Church Records of Plimouth

[1110]

An Introduction to the Eclesiasticall history of the Church of Christ att Plymouth in New England as followeth;

It is well knowne to the Godly and Judicious how that euer since the first breakeing out of the light of the Gospell in our honorable Nation of England which was the first of Nations whom the lord Adorned therwith after that Grosse darknes of Popery which had Couered and ouerspred the Christian world, what warrs and oppositions euer since Satan hath Raised mainetained and Continewed against the Saints from time to time; in one sort or other; sometimes by bloody death and Crewell torments; otherwhiles Imprisonments banishments and other hard vsages as being loth his Kingdome should Goe downe, the truth prevaile, and the Churches of God Reuert to theire Ancient purety and Recouer theire primatiue order libertie and bewty; But when hee Could not prevaile, by these means against the maine truthes of the Gospell but that they began to take Rooting in Many places being watered with the blood of the Martires; and blessed from heauen with a Graciouse Increase, hee then began to take him to his ancient Strattagems vsed of old against the first Christians; That when by the bloody and Barbarosenes of the heathen Emperours hee Could not stop and subvert the course of the Gospell; but that It speedily ouerspred with a wonderful Celeritie to the then best known p^rts of the world hee then began to sow errors herresies and wonderfull desentions amonst the professors themselues, working vpon theire prid and Ambition; with other Corrupt Passions Insident to all Mortall men: yee to the Saints themselues (in some Measure) by which woefull effects followed, as not onely bitter; Contensions and hartburnings Schismes112 with other horrible Confusions, but Satan took occasion and advantage thereby to ffoist in a Number of vile Serrimonies with many vnproffitable Canons and decrees which haue since bine as snares to many peacable poor soules euen to this day; soe as in the ancient times the p^rsecutions by the heathen and theire Emperours was not Greater then of the Christians one against another; The Arians and other theire accomplices against the orthodox and true Christians as wittnesseth Socrates in his 2cond book; saith hee) “was noe less then that of old practised towards the Christians when they were Compelled and drawne to Sacrefice to Idolls for many Indured sundry kinds of Torments oftens113 Racking and dismembering of theire Joynts Confiscateing of theire Goods some bereaued of theire Natiue soyle others departed this life vnder the hands of the tormentor and some died in banishment and Neuer saw theire Country againe;”114

The like Meathod Satan hath seemed to hold in these Latter times since the truth began to springe and spred after the Great defection made by Antichrist the Man of sin; for to lett pas the Many examples in sundry Nations in seuerall places of the world and Instance of our oune; when as the old serpent Could not prevaile by those fiery fflames and other his Crewell tragedies, which hee by his Instruments put in115 ure euery wher in the dayes of Queen Mary and before; hee then began another kind of warr and went more Closely to worke Not onely to oppuggen but euen to Ruinate and destroy the kingdom of Christ by more Cecrett and subtill meanes, by kindleing the fflames of Contention and sowing the seeds of discord and bitter enmitie amongst the professors and seeming Reformed themselues, for when hee Could not prevaile by the former meanes against the principall doctrines of faith; hee bent his force against the holy discipline and outward Regiment of the Kingdom of Christ by which those holy doctrines should be Conserued, and true Piety maintained amongst the Saints and people of God;

M^r ffox Recordeth how that besides those worthy martires and Confessors which were burned in Queen Maryes dayes and otherwise tormented, many both Studients and others filed out of the land to the Number of 800: and became seuerall Congregations att Wesell ffrankford Bassill Emden Markpurge Strausburough & Geneua &c:

Amongst whom especially those att ffrankford began a bitter warr of Contention and Persecution about the Cerrimonies and seruice book and other Popish and Antichristian [stuffe t]he Plague of England to this day, which are like [the] high places [in Israell,] which the prophetts Cryed out against and were the[ir ruine;]117 [2] which the better p^rte sought according to the puritie of the Gospell to Root out, and vtterly [to abandon] and the other p^rt vnder vailed pretences for theire owne ends and118 advancem[ents] sought as stifly to Continew maintaine and defend, as appereth by the discourse thereof published [in] print Ann^o: 1575 a book119 that deserues better to be knowne and Considered then it is120 the one syde Labored to [have] the Right worshipp of God and discipline of Christ established in the Church according to the simplisitie of the Gospell without the mixture of mens Inventions, and to haue and to be Ruled by the Lawes of Gods word dispenced in those offices and by those officers of Pastours and Teachers and Elders according to the Scriptures; The other partye though vnder many Coullers and pretences Indeauored to haue the episcopall dignitie, after the121 Popish manor, with theire large power and Jurisdiction still Retained with all those Covrt Cannons, and Cerrimonies together, with all such liueings Revenewes and subbordinate officers with other such means as formerly upheld theire Antichristian122 Greatnes, and enabled them with Lordly and tiranus power to p^rsecute the poor servants of God, This Contension was soe Great as Neither the honor of God123 the Comon p^rsecution nor the Mediation of M^r Calvin and other worthyes of the Lord, in those places, Could prevaile with those thus Episcopally minded; but they proceaded by all meanes to disturbe the peace of this poor p^rsecuted Church soe farr as to Charge very vnjustly, and vngodlely (yett prelate Like) some of theire Cheiffe opposers with Rebellion and high Treason against the Emperour and other such Crimes;

And this Contension died not with Queen Mary nor was left beyond the seas but att her death these people Returning into England vnder Gracious Queen Elizabeth many of them p^rserued aspired to Bishopprickes and other promotions according to their aimes and desires. & Now124 That Inveterate hatred against the holy discipline of Christ in his church hath Continewed to this day, In soemuch that for feare it should prevaile all plott and deuises haue bin vsed to keep it out Insenceing the Queen and State against it as dangerouse to the Comon wealth and that it was most Needfull for the foundamenta[l] points of Religion should be preaced in125 in those Ignorant and superstitious t[imes] and to win the weake and Ignorant, they might Retaine diuers harmles Ceremonies and though it were to be wished that diuers thinges were Reformed yett this was [not] a season for it; and many the like to stopp the mouthes of the More Godly; to bring them on to yeild to one Ceremony after an other, and one corruption after an other by the[se]126 wyles beguilling some and Corrupting others vntill att length they began to p^rsecute al[l] the zealous professors in the land (altho they knew Little what this disipline mente) both by word and deed if they would not submitt to theire Ceremonies and become Slaues to them and theire popish trash which haue noe Ground in the word of God, but are Relicts of the man of sin; and the more the light of the Gospell Gre[w] the more they vrged theire subscribsions to these corruptions soe as notwithstandi[ng] all theire former pretences and faire Coullers they whose eyes God had not Justly blinded might esily see whereto these thinges tended; and to Cast Contempt the more vpon the Cenceer servants of God they approbriously and Most Injuriously Gaue vnto and Imposed vpon them that Name of puritans, which is said the Nouatians out of Prid did assume and take vnto themselues, and lamentable it is to see the effects which haue followed; Religion hath bine disgraced: the Godly Greiued afflicted p^rsecuted and many excilled sundry haue lost theire liues in prisons and other wayes, on the other hand sin hath bin Countenanced Ignoranse prophanes and athiesme Increased the papests Incurraged to hope againe for a day;

This made that holy man m^r Perkins127 Cry out in his exhortations vnto Repenten[ce] on Zepha 2 Religion saith hee, “hath bin amongst vs this 35 yeers But the more it is published the more it is Contemned and Reproached of many &c Thus not proph[anes] nor wickednes but Religion it selfe is a byword a mocking stock and Matter of Reproach soe that in England att this day the man or woman that begins to profess Relig[ion] and to serue G[od must] Resolue with him selfe to sustaine M[ock]s and Injvries euen [as] though hee [lived amongst] the enimies of Religion” and [this commone] experience [hath confirmed, and made too apparente.”] [4128]

But before I pass on I can not omitt an observation worthy to be noted which was observed by the author viz: m^r William Bradford as followeth:

Saith hee, full litle did I think that the doune fall of the Bishopps with theire Courts Cannon and Ceremonies had bin soe near when I first began this writing which about the year 1630 and soe peeced att Leasvre time afterwards, or that I should haue liued to haue seen or heard of the same But it is the lords doeing and ought to be Marvelous in our eyes; euery Plant which mine heauenl[y]129 father hath not planted saith our father shalbe Rooted vp: Mat: 15:13: I haue Snared thee and thou art taken oh Babell (Bishops) and thou wast not aware; thou art found and alsoe caught because thou hast Striven against the Lord Jer: 50:24: But will they needs strive against the truth against the servants of the lord; what and against the lord himself doe they provoake the lord to anger are they stronger than hee 1 Cor 10: 22: noe noe they haue mett with theire match; Behold I Come against the oh proud man saith the lord God of hostes for thy day is coming euen the time that I will visitt thee Jer: 50: 31: May not the people of God now say; and these poor people among the Rest; The lord hath brought forth our Rightousnes come lett vs declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God Jer: 51:10: lett all fflesh be still before the Lord for hee is Raised vp out of his holy place Zach: 2:13:130

This poor people may say (amonge the thousands of Israell) when the Lord brought againe the Captiuity of Zion wee were like them that dreame Psalm 126:1 The Lord hath done Great thinges for vs whereof wee Rejoyce verse the third; They that sow in teares shall Reape in Joy; they went weeping and Carryed precious seed but they shall Return with Joy and bringe theire sheaues verse 5:6:

Doe yee not Now see the fruits of youer labours oh all yee servants of the Lord that haue suffered for his truth and haue bin faithfull witnesses of the same; and yee little handfull amongst the Rest the least amongst the thousands of Israeli; you haue not had a seed time, but many of you haue seen a Joyfull haruest. should yee not then Rejoyce yee againe Rejoyce and sing hallelujah saluation and Glory and honor and power be to the Lord our God for true and Righteouse are his Judgments Reu: 19:1: 2.

But thou wilt aske what is the matter what is done; Why art thou a stranger [in] Israell that thou shouldest not know what is done; are not those Jebusites ouercome that haue vexed the people of Israell soe longe euen holding Jerusalem euen vntil Dauids Dayes and bin as thornes in theire sydes soe many ages and Now bega[n] to scorne that not any Dauid should meddle with them; they begaine to fortify theire tower as that of the old babilonians; But those proud Anakims are Now throwne downe; and theire Glory layed in the dust, the tiranous Bishopps are ejected there Co[urts] desolued theire Canons fforceles theire service books Casheired theire Cerremonies vseles [and] despised theire plotts for Popery prevented, and all theire superstitions dis[carded] and Returned to Roome from whence they Came; and the moniments of Idolletry [rooted] out of the land, and the proud and prophane supporters and Crewell defenders [of] these, as bloody Papists wicked Athiests and theire mallignant Consorts marue[lously] ouerthrowne, and are not these Great things, whoe Can deney it;

But whoe hath don it euen hee that siteth on the white horse whoe is called faithf[ul] and true and Judgeth and fighteth Righteously Reuelati 19: 11: whose Garments are diped in blood; and his Name was Called the word of God verse 13: for hee shall Rule them with a Rod of Iron for it is hee that treadeth the winepresse of the ffeircnes of the wrath of God Almighty, and hee hath vpon his Garment and vpon his thye a name written, the Kinge of Kinges and the lord of Lords, Hallelujah;

See how this holy man his sperit was Elivated and his hart Raised vp in praiseing of the Lord in Consideration of the downefall of the proud prelatse; as hee and many more of the Saints had Good Reason; who felt the smart of theire bitter and Crewell tirany; whoe are endeed a limbe of Antichrist; and if the Generallitie of the Saints had bin those sencible of this Great and131 Marueilous work of God, posibly that proud hirachy, had not Gott vp soe soone againe as they haue done soone, after this Good man[s] departure out of this world;132 Neuertheles wee doubt not but that God wil bring them down in his Good time; for vndoubtedly all those that will not that the Lord Jesus should Raig[n] ouer them; but ensteed therof exercise a usurped lordly power over the poor saints of God sha[ll be] brought and slaine before him; (and without Repentance) shall together with the beast and ffalse prophett be thrown into the lake burning with fier and brimstone; when Babilon [cometh into] Remembrance before God then shall the saints with the angell say thou art J[ust] and holy because [thou hast judged] these thinges for they; viz: that hord133 of Room [an]d the prelates theire ad[herents] haue shed the blood [of the saints. Give them blood to drink; for they are worthy.134] [5]

The exordium being Concluded; I shall come more Nearier my Intended purpose: viz: in Reference vnto the Church of Christ at Plymouth in New England; first begun in old England and carryed on in holland; and att Plymouth aforsaid;

Chapter I.

When by the trauell and dilligence of some Godly and Zelous Preachers and Gods blesing on theire labours as in other places of the Land soe in the North p^rtes many became Inlightened by the word of God and had theire Ignorance and sines discouered by the word135 of Gods Grace; and began by his Grace, to Reforme theire Hues and make Consience of theire wayes, the work of God was noe sooner manifest in them but p^rsently they were both scoffed and scorned by the prophane Multitude and the minnesters vrged with the yoake of Subscribption or else must be silenced; and the poor people were soe136 vexed with apparrators and Pursvants and the Comission courts as truly theire affliction was not smale; which Notwithstanding they bare sundry yeers with much Patience vntill they were occationed by the Continewance and Increase of those troubles and other meanes which the Lord Raised vp in those dayes; to see further Into thinges by the Light of the word, of God; how not onely137 those base beggerly Ceremonies were vnlawfull but alsoe that the lordly tiranous power of the Prelates ought Not to be submitted to which thuse Contrary to the ffreedome of the Gospell would load and burten mens Consiences with and by theire Compulsiue power make a prophaine mixtvre of p^rsons and thinges in the worship of God; and that theire offices and Callings Courts and Cannons &c: were vnlawfull and Antichristian being such as haue noe warrant in the word of God but the same that were vsed in Popery: and still Retained; of which a famous Auther thus writeth in his duch Comentaryes138

“Att139 the Comeing of Kinge James out of Scotland into England, the New Kinge (saith hee) found there established the Reformed Religion; According to the Reformed Religion of Kinge Edward the sixt, Retaining or keeping still the speritvall state of the bishopes &c: after the old manor much varying and differing from the Reformed Churches of Scotland ffrance and the Netherlands Emden Geneva etc whose Reformation is Cutt or shapen much Nearer the first Churches as it was vsed in the Apostles times;”

Soe many therfore of these proffessers as saw the euil of these thinges, in these p^rtes and whose harts the Lord had touched with heauenly Zeale for his truth, they shook of this yoake of Antichristian Bondage and as the Lords ffree people Joyned themselues (by a Covenant of the Lord) into a Church estate in the ffellowshipp of the Gospell to walk in all his wayes made knowne or to be made knowne vnto them according to theire best endeauors whatsoeuer it should Cost them140 and that it Cost them much paines trouble sorrow affliction and141 p^rsecution; and expence of theire estates &c this ensueing history will declare

These people became two distinct bodyes or Churches; in Regard of Distance of Place and did Congregate Seuerally for they were of seuerall townes & villages some in Nottingamsheire some in Lankishsheire142 and some of Yorksheire where they bordered Nearest together; In the one of these Churches besides others of Note was m^r John Smith a man of Able Giftes and a Good preacher whoe afterwards was Chosen their Pastour but these afterwards falling into some errours in the low Countryes, there for the Most p^rte buriyed themselues and theire Names

But in this other Church; which must be the subject of our discourse besides other worthy men was M^r Richard Clifton a Graue and Reuerend Preacher whoe by his paines and dilligence had don much Good and vnder God had bin a meanes of the Conversion of Many; and Alsoe that famous and worthy man M^r John Robinson whoe afterwards was theire Pastour for many yeers vntill the Lord [6] The Lord took him away by death; And alsoe m^r William Brewster a Reuere[nd] man who afterwards was Chosen an Elder of the Church and liued with them [until] old age; and death

Butt after these thinges they Could not longe Continew in any peacable manor but were hunted and p^rsecuted on euery side soe as theire former Afflictions; were but as molehills to Mountaines, in Comparison to these; which now Came vpon them; for some were taken and Claped vp in prisons, others had theire houses besett and watched Night and day and hardly escaped theire hands and the most were faine to fly and leaue theire houses and habitations, and the meanes of theire liuelihood yett these and many other sharper thinges which afterward befell them were Noe other then they looked for; and therfore were the better prepared to beare them by the Assistance of Gods Grace and speritt; yett seeing themselues thus Molested, and that there was noe hope of theire Continewance theire; by a Joynt Consent they Resolued to Goe into the low Countryes; where they heard was ffreedom of Religion for all men; as alsoe how sundry from London and other ptes of the land that had bine exiled and p^rsecuted for the same Cause and were Gon thither and liued att Amsterdam143 and in other places of the land;

Soe after they had Continewed together about a yeer and kept theire meetinges euery sabbath in one place or other exercising the worship of God amongst themselues, Notwithstanding all the dilligence and mallice of theire aduersaries; they seeing they Could Noe Longer Continew in that Condition they resolued to Gett ouer Into holland as they Could which was in the yeer 1607 and 1608: of which more in that which followeth;

2 Chapt

Being thus Constrained to Leaue theire Natiue Country theire lands & liueings and all theire frinds and familliar acquaintance, It was much and thought marueilious by many; But to Goe into a Country they knew not (but by hearsay) where they must learn a New Language and Gett theire Liuings they knew not how; It being a deare place and subject to the Misseryes of warr It was by many thought an adventure almost desparate, a Case Intollerable and a missery worse then death especially seing they were Not acquainted with trades nor traffick (by which the) Country doeth subsist; but had onely bin vsed to a plaine Country life and the Inocent trade of husbandry; But these thinges did not dismay them (although they did sometimes trouble them) for theire desires were sett on the wayes of God and to enjoy his ordinances But they Rested on his prouidence; and knew whom they had beleiued; yett this was not all for although they Could not stay; yett were they not suffered to Goe but the ports and hauens were shutt against them.; soe as they were faine to seeke secrett meanes of Conveyance and to see the Marrinors and Giue extreordinary Rates for theire passages and yett were they oftentimes betrayed many of them; and both they and theire goods Intercepted and surprised and therby put to Great trouble; and Charge of which I will Giue an Instance or two and omitt the Rest;

There was a Great Companie of them purposed to Gett passage att Boston in Linkensheire and for that end had hiered a shipp wholly to themselues and made agreement with the Master to be Ready att a Certaine day; and take them and theire goods in att a [7] Conuenient place where they accordingly would all attend in Reddines; soe aften longe waiting and large expences, though hee kept not the day with them yett hee came att Length and took them in In the Night, and when hee had them and theire Goods aboard, hee betrayed them haueing before hand Comploted with the serchers and others officers soe to doe, whoe took them and putt them into open boates and there Rifelled and Ransaked them serching them to theire shirts for mony, yee euen the weomen further then became Modesty; and then Carryed them backe into the Towne, and made them a spectacle and wonderment to the Multitude which came mocking on all sydes to behold them; Being thus by the Catchpole144 officers Riffled and striped of theire Mony bookes and much other goods they were p^rsented to the Majestrates and Messengers sent to Informe the Lords of the Councell of them; and soe they were comitted to ward Indeed the Majestrates vsed them Curtuovsly and shewed them what fauor they Could but Could not deliuer them vntill order Came from the Councell Table, but the Issue was that after a month Imprisonment the Greatest p^rte were dismissed and sent to the place from whence they Came; but some145 of the principall were still kept in prison and bound ouer to the Assices.

The Next spring after there was another attempt made by some of these and others made to Gett ouer att another place; and it soe fell out that they lited of a duch man att hull haueing a shipp of his owne belonging to Zealand; they made agreement with him and acquainted him with theire Condition; hopeing to find more faithfullness in him, then in the former or of theire owne Nation; hee bad them not feare for hee would doe welenough hee was by appointment to take them in between Grimsbey and hull where was a large Comon a Goodway147 distant from any towne; Now against the p^rfixed time the weomen and Children with the Goods were sent to the place in a smale barque which they had hiered for that end and the men were to meet them by land but it soe fell out that they were there a day before the shipp Came, and the sea being Rough and the weomen very148 very sick prevailed with the seamen to put into a Creek hard by where they lay on Ground att Low water The Next morning the shipp came but they were fast and Could Not stirr vntill about noone; In the mean time the shipp Master p^rseiveing how the Mater was sent his boate to be Getting the149 Men aboard whome hee150 saw walking about the shore but after the first boate full was Gott aboard and shee was Reddy to Goe for more the Master espyed a Great Companie both horse and foot with bills and Guns and other weapons for the Country was Raised to take them; The duch man seeing that, swore his Countryes Oath (Sarament) and haueing the wind faire wayed his Ancre hoysed sayles and away but the poor men which were Gott on board were in Great Distress for theire wiues and Children which they saw thuse to be taken and were left destitute of their healpes and themselues alsoe, Not haueing a Cloth to shift them with more then they had on theire backes; and some scarse apeny about them all they had being on board the barke; It drew tears from theire eyes and any thinge they had they would haue Giuen to haue bin on shore againe but all in vaine there was Noe Remedy they must thus sadly p^rte; and afterward Indured a fear-full storme att Sea being forteen dayes or more before they ariued att theire151 port; In seauen whereof they Neither saw Sun moon Nor starrs; and were driuen to the Coast of Norway the Marrinors them selues often desparring of life; and once with shrikes and Cryes Gaue ouer all as if the shipp had bine foundered in the sea, and they sinking without Recouery; But when Mans hope and healp wholly faylleth the lords power and Mercy appeered for theire Recouery for the shipp Rose againe, and Gaue the Marriners Corrage againe to Manage her; and if Modesty would suffer [8] mee I might declare with whate feruent prayers they Cryed vnto the Lord in this Gr[eat] distress especially some of them euen without any Great destraction when the water Ran in theire very ears and Mouthes; and the Marrynors Cryed out wee sinke wee sink; they Cryed if not with Miraculous yett with a Great hight of divine ffaith; yett Lord thou Canst saue yett Lord, thou Canst saue; with such other expressions as I will forbeare;152 vpon which the shipp did not onely Recouer but shortly after the violence of the storme began to abate; and the Lord filled theire afflicted Minds with such Comforts as euery one Can not vnderstand; and in the end brought them to theire desired hauen where the people Came fflocking admireing theire deliuerance, the storme haueing bin soe longe and sore; in which much hurt had bin don as the Masters frinds had Related vnto him, in theire Congratulations;

But to Returne to the others where wee left; the Rest of the men that were in the Greatest danger made shift to escape away before the troope Could Surprise them those onely staying that best might; to be assistant to the weomen but pittifull it was to see the heauy case of these poor weomen; in their destress what weeping and Crying on euery syde, some for theire husbands that were Carryed away in the shipp as it was before related; others not knowing what should become of them and theire Little ones others melted in153 teares seeing theire poor Little ones hanging about them Crying for feare and quaking with Cold; being thus apprehended they were hurryed from one place to another and from one Justice to another vntill in the end they knew not what to doe with them for to Imprison soe many weomen and Inocent Children, for noe other Cause (Many of them) but that they must Goe with theire husbands, seemed to be vnreasonable154 and all would Cry out of them, and to155 send them home againe was as difficult; for they alledged (as the truth was) They had noe homes to Goe to; for they had sold or otherwise disposed of their houses and liueings to be short after they had bin thus tormoyled, a good while and Conveyed from one Constable to another they were Glad to be Rid of them, in the end vpon any tearmes for all were wearie and tired with them; tho in the mean time the poor soules Indewred Misery enough and thus in the end Nessisitie forced a way for them;

But that I be not tedious in these thinges I will omitt the Rest; although I might Relate many other Notable passages and troubles which they Indvred, and vnderwent in these theire wanderings and trauells both att156 Land and Sea. But I hast to other thinges yett I may not omitt the fruite that Came heerby; for by those soe publick troubles in soe many eminent places theire Cause became famous, and occationed Many to Looke into the same, and theire Godly Carryage and Christian behauiour; was such as left a157 deep Impression in the minds of Many; and tho, some few shrunke; att those first Conflicts and sharp beginin[gs] (as it was noe Maruell) yett many more Came on with ffresh Corrage and Greatly anymated others; and in the end158 Notwithstanding all these stormes of159 opposition they all Gott ouer att160 length some att one time and some att another and mett together againe according to theire desires with noe smale Rejoycing;

Chapt: 3

of theire settleing in holland and theire manor of Liueing and entertainment there;

Being now Come into the Lowcountryes161 they saw many Goodly and fortified Cittyes strongly waled and Gaurded with troopes of Armed men; alsoe they heard a strange and vncouth Language and beheld the different Manors and Customes of the people with theire strange fashions and attires; all soe farr diffiring from that of theire plaine Countrye villages wherein they were bread and borne and had soe longe liued; as it seemed they were Come into a New world; but those were not the thinges they much looked on, or longe took vp theire thoughts for they had other work in hand; and another kind of warr to wage and maintain [9] ffor though they saw fair and butifull Cittyes fflowing with aboundance of all sorts of wealth and Riches, yett it was not longe before they saw the Grime and Griseled face of pouerty Comeing on them like an Armed man, with whom they must buckle & incounter, and from whom they Could not ffly But they were armed with faith and Patience against him and all his encounters and though they were sometimes foyled, yett by Gods assistance they prevailed and Gott the162 victory; Now when M^r Robinson M^r Brewster and other principall Members were Come ouer for they were of the last and stayed to healp the weakest ouer before them; such thinges were thought on as were Nessesary for theire settleing and best ordering of the Church affaires and when they had liued att Amsterdam about a yeer; M^r Robinson theire Pastovr, and some others of best descerning seeing how m^r John Smith and his Companie was alreddy fallen into Contension (with the Church) that was there before them;163 and noe meane[s] they Could vse would doe any Good to Cure the same; and also that the fflames of Contension were like to breake out in that ancient Church; it selfe as afterwards Lamentably Came to pase; which thinges they prudently foreseing; thought itt was best to Remoue before they were any way engaged [with] the same; though they well knew it would be much to the prejudice of theire outward estate both att p^rsent and in likelyhood in the future; as Indeed it proued to be; for these and some other Reasons they Remoued to Leyden a fayre and butifull Citty and of a sweet Scittuation; But made more famous by the vnivercety wherwith it is adorned in which of late ha[th] it bin, by soe many Learned men; But wanting that traffick by sea which Amsterdam Injoyed It was not soe benificiall for theire outward means of liueing and estates; but being Now heere pitched they fell to such trades and Imployments as they best Could vallueing peace and their sperituall Comfort aboue any other Riches whatsoeuer; and att length they came to Raise a Competent and Comfortable Liueing; and with hard and Continuall labour being thus settled after many difficulties they Continewed Many164 yeers In a Comfortable Condidition Injoying much sweet and delightfull society; and sperituall Comfort together in the wayes of God vnder the able minnestry and Prudent Gouerment of M^r John Robinson and M^r William Brewster who was an Assistant vnto him in the place of an elder, vnto which hee was Now Called and Chosen by165 the Church soe as they Grew in knowlidge and other Gifts and Graces of the speritt of God And liued together in peace and loue and holines; and Many Came vnto them from diuers p^rtes of England; soe as they Grew a Great Congregation; and if att any time any differences did arise or offences broke out, as it Can not be but that somtimes166 there will euen amongst the best of men; they were eue[r] soe mett with and Nipt in the head betimes or other wise soe, well Composed a[s] still loue peace and Comunion was Continewed, or else the Church purged of those that were Incurable; and Incorrigable, when after much Patience vsed noe other meanes167 would serue which seldome comes to pass yee such was the mutvall loue and Resiprocall Respect; That this worthy man had to his mock and his fflock to him, that it might be said of them168 as it once was said of that famous Emperour Marcus Aurelivs and the people of Roome; That it was hard to Judge whether hee delighted more in haueing such a people; or they in haueing such a pastor his loue was Great towards them; and his Care was alwaies bent for their best Good both for soule and body for besides his singular abillities in diuine thinges (wherin hee excelled) hee was able alsoe to Giue direccion [10] In Civill affaires and to foresee dangers and Inconveniences, by which meanes hee was [very] healpfull to theire outward estates; and soe was euery way as a Comon father vnto them, and none did more offend him; then those that were Close and Cleaue-ing to themselues and Retired from the Comon Good; as alsoe such as would be stiffe and Ridged in Matters of outward order and169 Invay against the euills of others; and yett be Remise in them selues, and not soe Carefull to express a vertuous Conversation; they in like manor had euer a Reverent Regard vnto him and had him in precious estemation as his worth and wisdome did deserue, and although they esteemed him highly whiles hee liued and laboured amongst them; yett much more after his death when they Came to feele the want of his healp and saw by woefull experience170 what a treasure they had lost of the Greife of theire hearts and wounding of theire soules, yee such a Iosse as they saw Could not be Regained for it was hard for them to find such another leader and feeder in all Respects, as the Taborites to find another Ziska; and although they did not Call themselues orphanes as the other did after his death yett they had Cause as much to Lament in another Regard, theire p^rsent Condition and after vsage; But to Returne I know not but it may be spoken to the honor of171 God and without prejudice to any That such was the humble Zeale and feruent loue of this people (whiles they thus liued together) towards God and his wayes and the single hartednes and senseer affection one towards another That they Came as Neare the primitiue Patteren of the first Churches as any other Church of these latter times haue don; according to theire Ranke and qvallitie; But seeing it is not my purpose to treat of the seuerall passages that befell this people whiles they thus liued in the low Countryes, which might worthyly Reqvire a large treatice of it selfe; But to manifest somthing of theire begining and after progresse in New England which I principally Scope, and aime att; yett because some of theire Adversaries did vpon the Rumer of theire Remoueall Cast out Slanders against them; as if that State had bine weary172 of them; and had Rather driuen them out as the heathen histories did faine of Moses and the Israellits when they went out of egipt; then it was theire owne free Choise and motion; I will therfore mention a p^rticular or two to shew the Contrary; and that Good acceptation they had in the place and first altho it was low with many of them yett theire word would be taken amongst the duches when they wanted mony, because they had found by experience how Care full they were to keep theire word; and saw them soe painefull and dilligent in theire Callings that they stroue to Gett theire Customes, and to Imploy them aboue others in theire work for theire honesty and dilligence;

Again174 the Majestrates of the Cittey about the time of their Coming away or a little before in the publick place of Justice Gaue this Comendable Testimony of them in Reproffe of the Walloones (whoe were of the ffrench Church) in the Cyttey; these English (said they) haue lived amongst vs now this 12 yeers; and yett wee Neuer had any suite or accusation Came against them; but youer striffes and qvarrells are Continuall &c:

In these times alsoe were the Great troubles Raised by the Arminians whoe as they Greatly molested the whole state soe this Cittey in p^rticular, in which was the Cheiffe Vniversitie soe as there was dayly and hott disputes in the Scooles therabouts and as the Students and other learned were deuided in theire opinnions heerin; soe were the two professours or diuinity Readers themselues, the one daely teaching for it, and the other against it; which Grew to that passe that few of the desiples of the one would heare the other teach; But M^r Robinson although hee taught thrise a weeke himself and wrott sundry bookes besides his Manifold paines otherwise; yett hee went Constantly to heare theire Readings and heard as well one as the other; by which means hee was soe well Grounded in the Controversy and saw the force of all theire175 Arguments and knew the shifts of the Adversary; and being himself very able, Non was fitter to buckle with them then hims[elfe] as appeered by sundry disputes, soe as hee began to be terible to the Arminions [11] which made epescopious176 the Arminian Proffesor to put forth his best strength and sett out sundry thesies which by publick disputes hee would defend against all men; Now Poliander177 the other professor and the Cheiffe preachers of the178 Citie desired M^r Robinson to despute against him but hee was loth being a stranger yett the other did Importune him and tould him that such was the abillitie and Nimblenes of witt of the Adversary that the truth would suffer; if hee did not help them soe as hee Condecended and prepared him self against the time; and when the time came the Lord did soe healp him to defend the truth and foyle his Adversary; as hee put him to an apparent Nonplus in this Great and publick Audience; and the like hee did two or three times vpon such179 like occations the which as it caused many to praise God that the truth had soe famous a victory soe it procured him much honor and Respect from those Learned men and others which loued the truth; yee soe farr were they from being weary of him and his people or desireing theire absence, as that it was said by some (of noe mean Note) That were it not for Giveing offence to the State of England they would haue prefered him otherwise if hee would, and allowed them some publick fauor yee when theire was speech of theire Remouall into these pts: sundry of Note and eminensy of that Nation would haue had them Come vnder them and for that end made them Large offers; Now although I might alledge many p^rticulars and examples of the Like kind to shew the vntruth and vnliklihood of this Slaunder yett these shall suffice seing it was beleiued of few being onely Raised by the Mallice of Some whoe lahovred theire disgrace;

The 4^th Chapt:

shewing the Reasons and Causes of their Removall180

After they had liued in this Citty about eleuen or twelue yeers; (which is the more) (obseruable) being the whole time of that famous truce181 between that state and the Spainiards; and sundry of them were taken away by death and many others began to be well stricken in yeers; the Graue mistris Experience haueing taught them many things; these prudent Gou^rnors with sundry of the sagest members began both deeply to apprehend theire p^rsent dangers; and wisely to foresee the future and think of timly Remedy in the agitation of their thoughts and much discovrse of p^rticulars heerabout; the began to encline to this Conclusion of Removall to some other place Not out of Any New fangleednes or other such like Giddy humer by which men are many [time]s Transported to theire Great hurt and danger but for sundry waighty and sollid Reasons; the Cheife of which I will heer Resight and breifly touch; and first: they found and saw by experience the hardnes of the place and Country to be such as few in comparison182 would Come to them and fewer that would bide it out; and Continew with them; for many that cam to them and many more that desired to be with them Could not Indure the Great labour and hard fare with other Inconveniencyes which they vnder went and were Contented with; But though they loued theire p^rsons and approued theire Cause and honored theire sufferings, yett they left them as it were weeping as orpha did her mother in law Naomy; or as those183 Romans did Catoe in vtica whoe desired to be excused; and borne with: though they could not all be Catoes;

1 for many though184 they desired to Injoy the ordinances of God in theire purity and the libertie of the Gospell with them yett alas they admitted of Bondage with danger, of Consience Rather then to Indure these hardshipps; yee some prefered and Chose prisons in England Rather then this libertie in holland; with these afflictions; but it was thought that if a beter and easier place of liueing Could be had it would draw many and take away these discurragements, yea theire Pastour would oftens say that many of those that both write and preached now against them if they were in a place where they might haue libertie and Hue Comfortably they would then practice as they did

2 They saw that although the people Generally bore all theire difficult [ies] very Chearfully and with a Resolute Currage being in the best of theire strength yett old age began to Come on some of them; and theire Great and Continewall labours with other Crosses and sorrowes hastened it before the time; soe as it was not onely probably thought, but apparently seen that within a few yeers more they were in danger to scatter by Nessesitie pressing them; or sink vnder theire burdens, or both; and therfore according to the diuine proverb; That a wise man seeth the Plague when it Cometh and hydeth himself proverbes 22:3 soe they like skilfull and beaten souldiers were fearfull either to be Intrapped or surrounded [12] by theire enimies; soe as they should neither be able to ffight nor ffly and therefore thought it better to dislodge betimes to some place of better advantage and lesse danger if any Could be found;

3 As Nessesitie was a task Master ouer them; soe they were fforced to be such not onely to their servants but in a sort to theire dearest Children, the which as it did a little wound the tender harts of many a loueing father and mother soe it produced alsoe many sad and sorrowfull effects for many of theire Children that were of best dispositions and Graciouse Inclinations; haueing Learned to beare the yoake, in theire youth and willing to beare part of theire parents burden were often times, soe oppressed with theire heauy Labours; that although theire minds were ffree and willing; yett theire bodyes bowed vnder the waight of the same and became decriped in their early youth the vigour of Nature being Consumed in the very bud (as it were) But that which was more lamentable and of all sorrowes most heavy to be bourne was that many of theire Children by these occasions and the Great lysenciousnes of youth in the Country, and the manyfold temptations of the place were drawne away by euill examples vnto extrauigant and dangerouse Courses Getting the Raines on theire neckes and departing from their parents some became souldiers others tooke vpon them farr voyages by sea and other some, worse Courses tending to desolutenes, and the danger of theire soules to the Great Greiffe of theire parents and dishonor of God soe that they saw theire posteritie would be in danger to degenerate and be Corrupted;

Lastly and which was not the185 least a Great hope and Inward Zeal they had of laying some Good foundation or att least to make some way thervnto for186 the propagateing; and advanceing the Gospell of the kingdom of Christ in those Remote p^rtes of the world, yee, though they should be but as stepping stones vnto other, for p^rforming of soe Great a worke;

These and some other like Reasons moued them to vndertake this Resolution of their Removall the which they afterward procecuted with soe Great difficulties as by the sequell will appeer;

The place they had thoughts on were some of those vnpeopled Countryes of America which are fruitfull and fitt for habitation being devoid of all Civill187 Inhabitants, where ther are onely salvage and brutish people which Range vp and downe little otherwise then the wild beasts; this proposition being made publi[ck] and Comeing to the scaning of all it Raised many variable oppinions amongst men, and Caused many feares and doubts amongst themselues; some from theire Reasons and hopes Conceiued; laboured to stir vp and Incurrage the Rest to vndertake and procecute the same; others againe out of theire feares objected against it; and sought to divert from it, alledging many thinges and those neither vnreasonable nor vnprobable; and that it was a Great designe and subject to many Inconceivable p^rrells and dangers as besides the causaltie[s] of the seas (which none can be freed from) the length of the voyage was such as the weake bodyes of men and weomen and such other p^rsons worne out with age and travill (as many of them were) could neuer be able to Indure; and yett if they should; the miseryes of the land which they should be exposed vnto would be to hard to be bourn and likely some or all of them to Consume and vtterly to Ruinate them; for theire they should be188 lyable to famine and Naked[nes] and the want in a Manor of all thinges; the Changing of the189 aire diatt and drinking of water would Infect theire bodyes with sore sicknesses and all tho[se] which should escape or ouercome these difficulties should yett be in Contin[ual] danger of the salvage people whoe are Crewell190 Barbarous and treach[erous] [13] being most furious in theire Rage and Mercyles where they ouercome not being Content onely to kill and take away life, but delight to torment men in most bloody Manor that may be; fflaying men alive with the shells of ffishes Cuting of the Joynts and members of others by peece meales; and broyling them on the Coles; and causing men to eate the Collopps of theire fflesh in theire sight whiles they liue; with other Creweltyes horible to be Related; and surely It could not be thought but the hearing of these thinges: could not but moue the bowells of men to Grate within them and mak the weak to qvak and tremble It was further objected that, it would Require Greater sumes of mony to furnish such a voiage; and to fitt them with Nessesaries then theire estates would amount to; and yett they must all as well look to be seconded with supplies, as p^rsently to be transported; alsoe the like p^resedents of ill successe and lamentable Miseryes befallen others in the like191 designs were easey to be found and not forgotten: to be alledged, besides theire owne experience in theire former troubles and hardshipps in theire Removall into holland, and how hard a thinge it was for them to liue in that strange place although it was an Naighbour Country; and a Ciuill and Rich Comon wealth;

It was Answared that all Great and honorable Actions were accompanied with Great difficulties; and must be both enterprised and ouercome with Answarable Currages, It was Granted the dangers were Great but not desparate, and the difficultie were many192 but Not Invincible, for although there were Many of them likely yett they were not Certaine; It might be that some of193 the thinges feared might Neuer befall them. Others by prouidence Care and the vse of Good meanes might in a Great Measure be prevented; and all of them through the healp of God by fortitude and patience;194 might195 either be bourne or ouercome; true it was that such Attempts; were not to be made and vndertaken but vpon Good Ground and Reason, Not Rashly or lightly as many haue don for Curiossety or hope of Gaine &c: But theire Condition was Not ordinary theire ends were Good and honorable theire Calling lawfull and vrgent; and therefore they might expect a blessing of God in theire proceeding yee although they should loose theire liues in this action yett they might haue Comfort in the same; and theire Indeauors would be honorable.196

They liued heer but as men in exile and in a poor Condition; and as Great Misseryes might posibly befall them, in this place, for the 12 yeers of truce were now out,197 and there was Nothing but beating of drums and preparing for warr, the euents whereof are alwaies vncertaine; the spainiard might proue as Crewell as the saluages of America; and the famine and pestilence as sore heer as theire and theire libertie lesse to look out for Remedy After; Many other p^rticular thinges answared and alledged on both sydes It was fully Concluded by the Major part to put this designe in execution and to procecute it by the best meanes they could.

The 5^th Chapt:

[s]hewing what [m]eanes they [used] for [prepa]ration to [this] [w]aithty voiage198

And first after theire humble prayers vnto God for his direction and Assistance And a Generall Conferrence held therabouts; they Consulted what p^rticular place to pitch vpon; and prepare for; some and none of the meanest had [14] had thoughts and were earnest for Goyanna or some of those fertile places in hott Clymetts others were for some p^rtes of Verginnia where the English had alreddy made enterance and begining, those for Goyanna alledged that the Country was Rich fruitfull and blessed with a p^rpetvall springe; and a fflorishing Greenes; wher vigorous Nature brought forth all thinges in aboundance and plentey without any Great Labour or art of man soe as it must Needs make the Inhabitants Rich, seeing lesse prouision of Clothing and other thinges would serue them then in more Colder and lesse fruitfull Countryes must be h[ad] as alsoe that the spainyards haueing much more then they Could, posesse had not yett planted there nor any where very Neare the same;

But to this it was Answared that out of qvestion the Country was both fruitfull and pleasant and might yeild Riches and maintenance to the posessors more esely then to199 other yett other thinges Considered it would not be soe fitt; and first that such hott Countryes are subject to Greevious diseases and many Noysome Impediments, which other more tempara[te] places are freer from and would Not soe well agree with our English bodyes; againe if they should there liue and doe well the Jealious spaniyard, would Neauer suffer them longe but would displant and ouerthrow them, as hee did the ffrench in fflorida whoe were settled further from his Richest Countryes; and the sooner because they should haue None to Protect them and theire owne strength would be too smale to Resist soe Potent an enimie soe Neare an Naighbor,

On the other hand for Verginnia200 it was objected that if they liued amongst the English which were theire planted, or soe Near them as to be vnder theire Gou^rment they should be in as Great danger to be troubled and p^rsecuted for theire Cause of Religion as if they liued in England (and it might be worse and if they) liued to farr of, they should neither haue succor or defence from them;

And att length the Conclusion was to liue in a distinct body by themselues vnder the Gener[al] Gov^rment of Verginnia; and by theire ffrinds to sue to his Ma^tie that hee would be pleased to Graunt them free liberty, and ffredom of Religion; and that this May be obtained they were put in Good hope; by some Great p^rsons of Good Rank and qval[ity] that were made theire ffrindes;

Whervpon two were Chosen and sent into England att the Charge of the Rest [to] sollissit this matter whoe201 found the Verginnia Companie very desirous to haue them Goe thither, and willing to Graunt them a Pattent with as ample privilid[ges] as they had or could Graint to any, and to Giue them the best furtherance they C[ould] and some of the Cheiffe of the Company doubted Not to obtaine theire suite of the king for libertie in Religion and to haue it Confeirmed vnder the Kinges broad sea[l] according to theire desires but it proued a harder peece of work then they tooke it for; for although many meanes was vsed to bring it aboute yett it Could not be effe[cted] for there were diuers of Good worth laboured with the Kinge to obtaine it among[st] whom was one of his Cheife Secretaries;202 and some other wrought with the arc[h] Bishop to Giue way thervnto, but it proued all in Vaine; yet thus farr, they prevaile[d] in sounding his Ma^ties Mind, that hee would Conive att them, and Not molest them prouided they Carryed themselues peacably; But to allow or tollerate them by his publick authoritie vnder his seale, they found it would not bee; and this was all that the Cheefe of the verginnia Company or any other of theire best frinds Could do in the Case; yett they p^rswaded them to Goe on for they p^rsumed they should not bee troubled and with this answare the messengers Returned and signifyed what dilligen[ce] had bin vsed and to what Issue thinges were Come;

But this made a damp in the business and Caused som destraction for many wer[e] affraid that if they should vnsettle themselues put offe their estates and Goe vpon the[se] hopes It might proue dangerous and but a sandy foundation; yee it was thou[ght] they might better haue presumed heervpon without makeing any suite att all th[en] haueing made it to be thus Rejected; but some of the Cheifest thought othe[rwise] [15] And that they might well proceed heervpon and that the Kinges Ma^tie was willing enough to suffer them without molestation though for other Reasons hee would not Confeirme it by any publick acte; and furthermore if there was Noe securitie in this promise Intimated there would be noe great Certainty in A further Confeirmation of the same for if afterward there should be a purpose or desire to wronge them though they had a seal as broad as the house flore It would not serue the turne for there would be means enough found to Recall or Reverse it; and seeing therfore the Course is probable they must Rest heerin on Gods Prouidence as they had don in other thinges;

vpon this Resolution other Messengers203 were dispatched to end with the Virginia Companie as well as they Could and to procure a patent with as Good and ample Conditions as they might by any Good meanes Attaine as alsoe to treat and Conclude with such Marchants and other frinds as had manifested theire forwardnes to provoak to and adventure in this voyage for which end they had Instructions Giuen them vpon what Conditions they should proceed with them or else to Conclude Nothing without furder advice; and heer it wilbe Reqvisite to Insert a letter or two that may Giue light to these proceedinges

Ann^o: 1626

this yeer Robinsons death; further brought them notice of the death of theire [a]ncient frind [m]^r Cushman whom the lord tooke away [a]lsoe this yeer [a]bout this time whoe was as theire Right hand with theire frinds the Adventerours and for diuers yeers had don and agitated all their busines [wi]th them to theire Great Advantage328

About the begining of Aprill Capt: Standish whoe was sent our agent for the Collonie to the Marchant adventerors to this Collonie in England329 Ariued in New England; Welcome hee was; but the News hee brought was sad in Many Regards but especially in Respect of the Great losse of our former worthy Pastour of whose death hee was the first that brought the sad tidinges therof which struck our Church and the Godly heer with much sorrow and sadnes as they had Great Cause;330 his and theire adversaries had bin Longe and Continewally ploting how they might hinder his Coming hither But the Lord had appointed him a better place Concerning whose death and the Manor therof; It will appeer by these few lines writt to the Gou^r and m^r Brewster;

[Thus] these two Great [princes] and theire Pastour [left] this world neare about [one] time; death makes noe [differe]nce;

[A] few poems made by a frind on the deplored death of m^r John Robinson the worthy Pastour of the Church of God att Leyden as followeth

About Ann^o: dom 1628 a Certaine young man Came ouer to be a Minnester to the peop[le] heer whether att the motion of some frinds or Noe I well know not, but am sure is with[out] any Invitation from the Church for they had smarted; by m^r Lyford soe as they desir[ed] to know the p^rson well whome they should Invite amongst them his Name was m^r Roger[s] but they p^rseiued vpon some tryall that hee was Crased in his braine soe they were fai[n] to be att further Charge to send him back againe the Next yeer and lose all the Charge that was expended in his hither bringing; which was not smale; and after hee departed hee Grew qvite destracted;

About this time Not long after m^r Rogers his departure; one m^r Ralph Smith and his wif[e] and family Came ouer into the Massachusetts Bay and sojourned att p^rsent with th[e] stragling people which liued at Nantaskett; heer being a boate off this place put in there on some occation; hee earnestly desired they would Giue him and his pas[sage] for Plymouth and som such thinges as they Could well Carry; haueing before hear[d that] there was likelyhood hee might procure housrome for some time vntill hee should [r]esolue to settle if hee might there or elswhere as God should dispose for hee [was w]eary of being in that vncoth place and in a poor house that would Neither [keep him n]or his Goods dry soe seeing him to be [a Grave man] and [understood] hee had bin a Minnester [though they had no order for any shuch thing, yet they presumed and brought him. He was here accordingly kindly entertained and housed, and had the rest of his goods and servants sente for, and exercised his gifts amongst them, and afterwards was chosen into the ministrie, and so remained for sundrie years.] [33]

In Ann^o 1629 a Considerable Number of the bretheren of the Church which were le[ft] in holland were Transported ouer to vs that were of the Church in New England which although it was att About 500^lb charge yett it was bourne Chearfully by334 the poor bretheren heer Concerned in It; alsoe about that time seuerall Godly p^rsons; some wherof had bin of m^r Laythorps Church in England and others alsoe Came to vs out of England; soe that wee. becaime through the Goodnes of God pretty335 Numerous and were in the best estate Respecting the Church that wee had as yett bine in New England; Althoug for minnestry it was low with vs;336 for as was before Noted; they had Chosen m^r Ralph Smith fore Named to be theire Pastour yett hee proued but a [poor] healp337 to them in that being but of very weake338 p^rtes in the [ ] of the Minnestry; onely they had a Great healp by theire Reuer[ed] m^r Brewster whoe was well Accomplished with Gifts and G[ ] for such worke; they had alsoe some Good healp by a Godly y[ ] Called m^r Roger Williams of whom I would Craue libertie to [ ] a few words;

M^r Roger Williams A man Godly and Zealous (saith m^r Brad[ford] haueing Many p^rsious p^rtes but very vnsettled in Judgment) Came o[ver first] to the Massachusetts but vpon some discontent; left that place and Came [hither] where hee was frindly entertained according to theire abillitie and exer[cised] his Gifts amonst them; And after some time was Admitted a Member [of the] Church and his teaching well approued for the benifitt thereof (saith h[e) I] Still blesse God and am thankefull to him euen for his sharpest Adm[onitions] & Reproffes soe farr as they agreed with truth; hee this yeer fell [into] some strange oppinions; and from oppinion to practice, which caused some Controuersye between the Church and him; and in the end some disconten[t] on his p^rte; By occation wherof hee left them somthing abruptly; yett afterwards sued for his dismission to the Church of Salem which w[as] Graunted with some Caution to them Concerning him but hee339 soon fell into more thinges there both to theire and the Gou^rments trouble and disturbance I shall not need to Name p^rticulars they are to well knowne now to all though for a time the Church here went vnder some hard sensures by his occation from some that afterwards smarted themselues; But hee is to be pittied and prayed for; And soe I shall leaue the matter and desire the lord to shew him his errors and Reduce him into the way of truth and Giue him a setled Judgment and Constancy in the same; for I hope hee belongs to the Lord;

Wheras seuerall of those which Came from Leyden Came ouer in the shipps which Came to Salem where m^r Indicott had Cheiffe Command and by Infection which Grew amongst the passengers; It spread alsoe in them on shore; of which many died some of the Scirvey and [others of] Infectious340 feauors which Continewed somtime amon[gst them] though our people through Gods Goodnes escaped vpon wh[ich occasion] hee wrote to Plymouth for some healp vnderstanding that th[ere was one] that had skill that way and had Cu[red divers of the scurvie] and others of other deseases by lett[ing blood and other means] [vp]on which his Request [the Governer here sent him unto them, and also write to him, from whom he received an answere; the which, because it is breefe, and shows the begining of their acquaintance, and closing in the truth and ways of God, I thought it not unmeete, nor without use, hear to inserte it; and another showing the begining of their fellowship and church estate ther.] [34]

This 2cond letter sheweth the proceedings in theire Church affaires att Salem which was the second Church erected in these p^rtes and afterwards the Lord aded many more in sundry other places;

[35]

A few ꝑticulars more Concerning the proceedings of our Reuerend frinds In the bay of the Massachusetts, whoe were lately Come ouer I thought it not amise heer to Insert then soe farr as p^rtenent to the p^rsent purpose and may be vsefull for after times;

[36]

This yeer the people of the Plantation of Plymouth began to Grow in theire outward estates by Reason of the fflowing of Many people into the Country especially into the Bay of y^e Massachusetts by which meanes Corne and Cattle Rose to a Great prise by which many were Inriched and Comodities Grew plentifull; and yett in other Regards theire benifitt turned to theire hurt and this accession of strength to theire weaknes for Now as theire stockes Increased and the Increase vendable; and the feare of the Indians taken away there was Noe longer any holding of them together, But now they must of Nessesitie Goe to theire Great lotts; they Could Not other wise keep theire Cattle; and haueing oxen Growne they must haue Land for plowing and tillage and Noe man now thought hee could liue except hee had Cattle and a Great deale of Ground to keep them, all striueing to Increase theire stockes, by which meanes they were scattered all ouer the bay quickly and the towne in which they liued Compactly vntil Now was left very thine and in a short time almost desolate; and if this had bin all it had bin lesse tho to much But the Church must alsoe be deuided; and those that had liued soe longe together in Christian and Comfortable ffellowshipp must Now p^rte and suffer Many deuissions; first those that liued on theire lotts on the other syde of the bay (Called duxburrow) they could not long bring theire wiues and Children to the publick worshipp and Church meetings heer but with such burthen, as Growing to some Competent Number they sued to be dismised and become a body of themselues; and soe they were dismised about this time though very vnwillingly, and somtime after being vnited into one Intire body they procured Reuerend m^r Ralph Partrich to be theire Pastour; and m^r William Leuerich alsoe was with them att the same time and preached the word of God amongst them but hee stayed Not longe amongst them ere hee Remoued to Sandwich and was teacher of the Church there a Considerable time; and after the death of holy m^r Partrich; It pleased God to send a preciouse Gospell preacher amongst them Namely m^r John holmes; whoe liued and died alsoe with them and since his death the lord Raised vp another precious man: viz: m^r Ichabod Wiswell of whom345 there is Great hopes for a Continuewed succession of346 healp in the minnestry to that poor fflock of Christ whom God soe Greatly honored as they were Neuer long without a Minnister of Christ to preach the Gospell vnto them;

But to touch this sad matter of the Churches p^rteing as hath bin said and to handle thinges together that fell out afterward; To preuent any further scattering from this place of the Towne of Plymouth; and weakening of the same; It was thought best to Giue out some Good ffarmes to speciall p^rsons that would promise to liue att Plymouth; and likely to be healpfull to the Church or Comon wealth; and soe to tye the lands to Plymouth as farmes for the same; and there they might keep theire Cattle and tillage by some servants and Retaine theire dewllings heer; and soe some speciall Lands were Graunted; att a place vsually Called Greensharbour where noe allotments had bin in the former diuision a place very well Meddowed and ffitt to keep and Rear Cattle Good store; But alsoe this Remedey proued worse then the desease for within few yeers those that had Gott footing there; Rent themselues away p^rtely by fforce and p^rtely by wearing the Rest with Importunitie and please of Nessesitie; soe as they must either suffer them to Goe or liue in Continuall opposition and Contension; and others still as they Conceiued them selues straightened or to want accommodation broak away vnder one pretence or other thinkeing theire347 owne Conceiued Nessesitie and the example of others a warrant sufficient for them; and this I feare wilbe the Ruine of New England att least of the Churches of God there348 and prouoke the Lords displeasure against them;

This Church of Marshfeild (aboue Called Greensharbour) was began and afterwards Carryed on by the healp and Assistance (vnder God) of m^r Edward Winslow; whoe att the first procured seuerall Welsh Gentlemen of Good note thither with m^r Blinman a Godly able Minnester349 whoe vnanimously Joyned together in holy ffellowshipp or att least were in a likely way thervnto; but some desentions fell amongst them which Caused a p^rteing; Not longe after and soe the hopes of a Godly societie, as to them was; frusterated; Not long after those that went from Plymouth (with that Godly Gentleman m^r Willam Thomas) keeping vp a Comunion; It pleased the lord to send vnto them a faithfull and able preacher of the Gospell Named M^r Edward Buckley whoe was Chosen theire Pastour and; officiated in that place very profittably diuers yeers; but350 att last hee left them and went to a place Called Concord in the351 Gou^rment of the Massachusetts; and a Considera[ble] time after the lord Raised vp and sent another faithfull servant of his whoe proued able and well fitted for the worke of the Minnestry m^r Samuell Arnold by Name who Remaines amongst them for theire speciall Comfort in the worke of the minnestry [37]

About that353 time or a little before that the Church of duxburrow became a distinct body from the Church354 of Plymouth; the Towne of Scittuate began and seuerall of the Church of Plymouth Repaired thither, and seated them selues there;355 att which time M^r Timothy hatherly Came out of England with his family; and356 seated him self there alsoe; and seuerall others Godly ones of other places especially diuers out357 of Kent Repaired thither; these all Joyned together and became a Comfortable and exemplary Church of God; and the Lord sent vnto them that preciouse servant of his, M^r John Laythorp whoe Came to them out of Great p^rsecution358 and hee became theire Pastour; to which office hee was Indowed with a Competent measure of Gifts and eminently Indowed with a Great Measure of brokenes of hart and humillitie of sperritt hee was much honored of the most as hee well deserued;359 after some time a Considerable p^rte of the Church went from Scittuate to Barnstable and theire pastour fornamed with them, where they liued diuers yeers in Gospell order and were very exemplary for the life of Grace and power of Godlynes; But which is sad to Relate soone after the death of theire Godly Pastour fore Named; a sad desention fell amongst the Members of that Church soe as it Caused a Scisme and deuison amongst them, which Notwithstanding the Great Indeauors of diuers Churches both in360 the Bay and att home, in our owne Collonie; by sending theire Elders and Messengers whoe took great paines in the Controuersye to settle it, yett it Could not; for a longe time be healed and settled; vntill the lord Raised vp that worthy servant of his M^r Thomas Walley whom the lord sperited for that work and blessed his Indeauors soe therin as that soone after his Coming amonst them the Controuersyes were settled; and theire Comunion Revnited, to theire Generuall and Mutuall satisfaction and the Rejoyceing of the harts of the saints Round about them; and soe Remained vnto the death of the said m^r Walley whoe361 not longe after ended his life362 amongst them; and still they Remaine a Church of God in peace and loue vnto this day

But to Returne with a word or two Concerning those of the Church that were left att Scittuate whoe became a distinct body from the Rest viz: those that went to Bastable as afor said; and they had the healp of seuerall preachers to teach them as M^r Charlse Chauncye whoe was theire Pastour a Considerable time; and seuerall others363 taught the word of God vnto them in the vacansye of Minnestry; and the last in office ouer them;364 before the writing heerof was M^r Nicholas Baker whoe was a faithfull able dispencer of the word, and Pastour of theire365 soules, whoe after much dollorus paine, ended his life amongst them, and is Reaping the fruites of his labours and att the writing heerof, there is another preacher Come vnto them one m^r Lawson that exercyseth amongst them;

But to Returne againe vnto p^rticulars more Imediately Concerning the Church of Christ att Plymouth

This yeer M^r Ralph Smith layed downe his place of Minnestry p^rtely by his owne willingnes as thinking it to heauy a burden and p^rtely att the desire and by the p^rswasion of others; and the Church sought out for some other haueing bine often disappointed in theire hopes and desires heertofore; and it pleased the Lord to send them an able and a Godly man; and of a Meek and humble sperite sound in the truth and euery way vnreprouable in his life and Conversation whoe after some time of tryall they Chose for theire Teacher, the fruites of whose labours they Injoyed many yeers with much Comfort in peace and agreement; m^r John done m^r Willam Paddy John Cooke deacons Afterwards John donham added

In the time when m^r Smith aboue named was Pastour the Church was disirous to procure another to be healpfull vnto him in the Minnestry, and for that end sent by M^r Edward Winslow, bound then for England to procure them an able man for that purpose, and was prouided of one (as hee hoped) to Come ouer with him366 viz: one m^r Glouer a very able dispencer of the word; but hee ended his life in London before hee Came on board; and afterwards by prouidence m^r Winslow367 mett with M^r John Norton368 whoe (it seemes) was then Intended to Come for New England and soe did in the same shipp m^r Winslow Came ouer in with whom hee369 had treaty Concerning our Case; hee Came into the harbour of Plymouth and there Ariued;370 it being the setting in towards winter; hee stayed vntill the March follow[ing] and371 then went into the Bay and Returned noe more but entertained an Invitation to Ipswich and372 after the death of M^r Cotton hee Came to Boston and was teacher of the old Church vntill his death thus this poor Church was put by theire hopes, and expectations Concerning these men and373 theire healps [38]

After m^r Reyner had bin in place a Considerable time It was desired374 that m^r Charles Chauncey a Reuerend man should be Invited whoe being a very Godly and learned man they Intended vpon tryall to Choose him Pastour of the Church heer for the more Comfortable p^rformance of the minnestry with m^r John Reiner the Teacher of the same; But there fell out some difference about baptising hee holding it ought onely to be by diping and puting the whole body vnder water and that sprinkleing was vnlawfull the Church yeilded that Imercion or diping was lawfull but in this Could Country not soe Convenient; But they Could not Nor durst not yeild to him in this that sprinkleing which all the Churches of Christ doe for the most p^rte att this day practice was vnlawfull and an humaine Invension as the same was prest; But they were willing to yield to him as farr as they Could and to the vtmost and were Contented to suffer him to practice as hee was p^rswaded; and when hee came to Minnester that ordinance hee might doe it to Any that did desire it in that way prouided hee Could peacably suffer m^r Reyner and such as desired it to haue theires otherwise baptised by him by sprinkleing or powering on of water vpon them; soe as there might be Noe disturbance in the Church therabouts; But hee said hee could not yeild thervnto upon which the Church procured some other minnesters to dispute the point with him publickly as m^r Ralph Partrich of duxburrow whoe did it sundry times; ably and sufficiently; as alsoe some other minnesters within this Gou^rment But hee was Not satisfyed; soe the Church sent to many other Churches to Craue theire healp and advice in this matter; and with his will and Consent sent them his Arguments written vnder his owne hand; they sent them to the Church of Boston in the bay of Massachusetts to be Comunicated with other Churches there alsoe they sent the same to the Churches of Conecticott and New hauen with sundry others; and Receiued very able and sufficient Answares as they Conceiued from them and theire Learned Minnesters; who all Concluded against him; But himselfe was not satisfyed therwith; theire Answars are to large heer to Relate; They Conceiued the Church had don what was meet in the thinge; soe m^r Chauncye haueing bin att Plym: the Most p^rte of three yeers; hee Remoued himself to Scittuate where hee for sometime Remained a Minnester to the Church there; alsoe about these times Now the Cattle and other thinges began Greatly to fall from theire former Rates and p^rsons began to fall into more straights and Many being alreddy Gon from vs as is Noted before both to duxburrow Marshfeild, and other places and those of the Cheife sort as m^r Winslow Capt: Standish and M^r Alden and Many other[s] and still some droping away dayly and some att this time, and many more vnsettled It did Greatly weaken the place and by Reason of the straightnes and barrenes of the place it sett the thoughts of Many vpon Remouall; &c.:

Now followeth that which was matter of Great sadness and mourning vnto this Church about the sixteenth of375 Aprill in this yeer died theire Reuerend Elder376 our dear and loueing friend m^r Wiliam Brewster377 A man that had don and suffered much for the Lord Jesus and the Gospells sake, and had borne his p^rte in weale and woe with this poor p^rsecuted Church aboue thirty six yeers in England holland and in this wildernes and don the Lord and them faithfull seruice in his place and Calling; and Notwithstanding the many troubles and sorrowes hee pased throw the lord vpheld him to a Great age hee was neare fourscore yeers of age (if not all out) when hee died hee had this blessing aded by the lord to all the Rest to die in his bed in peace amongst the middest of his frinds whoe mourned and wept ouer him; and minnestered what healp and Comfort they Could vnto him and hee againe Recomforted378 them379 whiles hee Could; his sicknes was not longe, vntill the last day therof; hee did not wholly keep his bed; his speech Continued vntill som what more then half a day and then fayled him; and about 9 or 10: of the Clock that euening hee died without any pange; att all a few houres before; hee drew his breath short; and some few minutes before his last hee drew his breath long as a man fallen into a sound sleep without any panges or Gaspings, and soe sweetly departed this life vnto a better,

I would now demand of any what hee was the worse for any former sufferings what doe I say the worse Nay surely hee was the381 better and they now aded to his honor*382 [39]

It is383

Christian and beloued Reader I humbly Craue Libertie heer to Interpose a few lines in this vacant place of this book Concerning384 an other passage of Gods Prouidence as followeth; Not Ionge after the decease of our Reuerend Elder m^r William Brewster And the Reuerent M^r John Reiner left allone in the minnestrey The Church saw Cause to adde vnto him;385 another Ruleing Elder and Pitched theire thoughts on M^r Thomas Cushman whoe was the son of that worthy servant of Christ M^r Robert Cushman of whom honorable mension is elswher made in this Book; the said M^r Cushman Jun^r: being by Generall Consent aproued elected and ordained to that worthy office and function for which hee was Competently fited and prepared by the Lord; and386 Longe after his election Itt appeered that there was Great Nessetie of this gracious healp; for our Teacher leaueing vs as is alsoe elswhere mensioned; troubles Came on apace Not to mension againe the troubles which were occationed by some of the Church of Barnstable which was blowne vp by John Cooke and others fore Named There arose a p^rverse sect Called Quakers whose tenetts and principles (if I may soe call them) are and may ezely be demonstrated to be heretticall and abominable; and then and att seuerall other times did strike att the very being (or att least the welbeing of the Church soe as) it was much Indangered But the Lord healped vs vnanimously to withstand these Incendiarys of mischiffe; soe as by the mutuall and faithfull healp of this our worthy and beloued Elder with the Concurrance of seuerall other of the bretheren; Itt plased the Lord to387 vphold vs in our Integrety and in a Constant withstanding and opposeing of those horred and damable tenetts; although wee were att this time as sheep without a minesteryall Shephard; and diuers of our ablest brethern fallen asleep in the Lord; to our Great losse and detriment; yee att such a time alsoe as this efficacy of delusion grew very preuelent to the p^ruerting and turning aside of diuers outsyde proffessors from the wayes of God; and wee desire this specialty of Gods good prouidence and protextion; may Neuer be forgotten but that the Lord may haue all the praise and Glory thereof; for how ezely might these woulues in sheep clotheing haue Ruined this poor fflock of Christ, if the Lord had not Interposed with his Almighty power and Goodnes; Improeing this our Good Elder as a speciall Instrument in this worthy worke both by teackeing the will of God euery Lords; day for a Considerable time both plainly pouerfully and profitable and seconding the same by a blamles life and Conversation; blessed be his holy Name foreuer and euer; In a word this blessed servant of Christ is a good man (as was388 said of Barnabas)389 & full of the holy Goast; expressed by both Commication390 and Conversation;391 and hath bin a good healp to this poor flock of Christ and being striken in yeers and noe doubt Reddy prepared for the Coming of his Lord; stands Redy for his Gracious Recompence of Reward which is layed vp for all those that loue his appeering;

Good Reader lett not the Reading of this digression hinder the serious Reading of what followes in the followeing pages Respecting our other beloued Elder M^r Brewster fore Named; (or what else is enserted in this booke) the blame of the misplaceing of this discours in this page I willingly owne take &393 to be my ouersight and weaknes of Memory; I pray you take Notice of the starrs placed the one att the foot of the foregoeing page and the other to the head of the following page; and they will bring you into youer way againe; and if394 euer this book be either Transcribed or printed I hope it wilbe Remembered to be enserted in it Right place; [40]

* It395 is a manifest token saith the Apostle 2 thesalonians 1: 5: 6: 7: of the Righteouse Judgment of God that wee may be Counted worthy of the kingdom of God for which yee alsoe suffer seing it is a Righteouse thing with God to Recompence tribulation to them that trouble you; and to you whoe are troubled Rest with vs when the Lord Jesus shalbe Reveiled from heauen with his mighty angells; and 1 peter 4th: 14 If you be Reproched for the Name of Christ happy are yee for the sperit of God and of Glory Resteth vpon you;

What tho hee wanted the Riches and pleasures of the world in his life and Pompiouse moniments att his funerall yett the memoriall of the Just shalbe Blessed when the Name of the wicked shall Rott; prou: 10: 7:

I should say somthing of his life; if to say a little were not worse then to be silent But I Can not wholy forbear; tho happily more may be don heerafter; after hee had Attained some learning viz: the knowlidge of the lattine toungue and some Insight in the Greeke; and spent some smale time att Cambridge; and then being first seasoned with the seeds of Grace; and vertue hee went to the Court and serued that Religious and Godly Gentleman m^r dauison diuers yeers when hee was Secretary of State whoe found him soe discreet and faithfull as hee trusted him aboue all other that were about him; and onely Imployed him in matters of Greatest Trust and Secrecye; hee esteemed him Rather as a son then a servant and for his wisdom and Godlines (in private) hee would Converse with him more like a famillyar then a Master; hee Attended his master when hee was sent in Ambassage by the Queen; into the Low Countryes (in the Earle of Lecesters time) as for other waighty affaires of State; soe to Receiue posession of the Cautionary townes;396 and in token and signe therof the kees of fflushing being deliuered to him in her Ma^ties Name; hee kept them some time and Comitted them to his servant; whoe kept them vnder his pillow on which hee slept the first night; and att his Returne the states honored him with a Gould Chaine and his Master Comitted it to him and Comaunded him to weare it as they397 ariued in England as they Rode through the Country vntill they Came to the Court; hee afterwards Remained with him vntill his troubles when hee was put from his place about the death of the Queen of Scots and some Good time after doeing him many offices of service in the time of his troubles; afterwards hee went and liued in the Country in Good esteeme amongst his frinds and the Good Gentlmen of those p^rtes especially the Godly and Religious; hee398 did much Good in the Country where hee liued in promoting and furthering Religion; and not onely by his practice and example and prouoking and Incurraging of others; but by procuring of Good preachers to the places therabouts and drawing on of others to Assist and healp to399 forward in such a worke; hee himself most Comonly deepest in the Charge; and somtims aboue his Abillitie, and in this State hee Continued many yeers doeing the best Good hee Could; and walking according to the light hee saw vntill the Lord Reveiled further vnto him; and in the end by the tirany of the Bishopps against Godly preachers and people in silenceing the one and p^rsecuting the other; hee and many more of those times began to looke further into p^rticulars and to see into the vnlawfulnes of theire Callings and the burden of many Antichristian Corruptions; which both hee and they Indeauored to Cast of; as they alsoe did; as in the beginning of this treatis is to be seen;400 after they were Joyned together into Comunion; hee was a speciall stay and healp to them they ordinarily mett att his house on the lords day (w^h was a manor of the Bishopps) and with Great loue hee entertained them when they Came makeing prouision for them to401 his Great Charge and Continewed soe to doe whiles they Could stay in England; and when they were to Remoue on out of the Countrey hee was one of the first in all adventures and forwardest in any hee was the Cheife of those that were taken att Boston in lincolnesheire and suffered the Greatest lose; and of the seven that were kept longest in prison and after boun[d] [41] bound ouer to the Assises After hee Came into holland hee suffered much hardshipp after hee had spent the most of his meanes haueing a Great Charge and Many Children; and in Regard of his former breeding and Course not soe fitt for many Imployments as others were, especially such as were toilsome and laboriouse yett hee euer bore his Condition with much Cheerfulnes and Contentation towards the latter p^rte of those 12 yeers spent in holland his outward Condition was mended and hee liued well and plentifully for hee fell into a way by Reason hee had the lattin toungue to teach many students whoe had a desire to Learne the English tongue to teach them English and by his Meathod they quicldey Attained it with great facillitie for hee drue Rules to learne it by after the lattine manor; and many Gentlemen both danes and Germaines Resorted to him as they had time from other studdies some of them being Great mens sons hee alsoe had meanes to sett vp printing (by the healp of some frinds and soe had Imployment enough and by Reason of many bookes which would not be allowed to be printed in England they might haue had more then they Could doe; But now Remoueing into this Country all these thinges were layed402 Aside againe and a new Course of liueing must be framed vnto In which hee was Noe way vnwilling to take his p^rte and to beare his burden with the Rest liueing Many times without bread or Corne many monthes together; haueing Many times Nothing but ffish and often wanting that alsoe; and drank Nothing but water for many yeers together yee vntill within fiue or six yeers of his death; and yett hee liued (by the blessing of God) in health vntill very old age and besides that hee would labour with his hands in the feilds as longe as hee was Able; yett when the Church had noe other Minnester hee taught twise euery sabbath and that both powerfully and profittably to the Great Contentment of the hearers and theire Comfortable edification yee many were brought to God by his Minnestry; hee did more in this behalfe in a yeer; then many that haue theire hundreds a yeer doe in all theire liues; for his p^rsonall Abillities hee was quallifyed aboue many; hee was wise and discreet and well spoken haueing a Graue deliberate vtterance; of a very Cheerfull speritt very sociable and pleasent amonst his frinds of an humble and modest mind of a403 peacable disposition vndervallueing him selfe and his owne abillities and somtimes ouervalluing others Innofensiue and Innocent in his life and Conversation which Gained him the loue of those without as well as those within; yett hee would tell them plainly of theire faults and euills both publickly and privately But in such a manor as vsually was well taken from him; hee was tender harted and Compassionate of such as were in Missery but especially of such as had bin of Good estate and Ranke and were fallen into want & pouertie either for Goodnes and Religions sake or by the Injury and oppression of others; hee would say of all men these deserued to be most pittied; and none did more offend and displease him then such as would haughtely and proudly Carry and lift vp themselues being Risen from Nothing; and haueing little else in them but a few fine Clothes or a little Riches more then others; In Teaching hee was very stiring and moueing the affections alsoe very plaine and distinct in what hee taught; by which means hee became the More proffitable to the hearers hee had a singulare Good Gift in prayer both publick and private in Riping vp the hart and Consience be fore God in the humble Confession of sin and beging the mercyes of God in Christ for the p^rdon therof hee alwayes thought it404 were better for Minnesters to pray oftener and devid theire prayers then to be longe and tediouse in the same except vpon sollemne and speciall occations as on dayes of humilliation and the like, his Reason was that the405 hart and speritts of all especially the weake Could hardly Continew and stand bent (as it were) for longe towards God as they ought to doe in that duty without fflaging and falling of; for the Gou^rment of the Church which was most proper to his office; hee was Carefull to preserue [42] preserue Good order in the same and to preserue puritie both in the doctrine and Comunion of the same and to suppresse any errour or Contention that might begin to Arise amongst them and accordly God Gaue good successe to his Indeauors heerin all his dayes and hee saw the fruite of his labours in that behalf but I must break off haueing thus touched a few heads406 of thinges407

I Can not but heer take occation not onely to mension but Greatly to Admire the marveilous prouidence of God that Notwithstanding409 the many Changes and hardshipps that this poor Church and people went through; and the many enimies they had and difficulties they mett withall that soe many of them should liue to very old age Itt was not onely this Reuerend mans Condition but many more of them did the like;410 some dieing about and before this time and many still liueing whoe attained to sixty yeers of age and to sixty fiue diuers to 70 and aboue; and some Neare 80 as hee did It must needs be more then ordinary and aboue Naturall Reason that it should be for it is found in experience that Change of aire famine or vnwholsome ffood much drinking of water sorrowes and troubles &c: all of them are enimies to health Causes of many deseacs Consumers of Naturall vigour and the bodyes of men and shortenors of life; and yett of all these thinges they had a large p^rte and suffered deeply in the same they went from England to holland where they found both worse aire and diett when411 they Came from thence Induring a longe Imprisonment as it were in the shipps att sea into New England and how it hath bin with them heer hath alreddy bin showen and what Crosses troubles feares wants and sorrowes they haue bin lyable vnto is easey to Conjecture soe as in some sort they may say with the Apostle 2 Cor: 11: 26 27 “They were in Journeyings often in p^rrills of waters in p^rrills of Robers in p^rrill[s] of theire owne Nation, in p^rrills amonge the heathen in p^rrills in the wildernes in p^rrills in the sea in p^rrills amongst ffalce bretheren in wearines and painfulnes in watching oftens in hunger and thirst in fasting oftens in Could and Nakednes.”

What was it that vpheld them; It was Gods visittation that vpheld their speritt[s] Job the 10^th and 12 Thou hast Giuen mee life and Grace and thy visitation hath preserued my speritt hee that vpheld the apostle vpheld them they were p^rsecuted but not forsaken Cast downe but p^rrished not 2 Cor 4: 9: as vnknowne and yett knowne as dying and behold wee liue; as Chasted and yett not killed

God it seemes would haue all men to behold and obserue such mersyes and workes of his Prouidence as these are towards his people that they in like Cases might b[e] Incurraged to depend vpon God in theire tryalls and alsoe to blesse his Name when “they see his Goodnes towards others; Man liues not by bread onely” dutrino: 8:3 It is not by Good and dainty fare by peace and Rest and harts ease in Injoying the Contentments and Good thinges of this world onely that preserues health and prolonges life God in such examples would haue the world see and behold that hee Can doe it without them; and if the world will shutt theire eyes and take noe Notice therof; yett hee would haue his people to see and Consider daniell Could be better likeing with pulse then others were with the kinges dainties Jacob tho hee went from one Nation to another people and passed through famine feares and412 many afflictions yett hee liued vntill old age and died sweetly and Rested in the lord; as many others of Gods servants haue don and still shall doe; through Gods Goodnes Notwithstanding all the Mallice of theire enimies when the Branch of the wicked shalbe Cutt of before his day Job 15: 32: And the bloody and413 deseitfull men shall not liue half theirs dayes: Psa: 55: 23:

When the Church Came away out of holland they brought with them one deacon M^r Samuell ffuller whoe officiated in that office amongst them vntill his death hee was a Good man and full of the holy speritt; hee died before our Reuerend Elder before Named; And the Church saw Cause to Chose two others to that office: (viz:) Richard Masterson and Thomas Blossom two holy men; whoe were experienced saints; the said Richard Masterson haueing bin officious with p^rte of his estate for publick Good; and a man of Abillitie as a second steuen to defend the truth by sound argument Grounded on the scriptures of truth; and the other alsoe414 Competently accomplished with abillities in that behalfe these two blessed saints liued not longe after they were Cosen but Changed this life for a better within a little time one after another; [43]

Many haueing left this place (as is before noted) by Reason of the straightnes and barrenes of the same and theire finding of better accomodations elswhere more suitable to theire ends and minds; and sundry others still vpon euery415 occation desiring theire dismissons the Church began seriously to think whether it were not better Joyntly to Remoue to some other place then to be this weakened, and as it were Insensibly desolued many meetings and much Consultation was held therabouts; and diuers mens minds and oppinions some were still for staying together in this place (viz: wher Plymouth was then seated) alledging men might heer liue416 if they would be Content with theire Condition and that it was not for want or Nessesitie soe much that they Remoued as to Inrich them selues, others were Resolute vpon Remouall and soe signifyed that heer they Could not stay but if the Church did not Remoue they must417 In soe much as many were swayed Rather then there should be a desolution to Condecend to a Remouall, if a fitt place Could be found that might more Conveniently and Comfortably Receiue the whole with such accession of others as might Come to them for theire better strength and subsistence and some such like Cautions and limitations; soe as with the aforsaid prouisoes a Greater p^rte Consented to a Remouall to a place Called Nawsett which had bin superffishally viewed; and the Good will of the purchassers (To whom it belonged) obtained with some addition therto from the Court, But now they began to see theire418 errour that they had Giuen away alreddy the best and most Comodious places to others and Now wanted them; them selues for this place was about 50 miles from hence; and att an outside of the Country Remote from all societie; alsoe that it would proue soe straight as it would not be Competent to Receiue the body much less to be Capeable of Any addition or Increase soe as att least in a short time they should be worse there then they were Now heer these with sundry other like Considerations and Inconveniencies made them Chang theire Resolutions, but such as were before Resolued vpon Remouall tooke advantage of this Agreement and went on Notwithstanding Neither could the Rest hinder them they haueing made some begining; and thuse was this poor Church left like an Ancient Mother Growne old and forsaken of her Children (tho Not in theire affections) yett in Regard of theire bodily p^rsence and p^rsonall healpfulnes; her ancient members being most of them worn away by death; and these of latter times being like Children translated into other families; and shee like a widdow left onely to trust in God thuse shee that had made many Rich, became her selfe poor;

The Principall of the Members that then Remoued was that honorable Gentleman m^r Thomas Prence whoe went away with seuerall others of the Church who were very desirable and they became a body of themselues destinct from the Church of Plymouth, and settled att Nausett; by them Named Eastham; and in some succes of time being destitute of Minnestry419 there being two in office of minestry att Barnstable, they obtained M^r John Mayo the Reuerend Teacher of that420 Church; to Goe ouer to them, and hee became theire Teacher; afterwards; which is sad to Relate) some differences and Controuersies falling out amongst them, M^r Mayo left them and went to Boston; and was in office in the Minnestrey in the second Church of Boston wherof421 Reuerend M^r Mather is Teacher; but the said M^r Mayo Growing aged422 and vnable to Carry on his office hee Remoued into this Collonie; and liued neare Yarmouth and Not longe after, fell asleep in the lord; after these thinges m^r Barnabas Chauncye was sollisetted to Goe ouer to healp them but hee being a weake man and Insuffient for such worke, soon left them, and seuerall of the members of theire Church, went away to New Garnsey; Neuer the lesse it pleased God to Raise them vp another one M^r Samuell Treate, a Godly able man; whoe hath and doth Carry on the worke of the lord amongst them; soe as they Remaine an exemplary fflock of Christ att this day; [44]

By the vnderworkeings of some enimies to the Churches in New England the following Comission was procured of his Ma^tie Charles the first Kinge of England &c: wherby the Reader may vnderstand, enimies haue bin att worke formerly to destroy that plante which was planted by the Lords Right in this Wildernes What the Reason was that it was not put in execution I Can not learne M^r Bradford is altogether silent Concerning it; surely it was the lords work in a speciall manor; and it is and ought to be Marueilous in our eyes and wee ought to Render praises to his holy Name for the same; I haue transcribed it into this book that after ages may Improue it as an experiment of Gods Goodnes to this poor Church att Plymouth whoe with the other Churches In New England was In as Great danger to share423 in drinking as deep of this bitter Cupp as any other; if the Lord had not preuented it; in a way to mee vnknowne;

In Anno 1635 M^r Edward Winslow went for England; and being occationed to Answare som Complaints made against the Country att the Councell bord more Cheifley Concerning theire Naighbors in the Bay then themselues heer the which hee did to Good effect and further procecuting such things432 as might tend to the Good of the whole as well them selues as others, about wronges and Incroachments that the french and other Strangers had made; hee preferred his petition respecting the premises to the Right honorable the Lords Comissioners for the Plantations in America; the Contents whereof I willingly omitt heerwith to Insert as being not soe suitable to our present purpose; but rather to take Notice of such p^rticulars as were occationed thereby p^rtenent to our p^rsent worke

In order whervnto the Reader may take Notice that the Petition M^r Winslow prefered respecting the p^rmises; was accepted with most of theire lordshipps and hee was heard Sundry times by them; and appointed further to attend433 for an Answare from them especially haueing vpon Conference with them; Proposed a way how the p^rticulars hee petitioned for, might be effected without any Charge or trouble to the State &c

But this Crossed both Sir ffardinandoe Gorges and Capt. Masons and the Archbishopp of Canterberrys ends by them aimed att:434 for Sir ffardinandoe Gorges by the Archbishopps fauor, was to haue bin sent ouer Generall Gou^r into the Country and to haue had meanes from the State for that end and was now vpon dispatch and Conclusion of the busines; and the Archbishopps Purpose by this means and some hee should Imploy for that Purpose to be furnished with ePiscopall power to disturbe the peace of the Churches heer in New England, and to ouerthrow theire proceedings and further Grouth which was the thinge hee Aimed att; But it soe fell out by Gods Prouidence, That altho hee in the end Crosed this Petition from takeing any further effect in this Kind; yett by this as a Cheiffe Meanes the plott and whole busines &c Sir fardinandoe fell to the Ground and Came to Nothing; when M^r Winslow should have had his suite Graunted (as Indeed upon the Point it was) and should have bine Confeirmed the Archbisshop put a stopp vpon it; and m^r Winslow thinking to Gett it freed went to the board againe But the Bishop Sir ffardinandoe and Capt. Mason had as it seems procured (Morton of whom mensioned is Made before, and his Abusiue Carriage) To Complaine To whose Complaints M^r Winslow Made answare to the Good Satisfaccion of the Auditers: viz Lords foremensioned whoe Checked the said Morton and rebuked him sharply; and alsoe435 blamed Sir fardinandoe Gorges and Mason for Countenanceing him; But the bishop had a further end and vse of his Presence for hee Now began to question M^r Winslow of Many things436 as of Teaching in the Church Publickely of which Morton Acused and Gave evidence that hee had seen and heard him to doe it;437

To which M^r Winslow Answared That somtime wanting a minnester hee did438 exercise his Gift to healp the edification of his bretheren when they wanted better meanes [48] which was not offtens,

Then about Marriage which hee alsoe Confessed that haueing bine Called to place of Majestracy hee had sometimes married some, and further told thire Lordshipps, that Marriage was a Ciuill ordinance And hee found noe wher in the word of God, that it was tyed to minnestry, againe they were Nessesitated soe to doe; haueing for a longe time together att first noe minnester; besides; it was noe new thinge for hee had bin soe married himselfe in holland, by the Majestrate in theire Statehouse but in the end to be short, for these and such like thinges the Bishope by vehement Importunitie procured theire Lordshipps Consent to his Comittment; soe hee was Comitted to the ffleet and lay there 17 weekes (or thereabouts) before hee Could Gett a Releasment and this is the end of this Petition and this busines; onely the other designe was alsoe frusterated heerby with other things Concurring which was noe small blessinge to the Churches and people of God in New England,

In Ann^o: 1637

There arived one Samull Gorton att Boston and Came to Plymouth and vpon his first Comeing thether gaue hopes that hee would have proued a vsefull Instrument but soon after discouered himselfe to be a proud and pestilent seducer and deeply leauened with Blaspemous and familisticall opinions, and obserueing that some of his speritt were alreddy in the Country hee takes his oppertunity to sow some such seed att Plymouth wherby some were seduced in special one John Weekes and his wife whoe in some short time became very Atheists439 and were Cast out of the Church for theire abominable opinions; by which said damnable opinions seurall young folkes440 belonging to the Church had like to have been Carryed asside into the pathes of darknes, from Plymouth hee went to Rhod Island & his accomplices some of them, with him whoe were some of them Cast out for the said oppinions; wherof the Reader may haue a full Intelligence, as in the margeant you are directed

In some time (as I take it) after the aboue Named busines about Gorton; by Reason or occation of the before mensioned deuision and decention of the Church of Barnstable441 one of the Church of Plymmouth whoe was formerly a deacon therof; fell into the error of Anabaptistry442 and falling in with some of those that Carried on that Scismaticall deuison; att length was Called in qvestion by the Church; and Continewing in his obstanacye and seqvestration from the Church Comunion att times of sollemne worshipp was alsoe Cast out of the Church and soe Remaineth vntill this day;

This John Cooke although a Shallow man became a Cause of trouble and decension in our Church and Gaue Just occation of theire Casting of him out; soe that Sollomon words proued true in him that one Sinner destroyeth much Good444

Not very longe after this, one Samuell hickes a member of the Church445 began to be vnsetled about seuerall of the ordinances of Jesus Christ; and qvestioned seuerall of them about baptising of Infants singing of Psalmes and seurall other p^rtitulars; which occationed the Calling of the Church together; and being destitute of any in Minnesteriall office they446 were Nessesitated to appoint seuerall of the ableest of the447 bretheren to Cleare vp the truth against the said qveryes; which Implyed opposition to the truth, and although as in the prouerbe it is ezier for a Child yea a foole to Cast Stones into a well then for a wise man to Gett them out;448 In which Respect it had ben better to haue qvelled and stiffled such qvestions Rather; then to haue disputed them;449 It being a Maxeme amonge logitians, that hee that denyes (and by like Reason) qvestions his principles is not worthy to be Reasoned with all, (as450 this unsettled man did) yett this occationed some good, for hereby the451 orthodox were put upon more strict enquiry452 into such grounds as the Lord in his holy word afords vs, for defence of his Sacred truthes and holy appointments, which I hope became proffitable in Rooting and Grounding them therin and although Notwithstanding there may appeer some weaknes in those answares that were made; yett the Lord was pleased to blesse them for the silenceing of such Cauills as did453 about those times arise from him and others; and to a more firmer establishment of454 many I hope in the present truth, and hopeing that some future Benifitt may Redound vnto surviueing Sainsts; if Noe otherwise yett that by the weaknes which Abler Christians may deserue in the p^rusall of those Answares they may be prouoked to Contribute theire healp as oppertunitie may present to more full and satisfactory Answares and therfore as followeth [49] haueing lately Receiued a Paper from our brother Samuell hickes Containing severall qveryes to the Number of455 14 in which hee Reqvireth a p^rticulare text of Scripture by vs to be produced for our practice wee haue Indeauored through the healp and Assistance of God, to Give our Grounds taken out of the Scriptures of truth Respecting the thinges by him mensioned as followeth

1 Youer first Concerning Aposteles if you meane by Apostles such Apostles as the 12 Apostles of the lambe wee affeirme that there is Noe Ground to expect any such for these Reasons following

1 Because those apostles of Christ were Called Imediately by the Lord Jesus and the name Given by him as appeers Luke the Sixt: 13; which by the way take Notice that it is presumption for any to assume that title; or for any to Call any soe but such as Christ hath soe Named; That such were Imediately Called will appeer by these Scriptures following 1 Gall: 1 mat: 10^th: 2: mark 3:14:

2 Reason taken from theire worke which was as Respecting other p^rticulars soe to beare witnes to the Resurrection of Christ Actes 1:22: as Christ appointed them actes 1:8: and yee shalbe witnesses vnto mee both in Jurusalem and in all Judea and Samaria and vnto the vtmost p^rtes of the earth; which agreeth with Actes 10: 39 and 40 41: 42; him God Raised vp the third day; and shewed him openly not to all the people but vnto witnesses Chosen before of God euen to vs whoe did eate and drinke with him after hee arose &c compare heerwith 1 Cor:9:1: and 15:18:

3 Reason because they were Infallibly Assisted in declaring the mind of Christ soe as they Could not ere; and whatsoeuer they wrote or spake in the said p^rticulars were the Comaundements of the Lord Jesus Mathew 28: 20 1 Cor 11:23 and 14 Chap: 37 and whoseuer shall bringe any other Godpell hee shall Acursed Galla: 1:8: God alsoe bearing them wittnesses both with signes and wonders and Gifts of the holy speritt heb: 2:4: And as Concerning the 4th to the ephesians and the 12 &c though wee say that the Apostles are seased in theire p^rsons yett not in theire doctrines; To be short wee Conceaue of456 That text thus that all the457 Minnestryes are fruites of Christs assention; and doe still Continew for the p^rfecting of the saints Pastours and Teachers being p^rte of that Minnestry in the Church hath and doth still Injoy all the minnestryes Christ hath appointed for it which suiteth with458 Jude the 1 the faith once delivered to the saints and Jude 17: the p^rmises duely Considered there is Noe Nessesitie to expect any such459 for the foundation of the Christian Church is laid alreddy by the m^r Builders 1 Cor: 3: 10: 11: heb: 6:1:

Qu^r 2 What forme of460 Couenant the people of God made when they owned the truth in the primetiue times

Answar That the Churches in the New Testament were Constitued by Couenant appeers in that the p^rmitiue Christians walked in holy fellowship together with Admonition and exclusion as occation Required which Nessesarily presuposeth a Couenant according to actes the461 second462 42: Acts the 9:26:

2 how can two walk together except they be Agreed Amos 3:3:

3 The destinction of Churches soe as the Church of Corenth was not the Church of ephesus and soe of the Rest; and the members of one Church were Not the Members of another Collo:4:12: Rom. 16:1: and vnto this agree that which wee haue Ps. 50:2: 2 Cron: 15:12:

Query 3 Whether463 singing of Psalmes in a booke be a worshiping of God in speritt and truth seeing the Apostle saith singing in the speritt praying in the speritt 1 Cor: 14:15

Answare Wee Answare that it is a Worshiping of God in speritt and truth Rightly to singe Psalmes: viz: Scripture Psalmes;

1 Because the Matter of them is Sperituall appointed to be sunge as being Indited by the speritt of God and Named Psalmes himes and sperituall songes Ephe 5:19 Collo:3:16: [50]

2 for the manor Respecting the Internall affection It is with Grace in our harts making mellodie to the Lord in our harts Ephe: 5:19: Collos: third 16:

3 It is sperituall worshipp because it is Comaunded of God 2 Cron:29:30:

4 Query if I may worshipp God in sperit & truth singing out a booke why may I Not worship God in praying out of a booke

Answ: 1 by the way take Notice that wee Conceiue it to be a Great Contempt Cast upon the Scriptures of Truth to parraleel singing of Psalmes which are a p^rte of the holy Scriptures Indited by the holy Speritt of God with Invented formes of prayers printed in bookes made by wee know not464 whoe

2. The proportion of this youer Consequence or Inference hold not; of praying and singing Respecting the externall action; for in prayer wee speake to God but in singing wee speake465 to466 ourselues and one another by Admonishing our selues and one another Collosi 3:16:

If to singe be to pray; then euery one that singeth prayeth which Can not be respecting the externall acte of one467 or the other; for if one should be asked whoe cometh from a Congregation in468 Sperituall exercise what are they about; if hee should Answare they are praying, when they are singing would hee469 not be Judged by all to speake falsely; wee say respecting the externall acte onely; and soe by like Reason to say470 they are singing when they are praying; which were not soe Rediculus if to singe were to pray as the objecters; Asertion seemeth to Infer;

3 The proportion holds not; in Respect of the externall actions of singing and praying because the Psalmes all of them are matter of Instruction; yee many of them471 are not in the Least deliuered prayer wise as Psalms 78:49:45: and Many others;

5 qvery about Singing wherein a Scripture is Reqvired to proue a mixed Multitude singing doe worship God in speritt and truth seeing that it is said that the prayers of the wicked are abomination to the Lord;

Answ: Wee say that that the Churches of Christ472 are Intire in theire worshipp, and actes of Sperituall473 worshipe may be p^rformed in A mixed Multitude Exod 15:1: Comp with exedo 12:38: and exodu: 14: last: 1 Cor: 14:23:24:25; And wee know not that the p^rsence of any such as you Name doth or Can defile the worship of God more in singing than in saying Amen to the prayer of the faithfull; or any other p^rte of sperituall worship such as are prophane are noe more prohibited from p^rforming actes of worshipp, by that Scripture you alledge then to Give ouer theire lawfull Callings because the plowing of the wicked is sin;

2 Wee find in the holy Scriptures an Insightment vnto all to singe praises to God as Psalmes 100:1: and 117, and wher God Insights wee see Noe Reason to prohibite; Besides wee doe not qvestian but that many of those that are. Not in Actuall Comunion in Church order may and doe p^rforme many actes of sperituall worship, acceptable to God through Jesus Christ;

6 Query about the Churches power to ordain theire owne officers;

Answ: Wee Answare the Church hath eqvall power to ordaine as

well as to elect theire owne officers election and ordaination are Joined together acts 14:23: what the Apostles did it is plaine they did it not without the Churches but with them; the Church elected the Apostles might acte with them in election as the Church acted with them in ordaination;

2 It is in the Churches power to elect theire officers acts the sixt soe alsoe to ordaine being both encluded in that power Christ hath Giuen to his Church; otherwise election would be Rendered alto Gether fruitles and to noe purpose because election is presedent to ordaination and474 ordination noe other than a designation of the p^rson elected to his office;

7 To the Next about ordination whether ordination be a bare Impty thing yee or Noe; wee Cannot but Maruell that our brother should make such a qvery; are any of Christs Institutions empty thinges ordination is noe475 empty thinge; yett laying on of hands in this Case noe such thinge that Confers476 Gifts to places and Callings vnto any; further then such an one being Rightly according to God Called and ordained in such a way as Christ hath appointed by prayer &c there may be expected a blessing of God vpon his owne appointment; [51]

2 wee answare that Gifts and qvallifacations suitable to minnestrs477 of the Gospell befiting theire worke Can not be Confered by ordination because they are to be known before election478 to haue Gifts fitt for it and ordination; 1 tim: 3: 1 titus 7:

Qvry 7 A Scripture to prove the baptising of Infants

Answ: Wee Answare that Infants of beleiueing parents are to be baptised is Cleared by the Tenure of Gods Couenant made with the faithfull and theire seed as appeers Genesis 17th; which Couenant made with Abraham was the Couenant of Grace and of the Gospell Gall: 3:17479 and that this was the Couenant of the Gospell Appeers plainely because the seale of it: viz: Cercomsission is expressly Called the seale of the Righteousnes that is by faith Rom: 4:11 the promise is; that beleiuers; Now as the Infants of the Jewes were Capable subjects of Cercomsission in theire Infancy soe the Infants of beleiueing parents are fitt subjects for baptisme; which is the seale of the Righteousnes which is by faith the promise is to beleiuers and theire seed and to as many as the lord our God shall Call Actes the 2:39 Esai 65:23: 1 Cor:7th: 14: else were youer Children vnclean but now are they holy Rom: 11:16; if the Root be holy soe are the brances besides seuerall other places that proue480 the Churches both of Jewes and Gentiles*481 ephesi 3: 6: ephe: 2:16: John 10:16:482 wee demaund of those that Scruple this truth; lett them if they483 Can Giue vs one hint out of the Scriptures of Gods excluding such out of his Couenant as were once Included within the same; and if not how then dare any vndertake to doe it without Comission from God; Wee are Not wholly Ignorant that much hath bin spoken and written by many about this p^rticular which Giues vs to thinke that it is not so much want of Light as of Loue to the truth that occations this query att this time;

8 Query A text to proue an officer of a pticular Congration to adminnester the seale of Baptisme

Answ you might as well haue taken the other seale; for the Reason stands as well to Scruple484 the one as the other;

That a minnester of a Congregation is to Adminnester the seales of the Couenant p^rticularly Baptismee; wee proue because it is to be dispenced by the minnestry that Christ hath Giuen to his Church mat: 28: last Apostles and evangelists were Christs minnestry and they baptise I Cor 1:14:: 16: Acts 8^th thirtenth and: 38: p^rticular officers as Pastours and Teachers are Christs minnestry and therfore it is theire worke to baptise; Christs minnesters are to Baptise but Pastours and Teachers are Christs Minnesters Ephe 4:11 Therfore Pastours & Teachers are to Baptise

2 it is the worke of Pastours and Teachers Minnesterially to feed the fflock is proued acts 20:28: now feeding Consisteth Not onely in preaching the word though principally but alsoe in Adminnestring the seales of the Couenant of Grace and otherwise alsoe; it being a Reall feeding to the Soule to haue the seale of Baptisme aplyed to it in such a way and by such a minnestry as Christ appoints: viz: Pastours and Teachers;

9 Query; A Scripture for a man to take a text of Scripture for Carrying on the whole exercise;

Answ Wee propose that text of our Sauiour his takeing the book of the Prophett Eaiah luke 4:17:18 Acts, and actes the second and actes 13: from the 16 &c 20^th & acts the 7th if the questian hath Reference to such as exercise Not by office; wee answare for our p^rtes that wee Can scarce Gett one to healp att a time and it is Not likely; that two or three wilbe ordinarily prouided; but to Remove the scruple Respecting ourselues wholy out of doubt; if such as Scruple the Carrying on of an exercise by one if they be pleased to speak to edification on such a time as one or more may speak after; wee suppose, that none wilbe Greiued att it; [52]

Quri 10 Wher wee haue a Scripture to proue that the world should be compelled to maintaine the Churches officers

Ans. It is not knowne to be the Churches Judgment; and wee are sure it Neuer was theire Practice; and for vs to meddle in that which doth not Concerne vs wee should heerby declare our selues to be busy in that which is Needles as from vs;

Query 11 A Scriptures that the officer of the Church should Stand vp to pronounce a blessing and whether Christ be Not the onely blesser of his People;

Wee Answare by destinckson

1 That Christ is the onely efficient and absolute blesser of his People wee willingly owne and that for that end hee was sent Actes the 3:26 being a p^rte of the office of Christ his preisthood to blesse vs by turning euery one of vs from our Iniquities;

2 Wee owne a prophetticall pronounceation of blessing Gen 27 Gen: 49 dutrinomy 33: which wee Affeirme is seased and ended; with such times as in which such prophetts and Patriarkes liued as declared such blessings by way of prediction;

3 More p^rticularly to the Case in hand wee affeirme there is a declaratiue blessing Implying and Carrying alonge with it a prayer for a blessing of God vpon the people according to 2 Cor: 13:14: Compared with heb: 13: 20: in which places with many others the Apostles declare wish vnto and pray for a blessing to the saints vnto whom they wrote theire Sacred Epistales; and vsually Closed them with the same exemplary to the Minnestry of the Gospell for the Closing and finishing; of theire Religiouse exercises;

4 But more p^rticularly and expresse to the Case is that famous Presedent wee haue Numbers the sixt 24:25:26: where by divine Institution; the Preists the sones of Aron Called the Minnesters of the Lord Joell the second; and 17^th are Comaunded to blesse in a treble declaration therof; wherin is couched a deuine Mistery of the holy trenity suitable to what wee haue 2 Cor: 13: last: the Grace of our Lord485 Jesus Christ the loue of God and the Comunion of the holy speritt; further lett the fornamed Numb:6:23: be seriously Considered in the expressions on this wise yee shall blesse the Children of Israeli saying vnto them; which vndoubtedly must be att theire holy Convocations; when Congregated in the Name of the Lord; for Religious worship for how Could the Preists blesse them and say vnto them; vnlesse Congregated486 together and what time more Convenient then att the Periode of Religiose exercises; when God hath mett with his people and blessed them there for the minnesters of Christ to487 pronounce488 them blessed and they shalbe blessed;

But if objection should be made that this was Cerimoniall and tipifyed Christ the high Preist of his Church whoe blessed his People as aforsaid wee Answare that although the Preists of old were tipes of Christ and in sundry of theire adminnestrations Tipicall yett they were Really the minnesters of God in theire times as hath bin proued; alsoe in diuers p^rticulares exemplary in theire practices to the minnesters of the Gospell; there being489 Many thinges in Comon to be practised as Comon to them both; in Adminestrations490 as minnesters of God as Prayer preaching of the word and soe alsoe that manor of blesing of which wee haue bin treating

Lastly incase the minnesters of Christ should be prohibited to pronounce and declare and pray for a blessing on the people of God in such sort; this were to straighten the times of the Gospell; and the fulnes of the blessings491 therof; and to make them Inferior to the times of the law in this Respect; vnder which the blessings of the Gospell were vaild492 vnder darke shaddowes; [53]

Query 12 A Scripture for any to sett vp a vissible Church and ordinances without a minnestry sent from God to fitt them and Call them to that worke;

Answar that none May soe doe is a truth in A true sence viz that none may sett vp a Church worship or ordinances vnlesse seing themselues fited prepared and Called by the doctrines of the Propetts and Apostles whoe were extreordinarily Inspired from on high and Comissionated to teach the saints whatsoeuer Christ the Lord has appointed them Matt 28 is a manifest truth and for any to practice otherwise then by direction of those493 Master Builders were high presumption; But if wee haue Moses and the prophetts Christ and his Apostles theire doctrines and directions to be our Guides in the premises which wee judge to a most sure way for vs to Attend; Rather then to expect men extreordinarily Inspired or any such as may or doe pretend to be Indowed with Apostollicall Gifts and Revelations being wee haue soe sure a word of prophesie to Guid vs in such work; whervnto if wee take heed wee shall vndoubtedly doe well; wee might add that for many ages the saints have not wanted diuers exelent Instruments of which many might be Named whoe vndoubtedly were Raised vp of God and; and directed by his word and speritt and haue bin preciouse Lights in Goeing before the saints in such worke although not pretending to and boasting of Apostollicall Gifts and Reuelations;

To the Question about the Sabbath as followeth

That wee keep it by Comaundement of men wee detest as that which is abominable and our soules hate; to keep the seauenth p^rte of time wee owne that it is according to Gods Comaund; and whether you Call it the sabbath the first day of the weeke or the Lords day wee owne them as suitable tearmes according to Scripture

Respecting the time in qvestian; That the Lords day or first day of the weeke is a Rest to be observed and kept by the saints vnder the Gospell; by diuine Institution; wee shalbe able to proue by primitiue Pateren taken out of the New Testiment as you desire And first for the variouse denominations of the time which is threefold; Wee find in first of Cor: 16:2: Called the first day of the weeke; and actes the 20^th–7^th: Called the Lords day 1 Reue 10^th) Called a Sabbath Mat: 24:20: in this Last Called a sabbath; which must Needs be the same with the Lords day and first day of the week the Churches meeting day and day of Rest and not the Jewes sabbath viz: the seauenth day; for the ffleight heer foretold by Christ was Longe after the Gospell494 ordinances were established and that this was spoken to Christians Not to Jewes (as Jewes) but to his desiples verse the third for hee taught them att that time495 as Coming vnto him secretly; and it was a warning vnto them to be prepared before hand; and therfore to pray that theire fflight might not be in the winter nor on the sabbath day; for they must expect to be put to ffleight496 and otherwise euilly Intreated for the Name of Christ as verse the third: 4:9:25: and 26 with luke the 22:12:

2 in that our Sauiour saith pray yee makes it plaine that hee speakes of Christians

3 The time of his Sermon in which this warning and exhortation was Giuen: viz: it being Neare to his suffering att which time it is altogether vnlikely that he would prouide for the establishment of the Jewish Cerrimonyes * which ere longe were to be abollishment; it being one of the most waighty p^rticulars which Christ spake of which there were many that hee vttered a little before his suffering and therfore exhorts them to pray that theire ffleight might not be in the winter nor in the sabbath day as that which would be Most sad to be soe disturbed; when497 and att such time as appointed for theire Religious exercyses they should be Constrained to ffly;

Now to proue this first day and our Lords day: viz:498 our Christian Sabbath to be off499 Gods Institution wee must first doe it by the Great workes of Christ Concerning Mans Redemption; for as God when hee had ffinished his Great [54] work of Creation in six dayes Rested the seauenth and sanctifyed it as to be a Sabbath; soe in Allusion heervnto it is that the auther to the heb:4:10: saith that Christ Rested from his worke: viz: of our Redempsion as God did from his;

2 That day Christ by his Resurrection from the dead is declared to be the head of his Church yee the Cheiffe stone of the Corner; salm 118:22:23: It being the day the lord hath made verse 24:

3 The frequent Assemblyes of the saints for Religiouse exercises on the500 first day of the week as actes 20^th: 7: 1 Cor: 12:2: Reuel: 1:10: Pathmosse did noe more501 denote a p^rticulare and knowne Iland and John a Certain and knowne p^rson then did the lords day a Certaine and Knowne day especially vnto Christians to whom the Apostle wrote; for if it had the Name of the day from the vision then appeering to him and of the speciall manifestation of Gods mind and of Gods Coming in vnto him on that behalf; how should the seauen Churches of Asia Clearly distinguish of the time according to Johns Intension by telling them hee was Rauished in speritt on the lords day these p^rticulars Considered wee Conclude that the Lords day soe called Rev: 1:12 is the same with the first day of the week being the day the Lord hath made and appointed to be obserued by vs Christians;

This day wee proue was kept and obserued by the Apostles of Christ and Imployed in a speciall p^rte of theire Masters busines; Now whatsoeur they Receiued by way of Comision from) the Lord they haue deliuered vnto vs and wee bound to obserue but the Apostle Paule 1 Cor: 16:2 by Apostollycall Comaund Injoynes the Contribution for the poor saints in Siria euen as hee apointed in other Churches to be on that day therfore &c:

If this p^rticular Respecting Contribution must be obserued by Apostollicall Comaund much more the time for that and all other publicke and Religious exerises ought to be by Apostollicall Comaund obserued as502 is appointed in the fore quoted503 place; 1 Cor: 16:2:

Wee proue this day to be obserued Sabbattically by Apostolicall Comaund504 because that it was Neuer lawfull nor in the power of any Church or people to sett apart a day to bind all505 mens Consiences to the obseruation therof which; if not Graunted Respecting the Lords day wee ezely see what will follow if that day be att our Christian libertie as some say then it will follow that it being att the libertie of a Church to make Choics of the first day for theire sollome Meetinges; and if any other societie will mak Choise of the fift sixt or seauenth: which they may by like libertie that the former made Choise of the first;

And hence it will follow that a societie acteing to this506 supposed libertie, that which is euery ones libertie the Generall Can not take from the p^rticulars, Therfore if one two fiue or more think it Not Good to keep such a day theire Consiences are not bound they may vse another day if it suits beter with them and theire occations and soe it is ezely descerned That if wee had Not a time by Gods Appointment that this pretended libertie of a day to be Arbetrary att Mens Choise for Religious worshipp will Neuer satisfye a Consiensous Christian that is Grounded on the Scriptures of truth;

But besides this vnauoidable Confusion of Leaueing such time Arbetrary to the will of man to bind Consience to the obseruance of it soe as the seauenth day of old and the first day of the weeke Now is more then God allowed to any people In keeping of the first day or any other by vertue of our owne appointment Meerly is superstition and Papisticall and Parralell: with the feast that Jeraboam in the eight month and the fifteenth day therof kept of which wee Read 1 kinges 12:32:33: which was lik that which was obserued in Judah which hee is Charged to hau deuised it of his owne hart; thus men may keep a day which is Really the Lords day but if they obserue it as Arbetrary att theire owne507 wills it may be but a deuise of theire owne harts; [55]

Wee Read of dayes in Scripture appointed to be obserued by the Comaund; of God; And wee Read of dayes on some accompt wee ought to keep by Christian libertie as wee haue oppertunitie such a Good day Esra 9:17:18:19 soe answarable amongst Christians now when God Calles to sollem humilliation and thanksgiueing the same may and ought to be kept: euen such dayes when Called therto508 yett those are not holy dayes It is popery for men to putt soe much vpon the day Butt that time wee Call509 the Lords day or sabbath it is a holy day sett apart by God and that makes it holy Now to Cleare vp our meaning heerin take Notice of these three p^rticulars

This will shew a vast difference betwixt observeing a day by Gods Comaund and such as are agreed on by Christians either in whole or P^rte;

first wee may depute such a time or such a place to spend an houre or two to heare a Sermon and yett this time place or &c: is not made holy by it it is deputed but Not made holy Now a Creature is Not made holy meerly by being made vse of att an holy exercyse; as suppose I Goe to Read the holy Scripture I make vse of a Candle to Read it by I doe not Make the Candle holy by it because I make vse of it; if the makeing vse of a Creature in a holy duty did make the Creature holy then it would follow Generally in all dutyes I make vse of the light and aire when I am Reading and speaking holy things in publick Assemblyes I doe not make them holy soe I make vse of this houre to preach in though I make vse of in a holy duty I make it noe further holy then510 a man doth his spectacles hee vseth to Read the Scriptures by; Now deputation is puting a part of such a time for such a worke; and thus farr Goe they whoe obserue a day by theire libertie

2condly dedication that is when I Giue a thinge out of my owne proper for a Piouse vse that I can not make vse therof againe for an other end as when a man hath Giuen soe much of his estate to such or such pious vses hee hath devoted it to such an end and soe that hee Can not make vse of it (without sin) to another end;511 wee doe not soe by setting a part a time for preaching soe as wee can not without sin make vse of it to another end; and soe if a people sett apart a time for humilliation; it may fall out that the time may be sett apart for thanksgiueing if Gods prouidence Change512 and that without sin and soe for preaching wee may alter the time from twelue to three;513 and soe further if wee Attend noe514 houre that day to heare a Sermon if occations Calls men515 otherwaies; but if wee haue dedicated or Giuen out of our owne power It Can not be Changed by vs; this is beyond the other yett Not sanctifying

Now Sanctifycation is when any Creature or time is soe sett apart for holy thinges as it must not be vsed in Any thinge but that which is holy; and though the same holy actions be don att516 another time they shall not be517 accoumpted soe holy as att this time This is proper sanctification; and the setting appart of any day thus518 that is such a day as God Giues mee to make vse of for my occations if I shall sett it apart for such a busines and put more holines in the actions then p^rformed then the same actions pformed att an other time I sanctify time to my selfe; but thus wee Can not doe without sin:

Now these two thinges are in our Lords day of Gods appointment [56] and Indeed in all thinges that are accompted holy by God

1 It is a sin to make vse of that any otherwise then God hath appointed it

2 The actions done then are more acceptable then if the same thinges had bin done att another time yee wee shall find it soe spoken Concerning the day of Attonment which was a day appointed of God if they had fasted vpon another day it was Not soe acceptable because that day was Gods appointment;519 By this you may see that wee put a vast difference between a day of Gods appointment and what man appoints; and soe for the Change of the day from the seauenth to the first Changable by the law Giuer whoe was Lord of the sabbath; The Christian primitiue patteren by Comaund from Christ and his holy Apostles the Master builders of his Church whom following in this and other p^rtes of our Christian profession wee shall haue wherwith to satisfy our Consiences being p^rswaded that as it is onely in the power of God and his son Christ to appoint what day hee will to be obserued as a sabbath soe it is too much boldnes in any man to say either to Christ in Comaunding or to any Christian in practiceing wherfore doest thou thus;

And soe I haue Issued Matters Relateing to these Queries and Answares; this poor vnsettled man fell yett further and further, and att last became a qvaker; and about the Indian warr time hee died.

I may not omitt to520 Insert somthing in this place before I draw towards a Conclusion Concerning that worthy servant of Jesus Christ m^r John521 Reyner somtimes Teacher of this Church haueing touched somthing Concerning him before

hee serued Christ in the office of Teacher about eighten yeers being Assisted therin by m^r Tho: Cushman Elder in Great faithfulnes and with much Industry being largely Indowed with Gifts suitable to soe worthy a worke; and might haue Continewed522 much longer therin to the Glory of Christ and Comfort of the saints had not sin and Sathans mallice hindered The vnhappy difference that fell out in the Church of Barnstable had such an ill Influence into the Church of Plymouth as that it; Together with the vnsettlednes of the Church and Going away of diuers of this Church yee of the eminentest of them was a meanes of vnsettlement to this holy man of God and althoe much blame may bee Layed to the people about his Removall yett himselfe Can not be wholy excused But the breach was soe Great by the leaueing of the Church as it is to be feared will neuer be made vp againe especially Considering the Insensible ffraun523 att that time on those whoe were Concerned therin; both in Respect of sin that caused it, and in Respect of our losse of him which ought to haue bin more layed to hart then it524 was; hee left Plymouth in the month of Nouember 1654: and went to Boston where hee Continewed that winter and Came the springe following in a way of visitt and would haue bin ezely p^rswaded to Come againe if the people would haue Condecended to a proposition525 made by him; But they then haueing aprise had526 not a hart but aded to former sin by theire Neglect of this tender of Mercye527 being diuers of them Tainted with the then epidemicall deseas of som p^rte of the Country about that time; viz a slight esteem of an able minnestry; the Summer following hee was Invited to douer on Pascattaqva River and thither went and was Called to minnesteriall office there wherin hee Continewed vntil his death; hee was an able faithfull laboriouse preacher of the Gospell; and a wise orderer of the affaires of the Church hee was singularly Indowed with a Gift and propence vpon his speritt to traine vp children in a Cattikettical way in the Grounds of Christian Religion; soe that by losse of him Ignorance Inseued in the Towne of Plymouth amongst the; voulgare and alsoe much lysensiousnes and prophanes amongst528 the younger sort, in a word this worthy leader was Richly accomplished with such Gifts and qvallifications as were befiting his place being wise faithfull Graue sober a louer of Good men Not Greedy of the matters of the world Armed with much faith patience529 and meeknes mixed with Currage for the cause of God; hee finished his Course att douer aforsaid and was there honorably buried in the month of Aprill in530 the yeer531 1669: Whoe is; that ffaithfull and wise Steward whom his Lord when hee Cometh shall find soe doeing; Mat:24:46: [57]

Before I passe on to Contract matters ymeadiatly Relateing to the Church of Christ att Plymouth, lett mee Craue leaue a little to digresse; and breifley to memorise somthing Concerning that worthy Church of Christ att Bridgwater whoe in a second Respect alsoe sprange out of the Church of Plymouth being first of duxburrow; and seated themselues att about 20 miles from thence att the place where they now are and doe Carry on in a way of peace holines and Good Gospell order soe as is exemplary to the saints and Churches Round about them being Garnished with Comly ornaments of able Graue and faithfull officers and liuely holy and well Improued members haueing for theire Pastour M^r James Keith who Came by the wise disposing hand of God out of Scotland532 whom the said Church Chose to be theire Pastour being acompanied533 with a fellow healper in the Eldershipp named m^r Wiliam Brett a Gaue and Godly man; and haueing A goodman and one that hath approued himself faithfull in the office of a deacon; Named John Willis; whoe Notwithstanding some Interuption that befell them some smale time before the pening heerof yett goe on in peace and with Comfort; with some mixture of sadnes as fearing the effect of theire beloued Pastour forenamed; his being in weaknes of body; wherby hee is disabled in his publick adminnestrations for p^rsent;

But to Return where wee left on the othersyde, with the departure of Good m^r Rayner by death

Soon after whose departure to douer and noe hopes of his Returne to take place amongst; this poor forlorne fflock of Christ Groning vnder the want of Gospell ordinances wee made many tryalls for a supply Improueing therin the healpe of the Reuernd Elders of the churches of Christ in the Massachusetts Bay; and by diuers sollisitations att sundry times534 seuerll Messengers were sent to them and the said Church Craueing theire best healp for a supply; but Could not obtaine any healp Notwithstanding theire said Indeauers which535 alsoe were accompanied with fasting and prayer frequently; Continueing in this Condition for the space of about nine yeers; yett it is to be Remembred with thankefullnes vnto the lord both by vs surviveing and others of this Race that may536 surviue that the lord did not wholly desert his Church but vpheld them in a Constant way of537 publick worship euery lords day soe as to my Remembrance there did not one sabbath pas without two publick meetings in which the word of God was dispenced either by some of the Naighboring Minnesters; or and that more frequently and Constantly by538 our beloued Elder m^r Thomas Cushman and some other brethern; the prenciple wherof were our then Surviueing and much honored Gou^r: m^r Wiliam Bradford and his son in law Captaine Thomas Southworth a man Rarely Indowed both in Sacred and Ciuill Respects; and haueing Named him; and haueing alsoe spoken formerly Competently of the worth of that worthy servant of Christ forenamed: viz: m^r Wiliam Bradford539 I shall stepp aside a little to Informe the Reader in the worth of this blessed saint whoe ended his life in the yeer 1669 after a longe time of540 affliction vnder which hee Carryed with much patience and Cherefullnes; hee was largly Indowed with a qvick apprehension and Good expression and of a Cherfull fram of speritt and loueing vnto all with humillitie and familliaritie as occation was towards all sorts of p^rsons but principally loued the saints; but more especially those that were most eminent in Grace; and Reuerenced and delighted in a Godly able minnestry hee had Attained to a Great Measure of vnderstanding in the Mistery of Jesus Christ of ffaith in him and liueing vp vnto him; and the Lord was pleased a little before his death to speake much peace to his soule in assureance of his loue through Christ Jesus; hee delighted in Cenceritie and was of an vnbiased Justice in all his actinges especially as to Majestraticall Respects; hee was not eger to seeke Great thinges for himself; hee was Instrumentall to both Court Church and Towne in which Respects all will dearly want him; haueing a Good abillitie to teach publickly hee was frequently Improued on that service; and the last time hee was att the publicke meeting on the lords day; hee exercised out of the 18^th of Genesis 19:541 and finished his Course with much peace and Joy in beleiueing on the 8^th of december 1669 [58]

1680

But to Returne;

It pleased the Lord to mix much Mercye with542 our affliction in the time of our vacancye of Minnestry not onely to healp vs to Carry on the worship of God but to healp vs alsoe to Conflict with some Considerable opposition; not onely from those whoe were of our owne before Named but in that time alsoe the p^rnisious sect of those Called Quakers arose whoe seuerall times Came to our Towne; and had speech with seuerall of vs and endeauored to broach theire Cursed oppinions amongst vs; yett soe Graciously it pleased our Good God to dispose that although wee were destitute of any officially, to oppose these Gainsaiers yett of his Grace, soe to healp vs by his holy speritt to vnderstand and Improue his Good word; that none of vs were leauened with theire fixions or fantacyes; noe not soe much as any of our Towne (saue one family) which I desire may frequently be Remembred with humble thanksgiueing vnto the Lord by our selues and by others of the saints in our behalfe;

But as before expressed It pleased the Lord in that time of our soe Great and sperituall wants to hold vp our harts in an earnest desire of Minnestry and to put forth in Answarable Indeauors to procure the same; and wee had some answare and obtained some healp somtimes in preaching the word amongst vs p^rtely by one M^r James Williams; whoe was an able Gospell preacher; wee had hopes att his first Coming of his Continuance amonst vs; but hee soon left vs and went for England; In like manor m^r Wiliam Brinsmead a well accomplished servant of Christ Came to vs and was with vs one winter but att last saw Cause alsoe to leaue vs; and soe as yett wee Remained as sheep without a Shepard vntill att Length It pleased the Lord to send amonst vs m^r John Cotton the son of m^r John Cotton that famouth Gospell Preacher; somtimes Teacher of the first Church of Christ att Boston; the said m^r Cotton Juni^r was a man of stronge p^rtes and Good Abillities to preach the word of God; whoe after some time spent amongst vs was Chosen our Pastour and hath Continewed in that place amonst vs for the space of ten yeers and vpwards att the writing heerof; from whom wee haue Receiued many very proffitable truthes; and whoe ought to be the subject of our prayers that the Lord would Inspire him more and more with his holy speritt soe as hee may be an Instrument of his praise that soe by soundnes of doctrine and Cenceritie of Conversation hee may be Inabled Instrumentally to saue his owne soule and the soules of those that haue or may heare him;

And now lett the Reader take Notice. that the lord hath built this Church and preserued it543 in Gospell order and holy proffession of his truth this threescore and twelue yeers; twelue yeers in holland and threescore yeers in New England and hath Carryed it through many daingers sorrowes p^rsecutions and oppositions; soe as it Remaines althoe (much Inferiour to its first544 begining) yett a church of Jesus Christ; haueing many Names in it whoe haue Not defiled theire Garments whoe Noe doubt butt will walk with Christ in white Rayment for they are worthy Reuelati 3:4: yee the Lord In former times hath made it an Insightment and directory vnto others both in this Collonie and other Collonies in this land blessed be his holy name for the same The Consideration wherof Induceth mee to leaue a few words of exhortation first to such of the Riseing Generation as are Related to the Church that they would make Good theire leaders Ground by followeing theire stepps in the wayes of Christ in an holy and vnblamable life and Conversation and to Indeauor to walke in all the wayes and ordinances of God without Reproffe [59]

And the Rather lett this exhortation be Considered because soe many of the Rising Generation walk off from God and Neglect the Couenant which theire fathers made with him545 there seemes to be such a declinsion from the wayes of God appeering as wee Read of Judges 2:10: speaking of Israell; “and soe all the Generation was Gathered vnto theire fathers; and another Generation arosse after them which neither knew the lord; nor the workes which hee had don for Israell” &c:

2 Forasmuch as there seemes to appeer such a darke Cloud546 ouer the Christian world;547 which p^rtends a day of trouble and p^rsecution for the Name of Christ; that soe wee would walk in following the lord fully in an Constant holy and vnblamable proffession of his Gospell; keeping the word of his Patience that soe wee may be kept from the hour of temptation which is probably Coming vpon all the world Reue: 3:10: And soe Induring to the end wee may be saued: 24:548 mat: 13:

Now vnto him that hath built and p^rserued this Church and all the Churches in this Land and through out the world; though in troblesom times whoe549 is the man that is Called the branch; whoe hath doth and will build550 the Temple of the Lord and hee shall beare the Glory

Now vnto him be Glory in the Church throuout all Ages world without end Amen

My earnest Request to those that shall Succeed both the Elders and Bretheren of this Church that they would be Carefull to Comitt to writing such future passages of Gods dispensations, as shall in the visissitude of his Good Prouidence Come to pas in succeeding times of and Conserning eclesiasticall Considerations in speciall that soe theire May be a succession of Renewed and various occations of praiseing God and the following Generations may haue the vse and benifitt of the; same the Good Lord be551 pleased to speritt one or other of his servants for this soe Good a worke

Lett the Reader take Notice that att the writing of this smale history there are fourscore Churches in Gospell order in New England Magar the Mallice of men and diuells; soe Greatly is the honor of the King of kinges our Lord Jesus advanced by the Multitude of his subjects552 in New England & wee doubt not but there are Many Blessed saints in the Land which are fitt to be layed and placed in the Lords building the Lord adde vnto his Churches from day to day such as shalbe Saued; [60553] [61]

M^r Henery Ainsworth

A man of a Thousand was Teacher of this Church of Amsterdam att the same time when m^r Johnson was Pastour; two worthy men they were and of exelent p^rtes; hee Continewed Constant in his Judgment and practice vnto his end in those thinges about the Church Gou^rment from which m^r Johnson swarued and fell; hee euer maintained Good Correspondence with m^r Robinson att Leyden and would Consult with him in all matters of waight both in theire differences and afterwards; A very learned man hee was and a Close student which much Impaired his health wee haue heard some eminent in the knowlidge of the Tounges of the vniversitie of Leyden say that they thought hee had not his better for the hebrew toungve649 in the vniversitie Nor scarce in Europa hee was a man very Modest Amiable and sociable in his ordinary Course and Carriage of an Inocent and vnblamable life and Conversation of a meeke speritt and a Calme temper void of Pasion and Not ezely [74] and not ezely prouoked and yett hee would be somthing Smarte in his650 style to his opposers in his publicke writings; att which wee that haue seen his Constant Carriage both in publicke desputes; and the Mannageing of all Church affaires and such like occurrances haue somtimes Marueled; hee had an exelent Gift of teaching and opening the Scriptures and thinges did fflow from him with that ffacillitie plaines and sweetnes as did much affect the hearers; hee was powerfull and profound in doctrine although his voyce was not stronge; and had this exelencye aboue many that hee was most Reddy and pregnant in the Scriptures as if the booke of God had bin written in his hart; being as Reddy in his quotations; without tosing and turning his booke as if they had lyen open before his eyes and Celdome mising a word in the Citeing of any place; Teaching not onely the word and doctrine of God but in the words of God; and for the most p^rte in a Continewed Phraise and words of Scripture; hee vsed Great dexteritie and was Reddy in Comparing Scripture with Scripture with one an other; In a word the times and place in which hee liued were not worthy of651 such a man;

but wee find that hee is taxed in a book writt by George Johnson with apostacye and to be a man pleaser &c

whoe Can escape the Scorge of tongues Christ himself Could not doe it when hee was heer vpon earth although there was noe Guile found in his mouth; Nor Moses although hee was the Meekest man in the earth; for man pleasing they that taxe him because hee Concurred against theire violent and endles decentions about the former matters and for his appostacye this was all the Matter when hee was a younge Man before hee Came out of England hee att the p^rswation of some of his Godly frinds went once or twise to heare a Godly Minnester preach and this was the Great matter of Apostacye for which652 those violent men thought him worthy to be deposed from his place and for which they thus Charge him; and truly heerin they may worthyly beare the Name of Ridged &c:

M^r John Smith

Was an eminent Man653 in his time and a Good preacher and of other good p^rtes but his Inconstancy and vnstable Judgment and being soe suddainly Carryed away with thinges did soone ouer throw him; yett wee haue some of vs heard him vse this speech (truely said hee) wee being Now Come into a place of libertie are in Great danger if wee look not654 well to our wayes, for wee are like men sett vpon the Iyce and therfore may ezely slyde and fall; But in this example it appeers it is an ezier matter to Giue Good Councell then to follow it; to foresee danger then to preuent it which made the prophett to say o Lord the way of a man is Not in himself Neither is it in man to walk; and to direct his stepps Jeremiah 10: 23: hee was sometimes Pastour to a Companie of honest & Godly men which Came with him out of England and pitched att Amsterdam hee first fell into some errours about the Scriptures, and soe into some opposition with m^r Johnson whoe had bine his tutor and the Church there; but hee was Convinced of them by the paines and faithfulnes of m^r Johnson and m^r Ainsworth and Revoaked them but afterwards was drawne away by some of the655 duch Annabaptists whoe finding him to be a good Scoller and vnsettled they ezely misled656 the most of his people and other of them Scattered away hee liued Not many yeers after but died there of a Consumption to which hee was Inclined before hee Came out of England; his and his peoples Condition may be an object of pitty for after times; [75]

M^r John Robinson

Was Pastour of that famous Church of Leyden in holland a man not ezely to be parraleeled for all things whose singular vertues; wee shall not take vpon vs heer to describe neither Need wee for they soe well are knowne both by frinds and enimises, as hee was a man learned and of a solled Judgment and of a quick and sharp witt; soe was hee alsoe of a tender Consience and very Cinceire in all his wayes a hater of hipocresie and desimulation and would be very plaine with his best frinds hee was very Curteous affible and sociable in his Conversation and towards his owne people especially; hee was an accute and exact disputant very quick and Reddy, and had much bickering with the Arminnians whoe stood more in feare of him then any of the vniversitie hee was Neuer satisfyed in himself vntill hee had serched any Cause or argument hee had to deale in thoroughly and to the botome; and wee haue heard him somtimes say to his familliars that many times both in writing and disputation hee knew hee had sufficiently answared657 others but many times not himself and was euer desirous of any light and the more able Learned and holy the p^rsons were the more hee desired to Confer and Reason with them; hee was very658 profittable in his minnestry and Comfortable to his people hee was much beloued of them and as loueing was hee vnto them; and Intirely sought theire good for soule and body; In a word hee was much esteemed and Reuerenced of all that knew him and his abillities both of frinds and strangers; but wee Resolued to be breife in this matter; leaueing you to better and more Large Information heerin from others

M^r Richard Clifton

Was a Graue and fatherly old man when hee Came first into holland haueing a Great white beard and pitty it was that such a Reuerend old man should be forced to leaue his Country and att those yeers to Goe into exile but it was his Lott and hee bore it patiently much good had hee done in the Country where hee liued and Converted many to God by his faithfull and painfull minnestry both in preaching and Cattechising sound and orthodox hee alwaies was and soe Continewed to his end; hee belonged to the Church att Leyden but being setled att Amsterdam and thus aged hee was loth to Remoue any more; and soe when they Remoued hee was dismised to them there and there Remained vntill hee died; thus wee haue breifly satisfyed youer desire;

Wee are very thankefull to you for youer paines wee p^rseiue God Raiseth vp exelent Instruments in all ages to Carry on his owne worke and the best of men haue theire fayleings somtimes as wee see in these our times and that there is noe new thinge vnder the sun; but before wee end this mater we desire you would say somthing of those two Churches that were soe longe in exile of whose Guids wee haue alreddy heard:

Truly there were in them many worthy men and if you had seen them in theire bewty and order as wee haue don, you would haue bin much affected therwith wee dare say; Att Amsterdam; before theire deuision and breach they were about three hundred Comunicants and they had for theire Pastour and Teacher those two eminent men before named and in our time four Graue men for Ruleing elders and three able and Godly men for deacons, one ancient widdow for a deacones whoe did them seruice many yeers though shee was sixty yeers of age when shee was Chosen shee honored her place and was an ornament to the Congregation shee vsually sate in a Convenient place in the Congregation; with a little birchen Rode in her hand; and kept little Children in Great awe from disturbing the Congregation shee did frequently visitt the sicke and weake especially weomen and as there was need Called out maids and younge weomen to watch and doe them other healpes [76] as theire Nessesitie did Require and if they were poor shee would Gather Releiffe for them of those that were able; or acquaint the deacons and shee was obeyed as a mother in Israell and an officer of Christ659

And for the Church of Leyden they were some times not much fewer in Number nor att all Inferior in able men though they had not soe many officers as the other for they had but one Ruling elder with theire Pastour, a man well approued and of Great Integritie alsoe they had three able men for deacons; and that which was a Crowne vnto them they liued together in loue and peace all theire dayes without any Considerable differences or any disturbance that Grew therby but such as was easely healed in loue; and soe they Continewed vntil with mutuall Consent they Remoued into New England; and what theire Condition hath bine since some of you that are of theire Children doe see and Can tell many worthy and able men there were in both places whoe liued and died in obscuritie in Respect of the world as priuate Christians yett were they precious in the eyes of the Lord and alsoe in the eyes of such as knew them whose vertues wee wish such of you as are theire Children doe follow and Imitate

If wee may not be to tedious wee would Request to know one thinge More It is Comonly said that those of the separation hold none to be true Churches but theire owne and Condemne all the Churches in the world besides which lyeth as a fowle blott vpon them yee euen by some heer in New England except they Can Remoue it;

It is a manifest Slaunder laid vpon them; for they hold all the Reformed Churches to be true Churches and euen the most Ridged of them haue euer don soe as appeers by theire apollogyes and other writings and wee our selues some of vs know of much entercomunion that diuers haue held with them Recipprocally not onely with the duch and french but euen with the scotch whoe are not of the best mould yee and with the Lutherens alsoe; and wee beleiue they haue Gon as farr heerin; both in Judgment and practice as any of the Churches in New England doe or Can doe to deale faithfully and beare witnes against theire Corruptions; haueing thus farr satisfyed all youer demaunds wee shall heer break of this Conference for this time desireing the Lord to make you to Grow660 vp in Grace and wisdom and the true feare of God that in all faithfulnes and humillitie you may serue him in youer Generations

Gentlemen wee humbly thank you for youer paines with vs and Respect vnto vs, and doe further Craue that vpon any fitt occations wee may haue accesse vnto you for any further Information and heerwith also humbly take our leaue;

Finis661