 〈…〉 is then prayer , that god would grant peace and truth in our dayes , rebuke the evil spirit of pride , uncharitableness , co 〈…〉 on and contempt of others , and pour forth on us all his spirit of grace and love. and now the god of peace , that brought again from the dead our lord jesus christ , the great shepherd of the sheep , through the blood of the everlasting covenant , make us perfect in every good work to do his will , working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight , through jesus christ , to whom be glory forever . amen . postscript . it is strange that our review should be assaulted before it can be p 〈…〉 . yet so it happens in a late pam 〈…〉 , en 〈…〉 , a ●o●t answer to the do 〈…〉 o instituted churches . let them can it soft who have lo●● their feeling ! for th● ' t is confessed there are no very ●●rd arguments , yet jealousie , censures , contempts there are , which greate hard enough . in pag. . the reverend authors seem jealous of some injurious treatment in this our review ; whereas their soft treatise is in 〈…〉 ▪ us not to us only , but to whole synods and nations of presbyterians . they dare to say , that their gospel order , which is here answered , is vindicated in every point , from the concessions of the reforming presbyterians beyond sea ; and that not only from particular authors of great fame among them , but w 〈…〉 le synods , whole nations of them . o injury to truth and modesty ! tell us ( sirs ) we beseech you , what synods , what nations of presbyterians do oppose reading gods word in publick worship , ●o● the using the lords prayer , that excellent , perfect and most comprehensive fo●m ? that limit the right of chusing a minister to a particular church covenant ? that say , the ●ssence of the ministerial ca● co●fist● not in the imposition of the hands of the presbytery , or that the brethren may lay on hands , or that there shou'd be no ordination but to a particular church . you reasonably add , optimus ille qui ●urre novit injurias plarim●● — , though the best men in the world 〈◊〉 hard bear all this could 〈◊〉 authors perswade us to believe , this we would obey him , and name our selv●● no more presbyterians . we appeal ( in our authors words , pag. . ) to all the presbyterians in the world , say , o ye men of god , and of order ! what reparation can our authors make you for this wrong ▪ in making your name the vmbrage of these their errors . we are , moreover oblig'd to the reverend authors for their ci 〈…〉 ies , pag ' 〈◊〉 a g●●ding , unstudyed , unstable generation , full of ●●vity , bleating ▪ and lo●i●g an●i●a●● , raw ●out● , pag. . they me 〈…〉 ( fo●●o●th ! ) this contempt for calling themselves presbyterians ▪ but even let the calf be known by its bleating . too late that 〈◊〉 came to mind , pag. . being reviled , we bless , being defamed , we entreat . in pag. . the authors complain ▪ that we pay not due deference to the classis of the pastors in the vicinity , and yet they assume not any power of a classis , any further than to forbid us to be presbyterians . we highly approve of many particulars in pag. . that the proponant for the lords ●able be examined of his baptismal vow , his sense of spiritual wants ▪ sinfulness and wretchedness , his hope , faith , experiences , resolutions through the grace of god but then come two words , covenant and brethren , in capital letters , as a lyon rampant , insulting a couching classis , a bleeding presbytery . but if we look over the answer to the last question in the young mans claim to the sacrament ( whereto these words in our author do refer ) we shall find , that the proponant promises nothing more than to be subject to the censures administred unto him by the poster of the church and its officers . so , sirs , the brethren are dropt , wittingly , no doubt , by the quick-sighted author . and indeed , for the brethren to be named in the question , and neglected in the answer , is a fair negative on them . the proponant promises no subjection to them , and the reverend authors sagacity is wonderful in that answer , for the question takes the congregational brother , the answer satisfies a presbyterian . it seems also that the adversaries of this gospel order multiply a pace ; for in pag. . they are meerly a few gentlemen at boston and new-york . but by that time you come to pag . our brethren of connecticut exceed all the rest of new-england in proclaiming their indisposition to it . and by the following exclamation , o tim●● and manners ! ●t seems that cicero must be called from the grave to i●●●●gh against these raw-yo●●●s , th●se licentious ca●al●es . we can't pass over pag. . without a remark . the apostacy of our young men ( say our authors ▪ ) is great before the lord. the apostacy ( it seem ) respects the examination and qualifications of comm●●●●●nts at the lords table , which is suggested to be in d●●●ying the necessity of mens coming to the holy table with repentance , fait and love. god forbid we should so accuse , or not vindicate our brethren . this is to a●ledg a crime abhorred by the generation 〈◊〉 . — well , but they zealously disperse unhappy pamphlets . if the doctrine of instituted churches ●● referred to , that is but one ; and what other the reverend authors mean , we cannot guess ; and that tr●ati●● in most parts is a mine of gold , and a rich treasury of right thoughts . the next surmize is a meer defamation , that go●ge , roberts , dolittles books must be h●●s'd back to europe again . a pre●●● device to praise the gentlemen beyond sea , and at the same time condemn those here that conform to their constant practice . had the attestation in pag ▪ been only to recommend the following treatise of the excellent mr. quick's to our perusal and practice , no minister in new england , that c●●●s himself a presbyterian , but would chearfully subscribe it ; but we believe few would confederate in its reflections on the reverend mr. s●●ddard , or favour that worse report , that under the vmbrage of the name of presbyterians some would bring in innovations , ruinous to our churches , and contrary to the doctrine and spirit of mr. quick'● book . and to add one guess h●re , it s twenty to one if any one of the attestators knew what a soft answer was to be prefixed to their attestation . for this would not be the first time that men have subscribed a paper , which had they known would have been placed to such advantage , as to the less discerning r●ad●● to seem an attestation to the whole book , they would have refused their names with indignation . what remains is to recommend that treatise , the young man's claim to the sacrament , to the serious and diligent perusal of our youth . a performance , for its kind , very perfect , and highly profitable . but the reverend author and his treatise are both abused in this impression ▪ mr. quick is here betrayed in a specious show of reverence and friendship ; while his name is used to combate those very men and their principles , which he most values and honours . and were mr. quick here among us , and should continue what is his stated practice in the worship of god , he would be decryed among the presbyterian formalists , in pag . as much as he is now magnified for a reformer . for our parts , we do sincerely believe him to be our exemplary reformer , and wi●h our reverend authors would credit their character of him , and follow his example ; for he is conscientious to have the scriptures reed ●very sabbath in the publick worship of god , together with 〈◊〉 ten commandments , and he as often uses the lords prayer . nay 〈…〉 few years since this reverend and holy person took leave of a reverend minister , returning to us , in words to this effect , sir , 〈◊〉 our reverend brethren in new-england that they must come over to the presbyteri●● ▪ government , if they would perserve their churches . and would it not now provoke a just indignation to see people so deluded , and a gentlemans name ( so dear and venerable as it is with us ) advanced against his own principles ? and will it not turn unto us for a testimony to use the authors words ▪ pag ●● ) not only that we have endeavoured to vindicate the truth , but also to do 〈◊〉 ▪ quick justice ? finis . a proclamation by the president and council of his majesty's territory and dominion of new-england in america territory and dominion of new-england. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing p estc w ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a proclamation by the president and council of his majesty's territory and dominion of new-england in america territory and dominion of new-england. sheet ([ ] p.) [s.n.], boston : . signed: edward randolph, secr. "given from the council-house in boston this th day of may, anno domini ." woodcut seal of colony at head. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng bradstreet, simon, - . dudley, joseph, - . new england -- politics and government -- to . broadsides -- massachusetts -- boston -- th century - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion ✚ sigilum· praesid· & · concil· dom· reg· in·nov· anglia a proclamation by the president and covncil of his majestly's territory and dominion of new-england in america . whereas we have received from his most excellent majesty our soveraign lord james the second , king of england , scotland , france and ireland , defender of the faith &c. the exemplification of a judgment in his high court of chauncery under his majesty's great se●l of england , hearing date th● t 〈…〉 of october in the first year of his maj●●●ies reign ; against the governour and company of the massachusets bay in new-england : whereby the government thereof & at the members thereunto belonging is now in his majesties-hands . and his majesty having been graciously pleased to declare that he is minded to give all protection and encouragement to all his good subjects therein , and to provide in the most effectual manner that due and impartial justice may be administred in all cases civil and criminal and all care taken for the quiet and orderly government of the same . and in order thereunto it having pleased his most excellent majesty by his commission bearing date the eight day of october , in the first year of his reign under the great seal of england to erect and constitute a president and council to take care of all that his territory and dominion of new-england called the massathusets bay , the provinces of new-hampshire & main , and the narraganset countrey , otherwise called the kings-province , with all the islands , rights and members thereunto appertaining ; and to order , rule and govern the fame according to the rules , methods and regulations specified and declared in the said commission : together with his majesties gracious indulgence in matters of religion . and for the e●●●ution of his royal pleasure in that behalf , his majesty hath been pleased to appoint joseph dudley esq to be the first presiden● of his majesties said council , and vice-admiral of these seas . and to continue in the said offices until his majesty shall otherwise direct , and also to nominate & appoint simon bradstreet , william stoughton , petter bulkley , john pynchon , robert mason , richard wharton , wait winthrope , nathaniel saltonstal , bartholomew gidney , jonathan tyng , john vsher , dudley bradstreet , john hinks , francis champernoon , edward tyng , john fitz-winthrope , and edward randolph esq's to be his majesties council in the said colony and territories . the president and council therefore being convened according to the direction & form in the faid commission , and having taken the oathes in the said commission required , & finding it primarily needful , that speedy & effectual care be taken for the maintenance & preservation of the peace ; have accordingly appointed and authorized justices of the peace in the several counties , praecincts , & principal towns throughout the said several provinces ; & do also hereby continue all & every the grand juryes of the several counties , constables , select towns-men , and such as have lately had the charge of watches , in their several and respective offices , charge and trast , till others be orderly appointed to succed them . and the said pr●sident and council doe hereby in his majesties name strictly charge and require the several justices of the peace , select towns-men , overseers of the poor , surveyers of the high wayes , constables and other inferior officers who have had the care of watches , and who are now commissioned or continued as aforesaid , diligently and faithfully to intend , pursue , and execute their several and respective offices , charges and trusts , for the presevation of the peace , and for suppressing and discountenancing all disorder and vice. and we do hereby require all his majesties subjects within the said colony and territories to be obedient , aiding , and assisting to all such ●ustices of the peace , constables , and other officers in the execution of their several offices and places , at their utmost peril . and order that this proclamation be forth-with published . given from the council-house in boston this th day of may anno domini . annoq : regni regis jacobi secundi secundo . by the president and council , edward randolph secr god save the king . new english canaan, or new canaan containing an abstract of new england, composed in three bookes : the first booke setting forth the originall of the natives, their manners and customes, together with their tractable nature and love towards the english : the second booke setting forth the naturall indowments of the countrie, and what staple commodities it yeeldeth : the third booke setting forth what people are planted there, their prosperity, what remarkable accidents have happened since the first planting of it, together with their tenents, and practise of their church / written by thomas morton ... morton, thomas, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) new english canaan, or new canaan containing an abstract of new england, composed in three bookes : the first booke setting forth the originall of the natives, their manners and customes, together with their tractable nature and love towards the english : the second booke setting forth the naturall indowments of the countrie, and what staple commodities it yeeldeth : the third booke setting forth what people are planted there, their prosperity, what remarkable accidents have happened since the first planting of it, together with their tenents, and practise of their church / written by thomas morton ... morton, thomas, - . , [ ] p. printed for charles greene, and are sold in pauls church-yard, [s.l.] : [ ?] date of imprint suggested by stc ( nd ed.). signatures: a- a⁴. imperfect: tightly bound, with some loss of print. reproduction of original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng indians of north america -- massachusetts. new england -- description and travel. massachusetts -- description and travel. massachusetts -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - simon charles sampled and proofread - simon charles text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion new english canaan , or new canaan . containing an abstract of new england . composed in three bookes . the first booke setting forth the originall of the natives , their manners and customes , together with their tractable nature and love towards the english. the second booke setting forth the naturall indowments of the countrie , and what staple commodities it yeeldeth . the third booke setting forth what people are planted there , their prosperity , what remarkable accidents have happened since the first planting of it ; together with their tenents , and practise of their church . written by thomas morton of cliffords inne , gent ▪ upon ten yeeres knowledge and experiment of the countrie . printed for charles greene , and are sold in pauls church-yard . to the right honorable , the lords and others of his majesties most honorable privy councell , commissioners , for the government of all his majesties forraigne provinces . right honourable the zeale which i beare to the advauncement of the glory of god , the honor of his majesty , and the good of the weale publike , hath incouraged mee to compose this abstract , being the modell of a rich hopefull and very beautifull country , worthy the title of natures master-peece , and may be lost by too much sufferance . it is but a widowes mite , yet all that wrong and rapine hath left mee to bring from thence , where i have indevoured my best , bound by my allegeance , to doe his majesty service . this in all humility i present as an offering , wherewith i prostrate my selfe at your honorable footstoole . if you please to vouchsafe , it may receave a blessing , from the luster of your gracious beames , you shall make your vassaile happy , in that hee yet doth live , to shew how ready hee is and alwayes hath bin , to sacrifice his dearest blood , as becometh a loyall subject , for the honor of his native country . being your honors humble vassaile thomas morton . the epistle to the reader . gentle reader , i present to the publike view an abstract of new england ; which i have undertaken to compose by the incouragment of such genious spirits as have been studious of the inlargment of his majesties territories , being not formerly satisfied , by the relations of such as through haste , have taken but a superficiall survey thereof , which thing time hath enabled mee to performe more punctually to the life , and to give a more exact accompt of what hath been required ; i have therefore beene willing to doe my indevoure to communicat the knowledge , which i have gained and collected together , by mine owne observation , in the time of my many yeares residence in those parts , to my loving country men : for the better information of all such as are desirous to be made partakers of the blessings of god in that fertile soyle , as well as those that , out of curiosity onely have bin inquisitive after nouelties . and the rather for that i have observed , how divers persons ( not so well affected to the weale publike in mine opinion ) out of respect to their owne private ends ; have laboured to keepe both the practise of the people there , and the reall worth of that eminent country concealed from publike knowledge , both which i have abundantly in this discourse layd open , yet if it be well accepted , i shall esteeme my selfe sufficiently rewardded for my undertaking , and rest . your wellwisher , thomas morton . in laudem authoris . t ' excuse the author ere the worke be shewne is accusation in it selfe alone , and to commend him might seeme oversight , so divers are th' opinions of this age , so quick and apt , to taxe the moderne stage , that hard his taske , is that must please in all example have wee from great caesars fall , but is the sonne to be dislik'd and blam'd , because the mole is of his face asham'd , the fault is in the beast not in the sonne give sicke mouthes sweete meates fy they relish none , but to the sound in censure he commends , his love unto his country his true ends , to modell out a land of so much worth , as untill now noe traveller seth forth , faire canaans second selfe , second to none , natures rich magazine till now unknowne , then here survay , what nature hath in store , and graunt him love for this , he craves no more . r. o. gen. sir christoffer gardiner , knight . in laudem authoris . this worke a matchles mirror is that shewes , the humors of the seperatiste , and those so truely personated by thy pen , i was amaz'd to see 't , herein all men , may plainely see as in an inter-lude , each actor , figure and the scaene well view'd , in connick tragick and in a pastorall stife , for tyth of muit and cummin shewes their life , nothing but opposition , gainst the right , of sacred majestie men , full of spight , goodnes abuseing , turning vertue out of dores , to whipping stocking and full bent , to plotting mischiefe , gainst the innocent , burning their houses , as if ordained by fate , in spight of lawe , to be made ruinate , this taske is well perform'd and patience be , thy present comfort and thy constancy , thine honor , and this glasse where it shall come , shall sing thy praises till the day of doome . sir. c. g. in laudem authoris . bvt that i rather pitty i confesse , the practise of their church , i could expresse my selfe a satyrist ; whose smarting fanges , should strike it with a palsy , and the panges , beget a feare , to tempt the majesty , of those , or mortall gods , will they defie the thundering jove , like children they desire , such is their zeale , to sport themselves with fire , so have i seene an angry fly , presume , to strike a burning taper , and consume his feeble wings , why in an aire so milde , and they so monstrous growne up , and so vilde , that salvages can of themselves espy their errors , brand their names with infamy , what is their zeale for blood , like cyrus thirst , will they be over head and eares , a curst a cruell way to found a church on , noe , t' is not their zeale , but fury blinds them soe , and pricks their malice on like fier to joyne , and offer up the sacrifice of kain ; jonas , thou hast done well , to call these men home to repentance , with thy painefull pen. f. c. armiger . new english canaan , or new canaan . the authors prologue . if art & industry should doe as much as nature hath for canaan , not such another place , for benefit and rest , in all the universe can be possest , the more we proove it by discovery , the more delight each object to the eye procures , as if the elements had here bin reconcil'd , and pleas'd it should appeare like a faire virgin , longing to be sped , and meete her lover in a nuptiall bed , deck'd in rich ornaments t' advaunce he state and excellence , being most fortunate , when most enjoy'd , so would our canaan b● womb if well imploy'd by art & industry whose ofspring , now shewes that her fruitfu● not being enjoy'd , is like a glorious tombe admired things producing which there dy● and ly fast bound in darck obscurity , the worth of which in each particuler , who lift to know , this abstract will declare . new english canaan , or new canaan . the first booke . containing the originall of the natives , their manners , & customes , with their tractable nature and love towards the english. chap. i. prooving nevv england the principall part of all america , and most commodious and fitt for habitation . the wise creator of the universall globe , hath placed a golden meane betwixt two extreames : i meane the temperate zones , betwixt the hote and cold ; and every creature , that participates of heavens blessings , with in the compasse of that golden meane , is made most apt and fit , for man to use , who likewise by that wisedome is ordained to be the lord of all . this globe may be his glasse , to teach him how to use moderation , and discretion , both in his actions and intentions . the wise man sayes , give mee neither riches nor poverty ; why ? riches might make him proud like nebuchadnezar , and poverty despaire , like iobs wife ; but a meane betweene both . so it is likewise in the use of vegetatives , that which hath too much heate or too much colde , is said to be venenum , so in the use of sensitives , all those animals , of what genus or species soever they be , if they participate of heate or cold , in the superlative , are said to be inimica naturae , as in some fishes about the isle of sall , and those ilandes adjoyninge , betweene the tropickes , their participatinge of heate and cold , in the superlative is made most manifest , one of which , poysoned a whole ships company that eate of it . and so it is in vipers , toades , and snakes , that have heate or cold in the superlative degree . therefore the creatures that participate of heate and cold in a meane , are best and holsomest : and so it is in the choyse of love , the middell zone betweene the two extreames is best , and it is the●efore called zona temperata , and is in the golden meane ; and all those landes lying under that zone , most requisite and fitt for habitation . in cosmography , the tw● extreames are called , the one torrida zona , lying betweene the tropickes , the other frigida zona , lyin● neare the poles : all the landes lying under , eithe● of these zones , by reason , they doe participate to much of heate or cold , are very inconvenient , and are accompanied with many evils . and allthough i am not of opinion with aristotle , that the landes under torrida zona , are alltogether uninhabited , i my selfe having beene so neare the equinoctiall line , that i have had the sunn for my zenith , and seene proofe to the contrary , yet cannot i deny , but that it is accompanied with many inconveniences , as that fish and flesh both will taint in those partes , notwithstanding the use of salt which cannot be wanting there , ordained by natures hande-worke . and that is a great hinderance to the settinge forth and supply of navigation , the very sinewes of a florishing common-wealth . then barrennesse , caused through want of raines , for in most of those partes of the world it is seldome accustomed to raine , untill the time of the tornathees ( as the portingals phrase is , who lived there ) and then it will raine about . dayes together , which moisture serveth to fructify the earth for all the yeare after , duringe which time is seene no raine at all : the heate and cold , and length of day and night , being much alike , with little difference . and these raines are caused by the turning of the windes , which else betweene the tropickes , doe blow trade , that is allwayes one way . for next the tropicke of cancer it is constantly north-●ast , and next the tropicke of capricorne it is southwest ; so that the windes comming from the poles , do keepe the aire in those partes coole , and make it temperate and the partes habitable , were it not for those and other inconv●niences . this torrida zona is good for grashoppers : and zona temperata for the ant and bee. but frigida zona good for neither , as by lamentable experience of captaine davis fate , is manifest , who in his inquest of the nortwest passage for the east india trade was frozen to death . and thefore for frigida zona , i agree with aristotle , that it is unfit for habitation : and i know by the course of the caelestiall globe , that in groeneland many degrees short of the pole articke , the place is too cold , by reason of the sunns absence almost six monethes , and the land under the continuall power of the frost ; which thinge many more navigators have prooved with pittifull experience of their wintringe there , as appeareth by the history , i thinke , they will not venture to winter there againe for an india mine . and as it is found by our nation under the pole articke , so it is likewise to be found under the antarticke pole , yet what hazard will not an industrious minde , and couragious spirit undergoe , according to that of the poēt . impiger extremos currit mercator ad indos per mare pauperiem fugiens , per saxa , per ignes . and all to gett and hord up like the ant and the bee , and yet as salomon saith , hee cannot tell whether a foole or a wise man shall enjoy it . therefore let us leave these two extreames , with their inconveniences , and indeavour to finde out this golden meane , so free from any one of them . behold the secret wisedome of allmighty god , and love unto , our salomon to raise a man of a lardge hart , full of worthy abilities to be the index or loadstarre , that doth point out unto the english nation , with ease and comfort how to finde it out . and this the noble minded gentleman , sir ferdinando gorges knight , zealous for the glory of god , the honor of his majesty , and the benefit of the weale publicke , hath done a great worke for the good of his country . and herein this , the wondrous wisedome and love of god , is shewne , by sending to the place his minister , to sweepe away by heapes the salvages , and also giving him length of dayes , to see the same performed after his enterprise was begunne , for the propagation of the church of christ. this judicious gentleman , hath found this goulden meane , to be scituated about the middle of those two extreames , and for directions you may proove it thus : counting the space betweene the line and either of the poles , in true proportion , you shall finde it to be . degrees : then must we finde the meane , to be neare unto the center of . and that is about . degrees , and then incline unto the sotherne side of that center , properly for the benefit of heate , remembringe that sol & homo generat hominem ; and then keepe us on that same side , and see what land is to be found there , and we shall easily discerne that new england is on the south side of that center . for that country doth beginne her boundes at . degrees of northerne latitude , and endes at . degrees of the same latitude , and doth participate of heate and cold indifferently , but is oppressed with neither : and therefore may be truly sayd to be within the compasse of that golden meane , most apt and fit for habitation and generation , being placed by allmighty god the great creator , under that zone , called zona temperata , and is therefore most fitt for the generation and habitation of our english nation , of all other , who are more neere neighbours to the northerne pole , whose land lyeth betweene . and . degrees of the selfesame latitude : now this new ●ngland though it be nearer to the line , then that old england by . degrees of latitude , yet doth not this exceede that other in heate or cold , by reason of the cituation of it ; for as the coast lyeth , being circularly northeast and southwest , opposite towards the sunnes risinge , which makes his course over the ocean , it can have litle or no reflecting , heat of the sun-beames , by reason of the continuall motion of the waters , makinge the aire there the cooler and the constanter ; so that for the temperature of the climent , sweetnesse of the aire , fertility of the soile , and small number of the salvages ( which might seeme a rubb in the way off an effeminate minde , ) this country of new england is by all judicious men , accounted the principall part of all america , for habitation and the commodiousnesse of the sea , ships there not being subject to wormes , as in virginea and other places , and not to be paraleld in all christendome . the massachussets being the middell part thereof , is a very beautifull land not mountany , nor inclininge to mountany , lyeth in . degrees , and . minutes , and hath as yet the greatest number of inhabitants , and hath a very large bay to it , divided by islands into . great bayes , where shippinge may safely ride all windes and weathers , the windes in those partes being not so violent as in england by many degrees , foe there are no shrubbs seene , to leane from the windes as by the sea coast of england , i have seene them leane , and the groundage is a sandy sleech free from rockes to gaule cables , but is good for anchorage , the rest of the planters are disperst among the coasts betweene . and . degrees of latitude , and as yet , have very little way into the iland , the riches of which country i have set forth in this abstract as in a landskipp , for the better information of the travellers , which hee may peruse and plainely perceave by the demonstration of it , that it is nothing inferior to canaan of israel , but a kind of paralell to it , in all points . chap. ii. of the originall of the natives . in the yeare since the incarnation of christ , . it was my chance to be landed in the parts of new england , where i found two sortes of people , the one christians , the other infidels , these i found most full of humanity , and more friendly then the other : as shall hereafter be made apparant in dew-course , by their severall actions from time to time , whilest i lived among them after my arrivall in those partes , i endeavoured by all the wayes and meanes that i could to find out from what people or nation , the natives of new england might be conjectured originlly to proceede , & by continuance & conversation amongst them , i attaned to so much of their language , as by all probable conjecture may make the same manifest , for it hath been found by divers , and those of good judgement that the natives of this country , doe use very many wordes both of greeke and latine , to the same signification that the latins and greekes have done , as en animia , when an indian expresseth , that hee doth any thing with a good will ; and pascopan signifieth gredy gut , this being the name of an indian that was so called of a child , through the greedinesse of his minde , and much eating , for pasco in latine signifieth to feede , and pan in greeke signifieth all , and pasco nantum , quasi pasco nondum , halfe starved , or not eating , as yet ; equa coge , set it upright , mona is an island in their language , quasi monon , that is alone , for an island is a peece or plott of ground standing alone , and devided from the mane land by force of water . cos is a whetstone with them . hame an instrument to take fish , many places doe retaine the name of pan , as pantneket and matta pan , so that it may be thought that these people heretofore , have ha● the name of pan in great reverence and estimation and it may bee have worshipped pan the great god o● the heathens : howsoever they doe use no manne● of worship at all now : and it is most likely that th● natives of this country , are descended from people bred upon that part of the world , which is towarde● the tropicke of cancer , for they doe still retaine the memory of some of the starres one that part of thea caelestiall globe , as the north-starre , which with them is called maske , for maske in their language signifieth a beare , and they doe divide the windes into eight partes , and it seemes originally , have had some litterature amongst them , which time hath cancelled and worne out of use , and where as it hath beene the opinion of some men , which shall be nameles , that the natives of new-england may proceede from the race of the tartars , and come from tartaria into those partes , over the frozen sea. i see no probality for any such conjecture , for as much , as a people once setled , must be remooved by compulsion , or else tempted thereunto in hope of better fortunes , upon commendations of the place , unto which they should be drawne to remoove , and if it may be thought , that these people came over the frozen sea , then would it be by compulsion , if so , then by whome , or when ? or what part of this mane continent may be thought to border upon the country of the tartars , it is yet unknowne , and it is not like , that a people well enough at ease , will of their one accord undertake to travayle over a sea of ice , considering how many difficulties they shall encounter with , as first whether there be any land at the end of their unknowne way , no land beinge in view , then want of food to sustane life in the meane time upon that sea of ice , or how should they doe for fuell , to keepe them at night from freezing to death , which will not bee had in such a place , but it may perhaps be granted that the natives of this country might originally come of the scattred trojans : for after that brutus , who was the forth from aneas , left latium upon the conflict had with the latines , ( where although hee gave them a great overthrow , to the slaughter of their grand captaine and many other of the heroes of latium , yet hee held it more safety to depart unto some other place , and people , then by stayi●g to runne the hazard of an unquiet life or doubtfull conquest , which as history maketh mention hee performed ; ) this people were dispersed there is no question , but the people that lived with him , by reason of their conversation with the graecians and latines , had a mixed language that participated of both , whatsoever was that which was proper to their owne nation at first ; i know not for this is commonly seene where . nations traffique together , the one indevouring to understand the others meaning makes thē both many times speak a mixed language , as is approoved by the natives of new england , through the coveteous desire they have , to commerce with our nation , and wee with them . and when brutus did depart from latium , we doe not finde that his whole number went with him at once , or arrived at one place ; and being put to sea might encounter with a storme , that would carry them out of sight of land , and then they might sayle god knoweth whether , and so might be put upon this coast , as well as any other ; compasse i beleeve they had none in those dayes ; sayles they might have , ( which daedalus the first inventor thereof ) left to after ages , having taught his sonne icarus the use of it , who to his cost found how dangerous it is , for a sonne not to observe the precepts of a wise father , so that the icarian sea , now retaines the memory of it to this day , and victuals they might have good store , and many other things fittinge , oares without all question , they would store themselves with , in such a case , but for the use of compasse there is no mention made of it at that time ( which was much about sauls time the first that was made king of israell . ) yet it is thought ( and that not without good reason for it ) that the use of the loadstone , and compasse was knowne in salomons time , for as much as hee sent shippes to fetch of the gould of ophir , to adorne and bewtify that magnificent temple of hierusalem , by him built for the glory of almighty god , and by his speciall appointment : and it is held by cosmographers to be . yeares voyage from hierusalem to ophir , and it is conceaved that such a voyage could not have beene performed , without the helpe of the loadstone and compasse . and why should any man thinke , the natives of new england , to be the gleanings of all nations , onely because by the pronunciation and termination their words seeme to trench upon severall languages , when time hath not furnished him with the interpretation thereof , the thinge that must induce a man of reasonabe capacity to any maner of conjecture , of their originall , must by the sence and signification of the words , principally to frame this argument by , when hee shall drawe to any conclusion thereupon , otherwise hee shall but runne rounde about a maze ( as some of the fantasticall tribe use to do about the tythe of muit and comin . ) therfore since i have had the approbation of sir christopher gardiner knight an able gentl. that lived amongst them & of david tompson a scottish gentl. that likewise conversant with those people both scollers and travellers that were diligent in taking notice of these things as men of good judgement . and that have bin in those parts any time ; besides others of lesse , now i am bold to conclude that the originall of the natives of new england may be well conjectured to be from the scattered trojans , after such time as brutus departed from latium . chap. iii. of a great mortality that happened amongst the natives of nevv england neere about the time , that the english came there to plant . it fortuned some few yeares , before the englis● came to inhabit at new plimmouth in new england that upon some distast given in the massachussets bay by frenchmen , then trading there with the native for beaver , they set upon the men , at such advantage that they killed manie of them burned their shipp then riding at anchor by an island there , now called peddocks island in memory of leonard peddock that landed there ( where many wilde anckies haunted that time which hee thought had bin tame , ) distributing them unto . sachems which were lords of the severall territories adjoyninge , they did keepe them so longe as they lived , onely to sport themselves at them , and made these five frenchmen fetch them wood and water , which is the generall worke that they require of a servant , one of these five men out livinge the rest had learned so much of their language , as to rebuke them for their bloudy deede , saying that god would be angry with them for it ; and that hee would in his displeasure destroy them ; but the salvages ( it seemes boasting of their strenght , ) replyed and sayd , that they were so many , that god could not kill them . but contrary wise in short time after , the hand of god fell heavily upon them , with such a mortall stroake , that they died on heapes , as they lay in their houses and the living ; that were able to shift for themselves would runne away , & let them dy , and let there carkases ly above the ground without buriall . for in a place where many inhabited , there hath been but one left a live , to tell what became of the rest , the livinge being ( as it seemes , ) not able to bury the dead , they were left for crowes , kites , and vermin to pray upon . and the bones and skulls upon the severall places of their habitations , made such a spectacle after my comming into those partes , that as i travailed in that forrest , nere the massachussets , it seemed to mee a new found golgatha . but otherwise it is the custome of those indian people , to bury their dead ceremoniously , and carefully , and then to abandon that place , because they have no desire the place should put them in minde of mortality : and this mortality was not ended , when the brownists of new plimmouth were setled at patuxet in new england , and by all likelyhood the sicknesse that these indians died of , was the plague , as by conference with them since my arrivall , and habitation in those partes , i have learned . and by this meanes there is as yet but a small number of salvages in new england to that , which hath beene in former time , and the place is made so much the more fitt , for the english nation to inhabit in , and erect in it temples to the glory of god. chap. iv. of their houses and habitations . the natives of new england are accustomed to build them houses , much like the wild irish , they gather poles in the woodes and put the great end of them in the ground , placinge them in forme of a circle or circumference , and bendinge the topps o● them in forme of an arch , they bind them together with the barke of walnut trees , which is wondrous tuffe , so that they make the same round on the topp . for the smooke of their fire , to assend and passe through ? these they cover with matts , some made of reeds , and some of longe flagges , or sedge finely sowed together with needles made of the splinter bones of a cranes legge , with threeds , made of their indian hempe , which their groueth naturally , leaving severall places for dores , which are covered with mats , which may be rowled up , and let downe againe at their pleasures , making use , of the severall dores , according as the winde sitts , the fire is alwayes made in the middest of the house , with winde fals commonly : yet some times they fell a tree , that groweth neere the the house and by drawing in the end thereof maintaine the fire on both sids , burning the tree by degrees shorter and shorter , untill it be all consumed ; for it burneth night and day , their lodging is made in three places of the house about the fire , they lye upon plankes commonly about a foote or . inches aboue the ground raised upon railes that are borne up upon forks they lay mats under them , and coats of deares skinnes otters beavers racownes and of beares hides , all which they have dressed and converted into good lether with the haire on for their coverings and in this manner they lye as warme as they desire in the night they take their rest , in the day time , either the kettle is on with fish or flesh , by no allowance : or else , the fire is imployed in roasting of fishes , which they delight in , the aire doeth beget good stomacks , and they feede continually , and are no niggards of their ●ittels , for they are willing , that any one shall eate with them , nay if any one , that shall come into their houses , and there fall a sleepe , when they see him disposed to lye downe , they will spreade a matt for him of their owne accord , and lay a roule of skinnes for boulster , and let him lye ? if hee sleepe untill the●● meate be dished up , they will set a wooden boule 〈◊〉 meate by him that sleepeth , & wake him saying cattu●● keene meckin : that is , if you be hungry , there 〈◊〉 meat for you , where if you will eate you may , such 〈◊〉 their humanity . likewise when they are minded ro remoove● they carry away the mats with them , other material● the place adjoyning will yeald , they use not to wint●● and summer in one place , for that would be a reason t● make fuell scarse , but after the manner of the gent●● of civilized natives , remoove for their pleasures some times to their hunting places where they r●maine keeping good hospitality , for that se●son ; and sometimes to their fishing places , where the● abide for that season likewise ▪ and at the spring , whe● fish comes in plentifully , they have meetinges fro● severall places , where they exercise themselves in g●minge , and playing of juglinge trickes , and all ma●ner of revelles , which they are deligted in , that it 〈◊〉 admirable to behould , what pastime they use , of sev●rall kindes , every one striving to surpasse each othe● after this manner they spend their time . chap. v. of their religion . it has bin a common receaved opinion from cicero , that there is no people so barbarous , but have some worshipp , or other in this particular , i am not of opinion rherein with tully ; and surely , if hee had ●in amongst those people so longe as i have bin , and ●onversed so much with them , touching this matter of religion , hee would have changed his opinion , neither ●hould we have found this error , amongst the rest , by ●he helpe of that wodden prospect , if it had not been so ●nadvisedly built upon such highe land as that coast. 〈◊〉 all mens judgements in generall , ) doth not yeeld , ●ad hee but taken the judiciall councell of sir william ●lexander , that setts this thing forth in an exact and ●onclusive sentence ; if hee be not too obstinate ? hee ●●ould graunt that worthy writer , that these people ●re sine fide , sine lege , & sine rege , and hee hath ex●mplified this thinge by a familiar demonstration , ●hich i have by longe experience observed to be ●●ue . and me thinks , it is absurd to say they have a kinde ●f worship , and not be able to demonstrate whome or ●hat it is they are accustomed to worship . for 〈◊〉 part i am more willing to beleeve that the ele●●ants ( which are reported to be the most intelligible 〈◊〉 all beasts ) doe worship the moone , for the reasons given by the author of this report as mr. thomas may , the minion of the muses dos recite it in his contimation , of lucans historicall poem , rather then this man , to that i must bee constrained , to conclude agains● him , and cicero ; that the natives of new englan● have no worship nor religion at all , and i am sure it ha● been so observed by those that neede not the help● of a wodden prospect for the matter . chap. vi. of the indians apparrell . the indians in these parts do make their apparrell of the skinnes of severall sortes of beastes , an● commonly of those , that doe frequent those parte● where they doe live , yet some of them for variety , wi●● have the skinnes of such beasts that frequent th● partes of their neighbors , which they purchase o● them , by commerce and trade . these skinnes they convert into very good l●ther , making the same plume and soft . some 〈◊〉 these skinnes they dresse with the haire on , and som● with the haire off ; the hairy side in winter time the● weare next their bodies , and in warme weather , the● weare the haire outwardes : they make likewise so●● coates of the feathers of turkies , which they wea● together with twine of their owne makinge , very pri●tily : these garments they weare like mantels knit ov●● their shoulders , and put under their arme : they have likewise another sort of mantels , made of mose skinnes , which beast is a great large deere , so bigge as a horse , these skinnes they commonly dresse bare , and make them wondrous white , and stripe them with size , round about the borders , in forme like lace set on by a taylor , and some they stripe with size , in workes of severall fashions very curious , according to the severall fantasies of the workemen , wherein they strive to excell one another : and mantels made of beares skinnes is an usuall wearinge , among the natives , that live where the beares doe haunt : they make shooes of mose skinnes , which is the principall leather used to that purpose ; and for want of such lether ( which is the strongest ) they make shooes of deeres skinnes , very handsomly and commodious , and of such deeres skinnes as they dresse bare , they make stockinges , that comes within their shooes , like a stirrop stockinge , and is fastned above at their belt which is about their middell ; every male after hee attaines unto the age , which they call pubes , wereth a belt about his middell , and a broad peece of lether that goeth betweene his leggs , and is tuckt up both before and behinde under that belt , and this they weare to hide their secreats of nature ; which by no meanes they will suffer to be seene , so much modesty they use in that particular , those garments they allwayes put on , when they goe a huntinge to keepe their skinnes from ●he brush of the shrubbs , and when they have rheir apparrell one , they looke like irish in their trouses , the stockinges joyne so to their breeches . a good well growne deere skin is of great account with them , and it must have the tale on , or else they account it defaced , the tale being three times as long as the tales of our english deere , yea foure times so longe , this when they travell is raped round about their body , and with a girdle of their making , bound round about their middles , to which girdle is fastned a bagg , in which his instruments be , with which hee can strike fire upon any occasion . thus with their bow in their left hand , and their quiuer of arrowes at their back , hanging one their left shoulder with the lower end of it , in their right hand , they will runne away a dogg trot , untill they come to their journey end , and in this kinde of ornament , ( they doe seeme to me ) to be hansomer , then when they are in english apparrell , their gesture being answerable to their one habit and not unto ours . their women have shooes and stockinges to weare likewise when they please , such as the men have , but the mantle they use to cover their nakednesse with , is much longer then that , which the men use ; for as the men have one deeres skinn , the women have two soed together at the full lenght , and it is so lardge that it trailes after them , like a great ladies trane , and in time i thinke they may have their pages to beare them up : and where the men use but one beares skinn for a mantle , the women have two soed together ; and if any of their women would at any time shift one , they take that which they intend to make use of , and cast it over them round , before they shifte away the other , for modesty , being unwilling to be seene to discover their nakednesse , and the one being so cast over , they slip the other from under them in a decent manner , which is to be noted in people uncivilized , tberein they seeme to have as much modesty as civilized people , and deserve to be applauded for it . chap. vii . of their child-bearing , and delivery , and vvhat manner of persons they are . the women of this country , are not suffered to be used for procreation , untill the ripenesse of their age ; at which time they weare a redd cap made of lether in forme like to our flat caps , and this they weare for the space of . moneths : for all men to take notice of them that have any minde to a wife ; and then it is the custome of some of their sachems or lords of the territories , to have the first say or maidenhead of the females ? ( very apt they are ) to be with childe , and very laborious when they beare children , yea when they are as great as they can be , yet in that case they neither forbeare laboure , nor travaile , i have seene them in that plight with burthens at their backs enough to load a horse , yet doe they not miscarry , but have a faire delivery , and a quick , their women are very good midwifes , and the women very lusty after delivery and in a day or two will travell or trudge about . their infants are borne with haire on their heads ; and are of complexion white as our nation , but their mothers in their infancy make a bath of wallnut leaves , huskes of walnuts , and such things as will staine their skinne for ever , wherein they dip and washe them to make them tawny , the coloure of their haire is black , and their eyes black , these infants are carried at their mothers backs , by the help of a cradle made of a board forket at both ends , whereon the childe is fast bound , and wrapped in furres : his knees thrust up towards his bellie , because they may be the more usefull for them when he sitteth , which is as a dogge does on his bumme , and this cradle surely preserues them better then the cradles of our nation ; for as much , as we finde them well propertioned not any of them , crooked backed or wry legged , and to give their charracter in a worde , they are as proper men and women for feature and limbes as can be found , for flesh and bloud as active : longe handed they are , ( i never sawe a clunchfisted salvadg amonst them all in my time . ) the colour of their eies being so generally black , made a salvage ( that had a younge infant whose eies were gray , ) shewed him to us and said they were english mens eies , i tould the father , that his sonne was nan weeteo , which is a bastard , hee replied titta ches hetue squaa , which is hee could not tell ; his wife might play the whore and this childe the father desired might have an english name , because of the likenesse of his eies which his father had in admiration , because of novelty amongst their nation . chap. viii . of their reverence , and respect to age . it is a thing to be admired , and indeede made a president , that a nation yet uncivilizied , should more respect age then some nations civilized ; since there are so many precepts both of divine and humane writers extant : to instruct more civill nations in that particular wherein they excell , the younger are allwayes obedient unto the elder people , and at their commaunds in every respect without grummbling , ●n all councels ( as therein they are circumspect to do ●heir acciones by advise and counsell and not rashly or inconsiderately , the younger mens opinion shall ●e heard , but the old mens opinion and councell im●raced and followed , besides as the elder feede and ●rovide for the younger in infancy : so doe the ●ounger after being growne to yeares of manhood , provide for those that be aged , and in distribution of ●●●tes the elder men are first served , by their dis●ensator and their counsels ( especially if they be ●owahs ) are esteemed as oracles amongst the younger natives . the consideration of these things , mee thinkes ●●ould reduce some of our irregular young people of ●ivilized nations : when this story shall come to ●●eir knowledge , to better manners , and make them ●shamed of their former error in this kinde , and to become hereafter more duetyfull , which i as a friend ( by observation having found ) have herein recorded for that purpose . chap. ix . of their pretty coniuring tricks . if we doe not judge amisse of these salvages in accounting them witches , yet out all question , we may be bould to conclude them to be but weake witches , such of them as wee call by the names o● powahs some correspondency they have with the devil , out of al doubt as by some of their accions , in whic● they glory , is manifested papasiquineo ; that sachem or sagamore is a powah of greate estimation amongs● all kinde of salvages , there hee is at their revel● ( which is the time when a great company of salvage● meete , from severall parts of the country , in amity with their neighbours ) hath advaunced his honor in hi● feats or jugling tricks ( as i may right tearme them ) t● the admiration of the spectators whome hee endevoured to perswade , that he would goe under water to th● further side of a river to broade for any man to undertake with a breath , which thing hee performed by swimming over & deluding the company with castin● a mist before their eies that see him enter in and com● out , but no part of the way hee has bin seene , likewis● by our english in the heat of all summer to make ic● appeare in a bowle of faire water , first having the water set before him hee hath begunne his incantatio● according to their usuall accustome and before th● same has bin ended a thick clowde has darkned th● aire and on a sodane a thunder clap hath bin heard that has amazed the natives , in an instant hee hath shewed a firme peece of ice to flote in the middest of the bowle in the presence of the vulgar people , which doubtles was done by the agility of satan his consort . and by meanes of these sleights and such like trivial things , as these they gaine such estimation amongst the rest of the salvages ; that it is thought a very impious matter for any man to derogate from the words of these powahs . in so much as hee that should slight them , is thought to commit a crime no lesse hainous amongst them , as sacriledge is with us , as may appeare by this one passage , which i wil set forth for an instance . a neighbour of mine that had entertain'd a salvage into his service , to be his factor for the beaver trade amongst his countrymen , delivered unto him divers parcells of commodities , fit forthem to trade with ; amongst the rest there was one coate of more esteeme then any of other , and with this his new entertained marchant man travels amonst his countrymen to truck them away for beaver : as our custome hath bin , the salvage went up into the country amongst his neighbours for beaver & returned with some , but not enough answerable to his masteers expectation , but being called to an accompt and especially for that one coate of speciall note ; made answer that he had given that coate to tantoquineo , a powah : to which his master in a rage cryed what have i to doe with tantoquineo ? the salvage very angry at the matter cryed , what you speake ; you are not a very good man , wil you not give tantoq . a coat ? what 's this ? as if he had offered tantoquineo , the greatest indignity that could be devised : so great is the estimation and reverence that these people have of these ingling powahs , who are usually sent for ( when any person is sicke and ill at ease ) to recover them , for which they receive rewards as do● our chirgeons and phisitions , and they doe make ● trade of it , and boast of their skill where they come one amongst the rest did undertake to cure an englishman of a swelling of his hand for a parcell of biskett , which being delivered him , hee tooke the party greived into the woods aside from company , an● with the helpe of the devill ( as may be conjectured quickly recovered him of that swelling , and sent hi● about his worke againe . chap. x. of their duels and the honourable estimation of victory obtained thereby . these salvages are not apt to quarrell one wit● anothet : yet such hath bin the occasion that difference hath happened , which hath growne to tha● height , that it has not bin reconciled otherswise the● by combat , which hath bin performed in this manner the two champions prepared for the fight , with thei● bowes in hand , and a quiver full of arrowes at thei● backs , they have entered into the field , the challenge● and challenged have chosen two trees , standing wit● in a little distance of each other ; they have cast lotts for the cheife of the trees , then either champion setting himselfe behinde his tree watches an advantage , to let fly his shafts , and to gall his enemy , there they continue shooting at each other , if by chaunce they espie any part open , they endeavour to gall the combatant in that part ; and use much agility in the performance of the taske they have in hand . resolute they are in the execution of their vengeance , when once they have begunne , and will in no wise be daunted , or seeme to shrinck though they doe catch a clap with an arrow , but fight it out in this manner untill one or both be slaine . i have bin shewed the places , where such duels have bin performed , and have fuond the trees marked for a memoriall of the combat , where that champion hath stood , that had the hap to be slaine in the duell ? and they count it the greatest honor that can be , to the serviving cumbatant to shew the scares of the wounds , received in this kinde of conflict , and if it happen to be on the arme as those parts are most in danger in these cases , they will alwayes weare a bracelet upon that place of the arme , as a trophy of honor to their dying day . chap. xi . of the maintaining of their reputation . reputation is such a thing , that it keepes many men in awe , even amongst civilized nations , and is very much stood upon : it is ( as one hath very well noted ) the awe of great men and of kings , and since i have observed it , to be maintained amongst salvage people , i cannot chuse but give an instance thereof in this treatise , to confirme the common receaved opinion thereof . the sachem or sagamore of sagus made choise , ( when hee came to mans estate ) of a lady of noble discent , daughter to papasiquineo : the sachem or sagamore of the territories neare merrimack river a man of the best note and estimation in all those parts ( and as my countryman mr. wood declares in his prospect ) a great nigromancer , this lady the younge sachem with the consent & good liking of her father marries , and takes for his wife . great entertainement , hee and his receaved in those parts at her fathers hands , where they weare fested in the best manner that might be expected , according to the custome of their nation , with reveling , & such other solemnities as is usuall amongst them . the solemnity being ended , papasiquineo causes a selected number of his men to waite upon his daughter home : into those parts that did properly belong to her lord , and husband , where the attendants had entertainment by the sachem of sagus and his countrymen : the solemnity being ended , the attendants were gratified . not long after the new married lady had a great desire to see her father , and her native country , from whence shee came , ●er lord willing to pleasure her , & not deny her request ( amongst them ) thought to be reasonable commanded a selected number of his owne men to conduct his lady to her father ; wherwith great respect they brought her : and having feasted there a while , returned to their owne country againe , leaving the lady to continue there at her owne pleasure , amongst her friends , and old acquaintance : where shee passed away the time for a while : and in the end desired to returne to her lord againe . her father the old papasiquineo having notice of her intent , sent some of his men on ambassage to the younge sachem , his sonne in law , to let him understand that his daughter was not willing , to absent her selfe from his company any longer ; & therfore ( as the messengers had in charge ) desired the younge lord to send a convoy for her ▪ but hee standing upon tearmes of honor , & the maintaining of his reputatiō , returnd to his father in law this answere that when she departed from him , hee caused his men to waite upon her to her fathers territories , as it did become him : but now shee had an intent to returne , it did become her father , to send her back with a convoy of his own people : & that it stood not with his reputation to make himself or his men so servile , to fetch her againe . the old sachem papasiquineo having this message returned , was inraged ? to think that his young son in law did not esteeme him at a higher rate , then to capitulate with him about the matter , & returne him this sharpe reply ; that his daughters bloud , and birth deserved no more respect ; then to be so slighted , & there●ore if he would have her company , hee were best to ●end or come for her . the younge sachem not willing to under value himselfe , and being a man of a stout spirit , did not stick to say , that hee should either send her , by his owne convey , or keepe her ; for hee was not determined to stoope so lowe . so much these two sachems stood upon tearme of reputation with each other , the one would not sen● her , & the other would not send for her , least it should be any diminishing of honor on his part , that shoul● seeme to comply , that the lady ( when i came ou● of the country ) remained still with her father ; whic● is a thinge worth the noting , that salvage peopl● should seeke to maintaine their reputation so muc● as they doe . chap. xii . of their trafficke and trade one vvith another . although these people have not the use of navigation , whereby they may trafficke as other nations , that are civilized , use to doe , yet doe they barter for such commodities as they have , & have a kind● of beads ; in steede of money , to buy withall suc● things as they want , which they call wampampeak● and it is of two sorts , the one is white , the other is o● a violet coloure . these are made of the shells o● fishe ; the white with them is as silver with us ; th● other as our gould , and for these beads they buy , an● sell , not onely amongst themselves , but even with us we have used to sell them any of our commodities for this wampampeak , because we know , we can have beaver againe of them for it : and these beads are currant in all the parts of new england , from one end of the coast to the other . and although some have indevoured by example to have the like made , of the same kinde of shels , yet none hath ever , as yet , attained to any perfection in the composure of them , but that the salvages have found a great difference to be in the one ●nd the other ; and have knowne the counterfett beads ●rom those of their owne making ; and have , and doe light them . the skinnes of beasts are sould and bartered to ●uch people , as have none of the same kinde in the ●arts where they live . likewise they have earthen potts of divers sizes , ●rom a quarte to a gallon , . or . to boyle their viteals in ; very stronge , though they be thin like our ●ron potts . they have dainty wooden bowles of maple , of ●ighe price amongst them , and these are dispersed ●y bartering one with the other , and are but in cer●aine parts of the country made , where the severall ●rades are appropriated to the inhabitants of those ●arts onely . so likewise ( at the season of the yeare ) the sal●ages that live by the sea side for trade with the in●anders for fresh water , reles curious silver reles , ●hich are bought up of such as have them not fre●uent in other places , chestnuts , and such like usefull things as one place affordeth , are sould to the inhabitants of another : where they are a novelty accompted amongst the natives of the land ; and there is no such thing to barter withall , as is their whampampeake . chap. xiii . of their magazines or storehovvses . these people are not without providence , though they be uncivilized , but are carefull to preserve foede in store against winter , which is the corne that they laboure and dresse in the summer , and although they eate freely of it , whiles it is growinge , yet have they a care to keepe a convenient portion thereof ; to releeve them in the dead of winter , ( like to the ant and the bee ) which they put under ground . their barnes are holes made in the earth , that will hold a hogshead of corne a peece in them . in these ( when their corne is out of the huske and well dried ) they lay their store in greate baskets ( which they make of sparke ) with matts under , about the sides and on the top : and putting it into the place made for it , they cover it with earth : and in this manner it is preserved from destruction or putrifaction ; to be used in case of necessity , and not else . and i am perswaded , that if they knew the benefit of salte ( as they may in time , ) and the meanes to make salte meate fresh againe , they would endeaver to preserve fishe for winter , as well as corne ; and that if any thinge bring them to civility , it will be the use of salte , to have foode in store , which is a cheife benefit in a civilized commonwealth . these people have begunne already to incline to the use of salte . many of them would begge salte of mee for to carry home with them , that had frequented our howses and had beene acquainted with our salte meats : and salte i willingly gave them ; although i sould them all things else : onely because they should be delighted with the use there of ; and thinke it a commodity of no value in it selfe , allthough the benefit was great , that might be had by the use of it . chap. xiv . of theire subtilety . these people are not ( as some have thought a dull , or slender witted people ; but very ingenious and very subtile . i could give maine instances to maintaine mine opinion of them in this : but i will onely relate one , which is a passage worthy to be observed . in the massachussets bay lived cheecatawback the sachem or sagamore of those territories , who had large dominions , which hee did appropriate to himselfe . into those parts came a greate company of salvages , from the territories of narohiganset , to the number of . persons ; and in this sachems dominions they intended to winter . when they went a hunting for turkies : they spreade over such a greate scope of ground , that a turkie could hardily escape them : deare they killed up in greate abundance , and feasted their bodies very plentifully : beavers they killed by no allowance : the skinnes of those they traded away at wassaguscus with my neighboures for corne , and such other commodities as they had neede of ; and my neighboures had a wonderfull great benefit by their being in those parts . yea sometimes ( like genious fellowes ) they would present their marchant with a fatt beaver skinne , alwayes the tayle was not diminished , but presented full and whole : although the tayle is a present for a sachem , and is of such masculaine vertue , that if some of our ladies knew the benefit thereof , they would desire to have ships sent of purpose , to trade for the tayle alone , it is such a rarity , as is not more esteemed of , then reason doth require . but the sachem cheecatawbak ( on whose possessions they usurped , and converted the commodities thereof to their owne use , contrary to his likeing ) not being of power to resist them , practised to doe it by a subtile stratagem . and to that end gave it out amongst us , that the cause why these other salvages of the narohigansets , came into these parts , was to see what strength we were of , and to watch an opportunity to cut us off , and take that which they found in our custody usefull for them ; and added further , they would burne our howses , and that they had caught one of his men , named meshebro , and compelled him to discover to them where their barnes , magazines , or storehowses were , and had taken away his corne , and seemed to be in a pittifull perplexity about the matter . and the more to adde reputation to this tale , desires that his wifes and children might be harbered in one of our howses . this was graunted , and my neighbours put on corslets , headpeeces , and weapons defensive and offensive . this thing being knowne to cheecatawback , hee caused some of his men to bring the narohigansets to trade , that they might see the preparation . the salvage that was a stranger to the plott , simply comming to trade , and finding his merchants , lookes like lobsters , all cladd in harnesse , was in a maze to thinke what would be the end of it . haste hee made to trade away his furres , and tooke any thing for them , wishing himselfe well rid of them , and of the company in the howse . but ( as the manner has bin ) hee must eate some furmety before hee goe : downe hee sits , and eats , and withall had an eie on every side ; and now and then saw a sword , or a dagger layd a thwart a headpeece , which hee wondered at , and asked his giude whether the company were not angry . the guide , ( that was privy to his lords plot ) answered in his language . that hee could not tell . but the harmelesse salvage before hee had halfe filled his belly , started upon a sodayne , and ranne out of the howse in such hast , that hee left his furmety there , and stayed not to looke behinde him who came after : glad hee was that he had escaped so . the subtile sachem hee playd the tragedian ; and fained a feare of being surprised ; and sent to see whether the enemies ( as the messenger termed them ) were not in the howse ; and comes in a by way with his wifes and children ; and stopps rhe chinkes of the out howse , for feare the fire might be seene in the night , and be a meanes to direct his enemies where to finde them . and in the meane time , hee prepared for his ambassador to his enemies a salvage , that had lived . moneths in england , to the end it might adde reputation to his ambassage . this man hee sends to those intruding narohigansets , to tell them that they did very great injury , to his lord , to trench upon his prerogatives : and advised them to put up their pipes , and begon in time : if they would not , that his lord would come upon them , and in his ayd his freinds the english , who were up in armes already to take his part , and compell them by force to be gone , if they refused to depart by faire meanes . this message comming on the neck of that which doubtlesse the fearefull salvage had before related of his escape , and what hee had observed ; caused all those hundred narohigansets ( that meant us no hurt ) to be gone with bagg , and baggage , and my neighboures were gulled by the subtilety of this sachem , and lost the best trade of beaver that ever they had for the time , and in the end found theire error in this kinde of credulity when it was too late . chap. xv. of their admirable perfection , in the use of the sences . this is a thinge not onely observed by mee , and diverse of the salvages of new england , but also , by the french men in nova francia , and therefore i am the more incouraged to publish in this treatice my observation of them , in the use of theire sences : which is a thinge that i should not easily have bin induced , to beleeve , if i my selfe , had not bin an eie witnesse , of what i shall relate . i have observed , that the salvages have the sence of seeing so farre beyond any of our nation , that one would allmost beleeve they had intelligence of the devill , sometimes : when they have tould us of a shipp at sea , which they have seene , soeuer by one hower , yea two howers sayle , then any english man that stood by ; of purpose to looke out , their sight is so excellent . their eies indeede are black as iett ; and that coler is accounted the strongest for sight . and as they excell us in this particular so much noted , so i thinke they excell us in all the rest . this i am sure , i have well observed , that in the sence of smelling , they have very great perfection : which is confirmed by the opinion of the french , that are planted about canada , who have made relation , that they are so perfect in the use of that sence , that they will distinguish between a spaniard and a frenchman by the sent of the hand onely . and i am perswaded , that the author of this relation has seene very probable reasons , that have induced him , to be of that opinion ; and i am the more willing to give credit thereunto , because i have observed in them so much , as that comes to . i have seene a deare passe by me upon a neck of land , and a salvage that has pursued him by the view . i have accompanied him in this pursuite ; and the salvage , pricking the deare , comes where hee findes the view of two deares together , leading several wayes . one hee was sure , was fresh , but which ( by the sence of seeing ) hee could not judge , therefore , with his knife , hee diggs up the earth of one ; and by smelling , sayes , that was not of the fresh deare : then diggs hee up the other ; and viewing and smelling to that , concludes it to be the view of the fresh deare , which hee had pursued , and thereby followes the chase and killes that deare , and i did eate part of it with him : such is their perfection in these two sences . chap. xvi . of their acknovvledgment of the creation , and immortality of the soule . although these salvages are found to be without religion , law , and king ( as sir william alexander hath well observed , ) yet are they not altogether without the knowledge of god ( historically ) for they have it amongst them by tradition , that god made one man and one woman , and bad them live together , and get children , kill deare , beasts , birds , fish , and fowle , and what they would at their pleasure ; and that their posterity was full of evill , and made god so angry : that hee let in the sea upon them , & drowned the greatest part of them , that were naughty men , ( the lord destroyed so . ) and they went to sanaconquam who feeds upon them , pointing to the center of the earth : where they imagine is the habitation of the devill : ) the other , ( which were not destroyed , ) increased the world ; and when they died ( because they were good ) went to the howse of kytan , pointing to the setting of the sonne ; where they eate all manner of dainties , and never take paines ( as now ) to provide it . kytan makes provision ( they say ) and saves them that laboure and there they shall live with him forever voyd of care . and they are perswaded that kytan is hee that makes corne growe , trees growe , and all manner of fruits . and that wee that use the booke of common prayer , doo it to declare to them , that cannot reade , what kytan has commaunded us , and that wee doe pray to him with the helpe of that booke ; and doe make so much accompt of it , that a salvage ( who had lived in my howse before hee had taken a wife , by whome hee had children ) made this request to mee ( knowing that i allwayes used him with much more respect then others . ) that i would let his sonne be brought up in my howse , that hee might be taught to reade in that booke : which request of his i granted ; and hee was a very joyfull man to thinke , that his sonne should thereby ( as hee said ) become an englishman ; and then hee would be a good man. i asked him who was a good man ; his answere was , hee that would not lye , nor steale . these , with them , are all the capitall crimes , that can be imagined ; all other are nothing in respect of those : and hee that is free from these , must live with kytan for ever , in all manner of pleasure . chap. xvii . of their annals and funerals . these people , that have by tradition some touch of the immortality of the soule , have likewise a custome to make some monuments , over the place where the corps is interred : but they put a greate difference betwene persons of noble , and of ignoble , or obscure , or inferior discent . for indeed in the grave of the more noble , they put a planck in the bottom for the corps to be layed upon ; and on each side a plancke , and a plancke upon the top in forme of a chest , before they cover the place with earth . this done , they erect some thing over the grave in forme of a hearse cloath , as was that of cheekatawbacks mother , which the plimmouth planters defaced , because they accounted it an act of superstition . which did breede a brawle as hath bin before related : for they hold impious , and inhumane : to deface the monuments of the dead . they themselves esteeme of it as piaculum , and have a custome amongst them , to keepe their annals : & come at certaine times to lament , & bewaile the losse of their freind ; & use to black their faces , which they so weare in stead of a mourning ornament for a longer or a shorter time , according to the dignity of the person : so is their annals kept and observed with their accustomed solemnity . afterwards they absolutely abandon the place , because they suppose the sight thereof , will but renew their sorrow . it was a thing very offensive to them , at our first comming into those parts , to aske of them for any one that had bin dead ; but of later times it is not so offensively taken , to renew the memory of any deseased person , because by our example ( which they are apt to followe ) it is made more familiare unto them ; and they marvell to see no monuments over our dead , and therefore thinke no great sachem is yet come into those parts : or not as yet deade , because they see the graves all alike . chap. xviii . of their custome in burning the country , and the reason thereof . the salvages are accustomed , to set fire of the country in all places where they come ; and to burne it , twize a yeare , vixe at the spring , and the fall of the leafe . the reason that mooves them to doe so , is because it would other wise be so overgrowne with underweedes , that it would be all a coppice wood , and the people would not be able in any wise to passe through the country out of a beaten path . the meanes that they do it with , is with certaine minerall stones , rhat they carry about them : in baggs made for that purpose of the skinnes of little beastes which they convert into good lether ; carrying in the same a peece of touch wood ( very excellent for that purpose of their owne making . these minerall stones they have from the piquenteenes ( which is to the southward of all the plantations in new england ) by trade and trafficke with those people . the burning of the grasse destroyes the underwoods , and so scorcheth the elder trees , that it shrinkes them , and hinders their grouth very much : so that hee that will looke to finde large trees , and good tymber , must not depend upon the help , of a woodden prospect to finde them on the upland ground ; but must seeke for them , ( as i and others have done ) in the lower grounds where the grounds are wett when the country is fired : by reason of the snow water that remaines there for a time , untill the sunne by continuance of th●t hath exhaled the vapoures of the earth , and dried up those places , where the fire ( by reason of the moisture ) can have no power to doe them any hurt : and if he would endevoure to finde out any goodly cedars , hee must not seeke for them on the higher grounds , but make his inquest for them in the vallies , for the salvages by this custome of theirs , have spoiled all the rest : for this custome hath bin continued from the beginninge . and least their firing of the country in this manner ; should be an occasion of damnifying us , and indaingering our habitations ; wee our selves have used carefully about the same times ; to observe the winds and fire the grounds about our owne habitations , to prevent the dammage that might happen by any neglect thereof , if t●e fire should come neere those howses in our absence . for when the fire is once kindled , it dilates and spreads it selfe as well against , as with the winde ; burning continually night and day , untill a shewer of raine falls to quench it . and this custome of firing the country is the meanes to make it passable , and by that meanes the trees growe here , and there as in our parks : and makes the country very beautifull , and commodious . chap. xix . of their inclination to drunkennesse . although drunkennesse be justly termed a vice , which the salvages are ignorant of , yet the benefit is very great , that comes to the planters by the sale of strong liquor to the salvages , who are much taken with the delight of it , for they will pawne their wits , to purchase the acquaintance of it , yet in al the cōmerce that i had with them , i never proffered them any such thing ; nay i would hardly let any of them have a drame unles hee were a sachem , or a winnaytue , that is a rich man , or a man of estimation , next in degree to a sachem , or sagamore : i alwayes tould them it was amongst us the sachems drinke . but they say if i come to the northerne parts of the country , i shall have no trade , if i will not supply thē with lusty liquors , it is the life of the trade , in all those parts , for it so happened , that thus a salvage desperately killed himselfe , when hee was drunke , a gunne being charged and the cock up , hee sets the mouth to his brest , and putting back the tricker with his foote , shot himselfe dead . chap. xx. that the salvages live a contended life . a gentleman and a traveller , that had bin in the parts of new england for a time , when hee retorned againe in his discourse of the country , wondered ( as hee said , ) that the natives of the land lived so poorely , in so rich a country , like to our beggers in england : surely that gentleman had not time or leasure whiles hee was there , truely to informe himselfe of the state of that country , and the happy life the salvages would leade weare they once brought to christianity . i must confesse they want the use and benefit of navigation ( which is the very sinnus of a flourishing commonwealth , ) yet are they supplied with all manner of needefull things , for the maintenance of life and lifelyhood , foode and rayment are the cheife of all that we make true use of ; and of these they finde no want , but have , and may have , them in a most plentifull manner . if our beggers of england should with so much ease ( as they , ) furnish themselves with foode , at all seasons , there would not be so many starved in the streets , neither would so many gaoles be stuffed , or gallouses furni●hed with poore wretches , as i have seene them , but they of this sort of our owne nation , that are fitt to goe to this canaan are not able to transport themselves , and most of them unwilling to goe from the good ale tap ; which is the very loadstone of the lande by which our english beggers steere theire course : it is the northpole to which the flowre-deluce of their compasse points ; the more is the pitty that the commonalty of oure land are of such leaden capacities , as to neglect so brave a country , that doth so plentifully feede maine lusty and a brave , able men , women , and children that have not the meanes that a civilized nation hath to purchase foode and rayment : which that country with a little industry : will yeeld a man in a very comfortable measure ; without overmuch carking . i cannot deny but a civilized nation , hath the preheminence of an uncivilized , by meanes of those instruments that are found to be common amongst civile people , and the uncivile want the use of , to make themselves masters of those ornaments , that make such a glorious shew , that will give a man occasion to cry , sic transit gloria mundi . now since it is but foode and rayment that men that live needeth ( though not all alike , ) why should not the natives of new england be sayd to live richly having no want of either : cloaths are the badge of sinne , and the more variety of fashions is but the greater abuse of the creature , the beasts of the forrest there doe serve to furnish them at any time , when they please : fish and flesh they have in greate abundance which they both roast and boyle . they are indeed not served in dishes of plate with variety of sauces to procure appetite , that needs not there . the rarity of the aire begot by the medicinable quality of the sweete herbes of the country , alwayes procures good stomakes to the inhabitants . i must needs commend them in this particular , that though they buy many commodities of our nation , yet they keepe but fewe , and those of speciall use . they love not to bee cumbered with many utensilles , and although every proprietor knowes his owne , yet all things ( so long as they will last , ) are used in common amongst them : a bisket cake given to one ; that one breakes it equally into so many parts , as there be persons in his company , and distributes it . platoes commonwealth is so much practised by these people . according to humane reason guided onely by the light of nature , these people leades the more happy and freer life , being voyde of care , which torments the mindes of so many christians : they are not delighted in baubles , but in usefull things . their naturall drinke is of the cristall fountaine ; and this they take up in their hands , by joyning them close together . they take up a great quantity at a time , and drinke at the wrists , it was rhe sight of such a feate , which made diogenes hurle away his dishe , and like one that would have this principall confirmed . natura paucis contentat , used a dish no more . i have observed that they will not be troubled with superfluous commodities . such things as they finde , they are taught by necessity to make use of , they will make choise of ; and seeke to purchase with industry so that in respect , that their life is so voyd of care , and they are so loving also that they make use of those things they enjoy ( the wife onely excepted as common goods , and are therein , so compassionate that rather than one should starve through want , they would starve all , thus doe they passe away the time merrily , not regarding our pompe ( whic● they see dayly before their faces ) but are better content with their owne , which some men esteeme s● meanely of . they may be rather accompted to live richly wanting nothing that is needefull ; and to be commended for leading a contented life , the younger bein● ruled by the elder , and the elder ruled by the powahs and the powahs are ruled by the devill , and then yo● may imagin what good rule is like to be amongst them . finis . new english canaan , or new canaan . the second booke . containing a description of the bewty of the country with her naturall indowements , both in the land and sea , with the great lake of erocoise . chap. i. the generall survey of the country . in the moneth of iune , anno salutis : . it was my chaunce to arrive in the parts of new england with . servants , and pr●vision of all sorts fit for a plantation : and whiles our howses were building , i did indeavour to take a survey of the country : the more i looked , the more i liked it . and when i had more seriously considered , of the bewty of the place , with all her faire indowments , i did not thinke that in all the knowne world it could be paralel'd . for so many goodly groues of trees ; dainty fine round rising hillucks : delicate faire large plaines ; sweete cristall fountaines ; and cleare running streames , that twine in fine meanders through the meads , making so sweete a murmering noise to heare , as would even lull the sences with delight a sleepe , so pleasantly doe , they glide upon the pebble stones , jetting most jocundly where they doe meete ; and hand in hand runne downe to neptunes court , to pay the yearely tribute , which they owe to him as soveraigne lord of all the springs . contained within the volume of the land , fowles in abundance , fish in multitude , and discovered besides ; millions of turtledoves one the greene boughes : which sate pecking , of the full ripe pleasant grapes , that were supported by the lusty trees , whose fruitfull loade did cause the armes to bend , which here and there dispersed ( you might see ) lillies and of the daphnean-tree , which made the land to mee seeme paradice , for in mine eie , t' was natures master-peece : her cheifest magazine of all , where lives her store : if this land be not rich , then is the whole world poore . what i had resolved on , i have really performed , and i have endeavoured , to use this abstract as an instrument , to bee the meanes , to communicate the knowledge which i have gathered , by my many yeares residence in those parts , unto my countrymen , to the end , that they may the better perceive their error , who cannot imagine , that there is any country in the universall world , which may be compared unto our native soyle , i will now discover unto them a country whose indowments are by learned men allowed to stand in a paralell with the israelites canaan , which none will deny , to be a land farre more excellent then old england in her proper nature . this i consider i am bound in duety ( as becommeth a christian man ) to performe , for the glory of god , in the first place ; next ( according to cicero , ) to acknowledge that , non nobis solum nati sumus , sed partim patria , partim parentes , partim amici vindicant . for which cause i must approove of the indeavoures of my country men , that have bin studious to inlarge the territories of his majesties empire by planting coloines in america . and of all other i must applaude the judgement of those that have made choise of this part ( whereof i now treat ) being of all other most absolute , as i will make it appeare , hereafter by way of paralell , among those that have setled themselvs in new england , some have gone for their conscience sake , ( as they professe ) & i wish that they may plant the gospel of iesus christ : as becommeth them , sincerely and without satisme or faction , whatsoever their former or present practises are ( which i intend not to justifie , howsoever they have deserved ( in mine opinion ) some commendationes , in that they have furnished the country , so commodiously in so short a time , although it hath bin but for their owne profit , yet posterity will taste the sweetnes of it , and that very sodainly . and since my taske in this part of mine abstract , is to intreat of the naturall indowments , of the country , i will make a b●eife demonstration of them in order , severally , according to their severall qualities : and shew you what they are , and what profitable use may be made of them by industry . chap. ii. vvhat trees are there and hovv commodious . oakes are there of two sorts , white and redd , excellent tymber for the building , both of howses , and shipping : and they are found to be a tymber , that is more tough then the oak of england . they are excellent for pipe-staves and such like vessels ; and pipe-staves at the canary ilands are a prime commodity , i have knowne them there at . p. the . and will purchase a fraight of wines there before any commodity in england , their onely wood being pine , of which they are enforced , also to build shippinge : of oackes there is great abundance in the parts of new england , and they may have a prime place in the catalogue of commodities . ashe there is store and very good for staves , oares or pikes , and may have a place in the same cat●logue . elme : of this sort of trees , there are some ; but there hath not as yet bin found any quantity to speake of . beech there is of two sorts , redd and white very excellent for trenchers , or chaires and also for oares and may be accompted for a commodity . wallnut , of this sorte of wood there is infinite store and there are . sorts , it is an excellent wood , for many uses approoved , the younger trees are imployed for hoopes , and are the best for that imployement of all other stuffe whatsoever , the nutts serve when they fall to feede our swine , which make them the delicatest bacon of all other foode , and is therein a cheife commodity . chestnutt , of this sorte there is very greate plenty ; the tymber whereof is excellent for building and is a very good commodity , especially in respect of the fruit , both for man and beast . pine , of this sorte there is infinite store in some parts of the country . i have travelled . miles together , where is little , or no other wood growing . and of these may be made rosin , pitch , and tarre , which are such usefull commodities , that if wee had them not from other countries in amity with england , our navigation would decline . then how great the commodity of it will be to our nation , to have it of our owne , let any man judge . cedar , of this sorte there is abundaunce ; and this wood was such as salomon used for the building of that glorious temple at hierusalem , and there are of these cedars , firre trees , and other materialls necessary for the building of many faire temples , if there were any salomons to be at the cost of them , and if any man be desirous to finde out in what part of the country the best cedars are , he must get into the bottom grounds , and in vallies that are wet at the spring of the yeare , where the moisture preserves them from the fire in spring time and not in a woodden prospect , this wood cutts red , and is good for bedsteads tables and chests , and may be placed in the catalogue of commodities . cypres , of this there is great plenty , and vulgarly this tree hath bin taken , for another sort of cedar ; but workemen put a difference betweene this cypres , and the cedar , especially in the colour ; for this is white and that redd white and likewise in the finenes of the leafe and the smoothnes of the barque . this wood is also sweeter then cedar and ( as it is in garrets herball ) a more bewtifull tree ; it is of all other to my minde , most bewtifull , and cannot be denied to passe for a commodity . spruce , of these there are infinite store , especially in the northerne parts of the country : and they have bin approoved by workemen in england , to be more tough , then those that they have out of the east country : from whence wee have them for masts and yards of shipppes . the spruce of this country are found to be . and . fadum about : and are reputed able single , to make masts for the biggest ship , that sayles on the maine ocean , without peesing , which is more than the east country can afford . and seeing that navigation is the very sinneus of a flourishing common-wealth , it is fitting , to allow the spruce tree a principall place , in the catalogue of commodities . alder , of ths sorte there is plenty by rivers sides good for turners . birch , of this there is plenty in divers parts of the country . of the barck of these the salvages of the northerne parts make them delicate canowes , so light , that two men will transport one of them over land whether they list , and yet one of them will transporte tenne or twelffe salvages by water at a time . mayple , of those trees there is greate abundance , and these are very excellent , for bowles . the indians use of it to that purpose , and is to be accompted a good commodity . elderne , there is plenty in that country , of this the salvages make their arrowes , and it hath no strong unsavery sent like our eldern in england . hawthorne , of this there is two sorts , one of which beares a well tasting berry , as bigg as ones thumbe , and lookes like little queene apples , vines , of this kinde of trees , there are that beare grapes of three colours , that is to say : white , black , and red . the country is so apt for vines , that ( but for the fire at the spring of the yeare ) the vines would so over spreade the land , that one should not be able to passe for them , the fruit is as bigg of some ; as a musket bullet , and is excellent in taste . plumtrees , of this kinde there are many ; some that beare fruit as bigg as our ordinary bullis : others there be , that doe beare fruite much bigger than peare plummes , their colour redd , and their stones flat , very delitious in taste . cheritrees , there are abundance , but the fruit is as small as our sloes , but if any of them were replanted , & grafted , in an orchard they would soone be raised by meanes of such and the like fruits . there is greate abundance of muske roses in divers places : the water distilled excelleth our rosewater of england . there is abundance af sassafras and sarsaperilla , growing in divers places of the land ; whose budds at the spring doe perfume the aire . other trees there are not greatly materiall to be recited in this abstract , as goose berries , rasberies , and other beries . there is hempe that naturally groweth , finer then our hempe of england . chap. iii. potthearbes and other herbes for sallets . the country there naturally affordeth very good potherbes and fallet herbes and those of a more maskuline vertue then any of the same species in england ; as potmarioram , tyme , alexander , angellica , pursland , violets , and anniseeds , in very great abundance : and forthe pott i gathered in summer , dried and crumbled into a bagg to preserve for winter store . hunnisuckles , balme , and divers other good herbes are there , that grow without the industry of man , that are used when occasion serveth very commodiously . chap. iv. of birds , and fethered fovvles . now that i have breifly shewed the commodity of the trees , herbes , and fruits . i will shew you a description of the fowles of the aire , as most proper in ordinary course . and first of the swanne , because shee is the biggest of all the fowles of that country . there are of them in merrimack river , and in other parts of the country , greate store at the seasons of the yeare . the flesh is not much desired of the inhabitants , but the skinnes may be accompted a commodity , fitt for divers uses , both for fethers , and quiles . there are geese of three sorts vize brant geese , which are pide , and white geese which are bigger , and gray geese which are as bigg and bigger then the tame geese of england , with black legges , black bills , heads , and necks black ; the flesh farre more excellent , then the geese of england , wilde or tame , yet the purity of the aire is such , that the biggest is accompted but an indifferent meale for a couple of men . there is of them great abundance . i have had often . before the mouth of my gunne , i never saw any in england for my part so fatt , as i have killed there in those parts , the fethers of them makes a bedd , softer then any down bed that i have lyen on : and is there a very good commodity , the fethers of the geese that i have killed in a short time , have paid for all the powther and shott , i have spent in a yeare , and i have fed my doggs with as fatt geese there , as i have euer fed upon my selfe in england . ducks , there are of three kindes , pide ducks , gray ducks , and black ducks in greate abundance : the most about my habitation were black ducks : and it was a noted custome at my howse , to have every mans duck upon a trencher , and then you will thinke a man was not hardly used , they are bigger boddied , then the tame ducks of england : very fatt and dainty flesh . the common doggs fees were the gibletts , unlesse they were boyled now and than for to make broath . teales , there are of two sorts greene winged , and blew winged : but a dainty bird , i have bin much delighted with a rost of these for a second course , i had plenty in the rivers and ponds about my howse . widggens there are , and abundance of othe● water foule , some such as i have seene , and such a● i have not seene else where , before i came into those parts , which are little regarded . simpes , there are like our simpes in all respects , with very litle difference . i have shot at them onely , to see what difference i could finde betweene them and and those of my native country , and more i did no● regard them . sanderlings are a dainty bird , more full boddied than a snipe , and i was much delighted to feede on them , because they were fatt , and easie to come by , because i went but a stepp or to for them : and i have killed betweene foure and five dozen at a shoot which would loade me home . their foode is at ebbing water on the sands , of small seeds , that grows on weeds there , and are very good pastime in august . cranes , there are greate store , that ever more came there at s. davids day , and not before : that day they never would misse . these sometimes eate our corne , and doe pay for their presumption well enough ; and serveth there in powther , with turnips to supply the place of powthered beefe , and is a goodly bird in a dishe , and no discommodity . turkies there are , which divers times in great flocks have sallied by our doores ; and then a gunne ( being commonly in a redinesse , ) salutes them with such a courtesie , as makes them take a turne in the cooke roome . they daunce by the doore so well . of these there hath bin killed , that have weighed forty eight pound a peece . they are by mainy degrees sweeter then the tame turkies of england , feede them how you can . i had a salvage who hath taken out his boy in a morning , and th●y have brought home their loades about noone . i have asked them what number they found in the woods , who have answered neent metawna , which is a thosand that day ; the plenty of them is such in those parts . they are easily killed at rooste , because the one being killed , the other sit fast neverthelesse , and this is no bad commodity . there are a kinde of fowles which are commonly called pheisants , but whether they be pheysants or no , i will not take upon mee , to determine . they are in forme like our pheisant henne of england . both the male and the female are alike ; but they are rough footed ; and have stareing fethers about the head and neck , the body is as bigg as the pheysant henne of england ; and are excellent white flesh , and delicate white meate , yet we seldome bestowe a shoot at them . partridges , there are much , like our partridges of england , they are of the same plumes , but bigger in body . they have not the signe of the horseshoe on the brest as the partridges of england ; nor are they coloured about the heads as those are ; they sit on the trees . for i have seene . in one tree at a time : yet at night they fall on the ground , and sit untill morning so together ; and are dainty flesh . there are quailes also , but bigger then the quailes in england . they take trees also : for i have numbered . upon a tree at a time . the cocks doe call at the time of the yeare , but with a different note from the cock quailes of england . the larkes there , are like our larkes of england in all respects : sauing that they doe not use to sing at all . there are owles of divers kindes : but i did never heare any of them whop as ours doe . there are crowes , kights and rooks that doe differ in some respects from those of england . the crowes ( which i have much admired , what should be the cause ) both smell and taste of muske in summer , but not in winter . there are hawkes in new england of . sorts , and these of all other fether fowles i must not omitt , to speake of , nor neede i to make any apology for my selfe , concerning any trespasse , that i am like to make upon my judgement , concerning the nature of them , having bin bred in so genious a way , that i had the common use of them in england : and at my first arrivall in those parts practised to take a lannaret , which i reclaimed , trained , and made flying in a fortnight , the same being a passinger at michuelmas . i found that these are most excellent mettell , rank winged , well conditioned , and not tickleish footed , and having whoods , bels , luers , and all things fitting , was desirous to make experiment of that kinde of hawke , before any other . and i am perswaded : that nature hath ordained them to be of a farre better kinde , then any that have bin used in england . they have neither dorre , nor worme to feed upon ( as in other parts of the world ) the country affording none , the use whereof in other parts , makes the lannars there more bussardly , then they be in new england . there are likewise fawcons , and tassell gentles , admirable well shaped birds , and they will tower up when they purpose to pray , and on a sodaine , when they esspie their game , they will make such a cancellere , that one would admire to behold them , some there are more black , then any that have bin used in england . the tassell gent , ( but of the least size ) is an ornament for a person of estimation among the indians to weare in the knot of his lock , with the traine upright , the body dried and stretched out . they take a great pride in the wearing of such an ornament , and give to one of us ( that shall kill them one for that purpose ) so much beaver as is worth three pounds sterling very willingly . these doe us but little trespas , because they pray on such birds as are by the sea side , and not on our chickens . goshawkes there are , and tassels . the tassels are short trussed bussards ; but the goshawkes are well shaped , but they are small ; some of white male , and some redd male , i have seene one with . barres in the traine . these fall on our bigger poultry : the lesser chicken . i thinke they scorne to make their pray of ; for commonly the cocke goes to wrack . of these i have seene many , and if they come to trespasse me , i lay the law to them with the gunne , and take them dammage fesant . there are very many marlins ; some very small , and some so large as is the barbary tassell . i have often beheld these pretty birds , how they have scoured after the black bird , which is a small sized choffe that eateth the indian maisze . sparhawkes there are also , the fairest , and best shaped birds that i have ever beheld of that kinde , those that are litle , no use is made of any of them , neither are they regarded , i onely tried conclusions with a lannaret at first comming ; and when i found , what was in that bird , i turned him going : but for so much as i have observed of those birds , they may be a fitt present for a prince ; and for goodnesse too be preferred before the barbary , or any other used in christendome , and especially the lannars and lannarets . there is a curious bird to see to , called a hunning bird , no bigger then a great beetle ; that out of question lives upon the bee , which hee eateth and catcheth amongst flowers : for it is his custome to frequent those places , flowers hee cannot feed upon by reason of his sharp bill , which is like the poynt of a spannish needle , but shorte . his fethers have a glasse like silke , and as hee stirres , they shew to be of a chaingable coloure : and has bin , and is admired for shape coloure , and size . chap. v. of the beasts , of the forrest . now that i have made a rehearsall of the birds , and fethered fowles , which participate most of aire , i will give you a description of the beasts , and shew you , what beasts are bred in those parts , and what my experience hath gathered , by observation of their kinde , and nature , i begin with the most usefull and most beneficiall beast , which is bredd in those parts , which is the deare . there are in this country , three kindes of deare ▪ of which there are greate plenty , and those are very usefull . first , therefore i will speake of the elke , which the salvages call a mose : it is a very large deare , with a very faire head , and a broade palme , like the palme of a fallow deares horne , but much bigger , and is . footewide betweene the tipps , which grow curbing downwards : hee is of the bignesse of a great horse . there have bin of them , seene that has bin . handfulls highe : hee hath a bunch of haire under his jawes : hee is not swifte , but stronge and large in body , and longe legged ; in somuch that hee doth use to kneele , when hee feedeth on grasse . hee bringeth forth three faunes , or younge ones , at a time ; and being made tame , would be good for draught , and more usefull ( by reason of their strength ) then the elke of raushea . these are found very frequent , in the northerne parts of new england , their fle●h is very good foode , and much better then our redd deare of england . their hids are by the salyages converted into very good lether , and dressed as white as milke . of this lether , the salvages make the best shooes , and use to barter away the skinnes to other salvages , that have none of that kinde of bests in the parts where they live . very good buffe may be made of the hids , i have seene a hide as large as any horse hide that can be found . there is such abundance of them that the salvages , at hunting time , have killed of them so many , that they have bestowed six or seaven at a time , upon one english man whome they have borne affection to . there is a second sort of deare ( lesse then the redd deare of england , but much bigger then the english fallow deare ) swift of foote , but of a more darke coloure ; with some griseld heares . when his coate is full growne in the summer season , his hornes grow curving , with a croked beame , resembling our redd deare , not with a palme like the fallow deare . these bringe . fawnes at a time , spotted like our fallow deares fawnes ; the salvages say , foure , i speake of what i know to be true ; for i have killed , in february a doe with three fawnes in her belly , all heared , and ready to fall ; for these deare fall their fawnes , . moneths sooner ; then the fallow deare of england . there is such abundance of them , that an hundred have bin found at the spring of the yeare , within the compasse of a mile . the salvages take these in trappes made of their naturall hempe , which they place in the earth ; where they fell a tree for browse , and when hee rounds the tree for the browse , if hee tread on the trapp , hee is horsed up by the legg , by meanes of a pole that starts up , and catcheth him . their hides the saluages use for cloathing , and will give for one hide killed in season . . or . beaver skinnes , which will yeild pounds a peece in that country : so much is the deares hide prised with them above the beaver . i have made good merchandize of these , the flesh is farre sweeter then the venison of england : and hee feedeth fatt and leane together as a swine , or mutton , where as our deare of england feede fatt on the out side , they doe not croake at rutting time , nor spendle shafte , nor is their flesh discolored at rutting . hee that will impale ground fitting , may be brought once in the yeare , wherewith bats and men hee may take so many to put into that parke , as the hides will pay the chardge of impalcinge , if all these things be well considered , the deare , as well as the mose , may have a principall place in the catalogue of commodities . i for my part may be bould to tell you , that my howse , was not without the flesh of this sort of deare , winter nor summer , the humbles was ever my dogges fee , which by the wesell , was hanged on the barre in in the chimny , for his diet only : for hee has brought to my stand a brace in a morning , one after the other , before sunne rising , which i have killed . there is likewise , a third sorte of deare , lesse then the other , ( which are a kinde of rayne deare ) to the southward of all the english plantations , they are excellen● good flesh . and these also bring three fawnes at a time , and in this particular the deare of thos● parts , excell all the knowne deare of the whol● world . on all these the wolfes doe pray continually the best meanes they have ( to escape the wolfes is b● swimming to islands , or necks of land , whereb● they escape : for the wolfe will not presume to follow them , untill they see them over a river ; then being landed , ( they wayting on the shore ) undertake the water , and so follow with fresh suite . the next in mine opinion fit to be spoaken of , is the beaver ; which is a beast ordained , for land and water both , and hath fore feete like a cunny , her hinder feete like a goese , mouthed like a cunny , but short eared like a serat , fishe in summer , and wood in winter , which hee conveyes to his howse built on the water , wherein hee sitts with his tayle hanging in the water , which else would over heate and rot off . hee cuts the bodies of trees downe with his fore-teeth , which are so long as a boares tuskes , & with the help of other beavers ( which held by each others tayles like a teeme of horses ) the hind most with the legg on his shoulder stayed by one of his fore feete against his head ) they draw the logg to the habitation appoynted , placing the loggs in a ●quare , and so by pyling one uppon another , they build up a howse , which with boghes is covered very strongly , and placed in some pond to which they make a damme of brush wood like a hedge : so stronge , that i have gone on the top of it crosse the current of that pond . the flesh of this beast is excellent foode . the fleece is a very choise furre , which ( before the salvages had commerce with christians ) they burned of the tayle , this beast is of a masculine vertue for the advancement of priapus : and is preserved for a dish for the sachems , or sagamores : who are the princ●s of the people but not kings ( as is fondly supposed . ) the skinnes are the best marchantable commodity , that can be found , to cause ready mony to be brought into the land , now that they are raised to . shill●ngs a pound . a servant of mine in . yeares , was thought to have a . p. in ready gold gotten by beaver when hee dyed ; whatsoever became of it . and this beast may challenge preheminence in the catalogue . the otter of those parts , in winter season hath a furre so black as jett , and is a furre of very highe price : a good black skinne is worth . or . angels of gold . the flesh is eaten by the salvages : but how good it is i cannot shew , because it is not eaten by our nation . yet is this a beast , that ought to be placed in the number amongst the commodities of the country . the luseran , or luseret , is a beast like a catt : but so bigg as a great hound : with a tayle shorter then a catt . his clawes are like a catts , hee will make a pray of the deare . his flesh is dainty meat , like a lambe : his hide is a choise furre , and accompted a good commodity . the martin is a beast about the bignes , of a foxe . his furre is chestnutt coloure , and of those there are greate store in the northerne parts of the country , and is a good commodity . the racowne is a beast as bigg , full out , as a foxe , with a bushtayle . his flesh excellent foode : his oyle precious for the syattica , his furre course , but the skinnes serve the salvages for coats : and is with those people of more esteeme , then a coate of beaver , because of the tayles that ( hanging round in their order ) doe adorne the garment , and is therefore so much esteemed of them . his fore feete are like the feete of an ape ; and by the print thereof , in the time of snow , he is followed to his hole , which is commonly in a hollow tree , from whence hee is fiered out , and saotken . the foxes are of two coloures : the one redd , the other gray , these feede on fish ; and are good furre , they doe not stinke , as the foxes of england , but their condition for their pray , is as the foxes of england . the wolfes are of divers coloures : some sandy coloured : some griselled , and some black , their foode is fish which they catch , when they passe up the rivers , into the ponds to spawne , at the spring time . the deare are also their pray , and at summer , when they have whelpes , the bitch will fetch a puppy dogg from our dores , to feede their whelpes with . they are fearefull curres , and will runne away from a man ( that meeteth them by chaunce at a banke end ) as fast as any fearefull dogge . these pray upon the deare very much . the skinnes are used by the salvages , especially the skinne of the black wolfe , which is esteemed a present for a prince there . when there ariseth any difference betweene prince , and prince , the prince that desires to be reconciled to his neighbouring prince does endeavour to purchase it , by sending him a black wolfes skinne for a present , and the acceptance of such a present is an assurance of reconciliation betweene them ; and the salvages will willingly give . beaver skinnes for the purchase of one of these black wolfes skinnes : and allthough the beast himselfe be a discommodity , which other countries of christendome are subject unto , yet is the skinne of the black wolfe worthy , the title of a commodity , in that respect that hath bin declared . if i should not speake something of the beare , i might happily leave a scruple , in the mindes of some effeminate persone who conceaved of more dainger in them , then there is cause . therefore to incourage them against all feare , and fortifie their mindes against needles danger , i will relate what experience hath taught mee ; concerning them , they are beasts that doe no harme in those parts : they feede upon hurtle buries , nuts , and fish , especially shellfish . the beare is a tyrant at a lobster , and at low water will downe to the rocks , and groape after them with great diligence . hee will runne away from a man as fast as a litle dogge , if a couple of salvages chaunce to espie him at his banquet , his running a way , will not serve his turne , for they will coate him , and chase him betweene them home to theire howses , where they kill him , to save a laboure in carrying him farre . his flesh is esteemed venison , and of a better taste then beefe . his hide is used by the salvages , for garments , and is more commodious than discommodious , and may passe ( with some allowance ) with the rest . the muske washe , is a beast that frequenteth the ponds . what hee eats i cannot finde . hee is but a small beast , lesse then a cunny , and is indeede in those parts no other then a water ratte , for i have seene the suckers of them digged out of a banke ; and at that age , they neither differed in shape coloure , nor size , from one of our greate ratts . when hee is ould , hee is of the beavers coloure ; and hath passed in waite with our chapmen for beaver . the male of them have stones , which the salvages , in un caseing of them , leave to the skinne , which is a most delicate perfume , and may compare with any perfume that i know for goodnesse ; then may not this be excluded the catalogue . this country , in the north parts thereof , hath many porcupines , but i doe not finde , the beast any way usefull or hurtfull . there are in those northerne parts many hedge-hoggs , of the like nature , to our e●glish hedghoggs . here are greate store of co●yes in th●se parts , of divers coloures ; some white , some black , and some gray . those towards the southerne parts are very small , but those to the north are as bigg as the english cony : their eares are very short . for meate the small rabbit is as good as any that i have eaten of else where . there are squirils of three sorts , very different ●n shape and condition ; and is gray , and hee is as bigg as the lesser cony , and keepeth the woods feeding , upon nutts . another is red , and hee haunts our howses , and will rob us of our corne , but the catt many times , payes him the price of his presumption . the third is a little flying squirill , with bat like winges , which hee spreads when hee jumpes from tree to tree , and does no harme . now because i am upon a treaty of the beasts , i will place this creature the snake amongst the beasts having my warrant from the holy bible ; who ( though his posture in his passage be so different from all other , being of a more subtile and aidry nature , that hee can make his way without feete , and lifte himselfe above the superficies of the earth , as hee glids along . ) yet may he not bee ranked with any , but the beasts , no●●ithstanding hee frequents the water , as well as the land . there are of snakes divers , and of severall kindes , as be with us in england , but that country hath not so many , as in england have bin knowne . the generall salvage name of them is ascowke ▪ there is one creeping beast or longe creeple ( a●● the name is in devonshire , ) that hath a rattle at hi● tayle , that does discover his age ; for so many yeares a● hee hath lived , so many joynts are in that rattle , which soundeth ( when it is in motion , ) like pease in a bladder , and this beast is called a rattle snake ; but the salvages give him the name of sesick ; which some tak● to be the adder ; and it may well be so ; for the salvages are significiant in their denomination of an● thing ) and is no lesse hurtfull than the adder of england , nor no more . i have had my dogge venome with troubling one of these ; and so swelled , that had thought it would have bin his death : but wit● one saucer of salet oyle powred downe his throate , h● has recovered , and the swelling asswaged by the next day . the like experiment hath bin made upon a boy , that hath by chaunce troad upon one of these , and the boy never the worse . therefore it is simplicity in any one that shall tell a bugbeare tale of horrible , or terrible serpents that are in that land . mise there are good store , and my lady wood-bees black gray malkin may have pastime enough there : but for rats , the country by nature is troubbled with none . lyons there are none in new england : it is contrary to the nature of the beast , to frequent places accustomed to snow ; being like the catt , that will hazard the burning of her tayle rather than abide from the fire . chap. vi. of stones and minerals . now ( for as much as i have in a breife abstract shewed you the creatures : whose specificall natures doe simpathise with the elements of fire and aire ) i will come to speake of the creatures ●hat participate of earth more then the other two , which is stones . and first of the marble for building ; whereof there is much in those parts , in so much as there is one ●ay in the land , that beareth the name of marble har●er , because of the plenty of marble there : and these are usefull for building of sumpteous pallaces . and because , no good building can be made permanent , or durable , without lime : i will let you understand that there is good limestone neere to the river of monatoquinte at uttaquatock to my knowledge and we hope other places too , ( that i have not taken so much notice of ) may have the like , or better : and those stones are very convenient for building . chalke stones there are neere squantos chappell shewed me by a salvage . there is abundance of excellent slate in divers places of the country : and the best that ever i beheld for covering of howses : and the inhabitanrs have made good use of these materials for building . there is a very usefull stone in the land , and as yet there is found out but one place where they may be had , in the whole country , ould woodman , ( that was choaked at plimmouth after hee had played the unhappy markes man when hee was pursued by a carelesse fellow that was new come into the land ) they say laboured ro get a patent of it to himselfe . hee was beloved of many , and had many sonnes , that had a minde to engrosse that commodity . and i cannot spie any mention made of it in the woodden prospect . therefore i begin to suspect his aime : that it was for himselfe , and therefore will i not discover it , it is the stone so much commended by ovid , because love delighteth to make his habitation in a building of those materials , where hee advises . those that seeke for love to doe it , duris in cotibus illum . this stone the salvages doe call cos , and of these ( on the north end of richmond iland ) are store , and those are very excellent good for edg'd tooles : i envy not his happinesse . i have bin there : viewed the place , liked the commodity : but will not plant so northerly for that , nor any other commodity that is there to be had . there are loadestones also in the northerne parts of the land : and those which were found are very good , and are a commodity worth the noteing . iron stones there are abundance : and severall sorts of them knowne . lead ore is there likewise , and hath bin found by the breaking of earth , which the frost hath made mellow . black leade i have likewise found very good , which the salvages use to paint their faces with . red leade is there likewise in great abundance . there is very excellent boll armoniack . there is most excellent vermilion . all these things the salvages make some litle use of , and doe finde them on the circumference of the earth . brimstone mines there are likewise . mines of tinne , are likewise knowne to be in those parts : which will in short time be made use of : and this cannot be accompted a meane commodity . copper mines are there found likewise : that will inrich the inhabitants . but untill theire younge cattell , be growne hardy labourers in the yoake , that the plough and the wheate may be seene more plentifully , it is a worke must be forborne . they say there is a silver , and a gold mine found by captaine littleworth : if hee get a patent of it to himselfe , hee will surely change his name . chap. vii . of the fishes , and vvhat commodity they proove . among fishes . first i will begin with the codd ; because it is the most commodious of all fish , as may appeare , by the use which is made of them in forraigne parts . the codd fishing is much used in america , ( whereof new england is a part ) in so much as . sayle of shipps , from divers parts , have used to be imployed yearely in that trade . i have seene in one harboure , next richmond iland . sayle of shipps at one time , that have taken in them , driyed codds for spaine , and the straights ( and it has bin found that the saylers have made . . . . p. share for a common man. the coast aboundeth with such multitudes of codd , that the inhabitants of new england doe dunge their grounds with codd ; and it is a commodity better than the golden mines of the spanish indies ; for without dried codd the spaniard , portingal , and italian , would not be able to vittel of a shipp for the sea ; and i am sure at the canaries it is the principall commodity : which place lyeth neere new england yery convenient , for the vending of this commodity , one hundred of these being at the price of . of new found land codds , greate store of traine oyle , is mayd of the livers of the codd , and is a commodity that without question will enrich the inhabitants of new england quicly ; and is therefore a principall commodity . the basse is an excellent fish , both fresh and salte one hundred whereof salted ( at a market ) have yeilded . p. they are so large , the head of one will give a good eater a dinner , and for daintinesse of diet , they excell the marybones of beefe . there are such multitudes , that i have seene stopped into the river close adjoyning to my howse with a sand at one tide , so many as will loade a ship of a . tonnes . other places have greater quantities in so much , as wagers have bin layed , that one should not throw a stone in the water , but that hee should hit a fish . i my selfe , at the turning of the tyde , have seene such multitudes passe out of a pound , that it seemed to mee , that one might goe over their backs drishod . these follow the bayte up the rivers , and sometimes are follwed for bayte and chased into the bayes , and shallow waters , by the grand pise : and these may have also a prime place in the catalogue of commodities . the mackarels are the baite for the basse , and these have bin chased into the shallow waters , where so many thousands have shott themselves a shore with the surfe of the se● that whole hogges-heads have bin taken up on the sands ; and for length they excell any of other parts : they have bin measured . and . inches in length , and seaven in breadth : and are taken with a drayle , ( as boats use to passe to and froe at sea on businesse ) in yery greate quantities all alonge the coaste . the fish is good , salted ; for store against the winter , as well as fresh , and to be accounted a good commodity . this sturgeon in england is regalis piscis . every man in new england may catch what hee will , there are multitudes of them , and they are much fatter then those that are brought into england from other parts , in so much as by reason of their fatnesse , they doe not looke white , but yellow , which made a cooke presume they were not so good as them of roushea : silly fellow that could not understand that it is the nature of fish salted , or pickelled , the fatter the yellower being best to preserve . for the taste i have warrant of ladies of worth , with choise pallats for the commendations , who liked the taste so well , that they esteemed it beyond the sturgeon of other parts , and sayd they were deceaved in the lookes : therefore let the sturgeon passe for a commodity . of salmons there is greate abundance : and these may be allowed for a commodity , and placed in the catallogue . of herrings , there is greate store , fat , and faire : and ( to my minde ) as good as any i have seene , and these may be preserved , and made a good commodity at the canaries . of eeles there is abundance , both in the salt-waters , and in the fresh : and the fresh water eele there ( if i may take the judgement of a london fishmonger ) is the best that hee hath found in his life time . i have with jieele potts found my howse hold , ( being nine persons , besides doggs ) with them , taking them every tide , ( for . moneths space , ) and preserving of them for winter store : and these may proove a good commodity . of smelts there is such abundance , that the salvages doe take them up in the rivers with baskets , like sives . there is a fish , ( by some called shadds , by some allizes ) that at the spring of the yeare , passe up the rivers to spaune in the ponds ; and are taken in such multitudes in every river , that hath a pond at the end , that the inhabitants doung their ground with them . you may see in one towneship a hundred acres together , set with these fish , every acre taking . of them : and an acre thus dressed will produce and yeald so much corne , as . acres without fish : and ( least any virginea man would inferre hereupon , that the ground of new england is barren , because they use no fish in setting their corne , i desire them to be remembred , the cause is plaine in virginea ) they have it not to sett . but this practise is onely for the indian maize ( which must be set by hands ) not for english graine : and this is therefore a commodity there . there is a large sized fish called hallibut , or turbut : some are taken so bigg that two men have much a doe to hale them into the boate ; but there is such plenty , that the fisher men onely eate the heads , and finnes , and throw away the bodies : such in paris would yeeld . or . crownes a peece : and this is no discommodity . there are excellent plaice and easily taken . they ( at flowing water ) do almost come a shore , so that one may stepp but halfe a foote deepe , and prick them up on the sands : and this may passe with some allowance . hake is a dainty white fish , and excellent vittell fresh ; and may passe with other commodities , because there are multitudes . there are greate store of pilchers : at michelmas , in many places , i have seene the cormorants in length . miles feedinge upon the sent. lobsters are there infinite in store in all the parts of the land , and very excellent . the most use that i made of them , in . yeares after i came there was but to baite my hooke for to catch basse , i had bin so cloyed with them the first day i went a shore . this being knowne , they shall passe for a commodity to the inhabitants ; for the salvages will meete , or . at a place where lobsters come in with the tyde , to eate , and save dried for store , abiding in that place , feasting and sporting a moneth or . weekes together . there are greate store of oysters in the entrance of all rivers : they are not round as those of england , but excellent fat , and all good . i have seene an oyster banke a mile at length . mustles there are infinite store , i have often go● to wassaguscus ; where were excellent mustles to eate ( for variety ) the fish is so fat and large . clames is a shellfish , which i have seene sold in westminster for . pe . the skore . these our swine feede upon ; and of them there is no want , every shore is full , it makes the swine proove exceedingly , they will not faile at low water to be with them . the salvages are much taken with the delight of this fishe ; and are not cloyed ( notwithstanding the plenty ) for our swine we finde it a good commodity . raser fishes there are . freeles there are , cockles , and scallopes , and divers other sorts of shellfishe , very good foode . now that i have shewed you what commodities are there to be had in the sea , for a market ; i will shew what is in the land also , for the comfort of the inhabitants , wherein it doth abound . and because my taske is an abstract , i will discover to them the commodity thereof . there are in the rivers , and ponds , very excellent trouts , carpes , breames , pikes , roches , perches , tenches , eeles , and other fishes , such as england doth afford , and as good , for variety ; yea many of them much better ; and the natives of the inland parts , doe buy bookes of us , to catch them with , and i have knowne the time , that a trouts hooke hath yeelded a beaver skinne , which hath bin a good commodity to those that have bartered them away . these things i offer to your consideration ( curteous reader ) and require you to shew mee the like in any part of the knowne world if you can . chap. viii . of the goodnes of the country and the waters . now since it is a country so infinitely blest with foode , and fire , to roast or boyle our flesh and fish , why should any man feare for cold there , in a country warmer in the winter , than some parts of france & neerer the sunne : unles hee be one of those that salomon bids goe to the ant and the bee. there is no boggy ground , knowne in all the country , from whence the sunne may exhale unwholsom vapors : but there are divers arematicall herbes , and plants , as sassafras , muske roses , violets , balme , lawrell , hunnisuckles , and the like , that with their vapors perfume the aire ; and it has bin a thing much observed that , shipps have come from virginea where there have bin scarce five men able to hale a rope , untill they have come within . degrees of latitude , and smell the sweet aire of the shore , where they have suddainly recovered . and for the water , therein it excelleth canaan by much , for the land is so apt for fountaines , a man cannot digg amisse , therefore if the abrahams and lots of our times come thether , there needs be no contention for wells . besides there are waters of most excellent vertues , worthy admiration . at ma-re mount , there was a water ( by mee discovered ) that is most excellent for the cure of melancolly probatum . at weenasemute is a water , the vertue whereof is , to cure barrenesse . the place taketh his name of that fountaine which signifieth quick spring , or quickning spring probatum . neere squantos chappell ( a place so by us called ) is a fountaine , that causeth a dead sleepe for . howres , to those that drinke . ounces at a draught , and so proportionably . the salvages that are powahs at set times use it , and reveale strang things to the vulgar people by meanes of it , so that in the delicacy of waters , and the conveniency of them , canaan came not neere this country . as for the milke and hony which that canaan flowed with , it is supplyed by the plenty of birds ; beasts and fish , whereof canaan could not boast her selfe . yet never the lesse ( since the milke came by the industry of the first inhabitants , ) let the cattell be chereshed that are at this time in new england , and forborne but a litle , i will aske no long time ; no more , but untill the brethren have converted one salvage , and made him a good christian , and i may be bold to say , butter and cheese will be cheaper there , then ever it was in canaan . it is cheaper there then in old england at this present , for there are store of cowes ; considering the people : which ( as my intelligence gives ) is . persons , and in gods name let the people have their desire , who wri● to their freinds , to come out of sodome , to the land of canaan , a land that flowes with milke and hony. and i appeale to any man of judgement whether it be not a land , that for her excellent indowments of nature may passe for a plaine paralell to canaan of israell , being in a more temporat climat , this being in . degrees and that in . chap. ix . a perspective to vievv the country by . as for the soyle , i may be bould to commend the fertility thereof , and preferre it before the soyle of england , ( our native country ) and i neede not to produce more then one argument for proffe thereof , because it is so infallible . hempe is a thing by husband men in generall agreed upon , to prosper best , in the most fertile soyle : and experience hath taught this rule , that hempe-seede prospers so well in new england , that it shewteth up to be tenne foote high and tenne foote and a halfe , which is twice so high as the ground in old england produceth it , which argues new england the more fertile of the two . as for the aire , i will produce but one proffe for the maintenance of the excellency thereof ; which is so generall , as i assure my selfe it will suffice . no man living there ; was ever knowne to be troubled with a cold , a cough , or a murre , but many men comming sick out of virginea to new canaan , have instantly recovered with the helpe of the purity of that aire ; no man ever surfeited himselfe either by eating or drinking . as for the plenty of that land , it is well knowne , that no part of asia , affrica , or europe ; affordeth deare that doe bring forth any more then one single faune ; and in new canaan the deare are accustomed to bring forth . and , faunes at a time . besides there are such infinite flocks of fowle , and multitudes of fish both in the fresh waters , and also on the coast , that the like hath not else where bin discovered by any traveller . the windes there are not so violent as in england ; which is prooved by the trees that grow in the face of the winde by the sea coast , for there they doe not leane from the winde as they doe in england , as we have heard before . the raine is there more moderate then in england , which thing i have noted in all the time of my residence to be so . the coast is low land , and not high land : and hee is of a weake capacity rhat conceaveth otherwise of it , because it cannot be denied , but that boats may come a ground in all places along the coast , and especially within the compas of the massachusets patent , where the prospect is fixed . the harboures are not to be bettered , for safety , and goodnesse of ground , for ancorage , and ( which is worthy observation ; ) shipping will not there be furred , neither are they subject to wormes , as in virginea , and other places . let the scituation also of the country be considered ( together with the rest , which is discovered in the front of this abstract , ) and then i hope no man will hold this land unworthy to be intituled by the name of the second canaan . and since the seperatists , are desirous to have the denomination thereof , i am become an humble suter on their behalfe for your consents ( courteous readers ) to it , before i doe shew you what revels they have kept in new canaan . chap. x. of the great lake of erocoise in nevv england , and the commodities thereof . westwards from the massachussets bay ( which lyeth in . degrees and . minutes of northerne latitude ) is scituated a very spacious lake ( called of the natives the lake of erocoise ) which is farre more excellent , then the lake of genezereth in the country of palestina , both in respect of the greatnes and properties thereof ; and likewise of the manifould commodities it yealdeth : the circumference of which lake is reputed to be . miles at the least : and it is distant from the massachussets bay . miles , or there abouts : wherein are very many faire islands , where innumerable flocks of severall sorts of fowle doe breede , swannes , geese , ducks , widgines , teales , and other water fowle . there are also more abundance of beavers , deare , and turkies breed about the parts of that lake , then in any place in all the country of new england ; and also such multitudes of fish , ( which is a great part of the foode , that the beavers live upon , ) that it is a thing to be admired at : so that about this lake , is the principallst place for a plantation in all new canaan , both for pleasure and proffit . here may very many brave townes and citties be erected which may have intercourse one with another by water , very commodiously : and it is of many men of good judgement , accounted the prime seate for the metropolis of new canaan , from this lake northwards is derived the famous river of canada , ( so named of monsier de cane a french lord , that first planted a colony of french in america , there called nova francia , from whence captaine kerke of late , by taking that plantation , brought home in one shipp ( as a seaman of his company , reported in my hearing ) . beaver skinnes . and from this lake southwards , trends that goodly river called of the natives patomack , which dischardgeth herselfe in the parts of virginea , from whence it is navigable by shipping of great burthen up to the falls ( which lieth in . degrees , and a halfe of north latitude : ) and from the lake downe to the falls by a faire current . this river is navigable for vessels of good burthen ; and thus much hath often bin related by the natives , and is of late found to be certaine . they have also made description of great heards of well growne beasts , that live about the parts of this lake , such as the christian world ( untill this discovery ) hath not bin made acquainted with . these beasts are of the bignesse of a cowe , their flesh being very good foode , their hides good lether , their fleeces very usefull , being a kinde of wolle , as fine almost as the wolle of the beaver , and the salvages doe make garments thereof . it is tenne yeares since first the relation of these things came to the eares of the english : at which time wee were but slender proficients in the language of the natives , and they , ( which now have attained to more perfection of english , could not then make us rightly apprehend their meaninge . wee supposed , when they spake of beasts thereabouts as high as men , they have made report of men all over hairy like beavers , in so much as we questioned them , whether they eate of the beavers , to which they replyed matta , ( noe ) saying they were almost beavers brothers . this relation at that time wee concluded to be fruitles , which since , time hath made more apparent . about the parts of this lake may be made a very greate commodity by the trade of furres , to inrich those that shall plant there ; a more compleat discovery of those parts : is ( to my knowleadge ) undertaken by henry ioseline esquier sonne of sir thomas ioseline of kent knight , by the approbation and appointement of that heroick and very good common wealths man captaine iohn mason esquier , 〈◊〉 true foster father and lover of vertue , ( who at his owne chardge ) hath fitted master ioseline and imployed him to that purpose , who no doubt will performe as much as is expected , if the dutch ( by gettinge into those parts before him , doe not frustrate his so hopefull and laudable designes . it is well knowne , they aime at that place , and have a possibility to attaine unto the end of their desires therein , by meanes , if the river of mohegan , which of the english is named hudsons river ( where the dutch have setled : to well fortified plantations already . if that river be derived from the lake as our country man in his prospect affirmes it to be , and if they get and fortifie this place also , they will gleane away the best of the beaver both from the french and english , who have hitherto lived wholely by it , and very many old planters have gained good estates out of small beginnings by meanes thereof . and it is well knowne to some of our nation that have lived in the dutch plantation : that the dutch have gained by beaver . pound a yeare . the salvages make report of . great rivers that issue out of this lake . of which are to us knowne , the one to be patomack , the other canada , and why may not the third be found there likewise , which they describe to trend westward , which is conceaved to discharge herselfe into the south sea. the salvages affirme that they have seene shipps in this lake with . masts which have taken from thence for their ladinge earth , that is conjectured to be some minerall stuffe . there is probability enough for this , and it may well be thought , that so great a confluxe of waters as are there gathered together , must be vented by some great rivers : and that if the third river ( which they have made mention of ) proove to be true as the other two have done : there is no doubt but that the passage to the east india , may be obtained , without any such daingerous and fruitlesse inquest by the norwest , as hetherto hath bin endeavoured : and there is no traveller of any resonable capacity , but will graunt , that about this lake , must be innumerable springes , and by that meanes many fruitfull , and pleasant pastures all about it , it hath bin observed that the inland part ( witnes neepnet ) are more pleasant and fertile then the borders of the sea coaste . and the country about erocoise is ( not without good cause ) compared to delta the most fertile parte in all aegypt , that aboundeth with rivers and rivalets derive● from nilus fruitfull channell , like vaines from the liver , so in each respect is this famous lake of erocoise . ad therefore it would be adjudged an irreparable oversight to protract time , and suffer the dutch ( who are but intruders upon his majesties most hopefull country of new england ) to possesse themselves of that so plesant and commodious country of erocoise before us : being ( as appeareth ) the principal● part of all new canaan for plantation , and not elsewhere to be paralelld in all the knowne world . new canaans genivs . epilogvs . thou that art by fates degree , or providence ordain'd to s●e , natures wonder , her rich store , ne'-r discovered before , th' admired lake of erocoise , and fertile borders now rejoyce . see what multitudes of fish , shee presents to fitt thy dish , if rich furres thou dost adore , and of beaver fleeces store , see the lake where they abound , and what pleasures els are found . there chast leda free from fire , does enjoy her hearts desire , mongst the flowry bancks at ease , live the sporting najades , bigg lim'd druides whose browes , bewtified with greenebowes , see the nimphes how they doe make , fine meanders from the lake , twining in and out as they , through the pleasant groves make way , weaving by the shady trees , curious anastomases , where the harmeles turtles breede , and such usefull beasts doe feede , as no traveller can tell , els where bow to paralell , colcos golden fleece reject , this deserveth best respect , in sweete peans let thy voyce , sing the praise of erocoise , peans to advaunce her name , new canaans everlasting fame . new english canaan , or new canaan . the third booke . containing a description of the people that are planted there , what remarkable accidents have happened there , since they were setled , what tenents they hould , together with the practise of their church . chap. i. of a great league made vvith the plimmouth planters after their arrivall , by the sachem of those territories . the sachem of the territories , where the planters of new england are setled , that are the first of the now inhabitants of new canaan , not knowing what they were , or whether they would be freindes or foes , and being desirous to purchase their freindship , that hee might have the better assurance of quiet tradinge with them ( which hee conceived would be very advantagious to him ) was desirous to prepare an ambassador , with commission to treat on his behalfe , to that purpose ; and having one that had beene in england taken ( by a worthlesse man ) out of other partes , and after left there by accident , this salvage hee instructed , how to be have himselfe , in the treaty of peace , and the more , to give him incouragement to adventure his person , amongst these new come inhabitants , which was a thinge , hee durst not himselfe attempt , without security or hostage , promised that salvage freedome , who had beene detained there as theire captive : which offer hee accepted , and accordingly came to the planters , salutinge them with wellcome , in the english phrase , which was of them admired , to heare a salvage there speake in their owne language , and used him with great courtesie : to whome hee declared the cause of his comminge , and contrived the businesse so , that hee brought the sachem and the english together , betweene whome was a firme league concluded , which yet continueth . after which league the sachem being in company with the other whome hee had freed , and suffered to live with the english , espijnge a place where a hole had been made in the grounde , where was their store of powder layed to be preserved from danger of fire ( under ground ) demaunded of the salvage what the english had hid there under ground , who answered the plague , at which hee starteled , because of the great mortality lately hapned , by meanes of the plague , ( as it is conceaved ) and the salvage the more to encrease his feare told the sachem if he should give offence to the english party , they would let out the plague to destroy thē all , which kept him in great awe . not longe after being at varience with another sachem borderinge upon his territories , he came in solemne manner and intreated the governour , that he would let out the plague to destroy the sachem , and his men who were his enemies , promising that he himselfe , and all his posterity would be their everlasting freindes , so great an opinion he had of the english. chap. ii. of the entertainement of mr. westons people sent to settle a plantation there . master thomas weston a merchant of london that had been at some cost , to further the brethren of new plimmouth , in their designes for these partes , shipped a company of servants , fitted with provition of all sorts ; for the undertaking of a plantation to be setled there , with an intent to follow after them in parson . these servants at first arived at new plimmouth where they were entertained with court holy bread , by the brethren , they were made very wellcome , in shew at least : there these servants goodes were landed , with promises to be assisted in the choise of a convenient place , and still the good cheare went forward , and the strong liquors walked . in the meane time the brethren were in consultation , what was best for their advantage singing the songe , frustra sapit , qui sibi non sapit . this plantation would hinder the present practice , and future profit , & master weston an able man would want for no supplies , upon the returne of beaver , and so might be a plantation that might keepe them under , who had a hope to be the greatest , besides his people were no chosen seperatists , but men made choice of a● all adventures , fit to have served for the furtherance o● master westons undertakinges : and that was as muc● as hee neede to care for : ayminge at beaver principally , for the better effecting of his purpose . now whe● the plimmouth men began to finde , that maste● westons mens store of provition grew short with feasting , then they hasted them to a place called wessaguscus , in a weake case , and there left them fasting . chap. iii. of a battle fought at the massachussets , betvveen the english and the indians . the planters of plimmouth , at their last being i● those parts , having defaced the monument of th●ded at pasonayessit ( by taking away the herse cloat● which was two greate beares skinnes sowed togethe● at full lenth , and propped up over the grave 〈◊〉 chuatawbacks mother , ) the sachem of those ter●●tories , being inraged at the same , stirred up his me● in his bee halfe , to take revenge : and having gathere● his men together , hee begins to make an oration● this manner . when last the glorious light of all th● skey was underneath this globe , and birds grew silent , i began to settle as my ( custome is ) to take repose ; before mine eies were fast closed , mee thought i saw a vision , ( at which my ) spirit was much troubled , & trembling at that dolefull sight , a spirit cried aloude behold my sonne ) whom i have cherisht , see the papps that gave thee suck , the hands that lappd thee warme and fed thee oft , canst thou forget to take revenge of those uild people , that hath my monument defaced in despitefull manner , disdaining our ancient antiquities , and honourable customes : see now the sachems grave lies like unto the common people , of ignoble race defaced : thy mother doth complaine , implores thy aide against this theevish people , new come hether if this be suffered , i shall not rest in quiet within my everlasting habitation . this said , the spirit vanished , and i all in a sweat , not able scarce to speake , began to gett some strength , and recollect my spirits that were fed , all which i thought to let you understand , to have ●our councell , and your aide likewise ; this being spo●en , straight way arose the grand captaine , and cried ●oud come , let us to armes , it doth concerne us all , ●et us bid them battaile ; so to armes they went , and ●id weight for the plimmouth boate , and forceinge ●●em to forsake their landinge place , they seeke ano●●er best for their convenience , thither the salvages ●●paire in hope to have the like successe , but all in ●ine , for the english captaine warily foresaw , ( and ●erceavinge their plot ) knew the better how to order ●s men fit for battaile in that place , hee bouldly lea●●ng his men on , rainged about the feild to and fro , and taking his best advantage , le ts fly , and makes the salvages give ground , the english followed them fiercely on and made them take trees for their shelter , ( as their custome is ) from whence their captaine let flie a maine , yet no man was hurt , at last lifting up his right arm , to draw a fatall shaft ( as hee then thought ) to end this difference , received a shott upon his elbow , and straight way fled , by whose example , all the army followed the same way ; and yealded up the honor of the day , to the english party ; who were such a terror to them after , that the salvages durst never make to a head against them any more . chap. iv. of a parliament held at wessaguscus , and the actes . master westons plantation beinge setled at wessaguscus , his servants , many of them , lazy persons , that would use no endeavour to take th● benefit of the country , some of them fell sicke and died . one amongst the rest an able bodied man , tha● ranged the woodes , to see what it would afford , lighted by accident on an indian barne , and from thenc● did take a capp full of corne ; the salvage owner of it finding by the foote some english had bin there came to the plantation , and made complaint after thi● manner . the cheife commander of the company one this occation called a parliament of all his people but those that were sicke , and ill at ease . and wisely now they must consult , upon this huge complaint , that a privy knife , or stringe of beades would well enough have qualified , and edward iohnson was a spetiall judge of this businesse : the fact was there in repetition , construction made , that it was fellony , and by the lawes of england punished with death , and this in execution must be put , for an example , and likewise to appease the salvage , when straight wayes one arose , mooved as it were with some compassion , and said hee could not well gaine say the former sentence , yet hee had conceaved within the compasse of his braine an embrion , that was of spetiall consequence to be delivered , and cherished hee said , that it would most aptly serve to pacifie the salvages complaint , and save the life of one that might ( if neede should be ) stand them in some good steede , being younge and stronge , fit for resistance against an enemy , which might come unexspected for any thinge they knew , the oration made was liked of every one , and hee intreated to proceede to shew the meanes how this may be performed : sayes hee , you all agree that one must die , and one shall die , this younge mans cloathes we will take of , and put upon one , that is old and impotent , a sickly person that cannot escape death , such is the disease one him confirmed , that die hee must , put the younge mans cloathes on this man , and let the sick person be hanged in the others steede : amen sayes one , and so sayes many more . and this had like to have prooved their finall sentence , and being there confirmed by act of parliament , to after ages for a president : but that one with a ravenus voyce , begunne to croake and bellow for revenge , and put by that conclusive motion , alledging such deceipts might be a meanes hereafter to exasperate the mindes of the complaininge salvages , and that by his death , the salvages should see their zeale to iustice , and therefore hee should die : this was concluded ; yet neverthelesse a scruple was made ; now to countermaund this act , did represent itselfe unto their mindes , which was how they should doe to get the mans good wil : this was indeede a spetiall obstacle : for without ( that they all agreed ) it would be dangerous , for any man to attempt the execution of it , lest mischeife should befall them every man ; hee was a person , that in his wrath , did seeme to be a second sampson , able to beate out their branes with the jawbone of an asse : therefore they called the man and by perswation got him fast bound in jest , and then hanged him up hard by in good earnest , who with a weapon , and at liberty , would have put all those wise judges of this parliament to a pittifull non plus , ( as it hath beene credibly reported ) and made the cheife iudge of them all buckell to him . chap. v. of a massacre made upon the salvages at wessaguscus . after the end of that parliament , some of the plantation there , about three persons went to live with checatawback & his company , and had very good quarter , for all the former quarrell , with the plimmouth planters : they are not like will sommers , to take one for another . there they purposed to stay untill master westons arrivall : but the plimmouth men intendinge no good to him ( as appered by the consequence ) came in the meane time to wessaguscus , and there pretended to feast the salvages of those partes , bringing with them porke , and thinges for the purpose , which they sett before the salvages . they eate thereof without suspition of any mischeife , who were taken upon a watchword given , and with their owne knives ( hanging about their neckes ) were by the plimmouth planters stabd and slaine : one of which were hanged up there , after the slaughter . in the meane time the sachem had knowledge of this accident , by one that ranne to his countrymen , at the massachussets , and gave them intelligence of the newes ; after which time the salvages there consultinge of the matter , in the night ( when the other english feareles of danger were a sleepe , ) knockt them all in the head , in revenge of the death of their countrymen : but if the plimmouth planters had really intended good to master weston , or those men , why had they not kept the salvages alive in custody , untill they had secured the other english ? who by meanes of this evill mannaginge of the businesse lost their lives , and the whole plantation was dissolved thereupon , as was likely for feare of a revenge to follow , as a relatione to this cruell antecedent ; and when master weston came over ; hee found thinges at an evill exigent , by meanes thereof : but could not tell , how it was brought about : the salvages of the massachussets that could not imagine , from whence these men should come , or to what end , seeing them performe such unexpected actions , neither could tell by what name , properly to distinguish them , did from that time afterwards , call the english planters wotawquenange , which in their language signifieth stabbers or cutthroates , and this name was received by those that came there after for good , being then unacquainted with the signification of it , for many yeares following , untill from a southerly indian , that understood english well , i was by demonstration , made to conceave the interpretation of it , and rebucked these other , that it was not forborne : the other callinge us by the name of wotoquansawge , what that doth signifie , hee said hee was not able by any demonstration to expresse ; and my neighbours durst no more in my hearinge , cal us by the name formerly used , for feare of my displeasure . chap. vi. of the surprizinge of a merchants shipp in plimmouth harbour . this merchant a man of worth , arrivinge in the parts of new canaan , and findinge that his plantation was dissolved , some of his men slaine , some dead with sicknes , and the rest at plimmouth ; hee was perplexed in his minde about the matter , comminge as hee did with supply , and meanes to have rased their fortunes and his one exceedingly and seeinge what had happened resolved to make some stay in the plimmouth harbour , and this suted to their purpose , wherefore the brethren did congratulate with him at his safe arrivall , and their best of entertainement for a swetning cast , deploring the disaster of his plantation , and glozing upon the text , alledging the mischeivous intent of the salvages there , which by freindly intelligence of their neighbours , was discovered before it came to be full summed : so that they lost not all , allthough they saved not all : and this they pretended , to proceede from the fountaine of love & zeale to him ; and christianity , and to chastise the insolency of the salvages , of which that part had some dangerous persons . and this as an article of the new creede of canaan , would they have received of every new commer there to inhabit ; that the salvages are a dangerous people , subtill , secreat , and mischeivous , and that it is dangerous to live seperated , but rather together , and so be under their lee , that none might trade for beaver , but at their pleasure , as none doe or shall doe there : nay they will not be reduced to any other song yet , of the salvages to the southward of plimmouth , because they would have none come there , sayinge that hee that will sit downe there must come stronge : but i have found the massachussets indian more full of humanity , then the christians , & haue had much better quarter with them ; yet i observed not their humors , but they mine , althoug my great number that i landed were dissolved , and m● company as few as might be : for i know that thi● falls out infallibly , where two nations meete , on● must rule , and the other be ruled , before a peace ca● be hoped for : and for a christian to submit to the rul● of a salvage you will say , is both shame and dishonor ( at least ) it is my opinion , and my practise was acco●dingly , and i have the better quarter by the mean● thereof . the more salvages the better quarter , th● more christians the worser quarter i found , as all th● indifferent minded planters can testifie . now whil● the merchant was ruminatinge on this mishapp , t●● plimmouth planters perceivinge that hee had f●nished himselfe with excellent commodities , fit f●● the merchandise of the country , ( and holding it go● to fish in trobled waters , and so get a snatch unseen practised in secret with some other in the land , who● they thought apt to imbrace the benefit of such cheat , and it was concluded and resolved upon , th● all this shipp and goodes should be confiscated , for b●sinesse done by him , the lord knowes when , or whe● a letter must be framed to them , and handes unto it , to be there warrant , this should shadow them ; that is the first practise they will infane a man , and then pretend that iustice must be done : they cause the merchant ( secure ) to come a shore , and then take him in hold , shewing they are compelled unto it legally , and enter strait abord peruse the cargazowne , and then deliver up the charge of her to their confederates : and how much lesse this is then piraty , let any practise in the admiralty be judge . the merchant , his shipp and goodes confiscated , himselfe a prisoner , and threatned so to be sent and conveyed to england , there to receave the somme of all that did belonge to him a malefactor ( and a great one to ) this hee good man , indured with patience , longe time , untill the best of all his goodes were quite dispersed , and every actor his proportion , the merchant was inlarged , his shipp a burthen to the owner now , his undertakinges in these partes beinge quite overthrowne , was redelivered , and bondes of him were taken not to prosecute , hee being greived hereat , betakes him to drive a trade , betweene that and virginea many yeares . the brethren ( sharpe witted ) had it spread by and by amongst his freinds in england , that the man was mad . so thought his wife so thought his other freindes , that had it from a planter of the towne . so was it thought of those , that did not know , the brethren could dissemble : why thus they are all of them honest men in their particular , and every man being bound to seeke anothers good , shall in the generall doe the best hee can to effect it , and so they may be excused , i thinke . chap. vii . of thomas mortons entertainement at plimmouth and castinge avvay upon an island . this man arrived in those parts , and hearing newes of a towne that was much praised , he was desirous to goe thither , and see how thinges stood , where his entertainement was there best , i dare be bould to say : for although they had but . cowes in all , yet had they fresh butter and a sallet of egges in dainty wise , a dish not common in a wildernes , there hee bestowed some time in the survey of this plantation . his new come servants in the meane time , were tane to taske , to have their zeale appeare , and questioned what preacher was among their company ; and finding none , did seeme to condole their estate as if undone , because no man amongst them had the guift , to be in ionas steade , nor they the meanes , to keepe them in that path so hard to keepe . our master say they reades the bible and the word of god , and useth the booke of common prayer , but this is not the meanes ; the answere is : the meanes , they crie : alas poore soules where is the meanes , you seeme as if betrayed to be without the meanes : how can you be stayed from fallinge headlonge to perdition ? facilis descensus averni : the booke of common prayer sayd they what poore thinge is that , for a man to reade in a booke ? no , no , good sirs i would you were neere us , you might receave comfort by instruction : give me a man hath the guiftes of the spirit , not a booke in hand . i doe professe sayes one , to live without the meanes , is dangerous , the lord doth know . by these insinuations , like the serpent they did creepe and winde into the good opinion of the illiterate multitude , that were desirous to be freed and gone ( to them no doubdt , which some of them after confessed ) and little good was to be done one them after this charme was used , now plotts and factions , how they might get loose , and here was some . stout knaves , & some plotted how to steale master westons barque , others exasperated knavishly to worke , would practise how to gett theire master to an island ; and there leave him , which hee had notice of , and fitted him to try what would be done , and steps aborde his shallop bound for cape anne to the massachussets , with an hogshead of wine , sugar hee tooke along , the sailes hoist up and one of the conspirators aboard to steere , who in the mid way pretended foule weather at the harboure mouth , and therefore for a time , hee would put in to an island neere , and make some stay where hee thought to tempt his master to walke the woods , and so be gone , but their master to prevent them , caused the sales and oares to be brought a shore , to make a tilt if neede should be , and kindled fire , broched that hogshed , and caused them fill the can with lusty liquor , claret sparklinge neate which was not suffered to grow pale and flatt , but tipled of with quick dexterity , the master makes a shew of keepinge round , but with close lipps did seeme to make longe draughts , knowinge the wine would make them protestants , and so the plot was then at large disclosed and discovered , & they made drowsie , and the inconstant windes shiftinge at night did force the kellecke home , and billedge the boat , that they were forced to leave her so , and cut downe trees that grew by the shore , to make caffes : two of them wen● over by helpe of a fore saile almost a mile to the maine the other two stayed five dayes after , till the winde● would serve to fill the sailes . the first two went t● cape ann by land , and had fowle enough , and fowle wether by the way , the islanders had fish enough , shel-fish and fire to roast , & they could not perish for lacke of foode , and wine they had to be sure ; and by this yo● see they were not then in any want ; the wine an● goodes brought thence , the boat left there so billedg● that it was not worth the labor to be mended . chap. viii . of the banishment of master iohn layford , an● iohn oldam from plimmouth . master layford was at the merchants chardge sent to plimmouth plantation to be their pastor ▪ but the brethren , before they would allow of it , woul● have him first renounce his calling , to the office of th● ministery , received in england , as hereticall and papisticall , ( so hee confest ) and then to receive a ne● callinge from them , after their fantasticall invention , which hee refused , alledging and maintaining , that his calling as it stood was lawfull , and that hee would not renounce it ; and so iohn oldam his opinion was one the affirmative , and both together did maintaine the church of ●ngland , to be a true church , although in some particulars ( they said ) defective concludinge so against the tenents there , and by this meanes cancelled theire good opinion , amonst the number of the seperatists , that stay they must not , lest they should be spies , & to fall fowle on this occation , the brethren thought it would betray their cause , and make it fall under censure , therefore against master layford they had found out some scandall ; to be laid on his former corse of life , to blemish that , and so to conclude hee was a spotted beast , and not to be allowed , where they ordained to have the passover kept so zealously : as for iohn oldam , they could see hee would be passionate , and moody ; and proove himselfe a mad iack in his mood , and as soone mooved to be moody , and this impatience would minister advantage to them to be ridd of him . hanniball when hee had to doe with fabius , was kept in awe more by the patience of that one enemy , then by the resolution of the whole army : a well tempered enemy is a terrible enemy to incounter . they injoyne him to come to their needeles watch howse in person , and for refusinge give him a cracked crowne for presse money , and make the blood run downe about his eares , a poore trick , yet a good vaile though luscus may see thorough it ; and for his further behaviour in the case , proceed to sentence him with banishment , which was performed after a solemne invention in this manner : a lane of musketiers was made , and hee compelled in scorne to passe along betweene , & to receave a bob upon the bumme by every musketier , and then a board a shallop , and so convayed to wessaguscus shoare , & staid at massachussets , to whome iohn layford and some few more did resort , where master layford freely executed his office and preached every lords day , and yet maintained his wife & children foure or five , upon his industry there , with the blessing of god , and the plenty of the land , without the helpe of his auditory , in an honest and laudable manner , till hee was wearied and made to leave the country . chap. ix . of a barren doe of virginea grovvne fruithfull in nevv canaan . children and the fruit of the wombe , are said in holy writt , to be an inheritance that commeth of the lord ; then they must be coupled in gods name first , and not as this and some other have done . they are as arrowes in the hand of a gyant ; and happy saith david , is the man , that hath his quiver full of them , and by that rule , happy is that land and blessed to that is apt and fit for increase of children . i have shewed you before in the second part , of the discourse , how apt it is for the increase of minerals , vegetables , and sensible creatures . now i will shew you , how apt new canaan is likewise for the increase of the reasonable creatures , children , of all riches being the principall : and i give you this for an instance . this country of new canaan in seaven yeares time could show more children livinge , that have beene borne the●e , then in . yeares could be shewen in virginea ; yet here are but a handful of weomen landed , to that of virginea . the country doth afford such plenty of lobsters , and other delicate shellfish , and venus is said to be borne of the sea , or else it was some sallet herbe proper to the climate or the fountaine at weenaseemute made her become teeming here , that had tried a campe royall in other partes , where shee had been , & yet never the neere , till shee came in to new canaan . shee was delivered ( in a voyage to virginea ) about bussardes bay , to west of cape cod , where shee had a sonne borne , but died without baptisme , and was buried ; and being a thinge remarkable , had this epitaph followinge made of purpose to memorize the worth of the persons . epitaph : time that bringes all thinges to light . doth hide this thinge out of sight , yet fame hath left behinde a story , a hopefull race to shew the glory : for underneath this heape of stones , lieth a percell of small bones , what hope at last can such impes have , that from the wombe goes to the grave . chap. x. of a man indued vvith many spetiall guifts sent over to be master of the ceremonies . this was a man approoved of the brethren , both for his zeale and guiftes , yet but a bubble , & at the publike chardge conveyed to new england , i thinke to be master of the ceremonies , betweene the natives , and the planters : for hee applied himselfe cheifly to pen the language downe in stenography : but there for want of use , which hee rightly understood not , all was losse of labor , somethinge it was when next it came to veiw , but what hee could not tell . this man master bubble was in the time of iohn oldams absence made the howse chaplaine there , and every night hee made use of his guifts , whose oratory luld his auditory fast a sleepe , as mercuries pipes did argus eies : for when hee was in ; they sayd hee could not tell how to get out : nay hee would hardly out , till hee were fired out , his zeale was such : ( one fire they say drives out another , ) hee would become a great merchant , and by any thinge that was to be sold so as hee might have day and be trusted never so litle time : the price it seemed hee stood not much upon , but the day : for to his freind hee shewed commodities so priced , as caused him to blame the buyer , till the man this bubble did declare , that it was tane up at day , and did rejoyce in the bargaine , insistinge on the day , the day , yea marry quoth his freind if you have doomesday for payment you are then well to passe . but if he had not , it were as good hee had , they were payed all alike . and now , this bubbles day is become a common proverbe , hee obtained howse roome at passonagessit , and remooved thether , because it stood convenient , for the beaver trade , and the rather because the owner of passonagessit had no corne left : and this man seemed a bigg boned man , and therefore thought to be a good laborer , and to have store of corne , but contrary wise hee had none at all , and hoped upon this freind his host : thithere were brought the trophies of this master bubbles honor : his water tankard and his porters basket , but no provision , so that one gunne did serve to helpe them both to meat ; and now the time for fowle was almost past . this man and his host at dinner : bubble begins to say grace , yea and a long one to , till all the meate was cold ; hee would not give his host leave to say grace , belike hee thought mine host past grace , and further learned as many other schollers are : but in the usage and custome of this blinde oratory , his host tooke himselfe abused , and the whiles fell to and had halfe done , before this man bubble would open his eies , to see what stood afore him , which made him more cautius , and learned , that brevis oratio penetrat caelum . together bubbles and hee goes in the canaw to nut island for brants , and there his host makes a shotte & breakes the winges of many , bubble in hast and single handed , paddels out like a cow in a cage : his host cals back to rowe two handed like to a pare of oares , and before this could be performed , the fowle had time to swimme to other flockes , and so to escape : the best part of the pray being lost , mayd his host to mutter at him , and so to parte for that time discontended . chap. xi . of a composition made by the sachem , for a thef● committed by some of his men shevving● their honest meaninge . the owner of passonagessit to have the benefi● of company , left his habitation in the winter an● reposed at wessaguscus , ( to his cost ) meane tim● in the depth of winter , the neighbour salvage accustomed to buy foode , came to the howse ( fo● that intent perhaps ) & peepinge in all the windowes , ( then unglased espied corne . but no body to sell the same , and having company and helpe at hand , did make a shift to get into the howse , and take out corne to serve but for the present , left enough behinde the sachem having knowledge of the facte , an● being advertised likewise , of the displeasure that had ben cōceaved , by the proprieter therof , at this offence prepares a messenger , the salvage that had lived in england , and sends him with commission , for the trespasse of his men who had tenne skinnes perposed for it , to bee payd by a day certaine : the sachem at the time appointed , bringes the beaver to wessaguscus : where the owner lived , but just then was gone abroade , meane time the skinnes were by the wessaguscus men gelded , & the better halfe by them juggled away : before the owner came , and hee by the actors perswaded , to bee contended with the rest , who not so pleased did draw the sachem then to make a new agreement , and so to pay his remnant left in hand , and tenne skinnes more by a new day asigned , and then to bringe them to passonagessit , but the wessaguscus men went the day before to the salvages with this sayinge , that they were sent to call upon him there for payement , and received tenne skinnes , and tooke a salvage there to justifie that at their howse ; the owner stayed the while , hee verified this , because hee saw the man , before at wessaguscus : the sachem did beleive the tale , and at that time delivered up tenne skinnes : on that behalfe , in full dischardge of all demandes , against the trespasse , and the trespassers to them , who consented to him , and them , to the owner , and kept view to themselves , and made the salvage take the tenth , and give the owner all that yet was to bee had , themselves confessinge their demaunds for him , and that there was but onely one as yet prepared , so that by this you may easily perceive the uncivilized people , are more just than the civilized . chap. xii . of a voyadge made by the master of the ceremonies of nevv canaan to neepenett , from vvhence hee came avvay , and of the manifold dangers hee escaped . this woorthy member master bubble , a new master of the ceremonies , having a conceipt inhis head , that hee had hatched a new device for the purchase of beaver , beyond imagination , packes up a sacke full of odde implements , and without any company , but a couple of indians for guides , ( and therefore you may , if you please , ) beeleive they are so dangerous as the brethren of plimmouth give it out , hee betakes him to his progresse into the inlande for beaver , with his carriadge on his shoulders like milo , his guides and hee in processe of time , come to the place appointed , which was about neepenett , thereabouts being more beavers to be had then this milo could carry : and both his journey men , glad hee was good man , and his guides were willing to pleasure him , there the salvages stay : night came on , but before they were inclined to sleepe , this good man master bubble had an evation crept into his head , by misapplying the salvages actions , that hee must needs be gone in all hast , yea and without his errand , hee purposed to doe it so cunningely that his flight should not be suspected , hee leaves his shooes in the howse , with all his other implements , and flies , as hee was on his way , to increase his feare , suggestinge himselfe that hee was present by a company of indians , & that there shafts were let fly as thick as haile at him , hee puts of his breeches , and puts them one his head , for to save him from the shafts , that flew after him so thick , that no man could perceave them : and cryinge out avoyd satan , what have yee to doe with mee , thus running one his way without his breeches , hee was pittifully scratched , with the brush of the underwoods , as hee wandred up and downe in unknowne wayes : the salvages in the meane time put up all his implements in the sack hee left behinde , and brought them to wessaguscus , where they thought to have found him ; but understanding hee was not returned , were ferefull what to doe : and what would be conceaved of the english was become of this mazed man , the master of the ceremonies ; and were in consultation of the matter . one of the salvages was of opinion the english would suppose him to be made a way , fearefull hee was to come in sight . the other better acquainted with the english having lived some time in england , ) was more confident , and hee perswaded his fellow that the english would be satisfied with relation of the truth , as having had testimony of his fidelity . so they boldly adventured , to shew what they had brougt , and how the matter stood . the english ( when the sack was opened ) did take a note in writing of all the particulers that were in the sack ; & heard what was b● the salvages related of the accidents : but when his shoes were showne , it was thought hee would not have departed without his shoes ; and therefore they did conceave that master bubble was made away : by some sinister practise of the salvages , who unadvisedly had bin culpable of a crime which now they sought to excuse ; and straightly chardged the salvages to finde him out againe , and bring him dead , or alive ; else their wifes and children should be destroyed . the poore salvages being in a pittifull perplexity , caused their countrymen to seeke out for this maz'd man ; who being in short time found , was brought to wessaguscus ; where hee made a discourse of his travels , and of the perrillous passages : which did seeme to be no lesse dangerous , then these of that worthy knight errant , don quixote , and how miraculously hee had bin preserved ; and in conclusion , lamented the greate losse of his goods , whereby hee thought himselfe undone . the perticuler whereof being demaunded , it appeared , that the salvages had not diminished any part of them ; no not so much as one bit of bread : the number being knowne , and the fragments laid together , it appeared all the bisket was preserved , and not any diminished at all : whereby the master of the ceremonies was overjoyed , and the whole company made themselves merry at his discourse of all his perrillous adventures and by this you may observe whether the salvage people are not full of humanity , or whether they are a dangerous people as master bubble and the rest of his tribe would perswade you . chap. xiii . of a lamentable fit of mellancolly , that the barren doe fell into , ( after the death of her infant , seeing herselfe despised of her svveete hart , ) vvhereof shee vvas cured . whether this goodly creature of incontinency went to worke upon even termes like phillis or noe it does not appeare by any indenture of covenants then extant , whereby shee might legally challenge the performance of any compleate marriage at his hands , that had bin tradeing with her ●s demopheon here to fore had bin with his ostis . neverthelesse ( for his future advantage ) shee indeavoured ( like phillis , ) to gaine this demopheon all to herselfe , who ( as it seemes ) did meane nothing lesse , by leaving her for the next cōmer , that had any minde to coole his courage by that meanes ; the whipping post ( as it seemes ) at that time not being in publike use , for such kinde of cony katchers , but seeing herselfe rejected , shee grew into such a passion of mellancolly , on a sodaine , that it was thought , shee would exhibit a petition for redresse to grim pluto who had set her a worke , and knowing that the howse of fate has many entrances , shee was pusseld to finde the neerest way . shee could not resolve on a sodaine : which doore would soonest bring her to his presence handsomely . if shee should make way with a knife , shee thought shee might spoyle her drinking in after ages , if by poyson ; shee thought it might prolonge her passage thether : if by drowning , shee thought caron might come the while with his boate , and wast her out of sight : if shee should tie up her complaint in a halter , shee thought the ropmakers would take exceptions against her good speede . and in this manner shee debated with herselfe , and demurred upon the matter ▪ so that shee did appeare willing enough ; but a woman of small resolution . which thing when it was publikely knowne , made many come to comfort her . one amongst the rest , was by hir requested , on her behalfe , to write to he● late unkinde demopheon . the gentleman being merrily disposed , in steed of writing an heroicall epistle , composed this elegi for a memoriall of some mirth upon the circumstance of the matter , to be sen● unto hir , as followeth : carmen elegiacvm . melpomene ( at whose mischeifous tove , the screech owles voyce is heard ; the mandrals grove ) commands my pen in an lambick vaine , to tell a dismall tale , that may constraine , the hart of him to bleede that shall discerne , how much this foule amisse does him concerne , alecto ( grim alecto ) light thy tortch , to thy beloved sister next the porch , that leads unto the mansion howse of fate , whose farewell makes her freind more fortunate . a great squa sachem can shee poynt to goe , before grim minos , and yet no man know . that knives , and halters , ponds , and poysonous things , are alwayes ready when the divell once brings , such deadly sinners : to a deepe remorse , of conscience selfe accusing that will force , them to dispaire like wicked kain , whiles death , stands ready with all these to stopp their breath . the beare comes by ; that oft hath bayted ben , by many a satyr●s whelpe unlesse you can , commaund your eies to drop huge milstones forth , in lamentation of this losse on earth , of her , of whome , so much prayse wee may finde , goe when shee will , shee 'l leave none like behinde , shee was too good for earth , too bad for heaven . why then for hell the match is somewhat even . after this , the water of the fountaine at ma-remount , was thought fit to be applyed unto her for a remedy , shee willingly used according to the quality thereof . and when this elegy came to be divulged , shee was so conscious of her crime , that shee put up her pipes , and with the next shipp shee packt away to virginea , ( her former habitation ) quite cured of her mellancolly with the helpe of the water of the fountaine at ma-re mount. chap. xiv . of the revells of nevv canaan . the inhabitants of pasonagessit ( having translated the name of their habitation from that ancient salvage name to ma-re mount ; and being resolved to have the new name confirmed for a memorial to after ages ) did devise amongst themselves to have it performed in a solemne manner with revels , & merriment after the old english custome : prepared to sett up a maypole upon the festivall day of philip and iacob ; & therefore brewed a barrell of excellent beare , & provided a case of bottles to be spent , with other good cheare , for all commers of that day . and because they would have it in a compleat forme , they had prepared a song fitting to the time and present occasion . and upon may-day they brought the maypole to the place appointed , with drumes , gunnes , pistols , and other fitting instruments , for that purpose ; and there erected it with the help of salvages , that came thether of purpose to see the manner of our revels . a goodly pine tree of . foote longe , was reared up , with a peare of buckshorns nayled one , somewhat neare unto the top of it : where it stood as a faire sea marke for directions ; how to finde out the way to mine hoste of ma-re mount. and because it should more fully appeare to what end it was placed there , they had a poem in readines made , which was fixed to the maypole , to shew the new name confirmed upon that plantation ; which allthough it were made according to the occurrents of the time , it being enigmattically composed ) pusselled the seperatists most pittifully to expound it , which ( for the better information of the reader ) i have here inserted . the poem . rise oedipeus , and if thou canst unfould , what meanes caribdis underneath the mould , when scilla sollitary on the ground , ( sitting in forme of niobe ) was found ; till amphitrites darling did acquaint , grim neptune with the tenor of her plaint , and causd him send forth triton with the sound , of trumpet lowd , at which the seas were found , so full of protean formes , that the bold shore , presented scilla a new parramore , so stronge as sampson and so patient , as job himselfe , directed thus , by fate , to comfort scilla so unfortunate . i doe profosse by cupids beautious mother , here 's scogans choise for scilla , and none other ; though scilla 's sick with greife because no signe , can there be found of vertue masculine . esculapius come , i know right well , his laboure's lost when you may ring her knell , the fatall sisters doome none can withstand , nor cithareas powre , who poynts to land , with proclamation that the first of may , at ma-re mount shall be kept hollyday . the setting up of this maypole was a lamentable spectacle to the precise seperatists : that lived at new plimmouth . they termed it an idoll ; yea they called it the calfe of horeb : and stood at defiance with the place , naming it mount dagon ; threatning to make it a woefull mount and not a merry mount . the riddle for want of oedipus , they could not expound , onely they made some explication of part of it , and sayd , it was meant by sampson iob , the carpenter of the shipp , that brought over a woman to her husband , that had bin there longe before : and thrived so well , that hee sent for her and her children to come to him ; where shortly after hee died , having no reason , but because of the sound of those two words : when as ( the truth is ) the man they applyed it to , was altogether unknowne to the author . there was likewise a merry song made , which ( to make their revells more fashionable ) was sung with a corus , every man bearing his part ; which they performed in a daunce , hand in hand about the maypole , whiles one of the company sung , and filled out the good liquor like gammedes and iupiter . the songe . drinke and be merry , merry , merry boyes , let all your delight be in hymens ioyes , jô to hymen now the day is come , about the merry maypole take a roome . make greene ganlons , bring bottles out ; and fill sweet nectar , freely about , vncover thy head , and feare no harme , for hers good liquor to keepe it warme , then drinke and be merry , &c. iô to hymen , &c. nectar is a thing assign'd , by the deities owne minde , to cure the hart opprest with greife , and of good liquors is the cheife , then drinke , &c. iô to hymen , &c. give to the mellancolly man , a cup or two of 't now and than ; this physick ' will soone revive his bloud , and make him be of a merrier moode . then drinke &c. iô to hymen &c. give to the nymphe that 's free from scorne , no irish ; stuff nor scotch over worne , lasses in beaver coats come away , yee shall be welcome to us night and day . to drinke and be merry &c. jô to hymen , &c. this harmeles mirth made by younge men ( that lived in hope to have wifes brought over to them , that would save them a laboure to make a voyage to fetch any over ) was much distasted , of the precise seperatists : that keepe much a doe , about the tyth of muit and cummin ; troubling their braines more then reason would require about things that are indifferent : and from that time sought occasion against my honest host of ma-re mount to overthrow his ondertakings , and to destroy his plantation quite and cleane . but because they presumed with their imaginary gifts ( which they have out of phaos box ) they could expound hidden misteries ( to convince them of blindnes as well in this , as in other matters of more cōsequence ) i will illustrate the poem , according to the true intent of the authors of these revells , so much distasted by those moles . oedipus is generally receaved for the absolute reader of riddles who is invoaked : silla and caribdis are two dangerous places for seamen to incounter , neere unto vennice , & have bin by poets formerly resembled to man and wife . the like licence the author challenged for a paire of his nomination , the one lamenting for the losse of the other as niobe for her children . amphitrite is an arme of the sea , by which the newes was carried up and downe , of a rich widow , now to be tane up or laid downe . by triton is the fame spread , that caused the suters to muster ; ( as it had bin to penellope of greece ) and the coast lying circuler , all our passage to and froe , is made more convenient by sea , then land. many aimed at this marke ; but hee that played proteus best and could comply with her humor must be the man , that would carry her , & hee had need have sampsons strenght to deale with a dallila : and as much patience as iob that should come there , for a thing that i did observe in the life time o● the former . but marriage and hanging ( they say ) comes by desteny & scogans choise t is better none at all . hee that playd proteus ( with the helpe of priapus ) put their noses out of joynt as the proverbe is . and this the whole company of the revellers at ma-re mount , knew to be the true sence and exposition of the riddle : that was fixed to the maypole , which the seperatists were at defiance with ? some of them affirmed , that the first institution thereof , was in memory of a whore ; not knowing that it was a trophe erected at first , in honor of maja , the lady of learning which they despise ; vilifying the two universities with uncivile termes ; accounting what is there obtained by studdy is but unnecessary learning ; not considering that learninge does inable mens mindes to converse with climents of a higher nature then is to be found within the habitation of the mole . chap. xv. of a great monster supposed to be at ma-re-mount ; and the preparation made to destroy it . the seperatists envying the prosperity , and hope of the plantation at ma-re mount ( which they perceaved beganne to come forward , and to be in a good way for gaine in the beaver trade ) conspired together against mine host especially , ( who was the owner of that plantation ) and made up a party against him ; and mustred up what aide they could ; accounting of him , as of a great monster . many threatening speeches were given out both against his person , and his habitation , which they divulged should be consumed with fire : and taking advantage of the time when his company ( which seemed little to regard , theire threats ) were gone up into the inlands , to trade with the salvages for beaver . they set upon my honest host at a place , called wessaguscus , where ( by accident ) they found him . the inhabitants there were in good hope , of the subvertion of the plantation at mare mount , ( which they principally aymed at ; ) and the rather , because mine host was a man that indeavoured to advaunce the dignity of the church of england ; which they ( on the contrary part ) would laboure to vilifie ; with uncivile termes : enveying against the sacred booke of common prayer , and mine host that used it in a laudable manner amongst his family , as a practise of piety . there hee would be a meanes to bringe sacks to their mill ( such is the thirst after beaver ) and helped the conspiratores to . surprisee mine host , ( who was there all alone ) and they chardged him , ( because they would seeme to have some reasonable cause against him ( to sett a glosse upon their mallice ) with criminall things which indeede had beene done by such a person , but was of their conspiracy ; mine host demaunded of the conspirators who it was , that was author of that information , that seemed to be their ground for what they now intended . and because they answer●d , they would not tell him , hee as peremptorily replyed , that hee would not stay , whether he had , or he had not done as they had bin informed . the answere made no matter ( as it seemed ) whether it had bin negatively , or affirmatively made ; for they had resolved what hee should suffer , because ( as they boasted , ) they were now become the greater number : they had shaked of their shackles of servitude , and were become masters , and masterles people . it appeares , the● were like beares whelpes in former time , when mine hosts plantation was of as much strength as theirs , but now ( theirs being stronger , ) they ( like overgrowne beares ) seemed monsterous . in breife , mine host must indure to be their prisoner , untill they could contrive it so , that they might send him for england , ( as they said , ) there to suffer according to the merrit of the fact , which they intended to father upon him ; supposing ( belike ) it would proove a hainous crime . much rejoycing was made that they had gotten their cappitall enemy ( as they concluded him ) whome they purposed to hamper in such sort , that hee should not be able to uphold his plantation at ma-re mount the conspirators sported themselves at my honest host , that meant them no hurt ; & were so joccund that they feasted their bodies , and fell to tippeling , as if they had obtained a great prize ; like the trojans when they had the custody of hippeus pinetree horse . mine host fained greefe : and could not be perswaded either to eate , or drinke , because hee knew emptines would be a meanes to make him as watchfull , as the geese kept in the roman cappitall : whereon the contrary part , the conspirators would be so drowsy , that hee might have an opportunity to give them a slip , in steade of a tester . six persons of the conspiracy were set to watch him at wessaguscus : but hee kept waking ; and in the dead of night ( one lying on the bed , for further suerty , ) up gets mine host , and got to the second dore that hee was to passe which ( notwithstanding the lock ) hee got open : and shut it after him with such violence , that it affrighted some of the conspirators . the word which was given with an alarme , was , o he 's gon , he 's gon , what shall wee doe he 's gon ? the rest ( halfe a sleepe ) start up in a maze , and like rames , ran theire heads one at another full butt in the darke . theire grand leader captaine shrimp tooke on most furiously , and tore his clothes for anger , to see the empty nest , and their bird gone . the rest were eager to have torne theire haire from theire heads , but it was so short , that it would give them no hold ; now captaine shrimp thought in the losse of this prize ( which hee accoumpted his master peece , ) all his honor would be lost forever , in the meane time mine host was got home to ma-re mount through the woods , eight miles , round about the head of the river monatoquit , that parted the two plantations : finding his way by the helpe of the lightening ( for it thundred as hee went terribly ) and there hee prepared powther three pounds dried , for his present imployement , and foure good gunnes for him , and the two assistants left at his howse , with bullets of severall sizes three hounderd , or thereabouts ; to be used if the conspirators should pursue him thether : and these two persons promised theire aides in the quarrell , and confirmed that promise with a health in good rosa solis . now captaine shrimp , the first captaine in the land ( as hee supposed , ) must doe some new act to repaire this losse , and to vindicate his reputation , who had sustained blemish , by this oversight . begins now to study , how to repaire or survive his honor in this manner ; callinge of councell : they conclude . hee takes eight persons more to him , and ( like the nine worthies of new canaan ) they imbarque with preparation against ma-re-mount , where this monster of a man ( as theire phrase was ) had his denne ; the whole number , ( had the rest not bin from home , being but seaven , ) would have given captaine shrimpe ( a quondam drummer , ) such a wellcome , as would have made him wish for a drume as bigg as diogenes tubb , that hee might have crept into it out of sight . now the nine worthies are approached ; and mine host prepared : having intelligence by a salvage , that hastened in love from wessaguscus , to give him notice of their intent . one of mine hosts men prooved a craven : the other had prooved his wits to purchase a little valoure , before mine host had observed his posture . the nine worthies comming before the denne of this supposed monster , ( this seaven headed hydra , as they termed him , ) and began like don quixote against the windmill to beate a party , and to offer quarter ( if mine host would yeald ) for they resolved to send him for england , and bad him lay by his armes . but hee ( who was the sonne of a souldier ) having taken up armes in his just defence , replyed , that hee would not lay by those armes , because they were so needefull at sea , if hee should be sent over . yet ( to save the effusion of so much worty bloud , as would haue issued , out of the vaynes of these . worthies of new canaan , if mine host should have played upon them out at his port holes ( for they came within danger like a flocke of wild geese , as if they had bin tayled one to another , as coults to be sold at a faier ) mine host was content to yeelde upon quarter ; and did capitulate with them : in what manner it should be for more certainety , because hee knew what captaine shrimpe was . hee expressed , that no violence should be offered to his person , none to his goods , nor any of his howsehold : but that hee should have his armes , and what els was requisit for the voyage , ( which theire herald retornes , ) it was agreed upon , and should be performed . but mine host no sooner had set open the dore and issued out : but instantly captaine shrimpe , and the rest of the worties stepped to him , layd hold of his armes ; and had him downe , and so eagerly was every man bent against him ( not regarding any agreement made with such a carnall man , ) that they fell upon him , as if they would have eaten him : some of them were so violent , that they would have a slice with scabbert and all for haste , untill an old souldier ( of the queenes as the proverbe is ) that was there by accident , clapt his gunne under the weapons , and sharply rebuked these worthies for their unworthy practises . so the matter was taken into more deliberate consideration . captaine shrimpe and the rest of the nine worthies , made themselves ( by this outragious riot ) masters of mine hoste of ma-re mount , and disposed of what hee had at his plantation . this they knew ( in the eye of the salvages ) would add to their glory ; and diminish the reputation of mine honest host , whome they practised to be ridd of , upon any termes , as willingly as if hee had bin the very hidra of the time . chap. xvi . hovv the . vvorthies put mine host of ma-re-mount into the inchaunted , castle at plimmouth , and terrified him vvith the monster briareus . the nine worthies of new canaan having now the law in their owne hands ( there being no generall governour in the land : nor none of the seperation that regarded , the duety they owe their soveraigne , whose naturall borne subjects they were : though translated out of holland : from whence they had learned to worke all to their owne ends , and make a great shew of religion , but no humanity , for they were now to sit in counsell on the cause . and much it stood mine honest host upon , to be very circumspect , and to take eacus to taske : for that his voyce was more allowed of , then both the other : and had not mine host confounded all the arguments that eacus could make in their defence : and confuted him that swaied the rest , they would have made him unable to drinke in such manner of merriment any more . so that following this private counsell , given him by one that knew who ruled the rost , the hiracano ceased that els would split his pinace . a conclusion was made , and sentence given , that mine host should be sent to england a prisoner . but when hee was brought to the shipps for that purpose , no man durst be so foole hardy as to undertake to carry him . so these worthies set mine host upon an island , without gunne , powther , or shot , or dogge , or so much as a knife , to get any thinge to feede upon : or any other cloathes to shelter him with at winter , then a thinne suite which hee had one at that time . home hee could not get to ma-re-mount upon this island . hee stayed a moneth at least , and was releeved by salvages that tooke notice that mine host was a sachem of passonagessit , and would bringe bottles of strong liquor to him , and unite them selves into a league of brother hood with mine host ; so full of humanity are these infidels before those christians . from this place for england , sailed mine host in a plimmoth shipp , ( that came into the land to fish upon the coast , ) that landed him safe in england at plimmouth , and hee stayed in england untill the ordinary time for shipping to set forth for these parts ; and then retorned : noe man being able to taxe him of any thinge . but the worthies ( in the meane time ) hoped they had bin ridd of him . chap. xvii . of the baccanall triumphe of the nine vvorthies of nevv canaan . the seperatists were not so contended , ( when mine host of ma-re-mount was gone ) but they were as much discontended when hee was retorned againe : and the rather , because theire passages about him , and the businesse , were so much derided ; and in songes exemplified : which ( for better satisfaction of such as are in that kinde affected ) i have set forth as it was then in use by the name of the baccanall triumphe , as followeth : the poem . i sing th' adventures of mine worthy wights , and pitty't is i cannot call them knights , since they had brawne and braine and were right able , to be installed of prince arthures table , yet all of them were squires of low degree , as did appeare by rules of heraldry , the magi tould of a prodigeous birth , that shortly should be found upon the earth , by archimedes art , which they misconster vnto their land would proove a hiddeous monster , seaven heades it had , and twice so many feete , arguing the body to be wondrous greate , besides a sorked taile heav'd up on highe , as if it threaten'd battell to the skie , the rumor of this fearefull prodigy , did cause th' effeminate multitude to cry , for want of great alcides aide and stood , like people that have seene medusas head , great was the greife of hart , great was the mone , and great the feare conceaved by every one , of hydras hiddeous forme and dreadfull powre , doubting in time this monster would devoure , all their best flocks whose dainty wolle consorts , it selfe with scarlet in all princes courts , not iason nor the adventerous youths of greece , did bring from colcos any ritcher fleece , in emulation of the gretian force , these worthies nine prepar'd a woodden horse , and prick'd with pride of like successe divise , how they may purchase glory by this prize , and if they give to hidraes head the fall , it will remaine a plat forme unto all , theire brave atchivements , and in time to comme , per fas aut nefas they 'l erect a throne . cloubs are turn'd trumps : so now the lott is cast , with fire and sword , to hidras den they haste , mars in th' assendant , soll in cancer now , and lerna lake to plutos court must bow , what though they rebuk'd by thundring love , t is neither gods nor men that can remove , their mindes from making this a dismall day , these nine will now be actors in this play , and sum on hidra to appeare a non , before their witles combination , but his undaunted spirit nursd with meate , such as the cecrops gave their babes to eate , scorn'd their base accons , for with cecrops charme , hee knew he could defend himselfe from harme , of minos , eacus , and radamand , princes oj limbo who must out of hand , consult bout hidra what must now be done , who having sate in counsell one by one , retorne this answere to the stiggean feinds , and first grim minos spake : most loving freinds , hidra prognosticks ruine to our state , and that our kingdome will grow desolate , but if one head from thence be tane away , the body and the members will decay , to take in hand , what eacus this taske , is such as harebraind phaeton did aske , of phebus to begird the world about , which graunted put the netherlands to rout , presumptious fooles learne wit at too much cost , for life and laboure both at once hee lost , sterne radamantus being last to speake , made a great hum and thus did silence breake , what if with ratling chaines or iron bands , hidra be bound either by feete or hands , and after being lashd with smarting rodds , hee be conveyd by stix unto the godds , to be accused on the upper ground , of lesae majestatis this crime found , t' will be unpossible from thence i trowe , hidra shall come to trouble us belowe , this sentence pleasd the friends exceedingly , that up they tost their bonnets and did cry , long live our court in great prosperity . the sessions ended some did straight devise , court revells antiques and a world of joyes , brave christmas gambals , there was open hall , kept to the full : and sport the divell and all , labours despised the loomes are laid away , and this proclaim'd the stigean holli day , in came grim minos with his motly beard , and brought a distillation well prepar'd , and eacus who is as suer as text , came in with his preparatives the next , then radamantus last and principall , feasted the worthies in his sumptuous hall , there caron cerberous and the rout of feinds , had lap enough and so their pastims ends . the illvstrations . now to illustrate this poem , and make the sence more plaine , it is to be considered that the persons at ma-re-mount were seaven , and they had seaven heads and . feete , these were accounted hidra with the seaven heads ; and the maypole with the hornes nailed neere the topp , was the forked tayle of this supposed monster , which they ( for want of skill ) imposed : yet feared in time ( if they hindred not mine host ) hee would hinder the benefit of their beaver trade , as hee had done ( by meanes of this helpe ) in kyny back river finely , ere they were a wares ▪ who comming too late , were much dismaide to finde that mine host his boate had gleaned away all before they came ; which beaver is a fitt companion for scarlett : and i beleeve that iasons golden fleece was either the same , or some other fleece not of so much value . this action bred a kinde of hart burning in the plimmouth planters who after , sought occasion against mine host to overthrowe his undertakings , and to destroy his plantation , whome they accoumpted a maine enemy to theire church and state. now when they had begunne with him , they thought best to proceede : for asmuch as they thought them selves farre enough from any controule of iustice ; and therefore resolved to be their owne carvers : ( and the rather , because they presumed upon some incouragement they had from the favourites of their sect in england : ) and with fire and sword nine in number pursued mine host ; who had escaped theire hands in scorne of what they intended , and betooke him to his habitation in a night of great thunder and lightening , when they durst not follow him , as hardy , as these nine worthies seemed to be . it was in the moneth of iune , that these marshallists had appointed to goe about this mischeifous project , and deale so crabbidly with mine host. after a parly , hee capitulated with them about the quarter , they proffered him , if hee would consent to goe for england , there to answere ( as they pretended ) some thing they could object against him principall to the generall : but what it would be hee cared not , neither was it any thing materiall . yet when quarter was agreed upon , they contrary wise , abused him , and carried him to theire towne of plimmouth , where ( if they had thought hee durst have gone to england ) rather then they would have bin any more affronted by him , they would have dispatched him , as captaine shrimp in a rage , profest that hee would doe with his pistoll as mine host should set his foote into the boate . howsoever the cheife elders voyce in that place was more powerfull than any of the rest ; who concluded to send mine host without any other thing to be done to him . and this being the finall agreement , ( contrary to shrimpe and others , ) the nine wo●thies had a great feast made , and the furmity po●t was provided , for the boats gang by no allowance : and all manner of pastime . captaine shrimpe was so overjoyed in the performance of this exployt ; that they had , at that time , extraordinary merriment ; a thing not usuall amongst those presisians ) and when the winde served , they tooke mine host into their shallop ; hoysed saile , and carried him to the northen parts ; where they left him upon a island . chap. xviii . of a doctor made at a commencement in nevv canaan . the church of plimmouth having due regard to the weale publike , and the brethren , that were to come over ; and knowing that they would be busily imployed to make provision for the cure of soules , and therefore might neglect the body for that time : did hold themselves to be in duety bound , to make search for a fitting man that might be able , ( if so neede requir'd ) to take the chardge upon him in that place of imployment : and therefore called a counsell of the whole synagoge : amongst which company they chose out a man , that long time had bin nurst up in the tender bosome of the church : one that had speciall gifts : hee could wright and reade , nay more : hee had tane the oath of abjuration , which is a speciall stepp , yea and a maine degree unto perferment , him they weane : and out of phaos boxe fitt him with speciall guifts of no lesse worth : they stile him doctor and forth they send him to gaine imployement and opinion . what luck is it i cannot hit on his name : but i will give you him by a periphrasis , that you may know him when you meete him next . hee was borne at wrington in the county of somerset , where hee was bred a butcher . hee weares a longe beard , and a garment like the greeke that beggd in pauls church . this new made doctor comes to salem to congratulate : where hee findes some are newly come from sea , and ill at ease . hee takes the patient , and the urinall : vies the state there : findes the crasis syptomes , and the attomi natantes : and tells the patient that his disease was winde , which hee had tane by gapeing , feasting , over board at sea , but hee would quickly ease him of that greife , and quite expell the winde . and this hee did performe , with his gifts hee had : and then hee handled the patient so handsomely , that hee eased him of all the winde , hee had in an instant . and yet i hope this man may be forgiven , if hee were made a fitting plant for heaven . how hee went to worke with his gifts is a question : yet hee did a great cure for captaine littleworth , hee cured him of a disease called a wife : and yet i hope this man may be forgiven , if shee were made a fitting plant for heaven . by this meanes hee was allowed . p. a moneth , and the chirgeons chest , and made phisition generall of salem : where hee exercised his gifts so well , that of full . that there hee tooke to cure , there is not one has more cause to complaine , or can say black 's his eie . this saved captaine littleworths credit , that had truck'd away the vittels : though it brought forth a scandall on the country by it , and then i hope this man may be forgiven , if they were all made fitting plants for heaven . but in mine opinion , hee deserves to be set upon a palfrey , and lead up and downe in triumph throw new canaan , with a coller of iurdans about his neck , as was one of like desert in richard the seconds time through the streets of london , that men might know where to finde a quacksaluer . chap. xix . of the silencing of a minister in nevv canaan . a silenced minister out of courteousnesse , came over into new canaan to play the spie : hee pretended out of a zealous intent to doe the salvages good , and to teach them . hee brought a great bundell of horne books with him , and carefull hee was ( good man ) to blott out all the crosses of them , for feare least the people of the land should become idolaters . hee was in hope , with his gifts , to prepare a great auditory against greate iosua should arive there . hee applyed himselfe on the weeke dayes to the trade of beaver , but it was ( as might seeme ) to purchase the principall benefite of the lande , when the time should come ; for hee had a hope to be the caiphas of the country : and well hee might , for hee was higher by the head than any of his tribe that came after him . this man , it seemes , played the spie very handsomely , for in the exercise of his guifts on the lords day at weenasimute , hee espied a salvage come in with a good beaver coate , and tooke occasion to reproove the covetous desire of his auditory to trade for beaver on those dayes ; which made them all use so much modesty about the matter for the present , that hee found opportunity , the same day , to take the salvage a side into a corner , where ( with the helpe of his wampampeack , hee had in his pocket for that purpose in a readinesse , ) hee made a shifte to get that beaver coate , which their mouthes watered at ; and so deceaved them all . but shortly after , when iosua came into the land , hee had soone spied out caiphas practise ; and put him to silence ; and either hee must put up his pipes , and be packing or forsake ionas posture , and play demas part alltogether . chap. xx. of the practise of the s●peratists to gett a snare to hamper mine host of ma-re-mount . although the nine worthies had left mine hoste upon an island , in such an inhumane manner , as yee heard before ; yet when they understood that hee had got shipping , and was gone to england of his owne accord , they dispatched letters of advise to an agent they had there : and by the next shipp sent after , to have a snare made , that might hamper mine host so , as hee might not any more trouble theire conscience : and to that end , made a generall collection of beaver to defray the chardge , and hee was not thought a good christian that would not lay much out , for that imployment . some contributed three pounds ; some foure , some five pounds , and procured a pretty quantity by that devise , which should be given to a cunning man , that could make a snare to hamper him . the agent ( according to his directions , ) does his endeavoure ( in the best manner hee could ) to have this instrument made : and used no little diligence to have it effected . his reputation stood upon the taske imposed upon him against mine host , the onely enemy ( accounted ) of their church , and state. much inquiry was made in london , and about , for a skillfull man that would worke the feate . noe cost was spared , for gold hee had good store , first hee inquires of one : and then another : at the last hee heard newes of a very famous man , one that was excellent at making subtile instruments such as that age had never bin acquainted with . hee was well knowne to be the man , that had wit and wondrous skill , to make a cunning instrument , where with to save himselfe , and his whole family : if all the world besides should be drown'd ; and this the best , yea and the best cheap too ; for no good done , the man would nothing take . to him this agent goes , and praies his aide : declares his cause , & tells the substance of his greivance , all at large , and laid before his eies a heape of gold . when all was shewd , that could be ●he'd , and said what could be said , & all too little for to have it done ; the agent then did see his gold refused , his cause despised & thought himselfe disgraced , to leave the worke undone : so that hee was much dismaid , yet importun'd the cunning , who found no reason to take the taske in hand . hee thought perhaps , mine host ( that had the slight to escape from the nine worthies , to chaine argus eies , and by inchauntment make the doores of the watch tower fly open at an instant ) would not be hamperd , but with much a doe : and so hee was unwilling to be troubled with that taske . the agent wondring to see that his gold would doe no good , did aske , the cunning man if hee could give him no advise ? who said , hee would : and what was that thinke you ? to let mine host alone , who being ship'd againe for the parts of new canaan , was put in at plimmouth in the very faces of them , to their terrible amazement to see him at liberty , and told him hee had not yet fully answered the matter , they could object against him . hee onely made this modest reply , that hee did perceave they were willfull people , that would never be answered ; and derided them for their practises , and losse of laboure . chap. xxi . of captaine littlevvorth his nevv divise , for the purchase of beaver . in the meane time , whiles these former passages were : there was a great swelling fellow , of littleworth , crept over to salem ( by the helpe of master charter party the tresorer , and master ananias increase the collector for the company of seperatists , ) to take upon him their imployments for a time . hee resolving to make hay , whiles the sonne did shine , first pretended himselfe to be sent over as cheife iustice of the massachussets bay , and salem forsoth , and tooke unto him a counsell & a worthy one no doubt ; for the cow keeper of salem , was a prime man in those imployments ; and to ad a majesty ( as hee thought ) to his new assumed dignity , hee caused the patent of the massachussets ( new brought into the land ) to be carried where hee went in his progresse to and froe , as an embleme of his authority : which the vulgar people not acquainted with , thought it to be some instrument of musick locked up in that covered case , and thought ( for so some said ) this man of littleworth had bin a fidler , and the rather , because hee had put into the mouthes of poore silly things that were sent a longe with him , what skill hee had in engines and in things of quaint devise : all which prooved in conclusion to be but impostury . this man thinking none so worthy as himselfe , tooke upon him infinitely : and made warrants in his owne name ( without relation to his majesties authority in that place , ) and summoned a generall apparance , at the worshipfull towne of salem : there in open assembly was tendered certaine articles , devised betweene him and theire new pastor master eager ( that had renounced his old calling to the ministry receaved in england , by warrant of gods word : and taken a new one there by their fantasticall way imposed and conferred upon him with some speciall guifts had out of phaos boxe . ) to these articles every planter , old , and new , must signe : or be expelled from any manner of aboade within the compas of the land contained within that graunt then shewed : which was so large , it would suffice for elbow roome , for more then were in all the land by . such an army might have planted them a colony with that cirquit which hee challenged . and not contend for roome for their cattell . but for all that , hee that should refuse to subscribe , must pack . the tenor of the articles were these : that in all ●auses , as well ecclesiasticall , as politicall , wee should ●ollow the rule of gods word . this made a shew of a good intent , and all the assembly ( onely mine host replyed ) did subscribe : hee would not unlesse they would ad this caution : so as nothing be done contrary , or repugnant to the lawes of the kingdome of england . these words hee knew , by former experience , were necessary , and without these , the same would proove a very mousetrapp to catch some body by his owne consent , ( which the rest nothing suspected ) for the construction of the worde would be made by them of the seperation , to serve their owne turnes : and if any man should , in such a case be accused of a crime ( though in it selfe it were petty ) they might set it on the tenter hookes of their imaginary gifts , and stretch it , to make it seeme cappitall ; which was the reason why mine host refused to subscribe . it was then agreed upon , that there should be one generall trade used within that patent ( as hee said ) and a generall stock : and every man to put in a parte : and every man , for his person , to have shares alike : and for their stock according to the ratable proportion was put in : and this to continue for . moneths : and then to call an accompt . all were united but mine host refused : two truckmasters were chosen ; wages prefixed ; onely mine host put in a caviat , that the wages might be payed out of the cleare proffit , which there in black and white was plainely put downe . but before the end of . moneths , the partners in this stock ( handled by the truckmasters ) would have an accoumpt : some of them had perceaved that wampambeacke could be pocketted up , and the underlings ( that went in the boats alonge ) would be neere the wiser for any thinge , but what was trucked for beaver onely . the accoumpt being made betweene captaine littleworth , and the two truckmasters ; it was found , that instead of increasing the proffit , they had decreased it ; for the principall stock , by this imployment , was freetted so , that there was a great hole to be seene in the very middle of it which cost the partners afterwards one hundred markes to stopp , and make good to captaine littleworth . but mine host that sturred not his foote at all for the matter , did not onely save his stock from such a cancar , but gained sixe and seaven for one : in the meane time , hee derided the contributers for being catch'd in that snare . chap. xxii . of a sequestration made in nevv canaan . captaine littleworth ( that had an akeing tooth at at mine host of ma-re-mount , ) devised how hee might put a trick upon him , by colour of a sequestration , and got some persons to pretend that hee had corne , and other goods of theirs in possession ; and the rather , because mine host had store of corne ; and hee had improvidently truckt his store , for the present gaine of beaver : in somuch , that his people under his chardge were put to short allowance ; which caused some of them to sicken with conceipt of such useage : and some of them ( by the practise of the new entertained doctor noddy , with his imaginary gifts : they sent therefore to exhibit a petition to grim minos , eacus , and radamant : where they wished to have the author of their greife to be converted : and they had procured it quickly : if curses would have caused it : for good prayers would be of no validity ( as they supposed ) in this extremity . now in this extremity capt. littleworth gave commission to such as hee had found ready for such imployments , to enter in the howse at ma-re-mount , and with a shallop , to bring from thence such corne , and other utensilles , as in their commission hee had specified . but mine host , wary to prevent eminent mischeife , had conveyed his powther , and shott ( and such other things as stood him in most steed for his present condition ) into the woods for safety : & whiles this was put in practise by him , the shallop was landed , and the commissioners entred the howse ; and willfully bent against mine honest host , that loved good hospitality . after they had feasted their bodies with that they found there , they carried all his corne away , with some other of his goods , contrary to the lawes of hospitality : a smale parcell of refuse corne onely excepted , which they left mine host to keepe christmas with . but when they were gone , mine host , fell to make use of his gunne , ( as one that had a good faculty in the use of that instrument ) and feasted his body neverthelesse with fowle , and venison , which hee purchased with the helpe of that instrument : the plenty of the country , and the commodiousnes of the place affording meanes by the blessing of god ; and hee did but deride captaine littleworth , that made his servants snap shorte in a country so much abounding with plenty of foode for an industrious man , with greate variety . chap. xxiii . of a great bonfire made for ioy of the arrivall of great iosua surnamed tempervvell into the land of canaan . seaven shipps set forth at once , and altogether arrived in the land of canaan , to take a full possession thereof : what are all the . tribes of new israell come : no , none but the tribe of issacar ; and some few scattered levites of the remnant of those that were descended of old elies howse . and here comes their iosua too among them : and they make it a more miraculous thing for these seaven s●ipps to set forth together , and arrive at new canaan together , then it was for the israelites to goe over iordan drishod : perhaps it was , because they had a wall on the right hand and a wall on the left hand . these seperatists suppose there was no more difficulty in the matter , then for a man to finde the way to the counter at noonedayes , betweene a sergeant and his yeoman : now you may thinke mine host will be hamperd or never . these are the men that come prepared to ridd the land , of all pollution . these are more subtile , then the cunning , that did refuse a goodly heap of gold . these men have brought a very snare indeed ; and now mine host must suffer . the book of common prayer which hee used to be despised : and hee must not be spared . now they are come , his doome before hand was concluded on : they have a warrant now : a cheife one too ; and now mine host must know hee is the subject of their hatred : the snare must now be used ; this instrument must not be brought by iosua in vaine . a court is called of purpose for mine host ; hee there convented : and must heare his doome , before hee goe : nor will they admitt him to capitulate , and know wherefore they are so violent to put such things in practise against a man they never saw before : nor will they allow of it , though hee decline their iurisdiction . there they all with one assent put him to silence , crying out , heare the governour , heare the govern : who gave this sentence against mine host at first sight : that hee should be first put in the billbowes , his goods should be all confiscated ; his plantation should be burned downe to the ground , because the habitation of the wicked should no more appeare in israell ; and his person banished from those territories , and this put in execution with all speede . the harmeles salvages ( his neighboures ) came the while , greived poore silly lambes : to see what they went about ; and did reproove these eliphants of witt , for their inhumane deede the lord above did opon their mouthes like balams asse , & made them speake in his behalfe sentences , of unexpected divinity , besides morrallity ; and tould them , that god would not love them , that burned this good mans howse : and plainely sayed , that they who were new come would finde the want of such a howses in the winter ; so much themselves to him confest . the smoake that did assend appeared to be the very sacrifice of kain . mine host ( that a farre of abourd a ship did there behold this wofull spectacle , ) knew not what hee should doe , in this extremity ; but beare and forbeare , as epictetus sayes : it was bootelesse to exclaime . hee did consider then , these transitory things are but ludibria fortunae as cicero calls them . all was burnt downe to the ground , and nothing did remaine , but the bare ashes as an embleme of their cruelty : and unles it could ( like to the phenix ) rise out of these ashes , and be new againe , ( to the immortall glory and renowne , of this fertile canaan the new , the stumpes and postes in their black liveries will mourne ; and piety it selfe will add a voyce to the bare remnant of that monument , and make it cry for recompence ( or else revenge ) against the sect of cruell schismaticks . chap. xxiv . of the digrading and creating gentry in nevv canaan . there was a zealous professor in the land of canaan ( growne a great merchant in the beaver trade ) ●hat came over for his conscience sake , ( as other men ●ave done ) and the meanes : ( as the phrase is ) who in ●is minority had bin prentice to a tombe maker ; who ●omming to more ripenes of yeares ( though lesse dis●retion , ) found a kinde of scruple in his conscience , ●hat the trade was in parte against the second commandement : and therefore left it off wholely , and betooke himselfe to some other imployments . in the end hee settled upon this course : where hee had hope of preferrement , and become one of those things that any iudas might hange himselfe upon , that is an elder . hee had bin a man of some recconing in his time ( as himselfe would boast ) for hee was an officer , just ●nder the exchequer at westminster , in a place called phlegeton : there hee was comptroller , and conversed with noe plebeians i tell you : but such as have angels for their attendance , ( i meane some lawyers , with appertenances ( that is clarks , ) with whome a iugg of beare , and a crusty rolle in the terme , is as currant as a three penny scute at hall time . there is another place , thereby called sticks : these are to two daingerous places , by which the infernall gods doe sweare : but this of sticks is the more daingerous of the two , because there , ( if a man be once in ) hee cannot tell how to get out againe handsomely . i knew an under sheriff was in unawaires , and hee laboured to be free of it : yet hee broake his back before hee got so farre as quietus est : there is no such dainger in phlegeton , where this man of so much recconing was comptroller . hee being here , waited an opportunity to be made a gentl. and , now it fell out that a gentl. newly come into the land of canaan ( before hee knew what ground hee stood upon ) had incurred the displeasure of great iosua so highly , that hee must therefore be digraded . no reconciliation could be had for him : all hopes were past for that matter : where upon this man of much recconing ( pretending a graunt of the approach in avoydance ) helpes the lame dogge over the stile ; and was as jocund on the matter as a magpie over a mutton . wherefore the heralls with drums , and trumpets , proclaiming in a very solemne manner , that it was the pleasure of great iosua ( for divers and sundry very good causes and considerations , master temperwell there unto especially mooving ) to take away the title , prerogative and preheminence of the delinquent , so unworthy of it , and to place the same upon a professor of more recconing : so that it was made a penall thing for any man after , to lifte the same man againe on the top of that stile : but that hee should stand perpetually digraded from that prerogative . and the place by this meanes being voyde , this man of so much more reckoning , was receaved in like a cypher to fillup a roome , and was made a gentleman of the first head ; and his coate of armes blazon'd and tricked out fit for that purpose , in this poem following . the poem . what ailes pigmalion ? is it lu●acy ; or doteage on his owne imagery ? let him remember how hee came from hell , that after ages by record may tell , the compleate story to posterity ; blazon his coate in forme of heraldry . hee beareth argent alwaies at commaund ; a barre betweene three crusty rolls at hand : and for his crest with froth there does appeare , dextra paw elevant a lugg of beare . now that it may the more easily be understood , i have here endeavoured to set it forth in these illustrations following pigmalion was an image maker , who doteing on his owne perfection in making the image of venus , grew to be amazed man , like our gentleman here of the first head : and by the figure antonomasia is hee herein exemplified . hee was translated from a tombe maker , to be the tapster at hell ( which is in westminster under the exchequer office ( for benefit of the meanes ) hee translated himselfe into new england : whereby the help of beaver , and the commaund of a servant or two , hee was advanced to the title of a gentleman ; where i left him to the exercise of his guifts . chap. xxv . of the manner hovv the seperatists doe pay debts to them that are vvithout . there was an honest man , one mr. innocence fairecloath , by mr. mathias charterparty , sent over into new canaan , to raise a very good marchantable commodity for his benefit ; for whiles the man was bound by covenant to stay for a time , and to imploy such 〈◊〉 , as did there belong to mr. charterparty , 〈◊〉 disdained the tenents of the seperatists : and they 〈◊〉 ( finding him to be none , ) disdained to be imploye●●y a carnall man ( as they termed him ) and sought occasion against him , to doe him a mischeife , intelligence was conveyed to mr. charterparty , that this man was a member of the church of england : and therefore ( in their account ) an enemy to their church , & state . and ( to the end they might have some coloure against him ) some of them practised to get into his debte ; which hee not mistrusting suffered : and gave credit for such commodity as hee had sold at a price . when the day of payment came , insteede of monyes ; hee being at that time sick and weake , and stood in neede of the beaver hee had contracted for hee , had an epistle full of zealous exhortations , to provide for the soule , and not to minde these transitory things that perished with the body ; and to be thinke himselfe whether his conscience would be so prompt to demaund so greate a somme of beaver as had bin contracted for . hee was further exhorted therein , to consider hee was but a steward for a time , and by all likely hood was going to to give up an accompt of his stewardship : and therfore perswaded the creditor not to load his conscience with such a burthen , which hee was bound by the gospell to ease him of ( if it were possible ) & for that cause hee had framed this epistle in such a freindly maner to put him in minde of it . the perusall of this ( lap'd in the paper ) was as bad as a portion , to the creditor , to see his debtor mast●r subtilety a zealous professor ( as hee thought ) to deride him in this extremity , that hee could not chuse ( in ad●iration of the deceipt ) but cast out these words : a●e th●se youre members ? if they be all like these i beleeve the divell was the setter up of their church . this was called in question , when mr. fairecloath least thought of it . capt. littleworth must be the man must presse it against him , for blasphemy against the church of salem : and to greate iosua temperwell hee goes with a bitter accusation , to have master innocence made an example for all carnall men , to presume to speake the least word that might tend to the dishonor of the church of salem ; yea the mother church of all that holy land. and hee convented was before their synagoge , where no defence would serve his turne , yet was there none to be seene to accuse him , save the court alone . the time of his sicknes , nor the urgent cause , were not allowed to be urg'd for him ; but whatsoever could be thought upon against him was urged , seeing hee was a carnall man of them , that are without . so that it seemes by those proceedings there , the matter wa● adjudged before he came : hee onely brought to hear● his sentence in publicke : which was , to have hi● tongue bored through ; his nose flit ; his face branded his eares cut ; his body to be whip'd in every several plantation of theire iurisdiction : and a fine of fort● pounds impos'd with perpetuall banishment : and ( to execute this vengeance , ) shackles ( the deacon o● charles towne ) was as ready as mephostophiles when doctor faustus was bent upon mischeife . hee is the purser generall of new canaan , wh● ( with his whipp , with knotts most terrible ) takes thi● man unto the counting howse : there capitulates wit● him , why hee should be so hasty for payment , whe● gods deare children must pay as they are able : an● hee weepes , and sobbes , and his handkercher walke as a signe of his sorrow for master fairecloaths sinne that he should beare no better affection to the churc● and the saints of new canaan : and strips innocenc● the while ; and comforts him . though hee be made to stay for payment , he should not thinke it longe ; the payment would b● sure when it did come , and hee should have his due t● a doite ; hee should not wish for a token more ; an● then tould it him downe in such manner , that he● made fairecloaths innocent back , like the pictur● of rawhead and blowdy bones : and his shirte like 〈◊〉 pudding wifes aperon . in this imployment shackles ●akes a greate felitity , and glories in the practise of it : this cruell sentence was stoped , in part by sir christopher gardiner ( then presentat the execution ) by expostulating with master temperwell : who was content ( with that whipping , and the cutting of parte of his eares ) to send innocence going , with the losse of all his goods to pay the fine imposed , and perpetuall banishment out of their lands of new canaan in terrorem populi . loe this is the payment you shall get , if you be one of them they terme , without . chap. xxvi . of the charity of the seperatists . charity is sayd to be the darling of religion and is indeed the marke of a good christian : but where we doe finde a commission for ministring to the necessity of the saints , we doe not finde any prohibition against casting our bread upon the waters , where the unsanctified , as well as the sanctified , are in possibility to make use of it . i cannot perceave that the seperatists doe allowe of helping our poore though they magnify their practi●● in contributing to the nourishment of their saints for a● much as some that are of the number of those whom ●hey terme without ( though it were in case of sicknesse ) upon theire l●nding , when a little fresh victuals would have recovered their healths , yet could they not finde any charitable assistance from thē . nay mine host of ma-re-mount ( if hee might have had the use of his gunne powther , and shott , and his dogg ▪ which were denied ) hee doubtles would have preserved , such poore helples wretches as were neglected by those that brought them over ; which was so appara●t ( as it seemed ) that one of their owne tribe said : the death of them would be required at some bodies hands one day , ( meaning master temperwell . but such good must not come from a carnall man : if it come from a member , then it is a sanctified worke ; if otherwise , it is rejected , as unsanctified . but when shackles wife , and such as had husbands parents , or freinds happened to bee sick , mine hosts helpe was used , and instruments provid●d for him , ●o kill fresh vittell with ( wherein hee was industrious ) and the persons , having fresh vittell , lived . so doubtles might many others have bin preserved , but they were of the number left without ; neither will those precise people admit a carnall man into their howses , though they have made use of his in the like case , they are such antagonists to ●hose , that doe not comply with them and seeke to be admitted , to be of their church that in scorne they say : you may see what it is to be without . chap. xxvii . of the practise of their church . the church of the seperatists , is governed by pastors , elders , and deacons , and there is not any of these ( thouh hee be but a cow keeper ) but is allowed to exercise his guifts , in the publik assembly on the lords day ; so as hee doe not make use of any notes for the helpe of his memory : for such things they say smell of lampe oyle , and there must be no such unsavery perfume admitted , to come into the congregation . these are all publike preachers . there is amongst these people a deakonesse made of the sisters , that uses her guifts at home in an assembly of her sexe , by way of repetition , or exhortation : such is their practise . the pastor ( before hee is allowed of ) must disclaime his former calling to the ministry , as hereticall ; and take a new calling after their fantasticall inventions : and then hee is admitted to bee their pastor . the manner of disclaimeing is , to renounce hi● calling with bitter execrations , for the time that hee hath heretofore lived in it : and after his new election , there is great joy conceaved at his commission . and theire pastors have this preheminence above the civile magistrate : hee must first consider of the complaint , made against a member : and if hee be disposed to give the partie complained of , an admonition , there is no more to be said : if not ; hee delivers him over to the magistrate to deale with him , in a course of iustice , according to theire practise , in cases of that nature . of these pastors i have not knowne many : some i have observed ; together with theire carriage in new canaan : and can informe you what opinion hath bin conceaved of theire conditions , in the perticuler . there is one who ( as they give it out there , that thinke they speake it to advaunce his worth ) has bin expected to exercise his gifts in an assembly , that stayed his comming , ( in the middest of his iorney ) falls into a fitt ( which they terme a zealous meditation ) and was . miles past the place appointed , before hee came to him selfe , or did remember where abouts hee went. and how much these things are different from the actions of mazed men , i leave to any indifferent man to judge : and if i should say , they are all much alike , they that have seene and heard , what i have done will not condemme mee altogether . now , for as much as by the practise of theire church every elder or deacon may preach : it is not amisse to discover their practise in that perticuler , before i part with them . it has bin an old saying , and a true , what is bred in the bone , will not out of the flesh , nor the stepping into the pulpit that can make the person fitt for the imployment . the unfitnes of the person undertaking to be the messenger , has brought a blemi●h upon the message , as in the time of lewes the eleventh king of france ; who ( having advaunced his barber to place of honor , and graced him with eminent titles ) made him so presumptuous , to undertake an embassage to treat with forraine princes of civile affaires . but what was the issue ? hee behaved himselfe so unworthily ( yet as well as his breeding would give him leave ) that both the messenger and the message were despised ; and had not hee ( being discovered ) conveyed himselfe out of their territories , they had made him pay for his barbarous presumption . socrates sayes , loquere ut te videam . if a man observe these people in the exercise of their gifts , hee may thereby discerne the tincture of their proper calling , the asses eares will peepe through the lyons hide . i am sorry they cannot discerne their owne infirmities i will deale fairely with them ; for i will draw their pictures cap a pe , that you may discerne them plainely from head to foote in their postures that so much bewitch ( as i may speake with mo●esty , ) these illiterate people to be so fantasticall , to take ionas taske upon them without sufficient warrant . one steps up like the minister of iustice with the ballance onely , not the sword for feare of affrighting his auditory . hee poynts at a text , and handles it as evenly as hee can ; and teaches the auditory , that the thing hee has to deliver ; must be well waied , for it is a very pretious thing , yet much more pretious then gold , or pearle : and hee will teach them the meanes how to way things of that excellent worth : that a man would suppose , hee , and his auditory were to part stakes by the scale ; and the like distribution they have used about a bag pudding . another ( of a more cutting disposition ) steps in his steed ; and hee takes a text , which hee devides into many parts : ( to speake truly ) as many as hee list . the fag end of it hee pares away , as a superfluous remnant . hee puts his auditory in comfort , that hee will make a garment for them : and teach them how they shall put it on ; and incourages them to be in love with it , for it is of such a fashion as doth best become a christian man. hee will assuer them that it shall be armor of proffe against all assaults of satan . this garment ( sayes hee ) is not composed as the garments made by a carnall man , that are sowed with a hot needle , and a burning thread ; but it is a garment that shall out last all the garments : and ( if they will make use of it , as hee shall direct them ) they shall be able like saint george ) to terrifie the greate dragon error ; and defend truth which error with her wide chaps , would devoure : whose mouth shall be filled with the shredds , and parings , which hee continually gapes for under the cutting bourd . a third , hee supplies the rome : ●nd in the exercise of his guifts begins with a text ●hat is drawne out of a fountaine , that has in it no dreggs of popery . this shall proove unto you ( says hee ) the cup of repentance ; it is not like unto the cup of the whore of babilon , who will make men drunk with the dreggs thereof : it is filled up to the brim with comfortable joyce , and will proove a cordiall , a comfortable cordiall to a sick soule , ( sayes hee , ) and so hee handles the matter as if hee dealt by the pinte , and the quarte with nic and froth . an other ( a very learned man indeed ) goes another way to worke with his auditory ; and exhorts them to walke upright , in the way of their calling , and not ( like carnall men ) tread awry . and if they should fayle in the performance of that duety , yet they should seeke for amendement whiles it was time ; and tells them , it would bee to late to seek for help , when the shop windowes were shutt up : and pricks them forward with a freindly admonition , not to place theire delight in worldly pleasures , which will not last , but in time will come to an end . but so to handle the matter , that they may be found to wax better and better , and then they shall be doublely rewarded for theire worke : and so closes up the matter in a comfortable manner . but stay : here is one stept up in haste , and ( being not minded to hold his auditory in expectation of any long discourse , ) hee takes a text ; and ( for brevities sake , ) divides it into one part : and then runnes so fast a fore with the matter , that his auditory cannot follow him . doubtles his father was some irish footeman , by his speede it seemes so . and it may be at the howre of death , the sonne being present did participat of his fathers nature , ( according to pithagoras ) and so the vertue of his fathers nimble feete ( being infused into his braines ) might make his tongue outrunne his wit. well , if you marke it , these are speciall gifts indeede : which the vulgar people are so taken with , that there is no perswading them that it is so ridiculous . this is the meanes , ( o the meanes , ) that they pursue : this that comes without premeditation : this is the suparlative : and hee that does not approove of this , they say is a very reprobate . many vnwarrantable tenents they have likewise : some of which being come to my knowledge i wil here set downe , one wherof being in publicke practise maintained , is more notorious then the rest . i will therefore beginne with that and convince them of manifest error by the maintenance of it , which is this : that it is the magistrates office absolutely ( and not the minsters ) to joyne the people in lawfull matrimony . and for this they vouch the history of ruth , saying boas was married to ruth in presence of the elders of the people . herein they mistake the scope of the text . . that it is a relique of popery to make use of a ring in marriage : and that it is a diabolicall circle for the divell to daunce in . . that the purification used for weomen after delivery is not to be used . . that no child shall be baptised , whose parents are not receaved into their church first . . that no person shall be admitted to the sacrament of the lords supper that is without . . that the booke of common prayer is an idoll and all that use it , idolaters . . that every man is bound to beleeve a professor upon his bare affirmation onely , before a protestant upon oath . . that no person hath any right to gods creatures , but gods children onely who are themselves ▪ and that all others are but usurpers of the creatures . . and that for the generall good of their church , and common wealth they are to neglect father , mother and all freindship . . much a doe they keepe about their church discipline , as if that were the most essentiall part of their religion , tythes are banished from thence , all except the tyth of muit and commin . . they differ from us some thing in the creede too , for if they get the goods of one , that is without , into their hands ; hee shall be kept without remedy for any satisfaction : and they beleeve , that this is not cosenage . . and lastly they differ from us , in the manner of praying ; for they winke when they pray , because they thinke themselves so perfect in the highe way to heaven , that they can find it blindfould : so doe not i. chap. xxviii . of their policy in publik iustice. now that i have anottomized , the two extreame parts of this politique commonwealth the head & the inferior members , i will shew you the hart & reade a short lecture over that too ; which is iustice. i have a petition to exhibit to the highe & mighty mr. temperwell ; and i have my choise whether i shall make my plaint in a case of conscience , or bring it with in the compas of a point in law . and because i will goe the surest way to worke , at first , i will see how others are answered in the like kinde , whether it be with hab or nab , as the iudge did the countryman . here comes mr. hopewell : his petition is in a case of conscience ( as hee sayes . ) but see great iosua allowes conscience to be of his side : yet cuts him off ; with this answere : law is flat against him . well let me see another . i marry : here comes one master doubt not : his matter depends ( i am sure ) upon a point in law : alas what will it not doe , looke yet it is affirmed that law is on his side : but conscience ( like a blanket over ) spreades it . this passage is like to the procustes of roome mee thinks : and therefore i may very well say of them . even so by racking out the joynts & chopping of the head , procustes fitted all his guests unto his iron bedd . and if these speede no better , with whome they are freinds , that neither finde law nor conscience to helpe them : i doe not wonder to see mine host of ma-re-mount speede so ill , that has bin proclaimed an enemy so many yeares in new canaan , to their church and state. chap. xxix . hovv mine host vvas put into a vvhales belly . the seperatists ( after they had burned ma-re-mount , they could not get any shipp to undertake the carriage of mine host from thence , either by faire meanes , or fowle , ) they were inforced ( contrary to their expectation ) to be troubled with his company : and by that meanes had time to consider more of the man , then they had done of the matter : wherein at length it was discovered , that they ( by meanes of their credulity of the intelligence given them in england of the matter , and the false carecter of the man ) had runne themselves headlonge into an error : and had done that on a sodaine , which they repented at leasure : but could not tell which way to help it as it stood now . they could debate upon it ; and especially upon two difficult points , whereof one must be concluded upon . if they sent mine host a way by banishment , hee is in possibility to survive , to their disgrace for the injury done : if they suffer him to stay , & put him in statu quo prius , all the vulgar people will conclude they have bin too rashe in burning a howse that was usefull , and count them men unadvised . so that it seemes ( by theire discourse about the matter ) they stood betwixt hawke and bussard : and could not tell which hand to incline unto . they had sounded him secretly : hee was content with it , goe which way it would . nay shackles himselfe , ( who was imployed in the burning of the howse , and therefore feared to be caught in england ) and others were so forward in putting mine host in statu quo prius , after they had found their error , ( which was so apparent that luceus eies would have served to have found it out in lesse time ) that they would contribute . shillings a peece towards it ; and affirmed , that every man according to his ability that had a hand in this black designe should be taxed to a contribution in like nature : it would be done exactly . now ( whiles this was in agitation , & was well urged by some of those partys , to have bin the upshot ) unexpected ( in the depth of winter , when all shipps were gone out of the land ) in comes m● . wethercock a proper mariner ; and they said ; he could observe the winde : blow it high , blow it low , hee was resolved to lye at hull rather than incounter such a storme as mine host had met with : and this was a man for their turne . hee would doe any office for the brethren , if they ( who hee knew had a strong purse , and his conscience waited on the strings of it , if all the zeale hee had ) would beare him out in it : which they professed they would . hee undertakes to ridd them of mine host by one meanes or another . they gave him the best meanes they could , according to the present condition of the worke ; and letters of credence to the favoures of that sect in england ; with which ( his busines there being done , and his shipp cleared ) hee hoyst the sayles , and put to sea : since which time mine host has not troubled the brethren , but onely at the counsell table : where now sub indice lis est . chap. xxx . of sir christopher gardiner knight , and hovv hee spedd amongst the seperatists . sir christopher gardiner , ( a knight , that had bin a traveller , both by sea and land ; a good judicious gentleman in the mathematticke , and other sciences usefull for plantations kimistry , &c. and also being a practicall enginer ) came into those parts , intending discovery . but the seperatists love not those good parts , when they proceede from a carnall man ( as they call every good protestant , ) in shorte time had found the meanes to pick a quarrell with him . the meanes is , that they pursue to obtaine what they aime at : the word is there the meanes . so that when they finde any man like to proove an enemy to their church , and state , then straight the meanes must be used for defence . the first precept in their politiques is , to defame the man at whom they aime . and then hee is a holy israelite in their opinions , who can spread that fame brodest , like butter upon a loafe : no matter how thin ; it will serve for a vaile : and then this man ( who they have thus depraved ) is a spotted uncleane leaper : hee must out , least hee pollute the land , and them that are cleane . if this be one of their guifts , then machevill had as good gifts as they . let them raise a scandall on any , though never so innocent ; yet they know it is never wiped cleane out : the staind marks remaines : which hath bin well observed by one , in these words of his : stick candles gainst a virgin walls white back : if they 'l not burne yet at the least they 'l black . and thus they dealt with sir christopher : and plotted by all the wayes , and meanes they could , to overthrow his undertakings in those parts . and therefore i cannot chuse , but conclude , that these seperatists have speciall gifts : for they are given to envy , and malllice extremely . the knowledge of their defamacion could not please the gentleman well , when it came to his eare , which would cause him to make some reply , ( as they supposed ) to take exceptions at , as they did against faire cloath : & this would be a meanes , they thought , to blow the coale , and so to kindle a brand that might fire him out of the country too , and send him after mine host of ma-re-mount . they take occasion ( some of them ) to come to his howse when hee was gone up into the country : and finding hee was from home ) so went to worke , that they left him neither howse , nor habitation , nor servant , nor any thing to help him , if hee should retorne : but of that they had noe hope ( as they gave it out ) for hee was gone ( as they affirmed ) to leade a salvage life ; and for that cause tooke no company with him : and they , having considered of the matter , thought it not fit that any such man should live in so remoate a place , within the compas of their patent . so they fired the place ; and carried away the persons , and goods . sir christopher was gone with a guide ( a salvage ) into the inland parts for discovery : but , before hee was returned , hee met with a salvage that told the guide , sir christopher would be killed : master temperwell ( who had now found out matter against him ) would have him dead , or alive . this hee related ; and would have the gentleman not to goe to the place appointed , because of the danger , that was supposed . but sir christopher was nothing dismaid : hee would on , whatsoever come of it ; and so met with the salvages : and betweene them was a terrible skermish : but they had the worst of it , and hee scaped well enough . the guide was glad of it , and learnd of his fellowes that they were promised a great reward , for what they should doe in this imployment . which thing ( when sir christopher understood , ) hee gave thanks to god ; and after ( upon this occasion , to sollace himselfe ) in his table booke , hee composed this sonnet , which i have here inserted for a memoriall . the sonnet . wolfes in sheeps clothing why will ye , think to deceave god that doth see , your simulated sartity . for my part i doe wish you could , your owne infirmities behold , for then you would not be so bold , like sophists why will you dispute , with wisdome so , you doe confute , none but your selves : for shame be mute . least great jehovah with his powre , do come upon you in an howre , when you least think and you devoure . this sonnet the gentleman composed , as a testimony of his love towards them , that were so ill affected towards him ; from whome they might have receaved much good , if they had bin so wise to have imbraced him in a loving fashion . but they despise the helpe , that shall come from a carnall man ( as they termed him ) who ( after his retorne from those designes ) finding how they had used him with such disrespect , tooke shipping , and disposed of himselfe for england , and discovered their practises in those parts towards his majesties true harted subjects , which they made wery of their aboade in those parts . chap. xxxi . of mine host of ma-re-mount hovv hee played ionas after hee had bin in the whales belly for a time . mi●e host of ma-re-mount being put to sea , had delivered him , for his releefe by the way , ( because the s●ipp was unvitteled , and the seamen put to straight allowance , which could hold out , but to the canaries ) a part of his owne provision , being two moneths proportion , in all but . small peeces of porke ; which made him expect to be famished before the voyage should be ended , by all likelyhood . yet hee thought hee would make one good meale , before hee died : like the colony servant in virginea , that before hee should goe to the gallowes ) called to his wife to set on the loblolly pot , and let him have one good meale before hee went ; who had committed a petty crime , that in those dayes , was made a cappitall offence . and now mine host being merrily disposed , on went the peeces of porke , where with hee feasted his body , and cherished the poore sailers : and got out of them what mr. wethercock , their master purposed to doe with him that hee had no more provision : & along they sailed from place to place , from iland to iland , in a pittifull wether beaten ship ; where mine host was in more dainger ( without all question ) then ionas , when hee was in the whales belly ; and it was the great mercy of god that they had not all perished . vittelled they were but for a moneth when they wayd ancor , and left the first port . they were a pray for the enemy for want of powther , if they had met them : besides the vessell was a very slugg , and so unserviceable , that the master called a counsell of all the company in generall , to have theire opinions , which way to goe , and how to beare the helme , who all under their hand affirmed the shipp to be unserviceable : so that in fine the master , and men , and all were at their wits end about it : yet they imployed the carpenters to search , and caulke her sides , and doe theire best whiles they were in her . nine moneths they made a shifte to use her , and shifted for supply of vittells at all the islands they touched at ; though it were so poorely , that all those helpes , and the short allowance of a bisket a day , and a few lymons taken in at the canaries , served but to bring the vessell in view of the lands end . they were in such a desperat case , that ( if god in his greate mercy had not favoured them , and disposed the windes faire untill the vessell was in plimmouth roade , ) they had without question perished ; for when they let drop an anchor , neere the island of s. michaels not one bit of foode left for all that starving allowance of this wretched wethercock ; that if hee would have lanched out his beaver , might have bought more vittells in new england then he & the whole ship with the cargazoun was worth , ( as the passingers hee carried who vittelled themselves affirmed , ) but hee played the miserable wretch , & had possessed his men with the contrary ; who repented them of waying anchor before they knew so much . mine host of ma-re-mount ( after hee had bin in the whales belly ) was set a shore to see if hee would now play ionas , s● metamorphosed with a longe voyage , that hee looked like lazarus in the painted cloath . but mine host ( after due consideration of the premisses ) thought it fitter for him to play ionas in this kinde , then for the seperatists to play ionas in that kinde as they doe . hee therefore bid wethercock tell the seperatists , that they would be made in due time to repent those malitious practises , and so would hee too ; for hee was a seperatist amongst the seperatists as farre as his wit would give him leave ; though when hee came in company of basket makers , hee would doe his indevoure to make them pinne the basket , if hee could , as i have seene him . and now mine host being merrily disposed , haveing past many perillous adventures in that desperat whales belly , beganne in a posture like ionas , and cryed repent you cruell seperatists repent , there are as yet but . dayes if iove vouchsafe to thunder , charter and the kingdome of the seperatists will fall a sunder : repent you cruell schismaticks repent . and in that posture hee greeted them by letters retorned into new canaan ; and ever ( as opportunity was fitted for the purpose ) he was both heard & seene in the posture of ionas against thē crying repent you cruel seperatists , repent , there are as yet but . dayes if iove vouchsafe to thunder . the charter and the kingdome of the seperatists will fall a sunder : repent you cruell schismaticks repent ; if you will heare any more of this proclamation meete him at the next market towne , for cynthius aurem vellet . a table of the contents of the three bookes . the tenents of the first booke . chapter . prooving new england the principall part of all america and most commodious and fit for habitation and generation . chapter . of the originall of the natives . chapter . of a great martallity happened amongst the natives . chapter . of their howses and habitations . chapter . of their religion . chapter . of the indians apparrell . chapter . of their childbearing . chapter . of their reverence and respect to age . chapter . of their juggelling tricks . chapter . of their duelles . chapter . of the maintenance of their reputation . chapter . of their traffick and trade one with another . chapter . of their magazines and storehowses . chapter . of theire subtilety . chapter . of their admirable perfection in the use of their sences . chapter . of their acknowledgement of the creation and immortality of the soule . chapter . of their annalls and funeralls . chapter . of their custome in burning the country . chapter . of their inclination to drunckennes . chapter . of ther philosophicall life . the tenents of the second booke . chap. . the generall survey of the country . chap. . what trees are there and how commodious . chap. . what potherbes are there and for sallets . chap. . of the birds , of the aire and fethered fowles . chap. . of the beasts , of the forrest . chap. . of stones and mineralls . chap. . of the fishes and what commodity they proov● . chap. . of the goodnes of the country and the fountaines . chap. . a perspective to view the country by . chap. . of the great lake of erocoise . the tenents of the third booke . chap. . of a great legue made betweene the salvages and english. chap. . of the entertainement of master westons people . chap. . of a great battaile fought betweene the english and the indians . chap. . of a parliament held at wessaguscus . chap. . of a massacre made upon the salvages . chap. . of the surprizing of a marchants shipp . chap. . of thomas mortons entertainement and wrack . chap. . of the banishment of iohn layford , and iohn oldam . chap. . of a barren doe of virginea growne fruithfull . chap. . of the master of the ceremonies . chap. . of a composition made for a salvages theft . chap. . of a voyage made by the master of the ceremonies for beaver . chap. . a lamentable fitt of mellancolly cured . chap. . the revells of new canaan . chap. . of a great monster supposed to be at ma-re-mount . chap. . how the nine worthies of new canaan put mine host of ma-●e-mount into an inchaunted castle . chap. . of the baccanall triumphe of new canaan . chap. . of a doctor made at a commencement . chap. . of the silencing of a minister . chap. . of a practise to get a snare to hemper mine host of ma-re-mount . chap. · of captaine littleworths devise for the purchase of beaver , chap. . of a sequestration in new canaan . chap. . of a great bonfire made in new canaan . chap. . of the digradinge and creatinge of gentry . chap. . of the manner how the seperatists pay their debts . chap. . of the charity of the seperatists . chap. . of the practise of their church . chap. . of their po●icy in publick iustice. chap. . how mine host was put into a whales belly . chap. . how sir christopher gardiner knight speed amongst the sep●ratists . chap. . how mine host of ma-re-mount played jonas after hee got out of the whales belly . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e vse of vegetatives . fish poysonous about the isle of sall. zona temperata , the golden meane . salt aboundeth under the tropicks . raine . dayes about august betw●ene cancer and the line . capt davis froze to death . groene land too cold for habitation . sir ferdinando gorges the originall cause of plantinge new england . the salvages dyed of the plague , new engl. is placed in the golden meane . new england . degrees neerer the line then ●ld england . the massachussets in the middel of new engl. the windes not so violent in new england . the natives have a mixed language . pasco pan greedy gutt . mona an island . cos a whetstone . pan the shepheards god. not to proceede from the tartar● . no part of america knowne to be neare tartary . why brutus left latium . two nations meetinge make a mixt language . daedalus the first that used sayles . icarus the second that used sayles . troy destroyed about sauls time . the loadstone in salomons time . five frechmen kept by the salvages . the plague fell on the indians . the livinge not able to bury the dead . . sam. . the indians make good lether . indians ingenious workemen for their garments . the modesty of the indian men . indians travaile with materials to strike fire at all times . the indians ashamed of their nakednesse . the women big with child , very laborious . children bathed to staine the skinne . age honoured among the indian● a salvage entertained a factor . an english man cured of a swelling how the salvages performe theire duells . trees marked where they performe a duell . a marriage . an ambassage sent from papasiquin●o to his sonne in law , a sachem . beads in stead of money . the name of their beads wampampeak . what care they take , to lay up corne for winter . they begg salte of th● english. they trade away beavers skinnes for corne . a beaver skinne with his tayle on of great estimecion . a subtile plot of a sachem . a salvage scared . a salvage that had lived . moneths in england , sent for an ambassador . a good opportunity of of traffick lost by the subtility of a sachem . the salvages have the sence of seeinge better then the english . salvages that will distinguish a spaniard from a frenchman by the smell of the hand . a d●are pursued by the view of the , foote , hee was found and killed . the beleefe of the salvages . the sonne called kytan . a salvage desired to have his sonn brought up to learne the booke of common prayer . their custom in burryinge . their manner of monuments . at burrials , they black their faces . the salvages fire the country twice a yeare . the salvag●s want the art of navigation they leade a happy life , being voyd of care . they make use of ordinary things , one of anothers as common . notes for div a -e a famous country . their fountaines are as cleare as cristall . greate store of fowles , fish and turtle-doves . . oake . . ashe . . elme . . beech. . wallnut . . chestnuts . . pine. . cedar . . cypres . . spruce . the spruce of this country are found to be . & . fadum aboute . . alder. . birch . . maple . . elderne . . hawthorne . . vines . . plummes . . cherries . roses . . sassafras and . sa●saperilla . potmarioram , tyme , alexander , angellica , pursland , violets , and anniseeds , hunnisuckles and balme . swannes . geese ●ide , white , and gray . fethers pay for powther and shott . ducks pide , gray , & black teales greene and blew . widggens . simpes . sanderlings . cranes . turkies . pheisants . partridges bigger in body as those of england . quailes bigger in body as those in england . the larkes sing not . owles . the crowes smell & tast of muske in summer , but not in winter hawkes of fiue sorts . a lannaret . fawcons . goshawkes well shaped marlins small and greate . sparhawkes . a hunning bird , i● as small as a beetle . his bill as sharp as a needle point , and his fethers like silke . deare of . kindes . mose or red deare . mose or deare greater then a horse , the height of them . handfulles . they bringe forth thr●e faunes at one time . they make go●d l●ther of the hides of deare . the midling deare or fallow deare . trappes to catch the deare . the humbles was the doggs fee. roe bucks or rayne deare . wolfes pray upon deare . beaver . the beavers cut downe trees , with hi● fore teeth . beaver at . shill. a pound . in . yeares one man gott together . . p. in good gold . the otter in winter hath a furre as black as iett . the luseran as bigg as a hound . the martin is about the bignesse of a fox . racowne . the foxes red and gray . the wolfes of diverse coloures . the skin of a black wolfe , a present for a prince . the beares afraid of a man. the salvages seeing a beare chase him like a dogg and kill him . muske-washe . porcupines . hedghoggs . conyes of severall sorts . squirils of three sorts . a flying squirill . snakes . the rattle snakes . mise . lyons alwaies in hot clymats , not in cold . marble . limestone . chalk . slate . whetstones . loadstones . ironstones . lead . black lead . read lead . boll . vermilion . brimstone . tinne . copper . silver . codd . . shipps at one time for codd . oyle mayd of the livers of the codd . a . basse sould for . p. mackarell are baite for basse. sturgeon . salmon . herrings . great plenty of eeles . smelts . shadds or allizes taken to dunge ground . turbut or hallibut . plaice . hake . pilchers . lobsters . oysters . mustles . clames . raser fish . freele . fresh fish , trouts , carpes , breames , pikes , roches , perches , tenches and eeles , foode and fire . noe boggs . perfumed aire with sweet herbes . of waters . the cure of melanc●lly at ma remount the cure of barr●nnesse . water procuri●g a dead sleepe . new engl. excels canaan in f●untaines . milke and hony supplied . a plaine paralell to canaan . the request for the nomination of new canaan . the soyle . the grouth of hempe . the aire . no cold cough or murre . the plenty of the land. windes . raine . the coast harboures , scituation . the nomination . fowle innumerable . multitudes of fish. the prime place of new canaan . canada , so named of monsier de cane . patomack . great heards of beasts as bigg as cowes henry ioseline imployed for discovery . the dutch have a great trade of beaver in hudsons river . the passage to the east-indies . the country of erocois as fertile as delta in aegypt . notes for div a -e a salvage sent an ambassador to the english at their first comminge . the sachem feared the plague . court holy bread at pimmouth . the sachems oration . a spirit mooving the sachem to warre . the grand captaine makes a speech . the mine battaile . the feild wonne by the english. some lazy people . a lusty fellow . a poore complaint . edward iohnson a cheife iudge . maide a hainous fact . a fine device a wise sentence . to hange a sickman in the others steede . very fit iustice. a dangerous attempt . iestinge turned to earnest . good quarter with the salvages . a plott from plimmouth . salvages killed with their one weapons . newes carried . a revenge . the salvages call the english ●utthroates . the merchant with supply , a glosse upon the false text where two nations meet one must rule the other must be ruled or no quietnes . a machivell plot . the vaile . shipp and goodes confiscated . when every conspirator had his share the shipp delivered againe . bonds taken not to prosecute . report mr. weston was mad in new england . honest men in particular . brave entertainement in a wildernes . the meanes . booke learning despised villanous plots of knaves . prevented by discretion and discovered in drinke and discovered in drinke . the shallop billedged . two men of the company cast away swim to shore upon trees . a minister required to renounce his callinge . impatience confuted by example . new plimmouth presse money . the solemnity of banishment . a great happines comes by propagation . more childr●n in new canaan in . yeares , then in virginea in . delivered neare bussards bay . dead and buried . stenography one guift . oratory another guift . a great merchant a third guift . his day made a common prouerbe . trophies of honor . his long grace made the meat cold . the salvages betake the howse & take the corne. a dishonest tricke . a consenting tricke . the heathen more just , then the christians . two salvage guides conduct iohn , to neepenett alone . they take a note of , what was in the sa●k . mr. bubble must be found againe or else they shall be destroyed , not any thing diminished . shee cannot one the sodaine r●so●ve which dore to goe in all . a maypole . the man who brought her over was named samson iob. the maypole called an idoll the calfe of horeb , cor. mine host got out of prison . the captain tore his clothes . mine host got home to ma-re mount hee provides for his enemies . a parly , captaine shrimpe promiseth , that no violence should bee offered to his person . the worthies rebuked for their unworthy practises . mine host set upon an island without any thing to shift for himselfe . master ben : iohnson . a councell called . this caiphas that condemneth covetousnesse , and committeth it himselfe . the generall collection made . noe cost spared for the getting of a skillfull man the heape of gold . mine host a●rived againe in plimmouth . charter party treasor●r . warrants made by capt. littleworth in his name . mine host subscribed not . the patent . all consented but mine host. insteed of proffit , disproffit . commission for corne . mine hosts corne & goods carried away by violence . men that come to ridd the land of pollution . a courte called about mine host. a divellish sentence against him . the salvages repro●ve them . epictetus summa to●ius philosophice . an elder . iosua displeased . master temperwell . put it this w●y . good payement . blasphe●● an example for carnall men . notable pay . lamecharity lewes the ii sent a barber embassador . the embassage despise● a grocer . a taylor . a tapste● . a cobler . a very patorick . tenent . . a proclamation by the president and council of his majestiy's [sic]territory & dominion of new-england in america territory and dominion of new-england. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing m estc w ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : or : ) a proclamation by the president and council of his majestiy's [sic]territory & dominion of new-england in america territory and dominion of new-england. sheet ([ ] p.) ; x cm. printed by richard pierce ..., boston, in n.e. : . signed: edward randolph secr'. "given from the council-house in boston this th day of may anno domini ." woodcut seal of colony at head. announcing that a president and council had been constituted over new england, and the appointment of joseph dudley, governor, following revocation of the massachusetts bay charter. dudley's administration ended after only seven months, in dec. , when sir edmund andros became governor. the dominion of new england was in existence only until . this item appears at reel : as wing m , and at reel : as wing ( nd ed.) p a. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng dudley, joseph, - . new england -- politics and government -- to . broadsides -- massachusetts -- boston -- th century - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - spi global rekeyed and resubmitted - john pas sampled and proofread - john pas text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a proclamation by the president and covncil of his majestiy's territory & dominion of new-england in america . whereas his most excellent majesty our soveraign lord james the second , king of england , scotland , france and ireland , defender of the faith &c. by commission or letters patents under his great seal of england , bearing date the eight day of october in the first of his reign hath been graciously pleased to erect and constitute a president and council to take care of all that his territory and dominion of new-england called the massachusets bay , the provinces of new-hampshire & main , and the narraganset countrey , otherwise called the kings-province , with all the islands , rights and members thereunto appertaining ; and to order rule and govern the same according to the rules , methods and regulations specified in the said commission : together with his majesties gracious indulgence in matters of religion . and for the execution of his royal pleasure in that behalf , his majesty hath been pleased to appoint joseph dudley esq to be the first president of his majesties said council , & vice-admiral of these seas . and to continue in the said offices until his majesty shall otherwise direct , & also to nominate & appoint william stoughton , esq now deputy-president , simon bradstreet , robert mason , john fitz-winthrope , john pynchon , peter bulkley , edward randolph , wait winthrope , richard wharton , john vsher , nathaniel saltonstal , bartholomew gidney , jonathan tyng , dudley bradstreet , john hinks , and edward tyng , esq 's to , be his majesties council in the said colony and territories . the president & council therefore being convened and having according to the direction & form of the said commission , taken their oathes and entered the government aforesaid ; and finding it needful , that speedy & effectual care be taken for the observation of his majesties commands , and particularly for the regulation and good government of the narraganset countrey or kings-province , which hath hitherto been unsettled . they the said president & council have resolved speedily to erect and settle a constant court of record upon the place ; and that the president , deputy-president , or some others of the members of his majesties council shall be present to give all necessary power and directions for establishing his majesties government there , and administration of justice to all his majesties subjects within the said narraganset countrey or kings-province , and all the islands , rights , and members thereof . and the said president & council have in the interim assigned richard smith esq james pendleton , and john fones gentlemen , justices to keep the peace of our soveraign lord the king and all his subjects : and also given commission to the said richard smith to be sergeant major , and chief commander of his majesties militia , both of horse & foot within the narraganset countrey or province , and all the islands rights and members thereof . therefore the said president & council doe hereby in his majesties name and by virtue of his said commission strictly require & command all other persons being or coming upon the place , to forbear the excercise of all manner of jurisdiction , authority , and power , and to cease all further proceedings for the allotments or divisions of land , or making any strip or waste upon any part of the said province , save only on each man 's stated propriety , except by licence obtained from the said court , or the president & council , until there shall be such effectual regulation and government established as is directed by his majesty . and the said president & council doe hereby henceforth discharge all his majesties subjects within the said narraganset countrey or kings province and all the islands , rights & members thereof from the government of the governour & company of connecticut & rhode-island and providence plantation , & all others pretending any power or jurisdiction . hereby charging & commanding all his majesties subjects to yeild ready & due obedience to the said justices of the peace , the sergeant major or chief commander of his majesties militia . and george weightman , thomas eldridge , thomas monford and william chaplin are hereby appointed & authorized present constables : and liberty given to the aforesaid justices to appoint so many more as they shall see needful to them , and to administer oathes unto the aforesaid constables & such as are to be ordeined . and all other persons are to be aiding & assisting unto them the said justices and constables in the execution and discharge of their respective offices , charges and trusts , as they will answer the contrary at their utmost peril . given from the council-house in boston this th day of may anno domini . annoque regni regis jacobi secundi secundo . by the president and council , edward randolph secr ' : god save the king boston , in n. e. printed by richard pierce , printer to the honourable his majesties president and council of this government . nevv-englands plantation. or, a short and true description of the commodities and discommodities of that countrey. written by mr. higgeson, a reuerend diuine now there resident. whereunto is added a letter, sent by mr. graues an enginere, out of new-england higginson, francis, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) nevv-englands plantation. or, a short and true description of the commodities and discommodities of that countrey. written by mr. higgeson, a reuerend diuine now there resident. whereunto is added a letter, sent by mr. graues an enginere, out of new-england higginson, francis, - . graves, thomas, enginere. the second edition [ ] p. printed by t. & r. cotes, for michael sparke, dwelling at the signe of the blew bible in greene arbor in the little old bailey, london : . signatures: [a]² b-d⁴. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng new england -- description and travel -- to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion new-englands plantation . or , a short and trve description of the commodities and discommodities of that countrey . written by mr. higgeson , a reuerend diuine now there resident . whereunto is added a letter , sent by mr. graues an enginere , out of new-england , the second edition enlarged . london , printed by t. & r. cotes , for michael sparke , dwelling at the signe of the blew bible in greene arbor in the little old bailey . . to the reader . reader , do not disdaine to reade this relation ; and looke not here to haue a large gate and no building within ; a full-stuffed title with no matter in the booke : but here reade the truth , and that thou shalt find without any frothy bumbasted words , or any quaint new-deuised additions , onely as it was written ( not intended for the presse ) by a reuerend diuine now there liuing , who onely sent it to some friends here , who were desirous of his relations ; which is an epitomy of their proceedings in the plantation . and for thy part if thou meanest to be no planter nor venturer , doe but lend thy good prayers for the furthrance of it . and so i rest a well-wisher to all the good designes both of them which are gone , and of them that are to goe . m. s. new-englands plantation . letting passe our voyage by sea , we will now begin our discourse on the shore of new-england . and because the life and wel-fare of euerie creature here below , and the commodiousnesse of the countrey whereas such creatures liue , doth by the most wise ordering of gods prouidence , depend next vnto himselfe , vpon the temperature and disposition of the foure elements , earth , water , aire and fire ( for as of the mixture of all these , all sublunarie thin●● are composed ; so by the more or lesse inioyment of the wholesome temper and conuenient vse of these , consisteth the onely well-being both of man and beast in a more or lesse comfortable measure in all countreys vnder the heauens ) therefore i will indeauour to shew you what new-england is by the consideration of each of these apart , and truly endeauour by gods helpe to report nothing but the naked truth , and that both to tell you of the discommodities as well as of the commodities , though as the idle prouerbe is● tra●ellers may lye by authoritie , and so may take too much sinfull libertie that way . yet i may say of my selfe as once nehemiah did in another case : shall such a man as i lye ? no verily : it becommeth not a preacher of truth to bee a writer of falshod in any degree : and therefore i haue beene carefull to report nothing of new-england but what i haue partly seene with mine owne eyes , and partly heard and inquired from the mouths of verie honest and religious persons , who by liuing in the countrey a good space of time haue had experience and knowledge of the state thereof , & whose testimonies i doe beleeue as my selfe . first therefore of the earth of new-england and all the appertenances thereof : it is a land of diuers and sundry sorts all about masathulets bay , and at charles riuer is as fat blacke earth as can be seene any where : and in other places you haue a clay soyle , in other grauell , in other sand●●●s it is all about our plantation at salem , for so our towne is now named , psal. . . the forme of the earth here in the superficies of it is neither too flat in the plainnesse ; nor too high in hils , but partakes of both in a mediocritie , and fit for pasture , or for plow or meddow ground , as men please to employ it : though all the countrey bee as it were a thicke wood for the generall , yet in diuers places there is much ground cleared by the indians , and especially about the plantation : and i am told that about three miles from vs a man may stand on a little hilly place and see diuers thousands of acres of ground as good as need to be , and not a tree in the same . it is thought here is good clay to make bricke and tyles and earthen-pots as needs to bee . at this instant we are setting a bricke-kill on worke to make brickes and tiles for the building of our houses . for stone , here is plentie of slates at the i le of slate in masathulets bay , and lime-stone , free-stone , and smooth-stone , and iron-stone , and marble-stone also in such store , that we haue great rockes of it , and a harbour hard by . our plantation is from thence called marble-harbour . of minerals there hath yet beene but little triall made , yet we are not without great hope of being furnished in that soyle . the fertilitie of the soyle is to be admired at , as appeareth in the aboundance of grasse that groweth euerie where both verie thicke , verie long , and verie high in diuers places : but it groweth verie wildly with a great stalke and a broad and ranker blade , because it neuer had been eaten with cattle , nor mowed with a sythe , and seldome trampled on by foot . it is scarce to be beleeued how our kine and goats , horses and hogges doe thriue and prosper here and like well of this countrey . in our plantation we haue already a quart of milke for a penny : but the aboundant encrease of corne proues this countrey to bee a wonderment . thirtie , fortie , fiftie , sixtie are ordinarie here : yea iosephs encrease in aegypt is out-stript here with vs. our planters hope to haue more then a hundred fould this yere : and all this while i am within compasse ; what will you say of two hundred fould and vpwards ? it is almost incredible what great gaine some of our english planters haue had by our indian corne. credible persons haue assured me , and the partie himselfe auouched the truth of it to me , that of the setting of gallons of corne hee hath had encrease of it hogsheads , euery hogshead holding seuen bushels of london measure , and euery bushell was by him sold and trusted to the indians for so much beauer as was worth shillings ; and so of this gallons of corne which was worth shillings & pence , he made about pounds of it the yeere following , as by reckoning will appeare : where you may see how god blessed husbandry in this land. there is not such great and plentifull eares of corne i suppose any where else to bee found but in this countrey : being also of varietie of colours , as red , blew and yellow , &c. and of one corne there springeth foure or fiue hundred . i haue sent you many eares of diuers colours that you might see the truth of it . little children here by setting of corne may earne much more then their owne maintenance . they haue tryed our english corne at new plimouth plantation , so that all our seuerall graines will grow here verie well , and haue a fitting soyle for their nature . our gouernour hath store of greene pease growing in his garden as good as euer i eat in england ▪ this countrey aboundeth naturally with store of roots of great varietie and good to eat . our turnips , parsnips and carrots are here both bigger and sweeter then is ordinarily to be found in england . here are also store of pumpions , cowcombers , and other things of that nature which i know not . also , diuers excellent pot-herbs grow abundantly among the grasse , as strawberrie leaues in all places of the countrey , and plentie of strawberries in their time , and penyroyall , wintersauerie , sorrell , brookelime , liuerwort , caruell and watereresses , also leekes and onions are ordinarie , and diuers physicall herbes . here are also aboundance of other sweet herbes delightfull to the smell , whose names we know not , &c. and plentie of single damaske roses verie sweet ; and two kinds of herbes that beare two kinds of flowers very sweet , which they say , are as good to make cordage or cloath as any hempe or flaxe we haue . excellent vines are here vp and downe in the woods . our gouernour hath already planted a vineyard with great hope of encrease . also , mulberries , plums , raspherries , corrance , chesnuts , filberds , walnuts , smalnuts , hurtleberies & hawes of whitethorne neere as good as our cherries in england , they grow in plentie here . for wood there is no better in the world i thinke , here being foure sorts of oke differing both in the lease , timber , and colour , all excellent good . there is also good ash , elme , willow , birch , beech , saxafras , iuniper ciprus , cedar , spruce , pines & firre that will yeeld abundance of turpentine , pitch , tarie , masts and other materials for building both of ships and houses . also here are store of sumacke trees , they are good for dying and tanning of leather , likewise such trees yeeld a precious gum called white beniamen , that they say is excellent for perfumes . also here be diuers roots and berries wherewith the indians dye excellent holding colours that no raine nor washing can alter . also , wee haue materials to make sope-ashes and salt-peter in aboundance . for beasts there are some beare● , and they say some lyons also ; for they haue been seen at cape a●●e . also here are seuerall sorts of deere , some whereof bring three or foure young ones at once , which is not ordinarie in england ▪ also wolues , foxes , beauers , otters , martins , great wild cats , & a great beast called a molke as bigge as an oxe . i haue seen the skins of all these beasts since i came to this plantation excepting lyons . also here are great store of squerrels , some greater , and some smaller and lesser : there are some of the lesser sort , they tell me , that by a certaine skin will fly from tree to tree though they stand farre distant . of the waters of new-england with the things belonging to the same . new-england hath water enough both salt and fresh , the greatest sea in the world , the atlanticke sea runs all along the coast thereof . there are abundance of ilands along the shore , some full of wood and mast to feed swine ; and others cleere of wood , and fruitfull to beare corne. also we haue store of excellent harbours for ships , as at cape anne , and at masathulets bay , and at salem , and at many other places : and they are the better because for strangers there is a verie difficult and dangerous passage into them , but vnto such as are well acquainted with them , they are easie and safe enough . the aboundance of sea. fish are almost beyond beleeuing , and sure i should scarce haue beleeued it except i had seene it with mine owne eyes . i saw great store of whales , and crampusse , and such aboundance of makerils that it would astonish one to behold , likewise cod-fish aboundance on the coast , and in their season are plentifully taken . there is a fish called a basse , a most sweet & wholesome fish as euer i did eat , it is altogether as good as our fresh sammon ; and the season of their comming was begun when wee came first to new-england in iune , and so continued about three 〈◊〉 space . of this fish our fishers take many hundreds together , which i haue seene lying on the shore to my admiration ; yea their n●ts ordinarily take more then they are able to ●ale to land , and for want of boats and men they are constrained to let a many goe after they haue taken them , and yet sometimes they fill two boats at a time with them . and besides basse wee take plentie of sca●e and thornbacke , and abundance of lobsters , and the least boy in the plantation may both catch and eat what he will of them . for my owne part i was soone cloyed with them , they were so great , and far , and lussious . i haue seene some my selfe that haue weighed pound , but others haue had diuers times so great lobsters as haue weighed pound , as they assure me . also here is abundance of herring , turbut , sturgion , cuskes , hadocks , mullets , eeles , crabs , muskles and oysters . beside there is probability that the countrey is of an excellent temper for the making of sa●●● for since our comming our fishermen haue brought home verie good salt which they found candied by the standing of the sea water and the heat of the sunne , vpon a rock by the sea shore : and in diuers salt marishes that some haue gone through , they haue found some salt in some places crushing vnder their feet and cleauing to their shooes . and as for fresh water the countrey is full of daintie springs , and some great riuers , and some lesser brookes ; and at masathulets bay they digged wels and found water at three foot deepe in most places : and neere salem they haue as fine cleare water as wee can desire , and we may digge wels and finde water where we list . thus wee see both land and sea abound with store of blessings for the comfortable sustenance of mans life in new-england . of the aire of new-england with the temper and creatures in it . the temper of the aire of new-england is one speciall thing that commends this place . experience doth manifest that there is hardly a more healthfull place to be found in the world that agreeth better with our english bodyes . many that haue beene weake and sickly in old england , by comming hither haue beene thoroughly healed and growne healthfull and strong . for here is an extraordinarie cleere and dry aire that is of a most healing nature to all such as are of a cold , melancholy , flegmatick , reumaticke temper of body . none can more truly speake hereof by their owne experience then my selfe . my friends that knew me can well tell how verie sickly i haue been and continually in physick , being much troubled with a tormenting paine through an extraordinarie weaknesse of my stomacke , and aboundance of melancholike humors ; but since i came hither on this voyage , i thanke god i haue had perfect health , and freed from paine and vomitings , hauing a stomacke to digest the hardest and coursest fare , who before could not eat finest meat ; and whereas my stomacke could onely digest and did require such drinke as was both strong and stale , now i can and doe often times drink new-england water verie well , and i that haue not gone without a cap for many yeeres together , neither durst leaue off the same , haue now cast away my cap , and doe weare none at all in the day time : and whereas before-time i cloathed my selfe with double cloathes and thicke wastcoats to keepe me warme , euen in the summer time , i doe now goe as thin clad as any , onely wearing a light stuffe cassocke vpon my shirt and stuffe breeches of one thicknesse without linings . besides , i haue one of my children that was formerly most lamentably handled with sore breaking out of both his hands and feet of the kings-euill , but since he came hither he is verie well ouer he was , and there is hope of perfect recouerie shortly , euen by the verie wholesomnesse of the aire , altering , digesting and drying vp the cold and crude humors of the body : and therefore i thinke it is a wise course for all cold complections to come to take physicke in new-england : for a sup of new-englands aire is better then a whole draught of old englands ale. in the summer time in the midst of iuly and august , it is a good deale hotter then in old england : and in winter , ianuary and february are much colder as they say : but the spring and autumne are of a middle temper . fowles of the aire are plentifull here , and of all sorts as we haue in england as farre as i can learne , and a great many of strange fowles which we know not . whilst i was writing these things , one of our men brought home an eagle which he had killed in the wood : they say they are good meat . also here are many kinds of excellent hawkes , both sea hawkes and land hawkes : and my selfe walking in the woods with another in company , sprung a partridge so bigge that through the heauinesse of his body could fly but a little way : they that haue killed them , say they are as bigge as our hens . here are likewise aboundance of turkies often killed in the woods , farre greater than our english turkies , and exceeding fat , sweet and fleshy , for here they haue aboundance of feeding all the yeere long , as strawberries , in summer all places are full of them , and all manner of berries and fruits . in the winter time i haue seene flockes of pidgeons , and haue eaten of them : they doe flye from tree to tree as other birds doe , which our pidgeons will not do in england : they are of all colours as ours are : but their wings and tayles are farr longer , and therefore it is likely they fly swifter to escape the terrible hawkes in this countrey . in winter time this countrey doth abound with wilde geese , wild ducks , and other sea fowle , that a great part of winter the planters haue eaten nothing but roastmeat of diuers fowles which they haue killed . thus you haue heard of the earth , water and aire of new-england , now it may bee you expect something to bee said of the fire proportionable to the rest of the elements . indeed i thinke new-england may boast of this element more then of all the rest : for though it bee heresomewhat cold in the winter , yet here we haue plenty of fire to warme vs , and that a great deale cheaper then they sel billets and faggots in london : nay , all europe is not able to afford to make so great fire as new-england . a poore seruant here that is to possesse but acres of land , may afford to giue more wood for timber & fire as good as the world yeelds , then many noble men in england can afford to do . here is good liuing for those that loue good fires . and although new-england haue no tallow to make candles of , yet by the abundance of the fish thereof , it can afford oyle for lampes . yea our pine-trees that are the most plentifull of all wood , doth allow vs plenty of candles , which are very vsefull in a house : and they are such candles as the indians commonly vse , hauing no other , and they are nothing else but the wood of the pine tree clouen in two little slices something thin , which are so full of the moysture of turpentine and pitch , that they burne as cleere as a torch . i haue sent you some of them that you may see the experience of them . thus of new-englands commodities , now i will tell you of some discommodities that are here to be found . first , in the summer season for these three months , iune , iuly , and august , we are troubled much with little flyes called musketoes , being the same they are troubled with in lincolneshiere and the fens : and they are nothing but gnats , which except they bee smoked out of their houses are troublesome in the night season . secondly , in the winter season for two months space , the earth is commonly couered with snow , which is accompanied with sharp biting frosts , something more sharpe then is in old england , and therefore are forced to make great fires . thirdly , this countrey being very full of woods , and wildernesses , doth also much abound with snakes and serpents of strange colours , and huge greatnesse : yea there are some serpents called rattle-snakes , that haue rattles in their tayles , that will not flye from a man as others will , but will flye vpon him and sting him so mortally , that hee will dye within a quarter of an houre after , except the partie stinged haue about him some of the root of an hearbe called snake weed to bite on , and then hee shall receiue no harme : but yet seldome fals it out that any hurt is done by these . about three yeeres since , an indian was stung to death by one of them , but wee heard of none since that time . fourthly and lastly , here wants as yet the good company of honest christians to bring with them horses , kine and sheepe to make vse of this fruitfull land : great pitty it is to see so much good ground for corne and for grasse as any is vnder the heauens , to lye altogether vnoccupied , when so many honest men and their families in old england through the populousnesse thereof , do make very hard shift to liue one by the other . now , thus you know what new-england is , as also with the commodities and discommodities thereof : now i will shew you a little of the inhabitants thereof , and their gouernment . for their gouernours they haue kings , which they call saggamores , some greater , and some lesser , according to the number of their subiects . the greatest saggamores about vs can not make aboue three hundred men , and other lesse saggamores haue not aboue fifteene subiects , and others neere about vs but two . their subiects aboue twelue yeeres since were swept away by a great & grieuous plague that was amongst them , so that there are verie few left to inhabite the countrey . the indians are not able to make vse of the one fourth part of the land , neither haue they any setled places , as townes to dwell in , nor any ground as they challenge for their owne possession , but change their habitation from place to place . for their statures , they are a tall and strong limmed people , their colours are tawny , they goe naked , saue onely they are in part couered with beasts skins on one of their shoulders , and weare something before their priuities : their haire is generally blacke , and cut before like our gentlewomen , and one locke longer then the rest , much like to our gentlemen , which fashion i thinke came from hence into england . for their weapons , they haue bowes and arrowes , some of them headed with bone , and some with brasse : i haue sent you some of them for an example . the men for the most part liue idlely , they doe nothing but hunt and fish : their wiues set their corne and doe all their other worke . they haue little houshold stuffe , as a kettle , and some other vessels like trayes , spoones , dishes and baskets . their houses are verie little and homely , being made with small poles pricked into the ground , and so bended and fastned at the tops , and on the sides they are matted with boughes , and couered on the roofe with sedge and old mats ▪ and for their beds that they take their rest on , they haue a mat. they doe generally professe to like well of our comming and planting here ; partly because there is abundance of ground that they cannot possesse nor make vse of , and partly because our being heere will bee a meanes both of reliefe to them when they want , and also a defence from their enemies , wherewith ( i said ) before this plantation begun , they were often indangered . for their religion , they doe worship two gods , a good god and an euill god : the good god they call tantum and their euill god whom they feare will doe them hurt , they call squantum . for their dealing with vs , we neither feare them nor trust them , for fourtie of our musketeeres will driue fiue hundred of them out of the field . we vse them kindly , they will come into our horses sometimes by halfe a douzen or halfe a score at a time when we are at victuals , but will aske or take nothing but what we giue them . we purpose to learne their language as soone as we can , which will be a meanes to do them good . of the present condition of the plantation , and what it is . when we came first to nethum kek , we found about halfe a score houses , and a faire house newly built for the gouerners , we found also aboundance of corne planted by them , verie good and well liking . and we brought with vs about two hundred passengers and planters more , which by common consent of the old planters were all combined together into one body pol●●icke , vnder the same gouernour . there are in all of vs both old and new planters about three hundred , whereof two hundred of them are setled at nehum-kek , now called salem : and the rest haue planted themselues at masathulets bay , beginning to build a towne there which we doe call cherton , or charles towne . we that are setled at salem make what haste we can to build houses , so that within a short time we shall haue a faire towne . we haue great ordnance , wherewith we doubt not but we shall fortifie our selues in a short time to keepe out a potent aduersarie . but that which is our greatest comfort , and meanes of defence aboue all other , is , that we haue here the true religion and holy ordinances of almightie god taught amongst vs : thankes be to god , we haue here plentie of preaching , and diligent catechizing , with strickt and carefull exercise , and good and commendable orders to bring our people into a christian conuersation with whome we haue to doe withall . and thus we doubt not but god will be with vs , and if god be with vs , who can be against vs ? here ends master higgesons relation of new-england . a letter sent from new-england , by master graues , engynere now there resident . thus much i can affirme in generall , that i neuer came in a more goodly country in all my life , all things considered : if it hath not at any time beene manured and husbanded , yet it is very beautifull in open lands , mixed with goodly woods , and againe open plaines , in some places fiue hundred acres , some places more , some lesse , not much troublesome for to cleere for the plough to goe in , no place barren , but on the tops of the hils , the grasse & weedes grow vp to a mans face , in the lowlands & by fresh riuers aboundance of grasse and large meddowes without any tree or shrubbe to hinder the sith : i neuer saw except in hungaria , vnto which i alwayes paralell this countrie , in all our most respects , for every thing that is heere eyther sowne or planted prospereth farre better then in old england : the increase of corne is here farre beyond expectation , as i haue seene here by experience in barly , the which because it is somuch aboue your conception i will not mention : and cattell doe prosper very well , and those that are bredd heere farr greater then those with you in england . vines doe grow heere plentifully laden with the biggest grapes that ever i saw , some i haue seene foure inches about , so that i ●m bold to say of this countrie , as it is commonly said in germany of hungari● , that for cattel , corne , and wine is excelleth . we haue many more hopefull commodities here in this countrie , the which time will teach to make good vse of : in the meane time wee abound with such things which next vnder god doe make vs subsist , as fish , foule , deere , and sundrie sorts of fruites , as musk-millions water-millions , indian-pompions , indian pease beanes , & many other odde fruits that i cannot name , all which are made good and pleasant through this maine blessing of god , the healthfulnesse of the countrie which farre exceedeth all parts that euer i haue beene in ▪ it is obserued that few or none doe heere fall sicke , vnlesse of the scuruy that they bring from aboard the shippe with them , whereof i haue cured some of my companie onely by labour . thus making an end of an imperfect description , and committing you to god , &c. a catalogue of such needfull things as euery planter doth or ought to prouide to go to new-england ; as namely for one man , which being doubled , may serue for as many as you please , viz. victuals for a whole yeere for a man , and so after the rate for more . bvshels of meale . bushels of pease bushels of otemeale . gallon of aquavitae . gallon of oyle . gallons of vineger . firkin of butter . apparell . monmoth cap. falling bands . shirts . wast-coat . suit of canuase . suit of frize . suit of cloth. paire of stockings . paire of shooes . paire of sheets . ells of canuas to make a bed and boulster . paire of blankets . course rug. armes . armor compleat . long peece . sword. belt. bandilier . pound of powder . pound of lead . pistoll and goose shot . tooles . broad howe narrow howe . broad axe . felling axe . steele handsawe . whipsawe hammer . shouell . spade . aug●es . chissels . percers stocked . gimblet . hatchet . frowes . hand-bill . grindstone . pickaxe . nayles of all sorts . houshold implements . iron pot . kettell . frying pan . gridiron . skellets . spit . woodden platers . dishes . spoones . trenchers . spices . sugar . pepper . cloues . mace. cinnamon . nutmegs . fruit. also there are diuers other things necessary to be taken ouer to this plantation , as bookes , nets , hookes and lines , cheese , bacon , kine , goats , &c. the names of the most remarkable places in new-england . the old names . the new names . cape cod. cape iames. the harbor of cape cod. milford hauen . chawum . barwick . accomack . plimouth . sagoquas . oxford . massachusets mount. cheuit hils . massachusits riuer . charles riuer . totan . famouth . a great bay by cape anne . bristow . cape tragabig sanda . cape anne . naemback . bastable , so named by king charles : but by the new planters now called salem . aggawom . southampton . smiths iles. smiths iles. passataquack . hull . accominticus . boston . sassanows mount. snowdon hill . sow●catuck . ipswich . bahanna . dartmouth . a good harbor within that bay. sandwich . ancociscos mount. shuters hill . ancocisco . the base . anmoughcawgen . cambridge . kenebecka . edenborow . sagadahock . leth. pemmayquid . s. iohns towne . segocket . norwich . mecadacut . dunbarton . pennobscot . aberden . nusket . low mounds , monahigan . barties iles. matinack . willowbies iles. metinacus . haughtons iles. but whosoeuer desireth to know as much as yet can be discouered , i aduise them to buy captaine iohn smiths booke of the description of new england in folio ; and reade from fol. . to the end ; and there let the reader expect to haue full content . finis . america painted to the life. a true history of the originall undertakings of the advancement of plantations into those parts, with a perfect relation of our english discoveries ... . to . declaring the forms of their government, policies, religions, manners, customes, military disciplines, warres with the indians, the commodities of their countries, a description of their townes, and havens, the increase of their trading with the names of their governours and magistrates. more especially an absolute narrative of the north parts of america, and of the discoveries and plantations of our english in new-england. written by sir ferdinando gorges .... publisht ... by his grand-child ferdinando gorges esquire, who hath much enlarged it and added severall accurate descriptions of his owne. gorges, ferdinando, sir, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing g thomason e _ this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) america painted to the life. a true history of the originall undertakings of the advancement of plantations into those parts, with a perfect relation of our english discoveries ... . to . declaring the forms of their government, policies, religions, manners, customes, military disciplines, warres with the indians, the commodities of their countries, a description of their townes, and havens, the increase of their trading with the names of their governours and magistrates. more especially an absolute narrative of the north parts of america, and of the discoveries and plantations of our english in new-england. written by sir ferdinando gorges .... publisht ... by his grand-child ferdinando gorges esquire, who hath much enlarged it and added severall accurate descriptions of his owne. gorges, ferdinando, sir, ?- . gorges, ferdinando, - . [ ], , [ ] p. : map printed by e. brudenell, for nathaniel brook dwelling at the angel in corn-hill, london : . reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng indians of north america -- early works to . america -- discovery and exploration -- early works to . new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion america . painted to the life . a true history of the originall undertakings of the advancement of plantations into those parts , with a perfect relation of our english discoveries , shewing their beginning , progress , and continuance , from the year , . to . declaring the forms of their government , policies , religions , manners , customes , military discipline , warres with the indians , the commodities of their countries , a description of their townes , and havens , the increase of their trading with the names of their governours and magistrates . more especially an absolute narrative of the north parts of america , and of the discoveries and plantations of our english in new-england . written by sir ferdinando gorges knight and governour of the fort and island of plimouth in devonshire , one of the first and cheifest promoters of those plantations . publisht since his decease , by his grand-child ferdinando gorges esquire , who hath much enlarged it and added severall accurate descriptions of his owne . a work now at last exposed for the publick good , to stir up the heroick and active spirits of these times , to benefit their country , and eternize their names by such honourable attempts . for the readers clearer understanding of the country's they are lively described in a compleat and exquisite map. vivit post funera virtus . london ; printed by e. brudenell , for nathaniel brook dwelling at the angel in corn-hill . . to the reader . i thought it a part of my duty in this my briefe narration of our plantations to remember the originall vndertaking of those designes in the parts of america , by such noble spirits of our nation that first attempted it , as well for the justification of the right thereof , properly belonging to kings of our nation , before any other prince or state , as also the better to cleare the claime made thereunto by the embassadour of france , in the behalfe of his master , in the yeare . whereto i was required to make answer ( as more at large it appeares in the discourse it selfe , withall to leave to posterity the particular wayes by which it hath beene brought to the height it is come unte , wherein the providence of our great god is especially to be observed , who by the least and weakest meanes , oftentimes effecteth great and wonderfull things ; all which i have endeavoured to contract in as short a compasse , as the length of the ●ime and the variety of the accidents would give leave , as for the truth thereof , i p●esume it is so publiquely known , as malice i● selfe dares not onely question it , though i know none , i thank my god to whom i have given any just cause mali●iously to attempt it u●lesse it be for the desire i had to do good to all without wronging of any , as by the course of my life to this present it may appear . if in the conclusion of my undertaking and expence of my fortunes to advance the honour and happinesse of my nation , i have setled a portion thereof to those that in nature must succeed me ; you may be pleased to remember that the labourer is worthy of his hire . that i have not exceeded others not better deserving that i go hand in hand with the meanest in this great worke , to whom the charge thereof was commited by royall authority . that i have opened the way to greater imployments and shal be ( as a hand set up in a crosse way ) in a desert country to point all travellers in such like kind , how they may come safe to finish their journeys ●nd leaving an example to others best affected to designes of such like nature to prosecute their intents for further in largement of those began plantations , without trenching or intruding upon the rights and labours of others already possessed , of what is justly granted them . especially of such , who in some sort may be termed benefactours a● seconda●y donors of what ( by gods favour ) is had , or to be had from those springs they first found and left to posterity to bath themselves in , but if there be any , otherwise affected , as better delighted to reap what they have not sown , or to possess the fruit another hath laboured for , let such be assured , so great injustice will never want a wofull attendance to follow close at the heeles , if not stayed behind to bring after a more terrible revenge ; but my trust is such , impiety will not be suddenly harboured where the whole work is i hope still continued for the enlargement of the christian faith , the supportation of justice , and love of peace , in assurance whereof , i will conclude and tell you ( as i have lived long ) so i have done what i could , let those that come after me doe for their parts what they may , and i doubt not but the god that governes all , will reward their labours that continue in his service , to whom be glory for ever , amen . ferdinando gorges . vvonder-working providence of sions saviovr . being a relation of the first planting in new england , in the yeare , . chap. i. the sad condition of england , when this people removed . when england began to decline in religion , like luke-warme laodicea , and instead of purging out popery , a farther compliance was sought not onely in vaine idolatrous ceremonies , but also in prophaning the sabbath , and by proclamation throughout their parish churches , exasperating lewd and prophane persons to celebrate a s●bbath like the heathen to venus , baccus and ceres ; in so much that the multitude of irreligious lascivious and pop●sh affected persons spred the whole land like grashoppers , in this very time christ the glorious king of his churches , raises an army out of our english nation , for freeing his people from their long servitude under usurp●ng prelacy ; and b●cause every corner of england was filled with the fury of malignant adversaries , christ creates a new england to muster up the first of his forces in ; whose 〈◊〉 condition , little number , and remotenesse of place made these adversaries triumph , despising this day of small things , but in this hight of their pride the lord christ brought sudden , and unexpected destruction upon them . thus have you a touch of the time when this worke began . christ jesus intending to manifest his kingly office toward his churches more fully then ever yet the sons of men saw , even to the uniting of jew and gentile churches in one faith , begins with our english nation ( whose former reformation being vere imperfect ) doth now resolve to cast down their false foundation of prelacy , even in the hight of their domineering dignity . and therefore in the yeare . he stirres up his servants as the heralds of a king to make this proclamation for voluntiers as followeth . oh yes ! oh yes ! oh yes ! all you the people of christ that are here oppressed , imprisoned and scurrilously derided , gather your selves together , your wifes and little ones , and answer to your severall names as you shall be shipped for his service , in the westere● world , and more especially for planting the united collonies of new england ; where you are to attend the service of the king of kings , upon the divulging of this proclamation by his herralds at armes . many ( although otherwise willing for this service ) began to object as followeth : can it possible be the mind of christ , ( who formerly inabled so many souldiers of his to keepe their station unto the death here ) that now so many brave souldiers disciplined by christ himselfe the captaine of our salvation , should turne their backs to the disheartning of their fellow-souldiers , and losse of further opportunity in gaining a greater number of subjects to christs kingdome ? notwithstanding this objection , it was further proclaimed as followeth : what creature , wilt not know that christ thy king crusheth with a rod of iron , the pompe and price of man , and must he like man cast and contrive to take his enemies at advantage ? no , of purpose hee causeth such instruments to retreate as he hath made strong for himselfe : that so his adversaries glorying in the pride of their power , insulting over the little remnan● remaining , christ causeth them to be cast downe suddenly forever , and wee find in stories reported , earths princes have passio● their armies at need over seas and deepe torrents . could caesar so suddenly fetch over fresh forces from europe to asia pompy to foyle ? how much more shall christ who createth all power , c●ll over this . league ocean at his pleasure , such instruments as he thinks meete to make use of in this place , from whence you are now to depart , but further that you may not delay the voyage intended , for your full satisfaction , know this is the place where the lord will create a new heaven , and a new earth in , new churches , and a new common-wealth together ; wherefore , chap. ii. the commission of the people of christ shipped for new england , and first of their gathering into churches . attend to your commission , all you that are or shall hereafter be shipped for this service , yee are with all possible speed to imbarque your selves , and as for all such worthies who are hunted after as david was by saul and his courtiers , you may change your habit and ship you with what secrecy you can , carrying all things most needfull for the voyage and service you are to be imployed in after your landing . but as soone as you shall be exposed to danger of tempestious seas , you shall forthwith shew whose servants you are by calling on the name of your god , sometimes by extraordinary seeking his pleasing face in times of deepe distresse , and publishing your masters will , and pleasure to all that voyage with you , and that is his minde to have purity in religion preferred above all dignity in the world ; your christ hath commanded the seas they shall not swallow you , nor pyrates imprison your persons , or possesse your goods . at your landing see you observe the rule of his word , for neither larger nor stricter commission can hee give by any , and therefore at first filling the land whither you are sent , with diligence , search out the mind of god both in planting and continuing church and civill government , but be sure they be distinct , yet agreeing and helping the one to the other ; let the matter and forme of your churches be such as were in the primitive times ( before antichrists kingdome prevailed ) plainly poynted out by christ and his apostles , in most of their epistles to be neither nationall nor provinciall , but gathered together in covenant of such a number as might ordinarily meete together in one place , and built of such living stones as outwardly appeare saints by calling . you are also to ordaine elders in every church , make you use of such as christ hath indued with the best gifts for that end , their call to office shall be mediate from you , but their authority and commission shall be immediate from christ revealed in his word ; which if you shall slight , d●spise or contemne , hee will soone frustrate your call by taking the most able among you to honour with an everlasting crown ; whom you neglected to honour on earth double as their due , or he will carry them remote from you to more infant churches . you are not to put them upon anxious cares for their daily bread for assuredly ( although it may now seeme strange ) you shall be fed in this wildernesse , whither you are to goe , with the flower of wheate and wine shall be plentifull among you ( but be sure you abuse it not ) these doctrines delivered from the word of god imbrace , and let not satan delude you by perswading their learned skill is unnecessary , soone then will the word of god be fl●ghted as tra●slated by such , and you shall be left wildred with strange revelations of every phantastick brain ; which to prevent here are to be shipped among you many both godly . juditious and learned , who chap. iii. of the demeanor of their church officers . being called to office are in all humility to feed the flock of christ , and not for lucre to admit mostly of such sheepe , whose faire fleeces allure much : nor yet for filling the flocks to crowd in infections sheepe , or rather wolves in sheepes cloathing , assuredly it will prove bitternesse in the end : neither shall you for feare your allowance will fall short , hinder the increase of churches , that so your fellow brethren indued with like gifts fa●l short of all ; but above all beware of any love selfe-conceited opinion , stopping your eares from hearing the counsell of an orthodox synod , but by daily communication one with another impart christs minde each to other , that you may all speake one and the same things ; heale not lightly the wounds that wolves make , lest from their festering teeth a gangrin grow , and further for compleating the churches of christ as well in matters as in doctrine , there are ancient experienced godly christians shipped among you ( but be sure you make choise of such , for feare they be despised ) and let them not be led by favor or affection ( as naturally men are ) to administer in your office partially , for unworthy the name of a ruling elder is hee , who loses his lyon-like courage , when the sound and wholesome doctrines delivered by pastor or teacher are spoken against by any ; unseemly behaviour and sleepy hearing by private exhortation prevent ( if possible ) lest publick example in open professors stumb●e some and hinder the operation of his word , especially in the hearts of those who have bin long time led away with the inventions of man in the worsh●p of god. be sure you contradict not but confirme with trienall love the doctrines of christ , delivered by your teaching elders , which will be a great meanes to make it prevaile , for a three-fold cord is not easily broken , trust not to your own gifts for preventing error , but use all helpes that christ may blesse his own meanes , cast not away as incorrigible such as at first receive not the word in all points , but wait with patience if at any time the lord will be pleased to give them a heart to turne unto him . beware of a proud censorious spirit , and shou●d christ be pleased to place in his building more pollished stones then thy selfe , make it matter of rejoycing and not of envy . and further , because the preaching of the word is to be continued with all diligence , here are likewise inbarked with you faithfull servants of christ to attend on the tables of the churches , plaine-dealing men , yea , indued with wisdome from above , by which they are inabled to mannage and improve the churches treasury , not greedily given to hoord up for themselves , but by their own example leading others to liberality , and hospitality , having the earth in low esteeme , and faith in exercise when cattell and corne fayle , not given to magnifie their own gifts , but boldly ma●●●ayning such sound truths as their teaching elders have cleared up from the word of god. and , chap. iv. how the people in christs churches are to behave themselves . now you his people , who are pickt out by his , provide to passe this westerne ocean for this honorable service , beware you call not weake ones to office in this honorable army , nor novices , lest they be lifted up with pride . you see how full you are furnished for the worke , give no eare to any braggadociaes , who to extoll themselves will weaken the hands of those whom christ hath made strong for himselfe . yea , such will be the phantasticall madnesse of some ( if you take not heed ) that silly women laden with diverse lusts , will be had in higher esteeme with them , then those honoured of christ , indued with power and authority from him to preach ; abuse not the free and full liberty christ hath given you in making choyce of your own officers , and consent in admitting into his churches , and casting out such members as walke disorderly ; you are to walke in all humility , lest in injoyment of such freedoms as you formerly have not exercised , you exceede the bounds of modesty , and instead of having your moderation knowne to all , your imbecility , and selfe-exaltation bee discovered by many , in admission of others into church society . remember your selves were once aliens from the covenant of grace , and in excommunication , consider how your selves have been also tempted : in sincerity and singlenesse of heart , let your words be few , do nothing be had in high esteeme among men ; and thinke it no imputation of a weake dicserning to be followes of those are set over you in the lord as they follow christ ; let your profession outstrip your confession , for seeing you are to be set as lights upon a hill more obvious then the highest mountaine in the world , keepe close to christ that you may shine full of his glory , who imployes you , and grub not continually in the earth , like blind moles , but by your amiable conversation seeke the winning of many to your masters service . beware of a proud censorious spirit , make it no part of your christian communication to be in continuall discourse of others faults ; let all things be done in love , and looke not for more smoothnesse in stones as yet unplaced in christs building then is in thy selfe , who hast been long layd therein : wait with patience and cast not off as reprobates such as cannot presently joyne with you in every poynt of discipline , and yet hold fast to sound and wholesome doctrine , if you will be a people to his prayse , who hath called you , seeke the turning of many to righteousnesse , purge out all the sowre leven of unsound doctrine , for the minde of christ is to build up his churches , and breake them down no more ; and therefore be sure there be none to hurt or destroy in all his holy mountaine , and as he hath pressed you for his service , that by passing through the flouds of persecution you should be set at liberty , and have power put into your hands . then let none wrest it from you under pretence of liberty of conscience , men of perverse judgements will draw disciples after them , but let your consciences be pure , and christs churches free from all doctrines that deceive . and all you , who are or shall be shipped for this worke , thinke it not enough that you injoy the truth , but you must hate every false way and know you are called to be faithfull souldiers of christ , not onely to assist in building up his churches , but also in pulling downe the kingdome of anti-christ , then sure you are not set up for tollerating times , nor shall any of you be content with this that you are set at liberty , but take up your armes , and march manfully on till all opposers of christs kingly power be abolished : and as for you who are called to sound forth his silver trumpets , blow lowd and shrill , to this chiefest treble tune ; for the armies of the great jehovah are at hand . see you not his enemies stretched out on tiptoe , proudly daring on their thresholds , a certaine signe of their sudden overthrow ; be not danted at your small number , for every common souldier in christs campe shall be as david , who slew the great goliah , and his davids shall be as the angels of the lord who slew . . in the assyrian army . finally , all you who are now sent forth by christ your jehovah to enter upon a blessed reformation , if ever you will have the honours to be provokers of his ancient people israel ( who are againe suddenly to be honoured by him in believing ) kindle the fire of jealousy in their brests by your holy , heavenly and humble walking , have you not the most blessedest opertunity put into your hands that ever people had ? then chap. v. what civill government the people of christ ought to set up , and submit unto in new england . fayle not in prosecution of the worke , for your lord christ hath furnished you with able pilots , to steere the helme in a godly peaceable , civill government also , then see you make choyce of such as are sound both in profession and confession , men fearing god and hating bribes ; whose commission is not onely limitted with the commands of the second table , but they are to looke to the rules of the first also , and let them be sure to put on joshuas resolution , and courage , never to make league with any of these seven sectaries . first , the gortonists , who deny the humanity of christ , and most blasphemously and proudly professe themselves to be personally christ . secondly , the papist , who with ( almost ) equall blasphemy and pride prefer their own merits and workes of supererogation as equall with christs unvaluable death , and sufferings . thirdly , the familist , who depend upon rare revelations , and forsake the sure revealed word of christ . fourthly , seekers , who deny the churches and ordinances of christ . fifthly , antinomians , who deny the morrall law to be the rule of christ . sixtly , anabaptists , who deny civill government to be proved of christ . seventhly , the prelacy , who will have their own injunctions submitted unto in the churches of christ . these and the like your civill censors shall reach unto that the people of , and under your government , may live a qulet and peaceable life in all godlinesse and honesty , and to the end that you may provoke kings , princes , and all that are in authority to cast downe their crownes at the feet of christ , and take them up againe at his command to serve under his standard as nursing fathers , and nursing mothers to the churches and people of christ ; when your feete are once safely set on the shores of america , you shall set up and establish civill government , and pray for the prosperity thereof , as you love the peace of his churches , who hath called you to this service , he hath for that end shipped among you , some learned in the law of god , and practised in rules of good reason or common lawes proper to our english nation . be sure you make choyce of the right , that all people , nations and languages , who are soonly to submit to christs kingdome , may be followers of you herein , as you follow the rule of christ ; your magistrates shall not but open the gates for all sorts . but know , they are eyes of restraint set up for walles and bulworks , to surround the sion of god ; oh for jerusalem her peace , see that you mind it altogether , you know right well that the churches of christ have not thrived under the tolerating government of holland , from whence the lord hath translated one church already to the place whither you are now to goe ; and further it is well known , loose liberty cannot indure to looke majesticall authority in the face . and also you shall finde erronious persons will contend with authority for upholding truth irrationally , denying it any power to condemne deceiveable doctrines , and that upon this very ground , because tyranny hath inforced error heretofore ; be not borne downe with a multitude , neither let any flatter for preferment , which to prevent , honour shall be very chargeable among you ; yet let not any deny to beare the burden and cumber of governing this people of christ ; for assuredly , although their recompence fall short from man , it shall not be forgotten with the lord. lastly , chap. vi. how the people of christ ought to behave themselves in war-like discipline . you shall with all diligence provide against the malignant adversaries of the truth , for assure your selves the time is at hand wherein antichrist will muster up all his forces , and make war with the people of god : but it shall be to his utter overthrow . see then you store your selves with all sorts of weapons for war , furbrish up your swords , rapiers , and all other piercing weapons . as for great artillery , seeing present meanes falls short , waite on the lord christ , and hee will stir up friends to provide for you : and in the meane time spare not to lay out your coyne for powder , bullets , match , armes of all sorts , and all kinde of instruments for war : and although it may now seeme a thing incredible , you shall see in that wildernesse , whither you are going , troopes of stout horsemen marshalled , and therefore fayle not to ship lusty mares along with you , and see that withall dilligence you incourage every souldier-like spirit among you , for the lord christ intends to archieve greater matters by this little handfull then the world is aware of ; wherefore you shall seeke and set up men of valour to lead and direct every soulder among you , and with all diligence to instruct them from time to time . feare not the misse of men to fill your townes , and compleat your companies ; for although at first struglings for truths advance there may but a small number appeare of sound judgement : yet shall you not prefer any to office , whose zeale is not strong for the truth , for now the minde of christ is to put out the name of ammaleck from under heaven ( i meane such at have persecuted the churches and people of christ in their low condition ) and assuredly unsound saules will spare such as should not be saved from destruction . then be strong and of a good courage ( all you that are to fight the lords battaile ) that your faith faile not at sight of the great armies of gog and magog : and as for you , who shall be preferred to highest places in his new england regiments , cause your captaine and other inferior officers to be diligent in their severall places , that you may lend helpe to your countreymen , that ere long be will see a necessity of contending for the truth , as well as your selves in choyce of military officers ; let faithfulnesse to the cause in hand , courage , activity and skill have the prehemency of honours ; for although it may seeme a meane thing to be a new england souldier , yet some of you shall have the battering and bearing down , sealing , winning and wasting the over-topping towers of the hierarchy ; lieutenants , ensigne and serjeants , exceed not your places , till experience , skill and true valour promote you to higher honour , to which you shall be daily aspiring . as the worthy incouragement of a souldiers labour , let militay discipline be had in high esteeme among you . gentlemen , corporalls and fellow-souldiers , keepe your weapons in a continuall readinesse , seeing you are called to fight the battails of your lord christ ; who must raigne till hee hath put all his enemies under his feet , his glorious victories over antichrist are at hand , never yet did any souldier rejoyce in dividing the spoyle after victory , as all the souldiers of christ shall , to see his judgement executed upon the great whore , and withall the lambs bride prepared for him , who comes skipping over & trampling down the great mountaines of the earth , whose universall government will then appeare glorious , when not onely the assyrian , babilonian , persian , grecian and roman monarchies shall subject themselves unto him , but also all other new upstart kingdomes , dukedomes , or what else can be named , shall fall before him ; not that he shall come personally to reigne upon earth ( as some vainly imagine ) but his powerfull presence and glorious brightnesse of his gospell both to jew and gentile , shall not onely spiritually cause the churches of christ to grow beyond number , but also the whole civill government of people upon earth shall become his , so that there shall not be any to move the hand , not dog his tongue against his chosen , and then shall the time be of breaking speares into mattocks , and swords into sithes ; and this to remaine to his last comming , which will be personally to overcome the last enemies of his saints , even death , which hee will doe by the word of his mouth , audibly spoken the world throughout . then all you , who are now , or shall hereafter be shipped for this voyage , minde the worke of christ , and not some following raigne , titles of honour , others eying the best grasse-platts and best situation for farmes and large accommodations , crouding our gods people from sitting down among you . wherefore above all beware of covetousnesse ; all you that will be admitted into these sel●ct bands of christ jesus , remember achan , whereas rams hornes could overthrow the high and strong walles of jericho , before his theft committed , after it the little number of the men of ai could put the host of the living god to flight , see then you stand upon your watch continually in the strength of christ , for assuredly instead of casting downe the enemies of christ , thissin will cast down you utterly , disinable you for striking one stroke in the cause of christ ; and whereas he hath purposely pickt ou● this people for a patterne of purity and soundnesse of doctrine , as well as discipline , that all such may finde a refuge among you , and let not any merchants , inkeepers , taverners and men of trade in hope of gaine , fling open the gates so wide , as that by letting in all sorts you mar the worke of christ intended : neither shall such labourers as hee hath pickt out to be pyoneers in this campe of his , drinke up like spunges such meanes as hee hath sent to maintaine both officers , and private souldiers . lastly , let not such as fight , set foote on land to compose townes for habitations , take up large accommodations for sale , to inrich themselves with others goods , who are to follow them , but freely as you have received , so give out to others : for so soone as you shall seeke to ingrosse the lords wast into your hands , he will ease you of your burden by making stay of any farther resort unto you , and then be sure you shall have wast land enough . to this commission was added a strong motive to this work as followeth : namely , the great enmity betweene that on● truth as it is in jesus , and all other unsound and undeceiveable doctrines , together with the persons that hold them ; insomuch , that they cannot stand in one common-wealth long together , as sixteene hundred yeares experience will testifie , the which moses layes down as one maine reason , why he might not admit of a toleration to worship god in egypt . and therefore all you that believe the scripture , which so plainly prophecy the destruction of antichrist and all antichristian doctrines ; pray , pray , pray , pray continually with that valiant worthy joshua that the sun may stand still in gibeon , and the moone in the vally of aijalon , for assuredly although some small battailes may be fought against the enemies of christ , yet the great day of their finall overthrow shall not come till the bright sonne of that one cleare truth of christ , stand still in the gentile churches , that those who fight the lords battells may plainly discerne his enemies in all places , where they finde them , as also such as will continue fighting must have the world kept low in their eyes , as the moon in the valley of aijalon . chap. vii . of the goodnesse of god in helping his people to a large liberty in spirituall things , under the hopes of gaine in earthly things . this proclamation being audibly published through the i le of great brittaine by sundry herraulds , which christ had prepared for that end : the rumour ran through cities , townes and villages ; when those that were opposites heard it , some cried one thing , and some another , much like the ●umult in the town . hall at ephesus , some said let them goe , others cryed , sweare them first , others said let no subsidy men passe , others would have strict search made for non-conformants , and that none of the late silenced ministers might passe into the ships ; amidst this great hurry the sincere servants of christ humbly seeke the lords assistance in days of humiliation , taking up some serious cogitations , how to begin this worthy worke , upon which it was thought meete a patterne should be procured , comprised after the manner of a corporation-company or brotherhood , with as large liberty for government of this association , as could be got under the broad seale of england , which accordingly was done by advise of one mr. white an honest counsellor at law , as also furthered by the honoured mr. richard belinham , and under the name of many worthy personages , as governour , dep. gov. assistant and freemen &c. granted , ingrossed and sealed as holding of the manner of east greenwitch , yeelding by way of homage the sixth part of all such ore of gold or silver , as might for after time be found within the limits of the said grant bounded on the north , with the most northerly part of the pleasant river of merimech , one mile beyond , and on the south with the most southern part of that oft frequented river commonly called charles , one mile beyond with power to rule and govern in all those parts both by sea and land ; to ●lect and set up all sorts of officers , as well superior as in●erior ; to point out their power and places , to defend and maintaine the said land , and inhabitants thereof with all their lawfull liberties ( against all such as at any time should invade , molest or disturbe the same ) as well by offensive as defensive war , as also to constitute and ordaine lawes , &c. thus these souldiers of jesus christ prepared to advance his kingly government , much like samuel , when he went to annoynt david , took up another errant , withall that the malignant spirit of saul might not hinder the worke , so those worthies of christ joyning themselves with merchants and others , who had an eye at a profitable plantation , who had not herein been deceived would they have stayed their time , but surely such mist not their marke , whose ayme was at the durable interest , unlesse the fault were their owne , neither let any man thinke christ will not recompence those one way or other , who have been any way helpfull to his people in this his work ; amongst whom the author will not misse that good gentleman , matthew craddock by the way of thankfullnesse to him , mr. goff and others this verse is tendred : for richest jems and gainfull things most merchants wisely venter : deride not then new england men , this corporation ●nter ; christ calls for trade shall never fade , come craddock factors send : let may●ew go and other more , spare not thy coyne to spend ; suck trades advance did never chance , in all thy trading yet : though some deride thy losse , abide , her 's gaine beyond mans wit. chap. viii . of the wonderfull preparation the lord christ by his providence , wrought for his peoples abode in this western world . now let all men know the admirable acts of christ for his churches , and chosen , are universally over the whole earth at one and the same time , but sorry man cannot so discourse of them ; and therefore let us leave our english nation in way of preparation for this voyage intended , and tell of the marvelous doings of christ preparing for his peoples arrivall in the western world , whereas the indians report they beheld to their great wonderment that perspicuous bright bl●zing comet ( which was so famously noted in europe ) anon after sun set it appeared as they say in the south-west , about three houres continuing in their horizon , for the space of thirty sleepes ( for so they reckon their dayes ) after which uncouth sight they expected some strange things to follow , and the rather , because not long before the whole nation of the mattachusets were so affrighted with a ship that arrived in their bay , having never seene any before , thus they report some persons among them discerning a great thing to move toward them upon the waters , wondering what creature it should be , they run with their light cannowes , ( which are a kinde of beates made of birch rindes , and sowed together with the rootes of white cedar-trees ) from place to place , stiring up all their countreymen to come forth , and behold this monstrous thing ; at this sudden news the shores for many miles were filled with this naked nation , gazing at this wonder , till some of the stoutest among them manned ou● these cannowes , being armed with bow and arrowes , they approached within shot of the ship , being becalmed they let fly their long sh●f●s at her , which being headed with bone some stuck fast , and others dropped into the water , they wondering it did not cry , but kept quietly on toward them , till all of a sudden the master caused a piece of ordnance to be fired , which stroke such feare into the poore indians , that they hasted to shore , having their wonders exceedingly increased ; but being gotten among their great multitude , they waited to see the sequell with much amazement , till the seamen fi●ling up their salies came to an anchor , mannedout their long bote , and went on shore , at whose approach , the indians sled , although now they saw they were men , who made signes to stay their flight , that they may have trade with them , and to that end they brought certaine copper-kettles ; the indians by degrees made their approach nearer and nearer till they came to them , when beholding their vessells , which they had set forth before them , the indian knocking them were much delighted with the sound , and much more astonished to see they would not breake , being so thin , for attaining those vessells they brought them much bever , fraughting them richly away according to their desires , this was the first working providence of christ to stir up our english nation , to plant these parts in hope of a rich trade for bever-skins , and this made some of our countrymen make their abode in these parts , whom this army of christ at their comming over found as fit helps to further their designe in planting the churches of christ ; who by a more admirable act of his providence not long after prepared for his peoples arrivall as followeth . the summer after the blazing starre ( whose motion in the heavens was from east to west , poynting out to the sons of men the progresse of the glorious gospell of christ , the glorious king of his churches ) even about the yeare . a little before the removeall of that church of christ from holland to plimoth in new england , as the ancient indians report , there befell a great mortality among them , the greatest that ever the memory of father to sonne tooke notice of , chiefly desolating those places , where the english afterward planted the country of po●kanoky , ag●ssawamg , it was almost wholy deserted , insomuch that the neighbour indians did abandon those places for feare of death , fleeing more west & by south , observing the east and by northern parts were most smitten with this contagion , the abarginny ▪ men consisting of mattachusets , wippanaps and tarratines were greatly weakned , and more especially the three kingdomes , or saggamore ships of the mattachusets , who were before this mortality most populous , having under them seven dukedomes or petty saggamores , and the nianticks and narrowganssits , who before this came were but of little note , yet were they now not much increased by such as fled thither for feare of death , the pecods ( who retained the name of a war-like people , till afterwards conquered by the english ) were also smitten at this time . their disease being a sore consumption , sweeping away whole families , but chiefly yong men and children , the very seeds of increase , their powwowes , which are their doctors , working partly by charmes , and partly by medicine , were much amazed to see their wigwams lie full of dea● corpes , and that now neither squantam nor abbamocho could helpe , which are their good and bad god and also their powwows themselves were oft smitten with deaths stroke , howling and much lamentation was heard among the living , who being possest with great feare , oftimes left their dead unburied , their manner being such , that they remove their habitations at death of any , this great mortality being an un vonted thing , feare them the more , because naturally the country is very healthy . but by this meanes christ ( whose great and glorious workes the earth throughout are altogether for the benefit of his churches and chosen ) not onely made roome for his people to plant ; but also tamed the hard and cruell hearts of these barbarous indians , insomuch that halfe a handfull of his people landing not long after in plimoth-plantation , found little resistance , of whom the author purposes not to speake particularly , being prevented by the honoured mr. winslow , who was an eye-witnesse of the worke : onely thus much by the way , they were sent to keepe possession for their brethren and fellow souldiers , who arrived eight yeares after them , as in processe of this story will god-willing appeare : and verily herein they quit themselves like men , or rather christ for and by them , maintaining the place notwithstanding the multitude of difficulties they met withall at their first landing , being in doubtfull suspence what intertainment these barbarians would give them , having with prayer supplicated the lord in the name of christ their king and guide in this their undertaking , they manned out a boate to discover what store of the inhabitants were there . now these men , whose courage exceeded the number , being guided by the provident hand of the most high , landed in some severall places ; and by making fires gave signes of their approach , now the indians , whose dwellings are most neer the water side , appeared with their bowes bent and arrowes one the string , let fly their long shifts among this little company , whom they might soon have inclosed , but the lord otherwise disposed of it , for one captaine miles standish having his fowling-peece in a reddinesse , presented full at them , his shot being directed by the provident hand of the most high god , strook the stourest sachem among them one the right arme , it being bent over his shoulder to reach an arrow forth his q●iver , as their manner is to draw them forth in fight , at this stroke they all fled with great swiftnesse through the woods and thickets , then the english , who more thirsted after their conversion than destruction , returned to their bote without receiving any damage , and soon after arrived where they left their brethren , to whom they declared the good hand of god toward them , with thankfull acknowledgement of this great worke of his in preserving them ; yet did they all remaine full of incumbred thoughts , the indians , of whose multitudes they had now some intelligence , together with experience of spirits , and also knew well without commerce with them they were not like long to subsist . but hee , whose worke they went about , wrought so rare a providence for them , which cannot but be admired of all that heare it . thus it befell as they were discoursing in the bote they had built for shelter , all of a sudden an indian came in among them , at whose speech they were all agast , he speaking in the english language , much welcome englishmen , their wonder was the greater , because upon those costes they supposed no english had so much as set foote , and verily christ had prepared him on purpose to give his people intertainment , the indian having lived in england two year or thereabout , after which he returned home , and at this time had wandred into those parts in company of other indians , all this , and the condition of the neere adjoyning indians , hee soon discovered unto them , at which they were transported beyond themselves very much , what with joy and the mixture of their former feare and affection intervening with the other , surprised all their senses of a sudden , that long it was ere each party could take its proper place , yea , and beyond all this christ jesus , by the power of his blessed spirit , did now work upon all their faculties both of soule and body , the great impression of his present providence might not soon be washed off with the following incumbred cares of a defart wildernesse ; but to contract , they made use of the present opprotunity , and by the instrumentall meanes of this indian , became acquainted and reconciled with most of the neighbouring indians . and afterward planted a church of christ there , and set up civill government , calling the name of the place plimoth : under this jurisdiction there are ten churches at this very day , this being the first place any english resorted unto for the advancement of the kingly government of christ in this westerne world. chap. ix . of the first preparation of the marchant adventurers , in the mattachusets . now it will be time to returne againe to england , to speake further of the people that wee left in way of preparation ; who in the yeare . sent forth some store of servants to provide against the wants of a desart wildernesse , amongst whom came over a mixt multitude , insomuch that very little appeared of the following worke , onely the much honoured mr. john indicat , came over with them to governe , a fit instrument to begin this wildernesse-worke , of courage bold undanted , yet sociable , and of a chearfull spirit , loving and austere , applying himselfe to either as occasion served . and now let no man be offended at the authors rude verse , penned of purpose to keepe in memory the names of such worthies as christ made strong for himselfe , in this unwonted worke of his . john endicat twice governour of the english , inhabiting the mattachusets bay in n. england . strong valiant john wilt thou march on , and take up station first , christ cal'd hath thee , his souldier be , and faile not of thy trust ; wilderness-wants christs grace supplants , thē plant his churches pure , with tongues gifted , and graces led , help thou to his procure ; vndanted thou wilt not allow , malignant men to wast : christs vineyard heere , whose grace should cheer , his well-beloved's tast . then honoured be thy christ hath thee their generall promoted : to shew their love , in place above , his people have thee voted . yet must thou fall , to grave with all the nobles of the earth , thou rotting worme to dust must turn , and worse but for new birth . the place picked out by this people to settle themselves in , was in the bosome of the out-stretched arme of cape anne , now called gloster , but at the place of their abode they began to build a town , which is called salem , after some little space of time having made tryall of the sordid spirits of the neighbouring indians , the most bold among them began to gather to divers places , which they began to take up for their owne , those that were sent over servants , having itching desires after novelties , found a reddier way to make an end of their masters provision , then they could finde meanes to get more ; they that came over their own men had but little left to feed on , and most began to repent when their strong beers and full cups ran as small as water in a large land , but little corne , and the poore indians so far from relieving them , that they were forced to lengthen out their owne food with acorns , and that which added to their present distracted thoughts , the ditch betweene england and their now place of abode was so wide , that they could not leap over with a lope-staffe , yet some delighting their eye with the rarity of things present , and feeding their fancies with new discoveries at the springs approach , they made shift to rub out the winters cold by the fire-side , having fuell enough growing at their very doores , turning down many a drop of the bottell , and burning tobacco with all the ease they could , discoursing betweene one while and another , of the great progresse they would make after the summers-sun had changed the earths white furr'd gowne into a greene mantell . now the vernall of thirty nine being come , they addrest themselves to coste it as far as they durst for feare of loosing themselves , or falling into the hands of unknown indians , being kept in awe by a report of a cruell people , not far of called the tarratines . all this while little like-lihood there was building the temple for gods worship , there being only two that began to hew stones in the mountaines , the one named mr. bright , and the other mr. blaxton , and one of them began to build , but when they saw all sorts of stones would not fit in the building , as they supposed , the one betooke him to the seas againe , and the other to till the land , retaining no simbole of his former profession , but a canonicall coate . chap. x. of the first church of christ , gathered at salem in the mattachusets government . this yeare . came over three godly ministers of christ jesus , intending to shew his power in his peoples lowest condition as his manner is , thereby to strengthen their faith in following difficulties , and now although the number of the faithfull people of christ were but few , yet their longing desires to gather into a church was very great ; and therefore addressed themselves to finde out the blessed rules of christ for preserving herein , who through the assistance of his blessed spirit , found that the word of god , penned by the apostles in many epistles , written to particular churches , consisting of such as are beloved . saints , by calling appearing so in the judgement of charity , being tryed by the rule of the word , not scandalous in their lives , for the society of such they sought , and in these beginnings found very few , seven being the lest number a church can be gathered , or conceived by just consequence from the word of god. having fasted and prayed with humble acknowledgement of their own unworthinesse to be called of christ to so worthy a worke , they joyned together in a holy covenant with the lord , and one with another promising by the lords assistance to walke together in exhorting , admonishing , and rebuking one another , and to cleave to the lord with a full purpose of heart , according to the blessed rules of his word made known unto them , and further they seeing by light of scripture the lord christ ascended up on high to give gifts unto men , not onely extraordinary as apostles , &c. before the canon of the scripture was perfected but also ordinary as pastors and teachers , and that such are to be fitted with gifts according , for so mighty a worke , as is the feeding and ruling the flock of christ . wherefore they elected and ordained one mr. higgingson to be tracher of this first church of christ , set up in those parts , a man indued with grace apt to teach , and mighty in the scriptures , learned in the tongues , able to convince gain-sayers , aptly applying the word to his hearers , who departed this life not long after , of whom it may be said . the reverend mr. higgingson , first pastor of the church of christ at salem in new england . what golden gaine made higginson remove , from fertill soyle to wildernesse of rocks ; 't was christs rich pearle stir'd up thee toile to love , for him to feed in wildernesse his flocks . first teacher , he here sheepe and lambs together , first crownd shall be , hee in the heavens of all , christs pastors here , but yet christ folke had rather , him here retaine , blest he whom christ hath call'd . they also called to the office of an exhorting elder mr. scelton , a man of a gratious speech , full of faith and furnished by the lord with gifts from above , to begin this great worke of his , that makes the whole earth to ring againe at this present day . the reverend mr. scelton first pastor of the church of christ , at salem in new england , . scelton for christ did leave his native soile , christ grace first wrought for him , or he had never a pastor been in wildernesse to toile , where christ his flock doth into churches gather ; for five yeares space to end thy war-faire thou , must meete with wantes , what wants can be to him ? whose shepheard's christ earths fullnesse hath for you ; and heavens rich crowne for thee , with 's conquest win . this church of christ , being thus begun , the lord with the water spouts of his tender mercy caused to increase and fructify . and now let every eare listen , and every heart admire , and inlarge it selfe to the astonishment of the whole man at this wonderous worke of the great jehovah ; that in thrice seven yeares ( after the beginning of this worke ) wrought such fearfull desolations , and wonderfull alterations among our english nation , and also in this dismall desart , wasting the naturall inhabitant with deaths stroke , and that as is former touched , the mattachusets , who were a populous nation , consisting of able men , now brought to lesse then . and in their roome and place of abode this poore church of christ consisting at their beginning , but of seven persons , increased to forty three churches in joyne communion one with the other , professing one god , one christ , and one gospell , and in those churches about . soules in one profession of the rules of christ , and that which makes the worke more admirable in the eyes of all beholders , mens habitations are cut out of the woods and bushes , neither can this place be entered by our english nation , but by passing through a dreadfull and terrible ocean of nine hundred leagues in length . chap. xi . of the glorious beginnings of a thorough reformation in the churclses of clorist . further know these are but the beginnings of christs glorious reformation , and restauration of his churches to a more glorious splendor than ever . hee hath therefore caused their dazeling brightnesse of his presence to be contracted in the burning glasse of these his peoples zeale , from whence it begins to be left upon many parts of the world with such hot reflection of that burning fight , which hath fired many places already , the which shall never be quenched till it hath burnt up babilon root and branch , and now let the reader looke one the . psalme , the prophet isaia . chapter , take this sharpe sword of christs word , and all other scriptures of like nature , and follow on yee valiant of the lord ; and behold the worthies of christ , as they are boldly leading forth his troopes into these westerne fields , marke them well man by man as they march , terrible as an army with banners , croud in all yee that long to see this glorious sight , see ther 's their glorious king christ one that white horse , whose hooses like flint cast not only sparkes , but flames of fire in his pat●es . behold his crown beset with carbunkles , wherein the names of his whole army are written . can there be ever night in his presence , whose eyes are ten thousand times higher than the sun ? behold his swiftnes all you that have said , where is the promise of his comming ? listen a while , hear what his herauld proclaimes , babylon is sallen , is fallen , both her doctrine & lordly rabble of popes , cardinalls , lordly-b●shops , friers , monks , nuns , seminary-priests , jesuits , ermites , pilgrims , deans , prebends , arch-deacons , commissaries , officialls , proctors , somners , singing-men , choristers , organist , bellows-blowers , vergers , porters , sextons , beads-men , and bel-ringers and all others who never had name in the word of god ; together with all her false doctrines , although they may seeme otherwise never so contradictory as arians , who deny the god-head of christ , and gortenists , who deny the humanity of christ : papists , who thinke to merit heaven by the workes of the law , antinomians , who deny the law of god altogether as a rule to walke by in the obedience of faith , and deny good works to be the frutit of faith , arminians , who attribute gods election , or reprobation to the will of man , and familists , who forsake the revealed will of god , and make men depend upon strong revelations , for the knowledge of gods electing love towards them . conformitants o● formalists , who bring in a forme of worship of their owne , and joyne it with the worship god hath appointed in his word seekers , that deny all manner of worship or ordinances of christ jesus , affirming them to be quite lost , and not to be attained till new apostles come . chap. xii . of the voluntary banishment , chosen by this people of christ , and their last farewell taken of their country and friends . and now behold the severall regiments of these souldiers of christ , as they are shipped for his service in the western world , part thereof being come to the towne and port of southamptan in england , where they were to be shipped , that they might prosecute this designe to the full , one ship called the eagle , they wholy purchase , and many more they hire , filling them with the seeds of man and beast to sow this yet untilled wildernesse withall , making sale of such land as they possesse , to the great admiration of their friends and acquaintance , who thus expostulate with them , what , will not the large income of your yearly revenue content you , which in all reason cannot chuse but be more advantagious both to you and yours , then all that rocky wildernesse , whither you are going , to run the hazard of your life ? have you not here your tables filled with great variety of foode , your coffers filled with coyne , your houses beautifully built and filled with all rich furniture ? ( or otherwise ) have you not such a gainfull trade as none the like in the towne where you live ? are you not inriched daily ? are not your children very well provided for as they come to years ? ( nay ) may you not here as pithily practise the two chiefe duties of a christian ( if christ give strength ) namely mortification and sanct fication as in any place of the world ? what helps can you have there that you must not carry from hence ? with bold resolvednesse these stout souldiers of christ reply ; as death , the king of terror with all his dreadfull attendance inhumane and barbarous , tortures doubled and trebled by all the infernall furies have appeared but light and momentany to the souldiers of christ iesus , so also the pleasure , profits and honours of this world set forth in their most glorious splend or , and magnitude by the alluring lady of delight , proffering pleasant embraces , cannot intice with her syren songs , such souldiers of christ , whose aymes are elevated by him , many millions above that brave warrier vlysses . now seeing all can be said will but barely set forth the immoveable resolutions that christ continued in these men ; passe on and attend with teares , if thou hast any , the following discourse , while these men , women and children are taking their last farwell of their native country , kindred , friends and acquaintance , while the ships attend them ; many make choise of some solitary place to eccho out their bowell-breaking affections in bidding their friends farwell , deare friends ( sayes one ) as neare as my owne soule doth thy love lodge in my brest , with thought of the heart burning ravishments , that thy heavenly speeches have wrought : my melting soule is poured out at present with these words , both of them had their farther speach strangled from the depth of their inward dolor , with breast-breaking sobs , till leaning their heads each on others shoulders , they let fall the salt-dropping dews of vehement affection , striving to exceede one another , much like the departure of david and jonathan : having a little eased their hearts with the still streames of teares , they recovered speech againe . ah! my much honoured friend , hath christ given thee so great a charge as to be leader of his people into that far remote , and vast wildernesse , i , oh , and alas thou must die there and never shall i see thy face in the flesh againe , wert thou called to so great a taske as to passe the pretious ocean , and hazard thy person in battell against thousands of malignant enemies there ? there were hopes of thy return with triumph , but now after two three , or foure moneths spent with daily expectation of swallowing waves , and cruell pirates , you are to be landed among barbarous indians , famous for nothing but cruelty , where you are like to spend your days in a famishing condition for a long space ; scarce had he uttered this , but presently hee lockes his friend fast in his armes , holding each other thus for some space of time , they weepe againe , but as paul to his beloved flock : the other replies what doe you weeping and breaking my heart ? i am now prest for the service of our lord christ , to re-build the most glorious edifice of mount sion in a wildernesse , and as john baptist , i must cry prepare yee the way of the lord , make his paths strait , for behold hee is comming againe , hee is comming to destroy antichrist , and give the whore double to drinke the very dregs of his wrath . then my deare friend unfold thy hands , for thou and i have much worke to doe , i and all christian souldiers the world throughout ▪ then hand in hand they leade each other to the sandy-banks of the brinish ocean , when clenching their hands fast , they unloose not til inforced to wipe their watery-eyes , whose constant streames forced a watery-path upon their cheekes , which to hide from the eyes of others they shun society for a time , but being called by occasion , whose bauld back-part none can lay hold one ; they thrust in among the throng now ready to take ship , where they beheld the like affections with their own among divers relations , husbands and wives with mutuall consent are now purposed to part for a time leagues asunder , since some providence at present will not suffer them to goe together , they resolve their tender affections shall not hinder this worke of christ , the new married and betrothed man , exempt by the law of god from war , now will not claime their priviledge , but being constrained by the love of christ , lock up their naturall affections for a time , till the lord shall be pleased to give them a meeting in this westerne world , sweetly mixing it with spirituall love , in the meane time many fathers now take their yong samuells , and give them to this service of christ all their lives . brethren , sisters , unkles , nephewes , neeces , together with all kindred of bloud that binds the bowells of affection in a true lovers knot , can now take their last farewell , each of other , although naturall affection will still claime her right , and manifest her selfe to bee in the body by looking out at the windowes in a mournefull manner among this company , thus disposed doth many reverend and godly pastors of christ present themselves , some in a seamans habit , and their scattered sheepe comming as a poore convoy loftily take their leave of them as followeth , what dolefull dayes are these , when the best choise our orthodox ministers can make is to take up a perpetuall banishment from their native soile , together with their waves and children , wee their poore sheepe they may not feede , but by stoledred should they abide here . lord christ , here they are at thy command , they go , this is the doore thou hast opened upon our earnest request , and we hope it shall never be shut : for englands sake they are going from england to pray without ceasing for england , o england ! thou shalt finde new england prayers prevailing with their god for thee , but now woe alas , what great hardship must these our indeared pastors indure for a long season , with these words they life up their voyces and wept , adding many drops of sale liquor to the ebbing ocean ; then shaking hands they bid adue with much cordiall affection to all their brethren , and sisters in christ , yet now the scorne and derifion of those times , and for this their great enterprise counted as so many crackt . braines , but christ will make all the earth know the wisdome he hath indued them with , shall over-top all the humane policy in the world , as the sequell wee hope will shew ; thus much shall suffice in generall to speak of their peoples farewell they tooke from time to time of their country and friends . chap. xiii . of the charges expended by this poore people , to injoy christ in his purity of his ordinances . and now they enter the ships , should they have cast up what it would have cost to people new england before hand , the most strongest of faith among them would certainly have staggered much , and very hardly have set saile . but behold and wonder at the admirable acts of christ , here it is cast up to thy hand , the passage of the persons that peopled new england cost ninety five thousand pounds , the swine , goates , sheepe , neate and horse , cost to transport twelve thousand pound , besides the price they cost , getting food for all persons for the time till they could bring the woods to tillage amounted unto forty five thousand pounds ; nayles , glasse and other iron-worke for their meeting-houses , and other dwelling houses before they could raise any meanes in the country to purchase them , eighteene thousand pounds . armes , powder , bullet and match , together with their great artillery , twenty two thousand pounds : the whose sum amounts unto one hundred ninety two thousand pound , beside that which the adventurers laid out in england , which was a small pittance compared with this , and indeed most of those that cast into this banke were the chiefe adventurers . neither let any man thinke the sum above expressed did defray the whole ch●rge of this army , which amounts to above as much more , onely this sum lies still in banke , and the other they have had the income agains ; this therefore is chiefly presented to satisfie such as thinke new england men have beene bad husbands in mannaging their estates , assuredly here it lies in banke , put out to the greatest advantage that ever any hath beene for many hundred of yeares before , and verily although in casting it up some hundreds may be miscounted ( for the author would not willingly exceede in any respect ) but to be sure christ stands by and beholds every mite that ( in the obedience of faith ) is cast into this treasury : but what doe wee answering men ? the money is all christs , and certainly hee will take it well that ( his ) have so disposed of it to his advantage ; by this meanes hee hath had a great income in england of late , prayers , teares and praise , and some reformation ; scotland and ireland have met with much of the profit of this banke , virginia , bermodas and barbados have had a taste , and france may suddenly meete with the like . therefore repent you not , you that have cast in your coyne , but tremble all you that with a penurious haud have not onely cast , in such as are taking out to hord it up in your napkins , remember ananias and saphirah , how darest thou doe it in these dayet , when the lord hath need of it ? gentle reader make use of this memorable providence of christ for his new england churches , where had this poore people this great sum of money ? the mighty princes of the earth never opened their coffers for them , and the generality of these men were meane and poore in the things of this life , but sure it is the work is done , let god have the glory , who hath now given them food to the full , and some to spare for other churches . chap. xiv . of the wonderfull preservation of christ , in carrying his people . men , women , children , through the largest ocean in the world. and now you have had a short survay of the charges of their new england vayages , see their progresse being safe aboard weighing anker , and hoysting saile they betooke them to the protection of the lord on the wide ocean , no sooner were they dispersed by reason of the widenesse of the sea , but the arrabella ( for so they called the eagle , which the company purchased in honour of the lady arrabella , wife to that godly esquire , izack johnson ) espied foure ships , as they supposed , in pursuit of them , their suspition being the more augmented by reason of a report ( when they lay in harbor ) of foure dunkerk-men of war , who were said to lie wating for their comming forth , at this sight they make preparation , according to their present condition , comforting one another in the sweete mercies of christ : the weaker sex betooke them to the ships hold , but the men one decks waite in a readinesse for the enemies approach . at whose courage many of the seamen wonder , not knowing under whose command these their passengers were , even he who makes all his souldiers bold as lions , yet was he not minded to make triall of his peoples valiantey in fight at this time , for the ships comming up with them proved to be their own countrymen and friends , at which they greatly rejoyced , seeing the good hand of their god was upon them , and are further strengthened in faith to rely one christ , for the future time against all leakes , stormes , rockes , sands , and all other wants a long sea-voyage procures , sustaining them with a i meeknesse and patience , yet sensible of the lords frownes , humbling their soules before him , and also rejoyeing in his deliverauces in taking the cup of salvation , and paying the tribute of thankfulnesse to the most high , whose provident hand was diversly directed toward them , purposely to point out the great hardships they must undergoe in this their christian warfare , and withall to tell them , although their difficulties were many and moumfull , yet their victories shou'd be much more glorious and joyfull , eminently eyed of the whole world , but now keeping their course so neere as the winds will suffer them , the billowes begin to grow lofty and rageing , and suddenly bringing them into the vale of death , covering them with the formidable flouds , and dashing their bodies from side to side , hurling their unfixed goods from place to place at these unwonted workes . many of these people amazed finde such opposition in nature , that her principles grow feeble , and cannot digest her food , loathing all manner of meat , so that the vitall parts are hindered from cooperating with the soule in spirituall duties , insomuch that both men , women and children are in a helplesse condition for present , and now is the time if ever of recounting this service they have , and are about to undertake for christ ; but he , who is very sensible of his peoples infirmities , rebukes the winds , and seas for their sakes , and then the reverend and godly among them begin to exhort them in the name of the lord , and from the lord , being fitted with such words as much incourrages the worke they are going about , many of their horses and other cattell are cast over-board by the way , to the great disheartning of some , but christ knew well how for his peoples hearts would be taken off the maine worke with these things . and therefore although he be very tender in providing outward necessaries for his , yet rather than this great worke ( he intends ) should be hindered , their tables shall be spred but thinly in this wildernesse for a time . after the lord had exercised them thus severall ways , he sent diseases to visit their ships , that the desart land they were now drawing near unto might not be deserted by them at first enterance , which sure it would have been by many , had not the lord prevented by a troublesom passage : at forty dayes end , or thereabout , they cast to sound the seas depth , and find them sixty fadom , by which they deem the bankes of new sound land are near , where they being provided with cod-line and hooke hale up some store of fish to their no small refreshing , and within some space of time after they approach the cost of new england , where they are againe provided with mackarell , and that which was their greater rejoycing , they discover land , at sight thereof they blessed the lord. but before the author proceed any further in this discourse , take here a short survay of all the voyages by sea , in the transportation of these armies of the great jehova , for fifteene years space to the year . about which time england began to indeavour after reformation , and the souldiers of christ were set at liberty to bide his battells at home , for whose assistance some of the chiefe worthies of christ returned back : the number of ships that transported passengers in this space of time , as is supposed is . men , women and children passing over this wide ocean , as near as at present can be gathered , is also supposed to be . or thereabout . chap. xv. an exhortation to all people , nations and languages , to indeavour the advancing of the kingdome of christ in the purity of his ordinances , seeing he hath done , such admirable acts for these poore shrubs . and now all you whose affections are taken with wonderfull matters ( attend ) and you that thinke christ hath forgotten his poore despised people ( behold ) and all you that hopefully long for christs appearing to confound antichrist ( consider ) and rejoyce all yee his churches the world throughout , for the lambe is preparing his bride , and oh ● yee the antient beloved of christ , whom he of old led by the hand from egypt to canaan , through that great and terrible . wildernesse , looke here , behold him whom you have peirced , preparing to peirce your hearts with his wonder-working providence , and to provoke you by this little handfull of his people to looke on him , and mourne . yet let no man think these few weake wormes would restraine the wnoderfull workes of christ , as onely to themselves , but the quite contrary , these but the porch of his glorious building in hand , and if hee have shewed such admirable acts of his providence toward these , what will he doe when the whole nation of english shall set upon like reformation according to the direct rule of his word ? assured confidence there is also for all nations , from the undoubted promise of christ himselfe . the winter is past , the raine is changed and gone , come out of the holes of the secret places , feare not because your number is but small , gather into churches , and let christ be your king , yee presbytery , lord it not over them or any churches , but feed every one , that one flock over which christ hath made you over-seers , and yee people of christ give your presbytery double honours , that they with you may keepe the watch of the lord over his churches . yee dutch come out of your hods-podge , the great mingle mangle of religion among you hath caused the churches of christ to increase so little with you , standing at ● stay like corne among weeds , oh , yee french ! feare not the great swarmes of locusts , nor the croking frogs in your land , christ is reaching out the hand to you , look what hee hath done for these english , and sure hee is no respecter of persons , &c. yee germanes that have had such a bloudy bickering , christ is now comming to your aide , then cast off your loose , and carelesse kinde of reformation , gather into churches , and keepe them pure , that christ may delight to dwell among you : oh italy ! the seat and center of the beast , christ will now pick out a people from among you for himselfe , see here what wonders hee workes in little time . oh! yee spaniards and portugalls , christ will shew you the abominarions of that beastly whore , who hath made your nations drunke with the wine of her fornication . dread not that cruell murtherous inquisition , for christ is now making inquisicion for them , and behold , here how hee hath rewarded them , who deale cruelly with these his people . finally , oh all yee nations of the world , behold great is the worke the glorious king of heaven and earth hath in hand ; beware of neglecting the call of christ : and you the seed of israel both lesse and more , the ratling of your dead bones together i● at hand , sinewes , flesh and life : at the word of christ it comes counsellers and judges , you shall have as at the begining to fight for you , as gidion , bareck , jeptha , samson &c. then sure your deliverance shall be sudden and wonderfull , if christ have done such great things for these low shrubs , what will his most admirable , excellent and wonderfull worke for you be , but as the resurrection from the dead , when all the miraculous acts of his wonderfull power shewed upon pharoah ? for your fore-fathers deliverance shall be swallowed up with those far greater workes that christ shall shew for your deliverance upon the whole world , by fiers and bloud destroying both pope and turke , when you shall see great smoake and flames ascending up on high , of that great whore , revel . & . verse , and the . & . verse , and the . the . and . vers . then oh ! you people of israel gather together as one man , and grow together as one tree . ezek. . & . for christ the great king of all the earth is now going forth in his great wrath and terrible indignation to avenge the bloud of his saints , ezek & . vers . and now for the great and bloudy battell of gog and magog , rivers of bloud , and up to the horse-bridles , even the bloud of those have drunke bloud so long , oh i dreadfull day , when the patience and long-suffering of christ , that hath lasted so many hundreds of yeares shall end , what wonderous workes are now suddenly to be wrought for the accomplishment of these things ▪ then judge all you ( whom the lord christ hath given a discerning spirit ) whether these poore new england people be not the fore runners of christs army , and the marvelous providences which you shall now heare , be not the very finger of god , and whether the lord hath not sent this people to preach in this wildernesse , and to proclaime to all nations , the neere approach of the most wonderfull workes that ever the sonnes of men saw . will not you believe that a nation can be borne in a day ? here is a worke come very neare it ; but if you will believe you shall see far greater things than these , and that in very little time , and in the meane time looke on the following discourse . chap. xvi . of the admirable acts of christs providence , in delivering this his people in their voyages by sea , from many foule dangers . you have heard of about . ships passing the perillous ocean , of all which i heare of but one that ever miscarried ; yet shall you here see some of the great dangers they were in the ship , this author came in a foggy morning , anon by breake of day was ready to be steamed by a pirate , but being unready for sight they passed by ; others by a fog , have been delivered from farther chase of them , so that of this great number never did any pirate make one shot at them , according to best intelligence . their deliverance from leakes also hath been no lesse wonderfull , some so neare sinking , that the loving affection betweene husband and wife , hath caused them to fould each other in their armes , with resolution to die together , and make the sea their grave , yet not ceasing to call on the lord , their present helpe in time of need , who is minded to manifest his great care for this his people to all that shall come to hear thereof . and therefore directs to meanes for freeing their ships , being now ready to founder in the depthlesse ocean . and further , as if these deliverances were too little to expresse the tender care christ hath of his , to free them from all dangers , those that occupy their businesse in the deepe , and see the wonders of god upon the waters , are taken with great astonishment to behold the extraordinary hand of the most high , in transportation of this people , in that their ships all of a sudden are brought so neer the ground , and yet strike not their pilots , missing ofttimes of their skill on those unwandered . coasts , but their jehovah hee misses not to be an exact pilot in the most thickest foggs and darkest nights , for thus it befell . the night newly breaking off her darknesse , and the day-light being clouded with a grosse vapor , as if nights curtaines remained halfe shut , the sea-men and passengers standing on the decks , suddenly fixed their eyes one a great boat ( as they deemed ) and anon after they spied another , and after that another ; but musing on the matter , they perceived themselves to be in great danger of many great rocks , with much terror and affrightment , they turned the ship about , expecting every moment to be dasht in pieces against the rocks . but he whose providence brought them in , piloted them out againe , without any danger , to their great rejoycing . and assuredly ) so extraordinarily eminent and admirable to the eyes of many beholders , was the wonderfull workes in magnifying the rich grace toward this his people in prefering them ) that many masters of ships left their see imployment for a time , and chose rather to suffer the wante of a wildernesse with the people of god , than to increase their estates in a full-fed land , and verily so taken they were , that they fell down at christs feet , and were placed by him as living stones , elect and pretious in his churches ; also many other seamen were brought to seeke after christ in his ordinances , by which it appeares some great worke , by some far surpassing all this , hath christ ere long to doe , that hee thus fitteth instruments . then all you that occupy shipping prepare for his service , who will assuredly prove the best owner that ever you went to sea for . furthermore , the condition of those persons passed the seas , in this long and restlesse voyage ( if rightly considered ) will more magnifie the grace of christ in this great worke. first , such were many of them that never before had made any path through the waters , no not by boat , neither so much as seene a ship , others so tenderly brought up that they had little hope of their lives continuance under such hardships , as so long a voyage must needs inforce them to indure , others there were , whose age did rather call for a quiet couch to rest them on , than a pinching cabbin in a reeling ship , others whose weake natures were so borne downe with disease , that they could hardly craule up the ships-side , yet ventured their weake vessells to this westurne world. here also might you see weakly women , whose hearts have trembled to set foote in boate , but now imboldened to venter through these tempestuous seas with their young b●bes , whom they nurture up with their breasts , while their bodies are tossed on the tumbling waves ; also others whose wombes could not containe their fru●t , being ready for the worlds-light , travailed and brought forth upon this depthlesse ocean in this long voyage , lively and strong children yet living , and like to prove succeeding instruments in the hands of christ , for furthering this worke ; among other sea-borne cotten , now a young student in a colledge in cambridge , being son to that famous and renowned teacher of christ , m. john cotten ; by all this and much more that might be said , for allmost every one you discourse withall will tell you of some remarkeable providence of god shewed toward them in this their voyage , by which you may see the worke of christ is not to bee laid aside because of difficulties . chap. xvii . of the first leading of these people of christ , when the civill government was established . but to goe on with the story , the of july or thereabout . these souldiers of christ first set foote one this westerne end of the world ; where arriveing in safety , both men , women and children . on the north side of charles river , they landed neare a small island , called noddells island , where one mr. samuel mavereck then living , a man of a very loving and curteous behaviour , very ready to entertaine strangers , yet an enemy to the reformation in hand , being strong for the lordly prelaticall power one this island , he had built a small fort with the helpe of one mr. david tompson , placing therein foure murtherers to protect him from the indians . about one mile distant upon the river ran a small creeke , taking its name from major gen. edward gibbons , who dwelt there for some yeares after ; one the south side of the river one a point of land called blaxtons point , planted mr. william blaxton , of whom we have formerly spoken : to the south east of him , neare an island called tompsons island lived some few planters more , these persons were the first planters of those parts , having some small trading with the indians for beaver-skins , which moved them to make their aboade in those parts , whom these first troopes of christs army , found as fit helpes to further their worke . at their arrivall those small number of christians gathered at salem , greatly rejoycing and the more , because they saw so many that came chiefly for promoting the great work of christ in hand , the lady arrabella and some other godly women aboad at salem , but their husbands continued at charles town , both for the settling the civill government , and gathering another church of christ . the first court was holden aboard the arrabella the . of august . when the much honoured john wintrope esq . was chosen governour for the remainder of that yeare , . also the worthy thomus dudly esq . was chosen deputy governour , and mr. simon brodestreet secretary , the people after their long voyage were many of them troubled with the scurvy , and some of them died : the first station they tooke up was at charles towne , where they pitched some tents of cloath , other built them small huts , in which they lodged their wifes and children . the first beginning of this worke seemed very dolorous ; first for the death of that worthy personage izaac johnson esq . whom the lord had indued with many pretious gifts , insomuch that he was had in high esteeme among all the people of god , and as a chiefe pillar to support this new erected building , he very much rejoyced at his death , that the lord had been pleased to keepe his eyes open so long , as to see one church of christ gathered before his death , at whose departure there was not onely many weeping eyes , but some fainting hearts , fearing the fall of the present worke . for future remembrance of him mind this meeter . izaac johnson esquire , beloved of christ and his people , and one of the magistrates of new england . what mov'd thee on the seas upon such toyle with lady . taking ; christs drawing love all strength 's above , when way for his hee 's making . christ will have thee example be , honoured with 's graces , yeilding his churches aid , foundation laid , now new one christ a building . thy faith , hope , love , joy , meeknesse prove improved for thy lord , as he to thee , to people be , in government accord . oh! people why , doth christ deny this worthies life to lengthen ? christ onely trust , johnsons turnd dust , and yet hee 's crownd and strengthend . the griefe of this people was further increased by the sore sicknesse which befell among them , so that almost in every family lamentation , mourning , and woe was heard , and no fresh food to be had to cherish them , it would assuredly have moved the most lockt up affections to teares no doubt , had they past from one hut to another , and beheld the p●teous case these people were in , and that which added to their present distresse was the want of fresh water , for although the place did afford plenty , yet for present they could finde but one spring , and that not to be come at , but when the tide was downe , which caused many to passe over to the south-side of the river , where they afterward erected some other townes , yet most admirable it was to see with what christian courage many of these souldiers of christ carried it amidst all these calamities , and in october , the governour deputy and assistants , held their second court on the south-side of the river ; where they then began to build , holding correspondency with charles towne , as one and the same . at this court many of the first planters came , and were made free , yet afterward none were admitted to this fellowship , or freedome , but such as were first joyned in fellowship with some one of the churches of christ , their chiefest aime being bent to promote his worke altogether . the number of freemen this yeare was . or thereabout . chap. xviii . of the second church of christ , gathered at charles towne in the mattacusets bay , . and now the new-come souldiers of christ strengthen themselves in him , and gather a church at charles towne , whose extent at present did reach to both sides of the river , and in very little time after was divided into two churches , the reverend and judicious mr. john wilson was called to be pastor thereof , a man full of faith , courage and zeale , for the truth of christ persecuted , and hunted after by the usurping prelates ( and forced for present to part from his indeared wife ) yee honoured by christ , and made a powerfull instrument in his hands for the cutting downe of error , and schisme , as in the sequell of this history will appeare , in whose weakenesse christs power hath appeared . the grave and reverend mr. john wilson , now pastor of the church of christ at soston , in new england . john vvilson will to christs will submit , in wildernesse , where thou hast trialls found , christ in new making did compose thee fit , and made thy love zeale , for his truth abound . then it 's not wilson , but christ by him hath , error cut down when it o'retopping stood , thou then ' gainst it didst shew an holy wrath ; saving mens soules from this o're-flowing floud . they thee deprave , thy ministrey dispise , by thy thick utterance seeke to call men back , from hearing thee , but christ for thee did rise . and turnd the wheel-right over them to crack . yea , caused thee with length of dayes to stand , steadfast in 's house in old age fruit to bring , i and thy seed raise up by his comman● ▪ his flock to feed , rejoyce my muse and sing . that christ doth , dust regard so plentiously , rich gifts to give , and heart to give him his , estate and person thou spends liberally ; christ thee , and thine will crown with lasting blisse . this , as the other churches of christ , began with a small number in a desolate and barren wildernesse , which the lord in his wonderfull mercy hath turned to fruitfull fields . vvherefore behold the present condition of these churches compared with their beginnings ; as they sowed in teares , so also have they reaped in joy , and shall still so go on if plenty and liberty marre not their prosperity . this towne of charles is situated one the north-side of charles river , from whence it tooke its name , the river being about five or six fathom deepe ; over against the town many small islands lieing to the seaward of it , and hills one either side . by which meanes it proves a very good harbor for ships , which hath caused many sea-men and merchants to sit downe there , the forme of this towne in the frontice piece thereof , is like the head , neck and shoulders of a men , onely the pleasant , and navigable river of mistick runs through the right shoulder thereof , and by its neare approach to charles river in one place makes a very narrow neck , by which meanes the chiefe part of the towne , whereon the most building stands , becomes a peninsula : it hath a large market-place neer the water side built round with houses , comly and faire , forth of which there issues two streetes orderly built with some very faire houses , beautified with pleasant gardens and orchards , the whole towne consists in its extent of about . dwelling houses . their meeting house for sabbath assembly stands in the market-place , very comly built and large , the officers of this church are at this day one pastor , and one teacher , one ruling elder , and three deacons , the number of soules are about . wonderfull it is to see that in so short a time such great alterations christ should worke for these poore people of his : their corne land in tillage in this towne is about . acres , their great cattell are about . head , sheepe neare upon . as for their horse you shall hear of them , god willing , when we come to speak of their military discipline . chap. xix . of the third church of christ gathered at dorchester , . the third church of christ gathered under this government was at dorchester , a frontire town scituated very pleasantly both for facing the sea , and also its large extent into the main land , well watered with two small rivers ; neere about this towne inhabited some few ancient traders , who were not of this select band , but came for other ends , as morton of merry-mount , who would faine have resisted this worke , but the provident hand of christ prevented . the forme of this towne is almost like a serpent turning her head to the north ward ; over against tompsons island , and the castle , her body and wings being chiefly built on , are filled somewhat thick of houses , onely that one of her wings is clipt , her tayle being of such a large extent that shee can hardly draw it after her ; her houses for dwelling are about one hundred and forty , orchards and gardens full of fruit-trees , plenty of corne-land , although much of it hath been long in tillage , yet hath it ordinarily good corps , the number or trees are neare upon . cowes , and other cattell of that kinde about . thus hath the lord been pleased to increase his poore dispersed people , whose number in this flock are neare about . their first pastor called to feede them was the reverend , and godly mr. maveruck . maveruck thou must put period to thy dayes , in wildernesse thy kindred thee provoke to come , but christ doth thee for high ends raise ; amongst his worthies to strike many a stroke . thy godly life , and doctrine speake , though thou in dust art laid , yet christ by thee did feede his scattered lambes , they gathered are by you ; christ calls thee home , but flock he leaves to seede . cahp. xx. of the fourth church of christ gathered at bosten , . after some little space of time the church of christ at charles town , having their sabbath assemblies oftenest o● the south side of the river , agreed to leave the people on that side to themselves , and to provide another pastor for charles towne , which accordingly they did . so that the fourth church of christ issued out of charles towne , and was seated at boston , being the center towne and metropolis of this wildernesse worke ( but you must not imagine it to be a metropolitan church ) invironed it is with the brinish flouds , saving one small istmos , which gives free accesse to the neighbour townes ; by land on the south side , on the north-west , and north east , two constant faires are kept for daily traffique thereunto , the forme of this towne is like a heart , naturally scituated for fortifications , having two hills on the frontice part thereof next the sea , the one well fortified on the superfices thereof , with store of great artillery well mounted , the other hath a very strong battery built of whole timber , and filled with earth , at the descent of the hill in the extreme poynt therof betwixt these two strong armes lies a large gave or bay , on which the chiefest part of this town is built , over-topped with a third hill , all three like over-topping towers keepe a constant watch to fore-see the approach of forrein dangers , being furnished with a beacon and lowd babling guns , to give notice by their redoubled eccho to all their sister townes , the chiefe edifice of this city-like towne i● crowded on the sea-b●●kes , and wharfed out with great industry and cost , the buildings beautifull and large , some fairely see forth with brick , tile , stone and slate , and orderly placed with comly streets , whose continuall inlargement presages some sump●uous city . the wonder of this moderne age , that a few yeares should bring forth such great matters by so means a handfull , and they so far from being inriched by the spoiles of other nations , that the states of many of them have beene spoiled by the lordly prelacy , whose lands must assuredly make restitutions . but now behold the admirable acts of christ , at this his peoples landing , the hideous thickets in this place were such , that wolfes and beares nurst up their young from the eyes of all beholders , in those very places where the streets are full of girles and boys sporting up and downe , with a continued concourse of people . good store of shipping is here yearly built , and some very faire ones : both ta● and mastes the countrey affords from its own soile ; also store of victuall both for their owne and forreinersships , who resort hither for that end : this town is the very mart of the land , french , portugalls and dutch , come hither for traffique . chap. xxi . of the fift church of christ , gathered at roxbury , . the fift church of christ was gathered at roxbury , scituated between boston and dorchester , being well watered with coole and pleasant springs issuing forth the rocky-hills , and with small freshets , watering the vallies of this fertill towne , whose forme is somewhat like a wedge double pointed , entring betweene the two foure-named townes , filled with a very laborious people , whose labours the lord hath so blest , that in the roome of dismall swampes and tearing bushes , they have very goodly fruit-trees , fruitfull fields and gardens , their heard of cowes , oxen and other young cattell of that kind about . and dwelling-houses neere upon . their streetes are large , and some fayre houses , yet have they built their house for church-assembly , destitute and unbeautified with other buildings . the church of christ here is increased to about . persons , their first teaching elder called to office is mr. eliot a yong man , at his comming thither of a cheerfull spirie , walking unblameable , of a godly conversation , apt to teach , as by his indefatigable paines both with his own flock , and the poore indians doth appeare , whose language he learned purposely to helpe them to the knowledge of god in christ , frequently preaching in their wigwams , and catechizing their children . mr. eliot pastor of the church of christ at roxbury , in new england , much honoured for his labours in the lord. great is thy worke in wildernesse , oh man , young eliot neere twenty yeares thou bast , in westerne world with miccle toile thy span spent well-neere out , and now thy gray hayrs gracest , are by thy land-lord christ , who makes use of thee to feede his flock , and heathen people teach in their own language , god and christ to see ; a saviour their blind hearts could not reach , poore naked children come to learne gods mind before thy face with reverend regard ; blesse god for thee may these poore heathen blind , that from thy mouth christs gospell sweete have heard . eliot thy name is , through the wild woods spread , in indians mouths frequent's thy fame , for why ? in sundry shapes the devills made them dread ; and now the lord makes them their wigwams fly , rejoyce in this , nay rather joy that thou , amongst christs souldiers bast thy name sure set . although small gaine on earth accrew to you , yet christ to crowne will thee to heaven soone fet . chap. xxii . of the sixth church of christ , gathered at linn . . the sixth church of christ was gathered at linn , betweene salem and charles towne , her scitnation is neere to a river , whose strong freshe● at breaking up of winter filleth all her bankes , and with a furious torrent ventes it selfe into the sea ; this towne is furnished with mineralls of divers kinds , especially iron and lead , the forme of it is almost square , onely it takes two large a run into the land ward ( as most townes do ) it is filled with about one hundred houses for dwelling ; here is also an iron mill in constant use , but as for lead they have tried but little yet . their meeting-house being on a levell land undefended from the cold north west-wind ; and therefore made with steps descending into the earth , their streetes are straite and comly , yet but thin of houses , the people mostly inclining to husbandry , have built many farmes remote there , cattell exceedingly multiplied , goates which were in great esteeme at their first comming , are now almost quite banished , and now horse , kine and sheep are most in request with them , the first feeder of this flock of christ was mr. stephen batchelor , gray and aged , of whom as followeth : through ocean large christ brought thee for to feede , his wandering flock with 's word thou hast oft taught , then teach thy selfe with others thou hast need ; thy flowing fame unto low ebbe is brought ▪ faith and obedience christ full near hath joyn'd , then trust on christ , and thou againe mayst be brought on thy race though now far cast behinde , run to the end , and crowned thou shalt be . chap. xxiii . of the seventh church of christ gathered at water-towne , . the seaventh church of christ gathered out of this wandering race of jaccobites was at water-towne , scituate upon one of the branches of charles river , a fruitfull plat , and of large extent , watered with many pleasant springs , and small rivulets , running like veines throughout her body , which hath caused her inhabitants to scatter in such manner , that their sabbath-assemblies prove very thin , if the season favour not , and hath made this great towne ( consisting of . families ) to shew nothing delightfull to the eye in any place ; this towne began by occasion of sir richard saltingstall , who at his arrivall , having some store of cattell and servants , they wintered in those parts : this town aboundes in severall sorts of fish at their seasons , basse , shad , alewifes , frost fish , and smelts : their herd of kine , and cattell of that kinde are about . with some store of sheepe and goates , their land in tillage is neere upon . acres , this church is increased to neer about . soules in church-fellowship , their first pastor was mr. phillips , a man mighty in the scriptures , and very dilligent to search out the minde of christ therein contained , of whom as followeth : the pennury of wildernesse shall not daunt phillips , and diswade his undertaking this voyage long : for christ hath made him hot with zeal for 's truth , thy native soile forsaken to follow christ his bannisht flock to feede , with restlesse toile thus honour'd christ hath thee , then it maintaine though thou thy people neede ; christ would thou shouldst of them aye honoured be , till death thou hast been souldier in this war , darke types the shaddowes of good things now come , by thee have been unfoulded very far ; cleer'd baptimes light from error broch'd by some . as by thy worke in print appeares this day , though thou thy days hast ended on this earth , yet still thou livest in name and fame alway ; christ thee poore dust doth crowne with lasting mirth . chap. xxiv . of the great cheerefulnesse of their souldiers of christ , in and under the penuries of a wildernesse . these were the beginnings of these resolute souldiers of christ jesus in the yeare , . even to lay the foundation of their severall churches of christ , built onely on him as their chiefe corner stone . but as his chosen israel met with many difficulties after their returne from captivity , in building the temple and city , which they valiantly waded through ; so these weake wormes ( oh christ to thy praise be it spoken ) were most wonderfully holpen in such distresses , as to appearance of man seemed to be both hopelesse , and helplesse , threatning destruction to the whole building and far from accomplishing such great things as you have in part seene already , and shall in the following discourse ( god willing ) see more abundantly , adding a strong testimony to the work , that as it was begun by christ , so hath it beene carried on by him , and shall to the admiration of the whole world be perfected in his time , and unlesse men will be wilfully blinde , they must needs see and confesse the same , and that the influence thereof hath already run from one end of the earth unto the other . this yeare . john winthrop esq . was chosen governour , pickt out for the worke , by the provident hand of the most high , and inabled with gifts accordingly , then all the folke of christ , who have seene his face and beene partaker of the same , remember him in this following matter . iohn winthrope esq . eleven times governour of the english nation , inhabiting the mattacusets bay in new england . why leavest thou john , thy station , in suffolk , thy own soile , christ will have thee a pillar be , for 's people thors must toyle , he chang'd thy heart , thē take his part , ' gainst prelates proud invading ( his kingly throne ) set up alone , in wildernesse their shading . his little flocks from prelates knocks , twice ten years rut'd thou hast , with civill sword at christs word , and eleven times been trast . by name and note , with peoples vote , their governour to be , thy means hast spent , 't was therefore lent , to raise this work by thee . well arm'd and strong with sword among , christ armies warcheth he . doth valiant praise , and weak one raise , with kind benignity . to lead the van , ' gainst babylon , doth worthy winthrop call , thy progeny , shall battell try , when prelacy shall fall . with fluent tongue thy pen doth run , in learned latine phrase , to sweads , french , dutch , thy neighbours , which thy lady rhetorick praise , thy bounty feeds , christs servants needs , in wilderness of wants to indians thou christs gospell now , 'mongst heathen people plants . yet thou poore dust , now dead and must , to rottennesse be brought , t'ill christ restore thee glorious , more then can of dust be thought . the much honoured thomas dudly esquire was chosen deputy governour , and the number of free-men added was about . those honoured persons who were now in place of government , having the propagation of the churches of christ , in their eye laboured by all meanes to make roome for inhabitants , knowing well that where the dead carkass is , thither will the eagles resort . but herein they were much opposed by certaine persons , whose greedy desire for land much hindered the worke for a time , as indeed all such persons do at this very day , and let such take notice how these were cured of this distemper , some were taken away by death , and then to be sure they had land enough , others fearing poverty , and famishment , supposing the present scarcity would never be turned into plenty , removed themselves away , and so never beheld the great good the lord hath done for his people , but the valiant of the lord waited with pagience , and in the misse of beere supp●led themselves with water , even the most honoured as well as others , contentedly rejoyeing in a cup of cold water , blessing the lord that had given them the taste of that living water , and that they had not the water that sl●ckes the thrist of their naturall bodies , given them by measure , but might drinke to the full ; as also in the absence of bread they feasted themselves with fish , the women once a day , as the eide gave way , resorted to the mussells , and clambankes , which are a fish as big as horse-mussells , where they dai'y gathered their families food with much heavenly discourse of the provisions christ had formerly made for many thousands of his followers in the wildernesse . quoth one , my husband hath travailed as far as plimoth ( which is neere miles , ) and hath with great toile brought a little corne home with him , and before that is spent the lord will assuredly provide : quoth the other , our last peck of meaie it now in the oven at home a baking , and many of our godly neighbours have quite spent all , and wee owe one loafe of that little wee have ; then spake a third , my husband hath veatured himselfe among the indians for corne , and can get none , as also our honoured governour hath distributed his so far , that a day or two more will put an end to his store , and all the rest , and yet methinks our children are as cheerefull , fat , and lusty with feeding upon those mussells , clambanks and other fish as they were in england , with their fill of bread , which makes mee cheerfull in the lords providing for us , being further confirmed by the exhoreation of our pastor to trust the lord with providing for us ; whose is the earth and the fulnesse thereof . and as they were incouraging one another in christs carefull providing for them , they lift up their eyes and saw two ships comming in , and presently this newes came to their eares , that they were come from jacland full of victualls , now their poore heares were not so much refreshed in regard of the food they saw they were like to have , as their soules rejoyced in that christ would now manifest himselfe to be the commissary generall of this his army , and that hee should honour them so far as to be poore sutlers for his camp , they soone up with their mussells , and hie them home to stay their hungry stomacks . after this manner did christ many times graciously provide for this his people , even at the last cast . chap. xxv . of the lords gracious protection of his people , from the barbarous cruelties of the heathen . about this time the indians that were most conversant smong them , came quaking and complaining of a barbarous and cruell people called the tarratines , who they said would eat such men as they caught alive , tying them to a tree , and gnawing their flesh by peece-meales off their bones , as also that they were a strong and numerous people , and now comming , which made them flee to the english , who were but very few in number at this time , and could make but little resistance , being much dispersed , yet did they keepe a constant watch , neglecting no meanes christ had put into their hands for their owne safety , in so much that they were exceedingly weaked with continued labour , watching and hard diet , but the lord graciously upheld them in all , for thus it befell neere the towne of linn , then called saugust , in the very dead of the night ( being upon their watch , because of the report that went of the indians approach to those parts ) one lieurenant walker , a man indued with faith , and of a couragious spirit , comming to relieve the centinell being come up with him , all of a sudden they heard the sticks crack hard by them , & with all he felt something b●ush hard upon his shoulder , which was an indian arrow shot through his coat , and the wing of his buffe-jacket . upon this hee discharged his culliver directly toward the place , where they heard the noise , which being deep'y loden brake in pieces , then they returned to the court of guard , and raised such small forces as they had ; comming to the light they perceived he had an other arrow shot through his coat betwixt his legs . seeing this great presertation they stood upon their guard till morning , expecting the indians to come upon them every moment , but when day-light appeared , they soone sent word to other parts , who gathered together , and tooke counsell how to quit themselves of these indians , whose approach they demed would be sudden , they ugreed to discharge their great guns , the redoubling eccho rattling in the rocks caused the indians to betake themselves to slight ( being a terrible unwonted sound unto them ) or rather he who put such trembling feare in the assyrians army , struck the like in these cruell canniballs . in the autumne following , the indians , who had all this time held good correspondency with the english , began to quarrell with them about their bounds of land , notwithstanding they purchased all they had of them , but the lord put an end to this quarrell also , by smiting the indians with a sore d●sease , even the smll pox ; of the which great numbers of them died , yet these servants of christ minding their masters businesse , were much moved in affection toward them to see them depart this life without the knowledge of god in christ . and therefore were very frequent among them for all the noysomenesse of their disease , entring their wigwams , and exhorting them in the name of the lord. among others one of the chiefe saggamores of the mattachusets , whom the english named saggemore john , gave some good hopes , being alwayes very courteous to them , whom the godly , and much honour'd among the english , visiting a little before his death , they instructing him in the knowledge of god. qaoth hee by and by mee mattamoy may be my two sons live , you take them to teach much to know god. accordingly the honoured mr. john winthrop , and the reverend mr. john wilson tooke them home , notwithstanding the infectiousnesse of the disease their father died of . the mortality among them was very great , and increased among them daily more and more , insomuch that the poore creatures being very timorous of death , would faine have fled from it , but could not tell how , unlesse they could have gone from themselves ; relations were little regarded among them at this time , so that many , who were s●●it●en with the disease died helplesse , unlesse they were neare , and known to the english : their powwowes , wizards , and charmers , athamochas factors were possest with greatest feare of any . the winters piercing cold stayed not the strength of this hot disease , yet the english endeavouring to visit their sick wigwams , helpe them all they could , but as they entred one of their matted houses , they beheld a most sad spectacle , death having smitten them all save one poore infant , which lay on the ground sucking the breast of its dead mother , seeking to draw living nourishment from her dead breast . their dead they left oft-times unburied , wherefore the english were forced to dig holes , and drag their stinking corps into them . thus did the lord allay their quarrelsome spirits , and made roome for the following part of his army . this yeare came over more supplies to forward the worke of christ . chap. xxvi . of the gratious provisions the lord made for his people . the yeare . john winthrope esquire , was chosen governour againe , and the antient thomas dudly esquire , was deputy governour , a man of a sound judgement in matters of religion and well read , bestowing much labour that way , of whom as followeth : the honoured , aged , stable and sincere servant of christ , zealous for his truth thomas dudly , esq . foure times governour of the english nation , in the mattacusets , and first major generall of the millitary forces . what thomas now believe dost thou that riches men may gaine , in this poore plot christ doth allot his people to sustaine ; rich truth thou 'lt buy and sell not , why no richer jem can be , truths champion in campion , christ's grace hath placed thee , with civill sword , at christs word early cut off wilt thou , those wolvish sheep , amongst flocks do creep , and damned doctrine low ▪ to trembling age , thou valiant sage , one foot wilt not give ground , christs enemies from thy face flies , his truth thou savest sound . thy lengthened dayes , to christs praise , continued are by him : to set by thee his people free , from foes that raging bin . wearied with yeares , it plaine appeares , dudly not long can last , it matters not , christ crown thee got , it s now at hand , hold fast . this yeare was the first choise of migistrates by free-men , whose number was now increased , fifty three or thereabout , to declare the manner of their government is by the author deferred till the year . . where the reader may behold government both in churches and common-wealth , to be an institution of the lord , and much availeable through his blessing for the accomplshment of his promises to his people . this year these fore-runners of the following army of christ , after the sight of many of the admirable acts of his providence for them , begun to take up steddy resolution through the helpe of him to wade through the ocean , they were farther like to meete withall , and therefore began to plant the yet untilled earth , having as yet no other meanes to teare up the bushy lands , but their hands and howe 's , their bodies being in very ill temper by reason of the scurvy ( a disease in those dayes very frequent ) to undergoe such extremity , but being prick'd on with hungers sharpe gode , they keepe doing according to their weake abilities , and yet produce but little food for a long season , but being perswaded that christ will rather raine bread from heaven , then his people should want , being fully perswaded , they were set on the worke at his command . wherefore they followed on with all hands , and the lord ( who hath the cattell of thousand hills , and the corne of ten thousand vallies , the whole earth , and fulnesse of it ) did now raise up fresh supplies to be added to these both of men and provision of food , men no lesse valiane in faith then them , the former amongst whom was the reverend mr. welds and mr. james , who was welcomed by the people of christ at charles towne , and by them called to the office of a pastor , where hee continued for some yeares , and from thence removed to new haven , upon some seed of prejudice sowne by the enemies of this worke . but good reader doe thou behold , and remember him farther in the following liues ; thy native soile , oh james did thee approve , gods people there in lincolnesh●●e commend ; thy courteous speech and worke of christian love , till christ through seas did thee on message send . with learned skill his mind for to unsold , his people in new england thou must feed , but one sad breach did cut that band should hold ; then part wilt thou least farther jars should breed . yet part thou wilt not with christs truth , thy crowne but my muse waile that any souldier should , in fighting slip , why james thou fallest not downe , back thou retreats their valiant fighting , hold fast on thy christ , who thine may raise with thee , his bands increase , when leaders he provides , thy son young student may such blessing be ; thy losse repayre , and christ thee crown besides . although the great straites this wildernesse people were in for want of food , was heard of among the godly people in england , yet would they not decline the worke , but men of estates sold their possessions , and bought plenty of food for the voyage , which some of them sent before hand , by which meanes they were provided for , as also the lord put it into the hearts of such as were masters , and undertakers of ships to store their vessells so well that they had to spare for this peoples need , and further christ caused abundance of very good fish to come to their nots and hookes , and as for such as were unprovided with these meanes , they caught them with their hands , and so with f●sh , wild onions and other herbs were sweetly satisfied till other provisions , came in , here must labouring men a little be minded , how ill they recompenced those persons , whose estates helpe them to food before they could reape any from the earth , that forgetting those courtesies they soon by excessive prises took for their worke , made many file-leaders fall back to the next ranke , advancing themselves in the meane time . about this time the church of christ at roxbury , being a diligent people , early prevented their brethren in other churches by calling the reverend mr. welds to be their pastor , of whom you may see somewhat farther in the following lines : to worke oh welds ! in wildernesse betime christ thee commands , that thou his folke should's follow : and feede his flock in covenant bandcombine , with them through him his glorious name to hallow ; seven yeares thou stoutly didst wade through with toile , these desare caros , back by advice againe , thou didst returne unto thy native soile , there to advance christs kingdome now remeine . in pulpit , and with pen thou hast the truth maintained , and clear'd from scandalous reproach christs churches here , and shew'd their lasting ruth , that dare ' gainst christ their own inventions broach ; then sage , in age , continue such to be , till christ thee crowne , his gifts to thee are free . this yeare of sad distresses was ended with a terrible cold winter , with weekly snowes , and fierce frosts betweene while congealing charles river , as well from the towne to sea ward , as above , insomuch that men might frequently passe from one island to another upon the ice . here reader thou must be minded of an other admirable act of christ for this yeare , in changing the very nature of the seasons , moderating the winters cold of late very much , which some impute to the cutting downe the woods , and breaking up the land ; but christ have the praise of all his glorious acts. about this time did the valiant in faith , and reverend pastor mr. john wilson returne to england , and surely the power of christ hath notably appeared in this weake sorry man. you must needs see the author will flatter no man , yet will he not be wanting to tell the noble acts of christ jesus , in making men strong for himselfe , here is one borne up in the armes of his mercy , often through the perillous seas night and dayes , yea : weeks and months upon the great deepe , and now having with his owne eyes beheld the manifold troubles these poore were in , yet at this very time hies him back to his native soile , where his indeared wife did yet remaine , purposely to perswade her to east her cares upon the lord , as he himself had already done , and then assuredly the wants of a wildernesse would never hurt her : at the departure of this holy man of god , many of his peoples hearts waxed very sad , and having looked long for his returne ; their eyes now began to faile in missing of their expectation , they according to their common course in time of great straites , set and appointed a day wholy to be spent in seeking the pleasing face of god in christ , purposing the lord assisting to afflict their soules , and give him the honour of his all-seeingness , by a downe right acknowledgement of their sinnes , but the lord , whose grace is alwayes undeserved , heard them before they cried , and the afternoone before the day appointed brought him , whom they so much desired , in safety to shore , with divers other faithfull servants of christ ready armed for the battell , the day was turned to a day of rejoycing and blessing the lord , even the mighty god of iacob , the god of armies is for us a refuge high shela . the yeare . the honoured john winthrope esquire , was chosen governour againe , and thomas dudly esq . deputy governour , the number of freemen added , or souldiers listed was . the winters frost being extracted forth the earth , they fall to tearing up the roots , and bushes with their howes ; even such men as scarce ever set hand to labour before , men of good birth and breeding , but comming through the strength of christ to war their warfare , readily rush through all difficulties , cutting down of the woods , they inclose corne fields , the lord having mitigated their labours by the indians frequent fiering of the woods , ( that they may not be hindered in hunting venson , and beares in the winter season ) which makes them thin of timber in many places , like our parkes in england , the chiefest corne they planted before they had plowes was indian graine , whose increase is very much beyond all other , to the great refreshing of the poore servants of christ , in their low beginings , all kinde of gardens fruits grew very well , and let no man make a j●st at pumpkins , for with this fruit the lord was pleased to feed his people to their good content , till corne and cattell were increased . and here the lords mercy appeared much in that those , who had beene formerly brought up tender , could now contentedly feed on bare and meane diet , amongst whom the honoured and upright hearted in this worke of christ , mr. increase nowell , shall not be forgotten , having a diligent hand therein from the first beginning . increase shalt thou , with honour now , in this thy undertaking , thou hast remain'd , as yet unstained , all errors foule forsaking ; to poore and rich , thy justice much hath manifested bin : like samuel nathanaell , christ hath thee fram'd within ; thy faithfulnesse , people expresse , and secretary they chose thee each year , by which appeare , their love with thee doth stay . now nowell see christ call'd hath thee , and work thou must for him , in beating down the triple crown , and all that his foes ben . thus doest thou stand by christ fraile man , to tell his might can make dust do his will , with graces fill , till dust to him he take . chap. xxvii . of the gratious goodnesse of god , in hearing his peoples prayers in times of need , and of the ship-loades of goods the lord sent them in . here againe the admirable providence of the lord is to be noted , that whereas the country is naturally subject to drought , even to the withering of their summers fruits , the lord was pleased , during these yeares of scarcity , to blesse that small quantity of land they planted with seasonable showers , and that many times to the great admiration of the heathen , for thus it befell : the extreame parching heare of the sun ( by reason of a more constant clearnesse of the aire then usually is in england ) began to scorch the herbs and fruits , which was the chiefest meanes of their livelyhood , they beholding the hand of the lord stretched out against them , like tender hearted children , they fell down on their knees , begging mercy of the lord , for their saviours sake , urging this as a chiefe argument , that the malignant adversary would rejoyce in their destruction , and blaspheme the pure ordinances of christ , trampling down his kingly commands with their owne inventions , and in uttering these words , their eyes dropped down many teares , their affections prevailing so strong , that they could not refraine in the church-assembly . here admire and be strong in the grace of christ , all you that hopefully belong unto him , for as they powred out water before the lord , so at that very instant , the lord showred down water on their gardens and fields , which with great industry they had planted , and now had not the lord caused it to raine speedily , their hope of food had beene lost : but at this these poore wormes were so exceedingly taken , that the lord should shew himselfe so neere unto their prayers , that as the drops from heaven fell thicker , and faster , so the teares from their eyes by reason of the sudden mixture of joy and sorrow , and verily they were exceedingly stirred in their affections , being unable to resolve themselves , which mercy was greatest , to have a humble begging heart given them of god , or to have their request so suddenly answered . the indians hearing hereof , and seeing the sweet raine that fell , were much taken with englishmens god , but the lord seeing his poore peoples hearts were to narrow to beg , his bounties exceeds toward them at this time , as indeed hee ever hitherto hath done for this wildernesse-people , not onely giving the full of their requests , but beyond all their thoughts , as witnesse his great worke in england of late , in which the prayers of gods people in new england have had a great stroke ; these people now rising from their knees to receive the rich mercies of christ , in the refreshed fruits of the earth ; behold the sea also bringing in whole ship-loades of mercies , more being filled with fresh forces , for furthering this wonderfull worke of christ , and indeed this yeare came in many pretious ones , whom christ in his grace hath made much use of in these his churches , and common-wealth , insomuch that these people were even almost over-ballanced with the great income of their present possessed mercies , yet they addresse themselves to the sea shore , where they courteously welcom the famous servant of christ , grave godly and judicious hooker , and the honoured servant of christ , m john haynes , as also the reverend and much desired mr. john cotton , and the retoricall , mr. stone , with divers others of the sincere servants of christ , comming with their young , and with their old , and with their whole substance , to doe him service in this desart wildernesse . thus this poore people having now tasted liberally of the salvation of the lord every way , they deeme it high time to take up the cup of thankfulnesse , and pay their vowes to the most high god , by whom they were holpen to this purpose of heart , and accordingly set apart the . day of october ( which they call the eighth moneth , not out of any pevish humor of singularity , as some are ready to censor them with , but of purpose to prevent the heathenish and popish observation of dayes , moneths and yeares , that they may be forgotten among the people of the lord ) this day was solemnly kept by all the seven churches , rejoycing in the lord , and rendering thanks for all their benefits . here must not be omitted the indeared affections mr. john wilson had to the worke in hand , exceedingly setting forth ( in his sermon this day ) the grace of christ in providing such meet helps for furthering thereof , really esteeming them beyond so many ship-loading of gold ; manifesting the great humility christ had wrought in him ( not complementing , but in very deede prefering the reverend mr. john cotton , many hundreds before himselfe , whom they within a very little time after called to the office of a teaching elder of the church of christ at boston , where hee now remaines , of whom at followeth : when christ intends his glorious kingdome shall exalted be on earth , he earth doth take , evon sinfull man to make his worthies all ; then praise i man , no christ this man doth make , sage , sober , grave and learned cotten thou : mighty in scripture , without booke repeat it , annatomise the sence , and shew man how great mysteries in sentence short are seated . gods word with 's word comparing oft unfould : the secret truths johns revelations hath by thee been open'd , as nere was of old ; showes cleere , and neere ' gainst romes whore is gods wrath . then churches of christ , rejoyce and sing , john cotten hath gods minde , i dare believe , since he from gods word doth his witnesse bring ; saints cries are heard they shall no longer grieve . that song of songs , 'twixt christ and 's church thou hast twice taught to all , and sweetly shewed the way , christ would his churches should , in truth stand fast ; and cast off mans inventions even for aye . thy labours great have met with catching cheats , mixing their brasse with thy bright gold , for why ? thy great esteeme must cover their ill feates , some soile thou gett'st , by comming them so nie . but i'ts wipt off , and thou christs champion left , the faith to fight for christ hath arm'd thee well , his worthies would not , thou shoulds be bereft , of honours here thy crown shall soon excell . these people of god having received these farther helps , to instruct , and build them up in the holy things of christ , being now greatly incouraged , seeing the lord was pleased to set such a broad seale to their commission for the worke in hand , not onely by his word and spirit moving thereunto , but also by his providence in adding such able instruments for furthering this great worke of reformation , and advancing the kingdome of christ , for which they spent this day of rejoycing , and sure the lord would have all that hear of it know , their joy lay not in the increase of corne , or wine , or oyle , for of all these they had but very little at this time , yet did they not spare to lend such a● they had unto the poore , who could not provide , and verily the joy ended not with the day , for these active instruments of christ , preaching with all instancy the glad tidings of the gospell of iesus christ , rejoyced the heart of this people much . chap. xx viii . of the eighth church of christ , gathered at cambridge , . at this time those who were in place of civill government , having some addition pillars to under-prop the building , begun to thinke of a place of more safety in the eyes of man. then the two frontire towns of charles towne , and boston were for the habitation of such as the lord had prepared to governe this pilgrim people . wherefore they rather made choice to enter farther among the indians , then hazard the fury of malignant adversaries , who in a rage might pursue them , and therefore chose a place scituate on charles river , betweene charles towne , and water-towne , where they erected a towne called new-towne , now named cambridge , being in forme like a list cut off from the broad-cloath of the two fore-named towns , where this wandering race of jacobits gathered the eighth church of christ . this town is compact closely within it selfe , till of late yeares some few stragling houses have been built , the liberties of this town have been inlarged of late in length , reaching from the most northerly part of charles river , to the most southerly part of merrimeck river , it hath well ordered streets and comly pompleated with the faire building of harver colledge , their first pastor was the faithfull and laborious mr. hooker , whose bookes are of great request among the faithfull people of christ ; yee shall not misse of a few lines in remembrance of him . come , hooker , come forth of thy native soile : christ , i will run , sayes hooker , thou hast set my feet at large , here spend thy last dayes toile ; thy rhetorick shall peoples affections whet . thy golden tongue , and pen christ caus'd to be the blazing of his golden truths profound , thou sorry worme its christ wrought this in thee ; what christ hath wrought must needs be very sound ▪ then looke one hookers workes , they follow him to grave , this worthy resteth there a while : die shall he not that hath christs warrier bin ; much lesse christs truth , cleer'd by his peoples toile . thou angell bright , by christ for light now made , throughout the world as seasoning salt to be , although in dust thy body mouldering fade ; thy head 's in heaven , and hath a crown for thee . the people of this church and towne have hitherto had the chiefest share in spitituall blessings , the ministry of the word , by more then ordinary instruments as in due time and place ( god willing ) you shall farther heare , yet are they at this day in ● thriving condition in outward things , also both corne and cattell , n●ate and sheepe , of which they have a good flocke , which the lord hath caused to thrive much in these latter dayes then formerly . this towne was appointed to be the seate of government , but it continued not long , this yeare a small gleane of rye was brought to the court as the first fruits of english graine at which this poore people greatly rejoyced to see the land would beare it , but now the lords blessing that way hath exceeded all peoples expectation , cloathing the earth with plenty of all kinde of graine . here minde i must the reader of the admirable acts of christs providence toward this people , that although they were in such great straites for foode , that many of them eate their bread by waight , and had little hopes of the earths fruitfullnesse , yet the lord christ was pleased to refresh their spirits with such quickning grace , and lively affections to this temple-worke , that they did not desert the place ; and that which was more remarkable , when they had scarce houses to shelter themselves , and no doores to hinder the indians accesse to all they had in them , yet did the lord so awe their hearts , that although they frequented the englishmens places of aboade , where their whole substance , weake wives and little ones lay open to their plunder ; during their absence being whole dayes at sabbath . assemblies , yet had they none of their food or stuffe diminished , neither children nor wives hurt in the least measure , although the indians came commonly to them at those times , much hungry belly ( as they use to say ) and were then in number and strength beyond the english by far . yet further see the great and noble acts of christ toward this his wandering people , feeling againe the scarcity of foode , and being constrained to come to a small pittance daily , the lord to provide for them , causeth the deputy of ireland to set forth a great ship unknowne to this people , and indeed small reason in his own apprehensions why he should so do ( but christ will have it so . ) this ship ariving , being filled with food , the godly governors did so order it that each town sent two men aboard of her , who tooke up their townes allowance , it being appointed before hand , what their portion should be , to this end that some might not by all , and others be left destitute of food . in the vernall of the yeare . this people being increased , and having among them many pretious esteemed instruments for furthering this wonderous worke of christ , they began to thinke of fortifying a small island about two miles distant from boston to sea-ward , to which all the vessells come in usually and passe . to this end the honoured mr. john winthrope with some . or . persons of no●e , tooke boate and arrived on the said island in a warme sun shineday , just at the breaking up of winter as they deemed , but being they were sulden surprised with a cold north-west storme ( which is the sharpest winde in this country ) freezing very vehemently for a day and a night , that they could not get off the island , but were forced to lodge there , and lie in a heape one upon another ( on the ground ) to keepe themselves from freezing . this yeare . the much honoured thomas dudly esquire , was chosen governor , and mr. roger ludlow deputy governor , the freemen added to this little common-wealth this year were about two hundred and foure , about this time a sincere servant of christ mr. stone was added to the chureh of christ at new-towne , as a meet helpe to instruct the people of christ there , with the above named mr. hooker , and as he hath hetherto bin ( through the blessing of god ) an able instrument in his hands to further the worke . so let him be incourraged with the word of the lord in the spirit of his might to go on . thou well smoth'd stone christs work-manship to be : in 's church new laid his weake ones to support , with 's word of might his foes are foild by thee ; thou daily dost to godlinesse exhort . the lordly prelates people do deny christs kingly power hosanna to proclaime , mens mouths are stopt , but stone poore dust doth try , throughout his churches none but christ must raignt . mourne not oh man , thy youth and learning 's spent : in desart land , my muse is bold to say , for glorious workes christ his hath hither sent ; like that great worke of resurrection day . chap. xx ix . of the lords remarkable providence toward his indeared servants m. norton and mr. shepherd . now my loving reader , let mee lead thee by the hand to our native land , although it was not intended to speake in particulars of any of these peoples departure from thence , purposing a generall relation should serve the turne , yet come with mee and behold the wonderous worke of christ in preserving two of his most valiant sou'diers , namely mr. john norton ; and that soule ravishing minister mr. thomas shepheard , who came this yeare to yarmouth to ship themselves for new england , where the people of god resorted privately unto them to hear them preach , during the time of their aboade the enemies of christs kingdome were not wanting to use all meanes possible to intrap them , in which perilous condition they remained about two months , waiting for the ships readinesse , in which time some persons eagerly hunting for mr. thomas shepheard , began to plot ( for apprehending of him ) with a boy of sixteene or seventeene yeares of age , who lived in the house where hee lodged to open the doore for them at a certaine houre in the night ; but the lord christ , who is the shepheard of israel kept a most sure watch over his indeared servants , for thus it befell , the sweet words of grace falling from the of lips of this reverend and godly mr. thomas shepheard in the hearing of the boy ( the lords working withall ) hee was perswaded this was an holy man of god , and therefore with many troubled thoughts , began to relate his former practise , although hee had a great some of money promised him , onely to let them in at the houre and time appointed ; but the boy , the more neere the time came , grew more pensive and sad , insomuch that his master taking notice thereof began to question him about the cause of his heavinesse , who being unwilling to reveale the matter , held of from confessing a long time , till by urgent and insinuating search of his godly master , with teares hee tells that on such a night hee had agreed to let in men to apprehend the godly preacher . the good man of the house forthwith gave notice thereof unto them , who with the helpe of some well-affected persons was convay'd away by boate through a back lane , the men at the time appointed came to the house , where finding not the doore open ( when they lifted up the latch ) as they expected , they thrust their staves under it to lift it from the hookes , but being followed by some persons , whom the good man of the house had appointed for that end : yet were they boulstred out in this their wicked act by those who set them one worke . notwithstanding they were greatly ashamed when they mist of their end . but the lord christ intending to make his new england souldiers the very wounder of this age , brought them into greater straites , that this wonder working providence might the more appeare in their deliverance , for comming a shipboard , and hoiseing saile to accomplish their voyage , in little time after they were tossed and sore beaten with a contrary winde , to the losse of the ships upper worke , with which losse and great pe●ill they were driven back againe , the lord christ intending to confirme their faith in shewing them , that although they were brought back , as it were into the mouth of their enemies , yet hee could hide them from the hand of the hunter , for the space of six moneths longer or thereabout , even till the spring of the yeare following , at which time ( god willing ) you shall hear of them againe , in the meane time the master , and other sea men made a strange construction of the sore storme they met withall , saying , their ship was bewitched , and therefore made use of the common charme ignorant people use , nailing two red hot horse-shoos to their maine mast . but assuredly it was the lord christ , who hath command both of winds and seas , and now would have his people know he hath delivered , and will deliver from so great a death . chap. xxx . of the ninth church of christ , gathered at ipswitch . this year came over a farther supply of eminent instruments for furthering this admirable worke of his , amongst whom the reverend and judicious servant of christ mr. nathaniel ward , who tooke up his station at the towne of ipswich , where the saithfull servants of christ gathered the ninth church of his . this towne is scituated on a faire and delightfull river , whose first rise or spring begins about five and twenty miles farther up in the countrey , issuing forth a very pleasant pond . but soone after it betakes its course through a most hideous swamp of large extent , even for many miles , being a great harbour for beares : after its comming forth this place , it groweth larger by the income of many small rivers , and issues forth in the sea , due east over against the island of sholes , a great place of fishing for out english nation , the peopling of this towne is by men of good ranke and quality , many of them having the yearly revenue of large lands in england before they came to this wildernesse , but their estates being imployed for christ , and left in banke , as you have formerly heard , they are well content till christ shall be pleased to-restore it againe to them or theirs , which in all reason should be out of the prelates lands in england . let all those , whom it concernes ( to judge ) consider it well , and do justice herein . this towne lies in the saggamooreship , or earldome of aggawam , now by our english nation called essex . it is a very good haven towne , yet a little barr'd up at the mouth of the river , some marchants here are , ( but boston , being the chiefest place of resort of shipping , carries away all the trade ) they have very good land for husbandry , where rocks hinder not the course of the plow : the lord hath beene pleased to increase them in corne and cattell of late ; insomuch that they have many hundred quarters to spare yearly , and feed , at the latter end of summer , the towne of boston with good beefe a their houses are many of them very faire built with pleasant gardens and orchards , consisting of about one hundred and forty families . their meeting-house is a very good prospect to a great part of the towne , and beautifully built , the church of christ here consists of about one hundred and sixty soules , being exact in their conversation , and free from the epidemicall disease of all reforming churches , which under christ is procured by their pious learned and orthodox ministery , as in due place ( god willing ) shall be declared , in the meane time , look on the following meeters concerning that souldier of christ master nathaniel ward . thou ancient sage , come ward among christs folfe , take part in this great worke of his , why do'st thou stand and gaze about so long ; do'st war in jest , why , christ in earnest is , and hath thee arm'd with weapons for that end , to wound and heale his enemies submitting , not carnally , then to this worke attend ; thou hast prevail'd the hearts of many hitting . although the presbytery unpleasant jar , and errors daily in their braines new coyne : despayer not , christs truth they shall not mar ; but with his helpe such drosse from gold refins . what man do'st meane to lay thy trumpet downe ? because thy son like warrier is become , hold out or sure lesse bright will be thy crowne ; till death christs servants labour is not done . at this time came over the much honoured mr. richard bellingham whose estate and person did much further the civill government of this wandering people , hee being learned in the lawes of england , and experimentally fitted for the worke , of whom i am bold to say as followeth : richardus now arise must thou , christ seed hath thee to plead , his peoples cause , with equall laws , in wildernesse them lead ; though slow of speech , thy counsell reach , shall each occation well , sure thy sterne looke it cannot brook those wickedly rebell . with labours might thy pen indite doth lawes for peoples learning : that judge with skill , and not with will , unarbitrate discerning ; bellingham thou on valiant now , stop not in discontent , eor christ with crown , will thee renown , then spend for him , be spent ; as thou hast done , thy race still run till death , no death shall stay , christs work of might , till scripture light , bring resurection day . as also about this time for further incouragement in this work of christ , hee sent over the reverend servant of his mr. lothrop to helpe on with the planting of plimoth , which increased but little all this time , although shee be the elder sister of all the united colonies ; some reasons in due place may be rendered . this reverend minister was soone called to office by the church of christ at scicuate . chap xxxi . of the church of christ gathered at newberry . in the latter end of this yeare , two sincere servants of christ , inabled by him with gifts to declare his minde unto his people , came over this broad ocean , and began to build the tenth church of christ at a towne called newberry , their names being mr. james noise , and mr. thomas parker , somewhat differing from all the former , and after mentioned churches in the preheminence of their presbytery , and it were to be wished that all persons , who have had any hand in those hot contentions , which have fallen out since about presbyterian and independent government in churches , would have looked on this example , comparing it with the word of god , and assuredly it would have stayed ( all the godly at lest ) of either part from such unworthy expressions as have passed to the grief of many of gods people ; and i doubt not but this history will take of that unjust accusation , and standerous imputation of the rise of that floud of errors and false doctrines sprung up of late , as flowing from the independent or rather congregationall churches . but to follow on , this town is scituate about twelve miles from ipswitch , neere upon the wide venting streames of merrimeck river , whose strong current is such , that it hath forced its passage through the mighty rocks , which causeth some sudden falls , and hinders shipping from having any accesse far into the land , her bankes are in many places stored with oken timber of all sorts , of which , that which they commonly call'd white oke , is not inferiou● to our english timber ; in this river lie some few islands of fertill land , this towne is stored with meddow and upland , which hath caused some gentlemen , ( who brought over good estates , and finding then no better way to improve th●m ) to see upon husbandry , amongst whom that religious and sincere hearted servant of christ mr. richard dummer , sometime a magistrate in this little common-wealth , hathholpen on this town , their houses are built very scattering , which hath caused some contending about removall of their place for sabbath-assemblies , their cattell are about foure hundred head , with store of corne-land in tillage , it consists of about seventy families , the sou'es in church fellowship are about an hundred , the teaching elders of this congregation have carried it very lovingly toward their people , permitting of them to assist in admitting of persons into church-society , and in church censures , so long as they act regularly , but in case of their male-administration , they assume the power wholly to themselves , their godly life and conversation hath hitherto been very amiable , and their paines and care over their flock not inferiour to many others , and being bound together in a more stricter band of love then ordinary with promise to spend their dayes together ( if the lord please ) and therefore shall not be disuaited in the following verse : loe here loves twinnes by christ are sent to preach in wildernesse his little flock among , though christs church-way you fully cannot reach ; so far hold fast as you in 's word are strong . parker thy paines with pen , and preaching hath roomes buildings left in prelacy cast downe , though ' gainst her thou defer gods finall wrath ; keepe warring still , and sure thou shalt have crowne . thy brother thou oh noise hast holpe to guide : christ tender lambs within his fold to gather , from east to west thou dost christs warrier bide ; faint not at last , increase thy fighting rather . cahp. xxxii . of good supply , and seasonable helpes the lord christ was pleased to send to further his wildernesse worke , and particular for his churches of charles towne , and ipswich , and dorchester . yet farther for the incouragement of the people of christ in these their weak beginnings , he daily brings them in fresh supplies , adding this yeare also the reverend and painfull minister of his gospell mr. zachary simmes , who was invited soone after his comming over to assist in planting of another church of christ , but the place being remote from the pretious servants of christ already setled , be chose rather to joyne with some church among them , and in a short space after hee was called to the office of a teaching elder in the church of christ at charles towne , together with mr. james , who was then their pastor , as you have formerly heard . among all the godly women that came through the perilous seas to war their warfare , the wife of this zealous teacher , mrs. sarah simmes shall not be omitted , nor any other , but to avoid tediousnesse the vertuous woman , indued by christ with graces fit for a wildernesse condition , her courage exceeding her stature , with much cheerfulnesse did undergoe all the difficulties of these times of straites , her god through faith in christ supplying all her wants with great industry , nurturing up her young children in the feare of the lord , their number being ten both sons and daughters , a certaine signe of the lords intent to people this vast wildernesse : god grant they may be valiant in faith against sin , satan and all the enemies of christs kingdome , following the example of their father , and grandfather , who have both suffered for the same , in remembrance of whom these following lines are placed . come zachary , thou must reed●fie , christ churches in this desart land of his , with moses zeale stampt unto dust defie all crooked wayes that christ true worship misse . with spirits sword and armor girt about : thou lay'st on load proud prelats crowne to crack , and wilt not suffer wolfes thy flock to rout ; though close they creepe , with sheepe skins on their back . thy fathers spirit doubled is upon thee simmes , then war , thy father fighting died , in prayer then prove thou like champion ; hold ou● till death , and christ will crown provide . after these poore people had welcomed with great joy their newcome guests , all of a sudden they spy two tall ships , whose colours shewed them to be some forrein nation , at which time this little handfull of people began to be much troubled , deeming them to be rovers , they gathered together such forces as their present condition would afford , very ill fitted as then to rescue an enemy , but their lord and master christ jesus would not suffer any such to come , and instead of enemies brought in friends , even dutchmen to furnish them with farther necessary provision . for the yeare , the honoured mr. iohn haines was chosen governour , and the honoured mr. richard bellingham deputy governour , the number of free-men added to this little common wealth , were about one hundred forty and five . the time now approaching , wherein the lord christ would have his people come from the flaile to the fan , threshing out much this yeare , increasing the number of his troopes , and valiant leaders , the ships came thicker and faster filled with many worthy parsonages ; insomuch that the former people began to forget their poverty , and verily cold , purity , peace and plenty run all in one channell , gods people here should sure have met with none other , but the still waters of peace and plenty for back and belly soone contract much mudde , as you shall he are ( god willing ) in the following history : this yeare came in the honoured sir henry vaine , who aboad not long in this worthy worke , yet mind him i will in the following lines . sir henry vaine once governour of the english people in new england . thy parents vaine , of worthy fame , in christ and thou for him : through ocean wide in new world trid a while his warrier bin , with small defeat thou didst retreat to brittaine ground againe , there stand thou stout , for christ hold out , christs champion a● remain● . also at this time christ sent over the much honoured and upright hearted servant of his richard saltingstall esquire , son to the before-named sir richard saltingstall , who being weary of this wildernesse worke , returned home againe not long before , and now his son being chose to the office of a magistrate , continued for some good space of time , helping on the affaires of this little common wealth , to the honour of christ , who hath called him : both father and son are here remembred . thou worthy knight , saltingstall hight , her 's gaine doth gold exceed then trifle not , it s to be got , if thou can'st see thy neede . why wilt thhu back , and leave as wreck , this worthy worke begun , art thou back-bore , christ will send more , and raise instead thy son . his fathers gon , young richard on here valiantly doth war , for christ his truth , to their great ruth , heathens opposers are : to study thou , thy mind dost how , and daily good promote , saltingstall why , then dost thou fly , let all gods people note . that thou wilt stand , in thy own land , christ there thē strengthen thee with grace thee heate , that thy retreate , may for his glory be : at ending day , he thee array , with glory will not faile , breaking graves bands , with his strong hands , and free dust from death's goale . among these troopes of christs souldiers , came at this time , the godly servant , of christ mr. roger harlackenden , a young gentleman valiant in faith , and appointed by christ to assist his people in this desart , he was chose to the office of a magistrate , as also to be a choise leader of their military forces , which as yet were but in a strange posture ; and therefore till the yeare . ( at which time the countrey wis really placed in a posture of war , to be in a readinesse at all times ) there shall not be any thing spoken concerning their military discipline , the continuance of this souldier of christ was but short , the lord taking him to rest with himselfe . harlackenden , among these men of nose christ hath thie seated : in warlike way christ thee aray , with zeal and love well he ated . as generall belov'd of all , christ souldiers honour thee : in thy young yeares , courage appeares , and kinde benignity . short are thy days , spēt to his praise , whose church work thou must aid , his work shall bide , silver tride , but thine by death is staid . the number of ministers that came over this yeare was about eleaven , and many other like faithfull servants of christ , among whom arrived those two reverend and laborious servants of his mr. norton , and mr. shepheard , of whose narrow escape you have heard the last yeare : mr. norton , was called to the office of a teaching elder at the towne of ipswich to the church of christ there , where mr. warde as yet remained in office. also the learned labours of this souldier of christ are obvious to our countreymen , hee preaching there , the blessing of god hath not onely built up many in the knowledge of christ , but also been the meanes of converting diverse soules , turning them from the power of satan to faith in christ , whom the lord long continue ; you shall further hear of christs gratious assisting of him in the first and last synod holden here at cambridge , and in the meane time let no man be offended that the author quickens up his own dull effections , in telling how largely the lord hath bestowed his graces upon these instruments of his , although sinfull dust and ashes . thou noble norton , who art honoured by thy christ , with learned arguments doth fill thy mouth with might new errors to destroy ; and force deceivers silently to yeild . weake dust waite on thy christ for further strength : who doth his davids make as angels bright , to trample down his enemies at length ; all breake or bow unto his kingdomes might . illettered men and women that doe love , preheminence , condemne thy learned skill , but christ hath given his blessing from above vnto thy workes the world with light to fill . christs faithfull servants met in synod , take thee for their pen-men scriptures light to cleere , with scripture shew what government christ gave ; to 's churches till himselfe againe appeare . here my indeared reader , i must mind thee of the industrious servant of christ mr. john wilson , who this yeare landed the third time upon this american shore from his native country , where now againe by the divine providence of christ , hee narrowly escaped the hunters hands , being cloathed in a country-mans habit , passing from places to place , declared to the people of god what great workes christ had already done for his people in new england , which made many christian soules long to see these admirable acts of christ , although it were not to be injoyed , but by passing through an ocean of troubles , voyaging night and day upon the great deep , which this zealous servant of christ had now five times passed over : at this time came over the sage , grave , reverend and faithfull servant of christ m. richard mather , indued by the lord with many heavenly gifts , of a plaine and upright spirit , apt to teach , full of gratious expressions , and resolvedly bent to follow the truth , as it is in jesus , hee was anon after his comming called to office in the church of christ at the towne of dorchester , to assist in the worke of the lord , with mr. marareck , whose worke not long after was ended by death , leaving mr. mather alone to continue the same . with cheerfull face mather doth toile indure in wildernesse , spending the prime of 's age , to build christs churches , and soules health procure ; in battell thou dost deepe thy selfe ingage . marvell not man that mather through an host of enemies doth breake , and fighting stands , it 's christ him keepes , of him is all his boast ; who power gives to do , and then commands . with gratious speech thy masters message thou declarest to all , and all wouldst have submit , that to his kingdome every knee might bow ; but those resisthis sword shall surely hit , till age doth crown thy head with hoary hairs : well hast thou warr'd , till mathers young againe , thy son in fight his fathers strength repairs ; father and son beate down christs foes amaine . chap. xxxiii . of the beginning of the churches of christ , to be planted at canectico , and first of the church of christ removall to hartford , . this yeare the servants of christ , who peopled the towne of cambridge , were put upon thoughts of removing , hearing of a very fertill place upon the river of canectico low land , and well stored with meddow , which is greatly in esteeme with the people of new england , by reason the winters are very long : this people seeing that tillage went but little on , resolved to remove , and breed up store of cattell , which were then at eight and twenty pound a cow , or neare upon , but assuredly the lord intended far greater matters than man purposes , but god disposes these men , having their hearts gone from the lord , on which they were seated , soone tooke dislike at every little matter , the plowable plaines were too dry and sandy for them , and the rocky places , although more fruitfull , yet to eate their bread with toile of hand , and how they deemed it unsupportable ; and therefore they onely waited now for a people of stronger faith than themselves were to purchase their houses and land , which in conceipt they could no longer live upon , and accordingly they met with chapmen , a people new come , who having ●●●ught their possessions , they highed them away to their new p●a●t●tion with whom went the grave and reverend servant of christ mr. hooker , and mr. stone , for indeed the whole church removed , as also the much honoured mr. haynes & divers other men of note for the place , being out of the mattacusets patten ; they erected another government , called by the indian name , canectico , being farther incouraged by two honourable personages , the lord say , and lord brookes , who built a forrest at the mouth of the river , and called it say-brook forrest : passing up the river they began to build a towne , which they called hartford , where this church of christ sat down their station , there went to these parts also the reverend mr. wareham , and divers from the towne of dorchester . the place of setling themselves , and erecting a towne was far upon the river , the part next the sea being very rocky , but on the banke of this river they planted the good towne of hartford , and established civill government : of their gathering into a church , you have formerly heard . onely here minde the gratious servant of christ , mr. wareham , whose long labours in this worke are exprest . with length of dayes christ crowned hath thy head . in wildernesse to mannage his great war , 'gainst antichrist by strength of him art lead ; with steady hand to sling thy stone from far . that groveling in his gore may lie smit downe this mighty monster , that the earth hath taken , with 's poysons sweet in cup of gold drunke down ; dead drunke those lie whom christ doth not awaken . but wareham thou by him art sent to save , with 's word of truth christ to their soules apply , that deadly sin hath laid in rotting grave dead , live in christ here , and eternally . chap. xxxiv . of cambridge second church , being the . of christ gathered in the mattacusets , and of further supply for salem church . these people and church of christ being thus departed from new-towne , the godly people , who came in their roomes , gathered the eleaventh church of christ , and called to the office of a pastor , that gratious sweete heavenly minded , and soule-ravishing minister , mr. thomas shepheard , in whose soule the lord shed abroad his love so abundantly , that thousands of souls have cause to blesse god for him , even at this very day , who are the seale of his ministrey , and hee a man of a thousand , indued with abundance of true saving knowledge for himselfe and others , yet his naturall parts were weake , but spent to the full as solloweth : no loungr hawke poore patridge to devoure more eager is then prelates nimrod power thomas to hunt , my shephard sweet pursue to seas brinke , but christ saves his soule for you ; sending thee shepheard , safe through seas awaie , to feede his stock unto thy ending day , where sheepe seek wolves ) thy bosome lambs would catch ; but night and day thou ceasest not to watch . and warne with teares thy flock of cheaters vile , who in sheepes cloathing would the weak beguile , with dropping dewes from thy lips christ hath made thy hearers eyes oft water springing blade . with pierced hearts they cry aloud and say , shew us sweet shepheard our salvations way , thy lovely speech such ravishment doth bring ; christ gives thee power to heale as well as sting . thou gates sets ope for christ thy king to enter , in hearts of many spirits joy to center , but mourne my muse , hang downe thy head with woe , with teares , sighs , sobs lament thy shepheard so . ( why ? ) hee 's in heaven , but i one earth am left : more earthly , ' cause of him i am bereft . oh christ why dost thou shepheard take away , in erring times when sheepe most apt to stray . the many souldiers and officers of christ that came over this yeare , moved some wonder in the mindes of those , whom he had beene pleased to give a great measure of discerning , yet here they fell abundantly short , deeming almost an impossibility of improving their talents in this wildernesse , the indian-people being uncapable of understanding their language , the english ▪ congregations that were already set downe , being fully furnished with teaching elders , and that which was most strange they were perswaded they should meet with no enemies to oppose them , as if christ would lead them forth into the field in vaine . but christ iesus , having the hearts of all men opened before him , soon shewed them , their worke , and withall made roome for them to set downe , i and many more beside , yea , and beyond expectation made this poore barren wildernesse become a fruitfull land unto them that waited on him for the accompl●shing thereof , feeding them with the flower of wheat , as in its time and place ( god willing ) shall be shewed , although it pleased him this yeare to visit them , and try them againe with a great scarcity of bread , by reason of the multitude that came brought somewhat shorter provisions then ordinary , which caused them to be in some straites . but their lord christ gives cut a word of command to those , who occupy their businesse in the great deepe , to furnish from ireland some ships laden with food for his people . also hee commands the winds and the seas to beare up these ships , and blow them forth on their way , till they arrive among his people in new england , whose appetities were now sharpe-set for bread. one poore man among others deeming hee had found out some forsaken barnes of the indians ( whose manner it to lay up their corne in the earth , lighteh one a grave , where finding bones of the dead instead of corne , hee was taken with feare of this , as a sad omen that hee should then die for want of food , but in this hee proved no true prophet , for the lord was pleased to bring in seasonable supply , and the man is living at this very day . this yeere came over the famous servant of christ m. hugh peters , whose courage was not inferiour to any of these transported servants of christ , but because his native soile hath had the greatest share of his labours , the lesse will be said of him here , hee was called to office by the church of christ , at salem , their former pastor , the reverend m. higging son , having cnded his labours resting with the lord. with courage bold peters a souldier stout in wildernesse for christ begins to war , much worke he finds mongst people , yet hold out ; with fluent tongue he stops phantastickjar . swife torrent stayes of liberties large vent : through crooked wayes of error daily flowing , shiloes soft streames to bath in would all bent ; should he while they in christian freedome growing . but back thou must , thy talents christs will have improved for him , his glory is thy crowne , and thou base dust till he thee honour gave ; it matters not though the world on thee do frown . chap. xxxv . of the twelfth church of christ gathered at concord . yet further at this time entered the field two more valiant leaders of christs souldiers , holy men of god , mr. buckly and m. jones , penetrating further into this wildernesse then any formerly had done , with divers other servants of christ : they build an inland towne , which they called concord , named from the occasion of the present time , as you shall after heare : this towne is seated upon a faire fresh river , whose rivulets are filled with fresh marsh , and her streames with fish , it being a branch of that large river of morrimeck allwifes , and shad in their season come up to this towne , but salmon and daice cannot come up , by reason of the rocky salles , which causeth their meddowes to lie much covered with water , the which these people together with their neigbour towne , have severall times assayed to cut through but cannot , yet it may be turned another way with an hundred pound charge as it appeared , this towne was more populated once then now it is ( some faint-hearted souldiers among them fearing the land would prove barren , sold their possessions for little , and removed to a new plantation , ( which have most commonly a great prize set on them ) the number of families at present are about . their buildings are conveniently placed chiefly in one straite streame under a sunny-banke in a low levell , their heard of great cattell are about . the church of christ here consists of about seventy soules , their teaching elders were mr. buckly , and mr. jones , who removed from them with that part of the people , who went away , so that onely the reverend grave and godly mr. buckly remaines . riches and honours buckly layes aside to please his christ , for whom he now doth war , why buckly thou hast riches that will bide , and honours that exceeds earths honour far . thy bodies worne , and dayes in desert spent to feede a few of christs poore scattered sheepe , like christ's bright body , thy poore body rent ; with saints and angells company shall keepe . thy tongue , and pen doth to the world declare : christs covenant with his flock shall firmly stand , when heavens and earth by him dissolved are ; then who can hold from this his worke at hand . two bucklies more christ by his grace hath taken , and sent abroad to mannage his great wars . i'ts buklies joy that christ his sons new making , hath placest in 's churches for to shine as stare . this holy and sincere servant of christ was put upon the greater tryall , by reason he and his were tenderly brought up , and now by the provident hand of christ were carried far into this desart-land , where they met with some hardships for a long time , till the place was well peopled , they lived barely . chap. xxxvi . of the laborious worke chrsts people have in planting this wildernesse set , forth in the building the towne of concord , being the first in-land towne . now because it is one of the admirable acts of christ providence in leading his people forth into these westerne fields , in his providing of huts for them , to desend them from the bitter stormes this place is subject unto , therefore here is a short epitome of the manner how they placed downe their dwellings in this desart wildernesse , the lord being pleased to hide from the eyes of his people the difficulties they are to encounter withall in a new plantation , that they might not thereby be hindered from taking the worke in hand ; upon some inquiry of the indians , who lived to the north-west of the bay , one captaine simon willard being acquainted with them , by reason of his trade , became a chiefe instrument in erecting this town , the land they purchase of the indians , and with much difficulties traveling through unknowne woods , and through watery scrampes , they discover the fitnesse of the place , sometimes passing through the thickets , where their hands are forced to make way for their bodies passage , and their feete clambering over the crossed trees , which when they missed they sunke into an uncertaine bottome in water , and wade up to the knees , tumbling sometimes higher and sometimes lower , wearied with this toile , they at end of this meete with a scorching plaine , yet not so plaine , but that the ragged bushes scratch their legs fouly , even to wearing their stockings to their bare skin in two or three houres ; if they be not otherwise well defended with bootes , or bu●kings , their flesh will be torne : ( that some being forced to passe on without further provision ) have had the bloud trickle downe at every step , and in the time of summer the sun casts such a reflecting heate from the sweet ferne , whose scent is very strong so that some herewith have beene very nere fainting , although very able bodies to undergoe much travell , and this not to be indured for one day , but for many , and verily did not the lord incourage their naturall parts ( with hopes of a new and strange discovery , expecting every houre to see some rare sight never seene before ) they were never able to hold out , and breake through : but above all , the thirsting desires these servants of christ have had to plant his churches , among whom the forenamed mr. jones shall not be forgotten . in desart's depth where wolves and beares abide , there jones sits down a wary watch to keepe , o're christs deare flock . who now are wandered wide ; but not from him , whose eyes ne're close with sleepe . surely it sutes thy melancholly minde , thus solitary for to spend thy dayes , much mo●e thy soule in christ content doth finde , to worke for him , who thee to joy will raise . leading thy son to land , yet more remote , to feede his flock upon this westerne wast : exhort him then christs kingdome to promote ; that he with thee of lasting joyes may tast . yet farther to tell of the hard labours this people found in planting this wildernesse , after some dayes spent in search , toyling in the day time as formerly is said ; like true jacob , it s they rest them one the rocks where the night takes them , their short repast is some small pittance of bread , if it hold out , but as for drinke they have plenty , the countrey being well watered in all places that yet are found out , their farther hardship is to travell , sometimes they know not whether , bewildred indeed without sight of sun , their compasse miscarrying in crouding through the bushes , they sadly search up and down for a known way , the indians paths being not above one foot broad , so that a man may travell many dayes and never find one . but to be sure the directing providence of christ hath beene better unto them than many paths , as might here be inserted , did not hast call my pen away to more waighty matters ; yet by the way a touch thus , it befell with a servant maide , who was travelling about three or foure miles from one towne to another , loosing her selfe in the woods , had very diligent search made after her for the space of three dayes , and could not possible be found , then being given over as quite lost , after three dayes and nights , the lord was pleased to bring her feeble body to her own home in safety , to the great admiration of all that heard of it . this intricate worke no whit daunted these resolved servants of christ to goe on with the worke in hand , but lying in the open aire , while the watery clouds poure down all the night season , and sometimes the driving snow dissolving on their backs , they keep their wee cloathes warme with a continued fire , till the renewed morning give fresh opportunity of further travell ; after they have thus found out a place of aboad , they burrow themselves in the earth for their first shelter under some hill-side , casting the earth aloft upon timber ; they make a smoaky fire against the earth at the highest side , and thus these poore servants of christ provide shelter for themselves , their wives and little ones , keeping off the short showers from their lodgings , but the long raines penetrate through , to their great disturbance in the night season : yet in these poore wigwames ( they sing psalmes , pray and praise their god ) till they can provide them houses , which ordinarily was not wont to be with many till the earth , by the lorde blessing , brought forth bread to feed them , their wives and little ones , which with sore labours they attaine every one that can lift a hawe to strike it into the earth , standing stoutly to their labours , and teare up the rootes and bushes , which the first yeare beares them a very thin crop , till the soard of the earth be rotten , and therefore they have been forced to cut their bread very thin for a long season . but the lord is pleased to provide for them great store of fish in the spring time , and especially alewives about the bignesse of a herring , many thousands of these , they used to put under their indian corne , which they plant in hills five foote asunder , and assuredly when the lord created this corne , hee had a speciall eye to supply these his peoples wants with it , for ordinarily five or six graines doth produce six hundred . as for flesh they looked not for any in those times ( although now they have plenty ) unlesse they could barter with the indians for venison or rockoons , whose flesh is not much inferiour unto lambe , the toile of a new plantation being like the labours of hercules never at an end , yet are none so barbarously bene ( under the mattacusets especially ) but with a new plantation they ordinarily gather into church-fellowship , so that pastor● and people suffer the inconveniences together , which is a great meanes to season the sore labours they undergoe , and verily the edge of their appetite was greater to spirituall duties at their first comming in time of wants , than afterward : many in new plantations have been forced to go barefoot , and bareleg , till these latter dayes , and some in time of frost and snow : yet were they then very healthy more then now they are : in this wildernesse-worke men of estates speed no better than others , and some much worse for want of being inured to such hard labour , having laid out their estate upon cattell at five and twenty pound a cow , when they came to winter them with in-land hay , and seed upon such wild fother as was never cut before , they could not hold out the winter , but ordinarily the first or second yeare after their comming up to a new plantation , many of their cattell died , especially if they wanted salt-marshes : and also those , who supposed they should feed upon swines flesh were cut short , the wolves commonly feasting themselves before them , who never leave neither flesh nor bones , if they be not seared away before they have made an end of their meale , as for those who laid out their estate upon sheepe , they speed worst of any at the beginning ( although some have sped the best of any now ) for untill the land be often fed with other cattell sheepe cannot live ; and therefore they never thrived till these latter dayes : horse had then no better successe , which made many an honest gentleman travell a foot for a long time , and some have even perished with extreame heate in their travells : as also the want of english graine , wheate , barly and rie proved a sore affliction to some stomacks , who could not live upon indian bread and water , yet were they compelled to it till cattell increased , and the plowes could but goe : instead of apples and peares , they had pomkins and squashes of divers kinds , their lonesome condition was very grievous to some , which was much aggravated by continuall feare of the indians approach , whose cruelties were much spoken of , and more especially during the time of the peqot wars . thus this poore people populate this howling desart , marching manfully on ( the lord assisting ) through the greatest difficulties , and sorest labours that ever any with such weak means have done . chap. xxxvii . of the thirteenth church of christ gathered at hingham , . at this time also came to shore the servant of christ master peter hubbord , whom the lord was pleased to make use of for feeding his people in this wildernesse , being called to office by the church of christ at the town of hingham , which is scituate upon the sea coasts south-east of charles river , being a place nothing inferiour to their neighbours for scituation , and the people have much profited themselves by transporting timber , planke and mast for shipping to the town of boston , as also ceder and pine-board to supply the wants of other townes , and also to remote parts , even as far as barbadoes . they want not for fish for themselves and others also . this towne consisted of about sixty families , the forme is somewhat intricate to describe , by reason of the seas wasting crookes , where it beates upon a mouldering shore , yet have they compleat streetes in some places , the people joyned in church covenant in this place , were much about an hundred soules , but have been lessened by a sad unbrotherly contention , which fell out among them , wasting them every way , continued already for seven yeares space , to the great griefe of all other churches , who held out the right hand of fellowship unto them in brotherly communion , which may ( the lord helping ) demonstate to all the true churches of christ the world throughout , although they be distanced by place or nation , yet ought they never to take up such an independent way , as to reject the advise and counsell of each other , for although the lord christ have compleated his commission in giving full power to every particular church to exercise all his ordinances in and toward their owne body , yet hath the lord so dispensed his gifts , that when the one want , the other shall abound both in spirituall and temporall , that by giving and receiving mutuall love may be maintained , the intire truthes of christ continued , the churches of christ supported , superiority of any may be avoided , and all such as raise discord among brethren may be retarded , the downfall of antichrist , and restauration of that antient people of the lord furthered , through the unity of christs churches the world throughout : this church i hope will give signall to others ( the lord assisting ) that they split not upon the rock . of their pastors i shall say no more , but this at present . oh hubbard ! why do'st leave thy native soile ? is 't not to war ' mongst christ's true worthies here , what wilt give out , thou 'lt loose thy former toile ? and starve christs flock , which he hath purchast deare . what would's thou have , speake plaine , truth bides the light : to gods word goe , it 's that must triall be , hath cruell sword , not het one thy side right , increase in love , and thou wilt justice see . with humble , holy , learned men converse , thee and thy flock they would in one unite , and all the fogs of selfe conceit disperse ; thee and thy sons the lord christ guide aright . some other of the ministers of christ arrived this yeare . as mr. flint , mr. carter , and mr. walton and some others , of whom we shall speake ( by the lord assistance ) in due time and place , in the meane time here is to be remembred mr. thomas flint a sincere servant of christ , who had a faire yearly revenue in england , but having improved it for christ , by casting it in the common treasury , as it appeares in the former part of this history , he waites on the lord for doubling his talent , if it shall seeme good unto him so to doe , and the meane time spending his person for the good of his people in the office of a magistrate . at christs commands , thou leav'st thy lands , and native habitation : his folke to aid , in desart straid , for gospells exaltation , flint hardy thou , wilt not allow , the underminding fox , with subtill skill , christsvines to spill , thy sword shall give thē knocks . yet thou base dust , and all thou hast is christ's , and by him thou : art made to be , such as we see , hold fast for ever now . chap. xxxviii . of the placing down of many souldiers of christ , and gathering the church of christ at sanowitch in plimouth patten , and further supply for the churches of ipswich and linne . this yeare . sir henry vaine , was chosen governour , and john winthrope esquire deputy governour , the number of freemen added were about eighty three . this yeare came over the much honoured mr. fenwick a godly and able instrument to assist in helping to uphold the civill government of the second , and third colonies here planted , by the divine providence of the most high god , hee having purchased the plantation of saybrooke . fore , became a good incourager to the church of christ at hartford , where the reverend mr. hooker , and mr. stone were officers . in remembrance of whom a few lines take here . fenwick among this christian throng , to wildernesse doth fiee : there learn'd hast thou , yet further how , christ should advanced be , who for that end , doth back thee send , their senator to sit ; in native soile , for him still toile , while thou hast season fit , his churches peace , do thou not cease , with their increase to bring , that they and thee , in lasting glee may hallelujaeh sing . the beginning of this yeare was spent in accommodating these new come guests in the former yeare , whose numbers was neer about three thousand , and now they began to be perswaded they should be a setled people , not minding the present dangers they were in , as you shall hear anon , onely in the meane time take notice of further supply the lord christ was pleased to send before the cattell increased to its strength , among whom the aged , and long continned souldiers of christ jesus mr. partrich , as also mr. nathaniel rogers an able disputant , whose mouth the lord was pleased to fill with many arguments for the defence of his truth , mr. samuel whiting , who hath also , with keeping to the patterne of sound and wholesome doctrine , much stopped the spreading leaven of the pharises , mr. partrich was called to office at a towne then named dukes berry in plimoth government , scituated upon the sea-coast , where the people of christ being gathered into a church , ordained him to be their pastor . in thine owne soile well rooted in the truth , thou didst stand fast by prelates power unbow'd , but laude layes load on gods solke to his ruth , by whom thou mayst , no longer , be alow'd . then partrich thou thy wings begins to spread of faith and love to flie these long seas o're , to wildernesse where thou christs lambes hast fed ; with 's sincere milke this fourteene yeare and more . but now with age thy almon tree doth flourish , yet spreading like the palme tree dost thou stand , i' th house of god christ roote thy boughs do nourish ; and for thy head he hath a crowne in 's hand . mr. nathaniel rogers being landed , after a long and tedious voyage at sea , was welcomed by the church of christ at ipswitch , where the reverened and judicious mr. nathaniel ward , although a very able preacher , and much desired , yet for some naturall infirmity ( himselfe being best privy unto ) desired to be unbound of his ingagement with his people in point of office : that being left to his liberty , hee might preach more seldom , in whose stead the church called to office this reverend and holy man of god mr. nathaniel rogers , whose labours in this westerne world , have been very much : a very sweet heavenly minded man , of whom the author is bold to say as followeth : through boystrous seas thy brittle frame of man it safely is in christ's sweet armes infold , no wonder then thou weake dust stotly can preach christs in 's truths , why he doth thee uphold ? why rogers lee thee over-sea hath fett against the day of battell , now at hand , no sooner are thy feet one those shores set , but leaders do christ truth withstand . vndaunted thou these westerne fields dost enter , filld with the spirits ready sword at hand , ingage thou wilt thy selfe , ' mongst hardships venter ; valiant thou foughtst under thy christ's command . and yet with all men wouldst have peace thy aime , if deepe to wound , and sweetly then to say , come to my christ , hee 'l heale your wounds againe ; canst but submit hee 'l never say thee nay . with learned method thou gods word divides : long labouring that each soule may take his part , thy gratious speech with grave impression bides ; thus christ by thee is pleas'd to win the heart . my muse lament , nathaniel is decaying : why dost thou grutch him heaven , such toile hath had , in christ his vineyard rather be thou praying ; that in christs armes he resting may be glad . mr. samuel whiting was well welcomed by the church of christ at cawgust , which towne , being now of age to receive an english name , was called linne , where this reverend man now hath his aboade . thy ardent love , the countlesse oceans measure quench cannot , for thy love on him is set , who of true love hath aie the depthlesse treasure , doth thine increase , least thou should'st , his forget . love christ in 's truths my whiting thou hast done : thou wilt not suffer with their leaven sower , false doctrines ' mongst thy tender flock to run ; timely cut off wilt thou all those devour . samuel mourne not thy strength in desart's spent : rather rejoyce thy christ makes use of thee soules to convert , his kingdomes large extent from east to west shall shortly setled be . thine eyes and eares have seen and heard great things done by thy christ , shewes he thy toile accepts , though thy weake flesh weaker to dust hee 'l bring ; thy quickned spirit increast in his joy leaps . chap. xxxix . of the first appearing in the field , of the enemies of christs people in point of-reformation . and now to follow our first simile of a souldier , the lord christ having safely landed many a valiant souldier of his on these westerne shores , drawes hither also the common enemies to reformation , both in doctrine and discipline ; but it was for like end , as the lord sometime drew sisera the captaine of jabins army to the river kishon for their destruction , onely herein was a wide difference ; there sisera was delivered into the hands of a woman , and here sisera was a woman ; their weapons and warre was carnall , these spirituall ; there jabin was but a man , here jabin was the common enemy of mans salvation . in the yeare . the angels of the severall churches of christ in n. england sounding forth their silver trumpets , heard ever and anon the jarring sound of ratling drums in their eares , striking up an alarum to the battell , it being a frequent thing publikely to oppose the pure and perfect truths of christ ( delivered by the mouth of his ministers ) and that by way of question as the pharises , sadduces and herodians did christ . but to bring this disorderly worke of theirs into some order , for assuredly could the author come up to relate the full of the matter in hand , it would through the mercy of christ make much for the good of gods people the world throughout , and helpe to discover the last ( i hope ) but most subtile practises of satan to hinder the restauration of the purity of christs ordinances in his churches in all places ; as also used by him and his instruments to divert the hands of those , to whom it belongs , from pulling downe antichrist , to which end he stirreth up some of his instruments ( well educated in the masking schoole of hippocrisy ) to take upon them this long voyage , giving them in charge by all meanes to carry it more close , then his jesuites had done , and for their paines they should have the honours to be counted such , as were of a sharper fight , and deeper discerning then any others . satan , knowing right well that at the fall of antichrist hee must be chained up for a thousand years , strives with all the wicked craft his long experienced maliciousnesse could possibly invent , to uphold the same , having already perswaded many that his kingdome was wholy ruinated with our english nation , and so diswaded them a long time from further prosecuting against him . but antichrists kingdome , as it plainly appeares by scripture , consists chiefly in two parts , his deceaveible doctrines , and his kingly power . the first of these being in measure abolished , the latter was still retained by the prelacy , and some lording presbytery in greater or lesser measure , as they could attaine unto it . now satan , who is daily walking to and fro compassing the earth , seeing how these resolved souldiers of christ in new england with indefatigable paines laboured , not onely the finall ruine of antichrist , in both , but also the advance of christs kingdome , in seting up daily churches according to his first institution . wherefore he sets upon a new way to stop ( if it were possible ) this worke of reformation , and seeing no other way will serve , he stirs up instruments to cry down antichrist as much as the most , i and more too , but by this project they should leade people as much out of the way on the other hand , and in the doctrinall part of antichrists kingdome , fall to more horrid blasphemies then the papist ( as god willing ) you shall heare some of them did , namely the gortenist , who most blasphemously professe themselves to be personally the christ : and as for the other part of his kingdome , namely the power or dominion of the beast , this they should with all violence batter downe also , but it must be none other then to make way for their owne exaltation , and pay them their wages in the former page promised them , as also withall to overthow the authority christ hath ordained to be continued in his churches , in and under him , and furthermore to lock up the sword of civill government for ever , especially in matters that concerne the foure first commands of god , a cunning way to save the beasts head whole . you have now heard of the intention , you shall now see their actions . the lord christ in his boundlesse mercy give all his people eyes to see , and hearts to believe , that after they have in measure escaped the filthy pollutions of the beast , they may not againe be intangled with these damnabled doctrines , stealing away their hearts by degrees , under a seeming shew of pulling down antichrist . the embassadors of christ jesus , having full liberty to deliver their masters minde , preach unto all the doctrine of free grace , beseeching them to be reconciled unto god in christ , and that the revealed will of god is , that all should be saved , and come to the knowledge of the truth , and that god hath given his onely begotten son , that whosoever believeth in him should not perish , but have everlasting life . yet withall minding them that faith is the gift of god , and none can come unto christ , but such as the father drawes , and withall that the whole will not see any need of the phisicians , but the sick , adding also that none can come to the sight of his sicknesse or dead condition but by the law of god , unlesse they be quicker sighted then the apostle ; they indevour also to build up others in their holy faith , that they might come to see the love of god in christ , which passeth knowledge , and to this end they shew them the fruits of faith which worketh by love , and that love will be obedient to all the commands of christ , who saith , if you love me keepe my commandements ; and further that faith purifies the heart , and that a constant supply must be had from christ . with these and the like sound and wholsome truths the ministers of christ feeds their severall flocks in new england , drawing their doctrines plainly from their text , and substantially backing them with store of scripture , and undeniable reason , and then delivering to every man his portion . but this good old way would not serve the turne with certaine sectaries that were hither come , who like cunning sophisters , seeing the bent of the peoples hearts ( after so many mercies received ) was to magnifie the rich grace of god in christ ; they began to tell the people ( yet very privately ) that the most , if not all the ministers among them preached a covenant of workes , either course or fine , and with a what doe you say to this . they begin to spread their errors and herefies , laying the foundation of them as nere the truth as possible they can , the easier to deceive , but in the prosecution , to be sure they ran far enough from it , but to begin ; first , they quarrell with the doctrine of faith in christ , and say , a soule is justified without it . chap. xl. of the cunning policy of satan in that machevillian principle , divide and overcome , and of the two first dividing principles , by which many errors were brought in . and verily satane policy here ( as in all places where the lord christ is acknowledged ) was to keepe men from that one right way , by the which hee applies himselfe to the soule , no marvell then if so many errours arise , like those fained heads of hidra , as fast as one is cut off two stand up in the roome , and chiefly about the uniting of a soule to christ by faith. their errors in this point they reported to be the judgement of the reverend and judicious mr. john cotten ; but hee having spoken for himselfe in his answer to mr. baily , i forbeare , onely this by the way , take notice of these subtill projectors , the erronist i meane , who perceiving this holy man of god mr. cotten was , and yet is in great esteeme with the people of god , for the great grace christ hath bestowed upon him in his deepe discerning the mysteries of godlinesse , as also discerning some little difference b●tweene him , and the other elders about this point , commene upon it , and in large at their pleasure , and then in daily venting their deceivable doctrines , like subtill logicians , bring in this as their strongest argument in the last place . i 'le tell you friend , neighbour , brother , if you will forbeare to speake of it till you hear farther , this is the judgement of m● . cotten , when he , it may be had never heard of it , or at least wise , when they brought this their bastardly brat to him , they put another vizard on the face of it : but that you may understand their way of broaching their abominable errors , it was in dividing those things the lord hath united in his worke of conversion continued , carrying on a soule to heaven in these foure particulars . first , in dividing betweene the word and the word , under pretence of a legall gospell , perswading the people their ministers were legall preachers , teaching them little better then popery , and unfit for gospell churches , denying them to be any ministers of christ that preach any preparation worke , by shewing men what the law requires . here 's nothing sayes one of them , but preaching out of the law and the prophets , truly sayes another of them i have not heard a pure gospell sermon from any of them , but sure they were both troubled with the lethargy , or read not the gospell themselves , for they may finde the apostles , yea , and christ himselfe preached good gospell sure , out of the law and the prophets . secondly , in separating christ and his graces , in manifesting himselfe to be in the soule , and this they say makes much for the magnifying of free-grace , and indeed they made it so free , that the soule that receives it shall never taste any of it by their consent , but remaine still a dry branch as before ; these legall pharises , sayes one of them , tell us of a thing they call inherent grace , and of a man being made a new creature , but i am sure the best of them goe on in their legall duties and performances still , sorrowing for sinne hearing of sermons , observing duty morning and evening , and many such like matters . tush man sayes another of them , you shall hear more then this , i was discoursing with one of their scholasticall preachers disciples , a professed convert , and yet when he came to pray , he beg'd for forgivenesse of his sins , i asked him why he used that vaine repetition , since hee did believe he was justified by christ already , and hee made me an answer not worth repeating , but when i told him god could see no sinne in his people , no more then i could see that which was covered close from my eye sight ; hee told mee i spake little lesse then blasphemy , so ignorant are these men , and their learned guides also ; who perswade them the more they have of the in-dwelling of the spirit of christ , the better they shall be inabled to these legall duties . nay , quoth the other , i can tell you more then all this , they make it an evidence of their good estate , even their sanctification , and yet these men would make people believe they are against popery . by this discourse of theirs , you may see the manner how these erronious , and hereticall persons batter off the fruit from the goodly branches of christs vines & make bare the flourishing trees planted in the house of the lord , and yet professe themselves to be scholars of the upper forme , that have learned as far as their masters can teach them , but let me tell you friends you 'l prove but trewants if you fall thus to robbing of orchards , and its an offence far beyond petty larceny to rob christs garden , let your pretenees be what they will : can it possible be for the magnifying of christs grace that the branches growing upon his root shou●d remaine fruitlesse ? no assuredly , herein god is glorified that his people bring forth much fruit , yet many of these new gospellers had another plea , hypocrites have a seeming shew of saints graces by which they deceive themselves and others ; and therefore because felons and traytors coyne counterfeit gold , therefore true gold should not passe for current , but the intent of the author is to prosecute the history , these errours being consuted already by the able servants of christ , whom the lord in his mercy brought hither for that purpose . chap. xli . of the two latter dividing principles under which these erronists fought . the third dividing tenent by which these persons prosecuted their errors at this time , was betweene the word of god , and the spirit of god , and here these sectaries had many prety knacks to delude withall , and especially to please the femall sex , they told of rare revelations of things to come from the spirit ( as they say ) it was onely devised to weaken the word of the lord in the mouth of his ministers , and withall to put both ignorant and unlettered men and women , in a posture of preaching to a multitude , that they might be praised for their able tongue . come along with me sayes one of them , i 'le bring you to a woman that preaches batter gospell then any of your black-coates that have been at the ninneversity , a woman of another kinde of spirit , who hath had many revelations of things to come , and for my part , saith hee , i had rather hear such a one that speakes from the meere motion of the spirit , without any study at all , then any of your learned scollers , although they may be fuller of scripture ( i ) and admit they may speake by the helpe of the spirit , yet the other goes beyond them . g●ntle reader , thinke not these things fained , because i name not the parties , or that here is no witnesse to prove them , should i so do : neither of both is the cause i assure you , but being somewhat acquainted with my own weakenesse , should the lord withdraw the light of his word , and also i verily believe some of them are truly turned againe to the truth , the which i wish to all , yet by relating the story all men may see what a spirit of giddinesse they were given up to , and some of them to strong delusions , even to most horrid and damnable blasphemies , having itching eares , or rather proud desires to become teachers of others , when they grosly erred in the first principles of religion themselves . there was a man in one of the farthest townes of the mattacusets government , where they had no ministers for the present , he being much desirous to shew himfelfe some body in talking to as many as hee could get to hear him one the sabbath day , missing some of his auditors , he meets with one of them some few dayes after , they passing over the water together , where were you quoth he on the sabbath day that you were not at the meeting ? we had a notable piece of prophecy , quoth the man that was missing , who was it that preached ? the other replying not : his wife being in presence , answered ; it was my husband , nay wife , quoth he thou shoulds not have told him , teach him to stay at home another time . by this and divers other such like matters , which might be here inserted , you may see how these sectaries love the preheminence , and for this end seeke to deprive the ministers of christ inv●igling as many as they can in the head , that they take to much upon them ( just like the rebellious korath , dathan , and abiram ) scoffing at their scholler-like way of preaching , wherein the grosse dissimulation of these erronious persons hath appeared exceedingly , as for instance first of a woman , even the grand m●st●is of all the rest , who denied the resurrection from the dead shee and her consorts mightily rayling against learning , perswading all they could to take heed of being spoyled by it , and in the meane time , shee her selfe would dispute ( forsooth ) and to shew her skill that way , here is a falacy quoth she in this syliogisme : as also one of the gortonists , as shallow a pated scholler as my selfe , far from understanding latine , much lesse any other language the scriptures were writ in , yet when hee would hold out some of the best of his false doctrines , as namely , that there were no other devills but wicked men , nor no such thing as sin , quoth he that place in the fourth psalme , where men commonly read , stand in awe and sin not , in the originall it is read stand in awe and misse not . but to go on , at this time there were many strange revelations told both of men and women , as true some of them said as the scripture , so that surely had this sect gone on awhile , they would have made a new bible , and their chief mistris when she was shipt for n. england , what will you say quoth she , and it hath beene revealed to me that we shall be there in six weekes , and one of the femall gortonists said , she was a proph●tesse , and it was revealed unto her , that shee must prophecy unto the people in the same words the prophet ezekiel did , as also a lusty big man to defend this tenent held forth to his pastor before the whole congregation , that the spirit of revelation came to him as he was drinking a pipe of tobacco . the fourth dividing way to bring in their heresies , was to devide betweene christ and his ordinances , and here they plaid their game to purpose , even to casting down of all ordinances as carnall , and that because they were polluted by the ordinance of man , as some of these sectaries have said to the minister of christ , you have cast off the crosse in baptisme , but you should do well to cast off baptisme it selfe ; as also for the sacrament of the lords supper , for to make use of bread , or the juce of a silly grape to represent the body and bloud of christ , they accounted it as bad as negromancy in the ministers of christ to pe●forme it . but seeing there will be occasion to bring in a bedroule of these blasphemies in the yeare ( ) and ( ) take the lesse here ; onely minde that these persons being first bewildred in the deniall of infants being baptized , could neither finde right faith to be baptized into , nor yet any person rightly constituted to baptize remaining . seekers they came to this , but yet here must not be omitted the slights these erronists had to shoulder out the officers christ hath ordained , and set up in his churches ; and verily in this point they sided directly with the papist and prelates , although in most of the other they went directly out of the way on the other hand . ignorance say the papist is the mother of devotion , it s better say the protestant prelates to have ( a blind si● john ) one that cannot tell how to preach , provided he will conforme to our ceremonies , than to have one that will presch constantly , and not conforme also : these erronist , shewing themselves to be whelps of the same litter , cry out against a learned presbitery , as the onely way to captivate liberty , and herein the transformed devill came to shew his hornes for why , his errors would not take where the people were followers of their seeing guids , and if it be well noted , here is the master-piece of all their knavery , the which comes in after this manner , the lording prelacy , popes , cardinalls , bishops , deanes , &c. were ordinarily brought up at the university to learning , and have most tyrannically abused it : usurping over the people of christ , and exercised most inhumane and barbarous cruelty upon them ; as also the presbyterian kirke by these provinciall classes , men of learning having robbed the particular congregations of their just and lawfull priviledges , which christ hath purchased for them . each congregation of his being invested with full power to administer all the ordinances he hath ordained , in and toward their owne members ; and further learned men in some places , feeding the people for their tith-sake in a parishioniall way , desire the upholding thereof , lest their fat benefices should grow leane . now the redemption of the people of christ out of all these bondages , being full of difficulty to attaine , as is abundantly witnessed in the great hardship gods people have undergon in this wildernesse-worke ; as also much more by that bloudy war so long continved in our native country , and the two adjacent kingdomes . this makes a very faire bottome for those to build upon , who would have the sluce of authority in the officers of christs churches plucked up , that so their errors might flow in like a floud ; and therefore they impannell a jury of their own sectaries to passe upon all such as put a higher esteem upon their pastors and teachers ( in point of discerning the holy things of god ) then upon other men , who returne in their verdit as finding them guilty of the crime above expressed , either as party , or privy abetters unto them , upon this the vote goes for advancing such men as will let them out line enough for such as will worke without wages , and give to every man liberty to exercise a large conscience , provided it be his own , and as for authority they would have none used , as being a thing two opposite to liberty . my friend cast off as much of thy owne power as thou canst , and beware of lording it over gods heritage , but i pray thee let christ alone with his , which he hath given to his pastors and teachers in administring the holy things of god , peculiar to their office , and tremble all you presbyterians , who to please the people prostrate the authority christ hath put upon the eldrs of his churches as officers , to the resolute liberty of man : the people may and ought to call them to office , to the which christ hath united double honour and authority , and appointed them to be had in high esteeme for their worke-sake , being embassadors of christ jesus . this may no man take from them , nor yet they themselves cast off , and yet all this makes nothing for the papall , prelaticall , classicall or parishionall authority of the presb●tery , for it holds onely in their ruling well , while they rule for christ , they must and shall have the power hee hath put upon their office. from these foure dividing tenents by the cunning art of these deceivers , were forescore grosse errours broached secretly , sliding in the darke like the plague , proving very infectious to some of the churches of christ in their members . chap. lxii . of sad effects of the pitifull and erronious doctrines broached by the sectuaries . the number of these infectious persons increasing now , haveing drawn a great party on their side , and some considerable persons they grow bold , and dare question the sound and whole some truths delivered in publick by the ministers of christ . their church-meetings are full of disputes in points of difference , and their love . feasts are not free from spots , in their courts of civill justice some men utter their speeches in matters of religion very ambiguously , and among all sorts of persons a great talke of new light , but verily it proved but old darknesse , such as sometime over-shadowed the city of munster ; but blessed be the lord christ , who now declared himselfe to be a helpe at hand for his poore new england churches , being now in their infancy , whose condition at present was very dolorous , and full of difficulties , insomuch that the better part of this new transported people stood still many of them gazing one upon another , like sheepe let loose to feed on fresh pasture , being stopped and startled in their course by a kennell of devouring wolves . the weaker sort wavered much , and such as were more growne christians hardly durst discover the truth they held one unto another , the fogs of errour increasing the bright beames of the glorious gospell of our lord christ in the mouth of his ministers could not be discerned through this thick mist by many , and that sweete refreshing warmth that was formerly felt from the spirits influence , was now turned ( in these erronists ) to a hot inflamation of their owne conceited revelations , ulcerating and bringing little lesse then frenzy or madnesse to the patient , the congregation of the people of god began to be forsaken , and the weaker sex prevailed so farre , that they set up a priest of their own profession and sex , who was much thronged after , abominably wresting the scriptures to their own destruction : this master ▪ piece of womens wit , drew many disciples after her , and to that end boldly insinuated her selfe into the favour of none of the meanest , being also backed with the sorcery of a second , who had much converse with the devill by her own confession , and did , to the admiration of those that heard her , utter many speeches in the latine tongue , as it were in a trance , this woman was wonted to give drinkes to other women to cause them to conceive , how they wrought i know not , but sure there were monsters borne not long after , as you shall hear in the following history . oh yee new england men and women , who hath bewitched you that you should not obey the truth ? and indeed satan , to make sure worke with semblance of preaching the doctrine of free-grce by his instruments , makes shew of our-bidding all the orthodox , and godly ministers in the countrey , pretending their preaching to be but a covenant of workes , supposing by this meanes to silence them without a b●shop , and lest the civill power should stand up for their aid , they threaten them with the high displeasure of christ for persecuting his people , which as they said these erronious persons with their new light , were the onely men and women that were pure gospell preachers . thus the poore people of christ , who kept close to his antient truths invironed with many straites , having expended their estates to voyage far through the perillous seas , that their eyes might behold their teachers , and that they might injoy the protection of a godly civill government , began to deeme themselves in a more dolorous condition then when they were in the commissaries court , and prelates prisons , the hideous waves in which their brittle barques were sometimes covered , as they passed hither , were nothing so terrible in the apprehension of some as was this floud of errors violently beating against the bankes of church and civill government , the wants of this wildernesse , and pinching penury in misse of bread , put them to no such paine by gnawing on their empty stomacks , with feare of famishing , as did the misse of the administration of christ in his word and ordinances , leaving the soule in a languishing condition for want of a continuall supply of christ in his graces . chap. lxiii . of the sorrowfull condition of the people of christ , when they were incountred with these erronists at their first landing . but to end this dismall yeare of sixteene hundred thirty six , take here the sorrowfull complaint of a poore soule in misse of its expectation at landing , who being incountered with some of these erronists at his first landing , when he saw that good old way of christ rejected by them , and hee could not skill in that new light , which was the common theame of every mans discourse , hee berooke him to a narrow indian path , in which his serious meditations soone led him , where none but sencelesse trees and eccohing rocks make answer to his heart-easeing mone . oh quoth he where am i become , is this the place where these reverend preachers are fled , that christ was pleased to make use of to rouse up his rich graces in many a drooping soule ; here have i met with some that tell mee , i must take a naked christ . oh , woe is mee if christ be naked to mee , wherewith shall i be cloathed , but me thinks i most wonder they tell me of casting of all godly sorrow for sin as unbeseeming a soule , that is united to christ by faith , and there was a little nimbled tongued woman among them , who said she could bring me acquainted with one of her own sex that would shew me a way , if i could attaine it , even revelations , full of such ravishing joy that i should never have cause to be sorry for sinne , so long as i live , and as for her part shee had attained it already : a company of legall professors , quoth she lie poring on the law which christ hath abolished , and when you breake it then you breake your joy , and now no way will serve your turne , but a deepe sorrow . these and divers other expressions intimate unto men , that here i shall finde little increase in the graces of christ , through the hearing of his word preached , and other of his blessed ordinances . oh cunning devill , the lord christ rebuke thee , that under pretence of a free and ample gospell shuts out the soule from partaking with the divine nature of christ , in that mysticall union of his blessed spirit creating , and continuing his graces in the soule : my deare christ , it was thy worke that moved me hither to come , hoping to finde thy powerfull presence in the preaching of the word , although administred by sorry men , subject to like infirmities with others of gods people , and also by the glasse of the law , to have my sinfull corrupt nature discovered daily more and more , and my utter inabillity of any thing that is good , magnifying hereby the free grace of christ ; who of his good will and pleasure worketh in us to will , and to doe working all our works in us , and for us . but here they tell me of a naked christ , what is the whole life of a christian upon this earth ? but through the power of christ to die to sinne , and live to holinesse and righteousnesse , and for that end to be diligent in the use of meanes : at the uttering of this word he starts up from the greene bed of his complaint , with resolution to hear some one of these able ministers preach ( whom report had so valued ) before his will should make choyce of any one principle , though of crossing the broade seas back againe , then turning his face to the sun , he steered his course toward the next town , and after some small travel ●●ee came to a large plaine , no sooner was hee entred thereon , but hearing the found of a drum he was directed toward it by a broade b●aten way , following this rode he demands of the next man he met what the signall of the drum ment , the reply was made they had as yet no bell to call men to meeting ; and therefore made use of a drum , who is it , quoth hee , lectures at this towne . the other replies , i see you are a stranger , new come over , seeing you know not the man , it is one mr. shepheard , verily quoth the other you hit the right , i am new come over indeed , and have been told since i came most of your ministers are legall preachers , onely if i mistake not they told me this man preached a finer covenant of workes then the other , but however , i shall make what hast i can to heare him . fare you well , then hasting thither hee croudeth through the thickest , where having stayed while the glasse was turned up twice , the man was metamorphosed , and was faine to hang down the head often , least his watry eyes should blab abroad the secret conjunction of his affections , his heart crying loud to the lords ecchoing answer , to his blessed spirit , that caused the speech of a poore weake pale complectioned man to take such impression in his soule at present , by applying the word so aptly , as if hee had beene his privy counseller , cleering christs worke of grace in the soule from all those false doctrines , which the erronious party had afrighted him withall , and now he resolves ( the lord willing ) to live and die with the ministers of new england : whom hee now saw the lord had not onely made zealous to stand for the truth of his discipline , but also of the doctrine , and not to give ground one inch . chap. xliiii . the congregationall churches of christ are neither favourers of sinfull opinions ▪ nor the lords over any , or many churches , or mens consciences . and here christian reader the author according to his former practice , must minde thee of the admirable providence of christ toward his new england churches , in preserving them from these erronious spirits , that have hitherto in all places dog'd the sincere servants of christ , when ever they have set upon a through reformation , as stories doe abundantly testify , which thing the reverend calvine and divers others , have declared . but seeing the boasting prelates in these times are ready to say their lordly power kept these errours under , its plaine otherwise : for satan saw while people were under their yoake of humane inventions , they were far enough from exalting the kingdome of christ ; and therefore he reserved these errours , for his last shifts , and further you shall see in the following story that the lord christ reserved this honour for those , whose love hee had inlarged to follow him in a dezart wildernesse , even with the sharpe sword of the word , timely to cut off the heads of this hidra ; but yet there are two sorts of persons in our native country , whom the elders and brethren here do highly honour in christ , and prefer before themselves , namely the godly prebyterian party , and the congregationall sincere servants of christ , both which the author could wish , ( that with bowells of compassion , sweet simpathising affection of brethren knit together in that transcendent love of christ , which couples all his distanced flockes together ) they would seriously ponder this history , which through the authors weakenesse wants much of measure , but nothing of the truth of things , so far as a shallow capacity can reach . of the first sort named , i could wish the reverend mr. ruterford , mr. bayle , mr. rathbone , mr. paget , mr. ball , &c. would but informe themselves further by the truth of this history , supposing they cannot chuse but in a good measure be satisfied already with the pacificatory and meeke answers of as many reverend and godly elders of ours . now that i would they should take notice of is , that the churches of christ in new england , and their officers have hitherto been so far from imbracing the erronious doctrines of these times , that through the powers of christ they have valiantly defended the truth , and cut down all deceiveable doctrine ; the like hath not been done for many ages heretofore . reverend and beloved in christ , could your eyes but behold the efficacy of loving counsell in the communion of congregationall churches , and the reverend respect , honour and love , given to all teaching elders , charity commands me to thinke you would never stand for classicall injunctions any more , neither diocesan , nor provinciall authority can possible reach so far as this royall law of love in communion of churches : verily its more universall then the papall power , and assuredly the dayes are at hand , wherein both jew and gentile churches shall exercise this old modell of church government , and send their church salutations and admonitions from one end of the world unto another , when the kingdomes of the earth are become our lord christs ; then shall the exhortation of one church to another prevaile more to reformation , then all the thundering bulls , excomunicating lordly censures , and shamefull penalties of all the lording churches in the world , and such shall be , and is the efficacy of this intire love one to another , that the withdrawing of any one church of christ , according to the rule of the word from those that walke inordinatly , will be more terrible to the church or churches so forsaken , then an army with banners : yea , and it may be added , because civill government is like to turne nurse in more places then one , this royall law of love shall become the law of nations , and none will suffer their subjects to rebell against it ; but to our beloved brethren in england on the other hand , the reverend mr. burroughs , mr. goodwin &c. this seemeth you have apprehended our churches and civill government , to be too strict in dealing with persons for their sinfull opinions , i wish the offenders be none of your intelligencers , who to be sure will make the worst of things , i know you are in charity with us ; and therefore a few words will satisfie , which i hope you want not from your good friends our reverend elders , who could wish you as much happinesse as our selves to expell error before it grew to that height to cry downe the sound and wholesome truths : casting durt on our orthodox and godly ministery , i wish you open your mouths wide enough to be filled with this blessing , the lord hath done great , and unexpected things for you , and why not this ? one and twenty yeares experience hath taught us that errors and heresies are not broached , and held out here by tender consciences , such as are weak in the faith , but by such as think them scholers of the upper forme , such as would teach the most ablest christian among us another gospell , and further we finde our erronist wanting a common enemy to contend withall , as you have fallen foule of our godly magistrates and ministers , and will not suffer us quietly to injoy the ordinance of christ , for which wee hither cam● , buzzing our people in the eare with a thing they call liberty , which when any have tasted a smack of , they can no more indure to hear of a synod or gathering together of able , and orthodox christians , nor yet of communion of churches , but would be independant to purpose , and as for civill government they deem religion to be a thing beyond their sphere . chap. xlv . of the civill government in n. england , and their nurture of the people upon their tender knees . the vernall of the yeare . being now in his prime , and as the season of the yeare grew hotter , so the minds of many were hot in the eager pursuite of their selfe conceited opinions , and verily had not authority stept in , it was much to be doubted they would have proceeded from words to blowes , great hold and keepe there was about choice of magistrates this yeare , the choyce being retarded by a paper call'd a petition , but indeed a meere device to hinder the election , till the erronious party were strengthened , their number increasing daily , but the lord christ gratiously providing for the peace of his people toward the end of the day the honoured john winthrope esquire , was chosen governour , and thomas dudly esq . deputy governor : the number of free-men added this year was about . . here according to promise the reader shall have an accoumpt of the civill government of this little common-wealth , as their whole aime in their removall from their native country , was to injoy the liberties of the gospell of christ , so in serving up civill government , they daily direct their choice to make use of such men as mostly indeavour to keepe the truths of christ pure and unpsotted , and assuredly they can digest any wrongs or injuries done them in their estates , or trade , better then the wresting of their right in the freedome of the gospell , out of their hands , and this the erronist knowing right well ( to save their heads whole ) perswade men it is not for civill government to meddle with matters of religion ; and also to helpe out with their damnable doctrines , they report it in all places , where they be come , that new england government doth persecute the people and churches of christ ; which to speake truth they have hitherto beene so far from , that they have indeavoured to expell all such beasts of prey , ( who will not be reclaimed ) that here might be none left to hurt or destroy in all gods holy mountaine , and therefore are ready to put the churches of christ in minde of their duty herein ; yea , and sometimes going before them in their civill censures that they may not onely professe the truth , but also hate every false way , not that they would compell men to believe by the power of the sword , but to indeavour all may answer their profession ; whether in courch covenant or otherwise , by knowing they beare not the sword in vaine . neither doe they exercise civill power to bring all under their obedience to a uniformity in every poyne of religion , but to keepe them in the unity of the spirit , and the bond of peace , nor yet have they ever mixed their civill powers with the authority peculiarly given by christ to his churches and officers of them , but from time to time have laboured to uphold their priviledges , and only communion one with another . the chiefe court or supreame power of this little common-wealth , consists of a mixt company , part aristocracy , and part democracy of magistrates , that are yearly chosen by the major vote of the whole body of the free-men throughout the country ; and deputies chosen by the severall townes , they have hitherto had about . or . magistrates in the colony of the mattacusets , the other colonies have not above five or six , they have hitherto beene volunteers , governing without pay from the people , onely the governor of the mattacusets hath some yeares l. allowed him , and some years lesse , many of the magistrates are already remembred , yet with some of the first came hither mr. simon brodestreet , in this short meeter is he remembred . now simon yong , step in among , these worthies take thy place : all day to toile in vinyard , while christ thee upholds with grace ; thee wisdom grave betime he gave , and tongue to utter it , that thou mightst be a blessing free , and for this calling fit . thy counsell well , advis'd dost tell , with words ordered compleat , thy memory , doth amplifie , meeting with matters great . broad liberty , do thou deny , brodstreet christ would thee have , for 's truth contend , strong reason spend , it from aspersion save . he furnish't thee , with these gifts free , to last he must them make , still adding more , to thy old store , till he thee to him take . the lord was pleased to furnish these his people with some able instruments in most of their townes , that were skill'd in common-wealth work , out of which they chose their deputies , whose number was ordinarily between . and . some of them there will be occasion to speake of among their military men , but see here the wonder-working providence of sions saviour , appears much in gathering together stones to build up the walls of jerusalem ( that his sion may be surrounded with bulworkes and towres ) with a whispering word in the eares of his servants , he crosses the angles of england from cornewall to kent , from dover to barwick , not leaving out scotland and wales ; wise men are perswaded to the worke without arguing like elisba , when elias cast his mantle on him , so these men make no stop , but say suffer me onely to sell my inheritance , and i will away for new england . and now i could wish our brethren in england would not be angry with us for making such hast . brethren you know how the case stood with our ministers , as it was with gideon , who could thresh out no corne , but hee must doe it secretly , to hide it from the midianites , who spread the land like grashoppers , no more could they thresh and cleane up any wheate for the lords garner , but the prelates would presently be upon their backs , and plow long furrowes there , and you may believe it , if you will ( for it is certaine ) many , had not this little number gone forth to blow their trumpets , and breake their pitchers , making the brightnesse of their lamps appeare , surely the host of the midianites had never been put to flight , and if still any of our brethren shall contend with us , wee answer with gideon , the lord hath delivered into your hands the chiefe princes of midian , and what were we able to do in comparison of you ; yet shall we not cease to follow on the worke of reformation , although weake and faint , till the lord be pleased to free his israel from all their enemies ; and verily england hath not wanted the prayers of the poore people of christ here . and also some of our chiefe helpes both for church-worke , military and common-wealth-worke ; yet through the lords mercy , we still retaine among our democracy the godly captaine william hathorn , whom the lord hath indued with a quick apprehension , strong memory , and rhetorick , volubillity of speech , which hath caused the people to make use of him often in publick service , especially when they have had to do with any forrein government , mr. nathaniel duncan learned in the latine and french tongue , a very good accountant . wherefore he is called to the place of auditor generall for the county . mr. john glovar a man strong for the truth , a plaine sincere godly man , and of good abilities . captaine daniel gogkin , who was drawen hither from virginia , by having his affection strongly set on the truths of christ , and his pure ordinances ; being indued by the lord with good understanding captaine william tinge , sometime treasurour for the county , but being absent for some space of time in england , mr. richard russell was chosen in his roome , mr. edward rawson a young man , yet imployed in common-wealth affaires a long time , being well beloved of the inhabitants of newbery , having had a large hand in her foundation ; but of late he being of a ripe capacity , a good yeoman and eloquent inditer , hath beene chosen secretary for the country , mr. william hubbard of iphshwich , a learned man , being well read in state matters : of a very affable and humble behaviour ; who hath expended much of his estate to helpe on this worke ; although he be slow of speech , yet is hee down right for the businesse , captaine vmphry atherton , one of a cheerfull spirit , and intire for the county mr. edward jackson , one who cannot indure to s●e the truths of christ trampled under foot by the erronious party , eleazar lusher one of the right stamp , and pure mettle , a gratious , humble and heavenly minded man mr. joseph hill , a man active for to bring the lawes of the county in order , mr. whipple , one whose godly sincerity is much approved , mr. francis norton , one of a cheerfull spirit , and full of love to the truth , mr. robert paine , a right godly man , and one whose estate hath holpe on well with the worke of this little common-wealth , mr. william torry a good penman and skild in the latine tongue , usually clarke of the deputies , the survayor generall of the armies of the country , john johnson , of an undanted spirit , mr. william parker , a man of a pregnant understanding , and very usefull in his place . many more would be named , but for tediousnesse , neither will it please the men more to be named , then not , for all are very willing to acknowledge their inability for the worke , and the best are not without many imperfections . the authors end in naming some few is for none other end , but to make good the title of this book & to incourage all the servants of christ for time to come wholely to rely upon him , when they go about any difficult work , which may tend to the glory of his name . who could have told these men , being scattered abroad throughout the island of great brittaine , they should meete on a wildernesse nine hundered leagues remote , and there keep court together to study the preservation of christs poore scattered flockes ? nay brethren , when you first tooke book in hand to learne your letters , you would have been very dull pates , but for this worke ; assuredly , how you came by large inheritances , some of you , and estates of hundreds , and thousands , your selves best know , but believe it , the lord intended it for this very work , the earth is the lords , and the fulnesse of it , then let none of the people of christ mourn that they have spent their wealth in this wildernesse , if it have holpe on the worke , rather rejoyce that christ hath betrusted thee to be steward for the king of kings , & that in so noble an achievement the worthiest worke that the memory of our selves , and our fore-fathers can reach unto . and brethren , as for the good parts and gifts the author hath commended you for , but for the edifying of the body of christ , and assisting his people in this work you had been empty of all good . and now seeing it is the opinion of many in these dayes of reformation , that all sorts of sectaries ( that acknowledge a christ ) should be tolerated by civill government , except papist , and this government hath hitherto , and is for future time resolved to practice otherwise ( the lord assisting ) having met already with more blasphemous sectaries , then are papists ; wherefore it will not be amisse if our countrymen be acquainted with the one and twenty yeares experience of this wildernesse worke , in point of government . first , it is their judgment , and that from scripture taught them , that those , who are chose to place of government , must be men truly fearing god , wise and learned in the truths of christ , ( if so ) as hitherto it hath been new englands practice , then surely such will be utterly unfit to tolerate all sorts of sectaries , as because they have taken up joshuas resolution , to serve the lord , & a man cannot serve two masters , much lesse many masters ; then surely such as would have all sorts of sinfull opinions upheld by the civill government , must be sure to make choise of the most atheisticall persons they can finde to governe , such as are right gallios : for n. e. hath found by experience that every man will most favour his own way of profession , and labor tooth & naile to maintaine it , and if any have complied with other that have been of a contrary sinfull opinion to their own , it hath been , because they would have their own scape scot free , but assuredly the lord christ will allow of no such wayes for the favouring the professors of his truths , nor may any magistrate doe evill that good may come of it , in favouring dangerous and deceiveable doctrines , that others may favour the true servants of christ , neither is there any such need , for it is their honours ( if the will of god be so ) to suffer , nor can the people of n. england ( i meane the better part ) be perswaded to set up any other to governe , but such as are zealous for the maintainance of the truths of christ ; yet of late there is a buzzing noise , as if it were injury to the churches for civill power to medle in matters of religion , but to be sure there are many that strive for a toleration , yet the people of christ , who are the naturall mothers of this government , resolve never to see their living child so divided , looking at such a government to be no better to them , a living child divided in twaine ; and therefore desires their loving countrymen to beare with them in this point , and if any notwithstanding shall force it to be so , we shall shew our natural affection , and leave all to them , chusing rather to dwell on the backside of this desert ( a place as yet unaccessible ) knowing assuredly our god will appeare for our deliverance . yet let them also know the souldiers of christ in n e. are not of such a pusillanimous spirit , but resolve as that valiant jeptha did to keep in possession , the towns his god had given them , so we are resolved ( the lord willing ) to keepe the government our god hath given us , and for witnesse hee hath so done , let this history manifest : for we chose not the place for the land , but for the government , that our lord christ might raigne over us , both in churches and common-wealth , and although the lord have been pleased by an extraordinary blessing upon his peoples industry to make the place fruitfull ( as at this day indeed it is ) yet all may know the land in it selfe is very sterrill , but the upholding of the truths of christ , is chiefe cause why many have hitherto come : and further if the servants of christ be not much mistaken , the downfall of antichrist is at hand , and then the kingdome of the earth shall become the kingdome of our lord christ in a more peculiar manner , then now they are , and surely godly civill government shall have a great share in that worke , for they are exhorted to fill her double of the cup , shee hath given to them ; and also know our magistrates , being conscious of ruling for christ , dare not admit of any bastardly brood to be nurst up upon their tender knees , neither will any christian of a sound judgement vote for any , but such as earnesty contend for the faith , although the increase of trade , and traffique may be a great inducement to some . vvonder-working providence of sions saviovr , in nevv england . chap. i. the beginning of the relation of the pequot war , and the great straites these wandering jacobites were in . the great jehovah , minding to manifest the multitude of his mercies to the wendering jacobites , and make an introduction to his following wonders , causeth the darke clouds of calamities to gather about them , pres●ging some terrible tempest to follow , with eyes full of anguish , they face to the right , upon the damnable doctrines , as so many dreadfull engines set by satan to intrap their poore soules ; then casting forth a left hand looke , the labour and wants accompaning a desert , and terrible wildernesse affright them , their memories minding them of their former plenty ; it much aggravated the present misery , when with thoughts of retreating , they turne their backs about the experienced incumbrances , and deepe distresses of a dangerous ocean hinders their thoughts of flight , besides the sterne looke of the lordly prelates : which would give them a welcome home in a famishing prison . then purposing to put on more stronger resolution , facing to the front , behold a messenger with sorrowfull tidings from their fellow brethren , that inhabited the bankes of the river canectico , who having audience , informes them of the great insolency , and cruell murthers committed by a barbarous and bloudy people called peaquods , upon the bodies of their indeared friends , these savage indians lying to the south-west of the mattacusets , were more warlike then their neighbouring nations , the narrowganzet or niantick indians ; although they exceeded them in number , also mawhiggins ( who were the best friends of the english , and a chiefe instrumentall meanes of their sitting down there ) stood much in feare of these peaquods , which were big , swollen with pride at this time ; facing the english fort built on the mouth of the river in their large cannowes , with their bowes and long shafts , the english being then but weake in number and provision , were unable to manage the war against so numerous a company , being above thirty to one , yet their desires being beyond their meanes , they made some shot at them , forcing them to hast away faster then they willingly would . these indians trusting in their great troopes , having feasted their corps in a ravening manner , and leaving their fragments for their sqawes , they sound an alarum with a sull mouth , and lumbring voyce , and soone gather together without presse or pay , their quarrell being as antient as adams time , propagated from that old enmity betweene the seede of the woman , and the seed of the serpent , who was the grand signor of this war in hand , and would very gladly have given them a large commission , had not his owne power beene limited , neither could he animate them so much as to take off the gastly looke of that king of terror , yet however at his command they arme themselves : casting their qu●ver at their backs with bowes ready bent , they troope up some of them , being extraordinarily armed with guns , which they purchast from the dutch ( who had assuredly paid deare for this their courteous humour , not long since , had not some english volunteers rescued them from the indians hands ) the most of them were armed also with a small hatchet on a long handle , they had a small number of mawhawkes , hammers , which are made of stone , having a long pike on the one side , and a hole in the handle , which they tie about their wrists , they neede not provisions follow their camp ; because they are continually at home , but for their mats to shelter them from ruine or snow , the woods are as wellcome to them as their wigwams , sire they can make in all places by chafing two sticks together . their food is ready drest at all times parching indian come in their fire they pound it to meale , and with foure or five spoonfull of it cast into their mouths , and a sup or two of water , which they take up with a leafe of a tree , this is their common repast , and indeed their chiefe viaticum . thus furnisht for the war they troope away without any goodly equ●page to effect , as they suppose , some great designe , but within some few miles of the towne of hartford , they were discovered by one of the english , who having with him a good horse , hastens away to give intelligence of their approach , and by the way meeting with foure or five persons , hee advises them to haste away with all speed , for the peaquods were at hand , the weaker se● among them , being at this time not so credulous as they should have been , began to dispute the case with him , demanding what peaquods they were , and questioning how they should come there ; the horseman deeming it now no time for words , when the battell followed him so hard at the heeles , rod on his way , and soone after the sudden approach of the indians forced them with feare to seale to the truth of this evill tidings , and some of them with their dearest bloud ; three woemen-kinde they caught , and carried away , but one of them being more fearfull of their cruell usage , afterward then of the losse of he● life at present , being borne away to the thickest of the company , resisted so stoutly with scratching and biting , that the indian , exasperated therewith , cast her downe on the earth , and beate out her braines with his hatchet , the other two maids they led away and returned , their commission reaching no farther at present , having taken these two prisoners they did not offer to abuse their persons , as was verily deemed they would , questioned them with such broken english , as some of them could speak , to know whether they could make gunpowder . which when they understood they could not doe , their prize proved nothing so pretious a pearle in their eyes as before ; for seeing they exceeded not their own squawes in art , their owne thoughts informed them they would fall abundantly short in industry , and as for beauty they esteeme black beyond any colour . wherefore their sqawes use that sinfull art of painting their faces in the hollow of their eyes and nose , with a shining black , out of which their tip of their nose appeares very deformed , and their cheeke bone , being of a lighter swart black , on which they have a blew crosse died very deepe . this is the beauty esteemed by them , but yet their pride was much increased by this hostile act of theirs , and the english were more and more contemned of them , notwithstanding the dutch , who traded with these indians , procured the maides liberty againe . chap. ii. of the couragious resolutions , the lord indued these his people withall being invironed with many deepe distresses . after this message delivered , these brood of travilers being almost non-plus't in their grave and sollid counsells ; deem it now high time to follow their old way , of making their complaint to the supreame judge of all the world , by way of petition , who they knew right well , stood not as an idle spectator beholding his peoples ruth , and their enemies rage ; but as an actor in all actions to bring to naught the desires of the wicked , but period to their power , divert their stroaks from his , to their own heads , bring glory to his name , and good to his people from their most wicked malignity , having also the ordering of every weapon in its first produce , guiding every shaft that flies , leading each bullet to his place of setling , and weapon to the wound it makes ; yet he most righteous and holy in all his actions to this great lord peramount , had these poore afflicted people accesse through the intercession of their lord christ , whose worke ( though very weake to performe ) they were now about , wherefore casting themselves down at his feet in the sense of their owne unworthinesse , that desire him to doe his owne worke in them , and for them , that the mountaines in the way of zerubbabil may become a plaine , and then laying open the great straites they were in to him , who knew them far better then themselves , they had this answer returned them , which if men dare deny , the lord from heaven hath , and shall further witnesse it ; but before it be declared , let all men lay downe their interest they suppose they may have in procuring it , both english and others , that the glory of our lord christ may appeare in its splendor , to the danting of every proud heare , and for the perpetuall incouragement of all the souldiers of christ , even the meanest in his armies : for the day of his high power is come , yea ; his appointed time to have mercy upon sion is at hand , all you whose eyes of pity so see her in the dust , streame down with pear like drops of compassion , a little mixture of the unconceive●ble joy for the glorious worke of christ . now , now ; i now in hand for the exalting of his glorious kingdome , in preparing his churches for himselfe , and with his own blessed hands wiping away the teares that trickel downe her cheekes , drying her dankish eyes , and hushing her sorrowfull sobs in his sweete bosome . this rightly believed , and meeting in the soule of any poore christian , will make the narrow aff●ctions of his body too little to containe the present apprehensions of the soule ; and therefore wanting a vacuum to containe the strength of this new wine , wonder not if it vent if it selfe with swift thrilling teares from the most tender part of the vessell . and here the author must needs intreate the charitable reader to enlarge in the closset of his own heart , for his folly hee confesses in medling so meanly with such waighty matters , being blinded by eager affection , hee lost the fight of his great inability to the worke . when hee first set pen to paper , as the lord surrounded his chosen israel with dangers deepe to make his miraculous deliverance famous throughout , and to the end of the world , so here behold the lord christ , having egged a small handfull of his people forth in a forlorne wildernesse , stripping them naked from all humane helps , plunging them in a gulph of miseries , that they may swim for their lives through the ocean of his mercies , and land themselves safe in the armes of his compassion . chap. iii. of the lords great deliverance of his new england people , from the flouds of errors that were bursting in among them . as for the great mountaine of proud erronious judgement on your right hand , the prayer of faith shall remove them , and cast them into the depth of the sea , and for the strengthning of your faith herein ; because the lord will have you depend on him in the use of his meanes , not miracle , hee hath purposely pitcht out for this very worke , some of his most orthodox servants , and chiefe champions of his truth , able through his mercy to weld that bright weapon of his word prepared by the spirit for this purpose , to bring to the block these traytours to his truths one by one , and behead them before your eyes , and for this very end they are to gather together as one man in a synodicall way , with a decisive power to undoe all the cunning twisted knots of satans malignity to the truths of christ , opening the scriptures by the power of his spirit , cleering scripture by scripture , that nothing but the pure word of god may take place , and that you may assuredly believe the lord hath purposely called his servants , and souldiers to this place by his providence to cut off this cursed spirit of errours and heresies , which hath but at first dog'd all reformed churches of christ . there are for your further aid herein many more of these sincere souldiers floating upon the great ocean toward you , who will be with you before this synod is set , that you may declare it in the eares of all posterity , to be the very finger of god in catching the proud in their owne craftinesse , who had hatch't their devices , thus to cast all the ministers of christ , except some one or two , under this censure of being prejudiced against their persons , and for the little remnant to labour with flattery to blinde their eyes , that at least they might not be against them ; seeing they could not procure them to take their part , ( to be sure when the grossenesse of their errors were made known , they would not ) by this meanes having their hopes exalted ( in their owne apprehensions at least ) to gaine the most of the people on their side . the lord casts them downe from the proud pinacle of their machiavilian plot , by bringing in more men of courage uninterested : yea , unknown to most of their persons , but for their errors , as strong to confute them as any , and more fit to wipe off the fi●me from the eyes of some of their brethren , which these erronists by their syccophancy had clouded . the time for the meeting of this synod was to be in the seventh month following , commonly called september , the civill government well approving of their desires herein , were very willing to further them all they could , and in the 〈◊〉 time it was the worke of these valiant of the lord , to search out , not for men and womens persons , but their errors , which they gathered up from all parts , willing all that would or could defend them to use their best meanes , like as john when he was to execute the judgements of the lord upon ahabs bloudy household , would have had his servants defend their masters children if they could , onely you must understand there was but . sons , and here was . errors , of which you shall further hear when the time comes . chap. iv. of the abundant mercies of christ in providing liberall supply for his new england people , in regard of their outward man , food , rayment and all other necessaries and conveniencies . now for the hardships on the left hand , they had as good an answer as in the former ; their christ had not saved their lives from the raging seas to slay them in the wildernesse with famine ; your life is much more pretious in the eyes of the lord then food , and your bodies then rayment : yea , the lord of heaven , who hath honoured you so far as to imploy you in this glorious worke of his , knowes you must have these things , and it was not you , deare hearts , that chose this place , but the lord , as seeing it most fit to doe his worke in , knowing that had you met with a rich land filled with all plenty , your heart would have beene taken off this worke , which he must have done . but to strengthen your faith in this point also , you shall see hee who commanded the fruits to spring out of the earth , when none were , can much more cause this corner of the earth to be fruitfull to you , and this you shall attaine by meanes , although hee have caused the foules of the aire , and grasse of the field to depend upon him in a more immediate manner , yet you hath he taught to sow , reape , carry into barnes , and spin , and indeed herein the lord hath answered his people abundantly to the wo●der of all that see or hear of it ; and that whereas at their 〈◊〉 comming it was a rare matter for a man to have foure or five acres of corne , now many have four or five score , & to prevent men from sacrificing to their nets , the lord hath taught them to labour with more ease : to great admiration also inlarg'd it , for it was with sore labour that on man could plane , and tend foure acres of indians graine , and now with two oxen hee can plant and tend . b sides the lord hath of late altered the very course of the heavens in the season of the weather , that all kinde of graine growes much better then heretofore ; insomuch that marchandizing being stopped at present , they begin question , what to do with their corne. chap. v. of the wonderfull deliverance wrought by the lord christ , for his poore new england churches , in freing them from the fear of their malignant adversaries , who forc't , them to this wildernesse . and now to the third and great distresse , which lay behind them by reason of their back friends , the lording bishops , and other malignant adversaries , being daily exasperated against them , and in especiall at this time by one merton , who named himselfe the host of merrimount , who wanted not malice , could he possible have attained meanes to effect it ; but the lord christ prevented both him and his masters , whom with slattery he sought to please with scurrillous deriding the servants of christ , to bring them into contempt , yet the lord prevented all , and delivered this wretched fellow into his peoples hands againe after all this , who dealt as favourably with him as david did with shimmei . besides this , the evill usage that many of the beloved servants of christ had from the hands of those in office at their departure , declared plainely , that there were some , who would willingly have pursued them to bring them under bondage againe , herein their answer was that they should stand still , and see the salvation of the lord , who was now resolved to fight for them against his and their implacable enemies ; although more mighty than they : and indeed all meanes of resistance in the hand of man being so small , that it could not possible bee discerned by any morcall eye ; yet will the lord worke by means and not by miracle ; when the lord called forth joshua to fight with amaleck , his moses must be in the mount at prayers ; seeing this answer deeply concernes the dearly beloved of our lord christ remaining in england , let them listen to the answer . also how came it to passe that the lord put it into your hearts to set upon a reformation , was it not by prayer attained ? you are not excluded , although the churches of christ here are for the present in the mount , and you in the vally fighting , yet surely they had neede of helpe to hold up their hands , whereas the nerenesse of the danger to you in the enemies overcoming , is a great motive to keepe up yours stedy , yet may you say rightly to the churches of christ here , as mordachy to hester the queene , if you hold your peace deliverance shall come another way , and thinke not to escape , because you are in new england ; assuredly the lord is doing great things , and waites for the prayers of his people that he may be gratious unto them , and ve●ily the poore churches of christ heere cannot but take notice of the great workes the lord hath done for you of late , which are famous throughout the whole world ; and should they not take them as an answer of these weake prayers , they feare they should neglect to magnify his mercy toward you , and them : the noble acts of the lord christ , for the freedome of his people from that into lerable prelaticall bondage , are almost miraculously committed to memory by the able servants of christ , whom hee hath stirred up for that very end , yet must you not shut out the valiant souldiers of christ ( disciplin'd in this unwonted wildernesse ) from having share with you in the worke , yet no farther but that christ may be all in all : who hath caused the midianites to fight against midian , till the true israelites had gathered themselves together , hee it is that hath brought the counsells of the wicked to naught , hee it is that hath discovered the secret plo●tings of the king of assyria , even in his bed-chamber ; hee it is that hath declared himself to be with your mighty men of valour , and assuredly all you valiant souldiers of christ , both in one england and the other , the lord hath shewed you as great signes and wonders for the strengthening of your faith , as was the wetting and drying of the fl●ece to gedeon , onely beware of setting up an ephod in the latter end ; let the churches of christ be set up according to his first institution , or you will make double worke , for all may see by what is done already , there is nothing too hard for him , hee will downe with all againe and againe , till his kingdom alone be exalted , for the which all the israel of god fight , wrastle , pray , and here you may see the servants of christ fighting at leagues distant . oh you proud bishops , that would have all the world stoope to your lordly power , the heathen romans your predecessors , after they had banished john to the isle of pathmos , suffered him quietly to injoy the revelation of jesus christ there ; here is a people that have betaken themselves to a newfound world , distanced from you with the widest ocean the world affords , and yet you grudge them the purity of christs ordinances there . no wonder then , nay wonder all the world at the sudden and unexpected downfall of these domineering lords , who had princes to protect them , armes to defend them , and almost three whole kingdomes at their command ; and no enemy of theirs in sight onely , there appeares a little cloud about the bignesse of a mans hand out of the westerne ocean , i but the lord christ is in it , out of sion the perfection of beauty hath god shined . our god shall come , and shall not keepe silence , a fire shall devour afore him , & mighty tempests shall be moved round about him . now gather together you king-like bishops , and make use of all the kingly power you can , for the cloud is suddenly come up , he rode upon cherub and did flie . and now let the children of sion rejoyce in their king , for the lord hath pleasure in his people , hee will make the meeke glorious by deliverance ; and that the whole earth may know it is the lords owne worke , the arch-prelate and his complices must begin to war with the scots , and that implacably , the prelates desire a parliament thinking to establish iniquity by a law , but the iniquity of the ammorites is already full , and all your cunning counsells shall but contrive your owne destruction ; they remonstrant against all acts of parliament that passe without their vote , and by this means wind out themselves for ever voting more , they devise how they may have such persons committed to prison at favour not their proceeding . but the lord turned their mischiefe they had conceived upon their own pates , and they themselves were sent to prison by halfe a score at a time ; and such was the unsavourynesse of this seeming salt , that it was good for nothing , but to lord it over others , their tyranny being taken out of their hands , they could not indure to be commanded by any ; and therefore unfit for the war which they stirred up , to recover the people againe under their bondage , yet such was the madnesse of some , that they loved their servitude so well as to fight for it ; but surely such had never rightly knowne the service of the lord christ , which is perfect freedome , from all such tyrannous yo●ks , and verily just it is with the lord to cause such to be servants unto shishak , that they may know the service of the lord , and the service of the kingdomes of the country . but however an army is raised to defend their lordly dignity ; let the saints be joyfull with glory , let the high acts of god be in their mouths , and a two edged sword in their hands , to bind their kings in chaines , and their nobles in setters of iron , the charets of the lord are twenty thousand thousands of angells , the lord is among them as in sinai , kings of armies did flee apace ; and now you that have borne such a wicked spirit of malignity against the people of christ , can your hearts indure , and your hands wax strong in the day that he shall have to doe with you ? oh you proud prelates that boast so much of your taking the kings part , miserable partakers are you ; in stead of obeying him , you have caused him to obey you , it s writ in such great capitall letters that a child may read it : what was the cause of the first raising war against the scots which occasioned the parliament , when you saw they would not further the war as you would have them , they were soone traytors in your account , and prosecuted against with army after army , and was not all this to make the scots receive your injunctions , a very fayer bottom to build a bloudy war upon , that the prelatticall power might lord it in scotland , as they of a long time had done in england : it was your pithagorian phylosophy that caused the king to loose his life , by perswading him his kingly power lived in your lordly dignity , as a thing subordinate unto it , and he so deeply taken with this conceit , that it cost the lives of many thousands more then ever hee , or his father would doe for saving or recovering the pa●latine country . experience hath taught the savage indians , among whom we live , that they may and doe daily bring wolves to be came , but they cannot breake them of their ravening nature , and i would your royalist would learne of them to know , that as your lord bishops , deanes , prebends , &c. be right whelps of the roman litter , so let them be never so well cam'd , they will retaine their nature still , to lord it over all kinde of civill government ; but woe and alasse that ever any of our countrymen should be so blind , that after they are delivered from so great a bondage by such wonder working providence of the lord christ ; ever and anon to indeavour to make a captaine over them , that they may returne againe into egypt , as appeares by the plots which have beene discovered , and broken in pieces by the right hand of the most high , and yet for all this their's such a hankering after somewhat of the prelaticall greatnesse ; by the english clergy , and the scottish classis , that many of them could afford to raise arother war for it . but brethren i beseech you be more wiser , lest when you are growne hot in your quarrell , the malignant party come and set you agreed stablish peace in righteousnesse , and let the word be your rule , heare one another with meekenesse , and the lord will cleare up the whole truth unto you in his due time ; and now to declare plainly how far the lord hath beene pleased to make use of any of his people in these westerne pares , about this worke , for to say truth they have done nothing in holes and corners , but their workes are obvious to all the world : if he sufferings of the saints be pretious in the eyes of christ , so as to provoke him in displeasure to cut off the occasioners thereof , then thus his poore unworthy people here have had a great stroake in the downfall of their adversaries to the present possessed truths of christ , for this wildernesse worke , hath not beene carried on without sighthings that have come before him , and groanes that have entred his eares , and teares treasured up in his bottles ( againe ) if the ardent and strong affections of the people of god , for his glorious comming to advance his kingdome in the splendor , and purity of his gospell , as co cry with the holy prophet , oh that he would broake the heavens and come down ; be regarded of the lord christ , so as to remove with his mighty power the very mountaines out of the way , and hurle them into the deepe ; then hath these weake wormes instrumentally had a share in the great desolation the lord christ hath wrought . for this history will plainely declare with what zeale and deepe affection , and unresistable resolutions these pilgrim people have endeavoured the gathering together his saints , for the edifying the body of christ , that he may raign both lord and king for ever . yet againe , if the prayers of the faithfull people of god availe any thing for the accomplishment of his promises , in the destruction of antichrist , for the subduing of armies without striking one stroake ; then assuredly these jacobites have wrestled with the lord , not onely ( with that good king je●oshaphat ) proclaiming one fast , but many fasts , they , their wives and little ones standing before the lord ; oh our god wile thou not judge them for we have no might , &c. lastly , if the lord himselfe have roared from sion , ( as in the dayes of the prophet amos ) so from his churches in new england , by a great and terrible earth quake ( which happened much about the time the lordly prelates were preparing their injunctions for scotland ) taking rise from the west , it made its progresse to the eastward , causing the earth to rise up and downe like the waves of the sea ; having the same effect on the sea also , causing the ships that lay in the harbor to quake , the which , at that very time was said to be a signe from the lord to his churches , that he was purposed to shake the kingdomes of europes earth , and now by his providences brought to passe , all men may reade as much and more ▪ as if he should have said to these his scattered people ( yet now againe united in church covenant ) the lord is now gathering together his armies , and that your faith may be strengthened , you shall feele and heare the shakings of the earth by the might of his power : yea , the sea also , to shew he will ordaine armies both by sea and land to make babilon desolate ; things thus concurring as an immediate answer of the lord to his peoples prayers and endeavours , caused some of this little handfull with resolute courage and boldnesse to returne againe to their native land , that they might ( the lord accepting and assisting them in their endeavours ) be helpfull in advancing the kingdome of christ , and casting down every strong house of sinne and satan . it matters not indeed who be the instruments , if with the eye of faith these that go forth to fight the lords battailes , can but see and heare the lord going out before them against their enemies , with a sound in the tops of the mulbery trees . here are assuredly evident signes that the lord christ is gone forth for his peoples deliverance , and now frogs , flies , lice or dust , shall serve to destroy those will yet hold his people in bondage , notwithstanding the lord will honour such as hee hath made strong for himselfe ; and therefore hee causeth the worthies in davids time to be recorded , and it is the duty of gods people to incourage one another in the worke of the lord , then let all whose hearts are upright for the lord , ponder well his goings in his sanctuary , that their hands may be strengthened in the work they goe about , onely be strong and of a good courage . chap. vi. of the gratious goodnesse of the lord christ , in saving his new-england people , from the hand of the barbarous indians . lastly , for the frontispiece of their present distresse , namely the indian war , they with much meeknesse and great deliberation , wisely contrived how they might best helpe their fellow brethren ; hereupon they resolved to send a solemne embassage to old cannonicus , chiefe sachem of the narrow ganset indians , who being then well stricken in yeares had caused his nephew miantinemo to take the government upon him , who was a very sterne man , and of a great stature , of a cruell nature , causing all his nobility and such as were his attendance to tremble at his speech , the people under his government were very numerous , besides the niantick indians , whose prince was of neare aliance unto him ; they were able to set forth , as was then supposed . fighting men , the english sought by all meanes to keepe these at least from confederating with the pequods , and understanding by intelligence , that the pequots would send to them for that end , endeavoured to prevent them . fit and able men being chosen by the english , they hast them to cannonicus court , which was about fourescore miles from boston . the indian king hearing of their comming , gathered together his chiefe counsellors , and a great number of his subjects to give them entertainment , resolving as then that the young king should receive their message , yet in his hearing , they arriving , were entertain'd royally , with respect to the indian manner . boil'd chesnuts is their white-bread , which are very sweet , as if they were mixt with sugar ; and because they would be extraordinary in their feasting , they strive for variety after the english manner , boyling puddings made of beaten corne , putting therein great store of black berryes , somewhat like currants . they having thus nobly feasted them , afterward give them audience , in a state-house , round , about fifty foot wide , made of long poles stuck in the ground , like your summer-houses in england , and covered round about , and on the top with mats , save a small place in the middle of the roofe , to give light , and let out the smoke . in this place sate their sachim , with very great attendance ; the english comming to deliver their message , to manifest the greater state , the indian sachim lay along upon the ground , on a mat , and his nobility sate on the ground , with their legs doubled up , their knees touching their chin : with much sober gravity they attend the interpreters speech . it was matter of much wonderment to the english , to see how solidly and wisely these savage people did consider of the weighty undertaking of a war ; especially old canonicus , who was very discreet in his answers . the young sachem was indeed of a more lofty spirit , which wrought his ruine , as you may heare , after the decease of the old king. but at this time his answer was , that he did willingly embrace peace with the english , considering right well , that although their number was but small in comparison of his people , and that they were but strangers to the woods , swamps , and advantagious places of this wildernesse , yet withall he knew the english were advantaged by their weapons of war , and especially their guns , which were of great terror to his people , and also he had heard they came of a more populous nation by far than all the indians were , could they be joyn'd together . also on the other hand , with mature deliberation , he was well advised of the peaquods cruell disposition and aptnesse to make war , as also their neere neighbourhood to his people , who though they were more numerous , yet were they withall more effeminate , and lesse able to defend themselves from the sudden incursions of the peaquods , should they fall out with them . hereupon hee demes it most conducing to his owne , and his peoples safety to direct his course in a middle way , holding amity with both . the english returne home , having gained the old kings favour so farre , as rather to favour them then the pequods , who perceiving their neighbouring english had sent forth aid to the mattacusets government , thought it high time to seeke the winning all the indians they could on their side , and among others they make their addresse to old cannonicus , who , insteed of taking part with them , labours all he can to hush the war in hand , laying before them the sad effects of war ; sometimes proving sad and mournfull to the very victors themselves , but alwayes to the vanquished , and withall tells them what potent enemies they had to contend with , whose very weapons and armor were matter of terror , setting their persons a side ; as also that english man was no much hoggery yet , and therefore they might soone appease them , by delivering into their hands those persons that had beene the death of any of them , which were much better than that the whole nation should perish . for the present the pequods seemed to be inclinable to the old sachims counsell , but being returned home againe among their rude multitude ( the chief place of cowardly boasting ) they soon change their minde ; yet the old sachim sends the english word he had wrought with them , and in very deed , the english had rather make choice of peace then warre , provided it may stand with truth and righteousnesse : and therefore send forth a band of souldiers , who arriving in the peaquod country , address themselves to have a treaty with them about delivering up the murtherers ; they making shew of willingness so to doe , bade them abide awhile and they would bring them , and in the mean time they were conversant among the souldiers , and viewing their armie , pointed to divers places where they could hit them with their arrowes for all their corslets . but their greatest number lying the while at the other side of a great hill , and anon appearing on the top of the hill , in sight of the english : those indians that were among the english withdrawing toward them ; no sooner were they come to their companions , but all of a suddaine they gave a great shout , and shewed the english a fair pair of heeles , who seeing it , would not availe any thing to follow them ( they being farre swifter of foot than the english ) made their returne home againe . this bootlesse voyage incouraged the indians very much , who insulted over them at the fort , boasting of this their deluding them , and withall , they blasphemed the lord , saying , english-mans god was all one flye , and that english man was all one sqawe , and themselves all one moor-hawks . thus by their horrible pride they fitted themselves for destruction . the english hearing this report , were now full assured that the lord would deliver them into their hands to execute his righteous judgement upon these blasphemous murtherers ; and therefore raised fresh souldiers for the warre , to the number of fourscore , or thereabout , out of the severall towns in the matachusets , and although they were but in their beginnings , yet the lord , who fore-intended their work , provided for all their wants , and indeed it was much that they had any bisket to carry with them in these times of scarcity , or any vessels to transport their men and ammunition : yet all was provided by the gracious hand of the most high ; and the souldiers , many of them , not onely armed with outward weapons , and armour of defence , but filled with a spirit of courage and magnanimity to resist , not onely men , but devils ; for surely he was more then ordinaryly present with this indian army , as the sequell will shew : as also for their further incouragement , the reverend and zealously affected servant of christ , mr. john wilson , went with the army , who had treasured up heaps of the experimentall goodnesse of god towards his people . having formerly passed through perils by sea , perils by land , perils among false brethren , &c. he followed the warre purposely to sound an alarum before the lord with his silver trumpet , that his people might be remembred before him : the souldiers ariving in safety at the towne of hartford , where they were encouraged by the reverend ministers there , with some such speech as followes . fellow-souldiers , country-men , and companions in this wildernesse-worke , who are gathered together this day by the inevitable providence of the great jehovah , not in a tumultuous manner hurried on by the floating fancy of every high hot headed braine , whose actions prove abortive , or if any fruit brought forth , it hath beene rape , thefe , and murther , things inconsisting with natures light , then much lesse with a souldiers valour ; but you , my deare hearts , purposely pickt out by the godly grave fathers of this government , that your prowesse may carry on the work , where there justice in her righteous course is obstructed , you need not question your authority to execute those whom god , the righteous judge of all the world , hath condemned for blaspheming his sacred majesty , and murthering his servants : every common souldier among you is now installed a magistrate ; then shew your selves men of courage : i would not draw low the height of your enemies hatred against you , and so debase your valour . this you may expect , their swelling pride hath laid the foundation of large conceptions against you , and all the people of christ in this mildernesse , even as wide as babels bottome . but , my brave souldiers , it hath mounted already to the clouds , and therefore it is ripe for confusion ; also their crueltie is famously knowne , yet all true-bred souldiers reserve this as a common maxime , cruelty and cowardize are unseparable companions ; and in briefe , there is nothing wanting on your enemies part , that may deprive you of a compleat victory , onely their nimbleness of foot , and the unaccessible swamps and nut-tree woods , forth of which your small numbers may intice , and industry compell them . and now to you i put the question , who would not fight in such a cause with an agile spirit , and undaunted boldnesse ? yet if you look for further encouragement , i have it for you ; riches and honour are the next to a good cause eyed by every souldier , to maintain your owne , and spoile your enemies of theirs ; although gold and silver be wanting to either of you , yet have you that to maintaine which is farre more precious , the lives , libertyes , and new purchased freedomes , priviledges , and immunities of the indeared servants of our lord christ jesus , and of your second selves , even your affectionated bosome mates , together with the thiefe pledges of your love , the comforting contents of harmlesse pratling and smiling babes : and in a word , all the riches of that goodnesse and mercy that attends the people of god in the injoyment of christ , in his ordinances , even in this life ; and as for honour , david was net to be blamed for enquiring after it , as a due recompence of that true valour the lord had bestowed on him : aad now the lord hath prepared this honour for you , oh you couragious souldiers of his , to execute vengeance upon the heathen , and correction among the people , to binde their kings in chaines , and nobles in fetters of iron , that they may execute upon them the judgements that are written ! this honour shall be to all his saints , but some of you may suppose deaths stroke may cut you short of this : let every faithfull souldier of christ jesus know , that the cause why some of his indeared servants are taken away by death in a just warre ( as this assuredly is ) it is not because they should fall short of the honours accompanying , such noble designes , but rather because earths honours are two scant for them , and therefore the everlasting crown must be set upon their heads forthwith , then march on with a cheerfull christian courage in the strength of the lord , and the power of his might , who will forthwith inclose your enemies in your hands , make their multitudes fall under your warlike weapons , and your feet shall soon be set on their proud necks . after the ministers of christ had , through the grace that was given them , exhorted and encouraged these souldiers appointed for the work , they being provided with certaine indian guides , who with the close of the day brought them to a small river , where they could perceive many persons had been dressing of fish ; upon the sight thereof , the indian guides concluded they were now a feasting it at their fort , which was hard at hand ; the english calling a councill of warre , being directed by the speciallest providence of the most high god , they concluded to storm the fort a little before break of day ; at whith time they supposed the indians being up late in their jolly feasting , would bee in their deepest sleepe ; and surely so it was , for they now slept their last : the english keeping themselves as covertly as they could , approached the fort at the time appointed , which was builded of whole trees set in the ground fast , and standing up an end about twelve foot high , very large , having pitcht their wigwams within it , the entrance being on two sides , with intricate meanders to enter . the chiefe leaders of the english made some little stand before they offered to enter , but yet boldly they rushed on , and found the passages guarded at each place with an indian bow-man , ready on the string , they soone let fly , and wounded the for ▪ most of the english in the shoulder , yet having dispatch'd the porters , they found the winding way in without a guide , where they soone placed themselves round the wigwams , and according to direction they made their first shot with the muzzle of their muskets downe to the ground , knowing the indian manner is to lie on the ground to sleep , from which they being in this terrible manner awakened , unlesse is were such as were slaine with the shot . after this some of the english entred the wigwams , where they received some shot with their arrowes , yet catching up the fire brands , they began to fire them , and others of the english soulders with powder , did the same : the day now began to break ; the lord intending to have these murtherers know he wou'd looke out of the cloudy pillar upon them : and now these women and children set up a terrible out-cry ; the men were smitten down , and flaine , as they came forth with a great slaughter , the sqawes crying out , oh much winn it english-man , who moved with pitty toward them , saved their lives : and hereupon some young youth cryed , i squaw , i squaw , thinking to finde the like mercy . there were some of these indians , as is reported , whose bodyes were not to be pierced by their sharp rapiers of swords of a long time , which made some of the souldiers think the devil was in them , for there were some powwowes among them , which work strange things , with the help of satan . but this was very remarkable , one of them being wounded to death , and thrust thorow the neck with a halbert ; vet after all , lying groaning upon the ground , he caught the halberts speare in his hand , and wound it quite round . after the english were thus possessed of this first victory , they sent their prisoners to the pinnaces , and prosecute the warre in hand , to the next battalia of the indians , which lay on a hill about two miles distant , and indeed their stoutest souldiers were at this place , and not yet come to the fort ; the english being weary with their night worke , and wanting such refreshing as the present worke required , began to grow faint , yet having obtained one victory , they were very desirous of another : and further , they knew right-well , till this cursed crew were utterly rooted out , they should never be at peace ; therefore they marched on toward them . now assuredly , had the indians knowne how much weakned our souldiers were at present , they might have born them downe with their multitude , they being very strong and agile of body , had they come to handy-gripes ; but the lord ( who would have his people know their work was his , and he onely must order their counsels , and war like work for them ) did bring them timely supply from the vessels , and also gave them a second victory , wherein they sl●ew many more of their enemies , the residue flying into a very thick swamp , being unaccessible , by reason of the boggy holes of water , and thick bushes ; the english drawing up their company beleagered the swamp , and the indians in the mean time skulking up and down , and as they saw opportunity they made shot with their arrowes at the english , and then suddainly they would fall flat along in the water to defend themselves from the retalliation of the souldiers muskets . this lasted not long , for our english being but a small number , had parted themselves far asunder , but by the providence of the most high god , some of them spyed an indian with a kettle at his back going more inwardly into the swamp , by which they perceived there was some place of firm land in the midst thereof , which caused them to make way for the passage of their souldiers , which brought this warre to a period : for although many got away , yet were they no such considerable number as ever to raise warre any more ; the slaine or wounded of the english were ( through the mercy of christ ) but a few : one of them being shot through the body , neere about the breast , regarding it not till of a long time after , which caused the bloud to dry and thicken on eitheir end of the arrow so that it could not be drawne forth his body without great difficulty and much paine , yet did he scape his life , and the wound healed . thus the lord was pleased to assist his people in this warre , and deliver them out of the indians hands , who were very lusty proper men of their hands , most of them , as may appear by one passage which i shall here relate : thus it came to passe , as the souldiers were uppon their march , close by a great thicket , where no eye could penetrate farre , as it often falls out in such wearisom wayes , where neither men nor beast have beaten out a path ; some souldiers lingering behinde their fellowes , two indians watching their opportunity , much like a hungry hauke , when they supposed the last man was come up , who kept a double double double distance in his march , they sudden and swiftly snatched him up in their tallens , hoising him upon their shoulders , ran into the swamp with him ; the souldier unwilling to be made a pope by being borne on mens shoulders , strove with them all he could to free himselfe from their hands ; but , like a carefull commander , one captaine davenport , then lieutenant of this company , being diligent in his place to bring up the reare , coming up with them , followed with speed into the swamp after him , having a very severe cutlace tyed to his wrist , and being well able to make it bite sore when he set it on , resolving to make it fall foul on the indians bones , he soone overtook them , but was prevented by the buckler they held up from hitting them , which was the man they had taken : it was matter of much wonder to see with what dexterity they hurled the poore souldier about , as if they had been handling a lacedaemonian shield , so that the nimble captaine davenport could not , of a long time , fasten one stroke upon them ; yet , at last , dying their tawny skin into a crimson colour , they cast downe their prey , and hasted thorow the thickets for their lives . the souldier thus redeemed , had no such hard usage , but that he is alive , as i suppose , at this very day : the lord in mercy toward his poore churches having thus destroyed these bloudy barbarous indians , he returnes his people in safety to their vessels , where they take account of their prisoners : the squawes and some young youths they brought home with them , and finding the men to be deeply guilty of the crimes they undertooke the warre for , they brought away onely their heads as a token of their victory . by this means the lord strook a trembling terror into all the indians round about , even to this very day . chap. vii . of the first syrod holden in new england , whereby the lord in his mercy did more plainly discover his ancient truths , and confute those cursed errors that ordinarily dogg the reforming churches of christ . the lord christ deeming it most expedient for his people to adde some farther help to assist them in cutting downe those cursed errors ( that were the next dangerous difficulty they were to meet with ) sends in the reverend and bright shining light mr. davenport , and the cheerfull , grave , and gracious soldier of his , mr. allen , as also mr. thompson , mr. browne , mr. fish , with divers other of the faithfull servants of christ , the much honoured mr. eaton and mr. hopkins : and now the time being come , the synod sate at cambridge , where was present about . reverend and godly ministers of christ , besides many other graciously-eminent servants of his . a catalogue of the severall errors scattered about the countrey was there produced , to the number of . and liberty given to any man to dispute pro or con , and none to be charged to be of that opinion he disputed for , unlesse he should declare himselfe so to be . the weapons these souldiers of christ warred with , was the sword of the spirit , even the word of god , together with earnest prayer to the god of all truth , that he would open his truths unto them . the clearing of the true sense and meaning of any place of scripture , it was done by scripture , for they so discerned by the grace of god that was given them , that the whole scripture must be attended unto . foure sorts of persons i could with a good will have paid their passage out , and home againe to england , that they might have been present at this synod , so that they would have reported the truth of all the passages thereof to their own colledges at their return . the first is the prelates , who both in theorie and practice might have made their owne eyes judges in the case , whether would prevaile most , ( to the suppressing of error , and advancing of unity in the true worship of god ) either their commanding power backt with the subordinate sword of princes , or the word of god cleered up by the faithfull labour and indefatigable pains of the sincere servants of the lord christ , and mightily declared through the demonstration of his blessed spirit . this well waighed , may ( through the lords blessing ) stop the yet running fancie in the brains of many , that their lordly power is the onely means of suppressing error . secondly , the godly and reverend presbyterian party , who , had they made their eye-witnesses of this worke , they had assuredly saved themselves much labour , which i dare presume they would have spent worthily otherwayes , then in writing so many books to prove the congregationall or independant churches to be the sluce , through which so many flouds of error flow in : nay , my deare and reverend brethren , might not so much work of yours in writing , and ours in answering , have been a meanes to have stopt the height of this overflowing floud ? and through the lords assisting have setled peace and truth in a great measure throughout the three nations . thirdly , those who with their new stratagems have brought in so much old error ; for although they had a party here , yet verily they durst not bring their new light to the old word , for fear it would prove but old darknesse , ( as indeed they doe . ) but here might they have seene the ministers of christ ( who were so experienced in the scripture , that some of them could tell you the place , both chapter and verse , of most sentences of scripture could be named unto them ) with scriptures light , cleering up the truths of christ clouded by any of these errors and heresies , as had not been done for many ages before : and verily this great work of christ must not be lightly over-past , the author of this history passeth not for the shrewd censures of men : nor , can it be any matter of disparagement to the reverend and highly honoured in christ , remaining in england , that their fellow brethren have done so worthily here ? it is well knowne to all our english nation , that the most able-preaching ministers of christ were most pursued by the lording clergy , and those that have spent all their dayes , even from a child , in searching the scriptures , the lord christ preparing them by his blessed spirit for this very work . besides , their continued practice in studying and preaching the wayes of truth ; and lastly , their meeting with the opposition of so many crafty , close couched errors , whose first foundation was laid cheke by joule with the most glorious , heavenly , and blessed truths , to dazle the eyes of the beholders , and strike terrour into the hearts of those should lift up their hands against them , for feare they should misse them , and hit their stroke upon the blessed truth ; and also to bring up a slanderous and evil report on all the able orthodox min●st●rs of christ that withstand them , perswading men they withstand the holy , heavenly , and blessed truth , which they have lodged there , which this synod did with strong & undenyable arguments fetch from scripture , to overthrow and pluck up by the roots , all those errors , which you have heard mentioned in the former book , the which they divided for the more full answering of them . among all those valiant champions of the truth whom you have heard named , to some six , some five , some foure , &c. it had assuredly been worth the work to have related the particular manner of putting to the sword every one of them : but besides the length of the discourse , there must have been a more able pen-man : but however they were so put to death , that they never have stood up in a living manner among us since , but sometimes like wizards to peepe and mutter out of ground , fit for such people to resort unto , as will goe from the living to the dead . but blessed be the lord christ , who girded his people with strength against this day of battaile , and caused the heavens to cleere up againe in new-england , after these foggy dayes : the fourth and last sort of persons , whose presence i could most of all the other three former have desired , was those whose disease lay as chiefly in despising all physitians , and that upon this ground for one , because some for filthy lucre sake have nourish● diseases rather then cured them . many pamphlets have come from our countreymen of late , to this purpose , namely , scurrillously to deride all kind of scholarship , presbytery , and synods . experience hath taught gods people here , that such are troubled with some sinfull opinion of their owne , that they would not have touched ; but had they been at this synod , they must , per force , have learned better language , or their speech and their knowledge would fall foule one of the other ; here might they have beheld the humility of the most learned of these servants of christ , condemning the high conceitednesse of their ignorance , and then also the framing of arguments in a schollar like way , did ( the lord assisting ) cleare up the truths of christ more to the me●nest capacity in one hour , then could be clouded again in s●aven yeare by the new notion of any such as boast so much of their unlettered knowledge , diversity of languages , although a correcting hand of god upon the whole world , when they joyned together in that proud edifice : yet now is it blest of god , to retaine the purity of the scriptures ; if any man should goe about to corrupt them in one language , they should remain pure in another ; and assuredly , the lord intending to have the wayes of the gospel of christ to be made more manifest at this time , then formerly , not by tradition of our forefathers , or by mans reason , but by the revealed will of god in the holy scripture , did accordingly prepare instruments for this work , earthen vessels , men subject to like infirmities with our selves ; sorry men , and carrying about with them a body of sinne and death , men subject to erre : yet these did the lord christ cause to be train'd up in learning , and tutor'd at the universities , and that very young , some of them , as the revererend mr. john cotten at . yeares of age . the mighty power of god sanctifyed and ordained them for this work , and made them a defenced city , an iron pillar , a wall of brass against all the opposers of his truth ; and now coupled them together in this synod , to draw in christs yoke , and warre with the weapons he had furnished them withall , and cause the blessed truths of christ to shine forth in their splendour and glory , farre more after the dispersing of this smoak , which of a long time hath filled the temple , and hindered the entring in of those great number of converts , which shall flow in at the fall of all antichristian errors ; and verily as the lord christ had called forth this little handfu●l to be a model of his glorious work , intended thoughout the whole world , so chiefly in this suppressing of errours , sects , and heresies , by the blessed word of his truth , causing his servants in this synod , mu●●ally to agree ; and by his gracious providence , break in pieces a contrived plot of some , who , by mis-reports , insinuating jealousies , and crafty carriage of matters to the wrong mark , with a writing of thrice twenty strong , would have drawne away one of the valiant souldiers of christ from this worthy worke , who both then , and since , hath been very helpfull to cast downe many a strong fort erected by the sectaries ; but the lord christ would not suffer this blow to be given , intending all people ( by way of restitution ) for their slanderous reports , cast upon his new england churches ( as being the inlet to errours ) shall honour them with this victorious co●quest , given them by christ herein ; yet willing they would , their brethren in england might win the prize by out-stripping them , more abundantly in length , bredth and height , which the same god is able to performe , that hath been thus abundantly good to us . about this time the churches of christ began to be diligent in their duty , and the civil government in looking after such as were like to disturb the peace of this new erected government ; some persons being so hot headed for maintaining of these sinfull opinions , that they feared breach of peace , even among the members of the superiour court , but the lord blessing them with agreement to prevent the wofull effects of civill broyles ; those in place of government caused certain persons to be disarmed in the severall townes , as in the towne of boston , to the number of . in the towne of salem . in the towne of newbery . in the towne of roxbury . in the towne of ipswitch . and charles towne . others there were , that through the help of the faithfull servants of christ , came to see how they had beene m●sled , and by the power of christ in his word , returned againe with an acknowledgement of their sinne ; but others there were , who remained obstinate , to the disturbing of the civill power , and were banished , of whom you shall heare farther hereafter . some of the churches of christ being more indulgent , waited long ere they fell upon the work : and here you must tak notice , that the synod , civil government , and the churches of christ , kept their proper place , each moving in their own sphear , and acting by their own light , or rather by the revelation of jesus christ , witnessed by his word and spirit , yet not refusing the help of eacg other ( as some would willingly have it ) some of the churches prosecuting the rule of christ against their hereticall members , were forced to proceed to excommunication of them , who when they saw whereto it would come , they would have prevented it with lying , but the lord discovered it ; and so they were justly separated from the churches of christ for lying : which being done , they fell to their old trade againe . chap. viii . of the planting the fourth colonie of new englands godly government , called new-haven . the lord christ having now in his great mercy taken out of the way these mountains that seemed in the eye of man to block up his churches further proceedings , they had now leisure to welcome the living stones that the lord was pleased to adde unto this building , and with thankfull acknowledgment to give him of his owne for his mercyes multitude , whose was the work in planting , not onely more churches , but another colony also ; for the honoured mr , eaton being accompanied with many worthy persons of note , whom the lord had furnished with store of substance for this wildernesse-work , although they would willingly have made their abode under the government of the mattachusets ; yet could they finde no place upon the sea-coasts for their settling : the lord intending to enlarge his peoples border , caused them , after much search , to take up a place somewhat more southwardly , neare the shalles of cape-cod , where they had very flatt water ; yet being entred in , they found : commodious harbour for shipping , and a fit place to erect a towne , which they built in very little time , with very faire houses , and compleat streets ; but in a little time they overstockt it with chattell , although many of them did follow merchandizing , and maritime affairs , but their remotenesse from the mattachusets bay , where the chiefe traffique lay , hindred them much . here did these godly and sincere servants of christ , according to the rule of the word , gather into church estate , and called to the office of a pastor the reverend , judicious , and godly mr , john davenport , of whom the author is bold to say as followeth : when men and devils 'gainst christs flock conspire , for them prepar'd a deadly trapping net ; then christ to make all men his work admire , davenport , he doth thee from thy country fet to sit in synod , and his folk assist : the filthy vomit of hels dragon , deepe in earths womb drawn , blest they this poyson mist , and blest the meanes doth us from error keep , thy grave advice and arguments of strength did much prevaile , the erronist confound . well hast thou warr'd , christ drawes thy dayes in length , that thou in learn'd experience maist abound : what though thou leave a city stor'd with pleasure , spend thy prime dayes in heathen desart land , thy joy 's in christ , and not in earthly treasure , davenport rejoice , christs kngdome is at hand ; didst ever deem to see such glorious dayes ? though thou decrease with age and earths content , thou live'st in christ , needs then must thy joy raise ; his kingdome 's thine , and that can ne'r be spent . this church and town soon procur'd some sisters to take part with her , and among them they erected a godly and peaceable government , and called their frontier towne new haven , of which the government is denominated , being inhabited by many men eminent in gifts for the populating thereof , and managing of affaires both by sea and land ; they have had some shipping built there , but by the sad losse of mr. lambertons ship and goods also , they were much disheartned , but the much honoured mr. eaton remaines with them to this very day . thou noble thus , theophilus , before great kings to stand , more noble far , for christ his war thou leav'st thy native land ; with thy rich store thou cam'st on shore christs churches to assist ; what if it wast ? thou purchast hast that pearl that most have mist , nay rather he hath purchast thee , and whatsoever thou hast , with graces store to govern o're his people , he thee plac't . our state affaires thy will repaires , assistant thou hast bin firm league to make , for gospels sake , four colonyes within ; with sweads french , dutch , and indians much , gods peoples peace this bred , then eaton aye , remember may the child that 's yet unfed . this government of new-haven , although the younger sister of the foure yet was she as beautifull as any of this broode of travellers , & most minding the end of her coming hither , to keep close to the rule of christ both in doctrine and discipline ; and it were to be wished her elder sister would follow her example , to nurture up all her children accordingly : here is not to be forgotten the honoured mr hopkins , who came over about this time a man of zeale and courage for the truths of christ , assisting this blessed work , both in person and estate ; for the which the author cannot forget him , being oft in commission for the good of all the united colonyes . hopkins thou must , although weak dust , for this great work prepare , through ocean large christ gives thee charge to govern his with care ; what earthen man , in thy short span throughout the world to run from east to west at christs behest , thy worthy work is done : vnworthy thou acknowledge now , not unto thee at all , but to his name be lasting fame , thou to his work doth call . chap. ix . of the planting the fourteenth church of christ under the governmen of the mattachusets bay , called dedham . the latter end of this yeare 't was the towne of dedham began , an inland towne , scituate , about ten miles from boston , in the county of suffolk , well watred with many pleasant streames , abounding with garden fruits fitly to supply the markets of the most populous towne , whose coyne and commodities allures the inhabitants of this towne to make many a long walk ; they consist of about a hundred families , being generally given to husbandry , and , through the blessing of god , are much encreased , ready to swarme and settle on the building of another towne more to the inland ; they gather into a church at their first settling , for indeed , as this was their chiefe errand , so was it the first thing they ordinarily minded ; to pitch their tabernacles neare the lords tent : to this end they called to the office of a pastor , the reverend , humble , and heavenly-minded , mr. john allen , a man of a very courteous behaviour , full of sweet christian love towards all , and with much meeknesse of spirit , contending earnestly for the faith and peace of christs churches . all you so sl●te christs sanctifying grace , as legall workes , what gospel-work can be but sinne cast out , and spirits work in place , they justifyed that christ thus reigning see : allen , thou art by christs free spirit led to warre for him in wildernesse awhile ; what , doe for christ , i man thou art in 's stead , sent to beseech , in 's vineyard thou must toyle . john allen joy , thou sinfull dust art taken to spend thy dayes in exile , so remote , christs church to build , of him that 's ne'r forsaken , nor thou , for now his truths thou must promote . he guides thy tongue , thy paper , pen and hands , thy hearts swift motion , and affections choice ; needs thou thus lead , must doe what he commands , and cry aloud when he lifts up thy voice : seven yeares compleat twice told , thy work hath bin , to feed christs flock , in desart land them keep , both thou and they each day are kept by him ; safe maist thou watch , being watcht by him ne'r sleeps . this church of christ hath in its bosome neere about . souls joyned in covenant together , and being well seasoned with this savoury salt , have continued in much love and unity from their first foundation , hitherto tanslating the close , clouded woods into goodly corn-fields , and adding much comfort to the lonesome travellers , in their solitary journey to canectico , by eying the habitation of gods people in their way , ready to administer refreshing to the weary . chap. x. of the planting of the fifteenth church of christ at the towne of waymoth . the twone and church of christ at waymoth had come in among the other townes before this , as being an elder sister , but onely for her somewhat more then ordinary instability ; it is battered with the brinish billows on the east ; rocks and swamps to the southwest , makes it delightfull to the nimble tripping deere , as the plowable places of medow land is to the inhabitants . this towne was first founded by some persons that were not so forward to promote the ordinances of christ , as many others have been : they desired the reverend minister of christ mr. gennors , to be helpfull in preaching the word unto them ; who after some little space of time , not liking the place , repaired to the eastern english : but the people of this place , after his departure , being gathered into a church , they called to office the reverend and godly mr newman ; but many of them unwilling to continue in this towne , as supposing they had found a fitter place for habitation , removed into the next government , carrying with them their pastor ; by which means , the people that were left behinde , were now destitute , and having some godly christians among them , who much desired the sincere milk of the word that they might grow thereby : upon diligent use of meanes they found out a young man able gifted for the work , brought up with the reverend and judicious mr. chancie , called mr. thomas thatcher . yet againe , after some few yeares , for want of sufficient maintenance , with mutuall consent they parted with him , and are forced to borrow help of their neighbours , wherein all of them to the author is bold to say as followeth : oh people , reason swayes mans actions here , you sanctifyed , o're these long seas doth look , with heavenly things your earthly toyle to cheere ; will lose the end for which this toyle you tooke . christ comes in 's word , let their bright feet abide your towne , among whose grace and gifts excell in preaching christ , it 's he your hearts hath try'd , they want no store that all for him doe sell . gennors , dost love thy christ ? i hope he 's deare belov'd of thee , he honour'd would thee have to feed his flock , while thou remainest here ; with 's word of truth thy soule and others save . with little flock doth newman pack away ; the righteous lips sure might a many feed ; remov'st for gaine ? it's most where most men stay , men part for land why land least helps at need . thatcher , what mean'st to leavs thy little flock ? sure their increase might thee much profit bring : what , leave christs church ? it's founded on a rock ; if rock not left , their ebb may suddain spring ; pastor and people , have you both forgot what parting paul and christs deare people had ? their loves melt teares , it 's ve'mently so hot , his heart-strings break to see his folk so sad . this yeare came over , besides the former , for the furthering of this blessed work of christ , mr. william tompson , mr. edm : browne , and mr. david frisk , who were called to office in severall churches , as you shall after hear . and now to end this yeare , that abounded in the wonder-working providence of christ , for his churches , in the exaltation of his truths , that all may take notice the lord cast in by the by , as it were , a very fruitfull crop , insomuch that from this day forward , their increase was every yeare more and more , till the country came to feed its owne inhabitants ; and the people who formerly were somewhat pincht with hunger , eat bread to the full , having not onely for their necessity but also for their conveniency and delight . chap. xi . of the increase of the people of christ . printing brought over , and the sixteenth church of christ planted at rouly . for the yeare . john winthrope esq . was chosen governour , and tho : dudly esq . deputy governour ; the number of freemen added were about . the peace of this little common-wealth being now in great measure settled , by the lords mercy , in overthrowing the indians , and banishing of certaine turbulent spirits . the churches of christ were much edified in their holy faith by their indefatigable pains of their ministers , in their weekly lectures extraordinary as well as by their sabboth-assemblies , and continuall visiting of their people from house to house , endeavouring to heale the hurts these false deceivers had made , with double diligence showring downe the sweet dews of the blessed gospel of jesus christ , to the converting of many a poor soul . and indeed , now were the glorious days of new england ; the churches of christ increase dayly , and his eminent embassadours resort unto them from our native country , which as then lay under the tyranny of the monarchall arch-prelates , which caused the servants of christ to wander from their home . this yeare the reverend and judicious m. jos . glover undertook this long voyage , being able both in person and estate for the work he provided , for further compleating the colonies in church and common-wealth-work , a printer , which hath been very usefull in many respects ; the lord seeing it meet that this reverend and holy servant of his should fall short of the shores of new england : but yet at this time he brought over the zealous aff●cted and judicious servant of his , master ezekiel rogers , who with a holy and humble people , made his progress to the north-eastward , and erected a towne about . miles from ipswich , called rowly , wanting room , they purehased some addition of the town of newbery ; yet had they a large length of land , onely for the neere conveniency to the towne of ipswich , by the which meanes they partake of the continued lectures of either towne : these people being very industrious every way , soone built many houses , to the number of about threescore families , and were the first people that set upon making of cloth in this western world ; for which end they built a sulling-mill , and caused their little-ones to be very diligent in spinning cotten wooll , many of them having been clothiers in england , till their zeale to promote the gospel of christ caused them to wander ; and therefore they were no lesse industrious , in gathering into church-society , there being scrace a man among them , but such as were meet to be living stones in this building , according to the judgement of man ; they called to the office of a pastor this holy man of god , mr. ezekiel rogers , o● whom this may be said : christ for this work rogers doth riches give , rich graces fit his people for to feed , wealth to supply his wants whilst here he live , free thou receiv'st to serve his peoples need . england may mourne they thee no longer keep , english rejoice , christ doth such worthyes raise , his gospel preach , unfold his mysteries deep ; weak dust made strong sets forth his makers praise : with fervent zeale , and courage thou hast fought ' gainst that transformed dragon and his bands , snatcht forth the burning thou poore soules hast caught , and freed thy flock from wolves devouring hands . ezekiel mourn not , thou art severed farre , from thy deare country , to a desart land ; christ call'd hath thee unto this worthy warre ; by him o'rcome , he holds thy crowne in 's hand . for the further assisting of this tender flock of chrst , the reverend mr. john miller did abide among them for some space of time , preaching the word of god unto them also , till it pleased the lord to call him to be pastor of the church of christ at yarmouth , in plimoth patten , where he remaineth at this very day . with courage bold miller through seas doth venter , to toyl it out in this great western wast , thy stature low one object high doth center ; higher then heaven thy faith on christ is plac't : allarum thou with silver trumpet sound , and t●ll the world christs armyes are at hand , with scripture truths thou errors dost confound , and overthrow all antichristian bands : it matters not for th'worlds high reputation ; the world must fall and christ alone must stand ; thy crown 's prepar'd in him , then keep thy station , joy that christs kingdome is so neare at hand . chap. xii . of the great earthquake in new england , and of the wofull end of some erronious persons , with the first foundation of harverd colledge . this yeare , the first day of the fourth month , about two of the clock in the after-noone , the lord caus'd a great and terrible earth quake , which was generall throughout all the english plantations ; the motion of the earth was such , that it caused divers men ( that had never knowne an earth quake before ) being at worke in the fields , to cast downe their working-tooles , and run with gastly terrified lookes , to the next company they could meet withall ; it came from the westerne and uninhabited parts of this wildernesse , and went the direct course : this brood of travellers came , the ministers of christ many of them could say at that very time ( not from any other revelation , but what the word holds forth ) that if the churches of new england were gods house , then suddenly there would follow great alterations in the kingdomes of europe . this yeare the civill government proceeded to censure the residue of thofe sinfull erroneous persons , who raised much commotion in this little common-wealth ; who being banished , resorted to a place more southward , some of them sitting down at a place called providence , others betooke them to an island about . miles distant from the former , called rode island , where having elbow roome enough , none of the ministers of christ , nor any other to interrupt their false and deceivable doctrines , they hamper'd themselves fouly with their owne line , and soone shewed the depthlesse ditches that blinde guides lead into ; many among them being much to be pittyed , who were drawne from the truth by the bewitching tongues of some of them being , very ignorant and easily perverted : and although the people were not many in all , yet were they very diverse in their opinions , and glad where they could gaine most disciples to heare them ; some were for every day to be a sabbath , and therefore kept not any sabbath-day at all ; others were some for one thing , some for another ; and therefore had their severall meetings , making many a goodly piece of preachment ; among whom there were some of the female sexe ( who deeming the apostle paul to be too strict in not permitting a roome to preach in the publique congregation ) taught , notwithstanding they having their call to this office , from an ardent desire of being famous , especially the grand mistresse of them all , who ordinarily prated every sabbath day , till others , who thirsted after honour in the same way with her selfe , drew away her auditors , and then she withdrew her self , her husband , and her family also , to a more remote place ; and assuredly , although the lord be secret in all the dispensation of his providences , whether in judgement or mercy , yet much may be learn'd from all , as sometimes pointing with the finger to the lesson ; as here these persons withdrawing from the churches of christ ( wherein he walketh , and is to be found in his blessed ordinances ) to a first and second place , where they came to a very sad end ; for thus it came to passe in the latter place , the indians in those parts forwarned them of making their abode there ; yet this could be no warning to them , but still they continued , being amongst a multitude of indians , boasted they were become all one indian : and indeed , this woman , who had the chiefe rule of all the roast , being very bold in her strange revelations and mis-applications , tells them , though all nations and people were cut off round about them , yet should not they ; till on a day certaine indians coming to her house , discoursing with them , they wished to tye up her doggs , for they much bit the man , not mistrusting the indians guile , did so ; the which no sooner done , but they cruelly murthered her , taking one of their daughters away with them , & another of them seeking to escape is caught , as she was getting over a hadge , and they drew her back againe by the haire of the head to the stump of a tree , and there cut off her head with a hatchet ; the other that dwelt by them betook them to boat , and fled , to tell this sad newes ; the rest of their companions , who were rather hardened in their sinfull way , and blasphemous opinions , than brought to any sight of their damnable errours , as you shall after hear ; yet was not this the first loud speaking hand of god against them ; but before this the lord had poynted directly to their sinne by a very fearfull monster , that another of these women brought forth , they striving to bury it in oblivion , but the lord brought it to light , setting forth the view of their monstrous errors in this prodigious birth . this yeare , although the estates of these pilgrim people were much wasted , yet seeing the benefit that would accrew to the churches of christ and civil government , by the lords blessing , upon learning , they began to erect a colledge , the lord by his provident hand giving his approbation to the work , in sending over a faithfull and godly servant of his , the reverend mr john harverd , who joyning with the people of christ at charles towne , suddainly after departed this life , and gave near a thousand pound toward this work ; wherefore the government thought it meet to call it harverd colledge in remembrance of him . ip harverd had with riches here been taken , he need not then through troublous seas have past , but christs bright glory hath thine eyes so waken , nought can content , thy soule of him must tast : ohtast and tell how sweet his saints among , christ ravisht hath thy heart with heavenly joyes to preach and pray with teares , affection strong , from hearts delight in him who thee imployes . scarce hast thou had christs churches here in eye , but thou art call'd to eye him face to face ; earths scant contents death drawes thee from , for why ? full joy thou wouldst that 's onely in heavens place . chap. xiii . of the coming over of the honoured mr. pelham , and the planting of the seaventeenth church of christ at the towne of hampton . this yeare . john winthrope esq was chosen governour , and thomas dudly esq . deputy governour , the number of freemen added were about . this yeare came over the much honoured mr. herbert pelham , a man of a courteous behaviour , humble , and heavenly minded . harbertus , hye on valiant , why lingerst thou so long ? christs work hath need of hasty speed , his enemies are strong : in wildernesse christ doth thee blesse with vertues , wife , and seed , to govern thou , at length didst bow to serve christs peoples need ; to thine own soyle thou back dost toyle , then cease not lab ring there , but still advance christs ordinance , and shrink no where for fear . much about this time began the town of hampton , in the country of northfolk , to have her foundation stone laid , scituate neare the sea-coast , not farre from the famous river of merimeck , the great store of salt marsh did intice this people to set downe their habitations there , for as yet cowes and cattell of that kinde were not come to the great downfall in their price , of which they have about . head ; and for the form of this towne , it is like a flower-de-luce , two streets of houses wheeling off from the maine body thereof , the land is fertile , but filled with swamps , and some store of rocks , the people are about . families ; being gathered together into church covenant , they called to office the reverend , grave , and gracious mr. doulton , having also for some little space of time the more ancient mr. batchelor ( of whom you have heard in the former book ) to preach unto them also ; here take a short remembrance of the other . doulton doth teach perspicuously and sound , with wholsome truths of christ thy flock dost feed , thy honour with thy labour doth abound , age crownes thy head in righteousnesse , proceed to batter downe , root up , and quite destroy all heresies and errors , that draw back vnto perdition , and christs folk annoy ; to warre for him thou weapons dost not lack : long dayes to see , that long'd for day to come of babels fall , and israels quiet peace : thou yet maist live of dayes so great a sum to see this work , let not thy warfare cease . chap. xiv . of the planting the eighteenth church of christ at the towne of salsbury . for further perfecting this wildernesse-work ; not far from the towne of hampton was erected another towne , called salsbury , being brought forth as twins , sometime contending for eldership : this being seated upon the broade swift torrent of merrimeck , a very goodly river to behold , were it not block● up with some suddaine falls through the rocks ; over against this towne lyeth the towne of newberry , on the southern side of the river a constant ferry being kept between ; for although the river be about half a mile broad , yet , by reason of an island that lies in the midst thereof , it is the better passed in troublesom weather : the people of this towns have of late , placed their dwellings so much distanced the one from the other , that they are like to divide into two churches ; the scituation of this towne is very pleasant , were the rivers navigable farre up , the branches thereof abound in faire and goodly medowes with good store of stately timber upon the uplands in many places , this towne is full as fruitfull in her land , chattell , and inhabitants , as her sister hampton ; the people joyned in church ▪ relation or brotherhood , nere about the time the other did , and have desired and obtained the reverend and graciously godly , m. thomas woster to be their pastor . with mickle labour and distressed wants , woster , thou hast in desart's depth remain'd thy chiefest dayes , christs gospel there to plant , and water well , such toyle shall yeild great gaine . oh happy day ! may woster say , that i was singled out for this great work in hand ; christ by distresse doth gold for 's temple try : thrice blest are they may in his presence stand , but more , thou art by him reserved yet , to see on earth christ's kingdom 's exaltation : more yet , thou art by him prepared fit to help it on , among our english nation . chap. xv. of further supply for the church of christ at waterton . and a sad acceidnt fell out in boston towne . the lord intending to strengthen his poore churches here , and after the overthrow of these damnable errors , to trample satan under their feet ; he manifesteth his mindefulness of them , in sending over fresh suplpyes againe and againe : although weak and sory men in themselves , yet strong in the lord , and the power of his might , the last that this yeare is to be named , is the reverend , judicious , and godly-affected , mr , john knowles , who was desired of the church of christ at waterton , to be a two-fold cord unto them , in the office of a teaching elder , with the reverend mr. phillips , of whom you have heard in the former book . with courage bold and arguments of strength , knowles doth apply gods word his stock unto , christ furnisht hath ( to shew his bountyes length ) thee with rich gifts , that thou his work mayst do : new england is too scant , for thy desire inkindled is , christs truths abroad to spread , virginia may his grace to them admire , that thee through seas for their instruction led ; thy labours knowles are great , far greater hee , not onely thee , but all his valiant made , forth sinfull dust , his saints and warriers be ; he thee upheld , thy strength shall never fade . john come thou forth , behold what christ hath wrought in these thy dayes , great works are yet behinde , then toyle it out till all to passe be brought , christ crowne will thee , thou then his glory minde . to end this yeare . the lord was pleased to a send a very sharp winter , and more especially in strong storms of weekly snows , with very bitter blasts : and here the reader may take notice of the sad hand of the lord against two persons , who were taken in a storme of snow , as they were passing from boston to roxbury , it being much about a mile distant , and a very plaine way , one of roxbury sending to boston his servant maid for a barber chirurgion , to draw his tooth , they lost their way in their passage between , and were not found till many dayes after , and then the maid was fonnd in one place , and the man in another , both of them frozen to death ; in which sad accident , this was taken into consideration by divers people , that this barber was more then ordinary laborious to draw men to those sinfull errors , that were formerly so frequent , and now newly overthrowne by the blessing of the lord , upon the endeavour of his faithfull servants with the word of truth ) he having a fit opportunity , by reason of his trade , so soone as any were set downe in his chaire , he would commonly be cutting of their haire and the truth together ; notwithstanding some report better of the man , the example is for the living , the dead is judged of the lord alone . chap. xvi . the great supply of godly ministers for the good of his people in new england . for to govern and rule this little common wealth , was this year chosen the valiant champion , for the advance of christs truh , thomas dudly esq . and richard bellingham esq . deputy . governour ; the freemen added to the former were about . this yeare the reverend mr. burr ( a holy , heavenly-minded man , and able gifted to preach the word of god ) was exercised therein for some space of time , in the church of christ at dorchester , where they were about calling him to the office of a teaching elder ; but in a very littie time after his coming over he departed this life , yet minde him you may in the following meetre well didst thou minde thy work , which caus'd thee vonter ( through ocean large ) thy christ in 's word to preach , exhorting all their faith on him to center , soules ravisht are by him in thy sweet speech , thy speech bewrayes thy heart , for heaven doth look , christ to enjoy , burr from the earth is taken , thy words remaine , though thou hast us forsook , in dust sleep sound till christ thy body waken . there are divers others of the faithfull ministers of christ that came over for to further this his work ; somewhat before this time , as the godly and reverend mr. rayner , who was called to office in the church of christ at plimoth , and there remaines preaching the word instantly , with great paines and care over that flock , as also the reverend and faithfull servant of christ jesus , mr. william hook , who was for some space of time at the church in taunton , but now remaines called to office in the church of christ at newhaven , a man , who hath received of christ many gracious gifts , fit for so high a calling , with very amiable and gracious speech labouring in the lord ; and here also the reader may minde how the lord was pleased to reach out his large hand of bounty toward his n. england people , in supplying them abundantly with teachers , able and powerfull to break the bread of life unto them , so long as their desires continued hot and zealous ; but after here grew a fulnesse in some , even to slight , if not loath the honey comb ; many returned for england , and the lord was pleased to take away others by death , although very few , considering the number ; but let n. england beware of an after-clap , & provoke the lord no longer . but seeing this yeare proved the last of the yeares of transportation of gods people , only for enjoyment of exercising the ordinances of christ , and enlargement of his kingdome ( there being hopes of great good opportunity that way at home ) it will be expediene onely to name some others in the southwest parts , among the lesser colonyes , and so passe on to the story : and first , not to forget the reverend mr. eaton , a man of love and peace , and yet godly zealous , he came over with those who planted the colony of newhaven , spending his labours in the lord with them in plimoth plantation : also here is to be minded the reverend mr. chancie , a very able preacher , both learned and judicious ; as also the reverend , able , and pious m. huet , who came over this year , or rather , as i suppose , the yeare before , who did spend his time and labour with a people that came over with him ; at length the greatest part of them they settled downe in the government of canecticoe , where they planted the towne of windsor , and church of christ there , where this gracious servant of christ continued in his labours , till the lord laid him in his bed of rest : somewhat before this time came over the reverend mr. smith , being another of that name , beside the former , he laboured in the word and doctrine with a people at withersfield in those parts also ; mr. henry whitefield , another minister of the gospel of christ , of reverend respect , who being returned for england , the latter of his labours , the lord assisting , will sufficiently testifie his sincerity , for the truth and labours of love in the lord : here may also be named the reverend mr. peck , mr. saxton , and mr. lenten , the residue will be spoken of in the ensuing story to those that yet remaine . of these persons named the author doth tender this following meetre . when reasons scepter first 'gan sway your hearts , through troublous seas , this western world to enter among christs souldiers , here to act your parts ; did not christs love on you cause him to center ? all those strait lines of your inflam'd desire vnto his truths , ' cause him in them you finde ; from wildernesse , not from his truths retire ; but unto death this wonderous work you 'l minde , no place can claime peculiar interest in christs worship , for all nations are his own ; the day 's at hand down falls that man of sin , and christs pure gospel through the world is blown ; harvest is come , bid case and sleep adieu , what , trifle time when christ takes in his crop ? a harvest large of gentil and of jew ( you ) fil'd of christ , let his sweet doctrine drop . chap. xvii . of the planting of long-island . and of the planting the nineteenth church in the mattachusets government , called sudbury . this yeare came over divers godly and sincere servants of christ , as i suppose , among whom came over the reverend godly m. peirson : this people finding no place in any of the former erected colonies to settle in , to their present content , repaired to an island , severed from the continent of newhaven , with about . miles off the salt sea , and called long-island , being about . miles in length , and yet but narrow : here this people erected a town , and called it south hampton , there are many indians on the greatest part of this island , who at first settling of the english there , did much annoy their cattel with the multitude of doggs they kept , which ordinarily are young wolves brought up came , continuing of a very ravening nature . this people gathered into a church , and called to office mr. peirson , who continued with them about , or . yeares , and then he , with the greatest number of the people , removed farther into the island ; the other part that remained invited mr. foordum , and a people that were with him , to come and joyne with them , who accordingly did , being wandered as far as the dutch plantation , and there unsettled , although he came into the country before them . this yeare the town and church of christ at sudbury began to have the first foundation stones laid , taking up her station in the inland country , as her elder sister concord had formerly done , lying farther up the same river , being furnished with great plenty of fresh marsh , but it lying very low is much indammaged with land-flouds , insomuch that when the summer proves wet , they lose part of their hay ; yet are they so sufficiently provided , that they take in cattell of other townes to winter : these people not neglecting the chief work , for the which they entred this wildernesse , namely , to worship the lord in the purity of his ordinances , and according to the rule of his word , entred into covenant with him , and one with another professedly to walk together in church-fellowship ; and according to the same rule they called to the office of a pastor the reverend , godly , and able minister of the word , mr. edmond brown , whose labours in the doctrine of christ jesus hath hitherto abounded , wading through this wildernesse-work with much cheerfulnesse of spirit , of whom as followeth : both night and day brown ceaseth not to watch christs little flock , in pastures fresh them feed , the worrying wolves shall not thy weak lambs catch ; well dost thou minde in wildernesse their breed ; edmond , thy age is not so great but thou maist yet behold the beast brought to her fall , earth's tottering kingdome shew her legs gin bow , thou ' mongst christs saints with prayers maist her mawle ; what signes wouldst have faith's courage for to rouse ? see christ triumphant hath his armies led , in wildernesse prepar'd his lovely spouse , caus'd kings and kingdomes his high hand to dread : thou seest his churches daily are encreasing , and thou thy selfe amongst his worthyes warring , hold up thy hands , the battel 's now increasing , christ's kingdom 's ay , it 's past all mortall 's marring . this towne is very well watered , and hath store of plow-land , but by reason of the oaken roots , they have little broke up , considering , the many acres the place affords ; but this kinde of land requires great strength to break up , yet brings very good crops , and lasts long without mending ; the people are industrious , and have encreased in their estates , some of them , yet the great distance it lyes from the mart towns maketh it burdensome to the inhabitants , to bring their corne so far by land ; some gentlemen have here laid out part of their estates in procuring farmes , by reason of the store of medow : this church hath hitherto been blessed with blessings of the right hand , even godly peace and unity : they are not above . or . families , and about . souls in church fellowship , their neat-heard about . chap. xviii . of the planting of the twentieth church of christ at a towne called braintree . about this time there was a town and church planted at mount wollestone , and named braintree , it was occasioned by some old planters and certain farmers belonging to the great town of beston ; they had formerly one mr. whelowright to preach unto them , ( till this government could no longer contain them ) they many of them in the mean time belonging to the church of christ at boston , but after his departure they gathered into a church themselves ; having some inlargement of land , they began to be well peopled , calling 〈◊〉 office among them , the reverend and godly mr. william tompson , and mr. henry flint , the one to the office of a pastor , the other of a teacher ; the people are purged by their indu●try from the sowre leven of those sinful opinions that began 〈◊〉 spread , and if any remain among them it is very covert , 〈◊〉 the manner of these erronists that remain in any place , is 〈◊〉 countenance all sorts of sinful opinions , as occasions serves , ●●th in church and commonwealth , underpretence of li●●●ty of conscience , ( as well their own opinion as others ) 〈◊〉 this symbol they may be known in court and country . his town hath great store of land in tillage , and is at pre●●t in a very thriving condition for outward things , although 〈◊〉 of boston retain their farms from being of their town , 〈◊〉 do they lye within their bounds , and how it comes to pass ●●ow not ; their officers have somewhat short allowance , ●●y are well stored with cattel and corn , and as a people re●●es , so should they give : and reader , i cannot but mind 〈◊〉 of the admirable providence of christ for his people in 〈◊〉 , where they have been in a low condition , by their liberty they have been raised to much in a very little time : again , in withdrawing their hands have had their plenty ●●d : the reverend mr. tompson is a man abounding in zeal the propagation of the gospel , and of an ardent affecti●● in so much that he is apt to forget himself in things that concern his own good , both him , and the like gracious m. flint is here remembred . with twofold cord doth flint and tompson draw in christ's yoke , his fallow ground to break , wounding mens hearts with his most righteous law , cordials apply to weary souls and weak . tompson thou hast christ's folk incouraged to war , their warfare putting them in mind , that christ their king will make his sons the drond , the day 's at hand when they shall mastery find . flint be a second to this champion stout , in christ's your strength , while you for him do war , when first doth faint , a second helps him out , till christ renew with greater strength by far . from east to west your labours lasted have , the more you toil , the more your strength encreaseth , your works will bide , when you are laid in grave . his truth advance , whose kingdom never coaseth . chap. xix . of the first promation of learning in new-england , and the extraordinary providences that the lord was pleased to send for furthering of the same . toward the latter end of this summer came over the learned , reverend , and judicious mr. henry dunster , before whose coming the lord was pleased to provide a patron for erecting a colledg , as you have formerly heard , his provident hand being now no less powerful in pointing out with his unerring finger , a president abundantly fitted this his servant , and sent him over for to mannage the work ; and as in all the other passages of this history , the wonder-working providence of s●●ns saviour hath appeared , so more especially in this work , the fountains of learning being in a grea● measure stopped in our native country at this time , so tha● the sweet waters of shilo's streams must ordinarily pass into the churches through the stinking channel of prelatical pride , beside all the filth that the fountains themselves were daily incumbred withall , insomuch that the lord turned aside often from them , and refused the breathings of his blessed spirit among them , which caused satan ( in these latter daies of his transformation into an angel of light ) to make it a means to perswade people from the use of learning altogether , that so in the next generation they might be destitute of such helps , as the lord hath been pleased hitherto to make use of , as chief means for the conversion of his people , and building them up in the holy faith , as also for breaking downe the kingdom of antichrist ; and verily had not the lord been pleased to furnish n. e. with means for the attainment of learning , the work would have been carried on very heavily , and the hearts of godly parents would have vanish'd away with heaviness for their poor children , whom they must have left in a desolare wilderness , destitute of the meanes of grace . it being a work ( in the apprehension of all , whose capacity could reach to the great sums of money , the edifice of a mean ●olledg would cost ) past the reach of a poor pilgrim people , who had expended the greatest part of their estates on a long voyage , travelling into forraign countryes , being unprofitable to any that have undertaken it , although it were but with their necessary attendance , whereas this people were forced to travel with wifes , children , and servants ; besides they considered the troble charge of building in this new populated desart , in regard of al kind of workmanship , knowing likewise , that young students could make but a poor progress in learning , by looking on the bare walls of their chambers , and that diogenes would have the better of them by far , in making use of a tun to lodg in , not being ignorant also , that many people in this age are out of conceit with learning , and that although they were not among a people who counted ignorance the mother of devotion , yet were the greater part of the people wholly devoted to the plow , ( but to speak uprightly , hunger is sharp , and the head will retain little learning , if the heart be not refreshed in some competent measure with food , although the gross vapors of a glutted stomack are the bane of a bright understanding , and brings barrenness to the brain ) but how to have both go on together , as yet they know not ; amidst all these difficulties , it was thought meet learning should plead for it self , and ( as many other men of good rank and quality in this barren desart ) plod out a way to live : hereupon all those who had tasted the sweet wine of wisdoms drawing , and fed on the dainties of knowledg , began to set their wits a work , and verily as the whole progress of this work had a farther dependency then on the present eyed means , so at this time chiefly the end being firmly fixed on a sure foundation , namely , the glory of god , and good of all his elect people , the world throughout , in vindicating the truths of christ , and promoting his glorious kingdom , who is now taking the heathen for his inheritance , and the utmost ends of the earth for his possession , means they know there are , many thousands uneyed of mortal man , which every daies providence brings forth ; upon these resolutions , to work they go , and with thankful acknowledgment , readily take up all lawful means as they come to hand , for place they fix their eye upon new-town , which to tell their posterity whence they came , is now named cambridg , and withal to make the whole world understand , that spiritual learning was the thing they chiefly desired , to sanctifie the other , and make the whole lump holy , and that learning being set upon its right object , might not contend for error instead of truth ; they chose this place , being then under the orthodox , and soul-flourishing ministery of mr. thomas shepheard , of whom it may be said , without any wrong to others , the lord by his ministery hath saved many a hundred soul : the scituation of this colledg is very pleasant , at the end of a spacious plain , more like a bowling green , then a wilderness , neer a fair navigable river , environed with many neighbouring towns of note , being so neer , that their houses joyn with her suburbs , the building thought by some to be too gorgeous for a wilderness , and yet too mean in others apprehensions for a colledg , it is at present in larging by purchase of the neighbour houses , it hath the conveniencies of a fair hall , comfortable studies , and a good library , given by the liberal hand of some magistrates and ministers , with others : the chief gift towards the founding of this colledg , was by mr. john harnes , a reverend minister , the country being very weak in their publike treasury , expended about . l. towards it , and for the maintenance thereof , gave the yearly revenue of a ferry passage between boston , and charles town , the which amounts to about . or . l. per annum . the commissioners of the four united colonies also taking into consideration , ( of what common concernment this work would be , not only to the whole plantations in general , but also to all our english nation ) they endeavoured to stir up all the people in the several colonies to make a yearly contribution toward it , which by some is observed , but by the most very much neglected ; the government hath endeavoured to grant them all the priviledges fit for a colledg , and accordingly the governour and magistrates , together with the president of the colledg , for the time being , have a continual care of ordering all matters for the good of the whole : this colledg hath brought forth , and nurst up very hopeful plants , to the supplying some churches here , as the grrcious and godly mr. wilson , son to the grave and zealous servant of christ mr. john wilson , this young man is pastor to the church of christ at dorchester ; as also mr. buckly , son to the reverend m. buckly of concord ; 〈◊〉 also a second son of his , whom our native country hath now at present help in the ministery , and the other is over a people of christ in one of these colonies , and if i mistake not , england hath i hope not only this young man of n. e. nur●●ng up in learning , but many more , as m. sam. and natha●●●l mathers , mr. wells , mr. downing , mr. b●rnard , mr. al●●● , mr. bruster , mr. vvilliam ames , mr. iones : another of the first fruits of this colledg is imployed in these western parts at m●vis , one of the summer islands ; beside these named , ●●me help hath been had from hence in the study of physick , 〈◊〉 also the godly mr. sam. danforth , who hath not only stu●ed divinity , but also astronomy , he put forth many alma●●ks , and is now called to the office of a teaching elder in the church of christ at roxbury , who was one of the fellows of this colledg ; the number of students is much encreased of late , so that the present year . on the twelfth of the sixth moneth , ten of them took the degree of batchelors of art , among whom the sea-born son of mr. iohn cotton was one , some gentlemen have sent their sons hither from england , who are to be commended for their care of them , as the judicious and godly doctor ames , and divers others : this hath been a place certainly more free from temptations to lewdness , then ordinarily england hath been , yet if men shall presume upon this to send their most exorbitant children , intending them more especially for gods service , the justice of god doth sometimes meet with them , and the means doth more harden them in their way , for of late the godly governors of this colledg have been forced to expell some , for fear of corrupting the fountain , wherefore the author would ye should mind this following verse . you that have seen these wondrous works by sions savier don , expect not miracle , left means thereby you over-run ; the noble acts jehovah wrought , his israel to redeem , surely this second work of his shall far more glorious seem ; not only egypt , but all lands , where antichrist doth raign , shall from jehovahs heavy hand ten times ten plagues sustain● bright shining shall this gospel come , oh glorious king of saints thy blessed breath confounds thy foes , all mortal power faints , the ratling bones together run with self-same breath that blows of israels sons long dead and dry , each joynt there sinew grows , fair flesh doth cover them , & veins ( lifes feuntain ) takes there plat● smooth seamless coats doth cloath their flesh , and all their structure grace . the breath of life is added , they no antinomians are , but loving him who gives them life , more zealous are by far to keep his law , then formerly when righteousnesse they sought , in keeping that they could not keep , which then their dowuf● brought . their ceremonies vanisht are , on christ's all their desires , their zeal all nations doth provoke , inkindled are loves fires : vvith hast on horseback , bringing hometheir sons & daughters , they rejoyce to see this glorious sight , like resurrections day ; vp and be doing , you young plants , christ calls his work unto polluted lips , touch'd with heav'ns fire , about this work shall go . prostrate in prayer parents , and you young ones on christ call , suppose of you he will make use , whereby that boast shall fall : so be it lord thy servants say , who are at thy disposing , vvith outward word work inward grace , by heavenly truths disclosing . awake stand up from death to life , in christ your studies enter , the scriptures search , bright light bring forth , upon this hardship venter . sound doctrine shall your lips preach out , all errors to confound and rid christ's temple from this smoke , his glory shall abound ; precipitant doth d●gon fall , his triple head off out , the beast that all the world admires , by you to death is put : put hand to mouth , with vehement blast your silver trumpets sound , christ calls to mind his peoples wrongs , their foes hee 'l now confo●nd : bestrong in god , and his great might , his wondrous works do tell , you raised are unwonted ways observe his workings well . as jordans streams congeal'd in heaps , and jerico's high walls with rams horns blast , and midians host , with pitcher breaking falls ; like works your faith , for to confirm in these great works to come , that nothing now too hard may seem , jehovah would have don . the rage of seas , and hunger sharp , wants of a desart land , your noble hearts have overcom , what shall this work withstand ? not persecutors pride and rage , strong multitudes do fall , by little handfuls of least dust , your christ confounds them all , not s●tan and his subtil train with seeming shew reforming , another gospel to bring forth , brings damned errors swarming : your selves have seen his paint waesht off , his hidden poysons found , christ you provides with antidotes , to keep his people sound : there 's nought remains but conquist now , through christ's continued power , his hardest works have honors most attend them every hour . vvhat greater honor then on earth , christ's legat for to bo , attended with his glorious saints in church fraternity . christ to behold adorning now his bride in bright array , and you his friends him to attend upon his nuptial day , vvith crowned heads , as conquerors triumphant by his side ; in 's presence is your lasting joy , and pleasures ever bide . mr. henry dunstar is now president of this colledg , fitted from the lord for the work , and by those that have skill that way , reported to be an able proficient , in both hebrew , greek , and latine languages , an orthodox preacher of the truths of christ , very powerful through his blessing to move the affection ; and besides he having a good inspection into the well-ordering of things for the students maintenance ( whose commons hath been very short hitherto ) by his frugal providence hath continued them longer at their studies then otherwise they could have done ; and verily it 's great pity such ripe heads as many of them be , should want means to further them in learning : but seeing the lord hath been pleased to raise up so worthy an instrument for their good , he shall not want for incouragement to go on with the work , so far as a rustical rime will reach . could man presage prodigious works at hand , provide he would for 's good and ill provent , but god both time and means hath at 's command , dunster in time to his n. e. hath sent . vvhen england 'gan to keep at home their guides , n. e. began to pay their borrowed back , jndustrious dunster , providence provides , our friends supply , and yet our selves no lack : vvith restless labour thou dost delve and dung , surculus set in garden duly tended , that in christs orchard they with fruit full hung , may bless the lord , thy toil gone , them expended , thy constant course proves retrograde in this , from west to east thy toil returns again , thy husbandry by christ so honored is , that all the world partaketh of thy pains . chap. xx. of the planting of the one and twentieth church of christ at a town called glocester , and of the church and town of dover , and of the hardships that befel a certain people , who thirsted aftor large liberty in a warm country . for the government of this little commonwealth , this year was chosen for governour richard belingham , esquire , and john endiout esquire for governors ; the number of freemen added this year , were about . there was another town and church of christ erected in the mattachuset government , upon the northern-cape of the bay , called cape ann , a place of fishing , being peopled with fishermen , till the reverend mr. richard blindman came from a place in plimouth patten , called green-harbor , with some few people of his acquaintance , and setled down with them , named the town glocester , and gathered into a church , being but a small number , about fifty persons , they called to office this godly reverend man , whose gifts and abilities to handle the word , is not inferiour to many others , labouring much against the errors of the times , of a sweet , humble , heavenly carriage : this town lying out toward the point of the cap● , the access thereunto by land becomes uneasie , which was the chief cause it was no more populated : their fishing ●●●de would be very beneficial , had they men of estates to mannage it ; yet are they not without other means of maintenance , having good timber for shipping , and a very sufficient builder , but that these times of combustion the seas throughout hath hindered much that work , yet have there ●●en vessels built here at this town of late : their reverend elder is here remembred . thou hast ●ky prime and middle age here spent , the best is not too good for him that gave it , when thou did'st first this wilderness frequent , for sious sake it was , that christ might save it . blinman be blith in him , who thee hath taken to feed his flock , a few poor scattered sheep , why should they be of thee at all forsaken , thy honor 's high , that any thou may'st keep . wait patiently thy masters coming , thou hast hitherto his peoples portions dealt , it matters not for high preferment ; now thy crown 's to come , with joyes immortal felt . about this time the people inhabiting the town of dover , although they lay out of any of these colonies mentioned , ( yet hearing and seeing with what sweet harmony , both in churches and civil government , the mattachusets peopled patten was carried on prosperonsly ) desired greatly to submit unto the same , by putting themselves under their protection ; and for that end they petitioned their general cort to admit of them , and administer justice as occasion served , by the hands of their godly magistrates , which accordingly was granted , and they have been partakers of the benefit hitherto , having also the benefit of some one minister to preach unto them , till it pleased god to fit stones by the continual hewing of his word for his temple-work , and they gather a church according to the rule of the word , and called to office of a pastor one m. maude , both godly , both godly and diligent in the work : this town is scituate upon puscataque river , lying to the northeast of boston , which river although it be not nigh so broad as merrinaeck river , yet i● it navigable , being very deep , and her banks in many place fil'd with stately timber , which hath caused one or two saw mills to be continued ; there they have a good quantity o● meddow land , and good ground for india corn . to end th● year . the lord was pleased to send a very sharp winte● in so much that the harbor where ships ordinarily anchor , wa● frozen over of such a thickness , that it became passeable , bot for horse , carts , and oxen , for the space of five weeks . an here the reader must be minded of the wonder-working providence of christ for his poor churches , in altering the ve●● season for their comfort , to the wonder of english and ind●ans , the winter and summer proving more moderate , both for heat and cold , unmasking many by this means , it being a frequent thing with some , that after the novelties of a new la●d began to be stale with them , and the sweet nourishment of the soul by the presence of christ in the preaching of his word , began to dry up through the hot heady conceit of some new conceived opinion : then they wanted a warmer country , and every northwest wind that blew , they crept into some odd chimney-corner or other , to discourse of the diversity of climates in the southerne parts , but chiefly of a thing very sweet to the pallate of the flesh , called liberty , which they supposed might be very easily attain'd , could they but once come into a place where all men were chosen to the office of a magistrate , and all were preachers of the word , and no hearers , then it would be all summer and no winter : this consultation was to be put in practise speedily , as all headstrong motions are , but the issue proved very sad , both to these and others also ; for thus it befell , when the time of the year was come that a sea-voyage might be undertaken , they having made sale of a better accommodation then any they could afterward attain unto , prepare for the voyage with their wifes and children , intending to land them in one of the summer islands , called the isle of providence , and having wind and seas favouring them , as they supposed , or to speak more proper , the provident hand of the most high god directing it , they were brought so neer the shore for convenient landing , that they might have heaved a bisket cake on land ; their pilate wondring he could not see the english colours on the fort , he began to mistrust the island was taken , and more especially , because they saw not the people appear upon the shores as they usually did when any vessel was a coming in , but now and then they saw some people a far off wasting to them to come in , till they were even come to an anchor , and then by the hoising up and down the heads of those on shore , they were fully confirmed in it , that the island was taken , as indeed it was by the spaniards , who as soone as they tackt about to be gone , made shot at them , and being in great fear they made all the fail they could , but before they could get out of shot , the master of the vessel was slain , the main sail shot through , and the barque also ; the people some of them returned back again for new-england , being sore abashed at this providence that befel them , that they would never seek to be governed by liberty again to this very day ; yet others there are were so strongly bent for the heat of liberty , that they indured much pinching penury upon an uninhabited island , til at length meeting some others like-minded with themselves , they made a voyage to another island , the chiefest part of their charter of freedom was this , that no man upon pain of death should speak against anothers religion where they continued , till some of them were famished , and others even forced to feed on rats , and any other thing they could find to sustain nature , till the provident hand of god brought a ship to the place , which took them off the island , and saved their lives : but upon this the winters discourse ceased , and projects for a warmer country were husht and done . chap. xxi . of the suddain and unexpected falt of cattel , and the great blessing of god in giving plenty of provision . for this year . iohn winthrope esquire was chosen governour , and john endicut esquire deputy governor : the number of freemen added were about . this spring cowes and cattle of that kind ( having continued at an excessive price so long as any came over with estates to purchase them ) fell of a suddain in one week from l. the cow , to . . or . l. the cow at most , insomuch that it made all men admire how it came to pass , it being the common practise of those that had any store of cattel , to sell every year a cow or two , which cloath'd their backs , fil'd their bellies with more varieties then the country of it self afforded , and put gold and silver in their purses beside . here the reader it desired to take notice of the wonderful providence of the most high god toward these his new-planted churches , such as was never heard of , since that iacobs sons ceased to be a people , that in ten or twelve years planting , there should be such wonderful alteration , a nation to be born in a day , a commonwealth orderly brought forth from a few fugitives , all the forraign plantations that are of forty , fifty , or a hundred years standing , cannot really report the like , although they have had the greatest incouragements earth could afford , kings to countenance them , staple commodities to provoke all manner of merchants to resort unto them , silver , gold , precious stones , or whatever might incice the eye or ear to incline the motion of man toward them , his remove , rocky , barren , bushy , wild-woody wilderness , a receptacle for lions , wolves , bears , foxes , rockoones , bags , bevers , otters , and all kind of wild creatures , a place that never afforded the natives better then the flesh of a few wild creatures and parch't indian corn incht out with chesnuts and bitter acorns , now through the mercy of christ becom a second england for fertilness in so short a space , that it is indeed the wonder of the world ; but bring already forgotten of the very persons that tast of it at present , although some there be that keep in memory his mercies multitude , and declare it to their childrens children . first to begin with the encrease of food , you have heard in what extream penury these people were in at first , planting for want of food , gold , silver , rayment , or whatsoever was precious in their eyes they parted with ( when ships came in ) for this their beast that died , some would stick before they were cold , and sell their poor pined flesh for food , at .d . per pound , indian beans at . s . per bushel , when ships came in it grieved some master to see the urging of them by people of good rank and quality to sell bread unto them . but now take notice how the right hand of the most high hath altered all , and men of the meaner rank are urging them to buy bread of them , and now good white and wheaten bread is no dainty , but even ordinary man hath his choice , if gay cloathing , and a liquerish tooth after sack , sugar and plums lick not away his bread too fast , all which are but ordinary among those that were not able to bring their owne persons ever at their first coming ; there are not many towns in the country , but the poorest person in them hath a house and land of his own , and bread of his own growing , if not some cattel : beside , flesh is now no rare food , beef , pork , and mutton being frequent in many houses , so that this poor wilderness hath not onely equalized england in food , but goes beyond it in some places for the great plenty of wine and sugar , which is ordinarily spent , apples , pears , and quince tarts instead of their former pumpkin pies , poultry they have plenty , and great rarity , and in their feasts have not forgotten the english fashion of stiring up their appetites with variety of cooking their food ; and notwithstanding all this great and almost miraculous work of the lord , in providing for his people in this barren desart , yet are there here ( as in other places ) some that use these good creatures of god to excess , and others to hoard up in a wretched and miserable manner , pinch themselves and their children with food , and will not tast of the good creatures god hath given for that end , but cut church and commonwealth as short also : let not such think to escape the lords hand with as little a stroke , as the like do in other places . secondly , for rayment , our cloth hath not been cut short , as but of late years the traders that way have encreased to such a number , that their shops have continued full all the year long , all one england ; besides the lord hath been pleased to encrease sheep extraordinarily of late , hemp and flax here is great plenty , hides here are more for the number of persons then in england ; and for cloth , here is and would be materials enough to make it ; but the farmers deem it better for their profit to put away their cattel and corn for cloathing , then to set upon making of cloth ; if the merchants trade be not kept on foot , they fear greatly their corne and cattel will lye in their hands ; assuredly the plenty of cloathing hath caused much excess of late in those persons , who have clambered with excess in wages for their work , but seeing it will be the theam of our next discourse , after the birds are setled , it may be here omitted . further , the lord hath been pleased to turn all the wigwams , huts , and hovels the english dwelt in at their first coming , into orderly , fair , and well-built houses , well furnished many of them , together with orehards filled with goodly fruit trees , and gardens with variety of flowers : there are supposed to be in the mattachusets government at this day , neer a thousand acres of land planted for orchards and gardens , besides their fields are filled with garden fruit , there being , as is supposed in this colony , about fifteen thousand acres in tillage , and of cartel about twelve thousand neat , and about three thousand sheep : thus hath the lord in couraged his people with the encrease of the general , although many particulars are outed , hundreds of pounds , and some thousands , yet are there many hundreds of labouring men , who had not enough to bring them over , yet now worth scores , and some hundreds of pounds ; to be sure the lord takes notice of all his talents , and will call to accompt in time : this brief survey of things will be of good use when time serves , in mean time you shall understand , chap. xxii . of the manner of planting towns and churches in n. e. and in particular of the church and town at wooburn , being the three and twentieth church of christ in the mattachusets government . there was a town and church erected called wooburn , this present year , but because all the action of this wandering people meet with great variety of censures , the author will in this town and church see down the manner how this people have populated their towns , and gathered their churches , that the reverend mr. rathbone may be better informed , then when he wrote his book concerning the churches of n. e. and all others that are experienced in the holy scriptures , may lay the actions of n. e. to the rule , and try them by the balance of the sanctuary , for assuredly they greatly desire they may be brought to the light , for great is the truth , and will prevail , yet have they their errings as well as others , but yet their imperfections may not blemish the truths of christ , let them be glorified , and these his people will willingly take shame to themselves , wherein they have miscarried : but to begin , this town , as all others had its bounds fixed by the general court , to the contenese of four miles squa● , ( beginning at the end of charles town bounds ) the grant is to seven men or good and honest report , upon condition , that within two year they erect houses for habitation thereon , and so go on to make a town thereof , upon the act of court ; these seven men have power to give and grant out lands unto any persons who are willing to take up their dwellings within the said precinct , & to be admitted to al common priviledges of the said town , giving them such an ample portion , both of medow and upland , as their present and future stock of cattel and hands were like to improve , with eye had to others that might after come to populate the said town ; this they did without any respect of persons , yet such as were exorbitant , and of a turbulent spirit , unfit for a civil society they would reject , till they come to mend their manners , such came not to enjoy any freehold : these seven men ordered and disposed of the streets of the town , as might be best for improvement of the land , and yet civil and religious society maintained ; to which end those that had land neerest the place for sabbath assembly , had a lesser quantity at home , and more farther off to improve for corn , of all kinds ; they refused not men for their poverty , but according to their ability were helpful to the poorest sort , in building their houses , and distributed to them land accordingly ; the poorest had six or seven acres of medow , and twenty five of upland , or thereabouts : thus was this town populated , to the number of sixty families , or thereabout , and after this manner are the towns of new england peopled , the scituation of this town is in the highest part of the yet peopled land , neere upon the head-springs of many considerable rivers , or their branches , as the first rise of ipswitch river , and the rise of shashin river , one of the most considerable branches of merrimeck , as also the first rise of mistick river and ponds , it is very full of pleasant springs , and great variety of very good water , which the summers heat causeth to be more cooler , and the winters cold maketh more warmer ; their medows are not large , but lye in divers places to particular dwellings , the like doth their springs ; their land is very fruitful in many places , although they have no great quantity of plain land in any one place , yet doth their rocks and swamps yeeld very good food for cattel ; as also they have mast and tar for shipping , but the distance of place by land causeth them as yet to be unprofitable , they have great store of iron o're , their meeting-house stands in a small plain , where four streets meet , the people are very labotious , if not exceeding some of them . now to declare how this people proceeded in religious matters , and so consequently all the churches of christ planted in new-england , when they came once to hopes of being such a competent number of people , as might be able to maintain a minister , they then surely seated themselves , and not before , it being as unnatural for a right n. e. man to live without an able ministery , as for a smith to work his iron without a fire ; therefore this people that went about placing down a town , began the foundation-stone , with earnest seeking of the lords assistance , by humbling of their souls before him in daies of prayer , and imploring his aid in so weighty a work , then they address themselves to attend counsel of the most orthodox and ablest christians , and more especially of such as the lord had already placed in the ministery , not rashly running together themselves into a church , before they had hopes of attaining an officer to preach the word , and administer the seals unto them , chosing rather to continue in fellowship with some other church for their christian watch over them , till the lord would be pleased to provide : they after some search meet with a young man named mr. thomas carter , then belonging to the church of christ at vvater-town , a reverend godly man , apt to teach the sound and wholesome truths of christ ; having attained their desires , in hopes of his coming unto them , were they once joyned in church-estate , he exercising his gifts of preaching and prayer among them in the mean time , and more especially in a day of fasting and prayer . thus these godly people interest their affections one with the other , both minister and people : after this they make ready for the work , and the . of the . moneth . they assemble together in the morning about eight of the clock ; after the reverend mr. syms had continued in preaching and prayer about the space of four or five houres , the persons that were to joyn in covenant , openly and professedly before the congregation , and messengers of divers neighbour churches , among whom the reverend elder of boston , mr. cotton , mr. vvilson , mr. allen of charles-town , mr. shepheard of cambridg , mr. dunster of vvater-town , mr. knowles of deadham , mr. allen of roxbury , mr. eliot of dorchester , mr. mather : as also it is the duty of the magistrates ( in regard of the good and peace of the civil government ) to be present , at least some one of them ( not only to prevent the disturbance might follow in the common-wealth by any , who under pretence of church-covenant , might bring in again those cursed opinions that caused such commotion in this and the other colony , to the great dammage of the people ) but also to countenance the people of god in so pious a work , that under them they may live a quiet and peaceable life , in all godliness and honesty ; for this cause was present the honored mr. increase nowel , the persons stood forth , and first confessed what the lord had done for their poor souls , by the work of his spirit in the preaching of his word , and providences , one by one ; ( and that all might know their faith in christ was bottomed upon him , as he is revealed in his word , and that from their own knowledg ) they also declare the same , according to that measure of understanding the lord had given them ; the elders , or any other messengers there present question with them , for the better understanding of them in any points they doubt of , which being done , and all satisfied , they in the name of the churches to which they do belong , hold out the right hand of fellowship unto them , they declaring their covenant , in words expressed in writing to this purpose . the church-covenant . we that do assemble our selves this day before god and and his people , in an unfeigned desire , to be accepted of him as a church of the lord jesus christ , according to the rule of the new-testament , do acknowledg our selves to be the most unworthy of all others , that we should attain such thigh grace , and the most unable of our selves to the performance of any thing that is good , abhorring our selves for all our former defilements in the worship of god , and other wayes , and resting only upon the lord jesus christ for attonement , and upon the power of his grace for the guidance of our whole after course , do here in the name of christ jesus , as in the presence of the lord , from the bottom of our hearts agree together through his grace to give up our selves , first unto the lord jesus as our only king , priest and prophet , wholly to be subject unto him in all thing , and therewith one unto another , as in a church-body to walk together in all the ordinances of the gospel , and in all such mutual love and offices thereof , as toward one another in the lord ; and all this , both according to the present light that the lord hath given us , as also according to all further light , which he shall be pleased at any time to reach out unto us out of the word by the goodness of his grace , renouncing also in the same covenant all errors and schismes , and whatsoever by-wayes that are contrary to the blessed rules revealed in the gospel , and in particular the inordinate love and seeking after the things of the world ; every church hath not the same for words , for they are not for a form of words . the . of the . moneth following mr. thomas carter was ordained pastor , in presence of the like assembly . hfter he had exercised in preaching and prayer the greater part of the day , two persons in the name of the church laid their hands upon his head , and said , we ordain thee thomas carter to be pastor unto this church of christ ; then one of the elders priest , being desired of the church , continued in prayer unto the lord for his more especial assistance of this his servant in his work , being a charge of such weighty importance , as is the glory of god and salvation of souls , that the very thought would make a man to tremble in the sense of his own inability to the work : the people having provided a dwelling house , built at the charge of the town in general , welcomed him unto them with joy , that the lord was pleased to give them such a blessing , that their eyes may see their teachers : after this there were divers added to the church daily ; after this manner the person desirous to joyn with the church , cometh to the pastor , and makes him acquainted therewith , declaring how the lord hath been pleased to work his conversion , who discerning hopes of the p●rsons faith in christ , although weak , yet if any appear , he is propounded to the church in general for their approbation , touching his godly life and conversation , and then by the pastor and some brethren heard again , who make report to the church of their charitable approving of the person ; but before they come to joyn with the church , all persons within the towne have publike notice of it , then publikely he declares the manner of his conversion , and how the lord hath been pleased by the hearing of his word preached , and the work of his spirit in the inward parts of his soul , to bring him out of that ●●tural darkness , which all men are by nature in and under , as also the measure of knowledg the lord hath been pleased to indue him withal . and because some men cannot speak publikely to edisication through bashfulness , the less is required of such , and women speak not publikely at all , for all that is desired , is to prevent the polluting the blessed ordinances of christ by such as walk scandalously , and that men and women do not eat and drink their own condemnation , in not discerning the lords body . after this manner were many added to this church of christ , and those . that joyned in church-fellowship at first , are now encreased to . persons , or therabout ; of which , according to their own confession , as is supposed , the greater part having been converted by the preaching of the word in n. e. by which may appear the powerful efficacy of the word of christ in the mouth of his ministers , and that this way of christ in joyning together in church-covenant , is not only for building up of souls in christ , but also for converting of sinness , & bringing them out of the natural condition to be ingrafted into christ , for if this one church have so many , then assuredly there must be a great number comparatively throughout all the churches in the country . after this manner have the churches of christ had their beginning and progress hitherto , the lord continue & encrease them the world throughout : the pastor of this church hath much encreased with the encreasings of christ jesus , of whose labours in the lord as followeth . cartor , christ hath his wayes thee taught , and them , hast not with-held his word , but unto all , with 's word of power dost cause stout souls to bow , and meek as lambs before thy christ to fall : the antient truths , plain paths they fit thee best , thy humble heare all haughty acts puts by , the lowly heart , christ learns his lovely hest , thy meekness shews thy christ to thee is nigh ; yet must thou shew christ makes his bold to be , as lions , that none may his truths tread down , pastoral power he hath invested thee with , it maintain , least he on thee do frown : thy youth thou hast in this new-england spent , full sixteen years to water , plant , and prune , trees taken up , and for that end here sent , thy end 's with christ , with 's saints his praises tune . this year the general court made an order about preparing houses for salt-peter , that there might be powder made in the country , but as yet it hath not gone on . chap. xxiii . of the uniting of the four english colonies in n , e. and the battel fought between the narragansets , and mawhiggins . the yeare . the honored john winthrop esquire was chosen governor again , and john endicut esquire deputy governour ; the free men added were about . this year , the four colonies , the mattachusets , plimoth , canectico , and new-haven , taking into consideration the many nations of dutch , zewes , and french , that were on either side of them ; as also how apt they were to lay claim to lands they never had any right unto , but only a paper possession of their own framing ; and further , that the inhumane and barbarous indians would be continually quarrelling and contending , could they see any hopes of prevailing , together with the contestion begun in our native country , and withal , that although providence had cast them into four several colonies , yet religion had already united them , coming over all for one and the same end . hereupon by commissioners sent from the several colonies , they concluded a firm confederation to assist each other in all just and lawful war , bearing an equal proportion in the charge , according to the number of persons inhabiting each colony ; but herein the mattachuset had the worst end of the staff , in bearing as much , or more charge , then all the other three , and yet no greater number of commissioners to negotiate and judg in transacting of affairs concerning peace and war , then the least of the other , and any one of the other as l●kely to involve them in a chargeable war with the naked natives , that have neither plunder , nor cash to bear the charge of it , nay hitherto the most hath risen from the lesser colonies , yet are the mattachusets far from deserting them , esteeming them highly , so long as their governments maintain the same purity in religion with themselves , for indeed this is that they have spent their whole travel for , and therefore if plimoth , or any of the other shall draw back herein , the chiefest end of their confederacy would be lost ; for should it come to pass ( that in venturing their persons and estates so far for purity in the ordinances and discipline of christ ) they should lose the purity in doctrine , all their cost and labour were lost : this confederacy being finished , there came in certain indian sachims , and submitted to the english government , as pomham , and soecana●●●●h to the mattachusets ; also miantonemo and vncas ; but between these two latter princes arose a very hot quarrel , the english seeking by all means to quench it , but could not , it being , as is supposed , fomented by a small company of vacabond english , who were then for their crimes banished from their own complices at rhode island , the ringleader of them , being one samuel gorton , by whose mean they were drawn into damnable errors , : these gortonists , as is said , lent miantonenemo a corslet for safeguard of his own person in the following fight , and he promised each of them a mawchiggin papoose , which was the people . vneas was prince of for , although miantonemo were the more potent prince by far , and a very anstere man , yet did he chuse rather to take vncasses life away by treachery if he could ; and to that end hired a young man of the pegod nation to murther him , as is supposed , for in an evening , when it was very neer dark , this sachim passing without any of his retinue , from one wigwam to another , was suddainly shot through the arm with an arrow , seeing not whence it came ; but yet recovering the palace he was passing unto , without receiving any more shot , he had the arrow drawn forth , and the wound cured in a short time after ; the young man , who was suspected to have done the fact , having great store of wampumpeage , about this time being questioned how he came by it , could give no good accompt , which encreased the suspition the more , that he had received it as hire from miantonemo for this fact ; and hereupon the young man fled unto him , which caused vneas to complain to the english , who having the hearing of the case at a general co●●● holden at boston , at the same time miantonemo coming thither with his attendance , and sending one of his councellors to follow the matter in hand , the young man was examined in presence of miantonemo , being , as is supposed , tutored by him , he told this tale , that while he was in vncasses court , on a day travelling alone by a thick swamp , vncas call'd him out of the swamp , charging him to be true to him , in declaring to the english what he required to him , which was , that he should say he had been hired of miantonemo to kill him , and to make his matter good , quoth the young man , he then cut his arm on the top , and underneath with the flint of his gun , to make men think he had beene shot through with an arrow : this tale made the english more to suspect miantonemo then before ; and therefore desired to examine the young man alone , which he was very unwilling they should do ; but upon further examination alone , they did verily believe this young man had done the fact , yet for present they let him depart with miantonemo , advising him to send him home to vncas , but by the way , he instead of returning him home , cut off his head , and forthwith gathered an army of about a thousand men to fight with vncas , who feared not to meet him in the field with half the number ; the battel being come within shot one of another , with a great hubbub they let their long shafts fly one at another , and after came to a close with other weapons , till the narrowgansets multitude being forely distressed by the mawhiggins valour , they began to cry out wem-meck , which is to say , enough : vncas like a stout commander , with others of his bloud-royal that were about him , sought to perfect his victory , by possessing himself with the person of their prince , which he effected , by putting his life-guard to flight , and taking hold on the sachim himself , carried him victoriously away to the town of hartford , neer the which he kept his residence at this time , and then made the english acquainted there with his noble design , and desired to have the advise of the united colonies what to do with his prisoner ; the narrowgansets sought to ransom him home , being much abashed , that so mean a prince as vncas was should scape scotfree with such a victory ; but the honered commissioners have had proof of miantonemo's treachery , both toward this prince that had him in possession , and toward the english in falsisying his promise with them ; they advised vncas to put him to death , but withall , that he should forbear to exercise my barbarous cruelty toward him , as their manner is , and by this means the english prevented another war , both with english and indians , which was very neer joyning in battel . not many years after , the indian sachim upon this advise , caused miantonemo to be led forth , as if he would remove him to a more safer place of custody , and by the way caused him to be executed ; the indians , his kindred and subjects , were much grieved at his death , yet took it quietly at present , but the lesser princes , his neighbours , rather rejoyced , he having tyrannized over them , and enforced them to subject to his will , right or wrong . chap. xxiv . of the proceeding of certain persons called gortonists , against the united colonies , and more especially against the matrachusets , and of the hlasphemous doctrines broached by gorton , deluding a company of poor ignor an t people therewith . for not long before , those persons that we spake of , who incouraged miantonemo to this war , and with the help of him enforced pomham and socananocho to set their hands to a writing which these gortonists had framad , to take their land from them ; but the poor sachems , when they saw they were thus gull'd of their land , would take no pay for it , but complained to the mattachusets government , to whom they had subjected themselves and their lands : as also at this time certain english inhabiting those parts , with the indians good leave and liking , desired to have the benefit of the mattachusets government , as dover formerly had done , to whom this government con●escended , in hope they might encrease to such a competent number of godly christians , as that there might be a church of christ planted , the place being capable to entertain them in a comfortable measure for outward accommodation , but hitherto it hath been hindred by these gortonists , and one of plimoth , who forbad our people to plant there : these person thus submitting , came at this time also to complain of certain wrongs done them by these gortoxists , who had thus in croached , and began to build on the indians land ; upon these complaints , the governor and the honored mr. dudly issue forth their warrant , to summon them to appear , they being then about five or six persons , without any means for instructing them in the wayes of god , and without any civil government to keep them in civility or humanity , which made them to cast off most proudly and disdainfully any giving accompt to man of their actions , no not to the chiefest in authority , but returned back most insolent , scornful , scurrilous speeches . after this , the government of the mattachusets sent two messengers on purpose to perswade them to come and have their cause heard , assuring them like justice in their cause with any other ; but samuel gorton being the ring-leader of the rout , was so full gorged with dreadful and damnable errors , ( the which he had newly insnared these poor souls with ) that soon after the departure of the messenger , he layes aside all civil justice , and instead of returning answer to the matter in hand , he vomits up a whole paper full of beastly stuff , one while scoffing and deriding the ignorance of all beside himself , that think abraham , jsaac , &c. could be saved by christ jesus , who was after born of the virgin mary , another while mocking at the sacraments of baptism and the lords supper , in an opprobrious manner , deriding at the elements christ was pleased to institute them in , and calling them negromancers that administer them at all ; and in a word , all the ordinances of the gospel abominable idolatry he called , and likened them to molock , and the star of the idol rempham ; his paper was thrust full of such filthiness , that no christian ear could hear them without indignation against them , and all was done by him in a very scornful and deriding manner , upbraiding all that use them ; in the mean time magnifying his own glorious light , that could see himself to be personally christ , god-man , and so all others that would believe as he did : this paper he got to be subscribed , with about twelve or thirteen hands , his number of disciples being encreased , for assuredly the man had a very glosing tongue , but yet very deceitful , for when he had but a few with him , then he cried out against all such as would rule over their own species , affirming , that the scripture termeth such to be gods of the world , or divels ; but after his return from england , having received some incouragement from such as could not look into the depth of his deceits , being done at so large a distance , he getting into favour again with those , who had formerly whipt him out of their company , turns divel himself ; the godly governors of the mattachusets seeing this blasphemous bull of his , resolved to send forty persons well-appointed with weapons of war for apprehending of him , who accordingly , with some waiting , did apprehend him and the rest of his company , except two or three which ran away without any hurt to any person , although he gave out very big words , threatning them with bloud and death so soon as they set foot on the ground , and yet this brazenface'd deceiver published in print the great fear their women were put unto by the souldiers , whereas they came among them day by day , and had it not been that they intended peaceably to take them , they would never have waited so long upon their worships as they did , but being apprehended , and standing to that they had written ( yet would they willingly have covered it with some shifts if they could ) the greatest punishment they had , was to be confin'd to certain towns for a few moneths , and afterward banished ; but to be sure there be them in n. e. that have christ jesus and his blessed ordinances in such esteem , that the lord assisting , they had rather lose their lives , then suffer them to be thus blasphemed if they can help it ; and whereas some have favoured them , and endeavoured to bring under blame such as have been zealous against their abominable doctrines , the good god be favourable unto them , and prevent them from coming under the like blame with ahab , yet they remain in their old way , and there 's somewhat to be considered in it to be sure , that in these daies , when all look for the fall of antichrist , such detestable doctrines should be upheld , and persons suffered , that exceed the beast himself for blasphemy , and this to be done by those that would be counted reformers , and such as seek the utter subversion of antichrist . to end this year , or rather at the beginning of it , the lord caused another earthquake , much less then the former , it was on the fifth of the first moneth called march in the morning . chap. xxv . of the planting the twenty fourth church of christ at the town of readding , and the twenty fifth church of christ in the mattachusets government , called wenham . this year was chosen to the place of governor john endicut esquire , and iohn winthrope esquire deputy governor ; the number of freemen added about . this year . the town of readding had her foundation stone laid about this time , this and the town of wooburn were like the twins in the womb of tamar , readding thrusting forth the hand first , but wooburn came first to the birth , this town is well watered , and scituate about a great pond , besides it hath two mills , the one a saw-mill , the other a 〈◊〉 - mill , which stand on two several streams ; it hath not been ●o fruitful for children as her sister hath , her habitation is fallen in the very center of the country , they are well stocked with cattel , for the number of people they have they gathered into a church , and ordained a pastor from among themselves at the same time , a young man of good abilities to preach the word , and of a very humble behaviour , named mr. green , he having finished his course , departed this life not long after , whose labours are with the lord ; after him succeeded in the place one mr. hoph , a young man , one of the first fruits of n. e. a man studious to promote the truths of christ , they are both remembred in this following verse . on earths bed thou at noon hast laid thy head , you that for christ ( as green ) here toy i have taken , when nature fails , then rest it in earths dead , till christ by 's word with glory thee awaken . young hoph thou must be second to this man , in field incounter , with christ's foes shalt thou stand up , and take his bright sword in thy hand , error cut down , and make stout stomacks bow ; green 's gone before , thy warfare's now begun , and last it may to see romes babel fall ; byweakest means christ mighty works hath done , keep footing fast , till christ thee hence do call . the next town and church of christ planted in this colony , was between salem and ipswitch , salem the eldest of all the sisters was very helpful to this her little sister , nourishing her up in her own bosom , till she came of age , being beneficial to her besides , in giving her a good portion of land ; this town is called wenham , and is very well watered , as most in land towns are , the people live altogether upon husbandry , new england having train'd up great store to this occupation , they are encreased in cattel , and most of them live very well , yet are they no great company ; they were some good space of time there before they gathered into a church-body , the godly and reverend mr. john fisk went thither with them , at first setting down as a planter among them , yet withal he became helpful in preaching the word unto them , when they were but a few in number , they afterward call'd him to the office of a pastor , with whom he now remains , labouring in the word and doctrine , with great industry of whom , it may be thus said : to wade through toyl of wilderness , thou hast d●ubled thy work , thy wages troble are , christ hath thee call'd , and in his vineyard plac't , he 'l bear thee up above all sai●ting far . sions strong mount must now again be built , thy faith , oh fisk , the lord hath holpen much ; with dreadful sigh● the p●●lars power hath spilt , all pride he 'l stain by his almighty touch . his truths unstain'd by liberty keep thou , to please the most , authority must fall , what christ hath given , if safely keep with you , till he to thee for thine accompt do call . chap. xxvi . of the military affairs , the forts of bostoa , and charles , the castle erected anew by the six neerest towns , with the manner of putting the country in a posture of war , to be ready upon all occasions . these souldiers of christ jesus , having made a fair retreat from their native country hither , and now being come to a convenient station , resolved to stand it out ( the lord assisting ) against all such as should come to rob them of their priviledges , which the lord christ had purchased for them at a very high rate , and now out of the riches of his grace was minded to give them , yet would he have them follow him into this wilderness for it : although the chiefest work of these select bands of christ , was to mind their spiritual warfare , yet they knew right well the temple was surrounded with walls and bulworks , and the people of god in re-edifying the same , did prepare to resist their enemies with weapons of war , even while they continued building : this people no less diligent to make use of such means as the lord afforded them , ordered and decreed , that all the souldiers belonging to the . bands in the mattachusets government , should be exercised and drill'd eight daies in a yeare , and whosoever should absent himself , except it were upon unavoidable occasion , should pay . s. for every daies neglect , there are none exempt , unless it be a few timerous persons that are apt to plead infirmity , if the church chuse them not for deacous , or they cannot get to serve some magistrate or minister ; but assuredly the generalicy of this people are very forward for feats of war , and many have spent their time and estates to further this work ; the town of boston hath afforded many active , charles town hath not been inferiour , unless it be in number : this year the court appointed certain persons to spend their skill in putting the people possessing this desolate desart in a ready posture of drawing their forces together , upon any suddain accident that might befall them , to mannage , guide , order , and direct all things , as may be best for the good of the whole , they being a poor and mean people , laboured to avoid high titles , yet order they knew was necessary , therefore ordained they only one general officer in time of war , under the name of major general , the governor and magistrates for the time being are the standing councel for peace or war , and either they or the general court may appoint any to the office of a general ; the first major-general was the much honored tho. dudly esquire , whose faithfulness and great zeal and love to the truths of christ , caused the people to chuse him to this office , although he were far stricken in years ; the government is divided into four counties , which to shew , they would their posterity should mind whence they came , they have named , suffolk , middlesex , essex , and northfolk , each containing a regiment , over whom , the chief commander is only a serjeant-major ; the first chosen to this office over the regiment of suffolk , was major edw. gibbons , who hath now the office of major-general also , he is a man of a resolute spirit , bord as a lion , being wholly tutor'd up in n.e. discipline , very generous , and forward to promote all military matters ; his forts are well contrived , and batteries strong , and in good repair , his great artillery well mounted , and cleanly kept , half canon , culverins and sakers , as also field-pieces of brass very ready for service , his own company led by capt. lievtenant sarag , are very compleat in their arms , and many of them disciplin'd in the military garden , beside their ordinary trainings ; the captains under him , are caps . humphry atherton , of the band of dochester ; a very lively couragious man , with his stout and valiant lievtenant clapes , strong for the truth ; of the band of roxbury , capt. prichard , and ensign iohnson ; of the band of waymoth , capt. perkins , and his proper and active lievtenant torry ; of the band of hingham , capt. be●an allen ; of the band of deadbam , capt. eliazer , lusher , one of a nimble and active spirit , strongly affected to the ways of truth ; of the band of braintree , capt. william tinge , these belong to the regiment of suffolk ; the first serjeant-major chosen to order the regiment of essex , was major rebert sedgwick , stout and active in all feats of war , nurst up in londons artillery garden , and furthered with fifteen years experience in n. e. exact theory , besides the help o● a very good head-piece , being a frequent instructer of the most martial troops of our artillery men ; and although charles town , ( which is the place of his own companies residence ) do not advantage such o're-topping batteries as boston doth , yet hath he erected his to very good purpose , insomuch that all shipping that comes in , either to boston or charles-town , must needs face it all the time of their coming in ; the cost he hath been at , in helping on the discipline of his regiment hath profited much ; his own company are led by the faithful capt. lievtenant francis norton , ( a man of a bold and cheerful spirit ) being well disciplin'd , and an able man ; the companies under his service have not all captains at present , vvater-town band was led by capt. ienings , who is supposed to be now in england , his lievtenant remains hugh mason ; the band of cambridg led by capt. george cook , now colonel cook in the wars of ireland , but now led by capt. daniel gookin , a very forward man to advance marshal discipline , and withal the truths of christ ; the band of concord led by capt. simon willard , being a kentish souldier , as is capt. goggin ; the band of sudbury lately led by capt. pelham , who is in england at present , his lievtenant remains , edw. goodinow ; the band of wooburn led by another kentish captain ; the band of reading led by lievtenant vvalker ; the band of malden , being as yet a young town , who have not chosen their officers , are led by mr. joseph hill : these belong to the regiment of middlesex , the two counties of essex and northfolk are for present joyned in one regiment , their first major , who now commandeth this regiment , is the proper and valiant major daniel denison , a good souldier , and of a quick capacity , not inferiour to any other of these chief officers , his own company are well instructed in feats of warlike activity , his capt. lievtenane departed this life some few years since , a godly and faithful man , which is indeed the fountain of true validity ; named mr. vvhitingam ; the band of salem led by the bold and worthy capt. vvilliam hautborn , a man of an undaunted courage , with his lievtenant lothrope ; the band of lyn led by the honored and much respected capt. robert bridges , who is also a magistrate , being endued with able parts , and forward to improve them for the glory of god and his peoples good ; the band of nuberry led by capt. gerish , with his antient and experienced lievtenant greendife ; the band of rowly led by capt. brigham ; the bands of glocester , vvenham and andover , have not yet made choice of superiour officers , being in their minority ; these are the bands of the regiment of essex , to the which are joyned the three bands of the county of northfolk , salsbury , hampton , and havorhil : there are none chosen to office in any of these bands , but such as are freemen , supposed to be men indued with faith in christ jesus , wherefore let all that truly love the lord christ say with deborah , my heart is toward the governors of israel , that offered themselves willingly among the people , their officers are chosen by the major vote of the souldiers , being installed into their place by the major of their regiment : there are of late a very gallant horse-troop listed , it being a frequent thing with the officers of the foot companies , to turn troopers , ( when their own regiment is not in exercise ) for incouragement of others , the regiments are exercised once a year by turnes ; they are also very observant to keep their armes in good order ; each souldier is to keep constantly by him powder , bullet , and match , besides every town is injoyned to have a common stock in like manner , as also the country have their ammunition exactly looked unto , by surveyor general johnson , one very well qualified for the work , ready at all times to put the general court in mind of keeping their store renued by fresh supply , and to say right , some particular persons may be penurious in laying out their estates upon ammunition , but the general of officers and souldiers are very generous that way ; the reverend doctor vvilson gave bountifully for the furthering this wilderness-work , the which was expended upon great artillery , his gift being a thousand pound , beside many persons that came over , the lord was pleased to indow with a large portion of the things of this life , who were not backward liberally to dispose of it , to procure means of defence , ann to that end there was a castle built on an island , upon the passage into the mattachu-bay , wholly built at first by the country in general , but by reason the country affords no lime , but what is burnt of oyster-she is , it fell to decay in a few years after , which made many of the towns that lay out of the defence thereof to desert it , although their safety ( under god ) was much involved in the constant repair and well-mannaging thereof ; hereupon the next six towns take upon them to rebuild it at their proper cost and charges , the rest of the country upon the finishing thereof gave them a small matter toward it ; upon this there was a captain ordained , and put in possession thereof by the country , having a yearly stipend allowed him for himself and his souldiers , which he is to keep in a constant readiness upon the island , being about eight acres of ground ; the castle is built on the north-east of the island , upon a rising hill , very advantageous to make many shot at such ships as shall offer to enter the harbor without their good leave and liking , the commander of it is one captain davenport , a man approved for his faithfulness , courage and skill , the master canoneer is an active ingineer ; also this castle hath cost about four thousand pounds , yet are not this poor pilgrim people weary of maintaining it in good repair , it is of very good use to awe any insolent persons , that putting confidence in their ship and sails , shall offer any injury to the people , or contemn the government , they have certain signals of alarums , which suddainly spread through the whole country ; were there but one town more erected in this government , which were one and thirty , it would joyn all the towns in the same neighbourly together , excepting spring-field . thus are these people with great diligence provided for these daies of war , hoping the day is at hand wherein the lord will give antichrist the don-christ the double of all her doings , and therefore they have nursed up in their artillery garden some who have since been used , as instruments to begin the work ; but that which gives the greatest hope concerning this particular , is this , that these times afford more souldiers depending on the lord christ through faith for deliverance and true valour , then any age since antichrist began to fall , without which , all these preparations were but as so many traps and snares to catch a people in , and to the which these commanders and souldiers are daily exhorted , and therefore let all people know that desire the downfal of new-england , they are not to war against a people only exercised in feats of war , but men who are experienced in the deliverances of the lord from the mouth of the lion , and the paw of the bear ; and now woe be to you , when the same god that directed the stone to the forehead of the philistine , guides every bullet that is shot at you , it matters not for the whole rabble of antichrist on your side , the god of armies is for us a refuge high . shela . vvonder working providence of sions saviour in new-england . book iii. containing the passages of gods providence toward this wandering race of jaacobites in these latter seven years , from the year . till toward the latter end of . chap. i. of planting the twenty sixth church of christ at the town of haverhil , and of preparation for a second war with the indians . this year that antient , honored and trusty souldier of the truth , thom. dudly esquire was chosen governor , and the honored john winthrop esquire was chosen deputy governor , john endicut esquire to the office of major-general . you have heard in the former book of the fortifying of the castle , and placing a captain therein , which was not finished till this year ; the number of freemen added was . the town of haverhil was built much about this time , lying higher up then salisbury , upon the fair and large river of merrimeck : the people are wholly bent to improve their labour in tilling the earth , and keeping of cattel , whose yearly encrease incourages them to spend their days in those remote parts , the constant penetrating farther into this wilderness , hath caused the wild and uncouth woods to be fil'd with frequented wayes , and the large rivers to be over-laid with bridges passeable , both for horse and foot ; this town is of a large extent , supposed to be ten miles in length , there being an over-weaning desire in most men after medow land , which hath caused many towns to grasp more into their ●ands then they could afterward possibly hold ; the people are laborious in the gaining the goods of this life , yet are they not unmindful also of the chief end of their coming hither , namely , to be made partakers of the blessed ordinances of christ , that their souls might be refreshed with the continual income of his rich grace , to which end they gathered into a church-body , and called to office the reverend m. vvard , son to the former named m. vvard of ipswitch , with mind resolv'd run out thy race at length , yound ward begin whereas thy father left , left hath he not , but breaths for further strength , nor thou , nor he , are yet of hope bereft : fruit of thy labours thou shalt see so much , the righteous shall hear of it , and rejoyce when babel falls by christ's almighty touch , all'● folk shall praise him with a cheerful voice . they prosper shall that sions building mind , then ward cease not with toyl her stones to lay , for great is he thee to this work assign'd , whose pleasure is , heavens crown shall be thy pay . this year , although divers indian sachems not long before had desired to subject themselves and lands unto this government , yet the sons of old canonicus having not inherited their fathers prudence , with his subjects and land , fell to hot contention with their own neighbours and native inhabitants , although they were forbidden by the united colonies , and prosecuted so , that they would not stick to wage war with the english also , which the commissioners perceiving , they raised an army of horse and foot out of the colonies , and appointed as commander in chief over them major-general edward gibbons ; the reverend mr. tompso● , one of the elders of the church at braintree was to accompany them , and to preach the word of god unto them , during the time of the war ; but the indians hearing of this preparation against them , sent a certain number of their chief nobility to treat with the commissioners of the united colonies about a peace , who then sitting at boston gave them audience , the indians coming into their presence , could speak no more english , but peace , peace ; the english were very desirous of an opportunity to shew them mercy , and yet would they should not despise them , in gaining it upon such easie terms , as might cause them to move war again , and therefore allotted them to pay some part of the charge of the war intended , and therefore appointed them to give four of their sons for hostages till they had wholly paid it ; the indians gladly accepted of the terms , and accordingly brought their children . here the reader should be minded of the admirable acts of the lord christ in awing these multitudes of heathens , for they were the most populous of any that are in these parts ; but it is reserved for another place in this history , the indians being slow in their performance , had their hostages returned home before the wapom was paid , yet their two princes posicus and mexanimo , did upon the sending certain armed men to demand the remainder , send the sum demanded . chap. ii. of the planting of the twenty seventh church of christ at the town called springfield , and of the earnest seeking the the lord by all the churches of n. e. for his gracious assistance in the work of reformation . about this time one mr. pinchin , sometime a magistrate , having out of desire to better his estate , by trading with the indians , setled himself very remote ( from all the churches of christ in the mattachusets government ) upon the river of canectico , yet under their government , he having some godly persons resorting unto him , they there erected a town and church of christ , calling it springfield , it lying upon this large navigable river , hath the benefit of transporting their goods by water , and also fitly seated for a bever trade with the indians , till the merchants encreased so many , that it became little worth , by reason of their out-buying one another , which hath caused them to live upon husbandry ; this town is mostly built along the river side , and upon some little rivelets of the same : there hath of late been more then one or two in this town greatly suspected of witchcraft , yet have they used much diligence , both for the finding them out , and for the lords assisting them against their witchery , yet have they , as is supposed , bewitched not a few persons , among whom two of the reverend elders children : these people inhabiting this town , having gathered into a church-body , called to the office of a pastor the reverend m. moxon , who remaineth with them at this very day , of whom as followeth . as thou with strong and able parts art made , thy person stout with toyl and labour shall , with help of christ through difficulties wade , then spend for him , spare not thy self at all . when errors crowd close to thy self , and friends take up truths sword , trifle not time for why christ call'd his people hither , for these ends , to tell the world that babels fall is nigh ; and that his churches through the world shall spread , maugre the might of wicked men and devils , then moxon thou need'st not at all to dread , but be aveng'd on satan for his evils , thy lord christ will under thy feet him tread . this year the great troubles in our native country encreaseing , and that hearing prophane esau had mustered up all the bands he could make to come against his brother iacob , these wandering race of jacobites deemed it now high time to implore the lord for his especial aid in this time of their deepest distress , and the rather being incouraged hereunto from former deliverances and wonderful mercies received , the which they now presented before the lord with the several branches , and inlarged bounties thereof to refresh their frozen affections , and move a melting heart in their barren brests , that began to dry up with a lazy lethargy , and therefore thrusting themselves on to the work by the loving invitation of that godly government the lord in his mercy had peaceably placed among them , each church in their own proper place meeting together in daies of solemn seeking of the lords pleasing countenance in christ ( the lord in his mercy helping them ) after a serious acknowledgment of their own unworthiness , by reason of their sinful provocations of the lord to anger against them aggravated , in that they were committed immediately upon the receipt of a multitude of marvellous mercies , they acknowledg unto the lord in the audience of the great congregation the manner of his wonderful providence extended toward them , that as iacob professes , i came over this jordan with my staff , and now have i gotten two bands ; so they came over this boysterous billow-boyling ocean , a few poor scattered stones newly raked out of the heaps of rubbish , and thou lord christ hast now so far exalted them , as to lay them sure in thy sion , a building , to be the wonder of the world , orderly are they placed in five and forty several churches , and that in a wilderness , where civility scarce ever took place , much less any religion , and now to the lord earnestly they cry to be delivered from the cruel hands of those that would destroy both young and old , the bird and her young together , and as iacobs fear was , the seed of christs church in the posterity of israel should be cut off , and therefore pleaded the promise of the lord in the multiplying of his seed ; so these people at this very time , pleaded not only the lords promise to israel , but to his only son christ jesus ; lord , hast thou not said , ask of me , and i will give thee the heathen for thine inheritance , and the uttermost ends of the earth for thy possession ; and now lord , are not these the churches of christ which thou hast planced for his possession ; and that as rachel and leah built the house of israel , so now shall these and the like sister-churches spread the whole earth , the lord christ raigning as king and lord for ever over them ; then why do the heathen rage , and the people imagin a vain thing , seeing the rime of the lords arising to have mercy upon sion is come , ●ea his appointed time is at hand ; and he who walks in the midst of his golden candlesticks , whose eys are as a flaming fire , will not suffer his churches to be trodden under feet of that antichristian lordly prelacy any longer , nor yet defiled with any transformed saint-seeming angels of light with their painted doctrines . thus did this poor people plead with the lord , not only for themselves , but for their dearly beloved brethren in england , i and all that are christs chosen people the world throughout ; and although they were not unmindful from day to day of them , yet this year . the lord was pleased to stir up their affections in more then an ordinary manner , what success their prayers have had , let all ( that love and long to behold the beauty of christ shining on and in his beloved bride ) declare the loving kindness of the lord toward his churches , and let all the churches of christ , though never so ●● more the one from the other , yet joyned together in one ●hith and one christ , be frequent in prayer one for another , ●ongregate together at the throne of the lord , be present in ●pirit , though absent in body ; these mew-england churches ●●● neer one hundred miles distant one from another , and yet communicate , counsel , care , love , joy , grieve with , and for ●ne another , dismiss some , and commend others ( as occasi●n serves ) to the christian care and watchfulness , from one church to another , and why may not this be practised the world throughout , even from jerusalem , and round about to illyricum ? chap. iii. of the opposition the government of the mattachusets colony met withal , by certain persons , under the name of petitioners . in place of governor was chosen for this year iohn winthrop esquire , and for deputy governor thomas dudly esquire , the number of freemen were about . at the court of election there was a petition drawn , and presented to the court by a doctor of physick , with seven hands to it , the persons were of a linfiwolsie disposition , some for prefacy , some for presbytery , and some for pl●bsbytery , but all joyned together in the thing they would , which was to stir up the people to dislike of the present government , one while envving against the constitution of the government as not popular enough , another while against the laws or orders of this little common-wealth as two strict , and then to provoke , at least the p●●●●●ous , they tell them of great expence of the publike treasury , and intolerable taxations ; the matter they petitioned for , was a bottom to build their quarrel upon , under the name of a presbyterian government , and this they supposed would suit well with their bill of complaint , which they intended for england , not that they cared for a presbyterian church , for had they so done , they might have found out one in the country before they petitioned , but because they supposed that the parliament in england would establish that way only and therefore bore themselves bold upon it , that although their seditious and scandalous words and practises should incur a penalty ( as none could deem any other , unless it be such as are all for liberty , and nothing for government ) yet they might bear men in hand , it was for petitioning for a presbyterian church-government , according to this te●or ; th● court being some what flow in censuring them , they prepare● a plot , wrapping in some few persons more with them , lay ing very gross matters to the charge of this government in their bill of complaint , but being suspected by the honoured magistrates of this government , their plot was found out , and writing publikely read unto them , for all which they had a small penalty laid upon them , hardly countervail the charge they put the country unto ; but assuredly it was the lords gracious goodness to quell their malice against his people , and indeed the proud bishops sped no better , or not so well , especially some of them , nor have any other hitherto prospered , who have ma●igned these poor churches of christ , yet because the gortonist painted over a far worser cause , that those honorable personages in england , who had the hearing thereof could not discern the government , thought meet to send over this year the honored m. vvinslow to manifest and declare the naked truth of things , having full power and commission from this government to deal for them in all matters wherein they may be concerned ; and verily the chief gortonian might have returned from england hither , to have triumphed in his blasphemies over the churches of christ ; and all the united colonies , had not the divel shewed his horns in that book he printed , wherein he takes upon him a monstrous interpretation of the words of our lord christ in john , except ye eat my flesh , and drink my blond , &c. had the book been well perused before their coming over , surely they had never return'd with so large a commission as they boast of , for the parliament have punished divers persons for their blasphemies , and very like these should not have scaped scotfree . chap. iv. of the second synod holden at cambridg in n. e. and the images of the son that appeared . this year the general court of the mattachusets government taking into consideration the many 〈◊〉 in point of doctrine that were daily broached by some of our english nation , although the churches of christ , and the people under this government were free , at least in open profession ; yet to declare to all the world , and render an accompt of their faith and profession wherein they walk , it was thought meet , that the churches of christ should meet together in a synod , by their elders and messengers to hold forth the doctrine and discipline of jesus christ , according to the rule of the new testament , with the grounds of scriptur● from which they hold the same ; and further to make trial of them by the said rules and none other : accordingly at the time appointed they assembled together , their disputation was plain and easie to be understood of the meanest capacity , clearing up those points that were most dubious , they having agreed on all matters , with a full concurrence of the assembly , did appoint them to be put in print , that they might be the better scanned and tried of every particular person in the several congregations or churches , many churches approving thereof for the generality , others there be that have not yet fully viewed the same , the books are extant , and shew that the churches of christ in n. e. are not ashamed to make confession of their faith to all the world , and are yet ready to receive any further light shall be made known unto them from the word of god , and none other , nor do they receive this because a synod hath said it , but because the lord hath spoken it by his spirit , and witnessed by the same spirit to their souls that he hath so done ; some sorts of persons have been much opposite to this synod , first those that are so inured with the broad beaten path of liberty , that they fear to be confined in the straight and narrow path of truth ; the second are such as have their wills wedded to some singular rare conceited opinion , for which they have been admired of many , and now they fear their gain will be gone , if this spirit be cast out ; the third and last sort are more honest then the two former , and only scared with their big words , who tell them of the popish and prelatical synods , what a deal of trash and cannon laws they have brought in , and that if they will full to receiving books once , they shall have more and more thrust upon them : as also if any shall say its only to declare the doctrine and discipline the churches of n. e. hold , it s enough , quoth they , that our faith concerning these things is contained in the bible , and this is all the accompt we need to give to any ; but for all these scare-crows , n.e. hath through the blessing of the lord received much peace and truth from the former synod , we wish our countrymen and our selves may receive the like , and much more from this , which ended not with this year . this year , about the later end thereof , appeared two parelii , or images of the sun , and some other strange apparitions of light about her , like a rainbow , with the heels upward , which unwonted sights have been interpreted by the provident passages since shewed , among those who have had an outside of profession and name , to be singular for understanding the mind of god , who would overthrow all the ordinances of christ , under the name of new-light , and that there can be no restoration of religion , till new apostles come : this desperate opinion doth so fitly resemble these wonderful apparitions , that seemed to be another sun , yet indeed had no light in them , but vanished away no man knew how ; so these opinionists would make men believe they had found out another sea from their phantastical revelations . chap. v. of the great pains and care taken by those in authority , for the compiling of lawes for this little commonwealth . this year the general court appointed a committee of divers persons to draw up a body of laws for the well-ordering of this little commonwealth ; and to the end that th●y might be most agreeable with the rule of scripture , in every county there was appointed two magistrates , two ministers , and two able persons from among the people , who having provided such a competent number as was meet , together with the former that were enacted newly amended , they presented them to the general court , where they were again perused and amended ; and then another committee chosen to bring them into form , and present them to the court again , who the year following passed an act of confirmation upon them , and so committed them to the press , and in the year . they were printed , and now are to be seen of all men , to the end that none may plead ignorance , and that all who intend to transport themselves hither , may know this is no place of licentious liberty , nor will this people suffer any to trample down this vineyard of the lord , but with diligent execution will cut off from the city of the lord the wicked doers , and if any man can shew wherein any of them derogate from the word of god , very willingly will they accept thereof , and amend their imperfections ( the lord assisting ) but let not any ill affected persons find fault with them , because they suit not with their own humour , or because they meddle with matters of religion , for it is no wrong to any man , that a people who have spent their estates , many of them , and ventured their lives for to keep faith and a pure conscience , to use all means that the word of god allows for maintenance and continuance of the same , especially they having taken up a desolate wilderness to be their habitation , and not deluded any by keeping their profession in huggermug , but print and proclaim to all the way and course they intend , god willing , to walk in , if any will yet notwithstanding seek to justle them out of their own right , let them not wonder if they meet with all the opposition a people put to their greatest straits can make ; as in all their undertaking , their chiefest aim hath been to promote the ordinances of christ , so also in contriving their laws , liberties , and priviledges , they have not been wanting , which hath caused many to maligne their civil government , and more especially for punishing any by a law , that walk conrrary to the rule of the gospel , which they profess , but to them it seems unreasonable , and savours too much of hypocrisie , that any people should pray unto the lord for the speedy accomplishment of his word in the overthrow of antichrist , and in the mean time become a patron to sinful opinions and damnable errors that oppose the truths of christ , admit it be but in the bare permission of them . chap. vi. of the lords wonder-working providence , in fitting this people with all kind of manufactures , and the bringing of them into the order of a commonwealth . on the day of election for governor and magistrates , ( which are new chosen every year ) the honored john winthrope esquire was chosen governor , and the like honored thomas dudly esquire deputy governor , john endicut esquire was chosen major-general , which is an officer the freemen make a yearly choice of , all other military officers stand for 〈◊〉 of life , unless any be put out for misdemeanour ; the member of freemen added this year were about . the land affording very good ●●on , stone , divers persons of good ●ack and quality in england , were stirred up by the provident hand of the lord to venture their estatee upon an hon work , which they began at braintree , and profited the owners little , but rather wasted their stock , which caused some of them to tell away the kmainder , the chief reason being the high price of labour , which ordinarily was as much more as in england , and in many things treble ; the way of going on with such a work here , was not sudd●inly to be disterned , although the steward had a very able eye , yet experience nath out-stript learning here , and the most quick-sighted in the theory of things , have been forced to pay prety mundly to lady experience for filling their heads with a sittle of her active after-wit ; much hope there is now , that the owners may pick up their crums again , if they be but made partakers of the gain , in putting off england commodities at n. e. price , it will take off one third of the great price they gave for labour , and the price of their iron ; it is supposed another third is taken of the abundance of wood had for little , will surely take off the residue , besides land at easie rates , and common land free for their use ; it were to be desired that those gentlemen who have undertaken the work , would consider the place where their works are , namely in n. e. where the lord christ hath chosen to plant his churches in , to hide his people under the covert of his wings , till the tyranny of antichrist be over-passed , and any that have disbursed pence for the furthering of his work , shall be repayed with thousands : besides , the gentlemen that govern this colony are very desirous to be helpful in what they may , and had rather take any burthens upon themselves and the inhabitants , that in justice they ought , then that those gentlemen should be any wayes damnified : the lord is pleased also to compleat this commonwealth abundantly beyond all expectation in all sorts of needful occupations , it being for a lo●g time the great fear of many , and those that were endued with grace from above also , that this would be no place of continued habitation , for want of a staple-commodity , but the lord , whose promises are large to his sion , hath blest his peoples provision , and satisfied her poor with bread , in a very little space , every thing in the country proved a staple-commodity , wheat , rye , oats , peas , barley , beef , pork , fish , butter , cheese , timber , mast , tar , sope , plank-board frames of hous●s , clabboard , and pipestaves , iron and lead is like to be also ; and those who were formerly forced to fetch most of the bread they eat , and beer they drink a hundred leagues by sea , are through the blessing of the lord so encreased , that they have not only fed their elder sisters , virginia , barbados , and many of the summer islands that were prefer'd before her for fruitfulness , but also the grandmother of us all , even the firtil isle of great britain , beside portugal hath had many a mouthful of bread and fish from us , in exchange of their madeara liquor , and also spain ; nor could it be imagined , that this wilderness should turn a mart for merchants in so short a space , holland , france , spain , and portugal coming hither for trade , shipping , going on gallantly , till the seas became so troublesome , and england restrain'd our trade , forbidding it with barbados , &c. and portugal stopt and took our ships ; many a fair ship had her framing and finishing here , besides lesser vessels , barques , and ketches , many a master , beside commoa seamen , had their first learning in this colony , boston , charles-town , salem , and ipswitch ; our maritan towns began to encrease roundly , especially boston , the which of a poor country village , in twice seven years is become like unto a small city , and is in election to be mayor town suddainly , chiefly increased by trade by sea , yet of late the lord hath given a check to our traffique , but the reason may be rendred hereafter ; nor hath this colony alone been actors in this trade of venturing by sea , but new-haven also , who were many of them well experienced in traffique , and had good estates to mannage it , canectiso did not linger behind , but put forth to sea with the other ; all other trades have here fallen into their ranks and places , to their great advantage ; especially coopers and shomakers , who had either of them a corporation granted , inriching themselves by their trades very much , coopers having their plenty of stuff at a cheap rate , and by reason of trade , with forraign parts abandance of work , as for tanners and shomakers , it being naturalized into these occupations , to have a higher reach in mannaging their manifactures , then other men in n. e. are , having not chang'd their nature in this , between them both they have kept men to their stander hitherto , almost doubling the price of their commodities , according to the rate they were sold for in england , and yet the plenty of leather is beyond what they had , their counting the number of the people , but the transportation of boots and shoes into forraign parts hath vented all however : as for tailors , they vave not come behind the former , their advantage being in the nurture of new-fashions , all one with england ; carpenters , joyners , glaziers , painters , follow their trades only ; gun-smiths , lock-smiths , black-smiths , naylers , cutlers , have left the husbandmen to follow the plow and cart , and they their trades , weavers , brewers , bakers , costermongers , feltmakers , braziers , pewterers , and finkers , ropemakers , masons , lime , brick , and tilemakers , cardmakers to work , and not to play , turners , pumpmakers , and wheelers , glovers , fellmungers , and furriers , are orderly turn'd to their trades , besides divers sorts of shopkeepers , and some who have a mystery beyond others , as have the vintners . thus hath the lord been pleased to turn one of the most hideous , boundless , and unknown wildernesses in the world in an instant , as 't were ( in comparison of other work ) to a well-ordered commonwealth , and all to serve his churches , of which the author intends to speak of three more , which came to be gathered in the compass of these years . chap. vii . of the three last churches that were gathered in the compass of these years , namely haverhil , mal●en , and another church gathered in the town of boston . this year . john winthrope esquire was chosen governor , and thomas dudly esquire deputy governor , and john endicut esquire major general , all three as they were the former year , the number of freemen added were about . about this time there was a town founded about one or two mile distant from the place where the goodly river of merrimeck receives her branches into her own body , hard upon the river of shawshin , which is one of her three chief heads ; the honored mr. simon broad street taking up his last setling there , hath been a grrat means to further the work , it being a place well fitted for the husbandmans hand , were it not that the remoteness of the place from towns of trade , bringeth some inconveniencies upon the planteas , who are inforced to carry their corn far to market ; this town is called andover , and hath good store of land improved for the bigness of it , they soon gathered into a church , having the reverend mr. whodbridg to instruct them in the wayes of christ , till he returned to england , and since have called to office the reverend mr. deynes , for whose further incouragement the promises of the lord for protecting , providing , increaseing , and continuing , even the very least of his churches going on , according to his precepts , are abundantly manifested in his word . thon sister young , christ is to thee a wall of flaming fire , to hurt thee none may come in stipp'ry paths , and dark wayes shall they fall , his angels might shall chase thei● countless sum . thy shepheard with full cups and table spread , before thy foes in wilderness thee feeds , increasing thy young lambs in bosom bred , of churches by his wonder-working deeds : to countless number must christ's churches reach , the day 's at hand , both jew and gentle shall come crowding in his churches , christ to preach , and last for aye , none can cause them to fall . about this time the town of malden had his first foundation stones laid by certain persons , who issued out of charles-town , and indeed had her whole structure within the bounds of this more elder town , being severed by the broad ipreading river of mistick the one from the other , whose troublesome passage caused the people on the north side of the river to plead for town-priviledges within themselves , which accordingly was granted them ; the soyl is very firtile , but they are much straitned in their bounds , yet their neerness to the ●hief market towns , makes it the more comfortable for habitation , the people gathered into a church some distance of ●ime before they could attain to any church-officer to admi●ister the seals unto them , yet in the mean time at their sab●th assemblies they had a godly christian named m. sarjant , who did preach the word unto them , and afterwards they ●ere supplied at times with some young students from the ●olledg , till the year ● . one mr. marmaduke mathews , ●oming out of plimouth patten , was for some space of time ●ith a people at the town of hull , which is a small port●own peopled by fishermen , and lies at the entrance of the ●ays mouth , where this mr. mathews continued preaching , ●he lost the approbation of some able understanding men , ●ong both magistrates and ministers , by weak and unsafe ●pressions in his teaching , yet notwithstanding he was cal● to the office of a pastor by the brethren of this church of ●rist at maldon , although some neighbour-churches were satisfied therewith , for it is the manner of all the churches christ here hitherto , to have the approbation of their si●-churches , and the civil government also in the proceedings of this nature , by the which means communion of churches is continued , peace preserved ; and the truths of christ sincerely acknowledged , yet the author will not miss to mind him in the following meeter . mathews ! thou must build gold and silver on that precious stone , christ cannot trash indure , unstable straw and stubble must be gone , when christ by fire doth purge his building pure . in seemly and in modest terms do thou christs precious truths unto thy folk unfold , and mix not error with the truth , lest thou soon leave out sense to make the truth to hold : compleating of christs churches is at hand , mathews stand up , and blow a crrtain sound , warriours are wanting babel to withstand , christs truths maintain , 't will bring thee honors crown'd the last church that compleated the number of . was gathered at boston , by reason of the popularity thereof , bein● too many to meet in one assembly ; the north-east part of th● town being separated from the other with a narrow strea● cut through a neck of land by industry , whereby that part i● become an island , it was thought meet , that the people in habiting the same should gather into a church-body , an● build a meeting-house for their assembly , the which they hav● already done , but not as yet called any one to office ; for sin●● the people of christ in some other places , both in englan● and elswhere , have through the goodness of god obtaine like liberty with our selves , the ministers of christ have ha● their labours taken up in other places as well as her● which hath caused this church as yet to be destitu● the beginning of this year was sad to the people of n. ●● by reason of the death of their honoured governo●● john winthrope esquire , whose indefatigable paines in th● wilderness-work is not to be forgotten , nor indeed ●● it be , his funeral was very sadly and solemnly performe● by a very great concourse of the greater part of this colo● whose mournful looks and watry eyes did plainly demonstrate the tender affection and great esteem he was in with the people . chap. viii . of the death of divers personages , who were in great este em with the people of new-england , famous for their godliness , and ominent parts , both for magistracy and ministery , and of the correcting hand of the lord upon his n. e. people . a his year , after the death of this godly governour , was chosen to succeed in the place . endicut esq . and tho. dudly esq . to be deputy governor , to the place of major-general edw. gibbons ; and seeing that the lord is pleased to call this people to mourning , the author will proceed to relate what further occasion this people have had to lament their miscarriages , that have caused the rod to be stretched out toward them , for of a truth they are no antinomians : the next loss was the death of that famous preacher of the lord m. hooker , pastor of the church of christ at hartford , and m. philips , pastor of the church of christ at watertown , and the holy heavenly , sweet-affecting and soul-ravishing minister m. tho. shepheard , pastor of the church of christ at cambridg , whose departure was very heavily taken by all the people of christ round about him , and now n.e. that had such heaps apon heaps of the riches of christs tender compassionate mercies , being turn'd off from his dandling knees , began to read their approaching rod in the bend of hi● brows & frowns of his former favourable countenance toward them ; their plenty of all things , which shold have cheared their hearts & quickned their spirits in elevating both soul and body to a thankful frame , through the work of his blessed spirit ; on the contrary , it brought a fulness on many , even to loath the very honey-comb , insomuch that good wholesome truths would not down , yet had the lord those that were precious unto him , who were not wanting to help one another out of this distemper , and with more warmer affections exhort one another , come let us go up unto the house of the lord , and he will teach us his wayes : also the lord was pleased to awaken us with an army of caterpillers , that had he not suddainly rebuked them , they had surely destroyed the husband mans hope , where they fell upon trees , they left them like winter-wasting cold , bare and naked ; and although they fell on fields very rarely , yet in some places they made as clear a riddance , as the harvest mans hand , and uncovered the gay green medow ground , but indeed the lord did by some plats shew us what he could have done with the whole , and in many places cast them into the high wayes , that the cart-wheels in their passage were painted green with running over the great swarms of them ; in some fields they devoured the leaves of their pease , and left the straw with the full crop , so tender was the lord in his correction ; this minded all these jacobites of the end of their coming over , but chiefly the husbandman , whose over eager pursuit of the fruits of the earth , made some of them many times run out so far in this wilderness , even out of the sweet sound of the silver trumpets blown by the laborious ministers of christ , forsaking the assembly of the lords people , to celebrate their sabbaths in the chimney-corner , horse , kine , sheep , goats , and swine , being their most indeared companions to travel with them to the end of their pilgrimage , or otherwise to gather together some of their neerest neighbours , and make a preachment one unto another , till they had learn'd so much , that they could away with none other teaching : as also the lord was pleased to command the wind and seas to give us a jog on the elbow , by sinking the very chief of our shipping in the deep , and splitting them in shivers against the shores ; a very goodly ship called the seaforce was east away , and many n. e. people put to hard shifts for their lives , and some drowned , as the godly and dearly beloved servant of christ , mr. tho , coitmire , a very able seaman , and also a good scholar , one who had spent both his labour and estate for the helping on of this wilderness-work : as also another ship set forth by the merchants of new-haven , of which the godly mr , lamberton went master , neither ship , persons , nor goods ever heard of ; another ship also built and set forth by the inhabitants of cambridg , split and cast away neer the same place where the seaforce was loft ; as also another barque mostly set forth by dorchester men , sank in the sea , and never heard of the manner how ; with divers others which might be here inserted ; this seemed the sorer affliction to these n. e people , because many godly men lost their lives , and abundantly the more remarkable , because the lord was pleased to forbid any such things to befal his people in their passage hither ; herein these people read , as in great capital letters , their suddain forgetfulness of the lords former received mercy in his wonderful preservation , bringing over so many scores of ships , and thousands of persons , without miscarriage of any , to the wonderment of the whole world that shall hear of it , ●ut more especially were the merchants and traders themselves sensible of the hand of the lord out against them , who were in some of the ships , and had their lixes given them for a prey ; as also vintners , and other men of trade , whose gain is increased by merchants men , being so taken up with the income of a large profit , that they would willingly have had the common wealth tolerate divers kinds of sinful opinions to intice men to come and sit down with us , that their purses might be filled with coyn , the civil government with contention , and the churches of our lord christ with errors , the lord was pleased after all this , to let in the king of terror among his new-planted churches . for this year . tho. dudly esquire was chosen governor , and john eudicut esquire deputy governor , major-general edward gibbous continned in his office still ; the number of freemen added were about . thir year was the first noted year wherein any store of people died , the ayt and place being very healthy naturally , made this correction of the lord seem the greater , for the most that died were children , and that of an unwonted disease here , though frequent in other places , the lord now smiting many families with death in them , although there were not any families wherein more then one died , or very rare if it were otherwise , yet were these pilgrim people minded of the suddain forgetfulness of those worthies that died not long before , but more especially the little regard had to provide means to train their children up in the knowledg of learning , and improve such means as the lord hath appointed to leave their posterity an able minister ; as also to stir them up to prepare for the great work of the lord jesus in the overthrow of antichrist , and calling of the jews , which in all likelyhood is very suddainly to be performed ; as also in stirring up all the young ones that remain , to consider for what ●nd the lord hath spared their lives , when he cut off others by death , namely , to prosecute the work that he hath given them to do in the power of his might , with the greater zeal and courage . this year the honored and much desired servant of christ , john endicut esquire was chosen to be governour of the english , inhabiting the colony of the mattachusets , and the antient honored and long continued champion for the truth , as it is in jesus , tho. dudly esquire was chosen deputy governour , by the major vote of these wandering jacobites , with heart and good will the honored major-general edward gibbous continued in place this year , the government shewed their desire to be assisting to the state of england , in making orders for establishing their edict for these western parts of the world among out n. e. people ; the lord in his infinite wisdom saw meet to continue his correcting hand among his n. e. churches , somewhat more then ordinary in a sore disease , of which many ( in comparison of what used to do ) and yet not so many as ordinarily use to do in other plantations of this western world ; and whereas the former year young children died most , this year those of grown years died also , and although so small a sickness might not be taken notice of in other places , yet the rareness of it in so healthy a country as is this , cannot but speak loud in the ears of gods people , who desire to hear the rod , and who hath appointed it , and perceive plainly many of them , that the lord will have us to know , that if his own people tread in the same steps of riot and excess in the plenty he hath given them , with the men of this world , he will lay the same sicknesses and diseases upon them ; and further they perceive , according to the ordinary dispensation of his providences toward them , he hath some further great work to do with his n. e. people , that he is beginning again to a waken , rouze up , and quicken them with the rod of his power : for thus they begin to reason with themselves , when the lord was pleased to expose them , their wifes , and little ones to the troubles of a tempestuous sea in so long a voyage , and the wants of a barren wilderness in great penury of food , he brought forth by his mighty power , and stretched-our arm , the glorious fabrick of his new-e . churches ; and therefore now again they look for some further extraordinary great work of his , if he shall once again be pleased to refine them in this furnace of his , and would the lord christ would confirm our brethren in england in like faith by our example , yea , and far beyond many degrees , as the wonder-working providence of sions saviour toward them hath more abundantly exceeded , and that as this in three seven years is comprised , though very weakly in this little book , there 's in one seven year would require volumes , and as this is wonderful , there is almost miraculous , and wonderful to the whole world , as if the lord christ did intend to make his power known more abundantly , then ever the sons of men saw kings and kingdoms strengthened , with affinity and consanguinity , the valiant of the world , men skil'd in feats of war , as goliah from a child , fierce and pampered horses , whose necks are covered with strong neighing , and cunning engeniers , men skilful to destroy with all the terrible engins of war , together with swarms of souldiers flocking together to swallow up the poor remnant of gods people , all these hath the lord caused to fall before your eyes , and our ears have heard the noyse of this great fall ; and beloved countrymen , and our dear brethren in christ , step into the closet of your own hearts with us , and see if there will not be some things in this following verse that may suit your condition as well as ours , that having sown in tears , we may reap with joy the glorious harvest of our lord christ , which is hard at hand , for assuredly the lord is tyed neither to us , nor you , but may , if it please him , cast off both , and raise up new instruments for his following work , but if he be pleased to give us melting hearts for our former miscarriages , and renew us with a more zealous courage and earnest contending for the faith , it is very like he hath more glorious works by far for us yet to do . chap. ix . of the wonder-working providences of christ , wrought for his people among our english nation , both in our native country , and also in n. e. which should stir us up to mourn for all our miscarriages much the more . from silent night true register of moans , from saddest soul consum'd in deepest sin , a from heart quite rent with sighs and heavy groans , my wailing muse her woful work begins , and to the world brings tunes of sad lament , sounding nought els but sorrows sad relent . sorry to see my sorrows cause augmented , and yet less sorrowful were my sorrows more , a grief that with grief , is nor with grief prevented , yet grief it is must ease my grieved sore ; so grief and sorrow , care but how to grieve , for grief and sorrow must my cares relieve . the wound fresh bleeding must be stauch'd with tears , tears cannot come unless some grief proceed , a grief comes but slack , which doth increase my fears , fear , left for want of help i still shall bleed ; do what i can to lengthen my lifes breath , if christ be wanting , i shall bleed to death . thou deepest searcher of each secret thought , infuse in me thy all-affecting grace , a so shall my work to good effect be brought , while i peruse my ugly sins a space , whose staining filth so spotted hath my soul , that nought can wash , but tears of inward dole . how soon my soul hast thou the lord forgot , b who thee and thine through troublous seas hath lead , on earth thy parts should praise him , suddain rot , why dost neglect his glorious kingdom spread . thy eyes have seen the mountains mov'd with 's hand , and sunk in seas to make his sion stand . no wonder then thy works with eastern wind b on seas are broke , and thy best seamen slain , sith , thou thy gain , and not christs work dost mind , lord stay thy hand , i see my works are vain . our ships they shall thy gospel forth convey , and not bring home strange errors here to stay . instead of home-oppression , they shall now thy saints abroad relieve , by sea them send ; no riot shall our merchantmen allow , time in exchange walks , not in taverns spend : godly grief and good purpose comes from thee , lord christ command , and then to work go we . oh thou my soul how weak's thy faith become , with scatter'd seed of man and beast , thou hast seen thy great god increase thy little sum , c towns close compact in desart land hath plac't : in wilderness thy table richly spread , thy poor therein hath satisfi'd with bread . while firtil lands with hunger have been pined , c thy harvest hath with heaps on heaps come in ; oh mourn , that thou no more thy god should'st mind , his gentle rod to teach thee doth begin ; then wonder not that swarms of locust fly , and that earths fruits for want of moysture die . a countless crew of caterpillers craul , to rob the earth of her green mantle quite ; wolves only wont on lesser beasts to fall , c on great ones prey by day , and eke by night : thy houses are consum'd with much good store , by fearful fires , which blustering winds blow o're . lord stay thy hand , and stop my earthly mind , thy word , not world , shall be our sole delight , c not medow ground , but christs rich pearl wee 'l find , thy saints imbrace , and not large lands down plight . murmure no more will we at yearly pay , to help uphold our government each way ; not strive who least , but who the most shall give , rejoyce will we , our hearts inlarged are , c those wait on th' altar , shall on altar live , nor shall our riches their good doctrine mar ; o●r pride of parts in thought of clear discerning , no longer shall disgrace their godly learning . our meaner sort that metamorphos'd are , with womens hair , in gold and garments gay , c whose wages large our commonwealths work mar , their pride they shall with moderation lay : cast off their cloaths , that men may know their rank , axd women that with outward deckings prank , the worlds imbrace our longing lust for gain , d no longer shall us into corners draw , nor our large herds us from gods house detain from fellowship of saints , who learn thy law : thy righteous judgments lord do make me tremble , nor word , nor rod , but deep in this dissemble . two masters , lord , we will professed serve ; how can we christ united be to thee , d when from thy law learn'd we so greatly swarve , with watry tears unclued we will be . from creature-comforts , christ thou art our stay , work will and deed in us we humbly pray . oh thou , my soul , and every part in me lament , the lord his worthies from the earth takes to himself , and makes our earth to be e a mourning place left destituke of mirth ; are these the daies wherein that beast shall fall , lord leave us means , though thou be all in all . what courage was in winthrope , it was thine ; shopheards sweet sermons from thy blessing came , e our heavenly hooker thy grace did refine , and godly burr receiv'd from thee his frame : philips didst thou indue with scripture light , and huet had his arguings strong and right . grave higginson his heavenly truths from thee , e maveruck was made an able help to thine ; what harver had thou gavest , for 's people free ; follow green full of grace , to work thou didst assign : godly glover his rich gifts thou gavest , thus thou by means thy flocks from spoiling savest . but lord , why dost by death withdraw thy hand from us , these men and means are sever'd quite ; stretch forth thy might , lord christ do thou command , their doubled spirit on those left to light : forth of their graves call ten times ten again , that thy dear flocks no damage may sustain . can i forget these means that thou hast used , to quicken up my drowsie drooping soul ; lord i forget , and have the same abused , which makes me now with grief their deaths condole , and kiss thy rod , laid on with bowels tender , by death of mine , makes me their death remember . lord , stay thy hand , thy jacobs number 's small , powre out thy wrath on antichrists proud thrones ; here thy poor flocks that on thee daily call , bottle their tears , and pity their sad groans . where shall we go lord christ ? we turn to thee , heal our back slidings , forward press shall we . not we , but all thy saints the world throughout shall on thee wait , thy wonders to behold ; thou king of saints , the lord in battel stont increase thy armies many thousand fold . oh nations all , his anger seek to stay , that doth create him armies every day . chap. x. of the endeavours of this people of christ , to inlarge his kingdom the world throughout , and first of their preaching christ to the indians , among whom they live . these brood of travellers having thus through the good hand of their god upon them , thus setled these churches , according to the institution of christ , and not by the will of man ; they now endeavour to be assisting to others : the reverend mr. hugh peters , and his fellow-helper in christ mr. wells steered their course for england , so soon as they heard of the chaining up of those biting beasts , who went under the name of spiritual lords ; what assistance the gospel of christ found there by their preaching , is since clearly manifested ; for the lord christ having removed that usurping power of lordly prelates , hath now inlarged his kingdom there , and that not onely by the means of these men , but by divers others , both godly and eminent servants of his , who never saw new-england ; and by divers other godly ministers of christ , who have since gone from hence , both young students and others , to the number of twenty , or thereabout , in the whole ; besides some who were eminent in the civil government here , both gracious and godly servants of christ , and some who have been magistrates here , to the number of five or six , the lord christ grant they may all endeavour the advancement of his truths , both in churches and civil government : but before the author cease to speak of england , he is bold to say , that the lord christ will overturn , overturn , overturn , till he hath caused such a government to be set up , as shall become nursing fathers to his new-planted churches . the indian people in these parts at the english first coming , were very barbarous and uncivilized , going for the most part naked , although the country be extreme cold cold in the winter-season : they are onely clothed with a deers skin , and a little bit of cloth to cover their privy part . the women for the most part are very modest , although they go as naked as the men : they are generally very laborious at their planting time , and the men extraordinary idle , making their squawes to carry their children and the luggage beside ; so that many times they travell eight or ten mile with a burden on their backs , more fitter for a horse to carry then a woman . the men follow no kind of labour but hunting , fishing and fowling , in all which they make use of their bowe and arrowes to shoot the wilde creatures of the trees , as squirrells , gray and black rockoones : as for deer , they ordinarily catch them in traps , with a pole bent down , and a cord at the end , which flyes up and stayes their hasty course . bever , otter , and moose they catch with traps also : they are very good marks-men , with their bowe and arrows . their boyes will ordinarily shoot fish with their arrowes as they swim in the shallow rivers , they draw the arrow halfe way putting the point of it into the water , they let flye and strike the fish through ; the like they do to birds lesser and great : onely the geese and turkies being strong of wing , somtimes flee away with their arrowes sticking in them ; this is all the trade they use , which makes them destitute of many recessaries , both in meat , drink , apparell and houses . as for any religious observation , they were the most destitute of any people yet heard of , the divel having them in very great subjection , not using craft to delude them , as he ordinarily doth in most parts of the world : but kept them in a continuall slavish fear of him : onely the powawes , who are more conversant with him , then any other , sometimes recover their sicke folk with charmes , which they use , by the help of the divell ; and this makes them to adore such ; one of them was seen as is reported to cure a squaw that was dangerously sick , by taking a snakes skin and winding it about her arm the which soon became a living snake crawling round about her armes and body ; another caused the sick patient for healing , to pass bare footed through many burning coals ; those that cannot cure them , they call squantams powwons : but if the patient live , he is had in great admiration , and then they cry , much winnit abbamocho , that is , very good divell : for squantam is a bad divel , and abbamocho is their good divell . it hath been a thing very frequent , before the english came , for the divell to appear unto them in a bodily shape , sometimes very ugly and terrible , and sometimes like a white boy , and chiefly in the most hideous woods and swamps : they report that sometimes he hath come into their wigwams , and carryed away divers of them alive : and since we came hither , they tell us of a very terrible beast for shape and bigness , that came into a wigwam toward the north-east parts , remote from any english plantations , and took away six men at a time , who were never seen afterward . the english at their first coming did assay and endeavour to bring them to the knowledge of god : and in particular the reverend , grave , and godly mr. john wilson , who visited their sick , and instructed others as they were capable to understand him . but yet very little was done that way , till in process of time they by continuall coming to the english , became better able to understand them ; and now of late yeers the reverend mr. eliot hath been more then ordinary laborious to study their language , instructing them in their own wigwams , and catechising their children . as also the reverend mr. mayhewe , one who was tutored up in n. eng. and called to office by the church of christ , gathered at a small island called martins vineyard : this man hath taken good pains with them : but the particulars of our godly ministers labours , together with the good hand of our god upon their indeavours , being already published , no further need be spoken . chap. xi . of the gratious goodness of the lord christ , in planting his gospel in the purety of it , in virginia : and of the first church gathered there according to the rule of the gospel . about the yeer the lord was pleased to put it into the heare of some godly people in virginia , to send to n. e. for some of the ministers of christ , to be helpfull unto them in instructing them in the truth , as it is in jesus . the godly mr. philip bennit coming hither , made our reverend elders acquainted with their desires , who were very studious to take all opportunities for inlarging the kingdome of christ : and upon serious consideration , the reverend mr. knowls of watertowne , and mr. tompson of braintree were sent unto them , who ariving there in safety , preached openly unto the people for some good space of time , and also from house to house exhorted the people dayly , that with full purpose of heart they would cleave unto the lord ; the harvest they had was plentifull for the little space of time they were there , till being opposed by the governour and some other malignant spirits , they were forced to returne to n. e. again . it were much to be desired , that all people would take notice of the hand of god against this people , after the rejection of these ministers of christ : and indeed it was none other but the thrusting christ from them ; and now attend to the following story , all you cavaliers and malignant party the world throughout , take notice of the wonderworking providence of christ toward his churches , and punishing hand of his toward the contemners of his gospel . behold ye● dispisers , and wonder . oh poor virginia ▪ dost thou send away the ministers of christ with threatning speeches ? no sooner is this done , but the barbarous , inhumane , insolent , and bloody indians are let loose upon them , who contrive the cutting them off by whole families , closely carying their wicked counsells till they had effected their desires , their bloody designe taking place for the space of miles up the river : the manner of the english plantations there being very scattering quite contrary to n. e. people , who for the most part desire society . the manner of the indians proceeding was thus , they divided themselves into severall companies , and beset the english houses a little before break of day , waiting for the first person that should open the doore and come forth , whom they cruelly murdered , beating out their brains , and then forthwith entred the house and slew all they found within , sometimes firing the houses , and leaving the living children miserably to be consumed with their dead parents in the fearfull flames ; some people fleeing from this barbarous massacre , as they passed by a fired house heard a pitifull out-cry of a poor child , crying , i burn , i burn : although they could willingly have made haste away , yet the miserable out-cry of this poor babe , caused them to haft to the house , and rescue it forth the flames , that was even almost ready to scorch it : this cruell and bloody work of theirs put period to the lives of five or six hundred of these people , who had not long before a plentifull proffer of the mercies of christ in the glad tidings of peace published by the mouth of his ministers , who came unto them for that end : but chusing rather the fellowship of their drunken companions , and a preist of their own profession , who could hardly continue so long sober as till he could read them the reliques of mans invention in a common prayer book ; but assuredly had not the lord pittied the little number of his people among this crooked generation , they had been consumed at once for this is further remarkable in this massacre , when it came toward the place where christ had placed his little flock , it was discovered & prevented from further proceeding , and the lord by this means did so allay their spirits of malignity toward his people , they gathered in a church in presence of the very governour himself , and called to office one mr. harrison , who could not long continue among them , by reason of their fresh renewed malignity , who had formerly an evill eye toward them , and could no better refraine from oppressing them , then pharoah after he had rest from the plagues under which he was . after the departure of mr. harrison , one mr. duren became an help unto them ; but he and his people also were forced to remove many hundred miles up into the country , where they now remain ; but assuredly the lord hath more scourges in store , for such as force the people to such sufferings : and therefore let this church of christ continue in the way of his truth according to the rules of his gospel , and without doubt the lord will preserve and continue them , let the adversaries of his truth be never so potent . as also about this time , the lord was pleased to gather a people together in the isle of bermoodas , whose hearts being guided by the rule of the word , they gathered into a church of christ according to the rules of the gospel , being provided with able persons , indued with gifts from the lord to administer unto them the holy things of god ; and after they began to be opposed , their reverend elder mr. goulding came into these parts , and from hence he went to england : but this little flock of christ not long after being banished from thence , went to one of the southern islands , where they endured much hardship ; and which the churches of christ in these parts understanding , about six or eight of them contributing toward their want , gathered about l. to supply their necessity : the which they shipped in a small vessell hired for that end and sent by the hands of two brethren both corne and other necessaries : they arriving in safety by the blessing of god upon their labours , were well welcomed by their brethren , who abundantly blessed the lord for them , and with godly and gratious expression returned a thankfull acknowledgement of the present good hand of the lord christ , in providing for them : so that as this book began with the wonderworking providence of sions saviour , in providing so wonderfull gratiously for his churches the world throughout ; so it here endeth with the same ; and it were to be desired , that the churches of christ in europe would gather up the wonderfull providences of the lord toward them also , and more especially those in our native country : for assuredly it would make much for the magnifying of his glorious works in this day of his power : and although the malignant and antichristian party may say , they can shew the like wonders ( as jannes and jambres that with-stood moses ) yet were the worke of christ for his poor churches , within these few yeers , gathered together by some able instrument whom the lord might be pleased to stir up for that end , and laid open the view of all , they would be forced to confess , this is the very finger of god , and no doubt but they would be a great strengthening to the faith of those , who are appointed of the lord for the overthrow of antichrist ( the lord helping ) for assuredly the time of his having mercy upon sion is come . chap. xii . of the time of the fall of antichrist , and the increase of the gentile churches , even to the prevoking of the twelve tribes to submit to the kingdom of christ . it hath been the longing expectation of many , to see that notable and wonderfull worke of the lord christ , in casting down that man of sin who hath held the whole world ( of those that profess any christ ) under his lordly power , while the true professors of christ have hardly had any appearance to the eye of the world ; first , take notice the lord hath an assured se● time for the accomplishment of this work , which is set down in his word , although more darkly to be under stood ; wherefore the reverend ministers of christ , for these many yeers have studied and laboured for the finding it out , and that holy man of god mr. john cotton , among many other , hath diligently searched for the lords mind herein , and hath declared some sudden blow to be given to this blood-thirsty monster : but the lord christ hath unseparably joyned the time , meanes , and manner of this work together , and therefore all men that expect the day , must attend the means : for such hath been and is the absurdity of many , that they make semblance of a very zealous affection to see the glorious work of our lord christ herein , and yet themselves uphold , or at least side with those that uphold some part of antichrists kingdome : and therefore the lordly prelacy may pray for his fall till their lungs are spent , and their throats grow dry . but while they have a seeming shew ( and hardly that ) to oppose his doctrines , they themselves in the mean time , make use of his power to advance themselves to honour : a● also in these dayes there are divers desperate , blasphemous , and erronious persons , whose consciences and their own self-will are unseparable companions ; these are very hot in their own apprehensions to prosecute the work ; but in the mean time , they not only batter down the truths of christ , and his own ordinances and institutions , but also set up that part of antichrists kingdom , which hath formerly had a great blow already , even his deceiveable and damnable doctrines : for as one badg of the beast is to be sull of blasphemies , so are they , and these take unto themselves seven spirits worse then the former , making the latter and worse then the beginning , as this story may testifie : and some stories in our native country much more . but to come to the time of antichrists fall , and all that expect it may depend upon the certainty of it : yea it may be boldly said that the time is come , and all may see the dawning of the day : you that long so much for it , come forth and fight : who can expect a victory without a battel ? the lordly prelates that boasted so much of these great atcheivements in this work , are fled into holes and corners : familists , seekers , antinomians and anabaptists , they are so ill armed , that they think it best sleeping in a whole skin , fearing that if the day of battell once go on , they shall fall among antichrists armies : and therefore cry out like cowards , if you will let me alone , and i will let you alone : but assuredly the lord christ hath said , he that is not with us , is against us : there is no room in his army for toleratorists . but some will say ▪ we will never believe the day i● come till our eyes behold babylon begirt with souldiers . i pray be not too hasty ; hath not the lord said , come out of her my people ? &c. surely there is a little space left for this , and now is the time , seeing the lord hath set up his standerd of resort : now , come forth of her , and he not partakers of her sins : now is the time , when the lord hath assembled his saints together ; now the lord will come and not tarry . as it was necessary that there should be a moses and aaron , before the lord would deliver his people and destroy pharaoh lest they should be wildred indeed in the wilderness ; so now it was needfull , that the churches of christ should first obtain their purity , and the civill government its power to defend them , before antichrist come to his finall ruine : and because you shall be sure the day is come indeed , behold the lord christ marshalling of his invincible army to the battell : some suppose this onely to be mysticall , and not literall at all : assuredly the spirituall fight is chiefly to be attended , and the other not neglected , having a neer dependancy one upon the other , especially at this time ; the ministers of christ who have cast off all lording power over one another , are created field-officers , whose office is * extravagant in this army , chiefly to encourage the fighting souldiers , and to lead them on upon the enemy in the most advantagious places , and bring on fresh supplies in all places of danger , to put the sword of the spirit in their souldiers hands : but christ ( who is their general ) must onely enable them to use it aright : to give every souldier in charge that they watch over one another , to see that none meddle with the execrable things of antichrist , and this to be performed in every regiment throughout the army : and not one to exercise dominion over the other by way of superiority : for christ hath appointed a parity in all his regiments , &c. let them beware that none go apart with rebellious korah . and further , behold , kings , rulers , or generals of earths armies , doth christ make use of in this day of battell , the which he hath brought into the field already also ; who are appointed to defend , uphold , and maintain the whole body of his armies against the insolent , beastly , and bloody cruelty of their insatiable enemies , and to keep order that none do his fellow-souldier any wrong , nor that any should raise a mutiny in the hosts . notwithstanding all this , if any shall say , they will not believe the day is come till they see them ingage battell with antichrist ; verily , if the lord be pleased to open your eyes , you may see the beginning of the fight , and what success the armies of our lord christ have hitherto had : the forlorne hopes of antichrists army , were the proud prelates of england : the forlorne of christs armies , were these n. e. people who are the subject of this history , which encountring each other for some space of time , ours being overpowered with multitude , were forced to retreat to a place of greater safety , where they waited for a fresh opportunity to ingage with the main battell of antichrist , so soon as the lord shall be pleased to give a word of command . immediately upon this success , the lord christ was pleased to command the right wing of his army , to advance against the left wing of antichrist : where in his former forlorn hopes of proud prelates lay : these by our right wing had their first pay ( for that they had done to our forlorne before ) being quite overthrown and cut in peices by the valiant of the lord in our right wing , who still remain fighting . thus far of the battell of antichrist , and the various success ; what the issue will be , is assuredly known in the generall already . babylon is fallen , the god of truth hath said it ; then who would not be a souldier on christs side , where is such a certainty of victory ? nay i can tell you a farther word of encouragement , every true-hearted souldier that falls by the sword in this fight , shall not lye dead long , but stand upon his feet again , and be made partaker of the triumph of this victory : and none can be overcome , but by turning his back in fight . and for a word of terrour to the enemy , let them know , christ will never give over the raising of fresh forces , till they are overthrown root and branch . and now you antient people of israel look out of your prison grates , let these armies of the lord christ jesus provoke you to acknowledge he is certainly come , i and speedily he doth come to put life into your dry bones : here is a people not onely praying but fighting for you , that the great block may be removed out of the way , ( which hath hindered hitherto ) that they with you may enjoy that glorious resurrection-day , the glorious nuptials of the lamb : when not only the bridegroom shall appear to his churches both of jews and gentiles , ( which are his spouse ) in a more brighter aray then ever heretofore , but also his bride shall be clothed by him in the richest garments that ever the sons of men put on , even the glorious graces of christ jesus , in such a glorious splendor to the eyes of man , that they shall see and glorifie the father of both bridegroom and bride . oh king of saints , how great 's thy work say we , done and to do , poor captives to redeem ! mountaines of mercy makes this work to be glorious , that grace by which thy works are seen . oh jesu , thou a saviour unto thine , not works but grace makes us this mercy find . of sinners cheife , no better men they be , thou by thy work hast made thy work to do : thy captaines strength weak dust appears in thee , while thou art brought such wondrous works unto . then christ doth all , i all is done for his redeemed ones his onely work it is . doth christ build churches ? who can them deface ? he purchast them none can his right deny : not all the world , ten thousand worlds , his grace caus'd him once them at greater price to buy . nor marvell then if kings and kingdomes he destroy'd , when they do cause his folke to flee . christ is come down possession for to take of his deer purchase ; who can hinder him ? not all the armies earthly men can make : millions of spirits , although divels grim : can pope or turke with all their mortall power , stay christ from his inheritance one hour ? all nations band your selves together now , you shall fall down as dust from bellows blown : how easie can our king your power bow ? though higher you in mens accompt were grown . as drop in bucket shall those waters be , whereon that whore doth sit in high degree . christs wrath is kindled , who can stand before his anger , that so long hath been provoked ? in moment perish shall all him before , who touch'd mount sinai , and it soundly smoaked . new-england churches you are christs you say , so sure are all that walk in christs way . no such need fear fury of men or divels , why christ among you takes his dayly walk : he made you gold , you keeps from rusting evils , and hid you here from strife of tongues proud talke . amongst his he for their defence doth bide , they need no more that have christ on their side . man be not proud of this thy exaltation : for thou wast dung and dogs filth , when christ wrought in thee his work , and set thee in this station to stand , from him thy strength is dayly brought , yet in him thou shalt go triumphant on : not thou but christ triumphs his foes upon . you people whom he by the hand did lead 〈…〉 seas with watry wall : apply your selves his scriptures for to read : in reading do for eyes enlightned call , and you shall see christ once being come is now again at hand your stubborn hearts to bow . though scattered you , earths kingdoms are throughout , in bondage brought , cheife by those make some shew of jewish rights , they christ with you cast out : christ well their cords for you in sunder hew . through unbeliefe you were to bondage brought : believe that christ for you great work hath wrought . he will your heart not member circumcise : oh search and see , this is your jesus sure , refuse him not , would god you were so wise : none but this king can ought your hope procure . once doting on an earthly kingdom you mist of your christ ; be sure be wiser now . the day 's at hand he will you wiser make to know earths kingdoms are too scant and base for such a price , as christ paid for your sake : kings you shall be , but in a higher place ; yet for your freedom nations great shall fall , that without fear of foes , him serve you shall . you are the men that christ will cause subdue those turkish troops , that joyned jews have been : his gentile churches cast down babels crue : then you that brood of mahumetts shall win , destroy his seed ' mongst persians , turkes and moores , and for poor christians ope the prison doors . your nation prov'd too scant for his possession , whose pretious blood was made a price for sin : and nations all who were in like transgression ; some of the whole christ to his crown will win , and now makes way for this his work indeed , that through the world his kingdom may proceed . now nations all i pray you look about , christ comes you neer , his power i pray embrace : in 's word him seek ; he 's found without all doubt : he doth beseech with teares , oh seek his face : yet time there is , the battel 's but begun ; christ call thy folke that they to thee may run . place them in thy strong armies newly gather'd , thy churches lord increase and fill withall : those blessed ones are given thee by thy father , the wickeds rod off from their backs recall . breake off their yokes , that they with freedom may tell of thy workes , and praise thee every day . lord christ go on with thy great wonders working down headlong cast all antichristian power : vnmaske those men that lye in corners lurking , whose damned doctrines dayly s●ates advance . for why , thy folke for this are dayly longing , that nations may come in thy churches thronging . what greater joy can come thy saints among , then to behold their christ exalted high ? thy spirits joy with ravishment stirs strong thy folke , while they thy kingdomes glory eye . angels rejoyce because their waiting is in saints assembly , where thy name they bliss . thy workes are not in israels land confined , from east to west thy wondrous works are known : to nations all thou hast thy grace assigned , thy spirits breathings through the world are blown . all languages and tongues do tell thy praise , dead hear thy voyce , them thou dost living raise . oh blessed dayes of son of man now seen , you that have long'd so sore them to behold , march forth in 's might , and stoutly stand between the mighties sword , and christs dear flocke infold . vndanted close and clash with them ; for why ? ' gainst christ they are , and he with thee stands by . no captive thou , nor death can on thee seize , fight , stand , and live in christ thou dayly dost he long ago did lead as captives these , and ever lives to save thee where thou goest his father still , and spirit shall with thee abide , and crowne thy head with lasting glee . for thy words sake , and according to thine own heart , hast thou done all these great things , to make thy servant know them , sam. . . finis . courteous reader , these books following are printed for nathaniel brooke , and are to be sold at his shop at the angel in cornehill . . times treasury , or academy for gentry ; excellent grounds both divine and humane for their accomplishment in arguments of discourse , habit , fashion ; with a ladies love-lecture , and truths triumph , summing up all in a character of honour , by ri. braithwait esq . morton of the sacrament , in folio . . physiogmony , and chiromancy , metoposcopy , the symmetricall proportions , and signall moles of the body , the subject of dreames , to which is added the art of memory , by ri. sanders student : folio . . theatrum chemicum britannicum , containing severall poeticall peeces of our famous english philosophers , which have written the hermetique misteries in their antient language , by elias ashmole esq . chiromancy , or the art of divining by the lines engraven in the hand of man by dame nature , theologically practically , in . genitures ; with a learned discourse of the soul of the world , and universall spirit thereof , by geo. wharton esq . catholick history collected and gathered out of scripture , councels and antient fathers , moderne writers , both ecclesiasticall and civill , in answer to dr. vane's lost sheep returned home , by ed. chiseuhall esq . planometria , or the whole art of survey of land shewing the use of all instruments , but especially the plain table ; whereunto is added an appendix to measure regular solids , as timber , stone ; usefull for all that intend either to sell or purchase . . an arithmetick in number and species , in two books : . teaching by precept and example the operation in numbers , whole and broken by decimals , and use of the logarithms , napyers bones . . the great rule of algebra in species , resolving all arithmeticall questions by supposition , with a canon , of the powers of numbers , fitted to the meanest capacity , by jonas moore late of durham . . . tactometrica , or the geometry of regulars after a new , exact , and expeditious manner in solids , with sundry usefull experiments : practicall geometry of regular-like solids , and of a cylinder body , for liquid vessell measure , with sundry new experiments never before extant , for gauging ; a work very usefull for all that are imployed in the art metrical , by john wiberd , doctor in physick . . an astrologicall discourse , with mathematicall demonstrations , proving the powerfull and harmonicall influence of the planets and fixed stars upon elementary bodies , in justification of the validity of astroligy , by sir christopher heydon , knight . . magick and astrology vindicated , in which is contained the true definitions of the said arts , and the justification of their practise , proved by the authority of scripture , and the experience of antient and modern authors , by h. warren . . an astrologicall judgement of diseases from the decumbiture of the ficke : also the way of finding out the cause , change and end of a disease : also whether the sick be likely to live or die , by n. culpeper . . catastrophe magnatum , or the downfall of monarchy , by n. culpeper . . ephemerides for the year . being a year of wonders , by n. culpeper . . lux veritatis , or christian judiciall astrology vindicated , and daemonology confuted ; in answer to nath. holmes , dr. d. by w. ramsey , gent. . the history of the golden ass . . the painting of the antients , the beginning , progress , and consummating of that noble art ; and how those antient artificers attained to their still so much admired excellency . sraels redemption , or the propheticall history of our saviours kingdome on earth , by robert matton , of exon colledgo in olcon . . . an introduction to the teutonick philosophy , being a determination of the originall of the soul , at a dispute held in the school at cambridg at the commencement march . . by charles hotham , fellow of peter-house . . . teratologia or a discovery of gods wonders , manifested in the former and moderne times by bloody rain and waters , by i.s. . foos lachry marum , or a fountain of tears , from whence doth flow englands complaint , jeremiahs lamentations , with an elegy upon that son of valour sir charles lucas , by john quarles . . . oedipus , or a resolver , being a clew that leads to the chiefe secrets , and true resolution of amorous , naturall , morall and politicall problems by g. m. . the celestiall lamp , enlightning every distressed soul from the depth of everlasting darkness to the height of eternall light , by tho. fettisplace . . nocturnall lucubrations , or meditations divine and morall , with epigrams and epitaphs , by robert chamberlain . . the unfortunate mother , a tragedy , by tho. nabs . . the rebellion , a comedy , by t. r. . the tragedy of messalina by nat. richards . . . the remedy of discontentment , or a treatise of contentation in whatsoever condition , fit for these sad and troublesome times , by joseph hall late b. of exon and norwich . . . the grand sacriledge of the church of rome , in taking away the sacred cup from the laity at the lords table , by the late reverend , daniel featly d. d. . . the cause and cure of ignorance , error enmity atheism and prophaness , or a most hopefull way to grace and salvation , by r. young. . . a bridle for the times , tending to still the murmuring , to settle the wavering to stay the wandring to strengthen the fainting , by john brinsley minister of gods word at yarmouth . . comforts against the fear of death , wherein are severall evidences of the work of grace by john collins of norwich . . jacobs seed , or the excellency of seeking god by prayer , by jeremiah burroughs , minister of the gospel to the two greatest congregations about london , stepney and cripplegate . . the zealous magistrate , a sermon , by tho threscot . . britannia rediviva , or a soverain remedy to cure a sick common-wealth , preached in the minster at yorke before the judges , august . . by j. shaw minister of hull . . the princess royall , preached in the minster in yorke before the judges , march . . by john shaw minister of hull . . anatomy of mortality , divided into eight heads . . the certainty of death . . meditations of death . . preparations for death . . the right behaviour in death . . the comfort in our own death . . the comfort against the death of friends . . the cases wherein it 's lawfull or unlawfull to desire death . . the glorious estate of gods children after death , by george stronde . . new jerusalem , in a sermon for the society of astrologers , august . . mirrour of complements fitted for ladies , gentlewomen , scholars and strangers , with formes of speaking , and writing of letters most in fashion , with witty poems : and a table expounding hard english words . . cabinet of jewels , discovering the nature , vertue value of pretious stones : with infallible rules to escape the deceit of all such as are adulterate or counterfeit by tho. nicholls . . quakers cause at second hearing being a full answer to their tenets . . divinity no enemy to astrology , a sermon intended for the society of astrologers for the year . by dr. tho. swadlin . . historicall relation of the first planting of the english in new england in the year . to the year . and all the materiall passages happening there . exactly performed . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the church of christ at plimoth was planted in new england , . yeares before any others . doctor wilson gave l. to new england , with which they stored them with great guns . mr. wareham and other of their teaching elders , you shall reade of when the can●●k●●●o is planted . . concord the . church . . dividing betweene the word , and the word . . christ and his graces . . the word , and the spirit . . christ , and his ordinances . foure score errors derived from these four heads , and spread abroad in n. england ▪ notes for div a -e m. allen a great help against the errors of the time . notes for div a -e a the consideration of the wonderful providence of christ in planting his n. e. churches , and with the right hand of his power preserving , protecting , favouring , and feeding them upon his tender knees : together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us , bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his name , and sear of his casting of this little handful of his , and the insulting of the enemy , whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses . a the consideration of the wonderful providence of christ in planting his n. e. churches , and with the right hand of his power preserving , protecting , favouring , and feeding them upon his tender knees : together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us , bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his name , and sear of his casting of this little handful of his , and the insulting of the enemy , whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses . a the consideration of the wonderful providence of christ in planting his n. e. churches , and with the right hand of his power preserving , protecting , favouring , and feeding them upon his tender knees : together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us , bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his name , and sear of his casting of this little handful of his , and the insulting of the enemy , whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses . a the consideration of the wonderful providence of christ in planting his n. e. churches , and with the right hand of his power preserving , protecting , favouring , and feeding them upon his tender knees : together with the ill requital of his all-infinite and undeserved mercies bestowed upon us , bath caused many a soul to lament for the dishonor done to his name , and sear of his casting of this little handful of his , and the insulting of the enemy , whose forrow is set forth in these four first staffs of verses . b the rod of god toward us in our maritine affairs manifested , not only to our own shipping , but strangers ; as the mary rose blown up in charles river , and sunk in a moment , with about thirteen men slain therein : as also one capt. chadwicks pinnace , and about four men slain therein , beside what hath been formerly said touching our own shipping . b the rod of god toward us in our maritine affairs manifested , not only to our own shipping , but strangers ; as the mary rose blown up in charles river , and sunk in a moment , with about thirteen men slain therein : as also one capt. chadwicks pinnace , and about four men slain therein , beside what hath been formerly said touching our own shipping . c of the lords hand against our land affairs , as is heretofore expressed ; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire , and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in charles-town , in the depth of winter , . by a violent wind blown from one house to another , to the consuming of the fairest houses in the town : vnder the pre●ance of being unequally rated , many men murmure exceedingly , and withdraw their shoulders from the support of government , to the great discouragement of those that govern , . pride and excess in apparrel i● frequent in these daies , when the lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances ; and that which is far worse , spiritual pride , to shew our selves to be somebody , often step ●ut of our ranks , and delight in new fangled doctrines . c of the lords hand against our land affairs , as is heretofore expressed ; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire , and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in charles-town , in the depth of winter , . by a violent wind blown from one house to another , to the consuming of the fairest houses in the town : vnder the pre●ance of being unequally rated , many men murmure exceedingly , and withdraw their shoulders from the support of government , to the great discouragement of those that govern , . pride and excess in apparrel i● frequent in these daies , when the lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances ; and that which is far worse , spiritual pride , to shew our selves to be somebody , often step ●ut of our ranks , and delight in new fangled doctrines . c of the lords hand against our land affairs , as is heretofore expressed ; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire , and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in charles-town , in the depth of winter , . by a violent wind blown from one house to another , to the consuming of the fairest houses in the town : vnder the pre●ance of being unequally rated , many men murmure exceedingly , and withdraw their shoulders from the support of government , to the great discouragement of those that govern , . pride and excess in apparrel i● frequent in these daies , when the lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances ; and that which is far worse , spiritual pride , to shew our selves to be somebody , often step ●ut of our ranks , and delight in new fangled doctrines . c of the lords hand against our land affairs , as is heretofore expressed ; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire , and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in charles-town , in the depth of winter , . by a violent wind blown from one house to another , to the consuming of the fairest houses in the town : vnder the pre●ance of being unequally rated , many men murmure exceedingly , and withdraw their shoulders from the support of government , to the great discouragement of those that govern , . pride and excess in apparrel i● frequent in these daies , when the lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances ; and that which is far worse , spiritual pride , to shew our selves to be somebody , often step ●ut of our ranks , and delight in new fangled doctrines . c of the lords hand against our land affairs , as is heretofore expressed ; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire , and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in charles-town , in the depth of winter , . by a violent wind blown from one house to another , to the consuming of the fairest houses in the town : vnder the pre●ance of being unequally rated , many men murmure exceedingly , and withdraw their shoulders from the support of government , to the great discouragement of those that govern , . pride and excess in apparrel i● frequent in these daies , when the lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances ; and that which is far worse , spiritual pride , to shew our selves to be somebody , often step ●ut of our ranks , and delight in new fangled doctrines . c of the lords hand against our land affairs , as is heretofore expressed ; and also in the suddain taking away many mens estates by fire , and chiefly by a most terrible fire which happened in charles-town , in the depth of winter , . by a violent wind blown from one house to another , to the consuming of the fairest houses in the town : vnder the pre●ance of being unequally rated , many men murmure exceedingly , and withdraw their shoulders from the support of government , to the great discouragement of those that govern , . pride and excess in apparrel i● frequent in these daies , when the lord calls his people to humiliation and humble acknowledgment of his great deliverances ; and that which is far worse , spiritual pride , to shew our selves to be somebody , often step ●ut of our ranks , and delight in new fangled doctrines . d an over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spirits of many , that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten ; and notwithstanding all the powerful means used , we stand at a stay , as if the lord had no farther work for his people to do , but every bird to feather his own nest . d an over-eager desire after the world hath so seized on the spirits of many , that the chief end of our coming hither is forgotten ; and notwithstanding all the powerful means used , we stand at a stay , as if the lord had no farther work for his people to do , but every bird to feather his own nest . e the lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants from us , shewes , that either the lord will raise up another people to himself to do his work , or raise us up by his rod to a more eager pursuit of his work , even the planting of his churches the world throughout . the lord converts and calls forth of their graves men to fight his battels against the enemies of his truth . e the lords taking away by death many of his most eminent servants from us , shewes , that either the lord will raise up another people to himself to do his work , or raise us up by his rod to a more eager pursuit of his work , even the planting of his churches the world throughout . the lord converts and calls forth of their graves men to fight his battels against the enemies of his truth . aso mr. william leveriry pastor of sandwich church , is very serious therein , and with good success . mr. nathaneel white , mr. patrick , copeland , mr. william golding . rev. . . * yea every officer hath his own proper regiment . advertisements for the unexperienced planters of new-england, or any where. or, the path-way to experience to erect a plantation with the yearely proceedings of this country in fishing and planting, since the yeare . to the yeare . and their present estate. also how to prevent the greatest inconveniences, by their proceedings in virginia, and other plantations, by approved examples. with the countries armes, a description of the coast, harbours, habitations, land-markes, latitude and longitude: with the map, allowed by our royall king charles. by captaine iohn smith, sometimes governour of virginia, and admirall of nevv-england. smith, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) advertisements for the unexperienced planters of new-england, or any where. or, the path-way to experience to erect a plantation with the yearely proceedings of this country in fishing and planting, since the yeare . to the yeare . and their present estate. also how to prevent the greatest inconveniences, by their proceedings in virginia, and other plantations, by approved examples. with the countries armes, a description of the coast, harbours, habitations, land-markes, latitude and longitude: with the map, allowed by our royall king charles. by captaine iohn smith, sometimes governour of virginia, and admirall of nevv-england. smith, john, - . pass, simon van de, ?- , engraver. [ ], p., folded plate : map printed by iohn haviland, and are to be sold by robert milbourne, at the grey-hound in pauls church-yard, london : . running title reads: advertisements for the unexperienced, or the path-way to erect a plantation. the map has title "new england", imprint "london printed by iames reeue", and is signed "simon passæus sculpsit". for the states see sabin and . reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng new england -- description and travel -- early works to . new england -- history -- colonial period -- early works to . massachusetts -- history -- colonial period -- early works to . massachusetts -- history -- colonial period (new plymouth) -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion advertisements for the unexperienced planters of new. england , or any where . or , the path-way to experience to erect a plantation . with the yearely proceedings of this country in fishing and planting , since the yeare . to the yeare . and their present estate . also how to prevent the greatest inconveniences , by their proceedings in virginia , and other plantations , by approved examples . with the countries armes , a description of the coast , harbours , habitations , land-markes , latitude and longitude : with the map , allowed by our royall king charles . by captaine iohn smith , sometimes governour of viroinia , and admirall of nevv-england . london , printed by iohn haviland , and are to be sold by robert milbovrne , at the grey-hound in pauls church-yard . . gens in cognita mihi serviet to the most reverend father in god , george lord arch-bishop of canterbvrie his grace , primate and metrapolitan of all england : and the right reverend father in god , samvel lord arch-bishop of yorke his grace , primate and metrapolitan of england . my most gracious good lords , i desire to leave testimony to the world , how highly i honour as well the miter as the lance : therefore where my last booke presented three most honourable earles with a subject of warre , and received from them favourable acceptance : the worke i now prosecute , concerning the plantation of new-england , for the increase of gods church , converting salvages , and enlarging the kings dominions , prostrates it selfe humbly to your graces ; who as you are in the name of prelacy to this kingdome , so you are to mee in goodnesse both fathers and protectors unexpectedly . god long preserve your gracious lives , and continue favour vnto both your graces most devoted servant , iohn smith . to the reader . honest reader , apelles by the proportion of a foot , could make the whole proportion of a man : were hee now living , he might goe to schools for now are thousands can by opinion proportion kingdomes , cities , and lordships , that never durst adventure to see them . malignancy , i expect from those , have lived . or . yeares in those actions , and returne as wise as they went , claiming time and experience for their tutor , that can neither shift sun nor moone , nor say their compasse , yet will tell you of more than all the world , betwixt the exchange , pauls and westminster : so it be newes , it matters not what , that will passe currant when truth must be stayed with an army of conceits that can make or marre any thing , and tell as well what all england is by seeing but milford haven , as what apelles was by the picture of his great too . now because examples give a quicker impression than arguments , i have writ this discourse to satisfie understanding , wisdome , and honesty , and not such as can doe nothing but finde fault with that they neither know nor can amend . so i rest your friend iohn smith . the sea marke . aloofe , aloofe , and come no neare , the dangers doe appeare ; which if my ruine had not beene you had not seene : i onely lie upon this shelfe to be a marke to all which on the same might fall , that none may perish but my selfe . if in or outward you be bound , doe not forget to sound ; neglect of that was cause of this to steare amisse . the seas were calme , the wind was faire , that made me so secure , that now i must indure all weathers be they soule or faire . the winters cold , the summers heat , alternatively beat upon my bruised sides , that ●ue because too true that no releefe can ever come . but why should i despaire being promised so faire that there shall be a day of dome . the contents . chap. . what people they are that begin this plantation , the bane of virginia : strange misprisions of wise men . chap. . needlesse custome , effect of flattery , cause of misery , factions , carelesse government , the dissolving the company and patent . chap. . a great comfort to new england , it is no iland , a strange plague . chap. . our right to those countries , true reasons for plantations , rare examples . chap. . my first voyage to new england , my returne and profit . chap. . a description of the coast , harbours , habitations , land-marks , latitude , longitude , with the map . chap. . new englands yearely trials , the planting new plimoth , supprisals prevented , their wonderful industry and fishing . chap. . extremity next despaire , gods great mercy , their estate , they make good salt , an unknowne rich myne . chap. . notes worth observation , miserablenesse no good husbandry . chap. . the mistaking of patents , strange effects , incouragements for servants . chap. . the planting bastable or salem and charlton , a description of the massachusets . chap. . extraordinary meanes for building , many caveats , increase of corne , how to spoyle the woods , for any thing , their healths . chap. . their great supplies , present estate and accidents , advantage . chap. . ecclesiasticall government in virginia , authority from the arch bishop , their beginning at bastable now called salem . chap. . the true modell of a plantation , tenure , increase of trade , true examples , necessity of expert souldiers , the names of all the first discoverers for plantations and their actions , what is requisite to be in the governour of a plantation , the expedition of queene elizabeths sea captaines . sigismvndvs bathori d g dvx transilvanie wal nonononononon advertisements : or , the path-way to experience to erect a plantation . chap. . what people they are that beginne this plantation : the haue of virginia : strange misprisions of wisemen . the warres in europe , asia , and affrica , taught me how to subdue the wilde salvages in virginia and new-england , in america ; which now after many a stormy blast of ignorant contradictors , projectors , and undertakers , both they and i have beene so tossed and tortured into so many extremities , as despaire was the next wee both expected , till it pleased god now at last to stirre up some good mindes , that i hope will produce glory to god , honour to his majesty , and profit to his kingdomes , although all our plantations have beene so foyled and abused , their best good willers have beene for the most part discouraged , and their good intents disgraced , as the generall history of them will at large truly relate you . pardon me if i offend in loving that i have cherished truly , by the losse of my prime fortunes , meanes , and youth : if it over-glad me to see industry her selfe adventure now to make use of my aged endevours , not by such ( i hope ) as rumour doth report , a many of discontented brownists , anabaptists , papists , puritans , separatists , and such factions humorists , for no such they will suffer among them , if knowne , as many of the chiefe of them have assured mee , and the much conferences i have had with many of them , doth considently perswade me to writethus much in their behalfe . i meane not the brownists of leyden and amsterdam at new-plimoth , who although by accident , ignorance , and wilfulnesse , have indured with a wonderfull patience , many losses and extremities ; yet they subsist and prosper so well , not any of them will abandon the country , but to the utmost of their powers increase their numbers : but of those which are gone within this eighteene moneths for cape anne , and the bay of the massachusets : those which are their chiefe vndertakers are gentlemen of good estate , some of , some a thousand pound land a yeere , all which they say they will sell for the advancing this harmlesse and pious worke ; men of good credit and well-beloved in their country , not such as flye for debt , or any scandall at home , and are good catholike protestants according to the reformed church of england , if not , it is well they are gone : the rest of them men of good meanes , or arts , occupations , and qualities , much more fit for such a businesse , and better furnished of all necessaries if they arrive well , than was ever any plantation went out of england : i will not say but some of them may be more precise than needs , nor that they all be so good as they should be , for christ had but twelue apostles , and one was a traitor ; and if there be no dissemblers among them , it is more than a wonder : therefore doe not condemne all for some ; but however they have as good authority from his majesty as they could desire , if they doe ill , the losse is but their owne ; if well , a great glory and exceeding good to this kingdome , to make good at last what all our former conclusions have disgraced . now they take not that course the virginia company did for the planters there , their purses and lives were subject to some few here in london who were never there , that consumed all in arguments , projects , and their owne conceits , every yeere trying new conclusions , altering every thing yearely as they altered opinions , till they had consumed more than two hundred thousand pounds , and neere eight thousand mens lives . it is true , in the yeere of our lord . they were about seven or eight thousand english indifferently well furnished with most necessaries , and many of them grew to that height of bravery , living in that plenty and excesse , that went thither not worth any thing , made the company here thinke all the world was oatmeale there , and all this proceeded by surviving those that died , nor were they ignorant to use as curious tricks there as here , and out of the juice of tabacco , which at first they sold at such good rates , they regarded nothing but tabacco ; a commodity then so vendable , it provided them all things : and the loving salvages their kinde friends , they trained so well up to shoot in a peece , to hunt and kill them fowle , they became more expert than our owne country-men , whose labours were more profitable to their masters in planting tabacco , and other businesse . this superfluity caused my poore beginnings scorned , or to be spoken of but with much derision , that never sent ship from thence fraught , but onely some small quantities of wainscot , clap-board , pitch , tar , rosin , sope-ashes , glasse , cedar , cypresse , blacke walnut , knees for ships , ash for pikes , iron ore none better , some silver ore , but so poore it was not regarded ; better there may be , for i was no mineralist , some sturgion , but it was too tart of the vinegar , which was of my owne store , for little came from them which was good ; and wine of the countries wilde grapes , but it was too sowre , yet better than they sent us any : in two or three yeeres but one hogshead of claret . onely speading my time to revenge my imprisonment upon the harmlesse innocent salvages , who by my cruelty i forced to feed me with their contribution , and to send any offended my idle humour to iames towne to punish at mine owne discretion ; or keepe their kings and subjects in chaines , and make them worke . things cleane contrary to my commission ; whilest i and my company tooke our needlesse pleasures in discovering the countries about us , building of forts , and such unnecessary fooleries , where an egge-shell ( as they writ ) had beene sufficient against such enemies ; neglecting to answer the merchants expectations with profit , feeding the company onely with letters and tastes of such commodities as we writ the country would afford in time by industry , as silke , wines , oyles of olives , rape , and linsed , rasons , prunes , flax , hempe , and iron , as for tabacco , wee never then dreamt of it . now because i sent not their ships full fraught home with those commodities , they kindly writ to me , if we failed the next returne , they would leave us there as banished men , as if houses and all those commodities did grow naturally , only for us to take at our pleasure , with such tedious letters , directions , and instructions , and most contrary to that was fitting , we did admire how it was possible such wise men could so torment themselves and us with such strange absurdities and impossibilities , making religion their colour , when all their aime was nothing but present profit , as most plainly appeared , by sending us so many refiners , gold-smiths , iewellers , lapidarics , stone-cutters , tabacco-pipe-makers , imbroderers , perfumers , silkemen , with all their appurtenances , but materialls , and all those had great summes out of the common stocke : and so many spies and super-intendents over us , as if they supposed we would turne rebels , all striving to suppresse and advance they knew not what : at last got a commission in their owne names , promising the king custome within seven yeares , where we were free for one and twenty , appointing the lord de-la-ware for governour , with as many great and stately officers , and offices under him , as doth belong to a great kingdome , with good summes for their extraordinary expences ; also privileges for cities , charters , for corporations , universities , free-schooles , and glebe-land , putting all those in practice before there were either people , students , or schollers to build or use them , or provision and victuall to feed them were then there : and to amend this , most of the tradesmen in london that would adventure but twelue pounds ten shillings , had the furnishing the company of all such things as belonged to his trade , such jugling there was betwixt them , and such intruding committies their associats , that all the trash they could get in london was sent us to uirginia , they being well payed for that was good . much they blamed us for not converting the salvages , when those they sent us were little better , if nor worse , nor did they all convert any of those we sent them to england for that purpose . so doating of mines of gold , and the south sea , that all the world could not have devised better courses to bring us to ruine than they did themselves , with many more such like strange concoits ; by this you may avoid the like inconveniences , and take heed by those examples , you have not too many irons in the fire at once , neither such change of governours , nor such a multitude of officers , neither more masters , gentlemen , gentlewomen , and children , than you have men to worke , which idle charge you will finde very troublesome , and the effects dangerous , and one hundred good labourers better than a thousand such gallants as were sent me , that could doe nothing but complaine , curse , and despaire , when they saw our miseries , and all things so cleane contrary to the report in england , yet must i provide as well for them as for my selfe . chap. . needlesse custome , effect of flatterr , cause of misery , factions , carelesse government , the dissolving the company and patent . this the mariners and saylers did ever all they could to conceale , who had alwayes both good fare , and good pay for the most part , and part out of our owne purses , never caring how long they stayed upon their voyage , daily feasting before our faces , when wee lived upon a little corne and water , and not halfe enough of that , the most of which we had from amongst the salvages . now although there be deere in the woods , fish in the rivers , and fowles in abundance in their seasons ; yet the woods are so wide , the rivers so broad , and the beasts so wild , and wee so unskilfull to catch them , wee little troubled them nor they us : for all this our letters that still signified unto them the plaine truth , would not be beleeved , because they required such things as was most necessary : but their opinion was otherwayes , for they desired but to packe over so many as they could , saying necessity would make them get victuals for themselves , as for good labourers they were more usefull here in england : but they found it otherwayes ; the charge was all one to send a workman as a roarer , whose clamors to appease , we had much adoe to get fish and corne to maintaine them from one supply till another came with more loyterers without victuals still to make us worse and worse , for the most of them would rather starve than worke ; yet had it not beene for some few that were gentlemen , both by birth , industry , and discretion , we could not possibly have subsisted . many did urge i might have forced them to it , having authority that extended so farre as death : but i say , having neither meat , drinke , lodging , pay , nor hope of any thing , or preferment ; and seeing the merchants onely did what they listed with all they wrought for , i know not what punishment could be greater than that they indured ; which miseries caused us alwaies to be in factions , the most part striving by any meanes to abandon the country , and i with my party to prevent them and cause them stay . but indeed the cause of our factions was bred here in england , and grew to that maturity among themselves that spoyled all , as all the kingdome and other nations can too well testifie : yet in the yeare . there were about seven or eight thousand english , as hath beene said , so well trained , secure , and well furnished , as they reported and conceited . these simple salvages their bosome friends , i so much oppressed , had laid their plot how to cut all their throats in a morning , and upon the . of march , so innocently attempted it , they slew three hundred forty seven , set their houses on fire , slew their cattell , and brought them to that distraction & confusion within lesse than a yeare , there were not many more than two thousand remaining : the which losse to repaire the company did what they could , till they had consumed all their stocke as is said : then they broke , not making any account , nor giving satisfaction to the lords , planters , adventurers , nor any , whose noble intents had referred the managing of this intricate businesse to a few that lost not by it ; so that his majesty recalled their commission , and by more just cause : then they perswaded king iames to call in ours , which were the first beginners without our knowledge or consent , disposing of us and all our indevours at their pleasures . chap. . a great comfort to new england , it is no iland : a strange plague . notwithstanding since they have beene left in a manner , as it were , to themselves , they have increased their numbers to foure or five thousand , and neere as many cattell , with plenty of goats , abundance of swine , poultry and come , that as they report , they have sufficient and to spare , to entertaine three or foure hundred people , which is much better than to have many people more than provision . now having glutted the world with their too much over-abounding tabacco : reason , or necessity , or both , will cause them , i hope , learne in time better to fortifie themselves , and make better use of the trials of their grosse commodities that i have propounded , and at the first sent over : and were it not a lamentable dishonour so goodly a countrey after so much cost , losse , and trouble , should now in this estate not bee regarded and supplied . and to those of new-england may it not be a great comfort to have so neare a neighbour of their owne nation , that may furnish them with their spare cattell , swine , poultry , and other roots and fruits , much better than from england . but i feare the seed of envy , and the rust of covetousnesse doth grow too fast , for some would have all men advance virginia to the ruine of new-england ; and others the losse of virginia to sustaine new-england , which god of his mercy forbid : for at first it was intended by that most memorable judge sir iohn popham , then lord chiefe justice of england , and the lords of his majesties privy councel , with divers others , that two colonies should be planted , as now they be , for the better strengthening each other against all occurrences ; the which to performe , shal ever be in my hearty prayers to almighty god , to increase and continue that mutuall love betwixt them for ever . by this you may perceive somewhat , what unexpected inconveniences are incident to a plantation , especially in such a multitude of voluntary contributers , superfluity of officers , and unexperienced commissioners . but it is not so , as yet , with those for new-england ; for they will neither beleeve nor use such officers , in that they are overseers of their owne estates , and so well bred in labour and good husbandry as any in england , where as few as i say was sent me to virginia , but these were naught here and worse there . now when these shall have laid the foundations , and provided meanes beforehand , they may entertain all the poore artificers and laborers in england , and their families which are burthensome to their parishes and countries where they live upon almes and benevolence for want of worke , which if they would but pay for their transportation , they should never be troubled with them more ; for there is vast land enough for all the people in england , scotland , and ireland : and it seemes god hath provided this country for our nation , destroying the natives by the plague , it not touching one englishman , though many traded and were conversant amongst them ; for they had three plagues in three yeares successively neere two hundred miles along the sea coast , that in some places there scarce remained five of a hundred , and as they report thus it began : a fishing ship being cast away upon the coast , two of the men escaped on shore ; one of them died , the other lived among the natives till he had learned their language : then he perswaded them to become christians , shewing them a testament , some parts thereof expounding so well as he could , but they so much derided him , that he told them hee feared his god would destroy them : whereat the king assembled all his people about a hill , himselfe with the christian standing on the top , demanded if his god had so many people and able to kill all those ? he answered yes , and surely would , and bring in strangers to possesse their land : but so long they mocked him and his god , that not long after such a sicknesse came , that of five or six hundred about the massachusets there remained but thirty , on whom their neighbours fell and slew twenty eight : the two remaining fled the country till the english came , then they returned and surrendred their countrey and title to the english : if this be not true in every particular , excuse me , i pray you , for i am not the author : but it is most certaine there was an exceeding great plague amongst them ; for where i have seene two or three hundred , within three yeares after remained scarce thirty , but what disease it was the salvages knew not till the english told them , never having seene , nor heard of the like before . chap. . our right to those countries , true reasons for plantations , rare examples . many good religious devout men have made it a great question , as a matter in conscience , by what warrant they might goe to possesse those countries , which are none of theirs , but the poore salvages . which poore curiosity will answer it selfe ; for god did make the world to be inhabited with mankind , and to have his name knowne to all nations , and from generation to generation : as the people increased they dispersed themselves into such countries as they found most convenient . and here in florida , virginia , new-england , and cannada , is more land than all the people in christendome can manure , and yet more to spare than all the natives of those countries can use and culturate . and shall we here keepe such a coyle for land , and as such great rents and rates , when there is so much of the world uninhabited , and as much more in other places , and as good , or rather better than any wee possesse , were it manured and used accordingly . if this be not a reason sufficient to such tender consciences ; for a copper kettle and a few toyes , as beads and hatchets , they will fell you a whole countrey ; and for a small matter , their houses and the ground they dwell upon ; but those of the massachusets have resigned theirs freely . now the reasons for plantations are many ; adam and eve did first begin this innocent worke to plant the earth to remaine to posterity , but not without labour , trouble , and industry : noah and his family began againe the second plantation , and their seed as it still increased , hath still planted new countries , and one country another , and so the world to that estate it is ; but not without much hazard , travell , mortalities , discontents , and many disasters : had those worthy fathers and their memorable off-spring not beene more diligent for us now in those ages , than wee are to plant that yet unplanted for after-livers . had the seed of abraham , our saviour christ jesus and his apostles , exposed themselves to no more dangers to plant the gospell wee so much professe , than we , even we our selves had at this present beene as salvages , and as miserable as the most barbarous salvage , yet uncivilized . the hebrewes , lacedemonians , the goths , grecians , romans , and the rest , what was it they would not undertake to inlarge their territories , inrich their subjects , and resist their enemies . those that were the founders of those great monarchies and their vertues , were no silvered idle golden pharisies , but industrious honest hearted publicans , they regarded more provisions and necessaries for their people , than jewels , ease and delight for themselves ; riches was their servants , not their masters ; they ruled as fathers , not as tyrants ; their people as children , not as slaves ; there was no disaster could discourage them ; and let none thinke they incountered not with all manner of incumbrances , and what hath ever beene the worke of the best great princes of the world , but planting of countries , and civilizing barbarous and inhumane nations to civility and humanity , whose eternall actions fils our histories with more honour than those that have wasted and consumed them by warres . lastly , the portugals and spaniards that first began plantations in this unknowne world of america till within this . yeares , whose everlasting actions before our eyes , will testifie our idlenesse and ingratitude to all posterity , and neglect of our duty and religion wee owe our god , our king , and countrey , and want of charity to those poore salvages , whose countries we challenge , use , and possesse , except wee be but made to mar what our forefathers made , or but only tell what they did , or esteeme our selves too good to take the like paines where there is so much reason , liberty , and action offers it selfe , having as much power and meanes as others : why should english men despaire and not doe so much as any ? was it vertue in those heros to provide that doth maintaine us , and basenesse in us to doe the like for others to come ? surely no ; then seeing wee are not borne for our selves but each to helpe other , and our abilities are much alike at the howre of our birth and minute of our death : seeing our good deeds or bad , by faith in christs merits , is all wee have to carry our soules to heaven or hell : seeing honour is our lives ambition , and our ambition after death , to have an honourable memory of our life : and seeing by no meanes wee would be abated of the dignitie and glorie of our predecessors , let us imitate their vertues to be worthily their successors , or at least not hinder , if not further them that would and doe their utmost and best endevour . chap. . my first voyage to new england my returne and profit . to begin with the originals of the voyages to those coasts , i referre you to my generall history ; for new-england by the most of them was esteemed a most barren rocky desart : notwithstanding at the sole charge of some merchants of london and my selfe , . within eight weekes sayling i arrived at mo●ahigan an i le in america in . degrees . minutes of northerly latitude . had the fishing for whale proved as we expected , i had stayed in the country ; but we found the plots wee had , so false , and the seasons for fishing and trade by the unskilfulnesse of our pylot so much mistaken , i was contented , having taken by hookes and lines with fifteene or eighteene men at most , more than . cod in lesse than a moneth : whilest my selfe with eight others of them might best be spared , by an houre glasse of three moneths , ranging the coast in a small boat , got for trifles eleven hundred bever skins beside otters and martins ; all amounting to the value of fifteene hundred pound , and arrived in england with all my men in health in six or seven moneths : but northward the french returned this yeare to france five and twenty thousand bevers and good furres , whilest we were contending about patents and commissions , with such fearefull incredulity that more dazeled our eyes than opened them . in this voyage i tooke the description of the coast as well by map as writing , and called it new-england : but malicious mindes amongst sailers and others , drowned that name with the eccho of nusconcus , canaday , and penaquid ; till at my humble sute , our most gracious king charles , then prince of wales , was pleased to confirme it by that title , and did change the barbarous names of their principall harbours and habitations for such english , that posterity may say , king charles was their godfather ; and in my opinion it should seeme an unmannerly presumption in any that doth alter them without his leave . my second voyage was to beginne a plantation , and to doe what else i could , but by extreme tempests that bore neare all my masts by the boord , being more than two hundred leagues at sea , was forced to returne to plimoth with a jury-mast . the third was intercepted by english and french pyrats , by my trecherous company that betrayed me to them , who ran away with my ship and all that i had , such enemies the sailers were to a plantation , and the greatest losse being mine , did easily excuse themselves to the merchants in england , that still provided to follow the fishing : much difference there was betwixt the londoners and the westerlings to ingrosse it , who now would adventure thousands , that when i went first would not adventure a groat ; yet there went foure or five good ships , but what by their dissention , and the turkes men of warre that tooke the best of them in the straits , they scarce saved themselves this yeare . at my returne from france i did my best to have united them , but that had beene more than a worke for hercules , so violent is the folly of greedy covetousnesse . chap. . a description of the coast , harbours , habitations , land-marks , latitude , longitude , with the map . this country wee now speake of , lyeth betwixt . and ½ the very meane for heat and cold betwixt the equinoctiall and 〈◊〉 north pole , in which i have founded about five and twenty very good harbors ; in many whereof is ancorage for five hundred good ships of any burthen , in some of them for a thousand , and more than three hundred iles overgrowne with good timber , or divers sorts of other woods ; in most of them ( in their seasons ) plenty of wilde fruits , fish , and fowle , and pure springs of most excellent water pleasantly distilling from their rockie foundations . the principall habitations i was at north-ward , was pennobscot , who are in warres with the terentines , their next northerly neighbours . southerly up the rivers , and along the coast , wee found mecadacut , segocket , pemmaquid , nusconcus , sagadahock , satquin , aumughcawgen , and kenabeca : to those belong the countries and people of segot igo , pauhuntanuck , pocopassum , taughtanakagnet , wabigganus , nassaque , masherosqueck , wawrtgwick , moshoquen , waccogo , pasharanack , &c. to those are alied in confederacy , the countries of aucocisco , accominticus , passataquak , augawoam and naemkeck , all these for any thing i could perceive differ little in language or any thing , though most of them be sagamos , and lords of themselves , yet they hold the bashabes of pennobscot the chiefe and greatest amongst them . the next is mattahunt , totant , massachuset , paconekick , then cape cod , by which is pawmet , the iles nawset and capawuck , neere which are the shoules of rocks and sands that stretch themselves into the maine sea twenty leagues , and very dangerous betwixt the degrees of . and . now beyond cape cod , the land extendeth it selfe southward to virginia , florida , the west-indies , the amazons , and brasele , to the straits of magelanus , two and fifty degrees southward beyond the line ; all those great countries , differing as they are in distance north or south from the equinoctiall , in temper , heat , cold , woods , fruits , fishes , beasts , birds , the increase and decrease of the night and day , to six moneths day and six moneths night . some say , many of those nations are so brute they have no religion , wherein surely they may be deceived , for myself i never saw nor heard of any nation in the world which had not religion , deare , bowes , and arrowes . those in new-england , i take it , beleeve much alike as those in virginia , of many divine powers , yet of one above all the rest ; as the southerly virginians call their chiefe god kewassa , and that we now inhabit , okae , but all their kings werowances . the m●ssichusots call their great god kichtan , and their kings sachemes ; and that we suppose their devill , they call habamouk . the pennobscots , their god , tantum , their kings , sagamos . about those countries are abundance of severall nations and languages , but much alike in their simple curiosities , living and workemanship , except the wilde estate of their chiefe kings , &c. of whose particular miserable magnificence , yet most happy in this , that they never trouble themselves with such variety of apparell , drinkes , viands , sawses , perfumes , preservatives , and nicities as we ; yet live as long , and much more healthfull and hardy : also the deities of their chiefest gods , priests , conjurers , religion , temples , triumphs , physicke , and chirurgeric , their births , educations , duty of their women , exercise for their men ; how they make all their instruments and engines to cut downe trees , make their cloaths , boats , lines , nets , fish-hooks , weres , and traps , mats , houses , pots , platters , morters , bowes , arrowes , targets , swords , clubs , jewels , and hatchets . their severall sorts of woods , serpents , beasts , fish , fowle , roots , berries , fruits , stones , and clay . their best trade , what is most fit to trade with them . with the particulars of the charge of a fishing voyage , and all the necessaries belonging to it , their best countries to vent it for their best returnes ; also the particulars for every private man or family that goeth to plant , and the best seasons to goe or returne thence , with the particular description of the salvages , habitations , harbours , and land markes , their latitude , longitude , or severall distance , with their old names and the new by the map augmented . lastly , the power of their kings , obedience of their subjects , lawes , executions , planting their fields , huntings , fishings , the manner of their warres and treacheries yet knowne ; and in generall , their lives and conversation , and how to bridle their brute , barbarous , and salvage dispositions : of all these particulars you may reade at large in the generall history of virginia , new-england , and the summer iles , with many more such strange actions and accidents , that to an ordinary capacity might rather seeme miracles than wonders possibly to bee effected , which though they are but wound up as bottoms of fine silke , which with a good needle might be flourished into a far larger worke , yet the images of great things are best discerned , contracted into smaller glasses . chap. . new englands yearely trials , the planting new plimoth , supprisals prevented , their wonderfull industry and fishing . for all those differences there went eight tall ships before i arived in england , from france , so that i spent that yeare in the west country , to perswade the cities , townes , and gentrie for a plantation , which the merchants very little liked , because they would have the coast free only for themselves , and the gentlemen were doubtfull of their true accounts ; oft and much it was so disputed , that at last they promised me the next yeere twenty saile well furnished , made me admirall of the country for my life under their hands , and the colonels seale for new-england ; and in renewing their letters patents , to be a patentee for my paines , yet nothing but a voluntary fishing was effected for all this aire . new england the most remarqueable parts thus named by the high and mighty prince charles , prince of great britaine at last , upon those inducements , some well disposed brownists , as they are tearmed , with some gentlemen and merchants of layden and amsterdam , to save charges , would try their owne conclusions , though with great losse and much miserie , till time had taught them to see their owne error ; for such humorists will never beleeve well , till they bee beaten with their owne rod. they were supplied with a small ship with seven and thirty passengers , who found all them were left after they were seated , well , all but six that died , for all their poverties : in this ship they returned the value of five hundred pounds , which was taken by a french-man upon the coast of england . there is gone from the west to fish five and thirty saile , two from london with sixty passengers for them at new-plimoth , and all made good voyages . now you are to understand , the seven and thirty passengers miscarrying twice upon the coast of england , came so ill provided , they onely relyed upon that poore company they found , that had lived two yeares by their naked industry , and what the country naturally afforded ; it is true , at first there hath beene taken a thousand bayses at a draught , and more than twelve hogsheads of herrings in a night , of other fish when and what they would , when they had meanes ; but wanting most necessaries for fishing and fowling , it is a wonder how they could subsist , fortifie themselves , resist their enemies , and plant their plants . in iuly , a many of stragling forlorne englishmen , whose wants they releeved , though wanted themselves ; the which to requite , destroyed their corne and fruits , and would have done the like to them , and have surprised what they had ; the salvages also intended the like , but wisely they slew the salvage captaines , and revenged those injuries upon the fugitive english , that would have done the like to them . chap. . extremity next despaire , gods great mercy , their estate , they make good salt , an unknowne rich myne . at new-plimoth , having planted there fields and gardens , such an extraordinary drought insued , all things withered , that they expected no harvest ; and having long expected a supply , they heard no newes , but a wracke split upon their coast , they supposed their ship : thus in the very labyrinth of despaire , they solemnly assembled themselves together nine houses in prayer . at their departure , the parching faire skies all overcast with blacke clouds , and the next morning , such a pleasant moderate raine continued fourteene daies , that it was hard to say , whether their withered fruits or drooping affections were most revived ; not long after came two ships to supply them , with all their passengers well , except one , and he presently recovered ; for themselves , for all their wants , there was not one sicke person amongst them : the greater ship they returned fraught with commodities . this yeare went from england , onely to fish , five and forty saile , and have all made a better voyage than ever . in this plantation there is about an hundred and fourescore persons , some cattell , but many swine and poultry : their towne containes two and thirty houses , whereof seven were burnt , with the value of five or six hundred pounds in other goods , impailed about halfe a mile , within which within a high mount , a fort , with a watch-tower , well built of stone , lome , and wood , their ordnance well mounted , and so healthfull , that of the first planters not one hath died this three yeares : yet at the first landing at cape cod , being an hundred passengers , besides twenty they had left behind at plimoth for want of good take heed , thinking to finde all things better than i advised them , spent six or seven weekes in wandring up and downe in frost and snow , wind and raine , among the woods , cricks , and swamps , forty of them died , and threescore were left in most miserable estate at new-plimoth , where their ship left them , and but nine leagues by sea from where they landed , whose misery and variable opinions , for want of experience , occasioned much faction , till necessity agreed them . these disasters , losses , and uncertainties , made such disagreement among the adventurers in england , who beganne to repent , and rather lose all , than longer continue the charge , being out of purse six or seven thousand pounds , accounting my bookes and their relations as old almanacks . but the planters , rather than leave the country , concluded absolutely to supply themselves , and to all their adventurers pay them for nine yeares two hundred pounds yearely without any other account ; where more than six hundred adventurers for virginia , for more than two hundred thousand pounds , had not six pence . since they have made a salt worke , wherewith they preserve all the fish they take , and have fraughted this yeare a ship of an hundred and fourescore tun , living so well they desire nothing but more company , and what ever they take , returne commodities to the value . thus you may plainly see , although many envying i should bring so much from thence , where many others had beene , and some the same yeare returned with nothing , reported the fish and bevers i brought home , i had taken from the french men of canada , to discourage any from beleeving me , and excuse their owne misprisions , some onely to have concealed this good country ( as is said ) to their private use ; others taxed me as much of indiscretion , to make my discoveries and designes so publike for nothing , which might have beene so well managed by some concealers , to have beene all rich ere any had knowne of it . those , and many such like wise rewards , have beene my recompences , for which i am contented , so the country prosper , and gods name bee there praised by my country-men , i have my desire ; and the benefit of this salt and fish , for breeding mariners and building ships , will make so many fit men to raise a common-wealth , if but managed , as my generall history will shew you ; it might well by this have beene as profitable as the best mine the king of spaine hath in his west indies . chap. . notes worth observation : miserablenesse no good husbandry . now if you but truly consider how many strange accidents have befallen those plantations and my selfe , how oft up , how oft downe , sometimes neere despaire , and ere long flourishing ; how many scandals and spanolized english have sought to disgrace them , bring them to ruine , or at least hinder them all they could ; how many have shaven and couzened both them and me , and their most honourable supporters and well-willers , cannot but conceive gods infinite mercy both to them and me . having beene a slave to the turks , prisoner amongst the most barbarous salvages , after my deliverance commonly discovering and ranging those large rivers and unknowne nations with such a handfull of ignorant companions , that the wiser sort often gave mee for lost , alwayes in mutinies , wants and miseries , blowne up with gunpowder ; a long time prisoner among the french pyrats , from whom escaping in a little boat by my selfe , and adrift , all such a stormy winter night when their ships were split , more than an hundred thousand pound lost , wee had taken at sea , and most of them drownd upon the i le of ree , not farre from whence i was driven on shore in my little boat , &c. and many a score of the worst of winter moneths lived in the fields , yet to have lived neere . yeares in the midst of wars , pestilence and famine ; by which , many an hundred thousand have died about mee , and scarce five living of them went first with me to virginia , and see the fruits of my labours thus well begin to prosper : though i have but my labour for my paines , have i not much reason both privately and publikely to acknowledge it and give god thankes , whose omnipotent power onely delivered me . to doe the utmost of my best to make his name knowne in those remote parts of the world , and his loving mercy to such a miserable sinner . had my designes beene to have perswaded men to a mine of gold , as i know many have done that knew no such matter ; though few doe conceive either the charge or paines in refining it , nor the power nor care to defend it ; or some new invention to passe to the south sea , or some strange plot to invade some strange monastery ; or some chargeable fleet to take some rich charaques , or letters of mart , to rob some poore merchant or honest fisher men ; what multitudes of both people and money would contend to be first imployed . but in those noble indevours now how few , unlesse it bee to begge them as monopolies , and those seldome seeke the common good , but the commons goods , as the . the . and the . pages in the generall history will shew . but only those noble gentlemen and their associates , for whose better incouragements i have recollected those experienced memorandums , as an apologie against all calumniating detracters , as well for my selfe as them . now since them called brownists went , some few before them also having my bookes and maps , presumed they knew as much as they desired , many other directers they had as wise as themselves , but that was best that liked their owne conceits ; for indeed they would not be knowne to have any knowledge of any but themselves , pretending onely religion their governour , and frugality their counsell , when indeed it was onely their pride , and singularity , and contempt of authority ; because they could not be equals , they would have no superiours : in this fooles paradise , they so long used that good husbandry , they have payed soundly in trying their owne follies , who undertaking in small handfuls to make many plantations , and to bee severall lords and kings of themselves , most vanished to nothing , to the great disparagement of the generall businesse , therefore let them take heed that doe follow their example . chap. . the mistaking of patents , strange effects , incouragements for servants . who would not thinke that all those certainties should not have made both me and this country have prospered well by this ? but it fell out otherwayes , for by the instigation of some , whose policy had long watched their oportunity by the assurance of those profitable returnes , procured new letters patents from king iames , drawing in many noblemen and others to the number of twenty , for patentees , dividing my map and that tract of land from the north sea to the south sea , east and west , which is supposed by most cosmographers at least more than two thousand miles ; and from . degrees to . of northerly latitude about . miles ; the bounds virginia to the south , the south sea to the west , canada to the north , and the maine ocean to the east ; all this they divided in twenty parts , for which they cast lots , but no lot for me but smiths iles , which are a many of barren rocks , the most overgrowne with such shrubs and sharpe whins you can hardly passe them ; without either grasse or wood , but three or foure short shrubby old cedars . those patentees procured a proclamation , that no ship should goe thither to fish but pay them for the publike , as it was pretended , five pound upon every thirty tuns of shipping , neither trade with the natives , cut downe wood , throw their balast over boord , nor plant without commission , leave and content to the lord of that division or mannor ; some of which for some of them i beleeve will be tenantlesse this thousand yeare . thus whereas this country , as the contrivers of those projects , should have planted it selfe of it selfe , especially all the chiefe parts along the coast the first yeare , as they have oft told me , and chiefly by the fishing ships and some small helpe of their owne , thinking men would be glad upon any termes to be admitted under their protections : but it proved so contrary , none would goe at all . so for feare to make a contempt against the proclamation it hath ever since beene little frequented to any purpose , nor would they doe any thing but left it to it selfe . thus it lay againe in a manner vast , till those noble gentlemen thus voluntarily undertooke it , whem i intreat to take this as a memorandum of my love , to make your plantations so neere and great as you can ; for many hands make light worke , whereas yet your small parties can doe nothing availeable ; nor stand too much upon the letting , setting , or selling those wild countries , nor impose too much upon the commonalty either by your maggazines , which commonly eat out all poore mens labours , nor any other too hard imposition for present gaine ; but let every man so it bee by order allotted him , plant freely without limitation so much as hee can , bee it by the halfes or otherwayes : and at the end of five or six yeares , or when you make a division , for every acre he hath planted , let him have twenty , thirty , forty , or an hundred ; or as you finde hee hath extraordinarily deserved , by it selfe to him and his heires for ever ; all his charges being defrayed to his lord or master , and publike good : in so doing , a servant that will labour , within foure or five yeares may live as well there as his master did here : for where there is so much land lie waste , it were a madnesse in a man at the first to buy , or hire , or pay anything more than an acknowledgement to whom it shall be due ; and hee is double mad that will leave his friends , meanes , and freedome in england , to be worse there than here . therefore let all men have as much freedome in reason as may be , and true dealing , for it is the greatest comfort you can give them , where the very name of servitude will breed much ill bloud , and become odious to god and man ; but mildly temper correction with mercy , for i know well you will have occasion enough to use both ; and in thus doing , doubtlesse god will blesse you , and quickly triple and multiply your numbers , the which to my utmost i will doe my best indevour . chap. . the planting bastable or salem and charlton , a description of the massachusets . in all those plantations , yea , of those that have done least , yet the most will say , we were the first ; and so every next supply , still the next beginner : but seeing history is the memory of time , the life of the dead , and the happinesse of the living ; because i have more plainly discovered , and described , and discoursed of those countries than any as yet i know , i am the bolder to continue the story , and doe all men right so neere as i can in those new beginnings , which hereafter perhaps may bee in better request than a forest of nine dayes pamphlets . in the yeare . about march , six good ships are gone with . men , women , and children , people professing themselves of good ranke , zeale , meanes and quality : also . head of cattell , as horse , mares , and neat beasts ; . goats , some conies , with all provision for houshold and apparell ; six peeces of great ordnance for a fort , with muskets , pikes , corslets , drums and colours , with all provisions necessary for the good of man. they are seated about . degrees and . minutes , at a place called by the natives naemkecke , by our royall king charles , bastable ; but now by the planters , salem ; where they arrived for most part exceeding well , their cattell and all things else prospering exceedingly , farre beyond their expectation . at this place they found some reasonable good provision and houses built by some few of dorchester , with whom they are joyned in society with two hundred men , an hundred and fifty more they have sent to the massachusets , which they call charlton , or charles towne : i tooke the fairest reach in this bay for a river , whereupon i called it charles river , after the name of our royall king charles ; but they find that faire channell to divide it selfe into so many faire branches as make forty or fifty pleasant ilands within that excellent bay , where the land is of divers and sundry sorts , in some places very blacke and fat , in others good clay , sand and gravell , the superficies neither too flat in plaines , nor too high in hils . in the iles you may keepe your hogs , horse , cattell , conies or poultry , and secure for little or nothing , and to command when you lift , onely having a care of provision for some extraordinary cold winter . in those iles , as in the maine , you may make your nurseries for fruits and plants where you put no cattell ; in the maine you may shape your orchards , vineyards , pastures , gardens , walkes , parkes , and corne fields out of the whole peece as you please into such plots , one adjoyning to another , leaving every of them invironed with two , three , foure , or six , or so many rowes of well growne trees as you will , ready growne to your hands , to defend them from ill weather , which in a champion you could not in many ages ; and this at first you may doe with as much facility , as carelesly or ignorantly cut downe all before you , and then after better consideration make ditches , pales , plant young trees with an excessive charge and labour , seeing you may have so many great and small growing trees for your maine posts , to fix hedges , palisados , houses , rales , or what you will ; which order in virginia hath not beene so well observed as it might : where all the woods for many an hundred mile for the most part grow streight , like unto the high grove or tuft of trees , upon the high hill by the house of that worthy knight sir humphrey mildmay , so remarkable in essex in the parish of danbery , where i writ this discourse , but much taller and greater , neither grow they so thicke together by the halfe , and much good ground betweene them without shrubs , and the best is ever knowne by the greatnesse of the trees and the vesture it beareth . now in new-england the trees are commonly lower , but much thicker and firmer wood , and more proper for shipping , of which i will speake a little , being the chiefe engine wee are to use in this worke , and the rather for that within a square of twenty leagues , you may have all , or most of the chiefe materials belonging to them , were they wrought to their perfection as in other places . of all fabricks a ship is the most excellent , requiring more art in building , rigging , sayling , trimming , defending , and moaring , with such a number of severall termes and names in continuall motion , not understood of any landman , as none would thinke of , but some few that know them ; for whose better instruction i writ my sea-grammar , a booke most necessary for those plantations , because there is scarce any thing belonging to a ship , but the sea-termes , charge and duty of every officer is plainly expressed , and also any indifferent capacity may conceive how to direct an unskilfull carpenter or sailer to build boats and barkes sufficient to saile those coasts and rivers , and put a good workman in minde of many things in this businesse hee may easily mistake or forget . but to be excellent in this faculty is the master-peece of all the most necessary workmen in the world . the first rule or modell thereof being directed by god himselfe to noah for his arke , which he never did to any other building but his temple , which is tossed and turned up and downe the world with the like dangers , miseries , and extremities as a ship , sometimes tasting the fury of the foure elements , as well as shee , by unlimited tyrants in their cruelty for tortures , that it is hard to conceive whether those inhumanes exceed the beasts of the forrest , the birds of the aire , the fishes of the sea , either in numbers , greatnesse , swiftnesse , fiercenesse or cruelty ; whose actions and varieties , with such memorable observations as i have collected , you shall finde with admiration in my history of the sea , if god be pleased i live to finish it . chap. . extraordinary meanes for building , many caveats , increase of corne , how to spoyle the woods , for any thing , their healths . for the building houses , townes , and fortresses , where shall a man finde the like conveniency , as stones of most sorts , as well lime stone , if i be not much deceived , as iron stone , smooth stone , blew slate for covering houses , and great rockes we supposed marble , so that one place is called the marble harbour : there is grasse plenty , though very long and thicke stalked , which being neither mowne nor eaten , is very ranke , yet all their cattell like and prosper well therewith , but indeed it is weeds , herbs , and grasse growing together , which although they be good and sweet in the summer , they will deceive your cattell in winter ; therefore be carefull in the spring to mow the swamps , and the low ilands of auguan , where you may have harsh sheare-grasse enough to make hay of , till you can cleare ground to make pasture , which will beare as good grasse as can grow any where , as now it doth in virginia ; and unlesse you make this provision , if there come an extraordinary winter , you will lose many of them & hazard the rest , especially if you bring them in the latter end of summer , or before the grasse bee growne in the spring , comming weake from sea. all things they plant prosper exceedingly : but one man of . gallons of indian corne , reaped that yeare . bushels london measure , as they confidently report , at which i much wonder , having planted many bushels , but no such increase . the best way wee found in virginia to spoile the woods , was first to cut a notch in the barke a hand broad round about the tree , which pill off and the tree will sprout no more , and all the small boughs in a yeare or two will decay , the greatest branches in the root they spoyle with fire , but you with more ease may cut them from the body and they will quickly rot : betwixt those trees they plant their corne , whose great bodies doe much defend it from extreme gusts , and heat of the sunne , where that in the plaines , where the trees by time they have consumed , is subject to both ; and this is the most easie way to have pasture and corne fields , which is much more fertile than the other : in virginia they never manure their overworne fields , which is very few , the ground for most part is so fertile : but in new-england they doe , sticking at every plant of corne , a herring or two , which commeth in that season in such abundance , they may take more than they know what to doe with . some infirmed bodies , or tender educats , complaine of the piercing cold , especially in january and february , yet the french in canada , the russians , swethlanders , polanders , germans , and our neighbour hollanders , are much colder and farre more northward , for all that , rich countreyes and live well . now they have wood enough if they will but cut it , at their doores to make fires , and traine oyle with the splinters of the roots of firre trees for candles , where in holland they have little or none to build ships , houses , or any thing but what they fetch from forren countries , yet they dwell but in the latitude of yorkshire , and new-england is in the heighth of the north cape of spaine , which is . degrees , . leagues , or . miles nearer the sunne than wee , where upon the mountaines of bisky i have felt as much cold , frost , and snow as in england , and of this i am sure , a good part of the best countries and kingdomes of the world , both northward and southward of the line , lie in the same paralels of uirginia and new-england as at large you may finde in the . page of the generall history . thus you may see how prosperously thus farre they have proceeded , in which course by gods grace they may contitinue ; but great care would be had they pester not their ships too much with cattell nor passengers , and to make good conditions for your peoples diet , for therein is used much legerdemaine , therefore in that you cannot be too carefull to keepe your men well , and in health at sea : in this case some masters are very provident , but the most part so they can get fraught enough , care not much whether the passengers live or die , for a common sailer regards not a landman , especially a poore passenger , as i have seene too oft approved by lamentable experience , although we have victualled them all at our owne charges . chap. . their great supplies , present estate and accidents , advantage . who would not thinke but that all those trials had beene sufficient to lay a foundation for a plantation , but we see many men many mindes , and still new lords , new lawes : for those . men with all their cattell that so well arived and promised so much , not being of one body , but severall mens servants , few could command and fewer obey , lived merrily of that they had , neither planting or building any thing to any purpose , but one faire house for the governour , till all was spent and the winter approached ; then they grew into many diseases , and as many inconveniences , depending only of a supply from england , which expected houses , gardens , and corne fields ready planted by them for their entertainment . it is true , that master iohn wynthrop , their now governour , a worthy gentleman both in estate and esteeme , went so well provided ( for six or seven hundred people went with him ) as could be devised , but at sea , such an extraordinarie storme encountred his fleet , continuing ten daies , that of two hundred cattell which were so tossed and brused , threescore and ten died , many of their people fell sicke , and in this perplexed estate , after ten weekes , they arrived in new-england at severall times , where they found threescore of their people dead , the rest sicke , nothing done , but all complaining , and all things so contrary to their expectation , that now every monstrous humor began to shew it selfe . and to second this , neare as many more came after them , but so ill provided , with such multitudes of women and children , as redoubled their necessities . this small triall of their patience , caused among them no small confusion , and put the governour and his councell to their utmost wits ; some could not endure the name of a bishop , others not the sight of a crosse nor surplesse , others by no meanes the booke of common prayer . this absolute crue , only of the elect , holding all ( but such as themselves ) reprobates and cast-awaies , now make more haste to returne to babel , as they tearmed england , than stay to enjoy the land they called canaan ; somewhat they must say to excuse themselves . those he found brownists , hee let goe for new-plimoth , who are now betwixt foure or five hundred , and live well without want , some two hundred of the rest he was content to returne for england , whose clamors are as variable as their humours and auditors ; some say they could see no timber of two foot diameter , some the country is all woods , others they drunke all the springs and ponds dry , yet like to famish for want of fresh water ; some of the danger of the rattell snake ; and that others sold their provisions at what rates they pleased to them that wanted , and so returned to england great gainers out of others miseries ; yet all that returned are not of those humors . notwithstanding all this , the noble governour was no way disanimated , neither repents him of his enterprise for all those mistakes , but did order all things with that temperance and discretion , and so releeved those that wanted with his owne provision , that there is six or seven hundred remained with him , and more than . english in all the country , with three or foure hundred head of cattell , as for corne they are very ignorant : if upon the coast of america , they doe not before the end of this october ( for toies ) furnish themselves with two or three thousand bushels of indian corne , which is better than ours , and in a short time cause the salvages to doe them as good service as their owne men , as i did in virginia , and yet neither use cruelty nor tyranny amongst them ; a consequence well worth putting in practice : and till it be effected , they will hardly doe well . i know ignorance will say it is impossible , but this impossible taske , ever since the massacre in virginia , i have beene a suter to have undertaken , but with . men , to have got corne , fortified the country , and discovered them more land than they all yet know or have demonstrated : but the merchants common answer was , necessity in time would force the planters doe it themselves , and rather thus husbandly to lose ten sheepe , than be at the charge of a halfe penny worth of tarre . who is it that knowes not what a small handfull of spaniards in the west indies , subdued millions of the inhabitants , so depopulating those countries they conquered , that they are glad to buy negroes in affrica at a great rate , in countries farre remote from them , which although they bee as idle and as devilish people as any in the world , yet they cause them quickly to bee their best servants ; notwithstanding , there is for every foure or five naturall spaniards , two or three hundred indians and negros , and in virginia and new-england more english than salvages , that can assemble themselves to assault or hurt them , and it is much better to helpe to plant a country than unplant it and then replant it : but there indians were in such multitudes , the spaniards had no other remedy ; and ours such a few , and so dispersed , it were nothing in a short time to bring them to labour and obedience . it is strange to me , that english men should not doe as much as any , but upon every sleight affront , in stead to amend it , we make it worse ; notwithstanding the worst of all those rumours , the better sort there are constant in their resolutions , and so are the most of their best friends here ; and making provision to supply them , many conceit they make a death here , which is nothing so ; for they would spend more here than they transport thither . one ship this summer with twenty cattell , and forty or fifty passengers , arived all well , and the ship at home againe in nine weekes : another for all this exclamation of want , is returned with . corfish , and fourescore kegs of sturgion , which they did take and save when the season was neare past , and in the very heat of summer , yet as good as can be . since another ship is gone from bristow , and many more a providing to follow them with all speed . thus you may plainly see for all these rumours , they are in no such distresse as is supposed : as for their mischances , misprisons , or what accidents may befall them , i hope none is so malicious , as attribute the fault to the country nor mee ; yet if some blame us not both , it were more than a wonder ; for i am not ignorant that ignorance and too curious spectators , make it a great part of their profession to censure ( however ) any mans actions , who having lost the path to vertue , will make most excellent shifts to mount up any way ; such incomparable connivenoy is in the devils most punctuall cheaters , they will hazard a joint , but where god hath his church they wil have a chapel ; a mischiefe so hard to be prevented , that i have thus plainly adventured to shew my affection , through the weaknesse of my abilitie , you may easily know them by their absolutenesse in opinions , holding experience but the mother of fooles , which indeed is the very ground of reason , and he that contemnes her in those actions , may finde occasion enough to use all the wit and wisdome hee hath to correct his owne solly , that thinkes to finde amongst those salvages such churches , palaces , monuments , and buildings as are in england . chap. . ecclesiasticall government in virginia , authority from the arch bishop , their beginning at bastable now called salem . now because i have spoke so much for the body , give me leave to say somewhat of the soule ; and the rather because i have beene demanded by so many , how we beganne to preach the gospell in virginia , and by what authority , what churches we had , our order of service , and maintenance for our ministers , therefore i thinke it not amisse to satisfie their demands , it being the mother of all our plantations , intreating pride to spare laughter , to understand her simple beginning and proceedings . when i went first to virginia , i well remember , wee did hang an awning ( which is an old saile ) to three or foure trees to shadow us from the sunne , our walls were rales of wood , our seats unhewed trees , till we cut plankes , our pulpit a bar of wood nailed to two neighbouring trees , in foule weather we shifted into an old rotten tent , for we had few better , and this came by the way of adventure for new ; this was our church , till wee built a homely thing like a barne , set upon cratchets , covered with rafts , sedge , and earth , so was also the walls : the best of our houses of the like curiosity , but the most part farre much worse workmanship , that could neither well defend wind nor raine , yet wee had daily common prayer morning and evening , every sunday two sermons , and every three moneths the holy communion , till our minister died , but our prayers daily , with an homily on sundaies ; we continued two or three yeares after till more preachers came , and surely god did most mercifully hearens , till the continuall inundations of mistaking directions , factions , and numbers of unprovided libertines neere consumed us all , as the israelites in the wildernesse . notwithstanding , out of the relicks of our miseries , time and experience had brought that country to a great happinesse , had they not so much doated on their tabacco , on whose fumish foundation there is small stability : there being so many good commodities besides , yet by it they have builded many pretty villages , faire houses , and chapels , which are growne good benefices of . pounds a yeare , besides their owne mundall industry , but iames towne was . pounds a yeare , as they say , appointed by the councell here , allowed by the councell there , and confirmed by the arch-bishop of canterbury his grace , primate and metrapolitan of all england . an. . to master richard haeclutt prebend of westminister , who by his authority sent master robert hunt , an honest , religious , and couragious divine ; during whose life our factions were oft qualified , our wants and greatest extremities so comforted , that they seemed easie in comparison of what we endured after his memorable death . now in new-england they have all our examples to teach them how to beware , and choice men , wee most ignorant in all things , or little better , therfore presage not the event of all such actions by our defailements : for they write , they doubt not ere long to be able to defend themselves against any indifferent enemy ; in the interim , they have preachers erected among themselves , and gods true religion ( they say ) taught amongst them , the sabbath day observed , the common prayer ( as i understand ) and sermons performed , and diligent catechizing , with strict and carefull exercise , and commendable good orders to bring those people with whom they have to deale withall into a christian conversation , to live well , to feare god , serve the king , and love the country ; which done , in time from both those plantations may grow a good addition to the church of england ; but rome was not built in one day , whose beginnings was once as unhopefull as theirs , and to make them as eminent shall be my humble and hearty prayers . but as yet it is not well understood of any authority they have sought for the government & tranquillity of the church , which doth cause those suspicions of factions in religion , wherein although i be no divine , yet i hope without offence i may speake my opinion as well in this as i have done in the rest . he that will but truly consider the greatnesse of the turks empire and power here in christendome , shall finde the naturall turkes are generally of one religion , and the christians in so many divisions and opinions , that they are among themselves worse enemies than the turkes , whose disjoyntednesse hath given him that opportunity to command so many hundred thousand of christians as he doth , where had they beene constant to one god , one christ , and one church , christians might have beene more able to have commanded as many turkes , as now the turkes doe poore miserable christians . let this example remember you to beware of faction in that nature ; for my owne part , i have seene many of you here in london goe to church as orderly as any . therefore i doubt not not but you will seeke to the prime authority of the church of england , for such an orderly authority as in most mens opinions is fit for you both to intreat for and to have , which i thinke will not be denied ; and you have good reason , seeing you have such liberty to transport so many of his majesties subjects , with all sorts of cattell , armes , and provision as you please , and can provide meanes to accomplish , nor can you have any certaine releefe , nor long subsist without more supplies from england . besides , this might prevent many inconveniences may insue , and would clearely take away all those idle and malicious rumours , and occasion you many good and great friends and assistance you yet dreame not of ; for you know better than i can tell , that the maintainers of good orders and lawes is the best preservation next god of a kingdome : but when they are stuffed with hypocrisie and corruption , that state is not doubtfull but lamentable in a well setled common-wealth , much more in such as yours , which is but a beginning , for as the lawes corrupt , the state consumes . chap. . the true modell of a plantation , tenure , increase of trade , true examples , necessity of expert souldiers , the names of all the first discoverers for plantations and their actions , what is requisite to be in the governour of a plantation , the expedition of queene elizabeths sea captaines . in regard of all that is past , it is better of those slow proceedings than lose all , and better to amendlate than never ; i know how hatefull it is to envy , pride , flattery , and greatnesse to be advised , but i hope my true meaning wise men will excuse , for making my opinion plaine ; i have beene so often and by so many honest men intreated for the rest , the more they mislike it , the better i like it my selfe . concerning this point of a cittadell , it is not the least , though the last remembred : therefore seeing you have such good meanes and power of your owne i never had , with the best convenient speed may be erect a fort , a castle or cittadell , which in a manner is all one ; towards the building , provision , and maintenance thereof , every man for every acre he doth culturate to pay foure pence yearely , and some small matter out of every hundred of fish taken or used within five or ten miles , or as you please about it , it being the center as a fortresse for ever belonging to the state , and when the charge shall be defrayed to the chiefe undertaker , in reason , let him be governour for his life : the overplus to goe forward to the erecting another in like manner in a most convenient place , and so one after another , as your abilities can accomplish , by benevoleuces , forfeitures , fines , and impositions , as reason and the necessitie of the common good requireth ; all men holding their lands on those manners as they doe of churches , universities , and hospitals , but all depending upon one principall , and this would avoid all faction among the superiours , extremities from the comminalty , & none would repine at such payments , when they shall see it justly imployed for their owne defence and security ; as for corruption in so small a government , you may quickly perceive , and punish it accordingly . now as his majesty hath made you custome-free for seven yeares , have a care that all your country men shall come to trade with you , be not troubled with pilatage , boyage , ancorage , wharfage , custome , or any such tricks as hath beene lately used in most of new plantations , where they would be kings before their folly ; to the discouragement of many , and a scorne to them of understanding , for dutch , french , biskin , or any will as yet use freely the coast without controule , and why not english as well as they : therefore use all commers with that respect , courtesie , and liberty is fitting , which in a short time will much increase your trade and shipping to fetch it from you , for as yet it were not good to adventure any more abroad with factors till you bee better provided ; now there is nothing more inricheth a common-wealth than much trade , nor no meanes better to increase than small custome , as holland , genua , ligorne , and divers other places can well tell you , and doth most beggar those places where they take most custome , as turkie , the archipelagan iles , cicilia , the spanish ports , but that their officers will connive to inrich themselves , though undoe the state. in this your infancy , imagine you have many eyes attending your actions , some for one end , and some onely to finde fault ; neglect therefore no opportunity , to informe his majesty truly your orderly proceedings , which if it be to his liking , and contrary to the common rumour here in england , doubtlesse his majesty will continue you custome free , till you have recovered your selves , and are able to subsist ; for till such time , to take any custome from a plantation , is not the way to make them prosper , nor is it likely those patentees shall accomplish anything ; that will neither maintaine them nor defend them , but with countenances , councells , and advice , which any reasonable man there may better advise himselfe , than one thousand of them here who were never there ; nor will any man , that hath any wit , throw himselfe into such a kinde of subjection , especially at his owne cost and charges ; but it is too oft seene that sometimes one is enough to deceive one hundred , but two hundred not sufficient to keepe one from being deceived . i speake not this to discourage any with vaine feares , but could wish every english man to carry alwaies this motto in his heart ; why should the brave spanish souldiers brag . the sunne never sets in the spanish dominions , but ever shineth on one part or other we have conquered for our king ; who within these few hundred of yeares , was one of the least of most of his neighbours ; but to animate us to doe the like for ours , who is no way his inferior ; and truly there is no pleasure comparable to a generous spirit ; as good imploiment in noble actions , especially amongst turks , heathens , and infidels , to see daily new countries , people , fashions , governments , stratagems , releeve the oppressed , comfort his friends , passe miseries , subdue enemies , adventure upon any feazable danger for god and his country : it is true , it is a happy thing to be borne to strength , wealth , and honour , but that which is got by prowesse and magnanunity is the truest lustre ; and those can the best distinguish content , that have escaped most honourable dangers , as if out of every extremity he found himselfe now borne to a new life to learne how to amend and maintaine his age . those harsh conclusions have so oft plundered me in those perplexed actions , that if i could not freely expresse my selfe to them doth second them , i should thinke my selfe guilty of a most damnable crime worse than ingratitude ; however some overweining capricious conceits , may attribute it to vaine-glory , ambition , or what other idle epithete such pleased to bestow on me : but such trash i so much scorne , that i presume further to advise those , lesse advised than my selfe , that as your fish and trade increaseth , so let your forts and exercise of armes , drilling your men at your most convenient times , to ranke , file , march , skirmish , and retire , in file , manaples , battalia , or ambuskados , which service there is most proper ; also how to assault and defend your forts , and be not sparing of a little extraordinary shot and powder to make them mark-men , especially your gentlemen , and those you finde most capable , for shot must be your best weapon , yet all this will not doe unlesse you have atleast . or as many as you can , of expert , blouded , approved good souldiers , who dare boldly lead them , not to shoot a ducke , a goose , or a dead marke , but at men , from whom you must expect such as you send . the want of this , and the presumptuous assurance of literall captaines , was the losse of the french and spaniards in florida , each surprising other , and lately neare the ruine of mevis and saint christophers in the indies : also the french at port riall , and those at canada , now your next english neighbours : lastly , cape britton not far from you , called new-scotland . questionlesse there were some good souldiers among them , yet somewhat was the cause they were undone by those that watched the advātage of opportunity : for as rich preyes make true men theeves ; so you must not expect , if you be once worth taking and unprovided , but by some to bee attempted in the like manner : to the prevention whereof , i have not beene more willing at the request of my friends to print this discourse , than i am ready to live and dye among you , upon conditions sating my calling and profession to make good , and virginia and new-england , my heires , executors , administrators and assignes . now because i cannot expresse halfe that which is necessary for your full satisfaction and instruction belonging to this businesse in this small pamphlet , i referre you to the generall history of virginia , the summer iles , and new-england ; wherein you may plainly see all the discoveries , plantations , accidents , the misprisions and causes of defailments of all those noble and worthy captaines ; captaine philip amadas , and barlow ; that most renowned knight sir richard greenvile , worthy sir ralph layne , and learned master horiot , captaine iohn white , captaine bartholomew gosnold , captaine martin pring , and george waymouth , with mine owne observations by sea , rivers and land , and all the governours that yearely succeeded mee in virginia . also those most industrious captaines , sir george summers , and sir thomas gates , with all the governours that succeeded them in the summer iles. likewise the plantation of sagadahock , by those noble captaines , george popham , rawley gilbert , edward harlow , robert davis , iames davis , iohn davis , and divers others , with the maps of those countries : with it also you may finde the plantations of saint christophers , mevis , the berbades , and the great river of the amazons , whose greatest defects , and the best meanes to amend them are there yearely recorded , to be warnings and examples to them that are not too wise to learne to understand . this great worke , though small in conceit , is not a worke for everyone to mannage such an affaire , as make a discovery , and plant a colony , it requires all the best parts of art , judgement , courage , honesty , constancy , diligence , and industry , to doe but neere well ; some are more proper for one thing than another , and therein best to be imployed , and nothing breeds more confusion than misplacing and misimploying men in their undertakings . columbus , curtes , pitzara , zotto , magellanus , and the rest , served more than an apprentiship to learne how to begin their most memorable attempts in the west indies , which to the wonder of all ages , succesfully they effected , when many hundreds farre above them in the worlds opinion , being instructed but by relation , scorning to follow their blunt examples , but in great state , with new inventions came to shame and confusion in actions of small moment , who doubtlesse in other matters , were both wise , discreet , generous and couragious . i say not this to detract any thing from their noblenesse , state , nor greatnesse , but to answer those questionlesse questions that keepe us from imitating the others brave spirits , that advanced themselves from poore souldiers to great captaines , their posterity to great lords , and their king to be one of the greatest potentates on earth , and the fruits of their labours his greatest glory , power , and renowne . till his greatnesse and security made his so rich remote and dispersed plantations such great booties and honours , to the incomparable sir fr. drake , the renowned captain candish , sir richard luson , sir iohn hawkins , captaine carlile , and sir martin furbisher , &c. and the most memorable and right honourable earles , cumberland , essex , southampton , and nottingham that good l. admirall , with many hundreds of brave english souldiers , captaines and gentlemen , that have taught the hollanders to doe the like : those would never stand upon a demurre who should give the first blow , when they see peace was onely but an empty name , and no sure league , but impuissance to doe hurt , found it better to buy peace by warre , than take it up at interest of those could better guide penknives than use swords ; and there is no misery worse than be conducted by a foole , or commanded by a coward ; for who can indure to be assaulted by any , see his men and selfe imbrued in their owne bloud , for feare of a checke , when it is so contrary to nature and necessity , and yet as obedient to government and their soveraigne , as duty required . now your best plea is to stand upon your guard , and provide to defend as they did offend , especially at landing : if you be forced to retire , you have the advantage five for one in your retreat , wherein there is more discipline , than in a brave charge ; and though it seeme lesse in fortune , it is as much in valour to defend as to get , but it is more easie to defend than assault , especially in woods where an enemy is ignorant . lastly , remember as faction , pride , and security , produces nothing but confusion , miseric and dissolution ; so the contraries well practised will in short time make you happy , and the most admired people of all our plantations for your time in the world . iohn smith writ this with his owne hand . finis . errata . page . the company in england say . or . thousand : the counsell in virginia say but . or there abouts . errata . courteous reader , by reason of the false transcribeing of the copy these faults are past , which we desire you to mend with your pen. in the epistle to the reader l. . for detractnesse read detractment . in the contents . chap. . l. . the sants , r. them phesants . page . l. . desirous , r. desired . p . l. . denied not , r. denied it , not . p. . l. . the sants r. them phesants . p. . l. . cattanents , r. catavents . p. . l. . with , r. to which . p. against line . r. b. wants in the margin . p. . l. . almond , r. allom. p. . against line . r. b. wants in the margin . p. . l. . accord ▪ r. action . p. . in line and . blot out cutters to have made india tobacco . p. . l. . then for mine , r. then mine for . p. . l. . shaviva , r. aleavina . p. . l. . immitation , r. initiation . p. . l. . come , r. am . p. . against line . r. b. wants in the margin . p. . l. . . . . for neva disant ma main faict cest aennre , on ma vertut cebel aennre ae par faict ; mais dis ainsi dien par moy a faict , dieu est santheur dei peu de bien que je ' onre . reade , ne va disant ma main a faict cest oeuure , ou ma vertu ce bel oeuure a par faict ; mais dis ainsi dieu par moy l'our a faict , dieu est l'autheur du peu de bien que je'oure . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e no browaist nor separatist admitted . what they are that biginne this plantation . the bine of virginia . the differences betwixt my beginning in virginia and the proceedings of my successors . a strange mistake is wise men . thee effect of slavrry the 〈◊〉 of misery . take heed of factions bred in england . the massacre in virginia . how the company dissolved . the abundance of victuals now in virginia . a great comfort for new england by virginia . the differences betwixt the beginning of virginia , and them of salem . a necessary consideration . new-england is no iland but the maine continent . a strange plague among the salvages . by what right wee may possesse those countries law fully . true reasons for those plantations . rare examples of the spaniards , portugals , and the ancients . my first voyage to notumbega now called new-england . . we got . pound in six moneths . . bevers sent to france . my second and third voyage . . . a description of the country . vnder the equinoctiall , twelve houres day , and twelve night . their religion . . eight ships to fish . . . seven and thirty saile to fish . . five and forty saile to fish . . they make store of good salt . an incredible rich mine . notes worthy observation . goods ill gotten ill spent . miserablenesse no good husbandry . . . . . the effect of the last great patent . a proclamation for new-england . memorandums for masters . incouragements for servants . . the planting salem . their provisions for salem . the planting salem and charlton . a description of the massachusets bay. the master-peece of workmanship . extraordinary meanes for buildings . caveats for catt●ll . how to spoyle the woods for pasture and corne . a silly complaint of cold , the reason and remedy . proviso●s for passengers and saylers at sea . . their presnnt estate . the fruits of counterfeits . note well . ecclesiasticall government in virginia . their estates at this day . their order of teaching in salem . the miserable effects of faction in religion . the necessity of order and authority . the effect of a cittadell , or 〈◊〉 t●ue modell of a plantation . the condition of trade and freedome . the spaniards glory . provisoes for exercise of armes . a reference to the action of all our prime discoverers and plonters . what is requisite to be in a governour of a plantation . the expeditions of queene elizabeths sea-captaines . a true and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america to wit, of virginia, new-england, bermudus, barbados : with the temperature of the air, the nature of the soil, the rivers, mountains, beasts, fowls, birds, fishes, trees, plants, fruits, &c. : as also, of the natives of virginia, and new-england, their religion, customs, fishing, hunting, &c. / collected by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a true and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america to wit, of virginia, new-england, bermudus, barbados : with the temperature of the air, the nature of the soil, the rivers, mountains, beasts, fowls, birds, fishes, trees, plants, fruits, &c. : as also, of the natives of virginia, and new-england, their religion, customs, fishing, hunting, &c. / collected by samuel clarke ... clarke, samuel, - . [i.e. ], [ ], p. printed for robert clavel, thomas passenger, william cadman, william whitwood, thomas sawbridge, and william birch, london : . reproduction of original in william l. clements library. "examples of the wonderful works of god in the creatures": p. at end. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng america -- description and travel. virginia -- description and travel. bermuda islands -- description and travel. new england -- description and travel. barbados -- description and travel. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a true , and faithful account of the four chiefest plantations of the english in america . to wit , of virginia . new-england . bermvdvs . barbados . with the temperature of the air : the nature of the soil : the rivers , mountains , beasts , fowls , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. as also , of the natives of virginia , and new-england , their religion , customs , fishing , huntings , &c. collected by samuel clarke , sometimes pastor in saint bennet-fink , london . london , printed for robert clavel , thomas passenger , william cadman , william whitwood , thomas sawbridge , and william birch . . the description of virginia , and the plantation of the english . the temperature of the air ; the nature of the soile , the rivers , mountains , beasts , fowls , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. as also of the natives , their religion , customs , fishings , huntings , treachery , &c. anno christi , . sr. walter rawleigh obtained of queen elizabeth of glorious memory , a patent for discovering , and peopling of unknown countries , not actually possessed by any christian prince , dated march . and in the th . year of her reign : in prosecution whereof april th . he set forth two barks under the command of mr. philip amadas , and mr. arther barlow , which arrived on that part of america , which that virgin queen named virginia : and thereof in her majesties name there took possession july . and having taken a view of , and liking the country ; and having had conference , and some trading with the savages , observing about fourteen sorts of sweet smelling timber trees , and many other commodities ; bringing with them two of the savages , they returned home in september following . anno christi , . sr. richard greenvile was sent by sr. walter rawleigh with a fleet of seven sail , which landed in the isle of st. john de porto rico. may . and there fortified themselves , and built a pinace . the spaniards promised to furnish them with victuals , but did not : whereupon , they took two spanish frigots . in hispaniola they had friendly greetings , and some trade with the spaniards ; from whence they came to an anchor at wokocon , whereby the unskilfullness of the master , their admiral strook on ground and sunk : july . they returned for england , and by the way they took a spanish ship of three hundred tun , richly laden . in virginia they left a colony under the goverment of mr. ralph lane and others , besides an hundred men . the governour wrote from his new fort in virginia , that if they had kine , and horses in a reasonable proportion , no country in christendom was to be compared to it . they discovered from roanoack to the chesipians above one hundred and thirty miles , and to chawanock north-west , as far . in the beginning of june . the natives conspired against the english , for which , the chiefest of them lost his head : and sr. francis drake coming thither after he had sacked diverse of the spanish towns , took the colony with 〈◊〉 his victorious fleet , and brought them into england . the same year sr. walter rawleigh 〈◊〉 sent a ship of an hundred tun with provisions for the colony , which arrived at hatorask presently after they were come away wherefore having sought them in vain , she returned with her provisions 〈◊〉 england : about a fortnight after her departure , sr. kichard greenvile , general of virginia , with three ships arrived there , and neither hearing of the ship , nor the colony which he had left there the year before ; after long search in vain , he left fifteen men to keep possession of the country in the isle of roanoack , furnished for two years , and so returned , by the way spoiling some towns of the azores , and taking diverse spaniards . anno christi , . sr. walter rawleigh ( notwithstanding former discouragements ) sent another colony of one hundred and fifty persons under the government of mr. john white , with twelve assistants , to which he gave a charter , and incorporated them by the name of governors and assistance of the city of rawleigh in virginia . these arrived july . at hatorask , where they went ashore to seek the fifteen men left there the year before , intending to plant at chesopiok : but they were informed by a native called manteo , that the savages had secretly slain some of them , and the other were fled they knew not whither . this manteo was afterwards baptized , and by sr. walter rawleigh was made lieutenant of roanock . here also mrs. dare the governours daughter was delivered of a daughter , that was baptized by the name of virginia . aug. the . they departed and returned into england . the commodities that are in virginia . oak of an excellent grain ; straight , tall , and long , elme , beech , birch , very tall and great , of whose bark the natives make their canows ; nut-hasil , hasil , alder , cherry-tree , maple , eive , spruce , aspe , fir in great abundance and many other fruits , trees which the english knew not . from the firrs issues much turpentine , and tar , and pitch . eagles , hearn , shaws , cranes , large ducks and mallard , geese , swans , wigeon , sharks , crows , ravens , kites , sea-mews , pidgeons , turtle-doves , turkies , and many other fowles and birds unknown ; hawks of diverse kinds . deer red and follow , bears , wolves , beavers , otters , hares , conies , martens , sables , hogs , porcupins , polecats , cats wild and great , dogs , whereof some like foxes , elks , and some lyons , squirrils of three sorts , some flying squirils , hares , &c. whales , porpoises , seales , cod very large , haddocks , herring , plaise , thornback , rack-fish , lobsters , crabs , mussels , wilks , cony-fish , lump-fish , whitings , salmonds in great plenty . tobacco , vines , strawberries , rasberries , goosberries , hartleberries , corants , roses , pease , angellica , ground-nuts . the wood that is most common is oak , and walnut , many of their oak are so tall and strait , that they will bear thirty inches square of good timber for twenty yards long : there are two or three several kinds of them : there are , also two or three kinds of walnuts , there are cyprus trees , some of which are neer three fathom about the root , very strait and fifty , sixty , yea eighty foot without a branch . there are also some mulberry trees , and chesnut trees , whose fruit equalizeth the best in france , or italy ; they have plums of three sorts , cherries , vines , gassafras trees . virginia lies in the latitude of . degrees and . minutes , north. anno christ , . king james ( of happy memory ) granted a pattent to sundry persons to plant along the coast of virginia , where they pleased between . degrees and . of northerly latitude , in the main land , and the islands thereunto adjoyning within a hundred miles of the coast thereof . in pursuance whereof , there were some ships sent the same year to begin a plantation in the more southerly part of virginia . virginia is a country in america that lies between the degrees of . and . of north latitude . on the east it s bounded with the grear ocean . on the south with florida . on the north with nova francia . but for the west the limits are unknown . the plantation which was begun in the year . was under the degree of . . and . where the tempreture of the air , after they were well seasoned , agreed well with the constitutions of the english. they sound the summer as hot as in spain : the winter as cold as in france or england : the heat of summer is in june , july , and august , but commonly a cool briefs asswages the vehemency of the heat : the chiefest winter is in half - december , january , february , and half march. the winds are variable , which yet purifie the air , as doth the thunder and lightning , which sometimes is very terrible . sometimes there are great droughts , and othersometimes great raines , yet the european fruits planted there prospered well . there is but one entrance by sea into the country , and that is at the mouth of a very goodly bay , which is about eighteen or twenty miles wide . the cape of the south side is called cape henry : the land there is white sand , and along the shore are great plenty of pines , and firrs the north cape is called cape-charles : the isles before it are called smiths isles . the country is full of large and pleasant navigable rivers . in it are mountains , hills , plains , valleys , rivers , and brooks ; this bay lieth north and south , in which the water flowes near two hundred miles , and hath a channel for one hundred and forty miles , of depth between seven and fifteen fathom : the breadth makes ten or fourteen miles . northward from the bay the land is mountanous , from which fall some brooks , which after make five navigable rivers : the entrance of these rivers into the bay being within twenty or fifteen miles one of another . the mountains are of divers natures , some of stone for millstones , some of marble , &c. and many pieces of chrystal are brought down from them by the raines . the soil generally is lusty and rich , being generally of a black sandy mould : in some places a fat slimy clay : in other places gravel . the countrey generally hath such pleasant plain hills , and fertile valleys , one prettily crossing another , and watered so conveniently with sweet brooks , and chrystal streams as if artists had devised them . by the rivers are many marshes , some of , , . yea acres , some more , some less . on the west side of the bay , and neerest to its mouth , is the river called powhatan , according to the name of a principal countrey that lies upon it : the mouth of it is near three miles in breadth : it s navigable one hundred and fifty miles as the channel goes : in the farthest place which the english discovered , are falls , rocks , and shoales which hinder any farther navigation . in a peninsula on the north side of this river , the english first planted , in a place which they called james town . as our men passed up one of their rivers , there came to them some called sasquesahanocks with skins , bows , arrows , targets , beads , swords , and tobacco-pipes for presents . they were great and well proportioned men , so to the english they seemed like giants ; with much ado they were restrained from adoring their discoverers . their language well seeming their proportion , sounding from them as it were a great voice in a vault : their attire was the skins of bears , and wolves . one had a wolves-head hanging in a chain for a jewel : his tobacco-pipe was three quarters of a yard long , prettily carved with a bird , a bear , a dear , being at the great end sufficient to beat out a mans brains : their bows , arrows , and clubs are suitable to their proportions . one of the biggest of them had the calf of his legg measured , which was three quarters of a yard about , and all the rest of his limbs answerable thereto . his arrows were five quarters long , headed with flints , formed like a heart , an inch broad , and an inch and an half long , which he wore in a wolves skin at his back : in one hand a bow , and in the other a club. the natives of virgina have generally black hair , but few of them have beards . the men have half their heads shaven , the hair of the other half long : the women are their barbers , who with two shells grate away the hair of what fashion they please . the womens hair is cut in many fashions according to their eyes , but ever some part of it is long . they are very strong , of able bodies and nimble : they can lie in the woods under a tree by the fire in the coldest weather , and amongst the grass and weeds in summer : they are inconstant , crafty , timerous , quick of apprehension , and very ingenious . they are very covetous of copper , beads , and such trash . they are soon angry , and so malicious , that they seldom forget an injury . they seldom steal one from another , lest their connivers should reveal it . their women are careful to avoid suspition of dishonesty without the leave of their husbands . each house-keeper knows his own lands , and gardens , and most live of their own labour . they are sometimes covered with the skins of wild beasts , which in winter are dressed with the hair inward , but in summer without . the better sort use large mantles of dear-skins , some embroidered with white beads , some with copper , and others are painted . but the common sort have scarce wherewith to cover their nakedness , but with grass or leaves . some have mantles made of turkey feathers , so handsomly wrought , and woven with thred , that nothing could be discerned but feathers . these were exceeding neat and warm . the women are covered about their middles with a skin , and much ashamed to be seen bare . they adorn themselves with copper and painting ; they have , their leggs , hands , breasts , and faces cunningly wrought with divers works , as beasts , serpents , &c. artificially wrought in their flesh with spots . in each ear commonly they have three holes , whereat they hang chains , bracelets , or copper . some of their men wear in those holes a small green , and yellow coloured snake , near half a yard long , which crawling and wrapping her self about his neck , oftentimes familiarly kisses his lips : others wear a dead rat tied by the tail . some on their heads wear the wing of a bird , or some large feathers with the tail of a rattle-snake . many have the skin of a hawk , or some strange fowl , stuffed with the wings stretched abroad . others a piece of copper ; and some the hand of an enemy dried . their heads and shoulders are painted red , with a certain powder mixed with oyl , which they hold in summer to preserve them from heat , and in winter from cold . he is most gallant that is most monstrous to behold . their habitations are mostly by the rivers , or not far from some fresh spring . their houses are built like our arbours , of small sprigs bowed and tied together , and so close covered with mats , or the bark of trees , that notwithstanding wind , rain , or weather , they are as warm as stoves , but smoky , though they leave a hole on the top right over the fire . their lodging is by the fire side on little hurdles made of reeds , and covered with a mat. on these round about the house they lie , heads and points , one by another , covered with mats or skins , and some stark naked : of these they are from six to twenty in an house . their houses are in the mid'd of their fields or gardens , which are plots of ground : from twenty to one hundred , or two hundred of these houses stand something near together . men , women , and children have their several names according to the phansie of their parents . their women are easily delivered of child , yet they love their children very dearly ; and to make them hardy , in the coldest mornings they wash them in the rivers , and by painting and ointments they so tan their skins , that after a year or two no weather will hurt them . the men spend their time in fishing , hunting , wars , and such manly exercises , scorning to be seen about any womanly exercise , which makes the women very painful , and the men oft very idle ; the women and children do all the work ; they make mats , baskets , pots , morters ; they pound their corn , make their bread , prepare their victuals , plant and gather their corn , bear all kinds of burdens , &c. their fire they kindle by chafing a dry pointed stick in a hole of little square piece of wood , which taking fire , will kindle moss , leaves , and such dry things . in march and april is their fishing time , wherein they live on fish , turkies , and squerrils . in may and june they plant their fields , and then they live most upon acrons , walnuts and fish : some upon crabs , oisters , land tortoises , strawberries , mulberries , &c. in june , july , and august , they feed upon the roots of tocknough , berries , fish , and green wheat ; and their bodies alter with their diet , as those of deer , and wild beasts do : and accordingly they are fat or lean , strong or weak . they use much their bows and arrows in fishing , hunting , and the wars . they bring their bows to the form of ours , by scraping them with a shell : their arrows are made of strait young sprigs , which they head with bone , two or three inches long : with these they shoot at squirils . other arrows they have made of reeds , pieced with wood , and headed with christals or flint , &c. for knives they have the splinters of a reed , wherewith they cut the feathers of their arrows into form : with these knives they will joynt a deer , or any other beast , shape their shooes , buskings , mantles , &c. to make the notch of their arrows , they have the tooth of a bever set in a stick , with which they grate it by degrees . their arrow heads they quickly make with a little bone , which they ever wear at their bracer , of a splint of stone or glass , in form of a heart which they glew to their arrows ; their glew they make of the sinews of deer , and the tops of deer horns which will not dissolve in cold water . in their wars they use round targets made of the bark of trees , and swords of wood , or the horn of a deer put through a piece of wood , in the form of a pickax . their fishing is much in boats , which they make of one tree , by burning , and scraping with stones and shels till they have made it in the form of a trough . some of them are a ell deep , and fourty and fifty foot long , and will bear from ten to fourty men , according to their bigness : for oars they use paddles and sticks , with which they will row faster than our barges . the women use to spin the bark of trees , deer sinews , or a kind of grass called pemmenaud , of which they make a very good thred , which serves for many uses about their houses , apparel , fishing-nets , lines for angles : their hooks are either a bone grated in the form of a hooked pin , or of the splinter of a bone tied to the cleft of a little stick , and with the end of the line they tie on the bait . they also use long arrows tied to a line , with which they shoot at fishes in the river , or darts which they throw at them . they take extream pains in their huntings and fishings , whereunto they are enured from their child-hood : and by their continual rangings about , they know all the places and advantages most frequented with deer , beasts , fishes , fowls , rooks , bemes . at their huntings they leave their habitations , and in several companies go to the most desert places with their families towards the mountains , or heads of rivers where there is plenty of game . it 's a marvel how they can pass these deserts of three or four dayes journey over , without missing their way . the women bear their hunting houses after them with corn , acrons , mortars , and bagg and baggage which they use . when they come to the place of exercise , every man endeavours to shew his best dexterity ; for hereby they get their wives . they will shoot level about fourty yards , near the mark , and one hundred and twenty is their best at random . when they have found the deer , they environ them with fires , and betwixt the fires they place themselves ; and some take their stand in the mid'st . the deer being frighted with the fires , and their voices they chase them so long within that circle , that oftimes they kill six , eight , ten , or fifteen at a hunting . sometimes also when they find them in a point of land , they force them into a river , where with their boats they kill them . when they have shot a dear by land , they follow him like blood-hounds , by the blood and stain , and oftimes so take him . hares , partridges , turkies , or eggs , fat or lean , young or old , they devour all they can come by . when they intend wars , the werowances corks , consult with their priests and connivers , and ancient alleys , and friend : they have captains over every nation , which are lusty young men . they rarely make wars for lands or goods , but for women and children , before the battel they paint and disguise themselves in the fiercest manner they can devise : either army hath his general , they take their stands a musquet shot one from another : rank themselves fifteen a breast , and so place themselves , that the rear can shoot as well as the front. then from either part a messenger is sent with these conditions , that whosoever is vanquished , upon their submission within two dayes after , shall live ; but their wives and children shall be prize for the conquerors ; upon the return of the messengers , they approach in their order . on each flank is a serjeant , and in the reer a lieutenant , all duly keeping their places ; yet leaping and singing as they go . upon the first flight of their arrows they give an horrible shout ; and when their arrows are spent , they joyn together , charging and retiring , each rank seconding the former : as they get advantage , they catch their enemy by the hair of his head , and then down he goes , and with his wooden sword he beats out his brains , &c. their musick is a thick cane on which they pipe as on a recorder . for their wars they have a great deep platter of wood , which they cover with a skin , upon which they beat as upon a drum ; of these they have base , tenor , countertenor , mean , and trebble . if any great person come to the habitation of a werowanee , they spread a mat for him to sit upon , setting themselves just opposite to him ; then all the company with a tunable voice of shouting , bid him welcome . then some of the chiefest make an oration to him , which they do with such vehemency that they sweat till they drop again . such victuals as they have they spend freely upon him ; and where his lodging is prepared , they set a woman finely painted with red to be his bedfellow . their trading with the english is for copper , beads , &c. for which they give skins , fowl , fish , flesh , mais , &c. they have a religion amongst them : all things that were able to hurt them beyond their prevention , they adore with divine worship : as fire , water , thunder , lightning ; the great guns of the english , muskets , horses , &c. but their chief god is the devil whom they call oke , and serve him more for fear than love . in their temples they have his image in an ilfavoured shape , and adorned with chains , copper , and beads , and covered with a skin . by him is commonly the sepulchres of their kings : their bodies are first bowelled , then dried upon hurdles ; about their neck , and most of their joynts they hang bracelets , chains of copper , pearl , and then they wrap them up in white skins , and roule them in mats for their winding-sheets , laying them orderly in their tombs , which are arches made of mats : the rest of their wealth they set at their feet in baskets . for their ordinary burials they dig a deep hole in the earth , and the corps being wrapped in skins , and mats , with their jewels , they lay them upon sticks in the ground ; and then covet them with earth . the burial being ended , the women having their faces painted with black , sit twenty four hours in their houses mourning and lamenting by turns , with such yellings and howlings as may express their great sorrow . in the woods they have some great houses filled with the images of their kings and devils , and tombs of their predecessors , which they count so holy , that none but their priests , and kings dare come into them . they have a chief priest , differenced from the inferiour by the ornaments of his head , which are twelve , sixteen , or more snake-skins stuffed with moss , the skins of weesels and other vermin ; all which they tye by the tails , so as the tails meet on the top of their head like a tassel , about which a crown of feathers ; the skins hang down about him , and almost cover his face . the priests faces are painted as ugly as they can devise , and they carry rattles in their hands . their devotion is most in songs , which the chief priests begins , and the rest follow . their solemn meetings are upon great distress of want , fear of enemies , times of triumph , and of gathering their fruits ; at which time all both men , women and children meet together . the people are very barbarous , yet have they government amongst them , and their governours are well obeyed by their subjects . the form of their government is monarchical . one of their chief rulers is called powhatan from the place of his habitation : some part of the countrey came to him by inheritance , the rest by conquest . in several parts of his dominion he hath houses built like arbors , some thirty or fourty yards long ; and in each house provision for his entertainment according to the times . about the kings person is ordinarily attending a guard of fourty or fifty of his tallest men : every night upon the four quarters of his house stand four sentinels , and every half hour , one from the corps dugard doth hollow , unto which each of the sentinels doth answer ; if any fail , he is extreamly beaten . one house he hath wherein he keepeth his treasure of skins , copper , pearl , and beads , which he stores up against his burial ; none comes to this house but the priest. at the four corners stand as sentinels four images of a dragon , a bear , a leopard , and giant-like man , all ilfavouredly made according to their best workmanship . their king hath as many women as he will , whereof , when he lies on his bed , one sitteth at his head , and another at his feet : but when he sits , one sits on his right hand , another on his left. when he is weary of any of them he bestows them upon those that deserves best at his hands . when he dines or sups , one of his women , before and after meat , brings him water in a wooden platter to wash his hands . another waits with a bunch of feathers to wipe upon instead of a towel , and the feathers were dried again . his kingdom descends not to his sons , but first to his brethren , and after their decease to his sisters , and to the heirs of his eldest sister . they have no letters whereby to write or read ; the only law whereby he rules is custome ; or else his will is his law which must be obeyed . his inferiour kings whom they call werowances , are tied to rule by customes , yet have they power of life and death : they all know their several lands , and habitations , and limit , to fish , fowl , and hunt in : but they hold all of their great king , to whom they pay tribute of skins , beads , copper , pearl , deer , turkies , wild beasts , and corn ; with great fear and adoration they all obey him . at his feet they present whatsoever he commands ; at his frown their greatest spirit will tremble : offenders he causeth to be broyled to death ; or their brains to be beaten out ; their ordinary correction is to beat them with cudgels , for which yet they will never cry nor complain . anno christi . the l. de la ware upon his return from virginia , gave this account of it . that the number of men which he left there was above two hundred , the most in health , and provided of ten moneths victuals in the store house , besides other quantities of corn , and shew much friendship . for the securing of the colony he built three fronts : two of them being seated near point comfort , had adjoyning to them a large circuit of ground , open , and fit for corn. the third fort was at the falls , upon an island environed with corn ground . the country is wonderful fertile and rich : the english cattel were much encreased , and did thrive excellent well . the kine in a hard winter when the ground was covered with snow , lived ( with one anothers help ) upon the grass which they found , and prospered well ; the swine encreased much . that year captain argoll went with his ship up pembroke river , where he met with the king of pastancy , and procured of him and his subjects eleven hundred bushes of corn , besides three hundred for his own company , with which he returned to james's town , and delivered it into the store . then did he return and discover pembroke river to the head of it , which was about sixty five leagues within land , and navigable for any ship : then marching into the country , he found great store of beasts as big as kine , of which , they killed two , and found them to be good and wholesom meat , and yet easie to be killed being but heavy , and slow creatures . he found also a mine and a strange kind of earth , which the indian used for physick , and it cures the pain of the belly : he found also a water issuing out of the earth which tasted like allom water ; it was good and wholsom : he found an earth like a gum , white and clear ; and another red , like terra sigillata : an other white , and so light , that being cast into water , it swims . their dear have usually three or four fawns at a time , none under two : and our english goates in virginia oft times bring forth three ; and mostly two young ones , so fruitful is the country : they have beavers , otters , foxes , racoons , ( as good meat as a lamb ) hares , wild catts with rich furrs ; musk-rats , &c. wild pidgeons in winter numberless , the flocks of them will be three or four hours together flying over , so thick that they obscure the very light ; turkies far bigger than ours that will run as fast as a gray-hound , buzzards , snites , partridges , owles , swans , geese , brants , droeis , shell-drakes , teal , widgeon , curlews , puits , black-birds , hedg-sparrows , oxeies , wood-peckers , and in winter flocks of parakitoes . their rivers are plentifully stored with fish : as sturgeon , porpass , base , carp , shad , herring , eele , cat-fish , pearch , trout , flat-fish , sheeps-head , drummers , jarsishes , craifishes , crabs , oisters , &c. at one hale they have caught as much sturgeon , base , and other great fish as hath loaded a frigot . they have without art , grapes , mulberries , maricocks like a lemmon , whose blossome may admit comparison with our most pleasant and beautiful flowers , and the fruit is exceeding delightful to the tast . many goodly groves of chincomen-trees , that have husks like a chesnut , and are good meat either raw or boiled . chesnuts great store , and walnuts plenty of three sorts ; filberts , crabs smaller but sowrer than ours . anno christi , . mr. alex. whitaker , who was minister to the colony , writing to a friend in london , gives this account of the natives . they acknowledg ( saith he ) that there is a great good god , but know him not , having the eyes of their understandings yet blinded ; wherefore they serve the devil for fear , after a most base manner , sacrificing somtime their own children to him : his image they paint upon one side of a toad-stool , much like to a deformed monster : their priests are no other , but such as our english witches are . they live naked in body , as if the shame of their sin deserved no covering : they esteem it a virtue to lie , deceive , and steal , as their master the devil teacheth them . the natives are not so simple as some have conceited : for they are of body strong , lusty , and very nimble ; they are a very understanding generation , quick of apprehension , sudden in their dispatches , subtile in their dealings , exquisite in their inventions , and industrious in their labour . the world hath no better marks-men with their bows , and arrows than they be : they will kill birds flying , fishes swimming , and beasts running : they shoot with marvellous strength , for they shot one of our english , being unarmed , quite through the body , and nailed both his armes to his body with one arrow . their service to their god is answerable to their lives , being performed with great fear and attention , and many strange dumb shews are used in it , stretching forth their limbs , and straining their bodies exceedingly . they stand in great awe of their priests which are a generation of vipers , even of satans own brood . the manner of their life is much like that of the popish hermites : for they live alone in the woods , in houses sequestred from the common course of men ; neither is any man suffered to come into their house for to speak with them but when the priest calls them . he takes no care for his victuals , for all necessaries of bread , water , &c. are brought to a place near to his house , and are there left which he fetches at his pleasure . if they would have rain , or have lost any thing , they have recourse to him , who conjures for them , and many times he prevaileth . if they be sick , he is their physitian : if they be wounded , he sucks them . at his command they make war and peace neither do they any thing of moment without him . they have an evil government amongst them , a rude kind of common-wealth , and rough government , wherein they both honour , and obey their kings , parents , and governours : they observe the limits of their own possessions . murther is rarely heard off : adultery , and other gross offences are severely punished . the whole continent of virginia situated within the degrees of . and . is a place beautified by god with all the ornaments of nature , and enriched with his earthly treasures . that part of it which the english chiefly possess , begins at the bay of chesapheac , and stretching it self in northerly latitude to the degrees of . . and is interlined with seven most goodly rivers , the least wherof is equal to our thames : and all these rivers are so nearly joyned , as that there is not very much distance of ground between either of them , and those several pieces of land betwixt them are every where watered with many veins , and creeks , which sundry wayes do cross the land , and make it almost navigable from one river to another , the commodity whereof is very great to the planters , in respect of the speedy and easie transportation of goods from one river to another . the river powhatan ebbs and flowes one hundred and forty miles into the main ; at the mouth whereof are the two forts of henry and charles . forty two miles upward is the first and mother town of the english seated , called james town : and seventy miles beyond that upward , is the town of henerico built . ten mile beyond this is a place called the falls , because the river hath there a great descent , falling down between many mineral rocks which be there . twelve miles beyond these falls is a chrystal rock with which the indians use to head most of their arrows . the higher ground in virginia is much like to the mould of france , being clay and sand mixed together at the top , but digging any depth , its red clay full of glistering spangles . as for iron , steel , antimony , and terra sigillata , they are very frequent . the air of the country , especially about henerico , and upwards , is very temperate , and agrees well with our english bodies . the extremity of summer is not hot as in spain , nor the cold in winter so sharp as ours in england . the spring and harvest are the two longest seasons , and very pleasant . the summer and winter are both but short . the winter for the most part is dry and fair ; but the summer ofttimes watered with great and sudden showers of rain , whereby the cold of winter is warmed , and the heat of summer is cooled . amongst the beasts in virginia , there are two kinds most strange . one of them is the female possowne , which hath a bag under her belly , out of which she will let forth her young ones , and take them in again at her pleasure . the other is the flying squerril , which , by the help of certain broad flaps of skin , growing on each side of her fore-legs , will fly from one tree to another at twenty or thirty paces distance , and more if she have the benefit of a little puff of wind. the english kine , goats , hoggs , &c. prosper very well . they have hawkes of several sorts , and amongst them auspreis , fishing hawkes , and cormorants . in the winter they have great store of cranes , herons , pidgeons , patridges , and black-birds . the rivers and creeks are over-spread with swans , geese , brants , divers , and those other named before . the woods have many kinds of rare and delightful birds . the rivers abound with fish , both small and great , as pike , carp , eele , perches of six several sorts , &c. the sea-fish come into their rivers in march , and continue till the end of september . frst come in great skuls of herrings : then big shads , and rock-fish follow them . then trouts , base , flounders , and other dainty fishes come in before the other be gone . then come in multitudes of great sturgeons , and divers others . some five miles about henerico by land , but by water fourteen miles . sr. tho. dale , anno christi . began to build a city , called the new bermoodas , situated very commodiously , whereunto he laid out , and annexed to be belonging to that corporation for ever : many miles of wood-lands , and champion , which he divided into several hundreds . as the upper and the nether hundreds roch-dale hundreds , wests-sherley hundred , and diggs his hundred . anno christi . pacahuntas , the beloved daughter of the great king powhatan , having been carefully instructed in the christian religion , by the care of sr. tho. dale , and having made some good progress therein , renounced publickly her countrey idolatry , and openly confessed her christian faith , and desiring it , was baptized by the name of rebecca , and was afterwards married to one mr. rolph an english gentleman of good repute , her father and friends giving their approbation to it , and her vncle gave her to him in the church . anno christi . sr. tho. dale returning into england , there came over with him mr. rolfe , with rebecca , his convert and consort , and tomocomo , one of powhatans counsellors ; mr. rolfs wife rebecca , though she carried her self very civilly and lovingly to her husband , yet did she behave her self as the daughter of a king , and was accordingly respected by divers persons of honour here in england , in their hopeful zeal by her means to advance christianity in these countries . as she was with her husband returning into virginia , at gravesend she fell sick , and came to her end and grave , having given great demonstration of her christian faith and hope . the english in virginia anno christi . were divided into several burroughs , each man having his share of land duly set out for him , to hold and enjoy to him and his heirs for ever . the publick lands also for the company were set out by themselves ; the governours share by it self ; the colledges by it self , and for each particular burrough ; the ministers gleab also was set out and bounded , their being . l. per annum allowed to each minister for each town . they are all governed according to the laudable form of justice used in england . the governour is so restrained by a counsel joyned with him , that he cannot wrong any man , who may not have any speedy remedy . in the years . and . there were . or ten ships sent to virginia , wherein were . persons ; most of them being for publick uses , as to plant the governours land , . persons ; tenants for the companies land . tenants for the colledge land , . tenants for the ministers gleab-lands . young maids to make wives for so many of the planters . boyes for apprentices . servants for the publick , . some were imployed to bring up thirty of the infidels children in true religion and civility . the commodities which the planters were directed to apply themselves to , were iron ; for the making whereof , men were sent over to set up iron work ; proof having been made of the excellency of that iron . cordage : for which ( beside hemp ) order was given for the planting of silk-grass ( naturally growing in those parts ) in great abundance , which makes the best cordage , and linnen in the world. of this every housholder was bound to set . plants ; and the governour himself set five thousand . pot-ashes , and soap-ashes ; pitch and tar. for the making whereof , divers polanders were sent over . timber of all sorts , with masts , planks , and boords for provision of shipping , &c. there being not so good timber for all uses in any countrey whatsoever ; and for the help in these works , provision was sent of men and materials for the setting up of sundry saw-mills . silk : for which the countrey is exceeding proper , having an innumerable of the best mulberry-trees , and some silk-worms naturally found upon them , producing excellent silk , and to further this work , many seeds of the best silk-worms were sent over . vines ; whereof the countrey naturally yields great store , and of sundry sorts ▪ which by good culture might be brought to excellent perfection : for effecting whereof divers skilful vegneroons were sent , with store also from hence of vine plants of the best sort . salt : which work were ordered to be set up in great plenty , not only to serve the colony , but to promote the great fishings upon those coasts . divers persons of publick spirits gave much to the furtherance of this plantation . two unknown persons gave plate and other necessaries for the furnishing of two communion tables . mis. mary robinson gave . l. towards the building of a church in virginia . an unknown person sent the treasurer . l. in gold for the bringing up of some of the infidels children in the knowledge of god , and true religion , and in fit trades whereby they might live honestly in the world. mr. nicholas ferrar by will gave . l. to the colledge in virginia , to be paid when there should be ten of the infidels children placed in it . and in the mean time . l. per annum to be distributed unto three discreet and godly men in the colony , which should bring up three of the infidels children in the christian religion , and in some good course to live by . an other unknown person gave . l. to advance the plantation . anno christi . the right honourable henry e. of southampton was made treasurer ; from which time to the year . there were . ships sent to virginia : and there were divers persons set for the making of beads , wherewith to trade with the natives , and for making of glass of all sorts : and . young maids were sent to make wives for the planters . also a magazine of all necessaries was sent for the colony , to the value of . l. besides goods , sent by private persons great store . twenty five persons were sent to build boats , pinnaces , and ships for the use of the colony in the fishing trade , and for further discovery . the plants of cotten wool trees prosper well , and so did indigo seeds , oranges , lemons , sugar canes , cassary , pines , plantanes , potatoes , and sundry other indian fruits . some of the english east-india company gave seventy pound , eight shillings sixpence , towards the building of a free schoole in virginia , to be called the east-india school . another unknown person added to it the sum of thirty pound . and another sent in gold twenty five pound . another unknown person gave thirty pound ; for which there was to be allowed fourty shillings a year for ever , for a sermon preached before the virginia company . another gave a rich bible , and a great church bible , and other books to be sent to virginia , and an exact map of america . the books were valued at ten pound . mr. tho. bargrave , a minister in virginia , when he died , left for the use of the colledge his library worth one hundred marks . 〈◊〉 anno christi . the treacherous natives , notwithstanding all the courtesies and kind usage by the english to them , most perfidiously , and treacherously murthered above three hundred of them , and would have done the like to all the rest , but that god ( through his infinite goodness and mercy ) moved the heart of one of them , who was converted to christianity , to discover the same a few hours before it was put in execution , the like massacres have been since . a description of the bermudas , or sommers islands : the first discovery , and plantation of it by the english . the temperature of the aier ; the nature of the soil , trees , plants , fruits , hearbs , fishes , fowls , and other commodities thereof . these islands were first discovered by one bermudas , from whence they received that name ; and afterwards from sr. george sommers an english-man , they were called sommers islands . they lie in the western ocean , and in that part of the world commonly called america , and vulgarly the west-indies . their latitude , or elevation is . degrees , . minutes , which is almost the same with the madaeraes . they are environed round about with rocks , which north-ward , and westward , and southward extend far , by reason whereof they are very strong , there being only three places whereby ships can come into them , which places also are well fortified . but within there is room to entertain a great fleet : in most places the rocks appear at a low water , and are not much covered at an high water , for it ebbs and flows there not above five foot. the shoar for the most part is a rock , so hardned by the sun , wind , and sea , that it s not apt to be worn by the waves , whose violence also is broken by the rocks before they come at the shoar . the mould is of diverse colours , neither clay nor sand but betwixt both : the red which resembleth clay is worst : the white resembing sand , and blackish is good : the brown betwixt them both is best . under the mould two or three foot deep , is a kind of white substance which they call rock : the trees usually fasten their roots in it , and draw their nourishment from it ; neither indeed is it rock or stone , nor so hard , though for the most part harder than chalk ; not so white , but like a pumice , and spongy , easily receiving and retaining much water ; and in some places clay is found under it : the hardest kind of it ( which is commonly under the red ground ) is not so spongy , nor retains much water , but lies in the ground like quarries , as it were thick slates , one upon another . most of their fresh water ( whereof they have good store ) comes out of the sea , drayning through the sand , or thorow the aforesaid substance which they call the rock , and leaving its saltness behind it , in the passage becometh fresh . somtimes they dig wells of fresh water within four or five paces of the sea-side : and usually they ebb and flow as the sea doth . the air is most commonly clear , very temperate , moist , with a moderate heat , very healthful , and apt for the generation , and nourishing of all things : so that there is scarce any thing that is transported from england thither , but it yields a far greater encrease : and if it be any living thing , it becomes fatter and better liking then in england : by which means the countrey was so replenished with hens and turkeys , within the space of three or four years not being looked after , many of them forsook the houses , and became wild and so encreased abundantly . the like encrease there was of hogs and other cattle according to their kinds . there seems to be a continual spring , which is the cause that some few things come not to that maturity and perfection as were requisite . and though the trees do shed their leaves , yet are they always full of green . their corn is the same which is used in most parts of the west-indies : to wit , maiz which , to such as are used to it , is more hearty and nourishing than our english wheat , and yields a far greater encrease , as sometimes a pound of one or two graines : of this corn , and divers other things without either plowing or diging the ground , they have two harvests every year : for they set about march which they gather in july : and again in august which is ripe in december . and little slips of fig-trees , and vines do usually bear fruit within a year after they are planted , sometimes in half a year : the like fertility they have in other things . there is scarce at any time to be perceived either frost or snow , nor any extream heat , for there is alwayes some wind stirring which clears and cools the air : their summers and winters observe the same times with ours , but their longest dayes and nights are shorter than ours in england by almost two hours and an half : as also their shortest dayes and nights are as much longer then ours : for their longest dayes are about fourteen hours , and their shortest ten . when its noon with us , its morning with them , and when it s about five a clock in the evening with us , its noon with them ; so that while the sun declines with us it rises with them , as also it doth in virginia , its apt to thunder and lighten all the year long , and oft times more terrible than in england , yet never any are hurt by it . there is no venemous creature in this country : the yellow spider which is there making her webb as it were of silk , and bringing forth her young of eggs , like little drops of quick-silver , neither is it perceived to be venemous , yet there is a plant that climbs trees like our ivy , the leafe like that of a vine , that is somewhat venomous , but of no great force . there is great store and variety of fish , and so good as these parts of the world afford not the like , which being mostly unknown to the english , they gave them such names as best liked them : as rock-fish , groops , porgie-fish , hog-fish , angle-fish , cavallies , yellow-tailes , spanish-makerels , mullets , bream , cony-fish , morrayes , sting-rays , flying-fish , &c. the like they did by the fowl , as cohoos , sandbirds , hearns , duck , teal , pemblicoes , castle-boobies , hawks , &c. at the first plantation of this country by the english it was all over grown with woods , and plants of several kinds ; and to such as were unknown to them they gave such names as best pleased themselves : such as were known retained their old names ; as cedars , palmitoes , black-wood , white-wood , yellow-wood , mulberry-trees , stopper , trees , lawrel , olive-trees , mangrowes , pepper-trees , yellow-berry-weed , red-weed , &c. these and many others they found of natures planting : but since they have inhabited it , there have been brought , as well from the indies as from other parts of the world , sundry other plants , as vines of several kinds , sugar-canes , fig-trees , apple-trees , oranges , lemons , pomgranates , plantanes , pines , parsnips , raddishes , artichocks , pottatoes , cassavie , indico , &c. in so much that it s now become like a spacious garden , or orchyard of many pleasant , and profitable things . there are many tortoises , which they call turtles : they are in the shape of their bodies like crab-fishes , and have four fins , they are as big as three or four men can carry , the upper part of them in covered with a great shell , weighing about half a hundred weight , the flesh that cleaves to the inside of it being roasted against the fire , is almost like the marrow of beef , excellent good ; but the shell of it self harder than horn : she hath also a shell on her belly , but not so hard as the other , for when it s boiled it becomes soft like the gristles of beef , and is good meat : these live in the sea , spending the spring , and summer time about these islands , but where they spend the rest of the year is not known ; they are like to fowl in respect of the smallness and shape of their heads , and necks , which are wrinkled like a turkey , but white , and not so sharp bil'd ; they breed their young of eggs which they lay , in their flesh they resemble beasts , for it eats like veal , but more hard and sollid : they alwayes feed upon grass growing at the bottom of the water , neither can they abide any longer under the water then they hold their breath , which the old ones will do long , but the young ones being chased to and fro cannot continue two minutes without coming up to breath . shortly after their coming to those islands the male and female couple , which they call cooting , this they continue about three dayes together , during which time they will scarce separate though a boat come to them , nor hardly when , they are smitten . not long after , the she turtle comes up by night upon some sandy bay , and further up than the water uses to flow , where she digs a hole with her fin upon the sand about two foot deep , and coming up several nights there layes her eggs , about half a bushel ( which are about the bigness of a hens egge , but as round as a ball ) and each time covers them with sand very curiously , so that a man can hardly find the place : these eggs in time are hatched by the heat of the sun , and so creep out of the earth , the dam coming no more at them . they are no bigger than a mans hand at first , which some fish will devour : they grow slowly and seem to live long ; they will sleep on the top of the water , and used to sleep on the land till the countrey was inhabited . they will live also out of the water about three weeks , and that without meat , but then they mourn , and pine away . being turned upon their backs when they are on the land , they cannot without help , or some disadvantage recover themselves ; by which means , when they come a shore to lay their eggs , they are easily taken ; as also they are when they are cooting . otherwise they are taken mostly by night , by making a great light in a boat to which they will resort , so that a man standing ready , with a staff in his hand wherein is a sharp iron , four square with a line fastned to it , this iron he strikes into the upper shell of the turtle where it sticks fast , and after she hath tired her self a while with swimming about , she is easily taken : the head being cut off they will live twenty four hours , so that if you cut the flesh with a knife , or touch it , it will tremble , and shrink away ; there is no meat that will keep longer , either fresh or salt . there is a fruit called a prickled pear , growing in such places as are scarce fit for any thing else , namely , upon rocks and cliffs , and commonly by the sea-side , as if the salt water did something help to the generating and nourishing of them : the tree grows certain years before it bears fruit , and then it continues bearing very many years , having almost all the year long fruit upon it . though it be called a tree it hath scarce any body or branches , but consisteth in a manner wholly of leaves and fruit soft and brittle ; many of these pears grow upon and about a leaf without any stalk at all , and having some prickles about the top ; being opened the juyce is of a crimson colour , and they are full of seeds within . there are gray and white hearns , gray and green plovers , wild ducks and mallards , coots , redshanks , sea-widgeons , gray-bitterns , cormorants ; many smal birds like sparrows and robbins , wood-peckers , crows , falcons , jerfalcons , hobbies , &c. the cohow , is so called from his voice , a night bird , being all day hid in the rocks . the egge-bird which comes constantly in the beginning of may , when they begin to lay eggs almost as big as hens , and continue laying till midsummer , and are very tame , their young are excellent meat , their eggs are white , and the cohows , speckled like a turkeys egg , as big as hens . the tropick bird hath his name from the place where he is most seen . the pemblico is seldom seen by day , and by her crying foretells tempests . for plants . the poison weed , in shape like our ivy , with the touch of it causeth redness , and itching , but after a while pass away of themselves , without farther hurt . the red weed is a tall plant , whose stalk is covered with red rind . the root steeped , or a little of the juice drank alone , is a strong vomit , and effectual against distempers of the stomach . there is a kind of woodbind near the sea , that runs up about trees likk a vine : the fruit is somewhat like a bean , but flatter , which eaten , purges strongly , yet without harm : there is another small tree that causeth costiveness . there is also a plant like a bramble , that bears a long yellow fruit with a hard snell , and within is a hard berry which purges gently . red pepper is a fruit like our barberries , which bruised with the teeth sets all the mouth on a heat , for the time violent , but swallowed whole have the same operation with pepper . the sea-feather is a plant growing on the rock in the bottom of the sea , in form of a vine-leaf , but far larger , with veines of a palish red , interlaced , and weaved each into the other . there are also store of indian pompeons , the water melon , and the musk-mellon , the most delicate pineapple , papawes , &c. ambergriece is many times found upon the shoar . the most troublesome things in these islands are the winds , especially in the spring and autumn . the hurricanes have sometimes done much hurt : muskito's are very troublesome : there is a certain bugg which creeping into chests , by their illsented dung defile all , besides their eating . there are pismires or ants in the summer times so troublesome that they are forced to dry their figgs upon high frames , anointing their feet with tar which stops their passage . worms in the earth are destructive to their corn , and tobacco , causing them much labour every morning to destroy them , which else would derstoy all . there have bee● large lizards which are now destroyed by cats . spiders are large by of beautiful colours , as if adorned with silver , gold , and pearl . their webs in summer woven from tree to tree are perfect raw silk , both in substance and colour , and so strong , that birds bigger than blackbirds are snared in their nets . of these bermudus islands there are many , some say five hundred , if we call all them islands that lye by themselves compassed with the sea , of which some are larger and others less , they lye all in the figure of a crescent , within the circuit of six or seven leagues at most ; the greatest of them is about sixteen miles in length from the east north-east , to the west south-west , standing in thirty two degrees and twenty minutes . about these islands are seen many whales , attended with the sword-fish and the thresher . the sword-fish with his sharp and needle-like fin pricking him into the belly when he would dive and sink into the sea , and when he starts up from his wounds , the thresher with his club fins beats him down again . here is also a kind of web-footed fowl , of the bigness of our green plovers , which all summer are not seen , but in the darkest nights of november and december ( for in the night only they feed ) would come abroad , making a strange hollow and harsh howling ; their colour is inclining to russet , with white bellies , and the long feathers of their wings are russet and white , they breed in those of the islands that are farthest in the sea , and there in the ground they have their burrows , like conies . of these , the english at their first coming , with a lighted bough have taken three hundred in an hour . afterwards they found out this devise to take them , by standing on the rocks or sand by the sea-side , they would hollow , laugh , and make the strangest noise that possibly they could , with which noise these birds would come flocking to the place , and settle upon the very armes and head of him that so cryed , still creeping nearer and answering that noise themselves , by which means our men would weigh them in their hands , and those that weighed heaviest and were best they took , the other they let go , and thus they have taken twenty dozen of the best of them in two hours space ; they are fat and plump like a partridge , and very well relished . in january they gat great store of their eggs which are as big and as well relished as our hen eggs ; these they call sea-owles , because of their hooting , they have crooked bills and will bite shrewdly . not long after the english had planted in this island , which was about the year . it pleased god to send a great plague upon them by reason of a few rats that came in a meal ship , which though at first few in number , yet within the space of two years they multiplyed so exceedingly , that they did not only fill those places where they first landed , but swimming from place to place they spread themselves all over the country , insomuch , as there was no island though severed by the sea from all others , and many miles distant from the place where they first began , but was pestred with them ; they had their nests almost in every tree , and in all places had their burrows in the ground , like conies to harbour in : they spared not the fruits of either plants or trees , nay , nor the plants themselves , but eat all up . when the planters had set their corn , they would come by troops the night following , or as soon as it spict , dig it up again and eat it . if by diligent watching any of it escaped till it came to easing , it would very hardly scape them : yea , it was a difficult matter when they had it in their houses to save it from them , for they became noysom even to the persons of men. they used all diligence for the destroying of them , nourishing many catts , wild and tame ; they used ratsbane , and many set the woods on fire , so that the fire ran half a mile or more before it was extinguished . every man in the country was enjoyned to set twelve traps , and some voluntarily set neer an hundred , which they visited twice or thrice in a night . yea , they trained up their dogs to hunt them , wherein they grew so expert , that a good dog in two or three hours space would kill ●●rty or fifty rats . other means they also used , yet nothing would prevail , finding them still to encrease upon them . this was a cause of great distress to the planters ; for by this means they were kept destitute of bread for a year or two , so as when they had it afterwards again , they were so weaned from it , that they would easily forget or neglect to eat it with their meat . by this means they were so destitute of food that many died , and the rest became very feeble and weak , whereof some being so , would not , and others could not stir abroad to seek relief , but dyed in their houses . and such as did go abroad were subject through weakness to be suddenly surprized with a disease called the feages , wherein they had neither pain , nor sensible sickness , but as it were the highest degree of weakness , depriving them of power and ability to execute any bodily exercise , as working , walking , &c. being thus taken , if any body was present that could minister to them any relief , they would strait wayes recover , otherwise they died there . about this time there came to these islands a company of ravens which continued with them all the time of this mortality and then departed from them . never any being seen there before or since : but it pleased god at length , that the extremity of their distress began to abate , partly by supplies sent them out of england , and partly by some rest and ease that they got thereby . yet the rats continued for some time after , notwithstanding all the devises and industry that they used to destroy them . but suddenly it pleased god , ( by what means was not known ) so to take them away , that the wild catts and dogs that lived upon them were famished , and many of them leaving the woods came down to the houses , and to such places where they used to garbish their fish , and so became tame . here are many wild palm-trees growing , in fashion , leaves and branches resembling the true palme : the tree is high and strait , sappy , and spungious , having no branches but in the uppermost part of it , and in the top grow leaves about the head of it : ( the most inmost part whereof they call the palmeto , and it is the heart and pith of the tree , so white and thin as that it will pill off pleats , as smooth and delicate as white sattin , into twenty folds in which a man may write , as in paper ) where they spread and fall downwards about the tree like an over-blown rose : the leaves are as broad as an italian vmbrello , under one of which a man may well shelter his whole body from rain , for being stiff and smooth , the rain easily slides off . the palmito , or soft top roasted , tastes like a fried melon , and being sod , it eates like a cabbage , but is far less offensive to the stomach . from under the broken rocks they take forth cray-fishes oft times greater than any of our english lobsters . they have also aboundance of crabs , oisters , and wilks ; at one draught they have taken small and great about a thousand fishes , as pilchards , breams , mullets , rock-fish , &c. every cave and creek being furnished with aboundance of them , which lie there sucking in the water which falls from the high hills mingled with the juyce of the palms and cedars , and such other sweet woods , whereby they become both fat and wholsome . there are sparrows fat and plenty ; robbins of diverse colours green and yellow , &c. many of the turtles before mentioned , be of a mighty bigness , insomuch as one of them will suffice seventy , or eighty men at a meal , especially , if she be a she turtle , which will have five hundred eggs in her , being as many as fifty or sixty men can eat at a meal , they are very good and wholesome meat . there are mulberry trees , olive trees , cedars of colour red , and very sweet , which bear a kind of berry that is very pleasant to eat . the top of the palmito tree is in season , and good all the year , if you take but an hatchet and cut it , or an augur and bore it , it yields a very pleasant liquor , much like to our sweet wines : it bears likewise a berry in the bigness of a prune , and in taste much like it . anno christi . sr. thomas gates , and sr. george sommers , as they were going to virginia suffered shipwrack at these islands , where they continued till may , . in which time they built there a ship and a pinace of cedar , in which they departed to virginia , leaving only two men behind them : and shortly after some of them came back to the sommer islands , where sr. george sommers dying , his men ( contrary to his last charge given unto them ) went for england , leaving behind them three men who stayed voluntarily , who shortly after found in sommerset island a very great treasure of ambergreece valued at nine or ten thousand pounds sterling . the discovery of these islands being made known in england to the virginia company by these men that returned , they sold it to one hundred and twenty persons of the same company , who obtained a charter from his majesty : and in april . sent thither a ship called the plough , with about eighty men and women in it , who arrived there in safety in july , where they found the three men that had voluntarily stayed there before as you heard . these men had planted corn , great store of wheat , beans , tobacco , and melons , with many other good things for the use of man : besides they had wrought upon timber , in squaring and sawing cedar trees &c. they were no sooner come within a league of the land but a company of fish met them , and never left them till they came to an anchor within the haven , of which with hooks and lines they took more than their whole company was able to eat . two dayes after they went out with their net and boat , and if they would have loaded two boates they might have done it , which also they might have daily , there was such plenty of them . the day after they went to the bird islands , where with their hands they took up as many birds as they pleased , they were so tame . they took up three for every boy and girl , and four for every man. then sent they out some for wild hogs , who brought home some , that did eat as well as our english mutton . anno christi , . mr. r. moor was sent over thither governour for three years , who spent the greatest part of his time in fortifying the country , and training the people to martial exercises . he built nine or ten forts , and planted ordnances upon them . to him succeeded captain tucker , anno christi . who spent his three years in husbanding the country , planting , and nourishing all such things as were fit either for trade , or for the sustentation , and use of the inhabitants . he also added to the fortifications , and made some inclosures . the the country also was then divided , wherein every adventurer had his share allotted to him , whereupon the planters built them substantial houses , cleared their ground , and planted all things necessary , so that in a short time the country began to approach near unto that happiness wherein it now floweth . nevv-england described , and the plantation thereof by the english of the beasts , fowles , birds , fishes , trees , plants , fruits , &c. of the natives , of their religion , customs , fishings , huntings , &c. the place whereon the english have setled their colonies is judged either to be an island surrounded on the north with the great river canada , and on the south with hudsons river , or a peninsula , these two rivers over lapping one another , having their rise from two great lakes which are not far distant each from other . massechusets bay lyeth under the degree of . and . bearing south-west from the lands-end of old england ; at the bottom of which bay are scituated most of the english plantations . the bay is both safe , spacious , and deep ; free from such cockling seas as run upon the coasts of ireland , and in the channels of england : without stiff running currents , rocks , shelves , bars , or quicksands . when you have sailed two or three leagues towards the bottom , you may see the two capes bidding you welcome . these capes thrust themselves out into the sea in form of a crescent , or half moon , the surrounding shoar being high , and shewing many white cliffs , with diverse intermixtures of low-sand , out of which , diverse rivers empty themselves into the sea , with many openings , wherein is good harbouring for ships of any burthen : the harbours are new-plimouth , cape anu , salem , and marvil-head , all which afford good ground for anchorage , being land-lockt from wind , and seas . the chief and usual harbour is the still bay of massechusets , which is also aboard the plantations : it s a safe and pleasant harbour within , having but one secure entrance , and that no broader than for three ships to enter abreast , but within there is anchorage for five hundred ships . this harbour is made by many islands , whose high clifts shoulder out the boisterous seas , yet may easily deceive the unskilful pilot , presenting many fair openings , and broad sownds , whose waters are too shallow for ships , though navigable for boats , and small pinnases . the entrance into the great haven is called nant●scot , which is two leagues from boston . from hence they may sail to the river of wessaguscus , naponset , charles river , and mistick river , on all which are seated many towns . here also they may have fresh supplies of wood and water from the adjacent islands , with good timber to repair their weather-beaten ships : as also masts , or yards , there being store of such trees as are useful for the purpose . the places which are inhabited by the english , are the best ground , and sweetest climate in all those parts , bearing the name of new england , the air agreeing well with our english bodies , being high land and a sharp air , and though they border upon the sea-coast , yet are they seldom obscured with mists , or unwholesome foggs , or cold weather from the sea , which lies east , and south from the land. and in the extremity of winter , the north-east , and south-winds comming from the sea , produce warm weather , and bringing in the seas , loosen the frozen bayes , carrying away the ice with their tides : melting the snow , and thawing the ground : only the north-west winds coming over the land , cause extream cold weather , accompanied with deep snows , and bitter frosts , so that in two or three dayes the rivers will bear man or horse . but these winds seldom blow above three dayes together , after which the weather is more tollerable . and though the cold be sometimes great , yet is there good store of wood for housing and fires , which makes the winter less tedious : and this very cold weather lasts but eight or ten weeks , beginning with december , and ending about the tenth of february . neither doth the piercing colds of winter produce so many ill effects , as the raw winters here with us in england . but these hard winters are commonly the forerunners of a pleasant spring , and fertile summer , being judged also to make much for the health of our english bodies . the summers are hotter than here with us , because of their more southerly latitude , yet are they tollerable , being oft cooled with fresh winds . the summers are commonly hot and dry , there being seldom any rain , yet are the harvests good , the indian corn requiring more heat than wet to ripen it : and for the english corn , the nightly dews refresh it , till it grows up to shade its roots with its own substance from the parching sun. the times of most rain are in april , and about michaelmas . the early spring and long summers make the autumns and winters to be but short . in the springs when the grass begins to put forth , it grows apace , so that , whereas it was black by reason of winters blasts , in a fortnights space there will be grass a foot high . new england being nearer the aequinoctial than old england ; the days and nights be more equally divided . in summer the dayes be two hours shorter , and in winter two hours longer than with us . virginia having no winter to speak of , but extream hot summers , hath dried up much english blood ; and by the pestiferous diseases , hath swept away many lusty persons , changing their complexions , not into swarthiness , but into paleness ; which comes not from any want of food , the soil being fertile , and pleasant , and they having plenty of corn , and cattel , but rather from the climate , which indeed is found to be too hot for our english constitutions , which new england is not . in new england men and women keep their natural complexions , in so much as seamen wonder when they arive in those parts , to see their countrey men look so fresh and ruddy ; neither are they much troubled with inflammations , or such diseases as are increased by too much heat . the two chief messengers of death , are feavours , and callentures ; but they are easily cured if taken in time , and as easily prevented , if men take care of their bodies . as for our common diseases they be strangers in new england . few ever have the small pox , measels , green-sickness , headach , stone , consumption , &c. yea many that have carried coughs and consumptions thither , have been perfectly cured of them . there are as sweet , lusty children born there , as in any other nation , and more double births than with us here : the women likewise recover more speedily , and gather strength after child-birth sooner than in old england . the soil for the general is a warm kind of earth , there being little cold spewing land , no moorish fens , nor quagmires : the lowest grounds be the marshes , which are ovrflown by the spring-tides : they are rich ground , and yield plenty of hay , which feeds their cattel as well as the best upland hay with us : and yet they have plenty of upland hay also , which grows commonly between the marshes and the woods : and in many places where the trees grow thin , they get good hay also . and near the plantations there are many meddows never overflowed , and free from all wood , where they have as much grass as can be turned over with a sithe , and as high as a mans middle , and some higher , so that a good workman will mow three loads in a day . indeed this grass is courser than with us , yet is it not sower , but the cattel eat , and thrive very well with it : and are generally larger , and give more milk than with us , and bring forth young as well , and are freer from diseases than the cattel here . there is so much hay ground in the country , that none need fear want , though their cattel should encrease to thousands , there being some thousands of acres that were yet never medled with ; and the more their grass is mowed , the thicker it grows ; and where cattel use to graze , in the woods , the ground is much improved , growing more grassy , and less full of weeds ; and there is such plenty of grass in the woods , that the beasts need not fodder till december ; at which time men begin to house their milch beasts and calves . in the upland grounds the soil varies , in some places clay , in others gravel , and some are of a red sand , all which are covered with a black mould , usually a foot or little less deep . the english manure their ground with fish , whereof they have such plenty , that they know not how otherwise to dispose of them , yet the indians being too lazy to catch fish , plant corn eight or ten years in one place , without any such help , where they have yet a good crop. such is the rankness of the ground , that it must be planted the first year with indian corn , before it will be fit for english seed . the ground in some places is of a soft mould , in others so tough and hard , that five yoke of oxen can scarce plow it , but after the first breaking up , it is so easie , that one yoak of oxen and an horse may plow it . our english corn prospers well , especially rye , oats , and barly . the ground affords very good kitchin gardens , for turnips , parsnips , carrots , radishes , pumpions , muskmellons , squashes , cucumbers , onions , and all other english roots and hearbs prospers as well there as with us , and usually are larger and fairer . there are store of herbs both for meat and medicine , not only in gardens , but in woods , as sweet marjoram , purslane , sorrel , penniroyal , saxifrage , bayes , &c. also strawberries in abundance , very large , some being two inches about . there be also goosberries , bilberries , rasberries , treackleberries , hurtleberries , currants , which being dried in the sun , are not much inferiour to those we have from zant. there is also hemp and flax , some that grows naturally , and some that is planted by the english , and rape-seed . there is iron , stone , and plenty of other stones both rough and smooth , plenty of slate to cover houses , and clay whereof they make tiles and bricks , and probably other minerals . the country is excellently watered , and there are store of springs which yield sweet water that is fatter than ours , and of a more jetty colour and they that drink it , are as healthy , and lusty as those that drink beer . none hitherto have been constrained to digg deep for this water , or to fetch it far , or to fetch it from several places ; the same water serving for washing , brewing , and all other uses . there be also several spacious ponds in many places , out of which run many pleasant and sweet streams both winter and summer , at which the cattel quench their thirst , and upon which may be built water-mills for necessary uses . there is also great store of wood , not only for fewel , but for the building of ships , houses , and mills . the timber grows strait and tall , some trees being twenty , and others thirty foot high before they spread forth their branches . they are not very thick , yet many of them are are sufficient to make mill-posts ; some being three foot and a half in the diameter . neither do they grow so close , but that in many places a man man may ride a hunting amongst them . there is no underwood but in swamps , and wet low grounds , in which are osiers , hazels , and such like . of these swamps , some are ten , some twenty , some thirty miles . for the indians use to burn the under-wood in other places in november , when the grass and leaves are withered and dry , which otherwise would marr their beloved sport of hunting : but where the indians died of the plague , not many years ago , there is much underwood between wessaguscus , and plimouth , because it hath not thus been burned . the several sorts of timber are thus expressed . trees both on hills and plains in plenty be , the long-liv ' oake , and mournful cypress tree , sky-towring pines , and chesnuts coated rough , the lasting cedar , with the walnut tough ; the rosin-dropping fir for masts in use , the boatmen seek for oars , light , neat grown spruse ; the brittle ash , the ever trembling aspes , the broad spread elme , whose concave harbours wasps ; the watry spungy alder good for nought , small elder by th' indian fletchers sought , the knotty maple , pallid birch , haw thorns , the horn-bound tree that to be cloven scorns ; which from the tender vine oft takes his spouse , who twines imbracing arms abut his boughs ; within this indian orchard fruitr be some , the ruddy cherry and the jetty plumb , snake murthering hasel with sweet saxafrage , whose spouts in beer allayes hot feavers rage , the diars shumack , with more trees there be , that are both good for use , and and rare to see . the chief and common timber for ordinary use is oake , and walnut . of oakes there be three kinds , red , white , and black , whereof one kind is fittest for clap-board , others for sawn-board , others for shipping , and others for houses . they yield also much mast for hoggs , especially every third year , the acron being bigger than our english : the walnut-trees are tougher than ours , and last time out of mind : the hut is smaller than ours , but not inferiour in sweetness and goodness , having no bitter pill . in some places there is a tree that bears a nut as bigg as a small pear . the cedars are not very big , not being above eighteen inches in diameter , neither is it very high , and its fitter for ornament than substance , being of colour white and red like yew , & smells like juniper , they use it commonly for sieling of houses , for making of chests , boxes , and staves . the fir , and pine-trees grow in many places , shooting up exceeding high , especially the pine : they afford good masts , boards , rozin , and turpentine , they grow in some places for ten miles together , close by the rivers sides , where by ships they may easily be transported to any desired ports . their ash is blittle , and therefore good for little , so that the walnut is used for it . the horn-bound tree is exceeding tough , which makes it very difficult to be cleft , yet it s very good for bowls and dishes , not being subject to crack : it grows with broad-spread arms , the vines winding their curling branches about them , which afford great store of grapes , very bigg , both grapes and clusters , sweet and good . they are of two sorts , red and white : there is also a smaller grape growing in the islands , which is sooner ripe , and more delicious ; doubtless as good wine might be made of them as at burdeaux in france , it lying under the same degree : the cherry trees yield great store of cherries , which grow on clusters like grapes ; they are smaller than ours and not so good , if not very ripe : the plumbs are somewhat better , being black and yellow , as big as damasens , and indifferently well tasted . the white thorn yields hawes as big as our cherries , which are pleasant to the tast , better than their cherries . the beasts be as followeth . the kingly lion , and the strong-arm'd bear , the large-limb'd moosis , with the tripping ●ear ; quil-darting porcupines , and rackcames be , castled in the hollow of an aged tree : the skipping squirrel , cony , purblind hare , immured in the self same castle are , lest red-eyed ferrets , wildly foxes should them undermine , if rampir'd but with mould , the grim-fac't ounce , and ravenous howling woolf , whose meager pauch , sucks like a swallowing gulph , black-grittering otters , and rich coated bever , the civet-sented muscat smelling ever . lions there be some , but seen very rarely . bears are common , which be most fierce in strawberry time , when they have young ones ; they will go upright iike a man , climb trees , and swim to the islands : at which time if an indian see him , he will swim after him , and overtaking him , they go to water-cuffs for bloody noses , and scratched sides ; at last the man prevails , gets on his back , and so rides him on those watry plains , till the bear can bear him no longer . in the winter they retire to cliffs of rocks , and thick swamps to shelter them from the cold , where they live by sleeping and sucking their paws , and with that will be as fat as they are in sommer : yet the woolves will devour them : a kennel of them setting upon a single bear , will tear him in pieces . they are good meat , and seldom prey upon the english cattel , or offer to assault any man , except they be vexed with a shot . the moose is somewhat like our red deer as big as an ox , slow of foot , headed like a buck , some being two yards wide in the head ; his flesh is as good as beef , his hide is good for clothing ; they bring forth three young ones at a time ; fourty miles to the north-east of massechusets bay , there be great store of them ; they are oft devoured by the woolves . the fallow dear are much bigger than ours , of a brighter colour , more inclining to red , with spotted bellies ; they keep near to the sea , that that they may swim to the islands when they are chased by the woolves they have commonly three young ones at a time , which they hide a mile from each other , giving them suck by turns , and this they do , that if the woolf should find one , they may save the other ; their horns grow strait , over-hanging their heads , so that they cannot feed on things that grow low , till they have mused their heads . the porcupine is small , not much unlike to an hedghog , only somewhat bigger : he stands upon his guard against man or beast , darting his quills into their leggs or hides , if they approach too near him . the rackoon is a deep furred beast , not much unlike a badger , having a tail like a fox , and is as good meat as a lamb. in the day time they sleep in hollow trees , in the light nights they feed on clams by the sea side , where they are taken with doggs . the squirrels be of three sorts , the great gray squirrel , almost as big as our conies . another almost like our english squirrels ; the third is a flying squirrel , which is not very big , with a great deal of loose skin , which she spreads square when she flies , which with the help of the wind , wafts her batlike body from place to place . the conies are much like ours in england . the hares are some of them white , and a yard long ; both these creatures harbour themselves from the foxes in hollow trees , having a hole at the entrance no bigger than they can creep into . the hurtful creatures are squncks , ferrets , foxes , whereof some be black , and their furrs of great esteem . the ounce , or wild cat is as big as a mungrel . it s by nature fierce and dangerous , fearing neither dogg nor man : he kills deer , which he effects thus : knowing the deers tracts , he lies lurking in long weeds , and the deer passing by , he suddenly leaps upon his back , from thence he gets to his neck , and scratches out his throat . he kills geese also ; for being much of the same colour , he places himself close by the water , holding up his bob tail , which is like a gooses neck , which the geese approaching nigh to visit , with a sudden jerk he apprehends his desired prey . the english kill many of them , and account them good meat . their skins have a deep fur , spotted white and black on the belly . the woolves differ something from those in other countries ; they never yet set upon any man or woman , neither do they hurt horses or cows ; but swine , goats , and red calves ( which they take for deer ) are oft killed by them . in autumn and the spring they most frequent our english plantations , following the deer which at those times come down to those parts : they are made like a mongrel , big-boned , thin paunched , deep breasted , having a thick neck and head , prick ears , and a long snout , with dangerous teeth , long stairing hair , and a great bush tail . many good mastiffs have been spoiled by them . once a fair grayhound , ran at them , and was torn in pieces before he could be rescued ; they have no joynts from the head to the tail. some of them are black , and one of their skins is worth five or six pound . of beasts living in the water . their otters are most of them black , and their skins are almost as good as bevers ; their oyl is of rare use for many things . martins also have a good fur for their bigness . musquashes are almost like beavers , but not so big , the males stones smells as sweet as musk , and being killed in winter or the spring they never loose their sweetness : they are no bigger than cony-skins , and yet are sold for five shillings a piece . one good skin will perfume a whole house full of clothes . the bevers wisdom and understanding makes him come nigh to a reasonable creature . his body is thick and short , with short leggs , feet like a mole before , and behind like a goose , a broad tail like a shoo-sole , very tough and strong : his head is something like an otters , saving that his fore-teeth be like conies , two above and two beneath , sharp and broad , with which he cuts down trees as big as a mans thigh , or bigger , which afterwards he divides into lengths according to the uses they are appointed for . if one beaver be too weak to carry the log , than another helps him : if two be too weak , three or four will assist , being placed three to three , which set their teeth in one anothers tough tails , and laying the load on the hindermost , they draw the logg to the desired place , they tow it in the water , the youngest getting under it , bearing it up that it may swim the lighter . they build their houses of wood and clay , close by a ponds side , and knowing their seasons , they build their houses answerably , three stories high , that when the land floods come they may shift higher , and when the waters fall , they remove lower . these houses are so strong that no creature , save an industrious man with his penetrating tools can pierce them , their ingress and egress being under water . they make very good ponds ; for knowing where a stream runs from between two rising hills , they will pitch down piles of wood placing smaller rubbish before it , with clay and sods , not leaving till by their art and industry they have made a firm and curious dam-head , which may cause admiration in wise men . they keep themselves to their own families , never parting so long as they are able to keep house together . their wisdom secures them from the english , who seldom kill any of them , wanting time and patience to lay a long siege , or to be often deceived by their cunning evasions . so that all our beavers come from the indians , whose time and experience fits them for that imployment . of the birds , and fowls both of land and water . they are expressed in these verses . the princely eagle , and the soaring hawks , within their unknown wayes ther 's none can chawk : the hum-bird for some queens rich cage more fit than in the vacant wilderness to sit . the swift-wing'd swallow sweeping to and fro , as swift as arrow from tartarian bow . when as aurora's infant day new springs , there th' morning mounting lark her sweet layes sings . the harmonious thrush , swift pigeon , turtle dove who to her mate doth ever constant prove . the turkey , pheasant , heathcock , partridge rare , the carrion-tearing crow , and hurtful stare ; the long-liv'd raven , th' ominous screach-owl , who tell ( as old wives say ) disasters foul . the drowsie madge that leaves her day-lov'd nest to fly abroad when day-birds are at rest : the eele murthering hern , and greedy cormorant , that neer the creeks in moorish marshes haunt . the bellowing bittern , with the long legg'd crane . presaging winters hard , and dearth of graine . the silver-swan that tunes her mournful breath to sing the dirg of her approaching death : the tatling oldwives , and the cackling geese , the fearful gull that shuns the murdering piece : the strong wing'd mallard , with the nimble teal , and ill-shap't loon , who his harsh notes doth sweal ; there widgins , shildrakes , and humilitee , snites , dropps , sea-larks in whole millions flee . the eagles be of two sorts , one like ours in england , the other somewhat bigger , with a great white head , and white tail , commonly called gripes , they prey upon ducks , and geese , and such fish as are cast upon the sea-shore ; yet is there a certain black hawk that will beat this eagle , so that he is constrained to soar so high , that his enemy cannot reach him : the hawk is much prized by the indians , who account him a sagamores ransom . there are diverse kinds of hens , partridges , heathcocks , and ducks . the hum-bird is no bigger than an hornet , having spider-like legs , small claws , a very small bill ; in colour she represents the glorious rainbow : as she flies she makes a noise like a humble-bee . the pidgeons are more like turtles than ours , and of the same colour , and have long tailes like a mag pie , their feathers are fewer , but their bodies as big as our house-doves , they come into the country to go home-ward in the beginning of their spring : at which time ( saith my author ) i have seen innumerable ; so that i could neither discern beginning nor ending , the length nor breadth of these millions of millions : neither could the shouting of people , the report of guns , nor the pelting of hail-shot turn them out of their course , but thus they have continued for four or five hours together : and at michaelmas they return southward : yet some there are all the year long , which are often killed . they build some thirty miles northward ; from the english plantation in pine-trees , joyning nest to nest , and tree to tree by their nests , so that the sun never sees the ground in that place , from whence the indians fetch whole loads of them . the turkey is a long fowl , of a black colour , yet is his flesh white , he is much bigger than our english turkey ; he hath long leggs wherewith he can run as fast as a dog , and can fly as fast as a goose : of these are forty , fifty , sixty , and sometimes an hundred in a flock : they feed on acorns , haws , and berries , and some will frequent the english corn. when the ground is covered with snow , they go to the sea-side and feed on shrimps , and fishes : if you watch them where they pearch at night , about ten or eleven a clock at night you may shoot as oft as you will , for they stir not except they be wounded : they continue all the year long , and weigh forty pounds and more apeice . pheasants are rare ; but heath-cocks , and partridges are common , whereof our english kill many . ravens and crows , are much like those in other countries . there are no magpies , jayes , cockcooes , jackdaws , sparrows , &c. the stares are bigger than ours , and are as black as crows , which do much hurt among the young corn , and they are so bold that they fear not guns . owles are of two sorts , the one is small speckled like a partridg with eares : the other is almost as big as an eagle and is very good meat . cormorants are as common as other fowles , they devour much fish. a tame cormorant , and two or three good dogs in the water make excellent sport : cranes are as tall as a man , their bodies not much unlike the turkies , they are rarely fat . also many swans frequent the rivers and ponds , which are very good meat . there be three sorts of geese ; the brant goose like one of our wild geese . a white goose about the bigness of ours : of these there will be sometimes two or three thousand in a flock . the third is a grey goose with a black neck , and a black and white head much bigger than our english : they are killed both flying and sitting . the ducks are very large , and in great abundance ; and so is their teale . their old-wives never leave tatling day nor night , they are somewhat bigger than a duck. the loon is ill-shaped like a cormorant , but he can neither go nor fly ; he makes a noise somestime like a sowgelders horn. the humilites , or simplicites rather , be of two sorts ; the one as big as green plover , the other is less ; they are so simple that one may drive them on heaps , and then shoot at them , and the living will settle themselves on the same place again where the dead are , while you shoot again , so that sometimes above twelve score have been killed at two shoots . of fish . there are great store , and much variety of fishes thus enumerated . the king of the waters , the sea-shouldering whale ; the snuffing grampus , with the oylie seal , the storm-presaging porpus , herring-hogg , line-shearing shark , the cat-fish and the sea-dogg ; the scale-fenc'd sturgeon , wry-mouth'd hollibut ; the flouncing salmon , codfish , greedigut ; cole , haddock , haike , the thornback and scate , whose slimy outside makes him seld in date ; the stately bass , old neptunes fleeting post , that tides it out and in from sea to coast ; consorting herrings , and the bony shad. big-bellied alewives , macrils richly clad with rain-bow colours , the frost-fish and the smelt , as good as ever lady gustus felt . the spotted lamprons , eeles , the lamperies , that seek fresh water-brooks with argu's-eyes . these watry villages , with thousands more do pass and repass neer the verdant shore . shell-fish of all sorts . the luscious lobster with the crabfish raw , the brittish oyster , muscle , periwig and the tortoise sought by the indian squaw ; which to the flats dance many a winters jigg : to dive for cockles , and to dig for clams , whereby her lazy husbands guts she crams . the seal , called also the sea-calf , whose skin is good for divers uses , and his body between fish and flesh , neither delectable to the pallat , nor well agreeing with the stomack . his oyl is used in lamps . the shark is as big as a man , some as big as a horse , with three rows of teeth in his mouth , with which he snaps in two the fishers lines ; he will bite off a mans armor legg at a bit , they are oft taken , and serve for nothing but to manure the ground . there are many sturgious , but the most are caught at cape cod , and in the river of meramack , whence they are brought to england , they are twelve , fourteen , and some eighteen foot long . the salmon is as good as ours , and in great plenty in some places : the hollibut is like our plaice or turbut , some being two yards long , and one broad , and a food thick . thornback and scate is given to the doggs , being so common in many places . the bass is one of the best fishes , being a delicate and fat fish : he hath a bone in his head that contain a saucerful of marrow sweet and good , pleasant and wholesome ; they are three or four foot long , they take them with a hook and line , and in three hours a man may catch a dozen or twenty of them . the herrings are much like ours . alewives are much like herrings , which in the end of april come into the fresh rivers to spawn , in such multitudes as is incredible , pressing up in such shallow waters where they can scarce swim , and they are so eager , that no beating with poles can keep them back till they have spawned . their shads are far bigger than ours : the makarels be of two sorts ; in the beginning of the year the great ones are upon the coast , some . inches long : in sommer come the smaller kind , they are taken with hooks and lines baited with a piece of red cloth. there be many eels in the salt water , especially where grass grows , they are caught in weels baited with pieces of lobsters : sometimes a man thus takes a busnel in a night , they are wholesome and pleasant meat . lamprons and lampries are little esteemed . lobsters are in plenty in most places , very large , and some being twenty pound weight , they are taken at low water amongst the rocks ; the smaller are the better ; but because of their plenty they are little esteemed . the oysters be great , in form of a shoo-horn , some of a foot long , they breed in certain banks , which are bare after every spring-tide ; each makes two good mouthfuls . the periwig lies in the oase like a head of hair , which being touched , draws back it self leaving nothing to be seen but a small round hole , muscles are in such plenty that they give them their hoggs . clams are not much unlike to cockles , lying under the sand , every six or seven of them having a round hole at which they take in air and water , they are in great plenty , and help much to feed their swine both winter and sommer ; for the swine being used to them , will constantly repair every ebb to the places , where they root them up and eat them . some are as big as a penny loaf , which the indians count great dainties . a description of the plantations in new-england as they were anno christi , . the outmost plantation to the southward , which by the indians is called wichaguscusset , is but a small village , yet pleasant and healthful , having good ground , store of good timber , and of meddow ground ; there is a spacious harbor for shipping before the town ; they have store of fish of all sorts , and of swine , which they feed with acrons and clams , and an alewife river . three miles to the north is mount wolleston , a fertile soil , very convenient for farmers houses , there being great store of plain ground without trees . near this place are maschusets fields , where the greatest sagamore in the country lived before the plague cleared all : their greatest inconvenience is that there are not so many springs as in other places ; nor can boats come in at low water , nor ships ride near the shore . six miles further to the north lieth dorchester , the greatest town in new-england , well wooded and watered with good arrable and hay ground , fair comfortable fields and pleasant gardens : here are many cattel , as kine , goats , and swine . it hath a good harbor for ships ; there is begun the fishing in the bay , which proved so profitable , that many since have followed them there . a mile from thence lies roxberry , a fair and handsome country town ; the inhabitants are rich : it lies in the mains , and yet is well wooded and watered , having a clear brook running through the town , where are great store of smelts , whence it s called smelt-river . a quarter of a mile on the north of it is another river , called stony river , upon which is built a water mill. here is good store of corn and meddow ground . westward from the town it s somewhat rocky , whence it s called roxberry ; the inhabitants have fair houses , , store of cattel , come-fields paled in , and fruitful gardens . their goods are brought in boats from boston , which is the nearest harbor . boston is two miles north-east from roxberry . it s situation is very pleasant , being a peninsula hemmed on the south with the bay of roxberry . on the north with charles river , the marshes on the back side being not half a quarter of a mile over , so that a little fencing secures their cattel from the wolves . their greatest want is of wood and meddow ground , which they supply from the adjacent islands , both for timber , fire-wood , and hay ; they are not troubled with wolves , rattlesnakes nor musketoes , being bare of wood to shelter them . it s the chief place for shipping and merchandize . this neck of land is about four miles in compass , almost square : having on the south at one corner a great broad hill , whereon is built a fort , which commands all ships in any harbour in the hill bay. on the north side is another hill of the same bigness , whereon stands a windmil . to the north-west is an high mountain , with three little hills on the top , whence it is called tremount . from hence you may see all the islands that lie before the bay , and such ships as are upon the sea coast. here are rich corn fields , and fruitful gardens : the inhabitants grow rich ; they have sweet and pleasant springs ; and for their enlargement , they have taken to themselves farm-houses in a place called muddy river , two miles off , where is good timber , ground , marsh-land , and meddows , and there they keep their swine or other cattel in the summer , and bring them to boston in the winter . on the north side of charles river is charles town , which is another neck of land , on whose northern side runs mistick river . this town may well be paralled with boston , being upon a bare neck , and therefore forced to borrow conveniencies from the main , and to get farmes in the country . here is a ferry-boat to carry passengers over charles river , which is a deep channel , and a quarter of a mile over . here may ride fourty ships at a time . up higher is a broad bay that is two miles over , into which run stony river , and muddy river . in the middle of this bay is an oyster bank . medfod village is scituated towards the north-west of this bay , in a creek : a very fertile and pleasant place : it s a mile and a half from charles town . at the bottom of this bay the river is very narrow . by the side of this river stands new-town , three miles from charles town . it s a neat and well compacted town , having many fair buildings , and at first was intended for a city ; the inhabitants are mostly rich , and have many cattel of all sorts , and many hundred acres of ground paled in . on the other side of the river lies their meddow and marsh ground for hay half a mile thence is water town , nothing inferiour for land , wood , meddows and water : within half a mile of it is a great pond , which is divided between those two towns ; and a mile and a half from this town is a fall of fresh waters , which through charles river fall into the ocean : a little below this fall they have made weires , where they catch great store of shads , and alewives , an hundred thousand of them in two tides . mastick is three miles from charles town ; seated pleasantly by the waters side . at the head of this river are very spacious ponds to which the alewives press to cast their spawn , where multitudes are taken . on the west side of this river the governour hath a farm where he keeps most of his cattel . on the east side is mr. craddocks plantation , who impailed in a park for deer , and some ships have been built there . winnisimet is a very pleasant place for situation , and stands commodiously . it s but a mile from charles town , the river only parting them . it s the lasts town in the bay. the chief islands that secure the harbor from winds and waves , are first deere island , within a flight shot from bullin point . it s so called , because the deer often swim thither to escape the woolves , where sixteen of them have been killed in a day . the next is long island , so called from its length . other islands are nodless isle , round isle ; the governours garden , having in it an orchard , garden , and other conveniencies : also slate island , glass island , bird island , &c. they all abound with wood , water , and meddows : in these they put their cattel for safety , whil'st their corn is on the ground . the towns without the bay are nearer the main , and reap a greater benefit from the sea , in regard of the plenty of fish and fowl , and so live more plentifully than those that are more remoat from the sea in the island plantations . six miles north-east from winnisimet is sagus , is pleasant for situation , seated at the bottom of a bay , which is made on the one side with a surrounding shore , and on the other side with a long sandy beach : it s in the circumference six miles , well woodded with oakes , pines , and cedars ; it s also well watered with fresh springs , and a great pond in the middle , before which is a spacious marsh. one black william an indian duke , out of his generosity , gave this place to the plantation of sagus , so that none else can claim it ; when a storm hath been , or is like to be , there will be a roaring like thunder which may be heard six miles off . on the north side of this bay are two great marshes , divided by a pleasant river that runs between them . the marsh is crossed with divers creeks where are store of geese and ducks , and convenient ponds wherein to make decoys . there are also fruitful meddows , and four great ponds like little lakes wherein is store of fresh fish ; out of which , within a mile of the town runs a curious fresh brook which is rarely frozen by reason of its warmness : and upon it is built a water mill. for wood there is store , as oake , walnut , cedar , elme , and aspe : here was sown much english corn. here the bass continues from the midst of april till michaelmas , and not above half that time in the bay. there is also much rock-cod , and macharil , so that shoals of bass have driven shoals of macharil to the end of the sandy bank , which the inhabitants have gathered up in wheel barrows . here are many muscle banks , and clam-banks , and lobsters amongst the rocks , and grassy holes . four miles from saugus stands salem , on the middle of a neck of land very pleasantly , between two rivers on the north and south . the place is but barren sandy land , yet for seven years together it brought forth excellent corn , being manured with fish every third year : yet there is good ground , and good timber by the sea side , and divers fresh springs . beyond the river is a very good soil , where they have farms . here also they have store of fish , as basses , eels , lobsters , clams , &c. they cross the river in canows made of whole pine trees , two foot and an half wide , and twenty foot long , in which also they go a fowling , sometimes two leagues into the sea. it hath two good harbours , which lie within derbins fort. marvil head lies four miles south from salem , a very good place for a plantation , especially for such as will set up a trade of fishing : there are good harbours for boats , and good riding for ships . agowomen is nine miles to the north from salem near the sea , and another good place for a plantation . it abounds with fish and flesh , of fowls , and beasts , hath great meddows and marshes , and arable grounds , many good rivers and harbours , and no rattle snakes . merrimack lies eight miles beyond that , where is a river navigable for twenty miles , and all along the side of it fresh marshes , in some places three miles broad . in the river is sturgion , salmon , bass , and divers other kinds of fish. three miles beyond this river is the out side of massecusets patent ; wherein these are the towns that were begun in the year , . of the evils , and hurtful things in the plantation . those that bring the greatest prejudice to the planters , are the ravenous woolves , which destroy the weaker cattel , of which we heard before . then the rattle snake which is usually a yard and a half long , as thick in the middle as the small of a mans legg , with a yellow belly : her back is spotted with black , russet , and green , placed like scales . at her taile is a rattle with which she makes a noise when she is molested , or when any come near to her : her neck seems no bigger than a mans thumb , yet can she swallow a squirrel , having a wide mouth with teeth as sharp as needles , wherein her poyson lies , for she hath no sting : when a man is bitten by her , the poyson spreads so suddenly through the veins to the heart that in an hour it causes death , unless he hath the antidote to expel the poyson , which is a root called snake-weed , which must be champed , the spittle swallowed , and the root applyed to the sore ; this is a certain cure . this weed is rank poyson if it be taken by any man that is not bitten , unless it be phisically compounded with other things . he that is bitten by these snakes , his fresh becomes as spotted as a lepers , till he be perfectly cured . she is naturally the most sleepy and unnimble creature that is , never offering to leap at , or bite any man , if he tread not upon her : in hot weather they desire to lie in paths in the sun , where they sleep soundly ; a small switch will easily kill them . if a beast be bitten , they cut his flesh in divers places , and thrust in this weed , which is a sure cure. in many places of the country there be none of them ; as at plimouth , new-town , &c. in some places they live on one side the river , and if they swim over , as soon as they come into the woods , they turn up their yellow bellies and die . other snakes there be , which yet never hurt eitheir man or beast . there be also store of froggs , which in the spring time chirp , and whistle like birds , and in the end of sommer croake like other frogs . there are also toads that will creep to the top of trees , and sit croaking there to the wonderment of strangers . there be also pismires , and spiders , but neither fleshworms , nor moles . there be wild bees or wasps that guard the grapes , making her cobweb nest amongst the leaves : also a great fly , like to our horse flies , which bite and fetch blood from man or beast , and are most troublesome where most cattel be . there is also a gurnipper , which is a fly as small as a flea , and where it bites it causes much itching , and scratching . also the muskito like to our gnats : such as are bitten by them fall a scratching , which makes their hands and faces swell ; but this is only the first year , for they never swell the second year . here also are flies called cantharides , so much used by chirurgions ; and divers sorts of butterflies . of the natives inhabiting those parts of new-england . the country is divided ( as it were ) into shires , every several shire under a several king. on the east , and north-east are the churchers , and tarenteens . in the southern parts are the pequants , and naragansets . on the west are the connectacuts , and mowhacks . those on the north of them are called aberginians , who before the sweeping plague scorned the confrontments of such as now count themselves but the scum of the country , and that would soon root them out , were it not for the english. the churchers are a cruel bloody people , which were wont to come down upon their poor neighbours , bruitishly spoyling their corn , burning their houses , slaying their men , ravishing the women , yea sometimes eating a man , one part after another before his face whil'st he was alive : but they say , they dare not meddle with a white faced man , accompanied with his hotmouthed weapon . they are tall of stature , have long grim visages , slender wasted , and exceeding great arms and thighs , wherein their strength lies ; with a fillip of their finger they will kill a dogg : they live upon fruits , herbs , and roots , but that which they most desire is mans flesh . if they catch a stranger they keep him in as good plight as they can , giving him their best fare , and daily pipe to him , paint him , and dance about him , till at last they begin to eat him piece-meal : they are desperate in wars , securing their bodies with sea-horse skins , and barks of trees made impenitrable , wearing head-pieces of the same : their weapons are tamahauks , which are staves of two foot and a half long , and a knob at the end as big as a foot-ball ; these they carry in their right hand , and in their left a javelin , or short spear headed with a sharp sea-horse tooth ; they are both deadly weapons . the tarenteens are little less savage , only they eat not mans flesh : they are enemies to the indians amongst the english , and kill as many of them as they can meet with . they are the more insolent because they have guns , which they trade for with the french , who will sell his eyes , they say , for beaver . so soon as a boat comes to an anchor , they enquire for sack and strong liquors , which they much affect ever since the english traded it with them , so that they will scarce exchange their beaver for any thing else . these are wise , high spirited , constant in friendship one to another , true in their promises , and more industrious than most others . the pequants are a stately warlike people , just in their dealings ; requiters of courtesies , and affable to the english. the narragansetz are the most numerous people in those parts , the richest and most industrious : they are also the most curious minters of their wampamprag and mowhacks , which they make of the most inmost wreaths of perriwinckles shells ; the northern , eastern , and western indies fetch all their coin from them : as also they make curious pendants and blacelets , and stone pipes which hold a quarter of an ounce of tobacco ; these they make with steel drills , and other instruments , and so ingenuous they are , that they will imitate the english mold so exactly that were it not for matter and colour you , could not distinguish them ; they make these pipes of green or black stone ; they made also pots , wherein they dressed their victuals before they knew the use of our brass : they seek rather to grow rich by industry , than famous by deeds of chivalry . the aberginians are mostly between five and six foot high , straight bodied , strong lim'd , smooth skin'd , merry countenanced , of complexion something more swarthy than a spaniard ; black haired , high foreheaded , black eyed , out-nosed , having broad shoulders , brawny arms , long and slender hands , out-breasts , small wasts , lank bellies , handsome legs , thighs , flat knees , and small feet . it s beyond belief to conceive how such lusty bodies should be supported by such slender foot : their houses are mean , their lodging as homely , their commons scant , their drink water , and nature their best cloathing : you shall never see any monstrous person amongst them , or one whom sickness hath deformed , or casualty made decrepit ; most are fifty years old before a wrinkled brow , or gray hairs bewrayes their age : their smooth skins proceeds from the oft anointing their bodies with oyl of fishes , and fat of eagles , and rackoones , which secures them also against muskitoes : their black hair is natural , but made more jetty by oyling , dying , and daily dressing : sometimes they wear long hair like women , sometimes they tie it up short like a horse tail : their boyes must not wear their hair long , till they be sixteen year old , and then also but by degrees , some leave a foretop , others a long lock on the crown , or one on each side the head , as best pleases their fancy : they will not endure any hair on their chins , but scrub it up by the roots : and if they see one with the appearance of a beard , they say he is an english mans bastard . their cloathing is a piece of cloth of a yard and a half long put between their groyns tied with snake-skins about their middle , with a flap before , and hanging like a tail behind . the more aged in the winter wear leather drawers like irish trowzes ; their shooes are of their own making , cut out of a mooses hide ; have and some skins which they cast about them like irish mantles , being either bear , mooses , or beaver-skins sewed together , &c. and in the winter deep fur'd catskins , which they wear upon that arm that is most exposed to the weather . when they are disposed to trade , they choose a good course blanket , or piece of broad cloth , which they make a coat of by day , and a covering by night : they love not to be imprisoned in cloaths after our mode . though they be poor , yet are they proud , which discovers it self by their affecting ornaments , as pendants in their ears , forms of birds , beasts , and fishes carved out of bones , shels , and stones , with long bracelets of their curiously wrought wampompeag , and mowhacks , which they wear about their loins . many of their better sort bear upon their cheeks the pourtaictures of beasts , and fowls , which they make by rasing of their skin with a small sharp instrument , under which they convey a kind of black unchageable ink which makes them apparent and permanent : others have impressions down the out side of their arms and breasts like stars , which they imprint by searing irons . a sagamore with a hum-bird in his ear for a pendant , a black hawke on his head for a plume , mawhack instead of a gold chain , store of wampompeag about his loins , his bow in his hand , his quiver at his back , and six naked indians for his guard , thinks himself nothing inferiour to the great cham , and will say that he is all one with king charles . of their diet , cookery , meal-times and hospitality . in the winter time they have all sorts of fowls , beasts , and pond-fish , with some roots , indian beans , and clams . in the sommer they have all manner of sea fish , with all sorts of berries . these they roast or boil in great kettles , which they gat by trading with the french , and now of the english : before , they had good earthen pots of their own making ; their spits are cloven sticks sharpned at one end and thrust into the ground , a dozen of them with flesh and fish about a fire , turning them as they see occasion . this they present to their guests , dishing it in a rude manner , and set on the ground , without linnen , trenchers , or knives ; to this they presently fall aboard without bread , salt , or beer , lolling after the turkish fashion , not ceasing till their full bellies leave empty platters . their indian corn they seeth whole , like beans , eating three or four corns with a mouthful of fish or flesh , filling up thinks with their broth. in sommer when their corn is spent isquoterquashes is their best bread , like our young pumpions . when our english invite them to meat , they eat very moderately , though at home without measure . they all meet friends at a kettle , save their wives , who attend at their backs for their bony fragments . they keep no set meals , but when their store is spent , they bite on the bit , till they meet with fresh supplies , their wives trudging to the clam-banks when other provision fails . it s the greatest discourtesie you can shew them , not to eat of their delicates , of which they are as free as emperors , and not to sup of their broth made thick with fish , fowl and beasts , all boiled together . of their dispositions , good qualities , as friendship , constancy , truth , and affability . these indians are of an affable , courteous , and well-disposed nature , ready to communicate the best of their wealth to the mutual good one of another , and the less abundance they have , the more conspicuous is their love , in that they are as willing to part with their mite in poverty , as their treasure in plenty . he that kills a deer sends for his friends and eats it merrily . he that receives but a piece of bread from an english hand , gives part of it to his comrades , and they eat it together lovingly . yea , a friend can command a friends house , and whatsoever is his ( saving his wife ) and have it freely : and nothing sooner disjoyns them than ingratitude , accounting an ungrateful person , a double robber , not only of a mans curtesie , but of his thanks , which he might have from another for the same profered and received kindness . they so love each other , that they cannot endure to see one of their countrymen wronged , but will defend them stiffly , plead for them strongly , and justifie their integrity in any warrantableaction . they are true , and faithful to the english , and have been the disclosers of all such treacheries as have been designed by other indians against them . if any roaving ship be upon the coast , and chance to harbour in any unusual port , they will give the english notice of it , which hath been no small advantage . when the english have travelled far into the couutry , they readily entertain them into their houses , quarter them in their rooms , and provide for them the best victuals they can , and give them kind entertainment , if it be for two or three weeks together . they are also ready to guide them through the unbeaten wildernesses , and if any loose their way , they will not leave them till they have brought them to their desired place . they are very careful to keep good correspondence with our english magistrates , being ready to execute any service which they require of them . if any malefactor withdraw himself from condigne punishment , they will hunt him out , and not rest till they have delivered him up to justice . they are kind and affable , very wary with whom they enter into friendship ; nothing is more hateful to them than a churlish disposition , or dissimulation : they speak seldom , and then utter not many words , and those they do , they deliver very gravely . they never fall out amongst themselves , nor abuse each other in language . yea , though in gaming they lose all their little all , yet is the loser as merry as the winner , and they part good friends . of their hardness . their hardness is to be admired , no ordinary pains causing them so much to alter their countenance : beat them , whip them , pinch them , punch them , if they resolve otherwise , they will not winch for it : and though naturally they fear death , yet the unexpected approach of a mortal wound by sword , bullet , &c. strike no more terrour , causes no more exclamation , no more complaint , than if it were a shot into the trunk of a tree . some have been shot in at the mouth , and out under the ear , others into the breast ; others run through the flanks with darts , others received desperate wounds , and yet , either by their rare skill in simples , or by charms have been cured in a short time . in the night they dare not stir out of their houses , for fear of their abamaco [ the devil ] they will rather lie by an english fire all night , than go a quarter of mile in the dark to their own houses . of their wondering at their first sight of any new invention . they being strangers to arts , are ravished at the first view of any new invention : they took the first ship they saw for a mourning island , the masts to be trees , the sails , white clouds , and the discharging of great guns , to be thunder and lightning : but this moving island being stopped by its anchor , they manned out their canows to go and pick strabones in it ; but by the way , being saluted with a broad side , they cryed out , with much hoggery , so big walk , and so big speak , and by and by kill ; this made them to turn back , and approach no more till they were sent for . they wondred much at the first wind mill which the english erected , for its strange whirking motion , and the sharp teeth , biting the corn so small , and its long arms , neither durst they stay in so tottering a tabernacle . the first plowman they saw was accounted a jugler , the plow tearing up more ground in a day , then their clamshels could scrape up in a moneth . yet are they so ingenious , and dexterous in using the ax or hatchet , that probably they would soon learn any trade , were they not so much wedded to idleness ; so that they had rather starve than work . in brief , they be wise in their carriage , subtile in their trading , true in their promise , just in paying their debts : though their poverty may make them slow , yet are they sure : some having died in the english debt , have by will left beaver for their satisfaction : they be constant in friendship , merrily conceited in discourse , not luxurious , in youth , nor froward in old age. of their kings government , and subjects obedience . their kings inherit , the son alwayes succeeding his father . if there be no son , the queen rules , if no queen , the next of the blood royal ; if any other intrude , he is counted a usurper ; and if his fair carriage win not their love , they will soon unking him . the kings have not many laws to rule by , nor have they any yearly revenews , yet are they so feared , or beloved , that half their subjects estates are at their service , and their persons at his command . though he hath no kingly rules to make him glorious , no guard to secure him , no courtlike attendance , nor sumptuous pallaces , yet they account him their soveraign , and yield chearful subjection to him , going and coming at his beck without questioning a reason , though the matter thwart their wills . such as commit treason , or lay violent hands on their lawful soveraign , die without mercy . once a year he takes his progress , attended with a dozen of his best subjects , to view his countrey , to recreate himself , and to establish good order . when he comes into any house , without any other complements , they desire him to sit down on the ground ( having neither stools nor cushions ) and after a while all that are present sit down by him , one of his seniors making an oration gratulatory to his majesty for his love , and the many good things they enjoy under his government . a king of large dominions hath his vice-royes under him to mannage his state affairs , and to keep his subjects in good decorum . for their laws , as their evil manners come short of other nations , so they need not so many laws , yet some they have , which they inflict upon notorious malefactors , as traytors , murtherers , &c. he that deserves death , being apprehended , is brought before the king ; and some of his wisest men , and if upon trial he be found guilty , the executioner comes in , blindfolds him , and sets him in the publick , and brains him with a club ; they have no other punishment save admonitions , or reproofs for smaller offences . of their marriages . the kings and great pawwoos , or connirers may have two or three wives , yet seldom use it ; others have but one . when a man desires to marry , he first gets the good will of the maid or widdow , then the consent of her friends , then , if the king like , the match is made , her dowry of wamponpeag paid , and so the king joyns their hands never to part till death , unless she prove a whore , for which they may put them away . of their worship , invocations , and conjurations . as its natural to all mortals to worship something , so do these . they acknowledge specially two , ketar , who is their god , to whom they sacrifice when they have a good crop. him they invocate for fair weather , for rain , for recovery of their sick , &c. but if they prevail not , their powwows betake themselves to their conjurations , and charmes , by which they effect very strange things , and many times work great cures . but since the english came amongst them , they are much reformed , and most of them have left these diabolical practices . of their wars . for places of retreat in times of danger they make forts of fourty or fifty foot square , of young timber trees ten or twelve foot high rammed into the ground , the earth being cast up within for their shelter , and with loop holes through which they shoot their arrows . in war their only weapons are bows and arrows , only their captains have long spears , on which , if they return conquerors , they carry the chiefest of their enemies heads ; for they use to cut off their heads , hands , and feet to carry home to their wives and children as trophies of their renowned victories : they also at such times paint their faces with diversities of colours to make them the more terrible to their foes ; they put on also their rich jewels , pendants , wampompeag , &c. to mind them that they fight , not only for their lives , wives and children , but for their goods , lands , and liberties ; they fight without all order , and when they have spent their arrows , they run away . they are trained up to their bows from their childhood , and are excellent marks-men : they run swiftly , and swim almost naturally . of their huntings . they have neither beagles , hounds , nor grayhounds , but supply all themselves : in the season of the year they have hunting houses in the places to which the deer resort , in which they keep their rendesvouze , with their snares , and all the accoutrements for that imployment . when they see a deer moose , or bear , they labour to get the wind of him , and coming neer they shoot him quite through , if the bones hinder not . they hunt also wolves , wild cats , rackoones , otters , beavers , and musquashes , trading both their skins and flesh to the english : they have also other devises wherewith to kill their game . of their fishings . they are very expert in fishing , knowing all kinds of baits fit for each several sorts of fish , and for all seasons of the year . they know also when to fish in the rivers , when at the rocks , when in the bayes , and when at the seas : before the english furnished them with hooks and lines , they made lines of their own hemp , curiously wrought , stronger than ours , and used bone-hooks ; they make also strong nets , wherewith they , catch sturgion ; and in the night they go forth in their canooes with a blazing torch , which they wave up and down , with which the sturgion being delighted , playes about it , turning up her white belly , into which they thrust a bearded dart , her back being impenetrable , and so hale her to the shoar . they look out also for sleeping seals , whose oyl they much esteem , using it for divers things . of their arts and manufactures . they dress all manner of skins , by scraping and rubbing , and curiously paint them with unchangable colours , and sometimes take off the hair , especially if they be not in season . they make handsome bows , which they string with mooses sinews : their arrows they make of young eldern , which they feather with eagles feathers , and head them with brass in shape of a triangle . their cordage is so even , smooth , and soft , that its liker silk than hemp. their canows are either made of pine-trees , which , before they had english tools , they burned hollow scraping them smooth with the shels of clams , and oysters , cutting their out-sides with hatchets of stone : others they make of birch rinds , which are so light that a man may carry one of them on his back . in these tottering boats they will go to sea , scudding over the waves , rowing with a paddle : if a wave turn her over , by swimming they turn her up , and get into her again . of their death , burials , and mournings . though these indians have lusty and healthful bodies , not knowing many diseases incident to others countries , as feavers , plurisies , callentures , agues , obstructions , consumptions , convulsions , apoplexies , dropsies , gout , stone , toothach , pox , meazles , &c. so that some of them live to sixty , seventy , eighty , yea , one hundred years before death summons them hence ; yet when death approaches , and all hope of recovery is past , then to see and hear their heavy sobbs , and deep fetched sighs , their grieved hearts , and brinish tears , and doleful cryes , would fetch tears from an heart of stone . their grief being asswaged , they commit the bodies of their friends to the earth , over whose grave for a long time they weep , groan , and howl , continuing annual mournings , with a stiff black paint on their faces : they mourn without hope , and yet hold the immortality of the soul , that it shall pass to the south-west elysium , a kind of paradise , wherein they shall for ever abide , solacing themselves in odoriferous gardens , fruitful corn-fields , green meddows , bathing in cool streams of pleasant rivers , and shelter themselves from heat and cold in state-pallaces framed by dame nature ; at the portal of this elisium they say there lies a great dogg , whose currish snarlings excludes unworthy intruders : wherefore they bury them with bows and arrows , and store of wampompeag , and mouhak● , either to affright the affronting cerberus , or to purchase greater prerogatives in that in paradise . but evil livers they go to the infernal dwellings of abamacho , there to be tormented . of their women , their dispositions , imployments , vsage by their husbands , their apparel , and modesty . these indians scorn the tutorings of their wives , or to admit them as their equals , though their qualities , and industry may justly claim the preheminence , and command better usage , and more conjugal esteem , their persons and features being every way correspondent , their qualifications more excellent , being more loving , pitiful , and modest , mild , provident , and laborious than their lazy husbands . their imployments are many , for they build their houses in fashion like our garden arbors , but rounder , very strong and handsome , covered with close wrought mats of their own weaving , which deny entrance to a drop of rain , though it be fierce and long , neither can the north winds find a crany whereat to enter ; they be warmer then ours : at the top is a square hole for the smoake to pass out , which is close covered in rainy weather : yet when they have a good fire , they are so smoky , that they are fain to lie down under the smoake . their sommer houses when families are dispersed upon divers occasions , are less : their winter houses are fifty or sixty foot long ; fourty or fifty men lodging in one of them ; and when their husbands require it , the wives are fain to carry their houses on their backs to fishing and hunting places ; or to a planting place , where it abides the longest . the wives also plant their corn , which they keep so clear from weeds , with their clam-shell hooes , as if it were a garden rather than a corn-field ; neither suffering weeds nor worms to hurt it . their corn being ripe , they dry it in the sun , and convey it into their barns , which be great holes digged in the ground like brass pots , lining them with rinds of trees , into which they put their corn , covering it from their gurmundizing husbands , who else would eat up all their allowed portion , and reserved seed if they knew where to find it . but our english hoggs having found a way to open their barn-doors , and to rob their garners ; they are fain to make use of their husbands help to rowl the bodies of trees over them , to secure them against these swine , whose thievery they hate as much as they do to eat their flesh . another of their imployments is , in their sommer processions to get lobsters for their husbands , wherewith they bait their hooks when they go a fishing for bass & codfish . this is their every days walk be the weather cold or hot , the waters rough or calm , they must dive sometimes over head and ears for a lobster , which often shakes them by the hands , with a churlish nip , and so bids them adieu . the tide being spent they trudg home two or three miles with an hundred weight of lobsters on their backs , but if they meet with none , they have a hundred scouls from their churlish hsbands , and an hungry belly for two dayes after . when their husbands have caught any fish they bring it in their canows as far as they can by water , and there they leave it , sending their wives to fetch it home , or they must fast , which done , they must dress it , cook it , dish it , and present it , and see it eaten before their faces , and their loggerships having filled their paunches , their poor wives must scramble for their scraps . in the sommer when lobsters be in their plenty and prime , these indian women dry them to keep for winter , erecting scaffolds in the hot sun , and making fires underneath them , by the smoake whereof the flies are driven away , till the fish remain hard & dry : thus also they dry bass , and other fishes without salt , cutting them very thin that they may dry the sooner before the flies spoil them , or the rain wet them , having a great care to hang them in their smoaky houses in the night , and dankish weather . in sommer also they gather flags , of which they make mats for houses ; also hemp and rushes with dying stuff , of which they make curious baskets with intermingled colours , and pourtraictures of antique imagery . these baskets are of all sizes , from a quart to a quarter , in which they carry their luggage . in winter they are their husbands caterers , trugging to the clam-banks for their belly-timber : they are also their porters to lug home their venison , which their laziness exposeth to the wolves , till their wives impose it upon their shoulders . they also sew thir husbands shooes , and weave turkey feathers for them , besides all their housholds drudgery which daily goes through their hands , and a big belly hinders no business , nor doth their childbirth hinder much time , but the young child being greased and sooted , wrapped up in a beavers skin , bound to his good behaviour , with his feet up to his bum , upon a board two foot long , and one foot broad , his face being exposed to the most nipping weather , this little pappouse travels about with his barefooted mother , to paddle in the icy clamb-banks , being not above three or four dayes old . the womens carriage is very civil , smiles being the greatest grace of their mirth . their musick is lullabies to quiet their children , who yet are generally as quiet as if they had neither spleen nor lungs . to hear one of these indian women unseen , a good ear might easily mistake their untaught voice for the warbling of a well tuned instrument . their modesty suggest them to wear more cloathes than their husbands , having alwayes a short coat of cloth , or skin wrapped like a blanket about their loins reaching to their hams , which they never put off in company . if a husband sels his wives beaver petticote , as sometimes he doth , she will not put it off , till she hath another to put on . their mild carriage and obedience to their husbands is very commendable ; notwithstanding all their churlishness , and salvage inhumanity towards them , yet will they not frown , nor offer to word it with their lords , nor presume to proclaim their superiority to the usurping of the least tittle of their husbands charter , but are contentedly quiet with their helpless condition , esteeming it to be the womans portion . since the arrival of the english comparison hath made their yoake more miserable : for seeing the kind usage of the english men towards their wives , they cannot but as much condemn their own husbands unkindness , as they commend the english mens love . but in the mean time , their husbands commend themselves for their wit in keeping their wives in subjection , and to labour as much as they condemn the english husbands for their indulgence and folly in spoiling such good working creatures . these indian women do oft resort to the houses of the english wherewith those of their own sex , they do somewhat ease their misery by complaining of their thraldom , and seldom part without some relief ; and if their husbands come to seek for their spaws ( for so they call all women ) and do begin to bluster for their idleness , the english woman betakes her to her arms , which are the warlike ladle , and the scalding liquor , threatning blistering to the naked runaway , who is soon driven back by such hot comminations . in a word , the love of these women to the english , deserves no small esteem , whom they are ever presenting with something that is rare or desired , as strawberries , hurtleberries , rasberries , gooseberries , cherries , plums , fish , and such other gifts as their poor treasury affords . new englands prospect . of their religion . the natives of new-england conceive of many divine powers : but one whom they call keihtan ( they say ) is the principal , and maker of all the rest , and himself is made by none . he created the heavens , earth , sea , and all creatures contained therein . he also made one man and one woman , of whom oll mankind came . but how they came to be so far dispersed , they know not . at first ( they say ) there was no sachem or king , but keihtan , who dwells above the heavens , whither all good men go when they die to see their friends , and have their fill of all thins . thither bad men go also , and knock at his door , but he bids them walk abroad , for there is no piace for such , so that they wander in restless want , and penury . never man saw this kiehtan ; only old men tell them of him , and bid them tell their children ; yea , to charge them to tell it to their posterities , and to lay the like charge upon them . this power they acknowledge to be good ; and when they would obtain any great matter , they meet together , and cry unto him ; and when they have plenty and victory , &c. they sing , dance , give thanks , and hang up garlands in memory thereof . another power they worship called hobbamock , which is the devil ; him they call upon to cure their wounds , and diseases . and when they are curable , he perswades them that he sends the same for some conceived anger against them ; but upon their calling upon him , he can , and doth help them . but when they are mortal and incurable , he tells them that kiehtan is angry , and sends them , whom none can cure , which makes them doubt whether he be simply good , and therefore in sickness they never call upon him . this hobbamock appears in sundry forms unto them ; as in the shape of a man , a deer , a fawn , an eagle , &c. but most ordinarily like a snake . he appears not to all , but to the chiefest , and most judicious amongst them , though all of them strive to attain that hellish honor . he chiefly appears to three sorts of persons : of the first rank they are few , and they are highly esteemed of , and they think that no weapon can kill them : the second sort are called powahs : and the third priests . the powahs chief office is to call upon the devil , and to cure the sick and wounded . the common people joyn with him in his invocations , by saying amen to what he saith . the powah is eager and free in speech , fierce in countenance , and joyneth many antick and laborious gestures with the same over the party diseased . if the party be wounded , they suck his wounds ; but if they be curable , the snake or eagle sits on his shoulders and licks the same . him none sees but the powah . if the party be otherwise diseased , its sufficient if in any shape he but comes into the house , and it is an undoubted sign of recovery . the powahs in their speech promise to sacrifice many skins of beasts , kettles , hatchets , beads , knives , and the best things they have to the fiend , if he help the diseased party . when women are in desperate and extraordinary hard travel in in child-birth , they send for the powahs to help them . many sacrifices they use , and sometimes kill their children . the nanohiggansets exceed in their blind devotion , and have great spacious houses , into which their priests only come . thither at certain times most of the people resort and sacrifice almost all their riches to their gods , as kettles , skins , hatchets , beads , knives , &c. all which the priest casts into a great fire made in the midst of that house , where they are consumed . to this offering every man brings freely , and he that brings most , is best esteemed . the priests are men of great courage and wisdom , and to these the devil also appears more familiarly than to others , and covenants with them to preserve them from death by wounds of arrows , knives , hatchets , &c. one of these will chase almost an hundred of their enemies : they are highly esteemed of all , and are of the sachems councel , without whom he will neither make war , nor undertake any great matter . in war the sachems for their more safety , go in the midst of them . they are usually men of the greatest stature and strength , and such as will endure most hardness , and yet are discreet , and courteous in their carriages , scorning theft , lying , and base dealing , and stand as much upon their reputation as any men . and to encrease the number of these , they train up the likeliest boyes from their childhood unto great hardness , and cause them to abstain from dainty meat , and to observe divers other rules , to the end that the devil may appear to them when they are of age . they also cause them to drink the juice of centuary , and other bitter herbs , till they vomit it into a platter , which they must drink again , till at length , through extraordinary pressing of nature , it looke like blood : and this the boyes will do at first eagerly , and so continue , till by reason of faintness they can scarce stand on their leggs , and then they must go forth into the cold . also they beat their shins with sticks , and cause them to run through bushes , stumps , and brambles to make them hardy and acceptable to the devil , that so in time he may appear unto them . their sachems are not all kings , but only some few of them , to whom the rest resort for protection , and pay them homage : neither may they make war without their knowledge and approbation . every sachim takes care for the widdows , fatherless , aged , or maimed , if their friends be dead , or not able to provide for them . a sachim will not marry any but such as are equal in birth to him , lest his seed prove ignoble ; and though they have many other wives , yet are they but concubines , or servants , and yield obedience to the queen , who orders the family , and them in it . the other subjects do the same , and will adhere to the first during their lives , but put away the other at their pleasure . their government is successive , not elective . if the sachims child be young when his father dies , he is committed to the protection , and tuition of some one amongst them , who rules for him till he be of age . every sachem knows the bounds and limits of his kingdom , out of which , if any of his men desire land wherein to set their corn , he gives them as much as they can use . in these limits , he that hunts and kills any venison , gives the sachim his fee ; if it be killed on the land , he hath part of the flesh ; if in the water , then the skin only : the great sachems or kings know not their bounds so well . all travellers or strangers usually lie at the sachims house , and when they come , they tell them how long they will stay , and whither they are going ; during which time they are entertained according to their quality . once a year the priests provoke the people to bestow much corn on the sachim , and accordingly at a certain time and place , the people bring many baskets of corn , and make a great stack thereof near to the sachems house . there the priests stands ready to return them thanks in the name of the sachim , who fetches the same , and is no less thankful , bestowing many gifts upon them . when any are visited with sickness , their friends resort to them to comfort them , and oft continue with them till death or recovery ; if they dye they stay to mourn for them , which they perform night and morning for many dayes after their burial : but if they recover , because their sickness was chargeable , they send them corn and other gifts , whereupon they feast , and dance . when they bury their dead , they sew the corps up in a mat , and so bury it . if a sachim dyes , they cover him with many curious mats , and bury all his riches with him , and inclose the grave with a pale . if it be a child , the father will put all his own special jewels , and ornaments into the grave with it : yea , he will cut his hair , and disfigure himself , in token of his great sorrow . if it be the master or dame of the family , they will pull down the mats , and leave the frame of the house standing , and bury them in , or near the same , and either remove their dwelling , or give over house-keeping . the younger sort reverence the elder , and do all mean offices for them when they are together , though they be strangers . boyes and girls may not wear their hair like men and women , but are distinguished thereby . one is not accounted a man , till he doth some notable act , and shews his courage and resolution answerable to his place : the men take much tobacco , but it s counted very odious in a boy so to do . all their names are significant and variable . for when they come to be men and women , they alter them according to their deeds , or dispositions . when a maid is given in marriage , she first cuts her hair , and then wears a covering on her head till her hair is grown again . of their women some are so modest , that they will scarce talk together whilst men are by , and are very chast : others are light , lascivious , and wanton . if a woman hath a bad husband , or affect him not ; if there be war between that and any other people , she will run away from him to the contrary party , where she never wants welcome ; for where there be most women , there is most plenty . when a woman hath her courses , she retires her self from all other company , and lives in a house apart ; after which she washes her self , and all that she hath touched or used , after which she is received into her husbands bed or family . the husband will beat his wife , or put her away for adultery . yet some common strumpets there are , but they are such as either were never married , or are widdows , or that have been put away for adultery : for no man will take such an one to wife . in matters of injustice or dishonest dealing , the sachim examines and punisheth the same . in cases of theft ; for the first offence he is disgracefully rebuked : for the second , he is beaten by the sachim with a cudgle on the naked back : for the third , he is beaten with many stripes , and hath his nose slit , that all men may both know and shun him . if one kill another , he certainly dies for it . the sachim not only sentenceth the malefactor , but executeth the same with his own hands , if the party be present , otherwise he sends his own knife , if he be sentenced to dye by the hands of another that executes the same . but if the offender be to receive any other punishment , he will not receive it but from the sachim himself , before whom being naked , he kneels , and will not offer to run away , though he beat him never so much , it being a greater disparagement for a man to cry when he is corrected , than was his offence and punishment . they are a very witty and ingenious people : they keep account of the time by the moon , or by sommers or winters ; they know divers of the stars by name : they have also many names for the winds : they will guess shrewdly at the wind and weather before hand , by observations in the heavens . their language is very copious and large , and hard to be learned ; and though in an hundred miles distance their languages differ , yet not so much , but they can understand each other . instead of records and chonicles , where any remarkable act is done , in memory of it , either in the very place , or by some path neer adjoyning , they make a round hole in the ground a foot deep , and as much over , which , when others passing by , behold , they enquire the cause and occasion of it , which being once known , they carefully acquaint others with it . and lest such holes should be filled , as men pass by , they will oft renew them . so that if a man travels , and can understand his guide , his journey will be less tedious , by the many historical discourses that will be related to him . you have heard before of the state of new-england in the year . when she was but in her childhood , but being now grown up to more maturity ; take this account of it , which was written by a reverend minister , in january / , who had lived there . years , and therefore hath great reason , and good opportunities to be acquainted with the condition of it . when we came first to new-england in the year . there was then but one town in the country , viz. that of new-plimmouth , which had stood alone for nine years . from that time to this year now beginning . is just fourty years ; in which time there has been an increase of fourty churches in this colony ( but many more in the rest . ) and towns in all new-england , . which for the most part lie along the sea coast for somewhat more than two hundred miles ; only upon connecticut river , there are thirteen towns lying neer together ; and about the massacusets bay , here are above thirty towns within two , three , four , or five miles asunder . and from the sea , which hath rendred boston a very considerable place , and the metropolis of new-england , all the other towns on the sea coast , and those in the country depending upon it . i have lately heard some merchants that knew old boston , say that this is far bigger , and hath ten times more trade than that , having many ships and catches , and they say no less than an hundred catches went from the country this winter to trade in virginia ; besides many others to the west indies , and to several parts of europe . it was doubted for some years , whether there would be a staple commodity in new-england ; but god and time have shewed many , as furs , fish , masts , pipestaves , and deal-board , and such plenty of corn and cattel , that abundance of provision has been yearly transported for the supply of english plantations , the west-indies , and other parts ; in so much as though many gentlemen of great estates in the first year spent their estates , and some of them that were very brave men of publick spirits , were brought very low , both they and theirs : yet in the latter years , many that have risen out of the dust , by a way of trading and merchandising , have grown unto great estates ; some to ten , others to twenty , yea thirty or fourty thousand pound estate . in the year . began the combination of the united colonies of new-england , which have much encrersed since then ; every one of them having their distinct pattents , except new-haven , which for want of a pattent , was since the coming in of our king , taken into the colony of connecticut ; and though very many of the first commers are now dead and gone , yet there is grown up such a numerous posterity here , that it 's thought there are twenty times more english people now in the country , then ever came into it . and it 's believed by many observing men , that there are many above ten hundred thousand souls . most of the first magistrates are dead , and not above two left in the massacusets ; but one in plymouth , one at connecticut , and not one at new-haven . there came over from england at several times , chiefly before the year . ninety fore ministers , of which twenty seven returned to england again , and there are now dead in the country thirty six ; and as yet living in the country thirty one . the ministers bred up in new-england , are one hundred thirty two , of which two are dead in the country , fourty one have removed to england , most of them from our colledges , besides other schollars that have in england turned to other professions , and eighty one that are now living in the country , employed in the ministery in several places . there have been several synods in new-england ; the first at cambridge , in the year . wherein the antinomian ▪ and familistical errors were confuted and condemned by the word of god. the second at cambridge in the year . wherein the magistrates power and duty in matters of religion , and the nature and power of synods was cleared . the third , in the year . where it was declared , that in point of doctrine , these churches consented to the confession of faith , put forth by the assembly at westminster ; and in point of discipline , the platform of the discipline of these churches , was then published . the fourth was at boston in the year . concerning the subject of baptism , and consociation of churches . it hath pleased the lord to give such a blessing to the gospel among the indians , that in divers places there are not only many civilized , but divers that are truly godly , and shame the english , and are much hated by others of their own country men , though that work has met with many obstructions and remoraes ; chiefly by the death of some of the choicest instruments , and many of the best of the indians ; yet it may be well believed , that there is such a seed of the gospel scattered among them , which will grow unto a further harvest in god's time . the description of the island of barbados : with an account of the trees , plants , herbs , roots , fowls , birds , beasts , fishes , insects , &c. as also of their sugar-canes , ingenio's and manner of making their sugars . the first discovery made of this island was by a ship of sir william curte'us , which returning from pernambock in brasile , being driven by foul weather upon this coast , chanced to fall upon this island , which is not far out of the way , being one of the most windwardly islands of all the carribies ; and anchoring before it , they stayed some time to inform themselves of the nature of of the place , which by tryals in several places , they found to be so over grown with wood , as that there could be no champion ground discovered wheron to plant ; nor found they any beasts , or cattel there , save hoggs , whereof there were abundance . the portugals having long before put some on shore for breed , in case they should at any time by foul weather be driven to , or cast upon on this island , that so they might there find fresh meat to serve them upon such an exigence . and the fruits and roots that grew there , afforeded them so great plenty of food , that now they were multiplied abundantly . in so much as the indians of the leeward islands that were within sight , coming thither in their canoos , and finding such game to hunt as these hoggs were , whose flesh was so sweet , and excellent in tast , they came often thither a hunting , staying sometimes a moneth together before they returned home , leaving behind them certain tokens of their being there , which were pots of several sizes made of clay , so finely tempered , and turned with such art , as the like to them for fineness of mettle , and curiosity of turning , are not made in england , in which they boiled their meat . this discovery being made , and advice thereof sent to their friends in england ; other ships were sent with men , provisions , and working tools , to cut down the woods , and clear the ground wherein to plant provisions for their sustentation , till then , finding food but straglingly in the woods . but when they had cleared some quantity of land , they planted potato's , plantines , and maies , or indian wheat , with some other fruits , which together with the hoggs , which they found there , served only to keep life and soul together . and their supplies from england coming so slow , and so uncertainly , they were oft driven to great extremities : and the tobacco that grew there , was so earthy and worthless , as that it gave them little or no return from england , or other places ; so that for a while they lingered in a doubtful condition . for the woods were so thick , and most of the trees so large and massy , as that they were not to be faln by so few hands : and when they were laid along , the boughs were so thick and and unweldy , as required more help of strong and active men to lop , and remove them off the ground ; which continued so for many years , in somuch as they planted potato's , maies , and bonavists between the boughs as the trees lay on the ground . yet not long after they planted indigo , and ordered it so well , as that it sold in london at very good rates : and their cotten woll , and fustick wood , proved very good and staple commodities : so that having these four sorts of commodities , to traffique with all ; some ships were invited in hope of gain by that trade , to come and visit them , bringing for exchange , such commodities as they wanted , to wit , working-tools , iron , steel , clothes , shirts , drawers , hose and shooes , hats , and more hands . so that beginning to find good by this trade , they set themselves hard to work , and lived in much better condition . but when their sugar-canes had been planted three or four years , they found that to be the principal plant whereby to raise the value of the whole island ; and therefore bent all their endeavours to improve their knowledge and skill in planting them , and making sugar . which knowledg , though they studied hard , was long in learning . this island which we call barbado's lies in thirteen degrees and about thirty minutes of northern latitude : the usual bay into which ships put , is carlile bay , which without exception is the best in the island , and is somewhat more than a league over , and from the points of the land to the bottom of the bay , is twice as much . upon the innermost part of this bay stands a town called the bridge ; for that a long bridge was at first made over a little nook of the sea , which yet indeed is rather a bogg than a sea. this town is ill scituated ; the planters looking more after conveniencie than health . but one house being erected , another was set up by it for neighbourhood , and than a third , and a fourth , till at last it became a town : divers storehouses were also built there wherein , to stow their goods , being so neer and convenient for the harbour . but their great oversight was to build a town in so unhealthfull a place . for the ground being somewhat lower within the land than the sea banks are , the spring-tides flow over , and so remain there , making much of that flat a kind of bog , or marish , which sends out so loathsome a savour , as cannot but breed ill blood , and probably is the occasion of much sickness to those that live there . the ground on either side this bay ( but chiefly that to the eastward ) is much firmer , and lies higher , and therefore with some charge , may be made as convenient as the bridge , and much more healthfnl . three more bayes there be of note in this island . one to the eastward of this , which they call austins bay : the other are to the west of carlile-bay . the first whereof is called mackfields bay ; the other spikes bay ; but neither of these three are environed with land , as carlile bay is ; but being to the leeward of the island , and of good anchorage , they seldome are in danger , unless in the time of the turnado , when the winds turn about to the south ; and then if they be not well moved , the ships are subject to fall foul one upon another , and sometimes are driven a ground . for the leeward part of the island , being rather shelvy than rocky , they are seldom or never cast away . the leng the hot island is twenty eight miles , and the breadth in some places seventeen miles , in others twelve ; so that they make about three hundred nitety two square miles in the whole island . it rises highest in the middle , so that when you come within sight of this happy island , the nearer you come , the more beautiful it appears to the eye . for being in it self exceeding beautiful , it 's best discerned , and best judged of when your eyes become full mistris of the object . there you may see the high , large , and lofty trees with their spreading branches , and flourishing tops , which seem to be beholding to the earth and roots that gave them such plenty of sap for their nourishment , which makes them grow to that perfection of beauty and largeness : whil'st they by way of gratitude return their cool shade to secure and shelter the earth from the suns heat , which otherwise would scorch and dry it up . so that bounty and goodness in the one , and gratefulness in the other , serve to make up this beauty , which alwayes would lie empty and waste . by the commodity of the scituation of this island , which is highest in the midst , the inhabitants within have these advantages . first , a free prospect into the sea ; then a reception of a opure and refreshing air , and breezes that come from thence : the plantations overlooking one another , so as the more in most parts are not debarred , nor restrained of their liberties of the view to the sea by those that dwell between them and it . whil'st the sun is in the aequinoctial , or within ten degrees of either side , there is little change in the length of the dayes , for at six and six the sun rises and sets : but when it s nearer the tropick of capricorn , and in thirty seven degrees from them , then the dayes are something shorter , and this shortning begins about the end of october . eight moneths in the year the weather is very hot , yet not scalding , but that servants , both christians and slaves labour and travel ten hours in a day . for as the sun rises , there rises with it a cool brees of wind ; and the higher , and hotter the sun rises , the stronger and cooler the breeses are , and blow alwaeis from the north-east and by east , except in the time of the turnado : for then it sometimes chops about into the south for an hour or two , and so returns about again to the point where it was . the other four moneths it is not so hot , but is near the temper of the air in england in the midst of may. and though in the hot season the planters sweat much , yet do they not find that faintness which we find in england in the end of july , or in the beginning of august . but with this heat , there is such a moisture as must of necessity cause the air to be unwholsome . the planters there are s●eldom thirsty , unless they over heat their bodies with extraordinary labour , or with drinking strong drink , as our english spririts , or french brandy , or the drink of the island , which is made of the scummings of the coppers that boil the sugar , which they call kill-devil . for though some of these be needful in such hot countries when they are used temperately , yet the immoderate use of them over-heats the bodie , which causeth costiveness , and gripings in the bowels ; which is a disease that is very frequent there , and hardly cured , and of which many die . their blood also is thinner and paler than ours in england : nor is their meat so well relished as it is with us , but flat and insipid ; the hogs-flesh only excepted , which is as good as any in the world. their horses and cattel seldom drink , and when they do , it s but in a little quantity , except they be over heated with working . the moisture of the air causes all their knives , tweeses , keys , needles , swords , &c. to rust , and that in an instant . for if you grind your rusty knife upon a grind-stone , wipe it dry , and put it into your sheath , and pocket , in a little time after draw it again , and you shall find it beginning to rust all over ; which in longer time will eat into the steel and spoil the blade . locks also which are not often used , will rust in the wards and become useless . and clocks and watches will seldom or never go true , and all this is occasioned by the moistness of the air. this great heat and moisture together is certainly the cause that trees and plants , grow to such a vast height , and largeness as they do there . there is nothing so much wanting in this island as springs and rivers of waters ; there being but very few , and those small and inconsiderable . there is but one river , which may yet be termed rather a lake than a river . the springs that run into it are never able to fill it : and out-let to the sea it hath none ; but at spring-tides the sea comes in and fills it , and at neep-tide it cannot run out again , the sea-banks being higher than it . yet some of it issues out through the sand , and leaves a mixture of fresh and salt water behind it . sometimes these spring-tides bring some fishes into it , which will remain there , being more willing to live in this mixt water , then in the salt . sometimes there have been taken in it fishes as big as salmons , which have been over-grown with fat and very sweet and firm . but fish is not often taken in this place , by reason that the whole lake is filled with trees and roots , so that no net can be drawn , nor hook laid , without danger of breaking and losing . the river or lake reaches not within land above twelve score yards , and there is no part of it so broad , but that you may cast a coit over it . the spring-tides about this island seldom rise above four or five foot upright . into these rivolets there come from the sea little lobsters , but wanting the great claws before , they are the sweetest , and fullest of fish that can be eaten . but the water which the people in this island most relie upon , is rain-water , which they keep in ponds , and have descents to them , so that what falls upon other grounds about , may run into them ; the bottom of these ponds are clay . for if the water find any leak to the rocky part , it gets into the clifts and sinks in an instant . about the end of december these ponds are filled , and with the help they have by weekly showers , they mostly continue so , yet sometimes they find a want . this water they use upon all occasions , and to all purposes , as to boil their meat , to make their drink , to wash their linnen , &c. in these ponds are neither fish nor fry , nor any living or moving things , except some flies that fall into them ; but the water is clear and well tasted ; here their cattel drink also . they also save rain water from the houses , by gutters at the eves which carries it down into cisterns . if any tumult or disturbance be in the island , the next neighbour to it discharges a musquet , which gives an allarum to the whole island . for upon the report of that , the next shoots , and so the next , and the next , ill it go through all , and upon hearing of this all make ready . of their bread. bread which is the staff and stay of mans life , is not so good here as in england ; yet do they account it both nourishing and strengthening . it 's made of the root of a small tree or shrub , which is called cussary . this root is large and round , like the body of a small still , and as they gather it , they cut sticks or blanches that grow neerest to it of the same tree , which they put into the ground , and they grow : so that as they gather one , they plant another . this root when its first gathered is an absolute poison , and yet by good ordering it becomes wholesome and nourishing . first , they wash it clean , and lean it against a wheel , whose sole is about a foot broad , covered with latine made rough like a greater . this wheel is turned about with the foot , as cutlers use to turn theirs , and as it grates the root , it falls down into a large trough which is appointed to receive it . this they put into a strong piece of double canvas , or sack-cloth , and press it so hard , that all the juice is squeezed out , and then drying it in the sun , its fit to make bread , which they do after this manner . they have a plate of iron round , about twenty inches in the diameter , a little hollowed in the mid'st , with three feet like a pot , above six inches high , that they may keep fire under . they heat this pone ( as they call it ) so hot as that it may bake but not burn . then the indians ( who are best acquainted with the making of it ) cast the meal upon the pone the whole breadth of it , and put it down with their hands , and it will presently stick together , and when they think that that side is enough , they turn it with a thing like a battle-dore ; and so turn and re-turn it till it be enough , which is presently done . then laying it upon a flat boord , they make others , till they have made enough for the whole family . they make it as thin as a wafer , and yet purely white and crisp . salt they never use in it , though probably it would give it a better relish . they can hardly make py-crust of it ; for as they knead , or roul it , it will crack or chop , so that it will not hold any liquor , neither with , nor without butter or eggs. there is another sort of bread which is mixed , being made of the flower of maise , and cussary : for the maise of its self will make no bread , it is so extream heavy : but these two being mixed , they make it into large cakes two inches thick , which tastes most like to our english bread. yet the negroes use the maise another way . for they tost the ears of it at the fire , and so eat it warm off the fire . the christian servants are fed with this maise , who pound it in a large morter , and boil it in water to the thickness of frumentry , and then put it into a tray and so eat it ; they give it them cold , and scarce afford them salt to it ; this they call lob-lolly . the third sort of bread which they use , is only potatoes , which are the dryest , and largest which they can choose , and this is the most common sort of bread used at the planters tables . of their drink . their drink is of sundry sorts . the first , and that which is most used in the island is mobby ; a drink made of potatoes ; thus , they put the potatoes into a tub of water , and with a broom wash them clean ; then taking them out , they put them into a large brass or iron pot , and put to them so much water as will only cover a third part of them , then covering the pot close with a thick double cloth , that no steam can get out , they stew them over a gentle fire , and when they are enough , take them out , and with their hands squeeze and break them very small in fair water , letting them stand till the water hath drawn all the spirits out of the roots , which will be done in an hour or two . then they put the liquor and roots into a large linnen bag , and let it run through that into a jar , and within two hours it will begin to work : and the next day it's fit to be drunk ; and as they will have it stronger or weaker , they put in a greater or a less quantity of roots . this drink being temperately made , doth not at all fly up into the head , but is sprightly , thirst-cooling drink . if it be put up into runlets , it will last four or five dayes , and drink the quicker . it is much like renish wine on the must. there are two several layers wherein these roots grow ; the one makes the skins of the potatoes white , the other red , and the red roots make the drink red like claret wine , the other white . this is the most general drink used in the island , but it breeds hydropick humours . another drink they have which is much wholsomer , though not altogether so pleasant , which they call perino , much used by the indians , which is made of the cussavy root . this they cause their old toothless women to chaw in their mouthes , and so spit into water , which in three or four hours will work and purge it self of the poisonous quality . this drink will keep a moneth or two , and drink somewhat like our english beer . grippo is a third sort of drink , but few make it well , and it 's rarely used . punch is a fourth sort , which is made of water and sugar mixt together , which in ten dayes standing will be very strong , and fit for labourers . a fifth is made of wild plumbs which they have in great abundance upon very large trees . these they press and strain , and they have a very sharp and fine flavour : but this being troublesome in making is seldom used . but the drink made of the plantane is far beyond all these . these they gather when they are full ripe , and in the heighth of their sweetness , and peeling off the skin , they wash them in water well boiled ; and after they have stood a night , they strain it , and bottle it up , and at a weeks end drink it . it s a very strong and pleasant drink , as strong as sack , and will fly up into the head , and therefore must be used moderately . the seventh sort of drink they make of the skimmings of their sugar , which is exceeding strong , but not very pleasant : this is commonly , and indeed too much used , many being made drunk by it . this they call kill-devil . the eighth sort of drink they call beveridge , made of spring-water , white-sugar , and juice of oringes . and this is not only pleasant , but wholesome . the last and best sort of drink which the world affords , is the incomparable wine of pines . and this is made of the pure juice of the fruit it self without mixture of water , or any thing else , having in it self a natural compound of all the most excellent tasts that the world can yield . i'ts too pure to keep long . it will be fine within three or four dayes . they make it by pressing the fruit , and straining the liquor , and keep it in bottles . three sorts of meat . they have several sorts of meat there , whereof the hoggs-flesh is the most general , and indeed the best which the island affords . for the swine feeding daily upon fruit , the nuts of locust , pompianes , the bodies of the plantanes , bonanas , sugar-canes , and maise , make their flesh to be exceeding sweet . at the first coming of the english thither , they found hoggs of four hundred pound weight , the intrals taken out , and their heads cut off . beef they seldome have any that feeds upon that island , except it die of it self : only such a planter as was sir james drax ( who lived there like a prince ) may now and then kill one . turkies they have large , fat and full of gravy . also our english pullen , and muscovy ducks , which being larded with the fat of their pork , and seasoned with pepper and salt , is an excellent bak'd meat . turtle doves they have of two sorts , and very good meat . there are also pidgeons which come from the lee-ward islands in september , and stay till christmas to feed upon fruits . many of these they kill upon the trees , and they are exceeding fat , and tast excellently . tame rabbets they have , but they tast faintly , more like chickens then rabbets . they have also divers sorts of birds , but none that they use for food . of their fish. now for fish , the island want not plenty about it , yet the planters look so much after their profit on the land , that they will not spare time to catch it , nor to send to the bridge to buy that which is caught to their hands . but when any have a mind to feast themselves with fish , they go to the taverns at the bridge where they have plenty , and well drest . butter they seldom have that will beat thick ; but instead thereof they use vineger , spice , and fry much of their fish in oyl , and eat it hot ; yet some they pickle , and eat it cold . yet collonel humphrey walrond having his plantation near the sea , hath a saine to catch fish withall , which his own servants and slaves put to sea twice or thrice a week , and bring home store of small and great fishes , as snappers red and gray , cavallos , macarel , mullets , cony-fish , and divers other sorts of firm and sweet fish ; and some bigger then salmons , of the rarest colours that can be imagined , being from the back fin which is the middle of the fish , to the end of the tail , of a most pure grass green , as shining as satin : the fins and tail dappled with a most rare hair-colour ; and from the back fin to the head , a pure hair-colour dappled with green . the scales as big as an half crown piece . it is an exccent sweet fish ; only there is one kind of fish here wanting , which are very rife in the adjacent islands , which is the green turtle , which the best meat that the sea affords . in other places they take an infinite number of them by turning them upon their backs with staves , where they lie till they are fetcht away . a large turtle will have in her body half a bushel of eggs. when they are to kill one of them , they lay it on his back upon a table , and when he sees them come with a knife to kill him , he vapours out the most grievous sighs that ever you heard creature make , and sheds as large tears as a stag. he hath a joynt or crevis about an inch within the utmost edge of his shell , into which they put the knife and rip up his belly , which they call his calipee , and take out his bowels , and heart , which had three distinct points , and this being laid in a dish will stir and pant ten hours after the fish is dead : it 's of a delicate taste and very nourishing . of the quelquechoses . the quelquechoses with which they furnish out their tables at a feast are , eggs potcht , and laid upon sippets soaked in butter , and juice of limes and sugar , with plumpt currans strewed upon them , and cloves , mace , cinamon strewed upon that , with a little salt. eggs boiled , rosted , and fried with collops . buttered eggs , and amulet of eggs , with the juice of limes and sugar , a fraize , and a tansie , custards and cheese cakes , puffs , cream boiled to a heighth with yolks of eggs , and seasoned with sugar and spice , jelly which they make of a young pig , caves-feet , and a cock ; cream alone , and some several wayes with the help of limes , lemmons , and oranges ; and into some they put plantanes , gnavers , and bonanoes stew'd , or preserved with sugar , and the same fruit also preserved without cream , and to draw down a cup of wine , they have dried neats tongues , westfalia-bacon , caviare , pickled-herring , botargo , all which are brought to them . from old and new england , virginia , and holland they have beef , and pork ; as al ling , haberdine , cod , poor - john , makarels , and herrings pickled , and sturgeon . pickled turtles they have from the lee-ward islands . of these things they have had in these latter years such store , that the negroes are allowed for each man two makarels a week , and every woman one , which are given them saturday-nights , after which they have their allowance of plantanes , which is every one a large bunch or two two little ones to serve them for a weeks provision . and if any cattel die by chance , or by any disease , the christian servants eat the bodies , and the negroes the skins , head , and intrals , which is divided to them by the overseers . if a horse dies , the negroes have the whole bodies , and this they think a high feast , with which poor souls were never better contented : and the drink which the servants have to this diet , is nothing but mobby , and sometimes a little beveridge ; but the negroes have nothing but water . when the chief planters make a feast for their friends , it s either made by such as live within land , or neer the sea side . for this inland plantation , my author instanceth in sir james draxe , at whose table he hath seen these several sorts of meat well dressed : and this feast was alwayes made when he killed a beef , which he fed very fat , by allowing it a dozen acres of bonavist to feed in . first , he mentions beef as the greatest rarity in that island of which he had these dishes ; a rump boiled , a chine rosted , a large piece of the breast rosted , a cheek baked , the tongue and part of the tripes in minced-pies , feasoned with sweet herbs finely minced , suet , spice and corrans . the leggs , pallats , and other ingredients for an oleo podigro , and maribones . the guests having eaten well hereof , the dishes were taken away , and then came in a potato-pudding , a dish of scotch collips , of a legg of pork , fricacy of the same , a dish of boiled chickens , a shoulder of a young goat ; a kid with a pudding in his belly , a young pigg exceeding fat and sweet ; a shoulder of mutton which is there a rare dish : a pastry made of the side of a young goat , and a side of a young porket upon it , well seasoned with pepper , salt , and some nutmegs : a loin of veal , to which they have plenty of oringes , lemons , and limes ; three young turkies in a dish , two capons very large and fat , two hens with eggs in a dish ; four ducklings , eight turtle doves , and three rabbets ; and for cold baked meats , two muscovy ducks larded and seasoned with pepper and salt : and when these are taken from the table , another course is set on , of westphalia bacon , dried neats tongues , botargo , pickled oysters , caviare , anchoves , olives , and mixt amongst these , custards , cream , some alone , some with preserved plantanes , bonanoes , gnavers , and these fruits preserved by themselves ; cheesecakes , puffs , sometimes tansies , fraises , or amulets : and for raw fruit , plantaxes , bonanoes . gnavers , milions , prickled pears , anchove pears , prickled apples , custard apples , water milions , and pines , better then all the rest . and to this they had for drink , mobby , beveridge , brandy , kill-devil , drink of the plantanes , claret , white , and rhenish wine , sherry , canary , red sack , wine of fiall , besides several sorts of spirits that come from england . now for a plantation neer the sea , he instances in collonel walronds , who though he wants sheep , goats , and beef , yet he makes a plentiful supply in sundry sorts of fish , which the other wants . for all other sorts of meat which were at sir james draxe his table , he found at collonel walronds , as also mullets , maquerels , parrat-fish , snappers , red and grey , carallos , terbums , crabs , lobsters , long fish , with divers others for which they have no names . besides he dwelling so neer the haven , hath of all the rarities that are brought into the island from other parts ; as wine of all kinds , oyl , olives , capers , sturgeon , neats-tongues , anchoves , caviare , botago , with all sorts of salt meats , both flesh and fish ; as beef , pork , pease , ling , habberdine , cod , poor - john , &c. above one hundred sail of ships come yearly to this island that bring servants and slaves , men and women , horses , beasts , asinegoes , and cammels ; utensils for boiling of sugar ; and all manner of tools for tradesmen , iron , steel , lead , brass , pewter : cloth of all sorts both linen and woollen , stuffs , hats , stockings , shooes , gloves , swords , knives , locks , &c. and many other things . and they carry back indigo , cotten-wool , tobacco , sugar , ginger , and fustick wood . of their several sorts of timber . timber for building they have great choice and plenty : as the locust trees which are so long and big as may serve for beams in a very large room , their bodies are strait , above fifty foot long , the diameter of the body about three foot and a half : the timber hereof is hard , heavy , and firm , not apt to bend , and lasting . the mastick trees not altogether so large as the former , but tougher . the bully tree is somewhat less , but in other qualities goes beyond the former . it 's strong , lasting , yet not heavy , nor so hard for the tools to work upon . the red wood , and yellow prickled wood are good timber , and higher then the locusts . the cedar is the best of all , it works smooth , and looks beautifully ; of it they make wainscot , tables , and stools . they have iron wood , and another sort that will endure wet and dry : of these they make shingles , wherewith they cover their houses , because it will neither warp nor crack . of their stone . they have two sorts of stone for building : the one lies in quarries ; but these are small rough , and somewhat porous : being burnt they make excellent lime , white , and firm , by the help whereof they bind their stones and make them to endure the weather . the other sort of stone they find in rocks , and massy pieces in the ground which are soft , and therefore they saw them to what dimensions they please , and the longer it lies above ground the harder it grows . hangings they use not in their houses , because they would be spoiled by the ants , eaten by the cockroaches , and rats . of their servants and slaves . in the island are three sorts of men , master , servants , and slaves . the slaves and their posterity being subject to their masters for ever , they take more care of them then of their servants , which are theirs but for five years by the law of the island . so that for the time the servants have the worser lives : for they are put to hard labour , ill lodging , and slighted diet . formerly the servants had no bone-meat at all , except a beast died , and then they were feasted as long as that lasted . till they had planted good store of plantans the negroes were fed with bonavisto , and lob-lolly , and some ears of maise tosted ; but now they are well pleased with their plantans , wherein they much delight , and thus they dress it . it 's gathered for them before it's full ripe , by the keeper off the plantan groves , who is an able negro , and laid upon heaps till they fetch them away , which they do every saturday night about five a clock ; for then they give over work sooner then ordinary , partly for this work , and partly because the fire in the furnace is to be put out , and the ingenio to be made clear ; besides they are to wash , shave , and trim themselves against the sabbath . it is a fine sight to see an hundred of these negroes , men and women , every one with a grass-green bunch of plantans on their heads , every bunch twice so big as their heads , all marchin gone after another . having brought it home , they pill off the skin of so much as they will use , and boil it , making it into balls , and so eat it . one bunch a week is a negroes allowance , which they have no bread , nor drink but water , their lodging at night is a boord , with nothing under , nor any thing above upon them . the usage of the christian servants is much as the master is , whether merciful , or cruel . such as are merciful , use their servants well , both in meat , drink , and lodging . but the lives of such servants as have cruel masters , is most miserable . when any ships bring servants thither , the planters buy such of them as they like , and with a guide send them to their plantations , where they must presently build them a cabin , or else lie upon the ground . these cabins are made with sticks , wit hs , and plantane leaves , under some little shade that may keep off the rain . the food is a few potatoes for meat , and water or mobby for drink . at six of the clock in the morning they are rung out to work with a bell , with a rigid overseer to command them , till the bell ring again at eleven of the clock , and then they go to dinner , either with a mess of lob-lolly bonavist , or potatoes . at one of the clock they are rung out again , where they work till six , and then home to a supper of the same . but now their lives are much better ; for most servants lie in hamocks , in warm rooms , and when they come home wet from work , they have shifts of shirts and drawers , which is all the clothes they wear , and are fed with bone-meat twice or thrice in a week . of their great fires . sometimes through carelesness of servants , whole fields of sugar canes , and houses have been burnt down : for if the canes take fire , there is no quenching of them , they burn so furiously , and make a terrible noise ; for each knot of every cane , gives as great a report as a pistol . there is no way to stop it but by cutting down , and removing all the canes before it for the breadth of twenty or thirty foot down the wind ; and there the negroes stand and beat it out as it creeps along ; and some of them are so earnest to stop it , as with their naked feet to tread , and to roll their naked bodies upon it , so little do they regard their own smart in regard of their masters benefit . when negroes are brought to be sold , the planters go to the ship to buy them , where they find them stark naked , and therefore cannot be deceived in any outward infirmity . the strongest , youngest , and most beautiful yield the best prizes ; thirty pound is the price for the best , and about twenty five pound for a woman negro ; children are much cheaper . they are very chast people . for when at sometimes they are altogether naked , they will not so much as cast their eyes upon those parts which ought to be covered . jealous they are of their wives , and , and take it hainously if any make the least courtship to them . and if any woman hath two children at a birth , her husband provides a cord to hang her , concluding that she hath been false to his bed : and if by the authority of his master , he be overawed , yet he never loves her after . the planters allow some of them two or three wives , but no women above one husband . when a wife is brought to bed , the husband removes into another room , leaving his wife upon a boord on which she lies , and calls a neighbour to her , who makes her a little fire near her feet , and that serves for possets , broths , and candles . in a fortnight she is at her work again with her pickaninny ( so they call their children ) at her back , as merry as any other . they have times of suckling their children , and refreshing themselves in the fields ; and good reason , for they carry a burden on their backs , and work too . some of them when their children are three years old , as they stoop in their weeding-work , will set their pickaninnies a stride on their backs , where he will spur his mother with his heels , and crow on her back , clapping his hands as if he meant to fly , which the mother is so well pleased with , that she will continue her painful stooping work longer then she would do , rather then discompose her jovial pickaninny , so glad she is to see him merry . the sabbath dayes they have wholly to their pleasures : in the afternoons they have kettle-drums to make them musick , and they all go to dancing , the men by themselves , and the women by themselves , and sometimes the men wrestle amongst themselves . when any of them die , they make a grave , and bury him in the evening , clapping their hands , and making a doleful sound with their voices . they are cowardly , and therefore bloody , when they have advantages . if you threaten before you punish them , they will hang themselves to avoid the punishment . if they have bruises or strains , they anoint themselves with a kind of oyl that comes out of barbary that cures them . when they are sick , or inwardly distempered , a little kill-devil revives , and comforts them . the young maids have usually large breasts that stand strutting out , hard and firm , but when they are old , and have had children , their breasts hang down below their navels . they are excellent swimmers and divers , both men and women . some indians they have from the neighbouring islands , or from the continent , whose women are better versed in ordering the cussavy , and making bread then the negroes ; as also for making mobby . the men they use for foot-men , and killing of fish. one of them will go out with his bows and arrows , and in a dayes time will kill more fish then will serve a family of a dozen persons whil'st it is good . they are very active and learn any thing sooner then the negroes : their women have small breasts , long black hair : clothes they scorn to wear , especially if they be well shaped , only they wear something before their privities . one of these women being got with child by a christian servant , when the time of her travel came , being loth to be delivered amongst the men , went alone to a wood , where was a pond of water , by which she was delivered , and washing her child in the water , within three hours came home again with her child in her arms , which was a lusty boy . some of the planters feed daily two hundred mouthes , and keep them in such good order , as there is no mutinies amongst them , though they be of several nations . their first work is weeding , which if it be neglected but a little time , all is in danger of being spoiled . after weeding comes planting , especially in may , and november : but canes may be planted at all times , that so one field may be ready after another . commonly one field contains about twelve acres . of their beasts and cattel . some camels they have which are brought to them , and they are very useful for carrying down sugar to the bridge , or bringing from thence hogsheads of wine , beer , or vineger , which horses cannot do , neither can carts pass , the wayes are so rocky and uneven . one of these will carry one thousand six hundred pound weight , and therefore the surest of any beast . some horses they have which are brought from several countries , and they use them either for the ingenio , or for the saddle . some bulls and cows they have from the isle of may , and bonavista . the bulls and oxen they use for labour in the ingenio's , and the cows for the pail . a calf here will bring a calf in fourteen moneths . asinegoes they have which are of excellent use for carrying sugar to the bridge : for they will go where horses cannot , by reason of the gullies , and deep wayes : one of them will carry one hundred and fifty pound weight , and some two hundred . hogs they have in abundance which they keep ininclosures ; and they use to sell them alive for d. a pound , and sometime for d. if they be dear . sheep they have but few , neither do they thrive in that pasture . yet the ews have constantly two lambs , but their flesh doth not eat well . some sheep they have from guinny , and binny , that have hair instead of wooll , and their flesh is more like to mutton then the other . goats they have in great plenty , and they prosper well , and tast like our goats : they live in the woods , and are always inclosed . of their birds and fowls . birds they have , but two sorts worth the mentioning . the biggest is a buzzard , somewhat less then ours , and swifter of wing ; the only good they do , is , that they sometimes kill rats . the other is the larger turtle dove , of which there is great store . it 's handsomer both in shape and colour then ours in england , and is very good meat . there is also a lesser turtle , a far finer bird then she . it 's of the shape of a partridge , her colour grey , and a red brown under the wings . there is also a bird like a thrush , of a melancholly look , and her feathers stand alwayes ruffling ; she hath loud and very sweet notes . another there is much like a ren , but as big as a trush , she alwayes looks very merry and jolly . there are great flocks of blackbirds with white eyes , they have a harsh note like our jayes in england : they are great devourers of corn , and blossoms of trees . they have a kind of stares which walk , but hop not as other birds do . they have other like feldefares with big heads , and therefore they call them councellers , they have a strange tune , consisting of quarter notes , composed of five tones , and every one a quarter note higher then the other . they have sparrows , haysocks , finches , yellow-hammers , titoies , and divers others , for which they have no names : and the humming bird , not much bigger then a humble bee , wheerof i have one . sometimes teals come to their ponds , which they kill with their guns . the like they do with fowls called oxen and kine . there is another that they call a man of war , much bigger then a heron , and flies out to sea to see what ships are coming , and when he returns , they know that ships are neer . there are bats that come abroad in the evening and feed on flies . of snakes and insects . there are some snakes of a yard long ; the harm they do is in dove-houses , into which if they can get , they devour the young ones ; and they will skim the milk-pans when they can get to them . there is no venomous beast in the island . there are scorpions some as big as rats , smooth , and coloured like a snake , their bellies inclining to yellow , very nimble and quick , they hurt none ; the snakes and they will fight long , and in the end the snake prevails , and devours the other . frogs and toads they have none . there would be lizzards but that the cats kill them ; they love much to be where men are , and will gaze in their faces , and hearken to their discourse ; their bodies are about four inches long , and their tails neer as much , headed like a snake in their colour , when they please , a pure grass-green on the back , blewish towards the sides , and yellowish towards the belly , and four nimble legs , and as cold as froggs . they have cock-roaches of the bigness and shape of a beetle , of a pure hair-colour ; they appear in the evening , and they will fly to your bed , and if you be sleeping , he will bite till he fetches blood , and presently begon , that you seldom find them . the muskitoes bites and string worse then gnats . next to these are merriwings , and of so evial a substance , that you can hardly discern them but by the noise of their wings ; when they sting , there arises a little knob which will continue so a whole day . caterpillers sometimes they have in great abundance , which do much harm , devouring the potato-plants to the very roots . flies they have of so many kinds , from two inches long with great horns to the least atome , so that it 's too tedious to speak of them all . they have ants and pismires of a small size , but of a great industry ; they are every where , in hollow ground amongst the root of trees , upon the bodie , branches , leaves , and fruit of all trees ; without houses , within their houses , upon their sides , walls , windows , roofs , tables , cupboords , stools , beds , floors , all within and without are covered with them . when they find a dead cockroch , though he be bigger then a hundred of them , yet they will take hold of him and lift him up , and away they carry him , some going by to assist those that are weary ; some ( like officers ) lead the way to shew the hole into which he must pass , and if his body do lie a cross that it cannot go into the hole , they give notice to the carriers , that presently turn his body endwise before it come to the hole , and that without any stop , and they never pull contrary wayes . the planters which are so curious to prevent their coming upon their tables , cupboards , and beds , have little troughs filled with water for the feet of these to stand in ; yet all will not prevail , for they will get in the scieling , and so fall down upon them . to keep them from the shelves on which their meat stands , they are forced to hang them to the roof with ropes , and to tar those ropes and the roofs over them . when a carpet upon a table is covered over with them , if you kill many , and let them alone but a while , they will carry away all the dead ones . if you set sugar upon a table which you have first freed from them , some in the room will presently smell it , and make towards it as fast as they can , and having found it , return again without medling with it , and gives notice of this booty , and then they come in thousands and ten thousands , and in an instant fetch it all away ; so that there is no place safe from these over-busie creatures . another sort of ants there are far larger , that make their nests as big as bee-hives , of clay against a wall or tree , and sometimes within houses , they make them of several little cels . these the cockrocha , and lizards make their prey upon ; wherefore for their own security , they make several galleries , some of five or six yards long of clay also , through which they pass undiscovered : their avenues go out amongst laaves or moss , that they may not be perceived : by often breaking down their nests , they are now most of them driven into the woods . spiders they have , most beautiful and large , and very curious in their webs , and not venomous . another harmful creature they call chegoes , in shape not much unlike a lowse , no bigger then a mite that breeds in cheese , their colour is blewish ; they get through your stockings into a place of you skin , most commonly under the nailes of your toes , and they lay their off-spring as big as a small tare , which will make you go very lamely , and put you to much smarting pain . the indian women will put in a small needle at the hole , and winding the point about the bag , loosen him from the flesh , and so take him out , but the place will fester and rankle a fortnight after they are gone . some little animals there are in the woods no bigger then crickets , that lie all day in holes , but after sun setting they begin their tunes , having exceeding shrill voices like a pack of small beagles . this musick hath no intermission till morning , and then all is hush't . there are many small crabs that live upon the land , of a reddish colour , they are coming from the sea all the year long ( excepting march ) and hide themselves in holes , and hollow trees , and come into their houses and gardens , where they eat herbs . the negroes will eat them , and count them good meat . in march they come all out of their holes and march to the sea in such multitudes as that they cover the earth : no hedge , wall , or house can stop them , but they will over all . now for trees . amongst the trees , there is none of more use then the physick nut , and yet hath it poison secretly lodged in it , but that poison makes good physick : this tree grows to be eighteen foot high ; there are none like it for beauty , and use in the island . it hath many sprigs upon it of four , five , and six foot long , which they lop off one after another , and of them make stakes of above four long , and stick them in the ground an inch deep , close to one another , and keep them even with a rail on either side , and in a moneths space they will take root , and send forth leaves ; and in another moneth will be rooted so fast , that they take away the the railes . these leaves are large , smooth , and beautifully shaped , of a full green , looking like green sattin hang'd on a line , so even they hang naturally . their stems grow apace , rather in bigness then in heighth , and within a while imbody themselves one into another , and then they become a very strong fence , and so close that a rat cannot pass through them , neither will cattel or vermin willingly come near them . and as it 's a beautiful and useful fence for gardens and orchards , and to keep in conies , turkies , muscovy-ducks , so it excellently fences in their pastures which they would inclose . their fruit also is phisical : five of its kernels eaten in a morning fasting , causes both vomits and stools . this nut is like to a white pear-plumb , and of a yellowish colour , and of yellowish colour , having on it as great a peelp as a plumb , which being taken off , you come to the stone of a blackish colour , and within that is a kernel that will part in the middle , where you shall find a thin film of a faint carnetion colour . take off that film , and you may eat the kernel safely without any operation at all , and it 's as sweet as a jordans almond . the leaves are sharp some like a vine leaf , but thrice as big , and much thicker . the poison tree is very beautiful , almost as large as the locust : her leaves as large and beautiful as the lawrel leaves , and very like them . as they cut down these trees they have cipers over their faces : for if any of their sap flies into their eyes , it makes them blind for a moneth after . of this timber they make most of the vessels wherein they cure their sugar . there is a mantionel tree whose fruit is poison . the fruit is like an apple john , and ( they say ) that the indians invenom their arrows with it . the cussavy is rather a shrub then a tree , the sprigs as big as a broom-staff , crooked and ill shaped ; the leaves grow so thick as to cover them , and they grow in bunches , each of them an inch broad , and six or seven inches long , of a dark green. the growth of the roots , and the use of them is set down before . coloquintida is a very beautiful fruit , as big as an ostrages egg , of an ill taste , the rind smooth , with various greens interlaced with murries , yellows , and faint carnations . cassia fistula is a tree which grows exceeding fast . a seed of it being set will in one year grow to be eight foot high , and as thick as a walking staff . the leaf is like that of an ash , but much longer , and of a darker colour . the fruit when it 's ripe is of shape like a black puddling , sometimes sixteen inches long , the pulp of it is progatine , and a great cooler of the reins . there is a plant very like a sugar cane : if it be chewed in the mouth , it causes the tongue and throat so to swell , that the party cannot speak for two dayes . there are tammerine trees , and palm trees planted which were brought from the east-india . the palm yields excellent wine , which is thus gathered : they cut off the bark in such a part of the tree , where a bottle may be fitly placed , and the liquor that runs into it , is excellent good for a day , and no longer . it 's a very delicious liquor . the fig-trees are very large , but bear a small and contemptible fruit , neither are the leaves like ours , nor so long by a fifth part . the bodies of the trees are as long as our elms. the cherry tree is not altogether so large , the fruit is useless and insiped ; the colour some resembling our cherries , and the shape not unlike . the citron is a small tree , though she bears a great fruit , which weighs it down to the ground , the stalk of a dark colour , the leaf shaped like that of limon , but of a dark green . the orange trees do not prosper so well , neither is their fruit so kindly as those of bermudas : large they are , and full of juice , but not delicious ; besides ther full of seeds , and their rinds thin and pale . these trees do not last in their prime above seven years . the limon tree is much handsomer and larger ; their fruits is large and full of juice , and of a fragrant smell . the lime tree is like a thick holly-bush in england , and as full of prickles . when they make a hedge of them about their houses , it 's an excellent fence both against the negroes , and cattel . it 's commonly of seven or eight foot high , extreamly thick of leaves , and fruit , and prickles . the leaves and fruit like those of the limon-tree , yet in the tast of rind , and juice it differs exceedingly . it 's very fit for sauce , but eats not well alone . the prickled apple-tree grows on a tree with very thick leaves , large and of a deep green , shaped like our walnut leaves . the fruit is in fashion in heart of an oke , and of that bigness ; green on the outside with many prickles on it . the tast is very like that of a musty limon . the pilchard pear is much purer in tast , and better of shape , not much unlike a greenfield pear , of a faint green , inter mixed with some yellow near the stalk : the body of a mixt red , partly crimson , partly stammel , with prickles of yellow near the top , the end being larger then the middle . the pomgranate is a beautiful tree , the leaves small and green , mixed with an olive colour ; the blossoms large , well shaped , and of a pure scarlet colour . the young trees being set in rows , and kept in with cutting , make a very fine hedge . the fruit is well known amongst us . the papa is but a small tree ; the bark of a faint willow colour , the leaves large , and of colour like the bark ; the branches grow out four , or five of one heighth , and spread almost level from the place where they sprang out ; about two foot higher are such other branches spreading in the same manner . the top is handsomly formed , the fruit as big turnips , growing close to the body of the tree where the branches grow , and of somewhat a fainter willow colour . the tree is soft , with a knife a man may cut down one that is as thick as a mans legg . they boil the the fruit , and eat it for sauce with pork like turnips . the gnaver-tree is bodied and shaped like a cherry-tree , the leaves somewhat larger and stiffer ; the fruit of the bigness of a small limon , and near of the colour , only the upper end is somewhat blunter : it 's soft and of a delicate tast , within is a pulpy substance full of small seeds , like a figg , some are white , and some of a stammel colour . these when they have passed through the body of man or beast , wheresover they are emptied , they grow , and do much hurt in the pastures where cattel go that eat of them : for they over run all , and are hardly rooted out . the fruit differs in tast , some rank , some sweet . the rind preserved is delicate meat . some cocos there are , they are seldom above eighty or ninety foot high . their branches come out in several parts of the trees , leaving spaces between the several heights : the nuts grow where the lower bows break out : the nuts are of several sizes , mostly as big as a foot-ball , having a green skin without ▪ and between that and the shell a pulpy substance , of which when it 's dry they make ropes , being like hemp hurds . the shell is full of a clear and well-tasted liquor , very delicious ; it 's lined within with a substance as thick as itself , of a white colour that tasts better then a walnut : the leaves of this tree in colour are like the olive leaves . the custard apple grows on a tree full of branches , and large leaves : the fruit when ripe , is as big as the largest pomwater , and of the colour of a warden ; they cut a hole in the lesser end , and so eat out the meat with a spoon : it tasts exceeding like to a custard . it hath many smooth seeds in it . the macow-tree is one of the strangest trees in the island , the body and branches being stuck all over with prickles , as black as jet , from one to seven inches long , sharp at point , and taperwise all the way , and waved as some swords are ; they are hard and excellent for tooth-pikes . the tree is of the size of a willow-tree , the leaves of that colour and shape , but very stiff and hard . at the top is a large tuft of fruit , but not to be eaten , being for shape like that which the ciprus-tree bears : the body is straight , the branches comely , and the top round . date-trees are in colour like these , but the leaves longer . the mangrave , though she be not tall , yet is she of large extent . for there drops from her limbs a kind of gum which hangs together till it touch the ground , and then it takes root : so that this tree so multiplies , that a troop of horse may well hide themselves in it . of the bark they make very strong ropes : and the indians spin it into a fine thred as flax make . of it they make hamocks , and divers things which they wear . the calibash-tree bears leaves , of a full and rich green , and in great plenty ; her fruit is as big as that of a coco , but not to be eaten : round as a ball , and green , smooth , and shining : they grow close to the body of the tree , or boughs , without stalks . of this round fruit they make dishes , bowls , and cups , and other utensils . they look very beautiful on the tree . there are bay-trees whose leaves are so aromatick , as three or four of them will amply supply the place of cloves , mace , and cinamon in dressing any dish of meat . it 's in shape and colour like ours in england . the cedar is the most useful timber in the island . it 's strong , lasting , and not very heavy , and therefore good for building . it works smoothly , and hath a fair grain , and therefore is much used for wainscot , chairs , stools , and other utensils ; the leaves are like those of the ash-trees in england , but somewhat bigger . the mastick-tree is very tall , but the body is slender , and therefore to support her , she hath spurs above seven foot from the ground , fixt into the body , and reach from the tree to the roots : so broad that they make round tables of them , above three foot and an half in the diameter . this tree hath commonly a double top , one side being somewhat higher then the other . the fruit is of a stammel colour , and hath neither skin nor stone , and is unwholsome . the leaves of it grow of such an heighth , that the form cannot be discerned till they fall down . some of these trees are about sixty foot high . the bully-tree is somewhat less , but excellent wood to work on : it bears a fruit like our bullies . her body is strait , and well shap't , her branches proportionable ; the timber very lasting . red-wood is an handsome tree of a midling size , the body about two foot and and an half in the diameter : the timber works so well that workmen commend it above all other . prickled yellow wood is as good as the red-wood , strong and lasting : good for building , and all work without doors . iron-wood is so extream hard , that it breaks the axes that fall it . it is so heavy that it is seldom used in buildings . it is good for any use without doors . for neither sun nor rain can soften it . it 's much used for coggs to the rollers . signum vitae , they use for the same purpose . they send much of it to england : where it 's used for bowls , cabinets , drinking cups , &c. the loust-tree is like a tuscane pillar , plain and massie : for the burden it bears being great and ponderous , ought to have a body proportionable thereunto . some of them are four foot in the diameter near the root , and . foot high growing taper-wise . the head is neither too heavy , nor too light , the branches large ; the springs , leaves , and nuts so thick , that one may lie upon them . the nuts are . inches and a half long , and two inches broad , and an inch thick : the shell somewhat thick , of an hair colour : the leaves bigger then those of our ashes . in every nut are three or four kernels . in times of famine poor people eat them for their sustenance . there is also a bastard locust-tree that looks fair , but will not last . the palmeto hath a body of fourty five or fifty foot high , the diameter , seldom above sixteen inches : the rind , of a poor ash color full of wrinkles ; the leaves about two foot and a half long , in bunches as if twenty long flag-leaves were tied together by the broad ends : with bundles of these they thatch houses very neatly , which is dry , warm , and lasting . the palmeto royal is the stateliest tree that grows on earth , for beauty and largeness not to be parallel'd . when she is about ten or twelve years old , she is about seventeen foot high ; that part which touches the ground is round like 〈◊〉 inkhorn , above which the body of the tree is less , like that part which holds the pen. the body is tawny , and purple , with rings of white and green mixed , that go round about , and stand at six inches distance . about six foot and an half high , grow the bottom of the stalks , thin as parchment , enwrapping one another so close , as to make a continued stem of the same bigness for two foot and an half above the others , every one of those skins bearing a stalk which lessens insensibly from the skin to the point . these branches are of several lengths , the most inward are the highest ; and each stalk is adorned with leaves , and each of these leaves sharp at either end ; the stem is of a pure grass green shining like velom , and all the branches with the leaves of a full grass green , and speading every way , and the highest of them eight foot above the stem . the branches sprout from the middle of tree , one at once , and as it opens it spreads the leaves abroad , at which time the eldest branch withers , and hangs down till the wind blows it off . then comes forth another , and another , and still there is a pike , and a dead leaf , a pike and a dead leaf as the tree growes higher and higher , which is till she be one hundred years old . about thirty or fourty yeas old she begins to bear her fruit , which is of the bigness of large grapes , some green , some yellow , some purple , and then they are ripe when they come to be purple , and fall down ; and then the green turns yellow , and the yellow purple , and so take their turns till the tree gives over bearing . these trees grow till some of them be two hundred , yea three hundred foot high . the top of this tree is of a vast extent , for from the point of the branches on the one side , to the point of the stalk on the other side is seventy eight foot , yet are none of the roots of this tree bigger then a swans quil ; but there are many of them , and they fasten themselves in the rock which makes the tree , though so high , and big , able to stand against all wind and weather . the wood of this tree is so hard and tough , that it breakes the axes of those those that fell it . there are many other sorts of trees , some exceeding large aud beautiful , for which they have no names . of plants . the ginger is a root that brings forth blades like the blades of wheat , but broader , and thicker : they are of a popinary colour , and the blossome of a pure scarlet . when the ginger is ripe , they dig it up , being the root , and scrape off the outward skin to kill the spirits of it , for else it would grow perpetually . others scald it to kill the spirits , and that will be black and hard as wood , whereas the scraped ginger is white , and soft , and hath a cleaner , and quicker tast . red pepper . there are two sorts of red pepper ; the one like coral , of a crimson and scarlet colour mixt : the fruit about three inches long , and shines more then the best polished coral . the other is of the same colour , and glisters as much , but is shaped like a large button of a cloake ; they have both the same quality ; so violently strong , that when they break but the skin , it causes them to cough for a quarter of an hour after the fruit is removed ; but whil'st they are grabling of it , they never give over . it grows on a little shrub no bigger then a goosbberry-bush . they have excellent good cucumbers from the beginning of november , to the end of february , they eat them cold with oyle , vineger , and pepper . but boiled or fried they use them for sauce with mutton , pork , turkies , and muscovy ducks . millions they have likewise for those four moneths : for the most part larger then ours in england , and eat moister . some of them are sixteen inches long . the water million is one of the goodliest fruits that grows : some as big as cloak-bags ; purely green , engravened with straw-colour . no inch of the rind is alike , and they are as smooth as polished glass ; within , they are like an apple for colour , but in tast waterish and wallowish . it 's rarely cooling and excellent against the stone . the seeds are of a pure purple ; they are full of these seeds . grapes they have which are indifferently well tasted , but they are never ripe together : there are alwayes some green , some ripe , and some rotten grapes in a bunch , and therefore they cannot make wine of them . the fruit of the plantane is of great use , and beauty too . in planting them they put a root into the ground six inches deep , and in a very short time there will come out three or four sprouts , whereof one hath the precedence . as this sprout grows , it springs from the intrinsick part of the stem , and the out leaves hang down and rot ; but still new ones come within , and rise up as the palmeto does , like a pike which opens with the sun , and becomes a leaf , and when it 's eight or ten foot high , the pikes and leaves will be of their full bigness , and so continue till the last sprout comes forth , which is the soul of the plant , and will never be a leaf : but is the stem upon which the fruit must grow . when the leaves come to their full bigness , they rot no more , but continue in their first beauty , a rich green with stripes of yellow . these leaves are most of them above six foot long , and two foot broad ; smooth , shining , and stiff as a lawrel leaf , falling from the middle to the end like a feather : and when it comes to the full heighth , the leaves will be fifteen or sixteen foot high , the stem upon which the fruit grows being a foot higher , with a green branch on the top , which branch is very heavy , and then the leaves open and shew the blossome , which is of a pure purple , and like a heart with the point downwards , being of a pound weight ; when this is fallen , the fruit grows . in six moneths space this plant will be grown , and the fruit ripe , which is pleasant , wholesome , and nourishing , yellow when it 's ripe : but the negroes desire it green , for they eat it boiled , and it 's the only food they live upon . when it 's gathered they cut down the plant , and give it to the hoggs , for it will grow no more . in three moneths another sprout will come to bear , and so another , and another for ever . groves they make of these plants of twenty acres of ground so planting them in every room that they can walk dry under the leaves , and be shaded from the sun. the wild plantane grows much as the other doth , but the leaves not so broad , and more upright : the fruit of a scarlet colour , and almost three square , but good for nothing . the bonano differs nothing from the plantane in the body and leaves , but only that the leaves are somewhat less , and the body hath here and there some blackish spots , the blossome no bigger then a large rose bud , of a faint purple and ash colour mixt , the stalk that bears it , is adorned with small blossomes , of several colours : the fruit stands upright like a bunch of puddings , each of them between four and five inches long . the fruit is sweeter then that of the plantane , and therefore the negroes will not meddle with it . it 's near as beautiful a trees as the ●antane . the pine is excellent in the superlative degree , both for beauty and tast . it s a full year before it bring forth ripe fruit , but when it comes to be eaten , nothing of rare tast that can be thought on that is not there . a slip taken from the body of this plant , and set in the ground , will not presently take root , but the crown that grows upon the fruit itself will sooner come to perfection . in a quarter of a year it will be a foot high , and the leaves about seven or eight inches long , appearing like a semicircle : the colour mostly frost upon green , intermixt with cornation , and the edges of the leaves have teeth like sawes . the leaves fall one over another , the points of the lowest touching the ground . in a quarter of a year more , the blossome appears on the top of the stem , as large as a great cornation , the colours , cornation , crimson , and scarlet , in streaks intermixt with yellow , blew , and peach colour-leaves , intermixed again with purple , sky-colour , orange-tauny , gridaline , and gingeline , white , and philamot : so that the flower represents the variety to the sight , which the fruit doth to the tast . when the flowers are fallen , there appears a little bunch of the bigness of a walnut , which hath in it all these colours mixt , which were disper'st in the leaves , and so it grows bigger for two moneths more ; when it 's perfect , it is of an oval form , and at the upper end grows out a crown of leaves much like the former in colour , but more beautiful . some of them six inches long ; the out leaves shorter by degrees . this fruit is inclosed with a rind , which begins with a skrew at the stalk , and so goes round to the top , or crown , gently rising , which screw is about a quarter of an inch broad , and the figures that are imbroidered upon it , near of the like dimension , and divisions between ; which divisions are never one over another in the screw , but are always under the middle of the figures above , which so vary in their colours , as that if you see one hundred pines , they are not like one another ; and every of those figures hath a little tuft , some green , some yellow , some ash-colour , and some carnation . there are two sorts of pines , the king and the queen-pine . the queen is far more delicate , and hath her colours of all greens , which shadows intermixt with faint cornations , but most of all , frost upon green , and sea-greens . the king-pine hath mostly all sorts of yellows shadowed with grass-greens . some of them are fourteen inches long , and six in the diameter : most of them having heavy bodies , and slender stalks , bowed down till they are on the ground . some of them have a dozen little ones round about the prime fruit , which are ripe by turns , and all very good . when it 's ripe it hath an admirable smell , when they come to eat them , they first cut off the crown , and send that to be planted : then they pare off the most beautiful rind , and cut the fruit into slices in a dish , and there issues out a liquor as clear as spring-water about six spoonful , which in tast is in a high degree delicious , and in eating the fruit , the delicate variety of tasts will change and flow so fast upon your pallat , as your fancy can hardly keep way with them , to distinguish the one from other . how they plant their sugar-canes . they dig a small trench of six inches broad , and as deep , in a straight line , the whole length of the ground where they plant them , then they lay two canes one by another along the bottom of the trench , and so continue them the whole lengh of the trenches , then they cover them with earth ; and at two foot distance they do the like , till they have planted all the field . but they plant not too much together , but so that it may ripen successively , that their work may come in in order , that they be not idle : for if they be not cut and used when they are ripe , they will rot . from these canes thus buried , comes forth a sprout at every knot . they begin to appear a moneth after their setting , and in a moneth more they are two foot high at the least , and in the mean time they weed them , and supply where there are any defects . these canes with their tops are about eight foot high , the bodies about an inch in the diameter ; the knots five or six inches distant one from the another . when they are ripe they cut them with little hand bills , six inches above the ground , and divide the tops from the canes ; and then holding the cane by the upper end , they strip off all the blades , which with the tops they give to their horses ; the canes they bind in faggots , and send them home upon asinegoes , each of them carrying three faggots ; two upon crooked sticks on the sides , and one in the middle . and these creatures being used to it , will of themselves go and come without a guide . the place where they unload them , is a little plat of ground near to the mill-house which they call a barbica . being laid in the barbica , they w●●k them out clean , not suffering them to grow stale ; for in two dayes the juice will turn sower , and spoil all ; and in the next place , they grind them with horses under three rollers , whose centers being of brass , steel , turn very easily : but when the canes are between the rollers , it 's a good draught for five oxen or two horses . in a little time then all the juice is pressed out , and then two negro girls take out the canes , and corry them away , laying them on a heap at a distance . under the rollers there is a reciever into which the liquor falls , and from thence by a pipe of lead , is carried into a cistern , which is near the stairs that goes down from the mill to the boyling-house . from thence it passes through a gutter to the clarifying copper : and as it clarifies in the first copper , and the scum rises , it 's conveyed to a second copper , where it 's again scummed , both which scums being very drossy , are thrown away ; but the skimming of the other three coppers are conveyed to the stilling-house , where it stands in cisterns till it be a little sowre . thus the liquor is refined from one copper to another , and the more coppers it passes through , the finer and purer it is . when it comes to the tach it must have much keeling and stirring , and as it boiles , they throw into the four last coppers a liquor made of water and wit hs , which they call temp , without which the sugar would be clammy and never kern . when it 's boiled enough , they poure two spoonfulls of sallet-oyl into the tach , and then it gives over to bubble , then after much keeling they take it out of the tach with ladles , and remove it into the cooling cistern . this work continues from monday morning till saturday night , without any intermission , day and night , with fresh supplies of men , horses , and cattel . the liquor being so cool as that it 's fit to put into pots ; first stopping the sharp end of the pots with plantane leaves , they fill them , and let it stand till it be cold , which will be in two dayes and two nights ; then they remove them into the trying-house , and pulling out the stopples ; the molosses runs out into a gutter that carries it into cisterns again , and that they call peneles , which is a sugar somewhat inferiour to muscovados , which will sweeten pretty well , and is of a reasonable good colour . when it 's well cured , they remove the pots from the curing room into the knocking room , and turning them upside down , they knock them till the sugar falls out , in which there are three sorts . the first is brown , frothy , and light ; the bottom is of a darker colour , gross and heavy , and full of molosses , both which they cut away and boil them again with molosses for peneles . the midle , which is more then two thirds of the whole , is a white colour , dry , and sweet , which they send to their storehouses at the bridge , there to be put in casks and chests to be shipt away . though the muscovado sugars require but a moneths time in making , after it is boiled , yet white sugar requires four moneths , and it s made thus . they take clay and temper it with water to the thickness of frumentry , and pour it on the top of the muscovado-sugar as it stands in the potts , and there let it remain four moneths , and when it comes to be knock't out of the pots , the top and bottom will be like muscovadoes , but the middle perfect white , and excellent lump sugar . the skimmings before spoken of , when they have stood till they are a little soure , they still it ; and the first spirit that comes , is a small liquor , which they call low-wines , which they still over again , and then comes off a very strong spirit , which is very soveraign when they are ill with colds , which the negroes are oft subject to , having nothing to lye upon but aboard , and nothing to cover them . and though the dayes be hot , the nights be cold , and they coming hot , and sweating from their dayes labour , are subject to catch cold ; and when they feel themselves amiss , one dram of these spirits cures them . and the christian servants , when their spirits are exhausted by their hard labour and sweating in the sun ten hours every day , and their stomacks weakened , a dram or two of these spirits is a great comfort and refreshing to them . they make much money also of them by selling them at the bridge , so that they make weekly so long as they work , . l. sterling , besides what is drunk by their servants and slaves . wit hs . there is another plant which they call a with , which is exceeding harmful ; for it pulls down all it can reach to , canes and all other plants . if it comes into a garden , it will wind about all hearbs , and plants that have stalks , and pull them down and destroy them . if into an orchard , it will climb up by the bodies of the trees into the branches , and draws them as it were into a purse ( for out of the main stock hundred of sprigs will grow ) and if any other tree be near it will find the way to it , and pull the tops of them together , and hinder the growth of the fruit ; and cut the main stock at bottom in hope to kill it ; the moisture in the branches above will cast down a new root into the ground ; yea , it will reach the highest timber , and so enwrap their branches as to hinder their growth ; and oftentimes it fastens one tree to another , so that one shall hinder the growth of another . if you clear a passage of ten foot broad between a wood where it grows , and your canes over night , and come the next morning , and you shall find the way crossed all over with wit hs , and got near to the canes , and if they once get amongst them , you cannot destroy the one without the other ; for wheresoever they touch ground , they get new roots , and so creep into every place , and as they go pull all down . yet have they some good virtues ; for they serve for all uses where ropes or cords are required ; as for binding their wood and canes into faggots , &c. and without them they were in an ill condition , having no other wood fit for hoops for their hogsheads , barrels , and tubs ; and they can have them of what length and bigness they please ; and for such uses they are very good . there are several kinds of these wit hs , some that bear fruit somewhat bigger then the cod of a bean , which being divided long-wise with a knife you shall perceive the most various and beatiful colours that can be , and so well matched , as to make up a very great beauty . many canes there be in the island , some large enough to hide five hundred men ; the runaway negroes oft shelter themselves in for a long time , and in the nights range abroad , and steal pigs , plantanes , potatoes , and pullen , and feast all day upon what they stole in the night : and the nights being dark , and their bodies black , escape undiscovered . another sort of wit hs they have that are made of the gum of trees , which falls from the boughs drop after drop , one hanging by another till they touch the ground , from whence they receive nourishment and grow larger : and if three or four of them come down so near as to touch one another , and the wind twists them together , they appear like ropes . aloes they have growing there very good , and its a beautiful plant , and the leaves four inches broad , and three quarters of an inch thick , and a foot and half long , with prickles on each side , and the last sprout which rises in the middle , bears yellow flowers , one above another , which are two foot higher then the leaves . these thick leaves they take and cut them through , and out of them issues the aloes , which they set in the sun that rarifies it , and makes it fit to keep : they save the first running , for if it run too long it will be much worse . this plant in england we call semper vivens . of this is there to be be made an admirable medicine for a burn or scald . an ointment foor a burn or scald , thus , take semper vivens , plantane leaves , and the green rind of elder , of each a like quantity , and boil them in sallet oyl , till all the tincture be drawn in boyling . then strain out the oyl well , and put it on the fire again , and put to it a small quantity of the spirits of wine , and so much yellow wax as will bring it to the consistence of a linement to keep it for use . there also the sensible plant , which closes the leaves upon any touch with your hand , or that end of the staff by which you hold , and in a little time will open again . there are few flowers in the island , and none of them sweet . the white lilly , and red lilly are much fairer then ours , and very beautiful , but neither of them sweet . the saint jago flower is very beautiful , but of an unpleasing smell . another flower they have that opens not till sun setting , and is closed all day , and therefore they call it the flower of the moon . it grows in great tufts , the leaves like a heart , the point turning back : the flower is of a most pure purple . after the flower appears the seed , black with an eye of purple , of the shape of a small button , so finely wrought , and tough with all , as it may well trim a suit of apparel . there is purceane so plentifully every where , as makes it disesteemed . herbs , and roots . there are brought from england , rosemary , time , winter-savory , sweet-marjerom , pot-marjerom , parsly , penny-royal , camomil , sage , tansie , lavender , cotton , garlick , onions , coleworts , cabbage , turnips , redishes , marigold , lettice , taragon , southern-wood , &c. all which prosper well . there is a root which was brought thither by the negroes , large , dry and well tasted . it 's good boyled to eat with pork , mixt with butter , vineger , and pepper ; it 's as big as three of our largest turnips . the strength of the island . this island is strong by scituation ; for there cannot be any safe landing , but where the harbours , and bayes are , which lie to the south-west , and those places are so defencible by nature , as with small cost they are strongly fortified . in the year one thousand six hundred and fifty they were able to muster ten thousand foot , as good , and resolute men as any in the world , and a thousand good horse , and since then , they are much increased . their laws and government . their laws are like ours in england , and they are governed by a governour , and ten of his council ; four courts of justice in civil laws which divide the countrey into four circuits . justices of peace , constables , churchwardens , and tithingmen . five sessions in a year were held for trial of criminal causes , and appeals from inferiour courts . when the governour pleases to call an assembly for the last appeals , and making new laws , or abolishing the old ; it consists of the governour , his councel , and two burgesses chosen by every parish . there are in the island eleven parishes : no tithe paid to the minister , but a yearly allowance of a pound of tobacco upon an acre of every mans land , besides church-duties for marriages , baptizings , and burials . their weather . four moneths in the year the weather is colder then in the other eight , and those are november , december , january , and february ; yet are they hotter then with us in may. there is no general fall of the leaf , every tree having a particular time for it self , as if two locust-trees stand but at a stones cast distance , one lets fall her leaves in january , another in march , another in july , another in september . the leaves when fallen under the tree , being most of them large and stiff , when they were growing , and full of veins from the middle stalk to the upper end , when the thin part of the leaf is consumed , those veins appear like skelletons , with the strangest works and beautifullest forms that can be imagined . negroes heads . they also find in the sands things that they call negroes-heads , about two inches long , with a forehead , eyes , nose , mouth , chin , and part of the neck : they are alwayes found loose in the sands , without any root . it is black as jet , but whence it comes they know not . tar . they have no mines , not so much as of coles in the islands . there flows out of the rock an unctious substance , somewhat like tar : it is excellent good to stop a flux being drunk : and for all aches , and bruises , being anointed with it . it is so subtile that being put into the hand and rubbed there , it works through the back of it . pitch , and movntiack . there is another gumming substance that is black and hard as pitch , and is used as pitch ; they call call it mountiack . an excellent remedy against the stone . my author relates this story concerning himself , that during his abode in the barbadoes , he was taken with such a fit of the stone , that for fourteen dayes together he made not one drop of water ; but when he despaired of life ; god sent him such a remedy as the world cannot afford a better . for within ten hours after this taking of it , he found himself not only eased , but cured : it brought away all the stones and gravel that stopped the passage , and his water came as freely from him as ever before , and caried before it such quantities of broken stones , and gravel that the like hath hardly been seen . and afterwards being in the like torment , he used the same remedy , and found the same ease . the medicine was this , take the pizle of a green turtle that lives in the sea , dry it with a moderate heat , pound it in a morter , and take as much of this powder as will lie upon a shilling , in beer , ale , or whitewine , and in a short time it will work the cure . these turtles are frequent in the chariby , and lucayick islands near to the barbadoes , to which many of them are brought . three sorts of turtles . there are . sorts of turtles : the loggerhead-turtle , the hawks-bill-turtle , and the green turtle , which is of a less magnitude , but far excelling the other two in wholesomness , and rareness of tast . that part of the island which is the most remote from the bridge , ( the onely place of trading ) by reason of deep and steep gullies interposing the passage , is almost stopt . besides , the land there is not so rich and fit to bear canes as the other : yet it 's very useful for planting , provisions of corn , bonavist , cassavy , potatoes , &c. as also of fruit , as oranges , limons , lymes , plantanes , bonanoes : likewise for breeding of hoggs , sheep , goats , cattel , and poultry to furnish either parts of the island which wants those commodities . the sugar canes are fifteen moneths from the time of their planting , before they come to be fully ripe . from the island of bonavista they have horses brought to them , whose hooves are so hard and tough , that they ride them at the barbadoes down sharp and steep rocks , without shooes : and no goat goes surer on the sides of rocks , or hills then they . finis . ( here place the examples of minerals and stones . ) examples of the wonderful works of god in the creatures . chap. i. of strange stones , earth , and minerals . . in cornwal , near unto a place called pensans , is that famous stone called main-amber : which is a great rock advanced upon some other of meaner size , with so equal a counterpoize , that a man may stir it with the push of his finger , but to remove it quite out of his place , a great number of men are not able . camb. brit. p. . the like is in the country of stratherne in scotland . . in summerset-shire , near unto cainsham are found in stone-quarries , stones resembling serpents , winding round in manner of a wreath , the head bearing up in the circumference , and the end of the tail , taking up the centre within : but most of them are headless . camb. brit. p. . . in gloucestershire upon the hills near alderly are found certain stones , resembling cockles , periwinckles , and oisters , which seem to be the gaimsome works of nature , or such shells turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . . in yorkshire , about whitby are found certain stones fashioned like serpents , foulded and wraped round , as in a wreath , so that a man would verily think that they had been somtimes serpents turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . . also in the same country at huntly nabb , there lye scattering here and there amongst the rocks , stones of divers bigness , so artificially by nature shaped round in manner of a globe , that one would take them to be big bullets made by the turners hand , for shot to be discharged out of great ordnance ; in which , if you break them , are found stony serpents , enwrapped round like a wreath : but most of them are headlesse . camb. brit. p. . . in the county of cornwal near unto st. neots , there are a number of good great rocks heaped up together , and under them one stone of lesser size , fashioned naturally in the form of a cheese lying in presse , whereupon it s named wring-cheese . camb. brit. p. . . in richmondshire amongst the ragged rocks , are found stones like unto periwinckles , cockles , and other shell fish . camb. brit. p. . . in the county of hereford , a hill which they call marcley-hill , in the year . ( as though it had wakened on a sudden out of a deep sleep ) roused it self up , and for the space of three dayes together moving and shewing it self ( as mighty , and huge an heape as it was ) with roaring noise in a fearful sort , and overturning all things that stood in the way , advanced it self forward , to the wondrous astonishment of the beholders . camb. brit. p. . . in glamorganshire in a rock or cliffe , by the sea side , there appeareth a very little chink , unto which , if you lay your ear , you shall hear a noise as if it were of smiths at work , one while the blowing of the bellows , another while the striking of the sledge , and hammer ; sometimes the sound of the grindstone , and iron tools rubbing against it , the hissing sparks also of steel-gads within holes as they are beaten , and the puffing noise of the fire burning in the furnace . camb. brit. page . this is called merlins cave . . at aspley gowick in bedfordshire , near unto woburn , there is a kind of earth that turns wood into stone : for proof whereof there was a wooden ladder in the monastry of woburn , that having lien a good while covered in that earth , was digged forth again all stone . camb. brit. p. . i have a peece of wood turned into stone by that earth . . in kile in scotland , there is a rock about twelve foot high , and as much in breadth , called the deaf-craig : for though a man call never so loud , or shoot off a gun on the one side , yet his fellow on the other side cannot hear the noise . description of scotland . . in argile there is a stone found in diverse places , which being laid under straw , or stubble , doth set it on fire , by reason of the great heat that it gathereth there . idem . . it is most strange , yet true , that the armes of the duke of rohan in france , which are fusils , or lozenges , are to be seen in the wood , and stones , through all his country : so that if you break a stone in the middest , or lopp a bough of a tree , you shall behold the the grain thereof ( by some secret cause in nature ) diamonded , or streaked in the fashion of a lozeng . camb. brit. . in warwick-shire , the armes of the shugburies , which are starres , are found in the stones in their own manner of shugbury ; so that break the stone where you will , and there is the exact fashion of a star in the end of it . idem , i have some of these stones . . in the kingdom of fesse in affrica there is a mountain called beniguazeval , in the top whereof there is a cave that casteth out fire perpetually . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in prussia there is great store of amber , which groweth like coral in a mountain of the north-sea , which is clean covered with water : by the violence of the waves beating against this rock , the amber is oft broken off , and cast up by the sea into their havens . . about bever castle in lincoln-shire , are found the stones called astroites , which resemble little stars joyned one with another , wherein are to be seen at every corner , five beams , or rayes , & in the middest of every ray is to be seen a small hollownesse . camb. brit. . we have corral , amber , emralds , calcedony , pearl , onix , sardonix , sardis , bezar , hemathist , and the turquoise from arabia , indostan , and persia. pearls , berils , saphires , and adamants , from zeilan . jasper , cornelion , agate , heliotrope , jacinth , and chrysolite , from malabar , narsinga , and cochin-china . diamonds from borneo , and gulkunda . gold , silver , rubies , saphires , granats , topaz , emeralds , smaradg , espinels , cats-eyes , and porcellane , from pegu , siam , bengala , sumatra , japan , and china . chap. ii. examples of the rare works of god in the creatures . of trees , hearbs , plants , and gums . . of date-trees some are males , and other females : the male brings forth flowers onely ; the female fruit , but the flowers of the female will not open unlesse the boughs , and flowers of the male be joyned unto them : and if they be not thus coupled , the dates will prove stark naught , and have great stones in them , pur. pil. v. . p. . . neer unto the grand-cairo in egypt , is a garden environed with a strong wall ; in the garden is a large fountain , and in the middest of it groweth the only balm-tree bearing true balm , that is in the world : it hath a short stock or body , and beareth leaves like unto vine-leaves , but not altogether so long . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in the country of indostan they have a pleasant clear liquor which they call taddy , issuing from a spongy tree that grows straight , and tall , without boughs to the top , and there spreads out into branches , somwhat like to an english colewort , where they make incisions , under which they hang earthen pots to preserve the influence : that which distils forth in the night , is as pleasing to the taste , as any white wine , if drunk betimes in the morning ; and of a peircing , and medicinable quallity , excellent against the stone . but in the heat of the day the sun alters it , so that it becomes heady , ill-relished , and unwholesome . p. pil. v. . p. . . for cotton wooll , they plant seeds , which grow up into shrubs like unto our rose-bushes : it blows first into a yellow blossome , which falling off , there remains a cod about the bignesse of a mans thumb , in which the substance is moist , and yellow , but as it ripens , it swells bigger , till it break the cod , and in short time becomes as white as snow , and then they gather it . p. pil. v. . p. . . the cynamon tree is a small tree , and low , having leaves like to our bay-tree : in the month of march , or april , when the sap goeth up to the top of the tree , they cut the bark off the tree round about in length ; from knot to knot , or from joynt to joynt , above , and below , and then easily with their hands they take it away , laying it in the sun to dry , and yet for all this the tree dyes not , but against the next year it will have a new bark , and that which is gathered every year is the best cynamon : that which grows longer is great , and not so good . p. pil. v. . p. . . in india is a tree called arbore de ray's or the tree of roots , it groweth first up like other trees , and spreadeth the branches , out of which there come strings , which seem a far off to be cords of hemp , which growing longer till they reach the ground , there take root again : so that in the end one tree will cover a great peece of ground , one root crossing within another like a maze , each of these young trees will in time grow so big , that it cannot be discerned which is the principal trunk , or body of the tree . . there is also a tree called arbore-triste , or the sorrowful-tree , so called , because it never beareth blossoms but in the night-time , and so it doth , and continueth all the year long : so soon as the sun sets , there is not one blossom seen upon the tree , but presently within half an hour after , there are as many blossoms as the tree can bear , pleasant to behold , and smelling very sweet ; and as soon as the day comes , and the sun is rising , they all presently fall off , and not one is to be seen on the tree , which seems as though it were dead , till evening comes again , and then it begins to blossom as it did before : it s as big as a plumb-tree : it groweth up quickly , and if you break but a branch of the tree , and set it into the earth , it presently takes root , and grows , and within a few days after it beareth blossoms , which are like orange-tree-blossoms , the flower white , and in the bottom somewhat yellow , and redish . p. pil. v. . p. . . there is also an herb in india , called by the portugals , herba sentida , or feeling herb , which if a man touch , or throw sand , or any other thing upon it , presently it becomes as though it were withered , closing the leaves together , and it comes not to it self a gain , as long as the man standeth by it , but presently after he is gone , it openeth the leaves again , which become stiffe , and fair , as though they were newly grown : and touching it again , it shuts , and becomes withered as before , so that its a pleasure to behold the strange nature of it p. pil. v. . p. . . pepper is planted at the root of some other tree , and runs up it like ivie : the leaves are like the orange-leaves , but somewhat smaller , green , and sharpe at ends : the pepper groweth in bunches like grapes , but lesse , and thinner ; they are always green till they begin to drye , and ripen , which is in december , and january , at which time it turns black , and is gathered . pur. pil. v. . p. . . the best ginger grows in malabar ; it groweth like thin , and young netherland reeds , two or three spans high , the root whereof is the ginger , which is gathered in december , and january . p. pil. v. . p. . . the clove-trees are like bay-trees , the blossoms at the first white , then green , and at last red , and hard , which are the cloves ; these cloves grow very thick together , and in great numbers : in the place where these trees grow , there is neither grass , nor green herbs , but is wholly drye , for that those trees draw all the moisture unto them . p. pil. v. . p. . . the nutmeg-tree is like a pear-tree , but that its lesse , and with round leaves , the fruit is like great round peaches , the inward part whereof is the nutmeg ; this hath about it an hard shell like wood , and the shell is covered over with nutmeg-flowers , which is the mace , and over it is the fruit , which without , is like the fruit of a peach . p. pil. v. . p. . . gumme-lac comes most from pegu : where are certain very great pismires with wings , which fly up the trees like plumb-trees , out of which trees comes a certain gumme which the pismires suck up , and then they make the lac round about the branches of the trees , as bees make wax ; and when it is full , the owners come , and breaking off the branches , lay them to dry ; and being dry , the branches shrink out , and the lac remains . p. pil. v. . p. . . amber-greese , is usually cast upon the sea-shore , which as some suppose , is the dung of the whale ; or as others , the sperme , or seed of the whale consolidated by lying in the sea. p. pil. v. . p. . the herb addad is bitter , and the root of it so venemous , that one drop of the juice will kill a man within the space of one hour . p. pil. v. . p. . of palm-trees , which they keep with watering , and cutting every year , they make velvets , satins , taffaties , damasks , sarcenets , and such like , all which are spun out of the leaves cleansed , and drawn into long threads . p. pil. v. . p. . . frankincense grows in arabia , and is the gumme that issueth out of trees . idem . p. . . in mozambique , manna is procreated of the dew of heaven , falling on a certain tree , on which it hardens like sugar , sticking to the wood like rozen , whence it s gathered , and put into jars , and is used much for purging in india . idem . p. . . mastick-trees grow only in the island of sio : the trees are low shrubs , with little crooked boughs , and leaves : in the end of august they begin their mastick-harvest , men cutting the bark of the tree with iron instruments ; out of which the gum distills uncessantly for almost three months together . idem . p. . . spunges are gathered from the sides of rocks , fifteen fathom under water , about the bottom of the streights of gibralter , the people that get them , being trained up in diving from their child-hood , so that they can indure to stay very long under water , as if it were their habitable element . . in manica , is a tree called the resurrection-tree , which for the greatest part of the year is without leaf , or greenness : but if one cut off a bough , and put it into the water , in the space of ten houres , it springs , and flourisheth with green leaves ; but draw it out of the water , as soon as it is dry , it remaineth as it was before . pur. pil. v. . p. . . there is in the island of teneriff ( which is one of the canaries ) a tree as big as an oke of a middle size , the bark white like hornbeam , six , or seven yards high , with ragged boughs , the leaf like the bay-leaf . it beareth neither fruit , nor flower ; it stands on the side of an hill , in the day its withered , and drops all night ( a cloud hanging thereon ) so that it yeelds water sufficient for the whole island , wherein are eight thousand souls , and about an hundred thousand cammels , mules , goats , &c. the water falls from it into a pond made of brick , paved with stone ; from whence it s conveyed into several ponds , thorough the whole island . they also water therewith their corn-ground , for they have no other water in the island , except rain-water . the pond holds twenty thousand tun of water , and is filled in one night . many of our english that have been there have attested the truth hereof . idem . p. . concerning which tree , sylvester the poet made these verses : in th' i le of iron ( one of those same seven whereto our elders happy name have given ) the savage people never drink the streams of wells , and rivers , as in other realms . their drink is in the air ! their gushing spring , a weeping tree out of it self doth wring . a tree , whose tender-bearded-root being spread in dryest sand , his sweating-leaf doth shed a most sweet liquor ; and ( like as the vine untimely cut , weeps ( at her wound ) the wine in pearled tears ) incessantly distils a royal stream , which all their cisterns fills throughout the island : for all hither hie , and all their vessels cannot draw it drye ! . aloes growes in the island of socotera , which is nothing but semper vivum , it is so full of a rosin-like juice , that the leaves are ready to break with it : which leaves they cut in small peeces , and cast them into a clean pit made in the ground , and paved : there it lies to ferment in the heat of the sun , whereby the juice floweth forth , which they put in skins , and hang them up in the wind to drye , whereby it hardens . p. pil. v. . p. . . indico groweth in the moguls country , having a small leaf like that of sena : the branches are of a wooddy substance like broom : it grows not above a yard high , the stalk about the bignesse of a mans thumb : the seed is included in a small round cod of an inch long . this once sowed lasteth three years : that of the first year makes a weighty reddish indico , that sinks in water , being not yet come to its perfection : that of the second year is rich , very light , and of a perfect violet-colour , swiming on the water : that of the third year is weighty , blackish , and the worst of the three . this herb , when it s cut , is put into a cistern , and pressed down with stones , then covered over with water , where it remains till the substance of the herb is gone into the water : then it s drawn forth into another cistern , and laboured with staves till it be like batter , then they let it seeth , and so scum off the water two or three times , till nothing but a thick substance remains , which taking forth , they spread on a cloath , dry it in the sun , then make it into balls , dry it on the sand , which causes the sandy foot : that is best , which is of a pure grain ; violet-colour , is glossie , dry , and light . idem . p. . . sir james lancaster in his east-indy voyage , in the isle of sombrero found on the sea-sands , a young twig growing up to a tree , and offering to pluck up the same , it shrank down into the ground , and when it was by strength pulled up , a great worm was the root of it , and as the tree groweth in greatnesse , the worm diminisheth : this tree plucked up , the leaves and pill stripped off , by that time its dryed , is turned into a hard stone ; so that this worm was twice transformed into different natures , after a wondrous manner : of these he brought home many . p. pil. v. . p. . . about saffron walden in essex , there grows great store of saffron , which was first brought into england , in the reign of king edward the third . this in the month of july every third year , being plucked up , and after twenty dayes , having the root split , and set again in the earth , about the end of september it putteth forth a whitish-blew flower ; out of the midst where of there come three chives , which are gathered in the morning before sun-rising , and being plucked out of the flower , are dried by a soft fire ; and so great is the increase that commeth thereof , that out of every acre of ground , there are made fourscore , or an hundred pound weight of saffron , whilst it is moist , which being dryed , yeeld some twenty pound weight . and the ground which three years together hath brought saffron , is so enriched thereby , that it will bear very good barley , many yeares together without dung , or manuring . camb. brit. p. . . all along the shores of the red-sea are abundance of palm-trees of a very strange nature : they grow in couples , male and female : both thrust forth cods full of seed : but the female is only fruitful , and that not except growing by the male , and having her seed mixed with his . the pith of these trees is an excellent sallet , better than an artechoke : of the branches are made bedsteads , lattices , &c. of the leaves , baskets , mats , fans , &c. of the outward husk of the cod , cordage ; of the inward , brushes . the fruit it beareth is like a fig , and finally it is said to yeild whatsoever is necessary for the life of man. it is the nature of this tree , that if never so great a weight be laid upon it , it will lift & raise up it self the more ; for which it was given to conquerors in token of victory . herb. trav. . in italy there grows an herb called balilisco , which hath this innate property ; that if it be laid under a stone in some moist place , in two days space it produceth a scorpion : raimunds mercu. ital. . the assa-faetida tree is like our bryer in height , the leaves resemble fig-leaves , the root is like our radish : though the smell be so bace , yet the taste is so pleasing , that no meat , no sauce , on vessel is pleasing to the gusarat● pallats where it grows , except it rellish of it . herb. trav. benjamin is either pure , cleer , and white , or yellow , and streaked : this gum issues from an high tree , small , and furnished with fruitlesse branches ; the leaves are not unlike to those of the olive : pegu and siam yeild the best . . the coco tree is very rife in the east-indies . in the whole world there is not a tree more profitable than this is , neither do men reap more benefit of any other tree than of this . the heart of the tree makes good timber , planks , and masts for ships : with the leaves thereof they make sails , with the rind of it they make cordage : a gum that grows out of it caulks the ship : the fruit of it is a kind of nut , which being full of kernel , and a sweet liquor , serves for meat and drink : much wine also it yeilds , & of the wine they make sugar , and placetto . the wine they gather in the spring of the year out of the middle of the tree , from whence there runs continually a white thin liquor , at which time they put a vessel under it , and take it away full every morning , and evening , and then distilling it , they make a very strong liquor of it . of the nuts also they make great store of oil : out of the tree they make bows , bedsteads : of the leaves also they make very fine mats , which whilest green , are full of an excellent sweet liquor , with which if a man be thirsty , he may satisfie himself : with the bark they make spoons , dishes , and platters for meat . the first rind of the nut they stamp , and make thereof perfect ockam : and the store of these nuts serve for merchandise . so that out of this one tree , they build and rig ships , furnish them with meat , drink , utensils , and merchandise , without the least help of any other whatsoever . pur. pil. v. . p. . and . . mr. herbert in his travels thus describes it . the tree that bears the coco , is strait , & lofty , without any branches , save at the very top , where it spreads its beautiful plumes , and nuts like pearles , or pendants adorning them . it is good timber for canoes , masts , anchors : the leaves for tents or thatching : the rind for sailes , matteresses , cables , and linnen : the shels for furniture : the meat for victualling . the nut is covered with a thick rind equal in bignesse to a cabbage . the shell is like the skull of a man , or rather a deaths-head , the eyes , nose , and mouth , being easily discerned : within it is contained a quart of sweet and excellent liquor , like new white-wine , but far more aromatick tasted : the meat or kernel , is better relished than our phelberds , and is enough to satisfy the appetite of two reasonable men . — the indian nut alone is cloathing , meat , and trencher , drink , and can. boat , cable , sail , mast , needle , all in one . herb. and sylvester hath set them forth to the life in these verses . the indian isles most admirable be , in those rare fruits call'd coquos commonly ; the which alone far richer wonder yeilds , then all our groves , meads , gardens , orchards , fields . what wouldst thou drink ? the wounded leaves drop wine . lackst thou fine linnen ? dresse the tender rine . dresse it like flax , spin it , then weave it well , it shall thy camrick , and thy lawn excell . longst thou for butter , bite the poulpous part , for never better came to any mart . do'st need good oyle ? then boult it to , and fro , and passing oyl it soon becometh so . or vinegar ? to whet thine appetite ; why , sun it well ; and it will sharply bite . or want's thou sugar ? steep the same a stownd , and sweeter sugar is not to be found . 't is what you will ; or will be what you would : should midas touch it , sure it would be gold . and god , all-good , to crown our life with bayes , the earth with plenty , and his name with praise , had done enough , if he had made no more but this one plant , so full of choicest store ; save that the world ( where , one thing breeds satiety ) could not be fair , without so great variety . . the plantan tree is of a reasonable height ; the body about the bigness of a mans thigh , compacted of many leaves , wrapped one upon another , adorned with leaves in stead of boughs from the very ground , which are for the most part about two ells long , and an ell broad , having a large rib in the middle thereof . the fruit is a bunch of ten , or twelve plantans , each a span long , and as big almost as a mans wrist ; the rind being stripped off , the fruit is yellowish , and of a pleasant taste . pur. pil. p. . . the cedars of mount libanus grow higher than pines , and so big , that four or five men with their armes can but fathom them ; the boughs rise not upward , but stretch out a cross , largely spread , and thickly enfolded one in another , as if done by art , so that men may sit , and lie along upon the boughs : the leaves are thick , narrow , hard , prickly , and alwayes green ; the wood is hard , incorruptible , and sweet smelling ; the fruit like the cones of cypress , gummy , and marvellous fragrant . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in africa are many palmeta trees , whence they draw a sweet , and wholsome wine , by cutting , or boring holes into the body of the tree , into which a cane is put that receives the sap , and conveys it into gourds : it tastes like white wine , but it will not last above four and twenty hours . idem . . in new-spain there are many trees which they call manguey : it hath great , and large leaves , at the end whereof is a strong , and sharp point , which they use for pins , and needles , and out of the leaf they draw a kind of thred which they use much to few with . the body of the tree is big , which when it is tender , they cut , and out of the hole proceeds a liquor which they drink like water , being fresh , and sweet . this liquor being sodden , becomes wine , which being kept till it be sower , makes good vinegar : boil it it a litle more than for wine , and it makes a fine syrup ; and boil it till it be thick , and it makes hony. idem . v. . p. . . there is a certain tree in new-spain called tunalls , in whose leaves breed certain small worms , which are covered with a fine web , compassing them in daintily . this in the season they gather , and let it drye , and this is that cochenille , so famous , and dear , wherewith they dye in grain . idem . . the jack , or giack is an high tree , and uneasy to be ascended ; the jack for shew and bigness resembles a pumpeon : without , it is of a gold yellow , mixt with veins ; within , its soft , and tender , full of golden coloured cloves , each full of kernels , not unlike a great french bean , but more round , each of them hath an hard stone within it , the fruit is somewhat unpleasant at the first taste ; t is glutinous , and clammy in the mouth , but very restorative , and good for the back . . the ananas is not inferiour to the jack in bulk , and roundnesse : it ariseth from no seed , or sowing , but from a root like an artichok : when they are ripe they shew themselves , and are not above two foot high : without , it is covered with a drie rind , hard , and skaley ; within , its wholesome and pleasant , and though a little of it seems to satiate the appetite , yet the stomach likes it well , and its easie of digestion . . the duroyen is somewhat like the jack , in shape round , the inward vertue , is far greater than the outward beauty : at first opening it hath an unpleasant smell : the meat is whitish , and divided into a dozen cells , or partitions , filled with stones as big as chesnuts , white and cordial . it s a fruit nutritive , and dainty , and may well be called an epitome of all the best , and rarest fruits in the the orient . . the arec-tree is almost as high as a cedar , but more like the palmeto : i'ts of a fuzzie , hollow substance , adorned at every top with plumes , wherein the fruit hangs in clusters ; it s in shape and bigness like a wallnut ; white and hard within ; hath neither taste , nor smell : they never eat it alone , but wrap it in a leaf of bettle , and are frequently chawing of it : some adde to it a kinde of lime made of oister-shels , it cures the chollick , removes melancholly , kills worms , provokes lust , purges the maw , and prevents hunger . it s much used in the east-indies . . the palmeto-tree is long , strait , round , and soft , without leaf , bough , or branch , save at the top , and those are few , green , and sedgie : under which branches there appear certain codded seeds : both the male , and female bear blossoms , but the female only beares fruit , and yet not that , unlesse a flowring branch of the male tree be yearly inoculated : the leaves serve for many uses . at the top of this tree there is a soft pith , in which consists the life of it : for that being cut out , the tree dyes . this pith is in bignesse like small cabbage , in taste like a nut kernel , and being boiled it eats like a colly-flower . but of more value is the palmeta wine , which is sweet , pleasant , and nourishing in colour , and taste not unlike muskadine : it purges , cures obstructions , and kills the worms . if it stand two dayes in the sun it makes good vinegar . the wine is thus gotten . they cut a small hole in two or three trees that grow together , which in a short time are filled with the sap that issues in them , which with a cane , or quill , they draw forth . pur. pil. . in summersetshire , near unto glastenbury , in wiral park was that famous hawthorn tree , which used upon christmas day to sprout forth as fresh as in may ; but now it s cut down . camb. brit. p. . . in the marishes of egypt grow those sedgie reeds , called papyri , whereof formerly they made paper , and from whence ours that is made of rags assumed that name . they divide it into thin flakes , whereinto it naturally parteth : then laying them on a table , and moistening them with the glutinous water of nilus , they press them together , dry them in the sun , and then they are fitted for use . pur. pil. v. p. . chap. iii. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fountains , rivers , and waters . . in the bishoprick of durham in derlington field , there are pits of a wonderful depth , called by the vulgar hell-kettles , in which the water by an antiperistasis , or reverberation of the cold air , striking thereupon , waxeth hot ; which pits have passage under ground , into the river teese , as archbishop guthbert tonstal observed , by finding that goose in the river which he had marked , and let down into these pits . camb. brit. p. . . in yorkshire , neer unto knasburow castle is a well , in which the waters spring not up out of the veins of the earth , but distil , and trickle down , dropping from the rocks hanging over it , whence it s called dropping-well : into which , what wood soever is put , it will in a short space be turned into stone . camb. brit. p. . . in caermardenshire , neer unto careg castle , there is a fountain that twice in four and twenty hours ebbeth , and twice floweth , resembling the unstable motions of the main sea. camb. brit. p. . . in westmerland , hard by shape , there is a well , or fountain , which after the manner of euripus ebbeth , and floweth many times in a day . camb. brit. p. . . in ireland is a fountain , whose water killeth all those beasts that drink thereof , but hurteth not the people , though they usually drink of it . ortelius . . near unto lutterworth in leicester-shire , there is a spring of water so cold , that in a short time it turneth straws , and sticks , into stone . camb. brit. p. . . in derbyshire in the peak-forrest not far from buxtone , is a well which in a wonderful manner doth ordinarily ebb , and flow , four times in the space of one hour , or thereabouts , keeping his just tides . camb. brit. p. . . also in the same country at the spring head of wie there rise , and walm up , nine fountains of hot waters , commonly called buxton wells , very sovereign for the stomach , sinews , and whole body . camb. brit. p. . . in scotland on the bank of ratra neer unto stang's castle , there is a cave , wherein the water distilling naturally by drops from the head of the vault , is presently turned into pyramidal stones ; and were not the said hole or cave , otherwiles rid , and cleansed , the whole space as far as up to the vault , would in a short time be filled therewith . camb. brit. scotl. p. . in scotland in the countrey of murray , there is a river called naes , the water whereof is almost always warm , and at no time so cold that it freezeth , yea , in the most cold time of winter , broken ice falling into it , is dissolved with the heat thereof . defcrip . of scotl. . also in galloway , the loch called loch-merton , is of such a strang nature , that the one half of it doth never freeze in the coldest winter . descrip. of scotl. . in lenox is a great loch or meer , called loch-lowmond , in length twenty four miles , and eight in breadth , wherein are three strang things : first , excellent good fish without any sins : secondly , a floating island whereon many kine feed : and thirdly , tempestuous waves rageing without winds , yea , in the greatest calms . desc. of scotl. . there is a certain island called lounda in the kingdom of congo , wherein is no fresh water ( being a very sandy ground ) but if you dig but the depth of two or three hand breadths , you shall find sweet water , the best in all those countryes : and ( which is most strang ) when the ocean ebbeth , this water grows brackish , but when it flows to the top , it is most sweet . p. pil. v. . p. . . not far from casbine , the regal city in persia is a fountain of a strang , and wonderful nature , out of which there continually springeth , and issueth a marvellous quantity of black oil , which serveth in all parts of persia to burn in their houses , and is usually carried all over the countrey upon kine , and asses , whereof you may often meet three or four hundred in company . p. pil. v. . p. . . about three days journey from old balylon , is a town called ait , and neer unto that is a valley of pitch very marvellous to behold , wherein are many springs , throwing out abundantly a kind of black substance , like unto tar , and pitch , which serveth all the country thereabout to staunch their barques and boats with : every one of which springs makes a noise like to a smith's forge in puffing and blowing out the matter , which never ceaseth day nor night , and the noise is hard a mile off : the moors call it hell-mouth . p. pil. v. p. . . clitumnus is a river in italy , which makes all the oxen that drink of it , white . fulk . meteor . lib. . . the river melas in boeotia makes all the sheep that drink of it , black . plin. . the fountain of jupiter hammon , is cold in the day time , and hot at midnight . . the fountain of the sun hath its water extream cold , and sweet at noon ; and boiling hot , and bitter at midnight . plin. lib. . c. . augustine . . there is a river in palestine called the sabbatical river , which runs with a violent and swift stream all the week ; but every sabbath it remains dry , joseph . de bel. jud. l. . c. . some question the truth of this . . in idumae● is a fountain called the fountain of job , which for one quarter of the year is troubled and muddy ; the next quarter bloody , the third green , and the fourth clear . isiod . . the river astaces in the isle of pontus uses sometimes to overflow the fields , after which whatsoever sheep , or milch-cattle feed thereon give black milk . plin. l. . c. . . furius camillus being censor in rome , the lake albanus being environed with mountains on every side , in the time of autumn when other lakes and rivers were almost dry , the waters of this lake after a wondrous manner began to swell , and rise upwards , till at last they were equall with the tops of the mountains , and after a while they brake thorow one of those mountains , overflowing and bearing all down before them till they emptied themselves into the sea. plut. . the river d ee in merionneth-shire in wales , though it run through pimble-meer , yet it remaineth intire , and mingles not its streams with the waters of the lake . cam. brit. . ana a river in spain , burieth it self in the earth , and runneth under ground fifteen miles together , whereupon the spaniards brag that they have a bridg whereon ten thousand catle feed dayly . . pliny tells us of a fountain called dodon , which always decreaseth from midnight till noon , and encreaseth from noon till midnight . . he also tells us of certain fountains in an island neer italy , which always increase and decrease according to the ebbing , and flowing of the sea. . aristotle writeth of a well in sicilie , whose water is so sharp , that the inhabitants use it instead of vinegar . . in bohemia neer to the city of bilen is a well of such excellent water , that the inhabitants use to drink of it in a morning instead of burnt wine . dr. fulk . . in paphlagonia is a well , which hath the taste of wine , and it makes men drunk which drink of it ; whence du-bartas , salonian fountain , and thou andrian spring , out of what cellars do you daily bring the oyl , and wine that you abound with so ? o earth , do these within thine entrals grow ? &c. . aelian mentioneth a fountain in boeotia neer to thebes , which makes horses run mad if they drink of it . . pliny mentioneth a water in sclavonia which is extream cold , and yet if a man throw his cloath cloak upon it , it is presently set on fire . . other waters there are which discolour the fleeces of the sheep which drink of them : whence du-bartas , cerona , xanth , and cephisus do make , the thirsty flocks that of their waters take , black , red , and white : and neer the crimson deep , th' arabian fountain maketh crimson sheep . . and again . what should i of th' illyrian fountain tell ? what shall i say of the dodonean well ? whereof the first sets any cloathes on fire ; th' other doth quench ( who but will this admire ) a burning torch : and when the same is quenched , lights it again , if it again be drenched . . in the province of dara in lybia , there is a certain river , which sometimes so overfloweth the banks that it is like a sea , yet in the summer it is so shallow , that any one may passe over it on foot . if it overflow about the beginning of aprill , it brings great plenty to the whole region ; if not , there follows great scarcity of corn. pur. pil. v. . p. . . in the kingdom of tunis neer unto the city el-hamma , is a hot river , which by diverse channels is carried through the city , the water of it being so hot that few can endure to go into it , yet having set it to cool a whole day , the people drink of it . idem . p. . . in africa , there is a river called margania , and by it a salt spring which turns all the wood is thrown into it , into hard stone . idem . p. . . the river meander is famous for its six hundred windings , and turnings , in and out : whence that of the poet , quique recurvatis ludit maeander in undis . maeander plays his watry pranks , within his crooked winding banks . . groenland in the hyperborean sea , was discovered anno christi . it hath in it the monastery of st. thomas situate in the north-east part thereof at the foot of a mountain , where there is a river so hot , that they use to boil their meat in it , and it serves for other such purposes as fire doth with us , isac . chron. p , . the river hypanis in scythia every day brings forth little bladders , out of which come certain flies which are thus , bred in the morning , are fledge at noon , and dye at night . fit emblems of the vain , and short life of man. the famous river of nilus in egypt useth once in the year to overflow her banks , whereby the whole country is watered . it usually beginneth to overflow upon the seventeenth of june , and increaseth daily , sometimes two , sometimes three fingers , and sometimes half a cubit high on a day . the increase of it is known by a pillar erected in a cistern , whereinto the water is conveyed by a sluce ; which pillar is divided into eighteen parts , each a cubit higher than the other . if the water reach no higher than to the fifteenth cubit , they expect a fruitful year : if it stay between the twelfth , and fifteenth cubit , the increase of that year will be but mean. if it reach not to the twelfth , it s a sign of scarcity . if it rise to the eighteenth , the scarcity will be greater , in regard of too much moisture . this river continueth forty dayes increasing , and forty dayes decreasing . pur. pil. v. . p. . . another thing is wonderful , which is this : in the grand cairo ( which is the metropolis of egypt ) the plague useth many times to be very violent , till the river begins to overflow its banks , at which time it doth instantly cease . so that whereas five hundred a day dyed the day before , not one doth die the day following . idem . p. . . in the county of devon , not far from the town of lidford , at a bridg , the river lid is gathered into a strait , and pent in between rocks , whereon it runneth down a main , and the ground daily waxing deeper , and deeper under it , his water is not seen , only a roaring noise is heard , to the great wonder of those that pass by . camb. brit. p. . . in warwickshire , at nevenham regis , three fountains arise out of the ground , strained through an allom mine : the water whereof carrieth the colour , and tast of milk , which cureth ulcers in the bladder , or kidneys caused by the stone , and provoketh urine abundantly ; green wounds it cleanseth , closeth up , and quickly healeth ; being drunk with salt it looseth , and with sugar it bindeth the belly . about fifty years ago these wells were famous , and in great request , many resorting to them , and the water by others was sent for far and near . idem . p. . . in herefordshire , a little beneath richards castle , nature , who never disports her self more in shewing wonders , than in waters , hath brought forth a pretty well , which is alwayes full of little fish bones , although they be drawn out from time , to time , whence it s commonly called bone-well . idem . p. . . in yorkshire , upon the sea-shore by sken-grave , when the winds are laid , and the weather is most calm upon the sea : the water lying level and plain without any noise : there is heard here many times on a sudden , a great way off , as it were , an horrible , and fearful groaning , which affrights the fishermen at those times , so that they dare not launce forth into the sea. idem . p. . . pliny tells us of the fountain chymaera , that is set on fire with water , and put out with earth , or hey . plin. nat . hist. lib. . c. , . . the same author also tells us , that in the hot deserts of india grows a certain kind of flax that lives in the fire , and consumes not : we have seen ( saith he ) table-cloathes made of it , burning in fires at feasts , by which they have been cleansed from their stains , and spots , and made whiter by the fire than they could be by water . . at belgrad in hungary , where danubius , and sava ( two great rivers ) meet , their waters mingle no more than water and oil : not that either flote above other , but joyn unmixed ; so that near the middle of the river i have gone in a boat ( saith sir henry blunt in his voyage into the levant ) and tasted of the danow , as clear , and pure as a well ; then putting mine hand an inch further , i have taken of the sava , as troubled as a street-channel , tasting the gravel in my teeth . thus they ran sixty miles together , and for a dayes journey i have been an eye-witness of it . chap. iv. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fishes . anno christi . at oreford in suffolk , a fish was taken by the fishermen at sea , in shape resembling a wild man , and by them was presented to sir bartholomew de glanvil , keeper of oreford castle . in all his limbs and members he resembled a man , had hair in all the usual parts of his body , only his head was bald . the knight caused meat to be set before him , which he greedily devoured , and did eat fish raw , or sod : that which was raw he pressed with his hand , till he had squeezed out all the moisture : he uttered not any speech , though to try him , they hung him up by the heels , and grievously tormented him . he would get him to his couch at the setting of the sun , and rise again at the sun-rising . one day they brought him to the haven , and let him go into the sea , but to prevent his escape , they set three rows of very strong nets before him to catch him again at their pleasure : but he , straitwayes diving to the bottom , crept under all their nets , and shewed himself again to them , and so often diving , he still came up , and looked upon them that stood on the shore , as it were mocking of them . at length after he had sported himself a great while in the water , and there was no hope of his return , he came back to them of his own accord , and remained with them two months after . but finally , when he was negligently looked to , he went to the sea , and was never after seen , or heard of . fabians chron. . anno christi . some women of edam in the low-countries , as they were going in their barks to their cattel in purmer-meer , they often saw at the ebbing of the water , a sea-women playing up and down , whereat at the first they were afraid , but after a while , incouraging one another , they made with their boats towards her , and the water by this time being not deep enough for her to dive in , they took her by force , and drew her into the boat , and so carried her to edam , where in time she grew familiar , and fed of ordinary meats : and being sent from thence to herlem , she lived about fifteen years , but never spake , seeking often to get away into the water . belg. common-wealth . p. . . in the seas , near unto sofala are many women-fishes ; which from the belly to the neck are very like a woman ▪ the females have breasts like womens , with which also they nourish their young . from the belly downward they have thick , and long tails , with fins like a dolphin : the skin on the belly is white ; on the back rougher , than a dolphins . they have arms , which from the elbows end in fins , and so have no hands : the face is plain , round , and bigger than a mans , deformed , and without humane semblance : they have wide mouths , thick hanging lips like a hound ; four teeth hanging out almost a span long like the tusk of a boar : and their nostrils are like a calves . pur. pil. v. . p. . . upon the coasts of brasile are often found meer-men , which are like unto men of a good stature , but that their eyes are very hollow . . captain richard whitburn in his description of newfound-land , writes that anno christi . early in a morning as he was standing by the water side , in the harbour of st johns , he espied a strong creature swimming very swiftly towards him like a women , looking chearfully upon him : her face , eyes , nose , mouth , chin , ears , neck , and forehead were like a womans . it was very beautiful , and in those parts well proportioned , having hair hanging down round about the head : he seeing it come within a pikes length of him , stepped back , whereupon it dived under water , swimming to another place , whereby he beheld the shoulders , and back down to the middle , which was as square , white , and smooth as the back of a man ; from the middle to the hinder part it pointed in proportion like a broad-hooked arrow : afterwards it came to a boat wherein some of his men were , attempting to come in to them , till one of them struck it a full blow upon the head : others of them saw it afterwards also . . about brasile are many meer-men , and meer-women , that have long hair , and are very beautiful . they often catch the indians as they are swimming , imbracing them , and kissing them ; and clasp them so hard , that they crush them to death , and when they perceive that they are dead , they give some sighs , as if they were sorry pur. pil. v. . p. . . there are also another sort of them , that resemble children , and are no bigger , that are no ways hurtful . idem . . the torpedo is a strange kind of fish , which a man holding in his hand , if it stir not , it produceth no effect ; but if it move it self never so little , it so torments the body of him that holds it , that his arteries , joints , sinews , & all his members feel exceeding great pain , with a certain numness , and as soon as he layeth it out of his hand , all that pain , and numness , is gone also . p. pil. v. . p. . see more of it afterwards . . in sofala are many river-horses , as big as two of our horses , with thick , and short hinder legs , having five clawes on each fore-foot , and four on the hinder ; the mouth is wide , and full of teeth , four of which are above two spans long a peece ; the two lower stand upright ; the two upper are turned like a boars tush ; they live in the water , but feed on the land upon grass : they have teats wherewith they nourish their young ones : their hides are thicker than an oxes ; they are all of an ash-colour gray , with white strakes on their faces , or white stars in their foreheads . idem . p. . . in the mouth of the river of goa , there was taken a fish of the bigness of a cur-dog , with a snout like an hog , small eyes , no ears , but two holes in-stead thereof : it had four feet like an elephant : the tail was flat , but at the end round , and somewhat sharp : it snorted like a hog ; the body , head , tail , and legs , were covered with broad scals as hard as iron , so that no weapon could peirce them : when he was beaten , he would rowle himself round like an urchin , and could by no strength be opened , till he opened of his own accord . idem . p. . . there are also toad-fishes of about a span long , painted , having fair eyes : when they are taken out of the water , they snort , and swell much : their poison lies only in the skin , and that being flaid off , the indians eat them . idem . p. . . the cuttle-fish hath a hood alwayes full of black water , like ink , which when she is pursued by other fishes that would devour her , she casts it forth , which so darkens and foileth the water , that she thereby escapeth . idem . . there are a sort of fishes , whose wonderful making magnifieth their creator , who for their safety hath given them fins , which serve in-stead of wings : they are of such a delicate skin interlaced with fine bones as may cause admiration in the beholder : these fishes are like to pilcherds , only a little rounder , and bigger : they flye best with a side wind , but longer than their wings are wet , they cannot flye ; so that their longest flight is about a quarter of a mile . the dolphins , and bonitos do continually hunt after them , to prey upon them : whereupon for safety they take the air : but then there is a fowle called an alcatrace , much like a hern , which hovers in the air to seize upon them . incidit in scyllam qui vult vitare caribdim . out of the frying pan into the fire , as our proverb hath it . . there is often a strang fight in the sea between the whale and his enemies , viz. the swordfish , and the thresher . the swordfish is not great , but strongly made , and between his neck and shoulders he hath a bone like a sword , of about five inches broad , and above three foot long , full of prickles on either side . the thresher is a bigger fish , whose tail is broad , and thick , and very weighty . the fight is in this manner ; the swordfish placeth himself under the belly of the whale , and the thresher above with his tail thresheth upon the head of the whale , till he forceth him to give way , which the swordfish perceiving , wounds him in the belly with the sword , and so forceth him to rise up again . in this manner they torment him , that the fight is sometimes heard above three leagues off , the whales roaring being heard much further , his onely remedy in this case is to get to the shore , which he laboureth to do as soon as he sees his enemies : for then there can fight but one with him , and for either of them hand to hand he is too good . pur. pil. v. . p. . . mr. herbert in his east-indy voyage , relates of a shark taken by one of their men , that was nine foot and an half in length , and they found in her paunch fifty and five young ones , each of them a foot in length , all which go out and in at their pleasures : she is armed with a double row of venemous teeth : and is guided to her prey by a little musculus , or pilot-fish that scuds to and fro to bring intelligence , the shark for his kindnesse suffering it to suck when it pleaseth . . the sea tortoise is not much differing from those at land , only her shell is flatter : by overturning them they are easily taken , being hereby dis-enabled either to sink , or help themselves : they taste waterish , and cause fluxes : they superabound in eggs , one of them having in her neer two thousand , which eggs are pale , and round , and will never be made hard with boiling . herberts travels . p. . . in the indian sea is an eagle-fish , whose eyes are five quarters asunder , from the end of one fin to the end of the other are above four yards : its mouth and teeth resemble a portcullis : it hath a long small tail , and it is rather to be wondered at then to be eaten . . in le-maires voyage about the world , a certain fish , or sea monster , with an horn , struck against the ship with such violence , that shook it , whereupon the master looking overboard , saw the sea all bloody , but knew not what should be the cause , till coming into port-desire , where they cleansed and trimmed their ship , they found seven foot under water , a horn sticking in the ship , for bignesse , and fashion like an elephants tooth : yet not hollow , but all solid of hard bone , which had pierced through three double planks , and was entred into a rib of the ship , it stuck about half a foot deep in the ship , and by great force was broken off , which caused that great monster to bleed so much as discoloured the water . pur. pil. v. . p. . . the mannaty is a strange fish resembling a cow : her face is like a buffalo's , her eyes small and round , having hard gums instead of teeth : they feed much on the shore , which makes them taste like flesh of veal : their intrails differ little from a cows : their bodies are commonly three yards long , and one broad , they swim slowly wanting fins , in the place whereof they have two things like paps , which are their stilts when they creep on the shore to graze , where they sleep long , sucking in the cool aire : they cannot keep under water above half an hour . the stone generated in their head is most esteemed , being soveraign against choller adust , the stone collick ; and dissenteryes , if beaten small infused in wine , and drunk fasting . herb. trav. p. . see more afterwards . . the carvel comes of the foam of the sea , every where floating upon the surface of the ocean , of a round form , throwing abroad her strings like so many lines , which she can spread at pleasure , therewith angling for small fishes , which she catches at leasure : you may call her a sea-spider : for when she sees her web too weak , she can blow an infectious breath foaming death , or such a sting as if she had borrowed it from a scorpion . idem . . in the east-indies is a trade wind , which they call a briese , or monson , which blows west all april , may , june , july , august , and part of september , and east the rest of the year : only on the east of sumatra , it blows five months east , and five months west , and the other two variable . this is well known to our east-indy merchants . . the torpedo is a fish like a bream , but somwhat thicker : some marriners having one of them in a net , went to take it forth , but one of them presently cryed out that he had lost the use of his hands , and armes : another that was bare-legged putting his foot to it , lost the sence of his leg : but after a while their feeling returned again : whereupon calling their cook , they bade him to take and dresse it , who laying both his hands thereon , made grievous moan that he felt not his hands : but when its dead it produceth no such effect , but is good meat . pur. pil. p. . . about jamica in the west-indies , is a fish called a manati which is of a strange shape , and nature : it brings forth her young ones alive , and nourisheth them with milk from her teats , feeding upon grass in the fields , but lives for the most part in the water : the hinder-parts of it are like unto a cow , and it eats like veal . idem . v. . p. . . in brasile are oxe-fishes , which are very good meat : for head , hair , skin , cheeks , and tongue , they are like oxen : their eyes small with lids to open and shut ; which no other fish hath : it breatheth , and therefore cannot be long under water : instead of fore-feet , it hath two arms of a cubit long , with two round hands , and on them five fingers close together , with nails like a mans ; under these arms the female hath paps wherewith she nourisheth her young , she brings forth but one at once . it hath no fins but the tail , which is also round and close : their bones are all maffie , and white like ivory : of this fish they make great store of sweet oil : they feed most upon the land . idem . v. . p. . . in sir fran. drakes voyage about the world , when they came to the island of celebes , which is wholly overgrown with wood : amongst the trees night by night , they saw infinite swarms of fiery worms flying in the air , their bodies no bigger than of our english flyes , which made such a shew , and gave such a light , as if every twig or tree had been a burning candle . in which place also were great store of bats , as big as large hens . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in captain saris his voyage to bantam , about mid-night , they fell into the strangest , and fearfullest water that ever any of them had seen , the water giving such a glaring light about the ship , that they they could discern letters in a book thereby , whereas a little before it was so dark , that they could discern nothing . this made them fear that it had been the breach of sunken ground : but finding that they had failed half an hour in it , and saw no alteration , they perceived at length , that it was a multitude of cuttle-fish that made this fearful shew . pur. pil. p. . chap. v. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange fowls , and birds . . in one of the scottish islands there is a rare kind of fowl unknown to other countrys , called colca , little lesse than a goose : they come thither every year in the spring , hatch , and nourish their young ones : about which time they cast all their feathers , and become stark naked all their bodies over , and then they get themselves to the sea , and are no more seen till the next spring : their feathers have no quill , as other feathers have , but are all like unto down , wherein is no hardnesse . descr. of scot. . in the north seas of scotland are great loggs of timber found , in which are ingendred after a marvellous manner , a sort of geese , called claik-geese : and they do hang by the beak till they are grown to perfection , and then they receive life and fall off : they are many times found , & kept in admiration for their rare manner of generation : they are very fat , and delicious to be eaten . idem . some question the truth hereof . . storks are so careful of their parents ? that when they grow old , and so are unable to help themselves , the young ones feed them : and when in passing the sea their wings fail them , the young ones will take them on their backs , and carry them over . and this is remarkable about them . . the town of delph in the low-countries is so seated for the breeding , and feeding of those birds , that it is hard to see an house wherein they do not build . in this town upon the third of may , anno christi . a great fire happened when the young storks were grown pretty big : the old ones perceiving the fire to approach to their nests , attempted to carry away their young ones , but could not , they were so weighty , which they perceiving , never ceased with their spread wings to cover them , till they all perished in the flames together . belg. common wealth . p. . . in america there are certain small birds called viemalim , with small and long bills , that live upon the dew , and of the juice of flowers , and roses , like bees : their feathers are of very curious colours : they dye , or sleep every year in october , sitting upon the bough of a tree in a warm place , and in aprill following , when the flowers are sprung , they awake again . i have one of them . . in the arabian deserts there are great store of ostriches , that go in flocks , and often affright passengers that are strangers , with their fearful schr●eches , appearing a farr off like a troop of horsmen . their bodies are too heavy to be born up by their wings , which , though uselesse for flight , yet serve them to run with greater speed , so that a swift horse can scarce overtake them : whatsoever they finde , be it stones or iron , they greedily swallow it down , and concoct it : when they have laid their eggs , ( which are as big as a culverin bullet ) they forget where they left them , and so return no more to them : but they are hatched by the heat of the sun in the warm sands : hence those expressions , lam. . . the daughter of my people is become cruel , like the ostriches in the wildernesse : whereupon she is made the embleme of folly , job . . &c. she leaveth her eggs in the earth , and warmeth them in the dust , and forgets that the foot may crush them , &c. . in brasile there is a little bird , which they call the risen , or awaken bird , because it sleeps six months , and awakes the other six . it hath a cap on its head of no one colour , but on what side soever you look , it sheweth red , green , black , and other colours , all very fine , and shining : the breast also shews great variety of colours , especially yellow , more fine then gold ; the body is grey , and it hath a very long small bill , and yet the tongue is twice as long as the bill : it flyes very swiftly , and makes a humming like a bee. it always feeds flying . pur. pil. . in socotera there are bats , whose bodies are almost as big as a conies , their heads are like foxes with an hairy furr upon them : in other things they are like our bats . one of them being killed by some english , his wings when they were extended , were an ell in length . their cry is shril and loud . idem . . in italy are the flies cantharides , which by day are of a green shining colour , but in the night they shine in the air , like flying glow-worms , with fire in their tailes . raimunds mercu. ital. . in china there is a fowl of a prodigious shape , and bignesse : it is three foot high : the body being exceeding great , more than a man can fathom : their feathers are all white like a swans , their feet broad like fowls that swim : their neck half a fathom long , and their beak half an ell , the upper part of it being crooked . from the nether part of the beak there hangs a very great and capable bag of a yellow golden colour , resembling parchment . with these fowls the natives use to fish , as we do in england with cormorants . they will catch fish with great dexterity , and when they have filled their great bag , which will hold divers fishes of two foot long a peece , they will bring them to their masters . pur. pil. v. . . . in the african desarts is a certain fowle called a nesir , some call it a vultur . it s bigger than a crane . in flying it mounts very high , yet at the sight of a dead carkass , it descends immediatly . she lives long , and in extream old age looseth her feathers , and then returning to her nest , is there fed by the young ones of the same kind . idem . . near unto the streights of magellane , there is an island called penguin island , wherein are abundance of fowls called penguins that go upright , their wings , in stead of feathers , are only covered with down , which hang down like sleeves faced with white . they flye not , but walk in paths of their own making , and keep their divisions and quarters orderly . they are a strange fowle , or rather , a miscellaneous creature , of beast , bird , and fish : but most of bird. pur. pil. v. . p. . . in the isle of man , there is a sort of sea-fowles called puffins , they are of a very unctious constitution , and breed in cony-holes ( the conies leaving their burrows for that time ) they are never seen with their young , but very early in the morning , and late in the evening : they nourish their young ( as it is conceived ) with oil drawn from their own bodyes , and dropped into their mouths ; for that being opened , there is found in their crops no other sustenance , save a single sorrel-leaf , which the old give their young ( as is conjectured ) for digestions-sake ; the flesh of them , whilst raw , not savoury , but powdered , it may be ranked with anchoves , and caviare ; profitable they are in their feathers , and oil , which they use much about their wooll . . the isle of mauritius is a fowle called a dodo ; her body is round , and extream fat , which makes her pace slow : few of them weigh less than fifty pound : her wings are so small , that they cannot lift her above the ground : her head is variously dressed , the one half-hooded with downy black feathers ; the other wholly naked , of a whitish colour , as if a transparent lawn had covered it : her bill is very hooked , bending downwards , the breathing place being in the midst of it , from which part to the end , the colour is light green , mixt with a pale yellow : her eyes are round , and small , and bright as diamonds : her cloathing is of the finest down ; her train is of three or four short-feathers , her legs thick , and black ; her tallons sharp ; her stomach so hot , that she digests stones , or iron , as doth the ostrich . . in lincolnshire there is a bird called a dotterel , so named of his doltish foolishness : it s a bird of an apish kinde , ready to imitate what it sees done : they are caught by candle-light by the fowlers gestures ; for if he put forth and arm , they stretch forth a wing : if he sets forward a leg , or hold up his head , they likewise do the same : in brief , whatsoever the fowler doth , the same also doth this foolish bird , until it be caught within the net . camb. brit. p. . . there is an island called bas , bordering upon lathaien in scotland , unto which there resort a multitude of sea fowls , especially of soland geese , which bring with them such abundance of fish , that , as it is reported , an hundred souldiers that lay there in garrison for defence of the place , fed upon no other meat , but the fish that was thus brought to them : and the said fowls also bring such a number of sticks , and twigs , wherewith to build their nests , that thereby the inhabitants are also abundantly provided of fewel for the fire : and such a mighty gain is made of their feathers , and oil , that no man would scarcely beleeve it , but he that hath seen it . camb. brit. of scotland . p. , . . in magallanes voyage about the world , the king of the island of bacchian sent the king of spain two dead birds of a strange shape : they were as big as turtle-doves , with little heads , and long bills , long small legs , and no wings , but in-stead thereof certain long feathers of divers colours , and tails like turtle-doves : all their other feathers were of a tawny colour ; they flye not , but when the wind blows ; and they call them birds of god. pur. pil v. . p. . . in sofala in the east-indies is a kinde of bird called minga , green , and yellow , very fair , about the bigness of a pigeon , which never treads on the ground , their feet being so short , that they can scarce be discerned : they settle on trees , of the fruit whereof they live : when they drink , they flye on the tops of the water ; and if they fall on the ground , they cannot rise again ; their flesh is fat and savoury . idem . p. . chap. vi. the wonderful works of god in the creatures . of strange beasts , and serpents . . whilst sir thomas row , our english ambassador , was at the great moguls court , he saw many stately elephants brought before the emperour : some of which being lord-elephants ( as they called them ) had their chain bells , and furniture of gold , and silver , each of them having eight , or ten other elephants waiting on him : they were some twelve companies in all , and as they passed by , they all bowed down before the king very handsomely . pur. pil. v. . p. . . though these elephants be the largest of all beasts , yet are they very tractable , unless at such times when they are mad through lust : some of them are thirteen , and some fifteen foot high ; their colour is usually black , their skins thick , and smooth without hair ; they delight much to bathe themselves in water , and are excellent swimmers , their pace is about three miles an hour ; of all beasts they are most sure of foot , so that they never stumble , or fall to indanger their rider : they lye down , and rise again at pleasure , as other beasts do ; they are most docible creatures , doing almost whatsoever their keeper commands them . if he bid one of them affright a man , he will make towards him , as he would tread him in pieces ; and yet when he comes at him , do him no hurt : if he bid him abuse , or disgrace a man , he will take dirt , or kennel-water in his trunk , and dash it in his face , &c. their trunks are long , grissely snouts hanging down betwixt their teeth , which ( as a hand ) they make use of upon all occasions . some elephants the great mogul keeps for execution of malefactors ; who being brought to suffer death by that mighty beast , if the keeper bid him dispatch the offender presently , he will immediately with his foot pash him in peeces : if he bid him torture him slowly , he will break his joynts by degrees one after another , as men are broken upon the wheel . . an english merchant of good credit being at adsmeer ( a city where the great mogul then was ) saw a great elephant daily brought through the market-place , where an hearb-woman used to give him an handful of hearbs as he passed by . this elephant afterwards being mad ; brake his chains , and took his way through the market-place ; the people being affrighted , hasted to secure themselves , amongst whom was this hearb-woman , who through fear , and haste , forgat her little childe . the elephant comming to the place where she usually sate , stopt , and seeing a child lye about her hearbs , took it up gently with his trunk , and without harm , laid it upon a stall hard by , and then proceeded in his furious course . idem . p. . the males testicles lie about his forehead : the females teates are betwixt her fore-legs ; they carry their young two years in their wombs : conceive but once in seven years : they are thirty years before they come to their full growth , and fulfil the accustomed age of a man before they die . . as pyrrus king of epyrus was assaulting the city of argos , one of his elephants called nicon . i. e. conquering , being entred the city , perceiving that his governour was stricken down to the ground from his back with terrible blows ; ran upon them that came back upon him , overthrowing friends , and foes , one in anothers neck , till at length , having found the body of his slain master , he lift him up from the ground with his trunk , and carrying him upon his two tushes ; returned back with great fury , treading all under feet whom he found in his way . plut. in vita pyrri . . the lion hath the jackall for his usher , which is a litle black , shag-haired beast , of the bigness of a spaniel , which when the evening comes , hunts for his prey , and comming on the foot , follows the scent with open crye : to which the lion as chief hunt gives diligent ear , following for his advantage : if the jackall set up his chase before the lion comes in , he howles out mainly , and then the lion seizeth on it , making a grumbling noise , whilst his servant stands by barking , and when the lyon hath done , the jackal feeds on the relicks idem . p. . see more afterwards , example seventeen . . the panther hath a very sweet smell , so that other beasts are much taken therewith , but they are terrified with the ugly deformity of his face ; and therefore as he goes he hides that part between his legs , and will not look towards them till he hath gotten them within his compasse , which when he hath done , he devours them without mercy : so deals the devil with wicked men , strewing their way to hell with variety of worldly delights , and profits ( the thorns of affliction must not touch their flesh , nor hells terrors come within their thoughts ) till he hath made them past feeling , then he devours them . plin. nat . hist. l. c. . . the rhynoceros is so called because of the horn in his nose : he is a large beast , as big as our fairest oxe in england : his skin lyeth plated , and as it were in wrinkles upon his back : their horn , teeth , claws , yea flesh , and blood , are good against poyson , which , as is conceived , proceeds from the herbs which they feed on in bengala , where are most store of them . . the camelopardalus is the highest of beasts , so that a man on horseback may ride upright under his belly , his neck is long , so that he usually feedeth upon the leaves of trees : his colour is white and speckled , his hinder legs are shorter than his former , so that he cannot graze but with difficulty . p. pil. p. . he is also called a jaraff . . in india is a certain beast called a buffelo , which is very large , hath a thick and smooth skin , but without hair : she gives good milk , and her flesh is like beefe . idem . p. . . in the same country also are certain wild goats , whose horns are good against poison , pur. pil. p. . . in the country of indostan in the east-indies , are large white apes , as big as our grey-hounds , which will eat young birds , whereupon nature hath taught their dams this subtilty : they build their nests on the utmost bowes at the end of slender twigs : where they hang them like purse-nets to which the apes cannot possibly come : yet many times with their hands they will shake those boughs till the nests break , and fall down , and then they will devour them . pur. pilgrimage p. . . the camelion is of the shape , and bigness of a lizzard , it is a deformed lean , and crooked creature , having a long and slender tail , like a mouse , and is of a slow pace . it lives only upon flys . it changeth colours according to the variety of places where it comes . it is a great enemy to venemous serpents ; for when it sees any lie sleeping under a tree , it gets upon a bough just over the serpents head , & voideth out of its mouth , as it were a long thred of spittle , with around drop hanging at the end , which falling on the serpents head , immediately kills him p. pil. p. . . there was lately found in catalunia , in the mountains of cerdania , a certain monster , that had humane shape as far as the waste , and downwards it was like a satyre : he had many heads , arms , & eyes , and a mouth of extraordinary bigness , wherewith he made a noise like a bull : his picture was sent by don john of austria ( now governour of the low countrys ) to the king of spain , and afterwards many coppies thereof were drawn , and sent abroad by ambassadors , and other persons to several princes , and states in europe . hist. of this iron age . . in brasile is a certain beast called a tamandua or ant-bear of the bignesse of a great dog , more round than long , and the tail above twice so long as the body , and so full of hair that under it he shelters himself from rain , heat , cold , and wind . his head is small ; and hath a thin snout : his mouth round , with a tongue three quarters of a yard long : he is diligent in seeking ant-hills , which he teareth with his claws , and then thrusts in his long tongue , upon which the ants run , and when it is full , he licks them in ; and this is all his food . pur. pil. v. . p. . . the armadillo is of the bignesse of a pig , and of a white colour : it hath a long snout , and the body is covered with shels like plates , wherewith they are armed : for they are so hard that no arrow will pierce them except in the flanks , where they are softer : their flesh is good to eat , they dig holes in the ground with their snouts , in which they lye . idem . . the porcupine hath bristles , or quils , white and black , of a span and an half long , which they can cast : and they have this quality , that where one of these bristles enters into the flesh , if it be not pulled out presently , it will work it selfe quite through ; they are of a good flesh , and taste . . the civet-cat exceeds the castor for bignesse , her head is little , her eyes clear ; hath a long muzzle ; sharp , and offensive teeth . her hair is parti-coloured , harsh , and bristley , yellow above , and whiter downwards ; the pocket wherein the civet is bred is neer the genitory , which is taken forth with a spoon or stick ; but when she is wild , she casts it forth of her own accord , and by the scent it is found by the passengers . . the lyons in affrick , are more fierce than in colder countryes ; here was one of their skins brought into england , which from the snout to the top of the tail , contained one and twenty foot in length . they engender backwards as do camels , elephants , rhinoceroses , ounces , and tygers . they spare such men as prostrate themselves to them , and prey rather upon men than women , and not at all on infants , except compelled by hunger . his tail is his scepter , by which he expresses his passion . he shrinks not at danger , except some covert of woods hides him from witnesses , and then he will take the benefit of flight , which otherwise he seems to disdain . . the hyaena hath no joints in her neck , and therefore stirs not her neck , but with the bending of her whole body . she hath one continued tooth through her whole mouth . . in africk are many wild asses , whereof one male hath many females , and he is so jealous , that he bites off the stones of the young males , if the suspicious female prevent him not by bringing forth in a close place . . the dabuh is a simple creature , like to a wolf , but that his legs and feet are like to a mans , they which know his haunt , with a taber , & singing , will bring him out of his den , and captivate his ears with their musick , whilst another captivateth his legs with a rope . . the zebra is a very beautiful creature , resembling a curiously shaped horse , but not all out so swift , all over-laid with party coloured laces , and guards , from head to tail . . in sofala there is a certain creature called inhazaras as big as a hog , & somewhat like , with thin black hair , having on his hinder feet five fingers like unto a mans , and four on his forefeet ; they live meerly upon ants , by thursting their tongues which are two spans and an half long into an ant-hil , whereon the ants running , they pull them into their mouths , and so eat them : some call them ant-bears . pur. pil. . there is in affrica a certain monster called pongo , in the whole proportion like unto a man , but that it is bigger . it hath a mans face , hollow eyes , long hair upon the brows , his face and ears being without hair : but his body is all hairy of a dunish colour , &c. he differs from a man only in his legs , which have no calves : he goes alwayes upright upon his legs , and he carries his hands clasped in the nape of his neck , when he walkes upon the ground : they use to sleep in trees , and live upon fruits and nuts . idem . v. . p. . . in congo there is a strange creature as big as a ram , that hath wings like a dragon , a long tail , and great chaps , with diverse rows of teeth : they feed upon raw flesh . idem . p. . . in affrica there is a beast called a dabuk , in bignesse and shape , resembling a wolf , saving that his legs & feet are like a mans . he useth to take dead men out of their graves , and eat them . idem . p. . . in the kingom of mexico there are kine , with bunches on their backs , about the bigness of our bulls , having little horns , and more hair on their foreparts than behind , which is like wooll : on the back-bone they have maines like horses , and long hair from their knees downward , with much long hair on their throats : they are meat , drink , shooes , houses , fire , vessels , and their masters whole substance . . other creatures there are as big as horses , which the spaniards for their fine wooll call sheep : one of their horns usually weigheth fifty pounds . p. pil. v. . p. . . in virginia is a beast called a possown , the female whereof hath a bag under her belly , from whence she letteth forth her young ones , and taketh them in again at her pleasure . idem . p. . . in socotera are sheep , whose tails weigh twenty eight pounds a peece , which therefore are usually cut off from the ewes , least they should hinder their breeding . . in the great mogols countrey there are asses with horns , whereof they make diverse sorts of drinking cups , of excellent vertue . some judging them to be the right unicorns horn . idem . p. . . most certain it is , that the irish cows will not give down their milk , unless their own calves be set by their sides , either alive , or else the skin of the dead calf must be stuffed with straw , and set by them . camb. brit. of ireland . p. . . in the island of orknay the ewes are of such fecundity , that they bring forth constantly two , and many times three lambs a peece ; there be neither ravenous nor venemous creatures there ; nor if transported thither , will they live in that island . description of scotl. . there are three sorts of camels : the first sort are gross , and tall of stature : these will usually carry one thousand pound weight a peece ; when they are to be loaden , being beaten on the knees , and neck with a cudgel , they will kneel down ; and when they feel their load sufficient , they will rise up again of themselves . the second sort of them have two bunches on their backs , and are fit either for burthen , or to ride on . the third sort are of a slender , and low stature , called dromedaries , unfit for burthens , but they excel in swiftness , so that in the space of one day they will travel one hundred miles , and will so continue for eight , or ten dayes together , with very little provender ; and they will abstain from drink , eight , ten , and sometimes fifteen dayes together , without any inconvenience , as they travel through the deserts . . musk is taken from a little reddish beast , that they beat with many blows in one place , that so the blood may gather into it : and when the skin is by this means swoln , and full of blood , they bind it strait , that the blood may not issue forth , and being put into one , or more bladders , its dryed on the beasts back , till the bladder fall off of it self ; and so that blood after a month becomes excellent musk . pur. pil. v. . p. . . amongst the blackmoors , there is a strange beast called a carbuncle , which is seen only by night , having a stone in his forehead that shineth incredibly , and giving him light whereby to feed : but when he hears the lest noise , he presently lets fall over it a skin , which he hath as a natural covering , least his splendor should betray him . pur. pil. v. . p. . . in abassia are kine with horns like unto harts-horns : others there be that have but one horn in the midst of their foreheads of about a span and an half long , turning upward . pur. pil. v. . p. . . there is in the country of mexico a kinde of sheep , which all things considered , is a beast of the greatest profit , and least charge that is : for from them they draw meat and cloathing : they use them also to carry all their burthens , having need neither of shooes nor saddles , nor yet of oats , so that they serve their masters for nought , feeding only on grass which they find in the fields : there are two kinds of these creatures , the one bearing wooll , the other are bare , which are the better for burthen ; they are bigger than great sheep , and less than calves ; they have long necks like a cammel . they are of divers colours , some white , some black , and others grey , or spotted ; their flesh is good meat , but that of their lambs is best : of their wooll the indians make cloath some courser , other finer like half-silk ; they also make carpets , and coverings , and other exquisite works of it , which last long , and have a very good gloss ; they die it into sundry colours : upon these the spaniards carry their bars of silver ; one of these sheep carrying about an hundred and fifty pound weight . . in the stomach , or belly of this beast , is found the bezar's stone ; sometimes one alone , sometimes two , three , or foure : they are different in form , greatness , and colour ; some like filbeards , others like walnuts : some as big as pigeons eggs , some as big as hens eggs : in form some are round , some oval , and of other formes . for their colour , some are black , some white , some grey , dark green , and some as if they had been gilded : they are all made of divers filmes , and skins one upon another . p. pil. v. . p. . . there is in italy the tarantula ( a kind of serpent ) the venome whereof hath such an operation , that whosoever is stung with it , falleth a dancing , and capering , and nothing can allay it but musick . raimunds mercu. ital. examples of dogs love to their masters . . when the athenians quit their city , and betook themselves to sea , upon xerxes his invasion of greece , xantippus the father of pericles had a dog , which for sorrow that his master had left him behind him , cast himself after him into the sea , swimming still by the gallies side wherein his master was , till he came to the isle of salamina , where so soon as the poor cur landed , his breath failed him , and he dyed presently . plut in vita themist . chap. vii . admirable works done by the art of man. . protogenes the rhodian , an exquisite painter , bestowed seven years in drawing a most curious picture , which when apelles beheld , he stood amazed at the excellency of the workmanship , so that for a while he could not speak , but afterwards he said , this is an admirable work , and of huge labour , yet he wants an orator to extol his workmanship to the skies . when king demetrius besiedged the city of rhodes , he took the suburbs , and in them this picture , whereupon the citizens sent to him , requesting him not to deface it ; to whom he answered , that he would sooner burn the picture of his father , than hurt a peece of such admirable workmanship . diod. sic. plut. glasses malleable . . anno christi . amongst other rare presents sent from the sophy of persia , to the king of spain , were six drinking glasses so exquisitely tempered , that they could not be broken . turk . hist. p. . stone-henge described . . about six miles from salisbury , upon the plains , is to be seen a huge , and monstrous peece of work , such as cicero calleth insanam substructionem . for within the circuit of a ditch , there are erected in the manner of a crown , in three ranks , or courses , one whithin another , certain mighty , and unwrought stones , whereof some are twenty eight foot high , and seven broad ; upon the heads of which , others like overtwhart peeces do bear , and rest cross-wise with tenents , and mortesses , so as the whole frame seemeth to hang , whereof it s commonly called stone-henge . camb. brit. . in westmerland hard by shape , there be hung stones in form of pyramids , some of them nine foot high , and fourteen foot thick , ranged directly as it were in a row for a mile in length , with equal distance almost between them . camb. brit. p. . mausolus his tombe described . . artimesia queen of halicarnassus , when her husband mausolus dyed , built him a stately tomb , accounted for the rare workmanship , and costly magnificence one of the worlds wonders . it was five and twenty cubits high , and supported with six and thirty curious pillars , of which martial thus writeth : are nam vacuo pendentia mausolaea , laudibus immodicis cares ad astra ferunt . the mausolaea hanging in the skie , the men of caria's praises deifie . . when sir thomas row was ambassador there , the great mogul built a stately monument for his father : it was about twenty years in building , and three thousand men working daily at it : it was built square , three quarters of a mile in compass : it was made with seven heights one above another , and each narrower than other , till you come to the top where the herse is : at the outward gate is a most stately palace , and gardens walled about , at least three miles in compass ; all built at a vast charge . pur. pil. p. . . mr. herbert , who saw it afterwards , thus describes it . it consists ( saith he ) of four large squares , each about three hundred paces long , the matter is freestone polished , having at each angle , a small tower of party coloured marble . ten foot higher is another tarras , on each side beautified with three such towers . the third gallery hath two towers , on each side . the fourth , one . the fifth , half , and a small square gallery mounting to a royal pyree , within which is the mummy of ecbar ; bedded in a coffin of pure gold. the whole structure is built in the midst of a spacious and curious garden , surrounded with a wall of red stone , and planted with beautiful and odoriferous flowers . porsennah's tomb described . porsenna king of hetruria● , not far from the city of clusium , built for himself a monument of square stone , each side of it was three hundred foot broad , and fifty foot high ; within which square basis , there was an inextricable labyrinth , into which whosoever adventured without a clue , could find no passage out . upon this square he erected five pyramids , four in the corners , and one in the midst ; in the bottom they were seventy five foot broad , and each of them one hundred and fifty foot high , on the top was one brass circle , and covering for them all , from which there hung bells fastened with chains , which being moved with the winde , gave a sound a far off : upon this brazen circle stood other four pyramids , each of them one hundred foot high ; and upon them ( being covered with another plain ) were again erected five other pyramids , the height whereof my author was ashamed to name : so foolishly did he waste the wealth of his kingdom , that in the end the commendation of the artificer should be the greatest . pliny out of varro ; and greaves out of him . . in the great moguls country , from agra to lahar ( which are the two chief cities in this empire ) is about four hundred english miles : the country in all that distant , being even without mountains or hills : and the high-way betwixt them , is planted on both sides with trees , like unto a delicate walk . p. pil. v. . p. . the trees are mulberry-trees . and in all this way , ever and anon , are inns built by several kings , and great men , for the entertainment of strangers : in which you may have a chamber for your self , room for your hourse , and horse-meat , but little for your servant : when a man hath taken up his lodging , no other may dispossess him . in the morning about break a day , all make ready to depart , at which time the gates are opened , and none suffered to depart sooner for fear of theeves . p. . the first invention of printing . . laurence jans , a rich citizen of harlem in the low-countries , walking forth one day into the neighbouring woods for recreation , began to cut in pieces of wood the letters of his name , printing them on the back of his hand ; which pleasing him well , he cut three or four lines which he beat with ink , and printed them upon paper , wherewith he much joyed , and determined to find out another kind of ink more fastening , and holding , and so with his kinsman thomas peterse , found out another way to print whole sheets , but of one side only , which are yet to be seen in the said town : afterwards he changed his letters of wood into lead , and after that into tin , and so by degrees this famous art of printing grew to perfection . belg. common-wealth . p. . . some say that john guttenburg of strasburg , was the first inventer of it , anno christi . in which city he first practised it , and removing from thence to mentz , there perfected it . they say that tullies offices was the first book that ever was printed . p. ramus schol. math. l. . . it doth with wonderful celerity convey learning from one country , and age , to another . imprimit ille die , quantum vix scribitur anno . the most famous printers were . . aldus manutius , and after him paulus his son in venice . in france , crispinus , henry stevens , father to charles ; and charles to robert ; robert to henry , and henry to paul , all printers . . christopher plantine of antwerp , was a most famous and learned printer . . frobenius , that was erasmus his faithful printer . . daniel bombergus , an excellent printer of the hebrew bible , and many other hebrew books , &c. the first invention of guns . . a german fryer of the order of st. francis , called bertholdus swart , being very studious of chymistry , as he was one evening ( for the finding out of some experiment ) very busie in tempering brimstone , sulphureous powder of dryed earth , and certain other ingredients in a morter , which he covered with a stone : when it grew dark , he took his tinder-box to light him a candle , a sparke whereof by chance flying into the mortar , caught hold of the brimstone , and salt-peter , and firing , with a sudden flash blew up the stone . the cunning chymist gues●ng what it was which wrought this effect , never left till he found out the certainty , and then taking an iron pipe , he crammed it full of the same ingredient , together with some stones , and so putting fire to it , he saw that with great fury , and noise it discharged it self : soon after which , he communicated this his invention to the venetians , who , having been often vanquished by the genowayes , did by the help of these bombards , or guns , give them a notable discomfiture . anno christi . bucholtz . . at middleburg in zealand , in the steeple of the abby-church , there is a bell of eighteen thousand weight to strike the hours on , and twenty four small ones which serve for the chymes . belg. common-wealth . p. . a description of the situation of utrecht in the low-countries . utrecht in the low-countries , is so situated , that one may go to what town he please of fifty , that lye round about it in one day . and in a summers day , if one go early from utrecht , he may dine at any one of twenty six towns , where he pleaseth , and return to his own house to supper . idem . p. . trajan built a bridge over the river ister , or danow , containing twenty arches , each arch being one hundred and fifty foot high , sixty thick , and one hundred and seventy foot distant one from another : so that the whole length of it was four thousand seven hundred and seventy foot , which was almost a mile long . the river was very deep , and swift , and the bottom not firm ground , neither could the stream be diverted any other way ; all which made the work far more difficult , and admirable . ancus martius , the fourth king of rome , built a wooden bridge over the river tybur , yet without nails , or pins , so that in times of war it might be taken down : afterwards aemilius the consul built it of stone : and lastly antoninus pius the emperour built it of marble . finis . soli deo gloria . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e trees , fowles beasts fishes plants , fruits , and herbs , virginia's situation . their summers and winters . the natives described . their apparel . habitations and houses . their lodging and beds . their child-birth and children . women laborious and men idle . their several diets . their bows and arrows . their weapons in war. the fishing boats , and furniture . their huntings . their wars . their musick . their trading . their religion . their sepulchers , and burials . their mournings : the priests attire . their civil government . the kings women and attendants . their goverment by customs . of the plantation of the english. elks fruitfulness of the deer . their beasts and fowles ▪ their fish. their fruits . the qualities of the natives . their priests . their government . the countrey described . strange beasts . their hawks and other fowl. birds and fish. bermudas city . powhatans daughter converted baptized and married . she comes into england . her death . vrginia divided . how governed : persons sent over . commodities , their iron , pot , and sope ashes pitch and tar. timber . silk . vines . salt. gifts to the plantation . persons sent over . gifts to promote the plantation . notes for div a -e the nature of its soil . the temperature of the air . it s fertility . their summers , and winters . no venomous creature there . fish fowl trees and plants . tortoises or turtles described . the prickl pear . fowls and birds . plants . things offensive . their number & bigness . whale-fight . strange birds . rat-plague palm trees . shel-fish . other fish birds . more planters sent over . of governours . notes for div a -e the good god , how they increase the priests . their government . they maintain their kings . their charity . their burials , and mournings their behaviour . their names of their marriages , their women . their modesty . their justice punishments . their integrity . their language . their chonicles . notes for div a -e barbadoes first discovered . hoggs found there . hunted by the indians . fine pots . the first painters . indico planted . cotton , and fustick . sugar canes planted . the scituation of the island . the chief towns unhealthful . the baies . the bigness of the island . ils beauty the length of the days the temperature . diseases , the moistness of the air . a want of water . the only river or lake . excellent lobsters . their ponds . speedy warning of dangers bread of c●ssury . how it s made . bread of maise , and cussary together . lob-lolly potatoes used for bread. their drink mobby , how made . perino how made . grippo . punch . plantane drink . kill-devil . beveridge pine-drink the best of all . hogs flesh . beef . turkies . pullin , and muscovy ducks . turtle doves . pidgeons . rabbets . several sorts of fish . the green turtle . quasquechoses . flesh and fish. the negroes alowance . an inland feast . a feast near the sea. merchandize imported and exported . timber trees . locusts . mastick trees . bully trees . red wood yellow wood . cedars iron-wood . stone for buildings . of their servants and slaves . how their servants are used . dreadful fire . how quenched . of the negroes . their chastiy . their jealousie . of their easie travel dancing . the funerals , and physick . negro . maids and wives . indians . camels . horses . bulls and cows . asinegoes . hoggs . sheep . goats . birds and fowls . buzzards . turtle doves . thrush . blackbirds stares . counsellers . the humming bird. teals , oxen , kine : a man of wyr . snakes . scorpious lizzards . cochoaches . the muskitoes . merriwings . caterpillars . other flies . ants and pismires . ants. spiders . negroes . crickets . crabs . the physick nut. the poison tree . a mantionel tree . cussavy . coloquintida . cassia fistula . a strange tamarine trees . palm-trees figg trees . cherry-trees . citron trees . orange trees . limon trees . lime-trees prickled apple trees . prickled pear-trees . pomgranate trees papa-trees gnaver trees . coco-trees custard-apple trees mucow trees . date trees , mungrave trees . calibash trees . bay-trees . cedar mastick trees . bully trees , red-wood trees . prickled yellow wood . iron wood. lignum vitae . locust trees , bastard locust trees . palmeto trees . palms to royal trees . plantanes . wild plantanes . tanes . bonanoes . sugar . canes . old wit hs . aloes . a briefe relation of the discouery and plantation of nevv england and of sundry accidents therein occurring, from the yeere of our lord m.dc.vii. to this present m.dc.xxii. together with the state thereof as now it standeth; the generall forme of gouernment intended; and the diuision of the whole territorie into counties, baronries, &c. council for new england. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a briefe relation of the discouery and plantation of nevv england and of sundry accidents therein occurring, from the yeere of our lord m.dc.vii. to this present m.dc.xxii. together with the state thereof as now it standeth; the generall forme of gouernment intended; and the diuision of the whole territorie into counties, baronries, &c. council for new england. [ ] p. printed by iohn haviland, and are to be sold by william bladen, london : m.dc.xxii. [ ] dedication signed: the president and councell for the affaires of nevv-england. signatures: a-e⁴. the first leaf is and the last leaf are blank. running title reads: the discouery and plantation of nevv england. on a r, "highnesse" appears in large capitals. variant: quire a partly in an earlier setting; "highnesse" in upper- and lowercase, "sir" stamped by hand at head of text, dedication signed "the president and councell of nevv-england". reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng plymouth company -- early works to . new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - celeste ng sampled and proofread - celeste ng text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a briefe relation of the discovery and plantation of new england : and of svndry accidents therein occvrring , from the yeere of our lord m. dc . vii . to this present m. dc . xxii . together with the state thereof as now it standeth ; the generall forme of gouernment intended ; and the diuision of the whole territorie into counties , baronries , &c. london , printed by john haviland , and are to be sold by william bladen , m. dc . xxii . to the prince his highnesse . sir as you are the height of our hopes and blessednesse , next after your royall father our lord and soueraigne : so , next vnto his maiesty , are wee bound to dedicate our best endeuours to your princely seruice . and for the subiect of this relation , as your highnesse hath beene pleased to doe it the honour , by giuing it the name of new-england ; and by your highnesse most fauourable encouragement , to continue the same in life and being : so ought we to render an accompt of our proceedings , from the root thereof vnto the present growth it hath : which summarily is here done . if it shall appeare naked ( as in truth it is ) wee beseech your highnesse to receiue it so much the rather for the truths sake , and with your bounty and grace to shelter it from the storms & tempests of malice and enuy , by which it hath been heretofore dispoyled of that goodly ornament it might haue had by this time . it is now almost able to comfort it selfe , and there is no question but by the light of your countenance , it will speedily grew , both to serue his maiesty with honour and profit , and multiply the same seruice to your highnesse in time to come , as a tribute due for the grace it receiues , by the blessings of a long peace and prosperity that our nation enioyes vnder the raigne of his sacred maiestie , through which we haue the easier passage to aduance the crosse of christ in heathen parts , and to display his banner in the head of his armie against infernall spirits , which haue so long kept those poore distressed creatures ( the inhabitants of those parts ) in bondage , whose posteritie will for euer blesse the time , that the issue of your royall ancestors , sprung from so emperiall branches , should be the meanes to vnite the diuided crownes in one , whereby the generous spirits of both nations , may haue the fairer opportunity to procure their liberties . if your highnesse accept of what is past , we will hope of happinesse to ensue ; and howsoeuer , pray that all encrease of honour in this world , and all heauenly blessings in the world to come , may light vpon your highness as best be●omes those that are your highnesse humble seruants , the president and councell of nevv-england . a briefe relation of the discovery and plantation of new england . although it bee a course , farre from the minde of vs , that are vndertakers for the aduancement of the plantation of new-england , to seeke by any vaine ostentation to extoll our owne endeuours : yet we cannot but striue to vindicate our reputation from the iniurious aspersions that haue beene laid vpon it , by the malicious practises of some that would aduenture nothing in the beginning , but would now reape the benefit of our paines and charges , and yet not seeme beholding to vs ; and to that end they disualew what is past , and by sinister informations derogate what they can from the present courie intended : the rather because the good orders appointed to bee put in execution there , are likely to restraine the licentious irregularitie of other places . and this hath induced vs to publish our proceedings , whereunto it hath pleased god to giue a blessing : as to any of indifferent iudgement may appeare by that which followeth . vvhen this designe was first attempted , some of the present company were therein chiefly interessed ; who being carefull to haue the same accomplished , did send to the discouery of those northerne parts a braue gentleman , captaine henry challons , with two of the natiues of that territory , the one called maneday , the other assecomet . but his misfortunes did expose him to the power of certaine strangers , enemies to his proceedings , so that by them , his company were seized , the ships and goods confiscated , and that voyage wholly ouerthrowne . this losse , & vnfortunate beginning , did much abate the rising courage of the first aduenturers ; but immediately vpon his departure , it pleased the noble lord chiefe iustice , sir iohn popham knight , to send out another ship , wherein captain thomas haman went commander , & marti ne prinne of bristow master , with all necessarie supplies , for the seconding of captaine challons and his people ; who arriuing at the place appointed , and not finding that captaine there , after they had made some discouery , and found the coasts , hauens , and harbors answerable to our desires , they returned . vpon whose relation the lord chiefe iustice , and wee all waxed so confide nt of the businesse , that the yeere following euerie man of any worth , formerly interessed in it , was willing to ioyne in the charge for the sending ouer a competent number of people to lay the ground of a hopefull plantation . here upon captaine popham , captaine rawley gilbert , and others were sent away with two ships , and an hundred landmen , ordnance , and other prouisions necessarie for their sustentation and defence ; vntill other supply might bee sent . in the meane while , before they could returne , it pleased god to take from vs this worthy member , the lord chiefe iustice , whose sudden death did so astonish the hearts of the most part of the aduenturers , as some grew cold , and some did wholly abandon the businesse . yet sir francis popham his sonne , certaine of his priuate friends , and other of vs , omitted not the next yeare ( holding on our first resolution ) to ioyne in sending forth a new supply , which was accordingly performed . but the ships arriuing there , did not only bring vncomfortable newes of the death of the lord chiefe iustice , together with the death of sir iohn gilbert , the elder brother vnto captaine rawley gilbert , who at that time was president of that councell : but found that the old captaine popham was also dead ; who was the onely man ( indeed ) that died there that winter , wherein they indured the greater extremities ; for that , in the depth thereof , their lodgings and stores were burnt , and they thereby wondrously distressed . this calamitie and euill newes , together with the resolution that captaine gilbert was forced to take for his owne returne , ( in that hee was to suceed his brother , in the inheritance of his lands in england ) made the whole company to resolue vpon nothing but their returne with the ships ; and for that present to leaue the countrey againe , hauing in the time of their abode there ( notwithstanding the coldnesse of the season , and the small helpe they had ) built a prettie barke of their owne , which serued them to good purpose , as easing them in their returning . the arriuall of these people heere in england , was a wonderfull discouragement to all the first vndertakers , in so much as there was no more speech of setling any other plantation in those parts for a long time after : only sir francis popham hauing the ships and prouision , which remained of the company , and supplying what was necessary for his purpose , sent diuers times to the coasts for trade and fishing ; of whose losse or gaines himselfe is best able to giue account . our people abandoning the plantation in this sort as you haue heard ; the frenchmen immediately tooke the opportunitie to settle themselues within our limits ; which being heard of by those of virginia , that discreetly tooke to their consideration the inconueniences that might arise , by suffering them to harbour there , they dispatched sir samuel argall , with commission to displace them , which hee performed with much discretion , iudgement , valour , and dexteritie . for hauing seized their forts , which they had built at mount mansell , saint croix , and port reall , he carryed away their ordnance , hee also surprised their ship , cattle , and other prouisions , which hee transported to the collonie in virginia , to their great benefit . and hereby he hath made a way for the present hopefull plantation to bee made in noua-scotia , which we heare his maiestie hath lately granted to sir william alexander knight , one of his maiesties most honourable councell of the kingdome of scotland , to bee held of the said crowne , and that not without some of our priuities , as by approbation vnder writing may and doth appeare . whereby it is manifest that wee are so farre from making a monopoly of all those lands belonging to that coast ( as hath beene scandalously by some obiected ) that we wish that many would vndertake the like . in this interim there were of vs who apprehenedd better hopes of good that might ensue by this attempt , being thereunto perswaded , both by the relations of our people that had indured the many difficulties whereunto such actions are subiected chiefly in the winter season ; and likewise by the informations giuen them by certaine of the natiues , that had beene kept a long time in their hands ; wherefore we resolued once more to trie the veritie thereof , and to see if possibly we might finde something that might induce a fresh resolution to prosecute a worke so pious and so honourable . and thereupon they dispatched captaine hobson , of the i le of wight , together with captaine herley , master iohn matthew , master sturton , with two saluages , the one called epenow , the other manawet , with commission and directions fit for them to obserue and follow , the better to bring to passe what was expected . but as in all humane affaires , there is nothing more certaine , then the vncertaintie thereof ; so fell it out in this ; for a little before such time as they arriued vpon the coast with the foresaid sauages , who were naturalls of those parts , it happened there had beene one hunt ( a worthlesse fellow of our nation ( set out by certaine merchants for loue of gaine ; who ( not content with the commoditie he had by the fish , and peaceable trade he found among the sauages ) after hee irad made his dispatch , and was ready to set sayle , ( more sauage-like then they ) seized vpon the poore innocent creatures , that in confidence of his honestie had put themselues into his hands . and stowing them vnder hatches , to the number of twenty foure , carried them into the straights , where hee sought to sell them for flaues , and sold as many as he could get money for . but when it was vnderstood from whence they were brought , the friers of those parts tooke the rest from them , and kept them to be instructed in the christian faith , and so disappointed this vnworthy fellow of the hopes of gaine he conceiued to make by this new & diuellish proiect . this being knowne by our two saluages , formerly spoken of , they presently contracted such an hatred against our whole nation , as they immediatly studied how to be reuenged ; and contriued with their friends the best meanes to bring it to passe ; but manawet dying in a short time after the ships arriuall there , and the other obseruing the good order , and strong guard our people kept , studied only how to free himselfe out of our hands , and thereupon laid the plot very orderly , and indeed effected his purpose , although with so great hazard to himselfe and friends , that laboured his rescue , that captaine hobson and his whole company imagined he had beene slaine . and though in the recouery of his body they wounded the master of our ship , and diuers other of our company , yet was not their designe without the slaughter of some of their people , and the hurts of other , compassed , as appeared afterward . hereupon captaine hobson and his companie , conceiuing the end of their attempt to bee frustrate , resolued without more adoe to returne , and so those hopes , that charge and voyage was lost also , for they brought home nothing but the newes of their euill successe , of the vnfortunate cause thereof , and of a warre now new begunne betweene the inhabitants of those parts , and vs. a miserable comfort for so weake meanes as were now left , to pursue the conclusion of so tedious an enterprise . while this was a working , wee found the meanes to send out captainer iohn smith from plymouth , in a ship , together with master darmer and diuers others with him , to lay the foundation of a new plantation , and to try the fishing of that coast , and to seeke to settle a trade with the natiues : but such was his misfortune , as being scarce free of our owne coast , he had his masts shaken ouer boord by stormes and tempasts , his ship wonderfully distressed , and in that extremity forced to come backe againe ; so as the season of the yeere being almost spent , we were of necessitie enforced to furnish him with another ship , and taking out the prouision of the first , dispatched him away againe , who comming to the height of the westerne islands , was chased by a french pirate , and by him made prisoner , although his ship in the night escaped away , and returned home with the losse of much of her prouision , and the ouerthrow of that voyage , to the ruine of that poore gentleman captaine smith , who was detained prisoner by them , and forced to suffer many extremities , before hee got free of his troubles . notwithstanding these disasters , it pleased god so to worke for our incouragement againe , as hee sent into our hands tasquantum , one of those saluages that formerly had beene betrayed by this vnworthy hunt before named , by whose meanes there was hope conceiued to worke a peace betweene vs , and his friends , they being the principall inhabitants of that coast , where the fire was kindled . but this saluage tasquantum , being at that time in the new-found land with captain mason gouernour there for the vndertakers of that plantation : master darmer ( who was there also , and sometimes before imployed as we haue said by vs , together with captaine iohn smith ) found the meanes to giue vs intelligence of him , and his opinion of the good vse that might be made of his imployment , with the readinesse of captaine mason , to further any of our attempts that way , either with boats or other prouision necessary , and resoluing himselfe to goe from thence , aduised vs to send some to meet with him , at our vsuall place of fishing , to aid him in his indeuour , that they ioyning together , might be able to doe what he hoped would be verie acceptable vnto all well wishers of that businesse . vpon this newes , we dispatched the next season captaine rocraft , with a company for that purpose , in hope to haue met with captaine darmer ; but the care and discretion of captaine mason was such , finding captaine darmers resolution to goe beyond his meanes , that hee perswaded him first to goe for england , that prouiding himselfe there , as was requisite , he might proceed in time expedient , which counsell he obserued ( as fit it was ) although our expectation of his ioyning with captaine rocraft was thereby disappointed . yet so it happened , that captaine rocraft at his arriuall in those parts , met with a french barke that lay in a creeke a fishing , and trading , which he seized on , and sent home the master and company in the same ship which he went out in . with this barke and his owne company , hee meant to keepe the coast that winter quarter , being very well fitted both with salt , and other necessaries for his turne : but as this was an act of extremity ( the poore man being of our owne religion ) so succeeded it accordingly . for in a short time after , certaine of this captaines company , conspired together to cut his throat , and to make themselues masters of the whole spoile , and so to seeke a new fortune where they could best make it . this conspiracie being discouered to the captaine , hee let it goe on , till the time that it should haue beene put in execution , when hee caught them in there owne traine , and so apprehended them in the very instant that they were purposed to beginne their massacre . but after he had preuented the mischiefe , and seized vpon the malefactors , hee tooke to his consideration what was best to be done with them . and beeing loth by himselfe to dispatch them as they deserued , he resolued to put them a shore , thinking by their hazard that it was possible they might discouer something , that might aduance the publike ; and so giuing them some armes for their defense , and some victuall for their sustentation , vntill they knew better how to prouide for themselues , he left them at a place called sawaguatock , where they remained not long , but got from thence to menehighon , an island lying some three leagues in the sea , and fifteene leagues from that place , where they remained all that winter , with bad lodging , and worse fare , yet came all safe home saue one sickly man , which dyed there , the rest returned with the ship wee sent for rocrafts supply and prouision , to make a fishing voyage . after these fellowes were landed , the captaine finding himselfe but weakely man'd , and his ship to draw too much water to coast those places , that by his instructions he was assigned to discouer , hee resolued to goe for virginia where he had liued a long time before , and had ( as hee conceiued ) many friends , that would helpe him with some things that he had occasion to vse . arriuing there , he was not deceiued of his expectation ; for sir samuel argall being their gouernour , and one that respected him much for his owne sake , was the readier to helpe him , in regard of the good hee ●●shed to the businesse wherein he was imployed . but all this could not preuaile , for after that sir samuell argall came from thence ( his departure being more suddaine then was expected ) it fell out that the new gouernour entred the harbour : and finding rocraft ready to bee gone , sent to him to command him to come aboord to speake with him , which he readily obeyed , assoone as he could fit his boat and men for that purpose . and so leauing his barke with her great anker a head , and taking with him the halfe of his company , hee was forced to stay aboard the new gouernours ship that night . in the meane while a storme arising , our barke wanting hands to doe their labour , droue a shoare , and there sunke . but yet the gouernour and captaine so laboured the next day , when they knew thereof , as that they freed her againe , but that occasion forced our captaine to stay so long in the countrey to fit himselfe anew , as in the interim a quarrell fell out betweene him and another of that place ; so as rocraft was slaine , and the barque sunke the second time , and finally disabled from yeelding vs any benefit to this present . but we not knowing this disaster , and captaine darmer arriuing with his saluage out of now-found-land , dispatched him away the next season , in a shippe we sent againe for the fishing businesse , and assigned him a company to ioyne with rocraft and his people . captaine darmer arriuing there , and not finding rocraft , was a little perplexed , and in doubt what to doe : yet hearing by those mutiners which he found there , that he was gone for virginia ; he was hopefull of his returne ; and liued in that expectation , till such time as he heard ( by a ship that came from thence to fish for the collony ) the confusion of his fortune , and the end of his misery in this world . then he determined to take the pinnace that the yeare before was assigned to rocraft for him to make the trade with , and with her to proceed on his designe , and so embarked himselfe , and his prouision and company in her . and leauing the fisher-men to their labour , he coasted the shore from thence , searching euery harbor , and compassing euery cape-land , till he arriued in virginia ; where he was in hope to meet with some of the prouision , or company of rocraft , to helpe to supply him of what he wanted ; as also to lay a decke vpon his pinnace , that before had not any , and now was taught by experience the necessitie of hauing that defect supplied . but those hopes failed him ( al being before that time ruined and dispersed ) so farre , as he saw it in vaine to hope for help by that means , and therfore attempted to make the best of what hee had of his owne . and going to set his men a worke , they all in a few dayes after their arriuall , fell sicke of a difease which hapned at that time in the country , so as now he was not onely forced to be without hope of their helping of him , but must labor himselfe all he could to attend and sustaine them ; but so god fauoured him , that they recouered , and in time conuenient he dispatched his businesse there , and put himselfe to sea againe , resoluing to accomplish in his iourney backe to new-england , what in his last discouery he had omitted . in his passage he met with certaine hollanders , who had a trade in hudsons riuer some yeares before that time , with whom he had conference about the state of that coast , and their proceedings with those people : whose answer gaue him good content . he betooke himselfe to the following of his businesse , discouering many goodly riuers , and exceeding pleasant , and fruitfull coasts , and islands , for the space of . leagues from east to west , for so that coast doth range along from hudsons riuer to cape iames. now after we had found by captaine rocrafts relation made the yeare before , the hopes he conceiued of the benefits that coast would afford , towards the vpholding of the charge for setling our plantation by reason of the commodities arising by fishing and furres , if a course might be taken for the mannaging of that businesse , as was fit for such a designe ; as well as for the aduancement of the publique good of our whole nation , and satisfac●●●n of euery well disposed person , that had a will to be interessed therein . it was held to be most conuenient to strengthen our selues by a new grant to be obtained from his royall maicstic : the rather , finding that those of virginia had by two seuerall patents setled their bounds , and excluded all from intermedling with them that were not free of their company ; and had wholly altered the forme of their gouernment , from the first ground layed for the managing the affaires of both collonies , leauing vs as desperate , and our businesse as abandoned . these considerations ( as is said ) together with the necessitie of setling our affaires , bounds and limits , distinct from theirs , made vs resolue to petition his maicstic for the renewing of our grant. by which time the rumour of our hopes was so publiquely spread abroad , and the commodities of the fish , and trade so looked into , as it was desired , that all that coast might be made free , as well to those of virginia , as to vs to make their commoditie : how iust or vniust that motion was , we will not argue , seeing the businesse is ended . by this meanes , our proceedings were interrupted , and we questioned about it ; first , by the counsell of virginia , whom we thought to haue benefully satisfied therein , before we could haue way giuen vs for a new patent , both parties hauing beene heard by certaine of the lords of the councell ; and the businesse by them so ordered , as we were directed to proceed and to haue our grant agreeable to the libertie of the virginia company , the frame of our gouernment excepted ; but this order not being liked of , it was againe heard & concluded . lastly , the patent being past the seale , it was stopt vpon new suggestions to the king , and by his maiestie referred to the councell to be setled , by whom the former orders were confirmed , the difference cleared , and we ordered to haue our patent deliuered vs. these disputes held vs almost two yeeres , so as all men were afraid to ioyne with vs , and we thereby left hopelesse of any thing more , than that which our owne fortunes would yeeld to aduance our proceedings , in which time so many accidents hapned vnto vs at home , and abroad , that wee were ●●ine to giue order by the ships we sent a fishing , for the retiring of master darmer , and his people , vntill all things were cleared , and we better prouided of meanes to goe through with our designe : but this worthy gentleman confident of the good likely to ensue , and resolutely resoluing to pursue the ends he aymed at , could not be perswaded to looke backe , as yet ; and so refusing to accept our offer , began againe to prosecute his discouery , wherein he was betrayed by certaine new saluages , who sodainly set vpon him , giuing him foureteene or fifteene wounds , but by his valour , and dexteritie of spirit he freed himselfe out of their hands , yet was constrained to retire into virginia again the second time , for the cure of his wounds , where he fell sicke of the infirmities of that place , and thereof dyed : so ended this worthie gentleman his dayes , after he had remained in the discouery of that coast two yeares , giuing vs good content in all hee vndertooke ; and after he had made the peace between vs and the saluages , that so much abhorred our nation , for the wrongs done them by others , as you haue heard : but the fruit of his labour in that behalfe we as yet receiue to our great commoditie , who haue a peaceable plantation at this present among them , where our people both prosper , and liue in good liking , and assurednesse of their neighbours , that had beene formerly so much exasperated against vs , as will more at large appeare hereafter . but hauing passed all these stormes abroad , and vndergone so many home-bred oppositions , and freed our parent , which we were by order of state assigned to renew , for the amendment of some defects therein contained , we were assured of this ground more boldly to proceed on than before ; and therefore we tooke first to consideration how to raise the meanes to aduance the plantation . in the examination thereof , two wayes did offer themselues : the one was the voluntary contribution of the patentees ; the other , by an easie ransoming of the freedomes of those that had a will to partake onely of the present profits , arising by the trade , and fishing vpon the coast . the first was to proceed from those noble-men , and others that were patentees , and they agreed by order among themselues to disburse a hundred pounds a peece , for the aduancement of such necessary busines , as they had in hand . the second was to be accomplished by setling such liberties and orders in the westerne cities , and townes , as might induce euery reasonable man , in , and about them , affecting the publike good , or a regular proceeding in the businesse of trade , to embrace an vniformitie , and to ioyne in a communitie , or ioynt stocke together : how reasonable , or vnreasonable those orders were , is hereafter to be seene , and iudged by euery well affected person , or any truly louing the publike good of our nation , whereunto is annexed the difference of trading by a ioynt stocke vnder gouernment and orders and the promiscuous trading without order , and in a dis-joynted manner , as of late they haue done to the infinite preiudice of others already , as also to the losse of many of themselues , that contemptuously and greedily haue leapt into that course , as it were in despight of all authoritie , whose reward , in time , will follow . before these orders were to be tendered to those cities and townes , it was desired that there might be letters sent from their lordships , admonishing them of his maiesties royall grant , that prohibiteth any not free of that busines , to intermeddle within our limits , vpon paine of confiscation of ship and goods . these letters expressing withall the good affection of those that were interessed in the businesse , to entertaine any that should be willing to conforme themselues to such orders , as had in that behalfe beene established . but those letters how full of iustice soeuer they appeared , were as distastefull , as was the rumor of order vnto them : for by it euery particular man thought himselfe strait debarred of libertie to run his owne currant , in which he thought his freedome did onely consist ; and by debarring him thereof , his priuate ends were ouerthrowne , which was to endeuour to preuent his neighbour of the market he aimed at , or the harbour he resolued to goe vnto , or the present trade hee expected to haue by his priuate industrie , but as for the publique hee cared not , let that fare as it would . while these things were in dispute , and likely to haue taken a good foundation , the news of the parliament flew to all parts , & then the most factious of euery place , presently combined themselues to follow the businesse in parliament , where they presumed to proue the same to be a monopolie , and much tending to the preiudice of the common good . but that there should be a conformitie in trade , or a course taken to preuent the euills that were likely to ensue , or to appropriate possessions , or lands , after a generous manner , in remote parts of the world , to certaine publique persons , of the common-wealth , for the taking care , and spending their time and means how to aduance the enlargement of their countrey , the honour of their king , and glory of their god ; these were thought crimes worthy the taking notice of , and the principall actors in this kinde , must be first traduced in priuate , then publiquely called vpon in parliament , to answer such other scandalls as could by malice be inuented . but as this businesse was in it selfe iust , and righteous , so was it as earnestly desired , they might haue had the opportunitie to haue answered it before so vnpartiall iudges , and so reuerend persons ; if so it might haue been without offence to the authoritie of his royall maiestie , that had extended it selfe by vertue of his prerogatiue so farre off , and without the lawes of this realme , and to be put in execution without the publike expence , or charge of the common-wealth , or preiudice to any other former imployments of our nation , and indeed without offence to any that couered not to put their sickle into the haruest of other men , or whose enuious & couetous humors stirred them not vp to shame themselues in the conclusion . these troubles thus vnfortunately falling out , haue notwithstanding hindered vs from the hopes we had this yeare , to giue some life extraordinarily to those affaires , & therefore we are forced of necessitie to refer the maine of our resolution , till a more conuenient opportunitie , and till we haue gotten our ships and prouision fit to serue our turnes both to giue the law along those coasts , and to performe such other seruice , as is thereby intended for the publike good of our aduenturers , and defence of our marchants , that shall frequent those places , according to such orders , as shall be found behouefull in that behalfe . the clime and condition of the country , and the present estate of our affaires there . you haue heard already the many disasters , calamities , misfortunes , oppositions , and hinderances we haue had , and receiued . howbeit many are omitted , in that we desire not to trouble the reader with more than enough ; or to affright the minds of weak spirits , that will beleeue there is no better successe to be looked for from such attempts : although it be true that the best designes do oftentimes cary with them the most impediments , whether it be that god will haue it so , to trie our constancie , or otherwise to make vs know , that it is he onely that worketh after his owne will , according to the time he hath assigned , and that there is nothing done but by him , as also that , that is onely best which hee will haue to be done , and that time most proper which he hath assigned for the same . but by these you may imagine ( seeing we haue none other helps than our owne fortunes to build vpon ) there can no great matters bee performed in these stormes and tempests . notwithstanding , you may know wee haue not beene more hindred one way , than blessed an other : for , as our patience , constancie , trauels and charge hath beene great , so hath it ( indeed ) manifoldly beene requited : for , by gods fauour , and these gentlemens industrie , we haue made a most ample discouerie of the most commodious country for the benefit of our nation , that euer hath beene found . for better satisfaction of the reader in this behalfe , we haue thought it fit , by the way , to acquaint him first with the nature of the place where wee haue setled our selues , whereby hee may see reason for what wee haue done , remembring him likewise , that in settling of plantations , there is principally to be considered : the aire , for the health of the inhabitants . the soile , for fertilitie fit for corne , and feeding of cattle wherewith to sustaine them the sea , for commoditie of trade and commerce , the better to enrich their publique and priuate state , as it shall grow to perfection , and to raise imployments , to furnish the course of those affaires . now for the quality of the aire , there is none of iudgement but knowes it proceedeth either from the generall disposition of the sphere , or from the particular constitution of the place . touching the disposition of the sphere , it is not onely seated in the temperate zone , but as it were in the center , or middle part thereof , for that the middle part of that country hath about three hundred and ten degrees of longitude ; and stands in the forty fourth and forty fifth degrees of the northerne latitude , that is , twenty degrees from the fiery tropicke , and as much from the freesing articke circle : vnder the same climate and course of the sunne that constantinople , and rome , the ladies of the world ; italy , and france , the gardens of europe , haue their situation , within the limits of the fifth and sixt climate , after the later computation ; hauing their longest day fifteene houres and some odde minutes . touching the constitution of the place ( which is about sixty two degrees by sea from our continent westerly ) the maritine parts thereof are somewhat colder , then the nature of the clime otherwise affordeth ; for that the beames of the sunne are weakned , partly by the vnstable reflection of the same vpon the sea , and partly by beeing laden with abundance of moisture it exhales out of the vast ocean , whereby the nature thereof is not so violently there expressed , as in the like parallel further into the maine is accustomed . nor is that sea coast so subiect to droughts or want of raine in seasonable times , as other parts are of like latitudes , and by that reason the sea coasts are at all times more cold then is the inland . and the easterne coast which receiueth the rising of the sunne , is likewise colder then are the westerne parts , towards the declining of the same , as our morning aires ( for example ) euen in the heat of summer are cold and quicke , when the day and euening are very sweltring . and this makes those parts more sutable to the nature of our people , who neither finde content in the colder climates , nor health in the hotter ; but ( as hearbs and plants ) affect their natiue temperature , and prosper kindly no where else . and indeed , the hot countreys yeeld sharper wits , but weaker bodies , and fewer children ; the colder , more slow of conceit , but stronger of body , and more abounding in procreation . so that , though the inuention of arts hath risen from the southerne nations , yet they haue still beene subiect to the inundations , and inuasions of the more northerly people , by reason of their multitudes , together with the strength of their body , and hardnesse of their constitutions . but this country , what by the generall and particular situation , is so temperate , as it seemeth to hold the golden meane , and indeed is most agreeable to the nature of our owne , which is made manifest by experience , the most infallible proofe of all assertions ; in so much as our people that are setled there , enioy their life and health much more happily , then in other places ; which can bee imputed to no other cause , then the temperature of the climate . now , as the clime is found to bee so temperate , so delicate , and healthfull , both by reason and experience ; such is the soile also , some parts thereof yeelding wonderfull increase , both of the corne , the natiues haue most vse of ; as also of our owne , of all sorts : with infinite variety of nourishing roots , and other herbes , and fruits , common among them , but rare with vs. besides , the coast doth abound with most conuenient hauens , and harbors , full of singular islands , fit for plantation ; replenished with plants and wood of all sorts ; as oake , cedars , spruce , firre , pyne , walnut , chestnut , elme , sassafras , plum-trees , and calamus aromaticus , &c. the people are tractable ( if they bee not abused ) to commerce and trade withall , and as yet haue good respect of vs. the seas are stored with all kindes of excellent fish , and in many places vpon the coast , fit to make salt in . the country aboundeth with diuersity of wild foule , as turkeys , partriges , swans , cranes , wilde geese of two sorts , wilde duckes of three sorts , many doues , especially when strawberies are ripe . there are seuerall sorts of deere in those parts , and some that bring forth two , three , and foure young at once , which is a manifest proofe of the fertility of the soile , or temper of the clime , or both together . there is also a certaine beast , that the natiues call a mosse , hee is as big bodied as an oxe , headed like a fallow deere , with a broad palme , which hee mues euery yeere , as doth the deere , and necke like a red deere , with a short mane , running downe along the raines of his backe , his haire long like an elke , but esteemed to be better then that for sadlers vse , he hath likewise a great bunch hanging downe vnder his throat , and is of the colour of our blacker sort of fallow deere , his legges are long , and his feet as bigge as the feet of our oxen , his taile is longer then the single of a deere , and reacheth almost downe to his huxens , his skinne maketh very good buffe , and his flesh is excellent good food , which the natiues vse to ierkin and keepe all the yeere to serue their turne , and so prooues very seruiceable for their vse . there haue beene many of them seene in a great island vpon the coast , called by our people mount mansell , whither the saluages goe at certaine seasons to hunt them ; the manner whereof is , by making of seuerall fires , and setting the countrey with people , to force them into the sea , to which they are naturally addicted , and then there are others that attend them in their botes with bowes and weapons of seuerall kindes , wherewith they slay and take at their pleasure . and there is hope that this kinde of beasts may bee made seruiceable for ordinary labour with art and industry . the knowne commodities of that country , are fish of seuerall sorts , rich furres , as beauers , otters , martins , blacke fox , sables , &c. there are likewise plenty of vines , of three kindes , and those pleasant to the taste , yet some better then other . there is hempe , flax , silkgrasse , seuerall veines of ironstone , commodities to make pitch , rosen , tarre ; deale boords of all sorts , sparres , masts , for ships of all burdens ; in a word , there comes no commodity out of france , germany , or the sound , but may be had there , with reasonable labour and industry . further , wee haue setled at this present , seuerall plantations along the coast , and haue granted patents to many more that are in preparation to bee gone with all conueniencie . those of our people that are there , haue both health and plenty , so as they acknowledge there is no want of any thing , but of industrious people , to reape the commodities that are there to be had , and they are indeed so much affected to the place , as they are loth to be drawne from thence , although they were directed to returne to giue satisfaction to those that sent them , but chose rather to performe that office by letters , together with their excuse , for breach of their duty in that behalfe . and thus you see there is no labour well imployed , but hath his reward at one time or other . these incouragements haue imboldned vs to proceed , to the ingaging of our selues , for the building of some ships of good burden , and extraordinary mould , to lie vpon the coast for the defense of merchants and fishermen , that are imployed there , as also to waft the fleets , as they goe to and from their markets : and we purpose from henceforth to build our shipping there , where wee find all commodities fit for that seruice , together with the most opportune places , that can bee desired . lastly , finding that wee haue so far forth preuailed , as to winde our selues into familiarity with the natiues , ( which are in no great number ) along the coast for two hundred leagues together , wee haue now dispatched some of our people of purpose , to diue into the bowels of the continent , there to search and finde out what port , or place , is most conuenient to settle our maine plantation in , where wee meane to make the residencie of our state and gouernment , as also to bee assured , what other commodities may be raised for the publique , and priuate benefit of those that are dealers in that businesse , and willing to bee interessed in any the lands there : whither is gone this yeere already , for trade and fishing onely , thirty saile of the better sort of ships , belonging to the westerne parts , besides those who are gone for transportation of the planters , or supply of such as are already planted , whose returne ( as is supposed ) will amount ( at the least ) to thirty thousand pound , the greater part whereof comes home in bullion . and therefore as touching the third happinesse of these parts , which is the sea , there needeth no other or greater commendation then this benefit of fishing assured vnto vs by common experience ; although it affords many other hopes both in regard of the facilitie of the nauigation , the boldnesse of the coast , the conueniency of roades , hauens and harbors , for performance of all manner of imployments ; yet is there also found showes of pearle , ambergrees , great numbers of whales , and other marchantable meanes to raise profit to the industrious inhabitants or diligent traders . heere you may see to what profit our industry and charge hath beene imploied ; what benefit our countrey is like to receiue by it , and whether it bee reason wee should bee so traduced , as we haue beene , wee seeking nothing more then the glory of god , the enlarging of his highnesse dominions , and generall good of all his maiesties loyall subiects , and striuing for the better accomplishment therof to keepe order , and settle gouernment in those affaires , to preserue from ruine and confusion so faire a foundation , whereon is likely to bee built the goodliest frame that hath euer beene vndertaken to be raised by our nation . the platforme of the gouern ment , and diuisions of the territories in generall . as there is no common-wealth that can stand without gouernment , so the best gouernments haue euer had their beginnings from one supreme head , who hath disposed of the administration of iustice , and execution of publike affaires , either according to lawes established , or by the aduice , or counsell of the most eminent , discreetest , and best able in that kinde . the verity of this is so cleere , as it needs no example : for that indeed all nations from the beginning , vnto this present , follow still the same rule in effect , howsoeuer they vary in the forme , or some small circumstances . and vpon this generall ground , the kings of these our realmes did first lay the foundations of their monarchies ; reseruing vnto themselues the soueraigne power of all ( as fit it was ) and diuiding their kingdomes into counties , baronries , hundreds , and the like ; instituted their lieutenants , or officers , meet to gouerne those subdiuisions , that the subiect might with the more ease receiue iustice , and the soueraignes at more leasure the better able to dispose of matters of greater consequence . this foundation being so certaine , there is no reason for vs to vary from it , and therefore we haue resolued to build our edifices vpon it , and to frame the same after the platforme already layd , and from whence wee take our denomination . so as we purpose to commit the managing of our whole affaires there in generall , vnto a gouernour , to be assisted by the aduice and counsel of so many of the patentees as shall be there resident , together with the officers of state , that is to say ; the treasurer for the managing of the treasure and reuenues belonging to that state. the martiall for matters of armes , and affaires of warres , be it defensiue or offensiue . the admirall for maritine businesse ciuill or criminall , and the forces belonging to the sea. the master of the ordnance for munition , artillery and other prouisions for publique store of armies by sea or land ; as also such other persons of iudgement and experience , as by the president and counsell established here , for the better gouerning of those affaires shall be thought fit . by this head , and these members , vnited together , the great affaires of the whole state is to be managed , according to their seuerall authorities , giuen them from their superiours , the president and councell established as aforesaid . and for that all men by nature are best pleased to be their owne caruers , and doe most willingly submit to those ordinances , or orders whereof themselues are authors : it is therefore resolued , that the generall lawes whereby that state is to be gouerned , shall be first framed and agreed vpon by the generall assembly of the states of those parts , both spirituall and temporall . for the better distinction whereof , and the more orderly proceeding , agreeable ( as is said ) to the present state of this our realme , two parts of the whole territorie is to be diuided betweene the patentees , into seuerall counties , to be by themselues or their friends planted , at their pleasure or best commoditie . the other third part is to be reserued for publique vses , to be belonging to the state , as their reuenew for defraying of publique charge . but as well this third part , as the two formerly spoken of , is to be diuided into counties , baronries , hundreds , and the like , from all which the deputies for euery county , and baronry , are to be sent in the name and behalfe of the subiects , vnder them to consult and agree vpon the lawes so to be framed , as also to reforme any notable abuses committed in former proceedings . yet these are not to be assembled , but by order from the president and councell heere , who are to giue life to the lawes so to be made , as those to whom of right it best belongs , according to his maiesties royall grant in that behalfe , as also that vnder god , and his sacred highnesse , they are the principall authors of that foundation . and thus much for the generall forme of our gouernment . in like manner are the counties to be gouerned by the chiefe head or deputy thereof with other officers vnder him . as his steward , comptroller , treasurer of his reuenews ; and so the baronries by their stewards , and other inferiour ministers , who are to haue assigned them the power of high and low iustice within themselues for determining of controuersies , with reseruation of appeale in some cases to the supreme courts . and further , these lords of counties may of themselues subdiuide their said county into mannors and lordships , as to them shall seeme best , giuing to the lords thereof power of keeping of courts , and leets , as is heere vsed in england , for the determining of petty matters , arising betweene the lords , and the tenants , or any other . and there is no lesse care to be taken for the trade and publique commerce of merchants , whose gouernment ought to be within themselues , in respect of the seuerall occasions arising betweene them , the tradesmen , and other the mechanickes , with whom they haue most to doe : and who are generally the chiefe inhabitants of great citties , and townes , in all parts ; it is likewise prouided , that all the cities in that territory , and other inferiour townes where trades-men are in any numbers , shall be incorporate and made bodies politique , to gouerne their affaires and people as it shall be found most behouefull for the publique good of the same ; according vnto the greatnes or capacity of them , who shall be made likewise capable to send certaine their deputies , or burgesses to this publique assembly , as members thereof , and who shall haue voyces equall with any the rest . by this you see our maine drift is but to take care for the well ordering of the businesse , seeking by all meanes to auoyd ( what we may ) the intermedling with any mens monies , or disposing of any mens fortunes , saue onely our owne ; leauing to euery particular vndertaker the imployment of their aduentures , and the raising of their profits , out of their proper limits , and possessions , as shall seeme best to themselues , or their officers , or ministers , whom they imploy , and whom they may be bold to question , or displace , as to themselues shall seeme most fitting . and hereby all men may know , that as it is not in our wills to delude and deceiue any , so wee are carefull not to giue the least cause of suspicion of any euill in that kinde ; so much the rather for that wee daily see by experience , the abuses committed in like cases by inferiour ministers , to be a notable cause to dehort the good dispositions of many otherwise well affected to plantations , for that they obserue those that are so imployed to grow rich , and their aduentures to come to nothing . and wee further desire that all men should bee perswaded , wee couet not to engrosse any thing at all vnto our selues , but that wee should bee exceeding glad to finde more of our nation , so free in disposition , as to partake with vs , as well in the profit , as in the future trauell , and charge thereof ; without looking backe to our expence , or labour already past , to the end that all our hands being vnited together , the worke may bee so much the sooner aduanced , well knowing and freely confessing , that it is sufficient to giue content to a multitude , and that of all sorts . for such as are truely pious , shall finde heere the opportunity to put in practise the workes of piety , both in building of churches , and raising of colledges for the breeding of youth , or maintenance of diuines and other learned men . if they be such as affect glory , and to continue their memory to future ages , they may haue heere the meanes to raise houses , parishes , yea townes , or prouinces , to their names and posterity . doe they aime at wealth ? heere is the way for their industry to satiate their appetites in that , if they be not vnsatiable . doe they long after pleasure ? here is as much to be had as may content any , not meerely voluptuous , or onely prodigall . doe they asp●re to be commanders ? here is the place where they may haue command of their owne friends , or tenants , if they be of any worth , or meanes extraordinary wherewith to transport any numbers . if otherwise of experience and vertue , it is likely they may attaine places of gouernement for the publique state. so as you see there wants no occasions , or opportunity to inuite , or giue satisfaction to such as haue patience to attend the time . and indeed we shall be glad , that this , or any thing else may induce a free and noble resolution , in any well affected person , to endeuour the aduancement of these ends , together with vs , in that they shall finde them agreeable to honour , and honestie ; and if there bee any that can adde ought vnto our endeuours , by their aduice or otherwise , there is none that shall more readily embrace the same then wee ; whose intents are onely framed for the prosperity of the businesse , as is already said , and as we hope will all those be , that shall assent to ioyne with vs , both in the labor , profit , and honour , without respect to the weakenesse of the motiue , by which it hath beene heeretofore mooued , or any thing saue the worke it selfe . for by it you shall finde the honour of our god , our king , and nation , will bee aduanced , without effusion of christian bloud , or question of wrong to the present inhabitants . for that they themselues both desire it , & we intēd not to take ought , but what they that are there , are willing wee should bee seized of , both for the defence of them against their enemies , and their preseruation in peace among themselues , & propagation of the christian faith , which with wonderfull alacrity many of them seeme to giue care vnto , and for whose speedy conuersion wee intend to bee as carefull as of our owne happinesse ; and as diligent to build them houses , and to prouide them tutors for their breeding , and bringing vp of their children , of both sects , as to aduance any other businesse whatsoeuer , for that wee acknowledge our selues specially bound thereunto . and this being done , to referre the successe , to the author of heauen and earth , to whom be all honour and glory . finis . a brief recognition of new-englands errand into the wilderness made in the audience of the general assembly of the massachusetts colony at boston in n.e. on the th of the third moneth, , being the day of election there / by samuel danforth. danforth, samuel, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing d estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a brief recognition of new-englands errand into the wilderness made in the audience of the general assembly of the massachusetts colony at boston in n.e. on the th of the third moneth, , being the day of election there / by samuel danforth. danforth, samuel, - . 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bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng new england -- religion. new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - taryn hakala sampled and proofread - taryn hakala text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a brief recognition of new-englands errand into the wilderness ; made in the audience of the general assembly of the massachusets colony , at boston in n. e. on the th of the third moneth , . being the day of election there . by samuel danforth , pastor of the church of christ in roxbury in n. e. jer. . . go , and cry in the ears of jerusalem , saying . thus saith the lord , i remember thee , the kindness of thy youth , the love of thine espousals , when thou wentest after me in the wilderness , in a land that was not sown . . israel was holiness unto the lord , and the first-fruits of his increase — . thus saith the lord , what iniquity have your fathers found in me , that they are gone far from me , and have walked after vanity , and are become vain ? cambridge : printed by s. g. and m. j. . christian reader , a word spoken in due season ( saith solomon ) how good is it ? prov. . . and again , a word fitey spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver , chap. . . such were the words of our lord jesus , who ( accommodating himself to the way of doctrine used by those eastern nations ) did by parabolical discourses delight to breathe forth the deep mysteries of divine and heavenly wisdome : and how plain , but pungent , his sermons were , how perspicuous , yet unspeakably profound were those oracles which flowed out of his lips of grace , none are ignorant , who are not unacquainted with what the holy evangelists do harmoniously relate concerning him . no more excellent patern then the lord jesus for the ministry of the new testament to imitate : and of all the words of the sacred scripture ( though all are of equal authority , as being of the canon , yet ) none seem to have a more eminent immediation of heart-commanding virtue , then those which proceeded directly out of the mouth of the lord himself ; whereof this text is one , upon which the following sermon is spent . and how much of the spirit of our saviour appears therein , i need not say , and which perhaps will not , at the first dash , be discerned by the ordinary or cursory reader ; but wisdome is justified of her children . the seasonableness , and suitableness of this work which is now in thine hand , unto our present wilderness-state , will commend it self unto the judicious christian , whose heart doth indeed travel with the labouring interest of the kingdome of our lord jesus in these ends of the earth : the text carrying with it so much heavenly argumentation , being so profitable for doctrine , for reproof , for correction , for instruction in righteousness , as though intended by our lord jesus for such a day as that , whereon this sermon was preached , ( and also before such an auditory ) . whose applauds the former , will not disapprove the latter ; the reverend author thereof observing therein the saying of that apostolick man of god ( and very judicious in his advice to younger ministers about such matters ) his most reverend father of blessed memory , mr. wilson , viz. that he delighted in such a sermon wherein the preacher kept close unto his text , and the proper scope thereof , and wandered not from it by needless excursions , and impertinent enlargements . the loss of first love , first to christ , and so to the subjects , and order of his kingdome , being a radical disease too tremendously growing upon so great a part of the body of professors in this land , unto a laodicean lukewarmness in the matters of god , notwithstanding the signal , and unparallel experiences of the blessing of god upon this people , a people so often saved by the lord in the way of moses and aaron's meeting , and kissing one another in the mount of god ; and the observation of that declension justly calling for so meet an antidote and faithful caution , as is the ensuing sermon ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) unto such , to review , and consider in earnest their errand into this wilderness : and the recovery of their affections to the name of christ , in the chastity , vigour , and fervour thereof , by a thorough-reformation of things in the matters of his worship , being a special duty in this hour of temptation incumbent , as on the magistracy in their sphere , so on the ministry in theirs , whereby they may declare themselves loyal to christ in their generation-work , hath no doubt inclined the heart of this servant of his , to yield unto the perswasions of divers , that these his meditations might be published , and so ( through the blessing of god ) advance that desired reformation . it is not a loose toleration , nor a rigid independent-separation , but an holy , and brotherly reformation which all should in such an hour be endeavouring . and how perillous a sceptical indifferency , or a reed like vacillation , much more wilful opposition to the doctrine and way of the first fathers and founders of this colony in matters of religion , would be , were it onely in those two points about the magistrates coercive power in matters of religion , ( contrary to that toleration aforesaid ) and about communion of churches in synods , &c. described also by them , from the word of god , in the platform of discipline ( contrary to that independent-separation aforesaid ) will be evident to those that understand what these things mean ; scil . . quod liberi sunt spirituales a jugo-potestatis secularis : and . quod ecclesia non potest errare . it is said i remember ( josh . . . ) that israel served the lord all the dayes of joshua , and all the dayes of the elders that out-lived joshua , and which had known all the works of the lord that he had done for israel : it is much to israels advantage in the service of god , when the lord graciously continues those , who are acquainted with the first wayes of such a people , as hath been holiness to the lord , and with the first works of the lord in his laying the foundation of that glory which might dwell in their land. and it is recorded ( exod. . . ) as an inlet to israels calamitious state , in that place where the lord had greatly multiplied and blessed them , that there aro●e up a new king which knew not joseph . when joseph , or joshua are unknown , or forgotten , and the work and way of god in leading his people by the hand of moses and aaron in their primitive glory not understood , or not minded by these or those , how fearfully ominous to israel must it needs be ! and how necessitating the affectionate repetition , again , and again , of that expostulatory , sad interrogation of our saviour , but what went ye out into the wilderness to see ? and should there arise such another generation ( as is mentioned judg. . . ) after our fathers are removed to rest from the warfare of the service of the tabernacle of god in their generation , as should not know the lord , nor regard the works which he hath done for our israel , what may be expected , but that ( as the following context shews ) the anger of the lord should wax hot against israel , and that he deliver us also into the hand of spoilers ? &c. strangers to the first intention of the people of god in their planting in this wilderness , and so to the doctrine of faith and order left in print behinde them ( more sure and credible then some vnwritten traditions thereabout ) may prove dangerous instruments to our ruine , if the lord in mercy prevent not . it was the commendation of timothy by paul , tim. . , . as also a profitable instruction and encouragement to him , when he saith , but thou hast fully known my doctrine , manner of life , purpose , faith , long-suffering , charity , patience , persecutions , afflictions which came unto me at antioch , at iconium , at lystra , what persecutions i endured , but out of them all the lord delivered me : the like may be said of this reverend servant of the lord , my dear brother in christ , to whom it hath seemed good 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( according to that word of wisdome which is given to him by that same holy spirit , from whom proceed those diversities of gifts , which he divides to every man severally as he will ) to leave this ensuing testimony of his sollicitude for the poor woman fled also into this wilderness , unto the consideration of all such as are wise-hearted in israel . his nearness to , and intimacy with my ever-honoured father now with god ( he being brought up with him as a son with a father ) commands from my pen a glad apprehending the opportunity of performing this service of waiting upon it to the press ; praying , that the lord would make the words thereof as goads , and nails fastened by the masters of assemblies , and given by that one shepherd the lord jesus : in whom i am thine , for the service of thy faith , thomas shepard . a brief recognition of new-englands errand into the wilderness . matth. . , , . — what went ye out into the wilderness to see ? a reed shaken with the wind . but what went ye out for to see ? a man clothed in soft raiment ? behold , they that wear soft clothing , are in kings houses . but what went ye out-for to see ? a prophet ? yea , i say unto you , and more then a prophet . these words are our saviour's proem to his illustrious encomium of john the baptist . john began his ministry , not in jerusalem , nor in any famous city of judea , but in the wilderness , i. e. in a woody , retired and solitary place , thereby withdrawing himself from the envy and preposterous zeal of such as were addicted to their old traditions , and also taking the people aside , from the noise and tumult of their secular occasions and businesses , which might have obstructed their ready and cheerful attendance unto his doctrine . the ministry of john at first was entertained by all sorts with singular affection : there went out to him jerusalem and all judea , and all the region round about jordan , mat. . . but after awhile , the people's fervour abated , and john being kept under restraint divers moneths , his authority and esteem began to decay and languish , john . . wherefore our saviour , taking occasion from johns messengers coming to him , after their departure , gives an excellent elogie and commendation of john , to the intent that he might ratifie and confirm his doctrine and administration , and revive his authority and estimation in the hearts and consciences of the people . this elogie our saviour begins with an elegant dialogism , which the rhetorician calleth communication : gravely deliberating with his hearers , and seriously enquiring to what purpose they went out into the wilderness , and what expectation drew them thither . wherein we have , . the general question , and main subject of his inquisition . . the particular enquiries . . the determination of the question . the general question is , what went ye out into the wilderness to see ? he saith not , whom went ye out to hear , but what went ye out to see ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the phrase agrees of shows and stage-playes ; plainly arguing that many of those , who seemed well-affected to john , and flock'd after him , were theatrical hearers , spectators rather then auditors ; they went not to ●ear , but to see ; they went to gaze upon a new and strange spectacle . this general question being propounded , the first particular enquiry is , whether they went to see a reed shaken with the wind ? the expression is metaphorical and proverbial . a reed when the season is calm , lifts up it self and stands upright , but no sooner doth the wind blow upon it , but it shakes and trembles , bends and bows down , and then gets up again : and again it yields and bows , and then lifts up it self again . a notable emblem of light , empty and inconstant persons , who in times of peace and tranquillity , give a fair and plausible testimony to the truth ; but no sooner do the winds of temptation blow upon them , and the waves of troubles roll over them , but they incline and yield to the prevailing party : but when the tempest is over , they recover themselves and assert the truth again . the meaning then of this first enquiry is , went ye out into the wilderness to see a light , vain and inconstant man , one that could confess and deny , and deny and confess the same truth ? this interrogation is to be understood negatively and ironically ; q. d. surely ye went not into the desert to behold such a ludicrous and ridiculous sight , a man like unto a reed shaken with the wind . under the negation of the contrary levity , our saviour sets forth one of john's excellencies , viz. his eminent constancy in asserting the truth . the winds of various temptations both on the right hand and on the left , blew upon him , yet he wavered not in his testimony concerning christ , he confessed and denied not , but confessed the truth . then the general question is repeated , but what went ye out for to see ? and a second particular enquiry made , was it to see a man clothed in soft raiment ? this interrogation hath also the force of a negation , q. d. surely ye went not into the wilderness to see a man clothed in silken and costly apparel . the reason of this is added , behold , they that wear soft clothing , are in kings houses . delicate and costly apparel is to be expected in p 〈…〉 ces courts , and not in wilde woods and forrests . under the negation of john's affectation of courtly delicacy , our saviour sets forth another of john's excellencies , viz. his singular gravity and sobriety , who wore rough garments , and lived on course and mean fare , mat. . . which austere kinde of life was accommodated to the place and work of his ministry . john preached in the wilderness , which was no fit place for silken and soft raiment . his work was to prepare a people for the lord , by calling them off from worldly pomp and vanities , unto repentance and mourning for sin . his peculiar habit and diet was such as became a penitentiary preacher . thirdly , the generall question is reiterated , but what went ye out for to see ? and a third particular enquiry made , was it to see a prophet ? this interrogation is to be understood affirmatively , q. d. no doubt but it was to see a prophet . had not john been a rare and excellent minister of god , you would never have gone out of your cities into the desert to have seen him . thus our saviour sets forth another of john's admirable excellencies , viz. his prophetical office and function . john was not an ordinary interpreter of the law , much less a teacher of jewish traditions , but a prophet , one who by the extraordinary inspiration of the holy ghost , made known the mysteries of salvation , luke . , . lastly , our saviour determines and concludes the question , he , whom ye went out to see was more then a prophet , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , much more , or abundantly more then a prophet . this he confirms by his wonted asseveration , yea , i say unto you , and much more then a prophet . how was john much more then a prophet ? john was christs herauld sent immediately before his face , to proclaim his coming and kingdome , and prepare the people for the reception of him by the baptism of repentance , ver . . hence it follows ver . . among all that are born of women , there hath not risen a greater prophet then john. john was greater then any of the prophets that were before him , not in respect of his personal graces and virtues , ( for who shall perswade us that he excelled abraham in the grace of faith , who was the father of the faithful , or moses in meekness , who was the meekest man on earth , or david in faithfulness , who was a man after gods own heart , or solomon in wisdome , who was the wisest man that ever was or shall be ? ) but in respect of the manner of his dispensation . all the prophets foretold christs coming , his sufferings and glory , but the baptist was his harbinger and forerunner , that bare the sword before him , proclaimed his presence , and made room for him in the hearts of the people . all the prophets saw christ afar off , but the baptist saw him present , baptized him , and applied the types to him personally . behold the lamb of god. he saw and bare record that this is the son of god. joh. . , . but he that is least in the kingdome of heaven , is greater then john. the least prophet in the kingdome of heaven , i. e. the least minister of the gospel since christ's ascension , is greater then john ; not in respect of the measure of his personal gifts , nor in respect of the manner of his calling , but in respect of the object of his ministry , christ on the throne , having finished the work of our redemption , and in respect of the degree of the revelation of christ , which is far more clear and full . john shewed christ in the flesh , and pointed to him with his finger , but the ministers of the gospel declare that he hath done and suffered all things necessary to our salvation , and is risen again and set down at the right hand of god. doct. such as have sometime left their pleasant cities and habitations to enjoy the pure worship of god in a wilderness , are apt in time to abate and cool in their affection thereunto : but then the lord calls upon them seriously and throughly to examine themselves , what it was that drew them into the wilderness , and to consider that it was not the expectation of ludicrous levity , nor of courtly pomp and delicacy , but of the free and clear dispensation of the gospel and kingdome of god. this doctrine consists of two distinct branches ; let me open them severally . branch . such as have sometime left their pleasant cities and habitations , to enjoy the pure worship of god in a wilderness , are apt in time to abate and cool in their affection thereunto . to what purpose did the children of israel leave their cities and houses in egypt , and go forth into the wilderness ? was it not to hold a feast to the lord , and to sacrifice to the god of their fathers ? that was the onely reason , which they gave of their motion to pharaoh , exod. . , . but how soon did they forget their errand into the wilderness , and corrupt themselves in their own inventions ? within a few moneths after their coming out of egypt , they make a calf in horeb , and worship the molten image , and change their glory into the similitude of an ox that eateth grass , psal . . , . exod. . , . yea for the space of forty years in the wilderness , while they pretended to sacrifice to the lord , they indeed worshipped the stars and the host of heaven , and together with the lords tabernacle , carried about with them the tabernacle of moloch , amos . , . acts . , . and how did they spend their time in the wilderness , but in tempting god , and in murmuring against their godly and faithful teachers and rulers , moses and aaron ? psal . . to what purpose did the children of the captivity upon cyrus his proclamation , leave their houses which they had built , and their vineyards and oliveyards which they had planted in the province of babylon , and return to judea and jerusalem , which were now become a wilderness ? was it not that they might build the house of god at jerusalem , and set up the temple-worship ? but how shamefully did they neglect that great and honourable work for the space of above forty years ? they pretended that gods time was not come to build his house , because of the rubs and obstructions which they met with ; whereas all their difficulties and discouragements hindred not their building of stately houses for themselves , hag. . , , . to what purpose did jerusalem & 〈…〉 ll judea , & all the region round about jordan , leave their several cities and habitations , and flock into the wilderness of judea ? was it not to see that burning and shining light , which god had raise● up ? to hear his heavenly doctrine , and partake of that new sacrament , which he administred ? o how they were affected with his rare and excellent gifts ! with his clear , lively and powerful ministry ! the kingdome of heaven pressed in upon them with a holy violence , and the violent , the zealous and affectionate hearers of the gospel , took it by force , mat. . . luk. . . they leapt over all discouragements and impediments , whether outward , as legal rites and ceremonies , or inward , the sense of their own sin and unworthiness , and pressed into the kingdome of god , as men rush into a theatre to see a pleasant sight , or as souldiers run into a besieged city , to take the spoil thereof : but their hot fit is soon over , their affection lasted but for an hour , i. e. a short season , joh. . . reas . . because the affection of many to the ministry of the gospel and the pure worship of god , is built upon temporary and transitory grounds , as the novelty and strangeness of the matter , the rarerness and excellency of ministerial gifts , the voice of the people , the countenance of great men , and the hope of worldly advantage . the jews had lien in ignorance and darkness a long time , being trained up under the superstitious observances of their old praditions , which were vain , empty and unprofitable customes ▪ and the church wanted the gift of prophecy about four hundred years , and therefore when john the baptist arose like a bright and burning light , shining amongst them with admirable gifts of the spirit , and extraordinary severity and gravity of manners , proclaiming the coming and kingdome of the messias , ( which had been oft promised and long expected ) and pressing the people to repentance and good works ; o how they admire and reverence him ? especially , when grown popular , and countenanced by herod the tetrarch . what sweet affections are kindled ! what great expectations are raised ! what ravishing joy is conceived ! hoping ( as its probable ) to make use of his authority to cast off the roman yoke , and recover their civil liberties , riches and honours . but after a little acquaintance with john , ( for he was a publick preacher but a year and half ) his doctrine , administrations and prophetical gifts , grew common and stale things , and of little esteem with them ; especially , when they saw their carnal hopes frustrated , the rulers disaffected , and herods countenance and carriage toward him changed . reas . . because prejudices and offences are apt to arise in the hearts of many against the faithful dispensers of the gospel . the pharisees and lawyers came among others to the baptism of john , but when they hear his sharp reprehensions of their viperous opinions and practices , they nauseate his doctrine , repudiate his baptism , calumniate his conversation , luke . . herodiaes hath an inward grudge and a quarrel against him , because he found fault with her incestuous marriage , mar. . . yea , that very age and generation of the jews , were like to a company of surly , sullen and froward children , whom no musick can please , they neither dance after the pipe , nor make lamentation after the mourner . they inveigh against john's austerity , saying that he was transported with diabolical fury , and was an enemy to humane society : and they do as much distaste and abhor christ's gentleness and familiarity , traducing him , as being a sensual and voluptuous person , given to intemperance and luxury , and a patron and abettor of looseness and profaneness , mat. . — . thus doth the frowardness and stubbornness of man , resist and oppose the wisdome and goodness of god , who useth various waves and instruments to compass poor sinners , but they throught their folly and perverseness frustrate , disanul and abrogate the counsel of god against themselves . the evil spirit that troubled saul , was quieted and allayed by the sweet melody of david's harp : but the mad and outragious fury that transports men against the truth and the ministry thereof , cannot be quieted and allayed by the voice of the charmers , charm they never so wisely . branch ii. when men abate and cool in their affection to the pure worship of god , which they went into the wilderness to enjoy , the lord calls upon them seriously and throughly to examine themselves , what it was that drew them into the wilderness , and to consider that it was not the expectation of ludicrous levity , nor of courtly pomp and delicacy , but of the free and clear dispensation of the gospel and kingdome of god. our saviour knowing that the people had lost their first love and singular affection to the revelation of his grace by the ministry of his herauld john , he is very intense in examining them , what expectation drew them into the wilderness : he doth not once nor twice , but thrice propound that question , what went ye out into the wilderness to see ? yea , in particular he enquires whether it were to see a man that was like to a reed shaken with the wind ? or whether it were to see a man clothed like a courtier , or whether it were to see a prophet , and then determines the question , concluding that it was to see a great and excellent prophet , and that had not they seen rare and admirable things in him , they would never have gone out into the wilderness unto him . the reason is , because the serious consideration of the inestimable grace and mercy of god in the free and clear dispensation of the gospel and kingdome of god , is a special means to convince men of their folly and perverseness in undervaluing the same , and a sanctified remedy to recover their affections thereunto . the lord foreseeing the defection of israel after moses his death , commands him to write that prophetical song , recorded in deut. . as a testimony against them : wherein the chief remedy , which he prescribes for the prevention and healing of their apostacy , is their calling to remembrance gods great and signal love in manifesting himself to them in the wilderness , in conducting them safely and mercifully , and giving them possession of their promised inheritance , ver . — . and when israel was apostatized and fallen , the lord to convince them of their ingratitude and folly , brings to their remembrance his deliverance of them out of egypt , his leading them through the wilderness for the space of forty years , and not onely giving them possession of their enemies land , but also raising up , even of their own sons , prophets , faithful and eminent ministers , and of their young men nazarites , who being separated from worldly delights and encumbrances , were paterns of purity and holiness : all which were great and obliging mercies . yea , the lord appeals to their own consciences , whether these his favours were not real and signal , amos . , . the prophet jeremiah , that he might reduce the people from their backslidings , cries in the ears of jerusalem , with earnestness and boldness declaring unto them , that the lord remembred how well they stood affected towards him , when he first chose them to be his people and espoused them to himself , how they followed him in the wilderness , and kept close to him in their long and wearisome passage through the uncultured desert ; how they were then consecrated to god , and set apart for his worship and service ; as the first-fruits are wont to be sequestred and devoted to god : and thereupon expostulates with them for their forsaking the lord , and following after their idols , jer. . , , , . surely our saviour's dialogism with his hearers in my text , is not a meer rhetorical elegancy to adorn his testimony concerning john , but a clear and strong conviction of their folly in slighting and despising that which they sometime so highly pretended unto , and a wholesome admonition and direction how to recover their primitive affection to his doctrine and administration . vse i. of solemn and serious enquiry to us all in this general assembly , whether we have not in a great measure forgotten our errand into the wilderness . you have solemnly professed before god , angels and men , that the cause of your leaving your country , kindred and fathers houses , and transporting your selves with your wives , little ones and substance over the vast ocean into this waste and howling wilderness , was your liberty to walk in the faith of the gospel with all good conscience according to the order of the gospel , and your enjoyment of the pure worship of god according to his institution , without humane mixtures and impositions . now let us sadly consider whether our ancient and primitive affections to the lord jesus , his glorious gospel , his pure and spiritual worship and the order of his house , remain , abide and continue firm , constant , entire and inviolate . our saviour's reiteration of this question , what went ye out into the wilderness to see ? is no idle repetition , but a sad conviction of our dulness and backwardness to this great duty , and a clear demonstration of the weight and necessity thereof . it may be a grief to us to be put upon such an inquisition ; as it is said of peter , joh. . . peter was grieved , because he said unto him the third time , lovest thou me ? but the lord knoweth that a strict and rigid examination of our hearts in this point , is no more then necessary . wherefore let us call to remembrance the former dayes , and consider whether it was not then better with us , then it is now . in our first and best times the kingdome of heaven brake in upon us with a holy violence , and every man pressed into it . what mighty efficacy and power had the clear and faithful dispensation of the gospel upon your hearts ? how affectionately and zealously did you entertain the kingdome of god ? how careful were you , even all sorts , young and old , high and low , to take hold of the opportunities of your spiritual good and edification ? ordering your secular affairs ( which were wreathed and twisted together with great variety ) so as not to interfere with your general calling , but that you might attend upon the lord without distraction . how diligent and faithful in preparing your hearts for the reception of the word , laying apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness , that you night receive with meekness the ingraffed word , which is able to save your souls ; and purging out all malice , guilt , hypocrisies , envies , and all evil speakings , and as new-born babes , desiring the sincere mi●k of the word , that ye might grow thereby ? how attentive in hearing the everlasting gospel , watching daily at the gates of wisdome , and waiting at the posts of her doors , that ye might finde eternal life , and obtain favour of the lord ? gleaning day by day in the field of gods ordinances , even among the sheaves , and gathering up handfuls , which the lord let fall of purpose for you , and at night going home and beating out what you had gleaned , by meditation , repetition , conference , and therewith feeding your selves and your families . how painful were you in recollecting , repeating and discoursing of what you heard , whetting the word of god upon the hearts of your children , servants and neighbours ? how fervent in prayer to almighty god for his divine blessing upon the seed sown , that it might take root and fructifie ? o what a reverent esteem had you in those dayes of christ's faithful ambassadors , that declared unto you the word of reconciliation ! how beautiful were the feet of them , that preached the gospel of peace , and brought the glad tidings of salvation ! you esteemed them highly in love for their works sake . their persons , names and comforts were precious in your eyes ; you counted your selves blessed in the enjoyment of a pious , learned and orthodox ministry : and though you are the bread of adversity and drank the water of affliction , yet you rejoyced in this , that your eyes saw your teachers , they were not removed into corners , and your ears heard a word behinde you , saying , this is the way , walk ye in it , when you turned to the right hand and when you turned to the left , isa . , . what earnest and ardent desires had you in those dayes after communion with christ in the holy sacraments ? with desire you desired to partake of the seals of the covenant . you thought your evidences for heaven not sure not authentick , unless the broad-seals of the kingdome were annexed . what solicitude was there in those dayes to seek the lord after the right order ? what searching of the holy scriptures , what collations among your leaders , both in their private meetings and publick councils and synods , to finde out the order , which christ hath constituted and established in his house ? what fervent zeal was there then against sectaries and hereticks , and all manner of heterodoxies ? you could not bear them that were evil , but tried them that pretended to new light and revelations , and found them liars . what pious care was there of sister-churches , that those that wanted breasts , might be supplied , and that those that wanted peace , their dissentions might be healed ? what readiness was there in those dayes to call for the help of neighbour-elders and brethren , in case of any difference or division that could not be healed at home ? what reverence was there then of the sentence of a council , as being decisive and issuing the controversie ? according to that ancient proverbial saying , they shall surely ask counsel at abel , and so they ended the matter , sam. . . what holy endeavours were there in those dayes to propagate religion to your children and posterity , training them up in the nurture and admonition of the lord , keeping them under the awe of government , restraining their enormities and extravagancies ; charging them to know the god of their fathers , and serve him with a perfect heart and willing minde ; and publickly asserting and maintaining their interest in the lord and in his holy covenant , and zealously opposing those that denied the same ? and then had the churches rest throughout the several colonies , and were edified : and walking in the fear of the lord , and in the comfort of the holy ghost , were multiplied . o how your faith grew exceedingly ! you proceeded from faith to faith , from a less to a greater degree and measure , growing up in him , who is our head , and receiving abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness , that you might reign in life by jesus christ . o how your love and charity towards each other abounded ! o what comfort of love ! what bowels and mercies ! what affectionate care was there one of another ! what a holy sympathy in crosses and comforts , weeping with those that wept , and rejoycing with those that rejoyced ! but who is there left among you , that saw these churches in their first glory , and how do you see them now ? are they not in your eyes in comparison thereof , as nothing ? how is the gold become dim ! how is the most fine gold changed ! is not the temper , complexion and countenance of the churches strangely altered ? doth not a careless , remiss , flat , dry , cold , dead frame of spirit , grow in upon us secretly , strongly , prodigiously ? they that have ordinances , are as though they had none ; and they that hear the word , as though they heard it not ; and they that pray , as though they prayed not ; and they that receive sacraments , as though they received them not ; and they that are exercised in the holy things , using them by the by , as matters of custome and ceremony , so as not to hinder their eager prosecution of other things which their hearts are set upon . yea and in some particular congregations amongst us , is there not in stead of a sweet smell , a stink ? and in stead of a girdle , a rent ? and in stead of a stomacher , a girding with sackcloth ? and burning in stead of beauty ? yea the vineyard is all overgrown with thorns , and nettles cover the face thereof , and the stone wall thereof is broken down , prov. . yea , and that which is the most sad and certain sign of calamity approaching , iniquity aboundeth , and the love of many waxeth cold , mat. . pride , contention , worldiness , covetousness , luxury , drunkenness and uncleanness break in like a flood upon us , and good men grow cold in their love to god and to one another . if a man be cold in his bed , let them lay on the more clothes , that he may get heat : but we are like to david in his old age , they covered him with clothes , but he gat no heat , sam. . . the lord heaps mercies , favours , blessings upon us , and loads us daily with his benefits , but all his love and bounty cannot heat and warm our hearts and affections . well , the furnace is able to heat and melt the coldest iron : but how oft hath the lord cast us into the hot furnace of affliction and tribulation , and we have been scorched and burnt , yet not melted , but hardened thereby , isa . . . how long hath god kept us in the furnace day after day , moneth after moneth , year after year ? but all our afflictions , crosses , trials have not been able to keep our hearts in a warm temper . now let me freely deliberate with you , what may be the causes and grounds of such decayes and languishings in our affections to , and estimation of that which we came into the wilderness to enjoy ? is it because there is no bread , neither is there any water , and our soul loatheth this light bread ? numb . . . our soul is dried away , and there is nothing at all , besides this manna , before our eyes , numb . . . what , is manna no bread ? is this angelical food , light bread , which cannot satisfie , but starves the soul ? doth our soul loath the bread of heaven ? the lord be merciful to us : the full soul loatheth the honey-comb , prov. . . what then is the cause of our decayes and languishings ? is it because the spirit of the lord is straitned and limited in the dispensers of the gospel , and hence our joyes and comforts are lessened and shortned ? o thou that art named the house of jacob , is the spirit of the lord straitned ? are those his doings ? do not my words do good to him that walketh uprightly ? mic. . . surely it is not for want of fulness in the spirit of god , that he withholds comforts and blessings from any ; neither doth he delight in threatnings and judgements , but his words both promise and perform that which is good and comfortable to them that walk uprightly . the spirit is able to enlarge it self unto the reviving and cheering of every man's heart ; and that should we experience , did not our iniquity put a barre . cor. . , . o ye corinthians , our mouth is open unto you , our heart is enlarged : ye are not straitned in us , but ye are straitned in your own bowels . the spirit of god dilateth and enlargeth the heart of the faithfull ministry for the good of the people ; but many times the people are straitned in their own bowels , and cannot receive such a large portion , as the lord hath provided for them . what then is the cause of our coolings , faintings and languishings ? the ground and principal cause is our vnbelief : we believe not the grace and power of god in christ . where is that lively exercise of faith , which ought to be , in our attendance upon the lord in his holy ordinances ? christ came to nazareth with his heart full of love and compassion , and his hands full of blessings to bestow upon his old acquaintance and neighbours , among whom he had been brought up , but their vnbelief restrained his tender mercies , and bound his omnipotent hands , that he could not do any great or illustrious miracle amongst them . mat. . . mark . , . he could do there no mighty work — and he marvelled because of their unbelief . unbelief straitens the grace and power of christ , and hinders the communication of divine favours and special mercies . the word preached profits not , when it is not mixed with faith in them that hear it , heb. . . we may pray earnestly , but if we ask not in faith , how can we expect to receive any thing of the lord ? jam. . , . but though unbelief be the principal , yet it is not the sole cause of our decayes and languishings : inordinate worldly cares , predominant lusts , and malignant passions and distempers stifle and choak the word , and quench our affections to the kingdome of god , luke . . the manna was gathered early in the morning , when the sun waxed hot , it melted , exod. . . it was a fearful judgement on dathan and abiram , that the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up . how many professors of religion , are swallowed up alive by earthly affections ? such as escape the lime-pit of pharisaical hypocrisie , fall into the coal-pit of sadducean atheism and epicurism . pharisaism and sadduceism do almost divide the professing world between them . some split upon the rock of affected ostentation of singular piety and holiness , and others are drawn into the whirpool , and perish in the gulf of sensuality and luxury . if any question how seasonable such a discourse may be upon such a day , as this ; let him consider , hag. . — . in the four and twentieth day of the ninth moneth , in the second year of darius , came the word of the lord by haggai the prophet , saying , thus saith the lord of hosts , ask now the priests concerning the law , saying , if one bear holy flesh in the skirt of his garment , and with his skirt do touch bread , or pottage , or wine , or oyl , or any meat , shall it be holy ? and the priests answered and said , no. then said haggai , if one that is unclean by a dead body , touch any of these , shall it be unclean ? and the priests answered and said , it shall be unclean . then answered haggai and said , so is this people , and so is this nation before me , saith the lord ; and so is every work of their hands , and that which they offer there is unclean . it was an high and great day , wherein the prophet spake these words , and an holy and honourable work , which the people were employed in . for this day they laid the foundation of the lords temple , ver . . nevertheless , the lord saw it necessary this very day to represent and declare unto them , the pollution and uncleanness both of their persons and of their holy services , that they might be deeply humbled before god , and carry on their present work more holily and purely . what was their uncleanness ? their eager pursuit of their private interests , took off their hearts and affections from the affairs of the house of god. it seems they pleased themselves with this , that the altar stood upon its bases , and sacrifices were daily offered thereon , and the building of the temple was onely deferred untill a fit opportunity were afforded , free from disturbance and opposition ; and having now gained such a season , they are ready to build the temple : but the lord convinceth them out of the law , that their former negligence was not expiated by their daily sacrifices , but the guilt thereof rendred both the nation and this holy and honourable work , which they were about , vile and unclean in the sight of god. and having thus shewn them their spiritual uncleanness , he encourageth them to go on with the work in hand , the building of the temple , promising them from this day to bless them , ver . . vse ii. of exhortation , to excite and stir us all up to attend and prosecute our errand into the wilderness . to what purpose came we into this place , and what expectation drew us hither ? surely , not the expectation of ludicrous levity . we came not hither to see a reed shaken with the wind . then let not us be reeds , light , empty , vain , hollow-hearted profess●rs , shaken with every wind of temptation : but solid , serious and sober christians , constant and stedfast in the profession and practice of the truth , trees of righteousness , the planting of the lord , that he may be glorified , holding fast the profession of our faith without wavering . alas , there is such variety and diversity of opinions and judgements , that we know not what to believe . were there not as various and different opinions touching the person of christ , even in the dayes of his flesh ? some said that he was john the baptist , some elias , others jeremias , or one of the old prophets . some said he was a gluttonous man , and a wine-bibber , a friend of publicans and sinners : others said he was a samaritan , and had a devil ; yet the disciples knew what to believe . whom say ye that i am ? thou art christ , the son of the living god , mat. . , . the various heterodox opinions of the people , serve as a foil or tinctured leaf to set off the lustre and beauty of the orthodox and apostolical faith. this is truly commendable , when in such variety and diversity of apprehensions , you are not byassed by any sinister respects , but discern , embrace and profess the truth , as it is in christ jesus . but to what purpose came we into the wilderness , and what expectation drew us hither ? not the expectation of courtly pomp and delicacy . we came not hither to see men clothed like courtiers . the affectation of courtly pomp and gallantry , is very unsuitable in a wilderness . gorgeous attire is comely in princes courts , if it exceed not the limits of christian sobriety : but excess in kings houses , escapes not divine vengeance . zeph. . . — i will punish the princes and the kings children , and all such as are clothed with strange apparel . the pride and haughtiness of the ladies of zion in their superfluous ornaments and stately gestures , brought wrath upon themselves , upon their husbands , and upon their children , yea and upon the whole land , isa . . — . how much more intolerable and abominable is excess of this kinde in a wilderness , where we are so far removed from the riches and honours of princes courts ? to what purpose then came we into the wilderness , and what expectation drew us hither ? was it not the expectation of the pure and faithful dispensation of the gospel and kingdome of god ? the times were such that we could not enjoy it in our own land : and therefore having obtained liberty and a gracious patent from our soveraign , we left our country , kindred and fathers houses , and came into these wilde woods and dese 〈…〉 s ; where the lord hath planted us , and made us dwell in a place of our own , that we might move no more , and that the children of wickedness might not afflict us any more , sam. . . what is it that distinguisheth new-england from other colonies and plantations in america ? not our transportation over the atlantick ocean , but the ministry of gods faithful prophets , and the fruition of his holy ordinances . did not the lord bring the philistims from caphtor , and the assyrians from kir , as well as israel from the land of egypt ? amos . . but by a prophet the lord brought israel out of egypt , and by a prophet was he preserved , hos . . . what , is the price and esteem of gods prophets , and their faithful dispensations , now fallen in our hearts ? the hardships , difficulties and sufferings , which you have exposed your selves unto , that you might dwell in the house of the lord , and leave your little ones under the shadow of the wings of the god of israel , have not been few nor small . and shall we now withdraw our selves and our little ones from under those healing wings , and lose that full reward , which the lord hath in his heart and hand to bestow upon us ? d●d we not with mary choose this for our part , to sit at christs feet and hear his word ? and do we now repent of our choice , and prefer the honours , pleasures and profits of the world before it ? you did run well : who doth hinder you , that you should not obey the truth ? gal. . . hath the lord been wanting to us , or failed our expectation ? micah . . o my people , what have i done unto thee , and wherein have i wearied thee ? testifie against me . jer. . . what iniquity have your fathers found in me , that they are gone far from me ? and ver . . o generation , see ye the word of the lord : have i been a wilderness unto israel ? a land of darkness ? may not the lord say unto us , as pharaoh did to hadad , king. . . what hast thou lacked with me , that behold , thou seekest to go to thine own country ? nay , what could have been done more , then what the lord hath done for us ? isa . . . how sadly hath the lord testified against us , because of our loss of our first love , and our remissness and negligence in his work ? why hath the lord smitten us with blasting and mildew now seven years together , superadding sometimes severe drought , sometimes great tempests , floods , and sweeping rains , that leave no food behinde them ? is it not because the lords house lyeth waste ? temple-work in our hearts , families , churches is shamefully neglected ? what should i make mention of signes in the heavens and in the earth , blazing-stars , earthquakes , dreadful thunders and lightnings , fearful burnings ? what meaneth the heat of his great anger , in calling home so many of his ambassadors ? in plucking such burning and shining lights out of the candlesticks ; the principal - stakes out of our hedges ; the corner-stones out of our walls ? in removing such faithful shepherds from their flocks , and breaking down our defenced cities , iron pillars , and brazen-walls ? seemeth it a small thing unto us , that so many of gods prophets ( whose ministry we came into the wilderness to enjoy ) are taken from us in so short a time ? is it not a sign that god is making a way for his wrath , when he removes his chosen out of the gap ? doth he not threaten us with a famine of the word , the scattering of the flock , the breaking of the candlesticks , and the turning of the songs of the temple into howlings ? it is high time for us to remember whence we are fallen , and repent , and do our first works . wherefore let us lift up the hands that hang down , and strengthen the feeble knees , and make straight paths for our feet , lest that which is lame be turned out of the way , but let it rather be healed , heb. . , . labour we to redress our faintings and swervings , and address our selves to the work of the lord. let us arise and build , and the lord will be with us , and from this day will he bless us . alas , we are feeble and impotent ; our hands are withered , and our strength dried up . remember the man that had a withered hand : christ faith unto him , stretch forth thy hand ; and he stretched it forth , and it was restored whole , like as the other , mat. . . how could he stretch forth his hand , when it was withered , the blood and spirits dried up , and the nerves and sinews shrunk up ? the almighty power of christ accompanying his command , enabled the man to stretch forth his withered hand , and in stretching it forth , restored it whole , like as the other . where the soveraignty of christ's command takes place in the conscience , there is effectual grace accompanying it to the healing of our spiritual feebleness and impotency , and the enabling of us to perform the duty incumbent on us . though we have no might , no strength , yet at christ's command , make an essay . where the word of a king is , there is power . but alas , our bruise is incurable and our wound grievous , there is none to repair the breach , there is no healing medicine . the lord jesus , the great physician of israel , hath undertaken the cure. i will restore health unto thee , and i will heal thee of thy wounds , saith the lord , jer. . . no case is to be accounted desperate or incurable , which christ takes in hand . if he undertake to heal jairus his daughter , he will have her death esteemed but a sleep , in reference to his power . she is not dead , but sleepeth , mat. . . when christ came to lazarus his grave , and bade them take away the stone , martha saith , lord , by this time he stinketh ; for he hath been dead four dayes : but christ answereth , said i not unto thee , that if thou wouldest believe , thou shouldest see the glory of god ? joh. . . let us give glory to god by believing his word , and we shall have real and experimental manifestations of his glory for our good and comfort . but alas , our hearts are sadly prejudiced against the means and instruments , by which we might expect that christ should cure and heal us . were not the hearts of john's disciples leavened with carnal emulation and prejudices against christ himself ? they would not own him to be the messias , nor believe their master's testimony concerning him : insomuch that the lord saw it necessary that john should decrease and be abased , that christ might encrease and be exalted : and therefore suffered herod to shut up john in prison , and keep him in durance about twelve moneths , and at length to cut off his head , that so these fondlings might be weaned from their nurse ; and when john was dead , his disciples resort to jesus , acquaint him with the calamity that befell them , and were perfectly reconciled to him , passing into his school , and becoming his disciples , mat. . . but alas , the times are difficult and perillous ; the wind is stormy , and the sea tempestuous ; the vessel heaves and sets , and tumbles up and down in the rough and boist●rous waters , and is in danger to be swallowed up . well , remember that the lord sitteth upon the flood , yea the lord sitteth king for ever , psal . . . his way is in the sea , and his path in the great waters , and his footsteps are not known , psal . . . he stilleth the noise of the seas , the noise of their waves , and the tumult of the people , psal . . . he saith to the raging sea , peace , be still : and the wind ceaseth , and there is a great calm , mark . . yea , he can enable his people to tread and walk upon the waters . to sail and swim in the waters , is an easie matter ; but to walk upon the waters , as upon a pavement , is an act of wonder . peter at christ's call came down out of the ship 〈◊〉 walked on the water to go to jesus , matth. . . and as long as his faith held , it upheld him from sinking ; when his faith failed , his body sunk : but he cried to the lord , and he stretched forth his hand and caught him , and said unto him , o thou of little faith , wherefore didst thou doubt ? but what shall we do for bread ? the encrease of the field and the labour of the husbandman fails . hear christ's answer to his disciples , when they were troubled , because there was but one loaf in the ship . o ye of little faith , why reason ye , because you have no bread ? perceive ye not yet , neither understand ? have ye your heart yet hardened ? having eyes , see ye not ? and having ears , hear ye not , and do ye not remember ? mark . , . — mat. . , . those which have had large and plentiful experience of the grace and power of christ in providing for their outward sustenance , and relieving of their necessities , when ordinary and usual means have failed , are worthy to be severely reprehended , if afterward they grow anxiously careful and solicitous , because of the defect of outward supplies . in the whole evangelicall history , i finde not that ever the lord jesus did so sharply rebuke his disciples for any thing , as for that fit and pang of worldly care and solicitude about bread. attend we our errand , upon which christ sent us into the wilderness , and he will provide bread for us . matth. . . seek ye first the kingdome of god , and his righteousness , and all these things shall be added unto you . but we have many adversaries , and they have their subtile machinations and contrivances , and how soon we may be surprized , we know not . our diligent attention to the ministry of the gospel , is a special means to check and restrain the rage and fury of adversaries . the people's assiduity in attendance upon christ's ministry , was the great obstacle that hindred the execution of the bloody counsels of the pharisees . luk. . , . he taught daily in the temple , but the chief priests and the scribes , and the chief of the people , sought to destroy him , and could not finde what they might do : for all the people were very attentive to hear him . if the people cleave to the lord , to his prophets , and to his ordinances , it will strike such a fear into the hearts of enemies , that they will be at their wits ends , and not know what to do . however , in this way we have the promise of divine protection and preservation . revel . . . because thou hast kept the word of my patience , i also will keep thee from the hour of temptation , which shall come upon all the world , to try them that dwell upon the earth . let us with mary choose this for our portion , to sit at christ's feet and hear his word ; and whosoever complain against us , the lord jesus will plead for us , as he did for her , and say , they have chosen that good part , which shall not be taken away from them , luk. . . amen . finis . pag. . line . for ground reade grand . a short story of the rise, reign, and ruin of the antinomians, familists, and libertines that infected the churches of new-england and how they were confuted by the assembly of ministers there as also of the magistrates proceedings in court against them : together with god's strange remarkable judgements from heaven upon some of the chief fomenters of these opinions : and the lamentable death of mrs. hutchison : very fit for these times, here being the same errors amongst us, and acted by the same spirit : published at the instant request of sundry, by one that was an eye and ear-witness of the carriage of matters there. winthrop, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a short story of the rise, reign, and ruin of the antinomians, familists, and libertines that infected the churches of new-england and how they were confuted by the assembly of ministers there as also of the magistrates proceedings in court against them : together with god's strange remarkable judgements from heaven upon some of the chief fomenters of these opinions : and the lamentable death of mrs. hutchison : very fit for these times, here being the same errors amongst us, and acted by the same spirit : published at the instant request of sundry, by one that was an eye and ear-witness of the carriage of matters there. winthrop, john, - . weld, thomas, ?- . [ ], [i.e. ] p. printed for tho. parkhurst ..., london : . reproduction of original in huntington library. attributed to john winthrop. cf. nuc pre- . formerly ascribed to thomas weld. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng hutchinson, anne marbury, - . antinomianism. freedom of religion -- new england -- early works to . new england -- church history -- th century. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a short story of the rise , reign , and ruin of the antinomians , familists , and libertines that infected the churches of new-england : and how they were confuted by the assembly of ministers there : as also of the magistrates proceedings in court against them . together with god's strange remarkable judgements from heaven upon some of the chief fomenters of these opinions ; and the lamentable death of mrs. hutchison . very fit for these times ; here being the same errors amongst us , and acted by the same spirit . published at the instant request of sundry , by one that was an eye and ear-witness of the carriage of matters there . ephes. . . be no more children , tossed to and fro , and carried about with every wind of doctrine , by the slight of men , and cunning craftiness , whereby they lie in wait to deceive . beware , lest ye being led away with the error of the wicked , re fall from your own stedfastness , pet. . . london , printed for tho. parkhurst , at the bible and three crowns at the lower end of cheapside , near mercer's chappel , to the reader . i meeting with this book , newly come forth of the press , and being earnestly pressed by divers to perfect it , by laying down the order and sense of this story , ( which in the book is omitted ) though for mine own part , i was more slow unto it ; ( not as if i think it contains any thing but truth ; but ) because the names of some parties , that acted in our troubles , that have , since that time , ( i hope ) repented , and so god having pardoned their sins in heaven , i should have been loth to have revived them on earth ; but considering that their names are already in print without any act of mine , and that the necessity of the times call for it , and it 's requisite that gods great works should be made known ; i therefore , in a strait of time , ( not having had many hours , ) have drawn up this following preface , and prefixed hereunto , with some additions to the conclusion of the book . i commend thy self and this to the blessing of god. t. w. the preface . after we had escaped the cruel hands of persecuting prelates , and the dangers at sea , and had pretty well out-grown our wilderness troubles in our first plantings in new-england ; and when our common-wealth began to be founded , and our churches sweetly setled in peace , ( god abounding to us in more happy enjoyments then we could have expected : ) lest we should now grow secure , our wise god ( who seldom suffers his own , in this their wearisome pilgrimage , to be long without trouble ) sent a new storm after us , which proved the forest trial that ever befel us since we left our native soil . which was this , that some going thither from hence , full fraught with many unsound and loose opinions , after a time , began to open their packs , and freely vent their wares to any that would be their customers ; multitudes of men and women , church-members and others , having tasted of their commodities , were eager after them , and were streight infected before they were aware , and some being tainted conveyed the infection to others : and thus that plague first began amongst us , that had not the wisdom and faithfulness of him , that watcheth over his vineyard night and day , by the beams of his light and grace , cleared and purged the air , certainly we had not been able to have breathed there comfortably much longer . our discourse of them shall tend to shew , . what these opinions were . . how they spread so fast , and prevailed so suddenly . . how they did rage and reign when they had once gotten head . . how they fell and were ruined , when they were at highest . the opinions , ( some of them ) were such as these ; i say , some of them , to give but a tast , for afterwards you shall see a litter of fourscore and eleven of their brats hung up against the sun , besides many new ones of mistriss hutchinsons ; all which they hatched and dandled ; as , . that the law , and the preaching of it , is of no use at all , to drive a man to christ. . that a man is united to christ , and justified without faith : yea , from eternity . . that faith is not a receiving of christ , but a man's discerning that he hath received him already . . that a man is united to christ onely by the work of the spirit upon him , without any act of his . . that a man is never effectually christ's , till he hath assurance . . this assurance is onely from the witness of the spirit . . this witness of the spirit is meerly immediate , without any respect to the word , or any concurrence with it . . when a man hath once this witness , he never doubts more . . to question my assurance , though i fall into murther or adultery , proves that i never had true assurance . . sanctification can be no evidence of a mans good estate . . no comfort can he had from any conditional promise . . poverty in spirit ( to which christ pronounceth blessedness , mat. . . ) is onely this , to see i have no grace at all . . to see i have no grace in me , will give me comfort ; but to take comfort from sight of grace , is legal . . an hypocrite may have adam's graces that he had in innocency . . the graces of saints and hypocrites differ not . . all graces are in christ , as in the subject , and none in us , so that christ believes , christ loves , &c. . christ is the new creature . . god loves a man never the better for any holiness in him , and nevertheless , be he never so unholy . . sin in a child of god must never trouble him . . trouble in conscience for sins of commission , or for neglect of duties , shews a man to be under a covenant of vvorks . . all covenants to god expressed in works are legal works . . a christian is not bound to the law as a rule of his conversation . . a christian is not bound to pray except the spirit moves him . . a minister that hath not this ( new ) light , is not able to edifie others that have it . . the whole letter of the scripture is a covenant of works . . no christian must be prest to duties of holiness . . no christian must be exhorted to faith , love , and prayer , &c. except we know he hath the spirit . . a man may have all graces , and yet want christ. . all a believer's activity is onely to act sin . now these , most of them , being so gross , one would wonder how they should spread so fast and suddenly amongst a people so religious and well taught . for declaring of this be pleased to attend two things . . the nature of the opinions themselves , which open such a fair and easie way to heaven , that men may pass without difficulty . for , if a man need not be troubled by the law , before faith , but may step to christ so easily ; and then if his faith be no going out of himself to take christ , but only a discerning that christ is his own already , and is only an act of the spirit upon him , no act of his own done by him ; and if he , for his part , must see nothing in himself , have nothing , do nothing , only he is to stand still and wait for christ to do all for him . and then if after faith , the law no rule to walk by , no sorrow or repentance for sin ; he must not be pressed to duties , and need never pray , unless moved by the spirit : and if he falls into sin , he is never the more disliked of god , nor his condition never the worse . and for his assurance , it being given him by the spirit , he must never let it go , but abide in the height of comfort , tho' he falls into the grossest sins that he can . then their way to life was made easie , if so , no marvel so many like of it . and this is the very reason , besides the novelty of it , that this kind of doctrine takes so well here in london , and other parts of the kingdom , and that you see so many dance after this pipe , running after such and such , crowding the churches and filling the doors and windows , even such carnal and vile persons ( many of them ) as care not to hear any other godly ministers , but only their leaders . oh it pleaseth nature well to have heaven and their lusts too . . consider their slights they used in somenting their opinions , some of which i will set down : as i. they laboured much to acquaint themselves with as many , as possibly they could , that so they might have the better opportunity to communicate their new light unto them . ii. being once acquainted with them , they would strangely labour to insinuate themselves into their affections , by loving salutes , humble carriage , kind invitements , friendly visits , and so they would win upon men , and steal into their bosoms before they were aware . yea , assoon as any new-comers ( especially , men of note , worth and activity , fit instruments to advance their design ) were landed , they would be sure to welcome them , shew them all courtesie , and offer them room in their own houses , or of some of their own sect , and having gotten them into their web , they could easily poyson them by degrees ; it was rare for any man thus hooked in , to escape their leaven . iii. ( because such men as would seduce others , had need be some way eminent ) they would appear very humble , holy , and spiritual christians , and full of christ ; they would deny themselves far , speak excellently , pray with such soul-ravishing expressions and affections , that a stranger that loved goodness , could not but love and admire them , and so be the more easily drawn after them ; looking upon them as men and women as likely to know the secrets of christ , and bosom-counsels of his spirits , as any other . and this opinion of them was the more lifted up through the simplicity and weakness of their followers , who would , in admiration of them , tell others , that since the apostles time , they were perswaded , none ever received so much light from god , as such and such had done , naming their leaders . . as they would lift up themselves , so also their opinions , by guilding them over with specious terms of free-grace , glorious-light , gospel-truths , as holding forth naked christ : and this took much with simple honest hearts that loved christ , especiaily with new converts , who were lately in bondage under sin and wrath , and had newly tasted the sweetness of free-grace ; being now in their first love to christ , they were exceeding glad to embrace any thing , that might further advance christ and free grace ; and so drank them in readily . . if they met with christians that were full of doubts and fears about their conditions , ( as many tender and godly hearts there were ) they would tell them they had never taken a right course for comfort , but had gone on ( as they were led ) in a legal way of evidencing their good estate by sanctification , and gazing after qualifications in themselves , and would shew them from their own experience , that themselves for a long time , were befool'd even as they are now , in poring upon graces in themselves , and while they did so they never prospered ; but were driven to pull all that building down , and lay better and safer foundations in free-grace ; and then would tell them of this gospel-way we speak of , how they might come to such a setled peace that they might never doubt more , tho' they should see no grace at all in themselves : & so ( as it is said of the harlots dealing with the young man , pr. . . ) with much fair speech they caused them to yield , with the flattering of their lips they forced them . . they commonly labour'd to work first upon women , being ( as they conceived ) the weaker to resist ; the more flexible , tender , and ready to yield : and if once they could winde in them , they hoped by them , as by an eve , to catch their husbands also , which indeed often proved too true amongst us there . . as soon as they had thus wrought in themselves , and a good conceit of their opinions , by all these ways of subtilty , into the hearts of people ; nextly , they strongly endeavour'd with all the craft they could , to undermine the good opinion of their ministers , and their doctrine , and to work them clean out of their affections , telling them they were sorry that their teachers had so mis-bed them , and train'd them up under a covenant of works , and that themselves never having been taught of god , it is no wonder they did no better teach them the truth , and how they may sit till dooms-day under their legal sermons , and never see light ; and withal sometimes casting aspersions on their persons , and practice , as well as their doctrine , to bring them quite out of esteem with them . and this they did so effectually , that many declined the hearing of them , tho' they were members of their churches , and others that did hear , were so filled with prejudice that they profited not , but studied how to object against them , and censure their doctrine , which ( whilst they stood right ) were wont to make their hearts to melt and tremble . yea , some that had been begotten to christ by some of their faithful labours in this land , for whom they could have laid down their lives , and not being able to bear their absence , follow'd after them thither to new-england , to injoy their labours ; yet these falling acquainted with those seducers , were suddenly so alter'd in their affections towards those their spiritual fathers , that they would neither hear them , nor willingly come in their company , professing they had never received any good from them . . they would not , till they knew men well , open the whole mystery of their new religion to them , but this was ever their method , to drop a little at once into their followers as they were capable , and never would administer their physick . till they had first given good preparatives to make it work , and then stronger and stronger potions , as they found the patient able to bear . . they would in company now and then let fall some of their most plausible errors , as a bait let down to catch withal ; now if any began to nibble at the bait , they would angle still , and never give over till they had caught them ; but if any should espy the naked hook , and so see their danger , and profess against the opinions , then you should have them fairly retreat , and say , nay , mistake me not , for i do mean even as you do , you and i are both of one mind in substance , and differ only in words : by this kind of iesuitical dealing , they did not only keep their credit with them , as men that held nothing but the truth ; but gained this also , viz. that when afterwards , they should hear men taxed for holding errors , they would be ready to defend them , and say , ( out of their simplicity of heart ) such men hold nothing but truth , for i my self judged of them , as you do , but when i heard them explain themselves , they and i were both one : by this machivilian policy , these deluders wrere reputed sound in their judgments , and so were able to do the more hurt , and were longer undetected . . what men they saw eminent in the country , and of most esteem in the hearts of the people , they would be sure still , to father their opinions upon them , and say , i hold nothing but what i had from such and such a man , whereas their iudgments and expressions also were in truth far differing from theirs upon point of tryal , but if it came to pass , that they were brought face to face to make it good , ( as sometimes they have been ) they would winde out with some evasion or other , or else say , i understood him so : for it was so frequent with them to have many dark shadows and colours to cover their opinions and expressions withal , that it was a wonderful hard matter to take them tardy , or to know the bottom of what they said or sealed . . but the last and worst of all , which most suddenly diffused the venom of these opinions into the very veins and vitals of the people in the country , was mistress hutchinsons double weekly lecture , which she kept under a pretence of repeating sermons , to which resorted sundry of boston , and other towns about , to the number of fifty , sixty , or eighty at once ; where after she had repeated the sermon , she would make her comment upon it , vent her mischievous opinions as she pleased , and wreathed the scriptures to her own purpose ; where the custom was for her scholars to propound questions , and she ( gravely sitting in the chair ) did make answers thereunto . the great respect she had at first in the hearts of all , and her profitable and sober carriage of matters , for a time , made this her practice less suspected by the godly magistrates , and elders of the church there , so that it was winked at for a time , ( though afterward reproved by the assembly , and called into court but it held so long , until she had spread her leaven so far , that had not providence prevented , it had proved the canker of our peace , and ruine of our comforts . by all these means and cunning slights they used , it came about that those errors were so soon conveyed , before we were aware , not only into the church of boston , where most of these seducers lived , but also into almost all the parts of the country round about . these opinions being thus spread , and grown to their full ripeness and latitude , through the nimbleness and activity of their fomenters , began now to lift up their heads full high , to stare us in the face , and to confront all that opposed them . and that which added vigour and boldness to them was this , that now by this time they had some of all sorts , and quality , in all places to defend and patronise them ; some of the magistrates , some gentlemen , some scholars , and men of learning , some burgesses of our general court , some of our captains and souldiers , some chief men in towns , and some men eminent for religion , parts , and wit. so that wheresoever the case of the opinions came in agitation , there wanted not patrons to stand up to plead for them , and if any of the opinionists were complained of in the courts for their misdemeanors , or brought before the churches for conviction or censure , still , some or other of that party would not onely suspend , giving their vote against them , but would labour to justifie them , side with them , and protest against any sentence that should pass upon them , and so be ready , not onely to harden the delinquent against all means of conviction , but to raise a mutiny , if the major part should carry it against them ; so in town-meetings , military-trainings , and all other societies , yea , almost in every family , it was hard , if that some or other were not ready to rise up in defence of them , even as of the apple of their own eye . now , oh their boldness , pride , insolency , alienations from their old and dearest friends , the disturbances , divisions , contentions they raised amongst us , both in church and state , and in families , setting division betwixt husband and wife ! oh the sore censures against all sorts that opposed them , and the contempt they cast upon our godly magistrates , churches , ministers , and all that were set over them , when they stood in their way ! now the faithful ministers of christ must have dung cast on their faces , and be no better than legal preachers , baal's-priests , popish factors , scribes , pharisees , and opposers of christ himself . now they must be pointed at , as it were with the finger , and reproached by name , such a church officer is an ignorant man , and knows not christ ; such an one is under a covenant of works ; such a pastor is a proud man , and would make a good persecuter ; such a teacher is grossly popish ; so that through these reproaches , occasion was given to men to abhor the offerings of the lord. now , one of them in a solemn convention of ministers , dared to say to their faces , that they did not preach the covenant of free-grace , and that they themselves had not the seal of the spirit , &c. now , after our sermons were ended at our publick lectures , you might have seen half a dozen pistols discharged at the face of the preacher , ( i mean ) so many objections made by the opinionists in the open assembly against our doctrine delivered if it suited not their new fancies , to the marvellous weakning of holy truths delivered , ( what in them lay ) in the hearts of all the weaker sort ; and this done not once and away , but from day to day after our sermons ; yea , they would come when they heard a minister was upon such a point , as was like to strike at their opinions , with a purpose to oppose him to his face . now , you might have seen many of the opinionists rising up , and contemptuously turning their backs upon the faithful pastors of that church , and going forth from the assembly when he began to pray or preach . now , you might have read epistles of defiance and challenge , written to some ministers after their sermons , to cross and contradict truths by them delivered , and to maintain their own way . now , might one have frequently heard , both in court and church-meetings where they were dealt withal , about their opinions , and exorbitant carriages , such bold and menacing expressions as these . this i hold , and will hold to my death , and will maintain it with my blood . and if i cannot be heard here , i must be forced to take some other course . they said moreover what they would do against us ( biting their words in ) when such and such opportunities should be offered to them , as they daily expected . insomuch that we had great cause to have feared the extremity of danger from them , in case power had been in their hands . now , you might have heard one of them preaching a most dangerous sermon in a great assembly ; when he divided the whole country into two ranks , some ( that were of his opinion ) under a covenant of grace , and those were friends to christ ; others under a covenant of works , whom they might know by this , if they evidence their good estate by their sanctification : those were ( said he ) enemies to christ , herods , pilates , scribes and pharisees , yea , antichrists ; and advised all under a covenant of grace , to look upon them as such , and did , with great zeal , stimulate them to deal with them as they would with such : and withal alledging the story of moses that killed the egyptian , barely left it so : i mention not this or any thing , in the least degree , to reflect upon this man , or any other ; for god hath long since opened his eyes ( i hope ) but to shew what racket these opinions did make there , and will any where else where they get an head . now , might you have seen open contempt cast upon the face of the whole general court in subtile words to this very effect . that the magistrates were ahabs , amaziahs , scribes and pharisees , enemies to christ , led by satan , that old enemy of free-grace , and that it were better that a milstone were hung about their necks , and they were drowned in the sea , than they should censure one of their iudgment , which they were now about to do . another of them you might have seen so audaciously insolent , and high-flown in spirit and speech , that she bad the court of magistrates ( when they were about to censure her for her pernicious carriages ) take heed what they did to her , for she knew by an infallible revelation , that for this act which they were about to pass against her , god would ruin them , their posterity , and that whole common-wealth . by a little taste of a few passages instead of multitudes here presented , you may see what an heighth they were grown unto , in a short time ; and what a spirit of pride , insolency , contempt of authority , division , sedition , they were acted by : it was a wonder of mercy that they had not set our common-wealth and churches on a fire and consumed us all therein . they being mounted to this heighth , and carried with such a strong hand ( as you have heard , ) and seeing a spirit of pride , subtilty , malice , and contempt of all men , that were not of their minds , breathing in them ( our hearts sadded , and our spirits tyred ) we sighed and groaned to heaven , we humbled our souls by prayer and fasting that the lord would find out and bless some means and ways for the cure of this sore , and deliver his truth and our selves from this heavy bondage . which ( when his own time was come ) he hearkned unto , and in infinite mercy looked upon our sorrows , and did in a wonderful manner , beyond all expectation free us by these means following . . he stirred up all the ministers spirits in the country to preach against those errors and practices , that so much pestered the country , to inform , to confute , to rebuke , &c. thereby to cure those that were diseased already , and to give antidotes to the rest , to preserve them from infection . and tho' this ordinance went not without its appointed effect , in the latter respect , yet we found it not so effectual for the driving away of this infection , as we desired , for they ( most of them ) hardned their faces , and bent their wits how to oppose , and confirm themselves in their way . . we spent much time and strength in conference with them , sometimes in private before the elders only , sometimes in our publick congregation for all comers ; many , very many hours and half days together we spent therein to see if any means might prevail ; we gave them free leave , with all lenity and patience , to lay down what they could say for their opinions , and answered them , from point to point , and then brought clear arguments from evident scriptures against them , and put them to answer us even until they were oftentimes brought to be either silent , or driven to deny common principles , or shuffle off plain scripture ; and yet ( such was their pride and hardness of heart that ) they would not yield to the truth , but did tell us they would take time to consider of our arguments , and in the mean space meeting with some of their abetters , strengthened themselves again in their old way , that when we dealt with them next time , we found them further off than before , so that our hopes began to languish of reducing them by private means . . then we had an assembly of all the ministers and learned men in the whole country , which held for three weeks together at cambridge ( then called new-town ) mr. hooker , and mr. bulkley ( alias buckley ) being chosen moderators , or prolocutors , the magistrates sitting present all that time , as hearers , and speakers also when they saw fit : a liberty also was given to any of the country to come in and hear , ( it being appointed , in great part , for the satisfaction of the people ) and a place was appointed for all the opinionists to come in , and take liberty of speech , ( only due order observed ) as much as any of our selves had , and as freely . the first week we spent in confuting the loose opinions that we gathered up in the country , the summ of which is set down , pag. . &c. the other fortnight we spent in a plain syllogistical dispute , ( ad vulgus as much as might be ) gathered up nine of the chiefest points , ( on which the rest depended ) and disputed of them all in order , pro & con . in the forenoons we framed our arguments , and in the afternoons produced them in publick and next day the adversary gave in their answers , and produced also their arguments on the same questions ; then we answered them , and replyed also upon them the next day . these disputes are not mentioned at all in the following discourse , happily , because of the swelling of the book . god was much present with his servants , truth began to get ground , and the adverse party to be at a stand , but after discourse amongst themselves , still they hardned one another , yet the work of the assembly ( through gods blessing ) gained much on the hearers , that were indifferent , to strengthen them , and on many wavering , to settle them : the error of the opinions and wilfulness of their maintainer's , laid stark naked . . then after this mean was tried , and the magistrates saw that neither our preaching , conference , nor yet our assembly meeting did effect the cure , but that , still , after conference had together , the leaders put such life into the rest , that they all went on in their former course , not only to disturb the churches , but miserably interrupt the civil peace , and that they threw contempt both upon courts and churches , and began now to raise sedition amongst us , to the indangering of the common-wealth ; hereupon for these grounds named , ( and not for their opinions , as themselves falsely reported , and as our godly magistrates have been much traduced here in england ) for these reasons ( i say ) being civil disturbances , the magistrate convents them , ( as it plainly appears , pag. , . of this book ) and censures them ; some were disfranchised , others fined , the incurable amongst them banished . this was another mean of their subduing some of the leaders being down , and oth●…rs gone , the rest were weakned , but yet they ( for all this ) strongly held up their heads many a day after . . then god himself was pleased to step in with his casting voice , and bring in his own vote and suffrage from heaven by testifying his displeasure against their opinions and practices , as clearly as if he had pointed with his finger , in causing the two fomenting women in the time of the height of the opinions to produce out of their wombs , as before they had out of their brains , such monstrous births , as no chronicle ( i think ) hardly ever recorded the like . mistriss dier brought forth her birth of a woman child , a fish , a beast , and a fowl , all woven together in one , and without an head , as pag. , describes , to which i refer the reader . mistriss hutchison being big with child , and growing towards the time of her labour , as other women do , she brought forth not one , ( as mistris dier did ) but ( which was more strange to amazement ) thirty monstrous births or thereabouts , at once ; some of them bigger , some lesser , some of one shape , some of another ; few of any perfect shape , none at all of them ( as far as i could ever learn ) of humane shape . these things are so strange , that i am almost loth to be the reporter of them , lest i should seem to feign a new story , and not to relate an old one , but i have learned otherwise ( blessed be his name ) than to delude the world with untruths . and these things are so well known in new-england , that they have been made use of in publick , by the reverend teacher of boston , and testified by so many letters to friends here , that the things are past question . and see how the wisdom of god sitted this judgment to her sin every way , for look as she had vented mishapen opinions , so she must bring forth deformed monsters ; and as about thirty opinions in number , so many monsters ; and as those were publick , and not in a corner mentioned , so this is now come to be known and famous over all these churches , and a great part of the world. and though he that runs may read their sin in these judgments ; yet , behold the desperate and stupendious hardness of heart in these persons and their followers , who were so far from seeing the finger of god in all these dreadful passages , that they turned all from themselves upon the faithful servants of god that laboured to reclaim them , saying , this is for you , ye legalists , that your eyes might be farther blinded , by god's hand upon us , in your legal ways , and stumble and fall , and in the end break your necks into hell , if ye imbrace not the truth . now i am upon mistris hutchison's story , i will digress a little to give you a farther tast of her spirit , viz. after she was gone from us to the island , the church of boston sent unto her four of their members , ( men of a lovely and winning spirit , as most likely to prevail ) to see if they could convince and reduce her , according to thess. . . when they came first unto her , she asked from whom they came , and what was their business ? they answered , we are come in the name of the lord iesus , from the church of christ at boston , to labour to convince you of , &c — at that word she ( being filled with as much disdain in her countenance , as bitterness in her spirit ) replied , what , from the church at boston ? i know no such church , neither will i own it , call it the whore and strumpet of boston , no church of christ : so they said no more , seeing her so desperate , but returned . behold the spirit of error , to what a pass it drives a man ! this loud-speaking providence from heaven in the monsters , did much awaken many of their followers ( especially the tenderer sort ) to attend god's meaning therein ; and made them at such a stand , that they dared not slight so manifest a sign from heaven , that from that time we found many of their ears boared ( as they had good cause ) to attend to counsel , but others yet followed them . . the last stroke that slew the opinions , was the falling away of their leaders . . into more hideous and soul-destroying delusions , which rain ( indeed ) all religion , as , that the souls of men are mortal like the beasts . that there is no such thing as inherent righteousness . that these bodies of ours shall not rise again . that their own revelations of particular events were as infallible as the scripture , &c. . they also grew ( many of them ) very loose and degenerate in their practices ( for these opinions will certainly produce a filthy life by degrees ; ) as no prayer in their families , no sabbath , insufferable pride , frequ●…nt and hideous lying ; divers of them being proved guilty ; some of five , other of ten gross lies ; another falling into a lie , god smote him in the very act , that he sunk down into a deep swound , and being by hot waters recover'd , and coming to himself , said , oh god , thou mightst have struck me dead , as ananias and saphira , for i have maintained a lie . mistress hutchison and others cast out of the church for lying , and some guilty of fouler sins than all these , which i here name not . these things exceedingly amazed their followers , ( especially such as were led after them in the simplicity of their hearts , as many were ) and now they began to see that they were deluded by them . a great while they did not believe that mistress hutchison and some others did hold such things as they were taxed for , but when themselves heard her defending her twenty nine cursed opinions in boston church , and there falling into fearful lying , with an impudent fore-head in the open assembly , then they believed what before they could not , and were ashamed before god and men , that ever they were so led aside from the lord and his truth , and the godly counsel of their faithful ministers , by such an impostor as she was . now no man could lay more upon them , than they would upon themselves , in their acknowledgment . many after this came unto us , who before flew from us , with such desires as those in act. . men and brethren , what shall we do ? and did willingly take shame to themselves in the open assemblies by confessing ( some of them with many tears ) how they had given offence to the lord and his people , by departing from the truth , and being led by a spirit of error , their alienation from their brethren in their affections , and their crooked and perverse walking in contempt of authority , slighting the churches , and despising the counsel of their godly teachers . now they would freely discover the slights the adversaries had used to undermine them by , and steal away their eyes from the truth and their brethren , which before ( whilst their eyes were seal'd ) they could not see . and the fruit of this was great praise to the lord , who had thus wonderfully wrought matters about ; gladness in all our hearts and faces , and expressions of our renewed affections by receiving them again into our bosoms , and from that time untill now have walked ( according to their renewed covenants ) humbly and lovingly amongst us , holding forth truth and peace with power . but for the rest , which ( notwithstanding all these means of conviction from heaven and earth , and the example of their seduced brethrens return ) yet stood obdurate , yea more hardned ( us we had cause to fear ) than before ; we convented those of them that were members before the churches , and yet laboured once and again to convince them , not only of their errors , but also of sundry exorbitant practices which they had fallen into ; as manifest pride , contempt of authority , neglecting to hear the church , and lying , &c. but after no means prevailed , we were driven with sad hearts to give them up to satan . yet not simply for their opinions ( for which i find we have been slanderously traduced ) but the chiefest cause of their censure was their miscarriages ( as have been said ) persisted in with great obstinacy . the persons cast out of the churches , were about nine or ten , as far as i can remember ; who , for a space , continued very hard and impenitent , but afterward some of them were received into fellowship again , upon their repentance . these persons cast out , and the rest of the ring-leaders that had received sentence of banishment , with many others infected by them , that were neither censured in court , nor in churches , went all together out of our iurisdiction and precinct into an island called read-island , ( sirnamed by some , the island of errors ) and there they live to this day , most of them ; but in great strife and contention in the civil estate , and otherwise ; hatching and multiplying new opinions , and cannot agree , but are miserably divided into sundry sects and factions . but mistress hutchison being weary of the island , or rather , the island weary of her , departed from thence with all her family , her daughter , and her children , to live under the dutch , near a place called by sea-men , and in the map , hell-gate . ( and now i am come to the last act of her tragedy , a most heavy stroak upon her self and hers , as i received it very lately from a godly hand in new-england . ) there the indians set upon them , and slew her , and all her family ; her daughter , and her daughters husband , and all their children , save one that escaped ; ( her own husband being dead before ; ) a dreadful blow . some write that the indians did burn her to death with fire , her house and all the rest named that belonged to her ; but i am not able to affirm by what kind of death they slew her , but slain it seems she is , according to all reports . i never heard that the indians in those parts did ever before this , commit the like outrage upon any one family , or families ; and therefore gods hand is the more apparently seen herein , to pick out this woful woman , to make her , and those belonging to her , an unheard-of heavy example of their cruelty above others . thus the lord heard our groans to heaven , and freed us from this great and sore affliction , which first was small , like elias's cloud ; but after spread the heavens ; and hath ( through great mercy ) given the churches rest from this disturbance ever since ; that we know none that lifts up his head to disturb our sweet peace , in any of the churches of christ among us ; blessed for ever be his name . i bow my knees to the god of truth and peace , to grant these churches as full a riddance from the same , or like opinions , which do destroy his truth , and disturb their peace . a postscript . i think it fit to add a comfortable passage of news from those parts written to me very lately by a faithful hand , which as it affected mine own heart , so it may do many others , viz. that two sagamores , ( or indian princes ) with all their men , women and children , have voluntarily submitted themselves to the will and law of our god , with expressed desires to be taught the same ; and have for that end , put themselves under our government and protection , even in the same manner , as any of the english are : which morning-peep of mercy to them ( saith he ) is a great means to awaken the spirit of prayer and faith for them in all the churches . t. welde . a catalogue of such erroneous opinions as were found to have been brought into new-england , and spread under hand there , as they were condemned by an assembly of the churches , at new-town , aug. . . the errors . . in the conversion of a sinner , which is saving and gracious , the faculties of the soul , and workings thereof , in things pertaining to god , are destroyed and made to cease . the confutation . . this is contrary to the scripture , which speaketh of the faculties of the soul , ( as the understanding and the will ) not as destroyed in conversion , but as changed , luke . christ is said to have opened their understandings : ioh. . . peter is said to be led whither he would not , therefore he had a will. again , to destroy the faculties of the soul , is to destroy the immortality of the soul. error . instead of them , the holy ghost doth come and take place , and doth all the works of those natures , as the faculties of the human nature of christ do . confutation . this is contrary to scripture , which speaketh of god , as sanctifying our souls and spirits , thess. . . purging our consciences , heb. . . refreshing our memories , ioh. . . error . that the love which is said to remain , when faith and hope cease , is the holy ghost . confutation . this is contrary to the scriptures , which put an express difference between the holy ghost , and love , cor. . . and if our love were the holy ghost , we cannot be said to love god at all ; or if we did , it was , because we were personally united to the holy ghost . error , . that those that be in christ , are not under the law , and commands of the word , as the rule of life . alias , that the will of god in the word , or directions thereof , are not the rule whereunto christians are bound to conform themselves , to live thereafter . confutation , . this is contrary to the scriptures , which direct us to the law , and to the testimony , esa. . . which also speaks of christians , as not being without law to god , but under the law to christ , cor. . . error . the example of christ's life , is not a pattern according to ‑ which men ought to act , confutation . this position ( those actions of christ excepted which he did as god , or as a mediator , god and man , or on special occasions , which concern not us ) is unsound , being contrary to the scripture , wherein the example of christs life is propounded to christians , as a pattern of imitation , both by christ and his apostles , mat. . . learn of me , for i am meek , &c. cor. . . be ye followers of me , as i am of christ , ephes. . . walk in love , as christ hath loved us , pet. . . christ also suffered for us , leaving us an example , that ye should follow his steps , joh. . . he that saith he abideth in him , ought so to walk , even as he hath walked . error . the new creature , or the new man mentioned in the gospel , is not meant of grace , but of christ. confutation . the false-hood of this proposition appeareth from the scriptures , which first propound christ and the new creature , as distinct one from another , cor. . . if any man be in christ , he is a new creature . secondly , the new man is opposed to the old man , the old man is meant of lusts and vices , and not of adams person , ephes. . , . therefore the new man is meant of graces and vertues , and not of the person of christ , col. . , . thirdly , the new man is expresly said to consist in righteousness and true holiness , ephes. . . and to be renewed in knowledge , col. . . which are graces , and not christ. error . by love , corinth . . . and by the armour mentioned , ephes. . are meant christ. confutation . this position is near of kin to the former ; but , secondly , the opposite , cor. . meaneth that love which he exhorteth christians to bear one towards another , which if it were meant of christ , he might be said to exhort them to bear christ one to another , as well as to love one another . . faith and hope there mentioned , have christ for their object ; and if by love be meant christ , he had put no more in the latter word , than in the two former . . and besides , it may as well be said , faith in love , as faith in christ , and hope in love , as hope in christ , if that were the meaning . and by armour , ephes. . cannot be meant christ. first , because two parts of that armour are faith and hope , whereof the scriptures make christ the object : col. . . beholding the stedfastness of your faith in christ , cor. . . if in this life only we had hope in christ , &c. now these graces , and the object of them cannot be the same , secondly , a person armed with that armour , may be said to be a sincere , righteous , patient christian , but if by the armour be meant christ , such predication should have been destroyed , and you might more properly say , a christified christian. error . the whole letter of the scripture holds for a covenant of works . confutation . this position is unsound , and contrary to the constant tenor of the gospel , a main part of the scriptures which in the letter thereof holds not forth a covenant of works , but of grace , as appeareth , ioh. . . . tim. . . mat. . . heb. . , . . error . that god the father , son and holy ghost , may give themselves to the soul , and the soul may have true union with christ , true remission of sins , true marriage and fellowship , true sanctification from the blood of christ , and yet be an hypocrite . confutation . the word [ true ] being taken in the sense of the scriptures ; this also crosseth the doctrine of ephes. . . where righteousness and true holiness are made proper to him , that hath heard and learned the truth , as it is in jesus . error . as christ was once made flesh , so he is now first made flesh in us , ere we be carried to perfection . confutation . christ was once made flesh , ioh. . . no other incarnation is recorded , and therefore not to be believed . error . now in the covenant of works , a legalist may attain the same righteousness for truth , which adam had in innocency before the fall. confutation . he that can attain adams righteousness in sincerity , hath his sin truly mortified , but that no legalist can have , because true mortification is wrought by the covenant of grace , rom. . . sin shall not have dominion over you , for you are not under the law , but under grace . error . that there is a new birth under the covenant of works , to such a kind of righteousness , as before is mentioned , from which the soul must be again converted , before it can be made partaker of gods kingdom . confutation . this is contrary to tit. . . where the new birth is made a fruit of gods love towards man in christ ; of any new birth besides this , the scripture speaketh not . it is also contrary to cor. . where it is made the work of the spirit , ( that is , the gospel ) opposed to the letter ( that is , to the law ) to give life ; the new birth brings forth the new creature , and the new creature argueth our being in christ , cor. . . it is true indeed , gods children that are born again , must be converted again , as mat. . . but that conversion is not from that grace which they have received , but from the corruption that still remains . error . that christ works in the regenerate , as in those that are dead , and not as in those that are alive , or the regenerate after conversion are altogether dead to spiritual acts. confutation . this is contrary to rom. . . ye are alive unto god , in jesus christ , ephes. . , . he hath quickned us , pet. . . living stones , gal. . . the life that i now live . error . there is no inherent righteousness in the saints , or grace , and graces are not in the souls of believers , but in christ only . confutation . this is contrary to tim. . . the unfeigned faith that dwelt in thee , and dwelt first in thy grandmoother , pet. . . partakers of the divine nature ; which cannot be , but by inherent righteousness , tim. . . stir up the grace of god which is in thee , iohn . . of his fulness , we all receive grace for grace : but if there be no grace in us , we receive nothing from his fulness , cor. . . our inward man is renewed day by day , rom. . . with ephes. . . we are changed or renewed . error . there is no difference between the graces of hypocrites and believers , in the kinds of them . confutation . if this be true , then hypocrites are wise , humble , merciful , pure , &c. and so shall see god , mat. . . but they are called fools , mat. . . mat. . , , . neither shall they see god , mat. . . mat. . , , , . heb. . , , . the difference of the grounds , argueth the difference in the kinds of graces . error . true poverty of spirit , doth kill and take away the sight of grace . confutation . this is contrary to mark . . lord , i believe , help my unbelief : if this were so , then poverty of spirit should binder thankfulness ; and so one grace should hinder another , and the graces of the spirit should hinder the work of the spirit , and cross the end why he is given to us , cor. . . error . the spirit doth work in hypocrites , by gifts and graces , but in gods children immediately . confutation . this is contrary to nehem. . . so did i because of the fear of the lord : heb. . . noah moved with fear , prepared an ark. error . that all graces , even in the truly regenerate , are mortal and fading . confutation . this is contrary to ioh. . . they are graces which flow from a fountain which springeth up to eternal life ; and therefore not fading , ier. . , . error . that to call into question , whether god be my dear father , after or upon the commission of some hainous sins , ( as murther , incest , &c. ) doth prove a man to be in the covenant of works . confutation . it being supposed that the doubting here spoken of , is not that of final despair , or the like ; but only that the position denieth a possibility of all doubting to a man under a covenant of grace , this is contrary to scripture , which speaketh of god's people under a covenant of grace , in these or other cases , exercised with sweet doubtings and questions : david was a justifi'd man , ( for his sins were pardoned , sam. . , . ) yet his bones waxed old , through his roaring all the day long , and the heaviness of gods hand was upon him night and day , and the turning of his moisture into the drought of summer , psal. . , . and gods breaking his bones by with-holding from him the joy of his salvation , psal . shew that he was exercised with sweet doubts and questions at least , as this position speaketh of ; and the like may be gathered out of psal. . , . where the holy man asaph , mentioneth himself , being troubled when he remembred god , and that he was so troubled , he could not speak nor sleep , and expostulateth with god ; will the lord cast off for ever ? and will he be favourable no more ? and ver . , , , . these shew that he had at least sweet doubts , as the position mentioneth , and yet he was not thereby proved to be under a covenant of works ; for he doth afterward confess this to be his infirmity , vers . . and receiveth the comfort of former experiences , in former days , and his songs in the nights , and of gods former works , vers . , . , , . and he resumeth his claim of his right in god by vertue of his covenant , verse . error . to be justified by faith , is to be justified by works . confutation . if faith , in this position be considered not simply as a work , but in relation to its object , this is contrary to the scripture , that so appropriateth justification to faith ; as it denieth it to works , setting faith and works in opposition one against another in the point of justification , as rom. . . where is boasting then ? it is excluded . by what law ? by the law of works ? no , but by the law of faith ; and ver . . we conclude , that a man is justified by faith , without the works of the law , and chap. . . therefore it is by faith , that it may be by grace , compared with vers . . to him that worketh is the reward reckoned , not of grace , but of debt . error . none are to be exhorted to believe , but such whom we know to be the elect of god , or to have his spirit in them effectually . confutation . this is contrary to the scriptures , which maketh the commission which christ gave his disciples , in these words , go , preach the gospel to every creature ; he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved , mark . , . where the latter words imply an exhortation to believe , and the former words direct , that this should not only be spoken to men known to be elected , or only to men effectually called , but to every creature ; the scripture also telleth us , that the apostles , in all places , called upon men to repent and believe the gospel , which they might not have done , had this position been true . error . we must not pray for gifts and graces , but only for christ. confutation . this is contrary to scripture which teacheth us to pray for wisdom , iam. . . and for every grace bestowed by vertue of the new covenant , ezek. . . as acknowledging every good gift , and every perfect giving is from above , and cometh down from the father of lights . the whole . psalm , besides innumerable texts of scripture , doth abundantly confute this , by shewing that the servants of god have been taught by the spirit of god to pray for every gift and grace needful for them , and not only for christ. error . he that hath the seal of the spirit , may certainly judge of any person , whether he be elected or no. confutation . this is contrary to deut. , . secret things belong to god ; and such is election of men not yet called . error . a man may have all graces and poverty of spirit , and yet want christ. confutation . this is contrary to mat. . . blessed are the poor in spirit : but without christ none can be blessed , ephes. . , . he that hath rightoousness and true holiness , hath learned the truth , as it is in jesus , and therefore hath christ. error . the faith that justifieth us is in christ , and never had any actual being out of christ. confutation . this is contrary to scripture , luke . . lord increase our faith , ergo , faith was in them , tim. . . faith is said to dwell in such and such persons , therefore faith was in them , isa. . . no man stirs up himself to lay hold upon thee . error . it is incompatible to the covenant of grace , to joyn faith thereunto . confutation . this is contrary to mark . . preach the gospel , he that believeth shall be saved , rom . . abraham believed , and it was accounted to him for righteousness , and abraham is a pattern to all under the covenant of grace , rom. . . error . to affirm there must be faith on mans part to receive the covenant , is to undermine christ. confutation . first , faith is requir'd on mans part to receive the covenant of grace , according to these scriptures , ioh. . . to as many as received him , even to them that believed on his name , mark . . he that believeth shall be saved . secondly , to affirm there must be faith on mans part to receive christ , is not to undermine christ , but to exalt him , according to these scriptures , ioh. . . he that believeth , hath put to his seal that god is true ; and so honours gods truth , which cannot undermine christ ; rom. . . but was strong in the faith ; giving glory to god , &c. error . an hypocrite may have these two witnesses , ioh. . . that is to say , the water and blood. confutation . no hypocrite can have these two witnesses , water and blood , that is , true justification and sanctification , for then he should be saved , according to these scriptures , rom. . . thes. . . acts , . error . if any thing may be concluded from the water and blood , it is rather damnation , than salvation . confutation . this is contrary to the scripture last mentioned . error . such as see any grace of god in themselves , before they have the assurance of gods love sealed to them , are not to be received members of churches . confutation . this is contrary to acts . , . where the eunuch saw his faith only , and yet was presently baptized ; and therefore by the same ground might be admitted . error . after the revelation of the spirit , neither devil nor sin can make the soul to doubt . confutation . this position savours of error , else asaph had not the revelation of the spirit , seeing he doubted , ( psal. . . ) whether he had not cleansed his heart in vain , and that god had forgotten to be gracious ; then also faith should be perfect , which was never found , no not in our father abraham . error . to act by vertue of , or in obedience to a command is legal . confutation . so is it also evangelical , the mystery of the gospel is said to be revealed for the obedience of faith , rom. . . also the lord jesus is said to be the author of salvation to all that obey him , heb. . . if we love christ , we are to keep his commandments , joh. . . error . we are not to pray against all sin , because the old man is in us , and must be ; and why should we pray against that which cannot be avoided ? confutation . this is contrary to thess. . . cor. . . error . the efficacy of christ's death is to kill all activity of graces in his members , that he might act all in all . confutation . this is contrary to rom. . . our old man is crucified wit●… him , that the body of sin might be destroyed , that we should not serve sin : contrary also to heb. . . that he might through death destroy him , &c. and ioh. . . whence we infer , that if christ came to destroy the body of sin , to destroy the devil , to dissolve the works of the devil , then not to kill his own graces , which are the works of his own spirit . error . all the activity of a believer , is to act to sin . confutation . contrary to rom. . . as also to gal. . . the spirit lusteth against the flesh. error . we are compleatly united to christ , before , or without any faith wrought in us by the spirit . confutation . the term [ united ] being understood of that spiritual relation of men unto christ , whereby they come to have life and right to all other blessings in christ , joh. . . he that hath the son hath life : and the term [ compleatly ] implying a presence of all those bands and ligaments and means , as are required in the word , or are any ways necessary to the making up of the union , we now conceive this assertion to be erroneous , contrary to scripture , that either expresly mentioneth faith when it speaketh of this union , ephes. . . that christ may dwell in your hearts by faith , gal. . . christ liveth in me by faith ; or ever implyeth it in those phrases that do express union ; as coming to christ , iohn . . and eating and drinking christ , vers . . compared with v. . having the son , iohn . . and receiving christ , iohn . . and marriage unto christ , ephes. . . if there be no dwelling of christ in us , no coming to him , no receiving him , no eating nor drinking him , no being married to him before and without faith ; but the former is true , therefore also the latter . error . there can be no true closing with christ in a promise that hath a qualification or condition expressed . confutation . this opinion we conceive erroneous , contrary to esay , . ho! every one that thirsteth , come ye to the waters . mat. . . come to me all ye that are weary and heavy laden . john . . if any man thirst , let him come to me and drink , revel . . . let him that is athirst come . mark . . repent and believe the gospel : if the word indefinitely be sanctified , for the begetting of faith , if the gospel it self be laid down in a conditional promise , if the apostles and prophets , and christ himself , have laid hold upon such promisea to help to union , and closing with himself , then there may be a true closing with christ , in a promise that hath a qualification or condition expressed . error . the due search and knowledge of the holy scripture , is not a safe and sure way of searching and finding christ. confutation . this is contrary to express words of scripture , joh. . . search the scriptures , for they testifie of me , act. , . to him give all the prophets witness , rom. . . the righteousness of god witnessed by the law and the prophets , esay . . to the law and to the testimony , act. . . the bereans were more noble , in that they searched the scriptures daily . if the prophets give witness to christ , if his righteousness be witnessed by law and prophets , and that they be noble that daily search the scriptures , and that christ so far alloweth their testimony of him , that the scripture saith , there is no light , but in and according to them , then the due searching and knowledge of scriptures , is a safe way to search christ ; but the former is true , and therefore also the latter . error . there is a testimony of the spirit and voice unto the soul , meerly immediate , without any respect unto , or concurrence with the word . confutation . this immediate revelation without concurrence with the word , doth not onely countenance but confirm that opinion of enthusiasme , justly refused by all the churches , as being contrary to the perfection of the scriptures , and perfection of god's wisdom therein : that which is not revealed in the scripture , ( which is objectum adaequatum fidei ) is not to be believed : but that there is any such revelation , without concurrence with the word , is no where revealed in the scripture , ergo. cor. . . presume not above that which is written . again , if there be any immediate revelation without concurrence of the word , then it cannot be tried by the word , but we are bid to try the spirits . to the law and testimony , esa. . . to try all things , thes. . . so the bereans , acts . . and the rule of trial is the word , ioh. . . error . there be distinct seasons of the workings of the several persons ; so the soul may be said to be so long under the fathers , and not the sons , and so long under the sons work , and not the spirits . confutation . this expression is not according to the pattern of wholsome words , which teacheth a joint-concurrence of all the persons , working in every work that is wrought ; so that we cannot say , the father works so long , and the son works not , because the same work at the same time is common to them both , and to all the three persons , as the father draws , ioh. . . so the son sends his spirit to convince , and thereby draws , ioh. . , . error . there is no assurance true or right , unless it be without fear and doubting . confutation . this is contrary to scripture , the penman of psal. . had true assurance , v. . and yet he had doubts and fears of god's eternal mercy , ver . , , . the best faith is imperfect , and admits infirmity , v. . cor. . , , . where there is flesh that doth fight against every grace , and act thereof , and is contrary to it , there can be no grace perfect , ergo , doubting may stand with assurance , gal. . . error . the spirit acts most in the saints , when they endeavour least . confutation . reserving the special seasons of god's preventing grace to his own pleasure ; in the ordinary constant course of his dispensation , the more we endeavour , the more assistance and help we find from him , prov. . , , . he that seeks and digs for wisdom as for treasure , shall find it , hos. . . chron. . . the lord is with you , while you are with him : if by endeavour be meant the use of lawful means and ordinances commanded by god to seek and find him in , then is it contrary to mat. . . ask , seek , knock , &c. error . no created work can be a manifest sign of god's love . confutation . if created works , flowing from union with christ , be included , it is against iohn's epistles , and many scriptures , which make keeping the commandments ; love to the brethren , &c. evidences of a good estate , so consequently of god's love . error . nothing but christ is an evidence of my good estate . confutation . if here christ manifesting himself in works of holiness , be excluded ; and nothing but christ nakedly revealing himself to faith , be made an evidence , it is against the former scriptures . error . it is no sin in a believer not to see his grace , except he be wilfully blind . confutation . this is contrary to the scripture , which makes every transgression of the law sin , though wilfulness be not annexed ; and this crosseth the work of the spirit which sheweth us the things that are given us of god ; cor. . . and crosseth also that command , cor. . . prove your faith , and therefore we ought to see it . error . the seal of the spirit is limited onely to the immediate witness of the spirit , and doth never witness to any work of grace , or to any conclusion by a syllogism . confutation . this is contrary to rom. . . to that which our spirit bears witness , to that the spirit of god bears witness , for they bear a joint witness , as the words will have it ; but our spirits bear witness to a work of grace ; namely , that believers are the children of god , ergo. error . that conditional promises are legal . confutation . contrary to ioh. . . mat. . , &c. error . we are not bound to keep a constant course of prayer in our families , or privately , unless the spirit stir us up thereunto . confutation . this is contrary to ephes. . . thess. . . error . it is poverty of spirit , when we have grace , yet to see we have no grace in our selves . confutation . the weak believer , mark . . was poor in spirit , yet saw his own faith weak , though it were . peter , when he was brought to poverty of spirit by the bitter experience of his pride , he saw the true love he had unto christ , and appealed to him therein , iohn . . paul was less than the least of all saints in his own eyes , therefore poor in spirit , yet saw the grace of god , by which he was that he was , and did what he did , and was truly nothing in his own eyes , when he had spoken of the best things he had received and done , ephes. . . if it be poverty of the spirit to see no grace in our selves , then should poverty of spirit cross the office of the spirit , which is to reveal unto us , and make us to see what god gives us , cor. . , , , . then it should make us sin , or cross the will of god , which is , that we should not be ignorant of the gracious workings of christ in us from the power of his death and resurrection , rom. . . know ye not , &c. then would it destroy a great duty of christian thankfulness , in , and for all the good things which god vouchsafeth us , thess. . . error . the soul need not to go out to christ for fresh supply , but it is acted by the spirit inhabiting . confutation . though we have the spirit acting and inhabiting us , this hinders not , but i may and need go out to christ for fresh supply of grace , john . . of whose fulness we have all received , and grace for grace ; cor. . . paul sought thrice to christ for fresh supply ; heb. . . look unto christ the author and finisher of our faith. we must look up to the hills from whence cometh our help , ephes. . . by whom all the body receiveth increase , and to the edifying of it self . error . it is legal to say , we act in the strength of christ. confutation . this is contrary to the scriptures , the gospel bids us be strong in the lord , and in the power of his might , ephes. . . and be strong in the grace that is in christ iesus , tim. . . and paul saith , i can do all things through christ that strengtheneth me , phil. . . and that was not legal strength . error . no minister can teach one that is anointed by the spirit of christ , more than he knows already , unless it be in some circumstances . confutation . this is also contrary to scripture , cor. . it is god that establisheth us with you , &c. ephes. . . and . , . the corinthians and ephesians were anointed and sealed , and yet were taught more of paul in his epistles than onely in some circumstances . error . no minister can be an instrument to convey more of christ unto another , than he by his own experience hath come unto . confutation . this is contrary to ephes. . , . the weakest minister may edifie the strongest christian which hath more experience than himself . error . a man may have true faith of dependance , and yet not be justified . confutation . this is contrary to the scripture , act. . . all believers are justified ; but they that have true faith of dependance are believers , therefore justified . error . a man is not effectually converted , till he hath full assurance . confutation . this is cross to the scripture , esa. . . wherein we see that a man may truly fear god ( therefore truly converted ) and yet walk in darkness , without clear evidence , or full assurance . error . to take delight in the holy service of god , is to go a whoring from god. confutation . no scripture commands us to go a whoring from god , but first , the scripture commands us to delight in the service of god , psal. . . serve the lord with gladness , esa. . . thou shalt call the sabbath thy delight ; ergo. secondly , god loves not such as go a whoring from him , psal. . ult . but god loves a chearful server of god , cor. . therefore such as serve him cheerfully , do not thereby go a whoring from him . error . to help my faith , and comfort my conscience in evil hours , from former experience of god's grace in me , is not a way of grace . confutation . what the saints have done , and found true comfort in , that is a way of grace ; but they did help their faith , and comfort their conscience from former evidences of god's grace in them , psal. . , , . i considered the days of old , and called to remembrance my songs in the night ; and by this raised he up his faith , as the latter part of this psalm sheweth ; and this was in evil hours , ver . , . cor. . . this is our rejoicing , that in simplicity and godly pureness , we have had our conversation ; and this was in sad hours , v. , , , , . iob . . none saith , where is god that made me , which giveth songs in the night ? here the not attending to former consolation , is counted a sinful neglect . error . a man may not be exhorted to any duty , because he hath no power to do it . confutation . this is contrary to phil. . , . work out your salvation , &c. for it is god that worketh in you both the will and the d●…ed , ephes. . . awake thou that sleepest , so cor. . ult . error . a man may not prove his election by his vocation , but his vocation by his election . confutation . this is contrary to thess. . . knowing your election , because our gospel came unto you , not in word onely , but in power , thess. . , . god hath elected you to life , through sanctification of the spirit , whereunto he hath called you by our gospel . error . all doctrines , revelations and spirits , must be tried by christ the word , rather than by the word of christ. confutation . this assertion of it extends to exclude the word ; we conceive it contrary to esa. . . iohn . . acts . . also to iohn . , . try the spirits , every spirit that confesseth that iesus christ is come in the flesh , &c. where spirits and doctrines confessing that christ is come in the flesh , are made distinct from christ. error . it is a dangerous thing to close with christ in a promise . confutation . this is contrary to ioh. . . act. . . esa. . , . mat. . . ioh. . . if christ in these places invite men to come unto him , and bids them incline and hearken , and tells them their souls shall live , and they shall drink and be refreshed by him , and by these promises incourageth them to close with him , then it is no dangerous thing to close with him in a promise , it is no danger to obey a command of god : but we are commanded to believe the gospel , mark . . the promise being a part of the gospel . error . no better is the evidence from the two witnesses of water and blood , mentioned ioh. . , , . than mount calvary , and the souldiers that shed christ's blood , and these might have drunk of it ; poor evidences . confutation . then what god hath ordained or made an evidence , is no better than what he hath not made ; then christ loseth his end in coming by water and blood , v. . then the spirit should agree no better with the witness of water and blood , then it doth with mount calvary , and the souldiers : but the spirit doth agree with the water and the blood , and not with the other , ioh. . . these three agree in one . error . a man must take no notice of his sin , nor of his repentance for his sin . confutation . this is contrary to david , whose sin was ever before him , psal. . he considered his ways ( and the evil of them ) that he might turn his feet to god's testimonies , psal. . . if we confess our sins , he is faithful and just , &c. if we say we have not sinned , we make him a liar , joh. . , . . iob took notice of sin , and of his repentance , i abhor my self and repent in dust and ashes , job . . david seeth , and saith , i am sorry for my sins , psal. . . solomon's penitent must know the plague in his heart , that is , his sin , and the punishment thereof , kings . . error . the church in admitting members , is not to look to holiness of life , or testimony of the same . confutation . this is contrary to rom. . . and the inscriptions of divers epistles , being directed to saints , and saints by calling ; and cor. . . churches of the saints , acts . the members there were said to repent before they were admitted , and cor. . the incestuous person should not then have been cast out for want of holiness , and paul could not be received into communion without testimony , act. . . error . to lay the brethren under a covenant of works , hurts not , but tends to much good , to make men look the better to their evidences . confutation . if that be done ungroundedly , it is contrary to esa. . . where woe is pronounced to such as call good evil , &c. and , ezek. . . that make such hearts sad , as the lord would not have sadded ; and it is against the rule of the covenant , cor. . besides , it may trench upon the devil's office , in accusing the brethren , and then it will be good to tell untruth , good to break house and church-communion , then good to break nearest relations , then good to bite one another , and good to offend the little ones , mat. . error . a man cannot evidence his iustification by his sanctification , but he must needs build upon his sanctification , and trust to it . confutation . first , this is contrary to iohn . , . where the holy ghost saith , that by unfeigned and hearty love we may have assurance ; and yet neither there , nor any where else , would have us trust to our sanctification ; so vers . . he that doth righteousness is righteous , as he is righteous . secondly , if poverty of spirit , which emptieth us of all confidence in our selves , may evidence a man's iustification , without trusting to it , then may sanctification without trusting to it ; but the former is true , therefore also the latter . thirdly , if it be an ordinance of god to evidence our iustification by our sanctification , then we may do this without trusting to it ; but that is apparent from pet. . . ergo. error . faith justifies an unbeliever , that is , that faith that is in christ justifieth me that have no faith in my self . confutation . this is contrary to hab. . . for if the just shall live by his faith , then that faith that justifies , is not in christ. so iohn . ult . he that believeth not , the wrath of god abideth on him : it is not another's faith will save me . error . though a man can prove a gracious work in himself , and christ to be the author of it , if thereby he will prove christ to be his , this is but a sandy foundation . confutation . this is contrary to these scriptures , iohn . . and . he that keepeth my commandments , is he that loveth me , and he that loveth me , shall be loved of my father ; and i will love him , and will shew my self unto him , john . . we know that we have passed from death to life , because we love the brethren : and john . . he that hath the son hath life : therefore he that can prove that he hath spiritual life , may assure himself that he hath christ. error . frequency , or length of holy duties , or trouble of conscience for neglect thereof , are all signs of one under a covenant of works . confutation . this is contrary to these scriptures , cor. . . be abundant always in the work of the lord : if the faithful in christ jesus be commanded to abound always in the work of the lord , that is , holy duties , then frequency in holy duties , is no sign of one under a covenant of works : but the former is true , therefore also the latter ; as also thess. . , . psal. . . evening and morning , and noon will i pray and make a noise , and he will hear me ; and elsewhere , seven times a day do i praise thee , psalm . . psal. . . so also contrary is the third branch to these scriptures , cor. . . . the corinthians were troubled in conscience , and sorrowed that they had neglected the holy duties of church-censure towards the incestuous person ; and esa. . . and . cant. . . rom. . . i do not the good i would ; which he lamenteth and complaineth of . error . the immediate revelation of my good estate , without any respect to the scriptures , is as clear to me , as the voice of god from heaven to paul. confutation . this is contrary to iohn . . he shall teach you all things , and bring all things to your remembrance , &c. whence we reason thus . if the spirit reveal nothing without concurrence of the word , then this revelation of the spirit , without respect to the word , is not clear , nor to be trusted : but the spirit doth reveal nothing , but with respect to the word , for iohn . . if the office of the spirit be to teach , and to bring to remembrance the things that christ hath taught us , esay . . whatever spirit speaks not according to this word , there is no light there . error . it is a fundamental , and soul-damning error , to make sanctification an evidence of justification . confutation . this is contrary to these scriptures , rom. . . they that walk after the spirit , are freed from condemnation , and are in christ , and so justified : so iohn . . in this are the children of god known , &c. error . christ's work of grace can no more distinguish between an hypocrite and a saint , then the rain that falls from heaven , between the just and the unjust . confutation . this proposition being general , includes all gracious works , and being so taken , is contradicted in the parable of the sower , mat. . , , . where the good ground is distinguished from the stony by this , that it brings forth fruit with patience , so hebr. . . there is something better in the saints , than those common gifts which are found in hypocrites . error . all verbal covenants , or covenants expressed in words , as church covenants , vows , &c. are covenants of works , and such as strike men off from christ. confutation first . this is contrary to scripture , esay . . one shall say , i am the lord 's , and another shall call himself by the name of the god of iacob : rom. . . with the mouth confession is made to salvation . secondly , contrary to reason , for then the covenant of grace is made a covenant of works , by the writing , reading and preaching of the same , for they are verbal expressions of the covenant on god's part , as church-covenants verbally express our closing herewith . error . the spirit giveth such full and clear evidence of my good estate , that i have no need to be tried by the fruits of sanctification , this were to light a candle to the sun. confutation . this opinion taken in this sense , that after the spirit hath testified a man's good estate , the person need not to be tried by the fruit of sanctification , is contrary to the scope of the whole first epistle of saint iohn , where variety of arguments are propounded to all believers in common , iohn . . to distinguish the persons of believers from unbelievers ; the water is annexed to the spirit and blood , iohn . . error . the devil and nature may be cause of a gracious work. confutation . the words are unsavoury , and the position unsound , for taking [ gracious ] according to the language of the scripture , gracious words , luke . . let your speech be gracious : gracious words are such as issue from the saving grace of christ's spirit in-dwelling in the soul , which neither the devil nor nature is able to produce ; for christ professeth , john . , . without me ye can do nothing : nothing truly gracious john . whatever is born of the flesh , is flesh ; and rom. . . in my flesh dwells no good , ( truly spiritual and gracious ) gen. . . every imagination of the thoughts of a man's heart is evil , and that continually : besides , the devil is that evil and wicked one , onely wickedness , an adversary to god's grace and glory ; that which is contrary to corrupt nature , and the hellish nature of satan , and above the power of both , they cannot be the causes of gracious works . error . sanctification is so far from evidencing a good estate , that it darkens it rather ; and a man may more clearly see christ , when he seeth no sanctification , than when he doth ; the darker my sanctification is , the brighter is my justification . confutation . this is contrary to the scripture of truth , which rather giveth the name of light to sanctification and holiness , and even for this use , to clear our justification , iohn . , . for the holy ghost concludes , as from a clear and infallible promise , and proposition , that if we walk in the light , as he is in the light , then doth the blood of christ cleanse us from all sin ; meaning , that then and thereby it appeareth that it is done : as by the contrary , unholiness , and unholy walking is like darkness , which obscureth all the goodly presumption , flourishes , and hopes of an unregenerate man , vers . . for this purpose , ioh. . . the water of sanctification is made a witness ; now the nature of a witness is not to darken and obscure matters in question , but to clear them ; and psal. . , , . when david saw his heart so unclean , and his spirit so altogether out of order , his justification was not then brighter , for then he should have had the joy of his salvation more full , and not so to sink , as that he begs it might be restored to him , as implying , that his joy for the present was wanting to him . error . god hath given six witnesses , three in heaven , and three in earth , to beget and build justifying faith upon . confutation . this expression answers not the pattern of wholsom words , for if this position be taken thus , god hath given all these six witnesses both to beget and also to build justifying faith upon , it is contrary to scripture , for god hath not given all these six witnesses to beget justifying faith , because the water of sanctification , which is one of the six , doth not go before justifying faith , but followeth after it , for our hearts are justified by faith , act. . . error . if a member of a church be unsatisfied with any thing in the church , if he express his offence , whether he hath used all means to convince the church or no , he ●…y depart . confutation . contrary to the rule of our saviour , matth. . if thy brother effend ▪ ( convictingly ) admonish ; whence it is evident , that in our carriage towards a private brother , we must convince him , before admonish him , much less separate from him . therefore our carriage towards the whole church must upon greater reason be with like prudence , and tenderness ; whence the argument follows thus . an offence taken before conviction , will not bear an admonition , much less separation from a brother or church ; but the offence in the question propounded is such , ergo. error . if a man think he may edifie better in another congregation , than in his own , that is ground enough to depart ordinarily , from word , seals , fastings , feastings , and all administrations in his own church , notwithstanding the offence of the church , often manifested to him for so doing . confutation . it is contrary to the condition and station of a member of the body in which he stands , cor. , . a member must not put it self from the body upon its own thoughts ; as the admission of a member was by the consent of the whole , so likewise must his dismission be . it is contrary also to the duty of a member , ephes. . . there must be an effectual working in every part for the edification of the whole , which this departure from the administration of all the holy ordinances in the church will necessarily hinder . it is contrary also to the good of the whole church , and the rule which the lord hath appointed for the preservation thereof , cor. . . god is not the author of confusion , and therefore not of this practice which will certainly bring it ; for if one member , upon these his imaginations , may depart , why may not ten , yea twenty , yea an hundred ? why may not the pastor , upon such grounds , leave his people , as well as they him , considering the tie is equal on both parts ? error . where faith is held forth by the ministery , as the condition of the covenant of grace on man's part , as also evidencing justification by sanctification , and the activity of faith , in that church there is not sufficient bread . confutation . this position seemeth to deny faith to be a condition at all , or at all active , and so if condition in this place signifie a qualification in man wrought by the holy ghost , without which the promises do not belong to men , this is contrary to scripture , for iohn . . christ is the bread of life ; and yet in the same chapter , faith is held out as a condition of the covenant by the ministery of christ himself ; and the activity of it is held forth in these words , verily i say unto you , unless ye eat the flesh , and drink the blood of the son of man , you have no life in you ; and who so eateth , &c. as for the lawfulness of evidencing justification by sanctification ( if it be understood of that sanctification which is by faith in christ ) it is contrary to the intent of the whole epistle of iohn , besides many other places of scripture , which yet hold forth bread sufficient ( if by sufficient is meant that d●…ctrin , which in its right use is wholsom and good food ) for it was written th●… their joy might be full ; yet the evidencing of justification by sanctification is expresly held forth , chap. . vers . where he saith , if we walk in the light , as christ is in the light , we have fellowship one with another , and the blood of iesus christ cleanseth us from all sin : by walking in the light , in opposition to walking in darkness spoken of before , vers . . sanctification is evidently meant , and this is expresly noted to be an evidence of our good condition , when it is said , if we so walk , the blood of christ cleanseth us from all sin . error . a minister must not pray nor preach against any error , unless he declare in the open congregation , upon any members inquiry , the names of them that hold them . confutation . this is contrary to scriptures , which teach ministers to pray and preach against all errors by whomsoever they be held , when it calleth them watchmen and stewards , in whom faithfulness is required in all administrations : yet withal it enjoyneth them , if a brother sin not openly , to admonish him in secret , first between them two alone , and afterward in the presence of two or three witnesses , and after that ( and not before ) to bring the matter to the church , mat. . , , . unsavoury speeches confuted . these that follow were judged by the assembly aforesaid , as unsafe speeches . . to say that we are justified by faith , is an unsafe speech , we must say , we are iustified by christ. answer . false , for the constant language of the scripture is not unsafe ; but we are justified by faith , is the constant language of the scripture , rom. . . being justified by faith ; the righteousness of faith , rom. . , . righteousness by faith , phil. . , . . the distinct phrase of the scripture used in distinguishing legal and evangelical righteousness is no unsafe speech ; but such is this , rom. . , . israel found not righteousness , because they sought it of the law , and not of , or by faith , so rom. . , . the righteousness of faith , saith thus , &c. the apostle makes these two so directly opposite , as membra dividentia , or contrary species , that there is no danger one should be taken for another , but that it 's so safe , as that he that affirms the one denies the other : yea , in the most exact expression that ever paul made , to exclude whatsoever might be unsafe towards a man's justification , you have this phrase , yea twice in the same verse , phil. . . not having mine own righteousness , which is of the law , but that which is through the faith of christ ; and again , the righteousness which is of god by faith ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) ergo , it is no unsafe speech , yea , it must be said on the contrary from those grounds , that to say a man is justified before faith , or without faith , is unsafe , as contrary to the language of the scriptures . and for the second part , that we must say , we are justified by christ , it is true so far , as that it cannot be denied , nor is it unfound or unsafe at all so to speak , but if it mean a must of necessity always , or onely so to speak , as it is here set in opposition to the phrase of being justified by faith , then it is utterly false , for as much as the scripture leads us along in the way of other expressions ordinarily , and the apostle gives us the truth of doctrine and soundness of phrase together , rom. . . christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth . . to evidence justification by sanctification , or graces , savours of rome . answer . not so , . rome acknowledgeth not justification in our common sense , scil. by righteousness imputed . . rome denies evidencing of our justification and peace with god , and teacheth doctrine of doubting , and professeth that a man cannot know what god will do with him for life or death , unless by special revelation , which is not ordinary : but if they mean old rome , or paul's rome , to which he wrote , it 's true , that it savours of the doctrine that they received , as appeareth , rom. . . all things co-work for good ( the evil of every evil being taken away , which is a point of justification , and this is propounded under the evidence of the love of god ) to them that love him , because , rom. . , , , . the evidencing of our being in christ , freedom from condemnation and adoption , is prosecuted by arguments from sanctification , as by having the spirit , being led by the spirit , walking after the spirit , mortifying the deeds of the flesh by the spirit : and if hereto were added the doctrine of sr. iohn , so abundant this way in his first epistle ( whereof i have already made mention ) i doubt not , but it was the faith of the church of rome that then was , so that the speech is unsavoury , and casting a foul aspersion on a good thing expressed in the scriptures , but as for the point it self , that is included , we refer it to it's place , to be discussed , when it is rightly stated . . if i be holy , i am never the better accepted of god ; if i be unholy , i am never the worse ; this i am sure of , he that hath elected me must save me . answ. these words savour very ill , and relish of a careless and ungracious spirit , for howsoever we grant that our acceptation unto justification is always in and through christ the same in god's account , yet this expression imports , that though a man's conversation be never so holy and gracious , yet he can expect never the more manifestation of god's kindness and love to him , contrary to psal. . ult . to him that orders his conversation aright , i will shew the salvation of god ; and iohn . . it implies secondly , that though a man's conversation be never so vile and sensual , yet he need not fear nor expect any farther expression of god's displeasure and anger to break forth against him , or withdrawings of his favour from him , contrary to psal. . , , . where god breaks david's bones for his sin ; and ionah . . ionah was as one cast out of god's presence ; and chron. . . if you forsake him he will forsake you : and , in a word , it imports , as if god neither loved righteousness , nor hated wickedness , contrary to psal. . , . and did take no delight in the obedience of his people , contrary to psal. . . the lord delighteth in those that fear him , &c. as concerning the last clause , he that hath elected me must save me : it is true , the foundation of god's election remaineth sure , yet it is as true , that whom he chuseth , he purposeth to bring to salvation , through sanctification of the spirit , thes. . . . if christ will let me sin , let him look to it , upon his honour be it . answ. this resorts the lord's words upon himself , prov. . , . keep thine heart , &c. ponder thy paths , &c. and therefore no less blasphemous , and is contrary to the professed practice of david , psal. . . i was upright before him , and kept my self from mine iniquity : the latter clause puts the cause of god's dishonour upon himself , no less blasphemous than the former , and contrary to rom. . . where the dishonouring of god is laid upon themselves . . here is a great stir about graces , and looking to hearts , but give me christ , i seek not for graces , but for christ ; i seek not for promises , but for christ ; i seek not for sanctification , but for christ ; tell not me of meditation and duties , but tell me of christ. answ. . this speech seemeth to make a flat opposition between christ and his graces , contrary to that in joh. . . of his fulness we all received , and grace for grace ; and between christ and his promises , contrary to gal. . , . christ was made a curse , that we might receive the promise of the spirit ; and , luk. . . with . and betwixt christ and all holy duties , contrary to tit. . . and therefore hold forth expressions not agreeing to wholsome doctrine . . a living faith , that hath living fruits , may grow from the living law. answ. this whole speech is utterly cross to the sound form of words required , tim. . . hold fast the form of sound words , . that a hypocrite may have a living law , is contrary to iam. . . where the hypocrites faith is called a dead faith. . that a hypocrite may bring forth living fruit , is contrary to that , heb. . . . that all this grows from a living law , contrary to cor. . . where the law is called a killing letter , and to gal. . . if there had been a law which could have given life , &c. . i may know i am christ's , not because i do crucisie the lusts of the flesh , but because i do not crucifie them , but believe in christ that crucifieth my lusts for me . answ. . the phrase is contrary to the scripture language , gal. . . they that are christ's , have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts . . it savours of the flesh , for these three things may seem to be expressed in it . . if scripture makes not opposite , but subordinate , rom. . . i through the spirit crucifie the flesh . . that if i do not crucifie my lusts , then there is an open and free way of looking to christ , contrary to the scripture , mat. . . blessed are the pure in heart , for they shall see god , both in boldness of faith here , and fruition hereafter , tim. . . let every one that names the lord iesus , depart from iniquity . . that believing in christ may ease me from endeavouring to crucifie my lusts in my own person ; which is so gross , that it needs no more confutation than to name it . . the safe sense that may be possibly intended in such a speech , is this , if i crucifie the flesh in my own strength , it is no safe evidence of my being in christ ; but if renouncing my self , i crucifie the flesh in the strength of christ , applying his death by faith , it is a safe evidence of my being in christ : but this sense conveighed in these words , is to conveigh wholesome doctrine in an unwholsome channel , and a darkening and losing the truth in an unsavoury expression . . peter more leaned to a covenant of works than paul , paul's doctrine was more for free-grace than peters . answ. to oppose these persons and the doctrine of these two apostles of christ , who were guided by one and the same spirit in preaching and penning thereof , ( pet. . . holy men of god spake as they were moved by the holy ghost , tim. . . all scripture is given by inspiration of god ) in such a point as the covenant of works and grace , is little less than blasphemy . . if christ be my sanctification , what need i look to any thing in myself , to evidence my iustification ? answ. this position is therefore unsound , because it holds forth christ to be my sanctification , so as that i need not look to any inherent holiness in my self ; whereas christ is therefore said to be our sanctification , because he works sanctification in us , and we daily ought to grow up in him , by receiving new supply and increase of grace from his fulness , according to pet. . . grow in grace , and in the knowledge of our lord iesus christ. the proceedings of the general court holden at new-town , in the massachusets in new-england , octob. . . against mr. wheelwright , and other erroneous and seditious persons , for their disturbances of the publick peace . although the assembly of the churches had confuted and condemned most of those new opinions which were sprung up amongst us , and mr. cotton had in publick view consented with the rest , yet the leaders in those erroneous ways would not give in , but stood still to maintain their new light , which they had boasted of , and that the difference was still as wide as before , viz. as great as between heaven and hell : mr. wheelwright also continued his preaching after his former manner , and mistriss hutchison her wonted meetings and exercises , and much offence was still given by her , and others , in going out of the ordinary assemblies , when mr. wil. began any exercise ; and some of the messengers of the church of boston had contemptuously withdrawn themselves from the general assembly , with professed dislike of their proceedings , and many evidences brake forth of their discontented and turbulent spirits ; it was conceived by the magistrates , and others of the countrey , that the means which had been used proving uneffectual , the case was now desperate , and the last remedy was to be applied , and that without farther delay , lest it should be attempted too late , when fitter opportunity might be offered for their advantage , as they had boasted , and did certainly expect upon the return of some of their chief supporters , who by a special providence were now absent from them : and for this end the general court being assembled in the ordinary course , it was determined to begin with these troublers of our peace , and to suppress them by the civil authority , whereunto there was a fair occasion offered upon a seditious writing , which had been delivered into the court in march , when mr. wheel . was convict of sedition , &c. under the hands of more than threescore of them , and intituled , a remonstrance , or petition ; the contents whereof were as followeth : we whose names are under-written ( have diligently observed this honoured courts proceedings against our dear and reverend brother in christ , mr. wheel . now under censure of the court for the truth of christ ) we do humbly beseech this honourable court , to accept this remonstrance and petition of ours , in all due submission tendred to your worships . for first , whereas our beloved brother mr. wheel . is censured for contempt , by the greater part of this honoured court , we desire your worships to consider the sincere intention of our brother to promote your end in the day of fast , for whereas we do perceive your principal intention the day of fast looked chiefly at the publick peace of the churches , our reverend brother did to his best strength , and as the lord assisted him , labour to promote your end , and therefore endeavoured to draw us nearer unto christ , the head of our union , that so we might be established in peace , which we conceive to be the true way , sanctified of god , to obtain your end , and therefore deserves no such censure as we conceive . secondly , whereas our dear brother is censured of sedition , we beseech your worships to consider , that either the person condemned must be culpable of some seditious fact , or his doctrin must be seditious , or must breed sedition in the hearts of his hearers , or else we know not upon what grounds he should be censured . now to the first , we have not heard any that have witnessed against our brother for any seditious fact. secondly , neither was the doctrine it self , being no other but the very expressions of the holy ghost himself , and therefore cannot justly be branded with sedition . thirdly , if you look at the effects of his doctrine upon the hearers , it hath not stirred up sedition in us , not so much as by accident ; we have not drawn the sword , as sometimes peter did rashly , neither have we rescued our innocent brother , as sometimes the israelites did ionathan , and yet they did not seditiously . the covenant of free grace held forth by our brother , hath taught us rather to become humble suppliants to your worships , and if we should not prevail , we would rather with patience give our cheeks to the smiters . since therefore the teacher , the doctrine , and the hearers be most free from sedition ( as we conceive ) we humbly beseech you in the name of the lord iesus christ , your judge and ours , and for the honour of this court , and the proceedings thereof , that you will be pleased either to make it appear to us , and to all the world , to whom the knowledge of all these things will come , wherein the sedition lies , or else acquit our brother of such a censure . farther , we beseech you , remember the old method of satan , the ancient enemy of free grace , in all ages of the churches , who hath raised up such calumnies against the faithful prophets of god , eliah was called the troubler of israel , king. . , amos was charged for conspiracy , amos . . paul was counted a pestilent fellow , or mover of sedition , and a ring-leader of a sect , acts . . and christ himself , as well as paul , was charged to be a teacher of new doctrine , mark . . acts . . now we beseech you consider , whether that old serpent work not after his old method , even in our days . farther , we beseech you , consider the danger of medling against the prophets of god , psal. . , . for what ye do unto them , the lord jesus takes as done unto himself ; if you hurt any of his members , the head is very sensible of it : for so saith the lord of hosts , he that toucheth you , toucheth the apple of mine eye , zech. . . and better a mill-stone were hanged about our necks , and that we were cast into the sea , than that we should offend any of these little ones which believe on him , mat. . . and lastly , we beseech you consider , how you should stand in relation to us , as nursing fathers , which give us incouragement to promote our humble requests to you , or else we would say with the prophet , isa. . . look from me , that i may weep bitterly ; labour not to comfort me , &c. or as ier. . . oh that i had in the wilderness a lodging-place of a way-faring man. and thus have we made known our griefs and desires to your worships , and leave them upon record with the lord and with you , knowing that if we should receive repulse from you , with the lord we shall find grace . amongst others who had subscribed to this writing , william aspinwall was one , and being returned for one of the deputies of boston , it was propounded in the court , whether he was fit to be received a member of the court , having subscribed to the said writing , which was so much to the dishonour and contempt thereof , &c. whereupon he was demanded if he would justifie the matter contained in the said writing : which when he had peremptorily affirmed by the vote of the court he was presently dismissed : whereupon mr. cogshall , another of the deputies of boston , who had not subscribed to the said writing , being then a deputy of the court , spake very boldly to the court , and told them , that seeing they had put out mr. aspinwall for that matter , they were best make one work of all , for as for himself , though his hand were not to the petition , yet he did approve of it , and his hand was to a protestation , which was to the same effect ; whereupon the court dismissed him also , and sent word to boston to chuse two new deputies ; then mr. coddington the third deputy , moved the court ( by order from the town of boston ) that the former censure against mr. vvheelwright might be reversed , and that the order made against receiving such as should not be allowed by the magistrates might be repealed ; whereby the court perceived their obstinate resolution in maintaining this faction , and thereupon gave order he should be sent for ; and for the law , the answer was , that whereas a declaration had been made of the equity of that law , and that specially for the satisfaction of those of boston , and an answer had been published by some of them , wherein much reproach and slander had been cast upon the court , to which a reply had been made above six weeks since , but was kept in upon expectation that the late assembly would have had some good eff●…ct , in clearing the points in controversie , and reconciling the minds of the adverse party , but they continuing obstinate and irreconcileable , it was thought fit the whole proceedings about the law should be brought forth ; and accordingly the next day , the declaration , the answer , and the reply , were all brought to the court , and there openly read ; which gave such satisfaction to those which were present , as no man ought to object , and some that were of the adverse party , and had taken offence at the law , did openly acknowledge themselves fully satisfied . when the warrant came to the town of boston , they assembled together and agreed ( the greater part of them ) to send the same deputies which the court have rejected , pretending that it was their liberty , and those were the ablest men , &c. but mr. cotton coming amongst them , and perceiving their rash and contemptuous behaviour , by his wisdom diverted them from that course ; so they chose two other , but one of them they knew would be rejected , because his hand was also to the seditious writing , as it fell out , for he refusing to acknowledge his fault in it , was also dismissed , and a new warrant sent for another to be chosen , which they never made any return of , but that contempt the court let pass . when mr. wheelwright appeared , it was declared to him , that whereas he was long since convicted of sedition and contempt of authority , and time had been given him from court to court , to come to the knowledge of his offence , the court thought it now time to know how his mind stood , whether he would acknowledge his offence , or abide the sentence of the court ? his answer was to this effect , that he had committed no sedition nor contempt , he had delivered nothing but the truth of christ , and for the application of his doctrine , it was by others , and not by him , &c. to which it was answered by the court , that they had not censured his doctrine , but left it as it was ; but his application , by which he laid the magistrates , and the ministers and most of the people of god in these churches , under a covenant of works , and thereupon declared them to be enemies to christ , and antichrists , and such enemies as herod and pilate ; and the scribes and pharisees , &c. perswading the people to look at them , and deal with them as such , and that he described them so , as all men might know who he meant , as well as if he had named the parties ; for he was present in the court a little before , when both magistrates and ministers did openly profess their judgment in that point , and that they did walk in such a way of evidencing justification by sanctification , &c. as he held forth to be a covenant of works . secondly , the fruits of that sermon of mr. wheelwrights , together with the declaration of his judgment in that point both before and since , have declared it to tend to sedition : for whereas before he broached his opinions , there was a peaceable and comely order in all affairs in the churches , and civil state , &c. now the difference which he hath raised amongst men , by a false distinction of a covenant of grace and a covenant of works ; whereby one party is looked at as friends to christ , and the other as his enemies , &c. all things are turned upside down amongst us . as first , in the church , he that will not renounce his sanctification , and wait for an immediate revelation of the spirit , cannot be admitted , be he never so godly ; he that is already in the church , that will not do the same , and acknowledge this new light , and say as they say , is presently noted , and under esteemed , as favouring of a covenant of works ; thence it spreads into the families , and sets divisions between husband and wife , and other relations there , till the weaker give place to the stronger , otherwise it turns to open contention ; it is come also into civil and publick affairs , and hath bred great disturbance there , as appeared in the late expedition against the p●…quids ; for whereas in former expeditions the town of boston was as forward as any others to send of their choice members , and a greater number th●… other town●… , in the time of the former governour , now in this last service they sent not a member , but one or two whom they cared not to be rid of , and but a few others , and those of the most refuse sort , and that in such a careless manner , as gave great discouragement to the service , not one man of that side accompanying their pastor , when he was sent by the joint consent of the court , and all the elders upon that expedition , not so much as bidding him farewel ; what was the reason of this difference ? why , nothing but this , mr. wheelwright had taught them that the former governour , and some of the magistrates then were friends of christ and free-grace , but the present were enemies , &c. antichrists , persecutors : what was the reason that the former governour never stirred out , but attended by the sergeants , with halberts or carbines ; but this present governour neglected ? why , the people were taught to look at this , at an enemy to christ , &c. the same difference hath been observed in town lots , rates , and in neighbour meetings , and almost in all affairs , whereby it is apparent what disturbance the seditious application of mr. wheelwright hath wrought among us ; therefore as the apostle saith , i would they were cut off that trouble you ; and as cain , hagar and ishmael , were expressed as troublers of the families , ( which were then as common-wealths ) so justice requires , and the necessity of the peace calls for it , that such disturbers should be put out from amongst us , seeing it is one of their tenents , that it is not possible their opinions , and external peace , can stand together ; and that the difference between them and us is ( as they say ) as wide as between heaven and hell. further the court declared what means had been used , to convince him , and to reduce him into the right way , as first at the court , when he was convict of his offence , the ministers being called together , did labour by many sound arguments , both in publick and private , to convince him of his error and sin , but he contemptuously slighted whatsoever they or the magistrates said to him in that behalf ; and since that much pains had been taken with him , both by conference and writing , not only privately , but also by the late assembly of the churches , wherein his erroneous opinions , which were the ground-work of his seditious sermon were clearly confuted , and himself put to silence , yet he obstinately persisted in justification of his erroneous opinions ; and besides , there was an apology written in defence of the proceedings of the court against him , which though it were kept in for a time , in expectation of a remonstrance , which some of his party were in hand with , for justification of his sermon , yet it was long since published , and without question he hath seen it : besides , the court hath used much patience towards him from time to time , admonishing him of his danger , and waiting for his repentance , in stead whereof he hath threatned us with an appeal , and urged us to proceed : to this mr. wheelwright replyed , that he would , by the help of god , make good his doctrines , and frees them from all the arguments which had been brought against them in the late assembly , and denyed that he had seen the apology , but confessed that he might have seen it if he would . this was observed as an argument of the pride of his spirit , and wilful neglect of all the means of light in that he would not vouchsafe to read a very brief writing , and such as so much concerned him . although the cause was now ready for sentence , yet night being come , the court arose , and enjoyned him to appear the next morning . the next morning he appeared , but long after the hour appointed ; the court demanded what he had to alledge , why sentence should not proceed against him : he answered , that there was no sedition or contempt proved against him , and whereas he was charged to have set forth the magistrates and ministers , as enemies to christ , &c. he desir'd it might be shewed him in what page or leaf of his sermon , he had so said of them ; the court answer'd , that he who designs a man by such circumstances , as do note him out to common intendments , doth as much as if he named the party : when paul spake of those of the circumcision , it was as certain whom he meant , as if he named the iews ; when in bohemia they spake of differences between men , sub una & sub utraque , it was all one as to have said papists and protestants ; so of the monstrants and remonstrants : for by the means of him and his followers , all the people of god in this countrey were under the distinction of men , under the covenant of grace , and men under a covenant of works . mr. vvheelw . alledged a place in mat. ●… . where christ speaking against the scribes and pharisees , no advantage could they take against him , because he did not name them : but it was answer'd , they did not spare him for that cause , for then they would have taken their advantage at other times , when he did name them . one or two of the deputies spake in his defence , but it was to so little purpose ( being only more out of affection to the party , than true judgment of the state of the cause ) that the court had little regard of it . mr. vvheelwright being demanded if he had ought else to speak , said that there was a double fallacy in the charge laid upon him . . in that the troubles of the civil state were imputed to him , but as it was by accident , as it is usual in preaching of the gospel . . that it was not his sermon that was the cause of them , but the lord jesus christ. to which the court answer'd , that it was apparent he was the instrument of our troubles , he must prove them to be by such accident , and till then the blame must rest upon himself , for we know christ would not own them , being out of his way . after these and many other speeches had passed , the court declaring him guilty for troubling the civil peace , both for his seditious sermon , and for his corrupt and dangerous opinions , and for his contemptuous behaviour in divers courts formerly , and now obstinately maintaining and justifying his said errors and offences , and for that he refused to depart voluntarily from us , which the court had now offered him , and in a manner perswaded him unto ; seeing it was apparent unto him , from that of our saviour , matth. that we could not continue together without the ruine of the whole , he was sentenced to be disfranchised and banished our jurisdiction , and to be put in safe custody , except he should give sufficient security to depart before the end of march : upon this , he appealed to the king's majesty , but the court told him an appeal did not lie in this case , for the king having given us an authority by his grant under his great seal of england to hear and determine all causes without any reservation , we were not to admit of any such appeals for any such subordinate state , either in ireland , or scotland , or other places ; and if an appeal should lie in one case , it might be challenged in all , and then there would be no use of government among us , neither did an appeal lie from any court in any county or corporation in england , but if a party will remove his cause to any of the king 's higher courts , he must bring the king 's writ for it ; neither did he tender any appeal , nor call any witnesses , nor desired any act to be entred of it : then he was demanded if he would give security for his quiet departure ; which he refusing to do , he was committed to the custody of the marshal . the next morning he bethought himself better , and offered to give security , alledging that he did not conceive the day before , that a sentence of banishment was pronounced against him ; he also suffered to relinquish his appeal , and said he would accept of a simple banishment ; the court answer'd him , that for his appeal , he might do as he pleased , and for his departure , he should have the liberty the court had offered him , provided he should not preach in the mean time ; but that he would not yield unto ; so in the end the court gave him leave to go home , upon his promise , that if he were not departed out of this jurisdiction within fourteen days , he would render himself at the house of mr. stanton one of the magistrates , there to abide as a prisoner , till the court should dispose of him . mr. cogshall . the next who was called , was mr. iohn cogshall , one of the deacons of boston , upon his appearance the court declared that the cause why they had sent for him , was partly by occasion of his speeches and behaviour in this court the other day , and partly for some light miscarriages at other times , and that they did look at him , as one that had a principal hand in all our late disturbances of our publick peace . the first things we do charge you with , is your justifying a writing called a remonstrance or petition , but indeed a seditious libel , and that when mr. asp. was questioned by the court about it , you stood up uncalled , and justified the same , saying to this effect : that if the court meant to dismiss him for that it was best to make but one work of all , for though your self had not your hand to the petition , yet you did approve thereof , and your hand was to the protestation , which was to the same effect ; whereupon you being also dismissed , used clamorous and unbeseeming speeches , to the court at your departure , whereby we take you to be of the same mind with those who made the petition , and therefore liable to the same punishment ; upon this the petition was openly read , and liberty was granted to him to answer for himself . his first answer was , that what he then spake , he spake as a member of the court : to which it was answer'd again , that . he was no member of the court standing upon tryal whether to be allowed or rejected , at such a time as he uttered most of those speeches . . admit he were , yet it is no priviledge of a member to reproach or affront the whole court , it is licentiousness , and no liberty , when a man may speak what he list ; for he was reminded of some words he uttered at his going forth of the court , to this effect , that we had censured the truth of christ , and that it was the greatest stroak that ever was given to free-grace . to which he answer'd , that his words were mistaken ; for he said that he would pray that our eyes might be opened to see what we did , for he thought it the greatest stroak that ever was given to n. e. for he did believe that mr. wheelwright did hold forth the truth . he was further charged , that at the court , after the day of elections , he complained of injury , that the petition which was tendered , was not presently read before they went to election . to which being answer'd , that it was not then seasonable , and against the order of that day , but the court were then ready to hear it , if it were tendered ; whereupon he turned his back upon the court , and used menacing speeches to this effect . that since they could not be heard then , they would take another course . to which he answer'd ( confessing he spake over hastily at that time ) that his words were only these , then we must do what god shall direct us . he was further charged that he should say , that half the people that were in church-covenant in n. e. were under a covenant of works ; this he did not deny , but said , he proved it by the parable of the ten virgins , mat. . after these and many other speeches had passed between the court and himself ; by which it plainly appeared , that he had been a very busie instrument in occasioning of our publick disturbances , and his justifying of mr. wheelwrights sermon , and the petition or remonstrance being seditious writings , a motion was made for his banishment , but he pretended that there was nothing could be laid to his charge , but matter of different opinion , and that he knew not one example in scripture , that a man was banished for his judgment : it was answer'd , that if he had kept his judgment to himself , so as the publick peace had not been troubled or endangered by it , we should have left him to himself , for we do not challenge power over mens consciences , but when seditious speeches and practices discover such a corrupt conscience , it is our duty to use authority to reform both . but though a great part of the court did encline to a motion for his banishment ; yet because his speech and behaviour at present were more modest and submiss , than formerly they had been , and for that he excused his former intemperances by his much employment and publick businesses , it was thought fit to deliver him from that temptation , so he was only sentenced to be disfranchised , with admonition no more to occasion any disturbance of the publick peace , either by speech , or otherwise , upon pain of banishment and further censure . mr. aspin . the next who was called , was mr. william aspin , to whom the court said , that his case was in a manner the same with master cogshals , his hand was to the petition , he had justified master wheelwright's sermon , and had condemned the court , and therefore what could he say , why the court should not proceed to sentence ? for he had been present and heard what was said to master cogshall to have convinced him of his fault , and therefore it would be needless to repeat any thing . to this he answer'd , and confessed the petition , and that his heart was to it , as well as his hand ; and that that for which mr. wheelwright was censured , was for nothing but the truth of christ , and desired to know what we could lay to his charge therein . the court told him , that he being a member of this civil body , and going contrary to his relation and oath , to stop the course of justice in countenancing seditious persons and practices against the face of authority , this made him to be a seditious person . he answered , he did but prefer an humble petition , which he could not do , but he must intimate some cause why , and that mephibosheth in his petition did imply as much of davids unjust sentence against him as was in this petition . the court replyed that he was ill advised to bring that example for his justification which makes clearly against him , for mephibosheth doth not charge david with any injustice , not so much as by implication , but excuseth himself , and layeth all the blame upon his servant . then he alledged the petition of esther to abasuerus ; but neither would that serve his turn , for she petitioned for her life , &c. without charging the king with injustice . he still fled to this plea , that it is lawful for subjects to petition ; the court answered that this was no petition , but a seditious libel , the mis-naming of a thing doth not alter the nature of it : besides , they called it in the first place a remonstrance , which implies that they pretended interest , and is in the nature of it a plea , which challengeth a right of a party : besides , they give peremptory judgment in the cause , and that directly opposite to the judgment of the court ; the court declared mr. wheelwright guilty , they proclaim him innocent , the court judged his speech to be false and seditious , they affirmed it to be the truth of christ , and the very words of the holy ghost , which is apparently untrue , if not blasphemous . further in pretending their moderation , they put arguments in the peoples minds to invite them to violence , by bringing the example of peter drawing his sword , wherein they blame not his fact , but his rashness ; and that of the people rescuing ionathan , which to make the more effectual , they say that it was not seditious . lastly , it was great arrogance of any private man thus openly to advance his own judgment of the court , therefore it will appear to their posterity as a brand of infamy , upon these erroneous opinions , that those who maintained them were not censured for their judgment , but for seditious practices : he further pleaded , that no petition can be made in such a case , but something may be mistaken through misprision as trenching upon authority , the court answer'd , that if they had only petitioned the court to remit this censure , or had desired respite for further considerations , or leave to propound their doubts , there could have been no danger of being mistaken . besides there was no need of such haste in petitioning , seeing the sentence was not given , but deferring to the next court , master vvheelwright ●●j●…yned only to appear there . the court then being about to give s●…ntence , mast●… aspin desired the court to shew a rule in scripture for banishment ; the court answered as before , that hagar and ishmael were banished for disturbance : he replied that if a father give a ch●… a portion , and sent him forth , it was not b●…nishment : but it was answered , the scripture calls it a casting out , not a sending forth ; and one said further that he was a child worthy of such a portion . then the sentence of the court was for his dis-franchisemnnt and banishment , and time given him to the last of march upon security for his departure then , which he presently tendered , and so was dismissed . the court intended only to have dis-franchised him , as they had done mr. cogshall , but his behaviour was so contemptuous , and his speeches so peremptory , that occasioned a further aggravation , and it appeared afterward to be by an over-ruling hand of god , for the next day it was discovered , that he was the man that did frame the petition , and drew many to subscribe to it , and some had their names put to it without their knowledge , and in his first draught there were other passages so foul , as he was forced to put them out , and yet many had not subscribed , but upon his promise that it should not be delivered without advice of mr. cotton , which was never done . vvilliam baulston , and ed. hutchison . after these , two of the serjeants of boston were called , vvilliam baulston and ed hutchison , these both had their hands to the petition , and just●…fied the same ; vvill. baulston told the court , that he knew that if such a petition had been made in any other place in the world , there would have been no fault found with it . the other told the court , ( turning himself in a scornful manner ) that if they took away his estate , they must keep his wi●…e and children ; for which he was presently committed to the offi●…r . the court reasoned a good while with them both , but they were peremptory , and would acknowledge no failing , and because of their contemptuous sp●…eches , and for that they w●…re known to be very busie persons , and such as had offered contempt to the magistrates , for that they were not of their opinion , they were dis-franchised and fined , vvill baulston twenty pounds , ed. h●…tchison fourty pounds . the next morning ed. hutchison acknowledged his fault in his misbehaviour in the face of the court , and so was released of his imprisonment , but both were disabled from bearing any publick office. tho. marshal , dynely , and dier . rich. gridly . another day were called four more of the principal stirring men , who had subscribed to the petition , thomas marshal the ferry-man , who justified the petition so far , that he would not acknowledge any fault ; yet he answered more modestly th●…n the former , therefore he was not sined , but dis-franchised , and put out of his place . dynely , and dyer had little to say for themselves , but persisting in their justification , they were also dis-franchised : likewise rich. gridly , an honest poor man , but very apt to meddle in publick affairs , beyond his calling or skill , ( which indeed was the fault of them all , and of many others in the countrey ) mean condition , and weak parts , having nothing to say , but that he could find no fault , &c. was dis-franchised . mrs. hutchison . all these ( except mr. wheelwright ) were but young branches , sprung out of an old root , the court had now to do with the head of all this faction , ( dux faemina facti ) a woman had been the breeder and nourisher of all these distempers , one mistriss hutchison , the wife of mr. william hutchison of boston ( a very honest and peaceable man , of good estate ) and the daughter of mr. marvary , sometimes a preacher in lincolnshire , after of london , a woman of a haughty and fierce carriage , of a nimble wit and active spirit , and a very voluble tongue , more bold than a man , though in understanding and judgment , inferiour to many women . this woman had learned her skill in england , and had discovered some of her opinions in the ship , as she came over , which had caused some jealousie of her , which gave occasion of some delay of her admission , when she first desired fellowship with the church of boston , but she cunningly dissembled and coloured her opinions , as she soon got over that block , and was admitted into the church , then she began to go to work , and being a woman very helpful in the times of child-birth , and other occasions of ●…dily infirmities , and well furnished with means for those purposes , she easily insinuated her self into the affections of many , and the rather , because she was much inquisitive of them about their spiritual estates , and in discovering to them the danger they were in , by trusting to common gifts and graces , without any such witness of the spirit , as the scriptures holds out for a full evidence ; whereby many were convinced that they had gone on in a covenant of works , and were much humbled thereby , and brought to inquire more after the lord jesus christ , without whom all their gifts and graces , all their contributions , &c. would prove but legal , and would vanish : all this was well , and suited with the publick ministery , which went along in the same way , and all the faithful imbraced it , and blessed god for the good success that appeared from this discovery . but when she had thus prepared the way by such wholsome truths , then she begins to set forth her own stuff , and taught , that no sanctification was any evidence of a good estate , except their justification were first cleared up to them by the immediate witness of the spirit , and that to see any work of grace , ( either faith or repentance , &c. ) before this immediate witness , was a covenant of works : whereupon many good souls , that had been of long approved godliness , were brought to renounce all the work of grace in them , and to wait for this immediate revelation : then sprung up also that opinion of the in-dwelling of the person of the holy ghost , and of union with christ , and justification before faith , and a denying of any gifts or graces , or inherent qualifications , and that christ was all , did all , and that the soul remained always as a dead o●…gan : and other of those gross errours , which were condemned in the late assembly , and whereof divers had been quashed by the publick ministry ; but the main and bottom of all , which tended to quench all endeavour , and to bring to a dependance upon an immediate witness of the spirit , without sight of any gift or grace , this stuck fast , and prevailed so , as it began to be opposed , and she being questioned by some , who marvelled that such opinions should spread so fast , she made answer , that where-ever she came , they must and they should spread . and indeed it was a wonder upon what a sudden the whole church of boston ( some few excepted ) were become her new-converts , and infected with her opinions , and many also out of the church , and of other churches also , yea , many prophane persons became of her opinion , for it was a very easie , and acceptable way to heaven , to see nothing , to have nothing , but wait for christ to do all ; so that after she had thus prevailed , and had drawn some of eminent place and parts to her party ( whereof some profited so well , as in a few months they out-went their teacher ) then she kept open-house for all comers , and set up two lecture-days in the week , when they usually met at her house , threescore or fourscore persons ; the pretence was to repeat sermons , but when that was done , she would comment upon the doctrines , and interpret all passages at her pleasure , and expound dark places of scripture ; so as whatsoever the letter held forth ( for this was one of her tenents , that the whole scripture in the letter of it held forth nothing but a covenant of works ) she would be sure to make it serve her turn , for the confirming of her main principles , whereof this was another , that the darker our sanctification is , the clearer is our iustification ; and indeed most of her new tenents tended to slothfulness , and quench all endeavour in the creature : and now was there no speech so much in use , as of vilifying sanc●…ification , and all for advancing christ and free-grace ; and the whole pedegree of the covenant of works was set forth with all its complements , beginning at cain , if thou dost well , shalt thou not be accepted ? then it is explained and ratified at mount sinai , and delivered in the two tables , and after sprinkled with the blood of christ , exod. . and so carryed on in the letter of the scripture , till it be compleat , as the covenant of grace by the spirit , seals forgiveness of sins , one of the venters whereon christ begets children , &c. and in the end , wherefore is all this adoe , but that having a more cleanly way , to lay all that opposed her ( being near all the elders , and most of the faithful christians in this countrey ) under a covenant of works , she might with the more credit , disclose and advance her master-piece of immediate revela●…ons , under the fair pretence of the covenant of free-grace ? wherein she had not failed of her aim , to the utter subversion both of churches and civil state , if the most wise and merciful providence of the lord had not prevented it , by keeping so many of the magistrates , and elders , free from the infection : for upon the countenance which it took from some eminent persons , her opinions began to hold up their heads , in church assemblies , and in the court of justice , so as it was held a matter of offence to speak any thing against them in either assembly : thence sprang all that trouble to the pastour of boston , for his free and faithful speech in the court , though required and approved : thence took mr. wheelwright courage to inveigh in his sermon against men in a covenant of work ( as he placed them ) and to proclaim them all enemies to christ , scribes and pharisees , &c. whereas before he was wont to teach in a plain and gentle stile , and though he would sometimes glaunce upon these opinions , yet it was modestly and reservedly , not in such a peremptory and censorious manner , as he did then and after ; for they made full account the day had been theirs : but blessed be the lord , the snare is broken , and we are delivered ; and this woman , who was the root of all these troubles , stands now before the seat of justice , to be rooted out of her station , by the hand of authority guided by the finger of divine providence , as the sequel will shew . when she appeared , the court spake to her to this effect . mrs. hutchinson , you are called hither as one of those who have had a great share in the causes of our publick disturbances , partly by those erroneous opinions which you have broached and divulged amongst us , and maintaining them , partly by countenancing and incouraging such as have sowed seditions amongst us , partly by casting reproach upon the faithful ministers of this countrey , and upon their ministry , and so weaken their hands in the work of the lord , and raising prejudice against them , in the hearts of their people , and partly by maintaining weekly and publick meetings in your house , to the offence of all the countrey , and the detriment of many families , and still upholding the same , since such meetings were clearly condemned in the late general assembly . now the end of your sending for , is , that either upon sight of your errours , and other offences , you may be brought to acknowledge and reform the same , or otherwise that we may take such course with you , as you may trouble us no farther . we do desire therefore to know of you , whether you will justifie and maintain what is laid to your charge or not ? mistriss hutchinson . i am called here to answer to such things as are laid to my charge ; name one of them . court. have you countenanced , or will you justifie those seditious practises which have been censured here in this court ? hutch . do you ask me upon point of conscience ? court. no , your conscience you may keep to your self , but if in this cause you shall countenance and incourage these that thus transgress the law , you must be called in question for it , and that is not for your conscience , but for your practice . hutch . what law have they transgressed ; the law of god ? court. yes , the fifth commandment , which commands us to honour father and mother , which includes all in authority , but these seditious practices of theirs , have cast reproach and dishonour upon the fathers of the common-wealth . hutch . do i entertain , or maintain them in their actions , wherein they stand against any thing that god hath appointed ? court. yes , you have justified mr. wheelwright his sermon , for which you know he was convict of sedition , and you have likewise countenanced and encouraged those that had their hands to the petition . hutch . i deny it , i am to obey you onely in the lord. court. you cannot deny but you had your hand in the petition . hutch . put case i do fear the lord , and my parent do not , may not i entertain one that fears the lord , because my father will not let me ? i may put honour upon him as a child of god. court. that is nothing to the purpose , but we cannot stand to dispute causes with you now ; what say you to your weekly publick meetings ? can you show a warrant for them ? hutch . i will shew you how i took it up , there were such meetings in use before i came , and because i went to none of them , this was the special reason of my taking up this course , we began it but with five or six , and though it grew to more in future time , yet being tolerated at the first , i knew not why it might not continue . court. there were private meetings indeed , and are still in many places , of some few neighbours , but not so publick and frequent as yours , and are of use for increase of love , and mutual edification , but yours are of another nature , if they had been such as yours , they had been evil , and therefore no good warrant to justifie yours ; but answer by what authority or rule you uphold them . hutch . by tit. . where the elder women are to teach the younger . court. so we allow you to do , as the apostle there means , privately , and upon occasion , but that gives no warrant of such set meetings for that purpose ; and besides , you take upon you to teach many that are elder than your self , neither do you teach them that which the apostle commands , viz. to keep at home . hutch . will you please to give me a rule against it , and i will yield ? court. you must have a rule for it , or else you cannot do it in faith , yet you have a plain rule against it ; i permit not a woman to teach . hutch . that is meant of teaching men. court. if a man in distress of conscience , or other temptation , &c. should come and ask your counsel in private , might you not teach him ? hutch . yes . court. then it is clear , that it is not meant of teaching men , but of teaching in publick . hutch . it is said , i will pour out my spirit upon your daughters , and they shall prophesie , &c. if god give me a gift of prophesie , i may use it . court. first , the apostle applies that prophesie unto those extraordinary times , and the gifts of miracles and tongues , were common to many , as well as the gift of prophesie . secondly , in teaching your children , you exercise your gift of prophesie , and that within your calling . hutch . i teach not in a publick congregation ; the men of berea are commended for examining paul's doctrine : we do no more but read the notes of our teachers sermons , and then reason of them by searching the scriptures . court. you are gone from the nature of your meeting , to the kind of exercise , we will follow you in this , and shew you your offence in them , for you do not as the bereans , search the scriptures for their confirming in the truths delivered , but you open your teachers points , and declare his meaning , and correct wherein you think he hath failed , &c. and by this means you abase the honour and authority of the publick ministery , and advance your own gifts , as if he could not deliver his matter so clearly to the hearers capacity as your self . hutch . prove that , that any body doth that . court. yes , you are the woman of most note , and of best abilities , and if some other take upon them the like , it is by your teaching and example , but you shew not in all this , by what authority you take upon you to be such a publick instructer : ( after she had stood a short time , the court gave her leave to sit down , for her countenance discovered some bodily infirmity , ) hutch . here is my authority , aquila and priscilla , took upon them to instruct apollo more perfectly , yet he was a man of good parts , but they being better instructed , might teach him . court. see how your argument stan●… , priscilla with her husband took apollo home to instruct him privately , therefore mistriss hutchison , without her husband , might teach sixty or eighty . hutch . i call them not , but if they come to me , i may instruct them . court. yet you shew us not a rule . hutch . i have given you two places of scripture . court. but neither of them will suit y●…ur practice . hutch . must i shew my name written therein ? court. you must shew that which must be equivalent , seeing your ministery is publick , you would have them receive your instruction , as coming from such an ordinance . hutch . they must not take it as it comes from me , but as it comes from the lord jesus christ ; and if i took upon me a publick ministery , i should break a rule , but not in exercising a gift of prophesie , and i would see a rule to turn away them that come to me . court. it is your exercise which draws them , and by occasion thereof , many families are neglected , and much time lost , and a great damage comes to the common-wealth thereby , which we that are betrusted with , as the fathers of the common-wealth , are not to suffer . divers other speeches passed to and fro about this matter , the issue was , that not being able to bring any rule to justifie this her disordered course , she said she walked by the rule of the apostle , gal. which she called the rule of the new creature , but what rule that was , she would not , or she could not tell , neither would she consent to lay down her meetings , except authority did put them down , and then she might be subject to authority . then the court laid to her charge , the reproach she had cast upon the ministers , and ministry in this country , saying , that none of them did preach the covenant of free grace , but mr. cotton , and that they have not the seal of the spirit , and so were not able ministers of the new testament : she denied the words , but they were affirmed by divers of the ministers , being desired by the court to be present for that end . the matter was thus ; it being reported abroad , that mistriss hutchison did flight them and their ministery in their common talk , as if they did preach nothing but a covenant of works , because they pressed much for faith and love , &c. without holding forth such an immediate witness of the spirit as she pretended , they advised with master cotton about it , and a meeting was appointed at his house , and she being sent for , and demanded the reason why she had used such speeches , at first she would not acknowledge them ; but being told that they could prove them by witnesses , and perswaded to deal freely and truly therein , she said , that the fear of man was a snare , and therefore she was glad she had this opportunity to open her mind , and thereupon she told them , that there was a wide difference betwixt master cotton ' s ministery and theirs , and that they could not hold forth a covenant of free grace , because they had not the seal of the spirit , and that they were not able ministers of the new testament . it was near night , so the court brake up , and she was injoyned to appear again the next morning . when she appeared the next day , she objected , that the ministers had spoken in their own cause , and that they ought not to be informers and witnesses both , and required that they might be sworn to what they had spoken : to which the court answered , that if it were needful , an oath should be given them : but because the whole court ( in a manner man by man ) did declare themselves to be fully satisfied of the truth of their testimonies , they being or men of long approved godliness , and sincerity in their course , and for that it was also generally observed , that those of her party did look at their ministery ( for the most part ) as a way of the covenant of works , and one had been punished about half a year before , for reporting the like of them . the court did pause a while at it , whereupon she said , that she had mr. wilson ' s notes of that conference , which were otherwise than they had related : the court wi●…led her to shew them , but her answer was , she had left them at home : whereupon mr. wilson ( with the leave of the court ) said , that if she brought forth his notes , they should find written at the foot of them , that he had not written down all that was spoken , but being ofen interrupted , he had omitted divers passages ; then she appealed to mr. cotton , who being called , and desired to declare what he remembred of her speeches , said , that he remembred onely that which took impression on him , for he was much grieved that she should make such comparison between him and his brethren , but yet he took her meaning to be onely of a gradual difference , when she said , that they did not hold forth a covenant of free grace , as he did , for she likened them to christ's disciples , and their ministery , before his ascension , and before the holy ghost was come down upon them ; and when she was asked by some of them , why they could not preach a covenant of free-grace ? she made answer , because they had not the seal of the spirit : upon this the court wished her to consider , that mr. cotton did in a manner agree with the testimony of the rest of the elders : and as he remembred , onely so much as at present took most impression on him , so the rest of the elders had reason to remember some other passages , which he might not hear , or not so much observe as they whom it so nearly and properly concerned : all this would not satisfie mistriss hutchison , but she still called to have them sworn ; whereupon the court being weary of the clamour , and that all mouths might be stopped , required three of the ministers to take an oath , and thereupon they confirmed their former testimony . upon this she began to speak her mind , and to tell of the manner of god's dealing with her , and how he revealed himself to her , and made her know what she had to do : the governour perceiving whereabout she went , interrupted her , and would have kept her to the matter in hand , but seeing her very unwilling to be taken off , he permitted her to proceed . her speech was to this effect . mistriss hutchison . when i was in old england , i was much troubled at the constitution of the churches there , so far , as i was ready to have joyned to the separation , whereupon i set apart a day for humiliation by my self , to se●…k direction from god , and then did god discover unto me the unfaithfulness of the churches , and the danger of them , and that none of those ministers could preach the lord jesus aright , for he had brought to my mind , that in iohn . . every spirit that confesseth not , that iesus christ is come in the flesh is the spirit of antichrist ; i marvelled what this should mean , for i knew that neither protestants nor papists did deny that christ was come in the flesh ; and are the turks then the onely antichrists ? now i had none to open the scripture to me , but the lord , he must be the prophet , then he brought to my mind another scripture , he that denies the testament , denies the death of the testator ; from whence the lord did let me see , that every one that did not preach the new-covenant , denies the death of the testator : then it was revealed to me that the ministers of england were these antichrists , but i knew not how to bear this , i did in my heart rise up against it , then i begged of the lord that this atheism might not be in my heart : after i had begged this light , a twelve moneth together , at last he let me see how i did oppose christ jesus , and he revealed to me that place in esa. . , . and from thence shewed me the atheism of my own heart , and how i did turn in upon a covenant of works , and did oppose christ jesus ; from which time the lord did discover to me all sorts of ministers , and how they taught , and to know what voice i heard , which was the voice of moses , which of iohn baptist , and which of christ ; the voice of my beloved , from the voice of strangers ; and thenceforth i was the more careful whom i heard , for after our teacher mr. cotton , and my brother wheelwright were put down , there was none in england that i durst hear . then it pleased god to reveal himself to me in that of esa. . . though the lord give thee the bread of adversity , &c. yet thine eyes shall see thy teachers ; after this the lord carrying mr. cotton to new-england ( at which i was much troubled ) it was revealed to me , that i must go thither also , and that there i should be pers●…cuted , and suffer much trouble . i will give you another scripture , jer. . fear not iacob my servant , for i am with thee ; i will make a full end of all the nations , &c. then the lord did reveal himself to me , sitting upon a throne of justice , and all the world appearing before him , and though i must come to new england , yet i must not fear nor be dismaied . the lord brought another scripture to me , esa. . the lord spake this to me with a strong hand , and instructed me , that i should not walk in the way of this people , &c. i will give you one place more , which the lord brought to me by immediate revelations , and that doth concern you all ; it is in dan. . when the presidents and princes could find nothing against him , because he was faithful , they sought matter against him concerning the law of his god , to cast him into the lions den ; so it was revealed to me , that they should plot against me , but the lord bid me not to fear , for he that delivered daniel , and the three children , his hand was not shortened . and see this scripture fulfilled this day in mine eyes , therefore take heed what ye go about to do unto me , for you have no power over my body , neither can you do me any harm , for i am in the hands of the eternal jehovah my saviour , i am at his appointment , the bounds of my habitation are cast in heaven , no farther do i esteem of any mortal man , than creatures in his hand ; i fear none but the great jehovah , which hath foretold me of these things ; and i do verily believe that he will deliver me out of your hands , therefore take heed how you proceed against me ; for i know that for this you go about to do to me , god will ruin you and your posterity , and this whole state. when she had thus vented her mind , the court demanded of her , how she expected to be delivered , whether by miracle as daniel was ? to which she answered , yes , by miracle , as dainiel was : being farther demanded , how she did know that it was god that did reveal these things to her , and not satan ? she answered ; how did abraham know that it was the voice of god , when he commanded him to sacrifice his son ? mr. cotton being present , and desired by the court to deliver his judgment about mistriss hutchison her revelations , answered ; there be two sorts of revelations , some are without and besides scripture ; those i look at as satanical , and tending to much danger ; other are such as the apostle speaks of , ephes. . where he prayeth for a spirit of revelation to be given them , those are never dispensed but according to the word of god ; though the word revelation be uncouth , yet in scripture-sense i think it not lawful so to express it , and whenever it comes , it comes with the ministery of the word . being again desired to express himself particularly concerning her revelations , he demanded of her ( by the leave of the court ) whether by a miracle she doth mean a work beyond the power of nature , or onely above common providence ? for if ( as you say ) you expect deliverance from this court , beyond the power of nature , then i should suspect such a revelation to be false . to this she answered , you know when it comes , god doth not describe the way . mr. cotton asked her again , whether ( when she said she should be delivered ) she meant a deliverance from the sentence of the court , or from the calamity of it ? she answered , yea , from the calamity of it . mistriss hutchison having thus freely and fully discovered her self , the court and all the rest of the assembly ( except those of her own party ) did observe a special providence of god , that ( while she went about to cover such offences as were laid to her charge , by putting matters upon proof , and then quarrelling with the evidence ) her own mouth should deliver her into the power of the court , as guilty of that which all suspected her for , but were not furnished with proof sufficient to proceed against her ; for here she hath manifested , that her opinions and practice have been the cause of all our disturbances , and that she walked by such a rule as cannot stand with the peace of any state ; for such bottomless revelations , as either came without any word , or without the sense of the word , ( which was framed to humane capacity ) if they be allowed in one thing , must be admitted a rule in all things ; for they being above reason and scripture , they are not subject to control : again , she hath given a reason why she hath so much slighted the faithful ministers of christ here , why ? it was revealed to her long since in england , that all the pack of them were antichristians , so as she durst hear none of them , after mr. cotton and mr. wheelwright were once gone ; for they could not preach christ and the new-covenant ( as she affirms , ) why , but they did preach somewhat , and if they could not hold forth christ in a covenant of free-grace , then must they needs hold him forth in a covenant of works ; then are they not able ministers of the new testament , nor sealed by the spirit ; for the servants of god , who are come over into new england , do not think themselves more spiritual than other of their brethren whom they have left behind , nor that they can or do hold forth the lord jesus christ in their ministry , more truly than he was held forth in england , and seeing their ministery was a most precious sweet savour to all the saints before she came hither , it is easie to discern from what sink that ill vapour hath risen , which hath made so many of her seduced party to loath now the smell of those flowers which they were wont to find sweetness in : yet this is not all ( though it be too too vile ) she can fetch a revelation that shall reach the magistrates and the whole court , and the succeeding generations , and she hath scripture for it also ; daniel must be a type of mistriss hutchison , the lions den of the court of justice , and the presidents and princes of the reverend elders here , and all must sort to this conclusion , she must be delivered by miracle , and all we must be ruined ; see the impudent boldness of a proud dame , that athaliah-like makes havock of all that stand in the way of her ambitious spirit ; she had boasted before that her opinions must prevail , neither could she endure a stop in her way , as appeared once upon a slight occasion , when her reputation being a little touched upon mistake , yet so carried , as she could not get the party upon that advantage which she expected , she vented her impatience with so fierce speech and countenance , as one would hardly have guessed her to have been an antitype of daniel , but rather of the lions after they were let loose . the like appeared in her , when she could not have her will against her faithful pastor for his opposing her opinions , as she apprehended ; so as neither reason , nor scripture , nor the judgment and example of such as she reverenced , could appease her displeasure . so that the court did clearly discern , where the fountain was of all our distempers , and the tragedy of munster ( to such as had read it ) gave just occasion to fear the danger we were in , seeing ( by the judgment of luther writing of those troublous times ) we had not to do with so simple a devil , as managed that business , and therefore he had the less fear of him ; but satan seemed to have commission now to use his utmost cunning to undermine the kingdom of christ here ( as the same luther foretold , he would do , when he should enterprize any such innovation under the clear light of the gospel , ) so as the like hath not been known in former ages , that ever so many wise , sober , and well grounded christians , should so suddenly be seduced by the means of a woman , to stick so fast to her , even in some things wherein the whole current of scripture goeth against them , and that notwithstanding that her opinions and practice have been so gross in some particulars , as their knowledge and sincerity would not suffer them to approve , yet such interest hath she gotten in their hearts , as they seek cloaks to cover the nakedness of such deformities , as in the mean time they are ashamed to behold . the court saw now an inevitable necessity to rid her away , except we would be guilty , not onely of our own ruine , but also of the gospel : so in the end the sentence of banishment was pronounced against her , and she was committed to the marshal , till the court should dispose of her . another day , captain iohn underhill was sent for , and being charged with joyning in the said petition , acknowledged the same , professing that he could see no fault in it : being demanded a rule by which he might take so much upon him , as publickly to contradict the sentence of the court , &c. he alledged the example of ioab his rough speech to david , when he retired himself for absalom's death , and that david did not reprove him for it . to this the court answered . first , that ioab was then in the matters of his own calling , and being general of the army , had liberty , by his place , to give advice to the king in causes of that nature , but when he failed in the manner of his speech , therein he is not to be excused , and therefore not to be followed . secondly , ioab did not contradict or reprove any judicial sentence of the king , but onely an inordinate passion . thirdly , he was occasioned by an urgent necessity of the safety of the king and state. fourthly , that which he spake was in private , for the king had withdrawn himself . fifthly , it appears that david did take it as a great miscarriage , for he presently displaced him . again , in our cause , the captain was but a private man , and had no calling to deal in the affairs of the court , therefore no warrant from hence . he insisted much upon the liberty which all states do allow to military officers , for free speech , &c. and that himself had spoken sometimes as freely to count nassaw . but it was answered , we are not to look at what some do tolerate , but what is lawful , and there may be a reason of state , to connive at that disorder at some season , which may not with honour and safety be permitted at another . being farther demanded , how they came so many of them , to be so suddenly agreed in so weighty and doubtful a case ? he answered , that many of them being present when mr. wheelwright was convict of sedition , they were sore grieved at it , and suddenly rushing out of the court , a strange motion came into all their minds , so as they said ( in a manner altogether ) come let us petition ; and for his part , from that time to this , his conscience which then led him to it , will not suffer him to retract it . the court pittied him much , and were grieved at his obstinacy , that when all his arguments were taken away , he had no defence left , he would yet maintain a bad cause by the light of a deluded conscience ; and withal they took notice how these ungrounded revelations began to work , and what dangerous consequences were like to follow of them , when so many persons upon such a sudden motion had no scruple to enterprize such a seditious action , nor can be brought by any light of reason or scripture , to see their errour ; so the court ( when they saw no other remedy ) dis-franchised him , and discharged him of his place , but allowed him his quarters means . there were divers who were not present when that sudden motion , or revelation first set the petition on foot , but were drawn in after , who soon found their error , and did as freely acknowledge it , and desired to have their names put out of it , which was easily granted , and their offence , with a loving admonition , remitted . it had been observed a good time since , that some of the leaders of this faction ( by occasion of new disciples , being inquisitive about their tenents ) would let fall these answers , i have many things to tell you , but you cannot bear them now ; and there is a great light to break forth , if men do not resist it , and you shall see the bottom hereafter ; and one of them reproved the rest , telling them , that they had spoiled their cause , by being over hasty , and too open , &c. and now it began to appear , what their meaning were , for after mistriss hutchison had discovered the secret , by her speech in the court , then others opened their minds , and professedly maintained these enthusiasms as the oracles of god. and that such revelations as abraham had to kill his son , and as paul had in the ship , and when he was caught up into the third heaven , &c. were ordinary , so that mr. cotton took notice of the danger of them , and publickly confuted them in diverse sermons . among other like passages there was one that fell out at mr. wheelw . his farewel to those whom he used to preach unto at the mount. one of his own scholars told him openly , that he had preached antichristianism , and had set up a christ against a christ ; the same party maintained immediate revelations , without any word at all , saying , that the free promises were onely for those under the law , but we are to look for all our assurance by immediate revelation ; and that in the new testament there are no signs , no not our baptism , for the baptism of water is of no use to us when once we are baptized with the holy ghost : he said also , that a man might be adopted and not justified , and that every new creature is as a dead lump , not acting at all , but as christ acts in him ; and denyed all inherent righteousness ; and that the commandments were a dead letter . these things were so gross , as mr. wheelwright could not but contradict him ; yet he did it so tenderly , as might well discover his near agreement in the points , though his wisdom served him to be more reserved till a fitter season ; for that poor man being newly come on to the profession of religion , must needs learn those points of m●… . wheelw . or draw them as necessary consequents from some of his tenents : and it is frequently found to be an effect of all unsound and unsafe doctrines , that still the scholar goes a step farther than his teacher . so it hath proved in former times , luther , and no doubt many of those who did imbrace his errors , in the first edition of them , yet lived and died in the true faith of christ , but the succeeding generations ( inheriting those erroneous tenents , which they had drawn from their godly forefathers , but not their godliness ) proved hereticks and schismaticks to this day . so it hath been in the churches of rome , and others , and so we may justly fear in these churches in new-england , howsoever that many that now adhere to these familistical opinions , are indeed truly godly , and ( no doubt ) shall persevere so to the end , yet the next generation , which shall be trained up under such doctrines , will be in great danger to prove plain familists and schismaticks . this discovery of a new rule of practice by immediate revelations , and the consideration of such dangerous consequences , which have and might follow thereof , occasioned the court to disarm all such of that party , as had their hands to the petition , and some others , who had openly defended the same , except they should give satisfaction to the magistrates therein ; which some presently did , others made a great question about it , for bringing in their arms , but they were too weak to stand it out . thus it pleased the lord to hear the prayers of his afflicted people ( whose souls had wept in secret for the reproach that was cast upon the churches of the lord jesus in this countrey , by occasion of the divisions which were grown amongst us , through the vanity of some weak minds , which cannot seriously affect any thing long , except it be offered them under some renewed shape ) and by the care and endeavour of the wise and faithful ministers of the churches , assisted by the civil authority to discover this master-piece of the old-serpent , and to break the brood by scattering the leaders , under whose conduct he had prepared such ambushment , as in all reason would soon have driven christ and gospel out of new-england ( though to the ruine of the instruments themselves , as well as others ) and to the re-possessing of satan in his ancient kingdom ; it is the lord's work , and it is marvellous in our eyes . mr. wheel . is now gone to pascal , mistriss hutchison is confined in a private house , till the season of the year shall be fit for her departure , some of those whom god hath left to be most strongly deluded , are preparing to follow them , and we hope the lord will open the eyes of the rest , and perswade them to joyn again with their sometime dear and most beloved brethren , that peace and truth may again flourish in new-england , amen . after the court had thus proceeded , some of the churches dealt with such of their members as were found guilty of these erroneous and seditious practices , the church at roxbury ( after much pains and patience to reduce them ) excommunicated five or six ; and the church of boston , by the sollicitation of some of the elders of the other churches , proceeded against mistriss hutchison , the manner and issue whereof is set down in the next . at boston in new-england , upon the th day of octob. . the wife of one william dyer , sometimes a citizen and millener of london , a very proper and comely young woman , was delivered of a large woman child , it was still-born , about two months before her time , the child having life a few hours before the delivery , but so monstrous and mis-shapen , as the like hath scarce been heard of : it had no head , but a face , which stood so low upon the breast , as the ears ( which were like an apes ) grew upon the shoulders . the eyes stood far out , so did the mouth ; the nose was hooking upward , the breast and back was full of sharp prickles , like a thornback ; the navel and all the belly with the distinction of the sex , were , where the lower part of the back and hips should have been , and those back-parts were on the side the face stood . the arms and hands , with the thighs and legs , were as other childrens , but instead of toes , it had upon each foot three claws , with talons like a young fowl. upon the back , above the belly , it had two great holes , like mouths , and in each of them stuck out a piece of flesh. it had no forehead , but in the place thereof , above the eyes , four horns , whereof two were above an inch long , hard and sharp , the other two were somewhat shorter . many things were observable in the birth and discovery of this monster . . the father and mother were of the highest form of our refined familists , and very active in maintaining their party , and in reproaching some of the elders , and others , who did oppose those errors . . the midwife , one hawkins wife of st. ives , was notorious for familiarity with the devil , and now a prime familist . . this monster was concealed by three persons above five months . . the occasion of concealing it was very strange , for most of the women who were present at the womans travail , were suddenly taken with such a violent vomiting , and purging , without eating or drinking of any thing , as they were forced to go home ; others had their children taken with convulsions , ( which they had not before , nor since ) and so were sent for home , so as none were left at the time of the birth , but the midwife and two other , whereof one fell asleep . . at such time as the child died ( which was about two hours before the birth ) the bed wherein the mother lay , shook so violently , as all which were in the room perceived it . . the after-birth wherein the child was , had prickles on the inside like those on the childs brest . . the manner of the discovery was very strange also , for it was that very day mistriss hutchison was cast out of the church for her monstrous errours , and notorious falsehood ; for being commanded to depart the assembly , mistriss dyer accompanied her , which a stranger observing , asked another , what woman that was ? the other answered , it was the women who had the monster : which one of the church of boston hearing , enquired about it from one to another , and at length came to mistriss hutchison , with one of the elders of the church , to whom she revealed the truth of the thing in general onely ; this coming to the governours ear , he called another of the magistrates , and sent for the midwife , and ( in the presence of the elder , to whom mistriss hutchison had revealed it ) they examined her , who , at first , confessed , it was a monstrous birth , but concealed the horns and claws , and some other parts , till being straitly charged , and told it should be taken up , and viewed , then she confessed all : yet for farther assurance , the child was taken up , and though it were much corrupted , yet the horns and claws , and holes in the back , and some scales , &c. were found and seen of above a hundred persons . . the father of this monster , having been forth of the town about a month , and coming home just at this time , was upon the lord's day ( by an unexpected occasion ) called before the church for some of his monstrous opinions ; as that christ and the church together are the new creature ; there is no inherent righteousness in christians ; adam was not made after god's image , &c. which he openly maintained , yet with such shuffling , and equivocating , as he came under admonition , &c. a brief apology in defence of the general proceedings of the court , holden at boston the ninth day of the first moneth , . against mr. i. wheelwright a member there , by occasion of a sermon delivered there in the same congregation . forasmuch as some of the members of the court ( both of the magistrates and deputies ) did dissent from the major part , in the judgement of the cause of mr. wheelwright , and divers others have since censured the proceedings against him as unjust , or ( at best ) over hasty , for maintaining of which censures , many untruths are like to be spread abroad , whereby the most equal judges may be in danger of prejudice ; and so the honour not of the court only , but also of the trial and justice it self may be blemished : it is thought needful to make this publick declaration of all the proceedings , with the reasons and grounds thereof , so far as concerneth the clearing of the justice of the court. as for such passages as fell by occasion , and are too large to be here inserted , such as desire to know them , may receive satisfaction from three or four of boston ( being mr. wheelwright his special friends ) who took all by characters ( we doubt not ) will give a true report thereof ; as for such as have taken offence , that the cause was not first referred to the church , we desire them to consider these reasons . . this case was not matter of conscience , but of a civil nature , and therefore most proper for this court to take cognizance of , and the rather for the special contempt which had been offered to the court therein , and which the church could not judge of . . in some cases of religious nature , as manifest heresie , notorious blasphemy , &c. the civil power may proceed , ecclesia inconsulta , and that by the judgment of all the ministers . . it had been a vain thing to refer a cause to the judgment of those who had openly declared their prejudice therein , both in the court and otherwise , as by two petitions under the hands of most of them , delivered into the court on his behalf , did plainly appear . . the heat of contention and uncharitable censures which began to overspread the countrey , and that chiefly by occasion of that sermon , and the like miscarriages , did require that the civil power should speedily allay that heat , and bear witness against all seditious courses , tending to the overthrow of truth and peace amongst us , and this only by way of entrance to the matter which now followeth . in the beginning of the court , the deputies upon the fame of a sermon delivered by mr. wheelwright ( upon the first day ) which was supposed to tend to sedition , and disturbance of the publick peace , desired that he might be sent for , which the court ass●…nting unto , one of the magistrates ( his special friend ) undertook to give him notice thereof , and accordingly at the next meeting he was in the town . ready to appear , when he should be called for , which was not till two or three days after , and then he was sent for ( not by the marshal , as the usual manner is ; but ) by one of the deputies his intimate friend , upon his appearance he was made acquainted with the cause why he was sent for , viz. to satisfie the court about some passages in his sermon , which seemed to be offensive , and therewith a copy of it was produced , and he was demanded whether he would own it , whereupon he drew forth another copy which he delivered into the court , as a true copy , ( for the substance of it ) so he was dismissed very gently , and desired to be ready when he should be called for again . the next day he was again sent for by the former messenger : about this time a petition was delivered into the court , under the hands of above forty persons , being most of the church of boston , ( being none of the petitions before mentioned which were delivered after ) to this effect , that as free-men they might be admitted to be present in the court in causes of judicature , and that the court would declare whether they might proceed in cases of conscience , without referring them first to the church . to this the court answered on the backside of the petition , that they did conceive the petition was without just ground , for the first part of it , the court had never used any privacy in judicial proceedings , but in preparation thereto by way of examination of the party , &c. they might and would use their liberty , as they should see cause ; and for the other part of the petition , when any matter of conscience should come before them , they would advise what were fit to be done in it . when mr wheelwright came in , the court was private , and then they told him they had considered of his sermon , and were desirous to ask him some questions which might ●…nd to clear his meaning , about such passages therein as seemed offensive ; he demanded whether he were sent for as an innocent person , or as guilty ? it was answered neither , but as suspected only ; then he demanded who were his accusers ? it was answered , his sermon ; ( which was there in court ) being acknowledged by himself they might thereupon proceed , ex officio : at this word great exception was taken , as if the court intended the course of the high commission , &c. it was answered that the word ex officio was very safe and proper , signifying no more but the authority or duty of the court : and that there was no cause of offence , seeing th●… court did not examine him by any compulsory means , as by oath , imprisonment , or the like , but only desired him for better satisfaction to answer some questions , but he still refused , yet at last through perswasion of some of his friends , he seemed content ; the question then put to him was , whether before his sermon he did not know , that most of the ministers in this jurisdiction did teach that doctrine which he in his sermon called a covenant of works ; to this he said , he did not desire to answer , and thereupon some cryed out , that the court went about to ensnare him , and to make him to accuse himself ; and that this question was not about the matter of his sermon , &c. upon this he refused to answer any further , so he was dismissed till the afternoon ; the reason why the court demanded that question of him , was not to draw matter from himself whereupon to proceed against him , neither was there any need , for upon a conference of the ministers not long before there had been a large dispute between some of them and himself about that point of evidencing justification by sanctification ; so as the court might soon have convinced him by witnesses , if they had intended to proceed against him upon that ground . in the afternoon he was sent for again in the same manner as before , and the ministers also being in the town , and come hither to confer together for further discovery of the ground of the differences which were in the countrey about the covenant of grace , &c. they were desired to be present also at the court , to bear witness of the proceedings in the case , and to give their advice as the court ( upon occasion ) should require : so the doors being set open for all that would to come in ( and there was a great assembly ) and mr. wheelwright being willed to sit down by the ministers , his sermon was produced , and many passages thereof were read to him , which for the better understanding we have digested into this order following . he therein describeth two covenants , the covenant of grace , and the covenant of works ; the covenant of grace he described to be , when in the point of justification , and the knowledge of this our justification by faith , there is nothing revealed but christ jesus ; but if men think to be saved , because they see some works of sanctification in themselves , as hungring and thirsting , &c. this is a covenant of works ; if men have revealed to them some work of righteousness , as love to the brethren , &c. and hereupon come to be assured that they are in a good estate , this is not the assurance of faith , for faith hath christ revealed for the object , therefore if the assurance of a mans justification be by faith , as a work , it is not gospel . having thus described those who go under a covenant of works , he pronounceth them to be enemies to christ , to be antichrists , to be flesh opposed to spirit ; such as will certainly persecute those who hold forth the truth , and the ways of grace , he resembleth them to the philistines , who stop up with the earth of their own inventions , the wells of true believers ; he resembleth them also to herod , who would have killed christ so soon as he was born , and to herod and pilate who did kill christ when he came once to shew forth himself , and would have kept him eternally in the grave ; he further describeth them out of the second psalm , to be the people of god , as the iews were , and such as would take away the true christ , and put in false christs , to deceive if it were possible the very elect ; he also describeth them by that in cant. . . they make the children of grace , keepers of the vineyard , they make them travel under the burden of the covenant of works , which doth cause christ many times from them . he cometh after to an use of exhortation , wherein he stirreth up all those of his side to a spiritual combat , to prepare for battle , and come out and fight against the enemies of the lord ; ( those under a covenant of works ) he shews whom he meaneth thus to excite , alluding to david's valiant men , to baruch , deborah , iael , and all the men of israel , and bind them hereunto under the curse of meroz ; he further exhorteth them to stand upon their guard , &c. by alluding to the valiant men , who kept watch about the bed of solomon , a type of christ ; then he incourageth those of his side against such difficulties as might be objected ; as . if the enemies shall oppose the way of god , they must lay the more load upon them , and kill them with the word of the lord , and there he alludeth to those places which speak of giving the saints power over nations , binding kings in chains , and of threshing instruments with teeth , and foretels their flight by that in esa. . . they shall flee from the sword , &c. . though the enemies under a covenant of works be many and strong , ( as he confesseth they are ) yet they ought not to fear , for the battle is the lords , this he inforceth by that in iosh. . . one of you shall chase a thousand , and that of ionathan and his armour bearer . . against tenderness of heart which they might have towards such under a covenant of works , as are exceeding holy and strict in their way , he animateth his party by perswading them , that such are the greatest enemies to christ ; this he seeks to illustrate by resembling such in their zeal , to paul when he was a persecutor , and in their devotion to those who expelled paul and barnabas out of antioch . he taketh it for granted , that these holy men trust in their righteousness , and that it thrusteth out the righteousness of christ , and so concludes and foretels from ezek. . they shall die , and their righteousness is accursed , yet they transform themselves ( saith he ) into angels of light. . that his party might not fear lest he should break the rule of meekness , &c. he bringeth in the example of stephen , act. . . and the example of christ , ioh. . . and mat. . . . to those who might fear , lest this strife should cause a combustion in church and common-wealth , he answers and tells them plainly it will do so , but yet to uphold their hearts , he arms them with the prediction of christ , luk. . . and tells them that it is the desire of the saints , that that fire were kindled , and with that in esa. . . which he interprets of michael and the angels , and with that in mal. . . and by that in the revelation , the whore must be burnt . . he arms them against persecution , by exhorting them not to love their lives unto the death , but be willing to be killed like sheep , seeing it is impossible to hold forth the truth of god with external peace and quietness : this he inforceth by the example of sampson , who slew more at his death than in his life . these passages of his sermon being openly read master wheelwright did acknowledge and justifie the same , and being demanded ( either then or before ) whether by those under a covenant of works he did mean any of the ministers and other christians in those churches , he answer'd , that if he were shewed any that walked in such a way , as he had described to be a covenant of works , them he did mean. here divers speeches passed up and down , whereof there was no special notice taken , as not material to the purpose in hand . the court proceeded also to examine some witnesses about another sermon of his , whereat much offence had also been taken , and not without cause , ( as appeared to the court ) for in that he seemed to scare men , not only from legal righteousness , but even from faith and repentance , as if that also were a way of the covenant of works ; but this being matter of doctrine , the court passed it by for the present , only they ( and the ministers present , divers of them ) declared their grief to see such opinions risen in the countrey of so dangerous consequence , and so directly crossing the scope of the gospel , ( as was conceived ) and it was retorted upon him , which he in his sermon chargeth his adverse party with , ( tho' uncharitably and untruly ) when he saith they would take away the true christ , that to make good such a doctrine as he held forth ( to common intendment ) must needs call for a new christ , and a new gospel , for sure the old would not own or justifie it . then the court propounded a question to the ministers , which ( because they desired time of consideration to make answer unto ) was given them in writing upon the outside of master wheelwrights sermon in these words ; whether by that which you have heard concerning mr. wheelwrights sermon , and that which was witnessed concerning him , ye do conceive that the ministers in this country do walk in , and teach such a way of salvation , and evidencing thereof , as he describeth , and accounteth to be a covenant of works ? to this question ( being again called for into the court the next morning ) they returned an affirmative answer , in the very words of the question , adding withal , that they would not be understood , that their doctrine and master vvheelwrights about justification and salvation , and evidencing thereof , did differ in all things , but only in the point presented , and debated now in court , and that of this their answer they were ready to give reasons when the court should demand them , and that to this they consented , except their brother the teacher of boston : after this ( by leave of the court ) the ministers all spake one by one in order , some more largely , laying open by solid arguments , and notorious examples , the great dangers that the churches and civil state were fallen into , by the differences which were grown amongst us in matters of religion , offering themselves withal to imploy all their studies to effect a reconciliation , shewing also their desires that mr. vvheelwright would be with them , when they should meet for this purpose , and blaming his former strangeness as a possible occasion of these differences of judgment . others spake more briefly , but consented with the former ; and all of them ( as they had occasion to speak to mr. vvheelw . or to make mention of him ) used him with all humanity and respect ; what his carriage was towards them again , those who were present may judge , as they saw cause . the matters objected against mr. vvheel being recollected , and put to the vote , the opinion of the court was , that he had run into sedition and contempt of the civil authority , which accordingly was recorded to the same effect , and he was injoyned to appear at the next general court to abide their further sentence herein . and whereas motion was made of injoyning him silence in the mean time , the ministers were desired to deliver their advice what the court might do in such a case : their answer was , that they could not give a clear resolution of the question at the present , but for mr. vvheel . they desired that the court would rather refer him to the church of b. to deal with him for that matter ; which accordingly was done , and so he was dismissed : such of the magistrates and deputies , as had not concurred with the major part in the vote , ( some of them ) moved that the dissent might be recorded , ( but it was denyed ) as a course never used in this or any such court. afterward they tendered a protestation , which was also refused , because therein they had justifi'd mr. vvheel . as a faithful minister of the lord jesus , and condemned the court for undue proceeding ; but this was offered them , that if they would write down the words of the record , and subscribe their dissent , without laying such aspersion upon the court , it should be received . although the simple narration of these proceedings might be sufficient to justifie the court in what they have done , especially with these of this jurisdiction , who have taken notice of the passages in the general court in decem. last , yet for satisfaction of others to whom this case may be otherwise presented , by fame or misreport , we will set down some grounds and reasons thereof , some whereof were expressed in the court , and others ( tho' not publickly insisted upon , yet ) well conceived by some , as further motives to lead their judgments to do as they did . and , . it is to be observed , that the noted differences in point of religion in the churches here , are about the covenant of works , in opposition to the covenant of grace ; in clearing whereof much dispute hath been , whether sanctification be any evidence of justification . . that before mr. vvheel . came into this country ( which is not yet two years since ) there was no strife ( at least in publick observation ) about that point . . that he did know ( as himself confessed ) that divers of the ministers here were not of his judgment in those points , and that the publishing of them would cause disturbance in the country , and yet he would never confer with the ministers about them , that thereby he might have gained them to his opinion , ( if it had been the truth ) or at least have manifested some care of the publick peace , which he rather seemed to slight , when being demanded in the court a reason of such his failing , he answer'd that he ought not to consult with flesh and blood , about the publishing of that truth which he had received from god. . it was well known to him that the magistrates and deputies were very sensible of those differences , and studious of pacifying such minds as began to be warm and apt to contention about them , and for this end at the said court in december , ( where these differences and alienations of mind through rash censures , &c. were sadly complained of ) they had called in the ministers , and ( mr. wheel . being present ) had desired their advice for discovery of such dangers , as did threaten us hereby , and their help for preventing thereof ; and it was then thought needful , to appoint a solemn day of humiliation ( as for other occasions more remote , so especially ) for this which more nearly concerned us , and at this time this very point of evidencing justification by sanctification set into some debate , and mr. wheel . being present spake nothing , though he well discerned that the judgment of most of the magistrates and near all the ministers closed with the affirmative . . that upon the said fast ( mr. wheel . being desired by the church to exercise as a private brother , by way of prophecy ) when mr. cotton teaching in the afternoon out of isa. . . had shewed that it was not a fit work for a day of fast , to move strife and debate , to provoke to contention , &c. but by all means to labour pacification and reconciliation , and therein had bestowed much time , and many forcible arguments , yet mr. wheel . speaking after him , taught as is here before mentioned , wholly omitting those particular occasions which the court intended , nay rather reproving them , in teaching that the only cause of fasting , was the absence of christ , &c. and so notwithstanding the occasion of the day , mr. cottons example , the intent of the court for procuring peace , he stirred up the people to contention , and that with more than ordinary vehemency . now if any man will equally weigh the proceedings of the court and these observations together , we hope it will appear that mr. wheelwright was justly convicted of sedition and contempt of authority , and such as have not leisure or will to compare them together , may only read that which here followeth , and receive satisfaction thereby , carrying this along with them , that the acts of authority holding forth the face , and stamp of a divine sentence , should not be less regarded than the actions of any private brother , which a good man will view on all four sides before he judge them to be evil . sedition and contempt are laid to his charge . sedition doth properly signifie a going aside to make a party , and is rightly described by the poet , ( for it is lawful to fetch the meaning of words from human authority ) in magno populo cum saepe coorta est seditio saevitabque ; animis , &c. whence it it doth appear that when the minds of the people being assembled are kindled or made fierce upon some sudden occasion , so as they fall to take part one against another , this is sedition ; for when that furor , which doth arma ministrare , is once kindled , the sedition is begun , though it come not to its perfection , till faces & saxa volant : tully saith , seditionem esse dissensionem omnium inter se , cum ●…unt alii in aliud , when the people dissent in opinion and go several ways , isidore saith , seditiosus est , qui dissensionem animorum facit & discordias gignit . he that sets mens minds at difference , and begets strife : and if we look into the scripture , we shall find examples of sedition agreeing to these descriptions . the uprore mov'd by demetrius , act. . was sedition , yet he neither took up arms , nor perswaded others so to do , but only induced the minds of the people , and made them fierce against the apostles , by telling them they were enemies to diana of the ephesians . korah and his company moved a most dangerous sedition , yet they did not stir up the people to fight , only they went apart , and drew others to them against moses and aaron ; here was nothing but words , and that by a levite , who might speak by his place , but it cost more than words before it was pacified . now in our present case , did not mr. wheel . make sides when he proclaimed all to be under a covenant of works , who did not follow him ( step by step ) in his description of the covenant of grace ? did he not make himself a party on the other side , by often using these and the like words , we , us ? did he not labour to heat the minds of the people , and to make them fierce against those of that side , which he opposed ( and whereof he knew that most of the magistrates and ministers had declared themselves ) when with the greatest fervency of spirit and voice , he proclaims them antichrists , enemies , philistines , herod , pilate , persecuting jews , and stirred them up on his part to fight with them , to lay load on them , to burn them , to thresh them , and to bind them in chains and fetters , to kill them and vex their hearts , and that under the pain of the curse of meroz ? tantaene animis coelestibus irae ? would one think that any heavenly spirit could have breathed so much anger , when an angel would have given milder language to the devil himself ? and all this without vouchsafing one argument to convince these enemies of their evil way , or one word of admonition or advice to themselves , to draw them out of danger . but it is objected , that he expressed his meaning to be of a spiritual fighting and killing , &c. with the sword of the spirit only . it is granted he did so , yet his instances of illustration , or rather inforcement , were of another nature , as of moses killing the egyptian in defence of his brother ; sampson losing his life with the philistines , the fight of ionathan and his armour-bearer , and of davids worthies , baruc and iael , &c. these obtained their victories with swords and hammers , &c. and such are no spiritual weapons , so that if his intent were not to stir up to open force and arms ( neither do we suspect him of any such purpose , otherwise than by consequence ) yet his reading and experience might have told him , how dangerous it is to heat peoples affections against their opposites , a mind inflamed with indignation ( among some people ) would have been more apt to have drawn their swords by the authority of the examples he held forth for the incouragement , than to have been kept to spiritual weapons , by the restraining without cautions ; such as cannot dispute for christ with stephen , will be ready to draw their swords for him , like peter ; for furor arma ministrat , like him who when he could not by any sentence in the bible confute an heretick , could make use of the whole book to break his head ; we might hold forth instances more than enough . the wars in germany for these hundred years arose from dissentions in religion , and though in the beginning of the contention , they drew out onely the sword of the spirit , yet it was soon changed into a sword of steel ; so was it among the consederate cantons of helvetia , which were so many towns as nearly combined together , as ours here ; so was it also in the netherlands between the orthodox and the arminians ; so hath it been between the calvinists and lutherans : in every place we find that the contentions began first by disputations and sermons , and when the minds of the people were once set on fire by reproachful terms of incendiary spirits , they soon set to blows , and had always a tragical and bloody issue ; and to clear this objection , mr. wheel . professed before-hand , what he looked for , viz. that his doctrine would cause combustions even in the common-wealth , as well as in the churches , which he could not have feared if he had supposed ( as in charity he well might ) that those who were set over the people here in both states , were indeed true christians ; yea , he not only confesseth his expectation , but his earnest desire also of such combustions and disturbances , when he saith , that it is the saints desire to have the fire kindled , as if he were come among turks or papists , and not among the churches of christ , amongst whom paul laboured to quench all fire of contention , but with the corinthians , romans , and galatians , and wished that those were cut off who troubled them , setting a mark upon such as made division , and a note of a carnal mind : therefore this objection will not save him , his offence is yet without excuse , he did intend to trouble our peace , and he hath effected it ; therefore it was a contempt of that authority which required every man to study peace and truth , and therefore it was a seditious contempt , in that he stirred up others to joyn in the disturbance of that peace , which he was bound by solemn oath to preserve . but here he puts in a plea , that he did take the onely right way for peace , by holding out the lord jesus christ in the covenant of free grace , for without christ there is no peace , but get christ and we have all . to this we reply , first , we would demand of him what he accounts a holding forth a covenant of grace ? for , saving that he saith , this is a covenant of grace , that is a covenant of works , no man can discern any such thing by his proofs , for there is not any one argument in his sermon , to convince the judgment that so it is , and if we search the scripture , we find in the old testament , ier. . the covenant of grace to be this , i will write my law in their hearts , or , i will be their god , &c. and in the new testament we find , he that believes in the lord iesus christ , shall be saved , and that it is of faith , that it might be of grace ; but other covenant of grace than these , or to the same effect , are not in our bibles . again , tho' it be true , that get christ and we have all in some respect , yet we must remember him of what he said with the same breath , that truth and external peace cannot possibly stand together , how then would he have us believe , that such a holding forth christ should bring the desired peace ? this is some what like the jewish corban , i will give to god , and he shall help my parents ; or , as when a poor man stands in need of such relief , as i might give him , instead there of i pray to god to bless him , and tell him that the blessing of god maketh rich ; or , as i give a lawyer a fee to plead my cause , and to procure me justice , and when the day of hearing comes , he makes a long speech in commending the justice of the king , and perswading me to get his favour , because he is the fountain of justice ; this is to reprove the wisdom of god , by looking that the supreme and first cause should produce all effects , without the use of subordinate and nearer causes and means ; so a man should live out his full time by god's decree onely , without meat or medicine ; this plea therefore will not hold , let us hear another . it is objected , that the magistrates may not appoint a messenger of god , what he should teach : admit so much , yet he may limit him what he may not teach , if he forbid him to teach heresie or sedition , &c. he incurs as well a contempt in teaching that which he was forbidden , as sins in teaching that which is evil . besides , every truth is not seasonable at all times , christ tells his disciples , that he had many things to teach them , but they could not bear them then , joh. . . and god giveth his prophets the tongue of the learned , that they may know how to speak a word in season , isa. . . and if for every thing there be a season , then for every doctrine , eccles. . . the abolishing of the ceremonial law was a truth which the apostles were to teach , yet there was a season when paul did refrain it , acts . . and the same paul would not circumcise titus , though he did timothy , so the difference of persons and places , made a difference in the season of the doctrine : and if mr. wheelwright had looked upon the words which followed in the text , matth. . , . he might have learned , that such a sermon would as ill suit the season , as old bottles do new wine , and by that in esay before-mentioned , he might have had known the spirit of god doth teach his servants to discern of seasons , as well as of truths ; for if there be such a point in wisdom as men call discretion , sure religion ( which maketh truly wise ) doth not deprive the servants of god of the right use thereof . when paul was to deal with the sorcerer , who did oppose his doctrine , acts . he calls him the child of the devil , &c. but when he answered festus , ( who told him he was mad , and rejected his doctrine also ) he useth him gently , and with terms of honourable respect . tho' stephen calls the jews stiff-necked , and of uncircumcised hearts , &c , as knowing them to be malitious and obstinate enemies to christ , yet paul directs timothy ( being to deal with such as were not past hope , tho' they did oppose his doctrine for the present ) not to strive , but to use all gentleness , instructing them with meekness , &c. . tim. . the prophet elisha when he speaks to iehoram very roughly , as one not worthy to be looked at , yet he shews a different respect of iehosaphat , tho' he were then out of his way , and under a sin , for which he had been formerly reproved , king. . christ himself , tho' he sharply reproveth the pharisees , &c. yet he instructeth nicodemus gently , when he objected against his doctrine , and that somewhat rudely , ioh. . the apostles would not forbear to preach christ , tho' rulers forbad them . act. . yet another prophet forbare at another season at the command of king amasia , chron. . so we see that this plea of mr. vvheelwright is as weak as the former , and will not excuse him from contempt . if it be yet objected , that his sermon was not at all for contention , seeing he raised and pressed an use of brotherly love ; we grant he did so , but it was ejusdem farinae , a loaf of the same leaven with the other , for he applyeth it to those of his own party , to perswade them to hold together , and help one another against those of the other party , whom he setteth forth as their opposites , and encourageth them thereby by the example of moses , who in love to his brother killed the egyptian . a further objection hath been made against the proceedings of the court , as if mr. wheelwright had not a lawful tryal , as not being put upon a jury of freemen . but the answer to this is easie , it being well known to all such as have understanding of matters of this nature , that such courts as have power to make and abrogate laws , are tyed to no other orders , but their own , and to no other rule but truth and justice , and why thrice twelve men sitting , as judges in a court , should be more subject to partiality than twelve such called as a jury to the bar , let others judge . now if some shall gather from that which is here before mentioned , viz. that every truth is not seasonable at all times , if we shall grant that what master vvheelright delivered was truth , we must desire him to take only so much as we granted , viz. by way of supposition only ; for letting pass ( as we said ) such points as were meerly doctrinal , and not ripe for the court ( depending as yet in examination among the elders ) we may safely deny that those speeches were truths , which the court censured for contempt and sedition , for a brother may fall so far into disobedience to the gospel , as there may be cause to separate from him , and to put him to shame , and yet he is not to be accounted an enemy , thess. . therefore when mr. vvheelwright pronounced such ( taking them at the worst he could make them ) to be enemies , &c. it was not according to the truth of the gospel . again , to incense and heat mens minds against their brethren , before he had convinced or admonished them , as being in an estate of enmity , &c. is not to be termed any truth of the gospel ; so likewise to bring extraordinary examples for ordinary rules , as of iohn . . to incite his party to the like practise against such whose hearts they cannot judge of , as christ could of theirs to whom he spake , is as far from the rule prescribed to ordinary ministers , tim. . . and to all christians , gal. . . and iam. . . as that example of elijah ( by which the apostles would have called for fire from heaven upon the samaritans ) was different from the spirit whereof they were : so to resemble such among us , as profess their faith in christ only , &c. and are in church-fellowship , and walk inoffensively , submitting to all the lords ordinances in church and common-wealth , to resemble such to branded reprobates , and arch-enemies of christ , such as herod , &c. we suppose hath no warrant of truth . we might instance in other like passages , as his ordinary inciting to spiritual combats , by examples of bodily fight , and bloody victories , ( being very unsuitable ) but these may suffice to prove that all he spake was not true , and by this is the offence more aggravated , for if it were seditious only in the manner , it must needs be much worse , when the matter it self also was untrue . but if any shall yet pretend want of satisfaction , by all that hath been produced , ( for indeed it is beyond reason , how far prejudice hath prevailed to captivate some judgments , otherwise godly and wise ) and shall object further , that his doctrine , &c. were general , and so could not be intended of any particular persons , we desire such , first to remember what application mr. vvhe . made of the same in the open court , viz. that he did intend all such as walked in such a way . then again , let the c●…se be put in a reversed frame , some other had then taught , that all such as deny that sanctification ( as it is held by the other party ) is a good evidence of justification , and that say or have their assurance by faith , as a work of god in them , have it in the way of the gospel , that these were enemies to christ , &c. persecutors of the way of grace , &c. and should have stirred up others against them , with like arguments , and vehemency , as mr. vvheelwright did , there is no doubt but mr. vvheel . and others of his opinion , would soon have pointed out those who must necessarily have been intended by it ; for it is well known that some proper adjunct , or some noted circumstance may design a particular person or company , as well as names , so christ points out iudas by the sop , paul the jews , by those of the circumcision , and the antichrist , by that man of sin , &c. but we meet yet with another objection , viz. that disturbance of unity is not sedition , except it also lead to the hurt of utility . to this we answer , first , that if it tend immediately to such hurt ; we deny the truth of the proposition , ; for if in the time of famine , a man should stir up the people to fetch corn out of the houses of such as had it to spare , this were to an immediate publick good , yet it were sedition . if ieremy ( when he taught the jews , that they ought to set free their hebrew servants ) had also incited the servants to free themselves , this had not been free from sedition , yet it had not been against publick utility ; but they alledge the examples of iehojadah , who caused a disturbance , yet without sedition ; we answer , that case was very unlike to ours , for iehojadah being high priest , was also protector of the true king , and so chief governour of the civil state , and athaliah being a meet usurper , he did no other , then if a lawful king should assemble his subjects to apprehend a rebel ; and though a prince or governour may raise a party to suppress or withstand publick enemies , or other evils , yet it doth not follow , that a private man , or a minister of the gospel may do the like : we read , nehem. . . that he raised a great assembly against those who did oppress their brethren , but we read not that ezra did so , upon the disorders which he complained of , and yet that which he did , in assembling of the people , for redress , &c. was by authority and counsel of the nobles , ezr. . . . that this course of mr. wheelw . did tend directly to the great hinderance of publick utility : for when brethren shall look one at another as enemies and persecutors , &c. and when people shall look at their rulers and ministers as such , and as those who go about to take christ and salvation from them , how shall they join together in any publick service ? how shall they cohabit and trade together ? how hardly will they submit to such over-seers ? how will it hinder all affairs in courts , in towns , in families , in vessels at sea , &c. and what can more threaten the dissolution and ruine of church and common-wealth ? lastly , if it be alledged that such warlike terms are used by christ and his apostles in a spiritual sense , we deny it not , but we desire that the usual manner of their applying them may also be considered , for paul saith , cor. . so fight i , &c. i beat down my body , &c. tim. . . fight the good fight of faith , lay hold on eternal life , and pet. . . and iam. . . there is speech of the fight of our lusts , and ephes. . . he bids them put on armour , but it is to resist the devil , not flesh and blood , not to fight against their brethren , toward whom he forbids all bitterness and clamour , &c. ephes. . and when he speaks of spiritual weapons , cor. . he doth not draw them out against the persons of brethren , but against high thoughts and imaginations , &c. and if mr. wheelwright had found out any such among us , and planted his battery against them by sound arguments , he had followed our apostolick rule ; christ indeed threatneth to fight against the nicholaitans with the sword of his mouth , and if mr. wheelwright had known any such here , as certainly as christ knew those , he might have been justified by the example , otherwise not . therefore to conclude , seeing there be of those who dissent from mr. wheelwright his doctrines , who have denied themselves for the love of christ as far as he hath done , and will be ready , ( by god's grace ) to do and suffer for the sake of christ , and the honour of free-grace , as much as himself ; for such to be publickly defamed , and held forth as enemies to the lord jesus , and persecutors like herod and pilate , and the uncircumcised heathen , &c. cannot proceed from a charitable mind , nor doth it savour of an apostolick , gospel-like , brotherly spirit . mistriss hutchison being banished and confined , till the season of the year might be fit , and safe for her departure ; she thought it now needless to conceal her self any longer , neither would satan lose the opportunity of making choice of so fit an instrument , so long as any hope remained to attain his mischievous end in darkening the saving truth of the lord jesus , and disturbing the peace of his churches . therefore she began now to discover all her mind to such as came to her , so that her opinions came abroad , and began to take place among her old disciples , and now some of them raised up questions about the immortality of the soul , about the resurrection , about the morality of the sabbath , and divers others , which the elders finding to begin to appear in some of their churches , they took much pains ( both in publick and private ) to suppress ; and following the scent from one to another , the root of all was found to be in mistriss hutchison ; whereupon they resorted to her many times , labouring to convince her , but in vain ; yet they resorted to her still , to the end they might either reclaim her from her errors , or that they might bear witness against them if occasion were : for in a meeting of the magistrates and elders , about suppressing these new-sprung errors , the elders of boston had declared their readiness to deal with mistriss hutchison in a church-way , if they had sufficient testimony : for though she had maintained some of them sometimes before them , yet they thought it not so orderly to come in as witnesses ; whereupon other of the elders , and others , collecting what they had heard from her own mouth at several times , drew them into several heads , and sent them to the church of boston , whereupon the church ( with leave of the magistrates , because she was a prisoner ) sent for her to appear upon a lecture-day , being the th of the first moneth , and though she were at her ▪ own house in the town , yet she came not into the assembly till the sermon and prayer were ended , ( pretending bodily infirmity ) when she was come , one of the ruling elders called her forth before the assembly , ( which was very great from all the parts of the country ) and telling her the cause why the church had called her , read the several heads , which were as followeth . . that the souls of all men ( in regard of generation ) are mortal like the beasts , eccles. . . . that in regard of christ's purchase , they are immortal , so that christ hath purchased the souls of the wicked to eternal pain , and the souls of the elect to eternal peace . . those who are united to christ , have , in this life , new bodies , and two bodies , cor. . . she knows not how jesus christ should be united to these our fleshly bodies . . those who have union with christ , shall not rise with the same fleshly bodies , cor. . . . and that the resurrection mentioned there , and in ioh. . is not meant of the resurrection of the body , but of our union here and after this life . . that there are no created graces in the saints after their union with christ , but before there are , for christ takes them out of their hands into his own . . there are no created graces in the humane nature of christ , but he was only acted by the power of the god-head . . the image of god wherein adam was made , she could see no scripture to warrant that it consisted in holiness , but conceived it to be in that he was made like to christ's manhood . . she had no scripture to warrant that christ's manhood is now in heaven , but the body of christ is his church . . we are united to christ with the same union , that his humanity on earth was with the deity , ioh. . . . she conceived the disciples before christ his death were not converted , matth. . . . there is no evidence to be had of our good estate , either from absolute or conditional promises . . the law is no rule of life to a christian. . there is no kingdom of heaven in scripture , but only christ. . there is first engraffing into christ before union , from which a man might fall away . . the first thing god reveals to assure us is our election . . that abraham was not in a saving estate till the oh . of gen. when he offered isaac , and saving the firmness of god's election , he might have perished notwithstanding any work of grace that was wrought in him till then . . that union to christ is not by faith. . that all commands in the word are law , and are not a way of life , and the command of faith is a law , and therefore killeth ; she supposed it to be a law , from rom. . . . that there is no faith of god's elect but assurance , there is no faith of dependance but such as an hypocrite may have and fall away from , proved ioh. . for by that she said they are in christ , but christ is not in them . . that an hypocrite may have adam's righteousness and perish , and by that righteousness he is bound to the law , but in union with christ , christ comes into the man , and he retains the seed , and dieth , and then all manner of grace in himself , but all in christ. . there is no such thing as inherent righteousness . . we are not bound to the law , no not as a rule of life . . we are dead to all acts in spiritual things , and are onely acted by christ. . not being bound to the law , it is not transgression against the law to sin or break it , because our sins they are inward and spiritual , and so are exceeding sinful , and onely are against christ. . sanctification can be no evidence at all of our good estate . . that her particular revelations about future events are as infallible as any part of scripture , and that she is bound as much to believe them , as the scripture , for the same holy ghost is the author of them both . . that so far as a man is in union with christ , he can do no duties perfectly , and without the communion of the unregenerate part with the regenerate . . that such exhortations as these , to work out our salvation with fear , to make our calling and election sure , &c. are spoken onely to such , as are under a covenant of works . all which she did acknowledge she had spoken ( for a copy of them had been sent to her divers days before , and the witnesses hands subscribed , so as she saw it was in vain to deny them ) then she asked . by what rule such an elder could come to her pretending to desire light , and indeed to intrap her , to which the same elder answered , that he had been twice with her , and that he told her indeed at st. ives , that he had been troubled at some of her speeches in the court , wherein he did desire to see light for the ground and meaning of them ; but he professed in the presence of the lord , that he came not to intrap her , but in compassion to her soul , to help her out of those snares of the devil , wherein he saw she was intangled , and that before his departure from her , he did bear witness against her opinions , and against her spirit , and did leave it sadly upon her from the word of god : then presently she grew into passion against her pastor for his speech against her at the court , after the sentence was passed , which he gave a full answer unto , shewing his zeal against her errors , whereupon she asked for what error she had been banished , professing withal , that she held none of these things she was now charged with , before her imprisonment ; ( supposing that whatsoever should be found amiss , would be imputed to that ; but it was answered , as the truth was , that she was not put to durance , but onely a favourable confinement , so as all of her family , and divers others , resorted to her at their pleasure . ) but this allegation was then proved false , ( and at her next convention more fully ) for there were divers present , who did know she spake untruth . her answer being demanded to the first articles , she maintained her assertion , that the souls were mortal , &c. alledging the place in the eccles. cited in the article , and some other scriptures nothing to the purpose , she insisted much upon that in gen. . in the day thou eatest , &c. thou shalt die , she could not see how a soul could be immortally miserable , though it might be eternally miserable , neither could she distinguish between the soul and the life ; and though she were pressed by many scriptures and reasons alledged by the elders of the same , and other churches , so as she could not give any answer to them , yet she stood to her opinion , till at length a stranger being desired to speak to the point , and he opening to her the difference between the soul and the life , the first being a spiritual substance , and the other the union of that with the body ; she then confessed she saw more light than before , and so with some difficulty was brought to confess her errour in that point . wherein was to be observed , that though he spake to very good purpose , and so clearly convinced her as she could not gain-say , yet it was evident she was convinced before , but she could not give the honour of it to her own pastor or teacher , nor to any of the other elders , whom she had so much slighted . then they proceeded to the third , fourth , and fifth articles , about the body and the resurrection of the old , which she maintained according to the articles , and though she were not able to give any reasonable answer to the many places of the scripture , and other arguments which were brought to convince her , yet she still persisted in her error , giving froward speeches to some that spake to her ; as when one of the elders used this argument , that if the resurrection were onely our union with christ , then all that are united , are the children of the resurrection , and therefore are neither to marry , nor to give in marriage , and so by consequence , there ought to be community of women ; she told him , that he spake like the pharisees , who said , that christ had a devil , because that abraham was dead , and the prophets , and yet he had said , that those that eat his flesh , should never die , not taking the speech in the true meaning , so did he ( said she ) who brought that argument , for it is said there , they should be like the angels , &c. the elders of boston finding her thus obstinate , propounded to the church for an admonition to be given her , to which all the church consented , except two of her sons , who because they persisted to defend her , were under admonition also . mr. cotton gave the admonition , and first to her sons , laying it sadly upon them , that they would give such way to their natural affection , as for preserving her honour , they should make a breach upon the honour of christ , and upon their covenant with the church , and withal tear the very bowels of their soul , by hardning her in her sin : in this admonition to her , first , he remembred her of the good way she was in at her first coming , in helping to discover to divers , the false bottom they stood upon , in trusting to legal works without christ ; then he shewed her , how by falling into these gross and fundamental errors , she had lost the honour of her former service , and done more wrong to christ and his church , than formerly she had done good , and so laid her sin to her conscience with much zeal and solemnity ; he admonished her also of the height of spirit ; then he spake to the sisters of the church , and advised them to take heed of her opinions , and to with-hold all countenance and respects from her , lest they should harden her in her sin : so she was dismissed , and appointed to appear again that day sevennight . the court had ordered that she should return to roxbury again , but upon intimation that her spirit began to fall , she was permitted to remain at mr. cotton's house ( where davenport was also kept ) who before her next appearing , did both take much pains with her , and prevailed so far that she did acknowledge her error in all the articles ( except the last ) and accordingly she wrote down her answers to them all , when the day came , and she was called forth , and the articles read again to her , she delivered in her answers in writing , which were also read , and being then willing to speak to the congregation for their further satisfaction , she did acknowledge that she had greatly erred , and that god had left her to her self herein , because she had so much under-valued his ordinances , both in slighting the magistrates at the court , and also the elders of the church , and confessed that when she was at the court , she looked only at such failings as she apprehended in the magistrates proceedings , without having regard to the place they were in , and that the speeches she then used about her revelations were rash , and without ground , she desired the prayers of the church for her . thus far she went on well , and the assembly conceived hope of her repentance , but in her answers to the several articles , she gave no satisfaction , because in diverse of them she answered by circumlocutions , and seemed to lay all the faults in her expressions , which occasioned some of the elders to desire she might express her self more clearly , and for that ever she was demanded about the article , whether she were not , or had not been of that judgment , that there is no inherent righteousness in the saints , but those gifts and graces which are ascribed to them that are only in christ as the subject ? to which she answered , that she was never of that judgment , howsoever by her expressions she might seem to be so ; and this she affirmed with such confidence as bred great astonishment in many , who had known the contrary , and diverse alledged her own sayings and reasonings , both before her confinement and since , which did manifest to all that were present , that she knew that she spake untruth , for it was proved that she had alledged that in isaiah . by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justifie many ; which she had maintained to be meant of a knowledge in christ , and not in us ; so likewise that in galatians , i live by the faith of the son of god , which she said was the faith of christ , and not any faith inherent in us ; also , that she had maintained , that christ is our sanctification in the same sort that he is our justification , and that she had said , that she would not pray for grace , but for christ , and that ( when she had been pressed with diverse scriptures , which spake of washing and creating a new heart , and writing the law in the heart , &c. ) she had denyed , that they did mean any sanctification in us : there were diverse women also with whom she had dealt about the same point , who ( if their modesty had not restrained them ) would have born witness against her herein , ( as themselves after confessed ) wherefore the elders pressed her very earnestly to remember her self , and not to stand so obstinately to maintain so manifest an untruth , but she was deaf of that ear , and would not acknowledge that she had been at any time of that judgment , howsoever her expressions were ; then mr. cotton told the assembly , that whereas she had been formerly dealt with for matter of doctrine , he had ( according to the duty of his place being the teacher of that church ) proceeded against unto admonition , but now the case being altered , and she being in question for maintaining of untruth , which is matter of manners , he must leave the business to the pastor , mr. vvilson to go on with her , but withal declared his judgment in the case from that in rev. . that such as make and maintain a lye , ought to be cast out of the church ; and whereas two or three pleaded that she might first have a second admonition , according to that in titus . . he answered that that was only for such as erred in point of doctrine , but such as shall notoriously offend in matter of conversation , ought to be presently cast out , as he proved by ananias and saphira , and the incestuous corinthian ; ( and as appears by that of simon magus ) and for her own part tho' she heard this moved in her behalf , that she might have a further respite , yet she her self never desired it : so the pastor went on , and propounding it to the church , to know whether they were all agreed , that she should be cast out , and a full consent appearing ( after the usual manner ) by their silence , after a convenient pause he proceeded , and denounced the sentence of excommunication against her , and she was commanded to depart out of the assembly . in her going forth , one standing at the door , said , the lord sanctifie this unto you , to whom she made answer , the lord judgeth not as man judgeth , better to be cast out of the church than to deny christ. thus it hath pleased the lord to have compassion on his poor churches here , and to discover , this great impostor , an instrument of satan so fitted and trained to his service for interrupting the passage of his kingdom in this part of the world , and poysoning the churches here planted , as no story records the like of a woman , since that mentioned in the revelation ; it would make a large volume to lay down all passages , i will only observe some few , which were obvious to all that know her course . . her entrance . . her progress . . her downfal . . the foundation she laid , was ( or rather seemed to be ) christ and free-grace . . rule she pretended to walk by , was only the scripture . . the light to discern this rule , was only the holy ghost . . the persons she conversed with were ( for the most part ) christians in church-covenant . . her ordinary talk was about the things of the kingdom of god. . her usual conversation was in the way of righteousness and kindness . thus she entred and made up the first act of her course . . in her progress i observe , first , her success , she had in a short time insinuated her self into the hearts of much of the people ( yea of many of the most wise and godly ) who grew into so reverent an esteem of her godliness , and spiritual gifts , as they looked at her as a prophetess , raised up of god for some great work now at hand , as the calling of the jews , &c. so as she had more resort to her for counsel about matter of conscience , and clearing up mens spiritual estates , than any minister ( i might say all the elders ) in the country . secondly , pride and arrogancy of her spirit . . in framing a new way of conversation and evidencing thereof , carried along in the distinction between the covenant of works , which she would have no otherwise differenced , but by an immediate revelation of the spirit . . in despising all ( both elders and christians ) who went not her way , and laying them under a covenant of works . . in taking upon her infallibly to know the election of others , so as she would say , that if she had but one half hours talk with a man , she would tell whether he were elect or not . . her impatience of opposition , which appears in divers passages before . thirdly , her skill and cunning to devise . . in that she still pretended she was of mr. cottons judgment in all things . . in covering her errors by doubtful expressions . . in shadowing the true end , and abuse of her weekly meetings under the name of repeating mr. cottons sermons . in her method of practice to bring the conscience under a false terror , by working that an argument of a covenant of works , which no christian can have comfort without , viz. of sanctification , or qualifications , ( as she termed it . ) . in her confident profession of her own good estate , and the clearness and comfort of it , obtained in the same way of waiting for immediate revelation which she held out to others . . in her downfal there may be observed the lords faithfulness in honouring and justifying his own ordinances . . in that he made her to clear the justice of the court , by confessing the vanity of her revelations , &c. and her sin in despising his ministers . . in that the judgment and sentence of the church hath concurred with that of the court in her rejection , so that she is cast out of both as an unworthy member of either . . the justice of god in giving her up to those delusions , and to that impudency in venting and maintaining them , as should bring her under that censure which ( not long before ) she had indeavoured and expected to have brought upon some other , who opposed her proceedings . . that she who was in such esteem in the church for soundness of judgment and sincerity of heart ( but a few months before ) should now come under admonition for many foul and fundamental errors , and after be cast out for notorious lying . . that she who was wont to be so confident of her spiritual good estate , and ready ( undesired ) to hold it forth to others , ( being pressed now at her last appearance before the church to give some proof of it ) should be wholly silent in that matter . . whereas upon the sentence of the court against her , she boasted highly of her sufferings for christ , &c. it was noted by one of the elders ( who bare witness against her errors ) that the spirit of glory promised in pet. to those who suffer for well-doing , did not come upon her , but a spirit of delusion , and damnable . error , which as it had possessed her before , so it became more effectual and evident by her sufferings . . here is to be seen the presence of god in his ordinances , when they are faithfully attended according to his holy will , although not free from human infirmities : this american iesabel kept her strength and reputation , even among the people of god , till the hand of civil justice laid hold on her , and then she began evidently to decline , and the faithful to be freed from her forgeries ; and now in this last act , when she might have expected ( as most likely she did ) by her seeming repentance of her errors , and confessing her undervaluing of the ordinances of magistracy and ministry , to have redeemed her reputation in point of sincerity , and yet have made good all her former work , and kept open a back door to have returned to her vomit again , by her paraphrastical retractions , and denying any change in her judgment , yet such was the presence and blessing of god in his own ordinance , that this subtilty of satan was discovered to her utter shame and confusion , and to the setting at liberty of many godly hearts , that had been captivated by her to that day ; and that church which by her means was brought under much infamy , and near to dissolution , was hereby sweetly repaired , and a hopeful way of establishment , and her dissembled repentance clear detected , god giving her up since the sentence of excommunication , to that hardness of heart , as she is not affected with any remorse , but glories in it , and fears not the vengeance of god , which she lies under , as if god did work contrary to his own word , and loosed from heaven what his church had bound upon earth . finis . a proposition of provisions needfull for such as intend to plant themselves in new england, for one whole yeare. collected by the adventurers, with the advice of the planters adventurers. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page image. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a proposition of provisions needfull for such as intend to plant themselves in new england, for one whole yeare. collected by the adventurers, with the advice of the planters adventurers. sheet ([ ]) p. for fulke clifton, printed at london : . reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a proportion of provisions needfvll for svch as intend to plant themselves in new england , for one whole yeare . collected by the adventurers , with the advice of the planters . victuall .       meale , one hogshead . § malt , one hogshead . * § beefe , one hundred waight . § porke pickled , . or bacon . pound . pease , two bushells . greates , one bushell . butter , two dozen . cheese , halfe a hundred . vineger , two gallons . § aquavitae , one gallon . mustard seed , two quarts .   § salt to save fish , halfe a hogshead .   apparell .       shooes , six payre . § boots for men , one payre . leather to mend shooes , foure pound . irish stockings , foure payre . shirts , six . handkerchiefes twelve . * one sea cape or gowne , of course cloth . other apparell , as their purses will afford .         tooles which may also serve a family of foure o● five persons .       one english spade . one steele shovell . two hatchets . axes . one broad axe , and . felling axes . one wood hooke . howes . one broad of nine inches , and two narrow of five or six inches . one wimble , with sixe piercer bits . one hammer . other tooles as mens severall occupations require , as hand sawes , whip-sawes , thwart-sawes , augers , chissells , frowes , grinde-stones , &c. for building .       § nayles of all sorts . † § lockes for doores and chests . § gimmowes for chests . § hookes and twists for doores . armes .       one musket , rest , and bandeliere . powder , ten pound . shot , sixteene . match , six pound . one sword. one belt. § one pistoll . with a mould . for fishing       twelve cod hookes . two lines for fishing . one mackrell line , and twelve hookes . ●● . pound of lead for bullets and fishing lead . the totall out of which take that which the poore may spare , hauing sufficient in that which the country affords for needfull sustentation of nature . remaines for their charge besides transportation ● printed at london for fvlke clifton . . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . * of which the poorer sort may spare to the greater part , if they can content themselves with water in the heat of summer , which is found by much experience to bee as wholesome & healthfull as beere . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . * which for the poorer sort may be of blew callico ; these in summer they use for bands . as for bedding , and necessary vessels for kitchin uses , men may cary what they have ; lesse serving the turne there than would give contentment here . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . † according to the proportion of the house intended to be built . though for the more convenient and plentifull accommodation of each planter it were to be desired that they caried the provisions of victualls above said , if their estates wold reach thereunto , yet they may ( having meanes to take fish and fowle ) live comfortably that want all the rest , meale for bread onely excepted , which is the staffe of life . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . § these things thus marked § the poorer sort may spare , and yet finde provisions sufficient for supplying the want of these . a letter of many ministers in old england requesting the judgement of their reverend brethren in new england concerning nine positions written anno dom. : together with their answer thereunto returned, anno : and the reply made unto the said answer and sent over unto them, anno / by simeon ash, and william rathband. ashe, simeon, d. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing l a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; :e , no or : ) a letter of many ministers in old england requesting the judgement of their reverend brethren in new england concerning nine positions written anno dom. : together with their answer thereunto returned, anno : and the reply made unto the said answer and sent over unto them, anno / by simeon ash, and william rathband. ashe, simeon, d. . rathband, william, d. . [ ], [i.e. ] p. printed for thomas vnderhill ..., london : . errata: p. [ ]. reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library and harvard university libraries. marginal notes. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng church polity -- early works to . congregational churches -- doctrines. new england -- church history -- th century. great britain -- church history -- th century. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - ali jakobson sampled and proofread - ali jakobson text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a letter of many ministers in old england , requesting the judgement of their reverend brethren in new england concerning nine positions . written anno dom. . together with their answer thereunto returned , anno . and the reply made unto the said answer , and sent over unto them , anno . now published ( by occasion mentioned in the epistle to the reader , following in the next page , ) upon the desire of many godly and faithfull ministers in and about the city of london , who love and seeke the truth . by simeon ash , and william rathband . thes . . . prove all things ; hold fast that which is good . london , printed for thomas vnderhill , at the signe of the bible in great woodstreet . . i have diligently perused this reply to the answer , of the ministers of new-england , to the nine positions which i have approved , and judge very necessarie , and seasonable to bee printed , and published , iuly the fifth , . iames cranford rector of christophers london . errata . page . marg. read romae . p. line r. society . p . l. . r. of all true churches . p . l. ● . r. parium . p. . l. r. saith . p . l. . r. quin. p. . l. r. ordinance . the faults escaped in the quotation p. ● . in some copies , the reader is desired to correct by beza de presb. p l. . r. is the same . p l . r. objection . p. . l. . r. were dispensed . p l ● r. which without . p. . l. . r parium . p. l. ▪ r. therefore to them , p. ● . l. . r. with christ . to the reader . good reader , vpon the receipt of the answer returned unto the nine positions , master ball moved by the request of brethren , drew up this reply , which upon perusall and joynt approbation , was directed unto the reverend elders of the severall churches in new england . the reply sent miscarrying in the hand , to which it was committed , though both letters and printed bookes trusted in the same hand were delivered : hereupon another copie was from new england desired , and accordingly prepared in the yeare following . in the meane time , the answer being tendered to the presse , it was judged more meete to keepe the reply in readinesse to attend the publishing of the answer , then to part with it in the other way . this intelligence was the last yeare conveyed into new england , since which time , there hath been an expectation to see that in print , which now is sent abroad to open view . by this relation it is manifest who are voluntiers , and who are pressed to come forth as defendants in these controversies . these differences betwixt the loving brethren of old england and new , had not been made thus notorious , if some who cry up the church way in new england , as the only way of god , had not been forward , to blow them abroad in the world . but surely the providence of god is remarkeable in bringing these questions into debate at this time . when the ministers of the gospell from all the counties in the kingdome are called together by both houses of parliament , to consult about the healing of our breaches , which are very many and dangerous : the copie of this reply being committed to our custodie we are necessitated to appeare in the publication of it : yet we shall preface nothing concerning the treatise it selfe , because our known respects to the reverend and judicious author will tender us partiall , and our testimony can adde no credit to his works which withall indifferent readers will plead sufficiently for their own acceptance . if this discourse shall adde any discovery of light unto them , who desire a sound judgement in the controversies here agitated , our end is obtained , and our prayers answered , who are . thy servants in and for the truth , simeon ash , william rathband . the letter of those ministers in england , who requested to know the judgement of their brethren in new england , in nine positions , wherein the reasons of this their request , are truly reported . ( reverend and beloved brethren ) whiles we lived together in the same kingdome , we professed the same faith , joyned in the same ordinances , laboured in the worke of god to gaine soules unto his kingdome , and maintained the puritie of worship against corruptions , both on the right hand and on the left . but since your departure into new england , we heare ( and partly beleeve it ) that divers have embraced certaine vain opinions , such as you disliked formerly , and we judge to be groundlesse and unwarrantable . as that a stinted forme of prayer , and set liturgie is unlawfull ; that it is not lawfull to joyne in prayer , or to receive the sacrament , where a stinted liturgie is used . . that the children of godly and approved christians , are not to be raptized , untill their parents bee set members of some perticular congregation . . that the parents themselves , though of approved piety are not to be received to the lords supper , untill they bee admitted as set members . . that the power of excommunication , &c. is so in the body of the church , that what the major part shall allow , that must be done , though the pastors and governors , and part of the assembly be of another minde , and peradventure , upon more substantiall reasons . . that none are to be admitted as set members , but they must promise , not to depart , or remove unlesse the congregation will give leave . . that a minister is so a minister to a particular congregation , that if they dislike him unjustly , or leave him he ceaseth to be a minister . . that a minister cannot performe any ministeriall act in another congregation . . that members of one congregation may not communicate in another . these and other such like ( which we omit to reckon up ) are written and reported to be the common tenents in new england , which are received with great applause , maintained with great confidence , and applauded , as the only church way , wherein the lord is to be worshipped . and letters from new england have so taken with divers in many parts of this kingdome , that they have left our assemblies because of a stinted liturgie , and excommunicated themselves from the lords supper , because such as are not debarred from it . and being turned aside themselves , they labour to ensnare others , to the griefe of the godly , the scandall of religion , the wounding of their owne soules ( if they did advisedly consider the matter ) and great advantage of them , that are wily to espy , and ready to make use of all advantages to prejudice the truth . ( beloved brethren ) if you stood in our places , we are well assured it would be no small griefe unto you , to heare and see the people led afide to the disgrace of the gospell , upon weake and groundlesse imaginations , and in rash and inconsiderate zeale to deale with that which is of god ▪ as if it were of man. and if it be to us griefe of heart to heare that you have changed from that truth which you did professe , and embrace that for truth which in former times upon sound grounds you did condemne as erroneous , we hope you will not be offended . you know how oft it hath beene objected , that non-conformists in practice are separatists in heart but that they goe crosse to their own positions , or smother the truth for sinister ends . they of the separation boast that they stand upon the non-conformist's grounds . a vainglorious flourish and sleight pretence . but both these are much countenanced by your sudden change if you be changed , as it is reported . how shall your brethren bee able to stand up in the defence of their innocencie and the uprightnesse of their cause , when your example and opinion shall be cast in their dish ? must they leave you now , with whom they have held society ? or will you plead for separation , which you have condemned as rash and inconsiderate ? you know that thy who have run this way have fallen into manifold divisions , and may not you justly feare , lest the same befall you ? some warnings you have had already , and have you not cause to feare every day more and more ? errour is very fruitfull and will spread apace . a cracke in the foundation may occasion a wide breach in the building , where there will not be means , or mind to amend it . experience every day may tutour us herein . but to let passe all inconveniences , our request in all meeknesse and love is , that if these , or any of the forementioned opinions be indeed your tenants you would be pleased to take a second review of your grounds , and send us your strongest reasons that have swayed you in these matters : and if we shall find them upon due examination to be such as will carry weight , we shall be ready to give you the right hand of fellowship ; if otherwise you shall receive our just and modest animadversions in what we conceive you have erred from the truth . you will not judge , if we cannot apprehend the strength of your grounds , it is because we love not the truth , or bee carryed with by-respects ( though these conceipts prevaile too much : ) such rigid and harsh censures , cannot lodge in meeke and humble breasts . weighty reasons promote the truth not unadvised judging . you your selves have judged that to be errour , which now you take to be truth when yet you were not blinded with by-respects , nor hudwinked your eyes , that you might not see the light . and if you have just warrant from god to pull downe what you have builded , and to build what you have pulled downe , we desire you would lovingly and maturely impart it ▪ for as yet we have scene none , which we are not ready to prove , and shew by the rule of truth to be too weake to carry any burthen . we adore with you the fulnesse of the scripture , and we know the counsell of the lord shall stand : if you can shew that you walke in the wayes of god , we shall heartily rejoyce to walke with you : but if you have turned aside , we shall earnestly desire that you would be pleased seriously to consider the matter , and speedily reforme , what is out of order . thus not doubting of your favourable interpretation of this our motion , for the preventing of distraction , maintenance of peace , and searching out of the truth , whereby we may be directed to live to the praise of god the good of his people , and comfort of our soules , beseeching god to lead and guide us into all truth and holinesse , and keepe us blamelesse untill his glorious appearance , we rest your loving brethren . an epistle written by the elders of the churches in new-england , to those godly ministers fore-mentioned that sent over the positions . reverend and beloved brethren : in these remote coasts of the earth , whereunto the good hand of god hath brought us , as we doe with much comfort of heart call to mind the many gracious blessings , which both with you , and from you , we injoyed in our christian and holy communion , ( the memory and fruit whereof we hope shall never be blotted out ) so we have also seen cause to looke back to our former administrations there , and to search and trie our wayes ; that wherein soever we have formerly gone astray , we might judge our selves for it before the lord : and that seeing now god hath set before us an open doore of libertie , wee might neither abuse our libertie in the gospel , to runne out into any groundlesse unwarrantable courses , nor neglect the present opportunitie to administer ( by the helpe of christ ) all the holy ordinances of god , according to the patterne set before us in the scripture ; in our native countrey , when we were first called to the ministery , many of us tooke some things to be indifferent and lawfull , which in after-times we saw to be sinfull , and durst not continue in the practise of them there ; afterwards some things that we bare as burthens , that is , as things inexpedient , though not utterly unlawfull ; we have no cause to retain and practise the same things here , which would not have been not onely inexpedient , but unlawfull : such things as a man may tollerate when he cannot remove them , hee cannot tollerate without sinne , when he may remove them ; besides some things we practised there ( which wee speak to our shame and griefe ) which we never took into serious consideration whether they were lawfull , and expedient or no , but took them for granted , and generally received ; not onely by the most reformed churches , but by the most godly and judicious servants of god amongst them ; which neverthelesse when we came to weigh them in the ballance of the sanctuarie , we could not find sufficient warrant in the word to receive them , and establish them here : of one of these three kinds will these our present practises appeare to be , which you call our new opinions , or , innovations here ; except it be some few of them , which though they have been reported to you to be our judgements and practises , yet are indeed farre from us : the partieulars are too many , and too weightie to give you account of them , and the ground of our proceedings about them in a letter . but to give you ( if it be the will of god ) the better satisfaction , we have sent you a short treatise touching each particular , that according to your desire you might understand from us how farre we do acknowledge any of these tenents , and upon what ground , hoping that according to your promise , if upon due examination you shall find any weight in them , you will give us the right hand of fellowship . but if otherwise , you will send us your just and faithfull animadversions , and we doe not suspect your loves to the truth , or your sincere speaking according to your conscience in the sight of god. neither taxe we you as siding from the truth with by-respects , whereof you complain , verily we abhorre such rash , harsh , and presumptuous notoriousnesse , we see as much cause to suspect the integritie of our own hearts , as yours ; and so much the more , as being more privie to the deceitfulnesse of our own hearts then to yours . and we cannot but with much thankfulnesse of heart acknowledge the many rich precious treasures of his grace , wherewith the lord hath furnished sandrie of you above your brethren , which causeth us with great reverence to accept , and receive what further light god may be pleased to impart unto us by you . but as we have beleeved , so have we hitherto practised , and so have most of us spoken this our answer to your particulars , most of us we may say , because there wants not some brethren amongst us who proceed further , even to looke at all set formes of prayer invented by men of another age or congregation , and prescribed to their brethren to be read out of a book for the prayers of the church , as images , or imaginations of men , forbidden in the second commandement ; but as we leave them to their libertie of their own judgements without prejudice , so do we also concurre with the rest of them , so farre as we all goe in bearing witnesse against any set formes , or the corruptions in them ; in dispatching whereof , we have been the more slow because it behoved us first to inquire into , and to settle some controversies amongst our selves , before we could well attend to entertaine discourse about forraigne questions which do not so neerely concerne our present estate and practise . besides your letters being sent to the ministers of the churches , and some of us dwelling farre asunder , it was not an easie thing for all of us often to meet together to consider of these questions , much lesse to resolve upon one just answer . but having at length ( by the assistance of god ) brought our answers to this issue , we commend it to the blessing of the lord , and in him to your christian , and judicious consideration ; where if all things bee found safe , and duely warranted from scripture grounds ; do you also as seemeth vigilant watchmen of the lords flock , and faithfull witnesses to god ; if any thing seeme doubtfull to you , consider and weigh it very well before you reject it : if any thing appeare to be unsound , and dissonant from the word ( which we for our parts cannot discerne ) we shall willingly attend to what further light god may send unto us by you : in the meane while wee intreat you in the lord , not to suffer such apprehensions to lodge in your minds , which you intimate in your letters ; as if we here justified the wayes of riged separation , which sometimes amongst you we have formerly borne witnesse against : and so build againe the things we have destroyed ; you know they separate from your congregations , as no churches ; from the ordinances dispensed by you as meere . antichristian , and from your selves as no visible christians . but wee professe unfainedly , we separate from the corruptions which we conceive to be left in your churches , and from such ordinances administred therein as we feare are not of god , but of men ; and for your selves , we are so farre from separating as from no visible christians , as that you are under god in our hearts ( if the lord would suffer it ) to live and die together ; and we looke at sundrie of you as men of that eminent growth in christianitie , that if there by any visible christians under heaven , amongst you are the men , which for these many yeeres have been written in your foreheads ( holinesse to the lord ) which we speake not to prejudice any truth which our selves are here taught and called to professe , but we still beleeve though personall christians may be eminent in their growth of christianitie : yet churches had still need to grow from apparent defects to puritie ; and from reformation to reformation , age after age , till the lord have utterly abolished antichrist with the breath of his mouth , and the brightnesse of his comming to the full and cleare revelation of all his holy truth ; especially touching the ordering of his house and publick worship ; as a pledge of this our estimation of you , and sincere affection to you , we have sent you these answers to your demand , and shall be readie , by the help of christ , to receive back againe from you , wise , and just , and holy advertisements in the lord. now the lord god , and father of our lord jesus christ , your lord and ours ; lead us all unto all truths , purge out all leaven out of his churches , and keepe us blamelesse and harmlesse in his holy faith and feare , to his heavenly kingdome , through him that hath loved us ; in whom we rest , your very loving brethren , the elders of the churches in new-england . reverend and dearely beloved brethren , it is not to be doubted but while we live here , we shall have just cause to search and try our ways , look back upon former courses , and call things done to more strict examination . for being over-clouded with ignorance , compassed about with infirmities , and beset with many temptations to sinne , knowing what we know best , but darkly and in part , no marvell , if in many things we offend ignorantly , of frailty for want of due consideration , rashly mistaking errour for truth , condemning truth for errour , suspecting evill without cause , and not suspecting where is just reason , drawing erronious conclusions from sound principles , and maintaining truths upon weak grounds ; so that in examination of our wayes , and endevours of their reformation wee had need to looke warily , that wee turn not to the right hand or to the left , for in the one we add to the word of god , as well as in the oother , and of our selves are apt to strike aside to both . a loose conscience will be profane , a tender , scrupulous . it stands us therefore upon to have our selves in suspition , in as much as experience teacheth that many have swerved from the path of sound peace and comfort on each hand . wherefore ( beloved brethren ) if since your comming into new england , upon serious review of former actions you have discovered any truths heretofore not taken notice of , we shal be so far from rejecting them because of your former judgment and practice , that we shall heartily desire to know and imbrace the same with you , and blesse god for you as the happy instruments of his glory , our instruction & the advancement of the truth . but if the discoveries be of the like nature with the positions mentioned in the letter ; as before , so still , we conceive them to be new opinions , and not warranted by scripture , which is the true antiquity . opinions we say , not practices , for not changing your opinion , you might lawfully alter your practice ; nay , what you did tolerate formerly as a burthen , in case not free , you might well forgoe being at your liberty . your judgement being the same , you might use your liberty in forbearance of a set liturgie , and yet retaine the same judgement of a stinted liturgie , that you had before ; you might forbeare for a time upon speciall reason ( such as present state and occasion might suggest ) to receive to the sacrament approved christians , not set members of a particular congregation ; as some brethren do ) who yet dare not think it unlawfull to communicate with such in the act of worship , or deem it just and right altogether to debar them , as having no right nor title to those priviledges of the church . it is your opinions whereto we had respect , not simply your practice . it never entred into us to perswade you to a set liturgy , much lesse to complain that you had not accepted ours . but that all stinted liturgies should be condemned as devised worship , and so condemned as that none may lawfully be present at , or pertake of the sacraments administred in a stinted or devised forme , this wee called a new opinion . neither do we mention it because we knew it to be the private opinion of some brethren among you , whom we had left to the liberty of their owne judgment , so far as the maintenance of the truth , and a just call did not ingage us : but because it was cryed up , and advanced with all diligence , and endeavour of some among us standing affected england-ward , as if a chief point of holinesse consisted in separation . you know how great a fire a little sparkle kindles . and seeing this distraction and rent had its originall , growth and continuance from some brethren in those parts , or affected to that way , when in loving and friendly manner we could neither receive grounds at home for our conviction , nor procure just satisfaction to the contrary ; what could wee doe lesse then call upon you joyntly to know your judgment , and either by sound proof to be by you convinced ( if happily you should approve their separation ( which we esteem groundlesse , rash , unlawfull , and prejudiciall to outward peace ) or being backed by a testimony of its dislike from you , we might the better be both incouraged , and furnished to endevour the quenching of that fire which was kindled but in too many places , in other perticulars also , wee conceive , you goe beyond commission given of god : granting them authority to whom god hath not committed it , debarring others from the priviledge of the sacraments , who have title thereto by the covenant of grace . your love in that you were pleased to signifie first your kinde and respective acceptance of our letter , and now also to send us an answer thereto , we acknowledge it with all thankfulnesse , and shall endevour ( through the grace of god ) to return like affection in truth of heart , if in measure we fall short . of your respect to us in particular , we make no question , your expressions are beyond that we could expect , as also what we dare own . but we humbly beseech the lord to direct , uphold , and guide us , that in some measure we may walk worthy of our vocation , and approv our selves faithfull to your consciences . it was one end of our writing to be satisfied in this point , whether you approve the ways of separation ( whereof wee complain ) and their courses who laboured with all their might , ( when they conceived hope to be heard ) to perswade therunto . against which ( if we knew your judgment ) you testified among us . you know they that separate are not all of one straine and temper . some deny all communion with us publick and private , some admit of private , but deny all publick , and some joyne in prayer before , and after sermon , as also preaching of the word ( because in their esteeme , this may be done without communion in a church-way ) but refuse to partake of the sacraments . all which separations wee judge uncharitable , contrary to the commandement of christ , and have ever thought that you ( whilst with us ) and we were of one minde herein . if of late we have conceived fears of some of you ( deere brethren ) as leaning too much to what formerly you disliked , we beseech you weigh what urgent and pressing reasons forced us thereunto , and we shall most gladly ( wee heartily desire you to rest assured ) lay hold of every line and syllable , that may tend to dislodge such apprehensions . for as we conceive , the dispute to be unreasonably moved , the rent offensive , the opinions themselves prejudiciall to the cause of god , and the advancers thereof to have passed the limits prescribed by god ; so wee shall esteem it an inestimable blessing , if ( now what hinders being removed ) wee might joyn with one heart and soule , in one way of god to promote his glory , and seek the good of his church and people . we trust in the lord , we should not draw back in any course wherein wee may see the lord going before us , nor be an offence to any to keep the lords way ; wee seek the truth , and are perswaded it is the cause of god which we defend : we plead for communion with the churches of christ , no further then they hold communion with christ , still desiring to keepe the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace , with your selves and all others , who walke in the right way of truth , peace and comfort . how the lord may be pleased to deale with us , or dispose of us wee know not ( his blessed will be done . ) but of this we are resolved , through his grace , not willingly to raise trouble or dissention among you , if through ignorance or infirmity we shall not so fall in , as to be of one minde with you in these matters . and here we desire you to consider that in these particulars you dissent as much one from another as we dissent from you , and that wherein we dissent from you ( and perhaps from the lesser part of you ) you dissent from the judgement and practice of all reformed churches . this wee speake not to prejudice your cause , but to intreat your serious re-examination of what you have sent us , and this tryall thereof , by the touchstone of the word . for if we mistake not , in many things it will not abide the test . you have written in great love and tendernesse , that your positions might be so scanned , and wee shall endeavour with such affection to try all things , and hold fast that which is good . and now ( beseeching the guidance of the spirit ) with your leave , wee shall endeavour to deale fully and plainly , as the nature of the cause requireth , intreating you impartially to consider the grounds whereupon we , go and weigh what wee shall say in the ballance of the sanctuary . the lord of his rich mercy in jesus christ , direct us in discerning what is right and pleasing in his sight , cast offences out of the church , close up rents and divisions , reveal his truth more and more , set up and mayntain the purity of his own ordinances , unite the hearts of his people to the love and feare of his holy name , teach us self-deniall , and keep us blamelesse to the comming of the lord jesus christ . amen . i position . that a stinted forme of prayer and set liturgie is unlawfull . answ . before we proceed to declare our selves concerning this position : it will be needfull that some thing be premised , for the explication of the terms thereof . we suppose , by a liturgy and forme of prayer , you mean not a forme of private prayers composed for the helpe and direction of weaker christians : but the system or body of publike prayers generally used in the english parishes , compiled for the churches use by other men not infallibly guided by god , to be said or read out of a book by their ministers as the churches prayers . and that this is your meaning , may appeare from your letter it self , wherein you complain that divers in many parts of that kingdome have left their assemblies , because of a stinted liturgy . now we know not of any other stinted liturgy from which the people do absent themselves , but onely that which is in use in the english churches . for as for a forme of prayer in generall , wee conceive your meaning cannot be of that . for it is evident that many preachers constantly use one set form of prayer of their own making before their sermons , with whom the people refuse not to joyn . by stinted and set , you mean such prayers , as are so imposed upon the churches and ministers , as that they are limited to that very form of words expressed in the book without addition , diminution , or alteration ; for that liturgy and forme among you , is in this sense set and stinted . by unlawfull , you mean that we looking at that form , as swerving from the rule ; neither dare first practice it our selves , nor secondly approve the use of it by others . this being the true state of the question , so far as it appears to us , from the letter . we answer , for our own practice , the churches here doe not use any stinted forme of prayer and set liturgy , for these and other such reasons . because we finde no necessity of any stinted liturgy to be used among us , by vertue of any divine precept . and seeing the commission of the apostles limited them , to ●each men to observe and do onely what christ did command them in matters of this nature , math. . . who are we and what are our churches , that we should presume above this commission ? and , we hope , it will not be offensively taken by any godly brethren , that we stand fast in the liberty wherewith christ hath made us free in this , as well as in all other things . secondly , because the lawfulnesse of set forms and stinted liturgies is questioned and doubted of by many faithfull servants of god : whereas for church-officers to edifie the churches by their own gifts , as well in praying as in preaching , all sorts without controversie grant it to be lawfull . now spirituall prudence guideth believers , when two ways are set before them , one doubtfull though ventured on by some , the other certainly safe and good , though neglected by many , to choose that which is safe , declining the other . thirdly , because primitive paterns of all the churches of god in their best times ( when as touching this point they kept the rule in their eye ) whether jewish before christ , or christian above a yeers after christ , yield not the least footstep to shew us another safe way to walk in , then this which we have chosen . as for after times towards the end of the second , and beginning of the third century , we know how far the churches were then degenerated and declined from the first purity ; neither do we marvell at it , seeing in the apostles time the mystery of iniquity began to work , and it was then foretold , that the power of godlinesse would be in aftertimes exchanged for empty formes . in which respect , we look not at them as our guides neither in this , nor other particulars not warranted by the rule , herein following the advise of cyprian , who himself saw the corruption of those times , non est attendendum quid aliquis ante nos faciendum putaverit , sed quid qui ante omnes est christus fecerit & faciendum praeceperit . to conclude , seeing our christian liberty freeth us from binding our selves to any religious observances , whereunto the written word doth not bind us . and seeing spirituall prudence directs us to choose those ways , which on all hands are confessed to be s●fe , avoiding those that be doubtfull and hazardous . and seeing it will not be safe for us , needlesly to swerve from the constant practice of all churches that are recorded in scripture , and there held forth as a cloud of witnesses for us to follow in matters of this nature , wee therefore may not , doe not , dare not use set forms of prayers and stinted liturgies in these churches . more particularly , in that we doe not use that forme of prayer and stinted liturgy , which is in use among your selves : these and such other like reasons have induced us thereunto . the many and just exceptions whereunto that liturgy is lyable both for matter and manner ; for the proofe whereof wee referre you to those faithfull servants of god , who have gone before us in witnessing against the same : amongst others to master cartwright , and the abridgment . in as much as that liturgy was never commanded of god , and hath been greatly abused to idolatry and superstition , and is not of any necessary use , and therefore we are affraid to bring it into the worship of god , as knowing the jealousie of the lord , in matters of this nature ; exod. , and how strictly hee commandeth his people , that all monuments and remnants of idolatry and superstition should be abolished from among them , deut. . , . exod. . . esay . ● . cor. . . in which respect the holy ghost hath greatly commended iacob , david , iehu hezechia and iosiah for taking away the remembrance of such things , gen. . , . psal . . . king . , . & . . & ● . all the chapter . and where other kings of iudah came short of the like zeale , the scripture notes it as a blemish in them that the high places were not taken away , albeit the people did not sacrifice in them to false gods , but onely to the lord , chron. . . & . . & . . yea , moreover , it appeareth by the scripture , that somethings that had a good originall and use ( if they be not still necessary and commanded of god ) are unlawfull when once they are knowne to be defiled by idolatry , and abused to it , king. . . hos . . , . as the brazen serpent was at the first an institution though but temporary : but when the children of israel burned incense to it , hezechiah , is commended for breaking it in pieces , and the lord witnesseth of him that he did that which was right in the sight of the lord , and according to his commandement , which he commanded moses , king. . , . how much more in the like case ought other things to be removed , which never were commanded of god , but onely were devised by men ? and that that liturgy hath been superstitiously abused , may be cleer to any that shall consider that it is the same for substance that was used in the days of popery . and therefore when the papists in devonshire and cornwall , had made a commotion and rebellion upon the change of religion , in the days of king edward the sixth . it was told them by the king , for the pacifying of them : that it was the self-same service in english , which had been before in latine : and if the service of the church was good in latine , it remayneth good in english , for nothing is altered : fox acts and monuments , edward . and pope pius the fifth did see so little variation in it from the latine service , that had been formerly used in that kingdome , that he would have ratified it by his authority , if q. elizabeth would have so received it . and many of the people put such holinesse in it , that they think god is not rightly worshipped , nor his sabbath well observed , nor the sacraments sufficiently administred , if there be no reading of that service . and others put such holinesse and necessity in it , that they preferre it before gods holy ordinance of preaching the word . in so much as the ministers are in the danger of being called in question , and of being censured , if they doe not read that liturgy every lords day without omitting any part thereof , either in respect of preaching or otherwise . in regard of the many wofull scandals , and dangerous consequences of using that liturgie , of which we suppose you are not ignorant . to mention but two , viz. the hardning of papists who are imboldned to think better of their own breviaries , masse-books , portuisses , seeing that liturgie hath bin extracted out of those books , and rather fetched from them then from the forms used in any of the reformed churches . the conntenancing and establishing of an unlearned idol ministery , of not-preaching curates , non-residents , pluralities , &c. in whose skirts is to be found the blood of so many mens souls living and dying in their sins , while they ignorantly content themselves with , and harden themselves in some empty forms of religion and blinde devotion , which are begotten and cherished chiefely by such prayers and ministers . neither is there lesse scandall hereby ( we meane not onely taken but given ) then by the eating of an idolathite , in the idols temple condemned by the apostle cor. . . for if the eating of an idolathite by him that had knowledge , and knew that an idol was nothing , and that all meats were lawfull , did imbolden others to honour the idol , and therefore was a scandall given , so also it is in this case . seeing that booke is so imposed as that the minister in reading of it , is limited to the very words set downe without any diminution , addition , or alteration ; therefore we dare not use it . for the lord himselfe hath not limited his people to his own formes and therefore we see not , how it can be lawfull to be limited to other mens formes ; for in thus doing we should subject our selves to the exercise of such an authority and power of the prelates , as in this case puts forth a stronger act of limiting power then christ himselfe , who doth not limit us to those formes , which himselfe hath set downe in scripture : for though we acknowledge the lords prayer and other formes set down in scripture , may be lawfully used as prayers ( due cautions being observed ) yet there is not a limitation lying upon the churches in the use of those prayers . and therefore we do not find that the apostles ever used that form taught by christ in those very words , much lesse limited themselvs to it , when they prayed , nor did they teach the churches so to doe . if the lord would not have us limit our selves in our own forms , whiles we are exercising our own gifts ( which he hath specially sanctified to edify his church act. . . eph. . . cor. . . ) least we should quench or at least straiten his spirit in prayer , thes . . . would he then have us limited to other mens forms , which have not beene in like sort sanctified of god , but will rather quench or straiten the spirit of god , whiles we are so limited to them ? the entertainment of this form hath been a manifest snare unto the churches who upon the same ground on which they have received this forme into the desks have beene limited to others in the pulpit , by meanes whereof the poore church of christ hath bin wholly deprived of the publike use of the ministers gifts in prayer , and the spirit of prayer in the ministers in publike , hath beene greatly restrained . as for our judgement concerning the practice of others , who use this liturgie in our native countrie , we have alwayes beene unwilling to expresse our mindes there against unlesse we have been necessarily called thereunto , and at this time we thinke it not expedient to expresse our selves any further concerning this matter , as loath to intermeddle with the affaires of other churches , but contenting our selves with , and blessing the lord for those liberties which we , by the mercie of god , do here enjoy , reserving also due reverence to the judgements of our beloved brethren and deere countreymen , who may concerning this matter be otherwise minded . reply . this position cannot beare that meaning which you give it , if you take it according , o our mindes , and the plain construction of the words . we never questioned why you made not use of a stinted liturgy , much lesse why you did not wholly and in every part tye your selves unto , and approve of that forme in use amongst us . you might well thinke we had little to doe to put forth such a demand , viz. whether you thinke it lawfull to approve in others and practice your selves , what swerveth from the rule , and we thinke it strange you should give our words such a meaning . the thing we craved resolution in was , whether in your judgements all stinted and set formes of prayer and liturgies be unlawfull . the reason hereof was because in writings from new-england , we had seene all set liturgies , and set formes of prayer condemned as devised worship which god would not accept , and partaking in the sacraments of the supper in our assemblies , therefore disallowed , because administred in a stinted liturgie , which things were received with such likeing among some brethren with us , and by them imparted and recommended to others , that they occasioned that rent and distraction whereof we complain . it is true , the people among us separate from our forme of prayer or liturgy , but the reason hereof is because it is stinted , not because this or that or ours in particular . you confesse you want not some brethren among you who look at all set formes of prayer invented by one of another age or congregation , and prescribed to their brethren , to be read out of a booke for the prayers of the church , as images and imaginations of man forbidden in the second commandement , and that the lawfulnesse of liturgies , and set formes is questioned and doubted of by many faithfull servants of god , such also as come over occasionally , who withdraw themselvs from the sacraments in the congregation , doe it on this pretence , that a stinted liturgie is a humane invention . and if we examine the reasons brought against stinted formes and liturgies , we shall finde them to strike at all formes and liturgies though devised by men of the same age and congregation , and to be used but now and then , or but once on set purpose , and that either in publike or in private , as elsewhere we may have occasion to shew . you say it is evident , many preachers constantly use a set forme of prayer of their own making before their sermons with whom the people refuse not to joyne ; and you know ( we doubt not ) that such set formes are disliked also . and if the grounds be examined ( in our understanding ) they make as much against the one as the other . view but the reasons why you admit not a stinted liturgie and forme of prayer , and see whether the two last will not in the same terms directly conclude gainst both . but what ever is to be thought herein , or whether mens practises agree with their opinions we now dispute not . this is plaine and manifest , that mens opinions are to be judged by their expresse words and reasons , not by their practises . the brownists ( as they are commonly called ) can separate from no stinted liturgie amongst us , but that which is in use , and for ought we know they may joyne with their owne pastors , though they oft use the same forme of prayer in whole or in part , in thanksgiving before meat , or in prayer before sermon , or the like . and yet their opinion is that all stinted liturgies and set formes of prayer be unlawfull , humane inventions forbidden by the second commandement . but if any thing had beene left doubtfull in the letter , that it might be strained to another sence , either because we were short in expression , or many of you not informed in the passages which gave occasion to the question , it is well knowne what the words meane in ordinary construction . and we doubt not but many brethren among you , might and could fully informe you of our meaning that there need no such straining to find it out . that which followeth in your answer to the position ( as you interpret it ) wee passe over , because it is not to the matter intended . and wee are as unwilling to trouble you with the affaires of other churches taking you from your owne weightie occasions , as you are unwilling to be interrupted . onely in regard of promise , and because plaine dealing serves to maintaine love , we thinke good to advertise you these few things . that your reasons why you accept not of a stinted lyturgie be ambiguously propounded , for sometimes you plead onely for your libertie herein , and that a stinted forme is not necessary , and sometime you speake so , as they that looke at stinted lyturgies , as images forbidden in the second commandement will easily draw your words to their meaning . the reasons you bring against a set forme of prayer or liturgie doe hold as strong against a set forme of catechisme confession and profession of faith , blessing , baptizing and singing of psalmes . wee have not called upon you at this time to witnesse for , or against the corruptions in the communion-booke . this you fall upon by straining the sense of our demands contrary to the true meaning thereof . the reasons which you bring against it , we cannot approve them all ; the exceptions which have bin taken both from the matter and manner thereof we know : but to esteeme the whole for some corruptions found therein , a monument of idolatry , that we have not learned . the argument in the abridgement which is used against conformity to the ceremonies did not in their judgement who were authors of the booke hold against the lyturgie , of which opinion we are also . if these reasons be intended onely to shew why you receive not our forme of administration , it is that which ( we are perswaded you know ) we never required of you . if to disallow the use of the booke amongst us altogether in things lawfull , good and pertinent , they will not hold weight . you are generally ( as you say ) loath to meddle with the affaires of other churches , unlesse you have been necessarily called thereunto . but when some upon the request ( as we suppose ) of private friends , and others out of their zeale and forwardnesse have laboured to draw many to separation from the sacrament , because ministred in a stinted lyturgie : wee cannot apprehend any just ground of this apologie . the rent is wide , and some brethren had their hands deepe therein , which made us at this present to crave your judgements , and the reasons thereof to make up the breach . i. d. objecteth to master p. that his manner of preaching was disorderly in carrying that matter , he speakes of , to the classes , before he had declared to the church the equity of his refusing the ministers desired by the scriptures . and may not we with like reason object , that this manner of proceeding is disorderly in seeking to draw men to separation , because of stinted liturgie , before you had shewed to us or other brethren ( whom it may concerne ) by scripture , or reasons drawne from thence , that a stinted liturgie was unlawfull ? but of this wee may intreat more fully elsewhere . ii. position . that it is not lawfull to joyne in prayer , or receive the sacraments where a stinted liturgie is used , or as we conceive your meaning to be in this , as in the former question viz. where , and when that stinted liturgie is used . answer . it seemeth by this your letter , the ground of this position hath beene the separation of divers from your assemblies , because of a stinted liturgie : and we are not ignorant of the rigid separation of divers people , who withdraw themselves from an able faithfull ministry , as no ministry of christ , and from their godly congregations as no churches of christ ; because of some corruptions from which ( through want of light , not love of the truth ) they are not throughly cleansed . against which practise we have ever witnessed . as for our judgement concerning the position it selfe , we would promise two things ; first concerning the persons reading this liturgie , which may be either an ungodly or unable minister , or an able and a godly . secondly , concerning the liturgie it selfe , which may be either of the whole or some select prayers , which may be conceived to be the least offensive . now if the question be of joyning in prayer with , and when that whole liturgie is used , or where that which is used , is read by an unable and ungodly minister , we then see not how it can be lawfull to joyne in prayer in such cases ; for the prayers of the minister are not his private prayers , but the publike prayers of the whole assembly , whose mouth he is to god. and when the prayers offered up by the minister , as a living holy , and acceptable service to god , are not through humane frailty , but otherwise for matter and manner corrupt , wee see not what warrant any one hath to joyne with such prayers , mal. . . . when men ioyne therein with an insufficient ministry , they doe not only countenance them in their place and office , whom the lord hath rejected from being his priests . hos . . . but also set up those idolls and means of worship to edifie themselves by , which god never appointed in his holy word ezeck . . . but if the question be of joyning in some few select prayers read by an able and painfull minister out of that booke as on the one side wee are very tender of imputing sin to the men that so joyne : so on the other side , we are not without feare , least that such joyning may be found to be unlawfull : unlesse it may appeare that the ministers with whom the people have communion in reading those prayers doe neither give any scandall by reading of them nor give unlawfull honour to a thing abused to idolatry , and superstition , nor doe suffer themselves to be sinfully limited in the reading of them . reply . sufficient hath been spoken of the meaning of the position and the grounds thereof and if we have not mistaken your judgment & practice both , you have born witnesse against both that you call the rigid seperation , and this more moderate also ; and we humbly wish , the moderate doe not degenerate into the rigid ere long . it is very strange , if they take not great incouragement upon your grounds . the truth of our ministery , churches , ordinances , and calling is questioned , and where men will stay the lord knoweth , and what more common then that our liturgie is unlawfull , because it is the devise of man ; the author ( or publisher at least ) of a letter against our service booke beginneth with such like distinction . against this prayer-booke ( saith he ) divers have pleaded in a different manner . first some arguments are proper to the separatists qua tales , viz. that it is offered in a false church ; . by a false minister ; . in the behalfe of the subjects of the kingdome of antichrist . these are properly theirs , being the grounds whereupon they make a totall separation from all the churches in this land , as no churches of christ . these i approve not , yet note them that yee may see upon what different grounds , the same position is maintained by severall persons , and that yee may be delivered from the prejudice , which hinders many from receiving those truths , because they feare the reproach of brownisme . secondly , there are other grounds which are common to all that plead for the the puritie of christs ordinances , and which doe not necessarily inferre such separation , but only serve to shew the unlawfulnesse of that practise , and our communicating therein . thus the epistle wherein the same distinction of separation is noted : but how truly , let the indifferent judge . if none must be counted separatists , but such as have pleaded against the booke of common prayer as unlawfull , because offered up in a false church , &c. then are there none such in the world , that we have knowne or heard of : for it is apparent they cast us off as no churches of christ , because our service is a humane devise , will-worship , idolatry ; and not on the contrary , that our service is will-worship , or idolatry , because our churches are false churches . against all communion with us they plead , because we are a false church , but against our stinted liturgie they argue not in that manner . the grounds on which that authour builds ( which he saith are common to all , that plead for the purity of gods ordinances ) are one and the same with the grounds of the separatists , shafts taken out of the same quiver and peculiar to them , some few brethren onely excepted , who of late have looked towards that opinion . see how affection will transport . those reasons shall be common to all that plead for the purity of christs ordinances , which were never taken to be sound and true , either by the reformed churches abroad , or by the godly brethren at home , whether now at rest with the lord , or for the present living , or yet by the most of the brethren among whom they live , and with whom they hold societie , or by any minister or societie which did hold the unitie of the spirit in the bond of peace for the space of this yeares and upwards , by your owne confession , unlesse within these few dayes , and that by a few onely . if this be not to strengthen the hands of the separatists , or at least , to lay blocks of offence in their way , what is ? as yet we thinke most of them that have separated , are not so farre gone , as to condemne all our assemblies as no churches of christ , but we judge they have proceeded further then christ the lord and saviour of his church hath given them commission or allowance , that the grounds whereon they build are unsound , and such as make way for further danger , if the lord prevent not . and that the reasons mentioned in the letters are the proper grounds of separatists , and not common to all them that seeke the purity of religion , for they are not approved by your selves : and if all this tend not to turne them who halt , out of the right way , wee heartily intreate you to consider . your judgement concerning the position , you deliver in three propositions ( for so many they be for substance ) in respect of the persons reading the liturgie , or the thing it selfe that is read . as if any part of the liturgie bee read , ( put case some few selected prayers onely , by an unable and ungodly minister : it is unlawfull ( say you ) for the people to joyne in that case . but if it be unlawfull for the people to joyne , when an ungodly minister readeth some few select prayers , it is either in respect of the minister , or the prayers themselves . not of the prayers themselves , for they be select and choyce , faultlesse both in respect of matter and manner , as it is taken for granted , unlesse this distribution be to no purpose ; if in respect of the minister , then it is not lawfull to joyne with such a one in any ordinance of god whatsoever . for if the minister make it unlawfull , then all communion in any part of gods worship , with such ministers is unlawfull , and so the church in all ages of the world , the prophets , our saviour christ , the apostles , and the faithfull in the primitive churches sinned , in holding communion with such , when the priests were dumbe dogges that could not barke , and greedy dogges that could never have enough ; when the prophets prophesied lies , and the priests bare rule by their meanes ; when the priests bought and sold doves in the temple , and tooke upon them to provide such things for them that were to offer ; when the pharisees corrupted the law by false glosses , taught for doctrines mens precepts , made the commandements of god of none effect through their traditions , under pretence of long prayer devoured widowes houses , taught the law , but practised it not ; when they were such , and did such things , they were ungodly ministers ; but we never find that the prophets , our saviour , the apostles , did either forbeare themselves , or warne the faithfull not to communicate with such in the ordinance of worship . we reade our saviour charged his disciples , to beware of the leaven of the scribes and pharisees , to let them alone , because they were the blind leaders of the blind , but he never forbade to communicate with them in the ordinances of god. it is not then for private christians to withdraw themselves from the ordinance of worship , and communion of the church , because such are permitted to deale in the holy things of god , whom they judge or know unfit : when men joyne in the worship of god with unworthy ministers , they doe not countenance them in their place and office , but obey the commandement of god , who requires their attendance upon his highnesse in that way and meanes . to goe no further then the text you quote , because thou hast despised knowledge , i will also reject thee , &c. properly the text is spoken of the ten tribes called israel , and the priests among them who worshipped the calves which ieroboam had set up , whom the lord threatneth to reject , because they had rejected knowledge being either wilfully ignorant , or withholding the truth in unrighteousnesse . whether they were for the present absolutely rejected , or the lord threatens only to reject them we will not dispute . this may suffice that it is not to be found either in this or any other text of scripture , that the people joyning in the true worship of god , with unworthy ministers , do countenance them in their place thereby . on the contrary , if you will extend this text to all unworthy ministers of what sort soever , whom the word of truth doth condemne as not approved ministers of god , the scripture teacheth evidently not onely that the people by joyning do not countenance them in their place and office , but that they must and ought to joyne with them in the worship of god , and in separating from the ordinance they shall sinne against god , much lesse then do they in such joyning set those idols and meanes of worship , which god never appointed in his word . for the worship is of god , and the ministery is of god , the person unworthily executing his place , is neither set up by some few private christians , nor can by them be removed . and warrant to withdraw themselves from the worship of god , because such as ought not , are suffered to entermeddle in the holy things of god , they have none from god. dumbe dogs , greedy dogs , idol-sheepheards , false prophets , strangers , are unworthy ministers , but they that communicate with such in the ordinance of worship , are never said to set up idols or means of worship which god never appointed . the sheep of christ will not heare strangers in the lords sense , but outwardly they heard those strangers preach ( if the scribes and pharisees were such ) and by hearing them discovered them to be strangers , i. e. false prophets ; some strangers at least , of whom our saviour speaks , were of the true church , and of israel , but brought false doctrine tending to kill the soule , such strangers none should heare , that is , believe and follow : but as they be tolerated in the church , so they may hear them , so long as they bring the truth . unworthy ministers are no ministers for themselves , but they are ministers for the people of god , that is , so long as they be in the place of ministers , the acts of their administrations are of force to the faithfull , if they observe the forme of administration prescribed by christ ; for christs ordinances have their efficacy from him , not from them that serve about them , and evill ministers minister not in their own name , but in christs and by his commission . it hath evermore bin held for a truth in the church of god , that although somtimes the evill have chiefe authority in the ministration of the word and sacraments , yet for as much as they doe not the same in their own name but in christs , and minister by his commission and authority , wee may use their ministery both in hearing the word , and receiving the sacraments ; neither is the effect of christs ordinance taken away , by their wickednesse , nor the grace of gods gifts diminished from such as by faith , and rightly doe receive the sacraments administred to them which are effectuall ; because of christs institution and promise , although they be ministred by evill men . beza de presbyt . et excōmunicat . p. . ista vero , quia nonnulli à sacris caetib . & sacrament . usu propter aliorum vitia ultro abstinent i. e. seipsos excommunicant magnam reprehensionem merentur . the reasons whereby the ancient churches condemned the donatists and catharists for their voluntary and seditious separation and the moderne churches condemne the anabaptists for their unwarrantable departure from , and so renting of the body of christ , will hold against separation from the prayers of the congregation , because they are read by an ungodly minister . the second proposition . where the whole liturgie is used , though by an able and godly minister , it is not lawfull to joyne in prayer in that case . herein wee cannot be of your judgement ; for in the times of the prophets , and our saviour christ , as great abuses , no question , were found in the church of the jews in the administration of holy things of god as can be imagined in our liturgie or forme of prayer : but the prophets and our saviour who taught the people to keepe themselves pure and undefiled , never taught them to separate from the administration of the holy things of god. and if the presence at our forms of prayer be not lawful by reason of the corruptions alleaged , there can be no visible society named throughout the world since . yeeres after christ or thereabouts , wherein a christian might lawfully joyne in prayer , reading the scripture , hearing the word or participation of the sacraments . for compare the doctrines , prayers , rites at those times in use in the churches with ours , and in all these , ( blessed be the name of the lord ) wee are more pure then they . but no man will be so bold ( we hope ) as to affirme the state of the churches within . yeeres after christ , to be so miserably decayed that the faithfull could not without sin hold communion with them in the aforesaid ordinances . the prayers of the minister , whether conceived or stinted in a set forme , be not his private prayers , but the publike prayers of the whole assembly , whose mouth he is to god both in the one and the other . but you will not say , the people ought not to joyne with their pastor in the publique assembly , if ought bee amisse in his prayer for matter , or manner , or both . it is all one to the people in this case , whether the fault be personall ( as some distinguish ) or otherwise knowne beforehand or not knowne : for if simple presence defile , whether it was knowne beforehand or not , all presence is faulty . and if simple presence defile not , our presence is not condemned , by reason of the corruptions knowne , whereof we stand not guilty , whether the corruption be through humane frailty or not , it is not in us to enquire , but rather whether we be called to come , and the faults such as one christian cannot or must not tolerate in another without breach of charity . for if the errour be such as may be tolerated , and i am called to be present ; by such fault i am not defiled though knowne before . if the error be such as in conscience may not be tolerated , though not knowne before hand , i am bound , if present some way to professe against it . this distinction of personall and ministeriall faults in this case untill it be cleared by some text of scripture or sound reason from the word , must goe for the devise of man. a church , a minister , or a christian may be stiffe in an error ( being misperswaded it is a truth ) after many meanes long used to convince them , with whom yet we must hold communion in the ordinances of religion : and the error may be such as we cannot without hypocrisy or denyall of the truth hold communion , though such meanes of conviction have not gone before . but the corruptions alleadged against our forme of prayer for matter or manner , are such as one christian may and must tolerate in another where he hath no power to redresse them . hath not christian wisdome and experience of humane frailties lessoned you ( deere brethren ) to beare one with another in matters of greater consequence then any have or can be objected truly against the form of prayer in use among us ? and why such corruptions should not be ascribed to humane frailty ; we see not : for if a godly minister make use of a book in things which he judgeth lawfull for matter and manner , the corruption in him that useth it according to his judgement , from what cause can it spring but humane ignorance and frailty ? we rest assured you question not the integrity of many , who make much more use of the booke then onely in a few select prayers . from the bottome of our hearts we desire and pray that god would remove out of his church and worship whatsoever offendeth for matter or manner , and that all things may be so done , not onely that they may be tolerated but that they might be approved in the conscience of all men . but we are perswaded that not onely some few select prayers but many prayers & other exhortations may lawfully be used , with fruit and edification to gods people . to aggravate faults especially when it tends to draw away people from the ordinances of god , is no lesse fault then to excuse them , it may be greater , and therefore we dare not esteeme the prayers read by a godly and faithfull minister according to the booke in use among us , a corrupt sacrifice whether in such as read them , or them that be present . in them that join according to christs command ( and liberty of absence from christ hath not beene shewed ) notwithstanding the corruptions , we hold the prayers to be an holy and acceptable sacrifice to god , and pleasing to jesus christ . the corrupt sacrifice is that , which the deceiver bringeth voluntarily , and out of neglect , having a male in his flock : but the faithfull bringeth himself and his godly desires according to the will of god , and as for corruptions , whether respecting matter or forme , they are none of his , they cleave not to his sacrifice to staine or pollute it . as for the text of the prophet mal. . , . it is cited by many in this businesse , and to many purposes applyed , but we cannot finde that in the prophet for which it is here brought , the deceiver is accursed that offereth a corrupt thing to the lord. this we reade and beleeve , but that a godly man , being present at this forme of prayer among us , read by a godly and faithfull minister , is the deceiver , who offereth a corrupt thing unto the lord , that is not proved . no argument can be brought from this place to the purpose , but by analogy , which is a kinde of arguing of all other most ready at hand , but lyable to most exceptions , and apt to draw aside , if great care be not had , ( which in this place we finde not ) to take the proportion in every materiall point just and right . and we desire such as alleadge this passage of scripture against simple presence at the prayers of our liturgy , advisedly to consider whether god allow them to make such application of his truth which wee much doubt of , to say no more . your third proposition . that as you are very tender of imputing sinne to those men that joyne in some select prayers read by an able and godly minister : so on the other side you are not without feare , least such joyning may be found unlawfull , unlesse it may appeare that the ministers with whom the people have communion in reading those prayers , neither give any scandall by reading them , nor give unlawfull honour to a thing abused to idolatry and superstition , nor doe suffer themselves to be sinfully limited in the reading of them . we cannot conceive how you should imagine the practice of a godly minister in reading some few select prayers to be scandalous or offensive in their congregations when the people generally , not in their assemblies onely , but throughout the whole land , were perswaded of the lawfulnesse of that course till now of late some have beene drawne away to separate , who yet by warrant of scripture produce nothing of weight to countenance that practice . if the booke should be as you take it an idolathite , latent offence doth not oblige . if any man say unto thee , this is sacrificed to idols , eat it not , so that if it doe not manifestly appeare that this practice is scandalous ; it is not lawfull for the people to withdraw themselves . the book ( we speake of the liturgie so far as it is sound and good ) by your confession is no idolathite , neither was it taken out of the masse-book in such sense as you object , but rather the masse & other idolatrous prayers were added to it , for popery is as a scab or leprosie cleaving to the church , and many truths belonging to the church as her proper legacie were stollen and heaped together in that denne . and why the true man may not challenge his goods where ever he finds thē , or the thiefe plead title to the true mans goods by prescription , we know not ? it is no hard taske to shew that our service-booke was reformed in most things according to the purest liturgies which were in use in the church long before the masse was heard of in the world . and if that could not be shewed , yet formes of speech generally taken ( we speak not of this or that speciall word or phrase ) is no more defiled by idolatry then the light aire , or place where idolatry is committed . it is not unlawfull to pray , lord helpe , or lord have mercy , or to give thankes , praised bee god , because the papists say , lady helpe , or , praised be god and the virgin mary . fourthly , put case the minister in reading such prayers gives offence , or attributes unlawfull honour to a thing abused to idolatry and superstition , or suffer himselfe to be sinfully limited in the reading of them , what is that to the faithfull ? this can be no just ground of the people 's not joyning with them in the worship of god , for that offence is personall onely , and not the sin of them that be present , they joyn in prayer onely , and not in his reading or limiting himself . not to say that every particular person must be herein both accuser and judge . if he give offence must they stumble at the stone , and separate from the ordinance of grace ? wee should rather think it is their duty to look unto their feet , that they goe not awry . let it be shewed out of the word of god , that either the minister is guilty of giving unlawfull honour , or that the people may lawfully withdraw themselves in case he should do so , and we will then say as you do , but untill that be proved , ( being pressed and called to proffer our judgements ) we believe that separation is scandalous and sinfull , never taught of god , nor confirmed by the approved example of the godly in any age or time of the church : yea , against the positive law of god , injurious to the churches distracting christians , bringing contempt upon the ordinances of god , and defrauding believers of the spirituall food of their souls , which is indeed to infringe their christian liberty , and what ever may be thought of it now , in former times it hath been accounted no small offence . fiftly , if this and such like scruples make it unlawfull to joyn in the ordenance of worship , we must hold communion with no society under heaven . for may not the brethren which hold all stinted liturgies , and set forms unlawfull say with like strength of reason , it is unlawfull to joyn in conceived prayer with others , if either they give too little honour to it , as deeming the other lawfull , or sinfully limiting , or suffering themselves to be limited to one stinted forme , though conceived at first by them selves ? and may not the brethren who hold a stinted forme lawfull in like manner object ? it is unlawfull to joyn in prayer with them because they attribute too much honour to conceived prayer , as making their device and method the worship of god ? and may not the brethren which hold it lawfull to use some selected prayers according to the forms among us , upon the same grounds condemne communion with both sorts ? and all of them one with another , because they either limit themselves too much , or too little ? you say in the exposition of the first position , many preachers constantly use a set form of prayer of their own making before their sermons , must you not say upon this ground , that it is unlawfull to joyn with them , because they sinfully stint themselves ? in probability a christian may presume , that in the publike worship of god , there will be through humane ignorance & infirmity somwhat amiss for matter , or manner , or both , & that upon this ground , he must joyn with no society in any part of gods worshipat all . the advancing of every small difference to this height , is that which will bring all to confusion , if men walk uniforme to their own principles . it is well observed by master i. da. that unlesse men will yield so much favour each to other in some difference of opinions , a dissolving not onely of churches , but of humane societies also must necessarily follow , & not onely not two ministers , but not two men should live together , which were to put off even humanity it selfe . sixtly , wee have credibly heard that you hold fellowship with professed , rigid separatists without any acknowledgment of their errour , and receive them as members , or communicate with them in the priviledges of the church , though you professe you approve not their opinion or practice . and if in godly wisdome , you can see grounds to joyn with them , we marvell you should be so timorous in this particular . seventhly , if you judge the practice of such godly ministers , scandalous to them that separate from the ordinance , because it is not administred in this , or that but in a stinted form . it is a scandall taken , and not given ; and by forbearing , if to confirme men in errour , be to scandalize them , they should offend them the more : yea , they should prejudice the truth , and it might be an occasion to beget needlesse scruples in others , and draw them ignorantly from the fellowship of the saints in the holy ordinances of god , and strengthen them who by your owne confession , are run too far into schisme already . iii position . that the children of godly and approved christians , are not to be baptized untill their parents be set members of some particular congregation iv position . that the parents themselves , though of approved piety , are not to be received to the lords supper , untill they be admitted as set members . answ . these two positions may be maintained with one and the same defence , being somewhat coincident , and therfore we joyn them as if they were but one . therefore to prevent all mistakes , it may please you to take notice that we are not of their judgement who refuse all religious communion with such as are not church members , nor doe wee appropriate communion in this priviledge of the seals only to the members of our own churches , excluding all other churches of christ from the same , though they may be through errour or humane frailty defective in some matters of order , provided that the liberty of our churches be preserved , of receiving such satisfaction as is meet ( as well by letters of recommendation , or otherwise if it be requisite ) concerning those whom wee admit unto fellowship in the seals . for as we account it our duty to keepe the unity of spirit inviolate with any , in whom we discerne any fruits of the spirit , so we hold our selves bound to discharge this duty , according to order . spirituall cōmunion in prayers , holy conferences & other religious actions of like nature we maintain with al godly persons , though they be not in church order : but church communion we hold onely with church members admitting to fellowship of the seals the known and approved , & orderly recommended members of any true church . but into fellowship of the censures , admittance of members and choice of officers , onely the members of that particular church whereof they and we ( any of us ) stand members . these things being premised , the considerations whereupon our judgement and practice is swayed for administration of the seals onely to such as are in order of a true visible church are these that follow . reply . vvhat is here premised to prevent all mistakes , doth seem more to raise then to abate scruples if we mistake not your meaning . you refuse not all religious communion with all that are not church members , and so much they professe , who formerly have gone for , and professed themselves separatists from our assemblies . you do not appropriate this priviledge of the seals onely to the members of your own churches , excluding all other churches of christ from the same ; if your meaning be onely this , that you deny not the sacraments administred in other churches to be the true sacraments of christ for substance , then you ascribe little more to the churches of christ in this , then to the synagogue of satan , the church of rome . for you will not deny baptisme administred among them to be true for substance : if you deny not to have fellowship with them in the scals , and to admit them to the sacrament , and to communicate with them : then either your judgment is contrary to your practice , or you exclude the churches of england from the number of true visible churches of christ , which is to destroy what you formerly builded , and here professe . all possible care to keep the ordinances of god from contempt , we allow and commend , provided you go not beyond the lords warrant , and deny not the priviledges of the church to them , to whom they are due by divine appointment , nor the name and title of church to those societies , which god hath plentifully blessed with means of grace , have received the tables and seals , and have entred into covenant with his highnesse . your liberty to receive such satisfaction as is meet , is not called into question , nor whether you are to keep the bond of the spirit inviolate according to order . but whether this be to keep the bond of the spirit inviolate ( viz ) to exclude from the sacrament true visible believers or knowne recommended christians , formerly members of visible churches among us ; and their children ; because they are not members ( as you speak ) in church order . and whether god alloweth to put this difference between church mēbers of your societies & other visible believers walking in holines , though not admitted members of any society according to your church order , as to receive the one , though members of another society , unto the seals , and to debar the other and their children . these are the things to be considered in these present positions . and first we will examine your reasons for your judgment and practice by themselves , and then so far as we judge meet , try your answers to the objections you make against it . consideration . the seals baptism & the lords supper are given to the church , as a priviledge peculiar therto in ordinary dispensation . indeed the preaching of the word is not so , being an ordinance given not onely for the edifying of the church already gathered but also for the gathering of men to the churches that yet are without : wheras the dispensing of the seals is gods ordinance , given onely for the edifying of the church being gathered , and not for the gathering of it : and because there is now , no universall visible church on earth wherein the seals are dispenced , there being no place , nor time , nor officers , nor ordinances appointed in the new testament by christ our lord , for any such assemblies as the iewes had under moses . it remains that the christian churches , whereunto these priviledges were given , are congregationall , consisting onely of so many as may and do meet together ordinarily in one place for the publike worshipping of god , and their own edifying . hence it is that we read so much in the new testament of the churches in the plurall number , the churches of christ , the churches of god , the churches of the saints : and not onely when they were of divers nations , the churches of the gentiles , but also of the same nation , the churches of iudèa , and not onely when that country was of large extent and circuit , the churches of asia , but also of a small part of the country , the churches of galatia : yea , when congregations in severall cities are spoken of , they are called churches , as the churches of ierusalem , the churches at antioch . to wind up all , seeing the churches in the gospell are congregationall , and that baptisme and the lords supper ( being church priviledges ) belong onely to the churches , it will follow , that as city priviledges belong onely to citizens and their children : so baptisme and the lords supper being church priviledges , belong onely to the members of particular churches , and their seed . and that seeing sigillum sequitur donum , to apply them to others what is it but to abuse them ? as a seal of a corporation is abused if added to confirme the grant of priviledges which are peculiar to any towne corporate to one that being no free-man of that corporation is uncapable thereof . reply . if by the church be understood the society of men , professing the entire faith of christ , the seales are given unto it as a peculiar priviledge ; but if by the church you understand onely a congregationall assembly in church order , the seales were never appropriated to it . but to examine every thing in order as it is propounded . the seales , baptisme , and the lords supper , are given to the church as priviledges peculiar thereunto , not onely in ordinary ( as you say ) but also in extraordinary dispensation . true baptisme is not without the church , but within it ; an ordinance given to it , and they that are baptised , must needes be of a church . the sacraments are the seales of the covenant to the faithfull , which is the forme of the church , and when for substance rightly used , tokens and pledges of our spirituall admittance and entertainment into the lords family , and symbolls or testimonies whereby the people of god are distinguished from all other nations . this is most certain , as in the ordinary ; so in the extraordinary dispensation of the seales , as is confirmed by the texts of scripture alleadged in the margine . for the apostles ( as you say ) dispenced the seales in an extraordinary way , but the seales dispenced by the apostles were seales of the covenant , priviledges peculiar to the church , priviledges of spirituall admittance and entertainment into the lords family . and when you say the dispencing of the seals is an ordinance given onely for the edifying of the church being gathered , and not for the gathering of it , must it not be understood in extraordinary , dispensation as wel as ordinary : to what pupose then are those words ( in ordinary dispensation ) added to the proposition ? if thereby you would intimate that the sacraments be not the peculiar priviledges of the church , and seales of the covenant in extraordinary dispensation , it is evidently crosse to the text you cite , and to your selves afterward . if your meaning be , that in ordinary dispensation the sacraments doe of right belong to them onely , who bee set members of a visible congregation , it is all one with the conclusion , that which is in question and should be proved , and that which this very scripture doth plentifully disprove ' ; for they that were baptised were not set members of a particular congregationall church whereunto they were baptised , nor in a church way before baptisme ( as is evident and granted by the most of your selves ) but by baptisme solemnly admitted into the church , and then it is not for your purpose ; or they were set members ( as some of the brethren seeme to contend in answer to the objection framed against this consideration ) and then the words are more then superfluous . added , they were to prevent the objection which you foresaw might be made from the apostles practice and example but so as they cut asunder the sinews of the consideration it selfe , and make it of no force . for as those beleivers were of the church : so are approved christians and their seed among us : therefore the priviledges of the seales belong unto them . and as the seales : so is the word of salvation preached and received a priviledge of the church . if by the preaching of the word you understand nothing but the tender of salvation or the publishing of the will of god , concerning the salvation of man , whether by private or publike persons ; it is not proper to the church but an ordinance given for the gathering of men to the church , and not only for the edifying of the church . for the apostles first preached to the gentiles when infidels , that they might be converted ; and we doubt not but a minister or private christian comming into a country of infidells , may as occasion is offered , and as they shall be inabled , instruct and perswade them to receive the faith of christ : but if by the preaching of the word be meant the giving of the word to a people , to abide and continue with them , and consequently their receiving of it at least in profession then it is proper to the church of god. the word makes disciples to christ , and the word given to a people is gods covenanting with them , and the peoples receiving this word and professing their faith in god through iesus christ is the taking of god to bee their god. the lawes and statutes which god gave to israell , was the honour and ornament to that nation , and a testimony that god had separated them from all other people , even the gentiles themselves being iudges . the word of reconciliation is sent and given to the world reconciled in iesus christ , and they that receive the doctrine , law , or word of god are the disciples , servants and people of god. in your second consideration you intimate that there is a two fold preaching , the one by office and authority , the other in common charity , or how ever else it may be called . for thus you write . god hath joyned to preach ( viz by office ) and to baptize together , therefore we may not separate them . now to preach unto , that is to instruct or counsell in charity is a duty which may be performed to an infidell , but to preach by office is proper to them that are called to that office : and so to be taught and instructed by officers in the church is proper to the church . to have pastors who shall feed with knowledge and understanding is a gift of matrimoniall love which god vouchsafeth unto his church . the apostles first gathered churches and then ordained elders in everie citie or church ; so that it is proper to the church to be fed and guided by true spirituall pastors who teach and blesse in the name of the lord. and if the word preached and received bee a certaine note of the true church , they that have intyrely received the word of salvation and have pastors godly and faithfull to feede and guide them , they and their seed have right and interest unto the seales in order . moreover the true worship of god is an inseparable and infallible marke of the true church of god , for where christ is , there is his church . this is the prerogative of the church . the prince shall be in the midst of them , and he shall go in when they goe in , &c. and christ saith , where . or . are met together in my name there am i in the middest among them . and for certain they are gathered in the name of christ that being lawfully called doe assemble to worship god and call upon his name in the mediation of iesus christ . in times past , the church was acknowledged by the feare of god , and entyre service of his majestie , by the professing of the true faith and faithfull calling upon gods name . the signes of apostolike churches are these . the continuance in the apostles doctrine and fellowship , and breaking of bread and prayer . and if faith , true and lively ( though mixed with many doubtings and errors ) make a man a living member of iesus christ , the entyre profession of true faith joyned with holynesse of life in some measure answerable thereunto , makes a man a true member of the visible church . and if the feales belong to the church in right and orderly dispensation , they that joyne together in the true worship of god , according to his will , with godly and faithfull pastors , they have right and title to the sacraments according to divine institution . thirdly , that there is now no visible catholike church in your sense will easily bee granted . i. e. there is no universall society consisting of all such as are accounted or to bee esteemed christians , subjected to one or many vniversall pastors or guides , wherwithall subordinates must communicate in some sacred things which may make them one church and which may and can be performed by that vniversall and head church only . such an vniversall christian church christ never ordained , no not in the dayes of the apostles , to whom all the care of all the churches , was committed . the churches planted by the apostles had all the same substantiall lawes and customes , the same guides and officers for kinde , the same ordinances of worship and meanes of salvation : but one flock or society in the fore mentioned acceptation they were not , because they were but subordinate to one visible head , christ , with which they were to hold union and communion in some worship to be performed by them all jointly assembled at some speciall solemnity , nor subjected to the government of any supreame tribunall constantly to be erected and continued among them . neverthelesse , in some respects of reason , the visible church , may be called the church , sheepfold or flock of christ ; for if the whole society or body mysticall of christ be one , this church militant in like sort is one : the unity of which society consists in that uniformity , which all severall persons thereunto belonging , have by reason of that one lord whose servants they all are , and professe themselves , that one spirit whereby they are animated as the body by one soul ; whereby they believe in christ , and which they acknowledge and professe , that one baptisme inward and outward , whereby they put on christ , and are initiated . this society is one in the inward fruition and enjoying of the benefits of christs death and resurrection , and in outward profession of those things which supernaturally appertain to the very essence of the church , and are necessarily required in every christian , this acceptation of the word is not unusuall in scripture . as god hath set some in the church . his bodies sake which is the church . the church viz. whereof paul was made a minister , and whereunto the rest of the apostles were ordained , which was the catholike visible church , the society of men professing the faith of christ throughout the world , divided into many particular churches whereof some are pure , others impure , some more , others lesse sound . hereunto it may be added , that every multitude and society of believers are indefinitely called the church , i persecuted the church of god. the house of god which is the church of the living god. in which sense all the churches in the world may truly be called one . and thus the apostle peter writing to many dispersed churches , who could not assemble in one place nor be fed by one shepherd , speaketh of them singularly as one flock . feed the flock of god which is among you . but that flock are the strangers dispersed through pontus , galatia . asia , cappadocia , and bythinia , which could not possibly joine together in the ordinances of worship , or make one distinct congregated assembly . and if the catholike militant church be one society , the seals that are given as a prerogative to the church are given unto it , and the true members of the catholike church have right and title to them in due order , though they be not admitted into the church fellowship you speak of . for as the flock or society is one : so is the ministery , faith , covenant , and sacraments , which are given as a communion prerogative unto the whole church , and not appropriated to this or that part ormember , as separated from the whole ; which is further evidenced hereby , that sometime it hath , and too often it may fall out , that a christian may be a true member of the universall visible church ( i. e. he may hold , professe , and maintain that holy catholike faith , pure , and undefiled , without which no man can be saved ) who for the present is no actuall member of any particular or visible society in church order . as for example , a man may be cut off by excommunication , from all commerce with the present visible church wherein hee was bred and born , when hee is not cut off from the catholike , orthodoxall church . hee may be deprived of participation of the ordinance in every particular society , when his right and title to them is much better then these who have most injuriously cast him out , or debarred him of the means of salvation . the communion of saints , whether visible or invisible is the effect and property of the church catholike , and agreeth to the severall parts and members thereof , as they be members of that body under the head , and if particular churches have communion together it must of necessity be , that they bee parts and members of the whole body which is one . . though there be no universall congregation or assembly nor can be imagined , yet there are and have beene many visible assemblies or societies , true churches of christ , to whom the prerogative of the seals is given , which have not beene united and knit together , in church-order into one congregationall body or society , for every society in covenant with god is the true church of god : for what is it to be the flock , people or sheepe of god , but to be the church of god ? and where there is a covenant , there is the people of god. they that are of the faith of abraham , are the children and seed of abraham , and within the covenant of abraham ( though but two or three ) and so of the same church with him by that covenant . the communication and accepting of the tables of the covenant is an undoubted token of a people in covenant or confederate , but every society professing the true and entire faith , joyning in prayer and thankesgiving , receiving the truth of god to dwell among them , and in some measure conforming themselves to the obedience of gods commandements , is in covenant with god. it is simply necessary to the being of a church that it be laid upon christ the foundation , which being done , the remaining of what is forbidden , or the want of what is commanded , cannot put the society from the title or right of a church . for christ is the foundation and head corner stone of the church , and a people comming unto christ , united unto him , built upon him , having communion with him and growing up in him , are the true church of god : and if the seals be annexed to the covenant by god himselfe , as we cannot deny a people in covenant to be the church , so we must not deny their right and title to the sacraments . if therefore the meaning of the proposition be , that the seales be given to the church , that is , to true and sound christians , and people in covenant with god , as a priviledge whether in ordinary or extraordinary dispensation we accept it as good and sound , but it makes against your judgement and practice in keeping away such as have right and title to the ordinances . if you meane the seales are given to the church , that is , onely to set members of some particular society combined by covenant ( as it is among you ) we cannot receive it , because it implieth a distinction not taught in scripture , and crosse to your selves . and for the thing it selfe the scripture hath nothing but many things against it as hath beene shewed . if it be granted that the seales are the prerogative of a particular visible church , known and approved christians among us , and their seed are members of true and visible churches , and so to be esteemed among you before they be entred into church membership as you call it . for every society professing the intire and true faith , and joyning together in the right use of the sacraments in matters substantiall is the true church of god , and every visible beleever receiving the word and professing the true intire faith , admitted to the right and lawfull participation of the sacraments is a visible member of the true church , if he have neither renounced that society , nor deserved justly to be cast out by excommunication or church censure . for the intire profession of the truth , the dwelling of the truth among men , the right use of the sacraments ( which is ever joyned with truth of doctrine , and to be esteemed by it ) is proper to them that be in covenant with god , and they that truly partake of the seales must needes be of a church , for the seales are not without but within the church an ordinance given unto it , and if they be true members of the true churches of jesus christ , other churches , are bound to hold communion with them in the ordinance of worship as divine providence shall minister occasion . in answer to the ninth position you say the members of other churches , well known and approved by vertue of communion wich churches , doe mutually and with good acceptance communicate each of them at others churches , even so often as gods providence leads them thereunto , and themselves desire it . in your preface to this consideration , you say you admit to fellowship of the seales , the known , approved , and orderly recommended members of any true church , and if knowne and approved christians , members of our churches comming over into new england , shall desire either to have their children baptized , or to be admitted themselves to the lords supper before they be set members of any society these , we desire to know upon what grounds from god you can deny them , if you acknowledge our churches , ministery , and sacraments , to be true and of god ( as you professe ) and the members of the church be known and approved , orderly recommended unto you . it is the priviledge of christians baptised themselves , and walking in the faith , that their children should have right to baptisme in all true churches in the world . it is the priviledge of christians lawfully and justly admitted to the lords supper in one visible church , and walking in covenant with god , that they have right to this priviledge in all churches professing their intire faith , and you must shew just and sound reasons from god of your judgement and practice in debarring their seed from baptisme , and parents themselves from the supper , or else ( to use the words of a reverend elder among you , in a case of lesse importance , and not concerning so many ) you will be found guilty of adding to the words , and making eleven commandements , and setting up humane customes , and selfewill against gods appointment . for the sacraments are given to the church as a priviledge peculiar thereunto , but you deny this priviledge to the true visible members of the church , ( as your selves confesse . ) for if the ministers be the ministers of christ , and their congregations the churches of christ , then knowne and approved christians are members of the church . in your opinion the members of the jewish church might be received unto baptisme , upon confession of the christian faith , before they were entred into church fellowship , and it is more then strange to us that you should not thinke the true visible members of the churches of christ to have as much title and interest to the seales , as the members of the jewish church to the sacrament of baptisme . the distinct churches mentioned in the new testament , it is not certain that they were congregationall societies consisting onely of so many as might and did meete together ordinarily in one place at one time for the publike worship of god , and their own edification , and if this were granted it would not carry the weight that was laid upon it , but because it may make way for the clearing of some other points pertaining to discipline and church orders , we intreat leave to set downe , and desire you to examine what may be objected against it . we will not insist upon this that the least circuite wherein there is mention of churches is ample enough to containe some diocesses and the least city , populous enough to make many numbersome congregations . nor upon this , that to meete at one time and one place , as one assembly is a thing meerely accidentary to the unity of the church and society ecclesiasticall which is still one , when they are dispersed asunder , and no particular man of that society at first remaining now alive . the number of beleevers was so great in some cities as they could not conveniently meete in one place as one assembly to worship the lord according to his will and for their edifying . that there was a church gathered in the city of samaria by the ministery of phillip will not be denyed , for they received the word and were baptised , but that the church in that city was onely a congregationall assembly is more then can probably be concluded out of scripture . for the whole city or the greatest part could not ordinarily assemble in one place to their edification : but the whole city of samaria , in a manner , ( as it is probable ) imbraced the faith . as the whole city from the least to the greatest had given heede to simon magus before , so to phillip now when he preached christ , and the text saith expresly that samaria received the gospell . the christian church at ierusalem was one and distinct , but it grew and increased first to . then to . afterwards multitudes of men and women were added , and the multitude of disciples increased ; it is also noted that a company of the priests received the faith . the syriacke hath it of the jews , ( scil . ) inhabiting judea , but the greeke , arabian , vulgar , chrisostoms & ethiopians approve the former , and the number of the priests was not small : there is mention also of millions of beleevers . and when all the apostles , or the greatest part of them remained at jerusalem for a time continuing in the ministery of the word and prayer , and that they might doe it the more earnestly and diligently , left the care of the poore to others : how can we thinke but that church did grow exceedingly , and the number of beleevers there to be more then could fitly meete ordinarily in one congregation . without question the number of beleevers in antioch was not small , of which it is said expresly , that a great number beleeved , turned to the lord and that a great multitude was added to the lord by the preaching of barnabas , and that paul and barnabas continued there one whole yeere preaching the word of god , and teaching the multitude , so that the disciples were first called christians at antiach . after that this church was visited by paul and barnabas , who continued there teaching and preaching the word of god with many others also , and may wee not thinke that this church did quickly rise to such bignesse that they could not well assemble in one congregation as now wee call them ? it will easily be credited that the number of believers was not small at ephesus , if we call to minde that when paul had been there but two yeers , all they that dwelt in asia had heard the word of the lord both iews and grecians , that a great doore and effectuall was opened to him at ephesus , that the art for making shrines , and dianaes temple was in danger to be set at nought , and that those that had used curious arts , came and burnt their books in the sight of all men , which could not be done without great danger unto the church , unlesse a great part of the city had believed . where a church did comprehend a city with its suburbs and the country circumjacent , i. e. the believers who professed the faith within that circuit . it might well be that the number did so increase through the extraordinary blessing of god , which accompanied the preaching of the word in those primitive times , and first planting of the heavenly kingdome , that they could not well meet ordinarily in one place , and yet continued one society . for when a number is gathered in small villages , or some added to the number already gathered , it is not meet they should be neglected because small , nor divided from the body , because the number not competent to make an intire and perfect body of it selfe . the increase of the churches doth require an increase of elders , and ( if they grow to bignesse more then ordinary ) an increase of places for their assembling , when the essence of the visible church is not changed , nor one multiplied or divided into many . and it is more available for the good of the church , and further removed from all ambition , if the society shall assemble occasionally in divers places as parts and members of the body , then to constitute a distinct free society consisting of a few believers , not fit to make up an intire body contrary to the precedent examples of the apostles . in times of grievous and hot persecution the churches of god could not assemble in any great number in publick places , but have been compelled to meet in woods , caves , dens , and dark corners , as the lord hath offered opportunity , one and the same society in sundry places : so that either it is not essentiall to the church to meet together in one place ordinarily , or their society is broken off by persecution , when their meeting together in one place is interrupted . it is said by some where the church grew greater , sometimes by the suddain and extraordinary conversion of more then could well so assemble , then was there presently a dispersion of the former , and a multiplication of more particular assemblies . but in the scriptures quoted no such thing doth appeare , but rather the contrary as hath been proved . in aftertimes when the church was within the cities as of rome , ephesus , alexandria , carthage , ierusalem , &c. the number of believers did greatly exceed the bignesse of a convenient and fitting assembly which might ordinarily congregate in one place to worship god according to his appointment when the church was but one . seventhly seeing then both the seals in ordinary and in extraordinary dispensation belong to the church , id est , to the faithfull , and repentant , taught made disciples , who have received the word , believe , and professe the faith , have received the holy ghost , and walke in obedience , who are members of other visible churches , or to be made members of a visible church for the time being , by admittance unto the sacraments , and not unto set members of congregationall assemblies only . and seeing the godly and faithful ministers among us are the true ministers of christ , and their godly congregations , true churches , and knowne , and approved christians , true members of visible churches formerly baptized , and admitted to the lords supper . this consideration is of no weight to justifie your opinion and practice in debarring known and approved christians , professing the faith , members of the true visible churches amongst us from the lords supper , or their seed from baptisme , because they be not yet received as set members of some particular cōgregation amongst you : and if such believers are not to be received to the seals , we desire you to consider if ever the sacraments of the new testament , were rightly dispensed in the church of the new testament from the first plantation thereof unto this day . the seale doth follow the grant , and as the seale is prophaned , if it be put to a false grant or charter , so are the faithfull wronged if the seale in a lawfull way desired , be denied to them that have received the grant , i. e. have right unto jesus christ , and communion with him . but the faithfull who have received the word with gladnesse , believe , and professe , be members knowne and approved by other visible churches , or such as desire to be admitted members of that visible society for the time by communicating in the ordinance , are already partakers of the grant or charter , have right and interest in christ , may lawfully desire the seals , and may be admitted as members for the time being of that particular society . therefore to debar such , from the lords supper , and their seed from baptisme , is against the law of nature , and the positive law of god , an injury to the faithfull and their seed , a wrong to the catholike visible church , that particular society , and the pastors themselves that so debar them . they sinned grievously who deferred baptisme to the end of their life , and the negligence of pastors and teachers who did not instruct the ignorant and reprove the superstitious , was great . and is not the severity in debarring such as crave and desire to be admitted to the seals an injury to be reprehended ? answ . confider the ordinary administration of the seales is limited to the ministery and the ministery to a particular church ; therefore the seals also must necessarily be proper to the church and to the members thereof . . that the administration of the seales is limited to their ministery is evident from the first institution math. . . where god hath joyned ( to preach ) viz. by office , and ( to baptize ) together , therefore wee may not separate them . for howsoever : any man may by the appointment of the lord and master of the family , signifie his minde and deliver his message from him to the family , yet the dispensing of a fitt portion of food to everie one of the houshold is a branch of the stewards office . indeed the keies are given to the whole church yet the exercise and dispensation of them in this as well as in other particulars is concredited to the ministers who are called to bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , cor. . . and no church office can be orderly performed by any , but one that is called thereunto nor will god vouchsafe his presence , and blessing ( wherupon all spirituall efficacy depends ) in an ordinance dispensed , but when it is dispensed by those whom he hath ordayned and appointed therunto . . that the ministery is limited to the church appeares as from evident texts of scripture : so also upon this ground . the office is founded in the relation betweene the church and the officer , wherfore take away the relation , and the office and the worke ceaseth . for where he hath not power , he may not doe an act of power , and he hath no powerwhere he hath not a relation by office . herein the proportion holdeth between an officer of a towne corporate , and of a church that as the power of the former is only within his owne corporation : so the power of the latter is confined to his owne congregation . reply . the proposition is granted that the dispensation of the sacraments in the new testament both ordinary and extraordinary is limited to the ministery . but in that you alleadge for confirmation , somethings may be noted . the first institution of baptisme is not contained in that passage math. . . but confirmed ; for the seales of the new testament were instituted by christ before his death , and his disciples had baptized many which they could not doe before the institution of the sacrament . secondly we see not how you can apply that text to preaching by office , which according to our exposition must bee a dispensing of a fit portion of food to everie one of the houshould . for it is plaine the apostles were sent forth to preach to everie creature or unto the world , to convert men unto god , to make them disciples and not to preach unto disciples only , or members of the houshould . the apostles certainly had authority , and preached by authority , but they preached not to infidells and heathens , as to disciples or members of the church , much lesse did they give a portion to them as to the houshold which is the preaching by office , which you acknowledge . thirdly if under the power of the keyes you comprehend preaching by office , dispensing the seales , casting out , and receiving againe into the bosome of the church wee deny the power of the keyes to belong to the church or community of the faithfull : we cannot find in scripture that christ ever granted such power to the faithfull , as faithfull joyned together in covenant in those passages which speake of this power , the execution of this authority is given to them to whom the authoritie is committed . if the power of the keyes be given to the whole church the apostles themselves must derive their authoritie immediatly from the church , and not from christ , for the power must be derived from them , unto whom it was given ; but their power , and authority was not from the church , but from christ immediatly . and if the dispensation , and exercise of the keyes , be concredited to the ministers ; doth it hold in all things or onely in the dispensation of the sacraments , and preaching by office ? doe they dispense the seales as the stewards of christ , from whom they receive their authority immediately or as the servants of the church , from which they derive their authority ? if in the first sense ; the power of the keys is not in the community of the faithfull . if in the second , the office of a minister is not the immediate gift of christ , nor the minister , so much the servant of christ , as of the church , from whom he must receive lawes , in whose name he must doe his office , and to whom he must give an account . we could wish you had explained in what sense , you hold the dispensation , and execution of the power of the keyes is concredited to the ministers , and by whom . for if the community of the faithfull have to doe in all matters concerning the body , to admit members , and cast them out , to make and depose ministers , to bind and loose by authority derived from christ , wee cannot see how in your judgement the dispensation , and execution of the power of the keyes is concredited to the ministers . fourthly that which you add , that god will not vouchsafe his presence and blessing to an ordinance but when it is dispenced by those , whom hee hath ordayned and appointed thereunto , must bee warily understood , or it may occasion errors and distractions not a few , you know what corruptions soone entred into the church of god , both in respect of doctrine , worship , offices , and entrance thereunto , and how ready and apt is the conclusion from your words , that christ hath not vouchsafed his presence , and blessing in his ordinances to his church ? but of this before . and on the contrary , seeing god hath vouchsafed his blessing in his ordinances dispensed by your selves , when you stood as visible ministers in the congregation , and churches of old england , you must confesse , did approve both your standings and his ordinances dispensed by you . secondly , as for the assumption , that pastors and teachers are limited to a particular charge or society ; but that flock is not ever one congregationall assembly meeting in one place , neither the band so streight , whereby they are tied to that one society , that they may not upon occasion performe some ministeriall act or office in another congregation , or to them that be not set members of their proper assembly . for first to dispence the seals of the covenant is a ministeriall act , an act of office , and not an exercise of gifts onely : but the pastors of one assembly may dispence the sacrament to the set members of another society upon occasion , as you confesse in this and in your answer to the ninth position . and if the members of one church may lawfully upon occasion receive the sacrament of the supper in another society from the pastor thereof , then may the pastor of one congregation performe a ministeriall act to the members of another , and if to the members of another then in another congregation with consent , and upon occasion . secondly , as the ministers are exhorted to feed their fleek : so is every christian and minister to try and examine himselfe whether hee be in the faith , but you will not allow this conclusion . i must examine my self . ergo no man is debarred from the sacrament for his unworthinesse , or to be tried or examined by others , to be observed , admonished , and brought to repentance for notorious sin . no more can it be rightly gathered from the former passages of scripture , that the minister is not upon occasion to performe any ministeriall act to any other people or society , because ordinarily he is to attend his own flock . thirdly , as the ministers have peculiar relation to their particular flocks , so the people unto their particular ministers , unto whom they are ried in speciall manner , as to their overseers , who must give account for theirsculs . and if this peculiar relation betwixt the people & the minister doth not hinder the people from receiving the lords supper at the hands of another minister ; nor the minister from performing the ministeriall act to the members of another congregation . neither doth his peculiar relation to his own flock hinder him , from administring unto others upon just occasion being intreated thereunto . as the combining of the people to their peculiar minister , doth not quite cut off their communion with other ministers : so neither doth the restraining of a minister to a peculiar flock quite cut him off from administring upon occasion : unto another people . paul appointeth the ephesian elders unto the care & charg onely of their own particular flock , but so to attend them ordinarily according to the rules of the scripture ; that as occasion was offered , might performe some ministeriall acts in another congregation . the taking heed unto their flocks which paul requires in this place doth cōprehend under it the administration of the word , prayer , and sacrament , and if it must be restrained to their owne particular churches onely , it is unlawfull for a pastor to preach or call upon the name of god in any publike assembly save his own , upon any occasion , as these be duties prtaining to common confession or profession of faith . ordinary pastors and teachers it is true , are not apostles , who are to go from place to place , from country to country , to plant and erect churches , but they are tied ordinarily to one flock , as the text proveth , and to which purpose it is commonly cited . but that a pastor is so tied to his flock , that he can perform no ministeriall act to any other upon any occasion that it proveth not , nor can we find that it was ever so understood by divines ancient or modern . w. b. telleth us , the learned bring these allegations to this purpose . but the authour in alledging the consent of the learned was very carelesse or much abused , for there is not one that speaketh to the purpose . i. d. disclaimeth that position ; and for the rest it is a matter notorious , they were never thought to be of that opinion ; and wee doubt not if any could be named to free this allegation from suspition of novelty , you would have cited one or more as you have done in that which followeth . feed the flock of god ( saith peter . ) but he speaks of all those dispersed churches to whom he writes , which he calls a chosen generation , a royall priesthood , a peculiar people : and in some respect of reason , under which we may apprehend them , are one flock , but not really as combined under the same pastor , or meeting in one place . and as these dispersed believers , or socieities make one flock : so the ministers attending their flocks or societies , and the ministery exercised by them is , or maketh one . a minister chosen and set over one society , is to looke unto his people committed to his charge , and feed the flock over which the lord hath made him overseer , but he is a minister in the church universall , for as the church is one , so is the ministery one , of which every minister ( sound or orthodox ) doth hold his part , and though he be minister over that flock onely which he is to attend , yet he is a minister in the universal church . the functiō or power of exercising that function in the abstract , must be distinguished from the power of exercising it , concretely , according to the divers circumstances of places . the first belongeth to a minister every where in the church , the latter is proper to the place and people where hedoth minister . the lawfull use of his power is limited to that congregation ordinarily . the power it self is not so limited and bounded . in ordination , presbyters are not restrained to one or other certaine place , as if they were to be deemed ministers there onely , though they be set over a certain people . and as the faithfull in respect of a community betwixt them , must and ought to performe the offices of love one to another , though of different societies , so the ministers in respect of their communion , must and ought upon occasion to performe ministeriall offices towards the faithfull of distinct societies . if this be not so , what shall become of the poore flock when the pastor is driven away by personall persecution , so that he cannot , if others may not afford them helpe and succour : what when the congregation it selfe is dispersed , must no sheepherd receive them into fold , when they are driven from their own , or neglected by him ? if the pastor may be absent from his flock upon necessary , just , and weighty occasion , respecting his own good , the good of that society , or the common good of churches consociate , then may the pastor , the society , the churches procure some man to supply the defect , and doe the office of a pastor , preach the word , pray , and as occasion is offered , administer the sacrament in that congregation unto that assembly untill their sheepheard shall returne . shall the people be left as sheepe without a sheepheard ; because for the good of the churches their owne sheepheard is called from them for a time , that he might returne with greater joy and comfort ? the pastor is appointed to feed his own flock , and yet for the good of the whole church he may be called to leave , if not the care , yet the over-sight of his flock fot a while ; and by the same reason a pastor of another flock or congregation may performe the office , and doe the acts of a minister in his congregation during absence : yea if for the good of the churches he be called away , doe not the churches stand obliged in conscience to provide that the flock sustain no hurt by his absence which possibly yee cannot doe if one minister may not performe a ministeriall act in another congregation . if the prophets of one church may prophesy in another , and apply their doctrines , exhortations and prayers to any of the occasions of the churches where they speake , whereof they are not set members , what hinders why the pastor of one congregation , may not preach and pray , administer the sacraments in another ? the pastor of one congregation is appointed to his peculiar charge but he is a minister in the universall church , as well as the prophets of one church may bee called prophets of the universall church by vertue of that communion which all true churches have one with another . without consent the prophet may not prophesie by exhortation , and with consent the pastor may administer the sacraments . in the primitive churches when elders were ordained in every city , they were not onely to looke to their flock but indeavour the conversion of poore infidels among whom they lived , and the inlargement of christs kingdome , for the worke of the lord must be done in its season , and then was the time of the calling of the gentiles : it was not their office proper and essentiall to travail from countrey to countrey as did the apostles , nor were they pastors of the infidels , but by private instruction and publique teaching ( if any of them would bee penitent ) they were to labour the comming of them to god. and these infidels converted to the saith were to be baptised of the elders ordinarily in those cities , though the number might bee so great as they could not well meete in one congregation , nor be subject to the same pastor ; for either they must bee baptized by the pastors among whom they lived , ( being converted to the faith ) or continue unbaptized untill they were a number convenient to make a distinct society , or grow together into one body , and to elect and choose their own minister by whom they may be baptised : but that either they must stay so long without baptisme , or that a society of unbaptised men had power in those times to elect and choose their minister , by whom they should be baptised is contrary to all presidents in scripture . and so if a pastor may not performe a ministeriall act to any other person or people but his own flock onely , then a company newly converted from infidelity , which cannot joyne themselves as set members to another assembly , must remain unbaptised till they have chosen their minister to doe that office . then must the people thus converted want officers til there be among themselves able men to pray , preach , exhort in the congregation at the ordination of their minister , or ( if that may bee omitted ) till there be fit men among them to examine the fitnesse of him that is chosen . if subtile heretikes arise , and seduce , and draw away many from the faith , and the body of the society be not able to convince them , either they must be let alone or cast out without conviction , for neighbouring ministers stand in peculiar relation to their flocks onely , and must not meddle beyond their calling according to your tenent . there is no precept or example in scripture more to warrant the admitting of a set member of one congregation unto the supper in another , or the baptising of his child , occasionally in another assembly then there is for receiving of knowne and approved christians and their seede that are not set members . the pastor is no more the pastor of the one then of the other , nor the one more of his flock then the other , neither of them set members , and both sorts may be members for the time being , and they most properly who are of longest abode among them . but as we heare it is frequent among you ( as at dorchester , &c. ) to baptise the children of another assembly , and usually you admit to the supper of the lord , members of other churches , and therefore the minister is not so limited to his particular church or flock but he may dispence the seales to others , which in this consideration is denyed . if the want of one officer in a congregation for a time may be supplyed by another , as the want of the doctor , ruling elder , or deacon , by the pastor ; why may not the defects of some congregation or christians be supplyed by pastors or ministers of another congregation , when they are requested and desired ? the minde herein is godly , and the means lawfull , and well pleasing unto god. and if a synod consisting of sundry members of particular churches , met together in the name of christ about the common and publike affaires of the churches shall joyn together in prayer and communion of the supper , wee can see no ground to question it as unlawfull , although that assembly be no particular congregation or church , hath no pastor over them , make not one ecclesiasticall body as a particular congregationall church , unlesse it be for the time onely . the minister therefore may do an act of office to them that be not set members of his flock as he may stand in relation to them for the time . your comparison betwixt an officer of a town corporate , and of a particular congregation is not alike , unlesse you will say that a member of another corporation occasionally comming into the towne , is thereby a member of that society , and subject to the authority of the officer . for so you professe that the members of one society may occasionally communicate with another , and so be subject to the pastor for the time being , which if you grant , it overthrows the whole strength of this consideration . howsoever the comparison it selfe is very perilous if it be pressed . for if the officer of a town corporate , presume to doe an act of power out of his owne corporation , it is a meer nullity , but if a minister of the gospell dispence the sacrament of baptisme , or the lords supper to believers of another society ( though done without consent ) it was never deemed or judged a nullity in the church of god. let the comparison hold good , and most christians have cause to question whether they be truly baptized , or ever lawfully received the sacrament of the lords supper . if it may not be doubted , whether ever the sacraments of the new testament were truly or by authority dispenced , especially if we consider what follows in the other considerations . this argument from comparison is very usuall in the writings of brethren against communion with our churches , but for the most part greatly mistaken , to say no more . answer consideration . circumcision and the passoever were to be administred onely to the members of the church . ergo , baptisme and the lords supper is so to be administred also . the consequence is made good by the parity of these ordinances . for if the argument hold strong for the proofe of paedo-baptisme which is taken from the circumcision of infants , why may we not as well infer a necessity of church membership to baptisme , from the necessity of it to circumcision . and that circumcision was peculiar to the church members of the church , may appeare in that persons circumcised , & onely they , might eat the passeover , and they onely might enter into the temple , which were the priviledges of church members . in our answer to the second objection against the first consideration we have shewed that circumcision was not administred to all that were under the covenant of grace ( which all believers were ) but onely such of them as joyned themselves to the church , at first in abrahams family , whereunto baptisme doth so far answer that the apostle counteth these expresse equivalent to be circumcised in christ with circumcision made without hands , and to be buried with christ in baptisme . indeed , in somethings they differ as onely the males were circumcised , whereas with us females are also baptized . the reason is because god hath limited circumcision to the males , but under the gospel that difference is taken away . againe , circumcision was administred in the private family ; but baptisme , onely in the publick assemblies of the church . the reason of this difference is , because they were bound to circumcise the males on the eighth day , but that could not stand with going to the temple which was too far off , for the purpose , to bring every child thither from all parts of judaea to be circumcised the eighth day . nor had they alway opportunity of a solemne convention in the synagogue on every eighth day ; when some child or other might be to be circumcised . but there is no precise day set downe so baptisme , nor are opportunities of publick assemblies so remote where churches are kept in a congregationall frame , but that every first day of the week baptisme may be administred if it be required . again , for the aforesaid reason , circumcision required not a peculiar minister ( for ought we finde in scripture ) but it is not 〈◊〉 in baptisme , as was shewd in the second consideration . but no good reason can be given , why , in this they should not both agree , viz. that they are both to be dispensed onely to members of the visible church , as it hath been proved in the first consideration . reply . this whole reason as it is propounded makes onely against it selfe ; who eve● thought that the seals of the covenant were not proper to confederates or th● church of god ? but of old all visible believers under the covenant of grace walking in holinesse , were of the visible church , and in church order according to the dispensation of those times , though not joyned in externall society with the family of abraham . and to exclude melchisedeck or iob , because they were n●● members of the visible church , when yet they were visible believers under the covenant of grace , and in church order as those times required , is well-nigh a contradiction , and so it is to debar known and approved christians members of ou● congregation , and their seed from the seals , because they be not of the visible church , for they are members of the church , and so to bee held and esteemed all true churches and members of the church , the true & proper meaning of this consideration , is that as circumcision and the passeover were not to be dispensed to all visible believers under the covenant of grace , but onely to such as were joyned to abrahams family , or to the people of the god of abraham , no more may baptisme and the lords supper be administred to any believers now , unlesse they be joyned to some particular congregation in church membership , or unlesse by solemne covenant , they be set members of some particular assemblies . the strength of this consideration stands in the parity which is betwixt the sacraments of the old and new testament , circumcision and baptisme , for parum par est ratio , but this parity is not found in every thing ( as is manifest by the particulars alleadged in the consideration it self . ) and wee must justly require some reason to prove them like in that particular , but to unfold it more fully , we will consider three things . first , how far an argument may be drawn soundly from one sacrament to another , or wherein the sacraments agree , and wherein they differ . secondly , what wee are to think of the proposition it self . thirdly , whether the reason of circumcision and baptisme be one in that particular . first the sacraments of the old testament and the new agree in their common ●uthor , nature and end , and therfore what is spoken of one in respect of the common author , nature and end that doth hold true of everie one . if circumcision be of divine institution a seale of the righteousnesse of faith , and of the covenant of grace , a sacrament in generall is an ordinance divine , a seale of the covenant pro●er and peculiar to them that bee confederates . but what is peculiar to one sacrament that agreeth not to another . what is proper to the sacraments of the old te●●ament , in respect of the manner of dispensation that agreeth not to the new , as if ●he sacraments of the old testament be with bloud , obscure in signification , painfull ●or use , peculiar to one nation , and to bee abolished , the sacraments of the new testament must be without bloud , cleere for signification , easie for use , universall ●o all nations , and perpetuall to continue in the church for ever . circumcision and baptisme are both sacraments of divine institution , and so they ●gree in the substance of the things signified , the persons to whom they are to bee ●dministred , and the order of administration , if the right proportion bee observed . ●s circumcision sealed the entrance into the covenant the righteousnesse of faith , and ●ircumcision of the heart : so doth baptisme much more clearly : as abraham and ●is houshold , and the infants of beleiving iews were to be circumcised , so the faithful , ●heir families , and their seed are to bee baptized . none must eate the passeover who was not circumcised , women excepted , who were circumcised in the males . nor may a man unbaptized be admitted to the lords supper . circumcision was but once applied by gods appointment and the same holds in baptisme according to ●he will and good pleasure of god : but circumcision and baptisme agree not in ●heir speciall forme , and manner of dispensation appointed of god. and in these ●hings a reason cannot be drawn from the one to the other affirmatively . the males onely were to be circumcised as only capable of that signe : but males and females both ought to be baptized . the infants males were to be circumcised the eighth day because seaven dayes they were legally uncleane . but the seed of the faithfull are not to bee reputed uncleane . ergo , no set tyme is appointed for baptisme . circumcision as other ceremonies did distinguish the iewes from the gentiles ; but christ now of two hath made one . circumcision signified christ to come , baptisme is the seale of ●he new covenant made in christ already come . and so in the degree of grace given , some difference may be put : the other differences alleadged in the considerations with the reasons thereof are not so cleere and undoubted : for baptisme is not tyed to the first day of the weeke : and the jewes might gather an assembly on ●he eighth day as occasion required , and it might be appropriated to the priests and levites though done in private : but in whatsoever they agree or differ we must ●ooke to the institution and neither stretch it wider , nor draw it narrower then the lord hath made it . for hee is the institutor of the sacraments according to his owne good pleasure . and it is our part to learne of him , both to whom , how , and for what end the sacraments are to be administred , how they agree , and wherein they differ . in all which we must affirme nothing but what god hath taught us , and as he hath taught us . secondly , as for the proposition it selfe ; certaine it is , circumcision and the passeover were to be administred onely to the visible members of the church , i e. to men in covenant , professing the true faith ; but that in abrahams time none were visible members of the church , which joyned not themselves in church orders to the family of abraham , wee have not learned . in the first institution of circumcision , we find that god gave it to abraham , as the seale of the covenant formerly made with him : but of any church covenant or order whereunto abrahams family should enter before circumcision we read not . melchizedeck , lot , iob , &c. were not onely visible beleevers under the covenant of grace , but visible members of the church , according to the order and dispensation of those times . wee read not ( you say ) that melchizedeck , lot or iob were circumcised , but that is no good reason to inferre negatively that they were not circumcised . we read not that iohn the baptist , or the apostles , or the . brethren were baptized , wee must not forthwith conclude , that they were not initiated by that seale . moreover , if they were not circumcised , it may bee the institution of that sacrament was not knowne unto them , or the authour of circumcision ( upon whose will and pleasure they must depend ) did not command it unto them , or require that they should joyne themselves in covenant with abrahams family : and in that case if they had circumcised themselves they had transgressed . but then the reason why they were not circumcised was not this , that they were not ( as you speake ) in church order : but because circumcision was appropriated to abrahams family by divine institution in some speciall and peculiar respects belonging to the manner of administration . after the church of the jewes was constituted ( when wee can no more imagine that there was a church among the gentiles , then that there are christians among the barbarians at this day ) we finde none must be admitted to the passeover that was not first circumcised , but nothing was required of a stranger to circumcision , but that he professe the true faith , and a vouch the god of abraham to be his god , which of necessitie must be done before he could be reputed a visible beleever , or under the covenant of promise . thus a learned and reverend divine , circumcision was a seale of the covenant , that god made with abraham concerning christ that should come as concerning the flesh of isaac and so of iacob of whom were the tribes who were the israelites , &c. rom. . . . so that as in abrahams time none were bound to be circumcised but those that were of his family as being borne there or bought , and so brought thither which were not of his seed : so afterwards none were bound to be circumcised which were not borne in the family of jacob and patriarchs , or joyned to them . and after their comming out of egypt none were bound to be circumcised but the children of the iewes ( then the only church of god , ) and those that desired to joyne unto them . the summe is thus much , god gave circumcision to abraham as a seale of the covenant but whether it was given to other beleevers in his time it is ( at least ) a thing uncertaine . and if they were not circumcised it was by reason of the speciall institution of god , and peculiar manner of administration of the covenant of promise which in some respect was proper , to the family of abraham , and not common to all the visible members of the church at that time in church fellowship and order . afterwards when there were none in covenant but the seed of iacob or strangers professing the faith of abraham , circumcision was not to be administred to any man who was not in covenant nor any man to bee admitted to the passeover who was not circumcised . this is the most that can be said with any probability : but hence it will not follow by iust analogie or proportion , that the seed of the faithfull must not bee admitted to baptisme , or visible beleivers be received to the lords supper unlesse they bee set members of some particular congregation united in church order . thirdly , presupposing therefore that melchizedeck , lot and iob , were not circumcised , we say there is not the like reason of circumcision and baptisme in this particular . for , first if circumcision was ever appropriated to the family of abraham , and might be communicated to other visible beleevers , it was in the first institution and administration ; but in the first institution and administration of baptisme , it was not observed that beleevers should be first gathered into a politicall body or christian church membership , and then baptized . iohn the baptist baptized such as came to him confessing their sins . the apostles baptized disciples , such as gladly received their doctrine , beleeved in jesus christ , and received the gifts of the holy ghost , before they were gathered into christian church order , or made fit members of a christian congregationall assembly . if circumcision was by speciall institution given as a priviledge to the males of abrahams familie , melchizedecke , iob , lot , and other visible beleevers were not bound to joyne themselves as members to abrahams familie , or desire and seek to be circumcised : but they that have received the doctrine of salvation , beleeve christ , and professe the faith , are bound to seek , and desire the priviledge of the seals in an holy manner . . melchizedech , job , and lot were not onely visible beleevers , but visible members of the church , according to the manner of dispensing in those times : but the seals ( as you confesse ) belong to all beleevers knit together in church-covenant . . if circumcision be appropriated to the family of abraham , it is because the covenant sealed by circumcision is peculiar to abrahams posteritie , ( sc . ) that christ should come as concerning the flesh , of isaac . but baptisme is the seal of the covenant of grace without any peculiar or speciall tye or respect . . you contend , that baptisme did belong to such beleevers as were members of the then jewish church , which cannot stand , if abrahams familie did answer to a christian societie or congregationall assembly ; just reason therefore may be given why circumcision was dispensed onely to the males of abrahams familie , when baptisme is not to be limited onely to the set members of a particular societie ; and if this consideration be applied to the purpose , instead of saying , circumcision and the passeover were to be administred onely to the members of the church , you must say circumcision was to be desired of or administred unto all the true approved visible members of the church . and if there be the same reason of both , then all visible approved members of the church must not desire nor be admitted to the seals , but this conclusion you will not acknowledge . answ . . consideration . they that are not capable of the church censures , are not capable of the church priviledges . but they that are not within church-covenant are not capable of church censures . ergo. the proposition is evident , the assumption may be proved , corinth . . . what have i to do to judge them that are without . now to be without is not onely the case of heathens and excommunicates , but of some beleevers also , who though by externall union with christ they are within the covenant of grace , yet being not joyned externally to the visible bodie of christ ( a particular church ) are in regard of visible church communion said to be without . to this purpose is this text alledged by other divines also , as dr. ames cas . of consci . l. . c. . q. . resp . . reply . first , men are capable of church censures in two respects , either in having the power of the keyes , and authoritie to dispense them according to god , or as subject to the censures of the church . in the first sense , many are capable of church priviledges that are not capable of church censures , as the seed of christian parents , children and women . you say you admit to the seales the knowne and approved , and orderly recommended members of any true church : but to fellowship in the censures , admittance of members , and choice of officers onely , the members of that particular church whereof they and we ( any of us ) stand members . in the second sense also many are capable of church priviledges who are not subject to church censures : as the children of christian parents are capable of baptisme , the known and approved members of any true church are capable of the seales in other congregations among you who are not subject to the censures of that other society . spirituall communion in publick prayer is a church priviledge , which is not denied to visible beleevers and godly persons , though not in church order , and so not in subjection in your sense to church censures . secondly , a person baptised is not baptised in that particular congregation onely , but into all churches , and every particular church where he cometh he hath all the priviledges of a baptised person in respect of his baptisme , and is so to be esteemed by them . now the priviledge of a baptised person who is able to examine himself , and walketh in the truth , is to be admitted to the lords supper . all circumcised persons had right thereby to eat the passeover in any societie , in the place which god should chuse to put his name there . exod. . . . deut. . , . so all baptised persons have true and intire right to the lords supper in everie true church where god hath set his name . thirdly , there is not the same reason of every church priviledge , for one may have right to some , who is not to meddle with others . the members of one society may hear the word , joyne in prayer , and receive the sacraments in another , when they are not to meddle in the election and ordination of their teachers . the ministers of the gospel may preach the word , and administer the sacraments in another congregation , and hereto he needs no other calling but that god offers an opportunitie ; there is much need of his help , and he is intreated , or hath leave from them in place or office ; but he is not to admit members into the societie , or cast them out that be admitted . and if the pastor of one church shall preach or administer the sacraments in another , contrary to the liking and approbation of the society and governours , though the act be irregular , it was never esteemed a nullitie ; but if he shall presume to excommunicate the members of another societie , without the consent o● the church , and approbation of pastors and teachers , under whose charge and jurisdiction they live , it hath been judged a meer nullity . therefore the proposition is not so evident as to be taken without proofe , that they have no power to admit a beleever into communion in any church priviledge who have no power to excommunicate . fourthly , that visible beleevers baptised into a true church professing the true faith , and walking in holy obedience , and godly conversation , that they and their seed should be judged such as are without in the apostles sense , because they be not externally joyned as set members to some particular congregation in church-covenant is affirmed , not proved . . it hath , and may fall out many times through the ignorance , rashnesse , or pride of a prevailing faction in the church , that the true members of the catholique church , and the best members of the orthodox visible flock , or congregation of christ may be no members of any distinct visible societie . and shall their posteritie be esteemed aliens and strangers from the covenant , and debarred from the sacraments , because their parents are unjustly seperated from the inheritance of the lord ? surely as parents unjustly excommunicated do continue still not onely true members of the invisible body ; but visible members of the flock of christ : so the right of baptisme doth belong to the infants of such parents , though not actuall and constant members of this or that present assembly in church order . . if they be without , because no members of a politike bodie or spirituall fellowship : then all members which are of one societie are without to another : for they that be not of the bodie are not capable of church censures , or subject to the authoritie one of another . and so not being under the judgement of that particular church to it they are without ; whereas in ancient and moderne times distinct societies did communicate together , admit and receive each other as brethren , to testifie their fellowship in the faith . if the reason whereupon the apostle saith the church of corinth was not to judge them that were without , was because they were not within the church of corinth , and so not under their censure or judgement : this holds true of them that be of another society admitted to the sacrament , as well as of such as be no set members desiring to be received to the lords supper . . ( the fornicators of this world ) do they not explaine whom the apostle pointeth unto by the title of being without , ver . . . such as had not received the covenant of grace . . church order is necessarie we denie not ; but this order that a man should be a constant and set member of a particular societie by covenant , to make him a true member of the visible church , or to give him title or interest to the publick order , this is not taught of god. . paul divides all men into two ranks , the first and greater without ; the last and lesser within : but that beleevers who have received the holy ghost , and have been baptised into jesus christ , that they and their children should be reckoned among them that are without , that we read not in this nor any other scripture , but in phrase of scripture hereticks themselves are within the church . . the beleevers not yet gathered ( as the godly learned think ) into a certain distinct body are called beleevers , brethren , disciples ; but that they should be comprehended under them that are without , it hath not been beleeved in the church . . without ( saith the apostle whether alluding to this place or not , let others judge ) are dogs , inchanters , whoremongers , not such as are called faithfull and holy , walking in integritie , beleeving in and professing jesus christ to be their saviour . . they that are without in the apostes sense are aliens from the common-wealth of israel , strangers from the covenant of promise , having no hope , and without god in the world : but we hope you will not passe such rash and unadvised censure upon your brethren , who be not gathered into your societie as set members . . let the interpretation stand , and he is without , not onely who is no set member of some congregationall assembly , but he that is not subject to the censure of the community of that particular combination few or many , with , or without officers . and so all the reformed churches in the world who ascribe the power of the keyes to the presbitry or classes , and not to the community , and some amongst your selves ( if not the most ) shall be without also . and therefore we cannot think approved christians desiring to be received unto the sacrament , either to be without , or uncapable of church censures for the time being if they should offend , though not set members of any particular congregation : for desiring baptisme for their children or themselves to be admitted to the lords supper for the time they put themselves under the ordinance of jesus christ there . and as they are members for the time , so they might be proceeded against according to the rule prescribed by our saviour , as they would proceed with an offending member . . if upon just and good reason a passage of scripture can be cleared to prove that for which it was never alledged by any writer , we are not to except against any truth of god , because it wanteth mans testimonie . onely if we desire credit in such cases , our reasons must be weightie and convincing . but for your exposition of this text of scripture , as yet we have not observed one substantiall ground , or approved author to be alledged . doctor ames shewing the necessitie of christians ioyning themselves to some particular church , giveth this reason , quoniam alias fieri non potest qu●● conturbentur signa illa quibus fideles ab infidelibus discerni possunt . . cor. . . but herein dr. ames manifestly sheweth that by them that are [ without ] heathens , and unbeleevers must be understood , and not beleevers and godly men though of no particular setled societie for the time , for thus we conceive he argueth . the signes and evidences whereby the faithfull are to be discerned from unbeleevers , must not be confounded : but unlesse christians make themselves actuall members of a societie or church , the signes whereby the faithfull are discerned from unbeleevers , will be obscured and darkned . and if this be his reason how can that text of scripture be alledged for confirmation , unlesse by [ men without ] infidels be understood . again doctor ames in the same book , lib. . ca. . speaking of infants to be received , it is required ( he saith ) that they be in the covenant of grace in respect of outward profession , and estimation in respect of their parents , and that there is hope they shall be instructed and brought up in the same covenant . . that baptisme doth most properly belong to those infants whose parents , at least one of them is in the church , and not without , because baptisme is a signe and seale of the covenant of grace . . that children that are cast forth are in charitie to be esteemed the children of christian parents , when there is no just cause of presuming the contrary , that in admitting unto baptisme a difference must be put betweene the infants of those who in some sort belong to the church , but openly break the covenant of god , and the children of others . . because a distinction must be observed in holy things betweene the cleane and uncleane ; seeing else the ordinance of god cannot be preserved from all pollution . to say nothing of that which he addeth touching the baptisme of infants borne in fornication , excommunication , and papists , which is more then sufficient to cleare his meaning in the former passage . to this may be added that he holdeth it not necessarie that christians should gather themselves into a particular society , but as opportunitie and occasion should offer it self . so that it was never his mind to censure them who be not gathered into church-covenant , because they want means or opportunitie as men without in the apostles sense . his judgement is further manifested in his second manuduction , pa. . so many parish assemblies of england ( saith he ) as have any competent number of good christians in them , united to worship god ordinarily in one societie , so many have the essence and integrall forme of a visible church , and all they have intire right to christ , and to all the meanes of injoying him , how ever they are defective in the puritie of their combination , and in the compleat free exercising of their power , whereupon a reverend * elder now among you draws this conclusion , ergo to dischurch them wholly , and to separate from them as no churches of christ , or to denie baptisme to the infants of their known members is not warrantable by any rule of scripture that i know , nor justified by any assertion or practise . answ . . consideration . vve may adde hereunto for a fifth consideration , the evill and pernicious consequences of extending communion in church priviledges beyond the bounds of church fellowship : for thus , . the extraordinarie office of the apostles , and the ordinarie office of pastors and teachers will be much confounded , if the latter be as illimited as the former in the execution of their office beyond the bounds of their own particular churches . . the distinction of church assemblies from the confused multitude is abrogated , if without membership in a particular church the parents may communicate with the churches in the lords supper , and their seed in baptisme . . the church shall indanger the profaning of the seals , and want one speciall meanes whereby the grace and pietie of men may be discerned and made known ; for if without respect to their church estate men of approved pietie ( as you say ) are to be admitted to fellowship in the seales , how shall their pietie be approved to the church not by their own report of themselves alone without attestation of such as are approved by the church ; and how can such beare witnesse to their approved pietie , who against light refuse to professe subjection to the gospel of christ by orderly joyning themselves in fellowship with some approved church of christ as members thereof when they have opportunitie thereunto , seeing such fellow-ship is an action of pietie required of all beleevers in the second commandment ; and true pietie frameth mens spirits to have respect to all gods commandments . and we have had much experience of it , that men of approved pietie in the judgement of some have been found too light , not onely in the judgement of others , but even of their own consciences , when they have come to triall in offering themselves to be members of churches , with such a blessing hath god followed this order of taking hold of church-covenant by publick profession of faith and repentance before men be admitted to the seales ; but this meanes of discoverie of mens pietie and sinceritie would be utterly lost , if men should be admitted unto the lords table without entring in church-fellowship . reply . if it be repugnant to divine institution to admit of approved christians lawfully baptized , walking in the faith , members of the visible churches , and partakers of church priviledges among us to the lords supper , or their children to baptisme , because they be not entred into church fellowship according to your order , then it is unlawfull though no such evill consequences are to be feared . but if by accident some abuse should fall out , the evill is to be prevented by all lawfull meanes : but the faithfull are not utterly to be debarred of the order of god , whereto they have right and title by his free grant and gracious invitation . and no question but the seales of the covenant may be profaned many times when it is not in the power of the dispensers to put back or expell such as profane them . if the congregation shall admit of , or tolerate an unworthy member , the churches priviledges are profaned ; and yet we conceive you will say the pastor is not faulty in receiving him , when the church doth tolerate unworthily , if he do what pertaineth to his office to keep the holy things of god from contempt . but in the case propounded there is no feare or danger of such consequences necessarie to follow : for the question is not of all sorts at randame , but of christians professing the faith intirely , lawfully baptised , known , and approved to the consciences of the wise and judicious visible members of the churches of christ among us often admitted to the lords table , whether these either sufficiently knowne unto you , or orderly recommended may upon desire and suite themselves be admitted to communicate in the lords supper , and their children to be baptized , what feare is there now that the extraordinarie office of the apostles , and the ordinarie office of pastors and teachers shall be much or little confounded ? is this to take as illimited power as the apostles did in the execution of their office ? how shal this tend to abrogate the distinction of church assemblies from the confused multitude ? or how is the profanation of the seals thereby indangered ? you aske if without respect to their church estate men of approved pietie ( as we say ) are to be admitted into fellowship in the seals , how shall their pietie be approved to the church , not by their own report of themselves alone , &c. do not you say the same , that there be many godly persons , and of approved pietie among us , who are not approved by their own report of themselves ( unlesse ye will take their wisedome , faith , patience , courage , constancie , and holinesse of life for their report ) approved , we say by as ample and sufficient testimonie as the apostles exacted of them whom they received into church fellowship , or can be required of members admitted unto the priviledges of the church , if men will follow the lords direction , or as you can give to ordinances members of your societies . you professe high respect of your brethren in old england , but it seemes you judge them insufficient to give orderly testimonie of the sinceritie and uprightnesse of approved christians , well known unto them , and living among them , which two cannot well agree . we speake not of such who against light refuse to professe subjection to the gospel of christ to joyne themselves orderly in fellowship with some approved church : but of such as do with all readinesse professe subjection , and walk accordingly , and heartily desire to joyn themselves to the most pure and compleat churches so farre as they are taught of god , or have opportunitie thereunto . and if exception be taken against them onely , who refuse against light to submit themselves to the gospel ; by what rule do you proceed when you judge men to refuse against light , or debarre them who do not refuse against conscience , but for lacke of opportunitie . no doubt ( as you say ) but now and then a man of approved pietie in the judgement of some may be found too light , yea and in the judgement of his owne conscience when he hath come to triall . and no question but many have been admitted by the church , who indeed and truth are much too light ; and some refused who deserved better then they that cast them off , we will not dispute what errours have been committed , nor what blessing ye have found upon your proceedings ; we heartily beseech the lord to keep your congregation pure , make his ordinances more and more effectuall , go before you in the way wherein you should walk , and multiply his mercies upon you in the same . but this we are perswaded , and therefore we speak , that in debarring godly christians from the lords supper , and much more the children of those parents who are in covenant with god , from holy baptisme you exceed your commission you have received from god , and go beyond your due bounds . and notwithstanding your circumspection more worthy and faithfull christians have been denied when of lesse worth , and meaner sufficiencies have passed , and been by you received . answ . . consid . none have power to dispence the seales but they that are called to the office of ministery ; and no man can be so called till first there be a church to call him , seeing the power of calling ministers is given by christ unto the church ; and thence it follows , that all those that desire to partake of the seales , are bound to joyne themselves in church state , that so they may call a minister to dispense the seales unto them . and this dutie by the appointment of god lieth not onely upon some christians , but equally upon all : ergo no christian can expect by the appointment of god to partake in the seals till he have joyned himselfe in church fellowship , and in the call of the minister . and indeed seeing a church , and a minister called by the church , is of such necessitie for the dispensing of the seales , it may seeme unreasonable that some christians should be bound to become a church , and to call a minister that so the seales may be dispensed , and other men ( when this is done ) have equall libertie to the seals who refuse to joyne unto the church . reply . this conclusion is not to the question propounded , for we speake of such as cannot , not of such as refuse to joyne themselves unto the church ; or if they do not joyne , it is not out of contempt or wilfull neglect of gods ordinance , or desire of carnall libertie , and not to be in subjection to christ , but for lacke of opportunitie , or through their fault that should admit them but do not . for if in any of your churches you shall require more of members to be admitted then christ the chiefe shepherd of the flock doth , or presse that upon their consciences which they cannot consent unto , if they shall sit downe quietly for the time and serve god in private , when they cannot injoy church priviledges , it is your fault and not theirs . and they may more justly challenge the assemblie as injurious and tyrannicall , then you them as wilfull despisers of gods ordinance . we accuse not the wisedome and discretion of your chuches , but we know the zealous multitude may sometimes be rash ; and when a reason is craved of your judgement , why you do debarre the most knowne and approved christians which come over , and their children from the seals of the covenant , we dislike you should put this note upon them , as if against light they refused orderly to subject themselves to the gospel of jesus christ : what warrant you have thus to censure , what use of this manner of dispute we leave it to your godly wisedome to judge . in the consideration it self there are many propositions couched together , which we must examine severally as they have reference to the conclusion intended , and then try whether it can be raised from them . the first proposition , that none have power to dispence the seales , but they that are called to the office of ministery , is freely granted . the second , that no man can be so called till first there be a church to call him , needeth explication . for by the church you must understand the community of the faithfull , as they are one bodie , without officers or guides . and such a church there cannot be without a ministery to call and admit them into church-fellowship . the apostles baptised not themselves , but by the help of others , & those not called of the people to be baptised , cor. . . the apostles appointed by electiō , elders in every city or church . and so there was a church before elders were set over it , but this church was a societie of beleevers by baptisme admitted into church-fellowship . there can be no church to call a minister to feed the flock , and dispence the seals , till they have received the doctrine of salvation intirely , and by the seale of initiation be solemnly received into the societie of men professing christ . a company of men converted to the faith being unbaptized , may and ought to desire baptisme , but they have not power to elect and chuse one among themselves to dispence the seales unto the rest for ought is to be found in scripture : the churches constitution into which christians are to gather themselves must be apostolicall , and not one day or houre younger in nature and forme of it , thus the first church of the new testament . but it can never be shewed in scripture that any societie of unbaptised persons did first chuse from among them a pastor or teacher by whom they might be baptised : you cannot produce one example or other proofe in the scripture , of one man teaching the gospel ministerially but he was baptised , and a member of a true church , or of a societie who made choice of a pastor and teacher , but they were baptised persons . the third proposition , that the power of calling ministers is given by christ unto the church , must also be rightly understood : for by the church must be meant the societie of the faithfull , not onely ingrafted into christ , set into the state of salvation , and made heires apparent of everlasting blessednesse , but solemnly entred and inrolled into the societie of christs flock , and acknowledged members by free admission into the seales of the covenant . againe , by the church if we speake of ordinary calling , must not be understood of the faithfull alone , but their guides and officers together with them , who are to goe before the rest , and to direct and governe them in their choice . neither can we say , that any two or three beleevers linked together in societie doe make such a church , as to whom the calling of the minister doth belong : but that right was given by christ to such churches as were gathered and established by the apostles . the church hath a ministery of calling one whom christ hath described , that from christ he may have power of office given him in the vacant place . but the office , gift , and power of the ministery , is immediately from christ and not from the church . the church doth neither virtually nor formally give power to her officers but ministerially onely , as ministring to him who hath power and vertue to conferre it . and this right of election is so given to the communitie and body of the people , that if they have consented to give away their right , or if it be taken injuriously from them , the calling of the minister notwithstanding may be true , and ministeriall acts done by him that is thrust upon the people without their consent may be effectuall to their salvation . a wrong it is altogether to debarre the godly of their consent in the calling of such as must watch for their soules ; but it makes not the calling it selfe a meere nullitie ; for then many churches in the world within a few hundred yeares after christ should have wanted both ministery and sacraments , and they would have been altogether destitute of both ministery and sacraments for many hundred yeares . the fourth , that all those who desire to partake in the seales , are bound to joyne themselves together in church-state , that so they may call a minister to dispence the seales unto them , will not follow from the former rightly understood . we deny not but christians are bound to joyne themselves together in holy fellowship , if god give them opportunitie : but they must partake in the seales before they can joyne themselves together in church-state . and such as for lack of meanes and opportunitie cannot joyne themselves into such an estate , or be dispersed by persecution , or be destitute of pastors and teachers , may for a time desire and seek to have the seales dispenced unto them by the pastors and teachers of other societies , with whom they hold communion in the faith . the people also who are deprived of right and libertie to choose their pastor , may desire and seek to have the seales dispenced unto them by him who is set over them . if a company of infidells should be converted to the faith , they must desire to partake in the ordinances of grace before they could joyne together in a church-way to call a minister of their own , who might administer the sacraments unto them . to make disciples and baptize are joyned together . and if these propositions be allowed for current , a nation or people plunged into idolatry or infidelitie , or otherwise dischurched , cannot by ordinary meanes recover into a church-estate , wherein they may lawfully and according to gods appointment desire or expect that the seales of the covenant should be dispenced to them . the fifth proposition riseth beyond measure , that no christian can expect by the appointment of god to partake in the seales till he have joyned himselfe in church-fellowship and the calling of the minister . wee conceive you will not say that children and women have to doe in the call of the minister ( for women they are debarred by their sex as from ordinary prophesying , so from any other dealing wherein they take authority over the man ) if some part of the congregation doe not consent in the election of pastors or teachers , have they not right to expect to have the seales of the covenant dispenced to themselves or their seede ? if the people be deprived of that libertie to choose or call their minister , must they seperate from the ordinances of worship there dispenced , and from the congregations as no true churches ? if some persons by the providence of god live in such places where they cannot joyne in church-fellowship and call of the minister ( as suppose the christian wife , childe , or servant ) nor lawfully remove to any such societie must they and their children live as strangers and aliens from the covenant of grace , wherein they may not expect to partake of the seales ▪ if infidels be converted to the faith , must they not partake in the seales , because they cannot joyne in church-fellowship and call of the minister , before they be admitted to baptisme ? here you say the people must joyne together in the call of the minister , before they can lawfully desire to be admitted to the seales . and another hath zealously affirmed ( it is a presumptuous sin in any to choose an officer not trained up and tryed ( scil . ) in the debating , discussing , carrying , and contriving of church-affaires , as also in admonition , exhortation , and comfort , publickly occasioned and so manifested ) lay these two together , and let it be considered how long many a poore soule converted to the faith must be compelled to want the comfort of gods ordinances . besides , if a people be joyned together in church-fellowship , and have called a pastor to feed and watch over them , wee desire ( not words but ) proofe why the poore dispersed christians wanting means or opportunitie to joyn themselves together into societie , ought not to desire , and that others be not bound in conscience to afford them the comfort of gods ordinances . if the propositions may stand for good , i feare we shall scarce finde that ever in ordinary way , the sacraments were lawfully dispenced or received in the christian churches of god since the first foundation of them . now the premises being liable to so many exceptions , the conclusion to be laid upon them , will fall of it selfe . and thereunto wee oppose the direct contrary . that infidels converted to the faith , or godly christians , formerly visible beleevers , knowne and approved members of congregations professing the intire faith , and joyning together in the lawfull use of the sacraments for substance according to the institution , may and ought to desire and expect the seales of the covenant to be dispenced to them , and to their seede , though for the present they be not joyned into such church-state and call of ministers as you require . answer . consideration . that our practise may not be censured as novell and singular , give us leave to produce a president of the like care observed and approved by publick countenance of state in the dayes of edward . of blessed and famous memory , who in the yeare . granted johannes alasco a learned noble man of poland under the great seale of england , libertie to gather a church of strangers in london , and to order themselves according as they should finde to be most agreeable to the scriptures . among other godly orders established in that church , that which concerned the administration of baptisme to prevent the prophanation of it we will repeate in alascoes owne words . baptisme in our church ( saith he ) is administred in the publique assembly of the church after the publique sermon : for seeing baptisme doth so belong to the whole church that none ought to be driven thence , which is a member of the church , nor to be admitted to it who is not a member of it , truely it is equall that that should be performed publiquely in the assembly of the whole church , which belongs to the whole church in common . againe , he addeth ; now seeing our churches are by gods blessing so established by the kings majestie , that they may be as it were one parish of strangers dispersed throughout the whole citie , or one body corporate ( as it is called in the kings grant ) and yet all strangers doe not joyne themselves to our church , yea there are those who while they avoyde all churches , will pretend to the english churches that they are joyned with us , and to us that they are joyned to the english churches , and so doe abuse both them and us , lest the english churches and the ministers thereof should be deceived by the impostures of such men ( and that under colour of our churches ) wee doe baptize their infants alone who have adjoyned themselves to our churches by publique confession of their faith , and observation of ecclesiasticall discipline . and that our churches may be certaine that the infants that are to be baptized are their seede , who have joyned themselves thereto in manner aforesaid , the father of the infant to be baptized ( it possible he can ) or other men and women of notable credit in the church , doe offer the infant to baptisme , and doe publickly professe that it is the seede of the church , yet wee suffer no stranger to offer infants to baptisme in our churches , who hath not made publique profession of his faith , and willingly submitted himselfe to the discipline of the church , lest otherwise they who present their children to baptisme , might in time plead that they belong to our churches , and so should deceive the english churches and their ministers . to those which presented infants to baptisme , they propounded three questions , the first was ; are these infants which yee offer the seed of this church , that they may lawfully be here baptized by our ministery ? &c. answer , yea. this instance is the more to be regarded , because alasco affirmeth in the preface of that book , that this libertie was by the king granted to them out of his desire to settle alike reformation in the english churches , which in effect you see the same with our practise in this particular . reply . the practise of the church of strangers in london , recorded by john alasco , is farre different from your judgement and practise , not in some by-circumstances , but in the maine point in question ; for your judgement is that true visible beleevers , baptized and partakers of the lords supper in other churches not yet gathered into church-estate or fellowship , have no right or interest in the seales , ( they nor their seede ) but this church of strangers held no such opinion as their own words ( which you have omitted ) doe plainly speake . and paul testifyeth ( say they ) that by christs ordinance the church it selfe without exception of any member of it , is to be accounted cleane or holy by the ministery of baptisme . whence we may easily see , that baptisme doth neither belong to those who are altogether without the church , nor to be denyed to any member of the church . secondly , they held communion with the church of england as one and the same with theirs . for so they professe : yet neverthelesse , that we may openly shew that the english churches and ours are one and the same church ( though we differ somewhat from them both in language and ceremonies ) we doe not refuse that the english may as publick witnesses of the church offer the infants of our members to baptisme in our churches , if they have both the use of our language and a certain testimony of their piety . as in like manner our members are accustomed to offer the infants of the english to baptisme in the english churches . if your judgement be this of the english churches , your judgement in acknowledging us members of true churches , and practise in debarring visible beleevers and their seede from the seales , are opposite the one to the other . thirdly , this order was observed by them to prevent the impostures of some , who whilst they avoyded all churches , pretended to the english , that they were joyned to the strangers , and to the strangers that they were joyned to the english . but you debarre knowne christians who desire to joyne themselves with you , not to prevent impostures of them who avoyde all churches : yea , you debarre them as men having no right to the sacraments , because they be not in church-fellowship : and herein you can shew no president ancient or moderne , either from scripture or monuments of the church : and as your practise is without example , so without warrant from the word of god. and this is the maine reason why we cannot consent unto you in this particular which we thus propound . reason . that sacred order which god hath set in his visible church for all his saints to keep and walk by , that is religiously to be observed . but for men to set up that as a necessarie order which god never allowed , approved , or commanded , is great presumption . now the lord hath not ordained that a man should be a set member of a particular societie , or body politique of faithfull people joyned together in spirituall church-fellowship by covenant , before he be admitted unto the lords supper , or that the parents should be actuall visible set members of some particular distinct body before their children be baptised . they that beleeve in jesus christ have received the word of promise and walk therein , they and their children are within the covenant , and have right and title to the seales of the covenant , but in their order , the infants to baptisme , parents baptised , to the lords supper . and if in that state by divine grant they have interest to the sacraments , the church in debarring them because they be not yet grown into one distinct separate societie of mutuall covenant , doth exceed the bounds of her commission . for a ministeriall power onely is committed to the church to admit or refuse them who are to be admitted or refused by authoritie from god : but the church if she thrust beleeving parents from the supper of the lord , and their seed from baptisme ; she denieth these benefits to them who by the grace and gift of god have lawfull right and title thereto . . for first , the baptisme of john was true baptisme , and truly administred by him : and they that were baptized by him received the seales of the covenant , and were esteemed members of the visible church : but john never demanded of them who came to his baptisme whether they were entred into spirituall fellowship by mutuall covenant one with another . this was not then knowne to be a necessarie and essentiall point in the lawfull , due , and orderly administration of the sacrament . the disciples of our saviour made and baptised disciples professing the faith , but not combined into church-state or fellowship . the apostles commission was first to teach the gentiles , and then to baptise them having received their doctrine . and this they carefully observed in the execution of their ministery upon grounds and reasons common to them and us : for as soone as any man or number of men gladly received the doctrine of salvation , and gave their names to jesus christ , if they desired to be baptised forthwith they accepted them , never excepting , that they were no set members of a distinct visible congregation . when the first . converts , being pricked in their consciences , came to peter , and the rest of the apostles , saying . men and brethren , what shall we do ? peter returns this answer , repent and be baptised every one of you in the name of jesus , &c. for to you is the promise made , and to your children , and to all that are afar off , &c. as soon as the samaritanes beleeved , philip who preached the things that concerned the kingdom of god , they were baptised both men and women . when the eunuch asked of philip , see here is water , what doth let me to be baptised ? he answereth not if thou beest first received as a set member into a visible congregation thou mayest : but if thou beleevest with all thy heart , thou mayest . can any man forbid water ( saith peter , speaking of the gentiles upon whom was powred the gift of the holy ghost ) that these should not be baptised who have received the gift of the holy ghost as well as we ? at that time it was not held a bar sufficient to keep them from the sacrament of baptisme , because they were not set members of a distinct societie , which had it been essentiall to the lawfull and orderly administration of the sacraments , questionlesse it had been observed in the first institution and administration of them . annanias baptised paul before he was any set member of a congregationall assembly . lydia and her houshold , the jaylor and his house were baptised without regard to their church-estate . for in the same night which he was converted , he was baptized with all his houshold . and this was done not by the apostles onely upon speciall dispensation , but by others upon grounds and reasons common to them , and all ages , viz. because they were disciples , beleeved , gladly received the word , had received the holy ghost , were called , and the promise was made to them , and to their seed , even to all them that were afarre off . now if the apostles dispensed the seales to them that were not in church-fellowship upon common grounds , it is not essentiall to the lawfull dispensation of the seales , that all partakers should be under such a covenant . if the baptised disciples , beleevers , such as gladly received the word , and had received the gift of the holy ghost , then the seals of the covenant belong unto such , and by the grace of god they have right and title unto those priviledges . . as we received the sacraments from god by divine institution ; so must we learne from him , how and to whom the same are to be administred , observing what he hath commanded without addition or diminution . but we have learned from christ the author of baptisme , and the constant practise of the apostles ( the first dispensers of these holy seales who best understood the mind and pleasure of the lord herein ) that such as be called of god to whom the promise is made , who have received the gifts of the holy ghost , beleeved in the lord jesus , professed their faith in him , and repentance for sins past with purpose of amendment for the time to come , that such have right unto , and desiring it ought to be received unto baptifme , and are greatly wronged if they be deprived of that unspeakable benefit . . by a lively faith a man is made a living member of jesus christ , and hath internall communion with him by the intire profession of christian faith joyned with conformity of life in righteousnesse , and holinesse , and fellowship of love , he is a member of the visible congregation or flock of christ , though no set member of a free distinct independant societie . and baptisme is the seale of our admission into the congregation or flock of christ ; but not evermore of our receiving into this or that particular societie as set members thereof . this latter is accidentall to baptisme , not essentiall . it may fall out to be so , but it is not ever necessarie ; nor is the sacrament to be denyed , nor can we say it is imperfectly administred where it cannot be attained . for the catholique church is one intire bodie , made up by the collection and agregation of all the faithfull unto the unity thereof ; from which union there ariseth unto every one of them such a relation to , dependance upon that church catholique as parts use to have in respect of the whole . and this holds true , not onely of sound beleevers in respect of internall fellowship with christ their head , and so one with another ; but of all men professing the true and intire doctrine of faith and salvation in respect of them that hold and professe the same faith of christ , and worship god according to his will ; whereupon it followeth that neither particular persons , nor particular guides , nor particular churches are to worke as severall divided bodies by themselves , but are to teach , and be taught ; and to do all other duties as parts conjoyned to the whole , and members of the same flock or societie in generall : and so beleevers professing the faith , and walking in holinesse , may and ought to be admitted to the seales as actuall members of the church of christ , and sheep of his pasture , though not set members of one congregationall church . . not to insist upon this here , that it hath and may fall out many times through ignorance , rathnesse , or pride , of a prevailing faction in the church , that the true members of the catholique church , and the best members of the orthodox visible flock , or church of christ , may be no actuall members of any distinct societie , and shall they for this be accounted men out of covenant , and their posteritie be esteemed aliens and strangers : but if they be in covenant , then are they holy in respect of the covenant , and their children holy as pertaining to the covenant , and have right to the sacrament of initiation . thus mr. rob. frameth the argument . the sacrament of baptisme is to be administred by christs appointment , and the apostles example onely to such as are ( externally , and so far as men can judge ) taught and made disciples , do receive the word gladly , do beleeve , and so professe , have received the holy ghost , and to their seed . and thus the church of god ever since the apostles dayes understood the covenant and promise , and their practise in receiving beleevers and their seed to the seales of the covenant was answerable , as might be shewed at large , if it was not a thing confessed . hereunto you answer . answer . vvhere the holy ghost is given and received ( which was the case of the centurion ) and where faith is professed according to gods ordinance ( which was the case of the rest ) there none may hinder them from being baptised , viz. by such as have power to baptise them . in the instances given baptisme was administred either by apostles or evangelists , not ordinary pastors : the persons baptised , if they were members of churches , had a right to baptisme in their state , and the apostles being officers of all churches might dispense the seales to them where ever they came , which yet will not warrant ordinary officers to do the same . nor is it improbable but that all these were in church-order , aret , on act. . . is of opinion , that the centurion had a constituted church in his house ; the eunuches coming to jerusalem to worship , argueth him to be a proselyte , and member of the jewish church not yet dissolved : and therefore upon the profession of the christian faith capable of church priviledges at that time . as for lydia and the gaylor it appeareth that in the beginning of the gospel there was a church at philipp● which communicated with paul as concerning giving and receiving : as he expresly saith , before his departure was from macedonia , which departure was immediately upon the gaylors conversion . in which respect what should hinder that lydia and the gaylor should first be joyned to the church , and then to be baptised though it be not mentioned in that story ? as neither there is mention of a christian church , which paul mentioneth in his epistle to the philippians . at least it is probable that lydia was a member of the jewish church , because she is said to be one that worshipped god. but if any man think they were not members of any church yet baptised , though we see not how it will be proved , yet if it were so , the object doth no whit weaken the argument , which speaketh of the ordinary dispensation of the seales , and not of what was done in an extraordinary way . so that suppose that in the cases alledged , baptisme dispensed to some that were not in church-fellowship , yet the examples of the apostles and evangelists in so doing will not warrant ordinary pastors to do the like . the reason of the difference why apostles and evangelists might administer baptisme out of church-order , whereas pastors and teachers may not , is double . . because their calling gave them illimited power over all men , especially christians wheresoever they came . but we do not find that ordinarie pastors and teachers can do an act of power , but onely over their own church , which hath called them to watch over them in the lord. . because they were assisted with an immediate direction and guidance of the holy ghost , in the places of their administration in the cases alledged . but ordinary church-officers are to walke according to ordinary rules of the scripture in the dispensation of the seales , and not to expect immediate inspirations and extraordinary revelations for their helpe in such cases . this difference between apostles and ordinary church officers must needs be acknowledged , or otherwise a man might from their example justifie baptisme in private houses . reply . this answer stands of many parts , wherein things doubtfull are affirmed , and that which more weakeneth the force of the consideration before alledged , and the answer it selfe , then of the reason whereunto it is applyed . for first , if where the holy ghost is given and received , and where faith is professed according to gods ordinance , there none may hinder them from being baptized , viz. by such as have power to baptize them : then either men that have received the holy ghost , and professe the faith , be members of the church , or baptisme is not a priviledge of the church , then it is not essentiall to the first institution of baptisme , that it should be dispenced to none but such as were entered into church-fellowship , or were set members of a congregationall assembly . then the apostles in dispensing the seales unto such , or commanding them to be dispenced , did walk according to the rules of scripture , and upon grounds common to them and us , viz. they admitted them unto the sacraments who had right and interest to them , according to the minde and pleasure of the institutor , not extraordinarily revealed , besides the common rules , or by speciall dispensation and prerogative excepted from the common rule , but made knowne in the institution it selfe . and then the difficultie remaining is onely this , whether a pastor or teacher hath authority from christ to dispence the seales of the covenant to one who hath right and title to them , and doth orderly desire that benefit because he is not as yet received as a set member of that particular societie which your practise in admitting of set members of other congregations unto the seales doth manifestly convince . for if both have equall interest unto the seales , the pastor upon lawfull suite and request hath equall authoritie to receive the one as well as the other . secondly , in the particular instances given , it is not probable that baptisme was evermore administred by apostles or evangelists ; for before the death of christ , the disciples baptized when they were properly neither apostles nor evangelists : after the death of christ ( not to insist upon conjectures whether any assisted the apostles in the baptizing of the first three thousand converted ) it is not certaine , whether peter baptized cornelius and his family , or commanded others then present with him to baptize them : the words may be read : et jussit eos baptizari in nomine domini . syr. & arab. praecepit eis ut baptizarentur . the interlineary glosse leaveth it doubtfull , associis suis vel a scipso . others are of opinion that peter did baptize them himselfe . it cannot be proved that philip and ananias were both evangelists , when the one baptized the samaritans and the eunuch , the other paul. paul himselfe baptized but a few as he testifieth of himselfe , and reason to convince that others converted by his preaching were baptized by evangelists , we know not any . and if philip , ananias , and others might baptize such as had right and title to the seales , being as yet no set members of any particular congregation : and a congregation destitute of their proper pastor , may desire another to baptize their infants , and dispence the sacrament of the supper to them in that their necessitie . and if the members of one congregation may lawfully communicate in another , then may the pastors of particular congregations upon occasion admit to the seales of the covenant such known and approved christians , as have right and title thereunto , and duely and orderly require the same ; for of all these the reason is like and perpetuall . thirdly , it is very improbable that the persons baptized , were in church-state or order . if they were members of the jewish church not yet dissolved , this is not to the purpose ; for men have not right to baptisme , because they were members of the jewish church , but because disciples and ( as you say ) joyned together in covenant , and have fellowship and calling of their minister , who is to dispence the seales unto them . and baptisme is the sacrament of initiation , not into the jewish but the christian churches . secondly , when you say , the seales in ordinary dispensation are the priviledges of the churches . there are no ministers but of particular churches . baptisme and the lords supper are to be administred onely to the members of the church . no societie may lawfully desire the seales , unlesse they have joyned in the choice and calling of their minister . beleevers not yet joyned in church-order are without . doe yee not in all these understand a christian societie , united in a church-way , &c. which cannot agree to the members of the jewish church , not yet dissolved . thirdly , the constitution of the church ( saith mr. robin . ) is the orderly collection and conjunction of the saints into and in the covenant of the new testament ; but the members of jewish churches not yet dissolved , were not in such constitution . if the eunuch and centurion were proselytes and members of the church of the jewes ; the samaritanes whom philip baptized were not so . and that any gentiles , or the gailor whom paul baptized in the apostles times , were set members of a christian assembly before baptized , is very strange if there was a church at philippi , yet the gailor who was baptized and converted the same night , could not be a set member by solemne admission before baptisme . it is said the apostles baptized these persons in an extraordinary way . but in this practise of the apostles two things are to be considered . . the circumstance of the action . . the qualitie or substance of the act . in some circumstances the baptizing of some of these persons might be extraordinary , but the substance and qualitie of the action was grounded upon rules perpetuall and common to us with them . . that is done in an extraordinary way , which by peculiar priviledge of dispensation is made lawfull to some one or few men , which is unlawfull to all others , not having the same dispensation , but where the ground and reason of the action is common : we must not conceive the thing to be done in an extraordinary way by speciall dispensation . what was done by the apostles upon speciall revelation and immediate direction , besides the ordinary and common rule , in that wee are not to immitate or follow them , because we have not their warrant . but what they did upon reasons and grounds reaching unto us no lesse then unto them , in that we have the same libertie , allowance , or commandement that they did walk by . in one and the same action there may be and oft is something ordinary , something extraordinary or peculiar to speciall times or persons . so it was in the apostles administration of the seales : but in every place where they came by illimited power ( as you speake ) they did baptize disciples , if they did baptize ; this was proper to them , and could not be communicated to any others by them ; for there is no passage of scripture which teacheth this , that one officer may communicate his power to another , or doe that which particularly belongeth to his office by a deputie : but that they baptized beleevers professing their faith in the lord jesus , and repentance towards god , such as had gladly imbraced the word , and received the gifts of the holy ghost : this was common to them with all pastors and teachers , because they did it , not by power illimited or speciall dispensation , but upon this standing perpetuall reason , that the promise was made to them and to their seede , and to as many as the lord shall call , that they had received the holy ghost , and the kingdome of heaven belonged to them . and if the grounds and reasons of their practise be common reaching to us , no lesse then unto them , the practise it selfe was not extraordinary . to say nothing that this answer will not stand with the former ; for if the parties baptized were set members of particular societies , the apostles did not baptize them in an extraordinary way , they did it by the guidance and direction of the spirit , that is true , but not by guidance of dispensation , or prerogative , whereby that was made lawfull without such inspiration had been unlawfull . but they were infallibly guided to doe that which was according to the word of god , and might stand for our direction : that in case it be orderly desired a pastor hath authoritie in his owne congregation , to receive knowne and approved christians to the seales of the covenant , hath been proved before . if the apostles dispenced the seales onely to the church , disciples , faithfull , who received the doctrine of salvation with gladnesse of heart , and were partakers of the holy ghost , then they dispenced the seales in an ordinary way , for such have title and interest to the seales by the institution and appointment of god. and every pastor by his office may and ought to dispence the seales unto such , within the bounds and limits of his calling : but the apostles dispenced the seales onely to the church , disciples , faithfull , &c. . an argument followeth necessarily from particular example to a generall ; when one particular is proved by another particular , by force of the similitude common to the whole kinde , under which those particulars are contained : but the practise of the apostles in baptizing disciples and faithfull , by force of similitude common to the whole kinde , agreeth with the practise of ministers receiving to baptisme the seed of the faithfull , though as yet not set members of any particular societie , in some circumstances there may be difference when yet the reason is strong , if the difference be not in the very likenesse it selfe whereupon the reason is grounded . one circumstance that is materiall to the point may overthrow the likenesse pretended , and twenty different circumstances , if they be not to the point in hand make no dissimilitude . now in this matter wee speake of , no circumstance is or can be named why we should thinke it lawfull for the apostles to baptize disciples as yet being no set members of particular societies , and the same should be unlawfull in all cases for ordinary pastors in their particular congregations , though it be desired . . what is done by extraordinary dispensation , that is lawfull for them onely who have received such dispensation , and by them cannot be communicated to others . but the apostles baptized by others seldome by themselves , as hath been shewed . . we might urge the rule which a reverend elder among you , giveth in another matter , ( scil . ) those examples which are backed with some divine precept , or which are held forth in the first institution of an ordinance , being part of the institution , or which were the constant lawfull actions of holy men in scripture , not civill but sacred so binde us to imitation , as that not to conforme thereunto is sinne . for the assumption to this proposition , it is plaine and naturall : but the practise of the apostles in receiving the faithfull , disciples , &c. is backed with divine precept , held forth in the first institution , and was their constant lawfull practise , agreeable to the practise of all others who were imployed in that service ; ergo , &c. . in the first consideration , you prove the seales to be the priviledge of the church in ordinary dispensation , by this passage of scripture , then they that gladly received the word were baptized : but if apostles baptize by extraordinary dispensation in your sense this testimony is insufficient for that purpose . reason . our second reason . in due order , the seales belong to them to whom the grant is given , viz. baptisme to the seed of the faithfull , and the lords supper to beleevers , able to try and examine themselves : but the grant is vouchsafed to the faithfull and their seed , forgivenesse of sinnes , sanctification , adoption , and what other good things are promised in the covenant of grace are the grant or good things sealed in the sacrament . but those are granted to beleevers according to the covenant ; and they are so linked together , that under one promised all are understood ; and if one be vouchsafed , none is denied . when god promiseth to circumcise the heart , the forgivenesse of sinnes is implyed . and when circumcision is said to be the seale of the righteousnesse of faith , the circumcision of the heart by spirituall regeneration is included . to whomsoever then the spirituall gift , or inward grace of the covenant is given and granted , to them the seales of that gift and grant doth belong in their due order . but the spirituall gift or grace which is the thing signified in the sacrament , is freely granted to true beleevers , who have received the doctrine of salvation , and walk in the wayes of truth and righteousnesse , therefore the priviledges of the seales belong unto them . to this you answer . the scope of the apostle in the place , rom. . . is not to define a sacrament , nor to shew what is the proper and adequate subject of the sacrament ; but to prove by the example of abraham that a sinner is justified before god , not by works but by faith . thus as abraham the father of the faithfull was justified before god , so must his seed be ( that is , all beleevers whether jews or gentiles , circumcised or uncircumcised ) for therefore abraham received circumcision which belonged to the jews to confirm the righteousnesse which he had before , while he was uncircumcised , that he might be the father of both : but lest any one should think his circumcision was needlesse if he was justified by faith before circumcision ; he addeth that his circumcision was of no use as a seale to confirme to him his faith , and the righteousnesse which is by faith : yet as justification is not the onely thing that circumcision sealed , but the whole covenant also made with abraham and his seed was sealed thereby ; so abraham is to be considered in using circumcision not simply , or onely as a beleever without church relation , but as a confederate beleever , and so in the state and order of a visible church . though the apostle maketh mention of the righteousnesse of faith as sealed thereby , which was not that which served for his purpose . now that circumcision also sealed the church-covenant , may appear from gen. . . , . where you may find that abraham and his seed , though beleevers , were not circumcised till god called them into church-covenant ; and there is the same reason & use of baptisme to us which serveth to seal our justification as circumcision did , yet not that alone , but also the whole covenant with all the priviledges of it , as adoption , sanctification , and fellowship with christ in affections , and the salvation of our souls , and the resurrection of our bodies . and not onely the covenant of grace which is common to all beleevers : but church-covenant cor. . . covenant also which is peculiar to confederates . according to that of the apostle , by one spirit we are baptized into one body , cor. . . and by one bodie he meaneth that particular church of corinth whereunto he writeth and saith , now ye are the body of christ , and members in particular , ver . . and ergo church-membership is required as well to the orderly partaking of baptisme as it was of circumcision . nor do we find that circumcision was administred to all that were in the covenant of grace ( as all beleevers were ) but onely to such of them as were joyned to the people of the god of abraham . melchizedech was under the covenant of grace , so was lot , so was job and his foure friends ; yet we no where read that they were circumcised , nor do beleeve they were . so that if circumcision was administred to none but those that were joyned together in abrahams familie , and to the church of god in his seed , then may not baptisme in ordinarie course be administred to any beleevers now , unlesse they be joyned to the church of christ , for parum par est ratio . but the first is true , ergo , the second also . reply . the particulars in this answer hath been examined alreadie , and might have well been passed over , because it is tedious to repeat the same things againe and againe . two things are affirmed by you . . that the scope of the apostle , rom. . . was not to define a sacrament , nor to shew what was the proper and adequate subject of a sacrament . but this weakneth no part of the argument , for if the apostle do not fully define a sacrament , nor mention every particular benefit or prerogative sealed in the sacrament ; yet he sheweth sufficiently to whom the sacraments in due order do appertaine , even to the heires of salvation , to them that are justified by faith , and walk in the steps of our father abraham . and thus we argue from the text of the apostle . they that are partakers of the good things sealed in the sacrament , to them belong the seales of the covenant , according to gods institution . but they that are justified by faith are partakers of the good things sealed in the sacrament , to them belong the seales of the covenant according to gods institution . if justification be not the onely thing that circumcision sealed , this is nothing to the point in hand . for the gifts of the holy ghost is not the onely thing that is sealed in baptisme : but you confesse in your answer immediately going before , that they have right to baptisme who have received the holy ghost ; and the reason is the same of justification . besides if justification be not the onely thing that is sealed in the sacrament , it is one principall thing which doth inferre the rest . for the blessings of the covenant of grace in christ are inseparable ; where one is named , others are implyed : and where one is given , no one is absolutely wanting . christ is made of god wisedome , righteousnesse , sanctification , and redemption : whom god doth justifie , them he doth sanctifie , and them he will glorifie . . the second thing you affirme is , that not onely the covenant of grace which is common to all beleevers ; but church-covenant also which is peculiar to confederates is necessarie to the participation of the seales . this sense your words must beare , or else they reach not the point in hand : but this is that which should be proved substantially , and not barely affirmed ; and which ( as we conceive ) is contrary to the first institution of the sacrament , and the lawfull practise of john the baptist , our saviour christ , his apostles , and all others who are recorded lawfully to administer the seales . in gen. . we find the first institution of circumcision recorded , and that it was the seale of the covenant to abraham and his seed , to them that were borne in his house , or bought with his money : but we find no mention of any church covenant besides the covenant of promise which god made with abraham . there is no mention of any church-order into which abrahams family was now gathered more then formerly . god gave circumcision to abraham and his seed as a seale of the righteousnesse of faith ; but that this family was first gathered into church-order as you speak we cannot beleeve , because the scripture saith it not whether lot , job , melchizedech were circumcised or not , we will not dispute ; but if they received not the seale , we cannot think the reason to be because they were not in church-order as those times required , if any such thing had been required , we cannot think that either they were ignorant of it , or that they walked against their light : but accordiug to the dispensing of those times we judge as they were visible beleevers , so they walked in that church fellowship which god prescribed ; and therefore if circumcision had been the seale of such church-covenant as you conceive , it should have been given to them no lesse then to abrahams family . but of this sufficient is said before . as for baptisme it is the seal of the whole covenant , which the passages quoted prove it to be . whether it be the seale of our fellowship which christ in affliction , and the resurrection of our bodies , we leave it to your consideration : but that it should be a seal of a church-covenant which is peculiar to confederates , that to us is very strange . that it is a solemne admission into the church of christ , and that of necessitie it must be administred in a particular societie ( though in the passage to the corinthians the mysticall bodie of christ be understood ) will easily be granted . but that it is the seale of any other covenant but the covenant of grace we cannot digest . the sacraments are of god , and we must learne of god for what end and use they were ordained . but by the institution of baptisme recorded in scripture we have learned it belongeth to the faithfull , to disciples , to them that are called of god : and as for any other covenant necessarie to the right participation of the seales , there is deep silence of it in the institution , in the lawfull and approved practise of the first dispensers of these sacred mysteries . enough hath been said to this matter alreadie , but we will conclude it with the words of that reverend author whom we have cited many times before upon occasion . afterwards ( saith he ) john the baptist walked in the same steps , and by the same rule administred baptisme in the church whereof he was a member , required of all that came to his baptisme a profession of repentance , and amendment of life for remission of sinnes whereof baptisme was a seale , and preached christ to them . this order our lord jesus christ after his resurrection established to continue in the christian churches , giving a commission to his disciples to preach the gospel to the gentiles , and to gather all such as should beleeve through the world , as a testimonie to them , that the righteousnesse of faith did belong to them also , and not to the church of the jews onely . accordingly the apostles and servants of christ were carefull to observe this rule in their administring baptisme . thus peter when he saw those three thousand souls pricked in their hearts , preached unto them concerning repentance , remission of sin , christ , the promise , baptisme , faith , amendment of life , baptised those that gladly received his word , and testified the same by joyning together in the prosession thereof . the same course philip took with the church that was gathered in samaria , where many were baptized , but none till they professed their beliefe of the gospel , and their receiving of the word of god. and therefore it is said expresly , when they beleeved philip preaching the things concerning the kingdome of god , and the name of jesus christ , they were baptised both men and women . when ananias was commanded to go and baptise paul , he objected against it at first , till the lord assured him that he was one to whom the seale of the covenant belonged , and then he went and did it . when peter and those that came with him saw that the holy ghost fell on cornelius , and those that were assembled at that time in his house , whilest he spake these words , to him give all the prophets witnesse , that through the name of jesus whosoever beleeveth on him shall receive remission of sinnes . peter demanded , can any man forbid water that these should not be baptised , which have received the holy ghost as well as we ? in this catalogue we see profession of faith and repentance required in them that were admitted to partake in the seals ; but there is not a word of church-covenant , either in the institution or administration of the seales before they were admitted to them . that christians are solemnly ingrafted into the body of christ , and into particular societies by the seales , is a truth acknowledged on all sides : but that ever it was deemed necessarie , that a christian should be a set member of a particular congregationall church before he were admitted to the seales , or that by divine institution any such thing is ordained as necessarie thereunto , that upon the grounds before mentioned we denie , and cannot account it lesse then an addition to the institution . for if the sacraments be seales of the covenant of grace , and baptisme by divine institution belong to disciples , faithfull , saints , who have gladly received the word of grace , are justified by faith , sanctified by the spirit , adopted to be the children of god by grace , and heires apparent to the kingdom of heaven ; then to debarre such from the seales , and their seed from baptisme , because they be not in church-covenant ( as you speake ) is an addition to the ordinance of grace , and many wayes injurious to the people of god. v. position . that the power of excommunication is so in the body of the church , that what the major part shall allow must be done , though the pastors and governors and the rest of the assembly be of another minde , and that peradventure upon more substantiall reasons . answer . if the question had been , whether the power of excommunication lies in the body of the congregation , consisting of officers and members ; our answer should be affirmative , and according hereunto is also our practise , and wee hope your judgement and ours are not different herein : but seeing the question is , whether it is so in the body of the congregation , that what the major part doth allow that must be done , though the pastors and governors , and the rest of the assembly , doe dissent upon more substantiall reasons . our answer is negative , viz. that the power of excommunication is not sealed in the congregation , neither ought it to be so in any of the churches of the lord jesus , who ought not to carry matters by number of votes against god , as this position implyeth , but by strength of rule and reason according to god. the power of the apostles was not to doe things against the truth but for the truth , cor. . and not for destruction , but for edification , cor. . . and the same may be said concerning the power which god hath given to the church , and if any church among us have swerved from the rule ( which is more then we know ) we doe not allow them in such a practise , but should be ready as the lord should helpe to convince them of their sin therein . reply . this question is much mistaken , for the demand is not whether in the congregation matters should be carryed by number of votes against god , as you interpret the position , but whether the power of excommunication so lye in the body of the congregation as that sentence must proceed in externoforo , according to the vote and determination of the major part , and so whether power of admission of members doe so reside in the communitie , as that they must be refused whom the major part refuse , though the pastors and governors and part of the congregation be of another judgement , and he admitted whom the major part doth approve . and though the church hath received no power against god , but for god , yet in the execution of the power no doubt the members of that church may be of different judgements and affections , wherein the one side or other doth erre , and is deceived . now the question hereupon moved is , whether the power of the keyes be so given and committed to the society of the faithfull , as that in externall court that act or sentence must stand and be in force which the greater part shall determine amongst them which hold the power of the keyes to be given to the church . some a distinguish betwixt the power it self which they give to the church , and the execution and exercise of it , which they confine to the presbytery : b others give the power of the keyes with the exercise thereof to the whole body of the church , or if in the dispensation they attribute any thing to the officers , it is but as servants of the church , from whom they derive their authoritie . by church also some understand the communitie of the faithfull , together with their officers and guides . and here lyeth the stone at which they of the seperation stumble , and which we conceive to be your judgement and practise , wherein we required your plaine answer , with your reasons , but have received no satisfaction . you referre us to mr. parkers reasons to prove the power of the keyes to belong to the whole church , who are of farre different judgement from mr. parker in the point it selfe . and if your judgement and practise be according to that of the seperation ( which we feare ) you dissent from him , and we cannot but dissent from you upon these considerations . . no power agreeth to the multitude or communitie of the faithfull , but that which is given them of the lord by his positive law ; for the whole spirituall power for the gathering and government of his church is given to christ as mediator . and if the power of the keyes be derived from , and communicated by christ unto his church , of necessitie it must draw its originall from divine positive law , and can agree to none but as it is communicated . but the communicated power of the keyes with the execution thereof , christ hath not given immediately to the whole multitude , but to some persons and officers designed and appointed thereunto . peruse the severall passages of scripture , wherein power and authoritie of preaching the gospel , administring the sacraments , binding and loosing is given to the church : and it is apparent that distinct severall persons are spoken of , and not the whole communitie ; goe teach all nations , and baptize them , &c. whose sinnes yee remit , they are remitted , &c. feed my lambes , feed my sheepe , &c. were these things spoken to the whole communitie , or to speciall persons ? . if christ gave this power to the communitie , was it from the beginning of the church , or tooke it effect after the churches were planted and established by the apostles . not the first , for then the apostles themselves should derive their power from the communitie and societie of the faithfull , which they did not , but from christ immediately , both in respect of gifts and graces , their calling it selfe , and the designation of their persons . it is said the power of the keyes given to the apostles was given to the church , in tuitu ejusdem tanquam finis & totius . and it is true the apostles were given to the church , and the power they received was for the good of the whole ; but this is not enough . that power may be said to be received immediately by the church , as the first receptacle of it , and from it derived to others . but this power must be in the communitie as the first subject , from whom it commeth to the officers . as the power of seeing is not onely given in tuitu hominis , as the end of it , and the totum to whom it agreeth , but is in homine as the first subject from which it commeth to the eyes . the apostles and other governors were given of christ for the church as for their end , and all their authoritie was given unto them for the church as for the whole : but the authoritie it selfe was immediately derived from christ , and is not in the church as the immediate subject , nor derived from the church , but from christ the king of the church . the authoritie of governors is given of christ for a gift to the church , but not for a gift absolute , that it may reside in the power of the whole church , to whom it is given , but for a conditionall gift communicated to the governors themselves for the good of the whole . it is one thing then to aske for what end or use the keyes are given , another to whom . to every one is given the declaration of the spirit for profit , i. e. for the good of the church . but was this gift given to the communitie of the faithfull first and immediately ? no ; by gift and possession it was given to some , but for use and profit it was publick . after the churches were established it tooke not effect ; for then it must be shewed where christ committed the power of god , first to the apostles , and after to the communitie of the faithfull . but that is no where to be found in holy scripture . the ministers and guides of the church were immediately of jesus christ , from whom immediately they derive their power and authoritie , by whom they are set over their charge , in whose name they must execute their office , whose stewards , legates and ambassadors they are , and unto whom they must give an account . yea , pastorship is the gift of christ no lesse then apostleship , and that the more because it is perpetuall in the church ; every pastor is not immediately called , but the office and order of pastors , the calling , authoritie and jurisdiction is immediately from christ , and not from the church : the steward is appointed of the master of the family alone , and hath all his authoritie and jurisdiction from him : every ambassador in the cause of his ambassage doth immediately depend upon him from whom he is sent . but if the function , order and authoritie of pastors and teachers , be immediately from christ , then it is not received from the church as the immediate receptacle . thus protestant divines dispute against papists . if bishops receive their power and authority of exercising immediately from christ , by mandate , mission , and commission from him , then they derive it not from the pope . and if presbyters receive their order jurisdiction and power of execution from christ by his mandate and commission , then they receive it not from the bishop . and by the same reason , if the power of the keyes be the immediate gift of christ to his ministers , then they derive not their power and authoritie from the people . it is usually objected that the church cannot convey what she never had , but the people may elect their pastor . whereunto the answer is direct and plaine . nothing can give that which it had not formally or virtually , unlesse it give it as an instrument ministring to one who hath it , but so it may give what it never had , nor is capable of . a steward may give all the offices in his masters house , as ministerially executing his masters pleasure . electors have not evermore authoritie over him whom they elect : but power and authoritie onely to apply that power to him whom they choose . the power and authoritie whereunto a minister is elected , is not in the people that elect him , but from christ the king and head of his church , who out of power doth conferre that office upon him . if we consider what men give , or give not universally , it must be deemed that any men can make ministers , because they give not the office , gifts , or authoritie , which are from christ alone . . if ecclesiasticall and spirituall power be in the multitude and community of the faithfull , the church doth not onely call , but make officers out of power and vertue received into her selfe , and then should the church have a true lordlike power in regard of her ministers . for as he that will derive authority to the church maketh himselfe lord of the church : so if the church derive authoritie to the ministers of christ , she maketh herself lady and mistris over them in the exercise of that authoritie over them . for all men know it is the property of the lord and master to impart authoritie . did the church give power and authoritie to the pastors and teachers , she might make the sacraments and preaching which one doth in order no sacraments , no preaching . for it is the order instituted of god that gives being and efficacie to these ordinances . and if the power of ruling , feeding , and dispensing the holy things of god , do reside in the faithfull , the word and sacraments in respect of dispensation and efficacie shall depend upon the order and institution of the societie . if the power of the keyes be derived from the community of the faithfull , then are officers immediately and formally servants to the church , and must do every thing in the name of the church , rule , feed , bind , loose , remit and retaine sinnes , preach and administer the sacraments , then they must performe their office according to the direction of the church more or lesse , seldome or frequent , remisse or diligent . for from whom are they to receive direction how to carry themselves in their office but from him or them from whom they receive their office , whose works they do , and from whom they expect their reward ? if their power and office be of god immediately , they must do the duties of their place according to his designement , and to be accountable unto god : but if their power and function be from the church , the church must give account unto god , and the officers unto the church whom she doth take to be her helpers . if it be said that god will have the church to chuse officers to execute the power committed unto her . the answer is , either god will have her elect officers of his designement to do his work according to that power which he shall give them , and by his direction , and then they are god servants , and not the churches , and receive their charge and function immediately from god , and not from the people : or he leaveth it to the arbitriment of the church , to chuse according to their pleasure such as must receive charge and authoritie from her . and then they must execute their office in her name so as shall seeme good unto the church , and neither longer nor otherwise . for if the ministers of the church be subject to god and christ by the intervention of the people onely , they have it from them , and not from god : but they preach or administer the sacraments , rule , or feed , and if they depend immediately upon the faithfull , viz. two or three gathered together in covenant , they must draw what in order they are to preach unto them in the name of the lord ; for from him must the ambassadour learne his arrand from whom he receiveth his commission . we forbeare to presse the a confessions and reasons of such as maintaine this opinion , that the officers of christ be both of and for the people , and that in relation as the officers are called servants , the church may be called lord. . moreover if the power of the keyes be given first and immediately to the community of the faithfull , what reason can be alledged why in defect of officers the church might not rule , governe , feed , bind , loose , preach and administer the sacraments , or if any faile in any office , why she might not supply that want by her power . for the power of the keyes doth containe , both authority and exercise , power being given to this end , that it might be exercised as it is vouchsafed . but the church when she is destitute of officers , cannot exercise those acts of rule , nor by her power supply the want of any officer . onely she hath a ministery of calling one whom christ hath described , that from christ he may have power of office given him in the vacant place . for these reasons ( not to insist on any more ) we judge the multitude or community of the faithfull not to be the immediate receptacle of ecclesiasticall authoritie , and so the power of excommunication not to belong to them . if consent of the churches of god be asked in this point ( to omit others ) the churches of scotland speake fully and expresly for us , in the second book of disci . cap. . the church as it is taken for them that exercise spirituall functions in the congregation of them that professe the truth , hath a certain power granted by god according to which , it useth a proper jurisdiction and government exercised to the comfort of the whole flocke . power is an ecclesiasticall authority granted by god the father through the mediator jesus christ unto his kirke , gathered , and having its ground in the word of god , and to be put in execution by them unto whom the spirituall government of the church by lawfull calling is committed . the policie of the kirke flowing from this power is an order or spirituall forme of government which is exercised by the members appointed thereto by the word of god , and therefore is given immediately to the office-bearers by whom it is exercised to the weale of the whole body . vt universam scripturam evolvat d. erastus , nunquam tamen inventurum verba ligandi , & solvendi aliis quam publico ministerio fungentibus , & quidem met aphoricè , divinae videlicet & spiritualis potestatis respectu , tribui . sunt enim judicialia haec verba . &c. beza de presb. p . see helvet . conf . ca. . sect. nunc ergo , &c. belgic . confess . art . . argentinens . conf . art . . bohem. confes . art . vi. position . that none are to be admitted as members but they must promise not to depart or remove unlesse the congregation will give leave . answer . our answer hereto is briefly this . we judge it expedient and most according to rule , that such brethren as are in covenant with the church , and ours as fellow-members , and have committed their soules to our charge as ministers , should not forsake our fellowship , nor obruptly breake away from us when and whither they please ; but first approve themselves therein to their brethrens consciences , and take their counsell in so weightie a matter . for which we propound to confider these two reasons following . the former is drawne from the nature of the church-covenant , which consists in these foure particulars . . every member at his admission doth openly professe , and solemnly promise , that by christs helpe assisting , he will not onely in generall give up himselfe ( as to the lord to be guided by him , so ) to the church according to god to be directed by it , which is no more then the members of the church of macedonia , did in a parallel case , cor. . . but also in particular , that he will performe all duties of brotherly love and faithfulnesse to all the members of the body , as of diligent watchfulnesse over all his brethren , thereby to prevent sin , so of faithfull admonition after their falls to regaine them to the lord , from their sinne , the former being injoyned , hebr. . . and the want thereof deeply condemned in cain , that would not acknowledge that duty of being his brothers keeper , gen. . . the latter given in charge to the church-members of israel by the hand of moses , levit. . . and so by christ himself , matth. . . and by paul also to the galat. c. . , . secondly , the ingagements are not made onely by the members admitted into the church , but by the church back again to the member . so that thereby the whole church in generall , and every member thereof in particular , stand as well in conscience bound to performe all duties of love and watchfulnesse to him , as he doth to them ; and this we do according to the golden rule of love and equitie injoyned by our saviour , matth. . . fearing that contrary practise of scribes and pharisees so much condemned by christ , of laying greater burthens upon others , then we our selves are willing to undergo . matth. . . . these promises thus lawfully and mutually made , that member , as also the whole church , are bound not onely every one for himselfe , actively to performe them , but passively also to suffer his brethren to do those offices upon and towards himself : if he neglect the former , he shall falsifie his covenant so solemnly before god , angels , and men made , and so not onely breake promise to his brother , contrary to psal . . . but also in some sort commit the sinne of ananias and saphira in lying against the holy ghost , condemned and punished severely by gods own hand , act. . . . . if he faile in the latter , he shall not onely be guiltie of the same sinne of breach of covenant with god and man as in the former ; but shall also be guilty of this folly of despising counsell so much condemned , prov. . . and . . and shall also proclaime this his folly and pride by shewing to all the church that he is wise in his own eyes , and leanes to his own wisedome both reproved , prov. . . and . . seeing need of no further light to be held forth by his brethren , then what he apprehends himselfe , which is one of the greatest properties of folly . . from all these things premised , it appears that we can do no lesse ( and yet we do no more ) then require a member before he depart according to our covenant thus lawfully , deliberately , and mutually made , to expresse to his brethren his desire of departing , and the place and societie to which he tends , whether to a godly church where he may be edified ; or to some corrupt assembly where he may be destroyed . and . his grounds and reasons which move him so to do , which if they hold good being scanned by the word , he may be not onely confirmed in his way by the consent and advise of many , but counselled also how to manage his departure for his best comfort . and so after all , solemnly with the whole churches prayers , and blessings in the name of christ dismissed : but if his grounds either be none at all , or weake and sinfull , and that his desire of departing savours of self-will , inordinate love of gaine , rash precipitancie , or a spirit of schisme , more strongly then of sound reason , then what can we do lesse without breach of covenant , then in love and tendernesse shew him his weaknesse , disswade him from his purpose , and refuse to consent . yet if after all this we see his spirit stedfastly and stiffely bent for a departure , then though we dare not act against our light by consenting or counselling , yet if his finne be not apparent , and danger eminent , we use rather ( through indulgence in cases of like nature ) to suspend our vote against him , as not willing against his will to detain him , abhorring to make our churches places of restraint and imprisonment . but if any should object that this argument holds firme where this church-covenant is allowed to be lawfull , but with some it is questioned , and with them it avails not . ans . some indeed have questioned the necessitie of our church-covenant , but none ( we hope ) of these our reverend brethren that we write unto do question the lawfulnesse of such a covenant being nothing else for the matter of it , but a promise of doing such christian duties as the gospel of christ requires of all saints in church-estate ; for we doe not herein promise to performe any new dutie to our brethren which was not before commanded us of the lord , but onely revive and renew our purposes afresh of performing such duties unto that particular body into which we are then incorporated as were before injoyned in the word , as to love each other , and to watch over each other out of love for their good , to be ready to give counsell to , and to take counsell from each other , to prevent sinne in them , or to gaine them from sinne . all which are plentifully and frequently held forth in the scriptures ; for the defect of which care and watchfulnesse , all the body shall be wrapt in the same guilt & punishment with the member that commits the sinne , as the whole church of israel was in achans sinne and punishment . secondly , it s a thing very reasonable , and a knowne fundamentall rule in all societies , that he that is incorporate thereto , and so participates of the priviledges thereof , should ingage himselfe to conforme to all such lawfull rites and orders as are expedient for the well being of that societie , the contrary whereto will be a thing injurious in him to offer , and confusion to themselves to accept . the second ground is drawne from the necessitie that may fall upon the body if every particular member should depart at his owne pleasure . for as every societie , so much more a church of saints , both from principles of nature and christianitie also , not onely lawfully may , but in dutie are bound to endeavour the preservation of it selfe , and ergo timely to foresee and wisely to prevent all such things as would bring destruction to it selfe . now if any member might , when , whither , and wherefore he please without consent of the church depart away from it , this may by unavoydable consequence dissipate the whole ; for if one man may so depart , why may not another also , though never so usefull in that body , and whose absence might much shake the well-being of it : and if one why not two , six , ten , twent● as well ? for where will yee stop seeing any may plead the same libertie , and if members may so doe why not the pastor and teacher also ? seeing they are tyed to him by the same relation that he is to them , and so the principalls falling , the whole building must downe : and if this may be so in one church , why not in all , and so christ should have no setled church on earth . reply . it is one thing abruptly to breake away when and whither they please , and forsake fellow-ship , another thing not to depart or remove habitation , unlesse the congregation will give leave . also it is one thing mutually to compound and agree not to depart from each other without consent and approbation , another to require a promise of all that be admitted into societie , that they shall not depart without the churches allowance . if such a promise be required of all members to be admitted , we cannot discerne upon what grounds your practise is warranted . first , you exclude all such as be not set members from the sacrament of the supper , and their children from baptisme , and yet hinder them from entrance into church societie , because they cannot promise continuance in the place where they are resident for the present . here we desire to be satisfied from the word of god by what you require it . did the apostles ever stipulate with such as desired to be baptized , that they must abide in particular societie , and not remove thence without approbation from the church ? or did they deny the seales unto them , because they could not make any such promise ? was it ever heard of in the church of god from the beginning thereof unto this day , that any such thing was propounded unto , or required of , members to be admitted into church-fellowship ? that church covenant which is necessary was not in use in the apostles times , but the covenant they entred into bound no man to this condition for ought we reade . they did not prescribe it , no church ever yet covenanted it as necessary to the preservation of the body . secondly , it pertaines not to the whole congregation to take notice of , be acquainted with , or judge of the cause of every particular members removall . may not a servant remove from his master to another congregation ? or the father bestow his sonne or daughter in marriage to one of another congregation , but the whole church must be called to councell in this matter ? if the assembly once grow to be populous , of necessitie they must be negligent in , or weary of such an heavy taske ; and for the present , for every one to challenge so much authoritie over other is usurpation . let it be shewed that ever by divine right this power was committed to the church , and then we will confesse it to be expedient and necessary . but till then we thinke the church is over ridged in exacting such a condition of the members , and the members themselves goe beyond their measure as busi-bodies in other mens matters , and things whereof they are not well able to judge many times , if they arrogate such power unto themselves wee allow not rashnesse , or precipitancy , pride or self-conceitednesse , we know it is meete that weightie matters should be mannaged by councell , but it is not necessary to bring every particular thing to the whole church . in the multitude of councellors there is peace , but over many councellors oft causeth distraction , and different apprehensions breed delayes . the nature of your church-covenant , as you describe it , inferreth not a necessitle of bringing every such businesse unto the church ; for you binde your selves mutually to watch over one another , and in love to admonish one another in the lord , to prevent sinne and to encourage in well-doing , as it concerneth every man within the limits of his place and calling . but this essentially tyeth not any man to a perpetuall residence in one place , for then even occasionall absence should be a breach of covenant , unlesse it be by consent and approbation of the church . you say in your covenant you promise to performe no new dutie to your brethren which was not before commanded of the lord , but onely revive and renew your purposes afresh of performing such duties to that particular body into which you are then to be incorporated , as were before injoyned in the word . but in the word of truth , it is not commanded either expresly or by consequent , that no member of a congregation should remove , or occasionally be absent from the place of his habitation , before he have acquainted the church whither he goeth , and upon what occasions , and whether the place be dangerous , where he is likely to be infected ; or safe , where he may be edified . these things are matters of weight and to be undertaken with advice , but the knowledge thereof belongeth not to every particular member of the societie . and the church shall burden her selfe above measure if she take upon her to intermeddle in all such occasions . neither is it safe to commit the determination of such matters ever to the vote of the multitude , or weight of reasons , as they shall apprehend the matter . and if such businesse must be determined on the lords day , and to goe before the administration of the word , sacraments , and almes , least the holy things be polluted by notorious obstinate offenders , wee feare the time appointed for the exercise of religion shall be prophaned with unseasonable disputes . instances might be alledged , if it were a matter to be insisted upon . as for the covenant it selfe which you mutually enter into , if therein you exact nothing but what god requires both for tryall and stipulation , far be it that we should disallow it , but if yee constraine men to meddle with things that belong not to them , and winde them up higher then god would , and straine every thing to the pitch that you seeme here to doe in this branch a godly and sober minde may well pause before he make such promise . all members of the church are not equally necessary to the preservatiō of the whole body ; & if to the removall of some , it were expedient to have the cōsent , not only of the whole society , but of neighbouring societies , ministers especially , it is very much to draw this to the removall or abode of every particular member . and if any man shall not intermeddle with every businesse of this kinde , as questioning whether it doth belong to him or no , or not aske the advice of the whole societie , as knowing the most to be unfit to counsell in such a case , doth he break his covenant therein , and so commit a sinne in a sort like the sinne of ananias and saphira ? judge your selves if in other cases you would not censure this to be an high incroachment upon christian libertie , and a strict binding of mens consciences by humane constitutions . may you not expect to heare from your own grounds that herein you have devised an expedient , or necessary rite or custome to preserve the unitie , and prevent the dissolution of the body , which never came into the minde of the lord jesus , the saviour of the church , and that in so doing ( if your exposition will hold good ) you breake the second commandement . rites and customes expedient to prevent confusion for the time , let them be observed as customes expedient , and what god requires in the examination or admission of members , let that take place according to the presidents given in the scriptures , and the constant practise of the universall church in the purest times . but to presse customes onely expedient for the time , as standing rules necessary at all times , and for all persons , to put that authoritie into the hands of men which god never put upon them , to oblige men to intermeddle further in the affaires of men , then the word doth warrant , to binde the conscience , and that under so heavy a penalty as the sinne of ananias and saphira , where god hath not bound it , and to debarre known and approved christians from the seales of the covenant , because they cannot promise as setled members to abide and stay in the societie , unlesse they shall obtaine leave of the congregation to depart , and to charge them in the meane season to be men , who against light refuse subjection to the gospel ; this is that which we cannot approve , which yet wee suspect will follow from your judgement , and desire to be resolved of in your practise . and here we intreat leave to put you in minde of that which you have considered already , schil . that the church and every member thereof hath entred into covenant , either expresly or implicitely to take god for their god , and to keepe the words of the covenant and doe them , to seeke the lord with all their hearts , and to walke before him in truth and uprightnesse : but we never finde that they were called to give account of the worke of grace wrought in their soules , or that the whole congregation were appointed to be judge thereof . you stand all of you this day ( saith moses ) before the lord your god , &c. that thou shouldst enter into covenant with the lord thy god. all the people that were borne in the wildernesse joshua circumcised , but it is incredible to thinke that among that great multitude , there was not one who did not give good testimony of the worke of grace in his soule : we reade often times that israel after some grievous fall and revolt , renewed their covenant , to walke with god , to serve him onely , and to obey his voyce , as in the dayes of joshua , the judges , david , samuel : also joash , josiah , and nehemiah , &c. but no particular enquiry was made , what worke of grace god had wrought in the hearts of every singular person . but the confession and profession of obedience was taken . when john baptist began to preach the gospel , and gather a new people for christ , he admitted none to baptisme but upon confession of their sinnes ; but we reade of no question that he put forth unto them to discover the worke of grace in their soules , or repelled any that voluntarily submitted themselves upon that pretence . it appeareth many wayes that when the apostles planted churches , they made a covenant between god and the people whom they received . but they received men upon the profession of faith , and promise of amendment of life , without strict in quirie what sound work of grace was wrought in the soul . in after ages , strangers from the covenant were first instructed in the faith , and then baptised upon the profession of faith , and promise to walk according to the covenant of grace . now the profession at first required of all that were received to baptisme was that they beleeved in the father , sonne , and holy ghost . this was the confession of the eunuch when he was baptised , i beleeve that jesus christ is the sonne of god. the creed is honoured of the ancients with glorious titles , as the rule of faith , the summe of faith , the body of faith , the perswasions of faith : but by the creed they understand that rule of faith , and law of faith , and institution of christ which was then given when he was about to ascend into heaven , and commanded his disciples , saying , go teach all nations , &c. it is true , that in after times as occasion required some other articles were added as explanations of the former , to meet with the heresies of the times which began to trouble the church . but for substance of matter in things to be beleeved , the church never required other acknowledgement of them that were to be received into the congregation of christs flock , and admitted into her communion . and for things to be done , or the practicall part , she requireth of them that were to be received to baptisme an abrenuntiation of the devill , the world , and the flesh , with all their sinfull works and lusts . the first principles then of the doctrine of christ being received , and the foresaid profession being made , the apostles , and the church following the example of the apostles , never denied baptisme unto such as sought or desired it . if this be the covenant that members admitted into church-fellowship do enter into , and this be all you require of them whom you receive , you have the practise of the apostles , and the whole church in after ages for your president . but if you proceed further then thus , and put men to declare what worke of grace god hath wrought in their soul , in this or that way , which perhaps is not determined by the word of grace , at least not agreed upon among your selves , we beseech you consider by what authority you do it , and upon what grounds you stand . but we will enter no further upon this matter , because it comes not within the compasse of these positions , and to attribute so much to private letters , as to make them the ground of another dispute we may not . vii . position . that a minister is so a minister of a particular congregation , that if they dislike him unjustly , or leave him , he ceaseth to be a minister . answer . our answer to this consists in two branches . . in case a minister be set aside by the church meerly through his own default . . by the churches default without any desert of his . in the former case it is evident he ceaseth to be a minister to them any longer , as appears in foure conclusions . . it is cleare from the word , that a pastor or teacher in these dayes hath no apostolicall power over all churches , but onely limited to that one church where god hath set him . paul gives not the elders at ephesus a generall commission to go teach all churches , but to go feed that one flock over which the holy ghost hath made them over-seers . act. . . so peter gives direction to elders to feed that flock of god onely which was among them , and take the over-sight thereof . pet. . . . it is as cleare that all this power of feeding which the minister hath in that church is nextly derived to him from christ by the church , who hath solemnly called him to the work , and promised to obey him therein : for if he have it elsewhere , it must be either from christ immediately , or from some other men deputed by christ to conferre it on him , or he must take it up of himselfe . not the first , for that was proper to the apostles or apostolicall men , therefore paul proving his apostleship , saith he was called not of men , nor by men , but by jesus christ himself . gal. . . not the second , for we never read in gods word that any ordinary officers , or other besides the church , that had any commission given them from christ to call ministers unto churches . not the third , for no man taketh this honour , viz. of a priest under the law , or of a minister under the gospel , but he that is called of god , hebr. . . therefore it must needs be from christ by the church . . as the church in the name of christ gave this power to a minister to be what he is , and do what he doth amongst them : when such a minister shall make and manifest himself apparently , unworthy , and unfit to discharge the place , which they thus called him unto , so that they may discerne that christ the head of the church hath refused him , from being a minister unto him , they may then upon as good grounds depose him from it , as they called him to it . . when a church hath thus in christs name put forth this power of shutting , as before it did of opening to a minister , then he must cease to be a minister unto them any more , for we know no such indelible character imprinted upon a minister , that the ministery ceasing , the minister ceaseth also . . in case the church shall without cause , or sufficient weightie cause , rashly or wilfully set him aside whom christ hath set over them , and whom they so solemnly called , and promised before the lord to submit unto , and so abuse their power given them by christ ; it is doubtlesse a very great wrong unto the minister , and sinne against christ himselfe before whom it was done ; and not onely christ himself will take it ill at their hands , for such contempt done to him in his ministers according to christs speech , luke . . he that rejecteth you , rejecteth me . and gods speech , sam. . . they have not cast off thee but me . but even other churches also may admonish them . and if they prove obstinate therein , withdraw the right hand of fellowship from them ; and concerning the minister himself thus deposed , seeing it is done not by christ , but by the church without christ , yea against the mind of christ , we conceive though he be by them deprived of the execution of his ministery among them , yet untill he accepts of a call to another people , he doth yet still remain a minister of christ , in whose account ( notwithstanding such deposition ) he hath true right of administration among that people . reply . the question is of ministers unjustly forsaken , or driven from the church or congregation : and your answer is for the most part of ministers set aside or deprived through their own default . we never purposed to speak one word for any unworthy minister whom christ hath put out of office , and therefore your labour to prove that such justly rejected by the church are no longer ministers might well have been saved . but sitting them aside , we will in few words examine your conclusions upon which you bind the certainty of that sentence you passe against them . first , it is certain and clear from the word , that a pastor or teacher neither in these dayes hath , nor in any other age of the church , ought to have apostolicall power over all churches . the apostles had onely power to serve the church with the personall service of their apostleship . but pastorall power of ordinarie ministers or teachers they never had : and if the apostles had not the power of ordinarie ministers , much lesse can pastors receive the power of apostles , for christ gave both the one and the other order . but as the apostles were not pastors of that church to which they preached , and among whom they continued for some space ; no more do pastors become apostles if they preach the word , or dispence the sacraments to another flock or people beside their own , whereof they have the speciall oversight . but of this matter we have spoken before , and of the texts of scripture here alledged , therefore we will not repeat what hath been said alreadie : onely it seemeth somewhat strange , that you should cite those texts of scripture , as if the apostle had said , feed one flock , or feed that flock of god onely . for we find the word ( one ) or ( onely ) neither in the text expresly , nor in the sense for which it is here alledged , viz. as if he might not perform any ministeriall act in another congregation upon any occasion whatsoever . secondly , the power of feeding which the minister hath is neither confined to one societie onely , nor nextly derived to him from christ by the church . the office and authoritie of a pastor is immediately from christ . the deputation of the person which christ hath designed is from the church ministerially , but neither virtually nor formally . the consent of the people is requisite in the election of pastors and teachers we grant , the direction of the elders going before or along with them ; but the authoritie , office , and gift of a pastor is not from the people or elders , but from christ alone . when an apostle was to be chosen in the place of judas , act. . , . no one had the handling of that businesse , but peter declared unto the brethren present , what an one ought to be taken , and they present two , whereof one was elected by lot . in this example somethings are extraordinarie , for one onely was to be chosen , and that immediately by god himselfe : and somethings ordinarie for our imitation . for if peter would do nothing without consent of the disciples , thenmay not ordinarie elections be passed without consent and approbation of the church , but it is not a popular election , not governed by the fore-direction of elders , which is concluded from this passage of scripture : but a church election by the free consent , and judgement of the faithfull with the fore-leading of the presbyterie . when deacons were to be chosen , act. . . . in the church of jerusalem , it was done by the consent of the church . the mutinie of the hellenists against the hebrews occasioned that election , but was no cause why it was made by free consent . the apostles shew what persons must be chosen , and who ever thought the church was left at libertie to chuse as she please without direction . but in this election the people did first chuse , the apostles onely directing whom the people ought to make choice of : when most commonly the apostles instructed the people , and went before them in the election , and they consented . act. . . the apostles by consent chose elders , and so in every matter of great importance belonging directly to the whole bodie of the church , whether severally in one congregation , or joyntly in many , the consent of the faithfull by observation of the apostles was required . act. . . and . . and . . cor. . . but in the primitive times after the apostles , one church might elect and chuse a pastor for another . as ignatius exhorts the phyladelphians , that they would elect a pastor for the church of antioch . and so when the east church was infected with arrianisme , basil . epist . . . . thought it a fit meanes to remove the heresie , if the bishops of italie being sent thither did condemne the heresie , and he imploreth the aid of the bishops of italy , france , and all the east . cyprian saith , all bishops sunt mutuae concordiae glutine copulati : that if any hold heresie the rest should help . it would be too long to reckon up examples which in this case might be produced . if here it be questioned whether your election of the people be essentiall to the calling of a minister : we answer . . a thing is essentiall two wayes . first , as absolutely necessarie , so that the thing can have no existence without it . secondly , as necessarie to the integritie of the thing , so that it is maimed without it . againe , either the people be few in number , and simple apt to be led aside , unable to judge of the sufficiencie of their minister , or they be more in number , increased in wisdome , sound in faith , and able to discern betwixt things that differ . in the first sense the election of the people is not necessary or essentiall ; but in the second we cannot say he is no minister that is not chosen by the people , but his calling in that respect is maimed . if the people be few and simple , apt to be deceived , they stand in more need of guidance and direction , both from their own elders , and other churches . if the people be many in number , full of wisdome and understanding , their libertie to choose is the greater ; and it is the greater wrong to be deprived of it . the practise of the apostles and the primitive churches for many ages will confirme this ; for sometimes men were propounded to the church to be chosen : sometimes the choice was wholly left to them : and was not that for our direction , that more libertie is given where the danger is lesse , and more restraint and caution used where the danger is more apparent , that if they be left to themselves , either an ill or unfit choice will be made ? in reason this is evident , for the childs consent is required in marriage , but the more able he is to choose for himselfe , the more libertie may parents grant , the lesse able , the more watchfull must they be ; and so in this businesse . brotherly societie requires that we mutually exhort , admonish , reprove and comfort each other as occasion requires , and as need requires . it is a dutie of neighbour-churches to lend their helpe to their brethren in the choice and election of their minister . when the scripture willeth that one should admonish another , it is not onely a command to every singular man towards his fellow , but also to any whole company too : another societie bellarmine asketh , quo jure unus populus episcopum alterius populi elegere potest ? junius answereth ; certe charitatis jure & communione sanctorum . and paul when he teacheth that all the faithfull are members of one mysticall body of christ , who ought to have a mutuall care one of another , laid the foundation of this policie . it is a blemish in the calling of a minister , if either the people be not fit to choose , or being fit they be shut forth from the choice , but this maime doth not make a nullitie in his calling ; for in every true church where the word is preached and received , and the sacraments for substance rightly administred , there is a true and lawfull ministery , and a true and lawfull calling of that ministery , though in some things defective . in the church of god all sound and saving truth is to be found , for it is the pillar and ground of truth , and where the true profession of all saving truth , with the right use of the sacraments for substance is to be found , there is the church , which ordinarily cannot be had , maintained and continued without a lawfull ministery , nor that without a calling . the saving truth of god & a lawfull ministery , are both essentiall to a true church . something of this remaines in every compleat societie that hath any thing of the church ; and for essence and substance they are true in every true , lawfull , compleat societie . the profession of the truth may be true and sound in all necessary and fundamentall points , though mixed with diverse errors , and the ministery for truth and substance lawfull , though many wayes deficient . in the true church there is a true ministery , but the true church hath continued there by the blessing of god , where the election of ministers hath been given away by the people , or taken from them . in the primitive church , when the people had a voyce in the choice of their pastor , oftentimes there were factions in the church , the people stood against their guides and challenged the whole power of election to themselves . sometimes they were divided among themselves . sometimes they gave away their power , at least in part , and sometimes ministers were set over them without their councell and advice , whose ministery notwithstanding was not reputed voyde and of none effect . if it be objected that many things were amisse in those primitive elections , what will follow thence , but that the ministery may be lawfull and good , where there be many wants in the manner of calling ? if this be not granted , what shall be done when the people and their elders be divided in the choice of a fit officer . if the people prevaile against their elders , he whom they choose is no minister to them , because not chosen by their suffrages : if the elders against the people , he whom they approve is no minister unto theirs , because not chosen by their suffrage ; and so if there be dissention they must seperate from , or excommunicate one another , because he is no minister to the one whom the others approve . the orthodox pastors did professe , so that the donatists would returne to the true and apostolicall doctrine , they would not disallow their bishops , that they might understand that catholiques did not detest christian consecration ( as augustine speakes ) by humane error . the high priesthood was bought and sold for money , and sometimes made annuall , and every yeare new high priests created , sicut isti praefecti quos singulis annis promutant reges , as sol : jarchi saith . that as every man would lay out more or lesse money , he should get or lose the priesthood , which may be seene in the examples of jason or menelaus . neverthelesse , so long as the jewes continued the true church of god , the priesthood was true also . the reformed churches who have seperated from the abhominations of rome , professe the first reformers among them received some ordinary calling in the romane synagogue . they that thinke the basest of rome , will acknowledge baptisme unduely administred by priests or jesuites , to be for substance the holy sacrament of christ . and if the baptisme of god may be derived from the ministery , it is no absurditie to thinke that the first seekers of reformation derived authoritie from christ to preach the word and administer the sacraments by them , as stewards used of god to set them in that office : for the seekers of reformation derived their authoritie from god , and that which is instituted by christ , is not made voyde by the corruptions of men . the third and fourth consideration we will passe over , because from what hath been spoken , it is easie to understand in what sense they may be admitted , and in what denyed , and we have no desire to trouble you with the examination of that which falleth not into question . as for the second branch of your answer , that in case the church shall without cause , or without sufficient weightie cause , rashly or wilfully set him aside whom christ hath set over them , yet he still remaines a minister of christ ( untill he accepts of a call from another people ) in whose account , notwithstanding such depositions , he hath true right of administring among that people : we know not well your meaning ; if this be your minde that a minister lawfully called and set over one congregation , is to be esteemed a minister in the usuall church , as the particular church hath unitie with , and is part of the universall or catholique : and as a partie baptized is not baptized into that particular congregation onely , but into all churches ; and that the ministery is one , cujus à singulis in solidum pars tenetur , as cyprian speakes ; and therefore though the minister be unjustly cast off by one congregation , yet he is not to be esteemed as no minister , we freely consent . but if your meaning be that he is onely by right a minister of that particular congregation , because unjustly deposed , as formerly in the execution of his office he was a minister to them onely , and to none other societie whatsoever , or in what respect soever ; your opinion is contrary to the judgement and practise of the universall church , and tendeth to destroy the unitie of the church , and that communion which the churches of god may and ought to have one with another ; for if he be not a minister in other churches , then are not the churches of god one , nor the ministers one , nor the flocke which they feed one , nor the communion one which they have each with other . and if the pastor derive all his authoritie to feede from the church , when the church hath set him aside , what right hath he to administer among that people . if they erre in their deposition , it is true they sinne against christ . but as they give right to an unworthy man to administer among them , if they call him unjustly , so they take right from the worthy if wrongsully they depose him . the minister is for his ministery the office for the execution , and so the pastor and the flocke are relatives : and therefore if their election gave him authoritie among them to seed , their casting him off hath stripped him of the same power which formerly they gave him . and his ministery ceasing , he should cease to be their minister , if he stood as minister onely to that congregation in every respect . whit. depont . q. . sec. . pa. . certe lex naturae & ratio clamitat cujus est instituere ejus est destruere , sive destituere , ad quem institutio pertinet ad eundem destitationem , seu destructionem pertinere . rob. aga . b. p. . if the congregation may chuse and elect their governours , then they may refuse and reprobate them . viii . position . that one minister cannot performe any ministeriall act in another congregation . answer . if you take ministeriall act improperly as sometimes it is taken by some , onely when the minister of one church doth exercise his gifts of praying and preaching in another church , being by themselves so desired . then we answer , in this sense a minister of one church may do a ministeriall act in another , which he doth not perform by vertue of any calling , but onely by his gifts ; and thus upon any occasion we mutually perform those acts one in anothers churches : but if you meane by ministeriall act , such an act of authoritie and power in dispensing of gods ordinance as a minister doth perform to the church , whereunto he is called to be a minister ; then we deny that he can so perform any ministeriall act to any other church but his own , because his office extends no further then his call . for that solemne charge , act. . . is not to feed all flocks , but that one flock onely , over which the holy ghost hath made them over-seers . if the question were propounded to any minister so exercising in an others church , which was once to our saviour by the chief priests and elders : by what power doest thou these things , and who gave thee this authoritie ? let that minister whosoever he be , study how to make an answer . reply . the preaching of the word , publick prayer in the congregation met together solemnly to worship god , and the administration of the sacraments , are acts properly ministeriall ( if any other ) to be performed by power and authoritie from christ , as you acknowledge , for the preaching of the word , and dispensation of the seales in your second consideration . but these acts one minister may performe in another congregation , or towards the members of another church . you know by whom your question hath been propounded touching one ministers exercising in another ministers church , and how it hath been answered ; and if you see more light and truth then formerly , we would desire you substantially to confute what answers some of you have returned to that demand . to admit ( saith mr. j. d. ) those that are known members of another church to communion in the sacraments upon fitting occasions i hold lawfull , and do professemy readinesse to practise accordingly . again , i conceive that ( besides my membership else where , and the right which those churches give to known passants of being admitted to the communion for a short time ) both himself and the whole church acknowledge me for a member with them for the time of my abode in that service , which they testified by desiring the help of my publick labours , and their cheerfull admittance of me to that ordinance during that time without the least scruple . and if a minister may pray , preach , blesse the congregation in the name of the lord , and receive the sacrament with them , being thereunto requested ; we doubt not but by consent of the pastor and the congregation he may lawfully dispense the seals amongst them also as need and occasion requires . that distinction of preaching by office , and exercising his gifts onely , when it is done by a minister , and desired of none but ministers , and that in solemne , set , constant church-assemblies , we cannot find warranted in the word of truth , and therefore we dare not receive it . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e it is truly observed by master davenport out of ambros . offic. l . c. . et quantum libet quisque profecerit , nemo est qui doceri non indigeni dum vi●it . appoll . preface to the reader . wrence these men ( saith cann against robi ) superstitiously addicted to their new devise , that beware how to reject the unanimous judgment and practice of all learned men and true churches . stay against straying . pag. . i am and shall be always ready to give all due respect to those good customes of churches , which are taken upon good warrant and ground , and long continued among gods people . i. d. apol. p. . good customes taken up by the churches upon good grounds should not lightly be broken or laid downe , wherein i doe fully agree with the authour of that elaborate commentary upon the fourth chapter of iohn , i. d. apol. sect. . examina . p. . notes for div a -e this argument is used by the abridgment against conformity to the ceremonies , and we do not see but it is as strong against this liturgy . whereas the publisher of this answer to the six positions , refers the reader to mr. cottons answer unto mr. ball for satisfaction in this point concerning set formes of prayer . the reader is earnestly intreated to compare master balls treatise , and mr cottons answer with seriousnesse and indifferencie , because mr ball having received that answer before the publishing of his treatise ( being much enlarged , whereof mr , cotton was ignorant ) was confident , that with addition of some marginall no●es ( which in reference thereto he added ) his treatise would sufficiently defend it selfe , against all the assaults , which that answer made against it . notes for div a -e we may not communicate at all in that ministery , which is exercised by an unlawfull person or in an unlawful . place robinson against bern. counsell debated p ibid. pag esa . . . ezech ● . , . mic . , . ier. . . esa . , . ioh. . . math . , . & . , . & ▪ . . math. . . & . . see whitak de pontif q . f : . pag. . phil. . . hos . , . sam. . , , , , . ier. . , . mic . , . phil . . helv conf . cap § . & §. , gal. conf . art . arg. conf . art. . saxon. conf . art. zep. de sac l. . c. . art. of religion , hybera . art carlton praelect de ecclesia , cap. . we see no warrant why for every particular act , that in a larger sence is idolatrous , adjoyned to gods true worship , we should forbeare our presence at the true worship it self . unreason . of seperation . answ to . argument . compare what ' master i. d. hath written in defence or excuse in resorting to the assemb . of the separatists , called brownists . apol. sect. . exam . p. ● . & apol. sect. exam . pag. . notes for div a -e rom . cor. . & . rom . gal ● . thess . cor . gal. ● . act . & . & . . eph. . , . acts. . . . gen . . math. . . robins . against bern. reas . discus . pa. . lev . . deut. . . & . . . rom. . deut. . psa . neb. . . act. . . luk. . . cor & . . deut . . . . robin against bern p . act . t it . rob : against bern. act . in the same verse the same persons are called the church disciples , and christians pag. . &c. also pag. ezeck . . see lava●er on ezek math . . ier. . . ios. . rom. . act . as christ is that one great pastor , so hath hee generally one fold and flock , iohn . . ezeck . , which is his church , as he saith . and ye my flock , the flock of my pasture are men , ezek . . aynsw . cant . . sure it is that hee is none of christs sheepe visibly , or in respect of men which is without christs sheepfold , for there is one sheepfold and one sheepheard . iohn . robins against bern likelihoods , p. . hieron . tom . . ep. . nec altera romae urbis ecclesia , alteratotius orbis existimanda est , & gallia , & britannia , & asia , &c. & omnes barbarae nationes unum christum adorant , unam observant regulam veritatis . cor . . col. . . cor. , . cor. . . gal. ● . . phil. . . tim. . . pet. . . pastores sunt omnes , sed grex unus qui ab apostolis omnibus unanimi consensu pascatur . cypr. de unitate ecclesiae . etsi pastores multi sumus , unum tamen gregem pascimus , cypr. l. . epistola . cum sit a christo una ecclesia per totum mundum in multa membra divisa item episcopatus unus episcoporum multorum concordi numero diffusus , &c. cypr. l. . ep. . iohn . . & . & . . a●●anasius may be for an example . gen . . lev. . . apo. . . heb. . . rob. against bern. pa. . rom. . . ● . gen. . . gal. , , , , , rob. against b●r. pa. ● . see mr. i. d. apol. . sect. exam p. . i. d. apol. . sect. exem . pag. , & . bucer . diss . ep pa & ep . pa. . act. . . & . act . . . & . . acts . . & . . & . & . . & . ezra . . , , . act. . & . . , , , , & . . & . . act . . act. act. et . . et . , . acts . & . & . . acts . . robinson against bern p. . euseb h●st l. ● c. ●at . g●ae● . raff . hit de sacra contr de bapt . qu & pag , . a●●ers . of the sacr : l. c fol. . 〈◊〉 de p●es●y● . pag. . act. ● col. . pet . act . ioh. . . & . mark. . . act . & . . rob. against ●ern . p these keyes in d. &c. in the corporation ( the church ) there is alwayes the whole power of christ to residing , which you may call officers for the use of it selfe , to which it is sufficient that it can without officers use this power for things simply necessary ; as for receiving in of members by profession of faith and confession of sins , for edifying of them by exhortation and comforts in the ordinance of prophesying , and so for excommunication . rob. against b. pag. . see rob. against ber. pag. . . . if you call it consultation in an assembly wherein all have equall power and voyce in determining things some one going before the rest idem pag robins against bern. coun. debated , p . ibid. p. . cor. . cor. . . beza de presbyt . & excom . pag. robins against bern. pag. . acts the word of god and canons of councels will have pastors so to care for their own flock , that they forbid them not to care for the whole church , especially in a time of common combustion . the answer of some brethren , pag . publica dei invocatio non minima pars communis in unâ fide consensionis . beza contra erastum , de presbyt pap . . euseb . hist . c. . graec. cham●●● panst . tom . l. . c. . sect. . the churches plea , pag . ap●l pag. & . orig. in isa . hom. . qui vocatur ad episcopatum , vocatur ad servitutem totius ecclesiae . chrysoft . in cor. hom . . vniversae curam gerimus . see cham panstr . tom. . pag. . cap. . sect. , , . &c. jun. animadv . in bellar. contro . . lib. . c. . not . . & cap. not . . act. . . rom. . . phil. . , . & . . ●am . , . act. . . & . & . . & . . cor. . , . esay . . ezr. . . . . . . & . . & . . revel . . what example have you but grounds for the baptising of infants ? or where read you of any officer excommunicated by any rob. against ber. p. . we may not expect examples of any pastors in scriptures : who did thus . i. d. apol. . sect. exam p. ● . see i. d. apol. texts . exam pa. . exod . exod. . col . , . erast so objects against bern. sicut a circumcisione ad baptismum argumentamur ut probemus infantes esse baptizandos , ita etiam licet ab agno paschatis ad coenam domini , &c. whereto hee truly replyeth . ego vero , non negolicere &c. at non temere & universaliter . beza contra erast . pag. . ●ev . . . & . exo. . , eph. . etiam si daremus nullam legi ab apostolis excommunicationem non tamen sequeretur ita esse , quum satis constet non omnium singularia apostolorum gesta perscripta fuisse . bez. de presb. p. . et si de melchizedeck & iobo quae huc adferuntur non sunt extra controversiam . nam foedere cum abra. inito non excluduntur ij qui ante erant in foedere sed accensentur foederi . ita autem se habuit melchizedeck , &c. omnino enim consors promissionis divine fuit ante foedus cum eo initum . gen. . job vero & credens fuit promissionibus foederis & de sententia veterum fuit circumcisus etiam haereditarià circumcisione a paterno maternaque sanguine . vt elegantèr scribit author libri de verà circumcisione qui hieron . ad scribitur . iun. anim adv . in bellar . contrav . . lib. . cha . . not . . ● . d. exam 〈◊〉 tents p . mat. . . . act. , . . & . & . . . . cor. . . . job . . . . cor. . . rev. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . . tim. . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & script . ethnici apud patres audiunt . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . matth. . . ephes . . . rob. against ber. p. . * mr. . d. apol. sect. . exam p. . what though this inconvenience do arise sometimes through mans corruption it should be otherwise ; and we must ever consider of the nature of gods ordinances in their right use , &c. rob. against ber. pa. . respondit caam nullam fuisse cur . bapt. istos accedentes rejiceret ut qui ad ejus bapt . venirent cum peccatorum agnitione nec ipse potestatem haberet eos excommunicandi etiamsi fuissent excom . digni . beza de presb. p . recte sane quis illos à sacris prohibuerat , &c. etsi sit tam sceleratus quispiam quam esse exist imatur tum si tale judicium sibi quisque sumat quae mox fuerit ecclesie facies ? sed pretered tenendum est istud in hoc negotio inita cujuspiam cons . non probabillas rectam alterius consciam . id. pa. . id in privatorum arbitrio relinquere ut alibi diximus & periculosum nimis & toti ecclesiae valde damnosum fuisset . id. p. . demonstr . of disc . ca. . rob. against bern. likely veiwed . p. . john . . math. . . cor. . , . tit. . , . rob. ag . ber. pa. . rob. ag . bern. pa. . matth , . iob. . and . . matt. . . act. . , . act. . . act. . . & . . . act . act. . and . . . act. . . act. , . . . cor. . . matth. . . act. . . and . , , . helv. conf . c. . gallic . sect. . anglic. & ab eo neminem qui velit profiteri nomen christi ne infantes quidem christianorum hominum , &c. scot. conf . c. . belgi● . act . . zengerm , conf . de bapt. insant . pro. . argent . conf . ca. . saxon , confes . ca. . palab . conf . sect. ad usum vero ipsum , &c. rob. against ber. pa. . matth. . . act. . . & . . and . . and . . cor. . . act. . . act. . . joh . , . & . . act. . . whit. de sacra . q. . de bap. cap. . pa . act. . . & . . cor. . . against b. pa. . see j. d. ap. sect. . pa. , , . deut. . . rom. . , , , . rom. . . gen. . , and . . act. . . gal. . . . tit. . . mat. . . pet. . . cor. . . matth. . . . mark . . . luk. . . . matth. . , . mar. . , . act. . . . act. . . . act . - . act. . - . notes for div a -e vid. park . pol. ecclesiastica . l. . c. , &c. a fen. theol. lib. . park . de pol. lib. . c. . j. d. apol. . sect. exam . p● . , , . b rob. against ber. pa. . by two or three are meant the meanest communion or societie of saints , with or without officers . rob. against ber. certaine observations , p. . onely he that is of the true visible church and furnished with the power of christ , the keyes of the kingdome for the censure can admonish his brother in order , and those degrees which the word prescribeth mat. . . . id. pa . the power as to receive in , so to cut off any member is given to the whole body together of every christian congregation , and not to any one member apart , or to more members sequestred from the whole , using the meetest number for pronouncing the censures , id. pa. - . if the brethren have libertie in the ordinance of prophesying , they have also libertie in the other ordinance of excommunication , for they are both of the same nature ; looke to whom christ gave the one key of knowledge , to them he gave the other key of discipline , rob. against bern. pa. , . mat. . . joh. . , . & . , . gal. . . ioh . . whit. de pont . q. . c. . . cor. . . & . . tim. . . authoritas rectorum pro dono quidem ecclesiae à christo data est , sed non pro dono absoluto , ut penes totam ecclesiam resideat cui datur , sed pro dono conditionali , ut rectoribus ipsis communicetur ad totius aedificationem , park . de polit. lib. . cap. . cor. . . cor. . . . tim. . . cor. . . act. . . eph. . . . co. . , co. . , . tit. . . successor habet jurisdictionē ab eo a quo praedecessor , alioqui non verè succedit . but pastors and teachers are the successors of the apostles . whit. de pont . q. . c. . fr : victor rel . . de potest ecclesiae q. . alphons . de castr . li. . c. . de insta baret . whit. de pont . q. . c. . cham. panstr . tom . . lib. . c. . sect . . in the church the officers are the ministers of the people , whose service the people is to use for administration and executing their judgements , that is , pronouncing the judgement of the church ( and of god first ) against the obstinate . rob. against ber. p. . the officers in the church are both christs and the peoples servants and ministers . id. p. . ames bel. enerv . tom . . l. . c. . ministri ecclesiastici sunt ecclesie tanquam objecti circa quod versantur ministri sunt christi tanquam principalis causae & domini à quo pendent ministri sed nullo modo episcoporum . omnis legatus in causâ legationis suae immediatè pendet ab eo à quo mittitur , & instrumento mandatorum in corrupto est indelebili . a we denie the order of elders to be superiour to the order of saints , since it is not an order of mastership but of service . rob. against bern. pa. . it were a strange thing that men could have no command over their servants , as i have oft shewed the church-officers to be her servants . id. p. . the order of servants is inferiour to the order of them whose servants they are : but the order of church-officers is an order of servants , and they by office to serve the people , id. p. . . notes for div a -e heb. . . pro. . . & . . gen . . . levit. . . mat. . . gal. . . rob. ag . bern. pa. . exod. . . deut. . . & . . . & . . ezek. . . . nū . . . . deut. . . , . josh . . . , , . iudg. . . . & . . . & . . & . - . chr. . kin. . . & . . chr. . . heb. . act. . . & . . & . , , . act. . . notes for div a -e whit. de pontq . ca. . p. . ep. . li. . rom . . heb. . . bel. de cler. li. ● . c. . jun. animad . contr . . l. c . no● . . rom. . . theod. hist . l. . c. . aug epist . . & . socrat. hist . l . c. , . . zozom . hist . l. . c. , . nazian . in epitaphium patris evagr. l. . c. . . theod. hist . l. . c. . jun. animadver in bel. cont . l. . c. . nor . , . cartur . reply d . part . pa. . illiris . catal . test . li. . tit . ecclesiae gubern . jos . antiq. l. . c. . c. . see ambros . de officijs . l. . c. . hieron . ad ocean & epist. ad nepotian . t. c. reply . pa. . a rever . cathol . orth . tract . . q. . sect. . cartw. reply . par . . pa. . notes for div a -e to baptise is a duty of the pastors pastoriall office . ● . d. apol ser. exam . pa. . exam. of texts , pa. . apol. exam . of texts . p. . the generall historie of virginia, new-england, and the summer isles with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours from their first beginning. an⁰: . to this present . with the procedings of those severall colonies and the accidents that befell them in all their journyes and discoveries. also the maps and descriptions of all those countryes, their commodities, people, government, customes, and religion yet knowne. divided into sixe bookes. by captaine iohn smith sometymes governour in those countryes & admirall of new england. smith, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the generall historie of virginia, new-england, and the summer isles with the names of the adventurers, planters, and governours from their first beginning. an⁰: . to this present . with the procedings of those severall colonies and the accidents that befell them in all their journyes and discoveries. also the maps and descriptions of all those countryes, their commodities, people, government, customes, and religion yet knowne. divided into sixe bookes. by captaine iohn smith sometymes governour in those countryes & admirall of new england. smith, john, - . barra, john, ca. - , engraver. [ ], , - p., [ ] plates ( folded) : ports., maps printed by i[ohn] d[awson] and i[ohn] h[aviland] for michael sparkes, london : . largely a collected edition of his "a description of new england", "a map of virginia", "new englands trials", and "a true relation of such occurrences and accidents of noate as hath hapned in virginia since the first planting of that collony, which is now resident in the south part thereof, till the last returne from thence". the title page is engraved and signed: grauen by iohn barra. "dawson pr[inted]. )(² , a-n⁴. haviland pr[inted]. p-ii⁴"--stc. some copies have an errata slip. for details on various states see sabin. reproduction of the original in harvard university. library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng indians of north america -- virginia -- early works to . virginia -- history -- colonial period, ca. - -- early works to . virginia -- description and travel -- early works to . new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - -- early works to . bermuda islands -- history -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the generall historie of virginia , new-england , and the summer isles : with the names of the adventurers , planters , and governours from their first beginning an : . to this present . with the procedings of those severall colonies and the accidents that befell them in all their journyes and discoveries . also the maps and descriptions of all those countryes , their commodities , people , government , customes , and religion yet knowne . divided into sixe bookes . by captaine iohn smith sometymes governour in those countryes & admirall of new england . london printed by i.d. and i.h. for michael sparkes . . to the illvstriovs and most noble princesse , the lady francis , duchesse of richmond and lenox . may it please your grace , this history , as for the raritie and varietie of the subiect , so much more for the judicious eyes it is like to vndergoe , and most of all for that great name , whereof it dareth implore protection , might and ought to haue beene clad in better robes then my rude military hand can cut out in paper ornaments . but because , of the most things therein , i am no compiler by hear-say , but haue beene a reall actor ; i take my selfe to haue a propertie in them : and therefore haue beene bold to challenge them to come vnder the reach of my owne rough pen. that , which hath beene indured and passed through with hardship and danger , is thereby sweetned to the actor , when he becometh the relator . i haue deeply hazarded my selfe in doing and suffering , and why should i sticke to hazard my reputation in recording ? he that acteth two parts is the more borne withall if he come short , or fayle in one of them . where shall we looke to finde a iulius caesar , whose atchieuments shine as cleare in his owne commentaries , as they did in the field ? i confesse , my hand , though able to weild a weapon among the barbarous , yet well may tremble in handling a pen among so many indicious : especially when i am so bold as to call so piercing , and so glorious an eye , as your grace , to view these poore ragged lines yet my comfort is , that heretofore honorable and vertuous ladies , and comparable but amongst themselues , haue offred me rescue and protection in my greatest dangers : even in forraine parts , i haue felt reliefe from that sex . the beauteous lady tragabigzanda , when i was a slaue to the turkes , did all she could to secure me . when i overcame the bashaw of nalbrits in tartaria , the charitable lady call●mata supplyed my necessities . in the vtmost of many extremities , that blessed pokahontas , the great kings daughter of virginia , oft saved my life . when i escaped the crueltie of pirats and most furious stormes , a long time alone in a small boat at sea , and driven ashore in france , the good lady madam chanoyes , bountifully assisted me . and so verily these my adventures haue tasted the same influence from your gratious hand , which hath given birth to the publication of this narration . if therefore your grace shall daigne to cast your eye on this poore booke , view i pray you rather your owne bountie ( without which it had dyed in the wombe ) then my imperfections , which haue no helpe but the shrine of your glorious name to be sheltered from censorious condemnation . vouchsafe some glimpse of your honorable aspect , to accept these my labours ; to protect them vnder the shadow of your excellent name : which will inable them to be presented to the kings royall maiestie , the most admired prince charles , and the queene of bohemia : your sweet recommendations will make it the worthier of their good countenances . and as all my endevours are their due tribute : so this page shall record to posteritie , that my service shall be to pray to god , that you may still continue the renowned of your sexe , the most honored of men , and the highly blessed of god. your graces faithfull and devoted servant , iohn smith . ¶ a preface of foure poynts . this plaine history humbly sheweth the truth ; that our most royall king iames hath place and opportunitie to inlarge his ancient dominions without wronging any ; ( which is a condition most agreeable to his most iust & pious resolutions : ) and the prince his highness may see where to plant new colonies . the gaining prouinces addeth to the kings crown : but the reducing heathen people to ciuilitie and true religion , bringeth honour to the king of heauen . if his princely wisedome and powerfull hand , renowned through the world for admirable government , please but to set these now estates into order ; their composure will be singular : the counsell of divers is confused ; the generall stocke is consumed ; nothing but the touch of the kings sacred hand can erect a monarchy . most noble lords and worthy gentlemen , it is your honors that haue imployed great paines and large expence in laying the foundation of this state , wherein much hath beene buried vnder ground , yet some thing hath sprung vp , and giuen you a taste of your adventures . let no difficulties alter your noble intentions . the action is an honour to your country : and the issue may well reimburse you your summes expended . our practices haue hitherto beene but assayes , and are still to be amended . let your bountie supply the necessities of weake beginnings , and your excellent iudgements rectifie the proceedings ; the returne cannot choose in the end but bring you good commodities , and good contentments , by your aduancing shipping and fishing so vsefull vnto our nation . yee valiant and generous spirits , personall possessors of these new-found territories , banish from among you cowardise , covetousnes , iealousies , and idlenes , enemies to the raising your honours and fortunes ; vertue , industry , and amitie , will make you good and great , and your merits liue to ensuing ages . you that in contempt of necessities , hazard your liues and estates , imploying your studies & labours in these faire endevours , liue and prosper as i desire my soule should prosper . for my selfe let emulation and enuie cease , i ever intended my actions should be vpright : now my care hath beene that my relations should giue every man they concerne , their due . but had i not discovered and liued in the most of those parts , i could not possibly haue collected the substantiall truth from such a number of variable relations , that would haue made a volume at least of a thousand sheets . though the beginning may seeme harsh in regard of the antiquities , breuitie , and names ; a pleasanter discourse ensues . the stile of a souldier is not eloquent , but honest and iustifiable ; so i desire all my friends and well-wishers to excuse and accept it , and if any be so noble as to respect it , he that brought new england to light , though long since brought in obscuritie , he is againe to be found a true servant to all good designes . so i ever rest yours to command , iohn smith . a gentleman desirous to be vnknowne , yet a great benefactor to virginia , his loue to the author , the company , and history . stay , reade , behold , skill , courage , knowledge , arts ; wonder of nature : mirror of our clime . mars , vulcan , neptune striue to haue their parts , rare ornaments , rich honours of our time . from far fetcht indies , and virginia's soyle , here smith is come to shew his art and skill : he was the smith that hammered famins foyle , and on powhatan's emperour had his will. though first colūbus , indies true christofer ; cabots , braue florida , much admirer ; meta incognita , rare martin frobisher ; gilberts braue humphery , neptunes deuourer ; captaine amadis , raleighs discouerer ; sir richard grenvill , zealands braue coaster : drake , doomes , drowne , death , spaines scorner ; gosnolds relates , pring prime observer . though these be gone , and left behinde a name , yet smith is here to anvile out a peece to after ages , and eternall fame , that we may haue the golden iasons fleece . he vulcan like di● forge a true plantation , and chain'd their kings , to his immortall glory ; restoring peace and plentie to the nation , regaining honour to this worthy story . by him the infidels had due correction , he blew the bellowes still of peace and plentie : he made the indians bow vnto subiection , and planters ne're return'd to albion empty . the colonies pin'd , staru'd , staring , bones so feeble , by his braue proiects , proued strong againe : the souldiers ' lowance he did seeke to treble , and made the salvage in vncouth place remaine . he left the countrey in prosperous happie state , and plenty stood with peace at each mans doore : regarding not the salvage loue nor hate : thēselues grew well , the indiās wondrous poore . this there he did and now is home return'd , to shew vs all that never thither goe : that in his heart , he deepely oft hath mourn'd , because the action goeth on so slow . braue , graue , wise , rich , prize benefactors , replant , want , continue still good actors . be kinde , and finde , bring eyes to blind ; by gods great might , giue indians light . spend money , bloud , to doe that good , that may giue indians heav'nly food . and god no lesse , you still shall blesse ; both you and yours the lands possesse . s. m. see here behold as in a glasse , all that is , or is and was . t. t. . samuel purchas of his friend captaine iohn smith , and his virginia . loe here smiths forge , where forgery's ro●gue-branded , true pegasus is shoo'd , fetters are forged for silke-sotts , milk-sops , base sloth , farre hence landed , ( soile-chang'd , * soule-soil'd still ) englands dregs , discharged , to plant ( supplant ! ) virginia , home-disgorged : where vertues praise frames good men stories armour 'gainst time , achilles-like , with best arts charged ; pallas , all-arm'd , all-learn'd , can teach sword-grammer , can pens of pikes ; armes t' arts ; to scholar , souldier , hammer : can pilgrim make a maker ; all so-well hath taught smith scoure my rustie out-worne muse , and so coniur'd her in virginian cell , that things vnlearned long by want of vse , shee fresh areeds me read , without abuse by fabling . arthurs great acts little made by greater lies she saith ; seales faith excuse a t' island , groonland , estotiland to wade after lie-legends ; malgo , brandon , are wares braide . the fryer of linne b frights her with his black art ; nor brittish bards can tell where madoc c planted . cabots , thorns , elyots truth haue wenne her heart ; eldest di●cov'rers of new worlds cont'nent ( granted so had iust fates . ) colon and vespuce panted ; this got the name d , last , least of three ; the other new worlds isles found first : cabot is most chanted in three-mens-song ; did more new world discover then both , then any ; an hundred degrees coasted over . haile s ir sebastian , englands northern pole , virginia's finder ; virgin eliza nam'd it , ga●e't raleigh . ( rut , prat , hore , i not enrole ) amadas rites to english right first fram'd it . lane planted , return'd , nor had english tam'd it : greenviles and whites men all slaine ; new plantation iames founds , sloth confounds , feare , pride , faction sham'd it : smiths forge mends all , makes chaines for savage nation , frees , feeds the rest ; the rest reade in his bookes relation . thomas macarnesse to his worthy friend and countryman , captaine iohn smith . who loues to liue at home , yet looke abroad , and know both passen and vnpassen road , the prime plantation of an vnknowne shore , the men , the manners , fruitfulnesse , and store : read but this little booke , and then confesse , the lesse thou lik'st and lou'st , thou liu'st the lesse . he writ it with great labour , for thy good , twice over , now in paper , 'fore in blood ; it cost him deare , both paines , without an ayme of private profit , for thy publicke gaine . that thou mightst read and know and safely see , what he by practice , thou by theoree . commend him for his loyall loving heart , or else come mend him , and take thou his part . to his friend captaine iohn smith , and his worke. i know not how desert more great can rise , then out of danger t' ane for good mens good ; nor who doth better winne th' olympian prize , than he whose countryes honor stirres his bloud ; private respects haue private expectation , publicke designes , should publish reputation . this gentleman whose volumne heere is stoard with strange discoverie of gods strangest creatures , giues vs full view , how he hath sayl'd , and oar'd , and marcht , full many myles , whose rough defeatures , hath beene as bold , as puissant , vp to binde their barbarous strength 's , to follow him dog-linde . but wit , nor valour , now adayes payes scores for estimation ; all goes now by wealth , or friends ; tush ● thrust the beggar out of dores that is not purse-lyn'd ; those which liue by stealth shall haue their haunts ; no matter what 's the guest in many places ; monies well come best . but those who well discerne , esteeme not so : nor i of thee braue smith , that hast beat out thy iron thus ; though i but little know to what t' hast seene ; yet i in this am stout : my thoughts , maps to my minde some accidents , that makes mee see thy greater presidents . io : done. to my worthy friend captaine iohn smith . how great a part of knowledge had wee lost , both of virginia and the summer isles , had not thy carefull diligence and cost inform'd vs thus , with thy industrious stile ! like caesar now thou writ'st what thou hast done , these acts , this booke will liue while ther 's a sunne . edw : worseley . to his much respected friend captaine iohn smith . envie avant . for smith , whose anvill was experience , could take his heat , knew how and when to strike , wrought well this peece ; till after-negligence mistaking temper , cold , or scorch'd ; or like vnskilfull workmen , that can never fyle nor pollish it , that takes in forge such toyle : heere noble smith , thou shewest the temper true , which other tampring - tempres never knew . ro : norton . to his loving friend captaine iohn smith . where actions speake the praises of a man , there , pennes that vse to flatter silent be , or if they speake , it is to scorne or scanne ; for such with vertue seldome doe agree . when i looke backe on all thy labours past , thy travels , perils , losses oft ●ustaind by sea and land ; and ( which is worst and last ) neglect or small reward , so dearely gaind . i doe admire thy still vndanted spirit ; vnwearied yet to worke thy countries good . this be thy praise then , due vnto thy merit ; for it th' hast venter'd life ; and lost thy blood . . . . . . . truth , travayle , and neglect , pure , painefull , most vnkinde , . . . . . . doth proue , consume , dismay , the soule , the corps , the minde . edw : ingham . to my deare friend by true vertue ennobled captaine iohn smith . more then enough i cannot thee commend : whos 's both abilities and loue doe tend so to advance the good of that estate , by english charge , and planters propagate through heapes of painfull hazards ; in the first of which , that colony thy care hath nurst . and often that effected but with ten that after thee , and now , three hundred men haue faild in , 'mong the salvages ; who shake at bruit of thee , as spaine at name of drake . which well appeares ; considering the while thou governedst , nor force of theirs , ne guile lessend a man of thine ; but since ( i rue ) in brittish blood they deeply did imbrue their heathen hands . and ( truth to say ) we see , our selues wee lost , vntimely leaving thee . nor yet perceiue i any got betweene thee and thy merit ; which hath better beene in prayse ; or profit much ; if counted iust ; free from the weales abuse , or wronged trust . some few particulars perhaps haue sped ; but wherein hath the publicke prospered ? or is there more of those vast countries knowne , then by thy labours and relations showne first , best ? and shall wee loue thee now the lesse ? farre be ●t ! fit condignely to expresse thankes , by new charge , or recompence ; by whom , such past good hath , such future good may come . david wiffin . noble captaine smith , my worthy friend not like the age wherein thou liu'st , to lie buried in basenesse , sloth , or ribaldrie ( for most doe thus ) hast thou thy selfe applide ; but , in faire actions , merits height descride : which ( like foure theaters to set thee forth ) the worlds foure quarters testifie thy worth . the last whereof ( america ) best showes thy paines , and prayse ; and what to thee shee owes , ( although thy sommer shone on th' elder three , in as great deeds as great varietie ) for opening to her selfe her selfe , in two * of her large members ; now ours , to our view . thereby endearing vs to thy desart , that doubly dost them to our hands impart ; there by thy worke , heere by thy workes ; by each maist thou fames lasting wreath ( for guerdon ) reach . and so become , in after times t' ensue , a president for others , so to doe . william grent . to his worthily affected friend , captaine iohn smith . amongst so many that by learned skill , haue given iust prayse to thee , and to thy booke , deare friend receiue this pledge of my good will , whereon , if thou with acceptation looke , and thinke it worthie , ranke amongst the rest : vse thy discretion , i haue done my best . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the contents of the generall history , divided into six books . the first booke . the first voyage to the new world , by madock prince of wales . the next by ha●no prince of carthage , and how it was offred k. hen. . by chr. cullumbus , that vndertooke it for the spanyards . . how iohn cabot was imployed by king hen. the . and found the continent before cullumbus . also sir martin frobisher , and sir humphrey gilbert ranged towards the north. and how captaine amidas was sent to discover the coast of florida by sir water raleigh and his associates . and the country wingandacoa was called virginia by q●cene elizabeth . page — . sir richard greenvill sent thither with . he left for a plantation . the discovery of the rivers chawonok and moratoc . the trechery of their king , who with eight more were slaine , and they all returned to england againe the same yeare with sir francis drake . pag. — . the observations of master heriot . of their commodities , victuall , fru●ts , beasts , fishes , and foules . their religion , and beliefe of god , of the creation of the world , and man ; the immortalitie of the soule ; the subtiltie of their priests ; the peoples simplicitie , and desire of salvation ; and other accidents . pag. — . sir rich : greenvill sent to supply them . not finding them , left fiftie . their successe . page . master white sent to relieue them , found they were all slaine , yet left . more , and departed . returning the second time , he could not heare of them ; his observations and accidents . pag. — . a discovery by captaine gosnoll of elizabeths isles ; his observations , relations , and returne . pag. . . the voyage of captaine pring to the same coast. the discovery of captaine waymouth ; his observations , relations , and returne . pag. — . a map of the old virginia , with the figures of the salvages . the second booke . of virginia now planted , discovered by captaine smith . the latitude , temperature , and capes ; a description of chisapeack bay , and s●aven navigable rivers that fall into it , with their severall inhabitants , and diversitie of language , pag. — . of things growing naturally , as woods , fruits , gummes , berries , herbs , roots ; also of beasts , birds , and fishes ; how they divide the yeare , prepare their ground , plant their corne , and vse it , and other victuall page . . — . what commodities may be had by industry . the description of the people , their numbers , constitutions , dispositions , attyre , buildings , lodgings and gardens , their vsage of children , striking of fire making their bowes and arrowes , kniues swords , targets , and boats : how they spinne , make fish-hooks , and ginnes , and their order of hunting . consultations and order in warres . pag. — . their musicke , entertainment , trade , physicke , chirurgery and charmes . their religion , god , burials ordinary and extraordinary , temples , priests , ornaments , solemnities , coniurations , altars , sacrifices , black boyes , and resurrection . pag. — . the manner of their government , their emperor ; his attendants , watch , treasury , wiues , successors & authority : tenure of their lands , and manner of punishment , with some words of their language englished . pag. — . and a mappe of the countrey of virginia now planted . the third booke . of the accidents and proceedings of the english. their orders of government , accidents in going , first landing and governement setled . pag. . . the salvages assault the fort , the ships returne , their names were left , occasion of sicknes , plenty vnexpected , the building of iames towne , the beginning of trade , two proiects to abandon the country . pag. — . their first attempts vpon the salvages . captaine smith taken prisoner ; their order of triumph , and how he should haue beene executed , was preserved , saved iames towne from being surprised , how they contured him . powhata● entertained him , would haue slaine him ; how pocahontas his daughter saved him , and sent him to iames towne . the third plot to abandon the countrey suppressed . pag. — . their first supply and accidents . the salvages opinion of our god. captaine smith revisits powhatan ; iames towne burnt ; a co●ceited gold mine ; a needlesse charge ; captaine newports returne for england . pag — . iames towne rebuilt , with a church and store-house ; the salvages plot to murther all the english ; their insolencies suppressed . different opinions among the councell . p. . their names landed in this supply . p. . the discovery of the bay of chriapeack . their fight and conference with the kuskarawaoks ; ambuscadoes prevented in the river patawomek ; a mine like antimony . pag. — . how to deale with the salvages . smith neare killed with a stingray . with many other accidents in the discovery . a needlesse misery at iames towne redressed . pag. — . the second voyage to discover the bay. their incounter with the massawomekes and tockwhoghs ; the sasquesahanoughs offer subiectio to the english. the exceeding loue of the salvage mos●o their fight with the rapahanocks ; their fight with the manahokes . the king of hasla●ing●'s brother taken prisoner ; his relation of those mountainers ▪ p●ac● 〈◊〉 with all those nations . pag. ●- . the ●iscovery of the r●ver payankatank ; then sight with the n●ndsamunds , & chisapeacks ; their returne to iames town . p. . the presidency surrendred to cap. smith . the second supply by captaine newport , many presents sent from england to powhatan , his scorne ▪ consultations ; factions suppressed ; cap. smith visiteth powhatan ; pocahontas entertaines him with a maske ; the coronation of powhatan , and conditions . pag. . the discovery of the monacans ; a punishment for swearing ; the chickahamanians forced to contribution ; the abuses of the mariners ; master scriveners voyage to werowocomoco . pag. — . captaine smiths relation to england of the estate of the colony : the names of them arrived in this supply . pag. . . nandsamund forced to contribution . the first marriage in virginia . apamatuck discovered . pag. . captaine smiths iourney to pamavnkee . the discovery of the chawwonocks . smiths discourse to powhatan ; his reply and slattery ; and his discourse of peace and warre . powhatans plot to murther smith , discovered by his daughter pocahontas , pag. . their escape at pamavnkee . the dutchmen deceiue captaine winne , and arme the salvages ; sixteene english beset by seven hundred salvages , smith takes their king opechankanough prisoner ; the salvages excuse & reconcilement . p. . — . master scrivener and others drowned ; master wiffins desperate iourney to pamavnkee ; powhatan constraines his men again to be trecherous ; he is forced to fraught their ship ; smith poysoned ; the dutch mens trechery . pag. — . the dutch-mens plot to murther smith . he taketh the king of paspahegh prisoner , and others ; they become all subiect to the english. pag. . a salv●ge smoothered , yet recovered ; three or foure salvages slaine in drying stolne powder . great extremity occasioned by ratts ; bread made of dryed sturgeon ; the punishment for loyterers ; the discovery of the mangoags . captaine argals first arrivall ; the inconveniences in a plantation . p. — . the government altered ; the arrivall of the third supply ; mutinies ; nandsamund planted ; breach of peace with the salvages ; powhatans chiefe seat bought for copper ; mutinies . pag. . . captaine smith blowne vp with gun-powder ; a bloudy intent ; the causes why he left the country and his commission ; his returne for england ; the ends of the dutch-men . certaine verses of seaven gentlemen . p . the fourth booke . with their proceedings after the alteration of the government . how the mutiners proceeded ; the salvage , revolt ; the planting point comfort , them at nandsamund , and the fals , defeated by the salvages . captaine ratliff , with thirtie slaine by powhatan . the fruits of improvidence . the arrivall of sir thomas gates . iames towne abandoned . the arrivall of the lord la warre ; their actions , and both their returnes . pag. — . the government left to captaine percie ; & his proceedings . the arrivall of sir thomas dale , and his actions . pag. — . the second arrivall of sir thomas gates ; the building henerico , and the bermudas ; how captaine argall tooke pocahontas prisoner . dales voyage to pamavnkee . the marriage of pocahontas to master rolfe . articles of peace with the salvages . p. . — . the government left to sir thomas dale . captaine argals voyage to port royall . master hamers to powhatan ; and their accidents . pag. . . the manner of the lottery . a spanish shippe in virginia . dale with pocahontas comes for england . capt. yerley left deputy governour ; his warres and peace with the chickahamanians , and proceedings . pag. — . a relation to queene anne of the quality & conditiō of pocahontas ; how the queen entertained her ; capt. argall sent governor ; the death of powhatan ; ten english slaine ; argals accidents and proceedings . the lord de la warre sent againe governour ; his death . a relation of their present estates . haile-stones . inches about . pag. — . sir george yerley sent g●vernor ; waraskoyack planted . a parliament in virginia ; foure corporations appointed ; the adventures of cap. ward ; the number of ships and men sent this yeare ; gifts given ; patents granted . pag. — . a desperate sea fight by captaine chester with two spanish men of warre ; the names of the adventurers . pag. — . notes and observations . a relation of their estates by master stockam . the arrivall of sir francis wyat with nine ships . master gockings plantation ; and their accidents ; the number of ships and men sent this yeare ; gifts given , patents granted p. — . master poties iourneyes to pawtuxunt , and other places , with his accidents pag. . — . capt. each sent to build forts and barks . the cause and manner of the massacre ; the numbers slaine ; the providence of cap. nuse ; cap. chroshaw his voyage to patowomek . pag. — . capt. smiths offer to the company to suppresse the salvages . their answer ; the manner of the satlery ; chroshaw stayes at patawomek ; the escape of waters and his wife . cap. hamar goes to patawomek ; chroshaws plot for all their preservations . capt. madison sent to patawomek . cap. powell kils three salvages . sir george yerleys iourney to acomack . the misery of captaine nuse . the kindness of the king of patawomek ; a vile policy of a salvage ; madisons mischiefe vnto the patawomeks . it was not well don to make opechankanough drinke healths . . surpriseth nandsamund and pamavnkee . the opinion of cap. smith how to subiect the salvages . the arriuall of cap. butler in virginia , and other accidents . pag. — . the losse of cap. spilman and . men . a particular of such necessaries as are fit for private persons or families . pag. . . a briefe relation by cap. smith to his mai●sties commissioners , for the reformation of virginia . the questions the right worthie commissioners demanded , and his answers ; how the king hath pleased to take it into his consideration . pag. — . at this present two ships are going ; more a preparing ; new commissions sent . a proclamation , no tobacco be vsed in englād , but what shall come from virginia , or the somer isles ; quere the proclamation . the fift booke . a mappe of the somer isles and fortresses . the description of the isles , the fruits , fishes , soyle , ayre , beasts , birds , with the relation of the shipwrack of henry may. pag. — . the shipwrack of sir tho : gates , and sir george somers ; their accidents , deliverāce and arrivall in virginia . somers returne to the isles ; his death , and epitaph , the accidents hapned ; three men lived there alone two yeares . pag. — . master more sent to make a plantation . a peece of amber greece found of . pound weight ; much dissension ; mores industrie in fortifying and waighing ordnance out of the wra●ks . their first supply ; a strange increase of potatoes . the attempt of spanish ships ; a great mortality ; a strange being of ravens ; a new supply , with their accidents , and moores returne . pag. — . the rent of the six governours ; a wonderfull accident of hilliard , not much lesse then a miracle . pag. . . the government of ca. tuckar ; assises ; the strange adventure of men in a boat ; plants from the west indies ; the endevours of cap. powell ; assises . the country neer devoured with ratts ; their strange confusion . the divisions of the isles into tribes , and tribes into shares , by mr. norwood ; the names of the adventurers , and their shares . p. — . the first magazin ; two exployts of desperate fugitiues . the returne of cap. tuckar . cap kendall left deputy-governor , & their accidents . pag. - . the government of cap. butler ; a platforme burnt , and much hurt by a hericano . the refortifying the kings castle . the arrivall of two dutch frigots . the rebuilding the mount , and a tombe for sir george somers . the reformation of their lawes and officers . their assises . a parliament . their acts ; their opinion of the magazin . the building three bridges . the generall assises ; a strange deliverance of a spanish wracke . a strange sodomy ; many ordnances got from wracks . their estates present . p. - . master barnard sent to be governour ; his arrivall , death , and funerall , with the proceedings of mr. harrison his successor , & cap. woodhouse their governor . pag. - . certaine verses of master withers , and other gentlemen . the sixt booke . a mappe of new-england . how this country hath bin accounted but a miserable desert . captain smiths first voyage ; what peace and warres he had with the salvages , and within . moneths returned with l. worths of commodities ; got prince charles to call it new-england . a table of the old names and the new . pag. ▪ . cap. hobsons voyage to capan ; the londoners apprehend it . the situation : notes for ignorant vndertakers . the description of the country . staple commodities ; present proofe of the healthfulnesse of the clime . observations of the hollanders chiefe trade . p. . examples of the altitude comparatiuely ; the reasons why to plant it . an example of the gaines every yeare ; a description of . severall countries in particular . of their kings , rivers , harbors , isles , mountains , landmarks , fruits , woods , birds , fishes , beasts , &c. and how as well gentlemen , as mecanicks , may be imployed , & get much wealth , with the reasons and causes of the defaylements . p. — . cap. smiths second voyage ; his ship neere foundered in the sea ; he reimbarketh himselfe ; incountreth the english pyrats ; fought with the french pyrates ; is betrayed by . french men of warre ; how he was released ; his men ran from him with ship and all ; how he lived with the french men ; what fights they had , what prizes they tooke ; the french mens ingratitude . sayle cast away : how he escaped , proceeded in france , returned for england , and punished them ran from him . pag. — . the yearely trialls of new-england ; the benefit of fishing , as mr. dee , and divers report , and approoved by the hollanders records ; how it becomes so well apprehended , that more then . haue gone thither to fish , with an estimate of their gaines , with many observations and accidents . pag. - . a plantation in new-england ; their first landing ; divers iourneys & accidents ; the description of the harbors , bayes , lakes , and that place they inhabit , called new-plimouth ; conference with the salvages ; and kinde vsage of the king of the massasoyts ; a strange policie of tusquantum . pag. — . the salvages make warres for their friendships ; the english revenge their friends iniuries . notes and observations . they lived two yeares without supplyes ; the death of tusquantum ; they contriue to murther the english ; how the english did cure a king sicke to death ; two most desperate salvages ; the courage of cap. standish ; the salvages sue for peace . pag. — . a most remarkable observation of gods loue . sayle fished th●re this yeare ; the religion of the salvages ; the government ; an answer to obiections ; considerations ; the charge ; the order of the western men . p. — . the effects of shipping ; the popes order for the east and west indies how to build a little navy royall ; contention for new-englād . the necessitie of martiall power . p. - . the charge to set forth a ship of a . tuns , both to make a fishing voyage , & increase the plantation . the facilitie of the fishing lately observed . their present estate at new-plimouth , and order of government . it s not his part that is the best translator , to render word for word to every author . how ancient avthors report , the nevv-vvorld , now called america , was discovered : and part thereof first planted by the english , called virginia , with the accidents and proceedings of the same . ❧ the first booke . for the stories of arthur , malgo , and brandon , that say a thousand yeares agoe they were in the north of america ; or the fryer of linn that by his blacke art went to the north pole in the yeare . in that i know them not . let this suffice . the chronicles of wales report , that madock , sonne to owen quineth , prince of wales seeing his two brethren at debate who should inherit , prepared certaine ships , with men and munition , and left his country to seeke aduentures by sea : leauing ireland north he sayled west till he came to a land vnknowne . returning home and relating what pleasant and fruitfull countries he had seene without inhabitants , and for what barren ground his brethren and kindred did murther one another , he provided a number of ships , and got with him such men and women as were desirous to liue in quietnesse , that arriued with him in this new land in the yeare : left many of his people there and returned for more . but where this place was no history can show . the spanyards say hanno a prince of carthage was the first : and the next christopher cullumbus , a genoesian , whom they sent to discover those vnknowne parts . . but we finde by records , cullumbus offered his seruice in the yeare . to king henry the seauenth ; and by accident vndertooke it for the spanyards . in the interim king henry gaue a commission to iohn cabot , and his three sonnes , sebastian , lewis , and sautius . iohn and sebastian well provided , setting sayle , ranged a great part of this vnknowne world , in the yeare . for though cullumbus had found certaine iles , it was . ere he saw the continent , which was a yeare after cabot . now americus came a long time after , though the whole continent to this day is called america after his name , yet sebastian cabot discovered much more then them all , for he sayled to about forty degrees southward of the lyne , and to sixty-seauen towards the north : for which king henry the eight knighted him and made him grand pilate of england . being very aged king edward the sixt gaue him a pention of l. ● . d. yearely . by his directions sir hugh willowby was sent to finde out the country of russia , but the next yeare he was found frozen to death in his ship , and all his company . mr martin frobisher was sent in the yeare . by our most gracious queene elizabeth , to search for the northwest passage , and meta incognita : for which he was knighted , honored , and well rewarded . sir humphrey gilbert a worthy knight attempted a plantation in some of those parts : and obtained letters pattents to his desire : but with this proviso , he should maintaine possession in some of those vast countries within the tearme of sixe yeares . yet when he was provided with a navy able to incounter a kings power , even here at home they fell in diuisions , and so into confusion , that they gaue over the designe ere it was begun , notwithstanding all this losse , his vndanted spirit began againe , but his fleet fell with new-found land , and he perished in his returne , as at large you may read in the third volume of the english voyages , written by mr hackluit . vpon all those relations and inducements , sir walter raleigh , a noble gentleman , and then in great esteeme , vndertooke to send to discover to the southward . and though his occasions and other imployments were such he could not goe himselfe , yet he procured her maiesties letters pattents , and perswaded many worthy knights and gentlemen to adventure with him to finde a place fit for a plantation . their proceedings followeth . the most famous , renowned , and euer worthy of all memory , for her courage , learning , iudgement , and vertue , queene elizabeth , granted her letters patents to sir walter raleigh for the discovering and planting new lands & countries , not actually possessed by any christians . this patenty got to be his assistants sir richard grenvell the valiant , mr william sanderson a great friend to all such noble and worthy actions , and divers other gentlemen and marchants , who with all speede prouided two small barkes well furnished with all necessaries , vnder the command of captaine philip amidas and captaine barlow . the . of aprill they set sayle from the thames , the tenth of may passed the canaries , and the tenth of iune the west indies : which vnneedfull southerly course , ( but then no better was knowne ) occasioned them in that season much sicknesse . the second of iuly they fell with the coast of florida in shoule water , where they felt a most dilicate sweete smell , though they saw no land , which ere long they espied , thinking it the continent : an hundred and twenty myles they sayled not finding any harbor . the first that appeared , with much difficulty they entred , and anchored , and after thankes to god they went to view the next land adioyning to take possession of it for the queenes most excellent maiestie : which done , they found their first landing place very sandy and low , but so full of grapes that the very surge of the sea sometimes over-flowed them : of which they found such plenty in all places , both on the sand , the greene soyle and hils , as in the plaines as well on euery little shrub , as also climbing towardes the tops of high cedars , that they did thinke in the world were not the like abundance . we passed by the sea-side towards the tops of the next hills being not high : from whence we might see the sea on both sides , and found it an i le of twentie myles in length , and six in breadth , the vallyes replenished with goodly tall cedars . discharging our muskets , such a flocke of cranes , the most white , arose by vs , with such a cry as if an army of men had shouted altogether . this i le hath many goodly woods , and decre , conies , and foule in incredible abundance , and vsing the authors owne phrase , the woods are not such as you finde in bohemia , moscovia , or hercinia , barren and fruitlesse , but the highest and reddest cedars of the world , bettering them of the assores , indies , or libanus : pynes , cypres , saxefras , the lentisk that beareth mastick , and many other of excellent smell and qualitie . till the third day we saw not any of the people , then in a little boat three of them appeared , one of them went on shore , to whom wee rowed , and he attended vs without any signe of feare ; after he had spoke much though we vnderstood not a word , of his owne accord he came boldly aboord vs , we gaue him a shirt , a hat , wine and meate , which he liked well , and after he had well viewed the barkes and vs , he went away in his owne boat , and within a quarter of a myle of vs in halfe an houre , had loaden his boat with fish , with which he came againe to the poynt of land , and there devided it in two parts , poynting one part to the ship , the other to the pinnace , and so departed . the next d●y came diuers boats , and in one of them the kings brother , with forty or fifty men , proper people , and their behauiour very ciuill ; his name was granganame● , the king is called wingina , the country wingandacoa . leauing his boats a little from our ships , he came with his trayne to the poynt : where spreading a matte he sat downe . though we came to him well armed , he made signes to vs to sit downe without any shew of feare , stroking his head and brest , and also ours , to expresse his loue . after he had made a long speech vnto vs , we presented him with diuers toyes , which he kindly accepted . he was greatly regarded by his people , for none of them did sit , nor speake a word , but foure , on whom we bestowed presents also , but he tooke all from them , making signes all things did belong to him . the king himselfe in a conflict with a king his next neighbour and mortall enemy , was shot in two places through the body , and the thigh , yet recouered : whereby he lay at his chiefe towne six dayes iourney from thence . a day or two after shewing them what we had , granganamco taking most liking to a pewter dish , made a hole in it , hung it about his necke for a brest-plate : for which he gaue vs twenty deere skins , worth twenty crownes ; and for a copper kettell , fiftie skins , worth fiftie crownes . much other trucke we had , and after two dayes he came aboord , and did eate and drinke with vs very merrily . not long after he brought his wife and children , they were but of meane stature , but well fauoured and very bashfull ; she had a long coat of leather , and about her privities a peece of the same , about her forehead a band of white corrall , and so had her husband , in her eares were bracelets of pearle , hanging downe to her middle , or the bignesse of great pease ; the rest of the women had pendants of copper , and the noblemen fiue or sixe in an eare ; his apparrell as his wiues , onely the women weare their haire long on both sides , and the men but on one ; they are of colour yellow , but their hayre is blacke , yet we saw children that had very fayre chesnut coloured hayre . after that these women had beene here with vs , there came downe from all parts great store of people , with leather , corrall , and diuers kinde of dyes , but when granganameo was present , none durst trade but himselfe , and them that wore red copper on their heads , as he did . when euer he came , he would signifie by so many fires he came with so many boats , that we might know his strength . their boats are but one great tree , which is but burnt in the forme of a trough with gins and fire , till it be as they would haue it . for an armour he would haue ingaged vs a bagge of pearle , but we refused , as not regarding it , that wee might the better learn where it grew . he was very iust of his promise , for oft we trusted him , and he would come within his day to keepe his word . he sent vs commonly euery day a brace of bucks , conies , hares , and fish , sometimes mellons , walnuts , cucumbers . pease , and diuers rootes . this author sayth , their corne groweth three times in fiue moneths ; in may they sow , in iuly reape ; in iune they sow , in august reape ; in iuly sow , in august reape . we put some of our pease in the ground , which in ten dayes were . ynches high . the soyle is most plentifull , sweete , wholesome , and fruitfull of all o●her , there are about . seuerall sorts of sweete smelling tymber trees : the most parts of the vnderwood , bayes and such like : such okes as we , but far greater and better . after this acquaintance , my selfe with seauen more went twenty myle into the riuer occam , that runneth toward the cittie skicoack , and the euening following we came to an i le called roanoak , from the harbour where we entred . leagues ; at the north end was . houses , builded with cedar , fortified round with sharpe trees , and the entrance like a turnpik . when we came towards it , the wife of granganameo came running out to meete vs , ( her husband was absent ) commanding her people to draw our boat ashore for beating on the billowes , other she appoynted to carry vs on their backes a land , others to bring our ores into the house for stealing . when we came into the other roome , ( for there was fiue in the house ) she caused vs to sit downe by a great fire ; after tooke off our clothes and washed them , of some our stockings , and some our feete in warme water , and she her selfe tooke much paines to see all things well ordered , and to provide vs victuall . after we had thus dryed our selues , she brought vs into an inner roome , where she set on the bord standing a long the house somewhat like frumentie , sodden venison , and rosted fish ; in like manner mellons raw , boyled rootes and fruites of diuers kindes . there drinke is commonly water boyled with ginger , sometimes with saxefras , and wholsome herbes , but whilest the crape lasteth they drinke wine . more loue she could not expresse to entertaine vs ; they care but onely to defend themselues from the short winter , and feede on what they finde naturall in sommer . in this fea●ting house was their idoll of whom they ●ould vs vncredible things . when we were at meate two or three of her men came amongst vs with their bowes and arrowes , which caused vs to take our armes in hand . she perceiuing our distrust , caused their bowes and arrowes to be broken , and they be●ten out of the gate : but the euening approaching we returned to our boate , where at she much grieuing brought our supper halfe boyled , pots and all , but when she saw vs , but put our boat a little off from the shoar and lye at anchor , perceiuing our ielousie , she sent diuers men & . women to sit al night on the shoare side against vs , and sent vs fiue mats to couer vs from the raine , doing all she could to perswade vs to her house . though there was no cause of doubt , we would not aduenture : for on our safety depended the voyage : but a more kinde louing people cannot be . beyond this i le is the maine land and the great riuer occam , on which standeth a towne called pomeiock , and six dayes higher , their city skicoak : those people neuer saw it , but say there fathers affirme it to be aboue two houres iourney about . into this riuer falleth an other called cipo , where is found many mustells wherein are pearles : likewise another riuer called nomapona , on the one side whereof standeth a great towne called chawanock , the lord of the country is not subiect to wingandacoa . beyond him an other king they cal menatonon . these . are in league each with other . towards the south . . dayes iourney is sequotan , the southermost part of wingandacoa . adioyning to secotan beginneth the country pomouik , belonging to the king called piamacum , in the country nusiok vpon the great riuer neus . these haue mortall warres with wingina , king of wingandacoa . betwixt piemacum and the lord of secotan , a peace was concluded : notwithstanding there is a mortall malice in the secotuns , because this piemacum invited diuers men , and . women to a feast , and when they were altogether merry before their idoll , which is but a meere illusion of the deuill , they sudainly slew all the men of secotan , and kept the women for their vse . beyond roanoak are many isles full of fruits and other naturall increases , with many townes a long the side of the continent . those iles lye . myles in length , and betweene them and the mayne , a great long sea , in some places . . . or . myles broad , in other more , somewhere lesse . and in this sea are . iles of diuers bignesses , but to get into it , you haue but . passages and they very dangerous . though this you see for most part be but the relations of saluages , because it is the first , i thought it not a mis●e to remember them as they are written by them that returned & ariued in england about the middest of september the same yeare . this discouery was so welcome into england that it pleased her m●iestie to call this country of wingandacoa , virginia , by which name now you are to vnderstand how it was planted , disolued , reuned , and enlarged , the performers of this voyage were these following . philip amadas . captaine arthur barlow . captaine william grenuill . iohn wood. iames browewich . henry greene. beniamen wood. simon ferdinando . of the companie . nicholas peryman . of the companie . iohn hewes . of the companie . sir richard grenuills voyage to virginia , for sir walter raleigh . ●● . the . of aprill he departed from plimouth with . sayle : the chiefe men with him in command , were master ralph layne , master thomas candish master iohn arundel , master stukley , master bremige , master vincent , master h●ryot and master iohn clarke . the . day we fell with the canaries , and the . of may with dominico in the west indies : we landed at portorico , after with much a doe at izabella on the north of hispaniola , passing by many iles. vpon the . we fell with the mayne of florida , and were put in great danger vpon cape fear . the . we anchored at wocokon , where the admiral had like to beene cast away , presently we sent to wingina to roanoak , and master arundell went to the mayne , with manteo a saluage , and that day to croo●on . the . the generall victualed for . dayes , with a selected company went to the maine , and discovered the townes of pomeiok , aquascogoc , secctan , and the great lake called paquipe . at aquascogoc the indians stole a siluer cup , wherefore we burnt the towne and spoyled their corne , so returned to our fleete at tocokon . whence we wayed for hatorask , where we rested , and granganimeo , king wingina's brother with m●nteo came abord our admirall , the admirall went for weapomeiok , & master iohn arundell for england . our generall in his way home tooke a rich loaden ship of . tunns , with which he ariued at plimouth the . of september . . these were left vnder the command of master ralph layne to inhabite the country , but they returned within a yeare . philip amidas admirall . master thomas heryot . master acton . master stafford . master thomas luddington . master maruyn . cap. vaghan . master gardiner . master kendall . master predeox . master rogers . master haruy. master snelling . master antony russe . master allen. master michaell pollison . master thomas bockner . master iames mason . master dauid salter . master iames skinner . with diuers others to the number of . touching the most remarkeable things of the country and our proceeding from the of august . till the . of iune . we made roanoack our habitation . the vtmost of our discouery southward was secotan as we esteemed . leagues from roanoacke . the passage from thence was thought a broad sound within the maine , being without kenning of land , yet full of flats and shoulds that our pinnasse could not passe , & we had but one boat with . ores , that would carry but . men with their prouisions for . dayes : so that because the winter approached we left those discoueries till a stronger supply . to the northward ; our farthest was to a towne of the chesapeacks , from roanoack . myles . the passage is very shallow and dangerous by reason of the breadth of the sound and the little succour for a storme , but this teritory being . myle from the shoare , for pleasantnest of seate , for temporature of climate , fertility of soyle and comoditie of the sea , besides beares , good woods , saxefras , walnuts &c. is not to be , excelled by any other whatsoeuer . there be sundry other kings they call weroances as the mangoacks , trypaniks and opposians , which came to visit vs. to the northwest our farthest was chawonock from roanoack . myles our passage lyeth through a broad sound , but all fresh water , and the channell nauigable for a ship , but out of it full of shoules . the townes by the way by the water , are passaquenock the womens towne , chepanoe , weapomciok ; from muscamunge wee enter the riuer and iurisdiction of chawonock , there it beginneth to straiten , and at chawonock it is as thames at lambeth : betwixt them as we passed is goodly high land on the left hand , and there is a towne called ohanock , where is a great corne field , it is subiect to chawonock , which is the greatest prouince vpon the riuer , and the towne it selfe can put seuen hundred men into the field , besides the forces of the re●t . the king is lame , but hath more vnderstanding then all the rest . the river of moratoc is more famous then all the rest , and openeth into the sound of weapometok , and where there is but a very small currant in chawonock , it hath so strong a currant from the southwest , as we doubted how to row against it . strange things they report of the head of this riuer , and of moratoc it selfe , a principall towne on it , & is thirtie or fortie dayes iourney to the head . this lame king is called menatonon . when i had him prisoner two dayes , he told mee that . d●yes iourney in a canow vp the riuer chawonock , then landing & going foure dayes iourney northeast , there is a king whose country lyeth on the sea , but his best place of strength is an iland in a bay inuironed with deepe water , where he taketh that abundance of pearle , that not onely his skins , and his nobles , but also his beds and houses are garnished therewith . this king was at chawonock two yeares agoe to trade with blacke pearle , his worst sort whereof i had a rope , but they were naught ; but that king he sayth hath store of white , and had trafficke with white men , for whom he reserued them ; he promised me guides to him , but aduised me to goe strong , for he was vnwilling strangers should come in his country , for his country is populous and valiant men . if a supply had come in aprill , i resolued to haue sent a small barke to the northward to haue found it , whilest i with small boates and . men would haue gone to the head of the riuer chawonock , with sufficient guides by land , inskonsing my selfe euery two dayes , where i would leaue garrisons for my retreat till i came to this bay. very neare vnto it is the riuer of moratoc , directly from the west , the head of it springeth out of a mayne rocke , which standeth so neare the sea , that in stormes the sea beats ouer it into this fresh spring , that of it selfe at the surse is a violent streame . i intended with two wherries and fortie persons to haue menatonons sonne for guide , to try this presently , till i could meete with some of the moratocks , or mangoaks , but hoping of getting more victuall from the saluages , we as narrowly escaped staruing in that discouery as euer men did . for pemissapan who had changed his name of wingina vpon the death of his brother granganameo , had giuen both the chawonests , and mangoaks word of my purpose : also he told me the chawonocks had assembled two or three thousand to assault me at roanok , vrging me daily to goe against them , and them against vs ; a great assembly i found at my comming thether , which suddaine approach did so dismay them , that we had the better of them : & this confederacy against vs was procured by pemissapan himselfe our chiefe friend we trusted ; he sent word also to the moratoks and the mangoaks , i came to inuade them , that they all fled vp into the high country , so that where i assured my selfe both of succour and prouision , i found all abandoned . but being thus farre on my iourney . myles from home , and but victuals for two dayes , besides the casualties of crosse winds , stormes , and the saluages trechery , though we intended no hurt to any : i gaue my company to vnderstand we were onely drawne forth vpon these vaine hopes by the saluages to bring vs to confusion : a councell we held , to goe forward or returne , but they all were absolutely resolued but three , that whilst there was but one pynt of corne for a man , they would not leaue the search of that riuer ; for they had two mastiue dogs , which boyled with saxefras leaues ( if the worst fell out ) vpon them and the pottage they would liue two dayes , which would bring them to the sound , where they should finde fish-for two dayes more to passe it to roanock , which two dayes they had rather fast then goe backe a foote , till they had seene the mangoaks either as friends or foes . though i did forsee the danger and misery , yet the desire i had to see the mangoaks was , for that there is a prouince called chaunis temoatan , frequented by them and well knowne to all those countries , where is a mine of copper they call wassador ; they say they take it out of a riuer that falleth swiftly from high rocks in shallow water , in great bowles , couered with leather , leauing a part open to receiue the mettall , which by the change of the colour of the water where the spout falleth , they suddainly chop downe , and haue the bowlefull , which they cast into the fire , it presently melteth , and doth yeeld in fiue parts at the first melting two parts mettall for three of ore. the mangoaks haue such plenty of it , they beautifie their houses with great plates thereof : this the salvages report ; and young skiko the king of chawonocks sonne my prisoner , that had beene prisoner among the mangoak● , but neuer at chaunis temoatan , for he sayd that was twentie dayes iourney ove● and ●rom the mangoaks . menatonon also confirmed all this , and promised me guids to this mettall country ; by land to the mangoaks is but one dayes iourney , but seauen by water , which made me so willing to haue met them for some assay of this mettall : but when we came there we found no creature , onely we might see where had beene their fires . after our two dayes iourney , and our victuals spent , in the euening we heard some call as we thought manteo , who was with me in the boat ; this made vs glad , he made them a friendly answer , which they answered with a song we thought for welcome , but he told vs they came to fight . presently they did let flie their arrowes about the boat , but did no hurt , the other boat scouring the shore we landed : but they all were fled , and how to finde them wee knew not . so the next morning we returned to the mouth of the riuer , that cost vs foure dayes rowing vp , and here our dogs pottage stood vs in good stead , for we had nothing els : the next day we fasted being windbound , and could not passe the sound , but the day following we came to chippanum , where the people were fled , but their wires afforded vs fish : thus being neare spent , the next day god brought vs to roanocke . i conclude a good mine , or the south sea will make this country quickly inhabited , and so for pleasure and profit comparable with any in the world : otherwise there will be nothing worth the fetching . provided there be found a better harbour then yet there is , which must be northward if there be any . master vaughan , no lesse hoped of the goodnesse of the mine , then master heriot that the riuer moratocks head , either riseth by the bay of mexico , or very neare the south sea , or some part that openeth neare the same , which cannot with that facilitie be done as from the bay of pearles , by insconsing foure dayes iourney to the chawonoks , mangoaks , and moratocks , &c. the conspiracy of pemissapan ; the discouery of it ; and our returne for england with sir francis drake . ensenore a saluage , father to pemissapan , the best friend we had after the death of granganimeo , when i was in those discoueries , could not prevaile any thing with the king from destroying vs , that all this time god had preserued , by his good counsell to the king to be friendly vnto vs. pemissapan thinking as the brute was in this last iourney we were slaine and starued , began to blaspheme our god that would suffer it , and not defend vs , so that old ensenore had no more credit for vs : for he began by all the deuises he could to inuade vs. but in the beginning of this brute , when they saw vs all returne , the report false , and had manteo , and three saluages more with vs , how little we esteemed all the people we met , and feared neither hunger , killing , or any thing , and had brought their greatest kings sonne prisoner with vs to roanock : it a little asswaged all his deuises , and brought ensenore in respect againe , that our god was good , and wee their friends , and our foes should perish , for we could do● them more hurt being dead , then liuing , and that being an hundred myles from them , shot , and strucke them sicke to death , and that when we die it is but for a time , then we returne againe . but that which wrought the most feare among them was the handy-worke of almightie god. for certaine dayes after my returne , menatonon sent messengers to me with pearle , and okisco king of weopomcoke , to yeeld himselfe seruant to the queene of england . okisco with twenty-foure of his principall men came to pemissapan to acknowledge this dutie and subiection , and would performe it . all which so changed the heart of pemissapan , that vpon the aduise of ensenore , when we were ready to famish they came and made vs wires , and planted their fields they intended to abandon ( we not hauing one corne till the next haruest to sustaine vs ) . this being done our old friend ensenore dyed the twenty of aprill , then all our enemies wrought with pemissapan to put in practise his deuises , which he easily imbraced , though they had planted corne by vs , and at dasamonpeack two leagues from vs. yet they got okisco our tributary to get seuen or eight hundred ( and the mandoages with the chisapeans should doe the like ) to meete ( as their custome is ) to solemnize the funerall of ensenore . halfe of whom should lye hid , to cut off the straglers , seeking crabs and prouision : the rest come out of the mayne vpon the signall by fire . twenty of the principall of pemissapans men had charge in the night to beset my house , put fire in the reeds that couered it , which might cause me run out so naked and amazed , they might without danger knocke out my braines . the same order for mr heriots , and the rest : for all should haue beene fired at an instant . in the meane time they should sell vs nothing , and in the night spoyle our wires , to make nenessitie disperse vs. for if we were but ten together , a hundred of them would not meddle with vs. so our famine increased , i was forced to send captaine stafford to croatan , with twentie to feed himselfe , and see if he could espie any sayle passe the coast ; mr predeox with ten to hatarask vpon the same occasion : and other small parties to the mayne to liue vpon rootes and oysters . pemissapan sequestring himselfe , i should not importune him for victuall , and to draw his troupes , found not the chawonests so forward as he expected , being a people more faithfull and powerfull , and desired our friendships , and was offended with him for raising such tales , and all his proiects were revealed to me by skico my prisoner ; who finding himselfe as well vsed by me , as pemissapan tould me all . these troubles caused me send to pemissapan , to put suspition in his head , i was to goe presently to croatan to meete a fleete came to me , though i knew no such matter : and that he would lend me m●n to fish and hunt . he sent me word he would come himselfe to roanock ; but delaying time eight dayes that all his men were there to be assembled , not liking so much company , i resolued the next day to goe visit him , but first to giue them in the i le a canvisado , and at an instant to seaze on all their canows about the i le . but the towne tooke the alarum before i ment it . for when i sent to take the canows , he met one going from the shore , ouerthrew her and cut off two salvages heads ; wherevpon the cry arose , being by their spyes perceiued : for they kept as good watch over vs , as we of them . vpon this they to their bowes , and we to our armes : three or foure of them at the first were slaine , the rest fled into the woods . the next morning i went to dassamonpeack and sent pemissapan word i was going to croatan , and tooke him in my way to complaine osocon would haue stole my prisoner skico . herevpon he did abide my comming , & being among eight of the principall est . i gaue the watchword to my men , and immediately they had that they purposed for vs. himselfe being shot through with a pistoll fell downe as dead , but presently start vp and ran away from them all , till an irish boy shot him over the buttocks , where they tooke him and cut off his head . seauen dayes after captaine stafforton sent to me he descryed twentie-three sayle . the next day came to me himselfe ( of whom i must say this , from the first to the last , he neither spared labour , or perill by land or sea , fayre weather , or foule , to performe any serious seruice committed to him . ) he brought me a letter from sir francis drake , whose generous mind offered to supply all my defects , of shipping , boats , munition , victuall , clothes , and men to further this action : and vpon good consultation and deliberation , he appointed me a ship of . tuns , with an hundred men , and foure moneths victuals , two pinnaces , foure small boats , with two sufficient masters , with sufficient gangs . all this being made ready for me , suddenly arose such a storme for foure dayes , that had like to haue driuen the whole fleete on shore : many of them were forced to the sea , whereof my ship so lately giuen me was one , with all my prouision and company appoynted . notwithstanding , the storme ceasing , the generall appointed me a ship of . tuns , with all prouisions as before , to carry me into england the next august , or when i had performed such discoueries as i thought fit . yet they durst not vndertake to bring her into the harbour , but she must ride in the road , leauing the care of the rest to my selfe , advising me to consider with my company what was fittest , and with my best speed returne him answer . herevpon calling my company together , who were all as priuy of the generals offer as my selfe ; their whole request was , ( in regard of all those former miseries , and no hope of the returne of sir richard grenvill , ) and with a generall consent , they desired me to vrge him , we might all goe with him for england in his fleete ; for whose reliefe in that storme he had sustained more perill of wrack , then in all his honorable actions against his enemies . so with prayses to god we set sayle in iune . and arriued in portsmouth the . of iuly the same yeare : leaving this remembrance to posteritie . to reason lend me thine attentiue eares , exempt thy selfe from mind-distracting cares : least that's here thus proiected for thy good ; by thee reiected be , ere vnderstood . written by mr ralph layne , governour . the observations of mr. thomas heriot in this voyage . for marchandize and victualls . what before is writ , is also confirmed by that learned mathematician mr thomas heriot , with them in the country , whose particular relation of all the beasts , birds , fishes , foules , fruites , and rootes , and how they may be vsefull ; because i haue writ it before for the most part in the discourse of captaine amidas , and captaine layne , except silk grasse , wormesilke , flax like hempe , allum , wapeith , or terra sigillata , tar , rosen , & turpentine , civet-cats , iron ore , copper that hold silver , coprose and pearle : let those briefes suffice , because i would not trouble you with one thing twice . dyes . for dyes , showmack , the herbe wasebur , little rootes called chapacor , and the barke of a tree called by the inhabitants tangomockonominge , which are for divers sorts of reds . what more then is related is an herbe in dutch called melden , described like an orange , growing foure foote high ; the seede will make good broth , and the stalke burnt to ashes makes a kinde of salt : other salt they know not , and we vsed of it for pot-herbs . of their tobacco we found plenty , which they esteeme their chiefe physicke . ground nuts , tiswaw we call china roots ; they grow in clusters , and bring forth a bryer stalke , but the leafe is far vnlike , which will climbe vp to the top of the highest tree : the vse knowne is to cut it in small peeces , then stampe & straine it with water , and boyled makes a gelly good to eate . cassavia growes in marishes , which the indians oft vse for bread and broth . habascon is like a parsnip , naught of it selfe , except compounded : and their leekes like those in england . sequenummener , a kinde of berry like capers , and three kinde of berries like acornes , called sagatamenor , osamenor , and pummuckoner . saquenuckot and maquowoc , two kinde of beasts , greater then conies , and very good meate ; in some places such plenty of gray conies , like hayres , that all the people make them mantels of their skins . i haue the names of . severall sorts that are dispersed in the country : of which . kindes we haue discouered and good to eate ; but the salvages sometimes kill a lyon and eate him . there is plentie of sturgeon in february , march , aprill , and may ; all herings in abundance ; some such as ours , but the most part of . . or . ynche● long , and more . trouts porpisses , rayes , mullers , old-wiues , pla●ce , tortoises both by sea and land : crabs , oysters , mussels , scalops , periwinckles , crevises , secanank : we haue the pictures of . sorts more , but their names we know not . turkeys , stockdoues , partridges , cranes , hernes , swans , geese , parrots , faulcons , merlins i haue the names in their language of . severall sorts . their woods are such as ours in england for the most part , except rakeock a grea● sweet tree , whereof they make their canowes : and ascopo , a kinde of tree like lowrell , and saxefras . their natures and manners . their clothing , townes , houses , warres , arts , tooles , handy crafts , and educations , are much like them in that part of virginia we now inhabite : which at large you may reade in the description thereof . but the relation of their religion is strange , as this author reporteth . some religion they haue , which although it be farre from the truth , yet being as it is there is hope it may be the easier reformed . they beleeue there are many gods which they call mantoac , but of different sorts and degrees . also that there is one chiefe god that hath beene from all eternitie , who as they say when he purposed first to make the world , made first other gods of a principall order , to be as instruments to be vsed in the creation and government to follow : and after the sunne , moone , and starres , as pettie gods ; and the instruments of the other order more principall . first ( they say ) were made waters , out of which by the gods were made all diversitie of creatures that are visible or invisible . for mankinde they say a woman was made first , which by the working of one of the gods conceiued and brought forth children ; and so they had their beginning , but how many yeares or ages since they know not ; having no records but onely tradition from father to sonne . they thinke that all the gods are of humane shape , and therefore represent them by images in the formes of men ; which they call kewasowok : one alone is called kewasa ; them they place in their temples , where they worship , pray , sing , and make many offerings . the common sort thinke them also gods . they beleeue the immortalitie of the soule , when life departing from the body , according to the good or bad workes it hath done , it is c●rried vp to the tabernacles of the gods , to perpetuall happpinesse , or to popogusso , a great pit : which they thinke to be at the furthest parts of the world , where the sunne sets , and there burne continually . to confirme this they told me of two men that had beene lately dead , and revived againe ; the one hapned but few yeares before our comming into the country ; of a bad man , which being dead and buried , the next day the earth over him being seene to moue , was taken vp , who told them his soule was very neare entering into popogusso , had not one of the gods saued him and gaue him leaue to returne againe , to teach his friends what they should doe to avoyd such torment . the other hapned the same yeare we were there , but sixtie myles from vs , which they told me for news , that one being dead , buried , & taken vp as the first , shewed , that although his body had layne dead in the graue , yet his soule liued , and had travailed far in a long broad way , on both sides whereof grew more sweet , fayre , and delicate trees and fruits , then ever he had seene before ; at length he came to most braue and fayre houses , neare which he met his father , that was dead long agoe , who gaue him charge to goe backe , to shew his friends what good there was to doe , to inioy the pleasures of that place ; which when hee had done hee should come againe . what subtiltie so ever be in the weroances , and priests ; this opinion worketh so much in the common sort , that they haue great respect to their governours : and as great care to avoyde torment after death , and to enioy blisse . yet they haue divers sorts of punishments according to the offence , according to the greatnesse of the fact . and this is the sum of their religion , which i learned by having speciall familiaritie with their priests , wherein they were not so sure grounded , nor gaue such credit , but through conversing with vs , they were brought into great doubts of their owne , and no small admiration of ours : of which many desired to learne more then we had meanes for want of vtterance in their language to expresse . most things they saw with vs as mathematicall instruments , sea compasses ; the vertue of the loadstone , perspectiue glasses , burning glasses : clocks to goe of themselues ; bookes , writing , guns , and such like ; so far exceeded their capacities , that they thought they were rather the workes of gods then men ; or at least the gods had taught vs how to make them , which loued vs so much better then them ; & caused many of them giue credit to what wespake concerning our god. in all places where i came , i did my best to make his immortall glory knowne . and i told them , although the bible i shewed them , contained all ; yet of it selfe , it was not of any such vertue as i thought they did conceiue . notwithstanding many would be glad to touch it , to kisse , and imbrace it , to hold it to their breasts , and heads , and stroke all their body over with it . the king wingina where we dwelt , would oft be with vs at prayer . twice he was exceeding sicke and like to dye . and doubting of any helpe from his priests , thinking he was in such danger for offending vs and our god , sent for some of vs to pray , and be a meanes to our god , he might liue with him after death . and so did many other in the like case . one other strange accident ( leauing others ) will i mention before i end , which mooued the whole country that either knew or heard of vs , to haue vs in wonderfull admiration . there was no towne where they had practised any villany against vs ( we leaving it vnpunished , because we sought by all possible meanes to winne them by gentlenes ) but within a few dayes after our departure , they began to dye ; in some townes twenty , in some forty , in some sixty , and in one an hundred and twenty , which was very many in respect of their numbers . and this hapned in no place ( we could learn ) where we had bin , but where they had vsed some practise to betray vs. and this disease was so strange , they neither knew what it was , nor how to cure it ; nor had they knowne the like time out of minde ; a thing specially observed by vs , as also by themselues , in so much that some of them who were our friends , especially wingina , had observed such effects in foure or fiue townes , that they were perswaded it was the worke of god through our meanes : and that we by him might kill and slay whom we would , without weapons , and not come neare them . and therevpon , when they had any vnderstanding , that any of their enemies abused vs in our iourneyes , they would intreat vs , we would be a meanes to our god , that they , as the others that had dealt ill with vs , might dye in like sort : although we shewed them their requests were vngodly ; and that our god would not subiect himselfe to any such requests of men , but all things as he pleased came to passe : and that we to shew our selues his true servants , ought rather to pray for the contrary : yet because the effect sell out so suddenly after , according to their desires , they thought it came to passe by our meanes , and would come giue vs thankes in their manner , that though we satisfied them not in words , yet in deeds we had fulfilled their desires . this marueilous accident in all the country wrought so strange opinions of vs , that they could not tell whether to thinke vs gods or men . and the rather that all the space of their sicknesse , there was no man of ours knowne to die , or much sicke . they noted also we had no women , nor cared for any of theirs : some therefore thought we were not borne of women , and therefore not mortall , but that we were men of an old generation many yeares past , & risen againe from immortalitie . some would prophesie there were more of our generation yet to come , to kill theirs and take their places . those that were to come after vs they imagined to be in the ayre , yet invisible and without bodies : and that they by our intreaties , for loue of vs , did make the people die as they did , by shooting invisible bullets into them . to confirme this , their physicians to excuse their ignorance in curing the disease , would make the simple people beleeue , that the strings of bloud they sucked out of the sicke bodies , were the strings wherein the invisible bullets were tyed , and cast . some thought we shot them our selues from the place where we dwelt , and killed the people that had offended vs , as we listed , how farre distant soever . and others said it was the speciall worke of god for our sakes , as we had cause in some sort to thinke no lesse , whatsoever some doe , or may imagine to the contrary ; especially some astrologers by the eclipse of the sunne we saw that yeare before our voyage , and by a comet which began to appeare but a few dayes before the sicknesse began : but to exclude them from being the speciall causes of so speciall an accident , there are farther reasons then i thinke fit to present or alledge . these their opinions i haue set downe , that you may see there is hope to imbrace the truth , and honor , obey , feare and loue vs , by good dealing and government : though some of our company towards the latter end , before we came away with sir francis drake shewed themselues too furious , in slaying some of the people in some townes , vpon causes that on our part might haue bin borne with more mildnesse ; notwithstanding they iustly had deserued it . the best neverthelesse in this , as in all actions besides , is to be indevoured and hoped ; and of the worst that may happen , notice to be taken with consideration ; and as much as may be eschewed ; the better to allure them hereafter to civilitie and christianitie . thus you may see , how nature her selfe delights her selfe in sundry instruments , that sundry things be done to decke the earth with ornaments ; nor suffers she her servants all should runne one race , but wills the walke of every one frame in a divers pace ; that divers wayes and divers workes , the world might better grace . written by thomas heriot , one of the voyage . how sir richard grenvill went to relieue them . in the yeare of our lord . sir walter raleigh and his associates prepared a ship of a hundred tun , fraughted plentifully of all things necessary : but before they set sayle from england it was easter . and arriving at hatora●k , they after some time spent in seeking the collony vp in the country , and not finding them , returned with all the provision againe to england . about . or . dayes after , sir richard grenvill accompanied with three ships well appoynted , arrived there . who not finding the aforesaid ship according to his expectation , nor hearing any newes of the collony there seated , and left by him as is said . travailing vp and downe to seeke them , but when he could heare no newes of them , and found their habitation abandoned , vnwilling to lose the possession of the country , after good deliberation he landed fiftie men in the i le of roanoak , plentifully furnished with all manner of provision for two yeares : and so returned for england . where many began strangely to discant of those crosse beginnings , and him ; which caused me remember an old saying of euripides . who broacheth ought that 's new , to fooles vntaught , himselfe shall iudged be vnwise , and good for naught . three ships more sent to relieue them by mr. white . we went the old course by the west indies , and simon ferdinando our continuall pilot mistaking virginia for cape fear , we sayled not much to haue beene cast away , vpon the conceit of our all-knowing ferdinando , had it not beene prevented by the vigilancy of captaine stafford . we came to hatorask the . of iuly , and with fortie of our best men , intending at roanoack to find the men left by sir richard grenvill . but we found nothing but the bones of a man , and where the plantation had beene , the houses vnhurt , but overgrowne with weeds , and the fort defaced , which much perplexed vs. by the history it seemes simon ferdinando did what he could to bring this voyage to confusion ; but yet they all arrived at hatorask . they repayred the old houses at roanock , and master george how , one of the councell , stragling abroad , was slaine by the salvages . not long after master stafford with . men went to croatan with manteo , whose friends dwelled there : of whom we thought to haue some newes of our men . they at first made shew to fight , but when they heard manteo , they threw away their armes , and were friends , and desired there might be a token giuen to be knowne by , least we might hurt them by misprision , as the yeare before one had bin by master layne , that was ever their friend , and there present yet lame . the next day we had conference with them concerning the people of secotan , aquascogoc , and pomeiok , willing them of croatan to see if they would accept our friendship , and renew our old acquaintance : which they willingly imbraced , and promised to bring their king and governours to roanoak , to confirme it . we also vnderstood that master howe was slaine by the men of wingina , of dassamonpeack : and by them of roanoack , that the fiftie men left by sir richard grenvill , were suddainly set vpon by three hundred of secotan , aquascogoc , and dassamonpeack . first they intruded themselues among of them by friendship , one they slew , the rest retyring to their houses , they set them on fire , that our men with what came next to hand were forced to make their passage among them ; where one of them was shot in the mouth , and presently dyed , and a salvage slaine by him . on both sides more were hurt ; but our men retyring to the water side , got their boat , & ere they had rowed a quarter of a myle towards hatorask , they tooke vp foure of their fellowes , gathering crabs and oysters : at last they landed on a little i le by hatorask , where they remained a while , but after departed they knew not whether . so taking our leaues of the croatans , we came to our fleet at hatorask . the governour having long expected the king and governours of pomeiok , secotan , aquascogoc , and dassamonpeack , and the . dayes expired , and no newes of them , being also informed by those of croatan , that they of dassamonpeack slew master how , and were at the driving our men from raonoack he thought no longer to deferre the revenge . wherefore about midnight , with captaine stafford , and twentie-foure men , whereof manteo was one , for our guide , ( that behaved himselfe towards vs as a most faithfull english man ) he set forward . the next day by breake of day we landed , and got beyond their houses , where seeing them sit by the fire we assaulted them . the miserable soules amazed fled into the reeds , where one was shot through , and we thought to haue beene fully revenged , but we were deceiued , for they were our friends come from croatan to gather their corne , because they vnderstood our enemies were fled after the death of master how , and left all behinde them for the birds . but they had like to haue payd too deare for it , had we not chanced vpon a weroances wife , with a childe at her backe , and a salvage that knew captaine stafford , that ran to him calling him by his name . being thus disappointed of our purpose , we gathered the fruit we found ripe , left the rest vnspoyled , and tooke menatonon his wife with her childe , and the rest with vs to roanoak . though this mistake grieued manteo , yet he imputed it to their own folly , because they had not kept promise to come to the governor at the day appointed . the . of august our salvage manteo was christened , and called lord of dassamonpeack , in reward of his faithfulnesse . and the th , ellinor the governours daughter , and wife to ananias dare , was delivered of a daughter in roanoak ; which being the first christian there borne , was called virginia . our ships being ready to depart , such a storme arose , as the admirall was forced to cut her cables : and it was six dayes ere she could recover the shore , that made vs doubt she had beene lost , because the most of her best men were on shore . at this time controversies did grow betwixt our governour and the assistants , about choosing one of them . to goe as factor for them all to england ; for all refused saue one , whom all men thought most insufficient : the conclusion was by a generall consent , they would haue the governour goe himselfe , for that they thought none would so truly procure there supplyes as he . which though he did what he could to excuse it , yet their importunitie would not cease till he vndertooke it , and had it vnder all their hands how vnwilling he was , but that necessity and reason did doubly constraine him . at their setting sayle for england , waighing anchor , twelue of the men in the flyboat were throwne from the capstern , by the breaking of a barre , and most of them so hurt , that some never recovered it . the second time they had the like fortune , being but . they cut the cable and kept company with their admirall to flowres and coruos ; the admirall stayed there looking for purchase : but the flyboats men grew so weake they were driuen to smerwick in the west of ireland . the governour went for england ; and simon ferdinando with much adoe at last arrived at portsmouth . . the names of those were landed in this plantation were , iohn white governour . roger bayley . ananias dare. simon ferdinando . christopher couper . thomas stevens . iohn samson . thomas smith . dionis haruie . roger prat. george how. antony cage . with divers others to the number of about . the fift voyage to virginia ; vndertaken by mr. iohn white . . the . of march three ships went from plimouth , and passed betwixt barbary and mogadoro to dominico in the west indies . after we had done some exployts in those parts , the third of august wee fell with the low sandy iles westward of wokokon . but by reason of ill weather it was the , ere we could anchor there ; and on the . we came to croatan , where is a great breach in degrees and a halfe , in the northeast poynt of the i le . the . we came to hatorask in . degrees & a terse , at . fadom , leagues from shore : where we might perceiue a smoake at the place where i left the colony , . the next morning captaine cooke , captaine spicer , & their companies , with two boats left ●ur ships , and discharged some ordnance to giue them notice of our comming , but when we came there , we found no man , nor signe of any that had beene there lately : and so returned to our boats. the next morning we prepared againe for roanoack . captaine spicer had then sent his boat ashore for water , so it was ten of the clocke ere we put from the ships , which rode two myles from the shore . the admirals boat , being a myle before the other , as she passed the bar , a sea broke into the boat and filled her halfe full of water : but by gods good will , and the carefull stearage of captaine cook , though our provisions were much wet we safe escaped , the wind blew hard at northeast , which caused so great a current and a breach vpon the barre ; captaine spicer passed halfe over , but by the indiscreet steering of ralph skinner , their boat was overset , the men that could catch hold hung about her , the next sea cast her on ground , where some let goe their hold to wade to shore , but the sea beat them downe . the boat thus tossed vp and downe captaine spicer and skinner hung there till they were drowne ; but . that could swim a little , kept themselues in deeper water , were saued by the meanes of captaine cook , that presently vpon the oversetting of their boat , shipped himselfe to saue what he could . thus of eleuen , seuen of the chiefest were drowned . this so discomfited all the saylers , we had much to do to get them any more to seeke further for the planters , but by their captaines forwardnes at last they fitted themselues againe for hatorask in boats , with persons . it was late ere we arrived , but seeing a fire through the woods , we sounded a trumpet , but no answer could we heare . the next morning we went to it , but could see nothing but the grasse , and some rotten trees burning . we went vp and downe the i le , and at last found three faire romane letters carved . c.r.o. which presently we knew to signifie the place where i should find them , according to a secret note betweene them & me : which was to write the name of the place they would be in , vpon some tree , dore , or post : and if they had beene in any distresse , to signifie it by making a crosse over it . for at my departure they intended to goe fiftie myles into the mayne . but we found no signe of distresse ; then we went to a place where they were left in sundry houses , but we found them all taken downe , and the place strongly inclosed with a high palizado , very fortlike ; and in one of the chiefe posts carued in fayre capitall letters croatan , without any signe of distresse , and many barres of iron , two pigs of lead , foure fowlers , iron shot , and such like heauie things throwne here and there , overgrowne with grasse and weeds . we went by the shore to seeke for their boats but could find none , nor any of the ordnance i left them . at last some of the sailers found divers chists had beene hidden and digged vp againe , and much of the goods spoyled , and scattered vp and downe , which when i saw , i knew three of them to be my owne ; but bookes , pictures , and all things els were spoyled . though it much grieued me , yet it did much comfort me that i did know they were at croatan ; so we returned to our ships , but had like to haue bin cast away by a great storme that continued all that night . the next morning we weighed anchor for croatan : having the anchor a-pike , the cable broke , by the meanes whereof we lost another : letting fall the third , the ship yet went so fast a drift , we fayled not much there to haue split . but god bringing vs into deeper water ; considering we had but one anchor , and our provision neare spent , we resolued to goe forthwith to s. iohns ile , hispaniola , or trinidado , to refresh our selues and seeke for purchase that winter , and the next spring come againe to seeke our country-men . but our vice admirall would not , but went directly for england , and we our course for trinidado . but within two dayes after , the wind changing , we were constrained for the westerne iles to refresh our selues , where we met with many of the queenes ships our owne consort , and divers others , the . of seeptember . and thus we left seeking our colony , that was neuer any of them found , nor seene to this day . and this was the conclusion of this plantation , after so much time , labour , and charge consumed . whereby we see ; not all at once , nor all alike , nor ever hath it beene , that god doth offer and confer his blessings vpon men . written by master iohn white . a briefe relation of the description of elizabeths ile , and some others towards the north part of virginia ; and what els they discovered in the yeare . by captaine bartholomew gosnoll , and captaine bartholomew gilbert ; and divers other gentlemen their associates . all hopes of virginia thus abandoned , it lay dead and obscured from . till this yeare . that captaine gosnoll , with . and himselfe in a small barke , set sayle from dartmouth vpon the . of march. though the wind favoured vs not at the first , but forced vs as far southward as the asores , which was not much out of our way ; we ran directly west from thence , whereby we made our iourney shorter then heretofore by . leagues : the weaknesse of our ship , the badnes of our saylers , and our ignorance of the coast , caused vs carry but a low sayle , that made our passage longer then we expected . on fryday the . of may we made land , it was somewhat low , where appeared certaine hummocks or hills in it : the shore white sand , but very rockie , yet overgrowne with fayre trees . comming to an anchor , indians in a baske shallop , with mast and sayle came boldly aboord vs. it seemed by their signes & such things as they had , some biskiners had fished there : being about the latitude of . but the harbour being naught , & doubting the weather , we went not ashore , but waighed , and stood to the southward into the sea. the next morning we found our selues imbayed with a mightie headland : within a league of the shore we anchored , and captaine gosnoll , my selfe , & three others went to it in our boat , being a white sand & a bold coast . though the weather was hot , we marched to the highest hils we could see , where we perceiued this headland part of the mayn , neare invironed with ilands . as we were returning to our ship , a good proper , lusty young man came to vs , with whom we had but small conference , and so we left him . herein . or . houres we tooke more cod then we knew what to doe with , which made vs perswade our selues , there might be found a good fishing in march , aprill , and may. at length we came among these fayre iles , some a league , . . . or . from the mayne , by one of them we anchored . we found it foure myles in compasse , without house or inhabitant . in it is a lake neare a myle in circuit ; the rest overgrowne with trees , which so well as the bushes , were so overgrowne with vines , we could scarce passe them . and by the blossomes we might perceiue there would be plenty of strawberries , respises , gousberries , and divers other fruits : besides , deere and other beasts we saw , and cranes , hernes , with divers other sorts of fowle ; which made vs call it martha's vineyard . the rest of the isles are replenished with such like ; very rocky , and much tinctured stone like minerall . though we met many indians , yet we could not see their habitations : they gaue vs fish , tobacco , and such things as they had . but the next isle we arrived at was but two leagues from the maine , & . myle about , invironed so with creekes and coves , it seemed like many isles linked together by small passages like bridges . in it is many places of plaine grasse , and such other fruits , and berries as before were mentioned . in mid-may we did sow wheat , barley , oates , & pease , which in . dayes sprung vp . inches . the soyle is fat and lusty : the crust therof gray , a foot or lesse in depth . it is full of high timbred okes , their leaues thrise so broad as ours : cedar straight and tall , beech , holly , walnut , hazell , cherry trees like ours , but the stalke beareth the blossom or fruit thereof like a cluster of grapes , forty or fiftie in a bunch . there is a tree of orange colour , whose barke in the filing is as smooth as velvet . there is a lake of fresh water three myles in compasse , in the midst an isle containing an acre or thereabout , overgrowne with wood : here are many tortoises , and abundance of all sorts of foules , whose young ones we tooke and cate at our pleasure . grounds nuts as big as egges , as good as potatoes , and . on a string , not two ynches vnder ground . all sorts of shell fish , as schalops , mussels , cockles , crabs , lobsters , welks , oysters , exceeding good and very great ; but not to cloy you with particulars , what god and nature hath bestowed on those places , i refer you to the authors owne writing at large . we called this isle elizabeths isle , from whence we went right over to the mayne , where we stood a while as ravished at the beautie and dilicacy of the sweetnesse , besides divers cleare lakes , whereof we saw no end , & meadows very large and full of greene grasse , &c. here we espyed . salvages , at first they expressed some feare , but by our courteous vsage of them , they followed vs to the necke of land , which we thought had beene severed from the mayne , but we found it otherwise . here we imagined was a river , but because the day was farre spent , we left to discover it till better leasure . but of good harbours , there is no doubt , considering the land is all rocky and broken lands . the next day we determined to fortifie our selues in the isle in the lake . three weekes we spent in building vs there a house . but the second day after our comming from the mayne , . canows with neare . salvag●s came towards vs. being vnwilling they should see our building , we went to , & exchanged with them kniues , hatchets , beades , bels , and such trifles , for some bevers , lyzards , martins , foxes , wilde catte skinnes , and such like . we saw them haue much red copper , whereof they make chaines , collars , and drinking cups , which they so little esteemed they would giue vs for small toyes , & signified vnto vs they had it out of the earth in the mayne : three dayes they stayed with vs , but every night retyred two or three myle from vs : after with many signes of loue and friendship they departed , seaven of them staying behind , that did helpe vs to dig and carry saxafras , and doe any thing they could , being of a comely proportion and the best condition of any salvages we had yet incountred . they haue no beards but counterfeits , as they did thinke ours also was : for which they would haue changed with some of our men that had great beards . some of the baser sort would steale ; but the better sort , we found very civill and iust . we saw but three of their women , and they were but of meane stature , attyred in skins like the men , but fat and well favoured . the wholesomenesse and temperature of this climate , doth not onely argue the people to be answerable to this description , but also of a perfect constitution of body , actiue , strong , healthfull , and very witty , as the sundry toyes by them so cunningly wrought may well testifie . for our selues , we found our selues rather increase in health and strength then otherwise ; for all our toyle , bad dyet and lodging ; yet not one of vs was touched with any sicknesse . twelue intended here a while to haue stayed , but vpon better consideration , how meanely we were provided , we left this island ( with as many true sorrowfull eyes as were before desirous to see it ) the . of iune , and arrived at e●mouth , the of iuly . but yet mans minde doth such it selfe explay , as gods great will doth frame it every way . and , such thoughts men haue , on earth that doe but liue , as men may craue , but god doth onely giue . written by iohn brierton one of the voyage . a voyage of captaine martin pring , with two barks from bristow , for the north part of virginia . . by the inducements and perswasions of mr richard hackluite , mr iohn whitson being maior , with his brethren the aldermen , & most of the merchants of the citie of bristow , raised a stocke of l. to furnish out two barkes , the one of . tuns , with . men and boyes , the other . tuns , with . men and boyes , having martin pring an vnderstanding gentleman , and a sufficient mariner for captaine , and robert salterne his assistant , who had bin with captaine gosnoll there the yeare before for pilot. though they were much crossed by contrary windes vpon the coast of england , and the death of that ever most memorable , miracle of the world , our most deare soveraigne lady and queene elizabeth : yet at last they passed by the westerne isles , and about the . of iune , fell vpon the north part of virginia , about the degrees of fortie three . where they found plentie of most sorts of fish , and saw a high country full of great woods of sundry sorts . as they ranged the coast at a place they named whitson bay , they were kindly vsed by the natiues , that came to them , in troupes , of tens , twenties , & thirties , and sometimes more . but because in this voyage for most part they followed the course of captaine gosnoll , and haue made no relation but to the same effect he writ before , we will thus conclude ; lay hands vnto this worke with all thy wit , but pray that god would speed and perfit it . robert salterne . a relation of a discovery towards the northward of virginia , by captaine george waymouth . imployed thether by the right honorable thomas arundell , baron of warder , in the raigne of our most royall king iames . vpon tuesday the fift of march we set sayle from ratcliffe , but by contrary winds we were forced into dartmouth till the last of this moneth , then with . as good sea men , & all necessary provisiōs as could possibly be gotten , we put to sea ; and the of aprill fell with flowres and coruos . we intended as we were directed towards the southward of . but the winds so crossed vs wee fell more northwards about . and . minuits , we sounded at . fathom , & by that we had run leagues we had but . yet saw no land ; from the mayne top we descryed a whitish sandy clift , west north-west some . leagues from vs , but ere we had run two leagues further we found many shoules and breaches , sometimes in . fadom and the next throw . or . being thus imbayed among those shoules , we were constrained to put back againe , which we did with no small danger , though both the winde and weather were as fayre as we could desire . thus we parted from the land , which we had not before so much desired , and at the first sight reioyced , as now we all ioyfully praysed god that he had delivered vs from so eminent danger . here we found excellent cod , and saw many whales as we had done . or . daies before . being thus constrained to put to sea , the want of wood & water caused vs take the best advantage of the winde , to fall with the shore wheresoever : but we found our sea cards most directly false . the . of may we made the land againe , but it blew so hard , we durst not approach it . the next day it appeared to vs a mayne high land , but we found it an island of . myles in compasse : within a league of it we came to an anchor , and went on shore for wood & water , of which we found sufficient . the water gushing forth downe the rocky clifts in many places , which are all overgrown with firre , birch , beech , & oke , as the verge is with gousberries , strawberries , wild pease , and rose bushes , and much foule of divers sorts that breed among the rockes : here as in all places els where we came , we found cod enough . from hence we might discerne the mayne land and very high mountaines , the next day because we rode too open to the sea , we waighed , and came to the isles adioyning to the mayn : among which we found an excellent rode , defended from all windes , for ships of any burthen , in . . . . or . fadom vpon a clay oze . this was vpon a whitsonday , wherefore we called it pentecost harbour . here i cannot omit for foolish feare of imputation of flattery , the painfull industry of our captaine , who as at sea he was alwayes most carefull & vigilant , so at land he refused no paines : but his labour was ever as much or rather more then any mans ; which not onely incouraged others with better content , but also effected much with great expedition . we digged a garden the . of may , where among our garden-seeds we sowed pease and barley , which in . dayes grew vp . ynches , although this was but the crust of the ground , and much inferiour to the mould we after found in the mayne . after we had taken order for all our necessary businesses , we marched through two of these isles . the biggest was . or . myles in compasse ; we found here all sorts of ordinary trees , besides , vines , currants , spruce , yew , angelica , and divers gummes : in so much many of our company wished themselues setled here . vpon the . our captaine with . went to discover the mayne : we in the ship espyed . canowes that came towards the ship . which after they had well viewed , one of them came aboord with . men , and by our good vsage of them not long after the rest , two dayes we had their companies , in all respects they are but like them at elizabeths isles , therefore this may suffice for their description . in this time our captain had discovered a fayre river , trending into the mayne myles , and returned backe to bring in the ship . the salvages also kept their words and brought vs . bever , oter , and sable skins , for the value of . shillings in kniues , glasses , combes , and such toyes , and thus we vsed them so kindly as we could , because we intended to inhabit in their country , they lying aboord with vs and we ashore with them ; but it was but as changing man for man as hostages , and in this manner many times we had their companies . at last they desired our captaine to goe with them to the mayne to trade with their bashabes , which is their chiefe lord , which we did , our boat well manned with . yet would they row faster with . ores in their canowes then we with . but when we saw our old acquaintance , would not stay aboord vs as before for hostage , but did what they could to draw vs into a narrow c●ke , we exchanged one owen griffin with them for a yong fellow of theirs , that he might see if he could discover any trechery , as he did , for he found there assembled . salvages with bowes & arrows , but not any thing at all to trade as they pretended . these things considered , we conceited them to be but as all salvages ever had beene , kinde till they found opportunitie to do mischiefe . wherefoer we determined to take some of them , before they should suspect we had discovered their plot , lest they should absent themselues from vs , so the first that ever after came into the ship were three which we kept , and two we tooke on shore with much adoe , with two canowes , their bowes and arrowes . some time we spent in sounding all the isles , channels , and inlets thereabouts , and we found . severall waies a ship might be brought into this bay. in the interim there came . canowes more boldly aboord vs , signifying we should bring our ship to the place where he dwelt to trade . we excused our selues why we could not , but vsed them kindly , yet got them away with all the speed we could , that they should not be perceiued by them in the houle , then we went vp the river . myles , of which i had rather not write , then by my relation detract from it , it is in breadth a myle , neare . myles ; and a channell of . . . . or . fadom , & on both sides every halfe myle gallant coues , to containe in many of them sayle , where they may lye on oze without cable or anchor , onely mored with a hanser , and it floweth . foot , that you may make , docke , or carine ships with much facilitie : besides the land is most rich , trending all along on both sides in an equall plaine , neither rocky nor mountainous , but verged with a greene border of grasse , doth make tender to the beholder her pleasant fertilitie , if by cleansing away the woods she were converted into meadow . the woods are great , and tall , such as are spoken of in the islelands , and well watered with many fresh springs . our men that had seene oranoque so famous in the worlds eares , reogrande , loyer , & slion , report , though they be great & goodly rivers , yet are not comparable to it . leaving our ship we went higher , till we were . myles higher then the salt water flowed ; we marched towards the mountains we had seene , but the weather was so hot , & our labour so great , as our captaine was contented to returne : after we had erected a crosse we left this faire land and river , in which the higher we went the better we liked it , and returned to our ship . by the way we met a canow that much desired one of our men to go vp to their basshabes , but we knew their intents , and so turned them off ; and though we had both time and provision to haue discovered much more , and might haue found peradventure good trade , yet because our company was but small , we would not hazzard so hopefull a businesse as this was , either for our private , or particular ends , being more regardfull of a publicke good , and promulgating gods holy church by planting christianity , which was the intent of our adventurers so well as ours ; returning by the isles in the entry of the sound we called them st georges isles , & because on sunday we set out of england , on sunday also the . of iune we departed hence . when we had run . leagues we had . fadom , ●hen . then . after . or . watches more we were in . fadoms , where we tooke so much cod as we did know what to doe with , and the . of iuly came to dartmouth , and all our men as well god be thanked as when they went forth . thus may you see ; god hath not all his gifts bestowed on all or any one , words sweetest , and wits sharpest , courage , strength of bone ; all rarities of minde and parts doe all concurre in none . written by iames rosier one of the voyage . virginia ❧ the second booke . the sixt voyage . . to another part of virginia , where now are planted our english colonies , whom god increase and preserue : discovered and described by captaine iohn smith , sometimes governour of the countrey . by these former relations you may see what incōveniences still crossed those good intents , and how great a mattter it was all this time to finde but a harbour , although there be so many . but this virginia is a country in america betweene the degrees of . and . of the north latitude . the bounds thereof on the east side are the great ocean : on the south lyeth florida : on the north nova francia : as for the west thereof , the limits are vnknowne . of all this country we purpose nor to speake , but onely of that part which was planted by the english men in the yeare of our lord , . and this is vnder the degrees . . and . the temperature of this country doth agree well with english constitutions , being once seasoned to the country . which appeared by this , that though by many occasions our people fell sicke ; yet did they recover by very small meanes , and continued in health , though there were other great causes , not onely to haue made them sicke , but even to end their dayes , &c. the sommer is hot as in spaine ; the winter cold as in france or england . the heat of sommer is in iune , iuly , and august , but commonly the coole breeses asswage the vehemency of the heat . the chiefe of winter is halfe december , ianuary , february , and halfe march. the colde is extreame sharpe , but here the proverbe is true , that no extreame long continueth . in the yeare . was an extraordinary frost in most of europe , and this frost was found as extreame in virginia . but the next yeare for . or . dayes of ill weather , other . dayes would be as sommer . the windes here are variable , but the like thunder and lightning to purifie the ayre , i haue seldome either seene or heard in europe . from the southwest came the greatest gusts with thunder and heat . the northwest winde is commonly coole and bringeth faire weather with it . from the north is the greatest cold , and from the east and southeast as from the barmudas , fogs and raines . some times there are great droughts , other times much raine , yet great necessitie of neither , by reason we see not but that all the raritie of needfull fruits in europe , may be there in great plentie , by the industry of men , as appeareth by those we there planted . there is but one entrance by sea into this country , and that is at the mouth of a very goodly bay , . or . myles broad . the cape on the south is called cape henry , in honour of our most noble prince . the land white hilly sands like vnto the downes , and all along the shores great plentie of pines and firres . the north cape is called cape charles , in honour of the worthy duke of yorke . the isles before it , smith's isles , by the name of the discover . within is a country that may haue the prerogatiue over the most pleasant places knowne , for large and pleasant navigable rivers , heaven & earth never agreed better to frame a place for mans habitation ; were it fully manured and inhabited by industrious people . here are mountaines , hils , plaines , valleyes , rivers , and brookes , all running most pleasantly into a faire bay , compassed but for the mouth , with fruitfull and delightsome land . in the bay and rivers are many isles both great & small , some woody , some plaine , most of them low and not inhabited . this bay lyeth north and south , in which the water floweth neare . myles , and hath a channell for myles , of depth betwixt and fadome , holding in breadth for the most part or myles . from the head of the bay to the northwest , the land is mountanous , and so in a manner from thence by a southwest line ; so that the more southward , the farther off from the bay are those mountaines . from which fall certaine brookes which after come to fiue principall navigable rivers . these run from the northwest into the south east , and so into the west side of the bay , where the fall of every river is within or myles one of another . the mountaines are of divers natures : for at the head of the bay the rockes are of a composition like mill stones . some of marble , &c. and many peeces like christall we found , as throwne downe by water from those mountaines . for in winter they are covered with much snow , and when it dissolveth the waters fall with such violence , that it causeth great inundations in some narrow valleyes , which is scarce perceived being once in the rivers . these waters wash from the rocks such glistering tinctures , that the ground in some places seemeth as guilded , where both the rocks and the earth are so splendent to behold , that better iudgements then ours might haue beene perswaded , they contained more then probabilities . the vesture of the earth in most places doth manifestly proue the nature of the soyle to be lusty and very rich . the colour of the earth we found in diverse places , resembleth bole armoniac , terra sigillata , and lemnia , fullers earth , marle , and divers other such appearances . but generally for the most part it is a blacke sandy mould , in some places a fat slimy clay , in other places a very barren gravell . but the best ground is knowne by the vesture it beareth , as by the greatnesse of trees , or abundance of weeds , &c. the country is not mountanous , nor yet low , but such pleasant plaine hils , and fertile valleyes , one prettily crossing another , & watered so conveniently with fresh brookes and springs , no lesse commodious , then delightsome . by the rivers are many plaine marishes , containing some some . some acres , some more , some lesse . other plaines there are few , but onely where the salvages inhabit : but all overgrowne with trees & weeds , being a plaine wildernesse as god first made it . on the west side of the bay , we sayd were . faire and delightfull navigable rivers . the first of those , and the next to the mouth of the bay hath his course from the west northwest . it is called powhatan , according to the name of a principall country that lyeth vpon it . the mouth of this river is neare three myles in breadth , yet doe the shoules force the channell so neare the land , that a sacre will overshoot it at point blanke . it is navigable myles , the shouldes and soundings are here needlesse to be expressed . it falleth from rockes farre west in a country inhabited by a nation they call monacans . but where it commeth into our discovery it is powhatan . in the farthest place that was diligently observed , are falles , rockes , shoules , &c. which makes it past navigation any higher . thence in the running downeward , the river is enriched with many goodly brookes , which are maintained by an infinit number of small rundles and pleasant springs , that disperse themselues for best service , as do the veines of a mans body . from the south there fals into it : first , the pleasant river of apamatuck . next more to the east are two small rivers of quiyoughcohanocke . a little farther is a bay wherein falleth or prettie brookes & creekes that halfe intrench the inhabitants of warraskoyac , then the river of nandsamund , and lastly the brooke of chisapeack . from the north side is the river of chickahamania , the backe river of iames towne ; another by the cedar isle , where we liued ten weekes vpon oysters , then a convenient harbour for fisher boats at kecoughtan , that so turneth it selfe into bayes and creekes , it makes that place very pleasant to inhabit ; their cornefields being girded therein in a manner as peninsulaes . the most of these rivers are inhabited by severall nations , or rather families , of the name of the rivers . they haue also over those some governour , as their king , which they call werowances . in a peninsula on the north side of this river are the english planted in a place by them called iames towne , in honour of the kings most excellent maiestie . the first and next the rivers mouth are the kecoughtans , who besides their women & children , haue not past . fighting men . the paspaheghes ( on whose land is seated iames towne , some . myles from the bay ) haue not past . the river called chickahamania neare . the weanocks . the arrowhatocks . the place called powhatan , some . on the south side this river the appamatucks haue sixtie fighting men . the quiyougcohanocks . the nandsamūds . the chesapeacks . of this last place the bay beareth the name . in all these places is a severall commander , which they call werowance , except the chickahamanians , who are governed by the priests and their assistants , or their elders called caw-cawwassoughes . in sommer no place affordeth more plentie of sturgeon , nor in winter more abundance of foule , especially in the time of frost . i tooke once sturgeons at a draught , at another . from the later end of may till the end of iune are taken few , but yong sturgeons of two foot , or a yard long . from thence till the midst of september , them of two or three yards long and few others . and in or , houres with one net were ordinarily taken or : often more , seldome lesse . in the small rivers all the yeare there is good plentie of small fish , so that with hookes those that would take paines had sufficient . foureteene myles northward from the river powhatan , is the river pamavnkee , which is navigable or myles , but with catches and small barkes or myles farther . at the ordinary flowing of the salt water , it divideth it selfe into two gallant branches . on the south side inhabit the people of youghtanund , who haue about men for warres . on the north branch mattapament , who haue men . where this river is divided the country is called pamavnkee , and nourisheth neare able men . about . myles lower on the north side of this river is werawocomoco , where their great king inhabited when i was delivered him prisoner ; yet there are not past able men . ten or twelue myles lower , on the south side of this river , is chiskiack , which hath some or men . these , as also apamatuck , irrohatock , and powhatan , are their great kings chiefe alliance , and inhabitants . the rest his conquests . before we come to the third river that falleth from the mountaines , there is another river ( some myles navigable ) that commeth from the inland , called payankatanke , the inhabitants are about or serviceable men . the third navigable river is called toppahanock . ( this is navigable some myles ) at the top of it inhabit the people called mannahoacks amongst the mountaines , but they are aboue the place we described . vpon this river on the north side are the people cuttatawomen , with fighting men . higher are the moraughtacunds , with . beyond them rapahanock with . far aboue is another cuttatawomen with . on the south is the pleasant seat of nantaughtacund having men . this river also as the two former , is replenished with fish and foule . the fourth river is called patawomeke , or myles in breadth . it is navigable myles , and fed as the rest with many sweet rivers and springs , which fall from the bordering hils . these hils many of them are planted , and yeeld no lesse plentie and varietie of fruit , then the river exceedeth with abundance of fish . it is inhabited on both sides . first on the south side at the very entrance is wighcocomoco & hath some men , beyond them sekacawone with . the onawmanient with . and the patawomekes more then . here doth the river divide it selfe into or convenient branches . the greatest of the least is called quiyough , trending northwest , but the river it selfe turneth northeast , and is still a navigable streame . on the westerne side of this bought is tauxenent with men . on the north of this river is secowocomoco with . somewhat further potapaco with . in the east part is pamacaeack with . after moyowance with . and lastly , nacotchtanke with . the river aboue this place maketh his passage downe a low pleasant valley overshaddowed in many places with high rocky mountaines ; from whence distill innumerable sweet and pleasant springs . the fift river is called pawtuxunt , of a lesse proportion then the rest ; but the channell is fadome deepe in some places . here are infinit skuls of divers kindes of fish more then elswhere . vpon this river dwell the people called acquintanacksuak , pawtuxunt , and mattapanient . two hundred men was the greatest strength that could be there perceived . but they inhabit together , and not so dispersed as the rest . these of all other we found most civill to giue intertainement . thirtie leagues northward is a river not inhabited , yet navigable ; for the red clay resembling bole armoniack we called it bolus . at the end of the bay where it is or myles in breadth , it divides it selfe into . branches , the best commeth northwest from among the mountaines , but though canows may goe a dayes iourney or two vp it , we could not get two myles vp it with our boat for rockes . vpon it is seated the sasquesahanocks , neare it north and by west runneth a creeke a myle and a halfe : at the head whereof the eble left vs on shore , where we found many trees cut with hatchets . the next tyde keeping the shore to seeke for some salvages ; ( for within thirtie leagues sayling , we saw not any , being a barren country , ) we went vp another small river like a creeke or myle . from thence returning we met canowes of the massowomeks , with whom we had conference by signes , for we vnderstood one another scarce a word : the next day we discovered the small river & people of tockwhogh trending eastward . having lost our grapnell among the rocks of sasquesahanocks , we were then neare myles from home , and our barge about two runs , and had in it but men to performe this discovery , wherein we lay aboue weekes vpon those great waters in those vnknowne countries , having nothing but a little meale , oatemeale and water to feed vs , and scarce halfe sufficient of that for halfe that time , but what provision we got among the salvages , and such rootes and fish as we caught by accident , and gods direction ; nor had we a mariner nor any had skill to trim the sayles but two saylers and my selfe , the rest being gentlemen , or them were as ignorant in such toyle and labour . yet necessitie in a short time by good words and examples made them doe that that caused them ever after to feare no colours . what i did with this small meanes i leaue to the reader to iudge , and the mappe i made of the country , which is but a small matter in regard of the magnitude thereof . but to proceed , of those sasquesahanocks came to vs with skins , bowes , arrows , targets , beads , swords , and tobacco pipes for presents . such great and well proportioned men are seldome seene , for they seemed like giants to the english , yea and to the neighbours , yet seemed of an honest and simple disposition , with much adoe restrained from adoring vs as gods. those are the strangest people of all those countries , both in language & attire ; for their language it may well beseeme their proportions , sounding from them , as a voyce in a vault . their attire is the skinnes of beares , and woolues , some haue cassacks made of beares heads & skinnes , that a mans head goes through the skinnes neck , and the eares of the beare fastned to his shoulders , the nose and teeth hanging downe his breast , another beares face split behind him , and at the end of the nose hung a pawe , the halfe sleeues comming to the elbowes were the neckes of beares , and the armes through the mouth with pawes hanging at their noses . one had the head of a woolfe hanging in a chaine for a iewell , his tobacco pipe three quarters of a yard long , prettily carued with a bird , a deere , or some such devise at the great end , sufficient to beat out ones braines : with bowes , arrowes , and clubs , sutable to their greatnesse . these are scarse knowne to powhatan . they can make neare able men , and are pallifadoed in their townes to defend them from the massawomekes their mortall enemies . fiue of their chiefe werowances came aboord vs , and crossed the bay in their barge . the picture of the greatest of them is signified in the mappe . the calfe of whose leg was three quarters of a yard about , and all the rest of his limbes so answerable to that proportion , that he seemed the goodliest man we ever beheld . his hayre , the one side was long , the other shore close with a ridge over his crowne like a cocks combe . his arrowes were fiue quarters long , headed with the splinters of a white christall-like stone , in forme of a heart , an inch broad , and an inch and a halfe or more long . these he wore in a woolues skinne at his backe for his quiver , his bow in the one hand and his clubbe in the other , as is described . on the east side the bay , is the river tockwhogh , and vpon it a people that can make men , seated some seaven myles within the river : where they haue a fort very well pallisadoed and mantelled with barkes of trees . next them is ozinies with sixty men . more to the south of that east side of the bay , the river rapahanock , neere vnto which is the river kuskarawaock , vpon which is seated a people with men . after that , is the river tants wighcocomoco , & on it a people with men . the people of those rivers are of little stature , of another language from the rest , & very rude . but they on the river acohanock with men , & they of accomack men doth equalize any of the territories of powhatan , and speake his language , who over all those doth rule as king. southward we went to some parts of chawonock and the mangoags to search for them left by mr white . amongst those people are thus many severall nations of sundry languages , that environ powhatans territories . the chawonockes , the mangoags , the monacans , the mannahokes , the masawomekes , the powhatans , the sasquesahanocks , the atquanachukes , the tockwoghes , and the kuscarawaokes . all those not any one vnderstandeth another but by interpreters . their severall habitations are more plainly described by this annexed mappe , which will present to the eye , the way of the mountaines , and current of the rivers , with their severall turnings , bayes , shoules , isles , inlets , and creekes , the breadth of the waters , the distances of places , and such like . in which mappe obserue this , that as far as you see the little crosses on rivers , mountaines , or other places haue beene discovered ; the rest was had by information of the savages , and are set downe according to their instructions . thus haue i walkt a wayless way , with vncouth pace , which yet no christian man did ever trace : but yet i know this not affects the minde , which eares doth heare , as that which eyes doe finde . of such things which are naturally in virginia , and how they vse them . virginia doth afford many excellent vegetables , and liuing creatures , yet grasse there is little or none , but what groweth in low marishes : for all the countrey is overgrowne with trees , whose droppings continually turneth their grasse to weeds , by reason of the rancknes of the ground , which would soone be amended by good husbandry . the wood that is most common is oke and walnut , many of their okes are so tall & straight , that they will beare two foote and a halfe square of good timber for yards long ; of this wood there is two or three severall kinds . the acornes of one kinde , whose barke is more white then the other , & somewhat sweetish , which being boyled , at last affords a sweet oyle , that they keepe in gourds to annoint their heads and ioynts . the fruit they eate made in bread or otherwise . there is also some elme , some blacke walnut tree , and some ash : of ash and elme they make sope ashes . if the trees be very great , the ashes will be good , and melt to hard lumps , but if they be small , it will be but powder , and not so good as the other . of walnuts there is or kindes ; there is a kinde of wood we called cypres , because both the wood , the fruit , and leafe did most resemble it , and of those trees there are some neare three fadome about at the foot , very straight , and , , or foot without a branch . by the dwelling of the salvages are some great mulbery trees , and in some parts of the countrey , they are found growing naturally in prettie groues . there was an assay made to make silke , and surely the wormes prospered excellent well , till the master workeman fell sicke . during which time they were eaten with rats . in some parts were found some chesnuts , whose wild fruit equalize the best in france , spaine , germany , or italy . plums there are of three sorts . the red and white are like our hedge plums , but the other which they call putchamins , grow as high as a palmeta : the fruit is like a medler ; it is first greene , then yellow , and red when it is ripe ; if it be not ripe , it will draw a mans mouth awry , with much torment , but when it is ripe , it is as delicious as an apricot . they haue cherries , and those are much like a damson , but for their tastes and colour we called them cherries . we saw some few crabs , but very small and bitter . of vines great abundance in many parts that climbe the toppes of the highest trees in some places , but these beare but few grapes . except by the rivers & savage habitations , where they are not overshadowed from the sunne , they are covered with fruit , though never pruined nor manured . of those hedge grapes we made neere twentie gallons of wine , which was like our french brittish wine , but certainely they would proue good were they well manured . there is another sort of grape neere as great as a cherry , this they call messamins , they be satte , and the iuyce thicke . neither doth the taste so well please when they are made in wine . they haue a small fruit growing on little trees , husked like a chesnut , but the fruit most like a very small acorne . this they call chechinquamins , which they esteeme a great daintie . they haue a berry much like our gooseberry , in greatnesse , colour , and tast ; those they call rawcomens , and doe eat them raw or boyled . of these naturall fruits they liue a great part of the yeare , which they vse in this manner ; the walnuts , chesnuts , acornes , and chechinquamins are dryed to keepe . when they need walnuts they breake them betweene two stones , yet some part of the shels will cleaue to the fruit . then doe they dry them againe vpon a mat over a hurdle . after they put it into a morter of wood , and beat it very small : that done they mix it with water , that the shels may sinke to the bottome . this water will be coloured as milke , which they call pawcohiccora , and keepe it for their vse . the fruit like medlers they call putchamins , they cast vpon hurdles on a mat , and preserue them as pruines . of their chesnuts and chechinquamins boyled , they make both broath and bread for their chiefe men , or at their greatest feasts . besides those fruit trees , there is a white popular , and another tree like vnto it , that yeeldeth a very cleare and an odoriferous gumme like turpentine , which some called balsom . there are also cedars and saxafras trees . they also yeeld gummes in a small proportion of themselues . wee tryed conclusions to extract it out of the wood , but nature afforded more then our arts . in the watry valleyes groweth a berry which they call ocoughtanamnis very much like vnto capers . these they dry in sommer . when they eat them they boile them neare halfe a day ; for otherwise they differ not much from poyson . mattoum groweth as our bents . the feed is not much vnlike to rie , though much smaller . this they vse for a daintie bread buttered with deare suet . during sommer there are either strawberries , which ripen in aprill , or mulberries which ripen in may and iune . raspises , hurts ; or a fruit that the inhabitants call maracocks , which is a pleasant wholsome fruit much like a lemond . many herbes in the spring are cōmonly dispersed throughout the woods , good for brothes and sallets , as violets , purslain , sorrell , &c. besides many we vsed whose names we know not . the chiefe root they haue for food is called tockawhoughe . it groweth like a flagge in marishes . in one day a salvage will gather sufficient for a weeke . these roots are much of the greatnesse and taste of potatoes . they vse to cover a great many of them with oke leaues and ferne , and then cover all with earth in the manner of a cole-pit ; over it , on each side , they continue a great fire houres before they dare eat it . raw it is no better then poyson , and being rosted , except it be tender and the heat abated , or sliced and dryed in the sunne , mixed with sorrell and meale or such like , it will prickle and torment the throat extreamely , and yet in sommer they vse this ordinarily for bread . they haue another roote which they call wighsacan : as th' other feedeth the body , so this cureth their hurts and diseases . it is a small root which they bruise and apply to the wound . pocones is a small root that groweth in the mountaines , which being dryed and beate in powder turneth red . and this they vse for swellings , aches , annointing their ioynts , painting their heads and garments . they account it very precious , and of much worth . musquaspen is a roote of the bignesse of a finger , and as red as bloud . in drying ; it will wither almost to nothing . this they vse to paint their mattes , targets , and such like . there is also pellitory of spaine , sasafrage , and divers other simples , which the apothecaries gathered , and commended to be good , and medicinable . in the low marishes grow plots of onyons , containing an acre of ground or more in many places ; but they are small , not past the bignesse of the toppe of ones thumbe . of beasts the chiefe are deere , nothing differing from ours . in the deserts towards the heads of the rivers , there are many , but amongst the rivers few . there is a beast they call aroughcun , much like a badger , but vseth to liue on trees as squirrels doe . their squirrels some are neare as great as our smallest sort of wilde rabbets , some blackish or blacke and white , but the most are gray . a small beast they haue they call assapanick , but we call them flying squirrels , because spreading their legs , and so stretching the largenesse of their skins , that they haue beene seene to fly or yards . an opassom hath a head like a swine , and a taile like a rat , and is of the bignesse of a cat. vnder her belly shee hath a bagge , wherein she lodgeth , carrieth , and suckleth her young . a mussascus is a beast of the forme and nature of our water rats , but many of them smell exceeding strongly of muske . their hares no bigger then our conies , and few of them to be found . their beares are very little in comparison of those of muscovia and tartaria . the beaver is as big as an ordinary water dog , but his legs exceeding short . his forefeete like a dogs , his hinder feet like a swans . his taile somewhat like the forme of a racket , bare without haire , which to eat the salvages esteeme a great delicate . they haue many otters , which as the beaver's they take with snares , and esteeme the skins great ornaments , and of all those beasts they vse to feed when they catch them . an vtchunquoyes is like a wilde cat. their foxes are like our silver haired conies , of a small proportion , and not smelling like those in england . their dogges of that country are like their woolues , and cannot barke but howle , and the woolues not much bigger then our english foxes . martins , powlecats , weesels , and minkes we know they haue , because we haue seene many of their skinnes , though very seldome any of them aliue . but one thing is strange , that we could never perceiue their vermine destroy our hennes , egges , nor chickens , nor doe any hurt , nor their flyes nor serpents any way pernicious , where in the south parts of america they are alwayes dangerous , and often deadly . of birds the eagle is the greatest devourer . hawkes there be of divers sorts , as our falconers called them : sparrow-hawkes , lanarets , goshawkes , falcons and osperayes , but they all prey most vpon fish . their partridges are little bigger then our quailes . wilde turkies are as bigge as our tame . there are woosels or blackbirds with red shoulders , thrushes and divers sorts of small birds , some red , some blew , scarce so bigge as a wrenne , but few in sommer . in winter there are great plentie of swans , cranes , gray and white with blacke wings , herons , geese , brants , ducke , wigeon , dotterell , oxeies , parrats , and pigeons . of all those sorts great abundance , and some other strange kinds , to vs vnknowne by name . but in sommer not any , or a very few to be seene . of fish we were best acquainted with sturgeon , grampus , porpus , seales , stingraies , whose tailes are very dangerous . bretts , mullets , white salmonds , trowts , soles , plaice , herrings , conyfish , rockfish , eeles , lampreys●punc ; catfish , shades●punc ; p●arch of three sorts , crabs , shrimps , crevises , oysters , cocles , and m●scles . but the most strange fish is a small one , so like the picture of st george his dragon , as possible can be , except his legs and wings , and the toadefish , which will swell till it be like to burst , when it commeth into the ayre . concerning the entrailes of the earth , little can be said for certaintie . there wanted good refiners ; for those that tooke vpon them to haue skill this way , tooke vp the washings from the mountaines , and some moskered shining stones and spangles which the waters brought downe , flattering themselues in their owne vaine conceits to haue beene supposed what they were not , by the meanes of that ore , if it proued as their arts and iudgements expected . onely this is certaine , that many regions lying in the same latitude , afford mines very rich of divers natures . the crust also of these rockes would easily perswade a man to beleeue there are other mines then yron and steele , if there were but meanes and men of experience that knew the mine from spar. of their planted fruits in virginia , and how they vse them . they divide the yeare into fiue seasons . their winter some call popanow , the spring cattapeuk , the sommer cohattayough , the earing of their corne nepinough , the harvest and fall of leafe taquitock . from september vntill the midst of november are the chiefe feasts & sacrifice . then haue they plentie of fruits as well planted as naturall , as corne , greene and ripe , fish , fowle , and wilde beasts exceeding fat . the greatest labour they take , is in planting their corne , for the country naturally is overgrowne with wood . to prepare the ground they bruise the barke of the trees neare the root , then doe they scortch the roots with fire that they grow no more . the next yeare with a crooked peece of wood they beat vp the weeds by the rootes , and in that mould they plant their corne. their manner is this . they make a hole in the earth with a sticke and into it they put foure graines of wheate and two of beanes these hol●s they make foure foote one from another ; their women and children do continually keepe it with weeding , and when it is growne middle high , they hill it about like a hop-yard . in aprill they begin to plant , but their chiefe plantation is in may , and so they continue till the midst of iune . what they plant in aprill they reape in august , for may in september , for iune in october ; every stalke of their corne commonly beareth two eares , some three , seldome any foure , many but one , and some none . every care ordinarily hath betwixt and graines . the stalke being greene hath a sweet iuice in it , somewhat like a sugar cane , which is the cause that when they gather their corne greene , they sucke the stalkes : for as we gather greene pease , so doe they their corne being greene , which excelleth their old . they plant also pease they call assentamen● , which are the same they call in italy , fag●h . their beanes are the same the turkes call garnanses , but these they much esteeme for dainties . their corne they rost in the eare greene , and bruising it in a morter of wood with a polt , lap it in rowles in the leaues of their corne , and so boyle it for a daintie . they also reserue that corne late planted that will not ripe , by roasting it in hot ashes , the heat thereof drying it . in winter they esteeme it being boyled with beanes for a rare dish , they call pausarowmena . their old wheat they first steepe a night in hot water , in the morning pounding it in a morter . they vse a small basket for their temmes , then pound againe the great , and so separating by dashing their hand in the basket , receiue the flower in a platter made of wood , scraped to that forme with burning and shels . tempering this flower with water , they make it either in cakes , covering them with ashes till they be baked , and then washing them in faire water , they drie presently with their owne heat : or else boyle them in water , eating the broth with the bread which they call ponap . the grouces and peeces of the cornes remaining , by fanning in a platter or in the wind , away , the branne they boyle or houres with water , which is an ordinary food they call vstatahamen . but some more thriftie then cleanly , doe burne the core of the eare to powder , which they call pungnough , mingling that in their meale , but it never tasted well in bread , nor broth . their fish & flesh they boyle either very tenderly , or boyle it so long on hurdles over the fire , or else after the spanish fashion , putting it on a spit , they turne first the one side , then the other , till it be as drie as their ierkin beefe in the west indies , that they may keepe it a moneth or more without putrifying . the broth of fish or flesh they eat as commonly as the meat . in may also amongst their corne they plant pumpeons , and a fruit like vnto a muske mellon , but lesse and worse , which they call macocks . these increase exceedingly , and ripen in the beginning of iuly , and continue vntill september . they plant also maracocks a wild fruit like a lemmon , which also increase infinitely . they begin to ripe in september , and continue till the end of october . when all their fruits be gathered , little els they plant , and this is done by their women and children ; neither doth this long suffice them , for neare three parts of the yeare , they onely obserue times and seasons , and liue of what the country naturally affordeth from hand to mouth , &c. the commodities in virginia , or that may be had by industrie . the mildnesse of the ayre , the fertilitie of the soyle , and situation of the rivers are so propitious to the nature and vse of man , as no place is more convenient for pleasure , profit , and mans sustenance , vnder that latitude or climat . here will liue any beasts , as horses , goats , sheepe , asses , hens , &c. as appeared by them that were carried thether . the waters , isles , and shoales , are full of safe harbours for ships of warre or marchandize , for boats of all sorts , for transportation or fishing , &c. the bay and rivers haue much marchantable fish , and places fit for salt coats , building of ships , making of iron , &c. muscovia and polonia doe yearely receiue many thousands , for pitch , tarre , sope-ashes , rosen , flax , cordage , sturgeon , masts . yards , wainscot , firres , glasse , and such like ; also swethland for iron and copper . france in like manner , for wine , canvas , and salt. spaine asmuch for iron , steele , figges , reasons , and sackes . italy with silkes and velvets consumes our chiefe commodities . holland maintaines it selfe by fishing and trading at our owne doores . all these temporize with other for necessities , but all as vncertaine as peace or warres . besides the charge , travell , and danger in transporting them , by seas , lands , stormes , and pyrats . then how much hath virginia the prerogatiue of all those flourishing kingdomes , for the benefit of our land , when as within one hundred myles all those are to be had , either ready provided by nature , or else to be prepared , were there but industrious men to labour . onely of copper we may doubt is wanting , but there is good probabilitie that both copper and better minerals are there to be had for their labour . other countries haue it . so then here is a place , a nurse for souldiers , a practise for mariners , a trade for marchants , a reward for the good , and that which is most of all , a businesse ( most acceptable to god ) to bring such poore infidels to the knowledge of god and his holy gospell . of the naturall inhabitants of virginia . the land is not populous , for the men be few ; their far greater number is of women and children . within myles of iames towne , there are about some people , but of able men fit for their warres scarce . to nourish so many together they haue yet no meanes , because they make so small a benefit of their land , be it never so fertile . six or seauen hundred haue beene the most hath beene seene together , when they gathered themselues to haue surprised mee at pamavnkee , having but fifteene to withstand the worst of their fury . as small as the proportion of ground that hath yet beene discovered , is in comparison of that yet vnknowne : the people differ very much in stature , especially in language , as before is expressed . some being very great as the sasquesahanecks ; others very little , as the wighcocomocoes : but generally tall and straight , of a comely proportion , and of a colour browne when they are of any age , but they are borne white . their hayre is generally blacke , but few haue any beards . the men weare halfe their beards shaven , the other halfe long ; for barbers they vse their women , who with two shels will grate away the hayre , of any fashion they please . the women are cut in many fashions , agreeable to their yeares , but ever some part remaineth long . they are very strong , of an able body and full of agilitie , able to endure to lie in the woods vnder a tree by the fire , in the worst of winter , or in the weedes and grasse , in ambuscado in the sommer . they are inconstant in every thing , but what feare constraineth them to keepe . craftie , timerous , quicke of apprehension , and very ingenuous . some are of disposition fearefull , some bold , most cautelous , all savage . generally covetous of copper , beads , and such like trash . they are soone moued to anger , and so malicious , that they seldome forget an iniury : they seldome steale one from another , least their coniurers should reveale it , and so they be pursued and punished . that they are thus feared is certaine , but that any can reueale their offences by coniuration i am doubtfull . their women are carefull not to be suspected of dishonestie without the leaue of their husbands . each houshold knoweth their owne lands , and gardens , and most liue of their owne labours . for their apparell , they are sometime covered with the skinnes of wilde beasts , which in winter are dressed with the hayre , but in sommer without . the better sort vse large mantels of deare skins , not much differing in fashion from the irish mantels . some imbrodered with white beads , some with copper , other painted after their manner . but the common sort haue scarce to cover their nakednesse , but with grasse , the leaues of trees , or such like . we haue seene some vse mantels made of turky feathers , so prettily wrought & woven with threads that nothing could be discerned but the feathers . that was exceeding warme and very handsome . but the women are alwayes covered about their middles with a skin , and very shamefast to be seene bare . they adorne themselues most with copper beads and paintings . their women , some haue their legs , hands , breasts and face cunningly imbrodered with divers workes , as beasts , serpents , artificially wrought into their flesh with blacke spots . in each eare commonly they haue great holes , whereat they hang chaines , bracelets , or copper . some of their men weare in those holes , a small greene and yellow coloured snake , neare halfe a yard in length , which crawling and lapping her selfe about his necke oftentimes familiarly would kisse his lips . others weare a dead rat tyed by the taile . some on their heads weare the wing of a bird , or some large feather with a rattell . those rattels are somewhat like the chape of a rapier , but lesse , which they take from the taile of a snake . many haue the whole skinne of a hawke or some strange foule , stuffed with the wings abroad . others a broad peece of copper , and some the hand of their enemy dryed . their heads and shoulders are painted red with the roote pocone brayed to powder , mixed with oyle , this they hold in sommer to preserue them from the heate , and in winter from the cold . many other formes of paintings they vse , but he is the most gallant that is the most monstrous to behold . their buildings and habitations are for the most part by the rivers , or not farre distant from some fresh spring . their houses are built like our arbors , of small young springs bowed and tyed , and so close covered with mats , or the barkes of trees very handsomely , that notwithstanding either winde , raine , or weather , they are as warme as stooues , but very smoaky , yet at the toppe of the house there is a hole made for the smoake to goe into right over the fire . against the fire they lie on little hurdles of reeds covered with a mat , borne from the ground a foote and more by a hurdle of wood . on these round about the house they lie heads and points one by th' other against the fire , some covered with mats , some with skins , and some starke naked lie on the ground , from to in a house . their houses are in the midst of their fields or gardens , which are small plots of ground . some acres , some . some . some . some more , some lesse . in some places from to of those houses together , or but a little separated by groues of trees . neare their habitations is little small wood or old trees on the ground by reason of their burning of them for fire . so that a man may gallop a horse amongst these woods any way , but where the creekes or rivers shall hinder . men , women , and children haue their severall names according to the severall humor of their parents . their women ( they say ) are easily delivered of childe , yet doe they loue children very dearely . to make them hardie , in the coldest mornings they them wash in the rivers , and by painting and oyntments so tanne their skinnes , that after a yeare or two , no weather will hurt them . the men bestow their times in fishing , hunting , warres , and such man-like exercises , scorning to be seene in any woman-like exercise , which is the cause that the women be very painefull , and the men often idle . the women and children doe the rest of the worke . they make mats , baskets , pots , morters , pound their corne , make their bread , prepare their victuals , plant their corne , gather their corne , beare all kind of burdens , and such like . their fire they kindle presently by chafing a dry pointed sticke in a hole of a little square peece of wood , that firing it selfe , will so fire mosse , leaues , or any such like dry thing , that will quickly burne . in march and aprill they liue much vpon their fishing wires ; and feed on fish , turkies , and squirrels . in may and iune they plant their fields , and liue most of acornes , walnuts , and fish . but to amend their dyet , some disperse themselues in small companies , and liue vpon fish , beasts , crabs , oysters , land tortoises , strawberries , mulberries , and such like . in iune , iuly , and august , they feed vpon the rootes of tocknough berries , fish , and greene wheat . it is strange to see how their bodies alter with their dyet , even as the deere & wilde beasts they seeme fat and leane , strong and weake . powhatan their great king , and some others that are provident , rost their fish and flesh vpon hurdles as before is expressed , and keepe it till scarce times . for fishing , hunting , and warres they vse much their bow and arrowes . they bring their bowes to the forme of ours by the scraping of a shell . their arrowes are made some of straight young sprigs , which they head with bone , some or ynches long . these they vse to shoot at squirrels on trees . another sort of arrowes they vse made of reeds . these are peeced with wood , headed with splinters of christall , or some sharpe stone , the spurres of a turkey , or the bill of some bird . for his knife he hath the splinter of a reed to cut his feathers in forme . with this knife also , he will ioynt a deere , or any beast , shape his shooes , buskins , mantels , &c. to make the noch of his arrow he hath the tooth of a beaver , set in a sticke , wherewith he grateth it by degrees . his arrow head he quickly maketh with a little bone , which he ever weareth at his bracert , of any splint of a stone , or glasse in the forme of a heart , and these they glew to the end of their arrowes . with the sinewes of deere , and the tops of deeres hornes boyled to a ielly , they make a glew that will not dissolue in cold water . for their warres also they vse targets that are round and made of the barkes of trees , and a sword of wood at their backes , but oftentimes they vse for swords the horne of a deere put through a peece of wood in forme of a pickaxe . some a long stone sharpned at both ends , vsed in the same manner . this they were wont to vse also for hatchets , but now by trucking they haue plentie of the same forme of yron . and those are their chiefe instruments and armes . their fishing is much in boats. these they make of one tree by burning and scratching away the coales with stones and shels , till they haue made it in forme of a trough . some of them are an elne deepe , and fortie or fiftie foote in length , and some will beare men , but the most ordinary are smaller , and will beare , , or . according to their bignesse . in stead of oares , they vse paddles and stickes , with which they will row faster then our barges . betwixt their hands and thighes , their women vse to spin , the barkes of trees , deere sinewes , or a kind of grasse they call pemmenaw , of these they make a thread very even and readily . this thread serveth for many vses . as about their housing , apparell , as also they make nets for fishing , for the quantitie as formally braded as ours . they make also with it lines for angles . their hookes are either a bone grated as they noch their arrowes in the forme of a crooked pinne or fish-hooke , or of the splinter of a bone tyed to the clift of a little sticke , and with the end of the line , they tie on the bait . they vse also long arrowes tyed in a line , wherewith they shoote at fish in the rivers . but they of accawmack vse staues like vnto iauelins headed with bone . with these they dart fish swimming in the water . they haue also many artificiall wires , in which they get abundance of fish . in their hunting and fishing they take extreame paines ; yet it being their ordinary exercise from their infancy , they esteeme it a pleasure and are very proud to be expert therein . and by their continuall ranging , and travell , they know all the advantages and places most frequented with deere , beasts , fish , foule , roots , and berries . at their huntings they leaue their habitations , and reduce themselues into companies , as the tartars doe , and goe to the most desert places with their families , where they spend their time in hunting and fowling vp towards the mountaines , by the heads of their rivers , where there is plentie of game . for betwixt the rivers the grounds are so narrowe , that little commeth here which they devoure not . it is a marvell they can so directly passe these deserts , some or dayes iourney without habitation . their hunting houses are like vnto arbours covered with mats . these their women beare after them , with corne , acornes , morters , and all bag and baggage they vse . when they come to the place of exercise , every man doth his best to shew his dexteritie , for by their excelling in those qualities , they get their wiues . fortie yards will they shoot levell , or very neare the marke , and is their best at random . at their huntings in the deserts they are commonly two or three hundred together . having found the deere , they environ them with many fires , & betwixt the fires they place themselues . and some take their stands in the midsts . the deere being thus feared by the fires , and their voyces , they chase them so long within that circle , that many times they kill , , , or at a hunting . they vse also to driue them into some narrow poynt of land , when they find that advantage ; and so force them into the river , where with their boats they haue ambuscadoes to kill them . when they haue shot a deere by land , they follow him like bloud-hounds by the bloud , and straine , and oftentimes so take them . hares , partridges , turkies , or egges , fat or leane , young or old , they devoure all they can catch in their power . in one of these huntings they found me in the discovery of the head of the river of chickahamania , where they slew my men , and tooke me prisoner in a bogmire , where i saw those exercises , and gathered these observations . one salvage hunting alone , vseth the skinne of a deere slit on the one side , and so put on his arme , through the neck , so that his hand comes to the head which is stuffed , and the hornes , head , eyes , eares , and every part as artificially counterfeited as they can devise . thus shrowding his body in the skinne by stalking , he approacheth the deere , creeping on the ground from one tree to another . if the deere chance to find fault , or stand at gaze , he turneth the head with his hand to his best advantage to seeme like a deere , also gazing and licking himselfe . so watching his best advantage to approach , having shot him , he chaseth him by his bloud and straine till he get him . when they intend any warres , the werowances vsually haue the advice of their their priests and coniurers , and their allies , and ancient friends , but chiefely the priests determine their resolution . every werowance , or some lustie fellow , they appoint captaine over every nation . they seldome make warre for lands or goods , but for women and children , and principally for revenge . they haue many enemies , namely , all their westernly countries beyond the mountaines , and the heads of the rivers . vpon the head of the powhatans are the monacans , whose chiefe habitation is at rasauweak , vnto whom the mowhemenchughes , the massinnacacks , the monahassanughs , the monasickapanoughs , and other nations pay tributes . vpon the head of the river of toppahanock is a people called mannahoacks . to these are contributers the tauxanias , the shackaconias , the ontponeas , the tegninateos , the whonkenteaes , the stegarakes , the hassinnungaes , and divers others , all confederates with the monacans , though many different in language , and be very barbarous , liuing for the most part of wild beasts and fruits . beyond the mountaines from whence is the head of the river patawomeke , the salvages report inhabit their most mortall enemies , the massawomekes , vpon a great salt water , which by all likelihood is either some part of cannada , some great lake , or some inlet of some sea that falleth into the south sea . these massawomekes are a great nation and very populous . for the heads of all those rivers , especially the pattawomekes , the pautuxuntes , the sasquesa●anocks , the tockwoughes are continually tormented by them : of whose crueltie , they generally complained , and very importunate they were with me , and my company to free them from these tormentors . to this purpose they offered food , conduct , assistance , and continuall subiection . which i concluded to effect . but the councell then present emulating my successe , would not thinke it fit to spare me fortie men to be hazzarded in those vnknowne regions , having passed ( as before was spoken of ) but with , an● so was lost that opportunitie . seaven boats full of these massawomekes wee encountred at the head of the bay ; whose targets , baskets , swords , tobaccopipes , platters , bowes , and arrowes , and every thing shewed , they much exceeded them of our parts , and their dexteritie in their small boats , made of the barkes of trees , sowed with barke and well luted with gumme , argueth that they are seated vpon some great water . against all these enemies the powhatans are constrained sometimes to fight . their chiefe attempts are by stratagems , trecheries , or surprisals . yet the werowances women and children they put not to death , but keepe them captiues . they haue a method in warre , and for our pleasures they shewed it vs , and it was in this manner performed at mattapanient . having painted and disguised themselues in the fiercest manner they could devise . they divided themselues into two companies , neare a hundred in a company . the one company called monacans , the other powhatans . either army had their captaine . these as enemies tooke their stands a musket shot one from another ; ranked themselues a breast , and each ranke from another or yards , not in fyle , but in the opening betwixt their fyles . so the reare could shoot as conveniently as the front. having thus pitched the fields : from either part went a messenger with these conditions , that whosoever were vanquished , such as escape vpon their submission in two dayes after should liue , but their wiues and children should be prize for the conquerours . the messengers were no sooner returned , but they approached in their orders ; on each flanke a serieant , and in the reare an officer for lieutenant , all duly keeping their orders , yet leaping and singing after their accustomed tune , which they onely vse in warres . vpon the first flight of arrowes they gaue such horrible shouts and screeches , as so many infernall hell hounds could not haue made them more terrible . when they had spent their arrowes , they ioyned together pre●tily , charging and retyring , every ranke seconding other . as they got advantage they catched their enemies by the hayre of the head , and downe he came that was taken . his enemy with his wooden sword seemed to beat out his braines , and still they crept to the reare , to maintaine the skirmish . the monacans decreasing , the powhatans charged them in the forme of a halfe moone ; they vnwilling to be inclosed , fled all in a troope to their ambuscadoes , on whom they led them very cunningly . the monacans disperse themselues among the fresh men , wherevpon the powhatans retired , with all speed to their seconds ; which the monacans seeing , tooke that advantage to retire againe to their owne battell , and so each returned to their owne quarter . all their actions , voyces , and gestures , both in charging and retiring were so strained to the height of their qualitie and nature , that the strangenesse thereof made it seeme very delightfull . for their musicke they vse a thicke cane , on which they pipe as on a recorder . for their warres they haue a great deepe platter of wood . they cover the mouth thereof with a skin , at each corner they tie a walnut , which meeting on the backside neere the bottome , with a small rope they twitch them together till it be so tought and stiffe , that they may beat vpon it as vpon a drumme . but their chiefe instruments are rattles made of small gourds , or pumpeons shels . of these they haue base , tenor , countertenor , meane , and treble . these mingled with their voyces sometimes twenty or thirtie together , make such a terrible noise as would rather affright , then delight any man. if any great commander arriue at the habitation of a werowance , they spread a mat as the turkes doe a carpet for him to sit vpon . vpon another right opposite they sit themselues . then doe all with a tunable voice of shouting bid him welcome . after this doe two or more of their chiefest men make an oration , testifying their loue . which they doe with such vehemency , and so great passions , that they sweat till they drop , and are so out of breath they can scarce speake . so that a man would take them to be exceeding angry , or stark mad . such victuall as they haue , they spend freely , and at night where his lodging is appointed , they set a woman fresh painted red with pocones and oyle , to be his bed-fellow . their manner of trading is for copper , beads , and such like , for which they giue such commodities as they haue , as skins , foule , fish , flesh , and their country corne. but their victualls are their chiefest riches . every spring they make themselues sicke with drinking the iuyce of a roote they call wighsacan , and water ; whereof they powre so great a quantitie , that it purgeth them in a very violent manner ; so that in three or foure dayes after , they scarce recover their former health . sometimes they are troubled with dropsies , swellings , aches , and such like diseases ; for cure whereof they build a stoue in the forme of a doue-house with mats , so close that a few coales therein covered with a pot , will make the patient sweat extreamely . for swellings also they vse small peeces of touchwood , in the forme of cloues , which pricking on the griefe they burne close to the flesh , and from thence draw the corruption with their mouth . with this roote wighsacan they ordinarily heale greene wounds . but to scarrifie a swelling , or make incision , their best instruments are some splinted stone . old vlcers , or putrified hurts are seldome seene cured amongst them . they haue many professed phisicians , who with their charmes and rattles , with an infernall rout of words and actions , will seeme to sucke their inward griefe from their navels , or their grieued places ; but of our chirurgians they were so conceited , that they beleeued any plaister would heale any hurt . but 't is not alwayes in phisicians skill , to heale the patient that is sicke and ill : for sometimes sicknesse on the patients part , proues stronger farre then all phisicians art . of their religion . there is yet in virginia no place discovered to be so savage , in which they haue not a religion , deere , and bow , and arrowes . all things that are able to doe them hurt beyond their prevention , they adore with their kinde of divine worship ; as the fire , water , lightning , thunder , our ordnance , peeces , horses , &c. but their chiefe god they worship is the devill . him they call okee , and serue him more of feare then loue . they say they haue conference with him , and fashion themselues as neare to his shape as they can imagine . in their temples they haue his image euill favouredly carved , and then painted and adorned with chaines of copper , and beads , and covered with a skin , in such manner as the deformitie may well suit with such a god. by him is commonly the sepulcher of their kings . their bodies are first bowelled , then dried vpon hurdles till they be very dry , and so about the most of their ioynts and necke they hang bracelets , or chaines of copper , pearle , and such like , as they vse to weare , their inwards they stuffe with copper beads , hatchets , and such trash . then lappe they them very carefully in white skins , and so rowle them in mats for their winding sheets . and in the tombe which is an arch made of mats , they lay them orderly . what remaineth of this kinde of wealth their kings haue , they set at their feet in baskets . these temples and bodies are kept by their priests . for their ordinary burials , they dig a deepe hole in the earth with sharpe stakes , and the corpse being lapped in skins and mats with their iewels , they lay them vpon stickes in the ground , and so cover them with earth . the buriall ended , the women being painted all their faces with blacke cole and oyle , doe sit twenty-foure houres in the houses mourning and lamenting by turnes , with such yelling and howling , as may expresse their great passions . in every territory of a werowance is a temple and a priest , two or three or more . their principall temple or place of superstition is at vitamussack at pamavnk●e , neare vnto which is a house , temple , or place of powhatans . vpon the top of certaine red sandy hils in the woods , there are three great houses filled with images of their kings , and devils , and tombes of their predecessors . those houses are neare sixtie foot in length built arbour-wise , after their building . this place they count so holy as that but the priests & kings dare come into them ; nor the salvages dare not goe vp the river in boats by it , but they solemnly cast some peece of copper , white beads , or pocones into the river , for feare their okee should be offended and revenged of them . thus , feare was the first their gods begot : till feare began , their gods were not . in this place commonly are resident seauen priests . the chiefe differed from the rest in his ornaments , but inferior priests could hardly be knowne from the common people , but that they had not so many holes in their eares to hang their iewels at . the ornaments of the chiefe priest were certaine attires for his head made thus . they tooke a dosen , or , or more snakes skins and stuffed them with mosse , and of weesels and other vermines skins a good many . all these they tie by their tailes , so as all their tailes meete in the toppe of their head like a great tassell . round about this tassell is as it were a crowne of feathers , the skins hang round about his head , necke , and shoulders , and in a manner cover his face . the faces of all their priests are painted as vgly as they can devise , in their hands they had every one his rattle , some base , some smaller . their devotion was most in songs , which the chiefe priest beginneth and the rest followed him , sometimes he maketh invocations with broken sentences by starts and strange passions , and at every pause , the rest giue a short groane . thus seeke they in deepe foolishnesse , to climbe the height of happinesse . it could not be perceiued that they keepe any day as more holy then other ; but onely in some great distresse of want , feare of enemies , times of triumph and gathering together their fruits , the whole country of men , women , and children come together to solemnities . the manner of their devotion is , sometimes to make a great fire , in the house or fields , and all to sing and dance about it with rattles and shouts together , foure or fiue houres . sometimes they set a man in the midst , and about him they dance and sing , he all the while clapping his hands , as if he would keepe time , and after their songs and dauncings ended they goe to ●heir feasts . through god begetting feare , mans blinded minde did reare a hell-god to the ghosts ; a heaven-god to the hoasts ; yea god vnto the seas : feare did create all these . they haue also divers coniurations , one they made when i was their prisoner ; of which hereafter you shall reade at large . they haue also certaine altar stones they call pawcorances , but these stand from their temples , some by their houses , others in the woods and wildernes●es , where they haue had any extraordinary accident , or incounter . and as you travell , at those stones they will tell you the cause why they were there erected , which from age to age they instruct their children , as their best records of antiquities . vpon these they offer bloud , deere suet , and tobacco . this they doe when they returne from the warres , from hunting , and vpon many other occasions . they haue also another superstition that they vse in stormes , when the waters are rough in the rivers and sea coasts . their coniurers runne to the water sides , or passing in their boats , after many hellish outcryes and invocations , they cast tobacco , copper , pocones , or such trash into the water , to pacific that god whom they thinke to be very angry in those stormes . before their dinners and suppers the better sort will take the first bit , and cast it in the fire , which is all the grace they are knowne to vse . in some part of the country they haue yearely a sacrifice of children . such a one was at quiyoughcohanock some ten myles from iames towne , and thus performed . fifteene of the properest young boyes , betweene ten and fifteene yeares of age they painted white . having brought them forth , the people spent the forenoon● in dancing and singing about them with rattles . in the afternoone they put those children to the roote of a tree . by them all the men stood in a guard , every one having a bastinado in his hand , made of reeds bound together . this made a lane betweene them all along , through which there were appointed fiue young men to fetch these children : so every one of the fiue went through the guard to fetch a childe each after other by turnes , the guard fiercely beating them with their bastinadoes , and they patiently enduring and receiuing all ▪ defending the children with their naked bodies from the vnmercifull blowes , that pay them soundly , though the children escape . all this while the women weepe and cry out very passionately , prouiding mats , skins , mosse , and dry wood , as things fitting their childrens funerals . after the children were thus passed the guard , the guard tore down the trees , branches & boughs , with such violence that they rent the body , and made wreaths for their heads , or bedecked their hayre with the leaues . what els was done with the children , was not seene , but they were all cast on a heape , in a valley as dead , where th●y made a great feast for all the company . the werowance being demanded the meaning of ●his sacrifice , answered that the children were not all dead , but that the okee or divell did sucke the bloud from their left breast , who chanced to be his by lot , till they were dead , but the rest were kept in the wildernesse by the young men till nine moneths were expired , during which time they must not converse with any , and of these were made their priests and coniurers . this sacrifice they held to be so necessary , that if they should omit it , their okee or devill , and all their other quiyoughcosughes , which are their other gods , would let them haue no deere , turkies , corne , nor fish , and yet besides , he would make a great slaughter amongst them . they thinke that their werowances and priests which they also esteeme quiyoughcosughes , when they are dead , doe goe beyond the mountaines towards the setting of the sunne , and ever remaine there in forme of their okee , with their heads painted with oyle and pocones , finely trimmed with feathers , and shall haue beads , hatchets , copper , and tobacco , doing nothing but dance and sing , with all their predecessors . but the common people they suppose shall not liue after death , but rot in their graues like dead dogs . to divert them from this blind idolatry , we did our best endevours , chiefly with the werowance of quiyoughcohanock , whose devotion , apprehension , and good disposition , much exceeded any in those countries , with whom although we could not as yet prevaile , to forsake his false gods , yet this he did beleeue that our god as much exceeded theirs , as our gunnes did their bowes & arrowes , and many times did send to me to iames towne , intreating me to pray to my god for raine , for their gods would not send them any . and in this lamentable ignorance doe these poore soules sacrifice themselues to the devill , not knowing their creator ; and we had not language sufficient , so plainly to expresse it as make them vnderstand it ; which god grant they may . for , religion 't is that doth distinguish vs , from their bruit humor , well we may it know ; that can with vnderstanding argue thus , our god is truth , but they cannot doe so . of the manner of the virginians government . although the country people be very barbarous , yet haue they amongst them such government , as that their magistrates for good commanding , and their people for due subiection , and obeying , excell many places that would be counted very civill . the forme of their common-wealth is a monarchicall government , one as emperour ruleth ouer many kings or governours . their chiefe ruler is called powhatan , and taketh his name of his principall place of dwelling called powhatan . but his proper name is wahunsonacock . some countries he hath which haue beene his ancestors , and came vnto him by inheritance , as the country called powhatan , arrohateck , appamatuck , pamavnkee , youghtanund , and mattapanient . all the rest of his territories expressed in the mappe , they report haue beene his severall conquests . in all his ancient inheritances , he hath houses built after their manner like arbours , some . some . yards long , and at every house provision for his entertainement according to the time . at werowcomoco on the northside of the river pamavnkee , was his residence , when i was delivered him prisoner , some myles from iames towne , where for the most part , he was resident , but at last he tooke so little pleasure in our neare neighbourhood , that he retired himselfe to orapakes , in the desert betwixt chickahaman●a and youghtanund . he is of personage a tall well proportioned man , with a sower looke , his head somwhat gray , his beard so thinne , that it seemeth none at all , his age neare sixtie ; of a very able and hardy body to endure any labour . about his person ordinarily attendeth a guard of or of the tallest men his country doth afford . every night vpon the foure quarters of his house are foure sentinels , each from other a flight shoot , and at every halfe houre one from the corps du guard doth hollow , shaking his lips with his finger betweene them ; vnto whom every sentinell doth answer round from his stand : if any faile , they presently send forth an officer that beateth him extreamely . a myle from orapakes in a thicket of wood , he hath a house in which he keepeth his kinde of treasure , as skinnes , copper , pearle , and beads , which he storeth vp against the time of his death and buriall . here also is his store of red paint for oyntment , bowes and arrowes , targets and clubs . this house is fiftie or sixtie yards in length , frequented onely by priests . at the foure corners of this house stand foure images as sentinels , one of a dragon , another a beare , the third like a leopard , and the fourth like a giantlike man , all made evill favouredly , according to their best workemanship . he hath as many women as he will , whereof when he lieth on his bed , one sitteth at his head , and another at his feet , but when he sitteth , one sitteth on his right hand and another on his left . as he is weary of his women , he bestoweth them on those that best deserue them at his hands . when he dineth or suppeth , one of his women before and after meat , bringeth him water in a wooden platter to wash his hands . another waiteth with a bunch of feathers to wipe them in stead of a towell , and the feathers when he hath wiped are dryed againe . his kingdomes descend not to his sonnes nor children , but first to his brethren , whereof he hath . namely , opitchapan , opechancanough , and catataugh , and after their decease to his sisters . first to the eldest sister , then to the rest , and after them to the heires male or female of the eldest sister , but never to the heires of the males . he nor any of his people vnderstand any letters , whereby to write or reade , onely the lawes whereby he ruleth is custome . yet when he listeth his will is a law and must be obeyed : not onely as a king , but as halfe a god they esteeme him . his inferiour kings whom they call werowances , are tyed to rule by customes , and haue power of life and death at their command in t●at nature . but this word werowance , which we call and construe for a king , is a common word , whereby they call all commanders : for they haue but few words in their language , and but few occasions to vse any officers more then one commander , which commonly they call werowance , or caucorouse , which is captaine . they all know their severall lands , and habitations , and limits , to fish , soule , or hunt in , but they hold all of their great werowance powhatan , vnto whom they pay tribute of skinnes , beads , copper , pearle , deere , turkies , wild beasts , and corne . what he commandeth they dare not disobey in the least thing . it is strange to see with what great feare and adoration , all these people doe obey this powhatan . for at his feet they present whatsoever he commandeth , and at the least frowne of his brow , their greatest spirits will tremble with feare : and no marvell , for he is very terrible & tyrannous in punishing such as offend him . for example , he caused certaine malefactors to be bound hand and foot , then having of many fires gathered great store of burning coales , they rake these coales round in the forme of a cockpit , and in the midst they cast the offenders to broyle to death . sometimes he causeth the heads of them that offend him , to be laid vpon the altar or sacrificing stone , and one with clubbes beats out their braines . when he would punish any notorious enemy or malefactor , he causeth him to be tyed to a tree , and with mussell shels or reeds , the executioner cutteth off his ioynts one after another , ever casting what they cut of into the fire ; then doth he proceed with shels and reeds to case the skinne from his head and face ; then doe they rip his belly and so burne him with the tree and all . thus themselues reported they executed george cassen . their ordinary correction is to beate them with cudgels . we haue seene a man kneeling on his knees , and at powhatans command , two men haue beate him on the bare skin , till he hath fallen senselesse in a sound , and yet never cry nor complained . and he made a woman for playing the whore , sit vpon a great stone , on her bare breech twenty-foure houres , onely with corne and water , every three dayes , till nine dayes were past , yet he loued her exceedingly : notwithstanding there are common whores by profession . in the yeare , he surprised the people of payankatank his neare neighbours and subiects . the occasion was to vs vnknowne , but the manner was thus . first he sent divers of his men as to lodge amongst them that night , then the ambuscadoes environed all their houses , and at the houre appointed , they all fell to the spoyle , twenty-foure men they slew , the long haire of the one side of their heads , with the skinne cased off with shels or reeds , they brought away . they surprised also the women , and the children , and the werowance . all these they presented to powhatan . the werowance , women and children became his prisoners , and doe him service . the lockes of haire with their skinnes he hanged on a line betwixt two trees . and thus he made ostentation of his triumph at werowocomoco , where he intended to haue done as much to mee and my company . and this is as much as my memory can call to minde worthy of note ; which i haue purposely collected , to satisfie my friends of the true worth and qualitie of virginia . yet some bad natures will not sticke to slander the countrey , that will slovenly spit at all things , especially in company where they can finde none to contradict them . who though they were scarce en●r ten myles from iames towne , or at the most but at the falles ; yet holding it a great disgrace that amongst so much action , their actions were nothing , exclaime of all things , though they never adventured to know any thing ; nor euer did any thing but devoure the fruits of other mens labours . being for most part of such tender educations , and small experience in martiall accidents , because they found not english cities , nor such faire houses , nor at their owne wishes any of their accustomed dainties , with feather beds and downe pillowes , tavernes and alehouses in every breathing place , neither such plentie of gold and silver and dissolute libertie , as they expected , had little or no care or any thing , but to pamper their bellies , to fly away with our pinnaces , or procure their meanes to returne for england . for the country was to them a misery , a ruine , a death , a hell , and their reports here , and their actions there according . some other there were that had yearely stipends to passe to and againe for transportation : who to keepe the mysterie of the businesse in themselues , though they had neither time nor meanes to know much of themselues ; yet all mens actions or relations they so formally tuned to the temporizing times simplicitie , as they could make their ignorances seeme much more , then all the true actors could by their experience . and those with their great words deluded the world with such strange promises , as abused the businesse much worse then the rest . for the businesse being builded vpon the foundation of their fained experience , the planters , the money and meanes haue still miscarried : yet they ever returning , and the planters so farre absent , who could contradict their excuses ? which , still to maintaine their vaine glory and estimation , from time to time haue vsed such diligence as made them passe for truths , though nothing more false . and that the adventurers might be thus abused , let no man wonder ; for the wisest liuing is soonest abused by him that hath a faire tongue and a dissembling heart . there were many in virginia meerely proiecting , verball , and idle contemplators , and those so devoted to pure idlenesse , that though they had liued two or three yeares in virginia , lordly , necessitie it selfe could not compell them to passe the peninsula , or pallisadoes of iames towne , and those witty spirits , what would they not affirme in the behalfe of our transporters , to get victuall from their ships , or obtaine their good words in england , to get their passes . thus from the clamors , and the ignorance of false informers , are sprung those disasters that sprung in virginia : and our ingenious verbalists were no lesse plague to vs in virginia , then the locusts to the egyptians . for the labour of twentie or thirtie of the best onely preserved in christianitie by their industry , the idle livers of neare two hundred of the rest : who liuing neere ten moneths of such naturall meanes , as the country naturally of it selfe afforded , notwithstanding all this , and the worst fury of the salvages , the extremitie of sicknesse , mutinies , faction , ignorances , and want of victuall ; in all that time i lost but seaven or eight men , yet subiected the salvages to our desired obedience , and receiued contribution from thirtie fiue of their kings , to protect and assist them against any that should assault them , in which order they continued true and faithfull , and as subiects to his maiestie , so long after as i did governe there , vntill i left the countrey : since , how they haue revolted , the countrie lost , and againe replanted , and the businesses hath succeded from time to time , i referre you to the relations of them returned from virginia , that haue beene more diligent in such observations . iohn smith writ this with his owne hand . because many doe desire to know the manner of their language , i haue inserted these few words . ka katorawines yowo . what call you this . nemarough , a man. crenepo , a woman . marowanchesso , a boy . yehawkans , houses . matchcores , skins , or garments . mockasins , shooes . tussan , beds . pokatawer , fire . attawp , a bow . attonce , arrowes . monacookes , swords . aumouhhowgh , a target . pawcussacks , gunnes . tomahacks , axes . tockahacks , pickaxes . pamesacks , kniues . accowprets , sheares . pawpecones , pipes . mattassin , copper vssawassin , iron , brasse , silver , or any white mettall . musses , woods . attasskuss , leaues , weeds , or grasse . chepsin , land. shacquohocan . a stone . wepenter , a cookold . suckahanna , water . noughmass , fish. copotone , sturgeon . weghshaughes , flesh. sawwehone , bloud . netoppew , friends . marrapough , enemies . maskapow , the worst of the enemies . mawchick chammay , the best of friends casacunnakack , peya quagh acquintan vttasantasough , in how many daies will there come hither any more english ships . their numbers . necut , . ningh , . nuss , . yowgh , . paranske , . comotinch , . toppawoss , nusswash , . kekatawgh , . kaskeke they count no more but by tennes as followeth . case , how many . ninghsapooeksku , . nussapooeksku , . yowghapooeksku , . parankestassapoocksku , . comatinchtassapooeksku , . nussswashtassapooeksku , . kekataughtassapooeksku , . necuttoughtysinough , . necuttwevnquaough , . rawcosowghs , dayes . keskowghes , sunnes . toppquough . nights . nepaww●showghs , moones . pawpaxsoughes , yeares . pummahumps , starres . osies , heavens . okees , gods. quiyoughcosoughs , pettie gods , and their affinities . righcomoughes , deaths . kekughes , liues . mowchick woyawgh tawgh ●oeragh kaqueremecher , i am very hungry ? what shall i eate ? tawnor nehiegh powhatan , where dwels powhatan . mache , nehiegh yourowgh , orapaks . now he dwels a great way hence at orapaks . vittapitchewayne anpechitchs nehawper werowacomoco , you lie , he staid ever at werowacomoco . kator nehiegh mattagh neer vttapitchewayne , truely he is there i doe not lie . spaughtynere keragh werowance mawmarinough k●katē wawgh peyaquaugh . run you then to the king mawmarynough and bid him come hither . vtteke , e peya weyack wighwhip , get you gone , & come againe quickly . kekaten pokahontas patiaquagh niugh tanks manotyens neer mowchick rawrenock audowgh , bid pokahontas bring hither two little baskets , and i will giue her white beads to make her a chaine . finis . ould virginia c : s their triumph about him c : smith bound to a tree to be shott to death c. s. how they tooke him prisoner in the oaze c.s. c. smith bindeth a saluage to his arme , fighteth with the king of pamaunkee and all his company , and slew of them . c : smith takes the king of paspahegh prisoner . ao. . a coniurer . their idoll a priest their coniuration about c : smith ● a description of part of the adventures of cap : smith in virginia . a state of leau●es . graven and extracted out of the generall history of virginia , new england , and som̄er ises , by robert vaughan . c. smith taketh the king of pamavnkee prisoner the countrey wee now call virginia beginneth at cape henry aistant from roanoack miles , where was sr. raleigh's psantation . and because the people differ very little from t●em of powhatan in any thing , i have inserted those figures in this place because of the conveniency . c.s. king powhatan com̄ands c. smith to be slayne , his daughter pokahontas begge his life his thankfullness and how he subiected of their kings . reade ● history . printed by iames reeve ❧ the third booke . the proceedings and accidents of the english colony in virginia , extracted from the authors following , by william simons , doctour of divinitie . chapter i. it might well be thought , a countrie so faire ( as virginia is ) and a people so tractable , would long ere this haue beene quietly possessed , to the satisfaction of the adventurers , & the eternizing of the memory of those that effected it . but because all the world doe see a defailement ; this following treatise shall giue satisfaction to all indifferent readers , how the businesse hath bin carried : where no doubt they will easily vnderstand and answer to their question , how it came to passe there was no better speed and successe in those proceedings . captaine bartholomew gosnoll , one of the first movers of this plantation , having many yeares solicited many of his friends , but found small assistants ; at last prevailed with some gentlemen , as captaine iohn smith , mr edward-maria wingfield , mr robert hunt , and divers others , who depended a yeare vpon his proiects , but nothing could be effected , till by their great charge and industrie , it came to be apprehended by certaine of the nobilitie , gentry , and marchants , so that his maiestie by his letters patents , gaue commission for establishing councels , to direct here ; and to governe , and to execute there . to effect this , was spent another yeare , and by that , three ships were provided , one of tuns , another of . and a pinnace of . the transportation of the company was committed to captaine christopher newport , a marriner well practised for the westerne parts of america . but their orders for government were put in a box , not to be opened , nor the governours knowne vntill they arrived in virginia . on the of december , . we set sayle from blackwall , but by vnprosperous winds , were kept six weekes in the sight of england ; all which time , mr hunt our preacher , was so weake and sicke , that few expected his recovery . yet although he were but twentie myles from his habitation ( the time we were in the downes ) and notwithstanding the stormy weather , nor the scandalous imputations ( of some few , little better then atheists , of the greatest ranke amongst vs ) suggested against him , all this could never force from him so much as a seeming desire to leaue the busines , but preferred the service of god , in so good a voyage , before any affection to contest with his godlesse foes , whose disasterous designes ( could they haue prevailed ) had even then overthrowne the businesse , so many discontents did then arise , had he not with the water of patience , and his godly exhortations ( but chiefly by his true devoted examples ) quenched those flames of envie , and dissention . we watered at the canaries , we traded with the salvages at dominica ; three weekes we spent in refreshing our selues amongst these west-india isles ; in gwardalupa we found a bath so hot , as in it we boyled porck as well as over the fire . and at a little isle called monica , we tooke from the bushes with our hands , neare two hogsh-heads full of birds in three or foure houres . in mevis , mona , and the virgin isles , we spent some time , where , with a lothsome beast like a crocodil , called a gwayn , tortoises , pellicans , parrots , and fishes , we daily feasted . gone from thence in search of virginia , the company was not a little discomforted , seeing the marriners had dayes passed their reckoning and found no land , so that captaine ratliffe ( captaine of the pinnace ) rather desired to beare vp the helme to returne for england , then make further search . but god the guider of all good actions , forcing them by an extreame storme to hull all night , did driue them by his providence to their desired port , beyond all their expectations , for never any of them had seene that coast . the first land they made they called cape henry ; where thirtie of them recreating themselues on shore , were assaulted by fiue salvages , who hurt two of the english very dangerously . that night was the box opened , and the orders read , in which bartholomew gosnoll , iohn smith , edward wingfield , christopher newport , iohn ratliffe , iohn martin , and george kendall , were named to be the councell , and to choose a president amongst them for a yeare , who with the councell should governe . matters of moment were to be examined by a iury , but determined by the maior part of the councell , in which the president had two voyces . vntill the of may they sought a place to plant in , then the councell was sworne , mr wingfield was chosen president , and an oration made , why captaine smith was not admitted of the councell as the rest . now falleth every man to worke , the councell contriue the fort , the rest cut downe trees to make place to pitch their tents ; some provide clapbord to relade the ships , some make gardens , some nets , &c. the salvages often visited vs kindly . the presidents overweening iealousie would admit no exercise at armes , or fortification , but the boughs of trees cast together in the forme of a halfe moone by the extraordinary paines and diligence of captaine kendall . newport , smith , and twentie others , were sent to discover the head of the river : by divers small habitations they passed , in six dayes they arrived at a towne called powhatan , consisting of some twelue houses , pleasantly seated on a hill ; before it three fertile isles , about it many of their cornefields , the place is very pleasant , and strong by nature , of this place the prince is called powhatan , and his people powhatans , to this place the river is navigable : but higher within a myle , by reason of the rockes and isles , there is not passage for a small boat , this they call the falles , the people in all parts kindly intreated them , till being returned within twentie myles of iames towne , they gaue iust cause of iealousie , but had god not blessed the discoverers otherwise then those at the fort , there had then beene an end of that plantation ; for at the fort , where they arrived the next day , they found men hurt , and a boy slaine by the salvages , and had it not chanced a crosse barre shot from the ships strooke downe a bough from a tree amongst them , that caused them to retire , our men had all beene slaine , being securely all at worke , and their armes in dry fats . herevpon the president was contented the fort should be pallisadoed , the ordnance mounted , his men armed and exercised , for many were the assaults , and ambuscadoes of the salvages , & our men by their disorderly stragling were often hurt , when the salvages by the nimblenesse of their heeles well escaped . what toyle we had , with so small a power to guard our workemen adayes , watch all night , resist our enemies , and effect our businesse , to relade the ships , cut downe trees , and prepare the ground to plant our corne , &c , i referre to the readers consideration . six weekes being spent in this manner , captaine newport ( who was hired onely for our transportation ) was to returne with the ships . now captaine smith , who all this time from their departure from the canaries was restrained as a prisoner vpon the scandalous suggestions of some of the chiefe ( envying his repute ) who fained he intended to vsurpe the government , murther the councell , and make himselfe king , that his confederats were dispersed in all the three ships , and that divers of his confederats that revealed it , would affirme it , for this he was committed as a prisoner : thirteene weekes he remained thus suspected , and by that time the ships should returne they pretended out of their commisserations , to referre him to the councell in england to receiue a check , rather then by particulating his designes make him so odious to the world , as to touch his life , or vtterly overthrow his reputation . but he so much scorned their charitie , and publikely defied the vttermost of their crueltie , he wisely prevented their policies , though he could not suppresse their envies , yet so well he demeaned himselfe in this businesse , as all the company did see his innocency , and his adversaries malice , and those suborned to accuse him , accused his accusers of subornation ; many vntruthes were alledged against him ; but being so apparently disproved , begat a generall hatred in the hearts of the company against such vniust commanders , that the president was adiudged to giue him l. so that all he had was seized vpon , in part of satisfaction , which smith presently returned to the store for the generall vse of the colony . many were the mischiefes that daily sprung from their ignorant ( yet ambitious ) spirits ; but the good doctrine and exhortation of our preacher mr hunt reconciled them , and caused captaine smith to be admitted of the councell ; the next day all receiued the communion , the day following the salvages voluntarily desired peace , and captaine newport returned for england with newes ; leaving in virginia . the of iune . by this obserue ; good men did ne'r their countries ruine bring . but when evill men shall iniuries beginne ; not caring to corrupt and violate the iudgements-seats for their owne lucr's sake : then looke that country cannot long haue peace , though for the present it haue rest and ease . the names of them that were the first planters , were these following . councel . mr edward maria wingfield . captaine bartholomew gosnoll . captaine iohn smith . captaine iohn ratliffe . captaine iohn martin . captaine george kendall . gent. mr robert hunt preacher . mr george percie . anthony gosnoll . george flower . cap. gabriell archer . robert fenton . robert ford. william bruster . edward harrington . dru pickhouse . thomas iacob . iohn brookes . ellis kingston . thomas sands . beniamin beast . iehu robinson . thomas mouton . eustace clovill . stephen halthrop . kellam throgmorton . edward morish . nathaniell powell . edward browne . robert bebethland . iohn penington . ieremy alicock . george walker . thomas studley . richard crofts . nicholas houlgraue . thomas webbt . iohn waller . iohn short. william tankard . william smethes . francis snarsbrough . richard simons . edward brookes . richard dixon . iohn martin . roger cooke . anthony gosnold . tho : wotton , chirurg . iohn stevenson . thomas gore . henry adling . francis midwinter . richard frith . carpenters . william laxon . edward pising . thomas emry . robert small . labourers . iohn laydon . william cassen . george cassen . thomas cassen . william rodes . william white . old edward . henry tavin . george goulding . iohn dods . william iohnson . william vnger . iam : read , blacksmith . ionas profit , sailer . tho : cowper , barber . will : garret , bricklayer . edward brinto , mason . william loue , taylor . nic : scot , drum. wil : wilkinson , chirurg . samuell collier , boy . nat. pecock , boy . iames brumfield , boy . richard mutton , boy . with divers others to the number of . chap. ii. what happened till the first supply . being thus left to our fortunes , it fortuned that within ten dayes scarce ten amongst vs could either goe , or well stand , such extreame weaknes and sicknes oppressed vs. and thereat none need marvaile , if they consider the cause and reason , which was this ; whilest the ships stayed , our allowance was somewhat bettered , by a daily proportion of bisket , which the sailers would pilfer to sell , giue , or exchange with vs , for money , saxefras , furres , or loue . but when they departed , there remained neither taverne , beere ▪ house , nor place of reliefe , but the common kettell . had we beene as free from all sinnes as gluttony , and drunkennesse , we might haue beene canonized for saints ; but our president would never haue beene admitted , for ingrossing to his private , oatmeale , sacke , oyle , aqua-vitae , beefe , egges , or what not , but the kettell ; that indeed he allowed equally to be distributed , and that was halfe a pint of wheat , and as much barley boyled with water for a man a day , and this having fryed some . weekes in the ships hold , contained as many wormes as graines ; so that we might truely call it rather so much bran then corne , our drinke was water , our lodgings castles in the ayre : with this lodging and dyet , our extreame toile in bearing and planting pallisadoes , so strained and bruised vs , and our continuall labour in the extremitie of the heat had so weakned vs , as were cause sufficient to haue made vs as miserable in our natiue countrey , or any other place in the world . from may , to september , those that escaped , liued vpon sturgeon , and sea-crabs , fiftie in this time we buried , the rest seeing the presidents proiects to escape these miseries in our pinnace by flight ( who all this time had neither felt want nor sicknes ) so moved our dead spirits , as we deposed him ; and established ratcliffe in his place , ( gosnoll being dead ) kendall deposed , smith newly recovered , martin and ratcliffe was by his care preserved and relieued , and the most of the souldiers recovered , with the skilfull diligence of mr thomas wotton our chirurgian generall . but now was all our provision spent , the sturgeon gone , all helps abandoned , each houre expecting the fury of the salvages ; when god the patron of all good indevours , in that desperate extremitie so changed the hearts of the salvages , that they brought such plenty of their fruits , and provision , as no man wanted . and now where some affirmed it was ill done of the councell to send forth men so badly provided , this incontradictable reason will shew them plainely they are too ill advised to nourish such ill conceits ; first , the fault of our going was our owne , what could be thought fitting or necessary we had , but what we should find , or want , or where we should be , we were all ignorant , and supposing to make our passage in two moneths , with victuall to liue , and the advantage of the spring to worke ; we were at sea fiue moneths , where we both spent our victuall and lost the opportunitie of the time , and season to plant , by the vnskilfull presumption of our ignorant transporters , that vnderstood not at all , what they vndertooke . such actions haue ever since the worlds beginning beene subiect to such accidents , and every thing of worth is found full of difficulties , but nothing so difficult as to establish a common-wealth so farre remote from men and meanes , and where mens mindes are so vntoward as neither doe well themselues , nor suffer others . but to proceed . the new president and martin , being little beloved , of weake iudgement in dangers , and lesse industrie in peace , committed the managing of all things abroad to captaine smith : who by his owne example , good words , and faire promises , set some to mow , others to binde thatch , some to build houses , others to thatch them , himselfe alwayes bearing the greatest taske for his owne share , so that in short time , he provided most of them lodgings , neglecting any for himselfe . this done , seeing the salvages superfluitie beginne to decrease ( with some of his workemen ) shipped himselfe in the shallop to search the country for trade . the want of the language , knowledge to mannage his boat without sailes , the want of a sufficient power , ( knowing the multitude of the salvages ) apparell for his men , and other necessaries , were infinite impediments , yet no discouragement . being but six or seauen in company he went downe the river to kecoughtan , where at first they scorned him , as a famished man , and would in derision offer him a handfull of corne , a peece of bread , for their swords and muskets , and such like proportions also for their apparell . but seeing by trade and courtesie there was nothing to be had , he made bold to try such conclusions as necessitie inforced , though contrary to his commission : let fly his muskets , ran his boat on shore , whereat they all fled into the woods . so marching towards their houses , they might see great heapes of corne : much adoe he had to restraine his hungry souldiers from present taking of it , expecting as it hapned that the salvages would assault them , as not long after they did with a most hydeous noyse . sixtie or seaventie of them , some blacke , some red , some white , some party-coloured , came in a square order , singing and dauncing out of the woods , with their okee ( which was an idoll made of skinnes , stuffed with mosse , all painted and hung with chaines and copper ) borne before them : and in this manner being well armed , with clubs , targets , bowes and arrowes , they charged the english , that so kindly receiued them with their muskets loaden with pistoll shot , that downe fell their god , and divers lay sprauling on the ground ; the rest fled againe to the woods , and ere long sent one of their quiyoughkasoucks to offer peace , and redeeme their okee . smith told them , if onely six of them would come vnarmed and loade his boat , he would not only be their friend , but restore them their okee , and giue them beads , copper , and hatchets besides : which on both sides was to their contents performed : and then they brought him venison , turkies , wild-foule , bread , and what they had , singing and dauncing in signe of friendship till they departed . in his returne he discovered the towne and country of warraskoyack . thus god vnboundlesse by his power , made them thus kind , would vs deuour . smith perceiving ( notwithstanding their late miserie ) not any regarded but from hand to mouth ( the company being well recovered ) caused the pinnace to be provided with things fitting to get provision for the yeare following ; but in the interim he made . or . iournies and discovered the people of chickahamania : yet what he carefully provided the rest carelesly spent . wingfield and kendall liuing in disgrace , seeing all things at randome in the absence of smith , the companies dislike of their presidents weaknes , and their small loue to martins never mending sicknes , strengthened themselues with the sailers , and other confederates to regaine their former credit and authority , or at least such meanes abord the pinnace , ( being fitted to saile as smith had appointed for trade ) to alter her course and to goe for england . smith vnexpectedly returning had the plot discovered to him , much trouble he had to prevent it , till with store of sakre and musket shot he forced them stay or sinke in the riuer , which action cost the life of captaine kendall . these brawles are so disgustfull , as some will say they were better forgotten , yet all men of good iudgement will conclude , it were better their basenes should be manifest to the world , then the busines beare the scorne and shame of their excused disorders . the president and captaine archer not long after intended also to haue abandoned the country , which proiect also was curbed , and suppressed by smith . the spaniard never more greedily desired gold then he victuall , nor his souldiers more to abandon the country , then he to keepe it . but finding plentie of corne in the riuer of chickahamania where hundreds of salvages in diuers places stood with baskets expecting his comming . and now the winter approaching , the rivers became so covered with swans , geese , duckes , and cranes , that we daily feasted with good bread , virginia pease , pumpions , and putchamins , fish , fowle , and diverse sorts of wild beasts as fat as we could eate them : so that none of our tuftasfaty humorists desired to goe for england . but our comaedies never endured long without a tragedie ; some idle exceptions being muttered against captaine smith , for not discovering the head of chickahamania river , and taxed by the councell , to be too slow in so worthy an attempt . the next voyage hee proceeded so farre that with much labour by cutting of trees in sunder he made his passage , but when his barge could passe no farther , he left her in a broad bay out of danger of shot , commanding none should goe a shore till his returne : himselfe with two english and two salvages went vp higher in a canowe , but hee was not long absent , but his men went a shore , whose want of government , gaue both occasion and opportunity to the salvages to surprise one george cassen , whom they slew , and much failed not to haue cut of the boat and all the rest . smith little dreaming of that accident , being got to the marshes at the rivers head , twentie myles in the desert , had his * two men slaine ( as is supposed ) sleeping by the canowe , whilst himselfe by fowling sought them victuall , who finding he was beset with . salvages , two of them hee slew , still defending himselfe with the ayd of a salvage his guid , whom he bound to his arme with his garters , and vsed him as a buckler , yet he was shot in his thigh a little , and had many arrowes that stucke in his cloathes but no great hurt , till at last they tooke him prisoner . when this newes came to iames towne , much was their sorrow for his losse , fewe expecting what ensued . sixe or seuen weekes those barbarians kept him prisoner , many strange triumphes and coniurations they made of him , yet hee so demeaned himselfe amongst them , as he not onely diverted them from surprising the fort , but procured his owne libertie , and got himselfe and his company such estimation amongst them , that those salvages admired him more then their owne quiyouckosucks . the manner how they vsed and deliuered him , is as followeth . the salvages hauing drawne from george cassen whether captaine smith was gone , prosecuting that oportunity they followed him with . . bowmen , conducted by the king of pamavnkee , who in diuisions searching the turnings of the riuer , found robinson and emry by the fire side , those they shot full of arrowes and slew . then finding the captaine ▪ as is said , that vsed the salvage that was his guide as his sheld ( three of them being slaine and diuers other so gauld ) all the rest would not come neere him . thinking thus to haue returned to his boat , regarding them , as he marched , more then his way , slipped vp to the middle in an oasie creeke & his salvage with him , yet durst they not come to him till being neere dead with cold , he threw away his armes . then according to their composition they drew him forth and led him to the fire , where his men were slaine . diligently they chafed his benummed limbs . he demanding for their captaine , they shewed him opechankanough , king of pamavnkee , to whom he gaue a round ivory double compass dyall . much they marvailed at the playing of the fly and needle , which they could see so plainely , and yet not touch it , because of the glasse that covered them . but when he demonstrated by that globe-like iewell , the roundnesse of the earth and skies , the spheare of the sunne , moone , and starres , and how the sunne did chase the night round about the world continually ; the greatnesse of the land and sea , the diversitie of nations , varietie of complexions , and how we were to them antipodes , and many other such like matters , they all stood as amazed with admiration . notwithstanding , within an houre after they tyed him to a tree , and as many as could stand about him prepared to shoot him , but the king holding vp the compass in his hand , they all laid downe their bowes and arrowes , and in a triumphant manner led him to orapaks , where he was after their manner kindly feasted , and well vsed . their order in conducting him was thus ; drawing themselues all in fyle , the king in the middest had all their peeces and swords borne before him . captaine smith was led after him by three great salvages , holding him fast by each arme : and on each side six went in fyle with their arrowes nocked . but arriving at the towne ( which was but onely thirtie or fortie hunting houses made of mats , which they remoue as they please , as we our tents ) all the women and children staring to behold him , the souldiers nrst all in fyle performed the forme of a bissom so well as could be ; and on each flanke , officers as serieants to see them keepe their orders . a good time they continued this exercise , and then cast themselues in a ring , dauncing in such severall postures , and singing and yelling out such hellish notes and screeches ; being strangely painted , every one his quiver of arrowes , and at his backe a club ; on his arme a fox or an otters skinne , or some such matter for his vambrace ; their heads and shoulders painted red , with oyle and pocones mingled together , which scarlet-like colour made an exceeding handsome shew ; his bow in his hand , and the skinne of a bird with her wings abroad dryed , tyed on his head , a peece of copper , a white shell , a long feather , with a small rattle growing at the tayles of their snaks tyed to it , or some such like toy . all this while smith and the king stood in the middest guarded , as before is said , and after three dances they all departed . smith they conducted to a long house , where thirtie or fortie tall fellowes did guard him , and ere long more bread and venison was brought him then would haue served twentie men , i thinke his stomacke at that time was not very good ; what he left they put in baskets and tyed over his head . about midnight they set the meate againe before him , all this time not one of them would eate a bit with him , till the next morning they brought him as much more , and then did they eate all the old , & reserved the new as they had done the other , which made him thinke they would fat him to eat him . yet in this desperate estate to defend him from the cold , one maocassater brought him his gowne , in requitall of some beads and toyes smith had given him at his first arrivall in virginia . two dayes after a man would haue slaine him ( but that the guard prevented it ) for the death of his sonne , to whom they conducted him to recover the poore man then breathing his last . smith told them that at iames towne he had a water would doe it , if they would let him fetch it , but they would not permit that ; but made all the preparations they could to assault iames towne , crauing his advice , and for recompence he should haue life , libertie , land , and women . in part of a table booke he writ his minde to them at the fort , what was intended , how they should follow that direction to affright the messengers , and without fayle send him such things as he writ for . and an inventory with them . the difficultie and danger , he told the salvages , of the mines , great gunnes , and other engins exceedingly affrighted them , yet according to his request they went to iames towne , in as bitter weather as could be of fro●t and snow , and within three dayes returned with an answer . but when they came to iame towne , seeing men sally out as he had told them they would , they fled ; yet in the night they came againe to the same place where he had told them they should receiue an answer , and such things as he had promised them , which they found accordingly , and with which they returned with no small expedition , to the wonder of them all that heard it , that he could either divine , or the paper could speake : then they led him to the youthtanunds , the mattapanicuts , the payankatanks , the nantaughtacunds , and onawmanients vpon the rivers of rapahanock , and patawomek , over all those rivers , and backe againe by divers other severall nations , to the kings habitation at pamavnkee , where they entertained him with most strange and fearefull coniurations ; as if neare led to hell , amongst the devils to dwell . not long after , early in a morning a great fire was made in a long house , and a mat spread on the one side , as on the other , on the one they caused him to sit , and all the guard went out of the house , and presently came skipping in a great grim fellow , all painted over with coale , mingled with oyle ; and many snakes and wesels skins stuffed with mosse , and all their tayles tyed together , so as they met on the crowne of his head in a tassell ; and round about the tassell was as a coronet of feathers , the skins hanging round about his head , backe , and shoulders , and in a manner covered his face ; with a hellish voyce and a rattle in his hand . with most strange gestures and passions he began his invocation , and environed the fire with a circle of meale ; which done , three more such like devils came rushing in with the like antique tricks , painted halfe blacke , halfe red : but all their eyes were painted white , and some red stroakes like mutchato's , along their cheekes : round about him those fiends daunced a pretty while , and then came in three more as vgly as the rest ; with red eyes , and white stroakes over their blacke faces , at last they all sat downe right against him ; three of them on the one hand of the chiefe priest , and three on the other . then all with their rattles began a song , which ended , the chiefe priest layd downe fiue wheat cornes : then strayning his armes and hands with such violence that he sweat , and his veynes swelled , he began a short oration : at the conclusion they all gaue a short groane ; and then layd down three graines more . after that , began their song againe , and then another oration , ever laying downe so many cornes as before , till they had twice incirculed the fire ; that done , they tooke a bunch of little stickes prepared for that purpose , continuing still their devotion , and at the end of every song and oration , they layd downe a slicke betwixt the divisions of corne. till night , neither he nor they did either eate or drinke , and then they feasted merrily , with the best provisions they could make . three dayes they vsed this ceremony ; the meaning whereof they told him , was to know if he intended them well or no. the circle of meale signified their country , the circles of corne the bounds of the sea , and the stickes his country . they imagined the world to be flat and round , like a trencher , and they in the middest . after this they brought him a bagge of gunpowder , which they carefully preserved till the next spring , to plant as they did their corne ; because they would be acquainted with the nature of that seede . opitchapam the kings brother invited him to his house , where , with as many platters of bread , soule , and wild beasts , as did environ him , he bid him wellcome ; but not any of them would eate a bit with him , but put vp all the remainder in baskets . at his returne to opechancanoughs , all the kings women , and their children , flocked about him for their parts , as a due by custome , to be merry with such fragments . but his waking mind in hydeous dreames did oft see wondrous shapes , of bodies strange , and huge in growth , and of stupendious makes . at last they brought him to meronocomoco , where was powhatan their emperor . here more then two hundred of those grim courtiers stood wondering at him , as he had beene a monster ; till powhatan and his trayne had put themselues in their greatest braveries . before a fire vpon a seat like a bedsted , he sat covered with a great robe , made of rarowcun skinnes , and all the tayles hanging by . on either hand did sit a young wench of or yeares , and along on each side the house , two rowes of men , and behind them as many women , with all their heads and shoulders painted red ; many of their heads bedecked with the white downe of birds ; but every one with something : and a great chayne of white beads about their necks . at his entrance before the king , all the people gaue a great shout . the queene of appamatuck was appointed to bring him water to wash his hands , and another brought him a bunch of feathers , in stead of a towell to dry them : having feasted him after their best barbarous manner they could , a long consultation was held , but the conclusion was , two great stones were brought before powhatan : then as many as could layd hands on him , dragged him to them , and thereon laid his head , and being ready with their clubs , to beate out his braines , pocahontas the kings dearest daughter , when no intreaty could prevaile , got his head in her armes , and laid her owne vpon his to saue him from death : whereat the emperour was contented he should liue to make him hatchets , and her bells , beads , and copper ; for they thought him aswell of all occupations as themselues . for the king himselfe will make his owne robes , shooes , bowes , arrowes , pots ; plant , hunt , or doe any thing so well as the rest . they say he bore a pleasant shew , but sure his heart was sad . for who can pleasant be , and rest , that liues in feare and dread : and having life suspected , doth it still suspected lead . two dayes after , powhatan having disguised himselfe in the most fearefullest manner he could , caused cap t : smith to be brought forth to a great house in the woods , and there vpon a mat by the fire to be left alone . not long after from behinde a mat that divided the house , was made the most dolefullest noyse he ever heard ; then powhatan more like a devill then a man with some two hundred more as blacke as himselfe , came vnto him and told him now they were friends , and presently he should goe to iames towne , to send him two great gunnes , and a gryndstone , for which he would giue him the country of capahowosick , and for ever esteeme him as his sonne nantaquoud . so to iames towne with guides powhatan sent him . that night they quarterd in the woods , he still expecting ( as he had done all this long time of his imprisonment ) every houre to be put to one death or other : for all their feasting . but almightie god ( by his divine providence ) had mollified the hearts of those sterne barbarians with compassion . the next morning betimes they came to the fort , where smith having vsed the salvages with what kindnesse he could , he shewed rawhunt , powhatans trusty servant two demi-culverings & a mill-stone to carry powhatan : they found them somewhat too heavie ; but when they did see him discharge them , being loaded with stones , among the boughs of a great tree loaded with isickles , the yee and branches came so tumbling downe , that the poore salvages ran away halfe dead with feare . but at last we regained some conference with them , and gaue them such toyes ; and sent to powhatan , his women , and children such presents , as gaue them in generall full content . now in iames towne they were all in combustion , the strongest preparing once more to run away with the pinnace ; which with the hazzard of his life , with sakre falcon and musket shot , smith forced now the third time to stay or sinke . some no better then they should be , had plotted with the president , the next day to haue ▪ put him to death by the leviticall law , for the liues of robinson and emry , pretending the fault was his that had led them to their ends : but he quickly tooke such order with such lawyers , that he layd them by the heeles till he sent some of them prisoners for england . now ever once in foure or fiue dayes , pocahontas with her attendants , brought him so much provision , that saved many of their liues , that els for all this had starved with hunger . thus from numbe death our good god sent reliefe , the sweete asswager of all other griefe . his relation of the plenty he had seene , especially at warawocomoco , and of the state and bountie of powhatan , ( which till that time was vnknowne ) so revived their dead spirits ( especially the loue of pocahontas ) as all mens feare was abandoned . thus you may see what difficulties still crossed any good indevour : and the good successe of the businesse being thus oft brought to the very period of destruction ; yet you see by what strange means god hath still delivered it . as for the insufficiency of them admitted in commission , that error could not be prevented by the electors ; there being no other choise ; and all strangers to each others education , qualities , or disposition . and if any deeme it a shame to our nation to haue any mention made of those inormities , let them pervse the histories of the spanyards discoveries and plantations , where they may see how many mutinies , disorders , and dissentions haue accompanied them , and crossed their attempts : which being knowne to be particular mens offences ; doth take away the generall scorne and contempt , which malice , presumption , covetousnesse , or ignorance might produce ; to the scandall and reproach of those , whose actions and valiant resolutions deserue a more worthy respect . now whether it had beene better for captaine smith , to haue concluded with any of those severall proiects , to haue abandoned the countrey , with some ten or twelue of them , who were called the better sort , and haue left mr hunt our preacher , master anthony gosnoll , a most honest , worthy , and industrious gentleman , master thomas wotton , and some others of his countrymen to the fury of the salvages , famine , and all manner of mischiefes , and inconveniences , ( for they were but fortie in all to keepe possession of this large country ; ) or starue himselfe with them for company , for want of lodging : or but adventuring abroad to make them provision , or by his opposition to preserue the action , and saue all their liues ; i leaue to the censure of all honest men to consider . but we men imagine in our iolitie , that 't is all one , or good or bad to be . but then anone wee alter this againe , if happily wee feele the sence of paine ; for then we 're turn'd into a mourning vaine . written by thomas studley , the first cape merchant in virginia , robert fenton , edward harrington , and i. s. chap. iii. the arrivall of the first supply , with their proceedings , and the ships returne . all this time our care was not so much to abandon the countrey ; but the treasurer and councell in england , were as diligent & carefull to supply vs. two good ships they sent vs , with neare a hundred men , well furnished with all things could be imagined necessary , both for them and vs ; the one commanded by captaine newport : the other by captaine francis nelson , an honest man , and an expert marriner . but such was the lewardnesse of his ship ( that though he was within the sight of cape henry ) by stormy contrary winds was he forced so farre to sea , that the west indies was the next land , for the repaire of his masts , and reliefe of wood and water . but newport got in and arrived at iames towne , not long after the redemption of captaine smith . to whom the salvages , as is sayd , every other day repaired , with such provisions that sufficiently did serue them from hand to mouth : part alwayes they brought him as presents from their kings , or pocahontas ; the rest he as their market clarke set the price himselfe , how they should sell : so he had inchanted these poore soules being their prisoner ; and now newport , whom he called his father arriving , neare as directly as he foretold , they esteemed him as an oracle , and had them at that submission he might command them what he listed . that god that created all things they knew he adored for his god : they would also in their discourses tearme the god of captaine smith . thus the almightie was the bringer on , the guide , path , terme , all which was god alone . but the president and councell so much envied his estimation among the salvages , ( though we all in generall equally participated with him of the good thereof , ) that they wrought it into the salvages vnderstandings ( by their great bounty in giving foure times more for their commodities then smith appointed ) that their greatnesse and authoritie as much exceeded his , as their bountie and liberalitie . now the arrivall of this first supply so overioyed vs , that wee could not devise too much to please the marriners . we gaue them libertie to trucke or trade at their pleasures . but in a short time it followed , that could not be had for a pound of copper , which before was sould vs for an ounce : thus ambition and sufferance cut the throat of our trade , but confirmed their opinion of the greatnesse of capt. newport , ( wherewith smith had possessed powhatan ) especially by the great presents newport often sent him , before he could prepare the pinnace to goe and visti him : so that this great savage desired also to see him . a great coyle there was to set him forward . when he went he was accompanied with captaine smith , & mr scrivener , a very wise vnderstanding gentleman , newly arrived and admitted of the councell , with thirtie or fortie choisen men for their guard . arriving at werowocomoco , newports conceit of this great savage bred many doubts and suspitions of trecheries , which smith to make appeare was needlesse , with twentie men well appointed , vndertooke to encounter the worst that could happen : knowing all is but one , and selfe-same hand , that thus both one while scourgeth , and that helpeth vs. nathaniell powell . gent. robert behethland . gent. mitchell ●hittiplace . gent. william ●hittiplace . gent. anthony gosnoll . gent. richard wyssin . gent. iohn taverner . gent. william dyer . gent. thomas coe . gent. thomas hope . gent. anas todkill . gent. these , with nine others ( whose names i haue forgotten ) comming a-shore , landed amongst a many of creekes , over which they were to passe such poore bridges , onely made of a few cratches , thrust in the ose , and three or foure poles laid on them , and at the end of them the like , tyed together onely with barkes of trees , that it made them much suspect those bridges were but traps . which caused smith to make diverse salvages goe over first , keeping some of the chiefe as hostage till halfe his men were passed , to make a guard for himselfe and the rest . but finding all things well , by two or three hundred salvages they were kindly conducted to their towne . where powhatan strained himselfe to the vtmost of his greatnesse to entertaine them , with great shouts of ioy , orations of protestations ; and with the most plenty of victualls he could provide to feast them . sitting vpon his bed of mats , his pillow of leather imbrodered ( after their rude manner with pearle and white beads ) his attyre a faire robe of skinnes as large as an irish mantell : at his head and feete a handsome young woman : on each side his house sat twentie of his concubines , their heads and shoulders painted red , with a great chaine of white beads about each of their neckes . before those sat his chiefest men in like order in his arbour-like house , and more then fortie platters of fine bread stood as a guard in two fyles on each side the doore . foure or fiue hundred people made a guard behinde them for our passage ; and proclamation was made , none vpon paine of death to presume to doe vs any wrong or discourtesie . with many pretty discourses to renew their old acquaintance , this great king and our captaine spent the time , till the ebbe left our barge aground . then renewing their feasts with feares , dauncing and singing , and such like nurth , we quartered that night with powhatan . the next day newport came a shore and receiued as much content as those people could giue him : a boy named thomas salvage was then giuen vnto powhatan , whom newport called his sonne ; for whom powhatan gaue him namontack his trustie servant , and one of a shrewd , subtill capacitie . three or foure dayes more we spent in feasting , dauncing , and trading , wherein powhatan carried himselfe so proudly , yet discreetly ( in his salvage manner ) as made vs all admire his naturall gifts , considering his education . as scorning to trade as his subiects did ; he bespake newport in this manner . captaine newport it is not agreeable to my greatnesse , in this pedling manner to trade for triftes ; and i esteeme you also a great werowance . therefore lay me downe all your commodities together ; what i like i will take , and in recompence giue you what i thinke fitting their value . captaine smith being our interpreter , regarding newport as his father , knowing best the disposition of powhatan , could vs his intent was but onely to cheate vs ; yet captaine newport thinking to out braue this salvage in ostentation of greatnesse , and so to bewitch him with his bountie , as to haue what he listed , it so hapned , that powhatan hauing his desire , valued his corne at such a rate , that i thinke it better cheape in spaine : for we had not foure bushells for that we expected to haue twentie hogsheads . this bred some vnkindnesse betweene our two captaines ; newport seeking to please the vnsatiable desire of the salvage , smith to cause the salvage to please him ; but smothering his distast to avoyd the saluages suspition , glanced in the eyes of powhatan many trifles , who fixed his humor vpon a few blew beades . a long time he importunately desired them , but smith seemed so much the more to affect them , as being composed of a most rare substance of the coulour of the skyes , and not to be worne but by the greatest kings in the world . this made him halfe madde to be the owner of such strange iewells : so that ere we departed , for a pound or two of blew beades , be brought ouer my king for . or . bushells of corne ; yet parted good friends . the like entertainment we found of opechankanough king of pamavnkee , whom also he in like manner fitted ( at the like rates ) with blew beads , which grew by this meanes , of that estimation , that none durst weare any of them but their great kings , their wiues and children . and so we returned all well to iames towne , where this new supply being lodged with the rest , accidentally fired their quarters and so the towne , which being but thatched with reeds , the fire was so fierce as it burnt their pallisado's , ( though eight or ten yards distant ) with their armes , bedding , apparell , and much priuate prouision . good master hunt our preacher lost all his library and all he had but the cloathes on his backe : yet none neuer heard him repine at his losse . this happned in the winter in that extreame frost . . now though we had victuall sufficient i meane onely of oatmeale , meale and corne , yet the ship staying . weekes when shee might as wel haue beene gone in . dayes , spent a great part of that , and neare all the rest that was sent to be landed . when they departed what there discretion could spare vs , to make a little poore meale or two , we called feastes , to relish our mouthes : of each somwhat they left vs , yet i must confesse , those that had either money , spare clothes credit to giue billes of paiment , gold rings , furrs , or any such commodities , were euer welcome to this remouing tauerne , such was our patience to obay such vile commanders , and buy our owne provisions at . times the value , suffering them feast ( we bearing the charge ) yet must not repine , but fast , least we should incurre the censure of factious and seditious persons : and then leakage , ship-rats , and other casuallties occasioned them losse , but the vessels and remnants ( for totals ) we were glad to receaue with all our hearts to make vp the account , highly commending their prouidence for preseruing that , least they should discourage any more to come to vs. now for all this plenty our ordynary was but meale and water , so that this great charge little releeued our wants , whereby with the extremitie of the bitter cold frost and those defects , more then halfe of vs dyed ; i cannot deny but both smith and skriuener did their best to amend what was amisse , but with the president went the maior part , that there hornes were to short . but the worst was our guilded refiners with their golden promises made all men their slaues in hope of recompences ; there was no talke , no hope , no worke , but dig gold , wash gold , refine gold , loade gold , such a bruit of gold , that one mad fellow desired to be buried in the sands least they should by there art make gold of his bones : little neede there was and lesse reason , the ship should stay , there wages run on , our victualls consume . weekes , that the mariners might say , they did helpe to build such a golden church that we can say the raine washed neere to nothing in . dayes . were it that captaine smith would not applaude all those golden inventions , because they admitted him not to the sight of their trialls nor golden consultations , i know not ; but i haue heard him oft question with captaine martin & tell him , except he could shew him a more substantiall triall , he was not inamoured with their durty skill , breathing out these and many other passions , neuer any thing did more torment him , then to see all necessary busines neglected , to fraught such a drunken ship with so much guilded durt . till then we neuer accounted , captaine newport a refiner , who being ready to set saile for england , & we not hauing any vse of parliaments , plaies , petitions , admiralls , recorders , interpreters , chronologers , courts of plea , nor iustices of peace , sent master wingfield and captaine archer home with him , that had ingrossed all those titles , to seeke some better place of imployment . oh cursed gold those , hunger-starved movers , to what misfortunes lead'st thou all those lovers ! for all the china wealth , nor indies can suffice the minde of an av'ritious man. chap. iiii. the arrivall of the phoenix ; her returne ; and other accidents . the authoritie now consisting in captaine martin , and the still sickly president , the sale of the stores commodities maintained his estate , as an inheritable revenew . the spring approaching , and the ship departing , mr scrivener and captaine smith devided betwixt them the rebuilding iames towne ; the repairing our pallizadoes ; the cutting downe trees ; preparing our fields ; planting our corne , and to rebuild our church , and recover our store house . all men thus busie at their severall labours , master nelson arrived with his lost phoenix ; lost ( i say ) for that we all deemed him lost . landing safely all his men , ( so well he had mannaged his ill hap , ) causing the indian isles to feede his company , that his victuall to that we had gotten , as is said before , was neare after our allowance sufficient for halfe a yeare . he had not any thing but he freely imparted it , which honest dealing ( being a marriner ) caused vs admire him : we would not haue wished more then he did for vs. now to relade this ship with some good tydings , the president ( not holding it stood with the dignitie of his place to leaue the fort ) gaue order to captaine smith to discover and search the commodities of the monacans countrey beyond the falls . sixtie able men was allotted them , the which within six dayes , smith had so well trained to their armes and orders , that they little feared with whom they should incounter : yet so vnseasonable was the time , and so opposit was captaine martin to any thing , but onely to fraught this ship also with his phantasticall gold , as captaine smith rather desired ●o relade her with cedar , ( which was a present dispatch ) then either with durt , or the hopes and reports of an vncertaine discovery , which he would performe when they had lesse charge and more leisure . but , the god of heav'n , he eas'ly can immortalize a mortall man , with glory and with fame . the same god , ev'n as eas'ly may afflict a mortall man , i say , with sorrow and with shame . whilst the conclusion was a resolving , this hapned . powhatan ( to expresse his loue to newport ) when he departed , presented him with twentie turkies , conditionally to returne him twentie ●words , which immediately was sent him ; now after his departure he presented captaine smith with the like luggage , but not finding his humor obeyed in not sending such weapons as he desired , he caused his people with twentie devices to obtaine them . at last by ambuscadoes at our very ports they would take them perforce , surprise vs at worke , or any way ; which was so long permitted , they became so insolent there was no rule ; the command from england was so strait not to offend them , as our authoritie-bearers ( keeping their houses ) would rather be any thing then peace-breakers . this charitable humor prevailed , till well it chanced they medled with captaine smith , who without farther deliberation gaue them such an incounter , as some he so hunted vp and downe the isle , some he so terrified with whipping , beating , and impriso●ment , as for revenge they surprised two of our forraging disorderly souldiers , and having assembled their forces , boldly threatned at our ports to force smith to redeliver seven salvages , which for their villanies he detained prisoners , or we were all but dead men . but to try their furies he sallied out amongst them , and in lesse then an houre , he so hampred their insolencies , they brought them his two men , desiring peace without any further composition for their prisoners . those he examined , and caused them all beleeue , by severall vollies of shot one of their companions was shot to death , because they would not confesse their intents and plotters of those villanies . and thus they all agreed in one point , they were directed onely by powhatan to obtaine him our weapons , to cut our owne throats , with the manner where , how , and when , which we plainly found most true and apparant : yet he sent his messengers , and his dearest daughter pocahontas with presents to excuse him of the iniuries done by some rash vntoward captaines his subiects , desiring their liberties for this time , with the assurance of his loue for ever . after smith had given the prisoners what correction he thought fit , vsed them well a day or two after , & then delivered them pocahontas , for whose sake onely he fayned to haue saued their liues , and gaue them libertie . the patient councell that nothing would moue to warre with the salvages , would gladly haue wrangled with captaine smith for his crueltie , yet none was slaine to any mans knowledge , but it brought them in such feare and obedience , as his very name would sufficiently affright them ; where before , wee had sometime peace and warre twice in a day , and very seldome a weeke , but we had some trecherous villany or other . the fraught of this ship being concluded to be cedar , by the diligence of the master , and captaine smith , she was quickly reladed : master scrivener was neither idle nor slow to follow all things at the fort ; the ship being ready to set sayle , captaine martin being alwayes very sickly , and vnserviceable , and desirous to inioy the credit of his supposed art of finding the golden mine , was most willingly admitted to returne for england . for he hath not fill'd his lapp , that still doth hold it oap . from the writings of thomas studley , and anas t●dkill . their names that were landed in this supply . mathew scrivener appointed to be one of the councell . gent. michaell phittiplace . william phittiplace . ralph morton . richard wyffing . iohn taverner . william cantrell . robert barnes . richard fetherstone . george hill. george pretty . nathaniell causy . peter pory . robert gutler . michaell sicklemore . william bentley . thomas coe . doctor russell . ieffrey abbot . edward gurgana . richard worley . timothy leeds . richard killingbeck . william spence . richard ●rodger . richard pots . richard mullinax . william bayley . francis perkins . iohn harper . george forest. iohn nichols . william griuell . labourers . raymōd goodison . william simons . iohn spearman . richard bristow . william perce . iames watkins . iohn bouth . christopher rods. richard burket . iames burre . nicholas ven. francis perkins . richard gradon . rawland nelstrop . richard savage . thomas savage . richard milmer . william may. vere . michaell . bishop wiles . taylers . thomas hope . william ward . iohn powell . william yong. william beckwith . larence towtales . apothecaries . thomas field . iohn harford . dani : stallings , ieweller . will : dawson , a refiner . abram ransack , a refiner . wil. iohnson , a goldsmith . peter keffer , a gunsmith . rob. alberton , a perfumer . richard belfuld , a goldsmith . post ginnat , a chirurg . iohn lewes , a cooper . robert cotton , a tobacco-pipe-maker . richard dole , a black-smith . and divers others to the number of . chapter v. the accidents that hapned in the discovery of the bay of chisapeack . the prodigalitie of the presidents state went so deepe into our small store , that smith and scrivener tyed him and his parasites to the rules of proportion . but now smith being to depart , the presidents authoritie so overswayed the discretion of mr scrivener , that our store , our time , our strength and labours were idely consumed to fulfill his phantasies . the second of iune . smith left the fort to performe his discovery with this company . walter russell , doctor of physicke . gentlemen . ralfe murton . thomas momford . william cantrill . richard fetherston . iames burne . michell sicklemore . souldiers . ionas profit . anas todkill . robert small . iames watkins . iohn powell . iames read. richard keale . these being in an open barge neare three tuns burthen , leaving the phoenix a● cape henry , they crossed the bay to the easterne shore , and fell with the isles called smiths isles , after our captaines name . the first people we saw were two grim and stout salvages vpon cape charles , with long poles like lauelings , headed with bone , they boldly demanded what we were , and what we would ; but after many circumstances they seemed very kinde , and directed vs to accomack , the habitation of their werowance , where we were kindly intreated . this king was the comliest , proper , civill salvage we incountred . his country is a pleasant fertile clay ●oyle , some small creekes ; good harbours for small barks , but not for ships . he told vs of a strange accident lately happened him , and it was , two children being dead ; some extreame passions , or dreaming visions , phantasies , or affection moued their parents againe to revisit their dead carkases , whose benummed bodies reflected to the eyes of the beholders such delightfull countenances , as though they had regained their vitall spirits . this as a miracle drew many to behold them , all which being a great part of his people , not long after dyed , and but few escaped . they spake the language of powhatan , wherein they made such descriptions of the bay , isles , and rivers , that often did vs exceeding pleasure . passing along the coast , searching every inlet , and bay , fit for harbours and habitations . seeing many isles in the midst of the bay we bore vp for them , but ere we could obtaine them , such an extreame gust of wind , rayne , thunder , and lightening happened , that with great danger we escaped the vnmercifull raging of that ocean-like water . the highest land on the mayne , yet it was but low , we called keales hill , and these vninhabited isles , russels isles . the next day searching them for fresh water , we could find none , the defect whereof forced vs to follow the next easterne channell , which brought vs to the river of wighcocomoco . the people at first with great fury seemed to assault vs , yet at last with songs and daunces and much mirth became very tractable , but searching their habitations for water , we could fill but three barricoes , & that such puddle , that never till then we ever knew the want of good water . we digged and searched in many places , but before two daies were expired , we would haue refused two barricoes of gold for one of that puddle water of wighcocomoco . being past these isles which are many in number , but all naught for habitation , falling with a high land vpon the mayne , we found a great pond of fresh water , but so exceeding hot wee supposed it some bath ; that place we called poynt ployer , in honor of that most honourable house of mousay in britaine , that in an extreame extremitie once relieued our captaine . from wighcocomoco to this place , all the coast is low broken isles of morap , growne a myle or two in breadth , and ten or twelue in length , good to cut for hay in summer , and to catch fish and foule in winter : but the land beyond them is all covered over with wood , as is the rest of the country . being thus refreshed in crossing ouer from the maine to other isles , we discouered the winde and waters so much increased with thunder , lightning , and raine , that our mast and sayle blew ouerbord and such mighty waues ouerracked vs in that small barge that with great labour we kept her frō sinking by freeing out the water . two dayes we were inforced to inhabite these vninhabited isles which for the extremitie of gusts , thunder , raine , stormes , and ill wether we called limbo . repairing our saile with our shirts , we set sayle for the maine and fell with a pretty convenient riuer on the east called cuskarawaok , the people ran as amazed in troups from place to place , and diuers got into the tops of trees , they were not sparing of their arrowes , nor the greatest passion they could expresse of their anger . long they shot , we still ryding at an anchor without there reatch making all the signes of friendship we could . the next day they came vnarmed , with euery one a basket , dancing in a ring , to draw vs on shore : but seeing there was nothing in them but villany , we discharged a volly of muskets charged with pistoll shot , whereat they all lay tumbling on the grownd , creeping some one way , some another into a great cluster of reedes hard by ; where there companies lay in ambuscado . towards the euening we wayed , & approaching the shoare , discharging fiue or six shot among the reedes , we landed where there lay a many of baskets and much bloud , but saw not a salvage . a smoake appearing on the other side the riuer , we rowed thither , where we found two or three little houses , in each a fire , there we left some peeces of copper , beads , bells , and looking glasses , and then went into the bay , but when it was darke we came backe againe . early in the morning foure salvages came to vs in their canow , whom we vsed with such courtesie , not knowing what we were , nor had done , hauing beene in the bay a fishing , bad● vs stay and ere long they would returne , which they did and some twentie more with them ; with whom after a little conference , two or three thousand men women & childrē came clustring about vs , euery one presēting vs with something , which a little bead would so well require , that we became such friends they would contend who should fetch vs water , stay with vs for hostage , conduct our men any whither , and giue vs the best content . here doth inhabite the people of sarapinagh , nause , arseek , and nantaquak the best marchants of all other salvages . they much extolled a great nation called massawomekes , in search of whom we ret●●●ed by limbo : this riuer but onely at the ●nt●ance is very narrow , and the people of small stature as them of wightcocomoco , the land but low , yet it may proue very commodious , because it is but a ridge of land betwixt the bay and the maine ocean . finding this easterne shore , shallow broken isles , and for most part without fresh water , we passed by the straites of limbo for the westerne shore : so broad is the bay here , we could scarce perceiue the great high clifts on the other side : by them we anchored that night and called them r●ccards clift●s . . leagues we sayled more northwards not finding any inhabitants , leauing all the easterne shore , lowe islandes , but ouergrowne with wood , as all the coast beyond them so farre as wee could see : the westerne shore by which we sayled we found all along well watered , but very mountanous and barren , the vallies very fertill , but extreame thicke of small wood so well as trees , and much frequented with wolues , beares , deere and other wild beasts . we passed many shallow creekes , but the first we found nauigable for a ship , we called bolus , for that the clay in many places vnder the clifts by the high water marke , did grow vp in red and white knots as gum out of trees ; and in some places so participated together as though they were all of one nature , excepting the coulour , the rest of the earth on both sides being hard sandy grauell , which made vs thinke it bole-armoniack and terra sigillata . when we first set sayle some of our gallants doubted nothing but that our captaine would make too much hast home , but hauing lien in this small barge not aboue . or . dayes , oft tyred at the oares , our bread spoyled with wet so much that it was rotten ( yet so good were their stomacks that they could disgest it ) they did with continuall complaints so importune him now to returne , as caused him bespeake them in this manner . gentlemen if you would remember the memorable history of sir ralph layne , how his company importuned him to proceed in the discovery of moratico , alleadging they had yet a dog , that being boyled with saxafras leaues , would richly feede them in their returnes ; then what a shame would it be for you ( that haue bin so suspitious of my tendernesse ) to force me returne , with so much provision as we haue , and scarce able to say where we haue beene , nor yet heard of that we were sent to seeke ? you cannot say but i haue shared with you in the worst which is past ; and for what is to come , of lodging , dyet , or whatsoeuer , i am contented you allot the worst part to my selfe . as for your feares that i will lose my selfe in these vnknowne large waters , or be swallowed vp in some stormie gust ; abandon these childish feares , for wor●e then to past ●s not likely to happen : and there is as much danger to returne as to proceede . regaine therefore your old spirits for returne i will not ( if god please ) till i haue 〈◊〉 the massawomeks , found patawomek , or the head of this water you conceit to be endl●sse . two or . dayes we expected winde & wether , whose aduerse extremities added such discouragement , that three or foure fell sicke , whose pittifull complaints caused vs to to returne , leauing the bay some nine miles broad , at nine and ten fadome water . the . of iune we fell with the riuer patowomek : feare being gone , and our men recovered , we were all content to take some paines , to know the name of that seuen mile broad riuer : for thirtie myles sayle , we could see no inhabitants : then we were conducted by two savages vp a little bayed creeke , towards onawmanient , where all the woods were layd with ambuscado's to the number of three or foure thousand salvages , so strangely paynted , grimed and disguised , shouting , yelling and crying as so many spirits from hell could not haue shewed more terrible . many brauado's they made , but to appeale their fury , our captaine prepared with as seeming a willingnesse ( as they ) to incounter them . but the grazing of our bullets vpon the water ( many being shot on purpose they might see them ) with the ecco of the of the woods so amazed them , as downe went their bowes and arrowes ; ( and exchanging hostage ) iames watkins was sent six myles vp the woods to their kings habitation . we were kindly vsed of those salvages , of whom we vnderstood , they were commanded to betray vs , by the direction of powhatan , and he so directed from the discontents at iames towne , because our captaine did cause them stay in their country against their w●lls . the like incounters we found at patowomek cecocawonee and diuers other places : but at moyaones , nacotchtant and toegs the people did their best to content vs. hauing gone so high as we could with the bote , we met diuers saluages in canowes , well loaden with the flesh of beares , ●eere and other beasts , whereof we had part , here we found mighty rocks , growing in some places aboue the grownd as high as the shrubby trees , and diuers other solid quarries of diuers tinctures : and diuers places where the waters had falne from the high mountaines they had left a tinctured spāgled skurfe , that made many bare places seeme as guilded . digging the growne aboue in the highest clifts of rocks , we saw it was a claie sand so mingled with yeallow spangles as if it had beene halfe pin-dust . in our returne inquiring still for this matchqueon , the king of patawomeke gaue vs guides to conduct vs vp a little riuer called quiyough , vp which we rowed so high as we could . leauing the bote , with six shot , and diuers salvages , he marched seuen or eight myle before they came to the mine : leading his hostages in a small chaine they were to haue for their paines , being proud so richly to be adorned . the mine is a great rocky mountaine like antimony ; wherein they digged a great hole with shells & hatchets : and hard by it , runneth a fayre brooke of christal-like water , where they wash a way the drosse and keepe the remainder , which they put in little baggs and sell it all ouer the country to paint there bodyes , faces , or idols ; which makes them looke like blackmores dusted over with siluer . with so much as we could carry we returned to our bote , kindly requiting this kinde king and all his kinde people . the cause of this discovery was to search this mine , of which newport did assure vs that those small baggs ( we had giuen him ) in england he had tryed to hold halfe siluer ; but all we got proued of no value : also to search what furrs , the best whereof is at cuscarawaoke , where is made so much rawranoke or white beads that occasion as much dissention among the the salvages , as gold and siluer amongst christians ; and what other mineralls , riuers , rocks , nations , woods , fishings , fruites , victuall , and what other commodities the land afforded : and whether the bay were endles●e or how farre it extended : of mines we were all ignorant , but a few beuers , otters , beares , martins and minkes we found , and in diuers places that aboundance of fish , lying so thicke with their heads aboue the water , as for want of nets ( our barge driuing amongst them ) we attempted to catch them with a frying pan : but we found it a bad instrument to catch fish with : neither better fish , more pl●nty , nor more variety for smal fish , had any of vs euer seene in any place so swimming in the water , but they are not to be caught with frying pans : some small codd also we did see swim close by the shore by smiths iles , and some as high as riccards clifts . and some we haue found dead vpon the shore . to exprest all our quarrels , trecheries and incounters amongst those salvages i should be too tedious : but in breefe , at all times we so incountred them , and curbed their insolencies , that they concluded with presents to purchase peace ; yet we lost not a man : at our first meeting out captaine euer obserued this order to demand their bowes and arrowes , swordes , mantells and furrs , with some childe or two for hostage , whereby we could quickly perceiue , when they intended any villany . hauing finished this discouery ( though our victuall was neere spent ) he intended to see his imprisonment-acquaintances vpon the riuer of rapahanock , by many called toppahanock , but our bote by reason of the ebbe , chansing to grownd vpon a many shoules lying in the entrances , we spyed many fishes lurking in the reedes : our captaine spotting himselfe by nayling them to the grownd with his sword , set vs all a fishing in that manner : thus we tooke more in owne houre then we could eate in a day . but it chansed our captaine taking a fish from his sword ( not knowing her condition ) being much of the fashion of a thornback , but a long tayle like a ryding rodde , whereon the middest is a most poysoned sting , of two or three inches long , bearded like a saw on each side , which she strucke into the wrest of his arme neere an inch and a halfe : no bloud nor wound was seene , but a little blew spot , but the torment was instantly so extreame , that in foure houres had so swolen his hand , arme and shoulder , we all with much sorrow concluded his funerall , and prepared his graue in an island by , as himselfe directed : yet it pleased god by a precious oyle docter russell at the first applyed to it when he sounded it with pro●e ( ere night ) his tormenting paine was so well asswaged that he eate of the fish to his supper , which gaue no lesse ioy and content to vs then ease to himselfe , for which we called the island stingray isle after the name of the fish . hauing neither chirurgian , nor chirurgery , but that preseruatiue oyle we presētly set sayles for iames towne , passing the mouthes of the riuers of payankatank , & pamavnkee , the next day we safely arriued at kecougtan . the simple salvages seeing our captaine hurt , and an other bloudy by breaking his shinne , our numbers of bowes , arrowes , swords , mantles , and furrs , would needes imagine we had beene at warres ( the truth of these accidents would not satisfie them ) but impatiently importuned vs to know with whom . finding their aptnesse to beleeue we fayled not ( as a great secret ) to tell them any thing that might affright them , what spoyle we had got and made of the massawomeks . this rumor went faster vp the river then our barge , that arrived at waraskoyack the of iuly ; where trimming her with painted streamers , and such devises as we could , we made them at iames towne iealous of a spanish frigot , where we all god be thanked safely arrived the of iuly . there we found the last supply were all sicke , the rest some lame , some bruised , all vnable to doe any thing but complaine of the pride and vnreasonable needlesse crueltie of the silly president , that had riotously consumed the store : and to fulfill his follies about building him an vnnecessary building for his pleasure in the woods , had brought them all to that misery ; that had we not arrived , they had as strangely tormented him with revenge : but the good newes of our discovery , and the good hope we had by the salvages relation , that our bay had stretched into the south sea , or somewhat neare it , appeased their fury ; but conditionally that ratliffe should be deposed , and that captaine smith would take vpon him the government , as by course it did belong . their request being effected , he substituted mr scrivener his deare friend in the presidency , equally distributing those private provisions the other had ingrossed , appointing more honest officers to assist master scrivener ( who then lay exceeding sicke of a callenture ) and in regard of the weaknesse of the company , and heate of the yeare , they being vnable to worke , he left them to liue at ease , to recover their healths , but imbarked himselfe to finish his discovery . written by walter russell , anas todkill , and thomas momford . chap. vi. the government surrendred to master scrivener . what happened the second voyage in discovering the bay. the of iuly , captaine smith set forward to finish the discovery with twelue men : their names were gentlemen . nathaniell powell . thomas momford . richard fetherston . michell sicklemore . iames bourne . anthony bagnall , chir. souldiers . ionas profit . anas todkill . edward pising . richard keale . iames watkins . william ward . the wind being contrary caused our stay two or three dayes at kecoughtan : the king feasted vs with much mirth , his people were perswaded we went purposely to be revenged of the massawomeks . in the evening we fired a few rackets , which flying in the ayre so terrified the poore salvages , they supposed nothing vnpossible we attempted ; and desired to assist vs. the first night we anchored at stingray isle . the next day crossed patawomeks river , and hasted to the river bolus . we went not much further before we might see the bay to divide in two heads , and arriving there we found it divided in foure , all which we searched so farre as we could sayle them . two of them we found inhabited , but in crossing the bay , we incountred or canowes full of massawomeks , we seeing them prepare to assault vs , left our oares and made way with our sayle to incounter them , yet were we but fiue with our captaine that could stand , for within dayes after we left kecoughtan , the rest ( being all of the last supply ) were sicke almost ●o death , vntill they were seasoned to the country . having shut them vnder our tarpawling , we put their hats vpon stickes by the barges side , and betwixt two hats a man with two peeces , to make vs seeme many , and so we thinke the indians supposed those hats to be men , for they fled with all possible speed to the shore , and there stayed , staring at the sayling of our barge till we anchored right against them . long it was ere we could draw them to come vnto vs. at last they sent two of their company vnarmed in a canow , the rest all followed to second them if neede required . these two being but each presented with a bell , brought aboord all their fellowes , presenting our captaine with venison , beares flesh , fish , bowes , arrowes , clubs , targets , and beares-skinnes . we vnderstood them nothing at all , but by signes , whereby they signified vnto vs they had beene at warres with the tockwoghes , the which they confirmed by shewing vs their greene wounds , but the night parting vs , we imagined they appointed the next morning to meete , but after that we never saw them . entring the river of tockwogh , the salvages all armed , in a fleete of boats , after their barbarous manner , round invironed vs ; so it chanced one of them could speake the language of powhatan , who perswaded the rest to a friendly parley . but when they saw vs furnished with the massawomeks weapons , and we faining the invention of kecoughtan , to haue taken them perforce ; they conducted vs to their pallizado●d towne , mantelled with the barkes of trees , with scaffolds like mounts , brested about with brests very formally . their men , women , and children with daunces , songs , fruits , furres , and what they had , kindly welcommed vs , spreading mat● for vs to sit on , stretching their best abilities to expresse their loues . many hatchets , kniues , peeces of iron , and brasse , we saw amongst them , which they reported to haue from the sasquesahanocks , a mightie people and mortall enemies with the massawomeks . the sasquesahanocks inhabit vpon the chiefe spring of these foure branches of the bayes head , two dayes iourney higher then our barge could passe for rocks , yet we prevailed with the interpreter to take with him another interpreter , to perswade the sasquesahanocks to come visit vs , for their language are different . three or foure dayes we expected their returne , then sixtie of those gyant-like people came downe , with presents of venison , tobacco pipes three foot in length , baskets , targets , bowes and arrowes . fiue of their chiefe werowances came boldly aboord vs to crosse the bay for tockwhogh , leaving their men and canowes ; the wind being so high they durst not passe . our order was daily to haue prayer , with a psalme , at which solemnitie the poore salvages much wondred , our prayers being done , a while they were busied with a consultation till they had contrived their businesse . then they began in a most passionate manner to hold vp their hands to the sunne , with a most fearefull song , then imbracing our captaine , they began to adore him in like manner : though he rebuked them , yet they proceeded till their song was finished : which done with a most strange furious action , and a hellish voyce , began an oration of their loues ; that ended , with a great painted beares skin they covered him : then one ready with a great chayne of white beads , weighing at least six or seaven pound , hung it about his necke , the others had mantels , made of divers sorts of skinnes sowed together ; all these with many other toyes they layd at his feete , stroking their ceremonious hands about his necke for his creation to be their governour and protector , promising their aydes , victualls , or what they had to be his , if he would stay with them , to defend and revenge them of the massawomecks . but we left them at tockwhogh , sorrowing for our departure , yet we promised the next yeare againe to visit them . many descriptions and discourses they made vs , of atquanachuck , massawomek , & other people , signifying they inhabit vpon a great water beyond the mountaines , which we vnderstood to be some great lake , or the river of canada : and from the french to haue their hatchets and commodities by trade . these know no more of the territories of powhatan , then his name , and he as little of them , but the atquanachuks are on the ocean sea. the highest mountaine we saw northward wee called perigrines mount , and a rocky river , where the massawomeks went vp , willowbyes river , in honor of the towne our captaine was borne in , and that honorable house the lord willowby , his most honored good friend . the sasquesahanocks river we called smiths falles ; the next poynt to tockwhogh , pisings poynt ; the next it poynt bourne . powells isles and smals poynt is by the river bolus ; and the little bay at the head profits poole ; watkins , reads , and momfords poynts are on each side limbo ; ward , cantrell , and sicklemore , betwixt patawomek and pamavnk●e , after the names of the discoverers . in all those places and the furthest we came vp the rivers , we cut in trees so many crosses as we would , and in many places made holes in trees , wherein we writ notes , and in some places crosses of brasse , to signifie to any , englishmen had beene there . thus having sought all the inlets and rivers worth noting , we returned to discover the river of pawtuxunt ; these people we found very tractable , and more civill then any , we promised them , as also the patawomeks to revenge them of the massawomeks , but our purposes were crossed . in the discovery of this river some call rapathanock , we were kindly entertained by the people of moraughtacund ; here we incountered our old friend mosco , a lusty salvage of wighcocomoco vpō the river of patawomek , we supposed him some french mans sonne , because he had a thicke blacke bush beard , and the salvages seldome haue any at all , of which he was not a little proud , to see so many of his country-men . wood and water he would fetch vs , guide vs any whether , nay , cause divers of his countrymen helpe vs towe against winde or tyde from place to place till we came to patawomek : there he rested till we returned from the head of the river , and occasioned our conduct to the mine we supposed antimony . and in the place he fayled not to doe vs all the good he could , perswading vs in any case not to goe to the rapahanocks , for they would kill vs for being friends with the moraughtacunds that but lately had stolne three of the kings women . this we did thinke was but that his friends might onely haue our trade : so we crossed the river to the rapahanocks . there some or standing on the shore , directed vs a little creeke where was good landing , and commodities for vs in three or foure canowes we saw lie there : but according to our custome , we demanded to exchange a man in signe of loue , which after they had a little consulted , foure or fiue came vp to the middles , to fetch our man , and leaue vs one of them , shewing we need not feare them , for they had neither clubs , bowes , nor arrowes . notwithstanding , anas todkill , being sent on shore to see if he could discover any ambuscadoes , or what they had , desired to goe over the playne to fetch some wood , but they were vnwilling , except we would come into the creeke , where the boat might come close ashore . todkill by degrees having got some two stones throwes vp the playne , perceived two or three hundred men ( as he thought ) behind the trees , so that offering to returne to the boat , the salvages assayed to carry him away perforce , that he called to vs we were betrayed , and by that he had spoke the word , our hostage was over-boord , but watkins his keeper slew him in the water . immediatly we let fly amongst them , so that they fled , & todkill escaped , yet they shot so fast that he fell flat on the ground ere he could recover the boat . here the massawomek targets stood vs in good stead , for vpon mosco's words , we had set them about the forepart of our boat like a forecastle , from whence we securely beat the salvages from off the plaine without any hurt : yet they shot more then a thousand arrowes , and then fled into the woods . arming our selues with these light targets ( which are made of little small sticks woven betwixt strings of their hempe and silke grasse , as is our cloth , but so firmely that no arrow can possibly pierce them : ) we rescued todkill , who was all bloudy by some of them who were shot by vs that held him , but as god pleased he had no hurt ; and following them vp to the woods , we found some slaine , and in divers places much bloud . it seems all their arrowes were spent , for we heard no more of them . their canows we tooke ; the arrowes we found we broke , saue them we kept for mosco , to whom we gaue the canowes for his kindnesse , that entertained vs in the best trivmphing manner , and warlike order in armes of conquest he could procure of the moraughtacunds . the rest of the day we spent in accomodating our boat , in stead of thoules wee made stickes like bedstaues , to which we fastened so many of our massawomek targets , that invironed her as wast clothes . the next morning we went vp the river , and our friend mosco followed vs along the shore , and at last desired to goe with vs in our boat. but as we passed by pisacack , matchopeak , and mecuppom , three townes situated vpon high white clay clifts ; the other side all a low playne marish , and the river there but narrow . thirtie or fortie of the rapahanocks , had so accommodated themselues with branches , as we tooke them for little bushes growing among the sedge , still seeing their arrowes strike the targets , and dropped in the river : where-at mosco fell flat in the boat on his face , crying the rapahanocks , which presently we espied to be the bushes , which at our first volley fell downe in the sedge : when wee were neare halfe a myle from them , they shewed themselues dauncing and singing very merrily . the kings of pissassack , nandtaughtacund , and cuttatawomen , vsed vs kindly , and all their people neglected not any thing to mosco to bring vs to them . betwixt secobeck and massawteck is a small isle or two , which causeth the river to be broader then ordinary ; there it pleased god to take one of our company called mr fetherstone , that all the time he had beene in this country , had behaved himselfe , honestly , valiantly , and industriously , where in a little bay we called fetherstones bay wee buryed him with a volley of shot : the rest notwithstanding their ill dyet , and bad lodging , crowded in so small a barge , in so many dangers never resting , but alwayes tossed to and againe , had all well recovered their healths . the next day wee sayled so high as our boat would float , there setting vp crosses , and graving our names in the trees . our sentinell saw an arrow fall by him , though we had ranged vp and downe more then an houre in digging in the earth , looking of stones , herbs , and springs , not seeing where a salvage could well hide himselfe . vpon the alarum by that we had recovered our armes , there was about an hundred nimble indians skipping from tree to tree , letting fly their arrows so fast as they could : the trees here served vs for baricadoes as well as they . but mosco did vs more service then we expected , for having shot away his quiver of arrowes , he ran to the boat for more . the arrowes of mosco at the first made them pause vpon the matter , thinking by his bruit and skipping , there were many salvages . about halfe an houre this continued , then they all vanished as suddainly as they approached . mosco followed them so farre as he could see vs , till they were out of sight . as we returned there lay a salvage as dead , shot in the knee , but taking him vp we found he had life , which mosco seeing , never was dog more furious against a beare , then mosco was to haue beat out his braines , so we had him to our boat , where our chirurgian who went with vs to cure our captaines hurt of the stingray , so dressed this salvage that within an houre after he looked somewhat chearefully , and did eate and speake . in the meane time we contented mosco in helping him to gather vp their arrowes , which were an armefull , whereof he gloried not a little . then we desired mosco to know what he was , and what countries were beyond the mountaines ; the poore salvage mildly answered , he and all with him were of hasinninga , where there are three kings more , like vnto them , namely the king of stegora , the king of tauxuntania , and the king of shakahonea , that were come to moha●kahod , which is onely a hunting towne , and the bounds betwixt the kingdome of the mannahocks , and the nandtaughtacunds , but hard by where we were . we demanded why they came in that manner to betray vs , that came to them in peace , and to seeke their loues ; he answered , they heard we were a people come from vnder the world , to take their world from them . we asked him how many worlds he did know , he replyed , he knew no more but that which was vnder the skie that covered him , which were the powhatans , with the monacans , and the massawomeks , that were higher vp in the mountaines . then we asked him what was beyond the mountaines , he answered the sunne : but of any thing els he knew nothing ; * because the woods were not burnt . these and many such questions wee demanded , concerning the massawomeks , the monacans , their owne country , and where were the kings of stegora , tauxsintania , and the rest . the monacans he sayd were their neighbours and friends , and did dwell as they in the hilly countries by small rivers , liuing vpon rootes and fruits , but chiefly by hunting . the massawomeks did dwell vpon a great water , and had many boats , & so many men that they made warre with all the world . for their kings , they were gone every one a severall way with their men on hunting : but those with him came thither a fishing till they saw vs , notwithstanding they would be altogether at night at mahaskahod . for his relation we gaue him many toyes , with perswasions to goe with vs , and he as earnestly desired vs to stay the comming of those kings that for his good vsage should be friends with vs , for he was brother to hasinninga . but mosco advised vs presently to be gone , for they were all naught , yet we told him we would not till it was night . all things we made ready to entertain what came , & mosco was as diligent in trimming his arrowes . the night being come we all imbarked , for the riuer was so narrow , had it beene light the land on the one side was so high , they might haue done vs exceeding much mischiefe . all this while the k. of hasinninga was seeking the rest , and had consultation a good time what to doe . but by their espi●s seeing we were gone , it was not long before we heard their arrowes dropping on every side the boat ; we cause● our salvages to call vnto them , but such a yelling & hallowing they made that they heard nothing , but now and then a peece , ayming so neare as we could where we heard the most voyces . more then myles they followed vs in this manner ; then the day appearing , we found our selues in a broad bay , out of danger of their shot , where wee came to an anchor , and fell to breakfast . not so much as speaking to them till the sunne was risen ; being well refreshed , we vntyed our targets that couered vs as a deck , and all shewed our selues with those shields on our armes , and swords in our hands , and also our prisoner amoroleck ; a long discourse there was betwixt his countrimen and him , how good wee were , how well wee vsed him , how wee had a patawomek with vs , loued vs as his life , that would haue slaine him had we not preserued him , and that he should haue his libertie would they be but friends ; and to doe vs any hurt it was impossible . vpon this they all hung their bowes and quivers vpon the trees , and one came swimming aboord vs with a bow tyed on his head , and another with a quiver of arrowes , which they deliuered our captaine as a present , the captaine hauing vsed them so kindly as he could , told them the other three kings should doe the like , and then the great king of our world should be their friend , whose men we were . it was no sooner demanded but performed , so vpon a low moorish poynt of land we went to the shore , where those foure kings came and receiued amoroleck : nothing they had but bowes , arrowes , tobacco-bags , and pipes : what we desired , none refused to giue vs , wondering at every thing we had , and heard we had done : our pistols they tooke for pipes , which they much desired , but we did content them with other commodities , and so we left foure or fiue hundred of our merry mannahocks , singing , dauncing , and making merry , and set sayle for moraughtacund . in our returnes we visited all our friends , that reioyced much at our victory against the mannahocks , who many times had warres also with them , but now they were friends , and desired we would be friends with the rapahanocks , as we were with the mannahocks . our captaine told them , they had twise assaulted him that came onely in loue to doe them good , and therefore he would now burne all their houses , destroy their corne , and for euer hold them his enemies , till they made him satisfaction ; they desired to know what that should be : he told them they should present him the kings bow and arrowes , and not offer to come armed where he was ; that they should be friends with the moraughtacunds his friends , and giue him their kings sonne in pledge to performe it , and then all king iames his men should be their friends . vpon this they presently sent to the rapahanocks to meete him at the place where they first fought , where would be the kings of nantautacund and pissassac : which according to their promise were there so soone as we ; where rapahanock presented his bow and arrowes , and confirmed all we desired , except his sonne , having no more but him he could not liue without him , but in stead of his sonne he would giue him the three women moraughtacund had stol●e . this was accepted : and so in three or foure canowes , so many as could went with vs to moraughtacund , where mosco made them such relations , and gaue to his friends so many bowes and arrowes , that they no lesse loued him then admired vs. the women were brought our captaine , to each he gaue a chayne of beads : and then causing moraughtacund , mosco , and rapahanock stand before him , bid rapahanock take her he loued best , and moraughtacund chuse next , & to mosco he gaue the third . vpon this away went their canowes over the water , to fetch their venison , and all the provision they could , and they that wanted boats swam over the river : the darke commanded vs then to rest . the next day there was of men , women , and children , as we coniectured , six or seauen hundred , dauncing , & singing , and not a bow nor arrow seene amongst them . mosco changed his name v●tasantascugh , which we interpret stranger , for so they call vs. all promising ever to be our friends , and to plant corne purposely for vs ; and we to provide hatchets , beads , and copper for them , we departed , giuing them a volley of shot , and they vs as loud shouts and cryes as their strengths could vtter . that night we anchored in the river of payankatank , and discovered it so high as it was navigable , but the people were most a hunting , saue a few old men , women , and children , that were tending their corne , of which they promised vs part when we would fetch it , as had done all the nations where ever we had yet beene . in a fayre calme , rowing towards poynt comfort , we anchored in gosnolls bay , but such a suddaine gust surprised vs in the night with thunder and rayne , that we never thought more to haue seene iames towne . yet running before the wind , we sometimes saw the land by the flashes of fire from heaven , by which light onely we kept from the splitting shore , vntill it pleased god in that blacke darknesse to preserue vs by that light to finde poynt comfort : there refreshing our selues , because we had onely but heard of the chisapeacks & nandsamunds , we thought it as fit to know all our neighbours neare home , as so many nations abroad . so setting sayle for the southerne shore , we sayled vp a narrow river vp the country of chisapeack ; it hath a good channell , but many shoules about the entrance . by that we had sayled six or seauen myles , we saw two or three little garden plots with their houses , the shores overgrowne with the greatest pyne and firre trees wee ever saw in the country . but not seeing nor hearing any people , and the riuer very narrow , we returned to the great riuer , to see if we could finde any of them . coasting the shore towards nandsamund , which is most oyster-bankes ; at the mouth of that riuer , we espied six or seauen salvages making their wires , who presently fled : ashore we went , and where they wrought we threw diuers toyes , and so departed . farre we were not gone ere they came againe , and began to sing , and daunce , and recall vs : and thus we began our first acquaintance . at last one of them desired vs to goe to his house vp that riuer , into our boat voluntarily he came , the rest ran after vs by the shore with all shew of loue that could be . seauen or eight myles we sayled vp this narrow riuer : at last on the westerne shore we saw large cornefields , in the midst a little isle , and in it was abundance of corne ; the people he told vs were all a hunting , but in the isle was his house , to which he inuited vs with much kindnesse : to him ▪ his wife , and children , we gaue such things as they seemed much contented them . the others being come , desired vs also to goe but a little higher to see their houses : here our host left vs , the rest rowed by vs in a canow , till we were so far past the isle the riuer became very narrow . here we desired some of them to come abord vs , wherat pausing a little , they told vs they would but fetch their bows and arrowes and goe all with vs , but being a-shore and thus armed , they perswaded vs to goe forward , but we could neither perswade them into their canow , nor into our boat. this gaue vs cause to prouide for the worst . farre we went not ere seauen or eight canowes full of men armed appeared following vs , staying to see the conclusion . presently from each side the riuer came arrowes so fast as two or three hundred could shoot them , whereat we returned to get the open . they in the canowes let fly also as fast , but amongst them we bestowed so many shot , the most of them leaped overboard and swam ashore , but two or three escaped by rowing , being against their playnes : our muskets they found shot further then their bowes , for wee made not twentie shot ●re they all retyred behind the next trees . being thus got out of their trap , we seised on all their canowes , and moored them in the midst of the open . more then an hundred arrowes stucke in our targets , and about the boat , yet none hurt , onely anthony bagnall was shot in his hat , and another in his sleeue . but seeing their multitudes , and suspecting as it was , that both the nandsamunds , and the chisapeacks were together , we thought it best to ryde by their canowes a while , to bethinke if it were better to burne all in the isle , or draw them to composition , till we were prouided to take all they had , which was sufficient to feed all our colony : but to burne the isle at night it was concluded . in the interim we began to cut in peeces their canowes , and they presently to lay downe their bowes , making signes of peace : peace we told them we would accept , would they bring vs their kings bowes and arrowes , with a chayne of pearle ; and when we came againe giue vs foure hundred baskets full of corne , otherwise we would breake all their boats , and burne their houses , and corne , and all they had . to performe all this they alledged onely the want of a canow ; so we put one a drift & bad them swim to fetch her : and till they performed their promise , wee would but onely breake their canowes . they cryed to vs to doe no more , all should be as we would : which presently they performed , away went their bowes and arrowes , and tagge and ragge came with their baskets : so much as we could carry we tooke , and so departing good friends , we returned to iames towne , where we safely arrived the . of september , . there we found mr scrivener , and divers others well recovered : many dead ; some sicke : the late president prisoner for mutiny : by the honest diligence of master scrivener , the haruest gathered , but the provision in the store much spoyled with rayne . thus was that summer ( when little wanted ) consumed and spent , and nothing done ( such was the gouernment of captaine ratliffe ) but onely this discovery ; wherein to expresse all the dangers , accidents , and incounters this small number passed in that small barge , by the scale of proportion , about three thousand myles , with such watery dyet in those great waters and barbarous countries ( till then to any christian vtterly vnknowne ) i rather referre their merit to the censure of the courteous and experienced reader , then i would be tedious or partiall being a partie . but to this place to come who will adventure , with iudgements guide and reason how to enter : finds in this worlds broad sea , with winde and tyde , ther 's safer sayle then any where beside , but 'cause to wanton novices it is a province full of fearefulnesse i wiss ; into the great vast deepe to venter out : those shallow rivers let them coast about . and by a small boat learne there first , and marke , how they may come to make a greater barke . written by anthony bagnall , nathanaell powell , and anas todkill . chapter vii . the presidency surrendred to captaine smith : the arrivall and returne of the second supply . and what happened . the tenth of september , by the election of the councell , and request of the company , captaine smith receiued the letters patents : which till then by no meanes he would accept , though he was often importuned therevnto . now the building of ratliffes pallace stayed as a thing needlesse ; the church was repaired ; the store-house recouered ; buildings prepared for the supplyes , we expected ; the fort reduced to a fiue-square forme ; the order of the watch renewed ; the squadrons ( each setting of the watch ) trained ; the whole company euery saturday exercised , in the plaine by the west bulwarke , prepared for that purpose , we called smithfield : where sometimes more then an hundred salvages would stand in an amazement to behold , how a fyle would batter a tree , where he would make them a marke to shoot at ; the boats trimmed for trade , which being sent out with lieutenant percy , in their iourney incountred the second supply , that brought them backe to discover the country of monacan . how or why captaine newport obtained such a private commission , as not to returne without a lumpe of gold , a certaintie of the south sea , or one of the lost company sent out by sir water raleigh , i know not ; nor why he brought such a fiue peeced barge , not to beare vs to that south sea , till we had borne her over the mountaines , which how farre they extend is yet vnknowne . as for the coronation of powhatan , and his presents of bason and ewer , bed , bedstead , clothes , and such costly nouelties , they had beene much better well spared then so ill spent , for wee had his favour much better onely for a playne peece of copper , till this stately kinde of soliciting , made him so much overvalue himselfe , that he respected vs as much as nothing at all . as for the hyring of the poles and dutch-men , to make pitch , tar , glasse ▪ milles , and sope ashes , when the country is replenished with people , and necessaries , would haue done well , but to send them and seauentie more without victualls to worke , was not so well aduised nor considered of , as it should haue beene . yet this could not haue hurt vs had they beene . though then we were that wanted for our selues . for we had the salvages in that decorum ( their harvest being newly gathered , that we feared not to get victuals for . now was there no way to make vs miserable , but to neglect that time to make prouision whilst it was to be had , the which was done by the direction from england to performe this strange discovery , but a more strange coronation to loose that time , spend that victualls we had , tyre and starue our men , hauing no meanes to carry victuals , munition , the hurt or sicke , but on their owne backes . how or by whom they were inuented i know not : but captaine newport we onely accounted the author , who to effect these proiects , had so guilded mens hopes with great promises , that both company and councell concluded his resolution for the most part : god doth know they little knew what they did , nor vnderstood their owne estates to conclude his conclusions , against all the inconveniences the foreseeing president alledged . of this supply there was added to the councell , one captaine richard waldo , and captaine wynne , two auncient souldiers , and valiant gentlemen , but yet ignorant of the busines , ( being but newly arriued . ) ratliffe was also permitted to haue his voyce , & mr scrivener , desirous to see strange countries : so that although smith was president , yet the maior part of the councell had the authoritie and ruled it as they listed . as for clearing smiths obiections , how pitch and tarre , wainscot , clapbord , glasse , and sope ashes , could be provided , to relade the ship , or provision got to liue withall , when none was in the country , and that we had , spent , before the ship departed to effect these projects . the answer was , captaine newport vndertooke to fraught the pinnace of twentie tunnes with corne in going and returning in his discovery , and to refraught her againe from werowocomoco of powhatan . also promising a great proportion of victualls from the ship ; inferring that smiths propositions were onely devices to hinder his iourney , to effect it himselfe ; and that the crueltie he had vsed to the salvages , might well be the occasion to hinder these designes , and seeke revenge on him . for which taxation all workes were left , and chosen men were appointed for newports guard in this discovery . but captaine smith to make cleare all those seeming suspitions , that the salvages were not so desperate as was pretended by captaine newport , and how willing ( since by their authoritie they would haue it so ) he was to assist them what he could , because the coronation would consume much time , he vndertooke himselfe their message to powhatan , to intreat him to come to iames towne to receiue his presents . and where newport durst not goe with lesse then . he onely tooke with him captaine waldo , mr andrew buckler , edward brinton , and samuel collier : with these foure he went over land to werowocomoco , some myles ; there he passed the river of pamavnkee in a salvage canow . powhatan being myles of , was presently sent for : in the meane time , pocahontas and her women entertained captaine smith in this manner . in a fayre plaine field they made a fire , before which ▪ he sitting vpon a mat , suddainly amongst the woods was heard such a hydeous noise and shreeking , that the english betooke themselues to their armes , and seized on two or three old men by them , supposing powhatan with all his power was come to surprise them . but presently pocahontas came , willing him to kill her if any hurt were intended , and the beholders , which were men , women , and children , satisfied the captaine there was no such matter . then presently they were presented with this anticke ; thirtie young women came naked out of the woods , onely covered behind and before with a few greene leaues , their bodies all painted , some of one colour , some of another , but all differing , their leader had a fayre payre of bucks hornes on her head , and an otters skinne at her girdle , and another at her arme , a quiver of arrowes at her backe , a bow and arrowes in her hand ; the next had in her hand a sword , another a club , another a pot-sticke ; all horned alike : the rest every one with their severall devises . these fiends with most hellish shouts and cryes , rushing from among the trees , cast themselues in a ring about the fire , singing and dauncing with most excellent ill varietie , oft falling into their infernall passions , and solemnly againe to sing and daunce ; having spent neare an houre in this mascarado , as they entred in like manner they departed . having reaccōmodated themselues , they solemnly invited him to their lodgings , where he was no sooner within the house , but all these nymphes more tormented him then ever , with crowding , pressing , and hanging about him , most tediously crying , loue you not me ? loue you not me ? this salutation ended , the feast was set , consisting of all the salvage dainties they could devise : some attending , others singing and dauncing about them ; which mirth being ended , with fire-brands in stead of torches they conducted him to his lodging . thus did they shew their feats of armes , and others art in dauncing : some other vs'd there oaten pipe , and others voyces chanting . the next day came powhatan : smith delivered his message of the presents sent him , and redelivered him namontack he had sent for england , desiring him to come to his father newport , to accept those presents , and conclude their revenge against the monacans . wherevnto this subtile savage thus replyed . if your king haue sent me presents , i also am a king , and this is my land : eight dayes i will stay to receiue them . your father is to come to me , not i to him , nor yet to your fort , neither will i bite at such a bait : as for the monacans i can revenge my owne iniuries , and as for atquanachuk , where you say your brother was slaine , it is a contrary way from those parts you suppose it ; but for any salt water beyond the mountaines , the relations you haue had from my people are false . wherevpon he began to draw plots vpon the ground ( according to his discourse ) of all those regions . many other discourses they had ( yet both content to giue each other content in complementall courtesies ) and so captaine smith returned with this answer . vpon this the presents were sent by water which is neare an hundred myles , and the captains went by land with fiftie good shot . all being met at werowocomoco , the next day was appointed for his coronation , then the presents were brought him , his bason and ewer , bed and furniture set vp , his scarlet cloke and apparell with much adoe put on him , being perswaded by namontack they would not hurt him : but a soule trouble there was to make him kneele to receiue his crowne , he neither knowing the maiesty nor meaning of a crowne , nor bending of the knee , endured so many perswasions , examples , and instructions , as tyred them all ; at last by leaning hard on his shoulders , he a little stooped , and three having the crowne in their hands put it on his head , when by the warning of a pistoll the boats were prepared with such a volley of shot , that the king start vp in a horrible feare , till he saw all was well . then remembring himselfe , to congratulate their kindnesse , he gaue his old shooes and his mantell to captaine newport : but perceiving his purpose was to discover the monacans , he laboured to divert his resolution , refusing to lend him either men or guides more then namontack ; and so after some small complement all kindnesse on both sides , in requitall of his presents he presented newport with a heape of wheat eares that might containe some or bushels , and as much more we bought in the towne , wherewith we returned to the fort. the ship having disburdened her selfe of persons , with the first gentlewoman and woman-seruant that arrived in our colony . captaine newport with chosen men , led by captaine waldo , lieutenant percie , captaine winne , mr west , and mr scrivener , set forward for the discovery of monacan , leaving the president at the fort with about . or . ( such as they were ) to relade the ship. arriving at the falles we marched by land some fortie myles in two dayes and a halfe , and so returned downe the same path we went. two townes we discovered of the monacans , called massinacak and mowhemenchouch , the people neither vsed vs well nor ill , yet for our securitie we tooke one of their petty kings , and led him bound to conduct vs the way . and in our returnes searched many places we supposed mines , about which we spent some time in refyning , having one william gallicut , a refyner fitted for that purpose . from that crust of earth we digged , he perswaded vs to beleeue he extracted some small quantitie of silver ; and ( not vnlikely ) better stuffe might be had for the digging . with this poore tryall , being contented to leaue this fayre , fertile , well watered country ; and comming to the falles , the salvages fayned there were divers ships come into the bay , to kill them at iames towne . trade they would not , and finde their corne we could not ; for they had hid it in the woods : and being thus deluded , we arrived at iames towne , halfe sicke , all complaining , and tyred with toyle , famine , and discontent , to haue onely but discovered our guilded hopes , and such fruitlesse certainties , as captaine smith fortold vs. but those that hunger seeke to slake , which thus abounding wealth would rake : not all the gemmes of ister shore , nor all the gold of lydia's store , can fill their greedie appetite ; it is a thing so infinite . no sooner were we landed , but the president dispersed so many as were able , some for glasse , others for tarre , pitch , and sope-ashes , leauing them with the fort to the councels oversight , but of vs he conducted downe the river some myles from iames towne , to learne to make clapbord , cut downe trees , and lye in woods . amongst the rest he had chosen gabriel beadle , and iohn russell , the onely two gallants of this last supply , and both proper gentlemen . strange were these pleasures to their conditions ; yet lodging , eating , and drinking , working or playing , they but doing as the president did himselfe . all these things were carried so pleasantly as within a weeke they became masters : making it their delight to heare the trees thunder as they fell ; but the axes so oft blistered their tender fingers , that many times every third blow had a loud othe to drowne the eccho ; for remedie of which sinne , the president devised how to haue every mans othes numbred , and at night for every othe to haue a cann of water powred downe his sleeue , with which every offender was so washed ( himselfe and all ) that a man should scarce heare an othe in a weeke . for he who scornes and makes but iests of cursings , and his othe , he doth contemne , not man but god , nor god , nor man , but both . by this , let no man thinke that the president and these gentlemen spent their times as common wood-haggers at felling of trees , or such other like labours , or that they were pressed to it as hirelings , or common slaues ; for what they did , after they were but once a little invred , it seemed and some conceited it , onely as a pleasure and recreation , yet or of such voluntary gentlemen would doe more in a day then of the rest that must be prest to it by compulsion , but twentie good workemen had beene better then them all . master scrivener , captaine waldo , and captaine winne at the fort , every one in like manner carefully regarded their charge . the president returning from amongst the woods , seeing the time consumed and no provision gotten , ( and the ship lay idle at a great charge and did nothing ) presently imbarked himselfe in the discovery barge , giving order to the councell to send lieutenant percie after him with the next barge that arrived at the fort ; two barges he had himselfe and men , but arriving at chickahamania , that dogged nation was too well acquainted with our wants , refusing to trade , with as much scorne and insolency as they could expresse . the president perceiuing it was powhatans policy to starue vs , told them he came not so much for their corne , as to revenge his imprisonment , and the death of his men murthered by them , and so landing his men and readie to charge them , they immediately fled : and presently after sent their ambassadors with corne , fish , foule , and what they had to make their peace , ( their corne being that yeare but bad ) they complained extreamely of their owne wants , yet fraughted our boats with an hundred bushels of corne , and in like manner lieutenant percies , that not long after arrived , and having done the best they could to content vs , we parted good friends , and returned to iames towne . though this much contented the company , ( that feared nothing more then starving ) yet some so envied his good successe , that they rather desired to hazzard a starving , then his paines should proue so much more effectuall then theirs . some proiects there were invented by newport and ratliffe , not onely to haue deposed him , but to haue kept him out of the fort ; for that being president , he would leaue his place and the fort without their consents , but their hornes were so much too short to effect it , as they themselues more narrowly escaped a greater mischiefe . all this time our old taverne made as much of all them that had either money or ware as could be desired : by this time they were become so perfect on all sides ( i meane the souldiers , saylers , and salvages ) as there was tenne times more care to maintaine their damnabl● and private trade , then to provide for the colony things that were necessary . neither was it a small policy in newport and the marriners to report in england we had such plentie , and bring vs so many men without victuals , when they had so many private factors in the fort , that within six or seauen weeks , of two or three hundred axes , chissels , how 's , and pick-axes , scarce twentie could be found : and for pike-heads , shot , powder , or any thing they could steale from their f●llowes , was vendible ; they knew as well ( and as secretly ) how to convey them to trade with the salvages for furres , baskets , mussaneeks , young beasts , or such like commodities , as exchange them with the saylers for butter , cheese , beefe , porke , aqua vitae , beere , bisket , oatmeale , and oyle : and then fayne all was sent them from their friends and though virginia affoorded no furres for the store , yet one master in one voyage hath got so many by this indirect meanes , as he confessed to haue sold in england for l. those are the saint-seeming worthies of virginia , that haue notwithstanding all this meate , drinke , and wages ; but now they begin to grow weary , their trade being both perceived and prevented ; none hath beene in virginia that hath observed any thing , which knowes not this to be true , and yet the losse , the scorne , the misery , and shame , was the poore officers , gentlemen , and carelesse governours , who were all thus bought & sold ; the adventurers cousened , and the action overthrowne by their false excuses , informations , and directions . by this let all men iudge , how this businesse could prosper , being thus abused ●y such pilfring occasions . and had not captaine newport cryed peccavi , the president would haue discharged the ship , and caused him to haue stayed one yeare in virginia , to learne to speake of his owne experience . master scrivener was sent with the barges and pinnace to werowocomoco , where he found the salvages more readie to fight then trade ; but his vigilancy was such as prevented their proiects , and by the meanes of namontack got three or foure hogsheads of corne , and as much pocones , which is a red roote , which then was esteemed an excellent dye . captaine newport being dispatched , with the tryals of pitch , tarre , glasse , frankincense , sope ashes ; with that clapboord and waynscot that could be provided : met with mr scrivener at poynt comfort , and so returned for england . we remaining were about two hundred . ¶ the copy of a letter sent to the treasurer and councell of virginia from captaine smith , then president in virginia . right honorable , &c. i received your letter , wherein you write , that our minds are so set vpon faction , and idle conceits in diuiding the country without your consents , and that we feed you but with ifs & ands , hopes , & some few proofes ; as if we would keepe the myste●y of the businesse to our selues : and that we must expresly follow your instructions sent by captain newport : the charge of whose voyage amounts to neare two thousand pounds , the which if we cannot defray by the ships returne , we are like to r●main as banished men . to these particulars i humbly intreat your pardons if i offend you with my rude answer . for our factions , vnlesse you would haue me run away and leaue the country , i ca●not prevent them , because i do make many stay that would els fly any whether . for the i●le letter sent to my lord of salisbury , by the president and his conf●derats , for diuiding the country &c. what it was i know not , for you saw no hand of mine to it ; nor euer dream't i of any such matter . that we feed you with hopes , &c. though i be no scholer , i am past a schoole boy ; and i desire but to know , what either you , and these here doe know , but that i haue learned to tell you by the continuall hazard of my life . i haue not concealed from you any thing i know ; but i feare some cause you to beleeue much more then is true . expresly to follow your direstions by captaine newport , though they be performed , i was directly against it ; but according to our commission , i was content to be overrul●d by the maior part of the councell , i feare to the hazard of vs all ; which now is generally confessed when it is too late . onely captaine winne and captaine waldo i haue sworne of the councell , and crowned powhatan according to you instructions . for th● charge of this voyage of two or three thousand pounds , we haue not receiued the value of an hundred pounds . and for the quartred boat to be borne by th● souldiers over the falles , newport had of the best men he could chuse . if he had burnt her to ash●s , one might haue carried her in a bag , but as she is , fiue hundred cann●t , to a navigable place aboue the falles . and for him at that time to find in the south sea , a mine of gold ; or any of them sent by sir walter raleigh : at our consultation i told them was as likely as the rest . but during this great discovery of thirtie myles , ( which might as well haue beene done by one man , and much more , for the value of a pound of copper at a seasonable tyme ) they had the pinnace and all the boats with th●m , but one that remained with me to serue the fort. in their absence i followed the new begun workes of pitch and tarre , glasse , sope-ashes , and clapboord , whereof some small quantities we haue sent you . but if you rightly consider , what an infinite toyle it is in russia and swethland , where the woods are proper for naught els , and though there be the helpe both of man and beast in those ancient common-wealths , which many an hundred yeares haue vsed it , yet thousands of those poore people can scarce g●t necessaries to liue , but from h●nd to mouth . and though your factors there can buy as much in a week as will fraught you a ship , or as much as you please ; you must not expect from vs any such matter , which are but a many of ignorant miserable soules , that are scarce able to get wherewith to liue , and defend our selues against the inconstant salvages : finding but here and there a tree fit for the purpose , and want all things els the russians haue . for the coronation of p●whatan , by whose advice you sent him such presents , i know not ; but this giue me leaue to tell you , i feare th●y will be the confusion of vs all ere we heare from you againe . at your ships arrivall , the salvages harvest was newly gathered , and we going to buy it , our owne not being halfe sufficient for so great a number . as for the two ships loading of corne n●wport pr●mised to provide vs from powhatan , he brought vs but foureteene bushels ; and from the monacans nothing , but the most of the men sicke and neare famished . from your ship we had not provision in victuals worth twenty pound , and we are more then two hundred to liue vpon this : the one halfe sicke , the other little better . for the saylers ( i confesse ) they daily make good cheare , but our dyet is a little meale and water , and not sufficient of that . though there be fish in the sea , foules in the ayre , and beasts in the woods , their bounds are so large , they so wilde , and we so weake and ignorant , we cannot much trouble them . captaine newport we much suspect to be the authour of those inventions . now that you should know , i haue made you as great a discovery as he , for lesse charge then he spendeth you every meale ; i haue sent you this mappe of the bay and rivers , with an annexed relation of the countries and nations that inhabit them , as you may see at large . also two barrels of stones , and such as i take to be good iron ore at the least ; so devided , as by their notes you may see in what places i found them . the souldiers say many of your officers maintaine their families out of that you send vs : and that newport hath an hundred pounds a yeare for carrying newes . for every master you haue yet sent can find the way as well as he , so that an hundred pounds might be spared , which is more then we haue all , th●t helpe to pay him wages . cap. ratliffe is now called sickl●more , a poore counterfeited imposture . i haue sent you him home , least the company should cut his throat . what he is , now every one can tell you : if he and archer returne againe , they are sufficient to keepe vs alwayes in factions . when you send againe i intreat you rather send but thirty ca●penters , husbandmen , gardiners , fisher men , blacksmiths , masons , and diggers vp of trees , roots , well provided ; then a thousand of such as we haue : for except wee be able both to lodge them , and feed them , the most will consume with want of necessaries before they can be made good for any thing . thus if you please to consider this account , and of the vnnecessary wages to captaine newport , or his ships so long lingering and staying here ( for notwithstanding his boasting to leaue vs victuals for mon●ths , though we had by this discovery lame and sicke , and but a pinte of corne a day for a man , we were constrained to giue him three hogsheads of that to victuall him homeward ) or yet to send into germany or poleland for glasse-men & the rest , till we be able to sustaine our selues , and relieue them when they come . it were better to giue fiue hundred pound a tun for those grosse commodities in denmarke , then send for them hither , till more necessary things be provided . for in over-toyling our weake and vnskilfull bodies , to satisfie this desire of present profit , we can scarce ever recover our selues from one supply to another . and i humbly intreat you hereafter , let vs know what we should receiue , and not stand to the saylers courtesie to leaue vs what they please , els you may charge vs with what you will , but we not you with any thing . these are the causes that haue kept vs in virginia , from laying such a foundation , that ●re this might haue given much better content and satisfaction ; but as yet you must not looke for any profitable returnes : so i humbly rest . the names of those in this supply , were these : with their proceedings and accidents . captaine peter winne , captaine richard waldo , were appoynted to be of the councell . master francis vvest , brother to the lord la vvarre . gent. thomas graues . raleigh chroshaw . gabriel beadle . iohn beadle . iohn russell . william russell . iohn cuderington . william sambage . henry leigh . henry philpot. harmon harrison . daniel tucker . henry collins . hugh wolleston . iohn hoult . thomas norton . george yarington . george burton . thomas abbay . william dowman . thomas maxes . michael lowick . master hunt. thomas f●rr●st . iohn dauxe . tradsmen . thomas ph●lps . iohn prat. iohn clarke . ieffrey shortridge . dionis oconor . hugh winne . dauid ap hugh . thomas bradley . iohn burra● . thomas l●vander . henry bell. master powell . david ellis . thomas gibson . labourers . thomas dawse . thomas mallard . william tayler . thomas fox . nicholas hancock . walker . williams . floud . morley . rose . scot. hardwyn . boyes . milman . hilliard . mistresse forrest , and anne burras her maide ; eight dutch men and poles , with some others , to the number of seaventie persons , &c. these poore conclusions so affrighted vs all with famine , that the president provided for n●ndsamund , and tooke with him captaine winne , and mr scrivener , then returning from captaine newport . these people also long denied him not onely the baskets of corne th●y promised , but any trade at all ; ( excusing themselues they had ●pent most they had , and were commanded by powhatan to keepe that they had , and not to let vs come into their river ) till we were constrained to begin with them perforce . vpon the discharging of our muskets they all fled and shot not an arrow ; the first house we came to we set on fire , which when they perceiued , they desired we would make no more spoyle , and they would giue vs halfe they had : how they collected it i know not , but before night they loaded our three boats ; and so we returned to our quarter some foure myles downe the river , which was onely the open woods vnder the lay of a hill , where all the ground was covered with snow , and hard frozen ; the snow we digged away and made a great fire in the place ; when the ground was well dryed , we turned away the fire ; and covering the place with a mat , there we lay very warme . to keepe vs from the winde we made a shade of another mat ; as the winde turned we turned our shade , and when the ground grew cold we remoued the fire . and thus many a cold winter night haue wee laine in this miserable manner , yet those that most commonly went vpon all those occasions , were alwayes in health , lusty , and sat . for sparing them this yeare , the n●xt yeare they promised to plant purposely for vs ; and so we returned to iames towne . about this time there was a marriage betwixt iohn laydon and anne burras ; which was the first marriage we had in virginia . long he stayed not , but fitting himselfe and captaine waldo with two barges . from chawopoweanock , and all parts thereabouts , all the people were fled , as being iealous of our intents ; till we discovered the riv●r and people of apamatuck ; where we found not much , that they had we equally divided , but gaue them copper , and such things as contented them in consideration . master scrivener and lieutenant percie went also abroad , but could find nothing . the president seeing the procrastinating of time , was no course to liue , resolved with captaine waldo ( whom he knew to be sure in time of need ) to surprise powhatan , and all his provision , but the vnwillingnesse of captaine winne , and master scrivener , for some private respect , plotted in england to ruine captaine smith , did their best to hinder their proiect ; but the president whom no perswasions could perswade to starue , being invited by powhatan to come vnto him : and if he would send him but men to build him a house , giue him a gryndstone , fiftie swords , some peeces , a cock and a hen , with much copper and beads , he would lo●d his ship with corne. the president not ignorant of his devises and subtiltie , yet vnwilling to neglect any opportunitie , presently sent three dutch-men and two english , having so small allowance , few were able to doe any thing to purpose : knowing there needed no better a castle to effect this proiect , tooke order with captaine waldo to second him , if need required ; scrivener he left his substitute , and set forth with th● pinnace , two barges , and fortie-six men , which onely were such as voluntarily offered themselues for his iourney , the which by reason of mr scriveners ill successe , was censured very desperate , they all knowing smith would not returne emptie , if it were to be had ; howsoever , it caused many of those that he had appointed , to find excuses to stay behinde . chap. viii . captaine smiths iourney to pamavnkee . the twentie-nine of december he set forward for werowocomoco : his company were these ; in the discovery barge himselfe . gent. robert behethland . nathanael graues . iohn russell . raleigh chrashow . michael sicklemore . richard worley . souldiers . anas todkill . william loue. william bentley . ieffrey shortridge . edward pising . william ward . in the pinnace . lieutenant percie , brother to the earle of northumberland . master francis west , brother to the lord la warre . william phittiplace , captaine of the pinnace . gent. michael phittiplace . ieffrey abbot , serieant . william tankard . george yarington . iames browne . edward brinton . george burton . thomas coe . ionas profit , master . robert ford , clarke of the councell . iohn dods , souldier . henry powell , souldier . thomas gipson , david ellis , nathanael peacock , saylers . iohn prat , george acrig , iames read , nicholas hancock , iames watkins , thomas lambert , foure dutch-men , and richard salvage were sent by land before to build the house for powhatan against our arrivall . this company being victualled but for three or foure dayes , lodged the first night at warraskoyack , where the president tooke sufficient provision . this kind king did his best to divert him from seeing powhatan , but perceiuing he could not prevaile , he advised in this manner . captaine smith , you shall find powhatan to vse you kindly , but trust him not , and be sure he haue no oportunitie to seize on your armes ; for he hath sent for you onely to cut your throats . the captaine thanking him for his good counsell : yet the better to try his loue , desired guides to chawwonock ; for he would send a present to that king , to bind him his friend . to performe this iourney was sent mr sicklemore , a very valiant , honest , and a painefull souldier : with him two guides , and directions how to seeke for the lost company of sir walter raleighs , and silke grasse . then we departed thence , the president assuring the king perpetuall loue ; and left with him samu●l collier his page to learne the language . so this kings deeds by sacred oath adiur'd . more wary proues , and circumspect by ods : fearing at least his double forfeiture ; to offend his friends , and sin against his gods. the next night being lodged at kecoughtan ; six or seaven dayes the extreame winde , rayne , frost and snow caused vs to keepe christmas among the salvages , where we were never more merry , nor fed on more plentie of good oysters , fish , flesh , wild-soule , and good bread ; nor never had better fires in england , then in the dry , smoaky houses of kecoughtan : but departing thence , when we found no houses we were not curious in any weather to lye three or foure nights together vnder the trees by a fire , as formerly is sayd . an hundred fortie eight foules the president , anthony bagnall , and serieant pising did kill at three shoots . at kiskiack the frost & contrary winds forced vs three or foure dayes also ( to suppresse the insolency of those proud salvages ) to quarter in their houses , yet guard our barge , and cause them giue vs what we wanted ; though we were but twelue and himselfe , yet we never wanted shelter where we found any houses . the of ianuary we arrived at werowocomoco , where the river was frozen neare halfe a myle from the shore ; but to neglect no time , the president with his barge so far had approached by breaking the ice , as the ebbe left him amongst those oasie shoules , yet rather then to lye there frozē to death , by his owne example he taught them to march neere middle deepe , a flight shot through this muddy frozen oase . when the barge floated , he appoynted two or three to returne her aboord the pinnace . where for want of water in melting the ice , they made fresh water , for the river there was salt . but in this march mr russell , ( whom none could perswade to stay behinde ) being somewhat ill , and exceeding heauie , so overtoyled himselfe as the rest had much adoe ( ere he got ashore ) to regaine life into his dead benummed spirits . quartering in the next houses we found , we sent to powhatan for provision , who sent vs plentie of bread , turkies , and venison ; the next day having feasted vs after his ordinary manner , he began to aske v● , when we would be gone : fayning he sent not for vs , neither had he any corne ; and his people much lesse : yet for fortie swords he would procure vs fortie baskets . the president shewing him the men there present that brought him the message and conditions , asked powhatan how it chanced he became so forgetfull ; thereat the king concluded the matter with a merry laughter , asking for our commodities , but none he liked without gunnes and swords , valuing a basket of corne more precious then a basket of copper ; saying he could rate his corne , but not the copper . captaine smith seeing the intent of this subtill salvage began to deale with him after this manner . powhatan , though i had many courses to haue made my provision , yet beleeving your promises to supply my wants , i neglected all to satisfie your desire : and to testifie my loue , i sent you my men for your building , neglecting mine owne . what your people had you haue ingrossed , forbidding them our trade : and now you thinke by consuming the time , we shall consume for want , not having to fulfill your strange demands . as for swords and gunnes , i told you long agoe i had none to spare ; and you must know those i haue can keepe me from want : yet steale or wrong you i will not , nor dissolue that friendship we haue mutually promised , except you constraine me by our bad vsage . the king having attentiuely listned to this discourse , promised that both he and his country would spare him what he could , the which within two dayes they should receiue . yet captaine smith , sayth the king , some doubt i haue of your comming hither , that makes me not so kindly seeke to relieue you as i would : for many doe informe me , your comming hither is not for trade , but to invade my people , and possesse my country , who dare not come to bring you corne , seeing you thus armed with your men . to free vs of this feare , leaue aboord your weapons , for here they are ne●alesse , we being all friends , and for ever powhatans . with many such discourses they spent the day , quartering that night in the kings houses . the next day he renewed his building , which hee little intended should proceede . for the dutch-men finding his plentie , and knowing our want , and perceiving his preparations to surprise vs , little thinking we could escape both him and famine ; ( to obtaine his favour ) revealed to him so much as they knew of our estates and proiects , and how to prevent them . one of them being of so great a spirit , iudgement , and resolution , and a hireling that was certaine of his wages for his labour , and ever well vsed both he and his countrymen ; that the pr●sident knew not whom better to trust ; and not knowing any fitter for that imployment , had sent him as a spy to discover powhatans intent , then little doubting his honestie , nor could ever be certaine of his villany till neare halfe a yeare after . whilst we ●xpected the comming in of the country , we wrangled out of the king ten quarters of corne for a copper kettell , the which the president perceiving him much to affect , valued it at a much greater rate ; but in regard of his scarcity he would accept it , provided we should haue as much more the next yeare , or els the country of monacan . wherewith each seemed well contented , and powhatan began to expostulate the difference of peace and warre after this manner . captaine smith , you may vnderstand that i having seene the death of all my people thrice , and not any one liuing of those three generations but my selfe ; i know the difference of peace and warre better then any in my country . but now i am old and ere long must die , my brethren namely opitchapam , opechancanough , and kekataugh my two sisters , and their two daughters , are distinctly each others successors . i wish their experience no lesse then mine , and your loue to them no lesse then mine to you . but this bruit from nandsamund , that you are come to destroy my country , so much affrighteth all my people as they dare not visit you . what will it availe you to take that by force you may quickly haue by loue , or to destroy them that provide you food . what can you get by warre , when we can hide our provisions and fly to the woods ? whereby you must famish by wronging vs your friends and why are you thus iealous of our loues seeing vs vnarmed , and both doe , and are willing still to feede you , with that you cannot get but by our labours ? thinke you i am so simple , not to know it is better to eate good meate , lye well , and sleepe quietly with my women and children , laugh and be merry with you , haue copper , hatchets , or what i want being your friend : then be forced to flie from all , to lie cold in the woods , feede vpon acornes , rootes , and such trash , and be so hunted by you , that i can neither rest , eate , nor sle●pe ; but my tyred men m●st watch , and if a twig but breake , every one cryeth there commeth captaine smith : then must i fly i know not whether : and thus with miserable feare , end my miserable life , leauing my pleasures to such youths as you , which through your rash vnaduisednesse may quickly as miserably end , for want of that , you never know where to finde . let this ther●fore assur● you of our loues , and every yeare our friendly trade shall furnish you with corne ; and now also , if you would come in friendly manner to see vs , and not thus with your guns and swords as to invade your foes . to this subtill discourse , the president thus replyed . seeing you will not rightly conceiue of our words , we striue to make you know our thoughts by our deeds ; the vow i made you of my loue , both my selfe and my men haue kept . as for your promise i find it euery day violated by some of your subiects : yet we finding your loue and kindnesse , our custome is so far from being vngratefull , that for your sake onely , we haue curbed our thirsting desire of revenge ; els h●d they knowne as well the crueltie we vse to our enemies , as our true loue and courtesie to our friends . and i thinke your iudg●ment sufficient to conceiue , as well by the adventures we haue vndertaken , as by the advantage we haue ( by our armes ) of yours : that had we intended you any hurt , long ere this we could haue effected it . your people comming to iames towne are entertained with their bowes and arrowes without any exceptions ; we esteeming it with you as it is with vs , to weare our armes as our apparell . as for the danger of our enemies , in such warres consist our chiefest pleasure : for your riches we haue no vse : as for the hiding your provision , or by your flying to the woods , we shall not so vnadvisedly starue as you conclude , your friendly care in that behalfe is needlesse , for we haue a rule to finde beyond your knowledge . many other discourses they had , till at last they began to trade . but the king seeing his will would not be admitted as a law , our guard dispersed , nor our men disarmed , he ( sighing ) breathed his minde once more in this manner . captaine smith , i neuer vse any werowance so kindely as your selfe , yet from you i receiue the least kindnesse of any . captaine newport gaue me swords , copper , cloathes , a bed , towels , or what i desired ; euer taking what i offered him , and would send away his gunnes when i intreated him : none doth deny to lye at my feet , or refuse to doe what i desire , but onely you ; of whom i can haue nothing but what you regard not , and yet you will haue whatsoeuer you demand . captaine newport you call father , and so you call me ; but i see for all vs both you will doe what you list , and we must both seeke to content you . but if you intend so friendly as you say , send hence your armes , that i may beleeue you ; for you see the loue i beare you , doth cause me thus nakedly to forget my selfe . smith seeing this salvage but trifle the time to cut his throat , procured the salvages to breake the ice , that his boate might come to fetch his corne and him : and gaue order for more men to come on shore , to surprise the king , with whom also he but trifled the time till his men were landed : and to keepe him from suspicion , entertained the time with this reply . powhatan you must know , as i haue but one god , i honour but one king ; and i liue not here as your subiect , but as your friend to pleasure you with what i can . by the gifts you bestow on me , you gaine more then by trade : yet would you visit mee as i doe you , you should know it is not our custome , to sell our curtesies as a vendible commodity . bring all your countrey with you for your guard , i will not dislike it as being ouer iealous . but to content you , tomorrow i will leaue my armes , and trust to your promise . i call you father indeed ▪ and as a father you shall see i will loue you : but the small care you haue of such a childe caused my men persw●de m● to looke to my selfe . by this time powhatan hauing knowledge his m●n were ready whil●st the ice was a breaking , with his luggage women and children , fled . yet to auoyd suspicion , left two or three of the women talking with the captaine , whilest hee secretly ran away , and his men that secretly beset the house . which being pr●sently discouered to captaine smith , with his pistoll , sword , and target hee made such a passage among these naked diuels ; that at his first shoot , they next him rumbled one ouer another , and the rest quickly fled some one way some another : so that without any hurt , onely accompanied with iohn russell , hee obtained the c●rps du guard . when they perceiued him so well escaped , and with his eighteene men ( for he had no more with him a s●●re ) to the vttermost of their skill they sought excuses to dissemble the matter : and powhatan to excuse his flight and the sudden com●ing of this multitude , sent our captaine a great bracelet and a chaine of pearle , by an ancient oratour that bespoke vs to this purpose , perceiuing euen then from our pinnace , a barge and men departing and comming vnto vs. captaine smith , our werowance is fled , fearing your gunnes , and knowing when the ice was broken there would come more men , sent these numbers but to guard his corne from stealing , that might happen without your knowledge : now though some bee hurt by your ●●sprision , yet powhatan is your friend and so will for euer continue . now since the ice is open , he would haue you send away your corne , and if you would haue his company , send away also your gunnes , which so affright his people , that they dare not come to you as hee promised they should . then hauing prouided baskets for our men to carry our corne to the boats , they kindly offered their seruice to guard our armes , that none should steale them . a great many they were of goodly well proportioned fellowes , as grim as diuels ; yet the very sight of cocking our matches , and being to let fly , a few wordes caused them to leaue their bowes and arrowes to our guard , and beare downe our corne on their backes ; wee needed not imp●rtune them to make dispatch . but our barges being left on the oase by the ebbe , caused vs stay till the next high-water , ●o that wee returned againe to our old quarter . powhatan and his dutch-men brusting with desire to haue the head of captaine smith , for if they could but kill him , they thought all was theirs , neglected not any oportunity to effect his purpose . the indians with all the merry sports they could deuise , spent the time till night : then they all returned to powhatan , who all this time was making ready his forces to surprise the house and him at supper . notwithstanding the eternall all-seeing god did preuent h●● , and by a strange meanes . for pocahontas his dearest iewell and daughter , in that darke night came through the irksome woods , and told our captaine great cheare should be sent vs by and by : but powhatan and all the power he could make , would after come k●ll vs all , if they that brought it could not kill vs with our owne weapons when we were at supper . therefore if we would liue shee wished vs presently to bee gone . such things as shee delighted in , he would haue giuen her : but with the teares running downe her cheekes , shee said shee durst not be seene to haue any : for if powhatan should know it , she were but dead , and so shee ranne away by her selfe as she came . within lesse then an houre came eight or ten lusty fellowes , with great platters of venison and other victuall , very importunate to haue vs put out our matches ( whose smoake made them sicke ) and sit down to our victuall . but the captaine made them taste euery dish , which done hee sent some of them backe to powhatan , to bid him make haste for hee was prepared for his comming . as for them hee knew they came to betray him at his supper : but hee would prevent them and all their other intended villanies : so that they might be gone . not long after came more messengers , to see what newes ; not long after them others . thus wee spent the night as vigilantly as they , till it was high-water , yet seemed to the saluages as friendly as they to vs : and that wee were so desirous to giue powhatan content , as hee requested , wee did leaue him edward brynton to kill him foule , an● the dutch-men to finish his house ; thinking at our returne from pamavnkee the frost would be gone , and then we might finde a better oportunity if necessity did occasion it , little dreaming yet of the dutch-mens treachery , whose humor well suted this verse : is any free , that may not liue as freely as he list ? let vs liue so , then w' are as free , and bruitish as the best . chap. ix . how wee escaped surprising at pamavnkee . we had no sooner set sayle but powhatan returned , and sent adam and francis ( two stout dutch-men ) to iames towne : who faining to captaine winne that all things were well , and that captaine smith had vse of their armes , wherefore they requested new ( the which were giuen them ) they told him their comming was for some extraordinary tooles , and shift of apparell ; by which colourable excuse they obtained sixe or seauen more to their confederacie , such expert theeues , that presently furnished them with a great many swords , pike-heads , peeces , shot , powder and such like : saluages they had at hand to carry it away , and the next day they returned vnsuspected , leauing their confederates to follow , and in the interim to convay them such things as they could : for which seruice they should liue with powhatan as his chiefe affected , free from those miseries that would happen the colony . samuel their other consort powhatan kept for their pledge , whose diligence had prouided them three hundred of their kinde of hatchets ; the rest fifty swords , eight peeces , and eight pikes . brynton and richard salvage seeing the dutch-men so diligent to accommodate the saluages with weapons , attempted to haue gotten to iames towne , but they were apprehended , and expected euer when to be put to death . within two or three dayes we arriued at pamavnkee , the king as many dayes entertained vs with feasting and much mirth . and the day appointed to beginne our trade , the president , lieutenant percie , mr. west , mr. russell , mr. behethland , mr. crashaw ▪ mr. powell , mr. ford , and some others to the number of fifteene , went vp to opechancanoughs house a quarter of a mile from the riuer ) where wee found nothing but a lame fellow and a boy : and all the houses round about of all things abandoned . not long wee stayed ere the king arriued , and after him came diuerse of his people loaden with bowes and arrowes : but such pinching commodities , and those esteemed at such a value , as our captaine began with the king after this manner . opechancanough , the great loue you professe with your tongue , seemes meere deceit by your actions . last yeere you kindly fraughted out ship : but now you haue inuited mee to starue with hunger : you know my want , and i your plenty ; of which by some meanes i must haue part : remember it is fit for kings to keepe their promise . here are my commodities ; whereof take your choice , the rest i will proportion fit bargains for your pe●ple . the king seemed kindly to accept his offer , and the better to colour his proiect , sold vs what they had to our owne content , promising the next day more company , better prouided . the barges and pinnace being committed to the charge of mr. phetiplace ; the president with his old fifteene marched vp to the kings house , where wee found foure or fiue men newly arriued , each with a great basket . not long after came the king , who with a strained cheerfulnesse held vs with discourse what paines he had taken to keep his promise ; till mr. russell brought vs in newes that we were all betrayed : for at least seuen hundred saluages well armed , had inuironed the house , and beset the fields . the king coniecturing what russell related , wee could well perceiue how the extremity of his feare bewrayed his intent : whereat some of our company seeming dismaied with the thought of such a multitude ; the captaine encouraged vs to this effect . worthy countrey-men , were the mischiefes of my seeming friends no more then the danger of these enemies , i little cared were they as many more : if you dare doe , but as i. but this is my torment , that if i escape them , our malicious councell with their open mouthed minions , will make me such a peace breaker ( in their opinions in england ) as will breake my necke . i could wish those here , that make these seeme saints , and me an oppressor . but this is the worst of all , wherein i pray you aid mee with your opinions . should wee beginne with them and surprise the king , we cannot keepe him and defend well our selues . if wee should each kill our man , and so proceed with all in the house ; the rest will all fly : then shall wee get no more then the bodies that are slaine , and so starue for victuall . as for their fury it is the least danger , for well you know , being alone assaulted with two or three hundred of them , i made them by the helpe of god compound to saue my life . and wee are sixteene , and they but seauen hundred at the most ; and assure your selues , god will so assist vs , that if you dare stand but to discharge your pieces , the very smoake will bee sufficient to affright them . yet howsoeuer , let vs fight like men , and not die like sheepe : for by that meanes you know god hath oft deliuered mee , and so i trust will now . but first , i will deale with them , to bring it to passe wee may fight for something , and draw them to it by conditions . if you like this motion , promise me you will be valiant . the time not permitting any argument , all vowed to execute whatsoeuer hee attempted , or die : whereupon the captaine in plaine tearmes told the king this . i see opechancanough your plot to murder me , but i feare it not . as yet your men and mine haue done no harme , but by our direction . take therefore your armes , you see mine , my body shall bee as naked as yours : the isle in your riuer is a fit place , if you be contented : and the conquerour ( of vs two ) shall be lord and master ouer all our men . if you haue not enough , take time to fetch more , and bring what number you will ; so euery one bring a basket of corne , against all which i will stake the value in copper , you see i haue but fifteene , and our game shall be , the conquerour take all . the king being guarded with forty or fifty of his chiefe men , seemed kindly to appease smiths suspicion of vnkindnesse , by a great present at the doore , they intreated him to receiue . this was to draw him out of the doore , where the bait was guarded with at least two hundred men , and thirty lying vnder a great tree ( that lay thwart as a barricado ) each his arrow nocked ready to shoot . the president commanded one to go see what what kind of deceit this was , and to receiue the present ; but hee refused to doe it : yet the gentlemen and all the rest were importunate to goe , but he would not permit them , being vexed at that coward : and commanded lieutenant percie , master west , and the rest to make good the house ; master powell and master behethland he commanded to guard the doore , and in such a rage snatched the king by his long locke in the middest of his men , with his pistoll readie bent against his brest . thus he led the trembling king , neare dead with feare amongst all his people : who delivering the captaine his vambrace , bow , and arrowes , all his men were easily intreated to cast downe their armes , little dreaming any durst in that manner haue vsed their king : who then to escape himselfe bestowed his presents in good sadnesse , and causing a great many of them come before him vnarmed , holding the king by the hayre ( as is sayd ) he spake to them to this effect . i see ( you pamavnkees ) the great desire you haue to kill me , and my long suffering your iniuries hath imboldened you to this presumption . the cause i haue forborne your insolencies , is the promise i made you ( before the god i serue ) to be your friend , till you giue me iust cause to be your enemy . if i keepe this vow , my god will keepe me , you cannot hurt me , if i breake it , he will destroy me . but if you shoot but one arrow to shed one drop of bloud of any of my men , or steale the least of these beads , or copper , i spurne here before you with my foot ; you shall see i will not cease revenge ( if once i begin ) so long as i can heare where to finde one of your nation that will not deny the name of pamavnk . i am n●t now at rassaweak halfe drowned with myre , where you tooke me prisoner ; yet then for keeping your promise and your good vsage and saving my life , i so affect you , that your denyals of your trechery , doe halfe perswade me to mistake my selfe . but if i be the marke you ayme at , here i stand , shoot he that dare . you promised to fraught my ship ere i departed , and so you shall , or i meane to load her with your dead carcasses , yet if as friends you will come and trade , i once more promise not to trouble you , except you giue me the first occasion , and your king shall be free and be my friend , for i am not come to hurt him or any of you . vpon this away went their bowes and arrowes , and men , women , and children brought in their commodities : two or three houres they so thronged about the president and so overwearied him , as he retyred himselfe to rest , leauing mr behethland and mr powell to receiue their presents , but some salvages perceiuing him fast asleepe , & the guard somewhat carelesly dispersed , fortie or 〈◊〉 of their choi●e men each with a club , or an english sword in his hand began to enter the house with two or three hundred oth●rs , that pressed to second them . the noyse and hast they made in , did so shake the house they awoke him from his sleepe , and being halfe amazed with this suddaine sight , bet●oke him strait to his sword and target ; mr chrashaw and some others charged in like manner ; whereat they quickly thronged faster backe then before forward . the house thus cleansed , the king and some of his auncients we kept yet with him , who with a long oration , excused this intrusion . the rest of the day was spent with much kindnesse , the companie againe renewing their presents with their best provisions , and whatsoever he gaue them they seemed therewith well contented . now in the meane while since our departure , this hapned at our fort. master scrivener having receiued letters from england to make himselfe either caesar or nothing , he began to decline in his affection to captaine smith , that ever regarded him as himselfe , and was willing to crosse the surprising of powhatan ▪ some certaine daies after the presidents departure , he would needs goe visit the isle of hogs , and tooke with him captaine waldo ( though the president had appointed him to be ready to second his occasions ) with mr anthony gosnoll and eight others ; but so violent was the wind ( that extreame frozen time ) that the boat sunke , but where or how none doth know . the skiff was much over loaden , and would scarce haue liued in that extreame tempest had she beene empty : but by no perswasion he could be diverted , though both waldo and an hundred others doubted as it hapned . the salvages were the first that round their bodies , which so much the more encouraged them to effect their proiects . to advertise the president of this heavie newes , none could be found would vndertake it , but the iorney was often refused of all in the fort , vntill master richard wyffin vndertooke alone the performance thereof . in this iourney he was incountred with many dangers and difficulties in all parts as he passed . as for that night he lodged with powhatan , perceiuing such preparation for warre , not finding the president there : he did assure himselfe some mischiefe was intended . pocahontas hid him for a time , and sent them who pursued him the cleane contrary way to seeke him ; but by her meanes and extraordinry bribes and much trouble in three dayes travell , at length he found vs in the middest of these turmoyles . this vnhappy newes the president swore him to conceale from the company , and so di●●embling his sorrow with the best countenances he could , when the night approched went safely aboord with all his souldiers ; leauing opechancanough at libertie , according to his promise , the better to haue powhatan in his returne . now so extreamely powhatan had threatned the death of his men , if they did not by some meanes kill captaine smith ; that the next day they appointed all the countrey should come to trade vnarmed : yet vnwilling to be trecherous , but that they were constrained , hating fighting with him almost as ill as hanging , such feare they had of bad successe . the next morning the sunne had not long appeared , but the fields appeared covered with people and baskets , to tempt vs on shore : but nothing was to be had without his presence , nor they would not indure the sight of a gun . when the president saw them begin to depart , being vnwilling to loose such a bootie , he so well conceived the pinnace , and his barges with ambuscadoes , as onely with lieutenant percie , mr west , and mr russell , with their armes went on shore ; others he appointed vnarmed to receiue what was brought . the salvages flocked before him in heapes , and the banke serving as a trench for a retreat , he drew them fayre open to his ambuscado's . for he not being to be perswaded to goe visit their king ▪ the king knowing the most of them vnarmed , came to visit him with two or three hundred men , in the forme of two halfe moones ; and with some twentie men , and many women loaden with painted baskets . but when they approached somewhat neare vs , their women and children ●led . for when they had environed and beset the fields in this manner , they thought their purpose sure , yet so trembled with feare as they were scarse able to ●●ck their arrowes : smith standing with his three men ready bent , beholding them till they were within danger of our ambuscado's , who vpon the word di●cov●r●d themselues , and he retyred to the barge . which the salvages no sooner perceived , then away they fled , esteeming their heeles for their best advan●age . that night we sent mr chr●shaw , and mr ford to iames towne to cap. winne ▪ in the way betweene wer●wocomoco and the fort they met foure or fiue of the dutch-mens confederates going to powhatan : the which to excuse those gentlemens suspition of their running to the salvages , returned to the fort and there continued . the salvages hearing our barge goe downe the river in the night , were so terribly affrayde , that we sen● for more men ( we having to much threatned their ruine , and the rasing of th●ir houses , boats , and wires ) that the next day the king sent our captaine a chayne of pearle , to alter his purpose and stay his men : promising though they wanted t●emselues , to fraught our ship and bring it aboord to avoyd suspition . so that fiue or six dayes after , from all parts of the country within ten or twelue myles in the extreame frost and snow , they brought vs provision on their naked backes . yet notwithstanding this kindnesse and trade , had their art and poyson beene sufficient , the president , with mr west , and some others had beene poysoned ; it made them sicke , but exp●ll●d it selfe . wecuttanow , a stout young fellow , knowing he was suspected for bringing this present of poyson , with fortie or fiftie of his chiefe companions ( seeing the president but with a few men at potavneak ) so proudly braued it , as though he expected to incounter a revenge . which the president perceiving in the midst of hi● company , did not onely beate , but spurned him like a dogge , as scorning to doe h●m any worse mischiefe . wherevpon all of them fled into the woods , thinking they had done a great matter to haue so well escaped : and the townsmen remaining presently fraughted our barge to be rid of our companies , framing many ●●c●ses to excuse wecuttanow , ( being sonne to their chiefe king , but po●hatan ) and told vs if we would shew them him that brought the poyson , they would deliver him to vs to punish as we pleased . men may thinke it strange there should be such a stirre for a little corne , but had it beene gold with more ease wee might haue got it ; and had it wanted , the whole colony had starued . wee may be thought very patient to endure all those iniuries , yet onely with fearing them wee got what they had . whereas if we had taken revenge , then by their losse , we should haue lost our selues . we searched also the countries of youghtanund and mattapanient , where the people imparted that little they had with such complaints and teares from the eyes of women and children , as he had beene too cruell to haue beene a christian , that would not haue beene satisfied and moued with compassion . but had this hapned in october , november , and december , when that vnhappie discovery of monacan was made , we might haue fraughted a ship of fortie tuns , and twise as much might haue beene had from the rivers of rapahanock , patawomek , and pawtuaunt . the maine occasion of our thus temporizing with them was , to part friends as we did , to giue the lesse cause of suspition to powhatan to fly , by whom we now returned with a purpose to haue surprised him and his provision . for effecting whereof ( when we came against the towne ) the president sent mr wyffin and mr coe ashore to discover and make way for his intended proiect . but they found that those damned dutch-men had caused powhatan to abandon his new house and werowocomoco , and to carry away all his corne and provision : and the people they found so ill affected , that they were in great doubt how to escape with their liues . so the president finding his intent frustrated , and that there was nothing now to be had , and therefore an vnfit time to revenge their abuses , sent master michael phittiplace by land to iames towne , whether we sayled with all the speed we could ; wee having in this iourney ( for ● . of copper , and ● . of iron & beads ) enough to keepe men six weekes , and every man for his reward a moneths provision extraordinary ( no trade being allowed but for the store ) we got neare ● ● waight of deere suct , and delivered to the cape merchant bushels of corne. those temporizing proceedings to some may seeme too charitable , to such a daily daring trecherous people : to others not pleasing , that we washed not the gr●und with their blouds , nor shewed such strange inventions in mangling , murdering , ransacking , and destroying ( as did the spanyards ) the simple bodies of such ignorant soules ; nor delightfull , because not stuffed with relations of heapes and ioynes of gold and silver , nor such rare commodities , as the portugals and spany●rds found in the east and west indies . the want whereof hath begot vs ( that were the first vndertakers ) no lesse sco●ne and contempt , then the noble conquests and valiant adventures beautified with it , prayse and honour . too much i confesse the world cannot attribute to their ever memorable merit : and to cleare vs from the blind worlds ignorant censure , these few words may suffice any reasonable vnderstanding . it was the spanyards good hap to happen in those parts where were infinite numbers of people , who had manured the ground with that providence , it affoorded victualls at all times . and time had brought them to that perfection , they had the vse of gold and silver , and the most of such commodities as those countries affoorded : so that , what the spanyard got was chiefely the spoyle and pillage of those countrey people , and not the labours of their owne hands . but had those fruitfull countries beene as salvage , as barbarous , as ill peopled , as little planted , laboured , and manured , as virginia : their proper labours it is likely would haue produced as small profit as ours . but had virginia beene peopled , planted , manured , and adorned with such store of precious iewels , and rich commodities as was the indies : then had we not gotten and done as much as by their examples might be expected from vs , the world might then haue traduced vs and our merits , and haue made shame and infamy our recompence and reward . but we chanced in a land even as god made it , where we found onely an idle , improvident , scattered people , ignorant of the knowledge of gold or silver , or any commodities , and carelesse of any thing but from hand to mouth , except bables of no worth ; nothing to incourage vs , but what accidentally we found nature afforded . which ere we could bring to recompence our paines , defray our charges , and satisfie our adventurers ; we were to discover the countrey , subdue the people , bring them to be tractable , civill , and industrious , and teach them trades , that the fruits of their labours might make vs some recompence , or plant such colonies of our owne , that must first make prouision how to liue of themselues , ere they can bring to perfection the commodities of the country : which doubtlesse will be as commodious for england as the west indies for spaine , if it be rightly mannaged : notwithstanding all our home-bred opinions , that will argue the contrary , as formerly some haue done against the spanyards and portugalls . but to conclude , against all rumor of opinion , i onely say this , for those that the three first yeares began this plantation ; notwithstanding all their factions , mutinies , and miseries , so gently corrected , and well prevented : pervse the spanish decades ; the relations of master hackl●● , and tell me how many ever with such small meanes as a barge of tuns , sometimes with seauen , eight , or nine , or but at most , twelue or sixteene men , did ever discover so many fayre and navigable rivers , subiect so many severall kings , people , and nations , to obedience , and contribution , with so little bloudshed . and if in the search of those countries we had hapned where wealth had beene , we had as surely had it as obedience and contribution , but if we haue overskipped it , we will not enuie them that shall find it : yet can we not but lament , it was our fortunes to end when we had but onely learned how to begin , and found the right course how to proceed . by richard wyffin , william phittiplace , ieffrey abbot , and anas todkill . chap. x. how the salvages became subiect to the english. when the ships departed , all the provision of the store ( but that the president had gotten ) was so rotten with the last summers rayne , and eaten with rats and wormes , as the hogges would scarcely eate it . yet it was the souldiers dyet till our returnes , so that we found nothing done , but our victuals spent , and the most part of our tooles , and a good part of our armes conveyed to the salvages . but now casting vp the store , and finding sufficient till the next harvest , the feare of starving was abandoned , and the company divided into tens , fifteens , or as the businesse required ; six houres each day was spent in worke , the rest in pastime and merry exercises , but the vntowardnesse of the greatest number caused the president advise as followeth . countrymen , the long experience of our late miseries , i hope is sufficient to perswade every one to a present correction of himselfe , and thinke not that either my pains , nor the adventurers purses , will ever maintaine you in idlenesse and sloath . i speake not this to you all , for divers of you i know deserue both honour and reward , better then is yet here to be had : but the greater part must be more industrious , or starue , how euer you haue beene heretofore tollerated by the authoritie of the councell , from that i haue often commanded you . you see now that power resteth wholly in my selfe : you must obey this now for a law , that he that will not worke shall not eate ( except by sicknesse he be disabled : ) for the labours of thirtie or fortie honest and industrious men shall not be consumed to maintaine an hundred and fiftie idle loyterers . and though you presume the authoritie here is but a shadow , and that i dare not touch the liues of any but my owne must answer it : the letters patents shall each weeke be read to you , whose contents will tell you the contrary . i would wish you therefore without contempt seeke to obserue these orders set downe , for there are now no more counsellers to protect you , nor curbe my endevours . therefore he that offendeth , let him assuredly expect his due punishment . he made also a table , as a publicke memoriall of every mans deserts , to incourage the good , and with shame to spurre on the rest to amendment . by this many became very industrious , yet more by punishment performed their businesse , for all were so tasked , that there was no excuse could prevaile to deceiue him : yet the dutch-mens consorts so closely convayed them powder , shot , swords , and tooles , that though we could find the defect , we could not finde by whom , till it was too late . all this time the dutch men remaining with powhatan , ( who kindly entertained them to instruct the salvages the vse of our armes ) and their consorts not following them as they expected ; to know the cause , they sent francis their companion , a stout young fellow , disguised like a salvage , to the glasse-house , a place in the woods neare a myle from iames towne ; where was their rendezvous for all their vnsuspected villany . fortie men they procured to lie in ambuscado for captaine smith , who no sooner heard of this dutch-man , but he sent to apprehend him ( but he was gone ) yet to crosse his returne to powhatan , the captaine presently dispatched . shot after him , himselfe returning from the glasse-house alone . by the way he incountred the king of pasp●hegh , a most strong stout salvage , whose perswasions not being able to perswade him to his ambush , seeing him onely armed but with a fau●heon , attempted to haue shot him , but the president prevented his shoot by grapling with him , and the salvage as well prevented him for drawing his faucheon , and perforce bore him into the river to haue drowned him . long they strugled in the water , till the president got such hold on his throat , he had neare strangled the king ; but having drawne his faucheon to cut off his head , seeing how pittifully he begged his life , he led him prisoner to iames towne , and put him in chaynes . the dutch-man ere long was also brought in , whose villany though all this time it was suspected , yet he fayned such a formall excuse , that for want of language captaine winne vnderstood him not rightly , and for their dealings with powhatan , that to saue their liues they were constrained to accommodate his armes , of whom he extreamely complained to haue detained them perforce , and that he made this escape with the hazard of his life , and meant not to haue returned , but was onely walking in the woods to gather walnuts . yet for all this faire tale , there was so small appearance of truth , and the plaine confession of paspahegh of his trechery , he went by the heeles : smith purposing to regaine the dutch-men , by the saving his life . the poore salvage did his best by his daily messengers to powhatan , but all returned that the dutch-men would not returne , neither did powhatan stay them ; and to bring them fiftie myles on his mens backes they were not able . daily this kings wiues , children , and people came to visit him with presents , which he liberally bestowed to make his peace . much trust they had in the presidents promise : but the king finding his guard negligent , though fettered yet escaped . captaine winne thinking to pursue him found such troupes of salvages to hinder his passage , as they exchanged many vollies of shot for flights of arrowes . captaine smith hearing of this in returning to the fort , tooke two salvages prisoners , called kemps and tussore , the two most exact villaines in all the country . with these he sent captaine winne and fiftie choise men , and lieutenant percie , to haue regained the king , and revenged this iniury , and so had done , if they had followed his directions , or beene advised with those two villaines , that would haue betrayed both king & kindred for a peece of copper , but he trifling away the night , the salvages the next morning by the rising of the sunne , braved him to come ashore to fight : a good time both sides let fly at other , but we heard of no hurt , onely they tooke two canowes , burnt the kings house , and so returned to iames towne . the president fearing those bravado's would but incourage the salvages , began againe himselfe to try his conclusions , whereby six or seauen were slaine , as many made prisoners . he burnt their houses , tooke their boats , with all their fishing wires , and planted some of them at iames towne for his owne vse , and now resolved not to cease till he had revenged himselfe of all them had iniured him . but in his iourney passing by paspahegh towards chickahamania , the salvages did their best to draw him to their ambuscadoes ; but seeing him regardlesly passe their country , all shewed themselues in their bravest manner . to try their valours he could not but let fly , and ere he could land , they no sooner knew him , but they threw downe their armes and desired peace . their orator was a lustie young fellow called okaning , whose worthy discourse deserveth to be remembred . and thus it was : captaine smith , my master is here present in the company , thinking it capt. winne , and not you , ( of him he intended to haue beene revenged ) having never offended him . if he hath offended you in escaping your imprisonment , the fishes swim , the foules fly , and the very beasts striue to escape the snare and liue . then blame not him being a man. he would intreat you remember , you being a prisoner , what paines he tooke to saue your life . if since he hath iniured you he was compelled to it : but howsoeuer , you haue revenged it with our too great losse . we perceive and well know you intend to destroy vs , that are here to intreat and desire your friendship , and to enioy our houses and plant our fields , of whose fruit you shall participate : otherwise you will haue the worse by our absence ; for we can plant any where , though with more labour , and we know you cannot liue if you want our harvest , and that reliefe we bring you . if you promise vs peace , we will beleeue you ; if you proceed in revenge we will abandon the country . vpon these tearmes the president promised them peace , till they did vs iniury , vpon condition they should bring in provision . thus all departed goods friends , and so continued till smith left the countrey . arriving at iames towne , complaint was made to the president , that the chickahamanians , who all this while continued trade and seemed our friends , by colour thereof were the onely theeues . and amongst other things a pistoll being stolne and the theefe fled , there was apprehended two proper young fellowes , that were brothers , knowne to be his confederates . now to regaine this pistoll , the one was imprisoned , the other was sent to returne the pistoll againe within twelue houres , or his brother to be hanged . yet the president pittying the poore naked salvage in the dungeon , sent him victuall and some char-coale for a fire : ere midnight his brother returned with the pistoll , but the poore salvage in the dungeon was so smoothered with the smoake he had made , and so pittiously burnt , that wee found him dead . the other most lamentably bewayed his death , and broke forth into such bitter agonies , that the president to quiet him , told him that if hereafter they would not steale , he would make him aliue againe : but he little thought he could be recovered . yet we doing our best with aqua vitae and vineger , it pleased god to restore him againe to life , but so drunke & affrighted , that he seemed lunaticke , the which as much tormented and grieued the other , as before to see him dead . of which maladie vpon promise of their good behaviour , the president promised to recover him : and so caused him to be layd by a fire to sleepe , who in the morning having well slept , had recovered his perfect senses , and then being dressed of his burning , and each a peece of copper giuen them , they went away so well contented , that this was spread among all the salvages for a miracle , that captaine smith could make a man aliue that was dead . another ingenuous salvage of powhatans , having gotten a great bag of powder , and the backe of an armour , at werowocomoco amongst a many of his companions , to shew his extraordinary skill , he did dry it on the backe as he had seene the souldiers at iames towne . but he dryed it so long , they peeping over it to see his skill , it tooke fire , and blew him to death , and one or two more , and the rest so scorched , they had little pleasure to meddle any more with powder . these and many other such pretty accidents , so amazed and affrighted both powhatan , and all his people , that from all parts with presents they desired peace ; returning many stolne things which we never demanded nor thought of ; and after that , those that were taken stealing , both powhatan and his people haue sent them backe to iames towne , to receiue their punishment ; and all the country became absolute as free for vs , as for themselues . chap. xi . what was done in three moneths having victualls . the store devoured by rats , how we liued three moneths of such naturall fruits as the country affoorded . now we so quietly followed our businesse , that in three moneths wee made three or foure last of tarre , pitch , and sope ashes ; produced a tryall of glasse ; made a well in the fort of excellent sweet water , which till then was wanting ; built some twentie houses ; recovered our church ; provided nets and wires for fishing ; and to stop the disorders of our disorderly theeues , and the salvages , built a blockhouse in the neck of our isle , kept by a garrison to entertaine the saluages trade , and none to passe nor repasse saluage nor christian without the presidents order . thirtie or forty acres of ground we digged and planted . of three sowes in eighteene moneths , increased , and od piggs . and neere . chickings brought vp themselues without hauing any meat giuen them : but the hogs were transported to hog●isle : where also we built a block-house with a garison to giue vs notice of any shipping , and for their exercise they made clapbord and waynicot , and cut downe trees . we built also a fort for a retreat neere a conuement riuer vpon a high commanding hill , very hard to be assalted and easie to be defended , but ere it was finished this defect caused a stay . in searching our casked corne , we found it halfe rotten , and the rest so consumed with so many thousands of rats that increased so fast , out there originall was from the ships , as we knew not how to keepe that little we had . this did driue vs all to our wits end , for there was nothing in the country but what nature afforded . vntill this time kemps and tassore were fettered prisoners , and did double taske and taught vs how to order and plant our fields : whom now for want of victuall we set at liberty , but so well they liked our companies they did not desire to goe from vs. and to expresse their loues for . dayes continuance , the countrie people brought vs ( when least ) . a day , of squirrils , turkyes , deere and other wilde beasts : but this want of corne occasioned the end of all our works , it being worke sufficient to provide victuall . . or . with ensigne laxon was sent downe the riuer to liue vpon oysters , and . with liutenant percy to try for fishing at poynt comfort ● but in six weekes they would not agree once to cast out the net , he being sicke and burnt fore with gun-pouder . master west with as many went vp to the falls , but nothing could be found but a few acornes ; of that in store euery man had their equall proportion . till this present , by the hazard and indeuours of some thirtie or fortie , this whole colony had ever beene fed . we had more sturgeon , then could be deuoured by dog and man , of which the industrious by drying and pounding , mingled with caviar● , sorell and other wholesome hearbes would make bread and good meate : others would gather as much tockwhogh roots , in a day as would make them bread a weeke , so that of those wilde fruites , and what we caught , we liued very well in regard of such a diet , but such was the strange condition of some , that had they not beene forced nolens , volens , perforce to gather and prepare their victuall they would all haue starued or haue eaten one another . of those wild fruits the salvages often brought vs , and for that , the president would not fullfill the vnreasonable desire , of those distracted gluttonous loyterers , to sell not only out kettles , how 's , tooles , and iron , nay swords , pieces , and the very ordnance and howses , might they haue prevayled to haue beene but idle : for those saluage fruites , they would haue had imparted all to the saluages , especially for one basket of corne they heard of to be at powhatās , fifty myles from our fort. though he bought neere halfe of it to satisfie their humors , yet to haue had the other halfe , they would haue sould their soules , though not sufficient to haue kept them a weeke . thousands were there exclamations , suggestions and deuises , to force him to those base inventions to haue made it an occasion to abandon the country . want perforce constrained him to indure their exclaiming follies , till he found out the author , one dyer a most crafty fellow and his ancient maligner , whom he worthily punished , and with the rest he argued the case in this maner . fellow souldiers , i did little thinke any so false to report , or so many to be so simple to be perswaded , that i either intend to starue you , or that powhatan at this present hath corne for himselfe , much lesse for you ; or that i would not haue it , if i knew where it were to be had . neither and i thinke any so malitious as now i see a great many ; yet it shal not so passionate me , but i will doe my best for my most maligner . but dreame no longer of this vaine hope from powhatan , not that i will longer forbeare to force you , from your idlenesse , and punish you if you rayle . but if i finde any more runners for newfoundland with the pinnace , let him assuredly looke to ariue at the gallows . you cannot deny but that by the hazard of my life many a time i haue saued yours , when ( might your owne wills haue preuailed ) you would haue starued ; and will doe still whether i will or noe ; but i protest by that god that made me , since necessitie hath not power to force you to gather for your selues those fruites the earth doth y●eld , you shall not onely gather for your selues , but those that are sicke . as yet i neuer had more from the stor● then the worst of you : and all my english extraordinary prouision that i haue , you shall see me diuide it amongst the sick . and this saluage trash you so scornfully repine at ; being put in your mouthes your stomackes can disgest , if you would haue better you should haue brought it ; and therefore i will take a course you shall prouide what is to be had . the sick shall not starue , but equally share of all our labours ; and he that gathereth not every day as much as i doe , the next day shall be set beyond the riuer , and be banished from the fort as a droue , till he amend his conditions or starue . but some would say with seneca . i know those things thou sayst are true good nurse , but fury forceth me to follow worse . my man is burried headlong vp and downe : desiring better counsell , yet finds none . this order many murmured was very cruell , but it caused the most part so well ●●●tirre themselues , that of . ( ●xcept they were drowned ) there died not past seuen as : for captaine winne and master leigh they were dead ere this want hapned , and the rest dyed not so , want of ●uch as preserued the rest . many were billetted amongst the saluage , ●h●r●oy we knew all their passages , fields and habitations , how t● gather and vse there fruits as well as themselues ; for they did know wee had such a commanding power at iames towne they durst not wrong vs of a pin . so well those poore salvages vsed vs that were thus billetted , that diuers of the s●uldiers ran away to search kemps & tassore our old prisoners . glad were these salvages to haue such an oportunity to testifie their loue vnto vs , for in stead of entertaining them , and such things as they had stollen , with all their great offers , and promises they made them how to reuenge their iniuryes vpon captaine smith ; kemps first mad● himselfe sport , in shewing his countrie men ( ●y them ) how he was vsed , feeding ●ē with this law , who would not work must not eat , till they were neere starued in ●●●de , continually threatning to beate them to death : neither could they get from him , till hee and his consorts brought them perforce to our captaine , that so well contented him and punished them , as many others that intended also to follow them , were rather contented to labour at home , then aduenture to liue idl●ly amongst the salvages ; ( of whom there was more hope to make better christians 〈◊〉 good subiects , then the one halfe of those that counterfeited themselues both . ) for so affraide was 〈◊〉 those kings and the better sort of the people to displease vs , that some of the baser sort that we haue extreamly hurt and punished for there villanies would hire vs , we should not tell it to their kings , or countrymen , who would also repunish them , and yet returne them to iames towne to content the president for a testimony of their loues . master sicklemore well returned from chawwonoke ; but found little hope and lesse certaintie of them were left by sir walter raleigh . the riuer , he saw was not great , the people few , the countrey most over growne with pynes , where there did grow here and there straglingly pemminaw , we call silke grasse . but by the riuer the ground was good , and exceeding furtill ; master nathanael powell and anas todkill were also by the quiyoughquohanocks conducted to the mangoags to search them there : but nothing could they learne but they were all dead . this honest proper good promise keeping king , of all the rest did euer best affect vs , and though to his false gods he was very zealous , yet he would confesse our god as much exceeded his as our gunns did his bow and arrowes , often sending our president may presents , to pray to his god for raine or his corne would perish , for his gods were angry . three dayes iorney they conducted them through the wood● , into a high country towards the s●●thwest : ●here they saw here and there a little c●rne fi●●d , by some little spring or smal brooke , but no riuer they could see : the pe●●le in all re●pects like the rest , except there language : they liue most vpon rootes , fruites and wilde beast● ; and trade with them towards the sea and the fatter countryes for dryed fish and corne , for sk●ns . all this time to recouer the dutch-men and one bentley another fugitiue , we imployed one willi●m volday , a zwitzar by birth , with pardons & promises to regaine them . little we then suspected this double villaine of any villany ; who plainly taught vs , in the most trust was the greatest treason ; for this wicked hypocrite , by the seeming hate he bore to the lewd conditions of his cursed country men , ( hauing this oportunity by his imployment to regaine them ) conuayed them euery thing they desired to e●fect their proiects , to distroy the colony . with much deuotion they expected the spaniard , to whom they intended good seruice , or any other , that would but carry them from vs. but to begin with the ●●rst oportunity ; th●● se●ing necessitie thus inforced vs to disperse our selues , importuned powhatan to lend them but his forces , and they would not onely distroy our hoggs , fire our towne , and betray our pinnace ; but bring to his seruice and subiection the most of our company . with this plot they had acquainted many discontents , and many were agreed to their deuilish practise . but one thomas douse , and thomas mallard ( whose christian hearts relented at such an vnchristian act ) voluntarily reuealed it to captaine smith , who caused them to conceale it , perswading ●ouse and mallard to proceed in their confedracie : onely to bring the irreclamable dutch men and the inconstant salvages in such a maner amongst such ambuscado's as he had prepared ▪ that not many of thē should returne from our peninsula . but this brute cōming to the ●ares of the impatiēt multitude they so importuned the president to cut off those dutch men , as amongst many that offred to cut their throats bef●re the face of powhatā , the first was lieutenāt percy , and mr. iohn cuderington , two gentlemen of as bold resolute spirits as could possibly be foūd . but the presidēt had occasiō of other imploiment for them , & gaue gaue way to master wyffin and sarieant ieffrey abbot , to goe and stab them or shoot them . but the dutch men made such excuses , accusing velday whom they supposed had reuealed their proiect , as abbot would not , yet wyffing would , perceiuing it but deceit . the king vnderstanding of this their imployment , sent presently his messengers to captaine smith to signifie it was not his fault to detaine them , nor hinder his men from executing his command : nor did he nor would he mantaine them , or any to occasion his disple●sure . but whilst this businesse was in hand , arriued one captaine argall , and master thomas sedan , sent by master cornelius to truck with the colony , and fish for sturgeon , with a ship well furnished , with wine and much other good provision . though it was not sent vs , our necessities was such as inforced vs to take it . he brought vs newes of a great supply and preparation for the lord la woore , with letters that much taxed our president for his heard dealing with the salvages , and not returning the shippes fraughted . notwithstanding we kept this ship tell the fleere arriued . true it is argall lost his voyage , but we renictualled him , and sent him for england , with a true relation of the causes of our defailments , and how imposible it was to returne that wealth they expected , or obserue there instructions to indure the salvages insolencies , or doe any thing to any purpose , except they would send vs men and meanes that could produce that they so much desired : otherwises all they did was lost , and could not but come to confusion . the villany of volday we still dissembled . adam vpon his pardon came home but samuell still stayed with powhahan to heare further of their estates by this supply . now all their plots simth so well vnderstood ; they were his best advantages to secure vs from any trechery , could be done by them or the salvages : which with facility he could revenge when he would , because all those countryes more feared him then powhatan , and hee had such parties with all his bordering neighbours : and many of the rest for loue or feare would haue done any thing he would haue them , vpon any commotion , though these fugitiues had done all they could to perswade powhatan , king iames would kill smith , for vsing him and his people so vnkindly . by this you may see for all those crosses , trecheries , and dissentions , how hee wrestled and overcame ( without bloudshed ) all that happened : also what good was done ; how few dyed ; what food the countrey naturally affoordeth ; what small cause there is men should starue , or be murthered by the salvages , that haue discretion to mannage them with courage and industrie . the two first yeares , though by his adventures , he had oft brought the salvages to a tractable trade , yet you see how the envious authoritie ever crossed him , and frustrated his best endevours . but it wrought in him that experience and estimation amongst the salvages , as otherwise it had bin impossible , he had ever effected that he did . notwithstanding the many miserable , yet generous and worthy adventures , he had oft and long endured in the wide world , yet in this case he was againe to learne his lecture by experience . which with thus much adoe having obtained , it was his ill chance to end , when he had but onely learned how to begin . and though he left those vnknowne difficulties ( made easie and familiar ) to his vnlawfull successors , ( who onely by liuing in iames towne , presumed to know more then all the world could direct them : ) now though they had all his souldiers , with a tripple power , and twice tripple better meanes ; by what they haue done in his absence , the world may see what they would haue done in his presence , had he not prevented their indiscretions : it doth iustly proue , what cause he had to send them for england , and that he was neither factious , mutinous , nor dishonest . but they haue made it more plaine since his returne for england ; having his absolute authoritie freely in their power , with all the advantages and opportunitie that his labours had effected . as i am sorry their actions haue made it so manifest , so i am vnwilling to say what reason doth compell me , but onely to make apparant the truth , least i should seeme partiall , reasonlesse , and malicious . chapter xii . the arrivall of the third supply . to redresse those jarres and ill proceedings , the treasurer , councell , and company of virginia , not finding that returne , and profit they expected ; and them ingaged there , not having meanes to subsist of themselues , made meanes to his maiestie , to call in their commission , and take a new in their owne names , as in their owne publication , . you may ●eade at large . having thus annihilated the old by vertue of a commission made to the right honourable , sir thomas west , lord de la warre , to be generall of virginia ; sir thomas gates , his lieutenant ; sir george somers , admirall ; sir thomas dale , high marshall ; sir fardinando wainman , generall of the horse ; and so all other offices to many other worthy gentlemen , for their liues : ( though not any of them had ever beene in virginia , except captaine newport , who was also by patent made vice-admirall : ) those noble gentlemen drew in such great summes of money , that they sent sir thomas gates , sir george somers , and captaine newport with nine shippes , and fiue hundred people , who had each of them a commission , who first arrived to call in the old , without the knowledge or consent of them , that had endured all those former dangers to beat the path , not any regard had at all of them . all things being ready , because those three captaines could not agree for place , it was concluded they should goe all in one ship , so all their three commissions were in that ship with them called the sea-venture . they set sayle from england in may . a small catch perished at sea in a hericano : the admirall with an hundred and fiftie men , with the two knights , and their new commission , their bils of loading , with all manner of directions , and the most part of their provision arrived not . with the other seaven ships as captaines arrived ratliffe , whose right name ( as is sayd ) was sicklemore , martin , and archer , with captaine wood , captaine webbe , captaine moone , captaine king , captaine davis , and divers gentlemen of good meanes , and great parentage . but the first as they had beene troublesome at sea , began againe to marre all ashore : for though ( as is said ) they were formerly sent for england , yet now returning againe , graced by the titles of captaines of the passengers , seeing the admirall wanting , and great probabilitie of her losse , strengthened themselues with those new companies , so exclaiming against captaine smith , that they mortally hated him ere ever they saw him . who vnderstanding by his scouts the arrivall of such a fleet , little dreaming of any such supply , supposed them spanyards . but he quickly so determined and ordered our affaires , as we little feared their arrivall , nor the successe of our incounter ; nor were the salvages any way negligent for the most part , to ayd and assist vs with their best power . had it so beene we had beene happy ; for we would not haue trusted them but as our foes , where receiuing them as our countreymen and friends , they did what they could to murther our president , to surprise the store , the fort , and our iudgings , to vsurpe the government , and make vs all their servants and slaues , till they could consume vs and our remembrance ; and rather indeed to supplant vs then supply vs , as master william box an honest gentleman in this voyage thus relateth . in the tayle of a hericano wee were separated from the admirall , which although it was but the remainder of that storme , there is seldome any such in england , or those northerne parts of europe . some lost their masts , some their sayles blowne from their yards ; the seas so over-raking our ships , much of our prouision was spoyled , our fleet separated , and our men sicke , and many dyed , and in this miserable estate we arrived in virginia . but in this storme , when ratling thunder ran along the clouds ; did not the saylers poore , and masters proud a terror feele as strucke with feare of god ? did not their trembling ioynts then dread his rod ? least for foule deeds and black mouth'd blasphemies , the rufull time be come that vengeance cryes . to a thousand mischiefes those lewd captaines led this lewd company , wherein were many vnruly gallants , packed thither by their friends to escape ill destinies , and those would dispose and determine of the government , sometimes to one , the next day to another ; to day the old commission must rule , to morrow the new , the next day neither , in fine they would rule all , or ruine all : yet in charitie we must endure them thus to destroy vs , or by correcting their follies , haue brought the worlds censure vpon vs to be guiltie of their blouds . happie had we beene had they never arrived , and we for ever abandoned , and as we were left to our fortunes : for on earth for the number was never more confusion , or misery , then their factions occasioned . the president seeing the desire those braues had to rule ; seeing how his authoritie was so vnexpectedly changed , would willingly haue left all , and haue returned for england . but seeing there was small hope this new commission would arriue , longer he would not suffer those factious spirits to proceede . it would be too tedious , too strange , and almost incredible ; should i particularly relate the infinite dangers , plots , and practices , he daily escaped amongst this factious crew ; the chiefe whereof he quickly layd by the heeles , till his leasure better served to doe them iustice : and to take away all occasions of further mischiefe , master percie had his request granted to returne for england , being very sicke ; and mr west with an hundred and twentie of the best he could chuse , he sent to the f●lles ; martin with neare as many to nandsamund , with their due proportions of all provisions according to thir numbers . now the presidents yeare being neare expired , he made captaine martin president to follow the order for the election of a president every yeare : but he knowing his owne insufficiency , and the companies vntowardnesse and little regard of him , within three houres after resigned it againe to captaine smith , and at nandsamund thus proceeded . the people being contributers vsed him kindly ; yet such was his iealous feare , in the midst of their mirth , he did surprise this poore naked king , with his monuments , houses , and the isle he inhabited , and there fortified himselfe ; but so apparantly distracted with feare , as imboldened the salvages to assault him , kill his men , release their king , gather and carry away a thousand bushels of corne , he not once offering to intercept them ; but sent to the president then at the falles for thirtie good shot ; which from iames towne immediately was sent him . but he so well imployed them they did iust nothing , but returned complaining of his tendernesse : yet he came away with them to iames towne , leauing his company to their fortunes . here i cannot omit the courage of george forrest , that had seauenteene arrowes sticking in him , and one shot through him , yet liued sixe or seauen dayes , as if he had small hurt , then for want of chirurgery dyed . master west having seated his men by the falles , presently returned to reuisit iames towne : the president followed him to see that company seated ; met him by the way , wondering at his so quicke returne ; and found his company planted so inconsiderately , in a place not onely subiect to the rivers invndation , but round invironed with many intollerable inconueniences . for remedie whereof he presently sent to powhatan to sell him the place called powhatan , promising to defend him against the monacans . and these should be his conditions ( with his people ) to resigne him the fort and houses , and all that countrey for a proportion of copper ; that all stealing offenders should be sent him , thereto receiue their punishment ; that every house as a custome should pay him a bushell of corne for an inch square of copper , and a proportion of pocones , as a yearely tribute to king iames for their protection , as a dutie ; what else they could spare to barter at their best discretions . but both this excellent place and those good conditions did those furies refuse , contemning both him , his kinde care and authoritie . so much they depended on the lord generals new commission , as they regarded none : the worst they could doe to shew their spights they did ; supposing all the monacans country , gold ; and none should come there but whom they pleased . i doe more then wonder to thinke how onely with fiue men , he either durst or would adventure as he did , ( knowing how greedie they were of his bloud ) to land amongst them , and commit to imprisonment all the chi●ftaines of those mutinies , till by their multitudes being an hundred and twentie they forced him to retyre : yet in that interim he surprised one of their boates , wherewith he returned to their ship ; where in deed was their prouision , which also he tooke , and well it chanced he found the marriners so tractable and constant , or there had beene small possibilitie he had ever escaped . there were divers other of better reason and experience , that from their first landing , hearing the generall good report of his old souldiers , and seeing with their eyes his actions so well mannaged with discretion , as captaine wood , captaine webbe , cap. moone , captaine fitz iames , master william powell , master partridge , master white , and divers others , when they perceiued the malice of ratliffe and archer , and their faction , left their companies , and ever rested his faithfull friends . but the worst was that the poore salvages , that daily brought in their contribution to the president , that disorderly company so tormented those poore soules , by stealing their corne , robbing their gardens , beating them , breaking their houses and keeping some prisoners ; that they daily complained to captaine smith , he had brought them for protectors , worse enemies then the monacans themselues : which though till then , for his loue they had endured , they desired pardon if hereafter they defended themselues ; since he would not correct them , as they had long expected he would . so much they importuned him to punish their misdemeanors , as they offered ( if he would leade them ) to fight for him against them . but having spent nine dayes in seeking to reclaime them ; shewing them how much they did abuse themselues with these great guilded hopes of the south sea mines , commodities , or victories , they so madly conceived ; then seeing nothing would prevaile , he set sayle for iames towne . thus oft we see from small greene wounds , and from a little griefe , a greater sore and sicknesse growes , then will admit reliefe : for thus themselues they did be guile , and with the rest play'd theefe . now no sooner was the ship vnder sayle , but the salvages assaulted those hundred and twentie in their fort , finding some stragling abroad in the woods : they slew many , and so affrighted the rest , as their prisoners escaped , and they safely retyred , with the swords and cloakes of those they had slaine . but ere wee had sayled halfe a league , our ship grounding , gaue vs once more libertie to summon them to a parley ; where we found them all so strangely amazed with this poore silly assault of twelue saluages , that they submitted themselues vpon any tearmes to the presidents mercy ; who presently put by the heeles sixe or seauen of the chiefe offenders : the rest he seated gallantly at powhatan , in that salvage fort , readie built , and prettily fortified with poles and barkes of trees , sufficient to haue defended them from all the salvages in virginia , dry houses for lodgings and neere two hundred accres of ground ready to be planted , and no place we knew so strong , so pleasant and delightfull in virginia for which we called it non-such . the salvages also hee presently appeased , redeliuering to either party their former losses . thus all were friends . new officers appointed to command , and the president againe ready to depart , at that instant arriued captaine west , whose gentle nature ( by the perswasions and compassion of those mutinous prisoners , alledging they had onely done this for his honor ) was so much abused , that to regaine their old hopes , new turboyles did arise . for they a-shore being possessed of all there victuall , munition , and euery thing , grew to that height in their former factions , as the president left them to their fortunes : they returned againe to the open ayre at wests fort , abandoning non such , and he to iames towne with his best expedition , but this hapned him in that iourney . sleeping in his boate , ( for the ship was returned two daies before ) accidentallie , one fired his powder-bag , which tore the flesh from his body and thighes , nine or ten inches square in a most pittifull manner ; but to quench the tormenting fire , frying him in his cloaths he leaped over-boord into the deepe river , where ere they could recouer him he was neere drowned . in this estate without either chirurgian , or chirurgery he was to goe neere an hundred myles . arriving at iames towne , causing all things to be prepared for peace or warres to obtaine provision , whilest those things were providing , ratliffe , archer , & the rest of their confederates , being to come to their trials ; their guiltie consciences , fearing a iust reward for their deserts , seeing the president , vnable to stand , and neere berest of his senses by reason of his torment , they had plotted to haue murdered him in his bed . but his heart did faile him that should haue giuen fire to that mercilesse pistoll . so not finding that course to be the best , they ioyned together to vsurpe the government , thereby to escape their punishment . the president , had notice of their proiects , the which to withstand , though his old souldiers importuned him but permit them to take their heads that would resist his command , yet he would not suffer them , but sent for the masters of the ships , and tooke order with them for his returne for england . seeing there was neither chirurgian , nor chirurgery in the fort to cur● his hurt , and the ships to depart the next day , his commission to be suppressed he knew not why , himselfe and souldiers to be rewarded he knew not how , and a new commission granted they knew not to whom ( the which disabled that authority he had , as made them presume so oft to those mutinies as they did : ) besides so grievous were his wounds , and so cruell his torments ( few expecting he could liue ) nor was hee able to follow his busines to regaine what they had lost , suppresse those factions , and range the countries for provision as he intended ; and well he knew in those affaires his owne actions and presence was as requisit as his directions , which now could not be , he went presently abroad , resoluing there to appoint them governours , and to take order for the mutiners , but he could finde none hee thought fit for it would accept it . in the meane time , seeing him gone , they perswaded master percy to stay , who was then to goe for england , and be their president . within lesse then an houre was this mutation begun and concluded . for when the company vnderstood smith would leaue them , & saw the rest in armes called presidents & councellors , divers began to fawne on those new commanders , that now bent all their wits to get him resigne them his commission : who after much adoe and many bitter repulses ; that their confusion ( which he ●ould them was at their elbowes ) should not be attributed to him , for leauing the colony without a commission , he was not vnwilling they should steale it , but never would he giue it to such as they . and thus , strange violent forces drew vs on vnwilling : reason perswading 'gainst our loues rebelling . we saw and knew the better , ah curse accurst ! that notwithstanding we imbrace the worst . but had that vnhappie blast not hapned , he would quickly haue qualified the heate of those humors , and factions , had the ships but once left them and vs to our fortunes ; and haue made that provision from among the salvages , as we neither feared spanyard , salvage , nor famine ; nor would haue left virginia , nor our lawfull authoritie , but at as deare a price as we had bought it , and payd for it . what shall i say but thus , we left him , that in all his proceedings , made iustice his first guide , and experience his second , even hating basenesse , sloath , pride , and indignitie , more then any dangers ; that neuer allowed more for himselfe , then his souldiers with him ; that vpon no danger would send them where he would not lead them himselfe ; that would never see vs want , what he either had , or could by any meanes get vs ; that would rather want then borrow , or starue then not pay ; that loued action more then words , and hated falshood and covetousnesse worse then death ; whose adventures were our liues , and whose losse our deaths . leaving vs thus with three ships , seaven boats , commodities readie to trade , the harvest newly gathered , ten weeks provision in the store , foure hundred nintie and od persons , twentie-foure peeces of ordnance , three hundred muskets , snaphances , and firelockes , shot , powder , and match sufficient , curats , pikes , swords , and morrios , more then men ; the salvages , their language , and habitations well knowne to an hundred well trayned and expert souldiers ; nets for fishing ; tooles of all sorts to worke ; apparell to supply our wants ; six mares and a horse ; fiue or sixe hundred swine ; as many hennes and chickens ; some goats ; some sheepe ; what was brought or bred there remained . but they regarding nothing but from hand to mouth , did consume that wee had , tooke care for nothing , but to perfect some colourable complaints against captaine smith . for effecting whereof three weekes longer they stayed the ships , till they could produce them . that time and charge might much better haue beene spent , but it suted well with the rest of their discretions . besides iames towne that was strongly pallizadoed , containing some fiftie or sixtie houses , he left fiue or sixe other severall forts and plantations : though they were not so sumptuous as our successors expected , they were better then they provided any for vs. all this time we had but one carpenter in the countrey , and three others that could doe little , but desired to be learners : two blacksmiths ; two saylers , & those we write labourers were for most part footmen , and such as they that were adventurers brought to attend them , or such as they could perswade to goe with them , that neuer did know what a dayes worke was , except the dutch-men and poles , and some dozen other . for all the rest were poore gentlemen , tradsmen , serving-men , libertines , and such like , ten times more fit to spoyle a common-wealth , then either begin one , or but helpe to maintaine one . for when neither the feare of god , nor the law , nor shame , nor displeasure of their friends could rule them here , there is small hope ever to bring one in twentie of them ever to be good there . notwithstanding , i confesse divers amongst them , had better mindes and grew much more industrious then was expected : yet ten good workemen would haue done more substantiall worke in a day , then ten of them in a weeke . therefore men may rather wonder how we could doe so much , then vse vs so badly , because we did no more , but leaue those examples to make others beware , and the fruits of all , we know not for whom . but to see the justice of god vpon these dutch-men ; valdo before spoke of , made a shift to get for england , where perswading the merchants what rich mines he had found , and great service he would doe them , was very well rewarded , and returned with the lord la warre : but being found a meere impostor , he dyed most miserably . adam and francis his two consorts were fled againe to powhatan , to whom they promised at the arrivall of my lord , what wonders they would doe , would he suffer them but to goe to him . but the king seeing they would be gone , replyed ; you that would haue betrayed captaine smith to mee , will certainely betray me to this great lord for your peace : so caused his men to beat out their braines . to conclude , the greatest honour that ever belonged to the greatest monarkes , was the inlarging their dominions , and erecting common-weales . yet howsoever any of them haue attributed to themselues , the conquerors of the world : there is more of the world never heard of them , then ever any of them all had in subiection : for the medes , persians , and assyrians , never conquered all asia , nor the grecians but part of europe and asia . the romans indeed had a great part of both , as well as affrica : but as for all the northerne parts of europe and asia the interior southern and westerne parts of affrica , all america & terra incognita , they were all ignorant : nor is our knowledge yet but superficiall . that their beginnings , ending , and limitations were proportioned by the almightie is most evident : but to consider of what small meanes many of them haue begun is wonderfull . for some write that even rome her selfe , during the raigne of romulus , exceeded not the number of a thousand houses . and carthage grew so great a potentate , that at first was but incirculed in the thongs of a bulls skinne , as to fight with rome for the empire of the world . yea venice at this time the admiration of the earth , was at first but a marish , inhabited by poore fishermen . and likewise ninivie , thebes , babylon , delus , troy , athens , mycena and sparta , grew from small beginnings to be most famous states , though now they retaine little more then a naked name . now this our yong common-wealth in virginia , as you haue read once consisted but of persons , and in two yeares increased but to . yet by this small meanes so highly was approved the plantation in virginia , as how many lords , with worthy knights , and braue gentlemen pretended to see it , and some did , and now after the expence of fifteene yeares more , and such massie summes of men and money , grow they disanimated ? if we truely consider our proceedings with the spanyards , and the rest , we haue no reason to despayre , for with so small charge , they never had either greater discoveries , with such certaine tryals of more severall commodities , then in this short time hath beene returned from virginia , and by much lesse meanes . new england was brought out of obscuritie , and affoorded fraught for neare sayle of ships , where there is now erected a braue plantation . for the happines of summer isles , they are no lesse then either , and yet those haue had a far lesse , and a more difficult beginning , then either rome , carthage , or venice . written by richard pots , clarke of the councell , william tankard , and g.p. new seeing there is thus much paper here to spare , that you should not be altogether clered with prose ; such verses as my worthy friends bestowed vpon new england , i here present you , because with honestie i can neither reiect , nor omit their courtesies . in the deserued honour of the author , captaine iohn smith , and his worke. damn'd envie is a sp'rite , that ever haunts beasts , mis-nam'd men ; cowards , or ignorants . but , onely such shee followes , whose deare worth ( maugre her malice ) sets their glory forth . if this faire overture , then , take not ; it is envie 's spight ( deare friend ) in men of-wit ; or feare , lest morsels , which our mouths possesse , might fall from thence ; or else , t is sottishnesse . if either ; ( i hope neither ) thee they raise ; thy * letters are as letters in thy praise ; who , by their vice , improue ( when they reprooue ) thy vertue ; so , in hate , procure thee loue. then , on firme worth : this monument i frame ; scorning for any smith to forge such fame . iohn davies , heref : to his worthy captaine the author . that which wee call the subiect of all storie , is truth : which in this worke of thine giues glorie to all that thou hast done . then , scorne the spight of envie ; which doth no mans merits right . my sword may helpe the rest : my pen no more can doe , but this ; i 'aue said enough before . your sometime souldier , i. codrinton , now templer . to my worthy friend and cosen , captaine iohn smith ▪ it over-ioyes my heart , when as thy words of these designes , with deeds i doe compare . here is a booke , such worthy truth affords , none should the due desert thereof impare : sith thou , the man , deserving of these ages , much paine hast ta'en for this our kingdomes good , in climes vnknowne , 'mongst turks and salvages , t' inlarge our bounds ; though with thy losse of blood . hence damn'd detraction : stand not in our way . envie , it selfe , will not the truth gainesay . n. smith . in the deserved honour of my honest and worthy captaine , iohn smith , and his worke. captaine and friend ; when i pervse thy booke ( with iudgements eyes ) into my heart i looke : and there i finde ( what sometimes albion knew ) a souldier , to his countries-honour , true . some fight for wealth ; and some for emptie praise ; but thou alone thy countries fame to raise . with due discretion , and vndanted heart , i ( oft ) so well haue seene thee act thy part in deepest plunge of hard extreamitie , as forc't the troups of proudest foes to flie . though men of greater ranke and lesse desert would pish-away thy praise , it can not start from the true owner : for , all good mens tongues shall keepe the same . to them that part belongs . if , then , wit , courage , and successe should get thee fame ; the muse for that is in thy debt : a part whereof ( least able though i be ) thus here i doe disburse , to honor thee . raleigh crashaw . michael phettiplace , wil : phettiplace , and richard wiffing , gentlemen , and souldiers vnder captaine smiths command : in his deserved honour for his worke , and worth. vvhy may not wee in this worke haue our mite , that had our share in each black day and night , when thou virginia foild'st , yet kept'st vnstaind ; and held'st the king of paspeheh exchaind . thou all alone this salvage sterne didst take . pamavnkees king wee saw thee captiue make among seauen hundred of his stoutest men , to murther thee and vs resolved ; when fast by the hayre thou ledst this salvage grins ; thy pistoll at his breast to governe him : which did infuse such awe in all the rest ( sith their drad soveraigne thou had'st so distrest ) that thou and wee ( poore sixteene ) safe retir'd vnto our helplesse ships . thou ( thus admir'd ) didst make proud powhatan , his subiects send to iames his towne , thy censure to attend : and all virginia's lords , and pettie kings , aw'd by thy vertue , crouch , and presents brings to gaine thy grace ; so dreaded thou hast beene : and yet a heart more milde is seldome seene ; so , making valour vertue , really ; who hast nought in thee counterfeit , or slie ; if in the sleight be not the truest art , that make's men famoused for faire desert . who saith of thee , this sauors of vaine glorie , mistakes both thee and vs , and this true storie . if it be ill in thee , so well to doe ; then , is ill in vs , to praise thee too . but , if the first be well done ; it is well , to say it doth ( if so it doth ) excell . praise is the guerdon of each deare desert making the praised act the praised part with more alacritie : honours spurre is praise ; without which , it ( regardlesse ) soone decaies . and for this paines of thine wee praise thee rather ▪ that future times may know who was the father of that rare worke ( new england ) which may bring , praise to thy god , and profit to thy king. the summer ils. the tribes ar signifyed by these figurs . sands . southampton . warwick . padget . pembrok . cauendish . smith . hambleton . st catherins forte f pembroks forte k kings castell m southampton forte l devonshire redute o a scale of miles st george towne d warwicks forte e the bridges a.b.c. p riches mount state house the letters a.b.c. shew the sittuation of the bridges p the mount. d.e.f.g.h.i.k.l.m.n.o. the forts how and by whom they wer made the history will shew you . the discription of the land by mr norwood . all contracted into this order by captaine iohn smith . smiths forte i pagets forte h penistons redoute g charles forte n printed by iames reeve the fovrth booke . to make plaine the trve proceedings of the historie for . we must follow the examinations of doctor simons , and two learned orations published by the companie ; with the relation of the right honourable the lord de la ware. what happened in the first gouernment after the alteration in the time of captaine george piercie their gouernour . the day before captaine smith returned for england with the ships , captaine dauis arriued in a small pinace , with some sixteene proper men more : to these were added a company from iames towne , vnder the command of captaine iohn sickelmore alias ratliffe , to inhabit point comfort . captaine martin and captaine west , hauing lost their boats and neere halfe their men among the saluages , were returned to iames towne ; for the saluages no sooner vnderstood smith was gone , but they all reuolted , and did spoile and murther all they incountered . now wee were all constrained to liue onely on that smith had onely for his owne companie , for the rest had consumed their proportions , and now they had twentie presidents with all their appurtenances : master piercie our new president , was so sicke hee could neither goe nor stand . but ere all was consumed , captaine west and captaine sickelmore , each with a small ship and thirtie or fortie men well appointed , sought abroad to trade . sickelmore vpon the confidence of powhatan , with about thirtie others as carelesse as himselfe , were all slaine , onely ieffrey shortridge escaped , and pokahontas the kings daughter saued a boy called henry spilman , that liued many yeeres after , by her meanes , amongst the patawomekes . powhatan still as he found meanes , cut off their boats , denied them trade , so that captaine west set saile for england . now we all found the losse of captaine smith , yea his greatest maligners could now curse his losse : as for corne , prouision and contribution from the saluages , we had nothing but mortall wounds , with clubs and arrowes ; as for our hogs , hens , goats , sheepe , horse , or what liued , our commanders , officers & saluages daily consumed them , some small proportions sometimes we tasted , till all was deuoured ; then swords , armes , pieces , or any thing , wee traded with the saluages , whose cruell fingers were so oft imbrewed in our blouds , that what by their crueltie , our gouernours indiscretion , and the losse of our ships , of fiue hundred within six moneths after captaine smiths departure , there remained not past sixtie men , women and children , most miserable and poore creatures ; and those were preserued for the most part , by roots , herbes , acornes , walnuts , berries , now and then a little fish : they that had startch in these extremities , made no small vse of it ; yea , euen the very skinnes of our horses . nay , so great was our famine , that a saluage we slew , and buried , the poorer sort tooke him vp againe and eat him , and so did diuers one another boyled and stewed with roots and herbs : and one amongst the rest did kill his wife , powdered her , and had eaten part of her before it was knowne , for which hee was executed , as hee well deserued ; now whether shee was better roasted , boyled or carbonado'd , i know not , but of such a dish as powdered wise i neuer heard of . this was that time , which still to this day we called the staruing time ; it were too vile to say , and scarce to be beleeued , what we endured : but the occasion was our owne , for want of prouidence , industrie and gouernment , and not the barrennesse and defect of the countrie , as is generally supposed ; for till then in three yeeres , for the numbers were landed vs , we had neuer from england prouision sufficient for six moneths , though it seemed by the bils of loading sufficient was sent vs , such a glutton is the sea , and such good fellowes the mariners ; we as little tasted of the great proportion sent vs , as they of our want and miseries , yet notwithstanding they euer ouer-swayed and ruled the businesse , though we endured all that is said , and chiefly liued on what this good countrie naturally afforded ; yet had wee beene euen in paradice it selfe with these gouernours , it would not haue beene much better with vs ; yet there was amongst vs , who had they had the gouernment as captaine smith appointed , but that they could not maintaine it , would surely haue kept vs from those extremities of miseries . this in ten daies more , would haue supplanted vs all with death . but god that would not this countrie should be vnplanted , sent sir thomas gates , and sir george sommers with one hundred and fiftie people most happily preserued by the bermudas to preserue vs : strange it is to say how miraculously they were preserued in a leaking ship , as at large you may reade in the insuing historie of those ilands . the gouernment resigned to sir thomas gates , . when these two noble knights did see our miseries , being but strangers in that countrie , and could vnderstand no more of the cause , but by coniecture of our clamours and complaints , of accusing and excusing one another : they embarked vs with themselues , with the best meanes they could , and abandoning iames towne , set saile for england , whereby you may see the euent of the gouernment of the former commanders left to themselues ; although they had liued there many yeeres as formerly hath beene spoken ( who hindred now their proceedings , captaine smith being gone . ) at noone they fell to the i le of hogs , and the next morning to mulbery point , at what time they descried the long-boat of the lord la ware , for god would not haue it so abandoned . for this honourable lord , then gouernour of the countrie , met them with three ships exceedingly well furnished with all necessaries fitting , who againe returned them to the abandoned iames towne . out of the obseruations of william simmons doctor of diuinitie . the gouernment deuolued to the lord la ware. his lordship arriued the ninth of iune . accompanied with sir ferdinando warnman , captaine houl●roft , captaine lawson , and diuers other gentlemen of sort ; the tenth he came vp with his fleet , went on shore , heard a sermon , read his commission , and entred into consultation for the good of the colonie , in which secret counsell we will a little leaue them , that we may duly obserue the reuealed counsell of god. hee that shall but turne vp his eie , and behold the spangled canopie of heauen , or shall but cast downe his eie , and consider the embroydered carpet of the earth , and withall shall marke how the heauens heare the earth , and the earth the corne and oile , and they relieue the necessities of man , that man will acknowledge gods infinite prouidence : but hee that shall further obserue , how god inclineth all casuall euents to worke the necessary helpe of his saints , must needs adore the lords infinite goodnesse ; neuer had any people more iust cause , to cast themselues at the very foot-●toole of god , and to reuerence his mercie , than this distressed colonie ; for if god had not sent sir thomas gates from the bermudas , within foure daies they had almost beene famished ; if god had not directed the heart of that noble knight to saue the fort from fiering at their shipping , for many were very importunate to haue burnt it , they had beene destitute of a present harbour and succour ; if they had abandoned the fort any longer time , and had not so soone returned , questionlesse the indians would haue destroied the fort , which had beene the meanes of our safeties amongst them and a terror . if they had set saile sooner , and had lanched into the vast ocean , who would haue promised they should haue incountered the fleet of the lord la ware , especially when they made for new found land , as they intended , a course contrarie to our nauie approaching . if the lord la ware had not brought with him a yeeres prouision , what comfort would those poore soules haue receiued , to haue beene relanded to a second distruction ? this was the arme of the lord of hosts , who would haue his people passe the red sea and wildernesse , and then to possesse the land of canaan : it was diuinely sp●ken of heathen socrates , if god for man be carefull , why should man bee ouer-distrustfull ? for he hath so tempered the contrary qualities of the elements , that neither cold things want heat , nor moist things dry , nor sad things spirits , to quicken them thereby , yet make they musicall content of contrarietie , which conquer'd , knits them in such links together , they doe produce euen all this whatsoeuer . the lord gouernour , after mature deliberation , deliuered some few words to the companie , laying iust blame vpon them , for their haughtie vanities and sluggish idlenesse , earnestly intreating them to amend those desperate follies , lest hee should be compelled to draw the sword of iustice , and to cut off such delinquents , which he had rather draw , to the shedding of his vitall bloud , to protect them from iniuries ; heartning them with relation of that store hee had brought with him , constituting officers of all conditions , to rule ouer them , allotting euery man his particular place , to watch vigilantly , and worke painfully : this oration and direction being receiued with a generall applause , you might shortly behold the idle and restie diseases of a diuided multitude , by the vnitie and authoritie of this gouernment to be substantially cured . those that knew not the way to goodnesse before , but cherished singularitie and faction , can now chalke out the path of all respectiue dutie and seruice : euery man endeuoureth to outstrip other in diligence : the french preparing to plant the vines , the english labouring in the woods and grounds ; euery man knoweth his charge , and dischargeth the same with alacritie . neither let any man be discouraged , by the relation of their daily labour ( as though the sap of their bodies should bee spent for other mens profit ) the setled times of working , to effect all themselues , or as the aduenturers need desire , required no more paines than from six of the clocke in the morning , vntill ten , and from two in the afternoone , till foure , at both which times they are prouided of spirituall and corporall reliefe . first , they enter into the church , and make their praiers vnto god , next they returne to their houses and receiue their proportion of food . nor should it bee conceiued that this businesse excludeth gentlemen , whose breeding neuer knew what a daies labour meant , for though they cannot digge , vse the spade , nor practice the axe , yet may the staied spirits of any condition , finde how to imploy the force of knowledge , the exercise of counsell , the operation and power of their best breeding and qualities . the houses which are built , are as warme and defensiue against wind and weather , as if they were tiled and slated , being couered aboue with strong boards , and some matted round with indian mats . our forces are now such as are able to tame the furie and trecherie of the saluages : our forts assure the inhabitants , and frustrate all assaylants . and to leaue no discouragement in the heart of any , who personally shall enter into this great action , i will communicate a double comfort ; first , sir george sommers , that worthy admirall hath vndertaken a dangerous aduenture for the good of the colonie . vpon the . of iune , accompanied with captaine samuel argall , hee returned in two pinaces vnto the bermudas , promising ( if by any meanes god will open a way to that iland of rocks ) that he would soone returne with six moneths prouision of flesh ; with much crosse weather at last hee there safely arriued , but captaine argall was forced backe againe to iames towne , whom the lord de la ware not long after sent to the riuer of patawomeke , to trade for corne ; where finding an english boy , one henry spilman , a young gentleman well descended , by those people preserued from the furie of powhatan , by his acquaintance had such good vsage of those kinde saluages , that they fraughted his ship with corne , wherewith he returned to iames towne . the other comfort is , that the lord la ware hath built two new forts , the one called fort henry , the other fort charles , in honour of our most noble prince , and his hopefull brother , vpon a pleasant plaine , and neare a little riuilet they call southampton riuer ; they stand in a wholsome aire , hauing plentie of springs of sweet water , they command a great circuit of ground , containing wood , pasture and marsh , with apt places for vines , corne and gardens ; in which forts it is resolued , that all those that come out of england , shall be at their first landing quartered , that the wearisomnesse of the sea , may bee refreshed in this pleasing part of the countrie , and sir thomas gates hee sent for england . but to correct some iniuries of the paspahegs , he sent captaine pearcie , master stacy , and fiftie or threescore shot , where the saluages flying , they burnt their houses , tooke the queene and her children prisoners , whom not long after they slew . the fertilitie of the soile , the temperature of the climate , the forme of gouernment , the condition of our people , their daily inuocating of the name of god being thus expressed ; why should the successe , by the rules of mortall iudgement , bee disparaged ? why should not the rich haruest of our hopes be seasonably expected ? i dare say , that the resolution of caesar in france , the designes of alexander , the discoueries of hernando cortes in the west , and of emanuel king of portugal in the east , were not encouraged vpon so firme grounds of state and possibilitie . but his lordship being at the fales , the saluages assaulted his troopes and slew three or foure of his men . not long after , his honour growing very sicke , he returned for england the . of march ; in the ship were about fiue and fiftie men , but ere we arriued at fyall , fortie of vs were neare sicke to death , of the scuruie , callenture , and other diseases : the gouernour being an english-man , kindly vsed vs , but small reliefe we could get , but oranges , of which we had plenty , whereby within eight daies wee recouered , and all were well and strong by that they came into england . written by william box. the counsell of virginia finding the smalnesse of that returne which they hoped should haue defrayed the charge of a new supply , entred into a deep consultation , whether it were fit to enter into a new contribution , or in time to send for them home , and giue ouer the action , and therefore they adiured sir thomas gates to deale plainly with them , who with a solemne and a sacred oath replyed , that all things before reported were true , and that all men know that wee stand at the deuotion of politicke princes and states , who for their proper vtilitie , deuise all courses to grind our merchants , and by all pretences to confiscate their goods , and to draw from vs all manner of gaine by their inquisitiue inuentions , when in virginia , a few yeeres labour by planting and husbandry , will furnish all our de●●cts with honour and securitie . out of a declaration published by the counsell , . the gouernment left againe to captaine george piercie , and the returne of the lord la ware , with his relation to the councell . my lords , now by accident returned from my charge at virginia , contrary either to my owne desire , or other mens expectations , who spare not to censure me , in point of dutie , and to discourse and question the reason , though they apprehend not the true cause of my returne , i am forced out of a willingnesse to satisfie euery man , to deliuer vnto your lordships and the rest of this assemblie , in what state i haue liued euer since my arriuall to the colonie , what hath beene the iust cause of my sudden departure , and on what tearmes i haue left the same , the rather because i perceiue , that since my comming into england , such a coldnesse and irresolution is bred in many of the aduenturers , that some of them seeke to withdraw their payments , by which the action must be supported , making this my returne colour of their needlesse backwardnesse and vniust protraction : which that you may the better vnderstand , i was welcomed to iames towne by a violent ague ; being cured of it , within thre● weekes after i began to be distempered with other grieuous sicknesses which successiuely and seuerally assailed me , for besides a relapse into the former disease , which with much more violence held me more than a moneth , and brought me to greater weaknesse ; the flux surprised mee , and kept me many daies , then the crampe assaulted my weake body with strong paines , and after , the gout ; all those drew me to that weaknesse , being vnable to stirre , brought vpon me the scuruie , which though in others it be a sicknesse of slothfulnesse , yet was it in mean effect of weaknesse , which neuer left me , till i was ready to leaue the world . in these extremities i resolued to consult with my friends , who finding nature spent in me , and my body almost consumed , my paines likewise daily increasing , gaue me aduice to preferre a hopefull recouerie , before an assured ruine , which must necessarily haue ensued , had i liued but twentie daies longer in virginia , wanting at that instant both food and physicke , fit to remedie such extraordinary diseases ; wherefore i shipped my selfe with doctor bohun and captaine argall , for meuis in the west indies , but being crossed with southerly winds , i was forced to shape my course for the westerne iles , where i found helpe for my health , and my sicknesse asswaged , by the meanes of fresh dyet , especially oranges and limons , and vndoubted remedie for that disease : then i intended to haue returned backe againe to virginia , but i was aduised not to hazard my selfe , before i had perfectly recouered my strength : so i came for england ; in which accident , i doubt not but men of iudgement will imagine , there would more preiudice haue happened by my death there , than i hope can doe by my returne . for the colony i left it to the charge of captaine george piercie , a gentleman of honour and resolution , vntill the comming of sir thomas dale , whose commission was likewise to bee determined vpon the arriuall of sir thomas gates , according to the order your lordships appointed : the number i left were about two hundred , the most in health , and prouided of at least ten moneths victuall , and the countrie people tractable and friendly . what other defects they had , i found by sir thomas gates at the cowes ; his fleet was sufficiently furnished with supplies , but when it shall please god that sir thomas dale , and sir thomas gates shall arriue in virginia with the extraordinarie supply of . kine , and . swine , besides store of other prouision , for the maintenance of the colonie , there will appeare that successe in the action , as shall giue no man cause of distrust , that hath already aduentured , but incourage euery good minde to further so good a worke , as will redound both to the glory of god , to the credit of our nation , and the comfort of all those that haue beene instruments in the furthering of it . out of the lord la wares discourse , published by authoritie , . the gouernment surrendred to sir thomas dale , who arriued in virginia the tenth of may , . out of master hamors booke . before the lord la ware arriued in england , the councell and companie had dispatched away sir thomas dale with three ships , men and cattell , and all other prouisions necessarie for a yeere ; all which arriued well the tenth of may . where he found them growing againe to their former estate of penurie , being so improuident as not to put corne in the ground for their bread , but trusted to the store , then furnished but with three moneths prouision ; his first care therefore was to imploy all hands about setting of corne , at the two forts at kecoughtan , henry and charles , whereby , the season then not fully past , though about the end of may , wee had an indifferent crop of good corne. this businesse taken order for , and the care and trust of it committed to his vnder-officers , to iames towne he hastened , where most of the companie were ●t their daily and vsuall works , bowling in the streets ; these hee imployed about necessarie workes , as felling of timber , repayring their houses ready to fall on their heads , and prouiding pales , posts and railes , to impale his purposed new towne , which by reason of his ignorance , being but newly arriued , hee had not resolued where to seat ; therefore to better his knowledge , with one hundred men he spent some time in viewing the riuer of nausamund , in despight of the indians then our enemies ; then our owne riuer to the fales , where vpon a high land , inuironed with the maine riuer , some twelue miles from the fales , by arsahattock , he resolued to plant his new towne . it was no small trouble to reduce his people so timely to good order , being of so ill a condition , as may well witnesse his seueritie and strict imprinted booke of articles , then needfull with all extremitie to be executed ; now much mitigated ; so as if his lawes had not beene so strictly executed , i see not how the vtter subuersion of the colonie should haue beene preuented , witnesse webbes and prices designe the first yeere , since that of abbots , and others , more dangerous than the former . here i entreat your patience for an apologie , though not a pardon . this ieffrey abbots , how euer this author censures him , and the gouernour executes him , i know he had long serued both in ireland and netherlands , here hee was a sargeant of my companie , and i neuer saw in virginia a more sufficient souldier , lesse turbulent , a better wit , more hardy or industrious , nor any more forward to cut off them that sought to abandon the countrie , or wrong the colonie ; how ingratefully those deserts might bee rewarded , enuied or neglected , or his farre inferiors preferred to ouer-top him , i know not , but such occasions might moue a saint , much more a man , to an vnaduised passionate impatience , but how euer , it seemes he hath beene punished for his offences , that was neuer rewarded for his deserts . and euen this summer cole and kitchins plot with three more , bending their course to ocanahowan , fiue daies iourney from vs , where they report are spaniards inhabiting . these were cut off by the saluages , hired by vs to hunt them home to receiue their deserts : so as sir thomas dale hath not beene so tyrannous nor seuere by the halfe , as there was occasion , and iust cause for it , and though the manner was not vsuall , wee were rather to haue regard to those , whom we would haue terrified and made fearefull to commit the like offences , than to the offenders iustly condemned , for amongst them so hardned in euill , the feare of a cruell , painfull and vnusuall death more restraines them , than death it selfe . thus much i haue proceeded of his endeuours , vntill the comming of sir thomas gates , in preparing himselfe to proceed as he intended . now in england againe to second this noble knight , the counsell and companie with all possible expedition prepared for sir thomas gates six tall ships , with three hundred men , and one hundred kine and other cattell , with munition and all other manner of prouision that could be thought needfull ; and about the first or second of august , . arriued safely at iames towne . the gouernment returned againe to sir thomas gates , . these worthy knights being met , after their welcoming salutations , sir thomas dale acquainted him what he had done , and what he intended , which designe sir thomas gates well approuing , furnished him with three hundred and fiftie men , such as himselfe made choice of . in the beginning of september , . hee set faile , and arriued where hee intended to build his new towne : within ten or twelue daies he had inuironed it with a pale , and in honour of our noble prince henry , called it henrico . the next worke he did , was building at each corner of the towne , a high commanding watch-house , a church , and store-houses ; which finished , hee began to 〈…〉 conuenient houses for himselfe and men , which with all possible speed hee could he effected , to the great content of his companie , and all the colonie . this towne is situated vpon a necke of a plaine rising land , three parts inuironed with the maine riuer , the necke of land well impaled , makes it like an i le ; it hath three streets of well fram●d houses , a handsome church , and the foundation of a better laid , to bee built of bricke , besides store-houses , watch-houses , and such like : vpon the verge of the riuer there are fiue houses , wherein liue the honester sort of people , as farmers in england , and they keepe continuall centinell for the townes securitie . about two miles from the towne , into the maine , is another pal● , neere two miles in length , from riuer to riuer , guarded with seuerall commanders , with a good quantitie of corne-ground impailed , sufficiently secured to maintaine more than i suppose will come this three yeeres . on the other side of the riuer , for the securitie of the towne , is intended to be impaled for the securitie of our hogs , about two miles and a halfe , by the name of hope in faith , and coxendale , secured by fiue of our manner of forts , which are but palisadoes , called charitie fort , mount malado , a guest house for sicke people , a high ●eat and wholsome aire , elisabeth fort , and fort patience : and here hath master whitaker chosen his parsonage , impaled a faire framed parsonage , and one hundred acres called rocke hall , but these are not halfe finished . about christmas following , in this same yeere . in regard of the iniurie done vs by them of apamatuck ▪ sir thomas dale , without the losse of any , except some few saluages , tooke it and their corne , being but fiue miles by land from henrico , and considering how commodious it might be for vs , resolued to possesse and plant it , and at the instant called it the new bermudas , whereunto hee hath laid out and annexed to the belonging freedome and corporation for euer , many miles of champian and woodland ground in seuerall hundreds , as the vpper and nether hundreds , rochdale hundred , west sherly hundred , and digs his hundred . in the nether hundred he first began to plant , for there is the most corne-ground , and with a pale of two miles , cut ouer from riuer to riuer , whereby we haue secured eight english miles in compasse ; vpon which circuit , within halfe a mile of each other , are many faire houses already built , besides particular mens houses neere to the number of fiftie . rochdale , by a crosse pale welnigh foure miles long , is also planted with houses along the pale , in which hundred our hogs and c●ttell haue twentie miles circuit to graze in securely . the building of the citie is referred till our haruest be in , which he intends to make a retreat against any forraigne enemie . about fiftie miles from these is iames towne , vpon a fertill peninsula , which although fomerly scandaled for an vnhealthful aire , wee finde it as healthfull as any other part of the countrie ; it hath two rowes of houses of framed timber , and some of them two stories , and a garret higher , three large store-houses ioined together in length , and hee hath newly strongly impaled the towne . this i le , and much ground about it , is much in habited : to kecoughtan we accounted it fortie miles , where they liue well with halfe that allowance the rest haue from the store , because of the extraordinarie quantitie of fish , fowle and deere ; as you may reade at large in the discoueries of captaine smith . and thus i haue truly related vnto you the present estate of that small part of virginia wee frequent and possesse . since there was a ship fraughted with prouision , and fortie men ; and another since then with the like number and prouision , to stay twelue moneths in the countrie , with captaine argall , which was sent not long after . after hee had recreated and refreshed his companie , hee was sent to the riuer patawomeake , to trade for corne , the saluages about vs hauing small quarter , but friends and foes as they found aduantage and opportunitie : but to conclude our peace , thus it happened . captaine argall , hauing entred into a great acquaintance with iapazaws , an 〈…〉 of captaine smiths , and so to all our nation , euer since ●ee d●scouered the countrie : hard by him there was pocahontas , whom captaine smiths relations intituleth the numparell of virginia , and though she had beene many times a preseruer of him and the whole colonie , yet till this accident shee was neuer seene at iames towne since his departure , being at patawom●ke , as it seemes , thinking her selfe vnknowne , was easily by her friend iapazaws perswaded to goe abroad with him and his wife to see the ship , for captaine argall had promised him a copper kettle to bring her but to him , promising no way to hurt her , but keepe her till they could conclude a peace with her father ; the saluage for this copper kettle would haue done any thing , it seem●d by the relation ; for though she had seene and beene in many ships , yet hee caused his wife to faine how desirous she was to see one , and that hee offered to beat her for her importunitie , till she wept . but at last he told her , if pocahontas would goe with her , hee was content : and thus they betraied the poore innocent pocahontas aboord , where they were all kindly feasted in the cabbin . iapazaws treading oft on the captaines foot , to remember he had done his part , the captaine when he saw his time , perswaded pocahontas to the gun-roome , faining to haue some conference with iapazaws , which was onely that she should not perceiue hee was any way guiltie of her captiuitie : so sending for her againe , hee told her before her friends , she must goe with him , and compound peace betwixt her countrie and vs , before she euer should see powhatan , whereat the old iew and his wife began to howle and crie as fast as pocahontas , that vpon the captaines faire perswasions , by degrees pacifying her selfe , and iapazaws and his wife , with the kettle and other toies , went merrily on shore , and shee to iames towne . a messenger forthwith was sent to her father , that his daughter pocahontas he loued so dearely , he must ransome with our men , swords , peeces , tooles , &c. hee trecherously had stolne . this vnwelcome newes much troubled powhatan , because hee loued both his daughter and our commodities well , yet it was three moneths after ere hee returned vs any answer : then by the perswasion of the councell , he returned seuen of our men , with each of them an vnseruiceable musket , and sent vs word , that when wee would deliuer his daughter , hee would make vs satisfaction for all iniuries done vs , and giue vs fiue hundred bushels of corne , and for euer be friends with vs. that he sent , we receiued in part of payment , and returned him this answer : that his daughter should be well vsed , but we could not beleeue the rest of our armes were either lost or stolne from him , and therefore till hee sent them , we would keepe his daughter . this answer , it seemed , much displeased him , for we heard no more from him a long time after , when with captaine argals ship , and some other vessels belonging to the colonie , sir thomas dale , with a hundred and fiftie men well appointed , went vp into his owne riuer , to his chiefe habitation , with his daughter ; with many scornfull brauado's they affronted vs , proudly demanding why wee came thither ; our reply was , wee had brought his daughter , and to receiue the ransome for her that was promised , or to haue it perforce . they nothing dismayed thereat , told vs , we were welcome if wee came to fight , for they were prouided for vs , but aduised vs , if wee loued our liues to retire ; else they would vse vs as they had done captaine ratcliffe : we told them , wee would presently haue a better answer ; but we were no sooner within shot of the shore than they let flie their arrowes among vs in the ship . being thus iustly prouoked , wee presently manned our boats , went on shore , burned all their houses , and spoiled all they had we could finde ; and so the next day proceeded higher vp the riuer , where they demanded ●hy wee burnt their houses , and wee , why they shot at vs : they replyed , it was some s●ragling saluage , with many other excuses , they in●ended no hurt , but were our friends : we told them , wee came not to hurt them , but v●sit them as friends also . vpon this we concluded a peace , and forthwith they dispatched messengers to powhatan , whose answer , they told vs , wee must expect foure and twentie houres ere the messengers could returne : then they told vs , our men were runne away for feare we would hang them , yet powhatans men were runne after them ; as for our swords and peeces , they should be brought vs the next day , which was only but to delay time ; for the next day they came not . then we went higher , to a house of powhatans , called matchot , where we saw about foure hundred men well appointed ; here they dar●d vs to come on shore , which wee did ; no shew of feare they made at all , nor offered to resist our landing , but walking boldly vp and downe amongst vs , demanded to conferre with our captaine , of his comming in that manner , and to haue truce till they could but once more send to their king to know his pleasure , which if it were not agreeable to their expectation , then they would fight with vs , and defend their owne as they could , which was but onely to deferre the time , to carrie away their prouision ; yet wee promised them truce ti●l the next day at noone , and then if they would fight with vs , they should know when we would begin by our drums and trumpets . vpon this promise , two of powhatans sonnes came vnto vs to see their sister , at whose sight , seeing her well , though they heard to the contrarie , they much reioiced , promising they would perswade her father to redeeme her , and for euer be friends with vs. and vpon this , the two brethren went aboord with vs , and we sent m●ster iohn rolfe and master sparkes to powhatan , to acquaint him with the businesse ; kindly they were entertained , but not admitted the presence of powhatan , but they spoke with opechaucanough , his brother and successor ; hee promised to doe the best he could to powhatan , all might be well . so it being aprill , and time to prepare our ground and set our corne , we returned to iames towne , promising the forbearance of their performing their promise , till the next haruest . long before this , master iohn rolfe , an honest gentleman , and of good behauiour , had beene in loue with pocahontas , and she with him , which thing at that instant i made knowne to sir thomas dale by a letter from him , wherein hee intreated his aduice , and she acquainted her brother with it , which resolution sir thomas dale well approued : the brute of this mariage came soone to the knowledge of powhatan , a thing acceptable to him , as appeared by his sudden consent , for within ten daies he sent opachisco , an old vncle of hers , and two of his sons , to see the manner of the mariage , and to doe in that behalfe what they were requested , for the confirmation thereof , as his deputie ; which was accordingly done about the first of aprill : and euer since wee haue had friendly trade and commerce , as well with powhatan himselfe , as all his subiects . besides this , by the meanes of powhatan , we became in league with our next neighbours , the chicahamanias , a lustie and a daring people , free of themselues . these people , so soone as they heard of our peace with powhatan , sent two messengers with presents to sir thomas dale , and offered him their seruice , excusing all former iniuries , hereafter they would euer be king iames his subiects , and relinquish the name of chickahamania , to be called tassautessus , as they call vs , and sir thomas dale there gouernour , as the kings deputie ; onely they desired to be gouerned by their owne lawes , which is eight of their elders as his substitutes . this offer he kindly accepted , and appointed the day hee would come to visit them . wh●n the appointed day came , sir thomas dale and captaine argall with fiftie men well appointed , went to chickahamania , where wee found the people expecting our comming , they vsed vs kindly , and the next morning sate in counsell , to conclude their peace vpon these conditions : first , they should for euer bee called englishmen , and bee true subiects to king iames and his deputies . secondly , neither to kill nor detaine any of our men , nor cattell , but bring them home . thirdly , to bee alw●ies ready to furnish vs with three hundred men , against the spaniards or any . fourthly , they shall not enter ●ur townes , but send word they are new englishmen . fiftly , that euery fighting man , at the beginning of haruest , shall bring to our store two bushels of corne , for tribute , for which they shall rec●iue so many hatchets . lastly , the eight chiefe men should see all this performed , or receiue the punishment themselues : for their diligence they should haue a red coat , a copper chaine , and king iames his picture , and be accounted his noblemen . all this they concluded with a generall assent , and a great shout to confirme it : then one of the old men began an oration , bending his speech first to the old men , then to the young , and then to the women and children , to make them vnderstand how strictly they were to obserue these conditions , and we would defend them from the furie of powhatan , or any enemie whatsoeuer , and furnish them with copper , beads , and hatchets ; but all this was rather for feare powhatan and we , being so linked together , would bring them againe to his subiection ; the which to preuent , they did rather chuse to be protected by vs , than tormented by him , whom they held a tyrant . and thus wee returned againe to iames towne . when our people were fed out of the common store , and laboured iointly together , glad was he could slip from his labour , or slumber ouer his taske he cared not how , nay , the most honest among them would hardly take so much true paines in a weeke , as now for themselues they will doe in a day , neither cared they for the increase , presuming that howsoeuer the haruest prospered , the generall store must maintaine them , so that wee reaped not so much corne from the labours of thirtie , as now three or foure doe prouide for themselues . to preuent which , sir thomas dale hath allotted euery man three acres of cleare ground , in the nature of farmes , except the bermudas , who are exempted , but for one moneths seruice in the yeere , which must neither bee in feed-time , nor haruest ; for which doing , no other dutie they pay yeerely to the store , but two barrels and a halfe of corne ( from all those farmers , whereof the first was william spence , an honest , valiant , and an industrious man , and hath continued from . to this present ) from those is expected such a contribution to the store , as wee shall neither want for our selues , nor to entertaine our supplies ; for the rest , they are to worke eleuen moneths for the store , and hath one moneth onely allowed them to get prouision to keepe them for twelue , except two bushels of corne they haue out of the store ; if those can liue so , why should any feare staruing , and it were much better to denie them passage , that would not ere they come , bee content to ingage themselues to those conditions : for onely from the slothfull and idle drones , and none else , hath sprung the manifold imputations , virginia innocen●ly hath vndergone ; and therefore i would deter such from comming here , that cannot well brooke labour , except they will vndergoe much punishment and penurie , if they escape the skuruie : but for the industrious , there is reward sufficient , and if any thinke there is nothing but bread , i referre you to his relations that discouered the countrie first . the gouernment left to sir thomas dale vpon sir thomas gates returne for england . sir thomas dale vnderstanding there was a plantation of frenchmen in the north part of virginia , about the degrees of . sent captaine argall to port royall and sancta crux , where finding the frenchmen abroad dispersed in the woods , surprized their ship and pinnace , which was but newly come from france , wherein was much good apparel , and other prouision , which he brought to iames towne , but the men escaped , and liued among the saluages of those countries . it pleased sir thomas dale , before my returne to england , because i would be able to speake somewhat of my owne knowledge , to giue mee leaue to visit powhatan and his court : being prouided , i had thomas saluage with mee , for my interpreter , with him and two saluages for guides , i went from the bermuda in the morning , and came to match●t the next night , where the king lay vpon the riuer of pamavuke ; his entertainment was strange to me , the boy he knew well , and told him ; my child , i gaue you leaue , being my boy , to goe see your friends , and these foure yeeres i haue not seene you , nor heard of my owne man namoutack i sent to england , though many ships since haue beene returned thence : hauing done with him , hee began with mee , and demanded for the chaine of pearle he sent his brother sir thomas dale at his first arriuall , which was a token betwixt them , when euer hee should send a messenger from himselfe to him , he should weare that chaine about his necke , since the peace was concluded , otherwaies he was to binde him and send him home . it is true sir thomas dale had sent him such word , and gaue his page order to giue it me , but he forgot it , and till this present i neuer heard of it , yet i replyed i did know there was such an order , but that was when vpon a sudden he should haue occasion to send an englishman without an indian guide ; but if his owne people should conduct his messenger , as two of his did me who knew my message , it was sufficient ; with which answer he was contented , and so conducted vs to his house , where was a guard of two hundred bow-men , that alwaies attend his person . the first thing he did , he offered me a pipe of tobacco , then asked mee how his brother sir thomas dale did , and his daughter , and vnknowne sonne , and how they liued , loued and liked ; i told him his brother was well , and his daughter so contented , she would not liue againe with him ; whereat he laughed , and demanded the cause of my comming : i told him my message was priuate , and i was to deliuer it onely to himselfe and papaschicher , one of my guides that was acquainted with it ; instantly he commanded all out of the house , but onely his two queenes , that alwaies sit by him , and bade me speake on . i told him , by my interpreter , sir thomas dale hath sent you two pieces of copper , fiue strings of white and blue beads , fiue woodden combes , ten fish-hookes , a paire of kniues , and that when you would send for it , hee would giue you a grind-stone ; all this pleased him : but then i told him his brother dale , hearing of the same of his youngest daughter , desiring in any case he would send her by me vnto him , in testimonie of his loue , as well for that he intended to marry her , as the desire her sister had to see her , because being now one people , and hee desirous for euer to dwell in his countrie , he conceiued there could not be a truer assurance of peace and friendship , than in such a naturall band of an vnited vnion . i needed not entreat his answer by his oft interrupting mee in my speech , and presently with much grauitie he thus replyed . i gladly accept your salute of loue and peace , which while i liue , i shall exactly keepe , his pledges thereof i receiue with no lesse thanks , although they a●e not so ample as formerly he had receiued ; but for my daughter , i haue sold her within this few daies to a great werowance , for two bushels of rawrenoke , three daies iournie from me . i replyed , i knew his greatnesse in restoring the rawrenoke , might call her againe to gratifie his brother , and the rather , because she was but twelue yeeres old , assuring him , besides the band of peace , hee should haue for her , three times the worth of the rawrenoke , in beads , copper , hatchets , &c. his answer was , he loued his daughter as his life , and though hee had many children , hee delighted in none so much as shee , whom if he should not often behold , he could not possibly liue , which she liuing with vs he could not do , hauing resolued vpon no termes to put himselfe into our hands , or come amongst vs ; therefore desired me to vrge him no further , but returne his brother this answer : that i desire no former assurance of his friendship , than the promise hee hath made , from me he hath a pledge , one of my daughters , which so long as she liues shall be sufficient , when she dies , he shall haue another : i hold it not a brotherly part to desire to bereaue me of my two children at once . farther , tell him though he had no pledge at all , hee need not distrust any iniurie from me or my people ; there haue beene too many of his men and mine slaine , and by my occasion there shall neuer be more , ( i which haue power to performe it , haue said it ) although i should haue iust cause , for i am now old , & would gladly end my daies in peace ; if you offer me iniurie , my countrie is large enough to goe from you : thus much i hope will satisfie my brother . now because you are wearie , and i sleepie , wee will thus end . so commanding vs victuall and lodging , we rested that night , and the next morning he came to visit vs , and kindly conducted vs to the best cheere hee had . william parker . while i here remained , by chance came an englishman , whom there had beene surprized three yeeres agoe at fort henry , growne so like , both in complexion and habit like a saluage , i knew him not , but by his tongue : hee desired mee to procure his libertie , which i intended , and so farre vrged powhatan , that he grew discontented , and told mee , you haue one of my daughters , and i am content , but you cannot see one of your men with mee , but you must haue him away , or breake friendship ; if you must needs haue him , you shall goe home without guides , and if any euill befall you , thanke your selues : i told him i would , but if i returned not well , hee must expect a reuenge , and his brother might haue iust cause to suspect him . so in passion he le●t me till supper , and then gaue me such as hee had with a cheerefull countenance : about midnight hee awaked vs , and promised in the morning my returne with parker ; but i must remember his brother to send him ten great pieces of copper , a shauing-knife , a frowe , a grindstone , a net , fish-hookes , and such toies ; which lest i should forget , he caused me write in a table-booke he had ; how euer he got it , it was a faire one , i desired hee would giue it me ; he told me , no , it did him much good in shewing to strangers , yet in the morning when we departed , hauing furnished vs well with prouision , he gaue each of vs a bucks skin as well dressed as could be , and sent two more to his sonne and daughter : and so we returned to iames towne . written by master ralph hamor and iohn rolph . i haue read the substance of this relation , in a letter written by sir thomas dale , another by master whitaker , and a third by master iohn rolse ; how carefull they were to instruct her in christianity , and how capable and desirous shee was thereof , after she had beene some time thus tutored , shee neuer had desire to goe to her father , nor could well endure the society of her owne nation : the true affection she constantly bare her husband was much , and the strange apparitions and violent passions he endured for her loue , as he deeply protested , was wonderfull , and she openly renounced her countries idolatry , confessed the faith of christ , and was baptized , but either the coldnesse of the aduenturers , or the bad vsage of that was collected , or both , caused this worthy knight to write thus . oh why should so many princes and noblemen ingage themselues , and thereby intermedling herein , haue caused a number of soules transport themselues , and be transported hither ? why should they , i say , relinquish this so glorious an action : for if their ends be to build god a church , they ought to perseuere ; if otherwise , yet their honour ingageth them to be constan● ; howsoeuer they stand affected , here is enough to content them . these are the things haue animated me to stay a little season from them , i am bound in conscience to returne vnto ; leauing all contenting pleasures and mundall delights , to reside here with much turmoile , which i will rather doe than see gods glory diminished , my king and count●y dishonoured , and these poore soules i haue in charge reuiued , which would quickly happen if i should leaue them ; so few i haue with me fit to command or manage the businesse : master whitaker their preacher complaineth , and much museth , that so few of our english ministers , that were so hot against the surplice and subscription come hether , where neither is spoken of . doe they not wilfully hide their talents , or keepe themselues at home , for feare of losing a few pleasures : be there not any among them of moses his minde , and of the apostles , that forsooke all to follow christ , but i refer them to the iudge of all hearts , and to the king that shall reward euery one according to his talent . from virginia . iune : . . the businesse being brought to this perfection , captaine arga●l returned for england , in the latter end of iune , . ariuing in england , and bringing this good tidings to the councell and company by the assistances of sir thomas gates , th●t also had returned from virginia but the march before ; it was presently concluded , that to supply this good successe with all expedition , the standing lottery should be drawne with all diligent conueniency , and that posterity may remember vpon occasion to vse the like according to the declaration , i thinke it not amisse to remember thus much . the contents of the declaration of the lottery published by the counsell . it is apparent to the world ; by how many former proclamations , we manifested our intents , to haue drawn out the great standing lottery long before this , which not falling out as we desired , and others expected , whose monies are aduentured ther●in , we thought good therefore for the auoiding all vniust and sinister constructions , to resolue the doubts of all indifferent minded , in three speciall points for their better satisfaction . but ere i goe any farther , let vs remember there was a running lottery , vsed a long time in saint pauls church-yard , where this stood , that brought into the treasury good summes of mony dayly , though the lot was but small . now for the points , the first is , for as much as the aduenturers came in so slackly for the yeere past , without preiudice to the generality , in losing the blankes and prises , we were forced to petition to the honourable lords , who out of their noble care to further this plantation , haue recommended their letters to the countries , cities , and good townes in england , which we hope by sending in their voluntary aduenturers , will sufficiently supply vs. the second for satisfaction to all honest well affected minds , is , that though this expectation answer not our hopes , yet wee haue not failed in our christian care , the good of that colony , to whom we haue lately sent two sundry supplies , and were they but now supplied with more hands , wee should soone resolue the diuision of the country by lot , and so lessen the generall charge . the third is our constant resolution , that seeing our credits are so farre ingaged to the honourable lords and the whole state , for the drawing this great lottery , which we intend shall be without delay , the . of iune next , desiring all such as haue vndertaken with bookes to solicit their friends , that they will not with-hold their monies till the last moneth be expired , lest we be vnwillingly forced to proportion a lesse value and number of our blankes and prises which hereafter followeth . welcomes . to him that first shall be drawne out with a blanke , crownes . to the second , crownes . to the third , crownes . to him that euery day during the drawing of this lottery , shall bee first drawne out with a blanke , crownes . prizes . great prize of crownes . great prizes , each of crownes . great prizes , each of crownes . great prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . prizes , each of crownes . rewards . to him that shall be last drawne out with a blanke , crownes . to him that putteth in the greatest lot , vnder one name , crownes . to him that putteth in the second greatest number , crownes . to him that putteth in the third greatest number , crownes . to him that putteth in the fourth greatest number , crownes . if diuers be of equall number , their rewards are to be diuided proportionally . addition of new rewards . the blanke that shall bee drawne out next before the great prize shall haue crownes . the blanke that shall be drawne out next after the said great prize crownes . the blancks that shall be drawne out immediatly before the two next great prizes , shall haue each of them crownes . the seuerall blankes next after them , each shall haue crownes . the seuerall blankes next before the foure great prizes , each shall haue crownes . the seuerall blankes next after them , each shall haue crownes . the seuerall blankes next before the six great prizes , each shall haue crownes . the seuerall blankes next after them , each shall haue crownes . the prizes , welcomes , and rewards , shall be payed in ready mony , plate , or other goods reasonably rated ; if any dislike of the plate or goods , he shall haue mony , abating only the tenth part , except in small prizes of ten crownes or vnder . the mony for the aduenturers is to be paied to sir thomas smith , knight , and treasurer for virginia , or such offic●rs as he shall appoint in city or country , vnder the common seale of the company for the rece●t thereof . all prizes , welcomes and rewards drawne where euer they dwell , shall of the treasurer haue present pay , and whosoeuer vnder one name or po●sie payeth three pound in ready money , shall receiue six shillings and eight pence , or a siluer spoone of that value at his choice . about this time it chanced a spanish ship , beat too and againe before point comfort , and at last sent a shore their boat , as desirous of a pilot. captaine iames dauis the gouernor , immediatly gaue them one , but he was no sooner in the boat , but away they went with him , leauing three of their companions behind them ; this sudden accident occasioned some distrust , and a strict examination of those three thus left , yet with as good vsage as our estate could afford them . they only confessed hauing lost their admirall , accident had forced them into those parts , and two of them were captaines , and in chi●fe authority in the fleet : thus they liued till one of them was found to be an englishman , and had been the spaniards pilot for england in . and hauing here induced some male-contents , to beleeue his proiects , to run away with a small barke , which was apprehended , some executed , and he expecting but the hangmans curtesie , directly confessed that two or three spanish ships was at sea , purposely to discouer the estate of the colony , but their commission was not to be opened till they arriued in the bay , so that of any thing more he was vtterly ignorant . one of the spaniards at last dyed , the oth●r was sent for england , but this reprieued , till sir thomas dale hanged him at sea in his voyage homeward ; the e●glish pilot they carried for spaine , whom after a long time imprisonment , with much ●●te was returned for england . whilst those things were effecting , sir thomas dal● , hauing setled to his thinking all things in good order , made choice of one master george yearly , to be depu●y-gouernour in his absence , and so returned for england , accompanied with po●ahontas the kings daughter , and master r●lfe her husband , and arriued at plimmoth the . of iune . . the gouernment left to captaine yearly . now a little to commentary vpon all these proceedings , let me leaue but this as a caueat by the way ; if the alteration of gouernment hath subuerted great empires , how dangerous is it then in the infancy of a common-weale ? the multiplicity of gouernors is a great damage to any state , but vncertaine daily changes are burdensome , because their entertainments are chargeable , and many will make hay whilst the sunne doth shine , how euer it shall fare with the generality . this deare bought land with so much bloud and cost , hath onely made some few rich , and all the rest losers . but it was intended at the first , the first vndertakers should be first preferred and rewarded , and the first aduenturers satisfied , and they of all the rest are the most neglected ; and those that neuer aduentured a groat , neuer see the country , nor euer did any seruice for it , imploied in their places , adorned with their deferrs , and inriched with their ruines ; and when they a●e led fat , then in commeth others so leane as they were , who through their omnipotency doe as much . thus what one officer doth , another vndoth , only ayming at their owne ends , thinking all the world derides his dignity , cannot 〈◊〉 is coffe●s being in authority with any thing . euery man hath his minde free , but he can neuer be a true member to that estate , that to enrich himselfe beggers all the countrie . which bad course , there are many yet in this noble plantation , whose true honour and worth as much scornes it , as the others loues it ; for the nobilitie and gentrie , there is scarce any of them expects any thing bu● the prosperitie of the action : and there are some merchants and others , i am confidently perswaded , doe take more care and paines , nay , and at their continual● great charge , than they could be hired to for the loue of money , so honestly regarding the generall good of this great worke , they would hold it worse than sacrilege , to wrong it but a shilling , or extort vpon the common souldier a penny . but to the purpose , and to follow the historie . mr. george yearly now inuested deputie gouernour by sr. thomas dale , applied himselfe for the most part in planting tobacco , as the most present commoditie they could deuise for a present gaine , so that euery man betooke himselfe to the best place he could for the purpose : now though sir thomas dale had caused such an abundance of corne to be planted , that euery man had sufficient , yet the supplies were sent vs , came so vnfurnished , as quickly eased vs of our superfluitie . to relieue their necessities , he sent to the chickahamanias for the tribute corne sir thom●s dale and captaine argall had conditioned for with them : but such a bad answer they returned him , that hee drew together one hundred of his best shot , with whom he went to chick●hamania ; the people in some places vsed him indifferently , but in most places with much scorne and contempt , telling him he was but sir thomas d●les man , and they had payed his master according to condition , but to giue any to him they had no such order , neither would they obey him as they had done his master ; after he had told them his authoritie , and that he had the same power to enforce them that dale had , they dared him to come on shore to fight , presuming more of his not daring , than their owne valours . yearly seeing their insolencies , made no great difficultie to goe on shore at ozinies , and they as little to incounter him : but marching from thence towards mamanahunt , they put themselues in the same order they see vs , lead by their captaine kissanacomen , gouernour of ozinies , & so marched close along by vs , each as threatning other who should first begin . but that night we quartered against mamanahunt , and they passed the riuer . the next day we followed them ; there are few places in virginia had then more plaine ground together , nor more plentie of corne , which although it was but newly gathered , yet they had hid it in the woods where we could not finde it : a good time we spent thus in arguing the cause , the saluages without feare standing in troupes amongst vs , seeming as if their countenances had beene sufficient to dant vs : what other practises they had i know not ; but to preuent the worst , our captaine caused vs all to make ready , and vpon the word , to let flie among them , where he appointed : others also he commanded to seize on them they could for prisoners ; all which being done according to our direction , the captaine gaue the word , and wee presently discharged , where twelue lay , some dead , the rest for life sprawling on the ground , twelue more we ●●oke prisoners , two whereof were brothers , two of their eight elders , the one tooke by sergeant boothe , the other by robert a polonian ; neere one hundred bushels of corne we had for their ransomes , which was promised the souldiers for a reward , but it was not performed : now opechankanough had agreed with our captaine for the subiecting of those people , that neither hee nor powhatan could euer bring to their obedience , and that he should make no peace with them without his aduice : in our returne by ozinies with our prisoners wee met opechankanough , who with much adoe , fained with what paines hee had p●ocured their peace , the which to requite , they called him the king of ozin●s , and brought him from all parts many presents of beads , copper , and such trash as they had ; here as at many other times wee were beholding to captaine henry spilman our interpreter , a gentleman had liued long time in this countrie , and sometimes a prisoner among the saluages , and done much good seruice , though but badly rewarded . from hence we marcht towards iames towne , we had three boats loaded with corne and other luggage , the one of them being more willing to be at iames towne with the newes than the other , was ouerset , and eleuen men cast away with the boat , corne and all their prouision ; notwithstanding this put all the rest of the saluages in that feare , especially in regard of the great league we had with opechankanough , that we followed our labours quietly , and in such securitie , that diuers saluages of other nations , daily frequented vs with what prouisions they could get , and would guide our men on hunting , and oft hunt for vs themselues . captaine yearly had a saluage or two so well trained vp to their peeces , they were as expert as any of the english , and one hee kept purposely to kill him fowle . there were diuers others had saluages in like manner for their men . thus we liued together , as if wee had beene one people , all the time captaine yearley staied with vs , but such grudges and discontents daily increased among our selues , that vpon the arriuall of captaine argall , sent by the councell and companie to bee our gouernour , captaine yearley returned for england in the yeere . from the writings of captaine nathaniel powell , william cantrill , sergeant boothe , edward gurganey . during this time , the lady rebecca , alias pocahontas , daughter to powhatan , by the diligent care of master iohn rolfe her husband and his friends , was taught to speake such english as might well bee vnderstood , well instructed in christianitie , and was become very formall and ciuill after our english manner ; shee had also by him a childe which she loued most dearely , and the treasurer and company tooke order both for the maintenance of her and it , besides there were diuers persons of great ranke and qualitie had beene very kinde to her ; and before she arriued at london , captaine smith to deserue her former courtesies , made her qualities knowne to the queenes most excellent maiestie and her court , and writ a little booke to this effect to the queene : an abstract whereof followeth . to the most high and vertuous princesse queene anne of great brittanie . most admired queene , the loue i beare my god , my king and countrie , hath so oft emboldened mee in the worst of extreme dangers , that now honestie doth constraine mee presume thus farre beyond my selfe , to present your maiestie this short discourse : if ingratitude be a deadly poyson to all honest vertues , i must bee guiltie of that crime if i should omit any meanes to bee thankfull . so it is , that some ten yeeres agoe being in virginia , and taken prisoner by the power of powhatan their chiefe king , i receiued from this great saluage exceeding great courtesie , especially from his sonne nantaquaus , the most manliest , comeliest , boldest spirit , i euer saw in a saluage , and his sister pocahontas , the kings most deare and wel-beloued daughter , being but a childe of twelue or thirteene yeeres of age , whose compassionate pitifull heart , of my desperate estate , gaue me much cause to respect her : i being the first christian this proud king and his grim attendants euer saw : and thus inthralled in their barbarous power , i cannot say i felt the least occasion of want that was in the power of those my mortall foes to preuent , notwithstanding al their threats . after some six weeks fatting amongst those saluage courtiers , at the minute of my execution , she hazarded the beating out of her owne braines to saue mine , and not onely that , but so preuailed with her father , that i was safely conducted to iames towne , where i found about eight and thirtie miserable poore and sicke creatures , to keepe possession of all those large territories of ●irginia , such was the weaknesse of this poore common-wealth , as had the saluages not fed vs , we directly had starued , and this reliefe , most gracious queene , was commonly brought vs by this lady pocahontas , notwithstanding all these passages when inconstant fortune turned our peace to warre , this tender virgin would still not spare to dare to visit vs , and by her our iarres haue beene oft appeased , and our wants still supplyed ; were it the policie of her father thus to imploy her , or the ordinance of god thus to make her his instrument , or her extraordinarie affection to our nation , i know not : but of this i am sure ; when her father with the vtmost of his policie and power , sought to surprize mee , hauing but eighteene with mee , the darke night could not affright her from comming through the irkesome woods , and with watered eies gaue me intelligence , with her best aduice to escape his furie ; which had hee knowne , hee had surely slaine her . iames towne with her wild traine she as freely frequented , as her fathers habitation ; and during the time of two or three yeeres , she next vnder god , was still the instrument to preserue this colonie from death , famine and vtter confusion , which if in those times had once be●ne dissolued , virginia might haue line as it was at our first arriuall to this day . since then , this businesse hauing beene turned and varied by many accidents from that i left it at : it is most certaine , after a long and troublesome warre after my departure , betwixt her father and our colonie , all which time shee was not heard of , about two yeeres after shee her selfe was taken prisoner , being so detained neere two yeeres longer , the colonie by that meanes was relie●ed , peace concluded , and at last reiecting her barbarous condition , was ma●ied to an e●gl●s● ge●●leman , with whom at this present she i● in england ; ●he first christi●n ●uer of ●hat nation , the first virgi●i●n euer sp●ke en●l●●●●r ●r 〈…〉 mariage by an e●gl●shman , a matter surely , if my meaning bee truly ●●●●●dered and well vnderstood , worthy a princes vnderstanding . thus most gracious lady , i haue related to your ma●estie , what at your best leasure our approued h●stories will account you at large , and done in the time of your maiesties life , and howeuer this might bee presented you from a more worthy pen , i● cannot from a more honest heart , as yet i neuer begged any thing of the state , or any , and it is my want of abilitie and her exceeding desert , your birth , meanes and author●tie , hir birth , vertue , want and simplicitie , doth make mee thus bold , humbly to beseech your m●iestie to take this knowledge of her , though it be from one so vnworthy to be the reporter , as my selfe , her husbands estate not being able to make her fit to attend your maiestie : the most and least i can doe , is to tell you this , because none so oft hath tried it as my selfe , and the rather being of so great a spirit , how euer her stature : if she should not be well receiued , seeing this kingdome may rightly haue a kingdome by her meanes ; her present loue to vs and christianitie , might turne to such scorne and furie , as to diuert all this good to the worst of euill , where finding so great a queene should doe her some honour more than she can imagine , for being so kinde to your seruants and subiects , would so rauish her with content , as endeare her dearest bloud to effect that , your maiestie and all the kings honest subiects most earnestly desire : and so i humbly kisse your gracious hands . being about this time preparing to set saile for new-england , i could not stay to doe her that seruice i desired , and she well deserued ; but hearing shee was at branford with diuers of my friends , i went to see her : after a modest salutation , without any word , she turned about , obscured her face , as not seeming well contented ; and in that humour her husband , with diuers others , we all left her two or three houres , repenting my selfe to haue writ she could speake english. but not long after , she began to talke , and remembred mee well what courtesies shee had done : saying , you did promise powhatan what was yours should bee his , and he the like to you ; you called him father being in his land a stranger , and by the same reason so must i doe you : which though i would haue excused , i durst not allow of that title , because she was a kings daughter ; with a well set countenance she said , were you not afraid to come into my fathers countrie , and caused feare in him and all his people ( but mee ) and feare you here i should call you father ; i tell you then i will , and you shall call mee childe , and so i will bee for euer and euer your countrieman . they did tell vs alwaies you were dead , and i knew no other till i came to plimoth ; yet powhatan did command vitamatomakkin to seeke you , and know the truth , because your countriemen will lie much . this saluage , one of powhatans councell , being amongst them held an vnderstanding fellow ; the king purposely sent him , as they say , to number the people here , and informe him well what wee were and our state . arriuing at plim●th , according to his directions , he got a long sticke , whereon by notches hee did thinke to haue kept the number of all the men hee could see , but he was quickly wearie of that taske : comming to london , where by chance i met him , hauing ren●wed our acquaintance , where many were desirous to heare and see his behauiour , hee told me powhatan did bid him to finde me out , to shew him our god , the king , queene , and prince , i so much had told them of : concerning god , i told him the best i could , the king i heard he had seene , and the rest hee should see when he would ; he denied euer to haue seene the king , till by circumst●nces he was satisfied he had : then he replyed very sadly , you gaue powhatan a white dog , which powhatan fed as himselfe , but your king gaue me nothing , and i am better than your white dog. the small time i staid in london , diuers courtiers and others , my acquaintances , hath gone with mee to see her , that generally concluded , they did thinke god had a great hand in her conuersion , and they haue seene many english ladies worse fauoured , proportioned and behauioured , and as since i haue heard , it pleased both the king and queenes maiestie honourably to esteeme her , accompanied with that honourable lady the lady de la ware , and that honourable lord her husband , and diuers other persons of good qualities , both publikely at the maskes and otherwise , to her great satisfaction and content , which doubtlesse she would haue deserued , had she liued to arriue in virginia . the gouernment deuolued to captaine samuel argall , . the treasurer , councell and companie , hauing well furnished captaine samuel argall , the lady pocahontas alias rebecca , with her husband and others , in the good ship called the george , it pleased god at graues-end to take this young lady to his mercie , where shee made not more sorrow for her vnexpected death , than ioy to the beholders , to heare and see her m●ke so religious and godly an end . her little childe thomas rolfe therefore was left at plim●th with sir lewis stukly , that desired the keeping of it . captaine hamar his vice-admirall was gone before , but hee found him at plimoth . in march they set saile . and in may he arriued at iames towne , where hee was kindly entertained by captaine yearley and his companie in a martiall order , whose right hand file was led by an indian . in iames towne he found but fiue or six houses , the church downe , the palizado's broken , the bridge in pieces , the well of fresh water spoiled ; the store-house they vsed for the church , the market-place , and streets , and all other spare places planted with tobacco , the saluages as frequent in their houses as themselues , whereby they were become expert in our armes , and had a great many in their custodie and possession , the colonie dispersed all about , planting tobacco . captaine argall not liking those proceedings , altered them agreeable to his owne minde , taking the best order he could for repairing those defects which did exceedingly trouble vs ; we were constrained euery yeere to build and repaire our old cottages , which were alwaies a decaying in all places of the countrie , yea , the very courts of guard built by sir thomas dale , was ready to fall , and the palizado's not sufficient to keepe out hogs . their number of people were about . but not past . fit for husbandry and tillage : we found there in all one hundred twentie eight cattell , and fourescore and eight goats , besides innumerable numbers of swine , and good plentie of corne in some places , yet the next yeere the captaine sent out a frigat and a pinnace , that brought vs neere six hundred bushels more , which did greatly relieue the whole colonie : for from the tenants wee seldome had aboue foure hundred bushels of rent corne to the store , and there was not remaining of the companies companie , past foure and fiftie men , women and children . this yeere hauing planted our fields , came a great drought , and such a cruell storme of haile , which did such spoile both to the corne and tobacco , that wee reaped but small profit , the magazine that came in the george , being fiue moneths in her passage , proued very badly conditioned , but ere sh● arriued , we had gathered and made vp our tobacco , the best at three shillings the pound , the rest at eighteene pence . to supply vs , the councell and company with all possible care and diligence , furnished a good ship of some two hundred and fiftie tunne , with two hundred people and the lord la ware. they set saile in aprill , and tooke their course by the westerne iles , where the gouernour of the i le of saint michael receiued the lord la ware , and honourably feasted him , with all the content hee could giue him . going from thence , they were long troubled with contrary winds , in which time many of them fell very sicke , thirtie died , one of which number was that most honourable lord gouernour the lord la ware , whose most noble and generous disposition , is well knowne to his great cost , had beene most forward in this businesse for his countries good : yet this tender state of virginia was not growne to that maturitie , to maintaine such state and pleasure as was fit for such a personage , with so braue and great attendance : for some small number of aduentrous gentlemen to make discoueries , and lie in garrison , ready vpon any occasion to keepe in feare the inconstant saluages , nothing were more requisite , but to haue more to wait & play than worke , or more commanders and officers than industrious labourers was not so necessarie : for in virginia , a plaine souldier that can vse a pick-axe and spade , is better than fiue knights , although they were knights that could breake a lance ; for men of great place , not inured to those incounters ; when they finde things not sutable , grow many times so discontented , they forget themselues , & oft become so carelesse , that a discontented melancholy brings them to much sorrow , and to others much miserie . at last they stood in for the coast of new-england , where they met a small frenchman , rich of beuers and other furres . though wee had here but small knowledge of the coast nor countrie , yet they tooke such an abundance of fish and fowle , and so well refreshed themselues there with wood and water , as by the helpe of god thereby , hauing beene at sea sixteene weekes , got to virginia , who without this reliefe had beene in great danger to perish . the french-men made them such a feast , with such an abundance of varietie of fish , fowle and fruits , as they all admired , and little expected that wild wildernesse could affoord such wonderfull abundance of plentie . in this ship came about two hundred men , but very little prouision , and the ship called the treasurer came in againe not long after with fortie passengers ; the lord la wares ship lying in virginia three moneths , wee victualled her with threescore bushels of corne , and eight hogsheads of flesh , besides other victuall she spent whilest they tarried there : this ship brought vs aduice that great multitudes were a preparing in england to bee sent , and relied much vpon that victuall they should finde here : whereupon our captaine called a councell , and writ to the councell here in england the estate of the colonie , and what a great miserie would insue , if they sent not prouision as well as people ; and what they did suffer for want of skilfull husbandmen , and meanes to set their ploughs on worke , hauing as good ground as any man can desire , and about fortie bulls and oxen , but they wanted men to bring them to labour , and irons for the ploughs , and harnesse for the cattell . some thirtie or fortie acres wee had sowne with one plough , but it stood so long on the ground before it was reaped , it was most shaken , and the rest spoiled with the cattell and rats in the barne , but no better corne could bee for the quantitie . richard killingbeck being with the captaine at kekoughtan , desired leaue to returne to his wife at charles hundred , hee went to iames towne by water , there he got foure more to goe with him by land , but it proued that he intended to goe trade with the indies of chickahamania , where making shew of the great quantitie of trucke they had , which the saluages perceiuing , partly for their trucke , partly for reuenge of some friends they pretended should haue beene slaine by captaine yearley , one of them with an english peece shot killingbeck dead , the other saluages assaulted the rest and slew them , stripped them , and tooke what they had : but fearing this murther would come to light , and might cause them to suffer for it , would now proceed to the perfection of villanie ; for presently they robbed their machacomocko house of the towne , stole all the indian treasure thereout , and fled into the woods , as other indians related . on sunday following , one farfax that dwelt a mile from the towne , going to church , left his wife and three small children safe at home , as he thought , and a young youth : she supposing praier to be done , left the children , and went to meet her husband ; presently after came three or foure of those fugitiue saluages , entred the house , and slew a boy and three children , and also another youth that stole out of the church in praier time , meeting them , was likewise murdered . of this disaster the captaine sent to opechankanough for satisfaction , but he excused the matter , as altogether ignorant of it , at the same time the saluages that were robbed were complaining to opechankanough , and much feared the english would bee reuenged on them , so that opechankanough sent to captaine argall , to assure him the peace should neuer be broken by him , desiring that he would not reuenge the iniurie of those fugitiues vpon the innocent people of that towne , which towne he should haue , and sent him a basket of earth , as possession giuen of it , and promised , so soone as possibly they could catch these robbers , to send him their heads for satisfaction , but he neuer performed it . samuel argall , iohn rolfe . a relation from master iohn rolfe , iune . . concerning the state of our new common-wealth , it is somewhat bettered , for we haue sufficient to content our selues , though not in such abundance as is vainly reported in england . powhatan died this last aprill , yet the indians continue in peace . itopatin his second brother succeeds him , and both hee and opechankanough haue confirmed our former league . on the eleuenth of may , about ten of the clocke in the night , happened a most fearefull tempest , but it continued not past halfe an houre , which powred downe hailestones eight or nine inches about , that none durst goe out of their doores , and though it tore the barke and leaues of the trees , yet wee finde not they hurt either man or beast ; it fell onely about iames towne , for but a mile to the east , and twentie to the west there was no haile at all . thus in peace euery man followed his building and planting without any accidents worthy of note . some priuate differences happened betwixt captaine bruster and captaine argall , and captaine argall and the companie here in england ; but of them i am not fully informed , neither are they here for any vse , and therefore vnfit to be remembred . in december one captaine stallings , an old planter in those parts , being imployed by them of the west countrie for a fishing voyage , in new-england , fell foule of a frenchman whom hee tooke , leauing his owne ship to returne for england , himselfe with a small companie remained in the french barke , some small time after vpon the coast , and thence returned to winter in virginia . the gouernment surrendred to sir george yearley . for to begin with the yeere of our lord , . there arriued a little pinnace priuatly from england about easter for captaine argall , who taking order for his affaires , within foure or fiue daies returned in her , and left for his deputy , captaine nathaniel powell . on the e●ighteenth of aprill , which was but ten or twelue daies after , arriued sir george yearley , by whom we vnderstood sir edwin sands was chosen treasurer , and master iohn farrar his deputy , and what great supplies was a preparing to be sent vs , which did rauish vs so much with ioy and content , we thought our selues now fully satisfied , for our long toile and labours , and as happy men as any in the world . notwithstanding , such an accident hapned captaine stallings , the next day his ship was cast away , and he not long after slaine in a priuate quarrell . sir george yearly to beginne his gouernment , added to be of his councell , captaine francis west , captaine nathaniel powell ▪ master iohn pory , master iohn rolfe , and master william wickam , and master samuel macocke , and propounded to haue a generall assembly with all expedition . vpon the twelfth of this moneth , came in a pinnace of captaine bargraues , and on the seuenteenth captaine lownes , and one master euans , who intended to plant themselues at waraskoyack , but now ophechankanough will not come at vs , that causes vs suspect his former promises . in may came in the margaret of bristoll , with foure and thirty men , all well and in health , and also many deuout gifts , and we were much troubled in examining some scandalous letters sent into england , to disgrace this country with barrennesse , to discourage the aduenturers , and so bring it and vs to ruine and confusion ; notwithstanding , we finde by them of best experience , an industrious man not other waies imploied , may well tend foure akers of corne , and . plants of tobacco , and where they say an aker will yeeld but three or foure barrels , we haue ordinarily foure or fiue , but of new ground six , seuen , and eight , and a barrell of pease and beanes , which we esteeme as good as two of corne , which is after thirty or forty bushels an aker , so that one man may prouide corne for fiue , and apparell for two by the profit of his tobacco ; they say also english wheat will yeeld but sixteene bushels an aker , and we haue reaped thirty : besides to manure the land , no place hath more white and blew marble than here , had we but carpenters to build and make carts and ploughs , and skilfull men that know how to vse them , and traine vp our cattell to draw them , which though we indeuour to effect , yet our want of experience brings but little to perfection but planting tobaco , and yet of that many are so couetous to haue much , they make little good ; besides there are so many sofisticating tobaco-mungers in england ▪ were it neuer so bad , they would sell it for verinas , and the trash that remaineth should be virginia , such deuilish bad mindes we know some of our owne country-men doe beare , not onely to the businesse , but also to our mother england her selfe ; could they or durst they as freely defame her . the . of iune came in the triall with corne and cattell all in safety , which tooke from vs cleerely all feare of famine ; then our gouernour and councell caused burgesses to be chosen in all places , and met at a generall assembly , where all matters were debated thought expedient for the good of the colony , and captaine ward was sent to monahigan in new england , to fish in may , and returned the latter end of may , but to small purpose , for they wanted salt : the george also was sent to new-found-land with the cape merchant , there she bought fish , that defraied her charges , and made a good voyage in seuen weekes . about the last of august came in a dutch man of warre that sold vs twenty negars , and iapazous king of patawomeck , came to iames towne , to desire two ships to come trade in his riuer , for a more plentifull yeere of corne had not beene in a long time , yet very contagious , and by the trechery of one poule , in a manner turned heathen , wee were very iealous the saluages would surprize vs. the gouernours haue bounded foure corporations ; which is the companies , the vniuersity , the gouernours and gleabe land : ensigne wil. spencer , & thomas barret a sergeant , with some others of the ancient planters being set free , we are the first farmers that went forth , and haue chosen places to their content , so that now knowing their owne land , they striue who should exceed in building and planting . the fourth of nouember the bona noua came in with all her people lusty and well ; not long after one master dirmer sent out by some of plimoth for new-england , arriued in a barke of fiue tunnes , and returned the next spring ; notwithstanding the ●il rumours of the vnwholsomnesse of iames towne , the new commers that were planted at old p●spaheghe , little more then a mile from it , had their healths better then any in the country . in december captaine ward returned from pat●womeck , the people there dealt falsly with him , so that hee tooke . bushels of corne from them perforce . captaine woddiffe of bristol came in not long after , with all his people lusty and in health , and we had two particular ●ouernors sent vs , vnder the titles of deputies to the company , the one to haue charg● of the colledge land , the other of the companies : now you are to vnderst●nd , that because there haue beene many compl●ints against the g●uernors , c●p●aines , and officers in virginia , for buy●ng and selli●g ●en and b●●es , or to b●● set ouer from one to another for a yeerely rent , was ●eld in 〈◊〉 a ●●●ng most intolerable , o● that ●he tenants or lawfull seruan●s sho●ld b● put ●●om ●●●ir p●●ces , or abridged their couenants , ●as ●o ●di●us , 〈◊〉 the ●ery 〈◊〉 ●h●re●● b●●ught a great scandall to the generall action . t●● 〈…〉 good and wor●h● 〈…〉 and ●p●ointed a hundred men sho●● 〈…〉 prouided to serue and attend the gouer●●●● 〈…〉 gouernm●nt , which number he was to make good at his departure , and 〈◊〉 to his successor in like manner , fifty to the deputy-gouernour of the college land , and fifty to the d●puty of the companies land , fifty to the treasurer , to the secretary fiue and twenty , and more to the marshall and c●pe merchant ; which they are also to leaue to their successors , and likewise to euery particular officer such a compe●ency , as he might liue well in his office , without oppressing any vnder their charge , which good law i pray god it be well obserued , and then we may truly say in virginia , we are the most happy people in the world . by me iohn rolfe . there went this yeere by the companies records , . ships , and . persons to be thus disposed on : tenants for the gouernors land fourescore , besides fifty sent the former spring ; for the companies land a hundred and thirty , for the college a hundred , for the glebe land fifty , young women to make wiues ninety , seruants for publike seruice fifty , and fifty more whose labours were to bring vp thirty of the infidels children , the rest were sent to priuate plantations . two persons vnknowne haue giuen faire plate and ornaments for two communion tables , the one at the college , the other at the church of mistris mary robinson , who towards the foundation gaue two hundred pound . and another vnknowne person sent to the treasurer fiue hundred and fifty pounds , for the bringing vp of the saluage children in christianity . master nicholas farrar deceased , hath by his will giuen three hundred pounds to the college , to be paid when there shall be ten young saluages placed in it , in the meane time foure and twenty pound yeerely to bee distributed vnto three discreet and godly young men in the colony , to bring vp three wilde young infidels in some good course of life , also there were granted eleuen pattents , vpon condition to transport people and cattle to increase the plantations . a desperat sea-fight betwixt two spanish men of warre , and a small english ship , at the i le of dominica going to virginia , by captaine anthony chester . hauing taken our iourney towards virginia in the beginning of february , a ship called the margaret and iohn , of one hundred and sixty tuns , eight iron peeces and a falcon , with eightie passengers besides sailers ; after many tempests and foule weather , about the foureteenth of march we were in thirteene degrees and an halfe of northerly latitude , where we descried a ship at hull ; it being but a faire gale of wind , we edged towards her to see what she was , but she presently set saile , and ran vs quickly out of sight : this made vs keepe our course for mettalina , and the next day passing dominica , we came to an anchor at guardalupo , to take in fresh water . six french-men there cast away sixteene moneths agoe came aboord vs ; they told vs a spanish man of warre but seuen daies before was seeking his consort , and this was she we descried at hull . at m●uis we intended to refresh our selues , hauing beene eleuen weeks pestered in this vnwholsome ship ; but there we found two tall ships with the hollanders colours , but necessitie forcing vs on shore , we anchored faire by them , and in friendly manner sent to hale them : but seeing they were spaniards , retiring to our ship , they sent such a volley of shot after vs , that shot the boat , split the oares , and some thorow the clothes , yet not a man hurt ; and then followed with their great ordnance , that many times ouer-racked our ship , which being so cumbred with the passengers prouisions , our ordnance was not well fitted , nor any thing as it should haue beene . but perceiuing what they were , we fitted our selues the best we could to preuent a mischiefe , seeing them warp themselues to windward , we thought it not good to be boorded on both sides at an anchor , we intended to set saile , but that the vice-admirall battered so hard our star-boord side , that we fell to our businesse , and answered their vnkindnesse with such faire shot from a demiculuering , that shot her betweene wind and water , whereby she was glad to leaue vs and her admirall together . comming faire by our quarter , he tooke in his holland flag , and put forth his spanish colours , and so haled vs. we quietly and quickly answered him , both what wee were , and whither bound , relating the effect of our commission , and the cause of our comming thither for water , and not to annoy any of the king of spaines subiects , nor any . she commanded vs amaine for the king of spaine , we replied with inlarging the particulars what friends both the kings our masters were , and as we would doe no wrong , we would take none . they commanded vs aboord to shew our commission , which we refused , but if they would send their boat to vs willingly they should see it . but for answer they made two great shot at vs , with a volley of small shot , which caused vs to leaue the decks ; then with many ill words they laid vs aboord , which caused vs to raise our maine saile , and giue the word to our small shot which lay close and ready , that paid them in such sort , they quickly retired . the fight continued halfe an houre , as if we had beene inuironed with fire and smoke , vntill they discouered the waste of our ship naked , where they brauely boorded vs loofe for loofe , hasting with pikes and swords to enter , but it pleased god so to direct our captaine , and encourage our men with valour , that our pikes being formerly placed vnder our halfe deck , and certaine shot lying close for that purpose vnder the port holes , encountred them so rudely , that their fury was not onely rebated , but their hastinesse intercepted , and their whole company beaten backe , many of our men were hurt , but i am sure they had two for one . in the end they were violently repulsed , vntill they were reinforced to charge ag●in● by their comm●●ds , wh● standing vpon their honors , thought it a great indig●ity to be so aff●onted , which caused a second charge , and that answered with a second beating backe : whereat the captaine grew iuraged , and constrained them to come on againe afresh , which they did so effectually , that questionlesse it had wrought an alteration , if the god that tosseth monarchies , and reareth m●untaines , had not taught vs to tosse our p●kes with prosperous euents , and powred out a volley of small shot amongst them , whereby that valiant commander was slaine , and many of his souldiers dropped downe likewise on the top of the hatches . this we saw with our eies , and reioyced with it at our hearts , so that we might perceiue good successe comming on , our captaine presently tooke aduantage of their discomfiture ; though with much comiseration of that resolute captaine , and not onely plied them againe with our ordnance , but had more shot vnder the pikes , which was bestowed to good purpose , and amazed our enemies with the suddennesse . amongst the rest , one lucas , our carpenters mate , must not be forgotten , who perceiuing away how to annoy them ; as they were thus puzl●d and in a confusion , drew out a minion vnder the halfe decke , and there bent it vpon them in such a manner , that when it was fired , the cases of stones and peeces of iron fell vpon them so thick , as cleared the decke , and slew many , and in short time we saw few assailants , but such as crept from place to place couertly from the fury of our shot , which now was thicker than theirs : for although has far as we may cōmend our enemies , they had done something worthy of commendations ; yet either wanting men , or being ouertaken with the vnlooked for valour of our men , they now began to shrinke , and giue vs leaue to be wanton with our aduantage . yet we could onely vse but foure peece of ordnances , but they serued the turne as well as all the rest : for she was shot so oft betweene wind and water , we saw they were willing to leaue vs , but by reason she was fast in the latch of our cable , which in haste of weighing our anchor hung aloofe , she could not cleare her selfe as she wrought to doe , till one cut the cable with an axe , and was slaine by freeing vs. hauing beene a boord vs two houres and an halfe , seeing her selfe cleere , all the shot wee had plaied on both sides , which lasted till we were out of shot , then we discouered the vice-admirall comming to her assistance , who began a farre off to ply vs with their ordnances , and put vs in minde we had another worke in hand . whereupon we separated the dead and hurt bodies , and manned the ship with the rest , and were so well incouraged wee waifed them amaine . the admirall stood aloofe off , and the other would not come within falcon shot , where she lay battering vs till shee receiued another paiment from a demiculuering , which made her beare with the shore for smooth water to mend her leakes . the next morning they both came vp againe with vs , as if they had determined to deuour vs at once , but it seemed it was but a brauado , though they forsooke not our quarter for a time within musket shot ; yet all the night onely they kept vs company , but made not a shot . during which time we had leasure to prouide vs better than before : but god bethanked they made onely but a shew of another a●sault , ere suddenly the vice-admirall fell a starne , and the other lay shaking in the wind , and so they both left vs. the fight continued six houres , and was the more vnwelcome , because we were so ill prouided , and had no intent to sight , nor giue occasion to disturbe them . as for the losse of men , if religion had not taught vs what by the prouidence of god is brought to passe , yet daily experience might informe vs , of the dangers of wars , and perils at sea , by stormes tempests , shipwracks , encounters with pirats , meeting with enemies , crosse winds , long vo●ages , vnknowne shores , barbarous nations , and an hundred inconueniences , of which humane pollicies are not capable , nor mens coniectures apprehensiue . we lost doctor bohun , a worthy valian● gentleman , ( a long time brought vp amongst the most learned surgeons , and physitions in netherlands , and this his second iourney to virginia : ) and seuen slaine out right , two died shortly of their wounds ; sixte●n● was shot , whose limbs god be thanked was recouered without maime , and now setled in virginia : how many they lost we know not , but we saw a great many lie on the decks , and their skuppers runne with bloud , they were abou● three hundred tunnes a peece , each sixteene or twentie brasse peeces . captaine chester , who in this fight had behaued himselfe like a most vigilant , resolute , and a couragious souldier , as also our honest and valiant master , did still so comfort and incourage vs by all the meanes they could , at last to all our great contents we arriued in virginia , and from thence returned safely to england . the names of the aduenturers for virginia , alphabetically set downe , according to a printed booke , set out by the treasurer and councell in this present yeere , . a sir william aliffe . sir roger aston . sir anthony ashley . sir iohn akland . sir anthonie aucher . sir robert askwith . doctor francis anthony . charles anthony . edward allen. edmund allen esquire . iohn allen. thomas allen. william atkinson , esquire . richard ashcroft . nicholas andrews . iohn andrews the elder . iohn andrews the younge● . iames ascough . giles allington . morris abbot . ambrose asten . iames askew . anthony abdey . iohn arundell , esquire . b edward , earle of bedford iames , lord bishop of bathe and wells . sir francis barrington . sir morice barkley . sir iohn benet . sir thomas beamont . sir amias bamfield . sir iohn bourcher . sir edmund bowyer . sir thomas bludder . sir george bolles . sir iohn bingley . sir thomas button . sir henry beddingfield . companie of barbers-surgeons . companie of bakers . richard banister . iohn bancks . miles bancks . thomas barber . william bonham . iames bryerley . william barners . anthony barners , esquire ▪ william brewster . richard brooke . hugh brooker , esquire . ambrose brewsey . iohn brooke . matthew bromridge . christopher brooke , esquire . martin bond. gabriel beadle . iohn beadle . dauid borne . edward barnes . iohn badger . edmund branduell . robert bowyer , esquire . bobert bateman . thomas britton . nicholas benson . edward bishop . peter burgoney . thomas burgoney . robert burgoney . christopher baron . peter benson . iohn baker . iohn bustoridge . francis burl●y . william browne . robert barker . samuel burnham . edward barkley . william bennet . captaine edward brewster . thomas brocket . iohn bullock . george bache . thomas bayly . william barkley . george butler . timothie bathurst . george burton . thomas bret. captaine iohn brough . thomas baker . iohn blunt. thomas bayly . richard and edward blunt. mineon burrell . richard blackmore . william b●ck . beniamin brand. iohn busbridge . william burrell . william barret . francis baldwin . edward b●rber . humphrey basse. robert bell. matthew bromrick . iohn beaumont . george barkley . peter bartle . thomas bretton . iohn blount . arthur bromfeld esquire . william b●rbloke . charles beck . c george , lord archbishop of canterburie . william lord cranborne , now earle of salisburie . william , lord compton , now earle of north-hampton . william lord cauendish , now earle of deuonshire . richard , earle of clanricard . sir william cauendish now lord cauendish . gray , lord chandos . sir henry cary. sir george caluert . sir lionell cranfield . sir edward cecill . sir robert cotten . sir oliuer cromwell . sir anthony cope . sir walter cope . sir edward carr. sir thomas conisbie . sir george cary. sir edward conwey . sir walter chute . sir edward culpeper . sir henry cary , captaine . sir william crauen . sir walter couert . sir george coppin . sir george chute . sir thomas couentry . sir iohn cutts . lady cary. company of cloth-workers . citie of chichester . robert chamberlaine . richard chamberlaine . francis couill . william coyse , esquire . abraham chamberlaine . thomas carpenter . anthony crew . richard cox. william crosley . iames chatfeild . richard caswell . iohn cornelis . randall carter . execut●rs of randall carter . william canning . edward carue , esquire . thomas cannon , esquire . richard champion . rawley crashaw . henry collins . henry cromwell . iohn cooper . richard cooper . io●n casson . thomas colth●rst . all●n cotten . edward cage . abraham carthwright . robert coppin . thomas conock . io●n clapham . thomas church . william carpenter . laurence campe. iames cambell . christopher cl●theroe . matthew cooper . georg● chamber . captaine iohn cooke . c●ptaine thomas conwey , esquire . edward culpeper , esquire . master william crashaw . abraham colm●r . iohn culpeper . edmund colbey . richard cooper . robert creswell . iohn cage , esquire , matthew caue , william crowe . abraham carpenter . iohn crowe . thomas cordell . richard connock , esquire . william compton . william chester . th●mas couel . richard carmarden , esquire . william and paul canning . h●nry cromwell , esquire . simon codrington . clement chichley . iames cullemore . william cantrell . d richard earle of dorset . edward lord d●nny . sir iohn digbie , now lord digbie . sir iohn doderidge . sir drew drewry the elder . sir thomas dennis . sir robert drewry . sir iohn dauers . sir dudley digs . sir marmaduke dorrel . sir thomas dale . sir thomas denton , companie of drapers . thomas bond , esquire . dauid bent , esquire . comanie of dyers . towne of douer . master richard dea●e , alderman , henry dawkes . edward dichfield . william dunne . iohn dauis . matthew d●qu●st●r . philip durdent . abraham dawes . iohn dike . thomas draper . lancelot dauis . rowley dawsey . william dobson esquire . anthony dyot , esquire , auery dranfield . roger dye . iohn downes . iohn drake . iohn delbridge . beniamin decro● thomas dyke . ieffery duppa . daniel darnelly . sara draper . clement and henry dawkne● . e thomas , earle of exeter . sir thomas euerfield . sir francis egiock . sir robert edolph . iohn eldred , esquire . william euans . richard euans . hugh euans . raph ewens , esquire . iohn elkin . robert euelin . nicholas exton . iohn exton . george etheridge . f sir moyle finch . sir henry fanshaw . sir thomas freake . sir peter fretchuile . sir william fl●●twood . sir henry fane . company of fishmongers . iohn fletcher . iohn farmer . martin fre●man , esquire . ralph freeman . william and ralph fr●●man . michael fetiplace . vvilliam fettiplace . thomas forrest . edward fl●etwood , esquire . william f●lgate . william field . nichol●s f●rrar . iohn farrar . giles francis. edward fawcet . richard farrington . iohn francklin . richard frith . iohn ferne. george farmer . thomas francis. iohn fenner . nicholas fuller , esquire . thomas f●xall . william fl●et . peter franck , esquire . richard fishborne . vvilliam faldoe . iohn fletcher , and company . vvilliam ferrars . g lady elizabeth gray . sir iohn gray . sir vvilliam godolfine . sir thomas gates . sir vvilliam gee . sir ri●hard grobham . sir vvilliam garaway . sir francis goodwin . sir george goring . sir thomas grantham . company of grocers . company of goldsmiths . company of girdlers . iohn geering . iohn gardiner . richard gardiner . iohn gilbert . thomas graue . iohn gray . nicholas griece . richard goddard . thomas gipps . peter gates . thomas gibbs esquire . laurence greene. william greenwell . robert garset . robert gore . thomas gouge . francis glanuile , esquire . g henry , earle of huntington . lord theophilus haward , l. walden . sir iohn harrington , l. harington . sir iohn hollis , now lord hautein . sir thomas holecroft . sir william harris . sir thomas harefleet . sir george haiward . sir vvarwicke heale . sir baptist hicks . sir iohn hanham . sir thomas horwell . sir thomas hewit . sir vvilliam herrick . sir eustace hart. sir pory huntley . sir arthur harris . sir edward heron. sir perseuall hart. sir ferdinando heiborne . sir lawrence hide . master hugh hamersley , alderman . master richard heron , alderman . richard humble , esquire . master richard hackleuit . edward harrison . george holeman . robert hill. griffin hinton . iohn hawkins . vvilliam hancocke . iohn harper . george hawger . iohn holt. iohn huntley . ieremy heiden . ralph hamer . ralph hamer , iunior . iohn hodgeson . iohn hanford . thomas harris . richard howell . thomas henshaw . leonard harwood tristram hill. francis haselridge . tobias hinson . peter heightley . george hawkenson . thomas hackshaw . charles hawkens , iohn hodgis . william holland . robert hartley . gregory herst . thomas hodgis . william hodgis . roger harris . iohn harris . m. iohn haiward , iames haiward . nicholas hide , esquire . iohn hare , esquire . william hackwell , esquire , gressam hoogan . humfrey hanford . william haselden . nicholas hooker . doctor anthony hunten , iohn hodsale . george hooker , anthony hinton . iohn hogsell . thomas hampton . william hicks . william holiland , ralph harison . harman harison . i sir thomas iermyn . sir robert iohnson . sir arthur ingram . sir francis iones . company of ironmongers . company of inholders . company of imbroyderers . bailiffes of ipswich . henry iackson . richard ironside . m. robert iohnson alderman . thomas iones . william iobson . thomas iohnson . thomas iadwine . iohn iosua . george isam . philip iacobson . peter iacobson . thomas iuxson senior . iames iewell . gabriel iaques . walter iobson . edward iames. zachary iones , esquire . anthony irbye , esquire . william i-anson . humfrey iobson . k sir valentine knightley . sir robert killegrew . sir charles kelke . sir iohn kaile . richard kirrill . iohn kirrill . raph king. henry kent . towne of kingslynne . iohn kettleby , esquire . walter kirkham , esquire . l henry earle of lincolne . robert , l. lisle , now earle of leicester . thomas , lord laware . sir francis leigh . sir richard lowlace . sir william litton . sir iohn lewson . sir william lower . sir samuel leonard . sir samson leonard . company of lethersellers . thomas laughton . william lewson . peter latham . peter van lore . henry leigh . thomas leuar . christofer landman . morris lewellin . edward lewis . edward lewkin . peter lodge . thomas layer thomas lawson . francis lodge . iohn langl●y . dauid loide . iohn leuit● . thomas fox and luke lodge . captaine richard linley . arnold lulls . william lawrence . i●hn landman . nicholas lichfield . nicholas leate . ged●on de laune . m phil●p earle of montgomerie . doctor george mountaine , now lord bishop of lincolne . william lord mounteagle , now lord morley . sir thomas mansell . sir thomas mildmay . sir william maynard . sir humfrey may. sir peter manhood . sir iohn merrick . sir george more . sir robert mansell . sir arthur mannering . sir dauid murrey . sir edward michelborn . sir thomas middleton . sir robert miller . sir caualiero maicott . doctor iames meddas . richard martin , esquire . company of mercers . company of merchant taylors . otho mowdite . captaine iohn martin . arthur mouse . adrian more . thomas mountford . thomas morris . ralph moorton . francis mapes . richard maplesden . iames monger . peter monsell . robert middleton . thomas maile . iohn martin . iosias maude . richard morton . george mason . thomas maddock . richard moore . nicholas moone . alfonsus van medkerk . captaine henry meoles . philip mutes . thomas mayall . humfrey marret . iaruis munaz . robert mildmay . william millet . richard morer . iohn miller . thomas martin . iohn middleton . francis middleton . n dudly , lord north. francis , lord norris . sir henry neuill of barkshire . thomas nicols . christopher nicols . vvilliam nicols . george newce . ioseph newberow . christopher newgate . thomas norincott . ionathan nuttall . thomas norton . o william oxenbridge , esquire , robert ossley . francis oliuer . p vvilliam , earle of pembroke . vvilliam , lord paget . iohn , lord petre. george percy , esquire . sir christofer parkins . sir amias preston . sir nicholas parker . sir vvilliam poole . sir stephen powell . sir henry peyton . sir iames perrot . sir iohn pettus . sir robert payne . vvilliam payne . iohn payne . edward parkins . edward parkins his widow . aden perkins . thomas perkin . richard partridge . william palmer . miles palmer . robert parkhurst . richard perciuall , esquire . richard poyntell . george pretty . george pit. allen percy . abraham peirce . edmund peirce . phenice pet. thomas philips . henry philpot. master george procter . robert penington . peter peate . iohn prat. william powell . edmund peashall . captaine william proude . henry price . nicholas pewriffe . thomas pelham . richard piggot . iohn pawlet , esquire . robert pory . richard paulson . q william quicke . r sir robert rich , now earle of warwicke . sir thomas row. sir henry rainsford . sir william romney . sir iohn ratcliffe . sir steuen ridlesdon . sir william russell . master edward rotheram , alderman . robert rich. tedder roberts . henry robinson . iohn russell . richard rogers . arthur robinson . robert robinson . millicent ramsden . iohn robinson . george robins . nichalas rainton . henry rolffe . iohn reignolds . elias roberts . henry reignolds , esquire . william roscarrocke , esquire . humfrey raymell . richard robins . s henry , earle of southampton . thomas earle of suffolke . edward semer , earle of hartford . robert , earle of salisbury . mary , countesse of shrew●bury . edmund , lord sheffeld . robert , lord spencer . iohn , lord stanhope . sir iohn saint-iohn . sir thomas smith . sir iohn samms . sir iohn smith . sir edwin sandys . sir samuel sandys . sir steuen some . sir raph shelton . sir thomas stewkley . sir william saint-iohn . sir william smith . sir richard smith . sir martin sinteuill . sir nicolas salter . doctor matthew sutcliffe of exeter . captaine iohn smith . thomas sandys , esquire . henry sandys , esquire . george sandys , esquire . company of skinners . company of salters . company of stationers . iohn stokley . richard staper . robert singleton . thomas shipton . cleophas smith . richard strongthar● . hildebrand spruson . matthew scriuener . othowell smith . george scot. hewet staper● . iames swift . richard stratford . edmund smith . robert smith . matthias springham . richard smith . edward smith . ionathan smith . humfrey smith . iohn smith . george swinhow . ioseph some . william sheckley . iohn southick . henry shelley . walter shelley . richard snarsborow . george stone . hugh shepley . william strachey . vrion spencer . iohn scarpe . thomas scott . william sharpe . steuen sparrow . thomas stokes . richard shepard . henry spranger . william stonnard . steuen sad. iohn stockley . thomas steuens . matthew shepard . thomas sherwell . william seabright , esquire . nicholas sherwell . augustine steward . thomas stile . abraham speckhard . edmund scot. francis smalman . gregory sprint , esquire . thomas stacey . william sandbatch . augustine stuard , esquire . t sir william twisden . sir william throckmorton . sir nicholas tufton . sir iohn treuer . sir thomas tracy . george thorpe , esquire . doctor william turner . the trinity house . richard turner . iohn tauerner . daniel tucker . charles towler . william tayler . leonard townson . richard tomlins . francis tate , esquire . andrew troughton . george tucker . henry timberlake . william tucker . lewis tite . robert thornton . v sir horatio vere . sir walter vaughan . henry vincent . richard venne . christopher vertue . iohn vassell . arthur venne . w henry bishop of vvorcester . francis west , esquire . sir ralph winwood . sir iohn wentworth . sir william waad . sir robert wroth. sir perciual willoby . sir charles wilmott . sir iohn wats . sir hugh worrell . sir edward waterhouse . sir thomas wilsford . sir richard williamson . sir iohn wolstenholm . sir thomas walsingham . sir thomas watson . sir thomas wilson . sir iohn weld . mistris kath. west , now lady conway . iohn wroth , esquire . captaine maria winckfield , esquire , thomas webb . rice webb . edward webb . sands webb . felix wilson . thomas white . richard wiffen . william williamson . humfrey westwood . hugh willeston . thomas wheatley . william wattey . william webster . iames white . edmund winne . iohn west . iohn wright . edward wooller . thomas walker . iohn wooller . iohn westrow . edward welch . nathaniel waad . richard widowes . dauid waterhouse , esquire . captaine owen winne . randall wetwood . george wilmer , esquire . edward wilkes . leonard white . andrew willmer . clement willmer . george walker . william welbie . francis whistler . thomas wells . captaine thomas winne . iohn whittingham . thomas wheeler . william willet . deuereux woogam . iohn walker . thomas wood. iohn willet . nicholas wheeler . thomas wale . william wilston . iohn waller . william ward . william willeston . iohn water . thomas warr , esquire . dauid wiffen . garret weston . y sir george yeardley , now gouernour of virginia . william yong. simon yeomans . z edward , lord zouch . iohn zouch , esquire . that most generous and most honourable lord , the earle of south-hampton , being pleased to take vpon him the title of treasurer , and master iohn farrar his deputy , with such instructions as were necessary , and admonitions to all officers to take heede of extortion , ingrosing commodities , forestalling of markets , especially to haue a vigilant care , the familiarity of the saluages liuing amongst them made them not way to betray or surprize them , for the building of guest-houses to relieue the weake in , and that they did wonder in all this time they had made no discoueries , nor knew no more then the very place whereon they did inhabit , nor yet could euer see any returne for all this continuall charge and trouble , therefore they sent to be added to the councell seuen gentlemen , namely mr. thorp , captaine nuce , mr. tracy , captaine middleton , captaine blount , mr. iohn pountas , and mr. harwood , with men , munition , and all things thought fitting , but they write from virginia , many of the ships were so pestred with diseased people , & thronged together in their passage , there was much sicknesse and a great mortality , wherfore they desired rather a few able sufficient men well prouided , then great multitudes , and because there were few accidents of note , but priuate aduertisements by letters , we will conclude this yeere , and proceed to the next . collected out of the councels letters for virginia . the instructions and aduertisements for this yeere were both from england and virginia , much like the last : only whereas before they had euer a suspicion of opechankanough , and all the rest of the saluages , they had an eye ouer him more then any , but now they all write so confidently of their assured peace with the saluages , there is now no more feare nor danger either of their power or trechery , so that euery man planteth himselfe where he pleaseth , and followeth his businesse securely . but the time of sir george yearley being neere expired , the councel here made choise of a worthy young gentleman sir francis wyat to succeed him , whom they forth with furnished and prouided , as they had done his predecessors , with all the necessary instructions all these times had acquainted them for the conuersion of the saluages , the suppressing of planting tobacco , and planting of corne , not depending continually to be supplied by the saluages , but in case of necessity to trade with them , whom long ere this , it hath beene promised and expected should haue beene fed and relieued by the english , not the english by them ; and carefully to redresse all the complaints of the needlesse mortality of their people , and by all diligence seeke to send something home to satisfie the aduenturers , that all this time had only liued vpon hopes , grew so weary and discouraged , that it must now be substance that must maintaine their proceedings , & not letters , excuses and promises ; seeing they could get so much and such great estates for themselues , as to spend after the rate of . pounds , , , , , , , , , . nay some . or . pounds yearely , that were not worth so many pence when they went to virginia , can scarce containe themselues either in diet , apparell , gaming , and all manner of such superfluity , within a lesse compasse than our curious , costly , and consuming gallants here in england , which cannot possibly be there supported , but either by oppressing the comminalty there , or deceiuing the generality here ( or both . ) extracted out of the councels letters for virginia . from virginia , by the relations of the chieftains there , & many i haue conferred with , that came from thence hither , i haue much admired to heare of the incredible pleasure , profit and plenty this plantation doth abound in , and yet could neuer heare of any returne but tobacco , but it hath oft amazed me to vnderstand how strangely the saluages hath beene taught the vse of our armes , and imploied in hunting and fowling with our fowling peeces , and our men rooting in the ground about tobacco like swine ; besides that , the saluages that doe little but continually exercise their bow and arrowes , should dwell and lie so familiarly amongst our men that practised little but the spade , being so farre asunder , and in such small parties dispersed , and neither fort , exercise of armes vsed , ordnances mounted , courts of guard , nor any preparation nor prouision to preuent a forraine enemy , much more the saluages howsoeuer ; for the saluages vncertaine conformity i doe not wonder , but for their constancy and conuersion , i am and euer haue beene of the opinion of master ionas stockam a minister in virginia , who euen at this time , when all things were so prosperous , and the saluages at the point of conuersion , against all their gouernours and councels opinions , writ to the councell and company in england to this effect . may . we that haue left our natiue country to soiourne in a strange land , some idle spectators , who either cowardly dare not , or couetously will not aduenture either their purses or persons in so commendable a worke ; others supporting atlas of this ilmost vnsupportable burdens as your selues , without whose assistance this virginia firmament ( in which some ) and i hope in short time will shine many more glorious starres , though there be many italiannated and spaniolized englishmen enuies our prosperities , and by all their ignominious scandals they can deuise seekes to dishearten what they can , those that are willing to further this glorious enterprize , to such i wish according to the decree of darius , that whosoeuer is an enemy to our peace , and seeketh either by getting monipolicall patens , or by forging vniust tales to hinder our welfare , that his house were pulled downe , and a paire of gallowes made of the wood , and he hanged on them in the place . as for those lasie seruants , who had rather stand all day idle , than worke , though but an houre in this vineyard , and spend their substance riotously , than cast the superfluity of their wealth into your treasury , i leaue them as they are to the eternall iudge of the world . but you right worthy , that hath aduentured so freely , i will not examine , if it were for the glory of god , or your desire of gaine , which it may be you expect should flow vnto you with a full tide , for the conuersion of the saluages : i wonder you vse not the meanes , i confesse you say well to haue them conuerted by faire meanes , but they scorne to acknowledge it , as for the gifts bestowed on them they deuoure them , and so they would the giuers if they could , and though many haue endeuoured by all the meanes they could by kindnesse to conuert them , they finde nothing from them but derision and ridiculous answers . we haue sent boies amongst them to learne their language , but they returne worse than they went ; but i am no states-man , nor loue i to meddle with any thing but my bookes , but i can finde no probability by this course to draw them to goodnesse ; i and am perswaded if mars and minerua goe hand in hand , they will effect more good in an houre , then those verball mercurians in their liues , and till their priests and ancients haue their throats cut , there is no hope to bring them to conuersion . the gouernment of sir francis wyat. about october arriued sir francis wyat , with master george sands , appointed treasurer , master dauison secretary , doctor pot the physician , and master cloyburne the surgian , but much prouision was very badly conditioned , nay the hogs would not eat that corne they brought , which was a great cause of their sicknesse and mortality , and whatsoeuer is said against the virginia corne , they finde it doth better nourish than any prouision is sent thither ; the sailers still they complaine are much to blame for imbes●ing the prouisions sent to priuate men , killing of swine , and disorderly trucking ; for which some order would be taken . in them nine ships that went with sir francis vvyat not one passenger died , at his arriuall he sent master thorpe to opechancanough , whom hee found much satisfied with his comming , to confirme their leagues as he had done his predecessors , and so contented his people should coinhabit amongst them , and hee found more motions of religion in him than could be imagined : euery man betaking himselfe to his quarter , it was ordered , that for euery head they should plant but . plants of tobacco , and vpon each plant nine leaues , which will be about . weight , the corne being appointed but at two shillings & six pence the bushell , required such labour , it caused most men neglect it , and depend vpon trade ; where were it rated at ten shillings the bushell , euery man would indeuour to haue plenty to sell to the new commers , or any that wanted , and seldome any is transported from england , but it standeth in as much , besides the hazard and other necessaries , the ships might transport of that burden . the . of nouember arriued master gookin out of ireland , with fifty men of his owne , and thirty passengers , exceedingly well furnished with all sorts of prouision and cattle , and planted himselfe at nupors-newes : the cotten trees in a yeere grew so thicke as ones arme , and so high as a man : here any thing that is planted doth prosper so well as in no place better . for the mortality of the people accuse not the place , for of the old planters and the families scarce one of twenty miscarries , onely the want of necessaries are the occasions of those diseases . and so wee will conclude this yeere with the shipping and numbers sent . out of the councels letters from virginia . this yeere was sent one and twenty saile of ships that imployed more than . sailers and . men , women and children of diuers faculties , with foure-score cattle ; the tiger fell in the turkes hands , yet safely escaped , and by the returne of their letters from thence , the company is assured there can bee no fitter places of mines , wood and water for iron than there ; and the french men affirme no country is more proper for vines , oliues , sike , rice and salt , &c. of which the next yeere they promise a good quantity . gifts . the gentlemen and mariners that came in the royall iames from the east-indies , gaue towards the building of a free schoole pound , eight shillings , and six pence ; and an vnknowne person to further it , sent thirtie pounds ; and another in like manner fiue & twentie pounds ; another refusing to be made knowne , gaue fortie shillings yeerely for a sermon before the virginia companie : also another that would not be knowne , sent for the college at henrico , many excellent good religious bookes , worth ten pound , & a most curious map of al that coast of america , master thomas bargaue their preacher there deceased , gaue a librarie valued at one hundred markes : and the inhabitants hath made a contribution of one thousand and fiue hundred pounds , to build a house for the entertaining of strangers . this yeere also there was much suing for patents for plantations , who promised to transport such great multitudes of people : there was much disputing concerning those diuisions , as though the whole land had beene too little for them : six and twentie obtained their desires , but as yet not past six hath sent thither a man ; notwithstanding many of them would haue more , and are not well contented ; whom i would intreat , and all other wranglers , to peruse this saying of honest claudius . see'st not the world of natures worke , the fairest well , i wot , how it , it selfe tog●t●er ties , as in a true-loues knot . nor seest how th' elements ayre combin'd , maintaine one constant plea , h●w midst of heauen contents the sunne , and shore containes the sea ; and how the aire both compasseth , and carrieth still earths frame , yet neither pressing burden● it , nor parting leaues the same . the obseruations of master iohn pory secretarie of virginia , in his trauels . hauing but ten men meanly prouided to plant the secretaries land on the easterne shore nee●e d●●mack . captaine wilcocks plantation , the better to secure and ass●●t each other . sir george yearley intending to visit smiths iles , fell so sicke that he could not , so that he sent me with estinien m●ll a french-man , to find● a conuenient place to make salt in . not long after namenacus the king of pawtuxunt , came to vs to seeke for thomas saluage our interpreter . thus insinuating himselfe , he led vs into a thicket , where all sitting downe , he shew●d vs his n●ked brest ; asking if we saw any deformitie vpon it , we told him , no ; no more , said hee , is the inside , but as sincere and pure ; therefore come freely to my countrie and welcome : which wee promised wee would within six weekes after . hauing taken a muster of the companies tenants , i went to smiths iles , where was our salt ho●se : not farre off wee found a more conuenient plac● , and ●o retu●ned to iames towne . being furnished t●e second ●ime , wee arriued at aquo hanock , and conferred with kiptopeke thei● king , p●ssing russels ile and onaucoke , we arriued at pawtuxunt : the discription of those places , you may reade in captaine smiths discoue●ies , therefore needlesse to bee writ againe . but here arriuing at a●toughcomoco the habi●ation of namenacu● and w●manato , his brother , long wee staied not ere they came aboord vs with a brasse kettle , as bright without as within , ful of boyled o●sters strict order was giuen none should offend vs , so that the next day i went with the ●wo kings a hunting , to discouer what i could in their confines . wam●nato brought mee first to his house , where hee shewed once his wife and children , and ma● . corne-fields ; and being two miles within the woods a hunting , as the younger conducted me forth , so the elder brought me home , and vsed me as kindly as he could , after their manner . the next day he presented me twelue beuer skinnes and a canow , which i requited with such things to his content , that he promised to keept them whilst hee liued , and burie them with him being dead . hee much wondered at our bible , but much more to heare it was the law of our god , and the first chapter of genesis expounded of adam and eue , and simple mariage ; to which he replyed , hee was like adam in one thing , for he neuer had but one wife at once ; but he , as all the rest , seemed more willing of other discourses they better vnderstood . the next day the two kings with their people , came aboord vs , but brought nothing according to promise ; so that ensigne saluage challenged namenacus the breach of three promises , viz. not in giuing him a boy , not corne , though they had plentie , nor moutapass a fugitiue , called robert marcum , that had liued ▪ yeeres amongst those northerly nations , which hee cunningly answered by excuses . womanato it seemes , was guiltlesse of this falshood , because hee staied alone when the rest were gone . i asked him if he desired to bee great and rich ; he answered , they were things all men aspired vnto : which i told him he should be , if he would follow my counsell , so he gaue me two tokens , which being returned by a messenger , should suffice to make him confident the messenger could not abuse vs. some things being stolne from vs , he tooke such order that they were presently restored , then we interchanged presents : in all things hee much admired out discretions , and gaue vs a guide that hee called brother , to conduct vs vp the riuer : by the way we met with diuers that stil tould vs of marcum : and though it was in october , we found the countrie very hot , and their corne gathered before ours at iames towne . the next day we went to paccamaganant , and they directed vs to assacomoco , where their king cassatowap had an old quarrell with ensigne saluage , but now seeming reconciled , went with vs , with another werowance towards mattapanient , where they perswaded vs ashore vpon the point of a thicket ; but supposing it some trecherie , we returned to our boat : farre we had not gone from the shore , but a multitude of saluages fallied out of the wood , with all the ill words and signes of hostilitie they could . when wee saw plainly their bad intent , wee set the two werowances at libertie , that all this while had line in the cabbin , as not taking any notice of their villanie , because we would conuert them by courtesie . leauing them as we found them , very ciuill and subtill , wee returned the same way wee came , to the laughing kings on the easterne shore , who told vs plainly , namanicus would also haue allured him into his countrie , vnder colour of trade to cut his throat . hee told vs also opechancanough had imployed onianimo to kill saluage , because he brought the trade from him to the easterne shore , and some disgrace hee had done his sonne , and some thirteene of his people before one hundred of those easterlings in reseuing thomas graues whom they would haue slaine , where hee and three more did challenge the thirteeene pamavukes to fight , but they durst not , so that all those easterlings so derided them , that they came there no more . this thomas saluage , it is sixteene yeeres since he went to virginia , being a boy , hee was left with powhatan , for namontacke to learne the language , and as this author affirmeth , with much honestie and good successe hath serued the publike without any publike recompence , yet had an arrow shot through his body in their seruice . this laughing king at accomack , tels vs the land is not two daies iourny ouer in the broadest place , but in some places a man may goe in halfe a day , betwixt the bay and the maine ocean , where inhabit many people , so that by the narrownesse of the land there is not many decre , but most abundance of fish and fowle . kiptope his brother rules ● his lieutenant , who seeing his younger brother more affected by the people than himselfe , freely resigned him the moitie of his countrie , applying himselfe onely to husbandry and hunting , yet nothing neglected in his degree , nor is hee carelesse of any thing concernes the state , but as a vigilant and faithfull counceller , as hee is an affectionated brother , bearing the greater burden in gouernment , though the lesser honour , where cleane contrary they on the westerne shore , the younger beares the charge , and the elder the dignitie . those are the best husbands of any saluages we know : for they prouide corne to serue them all the yeare , yet spare ; and the other not for halfe the yeare , yet want . they are the most ciuill and tractable people we haue met with , and by little sticks will keepe as iust an account of their promises , as by a tally . in their mariages they obserue a large distance , as well in affinitie as consanguinitie ; nor doe they vse that deuillish custome in making black boyes . there may be on this shore about two thousand people : they on the west would inuade them , but that they want boats to crosse the bay , and so would diuers other nations , were they not protected by vs. a few of the westerly runnagados had conspired against the laughing king , but fearing their treason was discouered , fled to smiths iles , where they made a massacre of deere and hogges ; and thence to rickahake , betwixt cissapeack and nansamund , where they now are seated vnder the command of itoyatin , and so i returned to iames towne , where i found the gouernment rendred to sir francis wyat. in february also he trauelled to the south riuer chawonock , some sixtie miles ouer land , which he found to be a very fruitfull and pleasant country , yeelding two haruests in a yeare , and found much of the silke grasse formerly spoken of , was kindly vsed by the people , and so returned . captaine each sent to build a fort to secure the countrey . it was no small content to all the aduenturers to heare of the safe ariuall of all those ships and companies , which was thought sufficient to haue made a plantation of themselues : and againe to second them , was sent captaine each in the abigale , a ship of three or foure hundred tunnes , who hath vndertaken to make a block-house amongst the oyster banks , that shall secure the riuer . the furnishing him with instruments , cost three hundred pounds ; but the whole charge and the ships returne , will be neere two thousand pounds . in her went captaine barwicke with fiue and twentie men for the building ships and boats , and not other waies to be imploied : and also a selected number to build the e●st indie schoole , but as yet from virginia little returnes but priuate mens tobacco , and faire promises of plentie of iron , silke , wine , and many other good and rich commodities , besides the speedy conuersion of the saluages , that at first were much discouraged from liuing amongst them , when they were debarred the vse of their peeces ; therefore it was disputed as a matter of state , whether such as would liue amongst them should vse them or not , as a bait to allure them ; or at least such as should bee called to the knowledge of christ. but because it was a great trouble for all causes to be brought to iames towne for a triall , courts were appointed in conuenient places to releeue them : but as they can make no lawes in virginia till they be ratified here ; so the● thinke it but reason , none should bee inacted here without their consents , because they onely feele them , and must liue vnder them . still they complaine for want of corne , but what must be had by trade , and how vnwilling any officer when he leaueth his place , is to make good his number of men to his successor , but many of them during their times to help themselues , vndoes the company : for the seruants you allow them , or such as they hire , they plant on their priuate lands , not vpon that belongeth to their office , which crop alwaies exceeds yours , besides those which are your tenants to halfes , are forced to row them vp and downe , whereby both you and they lose more then halfe . nor are those officers the ablest or best deseruing , but make their experience vpon the companies cost , and your land lies vnmanured to any purpose , and will yeeld as little profit to your next new officers . the massacre vpon the two and twentieth of march. the prologue to this tragedy , is supposed was occasioned by nemattanow , otherwise called iack of the feather , because hee commonly was most strangely adorned with them ; and for his courage and policy , was accounted amongst the saluages their chiefe captaine , and immortall from any hurt could bee done him by the english. this captaine comming to one morgans house , knowing he had many commodities that hee desired , perswaded morgan to goe with him to pamauke to trucke , but the saluage murdered him by the way ; and after two or three daies returned againe to morgans house , where he found two youths his seruants , who asked for their master : iack replied directly he was dead ; the boyes suspecting as it was , by seeing him weare his cap , would haue had him to master thorp : but iack so moued their patience , they shot him , so he fell to the ground , put him in a boat to haue him before the gouernor , then seuen or eight miles from them . but by the way iack finding the pangs of death vpon him , desired of the boyes two things ; the one was , that they would not make it knowne hee was slaine with a bullet ; the other , to bury him amongst the english. at the losse of this saluage opechankanough much grieued and repined , with great threats of reuenge ; but the english returned him such terrible answers , that he cunningly dissembled his intent , with the greatest signes he could of loue and peace , yet within foureteene daies after he acted what followeth . sir francis wyat at his arriuall was aduertised , he found the countrey setled in such a firme peace , as most men there thought sure and vnuiolable , not onely in regard of their promises , but of a necessitie . the poore weake saluages being euery way bettered by vs , and safely sheltred and defended , whereby wee might freely follow our businesse : and such was the conceit of this conceited peace , as that there was seldome or neuer a sword , and seldomer a peece , except for a deere or fowle , by which assurances the most plantations were placed straglingly and scatteringly , as a choice veine of rich ground inuited them , and further from neighbours the better . their houses generally open to the saluages , who were alwaies friendly fed at their tables , and lodged in their bed-chambers , which made the way plaine to effect their intents , and the conuersion of the saluages as they supposed . hauing occasion to send to opechankanough about the middle of march , hee vsed the messenger well , and told him he held the peace so firme , the sky should fall or he dissolued it ; yet such was the treachery of those people , when they had contriued our destruction , euen but two daies before the massacre , they guided our men with much kindnesse thorow the woods , and one browne that liued among them to learne the language , they sent home to his master ; yea , they borrowed our boats to transport themselues ouer the riuer , to consult on the deuillish murder that insued , and of our vtter extirpation , which god of his mercy ( by the meanes of one of themselues conuerted to christianitie ) preuented , and as well on the friday morning that fatall day , being the two and twentieth of march , as also in the euening before , as at other times they came vnarmed into our houses , with deere , turkies , fish , fruits , and other prouisions to sell vs , yea in some places sat downe at breakfast with our people , whom immediatly with their owne tooles they slew most barbarously , not sparing either age or sex , man woman or childe , so sudden in their execution , that few or none discerned the weapon or blow that brought them to destruction : in which manner also they slew many of our people at seuerall works in the fields , well knowing in what places and quarters each of our men were , in regard of their familiaritie with vs , for the effecting that great master-peece of worke their conuersion ; and by this meanes fell that fatall morning vnder the bloudy and barbarous hands of that perfidious and inhumane people , three hundred forty seuen men , women and children , most by their owne weapons , and not being content with their liues , they fell againe vpon the dead bodies , making as well as they could a fresh murder , defacing , dragging , and mangling their dead carkases into many peeces , and carying some parts away in derision , with base and brutish triumph . neither yet did these beasts spare those amongst the rest well knowne vnto them , from whom they had daily receiued many benefits , but spightfully also massacred them without any remorse or pitie ; being in this more fell then lions and dragons , as histories record , which haue preserued their benefactors ; such is the force of good deeds , though done to cruell beasts , to take humanitie vpon them , but these miscreants put on a more vnnaturall brutishnesse then beasts , as by those instances may appeare . that worthy religions gentleman m. george thorp , deputie to the college lands , sometimes one of his maiesties pensioners , & in command one of the principall in virginia ; did so truly affect their conuersion , that whosoeuer vnder him did them the least displeasure , were punished seuerely . he thought nothing too deare for them , he neuer denied them any thing , in so much that when they complained that our mastiues did feare them , he to content them in all things , caused some of them to be killed in their presence , to the great displeasure of the owners , and would haue had all the rest guelt to make them the milder , might he haue had his will. the king dwelling but in a cottage , he built him a faire house after the english fashion , in which he tooke such pleasure , especially in the locke and key , which he so admired , as locking and vnlocking his doore a hundred times a day , he thought no deuice in the world comparable to it . thus insinuating himselfe into this kings fauour for his religious purpose , he conferred oft with him about religion , as many other in this former discourse had done , and this pagan confessed to him as he did to them , our god was better then theirs , and seemed to be much pleased with that discourse , and of his company , and to requite all those courtesies ; yet this viperous brood did , as the sequell shewed , not onely murder him , but with such spight and scorne abused his dead corps as is vnfitting to be heard with ciuill eares . one thing i cannot omit , that when this good gentleman vpon his fatall houre , was warned by his man , who perceiuing some treachery intended by those hell-hounds , to looke to himselfe , and withall ran away for feare he should be apprehended , and so saued his owne life ; yet his master out of his good meaning was so void of suspition and full of confidence ▪ they had slaine him , or he could or would beleeue they would hurt him . captaine nathaniel powell one of the first planters , a valiant souldier , and not any in the countrey better knowne amongst them ; yet such was the error of an ouer-conceited power and prosperitie , and their simplicities , they not onely slew him and his family , but butcher-like hagled their bodies , and cut off his head , to expresse their vttermost height of cruelty . another of the old company of captaine smith , called nathaniel causie , being cruelly wounded , and the saluages about him , with an axe did cleaue one of their heads , whereby the rest fled and he escaped : for they hurt not any that did either fight or stand vpon their guard . in one place where there was but two men that had warning of it , they defended the house against . or more that assaulted it . m. baldwin at warraskoyack , his wife being so wounded , she lay for dead , yet by his oft discharging of his peece , saue ●●er , his house , himselfe , & diuers others . at the same time they came to one mast●r harisons house , neere halfe a mile from baldwines , where was master thomas hamer with six men , and eighteene or nineteene women and children . here the saluages with many presents and faire perswasions , fained they came for capt. ralfe hamer to go to their king , then hunting in the woods , presently they sent to him , but he not comming as they expected , set fire of a tobacco-house , and then came to tell them in the dwelling house of it to quench it ; all the men ran towards it , but master hamer not suspecting any thing , whom the saluages pursued , shot them full of arrowes , then beat out their braines . hamer hauing finished a letter hee was a writing , followed after to see what was the matter , but quickly they shot an arrow in his back , which caused him returne and barricado vp the doores , whereupon the saluages set fire on the house . harisons boy finding his masters peece loaded , discharged it at randome , at which bare report the saluages all fled , baldwin still discharging his peece , and mr hamer with two and twentie persons thereby got to his house , leauing their owne burning . in like manner , they had fired lieutenant basse his house , with all the rest there about , slaine the people , and so left that plantation . captaine hamer all this while not knowing any thing , comming to his brother that had sent for him to go hunt with the king , meeting the saluages chasing some , yet escaped , retired to his new house then a building , from whence he came ; there onely with spades , axes , and brick bats , he defended himselfe and his company till the saluages departed . not long after , the master from the ship had sent six musketiers , with which he recouered their merchants store-house , where he armed ten more , and so with thirtie more vnarmed workmen , found his brother and the rest at b●ldwins : now seeing all they had was burnt and consumed , they repaired to iames towne with their best expedition ; yet not far from martins hundred , where seuenty three were slaine , was a little house and a small family , that heard not of any of this till two daies after . all those , and many others whom they haue as maliciously murdered , sought the good of those poore brutes , that thus despising gods mercies , must needs now as miscreants be corrected by iustice : to which leauing them , i will knit together the thred of this discourse . at the time of the massacre , there were three or foure ships in iames riuer , and one in the next , and daily more to come in , as there did within foureteene daies after , one of which they indeuoured to haue surprised : yet were the hearts of the english euer stupid , and auerted from beleeuing any thing might weaken their hopes , to win them by kinde vsage to christianitie . but diuers write from thence , that almighty god hath his great worke in this tragedy , and will thereout draw honor and glory to his name , and a more flourishing estate and safetie to themselues , and with more speed to conuert the saluage children to himselfe , since he so miraculously hath preserued the english ; there being yet , god be praised , eleuen parts of twelue remaining , whose carelesse neglect of their owne safeties , seemes to haue beene the greatest cause of their destructions : yet you see , god by a conuerted saluage that disclosed the plot , saued the rest , and the pinnace then in pamavukes riuer , whereof ( say they ) though our sinnes made vs vnworthy of so glorious a conuersion , yet his infinite wisdome can neuerthelesse bring it to passe , and in good time , by such meanes as we thinke most vnlikely : for in the deliuery of them that suruiue , no mans particular carefulnesse saued one person , but the meere goodnesse of god himselfe , freely and miraculously preseruing whom he pleased . the letters of master george sands , a worthy gentleman , and many others besides them returned , brought vs this vnwelcome newes , that hath beene heard at large in publike court , that the indians and they liued as one nation , yet by a generall combination in one day plotted to subuert the whole colony , and at one instant , though our seuerall plantations were one hundred and fortie miles vp on riuer on both sides . but for the better vnderstanding of all things , you must remember these wilde naked natiues liue not in great numbers together , ●●t dispersed , commonly in thirtie , fortie , fiftie , or sixtie in a company . some places haue two hundred , few places more , but many lesse ; yet they had all warning giuen them one from another in all their habitations , though farre asunder , to meet at the day and houre appointed for our destruction at al our seueral plantations ; some directed to one place , some to another , all to be done at the time appointed , which they did accordingly : some entring their houses vnder colour of trading , so tooke their aduantage ; others drawing vs abroad vnder faire pretences , and the rest suddenly falling vpon those that were at their labours . six of the counsell suffered vnder this treason , and the slaughter had beene vniuersall , if god had not put it into the heart of an indian , who lying in the house of one pace , was vrged by another indian his brother , that lay with him the night before to kill pace , as he should doe perry which was his friend , being so commanded from their king ; telling him also how the next day the execution should be finished : perrys indian presently arose and reueales it to pace , that vsed him as his sonne ; and thus them that escaped was saued by this one conuerted infidell . and though three hundred fortie seuen were slaine , yet thousands of ours were by the meanes of this alone thus preserued , for which gods name be praised for euer and euer . pace vpon this , securing his house , before day rowed to iam●s towne , and told the gouernor of it , whereby they were preuented , and at such other plantations as possibly intelligence could be giuen : and where they saw vs vpon our guard , at the sight of a peece they ranne away ; but the rest were most slaine , their houses burnt , such armes and munition as they found they tooke away , and some cattell also they destroied . since wee finde opechankanough the last yeare had practised with a king on the easterne shore , to furnish him with a kind of poison , which onely growes in his country to poison vs. but of this bloudy acte neuer griefe and shame poss●ssed any people more then themselues , to be thus butchered by so naked and cowardly a people , who dare not stand the presenting of a staffe in manner of a peece , nor an vncharged peec● in the hands of a woman . ( but i must tell those authors , though some might be thus cowardly , there were many of them had better spirits . ) thus haue you heard the particulars of this massacre , which in those respects some say will be good for the plantation , because now we haue iust cause to destroy them by all meanes possible : but i thinke it had beene much better it had neuer happened , for they haue giuen vs an hundred times as iust occasions long agoe to subiect them , ( and i wonder i can heare of none but master ●●ockam and master whitaker of my opinion . ) moreouer , where before we were troubled in cleering the ground of great timber , which was to them of small vse : now we may take their owne plaine fields and habitations , which are the p●easantest places in the countrey . besides , the deere , turkies , and other beasts and fowles will exceedingly increase if we beat the saluages out of the countrey , for at all times of the yeare they neuer spare male nor female , old nor young , egges nor birds , fat nor leane , in season or out of season with them , all is one . the like they did in our swine and goats , for they haue vsed to kill eight in tenne more then we , or else the wood would most plentifully abound with victuall ; besides it is more easie to ciuilize them by conquest then faire meanes : for the one may be made at once , but their ciuilizing will require a long time and much industry . the manner how to suppresse them is so often related and approued , i omit it here : and you haue twenty examples of the spaniards how they got the west-indies , and forced the treacherous and rebellious infidels to doe all manner of drudgery worke and slauery for them , themselues liuing like souldiers vpon the fruits of their labours . this will make vs more circumspect , and be an example to posteritie : ( but i say , this might as well haue beene put in practise sixteene yeares agoe as now . ) thus vpon this anuill shall wee now beat our selues an armour of proofe hereafter to defend vs against such incu●sions , and euer hereafter make vs more circumspect : but to helpe to repaire this losse , besides his maiesties bounty in armes , he gaue the company out of the tower , and diuers other honorable persons haue renewed their aduentures , we must not omit the honorable citie of london , to whose endlesse praise wee may speake it , are now setting forward one hundred persons , and diuers others at their owne costs are a repairing , and all good men doe thinke neuer the worse of the businesse for all these dis●sters . what growing state was there euer in the world which had not the like ? rome grew by oppression , and rose vpon the backe of her enemies : and the spaniards haue had many of those counterbuffes , more than we . columbus , vpon his returne from the west-indies into spaine , hauing left his people with the indies , in peace and promise of good vsage amongst them , at his returne backe found not one of them liuing , but all treacherously slaine by the saluages . after this againe , when the spanish colonies were increased to great numbers , the indians from whom the spaniards for trucking stuffe vsed to haue all their corne , generally conspired together to plant no more at all , intending thereby to famish them ; themselues liuing in the meane time vpon cassaua , a root to make bread , onely then knowne to themselues . this plot of theirs by the spaniards ouersight , that foolishly depended vpon strangers for their bread , tooke such effect , and brought them to such misery by the rage of famine , that they spared no vncleane nor loathsome beast , no not the poisonous and hideous serpents , but eat them vp also , deuouring one death to saue them from another ; and by this meanes their whole colony well-neere surfeted , sickned and died miserably , and when they had againe recouered this losse , by their incontinency an infinite number of them died on the indian disease , we call the french pox , which at first being a strange and an vnknowne malady , was deadly vpon whomsoeuer it lighted : then had they a little flea called nigua , which got betweene the skinne and the flesh before they were aware , and there bred and multiplied , making swellings and putrifactions , to the decay and losse of many of their bodily members . againe , diuers times they were neere vndone by their ambition , faction , and malice of the commanders . columbus , to whom they were also much beholden , was sent with his brother in chaines into spaine ; and some other great commanders killed and murdered one another . pizzaro was killed by almagros sonne , and him vasco beheaded , which vasco was taken by blasco , and blasco was likewise taken by pizzaros brother : and thus by their couetous and spightfull quarrels , they were euer shaking the maine pillars of their common-weale . these and many more mischiefes and calamities hapned them , more then euer did to vs , and at one time being euen at the last gaspe , had two ships not arriued with supplies as they did , they were so disheartned , they were a leauing the countrey : yet we see for all those miseries they haue attained to their ends at last , as is manifest to all the world , both with honour , powe● , and wealth : and whereas be●ore few could be hired to goe to inhabit there , now with great sute they must obtaine it ; but where there was no honesty , nor equity , nor sanctitie , nor veritie , nor pie●ie , nor good ciuilitie in such a countrey , certainly there can bee no stabilitie . therefore let vs not be discouraged , but rather animated by those conclusions , seeing we are so well assured of the goodnesse and commodities may bee had in virginia , nor is it to be much doubted there is any want of mines of most sorts , no not of the richest , as is well knowne to some yet liuing that can make it manifest when time shall serue : and yet to thinke that gold and siluer mines are in a country otherwise most rich and fruitfull , or the greatest wealth in a plantation , is but a popular error , as is that opinion likewise , that the gold and siluer is now the greatest wealth of the west indies at this present . true it is indeed , that in the first conquest the spaniards got great and mighty store of treasure from the natiues , which they in long space had heaped together , and in those times the indians shewed them entire and rich mines , which now by the relations of them that haue beene there , are exceedingly wasted , so that now the charge of getting those metals is growne excessiue , besides the consuming the liues of many by their pestilent smoke and vapours in digging and refining them , so that all things considered , the cleere gaines of those metals , the kings part defraied , to the aduenturers is but small , and nothing neere so much as vulgarly is imagined ; and were it not for other rich commodities there that inrich them , those of the contraction house were neuer able to subsist by the mines onely ; for the greatest part of their commodities are partly naturall , and partly transported from other parts of the world , and planted in the west-indies , as in their mighty wealth of sugarcanes , being first transported from the canaries ; and in ginger and other things brought out of the east-indies , in their cochanele , indicos , cotton , and their infinite store of hides , quick-siluer , allum , woad , brasill woods , dies , paints , tobacco , gums , balmes , oiles , medicinals and perfumes , sassaparilla , and many other physicall drugs : these are the meanes whereby they raise that mighty charge of drawing out their gold and siluer to the great & cleare reuenue of their king. now seeing the most of those commodities , or as vsefull , may be had in virginia by the same meanes , as i haue formerly said ; let vs with all speed take the priority of time , where also may be had the priority of place , in chusing the best seats of the country , which now by vanquishing the saluages , is like to offer a more faire and ample choice of fruitfull habitations , then hitherto our gentlenesse and faire comportments could attaine vnto . the numbers that were slaine in those seuerall plantations . at captaine berkleys plantation , himselfe and . others , seated at the falling-crick , . miles from iames city . master thomas sheffelds plantation , some three miles from the falling-crick , himselfe and . others . at henrico iland , about two miles from sheffelds plantation . slaine of the college people , twenty miles from henrico . at charles city , and of captaine smiths men . at the next adioyning plantation . at william farrars house . at brickley hundred , fifty miles from charles city , master thorp and at westouer , a mile from brickley . at master iohn wests plantation . at captaine nathaniel wests plantation . at lieutenant gibs his plantation . at richard owens house , himselfe and at master owen macars house , himselfe and at martins hundred , seuen miles from iames city . at another place . at edward bonits plantation . at master waters his house , himselfe and at apamatucks riuer , at master perce his plantation , fiue miles from the college . at master macocks diuident , captaine samuel macock , and at flowerda hundred , sir george yearleys plantation . on the other side opposite to it . at master swinhows house , himselfe and at master william bickars house , himselfe and at weanock , of sir george yearleys people . at powel brooke , captaine nathaniel powel , and at south-hampton hundred . at martin brandons hundred . at captaine henry spilmans house . at ensigne spences house . at master thomas perse his house by mulbery i le , himselfe and the whole number . men in this taking bettered with affliction , better attend , and mind , and marke religion , for then true voyces issue from their hearts , then speake they what they think● in inmost parts , the truth remaines , they cast off sained arts. this lamentable and so vnexpected a distaster caused them all beleeue the opinion of master stockam , and draue them all to their wits end : it was twenty or thirty daies ere they could resolue what to doe , but at last it was concluded , all the petty plantations should be abandoned , and drawne onely to make good fiue or six places , where all their labours now for the most part must redound to the lords of those lands where they were resident . now for want of boats , it was impossible vpon such a sudden to bring also their cattle , and many other things , which with much time , charge and labour they had then in possession with them ; all which for the most part at their departure was burnt , ruined and destroyed by the saluages . only master gookins at nuports-newes would not obey the commanders command in that , though hee had scarce fiue and thirty of all sorts with him , yet he thought himselfe sufficient against what could happen , and so did to his great credit and the content of his aduenturers . master samuel iorden gathered together but a few of the straglers about him at beggers-bush , where he fortified and liued in despight of the enemy . nay , mistrisse proctor , a proper , ciuill , mod●st gentlewoman did the like , till perforce the english officers forced her and all them with her to goe with them , or they would fire her house themselues , as the saluages did when they were gone , in whose despight they had kept it , and what they had a moneth or three weekes after the massacre ; which was to their hearts a griefe beyond comparison , to lose all they had in that manner , onely to secure others pleasures . now here in england it was thought , all those remainders might presently haue beene reduced into fifties or hundreds in places most conuenient with what they had , hauing such strong houses as they reported they had , which with small labour might haue beene made inuincible castles against all the saluages in the land , and then presently raised a company , as a running armie to torment the barbarous and secure the rest , and so haue had all that country betwixt the riuers of powhatan and pamavuke to range and sustaine them ; especially all the territories of kecoughtan , chiskact and paspahege , from ozenies to that branch of pamavuke , comming from youghtanund , which strait of land is not past . or . miles , to haue made a peninsula much bigger then the summer iles , inuironed wi●h the broadest parts of those two maine riuers , which for plenty of such things as virgnia affords is not to be exceeded , and were it well manured , more then sufficient for ten thousand men . this , were it well vnderstood , cannot but be thought be●ter then ●o bring fiue or six hundred to lodge and liue on that , which before would not well receiue and maintaine a hundred , planting little or nothing , but spend that they haue vpon hopes out of england , one euill begetting another , till the disease is past cure : therefore it is impossible but such courses must produce most fearefull miseries and extreme extremities ; if it proue otherwise , i should be exceeding glad . i confesse i am somewhat too bold to censure other mens actions being not present , but they haue done as much of me ; yea many here in england that were neuer there , & also many there that knowes little more then their plantations , but as they are informed ; and this doth touch the glory of god , the honour of my country , and the publike good so much , for which there hath beene so many faire pretences , that i hope none will be angry for speaking my opinion , seeing the old prouerbe doth allow losers leaue to speake ; and du bart as saith , euen as the wind the angry ocean moues , waue hunteth waue , and billow billow shoues , so doe all nations iustell each the other , and so one people doe pursue another , and scarce a sec●nd hath the first vnhoused , before a third him thence againe haue roused . amongst the multitude of these seuerall relations , it appeares captaine nuse seeing many of the difficulties to ensue , caused as much corne to be planted as he could at elizabeths city , & though some destroyed that they had set , fearing it would serue the saluages for ambuscadoes , trusting to releefe by trade , or from england , which hath euer beene one cause of our miseries , for from england wee haue not had much , and for trading , euery one hath not ships , shalops , interpreters , men and prouisions to performe it , and those that haue , vse them onely for their owne priuate g●ine , not the publike good , so that our beginning this yeere doth cause many to distrust the euent of the next . here wee will leaue captaine nuse for a while , lamenting the death of captaine norton , a valiant industrious gentleman , adorned with many good qualities , besides physicke and chirurgery , which for the publike good he freely imparted to all gratis , but most bountifully to the poore ; and let vs speake a little of captaine croshaw amongst the midst of those broiles in the riuer of patawom●ke . being in a small barke called the elizabeth , vnder the command of captaine spilman , at cekacawone , a saluage stole aboord them , and told them of the massacre , and that opechancanough had plotted with his king and country to betray them also , which they refused , but them of wighcocomoco at the mouth of the riuer had vndertaken it ; vpon this spilman went thither , but the saluages seeing his men so vigilant and well armed , they suspected themselues discouered , and to colour their guilt , the better to delude him , so contented his desire in trade , his pinnace was neere fraught ; but seeing no more to be had , croshaw went to patawomek ▪ where he intended to stay and trade for himselfe , by reason of the long acquaintance he had with this king that so earnestly entreated him now to be his friend , his countenancer , his captaine and director against the pazaticans , the nacotchtanks ▪ and moyaons his mortall enemies . of this oportunity croshaw was glad , as well to satisfie his owne desire in some other purpose he had , as to keepe the king as an opposite to opechancanough , and adhere him vnto vs , or at least make him an instrument against our enemies ; so onely elis hill stayed with him , and the pinnace returned to elizabeths city ; here shall they rest also a little , till we see how this newes was entertained in england . it was no small griefe to the councell and company , to vnderstand of such a supposed impossible losse , as that so many should fall by the hands of men so contemptible ; and yet hauing such warnings , especially by the death of nemattanow , whom the saluages did thinke was shot-free , as he had perswaded them , hauing so long e●caped so many dangers without any hurt . but now to leape out of this labyrinth of melancholy , all this did not so discourage the noble aduenturers , nor diuers others still to vndertake new seuerall plantations , but that diuers ships were dispatched away , for their supplies and assistance thought sufficient . yet captaine smith did intreat and moue them to put in practise his old offer , seeing now it was time to vse both it and him , how slenderly heretofore both had beene regarded , and because it is not impertinent to the businesse , it is not much amisse to remember what it was . the proiect and offer of captaine iohn smith , to the right honourable , and right worshipfull company virginia . if you please i may be transported with a hundred souldiers and thirty sailers by the next michaelmas , with victuall , munition , and such necessary prouision , by gods assistance , we would endeuour to inforce the saluages to leaue their country , or bring them in that feare and subiection that euery man should follow their businesse securely , whereas now halfe their times and labours are spent in watching and warding , onely to defend but altogether vnable to suppresse the saluages , because euery man now being for himselfe will be vnwilling to be drawne from their particular labours , to be made as pack-horses for all the rest , without any certainty of some better reward and preferment then i can vnderstand any there can or will yet giue them . these i would imploy onely in ranging the countries , and tormenting the saluages , and that they should be as a running army till this were effected , and then settle themselues in some such conuenient place , that should euer remaine a garison of that strength , ready vpon any occasion against the saluages , or any other for the defence of the countrey , and to see all the english well armed , and instruct them their vse . but i would haue a barke of one hundred tunnes , and meanes to build sixe or seuen shalops , to transport them where there should bee occasion . towards the charge , because it is for the generall good , and what by the massacre and other accidents , virginia is disparaged , and many men and their purses much discouraged , how euer a great many doe hasten to goe , thinking to bee next heires to all the former losses , i feare they will not finde all things as they doe imagine ; therefore leauing those gilded conceits , and diue into the true estate of the colony ; i thinke if his maiestie were truly informed of their necessitie , and the benefit of this proiect , he would be pleased to giue the custome of virginia , and the planters also according to their abilities would adde thereto such a contribution , as would be fit to maintaine this garison till they be able to subsist , or cause some such other collections to be made , as may put it with all expedition in practice ; otherwise it is much to be doubted , there will neither come custome , nor any thing from thence to england within these few yeares . now if this should be thought an imploiment more fit for ancient souldiers there bred , then such new commers as may goe with me ; you may please to leaue that to my discretion , to accept or refuse such voluntaries , that will hazard their fortunes in the trialls of these euents , and discharge such of my company that had rather labour the ground then subdue their enemies : what releefe i should haue from your colony i would satisfie and spare them ( when i could ) the like courtesie . notwithstanding these doubts , i hope to feede them as well as defend them , and yet discouer you more land vnknowne then they all yet know , if you will grant me such priuiledges as of necessity must be vsed . for against any enemy we must be ready to execute the best can be deuised by your state there , but not that they shall either take away my men , or any thing else to imploy as they please by vertue of their authority , and in that i haue done somewhat for new-england as well as virginia , so i would desire liberty and authority to make the best vse i can of my best experiences , within the limits of those two patents , and to bring them both in one map , and the countries betwixt them , giuing alwaies that respect to the gouernors and gouernment , as an englishman doth in scotland ▪ or a scotchman in england , or as the regiments in the low-countries doe to the gouernors of the townes and cities where they are billited , or in garrison , where though they liue with them , and are as their seruants to defend them , yet not to be disposed on at their pleasure , but as the prince and state doth command them , and for my owne paines in particular i aske not any thing but what i can produce from the proper labour of the saluages . their answer . i cannot say , it was generally for the company , for being published in their court , the most that heard it liked exceeding well of the motion , and some would haue been very large aduenturers in it , especially sir iohn brookes and master dauid wyffin , but there were such diuisions amongst them , i could obtaine no answer but this , the charge would be too great ; their stocke was decayed , and they did thinke the planters should doe that of themselues if i could finde meanes to effect it ; they did thinke i might haue leaue of the company , prouided they might haue halfe the pillage , but i thinke there are not many will much striue for that imploiment , for except it be a little corne at some time of the yeere is to be had , i would not giue twenty pound for all the pillage is to be got amongst the saluages in twenty yeeres : but because they supposed i spake only for my owne ends , it were good those vnderstand prouidents for the companies good they so much talke of , were sent thither to make triall of their profound wisdomes and long experiences . about this time also was propounded a proposition concerning a sallery of fiue and twenty thousand pounds to be raised out of tobacco , as a yeerely pension to bee paid to certaine officers for the erecting a new office , concerning the sole importation of tobacco , besides his maiesties custome , fraught , and all other charges . to nominate the vndertakers , fauourers and opposers , with their arguments ( pro ) and ( con ) would bee too tedious and needlesse being so publikely knowne ; the which to establish , spent a good part of that yeere , and the beginning of the next . this made many thinke wonders of virginia , to pay such pensions extraordinary to a few here that were neuer there , and also in what state and pompe some chieftaines and diuers of their associates liue in virginia , and yet no money to maintaine a garrison , pay poore men their wages , nor yet fiue and twenty pence to all the aduenturers here , and very little to the most part of the planters there , bred such differences in opinion it was dissolued . now let vs returne to captaine croshaw at patawomek , where he had not beene long ere opechancanough sent two baskets of beads to this king , to kill him and his man , assuring him of the massacre he had made , and that before the end of two moones there should not be an englishman in all their countries : this fearefull message the king told this captaine , who replied , he had seene both the cowardise and trechery of opechancanough sufficiently tried by captaine smith , therefore his threats he feared not , nor for his fauour cared , but would nakedly fight with him or any of his with their owne swords ; if he were slaine , he would leaue a letter for his country men to know , the fault was his owne , not the kings ; two daies the king deliberated vpon an answer , at last told him the english were his friends , and the saluage emperour opitchapam now called toyatan , was his brother , therefore there should be no bloud shed betwixt them , so hee returned the presents , willing the pamavukes to come no more in his country , lest the english , though against his will , should doe them any mischiefe . not long after , a boat going abroad to seeke out some releefe amongst the plantations , by nuports-newes met such ill weather , though the men were saued they lost their boat , which the storme and waues cast vpon the shore of nandsamund , where edmund waters one of the three that first stayed in summer iles , and found the great peece of amber-greece , dwelling in virginia at this massacre , hee and his wife these nandsamunds kept prisoners till it chanced they found this boat , at which purchase they so reioyced , according to their custome of triumph , with songs , dances and inuocations , they were so busied , that waters and his wife found opportunity to get secretly into their canow , and so crossed the riuer to kecoughtan , which is nine or ten miles , whereat the english no lesse wondred and reioyced , then the saluages were madded with discontent . thus you may see how many desperate dangers some men escape , when others die that haue all things at their pleasure . all men thinking captaine croshaw dead , captaine hamer arriuing with a ship and a pinnace at patawomeke , was kindly entertained both by him and the king ; that don hamar told the king he came for corne : the king replied hee had none , but the nacotchtanks and their confederats had , which were enemies both to him and them ; if they would fetch it , he would giue them . or choise bow-men to conduct and assist them . those saluages with some of the english they sent , who so well played their parts , they slew . of the nacotchtanks , some write but . and some they had a long skirmish with them ; where the patawomeks were so eager of reuenge , they driue them not onely out of their towne , but all out of fight through the woods , thus taking what they liked , and spoiling the rest , they retired to patawomek , where they lef● captaine croshaw , with foure men more , the rest set saile for iames towne . captaine croshaw now with fiue men and himselfe found night and day so many alarums , he retired into such a conuenient place , that with the helpe of the saluages , hee had quickly fortified himselfe against all those wilde enemies . captaine nuse his pinnace meeting hamar by the way vnderstanding all this , came to see captaine croshaw : after their best enterchanges of courtesies , croshaw writ to nuse the estate of the place where he was , but vnderstanding by them the poore estate of the colony , offered if they would send him but a bold shallop , with men , armes and prouision for trade , the next haruest he would prouide them corne sufficient , but as yet it being but the latter end of sune , there was little or none in all the country . this being made knowne to the gouernour and the rest , they sent captaine madyson with a ship and pinnace , and some six and thirtie men : those croshaw a good time taught the vse of their armes , but receiuing a letter from boyse his wife , a prisoner with nineteene more at pamavuke , to vse meanes to the gouernour for their libertie ; so hee dealt with this king , hee got first two of his great men to goe with him to iames towne , and eight daies after to send foure of his counsell to pamavuke , there to stay till he sent one of his two to them , to perswade opachankanough to send two of his with two of the patawomekes , to treat about those prisoners , and the rest should remaine their hostage at pamavuke ; but the commanders , at iames towne , it seemes , liked not of it , and so sent the patawomekes backe againe to their owne countrie , and captaine croshaw to his owne habitation . all this time we haue forgot captaine nuse , where we left him but newly acquainted with the massacre , calling all his next adioyning dispersed neighbours together , he regarded not the pestring his owne house , nor any thing to releeue them , and with all speed entrenched himselfe , mounted three peece of ordnance , so that within . daies , he was strong enough to defend himselfe from all the saluages , yet when victuall grew scant , some that would forrage without order , which he punished , neere occasioned a mutiny . notwithstanding , he behaued himselfe to fatherly and kindly to them all , they built two houses for them he daily expected from england , a faire well of fresh water mantled with bricke , because the riuer and cricks are there brackish or salt ; in all which things he plaied the sawyer , carpenter , dauber , laborer , or any thing ; wherein though his courage and heart were steeled , he found his body was not made of iron , for hee had many sicknesses , and at last a dropsie , no lesse griefe to himselfe , then sorrow to his wife and all vnder his gouernment . these crosses and losses were no small increasers of his malady , nor the thus abandoning our plantations , the losse of our haruest , and also tobacco which was as our money ; the vineyard our vineyetours had brought to a good forwardnesse , bruised and destroyed with deere , and all things ere they came to perfection , with weeds , disorderly persons or wild beasts ; so that as we are i cannot perceiue but the next yeere will be worse , being still tormented with pride and flattery , idlenesse and couetousnesse , as though they had vowed heere to keepe their court with all the pestilent vices in the world for their atte●dants , inchanted with a conceited statelinesse , euen in the very bottome of miserable senselesnesse . shortly after , sir george yearly and captaine william powel , tooke each of them a company of well disposed gentlemen and others to seeke their enemies . yearl●y ranging the shore of wean●ck , could see nothing but their old houses which he burnt , and so went home : powel searching another part , found them all fled but three he met by chance , whose heads hee cut off , burnt their houses , and so returned ; for the saluages are so light and swift , though wee see them ( being so loaded with armour ) they haue much aduantage of vs though they be cowards . i confesse this is true , and it may cause some suppose they are grown inuincible : but will any goe to catch a hare with a taber and a pipe ? for who knowes not though there be monsters both of men and beasts , fish and fowle , yet the greatest , the strongest , the wildest , cruellest , fiercest and cunningest , by reason , art and vigilancy , courage and industry hath beene slaine , subiected or made tame , and those are still but saluages as they were , onely growne more bold by our owne simplicities , and still will be worse and worse till they be tormented with a continuall pursuit , and not with lying inclosed within palizados , or affrighting them out of your sights , thinking they haue done well , can but defend themselues : and to doe this to any purpose , will require both charge , patience and experience . but to their proceedings . about the latter end of iune , sir george yearley accompanied with the councell , and a number of the greatest gallants in the land , stayed three or foure daies with captaine nuse , he making his moane to a chiefe man amongst them for want of prouision for his company , the great commander replied hee should turne them to his greene corne , which would make them plumpe and fat : these fields being so neere the fort , were better regarded and preserued then the rest , but the great mans command , as we call them , was quickly obeied , for though it was scarce halfe growne either to the greatnesse or goodnesse , they deuoured it greene though it did them small good . sir george with his company went to a●comack to his new p●antation , where he staied neere six weekes ; some corne he brought home , but as he aduentured for himselfe , he accordingly enioyed the benefit ; some pety magazines came this summer , but either the restraint by proclamation , or want of boats , or both , caused few but the chieftaines to be little better by them . so long as captaine nuse had any thing we had part ; but now all being spent , and the people forced to liue vpon oisters and crabs , they became so faint no worke could be done ; and where the law was , no worke , no meat , now the case is altered , to no meat , no worke ; some small quantity of milke and rice the captaine had of his owne , and that he would distribute gratis as he saw occasion ; i say gratis , for i know no place else , but it was sold for ready paiment : those eares of corne that had escaped till august , though not ripe by reason of the late planting , the very dogs did repaire to the corne fields to seeke them as the men till they were hanged ; and this i protest before god is true that i haue related , not to flatter nuse , nor condemne any , but all the time i haue liued in virginia , i haue not seene nor heard that any commander hath taken such continuall paines for the publike , or done so little good for himselfe , and his vertuous wife was no lesse charitable and compassionate according to her power . for my owne part , although i found neither mulberies planted , houses built , men nor victuall prouided , as the honourable aduenturers did promise mee in england ; yet at my owne charge , hauing made these preparations , and the silke-wormes ready to be couered , all was lost , but my poore life and children , by the massacre , the which as god in his mercy did preserue , i continually pray we may spend to his glory . the . of september , we had an alarum , and two men at their labours slaine ; the captaine , though extreme sicke , sallied forth , but the saluages lay hid in the corne fields all night , where they destroyed all they could , and killed two men more , much mischiefe they did to master edward hills cattle , yet he alone defended his house though his men were sicke and could doe nothing , and this was our first assault since the massacre . about this time captaine madyson passed by vs , hauing taken prisoners , the king of patawomek , his sonne , and two more , and thus it happened ; madyson not liking so well to liue amongst the saluages as croshaw did , built him a strong house within the fort , so that they were not so sociable as before , nor did they much like poole the interpret ; many alarums they had , but saw no enemies : madyson before his building went to moyaones , where hee got prouision for a moneth , and was promised much more , so he returned to patawomek and built this house , and was well vsed by the saluages . now by the foure great men the king sent to pamavuke for the redemption of the prisoners , madyson sent them a letter , but they could neither deliuer it nor see them : so long they stayed that the king grew doubtfull of their bad vsage , that hee swore by the skyes , if they returned not well , he would haue warres with opechankanough so long as he had any thing : at this time two of madysons men ranne from him , to finde them he sent master iohn vpton and three more with an indian guide to nazatica , where they heard they were . at this place was a king beat out of his country by the n●costs , enemies to the patawomeks ; this expulsed king though he professed much loue to the patawomeks , yet hee loued not the king because he would not helpe him to reuenge his iniuries , but to our interpreter poole hee protested great loue , promising if any treason were , he would reueale it ; our guide conducted this bandy to with them vp to patawomek and there kept him ; our fugitiues we found the patawomeks had taken and brought home , and the foure great men returned from pamavuke ; not long after , this expulsed king desired priuate conference with poole , vrging him to sweare by his god neuer to reueale what hee would tell him , poole promised he would not ; then quoth this king , those great men that went to pamavuke , went not as you suppose they pretended , but to contract with opechankanough how to kill you all here , and these are their plots . first , they will procure halfe of you to goe a fishing to their furthest towne , and there set vpon them , and cut off the rest ; if that faile , they will faine a place where are many strangers would trade their furres , where they will perswade halfe of you to goe trade , and there murder you and kill them at home ; and if this faile also , then they will make alarums two nights together , to tire you out with watching , and then set vpon you , yet of all this , said he , there is none acquainted but the king and the great coniurer . this being made known to the captain , we all stood more punctually vpon our guard , at which the saluages wondering , desired to know the cause ; we told them we expected some assault from the pamavukes , whereat they seemed contented , and the next day the king went on hunting with two of our men , and the other a fishing and abroad as before , till our shallop returned from iames towne with the two saluages , sent home with captaine croshaw : by those the gouernour sent to madyson , that this king should send him twelue of his great men ; word of this was sent to the king at another towne where he was , who not comming presently with the messenger , madyson conceited hee regarded not the message , and intended as he supposed the same treason . the next morning the king comming home , being sent for , he came to the captaine and brought him a dish of their daintiest fruit ; then the captaine fained his returne to iames towne , the king told him he might if he would , but desired not to leaue him destitute of aid , hauing so many enemies about him ; the captaine told him he would leaue a guard , but intreated his answer concerning the twelue great men for the gouernour ; the king replied , his enemies lay so about him he could not spare them , then the captaine desired his sonne and one other ; my sonne , said the king , is gone abroad about businesse , but the other you desire you shall haue , and that other sits by him , but that man refused to goe , whereupon madyson went forth and locked the doore , leauing the king , his sonne , and foure saluages , and fiue english men in the strong house , and setting vpon the towne with the rest of his men , slew thirty or forty men , women and children ; the king demanding the cause , poole told him the treason , crying out to intreat the captaine cease from such cruelty : but hauing slaine and made flye all in the towne , hee returned , taxing the poore king of treason , who denied to the death not to know of any such matter , but said , this is some plot of them that told it , onely to kill mee for being your friend . then madyson willed him , to command none of his men should shoot at him as he went aboord , which he presently did , and it was performed : so madyson departed , leading the king , his sonne , and two more to his ship , promising when all his men were shipped , he should returne at libertie ; notwithstanding he brought them to iames towne , where they lay some daies , and af●er were sent home by captaine hamer , that tooke corne for their ransome , and after set faile for new found land. but , alas the cause of this was onely this they vnderstood , nor knew what was amisse . euer since the beginning of these plantations , it hath beene supposed the king of spaine would inuade them , or our english papists indeuour to dissolue them . bu● neither all the counsels of spaine ▪ nor papists in the world could haue deuised a better course to bring them all to ruine , then thus to abuse their friends , nor could there euer haue beene a better plot , to haue ouerthrowne opechankanough then captaine chroshaws , had it beene fully managed with expedition . but it seemes god is angry to see virginia made a stage where nothing but murder and indiscretion contends for victory . amongst the rest of the plantations all this summer little was done , but securing themselues and planting tobacco , which passes there as current siluer , and by the oft turning and winding it , some grow rich , but many poore , notwithstanding ten or twelue ships or more hath arriued there since the massacre , although it was christmas ere any returned , and that returne greatly reuiued all mens longing expectation here in england : for they brought newes , that notwithstanding their extreme sicknesse many were recouered , and finding the saluages did not much trouble them , except it were sometimes some disorderly straglers they cut off . to lull them the better in securitie , they sought no reuenge till their corne was ripe , then they drew together three hundred of the best souldiers they could , that would leaue their priuate businesse , and aduenture themselues amongst the saluages to surprize their corne , vnder the conduct of sir george yearley , being imbarked in conuenient shipping , and all things necessary for the enterprise , they went first to nands●mund , where the people set fire on their owne houses , and spoiled what they could , and then fled with what they could carry ; so that the english did make no slaughter amongst them for reuenge . their corne fields being newly gathered , they surprized all they found , burnt the houses remained vnburnt , and so departed . quartering about kecoughtan , after the watch was set , samuell collyer one of the most ancientest planters , and very well acquainted with their language and habitation , humors and conditions , and gouernor of a towne , when the watch was set going the round , vnfortunately by a centinell that discharged his peece , was slaine . thence they sailed to pamavuke , the chiefe seat of opechankanough , the contriuer of the massacre : the saluages seemed exceeding fearefull , promising to bring them sara , and the rest of the english yet liuing , with all the armes , and what they had to restore , much desiring peace , and to giue them any satisfaction they could . many such deuices they fained to procrastinate the time ten or twelue daies , till they had got away their corne from all the other places vp the riuer , but that where the english kept their quarter : at last , when they saw all those promises were but delusions , they seised on all the corne there was , set fire on their houses : and in following the saluages that fled before thē , some few of those naked deuils had that spirit , they lay in ambuscado , and as our men marched discharged some shot out of english peeces , and hurt some of them flying at their pleasures where they listed , burning their empty houses before them as they went to make themselues sport : so they escaped , and sir george returned with corne , where for our paines we had three bushels apeece , but we were enioyned before we had it , to pay ten shillings the bushell for fraught and other charges . thus by this meanes the saluages are like as they report , to endure no small misery this winter , and that some of our men are returned to their former plantations . what other passages or impediments hapned in their proceedings , that they were not fully reuenged of the saluages before they returned , i know not ; nor could euer heare more , but that they supposed they slew two , and how it was impossible for any men to doe more then they did : yet worthy ferdinando courtus had scarce three hundred spaniards to conquer the great citie of mexico , where thousands of saluages dwelled in strong houses : but because they were a ciuilized people , had wealth , and those meere barbarians as wilde as beasts haue nothing ; i intreat your patience to tell you my opinion , which if it be gods pleasure i shall not liue to put in practice , yet it may be hereafter vsefull for some , but howsoeuer i hope not hurtfull to any , and this it is . had these three hundred men beene at my disposing , i would haue sent first one hundred to captaine rawley chroshaw to patawomek , with some small ordnance for the fort , the which but with daily exercising them , would haue struck that loue and admiration into the patowomeks , and terror and amazement into his enemies , which are not farre off , and most seated vpon the other side the riuer , they would willingly haue beene friends , or haue giuen any composition they could , before they would be tormented with such a visible feare . now though they be generally persidious , yet necessity constraines those to a kinde of constancy because of their enemies , and neither my selfe that first found them , captaine argall , chroshow , nor hamar , neuer found themselues in fifteene yeares trials : nor is it likely now they would haue so hostaged their men , suffer the building of a fort , and their women and children amongst them , had they intended any villany ; but suppose they had , who would haue desired a better aduantage then such an aduertisement , to haue prepared the fort for such an assault , and surely it must be a poore fort they could hurt , much more take , if there were but fiue men in it durst discharge a peece : therefore a man not well knowing their conditions , may be as wel too iealous as too carelesse ; such another lope skonce would i haue had at onawmanient ▪ and one hundred men more to haue made such another at atquacke vpon the riuer of toppahanock , which is not past thirteene miles distant from onawmanient : each of which twelue men would keepe , as well as twelue thousand , and spare all the rest to bee imploied as there should be occasion . and all this with these numbers might easily haue beene done , if not by courtesie , yet by compulsion , especially at that time of september when all their fruits were ripe , their beasts fat , and infinite numbers of wilde fowle began to repaire to euery creeke , that men if they would doe any thing ▪ could not want victuall . this done , there remained yet one hundred who should haue done the like at ozinicke , vpon the riuer of chickahamania , not past six miles from the chiefe habitations of opechankanough . these small forts had beene cause sufficient to cause all the inhabitants of each of those riuers to looke to themselues . then hauing so many ships , barks , and boats in virginia as there was at that present , with what facility might you haue landed two hundred and twentie men , if you had but onely fiue or six boats in one night ; forty to range the branch of mattapanyent , fortie more that of youghtanund , and fortie more to keepe their randiuous at pamavuke it selfe . all which places lie so neere , they might heare from e●ch other within foure or fiue houres , and not any of those small parties , if there were any valour , discretion , or industry in them , but as sufficient as foure thousand , to force them all to contribution , or take or spoile all they had . for hauing thus so many conuenient randeuous to beleeue each other , though all the whole countries had beene our enemies , where could they rest , but in the depth of winter we might burne all the houses vpon all those riuers in two or three daies ? then without fires they could not liue , which they could not so hide but wee should finde , and quickly so tire them with watching and warding , they would be so weary of their liues , as either fly all their countries , or giue all they had to be released of such an hourely misery . now if but a small number of the saluages would assist vs , as there is no question but diuers of them would ; and so suppose they could not be drawne to such faction ; were to beleeue they are more vertuous then many christians , and the best gouerned people in the world . all the pamavukes might haue beene dispatched as well in a moneth as a yeare , and then to haue dealt with any other enemies at our pleasure , and yet made all this toile and danger but a recreation . if you think this strange or impossible , men with my selfe i found sufficient , to goe where i would adaies , and surprise a house with the people , if not a whole towne in a night , or incounter all the power they could make , as a whole army , as formerly at large hath beene related : and it seemes by these small parties last amongst them , by captaine crashow , hamar , and madyson , they are not growne to that excellency in policy and courage but they might bee encountred , and their wiues and children apprehended . i know i shall bee taxed for writing so much of my selfe , but i care not much , because the iudiciall know there are few such souldiers as are my examples , haue writ their owne actions , nor know i who will or can tell my intents better then my selfe . some againe finde as much fault with the company for medling with so many plantations together , because they that haue many irons in the fire some must burne ; but i thinke no if they haue men enow know how to worke them , but howsoeuer , it were better some burne then haue none at all . the king of spaine regards but how many powerfull kingdomes he keepes vnder his obedience , and for the saluage countries he hath subiected , they are more then enow for a good cosmographer to nominate , and is three mole-hills so much to vs ; and so many empires so little for him ? for my owne part , i cannot chuse but grieue , that the actions of an englishman should be inferior to any , and that the command of england should not be as great as any monarchy that euer was since the world began , i meane not as a tyrant to torment all christendome , but to suppresse her disturbers , and conquer her enemies . for the great romans got into their hand the whole worlds compasse , both by sea and land , or any seas , or heauen , or earth extended , and yet that nation could not be contented . much about this time arriued a small barke of barnestable , which had beene at the summer iles , and in her captaine nathaniel butler , who hauing beene gouernor there three yeares , and his commission expired , he tooke the opportunity of this ship to see virginia : at iames towne he was kindly entertained by sir francis wyat the gouernor . after he had rested there foureteene daies , he fell vp with his ship to the riuer of chickahamania , where meeting captaine william powell ▪ ioyning together such forces as they had to the number of eighty , they set vpon the chickahamanians , that fearefully fled , suffering the english to spoile all they had , not daring to resist them . thus he returned to iames towne , where hee staied a moneth , at kecoughtan as much more , and so returned for england . but riding at kecoughtan , m. iohn argent , sonne to doctor argent , a young gentleman that went with captaine butler from england to this place , michael fuller , william gany , cornelius may , and one other going ashore with some goods late in a faire euening , such a sudden gust did arise , that driue them thwart the riuer , in that place at least three or foure miles in bredth , where the s●ore was so shallow at a low water , and the boat beating vpon the sands , they left her , wading neere halfe a mile , and oft vp to the chin : so well it hapned , master argent had put his bandileir of powder in his hat , which next god was all their preseruations : for it being february , and the ground so cold , their bodies became so benumbed , they were not able to strike fire with a steele and a stone hee had in his pocket ; the stone they lost twice , and thus those poore soules groping in the darke , it was master argents chance to finde it , and with a few withered leaues , reeds , and brush , make a small fire , being vpon the chisapeaks shore , their mortall enemies , great was their feare to be discouered . the ioyfull morning appearing , they found their boat and goods driue ashore , not farie from them , but so split shee was vnseruiceable : but so much was the frost , their clothes did freeze vpon their backs , for they durst not make any great fire to dry them , lest thereby the bloudy saluages might discry them , so that one of them died the next day , and the next night digging a graue in the sands with their hands , buried him . in this bodily feare they liued and fasted two daies and nights , then two of them went into the land to seeke fresh water ; the others to the boat to get some meale and oyle , argent and his comrado found a canow , in which they resolued to aduenture to their ship , but shee was a drift in the riuer before they returned : thus frustrate of all hopes , captaine butler the third night ranging the shore in his boat to seeke them , discharged his muskets , but they supposing it some saluages had got some english peeces , they grew more perplexed then euer , so he returned and lost his labour . the fourth day they vnloaded their boat , and stopping her leakes with their handkerchiefes , and other rags , two rowing , and two bailing out the water ; but farre they went not ere the water grew vpon them so fast , and they so tired , they thought themselues happy to be on shore againe , though they perceiued the indians were not farre off by their fires . thus at the very period of despaire , fuller vndertooke to sit a stride vpon a little peece of an old canow ; so well it pleased god the wind and tide serued , by padling with his hands and feet in the water , beyond all expectation god so guided him three or foure houres vpon this boord , he arriued at their ship , where they no lesse amazed then he tired , they tooke him in . presently as he had concluded with his companions , he caused them discharge a peece of ordnance if he escaped , which gaue no lesse comfort to master argent and the rest , then terror to those plantations that heard it , ( being late ) at such an vnexpected alarum : but after , with warme clothes and a little strong water , they had a little recouered him , such was his courage and care of his distressed friends , he returned that night againe with master felgate to conduct him to them , and so giuing thanks to god for so hopelesse a deliuerance , it pleased his diuine power , both they and their prouision came safely aboord , but fuller they doubt will neuer recouer his benumbed legs and thighes . now before butlers arriuall in england , many hard speeches were rumored against him for so leauing his charge , before he receiued order from the company : diuers againe of his souldiers as highly commended him , for his good gouernment , art , iudgement and industry . but to make the misery of virginia appeare that it might be reformed in time , how all those cities , townes , corporations , forts , vineyards , nurseries of mulberies , glasse-houses , iron forges , guest-houses , silke-wormes ▪ colleges , the companies great estate , and that plenty some doe speake of here , are rather things in words and paper then in effect , with diuers reasons of the causes of those defects ; if it were false , his blame nor shame could not be too much : but if there bee such defects in the gouernment , and distresse in the colony , it is thought by many it hath beene too long concealed , and requireth rather reformation then disputation : but howeuer , it were not amisse to prouide for the worst , for the best will help it selfe . notwithstanding , it was apprehended so hardly , and examined with that passion , that the brute thereof was spread abroad with that expedition , it did more hurt then the massacre ; and the fault of all now by the vulgar rumour , must be attributed to the vnwholesomnesse of the ayre , and barrennesse of the countrey , as though all england were naught , because the fens and marshes are vnhealthy ; or barren , because some will lie vnder windowes and starue in cheap-side , rot in goales , die in the street , high-waies , or any where , and vse a thousand deuices to maintaine themselues in those miseries , rather then take any paines , to liue as they may by honest labour , and a great part of such like are the planters of virginia , and partly the occasion of those defailements . in the latter end of this last yeare , or the beginning of this , captaine h●nrie spilman a gentleman , that hath liued in those countries thirteene or foureteene yeares , one of the best interpreters in the land , being furnished with a barke and six and twentie men , hee was sent to trucke in the riuer of patawomek , where he had liued a long time amongst the saluages , whether hee presumed too much vpon his acquaintance amongst them , or they sought to be reuenged of any for the slaughter made amongst them by the english so lately , or hee sought to betray them , or they him , are all seuerall relations , but it seemes but imaginary : for then returned report they left him ashore about patawomek , but the name of the place they knew not , with one and twentie men , being but fiue in the barke , the saluages ere they suspected any thing , boorded them with their canowes , and entred so fast , the english were amazed , till a sailer gaue fire to a peece of ordnance onely at randome ; at the report whereof , the saluages leapt ouer-boord , so distracted with feare , they left their canowes and swum a shore ; and presently after they heard a great brute amongst the saluages a shore , and saw a mans head throwne downe the banke , whereupon they weighed anchor and returned home , but how he was surprised or slaine , is vncertaine . thus things proceed and vary not a iot , whether we knew them , or we know them not . a particular of such necessaries as either priuate families , or single persons , shall haue cause to prouide to goe to virginia , whereby greater numbers may in part conceiue the better how to prouide for themselues . apparell . a monmoth cap. s. d. falling bands . s. d. shirts . s. d. waste-coat . s. d. suit of canuase . s. d. suit of frize . s. suit of cloth. s. paire of irish stockings . s. paire of shooes . s. d. paire of garters . d. dozen of point● . d. paire of canuas sheets . s. ells of canuas to make a bed and boulster , to be filled in virginia , seruing for two men . s. ells of course canuas to make a bed at sea for two men . s. course rug at sea for two men . s.   l. victuall for a whole yeare for a man , and so after the rate for more . bushels of meale . l. bushels of pease . s. bushels of otemeale . s. gallon of aquavitae . s. d. gallon of oyle . s. d. gallons of vineger . s.   l. s. armes for a man , but if halfe your men be armed it is well , so all haue swords and peeces . armor compleat , light . s. long peece fiue foot and a halfe , neere musket bore . l. s. sword. s. belt. s. bandilier . s. d. pound of powder . s. pound of shot or lead , pistoll and goose shot . s.   l. s. d. tooles for a family of six persons , and so after the rate for more . broad howe 's at s. a peece . s. narrow howe 's at d. a peece . s. d. broad axes at s. d. a peece . s. d. felling axes at d. a peece . s. d. steele handsawes at d. a peece . s. d two handsawes at s. a peece . s. whipsaw , set and filed , with box , file and wrest . s. hammers d. a peece . s. shouels d. a peece . s. d. spades at d. a peece . s. augers at d. peece . s. chissels at d. a peece . s. percers stocked d. a peece . d. gimblets at d. a peece . d. hatchets at d. a peece . s. d. frowes to cleaue pale d. each s. hand bills d. a peece . s. d. grindstone . s. nailes of all sorts to the value of l. pickaxes . s.   l. s. d. houshold implements for a family and six persons , and so for more or lesse after the rate . iron pot . s. kettell . s. large frying-pan . s. d. gridiron . s. d. skellots . s. spit . s. platters , dishes , spoones of wood . s.   l. s. for sugar , spice , and fruit , and at sea for six men . s. d. so the full charge after this rate for each person , will amount about the summe of l. s. d. the passage of each man is l. the fraught of these prouisions for a man , will be about halfe a tun , which is l. s. so the whole charge will amount to about l. now if the number be great , nets , hooks and lines , but cheese , bacon , kine and goats must be added . and this is the vsuall proportion the virginia company doe bestow vpon their tenents they send . a briefe relation written by captaine smith to his maiesties commissioners for the reformation of virginia , concerning some aspersions against it . honourable gentlemen , for so many faire and nauigable riuers so neere adioyning , and piercing thorow so faire a naturall land , free from any inundations , or large fenny vnwholsome marshes , i haue not seene , read , nor heard of : and for the building of cities , townes , and wharfage , if they will vse the meanes , where there is no more ebbe nor floud , nature in few places affoords any so conuenient , for salt marshes or quagmires . in this tract of iames towne riuer i know very few ; some small marshes and swamps there are , but more profitable then hurtfull : and i thinke there is more low marsh ground betwixt eriffe and chelsey , then kecoughton and the falls , which is about one hundred and eighty miles by the course of the riuer . being enioyned by our commission not to vnplant nor wrong the saluages , because the channell was so neere the shore , where now is iames towne , then a thicke groue of trees ; wee cut them downe , where the saluages pretending as much kindnesse as could bee , they hurt and slew one and twenty of vs in two houres : at this time our diet was for most part water and bran , and three ounces of little better stuffe in bread for fiue men a meale , and thus we liued neere three moneths : our lodgings vnder boughes of trees , the saluages being our enemies , whom we neither knew nor vnderstood ; occasions i thinke sufficient to make men sicke and die . necessity thus did inforce me with eight or nine , to try conclusions amongst the saluages , that we got prouision which recouered the rest being most sicke . six weeks i was led captiue by those barbarians , though some of my men were slaine , and the rest fled , yet it pleased god to make their great kings daughter the means to returne me safe to iames towne , and releeue our wants , and then our common-wealth was in all eight and thirty , the remainder of one hundred and fiue . being supplied with one hundred and twenty , with twelue men in a boat of three tuns , i spent foureteene weeks in those large waters ; the contents of the way of my boat protracted by the skale of proportion , was about three thousand miles , besides the riuer we dwell vpon , where no christian knowne euer was , and our diet for the most part what we could finde , yet but one died . the saluages being acquainted , that by command from england we durst not hurt them , were much imboldned ; that famine and their insolencies did force me to breake our commission and instructions , cause powhatan fly his countrey , and take the king of pamavuke prisoner ; and also to keepe the king of paspahegh in shackels , and put his men to doubletaskes in chaines , till nine and thirty of their kings paied vs contribution , and the offending saluages sent to iames towne to punish at our owne discretions : in the two last yeares i staied there , i had not a man slaine . all those conclusions being not able to preuent the bad euents of pride and idlenesse , hauing receiued another supply of seuentie , we were about two hundred in all , but not twentie work-men : in following the strict directions from england to doe that was impossible at that time ; so it hapned , that neither wee nor they had any thing to eat , but what the countrey afforded naturally ; yet of eightie who liued vpon oysters in iune and iuly , with a pint of corne a week for a man lying vnder trees , and for the most part liuing vpon sturgion , which was dried til we pounded it to powder for meale , yet in ten weeks but seuen died . it is true , we had of tooles , armes , & munition sufficient , some aquavitae , vineger , meale , pease , and otemeale , but in two yeares and a halfe not sufficient for six moneths , though by the bils of loading the proportions sent vs , would well haue contented vs , notwithstanding we sent home ample proofes of pitch , tar , sope ashes , wainskot , clapboord , silke grasse , iron ore , some sturgion and glasse , saxefras , cedar , cypris , and blacke walnut , crowned powhaton , sought the monacans countrey , according to the instructions sent vs , but they caused vs neglect more necessary workes : they had better haue giuen for pitch and sope ashes one hundred pound a tun in denmarke : wee also maintained fiue or six seuerall plantations . iames towne being burnt , wee rebuilt it and three forts more , besides the church and store-house , we had about fortie or fiftie seuerall houses to keepe vs warme and dry , inuironed with a palizado of foureteene or fifteene foot , and each as much as three or foure men could carrie . we digged a faire well of fresh water in the fort , where wee had three bulwarks , foure and twentie peece of ordnance , of culuering , demiculuering , sacar and falcon , and most well mounted vpon conuenient plat-formes , planted one hundred acres of corne. we had but six ships to transport and supply vs , and but two hundred seuenty seuen men , boies , and women , by whose labours virginia being brought to this kinde of perfection , the most difficulties past , and the foundation thus laid by this small meanes ; yet because we had done no more , they called in our commission , tooke a new in their owne names , and appointed vs neere as many offices and officers as i had souldiers , that neither knew vs nor wee them , without our consents or knowledge ; since there haue gone more then one hundred ships of other proportions , and eight or ten thousand people . now if you please to compare what hath beene spent , sent , discouered and done this fifteene yeares , by that we did in the three first yeares , and euery gouernor that hath beene there since , giue you but such an account as this , you may easily finde what hath beene the cause of those disasters in virginia . then came in captaine argall , and master sedan , in a ship of master cornelius , to fish for sturgion , who had such good prouision , we contracted with them for it , whereby we were better furnished then euer . not long after came in seuen ships , with about three hundred people ; but rather to supplant vs then supply vs , their admirall with their authoritie being cast away in the bermudas , very angry they were we had made no better prouision for them . seuen or eight weekes we withstood the invndations of these disorderly humors , till i was neere blowne to death with gun-powder , which occasioned me to returne for england . in the yeare about michaelmas , i left the countrey , as is formerly related , with three ships , seuen boats , commodities to trade , haruest newly gathered , eight weeks prouision of corne and meale , about fiue hundred persons , three hundred muskets , shot , powder , and match , with armes for more men then we had . the saluages their language and habitation , well knowne to two hundred expert souldiers ; nets for fishing , tooles of all sorts , apparell to supply their wants : six mares and a horse , fiue or six hundred swine , many more powltry , what was brought or bred , but victuall there remained . hauing spent some fiue yeares , and more then fiue hundred pounds in procuring the letters patents and setting forward , and neere as much more about new england , &c. thus these nineteene yeares i haue here and there not spared any thing according to my abilitie , nor the best aduice i could , to perswade how those strange miracles of misery might haue beene preuented , which lamentable experience plainly taught me of necessity must insue , but few would beleeue me till now too deerely they haue paid for it . wherefore hitherto i haue rather left all then vndertake impossibilities , or any more such costly taskes at such chargeable rates : for in neither of those two countries haue i one foot of land , nor the very house i builded , nor the ground i digged with my owne hands , nor euer any content or satisfaction at all , and though i see ordinarily those two countries shared before me by them that neither haue them nor knowes them , but by my descriptions : yet that doth not so much trouble me , as to heare and see those contentions and diuisions which will hazard if not ruine the prosperitie of virginia , if present remedy bee not found , as they haue hindred many hundreds , who would haue beene there ere now , and makes them yet that are willing to stand in a demurre . for the books and maps i haue made , i will thanke him that will shew me so much for so little recompence , and beare with their errors till i haue done better . for the materials in them i cannot deny , but am ready to affirme them both there and here , vpon such grounds as i haue propounded , which is to haue but fifteene hundred men to subdue againe the saluages , fortifie the countrey , discouer that yet vnknowne , and both defend & feed their colony , which i most humbly refer to his maiesties most iudiciall iudgement , and the most honourable lords of his priuy councell , you his trusty and well-beloued commissioners , and the honourable company of planters and well-willers to virginia , new-england and sommer-ilands . out of these obseruations it pleased his maiesties commissioners for the reformation of virginia , to desire my answer to these seuen questions . quest. . what conceiue you is the cause the plantation hath prospered no better since you left it in so good a forwardnesse ? answ. idlenesse and carelesnesse brought all i did in three yeeres in six moneths to nothing , and of fiue hundred i left , scarce threescore remained , and had sir thomas gates not got from the bermudas , i thinke they had beene all dead before they could be supplied . quest. . what conceiue you should be the cause , though the country be good , there comes nothing but tobacco ? answ. the oft altering of gouernours it seemes causes euery man make vse of his time , and because corne was stinted at two shillings six pence the bushell , and tobacco at three shillings the pound , and they value a mans labour a yeere worth fifty or threescore pound , but in corne not worth ten pound , presuming tobacco will furnish them with all things ; now make a mans labour in corne worth threescore pound , and in tobacco but ten pound a man , then shall they haue corne sufficient to entertaine all commers , and keepe their people in health to doe any thing , but till then , there will be little or nothing to any purpose . quest. . what conceiue you to haue beene the cause of the massacre , and had the saluages had the vse of any peeces in your time , or when , or by whom they were taught ? answ. the cause of the massacre was the want of marshall discipline , and because they would haue all the english had by destroying those they found so carelesly secure , that they were not prouided to defend themselues against any enemy , being so dispersed as they were . in my time , though captaine nuport furnished them with swords by truck , and many fugitiues did the like , and some peeces they got accidentally , yet i got the most of them againe , and it was death to him that should shew a saluage the vse of a peece . since i vnderstand they became so good shot , they were imployed for fowlers and huntsmen by the english. quest. . what charge thinke you would haue setled the gouernment both for defence and planting when you left it ? answ. twenty thousand pound would haue hyred good labourers and mechanicall men , and haue furnished them with cattle and all necessaries , and . of them would haue done more then a thousand of those that went , though the lord laware , sir ferdinando waynman , sir thomas gates and sir thomas dale were perswaded to the contrary , but when they had tried , they confessed their error . quest. . what conceiue you would be the remedy and the charge ? answ. the remedy is to send souldiers and all sorts of labourers and necessaries for them , that they may be there by next michaelmas , the which to doe well will stand you in fiue thousand pound , but if his maiesty would please to lend two of his ships to transport them , lesse would serue , besides the benefit of his grace to the action would encourage all men . quest. . what thinke you are the defects of the gouernment both here and there ? answ. the multiplicity of opinions here , and officers there , makes such delaies by questions and formalitie , that as much time is spent in complement as in action ; besides , some are so desirous to imploy their ships , hauing six pounds for euery passenger , and three pounds for euery tun of goods , at which rate a thousand ships may now better be procured then one at the first , when the common stocke defrayed all fraughts , wages , prouisions and magazines , whereby the ships are so pestred , as occasions much sicknesse , diseases and mortality , for though all the passengers die they are sure of their fraught ; and then all must be satisfied with orations , disputations , excuses and hopes . as for the letters of aduice from hence , and their answers thence , they are so well written , men would beleeue there were no great doubt of the performance , and that all things were wel , to which error here they haue beene euer much subiect ; and there not to beleeue , or not to releeue the true and poore estate of that colony , whose fruits were commonly spent before they were ripe , and this losse is nothing to them here , whose great estates are not sensible of the losse of their aduentures , and so they thinke ; or will not take notice ; but it is so with all men : but howsoeuer they thinke or dispose of all things at their pleasure , i am sure not my selfe onely , but a thousand others haue not onely spent the most of their estates , but the most part haue lost their liues and all , onely but to make way for the triall of more new conclusions , and he that now will aduenture but twelue pounds ten shillings , shall haue better respect and as much fauour then he that sixteene yeere agoe aduentured as much , except he haue money as the other hath , but though he haue aduentured fiue hundred pound , and spent there neuer so much time , if hee haue no more and not able to begin a family of himselfe , all is lost by order of court. but in the beginning it was not so , all went then out of one purse , till those new deuices haue consumed both mony and purse ; for at first there were but six patentees , now more then a thousand , then but thirteene counsailors , now not lesse then an hundred ; i speake not of all , for there are some both honourable and honest , but of those officers , which did they manage their owne estates no better then the affaires of virginia , they would quickly fall to decay so well as it ; but this is most euident , few officers in england it hath caused to turne banquerupts , nor for all their complaints would leaue their places , neither yet any of their officers there , nor few of the rest but they would be at home , but fewer aduenturers here will aduenture any more till they see the businesse better established , although there be some so wilfully improuident they care for nothing but to get thither , and then if their friends be dead , or want themselues , they die or liue but poorely for want of necessaries , and to thinke the old planters can releeue them were too much simplicity ; for who here in england is so charitable to feed two or three strangers , haue they neuer so much ; much lesse in virginia where they want for themselues . now the generall complaint saith , that pride , couetousnesse , extortion and oppression in a few that ingrosses all , then sell all againe to the comminalty at what rate they please , yea euen men , women and children for who will giue most , occasions no small mischiefe amongst the planters . as for the company , or those that doe transport them , prouided of necessaries , god forbid but they should receiue their charges againe with aduantage , or that masters there should not haue the same priuilege ouer their seruants as here , but to sell him or her for forty , fifty , or threescore pounds , whom the company hath sent ouer for eight or ten pounds at the most , without regard how they shall be maintained with apparell , meat , drinke and lodging , is odious , and their fruits sutable , therefore such merchants it were better they were made such merchandize themselues , then suffered any longer to vse that trade , and those are defects sufficient to bring a well setled common-wealth to misery , much more virginia . quest. . how thinke you it may be rectified ? answ. if this maiestie would please to intitle it to his crowne , and yearely that both the gouernours here and there may giue their accounts to you , or some that are not ingaged in the businesse , that the common stocke bee not spent in maintaining one hundred men for the gouernour , one hundred for two deputies , fifty for the treasurer , fiue and twenty for the secretary , and more for the marshall and other officers who were neuer there nor aduentured any thing , but onely preferred by fauour to be lords ouer them that broke the ice and beat the path , and must teach them what to doe , if any thing happen well , it is their glory ; if ill , the fault of the old directors , that in all dangers must endure the worst , yet not fiue hundred of them haue so much as one of the others ; also that there bee some present course taken to maintaine a garrison to suppresse the saluages , till they be able to subsist , and that his maiesty would please to remit his custome , or it is to be feared they will lose custome and all , for this cannot be done by promises , hopes , counsels and countenances , but with sufficient workmen and meanes to maintaine them , not such delinquents as here cannot be ruled by all the lawes in england , yet when the foundation is laid , as i haue said , and a common-wealth established , then such there may better be constrained to labour then here : but to rectifie a common-wealth with debaushed people is impossible , and no wise man would throw himselfe into such a society , that intends honestly , and knowes what he vndertakes , for there is no country to pillage as the romans found : all you expect from thence must be by labour . for the gouernment i thinke there is as much adoe about it as the kingdomes of scotland and ireland , men here conceiting virginia as they are , erecting as many stately offices as officers with their attendants , as there are labourers in the countrey , where a constable were as good as twenty of their captaines , and three hundred good souldiers and labourers better then all the rest that goe onely to get the fruits of other mens labours by the title of an office . thus they spend michaelmas rent in mid-summer moone , and would gather their haruest before they haue planted their corne. as for the maintenance of the officers , the first that went neuer demanded any , but aduentured good summes , and it seemes strange to me , the fruits of all their labours , besides the expence of an hundred and fifty thousand pounds , and such multitudes of people , those collaterall officers could not maintaine themselues so well as the old did , and hauing now such liberty to doe to the saluages what they will , the others had not . i more then wonder they haue not fiue hundred saluages to worke for them towards their generall maintenance , and as many more to returne some content and satisfaction to the aduenturers , that for all their care , charge and diligence , can heare nor see nothing but miserable complaints ; therefore vnder your correction to rectifie all , is with all expedition to passe the authority to them who will releeue them , lest all bee consumed ere the differences be determined . and except his maiestie vndertake it , or by act of parlament some small tax may be granted throughout his dominions , as a penny vpon euery poll , called a head-penny ; two pence vpon euery chimney , or some such collection might be raised , and that would be sufficient to giue a good stocke , and many seruants to sufficient men of any facultie , and transport them freely for paying onely homage to the crowne of england , and such duties to the publike good as their estates increased reason should require . were this put in practice , how many people of what quality you please , for all those disasters would yet gladly goe to spend their liues there , and by this meanes more good might be done in one yeere , then all those pety particular vndertakings will effect in twenty . for the patent the king may , if he please , rather take it from them that haue it , then from vs who had it first , pretending to his maiesty what great matters they would doe , and how little we did , and for any thing i can conceiue , had we remained still as at first , it is not likely we could haue done much worse ; but those oft altering of gouernments are not without much charge , hazard and losse . if i be too plaine , i humbly craue your pardon ; but you requested me , therefore i doe but my duty . for the nobility , who knowes not how freely both in their purses and assistances many of them haue beene to aduance it , committing the managing of the businesse to inferiour persons , amongst whom questionlesse also many haue done their vtmost best , sincerely and truly according to their conceit , opinion and vnderstanding ; yet grosse errors haue beene committed , but no man liues without his fault ; for my owne part , i haue so much adoe to amend my owne , i haue no leisure to looke into any mans particular , but those in generall i conceiue to be true . and so i humbly rest yours to command , i. s. thus those discords , not being to be compounded among themselues , nor yet by the extraordinary diligences , care and paines of the noble and right worthy commissioners , sir william iones , sir nicholas fortescue , sir francis goston , sir richard sutton , sir henry bourgchier and sir william pit ; a corante was granted against master deputy farrar , and . or . others of that party to plead their causes before the right honourable , the lords of his maiesties priuy councell : now notwithstanding all the relations , examinations , and intercepting of all letters whatsoeuer came from thence , yet it seemes they were so farre vnsatisfied and desired to know the truth , as well for the preseruation of the colony , as to giue content and doe all men right , they sent two commissioners strictly to examine the true estate of the colony . vpon whose returne after mature deliberation , it pleased his royall maiesty to suppresse the course of the court at deputy farrars , and that for the present ordering the affaires of virginia , vntill he should make a more full settlement thereof , the lord viscount mandeuile , lord president of his maiesties priuie councell , and also other priuy councellors , with many vnderstanding knights and gentlemen , should euery thursday in the afternoone meet at sir thomas smiths in philpot lane , where all men whom it should concerne may repaire , to receiue such directions and warrant for their better security , as more at large you may see in the proclamation to that effect , vnder the great seale of england , dated the . of iuly , . but as for the relations last returned , what numbers they are , how many cities , corporations , townes , and houses , cattle and horse they haue , what fortifications or discoueries they haue made , or reuenge vpon the saluages ; who are their friends or foes , or what commodities they haue more then tobacco , & their present estate or what is presently to be put in execution , in that the commissioners are not yet fully satisfied in the one , nor resolued in the other , at this present time when this went to the presse , i must intreat you pardon me till i be better assured . thus far i haue trauelled in this wildernesse of virginia , not being ignorant for all my paines this discourse will be wrested , tossed and turned as many waies as there is leaues ; that i haue writ too much of some , too little of others , and many such like obiections . to such i must answer , in the companies name i was requested to doe it , if any haue concealed their approued experiences from my knowledge , they must excuse me : as for euery fatherles ▪ or stolne relation , or whole volumes of sofisticated rehearsals , i leaue them to the charge of them that desire them . i thanke god i neuer vndertooke any thing yet any could tax me of carelesnesse or dishonesty , and what is hee to whom i am indebted or troublesome ? ah! were these my accusers but to change cases and places with me but . yeeres , or till they had done but so much as i , it may be they would iudge more charitably of my imperfections . but here i must leaue all to the triall of time , both my selfe , virginia's preparations , proceedings and good euents , praying to that great god the protector of all goodnesse to send them as good successe as the goodnesse of the action and country deserueth , and my heart desireth . finis . the fifth booke . the generall historie of the bermvdas , now called the summer iles , from their beginning in the yeere of our lord . to this present . with their proceedings , accidents and present estate . before we present you the matters of fact , it is fit to offer to your view the stage whereon they were acted , for as geography without history seemeth a carkasse without motion , so history without geography , wandreth as a vagrant without a certaine habitation . those ilands lie in the huge maine ocean , and two hundred leagues from any continent , situated in . degrees and . minutes , of northerly latitude , and distant from england west south-west , about . miles , some twenty miles in length , and not past two miles and a halfe in breadth , enuironed with rocks , which to the north-ward , west-ward , and south-east , extend further then they haue bin yet well discouered : by reason of those rocks the country is naturally very strong , for there is but two places , & scare two , vnlesse to them who know them well , where shipping may safely come in , and those now are exceeding well fortified , but within is roome to entertaine a royall fleet : the rocks in most places appeare at a low water , neither are they much couered at a high , for it ebbs and flowes not past fiue foot ; the shore for most part is a rocke , so hardened with the sunne , wind and sea , that it is not apt to be worne away with the waues , whose violence is also broke by the rocks before they can come to the shore : it is very vneuen , distributed into hills and dales ; the mold is of diuers colours , neither clay nor sand , but a meane betweene ; the red which resembleth clay is the worst , the whitest resembling sand and the blackest is good , but the browne betwixt them both which they call white , because there is mingled with it a white meale is the best : vnder the mould two or three foot deep , and sometimes lesse , is a kinde of white hard substance which they call the rocke : the trees vsually fasten their roots in it ; neither is it indeed rocke or stone , or so hard , though for most part more harder then chalke ; nor so white , but pumish-like and spungy , easily receiuing and containing much water . in some places clay is found vnder it , it seemes to be ingendred with raine water , draining through the earth , and drawing with it of his substance vnto a certaine depth where it congeales ; the hardest kinde of it lies vnder the red ground like quarries , as it were thicke slates one vpon another , through which the water hath his passage , so that in such places there is scarce found any fresh water , for all or the most part of the fresh water commeth out of the sea draining through the sand , or that substance called the rocke , leauing the salt behinde , it becomes fresh : sometimes we digged wells of fresh water which we finde in most places , and but three or foure paces from the sea side , some further , the most part of them would ebbe and flow as the sea did ; and be leuell or little higher then the superficies of the sea , and in some places very strange , darke and cumbersome caues . the aire is most commonly cleere , very temperate , moist , with a moderate heat , very healthfull and apt for the generation and nourishing of all things , so as many things transported from hence yeeld a farre greater increase , and if it be any liuing thing it becomes fatter and better ; by this meanes the country is so replenished with hens and turkies , within the space of three or foure yeeres , that many of them being neglected , forsake the houses and become wilde , and so liue in great abundance ; the like increase there is in hogs , tame conies , and other cattle according to their kindes . there seemes to be a continuall spring , which is the cause some things come not to that maturity and perfection as were requisite ; and though the trees shed their leaues , yet they are alwaies full of greene ; the corne is the same they haue in virginia , and the west-indies : of this and many other things without plowing or much labour , they haue two haruests euery yeere , for they set about march , which they gather in iuly ; and againe in august , which they reape in december ; and little slips of fig-trees and vines doe vsually beare fruit within the yeere , and sometimes in lesse ; but we finde not the grapes as yet come to any perfection ; the like fertility it hath in oranges and limons , pomgranates , and other things . concerning the serenity and beauty of the skie , it may as truly be said of those ilands as euer it was said of the rhodes , that there is no one day throughout the . moneths , but that in some houre thereof , the sun lookes singularly & cleere vpon them : for the temperature it is beyond all others most admirable ; no cold there is beyond an english aprill , nor heat much greater then an ordinary iuly in france , so that frost and snow is neuer seene here , nor stinking and infectious mists very seldome , by reason of the maine ocean , there is some wind stirring that cooles the aire : the winter they haue obserues the time with ours , but the longest daies and nights are shorter then ours almost by two houres . we found it at first all ouergrowne with weeds , and plants of seuerall kinds , as many tall and goodly cedars , infinite store of palmetoes , numbers of mulberies , wild oliue-trees store , with diuers others vnknowne both by name and nature , so that as yet they become lost to many vsefull imployments , which time and industry no doubt will one day discouer , and euen already certaine of the most notorious of them haue gotten them appellations from their apparent effects , as the prickell-peare which growes like a shrub by the ground , with broad thick leaues , all ouer-armed with long and sharpe dangerous thornes , the fruit being in forme not much vnlike a small greene peare , and on the outside of the same colour , but within bloud red , and exceeding full of iuice ; with graines not much vnlike the pomgranat , and colouring after its nature . the poysoned weed is much in shape like our english iuy , but being but touched , causeth rednesse , itching , and lastly blisters , the which howsoeuer after a while passe away of themselues without further harme , yet because for the time they are somewhat painfull , it hath got it selfe an ill name , although questionlesse of no ill nature . here is also frequently growing a certaine tall plant , whose stalke being all ouer couered with a red rinde , is thereupon termed the red weed , the root whereof being soked in any liquor , or but a small quantity of the iuice drunke alone , procures a very forcible vomit , and yet is generally vsed by the people , and found very effectuall against the paines and distempers of the stomacke . a kinde of wood-bind there is likewise by the sea very commonly to bee found , which runnes vpon trees twining it selfe like a vine : the fruit somewhat resembles a beane , but somewhat flatter , the which any way eaten worketh excellently in the nature of a purge , and though very vehemently , yet without all perill . contrary to this , another small tree there is , which causeth costiuenesse ; there is also a certaine plant like a bramble bush , which beares a long yellow fruit , hauing the shell very hard , and within it a hard berry , that beaten and taken inwardly purgeth gently . there is another fruit much like our barberies , which being beaten or brused betweene the teeth , sets all the mouth on an extreme heat very terrible for the time , to auoid which they are swallowed downe whole , and found of the same or better operation then the red pepper , and thence borroweth the name . in the bottome of the sea there is growing vpon the rocks a large kinde of plant in the forme of a vine leafe , but far more spread with veines in colour of a pale red , very strangely interlaced & wouen one into another , which we call the feather , but the vertue thereof is altogether vnknowne , but only regarded for the rarity . now besides these naturall productions , prouidences & paines since the plantation , haue offered diuers other feeds & plants , which the soile hath greedlily imbraced & cherished , so that at this present . there are great abundance of white , red and yellow coloured potatoes , tobacco , sugarcanes , indicos , parsnips , exceeding large r●dishes , the american bread , the cassado root , the indian pumpian , the water-millon , musk-millon , & the most delicate pine-apples , plantans , and papawes , also the english artichoke , pease , &c. briefly whatsoeuer else may be expected for the satisfaction either of curiosity , necessity or delight . neither hath the aire for her part been wanting with due supplies of many sorts of fowles , as the gray and white hearne , the gray and greene plouer , some wilde ducks and malards , coots and red-shankes , sea-wigions , gray-bitterns , cormorants , numbers of small birds like sparrowes and robins , which haue lately beene destroyed by the wilde cats , wood-pickars , very many crowes , which since this plantation are kild , the rest fled or seldome seene except in the most vninhabited places , from whence they are obserued to take their flight about sun set , directing their course towards the north-west , which makes many coniecture there are some more ilands not far off that way . sometimes are also seene falcons & iar-falcons , ospraies , a bird like a hobby , but because they come seldome , they are held but as passengers ; but aboue all these , most deseruing obseruation and respect are those two sorts of birds , the one for the tune of his voice , the other for the effect , called the cahow , and egge ▪ bird , which on the first of may , a day constantly obserued , fall a laying infinite store of eggs neere as big as hens , vpon certaine small sandie baies especially in coupers i le ; and although men sit downe amongst them when hundreds haue bin gathered in a morning , yet there is hath stayed amongst them till they haue gathered as many more : they continue this course till midsummer , and so tame & feareles , you must thrust them off from their eggs with your hand ; then they grow so faint with laying , they suffer them to breed & take infinite numbers of their yong to eat , which are very excellent meat . the cahow is a bird of the night , for all the day she lies hid in holes in the rocks , where they and their young are also taken with as much ease as may be , but in the night if you but whoop and hollow , they will light vpon you , that with your hands you may chuse the fat and leaue the leane ; those they haue only in winter : their eggs are as big as hens , but they are speckled , the other white . mr. norwood hath taken twenty dozen of them in three or foure houres , and since there hath beene such hauocke made of them , they were neere all destroyed , till there was a strict inhibition for their preseruation . the tropicke bird is white , as large as a pullet , with one onely long feather in her taile , and is seldome seene far distant from other of the tropicks : another small bird there is , because she cries pemblyco they call her so , she is seldome seene in the day but when she sings , as too oft she doth very clamorously ; too true a prophet she proues of huge winds and boysterous weather : there were a kinde of small owles in great abundance , but they are now all slaine or fled : some tame ducks , geese and pigeons there are , but the two latter prosper not . concerning vermine and noisome creatures , there are not many , but onely rats and cats , there increased since the plantation , but how they agree together you shall heare hereafter . the musketas and flies are also too busie , with a certaine india bug , called by the spaniards a cacarootch , the which creeping into chests they eat and defile with their ill-sented dung : also the little ants in summer time are so troublesome , they are forced to dry their figs vpon high frames ▪ and anoint their feet with tar , wherein they sticke , else they would spoile them all ere they could be dryed : wormes in the earth also there are , but too many , so that to keepe them from destroying their corne and tobacco , they are forced to worme them euery morning , which is a great labour , else all would be destroyed . lizards there were many and very large , but now none , and it is laid they were destroyed by the cat. certaine spiders also of very large size are found hanging vpon trees , but instead of being any way dangerous as in other places , they are here of a most pleasing aspect , all ouer drest , as it were with siluer , gold , and pearle , and their webs in the summer wouen from tree to tree , are generally a perfect raw silke , and that as well in regard of substance as colour , and so strong withall , that diuers birds bigger than black-birds , being like snipes , are often taken and snared in them as a net : then what would the silke-worme doe were she● there to feede vpon the continuall greene mulbery ? but aboue all the rest of the elements , the sea is found most abundantly liberall : hence haue they as much excellent fish , and as much variety as need be desired . the most of which being vnknowne to our northerne parts , got there new names , either for their shapes or conditions ; as the large rocke-fish from his like hew , and haunting amongst the rocks , the fat hog-fish from his swine-like shape and shout : for this is not the old knowne hog-fish with brussels on his backe ; the delicate amber-fish from his taste and smell , angell-fish , cony-fish , the small yellow taile from that naturall painting ; the great growper from his odde and strange grunting , some of them yet knowne to the americans , as the purgoose , the cauallo , the gar-fish , flying-fish and morerayes : the rest are common to other continents ; as the whale in great numbers , the sharke , the pilot-fish , the sea-breame , the oyster and lobster , with diuers others ; twenty tortoises haue beene taken in a day , and some of them will affoord halfe a bushell of egges , and suffice to feed forty men at a meale . and thus haue you briefely epitomized mother natures benefits to this little , yet dainty spot of earth , neither were it ingenuity to conceale wherein shee inclineth to the stepdame , especially since the particulars are so few , as rather requisite antidotes against idlenesse to rouse vp industry , then any great cause of much distaste , much lesse despaire : and of those to speake troth , there are onely two : viz. the winds , and the wormes , especially in the spring and autumne ; and thus conditioned as yet we will let rest these small ilands , in the midst of this mightie and maine ocean , so inuironed on euery side , by infinite numbers of vncertaine scattered rocks , lying shallowly hid vnder the surface of the water , a league , two , three , foure , or fiue , to sea , to the which aduantagers added by art , as hereafter you shall heare at large , and finde described in the map. it may well be concluded to be the most impregnable place in the world , and although the amber greece , pearles , nor tobacco , are of that quantity and certainty to be relied vpon to gaine wealth ; yet by practise and experience they finde , by silke , saffron , indico , madar , sugar-canes , wine , oile , and such like great profit may be expected : yet were those hopelesse in regard of their conueniency to nourish and maintaine themselues , and releeue them shall visit them with wood , water , and other necessaries , besides what an eye-sore they are already becommed to them that haue them not , and how deare and pretious to them that haue them , i thinke none will deny but they are well worth the keeping : and so we will proceed to the accidents that befell the first finders ; also the proceedings of the first planters and their successors , master norrod , thomas sparkes , and diuers others . a briefe relation of the shipwracke of henry may. how these iles came by the name of bermudas , or the infinite number of blacke hogs , or so fearefull to the world , that many called them the i le of deuils , that all men did shun as hell and perdition ; i will not expostulate , nor trouble your patiences with those vncertaine antiquities further then thus ; our men found diuers crosses , peeces of spanish monies here and there . two or three wracks also they found , by certaine inscriptions to bee some spanish , some dutch , some french ; but the greatest rumour is , that a spanish ship called bermudas was there cast away , carrying hogges to the west-indies that swam a shore , and there increased : how the spaniards escaped is vncertaine : but they say , from that ship those iles were first called bermudas , which tilt then for six thousand yeares had beene namelesse . but the first english-man that was euer in them , was one henry may , a worthy mariner that went with captaine lancaster to the east-indies . and in their returne by the west-indies , being in some distresse , sent this henry may for england by one mounsier de la barbotier , to acquaint the merchants with their estate . the last of nouember , saith may , we departed from laguna in hispaniola , and the seuenteenth of december following , we were cast away vpon the north-west of the bermudas ; the pilots about noone made themselues southwards of the iles twelue leagues , and demanded of the captaine their wine of hight as out of all danger , which they had : but it seeme , they were either drunke , or carelesse of their charge ; for through their negligences a number of good men were cast away . i being but a stranger amongst fiftie and odde french-men , it pleased god to appoint me to be one of them should be saued . in this extremity we made a raft , which we towed with our boat , there were but six and twentie of vs saued ; and i seeing scarce roome for the one halfe , durst not passe in amongst them till the captaine called me along with him , leauing the better halfe to the seas mercy : that day we rowed till within two houres of night ere we could land , being neere dead with thirst , euery man tooke his way to seeke fresh water , at length , by searching amongst many weeds , we found some raine water , but in the maine are many faire baies , where we had enough for digging . now it pleased god before our ship split we saued our carpenters tooles , some nailes , sailes , and tacklings , wherewith we went roundly to worke , and built a barke of eighty tunues : in stead of pitch , we made lime , mixed with tortoise oyle , and as the carpenters calked her , i and another paied the seames with this plaster , which being in aprill , became quickly dry , and as hard as a stone . in aprill it was so hot , we feared our water would faile , two great chests wee made , which we calked as our ship ; those we stowed on each side our maine mast , filled them with water and thirtie liue tortoises : wee found many hogges , but so leane wee could not eat them ; the tops of the palmetaberries was our bread , and the iuyce we got out of the trees we cut downe our drinke , and of the leaues , which are more then an ell long , we couered our cabens , & made our beds , and found many of those prouisions as is related , but little foule weather . the eleuenth of may it pleased god to set vs cleere of the i le , after wee had liued there fiue moneths : and the twentieth wee fell with cape britton , neere new found land , where refreshing our selues with wood and water , and such things as we could get of the saluages , it seemed a good countrey , but we staied not past foure houres before we set saile for the banke of new found land , where wee met many ships , but not any would take in a man of vs , vntill it pleased god we met a barke of fawmothe , which receiued vs for a little time , and with her we tooke a french ship , wherein i left captaine de la barbotier , my deare friend , and all his company : and in august arriued at falmouth in this honest english barke , . written by me henry may. the first english ship knowne to haue beene cast away vpon the bermudas . from the relation of mr. iordan , master iohn euens , master henry shelly , and diuers others . you haue heard , that when captaine smith was gouernor of virginia , there were nine ships sent with sir thomas gates , and sir george somers , and captaine nuport with fiue hundred people , to take in the old commission , and rectifie a new gouernment : they set saile in may , and in the height of thirty degrees of northerly latitude , they were taken with an extreme storme , or rather a part of hericano , vpon the fiue and twentieth of iuly , which as they write , did not onely separate them from the fleet , but with the violent working of the seas , their ship became so shaken , torne , and leake , she receiued so much water as couered two tire of hogsheads aboue the ballace , that they stood vp to the middles , with buckets , baricos , and kettles , to baile out the water . thus bailing and pumping three daies and three nights without intermission , and yet the water seemed rather to increase then diminish , in so much that being all vtterly spent with labour , were euen resolued without any hope to shut vp the hatches , and commit themselues to the mercy of the sea , which is said to be mercilesse , or rather to the mercy of almighty god , whose mercy farre exceeds all his workes ; seeing no sense or hope in mans apprehension , but presently to sinke : some hauing some good and comfortable waters , fetched them and dranke one to another , as taking their last leaues vntill a more happy , and a more ioyfull meeting in a more blessed world , when it pleased god out of his most gracious and mercifull prouidence , so to direct and guide their ship for her most aduantage ; that sir george somers all this time sitting vpon the poupe , scarce taking leisure to eat nor sleepe , couing the ship to keepe her as vpright as he could , otherwaies she must long ere that needs haue foundered , most wishedly and happily descried land ; whereupon he most comfortably incouraged them to follow their worke , many of them being fast asleepe : this vnlooked for welcome newes , as if it had bin a voice from heauen , hurrieth them all aboue hatches , to looke for that they durst scarce beleeue , so that improuidently forsaking that taske which imported no lesse then their liues , they gaue so dangerous aduantage to their greedy enemy the salt water , which still entred at the large breaches of their poore wooden castle , as that in gaping after life , they had well-nigh swallowed their death . surely it is impossible any should now be vrged to doe his best , and although they knew it , that place all men did so shun , yet they spread all the faile they could to attaine them : for not long it was before they strucke vpon a rocke , till a surge of the sea cast her from thence , and so from one to another , till most luckily at last so vpright betwixt two , as if she had beene in the stocks , till this they expected but euery blow a death : but now behold , suddenly the wind giues place to a calme , and the billowes , which each by ouertaking her , would in an instant haue shiuered her in peeces , become peaceable and still , so that with all conueniency and ease , they vnshipped all their goods , victuall , and persons into their boats , and with extreme ioy , euen almost to amazednesse , arriued in safetie , though more then a league from the shore , without the losse of a man ; yet were they in all one hundred and fiftie : yet their deliuerance was not more strange in falling so happily vpon the land , as their feeding and preseruation was beyond their hopes ; for you haue heard , it hath beene to the spaniards more fearefull then an vtopian purgatory , and to all sea-men no lesse terrible then an inchanted den of furies and deuils , the most dangerous , vnfortunate , and forlorne place in the world , and they found it the richest , healthfullest and pleasantest they euer saw , as is formerly said . being thus safe on shore , they disposed themselues to search the iles for food and water ; others to get a shore what they could from the ship ; not long sir george wandred but found such a fishing , that in halfe an houre with a hooke and line , he tooke so many as sufficed the whole company , in some places they were so thicke in the coues , and so great , they durst not goe in left they should bite them , and these rocke fish are so great two will load a man , and fatter nor better fish cannot be . mr. shelly found a bay neere a quarter of a mile ouer , so full of mullets , as none of them before had euer seene or heard of the like : the next day seeking to kill them with fis-gigs , they stracke so many the water in many places was red with bloud , yet caught not one , but with a net they caught so many as they could draw a shore , with infinite number of pilchards and diuers other sorts ; great craw-fishes in a night by making a fire they haue taken in great quantity . sir george had twice his hooke and line broke out of his hand , but the third time he made it so strong he caught the same fish , which had pulled him into the sea had not his men got hold of him , whereby he had his three hookes againe were found in her belly . at their first hunting for hogs they found such abundance ; they killed and this hunting & fishing was appointed to captaine robert walsingham , and mr. henry shelly for the company in general : they report they killed at least . besides pigs , and many that were killed by diuers others ; for the birds in their seasons , the facility to make their cabens of palmera leaues , caused many of them vtterly forget or desire euer to returne from thence , they liued in such plenty , peace and ease . but let vs remember how the knights began to resolue in those desperat affaires : many proiects they had , but at last it was concluded , to decke their long boat with their ship hatches ; which done , with all expedition they sent master rauen , a very sufficient mariner , with eight more in her to virginia , to haue shipping from thence to fetch them away ; three weekes or a moneth they expected her returne , but to this day she was neuer more heard of ; all this time was spent in searching the iles : now although god still fed them with this abundance of plenty , yet such was the malice of enuy or ambition , for all this good seruice done by sommers , such a great difference fell amongst their commanders , that they liued asunder in this distresse , rather as meere strangers then distressed friends : but necessity so commanded , patience had the victory . two ships at this time by those seuerall parties were a building ; in the meane time two children were borne , the boy was called bermudas , the girle bermuda , and amongst all those sorrowes they had a merry english mariage ; the forme of those iles you may see at large in the map of mr. norwood , where you may plainly see no place knowne hath better walls , nor a broader ditch . but hauing finished and rigged their two new cedar ships with such prouisions they saued from the sea-aduenturer they left amongst the rocks , they called the one the patience , the other the deliuerance ; they vsed lime and oile , as may did for pitch and tar. sir george summers had in his barke no iron at all but one bolt in her keele ; now hauing made their prouisions of victuall and all things ready , they set saile the tenth of may . onely leauing two men behinde them , called christopher carter and edward waters , that for their offences , or the suspition they had of their iudgements , fled into the woods , and there rather desired to end their daies then stand to their trials and the euent of iustice ; for one of their consorts was shot to death , and waters being tied to a tree also to be executed , had by chance a knife about him , and so secretly cut the rope , he ran into the woods where they could not finde him . there were two saluages also sent from virginia by captain smith , the one called namuntack , the other matchumps , but some such differences fell betweene them , that matchumps slew namuntack , and hauing made a hole to bury him , because it was too short , he cut of his legs and laid them by him , which murder he concealed till he was in virginia . the foure and twentieth of the same moneth they arriued in virginia at iames towne , where they found but threescore persons , as you may reade at large in the history of virginia , of the fiue hundred left by captaine smith , also of the arriuall of the lord laware , that met them thus bound for england , returned them backe , and vnderstanding what plenty there was of hogs and other good things in the bermudas , was desirous to send thither to supply his necessary occasions ; whereupon sir george summers , the best acquainted with the place , whose noble minde euer regarded a generall good more then his owne ends , though aboue threescore yeeres of age , and had meanes in england sutable to his ranke , offered himselfe by gods helpe to performe this dangerous voyage againe for the bermudas , which was kindly accepted , so vpon the . of iune , he imbarked in his cedar ship , about the burthen of thirty tunnes , and so set saile . much foule and crosse weather he had , and was forced to the north parts of virginia , where refreshing himselfe vpon this vnknowne coast , he could not bee diuerted from the search of the bermudas , where at last with his company he safely arriued : but such was his diligence with his extraordinary care , paines and industry to dispatch his businesse , and the strength of his body not answering the euer memorable courage of his minde , hauing liued so long in such honourable seruices , the most part of his well beloued and vertuous life , god and nature here determined , should euer remaine a perpetuall memory of his much bewailed sorrow for his death : finding his time but short , after he had taken the best course he could to settle his estate , like a valiant captaine he exhorted them with all diligence to be constant to those plantations , and with all expedition to returne to virginia . in that very place which we now call saint georges towne , this noble knight died , whereof the place taketh the name . but his men , as men amazed , seeing the death of him who was euen as the life of them all , embalmed his body and set saile for england , being the first that euer went to seeke those ilands , which haue beene euer since called summers iles , in honour of his worthy memory , leauing three men behind them , that voluntarily stayed , whose names were christopher carter , edward waters , there formerly left as is said , and edward chard . this cedar ship at last with his dead body arriued at whit-church in dorsetshire , where by his friends he was honourably buried , with many vollies of shot , and the rites of a souldier , and vpon his tombe was bestowed this epitaph . hei mihi virginia quod tam cito praeterit aestas , autumnus sequitur , saeuiet inde & biems ; at ver perpetuum nascetur , & anglialaeta , decerpit flores florida terra tuas . in english thus : alas virginia's summer so soone past , autumne succeeds and stormy winters blast , yet englands ioyfull spring with ioyfull showers , o florida , shall bring thy sweetest flowers . the honour of this resulution belongs principally to carter , for through his importunity , not to leaue such a place abandoned , chard & waters were moued to stay with him , and the rest promised w●th all the speed they could againe to reuisit them . but the ship once out of sight , those three lords , the sole inhabitants of all those ilands , began to erect their little common wealth for a while with brotherly regency , repairing the ground , planting corne , and such seeds and fruits as they had , building a house , &c. then making priuy search amongst the creusses and corners of those craggy rocks , what this maine ocean since the worlds creation had throwne amongst them , at last they chanced vpon the greatest peece of amber-greece was euer seene or heard of in one lumpe , being in weight fourescore pound , besides diuers other small peeces . but now being rich , they grew so proud and ābitious , contempt tooke such place , they fell out for superiority , though but three forlorne men , more then three thousand miles from their natiue country , and but small hope euer to see it againe . notwithstanding , they sometimes fell from words to blowes about meere trifles : in one of which fights , one of them was bitten with his owne dog , as if the dumbe beast would reproue them of their folly ; at last chard and waters , the two greater spirits , must try it out in the field , but carter wisely stole away their weapons , affecting rather to liue amongst his enemies , then by being rid of them liue alone ; and thus those miserable men liued full two yeeres , so that all their clothes were neere worne cleane from their backs , and their hopes of any forraine releefe as naked as their bodies . at last they began to recouer their wits , yet in a fashion perhaps would haue cost them dearer then when they were mad ; for concluding a tripartite peace of their marachin warre , they resolued to frame as good a boat as they could , and therein to make a desperate attempt for virginia , or new found land ; but no sooner were they entred into that resolution , but they descried a saile standing in for the shore , though they neither knew what she was , nor what she would , they were so ouer-ioyed , with all possible speed they went to meet her , and according to their hearts desire she proued an english-man , whom they safely conducted into their harbour . now you are to vnderstand , that captaine matthew somers . nephew and heire to sir george , that returned with his dead body , though both he and his company did their vtmost in relating all those passages to their countrey-men and aduenturers , their relations were beleeued but as trauellers tales , till it came to be apprehended by some of the virginia company , how beneficiall it might be , and helpfull to the plantation in virginia , so that some one hundred and twentie of them bought the pretended right of all the company , and had sent this ship to make a triall ; but first they had obtained letters patents of the kings most excellent maiestie . sir thomas smith was elected treasurer and gouernor heere , and master richard more to be gouernor of the iles and colony there . the first beginning of a colonie in the somer iles , vnder the command of master richard more , extracted out of a plot of master richard norwood surueior , and the relations of diuer's others . master more thus finding those three men not onely well and lusty , but well stored with diuers sorts of prouisions , as an acre of corne ready to be gathered , numbers of pumpions and indian beanes , many tortoises ready taken , good store of hogs flesh salted , and made in flitches of bacon , were very good , and so presently landed his goods and sixty persons towards the beginning of iuly . vpon the south side of smiths i le . not long after his arriuall , more hauing some priuate intelligence of this amber-greece , tooke first chard in examination , he being one of the three the most masterfull spirit , what amber-greece , pearle , treasure , or other commodities they had found . chard no lesse witty then resolute , directly answered ; not any thing at all but the fruits of the i le , what his fellowes had done he knew not , but if they had , he doubted not but to finde it out , and then hee should know it certainly . this he spake onely to win time to sweare his consorts to secrecy , and he would finde the meanes how they should all returne in that ship with it all for england , otherwise they should be deceiued of all . till this was effected they thought euery houre an age ; now for the better conueiance of it aboord , they acquainted it to captaine dauis , master of the ship , and one master edwin kendall , that for their secrecy and transportation should participate with them : without further ceremony the match was accepted , and absolutely concluded , the plot laid , time and place set downe to haue it aboord . but carter , were it for feare the gouernor at last should know of it , to whom so oft they had denied it ; or that the rest should deceiue him , is vncertaine ; but most certaine it is , he reuealed all the plot to master more : to get so much wealth he knew would please them in england , though it did displease all his company , and to lose such a prize he would not for hazarding a mutiny . so first hee reuealed himselfe to kendall in faire tearmes , reprouing his dishonesty , but not being answered according to his expectation , he committed both chard and him to person . the next sabboath day dauis comming on shore , more also taxed with very hard language and many threats , to lay him fast also if he mended not his manners ; dauis for the present replied little , but went with him to the place of praier : but in the midst of diuine seruice he goeth away , commanding all his sea-men to follow him presently aboord , where he encourageth them to stand to him like men , and hee would free the prisoners , haue all the amber-greece for themselues , and so be gone . the gouernor hearing of this resolution , prepares with his company to repulse force with force , so that a generall expectance of a ciuill vnciuill warre possessed euery man ; but this threatning gust passed ouer more calmlier then was expected ; for dauis hauing better aduised with himselfe , repen●ed his rashnesse , and desired a reconcilement with the gouernor . peace thus concluded , kendall was set at libertie , but chard was condemned , and vpon the ladder to be hanged for his obstinacy ; yet vpon better consideration more repriued him , but kept him a prisoner all the time he staied in the country , which was generally thought a very bad reward for his great desert , and that there was more of this amber-greece imbeziled , then would haue contented all the finders , that neuer had any consideration at all . the greatest part though more thus recouered , yet dauis and kendall had so much , either by the ignorance or conniuency of the gouernors , that arriuing in england , they prepared themselues for a new voiage ; at last they two falling out , the company hauing notice thereof , so tormented them both , they gaue ouer their voiage , and durst not be seene a long time after . the gouernor thus rid of the ship and those discontents , remoued his seat from smiths i le to saint georges , after he had fitted vp some small cabbens of palmata leaues for his wife and family , in that valley where now stands their prime towne called s. georges , hee began to apply himselfe to fortifie the countrey , and training his men in the exercise of armes . for although he was but a carpenter , he was an excellent artist , a good gunner , very witty and industrious : he built and laid the foundation of eight or nine forts , called the kings castle , charles fort , pembrookes fort , smiths fort , pagits fort , gates fort , warwicks castle , saint katharines fort , &c. mounting in them all the ordnance he had , preparing the ground to build houses , plant corne , and such fruits as they had . being thus busied , and as the necessitie of the time required , keeping his men somewhat hard at worke , master keath his minister , were it by the secret prouocation of some drones , that grew weary of their taskes , or his affection to popularity is not certaine : but he begins to tax the gouernor in the pulpit , hee did grinde the faces of the poore , oppressing his christian brethren with pharoab ▪ taxes . more finding this in short time , might breed ill bloud , called the company together and also the minister , vrging them plainly , to tell him wherein he had deserued those hard accusations : whereupon , with an vniuersall cry they affirmed the contrary , so that keath downe of his knees to aske him forgiuenesse . but master more kindly tooke him vp , willing him to kneele to god , and hereafter be more modest and charitable in his speeches ; notwithstanding two other discontents so vpbraided more with that doctrine , and stood to maintaine it , he impaneled a iury , with a great deale of seeming much adoe he would hang them being condemned , one of them with the very feare , fell into a dead palsie ; so that the other was set at libertie , and proued after a very good labourer . many conclusions he tried about the sea-venture , the wracke of sir george somers , but he got onely for his paines but two peece of ordnance . hauing framed a church of timber , it was blowne downe by a tempest , so that he built another in a more closer place with palmeta leaues . before this yeere was expired , the aduenterers sent them an aduiso with thirtie passengers and good prouisions , to prepare with all expedition for their defence against the spaniard , whom they vnderstood ere long would visit them : this occasioned him to keepe all his men together in that i le so hard at worke , that wanting libertie to goe abroad for food , liuing onely on that they had , and expected daily to receiue from england , they were so ouer-toiled , many fell sicke , but none died . very earnest this ship was to haue all the amber-greece , which m. more perceiuing , was the chiefest cause of their comming , and that it was the onely loadstone to draw from england still more supplies ; for all the expresse command sent from the company , he returned this ship but with the one third part ; so from thence she went to virginia , and not long after arriued safely in england . but before her returne the company sent the martha with sixtie passengers more ▪ they arriued in iune with one master bartlet to suruey the iland , and the estate of the colonie , with expresse command for all the amber-greece : but more perceiuing him not as he would haue him , and that the company began to mistrust him , would send no more but another third part , wherewith they returned , leauing a french-man to make triall of the mulberies for silke , but he did not bring any thing to perfection ; excusing himselfe , they were not the right mulberies he expected . about this time they were in hope of a small crop of tobacco , but it was most spoiled for want of knowledge to vse it . now in england master more became amongst the merchants maruelous distastfull , for the detaining so long the amber-greece ; which delaies they so much abhorred , they forthwith dispatched the elizabeth the second time and forty passengers , much rebuking more for so long detaining the amber-greece : for the which , hauing now no more colourable excuses , he deliuered it , wherewith the ship went to virginia , & thence home . in this ship was brought the first potato roots , which flourished exceedingly for a time , till by negligence they were almost lost ( all but two cast-away roots ) that so wonderfully haue increased , they are a maine releefe to all the inhabitants . this ship was not long gone but there came two spanish ships , founding with their boat , which attempted to come in : but from the kings castle master more made but two shot , which caused them presently depart . marke here the handy worke of the diuine prouidence , for they had but three quarters of a barrell of powder , and but one shot more , and the powder by carelesnesse was tumbled downe vnder the mussels of the two peeces , were discharged , yet not touched with fire when they were discharged . this feare thus past , appeares another much worse , which was the extremity of famine ; in this extemity god sent captaine daniel elfrid with a caruell of meale which a little relieued them , but brought withall so many rats , that within two yeeres after neere ruined all ; now though elfrid had deceiued his friend fisher of this caruell in the west . indies , they reuenged fishers iniury , for elfrid had his passage for england , and they made vse of all he had . some two moneths after , came in the blessing with an hundred passengers ; and two daies after the starre with a hundred and foure score more , amongst which were many gentlemen , as master lower for marshall , master barret , master felgate , and diuers others ; but very vnproper for what they vndertooke . within foureteene daies after came in the margaret and two frygats , and in them one hundred and threescore passengers ; also master bartlet came now expresly to diuide the country into tribes , and the tribes into shares . but master more finding no mention made of any part for himselfe nor all them with him , as he was promised in england , by no meanes would admit of any diuision , nor suffer his men from finishing their fortifications , which was so necessary , it was his maine ambition to see that accomplished ; but such vnkindnesse grew betwixt this master bartlet and the gouernour , that the rude multitude with all the disdaine they could deuise caused bartlet returne for england as he came . about this time william millington was drawne into the sea by a fish , but neuer after euer seene . the neglect of this diuision was very hardly conceited in england , so that master more grew more and more in dislike with the company ; notwithstanding he followed the building of these forts so earnestly , neglecting planting of corne , till their store was neere all consumed , whereby they became so feeble and weake , some would not , others could not goe abroad to seeke releefe , but statued in their houses , and many that went abroad , through weaknesse were subiect to be suddenly surprized with a disease called the feauges , which was neither paine nor sicknesse , but as it were the highest degree of weaknesse , depriuing them of power and ability from the execution of any bodily exercises , whether it were working , walking , or what else : being thus taken , if any presently gaue them food , many times they straight recouered , yet some after a little rest would bee able to walke , but if they found not present succour , died . about this time or immediatly before , came in a company of rauens , which continued amongst them all the time of this mortality and then departed , which for any thing knowne , neither before nor since were euer seene or heard of : this with diuers other reasons caused master more to goe out to sea , to see if he could discouer any other ilands , but he went not farre ere ill weather forced him backe ; and it were a noble aduenture of him would vndertake to make more perfect all the dangers are about the summer iles. thus famine and misery caused gouernour more leaue all his workes , and send them abroad to get what they could ; one hundred and fifty of the most weake and sicke he sent to coupers i le , where were such infinite numbers of the birds called cahowes , which were so fearelesse they might take so many as they would , and that admired abundance of fish , that the extremity of their hunger , and their gluttony was such , those heauenly blessings they so consumed and wasted by careles●●sse and surfetting , many of them died vpon those silly birds that offered themselues to the slaughter , which the gouernour vnderstanding , caused them for change of aire to be remoued to port-royall , and a company of fishers with a boat to releeue them with fish , but the gange grew so lazie the poore weaklings still died ; they that remained killed the cattle they found in the i le , faining the heat caused them to runne into the sea and so were drowned ; so that the gouernour sent againe for them home , but some obtained leaue still to liue abroad ; one amongst the rest hid himselfe in the woods , and liued onely on wilkes and land crabs , sat and lusty many moneths , but most of them being at saint georges , ordinarily was taken one hundred and fifty or two hundred great fishes daily for their food ; for want of hookes and lines , the smith made hookes of old swords , and lines of old ropes , but finding all those poore engines also decay , they sent one of the two frigats last left with them for england , to tell them of this misery . all which was now attributed to master mores peruersnesse , who at first when he got the amber-greece had not such a generall applause , but now all the worst could possibly be suggested was too good for him ; yet not knowing for the present how to send a better , they let him continue still , though his time was neere expired , and with all speed sent the welcome fraught with prouision , where shee well arriued , and proued her selfe as welcome in deed as in name ; for all those extremities , master lewes hues writeth , not one of all those threescore that first beganne this plantation was dead , which shewes it was not impossible , but industry might haue preuented a great part of the others sluggish carelesnesse . this ship much refreshed this miserable colony , but master more seeing they sent not for him , his time being now expired , vnderstanding how badly they reputed him in england , and that his imploiment now was more for their owne ends then any good for himselfe , resolued directly to returne with this ship . hauing setled all things in the best order he could , left the gouernment to the charge of the counsell of six to succeed each other monethly , till they had further directions from england ; whose names were captaine miles kendall , captaine iohn mansfield , thomas knight , charles caldycot , edward waters , and christopher carter , with twelue others for their assistances . more thus taking leaue of those ilands , arriued in england , much wrangling they had , but at last they confirmed him according to promise eight shares of land , and so he was dismissed of his charge , with shew of fauour and much friendship . the rule of the six gouernors . the first thing they did was casting of lots , who should rule first , which lot lighted vpon master caldicot . this last supply somewhat abated the extremitie of their miseries , and the better in that their fortifications being finished , they had the more leasure to goe abroad with that meanes was brought to that purpose to fish . chard as you haue heard , whom all this while more had kept prisoner , they set at libertie : now by reason of their former miseries , little or nothing could be done ; yet this gouernor hauing thus concluded his moneth , and prepared a frigot and two and thirtie men , hee imbarked himselfe with two other of his fellow counsellers ; namely , knight and waters for the west-indies , to get fruits and plants , goats , young cattle , and such like . but this poore vessell , whether through ill weather , or want of mariners , or both , in stead of the indies fell with the canaries , where taking a poore portugall ▪ the which they manned with ten of their owne people , as soone after separated from her in a storme , & the next day was taken by a french pickaroune , so that the frigot out of hope of her prize , makes a second time for the west-indies , where she no sooner arriued , but foundred in the sea ; but the men in their boat recouered a desolate ile , where after some few moneths stay , an english pyrat tooke them in , and some of them at last got for england , and some few yeares after returned to the somer iles. captaine iohn mansfield his moneth . the frigot thus gone , captaine mansfield succeeded . then was contriued a petition , as from the generalitie , vnto the triumuirat gouernors ; wherein they supplicated , that by no meanes they should resigne the gouernment to any should come from england , vpon what tearmes soeuer , vntill six moneths after the returne of their ship sent to the west-indies : about this vnwarrantable action , m●ster lewes hues their preacher was so violent in suppressing it , that such discontents grew betwixt the gouernors and him , and diuisions among the company , he was arraigned , condemned , and imprisoned , but not long detained before released . then the matter fell so hotly againe to be disputed betwixt him and one master keath a scotch-man , that professed schollership , that made all the people in a great combustion : much adoe there was , till at last as they sate in the church and ready to proceed to a iudiciary course against master hues , suddenly such an extreme gust of wind and weather so ruffled in the trees and church ; some cried out , a miracle ; others , it was but an accident common in those iles , but the noise was so terrible it dissolued the assembly ▪ notwithstanding , master hues was againe imprisoned , and as suddenly discharged ; but those factions were so confused , and their relations so variable , that such vnnecessary circumstances were better omitted then any more disputed . this mans moneth thus ended , begins master carter , which was altogether spent in quietnesse , and then captaine miles kendall had the rule , whose moneth was also as quietly spent as his predecessors . then captaine mansfield begins his second moneth , when the ship called the edwin arriued with good supplies . about this time diuers boats going to sea were lost , and some men drowned ; and many of the company repaired to master hues , that there might bee a councell according to master mores order of six gouernours , and twelue assistants ; whereupon grew as many more such silly brawles as before , which at last concluded with as simple a reconciliation . in the interim happened to a certaine number of priuate persons as miserable and lamentable an accident , as euer was read or heard of , and thus it was : in the month of march , a time most subiect of all others to such tempests ; on a friday there went seuen men in a boat of two or three runnes to fish . the morning being faire , so eager they were of their iourney , some went fasting : neither carried they either meat or drinke with them , but a few palmeta berries , but being at their fishing place some foure leagues from the shoare , such a tempest arose , they were quickly driuen from the sight of land in an ouergrowne sea , despairing of all hope , onely committing themselues to gods mercy , set the boat driue which way shee would . on sunday the storme being somewhat abated , they hoysed saile as they thought towards the island . in the euening it grew starke calme ; to that being too weake to vse their oares , they lay a drift that night . the next morning andrew hilliard , for now all his companions were past strength either to helpe him or themselues : before a small gale of wind spred his saile againe . on tuesday one died , whom they threw ouer board . on wednesday three . and on thursday at night the sixt . all these but the last were buried by hilliard in the sea , for so weake hee was growne hee could not turne him ouer as the rest , whereupon hee stripped him , ripping his belly with his knife , throwing his bowels into the water , hee spread his body abroad tilted open with a sticke , and so lets it lie as a cisterne to receiue some lucky raine-water , and this god sent h●m presently after , so that in one small shoure hee recouered about foure spoonefuls of raine water to his vnspeakeable refreshment ; he also preserued neere halfe a pint of blood in a shooe , which he did sparingly drinke of to moist his mouth : two seuerall dates he fed on his flesh , to the quantity of a pound , on the eleuenth day from his losing the sight of land , two flying fishes fals in his boat , whose warme iucie blood hee sucked to his great comfort . but within an houre after to his greater comfort you will not doubt , he once againe descried the land , and within foure houres after was cast vpon a rocke neere to port royall , where his boat was presently split in pieces , but himselfe , though exreamly weake , made shift to clamber vp so steepe and high a rocke , as would haue troubled the ablest man in the i le to haue done that by day hee did by night . being thus astride on a rocke , the tumbling sea had gotten such poss●ssion in his braines , that a good while it was before his giddy head would suffer him to venture vpon the forsaking it : towards the morning he craules a shore , and then to his accomplished ioy descernes where hee is , and trauels halfe a day without any refreshment then water , whereof wisely and temperately he stinted himselfe , otherwise certainely hee had drunke his last . in which case hee attaines a friends house : where at the first they tooke him for a ghost , but at last acknowledged and receiued him with ioy , his story after some houres of recouery of strength to tell it , heard out with admiration : he was not long after conueyed to the towne , where he receiued his former health , and was liuing in the yeere . the next newes that happened in this time of ease , was , that a merry fellow hauing found some few dollars against the flemish wracke , the bruit went currant the treasure was found , and they all made men . much adoe there was to preuent the purloining of it , before they had it : vvhere after they had tyred themselues vvith searching , that they found , amounted not to aboue twenty pounds starling , vvhich is not vnlike but to be the remainder of some greater store , washed from some wracke not farre from the shore . the company by the edwin receiuing newes of the reuels vvere kept in sommer iles , resolued to make choice of a new gouernour , called master daniel tuckar , that a long time had bin a planter in virginia in the gouernment of captaine smith . all things being furnished for his voyage ; hee set saile in the george , consorted vvith the edwin , with many passengers , which being discouered by them in those iles , they supposed them the frigot sent to the west indies ; but when they vnderstood vvhat they vvere , much preparation they made to resist the new gouernour . many great ostentations appeared on both sides , but vvhen the quondam gouernour did see his men for most part forsake him ; all was very well and quietly compounded , and with much kindnesse receiued and welcomed a shore , where his commission was no sooner read , then they accepted and acknowledged him for their gouernour . the gouernment of captaine daniel tuckar . about the mistd of may arriued this gouernor , where finding the inhabitants both abhorring all exacted labour , as also in a manner disdaining and grudging much to be commanded by him ; it could not but passionate any man liuing . but at last according to the virginia order , hee set euery one was with him at saint georges , to his taske , to cleere grounds , fell trees , set corne , square timber , plant vines and other fruits brought out of england . these by their taske masters by breake a day repaired to the wharfe , from thence to be imployed to the place of their imployment , till nine of the clocke , and then in the after-noone from three till sunne-set . beside meat , drinke and cloaths , they had for a time a certaine kinde of brasse money with a hogge on the one side , in memory of the abundance of hogges was found at their first landing . this course thus squared , imitating diuers orders vsed in virginia , by sir tho. dale : he began by them to looke into his instructions giuen by the company . whereupon by one mr. richard norwood a suruayor , sent ouer for that purpose , in the time of master moore , hee began to lay out the eight tribes in the maine , which were to consist of fifty shares to a tribe ; and twenty fiue acers to euery share . he also began to plant some colony men , on some of the especiall shares . he swore also certaine of the chiefe men of euery tribe to bee bailiffes thereof ; and appointed as many men as hee was able for all supplied shares . the goods landed in the store houses hee sent from thence , and dispersed it to his workemen in generall : some boats also began to be builded ; but the pinace called the thomas suspected might make an escape , was laid vp in a docke , were shee yet remaineth . in the beginning of the second moneth of his gouernment , he directed warrants to all the bailiffes , for the holding of a generall assise at saint georges , and appointed master stokes lieutenant of the kings castle at the gurnets head . the edwin came with him he sent to the west indies by directions from england , to trade with the natiues , for cattell , corne , plants , and other commodities . a course of great importance , which had it been pursued , would certainly haue produced more hopefull effects for the good of the colony , then all the supplies and magazines from england hath or will in a long time . presently after her departure began the assises , executed by his deputy . the chiefe matter handled was the hanging one iohn wood a french man , for speaking many distastefull and mutinous speeches against the gouernour , to shew the rest by that example , the power of his authority , which after with his owne hands he so oft executed with a bastinado amongst the poorer sort ; many tearmed it a cruelty , not much lesse then tyranny : but the sequell is more then strange . so it was that fiue of them , seeing by no meanes they could get passage for england , resolued to vndergoe all hazards but they would make an escape from such seruitude . the chiefe mariner and plotter of this businesse , was richard sanders and his confederates , william goodwin a ship carpenter , thomas harison a ioyner , iames barker a gentleman , and henry puet . these repairing to the gouernour , and with pleasing insinuations told him , if hee would allow them but things necessary , they would build him a boat of two or three tunnes , with a close decke , should goe a fishing all weathers . the gouernour halfe proud that hee had brought his men to so good a passe , as he conceiued , to offer themselues to so necessary a worke ; instantly with all willingnesse furnished them with all things they could desire , and many faire promises to incourage them to performe it with all expedition . hauing made choise of a place most fit from molestation , they went forward with that expedition , that in a short time shee was brought to perfection . by this time , the ship that brought the gouernour , being ready to depart , hee sends a lusty gange to goe fetch his new boat to carry him aboard , but arriuing at the place where she was built , they could heare no more of her , but she was gone the last euening to sea , to try how shee would saile . much search and dispute was where this boat should be : but at last they found diuers letters in the cabbins , to this effect , directed to the gouernour , and other their friends : that their hard and bad vsage was so intolerable , and their hope so small euer againe to see their countrey , or be deliuered from such seruitude , they did rather chuse to put themselues to that desperate hazard to goe for england , in which if they miscaried , as it was much to be mistrusted , their liues and bloods should be required at their hands was the cause . a compasse diall barker had borrowed of master hues , to whom he writ that as hee had oft perswaded them to patience , and that god would pay them though none did : hee must now bee contented with the losse of his diall , with his owne doctrine . such leasure they found to bee merry when in the eye of reason they were marching into a most certaine ruine . the gouernour being thus satisfied of their escape , extreamly threatned them no lesse then a hanging , but the stormes of the ocean they now more feared then him ; good prouision by bartering they had got from the ship , where goodwin in a brauado told the mariners , though he could not be permitted to goe with them , yet peraduenture hee might be in england before them , whereat the master and his mate laughed merrily . but hauing beene now vnder saile three weekes , the winds so fauoured them , they felt nothing of what they had cause to feare : then a blustering gale blowing in their teeth , put them to much extremity for diuers dayes , then becomming more gentle away they past prosperously some eight or ten dayes more , till meeting a french piccaroune of whom they desired succour , hee like himselfe tooke from them what hee liked , leauing them not so much as a crosse-staffe to obserue withall , and so cast them off : their course still they continued till their victuall began to fall to the lowest ebbe ; and the very knees of their small vessell were halfe hewed away for fire wood . at last to their infinit ioy they arriued in ireland , where the earle of tomund honorably entertained them , and caused the boat to be hung vp for a monument , and well she might , for shee had sailed more then . miles by a right line thorow the maine sea , without any sight of land , and i thinke since god made the world , the like nauigation was neuer done , nor heard of . this fortunate sanders going to the east indies , in the rifling some ships there tooke , it was his chance to buy an old chest , for three or foure shillings , but because it wanted a key hee repented his bargaine , and would gladly haue sold it againe for lesse . a certaine time it lay tossed to and fro as a thing hee little regarded , but at last hauing little to doe , hee broke it open , where he found a thousand pounds starling , or so much gold as bought him in england a good estate , which leauing with his wife he returned againe to the east indies . the george setting saile three dayes after this escape , the gouernour seazed and confiscated all that those fugitiues left behinde them . within a weeke after returned the edwin from the west indies , furnished with figges , pynes , sugar-canes , plantaines , papanes and diuers other plants , which were presently replanted , and since increased into greater numbers , also an indian and a negar , and so much ligna vitae as defrayed all the charge . the gouernor thus busied amongst his plants , making hedges of figtrees , and pomgranets , and seuerall diuisions by palizadoes for the defence of their guarding and keeping their cattell , for in such husbandry qualities he well deserued great commendations . the aduenturers to supply him sent with all speed they could the hopewell , a small barke , but an excellent sailer , and in her one captaine powell an excellent mariner , and well acquainted in the indies where he was to goe trade , after he had landed his passengers in the summer iles : but in his iourney at the westerne iles meeting a brasile man , hee liked the suger and passengers so well , hee mand the caruill with his owne men , and continued his course , but bethinking himself how this would be entertained at the summer iles , hee found such doubts , hee went directly for the west indies to take time to resolue what to doe : arriuing there hee met a french rouer , one euery way as cunning as himselfe , but much more trecherous . a great league of kindnesse is soone made betweene them , vpon confidence whereof , powell and some of the chiefe with him being inuited aboord him , is easily entised , and in the midst of their cups both hee and his company treacherously made prisoners ; and thus was forced to giue him their prise , or hang at the yards arme with all his company . hauing set them a shore , away goes the french man ; powels ship being but hard by , presently fetcht them all a boord , but finding his victuall neere spent , and no hope at all to recouer his prize , set his portugales on shore , and set saile for the summer iles ; where safely arriuing , hee declared the whole passage to the gouernour , lest some other in telling might make it worse , of which the gouernour seemed well enough to approue . this gouernour still spent his time in good husbandry , although some of the snarling sort here in england , whom nothing will please , writ to him hee was fitter to be a gardiner then a gouernour : some time he spent in digging of a great pond , but that worke proued altogether vnprofitable : about that time was held the second assise . the greatest matter passed , was a proclamatiō against the spoile of cahowes , but it came too late , for they were most destroyed before : a platforme hee caused to be erected by pagits fort , where a good fort were very necessary . captaine powell not hauing performed his seruice in the west indies , he conditioned with the company , is sent thither againe by this gouernour , and thirteene or fourteene of his best men , furnished with all things necessary . in the meane time the company vnderstanding , that in ianuary , february and march , there are many whales , for which fishing they sent the neptune , a tall ship well prouided with euery thing fitting for that purpose . but before she arriued , captaine tuckar , who had brought also with him most prouisions for that imploiment , sent three good shalops to try what could be done , but whether it was the swiftnes of the whale in swimming , or the condition of the place , certaine it is for all their labour and hazard , they could kill none , though they strucke many . to begin his second yeere , he called the third assise , where diuers were punished as their faults deserued : three were condemned to die ; two were repriued , but the third was hanged : the next day there was also a leuy for the repairing two forts ; but that labour tooke not such effect as was intended , for want of good directions . but the great god of heauen being angry at somewhat happened in those proceedings , caused such an increase of silly rats , in the space of two yeeres so to abound , before they regarded them , that they filled not onely those places where they were first landed , but swimming from place to place , spread themselues into all parts of the countrey , insomuch that there was no iland but it was pestered with them ; and some fishes haue beene taken with rats in their bellies , which they caught in swimming from i le to i le : their nests they had almost in euery tree , and in most places their burrowes in the ground like conies : they spared not the fruits of the plants , or trees , nor the very plants themselues , but are them vp . when they had set their corne , the rats would come by troupes in the night and scratch it out of the ground . if by diligent watch any escaped till it came to earing , it should then very hardly escape them : and they became noysome euen to the very persons of men . they vsed all the diligence they could for the destroying of them , nourishing cats both wilde and tame , for that purpose ; they vsed rats-bane , and many times set fire on the woods , that oft ran halfe a mile before it was extinct ; euery man was enioyned to set twelue traps , and some of their owne accord haue set neere an hundred , which they euer visited twice or thrice in a night ; they also trained vp their dogges to hunt them , wherein they became so expert , that a good dog in two or three houres would kil forty or fity . many other deuices they vsed to destroy them , but could not preuaile , finding them still increasing against them : nay they so deuoured the fruits of the earth , that they were destitute of bread for a yeere or two ; so that when they had it afterwards , they were so wained from it , they easily neglected to eat it with their meat . besides they endeuoured so much for the planting tobacco for present gaine , that they neglected many things might more haue preuailed for their good , which caused amongst them much weaknesse and mortality , since the beginning of this vermine . at last it pleased god , but by what meanes it is not well knowne , to take them away ; in so much that the wilde cats and many dogs which liued on them , were famished , and many of them leauing the woods , came downe to their houses , and to such places where they vse to garbish their fish , and became tame . some haue attributed the destruction of them the to encrease of wild cats , but that is not likely they should be so suddenly encreased rather at that time , then foure yeeres before ; and the chiefe occasion of this supposition was , because they saw some companies of them leaue the woods , and slew themselues for want of food . others by the coldnesse of winter , which notwithstanding is neuer so great there , as with vs in march , except it be in the wind : besides the rats wanted not the fethers of young birds and chickins , which they daily killed , and palmeta mosse to build themselues warme nests out of the wind , as vsually they did ; neither doth it appeare that the cold was so mortall to them , seeing they would ordinarily swimme from place to place , and bee very fat euen in the midst of winter . it remaineth then , that as god doth sometimes effect his will without subordinate and secondary causes , so wee need not doubt , but that in the speedy encrease of this vermine ; as also by the preseruation of so many of them by such weake meanes as they then enioyed , and especially in the so sudden remouall of this great annoyance , there was ioyned with and besides the ordinary and manifest meanes , a more mediate and secret worke of god. about this time henry long , with seuen others in an extreame storme were cast away , but three of them escaped . one of them being asked what hee thought in the worst of that extremity , answered , he thought nothing but gallowes claime thy right , and it seemes god well heard his prayer , and rewarded his ingratitude ; for he was hanged within halfe a yeere after . in that march also fiue men went to sea , but as yet was neuer heard of , and three more drowned in a boat . by hilliards house grew a very faire cedar , which by a thunder clap was rent almost to small shiuers , and a man stood by him , and samuel tanton , most fearfully blasted , yet neither they , the house , not a little childe , yet a paire of racks in the house was all torne to fitters . the neptune not long after arriuing to fish for whale , her fortune proued no better then the gouernours , yet some are of opinion , profit might be made by them . in may they discried foure saile , so that manning all their forts , they stood two daies in armes , expecting what they were ; at last they found it master powell returned from the west-indies in the hopewell , where missing such trade as he expected , these three frigots comming in his way , he could not chuse but take them ; meale , hides and munition was their lading : faire weather the gouernor made with powell , till he had got all the goods into his owne possession , and then called powell to a strict account for doing such an vnwarrantable act ; much a doe then was betwixt the taker and receiuer ; but powell was glad to be excused to answer it in england , leauing all hee had taken behinde him in the iles : the neptune also returned with him , but noble powell lost all his pay and pillage for this yeeres worke . for which the company sent for to tuckar , so that he also lost his part as well as powell : notwithstanding , the gouernour by this meanes being strong in shipping ▪ fitted the caruill with twelue men , vnder the command of edward waters formerly spoken of , and sent them to virginia about such businesse as hee had conceiued . arriuing there , they obtained some goates , and and hogs , & what they could spare , and so returned for the summer iles ; but whether they could not finde the iles for want of skill , or beaten off by ill weather , or the ill will they bare the gouernor , it matters not much : but they bare vp again for virginia , where they all remained , and would returne no more to summer iles. the gouernour thinking to make some vse of the hides , set some that professed themselues tanners , to make tryall of their skill ; but they lost their labours and spoiled the hides . also he called another assise cōcerning a poore fellow called gabriel , for concealing some speeches m. pollard and m. rich should vse , tending to the dis-reputation of the gouernour , and his iniustice and cruelties ; which being brought within the compasse of sedition and mutiny , though a yeere agoe ; many were called in question about it , although euery one ordinarily had spoke as much . yet gabriel for example sake was condemned to bee hanged , and was vpon the ladder , but reprieued . the other two m. pollard , and m. rich were imprisoned , but vpon better consideration , the fact appeared so small and ridiculous , vpon their submission they were pardoned , and restored to their places . the diuision of the summer iles into tribes , by master richard norwood , surueyor . according to the directions of the councell and company , as they had determined by lot , m. norwood tooke a plot of the i le , and diuided it with as much faithfulnes as he could , assigning to euery aduenturer his share or proportion , as namely , to lay out a large proportion , to bee called the generall land , and imployed for publike vses , as for the maintenance of the gouernour , ministers , commanders of forts , souldiers , and such like : and to this end was assigned s. georges iland , s. dauids iland , longbridge iland , smiths iland , coopers iland , cony iland , nonesuch iland , part of the maine , and sundry other small iles. the rest was to be diuided into eight parts , each part to be called a tribe , and to haue his denomination of some principall person that was aduenturer therein : and accordingly the first tribe to bee eastward , was then called bedfords tribe , now hamiltons : the second , smiths : tribe the third , cavendish , now deuonshires : the fourth , pembrooks : the fift , pagits : the sixt , mansils , now warwicks : the seuenth , southhampton : the eighth , sands : in the honours of the right honorable the marquis hamilton , sir thomas smith , the earle of deuonshire , the earle of pembrooke , the lord pagit , the earle of warwicke , the earle of southhampton , and sir edwin sands . againe each of those tribes were to bee diuided into fifty parts , called shares ; and euery aduenturer to haue his shares in these tribes as was determined , by casting lots in england , the manner of it appeares by the map , and more largely by his booke of the suruay of the countrey , which is in the records of the colony . and then began this which was before as you haue heard , but as an vnsetled and confused chaos , to receiue a disposition , forme , and order , and become indeed a plantation . the names of the aduenturers , and their shares in euery tribe , according to the suruey , and the best information yet ascertained , of any of their alterations . hamiltons tribe . iames l. marquis hamil . share . sir edward harwood . share . m. iohn delbridge . share . m. iohn dike . share . m. ellis roberts . share . m. robert phips . share . m. ralph king. share . m. quicks assignes . share . m. william cannig . share . m. william cannig . share . m. william web. share . m. iohn bernards assignes . share . m. elias roberts iun. share . m. iohn gearing . share . m. cleophas smith . share . robert earle of warwick . share . m. thomas couell . share . m. greenwels assignes . share . m. cley . share . m. powlson . share . m. iohn dike . . / share . comon land for conueniency . share . m. iohn dike . . / share . m. george thorps assignes . share . . smiths tribe . sir dudley digs assignes . share . m. richard edwards . share . m. william pane. share . m. robert smith . share . m. george barkley assignes . share . sir samuel sands . share . m. anthony pennistone . share . sir edwin sands . share . sir thomas smith . share . m. richard more . share . m. ad. brumfield share . m rob. iohnson alderman . share . m. iohn wroth. share . m. george smith . share . . deuonshire tribe . m. anth. penistone . share . m. iohn dike . share . m. iohn dike . share . m. iohn bernards heires . shares . robert earle of warwick . shares . m. francis west . shares . will. lord cavendish . shares . will. earle of deuonshire . shares . m. edw. luckin . shares . m. edw. ditchfield . shares . m. edw. ditchfield . shares . m. will. nicols . shares . m. edw. ditchfield . shares . m. iohn fletcher . shares . m. gedion delawne . shares . m. anth. pennistone . shares . m. best . shares . m. edw. luckin . shares . m. richard rogers . shares . m. will. palmer . shares . . pembrookes tribe . m. george smith . shares . gleab land . shares . m. nicholas hide . shares . sir lawrence hide . shares . m. thomas iudwyn . shares . will. earle of pemb. shares . m. richard edwards . shares . m. harding . shares . m. rich. edwards . shares . m. elias roberts . shares . m. rich. edwards . shares . m. iacobsons assignes . shares . m. iohn farrar . shares . m. nicholas farrar . shares . m. nicholas . farrar . shares . m. will. canning . shares . m. richard martin . shares . m. moris abbot . shares . m. rich. caswell . shares . m. rich. caswell . shares . m. vvill. caswell . shares . m. rich. edwards . shares . m. rich. caswell . shares . m. rich. edwards . shares . m. george sands assignes . shares . m. will. paine . shares . . pagits tribe . m. iohn chamberlaine . shares . m. tho. ayres , and shares . m. rich. wiseman . shares . m. rich. wiseman shares . will. lord pagit . shares . m. will. palmer . shares . m. bagnell . shares . m. iohn bale . shares . m. wheatley . shares . m. christop . barron . shares . m. iohn wodall . shares . m. iohn wodall . shares . m. lewis . shares . m. owen arthors assignes . shares . m. george etheridge . shares . 〈…〉 shares . sir vvill. vvade . shares . m. iohn bernards heires . shares . . warwicks tribe . m. vvheatley . shares . cap. daniel tuckar . shares . m. will. felgate . shares . rob. earle of warwicke . shares . m. george smith . shares . m. sam. tickner . shares . m. francis mevell . shares . m. sephen sparrow . shares . m. ioseph man. shares . cap. daniel tuckar . shares . m. elias more . shares . doctor . anth. hunton shares . m. francis moverill . shares . m. rich. poulson shares . m. math. shephard . shares . m. george tuckar . shares . m. ch. clitheroe . shares . m. george swinow . shares . m. rich. tomlings . shares . m. francis meverill . shares . m. iohn waters . shares . m. martin bond. shares . . southamptons tribe . cap. dan. tuckar . shares . m. iohn britton . shares . m. rich. chamberland . shares . m. leon. harwods assignes . shares . m. iohn banks . shares . sir nathanael rich. shares . rob. earle of vvarwicke . shares . m. richard more . shares . m. george scot. shares . m. edward scot. shares . m. antho. abdy . shares . hen. earle of southampton . shares . m. and. broumfield . shares . m. henry timbed . shares . sir tho. hewet . shares . m. perce . shares . sir raloh winwood . shares . . sandys tribe . m. george barcklies heires . shares . sir edwin sands . shares . m. ierom hidon . shares . m. tho. millin and shares . m. iohn cuffe . shares . m. robert chamberlaine . shares . m. abr. chamberlaine . shares . m. george smith . shares . m. robert gore . shares . sir. edw. sackvile . shares . sir iohn dauers . shares . m. robert gore . shares . m. iohn delbridge . shares . m. iohn vvroth . shares . m. iohn vvests heires . shares . m. richard chamberlaine . shares . touching the common ground in each tribe , as also the ouer-plus , you may finde that at large in the booke of surueyes amongst their records . now though the countrey was small , yet they could not conueniently haue beene disposed and well setled , without a true description and a suruey of it ; and againe , euery man being setled where he might constantly abide , they knew their businesse , and fitted their houshold accordingly : then they built no more cabbens , but substantiall houses , they cleered their grounds , and planted not onely such things as would yeeld them their fruits in a few moneths , but also such as would affoord them profit within a few yeares , so that in a short time the countrey began to aspire , and neerely approach vnto that happinesse and prosperitie , wherein now it flourisheth , &c. but to follow the history ; vpon the best plot of ground could be found , the gouernor preuailed so much with the generalitie , they built a faire house of cedar , which being done , he appropriated it to himselfe , which occasioned exceeding much distaste . about this time arriued the diana with a good supply of men and prouision , and the first magazin euer seene in those iles ; which course is not so much commended here , as cursed and abhorred by reason of enhansements of all the inhabitants there ; six or seuen weeks this ship staied , then hauing towards her fraught thirtie thousand weight of tobacco ; which prouing good , and comming to a lucky market , gaue great encouragement to the aduenturers to goe lustily forward in their plantation , and without such successe , there is nothing but grudging and repining . but about the appropriation of this new built house , many bad discontents grew betwixt the oppressed colony and the gouernor , especially betwixt him and the minister , and lewes , who would neither be feared with threats nor imprisonment , that their malice continued till they met in england , of which the minister made the cause so plaiue , hee very well and honestly it seemes , discharged himselfe . now in those times of these endlesse vnciuill broiles , two desperate men and a proper gentlewoman got into a boat , and thinking to make an escape to virginia , as appeared by some letters they left behinde them were neuer more heard on . the very next moneth after the like was attempted by six others , so desirous they were to be rid of their seruitude ; but their plot being discouered by one of their societie , they were apprehended , arraigned , and condemned to be hanged : the next day being led with halters about their neckes to the place of execution , one was hanged , and the rest repriued . the diana arriuing well in england , for all the infinite numbers of complaints , the tobacco did helpe to sweeten all manner of grieuances , yet it bred a distaste in the opinions of so many , they began to thinke of another gouernor ; but for that time it was so qualified by diuers of his friends , they dispatched away the blessing , which arriued in the somer iles. though their generall letter was faire and courteous to the gouernor , yet by the report of the passengers and diuers particular letters from his friends , it was assured him his cruelty and couetousnesse , for all his paines and industry was much disliked , nor was he like to enioy his house , and that land he had planted for himselfe , by the extreme oppression of the comminalty . this caused so many ielousies to arise in his conceit , that at last he fully resolued to returne by this ship , that no sooner set saile from england , then they proceeded to the nomination of a new gouernor . many were presented according to the affections of those that were to giue in their voices , but it chiefely rested betwixt one captaine southwell , and one mr nathaniel butler , where wee will leaue them a while to the consideration of the court and company . now captaine tuckar hauing instituted captaine kendall one of the six gouernors before spoken of for his substitute , returned with this ship directly for england , as well to excuse himselfe of those obiections he suspected , as to get assured him the house and land he had alotted for himselfe , lest it might otherwise be disposed of in his absence . collected out of their records by n. b. and the relations of m. pollard , and diuers others . the gouernment of captaine miles kendall , deputy for captaine tuckar . the vnexpected returne of captaine tuckar , caused a demurre in the election of the new gouernor ; some perswading these oft changes were so troublesome , dangerous , and chargeable , it were best to continue captaine kendall ; others againe stood for captaine tuckar , but during the time of these opinions , the gilliflower was dispatched with a supply . now i should haue remembred , tuckar was no sooner out of the harbour , but he met master elfred in a ship called the treasurer , sent from virginia to trade : by her he writ to his deputy master kendall , to haue a care of all things , and beware of too much acquaintance with this ship , which hee suspected was bound for the west-indies . notwithstanding , elfred receiued what kindnesse the i le could afford ; he promised to reuisit them at his returne ; this done , because they would not be gouernlesse when his deputiship was expired , there was a generall assembly , and by that election kendall was confirmed to succeed still gouernor . now they began to apply themselues to the finishing some plat-forme about smiths fort , and laying the foundation of a church to be built of cedar , till the gillyflower arriued with some priuate letters to kendall , how he was elected gouernor of those iles for three yeeres . during her stay they held their assises , where for some few suspected facts three were condemned , and the better to terrifie the rest , led to the place of execution , but reprieued ; diuers of the rest had their faults pardoned , and the gilliflower set saile for new found land . the loue and kindnesse , honesty and industry of this captaine kendall , hath beene very much commended ; by others , somewhat disliked : but an angell in those imploiments cannot please all men , yet this consideration bred much ill bloud as well here as there , so that the company directly concluded , captaine butler should with what expedition they could , goe to be their gouernor : in the interim they tooke the opportunitie of a ship , called the sea-flower , bound for virginia , and by her sent a preacher and his family , with diuers passengers , and newes of a new gouernor . this bred a great distaste amongst many , that still they should haue new officers and strangers for their gouernors they neuer heard of , and themselues still kept there whether they would or no , without any preferment , no nor scarce any of them their inhabiting , to haue any land at all of their owne , but liue all as tenants , or as other mens poore seruants . about this time came in captaine kerby with a small barke from the west-indies , who hauing refreshed himselfe , was very kindly vsed by the gouernor and so departed . not long after a dutch frigot was cast away vpon the westerne shore , yet by the helpe of the english they saued the men , though the ship perished amongst the rocks . a little after one ensigne wood being about the loading of a peece , by thrusting a pike into the concauitie , grating vpon the shot , or somewhat about the powder , strucke fire within her and so discharged , but wounded him cruelly and blew him into the sea , though hee was got out by some that stood by him , yet hee died of those wounds . within two or three daies after , captaine elfred now comes in a second time : but of that we shall say more in the gouernment of captaine butler , who presently after arriued with a good supply , and was kindly entertained by captaine kendall and all the colony . from a relation of tho. sparks , and diuers others . the gouernment of captaine nathaniel butler . captaine butler being arriued the twentieth of october , . some mutterings there was how to maintaine their election of captaine kendall , but better remembring themselues , that conceit quickly dissolued . the next day , kendall , the ministers , and the counsell went aboord to salute the new gouernor , where after they had dined with the best entertainment he could giue them ; they saw the redout belonging to the kings castle by a mischance on fire , whither he repaired with all the meanes he could to quench it ; but all the platforme and cariages were consumed before their faces , and they could not helpe it . two daies after he went vp to the towne , had his commission publikely read , made a short speech to the company , and so tooke vpon him the gouernment . then presently he began to repaire the most necessary defects : the next moneth came in the garland , sent from england six or seuen weekes before him ; so that being seuenteene weeks in her voyage , it was so tedious and grieuous to diuers of the fresh-water passengers , that such a sicknesse bred amongst them , many died as well sailers as passengers . hauing taken the best order he could for their releefe , passed through all the tribes , and held his first assise in captaine tuckars house at the ouer-plus . towards the last of this moneth of nouemb. there arose a most terrible storme or hericano , that blew vp many great trees by the roots : the warwick that brought the gouernor was cast away , but the garland rid by her , saued her selfe by cutting downe her masts ; and not long after a second storme , no lesse violent then the first , wherein the mount which was a frame of wood built by master more for a watch-tower to looke out to sea , was blowne vp by the roots , and all that winter crop of corne blasted : and thus was the new gouernor welcomed . with the beginning of the new yeere he began his first peece of fortification , vpon a rocke which flankers the kings castle , and finding the ship called the treasurer starke rotten and vnseruiceable , hee tooke nine peeces of ordinance from her to serue other vses . the garland for want of meanes , could not make her voiage to virginia as she was appointed ; wherefore he entertained her to returne to england , with all the tabacco they had in the i le . it was ianuary before she departed , in which time shee failed not much to haue beene twice cast away . but those strange and vnauoidable mischances , rather seemed to quicken the gouernors industry then to dull it . hauing finished the church begun by captaine kendall , with an infinite toile and labour he got three peeces out of the wracke vvarwicke . hauing an excellent dutch carpinter he entertained of them that were cast away in the dutch frigot ; he imploied him in building of boats , whereof they were in exceeding great want . in february they discouered a tall ship beating too and againe , as it seemed by her working , being ignorant of the coast ; some thought her a spaniard to view their forts , which stand most to that part she so neerely approached ; some , english ; but the most , some dutch man of warre : the wind blew to high , they durst not send out a boat , though they much doubted she would be foule of their rocks , but at last she bore vp rommy for the sea , and we heard of her no more . that euening , a lucky fellow it should seeme he was , that found a peece of amber-greece of eight ounces , as he had twice before , which bringing to the gouernor , he had ready money for the one halfe , after three pound an ounce , according to their order of court , to encourage others to looke out for more , and preuent the mischiefe insueth by concealing of it . within a few daies after , they descried two frigots that came close to the shore , and sent a letter to the gouernor , writ in italian , that they were hollanders had beene in the west-indies , and desired but to arriue , refresh themselues with wood and water , and so be gone . the gouernor forthwith sent them to vnderstand , that being there vnder his maiestie of england to command those iles , he was to carrie himselfe a friend to his friends , and an enemy to his enemies ; if therefore he could shew a lawfull commission for his being honestly and nobly emploied , he and his should be kindly welcome , otherwise they were to aduenture at their perills . but his commission was so good , he staied there two moneths , and was so well fitted with oile & bacon , they were all glad and happy of this dutch captaine scoutans arriuall , with many thanks to their old friend captaine powell that had conducted him thither : the colony being exceedingly in great want and distresse , bought the most part of it at reasonable rates , so captaine scoutan returned to the west-indies , and captaine powell for his part in the low-countries . whilest these things were in action , the aduenturers in \ england made many a long looke for their ships ; at last the garland brought them all the newes , but the tobacco was so spoiled either in the leaking ship , or the making vp , it caused a great suspicion there could none was good come from those iles ; where ( were they but perfit in the cure ) questionlesse it would be much better then a great quantitie of that they sell for verinas , and many a thousand of it in london hath beene bought and sold by that title . the gouernor being cleere of those distractions , falls vpon the restoring of the burnt redoubt , where he cuts out a large new plat-forme , and mounts seuen great peece of ordnance vpon new cariages of cedar . now amongst all those troubles , it was not the least to bring the two ministers to subscribe to the booke of common praier , which all the bishops in england could not doe . finding it high time to attempt some conformitie , bethought himselfe of the liturgie of garnsey and iarse , wherein , all those particulars they so much stumbled at , were omitted . no sooner was this propounded , but it was gladly imbraced by them both , whereupon the gouernor translated it verbatim out of french into english , and caused the eldest minister vpon easter day to begin the vse thereof at s. georges towne , where himselfe , most of the councell , officers and auditorie receiued the sacrament : the which forme they continued during the time of his gouernment . much about this time , in such a faire morning , that had inuited many boats farre out to the sea to fish , did rise such a hericano that much indangered them all , so that one of them with two boies were driuen to sea and neuer more heard of . the ministers thus agreed , a proclamation was published for keeping of the sabbath , and all the defectiue cariages he endeuoured to haue renewed , builded a small boat of cedar onely to goe with ores , to be ready vpon any occasion to discouer any shipping , and tooke order euery fort should haue the like : also caused numbers of cedars to be brought from diuers places in flotes , to rebuild the mount , which with an vnspeakable toile , was raised seuen foot higher then before , and a falcon mounted at the foot , to be alwaies discharged for a warning to all the forts vpon the discouery of any shipping , and this he called rich mount. this exceeding toile and labour , hauing no cattle but onely mens strengths , caused many petitions to the gouernour , that all those generall works might cease till they had reaped their haruests , in that they were in great distresse for victuall ; which hee so well answered , their owne shames did cause them desist from that importunity , and voluntarily performe as much as hee required . finding accidentally a little crosse erected in a by place , amongst a many of bushes , vnderstanding there was buried the heart and intrailes of sir george summers , hee resolued to haue a better memory for so worthy a souldier , then that . so finding also a great marble stone brought out of england , hee caused it by masons to bee wrought handsomely and laid ouer the place , which hee inuironed with a square wall of hewen stone , tombe like ; wherein hee caused to bee grauen this epitaph he had composed , and fixed it vpon the marble stone ; and thus it was , in the yeere , noble sir george summers went hence to heauen ; whos 's well tri'd worth that held him still imploid , gaue him the knowledge of the world so wide . hence 't was by heauens decree , that to this place he brought new guests , and name to mutuall grace . at last his soule and body being to part , he here bequeath'd his entrails and his heart . vpon the sixt of iune began the second assise , that reduced them to the direct forme vsed in england . for besides the gouernour and councell , they haue the bailiffes of the tribes , in nature of the deputy lieutenants of the shires in england , for to them are all precepts and warrants directed , and accordingly answered and respected ; they performe also the duties of iustices of peace , within their limits . the subordinate officers to these in euery tribe , are the constables , head-borowes , and church-wardens ; these are the triers of the tobacco , which if they allow not to be marchantable , is burnt : and these are the executioners of their ciuill and politicke causes . for points of warre and martiall affaires , they haue the gouernour for lieutenant generall , the sergeant maior , master of ordinance , captaines of companies , captaines of forts , with their seuerall officers , to traine and exercise those numbers vnder their charge , in martiall discipline . concerning their courts for decision of right and iustice , the first , though last in constitution , is their generall assembly ; allowed by the state in england , in the nature of a parliament , consisting of about forty persons ; viz. the gouernour , the counsell , the bailiffes of the tribes , and two burgesses of each tribe chosen by voyces in the tribe , besides such of the clergie as the gouernour thinkes most fit , to be held once a yeere , as you shall heare more thereof hereafter . the next court is the assise or iayles of deliuerie , held twice euery yeere , in christmas , and whitson weeke , for all criminall offenders , and ciuill causes betwixt party and party ; as actions of debt , trespasse , battery , slander , and the like : and these are determined by a iury of twelue men , and aboue them is also a grand iury to examine matters of greater consequence . the last day of the assise might also well be held a court , for hearing the trangressions in matters of contempt , mis-behauiour towards any magistrate , riots , seditious speakers , contemners of warrants , and such like : there are also as occasion shall require , many matters heard by the gouernor , or his officers , and oft iustice done in seuerall places , but those are but as daies of hearing , and as preparatiues against their courts , &c. at this last assize eighteene were arrained for criminall causes , a number very extraordinary considering the place ; but now occasioned by reason of the hard yeere , and the store of ill chosen new commers ; of these , some were censured to the whipping post , some burned in the hand , but two were condemned to die , yet the one was reprieued , the other hanged ; this done , euery man returned to his home : many trials they made againe about the warwicke , but to small purpose , her ordnance being lashed so fast they could not be vnloosed , till the ropes and decks were rotten , yet some few buttes of beare being storie they got , which though it had lien six moneths vnder water was very good , notwithstanding the next yeere they recouered fiue peeces of ordnance . vpon the first of august , according to the companies instructions from england , began the generall assembly at the towne of saint george , which was the first these iles euer had ; consisting as is said , of the gouernour , councell , bailiffes , and burgesses , and a secretarie to whom all bils were presented , and by him openly read in the house , also a clerke to record the acts , being thirty two in all ; fifteene of which being sent into england , were by a generall consent receiued and enacted , the titles whereof are these following : as for all the reasons for them , they would be too tedious to recite . the first was against the vniust sale and letting of apprentises and other seruants , and this was especially for the righting the vndertakers in england . the second , concerning the disposing of aged , diseased , and impotent persons , for it being considered how carelesse many are in preferring their friends , or sending sometimes any they can procure to goe , such vnseruiceable people should be returned back at their charge that sent them , rather then be burdensome to the poore inhabitants in the iles. the third , the necessary manning the kings castle , being the key of the i le , that a garison of twelue able men should bee there alwaies resident : and . eares of corne , and . pounds of tobacco payed them by the generality yeerely , as a pension . the fourth , against the making vnmarchantable tobacco , and officers sworne to make true trials , & burne that was naught . the fist , inioyned the erection of certaine publike bridges , and the maintenance of them . the sixt , for a continuall supply of victuall for all the forts , to bee preserued , till some great occasion to vse it . the seuenth was , for two fixed dayes euery yeere for the assises . the eight , commands the making of high-waies , and prohibiting the passage ouer mens grounds and planted fields , as well to preuent the spoyling of gardens , as conueniencie to answer any alarum . the ninth , for the preseruing young tortoises and birds , that were carelesly destroyed . the tenth , prouided against vagabonds , & prohibited the entertainement of other mens seruants . the eleuenth , compelled the setting of a due quantity of corne for euery family . the twelfth , the care corne being set , enioyned the keeping vp of their poultry till it was past their reaches . the thirteenth , for the preseruation of sufficient fences , & against the selling of marked trees appointed for bounds . the fourteenth , granted to a leuy for a thousand pound weight of tobacco , towards the payment of publike workes , as the bridges and the mount . the fifteenth , for the enioyning an acknowledgement and acception of all resident gouernours , and the warranting him to continue , though his time be expired , till the arriuall of a legitimate successor from england , to preuent all vomeet and presumptuous elections , besides it was desired by petition in england , the new gouernous should liue two months as a priuate man after his arriuall , if his predecessor did stay so long , the better to learne and obserue his course . and these are the contents of those fifteene acts , applied as you may perceiue : which the lawes of england could not take notice of , because euery climate hath somewhat to it selfe in that kinde in particular ; for otherwise as it is conceiued , it had beene a high impudency and presumption to haue medled with them , or indeed with any such as these lawes , that had with such great iudgement and iustice alwaies prouided for . no sooner was this businesse ouer , but the magazin ship is discouered , and that night came into the harbour , but in a very weake and sickly case , hauing cast ouer board twenty or thirty of her people , and so violent was the infection , that the most part of the failers , as well as passengers , were so sicke , or dismaid , or both , that the master confessed , had they stayed at the sea but a weeke longer , they had all perished . there arriued with this ship diuers gentlemen of good fashion , with their wiues and families ; but many of them crasie by the tediousnesse of the voyage : howsoeuer most of them , by the excellent salubrity of the aire , then which the world hath not a better , soone after recouered ; yet some there were that died presently after they got ashore , it being certainly the quality of the place , either to kill , or cure quickly , as the bodies are more or lesse corrupted . by this ship the company sent a supply of ten persons for the generality , but of such bad condition that it seemed they had picked the males out of newgate , the females from bridewell : as the gouernour found it his best course , to grant out the women to such as were so greedy of wiues , and would needs haue them for better for worse ; and the men hee placed in the kings castle for souldiers . but this bad , weake , sickly supply being dispersed for their best reliefe , by the much imployment of his boats in remoouing them , many of his owne men became infected , so that for some weekes , they were not able to doe him any seruice at all . strict instructions also they brought for the planting of sugar cane● , for which the iland being rockie and dry , is so vnproper , that few as yet haue beene seene to prosper : yet there are others hold the contrary opinion , that there is raine so ordinarily , the iles are so moist , as produceth all their plants in such infinit abundance : there is no great reason to suspect this , were it rightly vsed , more then the r●st . seuenty thousand weight of tobacco being prepared towards her fraught , she returned for england . no sooner was shee gone then came in another , sent by the company and generalty , well conditioned , but shee failed not much to haue beene cast away amongst those dangerous & terrible rocks ; by her came also expresse command , they should entertaine no other ships , then were directly sent from the company : this caused much grudging , and indeed a generall distraction and exclamation among the inhabitants , to be thus constrained to buy what they wanted , and sell what they had at what price the magazin pleased , and to debarre true men from comming to them for trade or reliefe , that were daily receiued in all the harbours in england . so long this ship stayed going for fraught and wages , the master not caring how long he lay at that rate in a good harbour , the gouernour was ready to send her away by proclamation . thus ended the first yeere of the gouernment of c. butler . with the first of the second yeere were held the assises , where all the bailiffes were fined for not giuing a beginning to the building of the bridges ; there was also an order to restraine the excessiue wages all handicrafts men would haue : and that the church-wardens should meet twice a yeere , to haue all their presentments made perfect against the assises . the assises done , all the ablest men were trained in their armes , and then departed to their owne homes . the towne thus cleered , he made certaine new carriages for some demy culuerings , and a large new store-house of cedar for the yeerely magazines goods ; finished warwicks fort begun by master more , and made a new platforme at pagits fort , also a faire house of lime and stone for the townes-house . the three bridges appointed by the generall assembly , was followed with such diligence , though they were more then an hundred , or an hundred and twenty foot in length , hauing the foundation and arches in the sea , were raised and accomplished , so that man or beast with facility might passe them . at whitsonday was held the fourth generall assise at saint georges , where were tryed twenty seuerall causes ; foure or fiue were whipped or burnt in the hand , for breaking of houses : also an order was made , that the party cast in the triall of any cause , should pay to euery of the iurours foure pence : moreouer , that not past ten leaues at the most should grow vpon a plant of tobacco , and that also in the making it vp , a distinction should diligently be obserued of two kinds , a better and a worse : then they built a strong stone house for the captaine of the kings castle and corps du guard ; and repaired what defects they could finde in the platformes and carriages . captaine powell so oft mentioned , hauing beene in the west-indies for the states of holland , came to an anchor within shot of their ordnance , desiring admittance for wood and water , of which hee had great need , but the gouernor would not permit him , so he weighed and departed , whereat the company were so madded , it was not possible to constraine them to cease their exclaimations against the companies inhihition , till they were weary with exclaming : but still for their better defence , not thinking themselues sufficiently secure , hauing finished two new plat-formes more , arriued the magazin ship , but her master was dead , and many of the passengers , the rest for most part very sicke ; and withall , a strange and wonderfull report of much complaint made against the gouernor to the company in england , by some of them returned in the last yeeres shipping : but it was eight daies before she could get in by reason of ill weather , being forced againe to sea ; so that time , they kept euery night continually great fires , she might see the ile as well by night as day ; but at last she arriued , and he plainly vnderstood , he had more cause a great deale to looke for misconstruction of all his seruice then an acknowledgment , much lesse a recompence any better then his predecessors ; but it is no new thing to require the best desert with the most vildest of ingratitude . the very next daies night after the arriuall of the magazins ship , newes was brought the gouernor by a dismaied messenger from sands his tribe , that one hundred spaniards were landed in that part , and diuers ships discouered at sea , whereupon he presently manned the forts , and instantly made thitherward in person with twentie men , determining as he found cause to draw together more strength by the way . being got thither by the breake of the next day , in stead of an enemy which he expected , he met onely with a company of poore distressed portugals and spaniards , who in their passage from carthagena in the west-indies , in consort with the spanish fleet of plait ; by the same storme that had indangered the magazin ship , lost theirs vpon those terrible rocks , being to the number of seuenty persons , were strangely preserued ; and the manner was thus . about sunne-set their ship beating amongst the rocks , some twenty of the sailers got into the boat with what treasure they could , leauing the captaine , the master , and all the rest to the mercy of the sea. but a boy not past foureteene yeares of age that leaped after to haue got into the boat , missing that hope , it pleased god he got vpon a chest a drift by him , whereon they report he continued two daies , and was driuen neere to the cleane contrary part of the i le , where he was taken vp neere dead , yet well recouered . all this night the ship sticking fast , the poore distressed in her the next day spying land , made a raft , and were those gaue the alarum first a shore about three of the clocke in the after noone . the morning after , about seuen of the clocke came in the boat to a place called mangroue bay ; and the same day their carpenter was driuen a shore vpon a planke neere hog-bay . there was a gentlewoman that had stood wet vp to the middle vpon the raft from the ship to the shore , being big with childe ; and although this was vpon the thirteenth of september , she tooke no hurt , and was safely deliuered of a boy within three daies after . the best comfort could be giuen them in those extremities they had , although some of the baser sort had beene rifling some of them before the gouernors arriuall : also the spanish captaine and the chiefe with him , much complained of the treachery of his men to leaue him in that manner , yet had conueyed with them the most of the money they could come by , which he easily missed ; whereupon hee suddenly caused all them he accused , to be searched , and recouered to the value of one hundred and fortie pounds starling , which he deliuered into the captaines hands , to be imploied in a generall purse towards their generall charge : during their stay in the iles , some of the better sort , nine or ten weeks dieted at his owne table , the rest were billited amongst the inhabitants at foure shillings the weeke , till they found shipping for their passage , for which they paied no more then the english paied themselues ; and for the passage of diuers of them , the gouernor was glad to stand bound to the master ; some others that were not able to procure such friendship , were so constrained to stay in the iles , till by their labours they had got so much as would transport them ; and thus they were preserued , releeued , and deliuered . in the moneth insuing arriued the second ship , and she also had lost her master , and diuers of her passengers ; in her came two virginian women to be married to some would haue them , that after they were conuerted and had children , they might be sent to their countrey and kindred to ciuilize them . towards the end of this moneth came in the third ship with a small magazin , hauing sold what she could , caried the rest to virginia , and neuer did any of those passengers complaine either of their good diet , or too good vsage at sea ; but the cleane contrary still occasioned many of those extremities . the fift of nouember the damnable plot of the powder treason was solemnized , with praiers , sermons , and a great feast , whereto the gouernor inuited the chiefe of the spaniards , where drinking the kings health , it was honored with a quicke volly of small shot , which was answered from the forts with the great ordnance , and then againe concluded with a second volley of small shot ; neither was the afternoone without musicke and dancing , and at night many huge bone-fires of sweet wood . the spaniards to expresse their thankfulnesse at their departure , made a deed of gift to the gouernor of whatsoeuer he could recouer of the wracked ship ; but the ships as they went out came so dangerously vpon a rock , that the poore spaniards were so dismaied , swearing this place was ominous vnto them , especially the women , that desired rather to goe a shore and die howsoeuer , than aduenture any further in such a labyrinth of dangers , but at last she got cleere without danger , and well to england ; the other went to virginia , wherein the gouernor sent two great chests filled with all such kinds and sorts of fruits and plants as their ilands had ; as figs , pomgranats , oranges , lemons , sugar-canes , plantanes , potatoes , papawes , cassado roots , red pepper , the prickell peare , and the like . the ships thus dispatched , hee goeth into the maine , and so out to sea to the spanish wracke . he had beene there before presently after her ruine , for neuer had ship a more sudden death , being now split in peeces all vnder water . he found small hope to recouer any thing , saue a cable and an anchor , and two good sacars ; but the wind was so high hee was forced to returne , being ten miles from the shore , onely with three murderers , which were knowne to be the same captaine kendall had sold to captaine kerby , whose ship was taken by two men of warre of carthagena , the most of his men slaine or hanged , and he being wounded , died in the woods . now their pilot being at this seruice , got thus those three murderers to their ship , and their ship thus to the bermudas , as the spaniards remaining related to the gouernor and others . hauing raised three small bulwarkes at southamptons fort , with two curtaines , and two rauilings , which indeed is onely the true absolute peece of fortification in the iles ; christmas being come , and the prefixed day of the assise ; diuers were whipped and burnt in the hand , onely three young boyes for stealing were condemned , and at the very point of hanging repriued . the gouernour then sent his lieutenant all ouer the maine to distribute armes to those were found most fit to vse them , & to giue order for their randezuous , which were hanged vp in the church . about this time it chanced a pretty secret to be discouered to preserue their corne from the fly , or weauell , which did in a manner as much hurt as the rats . for the yeere before hauing made a proclamation that all corne should be gathered by a certaine day , because many lazy persons ranne so after the ships to get beere and aquavitae , for which they will giue any thing they haue , much had beene lost for want of gathering . this yeare hauing a very faire crop , some of the inhabitants , none of the best husbands , hastily gathered it for feare of the penaltie , threw it in great heaps into their houses vnhusked , and so let it lie foure or fiue moneths , which was thought would haue spoiled it : where the good husbands husked it , and with much labour hung it vp , where the flies did so blow on it , they increased to so many weauels , they generally complained of great losse ; but those good fellowes that neuer cared but from hand to mouth , made their boasts , that not a graine of theirs had beene touched nor hurt , there being no better way to preserue it then by letting it lie in its huske , and spare an infinite labour formerly had beene vsed . there were also very luckily about this time found out diuers places of fresh water , of which many of the forts were very destitute , and the church-wardens and side-men were very busie in correcting the prophaners of the sabbath , drunkards , gamesters , and such like . there came also from virginia a small barke with many thanks for the presents sent them ; much aquauitae , oile , sacke and bricks they brought in exchange of more fruits and plants , ducks , turkies and limestone , of which she had plenty , and so returned . during the aboad of the stay of this ship , the mariage of one of the virginia maides was consummated with a husband fit for her , attended with more then one hundred guests , and all the dainties for their dinner could be prouided ; they made also another triall to fish for whales , but it tooke no more effect then the former : this was done by the master of the virginia ship that professed much skill that way , but hauing fraughted his ship with lime-stone , with . weight of potatoes , and such things as he desired , returned for virginia . aprill and may were spent in building a strong new prison , and perfecting some of the fortifications , and by the labour of twenty men in fourteene daies was got from the spanish wracke foure excellent good sacres , and mounted them at the forts . then began the generall assize , where not fewer then fifty ciuill , or rather vnciuill actions were handled , and twenty criminall prisoners brought to the bar ; such a multitude of such vild people were sent to this plantation , that he thought himselfe happy his time was so neere expired : three of the foulest acts were these : the first for the rape of a married woman , which was acquitted by a senselesse iury ; the second for buggering a sow , and the third for sodomy with a boy , for which they were hanged ; during the time of the imprisonment of this buggerer of the sow , a dung-hill cocke belonging to the same man did continually haunt a pigge of his also , and to the wonder of all them that saw it who were many , did so frequently tread the pigge as if it had beene one of his hens , that the pigge languished and died within a while after , and then the cocke resorted to the very same sow ( that this fellow was accused for ) in the very same manner ; and as an addition to all this , about the same time two chickens were hatched , the one whereof had two heads , the other crowed very loud and lustily within twelue houres after it was out of the shell . a desperate fellow being to bee arraigned for stealing a turky , rather then he would endure his triall , secretly conueighed himselfe to sea in a little boat , and neuer since was euer heard of , nor is he euer like to be , without an exceeding wonder , little lesse then a miracle . in iune they made another triall about the spanish wracke , and recouered another sacre and a murderer , also he caused to be hewed out of the maine rocke a paire of large staires for the conuenient landing of goods and passengers , a worke much to the beauty and benefit of the towne . with twenty chosen men , and two excellent divers , the gouernour went himselfe to the wracke warwick ▪ but they could recouer but one murderer , from thence he went to the sea-aduenture , the wracke of sir george summers , the hull though two or three fathomes in the water , they found vnperished and with much a doe weighed a sacre , her sheat anchor , diuers barres of iron and pigs of lead , which stood the plantation in very great stead . towards the end of iuly he went to seeke for a wracke they reported lay vnder water with her hatches spiked vp , but they could not finde her , but from the spanish wracke lay there by they weighed three faire sacres more , and so returned through the tribes to saint georges : some were also imployed to seeke out beds of oisters for pearle , some they found , some seed pearle they got , but out of one little shell aboue all the rest they got about . small pearle , but somewhat defectiue in their colour . the time of captain butlers gouernment drawing neere an end , the colony presented vnto him diuers grieuances , to intreat him to remember to the lords and company in england at his returne : also they appointed two to be ioyned with him , with letters of credence to solicit in their behalfe those grieuances following : first , they were defrauded of the food of their soules : for being not fewer then one thousand and fiue hundred people , dispersed in length twenty miles , they had at that present but one minister , nor neuer had but two , and they so shortned of their promises , that but onely for meere pity they would haue forsaken them . secondly , neglected in the safety of their liues by wants of all sorts of munition . thirdly , they had beene censured contrary to his maiesties lawes , and not allowed them the benefit of their booke as they are in england , but by captaine butler . fourthly , they were frustrated of many of their couenants , and most extremely pinched and vndone by the extortion of the magazine , for although their tobacco was stinted but at two shillings sixpence the pound , yet they pitched their commodities at what rate they pleased . fifthly , their fatherlesse children are left in little better condition then slaues , for if their parents die in debt , their children are made as bondmen till the debt be discharged : these things being perfected , there grew a great question of one heriot for plotting of factions and abusing the gouernour , for which he was condemned to lose his eares , yet he was vsed so fauourably he lost but the part of one in all . by this time it being growne past the wonted season of the comming in of ships from england , after a generall longing and expectation , especially of the gouernour , whose commission being neere vpon expiration , gaue him cause to wish for a meane of deliuerance from so troublesome and thanklesse an imploiment as he had hitherto found it ; a saile is discouered , and long it was not before shee arriued in the kings castle-harbour : this barke was set out by two or three priuate men of the company , and hauing landed her supplies , was to goe for virginia ; by her the gouernour receiued certaine aduertisements of the carriage and behauiour of the spaniards , which he had reliued as you haue heard the yeere before ; that quite contrary both to his merit , their vow , and his owne expectation , they made clamours against him , the which being seconded by the spanish ambassadour , caused the state to fall in examination about it ; whereupon hauing fully cleared their ingratefulnesse and impudency , and being assured of the choice of a successor that was to be expected within fiue or six weekes ; hee was desirous to take the opportunity of this barke , and to visit the colony in virginia in his returne for england : leauing the gouernment to captaine felgat , captaine stokes ▪ master lewis hewes , master nedom and master ginner , but now his time being fully expired , and the fortifications finished , viz. the kings castle wherein were mounted vpon sufficient platformes sixteene peece of ordnances : in charles fort two ; in southampton fort fiue , betwixt which and the castle passeth the chanell into the harbour , secured by three and twenty peeces of good artillery to play vpon it . in cowpers ile is pembrocks fort , where is two peeces . the chanell of saint george is guarded by smiths fort , and pagits fort , in which is eleuen peece of ordnance . saint george towne is halfe a league within the harbour , commanded by warwicks fort , where are three great peeces , and on the wharfe before the gouernours house eight more , besides the warning peece by the mount , and three in saint katharines ; so that in all there are ten fortresses and two and fifty peeces of ordnance sufficient and seruiceable : their formes and situations you may see more plainlier described in the map ; and to defend those , he left one thousand fiue hundred persons with neere a hundred boats , and the i le well replenished with store of such fruits , prouisions and poultry , as is formerly related ; yet for so departing and other occasions , much difference hath beene betwixt him and some of the company , as any of his predecessors , which i rather wish were reconciled , then to be a reporter of such vnprofitable dissentions . for till trechery and faction , and auarice be gone , till enuy and ambition , and backbiting be none , till periury and idlenesse , and iniury be out , and truly till that villany the worst of all that rout ; vnlesse those vises banisht be , what euer forts you haue . a hundred walls together put will not haue power to saue . master iohn barnard sent to be gouernour . to supply this place was sent by the noble aduenturers iohn bernard , a gentleman both of good meanes and quality , who arriued within eight daies after butlers departure with two ships , and about one hundred and forty passengers with armes and all sorts of munition and other prouisions sufficient . during the time of his life which was but six weekes in reforming all things he found defectiue , he shewed himselfe so iudiciall and industrious as gaue g●eat satisfaction , and did generally promise vice was in great danger to be suppressed , and vertue and the plantation much aduanced ; but so it hapned that both he and his wife died in such short time they were both buried in one day and one graue , and master iohn harrison chosen gouernour till further order came from england . what hapned in the gouernment of master iohn harrison . they are still much troubled with a great short worme that deuours their plants in the night , but all the day they lie hid in the ground , and though early in the morning they kill so many , they would thinke there were no more , yet the next morning you shall finde as many . the caterpillers to their fruits are also as pernicious , and the land crabs in some places are as thicke in their borowes as conies in a warren , and doe much hurt ; besides all this , there hapned this yeere a very heauy disaster , for a ship wherein there had beene much swearing and blaspheming vsed all the voyage , and landed what she had to leaue in those iles , iou●ally froliking in their cups and tobacco , by accident fired the powder , that at the very instant blew vp the great cabin , and some one way and some another , it is a wonder to thinke how they could bee so blowne out of the gun-roome into the sea , where some were taken vp liuing , so pitifully burned , their liues were worse then so many deaths , some died , some liued , but eighteene were lost at this fatall blast , the ship also immediatly sunke with threescore barrels of meale sent for virginia , and all the other prouision in her was thus lost . now to consider how the spaniards , french , and dutch , haue beene lost and preserued in those inuincible iles , yet neuer regarded them but as monuments of miseries , though at this present they all desire them ; how sir thomas gates ▪ and sir george summers being ready to sinke in the sea were saued , what an incredible abundance of victuall they found , how it was first planted by the english , the strange increase of rats , and their sudden departure , the fiue men came from england in a boat , the escape of hilliard , and the rest of those accidents there hapned , a man would thinke it a tabernacle of miracles , and the worlds wonder , that from such a paradise of admiration who would thinke should spring such wonders of afflictions as are onely fit to be sacrificed vpon the highest altars of sorrow , thus to be set vpon the highest pinacles of content , and presently throwne downe to the lowest degree of extremity , as you see haue beene the yeerely succeedings of those plantations ; the which to ouercome , as it is an incomparable honour , so it can be no dishonour if a man doe miscarry by vnfortunate accidents in such honourable actions , the which renowne and vertue to attaine hath caused so many attempts by diuers nations besides ours , euen to passe through the very amazement of aduentures . vpon the relation of this newes the company hath sent one captaine woodhouse , a gentleman of good repute and great experience in the warres , and no lesse prouident then industrious and valiant : then returned report , all goeth well there . it is too true , in the absence of the noble treasurer , sir edward sackvill , now earle of dorset , there haue beene such complaints betwixt the planters and the company , that by command the lords appointed sir thomas smith againe treasurer , that since then according to their order of court he is also elected , where now we must leaue them all to their good fortune and successe , till we heare further of their fortunate proceedings . finis . to his friend captaine smith , vpon his description of new-england . sir ; your relations i haue read : which shew , ther 's reason i should honour them and you : and if their meaning i haue vnderstood , i dare to censure thus : your proiect 's good ; and may ( if follow'd ) doubtlesse quit the paine ▪ with honour , pleasure and a trebble gaine ; beside the benefit that shall arise to make more happy our posterities . for would we daigne to spare , though 't were no more then what ore-fils , and surfets vs in store , to order nature's fruitfulnesse a while in that rude garden , you new-england stile ; with present good , ther 's hope in after-daies thence to repaire what time and pride decaies in this rich kingdome . and the spacious west being still more with english bloud possest , the proud iberians shall not rule those seas , to checke our ships from sailing where they please , nor future times make any forraine power become so great to force a bound to our . much good my minde foretels would follow hence with little labour , and with lesse expence . thriue therefore thy designe , who ere enuy : england may ioy in england's colony , virginia seeke her virgin sisters good , be blessed in such happy neighbourhood : or , whatsoere fate pleaseth to permit , be thou still honour'd for first mouing it . george wither , è societate lincol. to that worthy and generous gentleman , my very good friend , captaine smith . may fate thy proiect prosper , that thy name may be eternized with liuing fame : though foule detraction honour would peruert , and enuie euer waits vpon desert : in spight of pelias , when his hate lies cold , returne as iason with a fleece of gold . then after-ages shall record thy praise , that a new-england to this i le didst raise : and when thou di'st ( as all that liue must die ) thy fame liue here ; thou , with eternity . r. gunnell . to his worthy captaine , the author . oft thou hast led , when i brought vp the rere in bloudy wars , where thousands haue beene slaine . then giue me leaue in this some part to beare ; and as thy seruant , here to reade my name . t is true , long time thou hast my captaine beene in the fierce warres of transiluania : long ere that thou america hadst seene , or led wast captiu'd in virginia ; thou that to passe the worlds foure parts dost deeme no more , then t' were to goe to bed , or drinke , and all thou yet hast done , thou dost esteeme as nothing . this doth cause me thinke that thou i 'aue seene so oft approu'd in dangers , ( and thrice captiu'd , thy valour still hath freed ) art yet preserued , to conuert those strangers : by god thy guide i trust it is decreed . for me : i not commend but much admire thy england yet vnknowne to passers by-her . for it will praise it selfe in spight of me ; thou it , it thou , to all posterity . your true friend and souldier , ed. robinson . to my honest captaine , the author . malignant times ! what can be said or done , but shall be censur'd and traduc't by some ! this worthy worke , which thou hast bought so deare , ne thou , nor it , detractors need to feare . thy words by deeds so long thou hast approu'd , of thousands know thee not thou art belou'd . and this great plot will make thee ten times more knowne and belou'd , than ere thou wert before . i neuer knew a warrier yet , but thee , from wine , tobacco , debts , dice , oaths , so free . i call thee warrier : and i make the bolder ; for , many a captaine now , was neuer souldier . some such may swell at this : but ( to their praise ) when they haue done like thee , my muse shall raise their due deserts to worthies yet to come , to liue like thine ( admir'd ) till day of doome . your true friend , sometimes your souldier , tho. carlton . new england the most remarqueable parts thus named by the high and mighty prince charles , prince of great britaine the portraictuer of captayne iohn smith admirall of new england . these are the lines that shew thy face ; but those that shew thy grace and glory , brighter bee : thy faire-discoueries and fowle-overthrowes of salvages , much civilliz'd by thee best shew thy spirit ; and to it glory wyn ; so , thou art brasse without , but golde within . if so ; in brasse , too soft smiths acts to beare i fix thy fame , to make brasse steele out weare . thine , as thou art virtues , go●●● dauies . heref : hony s oit qvi mal y pense . a scale of leagues observed and described by captayn john smith . london printed by geor : low the sixth booke . the generall historie of new-england . concerning this history you are to vnderstand the letters-patents granted by his maiesty in . for the limitation of virginia , did extend from . to . which was diuided in two parts ; namely , the first colony and the second : the first was to the honourable city of london , and such as would aduenture with them to discouer and take their choice where they would , betwixt the degrees of . and . the second was appropriated to the cities of bristol , exeter and plimoth , &c. and the west parts of england , and all those that would aduenture and ioine with them , and they might make their choise any where betwixt the degrees of . and . prouided there should bee at least . miles distance betwixt these . colonies , each of which had lawes , priuileges and authoritie , for the gouernment and aduancing their seuerall plantations alike . now this part of america hath formerly beene called norumbega , virginia , nuskoncus , penaquida , cannada , and such other names as those that ranged the coast pleased . but because it was so mountainous , rocky and full of iles , few haue aduentured much to trouble it , but as is formerly related ; notwithstanding , that honourable patron of vertue , sir iohn popham , lord chiefe iustice of england , in the yeere . procured meanes and men to possesse it , and sent captaine george popham for president , captaine rawley gilbert for admirall , captaine edward harlow master of the ordnance , captaine robert dauis sargeant-maior , captaine elis best marshall , master seaman secretary , captaine iames dauis to be captaine of the fort , master gome carew chiefe searcher : all those were of the councell , who with some hundred more were to stay in the country : they set saile from plimoth the last of may , and fell with monahigan the eleuenth of august . at sagadahock . or . leagues southward , they planted themselues at the mouth of a faire nauigable riuer , but the coast all thereabouts most extreme stony and rocky : that extreme frozen winter was so cold they could not range nor search the country , and their prouision so small , they were glad to send all but . of their company backe againe : their noble president captaine popham died , and not long after arriued two ships well prouided of all necessaries to supply them , and some small time after another , by whom vnderstanding of the death of the lord chiefe iustice , and also of sir iohn gilbert , whose lands there the president rawley gilbert was to possesse according to the aduenturers directions , finding nothing but extreme extremities , they all returned for england in the yeere . and thus this plantation was begunne and ended in one yeere , and the country esteemed as a cold , barren , mountainous , rocky desart . notwithstanding , the right honourable henry earle of south-hampton and those of the i le of wight , imploied captaine edward harlow to discouer an i le supposed about cape cod , but they found their plots had much abused them , for falling with monahigan , they found onely cape cod no i le but the maine , there they detained three saluages aboord them , called pechmo , monopet and pekenimne , but pechmo leapt ouer board , and got away ; and not long after with his consorts cut their boat from their sterne , got her on shore , and so filled her with sand , and guarded her with bowes and arrowes the english lost her : not farre from thence they had three men sorely wounded with arrowes . anchoring at the i le of nohone , the saluages in their canowes assaulted the ship till the english guns made them retire , yet here they tooke sakaweston , that after he had liued many yeeres in england went a souldier to the warres of bohemia . at capawo they tooke coneconam and epenow , but the people at agawom vsed them kindly , so with fiue saluages they returned for england , yet sir francis popham sent diuers times one captaine williams to monahigan onely to trade and make core fish , but for any plantations there was no more speeches . for all this , as i liked virginia well , though not their proceedings , so i desired also to see this country , and spend some time in trying what i could finde for all those ill rumors and disasters . from the relations of captaine edward harlow and diuers others . in the month of aprill . at the charge of capt. marmaduke roydon , capt. george langam , mr. iohn buley and mr. william skelton , with two ships from london , i chanced to arriue at monahigan an i le of america , in . of northerly latitude : out plot was there to take whales , for which we had one samuel cramton and diuers others expert in that faculty , & also to make trialls of a mine of gold & copper ; if those failed , fish and furs were then our refuge to make our selues sauers howsoeuer : we found this whale-fishing a costly conclusion , we saw many and spent much time in chasing them , but could not kill any . they being a kinde of iubartes , and not the whale that yeelds fins and oile as we expected ; for our gold it was rather the masters deuice to get a voyage that proiected it , then any knowledge he had at all of any such matter ; fish and furs were now our guard , & by our late arriuall and long lingring about the whale , the prime of both those seasons were past ere wee perceiued it , wee thinking that their seasons serued at all times , but we found it otherwise , for by the middest of iune the fishing failed , yet in iuly and august some were taken , but not sufficient to defray so great a charge as our stay required : of dry fish we made about forty thousand , of cor-fish about seuen thousand . whilest the sailers fished , my selfe with eight others of them might best bee spared , ranging the coast in a small boat , we got for trifles neere eleuen thousand beuer skinnes , one hundred martins , as many otters , and the most of them within the distance of twenty leagues : we ranged the coast both east and west much further , but eastward our commodities were not esteemed , they were so neere the french who afforded them better , with whom the saluages had such commerce that only by trade they made exceeding great voyages , though they were without the limits of our precincts ; during the time we tried those conclusions , not knowing the coast , nor saluages habitations : with these furres , the traine oile and cor-fish , i returned for england in the barke , where within six moneths after our departure from the downes , wee safely arriued backe ; the best of this fish was sold for . li. the hundred , the rest by ill vsage betwixt three pounds and . shillings . the other ship stayed to fit her selfe for spaine with the dry fish which was sold at maligo at forty rialls the quintall , each hundred weighing two quintals and a halfe . but one thomas hunt the master of this ship ( when i was gone ) thinking to preuent that intent i had to make there a plantation , thereby to keepe this abounding countrey still in obscuritie , that onely he and some few merchants more might enioy wholly the benefit of the trade , and profit of this countrey , betraied foure and twenty of those poore saluages aboord his ship , and most dishonestly and inhumanely for their kinde vsage of me and all our men , caried them with him to maligo , and there for a little priuate gaine sold those silly saluages for rials of eight ; but this vilde act kept him euer after from any more imploiment to those parts . now because at this time i had taken a draught of the coast , and called it new england , yet so long he and his consorts drowned that name with the eccho of cannaday , and some other ships from other parts also , that vpon this good returne the next yeere went thither , that at last i presented this discourse with the map , to our most gracious prince charles , humbly intreating his highnesse hee would please to change their ba●barous names for such english , as posteritie might say prince charles was their god-father , which for your better vnderstanding both of this discourse and the m●p , peruse this schedule , which will plainly shew you the correspondency of the old names to the new , as his highnesse named them . the old names . the new names . cape cod. cape iames. the harbor at cape cod. milforth hauen . chawum . barwick . accomack . plimoth . sagoquas . oxford . massachusets mount. cheuit hills . massachusits riuer . charles riuer . totan . famouth . a great bay by cape anne . bristow . cape tragubigsanda . cape anne . naembeck . bastable . aggawom . southampton . smiths iles. smiths iles. passataquack . hull . accominticus . boston . sassanows mount. snowdon hill . sowocatuck . ipswich . bahanna . dartmouth . a good harbor within that bay. sandwich . ancociscos mount. shuters hill . ancocisco . the base . anmonghcawgen . cambridge . kenebecka . edenborow . sagadabock . leth. pemmayquid . s. iohns towne . segocket . norwich . mecadacut . dunbarton . pennobscot . aberden . nusket . low mounds . those being omitted i named my selfe . monahigan . barties iles. matinack . willowbies iles. metinacus . haughtons iles. the rest of the names in the map , are places that had no names we did know . but to continue the history succeedingly as neere with the day and yeere as may bee . returning in the barke as is said ; it was my ill chance to put in at plimoth , where imparting those my purposes to diuers i thought my friends , whom as i supposed were interested in the dead patent of this vnregarded countrey , i was so encouraged and assured to haue the managing their authoritie in those parts during my life , and such large promises , that i ingaged my selfe to vndertake it for them . arriuing at london , though some malicious persons suggested there was no such matter to be had in that so bad abandoned countrey , for if there had , other could haue found it so well as i ; therefore it was to be suspected i had robbed the french men in new france or cannada , and the merchants see me forth seemed not to regard it , yet i found so many promised me such assistance , that i entertained michael cooper the master of the barke , that returned with me and others of the company : how he dealt with others , or others with him , i know not ; but my publike proceeding gaue such encouragement , that it became so well apprehended by some few of the virginia company , as those proiects for fishing onely was so well liked , they furnished couper with foure good ships to sea , before they at plimoth had made any prouision at all for me ; but onely a small barke set out by them of the i le of wight . some of plimoth , and diuers gentlemen of the west countrey , a little before i returned from new england , in search for a mine of gold about an i le called capawuck , south-wards from the shoules of cape iames , as they were informed by a saluage called epenew ; that hauing deluded thē as it seems thus to get home , seeing they kept him as a prisoner in his owne countrey , and before his friends , being a man of so great a stature , he was shewed vp and downe london for money as a wonder , and it seemes of no lesse courage and authoritie , then of wit , strength , and proportion : for so well he had contriued his businesse , as many reported he intended to haue surprised the ship ; but seeing it could not be effected to his liking , before them all he leaped ouer-boord . many shot they made at him , thinking they had slaine him , but so resolute they were to recouer his body , the master of the ship was wounded , and many of his company ; and thus they lost him , & not knowing more what to do , returned againe to england with nothing , which so had discouraged all your west countrey men , they neither regarded much their promises , and as little either me or the countrey , till they saw the london ships gone and me in plimoth according to my promise , as hereafter shall be related . i must confesse i was beholden to the setters forth of the foure ships that went with couper , in that they offered me that imploiment if i would accept it ; and i finde still my refusall incurred some of their displeasures , whose loue and fauour i exceedingly desired ; and though they doe censure me opposite to their proceedings , they shall yet still in all my words and deeds finde , it is their error , not my fault that occasions their dislike : for hauing ingaged my selfe in this businesse to the west countrey , i had beene very dishonest to haue broke my promise , nor will i spend more time in discouery or fishing , till i may goe with a company for a plantation ; for i know my grounds , yet euery one to whom i tell them , or that reads this booke , cannot put it in practise , though it may helpe any that hath seene or not seene to know much of those parts : and though they endeuour to worke me out of my owne designes , i will not much enuy their fortunes : but i would be sorry their intruding ignorance should by their defailments bring those certainties to doubtfulnesse . so that the businesse prosper i haue my desire , be it by whomsoeuer that are true subiects to our king and countrey : the good of my countrey is that i seeke , and there is more then enough for all , if they could be contented . new england is that part of america in the ocean sea , opposite to noua albion in the south sea , discouered by the most memorable sir francis drake in his voyage about the world , in regard whereof this is stiled new england , being in the same latitude new france of it is northwards , southwards is virginia , and all the adioyning continent with new granado , new spaine , new andolosia , and the west-indies . now because i haue beene so oft asked such strange questions of the goodnesse and greatnesse of those spatious tracts of land , how they can be thus long vnknowne , or not possessed by the spaniards , and many such like demands ; i intreat your pardons if i chance to be too plaine or tedious in relating my knowledge for plaine mens satisfaction . florida is the next adioyning to the indies , which vnprosperously was attempted to be planted by the french , a countrey farre bigger then england , scotland , france and ireland , yet little knowne to any christian , but by the wonderfull endeuours of ferdinando de soto , a valiant spaniard , whose writings in this age is the best guide knowne to search those parts . virginia is no ile as many doe imagine , but part of the continent adioyning to florida , whose bounds may be stretched to the magnitude thereof , without offence to any christian inhabitant , for from the degrees of thirtie to forty eight , his maiesty hath now enlarged his letters patents . the coast extending southwest and north-east about sixteene or seuenteene hundred miles , but to follow it aboord the shore may well be three thousand miles at the least : of which twentie miles is the most giues entrance into the bay of chisapeacke , where is the london plantation , within which is a countrey , as you may perceiue by the map , of that little i discouered , may well suffice three hundred thousand people to inhabit : but of it , and the discoueries of sir ralph laine and master heriot , captaine gosnold , and captaine waymouth , they haue writ so largely , that posteritie may be bettered by the fruits of their labours . but for diuers others that haue ranged those parts since , especially this countrey now called new england , within a kenning sometimes of the shore ; some touching in one place , some in another ; i must intreat them pardon me for omitting them , or if i offend in saying , that their true descriptions were concealed , or neuer were well obserued , or died with the authors , so that the coast is yet still but euen as a coast vnknowne and vndiscouered . i haue had six or seuen seuerall plots of those northerne parts , so vnlike each to other , or resemblance of the country , as they did me no more good then so much waste paper , though they cost me more , it may bee it was not my chance to see the best ; but lest others may be deceiued as i was , or through dangerous ignorance hazard themselues as i did , i haue drawne a map from point to point , i le to i le , and harbour to harbour , with the soundings , sands , rocks , and land-markes , as i passed close aboord the shore in a little boat ; although there bee many things to bee obserued , which the haste of other affaires did cause me to omit : for being sent more to get present commodities , then knowledge of any discoueries for any future good , i had not power to search as i would ; yet it will serue to direct any shall goe that waies to safe harbours and the saluages habitations : what merchandize and commodities for their labours they may finde , this following discourse shall plainly demonstrate . thus you may see of these three thousand miles , more then halfe is yet vnknowne to any purpose , no not so much as the borders of the sea are yet certainly discouered : as for the goodnesse and true substance of the land , we are for most part yet altogether ignorant of them , vnlesse it be those parts about the bay of chisapeack and sagadahock , but onely here and there where we haue touched or seene a little , the edges of those large dominions which doe stretch themselues into the maine , god doth know how many thousand miles , whereof we can yet no more iudge , then a stranger that saileth betwixt england and france , can describe the harbours and dangers by landing here or there in some riuer or bay , tell thereby the goodnesse and substance of spaine , italy , germany , bohemia , hungaria , and the rest ; nay , there are many haue liued fortie yeeres in london , and yet haue scarce beene ten miles out of the citie : so are there many haue beene in virginia many yeeres , and in new england many times , that doe know little more then the place they doe inhabit , or the port where they fished , and when they come home , they will vndertake they know all virginia and new england , as if they were but two parishes or little ilands . by this you may perceiue how much they erre , that thinke euery one that hath beene in virginia or new england , vnderstandeth or knoweth what either of them are ; or that the spaniards know one halfe quarter of those large territories they possesse , no not so much as the true circumference of terra incognita , whose large dominions may equalize the goodnesse and greatnesse of america for any thing yet knowne . it is strange with what small power he doth range in the east-indies , and few will vnderstand the truth of his strength in america : where hauing so much to keepe with such a pampered force , they need not greatly feare his fury in sommer iles , virginia , or new england , beyond whose bounds america doth stretch many thousand miles . into the frozen parts whereof , one master hutson an english mariner , did make the greatest discouerie of any christian i know , where hee vnfortunately was left by his cowardly company , for his exceeding deserts , to end and die a most miserable death . for affrica , had not the industrious portugals ranged her vnknowne parts , who would haue sought for wealth amongst those fried regions of blacke brutish negars , where notwithstanding all their wealth and admirable aduentures and endeuours more then one hundred and fortie yeeres ; they know not one third part of those blacke habitations . but it is not a worke for euery one to manage such an affaire , as make a discouery and plant a colony , it requires all the best parts of art , iudgement , courage , honesty , constancy , diligence , and industry , to doe but neere well ; some are more proper for one thing then another , and therein best to be imploied : and nothing breeds more confusion then misplacing and misimploying men in their vndertakings . columbus , courtes , pitzara , zoto , magilanus , and the rest serued more then a prentiship , to learne how to begin their most memorable attempts in the west-indies , which to the wonder of all ages successefully they effected , when many hundreds of others farre aboue them in the worlds opinion , being instructed but by relation , came to shame and confusion in actions of small moment , who doubtlesse in other matters were both wise , discreet , generous and couragious . i say not this to detract any thing from their incomparable merits , but to answer those questionlesse questions , that keepe vs backe from imitating the worthinesse of their braue spirits , that aduanced themselues from poore souldiers to great captaines , their posterity to great lords , their king to be one of the greatest potentates on earth , and the fruits of their labours his greatest power , glory , and renowne . the description of new england . that part we call new england , is betwixt the degrees of fortie one and fortie fiue , the very meane betwixt the north pole and the line ; but that part this discourse speaketh of , stretcheth but from penobscot to c●pe cod , some seuentie fiue leagues by a right line distant each from other ; within which bounds i haue seene at least fortie seuerall habitations vpon the sea coast , and sounded about fiue and twentie excellent good harbours , in many whereof there is anchorage for fiue hundred saile of ships of any burden ; in some of them for one thousand , and more then two hundred iles ouer-growne with good timber of diuers sorts of wood , which doe make so many harbours , as required a longer time then i had to be well obserued . the principall habitation northward we were at , was pennobscot : southward along the coast and vp the riuers , we found mecadacut , segocket , pemaquid , nuscoucus , sagadahock , aumoughcowgen , and kenebeke ; and to those countries belong the people of segotago , paghhuntanuck , pocopassum ▪ taughtanakagnet , warbigganus , nassaque , masherosqueck , wawrigweck , mos●oquen , wakcogo , pasharanack , &c. to these are alied in confederacy , the countries of ancocisco , accomynticus , passataquack , aggawom , and naemkeck : all these for any thing i could perceiue , differ little in language , fashion , or gouernment , though most of them be lords of themselues , yet they hold the bashabes of penobscot , the chiefe and greatest amongst them . the next i can remember by name , are mattahunts , two pleasant iles of groues , gardens , and corne fields a league in the sea from the maine : then totant , massachuset , topent , secassaw , totheet , nasnocomacack , accomack , chawum , patuxet , massasoyts , pakanokick : then cape cod , by which is pawmet and the i le nawset , of the language and aliance of them of chawum ; the others are called massachusets , and differ somewhat in language , custome , and condition : for their trade and merchandize , to each of their principall families or habitations , they haue diuers townes and people belonging , and by their relations and descriptions , more then twentie seuerall habitations and riuers that stretch themselues farre into the countrey , euen to the borders of diuers great lakes , where they kill and take most of their otters , from pennobscot to sagadaboc . this coast is mountainous , and iles of huge rockes , but ouer-growne for most part , with most sorts of excellent good woods , for building houses , boats , barks or ships , with an incredible abundance of most sorts of fish , much fowle , and sundry sorts of good fruits for mans vse . betwixt sagadahock , & sowocatuck , there is but two or three sandy bayes , but betwixt that and cape iames very many : especially the coast of the massachusets is so indifferently mixed with high clay or sandy clifts in one place , and the tracts of large long ledges of diuers sorts , and quaries of stones in other places , so strangely diuided with tinctured veines of diuers colours : as free-stone for building , slate for tyling , smooth stone to make furnasses and forges for glasse and iron , and iron ore sufficient conueniently to melt in them ; but the most part so resembleth the coast of deuonshire , i thinke most of the clifts would make such lime-stone : if they bee not of these qualities , they are so like they may deceiue a better iudgement then mine : all which are so neere adioyning to those other aduantages i obserued in these parts , that if the ore proue as good iron and steele in those parts as i know it is within the bounds of the countrey , i dare ingage my head ( hauing but men skilfull to worke the simples there growing ) to haue all things belonging to the building and rigging of ships of any proportion and good merchandise for their fraught , within a square of ten or foureteene leagues , and it were no hard matter to proue it within a lesse limitation . and surely by reason of those sandy clifts , and clifts of rocks , both which we saw so planted with gardens and corne fields , and so well inhabited with a goodly , strong , and well proportioned people , besides the greatnesse of the timber growing on them , the greatnesse of the fish , and the moderate temper of the aire ( for of fiue and forty not a man was sicke , but two that were many yeares diseased before they went , notwithstanding our bad lodging and accidentall diet ) who can but approue this a most excellent place , both for health and fertilitie : and of all the foure parts of the world i haue yet seene not inhabited , could i haue but means to transport a colony , i would rather liue here then any where , and if it did not maintaine it selfe , were we but once indifferently well fitted , let vs starue . the maine staple from hence to bee extracted for the present , to produce the rest , is fish , which howbeit may seeme a meane and a base commoditie ; yet who will but truly take the paines and consider the sequell , i thinke will allow it well worth the labour . it is strange to see , what great aduentures the hopes of setting forth men of warre to rob the industrious innocent would procure , or such massie promises in grosse , though more are choaked then well fed with such hastie hopes . but who doth not know that the poore hollanders chiefely by fishing at a great charge and labour in all weathers in the open sea , are made a people so hardy and industrious , and by the venting this poore commoditie to the easterlings for as meane , which is wood , flax , pitch , tarre , rozen , cordage , and such like ; which they exchange againe to the french , spaniards , portugals , and english , &c. for what they want , are made so mighty , strong , and rich , as no state but venice of twice their magnitude is so well furnished , with so many faire cities , goodly townes , strong fortresses , and that abundance of shipping , and all sorts of merchandize , as well of gold , siluer , pearles , diamonds , precious stones , silkes , veluets , and cloth of gold ; as f●sh , pitch , wood , or such grosse commodities ? what voiages and discoueries , e●st and west , north and south , yea about the world , make they ? what an army by sea and land haue they long maintained , in despight of one of the greatest princes of the world , and neuer could the spaniard with all his mines of gold and siluer , pay his debts , his friends , and army , halfe so truly as the hollanders still haue done by this contemptible trade of fish. diuers ( i know ) may alleage many other assistances ; but this is the chiefest mine , and the sea the source of those siluer streames of all their vertue , which hath made them now the very miracle of industry , the onely paterne of perfection for these affaires : and the benefit of fishing is that primum mobile that turnes all their spheares to this height , of plentie , strength , honor , and exceeding great admiration . herring , cod , and ling , is that triplicitie , that makes their wealth and shippings multiplicitie such as it is : and from which ( few would thinke it ) they should draw so many millions yeerely as they doe , as more in particular in the trials of new england you may see ; and such an incredible number of ships , that breeds them so many sailers , mariners , souldiers , and merchants , neuer to be wrought out of that trade , and fit for any other . i will not deny but others may gaine as well as they that will vse it , though not so certainly , nor so much in quantitie , for want of experience : and this herring they take vpon the coast of england and scotland , their cod and ling vpon the coast of izeland , and in the north seas , if wee consider what gaines the hamburgans , the biskinners , and french make by fishing ; nay , but how many thousands this fiftie or sixty yeeres haue beene maintained by new found land , where they take nothing but small cod , whereof the greatest they make cor-fish , and the rest is hard dried , which we call poore-iohn , would amaze a man with wonder . if then from all those parts such paines is taken for this poore gaines of fish , especially by the h●●landers , that hath but little of their owne , for building of ships and setting them to sea ; but at the second , third , fourth , or fift hand , drawne from so many p●r●s of the world ere they come together to be vsed in those voiages : if these ( i say ) can gaine , why should we more doubt then they ; but doe much better , that may haue most of all those things at our doores for taking and making , and here are no hard landlords to racke vs with high rents , or extorting fines , nor tedious pleas in law to consume vs with their many yeeres disputation for iustice ; no multitudes to occasion such impediments to good orders as in popular states : so freely hath god and his maiestie bestowed those blessings , on them will attempt to obtaine them , as here euery man may be master of his owne labour and land , or the greatest part ( if his maiesties royall meaning be not abused ) and if he haue nothing but his hands , he may set-vp his trade ; and by industry quickly grow rich , spending but halfe that time well , which in england we abuse in idlenesse , worse , or as ill . here is ground as good as any lieth in the height of forty one , forty two , forty three , &c. which is as temperate , and as fruitfull as any other parallel in the world . as for example , on this side the line , west of it in the south sea , is nona albion , discouered as is said by sir francis drake : east from it is the most temperate part of portugall , the ancient kingdomes of galizia , bisky , nauarre , aragon , cattilonia , castillia the old , and the most moderatest of castillia the new , & valentia , which is the greatest part of spaine ; which if the histories be true , in the romans time abounded no lesse with gold & siluer mines , then now the west-indies , the romans then vsing the spaniards to worke in those mines , as now the spaniards doe the indians . in france the prouinces of gascony , langadooke , auignon , prouince , dolphine , pyamont , and turyne , are in the same parallel , which are the best and richest parts of france . in italy the prouinces of genua , lumbardy , and verona , with a great part of the most famous state of venice , the dukedomes of bononia , mantua , ferrara , rauenna , bolognia , florence , pisa , sienna , vrbine , ancona , and the ancient citie and countrey of rome , with a great part of the kingdome of naples . in slauonia , istria , and dalmatia , with the kingdomes of albania . in grecia those famous kingdomes of macedonia , bullulgaria , thessalia , thracia , or romania , where is seated the most pleasant and plentifull citie in europe , constantinople . in asia in the same latitude , are the temperatest parts of natolia , armenia , persia , and china ; besides diuers other large countries and kingdomes in those most milde and temperate regions of asia . southward in the same height is the richest of gold mines , chily , and baldinia , and the mouth of the great riuer of plate , &c. for all the rest of the world in that height is yet vnknowne . besides these reasons , mine owne eies that haue seene a great part of those cities and their kingdomes ( as well as it ) can finde no aduantage they haue in nature but this , they are beautified by the long labour and diligence of industrious people and art ; this is onely as god made it when hee created the world : therefore i conclude , if the heart and intrailes of those regions were sought , if their land were cultured , planted , and manured by men of industry , iudgement , and experience ; what hope is there , or what need they doubt , hauing the aduantages of the sea , but it might equalize any of these famous kingdomes in all commodities , pleasures , and conditions , seeing euen the very hedges doe naturally affoord vs such plentie , as no ship need returne away emptie , and onely vse but the season of the sea. fish will returne an honest gaine , besides all other aduantages , her treasures hauing yet neuer beene opened , nor her originals wasted , consumed , nor abused . and whereas it is said the hollanders serue the easterlings themselues ; and other parts that want with herring , ling , and wet cod : the easterlings , a great part of europe , with sturgion and cauiare , as the blacke sea doth grecia , podolia , sagouia , natolia , and the hellespont . cape blanke , spaine , portugall , and the leuant , with mulit and puttargo . new foundland , the most part of the chiefe southerne ports in europe , with a thin poore-iohn , which hath beene so long , so much ouer-laied with fishers , as the fishing decaieth , so that many oft times are constrained to returne with a small fraught . norway and poland affoords pitch and tarre , masts and yards . sweathland and russia , iron and ropes . france and spaine , canuase , wine , steele , iron , and oile , italy and greece , silkes and fruits . i dare boldly say , because i haue seene naturally growing or breeding in those parts , the same materials that all these are made of , they may as well bee had here , or the most part of them within the distance of seuentie leagues for some few ages , as from all those parts , vsing but the same meanes to haue them that they doe ; but surely in virginia , their most tender and daintiest fruits or commodities , would be as perfit as theirs , by reason of the heat , if not in new england , and with all those aduantages . first , the ground is so fertill , that questionlesse it is capable of producing any graine , fruits , or seeds , you will sow or plant , growing in the regions aforenamed : but it may be not to that perfection of delicacy , because the summer is not so hot , and the winter is more cold in those parts we haue yet tried neere the sea side , then wee finde in the same height in europe or asia : yet i made a garden vpon the top of a rocky i le in three and forty degrees and an halfe , foure leagues from the maine in may , that grew so well , as it serued vs for sallets in iune and iuly . all sorts of cattle may here be bred and fed in the iles or peninsulaes securely for nothing . in the interim , till they increase ( if need be ) obseruing the seasons , i durst vndertake to haue corne enough from the saluages for three hundred men , for a few trifles ; and if they should be vntowards , as it is most certaine they will , thirtie or fortie good men will be sufficient to bring them all in subiection , and make this prouision , if they vnderstand what to doe ; two hundred whereof may eight or nine moneths in the yeere be imploied in helping the fisher-men , till the rest prouide other necessaries , fit to furnish vs with other commodities . in march , aprill , may , and halfe iune , heere is cod in abundance ; in may , iune , iuly , and august , mullit and sturgion , whose roes doe make cauiare and puttargo ; herring , if any desire them : i haue taken many out of the bellies of cods , some in nets ; but the saluages compare the store in the sea with the haires of their heads : and surely there are an incredible abundance vpon this coast. in the end of august , september , october , and nouember , you may haue cod againe to make core-fish or poore-iohn : hake you may haue when the cod failes in summer , if you will fish in the night , which is better then cod. now each hundred you take here , is as good as two or three hundred in new found land ; so that halfe the labour in hooking , splitting and touring , is saued : and you may haue your fish at what market you will , before they haue any in new found land , where their fishing is chiefely but in iune and iuly , where it is here in march , aprill , may , september , october and nouember , as is said ; so that by reason of this plantation , the merchants may haue their fraught both out and home , which yeelds an aduantage worth consideration . your core-fish you may in like manner transport as you see cause , to serue the ports in portugall , as lisbone , auera , porta port , and diuers others , ( or what market you please ) before your ilanders returne . they being tied to the season in the open sea , and you hauing a double season , and fishing before your doores , may euery night sleep quietly ashore with good cheere , and what fires you will , or when you please with your wiues and family : they onely and their ships in the maine ocean , that must carie and containe all they vse , besides their fraught . the mullits here are in that abundance , you may take them with nets sometimes by hundreds , where at cape blanke they hooke them ; yet those are but a soot and a halfe in length ; these two , three , or foure , as oft i haue measured , which makes me suspect they are some other kinde of fish , though they seeme the same , both in fashion and goodnesse . much salmon some haue found vp the riuers as they haue passed , and here the aire is so temperate , as all these at any time may be preserued . now , young boies and girles saluages , or any other bee they neuer such idlers , may turne , carie or returne a fish , without either shame or any great paine : he is very idle that is past twelue yeeres of age and cannot doe so much , and she is very old that cannot spin a threed to make engins to catch a fish . for their transportation , the ships that goe there to fish may transport the first : who for their passage will spare the charge of double manning their ships , which they must do in new found land to get their fraught ; but one third part of that company are onely proper to serue a stage , carie a barrow , and turne poore-iohn ; notwithstanding , they must haue meat , drinke , clothes , & passage so well as the rest . now all i desire is but this , that those that voluntarily will send shipping , should make here the best choice they can , or accept such as shall bee presented them to serue them at that rate : and their ships returning leaue such with me , with the value of that they should receiue comming home , in such prouisions and necessarie tooles , armes , bedding , apparell , salt , nets , hookes , lines , and such like , as they spare of the remainings ; who till the next returne may keepe their boats , and doe them many other profitable offices . prouided , i haue men of abilitie to teach them their functions , and a company fit for souldiers to be ready vpon any occasion , because of the abuses that haue beene offered the poore saluages , and the libertie that both french and english , or any that will , haue to deale with them as they please ; whose disorders will be hard to reforme , and the longer the worse : now such order with facilitie might be taken , with euery port , towne , or citie , with free power to conuert the benefit of their fraughts to what aduantage they please , and increase their numbers as they see occasion , who euer as they are able to subsist of themselues , may begin the new townes in new england , in memory of their old : which freedome being confined but to the necessitie of the generall good , the euent ( with gods helpe ) might produce an honest , a noble , and a profitable emulation . salt vpon salt may assuredly be made , if not at the first in ponds , yet till they be prouided this may be vsed : then the ships may transport kine , horse , goats , course cloth , and such commodities as we want ; by whose arriuall may be made that prouision of fish to fraught the ships that they stay not ; and then if the sailers goe for wages it matters not , it is hard if this returne defray not the charge : but care must be had they arriue in the spring , or else that prouision be made for them against winter . of certaine red berries called kermes , which is worth ten shillings the pound , but of these haue beene sold for thirty or forty shillings the pound , may yeerely be gathered a good quantity . of the muskrat may be well raised gaines worth their labour , that will endeuour to make triall of their goodnesse . of beuers , otters and martins , blacke foxes , and furres of price , may yeerely be had six or seuen thousand , and if the trade of the french were preuented , many more : . this yeere were brought from those northerne parts into france , of which trade we may haue as good part as the french if we take good courses . of mines of gold and siluer , copper , and probabilities of lead , crystall and allum , i could say much if relations were good assurances ; it is true indeed , i made many trialls according to the instructions i had , which doth perswade me i need not despaire but that there are metals in the country : but i am no alcumist , nor will promise more then i know : which is , who will vndertake the rectifying of an iron forge , if those that buy meat and drinke , coles , ore , and all necessaries at a deare rate , gaine , where all these things are to be had for taking vp , in my opinion cannot lose . of woods , seeing there is such plenty of all sorts , if those that build ships and boats , buy wood at so great a price , as it is in england , spaine , france and holland , and all other prouisions for the nourishment of mans life , liue well by their trade ; when labour is all required to take these necessaries without any other tax , what hazard will be here but to doe much better , and what commodity in europe doth more decay then wood ? for the goodnesse of the ground , let vs take it fertill or barren , or as it is , seeing it is certaine it beares fruits to nourish and feed man & beast as well as england , and the sea those seuerall sorts of fishes i haue related : thus seeing all good things for mans sustenance may with this facility be had by a little extraordinary labour , till that transported be increased , & all necessaries for shipping onely for labour , to which may added the assistance of the saluages which may easily be had , if they be discreetly handled in their kinds , towards fishing , planting , and destroying woods , what gaines might be raised if this were followed ( when there is but once men to fill your store houses dwelling there , you may serue all europe better and farre cheaper then can the iland fishers , or the hollanders , cape-blanke , or newfound land , who must be at much more charge then you ) may easily be coniectured by this example . two thousand will fit out a ship of . tunnes , & one of . tuns , if of the dry fish they both make fraught , that of . and goe for spaine , sell it but at ten shillings a quintall , but commonly it giues fifteene or twenty , especially when it commeth first , which amounts to . or pound , but say but ten , which is the lowest , allowing the rest for waste , it amounts at that rate to . which is the whole charge of your two ships and the equipage , then the returne of the mony and the fraught of the ship for the vintage or any other voyage is cleere gaine , with your ship of one hundred tunnes of traine oile and cor-fish , besides the beuers and other commodities , and that you may haue at home within six moneths if god please to send but an ordinary passage ; then sauing halfe this charge by the not staying of your ships , your victuall , ouerplus of men and wages , with her fraught thither with necessaries for the planters , the salt being there made , as also may the nets and lines within a short time ; if nothing may be expected but this , it might in time equalize your hollanders gaines , if not exceede them , hauing their fraughts alwaies ready against the arriuall of the ships , this would so increase our shipping and sailers , and so incourage and imploy a great part of our idlers and others that want imployment fitting their qualities at home , where they shame to doe that they would doe abroad , that could they but once taffe the sweet fruits of their owne labours , doubtlesse many thousands would be aduised by good discipline to take more pleasure in honest industry , then in their humors of dissolute idlenesse . but to returne a little more to the particulars of this countrey , which i intermingle thus with my proiects and reasons , not being so sufficiently yet acquainted in those parts , to write fully the estate of the sea , the aire , the land , the fruits , their rocks , the people , the gouernment , religion , territories , limitations , friends and foes : but as i gathered from their niggardly relations in a broken language , during the time i ranged those countries , &c. the most northerne part i was at , was the bay of pennobscot , which is east and west , north and south , more then ten leagues : but such were my occasions , i was constrained to be satisfied of them i found in the bay , that the riuer ranne farre vp into the land , and was well inhabited with many people , but they were from their habitations , either fishing amongst the iles , or hunting the lakes and woods for deere and beuers : the bay is full of great iles of one , two , six or eight miles in length , which diuides it into many faire and excellent good harbours . on the east of it are the tarrentines , their mortall enemies , where inhabit the french , as they report , that liue with those people as one nation or family : and northwest of pennobscot is mecaddacut , at the foot of a high mountaine , a kinde of fortresse against the tarrentines , adioyning to the high mountaines of pennobscot , against whose feet doth beat the sea ; but ouer all the land , iles , or other impediments , you may well see them foureteene or eighteene leagues from their situation . segocket is the next , then nuskoucus , pemmaquid , and sagadahock : vp this riuer , where was the westerne plantation , are aumoughcawgen , kinnebeke , and diuers others , where are planted some corne fields . along this riuer thirtie or fortie miles , i saw nothing but great high clifts of barren rocks ouergrowne with wood , but where the saluages dwell there the ground is excellent salt , and fertill . westward of this riuer is the country of aucocisco , in the bottome of a large deepe bay , full of many great iles , which diuides it into many good harbours . sawocotuck is the next , in the edge of a large sandy bay , which hath many rockes and iles , but few good harbours , but for barkes i yet know ; but all this coast to pennobscot , and as farre as i could see eastward of it is nothing , but such high craggy clifty rockes and stony iles , that i wonder such great trees could grow vpon so hard foundations . it is a countrey rather to affright then delight one , and how to describe a more plaine spectacle of desolation , or more barren , i know not , yet are those rocky iles so furnished with good woods , springs , fruits , fish and fowle , and the sea the strangest fish-pond i euer saw , that it makes me thinke , though the coast be rocky and thus affrightable , the vallies and plaines and interior parts may well notwithstanding be very fertill . but there is no country so fertill hath not some part barren , and new-england is great enough to make many kingdomes and countries , were it all inhabited . as you passe the coast still westward , accominticus and passataquack are two conuenient harbours for small barkes ; and a good country within their craggy clifts . augoan is the next : this place might content a right curious iudgement , but there are many sands at the entrance of the harbour , and the worst is , it is imbayed too farre from the deepe sea ; here are many rising hils , and on their tops and descents are many corne fields and delightfull groues : on the east is an i le of two or three leagues in length , the one halfe plaine marish ground , fit for pasture or salt ponds , with many faire high groues of mulbery trees and gardens ; there is also okes , pines , walnuts , and other wood to make this place an excellent habitation , being a good and safe harbour . nai●mkeck , though it be more rocky ground , for augoan is sandy , not much inferiour neither for the harbour , nor any thing i could perceiue but the multitude of people : from hence doth stretch into the sea the faire headland tragabigzanda , now called cape an , fronted with the three iles wee called the three turkes heads ; to the north of this doth enter a great bay , where we found some habitations and corne fields , they report a faire riuer and at least . habitations doth possesse this country . but because the french had got their trade , i had no leisure to discouer it : the iles of mattahunts are on the west side of this bay , where are many iles and some rocks that appeare a great height aboue the water like the pyramides in aegypt , and amongst them many good harbours , and then the country of the massachusits , which is the paradice of all those parts , for here are many iles planted with corne , groues , mulberies , saluage gardens and good harbours , the coast is for the most part high clayie sandy clifts , the sea coast as you passe shewes you all along large corne fields , and great troupes of well proportioned people : but the french hauing remained here neere six weekes , left nothing for vs to take occasion to examine the inhabitants relations , viz. if there be three thousand people vpon those iles , and that the riuer doth pierce many daies iourney the entrailes of that country : we found the people in those parts very kinde , but in their f●ry no lesse valiant , for vpon a quarrell we fought with forty or fifty of them , till they had spent all their arrowes , and then we tooke six or seuen of their canowes , which towards the euening they ransomed for beuer skinnes , and at quonahasit falling out there but with one of them , he with three others crossed the harbour in a canow to certaine rockes whereby wee must passe , and there let flie their arrowes for our shot , till we were out of danger , yet one of them was slaine , and another shot through his thigh . then come you to accomacke an excellent good harbour , good land , and no want of any thing but industrious people : after much kindnesse , wee fought also with them , though some were hurt , some slaine , yet within an houre after they became friends . cape cod is the next presents it selfe ; which is onely a headland of high hils , ouer-growne with shrubby pines , hurts and such trash , but an excellent harbour for all weathers . this cape is made by the maine sea on the one side , and a great bay on the other in forme of a sickell , on it doth inhabit the people of pawmet , and in the bottome of the bay them of chawum : towards the south and south-west of this cape , is found a long and dangerous shoule of rocks and sand , but so farre as i incercled it , i found thirty fathome water and a strong currant , which makes mee thinke there is a chanell about this shoule , where is the best and greatest fish to be had winter and summer in all the country ; but the saluages say there is no chanell , but that the shoales beginne from the maine at pawm●t to the i le of nawset , and so extends beyond their knowledge into the sea. the next to this is capawucke , and those abounding countries of copper , corne , people and mineralls , which i went to discouer this last yee●e , but because i miscarried by the way i will leaue them till god please i haue better acquaintance with them . the massachusets they report sometimes haue warres with the bashabes of pennobscot , & are not alwaies friends with them of chawum and their alliance ; but now they are all friends , and haue each trade with other so farre as they haue society on each others frontiers , for they make no such voyages as from pennobscot to cape cod , seldome to massachset . in the north as i haue said they haue begun to plant corne , whereof the south part hath such plenty as they haue what they will from them of the north , and in the winter much more plenty of fish and fowle , but both winter & summer hath it in one part or other all the yeere , being the meane and most indifferent temper betwixt heat and cold , of all the regions betwixt the line and the pole , but the furs northward are much better , and in much more plenty then southward . the remarkablest iles and mountaines for land markes are these : the highest ile is sorico in the bay of pennobscot , but the three iles , and the iles of matinack are much further in the sea : merynacus is also three plaine iles , but many great rocks : monahigan is a round high i le , and close by it monanis , betwixt which is a small harbour where we rid ; in damerils iles is such another , sagadahocke is knowne by satquin , and foure or fiue iles in their mouth . smiths iles are a heape together , none neere them against accomintycus : the three turkes heads , are three iles , seene farre to sea-ward in regard of the head-land . the chiefe head-lands , are onely cape tragabigzanda , and cape cod , now called cape iames , and cape a●ne . the chiefe mountaines , them of pennobscot , the twinkling mountaine of acocisco , the great mountaine of sassanow , and the high mountaine of m●ss●c●uset . each of which you shall finde in the map , their places , forme , and al●●●des . the waters are most pure , proceeding from the intrailes of rocky mounta●●es : the herbs and fruits are of many sorts and kinds , as alkermes , currans , mu●beries , vines , respises , gooseberies , plums , wall-nuts , chesse-nuts , small - 〈◊〉 , pumpions , gourds , strawberies , beanes , pease , and maize ; a kinde or two of flax , wherewith they make nets , lines , and ropes , both small and great , very strong for their quantities . oake is the chiefe wood , of which there is great difference , in regard of the soyle where it groweth , firre , pine , wall-nut , chesse-nut , birtch , ash , elme , cipris , cedar , mulbery , plum tree , hazell , saxefras , and many other sorts . eagles , grips , diuers sorts of hawkes , craines , geese , brants , cormorants , ducks , cranes , swannes , sheldrakes , teale , meawes , gulls , turkies , diue-doppers , and many other sorts whose names i know not . whales , grompus , porkpisces , turbut , sturgion , cod , hake , haddocke , cole , cuske or small ling , sharke , mackarell , herring , mullit , base , pinnacks , cunners , pearch , eeles , crabs , lobsters , mustels , wilks , oisters , clamps , periwinkels , and diuers others , &c. moos , a beast bigger than a stag , deare red and fallow , beuers , wol●es , foxes both blacke and other , aroughcunds , wilde cats , beares , o●t●rs , m●●tins , fitches , musquassus , and diuers other sorts of vermin whose names i kn●w not : all these and diuers other good things doe here for want of vse still increase and decrease with little diminution , whereby they grow to that abundance , you shall scarce finde any bay , shallow shore or coue of sand , where you may not take many clamps or lobsters , or both at your pleasure , and in many places load your boat if you please , nor iles where you finde not fruits , birds , crabs , and mi●stels , or all of them ; for taking at a low water cod , cuske , hollibut , scare , turbut , mackarell , or such like are taken plentifully in diuers sandy bayes , store of mullit , bases , and diuers other sorts of such excellent fish as many as their net can hold : no riuer where there is not plenty of sturgion , or salmon , or both , all which are to be had in abundance obseruing but their seasons : but if a man will goe at christmas to gather cherries in kent , though there be plenty in summer , he may be deceiued ; so here these plenties haue each their seasons , as i hau● expressed ; we for the most part had little but bread and vinegar , and though the most part of iuly when the fishing decayed , they wrought all day , lay abroad in the iles all night , and liued on what they found , yet were not sicke : but i would wish none long put himselfe to such plunges , except necessity constraine it : yet worthy is that person to starue that here cannot liue if he haue sense , strength and health , for there is no such penury of these blessings in any place but that one hundred men may in two or three houres make their prouisions for a day , and he that hath experience to manage these affaires , with forty or thirty honest industrious men , might well vndertake ( if they dwell in these parts ) to subiect the saluages , and feed daily two or three hundred men , with as good corne , fish , and flesh as the earth hath of those kinds , and yet make that labour but their pleasure : prouided that they haue engines that be proper for their purposes . who can desire more content that hath small meanes , or but onely his merit to aduance his fortunes , then to tread and plant that ground he hath purchased by the hazard of his life ; if hee haue but the taste of vertue and magnanimity , what to such a minde can bee more pleasant then planting and building a foundation for his posterity , got from the rude earth by gods blessing and his owne industry without preiudice to any , if hee haue any graine of faith or zeale in religion , what can he doe lesse hurtfull to any , or more agreeable to god , then to seeke to conuert those poore saluages to know christ and humanity , whose labours with discretion will triple require thy charge and paine ; what so truly sutes with honour and honesty , as the discouering things vnknowne , erecting townes , peopling countries , informing the ignorant , reforming things vniust , teaching vertue and gaine to our natiue mother country ; a kingdome to attend her , finde imploiment for those that are idle , because they know not what to doe : so farre from wronging any , as to cause posterity to remember thee , and remembring thee , euer honour that remembrance with praise . consider what were the beginnings and endings of the monarchies of the chaldeans , the syrians , the grecians and romans , but this one rule ; what was it they would not doe for the good of their common weale , or their mother city ? for example : rome , what made her such a monarchesse , but onely the aduentures of her youth , not in riots at home , but in dangers abroad , and the iustice and iudgement out of their experiences when they grew aged ; what was their ruine and hurt but this , the excesse of idlenesse , the fondnesse of parents , the want of experience in maiestrates , the admiration of their vndeserued honours , the contempt of true merit , their vniust iealousies , their politike incredulities , their hypocriticall seeming goodnesse and their deeds of secret lewdnesse ; finally in fine , growing onely formall temporists , all that their predecessors got in many yeeres they lost in a few daies : those by their paines and vertues became lords of the world , they by their case and vices became slaues to their seruants ; this is the difference betwixt the vse of armes in the field , and on the monuments of stones , the golden age and the leaden age , prosperity and misery , iustice and corruption , substance and shadowes , words and deeds , experience and imagination , making common weales , and marring common weales , the fruits of vertue , and the conclusions of vice . then who would liue at home idly , or thinke in himselfe any worth to liue , onely to eat , drinke and sleepe , and so die ; or by consuming that carelesly , his friends got worthily , or by vsing that miserably that maintained vertue honestly , or ▪ for being descended nobly , and pine , with the vaine va●nt of great kindred in penury , or to maintaine a silly shew of brauery , toile out thy heart , soule and time basely ; by shifts , tricks , cards and dice , or by relating newes of other mens actions , sharke here and there for a dinner or supper , deceiue thy friends by faire promises and dissimulation , in borrowing where thou neuer meanest to pay , offend the lawes , surfet with excesse , burthen thy countrie , abuse thy selfe , despaire in want , and then cousen thy kindred , yea euen thy owne brother , and wish thy parents death ( i will not say damnation ) to haue their estates , though thou seest what honours and rewards the world yet hath for them , that will seeke them and worthily deserue them . i would bee sorry to offend , or that any should mistake my honest meaning ; for i wish good to all , hurt to none : but rich men for the most part are growne to that dotage through their pride in their wealth , as though there were no accident could end it or their life . and what hellish care doe such take to make it their owne misery and their countries spoile , especially when there is most need of their imploiment , drawing by all manner of inuentions from the prince and his honest subiects , euen the vitall spirits of their powers and estates : as if their baggs or brags were so powerfull a defence , the malicious could not assault them , when they are the onely bait to cause vs not onely to bee assaulted , but betrayed and murthered in our owne security ere wee will perceiue it . may not the miserable ruine of constantinople , their impregnable walls , riches and pleasures last taken by the turke , which were then but a bit in comparison of their mightinesse now , remember vs of the effects of priuate couetousnesse , at which time the good emperour held himselfe rich enough , to haue such rich subiects , so formall in all excesse of vanity , all kinde of delicacy and prodigality : his pouerty when the turke besieged the citizens ( whose merchandizing thoughts were onely to get wealth ) little conceiuing the desperat resolution of a valiant expert enemy , left the emperour so long to his conclusions , hauing spent all he had to pay his young raw discontented souldiers , that suddenly he , they , and their city were all a prey to the deuouring turke , and what they would not spare for the maintenance of them who aduentured their liues to defend them , did serue onely their enemies to torment them , their friends and country , and all christendome to this present day . let this lamentable example remember you that are rich ( seeing there are such great theeues in the world to rob you ) not grudge to lend some proportion to breed them that haue little , yet willing to learne how to defend you , for it is too late when the deed is doing . the romans estate hath beene worse then this , for the meere couetousnesse and extortion of a few of them so moued the rest , that not hauing any imploiment but contemplation , their great iudgements grew to so great malice , as themselues were sufficient to destroy themselues by faction ; let this moue you to imbrace imployment , for those whose educations , spirits and iudgements want but your purses , not only to preuent such accustomed dangers , but also to gaine more thereby then you haue ; and you fathers that are either so foolishly fond , or so miserably couetous , or so wilfully ignorant , or so negligently carelesse , as that you will rather maintaine your children in idle wantonnesse till they grow your masters , or become so basely vnkinde that they wish nothing but your deaths , so that both sorts grow dissolute , and although you would wish them any where to escape the gallowes and ease your cares , though they spend you fiere one , two or three hundred pound a yeere , you would grudge to giue halfe so much in aduenture with them to obtaine an estate , which in a small time , but with a little assistance of your prouidence , might bee better then your owne ; but if an angell should tell you any place yet vnknowne can affoord such fortunes , you would not beleeue it , no more then columbus was beleeued there was any such land , as is now the well knowne abounding america , much lesse such large regions are yet vnknowne , as well in america , as in africa and asia , and terra i●cognita . i haue not beene so ill bred but i haue tasted of plenty and pleasure , as well as want and misery ; nor doth necessity yet , or occasion of discontent force me to these endeuours , nor am i ignorant what small thankes i shall haue for my paines , or that many would haue the world imagine them to bee of great iudgement , that can but blemish these my designes , by their witty obiections and detractions , yet ( i hope ) my reasons with my deeds will so preuaile with some , that i shall not want imploiment in these affaires , to make the most blinde see his owne senselesnesse and incredulity , hoping that gaine will make them affect that which religion , charity and the common good cannot . it were but a poore deuice in mee to deceiue my selfe , much more the king and state , my friends and country with these inducements , which seeing his maiesty hath giuen permission , i wish all sorts of worthy honest industrious spirits would vnderstand , and if they desire any further satisfaction , i will doe my best to giue it , not to perswade them to goe onely , but goe with them ; not leaue them there , but liue with them there : i will not say but by ill prouiding and vndue managing , such courses may bee taken may make vs miserable enough : but if i may haue the execution of what i haue proiected , if they want to eat , let them eat or neuer disgest mee ; if i performe what i say , i desire but that reward out of the gaines may sute my paines , quality and condition , and if i abuse you with my tongue , take my head for satisfaction . if any dislike at the yeeres end , defraying their charge , by my consent they should freely returne ; i feare not want of company sufficient , were it but knowne what i know of these countries , and by the proofe of that wealth i hope yeerely to returne , if god please to blesse me from such accidents as are beyond my power in reason to preuent ; for i am not so simple to thinke that euer any other motiue then wealth will euer erect there a common wealth , or draw company from their ease and humors at home , to stay in new-england to effect my purposes . and lest any should thinke the toile might be insupportable , though these things may bee had by labour and diligence ; i assure my selfe there are who delight extremely in vaine pleasure , that take much more paines in england to enioy it , then i should doe here to gaine wealth sufficient , and yet i thinke they should not haue halfe such sweet content : for our pleasure here is still gaines , in england charges and losse ; here nature and liberty affoords vs that freely which in england we want , or it costeth vs deerely . what pleasure can bee more then being tired with any occasion a shore , in planting vines , fruits , or herbes , in contriuing their owne grounds to the pleasure of their owne minds , their fields , gardens , orchards , buildings , ships , and other workes , &c. to recreate themselues before their owne doores in their owne boats vpon the sea , where man , woman and childe , with a small hooke and line , by angling may take diuers sorts of excellent fish at their pleasures ; and is it not pretty sport to pull vp two pence , six pence , and twelue pence , as fast as you can hale and vere a line ; hee is a very bad fisher cannot kill in one day with his hooke and line one , two , or three hundred cods , which dressed and dryed , if they bee sold there for ten shillings a hundred , though in england they will giue more then twenty , may not both seruant , master and merchant be well content with this gaine ? if a man worke but three daies in seuen , hee may get more then hee can spend vnlesse hee will bee exceedingly excessiue . now that carpenter , mason , gardiner , tailer , smith , sailer , forger , or what other , may they not make this a pretty recreation , though they fish but an houre in a day , to take more then they can eat in a weeke , or if they will not eat it , because there is so much better choise , yet sell it or change it with the fisher-men or merchants for any thing you want , and what sport doth yeeld a more pleasing content , and lesse hurt and charge then angling with a hooke , and crossing the sweet aire from i le to i le , ouer the silent streames of a calme sea , wherein the most curious may finde profit , pleasure and content . thus though all men be not fishers , yet all men whatsoeuer may in other matters doe as well , for necessity doth in these cases so rule a common wealth , and each in their seuerall functions , as their labours in their qualities may be as profitable because there is a necessary mutuall vse of all . for gentlemen , what exercise should more delight them then ranging daily these vnknowne parts , vsing fowling and fishing for hunting and hawking , and yet you shall see the wilde hawkes giue you some pleasure in seeing them stoupe six or seuen times after one another an houre or two together , at the skults of fish in the faire harbours , as those a shore at a fowle , and neuer trouble nor torment your selues with watching , mewing , feeding , and attending them , nor kill horse and man with running and crying , see you not a hawke ; for hunting also , the woods , lakes and riuers affoord not onely chase sufficient for any that delights in that kinde of toile or pleasure , but such beasts to hunt , that besides the delicacie of their bodies for food , their skinnes are so rich , as they will recompeuce thy daily labour with a captaines pay . for labourers , if those that sow hempe , rape , turnups , parsnips , carrats , cabidge , and such like ; giue twentie , thirtie , fortie , fiftie shillings yeerely for an acre of land , and meat , drinke , and wages to vse it , and yet grow rich : when better , or at least as good ground may bee had and cost nothing but labour ; it seemes strange to me any such should grow poore . my purpose is not to perswade children from their parents , men from their wiues , nor seruants from their masters ; onely such as with free consent may bee spared : but that each parish , or village , in citie , or countrey , that will but apparell their fatherlesse children of thirteene or foureteene yeeres of age , or young maried people that haue small wealth to liue on , here by their labour may liue exceeding well . prouided alwaies , that first there be a sufficient power to command them , houses to receiue them , meanes to defend them , and meet prouisions for thē , for any place may be ouer-laine : and it is most necessary to haue a fortresse ( ere this grow to practise ) and sufficient masters , of all necessarie , mecanicall qualities , to take ten or twelue of them for apprentises ; the master by this may quickly grow rich , these may learne their trades themselues to doe the like , to a generall and an incredible benefit for king and countrey , master and seruant . it would be a history of a large volume , to recite the aduentures of the spaniards and portugals , their affronts and defeats , their dangers and miseries ; which with such incomparable honor , and constant resolution , so farre beyond beleefe , they haue attempted and indured in their discoueries and plantations , as may well condemne vs of too much imbecillitie , sloth , and negligence ; yet the authors of these new inuentions were held as ridiculous for a long time , as now are others that doe but seeke to imitate their vnparalleld vertues , and though we see daily their mountaines of wealth ( sprung from the plants of their generous indeuours ) yet is our sensualitie and vntowardnesse such , & so great , that we either ignorantly beleeue nothing , or so curiously contest , to preuent we know not what future euents ; that we either so neglect , or oppresse and discourage the present , as wee spoile all in the making , crop all in the blooming ; and building vpon faire sand rather then vpon rough rocks , iudge that we know not , gouerne that wee haue not , feare that which is not ; and for feare some should doe too well , force such against their wils to be idle , or as ill . and who is hee hath iudgement , courage , and any industry or quality with vnderstanding , will leaue his country , his hopes at home , his certaine estate , his friends , pleasures , libertie , and the preferment sweet england doth affoord to all degrees , were it not to aduance his fortunes by enioying his deserts , whose prosperitie once appearing , will encourage others : but it must be cherished as a childe , till it be able to goe and vnderstand it selfe , and not corrected nor oppressed aboue it strength , ere it know wherefore . a childe can neither performe the office nor deeds of a man of strength , nor endure that affliction he is able : nor can an apprentise at the first performe the part of a master , and if twentie yeeres be required to make a childe a man , seuen yeeres limited an apprentise for his trade : if scarce an age be sufficient to make a wise man a states-man , and commonly a man dies ere he hath learned to be discreet ; if perfection be so hard to be obtained , as of necessitie there must be practice as well as theoricke : let no man then condemne this paradox opinion , to say that halfe seuen yeres is scarce sufficient for a good capacitie to learne in these affaires how to carrie himselfe . and who euer shall try in these remote places the erecting of a colony , shall finde at the end of seuen yeeres occasion enough to vse all his discretion : and in the interim , all the content , rewards , gaines , and hopes , will be necessarily required , to be giuen to the beginning , till it be able to creepe , to stand , and goe , and to encourage desert by all possible meanes ; yet time enough to keepe it from running , for there is no fear● it will grow too fast , or euer to any thing , except libertie , profit , honor , and prosperitie there found , more binde the planters of those affaires in deuotion to effect it ; then bondage , violence , tyrannie , ingratitude , and such double dealing , as bindes free men to become slaues , and honest men turne knaues ; which hath euer beene the ruine of the most popular common-weales , and is very vnlikely euer well to begin anew . who seeth not what is the greatest good of the spaniard , but these new conclusions in searching those vnknowne parts of this vnknowne world ; by which meanes he diues euen into the very secrets of all his neighbours , and the most part of the world ; and when the portugals and spaniards had found the east and west-indies , how many did condemne themselues , that did not accept of that honest offer of noble columbus , who vpon our neglect brought them to it , perswading our selues the world had no such places as they had found : and yet euer since we finde , they still ( from time to time ) haue found new lands , new nations , and trades , and still daily doe finde , both in asia , affrica , terra incognita , and america , so that there is neither souldier nor mechanicke , from the lord to the begger , but those parts affoords them all imploiment , & discharges their natiue soile of so many thousands of all sorts , that else by their sloth , pride , and imperfections , would long ere this haue troubled their neighbours , or haue eaten the pride of spaine it selfe . now hee knowes little that knowes not england may well spare many more people then spaine , and is as well able to furnish them with all manner of necessaries ; and seeing for all they haue , they cease not still to search for that they haue not , and know not ; it is strange we should be so dull , as not maintaine that which we haue , and pursue that we know : surely , i am sure many would take it ill , to be abridged of the titles and honors of their predecessor● ; when if but truly they would iudge themselues , looke how inferior they are to their noble vertues , so much they are vnworthy of their honors and liuings , which neuer were ordained for shewes and shadowes , to maintaine idlenesse and vice , but to make them more able to abound in honor , by heroicall deeds of action , iudgement , pietie , and vertue . what was it both in their purse and person they would not doe , for the good of their common-wealth , which might moue them presently to set out their spare children in these generous designes ; religion aboue all things should moue vs , especially the clergie , if we are religious , to shew our faith by our works , in conuerting those poore saluages to the knowledge of god , seeing what paines the spaniards takes to bring them to their adultered faith ▪ honor might moue the gentry , the valiant , and industrious , and the hope and assurance of wealth , all , if we were that we would seeme , and be accounted ; or be we so farre inferior to other nations , or our spirits so farre deiected from our ancient predecessors , or our mindes so vpon spoile , piracy , and such villany , as to serue the portugall , spaniard , dutch , french , or turke , ( as to the cost of europe too many doe ) rather then our god , our king , our country , and our selues ; excusing our idlenesse and our base complaints by want of imploiment , when here is such choice of all sorts , and for all degrees , in the planting and discouering these north parts of america . my second voyage to new england . in the yeere of our lord . i was imploied by many my friends of london , and sir ferdinando gorges , a noble knight , and a great fauourer of those actions , who perswaded the reuerend deane of exeter doctor sutliffe , and diuers merchants of the west , to entertaine this plantation . much labour i had taken to bring the londoners and them to ioyne together , because the londoners haue most money , and the westerne men are most proper for fishing ; and it is neere as much trouble , but much more danger , to faile from london to plimoth , then from plimoth to new england , so that halfe the voiage would thus be saued , yet by no meanes i could preuaile , so desirous they were both to be lords of this fishing . now to make my words more apparant by my deeds , to begin a plantation for a more ample triall of those conclusions , i was to haue staied there but with sixteene men , whose names were ; tho. dirmer . gent. iohn gosling . sould. thomas digby . walter chisell . were to learne to be sailers . edw. stallings . william ingram . daniel baker . robert miller . daniel cage . dauid cooper . adam smith . and two boyes . francis abbot . iohn partridge . tho. watson . i confesse i could haue wished them as many thousands , had all other prouisions beene in like proportion ; nor would i haue had so few , could i haue had means for more : yet would god haue pleased we had safely arriued , i doubted not but to haue performed more then i promised , and that many thousands ere this would haue bin there ere now . the maine assistance next god i had to this small number , was my acquaintance amongst the saluages , especially with dohoday , one of their greatest lords , who had liued long in england , and another called tantum , i caried with mee from england , and set on shore at cape cod ; by the meanes of this proud saluage , i did not doubt but quickly to haue got that credit amongst the rest of the saluages and their alliance , to haue had as many of them as i desired in any designe i intended , and that trade also they had by such a kinde of exchange of their countrey commodities , which both with ease and securitie might then haue beene vsed with him and diuers others : i had concluded to inhabit and defend them against the tarentines , with a better power then the french did them ; whose tyrannie did inforce them to embrace my offer with no small deuotion : and though many may think me more bold then wise , in regard of their power , dexteritie , treachery , and inconstancy , hauing so desperately assaulted , and betraied many others ; i say but this ( because with so many , i haue many times done much more in virginia then i intended here , when i wanted that experience virginia taught mee ) that to me it seemes no more danger then ordinary : and though i know my selfe the meanest of many thousands , whose apprehensiue inspection can pierce beyond the bounds of my abilities , into the hidden things of nature , art , and reason : yet i intreat such , giue mee leaue to excuse my selfe of so much imbecillitie , as to say , that in these eighteene yeeres which i haue beene conuersant with these affaires , i haue not learned , there is a great difference betwixt the directions and iudgement of experimentall knowledge , and the superficiall coniecture of variable relation : wherein rumour , humour , or misprision haue such power , that oft times one is enough to beguile twentie , but twentie not sufficient to keepe one from being deceiued . therefore i know no reason but to beleeue my owne eies before any mans imagination , that is but wrested from the conceits of my owne proiects and endeuours , but i honor with all affection , the counsell and instructions of iudiciall directions , or any other honest aduertisement , so farre to obserue , as they tie me , not to the crueltie of vnknowne euents . these are the inducements that thus drew me to me to neglect all other imploiments , and spend my time and best abilities in these aduentures , wherein though i haue had many discouragements , by the ingratitude of some , the malicious slanders of others , the falsenesse of friends , the treachery of cowards , and slownesse of aduenturers . now you are to remember , as i returned first from new england at plimoth , i was promised foure good ships ready prepared to my hand the next christmas , and what conditions and content i would desire , to put this businesse in practise , and arriuing at london , foure more were offered me with the like courtesie . but to ioyne the londoners & them in one , was most impossible ; so that ianuary with two hundred pound in chash for aduenture , and six gentlemen well furnished , i went from london to the foure ships were promised me at plimoth , but i found no such matter : and the most of those that had made such great promises , by the bad returne of the ship went for gold , and their priuate emulations , were extinct and qualified . notwithstanding at last , with a labyrinth of trouble , though the greatest of the burden lay-on me , and a few of my particular friends , i was furnished with a ship of two hundred tunnes ; and another of fiftie : but ere i had sailed one hundred and twentie leagues , she brake all her masts , pumping each watch fiue or six thousand strokes ; onely her spret-saile remained to spoone before the winde , till we had re-accommodated a iury-mast to returne for plimoth , or founder in the seas . my vice-admirall being lost , not knowing of this , proceeded her voyage ; now with the remainder of those prouisions , i got out againe in a small barke of sixtie tuns with thirty men : for this of two hundred , and prouision for seuentie , which were the sixteene before named , and foureteene other sailers for the ship ; with those i set saile againe the foure and twentieth of iune , where what befell me ( because my actions and writings are so publike to the world ) enuy still seeking to scandalize my endeuours , and seeing no power but death can stop the chat of ill tongues , nor imagination of mens minds , lest my owne relations of those hard euents might by some constructors bee made doubtfull , i haue thought it best to insert the examinations of those proceedings , taken by sir lewis stukeley , a worthy knight , and vice-admirall of deuonshire , which was as followeth . the examination of daniel baker , late steward to captaine iohn smith , in the returne of plimoth , taken before sir lewis stukeley knight , the eighth of december , . the effect in briefe was this : being chased by one fry an english pirat , edward chambers the master , iohn miller his mate , thomas digby the pylot , and diuers others importuned him to yeeld ; much swaggering wee had with them , more then the pirats , who agreed vpon such faire conditions as we desired , which if they broke , he vowed to sinke rather then be abused . strange they thought it , that a barke of threescore tuns with foure guns should stand vpon such termes , they being eightie expert sea-men , in an excellent ship of one hundred and fortie tuns , and thirty six cast peeces and murderers : but when they knew our captaine , so many of them had beene his souldiers , and they but lately runne from tunis , where they had stolne this ship , wanted victuall , and in combustion amongst themselues , would haue yeelded all to his protection , or wafted vs any whither : but those mutinies occasioned vs to reiect their offer , which afterward we all repented . for at fiall we met two french pirats , the one of two hundred tuns , the other thirty : no disgrace would cause our mutiners fight , till the captaine offered to blow vp the ship rather then yeeld , till hee had spent all his powder : so that together by the eares we went , and at last got cleere of them for all their shot . at flowers we were againe chased with foure french men of warre , the admirall one hundred and fortie tuns , and ninety men well armed ; the rest good ships , and as well prouided : much parly we had , but vowing they were rochilers , and had a commission from the king onely to secure true men , and take portugals , spaniards , and pirats , and as they requested , our captaine went to shew his commission , which was vnder the broad seale , but neither it nor their vowes they so much respected , but they kept him , rifled our ship , manned her with french men , and dispersed vs amongst their fleet : within fiue or six daies they were increased to eight or nine saile . at last they surrendred vs our ship , and most of our prouisions , the defects they promised the next day to supply , and did . notwithstanding , there was no way but our mutiners would for england , though we were as neere new england , till the major part resolued with our captaine to proceed . but the admirall sending his boat for our captaine , they espying a saile , presently gaue chase , whereby our mutiners finding an opportunitie in the night ran away , and thus left our captaine in his cap , bretches , and wast-coat , alone among the french men : his clothes , armes , and what he had , our mutiners shared among them , and with a false excuse , faining for feare lest he should turne man of warre , they returned for plimoth : fifteene of vs being land-men , not knowing what they did . daniel cage , edward stalings , walter chisell , dauid cooper , robert miller , and iohn partridge , vpon oath affirmes this for truth before the vice-admirall . now the cause why the french detained mee againe , was the suspition this chambers and minter gaue them , that i would reuenge my selfe vpon the banke , or in new found land , of all the french i could there encounter , and how i would haue fired the ship , had they not ouer-perswaded me : and that if i had but againe my armes , i would rather sinke by them , then they should haue from me but the value of a bisket ; and many other such like tales to catch but opportunitie in this manner to leaue me , and thus they returned to plimoth , and perforce with the french men i thus proceeded . being a fleet of eight or nine saile , we watched for the west-indies fleet , till ill weather separated vs from the other eight : still wee spent our time about the iles of the assores , where to keepe my perplexed thoughts from too much meditation of my miserable estate , i writ this discourse , thinking to haue sent it to you of his maiesties councell by some ship or other , for i saw their purpose was to take all they could . at last we were chased by one captaine barra , an english pirat in a small ship , with some twelue peece of ordnance , about thirty men , and neere all starued . they fought by courtesie releefe of vs , who gaue them such faire promises , as at last they betraied captaine wollistone his lieutenant , and foure or fiue of his men aboord vs , and then prouided to take the rest perforce . now my part was to be prisoner in the gun-roome , and not to speake to any of them vpon my life , yet had barra knowledge what i was . then barra perceiuing well those french intents , made ready to fight , and wollistone as resolutely regarded not their threats , which caused vs demurre vpon the matter longer some sixteene houres , and then returned them againe captaine wollistone and all their prisoners , and some victuall also vpon a small composition : but whilest we were bartering thus with them ; a caruill before our faces got vnder the castle of gratiosa , from whence they beat vs with their ordnance . the next wee tooke was a small english man of poole from new found land : the great cabben at this present was my prison , from whence i could see them pillage these poore men of all that they had , and halfe their fish : when hee was gone , they sold his poore clothes at the maine mast by an out-cry , which scarce gaue each man seuen pence a peece . not long after we tooke a scot fraught from saint michaels to bristow , he had better fortune then the other ; for hauing but taken a boats loading of sugar , marmelade , suckets , and such like , we descried foure saile , after whom we stood , who forling their maine sailes attended vs to fight , but our french spirits were content onely to perceiue they were english red crosses . within a very small time after wee chased . spanish ships that came from the indies , we fought with them foure or fiue houres , tore their sailes and sides with many a shot betwixt wind and weather , yet not daring to boord them , lost them , for which all the sailers euer after hated the captaine as a professed coward . a poore caruill of brasile was the next wee chased ; and after a small fight , thirteene or foureteene of her men being wounded , which was the better halfe , we tooke her with three hundred and seuenty chests of sugar , one hundred hides , and thirty thousand rialls of eight . the next was a ship of holland , which had lost her consorts in the streights of magilans , going for the south sea , she was put roomy , she also these french men with faire promises , cunningly betraied to come aboord them to shew their commission , and so made prise of all : the most of the dutch-men we tooke aboord the admirall , and manned her with french-men , that within two or three nights after ran away with her for france , the wounded spaniards we set on shore on the i le of tercera ▪ the rest we kept to saile the caruill . within a day or two after , we met a west-indies man of warre , of one hundred and sixtie tuns , a fore noone wee fought with her , and then tooke her with one thousand one hundred hides , fiftie chests of cutchancle , foureteene coffers of wedges of siluer , eight thousand rialls of eight , and six coffers of the king of spaines treasure , besides the good pillage and rich coffers of many rich passengers . two moneths they kept me in this manner to manage their fights against the spaniards , and bee a prisoner when they tooke any english. now though the captaine had oft broke his promise , which was to put me on shore the iles , or the next ship he tooke ; yet at the last he was contented i should goe in the caruill of sugar for france , himselfe seeming as resolued to keepe the seas , but the next morning we all set saile for france , and that night we were separated from the admirall and the rich prise by a storme . within two daies after wee were hailed by two west-indies men : but when they saw vs waise them for the king of france ▪ they gaue vs their broad sides , shot thorow our maine mast , and so left vs. hauing liued now this summer amongst those french men of warre , with much adoe we arriued at the gulion , not farre from rotchell : where in stead of the great promises they alwaies fed me with , of double satisfaction and full content , and tenne thousand crownes was generally concluded i should haue ; they kept me fiue or six daies prisoner in the caruill , accusing me to be he that burnt their colony in new france , to force me to giue them a discharge before the iudge of the admiraltie , and stand to their courtesies for satisfaction , or lie in prison , or a worse mischiefe : indeed this was in the time of combustion , that the prince of candy was with his army in the field , and euery poore lord , or men in authoritie , as little kings of themselues : for this iniury was done me by them that set out this voyage ( not by the sailers ) for they were cheated of all as well as i , by a few officers aboord , and the owners on shore . but to preuent this choise , in the end of such a storme that beat them all vnder hatches , i watched my opportunitie to get a shore in their boat , whereinto in the darke night i secretly got , and with a halfe pike that lay by me , put a drift for rat ile : but the currant was so strong , and the sea so great , i went a drift to sea , till it pleased god the wind so turned with the tide , that although i was all this fearefull night of gusts and raine in the sea the space of twelue houres , when many ships were driuen ashore , and diuers split : ( and being with skulling and bayling the water tired , i expected each minute would sinke me ) at last i arriued in an o●zy i le by charowne , where certaine fowlers found me neere drowned , and halfe dead , with water , cold , and hunger . my boat i pawned to finde meanes to get to rotchell ; where i vnderstood our man of war & the rich prize , wherein was the cap. called mounsieur poyrune , and the thirtie thousand rialls of eight we tooke in the caruill , was split , the captaine drowned and halfe his company the same night , within six or seuen leagues of that place ; from whence i escaped in the little boat by the mercy of god , far beyond all mens reason or my expectation , arriuing at rotchell : vpon my complaint to the iudge of the admiraltie , i found many good words and faire promises , and ere long many of them that escaped drowning , told me the newes they heard of my owne death : these i arresting , their seuerall examinations did so confirme my complaint , it was held proofe sufficient . all which being performed according to their order of justice , from vnder the iudges hand , i presented it to sir thomas edmonds , then ambassadour at burdeaux , where it was my chance to see the arriuall of the kings great mariage brought from spaine . here it was my good fortune to meet my old friend master crampton , that no lesse grieued at my losse , then willingly to his power did supply my wants , and i must confesse , i was more beholden to the french men that escaped drowning in the man of warre , madam chanoyes at rotchell , and the lawyers of burdeaux , then all the rest of my country-men i met in france . of the wracke of the rich prise , some three thousand six hundred crownes worth of goods came ashore , and was saued with the caruill , which i did my best to arrest : the iudge promised i should haue iustice , what will be the conclusion as yet i know not . but vnder the couler to take pirats and the west-indie men ( because the spaniards will not suffer the french to trade in the west-indies ) any goods from thence , though they take them vpon the coast of spaine are lawfull prize , or from any of his teritories out of the limits of europe : and as they betraied me , though i had the broad-seale , so did they rob and pillage twentie saile of english men more , besides them i knew not of the same yeere . leauing thus my businesse in france i returned to plimoth , to finde them had thus buried me amongst the french ; and not onely buried me , but with so much infamy as such treacherous cowards could suggest to excuse their villanies . the chiefetaines of this mutiny that i could finde , i laid by the heeles , the rest like themselues confessed the truth , as you haue heard . now how i haue or could preuent these accidents , hauing no more meanes , i rest at your censures ; but to proceed to the matter ; yet must i sigh and say , how oft hath fortune in the world ( thinke i ) brought slauery , freedome , and turned all diuersly . newfoundland i haue heard at the first , was held as desperate a fishing as this i proiect for new england , placentia , and the banke nere also as doubtfull to the french : but for all the disasters hapned me , the businesse is the same it was , and the fiue ships went from london , whereof one was reported more then three hundred tunnes , found fish so much , that neither izeland man , nor newfoundland man i could heare of hath bin there , will go any more to either place , if they may go thither . so that vpon the good returne of my vice-admirall , this yeere are gone or sailes , and from london as many , only to make voyages of profit : where from plimoth , as if all the english had bin there till my returne , put all their returnes together , they would scarce make one a sauour of neere a dozen i could nominate , except one sent by sir francis popam ; though there be fish sufficient , as i am perswaded , to fraugh yerely foure or fiue hundred saile , or as many as will goe . for this fishing stretcheth along the sea coast from cape iames to newfoundland , which is seuen or eight hundred miles at the least , and hath his course in the deepes , and by the shore , all the yere long , keeping their hants and feedings , as the beasts of the field , and the birds of the aire . but all men are not such as they should be , that haue vndertaken those voyages : all the romans were not scipiocs , nor carthagenians hanibals , nor all the genw●ses columbusses ▪ nor all the spaniards courteses : had they diued no deeper in the secrets of their discoueries then we , or stopped at such doubts and poore accidentall chances , they had neuer beene remembred as they are , yet had they no such certainties to begin as we . but to conclude , adam and eue did first begin this innocent worke to plant the earth to remaine to posterity , but not without labour , trouble , and industry . noe and his family began againe the second plantation ; and their seed as it still increased , hath still planted new countries , and one countrey another , and so the world to that estate it is : but not without much hazard , trauell , mortalities , discontents , and many disasters . had those worthy fathers , and their memorable off-spring , not beene more diligent for vs now in these ages , then we are to plant that yet are vnplanted for the after liuers . had the seed of abraham , our sauiour christ , and his apostles , exposed themselues to no more dangers to teach the gospell then we , euen wee our selues had at this present beene as saluage , and as miserable as the most barbarous saluage , yet vnciuilized . the hebrewes and lacedemonians , the gothes , the grecians , the romanes , and the rest , what was it they would not vndertake to inlarge their teritories , enrich their subiects , resist their enemies . those that were the founders of those great monarchies and their vertues , were no siluered idle golden pharises , but industrious iron steeled publicans : they regarded more prouisions and necessaries for their people , then iewels , riches , ease , or delight for themselues ; riches were their seruants , not their masters . they ruled ( as fathers , not as titants ) their people as children , not as slaues ; there was no disaster could discourage them ; and let none thinke they incountred not with all manner of incumbrances . and what hath euer beene the worke of the greatest princes of the earth , but planting of countries , and ciuilizing barbarous and inhumane nations to ciuilitie and humanitie , whose eternall actions fills our histories . lastly , the portugals and spaniards , whose euer-liuing actions before our eies will testifie with them our idlenesse , and ingratitude to all posterities , and the neglect of our duties , in our pietie and religion . we owe our god , our king and countrey , and want of charitie to those poore saluages , whose countrey wee challenge , vse and possesse ; except wee be but made to vse , and marre what our fore-fathers made , or but onely tell what they did , or esteeme our selues too good to take the like paines . was it vertue in them to prouide that doth maintaine vs , and basenesse in vs to doe the like for others ? surely no. then seeing we are not borne for our selues , but each to help other , and our abilities are much alike at the houre of our birth , and the minute of our death : seeing our good deeds or our bad by faith in christs merits , is all we haue , to carie our soules to heauen or hell . seeing honor is our liues ambition , and our ambition after death to haue an honorable memory of our life : and seeing by no meanes we would be abated of the dignities and glories of our predecessors , let vs imitate their vertues to be worthily their successors : to conclude with lucretius , its want of reason , or its reasons want which doubts the minde and iudgement , so doth dant , that those beginnings makes men not to grant . iohn smith writ this with his owne hand . here followeth a briefe discourse of the trials of new england , with certaine obseruations of the hollanders vse and gaine by fishing , and the present estate of that happy plantation , begun but by sixtie weake men , in the yeere of our lord . and how to build a fleet of good ships to make a little nauy royall , by the former author . he saith , that it is more then foure and forty yeeres agoe , and it is more then fortie yeeres agoe since he writ it ; that the herring busses out of the low countries vnder the king of spaine , were fiue hundred , besides one hundred french men , and three or foure hundred saile of flemings . the coast of wales and lancashire was vsed by saile of strangers . ireland at beltamore , fraughted yeerely three hundred saile of spaniards , where king edward the sixt intended to haue made a strong castle , because of the straight to haue tribute for fishing . black rocke was yerely fished by three or foure hundred saile of spaniards , portugals , and biskiners . the hollanders raise yeerely by herring , cod , and ling , thirty thousand pounds : english and french , by salt-fish , poore-iohn , salmons , and pilchards , three hundred thousand pounds : hambrough and the sound , for sturgion , lobsters and eeles , one hundred thousand pounds : cape blanke for tunny and mullit , by the biskiners and spaniards , thirty thousand pounds . that the duke of medina receiueth yeerely tribute of the fishers , for tunny , mallit , and porgos , more then ten thousand pounds . lubecke hath seuen hundred ships ; hambrough six hundred ; emden lately a fisher towne , one thousand foure hundred , whose customes by fishing hath made them so powerfull as they be . holland and zeland not much greater then yorkeshire , hath thirty walled townes , foure hundred villages , and twenty thousand saile of ships and hoies ; three thousand six hundred are fisher-men , whereof one hundred are doggers , seuen hundred pinkes and well-boats , seuen hundred fraud-boats , britters , and tode-boats , with thirteene hundred busses , besides three hundred that yeerely fish about yarmouth , where they sell their fish for gold : and fifteene yeeres agoe they had more then an hundred and sixteene thousand sea-faring-men . these fishing ships doe take yeerely two hundred thousand last of fish , twelue barrels to a last , which amounts to . pounds by the fisher mens price , that . yeeres agoe did pay for their tenths three hundred thousand pound , which venting in pumerland , sprustia , denmarke , lefeland , russia , swethland , germany , netherlands , england , or else where , &c. makes their returnes in a yeere about threescore and ten hundred thousand pounds , which is seuen millions ; and yet in holland there is neither matter to build ships nor merchandize to set them forth , yet by their industry they as much increase as other nations decay ; but leauing these vncertainties as they are , of this i am certaine . that the coast of england , scotland and ireland , the north sea with island and the sound , newfound-land and cape blanke , doe serue all europe , as well the land townes as ports , and all the christian shipping , with these sorts of staple fish , which is transported from whence it is taken many a thousand mile , viz. herring , salt fish , poore-iohn , sturgion , mullit , tunny , porgos , cauiare , buttargo . now seeing all these sorts of fish , or the most part of them may be had in a land more fertill , temperate and plentifull of all necessaries , for the building of ships , boats and houses , and the nourishment of man , the seasons are so proper , and the fishings so neere the habitations we may there make , that new-england hath much aduantage of the most of those parts , to serue all europe farre cheaper then they can , who at home haue neither wood , salt , nor food , but at great rates , at sea nothing but what they carry in their ships , an hundred or two hundred leagues from the habitation . but new-englands fishings is neere land , where is helpe of wood , water , fruits , fowles , corne or other refreshings needfull , and the terceras , mederas , canaries , spaine , portugall , prouaues , sauoy , sicillia , and all italy , as conuenient markets for our dry fish , greene fish , sturgion , mullit , cauiare and buttargo , as norway , swethland , l●●tuania or germany for their herring , which is heare also in abundance for taking ; they returning but wood , pitch , tar , sope-ashes , cordage , flax , wax , and such like commodities ; wee wines , oiles , sugars , silkes , and such merchandize as the straits offoord , whereby our profit may equalize theirs , besides the increase of shipping and marriners : and for proofe hereof . in the yeere of our lord . you haue read how i went from london : also the next yeere . how foure good ships went from london , and i with two more from plimoth , with all our accidents , successes and returnes : in the yeere . ere i returned from france , the londoners for all their losse by the turkes , sent foure ships more ; foure more also went from plimoth ; after i returned from france , i was perswaded againe to goe to plimoth with diuers of my friends with one hundred pound for our aduentures besides our charges , but wee found all things as vntoward as before , and all their great promises nothing but aire : yet to prepare the voyage against the next yeere , hauing acquainted a great part of the nobility with it , and ashamed to see the prince his highnesse till i had done some what worthy his princely view ; i spent that summer in visiting the cities and townes of bristoll , exeter , bastable , bodnam , perin , foy , milborow , saltash , dartmouth , absom , tattnesse , and the most of the gentry in cornewall and deuonshire , giuing them bookes and maps , shewing how in six moneths the most of those ships had made their voyages , and some in lesse , and with what good successe ; by which incitation they seemed so well contented , as they promised twenty saile of ships should goe with mee next yeere , and in regard of my paines , charge , and former losses , the westerne commissioners in behalfe of themselues and the rest of the company , and them hereafter that should be ioyned to them , contracted with me by articles indented vnder our hands , to be admirall of that country during my life , and in the renewing of their letters-patents so to be nominated . halfe the fruits of our endeuours to be theirs , the rest our owne ; being thus ingaged , now the businesse is made plaine and likely to prosper , some of them would not onely forget me and their promises , but also obscure me , as if i had neuer beene acquainted in the businesse , but i am not the first they haue deceiued . there was foure good ships prepared at plimoth , but by reason of their disagreement , the season so wasted , as onely two went forward , the one being of two hundred tunnes , returned well fraught to plimoth , and her men in health , within fiue moneths ; the other of fourescore tunnes went for bilbow with drie fish and made a good returne . in this voyage edward rowcroft , alias stallings , a valiant souldier , that had beene with me in virginia , and was with me also when i was betrayed by the french , was sent againe in those ships , and hauing some wrong offered him there by a french man , he tooke him , and as he writ to me , went with him to virginia with fish , to trade with them for such commodities as they might spare : he had not past ten or twelue men , and knew both those countries well , yet he promised me the next spring to meet me in new-england , but the ship and he both perished in virginia . this yeere againe , diuers ships intending to goe from plimoth , so disagreed , there went but one of two hundred tunnes , who stayed in the country about six weeks , which with eight and thirty men and boies had her fraught , which she sold at the first penny for . besides the furres : so that euery poore sailer that had but a single share had his charges and sixteene pound ten shillings for his seuen moneths worke . master thomas di●m-ire an vnderstanding and industrious gentleman , that was also with m● amongst the french men , hauing liued about a yeere in newfoundland , returning to plimoth , went for new-england in this ship , so much approued of this country , that he staied there with fiue or six men in a little boat , finding two or three french men amongst the saluages who had lost their ship , augmented his company , with whom he ranged the coast to virginia , where he was kindly welcommed and well refreshed , thence returned to new-england againe , where hauing beene a yeere , in his backe returne to virginia he was so wounded by the saluages , he died vpon it ; let not men attribute these their great aduentures , and vntimely deaths to vnfortunatenesse , but rather wonder how god did so long preserue them with so small meanes to doe so much , leauing the fruits of their labours to be an incouragement to those our poore vndertakings , and as warnings for vs not to vndertake such great workes with such small meanes , and this for aduantage as they writ vnto me , that god had laid this country open for vs , and slaine the most part of the inhabitants by ciuill warres and a mortall disease , for where i had seene one hundred or two hundred saluages , there is scarce ten to be found , and yet not any one of them touched with any sicknesse but one poore french man that died ; they say this plague vpon them thus sore fell , it was because they pleas'd not tantum well . from the west country to make triall this yeere onely to fish , is gone six or seuen saile , three of which i am certainly informed made so good a voyage , that euery sailer that had a single share had twenty pound for his seuen moneths work , which is more then in twenty moneths he should haue gotten , had he gone for wages any where . now although these former ships haue not made such good voiages as they expected , by sending opinionated vnskilfull men , that had not experienced diligence to saue that they tooke , nor take that there was , which now patience and practice hath brought to a reasonable kinde of perfection ; in despight of all detractors and calumniations the country yet hath satisfied all , the defect hath beene in their vsing or abusing it , not in it selfe nor me : but , adue desert , for fortune makes prouision for knaues and fooles , and men of base condition . now all these proofes and this relation i now called new-englands triall . i caused two or three thousand of them to be printed , one thousand with a great many maps both of virginia and new-england . i presented to thirty of the chiefe companies in london at their halls , desiring either generally or particularly ( them that would ) to imbrace it , and by the vse of a stocke of fiue thousand pound , to ease them of the superfluity of the most of their companies that had but strength and health to labour ; neere a yeere i spent to vnderstand their resolutions , which was to me a greater toile and torment , then to haue beene in new-england about my businesse but with bread and water , and what i could get there by my labour ; but inconclusion , seeing nothing would be effected , i was contented as well with this losse of time and charge as all the rest . a plantation in new-england . vpon these inducements some few well disposed gentlemen , and merchants of london and other places , prouided two ships , the one or a hundred and threescore tunnes ▪ the other of threescore and ten , they left the coast of england the two and thirtieth of august , with about a hunred and twenty persons , but the next day the lesser ship sprung a leake , that forced their returne to plimoth , where discharging her and twenty passengers ; with the greater ship and one hundred passengers besides sailers , they set saile againe the sixt of september , and the ninth of nouember fell with cape iames , but being pestred nine weekes in this leaking vnwholsome ship , lying wet in their cabins , most of them grew very weake and weary of the sea ; then for want of experience , ranging two and againe six weekes before they found a place they liked to dwell on , forced to lie on the bare ground without couerture , forty of them died , and threescore were left in very weake estate at the ships comming away , about the fifth of aprill following , and arriued in england the sixth of may. though the harbour be good , the shore is so shallow , they were forced to wade a great way vp to the knees in water , & vsed that that did them much hurt ; & little fish they found but whailes , and a great kinde of muftell so fat , that few did eat of them that were not sicke : these miseries occasioned some discord , and gaue some appearance of faction , but all was so reconciled , that they vnited themselues by common consent vnder their hands , to a kinde of combination of a body politike , by vertue whereof to inact and constitute lawes and ordinances , and officers from time to time , as should bee thought most conuenient for their generall good . sixteene or seuenteene daies they could doe little for want of their shallop which was amending , yet captaine miles standish , vnto whom was ioyned in councell , william bradfor , stephen hopkins and edward tilly , went well armed a shore , and by that time they had gone a mile , met fiue or six indians that fled into the woods : we traced them by the footing eight or ten miles , then the night approaching we made a fire , by which we lay that night , and the next morning followed the saluages by their tract , thinking to finde their habitations , but by the way we found a deere amongst many faire springs of water , where we refreshed our selues ; then we went a shore and made a fire , that they at the ship might perceiue where we were , and so marched to a place where we supposed was a riuer ; by the way we saw many vines , saxefras , haunts of deere & fowle , and some fi●ty acres of plaine ground had beene planted by the indians , where were some of their graues ; from thence we followed a path that brought vs through three or foure fields had beene planted that yeere ; in one graue we digged , wee found a basket or two of indian corne , so much as we could carry we tooke with vs , the rest we buried as we found it , and so proceeded to the place we intended , but we found it not such a harbour as we expected ; and so we returned , till the night caused vs take vp our lodging vnder a tree , where it rained six or seuen houres : the next morning as we wandred , we passed by a tree , where a young sprig was bowed downe ouer a bough , and some acornes strewed vnder it , which was one of their gins to a catch a deere , and as we were looking at it , bradford was suddenly caught by the leg in a noosed rope , made as artificially as ours ; as we passed we see a lease of bucks , sprung some partriges , and great flocks of wilde geese and ducks , and so we returned well wearied to our ship . master iones our master with foure and thirty men , also went vp and downe in the frost and snow , two or three daies in the extremity of the cold , but could finde no harbour ; only among the old graues we got some ten bushels of corne , some beanes , and a bottle of oile ; and had we not thus haply found it , we had had no corne for seede , so that place we euer called corne-hill ; the next day master iones with the corne and our weakest men returned to the ship , but eighteene of vs quartered there that night , and in the morning following the paths , wee found in the snow in a field a greater hill or graue then the rest , diging it wee found first a mat , vnder that a boord three quarters long , painted and carued with three tyns at the top like a croner , betweene the mats also were bowles , traies and dishes and such trash , at length we found a faire new mat , and vnder that two bundles , the one biggar the other lesse ; in the greater wee found a great quantity of fine red powder like a kinde of imbalmement , and yeelded a strong but no offensiue smell , with the bones and skull of a man that had fine yellow hare still on it , and some of the flesh vnconsumed , a knife , a pack-needle , and two or three old iron things was bound vp in a sailers canuase cassocke , also a paire of cloth breeches ; in the lesse bundle we found likewise of the same powder , and the bones and head of a little childe ; about the legs and other parts of it was bound strings and braslets of white beades , there was also a little bow , and some other odde knacks , the prettiest we tooke , and couered againe the corps as they were : not farre from thence were two of their houses , where were a great deale of their miserable houshold stuffe , which we left as wee found , and so returned to our boat , and lay aboord that night . many arguments we had to make here our plantation or not ; in the intrim , mistris white was brought to bed of a young sonne , which was called perigrine : and a sailer shooting at a whale , his peece flew in peeces stocke and all , yet he had no hurt . a foolish boy discharging his fathers peece hard by halfe a barrell of powder , and many people by it , it pleased god it escaped firing , so that no hurt was done . but to make a more certaine discouery where to seat our selues , captaine standish , master caruer , william branford , edward winsloe , iohn tilly , edward tilly , with diuers others to the number of seuenteene , vpon the sixt of december set saile , and hauing sailed six or seuen leagues , we espied eight or ten saluages about a dead grampus : still following the shore we found two or three more cast vp by the ill weather , many we see in the water , therefore we called it grampus bay : ships may ride well in it , but all the shore is very shallow slats of sand ; at last seuen or eight of vs went a shore , many fields we saw where the saluages had inhabited , and a buriall place incompassed with a palizado , so we returned to our shallop , in the night we heard a hideous cry and howling of wolues and foxes ; in the morning as we were ready to goe into our shallop , one of our men being in the woods , came running crying , indians , indians , and with all their arrowes flying amongst vs , some of our men being in the boat , and their armes a shore , so well it chanced , captaine standish with two or three more discharged their peeces till the rest were ready , one saluage more stout then the rest kept vnder a tree , till he had shot three or foure arrowes , and endured three or foure musket shot , but at last they all fled , this was about breake of day in the morning when they saw vs , and we not them . hauing the wind faire , we sailed along the coast . or . leagues , thinking to haue got to a harbour where one of our company had beene , within . leagues of cape cod ▪ for neither cricke nor harbour in this bay we could finde ; and the wind so increased , our rudder broke , and our mast flew ouer-boord , that we were in danger to be cast away , but at last it pleased god we were in a harbor we knew not , thinking it one we were acquainted with , this we found to be an i le where we rid that night , and hauing well viewed the land about it , and founded the bay to be a good harbour for our ship , compassed with good land , and in it two faire iles , where there is in their seasons innumerable store of all sorts of fish and fowle , good water , much plaine land , which hath beene planted ; with this newes we returned to our ship , and with the next faire wind brought her thither , being but within the sight of cape cod ; in the meane time goodwife alderton was deliuered of a sonne , but dead borne . vpon the . of december , so many as could went to worke vpon the hill , where we purposed to build our platforme for our ordnance , which doth command all the plaine and the bay , and from whence wee may see far into the sea , and be easily impailed , so in the afternoone we went to measure out the grounds , and diuided our company into families , alotting to euery person halfe a poule in bredth and three in length , and so we cast lots where euery man should lie , which we staked out , thinking this proportion enough at the first to impale for lodgings and gardens . francis billington from the top of a tree seeing a great water some three miles from vs in the land , went with the masters mate , and found it two great lakes of fresh water , the bigger fiue or six miles in circuit , and an i le in it of a cables length square ; the other three miles in compasse , full of fish and fowle , and two brooks issuing from it , which will be an excellent helpe in time for vs , where they saw seuen or eight indian houses , but no people . foure being sent a mile or two from our plantation , two of them stragling into the woods was left , for comming to a lake of water they found a great deere , hauing a mastiue bitch and a spanell with them , they followed so farre they could not finde the way backe , that afternoone it rained , and did freeze and snow at night ; their apparell was very thin , and had no weapons but two sickles , nor any victuals , nor could they finde any of the saluages habitations ; when the night came they were much perplexed that they had no other bed then the earth , nor couerture then the skies , but that they heard , as they thought , two lions roaring a long time together very nigh them , so not knowing what to doe , they resolued to climbe vp into a tree , though that would be an intollerable cold lodging , expecting their cōming they stood at the trees root , and the bitch they held fast by the necke , for shee would haue beene gone to the lions or what they were , that as it chanced came not nigh them , so they watched the tree that extreme cold night , and in the morning trauelling againe , passing by many lakes , brooks and woods , and in one place where the saluages had burnt . or . miles in length , which is a fine champion country , in the afternoone they discouered the two iles in their bay , and so that night neere famished they got to their plantation , from whence they had sent out men euery way to seeke them ; that night the house they had built and thatched , where lay their armes , bedding , powder , &c. tooke fire and was burnt , the coast is so shoule , the ship rides more then a mile from the fort , but god be thanked no man was hurt though much was burnt . all this time we could not haue conference with a saluage , though we had many times seene them and had many alarums , so that we drew a councell , and appointed captaine standish to haue the command of all martiall actions , but euen in the time of consultation the saluages gaue an alarum : the next day also as wee were agreeing vpon his orders , came a tall saluage boldly amongst vs , not fearing any thing , and kindly bad vs welcome in english ; he was a sagamo , towards the north , where the ships vse to fish , and did know the names of most of the masters that vsed thither : such victuall as we had we gaue him , being the first saluage we yet could speake with , he told vs this place where we were was called patuxet , and that all the people three or foure yeeres agoe there died on the plague : in a day or two we could not be rid of him , then he returned to the massasoyts from whence he came , where is some sixty people , but the nawsits are . strong , which were they encountred our people at the first . two daies after this samoset , for so was his name , came againe , and brought fiue or six of the massasoyts with him , with certaine skinnes , and certaine tooles they had got that we had left in the woods at their alarums : much frie●-dship they promised , and so departed , but samoset would not leaue vs , but fained himselfe sicke , yet at last he went to entreat the saluages come againe to confirme a peace : now the third time , as we were consulting of our marshall orders , two saluages a●peared , but when we went to them they vanished : not long after came samo●et , & squanto , a natiue of patuxet where we dwell , and one of them carried into spaine by hunt , thence brought into england , where a good time he liued ; and now here signified vnto vs , their great sachem of massasoyt , with quadaquina his brother , and all their men , was there by to see vs : not willing to send our gouernour , we sent edward wollisto with presents to them both , to know their minds , making him to vnderstand by his interpreters how king iames did salute him and was his friend ; after a little conference with twenty of his men , he came ouer the brooke to our plantation , where we set him vpon a rug , and then brought our gouernour to him with drums and trumpets ; where after some circumstances , for they vse few complements , we treated of peace with them to this effect . that neither he nor any of his should iniury or doe hurt to any of vs ; if they did , he should send vs the offender , that we might punish him , and wee would doe the like to him : if any did vniustly warre against him , we would aid him , as he should vs against our enemies , and to send to his neighbour confederats to certifie them of this , that they might likewise be comprised in these conditions , that when any of them came to vs , they should leaue their bow and arrowes behinde them , as we would our peeces when we came to them , all which the king seemed to like well of , and was applauded of his followers , in his person hee is a very lusty man , in his best yeeres , an able body , graue of countenance , and spare of speech : in his attire little differing from the rest ; after all was done , the gouernour conducted him to the brooke , but kept our hostage till our messengers returned : in like manner we vsed quaddaquina , so all departed good friends . two of his people would haue staied with vs , but wee would not permit them , onely sam●set and squanto wee entertained kindly ; as yet wee haue found they intend to keepe promise , for they haue not hurt our men they haue found stragling in the woods , and are afraid of their powerfull aduersaries the narrobiggansets , against whom hee hopes to make vse of our helpe . the next day squanto went a fishing for eeles , and in an houre he did tread as many out of the ose with his feet as he could lift with his hand , not hauing any other instrument . but that we might know their habitations so well as they ours , stephen hopkins and edward winslo had squa●tum for their guide and interpreter ; to packanoki , the habitation of the king of massasoyt , with a red horsemans coat for a present , to entreat him by reason we had not victuall to entertaine them as we would , he would defend his people so much from visiting vs ; and if hee did send , he should alwaies send with the messenger a copper chaine they gaue him , that they might know he came from him , and also giue them some of his corne for seede : that night they lodged at namasoet , some fifteene miles off : by the way we found ten or twelue women and children that still would pester vs till we were weary of them , perceiuing it is the manner of them , where victuall is to bee gotten with most ease , there they will liue ; but on that riuer of namasch●t haue beene many habitations of the saluages that are dead , and the land lies waste , and the riuer abounding with great plenty of fish , and hath beene much frequented by the french. the next day trauelling with six or seuen indians , where we were to wade ouer the riuer , did dwell onely two old men of that nation then liuing , that thinking vs enemies , sought the best aduantage they could to fight with vs , with a wonderfull shew of courage , but when they knew vs their friends they kindly welcommed vs ; after we came to a towne of the massasoits , but at pakanoki the king was not : towards night he arriued and was very proud , both of our message and presents , making a great oration to all his people , was not he massasint , commander of the country about him , was not such a towne his , and the people of it , and . townes more he named was his ? and should they not bring their skins to vs ? to which they answered , they were his and they would ; victual they had none , nor any lodging , but a poore planke or two , a foot high from the ground , wheron his wife and he lay at the one end , we at the other , but a thin mat vpon them , two more of his chiefe men pressed by and vpon vs , so that we were worse weary of our lodging then of our iourney . although there is such plenty of fish and fowle and wild beasts , yet are they so lasie they will not take paines to catch it till meere hunger constraine them , for in two or three daies we had scarce a meales meat , whereby we were so faint , we were glad to be at home : besides what for the fleas , and their howling and singing in the night in their houses , and the musketas without doores , our heads were as light for want of sleepe , as our bellies empty for want of meat . the next voiage we made was in a shallop with ten men to nawsit , sixteene miles from vs , to fetch a boy was lost in the woods we heard was there , whom aspinet their king had bedecked like a saluage , but very kindly he brought him to vs , and so returned well to patuyet . immediatly after the arriuall of the last ship , they sent another of fiue and fifty tuns to supply them ; with seuen and thirty persons they set saile in the beginning of iuly , but being crossed by westernly winds , it was the end of august ere they could passe plimoth , and arriued in new-england at new-plimoth , now so called the . of nouember , where they found all the people they left so ill , lusty and well for all their pouerties , except six that died : a moneth they stayed ere they returned to england , loaded with clap-boord , wainscot and wallnut , with about three hogs-heads of beuer skinnes the . of december : and drawing neere our coast was set on by a french man set out by the marquesse of cera , gouernour of ile deu , where they kept the ship , imprisoned the master and company , tooke from them to the value of ▪ pound , and after . daies sent them home with a poore supply of victuall , their owne being deuoured by the marquesse and his hungry seruants . now you are to vnderstand this . brought nothing , but relied wholly on vs to make vs more miserable then before , which the sachem couanacus no sooner vnderstood , but sent to tusquantum our interpreter , a bundle of new arrowes in a snakes skinne ; tusquantum being absent , the messenger departed , but when we vnderstood it was a direct challenge , we returned the skin full of powder and shot , with an absolute defiance , which caused vs finish our fortification with all expedition . now betwixt our two saluages , tusquantum and hobbamock , gre●● such great emulation , we had much adoe to know which best to trust . in a iourney we vndertooke , in our way we met a saluage of tusquantums , that had cut his face fresh bleeding , to assure vs massasoyt our supposed friend , had drawne his forces to packanokick to assault vs. hobomak as confidently assured vs it was false , and sent his wife as an espy to see ; but when she perceiued all was well , shee told the king massasoyt how tusquantum had abused him , diuers saluages also hee had caused to beleeue we would destroy them , but he would doe his best to appease vs ; this he did onely to make his country-men beleeue what great power hee had with vs to get bribes on both sides , to make peace or warre when he would , and the more to possesse them with feare , he perswaded many we had buried the plague in our store house , which wee could send when we listed whither wee would , but at last all his knauery being discouered , massasowat sent his knife with messengers for his head or him , being his subiect ; with much adoe we appeased the angry king and the rest of the saluages , and freely forgaue tusquantum , because he speaking our language we could not well be without him . a iourney to the towne of namaschet , in defence of the king of massasoyt , against the narrohigganses , and the supposed death of squantum . a great difference there was betwixt the narrohigganses and the massasoytes , that had alwaies a iealousie ; coubatant one of their petty sachems was too conuersant with the narrohigganses , this coubatant liued much at namas●het and much stormed at our peace with his king and others ; also at squantum , and tokamahamon , and hobomak our friends , and chiefe occasioners of our peace , for which he sought to muther hobomak ; yet tokamahamon went to him vpon a rumour he had taken masasoyt prisoner , or forced him from his country , but the other two would not , but in priuat to see if they could heare what was become of their king ; lodging at namaschet they were discouered to coubatant , who surprized the house and tooke squantum , saying , if hee were dead the english had lost their tongue ; hobomak seeing that , and coubatant held a knife at his brest , being a strong lusty fellow , brake from them and came to new-plimoth , full of sorrow for squantum , whom he thought was slaine . the next day we sent ten men with him armed to be reuenged of coubatant , who conducted vs neere namaschet , where we rested and refreshed our selues til midnight , and then we beset the house as we had resolued ; those that entred the house demanded for coubatant , but the saluages were halfe dead with feare , we charged them not to stirre , for we came to hurt none but coubatant , for killing squantum , some of them seeking to escape was wounded , but at last perceiuing our ends , they told vs coubatant was gone and all his men , and squantum was yet liuing , & in the towne ; in this hurly burly we discharged two peeces at randome , which much terrified all the inhabitants except squantum and tokamahamon , who though they knew not the end of our cōming , yet assured themselues of our honesties , that we would not hurt them ; the women and children hung about hobomak ▪ calling him friend , and when they saw we would hurt no women , the young youths cryed we are women ; to be short , we kept them all , and whilest we were searching the house for coubatant , hobomak had got to the top , and called squantum & tokamahamon , which came vnto vs accompanied with others , some armed , others naked , those that had bowes we tooke them from them , promising them againe when it was day : the house wee tooke for our quarter that night and discharged the prisoners , and the next morning went to breakfast to squantums house ; thither came all them that loued vs to welcome vs , but all coubatants faction was fled , then we made them plainly know the cause of our comming , & if their king massasoyt were not well , we would be reuenged vpon the narrohiggansets , or any that should doe iniury to hobomak , squantum , or ●ny of their friends ; as for those were wounded we were sorry for it , and offered out surgion should heale them , of this offer a man and a woman accepted , that went home with vs , accompanied with squantum , and many other knowne friends , that offered vs all the kindnesse they could . from the west of england there is gone ten or twelue ships to fish , which were all well fraughted : those that came first at bilbow , made seuenteene pound a single share , besides beuers , otters , and martins skinnes ; but some of the rest that came to the same ports , that were all ready furnished , so glutted the market , that the price was abated , yet all returned so well contented , that they are a preparing to goe againe . there is gone from the west countrey onely to fish , fiue and thirtie ships , and about the last of aprill two more from london ; the one of one hundred tunnes , the other of thirtie , with some sixtie passengers to supply the plantation . now though the turke and french hath beene somewhat too busie in taking our ships , would all the christian princes be truly at vnitie , as his royall maiestie our soueraigne king iames desireth , seuentie saile of good ships were sufficient to fire the most of his coasts in the leuant , and make such a guard in the straights of hellespont , as would make the great turke himselfe more affraid in constantinople , then the smallest red-crosse that crosses the seas would be , either of any french pickaroun , or the pirats of algere . an abstract of diuers relations sent from the colony in new england , iuly . . since the massacre in virginia , though the indians continue their wonted friendship , yet wee are more wary of them then before ; for their hands hath beene imbrued in much english bloud , onely by too much confidence , but not by force , and we haue had small supplies of any thing but men . here i must intreat a little your fauours to digresse , they did not kill the english in virginia , because they were christians : but for their weapons and copper , which were rare nouelties ; but now they feare we may beat them out of their dens , which lions and tigers will not admit but by force . but must this be an argument for an english man , and discourage any in virginia or new england : no , for i haue tried them both , as you may reade at large in the historie of virginia ; notwithstanding since i came from thence , the honourable company hath beene humble suiters to his maiestie , to get vagabonds and condemned men to goe thither ; nay , so the businesse hath beene so abused , that so much scorned was the name of virginia , some did chuse to be hanged ere they would goe thither , and were : yet for all the worst of spight , detraction , and discouragement , and this iamentable massacre , there is more honest men now suiters to goe , then euer hath beene constrained knaues . and it is not vnknowne to most men of vnderstanding , how happy many of those collumners hath thought themselues that they might be admitted ; and yet pay for their passage to goe now to virginia , and i feare mee there goeth too many of those , that hath shifted heere till they could no longer ; and they will vse that qualitie there till they hazard all . to range this countrey of new england in like manner , i had but eight , as is said , and amongst their bruit conditions , i met many of their silly encounters , and i giue god thankes , without any hurt at all to me , or any with mee . when your west-countrey men were so wounded and tormented with the saluages , though they had all the politicke directions that had beene gathered from all the secret informations could be heard of , yet they found little , and returned with nothing . i speak not this out of vaine-glory , as it may be some gleaners , or some who were neuer there may censure me ; but to let all men be assured by those examples , what those saluages are , that thus strangely doe murder and betray our country-men : but to the purpose ; the paragon with thirtie seuen men sent to releeue them , miscaried twice vpon our english coast , whereby they failed of their supplies . it is true , there hath beene taken one thousand bases at a draught ; and in one night twelue hogsheads of herrings : but when they wanted all necessaries both for fishing and sustinance , but what they could get with their naked industry , they indured most extreme wants , hauing beene now neere two yeeres without any supply to any purpose , it is a wonder how they should subsist , much lesse so to resist the saluages , fortifie themselues , plant sixtie acres of corne , besides their gardens that were well replenished with many vsuall fruits . but in the beginning of iuly came in two ships of master westons , though we much wanted our selues , yet we releeued them what we could : and to requite vs , they destroied our corne and fruits then planted , and did what they could to haue done the like to vs. at last they were transported to wichaguscusset at the massachusets , where they abused the saluages worse then vs. we hauing neither trade , nor scarce any thing remaining , god sent in one master iones , and a ship of westons had beene at monahigan amongst the fisher-men , that for beuer skinnes and such merchandize as wee had , very well refreshed vs , though at deere rates . weston left also his men a small barke , and much good prouision , and so set saile for england . then wee ioyned with them to trade to the southward of cape cod , twice or thrice wee were forced to returne ; first by the death of their gouernor ; then the sicknesse of captaine standish . at last our gouernor master bradford vndertooke it himselfe to haue found the passage betwixt the shoules and the maine , then tusquantum our pilot died , so that we returned to the massachusets , where we found the trade spoiled , and nothing but complaints betwixt the saluages and the english. at nawset we were kindly vsed and had good trade , though we lost our barge , the saluages carefully kept both her wracke , and some ten hosheads of corne three moneths , and so we returned some by land , some in the ship . captaine standish being recouered , went to fetch them both , and traded at namasket and monomete , where the people had the plague , a place much frequented with dutch and french. here the sachem put a man to death for killing his fellow at play , wherein they are so violent , they will play their coats from their backs , and also their wiues , though many miles from them . but our prouision decaying , standish is sent to mattachist , where they pretended their wonted loue ; yet it plainly appeared they intended to kill him . escaping thence , wee went to monomete , where we found nothing but bad countenances . heare one wittuwamat a notable villaine , would boast how many french and english hee had slaine : this champion presenting a dagger to the sachem canacum he had got from the english , occasioned vs to vnderstand how they had contriued to murder all the english in the land , but hauing such a faire opportunitie , they would begin heere with vs. their scornfull vsage made the captaine so passionate to appease his anger and choler , their intent made many faire excuses for satisfaction : scar a lusty saluage , alwaies seeming the most to effect vs , bestowed on vs the best presents he had without any recompence , saying ; hee was rich enough to bestow such fauours on his friends , yet had vndertaken to kill the captaine himselfe , but our vigilencies so preuented the aduantage they expected , we safely returned , little suspecting in him any such treachery . during this time a dutch ship was driuen a shore at massasowat , whose king lay very sicke , now because it is a generall custome then for all their friends to visit them : master winslow , and master hamden , with habamok for their guide , were sent with such cordialls as they had to salute him ; by the way they so oft heard the king was dead , habamok would breake forth in those words , my louing sachem , my louing sachem , many haue i knowne , but neuer any like thee , nor shall euer see the like amongst the saluages ; for he was no lier , nor bloudy and cruell like other indians , in anger soone reclaimed , he would be ruled by reason , not scorning the aduice of meane men , and gouerned his men better with a few strokes , then others with many : truly louing where he loued , yea he feared wee had not a faithfull friend left amongst all his countrey-men , shewing how oft he had restrained their malice , much more with much passion he spoke to this purpose , till at last we arriued where we found the dutchmen but newly gone , and the house so full we could hardly get in . by their charmes they distempered vs that were well , much more him that was sicke , women rubbing him to keepe heat in him ; but their charmes ended , vnderstanding of vs , though he had lost his sight , his vnderstanding failed not ; but taking winslow by the hand , said , art thou winslow , oh winslow , i shall neuer see thee againe ! hobamock telling him what restauratiues they had brought , he desired to taste them , with much adoe they got a little confexion of many comfortable conserues into his mouth , as it desolued he swallowed it , then desoluing more of it in water , they scraped his tongue , which was al furred & swolne , and washed his mouth , and then gaue him more of it to eat , and in his drinke , that wrought such an alteration in him in two or three houres , his eies opened to our great contents ; with this and such brothes as they there prouided for him , it pleased god he recouered : and thus the manner of his sicknesse and cure caused no small admiration amongst them . during the time of their stay to see his recouery , they had sent to new plimoth for diuers good things for him , which he tooke so kindly , that he fully reuealed all the former conspiracies against vs , to which he had oft beene moued ; and how that all the people of powmet , nawset , succonet , mattachist , manamet , augawam , and capawac , were ioyned to murder vs ; therefore as we respected our liues , kill them of massachuset that were the authors ; for take away the principals and the plot wil cease , thus taking our leaues , & arriuing at our fort , we found our braue liberall friend of pamet drawing standish to their ambuscados , which being thus discouered , we sent him away , as though he knew not suspected any thing . them at the massachusets , some were so vilde they serued the saluages for victuall , the rest sent vs word the saluages were so insolent , they would assault them though against their commission , so fearefull they were to breake their commission , so much time was spent in consultations , they all were famished , till wassapinewat againe came and told them the day of their execution was at hand . then they appointed standish with eight chosen men , vnder colour of trade to catch them in their owne trap at massachuset , & acquaint it with the english in the towne , where arriuing he found none in the barke , and most of the rest without armes , or scarce clothes , wandering abroad , all so sencelesly secure , he more then wondered they were not all slaine , with much adoe he got the most of them to their towne . the saluages suspecting their plots discouered , pecksnot a great man , and of as great a spirit , came to habamak , who was then amongst them , saying ; tell standish we know he is come to kill vs , but let him begin when he dare . not long after many would come to the fort and whet their kniues before him , with many brauing speeches . one amongst the rest was by wittawamat bragging he had a knife , that on the handle had the picture of a womans face , but at home i haue one hath killed both french & english , and that hath a mans face on it , and by and by these two must marrie : but this here , by and by shall see , and by and by eat , but not speake ; also pecksnot being of a greater stature then the captaine , told him , though he were a great captaine he was but a little man , and i though no sachem , yet i am of great strength and courage . these things standish bare patiently for the present ; but the next day seeing he could not get many of them together , but these two roarers , and two more being in a conuenient roome , and his company about him , standish feased on pecksnots knife then hanging about his necke , wherewith he slew him , and the rest slew wittuwamat and the other saluage , but the youth they tooke , who being brother to wittuwamat , and as villanous as himselfe , was hanged . it is incredible how many wounds they indured , catching at their weapons without any feare or bruit , till the last gasp . habamack stood by all this time very silent , but all ended , he said , yesterday pecksnot bragged of his strength and stature , but i see you are big enough to lay him on the ground . the towne he left to the guard of westons people : three saluages more were slaine ; vpon which rumour they all fled from their houses . the next day they met with a file of saluages that let fly their arrowes , shot for shot till hobamack shewed himselfe , and then they fled . for all this , a saluage boy to shew his innocency , came boldly vnto vs and told vs : had the english fugitiues but finished the three canowes they were a making , to haue taken the ship , they would haue done as much to all the english , which was onely the cause they had forborne so long . but now consulting and considering their estates , those that went in the pinnace to barty iles to get passage for england , the rest to new plimoth , where they were kindly entertained . the sachem obtak●est , & powas , and diuers other were guilty , the three fugitiues in their fury there slew ; but not long after so distracted were those poore scattered people , they left their habitations , liuing in swamps , where wi●h cold and infinite diseases they endured much mortalitie , suing for peace , and crying the god of england is angry with them . thus you see where god pleases , as some flourish , others perish . now on all hands they prepare their ground , and about the middest of aprill , in a faire season they begin to plant till the latter end of may ; but to god pleased , that in six weekes after the latter setting there scarce fell any raine ; so that the stalke was first set , began to care ere it came to halfe growth , and the last not like to yeeld any thing at all . our beanes also seemed so withered , we iudged all vtterly dead , that now all our hopes were ouerthrowne , and our ioy turned into mourning . and more to our sorrow , we heard of the twice returne of the paragon ▪ that now the third time was sent vs three moneths agoe , but no newes of her : onely the signes of a wracke we saw on the coast which wee iudged her . this caused not euery of vs to enter into a priuate consideration betwixt god and our consciences , but most solemnly to humble our selues before the lord by fasting and praying , to releeue our deiected spirits by the comforts of his mercy . in the morning when wee assembled all together , the skies were as cleere , and the drought as like to continue as euer ; yet our exercise continued eight or nine houres . before our departure , the skies were all ouer-cast , and on the next morning distilled such soft , sweet , moderate showers , continuing foureteene daies , mixed with such seasonable weather , as it was hard to say , whether our withered corne , or drooping affections were most quickned and reuiued ; such was the bounty and mercy of god. of this the indians by the meanes of hobamock tooke notice , who seeing vs vse this exercise in the midst of the weeke , said ; it was but three daies since sunday , and desired to know the reason ; which when hee vnd●rstood , he and all of them admired the goodnesse of god towards vs , shewing the difference betwixt their coniurations and our praiers , and what stormes and dangers they oft receiue thereby . to expresse our thankfulnesse , wee assembled together another day , as before , and either the next morning , or not long after , came in two ships to supply vs , and all their passengers well except one , and he presently recouered . for vs , notwithstanding all these wants , there was not a sicke person amongst vs. the greater ship we returned fraught ; the other wee sent to the southward , to trade vnder the command of captaine altom . so that god be thanked , we desire nothing , but what we will returne commodities to the value . thus all men finde our great god he , that neuer wanted nature , to teach his truth , that onely he of euery thing is author . for this yeere from england is gone about fortie saile of ships , only to fish , and as i am informed , haue made a farre better voyage then euer . now some new great obseruers will haue this an iland , because i haue writ it is the continent : others report , that the people are so bruit , they haue no religion , wherein surely they are deceiued ; for my part , i neuer heard of any nation in the world which had not a religion , deare , bowes and arrowes . they beleeue as doe the virginians , of many diuine powers , yet of one aboue all the rest , as the southerne virginians call their chiefe god kewassa , and that wee now inhabit oke , but both their kings werowance . the masachusets call their great god kiehtan , and their kings there abou ts sachems : the penobscotes their greatest power tantum , and their kings sagomes . those where is this plantation , say ki●htan made all the other gods : also one man and one woman , and of them all mankinde , but how they became so dispersed they know not . they say , at first there was no king but kiehtan that dwelleth farre westerly aboue the heauens , whither all good men goe when they die , and haue plentie of all things . the bad men goe thither also and knocke at the doore , but he bids them goe wander in endlesse want and miserie , for they shall not stay there . they neuer saw kiehtan , but they hold it a great charge and dutie , that one age teach another ; and to him they make feasts , and cry and sing for plentie and victorie , or any thing is good . they haue another power they call hobam●ck , which wee conceiue the deuill , and vpon him they call to cure their wounds and diseases : when they are curable he perswades them he sent them , because they haue displeased him ; but if they be mortall , then he saith , kiehtan sent them , which makes them neuer call on him in their sicknesse . they say this hobamock appeares to them somtimes like a man , a deere , or an eagle , but most commonly like a snake ; not to all , but only to their powahs to cure diseases , and v●deses , which is one of the chiefe next the king , and so bold in the warres , that they thinke no weapon can kill them : and those are such as coniure in virginia , and cause the people to doe what they list . for their gouernment : euery sachem is not a king , but their great sachems haue diuers sachems vnder their protection , paying them tribute , and dare make no warres without his knowledge ; but euery sachem taketh care for the widowes , orphans , the aged and maimed , nor will they take any to first wife , but them in birth equall to themselues , although they haue many inferior wiues and concubins that attend on the principall ; from whom he neuer parteth , but any of the rest when they list , they inherit by succession , and euery one knowes their owne bounds . to his men , hee giueth them land , also bounded , and what deere they kill in that circuit , he hath the sore-part ; but it in the water , onely the skin : but they account none a man , till hee hath done some notable exploit : the men are most imploied in hunting , the women in slauery ; the younger obey the elders : their names are variable ; they haue harlots and honest women : the harlots neuer marrie , or else are widowes . they vse diuorcement , and the king commonly punisheth all offenders himselfe : when a maid is maried , she cutteth her haire , and keepes her head couered till it be growne againe . their arts , games , musicke , attire , burials , and such like , differ very little from the virginians , onely for their chronicles they make holes in the ground , as the others set vp great stones . out of the relations of master edward winslow . now i know the common question is , for all those miseries , where is the wealth they haue got , or the gold or siluer mines ? to such greedy vnworthy minds i say once againe : the sea is better then the richest mine knowne , and of all the fishing ships that went well prouided , there is no complaint of losse nor misery , but rather an admiration of wealth , profit , and health . as for the land were it neuer so good , in two yeeres so few of such small experience liuing without supplies so well , and in health , it was an extraordinary blessing from god. but that with such small meanes they should subsist , and doe so much , to any vnderstanding judgement is a wonder . notwithstanding , the vaine expectation of present gaine in some , ambition in others , that to be great would haue all else slaues , and the carelesnesse in prouiding supplies , hath caused those defailements in all those plantations , and how euer some bad conditions will extoll the actions of any nation but their owne : yet if we may giue credit to the spaniards , portugals , and french writings , they indured as many miseries , and yet not in twenty yeeres effected so much , nay scarce in fortie . thus you may see plainly the yeerely successe from new england by virginia , which hath beene so costly to this kingdome , and so deare to me , which either to see perish , or but bleed ; pardon me though it passionate me beyond the bounds of modesty , to haue beene sufficiently able to fore-see their miseries , and had neither power nor meanes to preuent it . by that acquaintance i haue with them , i call them my children , for they haue beene my wife , my hawks , hounds , my cards , my dice , and in totall , my best content , as indifferent to my heart , as my left hand to my right . and notwithstanding , all those miracles of disasters haue crossed both them and me , yet were there not an englishman remaining , as god be thanked notwithstanding the massacre there are some thousands ; i would yet begin againe with as small meanes as i did at first , not that i haue any secret encouragement ( i protest ) more then lamentable experience ; for all their discoueries i haue yet heard of , are but pigs of my owne sow , nor more strange to me , then to heare one tell me hee hath gone from billingsgate and discouered grauesend , tilbury , quinborow , lee , and margit , which to those did neuer heare of them , though they dwell in england , might bee made some rare secrets and great countries vnknowne , except some few relations of master dirmer . in england , some are held great trauellers that haue seene venice , and rome , madrill , toledo , siuill , algere , prague , or ragonsa , constantinople , or ierusalem , and the piramides of egypt ; that thinke it nothing to goe to summer iles , or virginia , which is as far as any of them ; and i hope in time will proue a more profitable and more laudable iourney : as for the danger , you see our ladies and gentlewomen account it nothing now to goe thither ; and therefore i hope all good men will better apprehend it , and not suffer them to languish in despaire , whom god so wonderfully and oft hath preserued . what here i haue writ by relation , if it be not right i humbly intreat your pardons , but i haue not spared any diligence to learne the truth of them that haue beene actors , or sharers in those voyages ; in some particulars they might deceiue mee , but in the substance they could not : for few could tell me any thing , except where they fished . but seeing all those haue liued there , doe confirme more then i haue writ , i doubt not but all those testimonies with these new begun examples of plantation , will moue both citie and country , freely to aduenture with me more then promises . but because some fortune-tellers say , i am vnfortunate ; had they spent their time as i haue done , they would rather beleeue in god then their calculations , and peraduenture haue giuen as bad an account of their actions , and therefore i intreat leaue to answer those obiecters , that thinke it strange , if this be true , i haue made no more vse of it , rest so long without imploiment , nor haue no more reward nor preferment : to which i say ; i thinke it more strange they should tax me , before they haue tried as much as i haue , both by land and sea , as well in asia and affrica , as europe and america , where my commanders were actors or spectators , they alwaies so freely rewarded me , i neuer needed bee importunate , or could i euer learne to beg : what there i got , i haue spent ; yet in virginia i staied , till i left fiue hundred behinde me better prouided then euer i was , from which blessed virgin ( ere i returned ) sprung the fortunate habitation of summer iles. this virgins sister , now called new england , at my humble sute , by our most gracious prince charles , hath beene neere as chargeable to me and my friends : for all which , although i neuer got shilling but it cost mee a pound , yet i would thinke my selfe happy could i see their prosperities . but if it yet trouble a multitude to proceed vpon these certainties , what thinke you i vndertooke when nothing was knowne but that there was a vast land ? i neuer had power and meanes to doe any thing , though more hath beene spent in formall delaies then would haue done the businesse , but in such a penurious and miserable manner , as if i had gone a begging to build an vniuersitie : where had men beene as forward to aduenture their purses , and performe the conditions they promised mee , as to crop the fruits of my labours , thousands ere this had beene bettered by these designes . thus betwixt the spur of desire and the bridle of reason , i am neere ridden to death in a ring of despaire ; the reines are in your hands , therefore i intreat you ease me , and those that thinke i am either idle or vnfortunate , may see the cause and know : vnlesse i did see better dealing , i haue had warning enough not to be so forward againe at euery motion vpon their promises , vnlesse i intended nothing but to carie newes ; for now they dare aduenture a ship , that when i went first would not aduenture a groat , so they may be at home againe by michaelmas , which makes me remember and say with master hackluit ; oh incredulitie the wit of fooles , that slouingly doe spit at all things faire , a sluggards cradle , a cowards castle , how easie it is to be an infidell . but to the matter : by this all men may perceiue , the ordinary performance of this voyage in fiue or six moneths , the plentie of fish is most certainly approued ; and it is certaine , from cannada and new england , within these six yeeres hath come neere twenty thousand beuer skinnes : now had each of these ships transported but some small quantitie of the most increasing beasts , fowles , fruits , plants , and seeds , as i proiected ; by this time their increase might haue beene sufficient for more then one thousand men : but the desire of present gaine ( in many ) is so violent , and the endeuours of many vndertakers so negligent , euery one so regarding their priuate gaine , that it is hard to effect any publike good , and impossible to bring them into a body , rule , or order , vnlesse both honesty , as well as authoritie and money , assist experience . but your home-bred ingrossing proiecters will at last finde , there is a great difference betwixt saying and doing , or those that thinks their directions can be as soone and easily performed , as they can conceit them ; or that their conceits are the fittest things to bee put in practise , or their countenances maintaine plantations . but to conclude , the fishing will goe forward w●ether you plant it or no ; whereby a colony may be then transported with no great charge , that in short time might prouide such fraughts , to buy on vs there dwelling , as i would hope no ship should goe or come emptie from new england . the charge of this is onely salt , nets , hookes , lines , kniues , irish-rugges , course cloth , beads , glasse , and such trash , onely for fishing and trade with the saluages , besides our owne necessarie prouisions , whole endeuours would quickly defray all this charge , and the saluages did intreat me to inhabit where i would . now all those ships till these last two yeeres , haue beene fishing within a square of two or three leagues , and scarce any one yet will goe any further in the port they fish in , where questionlesse fiue hundred may haue their fraught as well as elsewhere , and be in the market ere others can haue the fish in their ships , because new englands fishing begins in february , in newfoundland not till the midst of may ; the progression hereof tends much to the aduancement of virginia and summer iles , whose empty ships may take in their fraughts there , and would be also in time of need a good friend to the inhabitants of newfoundland . the returnes made by the westerne men , are commonly diuided in three parts ; one for the owner of the ship ; another for the master and his company ; the third for the victualers , which course being still permitted , will be no hinderance to the plantation as yet goe there neuer so many , but a meanes of transporting that yeerely for little or nothing , which otherwise wil cost many hundreds of pounds . if a ship can gaine twenty , thirty , fifty in the hundred ; nay three hundred for one hundred in seuen or ten moneths , as you see they haue done , spending twice so much time in comming and going as in staying there : were i there planted , seeing the variety of the fishings serue the most part of the yeere , and with a little labour we might make all the salt we need vse , as is formerly said , and can conceiue no reason to distrust of good successe by gods assistance ; besides for the building of ships , no place hath more conuenient harbours , ebbe , nor floud , nor better timber ; and no commoditie in europe doth more decay then wood . master dee his opinion for the building of ships . master dee recordeth in his brittish monarchy , that king edgar had a nauy of foure thousand saile , with which he yeerely made his progresse , about this famous monarchy of great britaine , largely declaring the benefit thereof ; whereupon hee proiected to our most memorable queene elizabeth , the erecting of a fleet of sixty saile , he called a little nauy royall : imitating that admired pericles prince of athens , that could neuer secure that tormented estate , vntill he was lord and captaine of the sea. at this none need wonder , for who knowes not her royall maiestie during her life , by the incredible aduentures of her royall nauy , and valiant souldiers and sea-men , notwithstanding all treacheries at home , the protecting and defending france and holland , and reconquering ireland ; yet all the world by sea and land both feared or loued , and admired good queene elizabeth . both to maintaine and increase that incomparable honour ( god be thanked ) to her incomparable successor , our most royall lord and soueraigne king iames , this great philosopher hath left this to his maiestie and his kingdomes consideration : that if the tenths of the earth be proper to god , it is also due by sea. the kings high waies are common to passe , but not to dig for mines or any thing : so englands coasts are free to passe but not to fish , but by his maiesties prerogatiue . his maiesty of spaine permits none to passe the popes order , for the east and west indies but by his permission , or at their perils ; if all that world be so iustly theirs , it is no iniustice for england to make as much vse of her owne shores as strangers doe , that pay to their owne lords the tenth , and not to the owner of those liberties any thing to speake of , whose subiects may neither take nor sell any in their teritories : which small tribute would maintaine this little nauy royall , and not cost his maiesty a peny , and yet maintaine peace with all forrainers , and allow them more courtesie then any nation in the world affords to england . it were ashame to alleage , that holla●d is more worthy to enioy our fishing as lords thereof , because they haue more skill to handle it then we , as they can our wooll and vndressed cloth , notwithstanding all their warres and troublesome disorders . to get money to build this nauy , he saith , who would not spare the one hundreth penny of his rents , and the fiue hundreth penny of his goods ; each seruant that taketh forty shillings wages , foure pence ; and euery forrainer of seuen yeeres of age foure pence , for seuen yeeres ; not any of these but they will spend three times so much in pride , wantonnesse , or some superfluitie : and doe any men loue the securitie of their estates , that of themselues would not bee humble suters to his maiesty to doe this of free will as a voluntary beneuolence , or but the one halfe of this ( or some such other course as i haue prounded to diuers of the companies ) free from any constraint , tax , lottery , or imposition ; so it may be as honestly and truly imploied , as it is proiected , the poorest mechanicke in this king-would gaine by it . then you might build ships of any proportion and numbers you please , fiue times cheaper then you can doe here , and haue good merchandize for their fraught in this vnknowne land , to the aduancement of gods glory , his church and gospel , and the strengthning and releefe of a great part of christendome without hurt to any , to the terror of pirats , the amazement of enemies , the assistance of friends , the securing merchants , and so much increase of nauigation , to make englands trade and shipping as much as any nations in the world , besides a hundred other benefits , to the generall good of all true subiects , & would cause thousands yet vnborne to blesse the time , and all them that first put it in practise . now lest it should be obscured as it hath beene to priuat ends , or so weakely vndertaken by our ouerweening incredulity , that strangers may possesse it whilest we contend for new-englands goods , but not englands good ; i haue presented it as i haue said , to the prince and nobility , the gentry and commonalty , hoping at last it will moue the whole land to know it and consider of it ; since i can finde them wood and halfe victuall , with the foresaid aduantages : were this country planted , with what facility they may build and maintaine this little nauy royall , both with honour , profit and content , and inhabit as good a country as any in the world within that paralell , which with my life and what i haue , i will endeuour to effect , if god please and you permit . but no man will goe from hence to haue lesse freedome there then here , nor aduenture all they haue to prepare the way for them will scarce thanke them for it ; and it is too well knowne there haue beene so many vndertakers of patents , and such sharing of them , as hath bred no lesse discouragement then wonder , to heare such great promises and so little performance ; in the interim , you see the french and dutch already frequent it , and god forbid they in virginia , or any of his maiesties subiects , should not haue as free liberty as they . to conclude , were it not for master cherley and a few priuate aduenturers with them , what haue we there for all these inducements ? as for them whom pride or couetousnesse lulleth asleepe in a cradle of slothfull carelesnesse , would they but consider how all the great monarchies of the earth haue beene brought to confusion , or but remember the late lamentable experiences of constantinople , and how many cities , townes and prouinces , in the faire rich kingdoms of hungaria , transiluania , wallachia & moldauia , and how many thousands of princes , earles , barons , knights , merchants , and others , haue in one day lost goods , liues and honours , or sold for slaues like beasts in a market place , their wiues , children and seruants slaine , or wandring they knew not whither , dying or liuing in all extremities of extreme miseries and calamities , surely they would not onely doe this , but giue all they haue to enioy peace and liberty at home , or but aduenture their persons abroad ; to preuent the conclusions of a conquering foe , who commonly assaulteth and best preuaileth where he findeth wealth and plenty , most armed with ignorance and security . though the true condition of warre is onely to suppresse the proud and defend the innocent , as did that most generous prince sigismundus , prince of those countries , against them whom vnder the colour of iustice and piety , to maintaine their superfluity of ambitious pride , thought all the world too little to maintaine their vice , and vndoe them , or keepe them from ability to doe any thing , that would not admire and adore their honours , fortunes , couetousnesse , falshood , bribery , cruelty , extortion , and ingratitude , which is worse then cowardize or ignorance , and all manner of vildnesse , cleane contrary to all honour , vertue , and noblenesse . iohn smith writ this with his owne hand . here follow certaine notes and obseruations of captaine charles whitbourne concerning new-found land , which although euery master trained vp in fishing , can make their proportions of necessaries according to their custome , yet it is not much amisse here to insert them , that euery one which desires the good of those actions know them also . besides in his booke intituled , a discouery of new-found land , and the commodities thereof , you shall finde many excellent good aduertisements for a plantation ; and how that most yeeres this coast hath beene frequented with . saile of his maiesties subiects , which supposing but . tunnes a peece , one with another , they amount to . tunnes , and allowing men and boies to euery barke , they will make . persons , whose labours returne yeerely to about . pound sterling , besides the great numbers of brewers , bakers , coupers , ship-carpenters , net-makers , rope-makers , hooke-makers , and the most of all other mecanicall trades in england . the charge of letting forth a ship of . tuns with . persons , both to make a fishing voyage , and increase the plantation .   l. s. d. inprimis , . weight of bisket at . s. a . weight . . .   tun of beere and sider at . s. . d. a tun. . .   hogsheads of english beefe . .     hogsheads of irish beefe . .     fat hogs salted with salt and caske . . .   bushels of pease .     ferkins of butter . .     waight of cheese . . .   bushell of mustard-seed .   .   hogshead of vinegar . . .   wood to dresse meat withall . .     great copper kettle . .     small kettles . .     frying-pans .   . . platters , ladles and cans . .     a paire of bellowes for the cooke .   . . taps , boriers and funnels . .     l●cks for the bread roomes .   . . weight of candles . . .   , quarters of salt at . s. the rushell . . .   mats & dinnage to lie vnder it . . .   salt shouels .     particulars for the . persons to keepe . fishing boats at sea , with . men in euery boat , imploies . and . foot of elme boords of an inch thicke , . s. each one . .     nailes for the . boats , at . s. . d. a . . . nailes at . s . d. . . . nailes at . d. .   .   weight of pitch at . s. . .     of good orlop nailes . . .   more for other small necessaries . .     a barrell of tar.   .   weight of black ocome . .     thrums for pitch maps .   . . bolls , buckets and pumps . .     brazen crocks . .     canuas to make boat sailes & small ropes , at . s. for each saile , . .   rode ropes which containe . weight at s the . .     dozen of fishing lines . .     d●z●n of fishing hookes . .     for squid line .   .   for pots and liuer maunds .   .   iron works for the boats ruthers . .     kipnet irons .   .   twine to make kipnets and gagging hooks .   .   good nets at . s. a net . .     saynes , a great and a lesse . .     weight of sow-lead . .     couple of ropes for the saynes . .     dry-fats to keepe them in .   .   t●ine for store .   .   flaskets and bread baskets .   .   for haire cloth . .     . tuns of vinegar caske for water . . . . do●zen of deale bourds .   .   barrels of oatmeale . . .   weight of spikes . . .   good axes , . hand hatchets , . drawers , . drawing irons .   .   yards of wollencloth for cuffs .   .   yards of good cannasse .   .   a grand-stone or two .   .   of poore iohn to spend in going . . .   hogshead of aquauitae . .     arme sawes , . handsawes , . thwart sawes , . augers , . crowes of iron , . sledges , . shod shouels , . picaxes , . matocks ; and . hammers . .     the totall summe is . . . all these prouisions the master of purser is to be accountable what is spent and what is left , with those which shall continue there to plant , and of the . thus prouided for the voyage , ten may well be spared to leaue behind them , with . weight of bisket , . hogsheads of sider or beere , halfe a hogshead of beefe , sides of dry bakon , . bushell of pease , halfe a ferkin of butter , halfe . weight of cheese , a pecke of mustard-seed , a barrell of vinegar , . pound of candles , . pecks of oa●meale , halfe a hogshead of aquauitae , . copper kettles , . brasse crock , . frying-pan , a grindstone , and all the hatchets , woodhooks , sawes , augers , &c. and all other iron tooles , with the . boats and their implements , and spare salt , and what else they vse not in a readinesse from yeere to yeere , and in the meane time serued them to helpe to build their houses , cleanse land , and further their fishing whilst the ships are wanting . by his estimation and calculation these . boats with . men in a summer doe vsually kill . fish for euery boat , which may amount to . allowing . fishes to the . sometimes they haue taken aboue . for a boat , so that they load not onely their owne ship , but prouide great quantities for sacks , or other spare ships which come thither onely to buy the ouerplus : if such ships come not , they giue ouer taking any more , when sometimes there hath beene great abundance , because there is no fit houses to lay them in till another yeere , now most of those sacks goeth empty thither , which might as well transport mens prouision and cattle at an easie rate as nothing , either to new-england or new-found land , but either to transport them for nothing or pay any great matter for their liberty to fish , will hardly effect so much as freedome as yet ; nor can this be put in practice as before i said , till there be a power there well planted and setled to entertaine and defend them , assist and releeue them as occasion shall require , otherwaies those small diuisions will effect little , but such miserable conclusions as both the french and we too long haue tried to our costs . now commonly . fish will load a ship of . tunnes in new-found land , but halfe so many will neere doe it in new-england , which carried to toloune or merselus , ●here the custome is small , and the kintall lesse then . english ▪ pounds weight , and the prise when least , . shillings the kintall , which at that rate amounts to . l. starling ; and the ship may either there be discharged or imployed as hath beene said to refraught for england , so that the next yeere she may be ready to goe her fishing voyage againe , at a farre cheaper rate then before . to this adde but . tuns of traine oile , which deliuered in new found land , is . l. the tun , makes . l. then it is hard if there be not . of co●●fish , which also sold there at . l. the . makes . l. which brought to england , in somes places yeelds neere halfe so much more ; but ●f at mers●lus it be sold for . d. the kentall , as commonly it is , and much dearer , it amounts to . l. and if the boats follow the fishing ●ll the . of october , they may take . more , which with their traine in n●w-found land at . l. the . will amount to . l. which added to . l. with . l. for oile , and . of cor-fish . l. and the ouerplus at merselus , which will be . l. make the totall . l. which diuided in three parts according to their custome , the victualer hath for the former particulars , amounting to . l. . l. so all the charge defraied , hee gaines . l. . s. then for the fraught of the ship there is . l. and so much for the master and his company , which comparing with the voiages hath beene made to new-england , you may easily finde which is the better though both bee good . but now experience hath taught them at new-plimoth , that in aprill there is a fish much like a herring that comes vp into the small brookes to spawne , and where the water is not knee deepe , they will presse vp through your hands , yea though you beat at them with cudgels , and in such abundance as is incredible , which they take with that facility they manure their land with them when they haue occasion ; after those the cod also presseth in such plenty , euen into the very harbours , they haue caught some in their armes , and hooke them so fast , three men oft loadeth a boat of two tuns in two houres , where before they vsed most to fish in deepe water . the present estate of new-plimoth . at new-plimoth there is about persons , some cattell and goats , but many swine and poultry , dwelling houses , whereof were burnt the last winter , and the value of fiue hundred pounds in other goods ; the towne is impailed about halfe a mile compasse . in the towne vpon a high mount they haue a fort well built with wood , lome , and stone , where is planted their ordnance : also a faire watch-tower , partly framed for the sentinell , the place it seemes is healthfull , for in these last three yeeres , notwithstanding their great want of most necessaries , there hath not one died of the first planters , they haue made a salt worke , and with that salt preserue the fish they take , and this yeare hath fraughted a ship of . tunnes . the gouernour is one mr. william bradford , their captaine miles standish ; a bred souldier in holland ; the chiefe men for their assistance is master isaak alderton , and diuers others as occasion serueth ; their preachers are master william bruster and master iohn layford . the most of them liue together as one family or houshold , yet euery man followeth his trade and profession both by sea and land , and all for a generall stocke , out of which they haue all their maintenance , vntill there be a diuident betwixt the planters and the aduenturers . those planters are not seruants to the aduenturers here , but haue onely councells of directions from them , but no iniunctions or command , and all the masters of families are partners in land or whatsoeuer , setting their labours against the stocke , till certaine yeeres be expired for the diuision : they haue young men and boies for their apprentises and seruants , and some of them speciall families , as ship-carpenters , salt-makers , fish-masters , yet as seruants vpon great wages . the aduenturers which raised the stocke to begin and supply this plantation were about . some gentlemen , some merchants , some handy-crafts men , some aduenturing great summes , some small , as their estates and affection serued . the generall stocke already imploied is about . l. by reason of which charge and many crosses , many of them would aduenture no more , but others that knowes , so great a designe cannot bee effected without both charge , losse and crosses , are resolued to goe forward with it to their powers ; which deserue no small commendations and encouragement . these dwell most about london , they are not a corporation , but knit together by a voluntary combination in a society without constraint or penalty , aiming to doe good & to plant religion ; they haue a president & treasurer , euery yeere newly chosen by the most voices , who ordereth the affaires of their courts and meetings , and with the assent of the most of them , vndertaketh all ordinary businesses , but in more weighty affaires , the assent of the whole company is required . there hath beene a fishing this yeere vpon the coast about . english ships : and by cape anne , there is a plantation a beginning by the dorchester men , which they hold of those of new-plimoth , who also by them haue set vp a fishing worke ; some talke there is some other pretended plantations , all whose good proceedings the eternal god protect and preserue . and these haue beene the true proceedings and accidents in thos● plantations . now to make a particular relation of all the acts and orders in the courts belonging vnto them , of the anihilating old patents and procuring new ; with the charge , paines and arguments , the reasons of such changes , all the treaties , consultations , orations , and dissentions about the sharing and diuiding those large territories , confirming of counsailers , electing all sorts of officers , directions , letters of aduice , and their answers , disputations about the magazines and impositions , su●ers for patents , positions for freedomes , and confirmations with complaints of iniuries here , and also the mutinies , examinations , arraignements , executions , and the cause of the so oft reuolt of the saluages at large , as many would haue had , and it may be some doe expect it would make more quarrels then any of them would willingly answer , & such a volume as would tire any wise man but to read the contents ; for my owne part i rather feare the vnpartiall reader wil thinke this rather more tedious then necessary : but he that would be a practitioner in those affaires , i hope will allow them not only needfull but expedient : but how euer , if you please to beare with those errors i haue committed , if god please i liue , my care and paines shall endeuour to be thankfull : if i die , accept my good will : if any desire to be further satisfied , what defect is found in this , they shall finde supplied in me , that thus freely haue throwne my selfe with my mite into the treasury of my countries good , not doubting but god will stirre vp some noble spirits to consider and examine if worthy columbus could giue the spaniards any such certainties for his designe , when queene isabel of spaine set him forth with . saile , and though i promise no mines of gold , yet the warlike hollanders let vs imitate but not hate , whose wealth and strength are good testimonies of their treasury gotten by fishing ; and new-england hath yeelded already by generall computation one hundred thousand pounds at the least . therefore honourable and worthy country men , let not the meannesse of the word fish distaste you , for it will afford as good gold as the mines of guiana or pot●ssie , with lesse hazard and charge , and more certainty and facility . i. s. i. s. finis . errata pag. . line . for quineth , reade guineth . pag. . li. . reade from the company . and li. . for . pounds reade . pounds . pag. . li. . for . men , reade . men , pag. . li. . for goston reade gofton , and coranto quowarranto , and li. reade before the iudges in westminster hall , for the lords of his maiesties priuy counsell . there are many other errors , which being but small i intreat the courteous reader to correct as he findeth them . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e * coelum non attimum mutant a these are said a thousād yeares agoe to haue beene in the north parts of america . b he is said to discover the pole . c madoc ap ow●n planted some remote western parts . . d america named of americus vesputius , which discovered les then colon or s ir s●bastian cabot , and the continent later . colō first found the isles . the continen● . aboue a yeare after cabot had don it . he was set forth by henry and after by hen. . kni●hted , and made grand pilot of englād by ed. vnder whō he procured the sending of s ir hugh willoughby , & discovery of greenland and russia : having by himself discovered on america frō north lat . to neere ●o south ▪ notes for div a -e * virginia now inhabited , and new-england . notes for div a -e their arrivall . ●●pundance ●f g●apes . the i le of w●kokon . in lybanus are not many . conference with a salvage . the arriuall of the kings brother . trade with the salvages . note . the ile roanoak . the great courtesie of a woman . a banquet . skicoac a great towne . pomovik . how the country was called virginia . sir richard grenvils , voyage . . their first plantation . chawonock . chawonock . men . menatonon his relations of the i le of pearle , and a rich mine , & the sea by it . pemissapan his trechery . the discouery of the riuer morat●c . a noble resolution . the strange mine of chaunis temoatan . the great currant of the river morat●● . the conspiracy of pemissapan . the death of a most rare salvage . a slaughter of two salvages . pemissapan slaine and ● . others . a most generous courtesie of sir francis drake . virginia abandoned . cōmodities . dyes . a strange salt. rootes . fruits that 's strange . beasts extraordinary . fish. foules . their religion . how the world was made . how man was made . how they vse their gods . whether they goe after death . two men risen from death . the subtiltie of their priests . their simplicitie . their desire of salvation . a wonderfull accident . their strange opinions . calling . sir richard grenvill left fiftie ●en . master white his voyages . . one of the councell slaine . how the fiftie men were slain● . an ill misprision . a child borne in virginia . a controversie who to send for factor to england . master white his returne to virginia . captaine spicer and seauen others drowned . they finde where they had buryed their provisions . the end of this plantation . . yeares it lay dead . their first landing . martha's vineyard . elizabeths island . a ' copper mine . their return . dangerous shoules . cod and whales . their first landing . pentecost harbour . the captains diligence . trade with the salvages . their trechery . fiue salvages surprised . a description of the river . notes for div a -e the latitude . the temperature . the windes . the entrances . cape henry . cape charles . the country . the mountaines . the soyle . the valleyes . plaines . the river powhatan . the branches iames towne . the severall inhabitants . r. pamavnkee . the inhabitants . payankatank . r. toppahanock r. the inhabitants . patawomek , r. the inhabitants . pawtuxunt , r. bolus , r. the head of the bay. sasquesahanock . the description of a sasquesahanough . tockwhogh , r. rapahanock , r. kuskarawaock r. wighcocomoco , r. accomack , r. chawonock . the severall languages . why there is little grasse . woods with their fruits . elme . walnuts . supposed cypres . mulberries . chesnuts . cherries . vines . chechinquamins . rawcomens . how they vse their fruits . walnut mille . gummes . cedats . saxafiastrees . berries . matoum . strawberries . hearbes . rootes . wig●sacan a roote . pocones a small roote . musquaspen a roote . pellitory . sasafrage . onyons . their chiefe beasts are deere . aroughcun . squirrels . assapanick , a squirrel flying . opassom . mussascus . beares . the beaver . otters . vtchūquoyes . foxes-dogges . martins . polcats . weesels , and minkes . birds . fish. the rockes . how they divide the yeare . how they prepare the ground . how they plant . how they vse their corne. how they vse their fish and flesh . planted fruits a proofe cattell will liue well . the commodities . the numbe●● seaven hundred men were the most were seene together when they thought to haue surprised captaine smith . a description of the people . the barbers . the constitution . the disposition . the possessions . their attire . their ornaments . their buildings . their lodgings . their gardens how they vse their children . the industrie of their women . how they strike fire . the order of dyet . how they make their bow●s and arrowes . their kniues . their targets and swords . their boats. how they spin . their fish-hookes . how they hunt . one salvage hunting alone . their consultations . their enemies . massawomekes . their offer of subiection . their manner of battell . their musicke . their entertainement . their trade . their phisicke . their chirurgery . their charms to cure . their god. how they bury their kings their ordinary burials . their temples . their ornaments for their priests . the times of solemnitie● . their coniurations . their altars . sacrifices to the water . their solemn sacrifices of children , which they call black-boyes . those black-boyes are made so mad with a kind of drinke , that they will do● any mischiefe , at the command of their keepers . their resurrection . a description of powhatan . his attendāce and watch . his treasury . his wiues . his successors their authoritie . the tenor of their lands . his manner of punishments . ● . notes for div a -e s ir thomas smith treasurer . the first mover of the action , orders for government . monica an vnfrequented isle full of birds . their first landing . matters of government . the discovery of the falles & powhatan . the fort assaulted by the salvages . captain newports returne for england . s ir thomas smith treasurer . the occasion of sicknesse . the sailers abuses . a bad president . plentie vnexpected . the building of iames towne . the beginning of trade abroad . amoris , a salvage his best friend slaine for loving vs. the discovery of chickahamine . another proiect to abandon the country . * iehu robinson and thomas emry slaine . captaine smith taken prisoner . the order they observed in then trivmph . how he should haue beene slaine at orapacks . how he saued iames towne from being surprised . how they did coniure him at pamavnkee . how powhatan entertained him . how pocahontas saved his life . how powhatan sent him to iames towne . the third proiect to abandon the countrey . a true proofe of gods loue to the action . of two evils the lesse was chosen . the phoenix from cape henry forced to the west indies . their opinion of our god. smith : revisiting bowhatan . powhatan his entertainement . the exchāge of a christian for a salvage . powhatant speech . differences of opinions . iames towne burnt . a ship i dely loytering . weekes . the effect of meere verbalists . a needlesse charge . a return● to england . the rebuilding iames towne . sixtie appointed to discover the monacans . an ill example to sell swords to salvages . the presidents weaknesse . smiths attempt to suppresse the salvages insolencies . powhatans excuse . a ship fraught with cedar . s ir thomas smith treasurer . a strange mortalitie of salvages . russels isles . wighcocomoco . an extreame want of fresh water . their barge neare sunke in a gust . cuskarawaock . the first notice o● the massawomeks , bolus riuer . smith● speech to his souldiers . the discouery of patawomek . ambuscadoes of salvages . a trecherous proiect . a myne like antimony . an aboundant plenty of fish . how to deale with the salvages . captaine smith neare killed with a stingray . the salvages affrighted with their owne suspition . needlesse misery at iames towne . the salvages admire fire-workes . an incounter with the massawomeks at the head of the bay. an incounter with the tockwhoghs . hatchets from the sasquesahanocks . the sasquesahanocks offer to the english. pawtuxunt , r. rapahanock , r. the exceeding loue of the salvage mosco . our fight with the rapahanocks . the salvages disguised like bushes fight . our fight with the manahaacks . a salvage shot and taken prisoner . his relation of their countries . * they cannot trauell but where the woods are burnt . how we concluded peace with the foure kings of monahoke . how we became friends with the rapahanocks . the discovery of payankatank . a notable trechery of the nandsamunds . the fight with the chisapeacks and nandsamund● . how they became friends . the proce●ding at iames towne . powhatans scorne when his courtesie was most deserved . no better way to overthrow the busines then by our instructors . a consultation , where all the councell was against the president . capt. smith goeth with . to powhatan , when newport feared with . a virginia maske . the womens entertainement . captaine smiths message . powhatans answer . powhatans coronation . the discovery of monacan . how the salvages deluded cap. newport . a punishment for swearing . . men better then . the chickahamania's forced to contribution . a bad reward for well-doing . a good taverne in virginia . a bad trade of the masters and saylers . master scriveners voyage to werowocomoco . nandsamund forced to contribution . the first marriage in virginia . apamatuck discovered . the good counsell of warraskoyack . plentie of victualls . foules killed at three shootes . cap. smiths discourse to powhatan . powhatans reply and flattery . powhatan discourse of peace and warre . capt. smiths reply . powhatans importunity to haue vs vnarmed to betray vs. cap. smiths discourse to delay time , till he found oportunity to surprise the king. powhatans plot to haue murdered smith . a chaine of pearle sent the captaine for a present . pretending to kill our men loaded with baskets , we caused them do it themselues . pocahontas bewrayes her fathers deceit to kill vs. the dutch men deceiue cap. winne . the dutch men furnish the saluages with armes . smiths speech to opechancanough . . saluages beset the english being but . smiths speech to his company . smiths offer to opechancanough . opecahncanoughs deuic● to betray smith . smith taketh the king prisoner . smiths discourse to the pamavnkees . the salvages dissemble their intent . their excuse and reconcilement . the losse of mr. scrivener and others with a skiff . master wyffins desperate iourney . powhatan constraineth his men to be trecherous . the third attempt to betray vs. a chayne of pearle sent to obtaine peace . the president poysoned : the offend●r punished . the salvages want and povertie . the dutch-men did much hurt . an apology for the first planters . the presidents advice to the company . the dutch-mens plot to murther cap. smith . smith taketh the king of paspahegh prisoner . cap. smith taketh two salvages prisoners . the salvages desire peace . okaning his oration . a salvage smoothered at iames towne , and recovered . two or three salvages slaine in drying powder . great extremitie by rats . bread made of dried sturgeon . their desire to destroy themselues . the presidents order for the drones but seuen of dyed in nine moneth● . the salvages returne our fugitiues . master sicklemores iourney to chawwonoke master powels iorney to the mangoags . the dutch mens proiects . two gentlemen sent to the germans . the first arriuall of captaine argall . note these inconveniences . the alterat●on of the government . s ir thomas smith treasurer . the losse of virginia . the salvages offer to fight vnder our colours . mutinies . the planting nandsamund . the breach of peace with the salvages . powhatan bought for copper . mutini● . fiue suppresse an hundred and twentie . breach of peace with the salvage at the falle● . an assalt by the salvages the planting of non-such . the salvages appeased . captaine smith blowne vp with powder . a bloudy intent . the causes why smith left the countrey and his commission . the ends of the dutch-men . * hindere●● , notes for div a -e the planting point comfort . the arriuall of sir thomas gates . iames towne abandoned . the arriuall of the lord la ware. sir george sommers returne to the bermudas . the building fort henry and fort charles . sir thomas smith treasurer . the relation of the lord la ware. . kine and . swine sent to virginia . sir thomas smith treasurer . the arriuall of sir thomas dale . his preparation to build a new towne . diuers mutinie suppressed . the second arriuall of sir thomas gates . the building of henrico . the building the bermudas . sir thomas smith treasurer . captaine argals arriuall . ☞ how pocahontas was taken prisoner . ☞ seuen english returned from powhatan prisoners . sir thomas dale his voyage to pamavuke . a man shot in the forehead . two of powhatans sonnes come to see pocahontas . ☜ the mariage of pocahontas to master iohn rolfe . sir thomas smith treasurer . the chicahamanias desire friendship . articles of peace the benefit of libertie in the planters . william spence the first farmer in virginia . captaine argall voyage to port royall . sir thomas smith treasurer . master hamars iourney to powhatan . his message to powhatan . powhatans answer . william parker recouered . from a letter of sir thomas dale and master w●itakers . sir thomas smith treasurer . a spanish ship in virginia . sir thomas smith treasurer . a digression . the gouernment of captaine yea●ley . twelue saluages slaine , twelue prisoners taken , and peace concluded . 〈◊〉 eleuen men cast away . a bad-presiders . pocahontas instructions . a relation to queene anne , of pocahontas . pocahontas meeting in england with captaine smith . vitamatomack , obseruations of his vsage . pocahontas her entertainment with the queene . sir thomas smith treasurer . the death of pocahontas . . bushels of corne from the saluages . sir thomas smith treasurer . the death of the lord la ware. they are relieued in new-england . richard killingbeck and foure other murdered by the saluages . their church and store-house . farfax , three children and two boyes also murdered . powhatans death . haile-stones eight inches about . sir edwin sands treasurer . master iohn fare● deputie . waraskoyack planted . a barrell they account foure bushels . their time of parlament . foure corporations named . captaine wards exploit . the number of ships and men . gifts giuen . but few performe them . the earle of southampton treasurer , and m. iohn ferrar deputy . a french-man cast away at guardalupo . the spaniards begin . the vice-admirall shot betweene wind and water . the manner of their fight . the captaine slaine . a worthy exploit of lucas . the euent of the fight . the ea●le of south-hampton treasurer . master iohn farrar deputy . the election of sir francis wyat gouernour for virginia . notes worthy obseruation . a degression . master stockams relation . the arriuall of sir francis wyat. master gookins plantation . the number of ships and men gifts giuen . patents granted , my iourney to the easterne shore . a good place to make salt in the king of pawtxunts entertainment . the trecherie of namanicus . thomas saluages good seruice . the earle of south●mpton treasure . , and nicolas farrar deputy . fiue and twentie sent only to build barks and boats. the death of nemattanow , writ by m. wimp . security a bad guard ▪ the manner of the massacre . their cruelty . the murder of master thorp . the slau●hter of captaine powell . a saluage slaine . m. baldwines escape . m. thomas hamer with escapeth . captaine ralfe hamer with forty escapeth . the saluages attempt to surprise a ship . six of the councell slaine . how it was reuealed . memorandums . captaine smith . his maiesties g●t . london sets out persons . a lamentable example , t●o oft app●oued . note this conclusion . how the spania●ds raise their wealth in the west indies . how they were reduced to fiue or six places . gooki●s and 〈◊〉 , resolutions . the opinion of captaine smith . the prouidence of captaine nuse . captaine croshaw his voyage to patawom●k . the arriuall of this newes in england . captaine smiths offer to the company . their answer , the manner of the sallery . captaine croshaw states at patawomek , and his aduentures . the escape of waters and his w●●e . the arriuall of captaine 〈◊〉 at patawomek . croshaws fort and plot for trade . ●●●taine madys●●●ent ●ent to pataw●m●k . the industry of captaine nuse . captaine powel kils . saluages . the opinion of captaine smith . sir george yearleys iourny to accomack . captaine nuse his misery . an alarum , foure slaine . the kindnesse of the king of patawomek . a saluage● policy . mad●son takes the k●ng and kils . o● . the king set at liberty . a digression their proceedings of the other plantations . surpriseth nandsamund . samuell collyer slaine . they surprise pamavuke . the opinion of captaine smith . how to subiect all the saluages in virginia . the arriuall of captaine butler , & his accidents . a strange deliuera●ce of master a●gent & others . how captaine spilman was left in the riuer of patawomek . the earle of southampton treasurer . apparell for one man , and so after the rate for more . the causes of our first miseries . but ● english in all virginia . proofes of the healthfulnesse of the countrey . how the saluages became subiected . how we liued of the natural fruits of the countrey . proofe of the commodities we returned . what we built . how i left the country . my charge . my reward . the king hath pleased to take it i●to 〈◊〉 ●●●sideration . notes for div a -e the description of the iles. the clime , temper and fertility . trees and fruits . the prickell peare . the poison weed . the red weed . the purging beane . the costiue tree . red pepper . the sea feather . fruits transported . birds . egge-birds . cahowes . the tropicke bird and the pemblicos presagements . of vermine . 〈◊〉 ashes . the most hurtfull things in those iles. how it is supposed they were called the bermud●● . the building and calking their barke . his returne for england . a most desperate estate by a storm . the care and iudgement of sir george somers . an euident token of gods mercy . sir george somers 〈…〉 what meanes they m●de to send to virginia . a mariage , and two children borne . their arriuall in virginia . sir george s●mmers his returne to the bermudas . 〈…〉 the proceedings of the three men . a peece of amber-greece of . pound weight . how they were supplied . . the arriuall of master more . . sir thomas smith treasurer . their differences about the amber-greece . chard in danger of hanging . master mores industry in fortifying and planting . a contention of the minister ag●inst the gouernor . two peeces w●●hed out of the sea aduenture . the first supply . . the second supply . sir thomas smith treasurer . a strange increase of potatoes . the attempt of two spanish ships . a great famine and mortalitie . sir thomas smith treasurer . a strange being of rauens . all workes abandoned to get onely victual . a supply , and m. mores returne . sir thomas smith treasurer . master carter . captaine kendall capt. mansfield . a wonderfull accident . treasure found in the summer iles. a new gouernor chosen . sir thomas smith treasurer . captaine tuckars proceedings . a barke sent to the west indies . the assises . the strange aduenture of fiue men in a boat . plants from the west indies . the exploits of captain pow●ll . the second assise . the third assise . sir thomas smith treasurer . the countrey neere deuoured with rats . a strange confusion of rats . the returne of m. powel from the indies . a supposed mutiny by m. pollard , and m. rich. . the diuision of the iles into tribes . sir thomas smith treasurer . the first magazin . two exploits of desperate fugitiues . the arriuall of the blessing . the arriuall of two ships . captaine butler chosen gouernor . a plat-forme burnt , and much hurt by a hericano . . the refortifying the kings castle . amber-greece found . the arriuall of two dutch frigots . the differences betwixt the ministers . the rebuilding the mount. the tombe of sir george summers . their manner of lawes reformed . martiall officers . ciuill officers and courts . the second assise . a generall assemblie in manner a parliament . their acts. the arriuall of the magazin ship . . weight of tobacco . the building of three bridges and other works . the generall assises , and the proceedings . a strange deliuerance of a spanish wracke . how they solemnized the powder treason , and the arriuall of two ships . the spaniards returne , and in danger againe . . three english murderers found in the spanish wracke . their assises , and other passages . a strange sodomy . more trialls about the wracks . the planters complaints . the returne of captaine butler . the lord caue●d●sh t●easu●er . master nicholas farrar deputy . sir edward sackuil treasurer . master gabriel barber deputy . note . . sir thomas smith treasurer , and master edwards deputy . notes for div a -e sir francis popham treasurer . my first voyage to new england . . the cōmodities i got amounted to . pounds . the trechery of master hunt. how prince charles called the most remarkable places in new england . aspersions against new england . captaine hobson his voiage to capawuk . the londoners send foure good ships to new england . the situation of new england . notes of florida . notes of virginia . obseruations so● presumptuous ignorant directors . the principall countries or gouernments . a proofe of an excellent clime ▪ staple commodities present . obseruations of the hollanders . note . note . examples of the altitude comparatiuely . in spaine . in france . in greece . in asia . beyond the line . the particular staple commodities that may be had by industry . the nature of the ground approued . the seasons for fishing approued . imploiment for poore people and fatherlesse children . the facilitie of the plantation . present commodities . kermes . musquasse● . beuers . mines . woods . an example of the g●●●s vpon euery yeere or six moneths returne . a description of the countrey in particular , and their situations . an indian slaine , another shot . the land markes . herbs and fruits woods . birds . fishes . beasts . a note for men that haue great spirits and small meanes . an example of secure couetousnesse . the authors conditions . the planters pleasures and profit . imploiments for gentlemen . imploiments for labourers . examples of the spaniards . the causes of our defailments . the blisse of spaine . my second voiage to new england . the ground and plot for our plantation . the meanes vsed to preuent it and n●c . how i set saile and returned . my reimbarkement , encounter with pirats , and imprisonment by the french. a double treachery . a fleet of nine french men of war , and fights with the spaniard . a prise of fish. a scotch prise . a prise worth crownes . a prise worth crownes . my escape from the french men . what law i had . my returne for england . the successe of my vice-admirall . m. d●e his report . the benefit of fishing , as mr gentleman and others report . the records of holland and other learned obseruers my sute to the country . my sute to the citie . their first iourny by land . their first iourny by shallop . accidents . their second iourney by water to finde a place to plant in . their first fight with the saluages . the description of their place to plant in . another boy borne in new-england . their first plantation . two faire lakes . two men lost themselues in the woods . their first conference with a saluage . the second conference . their conditions of peace . a iourney to pakanoki . a great courage of two old saluages . how the king vsed them . a voyage to nawsit . they surprise the saluages . notes and obseruations . they liued two yeeres without supply . westons plantation . the death of tusquantum . tusquantum at his death desired the english to pray he might go dwell with the english mens god , for theirs was a good god. they contriue to murder all the english. the sicknesse of king massasowat . his cure by the english. the kings thankfulnesse . a bad example . captaine standish sent to suppresse the saluages . two desperate saluages slaine . the saluages ouer co●●med . an extreme drought . a wonderfull blessing & signe of gods loue . forty saile sent to fish . their religion . their gouernment . an answer to obiections . the ordinary voyage to goe to virginia or new-england . the obiections against me . my answer . considerations . the charge . the order of the westerne men . the gaines . the effects of shipping . the popes order for the east and west indies . how to get money to build this little nauy . contention for new-englands goods , not her good . the necessity of martiall power . the facility of the fishing lately obserued . the present estate of the plantation at new-plimoth . . their order of gouernment . nevv englands trials declaring the successe of . ships employed thither within these sixe yeares: with the benefit of that countrey by sea and land: and how to build threescore sayle of good ships, to make a little navie royall. written by captaine iohn smith. smith, john, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) nevv englands trials declaring the successe of . ships employed thither within these sixe yeares: with the benefit of that countrey by sea and land: and how to build threescore sayle of good ships, to make a little navie royall. written by captaine iohn smith. smith, john, - . [ ] p. printed by vvilliam iones, london : . signatures: [a]² b-c⁴. the dedication is in one of four states: ( ) text begins "to the consideration .."; dedication to (a) worthy adventers or (b) fish-mongers; ( ) dedication is a cancel; text begins "the great worke .."; dedication to (a) sir edward coke or (b) sir john egerton. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - -- early works to . new england -- commerce -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion new englands trials . declaring the successe of . ships employed thither within these sixe yeares : with the benefit of that countrey by sea and land : and how to build threescore sayle of good ships , to make a little navie royall . written by captaine iohn smith . london , printed by vvilliam iones . . to the right worshipfvl the maister , the wardens , and the companie of the fish-mongers . to the consideration of your fauourable constructions i present these sixe yeares continued trials from new england : if you please to peruse them , and make vse of them , i am richly rewarded . the subiect deserueth a farre better habit , but it is as good as the father can giue it . let not therefore a souldiers plainnesse cause you refuse to accept it , how euer you please to dispose of him , that humbly sacreth himselfe and best abilities to his countries good , and the exquisite iudgement of your renowned perfections . yours to command , iohn smith . nevv englands trials . new england is a part of america betwixt the degrees of . and . the very meane betwixt the north pole and the line : from . to . the coast is mountainous , rockie , barren and broken iles that make many good harbours . the water is deepe close to the shoare ; there are many riuers and fresh springs : few saluages , but an incredible aboundan●e of fish , fowle , wilde fruites , and good timber . from . to . and halfe , an excellent mixed coast of stone , sand , and clay : much corne , many people , some iles , many good harbours , a temperate ayre , and therein all things necessarie ; for the building ships of any proportion , and good merchandize for their fraughts ; within a square of twelue leagues . harbours i sounded , thirtie seuerall lordships i sawe , and so neare as i could imagine , three thousand men . i was vp one riuer fortie miles , crossed the mouths of many , whose heads are reported to be great lakes ; where they kill their beuers ; inhabited with many people , who trade with those of new england , and them of cannada . the benefite of fishing , as that famous philosopher master dee reporteth in his brittish monarchie . he saith , that more then forty foure yeares agoe , the herring busses out of the low-countries , vnder the king of spaine , were fiue hundred , besides one hundred frenchmen , and three or foure hundred saile of flemings . the coasts of wales and lankashire was vsed by three hundred sayle of strangers . ireland at baltemore fraughted yerely three hundred sayle of spaniards , where king edward the sixt intended to haue made a strong castell , because of the straite , to haue tribute for fishing . blacke rocke was yearely fished by three or foure hundred sayle of spaniards , portugalls , and biskiners . mr. gentleman and many fisher-men and fishmongers , with whom i haue conferred , report : the hollanders raise yearely by herrings , cod , and ling , . pounds . english , and french by salt-fish , poore iohn , salmons , and pilchards , . pounds . hambrough and the sound , for sturgion , lobsters , and eeles , . pounds . cape blanke , tunny and mullit , by the biskinners and spaniards . . pounds . but diuers other learned experienced obseruers say , though it may seeme incredible : that the duke of medina receiueth yearely tribute , of the fishers of tunny , mullit , and purgos , more then . pounds . lubeck hath seuen hundred shippes : hambrough sixe hundred : embden lately a fisher towne , , whose customes by the profit of fishing hath made them so powerfull as they be . holland and zeland , not much greater then yorkeshire , hath thirty walled townes , . villages , and . sayle of ships and hoyes ; . are fishermen , whereof . are dogers , . pinckes and welbotes , . frand botes , . enaces , . galbotes , britters and todebotes , with . busses ; besides three hundred that yearely fish about yarmouth , where they sell their fish for gold ; and . yeares agoe they had more then . sea-faring men . these fishing ships do take yearely . last of fish , . barrells to a last ; which amounteth to . pounds by the fishermens price that . yeres agoe did pay for their tenths . pound ; which venting in pomerland , sprusland , denmarke , lesland , russia , suethland , germany , netherlands , england , or e●sewhere , &c. make their returnes in a yeare about . pounds ; and yet in holland they haue neither matter to build shippes , nor merchandize to set them foorth , yet they asmuch encrease as other nations decay . but leauing th●se vncertainties as they are , of this i am certaine : that the coast of england , scotland , and ireland , the north sea , with island , and the sound , new-foundland , and cape blancke , doe serue all europe , as well the land townes as portes , and all the christian shipping , with these sorts of staple fish which is transported ; from whence it is taken , many a thousand mile , viz. herring : salt-fish . poore iohn . sturgion . mullit . tunny . porgos . caviare . buttargo . now seeing all these sorts of fish , or the most part of them , may be had in a land more fertile , temperate , and plentifull of all necessaries for the building of ships , boates and houses ; and the nourishment of man : the seasons are so proper , and the fishings so neare the habitations wee may there make , that new england hath much aduantage of the most of those parts , to serue all europe farre cheaper then they can , who at home haue neither wood , salt , nor food , but at great rates ; at sea , nothing but what they carry in their shippes , an hundred or two hundred leagues from their habitation . but new englands fishings neare land , where is helpe of wood , water , fruites , fowles , corne , or other refreshings needefull ; and the terceras , mederas , canaries , spaine , portugall , prouance , sauoy , sicilia , and ali italy , as conuensent markets for our dry fish , greene fish , sturgion , mullit , caviare , and buttargo , as norway , swethland , littuania , or germany , for their herring , ( which is here also in aboundance , for taking ; ) they returning but wood , pitch , tarre , soape-ashes , cordage , flaxe , waxe and such like commodities : we , wines , oyles , sugars , silkes , and such merchandizes as the straites affoord , whereby our profites may equalize theirs ; besides the increase of shipping and mariners . and for proofe hereof : with two shippes i went from the downes , the third of march , and arriued in new england , the last of aprill . i had but fortie fiue men and boyes , we built seuen boates , . did fish ; my selfe with eight bthers ranging the coast , i tooke a plot of what i could see , got acquaintance of the inhabitants , eleuen hundred beuer skinnes , one hundred martins , and as many otters : fortie thousand of dry fish we sent for spaine , with the salt-fish , treine oyle and furres , i returned for england the . of iuly , and arriued safe with my company the latter end of august . thus in sixe moneths i made my voyage , out and home , and by the labour of . got neare the valew of fifteene hundred pounds in those grosse commodities . this yeare also one went from plimmouth , spent his victuall , and returned with nothing . the londoners , vpon this , sent foure good shippes , and because i would not vndertake it for them , hauing ingaged my selfe to them of the west , the l●ndoners entertained the men that came home with me ; they set sayle in ianuary , and arriued there in march : they found fish enough vntill halfe iune , fraughted a shippe of three hundred tunnes ; went for spaine with drie fish , which was taken by the turkes ; one went to virginia , to relieue that collony ; and two came for eng●and , with the greene fish , treine oyle , and f●rres , within sixe moneths . with a labyrinth of trouble i went from plimmouth with a shippe of two hundred tunnes , and one of fiftie ; but ill weather breaking all my mastes , i was forced to returne to plimmouth , where re-imbarking my selfe in a ship of three score tunnes , how i escaped the english 〈◊〉 , and the french , and was betrayed by foure frenchmen of warre , i referre you to the description of new england ; but my vice-admirall , notwithstanding the latenesse of the yeare , setting forth with me in march , the londoners in ianuary , she arriued in may , they in march , yet came home well fraught in august , and all her men well , within fiue moneths odde dayes . the londoners , ere i returned from france , for all their losse by the turkes , which was valewed about foure thousand pounds , sent two more in iuly : but such courses they tooke by the canaries to the west indies ; it was ten months ere they arriued in new england : wasting in that time , their seasons , victuall , and healths ; yet there they found meanes to refresh themselues , and the one returned , neere fraught with fish and traine , within two moneths after . from plimmouth went foure ships , onely to fish and trade , some in february , some in march ; one of two hundred tunnes , got thith●r in a moneth , and went full fraught for spaine , the rest returnd to plimouth well fraught , & their men well , within months odde daies . from london went two more , one of . tunnes , got thither in sixe weekes ; and within sixe weekes after , with fortie foure men and boyes , was full fraught , and returned againe into england within fiue months and a few dayes ; the other went to the canaries with dry fish , which they solde at a great rate , for royalls of eight , and ( as i heard ) turned pirates . i being at plimouth , prouided with three good ships , was wind-bound three months , as was many a hundred sayle more ; so that the season being past , the shippes went for new-found-land , whereby my desseigne was frustrate , which was to me and my friends , no small losse . there was foure good shippes prepared at plimouth ; but by reason of their disagreement , the season so wasted , as onely two went forward , the one being of two hundred tunnes , returned well fraught to plimouth , and her men in health , within fiue moneths ; the other of foure score , went for bilbow with dry fish , and made a good returne . this yeare againe , diuers shippes intending to go from plimmouth , so disagreed , as there went but one of . tuns , who stayed in the countrey about sixe weekes , with thirty eight men & boyes , had her fraght , which she sold at the first penny for . pounds , besides the furres ; so that euery poore sayler , that had but a single share , had his charges and sixteene pound ten shiltings for his seuen moneths worke : but some of the company say , for sixe months in the hercules , they receeued seuenteene pound two shillings a share . for to make triall this yeare there is gone six or seuen sayle from the west country , onely to fish , three of which are returned ; and ( as i am certainely informed ) haue made so good a voyage , that euery sayler for a single share had twenty pounds for his seuen moneths worke , which is more then in twenty moneths he should haue gotten , had he gone for wages any where . now though all the former ships haue not made such good vyages as they expected , by sending opinionated vnskilfull men , that had not experienced diligence , to saue that they tooke ; nor take that there was ; which now patience and pract●se hath brought to a reasonable kinde of perfection in d●sp●te of all d●tractors , and calumniations , the countrey yet hath satisfied all , the defect hath beene in their vs●ng or abusing it , not in it selfe , nor me . heere i entreate your honourable leaues to answer some obiections . many do thinke it strange , if this be true , i haue made no more vse of it , and rest so long without employment . and i thinke it more strange they should tax me before they haue tried what i haue done , both by sea and land , as well in asia , and affrica , as europe and america . these fourteene yeres i haue spared neither pains , nor money , according to my abilitie , in the discouery of norumbega , where with some thirty seauen men and boyes , the remainder of an hundred and fiue , against the fury of the saluages , i began that plantation now in virginia ; which beginning ( here and there ) cost mee neare fiue yeares worke , and more then fiue hundred pound of my owne estate ; beside all the dangers , miseries and incomberances , and losse of other imployments i endured gratìs . from which blessed virgin , where i stayed till i left fiue hundred english , better prouided then euer i was ( ere i returned ) sprung the fortunate habitation of somer iles. this virgins sister ( called new-england , an. at my humble suite , by our most gracious prince charles ) hath bene neare as chargeable to mee and my friends ; from all which , although i neuer got shilling , but it cost mee a pound , yet i thinke my selfe happy to see their prosperities . if it yet trouble a multitude to proceede vppon these certainties , what thinke you i vndertooke , when nothing was knowne , but that there was a vast land ? i neuer had power and meanes to do any thing ( though more hath beene spent in formall delayes then would haue done the businesse ) but in such a penurious and miserable maner , as if i had gone a begging to builde an vniuersity ; where , had men bin as forward to aduenture their purses , as to crop the fruites of my labours , thousands ere this , had been bettered by these designes . thus betwixt the spurte of desire , and the bridle of reason , i am neare ridden to death in a ring of despaire ; the reines are in your hands , therefore i entreate you to ease mee : and those blame mee ( beleeue ) this little may haue taught me , not to be so forward againe at euery motion , vnlesse i intended nothing but to carry newes . for now they dare aduenture a shippe , that , when i went first , would not aduenture a groat , so they may be at home againe by michaelmasse ; but to the purpose . by this all men may perceiue the ordinary performance of this voyage in fiue or sixe moneths , the plenty of fish is most certainely approoued ; and it is certaine from cannada and new england hath come neare twenty thousand beuer skinnes , within these fiue yeares . now , had each of those shippes transported but sixe , or three pigs , as many goates and hens , fruits , plants and seeds as i proiected ▪ by this time there might haue beene victuall for a thousand men . but the desire of present gaine ( in many ) is so violent , and the indeuours of many vndertakers so negligent , euery one so regarding his priuate , that it is hard to effect any publique good , and impossible to bring them into a body , rule , or order , vnlesse both authoritie and mony assist experiences : it is not a worke for euery one to plant a colonie ( but when a house is built , it is no hard matter to dwell in it . ) this requireth all the best pars of art , iudgement , courage , honestie , constancy , diligence and experience to doe but neare well : and there is a great difference betwixt saying and doing . but to conclude , the fishing will go forward if you plant it or no ; whereby you may transport a colony for no great charge , that in a short time , might prouide such fraughts , to buy of vs their dwelling , as i would hope no ship could goe or come emptie from new england . the charge of this is onely salt , nettes , hookes , lines , kniues , irish rugges , course cloth , beads , hatchets , glasse and such trash , onely for fishing and trade with the saluages , besides our owne necessarie prouisions , whose indeuours will quickely desray all this charge ; and the saluages haue intreated me to inhabit where i will. now all those ships haue bin fished within a square of two leagues , & not one ship of all these , would yet aduenture further , where questionlesse . saile may haue their fraught , better then in island , newfoundland , or elsewhere , and be in their markets before the other can haue their fish in their ships . because new englands fishing beginneth in mid-february , the other not till mid-maie , the progression heereof tends much to the aduancement of virginia , and the burmudas : and will be a good friend in time of need to the inhabitants in new-found-land . the returnes made by the westerne shippes are commonly divided into . parts ; one for the owners of the shippe , another for the maister and his company , the third for the victulers ; which course being still permitted , will be no hinderance to the plantation , goe there neuer so many , but a meanes of transporting that yearely for little or nothing , which otherwise will cost many a hundred of pounds . if a ship can gaine , twenty , thirty , fifty in the hundred , nay neare three hundred for . in seuen moneths , as you see they haue doone , spending twice so much time in going and coming as in staying there ; were i there planted , seeing the varietie of the fishings in their seasons , serueth the most part of the yeare ; and with a little labour we might make all the salt we neede vse . i can conceiue no reason to distrust , but the doubling and trebling their gaines that are at all the former charge , and can fish but two months in a yeare : and if those do giue twenty , thirty , or forty shillings for an acre of land , or ship carpenters , forgers of yron &c. that buy all things at a deare rate , grow rich , when they may haue as good of all needfull necessaries for taking ( in my opinion ) should not grow poore ; and no commoditie in europe doth more decay then wood . maister dee recordeth in his brittish monarchie , that king edgar had a nauie of foure thousand saile , with which he yearely made his progresse about this famous monarchy of great brittany , largely declaring the benefit thereof : whereupon it seems he protected to our most memorable queene elizabeth , the erecting of a fleete of three score saile , he called a little nauy royall ; immitating the admired pericles prince of athens , that could neuer secure that tormented estate , vntill he was lord and captaine of the sea. at this none neede wonder , for who knowes not , her royall maiestie during her life , by the incredible aduentures of her royall nauy and valiant souldiers aud sea-men ; notwithstanding all treacheries at home , the protecting and defending france and holland , and re-conquering ireland , yet all the world , by sea or land , both feared , loued , and admired good queene elizabeth . both to maintaine and increase that incomparable honour ( god be thanked ) to her incomparable successour , our most royall lord and soueraigne king iames , &c. this great philosopher hath left this to his maiesty and his kingdomes considerations . that if the tenths of the earth be proper to god , it is also due by sea , the kings highwayes are common to passe , but not to digge for mines or anie thing , so englands coasts are free to passe , but not to fish , but by his maiesties prerogatiue . his maiestie of spaine , permits none to passe the popes order for the east and west indies , but by his permission , or at their perills . if all that world be so iustly theirs , it is no iniustice for england to make as much vse of her owne , as strangers doe , that pay to their owne lords the tenth , and not to the owners of those liberties any thing , whose subiects may neither take nor sell any in their territories ; which small tribute , would maintaine his little nauy royall , and not cost his maiesty a penny ; and yet maintaine peace with all forrainers , and allow them more curtesie , then any nation in the world affords to england . it were a shame to alledge , that holland is more worthy to enioy our fishings as lords thereof , because they haue more skill to handle it then we , as they can our wooll , and vndressed cloth , notwithstanding all their wars and trouble some disorders . to get mony to build this nauy he saith , who would not spare the hundred penny of his rents , and the . penny of his goods ; each seruant that taketh . s. . d. wages , . pence , and euery forrainer seuen yeares of age , . pence yearely for . yeares ▪ not any of these but yearely they will spend . times so much in pride , wantonnesse or some superfluity . and doe any men loue the security of their estates that are true subiects , would not of themselues be humble suters to his maiestie , to do this of free will as a voluntary beneuolence , so it may be as honestly and truly imployed as it is proiected , the poorest mechanicke in this kingdome will gaine by it . if this be too much , would the honorable aduenturers be pleased to moue his maiestie , that but the . penny of rents , and the thousandth peny of goodes might bee thus collected , to plant new england , and but the tenth fish there taken , leauing strangers as they are . you might build ships of any burden and numbers you please , fiue times cheaper then you can doe heere , and haue good marchandize for their fraught in this vnknowne land , to the aduauncement of gods glorie , his church and gospel , and the strengthening and reliefe of a great part of christendome , without hurt to any : ●o the terror of pirates , the amazement of enemies , the assistance of friends , the securing merchants , and so much increase of nauigation , to make englands trade and shipping , as much as any nation in the world , besides a hundred other benefits , to the generall good of all true subiects , and would cause thousands yet snborne , blesse the time , and all them that first put it in practise . now , lest it should be obscured , as it hath bene , to private ends ; or so weakely vndertaken , by our ouer-weening incredulitie , that strangers may possesse it , whilst we contend for new englands goods , but not englands good . i present this vnto your lordship , and to all the lords in england , hoping ( by your honorable good liking and approbation , ) to moue all the worthy companies of this noble city , and all the cities and countries in the whole land to consider of it , since i can find them wood , and halfe victuall with the aforesaide aduantages , with what facility they may build and maintaine this little nauy royall , both with honour , profite and content , and inhabit as good a countrey as any in the world , within that parallell , which with my life , and what i haue , i will indeuour to effect , if god please , and you permit . as for them whom pride or couetousnes lulleth asleepe in a cradle of slouthfull carelesnesse ; would they but consider , how all the great monarchies of the earth haue bene brought to confusion : or but remember the late lamentable experience of constantinople ; and how many cities , townes , and provinces , in the faire rich kingdomes of hungaria , transilvania , and wallachi ; and how many thousands of princes , earles , barons , knights , and merchants , haue in one day , lost goods , liues , and honours : or solde for slaues , like beasts in a market place ; their wiues , children & seruants slain , or wandering they knew not whither : dying , or liuing in all extreamities of extreame miseries and calamities . surely , they would not onely doe this , but giue all they haue , to enioy peace and libertie at home ; or but adventure their persons abroade , to prevent the conclusions of a conquering foe , who commonly assaulteth , and best prevaileth , where he findeth wealth and plenty ( most armed ) with ignorance and securitie . much more i could say , but lest i should be too tedious to your more serious affaires , i humbly craue your honorable and favorable constructions and pardons , if any thing be amisse . if any desire to bee further satisfied , they may reade my description of virginia , and new england , and peruse them with their seuerall mappes ; what defect you finde in them , they shall finde supplied in mee , or in my authors , that thus freely haue throwne my selfe , with my mite into the treasury of my countries good , not doubting but god will shirre vp some noble spirits , to consider and examine it worthy collumbus could giue the spaniards any such certainties for his dessigne , when queene isabell of spayne set him forth with fifteene saile : and though i can promise no mines of golde , yet the warrelike hollanders let vs immitate , but not hate , whose wealth and strength are good testimonies of their treasure gotten by fishing . therefore ( honourable and worthy countrymen ) let not the meannesse of the word fish distaste you , for it will afford as good golde as the mines of guiana , or tubatu , with lesse hazard and charge , and more certaintie and facilitie : and so i humbly rest . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e s. proofe . . proofe . . proofe . . proofe . . . proofe . . proofe . . proofe . proofe . . proofe . . proofe . . for this next yeare . it is reported . or . saile is a preparing . burmudos . plain dealing, or, nevves from new-england a short view of new-englands present government, both ecclesiasticall and civil, compared with the anciently-received and established government of england in some materiall points : fit for the gravest consideratin in these times / by thomas lechford ... plain dealing lechford, thomas, ca. - ? this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing l ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing l estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; :e , no ) plain dealing, or, nevves from new-england a short view of new-englands present government, both ecclesiasticall and civil, compared with the anciently-received and established government of england in some materiall points : fit for the gravest consideratin in these times / by thomas lechford ... plain dealing lechford, thomas, ca. - ? [ ], p. printed by w. e. and i. g. for nath. butter ..., london : . reprinted in with title "new-england's advice to old-england." and consists of same sheets as first edition. reproduction of original in thomason collection, british library. eng massachusetts -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . massachusetts -- church history. new england -- politics and government -- to . new england -- church history. new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . a r (wing l ). civilwar no plain dealing: or, nevves from new-england. a short view of new-englands present government, both ecclesiasticall and civil, compared with t lechford, thomas c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion plain dealing : or , nevves from new-england . ( vivat rex angliae carolus , vivat anglia , vivantque eorum amici omnes . ) a short view of new-englands present government , both ecclesiasticall and civil , compared with the anciently-received and established government of england , in some materiall points ; fit for the gravest consideration in these times . by thomas lechford of clements inne , in the county of middlesex , gent. levis est dolor , qui capere consilium potest , et clepere sese ; magna non latitant mala . sen. london , printed by w. e. and i. g. for nath : butter , at the signe of the pyde bull neere s. austins gate . . to the reader . every man is to approve himselfe , and answer to god for his actions his conscience leads him to ; and next , to good men , as much as in him lyeth . i have thus presumed to enter into publique , for these reasons : first , because it is well knowne unto many , that heretofore i suffered imprisonment , and a kind of banishment out of this good land , for some acts construed to oppose , and as tending to subvert episcopacie , and the setled ecclesiasticall government of england : therefore now i desired to purge my self of so great a scandall ; and wherein i have offended , to intreat all my superiours , and others , to impute it rather to my ignorance , for the time , then any wilfull stubbornnesse . secondly , seeing that since my comming home , i find that multitudes are corrupted with an opinion of the unlawfulnesse of the church-government by diocesan bishops , which opinion i beleeve is the root of much mischiefe ; having now had experience of divers governments , i see not how i could with faithfulnesse to god , my king and countrey , be any longer silent , especially considering some of these late troubles occasioned , among other sins , i fear , much through this evill opinion . happy shall i be , if any be made wiser by my harmes ; i wish all men to take heed , how they shake hands with the church of god , upon any such heedlesse grounds as i almost had done . thirdly , that i might ( though unworthy ) in a fit season , acquaint the learned and pious divines of england with these my slender observations , quaeres , and experiments , to the end they may come the better prepared , upon any publique occasion , for the consideration of such matters , and so at length , those good things that are shaken among us may be established , and truth confirmed . it is enough for me , being a student or practiser at law , faithfully to put a case , which will be this : whether the episcopall government by provinciall and diocesan bishops , in number about . in england , being , if not of absolute divine authority , yet nearest , and most like thereunto , and most anciently here embraced , is still safest to be continued ? or a presbyterian government , being ( as is humbly conceived ) but of humane authority , bringing in a numerous company of above . presbyters to have chiefe rule in the keyes , in england , be fit to be newly set up here , a thing whereof we have had no experience , and which moderate wise men think to be lesse consonant to the divine patterne , and may prove more intolerable then the said episcopacie ? or an independent government of every congregationall church ruling it selfe , which introduceth not onely one absolute bishop in every parish , but in effect so many men , so many bishops , according to new-englands rule , which in england would be anarchie & confusion ? i would entreat those that stand for this last mentioned manner of government , to be pleased to consider , . that the very terme of leading , or ruling in the church , attributed to elders , forbids it ; for if all are rulers , who shall be ruled ? . the maine acts of rule consist of receiving into the church by baptisme , or otherwise , and ejection out of the church by censure , binding and loosing ; now these are committed to the apostles , and their successors , and not to all the members of the church . . all have not power to baptize , therefore not to receive into the church , nor to cast out of the church . my brethren , be not many masters , saith s. iames , . . the words of the wise are as goads , and as nayles , fastened by the masters of assemblies , which are given from one shepheard , eccles. . . and whereas some may say , that this power of ruling is but ministerially in the officers , and initiatively , conclusively , and virtually in the people : if so , what power ordinarily have the people to contradict the ministeriall works and acts of their officers ? must the whole church try all those whom their ministers convert abroad , suppose among indians , before they may baptize them ? how can all the church examine and try such ? all have not power , warrant , leisure , pleasure , ability , for , and in such works , nor can all speake indian language . doubtlesse the acts of rule by the officers is the rule of the whole church , and so to be taken ordinarily without contradiction , else there would be no end of jangling : and thus taken , the whole church of corinth , by s. pauls command , ( sc. by their ministers ) were to put away that wicked person , and deliver him up to satan , cor. . . and restore him , and forgive him , cor. . and so all the doubt on that text is ( neer i think ) resolved . now that the government at new-england seemeth to make so many church-members so many bishops , will be plaine by this ensuing discourse : for you shall here find , that the churches in the bay governe each by all their members unanimously , or else by the major part , wherein every one hath equall vote and superspection with their ministers : and that in their covenant it is expressed to be the duty of all the members , to watch over one another . and in time their churches will be more corrupted then now they are ; they cannot ( as there is reason to feare ) avoid it possibly . how can any now deny this to be anarchie and confusion ? nay , say some , we will keep out those that have not true grace . but how can they certainly discerne that true grace , and what measure god requireth ? besides , by this course , they will ( it is to be feared ) in stead of propagating the gospel , spread heathenisme ; in stead of gaining to the church , lose from the church : for when the major part are unbaptized , as in twenty years undoubtedly they will be , by such a course continued , what is like to become of it , but that either they may goe among their fellow-heathens the indians , or rise up against the church , and break forth into many grievous distempers among themselves ? which god , and the king forbid , i pray . and that you ( courteous reader ) may perceive i have from time to time dealt cordially in these things , by declaring them impartially to my friends , as i received light , i shall adde in the last place certaine passages out letters , sent by me into england to that purpose , and conclude . and i doe not this , god knoweth , as delighting to lay open the infirmities of these well-affected men , many of them my friends , but that it is necessary , at this time , for the whole church of god , and themselves , as i take it : besides , many of the things are not infirmities , but such as i am bound to protest against ; yet i acknowledge there are some wise men among them , who would help to mend things , if they were able , and i hope will do their endeavours . and i think that wiser men then they , going into a wildernesse to set up another strange government differing from the setled government here , might have falne into greater errors then they have done . neither have i the least aime to retard or hinder an happy and desired reformation of things amisse either in church or common-wealth , but daily and earnestly pray to god almighty , the god of wisdome and counsell , that he please so to direct his royall majesty , and his wise and honourable counsell , the high court of parliament , that they may fall upon so due and faire a moderation , as may be for the glory of god , and the peace and safety of his royall majesty , and all his majesties dominions , and good subjects . vale . clements inne , jan. . . thomas lechford . a table of the chiefe heads of this discourse . . the church-government and administrations in the bay of the mattachusets . page . . their publique worship . . touching the government of the common-wealth there . . certaine propositions to the generall court , concerning recording of civill causes . . a paper of the church her liberties . . a paper intended for the worshipfull john winthrop , esquire , late governour , touching baptizing of those they terme without , and propagation of the gospel to the infidel natives . . the ministers and magistrates their names . . the state of the countrey in the bay and thereabouts . . a relation concerning the natives or indians . . some late occurrences touching episcopacie . . three questions to the elders of boston , and their answers . . a paper of exceptions to their government . . forty quaeres about planting and governing of churches , and other experiments . . an abstract of certaine letters . . the conclusion . plaine dealing : or , newes from new-england . having been forth of my native countrey , almost for the space of foure yeeres last past , and now through the goodnesse of almighty god returned , many of my friends desiring to know of me the manner of governments , and state of things , in the place from whence i came , new england ; i thinke good to declare my knowledge in such things , as briefly as i may . i conceive , and hope , it may be profitable in these times of disquisition . for the church government , and administrations , in the bay of the mattachusets . a church is gathered there after this maner : a convenient , or competent number of christians , allowed by the generall court to plant together , at a day prefixed , come together , in publique manner , in some fit place , and there confesse their sins and professe their faith , one unto another , and being satisfied of one anothers faith & repentance , they solemlny enter into a covenant with god , and one an other ( which is called their church covenant , and held by them to constitute a church ) to this effect : viz. to forsake the devill , and all his workes , and the vanities of the sinfull world , and all their former lusts , and corruptions , they have lived and walked in , and to cleave unto , and obey the lord jesus christ , as their onely king and law-giver , their onely priest and prophet , and to walke together with that church , in the unity of the faith , and brotherly love , and to submit themselves one unto an other , in all the ordinances of christ , to mutuall edification , and comfort , to watch over , and support one another whereby they are called the chruch of such a place , which before they say were no church , nor of any church except the invisible : after this , they doe at the same time , or some other , all being together , elect their own officers , as pastor , teacher , elders , deacons , if they have fit men enough to supply those places ; else , as many of them as they can be provided of . then they set another day for the ordination of their said officers , and appoint some of themselves to impose hands upon their officers , which is done in a publique day of fasting and prayer . where there are ministers , or elders , before , they impose their hands upon the new officers : but where there is none , there some of their chiefest men , two or three , of good report amongst them , though not of the ministery , doe , by appointment of the said church , lay hands upon them . and after the said ordination , if there are any elders of other churches present , ( as of late i have knowne divers have been present , under the names of the messengers of the churches ) they give the new officers the right hand of fellowship , taking them by the right hand , every one severally , or else , sometimes , one forraine elder , in the name of all the rest , gives the right hand of fellowship , with a set speech unto them . notice is given in divers churches or other places , before-hand , of the gathering of every church , divers weeks before ; and so also of every ordination . and some ministers , or others , as messengers from other churches , are usually present at such gatherings of churches , and ordinations : for sometimes , magistrates , captains , gentlemen , and other meaner brethren , are made messengers of churches , for those and other purposes , never having had imposition of hands : and at planting of a church , or gathering , as they tearme it , one of the church messengers of forraine churches , examines and tries the men to be moulded into a church , discerns their faith and repentance , and their covenant being before ready made , written , subscribed , and here read and acknowledged , hee decerns and pronounceth them to be a true church of christ , and gives them the right hand of fellowship , and all this in the name of christ , and of all the church-messengers present , and their churches : so did master weld at the founding of weymouth church , or to this effect . and the generall court will not allow of any church otherwise gathered . some ministers have there heretofore , as i have heard , disclaimed the power of their ministery received in england , but others among them have not . generally , for the most part , they hold the pastors and teachers offices to be distinct ; the teacher to minister a word of knowledg , the pastor a word of wisdome , but some hold them all one ; as in the church of watertowne , there are two pastors , neither will that church send any messengers to any other church-gathering or ordination . when a man or woman commeth to joyne unto the church so gathered , he or shee commeth to the elders in private , at one of their houses , or some other place appointed , upon the weeke dayes , and make knowne their desire , to enter into church-fellowship with that church , and then the ruling elders , or one of them , require , or aske him or her , if he bee willing to make known unto them the worke of grace upon their soules , or how god hath beene dealing with them about their conversion : which ( at boston ) the man declareth usually standing , the woman sitting . and if they satisfie the elders , and the private assembly , ( for divers of the church , both men and women , meet there usually ) that they are true beleevers , that they have beene wounded in their hearts for their originall sinne , and actuall transgressions , and can pitch upon some promise of free grace in the scripture , for the ground of their faith , and that they finde their hearts drawne to beleeve in christ jesus , for their justification and salvation , and these in the ministerie of the word , reading or conference : and that they know competently the summe of christian faith . and sometimes , though they be not come to a full assurance of their good estate in christ . then afterwards , in covenient time , in the publique assembly of the church , notice is given by one of the ruling elders , that such a man , or woman , by name , desireth to enter into church-fellowship with them , and therefore if any know any thing , or matter of offence against them , for their unfitnesse to joyne with them , such are required to bring notice thereof to the elders ; else , that any who know them , or can say any thing for their fitnesse , be ready to give testimony thereof , when they shall be called forth before the whole church . if there be matter of offence , it is first heard before the elders , and if the party satisfie them , and the offended , in private , for private offences , and promise to satisfie in publique , for publique offences ; then , upon another day , one of the ruling elders calleth forth the party , by name , in the publique assembly of the church , and before strangers , and whomsoever present , most commonly upon the lords day , after evening exercises , and sometimes upon a week day , when all the church have notice to be present . the party appearing in the midst of the assembly , or some convenient place , the ruling elder speaketh in this manner : brethren of this congregation , this man , or woman a. b. hath been heretofore propounded to you , desiring to enter into church-fellowship with us , and we have not , since that , heard any thing from any of you to the contrary , of the parties admittance , but that we may goe on to receive him : therefore now , if any of you know any thing against him , why he may not be admitted , you may yet speak . then after some silence he proceedeth , seeing no man speaketh to the contrary of his admission , if any of you know any thing , to speak for his receiving , we desire you , give testimony thereof to the church , as you were also formerly desired to be ready therewith , and expresse your selves as briefly as you may , and to as good hearing . whereupon , sometimes , men do speak to the contrary , in case they have not heard of the propounding , and so stay the party for that time also , till this new offence be heard before the elders , so that sometimes there is a space of divers moneths between a parties first propounding and receiving ; and some are so bashfull , as that they choose rather to goe without the communion , then undergoe such * publique confessions and tryals , but that is held their fault . but when none speaketh to the contrary , then some one , two , or three , or more of the brethren speak their opinions of the party , giving instances in some godlinesse and good conversation of his , or some other recommendation is made , and that they are willing ( if the church thereto consent ) for their part , to give him the right hand of fellowship . which done , the elder turneth his speech to the party to be admitted , and requireth him , or sometimes asketh him , if he be willing to make knowne to the congregation the work of grace upon his soule ; and biddeth him , as briefly , and audibly , to as good hearing as he can , to doe the same . thereupon the party , if it be a man , speaketh himselfe ; but if it be a woman , her confession made before the elders , in private , is most usually ( in boston church ) read by the pastor , who registred the same . at salem the women speake themselves , for the most part , in the church ; but of late it is said , they doe this upon the week dayes there , and nothing is done on sunday , but their entrance into covenant . the man in a solemne speech , sometimes a quarter of an houre long , shorter or longer , declareth the work of grace in his soule , to the same purpose , as that before the elders formerly mentioned . then the elder requireth the party to make profession of his faith ; which also is done either by questions and answers , if the party be weake , or else in a solemne speech according to the summe and tenour of the christian faith laid downe in the scriptures , defining faith , and shewing how it is wrought by the word , and spirit of god , defining a church to be a company of beleevers gathered out of the world , by the word preached , and holy spirit , and knit together by an holy covenant , that there are in the church remaining such and such officers , and members , as aforesaid : that is to say , pastors and teachers , ruling elders , deacons and deaconesses , or widowes ; and such and such are their offices and duties in particular , viz. the pastor to exhort , and besides to rule ; the teacher to instruct in knowledge , and likewise to rule ; the ruling elder to assist pastor and teacher in ruling , as the levites were given to the priests for helps , and to see to whomsoever comming into , or to goe forth of the church , by admonition , or excommunication ; the deacon to receive the contributions of the church , and faithfully to dispose the same ; the deaconesses to shew mercie with chearfulnesse , and to minister to the sick and poore brethren ; the members all , to watch over and support one an other in brotherly love . notwithstanding , there was a sermon lately made by master cotton in october , anno . upon cor. . . touching heresies , which was since commonly there called the sermon of the twelve articles , wherein was declared , that there are twelve articles of religion , which maintained by any , the church may receive them , and keepe fellowship with them ; but the ignorant of them after instruction and scandalous sins unrepented , exclude from the fellowship of the church . the said articles were to this effect : first , that there are three persons in one god , the father , the sonne , and the holy spirit . secondly , that this god made , and governs all the world , and that he is a rewarder of the good , and punisher of the evill . thirdly , that this god alone is to be worshiped . fourthly , this worship of god is instituted in his written word , not the precepts of men . fiftly , that from the fall of adam , we have not so worshiped god , but have all sinned , and deprived our selves of the reward promised , and therefore are under the curse by nature . sixthly , that we are by nature utterly unable to rescue our selves from this curse . seventhly , that jesus christ the eternall sonne of god , in fulnesse of time took upon him our nature , and was made flesh for us , and by his death and sufferings , redeemed his elect from sin , and death . eighthly , that christ jesus , and salvation by him , is offered , and given in the gospell , unto every one that beleeveth in his name , and onely by such received . ninthly , that no man can come unto christ , nor beleeve on him , except the father draw him by his word and spirit . tenthly , whom the lord draws to him by his word and spirit , them he justifies freely by his grace , and according to his truth , not by works . eleventhly , where the soule is justified , it is also regenerate and sanctified . twelfthly , this regeneration and sanctification is still imperfect in this life . and unto all is added this generall article , that such as walke after this rule , shall arise to everlasting life ; and those that walk otherwise , shall arise to everlasting condemnation , in the day of judgement : that the knowledge and beliefe of these are of the foundation of religion : but things touching the foundation of churches , as baptisme , imposition of hands ; ignorance in these may hinder the measure of our reward in heaven , not communion with the church on earth . exceptions against the apostles creed were these : that it is not of necessity to beleeve christs descent into hell in any sense ; that it is not in that creed contained , that the scripture is the onely rule of gods worship ; nor doth it so directly set forth the point of justification . and also i remember master knolles , now one of the pastors at watertowne , when he first came to be admitted at boston , never made any mention in his profession of faith , of any officers of the church in particular , or their duties , and yet was received . the party having finished his discourses of his confession , and profession of his faith , the elder againe speaketh to the congregation : brethren of the congregation , if what you have heard of , from this party , doe not satisfie you , as to move you to give him the right hand of fellowship , use your liberty , and declare your mindes therein : and then , after some silence , if none except against the parties expressions , ( as often some members doe ) then the elder proceedeth , saying , but if you are satisfied with that you have heard of , and from him , expresse your willingnesse , and consent to receive him , by your usuall signe , which is erection and extention of the right hand . this done , sometimes they proceede to admit more members , all after the same manner , for the most part , two , three , foure , or five , or more together , as they have time , spending sometimes almost a whole afternoone therein . and then the elder calleth all them , that are to be admitted , by name , and rehearseth the covenant , on their parts , to them , which they publiquely say , they doe promise , by the helpe of god , to performe : and then the elder , in the name of the church , promiseth the churches part of the covenant , to the new admitted members . so they are received , or admitted . then they may receive the sacrament of the lords supper with them , and their children bee baptized , but not before : also till then they may not be free men of the common-wealth , but being received in the church they may . sometimes the master is admitted , and not the servant , & e contra : the husband is received , and not the wife ; and on the contrary , the child , and not the parent . also all matters of publique offence are heard & determined in publique , before all the church , ( and strangers too in boston , not so in other places ) the party is called forth , and the matter declared and testified by two witnesses ; then he is put to answer : which finished , one of the ruling elders asketh the * congregation if they are satisfied with the parties expressions ? if they are , he requireth them to use their liberty , and declare their satisfiednesse ; if not , and that they hold the party worthy of admonition or excommunication , that they witnesse their assent thereto by their silence . if they be silent , the sentence is denounced . if it be for defaults in erroneous opinions onely , the teacher , they say , is to denounce the sentence ; if for matter of ill manners , the pastor denounceth it ; the ruling elders doe not usually denounce any sentence : but i have heard , a captaine delivered one to satan , in the church at dorchester , in the absence of their minister . ordinarily , matter of offence is to be brought to the elders in private , they may not otherwise tell the * church in ordinary matters , and so it hath been declared in publique , by the pastors of boston . the admonished must , in good manners , abstain from the communion , and must goe on to satisfie the church , else excommunication follows . the excommunicate is held as an heathen and publican : yet it hath been declared at boston in divers cases , that children may eate with their parents excommunicate ; that an elected magistrate excommunicate may hold his place , but better another were chosen ; that an hereditary magistrate , though excommunicate , is to be obeyed still in civill things ; that the excommunicate person may come and heare the word , and be present at prayer , so that he give not publique offence , by taking up an eminent place in the assembly : but at new-haven , alias quinapeag , where master davenport is pastor , the excommunicate is held out of the meeting , at the doore , if he will heare , in frost , snow , and raine . most an-end , in the bay , they use good moderation , and forbearance in their censures : yet i have known a gentlewoman excommunicate , for some indiscreet words , with some stifnesse maintained , saying , a brother , and others , she feared , did conspire to arbitrate the price of joyners worke of a chamber too high , and endeavouring to bring the same into civill cognizance , not proceeding to take two or three to convince the party , and so to tell the church , ( though shee first told the party of it ) and this without her husband . i feare she is not yet absolved ; i am sure she was not upon the third of august last , when we loosed from boston . there hath been some difference about jurisdictions , or cognizance of causes : some have held , that in causes betweene brethren of the church , the matter should be first told the church , before they goe to the civill magistrate , because all causes in difference doe amount , one way or other , to a matter of offence ; and that all criminall matters concerning church members , should be first heard by the church . but these opinionists are held , by the wiser sort , not to know the dangerous issues and consequences of such tenets . the magistrates , and church-leaders , labour for a just and equall correspondence in jurisdictions , not to intrench one on the other , neither the civill magistrates to be exempt from ecclesiasticall censure , nor the ministers from civill : & whether ecclesiasticall , or civillpower first begin to lay hold of a man , the same to proceed , not barring the other to intermeddle . every church hath power of government in , and by it selfe ; and no church , or officers , have power over one another but by way of advice or counsaile , voluntarily given or besought , saving that the generall court , now and then , over-rule some church matters : and of late , divers of the ministerie have had set meetings to order church matters ; whereby it is conceived they bend towards presbyterian rule . in boston ; they rule , most an-end , by unanimous consent , if they can , both in admissions , and censures , and other things . in salem , they rule by the major part of the church : you that are so minded hold up your hands ; you that are otherwise minded , hold up yours . in boston , when they cannot agree in a matter , they will sometime referre it to some select brethren to heare and end , or to certifie the church , and any brethren , that will , to be present at the discusse in private . some churches have no ruling elders , some but one , some but one teaching elder , some have two ruling , and two teaching elders ; some one , some two or three deacons ; some hold that one minister is enough for a small number of people ; no church there hath a deaconesse , as far as i know . where farmes or villages are , as at rumney-marsh and marblehead , there a minister , or a brother of one of the congregations of boston for the marsh , and of salem for marblehead , preacheth and exerciseth prayer every lords day , which is called prophesying in such a place . and so it was heretofore at mountwoollaston within boston precincts , though since it became a church now called of braintree , but before they of the mount did , and those of the marsh and marblehead still come and receive the sacrament at boston , and salem respectively , and some of braintree still receive at boston . also when a minister preacheth abroad , in another congregation , the ruling elder of the place , after the psalme sung , saying publiquely ; if this present brother hath any word of exhortation for the people , at this time , in the name of god let him say on ; this is held prophesying . also the confessions or speeches made by members to be admitted , have beene by some held prophesying , and when a brother exerciseth in his own congregation ( as at salem they doe sometimes ) taking a text of scripture , and handling the same according to his ability . notwithstanding , it is generally held in the bay , by some of the most grave and learned men amongst them , that none should undertake to prophesie in publique , unlesse he intend the worke of the ministery , and so in some places , as in schooles * , and not abroad , without they have both imposition of hands , and mission , or permission , because prophecie properly hath its denomination from * understanding propheticall scriptures , which to know discreetly to handle , requireth good learning , skill in tongues , great fidelity , and good conscience . the publique worship . the publique worship is in as faire a meeting house as they can provide , wherein , in most places , they have beene at great charges . every sabbath or lords day , they come together at boston , by wringing of a bell , about nine of the clock or before . the pastor begins with solemn prayer continuing about a quarter of an houre . the teacher then readeth and expoundeth a chapter ; then a psalme is sung , which ever one of the ruling elders dictates . after that the pastor preacheth a sermon , and sometimes ex tempore exhorts . then the teacher concludes with prayer , and a blessing . once a moneth is a sacrament of the lords supper , whereof notice is given usually a fortnight before , and then all others departing save the church , which is a great deale lesse in number then those that goe away , they receive the sacrament , the ministers and ruling elders sitting at the table , the rest in their seats , or upon forms : all cannot see the minister consecrating , unlesse they stand up , and make a narrow shift . the one of the teaching elders prayes before , and blesseth , and consecrates the bread and wine , according to the words of institution ; the other prays after the receiving of all the members : and next communion , they change turnes ; he that began at that , ends at this : and the ministers deliver the bread in a charger to some of the chiefe , and peradventure gives to a few the bread into their hands , and they deliver the charger from one to another , till all have eaten ; in like manner the cup , till all have dranke , goes from one to another . then a psalme is sung , and with a short blessing the congregation is dismissed . any one , though not of the church , may , in boston , come in , and * see the sacrament administred , if he will : but none of any church in the country may receive the sacrament there , without leave of the congregation , for which purpose he comes to one of the ruling elders , who propounds his name to the congregation , before they goe to the sacrament . about two in the after-noone , they repaire to the meeting-house againe ; and then the pastor begins , as before noone , and a psalme being sung , the teacher makes a sermon . he was wont , when i came first , to reade and expound a chapter also before his sermon in the afternoon . after and before his sermon , he prayeth . after that ensues baptisme , if there be any , which is done , by either pastor or teacher , in the deacons seate , the most eminent place in the church , next under the elders seate . the pastor most commonly makes a speech or exhortation to the church , and parents concerning baptisme , and then prayeth before and after . it is done by washing or sprinkling . one of the parents being of the church , the childe may be baptized , and the baptisme is into the name of the father , and of the sonne , and of the holy ghost . no sureties are required . which ended , follows the contribution , one of the deacons saying , brethren of the congregation , now there is time left for contribution , wherefore as god hath prospered you , so freely offer . upon some extraordinary occasions , as building and repairing of churches or meeting-houses , or other necessities , the ministers presse a liberall contribution , with effectuall exhortations out of scripture . the magistrates and chiefe gentlemen first , and then the elders , and all the congregation of men , and most of them that are not of the church , all single persons , widows , and women in absence of their husbands , come up one after another one way , and bring their offerings to the deacon at his seate , and put it into a box of wood for the purpose , if it bee money or papers ; if it be any other chattle , they set it or lay it downe before the deacons , and so passe another way to their seats againe . this contribution is of money , or papers , promising so much money : i have seene a faire gilt cup with a cover , offered there by one , which is still used at the communion . which moneys , and goods the deacons dispose towards the maintenance of the ministers , and the poore of the church , and the churches occasions , without making account , ordinarily . but in salem church , those onely that are of the church , offer in publique ; the rest are required to give to the ministerie , by collection , at their houses . at some other places they make a rate upon every man , as well within , as not of the church , residing with them , towards the churches occasions ; and others are beholding , now and then , to the generall court , to study wayes to enforce the maintenance of the ministerie . this done , then followes admission of members , or hearing matters of offence , or other things , sometimes till it be very late . if they have time , after this , is sung a psalme , and then the pastor concludeth with a prayer and a blessing . upon the week dayes , there are lectures in divers townes , and in boston , upon thursdayes , when master cotton teacheth out of the revelation . there are dayes of fasting , thanksgiving , and prayers upon a occasions , but no b holy dayes , except the sunday . in some churches , nothing is c read on the first day of the weeke , or lords day , but a psalme dictated before or after the sermon , as at hingham ; there is no catechizing of children or others in any church , ( except in concord church , & in other places , of those admitted , in their receiving : ) the reason given by some is , because when people come to be admitted , the church hath tryall of their knowledge , faith , and repentance , and they want a direct scripture for ministers catechizing ; as if , goe teach all nations , and traine up a childe in the way he should goe , did not reach to ministers catechizings . but , god be thanked , the generall court was so wise , in iune last , as to enjoyn , or take some course for such catechizing , as i am informed , but know not the way laid down in particular , how it should be done . they call the dayes of the weeke , beginning at the first , second , third , forth , fifth , sixth , and seventh , which is saturday : the moneths begin at march , by the names of the first , second , and so forth to the twelfth , which is february ▪ because they would avoid all memory of heathenish and idols names : and surely it is good to overthrow heathenisme by all good wayes and meanes . but there hath not been any sent forth by any church to learne the natives language , or to instruct them in the religion ; first , because they say they have not to do with them being without , unlesse they come to heare and learn english . secondly , some say out of rev. . last , it is not probable that anynation more can be converted , til the calling of the jews ; till the seven plagues finished none was able to enter into the temple , that is , the christian church , and the seventh viall is not yet poured forth , and god knowes when it will bee . thirdly , because all churches among them are equall , and all officers equall , and so betweene many , nothing is done that way . they must all therefore equally beare the blame ; for indeede i humbly conceive that by their principles , no nation can or could ever be converted . therefore , if so , by their principles how can any nation be governed ? they have nothing to excuse themselves in this point of not labouring with the indians to instruct them , but their want of a staple trade , and other businesses taking them up . and it is true , this may excuse à tanto . of late some churches are of opinion , that any may be admitted to church-fellowship , that are not extremely ignorant or scandalous : but this they are not very forward to practice , except at newberry . besides , many good people scruple their church covenant , so highly tearmed by the most of them , a part of the * covenant of grace ; and particularly , one master martin for saying in argumentation , that their church covenant was an humane invention , and that they will not leave till it came to the swords point , was fined ten pounds , his cow taken and sold for the money . a minister standing upon his ministery , as of the church of england , and arguing against their covenant , and beeing elected by some of weymouth to be their minister , was compelled to recant some words ; one that made the election , & got hands to the paper , was fined . pounds , and thereupon speaking a few crosse words , . pound more , and payed it downe presently ; another of them for saying one of the ministers of the bay was a brownist , or had a brownisticall head , and for a supposed lie , was whipt : and all these by the generall or quarter civill courts . touching the government of the common-weale there . none may now be a freeman of that common-wealth , being a societie or corporation , named by the name of the governour , deputy governour , and assistants of the societie of the mattachusets bay in new-england , unlesse he be a church member amongst them . none have voice in elections of governours , deputy , and assistants ; none are to be magistrates , officers , or jurymen , grand or petite , but freemen . the ministers give their votes in all elections of magistrates . now the most of the persons at new-england are not admitted of their church , and therefore are not freemen , and when they come to be tryed there , be it for life or limb , name or estate , or whatsoever , they must bee tryed and judged too by those of the church , who are in a sort their adversaries : how equall that hath been , or may be , some by experience doe know , others may judge . the manner of the elections is this : at first , the chiefe governour and magistrates were chosen in london , by erection of hands , by all the free-men of this society . since the transmitting of the patent into new-england , the election is not by voices , nor erection of hands , but by papers , thus : the generall court-electory sitting , where are present in the church , or meeting-house at boston , the old governour , deputy , and all the magistrates , and two deputies or burgesses for every towne , or at least one , all the freemen are bidden to come in at one doore , and bring their votes in paper , for the new governour , and deliver them downe upon the table , before the court , and so to passe forth at another doore . those that are absent , send their votes by proxies . all being delivered in , the votes are counted , and according to the major part , the old governour pronounceth , that such an one is chosen governour for the yeare ensuing . then the freemen , in like manner , bring their votes for the deputy governour , who being also chosen , the governour propoundeth the assistants one after the other . new assistants are , of late , put in nomination , by an order of general court , before-hand to be considered of : if a freeman give in a blanck , that rejects the man named ; if the freeman makes any mark with a pen upon the paper which he brings , that elects the man named ; then the blancks and marked papers are numbred , and according to the major part of either , the man in nomination stands elected or rejected . and so for all the assistants . and after every new election , which is , by their patent , to be upon the last wednesday in every easter terme , the new governour and officers are all new sworn . the governour and assistants choose the secretary . and all the court consisting of governour , deputy , assistants , and deputies of towns , give their votes as well as the rest ; and the ministers , and elders , and all church-officers , have their votes also in all these elections of chiefe magistrates . constables , and all other inferiour officers , are sworn in the generall , quarter , or other courts , or before any assistant . every free-man , when he is admitted , takes a strict oath , to be true to the society , or jurisdiction : in which oath , i doe not remember expressed that ordinary saving , which is and ought to be in all oathes to other lords , saving the faith and truth which i beare to our soveraigne lord the king , though , i hope , it may be implyed . there are two generall courts , one every halfe yeare , wherein they make lawes or ordinances : the ministers advise in making of laws , especially ecclesiasticall , and are present in courts , and advise in some speciall causes criminall , and in framing of fundamentall lawes : but not many fundamentall lawes are yet established : which , when they doe , they must , by the words of their charter , make according to the laws of england , or not contrary thereunto . here they make taxes and levies . there are besides foure quarter courts for the whole jurisdiction , besides other petie courts , one every quarter , at boston , salem , and ipswich , with their severall jurisdictions , besides every towne , almost , hath a petie court for small debts , and trespasses under twenty shillings . in the generall court , or great quarter courts , before the civill magistrates , are tryed all actions and causes civill and criminall , and also ecclesiasticall , especially touching non-members : and they themselves say , that in the generall and quarter courts , they have the power of parliament , kings bench , common pleas , chancery , high commission , and star-chamber , and all other courts of england , and in divers cases have exercised that power upon the kings subjects there , as is not difficult to prove . they have put to death , banished , fined men , cut off mens eares , whipt , imprisoned men , and 〈◊〉 these for ecclesiasticall and civill offences , and without sufficient record . in the lesser quarter courts are tryed , in some , actions under ten pound , in boston , under twenty , and all criminall causes not touching life or member . from the petie quarter courts , or other court , the parties may appeale to the great quarter courts , from thence to the generall court , from which there is no appeale , they say : notwithstanding , i presume their patent doth reserve and provide for appeales , in some cases , to the kings majesty . the generall and great quarter courts are kept in the church meeting-house at boston . twice a yeare , in the said great quarter courts held before the generall courts , are two grand juries sworne for the jurisdiction , one for one court , and the other for the other , and they are charged to enquire and present offences reduced , by the governour , who gives the charge , most an-end , under the heads of the ten commandements : and a draught of a body of fundamentall laws , according to the judiciall laws of the jews , hath been contrived by the ministers and magistrates , and offered to the generall court to be established and published to the people to be considered of , and this since his majesties command came to them to send over their patent : among which lawes , that was one i excepted against , as you may see in the paper following , entituled , of the church her liberties , presented to the governour and ●agistrates of the bay , . martii , . notwithstanding , a by-law , to that or the like effect , hath been made , and was held of force there when i came thence : yet i confesse i have heard one of their wisest speak of an intention to repeale the same law . matters of debt , trespasse , and upon the case , and equity , yea and of heresie also , are tryed by a jury . which although it may seeme to be indifferent , and the magistrates may judge what is law , and what is equall , and some of the chief ministers informe what is heresie , yet the jury may finde a generall verdict , if they please ; and seldome is there any speciall verdict found by them , with deliberate arguments made thereupon , which breeds many inconveniences . the parties are warned to challenge any jury-man before he be sworn ; but because there is but one jury in a court for tryall of causes , and all parties not present at their swearing , the liberty of challenge is much hindred , and some inconveniencies doe happen thereby . jurors are returned by the marshall , he was at first called the bedle of the societie . seldome is there any matter of record , saving the verdict many times at randome taken and entred , which is also called the judgment . and for want of proceeding duly upon record , the government is cleerely arbitrary , according to the discretions of the judges and magistrates for the time being . and humbly i appeale to his royall majesty , and his honourable and great counsell , whether or no the proceedings in such matters as come to be heard before ecclesiasticall judges , be not fit to be upon record ; and whether registers , advocates , and procurators , be not necessary to assist the poore and unlearned in their causes , and that according to the warrant and intendment of holy writ , and of right reason . i have knowne by experience , and heard divers have suffered wrong by default of such in new-england . i feare it is not a little degree of pride and dangerous improvidence to slight all former lawes of the church or state , cases of experience and precedents , to go hammer out new , according to severall exigencies ; upon pretence that the word of god is sufficient to rule us : it is true , it is sufficient , if well understood . but take heede my brethren , despise not learning , nor the worthy lawyers of either gown , lest you repent too late . the parties in all causes , speake themselves for the most part , and some of the magistrates where they thinke cause requireth , doe the part of advocates without fee or reward . most matters are presently heard , and ended the same court , the party defendant having foure dayes warning before ; but some causes come to be heard again , and new suits grow upon the old . profane swearing , drunkennesse , and beggers , are but rare in the compasse of this patent , through the circumspection of the magistrates , and the providence of god hitherto , the poore there living by their labours , and great wages , proportionably , better then the rich , by their stocks , which without exceeding great care , quickly waste . a paper of certaine propositions to the generall court , made upon request , . iunii , . . it were good , that all actions betweene parties , were entred in the court book , by the secretary , before the court sits . . that every action be declared in writing , and the defendants answer , generall or speciall , as the case shall require , be put in writing , by a publique notarie , before the cause be heard . . the secretary to take the verdicts , and make forth the judiciall commands or writs . . the publique notarie ro record all the proceedings in a fair book , and to enter executions of commands done , & satisfactions acknowledged . . the fees , in all these , to be no more then in an inferiour court of record in england , and to be allowed by the generall court , or court of assistants . the benefit hereof to the publique good . . it will give an easie and quick dispatch to all causes : for thereby the court and jury will quickly see the point in hand , and accordingly give their verdict and judgement . . the court shall the better know , constantly , how to judge the same things ; and it is not possible , that judges should , alwayes , from time to time , remember clearly , or know to proceed certainly , without a faithfull record . . the parties may hereby more surely , and clearly obtaine their right ; for through ignorance and passion , men may quickly wrong one another , in their bare words , without a record . . hereby shall the law of god and justice be duly administred to the people , according to more certaine and unchangeable rules , so that they might know what is the law , and what right they may look for at the mouthes of all their judges . . hereby the subjects have a great part of their evidences and assurances for their proprieties , both of lands and goods . a paper touching the church her liberties , delivered at boston , . martii , . to the right worshipfull the governour , deputy governour , councellers , and assistants , for this iurisdiction . whereas you have been pleased to cause me to transcribe certain breviats of propositions , delivered to the last generall court , for the establishing a body of lawes , as is intended , for the glory of god , and the wel-fare of this people and country ; and published the same , to the intent that any man may acquaint you , or the deputies for the next court , with what he conceives fit to be altered or added , in or unto the said lawes ; i conceive it my duty to give you timely notice of some things of great moment , about the same lawes , in discharge of my conscience , which i shall , as amicus curiae , pray you to present with all faithfulnesse , as is proposed , to the next generall court , by it , and the reverend elders , to be further considered of , as followeth : . it is propounded to be one chiefe part of the charge , or office of the councell intended , to take care , that the conversion of the natives be endeavoured . . it is proposed , as a liberty , that a convenient * number of orthodoxe christians , allowed to plant together in this jurisdiction , may gather themselves into a church , and elect and ordaine their officers , men fit for their places , giving notice to seven of the next churches , one moneth before thereof , and of their names , and that they may exercise all the ordinances of god according to his word , and so they proceede according to the rule of god , and shall not be hindered by any civill power ; nor will this court allow of any church otherwise gathered . this clause ( nor will the court allow of any church otherwise gathered ) doth as i conceive contradict the first proposition . my reasons are these . . if the conversion of the natives must be endeavoured , then some wise and godly men ( they should be of your gravest and best men ) must bee sent forth to teach them to know god . . when such are sent , they must bee either sent immediately by the lord , or mediately by his churches . . if the churches send men , they that are sent must be sent by imposition of hands of the presbyterie . now when churches are thus gathered or planted , they are gathered by ministers , doing the works of apostles and euangelists , which hath ever been , and is the ordinary and regular way of gathering or planting churches , ( and not as is proposed , a convenient number of orthodoxe christians , gathering themselves into a church ) and yet when such a church is gathered by church-messengers and ministers , this court is advised not to allow the same ; which , i conceive , is to say , the conversion of the natives shall not be endeavoured , orderly , according to the rule of god . againe , it would be considered , that when men are sent forth , whether they should not be sent forth two , and by two at least , as the scriptures beare , and for divers good reasons , which lye not hid to your wisdomes . that you would be pleased to shew unto the elders these things to be considered , and that they would well weigh , whether or no those ministers and messengers sent by-churches , should not visit the churches which they plant ▪ other things there are , wherein , i think , i could also , to good purpose , move somewhat to your worships , which lyes more directly in the way , and calling , i have been educated , if i were required , but this thing lying upon my conscience , i could not well passe by : wherefore i shall request it may be considered . . whether it be not fit to leave out , at least , that contradictory clause , viz. nor will this court allow of any church otherwise gathered ? . whether it be not better to let the liberty run thus , in generall , the holy church of god shall enjoy all her just liberties ? a paper intended for the honoured john winthrop , esquire , late governour . boston , maii . . if you see a necessity of baptizing them without , if an ingagement of propagation of the truth to the infidel natives : then consider , whether by the kings leave , some churches may not be appointed to send their chiefe pastors , and other ministers , to doe such works . also with some kind of subjection , or acknowledgement of authority of the ministerie in england , if it be but by way of advice , which is cleare to me you may doe : i make no doubt but in all things requisite for the state of the country , they will yeeld you all faire liberties . nay , i am perswaded , the kings majesty will not send any unexperienced governour to afflict , but make you patentees againe , or at least , after the manner of other plantations , restoring not onely favour , but other benefits , whereof , under god , to us englishmen , he is the fountaine . the kings attorney did offer some of you this in my hearing , i meane , the renewall of your patent . nay further , if you would invent , and devise what the king may doe for the country , you might obtaine . the very conversion of these poore naked people , which is very hopefull , and much prepared for per accidens , or gods owne providence , bringing good out of evill , will rejoyce the hearts of all christians in our deare native countrey , and here : and of it selfe ( if there were no other desirable things here , as blessed be god there are many ) would cause a continued confluence of more people then you can tell well where to bestow for the present . the fishing trade would be promoted with authority . hereby would you give the greater testimony to the cause of reformation . hereby will you , under god and the king , make church-work , and common-wealth work indeed , and examples to all countryes . you will enrich your countries both , in short time . the heathens in time , i am perswaded , will become zealous christians , then will they labour , get cloathes , and substance about them . in vaine doe some think of civillizing them , either by the sword , or otherwise , till ( withall ) the word of god hath spoken to their hearts : wherein i conceive great advice is to be taken . for which purpose a presse is necessary , and may be obtained , i hope , so that wise men watch over it . consider how poorely your schooles goe on , you must depend upon england for help of learned men and schollers , bookes , commodities infinite almost . no doubt but the king , this way , will make your authority reach even to the dutch southward , and to the french northward . new-england indeede without fraction . a facile way , taking out the core of malice . the conversion and subduing of a nation , and so great a tract of ground , is a work too weighty for subjects any much longer to labour under without royall assistance , as i apprehend , i think , in religious reason . if any shall suggest , that your churches may send forth men of their own authority ; consider , if it may be done warrantably by the word of god , as peradventure it may be so . yet you will be in danger , rebus sic stantibus , of great imputations . that you infringe regall power , and ecclesiasticall . wheron adversaries will sure enough make fearfull worke . and besides , some reformations ( under favour ) have been too deep , at least for others to follow . they were also unexperienced of mission to convert infidels . is geneva without her faults ? or holland , rotterdam , amsterdam , without theirs ? what experience they of mission , or ever had ? now i beseeech you grave sir , doe you thinke it good , honourable , safe , for us poore men here , or for the religion and professors thereof in generall , in the whole world , that such as have the name of the most zealous , should be the first example of almost utmost provocation to our owne soveraigne ? for my part , i disclaime parker , and encline to hooker , iewel , as to government . greatmen have great burthens , therefore they have their counsels crosse , and sometimes they use them both . you heare enough on the other side , heare now this , on this , and the lord guide your spirit . odere reges dicta , quae dici jubent . these are the ministers of the bay . at boston , master cotton teacher , master wilson pastor : at roxbury , master weld pastor , master eliott teacher : at dorchester , master mather pastor or teacher , and master burgh out of office : at braintree , master thomson pastor , master flint teacher : at weymouth , master newman pastor , master parker out of office : at hingham , master hubbard pastor , master peck teacher : they refuse to baptize old ottis grandchildren , an ancient member of their own church . at charlestowne , master symms pastor , master allen teacher : at cambridge , master sheppard pastor , master dunster school-master ; divers young schollers are there under him to the number of almost twenty : at watertowne , master phillips pastor , master knolls pastor : at dedham , another master phillips out of office , and master allen pastor or teacher : at sudbury , master brown in office , master fordham out of office : at lynne , master whiting pastor , master cobbet teacher : at salem , master peter pastor , master norris teacher , and his sonne a schoole-master : at ipswich , master rogers pastor , master norton teacher , and master nathaniel ward , and his sonne , and one master knight , out of employment : at rowley , master ezek. rogers pastor , master miller : at newberry , master noyse pastor , master parker teacher : he is sonne of master robert parker , somtime of wilton , in the county of wiltes , deceased , who in his life time writ that mis-learned and mistaken book de politeia ecclesiastica . at salisbury , master worster pastor : at hampton , master bachellor pastor , master dalton teacher : there are other school-masters which i know not , in some of these townes . the magistrates in the bay are these : master bellingham the present governour , master endecot the present deputy governour , master winthrop , master dudley , master humfrey , master saltonstall , master bradstreat , master stoughton , master winthrop junior , master nowell , assistants . master nowell is also secretarie . master stephen winthrop is recorder , whose office is to record all judgments , mariages , births , deaths , wills and testaments , bargaines and sales , gifts , grants , and mortgages . there is a marshall , who is as a sheriffe or bailiffe , and his deputy is the gaoler and executioner . marriages are solemnized and done by the magistrates , and not by the ministers . * probats of testaments , and granting of letters of administration , are made and granted in the generall or great quarter courts . at burials , nothing is read , nor any funeral sermon made , but all the neighbourhood , or a good company of them , come together by tolling of the bell , and carry the dead solemnly to his grave , and there stand by him while he is buried . the ministers are most commonly present . they are very diligent in traynings of their souldiers and military exercises , and all except magistrates , and ministers beare armes , or pay for to bee excused , or for speciall reasons are exempted by order of court . the captains , and officers are such as are admitted of the church . but the people begin to complain , they are ruled like slaves , and in short time shall have their children for the most part remain unbaptized : and so have little more priviledge then heathens , unlesse the discipline be amended and moderated . it is feared , that elections cannot be safe there long , either in church or common-wealth . so that some melancholy men thinke it a great deale safer to be in the midst of troubles in a setled common-wealth , or in hope easily to be setled , then in mutinies there , so far off from succours . at new plymouth they have but one * minister , master rayner ; yet master chancey lives there , and one master smith , both ministers , they are not in any office there ; master chancey stands for dipping in baptisme onely necessary , and some other things , concerning which there hath been much dispute , and master chancey put to the worst by the opinion of the churches advised withall . cohannet , alias taunton , is in plymouth patent . there is a church gathered of late , and some ten or twenty of the church , the rest excluded . master hooke pastor , master streate teacher . master hooke received ordination from the hands of one master bishop a school-master , and one parker an husbandman , and then master hooke joyned in ordaining master streate . one master doughty , a minister , opposed the gathering of the church there , alleadging that according to the covenant of abraham , all mens children that were of baptized parents , and so abrahams children , ought to be baptized ; and spake so in publique , or to that effect , which was held a disturbance , and the ministers spake to the magistrate to order him : the magistrate commanded the constable , who dragged master doughty out of the assembly . he was forced to goe away from thence , with his wife and children . there are also in this patent divers other plantations , as sandwich , situate , duxbury , greenes-harbour , and yarmouth . ministers there are , master leveridge , master blackwood , master mathews , and master andrew hallet a school-master . master saxton also , who was comming away when we did . at the island called aquedney , are about two hundred families . there was a church , where one master clark was elder : the place where the church was , is called newport , but that church , i heare , is now dissolved ; as also divers churches in the country have been broken up and dissolved through dissention . at the other end of the island there is another towne called portsmouth , but no church : there is a meeting of some men , who there teach one another , and call it prophesie . these of the island have a pretended civill government of their owne erection , without the kings patent . there lately they whipt one master gorton , a grave man , for denying their power , and abusing some of their magistrates with uncivill tearmes ; the governour , master coddington , saying in court , you that are for the king , lay hold on gorton ; and he againe , on the other side , called forth , all you that are for the king , lay hold on coddington ; whereupon gorton was banished the island : so with his wife and children he went to providence . they began about a small trespasse of swine , but it is thought some other matter was ingredient . at providence , which is twenty miles from the said island , lives master williams , and his company , of divers opinions ; most are anabaptists ; they hold there is no true visible church in the bay , nor in the world , nor any true ministerie . this is within no patent , as they say ; but they have of late a kind of government also of their owne erection . one master blakeston , a minister , went from boston , having lived there nine or ten yeares , because he would not joyne with the church ; he lives neere master williams , but is far from his opinions . there are five or six townes , and churches upon the river connecticot , where are worthy master hooker , master warham , master hewet , and divers others , and master fenwike with the lady boteler , at the rivers mouth in a faire house , and well fortified , and one master higgison , a young man , their chaplain . these plantations have a patent ; the lady was lately admitted of master hookers church , and thereupon her child was baptized . the lady moody lives at lynne , but is of salem church , shee is ( good lady ) almost undone by buying master humphries farme , swampscot , which cost her nine , or eleven hundred pounds . beyond connecticott are divers plantations , as new-haven , alias quinapeag , where master davenport is pastor , and one master iames a schoole-master ; and another where master whitfield is : and another where master pridgeon is , and some others , almost reaching to the dutch plantation southward . among these are my old acquaintance , master roger ludlow , master frost , sometime of nottingham , and his sonnes , iohn grey and henry grey ; the lord in his goodnesse provide for them ; they have a minister , whose name i have forgotten , if it be not master blackwell . i do not know what patent these have . long island is begun to be planted , and some two ministers are gone thither , or to goe , as one master peirson , and master knowles , that was at dover , alias northam . a church was gathered for that island at lynne , in the bay , whence some , by reason of straitnesse , did remove to the said island ; and one master simonds , heretofore a servant unto a good gentlewoman whom i know , was one of the first founders . master peter of salem was at the gathering , and told me the said master henry simonds made a very cleare confession . notwithstanding he yet dwels at boston , and they proceed on but slowly . the patent is granted to the lord starling ; but the dutch claime part of the island , or the whole : for their plantation is right over against , and not far from the south end of the said isle . and one lieutenant howe pulling downe the dutch arms on the isle , there was like to be a great stir , what ever may become of it . the dutch also claime quinapeag , and other parts . at northam , alias pascattaqua , is master larkham pastor . one master h. k. was also lately minister there , with master larkham . they two fell out about baptizing children , receiving of members , buriall of the dead ; and the contention was so sharp , that master k. and his party rose up , and excommunicated master larkham , and some that held with him : and further , master larkham flying to the magistrates , master k. and a captaine raised armes , and expected helpe from the bay ; master k. going before the troop with a bible upon a poles top , and he , or some of his party giving forth , that their side were scots , and the other english : whereupon the gentlemen of sir ferdinando gorges plantation came in , and kept court with the magistrates of pascattaqua , ( who have also a patent ) being weake of themselves . and they fined all those that were in armes , for a riot , by indictment , jury , and verdict , formally . nine of them were censured to be whipt , but that was spared . master k. and the captain their leaders , were fined . l. a piece , which they are not able to pay . to this broyle came master peter of salem , and there gave his opinion , at northam , that the said excommunication was a nullity . master thomas gorgs sonne of captain gorgs of batcombe , by chedder in somersetshire , is principall commissioner for the province of maigne , under sir ferdinando , but he was not at that court at northham himselfe . master wards sonne is desired to come into the province of maigne . there is one master ienner gone thither of late . there is want of good ministers there ; the place hath had an ill report by some , but of late some good acts of justice have been done there , and divers gentlemen there are , and it is a countrey very plentifull for fish , fowle , and venison . not farre from northam is a place called exeter , where master wheelwright hath a small church . and at cape anne , where fishing is set forward , and some stages builded , there one master rashley is chaplain : for it is farre off from any church : rashley is admitted of boston church , but the place lyeth next salem , and not very far further from ipswich . the isle of shoales and richmonds isle , which lie neere pasquattaqua , and good fishing places . about one hundred and fifty leagues from boston eastward is the isle of sables , whither one iohn webb , alias evered , an active man , with his company are gone with commission from the bay , to get sea-horse teeth and oyle . eastward off cape codd lyeth an island called martins vineyard , uninhabited by any english , but indians , which are very savage . northward from the bay , or northeast , lyeth the french plantation , who take up bever there , and keepe strict government , boarding all vessels that come neare them , and binding the masters till the governour , who is a noble-man , know what they are ; and south of new-england the dutch take up the bever . three hundred leagues south from the bay along the coasts , lyeth virginia ; neare to that is maryland , where they are roman catholiques , they say . there was a speech of some swedes which came to inhabit neere delawar bay , but the number or certainty i know not . three hundred leagues from the bay , eastward , lyeth new-found-land , where is a maine trade for fishing . here we touched comming homeward . florida lyes betweene virginia and the bay of mexico , and had been a better country for the english to have planted in , according to the opinion of some , but it is so neere the spaniard , that none must undertake to plant there , without good forces . for the state of the country in the bay and thereabouts . the land is reasonable fruitfull , as i think ; they have cattle , and goats , and swine good store , and some horses , store of fish and fowle , venison , and * corne , both english and indian . they are indifferently well able to subsist for victuall . they are setting on the manufacture of linnen and cotton cloath , and the fishing trade , and they are building of ships , and have good store of barks , catches , lighters , shallops , and other vessels . they have builded and planted to admiration for the time . there are good masts and timber for shipping , planks , and boards , clapboard , pipe-staves , bever , and furres , and hope of some mines . there are beares , wolves , and foxes , and many other wilde beasts , as the moose , a kind of deere , as big as some oxen , and lyons , as i have heard . the wolves and foxes are a great annoyance . there are rattlesnakes , which sometimes doe some harme , not much ; he that is stung with any of them , or bitten , he turnes of the colour of the snake , all over his body , blew , white , and greene spotted ; and swelling , dyes , unlesse he timely get some snake-weed ; which if he eate , and rub on the wound , he may haply recover , but feele it a long while in his bones and body . money is wanting , by reason of the failing of passengers these two last yeares , in a manner . they want help to goe forward , for their subsistance in regard of cloathing : and great pity it would be , but men of estates should help them forward . it may bee , i hope , a charitable worke . the price of their cattell , and other things being fallen , they are not at present able to make such returns to england , as were to be wished for them : god above direct and provide for them . there are multitudes of godly men among them , and many poore ignorant soules . of late some thirty persons went in two small barks for the lords isle of providence , and for the maine thereabout , which is held to be a beter countrey and climate by some : for this being in about . degrees of northerne latitude , yet is very cold in winter , so that some are frozen to death , or lose their fingers or toes every yeere , sometimes by carlesnes , sometimes by accidents , and are lost in snowes , which there are very deepe sometimes , and lye long : winter begins in october , and lasts till aprill . sixty leagues northerly it is held not habitable , yet again in summer it is exceeding hot . if shipping for conveyance were sent thither , they might spare divers hundreds of men for any good design . the jurisdiction of the bay patent reacheth from pascattaqua patent northeast to plymouth patent southward . and in my travailes there , i have seene the towns of newberry , ipswich , salem , lynne , boston , charlestowne , cambridge , watertowne , concord , roxbury , dorchester , and braintree in the bay patent , new taunton in plymouth patent , the island aquedney , and the two townes therein , newport and portsmouth , and new providence within the bay of narhiggansets . this for the satisfaction of some that have reported i was no travailer in new-england . concerning the indians , or natives . they are of body tall , proper , and straight ; they goe naked , saving about their middle , somewhat to cover shame . seldome they are abroad in extremity of winter , but keep in their wigwams , till necessity drives them forth ; and then they wrap themselves in skins , or some of our english coorse cloth : and for the winter they have boots , or a kind of laced tawed-leather stockins . they are naturally proud , and idle , given much to singing , dancing , and playes ; they are governed by sachems , kings ; and saggamores , petie lords ; by an absolute tyrannie . their women are of comely feature , industrious , and doe most of the labour in planting , and carrying of burdens ; their husbands hold them in great slavery , yet never knowing other , it is the lesse grievous to them . they say , englishman much foole , for spoiling goodworking creatures , meaning women : and when they see any of our english women sewing with their needles , or working coifes , or such things , they will cry out , lazie squaes ! but they are much the kinder to their wives , by the example of the english . their children , they will not part with , upon any terms , to be taught . they are of complexion swarthy and tawny ; their children are borne white , but they bedawbe them with oyle , and colours , presently . they have all black haire , that i saw . in times of mourning , they paint their faces with black lead , black , all about the eye-brows , and part of their cheeks . in time of rejoycing , they paint red , with a kind of vermilion . they cut their haire of divers formes , according to their nation or people , so that you may know a people by their cut ; and ever they have a long lock on one side of their heads , and weare feathers of peacocks , and such like , and red cloath , or ribbands at their locks ; beads of wampompeag about their necks , and a girdle of the same , wrought with blew and white wampom , after the manner of chequer work , two fingers broad , about their loynes : some of their chiefe men goe so , and pendants of wampom , and such toyes in their ears . and their women , some of the chiefe , have faire bracelets , and chaines of wampom . men and women , of them , come confidently among the english . since the pequid war , they are kept in very good subjection , and held to strict points of justice , so that the english may travail safely among them . but the french in the east , and the dutch in the south , sell them guns , powder and shot . they have powahes , or priests , which are witches , and a kind of chirurgions , but some of them , notwithstanding , are faine to be beholding to the english chirurgions . they will have their times of powaheing , which they will , of late , have called prayers , according to the english word . the powahe labours himselfe in his incantations , to extreame sweating and wearinesse , even to extasie . the powahes cannot work their witchcrafts , if any of the english be by ; neither can any of their incantations lay hold on , or doe any harme to the english , as i have been credibly informed . the powahe is next the king , or sachem , and commonly when he dyes , the powahe marryes the squa sachem , that is , the queene . they have marriages among them ; they have many wives ; they say , they commit much filthinesse among themselves . but for every marriage , the saggamore hath a fadome of wampom , which is about seven or eight shillings value . some of them will diligently attend to any thing they can understand by any of our religion , and are very willing to teach their language to any english . they live much the better , and peaceably , for the english ; and themselves know it , or at least their sachems , and saggamores know so much , for before they did nothing but spoile and destroy one another . they live in wigwams , or houses made of mats like little hutts , the fire in the midst of the house . they cut downe a tree with axes and hatchets , bought of the english , dutch , or french , & bring in the butt-end into the wigwam , upon the hearth , and so burne it by degrees . they live upon parched corne , ( of late , they grinde at our english mills . ) venison , bevers , otters , oysters , clammes , lobsters , and other fish , groundnuts , akornes , they boyle all together in a kettle . their riches are their wampom , bolles , trayes , kettles , and spoones , bever , furres , and canoos . he is a sachem , whose wife hath her cleane spoons in a chest , for some chief english men , when they come on guest wise to the wigwam . they lye upon a mat , with a stone , or a piece of wood under their heads ; they will give the best entertainment they can make to any english comming amongst them . they will not taste sweet things , nor alter their habit willingly ; onely they are taken with tobacco , wine , and strong waters ; and i have seene some of them in english , or french cloathes . their ordinary weapons are bowes and arrowes , and long staves , or halfe pykes , with pieces of swords , daggers , or knives in the ends of them : they have captaines , and are very good at a short mark , and nimble of foot to run away . their manner of fighting is , most commonly , all in one fyle . they are many in number , and worship kitan , their good god , or hobbamocco , their evill god ; but more feare hobbamocco , because he doth them most harme . some of their kings names are canonicus , meantinomy , owshamequin , cushamequin , webbacowitts , and squa sachem his wife : she is the queene , and he is powahe , and king , in right of his wife . among some of these nations , their policie is to have two kings at a time ; but , i thinke , of one family ; the one aged for counsell , the other younger for action . their kings succeed by inheritance . master henry dunster , schoolmaster of cambridge , deserves commendations above many ; he hath the plat-forme and way of conversion of the natives , indifferent right , and much studies the same , wherein yet he wants not opposition , as some other also have met with : he will , without doubt , prove an instrument of much good in the countrey , being a good scholar , and having skil in the tongues ; he will make it good , that the way to instruct the indians , must be in their owne language , not english ; and that their language may be perfected . a note of some late occurrences touching episcopacie . some of the learnedst , and godliest in the bay , begin to understand governments ; that it is necessary , when ministers or people fall out , to send other ministers , or they voluntarily to goe among them , to seek by all good wayes and meanes to appease them . and particularly , master peter went from salem on foot to new dover , alias pascattaqua , alias northam , to appease the difference betweene master larkham and master k. when they had been up in armes this last winter time . he went by the sending of the governour , counsell , and assistants of the bay , and of the church of salem ; and was in much danger of being lost , returning , by losing his way in the woods , and some with him , but god be blessed they returned . againe he went a second time , for appeasing the same difference , and had a commission to divers gentlemen , master humfrey , master bradstreate , captaine wiggon , and master simons , to assist , and to heare and determine all causes civill and criminall , from the governour of the bay , under his hand , and the publique seale , and then master k. went by the worst . master wilson did lately ride to greens harbour , in plymouth patent , to appease a broyle betweene one master thomas , as i take it , his name is , and master blindman , where master blindman went by the worst , and captaine keayne and others went with master wilson on horseback . also at another time , master wilson , master mather , and some others , going to the ordination of master hooke and master streate , to give them the right hand of fellowship , at new taunton , there heard the difference betweene master hooke and master doughty , where master doughty was over-ruled , and the matter carried somewhat partially , as is reported . it may be , it will be said , they did these things by way of love , and friendly advise : grant that ; but were not the counselled bound to receive good counsell ? if they would not receive it , was not the magistrate ready to assist , and in a manner ready , according to duty , to enforce peace and obedience ? did not the magistrates assist ? and was not master k. sent away , or compounded with , to seek a new place at long island , master doughty forced to the island aquedney , and master blindman to connecticot ? questions to the elders of boston , delivered . septemb. . . whether a people may gather themselves into a church , without a minister sent of god ? . whether any people , or congregation , may ordaine their owne officers ? . whether the ordination , by the hands of such as are not ministers , be good ? to the which i received an answer the same day : to the first , the answer is affirmative ; for though the people in this countrey are not wont to gather themselves into a church , but ( as you would have it ) with the presence and advice of sundry ministers ; yet it were lawfull for them to gather into a church without them . for if it be the priviledge of every church to choose their owne ministers , then there may be a church , before they have ministers of their owne ; for ministers of another church have no power but in their owne church . to the second and third ; the second and third questions are coincident , and one answer may serve for both : the children of israel did impose hands upon the levites , num. . . and if the people have power to elect their owne officers , they have power also to ordaine them ; for ordination is but an installment of a man into that office , whereto election giveth him right , neverthelesse such a church as hath a presbyterie , ought to ordain their officers by a presbyterie , according to tim. . . this answer was brought me by master oliver , one of the elders , and master pierce , a brother of boston . when i was to come away , one of the chiefest in the country wished me to deliver him a note of what things i misliked in the country , which i did , thus : i doubt , . whether so much time should be spent in the publique ordinances , on the sabbath day , because that thereby some necessary duties of the sabbath must needs be hindred , as visitation of the sick , and poore , and family . . whether matters of offence should be publiquely handled , either before the whole church , or strangers . . whether so much time should be spent in particular catechizing those that are admitted to the communion of the church , either men or women ; or that they should make long speeches ; or when they come publiquely to be admitted , any should speak contradictorily , or in recommendation of any , unlesse before the elders , upon just occasion . . whether the censures of the church should be ordered , in publique , before all the church , or strangers , other then the denunciation of the censures , and pronunciation of the solutions . . whether any of our nation that is not extremely ignorant or scandalous , should bee kept from the communion , or his children from baptisme . . that many thousands in this countrey have forgotten the very principles of religion , which they were daily taught in england , by set forms and scriptures read , as the psalmes , first and second lesson , the ten commandments , the creeds , and publique catechizings . and although conceived prayer be good and holy , and so publike explications and applications of the word , and also necessary both in and out of season : yet for the most part it may be feared they dull , amaze , confound , discourage the weake and ignorant , ( which are the most of men ) when they are in ordinary performed too tediously , or with the neglect of the word read , and other premeditated formes inculcated , and may tend to more ignorance and inconvenience , then many good men are aware of . . i doubt there hath been , and is much neglect of endeavours , to teach , civilize , and convert the indian nation , that are about the plantations . . whether by the received principles , it bee possible to teach , civilize , or convert them , or when they are converted , to maintain gods worship among them . . that electorie courses will not long be safe here , either in church or common-wealth . . that the civill government is not so equally administred , nor can be , divers orders or by-laws considered . . that unlesse these things be wisely and in time prevented , many of your usefullest men will remove and scatter from you . at boston july . . certain quaeres about church government , planting churches , and some other experiments . . whether the people should cal the minister , or the minister a gather the people ? . when a church is gathered or planted ; should they not have care in b propagating other churches , in other places next them ? . whether should not the first church c visit the later churches planted by them , to see they keepe the faith and order , as long as shee remains her selfe in purity of doctrine and worship ? . how shall a church propagate , and visit other churches ? shall they do it by their members , ordinary christians , or by their ministers , d or pastors ? shall they e intend such propagation , or stay , till by their numbers increasing , they are necessitated to swarme , or are persecuted abroad ? . if by their pastors , must there not bee more f ministers then one in the first church ? how else can any be spared to goe abroad about such works upon occasion ? . when they have planted other churches , must not the g first church take care for the providing of elders or ministers for these new planted churches , and h ordain them , and sometimes goe i or send some to teach them , and uphold the worship of god among them ? . how can any preach , unlesse he be k sent ? and how can he be sent , unlesse by imposition of l hands of the presbytery of the first church ? . if so , hath not the first church and the ministers therof , apostlolical m power in these things ? . but have all n churches and ministers this power ? are they able ? have they learned men enough , to o water where they have planted ? if some should not be of the p quorum , as it were , in ordinations , and the like , what order , peace , or unity can be expected ? . againe , if all churches and ministers have this power , equally , to exercise the work apostolicall ; must they not all then goe , or send abroad , to convert the indians , and plant churches ? and how can all be spared abroad ? are all q apostles ? all euangelists ? where were the body , if so ? . will they not interfiere one upon another , and trespasse upon one anothers r line , rule , or portion , which blessed s. paul condemned in those that entred into his labours ? . when any other s church , besides the t first , hath power and ability to propagate and bring forth other churches , may she not doe well so to doe ? must she not ? in her fitting line , observing peace , and holding communion with the first , as long as they remain in purity both of them ? and if a second , why not a third , and a fourth , and so forth to a competent number ? . whether the first and other churches also having power and ability thus to propagate the gospell and plant churches , may not be fitly called , prime , chief , or principall seats of the church , or v chiefe churches ? . whether those churches so gathered , in one kingdome , citie , or principality , holding communion together , may not be fitly , in regard of their unity in doctrine and worship , called the church of such a nation , or province , u city , or countrey ? . whether is it probable , that the first church christian , that wee reade of to be , at x hierusalem , was onely one congregation , or but as many as could meete in one place ? had they not among them twelve apostles , besides elders , three thousand , at once added , what ever number there was besides ? and had they such a large temple or meeting-houses at their command in those dayes ? . whether the word church bee not diversly taken in holy scripture , and sometimes for a civill or uncivill assembly or congression ? y acts . . {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} , and when he had thus spoken , he dismissed the assembly or church ? . whether anciently in england , some small assemblyes were not called churches , as every presentative rectory or parsonage is called ecclesia , when others that were greater were not so called , as no vicaridge , donative or chappel is called ecclesia in our law ? . whether the rector , or parson that is a presbyter in a church , should , being alone , rule absolutely by himselfe , without the concurrence , advise , or superiour power of the evangelisticall z pastor of the church , who had care in the plantation or erection of the parsons church ? . if not ; should the vicar , donative , minister or chaplain ? . but where they have used to rule more absolutely , ( as in some peculiar jurisdictions in england ) why may they not with the peace and unity of the church , and by good advise , stil doe the same alway , with subordination to the evangelisticall leaders , and fit christian , and nationall synods ? . if the parson should not rule alone ordinarily , why should the principall leaders rule ordinarily alone without the advise and assistance of a competent number of their presbyters , who may afford them counsell ? did not the holy apostles advise with the elders a sometimes ? is it safe for them or the whole ? . but were there any bishops superintendent , over other bishops , or presbyters , in the first hundred years after christs birth ? did not saint iames write his generall epistle to the twelve tribes , which were then scattered abroad , no doubt , in many places , and therein mention for rulers , onely b elders ? and s. peter write his generall epistle , and therein direct or command the c elders , not to over-rule the flock , the lords inheritance ? where was the order of bishops ? had not the elders the rule ? might they not else have returned answer , that the command concerned not them , but a certaine order of men , called bishops , above us ? . were not the apostles and euangelists then living , d bishops , and superintendent overseers ? had they not the e care of all the churches , in their lines ? did not these holy apostles , s. iames and s. peter , mention their owne names , in their epistles ? is it not plain , that peter had over-sight upon those to whom he wrote , to see that they did not over-rule , and take account of them , if they did ? and did the lord ordaine there should be such a superintendencie , onely for an . years , and not some equall correspondent superspection also in after-ages , when those extraordinary men should cease ? if some had then the care of all the churches , should there not be some , in after-times , to have the care of some , to a competent number of churches , in their fitting lines , and as they are f able ? and though this divine right be broken through the many grosse corruptions of successions , and the like , yet is it not equall to observe the first institution , as neere as may be , as we say the equity of some lawes and statutes among us is sometimes to be observed , though not in the letter ? and why may not a chiefe pastor be called a bishop , as well as an elder , or any other officer heretofore superior ? . if g psalms , and hymnes , and spirituall songs are to be sung in the church , and to sing melodiously , and with good harmony , is the gift of god , and uncomely singing a kind of sin in the holy assemblies ; why should not the chiefe leaders , and rulers of the church , appoint some , in their stead , to take care of the singings of the church ? and may not some be fitter to lead in singing , then others ? and lest they may fall out of their tunes to jarring , why may they not use the help of some musicall instruments ? and lest they should want able men this way , why should they not take care , that some children be trained up in musique ? . whether or no christ did not allow of a h form of prayer , and a short one too ? will not the i strong allow the weak helps in prayer ? are not the best christians often distracted in long prayers ? is it not easier for the strong to pray , then for as strong men to hear prayer well ? should those that are strong proficients in grace not be satisfied , without all their weak brethren come to the same pitch of high sanctification with themselves ? should they not rather k condescend to the weaker ? and although it be rare to tell of any actually converted by formes of prayer , and scriptures read ; yet who can justly deny , but that much good hath been , is , and may for ever be done by such things that way , sicut ultimus ictus quercum non caedit , extrema arena clepsydram non exhaurit , as the last stroak fells not the oake , nor the last sand exhausts the houre-glasse ? . whether may not a man l and his household , a woman and her houshold , a whole m city , or countrey , a king and his people , a whole nation , be baptized , after they are competently instructed in the religion of god ? . is it certain , that all that were baptized in n cornelius his house , in the o gaolers house , in lydia's , in p samaria , in q corinth , were such true beleevers , as now good men require all those that joyne with them , to be , before they will receive them to the communion of their church ? were not r hypocrites admitted & baptized in the primitive church , by the apostles and evangelists themselves , being deceived by them ? were not children circumcised in the old testament , and baptized all along in the times of the new , so received into the bosome of the church ? . could , or can ever any nation , probably , be brought into the obedience of the gospel , poll by poll , in such manner as is imagined by the leaders of separations ? . if it be possible , let them make experience , and try whether the indians , or any other heathen people , can be so converted , before the greek kalends . . whether there be any direct scripture for the peoples choice of their chiefe pastour ? can there , ordinarily , be a better election , then when the supreame magistrate ( who hath , at most times , the power of all the people , and sometimes their counsell in a regular way ) joynes with a select and competent number and company of presbyters in the same ? . whether any that have not skill , grace , and learning , to judge of the parties to be ordained , whether they be fit , and able to what they are to be ordained , may s ordaine them ? . whether or no to maintain a desired purity or perfection in the magistracie , by election of the people , these good men of new-england , are not forced to be too strict in receiving the brethren , and to run a course tending to heathenisme ? . whether have not popular elections of chiefe magistrates beene , and are they not very dangerous to states and kingdomes ? are there not some great mysteries of state and government ? is it possible , convenient , or necessary , for all men to attain to the knowledge of those mysteries , or to have the like measure of knowledge , faith , mercifulnesse , wisdome , courage , magnanimity , patience ? whence are kings denominated , but from their skill and knowledge to rule ? whereto they are even born and educated , and by long experience , and faithfull counsellors enabled , and the grace and blessing of god upon all ? doe not the wise , good , ancient , and renowned laws of england attribute much , yea , very much trust and confidence to the king , as to the head and supreame governour , though much be also in the rest of the great body , heart and hands , and feete , to counsell , maintain , and preserve the whole , but especially the head ? . hence what government for an englishman but an hereditary , successive , king , v the son of nobles , well counselled and assisted ? . whether we the posterity of the church , and people of god , who now see the tops of things onely , may safely condemne the foundations , which we have not seen ? . whether is there not a difference between bare speculation , and knowledge joyned with sound experience , and betweene the experience of divines and people reforming from out of some deepe corruptions in churches called christian , and the experience of those that have conversed in and about planting , and building churches , where there was none before , or among heathens ? what is art many times without experience ? . whether those authors from hierome , to arch-bishop adamson , that alledge all presbyters to be equall , and should alwayes have equall power and authority , had any great skill , or will , or experience , in the propagation of churches among heathens , or barbarous nations ? . if not , whether their testimony bee of that validity as is thought by some ? if they had , whether they might not erre ? . whether messengers sent by churches , or ministers taking upon them to go to gather or plant churches , and to ordain , or give the right hand of fellowship to ministers in those churches , and to appease differences in church affairs , are not episcopall acts ? . is episcopacie , or a superintendencie necessary at new-england , and is it not necessary in more populous places ? are there not some , nay many depths and u mysteries in gods holy word , the scriptures , and certain catholique interpretations , which transgressed , the faith is hurt ? is it possible , convenient , or necessary for all men , nay all ministers , to attain the knowledge of those mysteries , or to have the like measure of knowledge , faith , mercifulnesse , wisdome , patience , long suffering , courage , whereby to be enabled to rule in the church of god , whereto they are educated , tryed , chosen , and ordained ? and do not the sacred rules and laws of god , of holy church and of this kingdome attribute much , yea very much trust and confidence to the chief pastors , leaders , and rulers , the fathers of the church , especially to the bishops of the prime and metropoliticall churches , by the assistance of , and with , and under the supreame magistrate , the chiefe , the best cement of government , though much be also in other members of the great body , the church , to counsell , maintaine and preserve the whole in the faith , soundnesse , peace and unity , especially the chief leaders , when need requireth ? hence what government for christians in chief , but by pious , learned , provinciall and diocesan bishops , especialy in england and ireland ? by the just examination of the whole , those that are pious and learned , may easily gather , what good reasons i had , and have , to returne , as now humbly i doe , to the church of england , for whose peace , purity , and prosperity , is the daily prayer of one of her most unworthy sons , clements inne , novemb. . . thomas lechford . to a friend . sir , here is a good land , and yeelding many good commodities , especially fish , and furs , corne , and other richer things , if well followed , and if that popular elections destroy us not . it is a good land , i say , that instructs us to repentance , when we consider what a good land we came from , what good lawes and government we have left , to make experiments of governing our selves here by new wayes , wherein ( like young physitians ) of necessity we must hurt and spoile one another a great while , before we come to such a setled common-wealth , or church-government , as is in england . i thank god , now i understand by experience , that there is no such government for english men , or any nation , as a monarchy ; nor for christians , as by a lawfull ministerie , under godly diocesan bishops , deducing their station and calling from christ and his apostles , in descent or succession ; a thing of greater consequence then ceremonies , ( would to god i had known it sooner ) which while i have in my place stood for here these two years , and not agreeing to this new discipline , impossible to be executed , or long continued , what i have suffered , many here can tell ; i am kept from the sacrament , and all place of preferment in the common-wealth , and forced to get my living by writing petty things , which scarce finds me bread ; and therefore sometimes i look to planting of corne , but have not yet here an house of my owne to put my head in , or any stock going : whereupon i was determined to come back , but by the over-entreaty of some friends , i here think to stay a while longer , hoping that the lord will shortly give a good issue to things both in our native country , and scotland , and here , as well as in all other his majesties dominions . i was very glad to see my lord bishop of exeters book ; it gave me much satisfaction . if the people may make ministers , or any ministers make others without an apostolicall bishop , what confusion will there be ? if the whole church , or every congregation , as our good men think , have the power of the keyes , how many bishops then shall we have ? if every parish or congregation be so free and independent , as they terme it , what unity can we expect ? glad also was i to see master balls book of the tryall of the grounds of separation , both which are newly come over , and i hope will work much good among us here . and whereas i was sometimes mis-led by those of opinion that bishops , and presbyters , & all ministers , are of the same authority ; when i came to consider the necessary propagation of the truth , and government of the church , by experimentall foot-steps here , i quickly saw my error : for besides , if the congregations be not united under one diocesan in fit compasse , they are in a confusion , notwithstanding all their classicall pretendments , how can the gospel be propagated to the indians without an apostolicall bishop ? if any church , or people , by the kings leave , send forth ministers to teach and instruct the poore indians in the christian religion , they must have at least apostolicall power to ordain ministers or elders in every congregation among them ; and when they have so done , they have power of visitation where they plant : nor can they without just cause be thrust out from government without great impiety ; and where they have planted , that is their line or diocese . thus i came to see , that of necessity a diocese , and bishop diocesan , is very neere , if not altogether of divine authority . i am also of opinion , that it were good for our ministers to learne how to doe this work from some of our reverend bishops in england , for i feare our ministers know not how to goe about it . whether must not some ministers learne their language ? it is a copious language , as i am informed , and they have as many words to expresse one thing as we have . and when they teach indians to pray , will they not teach them by a forme ? and how can gods worship be maintained among ignorant persons without a forme ? i am firme of opinion , that the best of us have been much beholding to the word read , and formes of prayer . from boston in n.e. iulii . . this gentleman to whom i wrote , kindly returned me a wise answer , wherein is this passage : to speak in briefe , i think now that new-england is a perfect model and sampler of the state of us here at this time ; for all is out of joynt both in church and common-wealth , and when it will be better , god knoweth : to him we must pray for the amendment of it , and that he will not lay on us the merits of our nationall and particular sinnes , the true cause of all these evils . dated out of somerset-shire , aprilis . . to another , thus : in a word or two , we heare of great disturbances in our deare native countrey ; i am heartily sorry , &c. i beseech you take my briefe opinion ; we here are quite out of the way of right government both in church and common-wealth , as i verily think , and as far as i can judge upon better consideration , and some pains taken in searching after the bottome of some things . some electorie wayes tend to the overthrow of kingdomes : no such way for government of englishmen , as a monarchie ; of christians , as by diocesan bishops in their line : better yeeld to many pressures in a monarchie , then for subjects to destroy , and spoile one another . if i were worthy to advise a word , i should desire you to have a care , and so all your friends , you prejudice not your estate , or posterity , by too much opposing the regall power : for i verily beleeve the kings majesty hath in generall a good cause touching episcopacie : my reasons i could better deliver in presence , if haply god give opportunity to see you , or if you require it hereafter , i will be ready to present my thoughts unto you . all this , as i shall answer before the lord , without any by-respects . if you were here , i presume you would see more then i can , but i think you would be much of my mind . from boston in n. e. septemb. . . to another of no meane rank . complaining of my sufferings , and shewing the reasons , desiring him to send for me , that i might declare them to his person more effectually . from boston in n. e. march , . to another . you knew my condition and employment , and how ill it went with me in england , by reason of the trouble of our friends , and my own danger therby . for my outward subsistence here , at this time , god knowes it is but meane ; some say it is my owne fault , and that i stand in my owne light , and you , and others may so conceive ; but the god of heaven is my witnesse , i have endeavoured in all things to keep a good conscience , though sometimes i have failed ; i have endeavoured , laying all by-respects aside , to joyne with the church here , but cannot yet be satisfyed in divers particulars , whereby i am kept from all place of employment or preferment , as i have had overtures made unto me of , if i would or could yeeld , but hitherto i have not dared to doe it , for good reasons best knowne to our heavenly witnesse . i must give you a taste . they hold their covenant constitutes their church , and that implyes , we that come to joyne with them , were not members of any true church whence we came , and that i dare not professe . againe , here is required such confessions , and professions , both in private and publique , both by men and women , before they be admitted , that three parts of the people of the country remaine out of the church , so that in short time most of the people will remaine unbaptized , if this course hold , and is ( we feare ) of dangerous consequence , a thing not tending to the propagation of the gospel in peace : which , though it have a colour of sanctimony and strictnesse , whereby many well-affected or affectionate people , but weak in sound experience and judgement , are the rather drawn thereunto , and they are in a manner necessitated to it , to maintaine their election of magistrates and ministers in their owne way of popular or aristocraticall government ; i dare not ( for my part ) yeeld unto neither in my own conscience , nor for the credit of those persons with whom i have been educated , and in whose causes i have been seen . a monarchy is the best government for englishmen ; better to suffer some pressures under that kind of government , then to spoile one another with popular elections . againe , i cannot yeeld to lay-elders , nor that lay-men should impose hands upon any to the ministerie , nor that any minister should renounce his calling to the ministerie which he received in england , as antichristian : it is a grosse error , and palpable schisme ; then our baptisme is not right , and so there will be no end of separations . also i beleeve there cannot be a church , without a true minister ; nor can any gather themselves together into a church without a true minister ; nor can they ordain their own ministers ; ordinarily , i meane ; what may be done in an extraorninary case , pro prima vice , is another question ; i hold there ought to be an apostolicall bishop , by succession from christ and his apostles , superiour in order or degree to his brethren ; which bishop ought to ordain , and rule with other presbyters , or alone , but presbyters cannot without him . and if so be any thing in word or act passed from mee to the contrary hereof , i do professe it was in my ignorance . their calling is of divine authority , or nearest thereunto , else the church of god could not have subsisted in any tolerable way of peace , through all this by-past time of . yeeres . i feare they know not what they say , that say the contrary : let them come here , they will quickly change their minde , if they study the point , and follow it home ; for , besides the keeping of peace and unity , and a pure and able learned ministery , how can the gospell be propagated without some speciall ministers , having the power apostolicall , to goe forth to convert indians or pagans ? if a pastor , or minister , or christian , of any church shall doe so , what hath he to doe with infidels ? as hee is a pastor , he is no pastor to them . therefore if any are sent to convert , and establish churches among infidels , such as are sent are apostolick messengers , bishops or ministers to them , and ought to be sent with fasting and prayer , and by imposition of hands of the presbytery , and having converted infidels , may plant churches , and ordain ministers among them , and afterwards visit them ; and is not this episcopacie , and their line wherein they have gone their diocesse ? these things naturally flow from , and are grounded in the word , or equity thereof , and meere necessity . now if all ministers should ordinarily have this authority , to go forth to these works , without mission , what quarelling there would be for division of lines or dioceses , let the experience of former ages tell , yea of the apostolique times , wherein were not wanting those that quarelled with saint paul himselfe , about his line or rule , cor. . now unto this confusion , tends the opinion , that saith , a bishop and presbyter is all one and equall ; it is of acrius , it is false , and it is confusion . the reformed churches and writers that held so , had little experience of mission to convert & plant churches among infidels . that reformation goes too deep that tends to pulling downe of cathedrall churches , and bishops houses : should not apostolick bishops , and the chiefest ministers have houses to dwell in , and churches to recide and officiate in , whither all the churches of their line may send and come together in councel , or synod , and so do nothing of great moment without their bishop , a timothy , or a titus ? again , baptisme is admission and initiation into the church ; to whom baptisme is commited , viz. apostles and apostolick ministers , they have power of admission , that is , of loosing , and consequently of binding , excommunication or expulsion . where is now the peoples power in the keyes ? are they all apostles , and apostolick ministers ? what confusion is this ? who can yeeld to it knowingly ? i beseech you pardon my zeale , and when you have considered all , pity my condition , and pray for me still . well i am assured , that master prynne & master burton would never yeeld to these things , especially , if they had experience of them . it is good for us to see our errours , and acknowledge them , that we may obtain peace in the day of account . boston , . oct. . to another . sorry and grieved we are at the heart , to heare of the troublous estate and condition of our native countrey ; wee here also meete with our troubles and distresses in outward things , and some in spirituall matters also . here wants a staple commodity to maintain cloathing to the colony . and for my own particular , hitherto i have beene much distressed here by reason i cannot yet so clearely understand the church proceedings , as to yeeld to them , there are therein so many difficult considerations , that they have sometimes bred great confusion in my thoughts . never since i saw you have i received the sacrament of the lords supper . i have disputed in writing , though to my great hinderance , in regard of outward things , yet blessed be the lord , to my better satisfaction at the last . i never intended openly to oppose the godlyhere in any thing i thought they mistooke , but i was lately taken at advantage , and brought before the magistrates , before whom , giving a quiet and peaceable answer , i was dismissed with favour , and respect promised me by some of the chiefe for the future . our chiefe difference was about the foundation of the church and ministery , and what rigid separations may tend unto , what is to be feared , in case the most of the people here should remaine unbaptized ; considerations which may trouble the wisest among us . rigid separations never did , nor can propagate the gospell of christ , they can do no good , they have done hurt . it is dangerous to found church government on dark & uncertain interpretations of propheticall , or other scriptures ; foundations ought to be full of evidence , & demonstration . blessed be the lord , now some of the chiefe leaders of the churches here hold the churches in england true churches , and your ministery lawfull , though divers corruptions there may be among you ; yea some there bee of the chiefe among us that conceive the government by godly bishops superintendent over others to be lawfull . churches are not perfect in this world . we may not for every disagreement in opinion , or for slender pretended corruptions , separate from the church : separate so once , and no end of separation . from boston in n. e. decem. . . to conclude . suppose there are foure sorts of government , which are used in church , as in common-wealth ; monarchicall absolute without lawes , which is tyrannie ; monarchicall bounded by lawes ; aristocraticall , and democraticall : episcopall absolute , which is popish tyrannie ; episcopall regulated by just lawes ; presbyterian , and congregationall : which of these will all men like , and how long ? some have well compared the humour of the people in this kind , to a merry relation of an old man and his sonne , passing through the streets of a city , with one horse betweene them : first , the old man rode , then the people found fault with his unkindnesse , in that he did not cause his son to ride with him : then the young man gets up too , now the people say they are both unmercifull to the beast : downe comes the old man , then the young man is unmannerly to ride , and his father walk on foot : at last downe goes the young man also , and leads the horse , then they were both unwise to lead the horse , and neither of them to ride . well , but alter the inconstant vulgar will ; if so , god grant it be for the better . but then consider stories , one alteration follows another ; some have altered sixe times , before they were setled againe , and ever the people have paid for it both money and bloud . concerning church-government , what the presbyterian way is , and how sutable for englands monarchie , i leave to the pious experienced divines to set forth , and the church and state thereof to judge . and for the congregationall independent government , whereof i have had some experience , give me leave instead of a better intelligencer thus to present to my deare countrey , now in a time of neede , my impartiall opinion in these confused papers : and in brief-thus : although it had some small colour in scripture , and a great pretence of holinesse , yet no sound ground in the scripture ; again , if it be neither fit nor possible long to bee continued in new-england , as not i alone , but many more eye and eare witnesses doe know , and the learned can and will judge undoubtedly , it must needes be much more unfit and impossible to be brought into england , or ireland , or any other populous nation . all which upon the whole i humbly submit unto the sacred judgment and determination of holy church , his royall majesty , and his highnesses great and honourable councel , the high court of parliament . imprimatur , ioh : hansley . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- how churches are gathered there . their church covenant . election of their church officers . their ordinations . the right hand of fellowship by messengers of churches . some differ . how members are received , or added to the church there . the usuall termes whereupon . matters of offence how heard in private . dilatorie proceedings in admitting members . * whether popish auricular confession , and these publique confessions be not extremes , and whether some private pastorall or presbyteriall collation , left at liberty , upon cause , and in case of trouble of conscience , as in the church of england is approved , be not better then those extremes , i leave to he wise and learned to judge . testimonials and recommendations . publique confessions of parties to be received . their profession of faith . officers in the church . their duties or offices . members duties . a sermon of twelve articles of religion . master knolls how admitted . right hand of fellowship given to brethren . the whole church ruleth . their enterance into covenant . severing in the family . offences , how heard in publique . the whole church ruling and usurping the keyes . * whether a grave and judicious consistorie of the bishop well assisted be not a great deale better , i leave to our superiours to determin● . who denounce church censures . dic ecclesiae . * this agreeth with the rule in england . admonition . excommunication . cognizance of causes . churches independent . ●●fference of rule in churches . consistory . a better consistory is , and may be constituted in england . difference in number of officers . chappels of ease . these , you see , are necessary in england in some places . prophesying . prophesying , or preaching by licence . it ought not to be otherwaies in england . * universities , cathedrals , and collegiat churches . * cor. . . the publique worship . every sunday morning . lords supper . * once i stood without one of the doores , and looked in , and saw the administration : besides , i have had credible relation of all the particulars from some of the members . afternoone . baptisme . contribution . differences in contributions . admissions . offences . lectures . fasts & feasts . a and why not set fasting dayes & times , and set feasts , as well as set synods in the reformed churches ? b and why not holy dayes as well as the fift of november , and the dayes of purim among the jews ▪ besides , the commemoration of the blessed and heavenly mysteries of our ever blessed saviour , and the good examples and piety of the saints ? what time is there for the moderate recreation of youth and servants , but after divine services on most of those dayes , seeing that upon the sunday it is justly held unlawfull ? and sure enough , at new-england , the masters will and must hold their servants to their labour more then in other countries well planted is needfull ; therefore i think even they should doe well to admit of some holy dayes too , as not a few of the wiser sort among them hold necessary and expedient . little reading , catechizing . c whereas in england every sunday are read in publique , chapters and psalmes in every church , besides the 〈…〉 commandements , epistle and gospell , the creed and other good formes and catechizings , and besides what is read upon holy dayes and other dayes both in the parish , and cathedrall and collegiat churches , & in the universities , and other chappels , the benefit whereof , doubtlesse , all wise men will acknowledge to be exceeding great , as well as publique preaching and expounding . dayes and moneths how called . neglect of instructing the indians . charity . * the covenant of grace of the new testament , it is true , makes the whole universall church of christ , and every part thereof , or at least belongeth thereunto : but allowing churches a covenant of reformation tending to the bett●r ordering and well-being of themselves , and for other politique respects , this is as much as they at new-england can iustly make of their covenant , and some that are judicious among themselves have ackn●wledged it : and yet , even this , unlesse it be made and guided by good counsell , and held with dependance and concatenation upon some chiefe church or churches , may tend to much division and confusion , as is obvious to the understanding of those that are but a little versed in study of these points . ecclesia regnans . elections of the governour & chiefe magistrates . freemen their oath . courts and laws . actions and causes . grand juries . tryals . prophanenesse beaten downe . * although some have held that three or two may make a church , yet i have heard master cotton say , that a church could not be without the number of sixe or seaven at least , and so was their practise while i was th●●e , at weymouth , and new taunton , and at lin , for long island ; because if there are but three , one that is offended with another , cannot upon cause tel the church , but one man . ministers names . magistrates nam●s . marriages . testaments . administrar . burials . * causes touching matrimonie , and testaments , and other ecclesiasticall causes , have been anciently by the good lawes of england , committed to the clergie , upon better grounds then many are aware of . brethren , i pray consider well that the apostle doth allow judgements of controversies to the church , cor. . and so they did anciently in other countries , as well as in england , as appeares by s. augustines profession thereof , cited by one lately , viz. that he ( the said father , and other holy men of the church ) suffered the tumultuous perplexities of other mens causes touching secular affaires , either by determining them by judging , or in cutting them off by entreaties : which labour ( saith he ) we endure with consolation in the lord , for the hope of eternall life . to which molestations , the apostle tyed us , not by his owne judgement , but by his judgement who spake in him . besides , should they judge these things , and labour for , and watch over us in the lord , and not be recompenced as long as they doe well ? i speak not to countenance undue exactions , bribes , or other corruptions . i intend brevity , and therefore make bold to refer my reader to the many learned arguments both in law-books and divinity of this subject . trainings or musters . grievances . danger . new plymouth patent . m. raymer . m. smith . m. chancey his controversie . * eccles. . . one shepheard : james . . not many masters . whether this be their ground , i know not ; but what ever there be in others to advise and assist , the deciding , determining voice , i meane also the negative , in some cases , ought , as i think , to be in the pastor : be there never so many ministers in the church , doe nothing without your pastor or bishop , saith irenaeus : for whatsoever is faulty in the church , the bishop is first and principally blamed , rev. . and . taunton . m. hooke , m. streate , their ordination . m. doughty his controversie . divers other towns and ministers . island aquedney . master gorton whipt and banished . new providence . m. blakeston . connecticot . lady boteler . lady moody . new haven . long island . pascattaqua . m. larkham excommunicated . a broyle or riot . episcopacie . province of maigne . exeter . cape anne ▪ fishing . isles of shoales and richmond . isle of sables . martins vineyard . french and datch . virginia . maryland . swedes . new-found-land . florida . state of the countrey of new-england . * wheat and barley are thought not to be so good as those grains in england ; but the rye and pease are as good as the english : the pease have no wormes at all . beanes also there are very good . of the indians . m. 〈◊〉 a hopefull schoolmaster . some late occurrences concerning episcopacie . a mat. . . mar. . . act. . & . . & . . . & . , . & . . . . . b acts . . & . . & . . . & . . & . . . c col. . . act. . . & . . & . . d acts . . . & . , . & . , . e mat. . . acts . , , . & . . f acts . , , . & . & . g act. . , . h act. . & . . i act. . . & . . k rom. . . l act. . . & . tim. . . m eph. . . act. . & . . & . . n rom. . . o cor. . . p tim. . . tim. . compared . q cor. . , . r cor. . . to the end . s act. . , , t act. . . & . . v as hierusalem , antioch , ephesus , acts . . u acts . . x acts . , , . & . . y act. . . fitzherb . n.b. z cor. . , . a acts . . objection . b iames . . c pet. . , , answer . d acts . . e cor. . . & chap. . to the end . f cor. . . g eph. . . cor. . h mat. . . sic ergo adirate vos . {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} . luke . . i rom. . . k rom. . . idipsum in invi●em sentientes ; non alta sapientes , sed humilibus cons●●●ientes . {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} {non-roman} , but condescending to the humble . l act. . , , . & . , , , . vers. , . m acts . , , . n acts . o acts . p acts . q acts . r acts . . act. . . & . . compared . s tim. . . titus . . v pro. . . eccles. . . & . , . u cor. . . & ● . . the bloody tenent yet more bloody: by mr cottons endevour to wash it white in the blood of the lambe; of whose precious blood, spilt in the blood of his servants; and of the blood of millions spilt in fromer and later wars for conscience sake, that most bloody tenent of presecution for cause of conscience, upon a second tryal, is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty. in this rejoynder to mr cotton, are principally i. the nature of persecution, ii. the power of the civill sword in spirituals examined; iii. the parliaments permission of dissenting consciences justified. also (as a testimony to mr clarks narrative) is added a letter to mr endicot governor of the massachusets in n.e. by r. williams of providence in new-england. williams, roger, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w thomason e _ estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (thomason tracts ; :e [ ]) the bloody tenent yet more bloody: by mr cottons endevour to wash it white in the blood of the lambe; of whose precious blood, spilt in the blood of his servants; and of the blood of millions spilt in fromer and later wars for conscience sake, that most bloody tenent of presecution for cause of conscience, upon a second tryal, is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty. in this rejoynder to mr cotton, are principally i. the nature of persecution, ii. the power of the civill sword in spirituals examined; iii. the parliaments permission of dissenting consciences justified. also (as a testimony to mr clarks narrative) is added a letter to mr endicot governor of the massachusets in n.e. by r. williams of providence in new-england. williams, roger, ?- . [ ], , [ ] p. printed for giles calvert, and are to be sold at the black-spread-eagle at the west-end of pauls, london : . the sentences labeled 'i.' and 'ii.' are enclosed by a right bracket with the word 'examined' on the left side of the bracket. the sentence labeled 'iii.' is also enclosed by a right bracket with the word 'justified.' on the right side of the bracket. a reply to cotton, john. the bloudy tenent, washed. . the final leaves are a table of contents. annotation on thomason copy: "aprill. 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instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng cotton, john, - . -- bloudy tenent, washed. dissenters, religious -- england -- early works to . persecution -- early works to . new england -- church history -- th century. great britain -- church history -- th century. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the bloody tenent yet more bloody : by mr cottons endevour to wash it white in the blood of the lambe ; of whose precious blood , spilt in the blood of his servants ; and of the blood of millions spilt in former and later wars for conscience sake , that most bloody tenent of persecution for cause of conscience , upon a second tryal , is found now more apparently and more notoriously guilty . in this rejoynder to mr cotton , are principally i. the nature of persecution , examined ; ii. the power of the civill sword in spirituals examined ; iii. the parliaments permission of dissenting consciences justified . also ( as a testimony to mr clarks narrative ) is added a letter to mr endicet governor of the massachusets in n. e. by r. williams of providence in new-england . london , printed for giles calvert , and are to be sold at the black-spread-eagle at the west-end of pauls , . to the most honorable the parliament of the common-wealth of england . most noble senators , one of the greatest spirits , and as active as later times have yeelded , charles the fifth , tired out with affairs of state , resigns up all , and sits down to end his dayes in quiet contemplation . i doubt not but many of your honorable heads have felt the thorny crown ( of these late years troubles ) so sharp , so weighty , that your tired spirits would joyfully embrace , if not ( with charles the fifth ) a totall cessation , yet like some faithfull tired judge , ( after so long and troublesome a tearm ) at least some breathing short vacation . although i dare not ( as to englands peace and safety ) admit desires of your totall . cessation , or long vacation : yet common gratitude for such incomparable labours , expences , hazards , &c. from whence the god of heaven hath vouchsafed such rare and incomparable preservations , deliverances , enjoyments , &c. i say common gratitude cannot onely wish you heartily & pray for earnestly your eternal rest , and most joyfull harvest in the heavens , but also , all the possible breathing hours , and cool retired shades of contemplation and self-enjoyment amidst the scorching travels of so many vexing and tedious actions . you cannot ( ever renowned patriots ) but like some grave commanders of fleets and armies , who have brought their ships and followers through tempestuous st●rms and bloody fights , to joyful rest and harbours ! you cannot but look back with admirings , with praisings , with resolvings to cast you crowns , and heads , and hearts , and hands , ( for the remaining minutes of the short candle of your life ) at his feet , in whose most high and most gracious hands have all your breaths and wayes been . in the review of the multitude of your actings and sufferings , your battells and victories , dangers ▪ and deliverances , you cannot , ( no man can ) but observe and see ( a naked ) ▪ arm from heaven fighting for you , but most especially since the times and houres you gratified the most high eternall king of kings ( now more then ever englands king ) with these two famous subsidies ( if i may in humble reverence so call them . ) the first , of mercy and moderation to the poor oppressed consciences of the english nation , amidst the throng of which he graciously will , yea he hath acknowledged , that some of his own dear children ( the sonnes and daughters of the god of heaven ) have been relieved and succoured by you . the second your high and impartiall drawing of the sword of justice upon the great and highest offendors : since which two wonderfull subsidies , the most wilfully blind must be forced to see the glorious goings of the god of heaven with your councels and armies , and the discharge of his holy promise in honouring you , who have so highly , ( in so rare and unparalleld travels and hazards ) honored him . concerning the first of these subsidies , i was humbly bold some few yeares since , to present you with a conference between peace and truth , touching a most bloudy murtherous malefactor , the bloody tenent of persecution for cause of conscience : ( a notorious and common pyrate , that takes and robbs , that fires and sinkes the ( spirituall shipps and vessels ) the consciences of all men , of all sorts , of all religions and perswasions whatsoever . it hath pleased master cotton , ( a man incomparably too worthy for such a service ) to attempt the washing of this bloody tenent , ( as hee speakes ) in the blood of the lamb christ jesus ( though one part of the conference , to wit , the examination of a n. english modell of church and civill power , he leaveth to the washing of some other of the n. english ministers , the authors of that modell , of whose washings as yet i have not heard of : ) this present discourse presents your honours with the second part of the conference between peace and truth , and hath examined mr. cottons reply and washings . i summe up the multitude of my thoughts touching your honours consideration of this point , in these three most humble petitions . first , i most humbly and earnestly beseech your honours to mind the difference between state necessity of freedome to different consciences , and the equity and piety of such a freedome . state policie and necessity of affairs drew from great constantine ( with his colleague licinius ) that famous edict of freedome to all mens consciences , whom yet afterward he persecuted : but a successor of his ( of late years ) maximilian the second , comes neerer the life of the businesse , when he conscientiously profest in a solemne speech to the bishop of olmuts in bohemia , there is no sin ordinarily greater against god , said he , then to use violence against the consciences of men . your honours will find ( if the father of spirits please to spare you time and spirits , to mind this cause and controversie , that all violence to conscience turns upon these two hinges . first , of restraining from that worshipping of a god or gods , which the consciences of men in their respective worships ( all the world over ) believes to be true . secondly , of constraining to the practising or countenancing of that whereof their consciences are not perswaded . in the practice of both these , the histories of our own nation will tell us ( besides the forraigne ) how sharp and zealous the strongest swords of england have ever us'd to be . and yet of the practice of both , what a propheticall passage of our late troubles and king , did the foresaid maximilian expresse to henry the third of france , ( in his passage from poland to france to claim the french crown ) to this effect , sir , remember that when men think to get heaven by using violence to the consciences of men , they oftentimes lose that which they might peaceably have kept on earth . some have said that worldly policie perswaded , as well as state-necessity compelled the states of holland to a prudent permission of different consciences . and that the said state-policie perswaded some dutch to wish that england might not tolerate , least a permission of conscience in england should break down the bridge and passage into their parts of freedome in causes of conscience . those prudent and prosperous states have gone far ( though driven by spanish persecution ) to it ) in taking off the yoak from the necks of dutch & english , french yea , popish & jewish consciences . for all which ( though but mercy , though but justice and humanity to fellow mankind ) he that runs may read the truth of gods never failing promises , blessed are the mercifull for they shall obtain mercy . their own chronicles tell us of a wonderfull walk of the god of heaven between three of their most eminent towns or cities , first stafore was the wondrous wealthy city , their golden citie , til a proud wealthy , merchants widow , caused a whole ships loading of wheat ( which her ship brought home and she despised ) to be thrown over into the harbour , which ( with other accidents of water and weather , gods most righteous providences ) so choak'd up the haven , that vessels of burthen durst never frequent that citie ( by this occasion ) most wondrously impoverish'd ) since . from stafore god carries all the shipping and wealth to enchuysin , whose zealous , over-zealous and furious clergie provoke the civil magistrates to persecute dissenting , non conforming consciences : amongst the rest 't is rare ( if ever ) that the most glorious son of god himself escapes . from enchuysin therefore ( a den of persecuting lyons , and mountain of leopards ) the persecuted fled to amsterdam , a poor fishing town , yet harborous and favourable to the flying , though dissenting consciences : this confluence of the persecuted , by gods most gracious coming with them , drew boats , drew trade , drew shipping , and that so mightily in so short a time , that shipping , trading , wealth , greatnesse , honour ( almost to astonishment in the eyes of all europe , and the world ) have appeared to fall as out of heaven in a crown or garland upon the head of that poor fisher-town . o ye the prime of english men and english worthies , whose sences have so oft perceived the everlasting arms of the invincible and eternal king , when your ships hold hath been full with water , yea with blood , when storms without , fires and mutinies within , whence he hath beaten upon some rocky hearts and passages , as if she would have staved and split into a thousand pieces ; yet this so neer stav'd , so neer fired , so neer split , foundred , sinking nation , hath the god of heaven ( by your most valiant and carefull hands ) brought safe to peace her harbour ! why now should any duty possible be impossible ? yea , why not impossibilities possible ? why should your english seas contend with a neighbour dutchman for the motion of a piece of silk , &c ▪ and not ten thousand fold much more your english spirits with theirs for the crown of that state-piety and wisdome which may make your faces more to shine , not only with a common lustre after a dutch presisident , but ( if it be the holy will of god , and i humbly hope it may be ) with a glory far transcending all your fairest neighbours copies . the states of holland having smarted deeply , and paid so dearly for the purchase of their freedomes , reach to the neighbour nations and the world , a tast of such their dainties . and yet ( with due reverence to so wise a state , and with due thankfulnesse for mercy and relief to many poor oppressed consciences ) i say their piety nor policie could ever yet reach so far , nor could they in all their school of warre ( as their countries have been call'd , learn that one poor lesson of setting absolutely the consciences of all men free . 't is true , they vouchsafed to the papists and arminians the liberty ( as i may so speak ) of the prison , and sometimes to go abroad ( as i may say ) with a keeper , &c. but why should not such a parliament as england never had , ( and who knows whether ever will the like ) why should not the piety and policie of such statesmen out shoot and teach their neighbours , by framing a safe communication of freedome of conscience in worship , even to them to whom with good security of civill peace ) it is as due as to any other consciences or worshippers in the world ) the papists and arminians themselves . of the piety and policie of such a freedom i have discoursed more largely in the answering of some objections of mr. cotton in chapter . of this book : and proved that such a freedom of the conscience of each member of the commonweal , and such a commonweal as englands now is , especially , cannot in all probability prove so dangerous and prejudiciall as many do imagine and discourse , but contrarily many wayes prove beneficiall , and marvellously advantageous . your honors know what bloody bickerings and bloodsheds have been in later times in germany , in the low-countries , in france , in england , in polonia , in hungaria , bohemia , transilvania , &c. about the freedome of mens consciences and worship ? the god of heaven may also please graciously to remember you , that it hath been the fatall errour of all reformers that england or other states have seen , to doe as the portugals did in the east-indies , who pull'd down the images of the pagans whom they conquered , and set up their own images of portugall in their stead and places . it is agreed on all hands that subscribe to one god , that his worship is but one , and that all besides that one true god , are idols , and all worship beside his own ( but one ) are images : and you know the fiery jealousie of the eternall will not ever endure an image ( though never so fair ) his rivall : hence in the many former changes of estates , and state-worships ( by gods just and jealous permission ) the childrens work hath been to tumble down their fathers buildings . nor can your most prudent heads , and potent hands possibly erect that fabrick , which the next age ( it may be the next parliament ) may not tumble down . and yet so may the god of heaven so please to guide you in the high matters that concern the worship of god , and the consciences of men , that ( what ever be the present or future consequences ) your own consciences may reap the joyfull harvest of their present and eternall requiems . the pope , the turk , the king of spain , the emperour , and the rest of persecutors , build among the eagles , and the starres , yet while they practice violence to the souls of men , and make their swords of steele corrivals with the two-edged spirituall sword of the sonne of god : the basis of their highest pillars , the foundation of their glorious palaces , are but drosse and rottennesse . and however in our poore arithmeticke , their kingdomes number seem great , yet in the onely wise account of the eternall , their ages are but minutes , and their short periods are neer accomplished ; for herein the maxime is most true ( in the matters of religion and consciences of men , especially : ) the violent motion must break . but light from the father of lights hath shined on your eyes : mercy from the father of mercies hath softned your breasts , to be tender of the tenderest part of man , his conscience : for indeed there is no true reason of policy or piety ( as this discourse discovereth ) why that man that will subscribe ( and give assurance for honest meaning ) to that most prudent act of civill engagement , ( what ever his conscience be ) should be depriv'd and rob'd of the liberty of it , in spirituall and religious matters . i have ( i fear ) been long in my first petition , my second shall be brief , is this . i most humbly and earnestly beseech your honours in all the straits and difficulties which yet you are to passe ( concerning this great point of mens consciences , or other high affairs ) steere carefuly off from one sunk rock , on which so many gallant vessels have miscarried . this rock lies deeper then others , and seldom hath appeared but at some dead-low water , when the most high judge of the whole world reckons with men or states ; in low condititions and debasements . i humbly beg from god the gracious continuance of his mighty angels guard about your sitting , to preserve your honours from the flames of wars abroad , and from such flames at home : from risings , from tumults , from mutini●s , from pistols , from stabs , from powder-plots , from poyson , &c. but above all , from your own wisdome and policies in straits and difficulties . the holy history tells , that on this rock ( in a state strait ) strook the great statist jeroboam , to the ruine of himself and his posterity . on this rock split that famous and zealous reformer jehu . this pluckt the crown from sauls high head , when his own wisdome in straits made him presumtuous about the worship of god. this pluckt off the crown , and pluck out the eyes of zedekiah , when in a strait he trusted not in god , as solomon speaks , but leaned to his own understanding for his safety . to which purpose my third petition is , that in the midst of so many great negotiations of justice , of mercy to the bodies and estates , or spirits & consciences of so many thousands and ten thousand , you forget not to deal justly , & to shew mercy to your selves : oh how lamentable and dreadful wil it prove , if after all your high employments ( as the state-agents & factors for the commonweal ! ) if in the midst of all your cares and fears , and tossings about the souls and consciences and salvations of others , your own most dear and pretious selves make an eternal shipwrack ? your honors know , that although men have chosen and cull'd you out as wise and noble , yet god hath not chosen ( if paul say true ) many wise and noble to eternall life and blessednesse . who can love and honor you , and not cry to the god of heaven for you , and to your selves for your selves : be not so busie about the earthly estate , no nor the heavenly estate of others , as to forget to make sure your own vocation and election , & to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling . oh let not this bold cry offend , and though offend , yet let it throughly awake your noble spirits to know your dangers & hindrances ( more then other mens ) from a world of distractions from without , from pride & self-confidence from within , from the flatteries of such who ( hoping for rewards & morsels from you ) proclaim abroad ( that you may hear it ) o blessed christian magistrates , christian kings & queens , christian states , christian parliaments , christian armies , so lulling your pretious souls into an eternall sleep . i need not remember your honours of that most wonderful summa totalis of all the castings up of solomons choice particulars ( his wisdom , works , riches , peace and pleasures , ) vanity and vexation of spirit . i need not remember you of that wonderfull confession of philip the nd of spain ( neer his last ) to his successor and son philip the rd , to this effect : i have had and expended ( about the time of these years ) . millions of treasure , and yet gained nothing for my self but heart sorrow , and vexation of spirit . your own observant eyes and ears ( in the late most wonderfull changes and tossings of all affairs and things ) cannot but read a thousand lectures to your most serious midnight and morning thoughts of the most certain uncertainties of friends , treasures , revenues , armies , forts , magazines , castles , ships and navies , crowns and lives . why then should your renowned wisdom & prudence excel the folly of others as much as light excelleth darkness , in searching of the root and causes of matters , in fore-seeing events and consequences , in raising monies and armies , in choosing agents , in framing laws , in managing great affairs at home & abroad , in discovering plots , in preventing dangers , & finall overthrows by sure retreats , &c. if yet , alas , that wisdome make not out a saving discovery of the most holy and only wise , the alpha & omega , the first of causes and last of ends ( in whose hand is all your breath and ways : ) in raising spiritual supplies against your spiritually devouring adversaries , in discovering their methods , designes , deceits , in preventing that ( that ) fatall overthrow , and eternall defeat ( remediless , hopeless ) where the worm never dies , and the fire never goes out ? o why should your renowned valors so glory in the conquest of cities , castles , ships & armies , if your selves are led capti●e in the spiritual chains of lusts & passions , a more lamentable , and more to be deplored object , then the poorest slaves in the spanish and turkish gallies . what shall avail your admired diligence and activity in managing & quick dispatching so many and so high affairs , by day and night , catching hold of all occasions , redeeming all oportunities , improving all advantages , if you lose the fair gales , and oreslip and sleep away the pretious and inestimable seasons and calls , and knocks and offers of your own eternal mercies ? what boots your exemplary and impartiall justice on so many and so high delinquents , if your own bosomes are found traiterous to the state of heaven , rebellious to the king , to the god of spirits , and if in that most high court of justice from gods most dreadful tribunal you hear that thunder ( which oh that you may never hear ) ●o ye cursed , &c. 't is true your mercies have been eminent to the poor , to the opressed , to the captive , to the maimed , to the wounded , to the fatherless , widows , &c. but will you now be cruel to your selves , incompassionate to your own bowels , insensible of your own wounds and miseries ? o search and see , and be perswaded of your infinite want of crummes falling from your table of mercy ! of the infinite price and value of the wine & oyl of the mercifull ( though despised samaritan ) to ease and supple , to cleanse and heale your broken hearts and wounded spirits . the flames of your zeal for the god of israel ( as that famous iehu said ) have been so bright , and mounted so high against two mighty factions of the kings and queens ( the prelats & the popes ) that those flames have not only dazled and amazed all british eys ( the english & the scotch ) but or'e the seas , and or'e the alps , and or'e the pirenean mountains , and romes own hils haue flown & fild all protestant and popish ears , and hearts , and tongues , with either admiration & exulting , or furious rage and indignation ! yet what avails these glorious flames , and furious whirling of your zealous chariots , if yet they are but jehu's ? if sathan the god of this world possesse the throne of pride and ostentation in your bosoms ( come see my zeal which i have for the god of israel ) yea though you should go on where jehu left , and shoot home where he fell short , yet what avails it that the god of israel be in iehu's mouth , when god-selfe , god-honour , &c. fill his breast & heart ? what gains he by the slaughter of princes , priests and gods , when israel it self is but an apostate state from the true worship of the god of israel , and iehu himself ( according to the purity of gods word and ordinances at ierusalem ) reformed not so much as his own priv●t heart & censcience ? alas , what solid joy ( most zealous worthies ) shall a crown of leaves ( a temporal reward , iehu's wages ) bring to your noble heads & breasts , if you heare not at last that saving call to all humble and selfe-denying followers of jesus come ye blessed of my father , inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world . your admired publick patience so wonderfully assaulted , so wonderfully loaden with such mightie trials from mans , from gods hand , with such mighty losses , mighty defeats , mighty labours & hazards , mighty reproaches , &c. i say your unwearied patience hath stood ( like some mighty rock , or anvill ) invincible : yet who can stile this patince , or state-policie ! if your private howses and breasts swell and swarm with rebellious passions , impatiences , revenges ! if in the furnaces of your own private afflictions , and in the powrings out and changes of the most high upon you , your drosse and lees of unmortified , unsanctified spirits remain uncleansed ! if you most humbly kisse not the rods of the most high chastising you by sicknesses , by lesses , and other trialls , humbly thankfull , and longing to declare the spirits of true children , truly desiring more and more to partake of his divine nature and holinesse ? yea , what avails the crown of your enduring constancy , that have rid out so long a storm , held out so long a siege , not fainted in such tedious travels , labours , oppositions , treacheries , discouragements , but gloriously cast anchor in the port of patience ; if yet your personall righteousness passe away as the morning dew melted with the warme beams of victorious and prosperous success ? if your own professions of christ jesus prove but a fading colour , and not died in the right grain of the pretious blood of the son of god ? your honours well remember , that the main point of luthers reformation , ( and before him of the hussites in germany and bohemia , and before them of the wicklevists in england , and before them of the waldenses in france , consisted chiefly about repentance and faith in the blood of christ : that the main contentions of calvin , and since him of the most reformers , have turn'd upon the hinge of the form of the church , and the administrations thereof , the lamentable though pretious fuell of those fires of strife among the wisest , holiest , and learnedst of the followers of christ jesus in these times . you know the lord jesus prophesied , that many false christs should arise , and the scriptures more then once give the title of christ to the ghurch ; whence it is evident , that every severall modell , platform , and profession of a church , is the profession of a various and different christ . your honours also know he spake most true ( being truth it selfe ) that said , that which is most highly esteemed amongst men , is abomination in the sight of god , luke . hence , such may the glorious profession of christs or churches be , as may ravish the eyes and hearts of men , and from which the jealous eys of the true lord jesus turn away as from the false and counterfeit with indignation . beside the counterfeit in holy scripture , how famous was the pageant of that counterfeit king of england , which so haunted with long vexations one of the wisest of englands kings ( henry the seventh ? ) how wonderfully ( even to astonishment ) did the imposture of richard duke of york ( proclaiming henry an usurper and ●alse . ) i say , how wonderfully did that monstrous imposture take , that not onely foraigners where that counterfeit most kept ( the arch-duke , the king of france , the king of scots , the king of romanes , the irish nation , &c. ) were deceived with that feigned king , but also so many gallant men of our own nation , even to the wisest and highest ( as that famous stanley lord chamberlain , the preserver and r●iser of king henry himselfe ) lamentably lost their heads and lives about that pretended king ? now counterfeit spirituall delusions of false and counterfeit christs , as they are deeper and stronger , so they find more easie possession of the ears and souls of men , so wofully prepared by naturall self-deceivings . on six principall pillars or * foundations ( saith the holy spirit , heb. . . ) is built the fabrick of of true christianity : on repentance , on faith , on baptismes , on laying on of hands , on the resurrection , and the eternall judgement . concerning the two middle ones of these there are and have been mighty and lamentable differences among the scholars of jesus , who yet agree in the other foure , of repentance and faith , the resurrection and eternall judgement . whatsoever your honours apprehensions are of the foure last , i beseech you ( as you love your lives to eternity ) make sure of the two first , and ply ( with sails and oars ) day and nights , and give not rest to your souls till you have anchored in some blessed assurance , that although you find not satisfaction in the many frames of churches pretending ; yet that you have saved ( as once you know a wise and honorable personage said ) the bird in your bosome : and that those your very eyes which have seen so much of christ jesus , and so many wonderfull changes , and have been rotten awhile in their holes ( in death ) shall joyfully possesse , and fill their holes again , and be gloriously blessed with the sight of a redeemer , when these heavens and this earth shal passe away . for which humbly and uncessantly prayes your honours most unworthy , yet unfainedly devoted , roger williams . your honours ( wanting time to read much ) may please to view in a few minutes the portraicture and map of the whole bloody tenent in the latter end of the last chapt. chap. . to the several respective general courts , especially that of the massachusets in n. england . honored and beloved friends and countreymen , while you sit drie on your safe american shoars ( by gods most gracious providence ) and have beheld the dolefull tossings of so many of europs nations , yea of our dearest mother , aged england , in a sea of tears and bloud , i am humbly bold to present your eyes and hearts with this ( not unseasonable ) discourse of bloud , of the bloudy tenents of persecution , oppression , and violence , in the cause and matters of conscience and religion . it is a second conference of peace and truth , an examination of the worthily honoured and beloved mr. cottons reply to a former conference and treatise of this subject . and although it concern all nations , which have persecuted and shed the bloud of jesus , the bloudie roman empire , with all the savage lyons thereof , emperours and popes , the bloudie monarchies of spain and france , and the rest of europs kingdoms and states ( which under their several vizards and preteness of service to god , have in so many thousands of his servants , murthered so many thousand times over , his dear son ) yea although it concern that bloudie turkish monarchy , and all the nations of the world who practise violence to the conscience of any christian , or antichristians , jews or pagans ; yet it concerns your selves ( with all due respect otherwise be it spoken ) in some more eminent degrees : partly , as so many of yours of chief note ( beside mr. cotton ) are engaged in it ; partly as n. england ( in respect of spiritual and civil state ) professeth to draw nearer to christ jesus then other states and churches , and partly as n. england is believed to hold and practise such a bloudie doctrine , notwithstanding mr cottons vails and pretences of not persecuting men for conscience , but punishing them only for sinning against conscience ! and of but so and so , not persecuting , but punishing hereticks , blasphemers , idolators , seducers , &c. it is mr. cottons great mistake and forgetfulnesse , to charge me with a publick examination of his privat letter to me ; whereas in truth , there never passed such letters between himself and me about this subject ; as he alledgeth : but the prisoners arguments against persecution , with mr. cottons answer thereunto ( which i examined ) i say these were unexpectedly , and solemnly sent to me , as no privat thing , with earnest desire of my consideration or animadversions on them . these agitations between mr. cotton and others , so sent unto me , as also the model of church and civil power by gods providence coming to hand , i say they seem'd to me to be of too too publick a nature : and in which my soul not only heard the dolefull cry of the souls under the altar to the lord for vengeance , but their earnest sollicitations , yea and the command of the lord jesus for vindication of their blouds and lives spilt and destroyed , by this bloudie tenent , though under never so fair and glorious shewes and colours . the most holy and allseeing knowes how bitterly i resent the least difference with mr. cotton , yea with the least of the followers of jesus , of what conscience or worship soever : how mournfully i remember this stroak ( as i believe ) on mr. cottons eye , and the eyes of so many of gods precious children and servants , in these and other parts ; that those eyes so peircing and heavenly ( in other holy and precious truths of god ) should yet be so over-clouded and bloudshotten in this : i grieve i must contest , and maintain this contestation with ( in other respects ) so dearly beloved and so worthy adversaries . and yet why mention i or respect i man that is but grass , and the children of men that must die , whose brains , eyes and tongues ( even the holyest and the highest ) must shortly sink and rot in their skuls and holes . without remembring therefore who my adversarie is , nor all the wormwood and the gall so frequently in mr. cottons reply against me ; i fully and only level with an upright and single eye ( the lord jesus graciously assisting ) against that fowl and monstrous bloudie tenent and doctrin , which hath so slily ( like the old serpent the author of it ) crept under the shade and shelter of mr. cottons patronage and protection . my end is to discover and proclaim the crying and horrible guilt of the bloudie doctrin , as one of the most seditious , destructive , blasphemous , and bloudiest in any or in all the nations of the world , notwithstanding the many fine vails , pretences and colours of not persecuting christ jesus , but hereticks , not gods truth or servants , but blasphemers , seducers : not persecuting men for their conscience , but for sinning against their conscience , &c. my end is to perswade gods judah ( especially ) to wash their hands from bloud , to cleanse their hearts and wayes from such vnchristian practices , toward all that is man , capable of a religion and a conscience , but most of all toward christ jesus , who cries out ( as he did to saul ) in the sufferings of the least of his servants : old england , old england , new england , new england , king , king , parliaments , parliaments , general courts , general courts , presbyterians , presbyterians , independents , independents , &c. why persecute you me ? it is hard for you to kick against the pricks . my end is to prepare the servants and witnesses of jesus ( what truth soever of his they testifie ) for that great and general and most dreadfull slaughter of the witnesses , which i cannot but humbly fear , and almost believe , is near approaching , and will be vshered in , provoak'd and hastned by the preud security , worldly pomp , fleshly confidence , and bloudy violences of gods own children , wofully exercised each against other , and so rendred wofully ripe for such an vniversal and dreadfull storm and tempest ! my end and scope is to put a christian barr , and just and merciful spoaks in the wheels of such zealous reforming jehues , who ( under the vizard and name of baals priests ) may possibly be induced to account it good service unto god , to kill and burn his precious servants . my end is , that the greatest sons of bloud ( the papists ) may know , when ever ( as the saints in queen maries days confessed ) when ever it shall please the jealous god for the sins of his saints to turn the wheels of his most deep and holy providences , and to give the power to the paw of the beast , against his saints and truths , for their last dreadfull slaughter ( as daniel and john do clearly seem to tell us ) i say those sons of bloud , the bloudie papists , may know , that their bloudy doctrin of persecution , was disclaimed by some , whom they call sectaries : that equall and impartiall favour was pleaded to the catholicks , as wel as to their own or other mens souls and consciences : and that if that great whore shall yet proceed not only to drink the wine of their carnal jollitie , in the bowles of the holy ordinances of christs temple and sanctuary ; but also to drink more drunk in the bloud of his saints and witnesses ! this testimony may stand as a character of bloud , fixed by the hand of gods eternal truth and peace , upon the gates of their bloudie courts , and upon the forehead of their bloudie judges , who ( under what pretence soever ) hunt and persecute the souls and consciences of any child of god or man. my truly honoured and beloved countrimen , vouchsafe me i beseech you that humane and christian libertie to say , that i fear your spirits are lock'd up in a double prison from any serious audience to ought of mine presented to you . the first of prejudice against such and such a person . the second of conscience , against such and such a matter ; and that while my conscience or another mans saith , let me be heretick , blasphemer , idolater , seducer , with christ jesus , with his apostles , saints and witnesses : let me ( for his sake ) bear frowns , censures , and persecutions , from men so dear , so excellent , so holy ! your consciences plead for equall libertie of opposing in your way , all such erroneous or wandring consciences . for answer , it is but humanity , it is but christianity to exercise meeknesse and moderation to all men : it is humane and christian wisdom to listen to a serious alarm against a common enemy : prove the alarm false , it may be but troublesome : prove it true , it may be destruction to have despised it . as the wounds of a lover are better then the kisses of an enemy : so saith the same spirit , an open rebuke is better then secret love. but yet your consciences ( as all mens ) must be satisfied , i have therefore in all these agitations humbly presented ( amongst others ) two foundamental hints or considerations . first that the people ( the original of all free power and government ) are not invested with power from christ jesus , to rule his wife or church , to keep it pure , to punish opposites by force of armes , &c. secondly , that the pattern of the national church of israel , was a none-such , unimitable by any civil state , in all or any of the nations of the world beside : in this latter hint i insisted more largely in my former considerations upon church and civil power in n. e. unto which mr. cotton replyed not ( and of any other replyes of any ( to whom mr. cotton refers it ) do i yet not know of . ) i add , it is a glorious character of every true disciple or scholler of christ jesus , to be never too old to learn. it is the command of christ jesus to his schollars , to try all things : and libertie of trying what a friend , yea what an ( esteemed ) enemie presents , hath ever ( in point of christianity ) proved one especiall means of attaining to the truth of christ . for i dare confidently appeal to the consciences of gods most knowing servants , if that observation be not true , to wit , that it hath been the common way of the father of lights , to inclose the light of his holy truths , in dark and obscure , yea and ordinarily in forbidden books , persons and meetings , by sathan stiled conventicles . new english voyages , have taught most of our old english spirits , how to put due prices upon the most common and ordinary undervalued mercies ; how precious with some hath been a little water ? how dainty with others a piece of bread : how welcome to some the poorest howsing ? yea the very land and earth , after long and tedious passages ? there is one commoditie for the sake of which most of gods children in n. england have run their mighty hazards ; a commoditie marvellously scarce in former times ( though in some late years by gods most gracious and mighty hand more plentifull ) in our native countrey : it is a libertie of searching after gods most holy mind and pleasure . out of this most precious and invaluable jewel , if you suffer sathan ( that grand thief and cheater to bereave you , and that it shall be a crime , humbly and peaceably to question even lawes and statutes , or what ever is even publickly taught and delivered , you will most certainly find your selves after all your long run ( like that little frenchman who kill'd the duke of guise , and was taken next morning neare the place from whence he had fled upon a swift horse all night ) i say you will most certainly find your selves , but where you were , enslav'd and captivated in the chains of those popish darknesses , [ to wit , ignorance is the mother of devotion , and we must believe as the church believes , &c. ] remember therefore ( o ye the cream and flower of english plantations in america ) what a black and direfull a cole it was with which it pleased the spirit of god in habacuck , to brand the assirian monarchie , to wit [ a bitter and hastie nation ] but in the spirit of meeknesse , in the meeknesse of wisdom , be pleased to remember that possible it is for gods visible , only people in the world to have very foul and bloudie hands , full of bloud ( isa . . ) ! to build up zion and jerusalem ( that is , to erect the visible church and kingdom of god ) with bloud ( mic. . ) and with iniquitie , that the heads and judges of gods people , may judge for a reward ( and the deceitfull heart of man graspeth at rewards more then of one sort ) that the priests and prophets thereof may teach and prophesie ( and it may be frequently and excellently , but yet for ) an hire and for money ; and that yet their consciences may lean upon jehovah , and they may say with confidence , is not the lord amongst us ? none evil shall come unto us ; &c. o remember that your gifts are rare , your professions of religion ( in such way ) rare , your persecutions and hidings from the storms abroad , rare and wonderfull : so in proportion your transgressions , estate and publicksins cannot but be of a rare and extraordinary guilt : nor will new england's sorrowes ( when sins are ripe and full ) be other then the dregs of germanie's , of ireland's , of england's , and of scotland's tears and calamities . amongst the crying sins of our own or other sinfull nations : those two are ever amongst the lowdest , to wit , invented devotions to the god of heaven . secondly , violence and oppression on the sons of men ( especially ( if his sons ) for dissenting , and against both these , and that the impartial and dreadfull hand of the most holy and jealous god ( a consuming fire ) tear and burn not up at last the roots of these plantations , but graciously discovering the plants which are not his , he may graciously fructifie and cause to flourish what his right hand will own : i say this is the humble and unfeigned desire and cry ( at the throne of grace ) of your so long despised out-cast : roger williams . to the merciful and compassinate reader . while the unmercifull priests and levits turn away their cruel eyes and feet from their poor wounded neighbours ( the oppressed for matters of religion and worship ) it will be no ingratefull act to present thy tender heart and ear ( compassionate samaritane ) with the dolefull cry of the souls under the altar [ how long lord before thou avenge our bloud on them that dwell upon the earth ] and to pray thy mournfull view of the akeldemae's and fields of blood , where thousands and ten thousand times ten thousands of the pretious saints ( servants and witnesses of jesus ) lie slaughtered in their bloudie gore , in all ages and in all nations , where the trumpet of the son of god hath sounded : here and there among these slaughtered heaps of saints lie ( thin and rare ) the slaughtered carkasses of some poor arrians or papists , or other poor deluding and deluded souls : this seeming colour of impartiall justice serves ( wofully ) that murtherous enemy of all mankind for a stale or covert under which his bloudie game goes on , of persecuting ( or hunting ) the harmless deer , the children of the living god. for the sake then of the dear saints and followers of jesus , for his holy sake and truth , for the holy name and truth of the most holy father of lights , the god of it , thy compassionate eye is here presented with a second conference and view of mr. cottons reply , and artificial bloudie washing of the bloudie tenent . the battel about any truth of god in christ , is fought and managed by that most high and glorious michael the arch-angel and son of god , attended with all his holy angels , the messengers and witnesses of his truth on the one side : on the other side by that great red dragon , whose bloudie followers , devils and men of all sorts and nations , but especially the roman bloudie emperor , and roman popes ( with lyon-like furie , and fox-like craft ) have suck'd the bloud and broke the bones , and devoured the flesh of so many hundred thousand , thousands of the king of kings his spiritual hinds and roes in this their bloudie hunting : so that aptly ( i had almost said prophetically ) wrote one of their own roman poets of the lamentable condition of the harmlesse deer above other creatures : dente tuetur aper , defendunt , cornua taurum , imbelles damae quid nisi praeda sumus ? 't is a lamentable and cruel sight to see the sons of one poor man and woman , ( all the globe of the world over ( like babels builders ) so vastly disagreeing about a god and his worship . 't is lamentable to see these one mans sons murthered and massacred ( in mutual slaughters ) as for other pretended causes : so this especially of conscience and religion . 't is yet more lamentable and never enough to be lamented , that while the sons of men do but their kind ! the sons of god , the sons of the god of place , the lillies , doves and spouses of jesus should thus discord and jart about this christ their hope ! that ( like the very turks and persians contending about their mahomet his successors ) the children of god should tear out each others throats about the last will and testament of the son of god their elder brother : that ephraim should be against manasseh , and manasseh against ephraim , and both against judah ; yet all sons of one , and professors of one god of israel : but oh the low and shallow comprehensions of the sons of men , who as a rotten thing ( saith job ) consumeth ▪ oh the depths of the councels and workings of the most high , most holy , and only wise , outshooting all the generations of men , who heat and know no more then jonathans lad , is not the arrow beyond thee ? &c. his holy wisdom hath an heavenly reason ( to touch a little upon this sorrowfull string ) of that bloudie device and sale of innocent joseph by his own brethren , the sons of one israel and god. he knowes why so holy a leader of such a miraculous people ( as i may truly call them ) why aaron ( i say ) was so left to the horrible , ungratefull , and outragious importunities of this ( then the only ) people of god , as to frame a beastly worship , and to turn the most glorious and dreadfull godhead into the similitude of a beast that ea●eth grasse . he knowes why the israel of god ) rebels , as moses passionately called them ) should so often grieve the holy spirit of god with their murmurings , and be so near to dash out the brains of their most faithfull leaders . he knowes why two parts or angles of that heavenly triangle ( moses , aaron , and miriam so neer in earthly and heavenly relations ) i say why that rare pair , aaron and miriam should yet envie and mutiny against their so dear a brother , and so meek and heavenly a ruler , moses . his heavenly wisdom hath a reason of that wonderfull shrinking of an army of thousand israelits , into one poor left behind , and found only fit for gods battels against the midianits . a reason why those two famous champions , samson and david should find so great discouragement to their fighting of gods battels , the men of judah basely binding samson , and the chief of davids own brethren flying in his face with open railings . a reason of that all most utter consumption of one whole tribe of israels . by the furious flames of the zeal and indignation of the eleven . these things happened not by chance , but as the apostle speaks in types ( in curious and wonderfull figures ) so that his holy wisdom knowes : why israel must be so weary of samuel and himself , and ( like the nations of the world ) must have a king to be their champion and fight their battels : why saul this desired king , the king of gods own choice and israels , why yet he must hunt an innocent david , as a flea in the bosom , or a partridg on the mountains , until he hath slain himself to set the crown on davids head . a reason of that long continued faction of so many tribes against this davids crown , and that israel ( so importunate , so impatient for a king ) should now powre out each others blood about a successor , whether a david , or ( the son of persecution , saul ) ishbosheth . a reason ( when david wears both crowns in one , and hath all that a most gracious god could espie out fit for david to receive , that yet he wants a wife that had so many , and rather then a davids sinfull desires and whordomes shall want a covering , the blood of vriah ( that is fire or zeal of god ) shall die and make up one to cover them . o the depths of the councels of the holy one of israel why ( there being but tribes in all ) tribes of his own people should tear away from , and after many captivities of the one and the other , both the one and the other now are scattered from each other upon the face of the earth , and as yet no certain tidings what 's befaln to the tribes of the israel of god. he knowes why to leave an upright perfect asa●'s heart to such folly and wrath , as to lay a faithfull prophet ( admonishing him from god ) by the heels . yea , why the followers of the meek lamb of god , should burn in such vnchristian flames , as to call for fire from heaven to consume the contemners and despis●rs of their lord and master , who quencheth the fire of their rash zeal with this mild check , you know not of what spirit you are of . why such 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( bitternesse as the word is ) should rise between two turtle doves , paul and barrabas , and that about their most laborious and most dangerous ministeries . why one cries paul , another apollo , another caphas , another christ , even in the first established churches . this holy plot , this heavenly designe of the most holy and only wise god , thus to permit the contentions and divisions of his own servants , as it displaies himself only perfect and excellent , and all ( the best of ) men in all ages , but farthing-candles , yea smoaking firebrands : as it brightly proves the admirable consent and angelical harmony of the holy scripture , relating histories , and in those histories infolding prophesies , fulfill'd before mens daily view thousands of years after : as it makes us see our spiritual povertie and beggary , and infinit need of mercy and grace , and peace from heaven , and drives us to continual prayers and cries , for mercifull supplies from thence ! as it disrelisheth this present sweetest life , yea the very life of spiritual love , in the communion of the saints of god themselves , if compared with the most pure and spiritual and absolute joyes and life approaching . so doth this heavenly councel of the most high , aboundantly stop the mouths of all malicious , who ( although they delight to scratch their athenian itch of hearing novelties , new things , newes , yet ) stumble they at this stumbling-block of novelties , new churches , new ministers , new discipline , new baptism , new light : the ancient of days ( say they ) the god of peace and love cannot be in such divisions : the old bishops were better , the old popes themselves more tollerable . but this is but the barking of malice against gods holyness which his true servants desire to partake of ! against gods truth , which his servants must contend for , ( yea though it be one against another ) against gods councels who hath so laid his holy project , that what he now sets out in a clear light and fairer print , is the very same ( had we inlightned eyes to see it ( with the old edition of former times , more dark and rude in ceremonies , types , and figures . i cannot but foresee variety of divers passions and affections , in a variety of beholders of this present controversie : some will please themselves and their curiosities in the noveltie of such discourses : some will rejoice to see the light appear , and yet mourn in the lamentable differences of such who profess the same god and christ about it : some will be angry and cry out of blasphemy against their gods , their bellies , and their titles , &c. some will fear disturbances of the civil , and some of the spiritual peace and christianity : yet some will truely desire , to search and know the will of god , humbly desirous to do it on earth , as the angels doe it in heaven . the courteous reader may please to see , that in the first conference of peace and truth , there was discust , a modell of new english church and civill power , which mr. cotton in his reply waved and referred to others of the new english elders to reply unto , which whether they have so done as yet i have not heard : together with mr. cottons reply to the bloudy tenent , there was also added a reply of mr. cotton to an answer of his letter : the examination of this reply i desired , and intended should have been here presented ; but the streights of time ( being constantly drunk up by necessary labours for bread for many depending on me , the discharge of engagements , and wanting helps of transcribing ) i say the streights of time were such , that the examination of that reply could not together with this , be fitted for publick view , though with the lords assistance will not delay to follow : touching mr. cotton i present two words : first for his person , secondly for his work. for his person , although i rejoyce that since it pleased god to lay a command on my conscience to come in as his poor witnesse in this great cause : i say i rejoice it hath pleased him to appoint so able , and excellent , and conscionable an instrument to bolt out the truth to the bran : so i can humbly say it in his holy presence , it is my constant heaviness and souls grief as to differ from any fearing god ; so much more ten thousand times from mr : cotton , whom i have ever desired and still desire highly to esteem , and dearly to respect , for so great a portion of mercy and grace vouchsafed unto him , and so many truths of christ iesus maintained by him . and therefore ( notwithstanding that some ( of no common judgement and respect to him , have said , that he wrote his washing of the bloudie tenent in bloud against christ iesus , and gall against me , yet ) if upon so slippery and narrow a passage i have slpit ( notwithstanding my constant resolution to the contrary ) into any tearm or expression unbeseeming his person , or the matter ( the cause of the most high in hand considered ) i humbly crave pardon of god , and mr. cotton also . secondly concerning his work , i call to mind a speech of one of eminent note in n. england ( observing a disposition in men for one man to deifie another , and that some of no small note had said they could hardly believe that god would suffer mr. cotton to err ) the speech was this [ i fear that god may leave mr. cotton to some great error , that men may see he is a man ] &c. but concerning his work , the observant reader will soon discover , that whatever mr. cottons stand is , yet he most weakly provides himself of very strange reserves , and retreats : to point with the finger at or most frequent and remarkable . first when he seems to be overwhelmed with the lamentable and doleful cries of the souls under the altar , crying out for vengeance on their persecutors that dwell upon the earth ! he often retreats , and professeth to hold no such doctrin of persecuting the saints , no nor of any for cause of conscience , nor that the magistrate should draw forth his sword in matters of religion . when it is urged that through this whole book he persecutes or hunts ( by name ) the idolater , the blasphemer , the heretick , the seducer , and that to death or banishment : and amongst other expressions useth this for one [ if there be stones in the streets , the magistrate need not run for a sword to the smiths shop , nor to the ropier for an halter to punish hereticks , &c. ] mr. cotton retreats into the land of israel , and calls up moses and his laws against idolaters , blasphemers , seducers , &c : when he is challenged ( and that by his own frequent confession in his book ) for producing the pattern of a national church when he stands only for a congregationall ! for producing that national church of israel , so miraculous , so typical , as a copie or samplar for the nations and peoples of the world ( who have no such miraculous and typicall respect upon them ) mr. cotton retreats to moral equity , that the seducer and he that kills a soul should die . when it is urged that christ iesus at his so long typed out coming , abolished those national shadowes , and erected his spiritual kingdom of israel , appinted spiritual officers , punishments , &c. and that those scriptures , tit. ▪ against the hereticks ; and rev. . against baalam and iezabel prove only a spiritual death and cutting off from christ jesus his holy land of life and peace , his church & kingdom . mr. cotton retreats and confesseth christs kingdom is spiritual , not national , but congregational , and that those scriptures hold forth a spiritual cutting off , and he so produceth them to prove the heretick so to be cut off , alledging that the question was put in general tearms , that he knew not what persecution should be intended , and that an unjust excommunication is as sore a persecution as an unjust banishment . when he is urged with the nature of the consciences ( even of all men to god or gods in their worships , he professeth that he is wronged , & that he doth not hold that any man should be persecuted for his conscience , but for sinning against his conscience . when al the consciences in the world cry out against him for setting up the civil power & officers , and courts of civil iustice , to judg of the conviction of mens souls and consciences ! mr. cotton retreats to his last refuge , and saith that although this be the duty of all the magistrates in the world , yet not any of them must meddle to punish in religion , untill they be informed which is ( upon the point ) untill he is sure they will draw their swords for his conscience , church , &c. against all other as heretical , blasphemous . the monstrous partiality of such suspending , &c. of hanging up all the magistrates in the world , ( except a few of his own perswasion ) and that from so principall and main a part of their office , and that so many thousands in the nations of the world all the world over , and that constantly and perpetually all their dayes . if it please the most jealous and righteous god to hide it ( i say the monstrousnesse of such a suspension ) from mr. cottons eyes , yet thousand and ten thousands will behold and wonder at it . but ( fearing to exceed in discourse at dore ) let every mercifull and compassionate reader freely enter in , and search the in most rooms and closets : if thou truly love the truth and peace , thou art too neer of kin to the prince of peace and truth it self , long to escape the hunters . if the fourty two moneths of the beasts reign , and the two hundred and threescore dayes of the prophesie of the witnesses of jesus in sackcloth be expired : yet i fear the three dayes and a halfe of the greatest slaughter of the witnesses is not over : yet fear not what must be suffered , although the devill cast ( not onely some , but ) all christs witnesses into prison : yea , although he murther and fling out the karkasses of the saints to shame and injury , yet the mighty spirit of god will raise them on their feet again , and into heavenly glory , out of this shame shall they ascend in the sight of their bloody enemies . how many and how various are the disputings , &c. about what should be this three dayes and a halfes calamity ? how many hope this storm is over ? how many fear it is now a breeding ? yet why should we fear so short a draught ( though ) of a bitter cup , when tempered by the gracious hand of an heavenly father , begun by so dear an elder brother , so sweet a saviour ? the revelations of john , and the revelations of gods wonderfull providences , seem to proclaim wonderfull and dreadfull discoveries of the son of god approaching . and it is as sure as that there is a lord jesus christ , that god will subdue all his enemies , that he will shortly break ( and make all his followers tread on ) the proudest necks born up this day in the world , even the grandest seigniories of the turkish and popish empires , the two so mighty opposers of the son of god. and it is not improbable , both their ruines and downfall must be from some top and pinacle of glorious prosperity and furious outrage against their ( antichristian and christian ) enemies . the chiefest european enemies of the all devouring turk ( though all that bear the name of christ are his enemies ) are more especially the pope , the emperour , the king of spain and the venetians , by whom christ jesus ( probably ) will dash that mighty empire into pieces , as he seems to have prophesied of old by his servant daniel : yet probably , as i said before , this downfall must be from some more eminent height of turkish bloody pride and glory , which that blasphemous and bloody monarchy shall immediatly before attain unto . the sorest enemies of the roman popes , are the witnesses of the truths of jesus , whom he hath not left himself without , during the moneths of the reign of this mighty and dreadfull beast . against these blessed followers of the lamb must ( probably ) the rage of this bloody beast rise high in that his great slaughter of them and triumph three days and an half over them , ( rev. . ) and this not long before his own eternall downfall . many have been the interpretations of that prophesie , and some late applications of the witnesses and time to particular persons and times of late . but ( with all due respect to the apprehensions of any studious of the truth of jesus ) i conceive the matter is of a more generall consideration . for in all that world over that wondred after the beast , hath christ jesus raised up a generation or kind of witnesses bearing testimony against him . this witnesse ( more or lesse ) to the severall truths of jesus , he hath been pleased to maintain , before and since luthers time , especially : the finishing of the testimony must ( probably ) be generall , not only in england , but in the rest of the protestant nations ; which finishing of the witnesse ( probably ) wil consist in the matters of the purity of his worship , and the government of the lord jesus in his own holy appointments and institutions . the slaughter of these witnesses must also ( probably ) be generall , and in the three dayes and half triumph over them generall : upon which follows that most glorious and generall rising of the witnesses unto their glory promised , rev. . i confess in this plea for freedom to all consciences in matters ( meerly ) of worship , i have impartially pleaded for the freedom of the consciences of the papists themselves , the greatest enemies and persecutors ( in europe ) of the saints and truths of jesus : yet i have pleaded for no more then is their due and right , and ( what ever else shall be the consequent ) it shall stand for a monument and testimony against them , and be an aggravation of their former , present , or future cruelties against christ jesus the head , and all that uprightly love him , his true disciples and followers . it is true , i have not satisfaction in the clear discovery of those holy prophesies & periods set down and prefixed by the holy spirit in daniel , john , &c. concerning the kingdom of christ jesus : yet two things i professe in the holy presence of god , angels and men. first , my humble desires and resolution ( the lord assisting ) to contend for the true and visible worship of the true and living god , according to the institution and appointment of the last will and testament of christ jesus . . i beleeve and profess , that such persons , such churches are got neerest to christ jesus , on whose forehead are written these blessed characters of the true lord jesus christ ; first , content with a poor and low condition in worldly things . . an holy cleansing from the filthines of false worships and worldly conversations . . an humble and constant endeavour to attain ( in their simplicity & purity ) to the ordinances and appointments of christ iesus . . are so far from smiting , killing , and wounding the opposites of their profession and worship , that they resolve themselves patiently to bear and carry the cross and gallows of their lord and master , and patiently to suffer with him . in the number of such his poor servants who as unfeignedly desire ( notwithstanding my plea against persecutors and persecution ) i say as unfeignedly desire to suffer as cheerfully with christ iesus , as gloriously to reign with him , desires to be , thine unfeigned , though unworthiest of all the followers of iesus . roger williams . the bloody tenent yet more bloody , by master cottons attempting to wash it with the blood of the lambe . examination of chap. i. truth . blest be the god of truth and peace ( sweet peace ) that once againe , we finde a corner and a few hours to entertaine our sweet embraces and discourses about that bloody tenent of persecution for cause of conscience . peace . it is indeed jehovah's work , and it is marvellous in our eyes , that ' midst this worlds combustions , such a corner and such hours are found . truth . dear friends , the longer absent , meet the sweeter ; and have cause to spend each minute to his praise , who wonders works , and this not the least , that we two see each others face at all in these tempestuous dayes and vale of tears . how harshly were our last conferrings entertained by some ? how were our selves suspected , and traduced for counterfeits ; and our pious and peaceable meditations , cruelly condemned to the devouring flames ? truth . that ever was our portion , ever since the earthen pots arose against their glorious potter ; and no better lot we must expect , while the time doth last that is determined . peace . mean while t is yet our lamentation , that so many of our darlings , whom we have tendred as our eyes , have both in print and pulpit , cried out against us ; and amongst the rest , one of thy dearest eldest children , ( too too worthy to be ) the defender of the bloody tenent of persecution . truth . our love shall cover his shame and nakedness ; and our wisdoms pity his heavy labour , blackamore-washings , and so great expence of precious time and spirit , in labouring to wash this so deeply bloody , and blackamore - tenent , in the blood of the lamb of god. peace . so parents and true friends love and pity theirs , though sick , though froward and distracted ; and let our bowels yearne over him , who teares out ours : who knows but once before he sleep his last , in the pit of rottenness , he may awake and give glory to the god of peace and truth , of patience and long suffering ; whose thoughts , whose wayes , whose love , whose pity hath no bounds , nor limits , toward them whom he hath loved before the worlds foundation . o let these blessed buds , of hope and sweet desires ( dear truth ) put forth in pious fruits of renewed endeavors , and let me once againe prefer my suit for your impartial weighing of what replies , objections , pleadings , he hath brought against us . truth . for the god of peace , for the prince of peace his sake , yea for his servants sake , for zions sake , i will not be silent , and know ( at last ) i shall prevaile to scatter and dispell the mists and fogs , that for a while arise to cloud and choak us . peace . first , then , what cause should move this so able a defendant to leap over all our first addresses both to the high court of parliament , and to every reader ? and what may be conjectured , why himself directs a word to neither in this controversie ? truth . i desire my rejoynder may be as full of love as truth ; yet some say master cotton is wise , and knows in what door the wind blows of late ; he is not ignorant what sad complaints in letters , printings , conferences , so many of gods people ( and of his own conscience and judgement of independency ) have poured forth against new englands persecuting , &c. he knows what bars new englands bloody tenent and practice may put to his brethrens just desires and suits for moderation and toleration , to non-conforming consciences . t is true , his conscience , and the credit of his way , compels his reply , but the times advise him , with as little noise as may be , and it seems with no great willingness , that that high and searching house of englands parliament should search and scan his meditations . peace . well , if the name of god were truely called upon them and ( as his title intimateth ) the great controversies of these present times are herein handled ; if all that is here presented , be truly practised ; and he desire to buy and sell by one measure and to be no otherwaies measured unto , then he measureth unto others : why should not that renowned court be more particularly and expresly attended with so high and needful examinations ? but now enough of that , i long to see that weighed , which is presented , take up those holy weights of thine , which may faithfully discover how light or ponderous each parcel is in gods most holy presence . master cotton first complaines against the publishing of his private letter , with an answer thereunto : he faulteth the discusser for punishing his conscience , against the discussers own tenent of liberty of conscience , for breach of rule , in first publishing to the world before private admonition , and telling the church . truth . how justly may i begin with the defenders own conclusion of this first chapter ! he that setteth forth of his way in the first entrance of his journey , no marvel if he wander all the day after . for , first , the discusser never wrote any such letter to master cotton , as master cotton so often affirms , and mentioneth throughout his book . the like mistake he fals into , in some other passages , which shall be gently toucht at , and passed by , as the failing of memory . peace . it is often seen , that small matters in the first steps and entrance of a business , prove ominous ; and although love bids us lay the blame on memory : yet since nil sine providentia & deus est maximus in minimis , and not a sparow nor a haire fals without him ; methinks such a stumble in the threshold should have one sad consideration in master cottons brest , so long as he resides in the chamber of this discourse . truth . to my knowledge there was no such letter or intercourse passed between master cotton and the discusser ; but what i have heard , is this ▪ one master hall of roxbury , presented the prisoners arguments against persecution to master cotton , who gave this present controverted answer ; with the which master hall not being satisfied , he sends them unto the discusser , who never saw the said hall , nor those arguments in writing ; ( though he well remember that he saw them in print some yeers since ) and apprehending no other , but that master cottons answer was as publike , as master cottons profession and practice of the same tenent was and is , what breach of rule can master cotton say it was , to answer that in the streets which master cotton proclaimeth on the house top ? peace . but grant it had been a private letter , and the discourse and the opinion private : yet why doth he charge the discusser with breach of rule , in not using orderly wayes of admonition , and telling the church , when master cotton himself in this book blames the discusser for disclaiming communion with their church , and they also ( after he was driven by banishment from civil habitation amongst them ) had sent forth a bull of excommunication against him in his absence . such practise the lord jesus and his first apostles or messengers never taught , nor any that are truely their successors ever will. but to end this chapter , in the last place , why doth master cotton complaine of the loss of the liberty of his conscience , and of the punishing of his conscience , by the publishing of his letter ; aggravating it , because the discusser pleads for liberty of conscience ? is he indeed on the lord jesus mind for the sparing mens bodies , and present life , for their souls and eternal lives sake ? doth he indeed plead for liberty of conscience ? let the following discourse , and this present passage manifest how tender he is of his own conscience , and of the liberty of it ; but how censorious and senseless of the pangs and agonies of other mens conscience and spirits , and sorrows ? as if his alone were the apple of his eye , but theirs like the brawny hoofs of the roaring bulls of bashan . peace . complaines master cotton of persecution for such dealing against him ? i never heard that disputing , discoursing and examining mens tenents or doctrines by the word of god , was ( in proper english acceptation of the word ) persecution for conscience : well had it been for new england , that no servant of god , nor witness of christ jesus , could justly take up no other complaint against new england for other kinds of persecution : surely the voice of christ jesus to paul ; saul , saul , why persecutest thou me ? was for another kind of persecution . truth . deare peace if the bishops of old england or new had never stirred up the civil magistrate to any other suppressing of mens consciences , nor no other persecuting , then discussing , disputing &c. they should never have needed to have been charged so publikely in the face of the world , with the bloody tenent of persecution for cause of conscience . examination of chap. ii. peace . in this chapter master cotton much complaines , that he is charged in the title to maintaine persecution for cause of conscience , and professeth , that he would have none be punished for conscience , unless his errour be fundamental , or seditiously ; or turbulenly promoted , and that after due conviction of conscience , and that it may appear he is not punished for his conscience , but for sinning against his conscience . truth . persecution for conscience , is in plaine english , hunting for conscience ; and master cotton being a son of wine ( as the jews speak in their proverb ) is loth to be counted a son of vinegar , and therefore would avoid the word persecuting or hunting ( as something too wilde and fierce an expression , more sutable to the bloody sons of vinegar and gall the roman emperors , popes and bishops ) and he much desires to have the word persecuting changed for the word punishing , a tearm more proper to true justice . but is not this the guise and profession of all that ever persecuted or hunted men for their religion and conscience ? are not all histories and experiences full of the pathetical speeches of persecutors to this purpose ? you will say you are persecuted for your conscience , you plead conscience ; thou art a heretick the devil hath deceived thee , thy conscience is deluded , &c. and . whether such punishing as master cotton assigneth to that threefold degree of heretical wickedness , chap. . to wit. to hold a fundamental error , to persist therein after conviction , and lastly , to seduce others thereunto , or these five summed up ( page of his book ) subverters of the christian faith , persisters therein after conviction , blasphemers , idolaters , seducers ; i say , such a punishing which he affirmes to be death and killing , will not amount to make up a persecution for cause of conscience let the spanish inquisitions be an instance , who when they torture and rack , and kill and burn for such crimes , yet varnish they and guild all over with the painted title of gods glory , holy zeal , just punishment of hereticks , blasphemers , &c. peace . but master cotton blameth , that he should be charged with the doctrine of persecution by consequence . truth . let his whole book , and the prosecuting of this controversie be judge , whether it be only drawn from consequences , and not express tearms . and for the washing of this bloody tenent in the blood of the lambe , time hath and will discover that such a blackamore cannot be washed in the blood of christ himself , without repentance ; for they that washed their robes in the blood of the lamb ( revelations the . ) were true penitents : untill therefore that persecutors repent of this bloody doctrine and practice , they must hear ( as the men of judah did ) the prophet isaiahs thunder , isa . . your hands are defiled with blood ; wash you , make you clean . &c. examination of chap. iii. peace . but what knot in a bulrush is that , which master cotton observes the discusser findes in his first distinction of persecution for cause of conscience ? truth . for the matter upon the point , they both agree , as master cotton hath penned himself , that persecution for cause of conscience , is not onely when a man is punished for professing such doctrines and worships , as he believes to be of god , but also when he is punished for renouncing such doctrine , and not practising such worships , which he believes are not of god , &c. all the difference is this that the discusser saith . this should have been expressed in the distinction ; master cotton saith , it was implied , and therefore the observing of the not expressing of it , was but a knot in a bulrush . peace . t is wofully true , that the peace of the saints , and the peace of the world , hath been lamentably , broake and distracted , in punishing or persecuting of men , but especially the saints , upon both these grounds : but yet the records of time and experience will tell us , that since the apostasie from the truth of jesus , the rising of antichrist , and the setting up of many state - religions , the forest and frequentest punishing or hunting of the children of god hath been ( as in the case of nebuchadnezzars image ) for not bowing down to the state-images , for not coming to church , for not obeying the laws , for withstanding the kings , o● queens , or parliaments proceedings . truth . your observation is most serious and seasonable , and your complaint as true as lamentable : for since all states and governments of the world ( which lies in wickedness ) set up their state or commonweal-religions , nebuchadnezzars golden images , and jeroboams golden calves ( the types of the state-worships of after ages ) whereby others are made to sin and bow down to their seeming glorious worships ; and since the dissenters , refusers , non-conformers , non-covenanters ( the witnesses of god against such abominations ) are but few ; and what positive worship they hold or practice ( commonly ) is most retired , and flying into private corners by reason of the violence of the persecution ; they are hence , soonest in all places of their abode , and more speedily and immediately called for and sought out , in the several parish-towns where they live to bow down to the common-image , the beastly and calvish inventions of the ieroboams of this perishing world ; and for refusing to subscribe , to conforme , to come to church , to do as their neighbours , for being wiser then their teachers , their fathers , their magistrates , the country , the parliament , the kingdome ( and sometimes the whole world , in their oecumenical , or worldly councels ) they are thus punished and hunted for their conscience , for gods , for jesus sake ; which is a point master cotton will say ( if the blood of his dear redeemer split in the blood of his servants , kindly affect him ) of greater weight then knots in bulrushes . examination of chap. iv. peace . in the second distinction ( to wit , of fundamentals , without right belief whereof , a man cannot be saved ) master cotton upon the point confesseth it was a just reproof , and saith , that he meant only of the first sort of foundations , that concern salvation , and not of those that concerne the foundation of the church , and christian religion . truth . it is strange that master cotton should so distinguish of foundations , when the holy scripture attributes salvation to those foundations of the church , and the order of it : the lord added to the church such as should be saved , and the like figure whereunto baptisme now saveth us ; and concerning the resurrection that we are saved by hope , rom. . besides , are not those first foundations , which he saith concerne salvation , foundations also of the christian religion ? if not of the christian , then i demand of what religion are they foundations ? peace . it cannot therefore be denyed , but that his distinction of fundamentals , was most dangerous , tending directly to condemne the generation of the righteous , who have been generally for many generations ignorant of the christian way of worship . but what say you to this reply , touching how far the new english ( implicite ) parishes compare and partake with those of old ? truth . how far those churches cannot be cleered from not comming out from the parish-worship , from being themselves ( implicitely ) parish-churches ( notwithstanding their fig-leaves , &c. ) and from being persecutors of such as endeavour to cover their nakedness with better clothing , will appear , with christs assistance , in the examination of his reply to the answer of his letter . examination of chap. v. peace . the discourse of this chapter is larger and more controversial , and therefore ( dear truth ) requires your most serious and deeper examination of it . master cotton here distinguisheth worship into true and false , and infers , that if true worship , fellowship with god is held ; but if false , fellowship with god is lost . and whereas he was thereupon minded by the discusser to have lived in a false ministery in england , and to have practised the false worship of the common prayer , he labours to clear both , and in particular he saith , it is not truly said , that the spirit of god maketh the ministery one of the foundations of the christian religion , ( heb. . ) for it is ( saith he ) only a foundation of christian order , not of faith or religion : and he adds , the apostle puts an express difference between faith and order , col. . . what can be said thereunto ? truth . . alas , what buildings can weak souls expect from such master-builders , when master cotton is so confounded about the very foundations ? in the former chapter , he distinguisheth between foundations that concern salvation , and those that concern the the church and christian religion : here he distinguisheth between those of christian order , and those of faith , or christian religion . in the former , he opposeth faith against religion and order ; here he opposeth faith and religion to order . grant his memory ( in so short a turn ) failed him , yet doubtless his mistakes about the foundation of christian religion , are most gross and inexcusable . truth . . i finde no such distinction in the testament of christ jesus , between the christian order , and the christian religion ; as if the order of the church of god ( i might say , the church it self , and the ministery of it ) were no part of the christian religion . it is true , coloss . . speaks of faith and order , but yet denies not the christian church , and the order of it , to be any part of the christian religion . it is true , that sometimes faith implies the particular grace of believing , and yet sometimes it is put for the whole christian religion ( as jude . contend for the faith once delivered ) so that if master cotton confesseth the ministery of the word ( heb. . ) to be a foundation of christian or church-order , he cannot deny it to be a foundation of the christian religion or worship reduced to those two , of faith and order . peace . what answer you to his saying , it is not a true and a safe speech , to call the fellowship and blessing of god vouchsafed to corrupt churches or ministers , or ministrations unpromised , or beyond a word of promise , of god ? against which he alleadgeth ( ier. . ) that god will be merciful to his peoples iniquities , and chron. . gods mercy to every one that prepareth his heart , &c. although he be not cleansed after the preparation , &c. truth . the promises hold forth no blessing or fellowship of god to false worships ; against which all the holy scripture denounceth cursings , both in the old and new testament ; nor in particular doth that of ieremy promise any pardon of sin , but to the repentant , though most true also is that distinction of particular repentance for known sins , and general for sins unknown . such was the sin ( it may be ) of the israelites , chron. . in their want of such their legal cleansing . but i add , how can that one act of covering or conniving at ceremoniall uncleanness ( about a true worship ) be brought to prove a promise of gods blessing and fellowship , to a constant course of a false and invented way of prayer by the latine or english masse-book , as some have rightly called it ? peace . concerning ordination , master cotton saith , that it is no essential part of a call to the ministery ; no more then coronation is essential to the office of a king ▪ and jehoshua the high priest did not lose fellowship with god , though he was clothed with filthy garments , zech. . truth . i answer , ordination or laying on of hands , comprizeth the whole ministery , heb. . wherein if election or ordination be false , i see not how the ministery is true , any more then a marriage can be true , where either consent o● solemnity by a true power is wanting : or a king rightly instituted in his kingly office , when either election or coronation is given or made by a false power . . but further , ordination is not well represented by a kings coronation ( to say nothing of the statcliness of the simile ) for a king may administer by successive election and consent ( in some states ) before coronation , and coronation is but for publike state and ceremony ; but a minister cannot administer before ordination ( no more then a husband enjoy his spouse before marriage ) which is the puting of him into , and the investing of him with his authority , as we see both in the priests of the law , and the ministers of the gospel . concerning jehoshua his garments ; this kind of confession is not after the patterne of ezra , nehemiah , david , daniel . &c. but with mincing and excusing . moreover , in this place of zechary , god only comforts his people with the promise of better times , and more new and costly garments : for the high priest now returning from captivity , his garments were torne , foule and filthy . lastly , these were the garments of the lords appointing , though in a poor and afflicted condition : what is this to a fools cap or coate ( the cap or surplice ) what is this to the office of ieroboams priests , which never were of god , though happily some of them might studiously give themselves to attaine and teach the knowledge of god , and might ( in a kind ) separate from the false , chron. . and some good thing might be found in some , as in ieroboams child , and happily many others as in these our times ? peace . concerning common prayer , he pleades the time of their ignorance ; as also that the high places were removed , chron. . and knows not of any such faithful admonition as was mentioned . truth . god winketh at some ignorance , but is not blind to pass by all : the high places were an high sin , and in gods time discovered , repented of , and removed ; but ever by god disclaimed , &c. and although the discusser acknowledgeth himself unworthy to speak for god to master cotton or any , yet possibly master cotton may call to minde , that the discusser ( riding with himself and one other of precious memorie ( master hooker ) to and from sempringham ) presented his arguments from scripture , why he durst not joyn with them in their use of common prayer ; and all the answer that yet can be remembred the discusser received from master cotton , was , that he selected the good and best prayers in his use of that book , as the author of the councel of trent was used to do , in his using of the masse-book . peace . yea but further ( saith master cotton ) numbers . moses used an unwarrantable way of prophesying , and yet god gave water ; therefore set formes of prayer may bring a blessing down . truth . moses his calling was true in a true church ; his failing was in point of passion and unbeliefe . what is this to the common prayer , where all were idols , both the society or communion ; in which the priest himself , and the worship were but inventions ? &c. peace . but , saith he , common prayer is not such a fundamentall errour . truth . the word and prayer are those two great services of god , which even the apostles themselves gave themselves unto : and if master cotton intend not that his argument shall stand good against master ball , to prove the falseness of such a maine worship of god , let him shew what that worship of god is , which he intendeth , when he so distinguisheth of some false worship wherein fellowship with god is lost . peace . to end this chapter , master cotton , to clear himself from partiality , and that he never useth to measure that to any , which he would not have measured to himself ▪ he proposeth a threefold wickedness , which he saith god never left him to fall into . first , any fundamental errour . secondly , persisting therein after admonition and conviction . thirdly , seducing of others . and lastly , he professeth ; that if he should so fall , it were better for him to be cut off by death or banishment , then the flocke of christ to be seduced by his heretical wickedness . truth . i here first observe ( as also in other places ) master cottons acknowledgement and profession of what a man may be punished for : to wit , a fundamental errour , persisting in it , and seducing others ; all which are spiritual matters , of religion and worship , for which he decrees from the magistrate , death or banishment ; and yet elsewhere in many other passages , he professeth against all persecution for conscience . secondly , if master cotton should so fall , and be so dealt withall by the civil state . first , would not master cotton conscientiously be perswaded of the truth of what he held , though accounted by others fundamental error , obstinacy , heresie ? &c. secondly , will master cotton think that death or banishment would be wholesome and christian meanes and remedies to change and heal his conscience ? thirdly , he ( to prevent the infection of others ) granting the civil magistrate must punish him with death or banishment , doth he not make the magistrate , yea the civil state ( what state soever he live in ) the judge of his conscience and errors ? fourthly , confessing it now , that to worship god with a common prayer , was his sin , and yet it was his conscience , that he might so do : if the magistrate had judged it to be a fundamental error , he grants he might then have put him to death or banishment , if persisting , &c. though yet he hath a proviso , and a retreat against this assault , professing , that if the magistrate be not rightly informed , he must stay his proceedings : of which afterward . peace . what is this , but , in plaine english , to profess that all the magistrates and civil powers , throughout the whole world , although they have command and power from christ jesus , to judge in matters of conscience , religion , and worship , and live in daily sin , that they do not cut off the heretick , blasphemer , seducer , &c. yet except they be of master cottons minde and conscience , to account and judge to be , they must suspend their duty and office in this case , until they be better informed , that is , untill they be of his mind ? examination of chap. vi. peace . but to proceed to the sixth chapter , in which is handled that which more especially concerns my self . it is too lamentably known , how the furious troopes of persecutors in all states , cities , towns &c. have ever marched under my name , the white colours of peace , civil peace , publike peace . truth . yet master cotton confesseth , that the cities peace is an humane and civil peace , as was further explained in many instances from babylon , ephesus , smyrna , &c. against which master cotton excepts not . peace . the difference or controversie in this chapter lies in two things . first , in the similitudes used from companies and societies , voluntarily entering into combinations , which are distinct from the city . . in the nature of the church , which he maintaines to be a society , whose order the city is bound to preserve , as well as any of their civil orders or societies . truth . to begin with the first , master cotton replies , that although such societies be not of the essence of the city , yet they are of the integral and conservant causes of the city , and so the disturbance of any of those orders or societies in the city , disturbes the city it self . but i answer , the similitude was used more especially from a colledge of physitians , or a society of merchants , turkish , east-endies , &c. and consequently any other of that kinde , voluntarily combining together for the better inriching of themselves in the improvement of their faculties for publike good ( at least so pretended . ) it was never intended , that if such necessary trades , callings &c. as he mentioneth , be dissolved and ruined , that there would be no disturbance of the peace of the city : but that if such o● such a way and order of men of those faculties i mentioned , voluntarily combine , and voluntarily also dissolve ; yet all this may may be , without any breach of civil and publike peace . peace . if so , much more the church of christ , which is a spiritual society voluntarily uniting , may dissolve ; i say , much more , without the breach of the peace of the city , which is of a civil and humane nature , as is confessed , and was urged in the instances of ephesus &c. truth . . we are wont when we speak of keeping or breaking the peace , to speake of words or actions of violence , sedition , vproare , &c. for , actions of the cases , pleas , and traverses may be , and yet no peace broken , when men submit to the rule of state , for the composing of such differences , &c. therefore it is that i affirme , that if any of christs church have difference with any other man in civill and humane things , he ought to be judged by the law : but if the church have spiritual controversies among themselves or with any other , or if god take away the candlestick as he threatned the church in ephesus , all this may be , and yet no civil peace broken : yea , amongst those that profess the same god and christ , as the papists and protestants , or the same mahomet , as the turks and persians , there would no civil peace be broken , notwithstanding their differences in religion , were it not for the bloody doctrine of persecution , which alone breaks the bounds of civil peace , and makes spiritual causes the causes of their bloodie dissentions . i observe therefore , a twofold fallacie in master cottons reply . first , he fallaciously mingles peace and prosperity together : for though it be true , that under the terme peace all good things are sometimes concluded , yet when we speak of hereticks or schismaticks breaking the civil peace , or strowing doctrines tending to break the civill peace , we must understand some such words or acts of violence , wherein the bounds and orders of the city , laws , and courts are violated ; taking it for granted ( for this is the supposition ) that the lawes of the city be meerly civil and humane . hence then i affirme , that there is no doctrine , no tenent so directly tending to break the cities peace , as this doctrine of persecuting or punishing each other for the cause of conscience or religion . againe , it is a second fallacie to urge your order of the church , and the excellency thereof , and that therefore it is a breach of the civil peace , when the order of the church is not preserved : for although it is most true , that sooner or later the god of heaven punisheth the nations of the world ▪ for their idolatries , superstitions , &c. yet master cotton himself acknowledgeth ( as was affirmed ) that many glorious flourishing cities there are all the world over , wherein no church of christ is extant : yea , that the common-weale of rome flourished five hundred years together , before ever the name of christ was heard in it ; which so great a glory of so great a continuance , mightily evinceth the distinction of the civill peace of a state from that which is christian religion . it is true ( as master cotton tells us ) that the turks have plagued the antichristian world , for their idolatries : yet history tels us , that one of their emperours ( mahomet ) was the man that first broke up and desolated two most glorious ancient cities , constantinople ( which had flourished yeares ( since its first building by constantine ) and athens , which from solons giving of it laws , had flourished two thousand yeares , notwithstanding their idolatries , &c. truth . it is apparent that then the christian religion gloriously flourished ( contrary to master cottons observation ) when the roman emperours too not power to themselves to reform the abuses in the christian church , but persecuted it ; and then the church was ruined and overwhelmed with apostacy and antichristianism , when the emperours took that power unto themselves : and then it was ( as master cotton elsewhere confesseth ) that christianitie lost more , even in constantines time , then under bloody nero , domitian , &c. peace . it cannot be denied ( dear truth ) but that the peace of a civil state ( of all states , excepting that of typical israel ) was and is meerly and essentially civil . but master cotton saith further , although the inward peace of a church is spiritual , yet the outward peace of it , magistrates must keep in a way of godliness and honestie , tim. . . truth . the peace of a church of christ ( the onely true christian state , nation , kingdom , or city ) is spiritual , whether internal in the soul , or external in the administration of it ; as the peace of a civil state is civil , internal in the mindes of men , and external in the administration and conversation of it ; and for that place of timothy , it hath been fully spoken to in this discourse , and the discusser hath as yet seen no exception against what hath been spoken . peace . but further , saith master cotton , although the peace of a country be civil , yet it is distracted by disturbing the peace of the church for god cut short the coasts of the civil state when jehu shortned his reformation , king. . , . truth . master cotton denies not ( but confessed in his discourse concerning baptism ) that canaan was typical , and to be cast out of that land , was to be cast out of gods ●ight : which proves thus much , that the church of christ , the israel now , neglecting to reform , god will cut this israel short . but what is this to a meerly civil state , which may flourish many hundreds , yea some thousands of yeers together ( as i before instanced ) when the name of the true lord jesus christ is not so much as heard of within it ? peace . lastly , ( saith he ) the church is a society , as well as the societies of merchants , drapers , &c. and it is just to preserve the society of the church , as well as any other society . truth . when we speak of the balances of justice , we must distinguish between the balances of the sanctuary and the balances of the world or civil states . it is spiritual justice to preserve spiritual right ; and for that end , the spiritual king thereof hath taken care . it is civil justice to preserve the civil rights ; and the rights of a civil society ought justly to be preserved by a civil state : ( and yet if a company of men combine themselves into a civil society by voluntary agreement , and voluntarily dissolve it , it is not justice to force them to continue together . ) peace . the church can least of all be forced : for as it is a spiritual society , and not subject to any civil judicature ; ( though some say that a church in new england was cited to appear before a civil court : ) so is the combination of it voluntary , and the dissolution of it in part or whole is voluntary , and endures no civil violence , but as a virgin ( in point of marriage ) nec cogit , nec cogitur , she forceth not , nor can be forced by any civil power . truth . but lastly , if it be justice to preserve the society of the church , is it not partiality in a meer civil state to preserve one onely society , and not the persons of other religious societies and consciences also ? but the truth is , this mingling of the church and the world together , and their orders and societies together , doth plainly discover , that such churches were never called out from the world , and that this is only a secret policy of flesh and blood , to get protection from the world , and so to keep ( with some little stilling of conscience ) from the cross or gallowes of jesus christ . truth . yea , but hear ( saith master cotton ) those excellent penmen of the spirit ( both the father and the son ) david and solomon . first david ( psalme ) they shall prosper that love the peace of jerusalem : and solomon , where the righteous rejoyce , there is great glory , prov. . now ( saith he ) what is the church but a congregation of righteous men ? if the rejoycing of the church be the glory of a nation , surely the disturbing , and destroying , and dissolving the church is the shame and confusion of a nation . truth . the outward prosperity of a nation , was a typical figurative blessing , of that national and figurative church of israel in canaan . it is now made good spiritually to them that love the spiritual jerusalem : for though godliness hath a promise of things of this life convenient ; yet persecution is the common and ordinary portion of the saints under the gospel , though● that cup be infinitely sweetned also to them that drink of it with christ jesus , by the measure and increase of a hundred fold for one , even with persecution in this life . . it is true , the rejoycing of a church of christ , is the glory of any nation , and the contrary a shame : yet this proveth not that god vouchsafeth to no state , civil peace , and temporal glory , except it establish and keep up a church of christ by force of armes ; for the contrary we have mentioned , and master cotton confesseth the flourishing of states ignorant of christ , from age to age , yea , and as i have mentioned , even to two thousand yeers in athens ; six generations before it heard of christ , and fourteen generations since ▪ with the sprinking ( for some time ) of the knowledge of christ jesus in it . peace . . but consider ( saith master cotton ) the excellency and preheminence of the church , that the world is for it , and would not subsist but for it , &c. truth . t is true , glorious things are spoken of the city of god , &c. yet for many ages together master cotton confesseth the nations of the world may subsist & flourish without it ; and though it be the duty of the nations of the world to countenance and cherish the church of christ ; yet where is there any commission , either in the new or old testament , that the nations of the world should be the judges , governors , and defenders of christ iesus his spiritual kingdome , and so bound to take up armes and smite with the civil sword ( among so many pretenders ) for that which they believe to be the church of christ ? peace . . ( saith he ) it is matter of just displeasure to god , and sad grief of heart to the church , when civil states looke at the state of the church , as of little or no concernment to themselves , zech. . . lam. . . truth . grant this , and that the most jealous god will awake in his season , for these sins , and for the persecutions , idolatries , and blasphemies ; which the nations live in : yet what is this for warrant to the nations ( as before ) to judge and rule the church of christ , yea , and under the colour of defending christs faith , and preserving christs church pure , to tear christ out of heaven , by persecuting of his saints on earth ; and to fire the world with devouring flames of bloody wars , and this onely for the sweet sake of the prince of peace ? peace . dear truth , we are now upon an high point , and that which neerly concerns my self , the peace of the world , and the nations of it . master cotton saith further , god winketh at the nations in the time of their ignorance , and suffers the nation to flourish many hundred yeers together , as did the empire of rome ; yet when the church of christ comes to be planted amongst them , then , as he brought the turkes upon the romans , for their persecuting the church , and not preserving it in purity ; so consequently will he do unto the nations of the world . truth . i answer , the most righteous judge of the whole world hath plauged the nations of the world , both before christs coming , and since , for their pride and cruelty against his people , for their idolateries , blasphemies , &c. yet master cotton acknowledgeth that many states have flourished many hundred yeers together , when no true church of christ hath been found in them : and master cotton will never prove , that god ever commanded the nations and governments of the world , to gather or constitute his churches , and to preserve them in purity : for god gave his ordinances , both before and since christ , to his people onely , whom he chuseth and calleth out of the world , and the nations of it : and he hath punished and dissolved them for their obstinate neglect thereof . and for the roman empire , and the emperors thereof , the christian religion , and the purity thereof , never lost so much , as when the emperors were perswaded of master cottons bloody tenent , as master cotton and all men seen in history and christianity must confess . peace . but further , although ( saith master cotton ) the peace of the church be a spiritual inward peace , yet there is an outward peace of the church due to them from princes and magistrates , in a way of godliness and honesty , tim. . but in a way of ungodliness and idolatry , it is an wholesome faithfulness to the church , if princes trouble the outward peace of the church , that so the church finding themselves wounded , and pricked in the house of their friends , they may repent , and return to their first husband , zech. . hof . . truth . the peace of the church is not only inward , between god and themselves ; but as the argument importeth , to which master cotton answereth , the peace of the church external and outward , is spiritual , essentially differing from the peace of the civil state , which is meerly civil and humane . when the peace of the churches , antioch , corinth , galatia , was disturbed by spiritual oppositions , the lord never sent his saints for civil help to maintaine their spirituall peace , though the lord did send paul to the higher civil powers , to preserve his civil peace , when he was molested and oppressed by the jews and romans . . for that place of timothy , though i have fully spoken to it in this discourse elswhere , yet this now : it proves not , because the church must pray for civil rulers , that so they may live a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty , that therefore civil rulers are supream rulers and judges ecclesiastical , next unto christ jesus , of what is godliness , holiness , &c. since god hath chosen few wise or noble , to know godliness : and although it is true that gods end of vouchsafing peace and quietness , is , that his churches might walk in his fear , and in the wayes of godliness ; yet it doth not hence follow , that magistrates were the causes of the churches walking in the fear of god , and being edified , but only of enjoying rest from persecution , act. . . although gods chastisement call to repentance , and although the false prophet in the church of israel was to be wounded and slaine ( as they are now to be cut off spiritually from the church of spiritual israel ) yet was it so in all the other nations of the world ? or did christ iesus appoint it to be so in all the nations of the world , since his coming , which is the great question in difference ? . and indeed , what is this , but to add coals to coals , and wood to fire , to teach the nations of the world , to be briars and thorns , butchers and tormentors to the lilies and lambes of the most holy and innocent lamb of god christ iesus ? peace . but god ( saith master cotton ) cut israel short in their civil state or nation , when they cut short their reformation , king. . truth . master cotton elswhere denying a national church , which is bounded with natural and earthly limits , it is a wonder how he can apply that instance of national israel , to the now spiritual nation and israel of god ? may he not as well promise earthly peace and prosperity then most to abound to gods people , when they most prosper and flourish in holiness , zeal , &c. the contrary whereof , to wit , persecution , is most evident in all the new testament , and all mens new and fresh experience . peace . to end this chapter , master cotton affirmes , that civil peace ( to speak properly ) is not only a peace in civil things for the object , but the peace of all the persons in the city for the subject . the church is one society in the city , as well as the society of merchants , drapers &c. and if it be civil justice to protect one , then the other also . truth . civil peace will never be proved to be the peace of all the subjects or citizens of a city in spiritual things : the civil state may bring into order , make orders , preserve in civil order all her members : but who ordained , that either the spiritual estate should bring in and force the civil state to keep civil order , o● that the civil state should sit , judge , and force any of her subjects to keep spiritual order ? the true and living god , is the god of order , spiritual , civil and natural : natural is the same ever and perpetual : civil alters according to the constitutions of peoples and nations : spiritual he hath changed from the national in one figurative-land of canaan , to particular and congregational churches all the world over ; which order spiritual , natural or civil ▪ to confound and abrogate , is to exalt mans folly against the most holy and incomprehensible wisdome of god , &c. examination of chap. vii . peace . in his description of arrogancy and impetuousness , master cotton tels us , that he that refuseth to subject his spirit to the spirit of the prophets , that shall oppose such as dissent with clubs swords and censorious reproaches , or reject communion with the church , &c. his practise tends to the disturbing of civil or church-peace , or both . truth . it is a fallacious mingling of clubs , swords , reproaches , &c. with refusing to submit to the spirit of prophecie in the prophets , and rejecting of communion , &c. for a man may out of true and upright conscience to god ( as master cotton will not deny ) refuse to submit to a whole true church , having the truth of god on his side ; and may withdraw from communion with a church obstinate in sin , and this without breach of civil peace ; and therefore the mingling or confounding of these spiritual resistances or disturbances with guns , swords , &c. is a mingling and confounding of heaven and earth together . . in that he saith , these wayes tend to the disturbance of either civil or church-peace , or both ; he speakes too like the doubtful oracles of apollo , which will be true however the event fall out ; but yet he toucheth not the truth of the question , which concernes civil peace only ; against the disturbers of which , i grant the civil powers to be armed with a civil sword , not in vaine , and concerning which divers cases were propounded of seeming arrogance and impetuousness in gods servants , and yet they fell not justly under any censure of breach of civil peace . peace . t is true ( saith master cotton ) because they were not wayes of arrogance not impetuousness . truth . but will master cotton give way that any conscience but his own may freely preach and dispute against the state-religion , freely reprove the highest , in sharpest language , for matter of religion , refuse conformity to the common established religion and worship , disclaime subjection to the civil powers , in spiritual cases , preach against the common policy and seeming wisdome of the state , even to a seeming hazarding of all , and lastly occasion great tumults and uproars ( which were the six cases alleadged ? ) if master cotton granteth this freedome to other consciences beside his own , why preacheth he persecution against such a liberty , which other consciences beside his own , believe they justly challenge ? if to no other conscience then his own , it is not his saying ten thousand times , that his conscience is true , and others false , nor any other distinction in the world , can clear him from most unrighteous and unchristian partiality . examination of chap. viii . peace . in this chapter ( dear truth ) lies a charge concerning thy self . for whereas thou answerest an objection , that this distinction concerns not truth or errour , but the manner of holding or divulging , master cotton affirmes the distinction to speak expresly of things unlawfull and erroneous , and therefore that it cannot be said with truth , that the distinction concernes not truth and error . truth . the truth is this , the former distinction speakes of matter , and this distinction seems wholly to intend the manner of holding forth . the words were these : [ again , in points of doctrine and worship less principal , either they are held forth in a meek and peaceable way ( though the things be erroneous and unlawful ) or they are held forth with such arrogance and impetuousness as tendeth to the disturbance of civil peace . ] in which although things erroneous and unlawful are mentioned ; yet who sees not but that those words are brought in by the way of parenthesis , which may or may not be left out , and the distinction be whole and intire ? and therefore master cotton doth not well to spend precious time and life upon seeming advantages . peace . yea , but ( saith he ) why is this distinction blamed , when the discusser himself acknowledgeth , that there may be a way and manner of holding forth , which may tend to break the civil peace . truth . that which was excepted most against in the distinction , was the persecuting language of [ arrogance , impetuousness , boisterousness , ] without declaring what that was : to which master cotton answers , that the discussers request , was not that he should compile a discourse , but return an answer to the letter of his friend ; as also that he charged none of gods children with such things . i reply ( as formerly ) master cotton's memory ( though otherwise excellent ) herein faileth ; for , such a request the discusser never made unto him , by letter or otherwise . . although he charged not gods people with arrogance and impetuousness , yet mostly and commonly gods children ( though meek and peaceable ) are accused to be arrogant , impetuous &c. and 't is the common notorious language of persecutors against them . peace . concering those six instances wherein gods children were occasion of great opposition and spiritual hostility , yea and of breach of civil peace , notwithstanding the matter delivered was holy , and the manner peaceable , master cotton answers , they nothing concern the distinction which speaks of holding forth things erroneous and unlawful for the matter , and for the manner in a way of arrogance and impetuousness , to the disturbance of civil peace . truth . i reply , first , it speaks not only of erroneous and unlawful things ( though erroneous and unlawful things be admitted in way of parenthesis , as before . ) . he describes not what this arrogance and impetuousness is , but wraps up all in one general dark cloud , wherein the best and most zealous of gods prophets and servants are easily wrapt up as proud , arrogant , and impetuous . examination of chap. ix . peace . in this chapter i remember you affirmed , that one cause of civil dissention and uproar , was the lying of a state under false worship , whence it endures not the preaching of light and truth , &c. master cotton answers , this is not to the purpose , because this is by accident . truth . it is as much to the purpose to declare ( in the examination of the breach of civil peace about matters of religion ) i say , to declare the true cause of such troubles and uproares , as it is in the search after the leaks of a ship , to declare where the leake is indeed , when many are said to be where they are not . . whereas he confesseth that vigilant and faithful ones are not so troubled at the false religion of jew or gentile , as not to tolerate them amongst them in a civil body , he alleadgeth for instance , that the indians subjected to their government , are not compelled to the confession or acknowledgement of their religion : i reply , first , who sees not herein unchristian partiality , that pagans , barbarians ( who happily might more easily be brought from their natural religion to a new forme , then any other ) i say , that they should be tolerated in their hideous worships of creatures and devils , while civil people ( his countrymen yea it may be the precious sons and daughters of the most high god ) shall be courted fined , whipt banished &c. for the matters of their conscience and worship to the true and living god ? . is not this passage contradictory to all master cottons whole discourse in this book , which pleades for the purity of religion to be maintained by all magistrates and civil governments within their jurisdictions , and the suppressing of the contrary , under the penalty of the destruction of their lands and countries , and accordingly hath not the practice of new england answered such a doctrine ? and yet , saith he , we tolerate the false religion of jew or gentile . peace . possibly ( dear truth ) the distinction between jew , pagan , and christian , may satisfie ( for the present ) master cottons conscience so to write and practise : for thus he addeth , but if christians shall apostate , or if jews and pagans be blasphemous and seducing , then &c. truth . who knows not but that the very religion of jew or pagan is a blaspheming of the true religion ? revel . . i know the blasphemy of them that say they are jews , and are not , but are the synagogue or church of sathan . and whereas master cotton alleadgeth for proof of this , pauls blaming of false teachers , for being troublers to the churches of galatia , gal. . and acts &c. who , that puts this inference into christs balance , but will see the lightness of it , thus ? the churches of christ are to draw forth the sword and power of christ , and are not to suffer such as with false doctrine trouble their peace , ergo : therefore the civil state must not permit such persons to live in the world , &c. peace . the second cause i remember , you alleadged of civil disturbances and hubbubs about religion , was the praeposterous way of healing of corruptions in religion , as by whips , stocks , imprisonment , &c. unto this master cotton answers , then the mariners casting jonah over-boord , for his sin was the cause of the storme . truth . i answer , if that extraordinary and miraculous instance , be sufficient ground for magistrates casting over-boord whomsoever they judge hereticks , then all civil states and ships must so practise in stormes and troubles on sea or shore , to wit , throw over-boord , put to death , not only hereticks , blasphemers , seducers &c. but the best of gods prophets or servants , for neglect of their duty , ministery , &c. which was jonahs case . and if so , doth not this set up ( and all the world over ) by land or sea , all kings and magistrates , all masters of ships and captaines , to be the spiritual and ecclesiastical judges of the religion and spiritual neglects of all their subjects or passengers ? such doctrine i cannot imagine would have relished with master cotton in his passage to new england ; and i humbly desire of god , that he may never tast the bitter fruit of this tree , of which yet so many thousands of gods servants have fed , and himself not a little ( to the lords praise and his own ) in former times . peace . whereas you argued it to be light alone , that was able to dispell and scatter the mists and fogs of darkness in the souls and consciences of men , master cotton answers , the judgements of god are as light that goeth forth , hos . . . isa . . . and the false prophet repenting will acknowledge this zech. . . thus was i wounded in the house of my friends . truth . but doth master cotton indeed believe that not only publike magistrates , but also each private father and mother ( as that place of zechary , literately , taken carries it ) must now in the dayes of the gospel wound and pierce ; yea run through and kill their son the false prophet ? would he justifie a parent so practising though it were in the neglect of the publike magistrate , who happily may be of the same religion with the false prophet ? will not this doctrine reach & extend to the pulling down deposing and killing of all such governors and governments , which god in his gracious providence hath set up amongst all peoples in all parts and dominions of the world , yea and harden the heart of pharoah , the very pope himself , in his king-killing and state-killing doctrine ? peace . if ever master cotton wake in this point , he will tell all the world , that it is more gospel-like that parents , brethren , fathers , friends , impartially fulfill this of zechary . and deut. . spiritually , in the friendly wounding , yea and zealous slaying by the two-edged sword of the spirit of god , which is the word of god comming forth of the mouth of christ jesus , ephes . . revel . . truth . and it is most true ( as master cotton saith ) that the judgements of god , legally executed , or more terribly poured forth in the vials of sword , plague , and famine , they are as heavenly lights shining out from the father of lights , teaching the inhabitants of the world righteousness . yea the creation it self , or each creature , are as candles and glasses to light and shew us the invisible god and creator : but yet these are not the ordinances of christ jesus given to his church . these are not the preachings of the word , and the opening of the mysteries of salvation , which give light and understanding to the simple , and convert the soul : these are nor that marvailous light unto which the call of christ jesus , in the preaching of the word , had brought the saints unto whom peter writes : the weapons of pauls fighting , whereby to batter down the high thoughts and imaginations of the sons of men against the sons of god , were of another nature , cor. . and his directions to timothy and titus , how to deal with hereticks and gainsayers were never heard of to be such , till the son of man , and son of perdition , brought forth such bloody weapons and bloody doctrines in the affaires of christ jesus . examination of chap. x. peace . in this passage master cotton will subscribe to the whole matter , saying , this chapter may stand for us without impeachment , and yet in this chapter is reported the persecution , which both rightly informed and erroneous consciences suffer , and the blind estate of such blinde guides and blinded consciences who so preach and practice . truth . these first words [ we approve no persecution for conscience ] fight against his whole endeavour in this book , which is to set up the civil throne and judgement-seat over the consciences and soules of men , under the pretence of preserving the church of christ pure , and punishing the evil of heresie , blasphemy &c. . they fight against their fellows , which follow , thus [ unless the conscience be convinced of the error and perniciousness thereof ] which is all one , as to say , we hold no man is to be persecuted for his conscience , unless it be for a conscience which we judge dangerous to our religion . no man is to be persecuted for his conscience , unless we judge that we have convinced or conquered his conscience . t is true , all errour is perniciots many wayes to gods glory , to a mans owne soul , to other mens souls and consciences : yet i understand master cotton to say , except we judge the error to be so and so mischievous . t is true , there is a self-conviction which some consciences smite and wound themselves with ? but to submit these consciences to the tribunal of the civil magistrate , and powers of the world , how can master cotton do this , and yet say no man is to be persecuted for his conscience ? peace . alas , how many thousands and millions of consciences have been persecuted in all ages and times i● a judicial war , and how have their judges pretended victory and triumph , crying out , we have convinced ( or conquered ) them , and yet are they obstinate . truth . hence came that hellish proverb , that nothing was more obstinate then a christian : under which cloud of reproach hath been overwhelmed the most faithful , zealous , and constant witnesses of jesus christ . peace . but saith master cotton , some blinded consciences are so judicially punished by god , as his in irelond that burnt his child in imitation of abraham . truth . in such cases it may be truly said , the magistrate beares not the sword in vaine , either for the punishing or preventing of such sins , whether uncleanness , theft , cruelty , or persecution . and therefore such consciences as are so hardned by gods judgement , as to smite their fellow-servants , under the pretence of zeale and conscience ( as in the instance of saul his zeal for the children of israel against the gibeonites ) they ought to be supprest and punished , to be restrained and prevented . and hence is seasonable the saying of king iames , that he desired to be secured of the papists concerning civil obedience , which security , by wholesome lawes , and other wayes : according to the wisdome of each state , each state is to provide for it self even against the delusions of hardned consciences , in any attempt which meerly concernes the civil state and common-weale . examination of chap. xi . peace . in this chapter master cotton takes himself wronged , that he should be thought to lay this down , as a conclusion , viz. that it is not lawful to persecute iesus christ . truth . what difference is there in saying , it is not lawful to persecute a conscience rightly informed , and to say , it is not lawful to persecute christ iesus ; was it not all one in effect for christ to say , take up thy bed and walk , as to say , thy sins are forgiven thee ? peace . he adds , it is no matter of wonder to lay down the principles of religion for a proof , as gamaliel did . truth . who sees not a vast difference between master cottons and gamaliels speech ? gamaliel speaks of that particular controversie concerning christs person and profession , which the iews so gainsayed and persecuted . gamaliel fitly aggravateth their opposition by the danger of their course , if possibly it might prove to be the truth , which they persecuted . master cotton is to lay down not a particular answer , but general conclusions ; and notwithstanding that in the course of his book he maintaines such and such persecution , yet he layes this down as his first conclusion : it is not lawful to persecute a conscience rightly informed , that is , christ iesus in his truths and servants ; and that , i say never persecutor professed to do without a maske or covering . peace . what of that saith master cotton , for although they do not persecute christ as christ , yet they do it , and it is no matter of wonder to tell them as christ tells paul , it is not lawful for them so to do . truth . doubtless whatever persecutors profess , and what apologies soever they make in all the particular cases for which gods servants are persecuted ; yet the saints of god have dealt faithfully to tell persecuters that they persecute christ himself , and to breath out the fire of gods judgements against them , even out of their own mouth . but what is this to a conclusion laid down ? for so christ laid not down his expostulation with paul as a conclusion , as master cotton doth by way of teaching , but as a conviction , by way of reproofe . peace . yet persecutors ( saith he ) have persecuted christ as christ ; for the scribes and pharises said , this is the heir , come , let us kill him : and iulian persecuted iesus as iesus : and if a christian in turkie shall seek to gaine a turke to christianity , they will persecute such a christian , and in him iesus as iesus . truth . it is said acts . that the iews persecuted christ out of ignorance ; for though they had sufficient knowledge to convince them , yet did they not persecute christ out of a clearely convinced conscience , for then it could not be out of ignorance . and yet it was sufficient , that so great a power of gods spirit appeared in the evidence of christs works , as to make their sin to be against the spirit of god : yet had they their mask and covering ( as is evident : ) for , this is not the true christ or messiah , say they , but a deceiver , a witch , working by the power of the devil , a blasphemer , a seducer , a traitor , &c. againe , although wretched iulian persecuted the very name of christ and iesus ( whom formerly he had acknowledged and professed ) yet was it still under a mask or covering , to wit , that he was not the true son of god , nor his worship the truth , but his roman gods were true &c. and the same say the turkes in persecuting christians , and in them christ iesus as a● prophet inferiour to their onely great and true prophet mahomet . and lastly , neither scribes , nor pharisees , nor iulian , nor turkes did or do persecute christ iesus otherwise then as they were and are bound so to do by master cottons doctrine , as shall further appear , notwithstanding his plea , that such magistrates must forbeare to punish untill they be better informed . peace . but let tyrants and persecutors profess what they will ( saith master cotton , ) yet this varieth not the truth , nor impeacheth the wisdome of the conclusion . truth . sweet peace , how can i here chuse , but in the first place observe that great mystery of the waking sleep of the most precious servants of the most high god , in the affaires of his worship ; and the kingdome of his dear son ? awake ; for what fiery censures justly poureth forth this our excellent adversarie against the oppressours of conscience , entituling them with the names of tyrants and persecutors , notwithstanding their vaine professions , pretences , apologies and pleas for their tyranny and bloodshed ? againe , how fast asleep , in his so zealous pleading for the greatest tyranny in the world ( throughout his whole book ) though painted and washed over with faire pretences & c ? . he granteth upon the point the truth , which was affirmed , and he denyed , to wit , that no persecutor of christ ever persecuted him as the son of god ▪ as iesus ▪ but under some mask or covering as thousands of black and bloody clouds of persecuting witnesses in this case most lamentably make it evident and apparent . peace . master cottons next charge is very heavy against the discusser , for exalting himself above god in the discerning of master cottons fellowship with persecutors , notwithstanding his profession against such persecution . truth . the lord jesus saw in the iews such a contrariety between their professions and practises ( even in this case of persecution ) mat. . . himself in effect , but even now , said the same of all persecutors : what ever pretences they make , saith he ▪ and they will pretend great things of love to christ , and kiss him ten thousand times , when treasons and slaughters are is in their courses . and will master cotton say that christ iesus exalted himself above god , inspying out so great a mystery ? it is no new thing , that master cotton should be apt to say with david . that man that hath done this thing shall die , not duely considering and pondering that our selves are sons of blood , and children of death , condemned by our own mouth , if the righteous iudge of the whole world should deal severely with us . peace . but master cotton ( for a close of this chapter ) complaines of his own suffering of bitter persecution , and the lord iesus in him , being unjustly slandered , except the discusser can prove , that any doctrine of his tendeth to persecute any of the servants of christ . truth . let a mans doctrine and practise be his witnesses , and let every soul judge in the fear of god , whether the doctrine of this book maintaining such and such a persecution to be an holy wash'd white in the blood of the lamb , agree not lamentably with all their imprisonings , banishings &c. inflicted upon so many several sorts of their own countrimen friends and brethren in the wilderness , for matter of religion and conscience ; amongst which the lord jesus will be heard at last to have said , why persecutest thou me ? why banishest and whippest thou me ▪ & c ? . will not all persecuting prelates , popes &c. take heart from hence ( according to their several religions and consciences ) to persecute the heretick , blasphemer , seducer &c. although they all will say with master cotton , it is not lawful to persecute a conscience rightly informed , that is , christ jesus in his truths or servants ? peace . but the discusser ( saith master cotton ) is a bitter persecutor , in slandering him , and christ jesus in him , for a persecutor . truth . i see not but master cotton ( though of davids spirit ) may be guilty of sauls lamentable complaint , that david persecuted him , and that he could finde none to pity him ? who knows not that all and our own popish bishops in queen maries , yea and of late times our protestant bishops against the non-conformists have been wont to cry out , what bitter persecution themselves have suffered from the slanderous censures and reproaches of the servants of christ jesus against them ? who yet have shot no other arrowes at them but the faithful declarations and discoveries of gods holy truth , and the evil of the opposing and persecuting of it , and the professors of it ? and how neer will master cotton be found to close with that late bloody woolfe ( so far as his chaine reached ) bishop laud , who being an instrument of the bloody hunting and worrying of those three famous witnesses of christ , master prin , master bastwick , and master burton ; yet at their publike sentence in the star-chamber , he lamentably complained that those poor lambs did bark and bite him with unjust reproaches , slanders , &c , examination of chap. xii . peace . master cotton here first complaineth that his words are misreported concerning the punishment of the heretick after once or twice admonition , tit. . . truth . i desire that others may judge in three particulars . first , whether the summ and pith of the words are not rendred . . whether this titus . was brought by master cotton to prove ( as is now pretended ) that an heretick might be persecuted with an excommunication after once or twice admonition : or whether the question be not of another kind of persecution . . whether that tit. . . do hold forth , that although a man be a heretick , blasphemer , seducer , he may be punished with a civil or corporeal punishment , yea though he sin against his own conscience . i add a fourth , whether indeed ( as master cotton intimates ) the discusser makes this tit. , a refuge for hereticks . great sound and noise makes this word heretick , heretick . i dare appeal to master cottons conscience and memory , whether the reading of histories , and the experience of time will not evince and prove , that hereticks and christians , hereticks and martyrs ( or witnesses of christ ) have not been the same men and women : i say againe , that such as have been ordinarily and commonly accounted and persecuted for hereticks , have been the servants of the most high god , and the followers and witnesses of the lord jesus christ . peace . you know ( dear truth ) the catalogues of heresies and hereticks extant &c. truth . grant it ( sweet peace ) that some in all times have suffered for erroneous conscience . yet i dare challenge the father of lies himself to disprove this assertion , that the most of such ( beyond all comparison ) that have ever suffered in this world for hereticks , have been the disciples and followers of christ jesus . and on that not only the lions , leopards , the bears , woolves , and tygers ( the bloody pharoahs , sauls , herods , neroes , popes , prelates &c. ) should fetch from hence , their persecuting arrows and commissions , but that even the davids , the men after gods own heart , the asa's ( whose hearts are perfect with god ) that such as are the sheep and lambs of christ , should be so monstrously changed and transformed into lyons , beares , &c. yea and should flie to this holy scripture of tit. . for this their unnatural and monstrous change and transformation . examination of chap. xiii . peace . in this chapter , dear truth , you argue the great mistake of the world in their common clamour , an heretick , an heretick , a person obstinate in fundamentals ; and you prove that this word heretick intends no more then a person obstinate against the admonitions of the lord , although in lesser matters : upon this master cotton concludes in this chapter , that the discusser gives a larger allowance for proceeding against erroneous persons then himself did . truth . i must deny that the discusser gives a larger allowance then master cotton , or any at all , that the hereticks or obstinate person should be dealt withall by the civil magistrates of crete , but onely by the spiritual power of the lord jesus . . for first , what though i granted that an obstinate person , contending about genealogies , ought not to be suffered , but after once or twice admonition ought to be rejected ? and , . what though i grant that after such faithful admonitions once or twice , he cannot but be condemned of himself ? yet according to his third answer , how will it appear that i grant , that an heretick is rightly defined to be one obstinate in fundamentals , when i maintaine , and master cotton seemeth to grant , that the heretick may be such an one as is obstinate in lesser points and practises ? . further , let the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 imply an overturning , yet will it not follow , that therefore an heretick is he , who is wilfully obstinate , in holding forth such errors as subvert the foundation of the christian religion : for however that master cotton saith , that such disputes may tend to overthrow christianity , yet that is but in remote possibility , as the prick of a finger may kill the heart , if it ranckle and fester , and so go on from member to member without means applyed : yet this cannot be said to be a mortal wound at first . so is it in the body of christ . peace . the apostle discoursing of meats and drinks , of eating and drinking with offence , calls an offensive eating a destruction of the soul for which christ died ▪ and yet i suppose he will not say that that difference was a fundamental difference . truth . it hath been a gross and barbarous mistake of the monopolizers of learning , both divine and humane , the clergy both of popish and protestant factions and worships : and how many are the thousands of millions of abuses , prophanations and blasphemies against the god of heaven in all ( the antichristian ) christendome , in all preachings , writings , proceedings , and processes , touching this name heretick , heresie , & c ? by the impartial censure of the lord , he is an heretick , who wilfully persists in any sinful doctrine against the due admonitions of the lord ; for every bit and parcell of leaven is to be purged out of the house of god , as well as the greater and fundamentall lumps . examination of chap. xiv . peace . it is a falshood ( saith master cotton ) that i call the slight listnings of gods people to the checks of their consciences , their sinning against their conscience : for i speak not ( saith he ) of the sinning of gods people against conscience , but of an heretick subverted , much less do i call their slight listening to conscience an heretical sinning against conscience , least of all do i say , that for slight listening to the checks of conscience , he may lawfully be persecuted as for sinning against his conscience . and he adds this gall to the former vinegar , thus men that have time and leasure at will , set up images of clouts ▪ and then shoot at them . truth . master cotton , elsewhere , granteth that gods children may ( through passion , &c. ) be carried on to despise admonition , and may be excommunicated , and if so , how can they refusing of christs admonition in the church , be excused from sinning against the self - condemning of themselves ? for if a child of god may possibly be excommunicated for obstinacy in some passion , temptations &c. then may he be this heretick or wilfull man in this tit. . t is true , that in an houre of great temptations , gods people may sin against clear light of conviction , and sentence of conscience , as david and peter , &c. but ( as i conceive ) the holy spirit of god in this of titns intends not such a clearness of self-condemning , but either that the admonitions of the lord are so evident and clear , that either if he in his own conscience before god improved them seriously and duely , they would clear up the truth of god unto him : or else the checks of conscience are such as are recorded to have been ( cant. . ) in the members of christ , in the church of the jews ; and master cotton cannot render a sufficient reason , why they may not also be found in the members of the churches of the christians . peace . i perceive indeed ( dear truth ) the wonderful effects of a strange tongue , in the church of christ : the noise and sound of a greek word heretick , in poor english●ares ●ares , hath begot a conclusion that a person refusing once or twice admonition for some point of doctrine , is such an heretick or monster , that he cannot possibly be a child of god ; whereas master cotton granting that a child of god may possibly refuse once and twice admonition , and so come to be excommunicated ; what doth he then in plaine english , but say , that a child of god may be obstinate to excommunication or rejection ( that is in greek ) be an heretick ? and what is this but contrary to his former assertion , that a childe of god cannot be heretically obstinate to rejection , &c. truth . questionless no child of god , but in temptation , may sin heretically , that is , obstinately upon once or twice admonition , against the checks and whisperings of his own conscience , and against that evidence of light , which ( afterward ) he wondreth how he could despise ▪ and this rejecting or casting forth of the visible society of christ jesus and his servants , is not for destruction but humiliation and salvation , in the day of the lord jesus . peace . i judge , that no son of peace , in a sober and peaceable minde , can judge , as master cotton here doth , this to be an image of clouts . truth . nor can i learn , that the discusser so abounded in time and leasure , as to make such images ( as master cotton insinuates . ) it is not unknown to many witnesses in plymmouth , salem , and providence , that the discussers time hath not been spent ( though as much as any others whosoever ) altogether in spiritual labours , and publike exercise of the word , but day and night ▪ at home and abroad , on the land and water , at the how , at the oare , for bread ; yea and i can tell , that when these discussions were prepared for publike in london , his time was eaten up in attendance upon the service of the parliament and city , for the supply of the poor of the city with wood ( during the stop of coale from newcastle , and the mutinies of the poor for firing . ) t is true , he might have run the rode of preferment , as well in old as new england , and have had the leasure and time of such who eat and drink with the drunken , and smite with the fist of wickedness their fellow servants ; but god is a most holy witness , that these meditations were fitted for publike view in change of roomes and corners , yea sometimes ( upon occasion of travel in the country , concering that business of fuell ) in variety of strange houses , sometimes in the fields , in the midst of travel ; where he hath been forced to gather and scatter his loose thoughts and papers . peace . well ( notwithstanding master cottons bitter censure ) some persons of no contemptible note nor intelligence , have by letters from england , informed the discusser , that these images of clouts it hath pleased god to make use of to stop no small leakes of persecution , that lately began to flow in upon dissenting consciences , and ( amongst others ) to master cottons own , and to the peace and quietness of the independants , which they have so long , and so wonderfully enjoyed . truth . i will end this chapter , with that famous distinction of the lord jesus ; * digging , begging , stealing , are the three wayes by the which all that pretend to be christs stewards are maintained . they that cannot digg can begg the glittering preferments of this present evil world , and the wages of balaam . they that cannot dig , can steal , in the wayes of fraud oppression , extortion , &c. but by the mercy of the most high , the discusser hath been inabled to get his bread by as hard digging , as most diggers in new or old england have been put to : and let all men judge , whether such as can beg or steal and cannot dig ; or such as chuse neither to beg nor steal , but dig , have most time and leasure to make such images of clouts , &c. examination of chap. xv. peace . in this passage ( dear truth ) we hear a sound of agreement ; master cotton consenteth , that this third of titus evinceth no civil rejection , but excommunication out of the church of christ ; and he saith , that no sillable of his conclusion lookes at more . and whereas it might be objected , that excommunication cannot fitly be called persecution : he answers yes , and quotes luk. . . john . . truth . were it not for the fierce hands of angry esaus , this shril sweet voice might pass for jacobs . what ever master cottons ends and intentions were ( of which i cannot but judge chatitably ) the eye of god alone discerneth , but for master cottons words , sillables and arguings , let all impartial readers and consciences judge of these four considerations . first , whether the word persecution , do not in all proper and ordinary speech signifie penal and corporal punishment and affliction . . whether the point in question agitated between the prisoner and master cotton throughout the book , concern not only penal and corporal afliction : and whether it can be imagined , that the prisoner , or the discusser , or any that plead for the purity of christs ordinances , could ever plead against excommunicating an heretick or wilful offendor out of the church of christ : and although the scriptures by master cotton quoted , do mention excommunication , as an unjust oppression ; yet they speak also o● corporal afflictions , imprisonments , bringing before judgement-seats , and killing also . . it could be told in what countrey , at a publike sentence of banishment of a certaine person , a text of scripture , rom. . . ( parrallel with this of tit. . ) was alleadged by the chief judge in court for a ground ( not of spiritual excommunication , but ) of civil , out of the commonweal . . were it not more for the name of god , for the honour of his truth , and the comfort of master cotton , plainely and ingenuously to acknowledge his misapplying of this holy scripture of tit. . then to cover it by so thin and poor a plea , viz. that he intends by persecution , excommunication out of the church of christ ? examination of chap. xvi . peace . master cotton here grants a toleration to jews , turkes , pagans , yea and antichristians , with one exception , to wit , so that they continue not to seduce &c. truth . but it must be remembred , that before and after he maintaines persecution against apostates , blasphemers , and idolatours , and then who knows not how all these four sorts , jews , turkes , pagans , and antichristians , are full of blasphemy and idolatry ? now in case rhey seduce not , they are to be persecuted as idolaters and blasphemers , how then are they to be tolerated ? peace . it could not be ( had not this holy man been catcht with sipping at the bloody cup of the great whore ) that master cottons affirmations and doctrines should thus quarrel among themselves . but further , i see not the equality of his yoaking the oxe and the asse together , when he further coupleth seducing of people into worship of false gods , confidence of a mans own merit , &c. ( which are spiritual matters ) with seducing into seditions conspiracies against the lives and estates of such princes as will not submit their conscience to the bishop of rome . truth . your observation ( dear peace ) is seasonable ; the former are meer religious and spiritual , the latter are meerly civil , against which the civil state is bound to defend it self with civil weapons . peace . in the next place master cotton chargeth the discusser with want of reason truth , and candor , for observing how unfitly those scriptures of phil. . rom. . are produced to prove a tolleration of lesser errors : and he affirmes , that he never intended , that what the churches might not tolerate , the cities might not , &c. truth . the point is tolerating or persecuting by the civil state ; whatever therefore be master cottons intentions , it is apparant , unless the cities and churches of rome and philippi be confounded together ( as commonly they are in case of persecution ) i say it is then apparent that there is no scripture brought for the civil state its tolerating of points of lesser moment , nor are these scriptures brought to any purpose in hand , but prophaned . peace . but observe his argument , the civil state tollerates petty theeves and lyers , to live in towns , cities &c. truth . no well ordered state or city can suffer petty theeves and lyers without some punishment , and we know how severely in the state of england , even theeves have been punished even with death it self ; but master cotton is against such cruelty , for he pleades for tollerating of lesser errors , even in points of religion and worship . . if tollerating of lesser errours be granted upon this ground , viz. till god may be pleased to manifest his truth ; is not the same a ground for tollerating of greater , as the holy spirit of god argues tim. . trying if god may be pleased to give repentance ? peace . yea but ( saith he ) the greater will infect , and so is more dangerous , and the tolleration is the more unmerciful and cruel to the souls of many . truth . lyars and theeves infect also , even the civil state , and a little leaven will leaven the whole lumpe , and therefore as the commonweal ought not upon that ground to tollerate petty theeves and lyars , so hath christ jesus provided in his holy kingdom and city against lesser evils , and upon this ground , that a little leaven will leaven the whole lumpe . but yet christ jesus hath not spoken ( where he gives command for this thing to the corinthians or galatians , that such persons so leavened , should ( together with their being put out of the church for obstinacy in a little leaven ) be put out of the world or civil state : ( the one ( the church ( being his garden , the other , the commonweal , being the high wayes , field , &c. the proper place for men as men to abide in . ) examination of chap. xvii . peace . concerning the holding forth of errour with an arrogant and boysterous spirit to the disturbance of civil peace , master cotton moderates the matter , that he would not have such put to death , unless the civil peace be destroyed , to the destruction of the lives and souls of men . truth . i cannot but here first observe the confounding of heaven and earth together , the church and the world , lives and souls , &c. as if all were of one nature . . neither blessed paul , nor i , need to be accused of cruelty in that grant of paul , if alleadged ( acts . ) for there will not be found ought but a willingness to bear a righteous sentence of death in some crimes committed against the civil state . . master cotton may here observe , how justly ( as he speaks of the heretick ) he condemnes himself , for it is too bloody a tenent ( saith he ) that every man that holdeth errour in a boysterous and arrogant way , to the disturbance of civil peace , ought to be punished with death . is not this the whole scope of his discourse from deut. . and other abrogated repealed laws , to prove ( what was just and righteous in the land of israel ) so bloody a tenent and course to be inforced in all nations all the world over ? peace . master cotton excepteth against that speech [ but if the matter be of a spiritual or divine nature . ] there is no error , saith he , can be of divine nature , though it may be spiritual . truth . master cotton may hear solomon here saying unto him . be not overwise &c. for first , the words are not , if the errour be of a divine nature , but if the matter ( that is , the controversie , cause &c. ) be of a spiritual or divine nature : which distinction between humane and divine things , i conceive is the same with that of wisdome it self dividing between god and caesar : give to god , &c. and so , though no errour be of a spiritual or divine nature ( taking the words in their highth ) yet the matter in question may be of some spiritual or divine consideration , belonging to god , and his worship ; and not concerning the commonweal or civil state of men , which belong to caesars care . . taking spiritual as it is used sometimes in the holy scripture as opposite to flesh and blood , i see no ground for that distinction , between spiritual and divine : god is a spirit , and the spiritual man discerneth all things : in such places and their like ( to my understanding ) spiritual and divine are the same thing . peace . but i marvel at the next passage : how can master cotton with any colour of reason or charity conceive the discusser so reasonless and senceless , as to intend by these words , ▪ such onely break the cities or kingdomes peace , as call for prison , and sword against hereticks ? ▪ as if ( as master cotton infers and saith ) that murtherers , seditious persons , rebels , traitors , were none of them such , viz. peace-breakers . truth . this word [ onely ] can onely have a faire respect to such as are charged by their opinions of religion and worship to break the peace of the commonweale , who ( of what conscience soever they are ) may freely enjoy their conscience and worship ( either of many and false gods , or of the true god in a false way ) and yet not be guilty of the breach of civil peace , but onely they ( i say they onely in this consideration ) who by their doctrine and practice cry out for prison , and fire and sword , against hereticks , &c. peace . as the devil appeared an angel of light in samuels mantle , so john hus and jerome of prage , are declared for devils with the pictured devils upon their heads ; and under this cloud of heresie and black name of hereticks , most commonly have suffered in all ages the true messengers of christ jesus . thus cryed they out , acts . these are they that have turned the world upside down , and are come hither also ; and thus did they set the city all on an uproare . and acts . not the worshippers of christ fill'd the whole city with confusion , but the worshipers of diana , who filled the heavens with that bedlam outery of two houres continuance , great is diana of the ephesians . truth . with as little reason and peaceableness of spirit hath our english nation used to cry great is the church of rome , great is our holy father the pope , great the mass , great the virgin mary , great the general councels &c. and in later times , great the church of england , great the christian magistrate , great the ministery and bishops of england , great the swearing and covenant of the people , &c. and such as dissent from us in these points and practices , persecute them as hereticks , and disturbers of the common civil peace . peace . in the rest of this chapter , master cotton makes three grants with his exceptions annexed . truth . please you ( dear peace ) to mention them in one , and accordingly i shall weigh them in the balance together . peace . . saith he , the many causes which the discusser before wrote of , are all of them allowed , but none of them concern holding forth of errors , which is the point in hand . . saith he , it is easily granted that they do break the cities or kingdoms peace , who cry out for prisons and swords against such who cross their judgement or practice in religion , to wit , saith he , unless their religion be of god , and the crossing of it be such as destroyeth and subverteth the religion of god. . it is also easily granted ( saith he ) that many complaine most who are most in fault themselves . truth . to these three i may answer thus in one . the mystery of preaching or holding forth the witness of the truth of jesus , is interpreted by many to be the mystery of the first seal , the white horse ; and the being persecuted or slaughtered for the word of god and testimony of jesus , to be the mystery of the third seal , where the souls under the altar cry to the lord for vengeance against their persecutors . these mysteries are sealed up , and they are the lords letters , not to be opened and read by every one , but ( as sealed letters be ) by such to whom they are directed . peace . it follows therefore , that in the midst of all the cries of iews , pagans , turkes , and antichristians [ our religion is the religion of god : you are an heretick , you are a persecutor , we are true christians , we are persecuted , &c. ] that the hearts of gods children must be comforted and staid up with the sight of this mystery . and doubtless it is most commonly ( though not alwayes ) true , that the imprisoned , fined , whipt , banished , hanged , burned , &c. in point of religion have been so inhumanely oppressed for the word of god and the testimony of iesus . our own chronicles , records of england , and blessed master fox will in part evidence to us , that scarce a king or queen of england hath past since richard the second his time , but the blood of the witnesses of iesus more or less hath been spilt in their raignes , as the blood of hereticks , schismaticks &c. and but few drops of the blood of any heretick indeed have faln to the ground . truth . the discusser therefore humbly ( to my knowledge ) desireth according to master cottons wish to reflect upon his own way , and humbly to beg of god two things for himself , and all in any measure censured and persecuted as hereticks . first , iosephs innocency , purity , chastity , in all those points and questions wherein they are charged and condemned unclean . secondly , iesephs patience to bear the accusations , censures , imprisonments &c. from the tongues and hands of them who are notoriously unclean and guilty before the zealous and revenging eye and hand of god. examination of chap. xviii . peace . many of the following leaves and chapters ( dear truth ) are spent upon that great and heavenly parable of the tares , a knot about which so many holy fingers , dead and living , have been so laboriously exercised , all professing to unty , yet some by seeming to untie , have tyed the knot the faster . truth . it is no wonder ( sweet peace ) to finde master cotton so intangled both in his answers and replies touching this parable ; for men of all sorts in former ages , have been so intangled before him : to which purpose , with thy patience i shall relate a notable passage recorded by that excellent witness ( or martyr ) of god , master fox in his book of acts and monuments : t is this . in the story of master george wisehart ( that famous scotch witness of christ iesus ) in the dayes of king henry the eighth , there preached at the arraignment of the said wiseheart , one iohn winryme , subprior of the abbey of saint andrews , he discoursed on the parable of the tares , he interpreted the tares to be hereticks ; and yet contrary to this very scripture ( as master fox himself observeth , though elswhere himself also maintaining it the duty of the civil magistrate to suppress hereticks ) i say the said winryme concludeth that hereticks ought not to be let alone until the harvest , but to be supprest by the power of the civil magistrate : so that memorable it is that both the popish prior , and that truely christian fox , were intangled in contradictions to their own writings about the interpreting of this heavenly scripture . peace . o what cause therefore have all that follow iesus to beg of iesus ( as the disciples did ) the blessed key of david to unloose this holy mistery ? in the entrance therefore of this discourse , the discusser observing master cottons exposition to be fallacious , and the tares to be interpreted , either persons , or doctrines , or practices , he blames that master cotton gives no argument for proof of such an interpretation : master cotton replies . first , neither did the author of the letter give reason for his interpretation . . that they both gave one interpretation . for the author of the letter said , that some expounded the wheat and tares , to signifie such as walk in truth , and such as walk in lyes : now are not ( saith master cotton ) hypocrites and some corrupt doctrines and practices coincident with such as walk in lyes , & c ? truth . i answer , first it might be both their failing , not to strengthen their interpretations with some light and evidence from scripture or reason , although the prisoners failing the less , as being forced to write by shifts and difficulties in prison , and so the shorter , when master cotton had free liberty to inlarge and confirm without control , &c. . when the prisoner interprets the tares to be such as walk in lyes , it will be found evident upon examination , that he meaneth such as manifestly , openly , visibly walk in the true profession of christianity ; and such as openly and visibly walk in the lyes of false and antichristian doctrine and worship . that distinction of secret and open hypocrisie is seasonable : secret , implies such a dissimulation as may lie hid under the true outward profession of christ jesus , as in judas , simon magus , ananias and sapphira &c. open hypocrisie implies the profession of the man of sin , sitting in the temple of god ( or over the temple of god ) pretending the name of christ , and yet apparantly and visibly , false and counterfeit , and but pretending , when such pretences and shewes are brought to the touchstone of true christianity . peace . your observation is true , as also a second , that these hypocritical doctrines and practices are to be tollerated to the end of the world , this he sets down in general , not instancing in particular what doctrine and practises are to be tollerated : and on the other hand , the whole drift of his booke maintaineth , that such persons , doctrines or practices , that are idolatrous , or blasphemous , or infectious , are not to be tollerated or permitted at all ; which passages to my understanding have not harmony among themselves : for what is all the whole religion of every antichrist , but a mass or chaos of hypocrisie , idolatry , heresie , blasphemy , poysons ? &c. besides , master cotton had dealt more plainly with this holy scripture , if he had explained what he meant by such doctrines and practises [ comming neer the truth ] and set down the bounds , how neer as to make them tares . truth . dear peace , who knows not that the weeds of the wilderness come neer the flowers of the garden , the counterfeit may come neer the life , and the false mettal the true gold ? and though it be true that some doctrines and practices be not so gross as other , yet they differ but ( as the scripture speaks ) as whores and whoremongers , amongst themselves ; some are more proper , and fine , and young , and painted ; some are old , deformed &c. and yet the finest weeds , counterfeits and whores are unsufferable in the garden , in the commonweale , house , and bed of christ : though yet in the civil commonweale , the vilest spiritual strumpet may challenge a civil being , if in civil things unreproveable . examination of chap. xix . peace . but in this chapter , master cotton in the issue granteth , that the tares signifie persons , by christs own interpretation : for [ them that do iniquity ] may seem to be an explanation of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , all scandals , that is , persons holding forth of scandalous and corrupt doctrines and practices , like unto true and sound . truth . yet withall he chargeth the discusser with lightness and inconstancy , for endeavouring to prove that corrupt doctrines and practices ▪ are not to be tollerated , and yet , saith he , the discusser pleades that such persons ought to be tollerated . whereas the discusser twice in this chapter expresly distinguisheth between toleration in the church , and tolleration in the world , and affirmeth , that although the church of christ jesus cannot tollerate either persons or practices which are false and antichristian , yet the civil state , the world , ought to tolerate and permit both . and therefore master cottons inconsiderate charge of contradiction will not stick , because of those divers respects or states , the spiritual and civil , as it was no contradiction in christ iesus , to affirme that iohn baptist was elias , when iohn himself affirmeth , that he was not elias ▪ for in several respects the negative of john , and the affirmative of jesus were both true . examination of chap. xx. peace . in this passage ( to my understanding ) master cotton after much seeming contestation and disagreement , yet in conclusion he shakes hands and agrees with the discusser in the maine point in question . truth . your observation reacheth home ; for let it be granted , that the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 should not signifie all weeds sprung up with the wheat , but one kind of weed , and that in special which master cotton saith dioscorides describeth : let it be granted to be the same with lolium , and that there is a great similitude between the tares and the wheat , while they are in the blade ( some of which particulars are controversial : ) yet it no way opposeth that which the discusser maintaineth , to wit , the easiness of discerning these tares to be tares , when they are grown up to blade and fruit . and therefore master cotton at the last , confesseth that even these tares ( unknown hypocrites ) ( according to his own exposition ) ought to be suffered in the church of christ to the harvest or end of the world . peace . i cannot but wonder how master cotton should once imagine , that it might possibly stand with the order , piety , and safety of the profession of christ jesus , that such a generation of known hypocrites should be perpetually suffered . truth . doubtless the lord jesus was not of master cottons minde , who so vehemently warned his followers to take heed of the leaven of hypocrisie . beside , if known hypocrites may be suffered and not cast out , why may not known hypocrites be taken in ? and what is then become of the true matter of the church , to wit , true living stones of a spiritual life and nature , so far as outwardly can be discerned ? peace . this assertion hath so foule a representation , that master cotton is forced to draw this vaile over , and therefore he adds , untill the fruits of hypocrites grow notoriously scandalous . truth . i cannot fathom how these two agree : first , known hypocrites may be tolerated untill the worlds end ; . tolerated no longer , then untill the fruits of the hypocrisie grow notoriously scandalous : for will not all reason and experience ask this question : how comes it that this friend , subject , and spouse of christ is now a known dissembler , traitor , whore , unless by some scandalous fruits so declaring and uncasing of them ? if the shameful fruits of the unclean person , cor. . were sufficient to denominate him a wicked person , why were they not sufficient to warrant paul to say , put away therefore that wicked person from amongst you ? peace . but let us mind the scripture quoted : if ( saith master cotton ) foolish virgins be cast out of the church , the wise virgins may be found sometimes sleeping as well as they . truth . neither good wheate , nor wise virgins are to be cast out of the church of christ , while they appear to be so : yet since master cotton elsewhere grants , that a child of god ( good wheat , and a wise virgin ) may so stand out against the church of christ ( in some passion ) that he may be cast out . &c. how much more then ought the tares and foolish virgins ( while so appearing ) be excluded ? . if the wise virgins be received into heaven , as the foolish shut out , will it not evidently follow ( even the contrary to that for which master cotton alleadgeth this scripture ) to wit. that when hypocrites are discovered , they are to be kept out , and consequently to be cast out of the church of christ ? except master cotton will say , that the kingdome of christ on earth , may receive and keep in her bosome such stinking weedes , declared so to be , which the kingdome of christ in heaven abhors . who questions , but while the hypocrisie of these foolish virgins lay hid in their empty vessels , that outwardly they appeared as wise as the wise virgins ? but when the fruits of their hypocrisie discovered them to be fools , how can master cotton ( according to the truth as it is in jesus ) affirme , that foolish virgins ( known hypocrites ) are to be kept in and not cast out of the church of christ unto the end of the world ? peace . o how contrary is this to the very fundamentals , essence , nature and being of a church or spouse of christ jesus , which is ( by the confession of papists and protestants ) a society of wise virgins , visibly saints holy and faithful persons , a society of such persons as outwardly profess to love christ jesus uprightly ( cant. . ) and to be espoused to him , cor. . truth . yea , and how contrary is this to the nature of christ iesus , whose heart is all one fire towards the daughters of ierusalem ( cant. . ) and how contrary to the charge , that great and solemn charge of the lord iesus to all his followers , to take heed of that leaven which is hypocrisie , which if suffered , will leaven the whole lumpe , and render the garden and spouse of christ a filthy dunghill and whore-house of rotten and stinking whores and hypocrites . examination of chap. xxi . peace . master cotton here endeavors to prove ( as many have done before ) that the field which the lord iesus interprets the world , was meant by him to be the church , as he is said to love the world , iohn . to be propitiation for the sins of the world , ioh. . truth . in these and many other places of like nature , it pleaseth the spirit of god to set forth his love to mankinde , distinct from all other creatures : as also the impartiality of his love , calling his chosen out of all sorts of sinners , mankinde all the world over : and yet it cannot be denyed , but that the scriptures speak frequently of the world and of the church in a far distinct and contrary acceptation . so , as when he nameth the church , it cannot signifie the world ; and when the world , he cannot be said to intend the church , the reasons therefore on either side must be expended and weighed in the fear of god , why the field here called by christ the world , cannot be intended to be the church of christ . peace . your right distinguishing , is a right dividing of the word of truth ; but ( saith master cotton ) it cannot be the world in proper signification ; for which he aleadgeth three reasons . first . because there had been ( saith he ) no place for the servants wonder at the appearing of the tares verse . for what wonder that the world should be so full of fornicators , & c ? was it ever otherwise ? truth . it is true , that the world lyeth in wickedness , and is full of fornicators , idolaters &c. and yet it was some thousands of yeers when the world was not full of christian , that is , anointed , or holy fornicators , holy idolaters &c. that is indeed and truth antichristian , and that alone is the point in question , about which this answer of master cotton hovers , but comes not neer it . this is indeed a most dreadful and wonderful point of the wisdome , justice , and patience of god , so to suffer so many millions of men and women , to arrogate to themselves the name and profession of the most holy living god , and his holy son christ iesus , to be called christians , anointed or holy , and yet upon the point to hate the holiness , truth , and spirit of christ iesus . truth . this is doubtless to me ( what ere master cotton imagines ) a wonderful mystery in all ages since these tares were first sown , to see , i say , so many millions of holy idolaters , holy murtherers , holy whoremongers , holy theeves &c. the blasphemy of this is so wonderful and dreadful , that i cannot sufficiently wonder at him that wonders , not how this comes to pass . truth . the like i answer to his second reason , that it is true that we read not that ever any of the ministers or prophets of christ ever essayed to pluck up all such vicious notorious persons out of the world , as they demanded concerning the tares , for then indeed as the spirit implies , cor. . the whole state of the world would be overthrown ; but yet this hinders not , but there may be a desire in gods servants to pluck up this or that sect or sort of people , jews , turks , or antichristians . peace . dear truth , you make me call to minde the desire of christs disciples , that fire might descend from heaven , not to consume all fornicators , idolaters , all cruel and unclean persons out of the world , yet that particular , unmerciful , superstitions town of the samaritans , they desired that fire might come from heaven and consume them . truth . indeed this desire of the disciples is no strange desire , for what else do all they desire , which permit not in the civil state , any religion , worship or conscience but their own ? nay far beyond that , were the whole worlds neck under their imperial yoake ( the many millions of millions of blasphemers , and idolaters of all sorts ) if they will not be convinced at their word , must be cut off from all natural and civil being in the world , by fire and sword. peace . his third reason is , that the discusser reckoned up as paralel goats and sheep , wheate and tares ( as generally , said he , others do ) and he addeth , that in the purest church after the ruine of antichrist , there shall be goats and sheep , wise and foolish virgins , untill the coming of christ to judgement , mat. . truth . although the discusser spake of that eternal separation between wheat and tares , sheep and goats approaching ; yet he never said , that the tares and goats signified hypocrites in the church , which is the point in question : nor dare i subscribe to that opinion , that after the destruction of antichrist , when purest times of the church shall come , that there shall be such a mixt estate in the church of christ , untill the coming of christ to judgement . for first , although goats were clean for food and sacrifice , yet it is apparant , that as they are for the left hand , so they are visibly known by every child , where goats and sheep are kept . and to image that visible hypocrites , such as tares goats , unprofitable servants , foolish virgins &c. shall in a mixt way make up christs churoh , and that in the purest times of the church , of which there are so many and wonderful prophecies , is to me not onely to frame a church estate point blank cross to the purity of those churches , but even to the first apostolical churches , yea and against that frame of church estate in new england , where master cotton hath professed ( though now it is said the door is wider ) against ▪ receiving in such members as are visibly foolish virgins , goats &c. peace . master cottons second answer is , that if the field be the world , as the tares antichristians and false christians , yet they were first sown in the field of the church . truth . not so : for although there might be many infirmities and distempers , yea some great corruptions in the first christian body the church of christ ; notwithstanding that antichrist is an apostate , yet it will not follow , that the tares were first sown in the true church , because sathan might easily raise up some professors of the name of christ , which the true church would never admit . and as sathan might raise up persons , congregations , worships , which were not according to christ ; so might he easily raise up churches , congregations and societies of such tares with whom the churches of christ might refuse society . so saith john , there are many antichrists , whom yet we cannot well imagine that they were in the churches of the lord jesus . there came false apostles to the church at ephesus , but yet that church examined and found them lyars . and so long as the churches were watchful , those tares kept in the world . but when the churches began to be sleepy , the tares might undiscerned creep into the church this may be as well , as when apostates fall off from the church , go out from it , because they were never of it : and also as well as that the church of christ may drowzily neglect to purge out the old leaven of persons and things , which may soon overspread and over-run the whole lumpe and garden of the church of christ , untill it be turned againe into one common field of the world together . peace . master cottons third answer is , that antichristians must not be tolerated unto the end of the world , because god will put it into the heart of faithful princes to hate the whore ; and after that , we read of a visible state of new jerusalem before the end of the world , rev. . , . truth . it is not said , that those princes that shall hate the whore shall be faithful princes : and since master cotton seems to hold that by way of ordinance ( and so in obedience ) the kings of the earth shall with the sword destroy antichrist , i desire his proof for any such prophecy . for , . it is not said , that god will put it into their hearts , to hate the whore . and we finde that they shall hate the lambe , as well as hate the whore . for they shall make war with the lambe , and the lamb shall overcome them , as comes to pass after the ruine of the who●e , rev. . . judgement may be executed upon the whore by way of mutual judgement each upon others , when in the midst of their spiritual whoredoms , and drunkenness with the saints blood , they shall fall out with the whore ( as useth to be in whoredome ) and turn their whorish loves into outragious fury ; and the very description of their fury looks this way , for it is not the property of sober and faithful men ( though repenting of their whoredoms ) to make a woman naked ( though a whore ) and to eat her flesh , as it is said , those shall do . but grant ( as we most hopefully do ) the whores consumption by the ten hornes of the beast , and the flourishing of new jerusalem upon the earth ( rev. . , . ) before the end of the world ( all which are great disputes among the people of god ) yet i judge it necessary that two or three queries be satisfied for the further clearing of the holy minde of the lord in this particular . . whether ( as some have and do argue ) the end of the world in this parable and other scriptures do expresly and undeniably signifie the end of the world and judgement-day literally , and not some other mystical period of time , since the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( usually translated world ) is of various signification , and sometimes signifies and age. . whether those ten kings which shall destroy the whore , shall be absolutely christian , true saints , followers of jesus they and their armies , or else remaining antichristian hornes of the beast , shall yet execute the judgement of god upon the great whore : as jehu remaining both hypocritical and idolatrous , yet dashe out the braines of that great whore iezabel , and executed judgement upon baals priests : yea and even as henry the eighth tumbled the pope out of his chaire in england , and thousands of his popelings with him , he supprest and threw the whore iezabel the church of rome out of englands window , and yet continued to burn the saints of iesus upon his six popish and bloody articles . . whether that mighty army of gog and magog , which is mustered up after the thousand yeers raigne of christ , be not in part made up of the ●en hornes , even after the whore of romes consumption ( as before in henry the eighth his case ) which horns with their peoples christ will have yet to be tolerated as tares in the field of the world , though not in the church of christ . peace . what think you of master cottons grant , that the first fruits of antichristians may be tares sown in the field of the church , which afterwards grow to be briars and thornes ? truth . i observe that to be tares , of antichristian worshippers , and briars and thornes ( oppressers and persecutors ) are both of them of a false and antichristian nature , which ought to be far from imitation of the rose of sharon , or the lily of the vallies . but . are there no tares , that is , hypocrites , but in the church ; and must all the briars and thornes ( oppressors and persecutors , &c. ) have no root from the wilde world , but from the garden of christs church ? peace . now whereas it was urged , that it stood not with the wisdome and love of christ , interpreting this parable , and opening what the field was , to call the field the world , when he meant the church : master cotton answers , that paul by the same wisdome useth the same word , cor. . god was in christ reconciling the world unto himself . truth . paul in using that figure of the world for all sorts of men in the world , doth not undertake to interpret a parable , which before he had proposed unto ( and at the request of ) the corinthians , as the lord iesus doth at the request of his disciples . and where master cotton saith , that it is no more an improper speech to call the church the world , then to speak of christ as dying for the world , when he dyed for the church . truth . i finde it not to be said , that christ died for the world , but grant that it hath pleased the lord in his most infinite wisdome , to cause the tearm of the world to be used in various significations ; yet let any instance be given of any scripture , wherein the lord opposing the church to the world , the wheat to tares , doth not distinguish between the church redeemed out of the world , and the world it self , which is said to lye in wickedness , and to be such as for which christ jesus would not pray , iohn . examination of chap. xxii . peace . in this chapter was urged the scope of the lord jesus , to wit , to foretell the antichristian state opposing the true christian church and worship as also to comfort and strengthen the hearts of his followers , against the grievances ari●ing therefrom ; and where it was urged that the church consisteth onely of good ground , and that the three sorts of bad ground visibly so declared , are properly in the world , and not in the church , master cotton answers , first , did not christ preach to all these sorts of hearers in the church of the jews ? truth . that national church of the iews , in its first visible constitution , consisted onely of good ground . now that the other three sorts of hearers were in the church of the iews , it was an accident and corruption : when they grew incurable , and received not the admonitions of the lord , by the lord iesus and his servants , preaching unto them , the lord cast them out of his sight , destroyed that nationall church , and established the christian church . now what is this to the permitting of known hypocrites in the christian church to the worlds end ? since that the proper seat of known hypocrisie , and of all other wickedness , is the world , which indeed properly consisteth of the three sorts of bad ground , as the church and garden of christ , of the honest and good ground . peace . but further , if ( saith master cotton ) the children of the church-members be in the church , then they growing up to yeers , become some of them like the high-way , and some like the stony , and some like the thorny ground . truth . admit the christian church were constituted of the natural seed and off-spring ( which yet master cotton knows will never be granted to him , and i believe will never be proved by him : ) yet he knows , that upon the discovery of any such portion of ground in the church , the church is bound to admonish , and upon impenitency ( after admonition ) to cast them into the world , the proper place of such kind of hearers and professors . peace . master cotton proceeds to a third answer , to wit , though it be not the proper work of the church to bring up their own children to become the sincere people of god , and christ hath given his church and his gospel preached to it , to lye like leaven in three pecks of meal , till all be leavened , mat. . . and he hath given pastors and teachers , as well for the gathering of the saints , as for the edification of the body of christ . truth . i answer , the proper work of the pastors and teachers , is to feed the sheep and flock , and not the heards , the wild beasts in the world . and although it is the duty of parents to bring up their children in the nurture and fear of the lord ; yet what if those children refuse to frequent the assemblies of the church , and what if those three sorts of bad ground or hearers will not come within the bounds of the pastors and teachers feeding ; hath not the lord iesus appointed other officers ( in the same ephes . . ) for the gathering of the saints , that is sending out of the church of christ , apostles , or messengers , to preach christ iesus to the three sorts of bad ground , to labour to turn them into good ground ? but alas , to salve up all this , the civil sword is commonly run for , to force all sorts of ground to come to church , instead of the sending forth ( rom. . ) the heavenly sowers , according to the ordinance of christ iesus . peace . but what say you to his fourth answer , viz. there is no such resemblance between the high-way-ground and good ground , as between the tares and the wheate , nor would the servants wonder at tares in the high-way , nor ask about their plucking up . truth . i answer , let the high-way , stony , and thorny ground be considered in their several qualities of prophaneness , stouiness and worldliness , and all the sons of men throughout the whole world naturally are such ; and t is no wonder , nor would the servants of christ be so troubled , as to desire their plucking up out of the world . but yet againe consider all these sorts of men as professing the name and anointing of christ iesus in a false and counterfeit antichristian way , and then it may well be wondred , whence such monstrous kind of christians or anointed ones arose : and gods people may easily be tempted rather to desire their rooting out of the world , then the rooting out of any such sorts of ground or men professing any other religion , jewish , mahometan or pagan , antichristian and false christians being more opposite to the kingdome of christ jesus , and more dangerous , by how much more a counterfeit and traytor is worse then a professed fox , an antichristian ( whether papist or protestant ) worse then a jew , a pagan , whether indian , turke or persian . examination of chap. xxiii . peace . still of the tares . these tares ( saith master cotton ) are not such sinners as are opposite and contrary , for then none should be opposite or contrary but they . truth . i acknowledge ( as master cotton here observeth ) two sorts of persons opposite and contrary to christ jesus and his kingdome . first , all sorts of sinners scandalous in their lives and courses . . more especially opposite in point of religion and worship , as all idolaters , and especially antichristians . now every man by nature , the best and wisest , is opposite and contrary to christ , his word and kingdome ; but an idolater and antichristian is more especially opposite to his glorious name , truth , and ordinances . and therein properly lyes the mystery of iniquity , brought in by the man of sin , that lawless person , thess . . most opposite or contrary to christ jesus the son of god , and son of righteousness . peace . but this is a begging of the question ( saith master cotton ) for the question is about visible worshippers , such as were discovered and declared to be what they were , as well by their fruit as by their clads , and therefore againe ( saith master cotton ) these tares were the seed and children of the devil ; for why should they be called the seed of the one , and the children of the other ? truth . i answer , the lord jesus distinguisheth , thus , he that soweth the good seed , is the son of man ; and the good seed are the children of the kingdome : he that soweth the tares is the devil , and these tares are the children of the evil or evil one ; hence by way of opposition , these children of evil or evil ones being visibly such as are opposite to the children of the kingdome , they cannot be hypocrites in the church , untill they are discovered : these children therefore of the evil one opposite to the visible kingdome , and so to visible christ jesus in point of his kingdome , church , and worship ( though they be the children of the devil in a sence , yet ) can they be no other , but the children of the false christ or antichrist , in the way of a false church and worship . peace . yea but lastly ( saith master cotton ) that word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 translated the children of the wicked one or wickedness , will agree to hypocrites . truth . it will indeed , if we respect their inside , which is only visible to the invisible king , as judas in his profession : but it cannot agree to such hypocrites as are undiscovered by their fruits in the church , but unto such hypocrites as are discovered in their blades and fruit , and so consequently are not fit to live with other sinners in the world : i doubt not but master cotton will say , that although a member of a church prove a theife , adulterer , murtherer , in the eyes of a brother , that sees and knows his secret wickedness , yet that brother is censurable as a slanderer , if he should report these evils , though to the church , untill according to visible order he could produce good proof and evidence . examination of chap. xxiv . peace . still of the tares . master cotton here seems to me ( with the familists ) to confound heaven and earth together , the matters of worship , and ordinances of religion , with the affaires and businesses of this life : for saith he , such as stand for the kingdome of satan ( as all evil men do ) they stand in opposition to the kingdome of christ . truth . master cotton is not now to be taught the distinction between the church and commonweale ; nor that a national church is not of christ jesus his institution : yet as this discourse strongly inclines to erect a national church , so doth this present answer to the confusion both of church and commonweale . it is true , a covetuous iew , that blasphemeth christ jesus , stands for satan against christ . but by his covetousness in one kinde , as covetousness is opposite to righteousness and contentation , &c. and for sathan against christ in another sence , that is in a religious and spiritual sence , as he prefers moses before christ jesus , and denies the true messiah to be yet come in the flesh . a cruel turk stands for satan against christ , by his cruelty in one sence , to wit , in opposition to christs mercy , gentleness , patience , &c. but by his belief in mahomet , preferring him before christ , he opposeth him in his kingdome and worship . to come neerer , a drunken english , dutch or frenchman , stands for satan against christ , as their drunkenness is opposite to christs sobriety , temperance , &c. but against christ in another sence , as they profess the wayes of antichristian idolatry and superstition : and not to observe this distinction , is ( with some familists ) to run upon quick-sands of confounding the spiritual kingdome of christ jesus , his worship and ordinances , with the kingdomes of this world , and the common affaires thereof in natural and civil consideration . peace . but though christ ( saith master cotton ) should command other offenders to be let alone beside antichristians , yet he should not contradict any ordinances for the punishment of offenders &c. because , saith he , no law of god , nor just law of man commands the the rooting out of hypocrites , though the church be bound to endeavour ( as much as in them lies ) to heale their hypocrisie . truth . hypocrisie discovered in the fruit of it , is not to be let alone in the church or state : for neither church of christ nor civil state can long continue safe , if hypocrites or traitors ( under what pretence soever ) be permitted to break forth in them , without due punishment and rooting out ; this hypocrisie being especially that great sin against which christ iesus so frequently and so vehemently inveighed , and against which he denounced the sorest of plagues●nd ●nd judgements . truth . by whose command , and by what meanes and ordinances , by whose power and authority , but by the command , meanes and power of christ jesus ? and i further aske , if faithful admonition be not one good means of healing , and if that lye not in the churches power ; and if the hypocrite after faithful admonition once or twice , submit not to the voice of christ iesus , i ask where the lord iesus commandeth to make a stop , and not to cast forth and reject whomsoever wilfully obstinate ? peace . doubtless ( dear truth ) many will be apt to say master cotton intends secret and close hypocrisie . truth . and i doubt not but himself will say , that this is not our question , but of known and unmasked hypocrisie , as himself hath formerly declared , and such as here he expresseth come under ordinances of healing . peace . but further ( saith master cotton ) it is not true , that antichristians are to be let alone untill the end of the world , why ? because christ commanded excommunication , &c. truth . i am astonisht , and wonder why master cotton here speaketh of excommunication , a spiritual ordinance of christ iesus in his spiritual kingdome or city , when the dispute onely concerns temporal excommunication or cutting off ? let them alone , that is , in civil state ? i wonder also how he should imagine the discusser in this chapter to affirme , that antichristians are to be let alone in the church unto the end of the world , when it was the very scope of his argument in this chapter , to prove , that the speech of christ jesus , [ let them alone ] must needs be understood of letting idolaters and antichristians alone in the civil state , and in the world , because otherwise , if he had meant , [ let them alone in the church ] he should contradict himself , who hath appointed meanes for the disturbing and purging out the corrupt leaven both of persons and practices out of his church and kingdome . peace . the same answer indeed will easily be returned to his last supposition of any popish spirit conspiring against the life of king and parliament . the whole scope of this book professeth , and in this chapter the discusser professedly argueth , that christ jesus hath appointed that civil offenders against the civil state , ought not to be let alone . but master cotton adds , if popish priests and jesuits be rightly expounded to be the rivers and fountaines of water , which drive the dead sea of antichristian pollutions up and down all nations in europe , and in some cases are to drink blood ; then are they not to be let alone , but duely supprest and cut off from conveying up and down idolatrous , heretical and seditious wickedness , rev. . . . truth . the exposition of this scripture will be further examined in the sequel , and found no true exposition ▪ that rivers and fountaines of water drive the sea up and down : for rivers and fountaines however they come from the salt-water , yet lose they the savour of the salt-sea , and yeeld a savour of the earth through which they make their passages ; and again they run into the sea , and are themselves driven up and down , and swallowed up in the sea : nor will it be found a true exposition according to godliness and christianity , which commandeth patience and waiting , not fire and sword to gaine sayers and opposites : nor lastly , will it be found a true exposition agreeing with master cottons own profession in some passage of this book , wherein he holds forth great toleration and gentleness to other consciences , both english and barbarians . examination of chap. xxv . peace . in this chapter master cotton affirms , that hypocrites ( even ) they that are discerned to be such , yet they are not to be purged out , except they break forth into such notorious fruits of hypocrisie as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe : for otherwise ( saith he ) we may roote out the best wheate in gods field , &c. truth . i answer , s●●●● hypocrites and all hypocrisie is so odious in gods sight , and so vehemently inveighed against by christ jesus , what should be the cause why the leaven of the pharisees , which is hypocrisie , should finde greater favour and connivence in the church of christ , then the leaven of any other sin , since all ought to be purged out ? cor. . . contrary to what master cotton saith , [ to wit , that no man meerly for hypocrisie and want of life and power of godliness ought to be proceeded against ] the spirit of god by paul saith , that such kind of professours of the name of christ should arise , that should pretend a form of godliness , but not shew forth the power thereof , from which he commandeth us to turn away , tim. . peace . but master cotton excepteth , except ( saith he ) they break forth into some notorious scandalous fruits of hypocrisie . truth . how shall an hypocrite be discovered and known to be an hypocrite or traitor in church or civil state , but by some such notorious scandalous fruits as tend to the leavening of the whole lumpe ? come to particulars ; was iudas , ananias and sapphira , simon magus , demas , or any other discovered to be hypocrites , when they broke forth into treachery , lying , covetousness ? and might the church proceed against such ? if it be denied , i ask to what end the lord hath given those holy rules of admonition ? &c. will it prove ought but prophaning of the name of the lord , to pretend our clear discerning of the scripture and ordinances , and not to practise them ? if it be yeelded against these fruits of hypocrisie , discovering men to be hypocrites , why do we plead for a dispensation , and ( not for the wheat of the field , and flowers of the garden , but ) for the most stinking and loathsome tares and weeds to be continued in the holy garden of christ jesus ? peace . but many hypocrites ( saith master cotton ) fall not within the censure of that scripture , thess . . . withdraw from every brother that walketh disorderly ; for many hypocrites follow their callings , and are so far from being burthensome unto others , that they are after choaked with the cares and businesses of the world , and yet are not behind in liberal contribution to pious uses . truth . but is not this halting between god and baal ? yea is not this pleading for baal , for hypocrisie , hypocrites and dissemblers , false and antichristian counterfeits , to be permitted not onely in the wilderness of the world ( which i contend for ) but also even in the garden , house , bed , and bosome of god ? what if men be civil and follow their callings ? men that know not god , so do . what though they be liberal to pious uses ( millions of papists are and have been so according to their consciences ) when as yet they are choaked with cares and businesses of this world ? how express is the charge of the lord jesus , to with-draw from such , notwithstanding their forme of godliness , and contribution to godly uses , when they declare not the power of godliness , tim. . . not to eate with them , and therefore to seperate from such a brother as is covetuous , cor. . as well as from an idolater , drunkard , &c. the church of christ is a congregation of saints , a flock of sheep , humble , meek , patient , contented , with whom it is monstrous and impossible , to couple cruel and persecuting lyons , subtle and hypocritical foxes , contentious biting dogs or greedy and rooting swine , so visibly declared and apparant . examination of chap. xxi . peace . in this chapter four answers were given by the discusser to that great objection of the mischief that the tares will do in the field of the world , if let alone and not pluckt up . the first was , that if the tares offend against civility or civil state , god hath armed the civil state with a civil sword , &c. master cotton replies , what if their conscience incite them to civil offences ? i answer , the conscience of the civil magistrate must incite him to civil punishment , as a lord maior of london once answered , that he was born to be a judge , to a thief that pleaded he was born to be a thief . if the conscience of the worshippers of the beast incite them to prejudice prince or state , although these consciences be not as the conscience of a thief ( commonly convinced of the evil of his fact , but ) perswaded of the lawfulness of their actions ; yet so far as the civil state is endammaged or endangered , i say the sword of god in the hand of civil authority is strong enough to defend it self , either by imprisoning or disarming , or other wholesome meanes , &c. while yet their consciences ought to be permitted in what is meerly point of worship , as prayer , and other services and administrations . hence the wisdome of god , in that rom. ( reckoned by master cotton the mag●a charta for civil magistrates dealing in matters of religion ) i say , there it pleaseth god expresly to reckon up the particulars of the second table , chalking out ( as it were ) by his own finger , the civil sphear or circle , in which the civil magistrate ought to act and execute his civil power and authority . peace . the second answer of the discusser was , that the church or spiritual city hath laws and armories to defend it self . master cotton excepteth , saying , that if their members be leavened with antichristian idolatry and superstition , and yet must be tolerated in their idolatry , and superstitious worship , will not a litle leaven leaven the whole lumpe ? and how then is the church guarded ? truth . the question is , whether idolatrous and antichristian worshippers may be tolerated in civil state , in the city , in the kingdome , &c. under any civil power : master cotton answers no , they will do mischief . the reply is , against any civil mischief ( though wrought conscientiously ) the civil state is strongly guarded . secondly , against the spiritual mischief , the church or city of christ is guarded with heavenly armories , wherein there hang a thousand bucklers ▪ cant. . and most mighty weapons , cor. . in the church of christ such worshippers ought not to be tolerated , but cast out , &c. that is true , saith master cotton , but yet their leaven will spread . i answer , what is this , but to make the most powerful appointments of christ jesus , those mighty weapons of god , terrible censures and soul - punishments in his kingdome , but as so many woodden daggers and leaden swords , childrens bull-beggars , and scarcrows , and upon the point so base and beggarly , that without the help of the cutlers shop or smiths forge , the church or kingdome of christ cannot be purged from the leaven of idolatry and superstition ? peace . me thinks the lord jesus was of another mind ▪ mat. . when he accounted it sufficient to cut off the obstinate , let him be as a gentile or publican : and in the very similitude of leaven ( here used by master cotton ) paul counted it sufficient to purge out the leaven , cor. . if that evil person were put away from the midst of them , that is , from their holy and spiritual society . paul never asks ( as master cotton doth ) since we have not to our spiritual armes , armes of flesh , and a civil sword to help our spiritual , how shall the safety of the church be guarded ? but let 's proceed . the third answer was , that the elect cannot be finally deceived : master cotton replies . it is true , but god provides meanes of preservation , &c. and jezabels tolerating in thiatira made the church guilty . truth . this argument was not used in derogation of gods meanes , spiritual in spiritual things , civil in civil , &c. but by way of supposition of the worst , as job spake in another case , how helpest thou the arme that hath no strength ? not but that in ordinary submission to means , man ought to help the lord against the mighty . the sum is this , rather let the lord alone to help himself without meanes , then to help the lord to save his elect ( who cannot by vertue of his love and decree finally be deceived ) by any such means as are none of his own appointing . . it is true , that the church at thyatira , tolerating jezabel to seduce , was guilty , yea and i add the city of thiatira was guilty also if it tolerated iezabel to seduce to fornication . but what is this to the point of the issue [ to wit , whether the city of thiatria should be guilty or not in tolerating iezabel in that which the city judgeth to be idolatry and false worship ? jezabels corporal whoredoms ( sinning against civility or state of the city ) the city by her officers ought to punish , lest civil order be broken , and civility be infected &c. but iezabels spiritual whoredomes , the civil state ought not to deal with but ( there being a church of christ then in thiatria , and the spiritual whoredomes there taught and practised ) i say the church in thyatira , which in the name and power of christ was armed sufficiently to pass and inflict a dreadful spiritual censure , which god will confirme and ratifie most assuredly and undoubtedly in heaven . peace . two reasons more were alleadged out of the text. the first was , that by plucking up the tares , the good wheate it self by such hurries and persecutions about religion , should be indangered to be plucked up ; which master cotton salveth thus : to wit , if gods people themselves , for their idolatry and superstition , should be cut off , it will be for warning unto others , &c. truth . oh ungodly , unchristian , that is bloody and antichristian doctrin , by which ( under pretence of punishing hereticks , schis●aticks , and seditious persons ) the son of god , the lord of lords , and king of kings , hath so many millions of times , in his servants been persecuted , slaine , and crucified ! as for the world , it lies in wickedness , is a wilderness of sin over-grown with idolatry and superstition . the antichristian ( falsly called christian world ) in most abundant and over-flowing measure hath wondred after and magnified the beast , rev. . the two witnesses prophesie in sackcloth against this beast , in all parts of his dominion , by whom also they are persecuted and slaine , and yet we read not that they judge or censure , or fight for themselves with any other weapons then by the word of their prophecie , the blood of the lamb , their patient sufferings , the not loving of their lives unto the death . peace . the second reason out of the parable was , that the ▪ angels of god have in charge to bundle up these tares for the burning . master cotton replies two things . first , so these angels will gather into bundles for the burning murtherers robbers , &c. who are not yet to be tolerated . truth . i answer , if a man call master cotton murtherer , witch , &c. with respect to civil matters , i say the civil state must judge and punish the offender , else the civil state cannot stand , but must return to barbarisme . but if a man call master cotton murtherer , witch &c. in spirttual matters , as deceiving and bewitching the peoples souls , if he can prove his charge , master cotton ought to give god the glory , and and repent of such wickedness . if he cannot prove his charge , but slander master cotton , yet is the slander of no civil nature , and so not proper to any civil court , but is to be cast out ( as we see commonly suits of law are rejected , when brought into courts which take no proper cognizance of such cases . ) peace . what relief then hath master cotton or any so charged in this case ? truth . the court of heaven , the church of christ , calls such a slanderer to repentance ( whether he be within the church or without , though orderly proceeding lies only against him that is within ) if he be obstinate , how dreadful is the sentence against such a slanderer , both in earth and in heaven ? how dreadful the delivering up to hardness of heart ( a greater plague on pharaoh , then all the devouring plagues of egypt ) how dreadful the delivering up to satan , the paw and jaw of the roaring lyon ( infinitely far more terrible , had we eyes to see it , then to be thrown with daniel to the devouring lyon : ) there is no reason in the world therefore , for theeves and murtherers to be tolerated unto the last day without sentence and punishment , because transgressors against spiritual state may be tolerated to live in the world , yet punished for spiritual transgression with a greater censure and sorer punishment , then if all their bones and flesh were rackt and torn in pieces with burning pincers . peace . master cotton and others will say . the idolaters and seducers were censured spiritually under moses , and yet were they also put to death . truth . i desire master cotton to shew me under moses , such spiritual censures and punishments beside the cutting off by the civil sword : which if he cannot do , and that since the christian church antitypes the israelitish , and the christian laws and punishments the laws and punishments of israel concerning religion , i may truely affirme , that that civil state which may not justly tolerate civil offenders , &c. yet may most justly tolerate spiritual offenders , of whose delinquency it hath no proper cognizance . peace . lastly , master cotton urgeth , that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( thess . . ) should rather be translated presence then coming . truth . admit it ( though many able translators in divers languages rather translate it coming ) and that antichrist shall not be consumed by the breath of the mouth of the lord jesus before his last coming to judgement ; yet then master cotton must give another interpretation of this end of the world , and the angels , and the fire , then is usually given : however the tares shall be bundled up for the everlasting burnings , and are at present under a dreadful sentence and punishment , and therefore ( not offending in civil things ) the civil state may the better tolerate them in matters of religion and conscience ; and paul himself ( if opposed by them ) might the better wait with patience , if god peradventure will give them repentance &c. examination of chap. xxvii . peace . in this chapter , those three particulars by which the ministers of christ are commanded to let the tares alone , master cotton evades by calling them so many slippery evasions , &c. truth . i believe neither the interpretations nor the intentions of the author were evasive : for a faithful witness will not lye though a false witness will utter deceit ; however the fire shall try . the truth is , the greater part , and especially the former of master cottons answer in this chapter , comes not neer the point of the issue , for that is not whether the saints may pray or prophecy against idolaters and false worshippers , but whether or no for their present temporal destruction and extirpation . perce . unto this master cotton saith , yes , for the present destruction of some or other antichristian idolaters in every age : and he adds , it might as well be said , that a minister of christ should not denounce present or speedy destruction to any murtherers , whoremongers , &c. because though some of them may fall under grievous plagues , yet there will never want a company of such evil doers , untill the great harvest or end of the world . againe , saith he , though a minister denounce not present destruction , yet he cannot let them alone , no more then the feller of an oake , that gives many a stroake before the last , &c. . it is not credible ( saith he ) that some of the angels that poure out their vials upon the antichristian state , shall not be ministers : and when the ten horns shall burn the city of rome , it is not credible , that they will do it without some excitement from the angels . truth . the instance brought of murtherers , whoremongers &c. is most improper , because we all agree that present corporal or civil punishment is due to murtherers , whoremongers , &c. and other like transgressors against the civil state of all nations and peoples all the world over , and this in all ages and times : but master cotton himself acknowledgeth , that many prophecies and periods are set for the continuance of the antichristian state , and the idolatry and desolations thereof , and that those perieds shall be accomplished before the judgement day : nor will it appear that those ten kings that shall in the fulfilling of this prophecy burn the whore , shall do it by way of ordinance and obedience to gods command , otherwise then he permitted nebuchadnezzar and cyrus , and other tyrants of the world ( as the fishes of the sea one to devoure and swallow up another . ) and for that instance of the wood-man selling of the oake , i grant that the prayers of the saints ▪ hasten the whores downfal , and the opening of these prophecies make way for gods time ; but what is this to a present downfal before the time appointed ? againe , that it is not credible but that some of the angels should be messengers of the gospel , i answer , master cotton knows that the english word messengers , and the greek word apostles , are the same ; but no such messengers master cotton allows of : and that the word messengers in the apostles sence should imply . pastors and teachers ( which master cotton now only allows of ) i finde not in the testament of christ jesus . that those angels should be the witnesses , and the prophets in sackcloth , seemes more credible . and i may well affirme the contrary to master cottons credible , that it is incredible that any servant or messenger of the king of peace should stir up the civil magistrate to cut off those by the civil sword , whose repentance he is bound to wait for with patience , bearing in the interim their oppositions and gainsayings , tim. . peace . t is most true , according to the testimony of christ jesus ( and most contrary to the tenents and practice of the romish bloody popes , and their followers ) that christs ministers are wisdomes maidens ( prov. . ) sent forth in heavenly beauty and chastity , with meek and loving , yet vehement perswasions , to call in the foolish of the world to partake of wisdomes dainties : but ( dear truth ) deliver your minde concerning the last passage , to wit , elijahs act in stirring up ahab to kill all the priests and prophets of baal : this act ( saith master cotton ) was not figurative , but moral ; for ( saith he ) ahab could not be a figure of christ , nor israel after their apostacie , a type of the true church : beside , blasphemers ought to die by the law , and ahab forfeited his own life , because he did not put benhadad to death for his blasphemy , kings . truth . christ jesus is considered two wayes , christ in his person , and christ mystical in his church , represented by the governors thereof . some say , that israel was not in ahabs time excommunicated and cut off from gods sight , untill their final carrying out of the land of canaan , kings . and that israel remained ( though none of gods in respect of her apostacy , yet ) gods in respect of covenant , untill the execution of the sentence of excommunication or divorce : and therefore that ahab , as king of israel , gods people ( untill israel ceased to be israel ) was a figure of christ , that is , christ in his presence , in his governors , in his church , though faln to idolatry under admonition , not yet cast off . but ( . ) grant the church false , and ahab king of a false church , how will it appear that elijahs act was a moral act , and so presidential to all kings and nations ? peace . because ( saith master cotton ) it is moral equity , that blasphemers , and apostate idolaters , seducing others to idolatry , should be put to death ; levit. . . deut. . . truth . those scriptures concern a ceremonial land in a ceremonial time , before christ ; and in the same lev. . the command is equally given for the lampe in the tabernacle , and the shew-bread , as well as for the idolater . peace . but benhadad ( saith master cotton ) was no israelite , nor was his blasphemy belched out in the land of israel . truth . it is most true , that blasphemers in israel , and blasphemers against israel and the god of it , were put to death . it is also true in the antitype and substance since the coming of christ , that blasphemers in israel , and blasphemers against israel ( the church of god ) are spiritually to be put to death by the two-edged sword coming forth of the mouth of christ , rev. . and this gospel-punishment is much more dreadful and terrible , then the punishment of the first blasphemers under moses or the prephets . peace . methinks also , if ahab were now presidentiall , and that which he should have done to benhadad presidential ▪ then is there now no spiritual or mystical israel , no spiritual canaan , but the letter , ceremony , and figure yet in force , and christ jesus the mystical and spiritual king of israel is not yet come in the flesh . truth . yea then not onely a few in a city or kingdome ( suppose hundreths or thousands ) but millions of millions of blasphemers , idolaters , seducers , throughout the whole wide world , ought corporally to be put to death . peace . against this methinks master cotton should be ▪ and i am sure against this christ iesus was , who professed in answer to the rash zeal of his disciples ( luk. . ) that he came not to destroy mens lives , but to save them : but how relish you master cottons interpretation , of let them alone ( which he sees pleaseth some so well ) to wit , let them alone is no precept , but permission ? truth . i answer , if let them alone were onely by permission in way of providence , why is also a word of prohibition added , to wit ▪ that such should not be medled with , for these and these reasons , whereas although god permitteth evil doers in spiritual and eivil state in the world , yet there lies a word of ordinance to purge them out . here is no ordinance for their plucking up , but for their letting alone , and that in a merciful respect of sparing the good wheate ▪ who might be indangered to be pluckt up by the roots out of the world , by such rash and furious zeale of plucking up the tares . examination of chap. xxix . peace . master cotton referring the chapter to former agitations , seems to invite us to pass on to chapter . truth . let the chapter recapitulating the former , and the whole controversies , be referred to the consciences of such to whom these passages by any providence of the most holy wise shall be presented , and let it graciously please the father of lights , to help all his sons of light , to be truely studious of his truth in the love of it , to cast up all particulars aright in his fear , by the onely arithmetick of his own most holy and unerring spirit . peace . in this chapter first ariseth a question concerning the apostles privacy . truth . master cotton acknowledgeth them to be called to a publike ministery , let others judge then of their privacy . peace . but they were not sent ( saith master cotton ) ●o the scribes and pharisees , and so consequently were to let them alone . truth . i answer , let it be considered , how he that grants men are sent to the sheep , can rightly say they have nothing to do with the wolves and foxes . peace . in this controversie , master cotton elsewhere , will not onely have sheep sed , but the wolves driven from the sold , their braines beaten out , &c. and that not onely by the pastors or sheapherds spiritually , but also by the civil magistrate , and to that end , he is to be stirred up by the shepherds and ministers of christ . truth . such exciting and stirring up of the civil magistrate if it were christs will , how can the apostles be excused , or the lord jesus himself , for not stirring up the civil magistrate to his duty against these scribes and pharisees , the wolves and foxes , as master cotton here cals them ? peace . neither the doctrine , nor their offence at it ( saith master cotton ) was fundamental ; nor had the civil magistrate a law established about doctrine or offences of this nature . besides , christ gave his disciples a charge to be wise as serpents , and himself would not meddle with the pharisees , untill the last year of his ministery , lest their exasperation might have been some hinderance to his minstery before his hour was come . truth . i should desire master cotton againe to ponder whether the notorious hypocrisie of the pharisees ( now brought into a proverb ) and also whether the notorious transgressing ( and upon the point abolishing ) of the fifth commandment , and so consequently of all civil obedience ( with the papists ) under pretence of gods service ( although indeed but their own superstition ) be not of a fundamental guilt , both against spiritual and civil state . peace . i remember master cotton argued against tolleration of the papists , because their conscience excites them against the civil powers . truth . and whither tended these principles of the pharisees , but to overthrow all family , yea and ( if they be followed home ) all towne , or city , and kingdome-government ? peace . yea , but the romane magistrate ( saith he ) had no established law about doctrines or offences of that nature . truth . master cotton in all this controversie , pleades , that they ought to have : and though he saith , that magistrates may suspend their duty ▪ untill they be informed , yet he never saith , that the ministers of christ may suspend their duty of humble information , and stirring up them up to so high a part of their duty ; as concerns the souls of their subjects and the worship of god ▪ peace . i remember , that gardiner and boner , &c. could not make the fire burn to consume the people of god , and witnesses of jesus , untill edwards laws were repealed , and maries bloody laws were established ; and so they were forced to suspend a while untill they had conjured up a parliament to do both the one and the other , as their slaves and drudges , for them : and t is true , what the spirit of god in david pronounceth ( psal . . ) that under the maske or colour of a law ( which carries with it the name and sound of reason and righteousness ) the wickedness of the world is established : and hence the people and servants , and saints of the most high god , feele the weight of the violence of the nimrod persecutors or hunters . but this i wonder at , that master cotton subjoyneth , that christ jesus himself , and his disciples ( under the notion of not exasperating the pharisees ) should not reprove the scribes and pharisees . truth . it cannot sink with me , that the spirit of god in christ jesus himself , and his messengers , should so far differ from himself in all his former messengers and prophets , who spared not to reprove the highest priests , princes , kings and kingdoms ; nor doth the practice of the lord jesus in so many places of matthew ( before his thunder bolts shot forth against them , mat. . ) give any countenance to so loose an opinion . peace . master cotton , who argues so much against the permitting ▪ of blasphemers to live in the world , may here call to minde , that if ever blasphemy were uttered against the son of god , it was uttered by the pharisees in the of matthew , when they imputed the casting out of the devils to the power of the devil in christ jesus , and yet we finde not that christ jesus stirred up the civil magistrates to any such duty of his to put the blasphemers to death , nor the hereticks the sadduces , who denied that fundamental , the resurrection . truth . it is most true , that the cause needeth no such weapons , nor spared he the pharisees for fear of their exasperations , but poured forth on their faces and bosoms the sorest vials of the heaviest doom and censure that can be suffered by the children of men , to wit , an impossibility of repentance and forgiveness of sins either in this or the world to come . and for the present , at every turn he concludes them hypocrites , blind guides , which could not escape the judgement of hell. so that all other sences of those words [ let them alone ] that is , of not reprooving them cannot stand : nor if it were the duty of the ministers of christ to stir up the civil magistrate against such hypocritical and blasphemous pharisees , could christ jesus himself or his servants the apostles be excused for not complaining to the romane state against them ; so leaving the blame upon the conscience of the governors , if the land were not purged of such blasphemers and fundamental opposers of the son of god. let me me end ( sweet peace ) with the bottome of all such persecutions , satan rageth against god and his christ ; that devil that cast the saints into prison , rev. . ( * what instruments soever he useth ) would cast christ himself into prison againe , and to the gallows againe , if he came again in person into any ( the most refined ) persecuting state in the world . examination of chap. xxx . peace . i doubt not ( dear truth ) in the first place , but you cast an observant eye on master cottons collections in this chapter , from pauls words acts . . i will mention the two first . . that a man may be such an offender in matters of religion against the law of god ( against the church ) as well as in civil matters against caesar , as to be worthy of death . . that if a servant of god should commit any such offence , he would not refuse judgement to the death , vers . . truth . paul onely saith in the general ▪ if i have committed ought worthy of death , i refuse not to die : now therefore as paul said , no man ( that is , no man justly ) may deliver me to the jews ; so say i , no man from these words of paul ( without wronging him and his master the god of truth ) can draw such a conclusion , as if paul had acknowledged it evil in him to have preached against the laws of the jews or the temple , which the lord jesus and his servants after him , so abundantly did , although at this time ( in point of fact ) paul might well say , he had not done ought against the law of the jews . i mean the ceremonial law and the temple , for he had now observed the ceremonies of the law , and the holiness of the temple : although for this some use to blame him ▪ not discerning that paul knew there was a time to honour those ceremonies , even after christs death , and a time as much to debase , dishonour , and abolish them . peace . his third collection is , that it is lawfull even in ecclesiastical causes to appeale to a pagan magistrate . truth . as i utterly renounce such a conclusion ( any otherwise then in respect of civil violence offered for a mans conscience , which violence caesar ought to see revenged and punished ) so neither will this instance of paul prove it : for in appealing to an higher judge , a man alwayes presupposeth ( if not skill perfect , yet ) competent skill , and a true power committed from god , to judge in such cases , which paul for many reasons , both in this chapter , and elsewhere manifested , could not suppose in the romane caesars , or any civil magistrate . peace . master cotton urgeth , that these words ( verse . ) [ these things ] imply matters of religion as well as civil things . truth . those words [ these things ] were not the words of paul , but the words of festus . . grant them pauls words , yet if for those things the jews seek his life , paul well appeals to caesar against them , for caesar is bound to protect the bodies , goods , or good names of his subjects , either from false accusations in civil things , or persecution for matters of conscience , which is a violence against the civil state , of which caesar was the supreme officer . peace . his fourth collection is , that civil magistrates may and ought to ●e acquainted with all matters of religion , especially capital . truth . in twenty five parts of the world of thirty , civil magistrates cannot possibly be thus acquainted ; for the sound of christ jesus is not there to be heard , as the best historians and cosmographers yeeld . peace . it seemes strange , if christ jesus had intended any such delegation of spiritual power to civil magistrates , that he should keep the very sound of his name from them . againe , in the other five parts of the world ▪ where his name is sounded , how rarely hath he acquainted any civil magistrate with the saving knowledge of his will ? truth . i add , that such rare ones , that savingly know christ jesus and his will , are no judges in such cases over the consciences of their brethren , or any , by way of civil judicature , this very instance of pauls appealing to caesar hath and shall further declare and mainfest . peace . but what should be the reason why master cotton affirmeth , that the civil magistrate ought to be able to judge of all capital offences against religion , but not of all questions ? truth . the truth is , if the civil magistrate were a surgeon appointed of christ iesus to judge in causes that concern cutting of life and limbe , &c. he would beyond all question be able to judge of petty cuts , wounds , &c. but satan that old deceiver , that knew ( by gods permission ) how to cozen adam , david , solomon , peter ( the most perfect , wise , and holiest of gods servants ) is not now to learn how to cheat master cotton also : satan well ●ees , if master cotton should grant it the magistrates duty to judge in lesser questions , the hope of benefices and livings were gone , and the trade of synods would down : and if he should not grant it to be the magistrates duty to judge in capitals , the pope , the bishops , and all persecuting priests , would want the secular power , the servile executioners of their most wicked and most bloody decrees and sentences . peace . in the next place master cotton seemes to charge a contradiction upon the discusser , for saying , that civil magistrates were never appointed by god defenders of the faith of iesus , and yet every one is bound to put forth his utmost powers in gods business . truth . love hath charged the discusser to spare the ●●●rm of contradiction in many passages of master cottons writing , where he hath ( to his understanding ) observed them , to prevent exasperations &c. contrarily master cotton against the discusser , straines the text and margin to sound out contradictions , contradictions , to all passengers . but let us examine . and first , master cotton will not deny , but the son of perdition , the pope of rome ( whose coming and practice is by the work of the devil ) was the blasphemous author ( he and his cardinals in councel together ) of that title defender of the faith sent with great gratitude and solemnity to henry the eighth , as a kingly popelike reward , for penning ( or bearing the name of ) a blasphemous writing against christ iesus in his holy truth proclaimed by luther . peace . with what eyes and eares such blasphemous and bloody titles are to be lookt upon and heard by the chaste eyes and ears of christs doves , christ iesus will one day , and shortly make appear . truth . but what contradiction will be in the later , to wit , [ that every one must do his utmost in gods business ] when this former ( to wit , to be a defender of the faith ) is constantly denied to be any of the businesses of civil officers , and the preservation of the civil state , which charge and worke by the civil state can only lawfully ( and therefore possibly ) be committed to them ? for otherwise to take these words in a literal sence , without respect to the rules and limits of gods order and righteonsness , what is it but to fire the world with wild-fire of blind zeale , and to tumble down all gods beauteous structures and buildings into a chaos and confusion of antichristian babylon ? and this especially by the meanes of such who think and say , that they cannot serve god with all their might except they punish blaspemers , and fight against blasphemous nations , and subdue ( not only the holy land from the turk , but ) even all the world from their idolatries and blasphemies , if it lie in their power ; which spirit whether it be the spirit of the son of god , and prince of peace , or the spirit of the world , the spirit of the son of perdition , let every mans own spirit search and judge in the holy fear and presence of god. peace . but further ( saith master cotton ) it was unnecessary , yea folly and preposterous to have complained to herod , pilate , caesar , against the heresies of the pharisees : for if a poor sheep should complain to the wolves of the wolves heresies , would not the whole kennel of wolves rise up against him , & c ? would it not have disturbed the civil state , by putting them into jealousies of a new kingdome , and it was necessary the gospel should first be known and received , believed and professed , before any could be complained of for apostacie from it into heresie . truth . master cotton cannot deny , but that most of the magistrates of the world ( by far ) are such as herod , pilate , caesar were , without god , and enemies to him , yea also in that little pa●t of the world which is called protestant . now if they are but kennels of wolves ( compared with christs sheep ) as master cotton expresseth , i first demand how poorely hath christ jesus in all ages provided for and furnished his people with such main pillars of their spiritual joyes , light and confidence , as godly and christian magistrates ? peace . it is as cleer as the sun beams , that if ever christ jesus had intended such an ordinance in and over his church , he would never have been so mistaken , as to supply his sheep in all ages , and in all parts of the world , with kennels of wolves in stead of godly and christian shepherds . truth . but secondly , grant them to be kennels of wolves in master cottons sence , yet what bar is this to any from presenting , and to them from receiving such complaints as are proper to their cognizance , to their duty and calling ( were they truely called of god and christ to such a service ) to wit , to govern in spiritual , ecclesiastical or church causes ? what though a magistrate be a drunkard , whoremonger , opperssour , is it not the duty of the people to complain to him of drunkards , thieves , whoremongers , oppressors ? whom if he punish not , but countenance , &c. yet have such petitioners discharged their consciences , and left the guilt upon the right head , who should be an head of civil righteousness , but is an head of wickedness and iniquity . peace . by this argument of master cottons , the poor widow , that sued for right to the unjust judge , that neither feared god , nor regarded man , took a foolish and a prestoperous course , though commended by the lord jesus , luk. . truth . indeed ( as master cotton saith ) if we look at the probability of any wholesome fruit from such trees , we cannot expect grapes from such briars , not figs from such thistles : but looking at the providence of god , who ruleth and over ruleth the hearts of kings and all magistrates ( as in the case of the poor widow and thousand others ) as also at what is their duty and profession , to wit , to invite cheerfully their subjects to bring their complaints to them ; as also what is the duty of the wronged and oppressed , to wit , to deliver and discharge their own souls ▪ i see not but it is safe , sea sonable , and a duty , to cry even to the unjust judge for justice , as that poor woman did . peace . yea , were caesar , herod ▪ pilate ( by virtue of their places , offices , and duties ) ecclesiastical judges , and ought to have suppressed the heresies and blasphemies of the pharisees ? why should it be impossible , but they might have removed the pharisees offence , as many kings of england and france ( though evil themselves ) have stirred mightily upon complaints of their subjects against the popish pharisees of their times , yea the highest of them the pope himself ? and if master cottons doctrine be true , why must not the magistrate be sought unto , that a true gospel be received and believed ? why may not the civil power be a judge in the first receiving of the gospel , as afterward for the preserving and restoring of it ? truth . such is the brightness of the gospel of christ iesus , and the dread and the power of the two-edged sword coming out of his mouth , subduing and slaying the highest opposites and adversaries , that it will prove to be unnecessary , foolish and preposterous to run to any other sword or censures , then those alone of christs , so mighty , and so powerful , were they rightly administred , as the popish and protestant world pretendeth . peace . lastly , master cotton professeth he knows not how magistrates can know the son , and kiss him , and acknowledge his kingdome , and submit their crowns to it , love his truth , be nursing fathers and mothers to his church , and yet not be defenders of it . truth . if kings must submit their crowns to this kingdome of christ , must it not undeniablly follow , that the kingdom of christ iesus is far greater and higher then their thrones and crowns ? ( for none will submit to the lesser , weaker , &c. ) and if so , what weakness is it yet to expect , that the inferiour power and authority , to wit , civil and earthly , must defend the highest and most glorious crown and throne of christ iesus ? like as if a poor indian canon should submit it self to some royal navy , and yet must be this navies defender ; or a few naked americans submit to some army or kingdome , and yet these poor naked ones must bear ( and that seriously without i●sting ) the title of their defenders . truth . master cotton and those of his bloody judgement are not contented that the civil powers defend the bodies and goods of the saints from oppressors , from persecutors , &c. that love and affection by all gracious means be exprest more to the saints then to other people of their dominions , that all true christian meanes be used for the spreading of the name and truth of the lord iesus ; i say , this serves not the turn , and gives not content , except also the magistrate defend by civil sword , the purity of the doctrine , and the ordinances of christ iesus in his church , in punishing and suppressing the contrary by arme of flesh , whether within or without the church . peace . in this last respect i must speak an high and bold word , to wit , that the poorest youth or maid , who hath more knowledge and gra●e of christ then a king or emperour hath ( as well sometimes it hath and may come to pass ) may be a greater contender for the truth , and a great defender of the faith of iesus , then the king or emperor , and so consequently then all the kings of the whole world . truth . paul was set for the defence of the gospel and consequently every believer in iesus ( according to his measure of grace received ) and therefore , your word is not more bold then true . for spiritual defences are most proper to a spiritual estate , and so accordingly most potent , prevalent , and mighty . examination of chap. xxxi . peace . here first master cotton will not own it , that the title of iudges of spiritual causes be given to civil magistrate . truth . the parliament of england established king henry the eighth supreame head and governor over the church of england , and what is this but supreme iudge in all ecclesiastical causes ? what though the tearme judge be stumbled at by some , and the tearm head will not down with others ? yet take but what master cotton grant● : and ( as the devil himself , lay hid under samuels mantle , so ) under master cottons tearm of fathers , mothers , shepherds ( that is , spiritual fathers , mothers , shepherds ) must of necessity be concluded an headship , and power , and office of judging , when this child doth a miss , when these sheep go astray , who are schismaticks , who hereticks , who sheep , who wolves , that the sheep may be corrected and reduced , and the wolves braines knockt out . peace . they may judge ( saith master cotton ) but ( not with a church ) but politick power , and for want of which , and for giving their kingdome to the beast ( revel . . , . ) god ( saith he ) opened a way for the turkes to break in and destroy the third part of christendome , rev. . . to . truth . let it be under what cloake , or colour , or notion soever , let it be politick ( indeed ) and subtle , or plaine and simple , yet it seemes it is true , that he must judge , which will not be owned in plaine tearms , but as a protector , a father or a shepheard . secondly , those scriptures quoted do not lay a guilt upon the ten horns or kings for suffering the beast in their dominions , but for giving their power and authority unto him . thirdly , the civil peace was not dissolved but preserved for many hundred yeers before the turkes rose , to punish either the eastern or western part of antichristian christendome : so that a false religion doth not immediately and instantly dissolve the civil peace , but kingdomes and states professing false religions may flourish . t is true , god in his deep councels and times brings judgements , eternal and temporal , upon false worshipping states , especially where the truth of christ is presented and persecuted ; yet divers ages of temporal prosperity to the antichristian kingdom , prove that common assumption and maxime false , to wit , that the church and commonweale ▪ are like hipocrates twins , weep and laugh , flourish and fade , live and ▪ die together . peace . i cannot reach the bottome of this next passage of master cotton , viz. that magistrates may be subject to the church , and lick the dust of her feet , and yet be supreme governors of the church also : in spiritual matters ( saith he ) and in a right administration of them , he is subject ; but is civil things , and in the corrupt administration of church-affaires ( so far corrupt as tendeth to the disturbance of civil peace ) there the magistrates ( saith he ) are supream governors , even over the churches in their own dominions . truth . who sees not here , but by this doctrine magistrates must judge , when the church is rightly administred , and when it is corruptly administred : and that whatever the ministers of the church , or the whole church judge , that is nothing , for the magistrate if he be supream governor , he must judge ? and what is this but even in the very same respect , i say in one and the same respect , to make them high and low up and down , mountaines and vallies ? supream governors , and so above the church , anon age● to lick the dust of the feet of the church ; which master cotton will as soon make good , as bring the east and the west together . besides ( as elsewhere i observed ) what if the people will have no kings , governors &c. nay no parliament , nor general courts , but leave vast interregnums or ruptures of government , yea conclude upon frequent changes ( as all nations of the world have had great changes this way ) shall the churches of christ jesus be without an head , a governor , defender , protector ? what a slavery doth this bloody doctrine bring the faire spouse of christ into ? peace . in the passage concerning saul , master cotton observeth , that saul was not taken away for exercising civil power against spiritual wickedness in the case of witches ▪ truth . saul was king of israel , the church of god , and a typical king , the anointed or christ of god ; and master cotton himself will subcribe to the confession of nathaniel to christ iesus ▪ thou art the king of israel , which he was and is in his own most holy person , as also in his ministers and governors during his absence . it was now sauls duty to put literal witches to death in his christian israel , his church and congregation . it is true , saul forsaking the god of israel , perished for other wickedness , and among other his sins ▪ for persecuting or hunting righteous david , and therein saul is a type and warning to all the apostates and persecuting sauls of the earth , that desperation and desperate self-destruction attend them . peace . but whither tends this last passage concerning david ? we read not ( saith master cotton ) that he did exercise any spiritual power as a king , but as a prophet . will he commend sauls kingly acting in spiritual things , as just ; and shall not david ( whose name and throne were most eminently figurative of christ jesus ) be found a king in israel , the house and church of god ? truth . the patern of david , solomon , and the good kings of israel and judah , is the common and great argument of all that plead for magistrates power in spiritual cases : and indeed , what power was that but spiritual , which he exercised in bringing up the arke , expresly said to be done by king david ? sam. . what power was that but kingly , put forth in ordering and disposing the services of the priests and levites , and singers , chron. ? peace . master cotton not ignorant of this , it may be was not pleased with that passage , viz. [ that god will take away such stayes , upon whom gods people rest in his wrath , that king david , that is , christ jesus the antitype , in his own spiritual power in the hands of his saints , may spiritually , and for ever be advanced . ] truth . this power the general councels , the popes , the prelates , the kings of the earth , the civil courts and magistrates , lay claime unto , and most of them with bloody hands , yea and gods servants have too long leaned unto , and longed after , such an arme of flesh , which proves ( most commonly ) but sauls arme , an oppressing and persecuting , and a self - killing and destroying power at the last . examination of chap. xxxii . peace . this chapter containes , a twofold denyal : first ( saith master cotton ) we hold it not lawful for a christian magistrate to compell by civil sword , either pharisee , or pagan , or jew , to profess his religion . truth . he that is deceived himself with a bad commodity , puts it off as good to others : master cotton believes , and would make others believe , that it is no compulsion , to make laws with penalties for all to come to church , and to publike worship ; which was ever in our fathers dayes , held a sufficient trial of their religion , and of consenting to or dissenting from the religion of the times . hence by some is that of luk. . alledged compel them to come in , sufficiently fulfilled , if they be so far compelled , as to be conformable to come to church , though it be under the pretence and mask of comming only to hear the word , whereby they may be converted . but it is needless to stand guessing and guessing at the weight , when the scales are at hand , the holy word of god , by which we all profess to have our weight , or to be found too light . peace . master cotton therefore ( secondly ) denies that a blind pharisee may be a good subject , and as peaceable and profitable to the civil state as any , since they destroyed the civil state by destroying christ . truth . when we speak of civil state , and their administrations , it is most improper and fallacious to wind or weave in the consideration of their true or false religions . it is true , idolatry brings judgement in gods time ( and so do other sins , for we read not of idolatry in sodoms punishment , ezek. . ) notwithstanding there is a present civil state of men combined to live together there in a commonweale , which gods people are commanded to pray for ( jerm . . ) whatever be the religion there publikly professed . beside , the pharisees destroying christ , were guilty of blood and persecution , which is more then idolatry , &c. and cries to heaven for vengeance . peace . it cannot therefore with any shew of charity be denyed , but that divers priests of babel , might be civil and peaceable , notwithstanding their religion and conscience . truth . yea it is known by experience , that many thousands of mahumetan , popish and pagan priests are in their persons both of as civil and courteous and peaceable a nature , as any of the subjects in the state they live in . the truth is , that herein all the priests in the world , mahumetan , pepish , pagan and protestant , are the greatest peace-breakers in the world as they ( fearing their own cause ) never rest stirring up princes and people against any ( whether gods or the devils instruments ) that shall oppose their own religion and conscience , that is in plaine english , their profits , honours and bellies . examination of chap. xxxiii . peace . the entrance of this chapter ( dear truth ) looks in mine eye like one of the bloody fathers of the inquisition , and breaths ( like paul in his mad zeal and frenzy ) slaughters against the son of god himself , though under the name or brand of a seducer , as all persecutors have ever done : for ( saith master cotton ) he that corrupteth a soul with a corrupt religion layeth a spreading leaven which corrupteth a state , as michals idolatry corrupted laish ▪ judg. . and that apostacy was the captivity of the land ; and the worshipping of images brought the plague of the turkes , and therefore it is lex talionis , that calleth for not only soul for soul , but life for life . truth . thy tender braine and heart cannot let flie an arrow sharpe enough to pierce the bowels of such a bloody tenent . peace . the flaming jealousie of that most holy and righteous judge , who is a consuming fire , will not ever hear such tenents , and behold such practices in silence . truth . sweet peace , long and long may the almond-tree flourish on master cottons head in the armes of true christianity and true christian honour ; and let new - englands colonies flourish also ( if christ so please ) untill he come againe the second time : but that he who is love it self , would please to tell master cotton and the colonies , and the world , the untrueness , uncharitableness , numercifulness , and unpeaceableness of such conclusions ▪ for is not this the plaine , english and the bottome , to wit , if the spirit of christ jesus in any of his servants , sons o● daughters , witnessing against the abominations or stinks of antichrist , shall perswade one soul , man or woman , to fear god , to come out of babell &c. to refuse to bow down to , and to come out from communion with a state-golden-image , and not to touch what it is perswaded is an unclean thing . that man or woman who was the lambs and the spirits instruments thus to inlighten and perswade one soul , he hath ( saith this tenent ) laid a leaven , which corrupteth the state , that is , the laud , town , city , kingdome , or empire of the world ; that leaven shall bring the captivity , ruine and destruction of the state , and therefore lex talionis , not only soul for soul in the next , but life for life also in this present world . peace . all thy witnesses ( dear truth ) in all ages have borne the brand and black mark of seducers , and still shall , even christ jesus himself , to the last of his holy army and followers against his enemies . truth . how famous , or rather abominably infamous hath been the practice of all persecutors this way ? i shall pick out one instance , a very stinking weed out of babels desart ( to let pass all the bloody , bulls and their roarings and threatning of councels , popes and emperors , kings , bishops , commissaries &c. against the waldensians , wicklevia●s , the hussites , hugonites , lutheraus , calvinists &c. ) their infections and seducings . to let pass former and latter persecutions in our own english nation , which hath been ( as france , spaine , italy , low-countries , &c. also ) a slaughter-house of christs lambs ; one instance more pertinent then many , we have ( in the raigne of that wise and mighty prince henry the eighth ) of bloody longland , lincolnes bishop , acting to the life master cottons tenent against seducers throughout his diocess . what oaths did he exact ? what articles did he invent , to find out the meetings the conventicles , the conferences , of any poor servants of god , men and women , day or night ; whether the father read to the child , or the childe to the father , the husband to the wife , or the wife to the husband ? yea , whether they spake any thing ( though never so little ) out of any line of holy scriptures , or any of wickliffes books , or any good english writings : by which abhorred practices , the fathers ( caught in this bloody bishops oath , vehemently forced upon all suspected ) the fathers , i say were forced to accuse and betray their children , the children their fathers , husbands their wives , wives their husbands , for fear of horrible death on the one side , or else of running upon the rocks of perjury on the other side . peace . hold ( dear truth ) and stop ; my spirit is wounded with such relations . truth . o how were the saints , and christ jesus in them , wounded with such tenents and practices ! peace . master cotton will salve this up ( with what he elsewhere saith ) thus : longlands , and the papists religion , and the religion of england , was then false in that kings time . truth , what then ? no pious and sober man can hold all m●n devoid of conscience to god , except himself . in all religions , sects , and consciences , the sons of men are more or less zealous and precise , though it be in falshood . . but let it be granted , that the religion persecuted is false , and that a false religion like leaven , will spread , as did this idolatry of michal , jeroboam , and others ; and grant that this idolatry will bring judgements from heaven in the end , yet i desire master cotton , or any knowing man , to answer to these two questions . . where finde we , since the comming of christ jesus , a land like canaan , a state-religion , a city , or town-religion , wherein the townes , or cities , or kingdomes apostacie may be feared ( as master cotton here writes of l●●sh ) and consequently the townes or cities captivity for that sin ? . where read we of the destruction of a land for idolatry , or images , without a ripeness in other sins , and especially of violence and oppression ( of which persecution is the greatest ? ) and therefore to follow master cottons instance of the turks beside idolatry ( which saith master cotton brought the plague of the turks , rev. . ) read we not also in that scripture , and in all histories , of their detestable and wonderful whoredomes , witchcrafts , thefts , slaughters , and murthers , amongst which this bloody tenent of persecution was ever in most high esteem ? &c. peace . indeed b●●●● hath been filled with blood of all sorts r●●●lations the . but in especial manner hath the wh●re been drunk with the blood of the saints , and witnesses of jesus , revel . . truth . hence then not idolatry onely , but that bloody doctrine of persecution ( the great fire-brand and incendiary of all nations and commonweals ) brought in the bloody turkes to revenge gods truth and witnesses slaine by the idolatrous and bloody antichristians . peace . i something question , that it can be proved , that the most righteous judge of the whole world ever destroyed state or nation for idolatry ; but where this bloody doctrine of persecution was joyned with it , that is , until he had graciously sent witnesses against such idolatries , and till such witnesses were despised and persecuted , and therefore here comes in seasonably the sad exprobration of the lord jesus , against jerusalem , threatning the ruine and desolation of it , oh ierusalem , ierusalem , which killest the prophets ; and stonest them which were sent unto thee & c ! truth . i add lastly , let it be granted that a soul is corrupted with a false religion , and that that false religion , like a leaven , in time hath corrupted the state ; yet first , that state or land is none else but a part of the world , and if so ( since every part more or less in degree follows the nature of the whole ) it is but natural , and so lieth as the whole world doth in wickedness ; and so , as a state or part of the world , cannot but alter from one false way or path to another ( upon this supposition ( as before ) that no whole state , kingdome , city , or town is christian in the new testament . secondly , grant this state to be so corrupted or altered from one corrupt religion to another , yet that state may many ages enjoy civil peace and worldly prosperity , as all histories and experience testifies . thirdly , that idolatry may be rooted out , and another idolatrous religion of the conquerer ( as in the ro●a●e and other conquests ) brought : in or the religion may be changed something to the better ▪ by the coming of new princes to the crown , as we see in henry the eighth , king edward , and queen elizabeth , in our own nation , and of late times ▪ lastly , a soul o● souls thus leavened , may be reduced by repentance ( as often it pleaseth god so to work , why then should there ( as master cotton intimates ) such a peremptory bloody sentence be thundred out as life for life , &c. peace . but , saith master cotton , false prophets , in the old testament , were to die , but for attempting ; and the reason was not from any typical holiness of the land , but from the dangerous wickedness of the attempting to thrust away a soul from god , which is a greater injury , then to deprive a man of bodily life . truth . the reason to me appears plainly typical , with respect to that holy nation , and the seducers seeking to turn the soul away from the lord their god , who had brought them forth from the land of egypt , by such signes , miracles , &c. let master cotton now produce any such nation in the whole world , whom god in the new testament hath literally and miraculously brought forth of egypt , or from one land into another , to the truth and purity of his worship , &c. then far be it , but i should acknowledge that the seducer is fit to be put to death . but draw away the curtaine of the shadow , and let the substance appear , not a whole nation , city , &c. but the christian church , brought by spiritual signes and wonders from the egypt of this world in all nations of the world , where the gospel comes . justly therefore he that seduceth a soul from his god in christ , and so endangereth to leaven that only true christian state or kingdome the church of christ , he ought to die ( upon his obstinacy ) without mercy , as well under christ , as under moses . yea , he is worthy of a sorer punishment ( as saith the spirit of god ) who trampleth under feet the blood of christ : such a deceiver or seducer ( except he repent ) is to be cut from the presence of the lord , and to lose an eternal life : he that is cut off from material israel , might yet repent and live eternally , but he that is cut off from mystical israel under the gospel , that is , for obstinacy in sin ( the proper hereticke ) he is cut off to all eternity ; which punishment as it is infinitely transcendent and more dreadful in the nature and kind of it , so answereth it fully and infinitely that clause of master cotton , to wit , to thrust a soul from god is a greater injury then to deprive a man of his bodily life . peace . now whereas the discusser added , that dead men cannot die , nor be infected with false doctrine , and such is the state of all men , all nations , all the world over , until the life of christ jesus quicken them ; master cotten replies , first , dead men may be made worse , and more the children of hell then before , mat. . and therefore such as so corrupt them , are worthy in a way of due proceeding of a twofold death . secondly , such as profess the truth of the doctrine and worship of christ , they live a kind of spiritual life , though not such as accompany salvation , else how are false teachers , and such as are led by them , said to be twice dead , pluckt up by the roots , jud. . truth . dead men may be made worse , that is , more to rot and stink ; yet this is no taking away of any life . and therefore there is no proportionable reason , why the seducers should suffer a temporal death , having neither taken away spiritual nor natural life ; only thus he may be justly liable to a spiritual death , for endeavouring to hinder a spiritual life , by furthering any in their natural state of spiritual death . . for that place of iude , master cotton knows that beza propounds two senses . first , twice dead , that is a certaine number for an uncertaine . secondly , this sence urged by master cotton , which if it be to be admitted , yet is it but in appearance , as his life which in hypocrisie he professed , was but in shew and appearance , he being never raised up from the spiritual death to a spiritual life , and therefore really never suffered the loss of a spiritual life , which he never had : and yet as in typical israel , it stood with gods justice to take away the life of the seducer , which seduced an israelite from the god of israel , or but attempted to do it : so stands it with the holy justice of god , to cut him off eternally , who but attempteth to take away or hinders the spiritual and eternal life of any . peace . master cotton in the next place presumes on advantage that the discusser should say , that none are infected with natural plagues or spiritual , but such are thereto appointed , &c. truth . it is plaine that the discusser alleadged not that , to diminish or lessen sin ( let it have its due aggravation ) but as was said before in case of the not final deceiving of the elect , so was it here spoken not to derogate f●om gods meanes and remedies against natural or spiritual infection , but to abate the needless feares of men , who are apt to cry out , except the civil sword be drawn ( and so therewith the world set together by the eares ) the world cannot be preserved from infection . peace . whereas the discusser had affirmed , that christ jesus had not left his people destitute of spiritual means against spiritual infections ; this is true ( saith master cotton ) but it falleth out sometimes , that when the church hath cast out an heretick , yet he may destroy the faith of many , as did hymeneus and philetus ( tim. . . ) and if the magistrates sword do here rust , &c. such leaven may leaven the whole country &c. as arrianisme leavened the world by constantines indulgence . againe , saith he , it may be the heretick was never a member of the church ; how then shall the church do ? truth . who can marvel at this , that the dunghill of this world , worldly men under the power of satan , unto whom the obstinate person the heretick is cast , i say , that they , many of them , receive worldly doctrine , which the church as filth casts out ? &c. . as paul saith concerning the salvation of gods children : let the world perish , yet the foundation of god remaineth sure , he knows who are his , and how to provide meanes to save them , though the world still act it self , wallowing and tumbling ( like swine ) in one puddle of wickedness after another . . master cotton should read a little further in the same scripture quoted by him , where he finds not a tittle of pauls directing timothy to stir up the secular power ( as the pope speakes ) to cut off hymeneus and philetus , to prevent infection ; but tels him , that the servants of god must not strive , but must quiet themselves with patience , waiting if peradventure god will please to give repentance . peace . methinks this answer may also ●ully satisfie his second supposition ▪ to wit , if that the heretick was never of the church . truth . yea what hath the church to do ( that is , judicially ) with him that is without ? and what hath the civil state to judge him for who in civil matters hath not transgrest ? in vaine therefore doth master cotton suggest a persecuting or hunting after the souls or lives of such , as being cast out of the church , keep private conventicles &c. peace . how grievous is this language of master cotton , as if he had been nourished in the chappels and cloisters of persecuting prelates ▪ and priests , the scribes and pharisees ? as if he never had heard of jesus christ in truth and meekness : for surely ( as the discusser observed ) christ jesus never appointed the civil sword an antidote or remedy in such a case , notwithstanding master cotton replies that the civil sword was appointed a remedy in this case , by moses , not christ , deut. . truth . moses in the old testament was christs servant , yet moses being but a servant , dispensed his power by carnal rites and ceremonies , laws , rewards and punishments in that holy nation , and that one land of canaan : but when the lord jesus the son and lord himself was come , to bring the truth , and life , and substance of all those shadowes , to break down the partition-wall between jew and gentile , and to establish the christian worship and kingdome in all nations of the world , master cotton will never prove from any of the books and institutions of the new testament , that unto those spiritual remedies appointed by christ jesus against spiritual maladies , he added the help of the carnal sword . peace . but christ ( saith master cotton ) never abrogated the carnal sword in the new , which he appointed in the old testament , and the reason of the law , to wit , an offence of thrusting away from the lord , is perpetual . truth . if it appear ( as evidently it doth ) that this king ( jesus the king of israel , wears his sword ( the antitype of the kings of israel their swords ) in his mouth , being a sharpe two-edged sword , then the answer is as clear as the sun , that scatters the clouds and darkeness of the night . besides , master cotton needs not flie to the popes argument for childrens baptisme , to wit , to say that christ never abrogated d●●● . . therefore , &c. for master cotton knows the profession of the lord jesus , iohn . that his kingdome was not earththly , and therefore his sword cannot be earthly : master cotton knows that christ iesus commanded a sword to be put up when it was drawn in the cause of christ , and addeth a dreadful threatning , that all that take the sword ( that is the carnal sword for his cause ) shall perish by it . peace . and for the perpetuity of the reason of the law , you formerly fully satisfied , that even in the dayes of grace , for him that shall thrust away an israelite from his god , there is upon his obstinacy a greater punishment beyond all imagination ( to wit , a spiritual cutting off from the land of canaan ) then under moses , which was but from the temporall , the type and shadow . but master cotton proceedeth , alleadging , that the minister of god must have in a readiness to execute vengeance on him that doth evil ; and evil it is ( saith he ) to thurst away gods people from him . truth . every lawful magistrate , whether succeeding or elected , is not only the minister of god , but the minister or servant of the people also ( what people or nation soever they be all the world over ) and that minister or magistrate goes beyond his commission , who intermeddles with that which cannot be given him in commission from the people , unless master cotton can prove that all the people and inhabitants of all nations in the world have spiritual power , christs power , naturally , fundamentally and originally residing in them ( as they are people and inhabitants of this world ) to rule christs spouse the church , and to give spiritual power to their officers to exercise their spiritual laws and commands ; otherwise it is but prophaning the holy name of the most high . it is but flattering of magistrates , it is but the accursed trusting to an arme of flesh , to perswade the rulers of the earth , that they are kings of the israel or church of god , who were in their institutions and government immediately from god , the rulers and gavernors of his holy church and people . peace . grant ( saith master cotton ) that the evil be spiritual , and concern the inner man , and not the civil state , yet that evill will be destructive to such a city , it shall not rise up the second ●ime , n●h●●s . . . truth . although that it pleaseth god sometimes to bring a people to utter destruction for their idolatry against himself , and cruelty against his people ; yet we see the lord doth not presently and instantly do this , but after a long course of many ages and generations , as was seen in nineve her self , and since in athens , constantinople , and rome both pagan and antichristian . and therefore the example here by master cotton produced , gives not the least colour of warrant for the civil state presently and immediately to execute vengeance for idolatry or heresie upon persons or cities now all the world over , as he gave commandment to that typical nation of israel , which is now also to be fulfilled spiritually upon the spiritual israelite , or israelitish city , a particular church or people falling away from the living god in christ jesus . peace . whereas it was said by the discusser , that the civil magistrate hath the charge of the bodies and goods of the subjects , and the spiritual officers of the church or kingdome of christ , the charge of their souls and soul safety , master cotton answers , first , if it were so that the civil magistrate had the charge of the bodies and goods onely of the subject , yet that might justly excite to watchfulness against such pollution of religion as tends to apostacy , for god will visit city and country with publike calamity , if not with captivity , for the churches sake . the idolatry and worship of christians ( saith he ) brought the turkish captivity upon the citys and countries of asia . truth . by soul and soul safety , i think master cotton understands the same with the discusser , to wit , the matters of religion and spiritual worship . if the magistrate hath received any such charge or commission from god in spiritual things , doubtless ( as before ) the people have received it originally and fundamentally as they are a people : but now if neither the nations of the world , as peoples and nations , have received this power originally , and fundamentally ; nor can they derive it ministerially , to their civil officers ( by what name or title , high or low , soever they be distinguished ) oh what presumption , what prophaning of gods most holy name , what usurpation over the souls and consciences of men , though it come under the vaile or vizard of saving the city or kingdome , yea of saving of souls , and honoring of god himself ? beside , god is not wont to visit any country or people in general for the sin of his people but for their own idolatries and cruelty toward his people , as all histories will prove . and for this instance of the turkes , i say it was not the idolatry and image-worship alone of the antichristians , but joyned with their other sins , which brought gods vengeance by the turks upon them as was said above , from revel . . and especially their antichristian cruelty grounded upon this bloody doctrine of persecution . both these antichristian states , and since also the turkish monarchy , have flourished many generations in external and outward prosperity and glory , notwithstanding their religion is false , and although it is true , that in the time and period appointed , all nations shall drink of the cup of gods wrath , for their nationall sins , both against the first and second table , in matters concerning god and man. peace . how satisfie you master cottons second answer or question , to wit , did ever god commit the charge of the body to any governor , to whom he did not commit in his way the care of their souls also ? truth . there is a twofold care and charge of souls manifested in holy scripture . first , that which in common belongs to all , to love our neighbor as our selves , to endeavor the present and eternal welfare both of superiors , inferiors , equals , friends and enemies ; and this by prayers , exhortations , reproofs , examples of justice , loving kindness , sobriety , godliness &c. but what is this to the second charge by way of office , which in the old testament was given ▪ not only to priests and levites , but to the governors and rulers of the iewish state : of which state ( being mixed of spiritual and civil ) they were the head and governors , as it was israel , a nation of worshippers of the true god : and therein were they the types and forerunners of christ jesus the true king of israel , as he is called , joh. . the cure and charge of souls , now ( saith master cotton ) in this chapter , belongeth by vertue of office to the spiritual officers of christs kingdom : i add , and during the desolation of zion , and the time of the apostacy from christs visible kingdome , belongeth to the two prophets and witnesses of truth , rev. . but not to the kings , rulers , nations , and civil states of the world , who can be no true parallel or antitype to the israel or people of god. peace . master cotton objects jehosaphat sent abroad preachers throughout all the cities ▪ of judah ; and if that were a type of christ , it were to act that now , which typed out christ , and he fulfilled in his own person . truth . christ jesus sends out preachers three waies . first , in his own person , as the twelve and the seventy . secondly , by his visible , kingly power , left in the hand of his true churches , and the officers and governors thereof : in which sence that church of antioch , and the governors thereof , rightly invested with the kingly power of christ jesus , sent forth paul and barnabas with prayer and fasting , and saying on of hands : and paul and others of christs messengers ▪ being furnished with this kingly power , not only planted churches , but also ordained elders visited these churches or visible cities of judah ; that knowledge and teaching , and the word of god might dwel plenteously among them . thirdly , christ iesus as king of his church , and head of his body , during the distractions of his house and kingdome under antichrists apostacy , immediately by his own holy spirit , stirs up and sends out those fiery witnesses ( rev. . ) to testifie against antichrist and his several abominations : for as for lawful calling to a true ordinary ministery , neither wickliff in england , nor wald●● in france , nor iohn hus and ierome of prauge in bohemia , nor luther in germany , nor multitudes more ▪ of famous preachers and prophets of christ , both in these countries and also in spaine , italy &c. i say , no true ordinary ministerial calling can they ever shew ; but christ jesus by the secret motion of his own holy spirit extraordinarily excited , in couraged and sent them abroad as an angel or messenger ( rev. . ) with the everlasting gospel &c. peace . to apply these three wayes , or any of them , to the civil magistrates and rulers of the world ( of whom iehosaphat in that his act should be a type ) is but to prophane the holy name of god , to leane upon and ●dolize an arme of flesh , &c. truth . i grant , the civil magistrate is bound to countenance the true ministers of christ iesus , to incourage , protect , and defend them from injuries , but to send them armed ( as the popes legats and priests ) with a sword of steel , and to compel people to hear and obey them , this savours more of the spirit of the pope , his courses and practises , yea of mahomet his mussel-men , d●rg●es , &c. then the lambe of god and his followers . peace . what iehosophat . asa . hezekiah , iosiah , &c. did , they did not only by perswasion , countenance , example ( by which all are bound to further the preaching of christ iesus ) but also by force of armes and corporal punishments . truth . yea even to the death it self ▪ and this is not a bare sending out of ministers ( as master cotton gives the instance : ) for by his argument , all rulers , kings , and emperors , and other states of the world ought to embrue their hands in the blood of the many thousands and millions of millions of the poor people , if they forsake not their idolatry and embrace the religion which they say is christian and the only true . peace . no , saith master cotton , this ought not to be , because only godly and truly christian magistrates may so put forth this power of christ ; others must stay until they be informed . truth . can it enter into any christian heart , to believe , that christ jesus should so loosly provide for his affaires , so slightly for his name and fathers work and so regardlesly for his dearest spouse , as to leave so high a care and charge with such as ( generally and constantly throughout the whole world ) are ignorant of , yea and opposite to the very name of christ and true christianity ? peace . surely if this payment were offered to the governour ( as malachy saith ) to the world , or governments of it , it would not pass . truth . i never knew a king or captaine councellor or constable , officers of high or low condition , rightly called according to to god , who were not invested with ability more or less for the maine and principal points of their charge and duty . peace . it seemes indeed a marvelous , and yet it is master cottons ) conclusion , that such magistrates , yea all or most of the magistrates that ever have been since christ , and now extant upon the face of the earth , must sit down , stay and suspend , and that all their life long , from the executing of the maine and principal part of their office , to wit ▪ in matters concerning the conscience , religion , and worship ▪ of the people . truth . yea ( secondly ) in a due survey of the whole universe and globe of this world , will one of a thousand or ten thousand ( according to master cottons disabling of them from the chief part of their office ) be found ▪ i will not say fit to be , but to be at all lawful civil magistrates or rulers according to gods ordinance of magistracy but meer shadows or images set on high with empty names or titles only of magistrates ? peace . master cotton adds , although the good of souls is the proper or adequate object of the spiritual officers of christ , and the bodies and goods of the people , the proper or adequate object of the civil magistrate ; yet in order to the good of their souls ▪ he ought to procure spiritual helpes , and to prevent spiritual evils . truth . i reply , if he mean ( as it is clear he doth ) that the civil magistrate ought to do this not only as a christian by spiritual meanes , but as a civil magistrate by force of armes , it is not in order , but monstrous disorder , for then he ( the civil magistrate ) must sit judge ( judicially and formally ) in those spiritual causes and cases , which master cotton grants are proper and adequate objects of the spiritual officers which christ hath appointed . peace . yea , why may not ( saith master cotton ) the magistrate use his power ( spiritually ) in order to the good of bodies , as the officers of christ dehort from idleness and intemperance of meats and drinks &c. in order to the good of souls ? truth . the spiritual officers in dehorting from these evils or any other of that kind , interfere not , nor take cognizance of that which belongs not to their spiritual court ; for holiness in all manner of conversation is the circle wherein they ought to see all their spiritual subjects to walk . if the spiritual officers should cause by force of armes their people to walk justly , temperately , &c. as master cotton saith the civil magistrate in order to the good of bodies ought to deal in spiritual and soul-matters , i say then the eyes of the civil magistrate would begin to open and to see the horrible disorder and babylonish confusion of that which is here masked under the abused name of order . peace . master cotton closeth up this chapter with very bitter censures against the discusser . truth . the discusser may well reply , that although since the apostacy he sees not the visible thrones and tribunals of christ jesus ( according to his first institution ) erected , and although the civil magistrate hath not the power of christ in matters of religion , yet they that slay the lords sheep are not exempted from all judgement : for , if the offenders slay them corporally , the lord hath armed the civil magistrate with the sword of god to take vengeance on them . in which respect god hath crowned the supream court of parliament with everlasting honour , in breaking the jaws of the oppressing bishops , &c. oh that such glorious justice may not be blemished , by erecting in their stead a more refined , but yet as cruel an episcopacy . . if the offence be of a spiritual nature , is there no spiritual way of judging , except the church of christ be granted visible during antichrists apostacy ? hath not christ jesus given power to his two prophets ( even all the raigne of the beast ) to speak fire , revelations the . to shut up heaven , to turn the waters into blood , to smite the earth with all manner of plagues , and this untill the time of the finishing of their prophecie or testimony , when their great slaughters shall prepare the way for the downfal of antichrist and their own most glorious raising and exaltation ? there was no chapter ( which probably was master cottons oversight , or the printers ) therefore i pass to chapter . examination of chap. xxxv . peace . here , whereas it was said , if it were the magistrates duty or office to punish hereticks &c. then he is both a temporal and ecclesiastical officers : master cotton answers , it follows not : except the magistrate were to punish with ecclesiastical censures , his punishment is meerly civil , whether imprisonment , banishment , or death . truth . i reply , first , the statutes of the english nation , and the oath of supremacy , have proved the kings and queens of england heads and governors of the church of england : and if to be an head or governor be not an office , let master cotton be againe requested to ponder the instance given , which he passeth by in silence ; deny it ingenuously he cannot , and to justifie it i hope his light from heaven will not suffer him , although yet he would ●aine excuse it , by saying , they punish only with civil punishment , imprisonment , banishment or death . therefore , . here lies the mystery of iniquity , and the babel and confusion of it , that either according to popish tenents the kings of the earth must give their power to the beast , and enslave themselves under the name and vizard of the secular power to be the popes executioners , or according to protestant tenents , to wit , that kings and governours be heads of the church and yet be furnished with no church-power nor spirituall censures . peace . it would be thought some mystical and monstrous thing , that kings and governors should be obliged to act in civil judicature , and yet be furnished with no civil power , but ought to punish onely with spirituall or church-censures . truth . the blinde and the lame mans robbing the orchard is here verified . the minister ( though a blindeguide ) he is the seer , but wanting legs and strength of civil power , he is carried upon the civil magistrates shoulders , whose blindness the subtle clergy abuseth , &c. but both together rob the orchard of the most high and surea●enging god. truth . i conceive it true , that the kings and governors of the national church of israel had a national power ; and had the kord jesus been pleased to have continued national churches the lings and governors of such states might well ( as they of israel were ) have been both temporal and ecclesiastical officers . peace . but now the lord jesus abolishing that national state , and instituting and appointing his worshippers and followers to be the israel of god , the holy nation and proper antitype of the former israel ; it seems most unchristian , that either the work or the title should remaine , whether with open or a masked face or vizard . truth . therefore as it pleased god in wonderful wisdome and inconcei●eable depths of councel for a while to continue a national church national covenant &c. and to take them away as unsufficient , beggarly , and weak , either for the further advancement of his own glory , or salvation of men : so hath he taken away the administration thereof by carnal weapons , armes of flesh &c. in stead of fire and sword , and stoning the opposit●es in stead of imprisonment , banishment death , he hath appointed exhortations , reprehensions , denunciations ▪ excommunications , and together with preaching , patient waiting , if god peradventure will give repentance . lastly , if the civil magistrate must imprison and banish ▪ and put to death in spiritual cases ; and the civil magistrate , is but a minister or servant of the people ( and so of god ) and if the people make the laws , and give the magistrate his commission and power ; doth it not follow by this doctrine , that the people of the nations of the world ▪ are fundamentally and originally both temporal and ecclesiastical ? and then what is become of the foundations of the christian faith ? and also are not hereby the people and nations of the world ( whatever care be had to the contrary to restraine ) incouraged , according to their several consciences , i say encouraged and hardened in their bloody wars , imprisonings , banishings , and putting to death for cause of conscience ? peace . whereas it was said to be babel or confusion , for the church to punish the offences of such as are not within its jurisdiction with spiritual censures , or the civil state spiritual offences with corporal or temporal weapons , master cotton answers , no confusion , for so paul directs the church of corinth . truth . that very parenthesis which master cotton stumbleth at , takes away his answer . for as it would be confusion for the church to censure such matters , and of such persons as belong not to the church : so is it confusion for the state to punish spiritual offenders , for they are not within the sphear of a civil jurisdiction . the body or commonweal is meerly civil , the magistrate or head is a civil head , and each member is a civil member : and so far forth as any of this civil body are spiritual , or act spiritually , they and their actions fall under a spiritual cognizance and judicature . peace . the reason ( saith master cotton ) is the same , for there be offences which tend to provoke wrath against the civil state , ezra . why should there be wrath against the king or his sons ? truth . this reason indeed master cotton often inculcates and beates upon it , that the pagan kings of persia were of his mind ● i believe master cotton out of a zeal to god , but the pagan kings out of a slavish terror , which never prevailed so far ( that i know of ) as to bring them to a kindly repentance of their own idolatries , or a true love to the god of israel or his people . peace . however your former answer is to me sufficient ; to wit , that thousands of famous towns , cities and kingdomes have flourished in peace and tranquillity for many ages and generations , where god hath had no house , and not only where it was by the civil state neglected , but also wholly persecuted . truth . in the time appointed and full ripeness of their sins , the vengeance of god ( after patience many generations abused ) hath surely and fearefully visited , yet in the interim , it is clear it is no ground of a necessity of present punishing of false worshippers and idolaters , least present wrath fall upon the king or his son. peace . now whereas it was said an intollerable burthen laid upon the magistrates back , together with the care of the commonweal to be charged also with the spiritual , &c. master cotton answers , . that the magistrate ought to seek out meane● of grace for the people . . to remove idolatry and idolatrous teachers . . it is commonly added , that he ought to preserve the church pure by reformation . truth . i reply , this work charged upon the kings , governors , and magistrates in the world , makes the weight of their care and charge far greater , then ever was the charge of the kings of israel and judah , for their people were miraculously brought into covenant with god , to their hands , like a bridge , or house , or ship ready built ; and needed only keeping up in reparation : yea an heavier yoak ▪ then either their or our fathers were able to bear , considering all the several different consciences , religions , and worships of all mankind naturally , and the many different opinions , factions , and sects , which daily do arise , and that conscientiously and zealously unto death : all these must by master cottons doctrine ) lie before the bar , beside all civil cases , &c. peace . t is memorable that paul himself , that had the care of all the churches , would not be intangled with civil affaires , further then his own necessities did call for ; and sometimes the necessities of his companions : but this yoak put upon the necks of magistrates , is as full of temporal as spiritual care : and as it is impossible for them to bear ▪ so the lord in his holy season , may please to teach them ( as he hath taught some already through his grace ) to lay that spiritual burthen upon the shoulders of their only king of saints christ jesus , to whom the supream power and care of souls and churches doth alone belong . whereas it was further said , that the magistrate is to cherish , and to cleave unto the saints , and to defend them from civil violence , but the spiritual care of them belongs to spiritual officers appointed by christ jesus to that end , master cotton replies , this is but a pretence , because the discusser acknowledgeth no churches extant , &c. truth . although amongst so many pretending churches , the discusser be not able to satisfie himself in the rightly gathering of the churches , according to the true order of christ jesus , yet this is far from a pretence ▪ because the institution of any state government , order , &c. is one thing , and the administration and execution , which may be interrupted and eclipsed , is another . peace . indeed ieremy could not rightly have been judged a pretender , when he mourned for , and lamented the desolations of the temple , priests , elders , altar , sacrifice , &c. and neither he nor daniel , nor any of gods prophets or servants , could ( during the time of the desolation and captivity ) acknowledge either temple , or altar , or sacrifice right , extant upon the face of the earth . truth . he that saith the sun ( christ jesus ) is not to be seen in our horizon or hemisphere , in his absence , or when he suffers an eclipse , cannot be said to deny that the lord jesus his holy ordinances ought to be visible in the worship and service of god : although the discusser be not satisfied in the period of the times , and the manner of his glorious appearing , yet his soul uprightly desires to see and adore , and to be thankful to master cotton , yea to the least of the disciples of christ jesus , for any coal or sparke of true light , amongst so many false and pretended candles and candlesticks , pretending the glorious name of the lord jesus christ . peace . next , master cotton demands what reason can be given , why the magistrate ought to break the teeth of lyons ( ought to suppress such as offer civil violence ) and not of the wolves , that make havock of their souls , who are more mischievous then the lyon , as the pope of rome , then the pagan emperors ? he wonders the discusser should favor the pope more then the emperour , except it be that he symbolizeth rather with antichrist then with caesar . truth . it may here suffice to say two things ( not to repeat other passages . ) first , the civil state and magistrate are meerly and essentially civil ; and therefore cannot reach ( without the transgressing the bounds of civility ) to judge in matters spiritual , which are of another sphere and nature then civility is : now it is most just and proper , that if any member of a civil body be opprest , the body should relieve it : as also it is just and proper , that the spirituall state or body should relieve the soul of any in that spiritual combination oppressed . therefore ( secondly ) for spiritual and religious oppressions , the king of kings christ iesus hath sufficient providedly in his spiritual kingdome : therefore ( acts ) paul gives the charge against those spiritual wolves to the elders of the church at ephesus , and not to civil magistrates of the city , which paul should have done ( notwithstanding they were worshippers of diana ) if it had been their duty to have broke the teeth of those spirituall wolves &c. peace . it is ( indeed ) one thing to prohibite the pope , the prelates , the presbyterians , the independents , or any from forcing any in the matters of their respective consciences , and accordingly to take the sword from such mens hands , or ( as their executioners ) to refuse to use it for them : it is another thing to leave them freely to their own consciences , to defend themselves as well as they can , by the two-edged sword of the spirit , which is the word of god , which all the several sorts of pretenders say they have received from iesus christ . truth . the renowned parliament of england hath justly deserved a crown of honour to all posterity , for breaking the teeth of the oppressing bishops and their courts ; but to wring the sword out of the hands of a few prelates , and to suffer it ( willingly ) to be wrung out of their own hands , by many thousand presbyterians , or independants , what is it but to change one wolfe or lyon for another , or in stead of one , to let loose the dens of thousands ? peace . but why should master cotton insinuate the discusser to glance a more obsequious eye upon the pope , then upon the emperor ? truth . i fear master cotton would create some evil opinion in the heart of the civil magistrate , that the discusser is ( as the bloody iews told pilate ) no friend to caesar : whereas upon a due search it will be sound clear as the light , that it is impossible that any that subscribe ex animo to the bloody tenent of persecution , can ( ex animo ) be a friend to magistracy . the reason is , all persecutors , whether priests or people , care onely for such magistrates as suite the end , the great bloody end of persecution , of whom they either hope to borrow the sword , or whom they hope to make their executioners . their very principles also ( papist and protestant ) lead them necessarily to dispose and kill their heretical , apostate , blaspheming magistrates . peace . but why should master cotton●● ●● sinuate any affection in the discusser to that tyrant of all earthly tyrants , the pope ? truth . to my knowledge master cotton and others have thought the discusser too zealous against the bloody beast : yea , and who knows not this to be the ground of so much sorrowful difference between master cotton and the discusser , to wit that the discusser grounds his separation from their churches upon their not seperating from that man of sin ? for old england having compelled all to church , compel'd the papists ▪ and the pope himself in them : the daughter new england , separaring from her mother in old england , yet maintaines and practises communion with the parishes in old ▪ who sees not then , but by the links of this mystical chaine , new england churches are still fastned to the pope himself ? peace . master cottons third reply is this ▪ that it is not like that such christians will be faithful to their prince , who grow false and disloyal to their god ▪ and therefore consequently the civil magistrate must see that the church degenerate and apostate not , at least so far as to provoke christ to depart from them . truth . this is indeed the down right most bloody and popish tenent of persecuting the degenerate , heretical and apostate people : of deposing , yea and killing apostatical and heretical princee and rulers . the truth is , the great gods of this world are god-belly god-peace ▪ god-wealth , god-honour , god-pleasure &c. these gods must not be blasphemed , that is ▪ evil spoke of , no not provoked , &c. the servants of the living god being true to their lord and master , have opposed his glory , greatness , honour &c. to these gods , and to such religions , worships , and services , as commonly are made but as a mask or vaile , or covering of these gods. peace . i have long been satisfied , that hence proceeds the mad cry of every demetrius and crafts-master of false worship in the world , great is our diana &c. these men blaspheme our goddess , disturbe our city ▪ they are false to our gods , how ▪ will they be true to us ? hence that bloody act of parliament in henry the fifth his dayes made purposely against that true servant and witness of god ( in those points of christianity which he knew ) and other servants of god with him , the lord cobham , concluding lollardy not only to be heresie , ( that is , indeed true christianity ) but also treason against the kings person : whence it followed , that these poor lollards ( the servants of the most high god ) were not only to be burnt as hereticks , but hanged as traitors . truth . accordingly it pleased god to honour that noble lord cobham , both with hanging and burning , as an heretick against the church , as a traiter against the king : and hence those divelish accusations and bloody huntings of the poor servants of god in the reign of francis the second in paris , because it was said that their meetings were to cousult and act against the life of the king . peace . if this be the touchstone of all obedience , will it not be the cut-throat of all civil relations , unions and covenants between princes and people , and between the people and people ? for may not master cotton also say , he will not be a faithful servant , nor she a faithful wife , nor he a faithful husband , who grow false and disloyal to their god ? and indeed what doth this , yea , what hath this truly-ranting doctrine ( that plucks up all relations ) wrought but confusion and combustion all the world over ? truth . concerning faithfulness , it is most true , that godliness is profitable for all things , all estates , all relations : yet there is a civil faithfulness , obedience , honesty , chastity , &c. even amongst such as own not god nor christ : else abraham and isaac dealt foolishly to make leagues with ungodly princes . besides , the whole scripture commands a continuance in all relations of government , marriage , service , notwithstanding that the grace of christ had appeared to some , and the rest ( it may be an husband , a wife , a magistrate , a master , a servant ) were false and disloyal in their several kinds and wayes unto god , or wholly ignorant of him . . grant people and princes to be like iulian , apostate from the true service of god , and consequently to grow less faithful in their places and respective services , yet what ground is there , from the testament of christ jesus , upon this ground of their apostacie , to prosecute them , as master cotton saith , the civil magistrate must keep the church from apostatizing so , as to cause christ to depart from them . . can the sword of steel or arme of flesh make men faithful or loyal to god ? or careth god for the outward loyalty or faithfullness , when the inward-man is false and treacherous ? or is there not more danger ( in all matters of trust in this world ) from an hyyocrite , a dissembler , a turncoat in his religion ( from the fear or favour of men ) then from a resolved jew , turke or papist , who holds firme unto his principles ? &c. or lastly , if one magistrate , king or parliament call this or that heresie , apostacie , &c. and make men ●ay so will not a stronger magistrate , king , parliament , army ( that is , a stronger arm , or longer and more prosperous sword ) call that heresie and apostacie truth and christianity , and make men call it so ? and do not all experiences , and our own most lamentable , in the changes of our english religions , confirme this ? . lastly , as carnal policy ever fals into the pit , it digs and trips up its own heels , so i shall end this passage with two paradoxes , and yet ( dear peace ) thou and i have found them most lamentably true in all ages . peace . god delights to befool the wise and high in their own conceit with paradoxes , even such as the wisdome of this world thinks madness : but i attend to hear them . truth . first then , the straining of mens cinsciences by civil power , is so far from making men faithful to god or man , that it is the ready way to render a man false to both : my ground is this : civil and corporal punishment do usually cause men to play the hypocrite , and dissemble in their religion , to turn and return with the tide , as all experience in the nations of the world doth testifie now . this binding and rebinding of conscience , contrary or without its own perswasion , so weakens and defiles it , that it ( as all other faculties ) loseth its strength , and the very nature of a common honest conscience : hence it is , that even our own histories testifie , that where the civil sword , and carnal power , hath made a change upon the consciences of men , those consciences have been given up , not only to spiritual , but even to corporal filthiness , and bloody , and mad oppressing each other , as in the marian bloody times &c. peace . indeed no people so inforced as the papists and the mahume●ans : and no people more filthy in soul and body , and no people in the world more bloody and persecuting : but i listen for your second paradox . truth . secondly , this tenent of the magistrates keeping the church from apostatizing , by practising civil force upon the consciences of men , is so far from preserving religion pure , that it is a mighty bulwark or barricado to keep out all true religion ▪ yea and all godly magistrates for ever coming into the world. peace . doubtless this will seem a hard riddle , yet i presume not too hard for the fingers of time and truth to unty , and render easie . truth . thus i unty it : if the civil magistrate must keep the church pure , then all the people of the cities , nations , and kingdomes of the world must do the same much more , for primarily and fundamentally they are the civil magistrate : now the world ( saith john ) lyeth or is situated in wickedness , and conscquently according to its disposition endures not the light of christ , nor his golden candlestick the true church , nor easily chooseth a true christian to be her officer or megistrate , for she accounts such false to her gods and religion , and suspects their faithfulness &c. peace . hence indeed is it ( as i now conceive ) that so rarely this world admit●eth or not long continueth a true servant of god in any place of trust●●d ●●d credit , except some extraordinary hand of god over-power , or else his servants by some base staires of flattery or worldly compliance , ascend the chaire of civil-power . but ( to proceed ) saith master cotton , it was the duty of jehosaphat ▪ hezekiah &c. to reduce the people of israel from their backslidings because they were an holy people , and is it not the duty of godly princes to reduce their backsliding churches to their primitive purity ? it is true ( saith he ) david and solomon were types of christ , but so were not the other kings of israel and judah , who were the one ( the kings of israel ) all apostates , and the other ( the kings of judah ) many of them apostate from christ : and secondly , if they were ( saith he ) all types of christ , yet christ being the antitype , christ hath abolished them all , and so it were sacriledge or antichristian usurpation for any king to be set over christians : or if they were types of christ in respect of their kingly office over the church alone was it typical in solomon to put joab a murtherer to death , or adonijah a traitor ? and so consequently unlawful for christian princes to put murtherers and traitors to death ? further , saith he , what those kings might do in type , christ jesus might much more do in his own person , as the antitype : but he put no man to death in his own person , and therefore they were not types but servants of christ , and paterns and examples to christian magistrates , yea , ahab , who should have put benhadad to death for his blasphemy . truth . i understand those kings of israel and judah , untill their cutting off or excommunicating out of the land of canaan , to be yet visible members of the church of israel and judah , and as kings of israel and judah types of christ jesus , partly in his own person , who did that ( being the true spiritual king of israel ) which they did or should have done , in that typical national church or land of israel ▪ and ( ) partly in the officers of his kingly power and government of his church , which officers and church falling away , untill an absolute cutting off , are the antitypes ( in respect of visible government ) of those former kings of israel and judah . peace . can it be imagined that those wicked kings , jeroboam ▪ baasha , ahab &c. were figures of christ jesus ? truth . master cotton himself grants david and solomon types of christ jesus , and yet , how abominable and monstrous some of their practices ? we must therefore distinguish between their persons , and sins , and frailties . as kings of israel ( gods church and people ) doubtless they were the figures of ( the k. of israel ) christ iesus : yea it is probable that the land of canaan , with the officers and governors thereof , before christ time , was but a figure of the spiritual land or christian church , with the officers governors & administrations therof good and evil : although the applying of the times and persons each to other requires a more then ordinary guidance of the finger or holy spirit of god. peace . i remember that some of eminent note for knowledge and godliness have not stuck to affirme , that the gentile prince cyrus as he was called gods servant , anointed , or christ ( isa . ) i say , that he in a respect , as a restorer of gods people was a figure of christ iesus . truth . it is not improbable , but that the most holy and only wise ( whose works are known unto himself from the beginning of the world ) did by such famous instruments of mercy to the literal iew , type out christ iesus and his heavenly instruments , mercy and goodness to the mystical and spiritual , christian iews &c. examination of chap. xxxvi , and xxxvii . peace . in these passages master cotton first questions ( having not his copy by him ) the truth of some expressions printed as his . truth . it is at hand for master cotton or any to see that copy which he gave forth and corrected in some places with his own hand , and every word verbati●● here published . . to the answer it self , or reproof of the lord iesus given to his disciples for their bloody and rash zeal desiring fire to come down from heaven , &c. we both agree that christs rebuking of his disciples did not hinder the ministers of the gospel from proceeding in a church-way &c. . that false ●persecution in a churchway is as odious and dreadful a persecution , as any prosecution● a court of civil justice , as also that this is not the point intended , though it be reckoned up with the rest . peace . i marvel at that which follows , where master cotton saith , that it never fell from his pen in any writing of his , viz. that it is lawful for a eivil magistrate to inflict corporal punishment upon such as are contrary indeed in matters of religion : and therefore he passeth by the discussers reasons as which might well have been spared , being brought but against a shadow of his own fancy . truth . i am not able to imagine what master cotton meanes by such as are contrary minded , against whom he will not ( in this chapter ) maintaine any corporal punishment to be inflicted , when in so many of his writings , and throughout his whole book he maintaines corporal punishment , and that to death it self in many cases , against the idolatrous , the blasphemous , the heretical , the seducing , yea the degenerate and apostate . peace . love bids us take this passage as a pang of reluctancy ( in his other wise-holy and peaceable breast ) against such unholy bloody tenents . but what say you to the passage about the second beast , bringing fire from heaven ? ( rev. . ) this was no wonder ( saith master cotton ) for constantine had done the like before to hereticks , the arrian bishops against the orthodox saints . also , it is related as a different matter from the former ( vers . . ) that he had power to cause , that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed . and this fire comes not down upon the saints , but the earth . truth . master cotton i think knows that the discusser is not alone in this interpretation : if he propose any other more suitable to christ iesus , i hope the discusser desires thankfully to embrace it . but this fire being not literal , but mystical , in imitation of the true prophet elijah , and also as the true witnesses cause fiery judgements descend from heaven upon the enemies of the truth : so the false witnesses cause fire to descend against the faithful : and sure it is ( as the discusser related ) that the popish bishops in france , and england and other places have ever constantly cryed out , that the just judgements of god are brought down by them upon the hereticks , which is no smal wonder that the hearts of the sons of men should be so hardened against the light of truth in truths witnesses , notwithstanding the acts of constantine and the arrian bishops long before . peace . but this fire ( saith master cotton ) comes down from heaven upon the earth . truth . true , but it may well imply no more , then in the open view and face of all men in this world . peace . and lastly ( saith he ) it is said , that he causeth that as as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed , which is a different effect . truth . because it comes from a different cause , with respect , not to the first beast himself , but only to his picture or image , and implies , that fiery judgements descend not onely upon such as refuse to worship the first or second beast , but the very picture of the beast likewise . examination of chap. xxxviii . peace . master cotton here first observing the discussers agreement with him , that this instruction ( tim. . ) to be meek and patient to all men , is properly directive to the ministers of the gospel , he concludes that therefore hitherto his answer was not perplext and ravelled . truth . many plaine threads may be drawn forth of a perplext and ravelled string , as it seemes to me the many particulars of different natures here wrapt up together were . peace . yea , but he seems to disown those words [ unconverted christians in crete ) and more then once in the chapter toucheth the discussers credit , &c. truth . i know the discusser desires unfainedly ( with the lords assistance ) rather to die a thousand deaths , then willingly to impeach the least of holy or civil truths ; and therefore affirmeth in this case , that at his pleasure the copy ( not which he received from master cotton for there never passed such writings between them as master cotton often affirmeth , but ) which he received from another , with the correction of master cottons own hand to it , shall be ready for himself or any to view . peace . however , master cotton maintaining the tearms of unconverted converts from ier. . . ( iudah turned unto me , but not with all her heart , but fainedly : ) so iudas , an●●●as , and sapphira , balaam , the ni●●laitans , iezabel in thyatira , as also the children of believing parents born in the church , who though holy , yet cannot be conceived to be truely holy . truth . were the question about hypocrites , counterfeits and trayters in the church and kingdome of christ , these words might here rightly be alleadged ; but master cottons words being these [ unconverted christians in crete ▪ whom titus as an evangelist was to seek and to convert ] i conceive that master cotton will not affirm that the office of an evangelist was to seek to convert the church ( though possibly an hypocrite may be turned from his hypocrisie by an evangelist or private man in the church . ) . he makes in the very words a distinction between these , unconverted christians , and those iews and gentiles in the church , who ( saith he ) though carnal , yet were not convinced of the error of their way . and to conclude this chapter , the discusser readily with thanks acknowledgeth master cottons words , that it is not probable that timothy was now at ephesus , and that the subscription added to the second epistle of timothy in the english translation , is justly to be suspected . examination of chap. xxxix . peace . master cotton here argues , that if the magistrate be a prophet , and opposed in his doctrine , he ought ( from this scripture , tim. . ) meekly to bear the opposition , waiting if god peradventure will give repentance ; yet withal by the way he observeth , that if the magistrate be a prophet , he may do some things as a magistrate , which he may not do as a prophet . truth . of this no question ? but what is this to a coercive magisterial power in spiritual things , which is the question ? . since that master cotton acknowledgeth that magistrates may be prophets , and that divers magistrates of new english churches have spoken as prophets ( eminently able in their churches ) what should be the reason ( i ask by the way ) that their churches hear no more of such their propheticall gifts , but that their talent's wrapt up ? &c. peace . of this let their consciences give account to jesus christ ▪ whom they call the king of their churches , and the fountaine of such heavenly abilities : but to proceed , master cotton grants that magistrates ought to bear in the church oppositions against their prophecyings , but not continued opposings nor , seduings &c. truth . what is then the waiting here commanded , until god peradventure will give repentance ? peace . it is true ( saith master cotton ) it is not in the power of man to give repentance but god alone : neither is it in mans power ( saith he ) to give repentance to scandalous persons against the civil state ; and yet the discusser acknowledgeth that the civil magistrate ought to punish these . truth . it is not the magistrates work and office in the civil state , to convert the heart in true repentance unto god and christ : the civil state respecteth conformity and obedience to civil laws , though indeed the works and office of the ministers of christ jesus are commonly laid upon the magistrates shoulders , and they pretending themselves the ministers of christ jesus , armed with the two-edged sword of the spirit of god ( the word of god ) do commonly flye unto and put more confidence in the sword of steel in the hand of their civil ministers , the magistrates . peace . the sword of steel hath done wonderful things throughout the whole world in matters of religion ▪ and woful and wonderful ( as was formerly observed ) hath religious changes been in the english nation , and that by the power of the civil sword ▪ backward and forward ▪ and that in the space of a few yeers , in the reigne of four or five princes : but this ( saith master cotton ) is no more then befell the church of iudah in the dayes of ahaz , hezekiah , manasseh , and iosiah . truth . englands changes will be found upon examination incomparably greater , and wrought in the eighth part of the time that the changes of the church of iudah were . and yet this instance will not infringe that the civil sword of the magistrate , in a national way , is ordinarily able to turn about a nation to and againe , to and from a truth of god , in national hypocrisie , and therefore most wisely hath the most holy and only wise , by the most golrious brightness of his person and wisdom of the father ( christ jesus ) abolished his own national and state - church , whether explicit or implicit , that the two-edged sword of the word of the lord in the mouths of his true messengers , might alone be brandished and magnified . peace . master cotton concludeth this chapter with the observation ▪ that the revolt of england againe to popery wanteth scripture-light . truth . he that loves christ iesus in sincerity , cannot but long ▪ that christ iesus would speedily be pleased with the breath of his mouth to consume that man of sin : but yet that worthy servant of god ( according to his conscience ) master archer ▪ doth not barely propose his opinion ▪ but also his scripture-grounds , which i believe , compared with all former experiences , will seem to be of great and weighty consideration , and call all that wait for christ iesus to beg his spirit deeply to weigh and ponder them . examination of chap. xl. peace . to the several allegations concerning the woful slavery of all opposites of christ iesus , and the mighty power of free grace , only able to release them ; master cotton replies ▪ so is it with scandalous offenders against the civil state ▪ and yet this doth not restraine magistrates from executing just judgements upon them &c. and he adds , that better a dead soul in a dead body , and that seducers die without faith , then murther and seduce many precious souls from the faith . truth . the lord iesus commanding to give god the things that be gods ▪ and to caesar the things that be caesars ▪ gives all his followers a clear and glorious torch of light to distinguish between offenders against god in a spiritual way , and offenders against caesar , his lawes , state and government in a civil way . t is true , slatterers and time-servers use to make religion and justice , the two pillars of a state , and so indeed do all such states in the world as maintaine a state-religion , invented and maintained in civil policy to maintaine a civil state . but all men that have tasted of history or travel , are witnesses sufficient of these two particulars . first concerning justice , that if the sword and balances ▪ of justice ( in a sort or measure ) be not drawn and held forth , against scandalous offenders against civil state , that civil state must dissolve by little and little from civility to barbarisme , which is a wilderness of life and manners . peace . yea the very barbarians and pagans of the world themselves are forced for their holding and hanging together in barbarous compaines , to use the ties and knots , and bands of a kind of civil justice against scandalous offenders against their commonweale and profit . truth . but too many thousands of cities and states in the world have and do flourish for many generations and ages of men , wherein ( whatever caesar gets ) god cannot get one penny of his due in any bare permission or toleration of his religion and worship . peace . dear truth ▪ these two points being so constantly proved , i can but wonder that master cotton or any servant of christ iesus , should cry out to the caesars of this world to help the eternal god to get his due , because christ iesus grants them a civil sword in civil cases , to preserve their civil states from barbarisme and confusion . truth . that worthy emperor , antoninus pius , in his letters for the christians , plainly tels the governors of his provinces , that the gods were able to punish those that sinned against their worship ; evidently declaring , by that light of conscience and knowledge which god had lighted up in his soul , the vast difference between offenders in the civil state , and offendors against the true and only religion and worship , about which the whole world disagreeth , and is hist together ( by this bloody tenent ) i say hist together by the ears and throat , in blood and fire , as the tide of times , major vote armies and armes of flesh prevaile . peace . ah ( dear truth ) is there is no balme in g●●ead , no balances , no sword of spiritual justice in the city , and kingdome of christ jesus , but that the officers thereof must run to borrow caesar ? are the armories of the true king solomon christ jesus disarmed ? are there no spiritual swords girt upon the thighs of those valiant ones , that should guard his heavenly bed , except the sword of steel be run for from the cutlers shop ? is the religion of christ jesus so poor and so weak and feeble grown , so cowardly and base ( since paul spake so gloriously of it , and the weapons of it ( cor. . ) that neither the souldiers nor commanders in christs army have any courage or skill to withstand sufficiently in all points a false teacher , a false prophet , a spiritual cheater or deceiver ? truth . this must all that follow jesus bitterly lament , that not a spiritual sword or spear is to be found in the spiritual israel of god , but that his poor israelites are forced down to the philistins of this worlds smiths ▪ &c. and that the princes of zion are become feeble like harts without pasture , as jeremy complaineth in his lamentations . peace . now whereas it was added , that a civil sword hardens the followers of false teachers in the suffering of their leaders , and begets an impression of the falshood of that religion , which cannot uphold it self all the world over , but with such instruments of violence , &c. master cotton replies , that the magistrate ought not to draw out his sword against seducers , untill he hath used all good means for conviction , &c. and then ( saith he ) he should be cruel to christs lambs in sparing the foxes , &c. truth . who knows not this to be the plea and practise of all popish persecutors in all ages , to compass sea and land to reduce the heretick to the union and bosome of the church , not only with promises ▪ threatnings ▪ &c , but oftimes with solemn disputations , and sometimes writings and waitings , before they come to the definitive sentence and deliver him to the secular power ▪ and so to the use of those desperate remedies of hanging , burning , &c. how do the bloody popes and the bloody bonners in their hypocritical letters and bloody sentences , profess their lamentable grief at errors and heresies ; their clemency and mercy , and great pains taken to reduce that wandring , to return the lost childe , to heal the scabbed sheep ? yea and when they are forced ( as they say ) for the saving of the flock from infection to deliver such sheep to the secular power , as their butchers and executioners ; yet beseech they that power , and that ( most hypocritically without shame ) in the bowels of christ jesus ▪ to minister justice with such moderation , that if it be possible the hereticks soul may be saved ▪ but however the flock may be preserved from such ●damnable doctrine . peace . master cotton will here blame the alleadging of this : for the popish religion is false , but their true &c. truth . t is true , the papists religion is false , yet master cotton cannot pass without suspition to be too neer of kin to the bloody papist , to whom they are so neer in practice : the lord jesus gave an everlasting rule to his poor servants , to discern all false prophets by , to wit , their fruits and bloody practices . but , secondly , the holy spirit of god in this to tim. now insisted on , not only commands timothy to exhort the opposite , but patiently to wait and attend gods will ▪ if peradventure god will give repentance , and that they may recover themselves &c. peace . master cotton will not deny , together with meek exhortation , patient waiting , &c. truth . why then doth he limit the holy one of israel to dayes or moneths ? three months was by the law ( in massachusets in new england ) the time of patience to the excommunicate , before the secular power was to deal with him : but we finde no time limited , nor no direction given to timothy or his successors to prosecute the opposite before caesar bar , in case god vouchsafed not repentance upon their means and waiting . . christ jesus hath not been without bowels of compassion in all his gracious care and provision he hath made for his sheep and lambs , against the spiritual wolves and foxes ; although we read not a word of the arme of flesh and sword of steel appointed by himself for their defence in his most blessed last will and testament . . lastly , to that instance of the donatists and papists suppressed by the civil sword , no question but ( as before ) a civil sword is able , among civil people , to make a whole nation , or world of hypocrites : and yet experience also testifies ( however master cotton makes it but accidental ) that it is the common and ordinary ●ffect of the civil sword drawn forth ( as they speak ) against hereticks seducers &c. to harden the seducers and seduced by their sufferings , and to beget no other opinion in their hearts , then of the cruelty and weakness of the heart and cause of their persecutors . peace . there hath been no small noise of master go●●ons and his friends being disciplined ( or as the papists call it , discipled in the schoole of the new english churches : it is worth the inquiry to ask what conviction and conversion hath all their hostilities , captivatings , courtings , imprisonings ▪ chainings , banishings , &c. wrought upon them ? truth . shall i speak my thoughts without partiality ? i am no more of master gortons religion then of master cottons : and yet if master cotton complaine of their obstinacy in their way , i cannot but impute it to this bloody tenent and practice , which ordinarily doth give strength and vigour , spirit and resolution to the most erroneous , when such unrighteous and most unchristian proceedings are exercised against them . peace . touching the edict of antoninus pius concerning persecution of christians , and the opinion it begat in their hearts of the cruelty of their persecutors , master cotton answers , first the pagan religion is not of god but the religion of christians came down from heaven in the gospel-truth . truth . this is most true , to him that believeth that there is but one god , one lord , one spirit , one baptism , one body , &c. according to christ jesus his institution ; and that from that blessed estate the apostacy hath been made ; and that all other gods , lords , spirits faiths , baptisms or churches , are false : but what is this to many millions of men and women , in so many kingdomes and nations , cities and parts of the world , who believe as confidently their lies of many gods and christs , all which they believe ( as the ephesians of their diana , and of the image of jupiter , and ( as master cotton of the way of his religion ) that they come down from heaven ? peace . doubtless , according to their belief , all the peoples of those nations , kingdoms and countries , wherein the name of christ is sounded , whether of the greek church or the latine , whether of popish or protestant profession , will say as master cotton , my religion came down from heaven in the gospel of truth , &c. truth . now then either the sword of steel must decide this controversie ( according to the bloody tenent of persecution ) in the suppressing of hereticks , blasphemers , idolaters and seducers , by the strength of an arme of flesh : or else the two-edged-sword of the spirit of god , the word of god coming out of the mouth of christ jesus in the mouths of his servants , which will either humble and subdue the rebels , or cut most deep , and kill with an eternal vengeance . peace . but ( saith master cotton ) it will beget an opinion of cruelty to murther innocents , but not to put to death murtherers of souls . truth . i answer , beside that great and common difference of civil murther , and spiritual ▪ there is a second , to wit , that in the murther of an innocent , the conscience of a murtherer is opened , and commonly the mouth confesseth i am a murtherer , i have killed an innocent : but run through all the coasts and quarters of the whole world , and the very consciences of so many thousands of soul - murtherers are rootedly satisfied and perswaded , that they are so far from being murtherers as that they are so many saviours of the souls of men , and priests and ministers of the most high god or gods , &c. peace . for instance , if a man say master cotton is a subject of the state of england , and a minister of that worship , which he believeth to be true , confirmed by argument and light sufficient to his understanding soul and conscience : how many thousand are there fellow - subjects with master cotton to the english state ▪ yet of a contrary mind to master cotton in matter of gods worship ? yea how many are there ( it may be thousands ) professing a ministery contrary to master cottons ? and the like may be found in other nations and parts of the world . truth . what true reason of justice , peace ▪ or common safety of the whole , can be rendred to the world why master cottons conscience and ministry must be maintained by the sword , more then the consciences and ministeries of his other fellow-subjects ? why should he be accounted ( i mean at the bar of civil justice ) i say accounted a soul saviour , and all other ministers of other religions and consciences , soul-murtherers , and so be executed as murtherers , or forced to temporize or turn from their religion , which is but hypocrisie in religion against their conscience , which is ten thousand times worse , and renders men , when they sin against their conscience , not only hypocrites , but atheists , and so fit for the practise of any evil , murthers , adulteries , treasons , & c ? peace . master cottons second answer is that the persecuting emperors and governors of provinces under them , attended not to the conviction of christians ▪ nor did they endeavour to make it appear that the christians sinned against the light of their consciences , and therefore no marvel if it bred in the people a just opinion of the cruelty of persecutors , and of the innocency of christians . truth . let it be granted that the roman emperors did not attend to , nor endeavour this , yet the roman popes , and all the antichrist governors of their mystical provinces , bishops and preists , have professedly compassed sea and land to make a proselyte . peace . t is true , the history of the death of the saints , slaughtered by such persecutors abundantly testifie this , and yet their persecution will be found no other then cruelty and murther , and the opinion of it will never be razed out of the heart of gods people , whatever the whole world ( which wonders after and worships the beast ) think to the contrary . truth . and i add , that herein master cottons former position , to wit [ that hereticks must be punished by the civil sword , for sinning against the light of their own conscience ] accords fully with the popish clamors , [ the hereticks mouths are stopped , they are convinced , they have not a word to say , and yet they are obstinate ; away with them , hang them ▪ burn them . ] peace . master cotton saith , it is an untrue intimation of the discusser , that antoninus forbod the persecuting of christians upon any such ground . truth . that it may not rest upon the discussers credit or discredit , i think it not unseasonable if i present to english eyes the english testimony of the diligent and praise worthy-chronicler john speede , who also ingageth eusebi●s his credit , and thus relateth the effect of antoninus his mind in these words ▪ the emperor caesar , marcus , au●●l●us , antoninus , &c. unto the commons of asia , sendeth greeting . i doudt not , but the gods themselves have a care that wicked persons shall be brought to light ; for it doth much more appertaine to them , then it doth to you , to punish such as refuse to yeeld them worship : but this course which you take , doth confirme them whom you persecute in this their opinion of you , that you are impious men , and meer atheists ; whereby it commeth to pass , that they desire in the quarrel of their god , rather to die then to yeeld to the will of such as you are , and to embrace your form of religion : let it not seem unseasonable to call to your remembrance the earthquakes which lately have happsned , and which are yet , to your great terrour and grief ; because i understand , that in such like accidents , you ●ast the envy of such common misfortune , upon their shoulders ; whereby their confidence , and trust in their god is much the more increased : whereas , you being ignorant of the true causes of such things , do both neglect the worship of the other gods , and also banish and persecute the servants of the immortal god , whom the christians do worship ; and you persecute to the death all the embracers of that profession . in the behalf of these men , many of the provinces president have written before to my father of famous memory , to whom he answered , that they should not be molested , unless they were proved to have practised treason against the imperial state ; and concerning the same matter , some have given notice to me , to whom i answered with like moderation as my father did before me : and by our edict , do ordaine , that if any hereafter be found thus busie in molesting these kind of men , without any their offence , we command that he that is accused upon this point , be absolved ; albeit he be proved to be such an one as he is charged to be , that is , a christian ; and he that is his accuser , shall suffer the san●e punishment which he sought to procure unto the other . in this passage the wise and experienced emperor observeth many reasons for the toleration of christians , and insinuates that the persecuting of the christians , confirmed them in their opinion , that their persecutors were not only cruel ( for that is the least that can be implied in persecution ) but also as the words run , impious men and meer atheists . peace . dear truth , your observation forceth from my peaceable mind , this testimony , which oft to my grief and horror , mine eares have heard many persons ( i hope in their persons chosen of the lord ) having as they conceived , suffered persecution from the hands , and by the means of many worthy men both of magistracy and ministry of new england : i say , they have been by such persecution so far from being wrought on &c. that they have been moulded into a strong apprehension , that it was impossible that such their persecutors should be men of any fear of god ▪ but meer dissemblers , time-servers , jehues reformers , for their own ends of honor ease , and liberty from the cross of christ : which apprehension although the discusser ( to my knowledge ) hath often labored to root out of many , yet could he hardly prevaile to stir it , so groslly , odious ▪ unchristian , or antichristian , appears the ugly face of persecution &c. examination of chap. xli . peace . in the discussing of the prophecy of isaiah and micah , concerning the breaking of swords into plowshares , and speares into pruning-hooks , truely interpreted to foretell the meek temper of christians in bringing others to christ jesus , master cotton excepts against the discussers observation upon master cottons similitude from wolves which he would have driven out from the sheepfold : the observation was this , or to this effect , [ that if civil power might force the wolves out , it might force the sheep in . ] truth . the discusser denied not the use of christs spiritual power for the life of his sheep , and destruction of the wolves : but heaven and earth shall fall before this truth , to wit , [ that power that driveth wolves out , may drive sheep in . ] if spiritual power drive out the wolfe spiritual , also drives in the sheep ▪ but if civil power ( to wit , by swords whips , prisons , burnings &c. ) drives out the spiritual or mystical wolfe , the same undeniably must drive in the sheep . peace . yea , but master cotton ( too too weakly ) would please himself upon the word [ same : ] a father , saith he , with a staffe or sword may drive away dogs that might by the way worry or bite his children going to school , may he therefore with a staffe or sword drive his children to school ? and are wolves to be driven away , and sheep brought into the fold by the same instruments ? the dog that teares a wolfe , if he tear the sheep also , will finde an halter , &c. truth . master cotton hath had a name for a man of moses spirit , of a meek and gentle temper ; he cannot but know he hath lost that name with thousands ●earing god , by not putting that difference , between the wolves and the sheep , the egyptians and the israelites , as moses did : moses killed the egyptian , he reproves the israelite : all that contradict master cottons church way ( though before dear brethren , familiar and intimate ) he not only drives them out , as wolves blasphemers ▪ seducers &c. by his pretended spiritual weapons of christ jesus , but also by civil sword , imprisoning banishing , whipping &c. but more particularly , the discusser indeed useth this word the same power , but not as master cotton seemeth to understand it , for the same weapon . he hath in this very place printed the discussers words , that a staff is for the wolfe , and a rod or hook for the sheep . the dog that teares the wolf , is but to affright the sheep and consequently the father that hath a stick or rod for the child ; but yet these swords , staves-sticks , and rods , are all of the same nature in general , that is of a material , temporal and civil nature , which may be used about natural wolves ▪ sheep , children &c. and if they may be used also about spiritual or mystical wolves , to force them out ; it is as cleare as the sun-beames , that they may be used , that is such civil weapons as are fit for mystical wolves , to force them into the sheepfold : and thus have all popish persecutors practised in our own and other countries , to wit , by civil power ( as well as by their own pretended spiritual ) in forcing their supposed sheep to church , and to conformity , as well as by whips , and prisons , ropes and fires , driving out the supposed wolves or hereticks . peace . in the close of this , master cotton adds ▪ that ( rev. . . ) the antichristian wolves shall drink blood , for they are worthy . truth . i have in former passages declared the misconceit of master cotton and others ▪ as touching that scripture and that , although they shall drink blood filled out of the cups of gods righteous vengeance , yet not by judicial prosecution in civil courts for spiritual offences , although yet it is most righteous for the kings and powers of the earth ▪ meerly with respect to these wolves their oppressions and bloodsheddings , to repay them again with the like smart and paine , and kinds of punishment . peace . yea and t is for ever memorable , that while the kings of the earth have given their power to the beast , against the bodies of the saints , what cups of blood hath the righteous hand of the most high filled to antichristian kings and kingdomes , by the bloody turkes , and by their own more bloody wars ▪ sometimes for the empty puffs of their titles and honors , but as frequently for god ( as they pretend ) and for his religion . examination of chap. xlii . peace . in this chapter master cotton chargeth the discusser for making work , to wit , for examining more particularly the similitude of wolves brought in by master cotton himself : yet he consenteth with him in the first quaery , that those wolves of which paul warns the elders at ephesus , were mystical and spiritual wolves ; yet he adds that such cannot be good subjects , loving neighbors , faire dealers , because they spiritually are not such ; and he argues , that then it will be no advantage to civil states ▪ when the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdomes of the lord : and that then they may do as good service to the civil state , who bring the wrath of god upon them by their apostacy , as they that bring dow blessings from heaven by profession and practise of the true religion in purity . truth . i desire that this reply be well pondred , for it will be found dangerously dest●●ctive to the very roots of all civil relations , converse and dealing ; yea , and any civil being of the world it self . for , if none be peaceable subjects , loving neighbors , faire dealers , but such of master cottons conscience and religion ( which he conceives to be the only true religion ) what will become of all other states , governments , cities , towns , peoples families neighbors , upon the face of the earth ? i say , what will become of them ( especially if power were in master cottons hand to deal with them as wolves ? ) peace . alas , too too frequent experience tels us in all parts of the world , that many thousands are far more peaceable subjects , more loving and helpful neighbors , and more true and fair dealers in civil conversation , then many who account themselves to be the only religious people in the world . truth . but againe , what the state of things shall be , and what the manner of the administration of christs kingdome , when the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdomes of the lord master cotton doth not express : and for wrath brought upon civil states for their apostacy , i' desire master cotton to shew , where ever god destroyed any nation in the world ( one only excepted ) for apostacy from his truth and worship ? yea and where was ever israel ( the only true national church that master cotton will acknowledge ) meerly for apostasie destroyed , without general ripeness in other sins also , and especially for their persecuting of such , as declared their apostasie , superstition , and will-worship from god unto them . peace . in the next place master cotton granting that the charge given to watch against these wolves , was not given to the magistrates of the city of ephesus , but to the elders of the church of christ in ephesus , he yet chargeth the discusser with a palpable and notorious slander , for saying , that many of those charges and exhortations given by the lord jesus to the shepherds and ministers of the churches , are commonly attributed by the answerer in this discourse to the civil magistrate . truth . this heavy charge of master cottons against the discusser , will be found to be a fruit of anger and passion , and not of reason and moderation ; as also his denyal that one of those charges given to ministers , were directed by him to magistrates . for if master cotton , or any please to view over master cottons allegations from the new testament in this discourse , he shall finde that ( tit. . ) reject the heretick a charge given by the lord jesus to titus and the church at crete is brought for the proof of the magistrates punishing , imprisoning banishing , killing the heretick idolater &c. the like charges of christ jesus sent to the ministers and churches of asia , for tolerating amongst them balaam and jezabel ▪ are produced to prove prosecutions against false prophets and professors in the city and commonweal . yea although master cotton name not act. . yet in that master cotton affirmeth that magistrates with the civil sword must drive away wolves from the sheepfold of christ the church , meaning spiritual wolves , false teachers , he may be truly said to quote all such scriptures as give charge against such wolves . peace . indeed master cotton more then once pleaseth himself with this similitude of wolves ▪ to prove the magistrates piety and pity to the sheep , in slaying and driving away the wolves ▪ false teachers , &c. truth . hence was it ( for commonly where state-religions are set up , the magistrate is but the ministers cane through whom the clergy speaks ) i say probably hence from such misapplyed scriptures in their churches , that in their solemn civil general court , at the banishment of one poor man amongst them , hunted out as a wolf or heretick , the governor who then was , standing up alleadged for a ground of their duty to drive away such by banishment , that famous charge of christ jesus to his ministers and church at rome ( rom. ) marke them that cause divisions contrary to the doctrine which you have received , and avoid , that is , by banishment : by all which and more it may be found , how sathan hath abused their godly minds and apprehensions in causing them so to abuse the holy writings of truth and testament of christ jesus , and that how ever they deny it in express tearms , yet by most impregnable consequence and implication they make up a kind of national church , and ( as the phrase is ) a christian state and government of church and commonweale , that is , of christ and the world together . peace . to proceed , it being further inquired into , whether in all the new testament of christ jesus there be any such word of christ , either by way of command , promise , or example ▪ countenancing the civil state to meddle with these mystical wolves , if in civil things peaceable and obedient . master cotton replieth , that this condition of peaceable and obedient , implies a contradiction to the nature and practise of wolves . how can , saith he , wolves be peaceable and obedient , unless restrained ? can there be peace , jehu ▪ so long as the whoredomes of jezabel and her witchcrafts are so many ? and when it might be objected that spiritual whoredomes and witchcrafts might stand with civil peace , he answers , no verily ▪ for the whoredomes and witchcrafts of the jezabel of rome took away civil peace from the earth , and brought the turks to oppress both the peace of christian churches and commonweals , rev. . , . truth . i wonder since master cotton in this very passage mentioneth the spiritual wolves , whores , and witches , as well as natural and moral ▪ how he can imagine that a spiritual wolf or witch ( to wit so or so in matters of spiritual worship and religion ) might not possibly be peaceable and obedient in civil things . peace . yea but he alleadgeth the whoredomes of the jezabel of rome . truth . why , was not the state of england , the kings and queens ▪ and parliaments thereof , lawful as kings and states , though overwhelmed and overspread universally with the romish abominations ? if such wolves , whores , and witches could yeeld no civil obedience , could they then exercise ( by the same argument ) any civil authority ? and shall we then conclude all the former popish kings and parliaments ( and consequently lawes ) unlawful , because in spiritual things they were as wolves , &c. tearing and burning the poor sheep of christ ? will it not then be unlawful for any man , that is perswaded the whole nation where he lives is idolatrous , spiritually whorish , &c. i say unlawful for him to live in such a state , although he might with freedome to his own conscience ? whither will such kind of arguing drive at last , but to pluck up up the roots of all states and peoples in the world , as not capable to yeeld civil obedience , or exercise civil authority , except such people , magistrates , &c. as are of master cottons church and religion . peace . methinks experience ( were there no scripture nor reason ) might tell us how peaceable and just neighbors and dealers many thousands and millions of jews , turks , antichristians , and pagans are to be found , notwithstanding their spiritual whoredoms ▪ witchcrafts , &c. truth . yea , and why doth master cotton alleadge the jezabel of rome , and the comming in of the turks ? it is true , god brought in the armies of the turkes upon the eastern empire , which yet flourished many ages ( even in their apostacies ) before their destruction by the turkes . and how many ages and generations hath iezabel of rome sitten as a queen in triumphant peace and glory , even since the rising of the turks ( and so shall sit probably in greater and greater , untill the time of her appointed judgement and downfal ? if christ jesus were a true prophet ( iohn . ) outward peace , prosperity ▪ riches , honor , is the portion of this world , notwithanding their idolatries , apostacies , blasphemies : but the portion of christs followers ( like his own , and both like a woman in travel ) paine and sorrow , yea poverty and persecution , untill the great day of refreshing , neer approaching . peace . master cotton againe sends us to revelations the . , , , . truth . and i must also send master cotton and the reader to our disproving of that proof abovesaid . further , whereas he calls rom. . the great charter for all magistrates to deal in spiritual matters , i have and shall manifest in the examinations upon that place , how weak a warrant it is for the civil state ▪ and the officers thereof , to conceive themselves spiritual physitians , by vertue of their office , appointed by god , in spiritual and soul-evils . peace . whereas it was urged , that magistrates beside their skil in civil laws and government , must be able ( if master cottons bloody tenent be true ) as judges and heads to determine spiritual causes and controversies ▪ and that by the sight of his own eyes , and not other mens ; master cotton replies , that magistrates ought to be skilled in the fundamentals of religion , and that their ignorance excuseth not . truth . in this passage master cotton wa●eth that inference [ that then magistrates must be heads and judges in spiritual causes : ] that inference cannot possibly be avoided if we grant it their duty ( as master cotton seemes to do ) to pass sentence in the fundamentals of religion , and in those points which have been and are so greatly controverted among all sorts of men that name the name of christ . . if magistrates must thus judge , reforme &c. where hath been the care of christ iesus to appoint in all parts of the world , such magistrates as might take care of his religion and worship ? why hath he not furnished them with some capacity and ability to the work ? peace . it is lamentable to think that most of the magistrates in the world ( beyond compare ) know not so much as whether there be a christ or no. truth . if christ iesus had forgotten himself for three hundred yeers together , furnishing his church with no other heads , but of wolves , bear , lyons , and tygers , the romane emperors yet ( after a little refreshing by constantine , theodosius &c. ) why should he still forget himself ( even a thousand yeers together , providing no other heads , but bloody and popish kings and emperors ? peace . what think you ( dear truth ) of master cottons grant of gallios not being bound to judge in matters of religion , because he had no law from caesar whose deputy he was ? truth . i answer what if he had not a law from caesar , if yet he had a law from christ iesus , as master cotton implies ? or will master cotton suspend the execution of christs will , upon the kings states , or peoples minds that choose such magistrates to be their deputies in the commonweale ? but the truth is , concerning gallio ▪ whatever he was in his person , and however he did evil in suffering the peace to be broken ; yet will master cotton never prove , that he had calling from either god or man , to go beyond his civil magistracy and office to intermeddle with matters of a spiritual nature and that gallio knew well enough , and other magistrates of the world shall know in the lords most gracious appointed season . peace . the discusser ending this chapter with the infallible safety of gods chosen , notwithstanding all ravenous wolves , &c. master cotton replies from deut. . that god was able to keep his sheep in israel , yet they that seduced them were to be put to death . truth . that argument was not alleadged with the derogation to any of gods holy ordinances , which concern the calling or preserving of such whom god hath chosen to salvation , but only to discover the over-busie fear of gods loosing any of his chosen to salvation , by the jaws of spiritual wolves , &c. for deut. . let master cotton produce such a miraculous nation or people ( as i may call it ) so brought out of the land of egypt into covenant with god &c. and i shall readily grant that seducers of such a people from such a god , are worthy to die a thousand deaths : but if master cotton will now tell me that the christian congregational church is the israel of god , and the coming forth of egypt is now mystical and spiritual , why will he not content himself with a mystical and spiritual death to be inflicted upon him that shall seduce an israelite from the lord his god ? examination of chap. xliii . peace . upon the fifth query to wit , whether the elders of the church at ephesus were not sufficiently furnished by the lord jesus to drive away these spiritual and mystical wolves , master cotton replies , by granting , that they were furnished with sufficient power to cast them out of the church ; but being cast out , they had not sufficient power to drive them away from conferring and corrupting the members of the church , or other godly ones out of the church ; and he adds , that it is no dishonour to christ , nor impeachment to the sufficiency of his ordinances left by christ , that in such a case the minister of justice in the civil state , should assist the ministers of the gospel in the church state . truth . this grant and this addition do as ill agree , as light and darkeness , christ and belial together . for , is the church or kingdome of christ jesus sufficiently furnished ( that is , in it self without the help of the civil magistrate ) to excommunicate , to cast these wolves out of the fold : oh let m. cotton then , and all that love christ jesus in truth , observe what evidently follows ▪ then is this church of christ sufficiently furnished to receive such persons in againe upon repentance , then sufficiently furnished at first to be congregated together by christs means to ordaine their officers , to judge of doctrines and persons , and all this ( necessarily upon master cottons grant ) without the help of the civil magistrates . peace . yea , and it seemes to me incredible , and unreasonable , that christ jesus should have left power and authority sufficient to take and bind a rebel against his kingdome , to arraigne him and pass sentence upon him ▪ yea and execute him in the cutting off such an offendor from the land of the living , delivering him over into the power of that roaring lyon the devil ; and yet that christ iesus should not have left power sufficient ( in such publick ▪ high and solmne actions of his kingdome ) to declare sufficient cause of such proceedings , by which all men may see , the goings of the son of god in his church and kingdome , or if willfully blind , may justly be further hardned . truth . the place from titus alleadged ( unto which many other scriptures testifie ) i say that place doth evidently shew , that the power of christ iesus left in the hand of his churches and elders , was not only sufficient to cast out such wolves , but even to stop or muzzle their mouthes ( whatever their gainsaying be , whether by conferring , preaching , printing &c. ) which takes off the plea of the great need of the civil sword , to correct the conference of such persons &c. when by the words of paul it is here plaine , that they can perform such conferences , no otherwise , but with a stopt or muzled mouth . let it be produced where christ iesus in such cases writes to the magistrates ( either of crete , or ephesus , or any other civil jurisdiction where the churches were resident ) to help the ministers and churches with their civil powers , after they had cast forth any person obstinate : doubtless christ iesus in paul and other of his servants would have written to some or such magistrates in some place or others having occasion to write to so many churches about such cases . peace . it will ( possibly ) be said , it had been in vaine , for they were idolaters and persecutors . truth . the lord is pleased throughout the whole scripture in the mouths of his servants and prophets to call for duties at the hands of all men , notwithstanding their natural hardness and inability , that so he might drive them to see their duty and misery , and remedy alone in god by christ jesus . peace . i see now , that this hindring of conference &c. by the civil sword is nothing else but a conformity with the pope in defending his canons , and with the turk in guarding his alcoran by fire and sword ; with whom , and their ways christ jesus hath no conformity nor communion , nor with their carnal sword , his two-edged sword that proceedeth out of his mouth rev. . beside ▪ christ jesus hath not onely furnished his church with power sufficient to excommunicate , but every one of his followers with a compleat armour from head to foot ( helmet ▪ breast-plate sword and target , and and spiritual shoes ( ephes . . ) in which respect the least of christs servants are inabled to stop the mouth of papists , pope , turks and devils . peace . yea all experience shews how christ jesus ( little david ) in the least of his servants , hath been able with those plaine smooth stones out of the brook of holy scripture , to lay groveling in their spiritual gore , the stoutest champions ( popes , cardinals , bishops , doctors ) of the antichristian philistins . truth . i add , if the elders , and churches , and ordinances of christ have such need of the civil sword for their maintenance and protection ( i mean in spiritual things ) sure the lord jesus christ cannot be excused for not being careful either to express this great ordinance in his will and testament , or else to have furnished the civil state and officers thereof with ability and hearts for this their great duty and employment , to which he hath called them ; the contrary whereof in all ages , in all nations , and in all experience , hath ever been most lamentably true . peace . i am not clear ( dear truth ) in the distinction , master cotton makes of christs ministers in the gospel , and christs ministers in the civil state . truth . there is a mistake in it , for although christ hath all power delivered to him in heave and earth , yet as touching his spiritual church or kingdome he disclaimes it to be of the world , or worldly . hence cannot the civil state or officers thereof be called christs ▪ as if they were of christs institution and appointment , himself being their spiritual head . and therefore it is that the spirit of god cals him the head of the body , which is the church , and the ministers and officers of this his kingdome and body christs ministers or servants . beside , master cotton will not say that the kingdomes of the world are yet become the lord christs : in what manner also those kingdomes shall become his , we have need of the holy spirit to evidence and demonstrate to us . peace . to the fifth query , whether ( as men deal with wolves ) these wolves at ephesus were intended by paul to be killed , their braines dasht out with stones , staves , halberts , guns , &c. in the hands of the elders of ephesus : master cotton replies , elders must keep within the bounds of their calling : but such courses were commanded the people of god by order from the judges , deut. . and where it was added , that comparing things spiritual with spiritual , spiritual and mystical wolves should be spiritually and mystically slaine . master cotton replies true , but in destroying religion they also disturbe the civil state , and accordingly are to be dealt withal by civil justice , as achan was for troubling israel , iosh . . . truth . this acknowledgement of master cotton , that these wolves must spiritually be killed , their braines dasht out by the elders and saints might ( if the lord should graciously so please ) easily satisfie himself and all men , that the type of israel stoning and killing corporally , is here fulfilled in all dreadful abundance spiritually . peace . yea , but saith master cotton , they disturbe the civil state as achan did . truth . i answer , achan troubling of israel , the people of the lord , must figure out any such like troubling gods israel , the church of christ , for which he is accordingly to be spiritually stoned or executed : for , as touching the civil state of the nations of the world , who can prove ( and master cotton will not affirme ) that they are as the national church of the iews was ? but being meerly civil , are armed with civil power and weapons for their civil defence against all disturbers of their civil state , as also master cotton confesseth the spiritual state is furnished with spiritual power against all the disturbers of its spiritual peace and safety . peace . now whereas it was further added , that under pretence of driving away the wolves , and preserving the sheep that streams of the blood of saints have been spilt &c. master cotton replies , belike it is a milky , and peaceable , and gospel-like doctrine , that the wolves ( hereticks ) are to be tolerated , not an haire strook from their heads ; but for the poor sheep , for whom christ died , let them perish , unless christ mean to preserve them alone with his immediate hand and no care of them belongs to the civil magistrate . truth . i have here in this discourse shewed with what honorable and tender respect every civil magistrate is bound to honor and tender christ iesus in his christian sheep and shepherds , but withall , that it is against christianity for the civil magistrate or civil state , to imagine that all a whole nation was or ever will be called to the union of gods spirit in communion with god in christ : also , that it is against civil justice for the civil state or officers thereof to deal so partially in matters of god , as to permit to some the freedome of their consciences and worships , but to curbe and suppress the consciences and souls of all others of their free-born people &c. peace . to end this chapter : whereas it was said , is not this to take christ ▪ and to make him a temporal king by force ? is not this to make his kingdom of this world , and to set up a civil and temporal israel ? to bound out a new holy land of canaan ? yea and to set up a spanish inquisition in all parts of the world , to the speedy destruction of millions of souls , and to the frustrating of the sweet end of the coming of the lord iesus , which was to save mens souls ( and to that end not to destroy mens bodies ) by his own blood . to this master cotton replies , when the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdomes of the lord ( rev. . ) it is not by making christ a temporal king , but by making temporal kings nursing fathers to the church . truth . if the scripture [ at the sound of the seventh trumpet ] which is the last of the great woes , when the time of gods wrath shall be come , be to be understood of the removing of the kingdomes of the world unto christ , master cotton cannot excuse christ iesus from being a temporal king , and the kings of the earth to be but as inferior and subordinate officers : for if they administer christs kingdome temporally , as deputies officers or ministers temporally , he is much more then himself a temporal king and monarch . peace . methinks also ; if that committing of all judgement to the son ( iohn . ) be meant of temporal judgement in spiritual things , then can he not be said , not to be a temporal king , then can he not be said ( when those words were spoken and ever since ) not to have exercised a temporal government . the contrary whereof is most true , both at his first coming , and ever since , in all generations , it having been his portion , and the portion of his followers to be judged by this world , although himself and his judge the world spiritually , and will shortly pass an eternal sentence upon all the children of men . peace . master cotton addeth , this will not set up a civil or temporal israel , unless all the members of the commonwealth be compelled to be members of the church . truth . if that will do it then christ must be a temporal king , i say ▪ then , when the kingdomes of the earth shall become the kingdoms of the lord , for shall not the kings of the earth compel all christs sheep to submit unto christ iesus their heavenly shepherd ? peace . yea secondly , will it not prove that all those common-weals , where men are compelled explicitly or implicitly to be members of the church , are holy lands of canaan , and if so , oh that master cotton and other worthy servants of god , may timely consider , whether an explicit forcing of all men to come to church , because men cannot be denied to be members ( at least by implication ) with such members and congregations , with whom they do ordinarily assemble and congregate ▪ although they be injuriously ( indeed but injuriously ) kept off from communion and participation of all ordinances , which is indeed their right and due if they be ( though but implicitly ) constrained and forced to partake of any . againe ( saith master cotton ) it is no spanish inquisition to preserve the sheep of christ from the ravening of the wolves , but this rather ( which is the practice of the discusser ) to promote the principal end of the spanish inquisition , to advance the romish tyranny , idolatry and apostacie ▪ by proclaiming impunity to their whorish and wolvish emissaries . truth . if the nations of the world must judge ( as they must by master cottons doctrine ) who are christs sheep , and who are wolves , which is a whore ( spiritually ) and which the true spouse of christ , and accordingly persecute the whores and wolves , this then they must do according to their conscience , or else ( as master cotton elsewhere ) they must suspend . what is this but either to set up a spanish inquisition in all territories , or else to hang up all matters of religion ( by this suspension he speakes of ) untill the civil states of the world become christian , and godly , and able to judge , &c. and what is this in effect , but to practise the very thing which he chargeth on the discusser , to wit , a proclaimning an impunity , all the world over , except only in some very few and rare places , where some few godly magistrates may be found rightly informed , that is according to his own conscience and religion . peace . yea further ( which i cannot without great horror observe ) what is this but to give a woful occasion at least to all magistrates in the world ( who will not suspend their bloody hands from persecuting , until master cotton shall absolve them from their suspension , and declare them godly , and informed , and fit to draw their swords in matters of religion ) i say occasion ( at least ) to all the civil powers in the world , to persecute ( as most commonly they have ever done and do ) christ himself , the son of god in his poor saints and servants . truth . yea , if master cotton and his friends of his conscience should be cast by gods providence ( whose wheels turn about continually in the depth of his councels wonderfully ) i say should they be cast under the reach of opposite swords , will they not produce master cottons own bloody tenent and doctrine to warrant them ( according to their consciences ) to deal with him as a wolfe ▪ an idolater , an heretick , and as dangerous an emissary and seducer as any whom master cotton so accounteth ? but lastly , master cotton hath no reason to charge the discusser with an indulgence or partiality toward romish and wolvish emissaries , his judgement and practise is known so far different , that for departing too far from them ( as is pretended ) he suffers the brands and bears the marks of one of christs poor persecuted hereticks to this day : all that he pleaded for ▪ is an impartial liberty to their consciences in worshiping god as well as to the consciences and worships of other their fellow-subjects . peace . when mathias the second king of hungary bohemia &c. ( afterward emperor ) granted to his protestant subjects the liberty of their consciences , doubtless it had been neither prudence nor justice ▪ to have denyed equal liberty to all of them impartially . but to finish this chapter , master cotton lastly affirmeth , that it is not frustrating of the sweet end of christs coming which was to save souls , but rather a direct advancing of it , to destroy ( if need be ) the bodies of those wolves , who seek to destroy the souls of those for whom christ died , and whom he bought with his own blood . truth . the place referred to , was luk. . where the lord jesus professeth unto the rash zeal of his disciples ( desiring that fire might come down from heaven upon the refusers of christ ) that he came not to destroy mens lives but to save them : from whence it appears that christ jesus had no such intent ( as master cotton seems to make him to have had ) to wit , to save souls by destroying of bodies : but to save soul and body , and that for soul sake , for religion sake , for his sake , the bodies of none should be destroyed , but permitted to enjoy a temporal being ▪ which also might prove a means of their eternal life and salvation , as it may be was the very case of some of those samaritans . examination of chap. xliv . peace . the next scripture produced by the prisoner against persecution for cause of conscience was cor. . the weapons of our warfare are not carnal , but mighty through god , &c. unto which master cotton answers , that he speaks not there of civil magistrates . it was replied , true , for in spiritual things the civil weapons were improper , though in civil things most proper and suitable . master cotton now replying grants , that it is indeed improper for a magistrate to draw his sword in matters spiritual , yet saith he , about matters spiritual they may , as to protect in peace , and to stave of disturbers and destroyers of them : and he adds , if it were unfitting for carpenters to bring axes and hammers to build up the spiritual kingdome of the church of christ , yet their tooles are fit to build scaffolds for hearing . truth . it is strange , and in my understanding suits not with the rest of master cottons discurse , to wit , that which master cotton here acknowledgeth , that a magistrate is not to draw his sword in spiritual things , but only about them : when throughout the discourse he maintaines , that the magistrate must suppress the heretick ▪ blasphemer , idolater , seducer ▪ that he must reforme the church , punish the apostate , and keep the church in her purity ; which whether they be spiritual matters or no , let such as be spiritual judge . peace . he is ( saith master cotton ) to draw his sword about spiritual matters , to protect in peace , as a carpenter may build scaffolds , &c. truth . if master cotton mean civil peace , he knows we agree , for all the officers of peace and justice ought to attend that work : but if he mean spiritual , to wit , that by his sword he is to provide , that no man dispute against his religion , that no man preach nor write against it , let it be well weighed , whether the sword be not now used in spiritual matters : as also whether in such cases and others before mentioned ; the civil magistrate be not bound by master cottons doctrine to interpose as judge in these controversies , to pass sentence and to punish whom he judgeth delinquent , notwithstanding that both parties and both religions are right , and righteous and holy in their own perswasions and consciences . peace . beside , i know you deny not civil conveniences in gods worship , and ( therefore when there is need upon occasion ) the help of a carpenter to build scaffolds . truth . true , but since master cotton compares the work of the magistrate to the building of a carpenters scaffold , let us in the fear of god consider , if this similitude ( like some scaffolds ) be not all too weak ▪ whereon to hazard so mighty a weight and burthen : for what should we think of such a carpenter , that after he hath built his scaffold for people more conveniently to hear the word of god suffers no man to preach in the whole country ( where his scaffolds are set up ) but whom he pleaseth , nor no doctrine to be taught but what he liketh ; no church to be gathered , no persons to make up this church , no persons to receive the sacrament but what he approves of : yea and further with broad axes and hammers ▪ and other tooles of violence ▪ should compel all persons ( directly or indirectly ) to come to church , to make use of his scaffold &c. whether this be not the true state of the business ▪ the carpenters son christ jesus will shortly more and more discover , and break , and tumble down those painted scaffolds and fairest houses ▪ which are not built and framed according to the first most blessed line and rule of his holy institution and appointments . examination of chap. xlv . peace . upon the unfitness ( alleadged ) of spiritual weapons to batter a natural or artificial hold , and consequently the unfitness of natural and carnal weapons to batter the spiritual strong holds in the heart , master cotton replies , that he allows not the civil state to make use of their civil weapons to batter down idolatry and heresie in the souls of men : but if ( saith he ) the idolater or heretick grow obstinate , worseand worse , deceiving himself , &c. now , he maketh not use of stocks and whips ( which will but exasperate the malady ) but of death and banishment , that may cut him off from the opportunity of spreading his leaven , &c. truth . methinks in this passage , master cotton resembleth an armed man , who being almost convinced , or overcome by the spirit of god in the former part of this passage ( granting how unproper and unfit carnal weapons be in spiritual matters ) yet being loath to yeeld , and holding up the goodness of his cause , he recovers again , and grows more fierce and violent : for bearing more gentle stroaks of stocks and whips , he cuts deeper with no less then quick and dreadful gashings of death or banishment , that the world ( were he one of the worlds monarchs ) may be rid of such 〈…〉 peace . oh , how can master cotton wash this tenent from blood ! truth . yea whether this tenent be not invented ( as once that learned chancellor of england said of all violence against conscience ) for an end or interest : or as ( that incarnate devil ) the pope said more plainly of the fable of christ , for honor and profit , shall further be examined . peace . but who can read the bloody colour in this book , and yet believe what master cotton elsewhere saith , that he holds not persecution for cause of conscience ? truth . lastly , i aske , whether is it not the same skill and power of physick and surgery , that preserves the body and each member in health and welfare , with that which cuts off ( as master cotton speaks ) the gangrene & c ? and ( since also t is in vaine to go about when the next way is as good or better ) what means then master cotton to bring in the magistrate using spiritual means in all lenity and wisdome against heresie and idolatry in the souls of men , since death or banishment will effect the cure so quickely ? peace . to proceed , whereas it was urged , that although civil weapons were proper in spiritual matters , yet they were not necessary &c. master cotton replies , this is but a meer pretence , because the discusser ( saith he ) denies all church officers and church weapons . truth . this formerly was cleered from all appearance of pretence , because during all the reign of the beast ▪ the discusser granteth the impregnable power of the spiritual weapons of christs witnesses , rev. . although he see not extant the true form and order of the kingdome of christ jesus which at first he was pleased to establish . peace . master cotton adds , although spiritual weapons are mighty to purge out leaven , and to mortifie the flesh of offenders ▪ yet that is not a supersedeas to civil magistrates to neglect to punish those sins , which the church hath censured , if the person censured do proceed to subvert the truth of the gospel , or the peace of the church , or the souls of the people . truth . why must the magistrate stay until the party censured do proceed so and so ? why could not he have spared the drawing forth of any spiritual weapons ; since they are so effectual to do that which was not in the power and reach of the spiritual ? why was not the first obstinacy ( which merited the spiritual stroaks and cersures ) worthy of the exercise of the civil magistrates power and zeale ? peace . me thinks this is an evident demonstration that men repose more confidence ( however they deceive themselves to the contrary ) in the sword of steel that hangs by the side of the civil officer , then in the two-edged sword proceeding out of the mouth of christ jesus , rev. . truth . the truth is , such doctrine makes christs spiritual sword but serviceable and subordinate unto the temporal or worldly powers : and presents the church but making essayes and trials of that cure which death and banishment ( gilded over with pretence of gods glory , &c. ) they think will not faile to effect , &c. peace . more plainly therefore writes another author ( of master cottons mind ) thus : it is known by experience that one reproof or threatning from the magistrate , hath been known to do more then an hundred admonitions from the minister . truth . yea no question , to force a nation or a world of men to play the idolaters ▪ hypocrites , &c. but gods true servants ( of whom these three famous jews are type ▪ dan. . ) know that god whom they serve is able to deliver them from such fiery threatnings and executions . but if he please to try them ( as his gold ) in such fiery tryals , they will not bow down to invented gods or worships . peace . methinks ( dear truth ) such ministers deal upon the point and in effect with the civil magistrate ▪ just as that ambitious pope with the emperors to wit , make them hold the stirrop while they mount , &c. but i grieve &c. what think you therefore of master cottons censure of the rest of the discourse in this chapter , to wit , that it is but ( as jude speaks ) clouds without waters , words without matter , &c. truth . i will say no more , but this ▪ happily ( through gods mercy ) master cottons censure may occasion some to view what he despiseth , yea and happily to finde some heavenly drops out of those contemned empty clouds ▪ examination of chap. xlvi . peace . the to the rom. which the answerer quotes , is a fort of of such importance ▪ in so many controversies depending between the papist and the protestant , and between many protestants among themselves , that all seek to gaine and win it : in this present controversive i finde a wonderful wresting of this holy scripture even by many holy and peaceable ( though herein violent and sinful ) hands : and let the charge be examined in the fear of god , whether slanderous ( as master cotton intimates ) or true and righteous . master cotton freely grants , that this to the rom. exhorteth unto subjection to magistrates , and love to all men , which are duties of the second table : but yet withal he answers , that is will not follow , that magistrates have nothing to do with the violation of the first table ; and further saith , that it is a plaine case that amongst the duties of the second table , people may be exhorted to honor their magistrates , and children may be exhorted to honour their parents ; but will it ( saith he ) thence follow , that magistrates have nothing to do with matters of religion in the church , or parents in the family ? truth . i answer , the scope of the discourse was to prove , that it pleaseth the spirit of god in paul here only to treat of the duties of the second table , unto which limitation or restriction master cotton speaks not at all , but only granteth in general , that it speaketh of the duties of the second table : and i still urge and argue , that the spirit of god discoursing so largely in this scripture of the duties of magistrates and people , and treating only of civil things , in that civil relation between magistrates and people , points as with a finger of god at their error , that wrest this scripture to maintaine the power of magistrates and civil states in the spiritual and church estate of the kingdome of christ . peace . but what may be said to master cottons argument ? truth . i answer , if people are bound to yeeld obedience in civil things to civil officers of the state , christians are much more bound to yeeld obedience ( according to god , to the spiritual officers of christs kingdome : but how weak is this argument to prove that therefore the civil officers of the state are constituted rulers or governors , preservers and reformers of the christian and spiritual state , which differs as much from the civil , as the heavens are out of the reach of this earthly globe and element ? examination of chap. xlvii . peace . against the judgement of those blessed worthies alleadged , ( calvin and beza ) confining this passage of rom. . to the second table , master cotton here opposeth their judgement for the magistrates power in matters of religion in other writings of theirs ▪ yea and from this very scripture . truth . this their judgement for the magistrates power was granted and premised before ; yet let the expressions of those worthy men ( produced by the discusser on this chapter ) be faithfully weighed , and it will cleerly appear , that ( as james speaks ) those excellent men endeavoured to bring from the same fountaines sweet water and bitter , which is monstrous and contradictory . peace . the pith of what master cotton further saith in this chapter , i conceive is couched in these demands : are not ( saith he ) all duties of righteousness to man commanded in the second table , as well as all duties of holiness to god are commanded in the first table ? is it not a duty of righteousness belonging to the people of god , to enjoy the free passage of religion ? &c. is it not an injurious dealing to the people of god , to disturbe the truth of religion with heresie , the holiness of worship with idolatry , the purity of government with tyranny ? and he concludes , if so , then these wayes of unrighteousness are justly punishable by the second table . truth . i answer , it hath pleased the father of lights to open the eyes of thousands of his servants in th●se later times to discerne a fine spun fallacy in the tearm of unrighteousness and injury which being twofold spiritual against religion or spiritual state , civil against the worldly or civil state : it is no civil injury ( which he grants is the business of this to the romanes in matters of the second table ) for any man to disturbe or oppose a doctrine worship or government spiritual : christ jesus and his messengers and servants did ▪ and do profess a spiritual war against the doctrine , worship and government of the jewish the turkish and other pagan and antichristian religions of all sorts and sects , churches and societies : these all againe oppose and fight against his doctrine , worship , government : and yet this war may be so managed ( were men but humane civil and peaceable ) that no civil injury may be commieted on either side . peace . we may then well take up ( as master cotton doth ) beza's own words on rom. . . the civil sword must take vengeance on them that do evil : it must therefore follow that hereticks are not evil doers ( which is gross &c. ) or else that pauls speech is to be restrained to a certaine sort of evil deeds , to wit , such as they call corporal sins , of which he saith , he disputeth largely elsewhere . truth . and so ( through the help of the most high ) shall i ▪ in proving , that the second sort , to wit , external , corporal , civil evils between man and man ▪ city and city , kingdomes and nations ( in this faln estate of mankind ▪ wherein all civility , and humanity it self are violated ) are alone , and only intended in this scripture by the holy spirit of god and paul his penman . examination of chap. xlviii . peace . to the second argument , to wit , the incompetency of those higher powers to which paul requires subjection , which in his time were the ignorant and pagan persecuting emperors , and their subordinate governors under them , master cotton replies . first , it is one thing to yeeld subjection to the righteous decrees of ignorant and pagan magistrates : and another thing to obey their ordinances in matters of faith and worship , and government of the church : the former of these , christians did yeeld unto the romane magistrates , even subjection unto the death ; the other they did not , nor ought to yeeld , as knowing god was rather to be obeyed then man. truth . subjection may be either to lawful governors , or but pretenders and usurpers : again subjection to lawful rulers may be in cases pertaining to their cognizance , or in cases which belong not to their ▪ but another court or tribunal ; which undue proceeding is not tolerable in all well-ordered states . we use also to say , that subjection is either ▪ active or passive : now although we finde the lord requiring and his servants yeelding , all active or passive obedience to the romane emperors , and their deputies , yet finde we not a tittle of the lords requiring , or his people yeelding any kind of subjection to those romane emperors or their deputies in the matters of christian religion , except it be of so many hundred thousand of their bodies , as the bodies of lambs to the devouring jaws of those bloody lyons and devillish monsters , of more then barbarous cruelty . peace . but ( secondly , saith master cotton ) although the roman emperors were incompetent judges , yet the word of christ which commandeth a duty , commandeth also the necessary means which tend to that duty , and therefore giving them a power and charge to execute vengeance on evil doers , and that in matters of spiritual unrighteousness against the church , as in matters of civil unrighteousness against the commonweal , it behooved them to try and listen after the true religion , to heare and try all . truth . master cotton may here be intreated to take notice of his own distinction of unrighteousness ( which a little before he seemed to me to forget ) for here he rightly distinguisheth between spiritual matters of unrighteousness against the church , and civil unrighteousness against the commonweal : i therefore urge ( as before ) that the civil magistrate , although he punish ( according to his civil place and calling ) civil unrighteousness against the state , yet he hath no warrant from master cottons argument , nor any from the lord jesus christ , to punish spiritual unrighteousness against the church ; and why then should that tearm of unrighteousness so generally and fallaciously go undistinguished , and master cotton thus promis●uo●sly proclaime idolatry is unrighteousness , heresie is unrighteonsness , and therefore the civil magistrate is bound to punish , & c ? . but oh that this maxime alleadged by master cotton might receive its due weight and consideration ! hath christ commanded all means , as well as the duty ? what then is the reason that since ( as master cotton argues ) that christ hath commanded all the civil powers of the world such a spiritual duty , and yet ( i say ) that all or most of the civil states of the world ( beyond comparison ) are not furnished by christ with those chief means , of grace and light , whereby to try and search , as master cotton exhorteth ? or ▪ ( in some few places , where means of light are vouchsafed ) with hearts and spirits unto such a duty ? may we not here say , that men make christ jesus ( in appointing such officers , such a duty , without furnishing them accordingly ) to forget that maxime of his type solomon ( prov. . ) he that sendeth a message by the hand of a fool cutteth off the leg , and drinketh dammage ? did not christ know ( as well as john ) that all the world lay in wickedness , that all the world ( in a respect ) was then roman paganish ▪ and that all the world in after-ages would wonder after the beast , and become roman popish ? or can we imagine that christ jesus did not foresee the cutting off of legs , and the cup of dammage and loss which he must drink , in sending his minde and will into the world by such foolish instruments ? peace . surely master cotton would never advise the civil state ty send a weighty cause and the lives of souldiers with such captaines : nor will he set an unruly childe under the rod of such teachers or reformers : he will not set forth his farme or betrust his cattel no not his very hogs to such keepers . truth . on the other hand ▪ let the government of christs kingdome be laid upon the right shoulders , and we shall finde the admirable wisdome and care of christ , in the affaires of his kingdom , in appointing such messengers or apostles to gather and found his churches , as also ordinary pastors shepherds or teachers , for their feeding and building up &c. the qualification of these the spirit of god hath expresly and exactly recorded wherein ( according to the principle mentioned by master cotton ) christ jesus his highest care and wisdome shines most gloriously in appointing the means as well as the duty it self . peace . but master cotton addeth , that the causes of religion , wherein we allow the civil magistrate to be judges , are so fundamental and palpable ▪ that no magistrate studious of religion in the fear of god , cannot but judge : such as cannot , they ought to forbear , &c. the exercise of their power , either in protecting or punishing matters of religion ▪ till they learn so much knowledge of the truth , as may inable them to discerne of things that differ . this forbearance of theirs ( saith he ) is not for want of authority in their callings , nor for want of duty in their consciences ▪ but want of evidence to them in the cause : in which case magistrates are wont to forbear their exercise of power and judgement even in civil cases . truth . o the miserable allowance which master cotton hath brought the kings and governors of the world unto ! we allow them ( saith he ) to judge in such fundamentals and palpable causes , &c. oh with what proud and domineering feet do all popes tread upon the necks even of the highest kings and emperors ! the magistrate must wait at their gates for their poor allowance : they shall judge , and they shall not judge : they shall judge that which is gross and palpable , and enough to hold the people in slavery , and to force them to sacrifice to the priests belly ; but the more sublime and nicer mysteries they must not judge or touch , but attend upon the tables of the priests infallibility . peace . concerning fundamentals ( dear truth ) you have well observed , that since the apostacy , and the worlds wondring after the beast , even gods servants themselves ( untill yesterday ) have not so much as heard of such a kind of church ( and so consequently of such a christ the head of it ) as master cotton now professeth : for ▪ no other matter and forme of a church ( about which master cotton justly contends ) was known i say among gods people themselves , ( till yesterday ) then the matter and form of the stone or woodden parish-church . truth . yea an happy man were mr. cotton could he rectifie and settle those foundations which are yet so controverted amongst gods servants , to wit , the doctrine of baptismes , and laying on of hands . peace . you may also mention other foundations , which want not their great disputes among the servants of christ . truth . but further , that christ jesus the wisdome of the father , should commit his wife , his church ▪ to be governed in his absence by such who generally know not the church and saints but cruelly and blasphemously persecute them with fire and sword , and this with charge to suspend most magistrates of the world , and that all their dayes from generation to generation , as appeareth in all parts of the world which is such a monstrous and blasphemous paradox , that common reason cannot digest , nor suffer . peace . if merchants and owners of ships should commit their vessels to such men as wanted ability to steer their courses , nay could not tell what a ship was yea were never like to know all their dayes surely it were not only matter of admiration , but even of laughter and derision , among all the sons of men . truth . but further , how weak is that distinstion which master cotton makes between authority of calling , and duty and evidence in the cause , when in all judicatures in the whole world , even amongst the pagans , there is necessarily supposed beside these three , a fourth to wit , ability or skill of discerning or judging in such cases : now cognizance of the cause or evidence of the cause may be wanting in most able judges , where matters are not proper or not ripe for hearing and trials ; whereas our dispute is of the very ability or skil of judging , which master cotton himself confesseth is wanting , except in such magistrates as fear god , which will be found to be but a little flock , especially compared with the many thousands and ten thousands of those who neither know god nor christ , nor care to know them , and this in all the states , regions and civil governments of the world . eamination of chap. xlix . peace . concerning pauls appeale to caesar ▪ it was argued that paul appealed to caesar even in spiritual things ; which that paul did not nor could not do without the committing of five great evils , was pleaded in this chapter , master cotton●●phes ●●phes no more but this the reasons are but bulrushes . truth . whether they are so or no , or rather the bulrushes and weak things of god , which the gates of hell shall never be able to shake ▪ let the saints judge in the fear of god. peace . master cotton adds further in this chapter ▪ that paul pleadeth he was not guilty in any of those things whereof the jews accused him : those things ( saith he ) concerned the law of the jews and the temple , which were matters of religion ; and for trial thereof he appealed to caesar . truth . lysias the chief captaine in his letter to felix the governor ( chap. . ) distinguisheth ( vers . . ) into questions of the jews , law ▪ and ( secondly ) matters worthy of death or bonds : now t is true the jews charged paul with offences against religion their law and the temple : secondly , against the civil state , and with sedition . for the first although it is apparent that all the scope of pauls preaching ▪ was to exalt christ jesus , and to preach down moses●aw ●aw ; yet at this present time of his apprehension , he had seen cause to honour moses his institutions at jerusalem ( which was the wisdome of god in him for a season , for the jews sake , and his own glory-sake : ) and he had not at this present so much as disputed with any in the temple ( which was not so hainous a matter in pauls eye , as it is well known by his constant practice . ) secondly , for matters of civil crime , he pleadeth that he stirred up no m●n ▪ ●o● in the synagogue nor city , and prefesseth ( chap. . ) that if he had committed ought worthy of death , he would not wave death : t is true that paul was charged by the iews with both these kinds of offences , religious and civil ( according to lysius his distinction ) but that paul appealed to caesar for tryal , that is , for trial of his person and cause in any religious respect , as it cannot be collected from the scripture or paul own words : so those five reasons against it ▪ will evidently disprove it , if they be well and throughly weighed in the balance of the sanctuary in the sight and fear of god. peace . i cannot in my understanding clear master cottons own words from destroying one another . t is true ( saith he ) those five sins might have been charged upon paul with some colour , if he had appealed to caesar whether his religion or ministery , or ministration were of god or no ? but yet ( saith he ) he might appeal whether his religion , ministry or ministration were guilty of any capital crime against the law of the iews , or the temple , or against caesar . truth . indeed what difference is there between the judging whether this ministery deserve death ( supposing a false ministery is worthy of death ) or judging whether it be of god , or false and idolatrous ? must not he that sits judge of the desert and punishment , judge also of the crime and fact , whether so or not ? peace . when master cotton shall affirme ( and truly ) that the magistrates of israel were to judge a false prophet to death , will he not also grant that they were to judge whether such persons so charged were false prophets or no ? truth . yea , and when master cotton shall affirme ( as unjustly ) that civil magistrates in all nations of the world ought to kill or banish hereticks , blasphemers , seducers , out of their dominions and jurisdictions , doth he intend that they shall try and examine , whether they be such and such or no ? but blessed be the father of lights , who hath now opened the eyes of so many thousands of his people to discern the difference between the forts and bulwarks of god ▪ here called bulrushes , and those strong holds and high imaginations of men ( erected against the crown and kingdome of the lord iesus ) which in gods holy season shall more and more be found to be but straws and bulrushes . examination of chap. l. peace . to the arguing against the magistrates civil power in spiritual causes taken from the nature of the magistrates weapons ( a material earthly and worldly sword , distinguished from the two-edged sword of christs spiritual power in the mouth of christ ) master cotton replies . first , the magistrate must governe his people in righteousness , and it is righteous to defend his people in their spiritual rights , as well as in their civil rights . this distinction of spiritual and civil righteousness doth truely anatomize the cause ; it is righteous for the magistrates to defend their subjects in their civil rights , for it is within the compass of his calling , being essentially civil : and unless we also grant him a spiritual calling and office ( which is the point denied ) 't is beyond his calling and compass to judge of what is spiritual right and wrong , and accordingly to pass a spiritual sentence , and and execute and inflict spiritual punishment . peace . methinks i may add , if the magistrate be bound to defend his subjects in their spiritual rights , then as he is bound impartially to defend all his subjects in their several and respective civil rights , so is he bound as impartially to defend all his subjects in their several and respective spiritual rights ; and so accordingly to defend the iews , the papists , and all several sores of protestants in their severall and respective consciences ; or else , he must sit down in christs stead , and produce a royal charter from the new testament of christ iesus to judge difinitively which is the onely right , to pass sentence , and execute spiritual punishment on all offenders &c. peace . but master cotton adds a second , the sword was material and civil in the old testament . i answer , if master cotton granted a national church under the gospel ▪ his argument were good ; but when he grants that national church under the jews ( as afterward in this chapter he doth ) did type ▪ out the christian church or churches in the gospel , why must he not grant that material sword of the church of israel types out the spiritual sword of christ iesus ▪ proceeding out of his mouth , and cutting off offenders spiritually with spiritual and soul - punishments ? and i add , as the sword was material , so also was the tabernacle and temple worldly and material ; which he denies not to be typical of the spiritual temple of christ and his church in the new testament . peace . master cotton adds ( thirdly ) that the magistrates sword may well be call'd the sword of god , as the sword of war , iudg. . truth . as it was call'd iehovahs sword in that typical land ; so must it needs be typical as well as the land it self , which is also called by the prophets ichovah's land emanuels land ; which names and titles i think master cotton will not say are competent and appliable to any other lands or countries under the gospel but onely to the spiritual canaan or israel , the church and people of god , the true and onely christendome . peace . but ( fourthly ) saith he , they are called gods , and shall they not attend gods work ? truth . in the state of israel they were gods deputies to attend the causes of israel , the then onely church of god : but master cotton can produce no parallel to that , but the christian churches and people of god , not national but congregational ▪ &c. . grant the magistrates to be as gods , or strong ones in a resemblance to god in all nations of the world , yet that is still within the compass of their calling , which being confessed to be essentially civil the civil work of these servants of the common-weal is gods work , as well as paul calls ( in a sence ) the work of the servants of the family , gods work , for which he pays the wages , eph. . lastly , for spiritual causes we know the lord iesus is call'd god , psal . . heb. . whose scepter and kingdome being essentially spiritual ▪ the administrations which he hath appointed are also spiritual , and of an heavenly and soul nature . peace . master cotton ( fifthly ) adds , revel . . the kingdoms of the world are become the kingdoms of the lord , and of his christ . truth . how the kingdomes of the world ▪ shall become the kingdomes of christ , is no smal mystery and controversie ; but grant it to be true , that either christ iesus personally , or by his deputies the saints , shall rule all the nations of the world in hearing and determining all civil controversies : yet why doth master cotton draw an argument from this prophecie , of what shall be in one age or time of the world , and to come , to prove an vniversal power and exercise of such power in all ages and times since christ iesus his first comming to this day ? peace . me thinks master cotton may as well argue , that because it was prophesied that a virgin should conceive , and bring forth a child in gods appointed season , that therefore all virgins must so conceive and so being in forth all ages of the world . but , ( lastly ) saith master cotton ▪ although the nations have not that typical holiness which the nation of israel had ; yet all the churches of the saints have as much truth and realty of holiness as israel had : and therefore , what holy care of religion lay upon the kings of israel in the old testament , the same lyeth now upon christian kings in the new testament , to protect the same in their churches . truth . oh how neer the precious iewels , and bargains of truth , come sometimes gods saints , and yet miss of the finding and going through with it ! the chucrhes of the new testament , master cotton grants succeed the church of israel ; the kings and governours therefore of the churches of christ must succeed those kings what king and governours of israel are now to be found in the gospel , but christ iesus and his servants , deputed in his absence , which are all of a spiritual consideration ? what is this to the nations , kings , and governours of the world ; where few kings ▪ few nobles , few wise , are cald to profess christ ? is not christ iesus the onely king of israel ; and are not all his holy ones made kings and priests unto god ? and unto his saints ▪ and his spiritual officers administration in the midst of them , is his kingdomes power committed in his absence . this spiritual power , however the pope and prelates , kings and princes . parliaments and general courts , and their respective officers of justice ( to be honoured and obeyed in civil things , ) i say however they have challenged and assumed this kingly power of the son of god ▪ yet the king ▪ of kings ▪ christ jesus hath begun to discover , and will never leave until he hath made it clear as the sun beames that he is robd of his crown , and will shake , and break ▪ all the nations and powers of the world until his heavenly crown be again restored . examination of chap. li. peace . to the fourth argument ( rom. . ) from the civil rewards due to magistrates ; to wit ▪ custom ▪ tribute &c. master cotton replies ▪ that even the contributions of the saints , are called carnal things ; shall therefore their work be called carnal ? it is true ( saith he ) the contributions of the saints are called holy , because they are given to god for his service about holy things ; so the reward given to magistrates , is for their service about righteous things : and it is righteous ( saith he ) to preserve the purity of doctrine vvorship and government ▪ which if magistrates do not , they do not deserve all their wages . truth . it is true that money or monies-worth is the same for value in the contribution of the saints , and in that of custome , tribute and yet master cotton grants a holiness of the saints contribution , which he doth not affirme of custome , tribute , &c. there is also a two fold way disputed , of preserving of the purity of doctrine ▪ worship , &c. first , that which i plead for , by spiritual weapons appointed by christ iesus . secondly , that of civil weapons , force of armes &c. which master cotton affirmes , and i deny to be ever appointed by christ iesus , or able to accomplish a spiritual end , but the contrary . peace . me thinks master cottons addition not a little concernes my self in the peace of all citties and kingdomes : for if ( as master cotton saith ) magistrates shall not deserve all their wages except they preserve the purity of doctrine , worship &c. ( which upon the point is that doctrine worship and government master cotton approves of ) what is this ( in effect ) but to deny tribute , custome subsidies , &c. to caesar , the kings and governours of the earth , if they prove hereticks , idolaters ? &c. i cannot see , but this in plaine english tendeth to little less then the popish bloudy doctrine of deposing heretical kings &c. but master cotton further adds , that spiritual wages are to be paid to magistrates . tim. . to wit , prayers , intercessions &c. if therefore ( saith he ) the magistrates suffer their subjects to live a quiet life in ungodliness and dishanesty , the magistrate fals short of returning spiritual recompence for the spiritual duties and services performed for them . truth . those prayers are not the proper wages paid to magistrates for their work ; for then should they not be paid ( as the spirit of god there exhorteth ) to all men , whether magistrates or not . peace . and i may add , nor paid to those magistrates that are idolatrous , blasphemous , persecutors : but those prayers were to be poured forth for such magistrates ( such as most of the magistrates in the world then were and are . ) those prayers then were a general duty to be paid to all men , and especially to the chiefe and principal , kings and all that are in authority . truth . now further , wherein it is said , that such magistrates as suffer the people to live in ungodliness , fall short in returning spiritual recompence : i answer , by this doctrine , most of the free inhabitants of the world who live in ignorance of god and in abominable religions without him must yet be supposed to choose and set up such ministers or servants of civil justice amongst them , who during their termes of administration or service , should not suffer their choosers and makers to enjoy their owne conscience , but force them to that , which their officers shall judge to be godliness ; but the neck of no free people can bow to such a yoak and tyrany . peace . but ( lastly ) to that argument of rom. . from the title which god gives to magistrates to wit , gods ministers , and to the distinction of spiritual ministers for spiritual , and civil ministers for civil matters ; master cotton replies . if magistrates be gods ministers or servants then must they do his work , and be for god in matters of religion : and further saith he , magistracy is of god , for light of nature , and not onely for civil things ▪ but also in matters of religion ▪ and he produceth divers instantces of pagans zeal for their religion , and worship . truth . because magistrates are gods servants ▪ or ministers civil , and receive civil wages for their civil service ; will it therefore follow that they must attend , and that chiefly , and principally a spiritual work ? that noble-man or lord , that sets one to keep his children , and another to keep his sheep ▪ expects not of him appointed to keep his sheep ( though a minister or servant ) to attend upon the keeping of his children , nor expects he of the waiter on his children , to attend the keeping of his sheep . t is true , that magistrasie is of god , but yet no otherwise then mariage is being an estate meerly civil and humane , and lawfull to all nations of the world , that know not god. t is true that magistrates be of god from the light of nature ; but yet , as the religions of the world , and the worlds zealous contending for them , with persecuting of others , are from the father of lies and murther from the beginning ; so seldome is it seen , that the nations of the world have persecuted or punished any for error , but for the truth , condemned for error . peace . alas , who sees not that all nations and people bow down to idels and images ( as all the world did to nebuchaduezzars image . ) if any amongst them differ from them , it is commonly in in some truths , which god hath sent amongst them , for witnessing of which they are persecuted . truth . your observation ( deare peace ) is evident from the cases of those philosophers , by master cotton alledged ; how weak and poor therefore is that argument from the zeal of pagans , &c. it is evident that such builders , frame by no other then that of nature depraved and rotten , and not by the goulden reed of the glorious gospel of christ jesus . examination of chap. li. peace . in the discourse concerning that terme , evil , master cotton produceth pareus , who makes that evil punishable by the magistrate , fourfold , natural , civil , moral , and spiritual . truth . that excellent and holy witness of christ jesus ( in many of his precious truths ) pareus being here produced without scripture or argument , for the magistrates punishing of the fourth sort of evil ; to wit spiritual : nor answering my arguments brought against such an interpretation , gives me occasion of no further answer to master cotton or him in this place . peace . whereas it was alleadged , that the elders of the new english churches , in the model prohibite ( expresly ) the magistrates from the punishing or taking notice of some evils , and that therefore as they ascribe to the civil magistrates , more then god gives , so they take away and disrobe him of that authority , which god hath cloathed him with : master cotton replies , when we say that the magistrate is an avenger of evil , we mean of all sorts or kindes of evil , and not every particular of each kind ; and further he saith , that domestick evils may be healed in a domestick way . truth . i readily concur with him , that the magistrate may not punish evils that he knowes not of in a due and orderly way sufficiently proved before him ; as also , that many domestick evils are best healed in a domestick way ; but yet that limitation added , to wit , without acquainting the church first ) seems to bind the magistrates hand , where no true church of christ is , to acquaint with such things ) yea and further where it is why should the magistrate be denied , to exercise his power in cases meerly civil ( the old practice of the popish church ? ) and to whom should the servant or child or wife , petition and complaine against oppression , unless to the publike father , master , and husband of the common-weal ? and therefore from their own interpretation ▪ they may well spare that strict and literal aception of the word evil ▪ and cease to cry heresie is evil , idolatrie evil , blasphemie evill , &c. examination of chap. liii ; answering to chap. liii , liv , lv. peace . in these three chapters , the last reason which the author of the arguments against persecution produced was discussed ; to wit , that the dis●●ples of christ should be so far from persecuting , that contrariwise they ought to bless such as curse them , &c. and that because of the freeness of gods grace , and the deepness of his counsels , calling home them that be enemies , persecutors , no people , yea some at the last hour . in answer to which , master cotton complaineth that two of his answers were omitted ; and suspecteth that as children skip over hard places , so they were skipt over , &c. truth . it is true , those two answers were omitted , not because the chapter was too hard &c. but because the discusser saw ( nor sees ) not any controversie or difference between master cotton and himself in those passages ; and also studying brevity and contraction , as master cotton himself hath done omitting far more , and contracting three chapters in one in this very passage . upon the same ground , i see no need of mentioning his reply in these three chapters , wherein master cotton concurs in the point of the necessity of tolerating even notorious offenders in the state in some cases . peace . the result of all agitations in this passage is this : master cotton denies not but that in some cases a notorious malefactor may be tolerated , and consequently ( as i understand him ) an ●●re●i●k , seducer , &c. but that ordinarily it is not lawful to tolerate a seducing teacher , and that from the clearness of gods command deut. . and from the reason of it , vers . , because he hath sought to turn thee away from the lord thy god. withal he concludes , that all moses capital politicks are eternal . truth . thus far is gained , that it was no vain exception against master cotton's general proposition ▪ to wit , that it is evil to tolerate notorious evil doers , seducing teachers , scandalous livers , because he sees cause of toleration in some cases . peace . yea but , saith he , in ordinary cases it is not lawful to tolerate , from deut. . truth . i am of master cotton's minde : it is not lawful for israel that is , the church of god , to tolerate : and the reason it pleaseth the lord to alleadge , is eternal . but what is this to the nations of the world , the states , cities ▪ and kingdoms thereof ? let master cotton finde out any such land or state that is the church and israel of god : yea master cotton confesseth in a fore-going passage , that the church is the israel of god : then must he with me acknowledge that this deut. . only concerns the israel or church of god , whom christ jesus furnished with spiritual weapons against such spiritual offenders . peace . but i wonder that master cotton should say that moses capitals are eternal . truth . i wonder not , because i have seen in print sixteen or seventeen capital evils ( a great part of them of a spiritual nature ) censured with death in new england . and yet again , me thinks it is wonderful , since master cotton knows how many of moses capitals were of a ceremonial nature . the breach of the sabbath , the not coming to keep the passeover , ( for neglect whereof the israelites were to be put to death ) how can master cotton make these eternal in all nations ? peace . how many millions of millions of heads ( and not a few of the highest ) in our own and other nations , would soon feel the capital calamity of such a capital bloody tenent , if master cotton swayed the scepter of some of the worlds former or present caesars ? truth . and yet i readily affirm , that spiritually and mystically in the church and kingdom of christ , such evils are to be spiritually ( and so eternally ) punished . chap. liv , replying to chap. lvi . examined . peace . in this chap. were observed two evils in mr. cottons conjoyning of seducing teachers , and scandalous livers , as the proper and adequate object of the magistrates care and work to suppress and punish : unto which master cotton replies , first , that he no where makes it the proper and adequate object of the magistrates care and work to suppress seducing teachers , and scandalous livers saying , that it ought to be the care of the church to suppress and punish seducing teachers , and scandalous livers in a church-way , as well as the magistrates in a civil way . truth . by this doctrine , master cotton will seem to deny it , to be the magistrates proper and adequate object to punish scandalous livers , because the church also ( saith he ) is to make it her work also . it is true , if a scandalous liver be of the church , and fall into any scandal , she by the ruls and power of christ ought to recover him in the spirit of meekness : but yet the punishing of him with temporal punishment , who will deny it to be the proper work of the civil state ? but ( secondly ) what if the seducing teacher , or scandalous liver , be neither of them members of the church ( and the church hath nought to do to judge them without ) will not master cotton then affirm the seducing teacher , or scandalous , liver to be the proper and adequate object of the magistrates care and work ? peace . when it was excepted against that things of such a different nature and kind , as seducing teachers , and scandalous livers , should be coupled together at the civil bar ? master cotton replies ▪ that both these agree in one common kind , to wit , they are evil and destructive to the common good of gods people , which ought to be preserved both in church and commonweal : if a man shall say ( saith he ) that the work of creation on the sixth day , was either of man or of beast , is here any such commi●ture . truth . were master cotton the worlds monarch , what bloody reformations or destructions rather , would he fill the world withal ▪ if he walk by such rules and principles ? for , what religions or almost men ( all the world over ) would he finde not opposite and destructive to gods people . . but ( secondly ) an historical narration of gods works on man or beast , birds , fishes , and all creatures coelestial and terrestial is one thing : but to mix them together in doings or sufferings inconsistent with ▪ and improper to their kinds is another thing , far different and insufferable : as for a man to affirme that a man and a beast ●in'd against their maker , and therefore were justly punished with spiritual blindness and hardness of heart , loss of gods image &c. the same difference and no less is between transgressors against the heavenly state and kingdome of christ , and the earthly state or commonweal of cities , kingdomes , &c. peace . master cotton adds , that it is more tolerable for seducing teachers to seduce those who are in the same gall of bitterness , as for pagans to seduce pagans &c. truth . that is but in the degree , and so ( according to his supposition ) must be punished gradually ; but what is this to prove seducing teachers as well as scandalous livers , the joynt object of the civil sword ? peace . why doth master say it is more tolerable for pagans to seduce pagans antichristians antichristians ? what scripture doth he produce for this toleration this indulgence , this partiality ? all that is here said , is this , we look at it as more tolerable ? truth . one thing is shroudly to be suspect in this matter , and that is a most unchristian partiality , in directing the sword of the magistrate to fall heaviest on such seducers only , as trouble his conscience , his doctrine ▪ worship , and government : suppose in some of the cities of holland , poland , or turkie ( where some freedome is ) that jews ▪ pagans , antichristians and christians ( that is christians of master cottons conscience ) together with turkes were commingled in civil cohabitation and commerce together : why now shall that turke that hath seduced one of master cottons conscience to mahumetani●me be more punished for that crime then for turning a jew ▪ pagan or papist to his relief and worship ? what warrant shall the magistrate of such a city or place finde to their souls , either for striking at all with the civil sword in such a case ? or else in dealing such partial blows among the people ? peace . i fear that gods own people ( of this opinion ) see not the deceitfulness of their own heart , crying up the christian magistrate , the christian magistrate , nursing fathers , nursing mothers ▪ &c. when all is but to escape the bitter sweeting of christs cross , so dashing in pieces the most wise councels of the father , concerning his blessed son and his followers , to whom he hath ( ordinarily ) alotted in this world , the portion of sorrow and suffering , and of raigning and triumphing , after the battel fought and victory obtained in the world approaching . peace . but master cotton will say , that in such fore-mentioned cases , such magistrates must suspend punishments for religion , &c. truth . i say , consequently all or most of the magistrates in the world must suspend and none but some few of his conscience ( by his doctrine ) shall be found fit , to use the civil sword , in matter of religion , and that is ( in plaine english ) to fight only for his conscience . peace . but to proceed it will be hard ( saith master cotton ) for the discusser to finde antichristian seducers clear from disobedience to the civil laws of the state , in case that antichrist ( to whom they are sworn ) shall excommunicate the civil magistrate , and prescribe the civil state to the invasion of his followers . truth . most properly seducing teachers sin against the church and spiritual kingdome of christ jesus , which if erected and governed according to christ jesus , she is a castel or fort sufficiently provided with all sorts of heavenly ammunition against all sorts of her spiritual adversaries : yea and in the desolation of the churches ( during the apostacy ) christ jesus ( as i have elsewhere observed ) hath not left his witnesses destitute of terrible defence against all gainesayers : but grant ( what master cotton supposeth ) such seducers from obedience to the civil state &c. such as the seminaries and bringers over of pope pius the his bul against queen elizabeth &c. the answer is short and pla●● ▪ civil officers bear not the sword in vain , when the civil state is assaulted as the spiritual officers and governors of the church bear not in vain the spiritual and two-edged sword coming out of the mouth of christ . peace . whereas now ( secondly ) there ▪ was observed by the discusser in such coupling of [ seducing teachers & scandalous livers ] a silent and implicite justification of the jews and gentiles their coupling christ jesus and his followers , as seducing teachers with scandalous livers , christ between two thieves , &c. the sum of what master cotton replies , is ▪ that the lord jesus and his followers suffering under those names , weakens not the hand of authority to punish such who are seducing teachers & scandalous livers . truth . it hath ever been the portion of the lord jesus and his followers ( for the most part theirs onely ) to be accounted seducing teachers , deceivers and cheaters of the people , blasphemous against god , seditious against the state ; and accordingly to be numbred ( as christ jesus between two thieves ) both in esteem and punishment with scandalous and notorious malefactors ; and this for no other cause , but cause of conscience in spiritual matters , and most commonly for differing from and witnessing against the several state and city-religions and worships wherein they lived . peace . if the jews ( notwithstanding their fair colours to the contrary ) walking in the doctrine of persecution for conscience , justified their fathers for murthering the prophets , &c. i cannot ( dear truth ) but subscribe to your sorrowful observation that master cotton and others ( otherwise excellent servants of god ) in coupling seducing teachers and scandalous livers , as the proper object for the civil sword to strike at , they do no other but act the jews true antitype , coupling christ jesus the seducing teacher with barabbas the scandalous liver and murtherer . truth . yea , and who sees not how often barabbas the scandalous liver is cried out of the magistrates hands by the scandalous people , while christ jesus in his servants is cried to the cross , to the gallows , to the stake , to banishment , &c. their persecutors also are applauded , for ( not persecuting men for their consciences , but ) righteously , legally ( and with great sorrow ) punishing them for sinning against their own conscience , for disturbing of the civil state and peace , for contemning of magistrates , kings queens , and parliaments , for blaspheming god , and for seducing and destroying the souls of the people . chap. . replying to chap. . exam : peace . the discusser admired in this chap : how mr. cotton should alledge ( revel . . ) christs charge against the church of pergamus for tollerating them that hould the doctrine of balaam , and against the church of thiatira for tollerating jezabell to teach and seduce : mr cotton here replies , that he meant not in alledging those scriptures to prove it unlawfull for magistrates to tollerate seducing teachers , but unlawfull for churches : adding that the letter of the prisoner was so stated , in generall tearmes that he knew not ( upon the point ) what tolleration or persecution should be meant or intended , otherwise then generall against all persecution for conscience , withall affirming that an unjust excommunication is as true persecution as unjust banishment . truth . it is true what mr cotton saith , an unjust excommunication is as true persecution as an unjust banishment , and therefore some may justly complaine against mr cotton and others , for practicing such persecution in both kindes , being not onely banished from their civill state , but unjustly ( and after the popes way ) excommunicated also , from their churches , but of that more elsewhere . . we doe not in ordinarie english read , but that the word persecution is taken for civill corporall violence and punishment inflicted on the body for some spirituall and religious matter ; according to the lord christ his words to paul , act● . saul , saul , why persecutest thou me ? . the passages in the letter shew that the whole scope of the letter was to contend against outward violence and corporall affliction in matters of conscience ▪ peace . it may not be a lost labour ( deare truth ) to draw a taste of some passages in the letter . truth . for further satisfaction , my paines shall be a pleasure ; and first from the arguments from holy scripture , observe luc. . the lord christ reproving his two zealous disciples , you know not of what spirit you are of : the son of man is not come to destroy mens lives , but to save them . againe , that of the prophets , isaiah and micah , they shall breake their swords into mattocks , and their speares into sithes . againe , christs charge unto his disciples , that they should be so farre from persecuting those that would not be of their religion , that when they were persecuted , they should pray and blesse , &c. peace . these holy passages ( me thinks ) are not unlike the stones in davids sling , smooth and plaine enough , yet powerfull and dreadfull , both against this goliah tenent of persecution , and also prove a corporall persecution intended . truth . now a taste of the speeches of severall kings produced by the prisoner . . that of king james ; god never loves to plant his church by violence and bloudshed . . that of stephen king of poland ; i am king of men , not of consciences , of bodies , not of soules . . of the king of bohemia ; when ever men have attempted any thing in this violent course , the issue hath been ever pernicious , and the cause of great and wonderfull innovations . . another of king james ; that he was resolved not to persecute or molest , or suffer to be persecuted or molested any person whatsoever , for matter of religion . in the third place , a taste of the speeches of the ancient writers produced by the prisoner . . that of hilarius : that church which formerly by enduring misery and imprisonment , was knowne to be the true church , doth now terrifie others by imprisonment , banishment , and miserie . . of jerome ; heresie must be cut off with the sword of the spirit , let us strike through with the arrowes of the spirit ; implying , not with other weapons . . of luther in his booke of the civill magistrate ; the lawes of the civill magistrate extend no further , then over the bodies and goods . and againe upon luk. . it is not the true catholike church which is defended by the secular arme or humane power . lastly , the papists in their booke for tolleration ; when christ bids his disciples to say , peace to this house , he doth not send pursevants to ransack or spoyle the house . lastly , the prisoner in answering some objections , concludeth ; it is no prejudice to the common-wealth , if libertie of conscience were granted to such as feare god indeed : he also alledged that many sects lived under the government of caesar , being nothing hurtfull unto the common-weale . peace . from these severall tasts ( deare truth ) i cannot imagine how the prisoner can be understood to cast the least glance unto spirituall persecution or prosecution , as mr cotton in this chap : calls it : but to end this chapter : when as the power of christ jesus in his church was argued sufficient for spirituall ends , mr cotton grants both for the healing of sinners , and for keeping of the church from guilt , but not for the preventing of the spreading of false doctrine , among those out of the church , and in private among church-members : nor sufficient to cleare the magistrates of a christian state from the guilt of apostasie in suffering such apostates amongst them , &c. truth . i have in other passages of this discourse proved ; . that christ jesus ( whiles his churches and ordinances flourished , and since the apostasie of antichrist in the hands of his witnesses ) hath gloriously and sufficiently furnished his servants for all spirituall cases of all sorts , defending , offending , &c. . that there is no other christian state acknowledged in the new testament , but that of the christian church or kingdome , and that not nationall but congregationall . . that the apostles or messengers of christ jesus never addressed themselves by word or writing to any of the civill states wherein they lived and taught , and were mightily opposed and blasphemed . i say they never ran to borrow the civill sword , to helpe the two edged sword of christ jesus , against opposers , schismaticks , hereticks . the lord jesus was a wiser king then solomon , even wisdome it selfe , and cannot without great dishonour and derogation to his wisdome and love , be imagined to leave open such gaps , such leakes , such breaches in the ship and garden of his church and kingdome . the exam : of chap. . replying to . & . peace . to the first observation , that mr cotton urgeth that princes are nurcing fathers to feede and correct ( and consequently must judge of feeding and correction , and all men are bound to submit to such their feeding and correction : ) mr cotton sayth , this is false and fraudulent so to collect , and these are devised calumnies . truth . it will evidently appeare , how greatly mr cotton forgets the matter and himselfe , when he so deeply chargeth , for all this he granteth in this his reply , onely with this limitation , that subjects are bound to submit to them herein when they judge according to the word . this limitation takes not away the observation , for it is alway implyed in subjection to all civill rulers , fathers , husbands , masters , that it be according to the word . peace . yea but sayth he , it is a notorious calumnie so to represent mr cottons dealing with princes , as if he made his owne judgement and practice the rule of the proceeding of princes . truth . let it be laid in the ballance , and seene where the calumnie or slander lies : princes or civill rulers , saith mr cotton , are fathers to feed and correct , and their judgement ought therein to be obeyed according to the word . now some princes and rulers declare themselves against mr cottons tenent of persecution for conscience . mr cotton will answer ; the profession and practice of princes is no rule to conscience . i reply , and ask , who shall judge of princes profession and practice , when they thus feed and judge in spirituall matters ? whether their profession and practice be according to the word or no ? mr cotton ( when princes are alleadged against his judgement and conscience ) pleads , that princes profession and practice is no rule : let all men judge whether his judgement and conscience be not made the rule to the consciences and practices of princes , whom yet he makes the nurcing fathers . peace . when it was further demanded , whether mr cotton and others of his minde could submit in spirituall cases to any magistrates in the world , but onely to those just of his owne conscience ? he answers , they will submit to any in active or passive obedience . truth . but how can mr cotton suppose active obedience in spirituall things to such magistrates , who are pagans , turkish , antichristian , and unable to judge , and bound ( by his doctrine ) to suspend their dealings upon matter of religion , untill they be better informed ? what active obedience can i be supposed to give to him that hath no activitie nor abilitie to command and rule me ? and must it not evidently follow , that active obedience in these cases ( according to his judgement ) must onely be yeelded to such magistrates as are able to judge the true religion and way of worship ; that is , the religion and worship which he takes to be of god. peace . whereas it was said , will it not follow that all other consciences in the world , besides their owne must be persecuted by such their magistrates ( were power in their hand ) ? mr cotton replyes , no ; except all mens consciences in the world did erre fundamentally against the principles of christian religion , or fundamentally against church-order , and civill order , and that in a tumultuous and factious manner ; for in these cases onely ( sayth he ) we allow magistrates to punish in matters of religion . truth . i have and must observe the evill of that distinction between christian religion and christian order , as not finding any such in the testament of the sonne of god , but finding church-order a principall part of the christian religion , as well as repentance and faith , heb. . but ( . ) grant once mr cottons religion and way of worship to be the onely true religion and way of gods worship , and all other religions and wayes of worship false , how can that errour be otherwise then fundamentall ? and if other mens consciences attend not to mr cottons convictions , but obstinately maintaine their blasphemous religions , how can the magistrates of his conscience be dispenced with and absolved from persecuting such obstinate consciences throughout the whole world beside ? peace . when it was further demanded ▪ if this were not to make magistrates staires and stirrops for themselves ( the clergie ) to mount up in the seats and sadles of their great and setled maintenance ? mr cotton replyes , this is rather to make them swords and staves to punish them ( if need be ) for hereticall delinquencie : . their magistrates themselves fall short of great and setled maintenance : and lastly , himselfe liveth upon no great and setled maintenance . truth . it is true mr cotton allowes the same power to magistrates to punish all hereticks , blasphemers , seducers , one as well as another : but what if it should fall out that his magistrates should declare themselves for the pope , or for the prelates , or for the presbyters , yea , or for some other way then is professed : and left it free for each mans conscience to worship as he believed , and to pay or not pay toward this or that worship or ministrie , according to his owne perswasion more or lesse , any thing or nothing , will not mr cotton then plead that such magistrates themselves ( apostatizing from the truth of god , and turning enemies ( as the pope clamours ) to the holy church ) i say , that such ought not onely to be accursed with the lesser and greater censures of suspention and excommunication , but also punished with imprisonment , banishment , and death : or if they finde the mercy of life and favour of an office ( by some over-ruling providence ) will not mr cotton then pleade that such magistrates ought to suspend their power to hould their hands , and not to medle untill they be better informed , &c. into such poore withered strawes and reedes will the allowance of swords and staves , mr cotton here speakes of come to ? concerning the seats and sadles of great and setled maintenance of magistrates , the discusser spake not , but heartily wisheth their maintenance as great and setled , as he knowes their labours and travells and dangers be : he spake onely of ministers great ▪ and setled maintenance . peace . o truth , this is the apple of the eye , the true cause of so much combustion all the world over , especially popish and protestants . truth . indeed this was the cause ( as erasmus told the duke of saxonie , that luther was so stormed at ) because he medled with the popes crowne and the monkes bellies . to obtaine these warme and soft and rich seats and sadles ( who ever stand or goe on foote , or creepe , or beg , or starve ) the prelates practices all ages know . yea and other practices of some of late , who ( with the evill steward providing wisely ) first made sure of an ordinance of parliament for tithes and maintenance , before any ordinance for god himselfe . peace . this is that indeed which the politick state of holland well foresaw , when they were lamentably whipt by the king of spaines ( and gods ) scourge , duke d'alva , into a toleration of other mens consciences : the politick states-men , i say , saw a necessitie of stopping their dominies mouths with sure and setled maintenance out of the states purse . hence it is the dutch ministers zeale is not so hot against the toleration of hereticks in the civill state , as the english hath been . truth . to this purpose ( sweet peace ) how fitly did that learned prideaux once tell his sons the oxford doctors , at one of their superstitious creations , that since they could not dig , and were ashamed to beg , they had great need ( therefore ) of setled maintenance , this was but the evil stewards device , and ( i adde ) little better then stealing . peace . yea but sayth mr cotton , i live not so , &c. truth . one swallow makes not a summer : what others have done and doe , and what practices have been and are for a forced setled maintenance ( as firme and setled as ever was the parish maintenance of old england ) hath been , to the shame of christianitie , too apparant : for mr cotton himselfe , as i envie not the faines of his morsells , nor the sweetnes of his cups , but wish him as large a purse , as i beleeve he hath an heart , and a desire to doe good with it : yet it hath been said , that his case is no praesident , because what he looseth in the shire , he gets in the hundreth , and sits in as soft and rich a sadle as any throughout the whole countrey , through the greatnes and richnes of the marchandize of the towne of boston , above other parts of the land. the truth is , there is no tryall of the good or evill servant in this case , untill it comes to digging or begging , or the third way , viz : of couzening of the great lord & master christ jesus ; by running to carnall meanes and carnall weapons , to force mens purses for a rich and setled maintenance . chap. . ( replying to chap. . ) examined . peace . concerning princes mr cotton addeth , that princes out of state policie , doe sometimes tollerate what suits not with christianitie ( as david did joab ) against their wills . unto this it was answered , that this agrees not with his former generall proposition , to wit , that it was evill to tollerate seducing teachers , and scandalous livers ; mr cotton replyes ; yes , for moses laid downe in generall , who so sheddeth mans blood , by man shall his blood be shed ; yet joab was tollerated to live , &c. truth . if moses had said ; it is not lawfull to tollerate a murtherer ; and yet afterward had tollerated a murtherer , his later practice would not have seemed harmonious to his former speech , but moses did not so , and therefore i conceive is not rightly alledged . peace . whereas it was further alledged , that that state policie , and state necessitie , which permitted the consciences of men , will be found to agree most punctually with the rules of the best politician that ever the world saw ( the lord jesus himselfe ) who commanded the permitting of the tares . mr cotton replyes , that he is not against the permitting of some antichristians , or false christians , unlesse they maintaine fundamentall heresie against the foundation of religion , and that obstinately after conviction , and withall seduce others : but for such hereticks and seducing teachers , they are none of those tares , of which christ sayth , let them alone . besides , sayth he , if by tares are meant grosse offenders : then the speech of christ , let them alone , is not a word of command , but a word of permission and praediction ; like that luc. . . he that hath no sword , let him sell his garment and buy a sword. truth . i answer , that there should be antichristians , or false christians , which maintaine not fundamentall heresie against foundation of religion , i thinke is new to the new testament of christ jesus , and to the tryalls the holy spirit proposeth by john in his epistles , discovering such to be the hereticks and apostates , as deny the lord jesus ( as all antichristians or false christians doe more or lesse ) to be come in the flesh the true messiah , and anointed king , priest , and teacher to his church . peace . if mr cotton will make good his word , to wit , that he will permit some antichristians or false christians , methinks , the whole tryall of this matter might well turne upon this hinge , so that the true or false christian be tryed by the rules of the new testament . truth . if so , he must undeniably subscribe to this great and christian policie of permission or tolleration : as for the exceptions following [ unlesse they maintaine fundamentall heresie , and unlesse they sin actually ] these pull backe againe with the left hand what merciful freedome he had given before with the right . . but lastly , by this interpretation of , let them alone , by way of permission and praediction , it appeares that mr cottons thoughts are not without checks and doubtings what these tares might be : for ( sayth he ) [ if by tares are meant grosse offendours ] whereas before he spent much precious time to prove the tares to be a kinde of closer hypocrite . moreover , all permission is of evill , for some good , so he , the permission of tares for the wheate sake : in which respect ( as i conceive ) the good wheate is not so tendred , nor the word of christ so attended to by such , as presume ( in pretence for the good wheate sake ) to pluck up those tares , unto whom christ jesus for ▪ the good wheate sake , hath for a time granted a permission . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . vvhereas the discusser professedly waved any argument from the number of princes witnessing in profession or practice against persecution for cause of conscience , mr cotton replyes , that this is a yeelding of the invaliditie of the argument : but . that he urgeth not the number , but the greater pietie and presence of god with those princes who have professed and practiced against tolleration . truth . as i would not use an argument from the number of princes about an heavenly matter ( as knowing that the kings and rulers of the earth commonly minde their ▪ owne crownes , honours , and dominions , more then gods ; and such princes as are called christian , use gods name , crowne , and ordinances , as jeroboam used gods name , and jezabell used fasting and prayer , for the advancement of their owne crownes , and persecuting of the innocent and righteous ) so neither would i rest in the qualitie , greatnes or goodnes of any . that which i attend in this argument is the ground and reasons of their speeches ; which may also have this consideration to boote , that they are the speeches of such who sit at the helme of great states , and were not ignorant of the affaires of states , and what might conduce to the peace or disturbance , to the wealth or woe of a common-weale . to their ground and reasons therefore i attend in the next chapter . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . in this chap. the consideration of the speeches themselves , mr cotton sayth , he passed by , because , either the reasons wanted waight , or did not impugne the cause in hand , as first , that speech of king james ; god never loved to plant his church by bloud : it is farre from us ( sayth mr cotton ) to compell men to yeeld to the fellowship of the church by bloudie lawes or penalties : neverthelesse , this hindreth not but that his blood may justly fall upon his owne head that shall goe about to supplant and destroy the church of christ . truth . how light or how impertinent soever these speeches may seems to mr cotton , yet to others ( fearing god also ) they are most sollid and waighty . this speech of king james seemes impertinent in this cause ▪ because ( sayth mr cotton ) we compell no man by bloudy lawes and penalties to yeeld themselves to the fellowship of the church . i answer , as saul by persecuting of david in the land of canaan , and thrusting him forth of gods heritage , did as it were bid him goe serve other gods in other countries : so he that shall by bloudie lawes and penalties force any man from his owne conscience and worship , doth upon the point , say unto him , in a language ▪ of bloud , come be of my religion , &c. . peace . why should not men as well be forced to the truth , as forced from their errours and erroneous practices ? since ( to keepe to the similitude ) it is the same power that sets a plant , and plucks up weedes , which is true ( mystically ) in the spirituall worke of christ jesus , in his heavenly planting by his word and spirit . . truth . i adde , if men be compelled to come to church under such a penaltie , for absence ( as hath been practiced in old and new england ) how can mr cotton say , there is no forcing to the fellowship of the church ; when ( howsoever with the papists ) he makes so great difference , which christ never made , between the lords supper , and the word and prayer , and say , that men may be forced to the hearing of the word , but not to the supper . yet the consciences of thousands will testifie , that it is as truely grievous to them to be forced to the one as to the other , and that they had as lief be forced to the meat as to the broth , to the more inward and retired chambers and closets , as into the hall or parlor , being but part● of the same house , &c. peace . and i may adde ( deare truth ) that the bloudie imprisonments , whippings and banishments , that have cryed , and will cry in new england , will not be stild untill the cry of repentance , and the bloud of the lambe christ jesus , put that cry to silence . but to the second speech of king james , no marvell ( sayth mr cotton ) that i past by that speech , to wit , [ that civill obedience may be performed by the papists , ] for i found it not in the letter ; and beside , how can civill obedience be performed by papists , when the bishop of rome shall excommunicate a protestant prince , dissolve the subjects oath , &c. truth . i answer ; king james professing concerning the oath of allegiance ( which he tendred to the papists , and which so many papists tooke , ) that he desired onely to be secured for civill obedience ▪ to my understanding did as much as say , that he beleeved that a papist might yeeld civill obedience , as they did in taking this oath , as quiet and peaceable subjects , some of them being employed in places of trust , both in his and in queene elizabeths dayes ▪ what though it be a popish te●e●● , that the pope may so doe , and what though bellarmine ▪ and others , have maintained such bloudie tenents , yet it is no generall tenent of all papists , and it is well knowne that a famous popish kingdome , the whole kingdome of france assembled in parliament in the yeare ( so calld ) . condemned to the fire the booke of johannes marianus for mainteining that very tenent . and two moneths after bellarmines booke it selfe was condemned to the fire also , by the same parliament for the same detestable doctrine , as the parliament calld it , as tending to destroy the higher powers , which god hath ordained , stirring up the subjects against their princes , absolving them from their obedience , stirring them up to attempt against their persons , and to disturbe the common peace and quiet : therefore all persons who ever under paine of high treason , were forbidden to print , sell , or keepe that booke , &c. peace . this passage being so late , and so famous in so neere a popish countrie , i wonder how mr cotton could chaine up all papists in an impossibilitie of yeelding civill obedience , when a whole popish kingdome breakes and abhorres the chaines of such bloudy and unpeaceable doctrines and practices . . experience hath proved it possible for men to hould other maine and fundamentall doctrines of that religion , and yet renounce the authoritie of the pope , as all england did under king henry . when the six bloudie articles were maintained and practiced , and in them the substance of that idolatrous religion , although the power of the pope of rome was generally acknowledged no other , then of a forreigne bishop in his owne diocesse . . but grant the english catholicks maintaine the supreame authoritie of the pope , even in england , it must be considered and declared how farre : if so farre , as to owne his power of absolving from obedience ( against which the aforesaid parliament of paris declared ) the wisdome of the state knowes how to secure it selfe against such persons . but if onely as head of the church in spirituall matters , & they give assurance for civill obedience , why should their consciences more then others be oppressed ? peace . mr cotton , ( as all men and too justly in this controversie ) alledgeth the papists practices , what ever professions otherwise have been ▪ so long as they hould the pope , they are sure of a dispensation to take any oath , subscribe to any engagement , and of absolution for the acting of any crime of treason or murther against the chiefest states-men , and the state it selfe . truth . what is it that hath rendred the papists so inraged and desperate in england , ireland , & c ? what is it that hath so imbittered and exasperated their minds , but the lawes against their consciences and worships ? peace . the two sisters lawes compared , maries and elizabeths , concerning mens consciences , while maries were certainly written with bloud against the protestants , elizabeths may seeme to be written with milke against the papists . truth . deare peace , chaines of gold and diamonds are chaines , and may pinch and gall as sore and deepe , as those of brasse and iron , &c. all lawes to force even the grossest conscience ( of the most besotted idolaters in the world , jew or turke , papist or pagan ) i say , all such lawes , restraining from or constraining to worship , and in matters meerly spirituall , and of no civill nature , such lawes , such acts , are chaine● , are yoakes , not possibly to be fitted to the soules neck , without oppression , and exasperation . peace . it is no wonder indeed that the brains of those of the popish faith are so distempered and enraged by yoakes clapt on the neck of their consciences , when solomon the wisest observes it common : that civill oppression ( how much more soule-oppression , the most grievous and intollerable ) doth use to render the braines of men ( otherwayes most sober and judicious ) madde and desperate . . truth . i answer ( secondly ) grant the practices of the papists against the civill state , fowle , dangerous , &c. yet why should there not be hope ( according to the rules of pietie in scripture , and policie in experience ) that the coales of mercy and moderation may melt the head of an enemie , as hard as any stone or mettall , and render imbittered enemies , loving friends , combined and resolved for their common safetie and liberties . thirdly , against the feare of evill practices the wisdome of the state may securely provide , by just cautions and provisoes , as of subscribing the civill engagement ▪ of yeelding up their armes , the instruments of mischiefe and disturbance ; of being noted ( as the jewes are in some parts ) by some distinction of or on their garments , or otherwise , according to the wisdome of the state. and without such or the like sufficient cautions given , it is not civill justice to permit justly suspected persons , dangerous to the civill peace , to abide out of places of securitie and safe restraint . peace . if such a course were steered with the consciences of that religion , yet are there some objections waighty concerning the body of the people . first , there will be alwayes danger of tum●l●s and uproares between the papists and the protestants ▪ . truth . sweet peace , thou mayst justly be tender of the quiet repose and secure tranquilitie of all men , and with all men ( if it be possible , as the scripture speakes ) as thou art ●n heavenly daughter of the god of peace and love . but yet thou knowest the wisdome of the english state need● not be taught from abroad ( where li●ertie abroad is granted to the popish o● protestan● consciences ) of making safe and sufficient provision against all tumults , and feare of uproares . . but secondly , it is too too fully and lamentably true , that the congregations or churches of the severall sort● of such as in whole or in part seperate from the parish worship and ●orshipper● , are ●arr● more odious to , and doe more ex●sper●●e a thousand times , the parish assemblies , then the papist● or catholiques themselues are or doe : so that if the people were let loose to take their choice of exercising violence and furie , either upon ▪ a ●opish o● a protestant seperate assembly , it is cleare from the greater corrivation and competition ( made by the protestants that seperate ▪ ) to the true church , true government , true worship , true ministrie , true seales , &c. the rage of the people would mount up incomparably fiercer against the one then the other . hence i● was the papists ever found more favour with the last two kings and thei● bishops , then the puritants ( so called ) did , and the seperate assembl●es were not so maligned by them as the noncon●ormists , no● they so much as the very conforming puritants . and therefore suitably it was b●lcht out from a fowle-mouth 〈…〉 a chapl●ine to one of the late bishops ; a●plagu● ( said ●● ) on all conforming puritants , they doe us most mischiefe ▪ notwithstanding all this , and the bitter indignation of people against these sectaries ( so called ) and their assemblies , yet the most holy wisdome of the father of lights hath taught the parliament of england that wonderfull skill ( in the midst of so many spirituall oppositions ) to preserve the civill peace from the danger● and occasions of civill tumults and distractions . peace . admit the civill peace be kept inviolate , yet how satisfie we the feares and jealousies of many who cry out of danger of infection , and that jezabels doctrine will leaven and seduce the land , &c. truth . i will not here repeate what in other parts of this booke i have presented touching that point of infection . at present , i answer ; first , it is to me most improbable , that ( except the body of the nation face about from protestanisme to poperie ) ( as in queene maries dayes ) that the number of protestants turning papists , will be great in a protestant nation , especially if such securitie be taken , as was above-mentioned , and otherwise , as the state shall order , &c. together with such publick notes and markes ( before mentioned ) on the people of that way , because of their former practices . secondly , yea , why should not rather the glorious beames of the sunne of righteousnesse in the free conferrings , disputings and preachings of the gospel of truth , be more hopefully like to expell those mists and fogs out of the minds of men , and that papists , jewes , turkes , pagans , be brought home , not onely into the common roade and way of protestanisme , but to the grace of true repentance and life in christ . i say , why not this more likely , by farre , then that the mists and fogs of poperie should over cloud and conquer that most glorious light. peace . 't is true , the holy historie tells us of one sampson laying heapes upon heapes of the proudest philistims ; of one david , and of his worthies , encountring with and slaying their stoutest gyant● and champions , yet it is feared such is the depraved nature of all mankinde ( and not of the english onely ) that like a corrupted full body , it sooner sucks in a poysoned breath of infection , then the purest ayre of truth , &c. truth . grant this , i answer therefore ( thirdly ) if any of many conscientiously turne papists . i alledge the experience of a holy , wise , and learned man , experienced in our owne and other states affaires , who affirmes that he knew but few papists increase , where much libertie to papists was granted , yea fewer then where they were restrained : yet further , that in his conscience and judgement he believed and observed that such persons as conscientiously turned papists , ( as believing poperie the truer way to heaven and salvation ) i say , such persons were ordinarily more conscionable , loving , and peaceable in their dealings , and neerer to heaven then thousands that follow a bare common trade and roade and name of protestant religion , and yet live without all life of conscience and devotion to god , and consequently with as little love and faithfulnesse unto men. peace . but now to proceed ; a third speech of king james was , [ persecution is the note of a false church , the wicked are besiegers , the faithfull are besieged , upon revel . . ] mr cotton here grants , that it is indeed a note of a false church , but not a certaine one ; for , sayth he , which of all the prophets did not the church of the old testament persecute ? truth . mr cotton granting persecution to be a degree of falsehood and apostacie , as he doth in his following words , he must also grant , that where such a doctrine and practice prevailes , and the church growes obstinate after all the lords meanes used to reclaime , such a church will proceede to further degrees , untill the whole be leavened with falshood and apostacie , and the lord divorceth her , and casts her out of his heart and sight ; as he dealt with israel and judah : and it will be found no false , but a dutifull part of a faithfull childe to abhorre the whoredomes of such an one , though his own mother , who for her obstinacie in whoredomes is justly put away by his heavenly father , but of that ( the lord assisting ) more in its place . peace . further , whereas it was said , that mr cotton had passed by king stephen of poland his speech , to wit , the true difference between the civill and spirituall government , mr cotton answers , that it is true , that the magistrate cannot command their soules , nor binde their consciences , nor punish their spirits : all that he can doe is to punish the bodies of men for destroying or disturbing religion . truth . it is true , the lord alone reacheth the soules or spirits of men , but he doth it two wayes . first , immediately stirring up the spirits of the prophets , by visions , dreames , &c. secondly , by instituted meanes and ordinances : of which is the question : now stephen king of poland professed that he was king of bodies , and not of consciences : it being most true , that the lord jesus hath appointed spirituall rulers and governours , to binde and loose soules and consciences , to wound and kill , comfort and save alive the spirits and consciences of men. this power christ jesus committed to his true messengers ; but oh , how many are there that pretend to this apostleship or ministrie , who yet have sold away this spirituall power to the earthly or worldly powers , upon an ( implyed secret ) condition or proviso , to receive a broken reed an arme of flesh , ( in stead of the everlasting armes of mercy , ) to protect them . peace . with your leave ( deare truth ) let me adde a second : if the magistrate ( as mr cotton sayth ) punish the body for a spirituall offence , why doth he not punish by a spirituall power as a spirituall officer , with a spirituall censure and punishment ? truth . mr cotton will tell us that the bodies of the israelites were punished for spirituall offences : and we may againe truely affirme , that the very cutting off by the materiall sword out of the typicall land of canaan , was in the type , a spirituall punishment . peace . mr cotton is not ignorant of this , and hath often taught of these types from passages on genesis and other bookes of moses , &c. truth . the father of lights graciously be pleased to set home the light he hath vouchsafed him , & fix and imprint the beames thereof in his heart and affections also . peace . this argument ( of punishing the body for the soules good ) i remember was feelingly resented by an honourable gentleman in the parliament against the bishops , urging how contrary unto christ jesus those prelates were ; for christ jesus did make way for his working upon mens soules , by shewing kindnesse to their bodies , &c. but prelates contrarily , &c. truth . all the angells ' of god will one day witnesse , that christ jesus was never captain to pope , nor prelate , presbyter , no nor independent , emperour nor king , parliament , nor generall court , who punish and afflict , persecute and torture the bodies of men under pretence of a spirituall and religious medicine . peace . yea , but sayth mr cotton , religion is disturbed and destroyed , what shall be done ? truth . religion is disturbed and destroyed two wayes . first , when the professors or assemblies thereof are persecuted , that is hunted and driven up and downe out of the world : against such destroyers or disturbers ( being tyrants and oppressours , ) the civill sword ought to be drawen . peace . the drawing of the sword of justice against such tyrants , i believe hath prevailed in heaven , for the parliaments successes and prosperitie : the turning from the violence that was in the hands of those men of bloud the bishops , ( as in the men of ninivies case ) hath laid the long and violent storme of fire and bloud , &c. truth . yea let the most renowned parliament of england , and all england know , that when they cease to listen to daniells counsell to belshazzar , to wit , to shew mercy to the poore , ( even the poorest and most afflicted in the world ) the consciences of men , then is their parliamentarie glory and tranquillitie ecclipsed : till then i confidently believe , their government ( which hath now so many yeares with so many wonders continued ) shall not be numbred , nor another fatall change surprize them . but now ( ) the disturbance or destruction of religion is spirituall , by false teachers , false prophets , by spirituall rebells and traytors against the worship and kingdome of christ jesus : against which disturbers or destroyers , if christ jesus have not provided sufficient spirituall defence , let moses ( his ancient type , ) be said to exceede him in faithfulnesse , david in holy zeale and affection to the house of god , and solomon in wisdome and heavenly prudence , in ordering the affaires of the holy worship of god. peace . but further , whereas it was said , that to confound these ( to wit , a civill and spirituall government ) was babell and jewish : mr cotton replyes , that is babell to tollerate and advance idolatrie . . ( sayth he ) though christ hath abolished a nationall church-state , which moses set up in the land of canaan , yet christ never abolished a nationall civill state , nor the judiciall lawes of moses , which were of morall equitie , and therefore ( sayth he ) if the true christs bloud goe for the planting of the church , let the false christs goe for supplanting it . truth . i answer ; babell was infamous for pride , for confusion or disorder , for idolatrie , for tyrannie : now let all persecuting cities and kingdomes be examined and see if they have been cleare from any of these : and especially from babells confusion and disorder , from monstrous mingling of spirituall and civill , the devills worship with gods vessells : it was no confusion in the nationall church of israel for the power of that nation , in the hands of kings and civill rulers , to purge that nationall church by nationall force of weapons and death : but since mr cotton acknowledgeth that christ hath abolished that nationall church , and established congregationall churches , ( in some of which possibly may be no civill magistrate fearing god , for few wise or noble are called , and consequently few godly or christian magistrates professing christ jesus ▪ ) what is this but babell or a babylonish mixture of the old and new testament , nationall and congregationall churches power and practices together ? peace . . what if christ jesus have not abolished a nationall church state , it is sufficient that he hath abolished a nationall church . and if so , then in church matters those nationall judicialls , and the use of those nationall weapons and punishments , in attending upon such a nationall church : yea what colour of morall equitie is there that all the nations of the world ( most of which never heard of christ ) should be ruled by such lawes and punishments as were peculiarly and miraculously given and appointed to one selected and culd out nation , conceived , borne , and brought up ( as i may so speake ) from first to last , by extraordinarie , and miraculous dispensation ? peace . there may be ( sayth mr cotton ) difference between the nations professing christianitie , and other nations . truth . there is indeed great difference : there are two sorts of nations or peoples of the world , which shall be fewell for the devouring flames of the lord jesus , thess . . first , such as know not christ jesus , of which sort the greatest part of the nations of the world ( beyond all colour of comparison ) consist . . such as have heard a sound , and make some profession of the name of christ jesus , and yet obey him not as lord and king , &c. now it is true at the tribunall of this dreadfull judge , tyre and sidon , sodome and gomorra , shall finde an easier doome , then shall bethsaida , chorazin , capernaum , jerusalem , &c. and mr cotton need not feare the escaping of a false christ , when all nations professing christianitie ( papist or protestant ▪ ) ( if yet found disobedient to the true christ ) shall passe under a more fierie sentence then all mahumetane and pagan countries . peace . mr cotton will not stick to subscribe to this ; but , the false christs bloud ( sayth he ) ought now , to be spilt . truth . since there are so many false christs ( as the true christ prophesied ) mr cotton must unavoydably name and detect and convict those false christs , popish and protestant , &c. upon whom he passeth such a present sentence . he must also direct the way how the true christ may shed the bloud of the false christs . when mr cotton hath done this faithfully and impartially ( according to his conscience and present judgement ) what reader will not at first view see rising up from such premises these foure conclusions ? first , amongst so many christs extant ( that is visible christs head and body ) in the christian antichristian world , there can but one christ be found to be true . secondly , that christ which mr cotton professeth ( according to his conscience ) will be he. thirdly , all such christs as are extant , beside mr cottons , head and body , ought impartially to be put to death , as false , counterfeit , blasphemous , &c. fourthly , such as embrace his christ , that is , be of his church and conscience , are bound ( if they once get power in their hands ) to pursue with fire and sword , and to shed the bloud of all the false christs , that is , the severall sorts of false or antichristian worshippers . peace . oh how wise and righteous is the lord , in letting loose the wolfe and lyon ( persecutors and hunters ) upon his sheepe and people , that by their owne painfull sence of such bloudie violence and crueltie , he may graciously purge out the malignant venemous humours of such fowle antichristian and bloudie doctrines ? but to the next , the king of bohemia his saying . whereas it was said that in this kings speech mr cotton had passed by that foundation in grace and nature , to wit , that conscience ought not to be violated or forced , and that such forcing is no other then a spirituall rape . mr cotton replyes , it was not passed by , but prevented in stating the question , where it was said , it is not lawfull to censure any , no not for errour in fundamentall points of doctrine or worship , till the conscience of the offendour be first convinced ( out of the word of god ) of the dangerous errour of his way , and then if he will persist , it is not out of conscience , but against his conscience , as the apostle sayth , ( tit. . . ) and so he is not persecuted for cause of conscience , but for sinning against his conscience . . truth . i answer , the forcing of a woman , that is , the violent acting of uneleannesse upon her bodie against her will , we count a rape : by proportion that is a spirituall or soule-rape , which is a forcing of the conscience of any person , to acts of worship , which the scripture entitles by the name of the marriage bed , cant. . this forcing of conscience was in an high measure the branded sinne of that great typicall machiavel jeroboam , who made israel to worship before the golden calves : and this is the abominable practice of the second beast , who compells all to take the marke of the first beast , and this is the sinne of ( the mysticall ammon ) the princes of europe , and of the antichristian world , those mysticall effeminate ahabs , who give their power to the beast , themselves ( together with that man of sinne and filthinesse ( the pope ) practicing most odious spirituall uncleannesse upon the consciences of the nations of the earth . . peace . deare truth , who knowes not whose voyce and song this is , but that , of all the bloudie bonners , gardiners , and most devouring persecutours that ever have or shall legally in way and pretence of justice , persecute . [ you pretend conscience that you dare not come to church because of conscience , that so to sweare , submit , subscribe , or conforme , is against your conscience , that you are persecuted for your conscience , and forced against your conscience . truth . indeed , what is this before the flaming eyes of christ ; but as ( amnon-like in the type ) some lustfull ravisher deales with a beautifull woman , first●using all subtle arguments and gentle perswasions , to allure unto their spirituall lust and filthinesse , and where the conscience freely cannot yeeld to such lust and folly ( as tamar said to amnon ) then a forcing it by penalties , penall lawes and statutes ? yea , what is this but more filthy and abominable then is commonly practiced against ravished women , to wit , a perswading a conscience that it is obstinate , obstinate against its knowledge , that a man might lawfully have yeelded , that he is convinced of the lawfulnesse of the act , and therefore may justly be punished for repelling such arguments , and resisting such perswasions against the conviction of his owne conscience . . peace . it is a common question , made by most , who shall be judge of this convicted conscience ; shall the lustfull ravisher ( the persecutor ) be judge ? will the burning rage of his spirituall filthinesse and antichristian beastialitie cause no shaking of the scales of justice ? and will mr cotton indeed ( except he suspend them ) have all the civill magistrates , or civill states , or generall assemblies , or courts of people in the world ( according to their severall constitutions ) sit judges o're conscience , to wit , when the poore ravished consciences of men are convinced . truth . what is this , but ( in truth ) to submit the soules and consciences of the saints ( yea the conscience of the lord jesus in them , ) unto the world that lyes in wickednesse ( and to the devill in it ) out of which god hath chosen ; but few , that are wise , or that are great , rich , or noble . . and to end this passage , what is this , but to destroy that distinction of a true and false conscience , which the holy spirit expressely maketh , relling ( thessal : . ) of antichristians that make conscience of lyes , believing them conscientiously for truths . what is it now to force a papist to church , but a rape , a soule-rape ? he comes to church , that is , comes to that worship , which his conscience tells him is false , and this to save his estate , credit , &c. what is this in a papist , but a yeelding unwillingly to be forced and ravished ? take an instance of holy cranmer , and many other faithfull witnesses of the truth of jesus , who being forced or ravished by terrour of death , subscribed , abjured , went to masse , but yet against their wills and consciences . in both these instances of papist and protestant , mr cotton must confesse a soule-ravishment ; for , th● conscience of a papist is not convinced that it is his dutie to worship god by the english common prayer-booke , or directorie , &c. and the consciences of many are not convinced but that it is their sinne to come at either the papists or common protestants worship . so both papist and protestant are forced and ravished by force of armes , ( as a woman by a lustfull ravisher ) against their soules and consciences . peace . againe , in that king of bohemia's speech mr cotton passed by that most true and lamentable experience of all ages , to wit , that persecution , for cause of conscience , hath ever proved pernicious , and hath been the cause of great alterations and changes in states and kingdomes . to this mr cotton replyes , no experience in any age did ever prove it pernicious to punish seducing apostates , after due conviction of the errour of their way : and he asks , wherein did the burning of servetus prove pernicious to geneva , or the just execution of many popish priests to queene elizabeth , or the english state ? truth . i answer , though no historie did expresse what horrible and pernicious mischiefes the persecuting of the arians and others caused in the world : yet is it lamentably sufficient to the point , that all ages testifie ( and i had almost said all nations ) how pernicious this doctrine hath been in raising the devouring flames of fire and sword , about hereticks , apostates , idolaters , blasphemers , &c. peace . later times have rendred the observation of that king most lamentably true , in the many great desolations , in germany , poland , hungaria , transilvania , bohemia , france , england , scotland , ireland , low countries ( not to speake of the mighty warres between those dreafull monarchies of the turkes and persians , and other nations ) to the flames where of although other causes have intermingled , the matters of heresie , blasphemie , idolatrie , &c. have been the chiefest sparkes and bellowes . truth . it is true ( as mr cotton sayth , ) it hath pleased the god of heaven to spare some particular places , and to preserve wonderfully for his name and mercy sake , geneva , england , &c. &c. when they have been besieged and invaded : yet mr cotton confesseth , that queene elizabeth by that course had like to have fired the christian world in combustion , which though it pleased god to prevent , yet later times have shewen how pernicious this doctrine hath proved unto england , scotland , ireland , &c. in the slaughter of so many hundreth thousand papists and protestants , upon the very point ( principally ) of heresie , idolatrie , &c. peace . to end this chapter : to that observation that persecution for cause of conscience was practiced most in england , and such places where poperie reignes , implying that such practices proceed from the great whore , and her daughters : mr cotton replyes , it is no marvaile he passed by this observation in the kings speech , for it was not the speech of the king , but of the prisoner , and it was not the persecuting of antichristians , but of nicknamed puritans , and of them too without conviction of the errour of their way : he addeth that he could never see warrant to call that church an whore , that worshipped the true god onely in the name of jesus , and depended on him alone for righteousnesse and salvation , and that it is ( at least ) a base part of a childe to call his mother whore , who bred him and bred him to know no other father , but her lawfull husband the lord jesus christ truth . whether the observation was the kings , or the prisoners , yet it was passed by : and if those puritants or protestants persecuted , were not convinced , himselfe ( as he here sayth ) never saw warrant , that is , was convinced , for to call such a church as he here describeth , an whore , yet not a few of his opposites will say , and that aloud , that he and they were or might have been convinced , what ever he or they themselves thought . the truth is , the carnall sword is commonly the judge of the conviction or obstinacie of all supposed hereticks . hence the faithfull witnesses of christ , cranmer , ridley , latimer , had not a word to say in the disputations at oxford : hence the non-conformists were cryed out as obstinate men , abundantly convinced by the writings of whitgift and others : and so in the conference before king james at hampton court , &c. but concerning the church of england , whether a daughter or no of the great whore of rome , it is not here seasonable to repeate what the witnesses of christ to bonds , banishments , and death ( whom mr cotton here calls the rigid seperation ) have alledged in this case . i thinke it here sufficient to say two things . first , mr cotton himselfe is thought to believe that it is not a profession of words containing many fundamentall doctrines that makes a people a true church , who professing to know god , yet in workes deny him ; notwithstanding that amongst them by gods gracious dispensation much good may be wrought by many . . mr cotton himselfe will not say that ever christ jesus was married to a nationall church ▪ which all men know the church of england ever was , and mr cotton elsewhere acknowledgeth ( as nationall ) to be none of christs , but onely churches congregationall . exam : of chap. . concerning the romane emperours , which did or did not persecute . peace . vvhereas it was answered , that godly persons ( as some godly emperours ) might doe evill , to wit , in persecuting : and ungodly emperours in not persecuting , might doe well , &c. mr cotton replyes , this begs the question , to say that kings alledged by the prisoner did that which was good , but kings alledged by mr cotton ( though better persons ) did that which was evill . truth . i think mr cotton mistakes the poore prisoner if he conceives him to have argued from the number , or ( by way of comparison ) the qualitie or goodnesse of the kings . i am sure he mistaketh the discusser , who argues neither from their persons , nor number , nor practices , but from the waight of their speeches , qualified onely with the consideration of their state : their speeches mr cotton passed by , but now hath waighed , though not so fully as it may please god to cause himselfe , or others to doe hereafter . peace . i conceive it to be a further mistake , to thinke the discusser accounted the persons alledged by mr cotton better persons then those alledged by the prisoner . truth . the discusser compared them not , but desired that their speeches and arguments might have their just and due waight , and then i believe it will be found , not a begging , but a winning of the question , even from the testimonie of some kings themselves . chap. . replying to chap. . examined . peace . in this chapter god is pleased to leave mr cotton to fall into two evills , then which ( ordinarily ) greater cannot be among the sonnes of men : i speake not of the aggravations of malice and obstinacie , which i hope the most gracious lord will keepe him from , but of the sinnes themselves in themselves : the one is monstrous blasphemie and abominable profanation of the most holy name of his most high and holy maker , &c. the second extreamest crueltie and tyrannie against men his fellow creatures . for the first , after a new refined fashion and dress , he projects how to turne this whole dunghill of the corrupt and rotten world , into a most sweet and fragrant garden of the church , or dove of christ . for the second , he contents not himselfe with the severitie and crueltie of former times exercised by the emperours professing the name of christ , against such , whom they reputed hereticks , but blames them for applying too favourable and gentle medicines of exile and banishment , and in plaine tearmes he sayth , it had been better they had put them to death . truth . your observation ( sweet peace ) is full of pietie and mercy : it is most true , that a private opinion , or an act of antichristianisme and idolatrie , like a dead flie , may cause a sweet pot of christian oyntment , to yeeld a stincking savour , but such a doctrine , of such a generall nature and extent , as reaches to all men , to all the world ( in my apprehension ) should cause men to feare and tremble at such rocks , against which such gallant vessells may strike , and split , if the most holy and jealous god , be pleased a little to withdraw his holy hand from the steering of them . peace . let me ( deare truth ) summe up the heads , to which i shall request your consideration . it is true ( sayth mr cotton : ) when god advanced constantine and other christian emperours to sit on the throne , the church soone became a wildernesse , and he also seemeth to consent that the unknowing zeale of constantine and other good emperours did more hurt to christianitie , then the raging fury of bloudie neroes : but withall he addeth that their unknowing zeale did not lye in punishing notorious hereticks , seducers , &c. and he sayth , that the church never had hurt by such punishments . he affirmeth that it is no sollecisme in religion for the whole world to become christian : that the world became antichristian by the tolleration of princes , and their advancing of church affaires , together with the unwatchfullnesse of such being advanced : that if the world had renounced paganisme , and professed christ to be the sonne of god , but yet had been kept from the fellowship of the church till they had approved their profession by a sincere conversation , it had been no sollecisme , &c. further , he sayth , the christian emperours did permit hereticks ; to live in the field of the world , that they seldome or never put them to death for hereticall pravitie ( though it had been better ( sayth he ) they had so done with some of them , but onely expelled them from populous cities and countries , where the gangrene might spread , &c. truth . you have well summd up ( sweet peace ) i shall briefly touch these heads , with gods assistance ; and first concerning the zeale of the romane emperours . it is confest by mr cotton , that upon the good emperours coming to the throne , the church soone became a wildernesse , and that was a greater hurt and mischiefe then ever befell the saints and churches under the fierie persecution of the most bloudie neroes ; surely such zeale that brought forth such fruit to christianitie might seeme justly to be suspected not to be kindled from heaven , but from men. . it seemes not reasonable to the weakest understanding , nor suitable to the wisdome and constant care and love of christ jesus to his wife and spouse in his absence , that the romane emperours should be such godly persons , and that also neither by christ jesus nor his apostles or messengers the least word should be directed to them , when , as yet , they were extant , in christs and his messengers times ; and ( by the bloudie tenent ) must be supposed invested with so high a calling too , so high a worke and dutie , as higher is not to be performed in the whole world ( and that ex officio ) to wit , the establishing , governing , reforming , &c. the church , the spouse , and kingdome of christ jesus . peace . . the church and servants of christ had great hurt ( notwithstanding mr cottons contrary beliefe ) by the emperours persecuting , of whom they judged hereticall , partly in that the arrians were hardned by their sufferings , and arrianisme increased by the sufferings of the professours of it ; as also that the christians were more severely persecuted ( as hath often also come to passe ( in the interchanges between the papist and the protestant ) when the arrians came to weare the sword , and the orthodox christians were under hatches . truth . . but that the whole world that wonders after and worshippeth the beast , should yet possibly be of the small number , that follow the lambe , and stand opposite to the beast , on mount zion : that the world upon whom the vialls of plagues and vengeance are to be powred according to the infallible prophecies ( not to speak of the world from other scriptures ) that this whole world ( i say ) should be brought into such an onenes with christ jesus , seemes so crosse to the fundamentall enmitie between christs seede and the serpents , to the priviledges of the saints , to the puritie of christ , to the streame of scripture , and in particular to the sweete last will and testament of the lord jesus , and the nature of his particular flocks , &c. that i cannot wonder sufficiently , how any man professing but a small knowledge of the mysteries and kingdome of christ jesus , should be so vailed , so obscured , so to write of the state of christs church and the world , as mr cotton doth ? peace . christ jesus ( blessed truth ) gave not thankes to his most holy , most wise father in vaine , for hiding from wise and prudent , and opening to babes and sucklings . truth . . but further , such a conversion of people from idolatrie to christianitie , as fits them to be professours of the sonne of god , but yet not fits them for the fellowship of christians in church state , i finde not in the testament of christ jesus . surely the conversion of the thessalonians was not such , thess . . who turned not onely from idolls ; but to serve the living and true god , which service of god in christ no soule uprightly in love with christ jesus , but ( in its measure ) longs after , as vehemently and cordially as ever chast spouse after her dearest earthly husbands presence and enjoyment , cant. . & . & . peace . gods spirit ( in john ) describes one difference , &c. between the true spirit and professours , and the f●●se , to wit , that such as acknowledge ( that is truely as i conceive ) christ jesus to become in the flesh , are borne of god. truth . yea therefore consequently such a spirit cannot be of jesus , that makes such a profession of christ jesus as the devills themselves may make , and ( even for want of regeneration and personall grace , ) the professours are not fit for the fellowship of the true christian worship , and worshippers . . but lastly , if mr cotton , or any of his bloudie judgement woare the imperiall crowne of the worlds majestie , what slaughters shall we imagine the world should heare and feele ? whether would such fierie zeale transport men ? yea what an earthly dunghill religion and worship should the most high god be served with , fit onely for the dunghill gods and goddesses , whom all asi● ( as the towne-clarke speakes ) and the world worshippeth . peace . if the report of mr cottons interpreting that scripture of serving god with all our might , &c. be true , to wit , of employing our civill armes and forces to the utmost , and that against other peoples professing idolatrie and antichristianisme : his conscience ( as i conceive ) must needs force on and presse after , an universall conquest of all consciences , and under that ( like those bloudie spaniards , turkes and popes ) lay under that faire cloake , the rule and dominion over all the nations of the earth . truth . but may not mr cotton better listen to the voyce of the lord jesus , saying to him and such of his bloudie tenent , you know not of what spirit you are of : were the emperours too favourable ( as mr cotton sayth ) in but banishing ? how keene a sword would mr cotton draw against so many millions of gangreene soules throughout the turkish and the popish world ? peace . oh , how farre different would mr cottons sword be from the sword of the spirit of god , proceeding from the mouth of christ jesus , yet sharpe enough with two edges , piercing between soule and spirit , &c. truth . yea how farre different from the meeke spirit of the lambe of god , who came not to destroy mens lives , but to save them , yea how different from the former make and noted gentle temper of mr cottons own spirit , now over-heat and enflamed by his unmercifull and bloudie tenent ? exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . vvhen mr cotton was justly observed to use the language of lyon-like persecution in these words , [ more and greater princes then these you mention have not tollerated hereticks and schismaticks , notwithstanding their pretence of conscience , and their arrogating the crowne of martyrdome to their suffrings ] he defendeth such language by the scripture freedome in such tearmes against sinners , which sayth he , the discusser acknowledgeth . truth . in holy scripture are many expressions full of holinesse , gravitie , love , meeknesse , &c. which yet are wrested by us poore men to unholy and unchristian ends and purposes . how many wofully pervert many grave and heavenly passages and expressions of holy scripture to base and filthy jeasting ? how many from some sharp expressions of christ jesus and paul ( in cases ) take licence to raile and call men all to naught , in wrath , revenge , and passion ? and how many out of pride and false zeale trampling upon the heads and consciences of all men , are ready ( not in an holy meeke and christian way but ) in a pharisaicall , bishop-like and pope-like way , to roare and thunder out against gods meekest servants the odious tearmes of hereticks , schismaticks , blasphemers , seducers , &c. which tearmes though used in holy scripture , yet never in such a way , as commonly and constantly the bloudie and persecuting expresse themselves in . peace . but what or whom meanes mr cotton in this passage , what language have they learned , who in point of worship have left zion , but not the gates and suburbes of babylon , for they set up bull-warkes of impunitie to secure them . truth . surely mr cotton knowes that none that plead against the civill power and weapons in spirituall matters , but they also maintaine , that , there ought to be in vigorous use the spirituall and two edged sword that comes forth of christs mouth ( not for the impunitie but ) for the ruine and destruction of all babells ●ra●s and abominations . peace . mr cotton spends many lines , and quotes austin to prove , that julians end of tollerating heresie to grow , was to choake christianitie . truth . what ever were julians end , yet i deny that tolleration of the weedes of heresie and blasphemous religion ( paganish , turkish , jewish , popish ) in the field of the civill state and world , hath power to choake the vitalls of christianitie in the garden or bodie the church of christ jesus . and concerning infection , it is to be observed that when the holy scripture speakes by the similitudes of leaven , gangrene , or poysonfull weedes , of wolves , or scabbed sheepe , &c. it is commonly with respect to such evills got in among the saints and churches , the flocks and gardens of christ , where such leaven , weedes , &c. tollerated may spread and infect : but what is this to the lyons , beares , or wolves , not to be suffered in the wildernesse , or swine , or dogs , in the common high wayes ; or weedes in the common or forest , which all may be , and yet the garden , body , and flock of christ be pure and safe from such infection . peace . one passage more is very considerable . in former discourse about the tares mr cotton was large in proving the permission of weedes , even in the church of christ , and that untill christs comming , and that after they be discovered to be hypocrites . truth . o what a distance is between that doctrine and this here ? there the tares must not be touched in the garden of the church , here they must not be suffred abroad in the field of the world , for feare of choaking the good plants in the garden of christ . who can finde out how these doctrines suit with godlinesse , with reason , or themselves ? peace . but now you speake of suiting : it is ( sayth mr cotton ) ( for a close ) a plaine contradiction of the discussers former speech to say , that persecuting of others was a meanes of choaking christianitie , whereas he had said , that constantines unknowing zeale did more hurt to christs kingdome , then the raging furie of the most bloudie neroes . truth . let the words be well weighed , and no such affirmation will be found : the words are , [ it was not when christians lodged in cold prisons , but in down● beds of ease , and persecuted others . ] the discusser made not persecution to be a meanes of choaking christianitie , but attributes the losse of christians life and love , to those beds of their abused sweete prosperitie . . if he had made persecution a meanes to choake christianitie , it had been the persecution of christians among themselves , and not the persecution of bloudie neroes : which yet if it had been so , it might yet be no contradiction , for neroes persecution might doe hurt , although constantines unknowing zeale might doe much more . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . master cotton here being understood to smile on q : elizabeth for persecuting the papists , and to ●●●wne on k : james for persecuting the ( so named ) puritans , he denies neither , but insists onely upon the number , that as many and as great princes are against tolleration as for it , and in particular q : elizabeth and k : james . truth . i say ( as before ) i should never use an argument from the number of princes ( no more then from the number of any other men ) for any truth of christ jesus : who as he was not pleased himselfe to be borne of the sons of nobles , so hath he not chosen many nobles and wise men of this world to be borne of him : yet . if that be his argument , he hath not satisfied , in naming these two , for more were named by the prisoner , and besides one of those witnesses , k : james abundantly declared himselfe , not onely against persecuting of papists , but against all persecution in generall , what ever otherwise or afterwards his practices were against some persons , as mr cotton too truely alledgeth . truth . in the next passage the discusser having objected that both q : elizabeth and k : james did persecute according to their consciences , and arguing why should the one ( namely ) k : james be more blamed for persecuting according to his conscience , then q : elizabeth for persecuting according to hers : mr cotton distinguisheth of consciences : the queenes sayth he , was rightly informed , but the kings was not . when it was replyed , that either k : james , and such princes whose consciences ( according to mr cottons conscience ) are ill informed , must act according to their consciences , or else they want the qualification and fitnes for such places : mr cotton answers two things . first , that such qualifications are not essentiall , but integrall . secondly , that such princes must forbeare all civill censures in matters of religion untill they be better informed . truth . it is most true as mr cotton sayth , if we speake of the right of succession , a childe may be a lawfull king ( as k. james himselfe was being but a yeare old ) but if we speake of the qualifications of the minde , by which a king is enabled to rule his state ( as is supposed ecclesiasticall and civill , and to judge under christ jesus in all causes ecclesiasticall as well as civill : surely , he that knowes not which is the true church , true ministrie , true ordinances ; yea and persecutes the true church , ministrie , and worship , what ever his qualifications be for the government of the civill state , yet can it never be made good that he is furnished with any essentiall qualification for the spirituall administration , any more then he that undertakes to be a guide , and yet is blinde , and never set foote in the way , and knowes not the true from the false : or to be a captaine generall , yea or but a shepheard , &c. . beside , christ jesus never calld any person to any employment of his , to any worke , whom he inables not in a measure proportionably , &c. peace . in such cases ( sayth mr cotton ) princes are called to suspend and forbeare all execution of civill censures in the matters of religion , till they be better informed , least they doe persecute the son of god in stead of the son of perdition . truth . i answer : first , then mr cotton hath cut off k : james from acting , though so long esteemed and sworne supreame in all causes ecclesiasticall . secondly , i aske , how many shall forbeare , and how long , for evident then it is that most ( beyond all comparison ) of all the princes and magistrates in the world , must not meddle with this pretended chiefe part of their dutie and office , and that ( if they convert not ) for the whole course and race of their life : in particular , that no pagan magistrate ( of all the ten thousands in the world , no persian , turkish , popish , nor protestant ( if prelaticall or presbyterian , ) ought to exercise any of this high and glorious power , but onely such princes and magistrates as are of mr cottons conscience ; for otherwise what prince in the world more learned king in his time then king james , yet was not he of mr cottons conscience . peace . deare truth : the fall of this partialitie is so apparant , and withall so fowle , that i thinke it impossible , but ere long it must needs be condemned by men on earth , as doubtless it is abhord by the most holy and impartiall god , and his holy angells in heaven : upon this occasion i call to minde that famous act of the so greatly renowned constantine , who in his first wearing of the diademe , put forth ( his colleauge licinius concurring also ) a famous and most solemne charter and edict , that no man throughout the whole empire should be constraind in his religion . truth . mr cotton ( according to his proviso of suspension ) must doubtles applaud constantine for this his forbearance untill he were better informed , whereas afterward his edicts against arrius and arrianisme , testifie his practice to the contrary . but he that shall reade seriously in gods presence that first edict of constantine and licinius , will there finde constantine to use such arguments , as might for ever have caused him to have forbore persecution , to have still suspended , to have gratified the subjects of all his empire with libertie and freedome in the point of worship and religion . but i will end this passage with this querie ; if christ jesus have left such power with the civill rulers of the world , kingdomes , and countries , of or for the establishing , governing , and reforming his church , what is become of his care and love , wisdome and faithfulnesse , since in all ages ( since he left the earth ) for the generall , beyond all exception , he hath left her destitute of such qualified princes and governours , and in the course of his providence furnished her with such , whom he knew would be , and all men finde as fit , as wolves to protect and feede his sheepe and people . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . vvhen it was questioned , what good to the soules or bodies of their subjects did those princes bring in persecuting ! mr cotton produceth a good ●i●●fold that is brought to princes and subjects by the due punishment of apostates , seducers , idolaters , and blasphemers . truth . let all that feare god and mr cotton himselfe be perswaded to observe , whether under this faire cloake of punishing these and these spirituall sinners , he maintaine not strongly ( what elsewhere he denies ) to wit , persecution for cause of conscience . but we know the evasion . it is not for apostatizing , seducing out of conscience , but after conviction , against their conscience , &c. peace . you have before satisfied me ( besides other passages ) with this one , that to this end of discerning the poore hereticks sinning against his conscience , the civill state , the earth , the world must necessarily erect its tribunall , to judge not onely civill things , but even the heart and conscience also ; but now to mr cottons five-fold good . first ( sayth he ) it puts away evill from the people , by cutting off a gangrene which would spread to further ungodlinesse , deut. . . tim. . . . . . truth . i answer , these scriptures ( though pure and holy in their places , yet ) are here coupled together as linsey wollsey , contrary to the law. deut. . which concerns the typicall nationall church , using nationall & temporall weapons : the tim. . concernes the particular congregations or churches of christians , using onely the sword of gods spirit , the word of god , &c. beside , deut. . concerned such a people whom the lord brought forth of aegypt with miracles , into canaan , &c. let any such people be now produced , excepting the christian ( particular ) churches . why doth mr cotton then alledge this scripture so frequently , and in these five reasons brings two from hence ; this the first ; and the third , to wit , that all the people may heare and feare , &c. which is alone made good in the antitype or christian church ; according to that tim. . . rebuke them that sinne openly , that others may learne to feare . . peace . mr cotton mentioneth a second good , which is driving away wolves from worrying and scattering the sheepe of christ . truth . this was largely answered in discoursing the nature of mysticall or spirituall wolves , upon that very place which he quotes , acts . from whence it may evidently appeare that from the literall urging of such mysticall scriptures , all peoples and nations are enforced ( and that conscientiously ) like wolves and lyons to teare and devoure each other . . peace . mr cotton addes , that punishments are wholesome medicines to such as are curable of such evills , zach. . , , . truth . i answer ; all the holy appointments of god are most powerfull ( in their severall respective seasons , and manner of dispensations , to his owne most holy ends and purposes , &c. the materiall nationall sword in the nationall church of israel before christ : and the spirituall sword , in the spirituall and christian church since his comming to abolish those shadowes . as it was therefore in vaine to have cut off or excommunicated spiritually in that nationall state : so is it in vaine to use the materiall or carnall sword in the spirituall . wherefore ( according to this place of zach. ) a true penitent will blesse god for the wounds of friends and lovers ( faithfull and sharpe dealing ) and for deliverance from the kisse of deceitfull flatterie : but what is this to prove ( that which is so much denied ) to wit , corporall death or wounds now to be inflicted upon false teachers in these times of the gospel , and that in all parts and nations of the world. . peace . the punishment , sayth mr cotton , executed upon false prophets and seducing teachers , doe bring downe showres of gods blessing upon the civill state , king. . , . truth . if that nationall state of israell , and that nationall or corporeall killing of so many hundreth false prophets , and that literall drouth and literall showres of raine and plentie were figures of no other prophets and slaughters , drouth and showers , but literall , materiall , and corporeall , ( now since the body and substance christ jesus is come ) : what should hinder but that those priests of israel , and sacrifices , and temple , and nationall church should all be in force , for our imitation , literally , the one as well as ●he other ? peace . i cannot possibly conceive but that ( all being of the same nature , ) the one is typicall as well as the other , and that they must flourish and be glorious ( as gods ordinances , ) or vanish and disappeare ( giving place to brighter dispensations ) at the arising of christ jesus the son of righteousnesse . truth . hence false apostles , false teachers , false prophets , are spiritually cut off , revel . . pet. . gal. . and spirituall showres of blessings descend upon the israel of god ; for although corporeall blessings of food and raiment and plentie , are gods blessings , yet principally under the gospel god blesseth his israel , the antitype with spirituall blessings , eph. . houses , lands , fathers , mothers , children , &c. with persecution , mark. . peace . me thinks ( deare truth ) if christ jesus had appointed such punishments , such executions , literall , in the christian church , he would also have appointed offices and officers suitable and proper for such ends and purposes , such punishments , such executions . truth . it cannot otherwise with reason and common prudence be supposed , but that , if christ jesus had appointed ( which we finde not in his holy testament ) holy and christian magistrates for those great decrees and sentences , wee should also have read of his holy constables , holy sergeants , holy prisons , holy stocks , holy whipping posts , holy gibbets , and holy tyburnes ; together also with holy hangmen , the spirituall instruments and officers of christ jesus , for the executions of his holy punishments upon apostates , hereticks , blasphemers , idolaters , seducers , &c. . peace . gods justice ( sayth mr cotton ) is honoured in the execution of such judgements , revel . . , . . truth . i have ( to my understanding ) formerly shewed mr cottons mistake in his expounding of this third violl , and have presented an exposition more agreeable with the scope of this prophecie . peace . . god was honoured in all his judgements which the tyrants of the world have executed , ( the babylonian , persian , grecian , romane ) yet not by way of law and ordinance , but in the way of his holy providence and just permission . . truth . yea the witnesses of jesus , by the two-edged sword of god in their mouths , execute gods judgements , to the vindicating of gods glory , and their innocencie , ( revel . . ) although they used no carnall weapon . . the holy name of god is much dishonoured and prophaned , when the inventions of men are set up , against his holy appointments , and when the sword of steele ( in spirituall cases ) is drawen in stead of the spirituall sword , proceeding out of the mouth of christ jesus in his servants testimonie . all such worship , is but vaine or idle worship ( mark. . ) and such is the carnall sword and executions of it . peace . whereas it was observed , that mr cotton acknowledged that queene elizabeth had well neere fired all europe , by such executions , mr cotton answers , god bore witnesse to his truth in deliverances : and when it was replyed , that successe doth not prove causes true , mr cotton answers , yes ; psal . . , . jer. . , , . truth . i reply , temporall prosperitie , successe , &c. were proper in that temporall and civill state , of that nationall church , and spirituall blessing and prosperitie proper in the gospel now , ephes . . peace . . it was answered that god had given victorie to the papists , especially against the waldenses ( and the beast makes warre against the witnesses , revel . . and overcomes them , &c. ) mr cotton herein first observeth a contradiction , in the words , to wit , that the papists ever had the victorie , and yet their successe hath been various . truth . i reply ; the words are not that the papists had ever the victory , but that they ever had both victory and dominion ; which words may be true , although that the event were sometimes various . . peace . againe ( sayth mr cotton ) queene elizabeth ever had the victorie against the papists . truth . i answer ; many gracious deliverances god vouchsafed to q : elizabeth , yet sometimes her armies prospered not against the papists , as in that famous expedition of essex , drake and norris ( though in a most righteous cause , ) against the papists of spaine and portugall , as also against the papists in ireland and the low countries , at sometimes . . grant not onely deliverances , but victories and successe , her cause ( how ever intermingled ) was civill defence of her kingdome , against invation and ambition , dominion and conquest , by practices of tyrannie and oppression , both against the english and the hollanders ( especially ) as appeared by the horrible exactions , outrages , murthers and slaughters committed upon them by d'alva the king of spaines generall . peace . but although the papists ( sayth mr cotton ) fought with various successe , yet it is gods manner to nurture his people with some crosses , to teach them not to fight in their owne strength , &c. truth . yea and it might also teach them not to fight but with christs weapons in christs cause ; who hath said , that all that take the sword , that is , ( as i conceive ) in christs cause , shall perish by it , matth. . . . peace . concerning the walldenses mr cotton sayth , they never lost victorie , but when they complied with the papists , and trusted more to their false praetences , then to the lord. and he adds , that it is not true , that the finall successe of victorie fell to the papists , to the utter extirpation of those walldenses ; for sayth he , those witnesses were not extirpated but dispersed . truth . for their complying with papists , alas , what can gods little flock , his two witnesses doe with carnall weapons , unlesse assisted by carnall men , to whom this carnall course causeth them to bow downe , dissemble , lye , &c. as holy david with achish and his philistims . . for the successe it is evident that the waldenses and their adherents , were so defeated by the popes armies , that in respect of any power to resist , the armies of the waldenses were wholly extirpated , although it is true ( through gods o're-powring hand ) the truths of christ ( which the holy waldensian witnesses testified ) were more and more propagated by their dispersions , christ jesus gaines more by preaching his truth in a flying persecuted dispersion , then by fighting on horsbacke with carnall weapons in carnall companies , &c. . peace . but , whereas it was observed from daniell and john their prophecies , that antichrist was foretold to obtaine great successe against christ jesus , for a time determined : mr cotton sayth , not against christ jesus , but his servants , and that either in suffring for his truth , or when they ill handled his cause . truth . be it so , yet the prophesies were true , and truely were fullfilled , and it is gods counsell that for the time appointed , christ jesus in his truths and servants is despised , psal . . &c. how can then temporall victorie and prosperitie be expected by christs followers for christs cause , or the temporall sword be an ordinance for christs spirituall kingdome and worship ? . peace . now lastly , when the weapons of the saints victories were mentioned three ; ( revel . . ) . christs bloud . . the word of their testimonie . . their owne bloud : mr cotton answers ; this is true in private christians : but ( sayth he ) the sword of gideon , the publike magistrate is the lords sword , &c. when drawen out for gods cause and worship , according to god , is victorious , revel . . with revel . . . , . truth . i answer ; gideons sword ( if well examined ) will be found a figure of that sharpe sword of that great captaine and generall christ jesus . this sword comes forth of his mouth in the preachings and writings of his servants : other sword we never finde he used in all his battells against all his adversaries : yea even against the devill himselfe and his instruments . peace . yea , those very victories of the saints , revel . . are expressely won with that sword which comes forth of his mouth : and his owne white horse , and the horses of his followers , and the white linnen with which they are clothed , cannot with any shew of christian reason hould forth the carnall praeparation of white horses , ( literally ) guns , swords , &c. but of the word of meeknesse , innocencie and righteousnesse ( which is interpreted the fine linnen , vers . . ) truth . to shut up this chapter , gideons armie and artillerie and victorie , cannot be type of such materiall armies , artillerie , and victories , but of a spirituall armie , fighting with the light and testimonie of gods truth openly proclaimed , and the chearefull breaking of the earthen vessells of their bodies for christs cause , when in conclusion , the antichristian midianites ( by their divisions and combustions ) run their swords in each others bowells , with mutuall slaughters and destructions ; as woefull experiences hath declared . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . from the argument of the testimonie of kings and princes concerning persecution for matters of religion in their kingdomes and dominions , the prisoner descended to the argument from ancient writers : unto some of which sayth the discusser , the answerer pleaseth to make answer : unto this mr cotton replyes ; as if any of them were omitted , or as if all of them were not answered : compare the prisoners letter and mine together , and see if i have balked any one of them . truth . mr cotton would here insinuate a false charge : i have compared the prisoners letter , and the answer , and although mr cotton hath said some-thing to some-thing , which every one of them spake : yet he that impartially will view the passages shall finde , that although in strictnesse of gammar rules , he may not be said to omit to say something to each of them , yet in respect of matter and argument , he hath toucht but some , and that but lightly , as the candle of examination will make it appeare . peace . hilarius words in the letter are these : the christian church doth not persecute , but is persecuted : and lamentable it is to see the great folly of these times , and to figh at the foolish opinion of this world , in that men thinke by humane ayde to helpe god , and with worldly pompe and power to undertake to defend the christian church : i aske you bishops , what helpe used the apostles in the publishing of the gospel ? with the ayde of what power did they preach christ , and convert the heathen from their idolatrie to god ? when they were in prisons , and lay in chaines , did they praise or give thankes to god for any dignities or graces and favours received from the court ? or doe you thinke that paul went about with regall mandates or kingly authoritie , to gather and establish the church of christ ? sought he protection from nero , vespatian , & c ? the apostles wrought with their own hands for their maintenance , travelled by land , and wandred from towne to citie to preach christ : yea the more they were forbidden , the more they taught and preached christ : but now alas humane helpe must assist and protect the faith , and give countenance to it , and by vaine and worldly honours doe men seeke to defend the church of christ , as if he by his power were unable to performe it . truth . how many goulden heavenly sentences ( like so many precious jewells ) are treasured up , in the cabinet of this holy testimonie of hilarius ? and yet , but some of them , nay onely one of them doth mr cotton choose to answer , to wit , this , the christian church doth not persecute , but is persecuted . truth . deare peace , each inch and shread of heavenly gold is precious , forget not therefore the addition in the letter , hilarie against the arrians thus : the church which formerly by enduring miserie and imprisonment , was knowne to be the true church , doth now terrifie others by imprisonment , banishment , and miserie , and boasteth that ●hee is highly esteemed of the world , whereas the true church cannot but be hated of the same . in which and other passages of hilarius mr cotton might see as in a glasse , the foule spots of his owne and new englands face , in a most lively testimonie against both bloudie tenents and practices . peace . to close upon the point : mr cotton sayth , he cannot make it a marke of a christian church to be persecuted , for ( acts . ) the churches had rest , &c. nor a marke of a false church to persecute ; for , asa persecuted the prophet ( chron. . . ) acts . . the true church persecuted the prophets . truth . when the scripture or common reason speakes of a common marke or character , proper to one they deny not ; but in an act , or unusuall cases that marke or character may be worne by the contraries . noah was drunk ; abraham lyes ; david commits adulterie : yet lying , drunkennesse and whoredome were not their ordinarie characters , but the markes of the common lyars , drunkards and adulterers of this world : david stobd vriah with his pen , and asa imprisoned the prophet ; yet these acts were not their ordinarie badges , but rather spots or blemishes , warts , or scabs , which grew on and were cast off ( like pauls viper ) without the note of a constant marke or character . it is the propertie of fire to ascend , and water to descend , yet the scripture relates of the descending of fire , and the ascending of water , which takes not away the ordinarie nature of the marke and character of fires ascending , and waters descending the hills and mountaines . an arrant whore is not alwayes in actuall whoredome and bloud , though both are her markes and dispositions : a chast wife or virgin abhorres both , and yet by force or great temptation , may be vanquished ( as bathsheba ) which afterwards the teares of godly sorrow and repentance wash away . peace . yea but , the question is ( sayth mr cotton ) whether magistrates may not punish arrogant hereticks and seducers ? truth . in all ages god hath permitted , goulden images ( like nebuchadnezzars ) to be set up , i say state worships and religions ! and he hath also provided his witnesses to testifie his truth against such abominations : such witnesses dissenting , non-conforming , and refusing to come to the common assemblies of such worshippers ( to come to church in plaine english ) to yeeld conformitie , to subscribe , to sweare , &c. are commonly cryed downe for hereticks , schismaticks , &c. and if they open their lips in defence of their owne conscience , and profession of gods truth ! seducers , seducers , blasphemers , blasphemers . . peace . but . sayth mr cotton ) it is another begging of the question , to take it for granted , that it is a marke of no true church to procure the civill punishment of incorrigible , obstinate hereticks and seducers . truth . i intend by a marke of character , an inbred constant disposition , put forth in a constant and ordinarie practice : and then i dare challenge mr cotton to produce any true church of christ , eyther in scripture or historie , that did ordinarily and constantly professe and practice to stirre up the civill magistrate against such whom they judged incorrigible obstinate hereticks and seducers . peace . that which follows is full of wonder and astonishment , for mr cotton confessing the christian church doth not persecute , that is ( sayth he ) persecute in excommunicating the heretick ) it was replyed ; this is but an evasion , for who denies power to christs church to excommunicate ? or who understands by excommunication , persecution for conscience ? mr cotton answers ; the prisoner did nōt expresse himselfe , what persecution he meant , and also since false excommunication is a great persecution , and so christ jesus himselfe esteemes of it , luk. . . truth . i have formerly and must againe appeale to the nature of the word , commonly used and taken , and aske , if persecution properly so taken be not a corporeall violence , or hunting for religion and conscience sake ! and then halfe an eye will see through this poore and thin excuse and covering , notwithstanding that false excommunication be a spirituall persecution , and the abuse of the spirituall sword be also deeper and fouler then the abuse of the civill and materiall . peace . to this ( upon the point ) mr cotton consented , to wit , that hilarius complaint , speaketh not to excommunication , but civill censures , and therefore answers , first by proportion that excommunication of an heretick is no persecution , and therefore by proportion neither is the civill punishment of an heretick , persecution . by concession of hilaries words , that the apostles did not , and we may not propagate religion by the sword. truth . the question with hilarie was not whether a true church did persecute an heretick idolater , blasphemer , &c. but whether a true church persecuted at all by civill censures : now there being two states , the civill or corporeall , and the ecclesiasticall or spirituall : there are conseqnently two sorts of lawes , two sorts of transgressions , two sorts of punishments , to wit , civill and spirituall , and there must of necessitie be two sorts of false or corrupt punishments , which are not just punishments , but oppressions , persecutions or huntings , to wit , the civill persecution and the spirituall : now mr cotton ( confounding heaven and earth together ) deceives himselfe and others by a notion of spirituall persecution , to wit , by excommunication , contrary to hilaries scope , and the scope of this whole dispute and controversie . i may illustrate it thus : some tutours of kings children , not being authorized to correct the bodies of such young princes , are said sometimes ( not without some desert ) to correct the bodies of inferiours ( the young princes favourites , ) by which the minds of such young princes smarted sufficiently , if not exceedingly . i parallell not the similitude in all respects , but to illustrate the difference and distinction , between a spirituall punishment of the minde , and spirit , soule and affections , with which christ jesus hath furnished his churches : and that civill or corporall punishment , which he never gave them power to inflict ( unlesse in miraculous dispensation ) over the bodies of any , directly or indirectly by themselves or others . peace . it is an everlasting truth ; rightly distinguish , rightly teach : but let us view mr cottons second answer , he grante that the christian religion was not , nor is not to be propagated by the sword. truth . then let heaven and earth judge , if mr cotton may not ( in this case ) out of his owne mouth be judged , since in this whole discourse he sets the visible headship of christ jesus ( that golden head , cant. . ) over the church and all her officers , doctrines and practices , ( in the power of correcting , reforming , &c. ) on the shoulders of the civill state , the ministers and officers thereof : provided that they execute not this headship or government , except they be able to judge , that is , ( in english ) provided they be of his conscience and judgement , and so consequently will judge and execute , according to the clergies ( though implicite ) decree and sentence . peace . it is not much unlike that mr cotton affirmeth in the words following : for although he confesseth it is not proper for christian churches to inflict civill punishments by themselves , yet makes he ( as all popes and popish persecutours have done ) the magistrates and civill powers , their servants and slaves for execution , &c. truth . this mr cotton covers over with this similitude , saying that although it is not proper for lambes to teare wolves , yet if they were reasonable they would run to their shepheards to send out their dogs after them . now under this fine paint and vizard of lambe like dispositions of shepheards , the bishops , presbyterians , and independents , may render the civill magistrate not as shepheards , but no other upon the point and in plaine english , then their servants and executioners , to punish such on whom the clergie first have past their sentence . the bloudie papists have commonly used to persecute christ jesus formally and judicially , delivering over christ jesus ( in his servants , ) orderly to pontius pilate , the secular power . the protestant persecutors use a finer vaile ( every ugly vizard will not so deceive ) for though they practice not so above boord , in respect of a formall and judiciall delivering of christ ( the heretick ) unto their shepheard pontius pilate the secular power , yet they doe it , and doe it as substantially and fully by preaching and chalking out to then servants the magistrates , their task , i say , as fully as ever the bloudie popes , the bishops ; or their chancellours did . peace . but why ( sayth mr cotton ) should a christian church spare an idolater tempting of her now , any more then the eye of an holy israelite was to spare the like tempters in the dayes of old , deut. . ? truth . mr cotton cannot get over this block , though it be but a shadow , yea the shadow of a shadow , abolished by christ jesus : mr cotton a little before grants that the power of spirituall chaines far exceeds the power of materiall , and if so how cleere is it , that the spirituall impartialitie and severitie of a virgin israelite now , is incomparablie sharper and more dreadfull , by putting spiritually to death such as tempt them from the lord their god , who hath brought them forth of aegypt into spirituall canaan , then the impartialitie and severitie of any literall israelite , against such as tempted them from the lord , who in a type had brought them forth of materiall aegypt into materiall canaan ? i adde ( sweete peace ) to end this chapter , if the father of lights graciously please to open a crevis of light to that ( otherwise ) excellent and piercing eye of mr cotton in this controversie , he will confesse concerning this cutting off in israel these two things . first , that the cutting off in materiall israel , was by swords , stones , &c. a cutting off from the holy land , and a casting out of gods sight , which cutting off god executed either by legall judgement and sentence among themselves , or by furious hand of persecutours and oppressours , slaughtering or captivating that people . secondly , that there is no other cutting off in the gospel , but by the spirituall sword of the word & ordinances of christ , or the violent hand of oppressours , antichristians , &c. carrying gods israel captive into mysticall babylon , or aegypt of false worship , or worldly corruption , which is ten thousand-fold more terrible and dreadfull , then the literall and materiall captivitie of israel . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . here mr cotton complaines of wrong , in that the discusser chargeth him to plead for persecution , and yet confesseth that he agrees with hilarie . truth . mr cotton indeed agrees with hilarie in generall profession , that the gospel is not to be propagated by sword , but in particulars he affirmes , the blasphemer , the idolater , the heretick , the seducer is to be persecuted . in the generall he saith , the magistrate may not constraine any to believe & professe the truth , yet in particulars ; thus far saith he , a man may be constrained by the magistrates withdrawing countenance and favour , incouragement and employment from him , which affirming , what doth he else but affirme that he may be constrained , deposed , punished , that is , persecuted . peace . indeed such kinde of punishment , as to displace men , to keepe them out from all offices , or places of trust and credit ( because of difference of conscience ) may prove in the particular a greater affliction and punishment , then a censure , a fine , imprisonment , yea sometimes more bitter to some spirits then death it selfe . truth . yea and mr cottons ground is both unsafe and darke , and needs a candle of light to discover the bottome and compasse of it : such , saith he , as walke not according to their light , are neither true servants to god nor man , but first , what meanes here mr cotton by light ? light in this sence is commonly taken two wayes . first , for that is light indeed , to wit , the precious light of gods revealed will. secondly , that which so appeares to be , to a mans minde and conscience , but may be a falshood , a lye , a mistake , and darknesse . mr cotton had done well to have distinguished , for ( before ) he blamed king james for walking according to his light : and although ( upon the point ) he makes the civill magistrates in all parts of the world , the heads , protectours , and governours of christs church , yet if the eyes of these heads see not by his light , he cuts off these heads , forbidding them to act as heads , and to walke according to their light , they must ( as often he tells us ) suspend , untill they have light , &c. . peace . beside , it comes oft to passe , that the light which shines by preaching or practice of others , although it be a meane sufficient to convince , if god please to blesse it , yet untill the consciences of men be convinced of the light of it , i judge it cannot properly be said to be the light of their consciences , nor they to sin against the light of their consciences . . truth . yea , and there is a morall vertue , a morall fidelitie , abilitie and honestie , which other men ( beside church members ) are , by good nature and education , by good lawes and good examples nourished and trained up in , that civill places of trust and credit need not to be monopolized into the hands of church-members ( who sometimes are not fitted for them ) and all others deprived and despoiled of their naturall & civill rights and liberties . peace . but what say you ( deare truth ) to mr cottons apologie for new england ( for as for constraint in old he is silent ) he sayth he knowes not of any constraint upon any to come to church , to pay church duties , and sayth it is not so in his towne . truth . if mr cotton be forgetfull , sure he can hardly be ignorant of the lawes and penalties extant in new england that are ( or if repeald have been ) against such as absent themselves from church morning and evening , and for non-payment of church-duties , although no members . for a freedome of not paying in his towne , it is to their commendation and gods praise , who hath shewed him and others more of his holy truth : yet who can be ignorant of the sessments upon all in other townes , of the many suits and sentences in courts ( for non-payment of church-duties ) even against such as are no church members ? of the motions and pleadings of some ( not the meanest of their ministers ) for tithes ? and how ever for my part i beleeve mr cotton ingeniously willing , that none be forced expresly to pay to his maintenance , yet i question whether he would work if he were not well payd : and i could relate also what is commonly reported abroad , to wit , that the rich merchants and people of boston would never give so freely , if they were forced , yet now they are forced to give for shame ( i take it ) in the publike congregation . the indians of this countrie have a way calld nanówwe , or giving their commodities freely , by which they get better bargaines , then if they stood stiffly on their tearmes of anaqúshento , or trading : and when not satisfied to the utmost , they grudge , revile , &c. it cannot be , but that to such deceitfulnesse of heart mr cotton is subject as well as others , though love bids me , and others , to hope the best . peace . the close of this chapter seemes strange and wonderfull , for mr cotton acknowledged that propagation of religion ought not to be by the sword , and yet instantly againe maintaines he the use of the sword when persons ( which then must be judged by the civill state ) blaspheme the true god and the true religion , and also seduce others to damnable heresie and idolatrie : but this ( sayth he ) is not the propagation of religion , but the preserving of it , and if it doe conduce to propagation , it is onely removendo prohibens . truth . what is this removendo prohibens , but as the weeding of a field or garden ? and every husbandman will say , that the end of such his work , is the propagation and increase of his graine and fruit , as well as the making of his fence , and planting and sowing of his field or garden : what therefore is this confession , ( though with this distinction ) but in truth an acknowledgement of what in words and tearmes , he yet denies ( with hilarie ) to wit , a propagating of christian religion and truth by the civill sword ? . besides it is the same hand and power that plucks up the weedes , and plants the corne , and consequently , that same hand and sword that destroyes the heretick , may make the christian , &c. exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . concerning tertullians speech , and especially that branch , to win , that [ by the law of naturall equitie , men are not to be compelled to any religion , but permitted to believe or not believe at all ] mr. cotton answers , that they doe permit the indians , but it will not therefore be safe to toller ▪ te the publicke worship of devills or idolls . the discusser replied , that they doe permit the indians in their paganish worship , and therefore were partiall to their countrymen and others : mr cotton answers ; that it is not true , that they doe so permit the indians , what ever they may doe privately : that the indians submit to the ten commandements , and that some of their ministers have preached to them in english , which hath been interpreted : that one now preacheth in their owne language : further , that they permit strangers in their worship . and for their countrymen , for the most part that they worship god with them : they which are distant have libertie of publike prayer and preaching , by such as themselves choose without disturbance . truth . concerning the indians , it is most true , that the monahigganéucks , mishawomêucks , pawtuckséucks , and cawsumséucks ( who professe to submit to the english ) continue in their publike paganish worship of devills , i say openly and constantly . peace . yea but ( saith mr cotton ) they have submitted to the ten commandements . truth . i answer ; the ten commandements containe a renunciation of all salse gods and worships , and a worshipping of the true god , according to his owne institutions and appointments , which their practice is as farre from , as mid-night is from mid-day . . to put men upon observations of gods worship , as prayer , &c. before the foundations of repentance from dead workes ( their worshipping of idolls , &c. ) is as farre from the order of christ jesus , and his christian principles ( whereof repentance from dead workes is the first ) as the building of an house or palace , without the first groundsell or foundation laid . peace . mr cotton therefore saith , they preach unto them . truth . i from my soule wish that all the lords people in new england were prophets , yea true apostolicall ministers or preachers , truely furnished with christs abilities , and christs commission , to goe forth to convert and baptize the nations , even these wildest of the nations of adams children : but conversion of nations mr cotton sayth ( upon revel . . ) untill the seaven plagues of the seaven angells be fullfilled , will not be great . this interpretation i acknowledge to be very probable , so far as concernes any great conversion of the nations before the downfall of antichrist , and in the meane season i commend the pious endeavours of any ( professing ministery or not ) to doe good to the soules of all men as we have opportunitie . but that any of the ministers spoken of are furnished with true apostolicall commission ( matth. . ) i see not for these reasons . first , the minister or ministers , whom mr cotton i conceive intends , professe an ordinarie office in the church of christ , which is cleerely distinct , yea and another thing from the office of an apostle , or one sent forth to preach and baptize , ephes . . & cor. . secondly , such churches as are invested with the power of christ , and so authoriz'd to send forth , are seperate from the world , which many thousands of gods people ( dead and living ) have seene just reasons to deny those churches so to be . thirdly , were the church true , and the messenger or apostle rightly sent forth with prayer and fasting , according to act. . yet i believe that none of the ministers of new england , nor any person in the whole countrey is able to open the mysteries of christ jesus in any proprietie of their speech or language , without which proprietie it cannot be imagined that christ jesus sent forth his first apostles or messengers , and without which no people in the world are long willing to heare of difficult and heavenly matters . that none is so fitted ; first , the natives themselves affirme , as i could instance in many particulars . secondly , the experience of the discusser and of many others testifie how hard it is for any man to attaine a little proprietie of their language in common things ( so as to escape derision amongst them ) in many yeares , without abundance of conversing with them , in eating , travelling and lodging with them , &c. which none of their ministers ( other affaires not permitting ) ever could doe . peace . there being no helpes of art and learning amongst them , i see not how without constant use or a miracle , any man is able to attaine to any proprietie of speech amongst them , even in common things . and without proprietie ( as before ) who knowes not how hardly all men ( especially barbarians ) are brought to heare matters of heaven ( so strange and contrary to nature ) yea , even matters of the earth , except profit and other worldly ends compell them to spell out mens minds and meaning ? truth . . i may truely adde a third , an instance in the booke of their conversion , written by mr tho : shepheard , there mr eliot ( the ablest amongst them in the indian speech ) promising an old indian a suit of cloths , the man ( sayth the relation ) not well understanding mr eliots speech , asked another indian what mr eliot said . peace . me thinks , the native not understanding such a common and wellcome promise of cloths upon gift , would farre more hardly understand mr eliots preaching of the garment of righteousnesse christ jesus , unto which men mutually turne the deafe eare , &c. truth . neither you ( sweet peace ) nor i expresse thus much to dampe mr eliot or any from doing all the good they can , whiles opportunitie lasts in any truely christian way , but to shew how great that mistake is , that pretends such a true preaching of christ jesus to them in their owne language . peace . but to proceed , in the next passage mr cotton affirmes their impartialitie in permitting others as well as the indians . truth . i answer ; it is one thing to connive at a strange papist in private devotions on shoare , or in their vessells at anchor , &c. another thing to permit papists , jewes , turkes , &c. the free and constant exercise of their religion and worship , in their respective orders and assemblies , were such inhabitants amongst them . peace . doubtlesse the bloudie tenent cannot permit this libertie , neither to the papists , jewes , turkes , &c. nor to the indians , nor doth their practice toward their countrymen hould forth a shew of such a freedome or permission . truth . i wonder why mr cotton writes , that the most part of the english worship god with them , and the rest absent have libertie to choose their preachers ! since mr cotton knowes the petition and petitions that have been presented for libertie of conscience in new england , and he cannot but also know the imprisoning and fining of some of the petitioners , &c. peace . it may be mr cotton will use the common objection , that some part of their petition tended to disturbance in civill things . truth . some of their petitions were purely for libertie of conscience , which some in office , both in church and state favoured , as is reported , if not promoted . if others or some part of them might be judged offensive against lawes made , yet why then hath not the libertie of their conscience ( in point of worship ) been granted to them ? when they have complained ( amongst other passages ) that they have been forced to stay the baptizing of other mens children , while their owne might not be admitted , and therefore earnestly sued for ministers and congregations after their owne free choice and consciences , which have ever been denyed to them . peace . it is said , that their ministers being consulted with , utterly denied to yeeld to any such libertie . truth . they might justly feare , that if such a window were opened ( as once bishop gardiner spake in another case ) that the new english congregations and churches would be as thin ; as the presbyterians complained theirs to have been , when the people once began to taste the freedome and libertie of their consciences , from the slaves whip , &c. peace . in the next passage , the discusser having excepted against mr cottons distinguishing betweene members of the church , and such as have given their names to christ ; mr cotton replies ; they are not all one , and quotes , esa . . , . truth . let the place be viewed , and that place will be found to speake of no such difference : it speaks of the lords promise to eunuches and strangers , laying hould on the lords covenant , and joyning themselves to the lord , which i conceive mr cotton will not deny to be in a church way ; in which condition the lord gives the eunuches a name better then of sonnes and daughters . peace . in the next passage mr cotton upon tertullians speech , affirmes , that a false religion will hurt , because the red horse followes the white , &c. truth . i answer ; gods judgements ( by warre , famine , pestilence ) plaguing false religions in his time ( though after many hundreth yeares patience , as hath form ●ly been opened ) is one thing : and the present hurting or profiting of others , is another . peace . in the next place mr cotton takes offence that the discusser should insinuate mr cotton to have a hand in the modell of church government . truth . i answer ; mr cottons words in the end of his answer to the prisoner , ( where he speakes of this treatise or modell , sent to some of the brethren of salem ) seemed to hould out the probabilitie of it . how ever mr cotton subscribeth to the rest of the elders , ( as he here sayth ) their words being rightly understood . peace . further , mr cotton here affirmes , that the want of a law for religion in any state provokes the wrath of god , as the want of a king in israel , judg. . . truth . this scripture proves no more , but that the want of a king , magistrate , governour , or civill officer of justice , provokes the wrath of god , and endangereth the people , against which the discusser never affirmed , but against their kingly or civill authoritie in spirituall cases , since christ jesus abolished that nationall church . peace . but sayth mr cotton , the best good of a citie is religion , and therefore there should be a law for it . truth . to this i have spoken largely in discussing of that modell , unto which i know not of any reply yet made by himselfe , or any of those worthy men whom he makes the authours of it . peace . but further , whereas the discusser had said that the weedes of the wildernesse will not hurt the garden , nor poyson the body , if not suffred to grow in the garden , nor taken into the body , mr cotton grants that christ hath ordained gardiners for his garden , and physick and physicians for his body : yet withall he makes the civill officers , to be as supervisors , superintendents , and consequently , bishops , governours , and heads of the church or churches , and over the spirituall officers of christ jesus . truth . what is this but to establish henry the . a spirituall civill magistrate , and head of the church , in the roome of the pope ? contrary to which i have discoursed in the discussing of the modell in the bloudie tenent . peace . but what thinke you of mr cottons interpretation of tertullians minde , to wit , that tertullian should meane , that the christian religion would not hurt nor disturbe the romane civill state ? truth . i conceive it cannot stand , for although it be true that the christian religion hurts no civill state ( but infinitly the contrary ) yet mr cotton will not deny that the christian religion ( not of it selfe , but through the corruption of the civill state ) may provoke a civill state many wayes , and therefore tertullian must meane otherwayes , to wit , every man must stand or fall in his owne religion , and the religion of one man will neither hurt nor save another : therefore ( to end this passage ) tertullians words may not unfitly be thus applied : the religion of the protestants , if permitted by the papists , will neither hurt nor profit the papists : the religion of the independents will nether hurt nor profit the presbyterians , if they permitted it : and the religion and worship of other consciences in old or new england , will neither hurt nor profit the independents , where the power of tollerating or not tollerating lies in the hands and power of the independents . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . here mr cotton urgeth two mistakes : first in the quoting of jerome : secondly , in naming tertullian for jerome . truth . possible it is , they are neither the mistakes of the prisoner , nor discusser , but either the scribe or printers may share with them ; or if they were their owne mistakes ( although the prisoner wrote in close prison in newgate , and the discusser in multitude of distractions , yet ) they are justly to be blamed for their least sleepines in the handling of the matters of the most high. peace . but , jeromes words ( saith mr cotton ) imply more then a spirituall cutting off ; for jerome immediatly subjoyneth these words ! arius was but a sparke , but because he was not speedily supprest , his flame depopulated all the world , which cannot be meant ( sayth he ) of cutting off by excommunication , which proceeded against him once and twice . truth . i cannot be easily induced to believe that jerome intended to complaine of constantine , who was not sparing at the first to put forth his temporall arme and power against arrius : but this is certaine , his words are these , [ heresie must be cut off with the sword of the spirit : and the scriptures quoted by him ( cor. . gal. . ) as mr cotton yeeldeth ] prove onely a spirituall cutting off : so that it seemes not rationall for jerome to run from the spirituall sword , about which he is now conversant , to the carnall and temporall sword , of which those scriptures ( as mr cotton acknowledgeth ) discourse not . peace . but let no man say ( sayth mr cotton ) that this grant of his [ that heresie must be cut off by the sword of the spirit ] doth imply an absolute sufficiencie in the sword of the spirit , to cut it downe according to cor. . ●● . for though spirituall weapons be absolutely sufficient to the end for which god hath appointed them , as hath been opened above , to wit , for the conviction , and ( if he belong to god ) for the conversion of the offendour , for the mortifying of his flesh , and for the saving of his soule , and for the cleansing of the church from the fellowship of that guilt : yet if an heretick will still continue obstinate , and persist in seducing , creepe into houses , leade captive sillie soules , and destroy the faith of some , it may be of many , such * gangrenes would be cut off by another sword , which in the hand of the magistrate is not borne in vaine . truth . this answer of mr cotton lookes too too like that distinction of the bloudie bishop against the poore martyr or witnes of jesus ( which mr fox mentioneth ) the scripture is sufficient for salvation , but not for instruction : there is need of tradition , &c. the sword of the spirit ( sayth mr cotton ) is absolutely sufficient , for these foure , to wit , the conviction , conversion , mortification , and salvation of the offendour , the heretick , yea , and for a fifth , for expiation , and cleansing of the church from the fellowship of that guilt , but there is a sixth , to wit , infection , and there the sword of the spirit is too weake , and the sword of the magistrate must helpe . peace . what sound and modest reason can be ( almost ) pretended , why the holy ordinances , appointments and provisions of the lord jesus ( who is the wisdome of the father , whose is all power in heaven and in earth , and whose heart is all on fire with love to his people ) should be so weake in suppressing the enemies of his kingdome , that , all the counsell , order , and power he hath left in his absence , are not able to resist the infection of false doctrine , without the helpe of the powers of the world his professed enemie , unto whom who so is a friend ( sayth john ) he cannot but be an enemie unto god. oh what should be the mysterie that the two-edged sword of gods mighty spirit , is sufficient for conviction , for conversion , mortification , expiation , salvation , but yet not powerfull enough against infection ? truth . there is written evidently , on the forehead of this plea , as on the forehead of the great whore ( revel . . ) mysterie . the aegyptian onions ( as i may so speake ) are full of spirituall infoldings , or mysteries : one or two i shall briefly unfold or peele . first , the clergie ( sacrilegiously so called ) in all ages since the apostasie , have ( like some proud and daintie servants ) disdain'd to serve a poore despised christ , a carpenter , one that came at last to the gallowes , &c. and therefore have they ever framed to themselves rich and lordly , pompous and princely , temporall and worldly christs , in stead of the true lord jesus christ , the spirituall king of his saints and people . and however it suits well the common end to retaine the name of christ ( as the lord jesus prophesied many false christs , should arise , and many should come in his name , &c. ) yet most sure it will be found , that a temporall crowne and dignitie , sword and authoritie , wealth and prosperitie , is the white that most of those called scholars , ministers , bishops , aime and levell at : how many thousand of them will readily subscribe to the pleas of the french bishops against the lord peter , disputing before philip the french king for temporall jurisdiction , and peters two swords in the hands of christs ministers ? peace . mr cotton is not far off , for howsoever he and some will say with him , one sword is enough for a presbyter or elder , enough for conviction , conversion , mortification , expiation , and salvation , yet one sword is not enough against infection , and therefore it is needfull ( though we are not of the opinion of those french prelates and others , that challenged to themselves the sword of temporall jurisdiction into their owne hands , yet ) it is needfull that it be at our call in the hands of our executioners the civill magistrates . truth . it is impossible that temporal and worldly christs should walke with the legs of a spirituall supportment , but as ( in respect of outward government ) they spring from the earth and the world , it is impossible i say but their feeding and aliment , defence and protection should be of the nature of the root and eliment from whence they arise . peace . it is objected , was the church of the jewes temporall that was assisted and protected with a temporall sword ? truth . the spirit of god tels us ( heb. & . ) of a worldly sanctuary , of a weake and old vanishing : covenant , to wit , a nationall covenant , and ordinances of a jewish church . peace . it is againe said how can the discusser extoll the sword of the spirit only , and acknowledge no churches . truth . although the discusser cannot to his souls satisfaction conclude any of the various and severall sorts of churches extant to be those pure golden candlesticks framed after the first patterne , rev. . yet doth he acknowledge golden candlesticks of christ jesus extant ; those golden olive trees and candlesticks , his martyrs or witnesses , standing before the lord , and testifying his holy truth during all the reign of the beast , rev. . hence , although we have not satisfaction that luther or calvin , or other precious witnesses of christ jesus , erected churches or ministeries , after the first patterne ( as they conceived they did ) yet doth he affirm them to have been prophets and witnesses against the beast , and furnished sufficiently with spirituall fire in their mouthes , mightily able to consume or humble their enemies , as eliah did with the captains sent out against him . peace . i will object no more , please you ( dear truth ) to passe on to the nd . viz. the ministry of the spirits pretended insufficiency against infection : why should not the spiritual power of the lord jesus be powerful enough against creepers into houses , against such as lead captive silly souls , against such as destroy the faith of some , &c. as well as in the first churches and assemblies , professing his holy name and worship ? truth . search his will and testament , and we find no other but spiritual means prescribed and bequeathed by the lord jesus , to paul to peter , or any of the holy apostles or messengers . peace . i must needs acknowledge that the poor servants of christ , for some hundereth of years after the departure of the lord enjoyed no other power , no other sword nor shield but spirituall , until it pleased the lord to try his children with liberty and ease under constantine ( a soarer tryall then befell them in years persecution ) under which temporall protection , munificence and bounty of constantine , together with his temporall sword , drawne out against her spirituall enemies , the church of christ soon surfeited of the too much honey of worldly ease , authority , profit , pleasure , &c. truth . deare peace , the second mistery is this . in all ages , the world hath been o'respread with the delusions and abominations of false worship , invented by sathan and his instruments in opposition to the pure worship of the god of heaven : against these the lord jesus hath not been wanting to stir up his witnesses , servants and souldiers , fighting for their lord and master spiritually , &c. these witnesses , when sathan hath not been able to vanquish and overcome them by disputing , writing , &c. ( but hath ever lost that way ) he hath been forced to run to the fleshly armories of temporall weapons and punishments , and to fetch in the powers of the world ; so hoping to dash out the candle of truth and break the candlesticks thereof the witnesses of christ jesus : this sathan hath ever practised one of these two wayes , sometimes by ( pretended ) legall tryals and executions of justice , sometimes by most horrid and dreadfull murthers and massacres peace . thus hath christ jesus indeed been vanquished , and driven out of this world by the powers of caesars , kings and other earthly governours and rulers . truth . 't is a fresh and bleeding history of that famous disputation between the cardinal and prelates of france and beza with his protestant assistants under charles the th . and not long after of that most barbarous and horrible murther and massacre of about innocents , to finish and compleat that victory which the pretended disputation and spirituall arme could never effect . peace . yea in the bloody marian dayes , there must be convocations cald at london , and downe must these famous witnesses of jesus , cranmer , ridley , latimer to dispute at oxford but faithfull philpot for his free disputing in the convocation at london , and cranmer , latimer and ridley for not yeelding away the truth at oxford , they must all feel the rage of the fiery furnace , who bow not downe to the golden image . and ( without offence of civill authority , or disrespect against any mans person be it spoken ) in the late great disputes between the presbyterians and independents at vvestminster ; what a tempest raised , what earthquakes and thunders cal'd for , from earth and heaven , ihat the second sword of the magistrate ( herein the presbiterians servant and executioner ) might effect that which all the power of the pretended sword of gods spirit was never able to reach to . pea. to proceed , m cot. is greatly offended at this word : to wit [ the eye of the answerer could never be so obscured , as to run to the smiths-shop for a sword of iron , and steel to help the sword , of the spirit ; if the sun of ryghteousnes had pleased to shew him that a nationall church , &c. ] and his anger breaths forth , first against all hereticks thus : if there be stones of the streets , the magistrate need not run for a sword from the smiths shop , nor an halter from the ropiers to punish an heretick . truth . it is true , the warehouse of persecution is so abundantly filled with all sorts of bloody instruments , besides swords and ropes , that the primitive and latter times have told us how many severall sorts of sorrows , pains and torments the servants of the living god , have felt by severall instruments of blood and death , besides ropes and swords , &c. and all to punish ( as master cotton sayth ) the heretick , the heretick , blasphemer , seducer &c. peace . what is this anger but fury , ira furor brevis est ? and what weapons can be wanting to fury , not the stones in the streets ( saith master cotton ) furor arma ministrat , for the magistrate needs not ( saith he ) stay so long as to run to a smiths-shop for a sword , or to the ropiers for a halter , &c. peace . o the mysteries of iniquitie and cozenage of sin , that a lambe of christ should thus roar out like a lyon , and ( at the speech may be construed by some ) so far as in him lies to provoke the civill powers , yea the people in the streets to furious outrage , and not so much as to attend proceedings in pretended legal trials and executions , but in the madnesse of barbarous murthers and massacres , and that even upon himselfe and the independants in their meetings , &c. peace . but dly . he finds fault with the discussers wit , for bringing such light conceits into grave discourses and disputes about the holy things of god. truth . if there be any thing savouring of wit in the discussors speech , let all men judge whether there be not a double , yea a treble portion in this of master cottons ; i acknowledge , non est major confusio quam serij & joci . the discussor dares not willingly to prophane the holy name of the most high with lightnes , no not with those fine turnings of wit which the word forbids , ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ephes . . ) which becomes not christs schollars , but rather the giving of thanks : and yet there is an holy wit and pleasantnes in samsons riddle , in jothams and jesus his parables , yea , and in eliah his sharpe and cutting language , which cut as deep to their deluding consciences , as the knives and lances of their idolatrous backs and bodies : yet none of these were ( as mast . cotton insinuates against the discusser ) for naming of smiths-shop ) playings with feathers , &c. peace . but what think you of his confidence , touching his new-england diana , to wit , that the discusser will never be able to make it good : that the church in new-england is implicitly , a nationall and state church ? truth . his own words seem to prove it , for if it be a church and not churches of n. england , as elsewhere he speaks ( and as the scripture ordinarily speaks , the churches of judea , galatia , &c. ) it cannot be no other but a nationall , as the english-church , scotch-church , french-church , &c. but possibly it being a mistake , i answer , a nation in the common and large extent , i dare not call new-england , but thus , the severall plantations or colonies of one religion , or way of worship make up one colonie or province of english-men in this part or tract of america . i cannot therefore call the church of new-england ( properly ) a nationall church , but a provinciall church , a state-church ; cast into the mould of a nationall church , distinct into so many parishes , i say not expresly and explicitly , but implicitly and secretly , which the son of righteousnesse will at last reveal , as clearly and brightly in the eyes of all men , as the sun that shines at noon-day . at present , i affirm ( what ever are the pretences , pleas and coverings to the contrary ) that that church estate , that religion and worship which is commanded or permitted to be but one in a country , nation or province ( as was the jews religion in that typical land of canan ) that church is not in the nature of the particular churches of christ , but in the nature of a nationall or state church : the nature of a particular church of christ , is to be one , or ( more or lesse ) in townes or cities ( as in all the instances of the new-testament , but the nature of the state church is when the whole state is turn'd into a state church in so many parishes or divisions of worshippers : and it is made odious & intolerable for any part of this city , state , & ce . not to attend the common worship of the city , sanctifie the holy times , and contribute to the holy officers , and to walke in another way , which is the generall state and practise of new-england . that is a nationall and state church where the civill power is constituted the head thereof , to see to the conforming or reforming of the church , the truth or falshood of the churches , ministries or ministrations , ordinances , doctrine , &c. in the particular churches of christ jesus , wee finde not a tittle of the power of the civill magistrate or civill sword in spirituall cases . it is impossible but a nationall and civil head must be head of a nationall or state church , which ( upon the point is but a civill or temporall church ( like the head thereof ) and not a heavenly and spirituall : i say , a civil or temporall church , subject to the changes of a changeable court or countrey , and the interpretings and expoundings of scripture , to what the court or countrey is subject to approve ot disprove of . it is a nationall or state church , where the opposite or gain-sayer , the pretended heretick , blasphemer , seducer , &c. is some way or other punished , put forth of the state or countrey it selfe by death or banishment : whereas particular churches put forth no further then from their particular societies , and the heretick , &c. may still live in the countrey or countreys unmolested by them . that church cannot be otherwise then a nationall or state church , where the maintenance of the worship , priests and officers , is a state maintenance , provided by the care and power of the state , who ( upon the point ) payes their ministers or servants their wages ; whereas the maintenance of the worship and officers of a particular church , we finde by christs testament to be cared for sufficiently by christs power , and meanes in his church . that church is a nationall or state church , whose whole assemblies , in synods , councells , provinciall , nationall , &c. if mr cotton can disprove the truth and substance of these and other particulars alledged , so farre as concernes the generall and body of the countrey combined ( whatsoever little variation some particular townes may make ) the discusser must acknowledge his errour , but if mr cotton cannot doe it , as i believe he cannot ( what ever flourish a wit may pretend ) the god of mercy pardon what by mr cotton is done in ignorance , and awaken him and others , who cause his people to goe astray ; according to that of the prophet ; their shepheards cause this people to goe astray . peace . o that all gods sheepe in new england , and such as judge themselves their shepheards , may truely judge themselves at the tribunall of their owne consciences in the presence of the lord , in the upright examination of these particulars : but to leave new england , and to returne to the land of israel : i should thinke ( sayth mr cotton ) not onely mine eye obscured , but the sight of it utterly put out , if i should conceive ( as the discusser doth ) that the nationall church state of the jewes did necessarily call for such weapons to punish heretiques more then the congregationall state of particular churches doth call for the same now in the dayes of the new testament . truth . it is a strange speech to proceede from so knowing a man , but let us ponder his reasons in the feare of god. peace . was not ( sayth mr cotton ) the nationall church of the jewes compleatly furnished with spirituall armour to defend it selfe , and oppose men and devills , as well as particular churches of the new testament ? had they not power to convince false prophets , as elijah did the prophets of baal ? had they not power to seperate evill doers from the fellowship of their congregations ? and he addeth , an uncleane person , although he might not enter into the temple , with the rest of the israelites to worship the lord , yet he was permitted to live in the common-weale of israel , men uncircumcised both in heart and flesh . he addeth further , that the nationall church of israel was powerfully able by the sword of the spirit to defend it selfe , and to offend men and devills , for which he quoteth , zach. . . and he asketh , doth not the discusser himselfe observe that time was , in the nationall church of the land of canaan , when there was neither carnall sword nor speare to be found , sam. ? and was not then the nationall church powerfully able by the spirit of god to defend it selfe , and to offend men and devills as well as particular churches now ? truth . i answer : first , as much as the shadow of a man falls short of a man himselfe , so did all their ordinances ( which were but shadowes of spirituall things to come ) fall short of that bright enjoyment of christ jesus , and spirituall and heavenly things in him , now brought to light by christ jesus in the gospel or new testament . . mr cotton will never demonstrate that the putting forth , or excommunicating of a person from the church of god amongst them , was other then cutting off from the land by death , and the civill sword , the same being spiritually executed now in the israel of god , cor. . gal. . . thirdly , although the stranger uncircumcised might live amongst them , yet none of the native israelites might so live , nor yet might the stranger prophane the holinesse of the lord by labour on the sabbath , which mr cotton will never prove ought now to be kept by all countries of the world , and that under such penalties , as was in the land of canaan , the holy land : nor that they had spirituall power sufficient to punish the willfull breach of any morall or ceremoniall dutie , without the helpe of the carnall sword , the contrary to which is plaine in the new testament , cor. . cor. . fourthly , for the scripture , zach. . . not by might nor power , &c. the prophet doth not here oppose the spirit to might or power , so as to deny the use of carnall weapons , might or power , which god had vouchsafed to them against all enemies within and without , but sheweth it to be the work of gods own finger or spirit in the use of carnall meanes which they used for the raising of the materiall temple and civill defence of themselves against all opposers , hinderers , &c. whereas cor. . the apostle flatly opposeth spirituall weapons against carnall , and mr cotton will never prove that the corinthians or any of the saints of christ , did enjoy other weapons , in that first or the ages next after , but onely the spirituall weapons and artillery which the apostle mentioneth . lastly , to that of sam. . i answer , that when there was no speare nor sword in israell , the israelites were not powerfully able to defend themselves against their enemies , except that god was pleased extraordinarily to stirre up meanes of their preservation , as wee see in the case of jonathan and his armour-bearer against the philistims . in like manner i believe that where the ordinary power of gods hand in his holy ordinances is withdrawen , it is his extraordinarie and immediate power that preserveth and supporteth his people against men and devills ; as in particular , during the reigne of antichrist in stirring up and supporting the two witnesses . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . touching the testimony of brentius . peace . it is untrue , sayth mr cotton , that we restraine men from worship according to conscience , or constraine them to worship against conscience , or that such is my tenent or practice . truth . notwithstanding mr cottons cloake , to wit , that they will not meddle with the heretick before he hath sinned against his owne conscience , and so persecute him onely for sinning against his owne conscience , yet i earnestly beseech every reader seriously to ponder the whole streame and series of mr cottons ▪ discourse , propositions , affirmations , &c. through the whole booke , and he shall then be able to judge whether it be untrue that his doctrine tends not to constraine , nor restraine conscience . . for the matter of fact , how can he with any humilitie before the staming eyes of the most high , cry out , no such practice , when first , their lawes cry out a command under penaltie for all to come to church , though not to be members , which in truth ( as hath been opened ) is but a colour and visard , deceiving himselfe and others : and a cruell law is yet extant against christ jesus , muffled up under the hood or vaile of a law against anabaptistrie , &c. secondly , their practice cryes , their imprisonments , finings , whippings , banishments cry in the eares of the lord of hosts , and the louder because of such unchristian figleave , cloakes , &c. peace . let it be granted ( sayth mr cotton ) that we did both , yet this did not make lawes to binde conscience , but the outward man onely ! nor would we ( sayth he ) think it fit to binde the outward man against conscience . truth . i cannot discerne the coherence of these three affirmations : . we restraine no man from worship according to conscience . . we make lawes but to binde the outward man onely . and yet againe ( ) we thinke not meete to binde the outward man against conscience . mr cotton lived once under a popish law , to weare a fooles coat or surplice on his back , and to make a conjuring crosse with his fingers , why should he say , that this law went beyond his back and his fingers , and came even to his conscience ? if these pettie bonds did binde his conscience , as well as his back and his fingers ; oh let not mr cotton so farre put off the bowells of compassion toward christ jesus and his followers , yea toward all men , as to binde their backs , and their necks , their knees and hands backward and forward , to or from worship , and yet say he binds but the outward man , &c. yea and oh let not such uprightnes , candor , and integritie , as mr cotton hath been noted for , be blemished with such an evasion as this , to wit , when it comes to selfe , that conscience his owne or his friends be offred to be bound , &c. then he shall flie to his third evasion , saying , we think it not meete to binde the outward man against conscience , that is , against our consciences , &c. what ever becomes ( sinck or swim ) of other mens . peace . in the next passage , god needs not ( sayth mr cotton ) the helpe of the magistrate more in the second , then in the first table . truth . god needeth not absolutely for the matters of the second table , though respectively , because he hath appointed ordinances , unto which he hath graciously referd himselfe . but for the first table , he hath no neede at all , of carnall weapons , no not respectively , because he hath appointed ordinances to thousand-fold more potent , suitable and sufficient . peace . whereas it was urged , that if magistrates must use their materiall sword in keeping of both tables , they must be able to judge of both : mr cotton replies , that it is enough , that they be able to judge in principles and foundations , and of the arrogancie of a tumultuous spirit ; for such want not judgement to censure apostasie or heresie , idolatrie , &c. truth . it is not like that a carpenter who hath skill sufficient to judge the principles and foundations of a house or building , should be unable to judge about the beames , posts , &c. . with what great darknes , have the best of gods children themselves been covered these many hundreth yeares , touching the very fundamentalls of gods worship ! peace . whereas it was said further , that either they are not fitly qualified magistrates and common-weales , that want this abilitie to judge , &c. or else they must judge according to their conscience ! mr cotton replyes ; many qualifications are required in husbands , wives , children , servants , ministers , churches , the want whereof may make them sinfull , but not unlawfull . truth . i answer ; some relations are passive , as that of children , who may be true and lawfull children , although they know not that they are children . but , such relations as are active in their choice and consent , as of husband , wife , magistrate , &c. these cannot be lawfull , unles they be fitted and qualified to performe the maine and essentiall duties of husbands , wives , servants , magistrates . that husband , wife , servant cannot be lawfull , that are engaged to other husbands , wives , masters : nor can that magistrate be lawfull , who is a mad-man or ideot , not able to discerne between right and wrong : and truely ( were magistrates bound , as to the chiefe part of their dutie and office ) to establish the true religion , &c. he were no more then a mad-man ( as to the first table ) that were not spiritually indued with ability of discerning the true church , ministry , worship , &c. peace . now whereas it was further urged that then the common-weale , the civil , naturall state , hath more light concerning the church of christ then the church it self , &c master cotton replies , it followes not , because that is a weak church that knowes no more light then that of the principles ; and beside ; what light the common-wealth hath it may have received from the church . truth . i answer , if kings and queens , &c. be nurcing fathers and mothers ( in a spirituall respect ) over the church , as is usually alleadged ; can it be expected but that the nurse , father or physician should know more of the childs state then the child or patient himselfe , who oftentimes knows not his sicknesse , nor that he is sick , ( as oft may be the case of a church of christ ) it is impossible , but they must have more light then the child , yea and much more impossible that they should receive their light and direction from the child , &c. peace . we see , saith master cotton , that magistrates sometimes have more light in matters of religion then the church it self , as david and hezekiah . truth . this ( ) confirmes what i said , that these kings being appointed by god , formers and reformers of the church of judah , they must needs have more light in the matter of reformation then the church it selfe to be reformed . i must deny that david and hezekiah were other then types of christ jesus , both in his owne person and in such , who in his absence are by him deputed to manage the spirituall power and sword of his holy and spirituall kingdome . peace . yea , but alas , saith master cotton , there is no colour , that because magistrates are bound to discerne and serve christ with their power , that therefore they may punish christ and christians . truth . true , therefore , master cotton elsewhere saith , they must suspend to deal in church matters untill they can judge , &c. and this , first implies their light and judgement ( absolutely necessary ) in all such matters of the church , about which they are to judge and act as often i affirme i aske what kind of spirituall physicians will master cotton have , who shall be bound to suspend their power , all their lives long , unlesse they have skill to judge of diseases ? will not the similitude hold against such spirituall fathers , nurces , physicians , who all their life long ( yea the greatest number beyond compare of all their spirituall fathers upon the face of the earth ) must wholly suspend from acting in spirituall diseases or cases , to wit , in reforming , establishing , &c. although it excuseth not ( 't is true ) such magistates , princes common-wealths , for making this doctrine their ground of persecuting christ and christians , yet doubtlesse it makes their sin the greater who feed them with such bloody doctrines , and so consequently occasion them upon the rocks of such fals and dangerous and bloudy practices . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . in this chap. ( dear truth ) lye many stones of offence , at which the feet of the unwary most easily many stumble ; i hope your carefull and steady hand may be a blessed instrument of their removall : as first , although master cotton subscribe unto luther that the government of the civill magistrate doth extend no further , then over the bodies and goods of the subject , yet ( saith he ) he may and ought to improve that power over their bodies and goods to the good of their souls . truth . sweet peace my hand ( the hand of christ assisting ) shall not be wanting : but what offence can be taken at the propositions ? pea. the proposition like an aple of sodom , is fair and specious untill you crush it by examination : for , by maintaining the magistrates power over the bodies and goods of the subject , for the good of his soul , it is clear in this chapter and others foregoing and following , that master cottons words drive at no lesse then a seising upon , and plundering of the goods , the imprisoning , whipping , banishing and killing the bodies , of the poor people , and this under the cloak and colour of saving their souls in the day of the lord jesus . truth . the civil state , and common-weal may be compared to a peice of tapistry , or rich arras , made up of the severall parts and parcels of the families thereof . now by the law of god , nature and nations ▪ a father hath a power over his child , the husband over the wife , the master over , &c. and doubtlesse they are to improve that power and authority for the good of the souls of their children , yoak-fellows , &c. but shall we therefore say that the father and the husband hath power under christ over the conscienies and religion of the child or wife , as a father or husband had under moses numb . . parents are commanded in the gospel to bring up their children in the instruction and fear of the lord ; the husband is commanded to labour to win and save his wife ( with no other power then the wife also her husband ) whether turke or jew , antichristian or pagan : but such a power and sword to be improved ( as mr. cotton here pretends ) for soul-good , master cotton will never finde in the testament of christ jesus . the plain english is ( what ever be the cloak or cover which the states , kings and rulers of this world use in this case ) this terme [ for souls good ] is no more then the old popish jesabels painting , pro salute animae , pro redemptione animae , or as that noble st. john observed in a speech at guild-hall , that the kings party made use of the name of peace , as the papists used the name of god , in nomine domini , &c. peace . it is most lamentable to see how the kings of the earth are grosly flattered by their clergy , into as grosse a belief that they are most catholick kings as in spain , most christian kings as in france , defendors of the faith in england . hence those two bloody persecutors of luther , charles the fifth , and henry the eighth , were celebrated even upon the posts of the doors in guild-hall : carolus , henricus vivant , defensor uturque , henricus fidei , carolus ecclesiae . peace . and yet to what other end have or doe ( ordinarily ) the kings of the earth use their power and authority over the bodies and goods of their subjects , but for the filling of their pau●ches like wolves or lions , never pacified unlesse the peoples bodies , goods and souls be sacrificed to their god-belly , and their owne gods of profit , honour , pleasure &c. peace . but in the second place master cotton affirmes , that by procuring the good of their souls , they may much advance the good of their bodies and outward man also . truth . this proposition is as fair as the former , but in the searching and crushing is as rotten , for however it is most true ( as he quoteth tim. . ) that godlinesse hath the promise of this life , and of a better , and also that such as seek first the kingdome of god , may expect outward mercies to be cast upon them , yet these promises can never by any rule of christ , be stretched to proue outward prosperity and flourishing to the followers of christ jesus in this present evill world . peace . he that is in a pleasant bed and dreame , though he talke idly and insensibly , yet is loath to be awaked . truth . those sweet promises supply gods servants with what outward blessings his holy wisdome seeth they have need of for his service : but when wil master cotton indeed witnesse against a nationall church , and cease to mingle heaven and earth , the church and worldly state together ? when will he cease to propose the rich and peaceable , victorious and flourishing nationall state of the jewes as the type of the carnall peace and worldly ▪ wealth and honour of the spirituall nation and kingdome of christ jesus ? when will he more plainely and simply conforme the members to the head christ jesus in the holinesse , glory of his spirituall poverty , shame and sufferings ? peace . i have in the experience of many ages observed the flourishing prosperity of many cities , common wealths and nations , where no sound of christ hath come , and that for hundreths , yea , some thousands of years together , as hath formerin this discourse been instanced . truth . you have found that when the red and black and pale horse of war , famine and death have thundered upon the nations , it hath not been upon the decay of a state religion , but most commonly upon the rejecting and persecuting of the preachers and witnesses against it . peace . yea master cotton himselfe observeth that such of gods servants as grow fattest in godlinesse , grow not outwardly in wealth , but god keepeth them low in outward estate . truth . i conclude this passage with an observation of constant experience , ever since the son of god ascended the heauens . the neerer christs followers have approached to worldly wealth , ease , liberty , honour , pleasure , &c. the neerer they have approached to impatience , pride , anger and violence against such as are opposite to their doctrine and profession of religion : and ( ) the further and further have they departed from god , from his truth , from the simplicitie , power and puritie of christ jesus and true christianitie . peace . in the next passage mr cotton ( though with another heart , yet ) in the language and tongue of the pharisees , seemes to take part with the prophets against the persecuting fathers , and amongst many things he prohibites magistrates this one , to wit , that he must not make lawes to binde conscience . truth . what is a law , but a binding word , a commandement ? what is a law to binde conscience , but a commandement that calls for obedience ? and must wee raise up such tumults , such tragedies , and fill the face of the world with streames of bloud , about the christian m●gistrates reforming religion , establishing religion , killing the heretick , blasphemer , idolater , seducer , and yet all this without a law , that may in the name of christ exact obedience ? peace . i wonder what we shall thinke of those lawes and statutes of parliament , in old or new england that have bound the peoples consciences , at least so farre , as to come to the parish church , improving ( as mr cotton sayth ) the power and authoritie over their bodies , for their soules good ? what shall wee call all those lawes , commandements , statutes , injunctions , directions , and orders , that concerne religion and conscience ? truth . the plaine truth is , mr cottons former reforming zeale , cannot be so utterly extinguished , as to forget the name and notion of christian libertie , although in this bloudie discourse , he hath well nigh , ( if not wholly ) sold away the thing ! the conscience ( sayth he ) must not be bound to a ceremonie ( to a pretended indifferent ceremonie ) : and yet loe , throughout this discourse , he pleades for the binding of it from these and these doctrines , from these and these worships , and binding to this or that worship , i meane , to come to the publike towne or countrey worship ! just for all the world , as if a woman should not be bound to make a curtsie , or salutation to such a man , but yet shee should be bound ( will she nill she ) to come to his bed at his pleasure . worship is a true of false bed , cant. . . peace . it is observable in the next place , what mr cotton observeth , concerning the principles of saving truth , to wit , that no good christian , much l●sse good magistrate can be ignorant of them . truth . in the consideration of the modell , this goodnesse or badnes of the magistrate is examined , and easily it is proved ( to my understanding ) that this assertion confounding the nature of civill and morall goodnesse with religious , is as farre from goodnes as darknes is from light. peace . to this issue tends mr cottons conclusion of this passage [ verily the lord will build up and establish the house and kingdome of such princes , as doe thus build up his . ] truth . the promise of god to david concerning his house and kingdome in the letter , is most true in the mystery and antitype , as to the spirituall house and kingdome of king david , king jesus , in such princes or propheticall kingly spirits , who spiritually , in the word of prophesie ( the sword of gods spirit ) contend , for the spirituall kingdome of christ jesus : god will establish them in spirituall dignitie and authoritie : but take this literally ( as mr cotton carries it ) and as he never will finde any such dutie lying upon princes in the gospell , nor any such promise of temporall prosperitie , but holy praedictions & foretellings of the crosse and persecution ordinarily to all that will live godly in christ jesus , and the greater persecution to the most zealous and faithfull servants of christ jesus : so neither can he give any true instance ( truely proper and parallell ) to this purpose . peace . me thinks 〈…〉 hough successe be no constant rule to walke by , yet gods providence in successe of journies , victories , &c. are with great care and feare to be attended to and pondered , and the hand and eye of god to be observed in them , of what sort or nature so ever they be . truth . two instances of greatest successe and temporall prosperitie we have presented to us on the publike stage of this world , before our owne dores , crowning the heads of such states and states-men , as have attended to mercy and freedome toward oppressed consciences . the first is that of the state of holland : the second of our owne native england , whose renowned parliament and victorious armie never so prospered , as since their declaration and practice of pitie and mercy to consciences oppressed by mr cottons bloudie tenent . peace . in the next passage , it being a grievance that mr cotton should grant with luther the magistrates power to extend no further then the bodies and goods of the subject , and yet withall maintaineth , that they must punish christians for sinning against the light of faith and conscience : mr cotton answers ; first ; he supposeth the chiefe good to be that of christian faith and good conscience . secondly ; suppose ( sayth he ) by goods were meant outward goods , yet the magistrate may punish such in their bodies and goods , as seduce , &c. for ( sayth he ) in seeking gods kingdome and the righteousnesse thereof , men prosper in their outward estates , matth. . . otherwise they decay . lastly , he remembers not the proposition to be his , [ the magistrates power extendeth no further , then the bodies and goods of the subject ] he answereth it is true in respect of the object , though not in respect of the end , which ( sayth he ) is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , bene administrare rempublicam . and he asketh if it be well with a common-weale , enjoying bodily health and worldly wealth , without a church , without christ ! and he concludes with the instance of the romane empire , which had it not cast away idolatrie ( sayth he ) had been ruined . truth . for answer ; first , the distinction is famous among all men of the bona or goods of animi , corporis , fortunae : and againe , that of the minde , soule , and conscience within , and that of the body and goods without , that it can be no lesse then a civill as well as a spirituall babell to confound them . secondly , to his supposition , suppose ( sayth he ) by goods were meant outward goods , yet the magistrate may punish such in their bodies and goods , as doe seduce , &c. i see not how these cohere any better then the grant of some papists , that the churches power extends no further then the matters of faith and conscience : but yet ( say they ) they may punish such in their bodies and goods as seduce , &c. mr cottons suppositions and the papists come both out of the same babylonian quiver . but thirdly , let us minde his reason from matth. . in seeking gods kingdome men prosper in outward estate , otherwise not : i answer , this proposition would better befit the pen of a jew then a christian , a follower of moses , then of jesus christ , who although he will not fayle to take care for his in earthly providences , that make it their chiefe worke to seeke his kingdome , yet he maketh ( as i may say ) christs crosse the first figure in his alphabet , taking up his crosse and gallowes ( in most ordinarie persecution , ) which with selfe-deniall , are the assured tearmes his servants must resolve to looke for . 't is true , he promiseth and makes good , an hundreth fathers , mothers , brothers , sisters , wives , children , houses and lands : but mr cotton well knowes , it is [ with persecution ] . and how this outward prosperitie , agrees with imprisonments , banishments , hanging , burning , for christs sake : the martyrs or witnes of jesus in all ages , and the cry of the soules under the altar , may bring againe to his remembrance , if new englands peace , profit , pleasure and honour , have lulld him into a forgetfulnesse of the principles of the true lord jesus christ . peace . but mr cotton remembreth not the proposition to be his , to wit , that the magistrates power extendeth no further then the bodies and goods of the subject . truth . mr cotton hinted not his least dissent from luther ( as he otherwayes useth to doe if he disowne , ) &c. secondly , he grants it true in the object , to wit , that the object of the magistrates power is the body and goods of the subject , though not in the end which he saith is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , well to administer the common-weale : now i aske what is this common-weale ? peace . the spirit of god distinguisheth in the new testament between the common weales of the nations of the world , and the common-weale of israel . the common-weale of israel , mr cotton will not affirme now to be a church provinciall , nationall , o●cumenicall , but particular and congregationall . truth . if so , then the finall cause of both these common weales or states cannot be the same . but although the end of the civill magistrate be excellent , to wit , well to administer the common-weale , yet the end of the spirituall common-weale of israel and the officers thereof , is as different and transcendent as the heaven is from the earth . peace . but how ( sayth mr cotton ) can it be well with the common-wealth that injoyes bodily health , and worldly wealth , if there be no christ , no church there ? and how was it with the romane empire which the red-horse of war , and black horse of famine , and pale horse of pestilence would have ruined , if she had not cast away her idols . truth . concerning this instance of rome master cotton here acknowledgeth it abounded in worldly blessings , till the lord jesus came riding forth upon the white horse of the gospel . and master cotton may remember that from the foundation of her rising and glory , laid by romulus untill christs time , it flourished about years in a long chaine of generations succeeding each other in worldly prosperity , and yet no church nor christ to uphold it , so far is master cottons romish instance from countenancing mr. cottons roman doctrine . peace . but when christ came ( saith master cotton ) and was neglected , then the red and black and pale horse had almost destroyed her , if she had not cast away her idols . truth . i answer , rome the head of the empire cannot be said to neglect christ ( untill the bloody tenent of persecution arose amongst them ) i say , not to neglect christ more , nor so much as other states , for there were so many of the romanes , and so glorious professors of christ jesus , that all the world over the faith and christian obedience of the romanes was renowned . the roman impire cannot be said to cast away her idols , but to change ( as the portugals did in the east-indies ) her idols her more grosse and pagan idols , for more refined & beautified idols , painted over with the name of christ , the true god , holines , &c. and this in the glorious dayes of constantine , or not long after . the church of christ jesus which under persecution remained a wise and spouse of christ jesus , now degenerates and apostates into an whore , in the times of her ease , security and prosperity . ( whole cities , nations , and the whole world forced and ravished into a whore or antichristian christian . ) as far as the east is from the west , so far is the world and nations and empire of it from the holinesse of christ jesus , holy spirit ▪ truth and saints : with what appearance then of christs holinesse , glory , &c. can master cotton advance the world ( the roman empire ) to be ( as he here speaks ) the advancer of the scepter of christ jesus ? peace . if this roman empire be that dreadfull beast , ( in daniels prophecy ) more strange and terrible then the rest , yea , and more terrible to christ jesus and his servants , then was the former babilonian lion , or persian beare , or grecian leopard , what truth of jesus is this , that advanceth this dreadfull bloody beast to be the advancer of the scepter , that is , the church and government , the truth and saints of christ jesus . peace . glorious things ( dear truth ) are recorded of constantine and other glorious emperors . truth . the beast was ( sweet peace ) the beast still , although it pleased god to give some refreshing and reviving to his persecuted servants , by constantine and other blessed instruments yet constantines favour was a bitter sweeting , his superstiti●us zeal laying the foundation for after vsurpations and abominations . but further , for neer years together , both before and after christs time , rome grew and flourished ( with little alterations of her glory in comparison ) untill this very time that master cotton cals the casting away of her idols : for not before , but after constantines advancing of christians to wealth and honour , &c. i say neer about years together ( interchangably ) after his time , untill pipinus , and charles the great , the city and state of rome was almost ruined and destroyed , by the often dreadfull incursions of the goths and vandals , huns , longobards , and other furious nations : so contrary to the truth of jesus is this fleshly doctrine of worldly wealth and prosperity , and also this very instance of rome and her glory here discussed . peace . master cotton ends with prayer and blessing to god ( as james speakes ) and bitter and cutting cursings and censures to man , the poor discusser , who ( saith master cotton ) seduceth himselfe and others and delights to doe it , and against the light of grace and conscience , against reason and experience . truth . the discusser is as humbly confident of grace and conscience , reason and experience , yea , the god of all grace , christ jesus , his holy spirit , angels , truth and saints to be on his side , as master cotton otherwise can be : but the day shall try , the fire and time shall try which is the gold of truth and faithfulnesse , and which the drosse and stubble of lyes and errour . in the meane time i dare pronounce from the testimony of christ jesus , that in all controversies of religion : that soul that most possesseth it selfe in patient suffering , and dependeth not on the arme of flesh , but upon the arme of god , christ jesus , for his comfort and protection , that soul is most likely ( in my observation ) to see and stand for the truth of christ jesus . peace . in the next place master cotton denyes to compell to the truth by penalties , but onely by withdrawing such favours as are comely and safe for such persons . truth . i have formerly answered , and doe , that a great load may be made up by parcels and particulars , as well as by one masse or bulke ; and that the backs of some men , especially merchants may be broke , by a withdrawing from them some civill priviledges and rights ( which are their due ) as well as by afflicting them in their purses , or flesh upon their backs . christ jesus was of another opinion ( who distinguisheth between gods due and caesars due : and therfore ( with respect to god his cause and religion ) it is not lawfull to deprive caesar the civil magisteate , nor any that belong to him of their civil and earthly rights . i say in this respect , although that a man is not godly , a christian , sincere , a church member , yet to deprive him of any civill right or priviledge , due to him as a man , a subject , a citizen , is to take from caesar , that which is caesars , which god indures not though it be given to himselfe . peace . experience oft-times tell us , that however the stream of just priviledges and rights hath ( out of carnal policy ) been stopt by gods people , when they ▪ have got the staffe ▪ into their hands ( in divers lands and countreys ) yet hath that streame ever returned , to the greater calamity and tryal of gods people . truth . but ( thirdly ) it hath been noted that even in new-england , penalties by law have been set to force all to come to church , which will appear upon a due search to be nothing else but an outward profession of force and violence , for that doctrine which they suppose is the truth . peace . concerning coming to church : wee tolerate ( saith master cotton ) indians , presbyterians , antinomians , and anabaptists : and compell none to come to church against their conscience , and none are restrained from hearing even in england . truth . compelling to come to church is apparant whether with or against their conscience , let every man look to it . the toleration of indians is against professed principles , and against the stream of all his present dispute as before i proved . touching the magistrates duty of suppressing idolatry , witchcraft , blasphemy , &c. such indians as are ( pofessedly subject to english ) in n. england , notoriously continue and abound in the same which if they should not permit , it as apparant , their subjection is hazarded . t is true , this toleration is a duty from god , but a sin in them because they professe it their duty to suppresse idolatry , blasphemy ; ( adde , master cotton may say , we not onely tolerate the indians in their abominable and barbarous worships , but ( which may seem most incredible ) we tolerate the indians also in that which by our civil principles we ought to tolerate no subject in , that is , in abominable lying , whoring , cursing , thieving , without any active course of restraint , &c. t is true , those indians submitting to their government ( as it may be master cotton will say to the ten commandements ) yet living in all kind of barbarisme , live some miles more remote : how ever they are ( they say ) their subjects ) were every miles distance an hundreth . peace . but is there any such and professed tolleration of antinomians , presbyterians , anabaptists , as is here insinuated ? truth . i know of no toleration of presbyterian , antinomians , anabaptists , worshipping god in any meetings , separate from the common assemblies . if any such persons be amongst them ( like church-papists ) it is their sin , that they separate not from such opposite assemblies and worships , and it is the sin of such assemblies to tolerate such persons after due admonitions , in the name of christ , rejected . but further , master cotton grants a communion in hearing in a church-estate by church members , but not in any as are no church-members , but come in as the pagan , infidell , cor. . truth . communion is twofold ▪ first ; open and professed among church-members : secondly , secret and implicite in all such as give their presence to such worships without witnessing against them . for otherwise , how can a church-papist satisfie the law , compelling him to come to church , or a protestant satisfie a popish law in popish countries , but by this cloake or covering , hiding and saving of themselves by bodily presence at worship , though their heart be farre from it . peace . whereas it was said , that conscionable papists , and all protestants have suffered upon this ground , especially of refusing to come to each others church or meeting . mr cotton replies ; they have suffred upon other points , and such as have refused to come to church , have not refused because such hearing implanted them into church-estate , but out of feare to be leavened . truth . 't is true , many have suffred upon other points , but upon due examination it will appeare that the great and most universall tryall hath been , amongst both papists and protestants about coming to church , and that not out of feare of being leavened ( for what religion is ordinarily so distrustfull of its owne strength ? ) as of countenancing what they believe false , by their presence and appearance . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . concerning the papists testimonie against persecution ; mr cotton replyes : first , why may not their testimonie be wicked , as well as their booke , confest so to be ? secondly , he grants , that conversion of soules ought not to be but by spirituall meanes . truth . it is true , the authour of the letter calls their booke wicked , and themselves the authours of persecution , yet their testimonie is in part acknowledged by mr cotton to be true , and will further appeare so to be upon examination : but whether mr cotton allow of no other armes , then spirituall to be used about spirituall conversion , it hath and will be further examined . peace . whereas the papists alledge ( matth. . ) that christ jesus sent his ministers as sheepe among wolves , not as wolves among sheepe , to kill , imprison , &c. mr cotton grants this true , yet adds that this hindreth not excommunication , tit. . nor miraculous vengeance against spirituall wolves ( acts . ) where there is a gift : nor their prayers against such , tim. . . nor their stirring up of the civill power against them , as elijah did ahab and the people against the prophets of baal , kings . . truth . concerning the two first we agree , for the third , the prayers of gods people against gods enemies , we finde two-fold : first , generall against all ; secondly , particular against some ; and that two-fold ; first , for gods vengeance in gods time , leaving it to his holy wisdome ; as paul prayd against alexander . secondly , for present vengeance ; as the disciples desired in the case of christ , luke . and against such prayers the discusser did and doth contend . for the fourth , in stirring up of the civill state against false prophets , i must answer as before , let mr cotton produce any such civill state in the world , as that extraordinarie and miraculous state of israel was , and i yeeld it : otherwise , if the passage be extraordinarie and typing , why doth mr cotton adde fuell to nebuchadnezzars fierie furnace , which hath been so dreadfully hot already , and hath devoured so many millions of gods people ? peace . further out of matth. . whereas the papists booke says , christs ministers should be delivered , but should not deliver up , those whom they are sent unto to convert , unto councells or prisons , or to make their religion felonie or treason ; mr cotton answers ; what is this to apostates , who seeke to subvert the faith they have profest ? what is this to them that seeke to subvert states , and kill kings ; which doctrine , in downe-right tearmes , he at last chargeth upon the authour of the letter , and the discusser . truth . but how falls an antichristian or apostate more directly under the stroake of the civill sword , then a jew or turke or pagan ? by what rule of god or christ hath a magistrate of this world , authoritie , so to punish the one above the other ? and where hath mr cotton found one title , either in the letter or in the discusser , which forbids the magistrate to punish felonie or treason , whether it be in practice , or in doctrine , leading to it ? doth not every leafe and line breath the contrary to what mr cotton here insinuateth ? the truth is , as potiphars wife accusing joseph was not cleare her selfe , so let this charge be well examined , and this will be the result of it ; the papists and the discusser agree together in asserting one truth in this chapter , to wit , that gods messengers ought not to deliver any to prisons or councells . but in the doctrine of killing hereticall kings or magistrates , who sees not but such papists as ●hould that doctrine , and mr cotton meete in the end ? for if the magistrate prove an apostate , blasphemer , idolater , heretick , seducer ( according to mr cottons doctrine , as well as the papists ) such kings and magistrates ought ( as well as thousands of his subjects in like case ) be put to death . peace . againe , where the papists booke argued from matth. that christ bids his ministers to salute an house with peace , he sends no pursevant to ransack and spoile it : mr cotton answers : true , but if seducers be there , or rebells or conspiratours be there , god hath armed the magistrate , rom. . truth . mr cotton ( too too like the bloudie persecutours of christ jesus in all ages ) still couples the seducer and the rebells together , as the jewes coupled christ and barrabbas , though barrabbas finds more favor then the son of god , for christ as a seducer , a d●ceiver , &c. is commonly executed , & barrabas released . 't is true the magistrates commission is from god , even in the time of the gospel , but christ jesus never gave commission to magistrates to send pursevants to ransack an house , to search for seducers and idolaters , who transgresse onely against the spirituall kingdome of christ jesus , but not against civilitie and the civill state. peace . this distinction of evills ▪ i remember it pleased god to open some of the romane emperours eyes to see , upon the occasion of his poore servants apologies presented unto them . truth . you seasonably remember this ( deare peace ) for although we finde not antoninus pius or aurelius antoninus to have been believers in christ jesus , yet they gave forth their edicts , tha● no christian should be punished meerely for that he was a christian , except some other crime against the civill state were proved against him : and the later of these gave in expresse charge , that such as were their accusers should be burnt alive . peace . if such an edict or any farre more moderate should come forth in our time , against the great troublers of all civill states , to wit , informers , accusers and maintainers of the bloudie doctrine of persecution : doubtles thousands and ten thousands of men , yea not a few of the most zealous hunters or persecutors would easily submit to the truth of the distinction between the crime of a religion contrary to a state religion , and a crime against the civill state thereof . but to the papists againe , they ( lastly ) alledged , john . that the true shepheard comes not to kill the sheepe , &c. upon this master cotton queries . but what if the wolfe , the thiefe come , shall the shepheard use spirituall censures , when they are not capeable of such stroakes , or shall he not seeke helpe from the magistrate , who is to see gods people live a quiet and peaceable life in all godlines and honestie , tim. . ? truth . i answer , and cry out , how long , how long lord , before thou avenge the bloud of thy holy ones , against them that dwell on the earth , both bloudie papists and bloudie protestants ? out of their owne mouthes shall papists and protestants be condemned , for slaughtering christ jesus ( the shepheard ) in his poore sheepe and servants , and especially the bloudie papist , for alledging that scripture , for the popes bloudie butcherie , [ arise peter , kill and eate : ] yet all pretending to save the sheepe , and onely to resist wolves , thieves , &c. but more punctually master cotton well knowes , that in the mysterie of antichristianisme , many thousand antichristian wolves pretend strongly to be the harmeles sheepe of christ jesus , yea his tender and carefull shepheards , yet are but antichristian thieves and robbers , who cannot dig and to beg are ashamed , and therefore finde it best to steale and rob● , whole parishes and provinces , whole nations , &c. for livings , for benefices , for bishopricks , cardinalships , popedomes , &c. peace . what kinde of sheepe and shepheards ( christ jesus will finde out shortly ) are all those hirelings , papists or protestant , who no longer peny , no longer paternoster , no longer pay , no longer pray , no● preach , no● fast , nor convert , &c. truth . these babylonian rivers shall at last be stopt : god and man shall agree to stop them : the truth of that holy mysterie of that great exchange shall be opened , revel . . and peoples eyes shall be opened to see , how these mysticall marchants of the earth ( pretending to be the great sellers of truth ) have been the greatest deceivers , and cheators , the greatest thieves and robbers in the world. peace . but mr cotton will say , gods people would live at peace in godlinesse and honestie , tim. . . as paul professeth , acts . . truth . i remember when old chaucer puts this querie to the foure chiefe sorts of fryers in his time [ which of the foure sorts is the best ] he finds every sort applauding it selfe , and concluding the other three sorts of fryers to be liars : whence in conclusion he finds them all guilty of lying ( in a round ) before god , for all profest themselves to be the only godly men . i may now ask , who among all the sorts of churches and ministers applaud not themselves ( like the fryars in chaucers dayes ) to be christs onely churches , christs ministers , &c. and who among the severall sorts of such as are gods people indeed , believe not their own godlines ( or worshipping of god ) to be onely right and christian ? peace . what now if each sort should enjoy magistrates of their owne profession and way ? truth . the bloudie tenent will unavoydably set them altogether by the eares , to try out by the longest sword , and strongest arme , which godlines must live in peace and quietnes : but as for that scripture , tim. . i have ( as i believe ) fully debated it , in the examination of the modell , and made it evident how farre from all godlines and honestie that holy scripture is perverted . peace . mr cotton in the next passage being charged with partiall dealing , and a double waight and measure , one for himselfe and another for others ; mr cotton in effect answereth , that it is a true and just complaint against persecution and persecutours , but not against them , for they are righteous and not apostates , seducers , hereticks , idolaters , blasphemers , &c. peace . what doth master cotton answer , but what all religions , sects ▪ and severall sorts of worshippers in the world ▪ all religious priests and church-men plead , we are righteous ? peace . yea , the very turkes and mahumetans challenge to themselves true faith in god , yea , whether jews , antichristians or christians , they all call themselves muselmanni that is the right beleevers . truth . it is not so great wonder then if the popish and protestant sects , and ministers of worship cry out ( as men use to doe in suits of law and pretences to the crowne ) we are righteous , my title is good , and the best . we are holy , we are orthodox and godly : you must spare us , beleeve us , honour us , feed us , protect and defend us in peace and quietnesse . others are hereticks , apostates , seducers , idolators , blasphemers , starve them , imprison them , banish them , yea hang them , burne them with fire and sword pursue them . peace . when it was urged ( by way of prevention ) that persons truly professing christ jesus be his sheep , and they cannot persecute ; first , because it is against the nature of sheep to hunt , no not the wolves that have hunted themselves , &c. master cotton answers , first if the similitude be so stretched , then if a magistrate be a sheep , he ought not to punish , robbers , adulterers , murtherers , &c. paul was a sheep , and yet he strook elimas with blindnesse , acts . ( saith he ) when the wolfe runs upon the sheep , it is not against the nature of the true sheep to run to the true sheepherd , and is it against the nature of the true sheepherd to send forth his dogs , to worrie such a vvolfe , without incurring the reproach of a persecutour . truth . to the first , the finger of true distinction will easily untie these seeming knots . sheep therefore are two-fold , naturall and misticall . againe , misticall are two-fold , first , civill , and so all magistrates have rightly been called sheepherds and the people sheep . spirituall , and so christ jesus gave pastors , that is sheepheards and teachers , and all believers and followers of jesus are sheep ▪ on the contrary there are naturall and misticall wolves : of misticall some oppose the spirituall , and some the civill state , and some both , who must be resisted by the proper sheepheads , and proper weapons in each kind , and to confound these is to deceive and to be deceived . peace . upon the ground of this distinction we may easily perceive , that a shepheard in civil state , of what religion soever he be , as a shepheard of the people he ought to defend them by force of civill arms , from all oppressions of body , goods , chastily , name , &c. this doth the magistrate as a shepheard of the civil state and people , considered in a civil respect and capacity , and this ought all the magistrates in the world to doe , whether they be sheep or no themselves in another respect , that is in a spirituall and christian . truth . yea , and if a magistrate be a sheep or a true christian , who seeth not that he punisheth not the robber , adulterer , murtherer as a spirituall shepheard with spirituall weapons , but as a civil shepheard with a c●vill stasse , sword , & c ? t is true , paul was a sheep , that is , a spirituall sheep ; he also was a spirituall shepheard , and elimas was a wolfe opposing spiritually , and paul in his opposition strook him blind . striking is two-fold , spirituall and corporall : and all the sheep of christ as spirituall , are also lyons and armed men , and so doe strike spiritually . peace . it will be said that paul strook both spiritually and corporally . truth . corporal stroaks may be considered either ordinary or mediate , by force of armes , fire and sword , &c. or extraordinary and immediate , such as it pleased god to use himselfe , and his holy prophets and apostles by his power : now 't is true , in this second way , ( even in spirituall cases ) gods sheep which have been inducd with power above nature , that is of miracles , have plagued egypt , have burnt up captaines and their fifties , yea pluckt up nations and kingdomes as jeremie : peter kild ananias and his wife , paul strook elimas blind , and the two witnesses consume their enemies with fire out of their mouths . if either of these should doe this ordinarily , that is , by ordinary means ( for instance , if peter had killed ananias with a sword , or paul beat out elimas his eyes with a fist or stone ) they ought to have been punished by the civil state , as oppressors of the people , and transgressors against civill peace , &c. but performing these executions , by a spirituall , divine and miraculous power , above humane reach : all that heard were to acknowledge , and feare and tremble at the holy spirits might : of this gift of miracles , i say as the lord jesus spake touching the gift of continency , he that can receive it , let him receive it . peace . by what hath been said , i see master cottons last answer will be more easily satisfied : when the vvolfe runneth ravenously ( saith he ) upon the sheep , is it against the nature of the true sheep to run to their shepheards ? and it is not against the nature of the true sheepherd to send forth his doggs to worrie such a vvolfe , & c ? truth . master cotton ( doubtlesse ) here intends misticall sheep , and shepheards , and vvolves and doggs , and presseth the similitude from the naturall sheep in civill respect , he cannot here mean ( for that is not the question ) whether wolvish-men oppressing the civill state are to be resisted and suppressed by civill weapons , &c. concerning spiritual sheep then : the first question is : if the wolfe runs ravenously upon the sheep , is it against the nature of the true sheep to run to their shepheard ? i answer , a spiritual wolfe ( a false teacher , &c. ) may be said to run ravenously upon a spirituall sheep , by spiritual assault of argument , dispute , reproach , &c. the same man as a civil wolfe ( for so we must speake to speake properly ) may also run upon a sheep of christ by civill armes , that is in a civil respect , upon body and go●●● , &c , if now the wolfe ravin the first way , the sh●ep of christ may and ought to run , to the lord jesus ( the great mr. shepheard ) and to such under and in inferiour shepheards as he hath appointed ( if he can attain to them . ) if the second way , the sheep ( beside running to christ jesus by prayer , and to his ordinances and officers for advice and comfort ) may run to the civil magistrate ( appealing to caesar , &c. ) against such uncivill violence and oppression . peace . mine heart joyfully acknowledgeth the light mine eye seeth , in that true and necessary distinction : now to the second question , is it against the nature of the true shepheard ( saith mr. cotton ) to send forth his doggs to worrie such a wolfe , &c. truth . mr cotton here discoursing of christs sheepe , and christs shepheards , reason would perswade , that the shepheards or pastours here intended should be the shepheards or pastours appointed by christ jesus , ephes . . peace . if so he should intend , it well suits with the spirit of some proud and scornfull ( pretended ) shepheards of christ jesus in the world , who have used to call their clarkes , sumners , proctors , and pursevants , their hunting dogs , &c. truth . but such dogs , ( as yet ) the independent pastours or shepheards , keepe not . peace . yea but the pope ( to speake in mr cottons phrase , yet with all humble respect to civill authoritie , the blessed ordinance of god and man ) i say the pope keeps such dogs good store , yea dogs of all sorts , not onely of those lesser kindes , but whom he useth as his dogs , the emperours , kings , and magistrates of the world , whom he teacheth and forceth to crouch , to lie downe , to creepe , and kisse his foote , and from thence at his beck to flie upon such greedie wolves , as the waldenses , wicklevists , hussites , hugonites , lutherans , calvinists , protestants , puritans , sectaries , &c. to imprison , to whip , to banish , to hang , to head , to burne , to blow up such vile hereticks , apostates , seducers , blasphemers , &c. but i forget , it will be said , the protestants grounds and practices differ from the popes as far as light from darknes , and how ever the pope useth the secular power and magistrates thereof , but as dogs and hangmen , yet the reformed churches teach and practice better . truth . 't is true ( sweet peace ) the protestants professe greater honour and subjection to the civill magistrate : but let plaine english be spoken and it will be found that the protestant cleargie ( as they will be calld ) ride the backs and necks of civill magistrates , as fully and as heavily ( though not so pompously ) as ever the great whore sat the backs of popish princes . peace . the protestant cleargie hath yeelded up the temporall sword into the hand of the temporall state , kings , governours , &c. they proclaime the magistrates , head of the church , defenders of their faith , the supreame judges in all causes as well ecclesiasticall as civill . truth . 't is true , they make the magistrate head of the church , but yet of what church they please to make and fashion . they make him defendour of the faith , but of what faith , what doctrine , what discipline , what members they please to admit and account of : and this under the penaltie of being accounted either hereticall ( and so magistrates worthy themselves to be put to death ) or ignorant , and so not fit to act ( as mr cotton sayth ) but must suspend their power , untill they submit to the cleargies pretended light , and so be learnd to see and read with the cleargies spectacles . peace . to this purpose ( indeed ) agrees the next passage , wherein mr cotton affirmeth , that although all the magistrates in the world , ought to punish blasphemers , idolaters , seducers , yet this must they not doe while their consciences are blinde and ignorant of the truth , and yet they cease not to be magistrates ( sayth he ) although they cannot performe all the duties of magistrates . truth . concerning this stated dutie of all magistrates , and yet suspending of all ignorant magistrates from acting , according to this their dutie i have spoken to before and often , i now add , according to mr cottons similitude , if the errours of others be as motes in comparison of the beames of this ignorance and blindnesse in magistrates , which he calleth beames , it will be found that he renders thousands of the magistrates of the world as uncapable to be true magistrates , as an heape of timber to be an house , which wants the beames and principalls . peace . the summe of the difference in the last passage is not great , nor any in words , for sayth mr cottons conclusion , if the difference be onely in the way and manner of the administration of christ , and the difference be held forth in a peaceable and christian way , god forbid a staffe should be shaken against such , or a sword unsheathed . truth . alas , where hath lien the great difference between the prelates and presbyterians , the presbyterians and independants , but about the way and administration of christs kingdome ( for as for matter of doctrine according to the articles of the church of england , they have little differd ) ? yea wherein for matter of doctrine , of faith , repentance and holinesse ) have the churches which make whole seperation , or such as goe further to a new baptisme , wherein have they differd from the former ? and yet we know what lawes have been and are extant in old and new england against them , and what practices have been felt , and may justly be expected both from the mother and the daughter , if a jealous god and heavenly father ( for our unthankfullnesse ) should once be pleased to finish this late and wonderfull calme and moderation : which yet may justly be feard to prove , ( as sea-men use to observe ) but a winters calme , and they ray , a winters calme ( for then stormes are breeding ) is as bad as a summers storme . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . concerning the testimonie of austin . peace . master cotton finds two faults in the first entrance . first , that antichrist should be said to be too hard for christ at voting : . that austins testimonie should be put off as a rhetoricall evasion . truth . to the first , it will shortly appeare as the light at noone day , what packing of votes , and listing , and mustring up of numbers have been in all ages , in all councells , in all synods , in all parliaments , and in all ( falsely so called ) christian countries , against the lord , his christ and servants . peace . but mr cotton marvailes that when the case concernes tolleration of hereticks and antichristians , that antichrist should procure more votes against antichristians , and that christ should procure any vote , though fewer , for them . truth . to expound this ridle ; it was never affirmed , that christ hath any votes for the tollerating of hereticks or antichristians in the religious state or church of christ , but in the civil state or common-weale , that is , in the common field of the world together . secondly , not onely antichrist may oppose some antichristians , but the israel of god may oppose israel : ephraim may be against manasseh , and manasseh against ephraim , and both against judah in severall respects . have not the presbyterians been against the independents , and the independents against the presbyterians , and both against such a● seperate from the uncleannesses of them both ? no wonder then when one antichristian faction prevailes to crush another , ( and therein wraps up christ jesus himselfe as an antichristian , ) that christ jesus should finde some friends and votes against the oppressing faction , though the number of the oppressours doe farre exceede , and cast the cause ( most commonly ) against christ jesus , as a male factor , a drunkard , a glutton , a deceiver , a mad-man possest with a devill , a seducer , a blasphemer , &c. peace . but to the second , let us examine the reasons against austins argument with mr cottons defence of them . the first answer was , that soule-killing was of a large extent in scripture , which may reach to many sins that are not capitall ; mr cotton replyes ; the answer reacheth not the point ; for as every killing of the body is not a capitall crime , so neither is every killing of the soule , but such as is more voluntary and presumptuous , and joyned with some grosse and murtherous intent . truth . austin and mr cotton spake in generall , without distinction of soule-murther and killing : the title and sound of soule-murther and soule-killing , should not be cast abroad like thunder and lightning , with a late excuse that we intend not every soule-murther and killing . peace . your second argument was from the dissimilitude of bodily and spirituall death : body-killing is but once and for ever , but a soule killed may recover , &c. mr cotton replyes , that the very attempt of soule-killing is capitall , deut. . . truth . first , then the dissimilitude or difference remaines good , between the murthering of the body , and the killing of the soule or inner man ; contrary to his answer foregoing . secondly , concerning this attempting i have spoken elsewhere , and proved that spiritually it may be made good , against a christian israelite , falling away from christ , and seducing others ; but literally , against such attempting against any mans present religion or worship , ( in any civill state all the world over ) it cannot be taken , because the whole world , the nations and peoples of it cannot parallell this state of israel , whence this plea is taken . peace . i presume ( deare truth ) you would not excuse and extenuate the punishment of a soule-traitour and seducer , now under the gospel . truth . no ; i aggravate the least attempt of soule-murther , and the least prejudice or hindrance to eternall life , infinitly above what is temporall and corporall murther , when either husband or wife , brother or sister , king or queene , synod or parliament shall lay a stumbling block in the heavenly way , or grieve or offend the least of the littles ones of christ jesus , and such dreadfull punishment shall all even the highest and greatest finde , who now seeme to forget the millstone . peace . the third argument was from the different punishment which christ jesus hath appointed for soul-killing , to wit , by the two edged sword , which comes out of christs mouth , which is able to cut downe heresie , and to slay the soul of hereticks everlastingly . master cotton replies , this answer hath been removed above : church censures are sufficient to heal the heretick , if he belong to god , and to remove the guilt of his wickednesse from the church , but not to prevent spreading , &c. nor to cle●se the common-wealth from such rebellion as hath been taught by him against the lord. truth . above hath also been shewen the soveraigne excellency and power of christs spirituall meanes against spirituall infection : above hath also been shewen the two-fold common-wealth ; first , the civil and natural ; secondly , the spiritual , religious and christian . rebellion also against the lord hath been proved , two-fold , first , spirituall , against himselfe in point of his more immediate worship and service , for which he hath provided not onely the vengeance of eternall fire approaching ( according to the degrees and hainousnesse of such rebellion ) but also present spirituall punishment , far exceeding all corporall punishment and torment in the world . rebellion against god is temporall and more mediate , as it is a resistance , opposition or violation of any civil state or order appointed by god or men. now to confound these together , ( and to hover in generall tearms of rebellion against the lord ) is to blow out the candle or light , and to make a noise in the dark , with a sound and cry of a guilty land ; a guilty state , soul-murtherers , soul-killers , hereticks , blasphemers , seducers , rebels against the lord , kill them , kill them , &c. suppose these soul-murthering hereticks , seducers , &c. be as full of vexation and mischief as the musketoes or wolves in new england or other countries ; it were to be wished , ( but never can be hoped in this world ) that every civil state , city and towne in the world , were free from such mysticall and soul-vermin : the poor planter and farmer is glad , if his house and chamber , if his yard and field , his family and cattel , may be tolerably clear from such annoyances , however the woods and wildernes abound with them : they that are of such fierie pragmaticall restles spirits , that they content not themselves to keep the farme and house of the church of christ free from such infection & annoyance , but rage that such vermin are suffered in the worlds wood , &c. it is pity but they had their ful employment and taske , to catch and kill even all the swarmes and heards of all the muskeetoes and wolves , which either the wildernes of america , or the whole world can afford them . . peace . accordingly the fourth argument was from christs tolerating of soule-killers to live in the field of the world , though not in the garden of the church : mr cotton replyes , this hath been largely and fully refeld above . truth . it is true , the discusser alledged , and mr cotton refuted the exposition of this parable , but whether of them according to the minde of christ jesus , let every reader uprightly judge with feare and trembling at the word of the lord. peace . the fifth argument was from the impossibilitie of killing and soule by a heretick : mr cotton answers , this is against paul himselfe , cor. . . truth . as i spake unto the argument of the impossibilitie of the perishing of any of gods elect , so here , the using of such an argument is far from undervaluing or neglecting of any of the meanes or ordinances , naturall or spirituall , which god hath graciously appointed , but to condemne the over-wise and over-busie heads and hands of men , adding their inventions to gods appointments , as if weake and insufficient : whereas gods number of living and dead are certaine , and though the meanes which he hath appointed for life should faile , and notwithstanding all other meanes in the world used by men as helps and hindrances , yet his holy end shall not be disappointed , but fulfilled . beside the difference between soule-killing and body-killing , is but ( as mr cotton here useth the word ) so much as in us lieth , that is , by attempt or endeavour , which may be many wayes frustrated , and disappointed by the holy hand of god , and the soule yet saved and live in the day of the lord jesus . peace . whereas you said , that the imprisoning of men in a nationall or state religion is guiltie of their destruction , together with the monstrous sword of civill warres , which cuts off men from all meanes of repentance . mr cotton answers ; if the religion be good , it is no imprisonment : if it be naught , then there should be no imprisonment . to the second ( sayth he ) this feare is causeles , for if men belong to god , he will give repentance , and how ever ( sayth he ) god● revealed will is fullfilled in their just executions . truth . i could here ask mr cotton where ( amongst all the religions and worships of the sonnes of men ) he ever met in the whole world , with above one nation , which nationally profest a true religion ; and where ever , since christ jesus , ending of the shadowes , any state , religion , or nationall worship can be found true ; notwithstanding mr cotton knowes i grant gods people , in kingdomes , nations , cities , townes , &c. to be gods kingdome , nation , citie , &c. peace . and since mr cotton speakes thus of imprisonment , me-thinkes that every peaceable man and woman may bring in here against him , at the tribunall of christ jesus , an action of false imprisonment ( indeed false every way ) not onely of the sensible and outward man , but of the most noble and inner part , the minde , the spirit , and conscience ; for who knowes not that jerusalem it selfe may be a prison to false-hearted shimei ? who hath not found a pallace a prison , when forc't to keepe within it ? yea confine a man to his own house and home , though deare and familiar , and most intimate to him , his owne house during that force and restraint , is a prison to him . truth . yea it is most wofully found evident , that the best religion ( like the fairest whores , and the most golden and costlie images ) yea the most holy and pure and onely true religion and worship , appointed by god himselfe , is a torment to that soule and conscience , that is forc't against its owne free love , and choice , to embrace and observe it : and therefore whether the religion be good o●●aught ( as mr cotton here distinguisheth ) there ought to be no forcing , but the soule and minde and conscience of man , that is indeed the man , ought to be left free , as in his earthly marriage-choice , so here ten thousand times rather in his heavenly and spirituall . peace . but what say you to his unmercifull conclusion , in the bloudshed and destruction of so many thousands and millions , formerly and lately slaine and murthered by this bloudie tenent of persecution ? yea the late and lamentable streames of english bloud , and the bloud of our neighbours , friends , brethren , parents , powred forth by these late episcopall or bishops warres ? mr cottons conclusion is , the revealed will of god ( sayth he ) is fullfilled in their just execution , whether they belong to god or no. truth . i wish mr cotton more mercy from god , and a more mercifull minde toward the afflicted , and i say as the lord jesus said in the case of offence : great offences , nationall offences will come for religions sake , for nationall religion sake , but woe unto those that beare the guilt of so many thousand slaughters , murthers , ravishings , plunderings , &c. the pope , the bishops , the presbyterians , the independants , so farre as they have been authours or actors in these horrible calamities , out of the perswasion of the bloudie tenent of persecution for religion and conscience ; the voyce of so many rivers of bloud cry to heaven for vengeance against them . peace . but may not ( blessed truth ) the sword of civill power which is from god ( rom. . ) be drawne and drunke with bloud for christ his sake . what say you ( among the many examples of religions warres ) to the most famous battles of constantine against the bloudie persecutour maxentius ? was not constantine christs champion , as once that valiant scanderbeg cald himselfe against the bloudie turks ? truth . sweet peace , the sword of civill power was gods sword committed by gods most wise providence into the hands of that famous constantine : doubtles his warre was righteous and pious , so farre as he broke the jawes of the oppressing persecuting lyons that devoured christs tender lambes and sheepe : and famous was his christian edict ( wherein licinius joyned with him ) when he put forth that imperiall christian decree , that no mane conscience should be forced , and for his religion ( whether to the romane gods , or the christian ) no man should be persecuted or hunted : when constantine broke the bounds of this his owne and gods edict , and drawes the sword of civill power in the suppressing of other consciences for the establishing of the christian , then began the great mysterie of the churches sleepe , the gardens of christs churches turned into the wildernesse of nationall religion , and the world ( under constantines dominion ) to the most unchristian christendome . peace . i am unquestionably satisfied , that there was never any nationall religion good in this world but one , and since the desolation of that nation , there was never , there shall be never any nationall religion good againe : and this will be most evident to such as hould the truth of the continuance of christs visible church in the way of particular congregations . . but now to the sixt argument , which mr cotton thus repeats from the possibilitie of a false teacher , & a spirituall wolves recoverie from the estate of a soule-killer to become a soule-saviour , as it was in the case of paul : and thus he answers ; if men be such blasphemers , and such wolves , as paul was before his conversion , neither the law of god nor man would put such a man to death , who sinned of ignorance , and walked ( as himselfe professed ) in all good conscience , even in his former evill times , acts . but as for such as apostate from the knowne truth of religion , and seeke to subvert the foundation of it , and to draw away others from it , to plead for their tolleration in hope of their conversion , is as much as to proclaime a generall pardon to all malefactours ( save onely such as sin against the holy spirit ) for he that is a willfull murtherer and adulterer now , may come to be converted , and die a martyr hereafter . truth . i see not why mr cotton should passe a more charitable censure on pauls conscience , then on other mens professing conscience also and the feare of god : nor an harder censure upon other men ( to wit , that they are convinced , and sinne against their owne conscience ) more then upon paul himselfe : heard he not that famous powerfull sermon of stephen ? saw he not his glorious and most heavenly death ? and having so much to doe with the saints , could he otherwise choose , but heare and see many heavenly passages tending to his soules conviction ? peace . yea why should mr cotton pinch upon apostates from the truth of religion and seducers ? he cannot choose but know how many thousands and millions of men and women in the world , are hereticall , blasphemers , seducers , that never yet made profession of that which he accounteth true religion ? true. yea and ( to plead thy case deare peace ) why should mr cotton couple murtherers and adulterers with apostates and seducers ? doth not even the naturall conscience and reason of all men put a difference ? doe not even the most bloudie popes and cardinalls , gardiners and bonners , put a difference between the crimes of murther , treason , adulterie ( for which although the offendour repent , &c. yet he suffers punishment ) and the crimes of heresie , blasphemie , &c. which upon recantation and confession , are frequently remitted ? peace . i remember it was high treason in h. . his dayes to deny the kings spirituall supremacie , as well as to kill his person , and yet upon confession and recantation we finde , that the very conscience of those bloudy men could distinguish between these treasons . truth . 't is true this bloudie tenent of persecution was lamentably drunke with bloud in the dayes of that henry , as well as afterwards in the dayes of his bloudie daughter marie , and yet in henry his dayes we finde john haywood recanting his ( so cald ) treason against the kings supreamacie in spirituall things , and is cleared . when famous and faithfull cromwell , for words pretended to be spoken by him against the kings person , must pay his noble head. but to end this chapter , most true it is , that multitudes of people in all parts of bloudie christendome , and not a few in england in henry the . and henry the . his dayes ; have escaped with a recantation and abjuration , for spirituall treasons , when principles of reason and civill government have taught men , for their common safetie , to thinke of other punishments for murtherers , adulterers , traytours . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . discussing the testimonie of optatus . peace . master cotton having alledged optatus , justifying macarius his putting hereticks to death , from the example of moses , phinehas , and elijah ; it was answered , that these shafts were drawen not out of christs , but moses quiver : mr cotton replyes ; did ever any apostle or evangelist make the judiciall lawes of moses concerning life and death ceremoniall and typicall ? truth . what ever the apostles of christ did in this matter , yet sure it is evident , that mr cotton himselfe makes some of moses lawes , which he calls judiciall , to be but ceremoniall and typicall . peace . me thinks mr cotton should never grant that , who layes so much waight upon moses practices , and the morall and perpetuall ground of them . truth . well take for an instance this very case of putting to death , idolaters and false prophets , he grants this in this very chapter to be typicall in the state of the jewes ; for israell ( sayth he ) being the church of god , and in convenant with god , their example will onely extend to the like execution of all the false prophets in the church of god. peace . such a candle lighted up in the conscience and judgement and confession of mr cotton , may ( if the father of lights so please , ) light up many candles more , to mr cottons owne and the eyes of others . truth . yea if the father of lights so please , mr cotton will looke back and see , that if the example of israel extend no further then to the church of god , then those lawes of moses concerning religion , cannot but be typicall and ceremoniall ; for , what is morall and perpetuall , none can deny to concerne all men in all nations , where no church or house of god was ever erected . . peace . if mr cotton say it extends but to the church of god , what church of god can mr cotton meane , but a particular congregation ( for he professeth against nationall , provinciall , &c. ) and yet how can he meane a particular church , since he grants the church of christ armed with no other weapons then spirituall , like unto the head and king thereof christ jesus ? . truth . if mr cotton will grant the church of christ to have been extant upon earth during the first three hundred yeares of her fiery tryalls , he must grant that then the church of christ was furnished by christ jesus with no other weapons but spirituall , for all the civill powers of the world seemed to be against them . all which time by mr cottons doctrine , the church of christ his heavenly garden must needs be over-growne with hereticks , idolaters , false prophets , for want of a civill sword , &c. or if they were not ( as sure it is , the spouse and garden of christ was never fairer since ) : as mr cotton grants the example typicall , and extending onely to the church of god , so must he then also grant these false prophets and idolaters to be put to death by the churches power , which is onely spirituall , and israels materiall sword will then appeare to be a type of the two-edged sword of christ jesus in the gospel . peace . it is true ( sayth master cotton , ) what the discusser sayth , that christ jesus gave no ordinance , precept or president in the gospel for killing men for religion , and no more ( sayth he ) for the breach of civill justice : civill magistrates therefore must either walke without rule , or fetch their rules of righteousnesse from moses and the prophets , who have expounded him in the old testament . truth . if mr cotton please more awfully to observe & weigh the minde of christ jesus his new testament in this point , he will not onely heare himselfe subscribing to caesars right in civill matters , but also by his servant peter establishing all other formes of civill government , which the peoples or nations of the world shall invent or create for their civill being , common-weale or wellfare . yea he may remember that christ jesus by his servant paul commandeth the magistrate , to punish murther , theft , adulterie , &c. for he expresly nameth these civill transgressions together with the civill sword the avenger of them , rom. . peace . i cannot well conceive what mr cotton meanes by saying , that moses and the prophets expounded christ jesus in the old testament . truth . nor i : they did speake or prophecie of christ , they did type or figure him to come , with his sufferings and glory , but ( as john sayth ) grace and truth came by jesus christ , that is , the fullfilling , opening , and expounding came by jesus christ . peace . hence indeed i remember that christ jesus ( luc. . ) expounded to his disciples , out of moses and the prophets , the things written of him . but more particularly touching moses : macarius did well ( sayth mr cotton ) in putting hereticks to death , from the example of moses putting idolaters to death , exod . and the idolater to death , levit. . truth . these instances ( by mr cottons confession ) extend no further then the church of god , and then i desire my abovesaid answer may be uprightly weighed . and i adde the former instance of putting death the three thousand israelites about the goulden c●lfe by the hand of the levites , may most lively seeme to typifie , the zealous execution of spirituall justice in ( the israel of god ) the church of christ , by the true ministers of christ jesus , the true antitype of that zealous tribe of levi. peace . concerning phineas , whereas it was said that the flaying of the israelitish prince and daughter of midian , was not for spirituall but for corporall fulthinesse , master cotton answereth and urgeth the israelites eating of their sacrifices , and joyning to baal-peor : also that single fornication was no capitall crime . truth . it is most true , the people committed both spirituall and corporall filthines ( as very often they goe together ) but the justice of god reckoned with these two sinners , for and in the midst of their corporall filthines , which although it were not capitall in israell , yet the committing of it with so high an hand of presumption ( and small sinnes committed presumptuously in israell were death ) was enough to make it worthy of so sharpe and sudden a destruction . peace . concerning phineas his act mr cotton acknowledgeth that it is no president for ministers of the gospel so to act , but withall sayth it is praesidentiall for magistrates . truth . phineas his act ( whether of ordinarie or extraordinary justice ) how can it be praesidentiall to the civill magistrate in a particular church , where the weapons are onely spirituall ? and mr cotton grants these examples extend no further then the church : such as maintaine a nationall church ( which mr cotton doth not ) have some colour to urge this example for a president : for in a civill state , civill officers , civill lawes , civill weapons , civill punishments and rewards are proper , as are also ( and onely ) spirituall officers , spirituall lawes , spirituall punishments and rewards in a spirituall state. peace . concerning eliah , mr cotton excepteth against the number eight hundred and fiftie , as too many by halfe . truth . it is true , the number of baals prophets were foure hundred and fiftie ( false prophets enough to one poore true ) but yet eliah numbers jezabells foure hundred trencher chaplins with them ; for , sayth he , now therefore send and gather unto me all israel unto mount carmel , and the prophets of baal foure hundred and fiftie , and the prophets of the grove foure hundred , which eate at jezabells table . peace . but how ever ( sayth mr cotton ) here was no type nor figure for actions of morall justice , ( though sometimes extraordinary ) yet they are never figurative , but with such as turne all the scripture into an allegorie . truth . to make the shadowes of the old testament and the substance or body of the new , all one , is but to confound and mingle heaven and earth together , for the state of the law was ceremoniall and figurative , having a worldly tabernacle with vanishing and beggarly rudiments : and i believe it might not onely be said , that abrahams lying with his handmaid hagar , was an allegorie , but that the whole church of israell , roote and branch , from first to last included figurative and allegoricall kernells , were the husks and shells disclosed with more humbly diligent and spirituall teeth and fingers . peace . i cannot but assent unto you , that to render the old testament allegoricall in an humble sobrietie , your instance with many more give sufficient warrant . truth . yet i adde ( in answer to mr cottons charge of turning all scripture into an allegorie ) that to deny the historie of either old or new testament , or to render the new testament ( which expounds and fullfills the ancient figures ) allegoricalls are both absurd and impious . peace . but how ( sayth mr cotton ) can an act of morall righteousnesse be figurative ? truth . there is a fallacie in this tearme [ morall righteousnesse ] for mr cotton himselfe hath ●●knowledged a righteousnesse two-fold , a spirituall righteousnesse of the church , and a civill of the common-weale : mr cotton also acknowledgeth israel to be a typicall people , their land a typicall land , their ministry and worship typicall ! how can mr cotton then deny , but that the weapons of this people , their punishments and rewards , &c. ( so far as concerned this their mixed figurative and typicall state ) were figurative and ceremoniall also ? and so not parts of morall civill righteousnesse , or common to all other nations and peoples in the world. peace . i cannot readily assent to mr cotton , that morall actions of civill righteousnesse could not be figurative with this ceremoniall , typicall and figurative people : for their warre it selfe ( which if lawfull , is an act of civill morall righteousnesse ) paul seemes to make figurative of the spirituall warres of the christian israel and church of god. truth . yea and it is easie to observe that not onely their spirituall worship , &c. not onely acts of morall and civill righteousnesse in peace and warre , &c. but even their very naturall actions and excrements ( in warres against their enemies ) were figurative and typicall , full of heavenly and spirituall instruction , which the unbelieving jewes then saw not , but the believing saw , as they saw christ jesus in the sacrifices , and all their observations leading to the blessed son of god , the messiah , the annointed , or christ to come , and his eternall kingdome . peace . mr cotton in the next place takes offence that the fact of elijah should be called miraculous , and askes if it be a miracle for elijah with the aide of so many thousand israelites to put to death foure hundred and fiftie men ? truth . mr cotton mistakes the word , for the word is not fact but passage , which compriseth not onely the slaughter of these their priests , but the whole matter and busines , as the putting of the worship of the true god , to the tryall of fire from heaven , the descending of fire from heaven , the devouring of the sacrifice , and licking up of so much water , and upon this so great a number of their priests ( the fathers , shepheards , and gods of the people ) so thunder-smitten as from heaven , with so sudden and dreadfull a slaughter , what can these be but an extraordinary inspiration in the prophet , a supernaturall descent and operation of fire , yea and an extraordinary and wonderfull change in the heart of the people ? and i doubt not but mr cotton doth sometimes give an heavenly and spirituall signification , to all these figurative and miraculous mysteries . peace . but i wonder at the next words ; though christ ( sayth he ) gave no such commission to ministers of the gospel to put false prophets to death , as elijah did , yet the act of dutie was an ordinary dutie of morall righteousnesse , belonging to such as beare the sword. anon againe he writes ; this example will not extend to the idolaters of the world. first , because many thousand thousand of them are exempt from the civill magistracie of christians . secondly , they were never in covenant with god , to whom onely the law of moses concerning the punishment of idolaters extended . thirdly , though the israelites were idolaters , yet elijah spared them , because of their simplicitie and ignorance . truth . i answer , first , if christ jesus gave no such commission ( as is confessed ) then woe to all those popish and protestant priests , who have ( by theft , or flatterie , or other evill meanes ) got commissions from the civill powers of the world , whereby ( to maintaine their own honours , and profits of bishopricks and benefices , &c. ) they smite with the fist and sword , of wickednes : or under a pretence of holy orders in themselves , put over the drudgery of execution to their enslaved seculars ! secondly , if these need no commission , because to put to death the false prophets and idolaters , is an act of morall righteousnesse , how agrees that position and these three together . first , onely christian magistrates ( said mr cotton ) must act in these cases . secondly , they must act against such onely as are church-members . thirdly , they must not act against such church-members as commit idolatrie out of simplicitie or ignorance . peace . deare truth , if it passe your capacitie to reconcile these in point of truth , it must needs passe mine to see how such doctrines can stand with any civill peace or order in the world . truth . to affirme such actions to be ordinarie duties of morall righteousnesse , belonging to such as beare the sword , and yet not to be practiced but by such magistrates as are most rarely found in the world , and on such a people in such an order as is most rare in the nations of the world , is to me all one , as to call all fathers and masters in the world to such ordinary duties as belong to every father and master of a familie : or to call masters and commanders of ships to such ordinary duties as belong to all masters of ships in the world : or captaines and commanders in warre to such ordinarie duties as belong to all captaines and commanders in the world , and then at last to tell them : it is true , the duties are ordinary and common , to all fathers , masters , commanders , captaines , but these duties are to be performed onely by such fathers , masters , captaines and commanders , and in such families , ships , and armies as are not ordinarie to be found in the world. peace . i see not but the similitude doth fully reach , for indeed although such a people so and so in covenant with god , according to mr cotton , were true visible churches according to christs institution , and so consequently their magistrates truely christian , yet compare such magistrates with the rest of the magistrates of the world , who as lawfully beare the sword as themselves , and compare such a people so and so in church-covenant , with the rest of the people and nations of the world , and we shall not finde them ordinary and common , but rather as six fingers , wonders and monsters to all other parts of the world , yea even to the very popish and protestant parts of the world also . but to end this chapter ; the other fact of elijah in slaying the captaines with their fifties , mr cotton acknowledgeth not to be alledged by any other authour in this controversie , but onely by the discusser , to make himselfe work in such cobweb-evasions . truth . mr cotton forgetteth , for elijah his act ( from luc. . ) hath been mentioned by others , and answered too by master cotton in this present booke and controversie . and for the cob-webs , let the poore witnesses of christ be esteemed as spiders , and their testimonie and witnes but as cob-webs , yet let them not be discouraged , but lay hould ( like solomons spider ) with the hand of spirituall diligence , and let all such their heavenly cob-webs be in kings pallaces . and let them know their cobwebs be of such a strength , that how ever the cruell beezome of persceution may sweepe them downe , out of this world , yet in pomt of truth and true christian power and worth , neither pope nor prelate , neither presbyterian , nor independent persecutour , nor baalzebub himselfe ( the god of flies ) shall ever be able to sweepe them downe , or breake through them . exam : of chap. . and . replying to chap. . and . peace . in chap. . one passage cannot be past by , to wit , [ god hath laid this charge upon magistrates in the old testament to punish seducers , and the lord jesus never tooke off this charge in the new testament : who is this discusser , that he should account paul himselfe , or an angel from heaven accursed , that should leave this charge upon magistrates , which god laid on , and christ never tooke off ? ] truth . this is but a repetition of what hath formerly been examined : unto which therefore i briefly say , it will never be found true , that god hath laid this charge upon all magistrates in the world , as he did upon the magistrates in israel , to punish seducers . secondly , god laying this charge upon the governours and magistrates in israel , the church of god ( in the type ) lays it still upon christ jesus and his governours spirituall under him in his spirituall israel , which kingdome he administreth , with lawes , punishments and weapons spirituall . all this mr cotton in this controversie hath acknowledged . thirdly , when he saith , christ jesus never tooke off this charge . first , i answer , let that parable which he mentioneth be the tryall of it in the feare of god. secondly , god having now in these last times declared his will by his sonne : where hath his blessed sonne spoken to us , to build no more temples , to erect no more altars , to offer no more sacrifices ? and yet these and the whole frame of that typicall state we justly abrogate , both from the words of christ and his first messengers , which are plaine and easie enough to such whose eyes it pleaseth god to open , although ( in expresse tearmes ) christ jesus hath not given an expresse catalogue of all such particulars to be abolished . peace . in the next passage mr cotton deeply chargeth the poore discusser with partialitie & falshood ; upon which grounds he turnes off all the consequences , which the discusser observed to follow upon mr cottons conclusions . truth . it is true , the authour of the letter expresseth libertie of conscience to such as feare god indeed : mr cotton subscribes , but presently razeth out his subscription in these words following , which he hath againe now reprinted , to wit , but the question is whether an heretick after once or twice admonition ( and so after conviction ) and any other scandalous and hainous offendour , may be tollerated , either in the church without excommunication , or in the common-weale without such punishment , as may preserve others from dangerous and damnable infection . peace . who sees not but this bloudie tenent ( i meane these words now recited ) doth not onely restraine libertie of conscience to such as feare god indeed , and speakes fire and fagot to all the world beside : but also ( under the name of heretick and seducer ) throwes into the furnace ( most commonly and ordinarily ) all such as feare god ( christ jesus and his messengers and ministers not excepted ) who have alwayes been and are accounted , the chiefest hereticks , blasphemers , deceivers and seducers in this world ? truth . i adde the consequences therefore remaine good , that either all the inhabitants of the world must come into the estate of men fearing god : or else dissemble religion , and fearing god , in hypocrisie : or else , be driven out of the world. then also the civill state must judge of the spirituall , and of magistrates fearing or not fearing god : the people must judge ( i say ) who feare god indeed , and are by them to be permitted , and who are the hereticks , and to be punished , which who may not see to be the driving of the world out of it selfe , and the bloudie routing up of all societies of men ? peace . this charge of partialitie and falshood , you have ( deare truth ) to my understanding shielded the poore discusser from , can you now helpe his forehead , and his heart , which mr gotton in the next passage chargeth with another notorious and impudent falshood , in relating out of a printed booke an answer of the new english ministers to questions sent unto them from their brethren in old , which answer mr cotton sayth he cannot finde . truth . so much gall and vinegar hath mr cotton powred forth in this whole passage from the first to the last of it , that no sober minded man fearing god , and knowing mr cottons former temper of spirit , but will confesse two things : first , that this bloudie tenent of persecution hath infected and inflamed his very naturall temper and former sweet peaceable disposition . secondly , his eye ( being thus bloudshot ) is so weakened in its former ( and otherwise excellent sight ) that it now questions no difference between the mountaines and the molehills , for at the worst , in common probabilitie of reason , there can be but a mistake in the discusser concerning this passage . peace . if the discusser have no sparke of the feare of god , yet if but common crvilitie and honestie , or least respect of common credit among men , it were impossible for him to forge so grossely in matters lately printed , publike and obvious to every eye . truth . the truth is , whether there be different editions or different copies printed , let mr cotton and whom it concerns take care of it , for the discusser is confidently resolved that if this passage ( for the substance of it ) be not printed and to be read in print of all men , in their names , he will then willingly beare and lye under the charge of a false forehead and heart , which mr cotton in such heate and anger imputes unto him . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . in this short chapter the discusser is charged with ignorance and uncharitablenes , for thinking amisse of the penmen of the answer to the questions , to wit , that he should conceive that the passage to new england should change the judgement or consciences of men. truth . the discusser professeth ( and i know in truth ) to bewaile his ignorance and uncharitablenes , yet upon a second review of the words , it will be found there was not an imputation of such a conceit , to those worthy authors , or any man , but an item unto all men , occasioned by the confidence expressed , that they doubted not , but those godly brethren of old england should agree with them here in new , if they were in new england together . this item or caveat will appeare to be given , not by way of positive charge , nor in the least derogating from the holy and blessed use of free and humble conference , but to take off the edge of such confidence of agreeing in new england , when the differences of gods people have been and are yet so great in old and new , and so many conferences and disputations of truth and peace have not yet raised that blessed agreement of which the answer to the questions would make no doubt . peace . me-thinkes there should be little hope of their comming to new-england when the new-english ministers had got the advantage of the higher ground , and carnall sword for their religion to friend , and had exprest their judgement of their conceiving it not safe , that , ( if they should not agree , ) their severall wayes of worshipping god , should be permitted in one common-weale . truth . yea and i believe still the consequence was truely gathered by the discusser ( how ever mr cotton hath so charged his forehead and heart for it ) to wit , that the new english ministers could not ( as their conscience stood ) advise the magistrates of new-england to permit that which their consciences and judgements taught them was not safe , &c. peace . these passages occasion me to remember a serious question which many fearing god have made , to wit , whether the promise of gods spirit , blessing conferences , be so comfortably to be expected in new-england , because of those many publike sinnes which most of gods people in new-england lye under , and one especially , to wit , the framing a gospel or christ to themselves without a crosse , not professing nor practicing that in old ( except of late in times of libertie ) which they professedly come over to enjoy with peace and libertie from any crosse of christ in new. truth . i know those thoughts have deeply possessed , not a few , considering also the sinne of the pattents , wherein christian kings ( so calld ) are invested with right by virtue of their christianitie , to take and give away the lands and countries of other men ; as also considering , the unchristian oaths swallowed downe , at their comming forth from old england , especially in superstitious land his time and domineering . and i know these thoughts so deeply afflicted the soule and conscience of the discusser in the time of his walking in the way of new englands worship , that at last he came to a perswasion , that such sinnes could not be expiated , without returning againe into england : or a publike acknowledgement and confession of the evill of so and so departing : to this purpose before his troubles and banishment , he drew up a letter ( not without the approbation of some of the chiefe of new-england , then tender also upon this point before god ) directed unto the king himselfe , humbly acknowledging the evill of that part of the pattent which respects the donation of land , &c. this letter and other endeavours ( tending to wash off publike sinnes , to give warning to others , and above all , to pacifie and to give glory unto god ) it may be that councell from flesh and bloud supprest , and worldly policie at last prevailed : for this very cause ( amongst others afterward re-examined ) to banish the discusser from such their coasts and territories . peace . but from violence to the discusser , or any other , mr cotton ( in the next passage ) protests his innocencie , and insinuates the discusser to be no other then ( a devill ) an accuser of the brethren , for imputing to them any such evill , &c. truth . he that reads how hard the heart of holy david grew , in the sinne of whoredome and murther , untill the lord awakened him , will lesse wonder , that spirituall whoredome and murtherous violence , may possesse the heart of gods davids and holiest servants now , and that without blush , or shame , or least appearance of relenting : doth not all this whole traverse of mr cotton maintaine a persecution even unto death , of such whom the civill state shall judge hereticks , blasphemers , idolaters , seducers , &c. doth not this very chapter expressely justifie persecution upon the subverters of the christian faith , obstinate after conviction ? upon blasphemers , idolaters , seducers ? and is mr cotton not informed , what successe his doctrine hath had , that ( if a mercifull god had not prevented ) not courting , nor fining , nor imprisoning , nor whipping nor banishing had been punishment sufficient , to men and women , for cause of conscience in new-england , but even death it selfe , ( according to the principles of persecution ) had been inflicted . peace . mr cotton will urge that gods people will not be such hereticks , &c. truth . i might urge mr cottons owne grant of such sinnes in gods owne people , for which they may be justly excommunicated ; but i will rather produce an instance in our nation of england . none fearing god will easily deny the eminent godlines of cranmer & cromwell in king henry the eight his dayes ; at that very time when king henry himselfe disputed in so famous an assembly against the blessed witnesse of christ jesus , john lambert ! finde we not also holy cranmer disputing before the king and that stately assembly , against this poore servant of god , for that horrible and monstrous idoll of transubstantiation ? peace . finde we not then also holy and zealous cromwell ( at the kings command ) reading that bloudie sentence of death against that blessed lambe of christ jesus , who was thus worried to death , not onely by the bloudie wolves the bishops , but even by those holy lambes of christ , cranmer and cromwell also ! truth . this was that blessed lambert , a true follower of the lambe of god christ jesus , who cryed out in the midst of the flames , none but christ , none but christ : and well might he so cry : not cranmer , not cromwell , who after so much light in disputations , yet persisted in their heresie and idolatry , and partaking with violence against this holy man , that he might well cry out , none but christ , none but christ . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . as it is ( deare truth ) oftentimes in journies , the worst way and saddest weather attends the journies end : so here mr cotton ( neere our close ) chargeth upon the discusser a threefold wresting of his words , and accordingly so much false-dealing . truth . it is sad on the discussers part , if this be done by him , either by a willfull or a negligent hand . peace . yea and it is sad on mr cottons part , if the charge be not reall and substantiall . truth . mr cotton acknowledgeth his words to be these the godly will not persist in heresie or turbulent schisme , when they are convinced in conscience of the sinfullnesse of their way ] the first charge therefore against the discusser is that he confoundeth admonition with conviction , for ( saith mr cotton ) admonition ought not to be dispenced , untill the offendour be convinced in his own conscience of the sinfullnesse of his way . truth . for answer hereunto the discusser to my knowledge humbly appealeth to the searcher of all hearts , that he hath not willingly nor wittingly falsified mr cottons words in a tearme or syllable . and indeed whether he hath wronged him at all , or be not rather unjustly trampled under the feete of weake and passionate charges , the discusser appealeth to mr cottons owne conscience , awaked ( if god so please ) out of this bloudie dreame . peace . yea but ( sayth mr cotton ) admonition is one thing , and conviction in their owne conscience is another ; for though sayth he , admonition ought not to be dispenced till after conviction , yet it may fall out that the church ( through mistake ) proceedeth to admonition before the offendour be convinced in his own conscience of the sinfulnesse of his way . truth . passing gently by the want of equitie in mr cotton to the discusser , in condemning him of falshood , for taking admonition for conviction , when he makes it but a mistake in the church to practice the one for , or before the other : i answer , i know not that sutable distinction between admonition and conviction , as mr cotton carrieth it , saying , that how ever the church may through mistake practice admonition before conviction , yet admonition ought not to proceede , untill after conviction in a mans owne conscience , for finde we not the words of reprooving , rebuking , admonishing , exhorting a brother , indifferently used both in the old and new testament ? and doth not that very word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( matth. . reprove him ) imply conviction as well as reproofe or admonition , for doth it not signifie convincingly reprove him ? peace . i have heard indeed , that conviction is twofold : first , externall and legall before men in civill or spirituall judicature . secondly , effectuall and inward in the court of a mans own conscience before god , which internall , alwayes followes not the externall . truth . no , such externall conviction may be legall before men , but not in the fight of god , and a mans owne conscience , as we see in the case of naboth , who was legally convict of blasphemy , when acquitted by god and his owne conscience : as also in those consciences ( of which paul speakes ) seared with hot irons , which consciences ( notwithstanding the abundance of light from heaven convincing , yet ) are not brought from believing lyes . peace . yea , but it seemes by mr cottons words , that the church , that is , ( according to his way ) the major part of the church must judge that the heretick is convinced in his own conscience of the sinfullnesse of his way before she proceedeth to admonition . truth . for my part i cannot reconcile these three propositions , comprized by mr cotton in these few lines . first , the godly will not persist in heresie , or turbulent schisme , when they are convinced in conscience of the sinfullnesse thereof . secondly , the church is to judge of the conviction of such a godly mans conscience . thirdly , although such a godly man be convinced of the sinfulnesse of his way , yea although he will not persist in heresie or turbulent schisme , when he is thus convinced in conscience of the sinfulnesse thereof , yet then is the church to proceede to admonition . for thus he sayth , admonition ought not to be dispenced till after conviction . peace . if mr cotton spake of the first conviction , to wit , the externall , i could subscribe , but now speaking of that internall in a mans owne conscience , i see it pleaseth god , most holy and onely wise to permit the best and wisest of his servants , to intrap , intangle , and bewilder themselves , that they may learne to confesse him onely and infinitly wise , and be more humble in themselves , as fooles and lyars , and lesse bitter in their judgements and censures on the poore vnderlings and outcasts . truth . o that mr cotton , who grants the godly may fall into such fowle sinnes of heresie and schisme , may also be godly jealous over himselfe and others fearing god in old or new england , that also possibly they may fall , into the very sinne of persecuting the sonne of god himselfe , especially since it is the lot of christ jesus ( beyond all compare ) both in himselfe and his followers , to be accounted the greatest heretick , blasphemer , seducer and deceiver . peace . to the second and third charge mr cotton complains of false dealing , in that the discusser should render his words , as if he charged such to be obstinate persons , that yeelded not to once or twice admonition , and that for every errour , when he speakes onely of persisting in heresie , or turbulent schisme . truth . for answer , let mr cottons conclusions in the beginning of this booke be remembred . wherein he maintaines that a man of an erroueous and blind conscience in fundamentall and weighty points , and persisting in the errour of his way , is not persecuted for cause of conscience , but for sinning against his conscience . whence it followes that the civill courts of the world must judge : whether the matter be fundamentall and weighty : whether the partie have been rightly once and twice admonished : and whether he persist in the errour of his way : that is , whether he be obstinate after such admonition , and must then be persecuted , though ( as the conclusion wofully concludeth ) not for cause of conscience , but for sinning against his conscience . peace . yea but the discusser ( sayth mr cotton ) dealeth falsly , in carrying my words , as if i had said , that godly persons in whatsoever errour they hould , if they yeeld not to once or twice admonition , they must needs be obstinate : whereas ( he saith ) he speakes not of every errour , but of persisting in heresie and turbulent schisme . truth . the discusser did not so say , or so carry it as mr cotton insinuates , but this he saith , that even in the place of righteousnesse and judgement ( as salomon saith ) iniquitie , and such iniquitie ( in all civill courts of the world , and in all ages of the world ) usually hath been found , that as in multiplying glasses a flea is made an elephant , &c. so the poore witnesses of christ have been proclaimed and persecuted for hereticks , blasphemers , seducers , &c. not onely for not houlding the popes transubstantiation , auricular confession , purgatorie , and those waightier points of the beasts worship : but reading a piece of a leafe of scripture or any good booke is heresie . eating a piece of flesh in lent , yea the slight breaches of the smallest traditions of the elders and state worships , accounted heresie , blasphemie , &c. peace . hence was it i think , that the naturalist could tell us in the fable of the fox and the lyon , that the fox ran not away in vaine upon the proclamation of the departure of all horned beasts , as knowing that if the bloudie persecutours of the world shall say , the plainest ears are hornes ( that is , the smallest errours , yea the plainest truths are heresies ) it is in vaine for any innocent to plead they are but eares , &c. truth . yea hence it was that in that famous , or rather most infamous councell of constance , the blessed servant and witnes of christ jesus , john hus , was as it were stobd to death ( before his burning ) with tearmes of heresie , heretick , heresiarck , yea though he held as the pope and the councell held , even in those points for which they condemned him , because ( beside their hatred of his holines , witnessing against their filthines ) themselves would say from his writings , that he did hould so and so against their popish tenents , which he himselfe profest he never did . peace . in the next place ( deare truth ) are two passages related by the discusser from new england . to which mr cotton gives no credit . . he sayth , if such words were spoken , they might be spoken upon such waights as might hould waight , &c. truth . for the stories and the discussers mistakes ( willing mistakes , as mr cotton seemes to insinuate ) i know the discusser humbly desires like a true traveller to his heavenly countrey , to heare of , and see and acknowledge , and forsake every false path and step ( by the helpe of christ ) that the poorest childe , though but a naked pagan shall hint him of : but why should the stories seeme incredible that suite so wofully fit with the common tenents ? peace . it may be mr cotton will not believe it , nor approve it : but there are not two , but ten witnesses , to testifie such stories , were it seasonable to relate and inlarge such particulars . truth . let mr cotton then please to understand ( to passe by particular names of the former stories , which are ready to be declared to any charitable and loving enquirie ) that his bloudie tenent is a bitter roote of many bitter branches , not onely bitter to spirituall tasts , but even to the tast of civilitie and humanitie it selfe . but since the names of persons are so desired , i shall relate ( not out of any personall disrespect to mr streete and the people of cohannet , aliàs taunton , my loving friends ) what many testifie , that the said ( reputed ) minister mr streete , publikely and earnestly perswaded his church-members to give land to none but such , as might be fit for church-members : yea not to receive such english into the towne , or if in the towne , yet not to land , that if they lived in the towne or place , yet they might be knowne to be but as gibeonites , hewers of wood , and drawers of water for the service of them that were of the church . peace . i know what troublesome effects followed in the same place , and what breaches of civill and humane societie ? what departures of divers , and barres to the comming of others , to the spoile and hindrance of a most likely and growing plantation . but to proceede ( deare truth ) you cannot more faithfully and carefully labour to discharge the discusser of falshoods , then mr cotton endeavours to lay them on : for to the former three , behould in the next passage foure more . for , first the discusser is charged to report mr cotton as expressing confidence in this cause , which mr cotton sayth he expressed not . secondly , he reports mr cotton to say , that he ( to wit , mr cotton ) had removed the grounds of this errour , whereas mr cotton ( saith he ) said not so , but that he had spoken so much for that end. thirdly , he foisteth in the name of great errour , which though it be so , yet mr cotton did not so stile it . fourthly , that mr cotton should conclude , that to be a great errour , that persons are not to be persecuted for cause of conscience , when he states the question so , that none ought to be persecuted at all for cause of conscience , but for sinning against their conscience . truth . sweet peace , he that hath a minde to beate a dog , will soone finde a cudgell , &c. if mr cotton had not esteemed the discusser as a dog , and had not had as great a minde as a dog to use him , he would never have so catcht at every line and word , to finde out ( such ) the discussers lyes and falshoods . for , first , it is apparant that the discusser here undertooke not to repeate mr cottons words , but upon such and such words of mr cottons ( compared with all former agitations ) to collect according to his understanding such a conclusion . peace . but whether he hath rightly and without breach of truth or love so and so collected , let it be ( briefly ) in the feare of god examined . truth . first then , hath not mr cotton through all this discourse , exprest a confidence ( some have called it imperious and insulting ) against the poore hereticks , blasphemers , seducers ? and doo not these words [ for avoyding the grounds of your errour ] import so much ? secondly , doth not mr cottons words imply that in his opinion such a tenent is an errour , and that by speaking so much against it , he hath removed it , what ever his opponent thinks to the contrary ? thirdly , why may not the discusser , or any man say , that mr cotton counts that a great errour , which mr cotton endeavours so to represent to all men ? peace . but the fourth ( sayth mr cotton ) is an evident falshood in the discusser to say , that mr cotton should conclude this to be the great errour , that persons are not to be persecuted for cause of conscience . truth . the father of lights hath of late been graciously pleased to open the eyes of not a few of his servants to see that mr cottons distinction [ of not persecuting a man for his conscience , but for sinning against his conscience ] is but a figleafe to hide the nakednes of that bloudie tenent , for , the civill court must then judge when a man sinnes against his conscience , or els he must take it from the cleargie upon trust , that the poore reputed heretick doth so sinne . peace . mr cotton adds that it is an aggravation of sinne to hould or practice evill out of conscience . truth . true , but i also aske , doth not that persecutour that hunts or persecuteth a turke , a jew , a pagan , an antichristian ( under pretence that this pagan , this turke , this jew , this antichristian sins against his owne conscience , ) doth not this persecutour , i say , hould a greater errour then any of the foure , because he hardens such consciences in their errours by such his persecution , and that also to the overthrowing of the civill and humane societie of the nations of the world , in point of civill peace ? peace . well you may ( deare truth ) enjoy your owne holy and peaceable thoughts , but mr cotton ends this chapter with hope that the reputed bloudie tenent , appeares now whiled in the bloud of the lambe , and tends to save christs sheepe from devouring , to defend christs truth , and to maintaine and preserve peace in church and common-weale . truth . sweet peace , that which hath in all ages powred out the precious bloud of the sonne of god , in the bloud of his poore sheepe , shall never be found whited ( as mr cotton insinuates ) in the bloud of this most heavenly shepheard : that which hath maintained the workes of darknes yeares under the bloudie romane emperours , and more bloudie romane popes , hath never tended to destroy , but build and fortifie such hellish workes . that which all experience ( since christs time ) hath shewen to be the great fire-brand or incendiarie of the nations , hath powred out so many rivers of bloud about religion , and that amongst the ( so called ) christian nations . that tenent , i say , will never be found a preserver , but a bloudie destroyer both of spirituall and civill peace . exam : of chap. . replying to chap. . peace . vve are now ( deare truth ) through the mercie of the father of mercies , arrived , at the last chapter of this sorrowfull agitation : mr cotton finds nothing in this worth the while to speake to : yet thinks he it good to finde time to blame the discusser for selfe . applauses , vaine-glorious triumph , and confident perswasion , which before he had noted mr cotton for . truth . that which was noted in mr cotton was not meerly a perswasion or confidence , but indeed an imperious and insulting confidence , over the poore and oppressed , and an adding of v●megar to the gall of the sonne of god , persecuted in his poore saints and members . peace . but may there not seeme to be too in the discusser , too great a confidence of the converting and turning of the bloudie storme of warres about conscience , into mercifull calmes of peace , and of the returne of christs dove , with olive branches of civill peace ? truth . then let thousands and ten thousands , french , polonians , hungarians , transilvanians , bohemians , netherlanders , and others , and now at last ( through gods gracious smiling upon this holy truth of his ) i say , many thousand english men set to their seale and witnes , to wit , that freedome to the consciences of men , ( from all other but spirituall opposition ) hath stuck many millions of browes and houses with olive branches , that were before beblubbered and overwhelmed with teares and bloud . peace . i cannot but confidently see and say , that doubtles , had not the prudent and zealous care of englands parliament and armie subscribed to this blessed meanes of peace , restored to lands and countries embroyled in bloudie civill warres about religion , doubtles , the streame of warre which hath run so long with bloud between the prelates and the puritans ( so calld ) had run as fresh and furious in all devouring flames between the presbyterians and the independents . truth . oh blessed be the god of peace , who hath more pitie upon the unpeaceable sonnes of men , then they have on themselves . peace . mr cotton in the next place addeth , that one passage he may not let passe , because the name of christ is interessed in it , and dishonoured by it , to wit , [ christ delighteth not in the bloud of men , but shed his own bloud for his bloudiest enemies : ] mr cotton answers ; it is true that christ delighteth not in the bloud of men , while they gainsay and bloudily persecute him and his , out of ignorance : but he delights in the bloud of such , who after the acknowledgement of his truth , doe tread the bloud of his covenant under-foote , and wittingly and willingly reject him from raigning over them : the contrary whereof he sayth proclaimes the gospel to the seede of the serpent : sows pillowes under all ellbowes , makes the heart of the righteous sad , strengthens the hand of the wicked , and proclaimes peace to jezabell , and her whoredomes and witchcrafts , and concludes with prayer against such a bewitching of the whores cup , where , by open profession she is rejected , but let in by the back-doore of tolleration . truth . i perceive ( sweet peace ) that in the winding up of this discourse mr cotton winds up , resolveth and reduceth his former pleaded for persecuting of hereticks , blasphemers , idolaters , seducers , into the persecuting onely of apostates , who after the acknowledging of the truth , doe tread the bloud of christs covenant underfoote , &c. to which i answer : if so then the discerning & judging between such as gainsay christ , and blaspheame him out of ignorance , ( such as mr cotton makes the jewes , who put him to death ) and such as willingly and wittingly reject him : i say , the judging of this must then rest at the barre of the civill courts and judicatures of the world , which necessarily implies a supposition of power of judging in all the nations of the world , and so consequently in naturall men contrary to the scriptures , which conclude all mankinde ( while in their naturall estate , ) uncapable of the things of gods spirit . peace . yea and also ( to my understanding ) it implies , a submitting and subjecting of the crowne and scepter and affaires of christ jesus , to the civill and humane crownes and scepters and tribunalls of the nations of this world , and that in spirituall and heavenly things , the proper affaires of his owne spirituall kingdome , in the which , the wisest of this world are ignorant , and extreamly opposite . truth . for this , you know mr cotton hath a broken refuge , to wit , [ the nations of the world , & naturall men must not judge untill they be better informed ] in which , what a wonderfull and menstrous suspension doth he put upon the affaires of christ jesus all the world over , and leaves the matters of christ jesus in worse case , and more poorely provided for by christ jesus , then the matters and affaires of any king or kingdome in the world , beyond compare and imagination . peace . yet , me-thinks those scriptures quoted by mr cotton luc. . those mine enemies , &c. and revel . . bloudie vengeance upon antichristian emissaries , are very considerable . truth . doubtles all scripture seriously alledged by the most ignorant and unworthy ( how much more from so learned and conscientious ) ought seriously and awfully to be pondered in the holy presence of god : the warrants and authorities of civill powers ( though but pretended ) are not without due respect to be examined , although rejected ( in the end ) as insufficient , &c. but consider in the examination of those scriptures : is it credible that all that resist christ jesus , his kingdome and government , are apostate and antichristian emissaries , against whom he powres out that violl ? have they first acknowledged the covenant of jesus , and then trod the precious bloud of that high covenant under feete ? peace . the east is not so farre from the west , as those scriptures from such a conclusion . truth . yea how many hundreth thousands of jewes and turkes and antichristians perish temporally and eternally , and that for refusing christ jesus to be king , and for shedding his bloud in his servants , who can never be brought under this guilt of apostacie , after they have once acknowledged the truth of christs government and kingdome . peace . me-thinks to understand the scriptures in mr cottons sence , were a wonderfull penning up and straightning the holy scripture . truth . sweet peace , as soone may we immure the glorious sun in a darke dungeon , as confine those bright scriptures in the dark cels of apostacie : but i further observe , that christ jesus not only praid and dyed for his enemies , who bloudily persecuted him and his out of ignorance , but gave this reason against bodily death to be inflicted on any for his cause and sake , luc. . the son of man is not come to destroy mens lives : and i might returne the question to mr cotton , not unfitly , are not these the words o● him that delighteth not in the bloud of his bloudiest enemies and gainsayers ? peace . it will be said , what slaughters , what drinking of bloud is that which christ jesus in these scriptures intendeth ? truth . i answer , although the sword of christs kingdome , that sharpe sword with two edges is a spirituall sword , and is carried in his mouth , yet all power in heaven and earth being given into his hands by his father , he ruleth and over-ruleth in a way of power and providence , all the powers of the world. there is therefore a great sword given to him that rideth upon the white horse , ( revel . . ) by which , for the resisting of him that rideth upon the white horse , ( in the gainsaying and persecuting of christ in his members ) christ jesus takes peace from the earth , and suffers the turkes to plague the antichristian world , ( papists and carnall protestants ) to plague each other , and to fill cups of bloud each to other , while they contend and fight , first against god , and then one against another , for their severall false prophets and religions . peace . me-thinks then mr cotton might have spared to charge the discusser with proclaiming of peace to jezabell , &c. truth . there is a spirituall peace in the matters of christs kingdome and worship , and in the particular consciences and soules of his servants . there is a civill peace in the quiet enjoyment of each mans proprietie , in the combination of townes , cities , kingdomes , &c. but neither of these three will mr cotton prove the discusser proclaimeth to such antichristians or enemies of christ jesus , who persecute and oppresse jew or gentile upon any civill or spirituall pretence . 't is true , the consciences and worships of all men peaceable in their way , he affirmes ought not to be molested , and though not approved yet permitted , and ( although no spirituall , yet ) a civill peace proclaimed to their outward man while peaceable in civill commerce . to persecutours , he not onely proclaimes gods judgements spirituall and eternall , but temporall also , and affirmeth that all persecutours of all sorts ( and especially the bloudie whore of rome ( who hath so long been drunk with the bloud of the saints , ) ought by the civill sword to be restrained and punished ( as the destroyers of mankinde and all civill and peaceable being in the world , ) according to the hight of their cruell and murtherous oppressions . peace . but tolleration of her ( sayth mr cotton brings ) her in at the back dore , and so we may come to drink deeply of the cup of the lords wrath , and be filled with the cup of her plagues . truth . there are two opinions which have bewitched the nations professing the name of christ . first , that a nationall church or state , is of christs appointing . secondly , that such a nationall church or state must be maintained pure by the power of the sword. while mr cotton prayes against the bewitching of the whores cup , o that the father of lights might graciously please to shew him the depth of her witchcrafts , and his owne most wofull delusions in both these . in vaine doth mr cotton feare partaking of her sinnes and plagues by a tollerating ( meerly ) of her worship in a civill state , while he forgets the three great causes of her downfall and desolation , and partakes of any of them ( revel . . ) to wit , her worldly pompe and pleasure : her spirituall whoredomes and invented worships , and her crueltie and bloudshed , more especially against the consciences of the saints or holy ones of jesus . exam : of chap. . touching the modell of church and civill power , examined in the first part of the bloudie tenent , but not defended by mr cotton , or any , that the discusser knowes of . peace . i had hoped ( deare truth ) that we had gained a peaceable and quiet harbour , after all our tempestuous tossings in the boysterous seas of this bloudie tenent , yet now behold a sharpe and cutting winde of mr cottons continuall censures ; for i was not ( sayth mr cotton ) of those that composed the modell : and secondly , the ministers say it was not sent by them to salem , and therefore the discusser is left of god to a double falshood . truth . sweete peace , till sweete death , in and ( often ) for christ , close up the eyes of his servants , they must not expect to rest fully from their labours , and expect their workes to follow them . once againe therefore let us heare the discussers plea for himselfe against this blustering charge of double falshood . master cottons owne words in the end of his answer to the prisoners ▪ letter , are these ; i forbeare adding reasons to justifie the truth , because you may finde that done to your hand in a treatise sent to some of the brethren , late of salem , who doubted as * you doe . truth . to my knowledge it was reported ( according to this hint of mr cottons ) that from the ministers of the churches ( pretended ) such a modell composed by them was sent to salem : hereupon it was that the discusser wrote on purpose to his worthy friend mr sharpe ( elder of the church of salem , ( so called ) for the sight of it , who accordingly sent it to him . peace . if this modell , of such consequence , were so composed and so sent to salem , if mr cotton directs others thither to repaire to make use of it , if he thus approve and promote it , i see not why it might not probably be collected , that mr cotton ( not the last in such great and publike matters ) was amongst , if not chiefe amongst the composers of it , and that he and they were not ignorant of the conveyance of it to salem . truth . but grant mr cotton should have been imagined to have been left out in this so great and publike a service , and that all the former probabilities faile : yet doubtles mr cotton will be cast at the barre of christian love and moderation , for so bitter a charge upon the poore discusser for so easie and harmles mistakes . peace . such fierce flashes might well issue from the bloudie french cardinalls against the poore hugenots , from the english bloudie bishops against the poore lollards , from the bloudie popes against the hereticks and lutherans : but a gentler breath and stile might well beseeme a protestant to a protestant , engaged in common principles and testimonies and sufferings of jesus against those bloudie tyrants . but to the modell , mr cotton seemes highly offended , that the discusser should say , that the modell awaketh moses from his unknowne grave , and denies jesus yet to have seene the earth . for , moses his lawes were of force ( sayth he ) to the israelites in the land of canaan , when moses was dead : and againe , christ came not to destroy the law of moses , not the morall law , nor the judicialls , such as are of common equitie : or els ( sayth he ) the conscience of the civill magistrate could never doe any act of civill justice out of faith , because he should have no word of god to be the ground of his act , if the lawes of judgement were abrogated , and none extant in the new. truth . i answer ; that speech of the discusser was neither unreasonable , nor untrue , as mr cotton alledgeth : for grant christ came not to destroy the morall law of the ten commands ( for the substance of it , for all materiall circumstances therein mr cotton will not urge nor practice ) . nor secondly , the judicialls of morall equitie , that is , such as in deed concerne life and manners , according to the nature and constitution of the severall nations and peoples of the world. peace . pardon me ( deare truth ) before you proceede , a word of explication : your addition [ according to the nature and constitution of the peoples and nations of the world ] will not he allowed of . truth . without this i cannot allow of moses his judicialls to binde all nations of the world , then before , or since christ jesus : my reason is : that people of israel ( to which those judiciall lawes and punishments were prescribed ) was as i may say , a miraculous people or nation , miraculously brought from one nation , ( the land of aegypt ) into another ( the land of canaan ) both types , a people furnished with miraculous food and cloathing during their fortie yeares travell through the wildernes : the seaven nations of canaan wondrously and miraculously destroyed before them ; their lawes and institutions miraculously delivered to them , &c. beside ( not to wade deeper into this controversie , as in the examination of the modell i have done ) their land was typically holy , and that people the church of god , the onely church of god in the world. and therefore being a people of such miraculous considerations , meanes and obligations , the breach even of morall lawes concerning life and manners and civill estate , might be more transcendently hainous and odious in them , then in the other severall nations and peoples of the world , many thousands and millions whereof never so much as heard of the name of the god of israel . peace . if men see cause to ordaine a court of chancerie , and erect a mercy-seate to moderate the rigour of lawes , which cannot be justly executed , without the moderate and equall consideration of persons and other circumstances ! me-thinks , the father of mercies ( though he be justice it selfe , yet ) cannot be justly imagined to carrie all judiciall or civill lawes or sentences , by one universall strictnes through all the nations of the earth . truth . the lord jesus tells us of a more tollerable sentence , ( even for the sodomites in the day of judgement , then for the jewes , who were the people and church of god : and paul his servant layes heavier load ( rom. . ) upon such adulterers , thieves , as professe to be teachers unto others , &c. of the contrary graces and vertues . peace . deare truth , the scriptures are full , and many arguments might be drawne out this way , but please you to pitch upon an instance , whereby we may the sooner finish this digression . truth . take that great case of the punishment of adulterie , and i confidently affirme , that the conscience of the magistrate , may out of faith , execute other punishments beside ( stoning to ) death , which was the punishment of that sinne in israell . for although ( as mr cotton sayth ) that was the law of judgement in the old testament , and there is no other particularly exprest in the new , yet the conscience of the magistrate may know , first , that the carriage of the lord jesus about this case , when the question was precisely put to him , was extraordinary and strange : for ( although unto other questions , even of the pharisees , herodians , sadduces , the high priest , and pilate , he gave more or lesse , first or last , punctuall resolutions , yet ) here , he condemnes the sinne , yet he neither confirmes , nor disanulls this punishment , but leaves the question ( in all probabilitie ) and leaves the severall nations of the world , to their owne severall lawes and agreements ( as is most probable ) according to their severall natures , dispositions and constitutions , and their common peace and wellfare . secondly , the lord jesus ( pet. . ) approveth of the severall humane ordinances ( or creations ) which the severall peoples and nations of the world shall agree upon for their common peace and subsistence . hence are the severall sorts of governments in the nations of the world , which are not framed after israels patterne . and hence consequently , the lawes , rewards and punishments of severall nations vastly differ from those of israell , which doubtles were unlawfull for gods people to submit unto , except christ jesus had ( at least in generall ) approved such humane ordinances and creations of men for their common peace and wellfare . peace . me-thinks mr cotton , and such as literally stick to the punishment of adultery , witchcraft , &c. by death , must either deny the severall governments of the world to be lawfull ( according to that of peter ) and that the nature and constitutions of peoples and nations , are not to be respected , but all promiscuously forced to one common law , or els they must see cause to moderate this their tenent , which else proves as bloudie a tenent in civill affaires , as persecution in affaires religious . truth . yea , of what wofull consequence must this prove to the state of holland and low-countries , to the state of venice , to the cantons of switzerland , to our owne deare state of england , and others who have no king , as israells last established government had , especially no king immediately designed , as israells ( in the roote ) was ? yea what becomes of all christianitie , and of christs church and kingdome in the world for ever , if it want the government of a king : for sayth bishop hall ( in his contemplation on michaes idolatrie ) in plaine and expresse words : no king , therefore no church . peace . to end this passage , upon the former grounds , methinks the conscience of a new english magistrate ( being calld to be a magistrate in old england ) may in faith execute any other punishment ( according to law established ) beside death , upon adulterers . and the new english colonies may be exhorted to rectifie their wayes , and to moderate such their lawes , which cannot possibly put on the face of morall equitie from moses , &c. truth . your satisfaction ( deare peace ) now praesupposed i proceed and grant ( with that limitation forementioned ) that christ jesus neither abrogated moses moralls , nor judicialls , yet who will deny that moses established , ( beside the two former ) a third , to wit , lawes meerly figurative , typicall and ceremoniall , proper and peculiar to that land and people of israel ? those lawes necessarily wrapt up that nation and people in a mixt constitution , of spirituall and temporall , religious and civill , so that their governours of civill state were governours of the church , and the very land and people were by such governours to be compelled to observe a ceremoniall puritie and holines . but christ jesus erected another common-weale , the common-weale of israel , the christian common-weale or church , to wit , not whole nations , but in every nation ( where he pleaseth ) his christian congregation , &c. peace . deare truth , i cannot count him a peaceable childe of mine , that rests not herewith satisfied : mr cottons next exception is against your excepting against a magistrates membership in a church-estate , joyned with an head-ship over it , to establish , reforme , &c. ( as being impossible that a magistrate should sit head and supreame on the spirituall bench , & yet stand as a delinquent at the spirituall barre of christ jesus ) mr cotton answers , that in severall respects , a magistrate may be a nursing father and judge in causes ecclesiastiall , and yet be subject to christs censure in the offensive government of himselfe against the rules of the gospel . and where it might be said , that the church is subject to the magistrate in civill causes , and the magistrate is subject to the church in spirituall cases , mr cotton answers , this easeth not the difficultie , for suppose , sayth he , the magistrate fall into murther , adulterie , &c. which are civill abuses , shall the church tollerate him herein ? and he concludes , let the like power be granted to the civill magistrate to deale faithfully with the church in the notorious transgression of the first table , as is granted to the church to deale with the magistrate in the notorious transgression of the second table , and the controversie is ended . truth . this answer and instance of mr cotton carries a seeming beautie with it , but bring it to the triall of the testament of christ jesus , and it will appeare to be , but a vanishing colour . for , there is a vast difference : the sins of each church-member , whether against the first or second table , are proper to the cognizance and judgement of the church , as the sinne of the incestuous person was punished by christs ordinances ( in the church at corinth ) as well as the abuse of the lords supper . but it is not so with the civill magistrate , whose office is essentially civill , one and the same , all the world over , among all nations and people : for , having no spirituall power ( as the authours of the modell afterwards acknowledge ) he cannot possibly act as a civill magistrate in spirituall matters , though as a church-member , he may in church-estate , as also may the rest of the members of that spirituall body . peace . me-thinks it it cleare as the light , that if that incestuous person in the church of corinth had beene a magistrate of the citie of corinth , the church might justly have proceeded against him , because all sinne is directly opposite to the holy kingdome of christ . but in that abuse of the lords supper ( which was meerly unchristian ) neither that magistrate , nor all the magistrates of corinth , or the world to helpe him , could justly punish the church , because that supper ( in the institution , and spirituall use of it ) was not onely of the nature of the suppers , of the meates and drinks of the citie of corinth , but also of a divine and spirituall institution , of a heavenly and mysticall nature and observation . but to conclude this piece and the whole , mr cotton corrects himselfe for putting in his sickle into the harvest of his brethren , unto whom he refers the defence of their modell , and for himselfe ends with desires that christ jesus would blast that peace which he sayth the examiner proclaimeth to all the wayes of false religion , to heresie in doctrine , &c. truth . if christ jesus shall please ( for the further manifestation of his holy truth and glory ) to permit those able and worthy men , to proceed to fortifie and defend their modell : i hope he will also please to assist the discusser , or some other of his poore servants , to batter downe ( with the spirituall artillerie of his word and testament ) such weake and loose and unchristian fortifications . peace . but with what a deepe and unrighteous charge doth mr cotton end against the poore discusser , as a proclaimer of peace to all the wayes of false religion , to heresie in doctrine , &c. truth . grant mr cotton ( in many excellent truths of jesus ) a sweet sounding silver trumpet : grant the discusser as base a rams-horne harsh and contemptible : grant that ( for the peace of the civill state , the being of the nations , and the world , the safetie of the good wheate the righteous , and the calling home of the elect to god , jewes and gentiles ! ) the discusser proclaimes a civill being , and civill peace to erroneous consciences , not sinning against humane and civill principles : yet what peace hath this rams-horne proclaimed ( as mr cotton insinuates ) when throughout this whole booke , from first to last , the proclamation soundeth ou● open warre against all false worshippers . peace . i am a joyfull witnes of warre proclaimed from the god of truth , from the sun of righteousnesse , from the spirit of holines , from the flames of fire , those mighty angells , from all the saints and witnesses of jesus , from all his holy truths and ordinances . warre to their consciences , preachings , writings , disputations , a warre present , a warre perpetuall , and ( without repentance ) a warre eternall and everlasting . truth . deare peace , our goulden sand is out , we now must part with an holy kisse of heavenly peace and love : mr cotton speakes and writes his conscience : yet the father of lights may please to shew him that what he highly esteemes as a tenent washt white in the lambes bloud , is yet more black and abominable , in the most pure and jealous eye of god. peace . the blackmores darknes differs not in the darke from the fayrest white . truth . christ jesus the sun of righteousnesse hath broke forth , and dayly , will , to a brighter and brighter discoverie of this deformed ethiopian : and for my selfe i must proclaime , before the most holy god , angells and men , that ( what ever other white and heavenly tenents mr cotton houlds ) yet this is a fowle , a black , and a bloudie tenent . a tenent of high blasphemie against the god of peace , the god of order , who hath of one bloud , made all mankinde , to dwell upon the face of the earth , now , all confounded and destroyed in their civill beings and subsistences , by mutuall flames o● warre from their severall respective religions and consciences . a tenent warring against the prince of peace , christ jesus , denying his appearance and comming in the flesh , to put an end to , and abolish the shadowes of that ceremoniall and typicall land of canaan . a tenent fighting against the sweete end of his comming , which was not to destroy mens lives , for their religions , out to save them , by the meeke and peaceable invitations and perswasions of his peaceable wisdomes maide●● . a tenent fowly charging his wisedome , faithfullnes and love , in so poorly providing such magistrates and civill powers all the world over , as might effect so great a charge pretended to be committed to them . a tenent lamentably guilty of his most precious bloud , shed in the bloud of so many hundreth thousand of his poore servants by the civill powers of the world , pretending to suppresse blasphemies , heresies , idolatries , superstition , &c. a tenent fighting with the spirit of love , holines , and meeknes , by kindling fiery spirits of false zeale and furie , when yet such spirits know not of what spirit they are . a tenent fighting with those mighty angels who stand up for the peace of the saints , against persia , grecia , &c. and so consequently , all other nations , who fighting for their severall religions , and against the truth , leave no roome for such as feare and love the lord on the earth . a tenent , against which the blessed soules under the altar cry loud for vengeance , this tenent having cut their throats , torne out their hearts , and powred forth their bloud in all ages , as the onely heretickes and blasphemers in the world. a tenent which no vncleannes , no adulterie , incest , sodomie , or beastialitie can equall , this ravishing and forcing ( explicitly or implicitly ) the very soules and consciences of all the nations and inhabitants of the world. a tenent that puts out the very eye of all true faith , which cannot but be as free and voluntarie as any virgin in the world , in refusing or embracing any spirituall offer or object . a tenent loathsome and ugly ( in the eyes of the god of heaven , and serious sonnes of men ) i say , loathsome with the palpable filihs of grosse dissimulation and bypocrisie : thousands of peoples and whole nations , compelled by this tenent to put on the fowle vizard of religious bypocrisie , for feare of lawes , losses and punishments , and for the keeping and hoping for of favour , libertie , worldly commoditie , &c. a tenent wofully guiltie of hardning all false and deluded consciences ( of whatsoever sect , faction , heresie , or idolatrie , though never so horrid and blasphemous ) by cruelties and violences practiced against them : all false teachers and their followers ( ordinarily ) contracting a brawnie and steelie hardnesse from their sufferings for their consciences . a tenent that shuts and bars out the gracious prophesies and promises and discoveries of the most glorious sun of righteousues , christ jesus , that burnes up the holy scriptures , and forbids them ( upon the point ) to be read in english , or that any tryall or search , or ( truly ) free disquisition be made by them : when the most able , diligent and conscionable readers must pluck forth their owne eyes , and be forced to reade by the ( which soever praedominant ) cleargies spectacles . a tenent that seales up the spirituall graves of all men , jewes and gentiles , ( and consequently stands guiltie of the damnation of all men ) since no preachers , nor trumpets of christ himselfe may call them out , but such as the severall and respective nations of the world themselves allow of . a tenent that fights against the common principles of all civilitie , and the very civill being and combinations of men in nations , cities , &c. by commixing ( explicitly or implicitly ) a spirituall and civill state together , and so confounding and overthrowing the puritie and strength of both . a tenent that kindles the devouring flames of combustions and warres in most nations of the world , and ( if god were not infinitly gracious ) had almost ruind the english , french , the scotch and irish , and many other nations , germane , polonian , hungarian , bohemian , &c. a tenent that bowes downe the backs and necks of all civill states and magistrates , kings and emperours , under the proud feete of that man and monster of sinne and pride the pope , and all popish and proud cleargie-men , rendring such laicks and seculars ( as they call them ) but slavish executioners ( upon the point ) of their most imperious synodicall decrees and sentences . a tenent that renders the highest civill magistrates and ministers of justice ( the fathers and gods of their countries ) either odious or lamentably grievous unto the very best subjects by either elapping or keeping on , the iron yoakes of cruellest oppression . no yoake or bondage comparably so grievous , as that upon the soules necke of mens religion and consciences . a tenent , all besprinckled with the bloudie murthers , stob● , poysonings , pistollings , powder-plots , &c. against many famous kings , princes , and states , either actually performed or attempted , in france , england , scotland , low-countries , and other nations . a tenent all red and bloudie with those most barbarous and tyger like massacres , of so many thousand and ten thousands formerly in france , and other parts , and so lately and so horribly in ireland : of which , what ever causes be assigned , this chiefly will be found the true , and while this continues ( to wit , violence against conscience ) this bloudie issue , sooner or later , must breake forth againe ( except god wonderfully stop it ) in ireland and other places too . a tenent that stunts the growth and flourishing of the most likely and hopefullest common weales and countries , while consciences , the best , and the best deserving subjects are forct to flie ( by enforced or voluntary banishment ) from their native countries ; the lamentable proofe whereof england hath felt in the flight of so many worthy english , into the low countries and new-england , and from new-england into old againe and other forraigne parts . a tenent whose grosse partialitie denies the principles of common justice , while men waigh out to the consciences of all others , that which they judge not fit not right to be waighed out to their owne : since the persecutours rule is , to take and persecute all consciences , onely , himselfe must not be touched . a tenent that is but machevilisme , and makes a religion , but a cloake o● stalking horse to policie and private ends of jeroboams crowne , and the priests benefice , &c. a tenent that corrupts and spoiles the very civill honestie and naturall conscience of a nation . since conscience to god violated , proves ( without repentance ) ever after , a very jade , a drug , loose and unconscionable in all converse with men . lastly , a tenent in england most unseasonable , as powring oyle upon those flames which the high wisedome of the parliament , ( by easing the yoakes on mens consciences ) had begun to quench . in the sad consideration of all which ( deare peace ) let heaven and earth judge of the washing and colour of this tenent . for thee ( sweete heavenly guest ) goe lodge thee in the breasts of the peaceable and humble witnesses of jesus , that love the truth in peace ! hide thee from the worlds tumults and combustions , in the breasts of thy truely noble children , who professe and endeavour to breake the irony and insupportable yoakes upon the soules and consciences of any of the sonnes of men. peace . me-thinks ( deare truth ) if any of the least of these deepe charges be found against this tenent , you doe not wrong it when you stile it bloudie : but since , in the wofull proofe of all ages past , since nimrod ( the hunter or persecutour before the lord ) these and more are lamentably evident and undeniable : it gives me wonder that so many and so excellent eyes of gods servants should not espie so fowle a monster , especially considering the universall opposition this tenent makes against gods glory , and the good of all mankinde . truth . there have been many fowle opinions , with which the old serpent hath infected and bewitched the sonnes of men ( touching god , christ the spirit , the church , against holines , against peace , against civill obedience , against chastitie ) in so much , that even sodomie it selfe hath been a tenent maintained in print by some of the very pillars of the church of rome : but this tenent is so universally opposite to god and man , so pernicious and destructive to both ( as hath been declared ) that like the powder-plot , it threatens to blow up all religion , all civilitie , all humanitie , yea the very being of the world , and the nations thereof at once . peace . he that is the father of lies , and a murtherer from the beginning , he knowes this well , and that this ugly blackmore needs a maske or vizard . truth . yea the bloudines and inhumanitie of it is such , that not onely mr cottons more tender and holy breast , but even the most bloudie bonners and gardiners have been forced to arme themselves with the faire shewes and glorious pretences , of the glory of god , and zeale for that glory , the love of his truth , the gospel of christ jesus , love and pitie to mens soules , the peace of the church , uniformitie , order , the peace of the common-weale , the wisedome of the state , the kings , queenes , and parliaments proceedings , the odiousnesse of sects , heresies , blasphemies , novelties , seducers , and their infections : the obstinacie of heretick● , after all meanes , disputations , examinations , synods , yea and after conviction in the poore hereticks owne conscience : add to these the flattring sound of those glosing titles , the godly magistrate , the christian magistrate , the nurcing fathers and mothers of the church , christian kings and queenes . but all other kings and magistrates ( even all the nations of the world over , as mr cotton pleads ) must suspend and hould their hands , and not meddle in matters of religion , untill they be informed , &c. peace . the dreadfull righteous hand of god , the eternall and avenging god , is pulling off these maskes and vizards , that thousands , and the world may see this bloudie tenents beautie . truth . but see ( my heavenly sister , and true stranger in this sea-like restles , raging world ) see here what fires and swords are come to part us ! well ; our meetings in the heavens shall not thus be interrupted , our kisses thus distracted , and our eyes and cheekes thus we● , unwiped : for me , though censured , threatned , persecuted , i must professe , while heaven and earth lasts , that no one tenent that either london , england , or the world doth harbour , is so hereticall , blasphemous , seditious , and dangerous to the corporall , to the spirituall , to the present , to the eternall good of all m●n , as is the bloudie tenent ( how ever wash't and whited ) i say , as is the bloudie tenent of persecution for cause of conscience . the copie of a letter of r. williams of providence in new england , to major endicot , governour of the massachusets , upon occasion of the late persecution against mr clarke and obadiah holmes , and others at boston the chiefe towne of the massachusets in new england . sir , having done with our transitorie earthly * affaires ( as touching the english and the indians ) which in comparison of heavenly and eternall you will say are but as dung and drosse , &c. let me now be humbly bold to remember that humanitie and pietie , which i and others have formerly observed in you , and in that hopefull remembrance to crave your gentle audience with patience and mildnes , with ingenuitie , equanimitie and candour , to him that ever truely and deeply loved you and yours , and as in the awfull presence of his holy eye , whose dreadfull hand hath formed us to the praise of his mercy or justice to all eternitie . sir , i have often feared and said within my soule , have i so deeply loved and respected ? was i also so well beloved ? or was all counterfeit , and but guilded or'e with earthly respects , worldly ends , &c. why am i silent ? my letters are not banished ! may be wellcome , may be seene and heard , and if neither , yet will back againe ( together with my prayers and cries ) into my bosome . thus while i have sometimes mused and resolved ! objections , obstructi●ns , and a thousand hindrances ( i feare from sathan as paul said ) have prest in , held my hand , &c. sir , it hath pleased the father of spirits at this present to smite my heart in the very breaking up of your letter : this * deaths head tells that loving hand that seald it , and mine that opens your letter , that our eyes , our hands , our tongues , our braines are flying hence to the hole or pit of rottennes : why should not therefore such our letters , such our speeches , such our actings be ▪ as may become our last minutes , our death-beds ? &c. if so , how meeke and humble , how plaine and serious , how faithfull and zealous , and yet how tender and loving should the spirits and speeches be of dying and departing men ? sir , while something of this nature i muse over your deaths head , i meete ( in the entrance of your letter ) with this passage [ were i as free in my spirit as formerly i have been to write unto you , you should have received another manner of salutation then now with a good conscience i can expresse ; however god knoweth who are his , and what he is pleased to hide from sinfull man in this life , shall in that great day be manifested to all. ] sir , at the reading of this line , ( i cannot but hope i have your leave to tell you ) the speech of that wise woman of tekoah unto david came fresh unto my thoughts : speakes not the king this thing as one that is guiltie ? for will my honoured and beloved friend not know me for feare of being disowned by his conscience ? shall the goodnes and integritie of his conscience to god cause him to forget me ? doth he quiet his minde with this ; [ god knoweth who are his ? god hides from sinfull man , god will reveale before all ? ] oh how comes it then that i have heard so often , and heard so lately , and heard so much , that he that speakes so tenderly for his owne , hath yet so little respect , mercie or pitie to the like consciencious perswasions of other men ? are all the thousands of millions of millions of consciences , at home and abroad , fuell onely for a prison , for a whip , for a stake , for a gallowes ? are no consciences to breath the aire , but such as suit and sample his ? may not the most high be pleased to hide from his as well as from the eyes of his fellow - servants , fellow - mankinde , fellow - english ? and if god hide from his , from any , who can discover ? who can shut when he will open ? and who can open , when he that hath the key of david will shut ? all this and more ( honoured sir ) your words will warrant me to say , without any just offence or straining . object . but what makes this to heretickes , blasphemers , seducers , to them that sin against their conscience ( as mr cotton sayth ) after conviction ? what makes this to stobbers of kings and princes , to blowers up of parliaments out of conscience ? first , i answer , he was a tyrant that put an innocent man into a beares-skin , and so caused him as a wild beast to be baited to death . secondly , i say , this is the common cry of hunters or persecutours [ hereticks , hereticks , blasphemers , &c. ] and why , but for crossing the persecutours consciences , ( it may be but their superstitions , &c. ) whether turkish , popish , protestant , &c. this is the outcry of the pope and prelates , and of the scotch presbyterians , who would fire all the world , to be avenged on the sectarian heretickes , the blasphemous heretickes , the seducing heretickes , &c. had it not pleased the god of heaven who bounds the insolent rage of the furious ocean , to raise up a second cromwell ( like a mighty and mercifull wall or bullwark ) to stay the furie of the oppressour , whether english , scottish , popish , presbyterian , independent , &c. lastly , i have said much and lately , and given particular answers to all such pleas , in my second reply or answer to mr cottons washing of the bloudie tenent in the lambes bloud , which it may be is not yet come to your sight and hand . 't is true , i have to say elsewhere about the causes of my banishment : as to the calling of naturall men to the exercise of those holy ordinances of prayers , oathes , &c. as to the frequenting of parish churches , under the pretence of hearing some ministers : as to the matter of the patent , and king james his christianitie and title to these parts , and bestowing it on his subjects by vertue of his being a christian king , &c. at present , let it not be offensive in your eyes , that i single out another , a fourth point , a cause of my banishment also , wherein i greatly feare one or two sad evills , which have befallen your soule and conscience . the point is that of the civill magistrates dealing in matters of conscience and religion , as also of persecuting and hunting any for any matter meerly spirituall and religious . the two evills intimated are these ; first , i feare you cannot after so much light , and so much profession to the contrary ( not onely to my selfe , and so often in private , but ) before so many witnesses ; i say , i feare you cannot say and act so much , against so many severall consciences , former and later , but with great checks , great threatnings , great blowes and throwes of inward conscience . secondly , if you shall thanke god , that it is not so with you , but that you doe what conscience bids you in gods presence , upon gods warrant , i must then be humbly faithfull to tell you , that i feare your underprizing of holy light , hath put out the candle , and the eye of conscience in these particulars , and that delusions , strong delusions , and that from god ( by sathans subtletie ) hath seasd upon your very soules beliefe , because you priz'd not lov'd not the indangered persecuted son of god in his despised truths and servants . sir , with man ( as the lord jesus said of the rich man ) i know it is impossible for the ( otherwise piercing ) eye of your understanding to see into these things , for it is discoloured , as in some diseases and glasses ; it is impossible for your will to be willing to see , for that 's in a thousand chaines resolved ( as once you spake heroically and heavenly in a better way ) to spend your dearest heart bloud in your way , &c. yet with god all things are possible , and they that laughed the lord jesus to scorne when he said , the damsell is not dead but sleepeth , were afterwards confounded , when they saw her raised by his heavenly voice . his holy pleasure i know not , nor doe i know which way the glory of his great name will more appeare , either in finally suffering so great a fall and ruine of so strong a pillar , that flesh may not glory , but that his strength and glory onely may be seene in weaknesse . or else in your holy rising and reviving from the bed of so much spirituall filthines , and from so bloudie a minde , and lip , and hand , against all withstanders or disturbers in it . that so the short remainder of your candle may hould out to the world , the riches of his mercy , at whose words the holyest of his servants ought to tremble , and to work out their salvation with feare and trembling : i say ( i desire to say it ; tremblingly and mournfully ) i know not which way he will please to raise his glory ) onely i know my dutie , my constience , my love , all which inforce me to knock , to call to cry at the gate of heaven , and at yours , and to present you with this loving , though lowd and faithfull noyse and sound of a few grounds of deeper examination of both our soules and consciences uprightly and impartially at the holy and dreadfull tribunall of him that is appointed the judge of all the living and the dead . be pleased then ( honoured sir ) to remember that that thing which we call conscience is of such a nature ( especially in english-men ) as once a pope of rome at the suffering of an english-man in rome , himselfe observed ) that although it be groundles , false , and deluded , yet is it not by any arguments or torments easily removed . i speake not of the streame of the multitude of all nations , which have their ebbings and flowings in religion , ( as the longest sword , and strongest arme of flesh carries it ) but i speake of conscience , a perswasion fixed in the minde and heart of a man , which inforceth him to judge ( as paul said of himselfe a persecutour ) and to doe so and so , with respect to god , his worship , &c. this conscience is found in all mankinde , more or lesse , in jewes , turkes , papists , protestants , pagans , &c. and to this purpose let me freely without offence remember you ( as i did mr clarke newly come up from his sufferings amongst you ) i say , remember you of the same story i did him , t was that of william hartly in queene elizabeth her dayes , who receiving the sentence of hanging , drawing , &c. spake confidently ( as afterward he suffered ) what tell you me of hanging , &c. if i had ten thousand millions of lives , i would spend them all for the faith of rome , &c. sir , i am far from glancing the least countenance on the consciences of papists , yea or on some scotch and english protestants too , who turne up all rootes , and lay all levell and in bloud , for exaltation of their owne way and conscience . all that i observe is , that boldnes and confidence , zeale and resolution , as it is commendable in a kinde when it seriously respects a dietie , so also , the greatest confidence hath sometimes need of the greatest search and examination . i confesse , that for confidence no romish priest hath ever exceeded the holy martyrs or witnesses of jesus : witnes ( amongst so many ) that holy english woman , who cryed out , that if every haire of her head were a life or man , they should burne for the name of the lord jesus : but sir , your principles and conscience binde you , not to respect romish or english , saints or sinners : william heartly , and that woman , with all their lives , you are bound by your conscience to punish ( and it may be ) to hang or burne , if they transgresse against your conscience , and that because ( according to mr cottons monstrous distinction ( as some of his chiefe brethren to my knowledge have called it ) not because they sinne in matters of conscience , ( which he denies the magistrate to deale in ) but because they sinne against their conscience . secondly , it is so notoriously knowne , that the consciences of the most holy men , zealous for god & his christ to death and admiration , yea even in our owne countrey , and in queen maries dayes especially , have been so grossly mislead by mistaken consciences in matters concerning the worship of god , the comming out of the antichristian babell , and the rebuilding of the spirituall jerusalem , that i need but hint who were they that pend the common prayer ( in its time , as glorious an idoll , and as much adored by godly persons , as any invention now extant ) i say , who they were that lived and dyed ( five in the flames ) zealous for their bishopricks , yea and some too too zealous for their popish ceremonies , against the doubting consciences of their brethren : at which and more , we that now have risen in our fath●rs stead , wonder and admire how such piercing eyes could be deceived , such watchmen blinded and deluded . but thirdly , we shall not so much wonder when we lift up our trembling eyes to heaven , and remember our selves ( poore dust ) that our thoughts are not as the thoughts of our maker , that , that which in the eyes of man ( as the lord jesus tells us , luc. . ) is of high and sweet esteeme , it stincks and is abomination with god : hence such worships , such churches , such glorious professions & practices may be , as may ravish themselves and the behoulders , when with the piercing eyes of the most high , they may looke counterfeit and ugly , and be found but ( spiritually ) whores , and abominations . fourthly , wise men use to inquire , what motives , what occasions , what snares , what temptations were there , which mooved , which drew , which allured , &c. this is the apologie which the five apologists ( mr goodwin , mr nye , &c. ) made to the parliament , to wit , that they were not tempted with the moulding of new common-wealths , after which they might be mooved to frame their religion , &c. surely sir , the baits , the temptations , the snares laid to catch you , were not few , nor common , nor laid to every foote . saul pretended zeale to the name of god , and love to israel in persecuting the poore gibeonites to death , but honour me before the people , was the maine engine that turned the wheeles of all his actions and devotions . what set jeroboams braines to consult and plot the invention of a new religion , worship , priests , &c. but honour , & the feare of the losse of his gained honour ? what moved jehu to be false and halting with god after so much glorious zeale in reformation ? yea i had almost said , what mooved david to stob vriah ( the fire of god ) with his pen , but the feare of dishonour in the discovery of his sin , though doubtles there was some mixtures of the feare of his gods displeasure and dishonour also ? sir , it is no small offer , the choice and applause and rule over so many townes , so many holy , so many wise , in such a holy way as you believe you are in : to say nothing of strong drinkes and wines , the fat and sweet of this and other lands : these and others are snares which without abundant strength from god will catch and hould the strongest feete : sir , i have knowne you strong , in repelling strong temptations , but i cannot but feare and lament , that some of these and others have been too strong and potent with you . fifthly , we not onely use to say proverbially , but the spirit of god expressly tells us , that there is a minde-bewitching , a betwitching of the very consciences and spirits of men . that as in witchcraft , a stronger and supernaturall power layes hould upon the powers of nature , with a suppressing or elevating of those powers beneath or above themselves : so is it with the very spirits and consciences of the most intelligent and conscientious , when the father of spirits is pleased in his righteous displeasure and jealousie , so to suffer it to be with ours . sir , i from my soule honour and love the persons of such , whom i , you , and themselves may see have been instrumentall in your bewitchin● ▪ why should it be thought inconsistent with the holy wisdome of god to permit wise and holy and learned persons to wander themselves and mislead others ; when the holy scripture and experience tells us of the dangerous councells and wayes of as wife and learned and holy as now breath in either old or new english aire ? sir , i had thought to have named one or two , who may justly be suspected ( though otherwise worthily beloved ) but i have chose rather to present an hint , for that 's enough to so intelligent a breast , if but willing to make an impartiall review and examination of passages between the most high and your in most soule in secret . therefore sixthly , for a sixt ground of suspecting your soule and spirit and conscience in this particular of persecution , which i now instance in , may you please , sir , without offence to remember , that as it is in such as have exceeded in wine , their speech will bewray them : so it is in spirituall cups and intoxications . the maker and searcher of our hearts knowes with what bitternes i write , as with bitternes of soule i have heard such language as this to proceed from your selfe and others , who formerly have fled from ( with crying out against ) persecutours ! [ you will say , this is your conscience : you will say , you are persecuted , and you are persecuted for your conscience : no , you are conventiclers , hereticks , blasphemers , seducers : you deserve to be hanged , rather then one shall be wanting to hang him i will hang him my selfe : i am resolved not to leave an heretick in the countrey ; i had rather so many whores and vvhoremongers and thieves came amongst us : ] oh sir , you cannot forget what language and dialect this is , whether not the same unsavourie , and ungodly , blasphemous and bloudie , which the gardiners and bonners both former and later used to all that bowed not to the state goulden image of what conscience soever they were . and indetd , sir , if the most high be pleased to awaken you to render unto his holy majestie his due praises , in your truely broken-hearted confessions and supplications , you will then proclaime to all the vvorld , that what profession soever you made of the lambe , yet these expressions could not proceed but from the dragons mouth . oh remember , and the most holy lord bring it to your remembrance , that you have now a great price in your hand , to bring great glory to his holy name , great rejoycing to so gracious a redeemer ( in whom you professe is all your healing and salvation ) great rejoycing to the holy spirit of all true consolation , whom yet so long you have grieved and sadded , great rejoycing to those blessed spirits ( attending upon the lambe , and all his , and terrible to his persecutours ) great rejoycing and instruction to all that love , the true lord jesus ( notwithstanding their wandrings among so many false christs ) mourning and lamenting after him in all parts of the world where his name is sounded : your tallents are great , your fall hath been so : your eminencie is great , the glory of the most high in mercy or justice toward you will be great also . oh remember it is a dangerous combat for the potsheards of the earth to fight with their dreadfull potter : it is a dismall battle for poore naked feete to kick against the pricks ; it is a dreadfull voyce from the king of kings , and lord of lords , endicot , endicot , why huntest thou me ? why imprisonest thou me ? why finest , why so bloudily whippest , why wouldest thou ( did not i hould thy bloudie hands ) hang and burne me ? yea sir , i beseech you remember that it is a dangerous thing to put this to the may be , to the venture or hazzard , to the possibilitie : is it possible ( may you well say ) that since i hunt , i hunt not the life of my saviour , and the bloud of the lambe of god : i have fought against many severall sorts of consciences , is it beyond all possibilitie and hazard , that i have not fought against god , that i have not persecuted jesus in some of them ? sir , i must be humbly bold to say , that 't is impossible for any man or men to maintaine their christ by the sword , and to worship a true christ ! to fight against all consciences opposite to theirs , and not to fight against god in some of them , and to hunt after the precious life of the true lord jesus christ . oh remember whether your principles and consciences must in time and opportunitie force you . 't is but worldly policie and compliance with men and times ( gods mercy over-ruling ) that houlds your hands from murthering of thousands and ten thousands were your power and command as great as once the bloudie roman emperours was . the truth is ( and your selfe and others have said it ) by your principles such whom you count hereticks , blasphemers , seducers , ought to be put to death ; you cannot be faithfull to your principles and consciences , if you satisfie them with but imprisoning , fining , whipping and banishing the hereticks , and by saying that banishing is a kinde of death , as some chiefe with you ( in my case formerly ) have said it . sir , 't is like you knew or have heard of the man that said he would never conforme publikely , although he did subscribe in private for his libertie sake of preaching : that , although he did conforme in some things , yet in all he never would : that , although he did himselfe yeeld , yet he would not molest and inforce others : that although he yeelded , that others did molest them , yet himselfe would never persecute , and yet did all . but oh poore dust and ashes , like stones once roling downe the alpes , like the indian canoes or english boats loose and adrist , where stop we untill infinite mercy stop us , especially when a false fire of zeale and conscience drives us , ( though against the most holy and eternall himselfe ? ) oh remember the black catalogues it hath pleased the most jealous and righteous god to make of his fierie judgements and most dreadfull stoakes on eminent and remarkeable persecutours even in this life . it hath been his way and course in all countries , in germanie , france and england , ( especially ) what ever their pretences have been against hereticks , rebells , schismaticks , blasphemers , seducers , &c. how hath he left them to be their owne accusers , judges , executioners , some by hanging , some by stobbing , some by drowning and poysoning themselves , some by running mad , and some by drinking in the very same cup which they had filld to others ? some may say , such persecutours hunted god and christ , but i , but we , &c. i answer , the lord jesus christ foretold how wonderfully the wisest of the world , should be mistaken in the things of christ , and a true visible christ jesus ! when did we see thee naked , hungry , thirstie , sicke , inprison , & . how easie , how common , how dreadfull these mistakes ? oh remember once againe ( as i began ) and i humbly desire to remember with you , that every gray haire now on both our heads , is a boanerges , a sonne of thunder , and a warning piece to prepare us , for the waighing of our last anchors , and to be gone from hence , as if we had never been . 't was mercy infinite , that stopt provoked justice from blowing out our candles in our youths , but now the feeding substance of the candle 's gone , and 't is impossible ( without repentance , ) to recall our actions ! nay , with repentance , to recall our minutes past us . sir , i know i have much presumed upon your many waighty affaires and thoughts , i end with an humble cry to the father of mercies , that you may take davids counsell , and silently commune with your owne heart upon your bed , reflect upon your owne spirit , and believe him that said it to his over-zealous disciples , you know not what spirit you are of : that , no sleepe may seize upon your eyes , nor slumber upon your eye-lids , untill your serious thoughts have seriously , calmely , and unchangeably ( through helpe from christ jesus ) fixed . first , on a moderation toward the spirits and consciences of all mankinde , meerly differing from or opposing yours with onely religious and spirituall opposition . secondly , a deepe and cordiall resolution ( in these wonderfull searching , disputing , and dissenting times ) to search , to listen , to pray , to fast , and more fearefully , more tremblingly to enquire what the holy pleasure , and the holy mysteries of the most holy are ; in whom i humbly desire to be your poore fellow-servant , unfainedly , respective and faithfull , r. vvilliams . an appendix : to the cleargie of the foure great parties ( professing the name of christ jesus ) in england , scotland , and ireland , viz. the popish , prelaticall , presbyterian , and independent . worthy sirs ; i have pleaded the cause of your severall and respective consciences ( against the bloudie doctrine of persecution ) in my former labours , and in this my present rejoynder to mr cotton : and yet i must pray leave without offence to say , i have impartially oppos'd and charg'd your consciences also , so farre as guiltie of that bloudie doctrine of persecuting each other for your consciences . you foure have torne the seameles coate of the son of god into foure pieces , and ( to say nothing of former times and tearings ) you foure have torne the three nations into thousands of pieces and distractions . the two former of you , the popish and ( protestant ) prelaticall , are brethren : so are the latter , the presbyterian and independent : but , oh , how rara est , & c ? what concord , what love , what pitie hath ever yet appear'd amongst you , when the providence of the most high and onely wise hath granted you your pattents of mutuall and successive dominion and precedencie ? just like two men , whom i have knowne breake out to blowes and wrastling , so have the protestant bishops fought and wrastled with the popish , and the popish with the protestant ! the presbyterian ▪ with the independent , and the independent with the presbyterian ! and our chronicles and experiences have told this nation , and the world , how he whose turne it is to be brought under , hath ever felt an heavie wrathfull hand of an unbrotherly and unchristian persecutour : meane while , what outcries for a sword , a sword at any price , on any tearmes , wherewith to take finall revenges , on such their blasphemous and hereticall adversaries and corrivalls ? hence is it , that the magistrate hath been so courted , his person adored and deified , and his religion magnified and exalted . amongst the people , some have thought and said , how hath the shining of the magistrates money and sword , out-shin'd the nobilitie of his person , or the christianitie of his conscience ? for when the person changes and religion too , how grossely notorious have been the cleargies changes also ? for instance , how have they pernified , tack't and turn'd about ( as the wind hath blowne ) from poperie to protestanisme , from protestanisme to poperie , and from poperie to protestanisme againe , and this within the compasse of about a dozen yeares ; as the purse and sword-bearers were changed , what ever the persons of those princes ( male or female , men or children , or their consciences , popish or protestant ) were . yea , how justly in the late kings book ( if his ) are the cleargie of england charged with horrible breach of vows and oaths of canonicall obedience to their fathers the bishops , against whom ( in the turne of the times and the sword-bearers ) they turned to the scotch presbyters , their fathers dreadful enemies and persecutours ? now as to the persecuting each of other , i confesse the wolfe ( the persecutour , ) devoures the goate , the swine , yea the very fox , and other creatures , as well as the inoffensive sheepe and lambe ? yet ( as the lord jesus made use of that excellent fable or similitude of a wolfe getting on a sheepes-skin , so ) may i not unseasonably make use of that of the wolfe and the poore lambe coming downe to drinke , upon the same brooke and streame together : the wolfe cruell and strong drinks above and aloft : the lambe innocent and weake , drinks upon the streame below : the wolfe questions and quarrells the lambe for corrupting and defiling the waters : the lambe ( not daring to plead how easily the wolfe drinking higher might transfer defilement downeward , but ) pleads improbabilitie and impossibilitie , that the waters descending could convey defilement upwards : this is the controversie , this the plea : but who shall judge ? be the lambe never so innocent , his plea never so just , his adversary the wolfe will be his judge , and being so cruell and so strong soone teares the lambe in pieces . thus the cruell beast arm'd with the power of the kings ( revel . . ) sits judge in his owne quarrels against the lambe , about the drinking at the waters . and thus ( sayth mr cotton ) the judgement ought to passe upon the heretick , not for matter of conscience , but for sinning against his conscience . object . m● ▪ thinks i heare , the great charge against the independent partie to be the great pleaders for libertie of conscience , &c. answ . oh the horrible deceipt of the hearts of the sons of men ! and , what excellent physick can we prescribe to others , till our soule ( as job said ) come to be in their soules cases ? what need have we to be more vile ( with job ) before god , to walke in holy sence of selfe ▪ insufficiencie , to cry for the blessed leadings of the holy spirit of god , to guide and leade our heads and hearts uprightly ? for ( to draw the curtaine , and let in the light alittle ) doe not all persecutours themselves zealously plead for freedome , for libertie , for mercie to mens consciences , when themselves are in the grates , and pits , and under hatches ? doth not ges●er tell us of a gentleman in germanie , who fitting his pitfall for wilde beasts , found in the morning a woman , a wolfe , and a fox in three severall corners , as full of feare , and as quiet , and as desirous of libertie one as well as another ? thus bloudie gardiner and bonner ( prisoners , during king edwards dayes ) yea and that bloudie queene mary her selfe , all plead the freedome of their consciences . what most humble supplications , and indeed unanswerable arguments for libertie of conscience have the papists ( when in restraint ) presented , ( and especially ) in king james his time ? yea what excellent subscriptions to this soule-freedome , are interwoven in many passages of the late kings booke ( if his ) ? yea and one of his chaplaines ( so cald ) doctor jer. taylour , what an everlasting monumentall testimony did he publish to this truth , in that his excellent discourse , of the libertie of prophesying ? yea the ( formerly ) non-conforming presbyterian and independent , scotch and english , old and new , what most humble and pious addresses have they made before the whole world , to princes and parliaments , for just mercy ( in true petitions of right ) to their consciences ? but , let this present discourse , and mr cottons fig-leave evasions and distinctions : let the practices ( of the massachusets ) in new england , in twenty yeares persecution : and this last of mr clarke , obadiah holmes , and others be examined : yea let the independent ministers late proposalls be waighed , with the double waight of gods sanctuary , and it will appeare what mercy the poore soules of all men , and jesus christ in any of them , may expect from the very independents cleargie themselves . object . but doth not their proposalls provide a libertie to such as feare god , viz. that they may freely preach without an ordination ! and that such as are not free to the publike assemblies may have libertie to meete in private . answ . it may so please the father of lights to shew them that their lines and modells , and new-englands copie also ( after which they write and pensill , ) are but more and more refined images , whereby to worship the invisible god : and that still ( as before ) the wolfe ( the persecutour ) must judge of the lambes drinking ! for instance ; new englands lawes ( lately published in mr clarks narrative ) tell us how free it shall be for people to gather themselves into church-estate ? how free to choose their owne ministers ? how free to enjoy all the ordinances of christ jesus , & c ? but yet , provided , so - and so ( upon the point ) that the civill state must judge of the spirituall , to wit , whether persons be ▪ fit for church-estate , whether the gathering be right , whether the peoples choice be right , doctrines right , and what is this in truth , but to sweare that blasphemous oath of supremacie againe , to the kings and queenes and magistrates of this and other nations in stead of the pope , & c ? into these prisons , and cages , doe those ( otherwise worthy and excellent men , the ) independents , put all the children of god , and all the children of men in the whole world , and then bid them flie and walke at libertie ( to wit , within the conjured circle ) so far as they please . to particularize briefely : when they have in their six severall circuits ejected ( according to their proposalls ) it may be hundreths , it may be thousands ( if impartiall ) of episcopall and presbyterian ministers , and that without & against their peoples consent , to the present distressing of thousands , and inraging ( through such soul-oppressions ) the whole nation ! then , say they , it shal be free for all that be able , &c. to be preachers , though not ordained , &c. but , provided , that two ministers hands ( at least , which upon the point , is instead of an ordination ) be to their approbation , &c. upon this lock any shall be free to preach christ jesus , upon this point of the compasse ( as i may in humble reverence , and with sorrow speake it ) the spirit of god shall be free to breath and operate in the soules of men ! by this plummet and line , rule and square , and ( seeming ) goulden reede and meetewand , the sanctuary must be built and measured , &c. but further , if any shall be of tender consciences , and that the common size will not serve their foote , if they shall thinke the independents foundations too weak , or it may be too strong for their weake beliefe , if they cannot bow downe to their goulden image , though of the finest and latest edition and fashion : why god forbid they should be forc'd to church as others , they shall enjoy their libertie , and meeteapart in private : but , provided , they acquaint the civill magistrate , that is , as it may fall out ( who knows how soon ? ) and too too often hath faln out , the poore sheepe and deere of christ must take licence of and betray themselves unto the pawes and jawes of their lyon-like persecutours . heare oh heavens , give eare o earth ! what is this but like the treacherous dutchmen , who capitulate of leagues of peace and amitie , with their neighbour english , and in the midst of state complements ( some say , out of malicious wrath , others say t was out of drunken intoxications at the best ) thunder out broad-sides of fire and smoake of persecution ? object . some possibly may say , your just suffring from the independents in new england makes you speake revenges against them in old. answ . what i have suffred in my estate , body , name , spirit , i hope through helpe from christ , and for his sake i have desired to beare with a spirit of patience and of respect and love , even to my persecutours . as to particulars , i have , and must ( if god so will ) further debate them with my truely honoured and beloved adversarie mr cotton . but as to you , worthy sirs , ( men of learning , and men of personall holines many of you ) i truely desire to be far from envying your honours , pleasures , and revenues , from whence the two former popish & prelaticall are ejected , unto which the two later presbyterian and independent are advanced : nor would i move a tongue or pen that any of you now possessed , should be removed or disturbed , untill your consciences by the holy spirit of god , or the consciences of the people , to whom you serve or minister , shall be otherwayes ( then as you are yet ) perswaded . much rather would i make another humble plea ( and that i believe with all the reason and justice in the world ) that such who are ejected , undone , impoverished , might some way from the state or you receive reliefe and succour : considering , that the very nations constitution hath occasioned parents to traine up , & persons to give themselves to studies ( though in truth , but in a way of trade & bargaining , before god ) yet , 't is according to the custome of the nation , who ought therefore to share also , in the fault of such priests and ministers who in all changes are ejected . i end with humble begging to the father of spirits , to perswade and possesse yours with a true sence of three particulars . first , of the yoakes of soule-oppression , which lye upon the necks of most of the inhabitants of the nations , & of the whole world : as if chams curse from noah were upon them , servants of servants are they , and that in the matters of the soules affection unto god , which call for the purest libertie : i confesse the world lyes in wickednesse , and loveth darknesse more then light : but why should you helpe on those yoaks , and force them to receive a doctrine , to pray , to give thanks , &c. without an heart ? yea and ( in the many changes and cases incident ) against their heart and soules consent ? secondly , of the bloudines of that most bloudie doctrine of persecution for cause of conscience , with all the winding staires and back dores of it , &c. some professors true and false , sheepe and goats , are daily found to differ in their apprehensions , perswasions , professions , and that to bonds and death . what now , shall these be wrackt , their soules , their bodies , their purses , & c ? yea if they refuse , deny , oppose the doctrine of christ jesus , whether jewes or gentiles , why should you call for fire from heaven , which suits not with christ jesus his spirit or ends ? why should you compell them to come in , with any other sword , but that of the spirit of god , who alone perswaded japhet to come into the tents of shem , and can in his holy season prevaile with shem to come into the tents of japhet ? thirdly , of that biass of selfe-love which hales and swayes our minds to hould so fast this bloudie tenent : you know it is the spirit of love from christ jesus , that turns our feete from the tradition of fathers , &c. that sets the heart and tongue and pen and hands too ( as pauls ) day and night to work , rather then the progresse and puritie and simplicitie of the crowne of christ jesus should be debased or hindred . this spirit will cause you leave ( with joy ) benefices , and bishopricks , worlds and lives for his sake : the heights and depths , lengths and breadths , of whose love you know doth infinitely passe your most knowing comprehensions and imaginations . there is but little of this spirit extant , i feare will not be , untill we see christ jesus slaine in the slaughter of the witnesses : then joseph will goe boldly unto pilate for the slaughtered bodie of most precious saviour : and nicodemus , will goe by day , to buy and bestow his sweetest spices , on his infinitly sweeter soules beloved . the full breathings of that heavenly spirit , unfeinedly and heartily wisheth you , your most unworthy countriman , r. williams . finis . the principal contents . truth and peace rarely meet page many excellent men plead for persecution p. new englands persecution guilty of the persecution in old p. the first occasion of publishing the bloody tenent p master cotton complains of being persecuted , and yet writes so much for persecution p. the word persecution ( in plain english ) what it is ibi . master cotton would change the word persecuting into punishing . p. state worships the ordinary occasion of persecution p. ordination of ministers and coronation of kings unfitly compared p. master cotton pleading for common prayer p. , three causes for which master cotton pleads for persecution p. christs church may be gathered and dissolved with no disturbance of civil peace p. persecution breaks all civil peace p. civil peace may be kept long and flourish even where christ is not heard of , yea disowned , &c. p. christianity lost most under reforming emperors ibid. the societies or churches of saints are meerly voluntary in combining or dissolving p. christs spouse is chosen out of this world p. no civil state can judge the spiritual p. the difference of spiritual and civil peace p. when gods people flourish most in godliness , then most persecuted ; and , when most persecuted , then flourish most in godliness p. a monstrous mingling of spiritual and civil disturbance p. six instances of zeal in scripture ( charged with , yet ) free from breach of civil peace p. the indians ( subjected to the english ) permitted , while english fearing god in new england persecuted p. jonah's casting over board , pleaded by master cotton as a ground for persecution , examined p. the killing of the false prophet , zech. . . p. conviction of conscience p. the violation of civil peace , though out of conscience , to be punished . p. gamaliells councel considered p. christ jesus never persecuted as christ , but as a deceiver , blasphemer , seducer , &c. p. gods people fast asleep , and yet awake ibid : a deep mystery in persecution p. wolves complaining of being persecuted by the sheep p. the blood of the souls under the altar is a sealed mystery p. a challenge to the devil himself , touching the persecution of hereticks p. all antichristian hunters make titus the third their den or fortress p. the horrible abusing and prophaning of that word heretick p. a child of god may possible be an heretick p. the straights in which the bloody tenent ( and this rejoynder also ) were composed p. th●se preachers who will not preach without money , must beg or steal ibid. christ jesus his distinction of diggers , beggers , stealers p. persecution usually taken for a corporal , not a spiritual punishment ibid. very severe , but not christian , and more then judaical punishment of theeves in england p. the civil and spirituall life confounded p. gods right and caesars p. the great peace breakers ibid. english diana's p. . gross partiality to private interests ibid. england in all ages guilty of much persecution p. two seasonable petitions of any persecuted ibid. the parable of the tares grosly abused p. hypocrisie both open and secret p. spiritual whoredome against god in his worship , may be in the midst of pure civil relations . p. the parable of the wise and foolish virgins p. . a true church or society of christ cannot consist of visible hypocrites p. the field of the world ibid : the mystery of christians and antichriastians p. the first rise of antichristians argued p. touching the judgement of the great whore p. christs church by institution properly consisting of good ground p. . the nature of the jewish church ibid. the nature of christs true apostles or messengers p. antichristians , monsters in religion p. two sorts of sinners p. two sorts of hypocrites ibid. two sorts of opposites to christ jesus p. the rivers and fountaines of blood , rev. . p. of hypocrites in the profession of christianity p. corrupt consciences distinguished p. toleration of idolaters considered ibid. civil weapons in spirituals blur and slight the spiritual p. the toleration of jezabel in thyatria p. the difference between spiritual and civil slander p. the dreadful nature of christs spiritual punishments ibi . the punishments in the national church of israel were material and corporeal p. touching prayer against present destruction of the tares p. pastors and teachers are not apostles or messengers ib. elijah stirring up ahab to slay the baalites p. touching the state of israel in the apostacy of jeroboam , and more of the baalites p. touching apostles or messengers p. touching fundamentals p. persecuting of christ jesus by a law p. the greatest blasphemy against christ jesus that ever was , yet not punished but spiritually ibid. pauls appeal to caesar more examined p. few magistrates in the world that bear the very name of of christ jesus . p. fewer truely christians ibid. mystical and most cruel surgery ibid. to serve god with all our might , literally taken , horribly abused p. the title of defender of the faith in england p. a bold , but true word touching defend or of the faith p. the title of supream head of the church examined p. the plague of the turkes upon the antichristian world p. whether saul was a type of christ , and the kings of israel , &c. p. the priests and clergy in all nations the greatest peace-breakers p. touching the seducer and seducing p. bishop longlands subtle and bloody oaths of inquisition against seducing ( christians ) ibid. causes of destruction to a nation p. all nations , cities , and towns of the world , parts of the world &c. p. changes of state religions ibid. the state of israel unparalleled p. the punishments of christ sorer then the punishments of moses ibi . that of jude , twice dead , examined p. of spiritual infection p. the sword of typical israel a type of christs spiritual sword p. magistrates cannot receive from the people a spiritual power p. the proper charge of the civil magistrate p. the plague of the turke upon the antichristian world p. a twofoldcare and charge of souls ibid. christ the true king of israel ibid. christs threefold sending of preachers p. no true office of ministery , since the apostacy , but that of prophesie ibid. great neglects charged on christ jesus . p. pretended order , monstrous disorder p. the parliaments high justice against oppressors p. the title head of the church p. the civil magistrate no spiritual officer now , as in israel p. all commonweals that ever have been , are , or shall be in the world ( excepting that of typical israel ) meerly civil p. the decrees of pagan kings for israel and the god of it , considered ibid. the ministers lay heavy load upon the magistrates back ibid. the great desolation of the visible order of christs saints and servants p. the wolves at ephesus considered , act. p. the duty of the civil magistrate in spirituals ibid. the changing of persecutors is one thing , the abolishing of persecution another ibid. the persecuting cleargy no cordial friends to magistracy ibid : master cotton and bellarmine all one for the deposing heretical princes p the lord cobham his troubles in henry the fifths dayes p civil society plucke up by the roots ibid. a turn-coat in religion more faithless then a resolved jew , turk or papist doctor pearnes turning and returning , and turning againe in religion p. consciences yeelding to be forced lose all conscience ibid. two strange paradoxes about force in spirituals p. how the kings of israel and judah were types ●f jesus christ to come p. cyrus called christ , a figure of christ p. the fire from heaven , revel . . p. all truth , not only heavenly , but moral , civil , &c. precious p. many excellent prophets in eminency and power , and yet may not use a civil but a spiritual sword in spirituals p. more confidence commonly put in the civil sword then the spiritual p. englands changes in religion compared with those of judah ibid. whether england may not possibly receive the pope againe the religions of the world , politick inventions to maintaine a civil state p. the absolute necessity of some order of government all the world over ibid. the emperor antoninus pius his distinction and edict against persecution p. , the degeneracy of christianity now professed p. the horrible d●ss●mbling of some persecutors ibid. too short a time set for repentance in new england p. false teachers commonly hardned by persecution ibid. the great sufferings of master gotton and his friends in england p. the difference between spiritual and corporal murther p. civil justice ought impartially to permit one conscience as well as another p. the difference of the persecution of the romane emperors and roman popes p. the difference between the persecuted for conscience , and punished for civil crimes p. every true moses will make a difference between israelites and egyptians p. whether a commonweal may prosper in the permission of divers religions p. cups of blood given into the hand of persecuting nations p. scripture perverted from the spiritual to the civil state p. the magistrate usually but the clergies cane and trumpet ibid. rom. . . grosly abused by a governor in new england ibid. the bloody tenent plucks up the nations and all civil being p. romes glory and downfal p. the civil state and officers thereof cannot be spiritual judges ibid. the case of gallio p. the sufficiency of christs spiritual weapons p. a vaine fear of false teachers p christ iesus nor paul addrest themselves to the civil state ibid. turke and pope and the generality of all protestants against free conference p. david and goliah types ibid. difference between spiritual and civil ministers p. israels corporcal killing , types of spiritual ibid. the duty of the civil state in spirituals p. the kingdomes of the world becoming christs ibid. touching forcing men to church p. a spanish inquisition all the world over p. master cotton kindling a twofold fire ibid. mathias the second emperor , granting liberty of conscience p. christian weapons considered ibid. a fallacious distinction of using the civil sword , not in , but about spiritual matters p. wonderful strange carpenters p. master cotton slights stocks and whips , &c. and provokes to banish and kil hereticks &c. ibid. all civil violence in spirituals , is for an interest p. the civil sword esteemed more powerful then the spiritual p. that great fort of rom. . considered p. the civil magistrate not charged with the keeping of two tables ibid. calvin and beza's judgement on rom. . p. vnrighteousness civil and spiritual ibid. spiritual wars without civil disturbance p. of the romane emperors power in spirituals p. foul imputation against christ jesus , and yet his wise provision for his kingdome p. the clergies evil dealing with the civil magistrate p. the nature of the church , and of christs true order , but lately discovered since the apostacy ibid. spiritual courts and judges p. touching pauls appeal to caesar p. , . spiritual rights and civil p. the true and only christendome p. christ jesus robbed of his crown p. of custome tribute , &c. p. of praying for magistrates p. civil ministers and spiritual ibid. the god of heaven hath many sorts of ministers p. ordinarily the truth is persecuted ibid. touching the tearm evil , rom. . p. the civil magistrate robbed of his civil power ibid. of toleration , which master cotton in cases makes large enough p. the land of israel a type p. touching false and seducing teachers p. the great difference of sin against the civil or spiritual estate p. the gross partiality of the bloody doctrine of persecution ibid. gods children much labor to shift off the cross of christ p. christ jesus between two theeves p. the horrible hyp●c●isie of all persecutors ibid. christs charge to pergamus and thyatira against toleration , examined p. the word persecution how ordinarily taken ibid. famous speeches of some kings against persecution p. no civil state or country can be truly called christian , although true christians be in it p. nursing fathers dealt with all as children p. persecutors , if it were in their power would and are bound to persecute all consciences and religions in the world p. all persecutors hold the popes traiterous doctrine of deposing hereticks , &c. p. the popish and protestant clargy , set the popish and protestant world on fire for their maintenance ibid. the dutch device to win their clergy to toleration of other religions p. all that profess to be christs ministers , must resolve to dig or beg , or steal ibid. all antichristians are fundamentally opposite to christ jesus p. of letting the tares alone p. a speech of king james considered p. touching compelling to come to church to hear p. a second speech of king james proving it possible that a papist may yeeld civil obedience ibid. the parliament at paris , although popish , yet condemned books against civil obedience p. all england was catholick , and yet the pope renounced ibid. a twofold holding the pope as head ibid. the two english sisters laws concerning conscience p. cautions for preventing disturbance by papists ibid. other nations well provide against distractions and tumults from opposite consciences p. neerer competitors to the truth among our selves , then the papist ibid. the admired prudence of the parliament in preserving civil peace p. . increase of papists unlikely ( as things stand ) in england ibid master jo. robinson from holland as touching permission of papists , his testimony p. a third speech of king james considered ibid. persecution ( ordinarily ) the mark of a false church ibid. stephen king of poland his speech ibid. the spiritual power of christ intrusted , not with civil but spiritual ministers p. an excellent argument used in parliament against the persecuting bishops ibid. two wayes of disturbing and destroying religion p. the bishops as tyrants justly suppressed , and the parliament therein prospered from heaven ibid. daniels councel to belshazzar , preserveth parliaments and nations ibid. israel a miraculous nation p. two sorts of nations in the world ibid. touching the true christ , and the false p. the king of bohemia his speech p. spiritual rapts and violence upon conscience p. amnon his ravishing of tamat a type p. the judge of conviction of conscience ibid. wars for religion p. the bloody tenent guilty of all the blood of papists and protestants formerly and lately spilt p. touching national churches ibid. practical denying of christ jesus the greatest p. two high transgressions objected against master cotton p. touching julian his toleration p. touching the infection of false doctrine ibid. king james and queen elizabeth their persecutions compared p. fit qualification of princes p. master cotton suspends most part of the magistrates in the world from acting in matters of religion ib. constantines edict as to religion p. foule imputations cast on christ jesus ibid. vnchristian tribunals and proceedings p. touching excommunication in israel p. spiritual blessings and cursings the antitypes of corporal in israel p. holy and spiritual constables , prisons , stocks , posts , gibbets , tyburnes , &c. ibid. a true christ , a true sword ; a false christ , a false sword p. queen elizabeth her wars against the papists ibid. the wars of the waldenses p. christian weapons , wars and victories p. gideons army typical ibid. the christian church doth not persecute , but is persecuted p. poverty and persecution , the most common companions of gods church . p. the sins of gods children ibid. christs witnesses in all ages . p. a true wife of christ no persecuter ibid. the difference between excommunication and persecution ibid. difference between a spiritual and civil state p. the civil powers made the clergies executioners p. spiritual judgements more terrible since christ , then corporal before his coming p. a twofold way of constraint p. what it is to walk according to mans light ibid. conviction twofold p. the maintenance of the new english ministers ibid. of propagating religion by the sword p. touching the indians of new england p. , propriety of language necessary to all preachers p. ▪ conscience a close prisoner in new england , &c. p. publike marriage of a soul to christ ibid. spream authority in spirituals p. mysteries of false christs p. the true christ despised for his poverty ibid. a base esteem of the spiritual sword ibid. earthly christs need earthly supports p. the state of christianity during the reigne of antichrist ibid. satans two wayes of quenching the candle of christianity p. a note of the french massacre ibid. the pretended disputes in queen maries dayes p. the late synodical disputes ibid. a bloody and most unchristian speech ibid. the rash madness of persecutors against themselves p. pleasantness of wit sanctified , &c. ibid. the churches of new england proved an implicite national church ibid. a civil state maintenance proveth a state church p. synods assembled by civil power , cannot be but civil also p. the holy land and country of canaan a none-such p. the weapons of the jews and christians compared p. new english loath to be accounted persecutors p. laws concerning gods worship p. , touching the magistrates keeping of both tables p. of magistrates suspending in matters of religion p. soul-saving ibid. the tearm [ souls good ] commonly but a paint p. worldly prosperity ever dangerous to gods children p. holland and england wonderfully prospered upon mercy shewn to consciences p. bodies and goods ( not conscience ) subject to civil powers p. what is the commonweal of isreal p. the romane emperor flourished long , though without christ p. christs spouse most chast under persecution ibid. constantine a friend and an enemy to christs spouse p. concerning toleration in new england p. papists and protestants both force to church p. prayers for vengeance upon persecutors p. the bloody tenent of persecution is a king-killing and sure killing p. p●rsecutors pretend to save but kill p. hireling ministers . ibid. friers in chaucers time , and the clergy in our time considered the turkes will be muselmanni , that is , true believers p. mystical sheep and wolves p. , pauls striking elimas blind considered p. the clergy using the magistrate as dogs p. the great spiritual differences of these times p. gods children may possibly fight each against other p. spiritual murtherers and seducers p. , commonweal common-woe twofold p. mystical wolves and muskeeto's p. a state and forc't religion a prison p. of constantines wars for the christians p. never any true religion in the world , but one p. touching pauls blasphemy before his conversion ibid. an instance from john haywood and the lord cromwel in k. henry the eighth his days p. of moses judicials p. the first christians the purest and yet the civil sword was against them p. the levites killing , exod. , typical . p. phineas● his act considered ibid. elijah and the baalites , and other figurative passages of the old testament p. , strange and monstrous duties of moral righteousness p. gods children are monsters accounted , &c. p. elijah his slaying the captains and their fifties ibid. wonderful spiders and cobwebs ibid. touching seducers and their punishments p. the sad effects of the bloody tenent on m. cotton's own spirit p. , the differences of gods people in old and new england p. the great sin of new englands former patents p. , old england curbing new englands persecutions ibid. holy cranmer , and cromwel , joyning with bloody persecutors in hen. . his days p. the famous passages of cromwel and lambert in hen. . his days p. conviction twofold p. , christ jesus accounted the greatest heretick , blasphemer , and seducer in the world p. small matters accounted heresies ibid. the barbarous usage of john hus in the councel at constance p. the bloody tenent destroys civility out of the world p. , all men confident in their own way p. he that persecutes jews , turks pagans , or antichristians , is in a greater errour then any of them ibid. freedom of conscience a great peace-maker p. , of persecuting apostates p. ▪ two woful opinions bewitching the nations p. three great causes of the downfal of the church of rome p. touching the new english model of church and civil power p. m. cotton ' s too deep censuring p. israel a miraculous people p. touching the punishment of adultery among the jews p. all civil government gods ordinance ibid. true commonweals many without kings p. a wonderful saying of bishop hall ibid. magistrates nursing fathers and their sins p. , the pourtraicture of the bloody tenent p. , &c. compared with other opinions and practices p , . the maskes and vizards of the bloody tenent p. . truth and peace their meeting seldom , and short in this world ibid. the letter of r. w. to major endico● governor of the massachuset ( in n. e. ) upon occasion of the late persecution at boston p. persecutors approve no persecution in the world but their own p. all persecutors render the innocent most odious p. cromwel the d a refuge for the oppessed p. this rejoynder formerly sent out of n. eng. but not till now published ibid. abuse of light most dangerous ibid. the power of conscience though erroneous p. the common prayer and the composers of it p. perfumes with man , stinks with god ibid. of spiritual baites and snares p. spiritual witchcraft ibid. spiritual drunkenness and the persecuting language of it p. the horrible path which persecutors walk in p. the least beginning of persecution tends to blood. gods dreadful judgement against persecutors p. gray haires are gods alarums p. an appendix to the cleargie of ( old and new ) england scotland and ireland p. the cleargie court the magistrate for his sword and his money the late kings charge against his clergie ibid. the woolf pleading with the lamb will be judge ibid. all prosecutors ( in their turns ) plead for libertie of conscience p. king charles and his chaplaias subscribe to libertie of conscience ibid. about twenty years persecution in new england p. the persecution of the new and old english independent cleargie p. a briefe touch upon the fifteen proposals of the ( so called ) independent ministers p. they silently challenge the power of ordination in all england , &c. ibid. they sell the spiritual libertie of christ ibid finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the parliaments labours and labyri●ths , two subsidies granted by the parliament to the king of kings . the first subsidy . the second subsid● . the bloody tenent a common pyrat . mr. cottons reply . the first petition . difference between the piety and mercy , and state-necessity of granting freed●m to mens consciences . constantines and maximilians acts compared , two wayes of oppressing conscience in religion . the late king charles his conscience to oppresse the consciences of others , no small occasion of the ruine of him and his . the bishops kild the king. hollands policy . the permission of conscience in holland . gods wonderful goings in holland from stafore , undone by pride and unthankfulness , to enchuysin , undone by the bloody tenent of persecution : from enchuysin to amsterdam , raised to its present hight and glory , by mercy to the persecuted . englands ship got into harbour . striking of colours . the states of holland yet to seek in the matters of liberty of conscience . touching absolute freedome to every mans conscience impartially . freedome of popish consciences . s●● chap. more particularly . old images puld down , and new set up . all images must down . all violent courses must break . the act for civill engagement of great necessity . the second pettion . worldly wisdome in straits a most dangerous rock . the third petition . soul shipwrack . dangers of parliament men . wonderfull confessions of two mighty kings . true heavenly wisdome . the onely valour or cowardize . true and best diligence . true justice and righteousness . heavenly mercy . late zealous reformations . jehu his zeal and reward . of the parliaments patience . of the crown of true constancy . the controversies of late years about religion . so many opposite churches , so many opposite christs to the onely true . the pageant of perken warbeck in k. h. . his dayes , a picture of false christs , or churches . * 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the six fundamentals of christian religion . heb. . with or without the first two , salvation or no salvation . notes for div a -e n , england priviledge . whole nation of lyons or persecutors . the bloudy tenent more especially concerns n. e. the occasion of the present con●●●versie . this contestation is not with persons , but against their bloody doctrins and tenents . the end of this treatise . the cry of the lord jesus . a bar against persecution . or a testimony against it , especially in the papists . a double prison , of prejudice and conscience . foundamentall hints against persecution . libertie of trying forbidden books , &c. new englands lessons . liberty of searching our truth , hardly got , and as hardly kept . jan le petit . the wonderfull deceitfulnesse of the hearts of gods only people . mic. . n. england must be singular , as in mercies , so in judgments . of the loudest state. crying sins . notes for div a -e soul wounds , the deepest . the akeldamaes , or fields of bloud , caused by the bloudy tenent of persecution . michael , the son of god , and sathan the red dragon , the two great generals . lamentable discord● about religion , even among the servants of the true and living god. the israelites divided . joseph sold by his brethren . israel force aaron to make them gods. israels murmurings . aaron and miriam against moses . an armie of israelites shrunk into . samson and david discouraged by their own brethren . benjamin almost destroyed by the tribes . israels rejecting of samuel & the lord himself . saul persecuting david . ishbosheth and israel against david and judah . david stabbing vriah with his pen. the divisions & dispersions of the tribes . asa imprisoning the prophet . christs disciples destrous of fire from heaven , &c bitterness between saul and barrabas . gods mercy drawes one many sweet fruits from the bitter contentions of his servants . various affections of readers expected . the model of n. english church and civil power . of mr. cottons reply to the answer to his letter . gods wisdom adored in the discussing of the bloudie tenent . a memorable speech touching mr. cotton . the strange retreats mr. cotton makes in this controversie . the rearing of lyon like persecution , pag. the strange reluctancies of the lamb. like spirit of mr. cotton forced to against the persecuting lyon. monstrous partiality , as touching the magistracy . the slaughter of the witnesses , revel . . . christ jesus shortly ruining the two dreadfull empites of the bloody turk and pope . the turks sorest enemies in euope . the popes sorest enemies . freedome of conscience in worship due even to the papists themselvs . see chap. notes for div a -e truth & peace rarely meet in this vale of tears . many dear saints of god plead for persecution : oh how righteous is it with god to send them persecution ! quaere why master cotton leaps over the epistles to the parliament and reader . n. e. persecution guilty of the persecution in old , especially ( since this rejoynder ) by their law for banishing such as hold not childrens baptisme , and their late fourscore and ten bloody lashes to the body of the lord jesus in the sufferings of his faithful witness , obadiah holines at boston , meerly about that point of baptisme . ●he occasion of ●●blishing the ●●oody tenent . master cotton blames the discusser for not walking in contradictions . vnchristian partiality . master cotton complaining of being persecuted by the discusser . notes for div a -e persecution in plaine english is hunting . master cottons tender conscience , can hardly digest to be a persecutor , but a punisher . notes for div a -e gods children commonly persecuted for not yeelding to state-worships . notes for div a -e act. . pet. . notes for div a -e ordination of christs ministry undfily compared to the coronation of kings . master cotton pleads for common prayer . examination of num. . . acts . three causes for which master-cotton maintaines persecution . notes for div a -e christs church may be gathered and dissolved without disturbance of civil peace . the doctrine and practise of persecution , breaks the peace where-ever it comes . the civil peace of a place or people is one thing , and the welfare or presperity in health wealth , &c. another . the cities of the world enjoy peace and prosperity , where christ is not heard of . christianity lost most under such emperours as claimed christs power to reform the church , &c. the societies or churches of the saints are meerly voluntary in combinning or , dissolving . christs church is called out of the world . the flourishing of civil states . no civil state can either by christs testimony , or true reason , be judge of the ecclesiastical and spiritual . difference of spiritual and civil peace . when gods people flourish most in godliness then most persecuted . notes for div a -e a monstrous mingling of spiritual and civil resistance or disturbance . six instances of holy zeal in scripture , far from arrogance or impetuousness . these were aleadged from scripture in the bloody tenent and acknowledged by master cotton . notes for div a -e the indians prosessing subjection to the english in new england permited in their devillish worships , when english fearing god , persecuted . vnchristian conclusions . jonahs casting over-boord , a ground of persecution , &c. examined . the killing of the false prophet . zech. . . examined . esa . . & hos . . . examined . cor. . notes for div a -e conviction of conscience . the violation of civil peace though out of conscienc● ▪ to be punished . notes for div a -e an over-ruling finger of god , ordering master cotton to alleadge gamaliel , sure he had forgotten master john goodwins excellent labour in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or fighting against god. christ jesus never persecuted as christ but as a deceiver , brasphemer , seduced . cant. . i sleep yet my heart waketh . a deep mystery in persecution . wolves complaining that the sheep persecute them . notes for div a -e the blood of the souls under the altar is a sealed mystery , rev. . a challenge to the devil himself . all antichristian 〈…〉 persecutors make tit. . their den and fortress . notes for div a -e tit. . discussed . the horrible abusing and profaning of that word heretick . great sins of gods own children . notes for div a -e a child of god may possibly be an heretick . for which service through the hurry of the times , and the necessity of his departure , he lost his recompence to this day . the straights of the discussers time in composing of the bloody tenent . * i prejudice not the free and comfortable supplies of temporals , which the saints ought to make so their teachers in spirituals ▪ only i affirme , that such as will not teach will out money , they must and do beg or steal . christ jesus his distinction of diggers , beggers , stealers . notes for div a -e persecution , not properly , no● usually taken for any spiritual punishment . notes for div a -e examination of phil. . and rom. . very severe , but not christian , more then judaical punishment of theeves in england . notes for div a -e the civil and spiritual life confounded . god & caesar . the great peace breakers . english diana's . gross partiality to private interests . england in all ages guilty of much persecution . two seasonable petitions of any pers●outed . notes for div a -e the parable of the tares . the parable of tares grosly abused . hypocrisie secret and open hypocrisie . spiritual whoredome in worship may and doth in all nations subsist with civil beings , relations , &c. notes for div a -e of the tares . of the wise and foolish virgius . no true church of christ consisting of visible hypocrites . notes for div a -e the field of the world. the mystery of antichristians or false christians . master cotton knows not his own desire . the first rise of antichristians argued . the judgement of the great whore . notes for div a -e christs church by 〈…〉 properly consisting of good ground . the ●●●u●e of jewish church . the nature of christs true apostles . antichristians monsters in rereligion . notes for div a -e two sorts of sinners . two sorts of hypocrites . notes for div a -e two sorts of opposites to christ jesus . the rivers and fountaines of blood , rev. . notes for div a -e of hypocrites in profession of christianity . notes for div a -e corrupt consciences distinguished . tolleration of idolaters considered . civil weapons in spirituals , blur and flight the spiritual . the tolleration of jezabel in thyatira . christ jesus under pretence persecuted . the weapons of the saints , rev. the difference between civil and spiritual slander . the dreadful nature of christs spiritual punishments . not such spiritual punishments in the national church of israel . notes for div a -e prayer against present destruction of tares . pastors and teachers not apostles and messengers . elijah stirring up ahab to slay the baalites . concerning israel in the apostacy of jeroboam . * hence baalls priests , monks , friars , and bishops have not been civilly actually slaine in england , &c. but spiritually by gods word , the sword of his spirit cashiered and cut off eternally . notes for div a -e touching christs apostles or messengers . touching fundamentals . laws for persecuting of christ jesus . the pharisees blaspheming of christ jesus . * magistrates , kings , high priests : herod , ●ad kings , good kings , &c. notes for div a -e acts . . considered . no appeals to the civil powers in matters meerly spiritual . few magistrates in the world know christ jesus . mystical and cruel surgery . the title of defender of the faith . to serve god withal our might , literally taken , horribly abused . christ jesus hath rarely furnished his people with godly magistrates . defendor of the faith . a bold , but a true word . notes for div a -e the title of supream head , oath of supremacy , &c. the plague of the turkes upon the antichrististian world . the civil magistrate no governor over the spiritual kingdome of christ . whether saul a type of christ . the kings of israel and judah types . notes for div a -e the priests and clergy in all nations the greatest peace-breakers . notes for div a -e touching the seducer . of seducing . bishop longlands subtle oaths of inquisition . canses of destruction to a nation . all nations cities , towns , &c. are part of the world . change of religions . the state of israel unparlleld . the punishments of christ sorer then the punishments of moses . of seducing . what meant by twice dead . of infection . the sword of typical israel a type of christs spiritual sword . magistrates cannot receive from the people a spiritual power . the charge of the civil magistrate . the plague of the turkes . a twofold care and charge of souls . christ the true king of israel . christs threefold sending of preachers . ●o other true office of the ministery , since the apostacie , but that of prophecy and opening the testament of christ against the falshood of antichrist . a foule imputation put upon christ jesus . pretended order , mo●●t●o●s disorder . the parliaments high justice aggainst oppressors . notes for div a -e the title head of the church . the civil megistrate no spiritual officer , now as in israel . the peoples power . all commonweals that ever have been , are or shal be in the world ( excepting that of typical israel ) meerly civil . the decrees of pagan kings for israel , and the god of it , considered . the ministers lay heavy loads upon the magistrates back . a time when no visible church of god in the world for the right forme and order , &c. the wolves at ephesus , act. . the duty of civil power in matters of religion . the changing of persecutors is onething , the abolishing of persecution another . the persecuting cleargy no cordial friends to magistracie . neither old nor new england statechurches separate from the pope . master cotton and bellarmine all one , for the deposing heretical princes , &c. the gods of this world. the lord cobham his troubles in henry the . dayes . the best of our late bishops , as bishop hall have not spared to render hereticks and traitors all one . civil society pluckt up by the rootes . civil honesty may stand with dishonesty against god and christ in matters of religion . a turn-coat in religion more faithless then a resolved jew , turk or papist . heresie and apostacie often change their names to truth , and christianity , &c. who knows not that the many turnings of do. pearne in cambridge , brought it into a proverb , to wit , to p●●nifie . consciences yeelding to be forced or ravished , loosen all conscience . paradoxes . how the kings of israel and judah were types and figures of christ to come . the types of the old testament many and deep . cyrus called christ , a figure of christ . notes for div a -e the fire from heaven , rev. notes for div a -e all truth , heavenly , moral , civil , &c. precious . vnconverted christians visibly a paradox . notes for div a -e many excellent magistrates of the parliament , of the councel , of the army , of the city , of the country , are also excellent prophets or interpreters of scripture , & yet may not use a civil but a spiritual sword in spirituals . magistrates may be prophets in christs church . more confidence commonly put in the civil sword then the spiritual . engl. changes in religion excused by those of judah , but not justly . whether england may ●●● receive the po●● againe . notes for div a -e things of god and caesar . religions of the world , politick inventions to maintaine a civil state . the a●so●u●e necessi●y of some order of government all the world over . antoninus pius his distinction . the degeneracy of christianity now professed . the loathsome hypocrisie of persecutors . in their bloody sentence , and proceedings with the persecuted . too short a time set for repentance in new england . false teachers commonly hardned by persecution . the great sufferings of master gorton and his friends in new england . antoninus pius his edict against persecution . the difference between spiritual and corporal murther . civil justice ought impartially to permit one conscience as well as another . the difference of the persecution of the roman emperors and the roman popes . antoninus pius his famo●●●●●dict for liberty to the christians related by that praise-worthy master john speede out of eusebi●s . the persecuted ever no●●ish an h●rd con●●it of 〈…〉 and tyranay in their persecutors , whereas malefactors confess frequently the justice of their condemners . notes for div a -e if civil power may force cut of the church , it may also force in . every true moses will make a difference between israelites and egyptians . cups of blood given into the hand of persecuting nations . notes for div a -e whether a commonweal prosper in divers religions permitted . men may be very faire and peaceable , though not of the only one religion . scriptures perverted from the church to the civil state . the magistrate usually the cleargies cane , &c. rom. . . grosly abused by a governor in new england . the bloody tenent plucks up the nations and all civil being , &c. the plague of the turkes . romes glory and downfal . the civil state and officers thereof cannot be spiritual judges . foul neglects cast upon christ jesus . the case of gallio . notes for div a -e shameful weakness cast upon the spiritual artillery of christ jesus . the spiritual liberties of christs people in spiritual causes . the mighty power of spiritual weapons . a vaine fear of false teachers . christ jesus nor paul adrest themselves to the civil state . turk and pope and all prostants against free conference . the ammunition of christs souldiers . david and goliah types . difference between spiritual and civil ministers . israels corporal killing types of spiritual . achans troubling of israel a figure of troubling the israel or church of christ now . the day of the civil state in ma●ters of worship . concerning the kingdomes of the world becoming the kingdoms of christ rev. . christ no temporal king. touching forcing men to church . a spanish inquisition all the world . a twofold fire kindled . that may consume the kindlers . mathias the second emperor granting liberty of conscience . christ came not to destroy mens bodies , though to save their souls . notes for div a -e christian weapons considered . a fallacious distinction of using the civil sword , not in , but about spiritual matters . strange carpenters . notes for div a -e the bloody tenent in plaine english . all civil violence in spirituals , is for interest . christs spiritual weapons never wanting . the civil ▪ sword esteemed more powerful then the spiritual . notes for div a -e rom. . considered . the great fort of the civil magistrate not charged with the keeping of the seed tables . notes for div a -e calvin and beza's judgement on rom. . vn●ighteousness civil and spiritual . spiritual wars without civil disturbance . notes for div a -e the nature of twice subjection to civil powers . of the roman emperors power in spirituals . foule imputations against christ jesus . christ permiteth tyrants over his churches saints , but appointeth none but his true spiritual ministers . christ jesus his careful and most wise provision for his kingdome . the cleargies evil dealing with the civil magistrate . the nature of a church , but lately discovered since the apostasie . monstrous suspentions . spiritual courts and judges . notes for div a -e touching paul appealing to caesar . pauls appeal to caesar . notes for div a -e spiritual rights and civil . the civil magistrate not bound to defend spiritual rights . israel a type of the chrristian church . the ●●me and odely christendome . christ jesus in himself and his spiritual officers the onely key of israel . christ jesus ro●d of his crown . notes for div a -e of custome tribute , &c. spiritual defence for spiritual right , &c. touching prayer for all authority ● tim. ● . cross slavery . civil ministers and spiritual . the god of heaven hath several sorts of ministers . ordinarily the truth is persecuted . notes for div a -e touching the ●●ar●● evil , rom. . the civil magistrate robbed of his civil power . notes for div a -e of tolleration which master cotton in cases makes large enough . the land of israel a type . notes for div a -e touching false and seducing teachers . monstrous mixture . the great difference of evil and sin , as against the civil or spiritual estate . gross partiality the bloody doctrine of persebution . great shifting ●o ●s●●● : christs cross . christian weapons . christ jesus betwen two thieves . the horible hypocrisie of all persecutors notes for div a -e christs charge to pergamus and thiatira against . tolleration examined . false excommunication one kinde of persecution . the word persecution how ordinarily it is taken . persecution ordinarily implies corporall violence . speeches of princes against persecution . no civill christian state. christs sword. notes for div a -e nurcing fathers-dealt withall as children . active obedience cannot be given but to a competent judge . persecutors , if it were in their power , would , and are bound to persecute all consciences and religions in the world. all persecutors hould the popes trayterous doctrine of deposing haereticall princes . the popish and protestant clergie set the popish and protestant world on fire for their maintenance . the dutch device to winne their clergie to tolleration of other religions . all that professe to be christs ministers , must dig , or beg , or steale . notes for div a -e all antichristians are fundamentally opposite to christ jesus . touching the tares . notes for div a -e policie store , but pietie rare in princes . notes for div a -e a speech of king james considered . no man to he forced from his owne worship , 〈…〉 &c. touching compelling to come to church and to heare . a second speech of king james . papists may yeeld civill obedience . the parliament at paris , although popish , yet condemned bookes and tenents against civill obedience . all england papists , and yet the pope renounced . a twofold holding the pope as head. the two sisters lawes concerning conscience . ceales of moderation and kindnesse , may melt an enemie , as david melted saul , &c. cautions for preventing of disturbance by papists , &c. sufficient provisions are made in other nations , against distractions and tumults from opposite consciences and worships . n●er●● com●●tition ▪ & home-bred oppositions most of all ex●sperate , &c. the admired prudence of the parliament in preserving civill peace . increase of papists unlikely in england . mr john robinson ( deceased ) his testimonie in a manus : from holland . a third speech of king james considered . persecution ordinarily the marke of a false church . stephen king ▪ poland his 〈…〉 the spirituall power of christ jesus betrusted not with civill but spirituall ministers . an argument used in parliament against the persecuting bishops . of disturbance of religion . the bishops as tyrants justly suppressed , and the parliament therein prospered from heaven . daniells counsel to bel-shazzar preserveth parliaments & kingdomes . touching the nationall church of israell . israell a miraculous nation . two sorts of the nations of the world. touching the true and false christs . king of bohemia his speech . spirituall rapes . all persecutours contumeliously object against conscience . amnon his ravishing of tamar , a type . a query , who shall judge , whether conscience be convict . church papists and protestants also ravished . wars for religion . the bloudie tenent guiltie of all the bloud of papists and protestants lately spilt . the strongest arme & sword the ordinarie judge of the conviction of conscience . touching the nationall church of england . reall denying , the greatest denying of christ jesus . notes for div a -e two high transgressions objected against mr cotton . touching the romane emperours practices in religious . affaires . christs garden gaines by violent stormes , and looseth by sweete sun-shines . the romane emperours . the arrians persecuted and persecuting . the great difference between this world and christ . a christianitie strange from christ . antichristian christianitie . the bloudie tenent tends to an universall conquest of the whole world. the bloudie tenent in its colours . notes for div a -e no booke or writing ever so abused as the holy writing & scripture of god is . the language of persecutours . julian his tolleration . touching infection of false doctrine , &c. hypocrites tollerated in the church , but not in the world. notes for div a -e touching the persecution of k : james and q : elizabeth . touching the qualification of princes . touching magistrates suspending from acting in matters of religion . monstrous partialitie . constantines edict . foule imputations cast on christ jesus . notes for div a -e vnchristian tribunalls . dent. . . & tim. . . vnchristianly conjoyned . touching excommunication in israel . ans : spirituall blessings and curses the antitypes of corporall before christ . great oversight imputed to christ jesus . if civill punishments for spirituall offences : they must be inflicted by holy and christian instruments and officers . a true christ , a true sword ; a false christ , a false sword. q : elizabeth her wars against the papists . the warres of the waldenses . acts . & . christian weapons . christs sword. christs warres and victories , revel . . gideons army typicall . notes for div a -e the christian church doth not persecute , but is persecuted . worldly glory and persecution characters of the false church . the sins of gods children . christs witnesses . a true wife of christ no persecutour . touching persecution what it is . difference between a civill and spirituall state. the nature of spirituall punishment . the nature of christs spirituall government . the civill powers and officers the clergies executioners . spirituall judgements more terrible since christ , then corporall before his coming . the cutting off or excommunicating from the holy land of israel figurative and typicall . notes for div a -e a twofold w●y of constraint . what it is to walke according to a mans light. conviction twofold : sufficient in it selfe : or to the partie efficacious . touching the maintenance of the new english ministers . of propagating religion by the sword. notes for div a -e touching the indians of new-england worshipping of god and christ before the foundation of repentance , is nothing but antichristian disorder . touching preaching to the indians in new-england . proprietie of language necessary to the true preaching of christ jesus to any people . conscience to god in worship a close prisoner in new-england , and no petitioner could obtaine its libertie . publik● marriage , or giving ones selfe to christ . judges . considered . supreame authoritie in spiritualls . tertullians speech of one religion , not hurting or profiting another considered . notes for div a -e * mr cottons and mr edwards gangrenes have little differd blasphemie against the holy scripture . mysteries of false christs . the true christ despised for his povertie . a base esteeme of the spirituall sword. earthly christs need earthly supports . the state of christianity during the reigne of antichrist . constantines peace a greater tryal and danger to christians , then years persecution . sathans two wayes of quenching the candle of christianity . the french massacre must doe what their pretended disputation could not ▪ effect . pretended disputes in q. maries days , ending in fiery flames . the late synodicall disputes . a bloody and most unchristian speech . the rash fury and madnesse of persecutors even against themselves . pleasantnesse of wit sanctified , glorifies the giver . the pretended particul●r churches of n. e. indeed but a nationall church . no permission of any religion or worship but one in n. e. therefore are the churches , but a nationall church in the mould them , &c. where the supream authority in a church is civill , the body cannot but be like the head , and all make up but one civil or nationall mixt church , like the jewish nationall church . the purging a countrey of hereticks declares that countrey is explicitly or implicitly a national church . a state maintenance proveth a state church . synods assembled by civill power , prove the churches of the same nature with the head that acts and calls them . touching the difference between the church of the jewes and the christian churches . the holy land of canaan a nonesuch . a figure of the chr●stian . the weapons of the jewes and christians compared . no speare nor sword in israel . notes for div a -e new-england loath to be accounted persecutours . lawes concerning gods worship . dangerous distinctions . touching keeping of both tables . of magistrates judgement in spirituals , &c. of qualifications of magistrates . of magistrates abilities . david and hezekiah figurative kings , &c. magistrates suspending in matters of religion . notes for div a -e wofull soul-saving . the power of parents , husbands , magistrates in spirituals . cor. . the tearme [ souls-good ] commonly but a paint , &c. the promises of temporall mercies considered . worldly prosperity ever dangerous to gods children . of lawes binding conscience . persecution the ordinarie portion of christs followers . two states wonderfully favoured by god , upon mercy shewed to oppressed consciences , formerly holland and now the state of england . bodies and goods the magistrates object . oppression in bodies goods and minde . wealth , honour , and prosperitie seldome attending christs true followers . what is the cōmon weale of israel . the roman empire flourisheth in worldly glory without christ the citie of rome famous for prosessing christ jesus . christs spouse most chast under persecution . the roman monarchy bloody to the saints . constantine a friend and enemy to christs spouse . the state of the romane empire before and after christ . god will not wrong , nor have caesar wronged . concerning toleration in new england . witnesse the bloody whipping of obadiah homes for the point of baptisme lately at boston● communion spirituall , two-fold . the great triall among papists & protestants concerning comming to church . notes for div a -e touching prayers for vengeance upon gods enemies . stirring up of the civill state to persecure . the bloudie tenent of persecution is alone the king killing and stare-killing doctrine . amoninus pius his edict for the christians . transgression against the spirituall or civill peace . persecutours of christs sheepe pretend to save them and kill none but wolves . antichristian ministers great thieves . hireling ministers . fryars in chancers time and the cleargie in our time considered . the turkes themselves will be muslemanni , or right beleevers . the horrible partialite of persecutors . misticall sheep . paul his striking elimas blind considered . of the power of miracles . spirituall sheep and wolves considered . the pope and , all proud popish priests and cleargie use the civill powers but as dogs . the protestant cleargie their dealing with magistrates . a suspending or hanging up of magistrates the great spirituall differences of these late times . of rest from persecution . notes for div a -e gods children may possibly fight each against the other . 〈…〉 antichristians against antichristians , but principally against christ . touching spirituall murther . touching seducers . the hainousnes of spirituall stumbling blocks . punishing of seducers . common-weale twofold , and rebellion twofold . mysticall wolves and muskeetoes . of soule-killing . touching state religions . gods children gods citie , nation and kingdome . a state religion a prison . a forc't religion . of the late warres . the bloudie tenent guilty of the rivers of bloud , &c. warres for religion . constantines warres for the christians . constantines edict against forcing in religion . never any true nationall religion in the world but one . touching pauls blasphemy before his conversion . of apostates . fallacious mixture and confusion . spirituall treason recanted , forgiven : but not so ( by way ofcourse ) the civill . an instance from ●● : haywood and the lord cromwell in king henry the . his dayes . notes for div a -e of moses judicialls . the first three hundred years after christ . the primitive church the purest , and yet without a civill sword. christ no author of civill violence for religion . the levites killing . exod . typicall . phineas his act. the spirituall & civill state vastly different in their frame , lawes , officers , &c. elijah and the baalites . the types and figures of the old testament righteousnes two fold . the state o● israel typicall . not only morall but naturall actions of the israelites typicall . whether eliahs procuring the slaughter of the baalites was typicall or morall . no commission from christ for corporall punishment in religious matters . strange and monstrous ▪ duties of morall righteousnesse . gods children are wonders and monsters accounted . elijah his slaying the captaines and their fifties . wonderfull spiders and cobwebs . prov ▪ ▪ notes for div a -e touching seducers , and their punishments . christ jesus abolished former figures , though he name not each of them in particular . the mysterie of the bloudy tenent . the bloudie consequences of the bloudy tenent . the sad effects of the bloudie tenent on mr cottons owne spirit . a lamentable character of the change of mr cottons spirit . notes for div a -e differences of gods own children in old and new england . profession of christ jesus in new-england , not so like to be true as that ( which was persecuted ) in old. the great ●in of new-englands former pattents . the authours tryalls about the pattents of new-england . gods children may be guilty of bloudy persecution for the hiding of their spirituall uncleannessee . gods mercy in stopping new-englands persecution , by the mercy of old england , the mother to dissenting consciences . holy cranmer and cromwell joyning with persecutours of christ jesus out of great weaknes in h. . his dayes . the most famous passages of cromwell & lambert in h. the . his dayes . notes for div a -e of admonition and conviction . conviction two-fold . of conviction of hereticks . conviction sufficient , externall by the word , and efficient internall by gods spirit . christ jesus ( accounted ) the greatest heretick , blasphemer , seducer , and deceiver that ever was in this world . small matters accounted heresies . the barbarous usage of john hus in the councell at constance . the bloudie tenent destroying civilitie and humane societie out of the world. all men are confident in their owne opinions . the persecutour of turks , pagans , jewes , or antichristiane , is in a greater errour then any of them . the bloudie fruits of the bloudie tenent . notes for div a -e touching confidence in opinions . freedome of conscience hath ever been a peace-maker in all natiōs where it hath appeared . and especially at this houre in england . how christ delights in bloud . of persecuting apostates . a monstrous suspension or hanging up of magistrates . allegations of scriptures ought seriously to be mad and answered . millions of turks , jewes , and antichristians are far from the due charge of apostasie . the mysterie of the red horse of war. a spirituall and civill peace . two wofull opinions bewitching the nations . the great causes of the downfall of the church of rome . notes for div a -e touching a new english modell of church and civill power . * writing to ●●● mr hall. deepe censures for none or innocent mistakes . touching moses his judicialls . israel in a kinde a miraculous people . touching punishment of adulterie . all civill government gods ordinance . true republikes & common-weales without kings . a wonderfull● saying of bishop hall. the state of israel . of magistrates being nursing fathers , &c. of magistrates power in spiritualls . of the sins of magistrates . a case touching the magistrates punishing the sin of church members . the direfull state of false worshippers . the portraiture of the bloudie tenent . euc. . prov. . the portraiture of the bloudie tenent . the portraiture of the bloudie tenent . the portraiture of the bloudie tenent . the portraiture of the bloudie tenent . the portraiture of the bloudie tenent . the portraiture of the bloudie tenent . peace her repose and tabernacle . the bloudie tenent of persecution compared . the maskes and vizards of the bloudie tenent . truth & peace , their meetings seldome and short in this world . notes for div a -e * matters touching the p●●ce of the english and indians , about which the said governour did write to r. w. great love formerly between the said governour endicot , and r. w. before his banishment . * the seale wherewith the governours leter to r. w. was sealed . persecutours conclude no conscience in the whole world but their owne . all persecutours render the most innocent most odious . cromwell the second , a refuge of the oppressed . this rejoynder was sent to england long since , and hoped to have been published . abuse of light most dangerous . the power of conscience though erroneous . true & false witnesses both confident . the common prayers & the composers of it . what 's sweet with man , st●nks ( often ) in gods nostrills . sathans policie in proposing motives and baits to wise and excellent saints . spirituall witchcraft . mysticall drunkennesse and the drunken language of it . the language of persecutours . a price and a heart blessed companions . the horrible & dangerous path which all persecutours or hunters walke in . the least 〈…〉 sparke of persecution tends to bloud , and will proceed , except god mightlly stop it . gods most dreadfull judgements against persecutours . death is a boanerges . gray hayres are gods alarums . notes for div a -e the seameles coat of christ jesus torne into foure pieces , and the three nations torne into thousands . the battells of the cleargie . all court the magistrate for his sword , & his money . for which , any person and religion hath serv'd the turne . the late k. charging his cleargie , &c. the wolfe in plea with the lambe , will be alwaies judge . the wonderfull mysterie of libertie of conscience . which all persecutours themselves ( in their turnes ) plead for . k. charles and his chaplains forced to subscribe to libertie of conscience . about twenty years persecution in new england . the persecution of the new and old english independent cleargie . a briefe touch upon the proposalls of the ( so calld ) independent ministers . the independents implicitly and silently challenge the power of ordination . the danger of pawning spirituall liberties to civill powers . the dutch attempts , and the independents , on their friends , compared . the authours desire as to the ministrie of the land now possessed . and as to that ejected . the authour begs three things of god for the cleargie of england . soule bondage the greatest . the bloudinesse of the bloudie tenent . little of the spirit of love from christ jesus yet extant , and our selfe-love biasseth us to inventions , traditions , and doctrines of persecutions . an historicall discoverie and relation of the english plantations, in nevv england containing their aventurous passages, their happie arivall and comfortable planting, manifesting the goodnesse of god in their preservations from many apparent dangers. with a relation of such religious and ciuill lawes, and customs as are in practise amongst the indians, with their natures and habits. as also a naration of the ayre, earth, water, fish, and fowles of that countrie. continued from the first beginning, in the yeare of our lord . and so handling all passages of moment successiuely from time to time. briefe relation of the discovery and plantation of new england council for new england. approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) an historicall discoverie and relation of the english plantations, in nevv england containing their aventurous passages, their happie arivall and comfortable planting, manifesting the goodnesse of god in their preservations from many apparent dangers. with a relation of such religious and ciuill lawes, and customs as are in practise amongst the indians, with their natures and habits. as also a naration of the ayre, earth, water, fish, and fowles of that countrie. continued from the first beginning, in the yeare of our lord . and so handling all passages of moment successiuely from time to time. briefe relation of the discovery and plantation of new england council for new england. bradford, william, - . relation or journall of the beginning and proceedings of the english plantation setled at plimoth in new england, by certaine english adventurers both merchants and others. selections. morton, george, d. . [ ] p. printed for iohn bellamie, and are to be sold at his shop at the golden lyons in cornehill, neare the exchange, london : . another issue, with cancel title page, of: a briefe relation of the discovery and plantation of new england. the editor's preface from the first quire b (reissued from stc ) reads: g. mourt (i.e. george morton). includes quire b from: bradford, william. a relation or journall of the beginning and proceedings of the english plantation setled at plimoth in new england, by certaine english adventurers both merchants and others (stc ) and quires b-e from: a briefe relation of the discovery and plantation of new england (stc ). signatures: [a]¹ b⁴ ² b-e⁴. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder 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carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . massachusetts -- history -- new plymouth, - -- early works to . new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - simon charles sampled and proofread - simon charles text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion an historicall discoverie and relation of the english plantations , in nevv england . containing their aventurous passages , their happie arivall and comfortable planting , manifesting the goodnesse of god in their preservations from many apparent dangers . with a relation of such religious and ciuill lawes , and customs as are in practise amongst the indians , with their natures and habits . as also a naration of the ayre , earth , water , fish , and fowles of that countrie . continued from the first beginning , in the yeare of our lord . and so handling all passages of moment successiuely from time to time . london printed for iohn bellamie , and are to be sold at his shop at the golden lyons in cornehill , neare the exchange , . to the reader . courteous reader , be intreated to make a fauorable construction of my forwardnes , in publishing these inseuing discourses , the desire of carrying the gospell of christ , into those forraigne parts , amongst those people that as yet haue had no knowledge , nor tast of god , as also to procure vnto themselues and others a quiet and comfortable habytation : 〈◊〉 amongst other things the inducements ( vnto these vndertakers of the then hopefull , and now experimentally knowne good enterprice for plantation , in new england , to set afoote and prosecute the same & though it fared with them , as it is common to the most actions of this nature , that the first attemps proue diffecult , as the sequell more at large expresseth , yet it hath pleased god , cue beyond our expectation in so short a time , to giue hope of letting some of them see ( though some he hath taken out of this vale of teares ) some grounds of hope , of the accomplishment of both those endes by them , at first propounded . and as my selfe then much desired , and shortly hope to effect , if the lord will , the putting to of my shoulder in this hopefull business , and in the meane time , these relations comming to my hand from my both known & faithful friends , on whose writings i do much rely , i thought it not a misse to make them more generall , hoping of a cheerfull proceeding , both of aduenturers and planters , intreating that the example of the hon : virginia and bermudas companies , incountering with so many distasters , and that for diuers yeares together , with an vnwearied resolution , the good effects whereof are now eminent , may preuaile as a spurre of preparation also touching this no lesse hopefull country though yet an infant , the extent & cōmodities whereof are as yet not fully known , after time wil vnfould more : such as desire to take knowledge of things , may in forme themselues by this insuing treatise , and if they please also by such as haue bin there a first and second time , my barty prayer to god is that the euent of this and all other honorable and honest vndertakings , may be for the furtherance of the kingdome of christ , the inlarging of the bounds of our soueraigne lord king iames , & the good and profit of those , who either by purse , or person , or both , are agents in the same , so i take leaue and rest thy friend , g. movrt . certaine vsefvl advertisements sent in a letter written by a discreete friend vnto the planters in new england , at their first setting saile from southhampton , who earnestly desiresh the prosperitie of that their new plantation . louing and christian friends , i doe heartily and in the lord salute you all , as being they with whom i am present in my best affection , and most earnest longings after you , though i be constrained for a while to be bodily absent from you , i say constrained , god knowing how willingly and much rather then otherwise i would haue borne my part with you in this first brunt , were i not by strong necessitie held backe for the present . make account of me in the meane while , as of a man deuided in my selfe with great paine , and as ( naturall bonds set aside ) hauing my better part with you . and though i doubt not but in your godly wisedomes you both foresee and resolue vpon that which concerneth your present state and condition both seuerally and ioyntly , yet haue i thought but my dutie to adde some further spurre of prouocation vnto them who run already , if not because you need it , yet because i owe it in loue and dutie . and first , as we are daily to renew our repentance with our god , speciall for our sinnes knowne , and generall for our vnknowne trespasses ; so doth the lord call vs in a singular maner vpon occasions of such difficultie and danger as lieth vpon you , to a both more narrow search and carefull reformation of our wayes in his sight , lest he calling to remembrance our sinnes forgotten by vs or vnrepented of , take aduantage against vs , and in iudgement leaue vs for the same to be swallowed vp in one danger or other ; whereas on the contrary , sin being taken away by earnest repentance and the pardon thereof from the lord , sealed vp vnto a mans conscience by his spirit , great shall be his securitie and peace in all dangers , sweete his comforts in all distresses , with happie deliuerance from all euill , whether in life or in death . now next after this heauenly peace with god and our owne consciences , we are carefully to prouide for peace with all men what in vs lieth , especially with our associates , and for that end watchfulnes must be had , that we neither at all in our selues do giue , no nor easily take offence being giuen by others . woe be vnto the world for offences , for though it be necessary ( considering the malice of satan and mans corruption ) that offences come , yet woe vnto the man or woman either by whom the offence cometh , saith christ , math. . . and if offences in the vnseasonable vse of things in them selues indifferent , be more to be feared then death it selfe , as the apostle teacheth , . cor. . . how much more in things simply euill , in which neither honour of god nor loue of man is thought worthy to be regarded . neither yet is it sufficient that we keep our selues by the grace of god from giuing offence , except withall we be armed against the taking of them when they are giuen by others . for how vnperfect and lame is the worke of grace in that person , who wants charitie to couer a multitude of offences , as the scriptures speake . neither are you to be exhorted to this grace onely vpon the common grounds of christianitie , which are , that persons ready to take offence , either want charitie to couer offences , or wisedome duly to weigh humane frailtie ; or lastly are grosse , though close hypocrites , as christ our lord teacheth , math. . , , . as indeed in mine owne experience , few or none haue beene found which sooner giue offence , then such as easily take it ; neither haue they euer proued sound and profitable members in societies , which haue nourished in themselues that touchey humour . but besides these , there are diuers spetiall motiues prouoking you aboue others to great care and conscience this way : as first , you are many of you strangers , as to the persons , so to the infirmities one of another , and so stand in neede of more watchfulnesse this way , lest when such things fall out in men and women as you suspected not , you be inordinately affected with them ; which doth require at your hands much wisedome and charitie for the couering and preuenting of incident offences that way . and lastly your intended course of ciuill communitie wil minister continuall occasion of offence , and will be as fuell for that fire , except you diligently quench it with brotherly forbearance . and if taking of offence causlesly or easily at mens doings be so carefully to be auoided , how much more heed is to be taken that we take not offence at god himselfe , which yet we certainly do so oft as we do murmure at his prouidence in our crosses , or beare impatiently such afflictions as where with he pleaseth to visit vs. store we vp therefore patience against the euill day , without which we take offence at the lord himselfe in his holy and iust works . a fourth thing there is carefully to be prouided for , to wit , that with your common emploiments you ioyne common affections truly bent vpon the generall good , auoiding as a deadly plague of your both common and speciall comfort all retirednesse of minde for proper aduantage , and all singularly affected any maner of way ; let euery man represse in himselfe and the whole bodie in each person , as so many rebels against the common good , all priuate respects of mens selues , not sorting with the generall conueniencie . and as men are carefull not to haue a new house shaken with any violence before it be well settled and the parts firmly knit : so be you , i beseech you brethren , much more carefull , that the house of god which you are and are to be , be not shaken with vnnecessary nouelties or other oppositions at the first settling thereof . lastly , whereas you are to become a body politik , vsing amongst your selues ciuill gouernment , and are not furnished with any persons of speciall eminencie aboue the rest , to be chosen by you into office of gouernment : let your wisedome and godlinesse appeare , not onely in chusing such persons as do entirely loue , and will diligently promote the common good , but also in yeelding vnto them all due honour and obedience in their lawfull administrations ; not beholding in them the ordinarinesse of their persons , but gods ordinance for your good ; nor being like vnto the foolish multitude , who more honour the gay coate , then either the vertuous mind of the man , or glorious ordinance of the lord. but you know better things , and that the image of the lords power and authoritie which the magistrate beareth , is honorable , in how meane persons soeuer . and this dutie you both may the more willingly , and ought the more conscionably to performe , because you are at least for the present to haue onely them for your ordinary gouernours , which your selues shall make choise of for that worke . sundrie other things of importance i could put you in mind of , and of those before mentioned in more words , but i will not so far wrong your godly minds , as to thinke you heedlesse of these things , there being also diuers among you so well able to admonish both themselues and others of what concerneth them . these few things therefore , and the same in few words i do earnestly commend vnto your care and conscience , ioyning there with my daily incessant prayers vnto the lord , that he who hath made the heauens and the earth , the sea and all riuers of waters , and whose prouidence is ouer all his workes , especially ouer all his deare children for good , would so guide and guard you in your wayes , as inwardly by his spirit , so outwardly by the hand of his power , as that both you and we also , for and with you , may haue after matter of praising his name all the days of your and our liues . fare you well in him in whom you trust , and in whom i rest an vnfained well-willer of your happie successe in this hopefull voyage , i. r. a briefe relation of the discovery and plantation of new england . although it bee a course , farre from the minde of vs , that are vndertakers for the aduancement of the plantation of new-england , to seeke by any vaine ostentation to extoll our owne endeuours : yet we cannot but striue to vindicate our reputation from the iniurious aspersions that haue beene laid vpon it , by the malicious practises of some that would aduenture nothing in the beginning , but would now reape the benefit of our paines and charges , and yet not seeme beholding to vs ; and to that end they disualew what is past , and by sinister informations derogate what they can from the present course intended : the rather because the good orders appointed to bee put in execution there , are likely to restraine the licentious irregularitie of other places . and this hath induced vs to publish our proceedings , whereunto it hath pleased god to giue a blessing : as to any of indifferent iudgement may appeare by that which followeth . when this designe was first attempted , some of the present company were therein chiefly interessed ; who being carefull to haue the same accomplished , did send to the discouery of those northerne parts a braue gentleman , captaine henry challons , with two of the natiues of that territory , the one called maneday , the other assecomet . but his misfortunes did expose him to the power of certaine strangers , enemies to his proceedings , so that by them , his company were seized , the ships and goods confiscated , and that voyage wholly ouerthrowne . this losse , & vnfortunate beginning , did much abate the rising courage of the first aduenturers ; but immediately vpon his departure , it pleased the noble lord chiefe iustice , sir iohn popham knight , to send out another ship , wherein captain thomas haman went commander , & martine prinne of bristow master , with all necessarie supplies , for the seconding of captaine challons and his people ; who arriuing at the place appointed , and not finding that captaine there , after they had made some discouery , and found the coasts , hauens , and harbors answerable to our desires , they returned . vpon whose relation the lord chiefe iustice , and wee all waxed so confident of the businesse , that the yeere following euerie man of any worth , formerly interessed in it , was willing to ioyne in the charge for the sending ouer a competent number of people to lay the ground of a hopefull plantation . here upon captaine popham , captaine rawley gilbert , and others were sent away with two ships , and an hundred landmen , ordnance , and other prouisions necessarie for their sustentation and defence ; vntill other supply might bee sent . in the meane while , before they could returne , it pleased god to take from vs this worthy member , the lord chiefe iustice , whose sudden death did so astonish the hearts of the most part of the aduenturers , as some grew cold , and some did wholly abandon the businesse . yet sir francis popham his sonne , certaine of his priuate friends , and other of vs , omitted not the next yeare ( holding on our first resolution ) to ioyne in sending forth a new supply , which was accordingly performed . but the ships arriuing there , did not only bring vncomfortable newes of the death of the lord chiefe iustice , together with the death of sir iohn gilbert , the elder brother vnto captaine rawley gilbert , who at that time was president of that councell : but found that the old captaine popham was also dead ; who was the onely man ( indeed ) that died there that winter , wherein they indured the greater excremities ; for that , in the depth thereof , their lodgings and stores were burnt , and they thereby wondrously distressed . this calamitie and euill newes , together with the resolution that captaine gilbert was forced to take for his owne returne , ( in that hee was to succeed his brother , in the inheritance of his lands in england ) made the whole company to resolue vpon nothing but their returne with the ships ; and for that present to leaue the countrey againe , hauing in the time of their abode there ( notwithstanding the coldnesse of the season , and the small helpe they had ) built a prettie barke of their owne , which serued them to good purpose , as easing them in their returning . the arriuall of these people heere in england , was a wonderfull discouragement to all the first vndertakers , in so much as there was no more speech of setling any other plantation in those parts for a long time after : only sir francis popham hauing the ships and prouision , which remained of the company , and supplying what was necessary for his purpose , sent diuers times to the coasts for trade and fishing ; of whose losse or gaines himselfe is best able to giue account . our people abandoning the plantation in this sort as you haue heard ; the frenchmen immediately tooke the opportunitie to settle themselues within our limits ; which being heard of by those of virginia , that discreetly tooke to their consideration the inconueniences that might arise , by suffering them to harbour there , they dispatched sir samuel argall , with commission to displace them , which hee performed with much discretion , iudgement , valour , and dexteritie . for hauing seized their forts , which they had built at mount mansell , saint croix , and port reall , he carryed away their ordnance hee also surprised their ship , cattle , and other prouisions , which hee transported to the collonie in virginia , to their great benefit . and hereby he hath made a way for the present hopefull plantation to bee made in noua-scotia , which we heare his maiestie hath lately granted to sir william alexander knight , one of his maiesties most honourable councell of the kingdome of scotland , to bee held of the said crowne , and that not without some of our priuities , as by approbation vnder writing may and doth appeare . whereby it is manifest that wee are so farre from making a monopoly of all those lands belonging to that coast ( as hath beene scandalously by some obiected ) that we wish that many would vndertake the like . in this interim there were of vs who apprehenedd better hopes of good that might ensue by this attempt , being thereunto perswaded , both by the relations of our people that had indured the many difficulties whereunto such actions are subiected chiefly in the winter season ; and likewise by the informations giuen them by certaine of the natiues , that had beene kept a long time in their hands ; wherefore we resolued once more to trie the veritie thereof , and to see if possibly we might finde something that might induce a fresh resolution to prosecute a worke so pious and so honourable . and thereupon they dispatched captaine hotson , of the i le of wight , together with captaine herley , master iohn matthew , master sturton , with two saluages , the one called epenow , the other manawet , with commission and directions fit for them to obserue and follow , the better to bring to passe what was expected . but as in all humane affaires , there is nothing more certaine , then the vncertaintie thereof ; so fell it out in this ; for a little before such time as they arriued vpon the coast with the foresaid sauages , who were naturalls of those parts , it happened there had beene one hunt ( a worthlesse fellow of our nation ( set out by certaine merchants for loue of gaine ; who ( not content with the commoditie he had by the fish , and peaceable trade he found among the sauages ) after hee had made his dispatch , and was ready to set sayle , ( more sauage-like then they ) seized vpon the poore innocent creatures ; that in confidence of his honestie had put themselues into his hands . and stowing them vnder hatches , to the number of twnety foure , carried them into the straights , where hee sought to sell them for slaues , and sold as many as he could get money for . but when it was vnderstood from whence they were brought , the friers of those parts tooke the rest from them , and kept them to be instructed in the christian faith ; and so disappointed this vnworthy fellow of the hopes of gaine he conceiued to make by this new & diuellish project . this being knowne by our two saluages , formerly spoken of , they presently contracted such an hatred against our whole nation , as they immediatly studied how to be reuenged ; and contriued with their friends the best meanes to bring it to passe ; but manawet dying in a short time after the ships arriuall there , and the other obseruing the good order , and strong guard our people kept , studied only how to free himselfe out of our hands , and thereupon laid the plot very orderly , and indeed effected his purpose , although with so great hazard to himselfe and friends , that laboured his rescue , that captaine hobson and his whole company imagined he had beene slaine . and though in the recouery of his body they wounded the master of our ship , and diuers other of our company , yet was not their designe without the slaughter of some of their people , and the hurts of other , compassed , as appeared afterward . hereupon captaine hobson and his companie , conceiuing the end of their attempt to bee frustrace , resolued without more adoe to returne , and so those hopes , that charge and voyage was lost also , for they brought home nothing but the newes of their euill successe , of the vnfortunate cause thereof , and of a warre now new begunne betweene the inhabitants of those parts , and vs. a miserable comfort for so weake meanes as were now left , to pursue the conclusion of so tedious an enterprise . while this was a working , wee found the meanes to send out captaine iohn smith from plymouth , in a ship , together with master darmer and diuers others with him , to lay the foundation of a new plantation , and to try the fishing of that coast , and to seeke to settle a trade with the natiues : but such was his misfortune , as being scarce free of our owne coast , he had his masts shaken ouer boord by stormes and tempests , his ship wonderfully distressed , and in that extremity forced to come backe againe ; so as the season of the yeere being almost spent , we were of necessitie enforced to furnish him with another ship , and taking out the prouision of the first , dispatched him away againe , who comming to the height of the westerne islands , was chased by a french pirate , and by him made prisoner , although his ship in the night escaped away , and returned home with the losse of much of her prouision , and the ouerthrow of that voyage , to the ruine of that poore gentleman captaine smith , who was detained prisoner by them , and forced to suffer many extremities , before hee got free of his troubles . notwithstanding these disasters , it pleased god so to worke for our incouragement againe , as hee sent into our hands tasquantum , one of those saluages that formerly had beene betrayed by this vnworthy hunt before named , by whose meanes there was hope conceiued to worke a peace betweene vs , and his friends , they being the principall inhabitants of that coast , where the fire was kindled . but this saluage tasquantum , being at that time in the new-found land with captain mason , gouernour there for the vndertakers of that plantation : master darmer ( who was there also , and sometimes before imployed as we haue said by vs , together with captaine iohn smith ) found the meanes to giue vs intelligence of him , and his opinion of the good vse that might be made of his imployment , with the readinesse of captaine mason , to further any of our attempts that way , either with boats or other prouision necessary , and resoluing himselfe to goe from thence , aduised vs to send some to meet with him , at our vsuall place of fishing , to aid him in his indeuour , that they ioyning together , might be able to doe what he hoped would be verie acceptable vnto all well wishers of that businesse . vpon this newes , we dispatched the next season captaine rocraft , with a company for that purpose , in hope to haue met with captaine darmer ; but the care and discretion of captaine mason was such , finding captaine darmers resolution to goe beyond his meanes , that hee perswaded him first to goe for england , that prouiding himselfe there , as was requisite , he might proceed in time expedient , which counsell he obserued ( as fit it was ) although our expectation of his ioyning with captaine rocraft was thereby disappointed . yet so it happened , that captaine reoraft at his arriuall in those parts , met with a french barke that lay in a creeke a fishing , and trading , which he seized on , and sent home the master and company in the same ship which he went out in . with this barke and his owne company , hee meant to keepe the coast that winter quarter , being very well fitted both with salt , and other necessaries for his turne : but as this was an act of extremity ( the poore man being of our owne religion ) so succeeded it accordingly . for in a short time after , certaine of this captaines company , conspired together to cut his throat , and to make themselues masters of the whole spoile , and so to seeke a new fortune where they could best make it . this conspiracie being discouered to the captaine , hee let it goe on , till the time that it should haue beene put in execution , when hee caught them in there owne traine , and so apprehended them in the very instant that they were purposed to beginne their massacre . but after he had preuented the mischiefe , and seized vpon the malefactors , hee tooke to his consideration what was best to be done with them . and beeing loth by himselfe to dispatch them as they deserued , he resolued to put them ashore , thinking by their hazard that it was possible they might discouer something , that might aduance the publike ; and so giuing them some armes for their defense , and some victuall for their sustentation , vntill they knew better how to prouide for themselues , he left them at a place called sawaguatock , where they remained not long , but got from thence to menehighon , an island lying some three leagues in the sea , and fifteene leagues from that place , where they remained all that winter , with bad lodging , and worse fare , yet came all safe home saue one sickly man , which dyed there , the rest returned with the ship wee sent for rocrafts supply and prouision , to make a fishing voyage . after these fellowes were landed , the captaine finding himselfe but weakely man'd , and his ship to draw too much water to coast those places , that by his instructions he was assigned to discouer , hee resolued to goe for virginia where he had liued a long time before , and had ( as hee conceiued ) many friends , that would helpe him with some things that he had occasion to vse . arriuing there , he was not deceiued of his expectation ; for sir samuel argall being their gouernour , and one that respected him much for his owne sake , was the readier to helpe him , in regard of the good hee wished to the businesse wherein he was imployed . but all this could not preuaile , for after that sir samuell argall came from thence ( his departure being more suddaine then was expected ) it fell out that the new gouernour entred the harbour : and finding rocraft ready to bee gone , sent to him to command him to come aboord to speake with him , which he readily obeyed , assoone as he could fit his boat and men for that purpose . and so leauing his barke with her great anker a head , and taking with him the halfe of his company , hee was forced to stay aboard the new gouernours ship that night . in the meane while a storme arising , our barke wanting hands to doe their labour , droue a shoare , and there sunke . but yet the gouernour and captaine so laboured the next day , when they knew thereof , as that they freed her againe , but that occasion forced our captaine to stay so long in the countrey to fit himselfe anew , as in the interim a quarrell fell out betweene him and another of that place ; so as rocraft was slaine , and the barque sunke the second time , and finally disabled from yeelding vs any benefit to this present . but we not knowing this disaster , and captaine darmer arriuing with his saluage out of new-found-land , dispatched him away the next season , in a shippe we sent againe for the fishing businesse , and assigned him a company to ioyne with rocraft and his people . captaine darmer arriuing there , and not finding rocraft , was a little perplexed , and in doubt what to doe : yet hearing by those mutiners which he found there , that he was gone for virginia ; he was hopefull of his returne ; and liued in that expectation , till such time as he heard ( by a ship that came from thence to fish for the collony ) the confusion of his fortune , and the end of his misery in this world . then he determined to take the pinnace that the yeare before was assigned to rocraft for him to make the trade with , and with her to proceed on his designe , and so embarked himselfe , and his prouision and company in her . and leauing the fisher-men to their labour , he coasted the shore from thence , searching euery harbor , and compassing euery cape-land , till he arriued in virginia ; where he was in hope to meet with some of the prouision , or company of rocraft , to helpe to supply him of what he wanted ; as also to lay a decke vpon his pinnace , that before had not any , and now was taught by experience the necessitie of hauing that defect supplied . but those hopes failed him ( al being before that time ruined and dispersed ) so farre , as he saw it in vaine to hope for help by that means , and therfore attempted to make the best of what hee had of his owne . and going to set his men a worke , they all in a few dayes after their arriuall , fell sicke of a disease which hapned at that time in the country , so as now he was not onely forced to be without hope of their helping of him , but must labor himselfe all he could to attend and sustaine them ; but so god fauoured him , that they recouered , and in time conuenient he dispatched his businesse there , and put himselfe to sea againe , resoluing to accomplish in his iourney backe to new-england , what in his last discouery he had omitted . in his passage he met with certaine hollanders , who had a trade in hudsons riuer some yeares before that time , with whom he had conference about the state of that coast , and their proceedings with those people : whose answer gaue him good content . he betooke himselfe to the following of his businesse , discouering many goodly riuers , and exceeding pleasant , and fruitfull coasts , and islands , for the space of . leagues from east to west , for so that coast doth range along from hudsons riuer to cape iames. now after we had found by captaine rocrafts relation made the yeare before , the hopes he conceiued of the benefits that coast would afford , towards the vpholding of the charge for setling our plantation by reason of the commodities arising by fishing and furres , if a course might be taken for the mannaging of that businesse , as was fit for such a designe ; as well as for the aduancement of the publique good of our whole nation , and satisfaction of euery well disposed person , that had a will to be interessed therein . it was held to be most conuenient to strengthen our selues by a new grant to be obtained from his royall maiestie : the rather , finding that those of virginia had by two seuerall patents setled their bounds , and excluded all from intermedling with them that were not free of their company ; and had wholly altered the forme of their gouernment , from the first ground layed for the managing the affaires of both collonies , leauing vs as desperate , and our businesse as abandoned . these considerations ( as is said ) together with the necessitie of setling our affaires , bounds and limits , distinct from theirs , made vs resolue to petition his maiestie for the renewing of our grant. by which time the rumour of our hopes was so publiquely spread abroad , and the commodities of the fish , and trade so looked into , as it was desired , that all that coast might be made free , as well to those of virginia , as to vs to make their commoditie : how iust or vniust that motion was , we will not argue , seeing the businesse is ended . by this meanes , our preceedings were interrupted , and we questioned about it ; first , by the counsell of virginia , whom we thought to haue benefully satisfied therein , before we could haue way giuen vs for a new patent , 〈…〉 hauing beene heard by certaine of the lords of the councell ; and the businesse by them so ordered , 〈◊〉 we were directed to proceed and to haue our grant agreeable to the libertie of the virginia company , the frame of our gouernment excepted ; but this order not being liked of , it was againe heard & concluded . lastly , the parent being past the seale , it was stopt vpon new suggestions to the king , and by his maiestie referred to the councell to be setled , by whom the former orders were confirmed , the difference cleared , and we ordered to haue our patent deliuered vs. these disputes held vs almost two yeeres , so as all men were afraid to ioyne with vs , and we thereby left hopelesse of any thing more , than that which our owne fortunes would yeeld to aduance our proceedings , in which time so many accidents hapned vnto vs at home , and abroad , that wee were faine to giue order by the ships we sent a fishing , for the retiring of master darmer , and his people , vntill all things were cleared , and we better prouided of meanes to goe through with our designe : but this worthy gentleman confident of the good likely to ensue , and resolutely resoluing to pursue the ends he aymed at , could not be perswaded to looke backe , as yet ; and so refusing to accept our offer , began againe to prosecute his discouery , wherein he was betrayed by certaine new saluages , who sodainly set vpon him , giuing him foureteene or fifteene wounds , but by his valour , and dexteritie of spirit he freed himselfe out of their hands , yet was constrained to retire into virginia again the second time , for the cure of his wounds , where he fell sicke of the infirmities of that place , and thereof dyed : so ended this worthie gentleman his dayes , after he had remained in the discouery of that coast two yeares , giuing vs good content in all hee vndertooke ; and after he had made the peace between vs and the saluages , that so much abhorred our nation , for the wrongs done them by others , as you haue heard : but the fruit of his labour in that behalfe we as yet receiue to our great commoditie , who haue a peaceable plantation at this present among them , where our people both prosper , and liue in good liking , and assurednesse of their neighbours , that had beene formerly so much exasperated against vs , as will more at large appeare hereafter . but hauing passed all these stormes abroad , and vndergone so many home-bred oppositions , and freed our patent , which we were by order of state assigned to renew , for the amendment of some defects therein contained , we were assured of this ground more boldly to proceed on than before ; and therefore we tooke first to consideration how to raise the meanes to aduance the plantation . in the examination thereof , two wayes did offer themselues : the one was the voluntary contribution of the patentees ; the other , by an easie ransoming of the freedomes of those that had a will to partake onely of the present profits , arising by the trade , and fishing vpon the coast . the first was to proceed from those noble-men , and others that were patentees , and they agreed by order among themselues to disburse a hundred pounds a peece , for the aduancement of such necessary busines , as they had in hand . the second was to be accomplished by setling such liberties and orders in the westerne cities , and townes , as might induce euery reasonable man , in , and about them , affecting the publike good , or a regular proceeding in the businesse of trade , to embrace an vniformitie , and to ioyne in a communitie , or ioynt stocke together how reasonable , or vnreasonable those orders were , is hereafter to be seene , and iudged by euery well affected person , or any truly louing the publike good of our nation , whereunto is annexed the difference of trading by a ioynt stocke vnder gouernment and order ; and the promiscuous trading without order , and in a dis-joynted manner , as of late they haue done to the infinite preiudice of others already , as also to the losse of many of themselues , that contemptuously and greedily haue leapt into that course , as it were in despight of all authoritie , whose reward , in time , will follow . before these orders were to be tendered to those cities and townes , it was desired that there might be letters sent from their lordships , admonishing them of his maiesties royall grant , that prohibiteth any not free of that busines , to intermeddle within our limits , vpon paine of confiscation of ship and goods . these letters expressing withall the good affection of those that were interessed in the businesse , to entertaine any that should be willing to conforme themselues to such orders , as had in that behalfe beene established . but those letters how full of iustice soeuer they appeared , were as distastefull , as was the rumor of order vnto them : for by it euery particular man thought himselfe strait debarred of libertie to run his owne currant , in which he thought his freedome did onely consist ; and by debarring him thereof , his priuate ends were ouerthrowne , which was to endeuour to preuent his neighbour of the market he aimed at , or the harbour he resolued to goe vnto , or the present trade hee expected to haue by his priuate industrie , but as for the publique hee cared not , let that fare as it would . while these things were in dispute , and likely to haue taken a good foundation , the news of the parliament flew to all parts , & then the most factious of euery place , presently combined themselues to follow the businesse in parliament , where they presumed to proue the same to be a monopolie , and much tending to the preiudice of the common good . but that there should be a conformitie in trade , or a course taken to preuent the euills that were likely to ensue , or to appropriate possessions , or lands , after a generous manner , in remote parts of the world , to certaine publique persons , of the common-wealth , for the taking care , and spending their time and means how to aduance the enlargement of their countrey , the honour of their king , and glory of their god ; these were thought crimes worthy the taking notice of , and the principall actors in this kinde , must be first traduced in priuate , then publiquely called vpon in parliament , to answer such other scandalls as could by malice be inuented . but as this businesse was in it selfe iust , and righteous , so was it as earnestly desired , they might haue had the opportunitie to haue answered it before so vnpartiall iudges , and so reuerend persons ; if so it might haue been without offence to the authoritie of his royall maiestie , that had extended it selfe by vertue of his prerogatiue so farre off , and without the lawes of this realme , and to be put in execution without the publike expence , or charge of the common-wealth , or preiudice to any other former imployments of our nation , and indeed without offence to any that coueted not to put their sickle into the haruest of other men , or whose enuious & couetous humors stirred them not vp to shame themselues in the conclusion . these troubles thus vnfortunately falling out , haue notwithstanding hindered vs from the hopes we had this yeare , to giue some life extraordinarily to those affaires , & therefore we are forced of necessitie to refer the maine of our resolution , till a more conuenient opportunitie , and till we haue gotten our ships and prouision fit to serue our turnes both to giue the law along those coasts , and to performe such other seruice , as is thereby intended for the publike good of our aduenturers , and defence of our marchants , that shall frequent those places , according to such orders , as shall be found behouefull in that behalfe . the clime and condition of the country , and the present estate of our affaires there . you haue heard already the many disasters , calamities , misfortunes , oppositions , and hinderances we haue had , and receiued . howbeit many are omitted , in that we desire not to trouble the reader with more than enough ; or to affright the minds of weak spirits , that will beleeue there is no better successe to be looked for from such attempts : although it be true that the best designes do oftentimes cary with them the most impediments , whether it be that god will haue it so , to trie our constancie , or otherwise to make vs know , that it is he onely that worketh after his owne will , according to the time he hath assigned , and that there is nothing done but by him , as also that , that is onely best which hee will haue to be done , and that time most proper which he hath assigned for the same . but by these you may imagine ( seeing we haue none other helps than our owne fortunes to build vpon ) there can no great matters bee performed in these stormes and tempests . notwithstanding , you may know wee haue not beene more hindred one way , than blessed an other : for , as our patience , constancie , trauels and charge hath beene great , so hath it ( indeed ) manifoldly beene required : for , by gods fauour , and these gentlemens industrie ; we haue made a most ample discouerie of the most commodious country for the benefit of our nation , that euer hath beene found . for better satisfaction of the reader in this behalfe , we haue thought it fit , by the way , to acquaint him first with the nature of the place where wee haue setled our selues , whereby hee may see reason for what wee haue done , remembring him likewise , that in settling of plantations , there is principally to be considered : the aire , for the health of the inhabitants . the soile , for fertilitie fit for corne , and feeding of cattle wherewith to sustaine them the sea , for commoditie of trade and commerce , the better to enrich their publique and priuate state , as it shall grow to perfection , and to raise imployments , to furnish the course of those affaires . now for the quality of the aire , there is none of iudgement but knowes it proceedeth either from the generall disposition of the sphere , or from the particular constitution of the place . touching the disposition of the sphere , it is not onely seated in the temperate zone , but as it were in the center , or middle part thereof , for that the middle part of that country hath about three hundred and ten degrees of longitude ; and stands in the forty fourth and forty fifth degrees of the northerne latitude , that is , twenty degrees from the fiery tropicke , and as much from the freesing articke circle : vnder the same climate and course of the sunne that constantinople , and rome , the ladies of the world ; italy , and france , the gardens of europe , haue their situation , within the limits of the fifth and sixt climate , after the later computation ; hauing their longest day fifteene houres and some odde minutes . touching the constitution of the place ( which is about sixty two degrees by sea from our continent westerly ) the maritine parts thereof are somewhat colder , then the nature of the clime otherwise affordeth ; for that the beames of the sunne are weakned , partly by the vnstable reflection of the same vpon the sea , and partly by beeing laden with abundance of moisture it exhales out of the vast ocean , whereby the nature thereof is not so violently there expressed , as in the like parallel further into the maine is accustomed . nor is that sea coast so subiect to droughts or want of raine in seasonable times , as other parts are of like latitudes , and by that reason the sea coasts are at all times more cold then is the inland . and the easterne coast which receiueth the rising of the sunne , is likewise colder then are the westerne parts , towards the declining of the same , as our morning aires ( for example ) euen in the heat of summer are cold and quicke , when the day and euening are very sweltring . and this makes those parts more sutable to the nature of our people , who neither finde content in the colder climates , nor health in the hotter ; but ( as hearbs and plants ) affect their natiue temperature , and prosper kindly no where else . and indeed , the hot countreys yeeld sharper wits , but weaker bodies , and fewer children ; the colder , more slow of conceit , but stronger of body , and more abounding in procreation . so that , though the inuention of arts hath risen from the southerne nations , yet they haue still beene subiect to the inundations , and inuasions of the more northerly people , by reason of their multitudes , together with the strength of their body , and hardnesse of their constitutions . but this country , what by the generall and particular situation , is so temperate , as it seemeth to hold the golden meane , and indeed is most agreeable to the nature of our owne , which is made manifest by experience , the most infallible proofe of all assertions ; in so much as our people that are setled there , enioy their life and health much more happily , then in other places ; which can bee imputed to no other cause , then the temperature of the climate . now , as the clime is found to bee so temperate , so delicate , and healthfull , both by reason and experience ; such is the soile also , some parts thereof yeelding wonderfull increase , both of the corne , the natiues haue most vse of ; as also of our owne , of all sorts : with infinite variety of nourishing roots , and other herbes , and fruits , common among them , but rare with vs. besides , the coast doth abound with most conuenient hauens , and harbors , full of singular islands , fit for plantation ; replenished with plants and wood of all sorts ; as oake , cedars , spruce , firre , pyne , walnut , chestnut , elme , sassafras , plum-trees , and calamus aromaticus , &c. the people are tractable ( if they bee not abused ) to commerce and trade withall , and as yet haue good respect of vs. the seas are stored with all kindes of excellent fish , and in many places vpon the coast , fit to make salt in . the country aboundeth with diuersity of wild foule , as turkeys , partriges , swans , cranes , wilde geese of two sorts , wilde duckes of three sorts , many doues , especially when strawberies are ripe . there are seuerall sorts of deere in those parts , and some that bring forth two , three , and foure young at once , which is a manifest proofe of the fertility of the soile , or temper of the clime , or both together . there is also a certaine beast , that the natiues call a mosse , hee is as big bodied as an oxe , headed like a fallow deere , with a broad palme , which hee mues euery yeere , as doth the deere , and necke like a red deere , with a short mane , running downe along the raines of his backe , his haire long like an elke , but esteemed to be better then that for sadlers vse , he hath likewise a great bunch hanging down̄e vnder his throat , and is of the colour of our blacker sort of fallow deere , his legges are long , and his feet as bigge as the feet of our oxen , his taile is longer then the single of a deere , and reacheth almost downe to his huxens , his skinne maketh very good buffe , and his flesh is excellent good food , which the natiues vse to ierkin and keepe all the yeere to serue their turne , and so prooues very seruiceable for their vse . there haue beene many of them seene in a great island vpon the coast , called by our people mount mansell , whither the saluages goe at certaine seasons to hunt them ; the manner whereof is , by making of seuerall fires , and setting the countrey with people , to force them into the sea , to which they are naturally addicted , and then there are others that attend them in their botes with bowes and weapons of seuerall kindes , wherewith they slay and take at their pleasure . and there is hope that this kinde of beasts may bee made seruiceable for ordinary labour with art and industry . the knowne commodities of that country , are fish of seuerall sorts , rich furres , as beauers , otters , martins , blacke fox , sables , &c. there are likewise plenty of vines , of three kindes , and those pleasant to the taste , yet some better then other . there is hempe , flax , silkgrasse , seuerall veines of ironstone , commodities to make pitch , rosen , tarre ; deale boords of all sorts , sparres , masts , for ships of all burdens ; in a word , there comes no commodity out of france , germany , or the sound , but may be had there , with reasonable labour and industry . further , wee haue setled at this present , seuerall plantations along the coast , and haue granted patents to many more that are in preparation to bee gone with all conueniencie . those of our people that are there , haue both health and plenty , so as they acknowledge there is no want of any thing , but of industrious people , to reape the commodities that are there to be had , and they are indeed so much affected to the place , as they are loth to be drawne from thence , although they were directed to returne to giue satisfaction to those that sent them , but chose rather to performe that office by letters , together with their excuse , for breach of their duty in that behalfe . and thus you see there is no labour well imployed , but hath his reward at one time or other . these incouragements haue imboldned vs to proceed , to the ingaging of our selues , for the building of some ships of good burden , and extraordinary mould , to lie vpon the coast for the defense of merchants and fishermen , that are imployed there , as also to waft the fleets , as they goe to and from their markets : and we purpose from henceforth to build our shipping there , where wee find all commodities fit for that seruice , together with the most opportune places , that can bee desired . lastly , finding that wee haue so far forth preuailed , as to winde our selues into familiarity with the natiues , ( which are in no great number ) along the coast for two hundred leagues together , wee haue now dispatched some of our people of purpose , to diue into the bowels of the continent , there to search and finde out what port , or place , is most conuenient to settle our maine plantation in , where wee meane to make the residencie of our state and gouernment , as also to bee assured , what other commodities may be raised for the publique , and priuate benefit of those that are dealers in that businesse , and willing to bee interessed in any the lands there : whither is gone this yeere already , for vs to vary from it , and therefore we haue resolued to build our edifices vpon it , and to frame the same after the platforme already layd , and from whence wee take our denomination . so as we purpose to commit the managing of our whole affaires there in generall , vnto a gouernour , to be assisted by the aduice and counsel of so many of the patentees as shall be there resident , together with the officers of state , that is to say ; the treasurer for the managing of the treasure and reuenues belonging to that state. the martiall for matters of armes , and affaires of warres , be it defensiue or offensiue . the admirall for maritine businesse ciuill or criminall , and the forces belonging to the sea. the master of the ordnance for munition , artillery and other prouisions for publique store of armies by sea or land ; as also such other persons of iudgement and experience , as by the president and counsell established here , for the better gouerning of those affaires shall be thought fit . by this head , and these members , vnited together , the great affaires of the whole state is to be managed , according to their seuerall authorities , giuen them from their superiours , the president and councell established as aforesaid . and for that all men by nature are best pleased to be their owne caruers , and doe most willingly submit to those ordinances , or orders whereof themselues are authors : it is therefore resolued , that the generall lawes whereby that state is to be gouerned , shall be first framed and agreed vpon by the generall assembly of the states of those parts , both spirituall and temporall . for the better distinction whereof , and the more orderly proceeding , agreeable ( as is said ) to the present state of this our realme , two parts of the whole territorie is to be diuided betweene the patentees , into seuerall counties , to be by themselues or their friends planted , at their pleasure or best commoditie . the other third part is to be reserued for publique vses , to be belonging to the state , as their reuenew for defraying of publique charge . but as well this third part , as the two formerly spoken of , is to be diuided into counties , baronries , hundreds , and the like , from all which the deputies for euery county , and baronry , are to be sent in the name and behalfe of the subiects , vnder them to consult and agree vpon the lawes so to be framed , as also to reforme any notable abuses committed in former proceedings . yet these are not to be assembled , but by order from the president and councell heere , who are to giue life to the lawes so to be made , as those to whom of right it best belongs , according to his maiesties royall grant in that behalfe , as also that vnder god , and his sacred highnesse , they are the principall authors of that foundation . and thus much for the generall forme of our gouernment . in like manner are the counties to be gouerned by the chiefe head or deputy thereof with other officers vnder him . as his steward , comptroller , treasurer of his reuenews ; and so the baronries by their stewards , and other inferiour ministers , who are to haue assigned them the power of high and low iustice within themselues for determining of controuersies , with reseruation of appeale in some cases to the supreme courts . and further , these lords of counties may of themselues subdiuide their said county into mannors and lordships , as to them shall seeme best , giuing to the lords thereof power of keeping of courts , and l●●●… , as is heere vsed in england , for the determining of petty matters , arising betweene the lords , and the tenants , or any other . and there is no lesse care to be taken for the trade and publique commerce of merchants , whose gouernment ought to be within themselues , in respect of the seuerall occasions arising betweene them , the trades-men , and 〈…〉 mechanickes , with whom they haue most to doe : and who are generally the chiefe inhabitants of great citties , and townes , in all parts ; it is likewise prouided , that all the cities in that territory , and other inferiour townes where trades-men are in any numbers , shall be incorporate and made bodies politique , to gouerne their affaires and people as it shall be found most behouefull for the publique good of the same ; according vnto the greatnes or capacity of them , who shall be made likewise capable to send certaine their deputies , or burgesses to this publique assembly , as members thereof , and who shall haue voyces equall with any the rest . by this you see our maine drift is but to take care for the well ordering of the businesse , seeking by all meanes to auoyd ( what we may ) the intermedling with any mens monies , or disposing of any mens fortunes , saue onely our owne ; leauing to euery particular vndertaker the imployment of their aduentures , and the raising of their profits , out of their proper limits , and possessions , as shall seeme best to themselues , or their officers , or ministers , whom they imploy , and whom they may be bold to question , or displace , as to themselues shall seeme most fitting . and hereby all men may know , that as it is not in our wills to delude and deceiue any , so wee are carefull not to giue the least cause of suspicion of any euill in that kinde ; so much the rather for that wee daily see by experience , the abuses committed in like cases by inferiour ministers , to be a notable cause to dehort the good dispositions of many otherwise well affected to plantations , for that they obserue those that are so imployed to grow rich , and their aduentures to come to nothing . and wee further desire that all men should bee perswaded , wee couet not to engrosse any thing at all vnto ourselues , but that wee should bee exceeding glad to finde more of our nation , so free in disposition , as to partake with vs , as well in the profit , as in the future trauell , and charge thereof ; without looking backe to our expence , or labour already past , to the end that all our hands being vnited together , the worke may bee so much the sooner aduanced , well knowing and freely confessing , that it is sufficient to giue content to a multitude , and that of all sorts . for such as are truely pious , shall finde heere the opportunity to put in practise the workes of piety , both in building of churches , and raising of colledges for the breeding of youth , or maintenance of diuines and other learned men . if they be such as affect glory , and to continue their memory to future ages , they may haue heere the meanes to raise houses , parishes , yea townes , or prouinces , to their names and posterity . doe they aime at wealth ? heere is the way for their industry to satiate their appetites in that , if they be not vnsatiable . doe they long after pleasure ? here is as much to be had as may content any , not meerely voluptuous , or onely prodigall . doe they aspire to be commanders ? here is the place where they may haue command of their owne friends , or tenants , if they be of any worth , or meanes extraordinary wherewith to transport any numbers . if otherwise of experience and vertue , it is likely they may attaine places of gouernement for the publique state. so as you see there wants no occasions , or opportunity to inuite , or giue satisfaction to such as haue patience to attend the time . and indeed we shall be glad , that this , or any thing else may induce a free and noble resolution , in any well affected person , to endeuour the aduancement of these ends , together with vs , in that they shall finde them agreeable to honour , and honestie ; and if there bee any that can adde ought vnto our endeuours , by their aduice or otherwise , there is none that shall more readily embrace the same then wee ; whose intents are onely framed for the prosperity of the businesse , as is already said , and as we hope will all those be , that shall assent to ioyne with vs , both in the labor , profit , and honour , without respect to the weakenesse of the motiue , by which it hath beene heeretofore mooued , or any thing saue the worke it selfe . for by it you shall finde the honour of our god , our king , and nation , will bee aduanced , without effusion of christian bloud , or question of wrong to the present inhabitants . for that they themselues both desire it , & we intēd not to take ought , but what they that are there , are willing wee should bee seized of , both for the defence of them against their enemies , and their preseruation in peace among themselues , & propagation of the christian faith , which with wonderfull alacrity many of them seeme to giue care vnto , and for whose speedy conuersion wee intend to bee as carefull as of our owne happinesse ; and as diligent to build them houses , and to prouide them tutors for their breeding , and bringing vp of their children , of both sects , as to aduance any other businesse whatsoeuer , for that wee acknowledge our selues specially bound thereunto . and this being done , to referre the successe , to the author of heauen and earth , to whom be all honour and glory . finis . a trip to new-england with a character of the country and people, both english and indians. ward, edward, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing w estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a trip to new-england with a character of the country and people, both english and indians. ward, edward, - . p. [s.n.], london : . first edition. attributed to edward ward. cf. halkett & laing ( nd ed.). a scurrilous tract written by a london tavern keeper and pamphleteer. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - -- anecdotes - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - jennifer kietzman sampled and proofread - jennifer kietzman text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a trip to new-england . with a character of the country and people , both english and indians . london , printed in the year , . a trip to new-england , &c. bishops , bailiffs , and bastards , were the three terrible persecutions which chiefly drove our unhappy brethren to seek their fortunes in our forreign colonies . one of these bug-bears , i confess , frighted me from the blessings of my own dear native country ; and forc'd me to the fatigue of a long voyage , to escape a scouring . but whether zeal , debt , or the sweet sin of procreation , begot in my conscience those fears , which hurried me a great many leages beyond my senses , i am as unwilling to declare to the world , as a romish damsel that has lost her maiden-head , is to confess her frailty to the priest. for many years my mind sat as easie in my breast , as an alderman in an elbow-chair , till the devil envying my felicity , flung so many crosses and losses in my way , that every step i took in my occupation , i was timorous of tumbling . i thought it then high time to seek for balm , but finding none in gilead , i was mov'd by the spirit of necessity , to forsake ungodly london , for religious boston in new-england ; hoping to purifie my self by the way in an ocean of brine , that when i got thither , i might find my condition , as well as my conscience , in a tollerable pickle , fitted for the conversation of the saints in so holy a land. i pack'd up my auls in order for my voyage ; and embarked the ship the prudent sarah , at gravesend , who was weighing anchor , with a fair wind for the downs , that i had no leasure to step back to london to satisfie my creditors ; but , like a girl that 's ravish'd , was forc'd , with a very good will , to do that which i intended . to entertain this merry town , with an exact iournal in tarpaulin arabick , is like reading the revelations to an establish'd atheist , or repeating a welsh commedy to a highlander . i shall therefore omit all such accustomary fustian , and divert you with some thoughts of my own in the time of my passage . when i first came on board , i fancy'd a ship to be like a country village with two or three may-poles in 't ; and the fellows running about deck in red and white-wastcoats , to be the young men of the town engaged in a match at foot-ball . sometimes i consider'd them as a pack of hounds , and the pilot to be the hunts-man : for , like dogs upon a scent , they keep a heavy yelping at their business ; but in every interval , were as silent as a beagle at a loss . at other times , i have fancy'd a ship to be a floating hive , instead of bees , posses'd by drones , who make more t — d than honey . a vessel , whilst the pilot is on board , is an emblem of feeble monarchy ; where the king has a states-man in his dominions greater than himself , that the prince only bears the title , but the other the command . a man on board cannot but be thoughtful on two destinies , viz. hanging and drowning : for withinside you have rope , and without water enough to effect either . so that it often put me in mind of the old proverb , the sea and the gallows refuses none . a commander when at sea , is a marine deity ; his will is his law , and the power of punishing soly in his own hands . he has a wooden world at his mercy , wherein there is no way to be happy , but by due obedience : for he that knoweth his masters will , and doth it not , shall be beaten with many stripes . when out at sea , i thought the world was drown'd , because no land was to be seen . the captain and his mess , i compar'd to noah and his family ; but as for the rest , they were the beasts of the ark. we were very good christians when we 'd nothing else to do : all hands in a calme to pray or pick okum ; but to work in a storm , serve god serve devil . brandy and tobacco are the soul of a seaman ; he that wants either , is but half himself ; and he that has neither , wants every thing that 's needful ; and must , in his own defence , turn thief or beggar . mariners , like parsons , are much given to look upwards ; but never consult heaven beyond the pole , or the pointers . at sea they are a kind of persians , trusting to the sun , moon and stars for bodily salvation . they seldom take notice but of one miracle since adam , and that is of noah's guiding the ark to a safe harbour , without the help of a sail , or the use of a rudder : which ( forgetting providence ) they urge to be impossible . a foul wind makes scanty messes ; for it 's a chearful saying among seamen , large wind , large allowance : starving and drowning being to them equally terrible . facetious ignorance is an excellent tallent to win the captains favour . reason at sea , without the rules of navigation , is as dangerous to be talk'd as treason : for nothing galls the ambition of a commander more , than to hear any body on board seem wiser than himself . they generally bestow their favours , as fortune does her benefits , as if both their heads were in a bag ; and for want of sense or sight , choose dunces for their minions , and fools for their companions : dreading ingenuity , and slighting merit . being possitive in errors , hateful to instruction , proud of their ignorance , and wise in their own conceits . a violent storm at sea , to me , seem'd the minute resemblance of a general conflagration : when jarring elements for power contended ; and angry heavens belch'd out flakes of its consuming fire on the reflecting ocean ; follow'd with dreadful claps of rending thunder , rattling from cloud to cloud , thro' rains and hurricanes , till the conquering wind had blown his sable enemies beneath our horizon , and clear'd the skies of his affrightening rivals . a calm to me was an effeminate acquiescence of the elements ; and unpleasant to a manly disposition : the world look'd as if nature was a sleep ; and , careless of her charge , had suffer'd ( thro' neglect ) the whole universe to be idle ▪ i could compare our ship to nothing in so smooth a sea , but to an egg upon a looking-glass . idleness at sea is the worst of slavery ; and he that has nothing to do , is buried alive in a cabbin instead of a coffin . with these sort of cogitations i past away my time , being tost about by the waves like a dog in a blanket , till we got sight of the promis'd land , and arriv'd at our desir'd port , boston . of which i shall first proceed to give you an account , free from prejudice or partiality . of boston , and the inhabitants . on the south-west side of massachusets-bay , is boston ; whose name is taken from a town in lincoln-shire : and is the metropolis of all new-england . the houses in some parts joyn as in london . the buildings , like their women , being neat and handsome . and their streets , like the hearts of the male inhabitants , are paved with pebble . in the chief , or high street , there are stately edifices , some of which have cost the owners two or three thousand pounds the raising ; which , i think , plainly proves two old adages true , viz. that a fool and his money is soon parted ; and , set a beggar on horse-back he 'll ride to the devil , for the fathers of these men were tinkers and peddlers . to the glory of religion , and the credit of the town , there are four churches , built with clap-boards and shingles , after the fashion of our meeting-houses ; which are supply'd by four ministers , to whom some , very justly , have apply'd these epithites , one a scholar , the second a gentleman , the third a dunce , and the fourth a clown . their churches are independent , every congregation , or assembly , in eclesiastical affairs , being distinctly govern'd by their own elders and deacons , who in their turns set the psalmes ; and the former are as busie on sundays , to excite the people to a liberal contribution , as our church-wardens at easter and christimas , are with their dishes , to make a collection for the poor . every stranger is unavoidably forc'd to take this notice , that in boston , there are more religious zealots than honest-men , more parsons than churches , and more churches than parishes : for the town , unlike the people , is subject to no division . the inhabitants seem very religious , showing many outward and visible signs of an inward and spiritual grace : but tho' they wear in their faces the innocence of doves , you will find them in their dealings , as subtile as serpents . interest is their faith , money their god , and large possessions the only heaven they covet . election , commencement , and training-days , are their only holy-days ; they keep no saints-days , nor will they allow the apostles to be saints , yet they assume that sacred dignity to themselves ; and say , in the title page of their psalm-book , printed for the edification of the saints in old and new-england . they have been very severe against adultery , which they punish'd with death ; yet , notwithstanding the harshness of their law , the women are of such noble souls , and undaunted resolutions , that they will run the hazard of being hang'd , rather than not be reveng'd on matrimony , or forbear to discover the corruption of their own natures . if you kiss a woman in publick , tho' offer'd as a curteous salutation , if any information is given to the select members , both shall be whip'd or fin'd . it 's an excellent law to make lovers in privat make much of their time , since open lip-lechery is so dearly purchas'd . but the good humor'd lasses , to make you amends , will kiss the kinder in a corner . publick kissing , and single fornication are both of a price ; for which reason the women wisely consider ▪ the latter may be done with more safty than the former ; and if they chance to be detected , and are forc'd to pay the fine , they are sure before-hand of something for their money . a captain of a ship who had been a long voyage , happen'd to meet his wife , and kist her in the street ; for which he was fin'd ten shillings , and forc'd to pay the money . what a happiness , thought i , do we enjoy in old-england , that can not only kiss our own wives , but other mens too without the danger of such a penalty . another inhabitant of the town was fin'd ten shillings for kissing his own wife in his garden ; and obstinatly refusing to pay the money , endured twenty lashes at the gun : who , in revenge of his punishment , swore he would never kiss her again , either in publick or private . and at this rate , one of the delightfulest customs in the world , will in time be quit thrown out of fashion , to the old folks satisfaction , but to the young ones lamentation , who love it as well in new-england , as we do in the old. a man and woman , were sentenc'd to be whip'd for the like offence ▪ he being order'd thirty lashes , and she twenty ; but he having extorted the kiss from her , was so generous to sollicit the select , that he might have the fifty , and the woman to be excus'd ; which was consented to accordingly . every tenth man is chose as one of the select , who have power , together , to regulate and punish all disorders that happen in their several neighbour-hoods . the penalty for drunkenness , is whiping or a crown ; cursing or swearing , the same fine , or to be bor'd thro' the tongue with a hot iron : but get your select member into your company and treat him , and you may do either without offence ; and be as safe as a parishoner here in a tavern in the church-wardens company in sermon-time . a couple of deacons marching along the street , espied a woman in a corner relieving nature from the uneasiness of a burthen she could keep no longer , one of them cryed out to tother , pointing to the stooping object , brother , brother , what a shameful thing , what a beastly thing is this ? i vow , brother , this is a thing that ought to be peep'd into . the other being a more sensible man , prithee brother ( said he ) do thou peep into 't then , for i care not to run such a hazard of my eye-sight . besides ( said he ) the thing 's to deep for our inspection ; and therefore we shall only be laugh'd at for meddling with the matter . they are very busie in detecting one anothers failings ; and he is accounted , by their church governers , a meritorious christian , that betrays his neighbour to a whipping-post . a good cudgel apply'd in the dark , is an excellent medicine for a malignant spirit . i knew it once experienced at boston , with very good success , upon an old rigged precisian , one of their select , who used to be more then ordinary vigilant in discovering every little irregularity in the neighbour-hood ; i happening one night to be pritty merry with a friend , opposite to the zealots dwelling , who got out of his bed in his wast-coat and drawers , to listen at our window . my friend having oft been serv'd so , had left unbolted his cellar trap-door , as a pitfall for mr. busie-body , who stepping upon it , sunk down with an out-cry like a distressed mariner in a sinking pinnace . my friend having planted a cudgel ready , run down stairs , crying thieves , and belabour'd old troublesome very sevearly before he would know him . he crying out i am your neighbour . you lye , you lye , you rogue , says my friend , my neighbours are honest men , you are some thief come to rob my house . by this time i went down with a candle , my friend seeming wonderfully surpriz'd to see 't was his neighbour , and one of the select too , put on a counterfeit countenance , and heartily beg'd his pardon . away troop'd the old fox , grumbling and shruging up his shoulders ; and became afterwards the most moderate man in authority in the whole town of boston . a little pains sometimes do good to such cross knotty sticks of wood. correction is the best recept , to set a crooked temper streight . if such old stubborn boughs can bend , and from a just chastisment mend , fond parents pray asign a reason , why youth should want it in due season ? the women here , are not at all inferiour in beauty to the ladies of london , having rather the advantage of a better complexion ; but as for the men , they are generally meagre ; and have got the hypocritical knack , like our english iews , of screwing their faces , into such puritanical postures that you would think they were always praying to them selves , or running melancholy mad about some mistery in the revelations : so that 't is rare to see a handsome man in the country , for they have all one cast , but of what tribe i know not . a woman that has lost her reputation , hath lost her portion , her virginity is all her treasure : and yet the merry lasses esteem it but a trifle , for they had rather , by far , loose that then their teeming-time . the gravity and piety of their looks , are of great service to these american christians ▪ it makes strangers that come amongst them , give credit to their words . and it is a proverb with those that know them , whosoever believes a new-england saint , shall be sure to be cheated : and he that knows how to deal with their traders , may deal with the devil and fear no craft . i was mightily pleas'd one morning with a contention between two boys at a pump in boston , about who should draw their water first . one jostled the other from the handle , and he would fill his bucket first , because his master said prayers and sung psalms twice a day in his family , and the others master did not . to which the witty knave made this reply , our house stands backward in a court : if my master had a room next the street , as your master has ▪ he 'd pray twice to your masters once , that he wou'd , and therefore i 'll fill any pail first , marry will i ; and did accordingly . some years ago , when the factors at boston were credited with large stocks by our english merchants , and being backward in their returns , and more in their books then they were willing to satisfie , contriv'd this stratagem to out-wit their correspondents . as 't is said , they set fire to their ware-houses , after the disposal of their goods , and burnt them down to the ground , pretending in their letters , they were all undone , their cargos and books all destroy'd ; and so at once ballanc'd their accounts , with england . one of their factors , who had three or four thousand pounds worth of an english merchants goods in his hands , sends him an account of this lamentable mischance , to the purpose he was quite ruin'd , and had lost all but a small cheese of four pound weight , which he sent him for a present . the merchant having had some intelligence of the roguery of his factor , invites several eminent merchants ( that dealt to new-england ) to dinner with him , who came accordingly , he having prepar'd an extraordinary feast to entertain them . they mightily condol'd his great loss , ( he making slight of it ) and blam'd him for the extravagancy of his treat , after he had sustain'd so considerable a misfortune . ah! gentlemen , says he , this is nothing to what i have provided you : i have one dish still to come up , which cost me between three and four thousand pounds ; and , notwithstanding its costliness , i think it not good enough for such worthy company . the gentlemen look'd one upon another , and thought he was frenzical . in the interim , up came his new-england present , under a cover . that 's the dish , says the master of the feast , that stood me in so many thousands . 't is but a small morsel , considering the price . the company all wondering of what delicates the cook must have compos'd this extravagant kickshaw , lifted up the cover , and finding nothing but a cheese , laugh'd as heartily at their disapointment , as the mob in the fable at the mountain-mouse . then he continued their mirth by unfolding the riddle : and swore , if ever he trusted a new-england saint again for three pence , the devil shou'd have a title to him and his heirs for half the money . the ground upon which boston ( the metropolis of new-england ) stands , was purchas'd from the natives , by the first english proprietors , for a bushel of wampum-peag and a bottle of rum , being of an inconsiderable value . therefore the converted indians , ( who have the use of the scriptures ) cannot blame esau for selling his birth-right for a mess of porrage . the latitude of boston is accounted deg . min. north. its longitude deg . and is very commodiously seated upon a bay , large enough for the anchorage of sail of ships . of the country in general . new-england is computed to begin at , and end at north latitude ; running from de-la-ware-bay to new-found-land . the country is for the most part wilderness , being generaly rocky , woody and mountainous , very rarely beautified with valleys , but those large and rich , wherein are lakes thirty or forty miles in compass , from whence their great rivers have their beginnings , and are chiefly succour'd . there are many plantations by the sea-side , situate for the advantage of the east and south winds , which coming from sea produceth , warm weather . the nor-west blowing over land , causeth extremity of cold ; and very often strikes both indian and english inhabitants with that terrible distemper , called , the plague in the back . the country , by its climate , is always troubled with an ague and fever ; as soon as ever the cold fit 's over , t is attended with a hot : and the natives themselves , whose bodys are habituated to the suddain changes , from one extream to another , cannot but confess , they freez in winter and fry in summer . a ridg of white mountains run almost thro' the country , whereon lies a remembrance of the past winter , in the warmest of their weather , an indian at the sight of the snow , lodg'd upon the shoulders of these hills , will quake at midsummer : for they love cold like a cricket . at the top there is a large plain , ten or twelve leages over , yielding nothing but moss , where a man may walk with his mistress , in the height of his juvenality , and not entertain one thought of attempting her chastity , it being fatally cold , and above the clouds ; and would have been a rare place , for the presumptious babilonians to have built their tower on . plymouth plantation was the first english colony that settled in new-england , in the year . their habitations , at their going on shore , being empty hogs-heads , which they whelm'd over their heads to defend themselves from the cold damps and falling mischiefs of the night . each house having but one window , and that 's the bung-hole , requiring a cooper instead of a carpenter to keep their houses in repair . their provision ( till better acquainted with the country ) being only pumkin , which they cook'd as many several ways , as you may dress venison : and is continued to this day as a great dish amongst the english. pumpkin porrage being as much in esteem with new-england saints , as ielly broth with old-england sinners . ten years expired , before any other colonies were planted ; since which time the possessions of the english are so greatly improv'd , that in all their colonies , they have above a hundred and twenty towns , and is at this time one of the most flourishing plantations belonging to the english empire . there is a large mountain , of a stupendious height , in an uninhabitable part of the country , which is call'd the shining mountain , from an amaizing light appearing on the top , visible at many leages distance , but only in the night . the english have been very curious in examining the reason of it ; and have , in bodies , with great pains and danger , attempted a rational discovery of this prodigy to no purpose : for they could not observe any thing upon it to occasion this unusual brightness . it is very terrible to the indians , who are of a blind opinion that it contains great riches , and the devil lives there ; and do assert , that when any of them ascend this place , they are met by something in the figure of an old indian , that commands them to return , or if they proceed further they shall die , which several have found true , by presuming to climb higher , heedless of the caution . of the native english in general . the women ( like the men ) are excessive smokers ; and have contracted so many ill habits from the indians , that 't is difficult to find a woman cleanly enough for a cook to a squemish lady , or a man neat enough for a vallet to sir courtly nice . i am sure a covent-garden beau , or a bell-fa would appear to them much stranger monsters , then ever yet were seen in america . they smoke in bed , smoke as they nead their bread , smoke whilst they 'r cooking their victuals , smoke at prayers , work , and exonoration , that their mouths stink as bad as the bowl of a sailers pipe , which he has funk'd in , without burning , a whole voyage to the indias . eating , drinking , smoking and sleeping , takes up four parts in five of their time ; and you may divide the remainder into religious excercise , day labour , and evacuation . four meals a day , and a good knap after dinner , being the custom of the country . rum , alias kill devil , is as much ador'd by the american english , as a dram of brandy is by an old billingsgate . t is held as the comforter of their souls , the preserver of their bodys , the remover of their cares , and promoter of their mirth ; and is a soveraign remedy against the grumbling of the guts , a kibe-heel , or a wounded conscience , which are three epidemical distempers that afflict the country . their industry , as well as their honesty , deserves equal observation ; for it is practicable amongst them , to go two miles to catch a horse , and run three hours after him , to ride half a mile to work , or a quarter of a mile to an ale-house . one husband-man in england , will do more labour in a day , then a new-england planter will be at the pains to do in a week : for to every hour he spends in his grounds , he will be two at an ordinary . they have wonderful appetites , and will eat like plough-men ; tho very lazy , and plough like gentlemen : it being no rarity there , to see a man eat till he sweats , and work till he freezes . the women are very fruitful , which shows the men are industrious in bed , tho' idle up . children and servants are there very plenty ; but honest-men and virgins as scarce as in other places . provisions being plenty , their marriage-feasts are very sumptious . they are sure not to want company to celebrate their nuptials ; for its customary in every town , for all the inhabitants to dine at a wedding without invitation : for they value their pleasure at such a rate , and bear such an affection to idleness , that they would run the hazard of death or ruin , rather then let slip so merry a holy-day . the women , like early fruits , are soon ripe and soon rotten . a girl there at thirteen , thinks herself as well quallified for a husband , as a forward miss at a boarding-school , does here at fifteen for a gallant . he that marrys a new-england lass at sixteen , if she prove a snappish gentlewoman , her husband need not fear she will bite his nose off ; for its ten to one but she hath shed her teeth , and has done eating of crust , before she arrives to that maturity . it is usual for the men to be grey at thirty ; and look as shrivel'd in the face , as an old parchment indenture pasted upon a barbers block . and are such lovers of idleness , that they are desirous of being thought old , to have a better pretence to be lazy . the women have done bearing of children by that time they are four and twenty : and she that lives un-married till she 's twenty five , may let all the young sports-men in the town give her maiden-head chase without the danger of a timpany . notwithstanding their sanctity , they are very prophane in their common dialect . they can neither drive a bargain , nor make a iest , without a text of scripture at the end on 't . an english inhabitant having sold a bottle of rum to an indian ( contrary to the laws of the country ) was detected in it ; and order'd to be lash'd . the fellow brib'd the whipster to use him tenderly ; but the flog-master resolving ( being a conscientious man ) to do his duty honestly , rather punish'd the offender with the greater severity , who casting a sorrowful look over his shoulder , cry'd out , the scripture sayeth , blessed is the merciful man. the scourgineer replying , and it also says , cursed is he that doeth the work of the lord negligently : and for fear of coming under the anathema , laid him on like an unmerciful dog , till he had given him a thorough fellow-feeling of his cat of nine-tailes . their lecture-days are call'd by some amongst them , whore fair , from the levity and wanton frollicks of the young people , who when their devotion 's over , have recourse to the ordinaries , where they plentifully wash away the remembrance of their old sins , and drink down the fear of a fine , or the dread of a whipping-post . then vptails-all and the devils as busie under the petticoat , as a iuggler at a fair , or a whore at a carnival . husking of indian-corn , is as good sport for the amorous wag-tailes in new-england , as maying amongst us is for our forward youths and wenches . for 't is observ'd , there are more bastards got in that season , than in all the year beside ; which occasions some of the looser saints to call it rutting time. many of the leading puritans may ( without injustice ) be thus characteris'd . they are saints without religion , traders without honesty , christians without charity , magistrates without mercy , subjects without loyalty , neighbours without amity , faithless friends , implacable enemys , and rich men without money . they all pretend to be driven over by persecution , which their teachers roar out against in their assemblies , with as much bitterness , as a double refin'd protestant can belch forth against the whore of babylon : yet have they us'd the quakers with such severity , by whipping , hanging , and other punishments , forcing them to put to sea in vessels without provision , they flying with gladness to the merciless ocean , as their only refuge under heaven , left to escape the savage fury of their vnchristian enemies , till drove by providence upon rhoad-island ( so call'd from their accidental discovery of it in their stroling adventure ) which they found full of fruits and flowers , a fertile soil , and extreamly pleasant , being the garden of america ; where they happily planted themselves , making great improvements : there live and flourish , as the righteous , like a bay-tree under the noses of their enemies . the clergy , tho' they live upon the bounty of their hearers , are as rediculously proud , as their communicants are shamefully ignorant . for tho' they will not suffer their unmannerly flock to worship their creator with that reverence and humility as they ought to do , but tell them 't is popery to uncover their heads in the house and presence of the deity ; yet they oblige every member to pay an humble respect to the parsons box , when they make their offerings every sunday , and fling their mites into their teacher●s treasury . so that the haughty prelate exacts more homage , as due to his own transcendency , than he will allow to be paid to heaven or its place of worship . if you are not a member in full communion with one of their assemblies , your progeny is deny'd baptism , for which reason , there are hundreds amongst them , at mans estate , that were never christened . all handicrafts-men may live here very well , except a pick-pocket ; of all artificers he would find the least encouragement ; for the scarcity of money would baulk his tallent . an eminent planter came to me for an ounce of venice-treacle , which i would have sold him for a shilling ; he protested he had liv'd there fifty years , and never see in the whole term , ten pounds in silver-money of his own ; and yet was rated at a thousand pounds , and thought the assessors us'd him kindly ▪ but gave me for my medicine a bushel of indian-corn , vallued at half a crown , and vow'd if a shilling would save his family from distruction , he knew not how to raise it . they have a charter for a fair at salem , but it begins , like ingerstone market , half an hour after eleven a clock , and ends half an hour before twelve : for i never see any thing in it but by great accident , and those were pumkins , which were the chief fruit that supported the english at their first settling in these parts . but now they enjoy plenty of good provisions , fish , flesh and fowl , and are become as great epicures , as ever din'd at pontack's ordinary . lobsters and cod-fish are held in such disdain , by reason of their plenty , 't is as scandalous for a poor man in boston to carry one through the streets , as 't is for an alderman in the city of london , to be seen walking with a groatsworth of fresh-herrings , from billings-gate to his own house . there were formerly amongst them ( as they themselves report ) abundance of witches , and indeed i know not , but there may be as many now , for the men look still as if they were hag-ridden ; and every stranger ; that comes into the country , shall find they will deal by him to this day , as if the devil were in ' em . witchcraft they punish'd with death , till they had hang'd the best people in the country , and convicted the culprit upon a single evidence : so that any prejudic'd person , who bore malice against a neighbour , had an easie method of removing their adversary . but since , upon better consideration , they have mitigated the severity of that unreasonable law , there has not been one accused of witchcraft , in the whole country . many are the bug-bear storys reported of these suppos'd negromancers , but few believ'd , tho' i presume none true , yet all collected and already printed , i shall therefore omit the relating of any . they have one very wholesome law , which would do mighty well to be in force in old-england ; which is a peculiar method they have of punishing scolds . if any turbulent woman be troubled with an unruly member , and uses it to the defamation of any body , or disquiet of her neighbours , upon complaint , she is order'd to be gag'd and set at her own door as many hours as the magistrates shall think fit , there to be gaiz'd at by all passengers till the time 's expired . which , to me ▪ seems the most equitable law imaginable to punish more particularly that member which committed the offence . whipping is a punishment so practicable in this country , upon every slight offence , that at a town upon the sound , call'd new-haven , the people do confess , that all the inhabitants of that place , above the age of fourteen , had been whip'd for some misdemeanour or other ( except two ) the minister and the iustice. of the beasts . they have most sort of four-footed beasts that we have here , only something different in either sise or colour , but of the same species . i shall only mention those which are natives of that country , and to us uncommon ; for to treat of creatures dayly to be seen , or heard of in our own climate , will afford the reader but little satisfaction . first of the moos-deer . of all the creatures that inhabit these parts of america , the moos-deer makes the most noble figure : he is shap'd like an english deer , only round footed ; but of a stately stature , seldom so low as the biggest of our oxen. his head fortified with horns proportionable , whose palms are very broad , full of indented branches , and are commonly two fathom distance from tip to tip. his flesh is not dry , like venison , but moist and lushious ; extreamly palatable , and very wholesome . the flesh of their fawns , is also delicious food ; highly commended by all such who are more than ordinary nice in obliging their voluptuous appetites . there is much said by the phisicians of that country concerning the excellent virtues of the horn of this creature : being look'd upon as an incomparable restorative against all inward weaknesses ; and in all cases where harts-honn is prescrib'd , the moos-horn they look upon to be a far better medicine ; half the quantity being more powerful in effect . of the bear. the bears that inhabit this part of america , are generally of a blackish colour during the winter season , which is much colder than in england . they defend themselves from the hardship of the weather , by retiring into caves , where they continue for about four months ; in which time their snows are pretty well dissolv'd , and the severity of their frost over . they are commonly very fat in the fall of the leaf , by feeding upon acorns , at which time the indians destroy a great many ; looking upon 'em then to be incomparable venison : but the head , i believe , is but a sorry dish , because they hold the brains to be venomous . they are very fierce in rutting-time ; and then walk the country round , thirty or forty in a company , making a hedious roaring , which may be heard a mile or two before they come near enough to endanger a traveller . they will never injure a man at any other time of the year , except you attempt to hurt them first ; but if you shoot at one , and miss him , he will certainly destroy you ; which makes the indians sure of their mark before ever they discharge their piece . their skins they sell to the english , but the flesh they cook sundry ways , salting and drying some , of which they make extraordinary bacon , no hogs-flesh in the world being more pleasant to the eye , grateful to the tast , or agreeable to the appetite . of the raccoon . it is a creature about the bigness of a cat , but of a different species . it s furr is of a dark colour , and in good esteem , tho' something course . he is of an owlish disposition ; and chooses for his mansion-house a hollow-tree . they are meer gluttons at indian-corn ; and feed themselves in autumn very fat . their flesh is dark , like venison ; and accounted good food roasted . of the wild-cat , which the indians call the ounce . t is as tall as an english bull-dog ; and as fierce . their manner of preying , is to climb a tree , and drop from the branches upon the back of horse , cow , deer , or any creature that is feeding under it ; clinging close with their tallons , knawing a great hole between the shoulders of the beast , who runs full speed till he drops down dead , and becomes a prey to his subtile enemy . their flesh roasted , is as good as lamb , and as white . of the porcupine . this is a very peevish , also a dangerous creature ; being the height of an ordinary mungril , but in shape like an hedge-hog , arm'd all over with mischievous darts , as a hemp-dressers comb with teeth ; which he exercises with as much art as an old soldier does his pike , charging them according as you attack him , to the right , left , front , or rear , which they will shoot at their enemies a considerable distance ; and wherever they stick in the flesh , if you pluck them not out presently , they will work thro' . the indians use these quills to adorn their birchen dishes . the flesh they do not eat . of the beaver . this is an amphibeous creature , rather larger than an otter , hairy all over but his tail , which is scaly like a fish ; and is of an admirable instinct , as is observ'd by their artificial dam-heads , by which , in dry seasons , they raise the water to their houses , when the pond , upon whose brinks they dwell , is sunk from it's usual edges . their nests or burrow which they make , are three stories high , that in case excessive rains should over-flow their first and second floor , they may mount into their garrets , there sleep in a dry skin till the floods abated . they have two pair of testacles , one soft and oily ; and the other pair hard or solid . the women dry the latter , and grate them into wine , to further generation , remove the causes of barrenness , prevent miscarriages , and to strengthen nature against , and also moderate the pains of delivery . they eat no part of this creature but the tail , which they flea and boil , accounting it rare victuals . it 's very fat , and eats like marrow , being an excellent supper for a bride-groom , or good food for that unhappy man who has marry'd a wife much younger than himself : of their furr , mix'd with coney-wooll , they make your beaver-hats . of the jackall . these are very numerous in new-england . they are the colour of a grey rabbit ; something less than a fox , having much the same scent , but not so strong . this is the creature reported to hunt the lyons prey , which make some suspect there are lyons , but there never was but one seen as we have any account of ; and that was shot by an indian , with bow and arrow , sixty years ago , as he lay dormant upon the body of an oak , by a hurricane blown up by the roots . the iackall is sometimes eaten by the indians . wolves there are abundance , of two sorts , one like a mungril , which kills goats , sheep , &c. and the other shap'd like a grey-hound , which preys upon deer . they are very shy and difficult to be shot or trap'd . their manner of distroying them , being by four maycril-hooks , which they bind together , with their beards revers'd , then hide them with a ball of tallow , and tie it to the carkass of any thing they have just kill'd , from which you have scar'd them , and when he comes to make up his meale , being a lover of fat , he certainly takes your bait , and becomes your prisoner . besides what i have above mentioned , they have a great deal of good provisions , as beef , mutton , kid , swines-flesh , &c. also great plenty both of fish and fowl ; the particulars being too large to treat of in so brief an account . of the indians , and first of the men. they are generally of a comely stature , grave disposition , deliberate in their talk , and courteous in their carriage , quick of apprehension , very ingenious , subtile , proud and lazy . there is nothing they value so much as liberty and ease . they will not become servil upon any terms whatsoever , or abridge their native freedom , with either work or confinement , to gain the universe : for they neither covet riches , or dread poverty : but all seem content with their own conditions , which are in a manner equal . for these four virtues they are very eminent , viz. loyal to their kings , constant to their wives , indulgent to their children , and faithful to their trust. for nothing will tempt them to offer violence to their sagamore , to abuse their squawes , use soverity with their papooses , or betray a secret ; rather chusing to die then do either . they call themselves hunters ; and are very dexterous at the use of either gun or bow , by the excercise of which ; they maintain themselves and families . they acknowledge a god , whom they worship for his benefits . they believe a devil , whom they adore thro' fear . and have a blind notion of futurity , which appears by their manner of interring their dead , with whom they bury his bow , gun , with provisions for his journy into a better country ; but where or what it is they know not . upon the breaking out of a war , or such extraordinary occasions , as the old romans consulted their oracles , so do the indians their pawaws , which are a kind of wizards : and at a general pawawing , the country a hundred miles round assemble themselves in a body ; and when they are thus met , they kindle a large fire , round which the pawaw walks , and beats himself upon his breast , muttering out a strange sort of intricate jargon , till he has elivated himself into so great an agony , that he falls down by the fire in a trance ; during which time , the sagamores ask him what they have a mind to know : after which , he is convey'd thro' the fire , in the same posture that he lies , by a power invisible , in the sight of the spectators ; then awakes , and answers the several questions ask'd by their kings or sachems . the chiefest vice amongst them is drunkenness , which ( to the reputation of christianity ) they learn'd of the english : and are so greedy of being drunk , when they have purchas'd any rum , that if they have not enough to fuddle their whole society , they draw cuts who shall drink , till it falls into the hands of so few , they may be sure to have their bellies full . when they get drunk they are very mischievous one to another : but are never known to offer any indignity to their kings , who are hail fellow well met with his subjects . their garments are mantles , about the bigness of a cradle-rug , made of course english cloth , which they call a coat . they also have a piece of the same cloth , about six inches wide , between their legs , tuck'd under a deer's-skin belt , to hide their privities , by them call'd breeches . adorning themselves with beads of several colours , of their own making . their heads , breast , legs and thighs being bare . sometimes , for their children , they weave coates of turky feathers . their houses they call wigwams ; and are built with bended poles , after the fashion of our arbours , cover'd with bark of trees , and lin'd with mats they make of rushes , leaving a hole at top for a smoke-vent , kindling their fires in the middle of their wigwams . their lodging is upon hurdles , rais'd from the ground with wooden stumps . of their women . their squaws when young , are generally round visage'd , well feitur'd , plump , and handsome ; black-eyed , with alabaster teeth , a satin skin , and of excellent proportion ; with tolerable complections , which they injure much with red-lead and bears-grease , being so silly to believe it gives an advantage to their beauty . they are extreamly modest when virgins ; very continent when wives , obedient to their husbands , and tender mothers to their children . from whom our english ladies might learn those virtues , which would heighthen their charms , and illusterate their perfection beyound the advantages of gaudy dresses . they are much in the condition of our first parents ; having a little more than a fig-leaf to hide their nakedness : yet the modestty of their deportment , makes it not look like impudence but necessity . they carry their children at their backs , lac'd to a board in the form of a boot-jack : which is said to be the reason their children are never rickety , or shall you ever see a bandy-leg'd or crooked indian . of their food . their diet is fish , fowl , bear , wild-cat , raccoon , deer , oysters , lobsters roasted or dry'd in smoke , lampres , moot-tongues dry'd , which they esteem a dish for a sagamore . with hard eggs pulveriz'd , they thicken their broth ; indian-corn and kidney-beans boil'd , earth-nuts , chest-nuts , lilly-roots , pumpkins , milions , and divers sorts of berries ; cook'd after various manners . their distempers are , quinsies , pleurisies , sciatica , head-ach , palsey , dropsie , worms , cancer , pestilent fever and scurvy ; for all which diseases , the indians are incomparable physicians : being well skill'd in the nature of herbs and plants of that country . but the english will not make use of them , because their ministers have infus'd this notion into 'em , that what they do , is by the power of the devil . finis . a description of the province of new albion and a direction for adventurers with small stock to get two for one, and good land freely, and for gentlemen, and all servants, labourers, and artificers to live plentifully : and a former description re-printed of the healthiest, pleasantest, and richest plantation of new albion in north virginia, proved by thirteen witnesses : together with a letter from master robert evelin, that lived there many years, shewing the particularities, and excellency thereof : with a briefe of the charge of victuall, and necessaries, to transport and buy stock for each planter, or labourer, there to get his master l. per annum, or more in twelve trades, and at l. charges onely a man. plantagenet, beauchamp. this text is an enriched version of the tcp digital transcription a of text r in the english short title catalog (wing p ). textual changes and metadata enrichments aim at making the text more computationally tractable, easier to read, and suitable for network-based collaborative curation by amateur and professional end users from many walks of life. the text has been tokenized and linguistically annotated with morphadorner. the annotation includes standard spellings that support the display of a text in a standardized format that preserves archaic forms ('loveth', 'seekest'). textual changes aim at restoring the text the author or stationer meant to publish. this text has not been fully proofread approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. earlyprint project evanston,il, notre dame, in, st. louis, mo a wing p estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a description of the province of new albion and a direction for adventurers with small stock to get two for one, and good land freely, and for gentlemen, and all servants, labourers, and artificers to live plentifully : and a former description re-printed of the healthiest, pleasantest, and richest plantation of new albion in north virginia, proved by thirteen witnesses : together with a letter from master robert evelin, that lived there many years, shewing the particularities, and excellency thereof : with a briefe of the charge of victuall, and necessaries, to transport and buy stock for each planter, or labourer, there to get his master l. per annum, or more in twelve trades, and at l. charges onely a man. plantagenet, beauchamp. evelyn, robert, th cent. p. : ill. s.n.], [london : . "epistle to lord edmund [plowden] lord proprietor, earl palatine, governour of new albion and to all other the adventurers of new albion," dated dec. , and signed: beauchamp plantagenet, - p. reproduction of original in huntington library. eng new england -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . new jersey -- history -- colonial period, ca. - . a r (wing p ). civilwar no a description of the province of new albion. and a direction for adventurers with small stock to get two for one, and good land freely: and plantagenet, beauchamp c the rate of defects per , words puts this text in the c category of texts with between and defects per , words. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a description of the province of new albion . and a direction for adventurers with small stock to get two for one , and good land freely : and for gentlemen , and all servants , labourers , and artificers to live plentifully . and a former description re-printed of the healthiest , pleasantest , and richest plantation of new albion in north virginia , proved by thirteen witnesses . together with a letter from master robert evelin , that lived there many years , shewing the particularities , and excellency thereof . with a briefe of the charge of victuall , and necessaries , to transport and buy stock for each planter , or labourer , there to get his master l. per annum , or more in twelve trades , and at l. charges onely a man . printed in the year . the order , medall , and riban of the albion knights , of the conversion of kings , their support . non arma nec indi feroces non immensi tremor oceani docebo iniqvos vias tvas et impii ad te convertentvr edmvndvs comes palatinvs et gvber n albion sic svos virtvs beat ploydens arms . true virtue mounted aloft on honour high , in a serene conscience as clear as skie . albions arms . all power on life and death , the sword and crown , on gospels truth shines honour and renown . this epistle and preface shews catoes best rules for a plantation . to the right honourable and mighty lord edmund by divine providence lord proprieter , earl palatine , governour and captain generall of the province of new albion , and to the right honourable the lord vicount monson of castlemain , the lord sherard baron of letrim : and to all other the vicounts , barons , baronets , knights , gentlemen , merchants , adventurers , and planters of the hopefull company of new albion , in all undertakers and subscribers , bound by indenture to bring and settle able trained men in our said severall plantations in the said province . beauchamp plantagenet of belvil in new albion esquire , one of the company , wisheth all health , happinesse , and heavenly blessings . may it please your good lordships and fellow adventurers , having been blasted with the whirlwind of this late , unnaturall and civill english war , seeing the storm more likely to encrease then to calm , i recollected my former journall and manuall notes of my travails by land and sea forty years since in italy , france , germany , poland , and belgia , and finding omne solum forti patria , ut piscibus aequor ; i perused all the books of any english colonies , and by often conferences of the traders and resident planters , of the present state , condition , numbers , enemies , bad neighbours , aire , health government , fortification and saftety , religion , quietnesse , profit , and returns , shipping for supplie and vent of the growing commodities ; i conferred with my fellow patients , knights and gentlemen , my kindred and neighbours , and reporting the true state of all our colonies ; and whiles thus musing i stood at a maze unresolved , the storm grew far more tempestuous with thunder and lightning , black and terrible gusts , and spouts , that made the rivers rise , and my friends to hide : for the roaring cannon beat down their wals and houses , the musqueteers , dragoons ▪ and pistold horsemen swept all cattell and their goods afore them ; the pikemen in their inclosures and retreats , left them no beds , pots or pans ; their silver plate was turned into earthen dishes : new names , and terms , like an unknown language , and like to strange people unheard of in all the globe as far as our antipodes , called cavalleers , presbyters , independents , roundheads , and malignants , like the gothes , huns , and vandalls , and alans , that invaded and conquered italy , spaine , and france ; and like the saxons , jutes , and angles , that conquered britanny . these having plundered , and put upon us new laws and ordinances , called contribution , excise , quartering , and sequestrations , my friends were now and rightly by gods providence made light , and not troubled or incumbred with much stuffe to travel with , nor farms , tenements , or copyholds , and for our sins our pride abated , our hearts humbled : our afflictions made us pray heartily , and call to god to direct us to infuse contrition and true sorrow , and purpose of amendment to follow his calling . wee found this storm and heavy judgement had likewise afflicted scotland , ireland , man , jarsey , and garasey isles . then perusing my old evidences , i found my auncestor sir richard plantagenes had chawton , blendworth , clanfield , and catrington in hampshire . but in those civil-wars in henry the sixth time , much like these or that of the guelfs and gibellines in italy , all was lost . i resolved to be a newter in this quarrell , not to kill english men and christians , but with christ to fly into egypt , and like the apostle paul to fly out of one city into another , and get out of the fire : at last my seven knights and gentlemen imployed me the oldest and boldest traveller to see all english plantations , by warrant to buy land in the healthiest and best for us eight , and for a hundred servants , and twenty of our old tenants and families . but in my private instructions , i was on a full and deliberate counsell directed to follow old catoes rules in seating of the romane colonies , begun to be seated to save charge of garrisons in new conquests . first , to seat in a healthy pure aire : else after all the hazzard , charge and building past , their people die , and their posterity extinguish , and their children inherit ficknes & weaknesse . secondly , to sit down in a fresh navigable river for trade and supply , where there was stone neer to build , and not to build on wood subject to firing of enemies , negligence of servants , or treachery of slaves and apprentices ; for this reason i on my view of virginia , disliked virginia , most of it being seated scatteringly in wooden clove board houses , where many by fire were undone , and by two massacres in an instant fired , without any forts there , or retreats of safety in time of danger , and seated amongst saltmarches and creeks , where thrice worse then essex , and tenet , and kent for agues and diseases , brackish water to drink and use ; and a flat country , and standing waters in woods bred a double corrupt air , so the elements corrupted , no wonder as the old virginians affirm , the sicknesse there the first thirty years to have killed men . and then generally five of six imported died , and now in iune , iuly and august chiefly , one in nine die imported , absent a year and returning : though much land more now is cleared and victuall and cattell mendeth the diet . thirdly , catoes and the third romane rule was to seat in rich land so that the richnesse of the place and neernesse of husbandry may continue the colony with plenty and safety : this also virginia for the most part wanteth , they living in salts , and most of their lands after two crops is a light hot earth , which kils barley with the hot ground and sun in may . thus instructed i viewed barbadoes and saint christophers , bermudoes , new england , and virginia , and maryland ; saint christophers i finde worne out , two parts full of french aliens subject to blast it , and winds blowing away cotten , wanting victuals , and no store of land ; barbadoes hath some rich men , having sugar mils , indico , ginger , suckets of oranges and lemmons , and bad tobacco ; but their usuall bread is of cassada roots , whose juice is poyson , so the negligence of a servant or slave in the right making of it may cost the whole family a poysoning ; the servants usuall food is some pease , potatoes , roots , and those boyled make their drink called mobby and plantana roots ; some rich have poultry , and hogs , and cows tied up to trees , for there are few raunges and inclosures . these two last yeares the plague as i am informed killed brave people , and there are many hundred rebell negro flaves in the woods ; here was no store of land for our men and their families , here wants the english mans grasse , and so the english mans beef , mutton , milk , butter and cheese , and they want rivers to turn their sugar mils , so that new england sendeth horses , and virginia oxen , to turn them at excessive rates , and their keeping is there chargeable , and at barbadoes they buy much beef and meal , and pease , and fish from new england , and other places , yet this isle is full of gallant people , very civill and well governed , and now no fear of the spaniard being so populous . then i touched at bermudoes , an isle twenty miles long , and two miles over ; and in some places more guarded with rocks and isles , difficult in accesse , full of figs , oranges , lemmons , pomcitrons , potatoes , and plantans , mays wheat for bread , excellent fish , tobacco and pease ; healthy it is and quiet in government ; but this isle being but a pretty prison , was not for my companies use . thence i sailed to new england , where i found three months snow , hard winter , but lean land , in generall all along the sea coast well peopled towns , the people very thristy , industrious , and temperate ; their fish carried to bilbao , and saint sebastans , their pipe-staves to the isles and spain , and the corn of the floated river of connectacute is transported , and the beaver trade is their best subsistence . still hoping for a richer and more temperat soile , i went to virginia , passing miles along the shoars and isles of new albion , by manhatas isle , by long isle , cape may , and the two capes of deleware bay , by the lesser and southermost , being by our sea-mens observations just in degrees , and minutes , and so by chingotto , and fe●z isles in maryland to virginia , to newports news , where receiving kind entertainment at captain matthews , at master fantleroys , and free quarter in all places , finding the indian war ended , first by the valour , courage , and hot charge of captain marshall , and valiant stilwel , and finished by the personall and resolute march and victory of sir william berkley governour , there taking the old king ope chankino prisoner , i wandred all over , finding no place for the reasons aforesaid fit for our company : i went to chicacoen , the north part of virginia on pawtomeck river , dividing it and maryland , which i found healthier and better then virginia , but then it was in war both with the sasquehannocks , & all the eastern bay indians , and a civill war between some revolters protestants , assisted by plundered virginians , by whom m. leonard calvert governour under his brother the lord baltamore , was taken prisoner and expelled : and the isle of kent taken from him also by captain clayborn of virginia ; yet i viewed kent isle , too wet , and plashy , having bad water , but there and at chicacoen , and at accomack in virginia , and chiefly in new england , they related of the excellent temper , and pure aire , fertility of soile , of hils that sheltered off the north-west windes , and blasts , vallies of grapes , rich mines , and millions of elkes , stags , deer , turkeys , fowl , fish , cotten , rare fruits , timber , and fair plains , & clear fields , which other plantations want , this excelling all others : & finding it lay just midway between virginia , too hot and aguish in the blasted plains on one side , and the cold new england on the other , and in the same elevation of naples , the garden of europe , after one hunting voiage and view miles on one side of albion , and miles on the other side , and long isle , finding the countries better and pleasanter then related , i made my addresses to the lord governour of albion , and having obtained under the province seal my grant of my manor of belvill containing acres , on a navigable river , having in it and neer , alablaster , terras for plaister of paris , building and slatstone , store of timber , clear fields , meads and woods , and no indians neer , and vines , i resolved to return to holland , and to transport my friends , where most happily the second time meeting his lordship , and perusing by his noble favour , all his lordships cards , and seamens draughts , journall books of discoveries , voiages , huntings , tradings , and severall depositions under seal of the great bever , and fur trade , rich mines , and many secrets and rarities . in fourteen days having with the two former books printed of albion , and . made a full abstract and collection , agreeing with my own view & in the depositions , and m. evelins , and other the traders of virginia & new england , i thought it most necessary for the good of all the company , and many voluntiers in holland , distressed in england , and noble knights , gentlemen , that with a little stock may gain fair and rich possessions , and live in peace and quiet , to print and publish this my labour under all your lordships protections , most humbly craving your lordships gentle acceptance . and because it conduceth much for a general & a leader , to be known of his commanders and soldiers , his abilities , and vertues , and excellent parts drawing more men of honour and valour to follow him ; it contenting much men of honour and dignity to be led and commanded by a better and more honourable , and more sufficient then themselves , and not their inferiour : the meaner and poorer sort expecting all encouragement , justice and protection , and all the company , the adventures , and strangers to us all , may more freely and chearfully goe on , and set out their men , and expect the more and better returns & contentment , under his government , in whom pietic , religion , honor , justice , learning , valor , judgement , temperance , and policie shines ; hope without offence or imputation of flattery , to affirm his virtues more then the gems of the coronet of this our earl palatine , doe adorn his noble parts . since to me conscientiamea mille restes , i have had the honour to be admitted as his familiar , have marched , lodged , and cabbined together , amongst the indians & in holland , have seen so many of his manuscript books , and most excellent rules and observations of law , justice , policy , i found his conversation as sweet and winning , as grave and sober , adorned with much learning , enriched with sixe languages , most grounded and experienced in forain matters of state policy , and government , trade and sea voiages , by yeares travell in germany , france , italy and belgium , by years living an officer in ireland , and this last years in america , his studie and suits at home and abroad enabling his impartiall and infallible judgement of judicature , and certainly his perfect knowledge of his indian kings , under the command of this our lord royall , as of his good and bad neighbours , their power , wealth and weaknesse , english aliens and indians appears by his notes and books , where none of their treacheries , plots , conspiracies , haltings and villanies , their antagonists , their numbers and abilities , the advantage of our armes and fights , and stratagerns are as greek phalanges and they as romane manuples and enemies to side with ; and how to quiet and regain , kill , or surprise them , is not expressed . what port , bay and soundings , creek , river , rock , quarries of stone , slat , iron mines , gum-dragoon , lead , gold , and silver , alablaster , terras bolarmack , red soap earth , terra-lemnia , diers ware , hearbs and plants , and their use , ocar , rudle , cinnaber for quicksilver , and vermilion , is not in particular , cards by compasse , and scale in books , with the trials and witnesses recorded . what land and sea profit , fishing , place for salt , potas dies , fruits hearbs and plants , clear fields , great plains , fine and thick grasse , marshes , necks of land , rich , black , moulded countries for tobacco , flaxe , rice , choice trees , and timber for shipping , and pipestaves , masts , yards , pitch , tar , sheltred places for grapes and fruits ; cotten in cotten river , invincible places by nature , others by a little charge and fort to be made impregnable , is not in this huge and waste province , being mile compasse delineated ; and what law or policy , and summary justice , courts of law , equity , appeals , awards , or references , fit to compose differences , reconcile debates , to unite hearts , to settle the factious and seditious in any other english colonies or countries , and fit for our justice , is not explained . therefore my good lords and adventurers , since i speak of knowledge by view , and certain reports of wise and knowing men , i shall joy and congratulate with you all , in so able , sufficient , and honourable a governour , happily to rule , to defend , and doe us justice ; a tried and seasoned man , and excellent pilot in all this land and seas , not afeard in person as a true captain generall by land and sea , to leade and settle us by boat , horse or foot , as able and willing as any of the meanest ; and therfore i think at first it most materiall to expresse the law , statutes , and judgements , and acts of parliament of counts , and count palatines , and county palatines , and of our province and county palatine , liberties , and the ancient family year from the saxons in england , of our earl palatine , his pedegree and alliance . and since according as other palatines , as he of chester and duresme , made their barons and knights , as therein many are yet living , you my lord have begun to honour first your own children , i tender my best respects unto your lps sonne and heir apparant francis lord ployden , baron of mount royall , d. governour , and to thomas lord ployden , baron of roymont , high admirall : and to the lady winefrid baronesse of vvedale , the pattern of mildnesse and modesty ; and to the lady barbara , baronesse of ritchneck , the mirrour of wit and beauty , and to the lady katherine baronesse of princeport , that pretty babe of grace , whose fair hands i kisse , hoping on your lordships invitation c. c. t. and your two baronets l. and m. to get them as they promised to goe with us . i hope to get your knights and planters on this side ready . and thus with tender of my service to your lordships , and all the company , i rest your humblest servant , beauchamp plantagenet . middleboro this of decemb. . the contents of the severall chapters . chap. . of counts or earls created , and county palatines , and of our province and county palatine , liberties , and the ancient family years of our earle palatine from the saxons in england , his pedegree and alliance . ch. . his majesty , and his auncestors just title , and actuall possession of these countries , of some aliens and pirats in landing and disinheriting the english crown , and of bad english and fugitives to them adhering ; the just cause and excuse to expel them . ch. . the description of master robert evelin and witnesses , printed years since , and now re-printed . ch. . the more large and exact description and declaration of many things these last seven years , the bounds of all to it adjoyning of virginia , maryland , new england ; and answer to objections of bounds . the number of the present inhabitants , and their cattell in this province , miles compasse ; the number of indians . ch. . what cargason is necessary to transport for the lord of a manor , or to trade or truck with the indians . ch. . our present staple commodities , how oft a man transported and stockt to make of his acres or per annum . chap. i. for the first creation of earls in the saxons time , and since by the norman kings in england , i refer you to that learned antiquary master selden his book , who writeth at large in his book of titles and honours , as well of this as of forain nations . but there you shall finde records cited , and earls made both by privy signet and privy seal , without the great seal . and they were not then meerly titulary , and nominall , without interest , power and judicature , as now they are commonly all , except the earle of arundell , who still is a locall feodall earl , by possession of the castle , and of some rapes or liberties ; for the lord lumley not long since for some yeares being possessed thereof , was for such time earle of arundell , and that earledome is confirmed , and so adjudged with his honour and precedency , by the house of peers entred both in the parliament , and court of honour rols : and the royall grant was , do tibi comitatum & tertiam partem profitucrum , unde comes est . and he made the sheriffe , or his vicount , or deputy : and the county court was his , and it was an honour and office , both with the county and assignable , the assignee enjoying the county , honour and office , as in master seldens booke is cited in their patents , and was not so many large words for his title and peerage as is now used . but in the reports iacobi of sir iohn davis in the case of the county palatine , and in the fourth part of the institutes of sir edward coke , of jurisdiction of courts , of the three county palatines , yet in england you may see acts of parliament , judgements and full matter , shewing , that there were comites palatini of the first and higher ranke , which had in their territories absolute command in martiall , civill and criminall matters , with all royalties and regalities which the second order of titulary or nominall earls had not , both in the saxons and normans time , long before the title of duke , marquesse , or vicount were here granted . secondly , comes palatinus was comes palatii , being a chief councell and companion to the emperour or king , comes curarum par extans curis , solo diademate dispar . that in chester , durham , lancaster and pembroke , were made earl palatines , and county palatines : and in ireland in lemster , earl strongbows sir hugh de lacy in meth , to sir hugh de lacy the younger in vister . that william marshall marying earl strongbows daughter , had by her five daughters : so as the province of lemster descending to them , it was divided into five counties , to each of them one county palatine . that bracton the ancientest of lawyers , averres earl palatines have regall power in all things saving liegance to the king ; hugh lupus by the conquerour was made earl palatine of the county of chester , as free to the sword , as the king to the crown , and the palatine of chester made barons , the baron of haulton , the baron of malbanck , the baron malpas , the baron of kinderton , and in lancaster , the baron of walton in durham , the baron of hilton , and in meth , magnates and barons ; baron de streene , baron de nuven , baron de baltrim , baron de la narrow , baron de rheban in kildare ; the baron idrone in caterlogh , the baron of burn-church in kilkenny , baron of nevill in wexford , baron of loughmo in tiperary , baron misset , and baron savage in vlster . that these earles palatines had parliaments , made tenures in capite , and grand serjancy , and the tenants sued out licence of alienations , and all writs and pleas , officers , chancelours , judges , and that none of the kings officers could enter there , or that the kings writs , neither at law or chancery , did lie or run there , and that the county palatine was thereby absolutely severed from the crowne . that the county palatine of lancaster was created by that of chester : and to chester was annexed his conquered small county of flint in wales , and made besides the four above , foure other barons : vernon of saybrook , hammond de massi baron of durham , and the barons of hawardin and stockport , and in other antiquities , cornwall baron of burford in shropshire . that any manors or lands lying out of the county palatine if held thereof , and the pleas of the inhabitants there arising shall bee tried within the county palatine . thomas and hugh count palatines both , and both bishops pleaded and returned to the kings writs : i am a lord royall here , the kings writs doe not run here . the eldest sisters son by descent after her mother was earl palatine of pembroke ; and the law , reports , and abridgements , shew they made knights , and as knights were to be impleaded ; divers statutes shew durham and the earle palatines , mints , durham pence yet extant . the earl palatines had in their counties iura regalia , as the king had in his palace , &c. in the lord lovels case , the name or title of a baron is no name of dignity or addition , h. . . but earl is parcell of his name , and of the substance of his name , and if it be left out of the writ , the writ shall abate , e. . . the case of gilbert vmfrevill earl of angus ; and e. . brief . the case of hugh de audley earle of gloucester ; yet note master burlacy , for not calling the lord mohun lord , but mohun , was committed to prison ; and note in a star-chamber bill , the lord verulam , his widow marrying sir iohn vnderhill , was called and charged as my lady vnderhill ▪ the late wife of vicount verulam , and not being called vicountesse , the bill was cast out , and a fine for dishonour imposed . now there be four other lord proprietors that have palatine jurisdiction granted , and provinces in the west-india isles , florida and maryland , and as free as the bishop of durham had , but none have a speciall creation of an earle palatine , but ours of new albion : nor have they the words with such additions , titles , dignities , and priviledges , as either durham or any other had , nor any speciall grant to coin money ; in that of maryland speciall resort or soveraign dominion , which is a court of appeal , as in the case of king e. the third , and his son e. in aquitany , with free fishing , and wood for houses , and to set up fishing stages , is reserved ; else all the lord proprietors have all the like royalties and regalities , and all these h. . in a long roll particularly expressed , are confirmed by parliament to the bishop of durham , and so thereby to all the lord proprietors . and all of them have a speciall clause to give to the well deserving inhabitants in those provinces , titles , honour and dignities , so as they be not the same used in england . now though some question is made whether the other four lord proprietors can make barons or any knights in their provinces , because such honours and titles of barons and knights , are used here ; but there is no question or doubt in the province of new albion , our lord being an earle palatine years standing , as free as chester and pembroke ; or lacy , of strongbow in ireland , by that second power according to the judged cases in law and in parliament , may make provinciall , locall and fewdall barons , as the above named , and make knight batchelours , though here used , & to have precedency , as others have had heretofore , though his intended order of knights of the conversion of albion is more proper . and for our earle palatines honour and peerage in ireland , and to make his proxy in his absence in that house of peers there ▪ with all suh honor and titles , & precedency to him , his countesse , and children , in all places ▪ as an irish earl , the speciall decree and clauses in the charter doth fully warrant it . all the civilians , pleaders in the court of honour , and two serjeants of the coife at law , nine in number , have certified it , and enrolled on record , and is exemplified under the seal ; the baronets of nova scotia being president for the like case . and note both the king of france , and this our king , have made barons and knights , hollanders , that have precedency there before other the subjects there . but to answer an objection of some not truly informed and mistaken , conceiving that our earle palatine might in his countrey onely and no where else , have his honour , title and precedency . i answer , that our soveraign lord king charles ▪ as emperour of england , under his privy signet , signed with his royall hand , so granted and created him , which alone had been sufficient , as others have been made , in master seldens book , records and presidents mentioned ; but being farther with speciall clauses and decree , and speciall creation , so made and particularly granted , that both by tenure and dependency , and that this province shall be of the liegance of ireland , and all there born to be free denizens thereof , and under his majesties great seal , there is no doubt or question thereof ; for he is no alien earl made by an alien king , as copply by the french king , duke dudley , and count arundell by the emperour , but by our own king the fountain of honour ; for an earl by his charter carrieth his honour with him in all places , and that is his true name as above is adjudged , and is not to be sued or sue , is adjudged , without it ; and so the nine learned civilians and serjeants have certified ; and nova scotia is so annexed to scotland , adam de valentia , and marshall , earle palatines of pembroke by conquest in the kingdome or principality of wales , then out of england , was a peer to the english parliament , and so the three irish conquerours palatines recited ; and how absurd a conceit it is that our earl palatine in albion , and he of pembroke in wales , and the rest having all regalities and powers , lordship , honour and titles , and power to give honours and make barons coming out of their countries into england , should here bee un-lorded and debased unto esquires without lordship , honour or precedency . and note all these , and earl fitz allen in his locall earldome of arundel by writ being called to parliament , is not there by an earl ; for to be called by writ , is onely to be a lord or baron , and so the earle of arundels title and precedency was adjudged him after long debate by parliament . to conclude , the earl palatines of chester and pembroke , and montgomery , or de belesmo in shropshire , were the greatest princes ▪ of england ; and by their conquests , and so in ireland ▪ by their hazard and conquests that kingdome and wales is gotten to this crown : and so the now lord five proprietors that now conquer on indians , and convert pagans , and civilize them , and bring them to the obedience of our soveraign , and at their own charges have made an entrance and sure way with the other colonies of america to make our soveraign an emperour of america , having now neer two hundred thousand to defend his empire ; and therefore deserve all honour and encouragement ; amongst which our earl palatine having adventured in person seven years , with so much hazard and charges , is chiefly to be advanced and honoured according to his worth . now for the pedegree and ancient family of our earl palatine of years descent , being in england and borders of wales : i finde onely a letter in the name changed , in each age , and conquest or change of nation ; for in henry of huntingdon , and william of malmsbury , his chronicles of all the saxon princes , that here arrived , and seated , and conquered the britains ; this family descending of a daughter , came with those princes into britany ; and i find that in lower saxony neer hamboro , and holstein a member of the empire , and in all maps there is still in that harsh language ployen a wall'd city by a lake , and plowen a walled castle of count plowen , a count of the sacred empire , in grimstons and other histories mentioned ; now the welch make and turn the vowel u into i or y , as from brutus to britons , so plowden to ployden ▪ as all maps write it . in deeds , and the bishop of herefords records i find anno domini . an exchange pro decem manlis vocat ploydanes place super quas episcopus aedificaturus est castrum , called bishops castle , in which town the ploydens have much lands and tenements , having ployden manor , ployden hall , longvili castle , and thirteen townes about it to this day , and at the coming in of h. the seventh were commanders of that country , and constables , or chastellains of that fort of bishops castle ; now ployden and ployden is all one , forest of danes for denc , the norman pronuntiation , which name of ployden signifieth kill dane , or wound dane : and pleyden by ry in sussex was of this house , and signifieth in french hurt dane , and this pleyden sent his sons and conquered in normandy , where are five families yet : and the heir of pleyden wanting issue , made it an hospitall , now held by the earle of thanet , lord toston ; so plowen , ployen , ploydane , ployden , plowden and pleyden is all one , for the change of time , and severall nations pronunciation , saxons , danes , english , welch and normans . and note , to this day an esquire in france of yeares standing of coat armor shall take place and precedency of any earle , vicount or baron , which is not so ancient of coat armor , they not allowing the king by new creations to bar their inheritance and precedency . and for their greatnesse and pedegree , i finde ployden maried the daughter of john de monte gomerico , ( now called mount gomery ) earl of salopshire , in william the conquerours reign , and in edward the thirds time maried the daughter of that great and rich knight burley conquerour in france : humphrey ployden in h. the sevenths time maried the daughter and heir stury of stury hall , daughter of corbet , of morton corbet , by whom the lacons , laytons , bromlees , purcelswollascot , of wollascot , and the two baronets lee and corbet knights for the county of salop to this parliament , are of his kindred . and of the daughters of iohn ployden , lord blany of ireland , and of the other daughter maried to hardwick , grandmother to that great thin of clause castle ; the third daughter maried to walcot of walcot close to ployden , yet men of great possessions , the countesse of bristoll being a walcot , and so her sons , the lord digby and sir lewis dives , and vicountesse chichester , or belfast , and the other ladies her daughters are descended , and are his kindred . our earl palatines mother being sister of sir richard fermor of somerton , and cousen of sir george and sir hatton fermor , descended of the knightlies , and so the lord vicount say and seal , the countesse of thomond a fermor , and her children , and vicount wenman marying sir hatton fermors children : the baronesse of aborgenny , and her sister maried to baronet gage are his neeces ; his mother the lady penel●pe , daughter to the lord darcy , vicount colchester , earl river● ; but his branches for three last descents are so many , and at least fifty baronets knights , esquires , of l. per annum at least , and their numerous issue ; but for heirs males of the name his first is ployden of wansteed , ployden of shipplacke , ployden of askon , ployden of ployden , and ployden of lee , and doctor ployden late of lambeth . and for his now wife countesse palatine , daughter and heir to two worthy families , neece of sir george and sir hambden paulet deceased , in that pedegree from the marquesse of winchester , lord high treasurer of england are allied . all which i have more fully published , that all of his kindred may , any ways poor or oppressed , the sooner be preferred , advanced and transplanted to this most rich and pleasant province , and to great possessions and honours there , as great strongbow did of his to wexford and lemster in ireland . chap. ii. now for the full and ample satisfaction of the reader of his majesties just title , & power to grant , enjoy , & possesse these countries , as well against aliens as indians which this forty years hath not been by print declared , you may read at large master hacluits voyages and discoveries ▪ master purchas and captain smiths : for when the spaniard and portugall discovered and possest years since the east-indies , brasill , the south part of america , the charibees and antell isles , and seated saint iohn de porto rico hispanicla , iamaica and cuba , and the fort and port of havanah , against the gulf and current , batuana isles , and point of florida ; then that most powerfull and richest king of europe , king henry the seventh of england sent out an english man born in bristoll called cabot , granted under his great seale to him all places and countries by him to be discovered and possest , who then beginning at cape florida discovered , entred on , took possession , set up crosses , and procured atturnment and acknowledgement of the indian kings to his then majesty , as head , lord and emperour of the south-west america , all along that coast both in florida from degrees to , where old virginia in and minutes , years since was seated by severall colonies about croatan cape , haloraske , and rawleys isle , by sir walter rawley , who had from queen elizabeth that place , and two hundred leagues from it in all places adjoyning ; sir richard greenfield , sir ralph lane , and master white his partners s●ating and fortifying there ; the said cabot farther taking possession in of that part called virginia and chisapeack bay being now his majesties demesne colony of virginia , and of the next great bay in or neer , called now by the dutch cape henlopen , the south river , and by us cape iames and delaware bay of the baron of delawares name , being then governour of virginia , who by sir thomas dale and sir samuel argoll , yeares since took possession and atturnment of the indian kings , and years since sir walter rawley seated and left men and four peeces of ordnance at the creek neer cape iames , by the dutch called horekill , by us ro●mont , and by the indians cui achomoca ; and so the next river by us called hudsons river , of the name of hudson an english man , the discoverer thirty five years since , who sold his discovery , plots and cards to the dutch ; and so cabot discovered severall rivers and countries all along the coast north-east , now called new england , and divided in nine severall governments , and further discovered port royall , and that part called new scotland , & set up crosses , where you may see in the french book called new france , the french found an old crosse all mossy in an eminent place at the head of that bay and port , and discovered all that coast and new-found-land , and that called terra de laborador , or new britain , as far as the frozen strait of davis ; shortly after one master hore in the reign of king henry the ●● , renued this actuall possession , atturnment of the indian kings , brought home divers of the chief indian kings to england , who gave their homage and oath of fidelity for these countries to king henry the eight in person sitting on his throne in state in his palace hall at westminster . then virginia being granted , settled , and all that part now called maryland , new albion , and new scotland , being part of virginia , sir thomas dale , and sir samuel argoll , captains and counsellors of virginia , hearing of divers aliens and intruders , and traders without licence , with a vessell and forty soldiers landed at a place called mount desert in nova scotia neer s. iohns river , or twede , possest by the french , there killed some french , took away their guns and dismantled the fort , and in their return landed at manhatas isle in hudsons river , where they found four houses built , and a pretended dutch governour , under the west-india company of amsterdam share or part ; who kept trading boats and trucking with the indians ; but the said knights told him their commission was to expell him and all aliens intruders on his majesties dominion and territories , this being part of virginia , and this river an english discovery of hudson and english man , the dutch man contented them for their charge and voiage , and by his letter sent to virginia and recorded , submitted himself , company and plantation to his majesty , and to the governour and government of virginia ; but the next pretended dutch governour in maps and printed cards , calling this part new netherland , failing in paying of customes , at his return to plymouth in england , was there with his bever goods and person , attached to his damage of l. whereupon at the suit of the governour and councell of virginia , his now majesty by his embassadour in holland , cōplaining of the said aliens intrusion on such his territories & dominions , the said lords , the states of holland by their publique instrument declared , that they did not avow , nor would protect them , being a private party of the amsterdam west-india company , but left them to his majesties wil & mercy : whereupon three severall orders from the councell table , and commissions have been granted for the expelling and removing them thence , of which they taking notice , and knowing their weaknesse and want of victuals , have offered to sell the same for l. and lastly , taking advantage of our present war & distractions , now ask l. and have lately offered many affronts & damages to his majestis subjects in new england : and in generall endanger all his majesties adjoyning countries , most wickedly , feloniously , and traiterously , contrary to the marine and admirall laws of all christians , sell by whole sale guns , powder , shot and ammunition to the indians , instructing them in the use of our fights and arms ; insomuch as indians by them armed , mohacks , raritans , and some of long isle with their own guns so sold them , fall into war with the dutch , destroyed all their scattering farms and boors , in forcing them all to retire to their up for t leagues up that river , and to manhatas , for all or most retreating to manhatas , it is now a pretty town of trade having more english then dutch : and it is very considerable that three years since stuy their governour put out his declaration , confessing that the neighbour english might well be offended with their selling indians arms and ammunition , but being but a few and so scattered , they could not live else there , or trade , the indians refusing to trade or suffer the dutch to plow without they would sell them guns . the like folly they committed , and inconvenience to themselves , and all english , for eight years since , in their west-india fleet , battered by the spanish armado , they brought home forty swedish poor soldiers ; and hearing that captain young and master evelin had given over their fort begun at eriwemeck within delaware bay , there halfe starved and tottered they left them , who learning the indian language and finding much talk and trials of a gold mine there , though in truth fifty shillings charges produced of that light sand but nine shillings in gold and therefore was of captain young that tried it slighted ; yet one bogot under the swedes name and commission , there traded to crosse the dutch of manhatas , and to undersell them , and left and seated there eighteen swedes , who proclaiming a gold mine drew more to them , and have gotten a great trade ; and now this last summer fifteen swedes and fifteene dutch had a skirmish ; the swedes pulled down a dutch trading house , and doe both undersell them , and spoiled much their and english trading with the indians , both striving to please and side with the indians , both entertaining and refusing to return all english fugitives and servants . the swedes hiring out three of their souldiers to the sasquehannock● , have taught them the use of our arms and fights , and marching with them into the kings owne colony of virginia , have caried thence the king of pawtomeck prisoner , and expelled his and eight other indian nations in maryland civilized and subject to the english crown . now if a proclamation of open war be set out against the dutch and swedes for this their villany , and all english forbid to trade , victuall or relieve them , they must both vanish , especially if those bad english that live , adhere and obey these aliens in these his majesties countries be warned of the statute of king iames of famous memory , in these words : that all subjects giving any obedience or acknowledgement to any forain prince , state , pope , or potentate , within his majesties territories and dominions in england or beyond the sea , is a traitor , and shall forfeit and suffer as a traitour . and certainly all english , and chiefly those of new england being ready in twenty four hours will joyn to expel them both to regain their own trade , to get their seates , and to be rid of the danger of armed gunning indians . chap. ii. vvhereas that part of america , or north virginia , lying about degrees at delaware bay called the province of new albion , is scituate in the best and same temper , and as italy , between too cold germany , and too hot barbary : so this lying just midway betweene new england miles north , and virginia miles south , where now are settled english , and ships in trade , is freed from the extream cold and barrennesse of the one & heat and aguish marshes of the other & is like lumbardy , and a rich fat soil , plain , and having rivers on the main land , great isles , & partaketh of the healthiest aire and most excellent commodities of europe , and replenished with the goodliest woods of oaks and all timber for ships and masts , mulberries for silk , sweet cypresse , cedars , pines and firres , sorts of grapes for wine , & raisins , & with the greatest variety of choice fruits , fish & fowl , stored with all sons of corn , yeelding , and quarters an acre : silkgras , salt , good mines and diers ware , sorts of deer , buffes , and huge elks to plow and work , all bringing young at once . the uplands covered many moneths with berries , roots , chestnuts , walnuts , beech and oak mast to feed them , hogges and turkeys , in a flock , and having neer the colony of manteses acres of plain mead land , and meer levell , to be flowed and fludded by that river for corn , rice , rapes , flax and hemp . after years trading and discovery there and triall made , is begun to be planted and stored by the governour and company of new albion , consisting of forty four lords , baronets , knights and merchants , who for the true informing of themselves , their friends , adventurers and partners by residents and traders there four severall years out of their journall books , namely , by captaine browne a ship-master , and master stafford his mate , and by captain claybourn years there trading , and constantine his indian there born and bred , and by master robert evelin yeares there ; yet by eight of their hands subscribed and enrolled doe testifie this to be the true state of the country , of the land , and delaware bay or charles river , which is further witnessed by captain smith and other books of virginia and by new englands prospect , new canaan , captain powels map , and other descriptions of new england and virginia . captain brown . captain clayborn . robert evelin . stafford . constantine . stratton . thomas white . richard buckham . christoph . thomas . edward monmouth . tenis palee . edward rhodes . peter rixford . master evelins letter . good madam : sir . edmund our noble governour and lord earl palatine , persisting still in his noble purpose to goe on with his plantation in delaware or charles river , just midway between new england and virginia , where with my unckle young i severall years resided , hath often informed himselfe both of me and master s●rat●on , as i perceive by the hands subscribed of edward monmouth , tenis palce , and as master buckham , master white , and other ship-masters , and saylors , whose hands i know , and it to be true , that there lived and traded with me , and is sufficiently instructed of the state of the country , and people there , and i should very gladly according to his desire have waited on you into hamshire to have informed your honour in person , had not i next weeke been passing to virginia . but neverthelesse to satisfie you of the truth , i thought good to write unto you my knowledge , and first to describe you from the north side of delaware unto hudsons river , in sir edmunds patent , called new albion , which lieth just between new england and maryland , and that ocean sea , i take it to be about miles . i finde some broken land , isles and inlets , and many small isles at egbay : but going to delaware bay , by cape may , which is miles at most , and is as i understand very well set out , and printed in captain powels map of new england , done as is told mee by a draught i gave to m. daniel the plot-maker , which sir edmund saith you have at home , on that north side about five miles within a port , or rode for any ships called the nook , and within it lieth the king of kechemeches , having as i suppose about men , and leagues higher a little above the bay and bar is the river of manteses , which hath miles on charles river , and miles running up a fair navigable deep river all a flat levell of rich and fat black marsh mould ▪ which i think to be acres : in this sir edmund intendeth as he saith to settle , and there the king of manteses hath about bow-men , next above about leagues higher is a fair deep river miles navigable , where is freestone , and there over against is the king of sikonesses , and next is asomo●ches river and king with an hundred men , and next is eriwoneck a king of forty men where we sate down , and five miles above is the king of ramcock with a hundred men , and four miles higher the king of axion with two hundred men , and next to him tenne leagues overland an inland king of calcesar , with an hundred & fifty men ▪ & then there is in the midle of charles river two fair woody isles , very pleasant and fit for parks , the one of a thousand acres , the other of fourteen hundred , or thereabout . and six leagues higher neer a creek called mosilian , the king having two hundred men . and then we come to the fals , made by a rock of lime-stone ▪ as i suppose it is , about sixty and five leagues from the sea , near to which is an isle fit for a city , all materials there to build ; and above , the river fair and navigable , as the indians inform me , for i went but ten miles higher . i doe account all the indians to be eight hundred , and are in severall factions and war against the sasquehannocks , and are all extream fearfull of a gun , naked and unarmed against our shot , swords , and pikes . i had some bickering with some of them , and they are of so little esteem , as i durst with fifteen men sit down , or trade in despight of them , and since my return eighteene swedes are settled there , and so sometime sixe dutch doe in a boat trade without fear of them . i saw there an infinite quantity of bustards , swans , geese and fowl , covering the shoares as within the like multitude of pigeons ▪ and store of turkies , of which i tried one to weigh forty and sixe pounds . there is much variety and plenty of delicate fresh and sea-fish , and shell-fish , and whales or grampus : elks , deere that bring three young at a time and the woods bestrewed many moneths with chest-nuts , wall-nuts , mast of severall sorts to feed them , and hogs , that would increase exceedingly . there the barren grounds have four kindes of grapes and many mulberries with ash , elms , and the tallest and greatest pines and pitch-trees that i have seen . there are cedars , cypresse , and saffafras , with wilde fruits , pears , wilde cherries , pine-apples , and the dainty parsemenas . and there is no question but almonds , and other fruits of spain will prosper , as in virginia . and ( which is a good comfort ) in four and twenty houres you may send or goe by sea to new england or virginia , with a fair winde , you may have cattle , and from the indians two thousand barrels of corn , at twelve pence a bushell in truck , so as victuals are there cheaper and better , then to be transported : neither doe i conceive any great need of a fort or charge where there is no enemy . if my lord palatine will bring with him three hundred men or more ▪ there is no doubt but that he may doe very well and grow rich , for it is a most pure healthfull air , & such pure wholesome springs , rivers , and waters , as are delightfull , of a desert , as can be seen , with so many varieties of severall flowers , trees , and forests for swine . so many fair risings and prospects , all green and verdant : and maryland a good friend and neighbour , in four & twenty houres ready to comfort and supply . and truly i beleeve , my lord of baltamore wil be glad of my lord palatines plantation and assistance against any enemy or bad neighbour . and if my lord palatine employ some men to sow flaxe , hemp and rapes in those rich marishes , or build ships and make pipe-staves , and load some ships with these wares , or fish from the northward , he may have any money , ware , or company brought him by his own ships , or the ships of virginia or new england all the year . and because your honour is of the noble house of the pawlets , and as i am informed , desire to lead many of your friends & kindred thither , whom as i honour , i desire to serve , i shall intreat you to beleeve mee as ▪ a gentleman and christian , i write you nothing but the truth , and hope there to take opportunity in due season to visit you , and doe all the good offices in virginia , my place or friends can serve you in . and thus tendring my service , i rest madam , your honours most humble faithfull servant robert evelin . chap. iv. now since master elmes letter and seven years discoveries of the lord governour in person , and by honest traders with the indians , wee finde beside the indian kings by him known and printed , in this province there is in all twenty three indian kings or chief commanders , and besides the number of by him named , there is at least under the two raritan kings on the north side next to hudsons river , and those come down to the ocean about little egbay and sandy barnogate , and about the south cape two small kings of forty men a piece , called tirans and tiascons , and a third reduced to fourteen men at roymont , the sasquehannocks are not now of the naturals left above , though with their forced auxiliaries the ihon a does , and wicomeses they can make : these together are counted valiant & terrible to other cowardly dul indians , wch they beat with the sight of guns only ; but in truth meeting with english , are the basest cowards of all , though cunning and subtile to intrap and surprise on all straits , coverts , reeds , and ambushes , for at the last maryland march against them , these having surprised in the reeds , and killed five english men with the losse of one of theirs , captain cornwallis that noble , right valiant , and politick soldier , losing but one man more , killed with fifty five of his , and but raw and tired marylanders , twenty nine indians as they confessed , though compassed round with two hundred and fifty : and summer was twelve moneth , captain lewis of maryland at the coves drawing but twenty men out of his winde bound sloupes , and in two small cocke-boates much distant , finding twenty four canoes , and therein an hundred and forty sasquehannocks , reduced by these three swedes into a half moon , with intent to encompasse the first small boat before the second could reach the former , at the first volley of ten sho● , and losse of one indian , they run all away ; for note generally twelve english with five foot calivers , shoot thirty pellets , or dagge shot , and fifty yards distance , and the naked indian shooteth but one arrow , and but thirty yards distance , so as his lordship knoweth well with such a squadron of twelve or thirteen mark-men , to encounter three hundred , and to bring by the lock the proudest sagamoore , to bee ransomed for any trespasse : and not to suffer any indian or trader without his lordships badge or stamped livery worn , to come within twenty miles of his plantation , or ten miles of their cattle , as in all the out-skirts of virginia is used , but to kill them . insomuch as the emperour nicotowance saying was , my countrymen tell me i am a lier , when i tell them the english men will kill you if you goe into their bounds ; but valiant captain freeman made him no lier , when lately he killed three indians so without badge incroaching . and therfore fair and far off is best with heathen indians ; and fit it is to reduce all their trading to five ports or pallisadoed trucking houses , and to kill all straglers and such spies without ransome . then shall christians and their cattle be safe and quiet , and severely putting to death all that sell the indians guns arms and ammunition , then indians are sooner ruled , civilized and subjected , as in new england is daily seen . in long isle are about four kings , and eight hundred bow-men , most of them two hundred miles off his lps seat of watcessit in charles river , these of long isle are well civilized ▪ living within ten miles , and in sight of eight thousand english in that part of new england being ▪ and the five towns in connectacute river , and new haven town being populous , discourageth any hostility : but chiefly his lordships sixe good free-holding towns in long isle , is a bridle to check and contain them ; for southhampton , hempsteed , flushing , gravesand and ainsford are placed like distinct garisons to command them . then between the two south capes there are two petty kings called aquats and little matankin , having both an hundred bow-men , and above watcessit south-west , are the black and white mincos neer three hundred men , being speciall friends to watcessit , and enemies to the sasquehannocks . now for choice seats for english , watcessit first , where were seventy english , as master miles deposeth , he swearing the officers there to his majesties allegiance , and to obedience to your lordship as governour , being twenty one leagues up delaware bay in charles river , to which any ship may come , and about it manteses plain , which master evelin avoucheth to be twenty miles broad , and thirty long ▪ & miles washed by two fair navigable rivers , and is acres fit to plow and sow all corn , tobacco , and flaxe , and rice , the four staples of albion . the second seat is three miles off to watcessit adjoyning to charles and cotton river , so named of six hundred l. of cotton wilde on trees growing : and is called ritchneck , being twenty four miles compasse , one wood , huge timber trees , and two foot black mould , much desired of the virginians to plant tobacco , they alledging each plant there dried and cured , will bring a pound , whereas wom land five and sixe to a pound , and these large leaves in the new land , and freshes , serve to lap up all the bad s. christophers , and barbadoes rolled tobacco , and maketh it fire sooner : of the three upper leaves they make varinas and spanish . the dutch give for this double price , and the english double for sweet sented : and though charles river is miles north of james river in virginia , yet having a more farre constant and tempered growing heat , tobacco three years together tried , is riper , and sooner struck by wet seasons by full three weeks , then in virginia , and hath yeelded double the price : and no doubt cotton will grow as in millain , being three degrees more north-ward , though as there it dieth yearly by frost , is re-planted by the seed as a rosebush giveth a full cod . the third seat is at roymont a strong , rich and fit place for a fort . sir walter rawley left there thirty men , and four guns , the dutch seated there fifteen men and a fort , both to plant in that rich five miles neck to roymont river ( which runneth down into chisapoack bay ) choice tobacco , and thereby to prejudice and undersell virginia , as to set up a fishing stage for whales , these proved but grampus , and they killing basely an indian refusing quarter or ransome , were by the indians killed and expelled twenty years since . this place is close to the in-south cape , having a creek of sixe foot water only , and two furlongs of the grand delaware bay : on one side is an isthmos or penisle , nine miles compasse , fit for pasturage , and hogs and goats : and on the other side is a second isthmos , four miles compasse , easily fenced , and is but sixty miles over land to the northermost and neerest part of virginia , to drive cattle by land , and have supplies by horse and foot : and here is never ice or frost : sea-fish , all oysters , and shell-fish , and fowl , all winter cod to lade ships three moneths after december fit for salt and trade : and there is a poor indian of fourteen men only , and weak to hinder any , all the soile is under a brick earth , stone slat hard by , and timber to build . the fourth seat is vvedale under websneck , and is a valley sixe miles long , sheltred by hils from the north-west windes : below it is sixe miles a thicket of four sorts of excellent great vines running on mulberry and sassafras trees ; there are four sorts of grapes , the first is the tholouse muscat , sweet sented , the second the great foxe and thick grape , after five moneths reaped being boyled and salted , and well fined , it is a strong red xeres ; the third a right claret , the fourth a white grape creeps on the land , maketh a pure gold colour white wine : tenis pale the french man of these four made eight sorts of excellent wine , and of the muscat acute boyled that the second draught will fox a reasonable pate four moneths old : and here may be gathered and made two hundred tun in the vintage moneth , & re-planted will amend ; two other valleys there are of the same grapes and large , above vvedale , the hill is called websneck , environed with three rivers round , one of sixteen foot water navigable , all but a neck , a caliver shot over , easily imparked , being acres , the cliffes all of rich black mould , with huge timber trees , most fit for tobacco and corn not far off are rich lead mines , containing silver tried , and iron stone , and by it waters , and fals to drive them in an inhabited desert , no christians or indians neer it , where elkes , stagges and deer are most quiet , most fat , and not disturbed , so as five men in three or four days kill and salt sixty deer , or an hundred twenty sides for summers food : four or five hundred turkeyes in a flock , swans , hoopers , geese , ducks teles , and other fowles , a mile square , and seven mile together on the shores , for here is all ches-nuts wall-nuts and mast berries , and march feeds , wilde oats , and vetches to feed them . neer hand is also in august custard apples , and papawes to make the best perry english for tun in a place , and all plums , hurtleberries , black cherries , wilde anniseed , perfimenas , and other dainty fruits , and roots are had , as in all the huge long meads and marshes , sweet seg roots ground nuts , tucaho and cuttinamon roots for hogs and whole warrens , and berries of sweet muskerats , and here black bears and lions feeding on sweet foods , are killed and eaten in the head of chisepeack river by tomkins and walton , was seen a camell mare brown black , seven foot high , of which mile west-ward are store , their skins brought and sold by the indians confirm it . the fifth seat is brents fort , a steep rock , invincible and not to be battered , having an isthmos of low hard ground like a tongue below it environed with fresh water , and under it a cove close to hide two ships or gallies , ships of tun may come up to it , and hard by is good mead and rich land , and woods to plant ; and in this desert is best living , stored as before with all game and their food to maintain them . the sixt is an i le called palmers i le , containing acres , half meade , halfe wood ; in it is a rock forty foot high , like a towr , fit to be built on for a trading house for all the indians of chisepeack gulfe : it lieth a mile from each shore in sasquehannocks river mouth , and there four sakers will command that river , and renue the old trade that was ; it lieth in forty degrees and twelve minutes , it is most healthy , but cold neer the hils , and full as all the seventeen rivers there of eleven sorts of excellent fresh fish ; the indians in stead of salt doe barbecado or dry and smoak fish , to each house a reek or great pile , and another of sun dried on the rocks , strawberries , mulberries , symnels , maycocks and horns like cucumbers . the seventh is five mile off it , called mount royall or bolalmanack hill , and more properly belveder , for thence you may see miles off high hils , above the clouds like sugar-loaves that shelter and bear off the north-west windes ; here is a clear indian field sixe miles long to plant and plow rich land , and as well stored as the rest , and under it is elk river , having many branches navigable , in all these the tide of fresh sweet water ebbes and flowes , and hath three fathome deep , the mouth of it is like a fort with fit isthmos and necks , and runneth up seven leagues to a street , but eleven miles over land into charles river , and delaware bay , this neck is a rare work of god , for it is miles compasse to goe by sea and water , from one side to the other of this eleven miles street , and vvedale is on one of these branches . the eight seat is kildorpy , neer the fals of charles river , neer miles up from the ocean , it hath clear fields to plant and sow , and neer it is sweet large meads of clover or honysuckle , no where else in america to be seen , unlesse transported from europe , a ship of tuns may come up to these fals which is the best seat for health , and a trading house to be built on the rocks , and ten leagues higher are lead mines in stony hils . the ninth is called mount ployden , the seat of the raritan king on the north side of this province twenty miles from sandhay sea , and ninety from the ocean , next to amara hill , the retired paradise of the children of the ethiopian emperour , a wonder , for it is a square rock , two miles compasse , foot high , a wall-like precipice , a strait entrance , easily made invincible , where he keeps two hundred for his guard , and under it a flat valley , all plain to plant and sow . the sasquehannocks new town is also a rare , healthy and rich place , with it a crystall broad river , but some fals below hinder navigation , and the hooke hill on the ocean with its clear fields neer hudsons river on one side , and a ten leagues flowing river on the southside is much commended for health and fish , were it not so northerly . the bounds is a thousand miles compasse , of this most temperate , rich province , for our south bound is maryland north bounds , and beginneth at aquats or the southermost or first cape of delaware bay in thirty eight and forty minutes , and so runneth by , or through , or including kent isle , through chisapeack bay to pascatway ; including the fals of pawtomecke river to the head or northermost branch of that river , being three hundred miles due west , and thence northward to the head of hudsons river fifty leagues , and so down hudsons river to the ocean , sixty leagues , and thence by the ocean and isles a crosse delaware bay to the south cape fifty leagues ; in all seven hundred and eighty miles . then all hudsons river , isles , long isle , or pamunke , and all isles within ten leagues of the said province being ; and note long isle alone is twenty broad , and one hundred and eighty miles long , so that alone is four hundred miles compasse . now i have examined all former patents , some being surrendred , and some adjudged void , as gotten on false suggestions , as that at the councell table was at master gonges suit , of matachusets , and as captain clayborn heretofore secretary , and now treasurer of virginia , in dispute with master leonard calvert alledgeth ; that of maryland is likewise void in part as gotten on false suggestions : for as cap : clayborn sheweth the maryland patent in the first part declareth the kings intention to bee to grant a land therea fter described , altogether dishabited and unplanted , though possest with indians . now kent isle was with many housholds of english by c. clayborn before seated , and because his majesty by his privy signet shortly after declared it was not his intention to grant any lands before seated and habited : and for that it lieth by the maryland printed card , clean north-ward within albion , and not in maryland , and not onely late sea-men , but old depositions in claybornes hand , shew it so to be out of maryland , and for that albions privy signet is elder , and before maryland patent , clayborn by force entred , and thrust out master calvert out of kent ; next maryland patent coming to the ocean , saith along by the ocean unto delaware bay ; that is the first cape of the two most plain in view , and exprest in all late english and dutch cards ; and note unto delaware bay is not into the bay , nor farther then that cape heading the bay , being in thirty eight and forty , or at most by seven observations i have seen , thirty eight and fifty minutes : so as undoubtedly , that is the true intended and ground bound , and line , and no farther , for the words following , are not words of grant , but words of declaration ; that is , which delaware bay lieth in forty degrees where new england ends ; these are both untrue , and so being declarative is a false suggestion , is void , for no part of delaware bay lieth in forty . now if there were but the least doubt of this true bounds , i should wish by consent or commission , a perambulation and boundary , not but there is land enough for all , and i hold kent isle having lately but twenty men in it , and the mill and fort pulled down , and in war with all the indians neer it , not worth the keeping . but it is materiall to give a touch of religion and government , to satisfie the curious and well-minded adventurer . for religion it being in england yet unsettled , severall translations of bibles , and those expounded to each mans fancy , breeds new sects , i conceive the holland way now practised best to content all parties : first , by act of parliament or grand assembly , to settle and establish all the fundamentals necessary to salvation , as the three creeds , the ten commandements , preaching on the lords day , and great days , and catechising in the afternoon , the sacrament of the altar and baptisme ; but no persecution to any dissenting , and to all such as to the walloons , free chapels ; and to punish all as seditious , and for contempt , as bitterly rail and condemn others of the contrary ; for this argument or perswasion of religion , ceremonies , or church-discipline , should be acted in mildenesse , love and charity , and gentle language , not to disturb the peace or quiet of the inhabitants , but therein to obey the civill magistrate . for the politique and civill government , and justice , virginia and new england is our president : first , the lord head governour , a deputy governour , secretary of estate , or seal keeper , and twelve of the councell of state or upper house : and these or five of them is also a chancery court . next out of counties and towns , at a free election and day prefixed , thirty burgesses or commons . once yearly the tenth of november these meet , as at a parliament or grand assembly , and make laws , or repeal , alter , explain , and set taxes and rates for common defence , and without full consent of lord , upper and lower house nothing is done : appeals are here also tried , all criminall cases for life , above only by two juries , or actions at law , a jury on either side may be called , and by them tried : and any before judgement , may stop the law , and be tried in equity ; the two months courts may try before four justices of peace , any action not exceeding l. or l. of tobacco , at s. charge onely , and plead without atturney ; an appeal lieth thence to each quarter , or chancery first court above , and from thence an appeal to the grand assembly : any matter under s. value , or l. of tobacco , to be ended by the next justice at s. charge , no deposition to be taken but before two justices , whereof one of the quorum , or in court , or before a councell , or of estate : and here is no jeofails , nor demurrers , but a summary hearing , and a sheriffe , and clerk of court , with small fees ends all for the most part in a few words . last of all ▪ how plentifully may a quiet industrious man live here , having rich corn land , mead and pasture , and timbers , and woods covered , many months with ches-nuts and four other nuts , and mast for deer , hogs and turkeys , fish , fowl , venison , wine and fruits gratis ? our chiefe staples are tobacco , then flaxe and rice , of which in floated lands you have infinite increase , and without floating you may have , and all the winter ship-plankes , clove board and pipe-staves , these lade home ships twice a year hence , and for them bring you any english servants or english or dutch wares , cloths , stuffes ▪ drams ▪ wines or what you bespeak : but surely we may easily grow rich if we will , and buy no clothes , for a good weaver brought hither , will make us of our own flaxe nine sorts of linnens , tufted hollands , velures , velvets , tuftaffetaes , and plushes ; and for winter a good glover with allome onely of our own elk-skins , maketh the best buffe-coats , our owne stag and deer skins make best gentile and soldiers clothes , fittest for our woods : a doe-skin breeches with the fur inside in our short winter , is better then two broad clothes and warmer , so we need no english clothing ; cattle in virginia , and all grain in new england brought to our doores cheaper then here ; indian corn , or pease , or beans at twelve pence a bushel by truck with the indians , and rye meal , a third , with the white and dry mayz meal , which is all together but twenty pence , a bushell of meale maketh the best bread , and we have more choice drinks then here , for sweet stalk and pumpion drink hopped , is good beer , and ale we have and mault as you ; and in the hot summer rock cold water , with an eighth of peach vinegar is the best beaverage : peaches better then apricocks by some doe feed hogs , one man hath ten thousand trees , all apples , pears , cherries , and other fruits grow here in half the time as in your cold and blasty region , and so do all hops & roots , hearbs and garden stuffe . our days in summer hours shorter , and in winter more comfortable two houres longer , and a warmer sun and bigger fires , and no rent to my landlord , makes us merry . he that is lazy and will not work , needs not fear starving , but may live as an indian , sometimes oysters , cockles , wilkes ▪ glams , scollons two moneths together ; sometimes wilde pease and vetches , and long oats , sometimes tuckaho , cuttenoman ground , nuts , marhonions , sometime small nuts , fillbirds , wall-nuts , pokikerries , ten sorts of berries , egs of fowl , small fish in cove , at low water will teach him to live idly . chap. v. each adventurer of twenty or fifty men must provide houshold necessaries , as irons and chains for a draw-bridge , two mares or horses to breed or ride on , pots , pans , dishes , iron for a cart and plow , chains , sithes , and sickles , nets , lines and hooks . a sail for a fishing shallop of three tun , and hemp to employ his people in making them , as with hair , and canvas for quilts , aswell on shipboard as demurring at the sea port , as with locks , keys , bolts , and glasse casements for his house . and generally fit implements for the work or trade he intends . for trade with the indians , buy dutch or welch rugged cloth , seven quarters broad , a violet blew or red ▪ at four or five shillings a yard , small hooks , and fishing lines , morris bels , jewes-harps , combes , trading knives , hatchets , axes , hoes , they will bring you venison , turkeys , and fowles , flesh , t for a pennyworth of corn at twelve pence a bushell . provisions for each man , and the charge from london . . canvas , or linnen clothes , shooes , hats , &c. costing here foure pound for two men to buy cows , goats , and hogs in virginia , which there yeelds sixe pound , and will buy one cow , and oxe , two goats , two sowes , which for each man comes to l. . . . freight for a passenger , and his half tun of provisions and tooles . l. . . . victuals till his own stock and crop maintain him for seven moneths . that is , pease , oatmeal and aquavite , s. five bushels of meal , of which two to be baked into biskets , and five bushels of malt , some must be ground and brewed for the voyage , both l. s. a hundred of beefe , and pork , l. s. two bushels of roots , s. salt fish , s. cask to carry provision s. five pound of butter s. l. . . . one hogshead of eares of corn . garden seeds , hemp , and linseed with cask , and some rice from virginia . . . . . armes ( viz. ) a sword , calliver five foot long , or long pistoll , pikehead : six pound of powder , ten pound of shot , halfe an old slight armour , that is , two to one armour . . s. . . tools a spade , axe and shovell , s , iron and steel to make and mend more , and two hundred of nails , s. . . . . guns and powder for the fort , that is , to every fifty foure murtherers , l. a barrell of powder l. s. that is , to each man s. bed and sheets of canvas , to be filled with huls , each man a rug s. sum totall , l . . chap. vi . . here by bringing good labourers , and tradesmen , the provident planters may doe well by giving shares or double wages , when each man may earn his five , nay sixe shillings a day in tobacco , flaxe , rice . . for here the ship-carpenters ten men a day will build a tun of shipping as in england , which with masts and yards there taken is here , and there worth l. a tun , and yet here , and there is built at l. a tun wages , which is s. days work , having the timber without money . . here in days they make a thousand of pipe-staves , worth here foure pound , and at the canaries twenty pound a thousand , and so get six shillings a days work . . here in making iron they save l. a tun in the price of wood , and l. more in digging the iron mine , and saving land carriage of it , and of the charcole , for mine is taken on the sea beach , and wood floated down the rivers , and so each man earns s. d. a day , iron valued at l. per tun . . here the constant trade of ships , and men a fishing beginne to leave cold newfoundland small fish , and late taken , when this is before theirs two moneths at the market , fish here yeelds four quintales , there scarce one , and here is fish all the year , there but only in the four warm months , so as for nine weeks work each man above his diet , passage , and returne , gets twenty pound , and twelve pound a man , and herein dried base , in sturgeon , in pressed mackrell , herrings , and pilchers , is got as well as well as in cod-fish , sixe shil. and eight shil. a day . and this returns ready french and spanish coin . . here the glorious ripening sunne as warme as italy or spain , will bring rare fruits , wines , and such store of anniseed and licoras , as well as bay-salt , made without boyling , only in pans with the sun , that each labourer may make bushels a day , worth in these three s. a day , and this maiden soyl , so comforted with the suns glittering beams , and being digged , and set with the indian wheat , and their beans and pease , with s. charge in days worke with seed , yeelds quarters an acre , the same wheat being ten times as big and as weighty as ours , besides potatoes , woad , madder , roots , and many plants , and tobacco , will yeeld half a tun of flax , and a tun of hemp , worth l. an acre , and s. a days work . . here as in province in france , walnut-milk , or oyle ground and pressed , will yeeld the gatherer ten gallons , and s. a days work . . here the land lieth covered seven moneths with beech , and oke mast , wallnuts and chestnuts , and three moneths with groundnuts , seg and other roots , and wilde pease , and fetches yearly , so as forty hogs for one , and ninety turkeys , partridges , heathpoults , and tame poultry , eating their fill , for one is ordinary encreased . . here the sope and pot-ashes men paying in england d. a bushell , and d. carriage for ashes , and l. a tun for pot-ashes , may make them for a quarter and lesse : and get s. a days work , by cutting , reeking , and burning whole plains of fern , brambles , and wilde vines , being thrice as strong as wood-ashes . . here a ship may goe , and return in five moneths laded , and comfortably see their friends , making two voyages a year , in a healthy ayre , free from enemies and turks , and get two for one each voyage : that is , four for one of that stock , and proceed in a year . . here the kinde gentleman that in england doth not live without debts , mortgages , suretiship , law-suits and troubles , may here settle , and avoid bad company , and tempting occasions , and live in plenty , and variety of all sports , hunting deere , hawking fowl , fishing , and many more sports , and sorts of game , as with dainty fruits ; and lay up his spare rents . . here the soldier , and gentlemen wanting employment , and not bred to labor , without going to war to kil christians for s. a week in the mouth of the roaring cannon , or in a siege threatned with famine , and pestilence : and but ten together against a few naked salvages , may like a devout apostolique soldier with sword , and the word to civilize , and convert them to be his majesties lieges , and by trading with them for furs , get his ten shillings a day , and at home intermixing sport and pleasure , with profit , store his parks with elks and notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a e- sir io. davis fol. . fol. . fol. . fol. . sir e. coke fol. . fol ● . fol. . fol. . sir io. davis fol. . sir e. coke fol. . nevv englands prospect· a true, lively, and experimentall description of that part of america, commonly called nevv england: discovering the state of that countrie, both as it stands to our new-come english planters; and to the old native inhabitants. laying downe that which may both enrich the knowledge of the mind-travelling reader, or benefit the future voyager. by william wood. wood, william, fl. - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) nevv englands prospect· a true, lively, and experimentall description of that part of america, commonly called nevv england: discovering the state of that countrie, both as it stands to our new-come english planters; and to the old native inhabitants. laying downe that which may both enrich the knowledge of the mind-travelling reader, or benefit the future voyager. by william wood. wood, william, fl. - . [ ], , [ ] p., plate : map (woodcut) by tho. cotes, for iohn bellamie, and are to be sold at his shop, at the three golden lyons in corne-hill, neere the royall exchange, printed at london : . includes a glossary of the massachuset language. the map has caption title: the south part of new-england, as it is planted this yeare, . reproduction of a photostat of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books 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were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng massachuset indians -- early works to . massachuset language -- glossaries, vocabularies, etc. -- early works to . new england -- description and travel -- early works to . massachusetts -- history -- colonial period, ca. - -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - emma (leeson) huber sampled and proofread - emma (leeson) huber text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion nevv englands prospect . a true , lively , and experimentall description of that part of america , commonly called nevv england : discovering the state of that countrie , both as it stands to our new-come english planters ; and to the old native inhabitants . laying downe that which may both enrich the knowledge of the mind-travelling reader , or benefit the future voyager . by william wood. printed at london by tho. cotes , for iohn bellamie , and are to be sold at his shop , at the three golden lyons in corne-hill , neere the royall exchange . . to the right worshipfull , my much honored friend , sir william armyne , knight and baronet . noble sir. the good assurance of your native worth , and thrice generous disposition , as also the continuall manifestation of your bounteous favour , and love towards my selfe in particular , hath so bound my thankfull acknowledgement , that i count it the least part of my service to present the first fruites of my farre-fetcht experience , to the kinde acceptance of your charitable hands : well knowing that though this my worke , owne not worth enough to deserve your patronage , yet such is your benigne humanity , that i am confident you will daigne it your protection , under which it willingly shrowdes it selfe . and as it is reported of that man whose name was alexander , being a cowardly milke-sop by nature , yet hearing of the valiant courage of that magnificent hero , alexander the great , whose name hee bore , he thenceforth became stout and valorous ; and as he was animated by having the very name of puissant alexander ; so shall these my weake and feble labours , receive life and courage by the patronage of your much esteemed selfe ; whereby they shall bee able to out-face the keenest fanges of a blacke mouth'd momus . for from hence the world may conclude , that either there was some worth in the booke , that caused so wise a person to looke upon it , and to vouchsafe to owne it ; or else if they suppose that in charity he fosterd it , as being a poore helpelesse brat , they may thence learne to do so likewise . if here i should take upon me the usuall straine of a soothing epistolizer , i should ( though upon better grounds than many ) sound forth a full mouth'd encomiasticke of your incomparable worth : but though your deserts may justly challenge it , yet i know your vertuous modesty would not thanke me for it ; and indeed your owne actions are the best heralds of your owne praise , which in spite of envy it selfe must speake you wise , and truly noble : and i for my part , if i may but present any thing , which either for its profit or delight may obtaine your favourable approbation , i have already reaped the harvest of my expectation ; onely i must desire you to pardon my bold presumption , as thus to make your well deserving name , the frontispeece to so rude and ill deserving frame . thus wishing a confluence of all blessings both of the throne , and foot-stoole , to be multiplied upon your selfe , and your vertuous consort , my very good lady , together with all the stemmes of your noble family , i take my leave and rest , your worships to serve and be commanded , w. w. to the reader . courteous reader , though i will promise thee no such voluminous discourse , as many have made upon a scanter subject , ( though they have travailed no further than the smoake of their owne native chimnies ) yet dare i presume to present thee with the true , and faithfull relation of some few yeares travels and experience , wherein i would be loath to broach any thing which may puzzle thy beleefe , and so justly draw upon my selfe , that unjust aspersion commonly laid on travailers ; of whom many say , they may lye by authority , because none can controule them ; which proverbe had surely his originall from the sleepy beleefe of many a home-bred dormouse , who comprehends not either the raritie or possibility of those things he sees not , to whom the most classicke relations seeme riddles , and paradoxes : of whom it may be said as once of diogenes , that because he circled himselfe in the circumference of a tubbe , he therefore contemned the port and pallace of alexander , which he knew not . so there is many a tub-brain'd cyn●cke , who because any thing stranger than ordinary , is too large for the straite hoopes of his apprehension , he peremptorily concludes it is a lye : but i decline this sort of thicke-witted readers , and dedicate the mite of my endeavours to my more credulous , ingenious , and lesse censorious country-men , for whose sake i undertooke this worke ; and i did it the rather , because there hath some relations heretofore past the presse , which have beene very imperfect ; as also because there hath beene many scandalous and false reports past upon the country , even from the sulphurious breath of every base ballad-monger : wherefore to perfect the one , and take off the other , i have laid downe the nature of the country , without any partiall respect unto it , as being my dwelling place where i have lived these foure yeares , and intend god willing to returne shortly againe ; but my conscience i● to me a thousand witnesses , that what i speake is the very truth , and this will informe thee almost as fully concerning it , as if thou wentest over to see it . now whereas i have written the latter part of this relation concerning the indians , in a more light and facetious stile , than the former ; because their carriage and behaviour hath afforded more matter of mirth , and laughter , than gravity and wisedome ; and therefore i have inserted many passages of mirth concerning them , to spice the rest of my more serious discourse , and to make it more pleasant . thus thou mayest in two or three houres travaile over a few leaves , see and know that , which cost him that writ it , yeares and travaile , over sea and land before he knew it ; and therefore i hope thou wilt accept it ; which shall be my full reward , as it was my whole ambition , and so i rest , thine bound in what i may , w. w. to the author , his singular good friend , mr. william wood. thanks to thy travell , and thy selfe , who hast much knowledge in so small roome , comptly plac't● and thine experience thus amount do'st make , from whence we may new englands prospect take , though many thousands distant : wherefore thou thy selfe shalt sit upon mount prais● her brow . for if the man that shall the short cut find vnto the indies , shall for that be shrin'd ; sure thou deservest then no small prayse , who , so short cut to new england here dost show ; and if then this small thankes , thou getst no more , of thankes i then will say the world 's growne poore . s. w. the table . part. . chap. . of the situation , b●yes , havens , and inlets . page . chap. . of the seasons of the yeare , winter and summer , together with the heat , cold , snow , raine , and the effects of it . page . chap. ▪ of the 〈◊〉 , length , and shortnesse of day and night , with the suiteablenesse of it to english bodies for health and sicknesse . page . chap. . of the nature of the soyle . page . chap. . of the hearbs , fruits , woods , waters , and minerals . page . chap. . of the beasts that live on the land . page . chap. . beasts living in the water . page . chap. . of the birds and fowles both of land and water . page . chap. . of fish. page . chap. . of the severall plantations in particular . page . chap. . of the evils , and such things as are hurtful in the plantation . page . chap. . what provision is to be made for a iourney at sea , and what to carry with us for our use at land. page . part. . chap. . of the connect●cuts , mowhacks , or such indians as are west-ward . page . chap. . of the tarrenteenes or the indians inhabiting e●st ward . page . ● chap. of the pequants and narragan●ets , inhabiting south-ward . page . chap . of the aberginians or indians north-ward● page . chap. . of their apparell , ornaments , paintings , &c. page . chap. . of their diet , cookery , &c. page . chap. . of their dispositions and good qualifications , as friendship , &c. page . chap. . of their hardinesse . page . chap. . of their wondring at the first view of any strange invention . page . chap. . of their kings governement , and subiects obedience . page . chap. . of their mariages , page . chap. . of their worship , &c. page . chap. . of their warres . page . chap. . their games , sports , &c. page . chap. . of their huntings . page . chap. . of their fishings . page . chap. . of their arts , &c. page . chap. . of their language . page . chap. . of their deaths , &c. page . chap. . of their women , &c. page . finis . errata . page , . line . for squno●ersquashes reade isqu●utersquashes , p. . l. . he , they , l. . his , their . l. . spoiling , spoile . p . l. . mast , masts p. . l. . boates , bolles p. . l. . us , up p. . l. an . ● . p. . l. . humiliters , humilitees l. . million , millions . p. . l. . ●ide , tides p. . l. . those , their . p l. . hage , haicke . p. . l. . clarly , c●arles p. . l. . land , inland . p. . . stone , stop . l. . lands , ponds . l. . breach , beach . p . l. . house , horse . p. . l. lyd , lie . l. . by , her . l. . a ( le●t out ; ) l. . musketor , m●●keto● . p. . l. . fen ( left o●● ) p . l. . it ( left out , ) p . l. . handsome , handie . l. . c●ntrie , g●n●rie p . l . many ▪ if any . l. . he , they . p. . l. . here , there . p. . l. placed , placing ● . . hath ( too much , ) p. . l. ● . warme . worme . p. . l. . obiect , subiect . p. . l. . english ans , english mans . the south part of new-england , as it is planted this yeare , . nevv englands prospect . chap. i. of the situation , bayes , havens , and inlets . for as much as the kings most excellent majesty hath beene graciously pleasd by the grant of his letters patents , at first to give life to the plantations of new england , and hath dayly likewise by his favours and royall protection cherished their growing hopes ; whereby many of his majesties faithfull subiects haue beene imboldned to venture persons , states , and indeavours , to the inlargement of his dominions in that westerne continent : wherefore i thought fit ( for the further encouragement of those that hereafter , either by purse , or person shall helpe forward the plantation , ) to set forth these few observations out of my personall and experiment●ll knowledge . the place whereon the english have built their colonies , is judged by those who have best skill in discovery , either to be an iland , surrounded on the north side with the spacious river cannada , and on the south with hudsons river , or else a peninsula , these two rivers overlapping one another , having their rise from the great lakes which are not farre off one another , as the indians doe certainely informe us . but it is not my intent to wander far from our patent ; wherefore i referre you to the thrice memorable discoverer of those parts , captaine smith , who hath likewise fully described the southerne and north-east part of new england , with the noted head-lands , capes , harbours , rivers , ponds , and lakes , with the nature of the soyle , and commodities both by sea and land , &c. within the degrees of fourty one and fourty five . the bay of massachusets lyeth under the degree of fourty two and fourty three , bearing south-west from the lands end of england : at the bottome whereof are situated most of the english plantations : this bay is both safe , spacious , and deepe , free from such cockling seas as runne upon the coast of ireland , and in the channels of england : there be no stiffe running currents , or rockes , shelves , barres , quicksands . the mariners having sayled two or three leagues towards the bottome , may behold the two capes embracing their welcome ships in their armes , which thrust themselves out into the sea in forme of a halfe-moone , the surrounding shore being high , and shewing many white cliffes in a most pleasant prospect with divers places of low land , out of which divers riuers vent themselves into the ocean , with many openings , where is good harbouring for ships of any burthen ; so that if an unexpected storme or crosse winde should barre the marriner from recovering his desired port , he may reach other harbours , as plimmouth , cape , ann , salom , marvill head ; all which afford good ground for anchorage , being likewise land-lockt from winde and seas . the chiefe and usuall harbour , is the still bay of massachusets , which is close aboard the plantations , in which most of our ships come to anchor , being the nearest their mart , and usuall place of landing of passengers ; it is a safe and pleasant harbour within , having but one common and safe entrance , and that not very broad , there scarce being roome for . ships to come in board and board at a time , but being once within , there is roome for the anchorage of . ships . this harbour is made by a great company of ilands , whose high cliffes shoulder out the boistrous seas , yet may easily deceiue any unskilfull pilote ; presenting many faire openings and broad sounds , which afford too shallow waters for any ships , though navigable for boates and small pinnaces . the entrance into the great haven is called nantascot ; which is two leagues from boston ; this place of it selfe is a very good haven , where ships commonly cast anchor , untill winde and tyde serve them for other places ; from hence they may sayle to the river of wessaguscus , naponset , charles river , and misticke river , on which rivers bee seated many townes . in any of these fore-named harbours , the sea-men having spent their old store of wood and water , may haue fresh supplies from the adjacent ilands , with good timber to repaire their weather-beaten ships ▪ here likewise may be had masts or yards , being store of such trees as are usefull for the same purpose . chap. ii. of the seasons of the yeare , winter and summer , together with the heate , cold , snow , raine , and the effects of it . for that part of the countrey wherein most of the english have their habitations : it is for certaine the best ground and sweetest climate in all those parts , bearing the name of new england , agreeing well with the temper of our english bodies , being high land , and sharpe ayre , and though most of our english townes border upon the sea-coast , yet are they not often troubled with mists , or unwholesome fogges , or cold weather from the sea , which lies east and south from the land. and whereas in england most of the cold windes and weathers come from the sea , and those situations are counted most unwholesome , that are neare the sea-coast , in that countrey it is not so , but otherwise ; for in the extremity of winter , the north-east and south winde comming from the sea , produceth warme weather , and bringing in the warme-working waters of the sea , loosneth the frozen bayes , carrying away their ice with thei● tides , melting the snow , and thawing the ground ; onely the north-west winde comming over the land , is the cause of extreame cold weather , being alwaies accompanied with deepe snowes and bittter frost , so that in two or three dayes the rivers are passable for horse and man. but as it is an axiome in nature , nullum viole● tum est perpetuum , no extreames last long , so this cold winde blowes seldome above three dayes together , after which the weather is more tollerable , the aire being nothing so sharpe , but peradventure in foure or five dayes after this cold m●ssenger will blow a fresh , commanding every man to his house , forbidding any to out-face him without prejudice to their noses : but it may be objected that it is too cold a countrey for our english men , who have beene accustomed to a warmer climate , to which it may be answered , ( igne levatur hyems ) there is wood good store , and better cheape to build warme houses , and make good fires , which makes the winter lesse tedious : and moreover , the extremity of this cold weather lasteth but for two moneths or ten weekes , beginning in december , and breaking up the tenth day of february ; which hath beene a passage very remarkeable , that for ten or a dozen yeares the weather hath held himselfe to his day , unlooking his ycie bayes and rivers , which are never frozen againe the same yeare , except there be some small frost untill the middle of march. it is observed by the indians that every tenth yeare th●re is little or no winter , which hath beene twice observed of the english ; the yeare of new plimouth mens arrivall was no winter in comparison ; and in the tenth yeare after likewise when the great company set led themselves in massachusets bay , was a very milde season , little frost , and lesse snow , but cleare serene weather , few north-west winds , which was a great mercy to the english comming over so rawly and uncomfortably provided , wanting all utensils and provisions which belonged to the well being of planters : and whereas many died at the beginning of the plantations , it was not because the country was unhealthfull , but because their bodies were corrupted with sea-diet , which was naught , their beefe and porke being tainted , their butter and cheese corrupted , their fish rotten , & voyage long , by reason of crosse windes , so that winter approaching before they could get warme houses , and the searching sharpnes of that purer climate , creeping in at the crannies of their crazed bodies , caused death and sicknesse ; but their harmes having taught future voyagers more wisedome , in shipping good provision for sea , and finding warme houses at landing , finde health in both . it hath bin observed , that of five or sixe hundred passengers in one yeare , not above three have died at sea , having their health likewise at land. but to returne to the matter in hand dayly observations makes it apparant , that the peircing cold of that country produceth not so many noysome effects , as the raw winters of england . in publike assemblies it is strange to heare a man sneeze or cough as ordinarily they doe in old england ; yet not to smother any thing , lest you judge me too partiall in reciting good of the countrey , and not bad ; true it is , that some venturing too nakedly in extreamity of cold , being more foole hardy than wise , have for a time lost the use of their feete , others the use of their fingers ; but time and surgery afterwards recovered them : some haue had their over-growne beards so frozen together , that they could not get their strong water-bottells into their mouthes ; i never heard of any that utterly perished at land with cold , saving one english man and an indian , who going together a fowling , the morning being faire at their setting out , afterward a terrible storme arising , they intended to returne home ; but the storme being in their faces , and they not able to with-stand it , were frozen to death , the indian having gained three slight-shot more of his journey homewa●d , was found reared up against a tree with his aqua-vitae bottle at his 〈◊〉 secōd passage ( concerning which many thinke hardly of the ●ountry in regard of his cold ) was the miscarriage of a boate at sea , certaine men having intended a voyage to new plimouth , se●●ing sayle towards night , they wanted time to fetch it , being constrained to put into another harbour , where being negligent of the well mooring of their boate , a strong winde comming from the shore in the night , loosned their killocke , and drove them to sea , without sight of land , before they had awaked out of sleepe ; but seeing the eminent danger , such as were not benummed with cold , shipt out their oares , shaping their course for cape cod , where the indians met them , who buried the dead , and carryed the boate with the living to plimouth , where some of them died , and some recovered . these things may fright some , but being that there hath beene many passages of the like nature in our english climate , it cannot dishearten such as seriously consider it , seeing likewise that their owne ruines sprung from their owne negligence . the countrey is not so extreamely cold , unlesse it be when the north-west winde is high , at other times it is ordinary for fishermen to goe to sea in ianuary and february , in which time they get more fish , and better than in summer , onely observing to reach some good harbours before night , where by good fires they sleepe as well and quietly , ( having their mayne sayle tented at their backes , to shelter them from the winde ) as if they were at home . to relate how some english bodies have borne out cold , will ( it may be ) startle beleife of some , it being so strange , yet not so strange as true . a certaine man being something distracted , broke away from his keeper , and running into the wood , could not bee found with much seeking after ; but foure dayes being expired , he returned , to appearance as well in body , as at his egresse , and in minde much better : for a mad man to hit home through the unbeaten woods , was strange , but to live without meate or drinke in the deepe of winter , stranger , and yet returne home bettered , was most strange : but if truth may gaine beleefe , you may behold a more superlative strangenesse . a certaine maide in the extreamity of cold weather , ( as it fell out ) tooke an uncertaine journey , in her intent short , not above foure miles , yet long in event ; for losing her way , shee wandred sixe or seaven dayes in most bitter weather , not having one bit of bread to strengthen her , sometimes a fresh spring quenched her thirst , which was all the refreshment she had ; the snow being upon the ground at first , shee might have trackt her owne foot-steps backe againe , but wanting that understanding , shee wandred , till god by his speciall providence brought her to the place shee went from , where she lives to this day . the hard winters are commonly the fore-runners of pleasant spring-times , and fertile summers , being iudged likewise to make much for the health of our english bodies : it is found to be more healthfull for such as shall adventure thither , to come towards winter , than the hot summer ; the climate in winter is commonly cold and dry , the snow lies long , which is ●hought to be no small nourishing to the ground . for the indians bur●ing it to suppresse the under-wood , which else wou●d grow all over the countrey , the snow falling not long after , keepes the ground warme , and with his melting conve●ghs the ashes into the pores of the earth , which doth fatten it . it hath beene observed , that english wheate and rye proves better , which is winter sowne , and is kept warme by the snow , than that which is sowne in the spring . the summers be hotter than in england ; because of their more southerne latitude , yet are they tollerable ; being often cooled with fresh blowing windes , it seldome being so hot as men are driven from their labours , especially such whose imployments are within doores , or under the coole shade : servants have hitherto beene priviledged to rest from their labours in extreame hot weather , from ten of the clocke till two , which they regaine by their early rising in the morning , and double diligence in coole weather . the summers are commonly hot and dry , there being seldome any raines ; i have knowne it sixe or seaven weekes , before one shower hath moystened the plowmans labour , yet the harvest hath beene very good , the indian corne requiring more heate than wet ; for the english corne , it is refresht with the nightly dewes , till it grow vp to shade his roots with his owne substance from the parching sunne . in former times the raine came seldome , but very violently , continuing his drops , ( which were great and many ) sometimes foure and twenty houres together ; sometimes eight and fourty , which watered the ground for a long time afrer ; but of late the seasons be much altered , the raine comming oftner , but more moderately , with lesse thunder and lightnings , and suddaine gusts of winde . i dare be bold to affirme it , that i saw not so much raine , raw colds , and misty fogges in foure yeares in those parts , as was in england in the space of foure moneths the last winter ; yet no man at the yeares end , complained of too much drought , or too little raine . the times of most raine , are in the beginning of aprill , and at michaelmas . the early springs and long summers make but short autumnes and winters . in the spring when the grasse beginnes to put forth , it growes apace , so that where it was all blacke by reason of winters burnings , in a fortnight there will be grasse a foote high . chap. iii. of the climate , length , and shortnesse of day and night , with the suiteablenesse of it to english bodies for health and sicknesse . the countrey being nearer the equinoctiall than england , the dayes and nights be more equally divided . in summer the dayes be two houres shorter , and likewise in winter two houres longer than in england . in a word , both summer and winter is more commended of the english there , than the summer winters , and winter summers of england ; and who is there that could not wish , that englands climate were as it hath b●ene in quondam times , colder in winter , and hotter in summer ? or who will condemne that which is as england hath beene ? virginia having no winter to speake of , but extreame ho● summers , hath dried up much english blood , and by pest●ferous diseases swept away many lusty bodies , changing their complexion not into swarthinesse , but into palenesse ; so that when as they come for trading into our parts , wee can know many of them by their faces . this alteration certainely comes not from any want of victuals or necessary foode , for their soyle is very fertile and pleasant , yeelding both corne and cattle plenty , but rather from the climate , which indeede is found to be hotter than is suiteable to an ordinary english constitution . in new england both men and women keepe their naturall complexions , in so much as sea men wonder when they arrive in those parts , to see their countrey-men so fresh and ruddy : if the sunne doth tanne any , yet the winters cold restores them to their former complexion ; and as it is for the outward complexion , so it is for the inward constitution ; not very many being troubled with inflammations , or such diseases as are encreased by too much heate : and whereas i say , not very many , yet dare i not exclude any ; for death being certaine to all , in all nations there must be something tending to death of like certainty . the soundest bodies are mortall and subject to change , therefore fall into diseases , and from diseases to death . now the two chiefe messengers of mortality , be feavers and callentures ; but they be easily helpt , if taken in time , and as easily prevented of any that will not prove a meere foole to his body . for the common diseases of england , they be strangers to the english now in that strange land. to my knowledge i never knew any that had the poxe , measels , greene-sicknesse , head-aches , stone , or consumptions , &c. many that have come infirme out of england , retaine their old grievances still , and some that were long troubled with lingering diseases , as coughs of the lungs , consumptions , &c. haue beene restored by that medicineable climate to their former strength and health . god hath beene pleased so to blesse men in the health of their bodies , that i dare confidently say it , out of that towne from whence i c●●e , in three yeares and a halfe , there dyed but three , one of which was crazed before he came into the land ; the other were two children borne at one birth before their time , the mother being accidentally hurt . to make good which losses , i have seene foure children baptized at a time , which wipes away tha● common aspersion , that women have no children , b●ing a ●eere fals●ty , there being as sweete lusty children as many other nation , and reckoning so many for so many , more double births than in england ; the women likewise having a more speedy recovery , and gathering of strength after their delivery than in england . the last argument to confirme the healthfulnesse of the countrey , shall be from mine owne experience , who although in england i was brought up tenderly under the carefull hatching of my dearest friends , yet scarce could i be acquainted with health , having beene ●et blood sixe times for the pleurisie before i went ; likewise being assailed with other weakning diseases ; but being planted in that new soyle and healthfull ayre , which was more correspondent to my nature , ( i speake it with praise to the mercifull god ) though my occasions have beene to passe thorow heate and cold , wet , and dry , by sea and land , in winter and summer , day by day , for foure yeares together , yet scarce did i know what belonged to a dayes sicknesse . chap. iiii. of the nature of the soyle . the soyle is for the generall a warme kinde of earth , there being little cold-spewing and , no morish fennes , no quagmires , the lowest grounds be the marshes , over which every full and change the sea flowes : these marshes be rich ground , and bring plenty of hay , of which the cattle feed and like , as if they were fed with the best up-land hay in new england ; of which likewise there is great store which growes commonly betweene the marshes and the woods . this medow ground lies higher than the marshes , whereby it is freed from the over-flowing of the seas ; and besides this , in many places where the tre● grow thinne , there is good fodder to be got amongst the woods . there be likewise in divers places neare the plantations great broad medowes , wherein grow neither shrub nor tree , lying low , in which plaines growes as much grasse , as may be throwne out with a sithe , thicke and long , as high as a mans middle ; some as high as the shoulders , so that a good mower may cut three loads in a day . but many obiect , this is but a course fodder : true it is , that it is not so fine to 〈◊〉 eye as english grasse , but it is not sowre , though it grow thus ranke ; but being made into hay , the cattle eate it as well as it were lea-hay and like as well with it ; i doe not thinke england can shew , fairer cattle either in winter , or summer , than is in those parts both winter and summer ; being generally larger and better of milch , and bring forth young as ordinarily as cattle doe in england , and have hitherto beene free from many diseases that are incident to cattle in england . to returne to the subject in hand , there is so much hay-ground in the countrey , as the richest voyagers that shall venture thither , neede not feare want of fodder , though his heard increase into thousands , there being thousands of acres that yet was never medled with . and whereas it hath beene reported , that some hath mowne a day for halfe of a loade of hay : i doe not say , but it may be true , a man may doe as much , and get as little in england , on salisbury plaine , or in other places where grasse cannot be expected : so hay-ground is not in all places in new england : wherefore it shall behoue every man according to his calling , and estate , to looke for a fit situation at the first ; and if hee be one that intends to live on his stocke , to choose the grassie vallies before the woody mountaines . furthermore , whereas it hath beene generally reported in many places of england , that the grasse growes not in those places where it was cut the fore-going yeares , it is a meere falshood ; for it growes as well the ensuing spring as it did before , and is more spiery and thicke , like our english grasse : and in such places where the cattle use to graze , the ground is much improved in the woods , growing more grassie , and lesse weedy . the worst that can be sayd against the meddow-grounds , is because there is little edish , or after-pasture , which may proceede from the late mowing , more than from any thing else ; but though the edish be not worth much , yet is there such plenty of other grasse and feeding , that there is no want of winter-fodder till december , at which time men beginne to house their milch-cattle and calves : some , notwithstanding the cold of the winter , have their young cattle without doores , giving them meate at morning and evening . for the more upland grounds , there be different kinds , in some places clay , some gravell , some a red sand ; all which are covered with a black mould , in some places above a foote deepe , in other places not so deepe . there be very few that have the experience of the ground , that can condemne it of barrennesse ; although many deeme it barren , because the english use to manure their land with fish , which they doe not because the land could not bring corne without it , but because it brings more with it ; the land likewise being kept in hart the longer : besides , the plenty of fish which they have for little or nothing , is better so used , than cast away ; but to argue the goodnesse of the ground , the indians who are too lazie to catch fish , plant corne eight or ten yeares in one place without it , having very good crops . such is the rankenesse of the ground that it must bee sowne the first yeare with indian corne , which is a soaking graine , before it will be fit for to receive english seede . in a word , as there is no ground so purely good , as the long forced and improoved grounds of england , so is the●● none so extreamely bad as in many places of england , that as yet have not beene manured and improved ; the woods of new england being accounted better ground than the forrests of england or woodland ground , or heathy plaines . for the naturall soyle , i preferre it before the countrey of surry , or middlesex , which if they were not inriched with continuall manurings , would be lesse fertile than the meanest ground in new england , wherefore it is neyther impossible , nor much improbable , that upon improvements the soile may be as good in time as england . and whereas some gather the ground to be naught , and soone out of hart , because plimouth men remove from their old habitations , i answer , they do no more remove from their habitation , than the citizen which hath one house in the citty & another in the countrey , for his pleasure , health , & profit . for although they have taken new plots of ground , and built houses upon them , yet doe they retaine their old houses still , and repaire to them every sabbath day ; neyther doe they esteeme their old lots worse than when they first tooke them : what if they doe not plant on them every yeare ? i hope it is no ill husbandry to rest the land , nor is alwayes that the worst that lies sometimes f●llow . if any man doubt of the goodnesse of the ground , let him comfort himselfe with the cheapenesse of it ▪ such bad land in england i am sure wil bring in store of good monie . this ground is in some places of a soft mould , and easie to plow ; in other places so tough and hard , that i have seene ten oxen toyled , their iron chaines broken , and their shares and coulters much strained : but after the first bre●king up it is so easie , that two oxen and a horse may plow it ; there hath as good english corne growne there , as could be desired ; especially rie and oates , and barly : there hath beene no great tryall as yet of wheate , and beanes ; onely thus much i affirme , that these two graines grow well in gardens , therefore it is not improbable , but when they can gather seede of that which is sowne in the countrey , it may grow as well as any other graine : but commonly the seede that commeth out of england is heated at sea , and therefore cannot thrive at land . chap. v. of the hearbes , fruites , woods , waters and mineralls . the ground affoards very good kitchin gardens , for turneps , parsnips , carrots , radishes , and p●mpions , muskmillions , squonterquashes , coucumbers , onyons , and whatsoever growes well in england , growes as well there , many things being better and larger : there is likewise growing all manner of hearbes for meate , and medicine , and that not onely in planted gardens , but in the woods , without eyther the art or the helpe of man , as sweet marjoran , purselane , sorrell , peneriall , yarrow , mirtle , saxifarilla , bayes , &c. there is likewise strawberries in abundance , very large ones , some being two inches about ; one may gather halfe a bushell in a forenoone : in other seasons there bee gooseberries , bilberies , resberies , treackleberies , hurtleberries , currants ; which being dryed in the sunne are little inferiour to those that our grocers sell in england : this land likewise affoards hempe and flax , some naturally , and some planted by the english , with rapes if they bee well managed . for such commodities as lie underground , i cannot out of mine owne experience or knowledge say much , having taken no great notice of such things ; but it is certainely reported that there is iron , stone ; and the indians informe us that they can leade us to the mountaines of blacke lead , and have showne us lead ore , if our small judgement in such things doe not deceive us : and though no body dare confidently conclude , yet dare they not utterly deny , but that the spaniards blisse may lye hid in the barren mountaines , such as have coasted the countrey affirme that they know where to fetch seacole if wood were scant ; there is plenty of stone both rough and smooth , usefull for many things , with quarries of slate , out of which they get covering for houses , with good clay , whereof they make tiles and brickes , and pavements for their necessary uses . for the countrey it is as well watered as any land under the sunne , every family , or every two families having a spring of sweet waters betwixt them , which is farre different from the waters of england , being not so sharpe , but of a fatter substance , and of a more jetty colour ; it is thought there can be no better water in the world , yet dare i not preferre it before good beere , as some have done , but any man will choose it before bad beere , wheay , or buttermilke ▪ those that drinke it be as healthfull , fresh , and lustie , as they that drinke beere ; these springs be not onely within land , but likewise bordering upon the sea coasts , so that some times the tides overflow some of them , which is accounted rare in the most parts of england . no man hitherto hath beene constrained to digge deepe for his water , or to fetch it farre , or to fetch of severall waters for severall uses ; one kind of water serving for washing , and brewing and other things . now besides these springs , there be divers spacious ponds in many places of the countrey , out of which runne many sweet streames , which are constant in their course both winter and summer , whereat the cattle quench their thirst , and upon which may be built water mills , as the plantation encreases . the next commoditie the land affords , is good store of woods , & that not onely such as may be needfull for fewell , but likewise for the building of ships , and houses , & mils , and all manner of water-worke about which wood is needefull . the timber of the countrey growes straight , and tall , some trees being twenty , some thirty foot high , before hee spread forth his branches ; generally the trees be not very thicke , though there be many that will serve for mill posts , some beeing three foote and a halfe o're . and whereas it is generally conceived , that the woods grow so thicke , that there is no more cleare ground than is hewed out by labour of man ; it is nothing so ; in many places , divers acres being cleare , so that one may ride a hunting in most places of the land , if he will venture himselfe for being lost : there is no underwood saving in swamps , and low grounds that are wet , in which the english get osiers , and has●es , and such small wood as is for their use . of these swamps , some be ten , some twenty , some thirty miles long , being preserved by the wetnesse of the soile wherein they grow ; for it being the custome of the indians●o ●o burne the wood in november , when the grasse is withered , and leaves dryed , it consumes all the underwood , and rubbish , which otherwise would over grow the country , making it unpassable , and spoyling their much affected hunting : so that by this meanes in those places where the indians inhabit , there is scarce a bush or bramble , or any combersome underwood to bee seene in the more champion ground . small wood growing in these places where the fire could not come , is preserved . in some places where the indians dyed of the plague some foureteene yeares agoe , is much underwood , as in the mid way betwixt wessaguscus and plimouth , because it hath not beene burned ; cer●aine rivers stopping the fire from comming to cleare that place of the countrey , hath made it unusefull and troublesome to travell thorow , in so much that it is called ragged plaine , because it teares and rents the cloathes of them that passe . now because it may be necessary for mechanicall artificers to know what timber , and wood of use is in the countrey , i will recite the most usefull as followeth . trees both in hills and plaines , in plenty be , the long liv'd oake , and mournefull cypris tree , ski● towring pines , and chesnuts coated rough , the lasting cedar , with the walnut tough : the rezin dropping firre for mast in use , the boatmen seeke for oares light , neate , growne sprewse , the brittle ash , the ●ver trembling aspes , the broad-spread elm● , whose concave harbours waspes , the water sp●ngie alder good for nought , small elderne by th' indian fletchers sought , the knottie maple , pallid birtch , hawthornes , the horne bound tree that to be cloven scornes ; which from the tender vine oft takes his spouse , who ●wi●ds imbracing armes about his boughes . within this indian orchard fruites be some , the ruddie cherrie , and the jettie plumbe , snake murthering hazell , with sweet saxaphrage , whose spurnes in beere allayes hot fevers rage . the diars shumach , with more trees there be , that are both good to use , and rare to see . though many of these trees may seeme to have epithites contrary to the nature of them as they grow in england , yet are they agreeable with the trees of that countrie . the chiefe and common timber for ordinary use is oake , and walnut : of oakes there be three kindes , the red oake , white , and blacke ; as these are different in kinde , so are they chosen for such uses as they are most fit for , one kind being more fit for clappboard , others for sawne board , some fitter for shipping , others for houses . these trees affoard much mast for hogges , especially every third yeare , bearing a bigger acorne than our english oake . the wallnut tree is something different from the english wallnut , being a great deale more tough , and more serviceable , and altogether as heavie : and whereas our gunnes that are stocked with english wallnut , are soone broaken and cracked in frost , beeing a brittle wood ; we are driven to stocke them new with the country wallnut , which will indure all blowes , and weather ; lasting time out of minde . these trees beare a very good nut , something smaller , but nothing inferiour in sweetnesse and goodnesse to the english nut , having no bitter pill . there is likewise a tree in some part of the countrey , that beares a nut as bigge as a small peare . the cedar tree is a tree of no great growth , not bearing above a foot and a halfe square at the most , neither is it very high . i suppose they be much inferiour to the cedars of lebanon so much commended in holy writ . this wood is more desired for ornament than substance , being of colour red and white like eugh , smelling as sweete as iuniper ; it is commonly used for seeling of houses , and making of chests , boxes , and staves . the firre and pine bee trees that grow in many places , shooting up exceeding high , especially the pine : they doe afford good masts , good board , rozin and turpentine . out of these pines is gotten the candlewood that is so much spoken of , which may serve for a shift amongst poore folkes ; but i cannot commend it for singular good , because it is something sluttish , dropping a pitchie kinde of substance where it stands . here no doubt might be good done with saw mils ; for i have seene of these stately highgrowne trees , ten miles together close by the river side , from whence by shipping they might be conveyed to any desired port. likewise it is not improbable that pitch and tarre may be forced from these trees , which beare no other kinde of fruite . for that countrey ash , it is much different from the ash of england , being brittle and good for little , so that wallnut is used for it . the horne-bound tree is a tough kind of wood , that requires so much paines in riving as is almost incredible , being the best for to make boates and dishes , not being subject to cracke or leake . this tree growing with broad spread armes , the vines winde their curling branches about them ; which vines affoard great store of grapes , which are very big both for the grape and cluster , sweet and good : these be of two sorts , red and white , there is likewise a smaller kind of grape , which groweth in the islands which is sooner ripe and more delectable ; so that there is no knowne reason why as good wine may not be made in those parts , as well as in burdeuax in france ; being under the same degree . it is great pit●ie no man sets upon such a venture , whereby he might in small time inrich himselfe , and benefit the countrie , i know nothing which doth hinder but want of skilfull men to manage such an imployment : for the countrey is hot enough , the ground good enough , and many convenient hills which lye toward the south sunne , as if they were there placed for the purpose . the cherrie trees yeeld great store of cherries , which grow on clusters like grapes ; they be much smaller than our english cherrie , nothing neare so good if they be not very ripe ▪ they so furre the mouth that the tongue will cleave to the roofe , and the throate wax horse with swallowing those red bullies ( as i may call them , ) being little better in taste . english ordering may bring them to be an english cherrie , but yet they are as wilde as the indians . the plummes of the countrey be better for plummes than the cherries be for cherries , they be blacke and yellow about the bignesse of a damson , of a reasonable good taste . the white thorne affords hawes as bigge as an english cherrie , which is esteemed above a cherrie for his goodnesse and pleasantnesse to the taste . chap. vi. of the beasts that live on the land having related unto you the pleasant situation of the countrey , the healthfulnesse of the climate , the nature of the soile , with his vegetatives , and other commodities ; it will not be amisse to informe you of such irrationall creatures as are daily bred and continually nourished in this countrey , which doe much conduce to the well being of the inhabitants , affording not onely meate for the belly , but cloathing for the backe . the beasts be as followeth . the kingly lyon , and the strong arm'd beare the large lim'd mooses , with the tripping deare , quill darting porcupines , and rackcoones bee , castelld in the hollow of an aged tree ; the skipping squerrell , rabbet , purblinde hare , immured in the selfesame castle are , least red-eyd ferrets , wily foxes should them undermine , if rampird but with mould . the grim fac't ounce , and raven●●● howling woolfe , whose meagre pa●nch suckes like a swallowing gulfe ▪ blacke glistering otters , and rich coated bever , the civet sented musquash smelling ever . concerning lyons , i will not say that i ever saw any my selfe , but some affirme that they have seene a lyon at cape anne which is not above six leagues from boston : some likewise being lost in woods , have heard such terrible roarings , as have made them much agast ; which must eyther be devills or lyons ; there being no other creatures which use to roare saving beares , which have not such a terrible kind of roaring : besides , plimouth men have traded for lyons skinnes in former times . but sure it is that there be lyons on that continent , for the virginians saw an old lyon in their plantation , who having lost his iackall , which was wont to hunt his prey , was brought so poore that he could goe no further . for beares they be common , being a great blacke kind of beare , which be most feirce in strawberry time , at which time they have young ones ; at this time likewise they will goe upright like a man , and clime trees , and swimme to the islands ; which if the indians see , there will be more sportfull beare bayting than paris garden can affoard . for seeing the beares take water , an indian will leape after him , where they goe to water cuffes for bloody noses , and scratched sides ; in the end the man gets the victory , riding the beare over the watery plaine till he can beare him no longer . in the winter they take themselves to the clifts of rockes , and thicke swamps , to shelter them from the cold ; and foode being scant in those cold and hard times , they live onely by sleeping and sucking their pawes , which keepeth them as fat as they are in summer ; there would be more of them if it were not for the woolves , which devoure them ; a kennell of those ravening runnagadoes , setting on a poore single beare , will teare him as a dogge will teare a kid : it would be a good change if the countrey had for every woolfe a beare , upon the condition all the woolves were banished ; so should the inhabitants be not onely rid of their greatest annoyance , but furnished with more store of provisions , beares being accounted very good meate , esteemed of all men above venison ▪ againe they never prey upon the english cattle , or offer to assault the person of any man , unlesse being vexed with a shot , and a man run upon them before they be dead , in which case they will stand in their owne defence , as may appeare by this instance . two men going a fowling , appointed at evening to meete at a certaine pond side , to share equally , and to returne home ; one of these gunners having killed a seale or sea calfe , brought it to the side of the pond where hee was to meete his comrade , afterwards returning to the sea side for more gaine ; and having loaded himselfe with more geese and duckes , he repaired to the pond , where hee saw a great beare feeding on his seale , which caused him to throw downe his loade , and give the beare a salute ; which though it was but with goose shot , yet tumbled him over and over , whereupon the man supposing him to be in a manner dead , ran and beate him with the hand of his gunne ; the beare perceiving him to be such a coward to strike him when he was down , scrambled up , standing at defiance with him , scratching his legges , tearing his cloathes and face , who stood it out till his six foot gunne was broken in the middle , then being deprived of his weapon , he ran up to the shoulders into the pond , where hee remained till the beare was gone , and his mate come in , who accompanied him home . the beast called a moose , is not much unlike red deare , this beast is as bigge as an oxe ; slow of foote , headed like a bucke , with a broade beame , some being two yards wide in the head , their flesh is as good as beefe , their hides good for cloathing ; the english have some thoughts of keeping them tame , and to accustome them to the yoake , which will be a great commoditie : first because they are so fruitfull , bringing forth three at a time , being likewise very uberous . secondly , because they will live in winter without any fodder . there be not many of these in the massachusets bay , but forty miles to the northeast there be great store of them ; these pore beasts likewise are much devoured by the woolves : the ordinary deare be much bigger than the deare of england , of a brighter colour , more inclining to red , with spotted bellies ; the most store of these be in winter , when the more northerne parts of the countrey bee cold for them ; they desire to be neare the sea , so that they may swimme to the islands when they are chased by the woolves : it is not to be thought into what great multitudes they would encrease , were it not for the common devourer the woolfe ; they have generally three at a time , which they hide a mile one from another , giving them sucke by turnes ; thus they doe , that if the woolfe should finde one , he might misse of the other . these deare be fat in the deepe of winter ; in summer it is hard catching of them with the best greyhounds that may be procured , because they bee swift of foote . some credible persons have affirmed , that they have seene a deare leape three score feet at little or no forcement ; besides , there be so many old trees , rotten stumps , and indian barnes , that a dog cannot well run without being shoulder-shot : yet would i not disswade any from carrying good dogges ; for in the winter time they be very usefull ; for when the snow is hard frozen , the deare being heavie , sinkes into the snow , the doggs being light runne upon the top and overtake them , and pull them downe : some by this meanes have gotten twenty buckes and does in a winter , the hornes of these deare grow in such a straight manner , ( overhanging their heads ) that they cannot feede upon such things as grow low , till they have cast their old hornes : of these deare there be a great many , and more in the massachusets bay , than in any other place , which is a great helpe and refreshment to these planters . the porcupine is a small thing not much unlike a hedgehog ; something bigger , who stands upon his guard and proclaimes a noli me tangere , to man and beast , that shall approach too neare him , darting his quills into their legges , and hides . the rack●one is a deepe furred beast , not much unlike a badger , having a tayle like a fox , as good meate as a lambe ; there is one of them in the tower. these beasts in the day time sleepe in hollow trees , in the moone shine night they goe to feede on clammes at a low tide , by the sea side , where the english hunt them with their dogges . the squerrells be of thre● sorts , first the great gray squerrell , which is almost as bigge as an english rabbet ; of these there be the greatest plenty , one may kill a dozen of them in an afternoone , about three of the clocke they begin to walke . the second is a small squerrell , not unlike the english squerrell , which doth much trouble the planters of corne , so that they are constrained to set divers trappes , and to carry their cats into the corne fields , till their corne be three weekes old . the third kind is a flying squerrell , which is not very bigge , slender of body , with a great deale of loose skinne which shee spreads square when shee flyes , which the winde gets , and so wafts her batlike body from place to place ; it is a creature more for sight and wonderment , than eyther pleasure or profit . the rabbets be much like ours in england . the hares be some of them white , and a yard long ; these two harmelesse creatures are glad to shelter themselves from the harmefull foxes , in hollow trees , having a hole at the entrance no bigger than they can creepe in at : if they should make them holes in the ground , as on english rabbets doe , the undermining renoilds would rob them of their lives , and extirpate their generation . the beasts of offence be squunckes , fer●ets , foxes , whose impudence sometimes drives them to the good wives hen roost , to fill their paunch : some of these be blacke ; their furre is of much esteeme . the ounce or the wilde cat , is as big as a mungrell dog , this creature is by nature feirce , and more dangerous to bee met withall than any other creature , not fearing eyther dogge or man ; he useth to kill deare , which hee thus effecteth : knowing the deares tracts , hee will lye lurking in long weedes , the deare passing by he suddenly leapes upon his backe , from thence gets to his necke , and scratcheth out his throate ; he hath likewise a devise to get geese , for being much of the colour of a goose he will place himselfe close by the water , holding us his bob taile , which is like a goose necke ; the geese seeing this counterfet goose , approach nigh to visit him , who with a suddaine jerke apprehends his mistrustlesse prey . the english kill many of these , accounting them very good meate . their skinnes be a very deepe kind of furre , spotted white and black on the belly . the woolves bee in some respect different from them of other countries ; it was never knowne yet that a woolfe ever set upon a man or woman . neyther do they trouble horses or cowes ; but swine , goates and red calves which they take for deare , be often destroyed by them , so that a red calfe is cheaper than a blacke one in that regard ; in autumne and the beginning of the spring , these ravenous rangers doe most frequent our english habitations , following the deare which come downe at that time to those parts . they be made much like a mungrell , being big boned , la●ke paunched , deepe breasted , having a thicke necke , and head , pricke eares , and long snoute , with dangerous teeth , long staring haire , and a great bush taile ; it is thought of many , that our english mastiffes might be too hard for them ; but it is no such matter , for they care no more for an ordinary mastiffe , than an ordinary mastiffe cares for a c●●re ; many good dogges have beene spoyled with them . once a faire grayhound hearing them at their howlings run out to chide them , who was torne in peeces before he could be rescued . one of them makes no more bones to runne away with a pigge , than a dogge to runne away with a marrow ●●ne . it is observed that they have no joynts from the head to the tayle , which prevents them from leaping , or suddaine turning , as may appeare by what i shall shew you . a certaine man having shot an woolfe , as he was feeding upon a swine , breaking his legge onely , hee knew not how to dev●se his death , on a suddaine , the woolfe being a blacke one , he was loath to spoyle his furre with a second shot , his skinne being worth five or sixe pound sterling ; wherefore hee resolved to get him by the tayle , and thrust him into a river that was hard by ; which effected , the woolfe being not able to turne his joyntlesse body to bite him , was taken . that they cannot leape , may appeare by this woolfe , whose mouth watering at a few poore impaled kiddes , would needes leape over a five-foote pale to be at them ; but his foote slipping in the rise , he fell a little short of his desire , and being hung in the carpenters stockes , howled so loud , that he frighted away the kids , and called the english , who killed him . these be killed dayly in some place or other , either by the english , or indian ; who have a certaine rate for every head : yet is there little hope of their utter destruction , the countrey being so spacious , and they so numerous , travelling in the swamps by kennels : sometimes ten or twelve are of a company . late at night , and early in the morning , they set up their howlings , and call their companies together at night to hunt , at morning to sleepe ; in a word they be the greatest inconveniency the countrey hath , both for matter of dammage to private men in particular , and the whole countrey in generall . chap. vii . beasts living in the water . for all creatures that liv'd both by land and water , they be first otters , which be most of them blacke , whose furre is much used for muffes , and are held almost as deare as beaver . the fl●sh of them is none of the best meate , but their oyle is of rare use for many things . secondly , martins , a good furre for their bignesse : thirdly , musquashes , which be much like a beaver for shape , but nothing neare so bigge ; the male hath two stones which smell as sweete as muske , and being killed in winter , never lose their sweete smell : these skinnes are no bigger than a coney-skinne , yet are sold for five shillings a peice , being sent for tokens into england . one good skinne will perfume a whole house-full of cloathes , if it be right and good . fourthly , the beaver , concerning whom if i should at large discourse , according to knowledge or information , i might make a volumne . the wisedome and understanding of this beast , will almost conclude him a reasonable creature : his shape is thicke and short , having likewise short legs , feete like a mole before , and behinde like a goo●● , a broad tayle in forme like a shooe-soale , very tough and strong ; his head is something like an otters head , saving that his teeth before , be placed like the teeth of a rabbet , two above , and two beneath ; sharpe and broad , with which he cuts downe trees as thicke as a mans thigh , afterwards diuiding them into lengths , according to the use they are appointed for . if one bever be too weake to carry the logge , then another helpes him ; if they two be too weake , then multorum manibus grande levatur onus ; foure more adding their helpe , being placed three to three , which set their teeth in one anothers tough tayles , and laying the loade on the two hindermost , they draw the logge to the desired place . that this may not seeme altogether incredible , remember that the like almost may be seene in our ants , which will joyne sometimes seaven or eight together in the carrying of a burthen . these creatures build themselves houses of wood and clay , close by the ponds sides , and knowing the seasons , build them answerable houses , having them three stories high , so that as land-floods are raised by great raines , as the waters arise , they mount higher in their houses ; as they asswage , they descend lower againe . these houses are so strong , that no creature saving an industrious man with his penetrating tooles can prejudice them , their ingresse and egresse being vnder water . these make likewise very good ponds , knowing whence a streame runnes from betweene two rising hils , they will there pitch downe piles of wood , placing smaller rubbish before it with clay and sods , not leaving , till by their art and industry they have made a firme and curious damme-head , which may draw admiration from wise understanding men . these creatures keepe themselves to their owne families , never parting so long as they are able to keepe house together : and it is commonly sayd , if any beaver accidentally light into a strange place , he is made a drudge so long as he lives there , to carry at the greater end of the logge , unlesse he creepe away by stealth . their wisedome secures them from the english , who seldome , or neuer kills any of them , being not patient to lay a long siege , or to be so often deceived by their cunning evasions , so that all the beaver which the english have , comes first from the indians , whose time and experience fits them for that imployment . chap. viii . of the birds and fowles both of land and water . having shewed you the most desireable , usefull , and beneficiall creatures , with the most offensive carrions that belong to our wildernesse , it remaines in the next place , to shew you such kinds of fowle as the countrey affoords : they are many , and we have much variety both at sea and on land ; and such as yeeld us much profit , and honest pleasure , and are these that follow ; as the princely eagle , and the soaring hawke , whom in their unknowne wayes there 's none can chawke : the humberd for some queenes rich cage more fit , than in the vacant wildernesse to sit . the swift wing'd swallow sweeping to and fro , as swift as arrow from tartarian bow. when as aurora's infant day new springs , there th' morning mounting larke her sweete layes sing● . the harmonious thrush , swift pigeon , turtle-dove , who to her mate doth ever constant prove : the turky-phesant , heathcocke , partridge rare , the carrion-tearing crow , and hurtfull stare , the long liv'd raven , th' ominous screech-owle , who tells as old wives say , disasters foule . the drowsie madge that leaves her day-lov'd nest , and loves to roave when day-birds be at rest : th'eele-murthering hearne , and greedy cormorant , that neare the creekes in morish marshes haunt . the bellowing bitterne , with the long-leg'd crane , presaging winters hard , and dearth of graine . the silver swan that tunes her mournefull breath , to sing the dirge of her approaching death . the tatling oldwines , and the cackling geese , the fearefull gull that shunnes the murthering peece , the strong wing'd mallard , with the nimble teale , and ill-shape't loone who his harsh notes doth squeale . there widgins , sheldrackes and humiliteers , snites , doppers , sea-larkes , in whole million flees . the eag●es of the countrey be of two sorts , one like the eagles that be in england , the other is something bigger with a great white head , and white tayle : these bee commonly called gripes ; these prey upon duckes and geese , and such fish as are cast upon the sea-shore . and although an eagle be counted king of that feathered regiment , yet is there a certaine blacke hawke that beates him ; so that hee is oonstrayned to soare so high , till heate expell his adversary ▪ this hawke is much prized of the indians , being accounted a sagamo●es ransome . to speake much of hawkes , were to trespasse upon my owne judgement , and bring upon my selfe a deserved censure , for abusing the faulconers termes : but by relation from those that have more insight into them than my selfe : there be divers kinds of hawkes : their aieries are easie to come by , being in the holes of rockes , neare the shore , so that any who are addicted to that sport , if he will be but at the charge of finding poul●ry for them , may have his desires . we could wish them well mew'd in england ; for they make hauock● of hens , partridges , heathcockes , and duckes ; often hindering the fowler of his long look't for shoote . the humbird is one of the wonders of the countrey , being no bigger than a hornet , yet hath all the demensions of a bird , as bill , and wings , with quills , spider-like legges , small clawes : for colour , she is as glorious as the rai●e-bow ; as she flies , she makes a little humming noise like a humble-bee : wherefore shee is called the humbird . the pigeon of that countrey , is something different from our dove-house pigeons in england , being more like turtles , of the same colour ; but they haue long tayles like a magpie : and they seeme not so bigge , because they carry not so many feathers on their backes as our english doves , yet are they as bigge in body . these birds come into the countrey , to goe to the north parts in the beginning of our spring , at which time ( if i may be counted worthy , to be beleeved in a thing that is not so strange as true ) i have seene them fly as if the ayerie regiment had beene pigeons ; seeing neyther beginning nor ending , length , or breadth of these millions of millions . the shouting of people , the ratling of gunnes , and pelting of small shotte could not drive them out of their course , but so they continued for foure or five houres together : yet it must not be concluded , that it is thus often ; for it is but at the beginning of the spring , and at michaelmas , when they returne backe to the southward ; yet are there some all the yeare long , which are easily attayned by such as looke after them . many of them build amongst the pine-trees , thirty miles to the north-east of our plantations ; joyning nest to nest , and tree to tree by their nests , so that the sunne never sees the ground in that place , from whence the indians fetch whole loades of them . the turky is a very large bird , of a blacke colour , yet white in flesh ; much bigger than our english turky . he hath the use of his long legs so ready , that he can runne as fast as a dogge , and flye as well as a goose : of these sometimes there will be forty , threescore , and a hundred of a flocke , somet●mes more and sometimes lesse ; their feeding is acornes , hawes , and berries , some of them get a haunt to frequent our english corne : in winter when the snow covers the ground , they resort to the sea shore to look for shrimps , & such smal fishes at low tide . such as love turkie hunting , must follow it in winter after a new falne snow , when hee may follow them by their tracts ; some have killed ten or a dozen in halfe a day ; if they can be found towards an evening and watched where they peirch , if one come about ten or eleaven of the clocke he may shoote as often as he will , they will sit , unlesse they be slenderly wounded . these turkies remaine all the yeare long , the price of a good turkie cocke is foure shillings ; and he is well worth it , for he may be in weight forty pound ; a hen two shillings . pheasons bee very rare , but heathcockes , and partridges be common ; he that is a husband , and will be stirring betime , may kill halfe a dozen in a morning . the partridges be bigger than they be in england , the flesh of the heathcockes is red , and the flesh of a partridge white , their price is foure pence a peece . the ravens , and the crowes be much like them of other countries . there are no magpies , iackedawes , coockooes , iayes , sparrows , &c. the stares be bigger than those in england , as blacke as crowes , being the most troublesome , and injurious bird of all others , pulling up the cornes by the roots , when it is young , so that those who plant by reedy and seggy places , where they frequent , are much annoyed with them , they being so audacious that they feare not guns , or their fellowes hung upon poles ; but the corne having a weeke or nine dayes growth is past their spoyling . the owles be of two sorts ; the one being small speckled , like a partridge , with ea●es , the other being a great owle , almost as big as an eagle , his body beeing as good meate as a partridge . cormorants bee as common as other fowles , which destroy abundance of small fish , these are not worth the shooting because they are the worst of fowles for meate , tasting ranke , and fishy : againe , one may shoot twenty times and misse , for seeing the fire in the panne , they dive under the water before the shot comes to the place where they were ; they use to roost upon the tops of trees , and rockes , being a very heavy drowsie creature , so that the indians will goe in their cannowes in the night , and take them from the rockes , as easily as women take a hen from roost ; no ducking ponds can affoard more delight than a lame cormorant , and two or three lusty dogges . the crane although hee bee almost as tall as a man by reason of his long legges , and necke ; yet is his body rounder than other fowles , not much unlike the body of a turkie . i have seene many of these fowles , yet did i never see one that was far , i suppose it is contrary to their nature to grow fat ▪ of these there be many in summer , but none in winter , their price is two shilling . there be likewise many swannes which frequent the fresh ponds and rivers , seldome consorting themselves with duckes and geese ; these bee very good meate , the price of one is six shillings . the geese of the countrey be of three sorts , first a brant goose , which is a goose almost like the wilde goose in england , the price of one of these is six pence . the second kind is a white goose , almost as big as an english tame goose , these come in great flockes about michelmasse , sometimes there will be two or three thousand in a flocke , these continue six weekes , and so flye to the southward , returning in march , and staying six weekes more , returning againe to the northward ; the price of one of these is eight pence . the third kind of geese , is a great gray goose , with a blacke necke , and a blacke and white head , strong of flight ; these bee a great deale bigger than the ordinary geese of england , some very fat , and in the spring so full of feathers , that the shot can scarce peirce them ; most of these geese remaine with us from michelmas to aprill ; they feede on the sea of fish , and in the woods of acornes , having as other foule have , their passe and repasse to the northward and southward : the accurate marksmen kill of these both flying and sitting ; the price of a good gray goose is eighteene pence . the duckes of the countrey be very large ones and in great abundance , so is there of teale likewise ; the price of a ducke is six pence , of a teale three pence . if i should tell you how some have killed a hundred geese in a weeke , . duckes at a shot , . teales at another , it may be counted impossible , though nothing more certaine . the oldwives , be a foule that never leave tatling day or night , something bigger than a ducke . the loone is an ill shap'd thing like a cormorant ; but that he can neyther goe nor flye ; he maketh a noise sometimes like a sowgelders horne . the humilities or simplicities ( as i may rather call them ) bee of two sorts , the biggest being as big as a greene plover , the other as big as birds we call knots in england . such is the simplicity of the smaller sorts of these birds , that one may drive them on a heape like so many sheepe , and seeing a fit time shoot them ; the living seeing the dead , settle themselves on the same place againe , amongst which the fowler discharges againe . i my selfe have killed twelve score at two shootes : these bird are to be had upon sandy brakes at the latter end of summer before the geese come in . thus much have i shewed you as i know to bee true concerning the fowle of the countrey . but me thinkes i heare some say that this is very good if it could be caught , or likely to continue , and that much shooting will fright away the fowles . true it is , that every ones imployment wil not permit him to fowle : what then ? yet those imployments furnish them with silver guns with which they may have it more easie . for the frighting of the fowle , true it is that many goe blurting away their pouder and shot , that have no more skill to kill , or winne a goose , than many in england that have rustie muskets in their houses , knowes what belongs to a souldier , yet are they not much affrighted . i have seene more living and dead the last yeare than i have done in former yeares . chap. ix . of fish. hhving done with these , let me leade you from the land to the sea , to view what commodities may come from thence ; there is no countrey knowne , that yeelds more variety of fish winter and summer : and that not onely for the present spending and sustentation of the plantations , but likewise for trade into other countries , so that those which have had stages & make fishing voyages into those parts , have gained ( it is thought ) more than the new found land iobbers . codfish in these seas are larger than in new found land , six or seaven making a quintall , whereas there they have fifteene to the same weight ; and though this they seeme a base and more contemptible commoditie in the judgement of more neate adventurers , yet it hath bin the enrichment of other nations , and and is likely to prove no small commoditie to the planters , and likewise to england if it were thorowly undertaken . salt may be had from the salt islands , and as is supposed may be made in the countrey . the chiefe fish for trade is cod , but for the use of the countrey , there is all manner of fish as followeth . the king of waters , the sea shouldering whale , the snuffing grampus , with the oyly seale , the storme praesaging porpus , herring-hogge , line shearing sharke , the catfish , and sea dogge , the scale-fenc'd sturgeon , wry mouthd hollibut , the flounsing sammon , codfish , greedigut : cole , haddocke , hag● , the thornebacke , and the scate , whose slimie outside makes him selde in date , the stately basse old neptunes fleeting post , that tides it out and in from sea to coast. consorting herrings , and the bony shad , big bellied alewives , machrills richly clad with rainebow colours , th'frost fish and the smelt , as good as ever lady gustus felt . the spotted lamprons , eeles , the lamperies , that seeke fresh water brookes with argus eyes : these waterie villagers with thousands more , doe passe and repasse neare the verdant shore . kinds of all shel-fish . the luscious lobster , with the crabfish raw , the brinish oister , muscle , periwigge , and tortoise sought for by the indian squaw , which to the flats daunce many a winters iigge , to dive for cocles , and to digge for clamms , whereby her lazie husbands guts s●ee cramms . to omit such of these as are not usefull , therefore not to be spoken of , and onely to certifie you of such as be usefull . first the seale which is that which is called the sea calfe , his skinne is good for divers uses , his body being betweene fish and flesh , it is not very delectable to the pallate , or congruent with the stomack ; his oyle is very good to burne in lampes , of which he affoards a great deale . the sharke is a kinde of fish as bigge as a man , some as bigge as a horse , with three rowes of teeth within his mouth , with which he snaps asunder the fishermans lines , if he be not very circumspect : this fish will leape at a mans hand if it be over board , and with his teeth snap off a mans legge or hand if he be a swimming ; these are often taken , being good for nothing but to put on the ground for manuring of land . the sturgions be all over the countrey , but the best catching of them be upon the shoales of cape codde , and in the river of mirrimacke , where much is taken , pickled and brought for england , some of these be . . . foote long : i set not downe the price of fish there , because it is so cheape , so that one may have as much for two pence , as would give him an angell in england . the sammon is as good as it is in england and in great plenty . the hollibut is not much unlike a pleace or turbut , some being two yards long , and one wide : and a foot thicke ; the plenty of better fish makes these of little esteeme , except the head and finnes , which stewed or baked is very good : these hollibuts be little set by while basse is in season . thornebacke and scates is given to the dogges , being not counted worth the dressing in many places . the basse is one of the best fishes in the countrey , and though men are soone wearied with other fish , yet are they never with basse ; it is a delicate , fine , fat , fast fish , having a bone in his head , which containes a sawcerfull of marrow sweet and good , pleasant to the pallat , and wholsome to the stomack . when there be great store of them , we onely eate the heads , and salt up the bodies for winter , which exceedes ling or haberdine . of these fishes some be three and some foure foot long , some bigger , some lesser : at some tides a man may catch a dozen or twenty of these in three houres , the way to catch them is with hooke and line : the fisherman taking a great cod-line , to which he fastneth a peece of lobster , and throwes it into the sea , the fish biting at it he pulls her to him , and knockes her on the head with a sticke . these are at one time ( when alewives passe up the rivers ) to be catched in rivers , in lobster time at the rockes , in macrill time in the bayes , at michelmas in the seas . when they use to tide it in and out to the rivers and creekes , the english at the top of an high water do crosse the creekes with long scanes or basse netts , which stop in the fish ; and the water ebbing from them they are left on the dry ground , sometimes two or three thousand at a set , which are salted up against winter , or distributed to such as have present occasion either to spend them in their houses , or use them for their ground . the herrings be much like them that be caught on the english coasts . alewives be a kind of fish which is much like a herring , which in the latter end of aprill come up to the fresh rivers to spawne , in such multitudes as is allmost incredible , pressing up in such shallow waters as will scarce permit them to swimme , having likewise such longing desire after the fresh water ponds , that no beatings with poles , or forcive agitations by other devices , will cause them to returne to the sea , till they have cast their spawne . the shaddes be bigger than the english shaddes and fatter . the macrells be of two sorts , in the beginning of the yeare are great ones , which be upon the coast ; some are . inches long . in summer as in may , iune , iuly , and august , come in a smaller kind of them : these macrills are taken with drailes which is a long small line , with a lead and hooke at the end of it , being baited with a peece of red cloath : this kind of fish is counted a leane fish in england , but there it is so fat , that it can scarce be saved against winter without reisting . there be a great store of salt water eeles , especially in such places where grasse growes : for to take these there be certaine eele pots made of osyers , which must be baited with a peece of lobster , into which the eeles entring cannot returne backe againe : some take a bushell in a night in this manner , eating as many as they have neede of for the present , and salt up the rest against winter . these eeles be not of so luscious a tast as they be in england , neyther are they so aguish , but are both wholesome for the body , and delightfull for the taste : lamprons and lampreyes be not much set by ; lobsters be in plenty in most places , very large ones , some being . pound in weight ; these are taken at a low water amongst the rockes , they are very good fish , the small ones being the best , their plenty makes them little esteemed and seldome eaten . the indians get many of them every day for to baite their hookes withall , and to eate when they can get no basse : the oisters be great ones in forme of a shoo horne , some be a foote long , these breede on certaine bankes that are bare every spring tide . this fish without the shell is so big that it must admit of a devision before you can well get it into your mouth . the perewig is a kind of fish that lyeth in the oaze like a head of haire , which being touched conveyes it selfe leaving nothing to bee seene but a small round hole . muscles be in great plenty , left onely for the hogges , which if they were in england would be more esteemed of the poorer sort . clamms or clamps is a shel-fish not much unlike a cockle , it lyeth under the sand , every six or seaven of them having a round hole to take ayre and receive water at . when the tide ebs and flowes , a man running over these clamm bankes will presently be made all wet , by their spouting of water out of those small holes : these fishes be in great plenty in most places of the countrey , which is a great commoditie for the feeding of swine , both in winter , and summer ; for being once used to those places , they will repaire to them as duely every ebbe , as if they were driven to them by keepers : in some places of the countrey there bee clamms as bigge as a pennie white loafe , which are great dainties amongst the natives , and would bee in good esteeme amongst the english , were it not for better fish . chap. x. of the severall plantations in particular . having described the situation of the countrey in generall , with all his commodities arising from land and sea , it may adde to your content and satisfaction to be informed of the situation of every severall plantation , with his conveniences , commodities , and discommodities , &c. where first i will begin with the outmost plantation in the patent to the south ward , which is called wessagutus an indian name : this as yet is but a small village , yet it is very pleasant , and healthfull , very good ground , and is well timbred , and hath good store of hey ground ; it hath a very spacious harbour for shipping before the towne ; the salt water being navigable for boates & pinnaces two leagues . here the inhabitants have good store of fish of all sorts , and swine , having acornes and clamms at the time of yeare ; here is likewise an alewife river . three miles to the north of this is mount walleston , a very fertile soyle , and a place very convenient for farmers houses , there being great store of plaine ground , without trees . this place is called massachusets fields where the greatest sagamore in the countrey lived , before the plague , who caused it to be cleared for himselfe . the greatest inconvenience is , that there is not very many springs , as in other places of the countrey , yet water may bee had for digging : a second inconvenience is , that boates cannot come in at a low water , nor ships ride neare the shore . sixe miles further to the north , lieth dorchester ; which is the greatest towne in new england ; well woodded and watered ; very good arable grounds , and hay-ground , faire corne-fields , and pleasan● gardens , with kitchin-gardens . in this plantation is a great many cattle , as kine , goats , and swine . this plantation hath a reasonable harbour for ships : here is no alewife-river , which is a great inconvenience . the inhabitants of this towne , were the first that set upon the trade of fishing in the bay , who received so much fruite of their labours , that they encouraged others to the same undertakings . a mile from this towne lieth roxberry , which is a faire and handsome countrey-towne ; the inhabitants of it being all very rich . this towne lieth upon the maine , so that it is well woodded and watered ; having a cleare and fresh brooke running through the towne : vp which although there come no alewiues , yet there is great store of smelts , and therefore it is called smelt-brooke . a quarter of a mile to the north-side of the towne , is another river called stony-river ; upon which is built a water-●●●●ne . here is good ground for corne , and medow for cattle : vp westward from the towne it is something rocky , whence it hath the name of roxberry ; the inhabitants have faire houses , store of cattle , impaled corne-fields , and fruitfull gardens . here is no harbour for ships , because the towne is seated in the bottome of a shallow bay , which is made by the necke of land on which boston is built ; so that they can transport all their goods from the ships in boats from boston , which is the nearest harbour . boston is two miles north-east from roxberry : his situation is very pleasant , being a peninsula , hem'd in on the south-side with the bay of roxberry , on the north-side with gla●ly-river , the marshes on the backe-side , being not halfe a quarter of a mile over ; so that a little fencing will secure their cattle from the woolues . their greatest wants be wood , and medow-ground , which never were in that place ; being constrayned to fetch their building-timber , and fire-wood from the ilands in boates , and their hay in loyters : it being a necke and bare of wood : they are not troubled with three great annoyances , of woolves , rattle-snakes , and musketoes . these that live here upon their cattle , must be constrayned to take farmes in the countrey , or else they cannot subsist ; the place being too small to containe many , and fittest for such as can trade into england , for such commodities as the countrey wants , being the chiefe place for shipping and merchandize . this necke of land is not above foure miles in compasse , in forme almost squ●re , having on the south-side at one corner , a great broad hill , whereon is planted a fort , which can command any ship as shee say●es into any harbour within the still bay. on the north-side is another hill , equall in bignesse , whereon stands a winde-mill . to the north-west is a high mountaine with three little rising hils on the top of it , wherefore it is called the tramount . from the top of this mountaine a man may over-looke all the ilands which lie before the bay , and discry such ships as are upon the sea-coast . this towne although it be neither the greatest , nor the richest , yet it is the most noted and fr●quented , being the center of the plantations where the monthly courts are kept . here like●●●● dwe●ls the governour : this place hath very good land , affording rich corne-fields , and fruitefull gardens ; having likewise sweete and pleasant springs . the inhabitants of this place for their enlargement , have taken to themselves farme-houses , in a place called muddy-river , two miles from their towne ; where is good ground , large timber , and store of marsh-land , and medow . in this place they keepe their swine and other cattle in the summer , whilst the corne is on the ground at boston , and bring them to the towne in winter . on the north-side of charles river is charles towne , which is another necke of land , on whose north-side runs misticke-river . this towne for all things , may be well paralel'd with her neighbour boston , being in the same fashion with her bare necke , and constrained to borrow conveniences from the maine , and to provide for themselves farmes in the countrey for their better subsistance . at this towne there is kept a ferry-boate , to conveigh passengers over charles river , which betweene the two townes is a quarter of a mile over , being a very deepe channell . here may ride forty ships at a time . vp higher it is a broad bay , being above two miles betweene the shores , into which runnes stony-river , and muddy-river . towards the south-west in the middle of this bay , is a great oyster-banke : towards the north-west of this bay is a great creeke , upon whose shore is situated the village of medford , a very fertile and pleasant place , and fit for more inhabitants than are yet in it . this towne is a mile and a halfe from charles towne , and at the bottome of this bay the river beginnes to be narrower , being but halfe a quarter of a mile broad . by the side of this river is built new-towne , which is three miles by land from charles towne , and a league and a halfe by water . this place was first intended for a city , but upon more serious considerations it was not thought so fit , being too farre from the sea ; being the greatest inconvenience it hath . this is one of the nearest and best compacted townes in new england , having many faire structures , with many handsome contrived streets . the inhabitants most of them are very rich , and well stored with cattell of all sorts ; having many hundred acres of ground paled in with one generall fence , which is about a mile and a halfe long , which secures all their weaker cattle from the wilde beasts . on the other side of the river lieth all their medow and marsh-ground for hay . halfe a mile westward of this plantation , is water-towne ; a place nothing inferiour for land , wood , medow , and water to new-towne . within halfe a mile of this towne is a great pond , which is divided betweene those two townes , which divides their bounds northward . a mile and a halfe from this towne , is a fall of fresh waters , which conveigh themselves into the ocean through charles river . a little below this fall of waters , the inhabitants of water-towne have built a wayre to catch fish , wherein they take great store of shads and alewives . in two tydes they have gotten one hundred thousand of those fishes : this is no small benefit to the plantation : ships of small burden may come up to these two townes , but the oyster-bankes doe barre out the bigger ships . the next towne is misticke , which is three miles from charles towne by land , and a league and a halfe by water : it is seated by the waters side very pleasantly ; there be not many houses as yet . at the head of this river are great and spacious ponds , whither the alewives preasse to spawne . this being a noted place for that kinde of fish , the english resort thither to take them . on the west side of this river the governour hath a farme , where he keepes most of his cattle . on the east side is maister craddockes plantation , where he hath impaled a parke , where he keepes his cattle , till he can store it with deere : here likewise he is at charges of building ships . the last yeare one was upon the stockes of a hundred tunne , that being finished , they are to build one twice her burden . ships without either ballast or loading , may floate downe this river ; otherwise the oyster-banke would hinder them which crosseth the channell . the last towne in the still bay , is winnisimet ; a very sweet place for situation , and stands very commodiously , being fit to entertaine more planters than are yet seated : it is within a mile of charles towne , the river onely parting them . the chiefe ilands which keepe out the winde and the sea from disturbing the harbours , are first deare iland , which lies wirhin a flight-shot of pullin-point . this iland is so called , because of the deare which often swimme thither from the maine , when they are chased by the woolves : some have killed sixteene deere in a day upon this iland . the opposite shore is called pullin-point , because that is the usuall channel . boats use to passe thorow into the bay ; and the tyde being very strong , they are constrayned to goe ashore , and hale their boats by the sea●ing , or roades , whereupon it was called pullin-point . the next iland of note is long iland , so called from his longitude . divers other ilands be within these : viz. nodles ile , round i le , the governours garden , where is planted an orchard and a vine-yard , with many other conveniences ; and slate-iland , glasse-iland , bird-iland , &c. these iles bound with woods , and water , and medow-ground ; and whatsoever the spacious fertile maine affords . the inhabitants use to put their cattle in these for safety , viz. their rammes , goates , and swine , when their corne is on the ground . those townes that lie without the bay , are a great deale nearer the maine , and reape a greater benefit from the sea , in regard of the plenty both of fish and fowle , which they receive from thence : so that they liue more comfortably , and at lesse charges , than those that are more remote from the sea in the land-plantations . the next plantation is saugus , sixe miles north-east from winnesimet : this towne is pleasant for situation , seated at the bottome of a bay , which is made on the one side with the surrounding shore , and on the other side with a long sandy beach . this sandy beach is two miles long at the end , whereon is a necke of land called nahant : it is sixe miles in circumference ; well woodded with oakes , pines , and cedars : it is beside well watered , having beside the fresh springs , a great pond in the middle ; before which is a spacious marsh. in this necke is store of good ground , fit for the plow ; but for the present it is onely used for to put young cattle in , and weather-goates , and swine , to secure them from the woolues : a few posts and rayles from the low water-markes to the shore , keepes out the woolves , and keepes in the cattle . one blacke william , an indian duke , out of his generosity gave this place in generall to this plantation of saugus , so that no other can appropriate it to himselfe . vpon the south-side of the sandy beach the sea beateth , which is a true prognostication , to presage stormes and foule weather , and the breaking up of the frost : for when a storme hath beene , or is likely to be , it will roare like thunder , being heard sixe miles ; and after stormes casts up great store of great clammes , which the indians taking out of their shels , carry home in baskets . on the north-side of this bay is two great marshes , which are made two by a pleasant river which runnes betweene them . northward up this river , goes great store of alewives , of which they make good red herrings ; in so much that they have beene at charges to make a wayre , and a herringhouse , to dry these herrings in ; the last yeare were dryed some or last for an experiment , which proved very good ; this is like to prove a great inrichment to the land , ( being a staple commoditie in other countries ) for there be such innumerable companies in every river , that i have seene ten thousand taken in two houres by two men , without any weire at all , saving a few stones to stone their passage up the river . there likewise come sto●e of basse , which the indians and english catch with hooke and line , some fifty or threescore at a tide . at the mouth of this river runnes up a great creeke into that great marsh , which is called rumny marsh , which is miles long and a miles broad ; halfe of it being marsh ground and halfe upland grasse , without tree or bush : this marsh is crossed with divers creekes , wherein lye great store of geese , and duckes . there be convenient lands for the planting of duckcoyes . here is likewise belonging to this place divers fresh meddowes , which afford good grasse and foure spacious ponds like little lakes , wherein is store of fresh fish : within a mile of the towne , out of which runnes a curious fresh brooke that is seldome frozen by reason of the warmenesse of the water ; upon this streame is built a water milne , and up this river comes smelts and frost fish much bigger than a gudgion . for wood there is no want , there being store of good oakes , wallnut , caedar , aspe , elme ; the ground is very good , in many places without trees , fit for the plough . in this plantation is more english tillage , than in all new england , and virginia besides ; which proved as well as could bee expected , the corne being very good especially the barly , rye , and oates . the land affordeth the inhabitants as many ratities as any place else , and the sea more : the basse continuing from the middle of aprill to michaelmas , which stayes not above half that time in the bay : besides here is a great deale of rockcod and macrill , insomuch that shoales of basse have driven up shoales of macrill from one end of the sandie brech to the other , which the inhabitants have gathered up in wheel-barrowes . the bay that lyeth before the towne at a low spring tyde , will be all flatts for two miles together , upon which is great store of muscle banckes , and clam bancks , and lobsters amongst the rockes and grassie holes . these flatts make it unnavigable for shippes , yet at high water great boates , loiters , and pinnaces of , and tun , may saile up to the plantation , but they neede have a skilfull pilote , because of many dangerous rockes and foaming breakers , that lye at the mouth of that bay. the very aspect of the place is fortification enough to keepe off an unknowne enemie , yet may it be fortified at a little charge , being but few landing places there about , and those obscure . foure miles northeast from sangus lyeth salem , which stands on the middle of a necke of land very pleasantly , having a south river on the one side , and a north river on the other side : upon this necke where the most of the houses stand is very bad and s●ndie ground , yet for seaven yeares together it hath brought forth exceeding good corne , by being fished but every third yeare ; in some places is very good ground , and very good timber , and divers springs hard by the sea side . here likewise is store of fish , as basses , eeles , lobsters , clammes , &c. although their land be none of the best , yet beyond those rivers is a very good soyle , where they have taken farmes , and get their hay , and plant their corne ; there they crosse these rivers with small cannowes , which are made of whole pine trees , being about two foot & a half over , and . foote long : in these likewise they goe a fowling , sometimes two leagues to sea ; there be more cannowes in this towne than in all the whole patent ; every houshould having a water-house or two . this towne wants an alewife river , which is a great inconvenience ; it hath two good harbours , the one being called winter , and the other summer harbour , which lyeth within derbies fort , which place if it were well fortified , might keepe shippes from landing of forces in any of those two places . marvill head is a place which lyeth miles full south from salem , and is a very convenient place for a plantation , especially for such as will set upon the trade of fishing . there was made here a ships loading of fish the last yeare , where still stands the stages , and drying scaffolds ; here be good harbour for boates , and safe riding for shippes , agowamme is nine miles to the north from salem , which is one of the most spatious places for a plantation , being neare the sea , it aboundeth with fish , and flesh of fowles and beasts , great meads and marshes and plaine plowing grounds , many good rivers and harbours and no rattle snakes . in a word , it is the best place but one , which is merrimacke , lying miles beyond it , where is a river leagues navigable , all along the river side is fresh marshes , in somes places miles broad . in this river is sturgeon , sammon , and basse , and divers other kinds of fish . to conclude , the countrie hath not that which this place cannot yeeld . so that these two places may containe twice as many people as are yet in new england : there being as yet scarce any inhabitants in these two spacious places . three miles beyond the river of merrimacke is the outside of our patent for the massachusetts bay. these be all the townes that were begun , when i came for england , which was the of august . chap. xi . of the evills , and such things as are hurtfull in the plantation . i have informed you of the country in generall and of every plantation in particular , with their commodities and wherein one excelleth another . now that i may be every way faithfull to my reader in this worke , i will as fully and truely relate to you what is evill , and of most annoyance to the inhabitants . first those which bring most prejudice to their estates are the ravenons woolves , which destroy the weaker cattell , but of these you have heard before : that which is most injurious to the person and life of man is a rattle snake which is generally a yard and a halfe long , a● thicke in the middle as the small of a mans legge , she hath a yellow belly , her backe being spotted with blacke , russet , yellow , and greene colours , placed like scales ; at her taile is a rattle , with which she makes a noyse when she is molested , or when she seeth any approach neere her , her necke seemes to be no thicker than a mans thumbe yet can she swallow a squerill , having a great wide mouth , with teeth as sharpe as needles , wherewith she biteth such as tread upon her : her poyson lyeth in her teeth , for she hath no sting . when any man is bitten by any of these creatures , the poyson spreads so suddenly through the veines & so runs to the heart , that in one houre it causeth death , unlesse he hath the antidote to expell the poyson , which is a root called snakeweed , which must be champed , the spittle swallowed , and the root applyed to the sore ; this is present cure against that which would be present death without it : this weed is ranck poyson , if it be taken by any man that is not bitten : whosoever is bittē by these snakes his flesh becomes as spotted as a leaper untill hee be perfectly cured . it is reported that if the party live that is bitten , the snake will dye , and if the partie die , the snake will live . this is a most poysonous and dangerous creature , yet nothing so bad as the report goes of him in england . for whereas he is sayd to kill a man with his breath , and that he can flye , there is no such matter , for he is naturally the most sleepie and unnimble creature that lives , never offering to leape or bite any man , if he be not troden on first , and it is their desire in hot weather to lye in pathes , where the sunne may shine on them , where they will sleepe so soundy that i have knowne foure men stride over one of them , and never awake her : or men have beene bitten by them , which by using of snakeweede were all cured , never any yet losing his life by them . cowes have beene bitten , but being cut in divers places , and this weede thrust into their flesh were cured , i never heard of any beast that was yet lost by any of them , saving one mare . a small switch will easily kill one of these snakes . in many places of the countrie there bee none of them , as at plimouth , newtowne , igowamme , nahant , &c. in some places they will live on one side of the river , and swimming but over the water , as soone as they be come into the woods , they turne up their yellow bellies and dye . vp into the countrey westward from the plantations is a high hill , which is called rattlesnake hill , where there is great store of these poysonous creatures . there be divers other kinde of snakes , one whereof is a great long blacke snake , two yards in length which will glide through the woods very swiftly ; these never doe any hurt , neither doth any other kinde of snakes molest either man or beast . these creatures in the winter time creepe into clifts of rockes and into holes under ground , where they lyd close till may or iune . here likewise bee great store of frogs , which in the spring doe chirpe and whistle like a bird , and at the latter end of summer croake like our english frogges . heere be also toades which will climbe the topes of high trees where they will sit croaking , to the wonderment of such as are not acquainted with them . i never saw any wormes or moles , but pismires and spiders be there . there are likewise troublesome flies . first there is a wilde bee or waspe , which commonly guards the grape , building by cobweb habitation amongst the leaves : secondly a great greene flye , not much unlike our horse flyes in england ; they will nippe so sore that they wil fetch blood either of man or beast , and be most troublesome where most cattle be , which brings them from out of the woods to the houses ; this flye continues but for the moneth of iune . the third is gurnipper which is a small blacke fly no bigger than a flea ; her biting causeth an itching upon the hands or face , which provoketh scratching which is troublesome to some ; this fly is busie but in close mornings or evenings , and continues not above three weekes , the least winde or heate expells them . the fourth is a musketor which is not unlike to our gnats in england ; in places where there is no thicke woods or swampes , there is none or very few . in new plantations they be troublesome for the first yeare , but the wood dec●ying they vanish ● these flies cannot endure winde , heate or cold , so that these are onely troublesome in close thicke weather , and against raine many that be bitten will fall a scratching , whereupon their faces and hands swell . others are never troubled with them at all : those likewise that swell with their biting the first yere , never swell the second : for my owne part i have bin troubled as much with them or some like them , in the country of england as ever i was there : here be the flies that are called c●antharides , so much esteemed of chirurgions , with divers kinds of butterflies . thus have you heard of the worst of the countrey : but some peradventure may say no , and reply that they have heard that the people have beene often driven to great wants and extremities ; to which i answer , it is true that some have lived for a certaine time with a little bread , other without any , yet all this argues nothing against the countrey in it selfe , but condemnes the folly and improvidence of such as would venture into so rude and unmanaged a countrey , without so much provisions as should have comfortably maintained them in health and strength till by their labours they had brought the land to yeeld his fruite . i have my selfe heard some say that they heard it was a rich land , a brave country , but when they came there they could see nothing but a few canvis boothes & old houses , supposing at the first to have found walled townes , fortifications and corne fields , as if townes could have built themselves , or corne fields have growne of themselves , without the husbandrie of man. these men missing of their expectations , returned home and railed against the country . others may object that of late time there hath beene great want ; i denie it not , but looke to the originall , and tell me from whence it came . the roote of their want sprung up in england , for many hundreds hearing of the plenty of the country , were so much their owne foes and countries hindrance , as to come without provision ; which made things both deare and scant : wherefore let none blame the co●ntry so much as condemne the indiscreetnesse of such as will needs runne themselves upon hardship . and i dare further assure any that will carrie provision enough for a yeare and a halfe , shall not neede to feare want , if he either be industrious himselfe , or have industrious agents to mannage his estate and affaires . and whereas many doe disparrage the land saying a man cannot live without labour , in that they more disparage and discredit themselves , in giving the world occasion to take notice of their droanish disposition , that would live of the sweate of another mans browes : surely they were much deceived , or else ill informed , that ventured thither in hope to live in plenty and idlenesse , both at a time : and it is as much pitty as he that can worke and will not , should eate , as it is pitty that he that would worke and cannot , should fast . i condemne not such therefore as are now there , and are not able to worke ; but i advise for the future those men that are of weake constitutions to keepe at home , if their estates cannot maintaine servants . for all new england must be workers in some kinde : and whereas it hath beene formerly reported that boyes of tenne or a twelve yeares of age might doe much more than get their living , that cannot be , for he must have more than a boyes head , and no lesse than a mans strength , that intends to live comfortably ; and hee that hath understanding and industrie , with a stocke of an hundered pound , shall live better there , than he shall doe here of twenty pound per annum . but many i know will say if it be thus , how comes it to passe then that they are so poore ? to which i answere , that they are poore but in comparison , compare them with the rich merchants or great landed men in england , and then i know they will seeme poore . there is no probability they should be exceeding rich , because none of such great estate went over yet ; besides , a man of estate must first scatter before he gather , he must lay out monies for transporting of servants , and cattle and goods , for houses and fences and gardens , &c. this may make his purse seeme light , and to the eye of others seeme a leaking in his estate , whereas these disbursments are for his future enrichments : for he being once well seated and quietly setled , his increase comes in double ; and howsoever they are accounted poore , they are well contented , and looke not so much at abundance , as a competencie ; so little is the poverty of the country , that i am perswaded if many in england which are constrained to begge their bread were there , they would live better than many doe here , that have money to buy it . furthermore when corne is scarse , yet may they have either or flesh for their labour : and surely that place is not miserably poore to them that are there , where foure egges may be had for a penny , and a quart of new milke at the same rate : where butter is sixe-pence a pound , and cheshire-cheese at five pence ; sure middlesex affoords london no better penny-worths . what though there be no such plenty , as to cry these things in the streetes ? yet every day affords these penny-worths to those that neede them in most places . i dare not say in all : can they be very poore , where for foure thousand soules , there are fifteene hundred head of cattle , besides foure thousand goates , and swine innumerable ? in an ill sheepe-yeare i have knowne mutton as deere in old-england , and deerer than goates-flesh is in new-england , which is altogether as good if fancy be set aside . chap. xii . what provision is to be made for a iourney at sea , and and what to carry with us for our use at land. many peradventure at the looking over of these relations , may have inclinations or resolution for the voyage , to whom i wish all prosperity in their undertakings ; although i will use no forcive arguments to perswade any , but leave them to the relation ; yet by way of advice , i would commend to them a few lines from the pen of experience . and because the way to new england is over sea , it will not be amisse to give you directions , what is most necessary to bee carried . many i suppose , know as well , or better than my selfe ; yet all doe not , to those my directions tend ; although every man have ship-provisions allowed him for his five pound a man , which is salt beefe , porke , salt fish , butter , cheese , pease , pottage , water-grewell , and such kinde of victuals , with good biskets , and sixe-shilling beere : yet will it be necessary , to carry some comfortable refreshing of fresh victuall . as first , for such as have ability , some conserved , and good clarret wine to burne at sea : or you may have it by some of your vintners or wine-coopers burned here , & put up into vessels , which will keepe much better than other burnt wine , is a very comfortable thing for the stomacke ; or such as are sea-sicke : sallet-oyle likewise . prunes are good to be stewed ; sugar for many things : white biskets , and egs , and bacon , rice , poultry , and some weather-sheepe to kill aboard the ship ; and fine flowre-baked meates , will keepe about a weeke or nine dayes at sea. iuyce of lemons well put up , is good either to prevent or cure the scurvy . here it must not be forgotten to carry small skillets , or pipkins , and small frying-panns , to dresse their victuals in at sea. for bedding , so it be easie , and cleanely , and warme , it is no matter how old or coarse it be for the use of the sea ; and so likewise for apparrell , the oldest cloathes be the fittest , with a long coarse coate , to keepe better things from the pitched ropes and plankes . whosoever shall put to sea in a stoute and well-conditioned ship , having an honest master , and loving seamen , shall not neede to feare , but he shall finde as good content at sea , as at land. it is too common with many to feare the sea more than they neede , and all such as put to sea , confesse it to be lesse tedious than they either feared or expected . a ship at sea may well be compared to a cradle , rocked by a carefull mothers hand , which though it be moved up and downe , yet is it not in danger of falling : so a ship may often be rocked too and againe upon the troublesome sea , yet seldome doth it sinke or over-turne , because it is kept by that carefull hand of providence by which it is rocked . it was never knowne yet , that any ship in that voyage was cast away , or that ever fell into the enemies hand . for the health of passengers it hath beene observed , that of sixe hundred soules , not above three or foure haue dyed at sea : it is probable in such a company , more might have dyed either by sicknesse or casualities , if they had stayed at home . for women , i see not but that they doe as well as men , and young children as well as either ; having their healths as well a● sea as at land : many likewise which have come with such foule bodies to sea , as did make their dayes uncomfortable at land , have beene so purged and clarified at sea , that they have beene more healthfull for after-times ; their weake appetites being turned to good stomackes , not onely desiring , but likewise disgesting such victuals as the sea affords . secondly , for directions for the countrey , it is not to be feared , but that men of good estates may doe well there ; alwayes provided , that they goe wel accommodated with servants . in which i would not wish them to take over-many : tenne or twelve lusty servants being able to mannage an estate of two or three thousand pound . it is not the multiplicity of many bad servants , ( which presently eates a man out of house and harbour , as lamentable experience hath made manifest ) but the industry of the faithfull and diligent labourer , that enricheth the carefull master ; so that he that hath many dronish servants ▪ shall soone be poore ; and he that hath an industrious family , shall as soone be rich . now for the incouragement of his men , he must not doe as many have done , ( more through ignorance than desire ) carry many mouthes , and no meate ; but rather much meate for a few mouthes . want of due maintenance produceth nothing but a grumbling spirit with a sluggish idlenesse , when as those servants which be well provided for , goe thorough their imployments with speede and cheerefulnesse . for meale , it will be requisite to carry a hogshead and a halfe , for every one that is a labourer , to keepe him till hee may receive the fruite of his owne labours , which will be a yeare and a halfe after his arrivall , if hee land in may or iune . he must likewise carry malt , beefe ▪ butter , cheese , some pease , good wines , vinegar , strong-waters , &c. whosoever transports more of these than he himselfe useth , his over-plus being sold , will yeeld as much profit as any other staple commodity . euery man likewise must carry over good store of apparrell ; for if he come to buy it there , he shall finde it dearer than in england . woollen-cloth is a very good cōmodity , and linnen better ; as holland , lockram , flaxen , hempen , callico stuffes , linsey-woolfies , and blew callicoe , greene sayes for housewives aprons , hats , bootes , shooes , good irish stockings , which if they be good , are much more serviceable than knit-ones . all kind of grocery wares , as sugar , prunes , raisons , currants , honey , nutmegs , clover , &c. sope , candles , and lamps , &c. all manner of houshold stuffe is very good trade there , as pewter and brasse , but great iron-pots be preferred before brasse , for the use of that country . warming-pannes and stewing-pannes bee of necessary use , and good trafficke there . all manner of iron-wares , as all manner of nailes for houses , and all manner of spikes for building of boates , ships , and fishing stages : all manner of tooles for workemen , hoes for planters , broad and narrow for setting and weeding ; with axes both broad an● pitching-axes . all manner of anger 's , piercing bits , whip-saws , two-handed saws , froes , both for the riving of pailes and laths , rings for beetles heads , and iron-wedges ; though all these be made in the countrey : ( there being divers blacke-smiths ) yet being a heavy commodity , and taking but a little stoage , it is cheaper to carry such commodities out of england . glasse ought not to be forgotten of any that desire to benefit themselves , or the countrey : if it be well leaded , and carefully pack't up , i know no commodity better for portage or sayle . here likewise must not be forgotten all vtensils for the sea , as barbels , splitting-knives , leads , and cod-hookes , and lines , machrill-hooks and lines , sharke-hookes , seanes , or basse nets , large and strong ; herring-nets , &c. such as would eate fowle , must not forget their sixe-foote gunnes , their good powder and shot , of all sorts ; a great round shot called bastable-shot , is the best ▪ being made of a blacker lead than ordinary shot : furthermore , good pooldavies to make sayles for boates , roads , and anchors for boates and pinnaces , be good ; sea-coale , iron , lead , and mil-stones , flints , ordonances , and whatsoever a man can conceive is good for the countrey , that will lie a● ballast , he cannot be a loser by it . and lest i should forget a thing of so great importance , no man must neglect to provide for himselfe , or those belonging to him , his munition for the defence of himselfe and the countrey . for there is no man there that beares a head , but that beares military armes ; even boyes of fourteene yeares of age , are practised with men in militarie discipline , every three weeks . who soever shall carrie over drummes and english colours , pattesons , halberds , pickes , muskets , bandelerous , with swords , shall not neede to feare good gaine for them , such things being wanting in the country : likewise whatsoever shall be needefull for fortifications of holds and castles , whereby the common enemy may be kept out in future times , is much desired . they as yet have had no great cause to feare ; but because securitie hath beene the overthrow of many a new plantation , it is their care according to their abilities , to secure themselves by fortifications , as well as they can : thus having shewed what commodities are most usefull , it will not be amisse to shew you what men be most fit for these plantations . first , men of good working , and contriving heads , a well experienced common wealths man for the good of the body politicke in matters of advice and counsell , a well skilled and industrious husbandman , for tillage and improvements of grounds ; an ingenious carpenter , a cunning ioyner , a handsome cooper , such a one as can make strong ware for the use of the countrie , and a good brickmaker , a tyler and a smith , a leather dresser , a gardner , and a taylour : one that hath good skill in the trade of fishing , is of speciall use , and so is a good fowler , if there be any that hath skill in any of these trades , if he can transport himselfe , he needs not feare but he may improve his time and endeavours to his owne benefit , and comfort ; if any cannot transport himselfe , he may provide himselfe of an honest master , and so may doe as well . there is is as much freedome and liberty for servants as in england and more too ; a wronged servant shall have right volens nolens from his injurious master , and a wronged master shall have right of his injurious servant , as well as here : wherefore let no servant be discouraged from the voyage , that intends it . and now whereas it is generally reported , that servants and poore men grow rich , and the masters and gentrie grow poore ; i must needs confesse that ●he diligent hand makes rich , and that labouring men having good store of employments , and as good pay ▪ live well , and contentedly ; but i cannot perceive that those that set them a worke are any way impoverished by them ; peradventure they have lesse monie by reason of them , but never the lesse riches ; a mans worke well done being more beneficiall than his monie , or other dead commodities , which otherwise would lye by him to no purpose . many men be so improvident as to set men about building of castles in the aire , or other unnecessary employments , he may grow poore ; but such as employ labourers about planting of corne , building of houses , fenceing in of ground , fishing , and divers other necessary occasions , shall receive as much or more by poore mens labours , than those that live in england doe from the industrie of such as they hire : wherefore i doe suppose this to be but the surmisings of some that are ignorant of the state of the countrey , or else misinformed by some ill willers to the plantations . many objections i know are daily invented , to hinder the proceedings of these new plantations , which may dampe the unsetled spirits of such as are not greatly affected with those undertakings ; some say the spaniard layes claime to the whole country , being the first discoverer hereof , and that he may make invasion upon those parts as well as he hath done upon s. christophers , and s. martins , and those places : but it doth not follow that because he tooke such places as lay just in his way to the west indies , that hee should come thousands of miles with a great navie to plant●tions , as yet not worth the pillage : and when the plantations are growne noted in the eyes of the common foes for wealth , it is hoped that when the bees have honie in their hives , they will have stings in their tailes . hath not virginia beene planted many yeares which is foure hundred miles nearer the spaniards course , and yet never met with any affrontments ; so that this scruple smells of feare and pusill-animitie . to wipe away all groundlesse calumniations , and to answer to every too too curious objections , and frivolous question ( some so simple as not ashamed to aske whether the sunne shines there or no ) were to run in infinitum ; but i hope that the severall manuscripts and letters , and informations by word of mouth from such of our honest countrimen which daily have recourse unto us , have given full satisfaction to such as are well willers to the plantations : and for such as are estrang●d to it in affection , if every word that hath beene eyther writ or spoken were a forcive argument , yet would it be two little to steddie their beleefe in any one particular concerning the country . some are nimble eared to heare faults , and so ready tongued to publish them , yea often times with strained constructions ; a false asseveration usually winneth more beleefe than two verifying negatives can resettle : some there are who count with claudian that it is an incomparable happinesse to have their birth , life & burying in the same place : these are never likly to remove further than the shell of their owne countrie . but because there are some noble spirits that devote their states , and their persons , to the common good of their king and country , i have therefore for their direction and delight made this relation ▪ for as the end of my travell was observation , so i desire the end of my observation may tend to the information of others : as i have observed what i have seene , and written what i have observed , so doe i desire to publish what i have written , desiring it may be beneficiall to posteritie ; and if any man desire to fill himselfe at that fountaine , from whence this tasting cup was taken , his owne experience shall tell him as much as i have here related , and thus i passe from the country as it stands to the english , and come to discourse how it stands to the old natives , and they to it , as followeth . the second part . of the indians , their persons , cloathings , diet , natures , customes , lawes , mariages , worships , conjurations , warres , games , huntings , fishings , sports , language , death , and burials . chap. i. of the connectacuts , mowhacks , or such indians as are west-ward . the country as it is in relation to the indians , is divided as it were into shires , every severall division being swayde by a severall king . the indians to the east and north east , bearing the name of churchers , and tarrenteenes . these in the southerne parts be called pequants , and narraganssts ; those who are seated west-ward be called connectacuts , and mowhacks : our indians that live to the north-ward of them be called aberginians , who before the sweeping plague , were an inhabitant not fearing , but rather scorning the confrontments of such as now count them but the scumme of the country , and would soone roote them out of their native possessions were it not for the english. these are a cruell bloody people , which were wont to come downe upon their poore neighbours with more than bruitish savagenesse , spoyling of their corne , burning their houses , slaying men , ravishing women , yea very caniballs they were , sometimes eating on a man one part after another before his face , and while yet living ; in so much that the very name of a mowhack would strike the heart of a poore abergenian dead , were here not hopes at hand of releefe from english to succour them : for these inhumane homicides confesse that they dare not meddle with a white faced man , accompanyed with his hot mouth'd weapon . these indians be a people of a tall stature , of long grimme visages , slender wasted , and exceeding great armes and thighes , wherein they say their strength lyeth ; and this i rather beleeve because an honest gentleman told me , upon his knowledge , that he saw one of them with a fillippe with his finger kill a dogge , who afterward ●●●ad him and sod him , and eate him to his dinner . they are so hardie that they can eate such things as would make other indians sicke to looke upon , being destitute of fish and flesh , they suffice hunger and maintaine nature with the use of vegetatives ; but that which they most hunt after , is the flesh of man ; their custome is if they get a stranger neere their habitations , not to butcher him immediately , but keeping him in as good plight as they can , feeding him with the best victualls they have . as a neere neighboaring indian assured me , who found what he had spoke true by a lamentable experience , still wearing the cognizance of their cruelty on his naked arme , who being taken by them eate of their foode , lodged in their beds , nay he was brought forth every day , to be new painted , piped unto , and hem'd in with a ring of bare skinned morris dancers , who presented their antiques before him . in a word , when they had sported enough about this walking maypole , a rough hewne satyre cutteth a gobbit of flesh from his brawnie arme , eating it in his view , searing it with a firebrand , least the blood should be wasted before the morning , at the dawning wherof they told him they would make an end as they had begun ; hee answered that he cared as little for their threats as they did for his life , not fearing death ; wherupon they led him bound into a wigwam , where he sate as a condemned prisoner , grating his teeth for anguish being for the present so hampered , and the next day to be entombed in so many living sepulchers ; he extends his strength to the utmost , breaketh the bands from his hands , and loosing the cords from his feete , thought at once to be revenged for the flesh of his arme , and finding a hatchet , layes one with an arme of revenge to the unliving of ten men at first onset , afterward taking the opportunitie of the dead of night , fled through the woods and came to his native home , where he still lives to rehearse his happie escapall ; of the rest of their inhumane cruelties let the dutchmen , ( who live among them ) testifie , as likewise the cruell manner of leading their prisoners captive , whom they doe not onely pinnion with sharpe thongs , but likewise bore holes through thei● hamstrings , through which they thread a cord coupling ten or a dozen men together . these indians be more desperate in warres than the other indians ; which proceeds not onely from the fiercenesse of their natures , but also in that they know themselves to be better armed and weaponed ; all of them wearing sea horse skinnes and barkes of trees , made by their art as impenitrable it is thought as steele , wearing head peeces of the same , under which thy march securely and undantedly , running , and fiercely crying out , hadree hadree succomee succomee we come we come to sucke your blood , not fearing the feathered shafts of the strong-armed bow-men , but like unruly headstrong stallions beate them downe with their right hand tamahaukes , and left hand iavelins , being all the weapons which they use , counting bowes a cowardly fight . tamahaukes be staves of two foote and a halfe long , and a knob at one end as round and bigge as a footeball : a iavelin is a short speare , headed with sharpe sea-horse teeth ; one blow or thrust with these strange weapons , will not neede a second to hasten death , from a mowhackes arme . i will conclude this discourse concerning the mowhackes , in a tragicall rehearsall of one of their combates . a sagamore inhabibiting neere these canniballs , was so dayly annoyed with their injurious inhumanitie , that he must either become a tributarie subject to their tyrannie , or release himselfe from thraldome by the stroke of warre , which he was unable to wage of himselfe : wherefore with faire entreaties , plausible perswasions , forcive arguments , and rich presents he sent to other sagamores , he procured so many souldiers as summed with his owne , made his forces sixe thousand strong ; with the which he resolutely marched towards his enemies , intending either to win the horse or loose the saddle ; his enemies having heard of his designes , plotted how to confront him in his enterprize , and overthrow him by trecherie ; which they thus attempted ; knowing their enemies were to swimme over a muddie river , they divided their bands lying in ambush on both sides the river , waiting his approach , who suspected no danger looking for nothing but victory ; but immediately they were invyroned with their unexpected foes , in their greatest disadvantage : for being in the water , shoote they could not , for swimming was their action ; and when they came to the side , they could not runne away , for their feete stucke fast in the mudde , and their adversaries impaled them about , clubbing and darting all that attained the shore ; so that all were killed and captived , saving three who swimming further under the waters ( like the ducke that escapeth the spannell by diving ) untill they were out of sight of their blood thirstie foes , recovered the shoare creeping into the thickets , from whence after a little breathing and resting of their weary limbes , they marched through the woods and arrived at their owne homes , relating to their inquisitive survivers the sadde event of their warre , who a long time after deplored the death of their friends , still placed the remembrance of that day in the callender of their mishappes . chap. ii. of the tarrenteenes or the indians inhabiting eastward . the tarrenteenes saving that they eate not mans flesh , are little lesse salvage , and cruell than these canniballs : our indians doe feare them as their deadly enemies ; for so many of them as they meete they kill . about yeares agoe , our indians being busie about their accustomed huntings , not suspecting them so neere their owne liberties , were on the suddaine surprized by them , some being slaine , the rest escaping to their english asylum , whither they durst not pursue them ; their sagamore was wounded by an arrow , but presently cured by english chirurgery . these indians are the more insolent , by reason they have guns which they dayly trade for with the french , ( who will sell his eyes as they say , for beaver : ) but these doe them more credit than service ; for having guns they want powder , or if they have that , they want shot , something or other being alwayes wanting ; so that they use them for little , but to salute coasting boates that come to trade , who no sooner can anchor in any harbour ; but they present them with a vollie of shot , asking for sacke and strong liquors , which they so much love since the english used to trade it with them , that they will scarse trade for any thing else , lashing out into excessive abuse , first taught by the example of some of our english who to uncloathe them of their beaver coates , clad them with the infection of swearing and drinking , which was never in fashion with them before , it being contrary to their nature to guzell downe strong drinke , or use so much as to sippe of strong-waters , vntill our bestiall example and dishonest incitation bath brought them to it ; from which i am sure hath sprung many evill consequents , as disorder , quarrels , wrongs , unconscionable and forcive wresting of beaver and wampompeage : and from over-flowing cups there hath beene a proceeding to revenge , mu●ther and over-flowing of blood . as witnesse maister wayes boate , which they sunke with stones after they had killed his son , with three more : buzzing the english in the eares , that they see it bulged against the rockes , and the men drowned in the beating surges : but afterwards being betrayed , as many as were caught , were hanged . another who was situated on richmonds iland , living as he list amongst them , making his couetous corrupt will his law ; after many abuses , was with his family one evening treacherously murthered , under a faire pretence of trade ; so that these that lived beside the law of god ▪ and their king , and the light of nature , dyed by their hands that car'd neither for god , king , nor nature . take these indians in their owne trimme and naturall disposition , and they be reported to be wise , lofty-spirited , constant in friendship to one another ; true in their promise , and more industrious than many others . chap. iii. of the pequants and narragansets , indians inhabiting southward . the pequants be a stately warlike people , of whom i never heard any misdemeanour ; but that they were iust and equall in their dealings ; not treacherous either to their country-men , or english : requiters of courtesies , affable towards the english. their next neighbours the narragansets , be at this present the most numerous people in those parts , the most rich also , and the most industrious ; being the store-house of all such kind of wild merchandize as is amongst them . these men are ●he most curious minters of their wampompeage and mowhakes , which they forme out of the inmost wreaths of pe●iwinkle-shels . the northerne , easterne , and westerne indians fetch all their coyne from these southerne mint-masters . from hence they have most of their curious pendants & bracelets ; from hence they have their great stonepipes , which wil hold a quarter of an ounce of tobacco , which they make with steele-drils and other instruments ; such is their ingenuity & dexterity , that they can imitate the english mold so accurately , that were it not for matter and colour it were hard to distinguish them ; they make thē of greene , & sometimes of blacke stone ; they be much desired of our english tobaconists , for their rarity , strength , handsomnesse , and coolnesse . hence likewise our indians had their pots wherein they used to seeth their victuals before they knew the use of brasse . since the english came , they have employed most of their time in catching of beavers , otters , and musquashes , which they bring downe into the bay , returning backe loaded with english commodities , of which they make a double profit , by selling them to more remote indians , who are ignorant at what cheape rates they obtaine them , in comparison of what they make them pay , so making their neighbours ignorance their enrichment . although these be populous , yet i never heard they were desirous to take in hand any martiall enterprize , or expose themselves to the uncertaine events of warre : wherefore the pequants call them women-like men ; but being uncapable of a jeare , they rest secure under the conceit of their popularitie , and seeke rather to grow rich by industrie , than famous by deeds of chevalry . but to leave strangers , and come to declare what is experimentally knowne of the indians , amongst whom we live : of whom in the next chapter . chap. iv. of the aberginians or indians northward . first of their stature , most of them being betweene five or six foote high , straight bodied , strongly composed , smooth skinned , merry countenanced , of complexion something more swarthy than spaniards , black hair'd , high foreheaded , blacke ey'd , out-nosed , broad shouldred , brawny arm'd , long and slender handed , out brested , small wasted , lanke bellied , well thighed , flat kneed , handsome growne l●ggs , and small feete : in a word , take them when the blood briskes in their veines , when the flesh is on their backs , and marrow in their bones , when they frolick in their antique deportments and indian postures ; and they are more amiable to behold ( though onely in adams livery ) than many a compounded phantasticke in the newest fashion . it may puzzle beliefe , to conceive how such lustie bodies should have their rise and daily supportment from so slender a fostering ; their houses being meane , their lodging as homely , commons scant , their drinke water , and nature their best cloathing ; in them the old proverbe may well be verified : ( natura paucis contenta ) for though this be their daily portion , they still are healthfull and lusty . i have beene in many places , yet did i never see one that was borne either in redundance or defect a monster , or any that sicknesse had deformed , or casualitie made decrepit , saving one that had a bleared eye , and an other that had a wenne on his cheeke . the reason is rendred why they grow so proportionable , and continue so long in their vigour ( most of them being before a wrinkled brow or gray haire bewray their age ) is because they are not brought downe with suppressing labour , vexed with annoying cares , or drowned in the excessive abuse of overflowing plenty , which oftentimes kils them more than want , as may appeare in them . for when they change their bare indian commons for the plenty of englands fuller diet , it is so contrary to their stomacks , that death or a desperate sicknesse immediately accrews , which makes so few of them desirous to see england . their swarthinesse is the sun's livery , for they are borne faire . their smooth skins proceede from the often anoynting of their bodies with the oyle of fishes , and the fat of eagles , with the grease of rackoones , which they hold in summer , the best antidote to keepe their skinne from blistering with the scorching sunne ; and it is their best armour against the musketoes , the surest expeller of the hairy excrement , and stops the pores of their bodies against the nipping winters cold . their black haire is naturall , yet it is brought to a more jetty colour by oyling , dying , and daily dressing . sometimes they weare it very long , hanging down in a loose dishevel'd womanish manner ; otherwhile tied up hard and short like a horse taile , bound close with a fillet , which they say makes it grow the faster : they are not a little phantasticall or custom-sick in this particular ; their boyes being not permitted to weare their haire long till sixteene yeares of age , and then they must come to it by degrees ; some being cut with a long foretop , a long locke on the crowne , one of each side of his head , the rest of his haire being cut even with the scalpe : the young men and souldiers weare their haire long on the one side , the other side being cut short like a screw ; other cuts they have as their fancie befooles them , which would torture the wits of a curious barber to imitate . but though they be thus wedded to the haire of their head , you cannot wooe them to weare it on their chinnes , where it no sooner growes , but it is stubbed up by the rootes , for they count it as an unusefull , cumbersome , and opprobrious excrement , insomuch as they call him an english mans bastard that hath but the appearance of a beard , which some have growing in a staring fashion , like the beard of a cat , which makes them the more out of love with them , choosing rather to have no beards than such as should make them ridiculous . chap. v. of their apparell , ornaments , paintings , and other artificiall deckings . now these naked bodies may seeme too weake to withstand the assaulting heat of their parching summers , and the piercing cold of the icie winters , or it may be surmised that these earthly fabricks should be wasted to nothing by the tempestuous dashings of wind-driven raines , having neither that which may warme within , or shelter without ; yet these things they looke not after , saving a paire of indian breeches to cover that which modesty commands to be hid , which is but a peece of cloth a yard and a halfe long , put betweene their groinings , tied with a snakes skinne about their middles , one end hanging downe with a flap before , the other like a taile behinde . in the winter time the more aged of them weare leather drawers , in forme like irish trouses , fastned under their girdle with buttons ; they weare shooes likewise of their owne making cut out of a mooses hide , many of them weare skinnes about them , in forme of an irish mantle , and of these some be beares skinnes , mooses skinnes , and beaver skinnes sewed together , otter skinnes , and rackoone skinnes ; most of them in the winter having his deepe furr'd cat skinne , like a long large muffe , which hee shifts to that arme which lieth most exposed to the winde ; thus clad , hee busles better through a world of cold in a frost-paved wildernesse , than the furred citizen in his warmer stoave . if their fancie drive them to trade , they choose rather a good course blanket , thorough which they cannot see , interposing it betweene the sunne and them ; or a piece of broade cloth , which they use for a double end , making it a coate by day , and a covering by night ; they love not to be imprisoned in our english fashion : they love their owne dogge fashion better ( of shaking their eares , and being ready in a moment ) than to spend time in dressing them , though they may as well spare it as any men i know , having little else to doe . but the chiefe reasons they render why they will not conforme to our english apparell , are , because their women cannot wash them when they bee soyled , and their meanes will not reach to buy new when they have done with their old ; and they confidently beleeve , the english will not be so liberall as to furnish them upon gif●ure : therefore they had rather goe naked than be lousie , and bri●g their bodies out of their old tune , making them more tender by a new acquired habit , which poverty would constraine them to leave : although they be thus poore , yet is there in them the sparkes of naturall pride , which appeares in their longing desire after many kinde of ornaments , wearing pendants in their eares , as formes of birds , beasts , and fishes , carved out of bone , shels , and stone , with long bracelets of their curious wrought wampompeage and mowhackees , which they put about their necks and loynes ; these they count a rare kinde of decking ; many of the better sort bearing upon their cheekes certaine pourtraitures of beasts , as beares , deares , mooses , wolves , &c. some of fowls , as of eagles , hawkes , &c. which be not a superficiall painting , but a certaine incision , or else a raising of their skin by a small sharpe instrument , under which they conveigh a certain kind of black unchangeable inke , which makes the desired forme apparent and permanent . others have certaine round impressions downe the outside of their armes and brests , in forme of mullets or spur-rowels , which they imprint by searing irons : whether these be foiles to illustrate their unparalleld beauty ( as they deeme it ) or armes to blazon their antique gentilitie , i cannot easily determine : but a sagamore with a humberd in his eare for a pendant , a black hawke on his occiput for his plume , mowhackees for his gold chaine , good store of wampompeage begi●ting his loynes , his bow in his hand , his quiver at his back . with six naked indian spatterlashes at his heeles for his guard , thinkes himselfe little inferiour to the great cham ; hee will not stick to say , hee is all one with king charles . he thinkes hee can blow downe castles with his breath , and conquer kingdomes with his conceit . this pompey can endure no equall , till one dayes adverse lotterie at their game ( called puimme ) metamorphize him into a codrus , robbing him of his conceited wealth , leaving him in minde and riches equall with his naked attendants , till a new taxation furnish him with a fresh supplie . chap. vi. of their dyet , cookery , meale-times , and hospitality at their kettles . having done with their most needfull cloathings and ornamentall deckings ; may it please you to feast your eyes with their belly-timbers , which i suppose would be but stibium to weake stomacks as they cooke it , though never so good of it selfe . in winter-time they have all manner of fowles of the water and of the land , & beasts of the land and water , pond-fish , with catharres and other rootes , indian beanes and clamms . in the summer they have all manner of sea-fish , with all sorts of berries . for the ordering of their victuals , they boile or roast them , having large kettles which they traded for with the french long since , and doe still buy of the english as their neede requires , before they had substantiall earthen pots of their owne making . their spits are no other than cloven sticks sharped at one end to thrust into the ground ; into these cloven sticks they thrust the flesh or fish they would have rosted , behemming a round fire with a dozen of spits at a time , turning them as they see occasion . some of their scullerie having dressed these homely cates , presents it to his guests , dishing it up in a rude manner , placing it on the verdent carpet of the earth which nature spreads them , without either trenchers napkins , or knives , upon which their hunger-sawced stomacks impatient of delayes , fals aboard without scrupling at unwashed hands , without bread , salt , or beere : lolling on the turkish fashion , not ceasing till their full bellies leave nothing but emptie platters : they seldome or never make bread of their indian corne , but seeth it whole like beanes , eating three or foure cornes with a mouthfull of fish or flesh , sometimes eating meate first , and cornes after , filling chinkes with their broth . in summer , when their corne is spent , isquoutersquashes is their best bread , a fruite like a young pumpion . to say , and to speake paradoxically , they be great eaters , and yet little meate-men ; when they visit our english , being invited to eate , they are very moderate , whether it be to shew their manners , or for shamefastnesse , i know not ; but at home they will eate till their bellies stand south , ready to split with fulnesse ; it being their fashion to eate all at some times , and sometimes nothing at all in two or three dayes , wise providence being a stranger to their wilder wayes : they be right infidels , neither caring for the morrow , or providing for their owne families ; but as all are fellowes at foot-ball , so they all meete friends at the kettle , saving their wives , that dance a spaniell-like attendance at their backes for their bony fragments . if their imperious occasions cause them to travell , the best of their victuals for their journey is nocake , ( as they call it ) which is nothing but indian corne parched in the hot ashes ; the ashes being sifted from it , it is afterward beaten to powder , and put into a long leatherne bag , trussed at their backe like a knapsacke ; out of which they take thrice three spoonefulls a day , dividing it into three meales . if it be in winter , and snow be on the ground , they can eate when they please , stopping snow after their dusty victuals , which otherwise would feed thē little better than a tiburne halter . in sūmer they must stay till they meete with a spring or brooke , where they may have water to prevent the imminent danger of choaking ▪ with this strange viaticum they will travell foure ot five daies together , with loads fitter for elephants than men . but though they can fare so hardly abroad , at home their chaps must walke night and day as long as they have it . they keepe no set meales , their store being spent , they champe on the bit , till they meete with fresh supplies , either from their owne endeavours , or their wives industry , who trudge to the clambankes when all other meanes faile . though they be sometimes scanted , yet are they as free as emperours , both to their country-men and english , be he stranger , or neare acquaintance ; counting it a great discourtesie , not to eate of their high-conceited delicates , and sup of their un-oat-meal'd broth , made thicke with fishes , fowles , and beasts boyled all together ; some remaining raw , the rest converted by over-much seething to a loathed mash , not halfe so good as irish boniclapper . chap. vii . of their dispositions and good qualifications , as friendship , constancy , truth , and affability . to enter into a serious discourse concerning the naturall conditions of these indians , might procure admiration from the people of any civilized nations , in regard of their civility and good natures . if a tree may be judged by his fruite , and dispositions calculated by exteriour actions ; then may it be concluded , that these indians are of affable , courteous , and well disposed natures , ready to communicate the best of their wealth to the mutuall good of one another ; and the lesse abundance they have , to manifest their entire friendship ; so much the more perspicuous is their love , in that they are as willing to part with their mite in poverty , as treasure in plenty . as he that kills a deere , sends for his friends , and eates it merrily : so he that receives but a piece of bread from an english hand , parts it equally betweene himselfe and his comerades and eates it lovingly . in a word , a friend can command his friend , his house , and whatsoever is his , ( saving his wife ) and have it freely : and as they are love-linked thus in common courtesie , so are they no way sooner dis-joynted than by ingratitude ; accounting an ungratefull person a double robber of a man , not onely of his courtesie , but of his thankes which he might receive of another for the same proffered , or received kindnesse . such is their love to one another , that they cannot endure to see their countrey-men wronged , but will stand stiffely in their defence : plead strongly in their behalfe , and justifie one anothers integrities in any warrantable action . if it were possible to recount the courtesies they have shewed the english , since their first arrivall in those parts , it would not onely steddy beleefe , that they are a loving people , but also winne the love of those that never saw them , and wipe off that needelesse feare that is too deepely rooted in the conceits of many , who thinke them envious , and of such rankerous and inhumane dispositions , that they will one day make an end of their english inmates . the worst indeede may be surmised , but the english hitherto have had little cause to suspect them , but rather to be convinced of their trustinesse , seeing they have as yet beene the disclosers of all such treacheries as have bin practised by other indians . and whereas once there was a proffer of an universall league amongst all the indians in those parts , to the intent that they might all joyne in one united force , to extirpiate the english , our indian● refused the motion , replying , they had rather be servants to the english , of whom they were confident to receive no harme , and from whom they had received so many favours , and assured good testimonies of their iove , than equals with them , who would cut their throates upon the least offence , and make them the shambles of their cruelty . furthermore , if any roaving ships be upon the coasts , and chance to harbour either east-ward , north-ward , or south-ward in any unusuall port , they will giue us certaine intelligence of her burthen and forces , describing their men either by language or features ; which is a great priviledge and no small advantage . many wayes hath their advice and endeavour beene advantagious unto us ; they being our first instructers for the planting of their indian corne , by teaching us to cull out the finest seede , to observe the fittest season , to keepe distance for holes , and fit measure for hills , to worme it , and weede it ; to prune it , and dresse it as occasion shall require . these indians be very hospitable , insomuch that when the english have trauelled forty , fifty , or threescore miles into the countrey , they have entertained them into their houses , quartered them by themselves in the best roomes , providing the best victuals they could , expressing their welcome in as good termes as could be expected from their slender breeding ; shewing more love than complement , not grumbling for a fortnights or three weekes tarrying ; but rather caring to provide accommodation correspondent to their english custome . the doubtfull traveller hath oftentimes beene much beholding to them for their guidance thorow the unbeaten wildernesse : my selfe in this particular can doe no lesse in the due acknowledgment of their love , than speake their commendations , who with two more of my associates bending our course to new plimouth , lost our way , being deluded by a misleading path which we still followed , being as we thought too broad for an indian path ( which seldome is broader than a cart's rutte ●●ut that the dayly concourse of indians from the naragansets who traded for shooes , wearing them homewards had made this indian tract like an english walke , and had rear'd up great stickes against the trees , and marked the rest with their h●tchets in the english fashion , which begat in us a security of our wrong way to be right , when indeed there was nothing lesse : the day being gloomy and our compasses at home , we travelled hard till night to lesse purpose than if we had sat still , not gaining an inch of our journey for a dayes travell : but happily wee arrived at an indian wigwamme , where we were informed of our mispris●on , and invited to a homely lodging , feasted with the haunch of a fat beere , and the ensuing morning the son of my naked hoast , for a peece of tobacco , and a foure penny whittle , tooke the clew of his traveling experience , conducting us through the strange labyrinth of unbeaten bushy wayes in the woody wildernesse twentie miles to our desired ha●bour . a second demonstration of their love in this kind may appeare in a passage of the same nature . an unexperienced wood man ranging in the woods for deere , traveled so farre beyond his knowledge , till he could not tell how to get out of the wood for trees , but the more he sought to direct himselfe out , the more he ranne himselfe in , from the home he most desired ; the night came upon him preventing his walking , and the extremitie of cold seasing upon his right foote for want of warming motion , deprived him of the use thereof , so that he could not remoove farther than his snowie bed , but had there ended his dayes , had not sixe commiserating indians , who heard of his wandering , found him out by diligent search , being almost dead with despaire and cold : but after they had conquered his despaire with the assurance of his safe conduction to his habitation , and expelled the cold by the infusion of strong waters which they brought for the same purpose ; they framed a thing like a hand barrow and carryed this selfe-helpelesse person on their bare shoulders twelve miles to his residence : many other wandring benighted coasters have beene kindly entertained into their habitations , where they have rested and reposed themselves more securely than if they had ●●ene in some blind obscure old englands inne , being the next day directed in their right way : many lazie boyes that have runne away from their masters , have beene brought home by these ranging foresters , who are as wel acquainted with the craggy mountaines , and the pleasant vales , the stately woods , and swampie groves , the spacious ponds , and swift running rivers , and can distinguish them by their names as perfectly , and finde them as presently , as the experienced citizen knows how to finde out cheape-side crosse , or london stone . such is the wisedome and pollicie of these poore men , that they will be sure to keepe correspondence with our english magistrates , expressing their love in the execution of any service they command them , so far as lyes in their powre , as may appeare in this one particular . a certaine man having layd himselfe open to the kings lawes , fearing atachment , conviction , and consequently execution : sequestred himselfe from the honest societie of his neighbours , betaking himselfe unto the obscure thickets of the wildernesse , where hee lived for a time undiscovered , till the indians who leave no place unsearched for deere , found out his haunt , and having taken notice by diverse discourses concerning him , how that it was the governers desire to know where he was ; they thought it a part of their service to certifie him where he kept his rendevouze , who thereupon desired if they could to direct men to him for his attachment , but he had shifted his dwelling , and could not be found for the present , yet he was after seene by other indians , but being double pistold , and well sworded , they seared to approach so neere him as to grapple with him : wherefore they let him alone till his owne necessary businesse cast him upon them ; for having occasion to crosse a river , he came to the side thereof , where was an indian cannow ▪ in which the indians were to crosse the river themselves , hee vauntingly commanded waftage ; which they willingly graunted , but withall plotting how they might take him prisoner , which they thus effected ; having placed him in the midship of their ticklish wherrie , they lanched forth into the deepe , causing the capering cannow to cast out her combersome ballast into the liquid water ; which swomme like a stone , and now the water having dank't his pistoles , and lost his spanish progge in the bottome , the indians swomme him out by the chinne to the shore , where having dropt himselfe a little dry , he began to bluster out a storme of rebellious resistance , till they becalmed his pelting chafe with their pelting of pibles at him , afterward leading him as they list to the governour . these people be of a kinde and affable disposition , yet are they very warie with whom they strike hands in friendshippe : nothing is more hatefull to them than a churlish disposition , so likewise is dissimulation : he that speakes seldome , and opportunely , being as good as his word , is the onely man they love . the spaniard they say is all one aramouse ( viz. all one as a dog ) the frenchman hath a good tongue , but a false heart : the english man all one speake , all one heart ; wherefore they more approve of them than of any nation : garrulitie is much condemned of them , for they utter not many words , speake seldome , and then with such gravitie as is pleasing to the eare : such as understand them not , desire yet to heare their emphaticall expressions , and lively action ; such is the milde temper of their spirits that they cannot endure objurgations , or scoldings . an indian sagomore once hearing an english woman scold with her husband , her quicke utterance exceeding his apprehension , her active lungs thundering in his eares , expelled him the house ; from whence he went to the next neighbour , where he related the unseemelinesse of her behaviour ; her language being strange to him , hee expressed it as strangely , telling them how she cryed nannana nannana nannana nan , saying he was a great foole to give her the audience , and no correction for usurping his charter , and abusing him by her tongue . i have beene amongst diverse of them , yet did i never see any falling out amongst them , not so much as crosse words , or reviling speeches , which might provoke to blowes . and whereas it is the custome of many people in their games , if they see the dice runne crosse or their cards not answere their expectations : what cursing and swearing , what imprecations , and raylings , fightings and stabbings oftentimes proceede from their testy spleene . how doe their blustering passions , make the place troublesome to themselves and others ? but i have knowne when foure of these milder spirits have sit downe staking their treasures , where they have plaied foure and twentie houres , neither eating drinking or sleeping in the interim ; nay which is most to be wondered at , not quarreling , but as they came thither in peace so they depart in peace : when he that had lost all his wampompeage , his house , his kettle , his beaver , his batchet , his knife , yea all his little all , having nothing left but his naked selfe , was as merry as they that won it ; so in sports of activitie at footeball though they play never so fiercely to outward appearance , yet angrer-boyling blood never streames in their cooler veines , if any man be throwne he laughes out his foyle , there is no seeking of revenge , no quarreling , no bloody noses , scratched faces , blacke eyes , broken shinnes , no brused members , or crushed ribs , the lamentables effects of rage ; but the goale being wonne , the goods on the one side lost ; friends they were at the footeball , and friends they must meete at the kettle . i never heard yet of that indian that was his neighbours homicide or vexation by his malepart , fancy , or uncivill tongue : laughter in them is not common , seldome exceeding a smile , never breaking out into such a lowd laughter , as doe many of our english. of all things they love not to be laught at upon any occasion ; if a man be in trade with them and the bargaine be almost strucke , if they perceive you laugh , they will scarce proceed , supposing you laugh because you have cheated them : the crocodiles teares may sooner deceive them , than the hienas smiles : although they be not much addicted to laughter , yet are they not of a dumpish sad nature , but rather naturally chearefull : a● i never saw a gigling democrite , so i never saw a teare dropping heraclite ; no disaster being so prevalent as to open the flood-gate of their eyes , saving the death of friends , for whom they lament most exceedingly . chap. viii . of their hardinesse . for their hardinesse it may procure admiration , no ordinary paines making them so much as alter their countenance ; beate them , whip them , pinch them , punch them , if they resolve not to whinch for it , they will not ; whether it be their benummed insensiblenesse of smart , or their hardie resolutions , i cannot tell ; it might be , a perillus his bull , or the disjoynting racke might force a roare from them , but a turkish drubbing would not much molest them , and although they be naturally much affraid of death , yet the unexpected approach of a mortall wound by a bullet , arrow , or sword , strikes no more terrour , causes no more exclamation , no more complaint , or whinching , than if it had beene a shot into the body of a tree : such woun●s as would be suddaine death to an english man , would be nothing to them . some of them having beene shot in at the mouth , and out under the eare , some shot in the breast , some runne thorough the flankes with darts , and other many desperate wounds which eyther by their rare skill in the use of vegitatives , or diabolicall charmes they cure in short time . although their hardinesse beare them out in such things wherein they are sure death will not ensue , yet can it not expell the feare of death , the very name and thoughts of it is so hideous to them , or any thing that presents it , or threatens it , so terrible ; insomuch that a hundred of them will runne from two or three guns , though they know they can but dispatch two or three at a discharge , yet every man fearing it may be his lot to meete with his last , will not come neare that in good earnest , which he dare play withall in jest . to make this good by a passage of experience . three men having occasion of trade amongst the westerne indians , went up with some such commodities as they thought most fit for trade ; to secure their person they tooke a carbine , two pistoles and a sword , which in outward shew was not great resistance to a hundred well skilled bow men : the indians hearing their gunnes making a thundring noyse , desired to finger one of them , & see it discharged into a tree , wondring much at the percussion of the bullet ; but they abiding two or three dayes , the gunnes were forgotten , and they began to looke at the oddes being a hundred to three , whereupon they were animated to worke treason against the lives of these men , and to take away their goods from them by force ; but one of the english understanding their language , smelt out their treachery , and being more fully enformed of their intent by the indian women , who had more pitty , hee steps to their king , and hailing him by the long haire from the rest of his councell , commanded him either to goe before him and guide him home , or else he would there kill him . the sagamore seeing him so rough , had not the courage to resist him , but went with him two miles ; but being exasperated by his men who followed him along , to resist , and goe no further ; in the end hee would not , neither for faire promises nor fierce threatnings , so that they were constrained there to kill him , which struck such an amazement and daunting into the rest of that naked crew , with the sight of the guns , that though they might easily have killed them , yet had they not the power to shoot an arrow , but followed them , yelling and howling for the death of their king forty miles ; his goods being left among them , he sent word by other indians , that unlesse they sent him his goods againe , which hee there left , hee would serve them as hee served their king , whereupon they returned him his commodities , with intreaty of peace , and promises of fairer trade if he came again . if these heartlesse indians were so cowed with so slender an onset on their owne dunghill , when there were scarce six families of ours in the countrie , what need wee now feare them being growne into thousands , and having knowledge of martiall discipline ? in the night they neede not to be feared , for they will not budge from their owne dwellings for feare of their abamacho ( the devill ) whom they much feare , specially in evill enterprizes , they will rather lye by an english fire than goe a quarter of a mile in the darke to their owne dwellings : but they are well freed from this scare-crow since the comming of the english , and lesse care for his delusions ; and whereas it hath beene reported , that there are such horrible apparitions , fearefull roarings , thundering and lightning raised by the devill , to discourage the english in their settling , i for mine owne part never saw or heard of any of these things in the countrie : nor have i heard of any indians that have lately beene put in feare , saving two or three , and they worse scar'd than hurt , who seeing a black-more in the top of a tree , looking out for his way which he had lost , surmised he was abamacho or the devill , deeming all devils that are blacker than themselves ; and being neare to the plantation , they posted to the english , and intreated their aide to conjure this devill to his owne place , who finding him to be a poore wandring black-moore , conducted him to his master . chap. ix . of their wondering at the first view of any strange invention . these indians being strangers to arts and sciences , and being unacquainted with the inventions that are common to a civilized people , are ravisht with admiration at the first view of any such sight : they tooke the first ship they saw for a walking iland , the mast to be a tree , the saile white clouds , and the discharging of ordinance for lightning and thunder , which did much trouble them , but this thunder being over , and this moving iland stedied with an anchor , they manned out their cannowes to goe and picke strawberries there , but being saluted by the way with a broad side , they cried out , what much hoggery , so bigge walke , and so bigge speake , and by and by kill ; which caused them to turne back , not daring to approach till they were sent for . they doe much extoll and wonder at the english for their strange inventions , especially for a wind-mill , which in their esteeme was little lesse than the worlds wonder , for the strangenesse of his whisking motion , and the sharpe teeth biting the corne ( as they terme it ) into such small peeces ; they were loath at the first to come neere to his long armes , or to abide in so tottering a tabernacle , though now they dare goe any where so farre as they have an english guide . the first plow-man was counted little better than a iuggler : the indians seeing the plow teare up more ground in a day , than their clamme shels could scrape up in a month , desired to see the workemanship of it , and viewing well the coulter and share , perceiving it to be iron , told the plow-man , hee was almost abamocho , almost as cunning as the devill ; but the fresh supplies of new and strange objects hath lessen'd their admiration , and quickned their inventions , and desire of practising such things as they see , wherein they expresse no small ingenuitie , and dexterity of wit , being neither furthered by art , or long experience . it is thought they would soon learne any mechanicall trades , having quicke wits , understanding apprehensions , strong memories , with nimble inventions , and a quicke hand in using of the axe or hatchet , or such like tooles ; much good might they receive from the english , and much might they benefit themselves , if they were not strongly fettered in the chaines of idlenesse ; so as that they had rather starve than worke , following no employments , saving such as are sweetned with more pleasures and profit than paines or care , and this is indeede one of the greatest accusations that can be laid against them , which lies but upon the men , ( the women being very industrious ) but it may be hoped that good example , and good instructions may bring them to a more industrious and provident course of life . for already , as they have learned much subtiltie & cunning by bargaining with the english , so have they a little degenerated from some of their lazie customes , and shew themselves more industrious . in a word , to set them out in their best colours , they be wise in their carriage , subtle in their dealings , true in their promise , honest in defraying of their debts , though poverty constraine them to be something long before ; some having died in the english debt , have left beaver by order of will for their satisfaction : they be constant in friendship , merrily conceited in discourse , not luxuriously abounding in youth , nor dotingly froward in old age , many of them being much civilized since the english colonies were planted , though but little edified in religion : they frequent often the english churches , where they will sit soberly , though they understand not such hidden mysteries . they doe easily beleeve some of the history of the bible , as the creation of the world , the making of man , with his fall : but come to tell them of a saviour , with all the passages of the gospell , and it exceeds so farre their indian beleefe , that they will cry out ( pocatnie ) id est , is it possible ? yet such is their conviction of the right way , that when some english have come to their houses , victuals being offered them , forgetting to crave gods blessing upon the creatures received , they have beene reproved by these , which formerly never knew what calling upon god meant : thus farre for their naturall disposition and qualities . chap. x. of their kings government , and subjects obedience . now for the matter of government amongst them : it is the custome for their kings to inherite , the sonne alwayes taking the kingdome after his fathers death . if there be no sonne , then the queene rules ; if no queene , the next to the blood-royall , who com●s in otherwise , is ●ut counted an usurping intruder , and if his faire carriage beare him not out the better , they will soone unscepter him . the kings have no lawes to command by , nor have they any annuall revenewes ; yet commonly are they so either feared or beloved , that halfe their subjects estate is at their service , and their persons at his command ; by which command he is better knowne than by any thing else . for though hee hath no kingly robes , to make him glorious in the view of his subjects , nor dayly guardes to secure his person , or court-like attendance , nor sumptuous pallaces ; yet doe they yeeld all submissive subjection to him , accounting him their soveraigne ; going at his command , and comming at his becke , not so much as expostulating the cause , though it be in matters thwarting their wills ; he being accounted a disloyall subject , that will not effect what his prince commands . whosoever is knowne to plot treason , or to lay violent hands on his lawfull king , is presently executed . once a yeare he takes his progresse , accompanied with a dozen of his best subjects to view his countrey , to recreate himselfe , and establish good order . when he enters into any of their houses , without any more complement , he is desired to sit downe on the ground ; ( for they use neither stooles nor cushions ) and after a little respite , all that be present , come in , and sit downe by him , one of his seniors pronouncing an oration gratulatory to his majesty for his love ; and the many good things they enjoy under his peacefull government . a king of large dominions hath his viceroyes , or inferiour kings under him , to agitate his state-affaires , and keepe his subjects in good decorum . other officers there be , but how to distinguish them by name is some-thing difficult : for their lawes , as their evill courses come short of many other nations , so they have not so many lawes , though they be not without some , which they inflict upon notorious malefactors , as traytors to their prince , inhumane murtherers , and some say for adultery ; but i cannot warrant it for a truth . for theft , as they have nothing to steale worth the life of a man , therefore they have no law to execute for trivialls ; a subject being precious in the eye of his prince , where men are so scarce . a malefactor having deserved death , being apprehended , is brought before the king , and some other of the wisest men , where they enquire out the originall of a thing ; after proceeding by aggravation of circumstances , he is found guilty , and being cast by the iury of their strict inquisition , he is condemned , and executed on this manner : the executioner comes in , who blind-folds the party , sets him in the publike view , and braines him with a tamahauke or club ; which done , his friends bury him . other meanes to restraine abuses they have none , saving admonition or reproofe ; no whippings , no prisons , stockes , bilbowes , or the like . chap. xi . of their marriages . now to speake something of their marriages , the kings or great powwowes , alias conjurers , may have two or three wives , but seldome use it . men of ordinary ranke , having but one ; which disproves the report , that they had eight or tenne wives apeece . when a man hath a desire to marry , he first gets the good-will of the maide or widdow , after , the consent of her friends for her part ; and for himselfe , if he be at his owne disposing , if the king will , the match is made , her dowry of wampompeage payd , the king joynes their hands with their hearts , never to part till death , unlesse shee prove a whore ; for which they may , and some have put away their wives , as may appeare by a story . there was one abamoch married a wife , whom a long time he intirely loved above her deservings , for that shee often in his absence entertained strangers , of which hee was oftentimes informed by his neighbours ; but hee harbouring no sparke of jealousie , beleeved not their false informations ( as he deemed them ) being in a manner angry they should slander his wife , of whose constancy hee was so strongly conceited : a long time did her whorish gloazing and syren-like tongue , with her subtle carriage , establish her in her husbands favour , till fresh complaints caused him to cast about , how to finde out the truth , and to prove his friends lyars , and his wife honest , or her a whore , and his friends true : whereupon hee pretended a long journey to visite his friends , providing all accoutraments for a fortnights journey ; telling his wife it would be so long before she could expect his returne , who outwardly sorrowed for his departure , but inwardly rejoyced , that she should enjoy the society of her old lemman ; whom she sent for with expedition , not suspecting her husbands plot , who lay not many miles off in the woods ; who after their dishonest revelings , when they were in their midnight sleepe , approaches the wiggwamme , enters the doore , which was neither barred nor lockt ; makes a light to discover what hee little suspected ; but finding his friends words to bee true , hee takes a good bastinado in his hand brought for the same purpose , dragging him by the haire from his usurped bed , so lamentably beating him , that his battered bones and bruised flesh made him a fitter object for some skilfull surgeon , than the lovely obiect of a lustfull strumpet ; which done , hee put away his wife , exposing her to the curtesie of strangers for her maintenance , that so curtesan-like had entertained a stranger into her bosome . chap. xii . of their worship , invocations , and conjurations . now of their worships : as it is naturall to all mortals to worship something , so doe these people , but exactly to describe to whom their worship is chiefly bent , is very difficult ; they acknowledge especially two , ketan who is their good god , to whom they sacrifice ( as the ancient heathen did to ceres ) after their garners bee full with a good croppe : upon this god likewise they invocate for faire weather , for raine in time of drought , and for the recovery of their sick ; but if they doe not heare them , then they verifie the old verse , flectere si nequeo superos , acharonta movebo , their pow-wows betaking themselves to their exorcismes and necromanticke charmes , by which they bring to passe strange things , if wee may beleeve the indians , who report of one pissacannawa , that hee can make the water burne , the rocks move , the trees dance , metamorphize himselfe into a flaming man. but it may be objected , this is but deceptio visus . hee will therefore doe more , for in winter , when there is no greene leaves to be got , he will burne an old one to ashes , and putting those into the water , produce a new greene leafe , which you shall not onely see , but substantially handle and carrie away ; and make of a dead snakes skinne a living snake , both to be seene , felt , and heard ; this i write but upon the report of the indians , who confidently affirme stranger things . but to make manifest , that by gods permission , thorough the devils helpe , their charmes are of force to produce effects of wonderment ; an honest gentle-man related a storie to mee , being an eye-witnes of the same : a pow-wow having a patient with the stumpe of some small tree runne thorough his foote , being past the cure of his ordinary surgery , betooke himselfe to his charmes , and being willing to shew his miracle before the english stranger , hee wrapt a piece of cloth about the foote of the lame man ; upon that wrapping a beaver skinne , through which hee laying his mouth to the beaver skinne , by his sucking charmes he brought out the stumpe , which he spat into a tray of water , returning the foote as whole as its fellow in a short time . the manner of their action in their conjuration is thus : the parties that are sick or lame being brought before them , the pow-wow sitting downe , the rest of the indians giving attentive audience to his imprecations and invocations , and after the violent expression of many a hideous bellowing and groaning , he makes a stop , and then all the auditors with one voice utter a short cant● ; which done , the pow-wow still proceeds in his invocations , somtimes roaring like a beare , other times groaning like a dying horse , foaming at the mouth like a chased bore , smiting on his naked brest and thighs with such violence , as if he were madde . thus will hee continue sometimes halfe a day , spending his lungs , sweating out his fat , and tormenting his body in this diabolicall worship ; sometimes the devill for requitall of their worship , recovers the partie , to nuzzle them up in their divellish religion . in former time hee was wont to carrie away their wives and children , because hee would drive them to these mattens , to fetch them again to confirme their beliefe of this his much desired authoritie over them : but since the english frequented those parts , they daily fall from his ●olours , relinquishing their former fopperies , and acknowledge our god to be supreame . they acknowledge the power of the english-ans god , as they call , him , because they could never yet have power by their conjurations to damnifie the english either in body or goods ; and besides , they say hee is a good god that sends them so many good things , so much good corne , so many cattell , temperate raines , faire seasons , which they likewise are the better for since the arrivall of the english ; the times and seasons being much altered in seven or eight yeares , freer from lightning and thunder , long droughts , suddaine and tempestuous dashes of raine , and lamentable cold winters . chap. xiii . of their warres . of their warres : their old souldiers being swept away by the plague , which was very rife amongst them about yeares agoe , and resting themselves secure under the english protection , they doe not now practice any thing in martiall feates worth observation , saving that they make themselves forts to flie into , if the enemies should unexpectedly assaile them . these forts some be fortie or fiftie foote square , erected of young timber trees , ten or twelve foote high , rammed into the ground , with undermining within , the earth being cast up for their shelter against the dischargements of their enemies , having loope-holes to send out their winged messingers , which often deliver their sharpe and bloody embassi●s in the tawnie sides of their naked assailants , who wanting butting rammes and battering ordinances to command at distance , lose their lives by their too neare approachments . these use no other weapons in warre than bowes and arrowes , saving that their captaines have long speares , on which if they returne conquerours they carrie the heads of their chiefe enemies that they slay in the wars : it being the custome to cut off their heads , hands , and feete , to beare home to their wives and children , as true tokens of their renowned victorie . when they goe to their warres , it is their custome t● paint their faces with diversitie of colours , some being all black as ●et , some red , some halfe red ●nd halfe blacke , some blacke and white , others spotted with divers kinds of colours , being all disguised to their enemies , to make them more terrible to their foes , putting on likewise their rich iewels , pendents and wampompeage , to put them in minde they fight not onely for their children , wives , and lives , but likewise for their goods , lands and liberties ; being thus armed with this warlike paint , the antique warriers make towards their enemies in a disordered manner , without any souldier like marching or warlike postures , being deafe to any word of command , ignorant of falling off , or falling on , of doubling rankes or files , but let fly their winged shaftments without eyther feare or wit ; their artillery being spent , he that hath no armes to fight , findes legges to run away . chap. xiiii . their games and sports of activitie . bvt to leave their warres , and to speake of their games in which they are more delighted and better experienced , spending halfe their dayes in gaming and lazing . they have two sorts of games , one called puim , the other hubbub , not much unlike cards and dice , being no other than lotterie . puim is . or . small bents of a foote long which they divide to the number of their gamesters , shuffling them first betweene the palmes of their hands ; he that hath more than his fellow is so much the forwa●der in his game : many other strange whimseyes be in this game ; which would be too long to commit to paper ; hee that is a noted gamster , hath a great hole in his eare wherein hee carries his pu●●is in defiance of his antagonists . hubbub is five small bones in a small smooth tray , t●e bones bee like a die , but something f●atter , blacke on the one side and white on the other , which they place on the ground , against which violentl● themping the platter , the bones mount changi●g colours with the windy whisking of their hands too and fro ; which action in that sport they much use , smiting themselves on the breast , and thighs , crying out , hub , hub , hub ; they may be heard play at this game a quarter of a mile off . the bones being all blacke or white , make a double game ; if three be of a colour and two of another , then they affoard but a single game ; foure of a colour and one differing is nothing ; so long as a man winns , he keepes the tray : but if he loose , the next man takes it . they are so bewitched with these two games , that they will loose sometimes all they have , beaver , moose-skinnes , kettles , wampompeage , mowhackies , hatchets , knives , all is confiscate by these two games . for their sports of activitie they have commonly but three or foure ; as footeball , shooting , running and swimming : when they play country against country , there are rich goales , all behung with wampompeage , mowhackies , beaver skins , and blacke otter skinnes . it would exceede the beleefe of many to relate the worth of one goale , wherefore it shall be namelesse . their goales be a mile long placed on the sands , which are as even as a board ; their ball is no bigger than a hand-ball , which sometimes they mount in the aire with their naked feete , sometimes it is swayed by the multitude ; sometimes also it is two dayes before they get a goale , then they marke the ground they winne , and beginne there the next day . before they come to this sport , they paint themselves , even as when they goe to warre , in pollicie to prevent future mischiefe , because no man should know him that moved his patience or accidentally hurt his person , taking away the occasion of studying revenge . before they begin their armes be disordered , and hung upon some neighbouring tree , after which they make a long scrowle on the sand , over which they shake loving hands , and with laughing hearts scuffle for victorie . while the men play the boyes pipe , and the women dance and sing trophies of their husbands conqu●sts ; all being done a feast summons their departure . it is most delight to see them play , in smaller companies , when men may view their swift footemanship , their curious tossings of their ball , their flouncing into the water , their lubberlike wrestling , having no cunning at all in that kind , one english being able to beate ten indians at footeball . for their shooting they be most desperate marks-men for a point blancke object , and if it may bee possible cornicum oculos configere they will doe it : such is their celerity and dexterity in artillerie , that they can smite the swift running hinde and nimble winked pigeon without a standing paule or left eyed blinking ; they draw their arrowes between the fore fingers and the thumbe ; their bowes be quicke , but not very strong , not killing above six or seaven score . these men shoot at one another , but with swift conveighance shunne the arrow ; this they doe to make them expert against time of warre . it hath beene often admired how they can finde their arrowes , be the weedes as high as themselves , yet they take such perfect notice of the flight and fall that they seldome loose any . they are trained up to their bowes even from their childhood ; little boyes with bowes made of little stickes and arrowes of great bents , will smite downe a peece of tobacco pipe every shoot a good way off : as these indians be good markemen , so are they well experienced where the very life of every creature lyeth , and know where to smite him to make him dye presently . for their swimming it is almost naturall , but much perfected by continuall practise ; their swimming is not after our english fashion of spread armes and legges which they hold too tiresome , but like dogges their armes before them cutting through the liquids with their right shoulder ; in this manner they swimme very swift and farre , either in rough or smooth waters , sometimes for their ease lying as still as a log ; sometimes they will play the dive-doppers , and come up in unexpected places . their children likewise be taught to swimme when they are very yong . for their running it is with much celeritie and continuance , yet i suppose there be many english men who being as lightly clad as they are , would outrun them for a spurt , though not able to continue it for a day or dayes , being they be very strong winded and rightly clad for a race . chap. xv. of their huntings . for their hunting , it is to be noted that they have no swift foote grayhounds , to let slippe at the sight of the deere , no deepe mouthed hounds , or senting beagles , to finde out their desired prey ; themselves are all this , who in that time of the yeere , when the deere comes downe , having certaine hunting houses , in such places where they know the deere usually doth frequent , in which they keep their randevowes , their snares and all their accoutraments for that imployment : when they get sight of a deere , moose or beare , they studie how to get the wind of him , and approaching within shot , stab their marke quite through , if the bones hinder not . the chiefe thing they hunt after is deere , mooses , and beares , it greeves them more to see an english man take one deere , than a thousand acres of land : they hunt likewise after wolves , and wild catts , rackoones , otters , beavers , musquashes , trading both their skinnes and flesh to the english. besides their artillery , they have other devices to kill their game , as sometimes hedges a mile or two miles long , being a mile wide at one end , and made narrower and narrower by degrees , leaving onely a gap of sixe foote long , over against which , in the day time they lye lurking to shoot the deere which come through that narrow gut ; so many as come within the circumference of that hedge , seldome returne backe to leape over , unlesse they be forced by the chasing of some ravenous wolfe , or sight of some accidentatall passinger ; in the night at the gut of this hedge , they set deere traps , which are springes made of young trees , and smooth wrought coards ; so strong as it will tosse a horse if hee be caught in it . an english mare being strayed from her owner , and growne wild by her long sojourning in the woods ranging up and downe with the wilde crew , stumbled into one of these traps which stopt her speed , hanging her like mahomets tombe , betwixt earth and heaven ; the morning b●ing come , the indians went to looke what good successe their venison trappes had brought them , but seeing such a long scutted deere , praunce in their merritotter , they bade her good morrow , crying out , what cheere what cheere englishmans squaw horse ; having no better epithite than to call her a woman horse , but being loath to kill her , and as fearefull to approach neere the friscadoes of her iron heeles , they posted to the english to tell them how the case stood or hung with their squaw horse , who unhorsed their mare , and brought her to her former tamenesse , which since hath brought many a good foale , and performed much good service . in these traps deeres , mooses , beares , wolves , catts , and foxes , are often caught . for their beavers and otters , they have other kinde of trappes , so ponderous as is unsupportable for such creatures , the massie burthen whereof either takes them prisoners , or expells their breath from their squised bodyes . these kinde of creatures would gnaw the other kind of trappes asunder , with their sharpe teeth : these beasts are too cunning for the english , who seldome or never catch any of them , therefore we leave them to those skilfull hunters whose time is not so precious , whose experience bought-skill hath made them practicall and usefull in that particuler . chap. xvi . of their fishings . of their fishing , in this trade they be very expert , being experienced in the knowledge of all baites , fitting sundry baites for severall fishes , and diverse seasons ; being not ignorant likewise of the removall of fishes , knowing when to fish in rivers , and when at rockes , when in baies , and when at seas : since the english came they be furnished with english hookes and lines , before they made them of their owne hempe more curiously wrought , of stronger materials than ours , hooked with bone hookes : but lazinesse drives them to buy more than profit or commendations winnes them to make of their owne ; they make likewise very strong sturgeon nets with which they catch sturgeons of . , and . some . foote long in the day time , in the night time they betake them to their burtchen cannows , in which they carry a forty fathome line , with a sharpe bearded dart , fastned at the end thereof ; then lightning a blazing torch made of burcthen rindes , they weave it too and againe by their cannow side , which the sturgeon much delighted with , comes to them tumbling and playing , turning up his white belly , into which they thrust their launce , his backe being impenetrable ; which done they haile to the shore their strugling prize . they have often recourse unto the rockes whereupon the sea beates , in warme weather to looke out for sleepie seales , whose oyle they much esteeme , using it for divers things . in summer they seldome fish any where but in salt , in winter in the fresh water and ponds ; in frostie weater they cut round holes in the yce , about which they wil sit like so many apes , on their naked breeches upon the congealed yce , catching of pikes , pearches , breames , and other sorts of fresh water fish . chap. xvii . of their arts and manufactures . of their severall arts and imployments , as first in dressing of all manner of skinnes , which they doe by scraping and rubbing , afterwards painting them with antique embroyderings in unchangeable colours , sometimes they take off the haire , especially if it bee not killed in season . their bowes they make of a handsome shape , strung commonly with the sinnewes of mooses ; their arrowes are made of young elderne , feathered with feathers of eagles wings and tailes , headed with brasse in shape of a heart or triangle , fastned in a slender peece of wood sixe or inches long , which is framed to put loose in the pithie elderne , that is bound fast for riving : their arrowes be made in this manner because the arrow might shake from his head and be left behind for their finding , and the pile onely remaine to gaule the wounded beast . their cordage is so even , soft , and smooth , that it lookes more like silke than hempe ; their sturgeon netts be not deepe , nor above . or . foote long , which in ebbing low waters they stake fast to the ground , where they are sure the sturgeon will come , never looking more at it , till the next low water . their cannows be made either of pine-trees , which before they were acquainted with english tooles , they burned hollow , scraping them smooth with clam-shels and oyster-shels , cutting their out-sides with stone-hatchets : these boates be not above a foot and a halfe , or two feete wide , and twenty foote long . their other cannows be made of thinne birch-rines , close-ribbed on the in-side with broad thinne hoopes , like the hoopes of a tub ; these are made very light , a man may carry one of them a mile , being made purposely to carry from river to river , and bay to bay , to shorten land-passages . in these cockling fly-boates , wherein an english man can scarce sit without a fearefull tottering , they will venture to sea , when an english shallope dare not beare a knot of sayle ; scudding ●ver the overgrowne waves as fast as a winde-driven ship , being driven by their padles ; being much like battle doores ; if a crosse wave ( as is seldome ) turne her keele up-side downe , they by swimming free her , and scramble into her againe . chap. xviii . of their language . of their language which is onely peculiar to themselves , not inclining to any of the refined tongues . some have thought they might be of the dispersed iewes , because some of their words be neare unto the hebrew ; but by the same rule they may conclude them to be some of the gleanings of all nations , because they have words which sound after the greeke , latine , french , and other tongues : their language is hard to learne ; few of the english being able to speake any of it , or capable of the right pronunciation , which is the chiefe grace of their tongue . they pronounce much after the diphthongs , excluding l and r , which in our english tongue they pronounce with as much difficulty , as most of the dutch doe t and h , calling a lobster a n●bstann . every countrey doe something differ in their speech , even as our northerne people doe from the southerne , and westerne from them ; especially the tarrenteens , whose tongues runne so much upon r , that they wharle much in pronunciation . when any ships come neare the shore , they demand whether they be king charles his torries , with such a rumbling sound , as if one we●e beating an unbrac't drumme . in serious discourse our southerne indians use seldome any short colloquiums , but speake their minds at large , without any interjected interruptions from any : the rest giving diligent audience to his utterance : which done , some or other returnes him as long an answere , they love not to speake multa sed multum , seldome are their words , and their deeds strangers . according to the matter in discourse , so are their acting gestures in their expressions . one of the english preachers in a speciall good intent of doing good to their soules , hath spent much time in attaining to their language , wherein he is so good a proficient , that he can speake to their understanding , and they to his ; much loving and respecting him for his love and counsell . it is hoped that he may be an instrument of good amongst th●m . they love any man that can utter his minde in their words , yet are they not a little proud that they can speake the english tongue , using it as much as their owne , when they meete with such as can understand it , puzling stranger indians , which sometimes visite them from more remote places , with an unheard language . chap. xix . of their deaths , burials , and mourning . although the indians be of lusty and healthfull bodies , not experimentally knowing the catalogue of those health-wasting diseases which are incident to other countries , as feavers , pleurisies , callentures , agues , obstructions , consumptions , subfumigations , convulsions , apoplexies , dropsies , gouts , stones , tooth-aches , pox , measels , or the like , but spinne out the threed of their dayes to a faire length , numbering three-score , foure-score , some a hundred yeares , before the worlds universall summoner 〈◊〉 them to the craving grave : but the date of their life expired , and deaths arestment seazing upon them , all hope of recovery being past , then to behold and heare their throbbing sobs and deepe-fetcht sighes , their griefe-wrung hands , and teare-bedewed cheekes , their dolefull cries , would draw teares from adamantine eyes , that be but spectators of their mournefull obsequies . the glut of their griefe being past , they commit the corpes of their diceased friends to the ground , over whose grave is for a long time spent many a briny teare , deepe groane , and irish-like howlings , continuing annuall mournings with a blacke stiffe paint on their faces : these are the mourners without hope , yet doe they hold the immortality of the never-dying soule , that it shall passe to the south-west elysium , concerning which their indian faith jumps much with the turkish alchoran , holding it to be a kinde of paradise , wherein they shall everlastingly abide , solacing themselves in odoriferous gardens , fruitfull corne-fields , greene medows , bathing their tawny hides in the coole streames of pleasant rivers ▪ and shelter themselves from heate and cold in the sumptuous pallaces framed by the skill of natures curious contrivement ; concluding that neither care nor paine shall molest them , but that natures bounty will administer all things with a voluntary contribution from the overflowing store-house of their elyzian hospitall , at the portall whereof they say , lies a great dogge , whose churlish snarlings deny a pax intrantibus , to unworthy intruders : wherefore it is their custome , to bury with them their bows and arrows , and good store of their wampompeage and mowhackies ; the one to affright that affr●nting c●rberus , the other to purchase more immense prerogatiues in their paradise . for their enemies and loose livers , whō they account unworthy of this imaginary happines , they say , that they passe to the infernall dwellings of abamocho , to be tortured according to the fictions of the ancient heathen ▪ chap. xix . of their women , their dispositions , employments , usage by their husbands , their apparell , and modesty . to satisfie the curious eye of women-readers , who otherwise might thinke their sex forgotten , or not worthy a record , let them peruse these few lines , wherein they may see their owne happinesse , if weighed in the womans ballance of these ruder indians , who scorne the tuterings of their wives , or to admit them as their equals , though their qualities and industrious deservings may justly claime the preheminence , and command better usage and more conjugall esteeme , their persons and features being every way correspondent , their qualifications more excellent , being more loving , pittifull , and modest , milde , provident , and laborious than their lazie husbands . their employments be many : first their building of houses , whose frames are formed like our garden-arbours , something more round , very strong and handsome , covered with close-wrought mats of their owne weaving , which deny entrance to any drop of raine , though it come both fierce and long , neither can the piercing north winde finde a crannie , through which he can conveigh his cooling breath , they be warmer than our english houses ; at the top is a square hole for the smoakes evacuation , which in rainy weather is covered with a pluver ; these bee such smoakie dwellings , that when there is good fires , they are not able to stand upright , but lie all along under the smoake , never using any stooles or chaires , it being as rare to see an indian sit on a stoole at home , as it is strange to see an english man sit on his heeles abroad . their houses are smaller in the summer , when their families be dispersed , by reason of heate and occasions . in winter they make some fiftie or threescore foote long , fortie or fiftie men being inmates under one roofe ; and as is their husbands occasion these poore tectonists are often troubled like snailes , to carrie their houses on their backs sometime to fishing-places , other times to hunting-places , after that to a planting place , where it abides the longest : an other work is their planting of come , wherein they exceede our english husband-men , keeping it so cleare with their clamme shell-hooes , as if it were a garden rather than a corne-field , not suffering a choaking weede to advance his audacious head above their infant corne , or an undermining worme to spoile his spurnes . their corne being ripe , they gather it , and drying it hard in the sunne , conveigh it to their barnes , which be great holes digged in the ground in forme of a brasse pot , seeled with rinds of trees , wherein they put their corne , covering it from the inquisitive search of their gurmandizing husbands , who would eate up both their allowed portion , and reserved seede , if they knew where to finde it . but our hogges having found a way to unhindge their barne doores , and robbe their garners , they are glad to implore their husbands helpe to roule the bodies of trees over their holes , to prevent those pioners , whose theeverie they as much hate as their flesh . an other of their employments is their summer processions to get lobsters for their husbands , wherewith they baite their hookes when they goe a fishing for basse or cod-fish . this is an every dayes walke , be the weather cold or hot , the waters rough or calme , they must dive sometimes over head and eares for a lobster , which often shakes them by their hands with a churlish nippe , and bids them adiew . the tide being spent , they trudge home two or three miles , with a hundred weight of lobsters at their backs , and if none , a hundred scoules meete them at home , and a hungry belly for two dayes after . their husbands having caught any fish , they bring it in their boates as farre as they can by water , and there leave it ; as it was their care to catch it , so it must be their wives paines to fetch it home , or fast : which done , they must dresse it and cooke it , dish it , and present it , see it eaten over their shoulders ; and their loggerships having filled their paunches , their sweete lullabies scramble for their scrappes . in the summer these indian women when lobsters be in their plenty and prime , they drie them to keepe for winter , erecting scaffolds in the hot sun-shine , making fires likewise underneath them , by whose smoake the flies are expelled , till the substance remain hard and drie . in this manner they drie basse and other fishes without salt , cutting them very thinne to dry suddainely , before the flies spoile them , or the raine moist them , having a speciall care to hang them in their smoakie houses , in the night and dankish weather . in summer they gather flagges , of which they make matts for houses , and hempe and rushes , with dying stuffe of which they make curious baskets with intermixed colours and portractures of antique imagerie : these baskets be of all sizes from a quart to a quarter , in which they carry their luggage . in winter time they are their hubands caterers , trudging to the clamm bankes for their belly timber , and their porters to lugge home their venison which their lazinesse exposes to the woolves till they impose it upon their wives shoulders . they likewise sew their husbands shooes , and weave coates of turkie feathers , besides all their ordinary household drudgerie which daily lies upon them , so that a bigge bellie hinders no businesse , nor a childebirth takes much time , but the young infant being greased and sooted , wrapt in a beaver skin , bound to his good behaviour with his feete up to his bumme , upon a board two foote long and one foot broade , his face exposed to all nipping weather ; this little pappouse travells about with his bare footed mother to paddle in the icie clammbankes after three or foure dayes of age have sealed his pass●board and his mothers recoverie . for their carriage it is very civill , smiles being the greatest grace of their mirth ; their musick is lullabies to quiet their children , who generally are as quiet as if they had neither spleene or lungs . to heare one of these indians unseene , a good care might easily mistake their untaught voyce for the warbling of a well tuned instrument . such command have they of their voices . these womens modesty drives them to weare more cloathes than their men , having alwayes a coate of cloath or skinnes wrapt like a blanket about their loynes , reaching downe to their hammes which they never put off in company . if a husband have a minde to sell his wives beaver , petticote , as sometimes he doth , shee will not put it off untill shee have another to put on : commendable is their milde carriage and obedience to their husbands , notwithstanding all this their customarie churlishnesse and salvage inhumanitie , not seeming to delight in frownes or offering to word it with their lords , not presuming to proclaime their female superiority to the usurping of the least title of their husbands charter , but rest themselves content under their helplesse condition , counting it the womans portion : since the english arrivall comparison hath made them miserable , for seeing the kind usage of the english to their wives , they doe as much condemne their husbands for unkindnesse , and commend the english for their love . as their husbands commending themselves for their wit in keeping their wives industrious , doe condemne the english for their folly in spoyling good working creatures . these women resort often to the english houses , where pares cum paribus congregatae , in sex i meane , they do somewhat ease their miserie by complaining and seldome part without a releefe : if her husband come to seeke for his squaw and beginne to bluster , the english woman betakes her to her armes which are the warlike ladle , and the scalding liquors , threatning blistering to the naked runnaway , who is soone expelled by such liquid comminations . in a word to conclude this womans historie , their love to the english hath deserved no small esteeme , ever presenting them some thing that is either rare or desired , as strawberries , hurtleberries , rasberries , gooseberries , cherries , plummes , fish , and other such gifts as their poore treasury yeelds them . but now it may be , that this relation of the churlish and inhumane behaviour of these ruder indians towards their patient wives , may confirme some in the beliefe of an aspersion , which i have often heard men cast upon the english there , as if they should learne of the indians to use their wives in the like manner , and to bring them to the same subjection , as to sit on the lower hand , and to carrie water , and the like drudgerie : but if my owne experience may out-ballance an ill-grounded scandalous rumour , i doe assure you , upon my credit and reputation , that there is no such matter , but the women finde there as much love , respect , and ease , as here in old england . i will not deny , but that some poore people may carrie their owne water , and doe not the poorer sort in england doe the same , witnesse your london tankerd-bearers , and your countrie-cottagers ? but this may well be knowne to be nothing , but the rancerous venome of some that beare no good will to the plantation . for what neede they carrie water , seeing every one hath a spring at his doore , or the sea by his house ? thus much for the satisfaction of women , touching this entrenchment upon their prerogative , as also concerning the relation of these indian squawes . because many have desired to heare some of the natives language , i have here inserted a small nomenclator , with the names of their chiefe kings , rivers , moneths , and dayes , whereby such as have in-sight into the tongues , may know to what language it is most inclining ; and such as desire it as an unknowne language onely , may reape delight , if they can get no profit . a aberginian an indian abbamocho the divell aunum a dogge ausupp a rackoone au so hau naut hoc lobstar assawog will you play a saw upp to morrow ascosc●i greene ausomma petuc quanocke give me some bread appepes naw aug when i see it i will tell you my minde anno ke ●●gge a sieve an nu ocke a bed autchu wompocke to day appause the morne ascom quom pauputchim thankes be given to god. b boquoquo the head bisquant the shoulderbones c chesco kean you lye commouton kean you steale cram to kill chicka chava osculari podicem cowimm● sleepes cocum the navell cos the nailes conomma a spoone cossaquot bow and arrowes cone the sunne cotattup i drinke to you coetop will you drinke tobaco connucke sommona it is almost night connu good night to you cow●mpaum si● god morrow coepot ice d dottaguck the backe bone docke taugh he necke what is your name e et ch●ssucke a knife eat chumnis indian corne eans causuacke fathomes easu tomm●c quocke halfe a skin of beaver epimetsis much good may your meate doe you f is not used . g gettoquaset the great toe genehuncke the fore finger gettoquacke the knees gettoquun the knuckles gettoquan the thumb gegnewaw og let me see h haha yes hoc the body hamucke almost hub hub hub come come come haddo quo du●na moquonash where did you buy that haddogoe weage who lives here i isattonaneise the bread icattop faint with hunger icatto quam very sleepie k kean i keisseanchacke backe of the hand ksitt● it hurts me kawken●g wampompeage let me see money kagmatche● will you eate meate ketott●g a whet stone kenie very sharpe ketto●a●ese lend me monie kekechoi much paine l is not used . m matchet it is nought mat●amoi to die mitchin meat misquanium very angrie mauncheake be gonne matta no meseig haire mamanock the eye brees matchanne the nose mattone the lippes mepeiteis the teeth mattickeis the shoulders mettosowset the little toe metosaunige the little finger misqu●sh the veines mohoc the wast menisowhock the genitals mocossa the black of the naile matchanni very sicke monacus bowes and arrowes manehops sit downe monakinne a coate mawcus sinnus a paire of shooes matchemauquot it stinketh muskana a bone menota a basket meatchis be merrie mawpaw it snowes mawnaucoi very strong mutchecu a very poore man monosketenog what 's this mouskett the breech matchet wequon very blunt ma●●a ka tau caushana will you not trade mowhachei● indian gold n 〈◊〉 a boy nicke squaw a maide nean you nippe water nasamp pottadge no●a sixe nisquan the elbow noenaset the third toe nahenan a blacke bird naw naunidge the middle finger napet the arme nitchicke the hand nottoquap the skinne nogcu● the heart nobpaw nocke the breast bone nequaw the thighes netop a friend nenmia give me noeicantop how doe you n●whaw nissis farewell noei pauketan by and by kill nenelah ha i le fight with you noei comquocke a codfish nepaupe stand by no ot●ut a great journie necautauh han no such matter noewamma he laugheth noeshow a father nitka a mother netchaw a brother not●nquous a kinseman nenomous a kinswoman nau maeu nais my sonne taunais my daughter no einshom give me corne nemnis take it nenimma nequitta ta auchu give me a span of any thing . ne●● nis ca su acke fathome notanumoi a little strong negac●wgh-hi lend me n●b●ks quam adiew n●● wi●yan come in nau● seam much wearie noe wammaw ●use i love you net noe whaw missu . a man of a middle stature o ottucke a deere occone a deere skinne oquan the heele ottump a bow ottommaocke tobacco ottannapeake the chinne occot●●ke the throate occasu halfe a quarter vnquagh saw au you are cunning ontoquos a wolfe p pow-wow a conjurer or wizard petta sinna give me a pipe of tobaco peoke colts-foote pappouse a child petucquanocke bread picke a pipe ponesanto make a fire papowne winter pequas a foxe pausochis a little journie peamissin a little peacumshis worke hard pokitta smoake petogge a bagge paucasu a quarter pausawniscosu halfe a fathome peunct●umocke much pray pesissu a little man pau●●●●ssoi the sunne is rising poucksha● it is broken poebugketaas you burne poussis a big bellied woman q quequas nummos what cheare quequas nim it is almost day quog quosh make haste quenobpuuncke a stoole quenops be quiet r is never used . s sagamore a king sachem idem sannup a man squaw a woman squitta a fire sparke s●ggig a basse seasicke a rattle snake shannucke a squerill skesicos the eyes sickeubecke the necke supskinge the wrist bones socottocanus the breast bone squehincke blood siccaw quant the hammes sis sau causke the shinnes su●piske ancle bones seat the foote seaseap a ducke suckis suacke a clam sequan the summer sockepup he will bite sis come out squi red swanscaw suacko fathomes sawawampeago very weake succomme i will eate you sasketupe a great man t taubut nean he● thankes heartily tantacum beate him tap in goe in titta i cannot tell tahanyah what newes tonagus the eares tannicke a cranie thaw the calfe of the leg tahascat the sole of the foote tasseche quonu●ck the insteppe tonokete naum whither goe you tannissin may which is the way tunketappin where live you tonocco wam where have you bin tasis a paire of stockings tockucke a hatchet towwow a sister tom maushew a husband tookesin enough sleepe titto kean l●atoquam doe you nod and sleepe tau kequam very heavie tauh coi it is very cold v vkepemanous the breast 〈◊〉 vnkesheto will you trucke w wampompeage indian money winnet very good web a wife wigwam a house waw●●●t enough whenan the tongue whanksis a foxe wawpatucke a goose wawpiske the bellie whoe nuncke a ditch wappinne the wind wawtom understand you wompey white wa aoy the sunne is downe wa●coh the day breakes wekemawquot it smells sweete weneikin●e it is very handsome whissu hochuck the kettle boyleth waawnew you have lost your way woenaunta it is a warme summer wompoca to morrow wawmauseu an honest man weneicu a rich man weitagcone a cleere day wawnauco yesterday x never used y yeips sit downe yaus the sides yaugh there yough yough now yoakes lice the number of . a quit nees nis yoaw abbona ocqinta enotta sonaske assaquoquin piocke appon●a qiut apponees apponis appoyoaw apponabonna apponaquinta apponenotta apponsonaske apponasquoquin neeniss●hicke the indians count their time by nights , and not by dayes , as followeth . sawup sleepes isoqu●●ocquock sleepes sucqunnocquocke sleepes yoawqunnocquock sleepes abonetta ta sucqunnocquock sleepes nequitta ta sucqunnocquock sleepes enotta ta sucqunnocquock sleepes soesicta sucqunnocquock sleepes pausa quoquin sucqunnocquock sleepes pawquo qunnocquock sleepes how they call their moneths . a quit-appause moneths neec-appause moneths ni●-appause moneths yoaw appause moneths abonna appause moneths nequit appause moneths e●otta appause moneths sonaske appause moneths assaquoquin appause moneths piocke appause moneths app●na quit appause moneths app●●●ce● appause moneths apponnis appause moneths apponyouw appause moneths nap nappona appause moneths nap napocquint appause moneths nap nap enotta appause moneths napsoe sicke appause moneths nappawsoquoquin appause moneths neesnischicke appause moneths neesnischicke appon a quit appause moneths neesnischicke apponees appause moneths neesnischick apponis appause moneths neesnischick appo yoaw appause moneths the names of the indians as they be divided into severall countries . tarrenteens churchers aberginians narragansets pequants n●pn●ts connectacuts mowhacks the names of sagamores . woenohaquahham anglice king iohn montowompate anglice king iames mausquonomend igowam sagamore chickkatawbut naponset sagamore caroni●●es narraganset sagamore osomeagen sagamore of the pequants kekut petchutacut sagamore nassawwho●an woesemagen two sagamoes of nipust . pissacannua a sagamore and most noted nigromancer . sagamores to the east and north-east , bearing rule amongst the churchers and tarrenteens . nepawhamis asteco assotomowite nannopo●nacund nattonanite . noenotchuo●k the names of the noted habitations . merrimack igowam igoshaum chobocco anglice nahumkeake salem saugus swampscot nahant wìnnisimmet mis●aum mishaumut charles towne massachusets boston mistick pigsgusset water tow napons●t matampan dorchester pawtuxet plymouth wessaguscus conihosset mannimeed soewampse● situate amuskeage pemmiquid saketeho● piscat●qua cannibek penopscot pa●toquid nawquot musketoquid nipnet whawcheusets at what places be rivers of note . cannibeck river merrimacke river t●bobocco river saugus river mistick river mishaum river naponset river wessaguscus river luddams●oard ●oard narragausets river muske toquid river hunniborne river connectacut river finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e wessagustus dorchester . roxberry . boston . charles-towne . medford . new-towne . water-towne . misticke . winnisimet . ilands there saugus . nahant . salem . agowam . merrimack river . nevves from america; or, a new and experimentall discoverie of new england containing, a true relation of their war-like proceedings these two yeares last past, with a figure of the indian fort, or palizado. also a discovery of these places, that as yet have very few or no inhabitants which would yeeld speciall accommodation to such as will plant there, viz. queenapoik. agu-wom. hudsons river. long island. nahanticut. martins vinyard. pequet. naransett bay. elizabeth islands. puscat away. casko with about a hundred islands neere to casko. by captaine iohn underhill, a commander in the warres there. underhill, john, d. . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a stc estc s this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) nevves from america; or, a new and experimentall discoverie of new england containing, a true relation of their war-like proceedings these two yeares last past, with a figure of the indian fort, or palizado. also a discovery of these places, that as yet have very few or no inhabitants which would yeeld speciall accommodation to such as will plant there, viz. queenapoik. agu-wom. hudsons river. long island. nahanticut. martins vinyard. pequet. naransett bay. elizabeth islands. puscat away. casko with about a hundred islands neere to casko. by captaine iohn underhill, a commander in the warres there. underhill, john, d. . r. h., fl. , engraver. [ ], p., folded plate : map printed by i. d[awson] for peter cole, and are to be sold at the signe of the glove in corne-hill neere the royall exchange, london : . printer's name from stc. the words "also a discovery .. plant there," and "queenapoik .. neere to casko" are bracketed together on the title page. the first leaf is blank. the map has title "the figure of the indians' fort or palizado in new england .." and is signed "rh". running title reads: the proceedings these two yeares last past in new england. reproduction of a photostat of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng pequot war, - -- early works to . new england -- description and travel -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - spi global keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion nevves from america ; or , a new and experimentall discoverie of new england ; containing , a trve relation of their war-like proceedings these two yeares last past , with a figure of the indian fort , or palizado . also a discovery of these places , that as yet have very few or no inhabitants which would yeeld speciall accommodation to such as will plant there , viz. queenapoick . agu-wom . hudsons river . long island . nahanticut . martins vinyard . pequet . naransett bay. elizabeth islands . puscat away . casko with about a hundred islands neere to casko . by captaine iohn underhill , a commander in the warres there . london , printed by i.d. for peter cole , and are to be sold at the signe of the glove in corne-hill neere the royall exchange . . 〈◊〉 of the indians fort or palizado in new england 〈…〉 of the destroying 〈◊〉 c●●tayne vnderhill 〈◊〉 ca●tayne mason . newes from america , or a late and experimentall discoverie of new england . i shall not spend time ( for my other occasions will not permit ) to write largely of every particular , but shall as briefly as i may performe these two things , first give a true narration , of the warre-like proceedings that hath been in new england these two years last past . secondly , i shall discover to the reader divers places in new england , that would afford speciall accommodations to such persons as will plant upon them , i had not time to doe either of these as they deserved , but wanting time to doe it as the nature of the thing required ; i shall according to my abilitie begin with a relation of our warre-like proceedings , and will inter-weave the speciall places fit for new plantations , with their description , as i shall find occasion in the following discourse , but i shall according to my promise begin with a true relation of the new england warres against the block ▪ ilanders , and that insolent and barbarous nation , called the pequeats , whom by the sword of the lord , and a few feeble instruments , souldiers not accustomed to warre , were drove out of their countrey , and slaine by the sword , to the number of fifteene hundred soules in the space of two moneths and lesse : so as their countrey is fully subdued and fallen into the hands of the english : and to the end that gods name might have the glory , and his people see his power , and magnifie his honour for his great goodnesse i have indevoured according to my weake ability , to set forth the full relation of the warre from the first rise to the end of the victory . the cause of our war against the block islanders , was for taking away the life of one master iohn oldham , who made it his common course trade amongst the indians ▪ he comming to block-island to drive trade with them , the islanders came into his boate and having got a full view of commodities which gave them good content , consulted how they might destroy him and his company , to the end they might cloth their bloody flesh with his lawful garments . the indians having laid the plo● into the boate they came to trade as they pretended watching their opportunities , knockt him in the head , & martyred him most barbarously , to the great griefe of his poore distressed servants , which by the providence of god were saved . this island lying in the rode way to the lord sey , and the lord brookes plantation , a certaine sea man called to iohn gallop master of the small navigation standing along to the mathethusis bay , and seeing a boate under saile close aboard the island , and perceiving the sailes to be unskilfully managed , bred in him a jealously , whether that the island indians had not bloodily taken the life of our countrie-men , and made themselves master of their goods : suspecting this , he bore up to them and approaching neere them was confirmed that his jealousie was just , seeing indians in the boate , and knowing her to be the vessel of master oldham , and not seeing him there gave fire upon them and slew some , others leaped over board ; besides two of the number which he preserved alive and brought to the bay . the blood of the innocent called for vengeance , god stirred up the heart of the honoured governour master henrie vane and the rest of the worthy magistrates to send forth a . well appointed souldiers under the conduct of captaine iohn hendicot , and in company with him that had command , captaine iohn vnderhill , captaine nathan turner , captaine william ienningson , besides other inferiour officers . i would not have the world wonder at the great number of commanders ●o so few men , but know that the indians fight ●arre differs from the christian practise , for they most commonly divide themselves into small bodies , so that we are forced to neglect our usuall way and to subdivide our divisions to answer theirs , and not thinking it any disparagement , to any captaine to go forth against an enemy with a squaldron of men taking the ground from the old & ancient practise when they chose captaines of hundreds and captaine of thousands , captaines of fifties and captaines of tens : we conceive a captaine signifieth the chiefe in way of command of any body committed to his charge for the time being whether of more or lesse , it makes no matter in power though in honour it doth . comming to an anckor before the island we espied an indian walking by the shore in a desolate manner as though he had received intelligence of our comming . which indian gave just ground to some to conclude that the body of the people had diserted the island . but some knowing them for the generality to be a warlike nation , a people that spend most of their time in the studie of warlike policy were not perswaded that they would upon so slender termes forsake the island , but rather suspected they might lye behind ●●anke , much like the forme of a baracado● my selfe with others rode with a shallop made towards the shore , having in the boat a dozen ●●med souldiers drawing neere to the place of landing , the number that rose from behind the barracado , were betweene . or . able fighting men , men as straite as arrowes , very tall , and of active bodyes , having their arrowes nockt , they drew neere to the water side , and let flie at the souldiers , as though they had meant to have made an end of us all in a moment ; they shot a young gentleman in the necke thorow a coller for stiffenesse , as if it had beene an oaken boord , and entered his flesh a good depth ; my selfe received an arrow through my coate sleeve , a second against my helmet on the forehead , so as if god in his providence had not moved the heart of my wife to perswade mee to carrie it along with me which i was unwilling to doe , i had beene slaine . give me leave to observe two things from hence first when the houre of death is not yet come , you see god useth weake meanes to keepe his purpose unviolated . secondly , let no man despise advise and counsell of his wife though shee be a woman ; it were strange to nature to thinke a man should be bound to fulfill the humour of a woman , what armes hee should carry , but you see god will have it so , that a woman should overcome a man : what with dalilahs flattery , and with her mourn●ull teares they must and will have their desire , when the hand of god goes a long in the matter ; and this is to accomplish his owne will , therefore let the clamour bee quencht i daily heare in my eares , that new england men usurpe over their wives , and keepe them in servile subjection : the countrey is wronged in this matter , as in many things else : let this president satisfie the doubtfull , for that comes from the example of a rude souldier : if they bee so curteous to their wives , as to take their advice in warlike matters , how much more kind is the tender affectionate husband to honour his wife as the weaker vessell ? yet mistake not , i say not that they are bound to call their wives in councell , though they are bound to take their private advice ( so farre as they see it make for their advantage and their good ▪ ) instance abraham . but to the matter , the arrowes flying thicke about us , wee made hast to the shore , but the suffe of the sea being great , hindered us , so as wee could scarce discharge a musket , but were forced to make hast to land ▪ drawing neere the shore through the strength of wind , and the hollownesse of the sea , wee durst not adventure to runne ashore , but were forced to wade up to the middle , but once having got up of our legges , wee gave ●i●e upon them , they finding our bullets to out reach their arrowes , they fled before us ; in the meane while colonell hindecot made to the shore , and some of this number also r●pulsed him at his landing , but hurt none ▪ wee thought they would stand it out with us , but they perceiving wee were in earnest , fled ; and left their wigwams or houses , and provision to the use of our souldiers : having set forth our sentinels , and laid out our pardues , wee betooke our selves to the guard , expecting hourely they would fall upon us ; but they observed the old rule , 't is good sleeping in a whole skin , and left us free from an alarum . the next day wee set upon our march , the indians being retired into swamps , so as wee could not find them , wee burnt and spoyled both houses and corne in great abundance : but they kept themselves in obscuritie : captaine turner stepping aside to a swampe , met with some few indians , and charged upon them , changing some few bullets for arrowes , himselfe received a shot upon the breast of his corslet , as if it had beene pushed with a pike , and if hee had not had it on , hee had lost his life . a prettie passage worthy observation , wee had an indian with us that was an interpreter , being in english cloathes , and a gunne in his hand , was spied by the ilanders , which called out to him , what are you an indian or an english-man : come hither , saith he , and i will tell you ; hee pulls up his cocke and let fly at one of them , and without question was the death of him : having spent that day in burning and spoyling the iland , wee tooke up the quarter for that night , about midnight my selfe went out with ten men about two miles from our quarter , and discovered the most eminent plantation , they had in the iland where was much corne , many wigwams , and great heapes of mats ; but fearing lest wee should make an alarum by setting fire on them ; wee left them as wee found them , and peaceably departed to our quarter : and the next morning with ● . men marched up to the same plantation , burnt their houses , cut downe their corne , destroyed some of their dogges in stead of men , which they left in their wigwams . passing on toward the water side to imbarque our souldiers , wee met with severall famous wigwams with great heapes of pleasant corne ready shaled , but not able to bring it away , wee did throw their mattes upon it , and set fire and burnt it : many well-wrought mattes our souldiers brought from thence , and severall delightfull baskets : wee being divided into two parts , the rest of the body met with no lesse , i suppose , then our selves did . the indians playing least in sight , wee spent our time , and could no more advantage our selves then wee had already done , and having slaine some fourteen , & maimed others , wee imbarqued our selves , and set saile for seasbrooke fort , where wee lay through distresse of weather foure dayes , then we departed . the pequeats having slaine one captaine norton , and captaine stone , with seven more of their company , order was given us to visit them , sayling along the nahanticot shore with five vessels , the indians spying of us came running in multitudes along the water side , crying , what cheere englishmen , what cheere , what doe you come for ? they not thinking we intended warre went on cheerefully untill they come to pequeat riuer . we thinking it the best way did forbeare to answer them ; first , that we might the better bee able to runne through the worke . secondly , that by delaying of them , we might drive them in securitie , to the end wee might have the more advantage of them : but they seeing wee would make no answer , kept on their course , and cryed , what english man , what cheere , what cheere , are you hoggerie , will you cram us ? that is , are you angry , will you kill us , and doe you come to fight . that night the nahanticot indians , and the pequeats , made fire on both sides of the river , fearing we would land in the night . they made most dolefull , and wofull cryes all the night , ( so that wee could scarce rest ) hollowing one to another , and giving the word from place to place , to gather their forces together , fearing the english were come to warre against them . the next morning they sent early aboard an ambassadour , a grave senior , a man of good understanding , portly , cariage grave , and majesticall in his expressions ; he demanded of us what the end of our comming was , to which we answered , that the governours of the bay sent us to demand the heads of those persons that had slaine captaine norton , and captaine stone , and the rest of their company , and that it was not the custome of the english to suffer murtherers to live , and therefore if they desired their owne peace and welfare , they will peaceably answer our expectation , and give us the heads of the murderers . they being a witty and ingenious nation , their ambassadour laboured to excuse the matter , and answered , we know not that any of ours have slaine any english : true it is , saith he , we have slaine such a number of men , but consider the ground of it ; not long before the comming of these english into the river , there was a certaine vessell that came to us in way of trade , we used them well , and traded with them , and tooke them to be such as would not wrong us in the least matter ; but our sachem or prince comming aboord , they laid a plot how they might destroy him , which plot discovereth it ●●lfe by the event , as followeth ▪ they keeping their boat aboord , and not desi●ous of our company , gave us leave to stand ●ollowing a●hore , that they might worke their mischievous plot ▪ but as wee stood they called to us , and demanded of us a bushell of wampam peke , which is their money , this they demanded for his ransome , this peale did ring terribly in our eares , to demand so much for the life of our prince , whom we thought was in the hands of honest men , and wee had never wronged them ; but we saw there was no remedy , their expectation must be granted , or else they would not send him ashore , which they promised they would doe , if wee would answer their desires ▪ wee sent them so much aboord according to demand , and they according to their promise sent him ashore , * but first slew him , this , much exasperated our spirits , and made us vow a revenge ; suddenly after came these captaines with a vessell into the river , and pretended to trade with us as the former did : wee did not discountenance them for the present , but tooke our opportunity and came aboord . the sachems sonne succeeding his father , was the man that came into the cabin of captaine stone , and captaine stone having drunke more then did him good , fell backwards on the bed asleepe , the sagamore tooke his opportunitie , and having a little hatchet under his garment , therewith knockt him in the head : some being upon the deck and others under , suspected some such thing , for the rest of the indians that were aboord , had order to proceed against the rest at one time , but the english spying trecherie , runne immediatly into the cooke roome , and with a fire-brand had thought to have blowne up the indians by setting fire to the powder : these devils instruments spying this plot of the english , leaped over-boord as the powder was a firing , and saved themselves , but all the english were blowne up , this was the manner of their bloody action : saith the ambassadour to us , could yee blame us for revenging so cruell a murder ? for we distinguish not betweene the dutch and english , but tooke them to be one nation , and therefore we doe not conceive that we wronged you , for they slew our king ; and thinking these captaines to be of the same nation and people , as those that slew him , made us set upon this course of revenge . our answer was , they were able to distinguish betweene dutch and english , having had sufficient experience of both nations , and therefore seeing you have sl●ine the king of englands subjects , we come to demand an account of their blood , for we our selves are lyable to account for them : the answer of the ambassadour was , we know no difference betweene 〈◊〉 dutch and the english , they are both strangers to us , we tooke them to bee all one , therefore we crave pardon , wee have not wilfully wronged the english. this excuse will not serve our turnes , fo● wee haue suffici●nt ●●stim●nie that you know the english from ●●e dutch we must have the heads of those persons that have slaine ou●s , or else wee will fight with you : he answered ; understanding the ground of your comming , i will intreat you to give me libertie to goe ashore , and i shall informe the body of the people what your intent and resolution is ▪ and if you will stay aboord , i will bring you a sudden answer . we did grant him liberty to get ashore , and our selves followed suddenly after before the warre was proclaimed : hee seeing us land our forces , came with a message to intreat us to come no neerer , but stand in a valley , which had betweene us and them an ascent , that took our sight from them ; but they might see us to hurt us , to our prejudice : thus from the first beginning to the end of the action , they carried themselves very subtilly ; but wee not willing to bee at their direction marched up to the ascent , having set our men in battally ; he came and told us he had inquired for the sachem , that we might come to a parlie : but neither of both of the princes were at home , they were gone to long iland . our reply was , we must not be put off thus , we know the sachem is in the plantation , and therefore bring him to us , that we may speake with him , or else we will beat up the drumme , and march through the countrey , and spoyle your corne : his answer , if you will but stay a little while ▪ i will ●●eppe to the plantation and 〈◊〉 for them ▪ wee gave them leave to 〈◊〉 their owne course ; and used as much patience as ever men might , considering the grosse abuse they offered us , holding us above an houre in vaine hopes : they sent an indian to tell us that mommenoteck was found , and would appeare before us suddenly , this brought us to a new stand the space of an houre more . there came a third indian perswading us to have a little further patience , and he would not tarry , for he had assembled the body of the pequeats together , to know who the parties were that had slaine these english men ▪ but seeing that they did in this interim convey away their wives and children , and bury their chiefest goods , and perceived at length they would flye from us , but we were patient , and bore with them , in expectation to have the greater blow upon them the last messenger brought us this intelligence from the sa●h●●● , that if wee would but lay downe our armes , and approch about thirtie paces from them , and meet the heathen 〈◊〉 , he would cause his men to doe the like ▪ and then we shall come to a parlie . but wee seeing their drift was to get ou● armes , we rather chose to beat up the drum and bid them battell , marching into a champion field we displayed our colours , but none would come neere us , but standing remotely off did laugh a● us for our patience , wee suddenly let 〈◊〉 o●r ma●ch , and gave fi●e t● 〈◊〉 many as we could come neere , firing their wigwams , spoyling their corne , and many other necessaries that they had buried in the ground we raked up , which the souldiers had for bootie . thus we spent the day burning and spoyling the countrey , towards night imbarqued our selves the next morning , landing on the nahanticot shore , where we were served in like nature , no indians would come neere us , but runne from us , as the deere from the dogges ; but having burnt and spoyled what we could light on , wee imbarqued our men , and set sayle for the bay , having ended this exploit came off , having one man wounded in the legge ; but certaine numbers of theirs slaine , and many wounded ; this was the substance of the first yeares service : now followeth the service performed in the second yeare . this insolent nation , seeing wee had used much lenitie towards them , and themselves not able to make good use of our patience , set upon a course of greater insolencie then before , and slew all they found in their way : they came neere seabrooke fort , and made many proud challenges , and dared them out to fight . the lieutenant went out with tenne armed men , and starting three indians they changed some few shotte for arrowes ; pursuing them an hundred more started out of the ambushments , and almost surrounded him and his company , and some they slew , others they maimed , and forced them to retreat to their fort , so that it was a speciall providence of god that they were not all slaine : some of their armes they got from them , others put on the english clothes , and came to the fort jeering of them , and calling , come and fetch your english mens clothes againe ; come out and fight if you dare ▪ you dare not fight , you are all one like women , we have one amongst us that if he could kill but one of you more , he would be equall with god , and as the english mans god is , so would hee be ; this blasphemous speech troubled the hearts of the souldiers , but they knew not how to remedy it in respect of their weaknesse . the conetticot plantation understanding the insolencie of the enemie to bee so great , sent downe a certaine number of souldiers under the conduct of captaine iohn mason for to strengthen the fort. the enemy lying hovering about the fort , continually tooke notice of the supplies that were come , and forbore drawing neere it as before : and letters were immediatly sent to the bay , to that right worshipfull gentleman , master henry vane , for a speedy supply to strengthen the fort. for assuredly without supply suddenly came ●n reason all would be lost , and fall into the hands of the enemy ; this was the trouble and perplexity that lay upon the spirits of the poore garrisons . upon serious consideration the governour and councell sent forth my selfe with . armed souldiers to supply the necessitie of those distressed persons , and to take the government of that place for the space of three moneths : reliefe being come , captaine iohn mason with the rest of his company returned to the plantation againe : we sometimes fell out with a matter of twentie souldiers to see whether we could discover the enemy or no ; they seeing us ( lying in ambush ) gave us leave to passe by them , considering we were too hot for them to meddle with us ; our men being compleatly armed , with corslets , muskets , bandileeres , rests , and swords ( as they themselves related afterward ) did much daunt them ; thus we spent a matter of six weekes before we could have any thing to doe with them , perswading our selves that all things had beene well . but they seeing there was no advantage more to be had against the fort , they enterprized a new action , and fell upon water towne , now called wethersfield with two hundred indians ; before they came to attempt the place , they put into a certaine river , an obscure small river running into the maine , where they incamped , and refreshed themselves , and fitted themselves for their service , and by breake of day attempted their enterprise , and slew nine men , women and children , having finished their action , they suddenly returned againe , bringing with them two maids captives , having put poles in their conoos , as we put masts in our boats , and upon them hung our english mens and womens shirts and smocks , in stead of sayles , and in way of bravado came along in sight of us as we stood upon seybrooke fort , and seeing them passe along in such a triumphant manner , wee much fearing they had enterprised some desperate action upon the english , wee gave fire with a peece of ordnance , and shotte among their conooes . and though they were a mile from us , yet the bullet grazed not above twentie yards over the conooe , where the poore maids were ; it was a speciall providence of god it did not hit them , for then should we have beene deprived of the sweet observation of gods providence in their deliverance : we were not able to make out after them , being destitute of meanes , boats , and the like : before wee proceed any further to a full relation of the insolent proceeding of this barbarous nation , give me leave to touch upon the severall accommodations that belong to this seybrooke fort. this fort lyes upon a river called conetticot at the mouth of it , a place of a very good soyle , good meadow , divers sorts of good wood , timber , varietie of fish of severall kindes , fowle in abundance , geese , duckes , brankes , teales , deere , roe buck , squirrels , which are as good as our english rabets ; pittie it is so famous a place should bee so little regarded , it lyes to the northwest of that famous place , called queenapiok , which rather exceed the former in goodnesse , it hath a faire river fit for harbouring of ships , and abounds with rich and goodly medowes , this lyes thirtie miles from the upper plantations , which are planted on the river connetticot : twelve miles above this plantation is scituated a place called aguawam , no way inferiour to the forenamed places ; this countrey , and those parts doe generally yeeld a fertile soyle , and good meadow all the rivers along : the river conetticot is navigable for pinaces . miles ▪ it hath a strong fresh streame that descends out of the hills , the tyde flowes not above halfe way up the river : the strength of the freshite that comes downe the river is so strong , that it stoppeth the force of the tyde . the truth is , i want time to set forth the excellencie of the whole countrey ; but if you would know the garden of new england , then must you glance your eye upon hodsons river , a place exceeding all yet named , the river affords fish in abundance , as sturgeon , salmon , and many delicate varieties of fish that naturally lyes in the river , the onely place for beaver that we have in those parts . long iland is place worth the naming , and generally affords most of the aforesaid accommodations . nahanticot , martins vineyard , pequeat , narraganset bay , elizabeth ilands , all these places are yet unhabited , and generally afford good accommodation , as a good soyle according as wee have expressed , they are little inferiour to the former places . the narraganset bay is a place for shipping so spacious , as it will containe ten thousand sayle of ships . capcod , new plimouth , dukes bury , and all those parts , well accommodated for the receiving of people , and yet few are there planted , considering the spaciousnesse of the place ; the bay it selfe although report goes it is full , and can hardly entertaine any more , yet there are but few townes , but are able to receive more then they have already , and to accommodate them in a comfortable measure . the northerne plantations , and easterne , as puscataway would not bee neglected , they are desirable places , and lye in the heart of fishing . puscataway is a river navigable for a ship of a hundred tunne some six leagues up : with boats and pinaces you may goe a great way further ; it is the onely key of the countrey for safety ; with twelve peeces of ordnance will keepe out all the enemies in the world : the mouth of the river is narrow , lyes full upon the southeast sea ; so as there is no ankoring without , except 〈◊〉 hazard ship and men ▪ it is accommodated with a good soyle , abundance of good timber , meadowes are not wanting to the place ; pitty it is it hath beene so long neglected . augumeaticus is a place of good accommodation , it lyes five miles from puscataway river , where sir ferdinand● go●ge hath a house : it is a place worthy to bee inhabited , a soyle that beares good corne , all sorts of g●aine , ●lax , hemp , the countrey generally will afford : there was growne in puscataway the last yeare , and in the bay as good english graine as can grow in any part of the world . casko hath a famous bay accommodated with a hundred ilands , and is fit for plantation , and hath a river belonging to it , which doth afford fish in abundance , fowle also in great measure : so full of fowle it is , that strangers may be supplyed with varietie of fowle in an houre or two after their arrivall ▪ which knew not how to be relieved before ; because the place in generall is so famous , and well knowne to all the world , and chiefly to on . english nation ( the most noblest of this common-wealth ) i therefore forbeare many particulars which yet might be expressed : 〈◊〉 in regard of many aspersions hath beene cast upon all the countrey , that it is a hard and difficult place for to subsist in ; and that ●●e soyle is barren , and beares little that is good , and that it can hardly receive more people then those that are there , i will presume to make a second digression from the former matter , to the end i might incourage such as desire to plant there . there are certaine plantations dedum concord in the mathethusis bay , that are newly erected that doe afford large accommodation , and will containe abundance of people ; but i cease to spend time in matters of this nature , since my discourse tends to warlike story , but i crave pardon for my digression . i told you before , that when the pequeats heard and saw seabrooke fort was supplied , they forbore to visit us : but the old serpent according to his first malice stirred them up against the church of christ , and in such a furious manner , as our people were so farre disturbed , and affrighted with their boldnesse that they scarce durst rest in their beds : threatning persons and cattell to take them , as indeed they did : so insolent were these wicked imps growne , that like the divell their commander , they runne up and downe as roaring lyons , compassing all corners of the countrey for a prey , seeking whom they might devoure : it being death to them for to rest without some wicked imployment or other , they still plotted how they might wickedly attempt some bloody enterprise upon our poore native countrey-men . one master tillie master of a vessell , being brought to an ankor in conetticot river , went ashore , not suspecting the bloody-mindednesse of those persons , who fell upon him , and a man with him , whom they wickedly and barbarously slew ; and by relation brought him home , tied him to a stake , flead his skin off , put hot imbers betweene the flesh and the skinne , cut off his fingers and toes , and made hatbands of them , thus barbarous was their cruelty : would not this have moved the hearts of men to hazard blood , and life , and all they had , to overcome such a wicked insolent nation ? but letters comming into the bay , that this attempt was made upon wethersfield in conetticot river , and that they had slaine nine men , women and children , and taken two maids captives , the councell gave order to send supply . in the meane while the conetticot plantations sent downe . armed souldiers , under the conduct of captaine iohn mason , and leiutenant seily , with other inferiour officers , who by commission were bound for to come to randivou at seabrooke fort , and there to consult with those that had command there to enterprize some stratagem upon these bloody indians . the conetticot company having with them threescore mohiggeners , whom the pequeats had drove out of their lawfull possessions ; these indians were earnest to joyne with the english , or at least to bee under their conduct , that they might revenge themselves of those bloody enemies of theirs , the english perceiving their earnest desire that way , gave them liberty to follow the company , but not to joyne in confederation with them , the indians promising to be faithfull , and to doe them what service lay in their power : but having imbarqued their men , and comming downe the river , there arose great jealousie in the hearts of those that had chiefe oversight of the company , fearing that the indians in time of greatest tryall might revolt , and turne their backs against those they professed to be their friends , and joyne with the pequeats : this perplexed the hearts of many very much , because they had had no experience of their fidelity : but captaine mason having sent downe a shallop to seybrooke fort , and sent the indians over land to meet , and randivou at seabrooke fort , themselves came downe in a great massie vessell , which was slow in comming , and very long detained by crosse winds , the indians comming to seabrooke , were desirous to fall out on the lords day , to see whether they could find any pequeats neere the fort ; perswading themselves that the place was not destitute of some of their enemies : but it being the lords day , order was given to the contrary , and wished them to forbeare untill the next day , giving them liberty , they fell out early in the morning , and brought home five pequeats heads , one prisoner , and mortally wounded the seventh : this mightily incouraged the hearts of all , and wee tooke this as a pledge of their further fidelity : my selfe taking boat rode up to meet the rest of the forces , lying a boord the vessell with my boat , the minister , one master stone , that was sent to instruct the company , was then in prayer solemnly before god , in the midst of the souldiers , and this passage worthy observation i set downe , because the providence of god might be taken notice of , and his name glorified , that is so ready for to honour his owne ordinance : the hearts of all in generall being much perplexed , fearing the infidelity of these indians having not heard what an exploit they had wrought : it pleased god to put into the heart of master stone this passage in prayer , while my selfe lay under the vessell and heard it , himselfe not knowing that god had sent him a messenger to tell him his prayer was granted : o lord god , if it be thy blessed will vouchsafe so much favour to thy poore distressed servants , as to manifest one pledge of thy love that may confirme us of the fidelity of these indians towards us , that now pretend friendship and service to us , that our hearts may be incouraged the more in this worke of thine : immediately my selfe stepping up , told him that god had answered his desire , and that i had brought him this newes , that those indians had brought in ●●ve pequeats heads , one pri●on●r , and wounded one mo●●ally , which did much incourage the h●arts of all , and replenished them exceedingly , and gave them all occasion to rejoyce and bee thankfull to god : a little before wee set forth , came a certaine shippe from the dutch plantation ; casting an ankor under the command of our ordnance , we desired the master to come ashore , the master and marchant willing to answer our expectation , came forth , and sitting with us awhile unexpectedly revealed their intent , that th●y were bound for pequeat river to trade ; our selves knowing the accustome of warre , that it was not the practise in a case of this nature , to suffer others to goe and trade with them our enemies , with such commo●●●ies as might be prejudiciall unto us , and ad●antag●●us to them , as kettles , or the like , which make them arrow-heads ; wee gave command to them not to stirre , alledging that 〈…〉 w●re intended daily to fall upon them ▪ this being unkindly taken , it bred 〈…〉 betweene their severall commande●●● but god was pleased out of his 〈…〉 things in such a sweet moderate may 〈◊〉 turned to his glory and his peoples good t●ese men seeing they could not have 〈◊〉 to 〈◊〉 upon their desi●ne : gave us a 〈…〉 their hands that if we would give them liberty to depart , they would endeavour to the utmost of their abilitie to release those two captive maids , and this should be the chiefe scope and drift of their designe : having these promises , depending upon their faithfulnesse , we gave them libertie : they set sayle and went to pequeat river , and sent to shore the master of the vessell to sasacoose their prince , for to crave liberty to trade , and what would they trade for , but the english maides , which he much disliked ; suddenly withdrawing himselfe he returned backe to the vessell , and by way of policie allured seven indians into the barke , some of them being their prime men : having them aboord , acquainted them with their intent , and told them without they might have the two captives delivered safely aboord , they must keepe them as prisoners , and pledges , and therefore must resolve not to goe ashore , untill such time they had treated with the sagamore : one of the dutch called to them on the shore , and told them they must bring the two captive maides , if they would have the seven indians , and therefore briefely if you will bring them , tell us ▪ if not we set sayle , and will turne all your indians over-boord in the maine ocean , so soone as ever we come out ; they taking this to be a jest , slighted what was said unto them : they weying ankor set sayle , and drew neere the mouth of the river ; the pequeats then discerned they were in earnest , and earnestly desired them to returne and come to an anko● , and they would answer their expectation : so they brought the two maides , and deliver●d them safely aboord , and they returned to them the seven indians , then they set sayle and came to seabrooke fort ; bringing them to seabrooke fort , request was made to have them ashore ; but in regard of the dutch governours desire , who had heard that there was two english maides taken captives of the pequeats , and thinking his owne vessell to bee there a trading with them , hee had managed out a pinace purposely to give strict order and command to the former vessell to get these captives what charge soever they were at ; nay , though they did hazard their peace with them , and to gratifie him with the first sight of them after their deliverance : so they earnestly intreated us that they might not bee brought ashore so as to stay there , or to bee sent home untill they had followed the governours order , which willingly was granted to them , though it were . leagues from us , yet were they safely returned againe , and brought home to their friends : now for the examination of the two maids after they arrived at seabrooke fort , the eldest of them was about sixteene yeares of age , demanding of her how they had used her , she told us that they did solicite her to uncleannesse , but her heart being much broken and afflicted under that bondage she was cast in , had brought to her consideration these thoughts , how shall i commit this great evill and sinne against my god ? their hearts were much taken up with the consideration of gods just displeasure to them , that had lived under so prudent meanes of grace as they did , and had beene so ungratefull toward god , and slighted that meanes , so that gods hand was justly upon them for their remisnesse in all their wayes ; thus was their hearts taken up with these thoughts , the indians carried them from place to place , and shewed them their forts , and curious wigwams , and houses , and incouraged them to be merry , but the poore soules , as israel , could not frame themselves to any delight or mirth under so strange a king , they hanging their harpes upon the willow trees , gave their mindes to sorrow , hope was their chiefest food , and teares their constant drinke : behind the rocks , and under the trees , the eldest spent her breath in supplication to her god , and though the eldest was but young , yet must i confesse the sweet affection to god for his great kindnesse , and fatherly love she daily received from the lord , which sweetned all her sorrowes , and gave her constant hope , that god would not , nor could not forget her poore distressed soule and body , because , saith she , his loving kindnesse appeareth to mee in an unspeakable manner ; and though sometimes , saith shee , i cryed out david-like ; i shall one day perish by the hands of saul , i shall one day dye by the hands of these barbarous indians , and specially if our people should come forth to warre against them , then is there no hope of deliverance , then must i perish , then will they cut me off in malice ; but suddenly the poore soule was ready to quarrell with it selfe ; why should i distrust god ? doe not i daily see the love of god unspeakably to my poore distressed soule ? and he hath said he will never leave mee , nor forsake mee , therefore i will not feare what man can doe unto me , knowing god to be above man , and man can doe nothing without gods permission . these were the words that fell from her mouth whē she was examined in seabrook fort● i having command of seabrooke fort she spake these things upon examination in my hearing . christian reader , give mee leave to appeale to the hearts of all true affectioned christians ▪ whether this bee not the usuall course of gods dealing to his poore captivated children , the prisoners of hope , to distill a great measure of sweet comfort and consolation into their soules in the time of trouble , so that the soule is more affected with the sense of gods fatherly love , then with the griefe of its captivity ▪ sure i am , that sanctified afflictions , crosses , or any outward troubles appeare so profitable , that gods deare saints are forced to cry out , thy loving kindnesse is better then life , then all the lively pleasures and profits of the world : better a prison sometimes and a christ , then liberty without him : better in a fierie furnace with the presence of christ , then in a kingly palace without him : better in the lyons denne , in the midst of all the roaring lyons and with christ , then in a doune bed with wife and children without christ. the speech of david is memorable , that sweet affectionate prince and souldier , how sweet is thy word to my taste ; yea , sweeter then the honey , and the honey combe ; hee spake it by experience , he had the sweet relish of gods comforting presence , and the daily communion he had with the lord , in the midst of all his distresses , tryals , and temptations that fell upon him . and so the lord deales to this day ; the greater the captivities bee of his servants , the contentions amongst his churches , the cleerer gods presence is amongst his to pick and cull them out of the fire , and to manifest himselfe to their soules ; and beare them up as peter above the water that they sinke not . but now my deare and respected friends and fellow souldiers in the lord , are not you apt to say , if this be the fruit of afflictions ▪ i would i had some of those , that i might injoy these sweet breathings of christ in my soule , as those that are in afflictions ; but beware of those thoughts , or else experience will teach all to recall , or to unwith those thoughts , for it is against the course of scripture to wish for evill , that good might come of it , wee cannot expect the presence of christ in that which is contrary to him , ( a man laying himselfe open to trouble ) but wee are rather to follow christs example , father not my will , but thy will bee done , in earth as it is in heaven ; and when thou art brought thus , prostrate before the lord like an obedient child , ready to suffer what hee will impose on thee ; then if hee thinke good to trie us , wee may exclude no tryall , no captivitie though burdensome or tedious to nature , for they will appeare sweet and sanctified in the issue , if they bee of the lords laying on : specially when the lord is pleased to impose trouble on his in way of tryall ( as hee said to israel of old ; i did it to prove you , and to see what was in your hearts ) whether a soule would not doe as the foolish young man in the gospel , cling more closer to his honour , or profit , or ease , or peace , or liberty , then to the lord iesus christ : and therefore the lord is pleased to exercise his people with trouble and afflictions , that hee might appeare to them in mercy , and reveale more cleerely his free grace unto their soules . therefore consider deare brethren , and erre not , neither to the right hand , nor to the left and bee not as ephraim , like an untamed heifer that would not stoope unto the yoke : but stoope to gods afflictions if hee please to impose them , and feare them not when they are from god. and know that christ cannot be had without a crosse ; they are inseparable ▪ you cannot have christ in his ordinances , but you must have his crosse . did ever any christian reade , that in the purest churches that ever were , that christians were freed from the crosse ? was not the crosse carried after christ ? and andrew must follow christ , but not without a crosse ; he must take it and beare it , and that upon his shoulders , implying , it was not a light crosse , but weighty : oh let not christians shew themselves to bee so forgetfull , as i feare many are , of the old way of christ : case is come into the world , and men would have christ and ease , but it will not be in this world ; is the servant better then the master ? no , he is not , neither shall he be . but you may demand what is meant by this crosse , wee meet with many crosses in the world , losses at home and abroad , in church and common wealth : what crosse doth christ meane ? was it a crosse to bee destitute of a house to put his head in ? or was it his crosse , that hee was not so deliciously sed as other men ? or to bee so meane , wan●ing honour as others had ? o● was it that his habit was not answerable to the course of the world , or to bee destitute of silver and gold , as it is the lot of many of gods saints to this day : this was not the crosse of christ , you shall not heare him complaine of his estate , that it is too meane , or his lodging too bad , or his garments too plaine ; these were not the troubles of christ , these are companions to the crosse . but the chiefe crosse that christ had , was that the word of his father could not take place in the hearts of those to whom it was sent , and suffering for the truth of his father , that was christs crosse ; and that is the crosse too , that christians must expect , and that in the purest churches : and therefore why doe you stand and admire at new england , that there should bee contentions there , and differences there , and that for the truth of christ ? doe you not remember that the crosse followed the church ? hath it not beene already said that christs crosse followed him , and andrew must carry it : and that paul and barnabas will contend together for the truths sake ? and doth not the apostle say , contend for the truth ( though not in a violent way ? ) doth not christ say , i came not to bring peace but a sword ? and why should men wonder at us , seeing that troubles and contentions have followed the purest churches since the beginning of the world to this day ? wherefore should wee not looke backe to the scriptures , and deny our owne reason , and let that bee our guide and platforme , and then shall wee not so much admire , when wee know it is the portion of gods church to have troubles and contentions ? and when we know also it is god that brings them , and that for good to his church ; hath not god ever brought light out of darknesse , good out of evill ? did not the breath of gods spirit sweetly breathe in the soules of these poore captives which we now related ? and doe we not ever find the greater the afflictions and troubles of gods people bee , the more eminent is his grace in the soules of his servants ? you that intend to goe to new england , feare not a little trouble . more men would goe to sea , if they were sure to meet with no stormes : but hee is the most couragious souldier , that sees the battell pitcht , the drummes beate an alarum , and trumpets sound a charge , and yet is not afraid to joyne in the battell : shew not your selves cowards , but proceed on in your intentions , and abuse not the lenitie of our noble prince , and the sweet libertie hee hath from time to time given to passe and repasse according to our desired wills : wherefore doe yee stoppe , are you afraid ? may not the lord doe this to prove your hearts , to see whether you durst follow him in afflictions or not ? what is become of faith ? i will not feare that man can doe unto me , saith david , no nor what troubles can doe , but will trust in the lord , who is my god. let the ends and aimes of a man bee good , and hee may proceed with courage : the bush may bee in the fire , but so long as god appeares to moses out of the bush there is no great danger , more good then hurt will come out of it ▪ christ knowes how to honour himselfe , and to doe his people good , though it bee by contrary meanes , which reason will not fathome . looke but to faith , and that will make us see plainly , that though afflictions for the present are grievous , as doubtlesse it was with these two captive maides , yet sweet and comfortable is the issue with all gods saints , as it was with them . but to goe on . having imbarqued ●our souldiers , wee weighed ankor at seabrooke fort , and set sayle for the narraganset bay , deluding the pequeats thereby , for they expected us to fall into pequeat river ; but crossing their expectation , bred in them a securitie : wee landed our men in the narraganset bay , and marched over land above two dayes journey before wee came to pequeat ; quartering the last nights march within two miles of the place , wee set forth about one of the clocke in the morning , having sufficient intelligence that they knew nothing of our comming . drawing neere to the fort yeelded up our selves to god , and intreated his assistance in so waightie an enterprize . we set on our march to surround the * fort , captaine iohn mason , approching to the west end , where it had an entrance to passe into it , my selfe marching to the south side , surrounding the fort , placing the indians , for wee had about three hundred of them without , side of our souldiers in a ring battalia , giving a volley of shotte upon the fort , so remarkable it appeared to us , as wee could not but admire at the providence of god in it , that souldiers so unexpert in the use of their armes , should give so compleat a volley , as though the finger of god had touched both match and flint : which volley being given at breake of day , and themselves fast asleepe for the most part , bred in them such a terrour , that they brake forth into a most dolefull cry , so as if god had not fitted the hearts of men for the service , it would have bred in them a commiseration towards them : but every man being bereaved of pitty fell upon the worke without compassion , considering the bloud they had shed of our native countrey-men , and how barbarously they had dealt with them , and slaine first and last about thirty persons . having given fire , wee approached neere to the entrance which they had stopped full , with armes of trees , or brakes : my selfe approching to the entrance found the worke too heavie fo● mee , to draw out all those which were strongly forced in . we gave order to one master hedge , and some other souldiers to pull out those brakes , having this done , and laid them betweene me and the entrance , and without order themselves , proceeded first on the south end of the fort : but remarkable it was to many or us ; men that runne before they are sent , most commonly have an ill reward . worthy reader , let mee intreate you to have a more charitable opinion of me ( though unworthy to be better thought of ) then is reported in the other booke : you may remember there is a passage unjustly laid upon mee , that when wee should come to the entrance , i should put forth this question : shall wee enter ? others should answer againe ; what came we hither for else ? it is well knowne to many , it was never my practise in time of my command , when we are in garrison , much to consult with a private souldier , or to aske his advise in point of warre , much lesse in a matter of so great ● moment as that was , which experience had often caught mee , was not a time to put forth such a question , and therefore pardon him that hath given the wrong information , having our swords in our right hand , our carbins or muskets in our left hand , we approched the fort ▪ master hedge being shot thorow both armes , and more wounded ; though it bee not commendable for a man to make mention at any thing that might tend to his owne honour ; yet because i would have the providence of god observed , and his name magnified , as well for my selfe as others , i dare not omit , but let the world know , that deliverance was given to us that command , as well as to private souldiers . captaine mason and my 〈◊〉 entring into the wigwams , hee was shot , and received many arrowes against his head-peece , god preserved him from any wounds ; my selfe received a shotte in the lef● hippe , through a sufficient buffe 〈◊〉 that if i had not beene supplyed with such a 〈◊〉 the arrow would have pierced through me ; another i received betweene necke and shoulders , hanging in the linnen of my head-peece , others of our souldiers were shot some through the shoulders , some in the face , some in the head , some in the legs : captaine mason and my selfe losing each of us a man , and had neere twentie wounded : most couragiously these pequeats behaved themselves : but seeing the fort was to hotte for us , wee devised a way how wee might save our selves and prejudice them , captaine mason entring into a wigwam , brought out a fire-brand , after hee had wounded many in the house , then hee set fire on the west-side where he entred , my selfe set fire on the south end with a traine of powder , the fires of both meeting in the center of the fort blazed most terribly , and burnt all in the space of halfe an houre ; many couragious fellowes were unwilling to come out , and fought most desperately through the palisadoes , so as they were scorched and burnt with the very flame , and were deprived of their armes , in regard the fire burnt their very bowstrings , and so perished valiantly : mercy they did deserve for their valour , could we have had opportunitie to have bestowed it ; many were burnt in the fort , both men , women , and children , others forced out , and came in troopes to the indians , twentie , and thirtie at a time , which our souldiers received and entertained with the point of the sword ; downe fell men , women , and children , those that scaped us , fell into the hands of the indians , that were in the reere of us ; it is reported by themselves , that there were about foure hundred soules in this fort , and not above five of them escaped out of our hands . great and dolefull was the bloudy sight to the view of young souldiers that never had beene in warre , to see so many soules lie gasping on the ground so thicke in some places , that you could hardly passe along . it may bee demanded , why should you be so furious ( as some have said ) should not christians have more mercy and compassion ? but i would referre you to davids warre , when a people is growne to such a height of bloud , and sinne against god and man , and all confederates in the action , there hee hath no respect to persons , but harrowes them , and sawes them , and puts them to the sword , and the most terriblest death that may bee : sometimes the scripture declareth women and children must perish with their parents ; some-time the case alters : but we will not dispute it now . we had sufficient light from the word of god for our proceedings . having ended this service , wee drew our forces together to battallia , being ordered , the pequeats came upon us with their prime men , and let flye at us , my selfe fell on scarce with twelve or fourteene men to encounter with them ; but they finding our bullets to outreach their arrowes , forced themselves often to retreate : when we saw wee could have no advantage against them in the open field , wee requested our indians for to entertaine fight with them , our end was that we might see the nature of the indian warre : which they granted us and fell out ; the pequeats , narragansets , and mohigeners changing a few arrowes together after such a manner , as i dare boldly affirme , they might fight seven yeares and not ●ill seven men : they came not neere one another ▪ but shot remote , and not point blanke , as wee often doe with our bullets , but at rovers , and then they gaze up in the skie to see where the arrow falls , and not untill it is fallen doe they shoot againe , this fight is more for pastime , then to conquer and subdue enemies . but spending a little time this way , wee were forced to cast our eyes upon our poore maimed souldiers , many of them lying upon the ground , wanting food and such nourishable things as might refresh them in this faint estate : but we were not supplyed with any such things whereby wee might relieve them , but only were constrained to looke up to god , and to intreate him for mercy towards them : most were thirsty but could find no water ; the provision wee had for food was very little ; many distractions seized upon us at the present , a chirurgion wee wanted , our chirurgion not accustomed to warre , durst not hazard himselfe where we ventured our lives , but like a fresh-water souldier kept aboord , and by this meanes our poore maimed souldiers were brought to a great straite and faintnesse , some of them swounding away for want of speedy helpe , but yet god was pleased to preserve the lives of them , though not without great miserie , and paine to themselves for the present . distractions multiplying , strength and courage began to f●ile with many . our indians that had stood close to us hitherto , were fallen into consultation , and were resolved for to leave us in a land wee knew not which way to get out : suddenly after their resolution , fiftie of the narraganset indians fell off from the rest returning home . the pequeats spying them pursued after them : then came the narrag●●●ets to captaine mason , and my selfe , crying , oh helpe us now , or out men will bee all slaine we answered , how dare you crave a●de of us , when you are leaving of us in this distressed condition , not knowing which way to march out of the countrey : but yet you shall see it is not the nature of english men to deale like heathens , to requite evill for evill , but wee will succour you my selfe falling on with thirtie men , in the space of an houre rescued their men , and in our recreate to the body , slew and wounded above a hundred peq●eats , all fighting men that charged us both in reere and flankes . having overtaken the body , we were resolved to match to a certaine ne●●e or land that lay by the sea-side , where wee intended to quar●e● that night , because we knew not how to get our maimed men to pequeat river . as yet we saw not our pinaces sayle along , but ●eared the lord had crost them , which also the master of the barque much feared . wee gave them order to set sayle on the narraganset bay , about midnight , as wee were to fall upon the fort in the morning , so that they might meet us in pequeat river in the after-noone ; but the wind being crosse bred in them a great perplexitie what would become of us , knowing that wee were 〈◊〉 orderly provided , both with munition and pro●●●●●● but they being in a distracted condition lifted 〈◊〉 hearts to god for helpe : about twelve of 〈◊〉 ●ocket he wind turned about and became faire , it brought them along in sight of us , and about tenne a clocke in the morning carried them into pequeat ri●es , comming to an ankor at the place appointed , the wind turned as full against them as ever it could blow ▪ 〈◊〉 remarkable this providence of god was i leave 〈◊〉 christian eye to judge ; our ●ndians came to us , 〈◊〉 much rejoyced at our victories , and greatly admired the manner of english mens fight : but cried ●ach it , mach it ; that is , it is naught , it is naught , because it is too furious , and slaies too many men . having received their desires , they freely promised , and gave up themselves to march along with us , where ever we would goe . god having eased us from that oppression that lay upon us , thinking wee should have beene left in great misery for want of our vessels , we diverted our thoughts from going to that neck of land ; and faced about , marching to the river where our vessels lay at ankor . one remarkable passage . the pequeats playing upon our flankes ; one sergeant davis , a pretty couragious souldier , spying something black upon the toppe of a rock , stepped forth from the body with a carbine of three foot long , and at a venture gave fire , supposing it to bee an indians head , turning him over with his heeles upward ; the indians observed this , and greatly admired that a man should shoot so directly . the pequeats were much daunted at the shot , and forbore approching so neere upon us . being come to the pequeat river we met with captaine patrick , who under his command had . able souldiers , who was ready to begin a second attempt : but many of our men being maimed and much wearied , we forbore that night and imbarqued our selves , my selfe setting sayle for seabrooke fort. captaine mason , and captaine patrick marching over land , burned and spoyled the countrey betweene the pequeat and conetticot river , where we received them . the pequeats having received so terrible a blow , and being much affrighted with the destruction of so many , the next day fell into consultation , assembling their most ablest men together propounded these three things , first whether they would set upon a sudden revenge upon the narragansets , or attempt an enterprize upon the english , or flye ; they were in great dispute one amongst another , sasachu : their chiefe commander was all for bloud , the rest for flight , alledging these arguments , wee are a people bereaved of courage , our hearts are sadded with the death of so many of our deare friends ; wee see upon what advantage the english lye , what sudden & deadly blowes they strike ? what advantage they have of their peeces to us which are not able to reach them with our arrows at distance ? they are supplied with every thing necessary , they are flote and heartened in their victory ; to what end shall wee stand it out with them ? we are not able , therfore let us rather save some then lose all ; this prevailed . suddenly after they spoyled all those goods they could not carry with them , broke up their tents and wigwams , and betook themselves to flight . sasachus flying toward conetticot plantation , quartered by the river side , there he met with a shallop sent downe to seabrooke fort , which had in it . men , they let ●ly upon them , shot many arrows into them . couragious were the english , and died in their ●●nds , but with a great deale of valour . the forces which were prepared in the bay were ready for to set forth my selfe being taken on but for . moneths , and the souldiers willing to returne to the bay , we imbaroued our selves , & set to sayle ; in our journey we met 〈◊〉 certaine pinaces , in them a . able and wel appointed souldiers under the conduct of one captaine ●●ou●hton , and other inferiour officers ; and in company with them one m. iohn wilson , who was sent to in●●●uct the company ; these falling into pequeat river , met with many of the distressed indians , some they 〈◊〉 , others they tooke prisoners . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e the indians send to the english an ambassador . * this wa● no wayes true of the eng●ish , but a devised excuse . 〈…〉 the 〈…〉 ▪ thei● 〈…〉 . the examination of the captive maides after their returne , though the younger was very young and said little . * a sermon preached at plimmoth in nevv-england december . in an assemblie of his maiesties faithfull subiects, there inhabiting. vvherein is shevved the danger of selfe-loue, and the sweetnesse of true friendship. together vvith a preface, shewing the state of the country, and condition of the sauages. written in the yeare . cushman, robert, ?- . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a sermon preached at plimmoth in nevv-england december . in an assemblie of his maiesties faithfull subiects, there inhabiting. vvherein is shevved the danger of selfe-loue, and the sweetnesse of true friendship. together vvith a preface, shewing the state of the country, and condition of the sauages. written in the yeare . cushman, robert, ?- . [ ], , [ ] p. printed by i[ohn] d[awson] for iohn bellamie, and are to be sold at his shop at the two grey-hounds in corne-hill, neere the royall exchange, london : . by robert cushman. printer's name from stc. reproduction of the original in the henry e. huntington library and art gallery. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every 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and proofread - taryn hakala text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a sermon preached at plimmoth in nevv-england december . . in an assemblie of his maiesties faithfull subiects , there inhabiting . vvherein is shevved the danger of selfe-loue , and the sweetnesse of true friendship . together vvith a preface , shewing the state of the country , and condition of the savages . rom . . . be affectioned to loue one another with brotherly loue . written in the yeare . london printed by i. d. for iohn bellamie , and are to be sold at his shop at the two greyhounds in corne-hill , neere the royall exchange . . to his loving friends , the adventvrers for nevv-england ; together with all well-willers , and well-wishers thereunto , grace and peace , &c. new england , so call'd , not onely ( to auoyd nouelties ) because captaine smith hath so entituled it in his description , but because of the resemblance that is in it , of england the natiue soile of english-men ; it being much what the same for heate and colde in summer and winter , it being champion ground , but not high mountaines , somwhat like the soile in kent and essex ; full of dales , and meddow ground , full of ryuers and sweete springs , as england is . but principally , so farre as we can yet find , it is an iland , and neere about the quantitie of england , being cut off from the maine land of america , as england is from the maine of europe , by a great arme of the sea , which entreth in fortie degrees , and runneth vp north west and by west , and goeth out either into the south sea , or else into the bay of canado . the certaintie whereof , and secrets of which , we haue not yet so found as that as eye-witnesses we can make narration thereof , but if god giue time and meanes , we shall ere long , discouer both the extent of that riuer , together with the secrets thereof ; and also try what territories , habitations , or commodities , may be found , either in it , or about it . it pertaineth not to my purpose to speake any thing , either in prayse , or disprayse of the country , so it is by gods prouidence , that a few of vs are there planted to our content , and haue with great charge and difficultie attained quiet and competent dwellings there . and thus much i will say for the satisfaction of such as haue any thought of going thither to inhabit ; that for men which haue a large heart , & looke after great riches , ease , pleasure , dainties , and iollitie in this world ( except they will liue by other mens sweat , or haue great riches ) i would not aduise them to come there , for as yet the country will afford no such matters : but if there be any , who are content to lay out their estates , spend their time , labours , and endeuours , for the benefit of them that shall come after , and in desire to further the gospell among those poore heathens , quietly contenting themselues with such hardship and difficulties , as by gods prouidence shall fall vpon them , being yet yong , and in their strength , such men i would aduise and encourage to goe , for their ends cannot faile them . and if it should please god to punish his people in the christian countries of europe , ( for their coldnesse , carnality , wanton abuse of the gospel , contention , &c. ) either by turkish slauery , or by popish tyrannie , which god forbid , yet if the time be come , or shall come ( as who knoweth ) when sathan shall be let loose , to cast out his flouds against them , here is a way opened for such as haue wings to flie into this wildernesse ; and as by the dispersion of the iewish church thorow persecution , the lord brought in the fulnesse of the gentiles , so who knoweth , whether now by tyrannie , and affliction , which he suffereth to come vpon them , he will not by little and little chase them , even amongst the heathens , that so a light may rise vp in the darke , and the kingdome of heauen be taken from them which now haue it , and giuen to a people that shall bring forth the fruit of it . this i leaue to the iudgement of the godly wise , being neither prophet nor sonne of a prophet , but considering gods dealing of olde , and seeing the name of christian to be very great , but the true nature thereof almost quite lost in all degrees & sects , i cannot thinke but that there is some iudgement not farre off , and that god will shortly , euen of stones , rayse vp children vnto abraham . and who so rightly considereth , what manner of entrance , abiding , and proceedings , we haue had amongst these poore heathens since we came hither , will easily thinke , that god hath some great worke to doe towards them . they were wont to be the most cruellest and trecherousest people in all these parts , euen like lyons , but to vs they haue beene like lambes , so kinde , so submissiue , and trustie , as a man may truely say many christians are not so kinde , nor sincere . they are very much wasted of late , by reason of a great mortalitie that fell amongst them three yeares since , which together with their owne ciuill dissensions and blouddie warres , hath so wasted them , as i thinke the twentith person is scarce left aliue , and those that are left , haue their courage much abated , and their countenance is deiected , and they seeme as a people affrighted . and though when we came first into the countrie , we were few , and many of vs were sicke , and many dyed by reason of the colde and wet , it being the depth of winter , and we hauing no houses , nor shelter , yet when there was not sixe able persons amongst vs , and that they came daily to vs by hundreths , with their sachems , or kings , and might in one houre haue made a dispatch of vs yet such a feare was vpon them , as that they neuer offred vs the least iniury in word or deede . and by reason of one tisquanto , that liues amongst vs , that can speake english , we haue daily commerce with their kings , & can know what is done or intended towards vs amongst the savages ; also we can acquaint them with our courses and purposes , both humane and religious . and the greatest commander of the countrie call'd massasoit , commeth often to visite vs , though hee liue fiftie myles from vs , and often sends vs presents , he hauing with many other of their gouernours promised , yea , subscribed obedience to our soueraigne lord king iames , and for his cause to spend both strength and life . and we for our parts , thorow gods grace , haue with that equitie , justice , and compassion , carried our selues towards them , as that they haue receiued much fauour , helpe , and ayde from vs , but neuer the least iniury , or wrong by vs. wee found the place where we liue emptie , the people being all dead & gone away , and none liuing neere by . or . myles ; and and though in the time of some hardship wee found ( trauelling abroad ) some . bushels of corne hid vp in a caue , and knew no owners of it , yet afterward hearing of the owners of it , we gaue them ( in their estimation ) double the value of it . our care also hath beene to maintaine peace amongst them , and haue alwayes set our selues against such of them as vsed any rebellion , or trecherie against their gouernours , and not onely threatned such , but in some sort payd them their due deserts ; and when any of them are in want , as often they are in the winter , when their corne is done , wee supply them to our power , and haue them in our houses eating and drinking , and warming themselues , which thing ( though it be something a trouble to vs ) ye because they should see and take knowledge of our labours , orders , and diligence , both for this life and a better , we are content to beare it , and we find in many of them , especially , of the younger sort , such a tractable disposition , both to religion and humanitie , as that if we had meanes to apparell them , & wholly to retaine them with vs ( as their desire is ) they would doubtlesse in time proue seruiceable to god and man , and if euer god send vs meanes we will bring vp hundreths of their children , both to labour and learning . but leauing to speake of them till a further occasion be offered ; if any shall maruell at the publishing of this treatise in england , seeing there is no want of good bookes , but rather want of men to vse good bookes , let them know , that the especiall end is , that wee may keepe those motiues in memory for our selues , & those that shall come after , to be a remedie against selfe-loue the bane of all societies . and that also we might testifie to our christian country-men , who iudge diuersly of vs , that though we be in a heathen country , yet the grace of christ is not quenched in vs , but we still hold , and teach the same points of faith , mortification , and sanctification , which we haue heard and learned in a most ample and large maner in our owne country . if any shall thinke it too rude and vnlearned for this curious age , let them know , that to paint out the gospell in plaine and flat english , amongst a company of plaine english-men ( as we are ) is the best and most profitablest teaching ; and we will study plainnesse , not curiositie , neither in things humaine , nor heauenly . if any error , or vnsoundnesse be in it , ( as who knoweth ) impute it to that frayle man which endited it , which professeth to know nothing as he ought to know it . i haue not set downe my name , partly because i seeke no name , and principally , because i would haue nothing esteemed by names , for i see a number of euils to arise thorow names , when the persons are either famous , or infamous , and god and man is often iniured ; if any good or profit arise to thee in the receiuing of it , giue god the prayse , and esteeme me as a sonne of adam , subiect to all such frailties as other men are . and you my louing friends the aduenturers to this plantation ; as your care hath beene , first to settle religion here , before either profit or popularitie , so i pray you , goe on , to doe it much more , and be carefull to send godly men , though they want some of that worldly policie which this world hath in her owne generation , and so though you loose , the lord shall gayne . i reioyce greatly in your free and readie mindes to your powers , yea , and beyond your powers to further this worke , that you thus honour god with your riches , and i trust you shall be repayed againe double & treble in this world , yea , and the memory of this action shall neuer die , but aboue all adding vnto this ( as i trust you doe ) like freenesse in all other gods seruices , both at home and abroad , you shall finde a reward with god , ten thousand fold surpassing all that you can doe or thinke , be not therefore discouraged , for no labour is lost , nor money spent , which is bestowed for god , your ends were good , your successe is good , and your profit is comming , euen in this life , and in the life to come much more ; and what shall i say now , a word to men of vnderstanding sufficeth , pardon i pray you my boldnesse , reade ouer the ensuing treatise , and judge wisely of the poore weakling , and the lord , the god of sea and land , stretch out his arme of protection ouer you and vs , and ouer all our lawfull and good enterprises , either this , or any other way . plimmoth in new-england . december . . a sermon preached at plimmoth , in new-england . . cor. . . let no man seeke his owne , but euery man anothers wealth . the occasion of these words of the apostle paul , was because of the abuses which were in the church of corinth . which abuses arose cheifly thorow swelling pride , selfe-loue and conceitednes , for although this church were planted by paul , and watred by apollo , and much increased by the lord ; yet the sower of tares was not wanting to stirre vp euill workers and fleshly minded hypocrites , vnder a shew of godlines , and with angellike holinesse in appearance to creepe in amongst them to disturbe their peace , trie their soundnesse , and proue their constancie . and this the apostle complaines of very often : as first , in their carnall deuisions , chap. . then in their extolling their eloquent teachers , and despising paul , chap. . then in their offensiue going to law , before the heathen iudges chap. . then in eating things offered to idols , to the destroying of the tender consciences of their brethren , chap. . then in their insatiable loue-feastes , in the time and place of their church meetings , the rich which could together feede to fulnes , despising and contemning the poore , that had not to lay it on as they had , chap . finally in both the epistles , hee very often nippeth them for their pride , and selfe-loue , straitnesse and censorioushes , so that in the last chapter hee willeth them againe and againe to proue , trie and examine themselues , to see whether christ were in them or not , for howsoeuer many of them seemed as thousands doe at this day , to soare aloft , and goe with full sayle to heauen : yet as men that row in boats , set their faces earnestly one way , when yet their whole body goeth apace another way : so there are many which set such a face vppon religion , and haue their mouthes full of great swelling words : as if they would euen blow open the doores of heaven , despising all humble minded and broken hearted people , as weake , simple , sottish &c. when yet notwithstanding , these blusterers , which seeme to goe so fast , and leaue all others behind them , if like these glosing corinthians they carry affectedly their owne glory with them , and seeme thus to stand for the glory of god , what doe they else but ioyne flesh to spirit , seruing not god for nought , but for wages , and so seruing their bellies , whose end will be damnation , except a speedi● and sound remedie be thought of , which remedie is euen that which our sauiour teacheth the rich young gallant , and which paul heere prescribeth , in willing them not to seeke their owne , but euerie man anothers wealth , which physicke is as terrible to carnall professors , as abstinence from drinke is to a man that hath the dropsie : and it is a sure note , that a man is sicke of this disease of selfe-loue , if this be grieuous to him , as appeareth in the man whom christ bid sell that hee had , and hee went away very sorrowfull , yet surely this veine must bee pricked , and this humor let out , els it will spoyle all , it will infect both soule and body , yea and the contagion of it is such ( as wee shall see anone ) as will euen hazard the welfare of that societie , where selfe seekers and selfe louers are . as god then did direct this apostle to lay downe this briefe direction as a remedy for that euill in corinth , so you may thinke it is by gods speciall providence , that i am now to speake vnto you from this text : and say in your hearts surely some thing is amisse this way : let vs know it and amend it . the parts of this text are two . . a dehortation , . an exhortation . the dehortation . let no man seeke his owne . the exhortation but euery man anothers wealth . in handling of which , i will first , open the wordes . secondly , gather the doctrine . thirdly , illustrate the doctrine by scriptures , experience and reasons . fourthly , apply the same , to euery one his portion . the proper drift of the apostle heere is not to taxe the corinthians , for seeking their owne euill endes in euill actions , but for aiming at themselues , and their owne benefits in actions lawfull , and that appeareth in the former verse , where he sayth . all things are lawfull &c. viz. all such thinges as now wee speake of , to eate any of gods creatures , offered to idols or not , to feast and bee merrie together , to shew loue and kindnesse to this or that person , &c. but when by such meanes wee seeke our selues , and haue not a charitable louing and reuerent regard of others , then they are vnexpedient , vnprofitable , yea vnlawfull , and must bee forborne , and hee that hath not learned to denie himselfe euen the very vse of lawfull things , when it tendeth to the contempt , reproch , greife offence , and shame of his other brethren and associats , hath learned nothing aright , but is apparantly a man that seekes himselfe , and against whom the apostle heere dealeth most properly . the maner of the speech may seeme as counsell left at libertie : as mat. . . and in our ordinary speech , wee thinke they be but weake charges , which are thus deliuered , let a man doe this , or let him doe that . but wee must learne the apostles modestie , and know that whatsoeuer the termes seeme to imply , yet euen this and other the like in this epistle , are most absolute charges : as let a man esteeme of vs , as the ministers of christ , that is , a man ought so to esteeme of vs. let a man examine himselfe , that is , as if he sayd a man must examine himselfe , let your women keepe silence in the churches . that is , they ought so to doe . the meaning then summarily is , as if hee sayd , the bane of all these mischeifes which arise amongst you is , that men are to cleauing to themselues , and their owne matters , and disregarde and contemne all others : and therefore i charge you , let this selfe-seeking be left off , and turne the streame another way , namely , seeke the good of your brethren , please them , honor them , r●uerence them , for otherwise it will neuer goe well amongst you . but doth not the apostle else wheresay ? that hee , which careth not for his owne , is worse then an infidell . true but by ( owne ) there , he meaneth properly , a mans kindred , and heere by ( owne ) hee meaneth properly a mans selfe . secondly , hee there especially taxeth such as were negligent in their labours and callings , and so made themselues vnable to giue releife and entertainement to such poore widowes and orphans as were of their owne flesh and bloud . thirdly , be it so that some man should euen neglect his owne selfe , his owne wife , children , friends , &c. and giue that hee had to strangers , that were but some rare vice , in some one vnnaturall man , and if this vice stay a thousand , selfe-loue slayeth ten thousand . and this the wisedome of god did well forsee , and hath set no caueats in the scriptures either to taxe men , or forewarne them from louing others , neither sayth god any wher , let no man seeke the good of another , but let no man seeke his owne , and euerie where in the scriptures he hath set watch words against selfe-good , selfe-profit , selfe-seeking , &c. and thus the sence beeing cleared , i come to the doctrine . all men are to to apt and readie to seeke themselues to much , and to preferre their owne matters and causes beyond the due and lawfull measure , euen to excesse and offence against god , yea danger of their owne soules , and this is true not onely in wicked men which are giuen ouer of god to vile lusts , as absolon in getting fauour in his fathers court : ieroboam , in setling his kingdome fast in samaria , ahab in vehement seeking nab●ths vineyard , but men , otherwise godly , haue through frailtie beene foyled heerein , and many thousands which haue a shew of godlinesse , are louers of themselues : dauid was about to seeke himselfe when he was going to kill naball ; asa in putting hanani in prison ; iosiah when hee would goe warre with necho , against the counsell of god and reason ; peter when hee dissembled about the ceremonies of the law , yea and paul complaines of all his followers ( timothie excepted that they sought their owne to inordinately . and why else are these caueats in the scriptures , but to warne the godly that they bee not tainted herewith ? as looke not euery man on his owne things , but on the things of another : loue seeketh not her owne things . be not desirous of vaine glory . &c. yea and doth not experience teach , that euen amongst professors of religion , almost all the loue and fauour that is shewed vnto others is with a secret ayme at themselues , they will take paines to doe a man good , prouided that he will take twise so much for them they will giue a penny so as it may aduantage them a pound , labor hard so as all the profite may come to themselues , else they are hartlesse and feeble . the vaine and corrupt heart of man cannot better be resembled then by a belly-god , host , or inkeeper , which welcommeth his guests with smilings , and salutations , and a thousand welcomes , and reioyceth greatly to haue their companie to dice , card , eate , drinke , and bee merrie , but should not the box be paid , the pot be filling , and the money telling , all this while the epicures ioy would soone be turned into sorrow , and his smiles turned into frownes , and the doore set open , and their absence craued : euen so men blow the bellowes hard , when they haue an iron of their owne a heating , worke hard whilest their owne house is in building , dig hard whilest their owne garden is in planting , but is it so as the profit must goe wholy or partly to others , their handes waxe feeble , their hearts waxe faint , they grow churlish and giue crosse answers like naball , they are sowre , discontent , and nothing will please them . and where is that man to be found , that will sparse abroad , and cast his bread vpon the waters , that will lend looking for nothing againe , that will doe all duties to others freely and cheerefully in conscience of god , and loue vnto men without his close and secret ends , or ayming at himself ? such a man , out of doubt , is a blacke swanne , a white crowe almost , and yet such shall stand before god with boldnesse at the last day , when others which haue sought themselues , though for loue of themselues they haue sought heauen , yea and through selfe loue perswaded themselues they shoulde finde it , yet wanting loue vnto others , they will be found as sounding brasse , and as a tinkling cimbale , and whilst they haue neglected others , and not cared how others liue , so as themselues may fare well , they will be found amongst them , that the lord will say vnto , i know you not , depart ye cursed into euerlasting fi●e . but that i may not walke in generalities , the particular wayes by which men seeke their owne are these , first such as are couetous , seeke their owne by seeking riches , wealth , money , as foelix pretending loue vnto paul , sent for him often , but it was in hope of mony , many there are who say , who will shew vs any good , and pretend religion , as some of the iewes did the keeping of the sabboth , which yet cryed out when will the sabboth bee done , that wee may sell corne and gaine , if a man can tell them how to get gold out of a flint , and siluer out of the adamant , no paines shal be spared , no time shall bee neglected , for gold is their hope , and the wedge of gold is their confidence , their hearts are set vpon the pelfe of this world , and for loue of it , all thinges are let slipp , euen all duties to god or men , they care not how basely they serue , how wretchedly they neglect all others , so as they may get wealth : pinch who will ? and wring who will , all times are alike with them , and they runne for the bribe like gehazie , and this is the first way that men seeke their owne . now the contrary is seene in nehemiah , who when the people were hard put to it , and the land raw , he tooke not the dueties which were due to him being a magistrate , he bought no land , nor grewe not rich , for it was no time : but he maintained at his table many of his brethren the iewes , and so spent euen his owne proper goods . and paul sought not mans gold nor siluer , but though hee had authoritie , yet he tooke not bread of the churches , but laboured with his hands : and why ? it was no time to take , some churches were poore and stood in want , as thessalonica , others were in danger to be preyed vpon by couetous belly-gods , as corinth : and therefore hee saw it no fit time now to take any thing of them . and indeede heere is the difference betweene a couetous worldling , and an honest thriftie christian , it is lawfull sometimes for men to gather wealth , and grow rich , euen as there was a time for ioseph to store vp corne , but a godly and sincere christian will see when this time is , and will not hord vp when he seeth others of his brethren and associates to want , but then is a time , if hee haue any thing to fetch it out and disperse it , but the couetous gather good , he like achan couets all that he seeth , and neglects no time , but gathers still and holds all fast , and if it were to saue the life of his brother , his baggs must not be minished , nor his chestes lighted , nor his field set to sale , gather as much as he can , but its death to diminish the least part of it . the second way by which men seeke their owne , is when they seeke ease , or pleasure , as the scribes and pharisies , who would not touch the burthen with one of their fingers ; so , there is a generation , which thinke to haue more in this world then adams felicitie in innocencie , being borne ( as they thinke ) to take their pleasures , and their ease , let the roofe of the house drop thorow , they stirre not ; let the field be ouer-growne with weeds , they care not , they must not soile their hand , nor wet their foote , it s enough for them to say , goe you , not let vs goe , though neuer so much need ; such idle droanes are intollerable in a setled common-wealth , much more in a common-wealth which is but as it were in the bud ; of what earth i pray thee art thou made , of any better then other of the sonnes of adam ? and canst thou see other of thy brethren toile their hearts out , and thou sit idle at home , or takest thy pleasure abroad ? remember the example of vriah , who would not take his ease , nor his pleasure , though the king required him , and why ? because his brethren , his associates , better men then himselfe ( as he esteemed them ) were vnder hard labours and conditions , lay in the fields in tents , caues , &c. the third way is when men seeke their owne bellies , as some did in the apostles times , which went about with new doctrines and deuices , knowing that the people had itching eares , and would easily entertaine , and willingly feede such nouelists , which brought in dissensions , schismes , and contentions , and such were rocks , or pillars in their loue-feasts , as iude speaketh , they were shaddowes in gods seruice , but when feasting came , then they were substances , then they were in their element . and certainely there are some men which shape euen their religion , humaine state , and all , euen as the belly cheare is best , and that they must haue , els all heart and life is gone , let all conscience , care of others goe , let lazarus starue at the gate , let iosephs affliction be increased , they must haue their dishes , their dainties , or no content . the contrary was seene in nehemiah , who would not take his large portion alotted to the gouernour , because he knew it went short with others of his brethren ; and vriah would not receiue the kings present and goe banquet with his wife , because he knew the whole hoast his brethren were faine to snap short in the fields . and the difference betweene a temperate good man , and a belly-god is this : a good man will not eate his morsels alone , especially if he haue better then other , but if by gods prouidence , he haue gotten some meate which is better then ordinary , and better then his other brethrens , he can haue no rest in himselfe , except he make other partaker with him . but a belly-god will slop all in his owne throat , yea , though his neighbour come in and behold him eate , yet his griple gut shameth not to swallow all . and this may be done sometimes , as well in meane fare as in greater dainties , for all countries afford not alike . the fourth way by which men seeke their owne , is by seeking outward honour , fame , and respect with men , as king saul when he had lost all respect and fauour with god , then thought to giue content to his heart by being honoured before the elders of the people ; and it is wonderfull to see how some men are desirous of vaine glory , and how earnestly they seeke prayse , fauour , and respect with men , and can haue no quiet longer then their worldly fauour lasteth , and that they will haue what dishonour soeuer come to god , or disgrace vnto men , yea , they will disgrace , reproch , and disdaine others , to gaine honour and aduancement to themselues , yea , they will make bold with the scriptures and word of god , to wrest and wring , and slight it ouer for their credits sake . and let a man marke some mens talke , stories , discourses , &c. and he shall see their whole drift is to extoll and set out themselues , and get praise and commendations of men . now the contrary was seene in paul , he sayth , he needed no letters of commendations . and againe , he is not affected with mens prayse ; and here is indeed the difference betweene an humble minded christian , and a proud selfe-louer ; an humble man often hath prayse , as dauid , hezekiah , and iosiah , but he seekes it not , he desires it not , he is content to goe without it , he loues not the prayse of men , for he knowes it is but froth and vanitie : but a proud selfe-louer , he seekes it still , get it or not get it , and if he get it he is fully satisfied , if he get it not he hangs the head like a bull-rush , and hath no comfort . the fift way by which men seeke their owne , is by seeking to haue their wils , as the wrong doers in corinth , who thought it not enough to doe wrong and harme to their brethren , but to haue their wills enough of them , drew them before the heathen magistrates . and truely , some men are so prince-like , or rather papall , that their very will and word is become a law , and if they haue said it , it must be so , els there is no rest nor quietnesse to be had , let neuer so many reasons be brought to the contrary , it s but fighting with the winde . they are like the obstinate iewes , who , when against gods law & reason , they had asked a king , though samuel shewed them that it would turne in the end to their owne smart , yet still held the conclusion , and sayd , nay , but we will haue a king. thus men are caught by their owne words , and insnared by the straitnes of their owne hearts , and it is death to them not to haue their wils , and howsoeuer sometimes ( like iezabell ) they are cut short of their purposes , yet selfe-willed men will strout and swell like absolon , saying neither good nor bad , but hope for the day , and threaten like prophane esall : now the contrary is seene in dauid , though a prince , a captaine , a warriour , who hauing sayd , yea , sworne , that he would kill naball , and all his family that day , yet vpon reasonable counsell giuen , and that but by a weake woman , he changed his minde , altered his purpose , and returned , without striking one stroake , an example rare , and worthy imitation ; and when men are sicke of will , let them thinke of dauid , it was his grace and honour to goe backe from his word and practise , when reason came ; so was it herods disgrace and shame to hold his word and will against reason and conscience . but some man happily will say vnto me , it is true , that men seeke their owne by all these wayes , but what should be the reason and cause of this ? that men seeke so earnestly themselues , in seeking riches , honour , ease , belly-cheare , will , &c. something there is that carrieth them . true , and the reasons and causes are specially these three ; first , pride and high conceitednes , when men ouer-value themselues : and this made absolon to seeke his fathers kingdome , because he thought himselfe worthy of it . : this made haman so sore vexed , because mordecai bowed not to him , because he highly valued himselfe . and surely , that which a man valueth at much , he giueth much respect to , and so it is a sure signe that a man loues himselfe most when he giueth most to himselfe , and some intollerable proud persons euen thinke all the world is for them , and all their purposes and endeuours shew what a large conceit they haue of themselues . secondly , want of due consideration and valuation of other mens endowments , abilities , and deserts , when men passe those things by , though they haue both seene , heard , and felt them , as pharaohs butler forgat iosephs eminency when he was restored to his place , so men vse to write their owne good actions in brasse , but other mens in ashes , neuer remembring nor considering the paynes , labour , good properties , &c. which others haue , and so they haue no loue to them , but onely to themselues ; as if god had made all other men vnreasonable beasts , and them onely reasonable men . thirdly , want of a heauenly conuersation , and spirituall eye to behold the glory , greatnesse , and maiestie , and goodnesse of god , as the queene of sheba thought highly of her own glory , wisedome , and happinesse , till she saw salomons wisedome and glory , and then she cryed out , not of the happinesse of her owne seruants , but of his seruants that stood before him ; and verily , if men were conuersant courtiers in heauen , they would cry out with paul , oh the deepnesse of the riches , wisedome , and knowledge of god , &c. and would be ashamed of their owne sinfulnesse , nakednesse , and misery ; for , as country men which neuer saw the state of cities , nor the glory of courts , admire euen their owne countrey orders : and as the sauages here which are clad in skinnes , and creepe in woods and holes , thinke their owne brutish and inhumane life the best , which if they saw and did rightly apprehend the benefit of comely humanity , the sweetnes of religion , and the seruice of god , they would euen shamefully hide themselues from the eye of all noble christians . euen so , if men in serious contemplation , by the eye of faith , would behold the glory of god , and what great riches , beautie , fulnesse , perfection , power , dignitie , and greatnesse is in god , they would leaue admiring of themselues , and seeking of themselues , and would say with dauid , what am i ? and what is my fathers house ? that thou shouldest thus blesse me ? yea , what is man ? or the sonne of man that thou so regardest him ? but it is time that we now come to apply these things more particularly to our selues , and see what vse is to be made of them . is it so that god seeth a proannes in all the sonnes of adam , to seeke themselues too much , and hath giuen them warnings and watch words thereof , as we haue heard , and doth experience confirme it ? then hence are reproued a number of men , who thinke they can neuer shew loue enough to themselues , nor seeke their own enough , but thinke all cost , charges , cheerishing , prayse , honour , &c. too little for them , and no man needeth say to them , as peter did to christ , fauour thy selfe , but if they doe a little for another man , they account it a great matter , though it be but a morsell of bread , or a single penny ; but no varieties of dainties is too good for them , no silke , purple , cloth , or stuffe is too good to cloth them , the poore mans idlenesse and ill husbandry is oft throwne in his dish , but their owne carnall delights and fleshly wantonnesse is neuer thought vpon : and why ? because they thinke euen god and man owes all to them , but they owe nothing to none . why , thou foolish and besotted man , hath not the holy ghost read it in the face of euery sonne of adam , that he is too apt to seeke his owne , and art thou wiser then god , to thinke thou neuer seekest thine owne enough ? or dreamest thou that thou art made of other , and better mettall then other men are ? surely , i know no way to escape , hauing of corruption to thy father , and the worme to thy sister and brother . and if god had any where in all the scriptures sayd , loue thy selfe , make much of thy selfe , prouide for one , &c. there were some reason for thee to take vp the nigards prouerbs , euery man for himselfe , and god for vs all ; charitie beginneth at home , &c. but god neuer taught thee these things ; no , they are sathans positions : doth god euer commend a man for carnall loue of himselfe ? nay , he brands it , and disgraceth it , as selfe-loue ; taking thought for the flesh ; louing of pleasure , &c. it is a point of good naturall policie , for a man to care and prouide for himselfe . then the most fooles haue most naturall policie , for see you not the greatest droanes and nouices , either in church , or common-wealth , to be the greatest scratchers , and scrapers , and gatherers of riches ? are they not also , for the most part , best fed and clad ? and liue they not most easily ? what shall i say ? euen hoggs , doggs , and bruit beasts know their own ease , and can seeke that which is good for themselues ; and what doth this shifting , progging , and fat feeding which some vse , more resemble any thing then the fashion of hoggs ? and so let it be what naturall policie it will. if god see this disease of selfe-loue so dangerous in vs , then it standeth vs all in hand to suspect our selues , and so to seeke out the roote of this disease , that it may be cured . if a learned physitian , shall see by our countenance and eye , that we haue some dangerous disease growing on vs , our hearts will smite vs , and we will bethinke our selues , where the most griefe lieth , and how it should come , whether with cold , heate , surfeit , ouer-flowing of bloud , or thorow griefe , melancholy , or any such way , and euery man will bestirre himselfe to get rid of it , and will preuent all wayes that feed the disease , and cherish all courses that would destroy it . now , how much more ought we to bestirre our selues , for this matter of selfe-loue , since god himselfe hath cast all our waters , and felt all our pulses , and pronounced vs all dangerously sicke of this disease ? beleeue it , god cannot lie , nor be deceiued ; he that made the heart , doth not he know it ? let euery mans heart smite him , and let him fall to examination of himselfe , and see first , whether he loue not riches and worldly wealth too much , whether his heart be not too iocand at the comming of it in , and too heauie at the going of it out , for if you find it so , there is great danger ; if thou canst not buy as if thou possessedst not , and vse this world as thou vsedst it not , thou art sicke and haddest need to looke to it . so , if thou louest thine ease and pleasure , see whether thou canst be content to receiue at gods hands euill as well as good ; whether thou haue learned as well to abound as to want , as well to endure hard labour , as to liue at ease ; and art as willing to goe to the house of mourning as to the house of mirth ; for , els , out of doubt , thou louest thy carnall pleasure and ease too much . againe , see whether thine heart cannot be as merry , and thy mind as ioyfull , and thy countenance as cheerefull , with course fare , with poulse , with bread and water ( if god offer thee no better , nor the times afford other ) as if thou hadst great dainties : so also whether thou canst be content as well with the scornes of men , when thou hast done well , as with their prayses , so if thou canst with comfort and good conscience say , i passe little for mans iudgement , whether thou canst doe thy duety that god requireth , and despise the shame , referring thy selfe vnto god , for if thou be dishartned , discouraged , and weakened in any duety because of mens disprayses , it s a signe thou louest thy selfe too much . so for the will , if thou canst be content to giue way euen from that which thou hast sayd shal be , yea vowed shal be , when better reason commeth , and hast that reuerence of other men , as that when it standeth but vpon a matter of will , thou art as willing their wils shall stand as thine , and art not sad , churlish , or discontent , but cheerefull in thine heart , though thy will be crossed , it is a good signe , but if not , thou art sicke of a selfe will , and must purge it out . i the rather presse these things , because i see many men both wise and religious , which yet are so tainted with this pestilent selfe-loue , as that it is in them euen as a dead slie to the apothecaries ointment , spoyling the ●fficacie of all their graces , making their liues vncomfortable to themselues , and vnprofitable to others , being neither fit for church nor common wealth , but haue euen their very soules in hazard thereby , and therefore who can say too much against it ? it is reported , that there are many men gone to that other plantation in virginia , which , whilest they liued in england , seemed very religious , zealous , and conscionable ; and haue now lost euen the sap of grace , and edge to all goodnesse ; and are become meere worldlings : this testimonie i beleeue to be partly true , and amongst many causes of it , this selfe-loue is not the least ; it is indeede a matter of some commendations for a man to remoue himselfe out of a thronged place into a wide wildernesse ; to take in hand so long and dangerous a iourney , to be an instrument to carry the gospell and humanitie among the bruitish heathen ; but there may be many goodly shewes and gloses and yet a pad in the strawe , men may make a great appearance of respect vnto god , and yet but dissemble with him , hauing their owne lusts carying them : and , out of doubt , men that haue taken in hand hither to come , out of discōtentment , in regard of their estates in england ; and ayming at great matters heere , affecting it to be gentlemen , landed men , or hoping for office , place , dignitie , or fleshly liberty ; let the shew be what it will , he substance is nought , and that bird of selfe-loue which was hatched at home , if it be not looked to , will eate out the life of all grace and goodnesse : and though men haue escaped the danger of the sea , and that cruell mortalitie , which swept away so many of our louing friends and brethren ; yet except they purge out this selfe-loue , a worse mischeife is prepared for them : and who knoweth whether god in mercy haue deliuered those iust men which heere departed , from the euils to come ; and from vnreasonable men , in whom there neither was , nor is , any comfort but greife , sorrow , affliction , and miserie , till they cast out this spaune of selfe-loue . but i haue dwelt too long vpon this first part ; i come now to the second , which concernes an exhortation , as i shewed you , in the diuision . but euery man anothers wealth . in direct opposition , he should say , let euery man seeke anothers , but the first part being compared with the latter , and ( seeke ) being taken out of the former and put to the latter , and ( wealth ) taken out or rather implied , in the former , the whole sentence is thus resolued , let no man seeke his owne wealth , but let euery man seeke anothers wealth . and the word here tr●nslated wealth , is the same with that in rom. . . and may not be taken onely for riches , as english-men commonly vnderstand it , but for all kind of benefits , fauours , comforts , either for soule or body ; and so here againe , as before , you must vnderstand an affirmatiue commandement , as the negatiue was before : and least any should say , if i may not seeke my owne good , i may doe nothing ; yes , sayth paul , i le tell thee , thou shalt seeke the good of another , whereas now all thy seeking helps but one , by this meanes thou shalt helpe many : and this is further enforced by these two circumstances , ( no man ) may seeke his owne , be he rich , learned , wise , &c. but euery man must seeke the good of another . the point of instruction is taken from the very letter and phrase , viz. a man must seeke the good , the wealth , the profit of others , i say , he must seeke it , he must seeke the comfort , profit , and benefit of his neighbour , brother , associate , &c. his owne good he need not seeke , it will offer it selfe to him euery houre , but the good of others must be sought , a man must not stay from doing good to others till he is sought vnto , pulled and haled ( as it were ) like the vniust iudge , for euery benefit that is first craued , commeth too late . and thus the auncient patriarkes did practise , when the trauayler and way-faring man came by , they did not tarry till they came and asked reliefe and refreshing , but sat at the gates to watch for such , and looked in the streets to find them , yea , set open their doores that they might freely and boldly enter in . and howsoeuer , some may thinke this too large a practise , since , now the world is so full of people , yet i see not but the more people there is , the larger charitie ought to be . but be it so as a man may neglect , in some sort the generall world , yet those to whom he is bound , either in naturall , ciuill , or religious bands , them he must seeke how to doe them good : a notable example you haue in dauid , who , because there was twixt him & ionathan a band and couenant , therefore he enquired , whether there was any left of the house of saul , to whom he might shew mercy for ionathans sake ; so , this people of corinth , to whom paul writeth , they were in a spirituall league and couenant in the gospell , and so were a body ; now for one member in the body to seeke himselfe , and neglect all other , were , as if a man should cloth one arme or one leg of his body with gold and purple , and let all the rest of the members goe naked . now brethren , i pray you , remember your selues , and know , that you are not in a retired monasticall course , but haue giuen your names and promises one to another , and couenanted here to cleaue together in the seruice of god , and the king ; what then must you doe ? may you liue as retired hermites ? and looke after no body ? nay , you must seeke still the wealth of one another ; and enquire as dauid , how liueth such a man ? how is he clad ? how is he fed ? he is my brother , my associate ; we ventered our liues together here , and had a hard brunt of it , and we are in league together , is his labour harder then mine ? surely , i will ease him ; hath he no bed to lie on ? why , i haue two , i le lend him one ; hath he no apparel ? why , i haue two suits , i le giue him one of them ; eates he course fare , bread and water , and i haue better ? why , surely we will part stakes : he is as good a man as i , and we are bound each to other , so that his w●nts must be my wants , his sorrowes my sorrowes , his sicknes my sicknes , and his welfare my welfare , for i am as he is . and such a sweet sympathie were excellent , comfortable , yea , heauenly , and is the onely maker and conseruer of churches and common-wealths , and where this is wanting , ruine comes on quickly , as it did here in corinth . but besides these motiues , there are other reasons to prouoke vs not onely to doe good one to another ; but euen to seeke and search how to doe it . as first , to maintaine modestie in all our associates , that of hungrie wanters they become not bold beggers and impudent crauers , for as one sayth of women , that , when they haue lost their shamefastnes , they haue lost halfe their honestie , so may it truely be sayd of a man , that when he hath lost his modestie , and puts on a begging face , he hath lost his maiestie , and the image of that noble creature , and man should not begge and craue of man but onely of god ; true it is , that as christ was faine to craue water of the samaritan woman , so men are forced to aske sometimes rather then starue , but indeede in all societies it should be offered them , men often complaine of mens boldnes in asking , but how commeth this to passe , but because the world hath beene so full of selfe-louers , as no man would offer their money , meate , garmentes , though they saw men hungrie , harborlesse , poore , and naked in the streetes ; and what is it that makes men brazen faced , bold , bruitish , tumultuous , mutinous , but because they are pinched with want , and see others of their companions ( which it may be haue lesse deserued ) to liue in prosperitie and pleasure ? it wonderfully encourageth men in their dueties , when they see the burthen equally borne ; but when some withdraw themselues and retire to their owne particular ease , pleasure , or profit ; what heart can men haue to goe on in their businesse ? when men are come together , to lift some weighty peece of tymber or vessell ; if one stand still and doe not lift , shall not the rest be weakned and dishartned ? will not a few idle droanes spoyle the whole stocke of laborious bees : so one idle belly , one murmurer , one complainer , one selfe-louer will weaken and disharten a whole colonie . great matters haue beene brought to passe , where men haue cheerefully as with one heart , hand , and shoulder , gone about it both in warres , buildings , and plantations , but where euery man seekes himselfe , all commeth to nothing . the present necessitie requireth it , as it did in the dayes of the iewes , returning from captiuitie , and as it was here in corinth . the countrey is yet raw , the land vntilled , the cities not builded , the cattell not setled , we are compassed about with a helplesse and idle people , the natiues of the countrey , which cannot in any comely or comfortable manner helpe themselues , much lesse vs. wee also haue beene very chargeable to many of our louing friends , which helped vs hither , and now againe supplyed vs , so that before we thinke of gathering riches , we must euen in conscience thinke of requiting their charge , loue , and labour , and cursed be that profit and gaine which aymeth not at this . besides , how many of our deare friends , did here die at our first entrance , many of them no doubt for want of good lodging , shelter , and comfortable things , and many more may goe after them quickly , if care be not taken . is this then a time for men to begin to seeke themselues ? paul sayth , that men in the last dayes shall be louers of themselues , but it is here yet but the first dayes , and ( as it were ) the dawning of this new world , it is now therefore no time for men to looke to get riches , braue clothes , daintie fare , but to looke to present necessities ; it is now no time to pamper the flesh , liue at ease , snatch , catch , scrape , and pill , and hoord vp , but rather to open the doores , the chests , and vessels , and say , brother , neighbour , friend , what want yee , any thing that i haue ? make bold with it , it is yours to command , to doe you good , to comfort and cheerish you , and glad i am that i haue it for you . and euen the example of god himselfe , whom we should follow in all things within our power and capacitie , may teach vs this lesson , for ( with reuerence to his maiestie be it spoken ) he might haue kept all grace , goodnesse , and glory to himselfe , but he hath communicated it to vs , euen as farre as we are capable of it in this life , and will communicate his glory in all fulnesse with his elect in that life to come ; euen so his sonne christ iesus left his glory eclipsed for a time , and abased himselfe to a poore and distressed life in this world , that he might , by it , bring vs to happinesse in the world to come . if god then haue delighted in this doing good and relieuing frayle and miserable man , so farre inferior to himselfe , what delight ought man to haue to relieue and comfort man , which is equall to himselfe ? euen as we deale with others , our selues and others shall be dealt withall , carest thou not how others fare , how they toile , are grieued , sicke , pinched , cold , harborlesle , so as thou be in health , liuest at ease , warme in thy nest , farest well ? the dayes will come when thou shalt labour and none shall pittie thee , be poore and none relieue thee , be sicke , and lie and die and none visit thee , yea , and thy children shall lie and statue in the streets , and none shall relieue them , for it is the mercifull that shall obtaine mercy ; and the memory of the iust shall be blessed euen in his seede ; and a mercifull and louing man when he dies , though he leaue his children small and desolate , yet euery one is mercifully stirred vp for the fathers sake to shew compassion , but the vnkindnesse , currishnesse , and selfe-loue of a father , is thorow gods iust iudgement recompenced vpon the children with neglect and crueltie . lastly , that we may draw to an end ; a mercilesse man , and a man without naturall affection or loue , is reckoned among such as are giuen ouer of god to a reprobate minde , and ( as it were ) transformed into a beast-like humor ; for , what is a man if he be not sociable , kinde , affable , free hearted , liberall ; he is a beast in the shape of a man ; or rather an infernall spirit , walking amongst men which makes the world a hell what in him lieth ; for , it is euen a hell to liue where there are many such men : such the scripture calleth nabals , which signifieth fooles and decayed men , which haue lost both the sap of grace and nature ; and such merciles men are called goats , and shall be set at christs left hand at the last day ; oh therefore seeke the wealth one of another . but some will say , it is true , and it were well , if men would so doe , but we see euery man is so for himselfe , as that if i should not doe so , i should doe full ill , for if i haue it not of my owne , i may snap short sometimes , for i see no body sheweth me any kindnesse , nor giueth me any thing ; if i haue gold and siluer , that goeth for payment , and if i want it , i may lie in the streete , therefore i were best keepe that i haue , and not be so liberall as you would haue me , except i saw others would be so towards me . this obiection seemeth but equall and reasonable , as did the answere of naball to dauids men , but it is most foolish and carnall , as his also was ; for , if we should measure our courses by most mens practises , a man should neuer doe any godly dutie ; for , doe not the most , yea , almost all , goe the broad way that leadeth to death and damnation ? who then will follow a multitude ? it is the word of god , and the examples of the best men that we must follow . and what if others will doe nothing for thee , but are vnkinde , and vnmercifull to thee ? knowest thou not that they which will be the children of god must be kinde to the vnkinde , louing to their enemies , and blesse those that curse them ? if all men were kinde to thee , it were but publicans right eousnesse to be kinde to them ; if all men be euill , wilt thou be so too ? when dauid cryed out ; helpe lord , for not a godly man is left . did he himselfe turne vngodly also ? nay , he was rather the more strict : so , if loue and charitie be departed out of this world , be thou one of them that shall first bring it in againe . and let this be the first rule , which i will with two others conclude for this time . neuer measure thy course by the most , but by the best , yea , and principally by gods word ; looke not what others doe to thee , but consider what thou art to doe to them ; seeke to please god , not thy selfe : did they in mathew . . plead , that others did nothing for them ? no such matter , no such plea will stand before god , his word is plaine to the contrary , therefore , though all the world should neglect thee , disregard thee , and contemne thee , yet remember thou hast not to doe with men , but with the highest god , and so thou must doe thy dutie to them notwithstanding . and let there be no prodigall person to come forth and say , giue me the portion of lands and goods that appert●ineth to me , and let me shift for my selfe ; it is you too soone to put men to their shi●ts ; israel was seauen yoares in canaan , before the land was deuided vnto tribes , much longer , before it was deuided vnto families : and why wouldest thou haue thy particular portion , but because thou thinkest to liue better then thy neighbour , and scornest to liue so meanely as he ? but who , i pray thee , brought this particularizing first into the world ? did not sathan , who was not content to keepe that equall state with his fellowes , but would set his throne aboue the starres ? did not he also entise man to despise his generall felicitie and happinesse , and goe trie particular knowledge of good and euill ? and nothing in this world doth more resemble heauenly happinesse , then for men to liue as one , being of one heart , and one soule ; neither any thing more resembles hellish horror , then for euery man to shift for himselfe ; for if it be a good minde and practise , thus to affect particulars , mine and thine , then it should be best also for god to prouide one heauen for thee , and another for thy neighbour . but some will say , if all men would doe their endeuour as i doe , i could be content with this generalitie , but many are idle and sloathful , and eate vp others labours , and therefore it is best to part , and then euery man may doe his pleasure . first , this , indeed , is the common plea of such as will endure no inconueniences , and so for the hardnesse of mens hearts , god and man doth often giue way to that which is not best , nor perpetuall , but indeede if wee take this course , to change ordinances and practises , because of inconueniences , wee shall haue , euery day , new lawes . secondly , if others be idle , and thou diligent , thy fellowship , prouocation , and example may well helpe to cure that maladie in them , being together , but being asunder , shall they not be more idle , and shall not gentrie and beggerie be quickly the glorious ensignes of your common-wealth ? thirdly , construe things in the best part , be not too hastie to say , men are idle and slouthfull , all men haue not strength , skill , facultie , spirit , and courage to worke alike ; it is thy glory and credit , that canst doe so well , and his shame and reproach , that can doe no better ; and are not these sufficient rewards to you both ? fourthly , if any be idle apparantly , you haue a law and gouernours to execute the same , and to follow that rule of the apostle , to keepe backe their bread , and let them not eate , goe not therefore whisperingly , to charge men with idlenesse ; but goe to the gouernour and proue them idle ; and thou shalt see them haue their deserts . and as you are a body together , so hang not together by skins and gymocks , but labour to be ioynted together and knit by flesh and synewes ; away with enuie at the good of others , and reioyce in his good , and sorrow for his euill , let his ioy bee thy ioy , and his sorrow thy sorrow : let his sicknesse be thy sicknesse : his hunger thy hunger : his pouertie thy pouertie : and if you professe friendship , be friends in aduersities : for then a friend is knowne , and tryed , and not before . lay away all thought of former thinges and forget them , and thinke vpon the things that are , looke not gapingly one vpon other , pleading your goodnesse , your birth , your life you haue liued , your meanes you had and might haue had , heere you are by gods prouidence , vnder difficulties , be thankfull to god , it is no worse , and take it in good part that which is , and lift not vp your selues because of former priuiledges , when iob was brought to the dunghill , he sate downe vpon it . and when the almightie had beene bitter to naomie , shee would bee called marah , consider therefore what you are now , and where you are , say not i could haue liued thus and thus ; but say , thus and thus i must liue : for god , and naturall necessitie requireth , if your difficulties be great , you had neede to cleaue the faster together , and comfort and cheere vp one another , laboring to make each others burden lighter , there is no griefe so tedious as a churlish companion , and nothing makes sorrowes easie more then cheerefull associates : beareye therefore one anothers burthen , and be not a burthen one to another , auoide all factions , frowardnes , singularitie , and withdrawings , and cleaue fast to the lord , and one to another continually ; so shall you bee a notable preside it to these poore heathens , whose eyes are vpon you , and who very bruitishly and cruelly doe dayly eate and consume one another , through their emulations , warres , and contentions ; bee you therefore ashamed of it , and winne them to peace both with your selues , and one another , by your peaceable examples , which will preach louder to them , then if you could crie in their barbarous language : so also shall you bee an encouragement to many of your christian friendes in your natiue countrey , to come to you , when they heare of your peace , loue , and kindnesse that is amongst you : but aboue all , it shall goe well with your soules , when that god of peace and vnity shall come to visite you with death , as hee hath done many of your associates , you being found of him , not in murmurings , discontent and iarres , but in brotherly loue , and peace , may bee translated from this wandring wildernesse , vnto that ioyfull and heauenly canaan . ( ⸪ ) finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e reu. . . act. . . . luk. . . math. . . amos . . king. . . math. . . they offer vs to dwell where we will. cor. . . chap. . . luk. . . pro. . . psal . . . notes for div a -e the text. the connexion . math. . . iude . cor. . . cor. . . cor. . . similie . iude . cor. . . ver. . iob . . rom. . . math. . . ver. . act. . . diuision . order of handling . the apostles drift . exposition . chap. . . cor. . . cor. . . obiect . tim. . . resp . doct. . amplific . sam. . . . king. . . and . . sam . . chron. . . and . . isaiah . . gal. . . . phil. . . philip. . . . cor. . . gal. . . illustration experimentall . simile . psal . . . eccle. . . luk. . . cor. . . cor. . . mat. . . . particular amplific . act. . . psal . . . amos . . iob . . king. . . neh. . . . . act. . thes . . . ver. . cor. . . gen. . . iosh . . . luke . . gen. . . eccle. . . pro. . . . sam. . . rom. . . iude . neh. . . iob . . sam. . . gal. . . cor. . . cor. . . sam. . 〈…〉 king. . . cor. . . sam. . . king. . . sam. . . gen. . . sam. . . math. . . . quest . resp . reason . sam. . . hest . . . reason . gen. . . reason . king. . . rom. . . similies . sam. . . psal . . . vse . mat. . . rom. . . tim. . . obiect . resp . psal . . . . vse . simile . cor. . . . iob . . phil. . . edele . . dan. . . cor. . . heb. . . sam. . . king. . . eccle. . . a faire warning . psal . . . . isa . . . text. expli . doct. . luk. . . gen. . . . iudg. . . . iob . . sam. . . cor. . . reasons . . iohn . . reason . reason . neh. . sam. . . . tim. . . reason . ephes . . . ioh. . . psal . . . . tim. . . ioh. . . and . . reason . iudg. . . . mat. . . mat. . . prou. . sam. . . . . reason . rom. . . psal . . . math. . . obiect . resp . luk. . . . mat. . . . psal . . . rom. . . rule . rule . luk. . . esay . . iude . gen. . . psal . . . act. . . obiect . resp . math. . . sam. . . thes . . . rom. . . sam. . . . act. . . thes . . . deut. . . sam. . . rom. . . pro. . . rule . gen. . . iob . . ruth . . sam. . . . gal. . . sam. . . heb. . gen. . . colos . . . heb. . . pet. . . heb. . .