MHS S4 Vol 8

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974.4 M386c Ser.4, v .8 1169696
COLLECTIONS
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
Committee of publication
for
Jpwaent Volume.
CHANDLER ROBBINS.
HENRY W. TORREY.
SAMUEL
K.
LOTHROP.
COLLECTIONS
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.
VOL.
VIII.
FOURTH
SERIES.
ûbiisfjetf at
tfre
CJjarge of
ifje
appUton
Jftmn,
BOSTON:
PUBLISHED FOR THE SOCIETY

BY WIGGIN AND LUNT.
M.DCCC.LXVIII.
0V R
CAMBRIDGE
PRESS OF JOHN WILSON AND SON
/.!)"7*>4"
CONTENTS.
1169696
Page
Officers of the Society, elected April Resident Members
9,
1868.
...
ix
x
xii
Honorary and Corresponding Members Members Deceased Editorial Preface
xiv
xv
Letters of Nathaniel Mather
Richard Mather John Russell
69
78
Increase Mather
. . .
89 122
Letters and Papers Relating- to the Regicides Letters of John Cotton, (Plymouth)
226 260
269
Jane Hooke John Higginson Thomas Cobbet John Bishop Thomas Jollie Richard BlinmaN Samuel Hooker Samuel Petto Jonathan Tuckney Joshua Moodey
Joseph Eliot
288
298
317
328
337
341
351
Samuel Mather, (Windsor, Conn.) Cotton Mather John Whiting James Fitch Rev. Simon Bradstreet Joseph Dudley John and Thomas Bailey John Richards
. .
357 374 380

383 463 473 477 482
. . . .
. .
486
494
VI
CONTENTS.
Page
Letters of Thomas Danfortii Samuel Baker Samuel Sewall John Rogers
504 509
5*16
521
Edward Randolph
Gov. Simon Bradstreet
524
532
Samuel Lee John Cotton, (Boston) Samuel Stone John Davenport Samuel Mather, (Dublin) Seaborn Cotton Samuel Willard
540 543
544 546
549
551
Mary Hoar Samuel Nowell

Thomas Thornton Richard Chiswell John Westgate
James Forbes
555 571
572
573 575
577 581
582
585 586 587 588 592 594 596 599
601
(Charlestown)
William Hooke Samuel Wakeman Solomon Stoddard Elizabeth Moulder Thomas Waterhouse William Stoughton Nathaniel Morton Abraham Kick Seth Fletcher
Abraham Pierson Thomas Shepard, Jr., Hannah Jones

William Jones Samuel Torrey Iciiabod Chauncy William Peck William Leete Thomas Hanford Daniel Gookin
Israel Ciiauncey
602
604
611
615
617
620
621
623
626
627
629
631
Edward Taylor
Joshua Scottow Thomas Cullen
632
CONTENTS.
Vll
Page
Letters of Benjamin Tompson Account of Transactions in Europe, (1683) Letters of Timothy Woodbridge Joshua Churchill
.
635
636'
638
639
641
Samuel Cradock Michael 'Wigglesworth John Butterworth and William Ingraham Richard Lobb John Walley John Cotton, (H.C. 1678) Daniel Hemingway Jeremiah Peck Jeremiah Hobart Benjamin Bullivant John Emerson Richard Henchman
645
.
647
648
651
656 657
660
661
663
663
664
Anonymous Letters
Letters of
666
671
Warham Mather
Nathaniel Mather, Jr James Allen John Phillips Sir Robert Thorner John Leusden
672
674
676
677
678 680
681
Lord Wharton John Winthrop

Philip,
APPENDIX.
A
Prophecy Extracts Relating to Indian Captives Letter from John Eliot and others The Church at New Haven The Corporation of Harvard College John Cory and others Address of the Congregations in New England to King James II. Address of the Congregations in New England to James II., 1687 Letter from Stephen Mason Memorial of the Dissenters of New England
. .
687
689
690
692
694
695
697
698
699
699
....
Vlll
CONTENTS.
Page
Petition of Increase
Mather and others
701 701
Paper annexed to the PeHtion
Warrant for the Arrest of Increase Mather .... .' Letter to Increase Mather Pleas in the Case of Edward Randolph against Increase Mather Invitation to Attend the Funeral of Samuel Nowell Petition of Sir William Phips and Increase Mather
. . .
702
702
703
704
705
Charge against John Usher

Complaint against Sir Edmund Andros * Answer of the Council to the Representatives Vote of the Governor and Council Order for Town Elections Order in relation to Sir Edmund Andros Order for sending Sir Edmund Andros to England Chronological Memoranda by Thomas Prince
. . .
706 707
.
.
708
709
710
710
.
.
711
712
Index
717
OFFICERS
OF THE
MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY^

Elected April
9,
1868.
IJrjesitotit.
HON. ROBERT
C.
WINTHROP, LL.D
Boston.
COL.
THOMAS ASPINWALL,
C.
A.M
Boston.
HON. JOHN
GRAY, LL.D
JLetorbmg Jlmeiarg.
Boston.
CHARLES DEANE, A.M

Corresponbiitg Swrrtarg.
Cambridge.
REV.
CHANDLER BOBBINS,
D.D
Boston.
f&ummtx.
HON. RICHARD FROTHINGHAM, A.M

librarian.
Charlestown.
SAMUEL
A.
GREEN, M.D
Cabmei-Jtwpn".
Boston.
HENRY
G.
DENNY, A.M
SSfanbhtg Committee.
Boston.
SAMUEL ELIOT, LL.D WILLIAM C. ENDICOTT, A.B WILLIAM G. BROOKS, ESQ CHARLES C. SMITH, ESQ REV. GEORGE W. BLAGDEN, D.D
Boston.
Salem.
Boston.
Boston.
Boston.
RESIDENT MEMBERS,
AT TI1E DATE OF THE PUBLICATION OF THIS VOLUME, IN TILE ORDER OF
TILEIR ELECTION.
Hon. James Savage, LL.D.

Rev. Joseph B. Felt, LL.D.
Hon. Lorenzo Sabine, A.M.

Col.
Thomas Aspinwall, A.M.

S.
George Ticknor, LL.D.
Rev. John
Barry, A.M.
Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, LL.D. Hon. Charles Francis Adams, LL.D.

Rev. George E.
Ellis,
John A. Lowell, LL.D.

J.
Lothrop Motley, LL.D.
D.D.
Hon. Charles H. Warren, A.M.

Rev. James Walker, D.D.
Rev.
Hon. John
C. Gray,
LL.D.
Rev. Nathl. L. Frothingham, D.D.
Edmund H.
Sears,
A.M.
Hon. George
S. Hillard,
LL.D.
Oliver Wendell Holmes, M.D.
Hon. William Minot, A.M.
Henry W. Longfellow, LL.D.

Rev. Frederic H. Hedge, D.D.
Hon. Peleg W. Chandler, A.M.

Rev. George
W.
Blagden, D.D.
Jacob Bigelow, M.D.
Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D.D.
Hon. George T. Davis, A.B.
Hon. Solomon Lincoln, A.M.

Rev. Chandler Robbins, D.D.
Francis Bowen, A.M.
Hon. Stephen
Salisbury,
A.M.
Henry
Austin Whitney, A.M.

S. Bartlet,
Rev. William
A.M.
John Langdon
Sibley,
A.M.
Josiah G. Holland, M.D.
Hon. Richard Frothingham, A.M. Hon. Nathaniel B.

Shurtleff,
Rev. Charles Brooks, A.M.

Levcrett Saltonstall, A.M.
M.D.
Henry Wheatland, M.D.

Hon. David Sears, A.M.
Charles Deane, A.M.
Francis Parkman, A.B.
Ellis
Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D.
Samuel F. Haven, A.M.

Richard H. Dana,
Jr.,
A.M.
Joseph Palmer, M.D.
Ames, A.M.
II. Clifford,
Hon. George Tyler Bigelow, LL.D.
Hon. John
LL.D.
Hon. Caleb dishing, LL.D.
William Brigham, A.B.
Henry W. Torrey, A.M.

Hon. Joel Parker, LL.D.
Williams Latham, A.B.
Hon. Emory Washburn, LL.D.

Rev. Samuel K. Lothrop, D.D.
Rev. William Newell, D.D.
Hon. Charles Hudson, A.M.
RESIDENT MEMBERS.
Rev. Robert C. Waterston, A.M.
Theophilus Parsons, LL.D.
XI
William H. Whitmore, Esq.
George B. Emerson, LL.D.
Thomas
C.
Amory, A.M.
James R. Lowell, A.M.

Rev. Nicholas Hoppin, D.D.
Nathaniel Thayer, Esq.
Erastus B. Bigelow,
Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas, LL.D.

Samuel A. Green, M.D.
Hon. James M. Bobbins.
Charles Eliot Norton,
A.M.
A.M.
William C. Endicott, A.B.
Hon. John
J. Babson.
Hon. Eben. Rockwood Hoar, LL.D.
Robert Bennett Forbes, Esq.

Rev. Edward E. Hale, A.M. Rev. Andrew
P. Peabody, D.D.
Hon. Seth Ames, A.M.

Josiah P. Quincy,
A.M.
Samuel
Eliot,
LL.D.
Hon. Theron Metcalf, LL.D.

William G. Brooks, Esq.
George Bemis, A.M.
John Foster Kirk, Esq.
Hon. Horace Gray,

Charles Folsom,
Jr.,
A.M.
Henry G. Denny, A.M.

Rev. Thomas
Hill,
A.M.
D.D.
Amos A. Lawrence, A.M.

Rev. Edwards A. Park, D.D.
Charles Sprague, A.M.
Charles C. Smith, Esq.
Hon. George
Hon. Charles
Jeffries
S.
Hale, A.B.
Rev. William A. Stearns, D.D.

Francis E. Parker, A.B.
W. Upham, A.M. Wyman, M.D.
HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING

MEMBERS,
ELECTED UNDER
TIIE
ORIGINAL ACT OF INCORPORATION,
1794,
IN
THE ORDER OF
THEIR ELECTION.
Hon. Gulian C. Verplanck, LL.D.
Miss Frances Manwaring Caulkins.
Don Manuel Moreno, M.D.

Rev. John Hutchinson.
Thomas Donaldson, Esq.

Hon. George Bancroft, LL.D.
J.
M. Cesar Moreau.
Erastus Smith, Esq.
Hammond
Trumbull, Esq.
Robert Bigsby, LL.D.
Joshua Francis Fisher, A.M.

T. A. Moerenhout, Esq.
James Ricker,
Jr.,
Esq.
Henry
Stevens, Esq.
Usher Parsons, M.D.
Cyrus Eaton, A.M.
Hon. George Folsom, A.M.

Rev. Luther Halsey, D.D.
Rev. Leonard Bacon, D.D.
Hon. William
Willis,
A.M.
Frederick Griffin, Esq.
John Carter Brown, A.M.

Rev. William
S. Southgate.
George
Catlin, Esq.
John Winthrop, Esq.
Hon. Samuel G. Arnold, A.M.
Dom
lion.
Joaquim Jose da Costa de
John Gilmary Shea, Esq.
Macedo.
James Lenox, Esq.

Rt. Rev. the Bishop of Oxford,
David L. Swain, LL.D.
D.D.
Rt. Rev. William B. Stevens,
D.D.
Winthrop Sargent, A.M.

Earl Stanhope, D.C.L.
Henry Black, LL.D., C.B.

Richard Almack, F.S.A.
Hon. William C. Rives, LL.D.

Hon. John R.
Bartlett,
John Romeyne Brodhead, A.M.

Major
E. B. Jarvis.
A.M.
G. P. Faribault, Esq.
E. George Squier, Esq.
William Paver, Esq.
HONORARY AND CORRESPONDING

MEMBERS,
ELECTED SINCE THE PASSAGE OF THE ACT OF
1857.
Honorary.
Benjamin R. Winthrop, Esq.

J.
Frangois Pierre Guillaume Guizot,
Carson Brevoort, Esq.
LL.D.
Baron Charles Dupin.
The Ven. Lord Arthur Hervey.

Horatio Gates Somerby, Esq.
M. Francois A. A. Mignet.
Count Adolphe de Circourt.
George H. Moore, Esq.
Hon. William R.
Staples,
A.M.
Hon. Horace Binney, LL.D.
Hon. Hugh Blair Grigsby, LL.D.
The Very Rev. Henry Hart Milman,

D.D.
William C. Bryant, LL.D.
W.
S.
Noel Sainsbury, Esq.
Austin Alii bone, LL.D.
William Winthrop, Esq.
Count Ag6nor de Gasparin.
Henry T. Parker, A.M.

Rev. Leonard Woods, D.D.
Hon. Millard Fillmore, LL.D.

George Grote, D.C.L.
Benson
J. Lossing, Esq.
M. Edouard Rene Lefebre Laboulaye.
Lyman
C. Draper, Esq.
George Washington Greene, A.M.

Rev. William G. Eliot, D.D.
Major-General John A. Dix.
George Peabody, D.C.L.

Leopold
Henry B. Dawson, Esq.

Prof.
Von Ranke.
Goldwin Smith, LL.D.
James Anthony Froude, M.A.

Corresponding.
John Forster, Esq.

George T.
Curtis,
A.B.
Evert A. Duyckinck, Esq.
Rev. William B. Sprague, D.D.

Rev. Samuel Osgood, D.D.
James Parton, Esq.

William V. Wells, Esq.
Gen. John Meredith Read, Jr.
William Durrant Cooper, F.S.A.

E. B. O'Callaghan,
M.D.
Joseph Jackson Howard, LL.D. Brantz Mayer, Esq.
Buckingham Smith, Esq.

Benjamin F. French, Esq.
Francis Lieber, LL.D.
John Bruce, F.S.A.

Rev. Theodore D wight Woolsey, D.D.
William H. Trescot, Esq.

Dr. J. G. Kohl.
John Winter Jones, F.S.A.
John Gough
Nichols, F.S.A.
Hon. John P. Kennedy, LL.D.

Hon. George P. Marsh, LL.D.
Richard H. Major, F.S.A.
MEMBERS DECEASED.
The following names of Resident, Honorary and Corresponding Members have been stricken
last
from our
Rolls
since the publication
of
the
volume of Collections:
Resident.
Hon. Edward Everett, LL.D.

Jared Sparks, LL.D.
Joseph E. Worcester, LL.D.
Joseph Willard, A.M.
George R.
Russell,
LL.D.
Rev. William Jenks, D.D.

Litcius
M.
Sargent,
A.M.
Hon. Charles G. Loring, LL.D. Hon. John A. Andrew, LL.D.
George Livermore, A.M.
Thomas H. Webb, M.D.
Hon. Levi Lincoln, LL.D.
Honorary and Corresponding.
Rev. Eliphalet Nott,
DD.
Hon. Lewis
Cass,
LL.D.
Thomas
C. Haliburton, D.C.L.
Theodore Dwight, A.M.

Rev. Francis L. Hawks, D.D.
John Disney, Esq.

Israel
K.
Tefft, Esq.
M. Henri Ternaux-Compans.
Rev. Charles Burroughs, D.D.
M. Hall
McAllister, Esq.
Lieut.-Col.
James D. Graham.
S. Daveis,
Hon. James M. Wayne, LL.D.

Robert Lemon, F.S.A.
Hon. Charles
LL.D.
Count Jules de Menou.

Richard Hildreth, A.B.
Rt. Rev. George Burgess,
Hon. Peter Force.

Hon. Edward D.D.
Coles.
Hon.
Elijah
Hayward.
Licut.-Gen. Winfield Scott, LL.D.
Sir Archibald Alison, Bart., D.C.L.
PREFACE,
The "Mather Papers," from

manuscripts, belonging to the "
which the contents of
this
volume
have been principally selected, are contained in seven volumes of
New-England Library,"
collected
by the Eev.
Thomas Prince, which was many
years in the cusis
tody of the Massachusetts Historical Society, and

in the Public Library of the City of Boston.
now
deposited
These manuscripts
came
into the hands of
Mr. Prince
in a miscellaneous mass,
and
were by him chronologically arranged in fasciculi, with occasional annotations

.
They were probably bound

into the possession
in their present
form
ciety.
after they
came
of the Historical So-
The
of the
copies from which this
volume
is
printed were
made
several
years ago,
by the
direction of the Society, under the supervision
Chairman of the present Committee of Publication.

was allowed
By
the courtesy of the Pastors and Deacons of the

the Society
for
Old South Church,

"Mather Papers,"
to retain the collection of
the
purpose of collating the transcripts with the originals
during the printing of this volume.
All the papers in the Collection are here printed, with the exception of such as are
much
mutilated, the few which had before
appeared in print, some of those which contain only foreign intelligence,
and such as possess
little
or no historical value.
The
ancient spelling has been rigorously jobserved, except in the case
of abbreviated pronouns and particles, which are generally printed

at length.
XVI
PREFACE.
Although a portion of the

intrinsic claim to notice, yet,
letters
may be thought
to
have
little
on account of some association with
persons, periods, or events of historical interest, the Committee have
not deemed
it
proper to exclude them.
Mr.
Prince's notes have
been carefully preserved, and his name has in every instance been
attached to them.
All the rest, with one or two exceptions which

It has
are indicated, are editorial.
been the object of the

all
Com-
mittee to make,/ in the briefest form,
the annotations which
seemed necessar^
conjecturally,
t/ne
to
throw light upon the obscurities, or to supply,

portions of the text, and to furnish
illegible
such historical/and biographical data as are for the relief and convenience of
tine
reader.
Remembering
that their office
was not
that of the Historian or the Biographer, but simply of the Editor,
they have
f/teadily resisted the
temptation to indulge in general
illustration^
and comments.
the
The index has been prepared by Dr. John Appleton,

aid in
accomplished Assistant Librarian of the Society, whose valuable

obtaining
accurate
copies
of the manuscripts,
and de-
ciphering their obscure passages, as well as in the preparation of

notes,
and the revision of the proof-sheets of
this
volume, the
Committee gratefully acknowledge.
THE MATHER PAPERS.
THE MATHER PAPERS.
LETTERS OF NATHANIEL MATHER*
NATHANIEL MATHER TO JOHN ROGERS.f

For
John Rogers
at his fathers
howse
in
Ipswich these in
New
England.
Most kind
heart though
S*
One
off those things
which lye deepest in
my
come first out, is to make a recantation of what in my last to Willm Paine % concerned yourselfe. It was a long time ere I could pswade myselfe to beleeve that you above all should
it
neglect to write, but at last after all possible enquiry for letters
not meeting with any, I began to grow desperate, whereupon I
wrote as I did by the

agoe.
It
last ships to
Willm Paine about

those
it
a 3 weekes
maybe
these
may
arrive before
and then you
have an excuse before the
fault.
However
comming not long

He was
born
* Nathaniel Mather
was the son of Rev. Richard Mather of Dorchester.
England, March 20, 1630. Several years after his graduation at Harvard College, in 1647, he went to England; and, having been the incumbent of the living of Harberton, county of Devon, in 1655, was next settled minister of Barnstaple, in
at Toxteth, in Lancashire,
1656
Rotterdam,
was ejected in 1662, after the Restoration and, having preached for some time at was subsequently settled at Dublin as successor to his brother Samuel.
;
He
died, while pastor of a dissenting congregation, in

in high
was held
f
esteem among his brethren
for pietjr
London, July and learning.
26, 1697,
aged 67.
He
He
took a deep inter-
H. C. 1649.
Son of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers, of Ipswich, and afterwards President of
the College.
X
Came
over in 1635.
Removed from Ipswich

1
to Boston.
Died October
10, 1660.
THE MATHER PAPERS.

and being so
is
[1650-L
after,
sufficient I question
not your acceptance.

letters,
r
.
The
truth
I should scarse yet have
had your
nor any in Eng-
land to
whom
they were sent, had not
Turtle* and I (seeing two
such large packets to John Corbet) made bold to break open the
case,
whereby both
and many more came

have been
if
to
have their owne, in

that as
will fall to
far better season then could

after
they had gone to Ireland
him
to
whom
trucly
they were subscribed.
So
it
out our honest boldnesse was p'judicial to none,
beneficial
many.
And
lettres
it
did
my
heart good to see the out sides of so
many
from yourselfe
is
to those
w ho
T
lately left you.
I think
a spirit of salvagenesse
come upon
all at
Cambridge,
for neither
est in all that pertained to the welfare of

relief of the sufferers in Philip's
New
England, and sent contributions for the
war
in 1676.
He was
tombstone
buried in the cemetery at Bunhill Fields in London.

is
as follows:
The
inscription on his
Sub hoc reconditur tnmulo Vir admodum Reverendus
NATHANAEL MATHER,
Richardi Matheri Films, Utriusq:
ANGLIiE
Decus,
Edidit ha)c nostra, in agro Lancastriensi
Imbuit Literature,
Altera
&
Magistri Laurea bonestavit
ilia
trausmarina.
Qua
Inde reversus,
propter teroporum acerbitatem
Parvulus adhuc
cum
Patre recesserat.
Ecclesia) qua? est
DCBLINII apud Hibemos
Communi
Pastorali
Si
SulTragio pramcitur.
Unde ad banc TJrbem accersitus, Munere cum Vita defunctus

Laudes
qua>ris, paucis accipe
;
est.
Animi dotibus
fuit dives, Literis eruditissimus,
Judicio perpolitus, Ingeuio acer,
Cujusque Muneris Natures & Doctrina) potens Saeravit omnia in serviendo Deo.
Onniino instructissimus ad Omcium,
Beati Servatoris Evangelium sincere promulgavit
Ornavitque vita decora;

Comitate, Modestia,
Pietatis
Paticntia mixta.
;
Exemplar maxime illustre Semper sibi par, & sibi constans.

Ghristianus Religiosissimus,
Maritus indulgentissimus,
Coneionator aptua
Pastor Fidelis
&
operosus,
&
Vigilans.
In Sacrnc Functiouis Exercitiis arte pia colavit
IIOM1NEM,
Ut solus conspiceretur Deus. Omni deniq Virtute praeditus et Laude dignissimus. Sed all Q.uantus Dolor ? Mortuus est.
:
!
Plcrophoria tanien Kidci. cii-lestem adiit Gloriam,
Et
Triumphum
2(5 .Julii
.Era I'bristianae
1
MDCXCVn.
* Evidently John Tattle, of Ipswich,
Ireland.
.Etat.
LXVII.
1635, and afterwards settled in
who came over
1650-1.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
word from any one there. knew wee had thrusts enough) that they also question God's blessing on us, and therefore conclude wee are either drowned or if got to England, such despised afflicted creatures as that wee are not worthy the bestowing a few lines upon Or hath the meagrenesse of their winter Commons shrunk up there guts and made their braines to
Brother,
Star,* nor I have one
my
Or
did they so
much
question our call (though they
perish, that they have quite forgotten us.

letter is
Truely Fra: your kind

it is
most welcome and much the more because

is
an evidence
all
of such singular love and freindship as
not to bee found in
Cambridge
I pray you therefore fayle not to continue as you

letters while
promise a constant interco r se of

here then your handwriting.
you abide
truth
is,
in
N. Engis
land, which I hope will not be long, for I
had rather see yourselfe

here
great
And the naked

over,
incouragem* for any to
come
especially such as designe
themselves for the ministry, or whatsoever else they bee, I think

they need not
estest
much
to question living here, for
it is
with the hon-
on both sides a matter of high account to have been a
New-
English man.
Sergiant Okes f is so fully of this mind that I thinke hee halfe repents that his son is not here, and he is resolved
not to be any hindrance to his
comming
the next year.
For
in-
larging to particulars of incouragem1 I cannot at p r sent because as yet, I know not the state of the nacon so well as I hope to
doe before summer

for this time
is
ended.
Therefore I pray you excuse
me
from further
in a little
plixity,
and I think you well may, for
here
all
is
much
roome.
Remember mee
Respectively to
sister,
etc,
my freinds with Cum multis aliis,

Your
you, your father, mother, brother

etc.
At p r sent
I can no more, but subscribe
myselfe
London, March
assured to love and serve you while
Nathaniel Mather.
23, 165.fi
named
* Undoubtedly Rev. Comfort Starr, classmate of the writer. One of the Fellows in Charter of H. C, 1850. Afterwards went to England. t Probably Edward, whose son Urian [H. 1649, et Presses 1675] went to England
soon after the date of this
letter.
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1651?
NATHANIEL MATHER TO JOHN ROGERS?
Good Era:
Not
me
to prognosticate that hereafter I shall use

tota.ll
the same excuse for a
neglect, I
hope I may now say that

These are
to certify
tumults of businesse, together with the uncerteynty of the means

of sending makes
be breifer than I would.
you that
am
got to the desired land after a speedy, stormy, very
stormy, though not troublesome voyage of a month's time.
And
now
from
am
here I find matters so that I cannot but sincerely wish

all
my
very heart that
my
good freinds
in
New England were

enough
to
here also with
my
selfe.
'Tis a
nocon of mighty great and high

'tis
respect to have been a
New-English man,
gayne a
is
man
like,
very
much
respect yea almost any preferm*.
Our Glover*
in
this
.
yea more than
like, sure I think, of a fellowship
Oxford
day to
keep to
Myselfe
with 60
pr annum.
Sam: Malbone
is
goeing I think
. .
Oxford
also, not
without good hopes of a living.
yourselfe I pray you, or at least that
you had
it
from mee.
to the city
within less [than t]hree howres of

of[fers], one of preaching
to a
my comming
. .
.
had two
worth 8 s for every day,

.
which
pr annum.
is in
pr annum, another of a li or more mind any thing worth minding make all convenient s]peed over. I cannot be long, onely Fr[a. H]ubbard
is
abo[ue] 140
If [yo]u
Scotland which
I intend to carry
way
am
intending the
first
opportunity,
and
is
your
letter to
setting out with his father this
day or
him with me. J. Corbett this day sevennight for

respectfully to
all
Milford by land, and there to take ship and so for Ireland, thence
to returne at spring.
Remember me most
your
f
good father
also to
&
mother
to
&
Cosin Rogers, and above
to
Mr
&
Mris Norton,
whom
I intend to write this opportunity.
And
Hubbard, f senior, and your brother and sister if yet in America. I hope to see them in England shortly, 'twill be the onely good way, and if Mr Hubbard learne but to be a little more rhetorical] and get a faculty of better delivery, I question
* Undoubtedly John Glover,
M.I), at Aberdeen.
f
j
Mr
[II.
C. 1G50].
Went
to
England soon
after graduating
The
" famous " Rev. John Norton, minister of Ipswich at this date, William, of Ipswich, father of the historian of New England.
|II.
Rev. William, of Ipswich, the historian.
C. 1U42.]
1661.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
independent party continuing to bear sway) hee
not b[ut (the]
few weeks of making himselfe knowne be inter primes of the whole kingdome. Tis incredible what an advantage I suppose to preferm* it is to have been a New English man.
would
after a
Corbet hath spoken largely to the purpose, I need to say
the lesse and

letters
now have
but
little
time,
much
businesse, and
many
New England. I hope to be larger by the Now in hast I must conclude desiring you [n]ext opportunity. to excuse me to my [fri]ends to whom I now write not, espeto write to
cially the
Harrises * males and fema[les]

1
the last married,

. .
Vale f & his wife, as they deserve. you every opportunity while your abode shall bee in N. E. and till y[ou] hear further directions from me, direct your letters to mee to bee left at the 3 [K]ings in Watling Street with Henry Ashurst | to be conveyed to me. Agayne Vale et Vale.
etc.
To J Annable
}
mee hear
fro
Your assured loving Fra:
Nath. Mather.
London. Dec.
23. 1651. (?)
NATHANIEL MATHER TO INCREASE MATHER.

TJiese
for
.
M
. .
Increase Mather.
[Dear Br] other,

l '
that I left
London
is
I left a Ire at
Thomson's
for
you which I suppose

.
.
in
your hands before
this.
Bee pleased now
Gravesend.
& came
in
from Lee road below to know weighed anchor on the Sabbath day morning, hither in safety the Tuesday following noon. Wee
.
Wee
have heard
&
doe hear dayly from England and expect dayly
more and more newes now the Parlt is about sitting downe. Here is ... as though the of England would fall out with
* Thomas and family, residents of Ipswich.
Undoubtedly John, of Ipswich, died 1664. eminent merchant of London, father of Sir Henry Ashurst. Having graduated at Increase Mather was in England at the date of this letter. H. C. in 1656, he sailed from Boston in July, 1657. After spending a year at Trinity College, Dublin, he took his second degree there, in 1658. Eefusing liberal offers made to him if he would wear the surplice and read the Common Prayer, he returned to New England, and reached his father's house, in Dorchester, on a Saturday evening in September, 1661.
t
$
An
This letter was probably written from Leyden.
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the
into
[1661.
States
of Holland.
parts
Many
English are of late come over

this
. . .
these
and sundry to
&
those of us that
are of the Congregaconall
way have joyned
in a Peticon to the
.
Magistrates that they would allow us a publiq meeting place,
doubt not but wee
shall obtayne.
And
indeed for any thing that

late
I can perceive, the English that
come over of
have
tarry
all
the
countenance of the Magistrates that they can expect.

selfe,
For myhere,
am
necessitated
besydes
my
intencon
to
because a
Trunk
for
of cloths which was sent after
me
I cannot hear
of, as also,
because a Bill of Exchange which a merch* of
London
gave mee
some merchandize]
is
not accepted here
else per-
If haps I might ere this have seen a great part of this Province. you have any thoughts ... as for my part I would advise you had best doe it speedily, & what money you will translate hither you had ... of Exchange & bring secretly onely 5 or 6li in
gold with yourselfe
&
leave the rest in a friend's hands, to bee

.
.
transmitted after, according to your
not this corse you will
loose in the exchange a great deal, perhaps a

ling, or
penny
to
in every shil-
more.
I wish
de Ecclesid Visibili here, I could,

If
I presume easily gett
it
printed.
you write
New England
is
I pray acqt
my ...
as also
where I am, which
the reason
my not here ...

of
him by these ships. I purpose to tarry month or a two at least, and perhaps all this summer and longer, of which you may hear more by my next. Keiiibr mee to him. I write to him also this post. You may,
writing to
. .
Ley den than considmore quietly follow your studyes. If you further conhave any thoughts of comeing let mee hear &
I beleeve, live as cheap or cheaper at
. . .
ering your judgnit,
cerning
it.
Mf Thomson
hath
directions
.
how
.
to send to
mee.
Onely
here
r
I pray
bee payd for

;
Ires from hence make up your letter as little in London, yet letters fro London are payd for
.
&
the least letter
that
is
have no more to add at
sent, but rest
Dear Br,
Yours
N. M.
10. [d.] stylo veteri: 1661.
Dr. Oaks
in
Katharins can give you particular directions about
comeing over
hither.
him
My fellow travailer desires you to remember your & hee heartily desires to hear of your Arrivall at
promise to
Rotterdam.
1676.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.

These for the Reverend
my
dear brother, Mr. Increase Mather, Minister
of
the
Gospell at Boston in
New
England.
To
be
left
with Mr*
Richard Chiswell,
Bookseller, at the
Rose
8?
Crowne in Paul's Church
yard, to be sent as abovesd by the first ship for
New
England.
Dear Brother,
from you and with
Yours of
it
8ber 13 was the latest that I reed
3 of your historyes of the late
war with
the
Indians, for which I heartily thank
you
&>
wish I had had more of
them, for but 2 or 3 others that I hear of came to this kingdome
&
they were so acceptable that save that I kept one of them, to

it
read
over a few hours, I have not yet been able to keep any of
them
in
my
hands.
Indeed they were opened
at the
Custome
returned
it,
house by his Matyes Commissioners,
&
one of them dd to the

it
Lord Lieut,* which

again.
his
Excellency after hee had read
I bless the
Lord
for the sp* that breaths all along in
onely I fear the Court's votes about the children of the church
But because I have not the book goe upon mistaken principles. by mee, nor have had this sundry months, I shall say nothing more thereof. I know not what I sd as though I feared some interest byassed your judgm* in the extending the subject of
baptism as in your printed book, but
that there that
it
is
obvious to conceive
may
bee
many inducements
says.
thereto, notwithstanding all

fear,
it is
Mr. Mitchel f
And
if
any thing made mee so
your departing from old principles in entertayning a nocon of a
time.
* Arthur Capel, Earl of Essex, held the office of Lord Lieutenant of Ireland at this He was afterwards an opponent of the measures of the court; and being accused of complicity with the Rye House plot, was committed to the Tower, where he died, probably by suicide, July 13, 1683. f Jonathan Mitchel, called "Matchless" by Cotton Mather. [H. C. 1647]. Ordained at Cambridge, 1650. In the warm controversy concerning infant baptism which prevailed
he took a prominent part. His own church was especially agitated by it on account of the decided anti-pasdobaptist stand taken by one of its most prominent members, President Dunster. Mr. Mitchel preached many sermons in defence of the
at that period,
the space of two days.

cipal
baptism of infants, and joined in a public discussion upon the subject held in Boston for He was also conspicuous in the Synod of 1662, and had the prin-
hand in drawing up its Result. The reference in the text is to Mr. Mitchel's letter to Increase Mather, published 1675, at the end of " The First Principles of New England."
in
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1676.
& some other things. I am yet more abundantly satisfied than ever for infant baptisme, but as far as I see, some of your grounds infer rebaptizing in many cases. These 3 principles, that infants are members of the church generall visible as you call it that children baptised in your churches are
catholik integrate church visible
;
subjects of Christ's discipline, that
is
church discipline
&
that
in-
there
fants
is
a specificall difference between the
membership] of
first,
&
adult persons
I confess I beleeve not one of them.
And
neither
very well satisfy ed I

is
am
touching the
that there
any such church, nor ever was, nor are infants members
if
of
it,
nor ever were, nor can bee,
there were any such church,
nor,
if
they were, can they thereby have right to baptisme, neither
that nor
any other ordce beeing given

it
to
it.
Touching the 2 d
have not yet seen

question
prooved that church discipline should bee exer-
cised towards them.

is
As
to
the 3 d , though I think

in
it,
not
much concerned
leave to
say,
I
yet I no
the mayn way doubt but all
your argts against a
specificall difference
may
easily bee
answered
either
(&
give
me
have done
it,)
as
beeing
paralogism or grounded on mistakes in logick.

there hath been of late in congregationall
What
departure
men from old principles & practises, I shall not say, but this I may say, that to my knowledg Mr. Xye not long before his death saw & much layd to heart what hce saw of that kind. It is most true in the mayn
substance of the principall question.
I concur with
Mr. Baxter,
judgment of
but
it.
was not that

pag.
for
which I taxed you for following him,
but in your expressions about visible faith

Charity,
&
the
53, and elsewhere in your book.
As
for
Mcdc
it is
obvious
how
easily
you take up
sure Rev.
things for him.

1,
Mr. Bee
not:
hee a godly
man
or not, I
am
3 proveth
it
though
grant hee had and held forth choyse light above most
others about that book, for his vision

ppheticall
scriptures.
was in that & some other But it is easy to discern all along his other writings that there was a secret rottennes that influenced
his glosses
&
interprctacons of Scriptures,
&
indeed this
is
it
that
;
makes
his
books so acceptable with
many
of our prelaticall clergy
yea, very
many of
I
his
admired nocons are only covers for some
such sore, as
in
could easily show in abundance of instances.

in
And
hay
more than one of those passages
your discorse that you

but dross
have Prom him you doc not take gold or
silver,
&
&
1676.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
may manifest if ever I send you my reply But I make no hast therein. I remember that of Horace, nonumque prematur in annum, & I have thought if I can get time to make a short reply to what is argumentative in your First Principles of N. E. too. I much rejoyce in God's great mercy begun in your son Cotton. It helps mee I heartily thank him for his map of New England. much in understanding your & other narratives. One defect or
stubble from him, as I
to
your book.
two I observe in
it,
there
is
wanting a scale of miles

it is
&
the
a compass,
&
if
I have not forgotten (which
are misplaced, for hee placeth

as according to
Blew hills them south from Dorchester, wherelike I
may)
my
it.
defaced idea of the Countrey, they were rather
northward from
Wee
Aug
it
4
have not yet heard of the
sent from hence
23.
arrivall of that Relief which was by the Katharine of Dublin, which set sayl about know not when this will goe from London. I send
at
an adventure, not knowing whether any vessell bee going

I pray let
thence or not, onely I suppose there may, because there use to doe
so about this time of the year.
mee hear
often from
you.
Remember mee
to
my
Tim:
sister,
your wife,
&
all
your children,
as also to Eleazars
in the
&
&
his.
Wee
yet enjoy our liberty
Gospell by a wonder of power
&
mercy.
Publique affayrs
I can give no account of.
Pray
for us.
The Lord bee with you.

Br.
I remayn
Dear Br, Your most
an.
N. M.
Dublin
Febr. 26. 1676.
Mris.
Aubrey was well
a few days agoe.

These For the
Revd my dear
the
brother
Mr
Increase Mather Minister of
Gospell in Boston in New-England.

Febr. 27. 76.
Dear Br.
herewith.
Yesterday
find
it,
wrote more largely which I send
I rember in one of yours you desyre
my
Br.
Sams
I can-
sermon
at his parting
from your people on Jer. 51. 50.

neither I think
2
not readily
now
are
the
notes thereof
10
THE MATHER PAPERS.

I
[1677-8.
perfect.
herewith send your Cotton Brachygraphie
fitted to
the Latine tongue,
I was there, viz 1
by a person in Holland whom I well knew when Mr. James Sympson, a Scotch minister that was
banished from Scotland, an excellent
man &
excellent preacher
hee was as most.
I ever heard,
however the prelates could not

I
bear him in the same
Kingdome with them.

all
suppose nothing
is
of this kind hath been seen in N. E., I hardly think there

the
Kings dominion. Brachygraphy is another of them in not practised nor knowne any where in Europe, but in England.
All the condicon that I put on your son
it
is
that hee learn
it
&
teach
I
his
Br n
it
&
Cosings when they shall bee capable thereof.
know
will cost
some time
it
it
&
practise,
and though I could never

it
yet get leysure to learn
myselfe, but I have read

it is
over
throughly considered
that I see
well worth the while
& so & may

c. 6.
be attayned by the book in the time that hee mentions part. 4.

If hee have no
will,
mind
to
it,
let
him give
will
the
book
to
on that condicon that hee
&
doe learn
it.
some one that I would have
him count the more of
this token,
because I neither have nor
know
I where possibly to get another of these bookes.
must have done.
This
is
all
the busines of this 2 d Ire.
But I The
X. M.
Lord bee with you. I rest, Dear Br. Your most loving Br.
Febr. 27. 1G7G.
NATHANIEL MATHER TO INCREASE JUATHER.

\_Th~\vse
for
the
Reverend
my
very dear brother,
Minister of the Go spell in Boston in
Mi Increase New England.

Dublin, Feb r
.
Mather,
13, 77.
Dear Br.
short Ires,
have received from you

5.
this
winter
sundry
one of 8ber 8, Ian.

another
of Sber
1
another of 7ber 18, received
lOber
7f>,
2d,
12
Ian.
12
&
one of Febr.
15,
I received
Aug
&
another of 8ber 3, 76. received March

of the
20,
77
with
historyes
N. E.
War,
&
another
of
April! 10,
said
Ires
77 received June 26, 77, and with one of the fore4 books that you sent by Ml Hutchinson
I received
1677-8.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
care
to
11
I never yet
who took
send them safely, though him

citty.
saw, nor heard that hee ever came to this
Blessed be the
God
of our father that continues your
life
&
health
&
liberty
&
labors.
Wee
also
it
yet
enjoy the
like
mercy, though wee see
playnly enough
is
ringentibus multis.
In England
tis
so in
The last post I mee hee is prosecuted on the Act of the 23 d of Eliz, that makes it 201 per mensem for not coming to coin Prayr, by a person unknowne to him, for 180 1, which is to come to tryall this next assises. By one of your latest I perceive wee are not like to bee of a mind touching the deacon's office. For I am still of the same opinion I was that the Ministers have no more to doe with the deacons work or about the outward things of the Church than with any of the members trade or calling, or than the Deacon hath to doe with preaching or baptising. The deacons wayting on the Minister was but a fruit of their pride, that very early made the deacon as their servant, insomuch as Epiphanius against Aerius would make us beleeve that
some
places, in
some they are much molested.

tells
had one from Mf Thorn,* who
the Apostles so ordayned,
&
I think indeed the
same
spirit that
brought in a
Bp
brought in that too, for the deacon to be the

Tis true hee
is
is
minister's servant.
to take care for their
mayn-
tenance,
&
so hee
for the poore too,

last
&
for the
Ruling Elders
also, tho the first
&
bee not as charity but as debt, in a

Tis
true,
way
of justice
&
honorary reward.
first
the
outward good
things of the church were at
layd downe at the Aples' feet
but the Apostles had
all office
before any such office as a
power in them, & besydes it was Deacon was instituted, & they put away
from themselves the care of ministracon about the churches out-
ward things
was
as unreasonable.
Cotton's nocon that the deacon
81) though I rember not, yet I assent not to any further than as
abovesaid in the same with Epiphanius's, whereon you say the ac-
to attend the Pastor or Teacher (v.
Answer
to Bayly, p.
count that Justin Martyr gives of the Churches' practise in his days
is
consonant with the Scriptures

I
&
with the practise
of
N. E.
churches.
am
sorry
if
the last bee so,

tells
&
as to the former I
suppose you have forgotten that hee
us of a Reader, besydes
* Perhaps Rev. George Thorn,
who was
settled at
Weymouth,
Eng., and so violently
persecuted as to be driven into exile.
12
THE MATHER TAPERS.
[1677-8.
the Minister or Pastor, the rtnotoTwg *
& also that they mingled water

none of which agree with
with the wine, in the supper,
&
that they sent the Consecrated
Elements by the deacons

the Scriptures
to the absent,
&
hope are not practised in the N. E. Churches.

baptism,
celebrating
Moreover
with
oyle
in
Clem. Alexandrinus you will find that anoynting

the
before
memoryes of the
martyrs,
&
keeping yearly solemn meetings at their graves,
&
hee
praying towards the east, were introduced in his time,

lived in the
&
same Century with Justin, not
to
mention any thing

causeles, yet I
from the Quest, ad Orthod. because they are none of Justin's.
As
to
my
Brother Sam's will your suspicon

it
is
will send
you a copy of
full
as soon as I can,
&
then you will see

I have
I sent
officers
you a
account thereof formerly.

his,
moved our
cannot
about printing some things of
&
they have consented

[e?'go]
thereto.
But
last.
it
must bee done

if it
in
Holland, and g
bee effected suddenly
bee at
last.
I thank you for your booke
you sent
too.
I wish
you had
sent
mee one of
I
Hubbard's
Lord's
his wife
M
is
Aubrey hath been

I pray present
lately
ill,
but through the
mercy
pretty well recovered beyond hope.
yesterday.
my
respects
in
saw him the Lord
&
to
Revrd
My
to
Eliot,
whose
Ire of
8ber 12 I received,
can.
&
purpose to write
him
as soon as I
I have this day been unexpectedly

this to night,
diverted
to see
&
must send away
Bcv d
Taylor,
who
ill.
of late breaks
& am now going out much, & as I heard

more but
last night is
now
taken
wifes
I can g add noe
my
deare love
I rest
I sent
& my
to
yourself
&
yours, and our Cosings.
Dear Br. Yours

your son Cotton a Character book
fitted to
N. M.
the Latine
tongue
of
it.
;j
of the reccit whereof I doubt because I hear nothing
Indorsed by Increase Mather

* Justin Martyr,
in
"Rec'd3 m
i.
25.
1G78."
his
u Apology,"
c.
65, p. 82, describing public worship, snys:
'There
is
brought to him
who
presides over the brethren, no TrpoeariJTi tuv udevtyxDv,
bread and a cup of water, and wine; and he, taking them, offers up praise and glory to the Father of the Universe, through the name of the Son and the Holy Ghost, and renders
thanks
for these, his gilts.
And he who
presides, having given thanks,
they
who
among each of those who to those who are

are called
rrpeaSvrepOl
us deacons, diuKovoi, distribute the bread and the wine and water to
are present, to partake of that
which has been blessed. Also they carry

the presiding brother
not present."
The npoeOTUS was

:it
among
the
or elders.
He superintended
Sec the preceding
the whole concerns of religious worship,
and
especially consecrated the elements

t
the administration of the Lord's Supper.

letter.
Bracbygraphy.
1677-8.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
13

These For the Reverend
my
dear brother
M
.
Increase Mather, Minister of
the Gospell, in
Boston in
New
England.
Dear Br,
a vessell
is
I reed
yours of the 26 th which was brought mee
Febr. 19. this I send by post to Londonderry, whence I hear
Your former I answered by way of London, & g have the less now to say. With yours I received one from your Honored Governor, Mr. Leveret (to
going for N.
E.
whom
I pray give
my
service).
His former I had in good

to
time from
Mf
Ives,
and I gave advise thereof
N.
E'j however,
myne miscarry ed.
With
his
&
yours I received one from the
Magistrates, giving an account of the disposall of what
hence the year before, which I have also communicated.
was sent There

Bridges
comes Supercargoe of
this vessell a
is
still
young man, My Chetewode,
who hath
been,
&
I think
servant to one of
I
sons, once of
New
Engl.,
now
in heaven.
am
desyred to re-
commend him to your acquayntance. Though I know not the young man himself e, yet I hear that which perswades mee hee
hath approved himselfe well in his Master's service,
&
his
Father
&
mother I know, both godly persons

mistake not,
is
& &
&
members with
us.
His
father, if I
of the same family of which old Mris. I have no more to say at present,
this
Bulkley * of Concord was.

having been
much hindred
day,
beeing obliged to goe by
and by to the funerall of the auncient widdow of a Minister, that
was
till
her decease a
member
with us,
an holy
woman
shee was,
&
dyed very comfortably in the Lord.
Wee
enjoy as yet our
liberty.
Wee
have some
fearfull
apprehensions of the convening
wee hear is shortly to bee called. Tis sad with them in Scotland, about Glasgow in the western Shires. I have seen a Ire that makes a dismall relation of their condicon. 6 or 7000 Highlanders beeing brought downe upon them to force them to give bonds that neither themselves, wives, children, serof our Parlt here, which
* The second wife of Rev. Peter Bulkley was Grace, daughter of

or
Sir
Richard Chitwood
Chetwode.
14
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678.
vants or Tenants shall goe to any conventicles, on which account
many
as
is
are fled from their homes, their houses

said, wives
&
goods spoyled, &,
&
daughters ravished, even
men
standing by.
If these things bee so, as I beleeve they are, surely the
Lord
will
look downe from heaven.
These are the Bps ways to uphold

spirit
themselves there, and the

similis.
Pray
for us,
that
pared for whatever wee shall

cesses doe
of prelacy is semper ubique sui wee may be found faithfull, & preThe French Kings sucbe called to.
much
will
trouble the
is
Commons
house in England.
Possibly
hee
that
is
the Angell that
to
pour out the 4th Viall on the sun,

all
&
God
now judge
the house of Austria, for
the blood
of His Saints shed by them.

toryes
Scarlet
&
in
The Emperor Hungary hath raged lately like
in his hereditary terri-
the eldest son of the
whore against the Protestant Churches & Ministers there. Men must bee scorched with great heat at the pouring out of that Viall which makes me less wonder that the H. of Commons are so galled at the French Kin^s successes.* Though withall
;
I must confess his growth

to
may
justly bee looked on as formidable

for
England, nor can I blame them
consulting our securing
against him.
But
must have done.
Myne & my
Pray
for
wife's dear
love to yourself, our sister,
&
,
cosings.
me.
bee with you.

This 12
11 '
I rest,
.
Yo
rs
The Lord N. M.
of the I s 1 1677.

ister
my
very dear Brother
r
.
Increase Mather,
Min-
of
the
Gospell in Boston in Neiv England.
Dear Brother,
your hand.
* March
it
know
not whether this will ever
I send
by one
Gilbert
f that saith hee
come to was
14, 1677-8, the
Commons
resolved on an Address to the King, in favor of a
declaration of war against the

t
in Philip's War, and by Mrs. Rowlandson, of Lancaster, during her captivity: but he was No record can be found of any person of this name whose house was of SpringBeld. burned at Lancaster. Half the buildings iii the town were burned by the Indians; and,
King of France. There was a John Gilhert who was taken captive by the Indians
assisted
was seen and
after their departure,
lie
inhabitants
fled,
and destroyed
all
but two of the remaining
houses.
1678.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
15
to the valew of
of Lancaster in N. E.,
&
there burned out of
all,
about 5001.
His errand hither

his supports.
&
exigencyes here I shall not
mencon, nor
save that the
I have little
now
that I can write of
Lord continues our health

at present to
&
liberty to us as yet as
formerly.
There seems
bee a change on the face
&
spirit
of our Parlt in England, they appearing set rather against

;
Popery than against the N-Conformists as formerly

vexed they are
at
& much
greatnes.
the
French King's
successes
&
If hee bee the Angell that
must pour out the Yiall on the sun,

on them.
man must bee

repent,
so.
that the other part of that prophesy, not to
may
not bee
fulfilled
But
till
I see
some course
taken for the free course of the preaching of the Gospell
&
for
a more effectuall reformacon, I expect not that the Lord's controversy with these nacons should bee at an end.
The Lord
pre-
pare us for what

prayers.
is
comeing on
Rernber us to
Let us bee helped with your our Br. Timothy & Sisters & Cosings,
us.
&
all
our other freinds with you.
My
wife remembers to you.
The Lord bee with you. I remayn, Dear

May
13, 1678.
.
r
,
Yours,
N. Mather.

These for the JRevf
my
dear brother, Mr. Increase Mather, Minister of the
Gospell in Boston in
New
England.
Dear Brother,
notice in
Though
can onely
this bearer,
Capt. Smith, gave
mee
good time, yet I forgot
to write sooner,
and g now, hee
staying for
my
Ire,
tell
you of
my
health
&
libty as
formerly, blessed bee God.

sad.
The
tis
face of publique matters looks
Troops
is
in
England drawing downe towards Scotland, on

s
d
,
what design
Conventicles,
not
etc.
but
generally supposed to suppress the
Mris. Aubrey was well within a day or two,
&
so
was Mris. Bridges

called
&
to
Ting
on mee
in his
way
Bredon yesterday. This morning Mr. to England, staying while I write

Br., Sisters
this Ire.
Rembr mee
my
&
Cosings.
My
wife
IT)
THE MATHER PAPERS.

to
[1678.
rembrs
you
&
yours,
&
Yo
them
rs
all.

N. Mather.
Pray
July
for
Dear Bf
7. 78.
Indorsed by Increase Mather
"R
cd
7? 161
78.".

These for
my Dear
of
3?
Reverend brother
M Increase
r
.
Mather, Minister
the Gospell in Boston,
New England.
Smith
is
Dear Brother, teyn, at least ... worth my while to

My Chetewood,
which
for I
This opportunity by Mr
it
so uncerit
may come
to
your hand, that I think
not
say any more than that I received yours by
of August,
&
also
M?
Eliot's,* with his book, for
thank him
&
you.
Mris Aubrey hath not been well

ill.
sundry weeks, but I hope not dangerously
saw her
2 days agoe.
Wee
God
live,
&
in peace,
by
as great a miracle of the

of.
providence of
a deep
as ever I
knew
or read
There hath been
& generall design amongst the Papists to involve us in confusion & blood, & though it have been discovered by as woncVfull a way as ever any was, & one executed at London for it, & many others in prison, 6 or 7 Lords, yet tis generally said &
feared
if
tis
not
all
discovered, but
still
carryed on.
Things look as
our dangers were come neer to the extremity.
The
plot
was
also here.
Some
are layd
up
for
it,
&
our militia increased
&
raysed, Papists
is
comded
from the immediate hand of God.

spring I
shall
till
But our salvacon If wee live send by way of London perhapps more
to bee disarmed, etc.
Pray
for us.
;
largely.
Refiiber us to your wife

refiibers to
&
our Br.,
aff.
&
all
Cosings.
My
wife
you.
I rest,
Your most
Br.
N. Mather.
lOber
10, 78.
* Probably Rev. John

lished in Huston in 1078.
Eliot, of
Koxbury.
His
"Harmony
of the Gospels"
was pub-
1678-9.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
17

These for the
Revd my dear
brother
Increase Mather, Minister of the
Gospell at Boston, in
New
England.
Dear Brother,
of 9ber 8, which
The
to
last I
had from
in
NE
was your
son's
came
my
hand
Febr. as I reinbr.
I thank
you largely, or at all The to him. You will hear all the newes wee have from London. Tryall of Coleman, who was the first that was executed for the Plot, I sent you by Captain Forster * of Charlestown, who went hence
for
it.
him
I have not time
now
to write to
for the
it,
Barbadoes.
Since that 2 or 3 more have been executed for
besydes 3 for murthering S r
Edmundbury Godfrey,
first
a Justice of
discoverers
Peace that had taken the examination of the

of
it.
The impeached Lords

first
are yet in the
Tower.
What
the
new Parlt hath done

day of their
peace here.
signed, as
fleet
is
or will doe
wee here yet know
not, for the

are yet in
meeting was but the 6th instant.
Wee
There are rumors of preparacons in France, desupposed, for this Kingdome.
As
also a report of a
was coeing from Spayn designed for Milford haven, but broken at sea, whereof I had this inclosed account from a merchant then in London dated Febr. 25 which I the rather beleeve
that
:
to
have truth in
it,
because I hear Ires from Portugall confirm
it
&
because I saw a relacon of Bedlowes (one that was the
first
that
came
in
on the King's Proclamacon to make discovery of the
Plot) speaking of a fleet to

ford haven, etc.
come from Spayn
&
to land at Mil-
This I saw some months, I beleeve 2 or 3, before
* Probably the "godly gentleman of Charlestown," of whom Cotton Mather, in the i Magnalia," B. iii, p. 183, says: He " with his son, was taken captive by Turkish Enemies Much Prayer was employed, both privately and publickly ... for the Redemption of that Gentleman; but we were at last informed that the Bloody Prince, in whose Dominions he was now a Slave, was resolved that in his Life time no Prisoner should be released.
. . .
some of his next Prayers, before a very solemn Congregation, very broadly beg'd, Heavenly Father, work for the Redemption of thy poor Servant Foster; and if the Prince which detains him will not, as they say, dismiss him as long [as] himself lives, Lord, we pray thee to kill that Cruel Prince ; kill him and glorify thyself upon him. And now behold the Answer: The poor Captiv'd Gentleman quickly returns to us that had been mourning for him as a lost Man, and brings us News, that the Prince which had hitherto held him, was come to an Untimely Death, by which means he was now set at Liberty."
Well,
this,
upon
Mr.
Eliot, in
18
the ship menconed in was implored by the
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the inclosed
[1679.
came
to
London.
This Bedlow
Jesuits as himselfe related, both to Flanders,

letters
Paris
off.
&
Spayn with
about the plot.
Rciuber us to our Sisters, Brothers
&
Cosings.
But I must break Pray for
us.
The Lord bee with you. I rest, Dear Br Your most

March 18 7f
affecconate Brother.
N. M.

These for
the
Reverend
my
very
dear Brother
M
.
Increase
Mather,
Minister of the
Gospel in Boston, in
last I
New
England.
Dear Bro.,
25 and
at least I
if I
The
my
received from you was dated 1
mistake not I had had one of a later date sooner,

Br. Jno. Cotton.
I desyre to
had from
mourn over
like
poor Tims case.
Such temptations are dreadfull things and
strong physick which works effectually for healing or for death.
The occasion of them makes them appear in my eye much sadder. For ought I can discern hee should rather have received the stop
put on his proceeding with thankfulnes, at least with an awfull
submission to God's will
&
disposall therein.
should work in so quite contrary a
But that way argues a very

him
his heart
evill
and
unhumbled frame.
this to <K)od,
The Lord
pity
even saving o-ood to him,
& heal him, & turn & O that it might be an
effcctuall
means of his awakening & humbling. That his son Nat prooves so naughty a boy I desyre to look on as matter of
humbling
for
to myselfe before the
Lord, though as
there
is
to the churches
proceeding with him, I

it
am perswaded
no rule nor warrant
in
the
it
Word
of God, and therefore cannot pray for any
blessing on
save as I could were hee under any affliction.

affliction
it
And
an humbling
doeing,
inllicters
is
to bee put to
open shame
for evill
though they mistake their rule

of
it.
&
warrant that are the

It
My
Br.
Sams
picture
is
not to bee had.*
was
portrait
in
the gallery of the

to be that of
beeu supposed by some
American Antiquarian Society, Samuel Mather. The statement

a
at Worcester, has
in this letter con-
firm^ tb" opinion of Dr. Applcton,
in
paper read before the Massachusetts Historical
Society, that the portrait does not represent that person.
1679.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
life,
19
never taken that I can hear of during his
neither
is
my no,
I
and therefore I
hear some
know
not
how
to send
you
either of them.
I if you have to send it mee. come now and then to Cork, but I have not any acquaintance there. To gratify you I will send you as soon as I can, some sermons of my Brs at Boston. I cannot advise the printing of them (I think himselfe, if living, would bee against it,) discerning a great defect in them as to that ripeness & subactnes * of judgment which his latter years arrived at. Blessed bee the Lord for the comfort you have in your son Nath. The Lord continue & increase it dayly. Here is a kinsman of ours, who, with his wife are lately joyned to this church. His name is Jno. Holmes. His mother was our Aunt Abigail's daughter. Her and her husband I knew in Bolton a right gracious couple they were, & this their son gives good hopes. I wish I could say as much of another son of theirs, that was
would be very glad of yours,

N".
E.
vessells
prentise in this towne,
&
is
is
lately
out
to
of his
time, of
whom
yet
I hear nothing scandalous.
As
publique
matters wee
doeing.
owne The late Parlt in England was first prorogued, and since dessolved. The occasion you'l hear by others. The Bps are genare yet in peace, which
a great wonder,
&
the Lord's
blamed for it & I think not undeservedly. By this means the tryall of the Earl of Danby & the other 5 Popish Lords hath been at a stand and in the mean time Sr George
erally
; ;
Wakeman who was

being tryed,
people.
is
accused for engaging to poyson the King,
acquitted, to the exceeding dissatisfaction of the
Rich. Talbot f that was taken up & kept prisoner here being accused, as designed to bee Generall of the Papists in this
Kingdom,
is
(by order from Whitehall as

see
is
said)
set at liberty
&
gone
to
France or Flanders, not having been brought to
tryall.
You may
what
is
said
of him in Oats J his
&
* Subactness
or cultivated.
t
is
from the Ciceronian
subactio, as figuratively applied to a
mind well
tilled
Richard Talbot, afterwards Earl of Tyrconnel and Lord Deputy of Ireland. His is described by Lord Macaulay in his " History of England." t There is in the Collection of Mather Papers a manuscript entitled, " Mr. Titus Oats Jorna11 & Affidavit of his discoveries taken before the K & Counsell written & subcareer
. .
.
scribed [by his
cannot ascertain that it has ever been published in this form; but on account of its great length, and its mutilated condition, it has not been thought expedient to print it in this volume.
,
own] hand, 7^ r 27 th 1678."
We
20
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1679.
Everardfi * narrative, which are printed, and I suppose
come
to
New
England.
Writts are out for another Park to meet in 8ber
next, and elections made, as
wee
hear, in
many
places.
Much
The
depends on their meeting, as much as ever did on Parlt.

Popish interest
is
so strong that they slured
&
baffled the credit
Lord hath by his owne immediate hand dealing with the spirits of men, brought forth
of the informers of the Plot.
But
the
new
then
discoveryes of
it
from time to time.

Dugdale,
First Oats, then Bedloe,
Prance
1
&
afterwards
and now
is
at last
one
Jenison a Counsellor at Law, whose father
a Gentleman of
about 1000
per annum,
&
his elder
Bro. a Priest.
Our
in-
& more apprehensions of Whether England or Ireland will feel their first fury or whether both I cannot say. But I fear wee must both suffer from the hasty and bitter Nation whom wee have made our paramours, & on whom wee have doted so extremely
telligence from
France gives us more
a design on us from thence.
as to follow all their follyes

'
and vanityes, though now our minds from them above

all
seem much
to bee alienated
nations.
There
Their
hath lately been a rising in Scotland by the Covenanters.
Declaration was printed, wherein after a representation of their
most grievous suffrings they

to
tell
:
how they were

in
necessitated to
invite all others
take up armes in selfe defence
which they
will hear.
joyn with them
still
professing their loyalty as in the Covt.
But they
ministers
are broken, as I suppose

that were taken
you
Two
of their
have been tortured with the Boot,
(which
till
is
an hoop of iron put on the leg,
&
wedges driven
in
the bone cracks
&
the
marrow
starts out)
sd.
but they could get
no more from them than they had

Scotch rigor
differs
before.
(How much
the
from the English gentlenes may bee seen
in this
instance, that though
many Popish
The
priests
have been taken up,
yet not any one of them, nor indeed any other hath been tortured so
upon the
late
Popish Plot.)
meetings
last
packet brings us word that
21 of the Scotch risers are executed, and that the indulgence
granted them for
except in
is
under some limitations and conditions
some certayn townes & recalled. It was granted

it.
upon
the quieting of the late rising
and since the suppressing of
'
Ktliuund Kverard, un informer and a witness in the trial of
Edward
Fitz-Harris for
treason,
Anno
1681.
See " State Trials,"
vol.
ii.
part
ii.
p. 674, et seq.
1679.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
the
21
What
Lord
will doe with us I
know
not.
But our discontents

at the
are not allayd but rather grow, the
Country being distasted
Court, and apprehending
ill
designs
&
deep disaffections in them,
so that by the leven that infects & soures the peoples spirits, the Lord seems to be threatning us with some unhappy intestine eruption
;
&
if it
ever come,
it
is
like to
bee with
much
violence
&
rage.
Let us have your prayers.
I could heartily
beg that the an exto the
whole country of
traordinary
New England would

to seek the face of
is
set themselves in
manner
God, with respect
approaching Parlt, which

If
it
to
meet
in the latter
end of 8ber next.
come not from some other hand, or the Lord himselfe put it not on their spirits, I pray doe you suggest it as my humble & I hope it will not seem an assuming too much earnest request. Saw you but what our eyes see, & heard you but to myself. what our ears hear, you would not, you could not bee unconcerned But I may not write how it is with us. Rembr me to for us.
all
my
friends with you.
I will write to
as
I can.
Reinbr mee to him,

all
&
to
my Br Cotton my Br Timothy,
as soon to
my
sister
and
my
commit you
&
The Lord bee with you. remayn Dear Br

Cosings.
affectionate brother,
To Him
N. M.
Your most
Dublin, Augt
25, 1679.
Mris Aubrey was well yesterday.

opportunity of sending, but that
I had not
knowne of
this
one
Mf Thomlinson came
to set
to
mee a day or two agoe and desyred mee

to
my hand
as a witnes
Lre of Attorney, that hee makes to one My Jonathan Palmes, (If I remember his name aright) that is now goeing for New England, which I did accordingly. I design to request a r Palmes, that by him it may friend to send this letter to the s'd hee designing E, with his family thither. brought to N. bee Hee lives in the Country 50 or 60 miles off, else I would send by him Oats his Narrative of the Plot as far as it came to his
a
knowledge.
I pray give
his
my
respects to
Revd
was
Eliot
&
thank him for
book which I have received.

I
Sundry
lately
freinds in Dorchester
there.
inquired after your health.

this
Came
thence
day 3 weeks.
22
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1679.

These for the Rev d
My
dear Brother
M'
the Gospell, in
Boston in
New
7
th
England.
Dear Brother, By what vessell you

ceive
it
Yours of 8ber
sent
it
I received the
23 d instant.
I per-
know
not, but
by the postage
was delivered into the Post Office somewhere in England It was exceeding welcome (as above 80 miles from London. yours always are to mee) & the rather because our printed London
Gazets told us of the
late
dreadfull fyre in Boston

it
;
&
withal
sayd that 300 houses were consumed by

that
it
and afterwards told us

in a
was done by wicked hands, beginning

in in prison
French
ship,
and being kindled
4 severall places at once, and that a French
man was
on that account.
You mencon
in this of yours
a former, which never yet
came
to
my
hands.
Blessed bee
God
that those precious truths of His about church discipline and wor-
ship which our fathers there lived in the practise, tasted the sweet
&
as
dyed in the
faith of, are so
solemnly owned by their successors,
you
write they were in your last
Synod
there.
It
would have
gratifyed
mee much had you

N. E.
sent the answer of the
Synod
to
those 2 questions about the Causes

displeasure against
&
remedyes of the Lord's
Although
as eminent Christians ob-
serving the evidences
&
acquainted with the secrets of God, the
messengers of the churches met in the Synod

the Gospell as
&
the preachers of
watchmen
speciall reference to that
by the Providence of God with a land bee the most fit of any persons to bee
set
;
consulted with in questions and searches of that nature

not so clear that a Synod
or that as such
it
yet I
am
is
an ordinance instituted for that end,

concerned.
belongs to them, at least not further than the
church's practice
&
peace
is
therein
Though
on such
e.
am
like
not altogether ignorant that Synods
&
Church assemblys
else-
where have declared

the Lutherans at
to bee a cause of
&
remonstrated their sense

it,
occasions, and have sometimes greivously missed
g. that of
Hamburg,
spirit
that judged the not haying of images

;
God's wrath
and some
in Scotland of later days.
But
hope the Lord's
hath guided you, and that you stood
1679.]
NATHANIEL MATHEK.
I thus speak.
23
However, I cannot but look wee are exercised with^ to hold out with convincing light what is the procuring cause, in particular, of judgments. If, as some conceive, there was the
in
His counsell though

it
on
as one of the difficultest things that
plague or some such epidemicall mortality in Corinth
when
the
Apostle wrote his
first
Epistle
to
that
it
church, perhaps none,
neither of the beleevers nor teachers in
could without an extraorit
dinary
spirit
have assured them as Paul doth, that
was
for the
churches pollucons of the Lord's table.
And when God
sent a
drought on the land of Israel in the

year after year 3 years together, I
latter
end of David's days,
am
apt to think, that both

it
David
Saul
& all & his
his seers
would never have suspected that
was
for
bloody house, but rather have fixed on
many
other
things,
had not the Lord on David's enquiry resolved him in an way.

that Seel
cle
extraordinary
his
hactenus.
Our Br. Sam's

any
will undertake
Irenicum
it.
is
sent to
London
to bee printed, if
purpose,
shortly.
some other things of his shall follow it I have gotten the remayning part of his discourses on
and a good part of
King
18, 4, transcribed for the presse,
his discourses
on the types
calls
also,
which I intend also to get pubhis, if the
lished,
and some other things of

4 of your
for Mris. to
Lord
will.
I have
received
the present
for
&
succeeding genera-
cons
one
ill).
Aubrey, one
M*
Scot
&
is
2 for myselfe
&
wife.
Mris.
Aubrey hath
hers, (her
husband
ously
M. Scot
;
I have not seen since.
now dangerHee hath left us,
&
If
estrangeth
himselfe
to
much from
in
this
people, with
whom
hee
once walked
whom
my
Br's days hee
was a great
though
trouble.
you send any more you would doe

it
to
him (which I
will not advise)

;
I had
rather
by some other hand
I, for
my
part, never
had any controversy with him save

Shee
for the orphans of
my
Br,
whom
hee or his wife doe greatly wrong.

is
If you'l send
one to your niece I will thank you.
now 13
years old.
:
Shee hath a cast with one eye, and a great defect besydes
so neer blind that shee will never bee
being
;
good
at her needle
&
if
one eye bee shutt shee cannot read a letter nor hardly discern an
house from an horse.

shee must look
And
that eye on which shee can see best
much
to
asquint withall
when she
this.
reads, besydes that
even that eye

sent her.
is
purblind.
My
wife thanks you for the book
you
As
our publique affayrs,
Wee
yet live and are
24
in
THE MATHER PAPERS.

peace
[1679.
on which account wee are a wonder to ourselves.

is
interest of the Papists
potent,
&
I fear increasing.
The They did
commonly and
confidently foretell in this
Kingdome
the interrup-
England before they came to pass. The two Talbots of whom you'l find mencon in Oats's & Everard's narThere hath been lately rative are let out of prison here & gone.
tions of Parlts in
a discovery of a treasonable conspiracy in the Earl
of Tirone,
by name Power) hee having received Commissions from the French King, etc. Hee was thereupon made a Prisoner. His mittimus
(not one of the old Oneals but of ancient English extract,
,
out upon bayle. I doe not hear that Goverment of Waterford, & I ghess However, this brings to mind how that it will come to nothing. a poor, godly, non-conforming Scotch minister was dealt with a few years agoe, who was kept a prisoner a year or two as I rcmber, tho there was nothing against him & hee offered
ran for Treason
but hee
is
hee
is
remooved from
his
bayle,
&
also desyred hee
might be brought
to a
legall try all,
but because hee would not bee bound up from preaching was hee
kept a prisoner
&
had been starved there, had not the charity of
strangers susteyned him.
But
his life
was near beeing destroyed

rising,
'tis
by
it.
In Scotland, about midsummer, there was a on purpose to

Jesuits.
thought procured partly by some exorbitant violences

cations, used
stir
&
provo-
up
to a rebellion,
&
ra
partly
that
by
some disguised
any popish
murthered
that hec
*
One
or
two of the Min
were
taken "were tortured,
but neither in England nor Ireland hath
priest or Jesuit or other person
been put to torture
about the Popish Plot.

in
The Arch-Bp of
St.
Andrews was
think
it
there
the
spell
highway, I hear,
or
&
is
certeyn
had a
so
proof;
that his
charm about him that made him bullet murtherers were fayn to at him with their
it
swords.
They
that did
were not so much as pretenders
to
non-
conformity.
to Btiffle
In England though great indeavors have been used
the Plot, yet
God
it
hath by His owne hand wonderfully
brought out discoveryes of

Bedloe,
all
one after another.
First Oats, then
Prance, Everard, Jcnison, Smith, whose narratives are
in
print,
&
presume you
will
have them from London

sea
&
since these, Serjeant,
who was beyond

St.
&
finding that they
James Sharp, Archbishop of
Andrews, was murdered May
3,
1679.
1679.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
had been condemned persisted
might have
his
25
denying
all that
to the last,
it,
wrote over to
that if hee
one of the Secretaryes, the E. of Sunderland,
pardon hee would come over
&
dis-
cover, etc.
Whether
the Earl received this letter or no I

after
know
not, but Serjeant
friend of his in
informacon that
some time an intimate Rome writes to him that there was come thither hee had proferd to confirm Oats his discovery
had no answer, onely
to get
&
g advised
into
him
him if that Ire came not too late, forthwith some Protestant Countrey, for hee was then
Accordingly hee betakes himselfe to
in
the
Spanish Netherlands.
in Holland,
Leyden
&
from thence writes again
to the Earle as afore

it
;
& &
of
sends
it
open
to a freind, with a charge to deliver
which beeing
done hee had a promise of his pardon,

done as hee promised.
the choyse of
&
is
come over
of the
&
hath
Since the
for
dissolucon
Parlt
members
a new one, another most
hellish plot
hath been discovered, as strangely as ever any was.

the Plot
The sum
was to accuse the D. of Monmouth with severall other Lords and about six or seven hundred Gentlemen of the stoutest
sticklers against
Popery, as beeing ingaged in a plot to
rise
in
rebellion,
articles to
etc.
The whole frame
of the plot,
with the severall
bee layd to every man's charge, the persons to bee acthe witnesses against
cused,
&
them were
all in
a folio book in
writing,
found by Sr
Wm
r s
!
Waller in the bottome of a meal

Popish midwife.
This they
but I hear there was not one
tub in the house of
Silliard, a
;
named
first
a Presbyterian plot
Nonin the
conformist designed to bee charged.
The hand of God

thus.
bringing
it
out
was very admirable which was
One
Willoughby,
alias
Dangerfield, an instrument for the purpose,
pretending to search the lodging of one Mansel for prohibited
merchandize lights on a great packet of
Ires
which hee
officer
said,
though sealed, had Treason in them.

secretly
The
Ires himselfe did
then
that
pin
behind the hangings, for the honest
was with him testifyes hee had just before looked there & saw no such thing. These Ires being opened are found to have
But here was the mighty hand of in this matter. There lay at another house in the same yard (ox yard in King Street in Westm'r) one Mansfield, to
treasonable contents indeed.
God
whose chamber Dangerfield designed

aforesaid
;
to
have gone
&
done
as
&
Mansfield upon examinacon should have confessed
26
THE MATHER PAPERS.

in tho.<c
[1679.
511
letters
&
have been an informer
&
witnes against br-
others,
&
for
some
so
impeached by him were to have accused
themselves
&
been witnesses against others.
But hee mistaking
when
Mansfield, Mansell when hee comes home, (for chamber was searched hee was abroad) & hears what Danger field had done who had newly taken lodgings also in the
Mansel
his
same house,
apprehended
restlessly searcheth into the matter, gets Dangerfield
&
so the
design
is
defeated,
yea turned on their
owne heads.
will
Ires.
see
it,
ManselPs Narrative is in print, & I suppose you though I have not yet, but write what I doe from
also another plot, to accuse
it,
They had
also
Oats of Buggery,
and had engaged 3 persons in

this
Lane,
Knox & Osborn.
But
the
Lord dashed,
&
Oats inditing them for so con-
spiring
hath
had a verdict against them,
&
3,
thereby brought
strange things to light.
The
first
of the
Lane, hath, as I
hear, confessed how hee was drawn into this wicked design. The papers of Harcourt, (one of the late executed Jesuits) were discovered by a Slater, immured up between two walls, on inm Waller seized them. form aeon whereof Sir They were a great quantity, a London cart load as I hear, or more, but the King presently hearing of such a seizure sends forthwith to Sr
Wm to deliver them
knows
fit
to one of his Secretaires

in
so that Sr
Wm
The
till
little
that
was
them
and His
Ma
tie
hath not yet thought
to order
any publicacon of what discoveryes they make.
lately'
chosen Parlt hath not yet met, save to be prorogued
Jan. 26, which occasioned sundry of the Peers to peticon His
Ma
tie
they might then
sit.
What
answer they had I have not

tie
heard, save that soon after His
Ma
26
declared in Councill they
should bee prorogued at Jan.
till
9ber 11th,
&
put out a
Proclamacon against seditious

and many Countyes
beeing
&
tumultuous peticons, the Citty

peticoning that
is
about
the
Parlt
may
what
less
sit
at least peticons
beeing, as
said,
on foot in Citty
is
is
and Countrey to that purpose.

his busincs there
The D. of York
in Scotland
was, or what his acceptance
know
not,
the latter beeing variously reported,

differently.
&
the former ghessed at no
drive on designs opposite to these
The D. of Monmouth takes in with those that the D. of York avows. Hee
was
lately
by the
Ks command
is
banished England
&
sent into
in the
Holland on occasion, as
said of
some passionate carriage
1679.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
27
K's presence, on occasion of some cross words between the D. of
York
&
him
perhaps designed on purpose to have an occasion
against him.
But even
this
rendred him more dear to the people.

plot, abovesaid, as
it is
However, the Presbyterian

without leave so
called,
comeing
life was struck at, home hee comes much as asked which as soon as known, filled Howthe Cittyes of Westmr & London with ringing & bonfires. ever, the King would neither give him leave to see his face nor to continue about the Court, &, it is said, commanded him beyond
out in his absence, wherein his
sea again,
which, however, hee obeys not.
All his places are
taken from him
&
a
otherwise disposed of, the Mastership of the
K's
is
Horse
to
bastard
of the
Dutches of Portsmouth, who

;
made Duke of Richmond

discountenance
;
&
Lenox
;
the Captainship of the
K's Guards to the D. of Albemarle
&
other places to others.

for the sit;
Much
is
cast
by many on peticoning
it
it.
ting of the Parlt
but yet the promoters of
persist therein
&
there
is
one shrewd
&
very specious argt for

his
That there
the
hath been an hellish plot against
Ma'ties
life,
GoverKing.
nment, the Protestant Religion, yea, the lives of all Protestants,
cannot bee denyed, hath been declared by both Par'ts
&
Some of the principal! Traytors stand impeached by the Commons in Parlt, which in the nature of it is a demand of justice against them in behalfe of all the people of Engl., & beeing a
beginning of a tryall no court inferior to a Parlt can take the
cause in hand,
&
conseq'tly either a Parlt
must
sit
or they cannot
have justice ever legally executed

pleaded that the grievances
on them.
Moreover
it
is
&
mischiefs are extraordinary, that

;
the law of the land in such case requires the help of a Parlt
that
to
the
malady
it
is
so potent as that ordinary
remedyes are not able
check
&
save the Kin^domes.
Now, though
of such kind of
reasonings I
am no
very competent judg, neither fully under-
standing our danger nor the law, yet I cannot but discern that
Papists generally hate
&
dread a Parlt
&
all
zealous Protes-
tants earnestly desyre one; except,
perhaps, prelaticall Clergy-
men, who I hear doe generally dissuade people from peticoning

for the Parlt's sitting.
are,
it
But the reasonings
for to
it
being as they
and influence of those that are averse

very unhappy
it,
being as
it
is,
is
& may
prove of very bad consequence.
For
a Massacre
of the
most firm
&
leading Protestants, at least,
28
THE MATHER PAPERS.

one part of the plot,
[1680-81.
being-
apprehended as the necessary

feating of the plot,
in
it
is
to
& the sitting of the Parlt being & onely effectuall means for debee feared, rash & unadvised spirits
when heightened may entertayn a
is
their fears
&
discontents
conceit, that the putting off of the Parlt
really a putting the
people designed to bee destroyed, out of proteccon, and a protecting those that have
combined
for
&
conspired their destruccon.
And
if
an enraged rabble have such a thing buzzed into their heads
&
to
exaggerated by popular demagogues, who knows what their
heady fury may attempt.
But
in all our fears our eyes
must bee
him who
live
stilleth the
noyse of the seas, the noyse of their waves
&
the tumult of the people.

:
Under
the
shadow of His wings
O that wee had hearts to dwell in the secret of his tabernacle. My occasions call mee off. Remember us to our sister & Cosings, & Br Tim, & his. Rehlber mee to Br. Jno Cotton,
wee
thank him
to him.
for his, with the
Answer
of the Min[iste]rs to the

I intend shortly to write
later date.
Mag[istrat]es, for which I thank him.

It
is
like
from London you'l have newes of
Every week almost pduceth something. However by this long Ire you'l see my good will The L'd bee with you. Pray for us. I rest Dear Br.
.
Your most
lObcr 31, 79.
loving
Br
N. M.

77/ esc
for
the
Reverend my dear Brother,

of
the
Ml Increase
Mather, Minister
Gospell at Boston in Neiv England.
March
2* 168o.
Dear Brother,
several]
Ml'
have received sundry from you;
with
books and your picture by

:
Bales
Picture as
thai
David Hart, and one by For all which I thank you. I cannot yet send you my you desvre. I cannot hear of any artist in this Citty
it
can doc
well
except one, but hee

is
is
too dear, not taking

to
less
then ten pounds, which
more than I am able
bestow on
1680-81.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
If I can hear of any that will doe
it
it
29
such an account.
on toleraThis
letter
ble terms, I will, to gratify you, get

I send
done
for you.
by My Archibald Maglaine, a Scotchman, who did sometime dwell in this Citty, but since removed to Belfast, where [he] hath taught school & would so have continued had not the prosecution of him in the Bp's Courts, because of his nonconformity,* driven
him away.
Hee
hath long had the repute of a
godly and well-deserving gentleman.
On
So
slip
is
which account I comit
mend him
to
your acquaintance
&
respects, hee desyring
of mee.
ri s
.
Aubrey
is
&
her sister are well.
r s
!
Bridges
&
hers.
Shee
lately recovered of an hurt in her

lately befall her
arm,
&
a broken leg,
which shee had

ing-house dore.
by a
in
of her foot at our meet-
Your
letter
behalfe of
Mr is.
Martin I ac-
quainted her with,
They them
are very
& I think her sons will civill & respectfull to mee

:
doe something for her.

(I speak of those 2 of
;
that dwell here)
&
sometimes come to our meetings
but
not beeing joyned to any church and not scrupling any thing of
Conformity I cannot pretend any great interest in them.

publique affayrs I can say
little.
This gentleman,
at present.
As to Mr Maglayn
can
tell
you
in
what posture wee are
Sir
John Davies,
our Secretary of State,

in
England
for
is by some discoverers charged, High Treason since the dissolving of
&
indited
the Parlt
by a Grand Jury of Middlesex, but I hear not that hee appears.
The
Pari* there sent for
him over
li to
is
as a delinquent, our
Ld
Lieut
&
Councill here sent
him over indeed, but under a publique charbear his charges.

Sir
acter,
&
&
granted him 200
William
Davies, his Brother, (who

cellor
son in law to our
Ld
all
High ChanJustice of
Primate)
is,
since that,
made Lord Chief

of
before
;
Ireland,
beeing brought in over the heads

so
the Judges,
in
not beeing
much
as
a judge
save
onely
the
County Palatine of Tipperary.

tions
I purpose to send you the votes

;
of the late Parlt as they were here printed
with the informa-
of
My Dugdale,
&
the last of
My
;
Bolton
&
of
My Dan-
what wee have printed of Macnamarra, Maurice Fitz-Gerald, & Nath relating to Ireland that you may see our case, at least a little of it. But you may well think wee hear &
gerfield,
:
&
* The Act among them, England.
of Uniformity, passed
to
in
1662,
required
to
certain
persons,
schoolmasters
declare that tiiey
would conform
the
liturgy of the
Church of
30
THE MATHER PAPERS.

things that
[1680-81.
know many more

Narrative
of
look
ill.
There
is
also a large
David Fitz-Gerald,
&
of,
another of one
Samson
&
another of one Comings that I hear
but I have none of them,
nor will they, as I hear, bee printed here, as I

they reflect on some of our great Ministers.
Sir
am
to
told,
because
whom
all his
the II. of
Commons
desyred the
King
George Jeffreys, remoove from

the
;
places as a betrayer of the liberty of the people, as you'l
their votes, is since made a Judg, tho London got him out from beeing their Recorder
sec
in
Citty
of
&
chose
M?
now Sir George Treby, in his place. Mf Seymo r also, whom the Commons impeached is made a Lord, & Sir Creswell Levins a Judge, who was the King's Attorney. The Earl of
Treby,
Essex,
of His
Earl
of
?
Sunderland,
Councill.
&
Sir
Win. Temple
are put out
Ma
sit
ti s
privy
Essex
&
15 other Peers pre-
sumed, on Jan. 25, to Peticon

mi^ht
at
&
advise the
that the Parlt
Westm &
1'
not at Oxford,
alledo'ino;
amongst other
can bee in
reasons that at Oxford neither Lords nor

safety, but will bee dayly
Commons
exposed to the swords of the Papists,

crept into your Maties guards.
of
whom
too
many
are
These
There
are their very words in their Peticon, which as
wee hear received
but a slighting answer.*

is
The D.
of
Y.
is still
in Scotland.
a talk that hee will bee at Oxford, take the Oaths, Test,
&
so
Sacrament, after the manner of the Church of England,

declaring himself a Protestant, claym his right, etc.
lcs
&
And
doubt-
whatever the Parlt say, or other folks think, hee will then bee
all
taken by
for a Protestant of the Pope's
owne making.
But
considering that in the Tryall of Stafford 30 or 32 Lords pro-
nounced him not guilty
&
but about 50 or 54 guilty, the D. of Y.
would bee
cleered, if the height of his spirit should stoop to put
himselfe upon his tryall.
The
prclaticall
generacon
fall
in fully
agaynst the Coins

to
& the Cooons had things in
hand very unpleasing
them.
Tis said that the Bill for Repealing the Act of 35 of
Eliz. f
was passed by both Houses but could not bee found when
it.
the
King should have passed
The heads
of their Bill for
uniting dissenting Protestants to the Church of
&
tho they bee not such as will render
England I saw, mee capable of publiquc
* See Lingard's " History of England," sub anno 1681.

t
See Neal's " History of the Puritans," part
iv,
chap. x.
1680-81.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
31
preferment, yet they will give
mee
it.
full liberty
&
secure unto
mee
them not, else I would send them to you. Sundry of your Arguments for Infant Baptism are not, meethinks, cogent. Some addicons that you have made to the Savoy-Confession I am less satisfyed withall. That in Chap. 24, s. 3. taken from the Assembly e's, had need bee
proteccon in the exercise of
I have
warily interpreted or
against
it
will reach to the
arming the
Civill
Mag
Presbyterians,
is
Congregaconalists
&
;
Antipaedobaptists,
where the Mag*

I suppose
it
of a different persuasion
left
&
on that account
the
was
out by the Parlt t[ho] agreed to by the

children
s.
Assembly.*
visible
Your making
members of
Catholik
Church, Chapter 26,
2,
&
your omission in that same
paragraph of what was in the Savoy Confession, I confess I doe
much wonder
at.
But
all to
I see Congregaconal principles are lost in
New
may
England,
&
open a dore
for a larger administracon of
Baptisme.
Besydes those words in the Savoy Confession [are

I
&
bee called] are to bee understood dicuntur dicique possunt,
& not sunt, dicique possunt. But My wife rembers to you & yours.
Your most
must conclude.
Pray
for us.
I rest
affecconate Br.
N. Mather.
Sermons, preached
dead.
I have not time to look out
my Br Sams
at
Boston, this Gentleman calling on mee but just now.

to hear the
I expect
next post, that
my Father Ben
viii.
f is
You may tell
* See Neal's "Puritans," partiii. chap.

t
Rev. William Benn, whose daughter the writer appears to have married, was horn in
Egremond, in Cumberland; educated at Queen's College, Oxford; settled first Okingham, Berks; afterwards Chaplain to the Marchioness of Northampton, and in 1629, at the invitation of John White, the Patriarch of Dorchester, became rector of Allhallow's Church in that place, where he continued till his ejectment for Non Conformity, in 1662. He resided there till his death, which took place March 22, 1680-1, about three weeks after the date of this letter. Besides his regular preaching in Dorchester, he officiated as preacher to the prisoners in the jail, where he attracted so manypersons from without, that the room was not large enough to contain his hearers, for which reason he caused a chapel to be built within the prison walls, principally at his own ex1600, near
at
pense.
We
find in the
1675, the following entry: "
Diary of Increase Mather, under the date of 3 d month (May), 8 th dajr Yesterday I heard that Mr John Thomson (my Broth. Nath.
&
Bristol,
sisters,) who was my special acquaintance when I was in E. was dead in by the cruel usage of the Bishops." John Thompson, a native of Dorchester, Eng., who married the daughter of Mr. Benn, sister to the wife of Nathaniel Mather was educated at Oxford, where he spent nine
hee married 2
years.
On
leaving the University, he often preached at Dorchester for Mr. Benn, with
32
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Cobbet, I received his
Bradstreet in Kilkenny.
Ire,
[1681.
Mr M?
&
took care of the inclosed to
purpose to write to him by the
next opportunity.

my
dear Brother
M
.
Increase Mather, minister
of
the
New
England.
Dear Br
have neither any other errand nor leysure for

1
more than onely to say that this comes to accompany some sermons of my Brs, preached in Boston in N. E., viz on Math. 5, & on Exod. 14, 8 as also on Jer. 5, 23. I cannot 28, 29 yet find any more of his, preached there onely some broken
,
:
pieces of sermons I doe find.
Forget not
to
pray for us.
I rest
Dear Br
Aprill 7th 1G81.
Yours
N. M.
I have
by
my
father's will
an interest in
his
Manuscripts
viz*
a 5th part of them, as

will I
my Br Sam
any,
tis
had two
fifths.
And
by
his
had
all his
Manuscripts.
I pray you send

so long since
father's.
I cannot
name
mee some of my I left N. E. But
remember hee did write an answer to M! Rathband, & by what you say in his life I gather hee wrote something for the Congrcgaconall way, as differing from the Presbyterian on one hand & Brown ism on the other. I pray send mee these if there bee any legible copy of them among his papers. I have often thought of
I
it,
though not
at
writing of Ires.
Why
is
there nothing
of
great acceptance.
In 1670, he was settled at Bristol, where, in 1675, he was apprehended
under the Corporation Act; and, having heen roughly treated by the Bishop and Justices, on refusing to lake the oath, he was committed to jail, February 10th, and there, amidst
tilth
His
last
1
and great discomforts, he was seized with fever, and died March 4th of that year. words were these: "As for my bonds, I bless God for them; and if I had known,
I
when came in that should die here, I would have done no otherwise than I have done. The time will come when I shall be freed from the aspersions of faction." He was buried the next day from the prison, and followed to the grave by some rive thousand people. A more extended notice of Mr. Benn and Mr. Thompson maybe found in Wood's " Athena? Oxonienscs," and Calamy'a " Account of Ejected Ministers."
1681-2.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
If
it
33
Mf
Mitchell's printed?
were but a small piece or two, they
might make way for acceptance

certaynly his abilityes
&
desyre of more
&
greater.
And
&
industry could not but produce, even in
the course of his ordinary studyes
then ordinary substantiates

of
it.
& & worth.

drowned
preaching, things of more

I pray you, think seriously
in
Beljingham *
that
is
so
Melancholy
if
yet living,
for I
have not heard of him these 8 or 9 years, nor seen him as
many more,
Mf
Stone's body of Divinity f
is
like to bee
utterly lost with him.
NATHANIEL MATHER TO COTTON MATHER.*

March
8.
I suppose
March
8,
1681-2.
[Prince.]
Dear
your
Cosing,
I received both yours,

doe in the world.
that on the backside of
father's,
&
that of 8ber 22.
Blessed bee the Lord that hath

I hope hee hath
once agayn raysed up your father.

service for
some more
him
to
And
blessed bee
God
also
that hath untyed
your tongue so as you are able without troublein
some impediment
your speech to speak of the great things of
the Gospel in great Congregacons.
The same good Lord pour

I rejoyse exceedingly that
is
out of His Spirit abundantly on you.
your
little
scholar,
your Br. Nat.
of such promising hopes.
I fear his entring into the Colledge too soon,
&
his too slightly
grounding in the learned languages.

defective, the
blame
will
Remember, redound much upon you.

is
if
hee bee therein

it
Let
bee your
care also that he bee well studyed in Logick, that ogyavov ogydvoov.
I perceive your cosing
Warham
||
like to bee with
your father
Winthrop says of Richard Bellingham, the Deputy- Governor, that he was It is possible that the person referred to may have been his son Samuel, of the first Class, H. C. 1642, who went to Leyden, and afterwards to England, and who may have inherited his father's temperament. t "The Whole Body of Divinity," by Rev. Samuel Stone, of Hartford, was never printed, but often transcribed by students of theology. A manuscript copy, by Rev. Samuel Willard, is in the Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society.
* Governor
of a " melancholic disposition."
X
No
address, but evidently written to Cotton Mather.

||
H. C. 1685.
H.
C
5
1685.
Son of
Eleazer,- of
Northampton.
34
THE MATHER PAPERS.

you
will bee helpfull to
[1682.
shortly, if so, I promise myselfe

his
him
for
dear father's sake.
As
for
any advise from mee, you have
those neerer you so well able that I need say nothing.
Onely
let
mee
say,
engage not
in constant
preaching (especially alone) too

the
soon.
I shall
*
much
rejoyse
if
Lord remoove your Cosing

conflicts
Samuel
from Brainford (where I perceive hee
with
many
selfe,
difficultyes) to Dorchester.
I had forgot to say to your-
by any means get to preach without any use of or help by
your notes.
When
it,
was
hee
in
N. E., no man that I rember used

of
it.
them except one,

vertigo, as I take
&
because
speciall
infirmity,
the
or some spice of
Neither of your GrandI,
fathers used any, nor did
your unkle here, nor doe

materialls
tho wee
both of us write generally the
of
all
our sermons.
Rember me
Dorchester.
to
your Brs
&
sisters
&
cosings
The Lord
himselfe,
your Fathers
& your unkle at & Grandfathers

N. Mather.
God
bless
you abundantly. I rest Your most loving unkle.
am
called out,
&
the post goes
have written to your Br Nat.

ordinary busy this
away this night, else I would But I have also been more than
in
week or two,
preparing your unkle's
f ser-
mon on
the Types for the presse, which I have not yet fully fin-
ished, but shall,
God
willing, send
them away
to
London within
their 1 st
a few days.
Between 1680 &
in 1685.
1685.
[Brince.]
Both Warham & Nathaniel Mather took
Degrees

my
dear brother
r
.
Increase Mather, Minister
of
the
New
England.
March
28, 1682.
Dear Brother,
I have received sundry
from you since I

I design
wrote to you, and one or two from your son Cotton.

* H. C. 1671.
L682.
Eldest son of Timothy.

bis
Removed from Branford and
settled at
Windsor,
A volume of
Bermons,
in
manuscript, dated 1GS6-8, was recently presented to
the Library of the Historical Society.

t
Samuel, of Dublin, the predecessor of the writer.
1682.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
I
35
this
by way of Barbadoes.
am
sorry that any, esplly the Rev-
erend Elders in
New England
I
should think
mee
Anabaptistically
all
or Brownistically inclined.
so suspecting of mee.
know not any
cause at
for their
And
sure I am, that both here

better than
&
in
Eng-
land I
am by some
that
judged to lean rather

of Baptism I
know mee too much the
any in N. E. doe,
other way.
am
no otherwise minded than
As to the extent Mf Nye & my Br

certayn knowledge
for the enlarge-
Sam
was, not to mencon others,

at the pleading
who
to
my
were grieved
which they discerned
ment of
Sadeel,
it.
As
to the
nocon of a Ch. catholik,
visible, integrall,
I have not onely Hooker, Stone, Shepard,
Ames,
the old Puritans,
Whitaker
&
others
whom
I fully follow therein,

1'
& whom
you know you depart from, but

Popery.
to
is
Hooker notes
it
as a pillar of
And
for
my own
ley sure, I
part, after
many
it
thoughts according
my
you
weaknes
for the
&
am more
confirmed both that there

could bee of no service
it
no such Church
&
that if there were,
to
enlarging of the subject of Baptism,
beeing
neither the subject of
any priviledges or ordces, nor are infants
capable of beeing
largely hereafter.
professing
members of it, as I may possibly show more The company or body, as you call them, of beleevers throughout the world are in truth no com-
pany, no body, having no compaction amongst themselves any more than the loose stones in the highways in Ireland & in
France
&
in
N. E. are an house or body of stones, or
all
that
eat
speak in the world are a company of speakers, or
all that
&
drink are a
company of
eaters
&
drinkers.
As
to declar-
ing the
word of
it
institucon in administering the supper, tho I doe

it,
not think
unlawfull to read
yet I think
it
should not bee put
into a Confession of
Fayth,
it
beeing no poynt of injoyned duty,
the ordce not being defectively or at all the worse administered, if

the reading
it
bee omitted.
And
in
such formula
in all others.
their
is
made necessary
by the same reason, that any the ordce it may in Baptisme &
As
to the Consociacon of Churches, tho I
am
for
mutual! helpfulnes
&
advise to
&
communion with one an-
other,
as
and also for
their
combining
(if I
may
so call it) in Synods,
emergent occasions
may
require, yet these stated combinacons
of severall churches that lye in a neighborhood into a body
made
up of them
disowned by
all,
or of persons deputed from
them
all,
hath been
men
of the Congregationall way,
&
was so by those
1169636
36
that
THE MATHER PAPERS.

were
at the
[1682.
Savoy, An. 1658.
And
I have not yet seen
any Commission from
for
it,
& y
[ergo] cannot think hee will
owne himself
to
rs
.
the head of any such body.
That which I wrote
Mf J. Cotton, concerning an inclinacon appearing in the Min of N. E. towards forms, etc, may bee made good by
sundry instances of prints from thence.
with
But
.
it
is
a small thing
mee to be judged of man's day [sic\ when men have a mind to such things,
to not
It is
an old
artifice
to represent those that
differ
from them as Anabaptistically or Brownistically inclined.

sending the contribution that went hence to Ministers,
As
I have formerly in
some of
my
Ires
accounted for
it.
It
went
not from the churches here, but sundry others that are not
bers of any churches were taken in, nor
mem-
was the ordering of the
matter any more in
my
hands than
in
many
it,
others, save that I
named some persons to whom to consign the way it was sent was necessary to bee
Acts 11, ult.,* I have formerly written
that I shall
like
which, considering
to merchants.
As
it.
to
my
thoughts of
All
now
to us
say
is
this
that
had any from N. E. sent in had I been one to
manner
on the
like occasion,
whom
it,
it
had been consigned, I would have declined meddling with

should think myself obliged so to doe.
in
and
If I thought the Elders
N. E. like minded with mee herein, & made account that they would have looked on it as a burden to them & foreign to their office, and was herein mistaken, I must beg their pardon of this
my
error.
know Hee
that searcheth the heart will acquit
mee
in that matter, as not acting as I did
from any disrespect or
slight-
ing of them,
whom
I doe
&
always shall exceedingly hono r

respect &,
&
esteem, but rather from a
reall
hono r able regard to
them.
state of
But de his
satis.
my
bodily health
The Lord hath seen o'ood to change the much this last winter, visiting mee with
still
the jaundice, a disposition to the return whereof hangs
about
it
mee
in
onely I
am
the less apprehensive of any radicatednes of

tis
my
body because
a malady that hath been very

I
common
in
this Citty this last winter.
am
called off.
The Lord bee with

Pray
for us.
you.
Refnber us to our
sister
&
cosings.
I rest
Dear Br
* Refers to Acts
ability,
xi., last
Yours
N. M.
to his
two verses: "Then the Disciples, every man according

bv the hands of Barnabas and Saul."
determined to send relief unto the brethren which dwelt in Judea: Which also they
it
did.
and -cut
to the elders
1682.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
37

ister
my
very dear brother
Increase Mather,
Min-
of
the
New
England.
May
9,
1682.
Dear Brother,
Hart, by
Though
I wrote to
you very
lately
by My
way
of Londonderry, yet I
am
willing to lay hold on this
opportunity also.
worthy friend of myne, Mf John Bayly,*

Limerick in
this
whom God hath

owned
stituting
cast at
Kingdom!,
&
eminently
for con-
for the conversion of
many
both here
&
there,
and
a church there in these late years of severity against
such ways, desyres

hereof
my letters
Willey,
f
to yourselfe in behalf of the bearer
My Edward
whom,
tho
unknowne
to
mee, yet
on My
Baylyes character I cannot but recommend to your ac-
quaintance and helpfulness.
My Bayly
gives a good character of

his wife as a very holy,
him
as a godly
&
growing Saint, and of
serious,
and experimentall Christian.

on that account hath sold
Hee removes
himself
&
family to N. E., chiefly with respect to his posterityes spirituall
good,
is
&
all his estate in this
land, which
considerable,
&
transports himself
&
them
to
England.
intreat
your respectfulnes and advise to him as such an [one] when
Lord shall bring him to you. And I pray not onely advise him yourself but give a character of him to others and commend him to their advise and helpfulnes who you judg may bee of use
the
him comeing a stranger into a strange land. Hee designs to downe in Boston unless hee shall see cause to alter his purpose. You will have from My Bayly a letter testimoniall concerning him and his wife in order to their being received to Church Comr munion. Willey to I have some thoughts of writing by My Stoughton,J to recommend him to his acquaintance and advise
to
sit
afterwards as assistant minister of the First Church in Boston.
Watertown, Oct. 6, 1686; and A more extended notice of him may be found in connection with his letters, published in this volume. t Mr. Drake, in Geneal. Reg. i. 139, mentions Edward Willey as on a list of jurors in Boston in 1686. He may be the person referred to in this letter. No other trace of him can be found. Mr. Savage, in his " Genealogical Dictionary," conjectures that the name of the juror may have been Willis. t William Stoughton [H. C. 1650], afterwards Lieut. Governor.
in 1683;
settled at
* Rev. John Bailey came over
was
38
THE MATHER PAPERS.

and family in order
sit
[1682.
as to the disposal] of himselfe
to settlement.
But
must goe out, partly
to
for the
drawing of
my
picture
for you,
some other busines, & have been prevented by a friend's comeing to mee on some busines so that if I should not write to M!" Stoughton I pray doe you supply that want dir AVilley to him or Ml" Danforth,* or who else you shall recting think fit to advise with in that afrayr, and recommending him to
&
partly on
them according somewhat a rare

planters of
to the character that
you have of him.
He
is
instance, few professors
now
discovering such a
conccrnednes for the spirituall good of their posterity.
The
first
New England
had such a
the
spirit,
and since hee seems to

to you,
have the same

will
spirit in this
with them, I persuade myselfe you

if
have much comfort in him
Lord bring him

enough
to send
and
I
never repent you of any help you afford him.

that
I have no hopes
my
picture will bee finished soon
by him.
this
cannot hear of any constant carryer that goes between
&
to
Limerick
usually
so that I
must wayt
a
for a convenience to send
it,
which
may bee had once

Brother Tim,
I
month
Cosings.
or 6 weeks.
Rember us
our
sister,
&

N. Mather,
Pray
for us.
remayn
afFecconate Br,
Your most

ister
my
very dear Brother; Mr. Increase Mather,
Min-
of
the
Gospell, at
Boston in
New
England.
July, 6
:
1682.
Dear
hold on
B?
it,
Hearing
tho in
ill
of this opportunity by
Eccles, I lay
these
case for any thing.
The Lord hath
sundry weeks by past appoynted to mee wearisome
&
restles
days
&
nights.
had some months ago the jaundice, which distemp r
* Perhaps Rev. John Danforth

resided.
[H.
1077],
of
Dorchester,
where Mr. Stoughton
1682.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
to bee
39
seemed
remooved, but some time

all
after a Catholik cachexie
invaded mee, insomuch as

alteracon in
last a
that saw
mee playnly saw

any
a great
my
countenance, before I
felt
illnes myselfe.
At
it,
wearines
&
payn
seized
on mee.
In the beginning of
gravell in the reins

tityes
was
an ingredient therein, considerable quanat severall times.
whereof I have voyded

call
But my mayn
sometimes
malady the physicians here

call it as
Rheumatism
forreign physicians
It lyes
they
tell
mee, Cholica Scorbutica.
in
my
bo wells, sometimes in
in
my
groyn, sometimes in
my
hips,
sometimes
a great
my
loyns, sometimes in
my
&
paynfull oppression, sometimes in
shoulders,
wrists,
sometimes in
my
if
knees,
my stomach my back, between my sometimes in my hands &

brest above
an aking payn as
it
the very bones were crushed together.
Sometimes
day,
casts
mee
is
into cold sweats,
sometimes into intem-
perate feaverish heats.
& some by mee a little intermission of payn. Usually it wakes mee & forceth mee up about one or two of the clock, & holds mee longer or lesser as the Lord pleaseth. The latter part of the afternoone is usually my easy est time. Many have had it in far greater extremity than the Lord hath layd it on mee. Some have faynted away severall times in a
Some
sleep I get
by night,
when
the
Lord
pleased to vouchsafe
day under
say
it is
it,
&
been cast into convulsions by

I look
it.
My
Physicians
not mortall in any, but a distemper that ever takes time

it.
for the remoovall of
on
it
as that wherein
God
is
grind-
ing
mee into dust. I can look beyond death & the grave with some measure of hope & rejoysing through Jesus Xt, & that infinite excellency of pardoning mercy & free grace, &c, that is
with
God
in him,
which I have preached unto others

will not expect
&
beleeved
for myselfe as feeling that I stand in

in the world.
need thereof as well as any
You
any thing from mee as to the
publique,
considering
my
present discomposure
lines.
life
&
payn under
mee.
which I write most of these
Onely
in generall such days

less desyrable to
seem
to [be] hasting
on as make
much
you
If I never write to
wee meet in that great day of the generall assembly, Farewell, Dear Brother, farewell, the Lord bee with you & all yours, every way for good to all whom I pray you remember mee, as also to dear Eleazar's children and Tims also by no means forgetting him of whom might I
see
till
;
you more, nor
hear before I goe hence, that hee seeks
&
knows
the
God
of our
; ;
40
Father,
that
it
THE MATHER PAPERS.

would revive mee though mouldring and rest my dearest Br.
into dust.
[1682.
With
N. M.
July
8.
God
I leave you,
Your most
affeceonate Br.
Dear Br,
payn,
Since
the within written, the
Lord hath given
mee some more
ease than formerly.
Yesterday I had not much
waked with payn some weekes before. By the Drs direccon I changed my usuall drink, & drank nothing but mum,* presently on which I found some abatement of my payns, & g. \ergo\ I ascribe it to that as the principall means thereof. M!" Aubrey f & his wife are in health. Hee called on mee this day & tells mee that hee received a Ire from Mf Rawson, of Aprill I got my picture 14, signifying that you & yours are in health. for you just before this illnes took mee. But it needs mending, the hayr being too gray & the face too fat for myne. If God give mee health I shall get it done, & then it will bee ready for you by the first opportunity. Tho if it had, I could not have r sent it by this, I not hearing of Eccles his going till so late the last post day that I could not then write, & by my informacon I have cause to fear this may come too late. However, I adventure it. The Lord bee with you, Dear Br.
the last night I slept without being
I can say of
&
is
which
more than
I remayn, Yors
N.
M.

my
dear brother
M
.
the Gospell in
Boston in
New
England.
9ber.
h 7'.
1682.
ton,
Dear Brother my Picture.

it
You
I think
will receive
it is
by
this vessell,
Mr
Brit-
well done;
it
&
they that have
seen
*
t
say
it is
&
you
will say
had need
to bee well
done
kind of string beer.

in
William Atibrey married
Boston, Rachel, daughter of Secretary
Edward Rawson.
1683.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
cost
41
besides the case
to
it,
for
it
mee
three guines, that

as
it
is,
3U
9?
&
the frame.
Such
is
you are welcome
and truely
had
it
not been to gratify your importunity, I think I should
hardly ever have been perswaded to have had
my
picture drawn.
is
Nor can
little
now
well bee at the charge,
of which there
so
necessity
save
tenance falleth
is
much
My maynwhat your afFeccon makes. short of what it was formerly, & I fear
Few
are added to us
;
like
to decrease.
&
the Devill hath
stirred
us,
&
up unhappy instruments, both to beget prejudices against r to sow ill seeds of disaffeccon among us. Weld yet
preacheth with us
creased!
&
truely
God
more
is
;
greatly with him.
Hee
in-
&
shineth
more
&
none say any thing against
him but
Others,
his youth,
hee beeing
now about 22
help
us.
&
3 months old.
&
they the most by far, are earnest for us to call him to

If any
The Lord guid & breach should bee under my hand churches, I should mourn under
bee
Teacher.
such
sad
as hath beene in
it
some other
I can say
to
my
grave.
nothing of publique matters.
&
is
well, but concerned for
Aubrey was with mee this day her sister who is in London & was
testimoniall of
ris
not well,
&
from
whom
shee hath not heard these sundry weeks.
My
Britton desyred of
mee a
will,
if it
what I heard Capt.

in writing,
Wilkie declare about his
which I have put
under
my
hand,
&
given him,
it
may
give any satisfaccon, or prevent
any contention when
comes to
New
England.
Reniber mee
for
& my
to
wife to
my
Sister
&
Cosins.
Blessed be
God
His mercy
you in your children.

in
Forget mee not to Nat

I rest
&
to
Warham.
N. M.
Rember me
your prayers.
Dear Br
Your most
loving Br.

my
dear brother Mr. Increase Mather Minister
of
the Gospell at
Boston in
New
England, per Mr. Homer Jackson.

Dublin,
this
10* of the 2? 1683
Dear Br,
Southwell,
I had hardly
finished
myne
yesterday by William
when Mr. Jackson,
the minister mentioned in that,
42
THE MATHER PAPERS.

to
[1683.
came
mce
to desyre a line or
two
for his brother,
the bearer
hereof,
Mr Homer
for
Jackson.
Hee was bred
a scholar, but his
genius lying rather for action
&
converse with
men
as
than bookes,
hee
comes
New
to
is
England.
His brother requests that you
would have an eye him neede. Hee

as
is
him, to advise
&
warn him
you may
see
but young, about 23 years old, hath been

is
religiously educated,
not given to any debauchery or vitiousnes,
too too [sic]
common
with young
men
in these lands, at this
day.
If there bee any merchant of your acquaintance that wants
such a young man, I pray recommend Mr.

him.
It
Homer Jackson
to
may
prove a kindnes both to the one
&
to the other,
of.
&
hope that which you will have no cause to repent

nothing of publique affayrs to write
cort,
of.
I have
The D of York is at The Nonconformists are generally, all over England, greatly persecuted all manner of ways. The Bps Corts themselves spare them not, (little dogs will bee yelping & snapping when great ones fight) but excommunicate them, & then get out the writ De Excommunicato Capiendo,* upon which many wee hear are taken up & thrown into
&
of as great influence as ever.
prison.
Thus doe they make the
Sheriff the Devill, for
him they
excomhave a
means.
cause to take
whom
There
they pretend to have delivered up to Satan.
However,
this is the reall trouble that folio wes

is
on
their
municating.
some
talk as if
wee were
like to
rupture with Holland suddenly, on account of a great loss sus-
teyned by our East India
Company
at
Bantam by
their
The King of Bantam's Son rose up against his father. The Dutch took part with the son, the English with the father. The son taking Bantam, where the chief factory of the English was, the Dutch got the goods & persons of the English, &, transported This is the story as I both the one and the other to Batavia. hear. Some say had not the Dutch interposed, the lives of the English had certeynly been lost, as well as their goods seized by
the conqueror, hee being
much
incensed against them, that they,

I sup-
beeing strangers, should concern themselves against him.
pose you will hear that Count Teckely [Tekeli] hath made an
agreement with the Turk,
is
taken into his protection, and
is
made
* This writ obliged the sheriff to take the offender, and imprison
ciled to the
him
till
he was recon-
Church.
Blocksione,
iii.
102.
1683.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
43
King*
some
of Hungary, and that on good, very good terms, whereby
that kingdome, so long harrased

tranquillity.
by the Empero r
directed
is
in prospect of
Michael Apafi, the prince of Transylvania,

declaracon
,
hath put forth a notable
Universis orbis
etc. in justi-
Christiani Regibus, JPrincipibus

ficacon of
the Hungarians
herein.
Rebus publicis, Hee hath the

was
report of a
serious, godly
man,
&
truely his declaracon
in a streyn
someis
what unusuall among princes now-a-days.f

falling in
Tis said, the
Turk
upon the Empire with a great power. Tho I have as little regard for such prophesy es as most have, yet it brings to my mind Drabicius f predictions. However, the Lord's executing of the vengeance written by Him, & long prayd for by his people, on
the house of Austria, I cannot but rejoyce in.
The French King having, as wee hear,

shall
increaseth his persecutions of the Protestants,

lately put forth
an Edict that no Protestant

civill
bee in any imployment under him,
or military, yet he
ratifyes the declaracon of his clergy,
of which I formerly wrote

this
you word, and
it
was
said they
were to meet again
month, but
I have not heard anything of them.
Whether hee
is
will break in
upon Flanders, or turn

corsed.
his
arms towards Italy,
variously dis-
work of Christ shall goe on. I am sending your Diatriba to Mr. Brisco at Toxteth, to whom I wrote such a thing was come out, & hee desyres hee may see it.
Either
way
the
||
I have yet onely that one that you sent

it
me by way
of Bristoll,
it,
&
hath been so
much
it
out of
my
hand since
sufficient
I received
that I
have not yet read
through.
I perceive
you much follow Mr.

ground, as far as I
Mede, and
see.
in
sundry things without
Our Br Samuel's
notes on the types, tho sent to London,
yet
would not there bee printed, unless some here would subscribe
it.
towards the charge of printing at least halfe of
At
last it will,
* Some writers say "Prince."

t Apaffi afterwards
\
He
called himself
Dux
Hungarice.
came
to
terms with the Emperor.
Nicholas Drabicius, a Moravian, a celebrated enthusiast, born about 1587, the author
in
of
"Lux
Tenebris," mentioned in a subsequent letter, and published
by Comenius,
in
1657.
On the 4th of March, 1683, it was ordered, that the Protestants holding places in the household of the king, or in those of the princes, should resign their offices within a certain time. Mather had undoubtedly heard some report of this.
||
Diatriba
de Signo
Filii
Hominis, et de Secundo Messiae Adventu.
16mo.
Am-
stelodami, 1682.
44
I think, bee done,
will,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.
as I ghess,
some here concerning themselves therein. It by the account I have from London, & from
fit it
ill
Booksellers here, bee a folio of about 10

considerable payns to
in his notes,
as
it is,
& many written, serted from other & loose papers. There will bee an Epistle before it, by mee, & I think they will indeavor to procure another by Dr.
Owen
to further the sale thereof.
s. price. It cost mee many places beeing hiulcous * & many things left to [be] in-
the
yet enjoy our libertyes in this Kingdome as formerly, onely Bps Corts have begun with some Freewiller Anabaptists of whom one preacher, a joyner, but a man of good knowledg & better spirit & savo r than would bee expected, considering his prinis
Wee
ciples,
excommunicated,
&
another
is
cited into their
Corts.
Where
there
was
of
lately
mencon of some
other Nonconformists in
mee by name, whom the Archdeacon then said they would think of in due time. Mr. Aubrey & his wife were a few days agoe in good health. I suppose Mr. Rawson will have some Ires from them by this ship. I sent them word of it yesthis Citty,
&
terday.
It
was by accident that I heard of
it.
If these persons,
to
Mr. Jackson
&
Mr. Southwel had not intended

it.
goe in
it,
doubt I had not heard of
I shall ad nothing further at present.
Rember us
in
your prayers.
I rest.
Your most
loving Br.
N. M.

my
dear Brother Mr. Increase Mather Minister
of
the
New
England.
May
31 [1G83.]
I suppose at Dublin.
Prince.
!
The last I had from you was dated 9ber Mr. Oaks his Sermon on Eccles, and two of your son's Poems on him, for which I thank you. I have received also one of your Diatribes, & one of your Sermons on
15, 82,
Dear Brother,
&
with
it
The
writer probably anglicized the Latin
word
hiulcus,
broken or gaping.
1683.]
NATHANIEL MATHEE.
45
Prayer
&
the Sacraments
&
Sleeping at Sermons, as I have ac-
quainted you in sundry of
my
former lf[es.]
I have written sundry to
I sent you
is
my
picture from hence about 9ber last, which I hope

this.
in
your hands ere

also I
And
you
since
that.
This I send by Mr. Willy,
who
I hear
is
at
Limerick, by
whom
by
had a few
lines
from you.
Our Br. Sam's Sermons

valew of about 35 ,
on the Types
stealth.
will, I think,
bee printed at last in this Towne, but

to the
Sundry have subscribed,

is
they beeing to have 5 books at the rate that 4 are sold by the bookseller.
It
an imperfect work, beeing for the most part taken

notes, onely in
out of his
owne
some places
filled
up from
his
broken scraps of paper, or some other ways, which cost mee considerable payns, as also the correcting the press will doe.
Some
nocons in
it
I beleeve on second thoughts
if
hee had lived, hee
would have
altered, at least I think so, because I cannot assent to
them, as perhaps
may
bee intimated in an Epistle before them.
E. g. He frequently makes sundry of their ordinances typicall of ours under the N. Test, which I can see no ground for, and I know
is
denyed by
I
Ames on
saith
Ps. 2.
&
again
&
again against Bellarmin,
and as Mr. Jeans

tho:
by Protestants generally against the Papists,

in
know Mr. Cotton
his
Holines of Ch.
Members hath
something that looks that way.

in the statu
As
last,
to publique affayrs, they are
quo when I wrote
onely the difficultyes of the
N. Con. [Non Conformists] rather increasing

land. I spake with one lately
in Scotland & Engcome from London who told mee that hee was on an occasion with about 40 Non Con. Ministers, all in strange disguises few or none of them daring to bee seen in the streets, so as to bee known, & concealing also their lodgings. In the mean time wee hear of no masses or Popish meetings informed against by the Informers. The busines of the Charter of London
;
is
put off
till
the next term
but
if
it
is
thought
it
will then bee
adjudged forfeyted, especially
Sir
George Jeffreys bee made
Lord Chief Justice, in the room of Sanders, as is talked. Here wee yet injoy our liberty as formerly. Forget us not in your
prayrs.
Kemfor mee to our
sister
&
cosings.
My
wife doth the
like to yourselfe
&
them.

Yours,
Dear Br,
I remayn N. Mather.
Between Jan. 22, 1682-3, w n Sergeant Saunders was m d L. Ch. Just, of the Ks Bench, & June 12 1683 w? y e C* of K? Bench gave Judg* ag st y e City Charter. Prince.
46
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.

my
dear brother Mr. Increase Mather Minister
of
the
New
England.
June
25, 1683.
Dear Brother,
ways
lately.
I have written
all
little
severall Ires to you, severall
The
last
was by Mr. Willye, by Limerick.

of yours that have
I have
to
therein signifyed the receit of
come
gospell
my
yet
hands, and therefore have

the Lord's
now
to say, save onely that
through
is
mercy both
In England
my
health
&
libty in the
is
continued.
&
in Scotland there
so great a restreynt
on the Nonconformists, that I hear hardly of so much as of one

meeting.
out
is
How
long our present injoyments shall bee lengthened
with the Lord.
Our
last Ires
from England informe us that
the judges have declared the Citty Charter forfeyted.
What
his
Ma
tie
will
doe with them thereon, whether seize their revenues and

1-
appoynt a Governo of them, or give another Charter with some

restrictions,
or
renew the former, pardoning
this forfeyture,
wee
yet hear not, and conjectures are different.
Many
think the same
corse of proceedure will be used to other corporacons in England.*
This
is
the state of publique matters there at present.

vessel
I sent you
last,
by a
New England
from
this harbor,
about 9ber
my
One
her.
picture.
One Captain Wilkey had been Master, who dyed

after
here,
&
one Mr. Button took the charge of the vessel

f
him.
in
Mr. Chickley
of Boston,
Merchant,
was concerned
What
in
kind of
ill
men
they are, I
know
not.
Captain Wilkye dyed
an
house, but a very honest man, bceing a stranger, might
fall into
such an house.
Hee
here
made
to
his will, of
which I sent
;
you an account, beeing desyred so

as if the said
doe by Mr. Button
and
bceing sent for to him a few hours before his death.
I hear lately,
& company were idle fellowes, and had lyen much longer then they needed. How true it is, I at Waterford This Ire I design by Mr. Harris, who was here about cannot say.
Button
* This was done.
to the Court.
London submitted
to certain regulations,
which made her subservient
* Probably Anthony Checkley, merchant, of Boston.
1683.]
NATHANIEL MATHEK.
47
2 years ago with one Douden, * or Dowdall, Merchant,
whom
saw,
&
by
whom
I wrote to you then.
One Mr. John
Franklin,
who
by
saith he
months agoe,
this
lately called
knowes you, and came out of New England a few on mee, &> told mee hee intended to goe
Mr. Harris,
&
this lfe I design to
deliver to the said
Franklin.
part of
I verily thought I should ere this have seen a good
my
Brs sermons on the Types, printed.
They
are in the
bookseller's hands,
&
hee acquainted mee some time agoe hee had
agreed or was treating with the printer about printing them.
But
what the cause of the delay
& &
Rembr to my Sister My wife rembers to you all. Mr. Weld is chosen Cosings. was ordeyned to [be our] Teacher on Febr. 2^: last. Hee was
is,
know
not.
marryed
this
day sevennight
to the
daughter of a widdow that
is
member.
The Lord bee with you. Your most
Pray
for
us.
remayn
Dear Br.
affectionate Br,
N. M.
June
25. 83.
Mr. Aubrey
&
his wife
were
in health the 24*! instant.
Present
my
service to
Mr. Rawson.

my
dear brother, Mr. Increase Mather, Minister
of
the
New
England.
Dear Brother,
Both yours of June

&
13, with two of your
books of Comets, one Diatribe,
one Almanack, I received by
Mr. Smith, August 7*

brought them,
I happened not to be at
home when hee

Citty are put
&
g [ergo] have not yet seen him, but hope I shall
before he goes.
Our publique meetings

Conf. either meet not at
it is
in
all,
this
downe,
houses.
&
the
Non
or onely in private
there any appear-
In England
generally so.
Nor
is
* Perhaps Leonard Dowden, who was of Boston, 1679, and died, 1682; but
been
in Ireland in 1681.
may have
48
ance but
will be
in
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it
[1683.
worse
&
worse.
Many
men
persons in England
have lately come
&
sworn an horrible Treason and plot against

in the late Parlt against
sundry Gentlemen that were leading

the
D. of Y,
newes
&
others also not of the Parlt.

it,
The Lord Eussel
is
already executed for

liquc
tells
& many
others in custody,
&
as our pub-
The very last packet tells us, more taking up dayly. some in Ireland are now charged, which wee never heard of till now. The declaracon * is the fullest account that I have met with, of the plot. From abroad our newes is that Vienna is
us
taken, sixty thousand on both sides slayn in the assault, the Citizens
put to the sword, & the Citty burned to ashes f the Emperor remooved from Lintz (whither hee had betaken himselfe when hee left Vienna) to Passaw in Bavaria. The confirmacon hereof is expected hourely. If it bee true, the Turk may, for ought I know,
;
bee at Koine before winter.

cittyes in
Tis said also that even the popish

Jesuits,
Germany
fall
upon the
&
knock them
in the
head, as the causes of the Turks' coeing into Germany, at this

time.
Why may
largely
e
not the
Turk bee
the Executioner of God's ven-
geance upon
Rome?
If you have seen
Lux
in tenebris, put out
more
of
by Comenius, a
little before his death,
under the
title
Lux
tenebris, you'l find both in Kotterus
&
Christina, J
:
&
more
largely
&
expressely in Drabicius
much
that
way
on which,
years
tho I will not lay any stress, yet I rember I heard
many
it,
agoe that Dr.
Owen was
of that opinion, on scripture grounds,
&
afterwards I took an opportunity to speak with
him of
&
found
he did lean that way.
I objected Rev: 17, 16.

flesh, is their
To
which, as I
rembr, hee answered that eating her

revenues, burning her with fyre
is
taking
away her
not burning Rome, her seat,
Old Testament Babylon was a Type of Mystical] Babylon, why may not the Turks & Tartars bee God's sanctifyed ones from the North & East, in like manner typifyed
with fyre.
if
And
the
by the Modes
&
Persians
And
finall
that the ten kings should not bee
the instruments of
* July 27, 1683.
t t
Rome's
destruccon, seems to follow unde-
false report.
The
siege
was
raised on the 12th of September.
Christopher Kotterus (a Silesian), and Christina Poniatowski (a Bohemian), were
against the Emperor and the Pope. Their revelations were Bayle says that the " Lux e Tenebris " was wonderfully sought after at the time of the siege of Vienna. Some curious specimens of these predictions may be found in Uulkeley's " Prophetical Extracts."
enthusiasts,
who prophesied
published by Comenins.
1683.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
Surely they that shall bewayle her
49
niably from Rev. 18, 9.
&
lament for her, standing afar off for the fear of her torment shall
not bee the executioners
&
e
instruments of God's vengeance.
The
129,
same prophecies
in
Lux
Tenebris doe
foretell the conversion of
the Turks, which I perceive
by your book, Chap.
9, pag.
you judg contrary to the scripture, as well as that the Turk shall destroy Rome. But I must confess, as I know nothing in the
scripture
latter.
contrary to the former assertion, so nor doe I to this
The
texts
by you alleadged are

in
far
from convincing mee.
The perishing forever

Rule of
Numb.
the
24. 24.
is,
interpreters ascribed to Chittim,
and not
contrary.
to
you know, by good Ashur nor will any

;
Grammar
evince
And
is
suppose
it
bee
is
it.
meant of Ashur, yet that under that name

again as impossible to prove,
meant the Turk,

bee said against
less as
it,
& much may

is
That Dan: 11, 45 speaks of the Turk
no
uncerteyn.
You know how

goes a
that
it
Junius, Piscator, Polanus interpret
&
it
Calvin
way
different
from them.
it
As
to
Rev.
9. 15,
bee
granted
speaks of the Turk, yet
speaks nothing of his perishing
forever, but onely of the time of his continuance to bee a scourge

to idolatrous Christians.
<pphetaster
And g [ergo] I whom you mencon hath in that
doe not see that the
poynt said any thing

it
contrary to the scriptures.
Nevertheless his grounding
on the
Comet
I look on as extremely idle
&
I
vayn, even like the rest of
such astrologers' predictions.
For
am
pers waded Comets doe
no more portend than Eclipses, and Eclipses no more than the

constant conjunctions of the sun
all,
&
moon,
that
is,
just nothing at
save onely as they
may
bee n tu causes of alteracon of ayr or
wether.
this
purpose
answer
doe
And I doubt not but what is in your book & sermons to may easily bee answered.* Nor doe I beleeve any can bee given to many arguments against the portendency
I pray answer
of them.
it
mee
this
one
If they foresignify they

g
;
ex naturd or ex instituto.
Ab.
\ I
&>
when
I see an
answer to that, I will give you more.
ghess that the Bruditius
* In 1683, Increase Mather published a volume entitled "

concerning Comets, wherein the Nature of Blazing Stars
is
Ko(ir]Toypa<pia, or a Discourse
enquired into,"
"as
also,
Two Sermons
signify,"
ogers.
f
occasioned by the late Blazing Stars."

faith
He
believed that comets did "foreastrol-
but had no more
than his brother in the special predictions of
Probably Absurdum.
[7
50
THE MATHER TAPERS.

in
[1683.
menconcd
Bishop of
you'l find
Keckerman,
&
from him by you, as having written

is
against the signifying of Comets,

five
Andreas Duditius, that was
churches, Qiiinquec[c~\lesiensis Episcopus,- to

Ires
whom
some
among
the Ires of
Beza
&
Calvin,
if
I forget
not,
&
of
whom
For
is
you'l find
if
mencon
in the
History of the Council
of Trent.
my memory
fayle not, I have
somewhere read
that lice did write a book to that purpose tho I never

his
saw
it.
it
But
is
name
also
misprinted in
the
my Keckerman,
Nevertheless I
as
it
seems
in
yours.
as
And
same I think of other phenomenas
in the ayr,
of Earthquakes.
am
far
from the pro-
fanenes of some, to jest
& mock
at
them.
I think
all
God
his
should
be feared before in them, as hee also ought in
works of
wonder,
& unusuall impestions
of his power in the frame of nature,

etc.
such as Whirlwinds, hurricanes, lightning, thunder,
make any of
is
these things teachers from
God
is
to ourselves,
But to of what
in
God's purpose to doe in the world
not, I think, a sanctify-
ing of him in those works of his, but rather an abusing and perverting them,
in vayn,
&
so a taking of his
and also a
sin against the second
name (which is upon them) commandment, in de-
means of knowledge & teaching which God My Br But so much of that. Sam's sermons on the Types are printing. They make but slow progress, not above 2 sheets a week, and seldome so much. Tis
vising to ourselves a
never ordeyned to that end.
done
in this Citty
the correcting lyes on mee.
About
8 or 9
sheets -are already printed.

sheets.
The whole
life.
will bee about
70 or 80
ill
I have seen
Mr.
Clark's late book, and
am
pleased
with
that
abuse of
my
Father's
But
it
cannot
now
bee
helped.
I have formerly answered about
my Brs New Engl, notes,

have heard, sunhis life, I
that I find few or
none of them.
Hee
lost, as I
dry of his notes.
As
to
any passages of
know
not
whether ever I shall have any leysure to doe any thing of that kind.
Possibly I
may
prefix
something of the kind before
his discorses
on the Types.
that
is
fit
As
to
myselfe, I have not any thing of that kind

If I can find any of
to leave
behind mee.
my owne
may
send
Sermons, written any whitt legibly
&
fully,
perhaps I
them to you to gratify your importunity, & let you see what power you have over mee. And if I doe, you may doe therewith as you
think good, onely
are as
you publish them, signify withall that they they were prepared in my study for preaching, without any
if
1683.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
51
thoughts in the least then of their being printed.

to transcribe
to
I have not time
any of
my notes,
else
you had ere
this
had
my answer
ser-
your book about the subject of Baptism, which I had by mee,

sundry years agoe.
finished,
And
g [ergo], if I send
you any
mon
you
notes,
my
you must take them as they are. As outward visage, so by them you may
J cannot
my picture
see
shows
somewhat of
my
inside.
now
so
much
as review them,
my
head,
&
Br
heart,
& &
hands are
Cosings.
full
of other imployment, as you

circumstances.
may
well
imagine, considering
my
Rembr
all.
to
my
sister,
Tim.
us,
The Lord be with you
My
wife rembrs
to you.
Forget us not in your prayers.
It
is
a dark day with
&
long.
much to bee feared the storm will grow sorer upon us ere With the Lord I leave you, & remayn Dear Br, Your most affecconate Br. N. M.
Aug*
13. 1683.

Aug*
18, '83.
Dear Brother,
13*
instant, a
Since
the finishing of
to
my
former of the
poor
woman came
mee, bringing the inclosed,
&
earnestly desyring I would send
it
to
New
England,
&
get an an-
swer for her, whether her Brother,

bee living, or to bee heard of in
Abraham
Bell,* a shoemaker,
England. Shee hath heard know, or c[an] hear of such an one, I pray send word. I wro[te] formerly to enquire if any of the Palmers j bee living in or about Salem. A good freind of m[yne] & an elder of our church, their relacon, desyres to hear of them. Our last packet from England brings word Vienna is not yet taken by the Turk a[lso] that a quo warranto is gone out against your Patent in New England, J of which perhaps you may
that hee did live in Boston.
New
If you
hear before this can
come
to
your hand, for Mr. Smith
tells
me
* One Abraham Bell died in Charlestown in 1663. t Richard Palmer was at Salem at the date of this
J
letter.
The writ of Quo Warranto was issued June 27, 1683. Randolph arrived with it October 26. The agents of the Colony to England, Joseph Dudley and John Richards
reached Boston a few days before him, October 22.
52
hee hath
sold
THE MATHER PAPERS.

his
[1684.
vessel,
and intends to goe by Pensylvania
Gover
1
.
The Lord bee with you. I rest Your affecconate Br,
N. M.
Mr. Smith having sold his vessell here, and beeing to goe homeward as a passenger, I shall not send any of my Sermons by him as I thought to have done. Hee knowes not whether hee shall
goe from hence to Pensylvania
hears
is
in a ship
of Quakers, that hee
to
come from Chester,
&
victual here, or whether
some
other way.

TJiese
for
the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, Minister of

Boston in
the
Gospell at
New
England.
March
26, 1684.
Dear B r
wrote a few
lines
to
you, a few days agoe,
by a maid namfed] Susan

husband
is
Salisbury.
This I send by Mr. Joseph
Allen,* the son of a godly woman, a
one of our Deacons.
member with us, whose The young man himself is civill

in
&
sober,
was never taynted with or inclined
the least unto
the debaucheryes
in this
&
raigning vices [of] the time
&
place;
onely
unhappy, that hee was bound prentise to an ironmonger,

thereby mastered,
but hath so strong a naturall byass to ingenious handicrafts that hee

is
&
indeed so wholly carry ed, that hee can-
not thrive at buying

&,
&
selling,
but excells in those other things,

skill
thence hath acquired good

limning,
in
watchmaking, clockmaking,
graving,
[&]
that
by
his
owne ingenuity
is
&
industry
chiefly, for
His design
necessity of earning his bread by practising his sk[ill] in
OCT
For
he served an apprentiship faythfully to another trade.

in comeinsf to
New England
f5
that hee bee under a
some of
those things.
hee, having a mother at hand, to
...
on
* A Joseph Allen was one of the " undertakers " at the establishment of Brattle-street Church in 1698. He may have been the person here mentioned. If he exercised in New England his " skill in graving and limning," he preceded Pelnam many years.
1684.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
him
so
53
his fancy, masters
much
as to carry
him away from
[one]
is
kind of thing to another.

.
. .
My
request to you on his behalf
would countenance & advise him as you may have opporThe account I have given you of tunity,] & shall see him need.
him
is
his true character.
To
gratify you,
&
that
over me, I here send you by
you may see how much power you have him a few of my sermons, as they
least
were prepared for preaching, without the

ever beeing published.
thought of their
as
Pr[ay do] you with them

it
you
see
good.
If you suppress them,

.
will well please will arran[ge]
me, onely you
send
if
you publish them, I
what
will bee
necessary before each of those on Zachary, intimating the time

occasion of their preaching.
to that
all
&
And
the speech or charge annexed
on Zech: 3,9, you
may
also let pass with the sermon, onely
na[mes] must be suppressed
hands were laid on at Mr.

directory orders, f
& concealed by any Wf* ordination, not in
means.
That
prayer as the
by others generally practised, was on a former occasion introduced in this church by mee, conceiving it
is
&
fittest to
be done then,
&
best agreeing with the Apostles' practice,
Act. 6., touching which you
may
give an hint in advertisement.
Therein you will see some vacancyes
&
lacunce,
&
also
some
curtness of expression, which should bee filled up, but I
must leave
them
doe to detract or ad, or otherwise alter any you think fit, so it bee not contrary to what I have written. sermons on Ps. I had thoughts to have sent you account of them & looking to ... of your 25, 6. 7 the mercy & goodness of God my notes of
to you, as also I
thing as
the 2 latter are so broken

out,
&
imperfect that you cannot
&
cannot yet get him to perfect them.
make them As also some

therein
sermons on the Cov* of

in
it,
God
I
in
with fathers, comprising children

not
on Act. 3, 25.
rellished
But
is
know
how some nocons

besydes there
is
would be
by some
N. E,
&
a piece of
one of them at least that
not yet perfected so as to bee legible.
For
so
it
oft falls out
with mee,
&
amongst many I could not light
* Weld.
t
The language
of the Directory was, "
imposition of hands, and prayer, with fasting,
doth belong.
Puritans,"
1 Tim. Appendix
v. 22,
ix.
Acts xiv. 23,
Every minister of the word is to be ordained by by those preaching presbyters to whom it and Acts xiii. 3." See Neal's *' History of the
54
on
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1684.
some of these are not the subjects that my spirit & delight is most in. If I live, & the Lord will, I think I shall send you some on such subjects. If you publish these I now send, I think it best that that on Zech. 3.9. have not my name to it, nor the land where it was preached, For but rather goe as in company with the rest, but nameles. tho wee had then more liberty than wee have now, it was judged necessary to meet for the occasion, in a private house the Bishops are thought by some to bee more tender in that poynt of ordinacon, than in most others, & perhaps not without reason. For as Bellarmin argues that a Pope or oecumenical!, pastor is necessary to
so perfect as these are.
many
I confess
send Ministers to convert heathens, so

for
is
if
Bishops bee not necessary
making Ministers, it may bee they think folks will conceit there no need of them at all. I sent you a piece of a specimen of my Br. S. on the Types by
I
S. Salisbury.*
is
now
send another,
lest that
miscarry.
with us as to our liberty, the bearer can acquaint
How it Wee you.
are forced to meet in private dwelling houses, sometimes one,
sometimes another, sometimes within, sometimes without the Lord

Mayor's jurisdiccon.
Thus
it
hath been with us ever since about

that the
the latter end of July last.
Not but
Mag
at
knowes well
but the Lord
enough wee meet,

nive at what
so to be,
&
could easily take us
when
it,
orders their spirits so toward us, that they are yet willing to con-
we
practise, tho
upon
their signifying their pleasure
wee
left
our publique places.
Wee,
beeing two of us,
meet
in 2 places at the
same time, Mr.
W.
beeing in the forenoon

:
where I
am
in the afternoon,
&
vice versd
preaching to both
same sermon, which we doe, not for the numerousnes of the Church, but to accommodate others, tho
the parts of the church the
to us
it
be a great inconvenience, especially in this hot summer

bee sweltered in such throngs as wee are, in such unayry
the afflicting
wether
places.
to
these 6
My wife hath been under months, & for more than
hand of God about
3 hath not been out of dorcs,
save that yesterday, the wether inviting,
&
once before, shee went

arc
is
out
in
a coach a mile or two.
The Physicians
it
much
at a loss
about
sundry of her complaynts, onely

heat
evident
that
an
[hect?]icall
&
drought
afflicts
her,
&
hath greatly wasted
* Susan Salisbury, the
"maid" spoken
of in a former part of this letter.
1684.]
NATHANIEL MATHEE.
before, but
is
55
her flesh, which was
niber us in jour prayers day
and yours.
Rember us to Your most
& our B
night.
r
much less now. ReThe Lord bee with you

sister
Tim:
&
& cosings.
I rest
aflecconate Br,
N. M.
I received from you sundry of your books of Comets, as I
formerly wrote you, wherein I suggested
my
differing
from you
about the portendency of them, as also that the Budritius
whom
you mencon
Eccles.
for
it,
is,
is
as I take
it,
It
here said, tho I

it
Andr. Duditius, Episc. Quinque know not what grounds there are
nor whence
comes, that you in
New
England,
if it
&
it,
yourself
let
in particular are turned Presbyterian.
I pray
be so
mee
know,
&
the reasons of
it,
for as yet I cannot beleeve
tho your
notion of Ecclesia visibilis catholica integralis, your enlarging

the subject of baptism, your essays about combinacons of churches,
&
some other things seem

is
to
mee
to look too
much
that way.
;
pray send mee whatever

could procure for
I should account
ton's
printed in N.
England
lately
&
if
you
mee
it
all
the Catechisms of
New England
divines,
a great treasure.
that
I have none but Mr. Noras
&
Mr.
Eisk's,
you sent mee, not so much

Noise's,
my
father's,
save that I borrowed one of his.
Mr.
Cotton's, one of
as
Mr.
But there was one of one of Mr. Davenport's, all
which,
others.
rember, I have seen,
&
I think there are sundry
I pray also send
me your
Our
Collection of
last packet
Remarkable Provi-
dences in
New
England.
from Engl, brings
us newes of two very loyall addresses to his Majestie,* one from
New
Plimouth
&
the other from Connecticut, which were both

;
very graciously received

sets are
by which I suspect you of Massachu-
more whiggish,
in the
&
your neighbors more toryish
to ex-
press
it
language of
late in use.
and Council of your Majesty's General Court there and the Colony," which was issued at the close of the year 1683 (Prince supposes that it was drawn in November), and signed by Thomas Hinckley, Governor, may be found in Mass. Hist. Coll 4th series, vol. v, page 98. It is not noticed in the Plymouth Colony
Petition and Address of the Governor
in
"The humble
Colony of
New Plymouth
New
England
in behalf of the
Records.
"The most humble Petition of your Maties Assembly of his Maties Colony of Connecticut in
November
page 136.
14, 1683.
It is
loyall subjects, the
New
Govr and Generall England," was signed at Hartford,
printed in the Colonial Records of Connecticut, 1678-1689, at
56
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1GS4.

To
the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, Minister of

in
the
Gospell in Boston
New
England.
Pr Mr.
Baity.
May 19*
1684.
Dear Brother,
have not any of yours by mee to answer,
having written lately more at large by Mr. Joseph Allen, by

I also sent you, to gratify
whom
your importunity, some notes of some
sermons of myne.
This I
now
write, I
design by Mr. Bayly,

is
;
to
whose wife is here, and goes away tomorrow. Shee Mr. John Price, whom I suppose you remember
daughter
is
hee
and
hath been
many years,
a ruling elder in this church.
Her husband
was Minister
at Limerick,
and had a people there, but having

late,
been hinderd from preaching there of

beeing, as I hear, inco aged
r
hee
now goes for N. E.,

by Mr. Willey,
&
invited so to doe
member with him, and by Mr. Willard, the Minister at the Third Church in Boston. Hee is a person whom God hath much hono ed in the conversion of many, as I have heard, and hee hath great acceptance with very many in this Town. When hee came hither from Limerick, now and then in 2 or 3 years, the who was
a
r
places where hee preached used to be so thronged as no other place
was
at
any time, preach who would.
How
it is
with us as to our
liberty in the
Gospell, you will understand by him
&
his wife.
The Papists
are in their Mass-houses agayn very openly
&
numerto
ous, tho they were forbidden
them
at the
same time that wee were

notice of them,
put out of our meeting places.

return again into ours, tho the
Wee
have not yet adventured
Government take no
it
and
is
pleased to connive at our meeting in private houses, tho in
such numbers
&
so openly as that
is
generally well enough
knowne both that wee doe meet & where. I hear this morning that some Scotch Ministers in the North of Ireland, who had
withdrawn from
their former places of meeting,
&
did lately re-
turn again to them, are, by order from hence, taken up.
meeting of the Quakers* in

*
this
town,
Sz
of one small
The company
It is
nn interesting
fact,
and highly creditable

at
to the Christian
temper of these Quakers

Increase Mather,
of Dublin and vicinity, that, forgetful of injuries, they contributed liberally to the relief
ol*
the inhabitants of
his
Now England
rs in
a period of great public distress.
in
Diary, under the dale Nov. 25, 1G76, says,
being Bonl by the Quak(
Dublin
for
"Avessell from Ireland arrived here, those that were impoverished by the war here."
1684.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
57
of Arminian Anabaptists are not restreyned, the latter I suppose

the former for some other reason. Lord Deputy * here hath not of himself any keennes against our meetings, neither had his father, the D. of Ormond, But that is during whose Lieutenancy wee were not troubled. liberty England that our is thus to from obedience orders' in streightned. For I cannot hear of any place in England where
for their inconsiderablenes,
Many
think our
the Nonconformists are sufferd to
meet unmolested, and
in
many
Nor
is
places they are also
otherwise persecuted, viz* on the Statutes
made
their
against Popish recusants, and in the Bps' Courts.

case better,
but rather
much more
difficult
in
Scotland.
Tho
will
the
Lord hath
is
hitherto spared us,
&
not put the cup into our

it
hand, yet there
on many accounts so much cause to fear that

also, that I
come unto us
cannot bee without thoughts, that
possibly I
may
is
bee driven to remove, tho whither I
know
is
not.
The
earth
the Lord's.
At
present I see no place that

bee.
like to
bee quiet, unless you in bee gone,
New England
But
if
your Charter
&
other Governors appoynted, I expect not any other
but that your Ministers must conform or bee packing.
One
that
came from N. E.
send
told
mee
the Ministers to the Eastward of Pasit
cataqua were so dealt withall,| whether
bee so or not, I pray
mee word.
My
brother's
book
is
printed to the
344 page.
still
It will bee
about 600 or 700, as I ghess.
My
wife
is
lan-
guishing under bodily pains
&
weaknesses, nor
is
her complexion
* The Duke of Ormond was still Lord-Lieutenant; but in his absence from Ireland, was acting as Deputy. f The writer had undoubtedly heard of the arbitrary proceedings of Cranfield, who, " ambitious to ape his royal master," then executing in England the penal laws against the Nonconformists with great rigor, determined to institute similar measures in New Hampshire. " He had attempted to impose upon the people the observation of the thirtieth of January as a fast, and to restrain them from manual labor at Christmas; but his capital stroke was to issue an order in Council, that after the first of January, the ministers should admit all persons of suitable years and not vicious, to the Lord's Supper, and
his son, the Earl of Arran,
'
baptism; and that if any person should desire baptism or the other sacrament to be administered according to the liturgy of the Church of England it should be done, in pursuance of the King's command to the Colony of Massachusetts; and any
their children to
minister refusing so to do should suffer the penalty of the Statutes of Uniformity.'"
Belknap's " History of

for
New
Hampshire,"
vol.
i.
p. 205.
by a warrant, dated February 6, 1683, having administered the sacraments contrary to the laws and statutes of England. A fragment of a letter written by Mr. Moodey in prison is found in this volume. A letter from him to Governor Thomas Hinckley, also written from the prison, may be found in
to prison
The Rev. Joshua Moodey was committed
Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. v. 4th series.
58
recovered,
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the- it
[1684.
bee not altogether so bad as
it
was.
The
physi-
cians are at a loss about her distemper, as far as I can perceive.

It
seems to bee an
hectical!
malady, for shee
is
much
afflicted
with
intemperate heats
&
frequent fcaverishnes, constantly after eating.
Nevertheless, since the severity of the wether hath been abated,

shee hath gone out, tho under great weaknes.
My
niece,
Katha-
mee this day, saith shee Rember us in your prayers. Mris. Bayly. you. Our dear respects to Br Tim: his
rin,
who
dined with
will write to
you by
The Lord bee with
&
your wife,
&
our
Cosings,
I rest, dear
Your most
May
19, 84.
affecconate
r
,
N. M.

To
the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, Pastor of Boston, New England.
the
Church of Christ in
The last I had from you bare date 7ber 1, whereyou informe mee of the Lord's restoring you from a dangerous feaver, for which mercy I desyre to bless his name with
,
Dear B r
in
you.
I have also received by
way
of
London one
of your books
of Eemarkable Providences, and another of them for Mris. Aubrey
with the Dissertatio de signo filii hominis, brought hither from
Milford haven by a seaman that met with one of his acquaintance

in
not.
aN.E. No
vessell,
letter
put into that harbor, but whither bound I

it,
know
from you came with
onely on your book for
her was written in your hand 7ber 16.

write of, sent by
Those other which you

of.
way
of Liverpool, I have not yet heard
did you not put in the story of Mrs. Ilibbons witchcrafts,
Why & the

whom,
discovery thereof, as also of

as I have heard, the devill
likenes,
H. Lake's
drew
in
wife, of Dorchester,
by appearing
another of a
to her in the
&
acting the part of a child of hers then lately dead, on

:
whom
the
for
her heart was
necticut
much set as also who was judged to dye a reall
girl in
Con-
convert, tho shee dyed for
same crime? Storyes, as I have heard them, as remarkable some circumstances as most I have read. Mrs. Dyer's & Mrs.
1684.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
59
Hutchinson's monstrous births,

latter,
&
the
remarkable death of the
with Mr. Wilson's prediction or threatning thereof, which,
I reniber, I heard of in
New
England, would have done well to
bee put in, tho the story of their births bee printed already by
Mr.
Weld * & menconed from him by Mr. Baxter & others. Our London
Observator hath of late entertayned his reader with descanting
on a
Ire
of yours said by
him
to be
written to Mr.
Gouge
of
Amsterdam wherein you
invite over
Mr. Ferguson, f
telling
him hee
& Whalley were, talk of purchasing your by a bribe of 2 or 3000 li & that if that will not doe, you will defend your libertyes with their lives. But to mee it [is] not credibl[e] that you should be guilty of such a thing, and hee is not avr6mg\_tog] with mee. [B]ut you see there are indeavors to represent you both as a fool & a knave at once. I pray God sanctify it to you, and guide & keep you. J
may
be as safe as Goff
quiet
I had not
now
sent this letter, nor indeed
know
of the oppor-
tunity for it, but that a good freind & neer relacon of myne, one Mr. Rich. Lob, merchant in London, who marryed my sister Thompson, desyres me to write in behalf of this gentleman, the bearer, his kinsman Mr. Penhallow of Falmouth in Cornwall,
who
designs to spend a year or two in
New
England,
a
in
the
Colledg, for the perfecting of his learning, hee having lived 3 or 4

years under the instructions of one
Mr. Morton,
||
godly
&
learned man,
whom
I knew,
who
is
constreyned to withdraw by
reason of Capias's upon an Excommunicacon.l"
Hee
is
sober and
godly, and an h[ar]d stud[ent] and therefore a person of promising

* Thomas Welde's " Short Story of the Rise, Reign, and Ruin of Antinomians,
and Libertines, that infected the Churches of New England." Robert Ferguson, who fled to the Continent after the discovery of the Rye House Plot. See Macaulay's " History of England," chap. v. | The letter falsely attributed to Increase Mather, which is here referred to, will be found in this volume, together with a letter from him repelling the imputation of its authorship. The judgment and indignant feeling expressed by Nathaniel Mather concerning the charge against his brother, are as just as they are natural, and ought to have
Familists,
t This is probably the notorious
weight in the scale against the opinions of those

positive denial of Increase, his acquittal
who
set their
mere suspicions against the

internal evidence furnished
by the jury, and the
by the
letter itself.
The subject of the " forged letter " will be more largely treated in a note appended to a letter of Increase Mather to Joseph Dudley. Afterwards a Counsellor of the Province of New Hampshire, Samuel Penhallow. and Chief Justice of the Superior Court. Author of a History of the Indian Wars. Rev. Charles Morton came over in 1686, and was installed at Charlestown Nov. 5th of that year. He had been an eminent instructer of young men in England, and was made a Member of the Corporation of H. C.
||
See note,
p. 42.
60
THE MATHER PAPERS.

great expectacons,
[1684.
&
&
deserves your rather sing[u]lar incour-
agcment, especially
his behalf is, that
in such
an age as
this.
My
request to you in
New England, when God you would show him what kindnes hee may n[ee]d by advising him & recommending him in the Colledge, or any other ways as it may fall in your power. I promise myself you will gratify mee in this, and therefore shall not further insist thereon. By him I send you one of our Brs' books on the Types, in quires. I could I design to send some more by not send it from hence bound.
shall bring him to
the
first
opportunity from hence, which I expect will occur within
a few months.
The
subscribers
gratis.
pay
7s.
per book, in quires,
having onely a 5th book

ten,
The
booksellers give
mee but
friends
which
is
so small a
number
that I cannot gratify
my
as I desyre.
desyre you would send I
The sermons which you received by Mr. Allin, I mee back again by some sure conveyance
you publish
not.
mean such
3,
as
Those on Luk.
7,
38,
&
on
Gal. 5, 17. I think as perfect as that which you publish.
That
on Zech.
perfected.
&
those on Hebr. 6, 2. are, or at least

less willing to
may
easily bee
Perhaps you are
publish them because

I confess,
I
differing
of the interpretation of the text, which
is,
from many, perhaps most, interpreters.

fy ed therein, that for that very reason, I
But
am
so well satis-
am
the
However, doe therein as you publish them not, I desyre you would return them, because I have no other copy of them. Mris. Aubrey hath been of late somewhat indisposed, but not so as to keep her chamber. My
should bee published.
if
more willing they you please, onely,
wife
is
still
afflicted
with weaknes
&
payns, but hath
somewhat
is
recovered her complexion.

health.
My
niece lives with
me,
&
in usuall
Our
us
libertys in the Gospell are
through the Lord's good
hand
to
still
continued as formerly.
Pray
fitted
for us, that
wee
may improve
tryalls.
our present mercyes,
&
bee
for approaching
r
The Lord bee with you. I rest, dear Your most affecconate Br.
N. M.
Decb.
31, 84.
My
of
wife
&
niece
remb r
worth,
to yourself
&
relacons with you.
There went
lately
from London, for New-England, a gentleman

Capt. John Blackwell.*
in
much
piety
&
If hee bee
* Capt. John Blackwell purchased a large tract of land
Massachusetts, while
.in
London,
in
1084
and, in 1G8G, was a candidate for the office of Assistant in this Colony.
1686.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
61
there, present
my
humble
service to him,
and you
may
acquaint
him
his son
Harris
&
daughters here,
&
their children are all in
health.
I have
known him many

For
years.
Hee
did sundry years
dwell in this Citty.
serious, reall piety,
&
noblenes of
spirit,
prudence, etc., I have not been acquainted with
many
to
that equall
him.
Hee
is
member
of the church in
London
Allin's
which Mr.
Ny & Mr. Loder

health.
Indorsed, " Reed.
were Teachers.
12. 1685."
Mr.
relacons are in
Aug*

Aprill 26, 1686.
Gibson, who comeing to knowing you, accpted herself with mee, & beeing now goeing back to England with a purpose to return to New England, I lay hold on the opportunity and
is
Dear Brother,
This
by
r s
!
this Countrey to see her relacons here,
send by her four of our
Br Sam's books, on
the Types, 2
bound
of
&
unbound,
for I
have no more bound but one.
Two
them are for your sons Cotton

.
&
;
Nat. the other 2, one for
my
nephew Sam, my B r Tim's son the other for Warham, son to my Br Eleazar. I hope they will, through her care, arrive at Possibly the officers of the Custom house, in Engyour hands. land or here, may make her pay something for the duty of them. I would have done it, but If they doe, you must pay her again. that I know not whether they will demand any thing or not. But
I doubt they will, because
that a
f lately wrote mee word him hee had a little bundle of books for mee, but the wayter on board was troublesome to him, demanding some duty for them, & that hee would bring them to him if he could satisfy the wayter. But my B r Lob
my B Lob
r
man from New England
told
In July, 1688, he
entered upon the duties of that office in

mission, Jan.
tion.
1,
was commissioned by William Penn as Governor of Pennsylvania, and December of that year. He resigned his com1689-90. He appears to have had a difficult and burdensome administraoccasion of his retirement from
i.
His speech to the Provincial Council, on
office,
may
t
be seen in the "Minutes of the Provincial Council of Pennsylvania," vol.
p. 312.
Richard Lobb, a merchant of London.
62
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1686.
hath heard no more o[f] him, and therefore supposeth they are
miscarryed.
For time
is
to
come, therefore, you must send them by
some
. . .
freind that
fayth[ful]
&
will
pay the charge of them
sham
Churchill, book
[Several lines destroyed^
Norwich
is
in
his
place,
and 3
other
Judges,
Keynel,
Johnson
is
&
Hartstongue, in each bench one supseded, and, as
said,
3 Papists nominated to bee in. their places. yet

their
But they
hear,
have not as
Commissions,
as
far
as
and
take
lib-
phaps, unless they bee qualify ed according to law,

the oath of supremacy, etc.
i.e. will
it.
they will not obteyn
Our
erties are continued as formerly, through the wonderfull
mercy of
God
them
to us, tho not in our
meeting places that wee

heart at grass.
built within the lately tynlt
Citty.
The Papists take

a
They have
mass house,
&
a kind of
near, almost contiguous, to

,
Co vent for Capuchin Fryars very Adoens * Church in this Citty, & their
My niece is about 3 months agoe wor p is open & publiq e marryed to one Mf George Darby, an ironmonger. His eldest B r & j\If Tho Bayly marryed two sisters. My wife continues still
under much weakness and
usually, tho under decays.
many
pains.
injoy
my
health as
this
M
it
ris
Gibson <pposed
to
joyn to
church a few months
ao-oe if
were thought advisable, shee then
beeing resolved within 3 months to remoov to
Elders of this Church rather chose to advise her to joyn in
New England. The New

;
England where shee designed

was
satisfyed.
to fix her dwelling
with which shee
llembcr
my
dear love to
my
sister
&
Cosings.
I rest,
My
wife doth the like.
Forget us not in your prayers.
dear Br,
April] 2G,
Your most
8G.
affccconate
& now
onely brother
N. M.
Mync & my
Lady
in this
.
. .
wife's
humble
service to
C[a]pt Blackwell
&
is
.
his
&
.
their familyes are all well.

.
.
M
M
.
ris
Hamilton
.
now
.
town
lately
marryed
to
one
it
ing a shi
hope
will
bee a
com
had an oppo
to
[Several lines destroyed.]
* Probably St. Audoen's Church, called also
St.
Owen's.
See the next
letter.
1686.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
63

[The
.
.
first
part of this letter
is
wanting.]
and
all
the priviledges and spirituall mercyes that in
New
England you enjoye. But I fear they are not long lived. The method of these, & the last years Theses is in my judgint better than an[y] I have seen formerly. But the grammar of some of [them] might bee mended, e.g., in Thes. 2, ... it should have been producant, not producerent ; & I think some of the others
are paradoxicall, e.g. Thes.
11,
the
&
22 Phys., to say nothing of

philosophy begins to
Thes. 21.
But
perceive
Cartesian
obteyn in
New
England,
&
if
I conjecture aright the Copernican

also
in
System
too.
There should
scholars in an university, have been
a thing coming out from more care taken of orthogra-
phy, e.g. Thes. Phys. 28, nitrolis for nitrosis ; and Phillip sius *
should not bee with a double p.
Dutchman
of that
name would
to our con-
have written himself Philippides or a Philippis.
As
dicon here, wee are yet in peace and liberty, through a wonder of
God over us. The p laticall men seem to fear the like measure may bee measured to them as they have measured to us. Though as yet no Papists that I hear of are
the
power
& providence
of
gotten into any Ecclesiasticall promotions.
But wee have already 3 Judges, one in each Bench, of that Religion in this Kingdoe and the officers of the Army are, I think, generally of the same
;
stamp,
&
so are
many
if
not most of the private souldiers, the

all
Protestants beeing laid aside, tho not at

Citty the Capuchins have lately built
unconformable.
In
this
them an house
&
Mass house
near Owen's f Church, & say Mass as publicly as any others preach. There is also a nunnery in Oxinanton, & in Francis
Street the Franciscans are building a large
&
spacious Church,
and design a Monastery

of what they intend
to
as
one of them that hath the oversight
of the building told mee, and

;
showed mee
in paper the platform
who
told
mee
also, that the Jesuits expect
have assigned to them a magnificent and ample structure lately
* Rev. George Phillips took his degree at Harvard College See the preceding letter. t St. Owen's Church.
in 1686.
G4
built, (in
THE MATHER PAPERS.

His
Late
[1686.
Ma
tieB
reign, for an Hospitall for decrepitt or
wounded Souldiers of
west on
this
the
Army)
at
Kilmainliam adjoyning to the

;
Towne
as the Colledge doth on the east
&
that there
is
they will have a School or kind of University.
And
there
an
h[ouse] of them in this Citty, the house in the Jury* wherein

Captain Blackwel sometime dwelt, besydes severall others, Convents and
Mass houses.
There was
lately in this
...
a great
Convocation of their Ecclesiasticks.

heard with any certeynty.
What
they did I have not

full
Many
people in this Kingdoe are
of fears lest they break out into another Demonstration of their

zeal for the Catholik religion like that in
1641, and I hear talk

out of the
as if
many were remooved & remooving

But meethinks those
Kingdome
on that account.
the
till
that have the conduct of
mocons of the party should not think such a co r se advisable they have tryed & despayred of attayning their ends, by more
peaceable
&
less
hazardous means.
here,
And
moreover, as to myselfe,
God
hath set
mee
and
untill
he doe as clearly loose mee

to abide,
is.
from hence, I cannot see but I ought
though there were
more cause of
gone
to
fear than I
apprehend there
doubt
Some
other minis-
ters in this Citty I find are
somewhat otherwise minded.

is
One
is
England
&
his return I
uncerteyn
&
another
or two are disposing of their concerns, in order to a remoovall. Through the goodnes of God I injoy my health as well as ever onely I find the decays of age come on apace. The Lord fit mee for my great change, & for whatever hee will call mee to
between that
&
this.
Rembr
us in your prayers dayly.
Our
write
own
from
dear love to our Sister
&
Cosings.
I
I had a letter lately
my
Cos. Sam. at Windsor.

it
doubt I shall not
now
to him, but purpose

all.
as soon as I can.
My
wife rembrs to you
The Lord be with you. I remain, Dear Br Your affecconate Br.

10, 8G.
N. M.
his lady.
August
Myne & my
&,
still
wife's service to Capt.

all in
Blackwell
&
His
four daughters are
this
Kingdoe, and were
lately in health,
are for any thing that I

is
know.
The youngest with her
husband
lately
come
to dwell here.
Rembr mee
to M!"
Bayly
&
his wife.
His relacons here are well.
Note by Increase Mather.
"R
" II- 21a * Probably Jewrv
1686-7.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
65
NATHANIEL MATHER TO RICHARD LOBB.

These for
M: Richard
Lobb, Merchant, London.

at
the
sham
Churchill, bookseller,
black
r To be left with Aunswan neer Amen Corner, in
Pater Noster Row, London.
Dear Br,
also
Yours of
the 13th I received the 25th instant as
jour former in due time, wherein you answered
my
11
.
enquiry
concerning the King's dispensacon as to Penall Eccl

I since received
Statutes.
from another hand a copy of one of the dispensa-
Kingdoe we have not any need to ask is no law in this land that reacheth us, save 9 d a Sabbath for not comeing to church tho soe of o r late Judges talked as if they would make our meetings a breach of the behavior or of the Act for Uniformity. And besydes, His present Excellency, the L d Tyrconnel,* o r Deputy hath put out a pclamacon a few days, agoe, wherein hee gives all His Maties Loyall subjects a free exercise of their religion, on which some of the N. Conforming Min rs in this Citty will return to their
cons.
at present in the
But
particular dispensacons, for truly there
meeting houses the next

their lecture yesterday,
ds
Day
having given such notice at
&
having already carry ed forms
&
seats
For they had convenient & capacious meeting places which they had built for themselves but were put out of them about 3 years & an halfe agoe, & had remooved (most of them at least) out of the L d
thither
;
&
I suppose the others will shortly doe the like.
Mayor's Libertyes.
ceive
in
As
one in
to the robberyes
it is
&
murthers that I per-
you have heard of;
true severall have been committed
theCountrey
&
this Citty
besydes
r
many
all
attempts without
success.
But wee hope an

;
effectuall co se will bee
taken for punit.
ishing such outrages
nor indeed doe I at
doubt of
For
the
tho our
Lord Deputy, Lord Chancellor, 3 of
the Judges, in each

all
Court one,
Sheriffs of
& many
of our Privy Counseli rs , and generally

if
County es except phaps two, and many
not most of
the Justices of Peace bee
Roman
Catholiks, yet I beleeve such
things will bee as effectually
&
vigorously psecuted as formerly.
* The Duke of Ormond was succeeded as Lord Lieutenant by the Earl of Clarendon,
who
in turn
was displaced by Tyrconnel, with the

9
title
of Lord Deputy, early in 1687.
ti()
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
[1686-7.
Many
as
it
indeed
fire
remooved
on
&
remooving
into
England, beeing,
coeing,
seems
affrighted
the
Ld
Deputye's
but
for
my ownc
therein,
I
part, as I see
no
sufficient
cause for any
man
to
remoove
change
it,
as yet on account of the publicp go verm* over us, or the late so as to
myself,
r
after
many
is
serious thoughts about
am
satisfied that at p sent this

;
the place that
God
hath called
nice to
still
&
under the shadow of His wings I have dwelt

I could,
&
desyre
to trust.
were
I so
minded transmit what
I have in
this land into
change
at
sent.
England at 10 or 10^- > Cent, so high is the ExBut I suppose it will ere long fall lower. And
but out of
indeed the greatest part of
my Command,
ad no more.
my little estate is not at this instant at my hands in other mens. But I shall
thus largely for your satisfaction
I have written
because I suspect that you in London have more dismall apprehensions of our case then there
is like
is
as yet
any just cause
for
and
it
they that are gone fro us will,
many
of them represent our
case as sad and deplorable as
may
bee, to justify their
owne
fears.
Let us not be forgotten

our
.
in
your prayers.
Kember
us dearly to
I remayn,
sisters
&
Cosings.

Yors
Dear Br.
Febr. 2G. 8 7*
N. M.
It
is
here talked as
if
there had been an
Union almost
effected
between the Conformists
& Xon
Conformists in London, but that
by the
liberty lately indulged there to the
Non
Conformists,
I pray
it
it
is
broken,
&
the distance between
them renewed.
you send
word
if
there be
any truth
in this story.
I suspect
is
made by
the p r laticall generacon, who I hear are, some of them at least, I mean the Clergy, fretted not a little at the liberty graunted to
us in the late <pclamacon by our fayn perswade us not to
Lord Deputy
it.
here,
and would
make any use of

it
And some wcake

it
1
people that are
full
of fears and suspicions agree with them herein,

hath in
I
tho they are well wishers to us, imagining
know
is
not
what mischievous design.
The change
in the
Goverm
here
no
tic
other then 1 expected long agoe,
save that I thought His
Ma
cdnnel,
would rather have pitched on some other then the Earl of Tyr& I have been long, and am still of opinion that it is as good for Protestants that are cordially so, to live under wise &
just Popish
Governo ls
as such Protestants as
wee have had many.
1687.]
NATHANIEL MATHER.
67

ister
my
dearest brother,
M
.
Increase Mather,
Min-
of
the
New
.England.
London, A^g*
2<?
87.
Dear Br,
by him,
I
if
wrote you a line or two from this place soe
weeks agoe, and now finding that Capt

at least, design so to doe.
Ware is goeing I send this am now returning to Ireland
within 3 days,
the
Lord
will
hee having restored to

coeinor to
my
wife a
much
better
measure of health since her
England then
still
shee hath injoyed for soe years is Ireland.
How
things are with
us in that kingdoe I have formerly written.

so,
They
continue
&
the ptestants apprehensions are

I here
still
such as that multitudes
remoove thence dayly.

no
Ires
from you.
Hee gave mee hopes

to bee printed
met with M? Bromley but with I should this day see the
book you have sent over

ing to coon prayer.
I shall hardly see
& also the
reasons ag l goe-
But I doubt, my time beeing so short, how them or at best not read them over. This is
in short, that I
infinite
onely to
health,
let
you know
am
yet alive
&
in peace
&
through the
mercy of God.
I have soe appre-
hensions that I
may
bee called to leave Ireland, though whither I

to continue the Dissenters'
know
not.
The King seems resolved

thought will shortly
Libty,
&
its
call a Parlt.
&
indeavor therein
r p sent
the repealing of all the lawes ag* the Papists, both incapacitating,
mulctative,
&
sanguinary,
&
establish
by law the
libty at
injoyed by his Declaracon.*
I can ad no more.
Rembr
for us.
us to
I rest
o Sister
&
Cosings.
The Ld bee with you. Your most affecconate B r

is
Pray
N. M.
Collins f
in a
weak
&
wasted condicon as to his bodily
health (by a scorbuticall diarrhoea as the physicians agree, which
* The Declaration for Liberty of Conscience, published in April, 1687.

one, for Scotland, had appeared in February.
t
previous
Rev. John Collins, [H. C. 1649
lain to
Monk
before he
moved
to
minister at Edinburgh, and last
After graduating, he went to Edinburgh; was Chap] England for the Restoration- of Charles II.; afterwards a See Mr. Savage's in London, where he died Dec. 3, 1687.
Geneal. Diet.
68
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1687.
hath hung upon him these
many
years.)
Hee
is
now
at
Tunbridg,
by which waters he hath formerly had reviving many times. Hee r is one of the best p chers in or about London as most agree,
soe say the best.
print, at least
The
booksellers are generally here unwilling to
seem
so, unless they

sell.
can get subscriptions, pretend-
ing the book will not
Nf
etc.
of Churches * was finished by
Df Owen's second part of the Originall, him in his life-time, but is

If they can get subscriptions to the
will print
not published, sticking there.
valew of what the printing will cost or more, then they
any book.
At
this
Coil Thatch r told
My Davenport on the Canticles sticks, as mee. Had not this co r se been taken, my
at the
on the Types had never been printed.
The Ch.
r
of
England Clergy are exceedingly discontented
p sent libty of the dissenters, Intending great fears of Popery, yea, are angry at them for add r ssing in way of thanks for it.
Sundry Aldermen of
this Citty are
turned out.
'Tis expected soe
of the old stamp will be put in in their places,
&
that Sir Jn.
who Ld Mayor by
Shorter,
*
is
member
of a dissenting Church, will bee
made
the King.f
into the Original, Nature, Institution,
"An
Enquiry
Power, Order, and Communion
of Evangelical Churches."
t
London, 1681.
He was Lord Mayor
in 1688.
1653.]
RICHAKD MATHER.
69
LETTERS OF RICHARD MATHER*
RICHARD MATHER TO
by broth Wilton, but had not tyme to send you. any answer by him nor do I know well how to answere now bee. your Ire in some passages of it is so obscure that I am not able to apprehend your meaning In your
,
Beloved Brothk
haue reed your
1-
Ire
former Ire there were passages which I could not see

agree togeather,
how
last,
they did
&
so
much
I signified to
you
in
my
and yet
you haue not cleared them

also
in this
your
later wryting, but in this
do seeme to speake contrary es.
I will instance in a ^ticular
you think meet to write ag. you may set downe your apprehensions more pla[inly.] fBrst of all you say in one place that you nevf held that bapt: was the cov: f and yet in
or two, that if
anothr place you say the tyme

ch:
[is] at the
11
wn
a child becoes a relatiue to the

cov:
is
tyme
n
.
his
.
.
owne
bapt:
made, which
is
at vis
spir
reg r acon, which

is
&
not bef:
.
now
if
a childs
to
his
cov:
made
at his bapt:
&
it
not bef,
which you seeme

. . .
hold in the one place, doth

cov:
not follow that his bapt.

ffor
which in the other place you do deny ?
my part,
Agayne
I underin
stand not
how
these can
...
be reconciled. $
one
* Richard Mather, the progenitor of the Mather family in New England, was born at in the county of Lancaster, Eng., in 1596. At the age of fifteen years fie was chosen master of a school in Toxteth Park, near Liverpool. Having afterwards studied at Oxford, he was settled, Nov. 13, 1618, as minister of the church at Toxteth Park. In 1633, he was suspended for non-conformity, but was soon after restored. The next year, being again suspended, he retired to private life. In 1635, he embarked for New England, and arrived at Boston, August 17 of that year. The church originally founded at Dorchester having been transplanted to Connecticut, another church was gathered there, August 23,
Lowton,
1636,
by whose choice he became
their teacher.
He
remained
in this office
till
his death,
April 22, 1669, in his seventy-third year, after a ministry of about fifty years.
He was
t
distinguished for his sacred learning and piety, and
was the author of several
controversial
and religious
tracts.
is
[Notes by E. Mather.] 1. That baptisme was- the cov: a thing that I neu r held. The tyme wn a child becoes a relatiue to the Ch: is at same tyme w n owne cov: made, which is at visible spir11 reg rracon, which is at baptisme & not before. Q how
| 2.
:
can be reconciled ?
70
place
the
THE MATHER PAPERS.

you say a dcale against corrupt mens being
in &'
[1653.
ch:
how
:
such
can
all,
not
but corrupt
.
relig:
maners, doctr:
the ch: will become a den you meane all this will follow if child: be borne members of the ch: by the cov: of g. which themselves in them[?] and yet in their parts & the child the place afore alledged you seeme to yeeld them to be memdiscipline,
ordins,
&
so as
of
theeues
&
suppose
11
bers,
by the baptisme
which for ought I see doth as much en;
danger the Ch: to be corrupted as the other doth

grant the one
and yet you
&
deny the
be as
oth. but if the ch: will be corrupted, if
they be held to be menvbs at birth, by the rev.
wg &
in the parents,
&
will not the ch:

.
. .
much
corrupted
if
they be
members by
their
me? For ought
I see this
must needs follow, vnlesse
your meaning be that none should be baptized

but the baptisme be deferred
till
wn
they are children,
they be growen vp and [ab]le to

profession
shew
their regracon
by
their
owne
& convfsacon
Wherefore
but this
later I
it
hope
is
not your meaning,
&
yet
1-
if it
be the two former as
I pray you downe your opinion or the Question you would haue spoken vnto, in some short & playne expressions w th out gayne saying the same elsewhere, which yet
secmes to
me
can not stand togeathe

fro
[if]
you
des.
any help
me,
set*
you haue not done

last Ire,
There are oth r passages

set forth the
also in this
your
;
which I
am
not able to apprehend your meaning in
as
where you say, the Synod that

against their
book
in print as
;
mayne
tenant, viz
about members children
now
;
know
not what tenent about
as for the children of ch: so borne, this the
members members to be members of

plainly acknowledge
;
children this should be
for
the ch: and
Synod doth
for the
p. 3,
& p.
18.
that
though not
g. fitt
Lords Table.
Ag. you say you know
Mr. Hooker were alive he would not allow of 2 passages that are in his book about baptisme which speech of yours seemes to me
;
to bee very confident
&
bold, and I
know
not the reason of
it
nor whithr you meane that those passages were thrust into his booke
by others but never came
fro himselfe, or
if
whith r you meane that he

he were aliue might be
by conference or some other meancs
brought to see the vnsoundness of them now, though he once set
them downe
as his
owne
for
sound
&
good
If you would haue

tell
me
to say
anything to these, you must plainly
me what
these
2 passages are,
and where
may
find
them
in his booke,
and why
1653.]
RICHARD MATHER.
so confident that himself, if he
71
you are
were
aliue
would not allow

very obscure,
of them,
& how
is
you coe
to
know
that he
in
would not.
your
letter
But though there be sundry things

yet there
one thing in
is,
:
it
.
.
wherein I think I plainly vnderstand
you
and that
that
. .
they be baptised
for
. . .
would haue no Ch. of Indians afore when you heard of such a thing
baptised? what rule of G. do this
point',
intended you cried out
world walk by?

fittest
Touching which
though
Eliot
is
of any I
know
in these parts to speak vnto
it,
because
it,
he hath had more occasion

shall give
&
reason
to
consider of
yet I
you a
whether
briefe touch of
it
something which you may con-
sider of,
do not make for the inchurching of

fnrst of all I looke at baptisme
,
men
afore their baptisme:
and other
Joh.
given
it;
church ordinances as priviledges given to the ch:
as circumcision
and other ordinances were giuen

7".
to the ch: of the
Jevves.
22.
Rom.
3. 2.
now
if
is
bapt: be a priviledge
&
ordin:
to the ch:
then the Ch:
presupposed,
&
is
must be before
for the donees, or persons to
whom
a thing
giuen must needs
be before the
of
gift that
is
giuen to
them.
2 d ly, the nre &. use the cov:
baptisme
is
to
be a token
&
seale of
between G
&
his ch. as circumcision also

if
was, Gen. 17. 11.
Rom.
4.
11.
And
els
so then the cov:
&
the ch. with whoni
G. makes
his his
;
covent must needs be presupposed

if
&
be before baptisme
for
baptisme be administred afore the cov:

will
it
&
afore there be
a Ch:
set
not follow that by this

o
the seale of
G.
is
vnto a blank or to a falsehood?

either
dly
.
If there
may
not be
a ch: afore baptisme, then
baptisme
must be obtayned
els
it
&
rec'd
from such as are no ministers, or

:
can never be
had
The reason is because Apostles & such like extraordinary ministers are now ceased, & g. it cannot be had from
at all
them, and as for ordinary ministers, they are

after the ch: seeing they are to be elected
in order
&
tyme
&
chosen by the ch.
&
.
g if there can be
no
ch: afore baptisme,

it
and yet there must be

this
.
.
a ch. afore there be ministers,
must needs follow that
baptisme afore there be a ch: must be afore there be ministers

consequently
if this
it
&
must be
rec'd
from them that are no ministers, and

euen that there be no ch: afore
be unlawfull
it
&
absurd that baptisme be dispensed by non-
ministers, then
may
be lawf
baptisme.
Consider what I
say
&
the
Lord give you under-
72
THE MATHER PAPERS.

all
[1655.
standing in
things.
commend you
to
God's "race
&
direccon
through Jesus Cht,

Doech.
2 of the 5 th '53.
&
rest
yours in the Lord alwayes
R:
Mather.
RICHARD MATHER TO
Reverend S r and much respected
,
in
the Lord,
I voder-
stand by our honoured Governo

late to consider of that
1-
that
it
you haue had occasion of

bee of necessity that the
Whether
Lord's supper should be administered in the church every Lord's

day,
&
by him I haue bene desyred
to
signify in a line or
it
two
vnto yourselfe
my
apprehension in the thing, presuming

if
would
not be vnacceptable
I should so do.
Now
though I do not
doubt but that yourselfe are

without need of any help that
yet the
sufficiently able to resolve the
Q
,
my
weaknesse
&
tenuity can aftoard,
mocon
coining from one
whom
I do so highly
hono r
&
because of the respect I owe
&
beare to yourselfe in the

to the Question.
to
Lord I
haue g" adventured to

first
sp:
word or two
And
"
of
all I
do acknowledge that there ought
be a frequent vse
1
of that Ordinance, and that the word as oft as yee eate, etc., togeath
with
the
remembrance of
Christ,
the
shewing forth
do
evidently
his
death, the confirmat: vses
&
increase of our faith
and other ends and
which
. . .
that ordinance
...
shew the
degree of
cause?
nor
would
I
it
on the same grounds condemn any

evry Sabbath.
if it
church that shall observe
But
if this
it
frequency be of necessity, so that

this
be not so
will be sinne,
is more then yet I' do apprehend, nor do I remember any word of G. or of the apostles, that doth so require Indeed the disciples at Troas came togeather on the first day of the weeke to
;
break bread,
of
that
Act. 20.
there
7.
&
would not deny but by breaking

it
bread
they
is
meant the Lords supper, but

first
(lid.
is
not said
for this
at
came togeather evry

at that
day of the weeke
service, though
tyme they
in
The
primitive Church
Jerusalem continued stedfastly

lowship
the
Apostles' doctrine
2.
&
fel-
&
breaking
of bread
&
prayers* Acts
42.,
which
may
be
true
enough though they did not every Lords day ob-
1655.]
RICHARD MATHER..
the ordinance spoken
of.
73
wise they continued
serve
And
like
daily with
one accord in the Temple
&
breaking
bread from
house to house, Acts 2. 46.

breaking bread in
this
place
But 1. Is it by that cleare that is meant of the Lords Supper?
Judicious Calvin thinks otherwise,

saith
he,
nonnulli
interpretantur
Quod hie fractione panis, Saeram Camam alienum
mihi videtur a mente Lucce. Calv: in Act. 2. 46. 2. If it meant of the Lord's Supper, yet the thing in Q: is not gayned thereby, unlesse we shall say the Lord's Supper must be
.
. .
administred, not onely every Sabbath, but also every day of the
weeke
viz.
for
it is
evident that this breaking of bread from house to
house was like the continuing with one accord in the Temple,
every day, Kaff fyegav saith the text,
So
to
it is
said
Acts 5,
last, that
dayly in the Temple
&
from house
house they ceased

in private houses ?
not to teach
are
&
preach Jes: C*
Now
if
will
any man say that we
bound
to such dayly
preaching in public
&
I suppose none will say so,

istering the
&
not, then a necessity of adminis
Supper every Lord's day

it
not prooved from Act. 2,

for the
if that
46. though
were granted that the Apostles did so practise,

proove the thing questioned,
it
example
if it
prooves more,
it
the supper
must be observed every Sabbath, then, that

last,
must be
observed every day, which

the Apostles' example,
I suppose: none will urge from

if
it
&
yet their example,

If
it
proove the
one doth proove the other
also.
be said that Churches
now
do not meet every day but only every Lord's day, and g every
Lord's day they
may
if,
celebrate the supper, but then
it is
that
many
churches do meet on other dayes, besides the Lord's dayes, as
must have the Supper on the Sabbath, because then they do meet, by like reas: they must have it
Lecture dayes,
g they
on the Lecture dayes also, because then they do likewise meet,
&
meet
all
for religious end, the preaching
and hearing the word.
Yea,
churches for
ought I know do meet every Sabbath,
both in the aforenoone
&
in the afternoone,
&
if
the churches
must
have the supper every Sabbath because they meet togeather every
sabbath, by the like reason they must observe
bath,
it
twice every sab-
because they meet twise.

.
A. quatenus
ad omnia valet
consequentia
But I cannot speake to
the grounds alledged for this
necessity, being not acquainted therewith.
probatio, as
you know
&
Affirmanti incumbit yourselfe that know what is said for

10
74
the affirmative,
cult,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1655.
may more
easily speake thereto.
It
is
more
diffi-
I conceive, in
be not impossible.
the pmitiue eh:
any Q: to prooue the negative, though that I confesse some worthy divines speaking for a
if
frequent vse of the supper do o speake as
they thought that in
&
the Apostles tymes this ordin: had beene obsved
singulis Diebus Dominicis ; and that they did
ad condones, Quin simul Eucharistiam

Cas. Consc.
the
like
1.
celebrarent.
nunqud convenire Ames,

17,
4, C. 28.
Q.
1.
Pareus in 2 Cor. 11, 26, and to

Instit.
purpose,
writes
Calvin,
4,
44,
45,
46.
And
yet euen of these, the last mencoed, though he thinks that
the Lord's Table should be set forth every
day
yet saieth he
fy
nullus quide necessitate cogendus, sed cohortandi Ces

landi, objurgandus etid ignavorj torpor:
so that
it
stimu-
seemes he
to be con-
would haue the table every L's day ppared, but none
streyned to <ptake
:
&
D? Ames seemes
to grant that occasionis

991
defectus, or just a aliquod impediment i or
variis ecclesiis
onerosa popali redundantia
may
be just reason rarioris vsus,

day.
for a lesse -frequent vse of this svice then every L's
But
sundry other judicious wryters do expressely say that in their
judgmt no certeyne tyme

of which sort I
the
first
for this ordin: is appointed
by the Lord,
name P: Martin, Bullinger & Musculus, of whom hath these words, de Tempore Ccence Dominicce prce-
ceptu de eo no habetur, and, de tempore

edstantiis no multil
et aliis
ejusmod :
de
cir-
debemus
esse
solliciti,
cum
ii.
iis nihil
prorsus prcecipiatur ; Loc: Com: Clas.

sec.
4. c.
Q. 14.
And
the
wrytes thus,
Quoties sumenda
Bulling:
sit
Eucliaristia in anno,
nihil revelata(?) definierunt Aposloli, sed
nqd reliquerunt in
9;
et
cujusq
arbitrio
Decad.
5,
Serm:
&
the third
sayth thus, quot/ies celebranda sit coena in anno,
qnibus temMuscul:
Coena.
as
poribus nee
in his
Domini
it is
nee Apostoloru praiscriptum extat.
Loc: Com: de Coena.
judgmt
not so
Quando sit administranda much required how often,

Mead.
8.
And
well,
?)
how
&
how
worthily
men do
L.
rec. that ordinance.
See also Zepper(

Loc. 126.
dePolit:
Eccles:
1, c. 14.
Inst:
Alsted:
It
Encyclop: p. 25.
&
de Cas:
c.
reg. 3,
memb.
12.
may
now
for
seeme
to be a
<pt
of the Liberty allowed by
God
in
these tymes
is
aboue what was
in the
Old Testamt
that
no prescript tyme
appointed for bapt:

CircQcis:
&
the Ld's supper, as then the [re]
was
&
the Passeov:
of which the one was p r cisely tyed to
1655.]
RICHARD MATHER.
75
the 8 th day after the child's birth,
&
the other to the 14 th day

are not so limitted
it,
of the
first
moneth of the yeare.

baptisme,
But now we
lawfully
in resp:
of
but
may
administer
either
sooner or later then the [8 th ] day as the [re] shall be occasion.
And
if
the [re]
be not the like
libtie in resp:
it
of the tyme of
the L's
supper, but
it
a necessity that
must" be obsved every

this
sabb: then let
be considered whether in
point
the [re]
be not lesse libtie in resp: of the supper then in resp: of baptisme,
&
whether
this
be suteable to the state of the N: T.,

or rather whether
sith
&
the
whether we haue any more libty in resp: of the supper then
Jewes
are
in
resp:
of their passeov r
our
ac-
libty in this be not
much
lesse than theirs,
we by
this
count
not
only tyed to a tyme as they were, but a tyme
that coes about
much
It
oftener then they, theirs being but yearly,

is
&
ours weekely.
true our Sabb:
is
weekely as theirs was,

is
but the reason of that
is
because our sabb:

is
a morall duty, en-
joyned by the 4 th Com: which

are no
wise,
morall, and in morall dutyes

it is
we
more
at libty then they,

it is
but for ceremoniall worp
other-
&
g as
apt
bapt:
of our libty, that
we
<pt
are tyed but to few
ceremonies,
only
&
the supper, whereas they

it
were tyed
to a far greater, so
why may
we
not also be a
of our libty that for
our ceremonies I meane our ordinances of divine worp, to wit,

bapt:
&
the supper,
are not limited to any prescript tyme, as
they were limitted for the ordinances then in vse, tyed for these to any limitted tyme, then
&
if
it
we
be not
how can
day?
be that we
are tyed to observe the supper every sabb:
Thus, ReVend
S r you haue a few thoughts of myne, such as they are, touch?, this Q I desyre you would weigh all in the ballance of the Sanctuary, & if any thing be found too light, let me intreat you to certify me thereof, for my better informacon for I would not be so wedded to any apprehens: of my owne, in such things as these, but that I may still liue & learne. I rem: him that said senescens disco, discens senesco. If any thinge in this scribblet be of any
:
vse, let
God
alone haue
all
the glory,
& me
p* in
your prayers,
it
with thanks to our honoured
Go?no
r
,
whose mocon
was
that put
me upon
this
vndertaking.
all
I will trouble
you no
further, but
coending you
&
your holy labours to the grace of

rest
God
in
X
M.
Jesus, take leave
&
Your vy
lov: brother,
R:
76
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS,
[1668.
RICHARD MATHER TO INCREASE MATHER.

To my dear Sonne Mr. Increase Mather,
at Boston, be this deVd.
Deare Son,
Ire
I desyre
you would send
to
me, pr Rebecca, that
from Nathaniel which speakes of Mr. Bellingeham our Gov-
ernors Son,
&
also send
my
notes of Sermons on points of ,Cate-
chisme.
If you haue not done with them, you

;
agayne the next weeke

for
&
specially send
me
send you an horse to morrow morning, that
may haue them may you may here prea[ch]

notice whether I
telled
Mr. Stoughton
in the afternoone.
Himself
me
the last
evening that he was to be at Charlstowne, but he would endeavour

to pcure
Mr. Thatcher
tomorrow
to
preach for you, that so you might
preach here for him, a thing which I haue

rather, because
is
our sacrament day,
much need of, & the & I knew nothing

So I rest E: Mather.
In
of his intended absence
till
yesterday at evening.
Your
5 25? 68.
lov: father,
of
May
See the Rev. Mr. Davenport's Letter of Charity Prince. 14, 1680.
in 1667.
r8
.
Hook's Letter
Bookes borrowed of John Johnson * and William ParJcs,^ of Rocksbury lh the I0 day of the IT* Mon. 1647. By me, Richard Mather
:
|
In Folio.
Musculus,
on Isaiah
Commentary on Matthew
Seneca
his
Works
on John
Chemnitius
Rodgers on the Judges

Concil: Trident:
Examen
Peter Martyr on Judges
Cyprian's Works.
Gualther on the Acts

Babington's
Harris
Marlorat on Esai. Musculus on Corinthians
Works Works
* John Johnson came probably

sentative at the
Diet.
first
in the fleet
General Court, 1634, and
many
with Governor John Winthrop. Repreyears following. See Savage's Geneal.

in 1635,
t William Parks or P rke came in the Lion; arrived 1631; -was Representative and thirty-two various years afterwards. See Savage's Geneal. Diet.
1647.]
RICHARD MATHER.
77
In Quarto.
Elton on the Colossians
Preston, Faith
In Octavo.
Ferus, Exegesis on
Romanes
and Loue
on Job
Rollock, de Yocatione Efficaci.
Topsell on
Goodwin, synopsis Antiquitat.

Prideaux Orations.
Vdall on the Lamentations.
Benefield on Amos.
Bifield
1.
Ruth
Hofmeister on
Mark & Luke
Bythner Manipulus Messis Magnse.

Alsted Lexicon Theologicum.
etc.
on the Creed.
Bifson's Perpetuall
Goiinm*
Crooke Guide to True Blessednesse.

Sibbs Soules Conflict
Rich:
Bunting Itinerarium
Preston Saints Qualification.
Preston of
supper.
Sacram' of
prophets.
Lords
Malcolmus on the Acts. Yates Arraign ement of Hypocrites

Randall on Romans 8 th 38 &c.
Taylor, Parable of the Sower.
Preston, 4 Treatises
Winckelman on Small
Dietericus
Gerard Conquest of Temptations.

Analysis Logica
Evan-
geliorum, etc.
Negus, Man's actiue obedience
Tossanus Pastor Evangelicus
Ayry on
Elton on
Slater on
the Philippians
Ferus Enarrationes in Genesin
Romans
1.
th
Bucan
Institutions.
Thessalonians.
Orsinus, Explicat: Catecheticae
Parre on
Romans 13? 14? 15? 16? Smyth on Hosea 6\h
Symonds
Desertions.
:
Ferus on John
&
Epist:
Whateley, Carecloath.
Opuscula:
Bradshaw on 2 Thessalonians. Dent on the Revelation.

Assertion of Gourn'
land.
J:
Ward, Sermons &

<ps
Treatises.
Theodoricus Analys: logica in Evangel:

Hyemalis.
Bastingius Catechism:
of ch: of Scot-
D: Exposition of Lord's Prayer
Fox Eicasmi on Revelat

In 16?
Jo: Rodgers, Doctrine of Faith
Greenhill on 5 Chapters of Ezekiel.
Taylor upon Titus.
Luther on Galathians.
Stevartius Leodius in 2 Corinthians.
Neh: Rodgers on 2 Parables.

Elton on
Bayne Helpe
to Happinesse.
Romans
8*.
Ames, Rescriptio adversus Grevincoviu.

Practise of Christianity
Yates, Modell of Divinity
Downam
on Hosea
1, 2, 3.
Rollock in
Thessalonians.
Beard, Theater of God's Judgements
Lewis, Right vse of Promises
Parre on Romanes 8?
Preston Remaynes.
,]Sfew
9, 10, 1 1,
& 1 2'?.
Allsuffic,
Moulin of Loue of God Sedgwick, Bearing & burden of the

Spirit
Covenant. God's
Man's Vpri[ghtness] Downam, Christian Warfare. Second p* of Warfare. Third p' of Warfare.
last p* of
Prick, Doctrine of Superiority

jection.
&
Sub-
Salomons Sermon,
Ecclesiastes.
Culverwell of Faith.
Warfare.
In
all
90 bookes.
pr.
me Richard Mather.
78
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
LETTERS OF JOHN RUSSELL*
JOHN RUSSELL AND OTHERS TO SARAH MATHER.

To
his worthily esteemed freinde
ri
Mather, sen* at her house at
Dorchester.
Hadlet, Aug.
13l h 1662.
Worthy and much esteemed

Son,
after
freinde,
Your
Reverend
Increase Mather, being
among
us at the Springe, we,

;
some converse with him and some tast of his labours made an enquiry to him whether he might not be more to us than a wayfaring man, viz: one that might come and dwell with us, and To which we soone after resettle in the worke of the Lord here.
ceived such answer as caused us wholly to surcease the pursuite of
any such motion, so that we looked

any
at
it
as a thinge wholly issued, in the
insomuch that those of us that were since

thinge thereof to yourselfe or
Bay, spake not

the
setled.
M
;
Mather, accounting
scale wholly
waighed down
otherwise,
to
Boston
&
is
your sonn there
But having bin

perhaps
since informed that
it
not so altogether, and
much
we haue thereupon renewed our motion

it
unto your Reverend sonn, and do likewise enquire whether

be, and request that
it
may
may
be with your good liking.
We
would
not that our helpe should be his hindrance, or our joy his sorrow,
it
being cross to the rules of true freindship and to our desires to
wisli for
any thinge that may not be

the
for mutuall comfort.
We
tilings
;
are a poor and afflicted people in a remote corner of the

if
wildernesse, yet
Lord
will dwell
with us
is
it
will bee all
and
in
this
day wherein God

;
not onely arising but
already risen to shake terribly the earth
the meanest corner
may
first
* Rev. .John Russell
[II.
1645] was born
in
England about 1626.
He was
settled at Wethersfield, Conn., but
removed
his
to lladlev, Mass., in
in 1659, carrying with
bim
the larger part of bis church.
"At
were long concealed.
They
died there,
Hadley the regicides, Whalley and Goff, some years apart." See note to lettejs and papers
bouse
relating to the Regicides.
1677.]
JOHN EUSSELL.
to
79
in
some respects
to
it,
some persons be
:
preferred,
and to be preferred
to us*
above the greatest high places

sall
if
but desires are earnest and univer-
the
Lord
will in
mercy vouchsafe
his to
it
If
it
please the
Lord
to incline
your hart and
it,
we hope
the
Lord will give us harts to testify and expresse that hono r towards him which is becoming the Gospell. That the Town hath hitherto said in. the case is, that if the Lord send him to us, they will do for him, as they haue done for him that the Lord hath already placed among us. Not else at present but desiring the presence of the Lord with, and his blessing upon you and yours, we rest Your Freinds in Cht. John Russell
Will. Goodwin Andrew Bacon. Pet. Tilton: Samuell Smith
Thomas Meekinns William Allis.
JOHN RUSSELL TO INCREASE MATHER.

These. Jfor
the
Revrend
Increase
Mather
Teacher of a
Church
of Ctt in Boston.
Hadlet, Ap
1
:
18, 1677.
Rev end and Dear S

r
k
,
Its
long since I haue heard from

to you,
you and too long since I haue written

winter
having been
this
much tak'n up among sicke ones, whom the Lord hath multiplyed among us, of whom sundry haue beene long languishing, and divers taken away the Lord hereby speaking aloud to us that enemies had not done enough against us, nor we by that they had done gained the good we should, not answered the Lord's expectation, which had we done, he would not haue added
;
to procede against in so sore
and severe a manner as he hath
done.
We
haue
lost
considerably more
by
sicknesse than
by
the warr.
Oh
that
we
could truely say that either or both of
them had purged out the dross
&
prepared the remnant to serve
80
the
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Lord
but
in a
[1677.
dience, or at
it;
more humble, holy and watchfull walke of obeleast to mourn and be in bitternesse for the want of
I waite and long to
better otherwhere, that the
I feare the generall failure in both.

its'
hear that
spirit
Lord
is
powring out a
of conviction
&
conversion, or at least a spirit of tender-
nesse, deepe sence of a reall .trembling at the

lift
Lords mighty hand,
rows
of
us, & mourning for our sins, at least for our sor& suffrings, that we might not shew ourselves sottish in regard both My poor family hath thro the Lord's goodnesse escaped
up against
the contagion and frequently deadly disease
among
us
the
same
judge
first
I thinke that hath beene some yeers at Maldon,
&
as I
brought hither by some souldiers of that town, who were

taken
ill
here,
;
and then
it
went
furthest in these
&
the neigh-
bo r ing families
having beene almost wholly in one end of our
Town
the other end almost quite free.
The
disease thro
mercy
I
abated so that I
know
not of any sicke now, in the town.

selfe,
had
a very sickly winter
my
being weakly and
full
of sore paine
tho spared as to the comon disease.

crazy,
My
all
wife also
grown very
together for
;
& fallen
into a languishing^ state, so that I fear her recovery.
Lett us not
faile
of your prayers that
may work
home this winter and beene Lord hath drawn and enâjjed his He was joyned to the Ch here in full Comunion hart to himself. r witli gen all (I think universall) good acceptance. This is all the good news that I haue to write. If you haue
good
at last.
My
son hath beene at
a comfort to us.
I trust the
opportunity to cherish or blow up his spark I pray use
it.
We
the
the
haue had a day of

or what are
respite, a quiet winter, but
what haue we done
we the better ? We haue heard of your or rather comon flames (for comon sins) of N: E. We haue heard of
Eastern war,
family es,
and the driving out of soe many poor persons,

like to be)
[and] plantations, but hath that which our ears haue

is
it
heard been, (or
more
availeable then that which

little
our eyes haue formerly scene?
Truely there appears
hope,
but only in the right hand and arm of the Lord.
We
now hear
the voice from heaven, threatning, plucking up, rooting out, be-
reavem* of
all
our pleasant things

;
Egypt
before
to
Canaan
yet unlesse the
and ears
to hear, they will still
But tho Israel see from Lord give them eyes to see, be the same after that they were
;
all
the signs
&
wonders.
1677.]
JOHN RUSSELL.
thinks the tydings
81
Me
will
we
hear should
make
that
all
that bear
good
all
to
Zion to
sitt
as
Eli trembling for the arke of
God and
watching what we shall hear next.

"N:
Oh
it
it
might make
E: examine what they hold and haue, and

it,
how
.
they hold and
value
will
being so likely to be putt to
shortly to see
what they
it
do and suffer for their profession and enjoym ts
Assuredly
will be
an hono r
&
comfort to them that haue beene tryed, and they

faith
and the try all of their

of his coming.
found unto praise

d
&
hono r
&
glory,
but what cause to fear that
many will The Lord who hath

;
not abide the tryall and day

s
finde faith on the earth
give us faith
when he comes, shall he & make his prayer for the

haue no Indians appearing
five or six in
not failing thereof effectuall.

is
And
in.
teach us to use our day that
given us to meet the Lord

us at
all
;
We
be
among
but within this month some tracts have beene

it
seene of small companies,

severall times,
may
company,
Albany or
moving Westward; the Maquaes.

f of
,
as if their design
were toward
On
the
26 th instant, early in the morning, Major Pynchon,*

Hartford
James Richards
all
&
some
others with them, being

;
about 20 horse in
treate the
sett forth
from Westfeild toward Albany

to
to
Maquaes, encouraged thereto by a message which one of

sent from
Uncas
his Indians
Uncas
them brought (as he
from the Maquaes, giving large assurance of their stedfast freindship to the English.
The good Lord go along with

blessing.
;
ours, prosper,
&
return
them with a
d
I finde nothinge considerable
mistaken in your history
nor do I
know whether you proceed
in
your intended 2 Edition.

is
That which I most
fear in the matter,
least
B: or some of Connecticute should clash with ours
&
contradict each other in the story as to matter of fact.

that appear in print which I
fear the event
Should
haue often heard in words, I verily

sad.
would be exceeding
to all
you according
changes
&
try alls,
The good Lord be with make up your particular
great losse (as well as your share in the generall) in the awfull
* John Pynchon, born in England in 1625, came over in the fleet with John Winthrop. He was Representative in 1659 and subsequently, and an Assistant from 1665 to 1686 also a member of the Council of Andros, and major of the Hampshire militia. He was
eminent alike in
f
civil
and military service.
James Richards was an Assistant in 1665 and afterwards, and a Commissioner of the United Colonies of New England in 1672 and 1675. He was held in the highest esteem,
and
left
a large estate.
11
82
THE MATHER PAPERS.

and prepare us
In [which] I
all
[1681.
Conflagration
to
for the further tryalls
we haue
;
meQte with.
am
with cordiall remembrances
and
rs earnest request of your continued fervent pray for
me and
mine,
Your Assured
fFreinde
&
Serv* in Cht,
Jno. Russell.
JOHN KUSSELL TO INCREASE MATHER.

These for
the
Rev rend
M
.
Increase
Mather Teacher of a Ch: of
Ch* in Boston.
Rev rend & Dear
Sir,
Its
great part of the old one past since
now a new year, we have had any

this
besides
the
opportunity
of sending forth, or receiving any account of providences.
What
not.
changes the Lord hath wrought in
space abroad
At home we haue
went joyfully
sword over us
ance that ever
cause to lament our bereavings.
we know Our old
des-
ciple, &. faithful freinde to the interest of religion, Leiftenant
Smith
to his
all
rest
January 8th.*
The Lord hath been
aloud alarming
of us
by the awfull stretching out of His

Comett, the most tremendous appear-
in the late
my
eyes saw, which was visible to us vespertine

it
Dec: 12 th (tho some here saw

till
matutine
in
Novem,
&
is
forward
giving
February).
I thinke I
Other portentous warnings the Lord
us.
last
am
credibly
&
abundantly informed, that on the
Tuesday
in ffebruary,
about two hours 'before sunsett, was
heard at Milford, New-Haven, Branford, Middletown (& I thinke

at Guilford,
&
more toward Say Brooke) the report of a gun

;
in
the aire,
&
soone after the noise of a volley of shott

;
then the
beat of a
drum
which was followed with another volley.
The
motions of the Indians are such as minister cause of suspition

came from Ipswich, England, in the Elizabeth, in 1634. Not long he went to Connecticut, and was a Representative there during nearly every session from 1G41 to 1G53. lie subsequently removed to Hadley, where he was highly esteemed, and honored with various public offices. He was often chosen a Representative from 1661 to 1673, and was lieutenant in the militia from 1663 to 1678. See
after his arrival
* Samuel Smith
Savage's Geneal. Diet.

Mr. Savage says that he died in " December, 1680, or" (as jectured) " the next month."
it
appears he rightly con-
1681.]
JOHN RUSSELL.
is
83
not only for that Uncas
said to
have received a present from the
Maquaes
Hartford,
but also from sundry hints dropping from Indians about
&
:
from the certain observation that from each Planta-
con of Indians in those parts,
&
so along Connecticute
Colony
Westward there be two Indians gone forth in the beginning of the winter, upon some designe. The pretence is, the finding out a Town or City said to be upon the West sea, inhabited by white
men, &c.
return
is
is
But gone they

not to be expected
are,
till
&
with a signification that their
the latter end of

not, tho
in the
bottome of
it
we know
summer. some are apt
What
to fear.
Our good Brother Stoddard

of faith,
* hath bin strenuously
promoting his
position concerning that right which persons sound in the doctrine
&
of (as he calls
It
it)
a holy Conversation, haue to full

in
Comunion.
now
stands
them
hand,
who were
of the
Synod
in
62, to looke to the maintaining of that defence which
they ppared in their 4th Proposition j for the securing of the chs:
from pollutions by unp r pared ones iricroching upon

in the
full
Communion
Lord's Supper
&
voting.
I take the great care of that

it,
matter (if any thinge be doable in

to be
which I utterly despaire of )
But if any thinge be lett us see it. When the objection was that the owning such for members would corrupt the Chs: the answer then was it was [not] that bredth in admitting to membership that would corrupt, but such a breadth in admitting to full Comunion but now the say is the admitting to full Comunion will not pollute the ch: provided discipline be maintained, tis that that must maintain the ch: in its purity. But
upon your
selfe.
;
* Rev. Solomon Stoddard, of Northampton, [H. C. 1662], son of Anthony Stoddard, a was born in September, 1643, ordained at Northampton, Sept. 11, 1672, and died Feb. 11, 1729, aged eighty-five years. He was one of the most celebrated divines of his period in New England, and published many sermons and religious tracts. There is in the library of the Massachusetts Historical Society a small volume published by him in 1709, entitled " An Appeal to the Learned; being a Vindication of the Right of
linen draper of Boston,
Visible Saints to the Lord's Supper."

t The Synod of 1662, summoned b}' order of the General Court, first met in Boston, March 10th, and the next day adjourned to June 10. After a session of several weeks,
'
they again adjourned to the 9th of September,
when they reassembled to the number of The answer to the first question which came before them, namely, " Who are the subjects of Baptism," was given in seven propositions. The fourth proposition, referred to by Mr. Russell, is in these words: "These adult persons" (namely the adult children of visible believer*, who were regarded as members of the same church with their parents) " are not therefore to be admitted into full communion merely because they are and continue members, without such further qualifications as the Word of God requireth thereunto."
above seventy elders and messengers.
84
alas
THE MATHER PAPERS.

!
[1681-2.
upon the admission of these to full Coniunion what disSurely none thats like to cipline shall we haue or can we expect. preserve the ch: or help them that would keep it pure.
I do every day sorrowfully increase in satisfaction, that the
doctrine of those propositions in the
Synod 62 doth tend
in the
end of the worke (how good soever the end of the workers was) to shake & undermine the fundamentall doctrine & practise of
the Congregationall way, viz.
ter of a ch
:
that visible Saints are only mat-
of Cht
which
if it
prove not to us (except some
thorow means of healing be applyed) immedicabile vulniis, I

utterly mistaken.
am
But
When
thats said
its
but a
in
little
matter.
the day will
make manefest.
The Lord
all
of our darknesse
&
cause
things to
mercy bring light out worke for good to his
poor people.
We
noe
hear nothing of what was done in our winter Generall
Court, but only a report that
Stoughton
& M*
Nowell were
it
chosen to go messengers for the Country.*

;
Whether
not.
be so or
request
or they be gone or like to goe
we hear
Lett
me
a few lines from you.

respects,
I have not to adde, but dearest love
&
my own &
wive's to yourselfe
&
Mrs. Mather,
&
there-
with comending you to the Lord remain in
Him
Servt.
Your unworthy Brother

Hadley,- March
28, 1681.
&
Jn Russell.

These ffor the Rev r end
Increase Mather Teacher of a
Ch of Ch
in
Boston.
Hadley,
Ffeb:
20^ 1681.
Rev r end
<&
Dear
Sir,
After
our Winter's inclosure, the
Lord having again opened our passage & given us liberty to send abroad, I was desirous to salute you in these few lines that thereby also you might know our state, & what the goodnesse of
;
agents
* William Stoughton and Samuel Nowell were chosen by the General Court as its to England, January 12, 1681. Stoughton excused himself, and John Richards was
elected in his stead.
1681-2.]
JOHN RUSSELL.
us.
85
have had a milde winter,
the
Lord hath beene towards

till
We
very dry
fell
the end of December, on the last of which the

sett
in.
snow
snow
as
& winter & rain.
Since which we had frequent
& much
January 15
&
16 at night was seene the streame
of a
Comet
thro the mids of the
moon
in
extending east
&
west about as far as the
moon moves
it it
an hour.
My
Brother
Stoddard saw another stream crosse that,

saith that in the
&
I hear that
Mf Glover
not.
isphere.
Whence
morning he saw it is, or what
extending thro the whole hem-
may
;
portend I
tho
know
We
some Indians (I beleeve our enemy Indians, tho they call themselves Albany Indians) are up & down in our woods, & some of them have come into our Town. We understand that a considerable company, viz. about 40 of them together, and 30 mo not far from them, are about a place called Totapoag, midway between us & Lancaster. The Bevers have drawn some of our men thither, who say they are a gathering of Western Indians, Narragansetts, Naticks, Connegtiwhether on any design more than hunting I cuts & Maquaes
have had a peaceable time for a season
;
know
in the
not.
We
hear nothing of our public concerns at

is
home
or 4
abroad; only that Randolph

begining of winter,
returned.*
We
had a sickly time

of our bretheren.
when we buried two
If your leisure will serve please to favor
me
with a letter or two
by
this bearer,
membred
to
Sam Porter f my cousin Wa

11
. .
of Hadley.
.
Lett
my
loue be re-
delivered three days agoe J
him know his mother was what his name is mo [re] then
lett
Potsherd I have not yet heard.

respects to yourselfe
I have not to adde but dearest
&
Mrs. Mather
am Your
& all freinds with Brother & Serv*
you.
Jno. Russell.
* Randolph arrived in Boston, Dec.

following.
17, 1681,
and
sailed again for
England March
15,
f Probably son of the first Samuel, of Hadley, at one time representative, and also judge and sheriff of the county; an extensive trader with England, and a man of great
wealth.
|
Esther,
See Judd's Hist, of Hadley. widow of Rev. Eleazer Mather, and daughter of Rev. John
Warham,
married,
in 1670,
Rev. Solomon Stoddard.
Their tenth child, John [H. C. 1701], was born Feb. 17,
1681-2.
86
THE MATHER TAPERS.
[1683.

These ffor the
Rev rend Mr. Increase Mather,
at his house in
Boston.
HADLET,.Aug:
2? 1683.
you wrote
Reverend & to me
dear
in
Sir,
haue not been unmindfull of what
your
last,
tho
to
my
me,
it
long delay might minister

in not returning a
occasion of imputing
neglect
more
speedy answer.
counted
But the reason of
was
for that
(altho I ac-
my
information that I had formerly concerning the solemn
providence to be good;) I
knew by
writing to Hartford, I might
receive such account of the matter as
would be more
distinct
&
re-
every
way
;
satisfactory.
till
I therefore wrote to a freinde there,
&
ceived not his answer
the evening before
Mr. Chaun[c]y came

now.
down
&
he going early in the morning, I had not time to write

since
is
then, nor have
had opportunity
as follovveth.
till
The account
have now received
There
liveth at
Hartford
an aoed man called Nicholas Disborow, whose wive's daughter

being married to one Jn Androsse, has born to the said Andross
one daughter,
&
deceased, or at least,
left
one daughter.
Whether
she had more children, I
know
not.
Some
time after the mother's
decease, Androsse sends his daughter to live with Disborough,
6
7
her grandmother his wife.

yeers,
is
The
childe hauim? lived with
them
some
drowned
old.
in a
or eight
yeers
pond neer the house, being about To this childe had Androsse given her
to
mother's cloths,
&
sent
childe dead, the father
them in a chest demands the clothes.
Disborough.
The
Thus
Disborough pleads a
the end
right to them, having kept the childe three or four yeer.
matters continued, from about the begining of June,

of August, or begining of September,
till
when Disborough, who had

fetched out of his hands.
formerly said he would consider

resolves
&
take advice about the matter,

till
he
will
keep the cloths
Within
stones
two or three days after this resolve declared to Androsse,

dirt
the said Disborough began to be visited with a strange providence,
&
it
;
being thrown at him, at
first,
small peices.
son
of the said Disborough's being with him, his father examines him
about
he saith himselfe had mett with the
like.
He
thought
1683.]
JOHN RUSSELL.
,
87
it
was Mr. Lord's * Indian
for
he saw him
to
&
spake with him that
day in the Lott.

that his Indian
The man went

;
Mr. Lord,
&
was
satisfyed
was in a place far distant that day. This providence becomes amazing things being thrown at him & his boy, sometimes in open places, night and day, in house and feilde where one might see a quarter of a mile about, & no appearance
;
of hand or person to throw them.

Brickbatts, cobs of Indian Corn.
shutt they
The
things were stones, dirt,

in the house,
When
&
doors
would come down the chimney, & fall upon them, & upon others that were in the house. Sometime they would come in at the door, sometime at the window, not hurting any body,
tho they
fell fell
on
their hatts
his son
;
and
cloths, tho
his
most commonly they
on him
&
which was
wives son.
One
thinge
was very remarkable. A peice of clay of the bignesse of a mans two thumbs came down the chimney, fell on the table which stood They threw it on the hearth, where it lay out of the chimney. they went to supper, & while at supper a considerable time
;
that
peice
it
of clay
it
lift
up
it
selfe
&
fell
on the
table.
They
tooke
up, found
hott, havin layn so
long on the hearth as to

wive's son.
little
make it hott. This asserted by the man, his wife, & One stone that liitt him on the arm putt him to some
Another on
stocking.
said
his leg
pain.
drew a
little
till
blood, which appeared thro his
November, about which time the no man knew how, but very losse. After this burning, from strangely & considerably to his Tuesday to Thursday, nothing thrown & then went on as formerly till December, when upon more discourse of the clothes, the matter was referred to Major Talcott & Capt. Allyn,f who, upon hearing the case determined the cloth [es] be returnd to Androsse, which done, the next day two or three small stones or peices of d[irt] fell upon the hatt of the said Disborough, since
it
Thus
continued
Disboroughs barn was burnt

;
which time he hath not been troubled in
like
manner.
Some
of
lost at sea in 1685.
* Richard Lord, of Hartford, was a representative in 1669, and often after. He was See Savage's Geneal. Diet. He was a long time Secretary f John Allyn, of Hartford, born in England in 1651. of the Colony; was an Assistant in 1662, and several years after; and in 16S7, was one of the Council under Andros. He held various military offices, was a- man of ability, distinction, and large estate. Dr. Palfrey calls him " tbe leading spirit in the Colony," and
says: "
The
gentle genius of Winthrop bent before the coarser and
more
resolute spirit of
John Allvn."
88
the stones
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.
&
brickbatts aboue a
pound waight
it,
that
It
them, vet they received no considerable hurt.
fell down by was a strange
&
awfull Providence in the rounds of
&
:
more than
or
natural!',
which occasioned great thoughts of hart

death were merely casuall, or, &c.
of these motions was, the
whether the
child's
But how, Lord only knows.
what the cause
This
is
the account I received from Capt. Allyn, a neer neigh-
bour
to
Disborough, a diligent
&
wise observer of the providence,

,
&
one that by hearing the Case as an Arbitrato r was acquainted

its full
with the thinge in
compasse
as to
what openly appeared,
matter of
instrucon
it
contains, to lett us see
what our pre-
serving, unseen mercyes are.
Oh what
troops of sorrows would
be rushing in upon us,
if
not secured by the hedge of divine

.
power
Its
&
goodnesse,
&
;
surrounded with the shield of his favo r
now
a very sickely time at Hartford,

late
&
*
the neighbo ing

eldest
Towns.
Sundry dead of
week.
Majo r Talcotts
son buryed this
The
late excessive rains
have raised,
&
long continued a
flood, here
upon most of the Towns upon Connecticute, to the great losse of hay & some corne, & damnifying of most of the corn. The Lord humble & teach by all to know his will, & yeild obedience. To his grace I comend you, & with deerest respects,
&
my own &
wives, to yourself
&
Mrs. Mather
remain
Your
obliged ffreinde
&
serv 1
Jno: Russell.
his father in 1G32, in the Lion,

civil
* Major John Talcott, of Hartford, born in England, and brought to New England by was a man of great influence, and held various offices,
and military; was treasurer of the Colony, and an Assistant; also a commissioner at New England Colonies in 1669, '70, '71, '73, & '76. He was of much service in Philip's war, and sometimes had command of all the Colonial forces. He died July 23, 1688. His son John, whose decease is noticed by Russell, died July 30, 1683.
the Congress of the
See Savage's Geneal. Diet.
1670.]
INCREASE MATHER.
89
LETTERS OF INCEEASE MATHER*
INCREASE MATHER TO JOHN MAYO.f

I
These for the
Rev Mr. Mayo,
at his house.
some of the brethren are desirous of yea & that some suspect that the Journey which I purpose (if [the] L d will) is to avoid it, which is a great mistake, for this Journey I purposed before I either knew or thought of this meeting. But being in some measure sensible of Satan's devices, I am willing to sute
perceive
the intended church-meeting
;
Revd Sir, my presence at
those Jealousies.
to
all
If g you can think of any

(else those that
way
to give notice
the brethren
have not notice will think
thems. wronged)
-
&
think convenient to meet at
my
But
house on the
5th day about 9 h afore I begin
my
Journey, I shall readily attend,

if
with the best helpfulness I
am
able to affoard.
you think
1639.
* Rev. Increase Mather [EL C. 1656], son of Rev. Richard Mather, was born June 21, At the age of eighteen years, he went to Dublin, Ireland, to join his brother, Rev. Samuel Mather; and, having studied there till 1658, received his degree of A.M. from
After preaching in several places in England, he returned
Trinity College in that year.

to his
ordained Teacher of the Second Church in Boston, and discharged this office till his death, August 23, 1723. He was offered the presidency of Harvard College in 1681, but refused the office, because his Church would not consent to part with him. In 1685, at the solicitation of the Overseers, he
in 1661.
own country
He was
May
27, 1664,
accepted the
office,
and remained
at the
head of the College

II.,
for sixteen years.
In April,
1688, towards the close of the oppressive administration of Andros, he

to bear the addresses of the
went
to
England,
churches to King James
and
solicit
the royal clem-
He embarked in disguise in the ship "President," April 7th. that of William and well-directed efforts, he obtained a new charter and Mary with which he returned to New England, May 14th, 1692. His character, and the principal circumstances of his life, have been too often the subject of remark, to render any more extended notice of him necessary. He t Rev. John Mayo came from England (Mr. Savage thinks, probably, in 1638). was first ordained as colleague with Rev. John Lothrop, at Barnstable, April 15th, 1640. From thence he removed to Eastham in 1646, and afterwards to Boston, where he was installed pastor of the Second Church, November 9, 1655. In 1673 he was dismissed, on account of his advanced age, and returned to Barnstable, where, and in the neighboring towns, he preached occasionally, and died at Yarmouth in May, 1676.
ency and protection.
Through
his arduous
12
90
it
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1675-6.
more convenient,
shall
that the meeting as appoynted should stand,

,
onely desire you, S r
to excuse
my
absence bee. of the
necessity of
my
going
to the
;
waters without delay, having delayed
the time too long already
which I wish I
may
not repent of
all
the winter, if
my
life
be continued to me.
Thus with
respects to
Mrs. Mayo, I
8.
rest
Yours
Aug
1 .
in the
Lord vnfaignedly
I.
M.
1670.
INCREASE MATHER TO
SK
,
I
in
rec d your Ire,
and
in confidence of
your pforming your
<pmise
remitting
my
Mss.
to
me
agai with cvenient speed,
I herewith send an answer to your script which
you delivered
to
me.
The
printed page I doe not meddle with for the psent, though
it
hereafter
till
may
be I may, because
it
came not
into the light here
such time as I had finished what I have done in
way
of
Answ r
tb,e
to
your Mss. which indeed
is
much worse than your

is
print, that
being onely touched vpon there, which

writing I have endeavored to confute.
your grand design in

for
As
your erro rs respect-
ing discipline, sacrts, theyr Cov! &c. I can bear with them, yea
these
&
Arminian Heterodoxia respecting
Christ's dying for these
Repbates doth not so much trouble

the meritorious obedience of Christ
is
me.
But
your denying
such desperate Heresy as no
man
that liveth with Jesus Christ or the Christian Religion in
sincerity,
can without some sense of zeal for

Nevertheless I desire
still
'& his Holy Truth
bear with.
to respect you,
error.
&
earnestly
to beseech Christ to let
you
see
your
And
end I
if
the payns
I have taken be any
way
successfull for that
shall rejoyce.
However
I trust that
my
desire
will find acceptance with
him, vnto
& indeavo!' for your souls good, whom I have looked for gracious
Hee
to be with
Assistance in mayntaining the Truth of that Gospell which
hath called
me
to defend.
So beseeching the Lord
you, I rest
Your
Boston,
3 d of 11 th 1675.
affectionate freind
I.
Mather.
1678.]
INCREASE MATHER.
91
INCREASE MATHER TO JONATHAN TUCKNEY*
Dear
desired
to
Cousin,
I wrote
to
first
you a few dayes

what
since,
&
then I
you would send the

mother both
opportunity, both what was due

is
my
for rentes, (?) as also
since
become
due to
my
cousin Tim.
This cometh to you onely to entreat that
you would affoard any helpfullness you may to the bearer hereof, Mr. W. Hubbard. Hee is a worthy pson, and hath approved
himselfe a faithfull minister of the Gospell for
many
years at
Ipswich in
this
Countrey.
Some
matters of consequence about his
temporal estate there necessitated him to engage in this voyage
E.f Possibly, some advice fro yourselfe may stand him some steade. And I shall willingly account any kindness done him as if'it were done to myselfe, & shall, I hope, be ready
for
in to to
serve
you or any of yours, wherein I may,

to the grace of
as
you
shall desire.
So comending you
Dec'br
28, 1677.
God
in Christ Jesus, I rest,
Your
loving Cousin
My
&
aged Cousin Whiting
J is yet alive in
Lyn.
She
is
dead,
he by reas. of age can not continue long.
RESULT OF A COUNCIL AT CHARLESTOWN,
1678.
Wee
the Messengers of the churches, being orderly called and
assembled as a Council of churches upon the request of the Brethren

* Jonathan
Tuckney was son
of Rev. Dr.
Anthony Tuckney,
assistant to Rev.
John
Cotton, in Boston, England; and, after the removal of Cotton to
Boston.
further notice of Jonathan
Tuckney may
England, Vicar of be seen in connection with his
New
letters in this
volume.
f Rev. William Hubbard, the historian, had inherited from his father an estate in Tendring Hundred, in Essex, England. His wife died March 3, 1677. His death took place DecemJ Rev. Samuel Whiting. ber 11, 1679, at the age of 82 years. See a more extended notice of him in connection with his letter in this volume. This paper, in the handwriting of Increase Mather, relates to a division in the church at Charlestown, which occurred after the death of Rev. Thomas Shepard, December 22, 1677, in relation to the choice of his successor. See Budington's " History of the First
Church
in Charlestown," p. 79 ei seq.;
and
also Mass. Hist. Coll., vol.
i.,
series
iii.
92
THE MATHER PAPERS.

solemn addresses
to the
[1678.
in Charlestown, after
Lord, the Great

Spirit to direct
Counsellor, that
He would
be pleased by His
Holy
us unto a right answer on the case, propounded to our consideration.
Having heard and weighed what hath been alledged both by those
deputed
ren
to speake,
on the behalfe of the gathering
( ?)
of the breth-
&
by those few that have not seen cause

officers to
to concurr in the last
votes which have passed in that church respecting the choice of
Teaching
subject
1
:
be over them in the Lord.

declare as followeth,
wee judge
&
Upon
the whole
Wee
doe not see cause to charge the Major part of the
Brethren in the church of Charlestown with sinfulness or as going

out of God's
way
in their late votes for election of officers, since
the persons their eyes
&
hearts are upon,

blessings
wee hope
are both of
them such
shall enjoy
as
will
prove
to the place
&
people that
them.
is
Nor doe we
see but that the Brethren,
when
light or peace
sel
wanting, are willing to seeke for the help of counas in
from neighbor churches,

the principles
it
such cases both the Scripture
&
of the congregational
to be.
way (by
us professed)
Teach that
2.
ought
As
for the beloved brethren that
have hitherto in part
dis-
sented
advise
from what the majority hath concluded, wee entreat
&
them
in
the Lord,
if
they cannot be active, yet to be

disturbance with the churches pro-
passive,
&
not to
make any
ceedings, in
calling the persons
whom
their
desires
are upon,
unless greater reason for their opposition should appear than as
yet hath bin mentioned unto
us.
And wee
doubt not but those
Brethren have that respect for us and esteem of Councils, as that

they will readily be prevailed with to hearken unto this advice
thereby considering such Scripture as 2 Sam. 20, 18, Phil. 2.
3, 4, 14.
3.
As
there hath long bin a motion towards
...
on the ac-
count of that love, peace, unity which flourished there under the
conduct of their late blessed Teacher, so
we
exhort, that they
would abound more

that (f ex
&
more
fr
therein.
That they would be very

so
.
careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in .the

. .
have fallen
bond of peace, wherby offence given

.
'
or
taken
forgiven
&
forgot
shall
...
of one
mind
... &
the
God
of lo[ve
&] peace
be with you.
1678-9.]
INCREASE MATHER.
93
INCREASE MATHER TO JOHN WHITING*

Boston
1
mo. 10 day, 167|
Reverend & Dear

Allyn'sf
Sir,'
I
1
received your Ire (with Capt
name also
subscribed) wherein you desire information con-
cerning
that hee
My
is
Isaac Foster.J
I beleeve hee
is
truly godly.
;
know
of good parts, both nat
&
acquired
&
indeed more
his standing.
psed in preaching than most that I have known of
As
he
.
for his judg* respecting church order I
have not heard him fully
declare himselfe.
.
.
When
he joyned to the church in Charlestown

.
.
was not satisfyed in that practice of imposing respecting the work of grace, upon such as they admitted into full comunion when some here regarded him to be a Presbyterian. I desired him to tell me This day, hee was with me in my study.
that he
.
playnly what his notions were as to matters referring to church

govt.
His answer was, that he believed he knew the reason of

. .
my
proposal, for
had] written to Mr. Oakes
had acquainted him with what yourse[lf & me, & upon that account hee was
;
not so free to express himselfe
onely
that he
had never upon
any occasion declared against the way Congregational.

sure he
is
To
as
be
the
as large respecting
the subject of Baptisme
Synod in 62. You cannot expect that M^ O. & myselfe (being members of the Corporation) shld be forward in removing any of
the Fellows from the Colledge, that are desirable
;
of which nilbr
Mr. Foster
Yet
if
is
one.
And
I question whether his friends will be
willing that hee shd goe so far as
Windsor
is
from these pts.

shall not
you
see cause to
promote an invitation that way, I

the
discourage you.
The Grace of
I
Ld
Jesus be with your Spirit.

I.
am
yours vnfeignedly
M.
* Rev. John Whiting [H. C. 1653]. See note to his letters in this volume. See note on p. 87. t John Allyn, of Windsor, and also of Hartford. X Rev. Isaac Foster [H. C. 1671] was son of William Foster, merchant, of Charlestown. He was Fellow of Harvard College, minister of Hartford in 1680, and died August 20,
1682.
See the
letter referred to in this
volume.
94
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1679.
INCREASE MATHER TO MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH *

These for the Revf
my
respected friend
M
.
W. Pastor of the Church
in
M.
last
Rev d S R
Since
owe you
I saw
you the
in
B. one that doth mee, expressing

is
vnfeignedly desire your welfare hath bin with
grief of h rt with reference vnto a mattr wherein yourselfe
con-
cerned.
that respect
(& much more)
as to informe
you what I have bin told. The Report is, that you are designing to marry with your servant mayd, & that she is one of obscure parentage, & not 20 years old, & of no Chch, nor so much as Baptised. If it be as is related, I w ld lvSbly entreat you (before ts r 1. For you it be too late) to consid of these arg in oppositio.
to doe this,
it
which
will
be a grief of hrt
to
your dear Relacos,

to
if
be not a mattf which

will
God
doth
command
be done, (for no
man
deny but one ought rather

is
to grieve his friends, than to
pvoke the Lord)
not advisable.
Now
I hear
that they are

is
much
troubled at your intended pceedings,
&I
suppose there
no
it
divine precept requiring your marrying with such an one.
Is
not then better to desist?
2.
I doubt that considering her youth,
&
s
d
your age,
if
&
great bodily infirmities, such a change of your

is
condico"
that which
intimated by the Holy Aple, 1 Cor. 7, 3,
be attended, your days would be shortned,

3.
&
consequently the
Such general Rules as those, Phil. 4, 8, doe concern as all chns, so most eminently Ministers of Ch. And doubtless it will male audire for you to doe this thing, yea, I fear it will leave a blott vpo your Name aft r you shall cease to be in this world. 4. The ministry will be blamed, which wee The mouths of should be very carefull to p r vent. 2 Cor. 6, 3.
carnal ones will be opened, not onely to censure you, but your
5 th Conidm* broken.
brethren in the ministry will be condemned also.

say, thetes such an one,
The world
as
5.
will
Hee was
as justified a
man
any of them,
I
&
yet wee see vnto what his affections have carried him.
* Rev. lie
am
Michael Wigglesworth, of Maiden [H. C. 1651], and also 'a Fellow of the Colwas married for the second time at about the period of the date of this letter. Mr. Savage says that his second wife was " probably Martha, daughter of Thomas Mudge, of Maiden." By her he had six children. She died in 1690, at the age of twenty-eight years, and he, in 1705, at the age of seventy-four.
lege,
1679.]
INCREASE MATHER.
95
afraid that if
you
pceed, that Kule, 2 Cor. 6. 14. will be
transgressed.
It vseth to
be said nube pari, but to marry with

r
one so
much your
Inferio
on
all
accounts,
is
not nubere pari.
And
to take one that
was never baptised

;
into such neerness of
Relacon, seemeth contrary to the Gospell
esplly for a Minist1 of

*
Ct to doe wheth r the
it.
The
Tim.
like
never was in N. E.
11
like
hath bin known in the chr world.

3.
?
Nay, I questio 6. Doth not
that Script.
j)hibit
11, with others of the like importance,
such pceedings
Thus have I made bold
to
suggest
my
thoughts unto you.
And
if
I had not respected the interest of Religion,
&
your credit
&
comfort, I should have bin wholly silent in a matt? that con-
cerns another
welfare,
& &
not me, furth than as I
1'
am bound
whose
to seeke
your
&
doe what I
,
may
to prevent trouble
from coming vpo
my
neighbo r
brothy esplly such an one,
Name
hath bin,
&
I hope
may
still
be of precious esteem with the
L ds
people.
Though your
not but
if
affections s d be too far
gone
in this matter, I
doubt
you put the
object out of your sight,
&
am
looke vp to the
Lord Jesus
for supplies of grace,
you
will be enabled to ov
come
these Temptacons.
The Lord be with you, Yours vnfeignedly,
I.
M.
a-
1679.
INCREASE MATHER TO MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH.

TO M R M. W.
Reverend Sir, Since the enclosed was written and My Blackman brought mee your papers, which state the
mention the Reasons inducing you to marry your servant.
sealed,
case
&
I have
communicated your
script to
Mr
Eliot,
Mf Nowel, M5
good
Allen,
My
as
to
Willard.
They are not very forward

it
to give advice in the case,

It is not
supposing that
is
now
too late.
after
vows
make
enquiry.
Had you
Nor
is
advised with them before your treat-
ing with the party concerned, you

ly
may
be sure they would earnest-
have disswaded.
there any of
them
that dare encourage
your proceedings as things are
now
circumstanced.
I have heard
96
TllE
MATHER PAPERS.
[1679.
such uncomfortable Reflections since I wrote the enclosed as that

I see no cause to alter
my mind
Indeed
if
the good people in
as to what is therein expressed. Maiden did approve of your prodis-
ceedings,
&
if
there were
an eminency of the fear of God
cerneable in
your Damosel, notwithstanding her obscurity upon
other accounts, there would be less of scandal in proceedings.
But
I do not hear
that matter.
And
it is
any one but yourself speak much concerning thought that your Affection doth biass
your Judgment,
petent a Judge.
to
&
that therefore in this case

in
you are not
so
com-
The Lord
mercy be with you,
&
direct
you
do that which shal be pleasing in His sight,
&
for the
honour
of His name, yea,
&
I
of your
own name,
&
the comfort of those
that are concerned in you.
am
yours to
my
power,
I:
M.
Boston
3"?
12 d 1679.
INCREASE MATHER TO SAMPSON BOND.*

For
the
Rev d
M
.
Sampson Bond Preacher of
the Gospell in
Bermudas.
Rev'd S r
send herewith the Result of our late Synod,

will
which I doubt not
be acceptable vnto yoit
as also a
poor
discourse of mine, being a call to the Rising generation.
I sent
one of them formerly, but whether you received
it
I have not heard.
If you have, I would pray you to give one of them to
rs
Stow,
who was once my

stand what to say.
neighbor.
call
Concerning your
from the old church here, I

it
am
at
some
know
cannot but be a great object" and
discourag* in your way, that so

# Rev.
many
of the church, and those
Sampson Bond was

in his history of that
invited,
on the 26th of September, 1682,
to the office of
Assistant Preacher with Rev.
James
Emerson,
says: "
Rev. William church, says, that " the vote, for some reason, was never
Allen, of the First
in
Church
i.,
Boston.
curried into effect."
Hutchinson, in a note on
not
p. 427, vol.
of his Hist, of Mass. Ba}r ,

himself,
To preach a sermon, which was
composed by the preacher
was looked
this liberty,
upon,
if
not criminal, yet highly disreputable.
One Mr. Bond, having taken
and being discovered, presently after removed to Barbados." t In 1679 a Synod was appointed to meet in Boston, to revise the Platform of agreed upon in 1647.
discipline
1679-80.]
INCREASE MATHER.
9f
some respects the most considerable persons amongst them, doe and there is reason to doubt that it will be a great discourage* unto them that now may doe (as Mf Allen informs me) onely invite you to come to them again upon further
in
not act in this Invitation
trial.
To mee
it
seems hard that a
man
of your years, soe well
known
The
in the world
and whose
.
. .
gifts
themselves have had such ex-
perience of,
must now
tried
whether
fit
for
them or no.
should
greatest objection
which I ever had as

last in
to
your settlement
lest there
rs
there, I acquainted
you with when
Boston,
be some publick contest between yourself
&
the Eld
there,
w hich
T
would greatly tend
to the disgrace of the Gospell
but you did

please
abundantly satisfy in
that
matter.
If g
it
shall
the
you may rest assured that I shall (the Lord helping) doe what is in me to strengthen your hands in the work of the Lord. I return you many thanks for your rs Thus profitable lab in our congregation when last with us. presenting respects (mine and my wives) to yourselfe and Mrs.
Lord
to bring
you
hither,
Bond, I beseech the Lord

I am, Sir,
Boston, December
1,
to be with you,
and
to direct
you
to
doe as shall be most for His glory
Yours
1679.
to
& your own love & serve,
everlasting comfort.
I.
Mather.
INCREASE MATHER TO SAMUEL "WILLARD.*

Ml
Willard at his house.
Eevd
if
Sir,
I
n
am
still
of the
mind,
that
readers will think your discourse of the Covenant
some judicious more accurate,

Cov*
you doe not mention the Lord Christ

that mentioning the
as a party in the
of Reconciliat
considered as distinct from
that of Redemption,
will
&
same thing under both those heads,

avro.
be
judged as a transgression of the Rule xa6'
It
will
make
no breach upon your discourse to omitt those few words which concern that <pticular. Likewise, if you word your Assertions
* Minister of the Old South Church in Boston, and Vice-President of Harvard
College.
13
98
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1680-1.
so as that they be not contradictory to those that looke

distribution of
upon the
the Cov*
it
into that of
<
(
E. to be dis-p, lYeconcihation
.
tributio hi subjectis,
will,
undoubtedly find the better accept-
ance with
many Learned & judicious.
you would add but this pticular, (which I am sure may be made good from Scripture & experience) viz. If the Lord doe (& sometimes he
doth) help a godly parent not only to pray, but also to believe for
grace
I could wish that vnto what you assert p. 31, 32,
&
salvation in respect of his children) that Faith shall not
be in vain.
Your
discourse,
as
expressed,
to believe
looketh
as
if
you
I
thought
it
hardly lawfull for a

souls
;
man
down grace
see
into his
children's
&
will
be a discouragement to some,
if
whom
know you would be

their
glad
the
Lord should
meet
to stirr
vp
Faith in their hearts concerning other men's children as well as
owne.
hast with your Animadversions on the Narrator, I would faign have
it
Make
who
is
sutor ultra creipidam.
printed before the
next Ship goeth for London.
Some papers
I hope
by Thursday
it.
may
be transcribed for you.
I here send the
Ep you
le
desired.
Doe what you
please with
The Lord be with you. I am, Yours unfeignedly

Boston, Feb.
1,
I.
Mather.
1680.
INCREASE MATHER TO SAMUEL MATHER*
Dear
had a
Ire
Cousin,
d I rec yours of
24 May, and since that I
subscribed by the Committee in Windsor, whose com-
municat n you are not vnacquainted with, wherein they signify to

that the
me
Church
&
Cong, there have bin very unanimous
in their
desires towards
yourselfe,
call.
&
entreat
me
to
encourage you to
accept of their
ter, unless I
I cannot speake fully concerning this mat-
could
first
discourse with yourselfe, only this
much;
am
apt to think that the
Lord
calls
you
to
remove from Brain-
* See note on p. 34.
1681-2.]
INCREASE MATHER.
setled in office there
99
yet the air of that
to remove.
ford,
nay though you be
place not agreeing with your constitution,
you ought
All casuists so far as I can learn that handle that Question in what
cases a minister
may
leave his people, mention this for one, in
case he cannot enjoy his health in such a place, but

in another, then
may
<pbably
God
calls
him
to
remove.
to give
I think you will be in your
way
Windsor a
visit,
&
when
you have
so done, consult further with
your friends
in those parts,
&
here also.
I wish you would not upon any excuse, delay your
coming
to Boston, if
your health permitt you to
travell.
There
is
a great opportunity of service for Christ in Windsor.
If after
you have bin with them, they continue vnanimous

to you, I
said, I
in their
motion
as I
know
the
not but the
Lord may
call
you
thither.
But
cannot absolutely advise untill I see
&
speake with you.
The Lord,
shall
God
rest,
of your
be most for His glory,
Grand Father & bless you

:
direct
you
to doe as
forever.
With Him
I.
I leave you,
June, 1681.
&
Ifour loving uncle
M.
INCREASE MATHER TO THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH IN
WEYMOUTH.
To
the
Rev d Elders of
the
to
Church in Weymouth.
the
To
he
communicated
Church
there.
Eevd & much respected

by way of
bridge,
is
in
the Lord,
Your
Addresse
letter
unto the Overseers of the Colledge in
Cam-
come
to
hand, whereby wee perceive that you are
not unacquainted with what motions have been, both
Overseers
&
Fellowes of the Colledge,
among the who have unanimously

letter,
chosen your
Colledge.
Rev d
It is
Pastor,
Mf
Torrey,* to bee President of the
also manifest
by your
that
there
is
* Rev. Samuel Torrey, of Weymouth.

College, but declined.
his letter in this
He was
twice chosen President of Harvard
A more
extended notice of him
may
be seen in connection with
volume.
100
THE MATHER PAPERS
[1681-2.
present unwillingness in you to give up your Pastor unto that

service.
The continuance of your
respect unto a person so worthy

is
&
desirable,
&
in
whom you
are so nearly concerned,

to bee hoped, that
to bee
commended.
Nevertheless
all
it is
consideration of
circumstances relating to this
upon further affair, you may

all
bee prevailed with to deny yourselves, out of respect to the publick,
and generall good of these churches
who
;
are
concerned
in the settlement
&
prosperity of the Colledge
&
that not only
as to the present butt future generations.
It is therefore
hereby
questo
earnestly propounded unto you, that the decision of the

tion relating to your
Rev d
it
Pastor's being
removed from you
the Colledge,
that
service,
;
&
whether
bee not your duty to give him up unto
churches
may bee who will (by
referred
unto
counsill
from Neighbour
the help of Christ)
bee ready to hear
&
to consider
your objections,
&
to give
you
rationall Satisfaction,
&
clear
your way
&
duty before you in
this great
concernment.
Thus desiring
that
wee may
all
receive an answer from you, touchthis proposall
ing your readiness to comply with not willing to doubt) with
(whereof wee are
convenient speed, wee intreat the

shall bee
Lord
to incline
your hearts to do that which
most con-
ducing to the glory of His name,
&
the good of His people.
So wee
rest
Yours
in our
Lord Jesus
the desire
I.
in the
M.
At
Committee appointed by the Overseers of Harvard

of a
&
name
Colledge.
Boston lm.
3<}
1G8X
INCREASE MATHER TO JOSEPH DUDLEY.*
Worthy
ility, in
Sir,
I returne you my humble thanks

10: 1683,
for
your civ-
letting
me have
a coppy of a letter pretended to be dated
at lioston, the 3:
&
subscribed
I:
eth to
some
that
know me
not, to have supposed
M.f which it seemme to be the
C. 1G65. See note affixed to his letters in this volume. copy of the letter here referred to is contained in the Collection of Mather Papers, and is printed immediately after this letter.
II.
*
t
1684].
INCREASE MATHER.
it,
101
Author of
it
but I assure you
it is
none of myne.
The
forger of
begins with a lye, in the

written to
first
line,
for he speakes as if
Mr.
me by our Agents, which he never did, and as if he had informed me as if the Earle of Shaftsbury died in Mr. Kick's house, when as no man ever writ any such thing to me. He represents me as a* person well assured of Shaftbury's
Gouge had
happiness, and as esteeming him the great freind of God's cause.
They
that are acquainted with
me knowe
that I never
had an high
is
opinion of that Gentleman.
This manifests the letter to be a
peece of forgery.
As
for that reflection
on
his
maj ty and what

,
added concerning the Lord Russell

sent to
&
Essex, they are the Ex-
pressions of the forger, and none of mine.
He
pretends as
if
Amsterdam
for the
New
last
Covenant of Scotland,
Carill
upon Job, and Mr. Owen's

peece of forgery.
works.
Now
herein he has so
grossly played the fool, soe as to discover the letter to be a
meer
As
for the
new Covenant
it
of Scotland, I never
letter,
heard 'of such a thing, until! I saw

I to this day vnder stand what
is
in this
wicked
nor do
been in
my
study this fiveteen
meaning of it. Carill have years, & if I had him not, it is likely
the
for
that I should send to
Amsterdam,
Mr.
Carill
&
Doct. Owen's
works, which are here sould in Boston.

such books are to be bought in
I might obtaine
them
not.
sooner and cheaper from London, then from Holland, and whether
Amsterdam
the world
or no, I
knowe
By
this
then onely he spitts some of his vennome against some
of those excellent men, of
whom
was not worthy
but
he addeth with some of the Geneva prints, that I

all to
may
collect of
sweeten the milke to the pallats of those good Christians,

This
is
who
receave with cheerfullness our administrations.

I hope no
ex-
treemly foolish.
man
that
is
acquainted with me, can
suppose such ridiculous stufe had dropt from

represents
my
pen.
He
farther
me
as that I
knew by
the signes in the Heavens, that
the heathens should destroye the
whore of Babilon.
all
In this also
that this letter
he hath acted like a fool, for
now
men may know
was never written by me, since my judgment is declared in print express contradictory * soe what is here pretended in my books of
;
that has published his sentiments
is an anonymous Astrologer in London Comet; presumptuously determining not only what the events are which shall attend this, &c. ... No man of wisdome and judgement can relish the boldness of such a Prophetaster especially considering that he does
* The passage referred
to is as follows
" There
upon
this
102
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1684.
Commits, page 129

that
&
130, I endeavor to prove by the scripture

;
Rome
shall not
be distroyed by Mohemet, but by other hands
and how often have I declared that the appearance of a blazing

star is not to be slighted, that mortalls
ticuler events are, that shall followe, yet
cannot
tell
what the parsus-
such Phinominas are seen,
when
the forger of lies goes on &*tells
how Randolph was

Boston,
pected to have had a hand in the last
fier in
&
that if he
had not gon out of towne, the tumultuous

ended
his dayes.
sufferers
would have
saith that
Now
these are things I never heard of before,
therefore I could not write them.
The
letter forger
Randolph has perswaded two Collonies

with us.
to fall of
from vniting
conjecture that no
dent lye,
& some upon reasonable termes Randolph man except could tell such a impuwhen the whole Contry knowes the contrary. What he
This
is
a great vntruth,
farther adds of the the
Governor
is
& Dep
ty
Governor, as concerning
Hon
ble
Govern
is it
1-
a scandelous falsehood,
&
so discovers the
malice of the forger, not onely against me, but against this Collony, nor
lives
likely that I should speake of
mens venturing
their
&
fortunes, that being an expression
no wayes sutable
to
my
by what he writeth concerning Doct r Oates, & S r L: J:, of neither He pretends, in the close of his of whom did I write any thing.
genius.
also shcweth himselfe to be a child of the Divill,
He
forgery, as if I had sent the letter by a
Jew by way
;
of Barbados.
This doth moore fully demonstrate the forgery

that there
for I
knew not
was any Jew in Boston the last winter, nor did I learne to be sure, I saw that any Jew did go from thence to Barbados Belike none, nor did I ever send a letter by any Jew in my life. the Jew's name that carried the letter was either Edward, or Ber;
more in moor wicked then all the He brings me in sending keind salutes to Mr. Ferguson, rest. & assuring him of hearty welcome to New England, if he held his Furguson is a person with whom resolution of coining hither.
nard Randolph.
this letter,
I shall take notice but of one passage

is
which in sume respect
predict things that are contrary

wise affirms that
Rome
shall
it
Scriptures assure us, that
The vain Astrologer like. . to the Scriptures of Truth be destroyed by the Turkish power, when, as the holy shall be done by some of those horns which have given their
.
Pope) Antichrist, which the Turks never did. Rev. 17. 16. If men did with understanding read the Scriptures more, they would mind Judicial Astrologers
power
to (the
less."
1684.]
INCREASE MATHER.
103
manner of acquaintance I never sent salutations to him by any one, or at any time, nor did I ever heare that he had thoughts of coming to New England, vntill this letter-forger, who
I have no
is
not to be believed, said
it.
Whereas he addeth, we had power
by our Charter to protect those, who flye for Protection sake, as did Goff & Whaly, this dos sufficiently intimate who was the authur of this forgery, viz* that it was Randolph himselfe, for it
we
is
well knowne, he did once exhibit a complaint against this Collony,

it
because in their Iâw-book
is
declared, if
men
fly
thether,
being persecuted, they shall finde favour, and 4 [the] lying com-
ment that Randolph made vpon it, was by virtue of this law of the people in New England, in showing kindness to Goff' & Whaley. Let all rationall men judge whether any one but Randolph was the Authur of this Forgery. Besides there is so much said of Randolph in
to be the
this spurious letter, that giveth just
cause to suspect him
Father of
it.
It
is
reported that he has a notable art in

it
imitating hands, that he can doe

easily discerne the
soe exactly, that a
man
cannot
knavery,
is
&
that one of the
Randolphs being
detected of such villany,

as
lately fled, to save his ears.
Whether,
or whether he has forged

his Bratts
some say, he has imitated my hand, in his forgery, I know not, any moor letters with this, and fathered
tis
However,
dolph
is
upon me, only I hope that good will come out of it. good that all mankind will be convinced that Rando mischiefe, not only to an Innocent man, but to
a great knave, for he that will forge such a bloody letter,
that so he
may
an honnest People, what wickedness

covered.
&
inhumanity will he not be
guilty of, if he doth but think that his villany shall not be dis-
But I am not the
first
that have been thus abused.
I finde in the History of
Sham
Plotts, in
page 16
&
17, that
treasonable letters w[ere] forged and laid to the charge of severall
Nonconformist ministers, Mr. Baxter, ,Doct Conant, and other
men
this
of great worth
but the impious Authurs thereof were de-
tected, to theire
shame.
And
soe I dought not but
it will*
be in
case,
and rather because the forger has highly abused the

of the blessed God, not onely by a profane Cotation
Glorious
of
name
many
scriptures,
tioning the sacred
title
which were not mentioned by me, but by menof the most high God, to serve a wicked
his
designe.
In the superscrition of
Christ,
forgery he
mentions the
name of Jesus
and four times he mentions the dreadfull
104
THE MATHER PAPERS.

is
[1684.
name Jehovah, which

ther
name
this
that for
some reasons not needfull

is
here to be cxprest, I doe verry rarely mention, and that

manifestation, that
letter
a far-
was not of
my
Composure.
Such has been

mischiefe to
the desperate prophaness of the Atheisticall
Authur
of this forged letter, that rather then not attempt the doeing of
Xew
England, and
to
;
me, who
am
one of the least
of the ministers of
vindicate his
1
God
therein
he will attempt
God
himselfe, to
owne name upon him, but I beleeve as to yOur selfe, whom to I am knowne, I am certaine that before ever you S spake with me about it, you were pers waded the letter was none of myne, since it was not written in my stile, and there are things in it obhorrid to my knowne Principles. You may communicate
*,
this to
whome you please. I am s r y r humble

,
serv 1
Increase Mather.
Boston, the 10 th November,
168-4.
(Superscribed in the handwriting of Randolph)
"Copy
of Mr. Mather's letter to Mr.
Dudley."*
TO
[The following
is
GOUGE.
the letter which has been imputed to Increase Mather, but the
authorship of which he denied.]
To my worthy ffreind Mr. G: in Amsterdam By way of Barbados.

Boston
in
New
England,
the 3* of Xtu 1683.
SR
am
obliged to you for your favour in writing

letter I
me by
our Agents return, which
have received, and observe what

glad
you write concerning

good
friend
affairs in
England, and how our friends are
there wrongfully abused.
am
God
hath preserved our

to
Mr
ffergusson,f and sent
him over
your side the
water, where their malice cannot reach him.
\Vee have (before
yours came to hand) heard the great sufferings of several of the

servants of the Lord.
root out God's
*
t
What you
say as to their intentment to

us, I will say with the Lord's
word from amongst

of this letter
is
The orthography
See note
t, p.
fi'.t.
that of the copyist, and not of Mather,
1683.]
INCREASE MATHER.
105
Prophet,
The Righteous
also shall see this
and
fear,
and
shall
laugh them to scorn.
am
well assured of the happiness of
that great freind of God's cause, the
Lord of Shaftsbury, who

* house.
you say, dyed*
in our freind
Mr. Kick's
If they could,
wee should
they can
their
certainly have bin cut off
now mould
the lawe as
by those Evil doers, for [they] please, and make it

Corrupt are they,
study more to please
men
then God.
There is none Jehovah looked down from Heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that would understand, and seek after him. No, all are seeking after vanity, and have
that doeth
and are become abominable in their wickedness.

good.
not
God
before their eyes.

farr in
Truly, I must say with you, never
was any age gone so

pleasures.
whoring
after their
own
lusts
and
Yea, from the King that
sitteth
on the throne
this,
to the
beggar.
An
unwise
it.
man
It
doth not well consider

greife to
and a fool
doth not regard

of that good
was a great
mee
to hear the death
Lord Russel, and how barbarously the Earle of
Essex was murthred in the Tower.

eye which
Wee may
shall
see with halfe an
way
they intend to drive poor England..
Well, we can
shall not
onely say with holy David,
Our God
come, and
fire
;
keep silence, there shall go
be'fore
him a consuming
mighty
will
tempest shall be stirred up round about him, to
whom wee
committ
all
our concerns.
for the care
I thank
you
you have taken
in getting those prints
in readiness to send
me by
the next shipping.
the following books sent
me
with them.
Pray lett mee have The new Covenant of
upon Job, and Mr. Owen's f last works, with some of your new Geneva prints, that I may collect of all to sweeten the milk to the pallats of those good Christians, who, praysed bee God, receive with cheerfulness our administration. I am glad the Lord hath raised up a defender for his People in Hungary, J and I am certain of opinion, the Lord's work will bee done by those heathen, and the whore of Babylon shall fall. His
Scotland, Carii
late signs in the
heavens did foretell such works.

it is
My prayer
it
shall
bee continually for their victory, for certain
his will
shall
bee
* See note attached

f Dr.
$
to his letters in this
volume,
Owen had
died in August, 1683.
See above, pp. 42, 43. See note to the preceding
letter.
14
106
so.
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.
As
to affairs in
these parts, which
you
desire
as our
to
account of; I shall

rived,
tell
you.
The same week
have an Agents ar-
also arrive with a Summons from the King for The next day after hee arrived, hapned a sad fire, which burnt down the richest part of the Town, which some for hee went out of Town, or cerbelieve was done by his means
Randolph did
our Charter.
tainly hee
would have ended

sufferers.
his
dayes through some of the tuit
multuous
Hee
all
has
made
his business to spread the
King's declaration
Colonics to
fall
about the Countrey, and perswaded two
off
from uniting with us.
General Court hath"
bin called here, which has been held fourteen dayes.
The Gov-
ernor and several of the Magistrates, not reo-ardin^ their oath to
God and
the
Countrey, esteeming rather to please his Majesty,

their charter,
have voted to surrender up
butt the
Deputy Gov-
ernour with other Magistrates, and most of the house of Deputyes,
who
give
fear
is
God more
then man, are for keeping our priviledges,
which
event
my
opinion also, for I cannot understand

;
why wee
should
the
for-
away what the Lord God hath afforded and whatever may bee, wee ought to stand by them with our lives and
tunes, for so
Ahab
required Naboth's vineyard.
Wee
have had
great encouragement from England, for several good and worthy
men among the Law Doctors have councelled us to stand it out at Law, which most give us hopes wee shall bee able to maintain, though the Charge bee very great. Butt in England Money will
do much.
This Randolph hath been a mortal enemy to our Countrey, and
most say,
been
his
if
hee had not moved his
Ma
tie
it
would never have

past.
if
Concern, for hee was satisfyed with our sending away
the Commissioners which

cost these
came over some years

and
it off,
It hath
people a great deal of money,
two or three
will give
it.
thousand Pound will buy
wee have those who
\Yee have good friends in England
who
will largely contribute,
butt dare not bee seen, for fear of troubles.
AVee expect great

;
quantitys of our friends to

tainly
it,
come over from England
God
will cer-
avenge the blood of his Saints, and those who live shall see and fear our Great Jehovah. Oh, that wee may not bow the
knee to Baal, nor worship any graven image. Our God is the Great God, and Jehovah is his name. Hee hath strengthncd his
people in the AVilderness, and
heathen.
made
his
Power known amongst
the
Yett wee have some who run a whoring after their own
1683.]
INCREASE MATHER.
and
fall
107
inventions,
off
from our Church.
Oh
that
God would
send a Daniel to interpret the visions which our

see in the
King may dayly
Heavens,
fall
least
it
be said no more, beware, beware, butt

:
upon the nation I will say with John the Divine, Here is Wisedom lett him that hath understanding count the number of the Beast, for it is the number of a man, and his number is six hundred, threescore and six, and God will certainly fulfill his sayings. Pray when you see Mr. fferguson, give him my kind salutes. If hee continue his resolution of coming over here, hee may bee sure of an hearty welcome butt I fear hee must bee forced to change his name, for though wee have power in our Charter to receive and protect who fly for persecution sake, as wee did GoufF and Whaley, yett wee fear that priviledge will bee forced from us. God grant wee may have the enjoyment
vengance
; ;
of our heavenly Charter, which Jesus Christ hath purchased for us,
and would also bee demanded,

shall meet,
if
some dare venture, butt
there
;
wee
butt
and the sheep

is
shall bee
known from
the goates
now
a Jesuit
a Courtier, a servant, and what you will, so as hee
bee no
here that
enemy of the Court, hee may bee anything. Some report Mr. Gates is out of favour for discovering the Popish Plott.
if
Had
hee but sworn for them, hee would certainly [have] been a
Bishop,
S r L. J.* had
pleased.
This comes to you by

for
way
of
Barbados, a
Jew going
thither,
and so
your place, has prom-
ised to deliver
respects to
it into your own hands. Pray give my hearty good Mr. Kick, to whom I will write by a ship that
may
sayl about three
weeks hence.
Mr. Kick's son

fears
is
a hopefull
young man, and one, I dare say, that dolph returns upon a ship which will
hence.
the Lord.
Ranfor hee
sayl about
three weeks
God
will certainly follow
him wherever hee goes,

it is
has
much
prejudiced us.
If hee should miscarry,
God's just
Judgment.
Pray
let
your prayers bee for
mee hear from you by all occasions, and lett us as wee continually pray for you, and all
I will conclude in saying the
the true servants of the Lord.
Lord
the
liveth,
and blessed bee

all sincerity
my
Strong Heifer, and praysed bee

is
God
of our Salvation, Jehovah
his
name.
To him
I com-
mit you, and in
am
I.
Yours
in Christ Jesus,
24, 1684.
M.
Coppied out October

* Sir Leoline or Lionel Jenkins.
He was
Secretary of State from 1680 to 1684.
108
Note.
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1684.
Dr.
Palfrey, in his excellent
History,
vol*,
iii.
p.
556, et seq.,
expresses a
strong doubt as to the correctness of the opinion of Hutchinson and other writers, that " I cannot imagine," he says, this letter was a forgery made with Randolph's privity. " that he should have thought it worth his while to resort to such a trick. For him, as far
as
is
I
can see, the play would not have been worth the candle."
in
He
further says, that there
the letter, whether in respect to topics or opinions, which might not have been written by Increase Mather in 1683; and that " if not his, it is certainly a very
nothing
clever specimen of the Matherese style."
He
therefore
suggests a conjecture, that
it
might have been
a freak of the son, Cotton
ready to believe that, language which he has used in treating of the subject," in his " Parentator." We cannot refrain from expressing regret, that Dr. Palfrey, if he would not and cannot dispute, the truth of Increase Mather's positive assertion, that this
,
Mather; although he adds, that "he is not had he been the writer, he could have made up his mind to use the
discredit,
letter
was
not
not written by him, should have opened a discussion of the question, whether
it
may
be possible that he could have been the author?
It
seems
to
us hardly consistent with
Dr. Palfrey's usual impartiality as a historian, to give his readers any ground for the impression that he reluctantly relinquishes the suspicion that the letter might have been
from the hand of Increase.

jecture would refer us to
. .
"Repelled," he says, "from this supposition, the next con.
his son Cotton."
Why
is
this
the next conjecture?
Is it
necessary to fasten the stigma upon one of the family?

suspected of forgery?
If the father cannot be proved to
have been guilty of falsehood, does it naturally or reasonably follow, that the son must be Randolph himself, as we know, and as Dr. Palfrey himself admits, " had done l'oguery enough to justify the suspicion of any amount of more." It is with reluctance, on account of the high respect which we entertain for Dr. Palfrey's general fairness and correctness of judgment, that we find it necessary to object to the manner in which he has dealt with the reputation of Increase Mather in the treatment of the subject of the letter in question. It is, however, an unavoidable inference from, his words, that he supposes the father to have been capable of abetting the son in a forgery. "When it" the letter he says in his note, " got into the hands of the Secretary of " into trouble, the relations between Increase State, and brought the ostensible author" him and the real author" of course meaning Cotton "might have made the Jatter afraid to avow it; and a natural resource would be to charge a forgery upon Randolph." To believe the possibility of this, is to believe Increase Mather to have been little better than a knave. The words in the text, to wit, " Mather, brought to bay, insinuated that it was a forgery of Randolph," certainly seem to indicate such a belief. It is important to remember, that Cotton was only twenty years old at the time when he is supposed to have committed the forgery. Though he was a precocious youth, it is hard for us to believe that he could have been so precocious in rascality as to have forged his father's name to a letter that might involve him in trouble. Among all the faults with which he has been charged, no man is able to find any evidence of his lack of filial affection and reverence. On the contrary, his warm and devoted love to his father was one of his amiable characteristics. It is not probable that he would have indulged his fondness for "freaks" at his father's expense. Moreover, it is difficult to conceive of any motive which he could have for forging such a letter. We must also confess, that the epithet which Dr. Palfrey has applied to Increase, in calling him an " alter idem" of his son Cotton, strikes us painfully. Although he has somewhat qualified the phrase, vet the use
of
it,
in
as a slur upon his
connection with a suspected instance of petty knavishness, cannot but be regarded fair fame.
idiots;
fatal a
and
The Mathers may not have been the most discreet of men, but they were not it is difficult to conceive that any man in his senses should have intrusted so
hands of a Jew,
to
letter to the
be carried
to
Holland via Barbadoes.
Mather was not its remark of Dr. Palfrey, that he finds nothing in it which he may not have written in 1683. One of the books which the writer asks his correspondent to send, had been in the librar}- of Increase Mather for fifteen years; and another was on sale in Boston. There are opinions in the letter which Increase denies that he ever enterletter,
The
we
think, furnishes
internal evidence that Increase
writer, notwithstanding the
1684.]
INCREASE MATHER.
and which we can find no authority
letter
109
him. There is, moreover, have escaped notice, but which has an important bearing upon the question of its authorship. There are several texts of Scripture interspersed in it. These are quoted almost literally from the Psalter, in the Book of Common Prayer used by the Church of England, of which Randolph was a zealous' supporter, and not from the version of King James, which was used '.by the
tained,
for attributing to
one peculiarity of the
which appears hitherto
to
Mathers.
Received Version.
Psalter.
The righteous also shall see this and fear, and shall laugh them to scorn. and fear, and shall laugh at him. Psalm 14. 1, 2. They are corrupt, they have Psalm 14: 1, 2, 3. They are corrupt and bethere is none done abominable works, there is none that doeth came abominable in their doings good. The Lord looked down from heaven upon tbat doeth good. The Lord looked down from the children of men to see if there were any that heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that would understand and seek after did understand and seek God.
52. 6.
Psalm
The righteous
also shall see,
Psalm
52
7.
God.
Psalm
Psalm
and
him.
it
92. 6.
brutish
man knoweth
come and
not,
Psalm
Psalm
92
6.
An
unwise
man
doth not well

it.
neither doth a fool understand this.

50. 3.
:
consider this, and a fool doth not understand

shall
Our God
a
fire shall
shall
50
3.
Our God
shall
come, and shall
not keep silence
devour before him,
not keep silence, there shall go before him a con-
shall be very
tempestuous
round about
Psalm
be
18. 46.
my
rock,
and
let
The Lord liveth, the God of my
suming fire, and a mighty tempest shall be stirred up round about him. and blessed Psalm 18 47. The Lord liveth, and blessed salvation be be my strong helper, and praised be ttê God of
:
exalted.
my
it
salvation.
Should
it
be objected, that
for the
if
Cotton Mather wrote the
letter,
with a view of fastening

a suffi-
afterwards as a forgery upon Randolph, he might have been cunning enough to quote
from the Psalter,
purpose of giving additional weight to the charge;
it is
cient answer, that neither he nor his father subsequently referred to this evidence of
Ran-
dolph's authorship.
that
it
Had
and
it
been part of the trick

left
in the inception,
it is
not conceivable
could have been entirely

$, p. 59,
out of notice in the end.
See in connection with this

8,
subject, note
also a letter of
Simon
Bradstreet, dated Dec.
1684,
and a
letter
of Randolph, dated Sept. 4, 1684. Olivei', in his " Puritan Commonwealth," says, "
The zealous Increase Mather, whose
sacred character had not preserved him from the sin of defamation,"
&c; and
in a note
he
makes this statement: "He accused Randolph of forging a letter from him, and an action was immediately brought by the latter, in which damages were laid at five hundred pounds. He recovered costs only. Hutchinson."
We
cannot charge Mr. Oliver with intentionally misquoting Hutchinson, for the pur-
pose of sustaining his groundless aspersion of the character of Increase Mather; but
we
are forced to call in question his accuracy as a historian, in view of the fact, not only that
Hutchinson himsert treats the letter in question as a forgery, but that, instead of saying that Randolph " recovered costs only," his words are, "The jury gave the defendant costs." We should be unjust, both to the character of Increase Mather and to the truth of
history, not to take notice here of another statement in the
same sentence of Mr. Oliver
we have already quoted, which, though partially true, is substantially false, and leaves upon the mind of his readers, who are not familiar with the early history of New England, a wrong impression. He says, that Increase Mather, " to avert the consequences
from which
of the
sin of defamation, from which he was suffering voluntary concealment, was smuggled by night on board a ship, and, ere morning dawned, was on his way to England." It is true that Increase Mather embarked for England in disguise, because the service of a second writ, which Randolph had issued against him, would have prevented his
'
voyage.
that he
But Mr. Oliver does not allude to the real object of Mr. Mather's voyage, to wit, had been appointed an agent, by the principal men of the Colony, to represent
their grievances to the king. He did not flee across the ocean to escape from the consequences of his " sin of defamation," but as an authorized and honored agent of the Colony,
110
that he might serve
for
its
THE MATHER PAPERS.

interests abroad, as
[1686.
them
at
home.
Hutchinson praises
his activity
he had always faithfully and zealously labored and earnest efforts in behalf of the
Charter, and says that he " behaved with so
much prudence
as to give no
room
to take
hold of any part of his conduct."
The facts of the case are, that Increase Mather was chosen to go to England, with the addresses of the churches to the King, before Randolph brought his second suit." So far was he from fleeing in disguise te escape punishment of a "sin," which he had not committed, that he had openly submitted the question of his going to England to his Church,
who unanimously
his intention to ture.
assented.
He
had, moreover, waited on Andros, and
made known
to
him
embark.
He
The simple truth is, England, and not that his going was to escape from the hand of justice. Several documents, relating to the action against Mather, may be seen in the Appendix.
gave public notice of his voyage, at the Thursday lecthat Randolph's suit was a pretext to prevent his going to
also
INCREASE MATHER TO JAMES ALLEN.

These for the
Rev M: James
6,
Allen.
I did not vntill the Sr Tout* was joyning to your church,

,
RE v D
last
night hear that Richard
or like to find acceptance with
you.
Tho
is
it is
not the
first
time that persons
who have
bin re-
fused admission into our church have found acceptance in yours,
which
vncomfortable.
;
As
for
cannot plead ignorance
for I told
judge him a person
fitt
young man mentioned, you you formerly that wee did not church comunion. There hath bin no
for the
orderly healing of what
Church they do
all
was objected way es refuse such

1*
against him.
as
At
the South
have bin by us rejected.

it
You may
pend
Jl:
g please to consid
whether
be not better to sus-
Tout's admission than to do that which tends to the im;
posing a church comunion justly gravaminous to your neighbors
&
to
so in the issue to breake comunion.
must
in
plainess say
you such actings are
really offensive, not only to myselfe, but

if
others,
&
am
certeyn
I
old
Sir,
Mf Cotton had
Ld.
bin alive, hee
ld
not have acted so.

Augt
22, 1686.
am,
Yours
in the
I.
M.
You may
please to advise with
Mr Moody & your
Eld.
* There was a Richard Tout, or Toute, in Boston, a lighterman, in 1GG3.
See Savage's
Gcncal. Diet.
1686.]
INCREASE MATHER.
Ill
INCREASE MATHER AND OTHERS TO JOHN EMERSON.

These
For
the
Rev^
John Emerson,* Pastor of

Glocester.
the
Church in
Revd
Sir,
Wee vnderstand
is
that yourselfe hath without
any
leave obtained from those vnto

the Colledge
whom
the Instrue
11
&
goverm* of
bridge to Charles
comitted, ordered your son's f Removall fro CamTown. Wee are sorry that wee have occasion to
inform you that wee have found your son to be too negligent in his
studyes,
ished,
&
that for contu
misdemeano rs hee hath bin publickly pun-
tho
much
less
than his faults deserve.

that in case
Wee
illi
have only
further to acquaint
this society,
you
you remove your son from
copid vel a Rectore vel a Tutoribus
non factd,
inflict,
the penalty which the Colledge

will not be remitted.
Law
on that account doth
Wee
tection,
have no more
to add, but coiiiitting
you
to the divine pro-
Wee remayn S r
Your
affectionate friends,
I.
M.
)
J
Rector.
L.J W. B.S
Dated
at
J.
Tutors of Harvard CoUedfge.]
Harvard Colledge
in
Cambridge, December
15, 1686.
INCREASE MATHER AND OTHERS TO CHARLES MORTON.

1
||
Rev Sir, Wee vnderstand that some of the scholars (unto whom the discipline of the Colledge is not pleasing) hope that And more yourselfe will receive them under your Tuition.
?
ticularly that
Emerson has obtained
(as himselfe sayth) a promise
from you in order to his reception.
Wee
therefore think ourselves
* [H. C. 1656.] Ordained Oct. 6, 1663, and died Dec. 2, 1700. He was minister at Manchester and Newcastle, and t John Emerson, [H. C. 1689]. He died June 21, 1732. installed over the Second Church in Portsmouth, March 23, 1715. See note p. 59. William Brattle. $ John Leverett.
||
||,
112
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it
[1G87-8.
constreyned to informe you that

if
will
be very offensive to vs
all
yourselfe enfteyn any of the scholars without the approbat" of
those unto
comitted.
whom
As
the instruction
for
& government of the Colledge is have found him to bee too idle, wee Emerson,
if
&
one that for other misdemeanors has bin publickly punished.

it is
And
needles to say that
such as have not bin diligent
&
of
good behavior
selfe, in
in the Colledge should find instruction with yourlive as
hopes of more libty to
they please,
it
would be no
Thus much wee thought necessary to small reflection on you. So wee remayn acquaint you with. I. M. Your friends to serve you
J. L.
W.
Dated
at
B.
Harvard Colledge
[i]n
Cambridge, ...
r 15, 1686.
INCREASE MATHER TO JOSEPH DUDLEY.

TJiese
for
the
Honorable Joseph Dudley, Esq. in Roxbury.

all
SH
selfe
I
to
have for many years showed
the respect to your-
&
yours which I could do,
&
have wished for an opportunity

it is
of doing more.
Providence has so ordered that

a kindness.
therefore
now
in
is
your
just
power
do
me
I desire nothing, but
what
&
righteous,
&
am
confident
it
you
all.
will
hearken to me.
I never did
I then pray
you
to consider
whether
can stand with justice in
R[andolph]s case
to find for
him
at
For
;
1.
positively charge
him with the forged
letter
only declared
my
suspicion.
Now,
(&
except the charge be positive and particular the
case
is
not actionable as a slander.
The
truth
is
I never thought
that hee
his
therefore could not charge him,)
but a brother of
was the forger, only I wish he can bond fide, clear himselfe 2. No man can say that from being privy to that wickedness.
my name
selfe.
was subscribed with

M!"
my owne
hand, or that the Scribe
might not mistake several words,

3.
&
send a wrong copy to your-
R.
is
legally
guilty.
Hee
charged
that
has falsely to
the
Secretary
is
of State and
is
others,
me
with a letter
which
a forged thing,
legally guilty of that Forgery.
But
1688.]
INCREASE MATHER.
so.
113
Bradstreet,*
1'
R. has done
In
it
his letter to
Mf
(who has
bin so kind as to give
to
me) dated
7 ber 4,
1684, he confesseth
several of the Lords,
thathee informed SirL[eoline] J[enkins]

that I
&
was the Author of that
letter to
th
M^ Gouge.
And
in
his
letter to
My Shrimptonf dated July 18 84, (which I have by me likewise) hee accuseth me with that treasonable letter. I have
knowledge
in the Statutes of the
little
Land, but some acquaintr
ance with the
Deut. 19,
death for
crime.
God I ought to have. If that statute, 18, 19, 20, may take place, M E. ought to dye the having falsly & maliciously accused me with a capital
of
it
Laws
These things I thought

I
my concern humbly to
suggest to you.
comend you
24, 1687.
to
God, and rest, Sir, Yours to serve you
I.
Mather.
Bradstreet
January
SK
I must
entreat
you
to
s
be as kind to
me
as
M?
has bin, in giving

sent the
me Mf R.
letter to yourselfe
with which hee
Forged Letter of mine.
PETITION" IN
[This paper
is
BEHALF OF HARVARD COLLEGE.

in the handwriting of Increase Mather.]
Suppose
for
June
1.
1688.
Prince.
erect
Some who
a Colledge at
selves
are dissenters from the
Church of England did

for the benefit of
Cambridge
in
New England
them-
&
;
posterity.
Several donations were bestowed on this Colledge by sundry persons

also a revenue setled
incouragement of a President
It
&
by the former Government for the Fellows to govern that Society.
has bin governed by a President, five Fellows,
&
a Treastheir
urer,
who had power

Society,
to
make laws
for the
government of
own
&
to dispose of all
moneys given, or
that should be
given, as should be most advantagious to the use of the Colledge
* Gov. Simon B.
Samuel
S.,
proprietor of Noddle's Island, Beacon Hill, &c.
15
114
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1688.
also in case of death or
removal to chuse another President, Fel-
low, or Treasurer.
At
the
time when the Civil Government was changed, the

is
it
Colledge was (nor
that
wee know
of, as
yet put into other
hands) under the Inspection of Increase Mather as President, John
Sherman, Nehemiah Hubbard,* John Cotton, John Leverett, William Brattle, as Fellows, & John Kichards as Treasurer.
AVce now petition that the said Colledge may be confirmed
in the
hands
it
has bin
in,
&
is
that they
may have
the same power which
formerly they had, as
above expressed.
MEMORIAL OF GRIEVANCES PRESENTED BY INCREASE MATHER TO JAMES II.

M*
Increase Mather's
sailed a
2<? audience of King James II was private on Iune Boston the Beg. of April, 1G88. Prince.
2,
1688.t
For June
1.
1,
1688.
As
to
matt rs of Religion, they are inhibited the free exercise
thereof, for they are not allowed to set dayes for prayer or
Thanks-
giving
when
the ministers in B. had agreed with their conoreâ-
tions solemnly to praise
dulgences.
Sir
God because of the K's Declaration of InEdmund Andros enterteyned them with threatening
was
faction in them,
words, saying
perill,
it
&
bad them meet at their
&
told
them
that hee should then send souldiers to guard
them and
their
meeting-houses too.
And
the
w orship of
r
the
* The person intended was undoubtedly William Hubbard. t Cotton Mather, who derived his information from a diary kept by his father, says, in the " Parentator," that the first audience took place May 30, in the long gallery at Whitehall;
of Massachusetts
on which occasion he presented addresses of thanks from the ministers and churches and Plymouth, for the King's Declaration of Indulgence. The second
in the King's Closet, "two days after," i.e. June 1. At that time no petition was presented, but only a conversation held, in which the King bade him to prepare a written statement of what he wished to be done for the Colony. He immediately drew up a Memorial of grievances, and also a Petition for their redress, and waited on his Majesty,
audience was
July
2,
and presented them.

at the
We
infer,
petition in behalf of the College
perhaps
from the language of the "Parentator," that a in substance that which is printed above
was presented
same
time.
1688.]
INCREASE MATHER.
115
Church of England has been forced

houses.
into several of their meeting-
Some have been
fined
&
imprisoned,
their
because
they
were afraid to act against the scruples of
consciences in
swearing by the Booke, yet willing to swear (when called thereto)

according to the custom of the country, by lifting up their hands.
2.
The property
of His Majesty's loyal subjects there has been
The Governor has taken away Lands belonging to some particular persons, & given them to his owne creatures. As also the Lands belonging to sundry Towns. And there are divers whole Towns threatned to have their common Lands disposed of to such of the lowest there as
invaded by their present Rulers.
the
have petitioned for them, which will prove the ruin of hundreds of
families
of their rights.
who have for The

all is
scores of years had a peaceable possession
present Rulers there, some of them, declare,
that the K's subjects in
N. E. have no property belonging

their charter,
to
them, but that
gone with
and they promise

to purchase their
Patents to such as will give a
sum
of
money
owne
lands.
They discourage His

no better than
Majesties subjects by asserting
that they are
slaves,
and that the priviledges of
English
they act
men do
not belong to them.
And
in
many
particulars
sell
contrary to the
will without
Laws
of England.
They might
where they
extort
3.
tion.
assigning any cause.
Inferior officers
what Fees they
please.
Disregard has bin shewed to his excellent Majesties declara-
When
it
a Bookeseller desired that hee might have license
to print
in
N. E.,
that could not be granted.
And when
the
ministers in Boston informed the

their
Governor that they were ingaging
Congregations to make an humble Address of thanks to the
King, hee bad them have a care what they did,

displeased.
&
was greatly
If His Majesty shall see cause to
empower any
of these
as Comissioners,
requiring
shall
them
to
administer oaths to sundry in N. E., as they

;
receive direction
to appear.
the truth
is
complaints
will
be
made
New England
now *
* The manuscript abruptly terminates here.
116
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1688.
PETITION OF INCREASE MATHER AND OTHERS TO THE COMMITTEE FOR TRADE AND FOREIGN PLANTATIONS.*
To
the
Rigid
Hon Ue
the Lords'
Committee for Trade
S?
Forreign
Plantations.
The humble
Petition of Increase Mather, Sa:
Hutchinson
Sheweth
Nowell
&
Elisha
That since your Lord ps seem to bee of the opinion that His Maj ty will not at present grant an Assembly to be held within
his
Dominion of New England, for the making of Laws or raising The Petitioners humbly conceive, That it will be as much for His Maj tys service as the peaceable government of his
of mony,
subjects there
;
that untill His
Maj ty
shall
be graciously pleased
to grant an
Assembly, the Council should consist of such persons
as shall be considerable Proprietors of
Lands within His Majesty's

at present,
dominions
and that the Countys being continued as
each County
the same
for
to
may have one, at least, of such of the Inhabitants of be a member thereof. And that no Acts may pass
Law
but such as have or shall be voted by the manifest consent
of the major part of the Council.
And
that all
Laws
so
made
all
may by
Your
ships
for
printing be published for the Generall Instruction of
the Inhabitants.
Petitioners therefore
most humbly pray that your Lordto report the
would be pleased favourably
same
to
His Maj ty
His gracious direction
&
order therein.
etc.
And
your Petitioners shall pray,
[Suppose in 168S, sometime in July.
Prince.!]
p. 566,
vol.
* This Petition, with slight verbal variations, i. p: 369, and also in Dr. Palfrey's " History," Hutch. Hist. i. 229-230.
t
is
printed in Hutchinson's " History,"

iii.
vol.
where the reference
is to
Dr. Palfrey,
who probably
obtained his information from the Colonial Papers in the
British State
Paper
Office, dates this petition as in October.
1688-9.]
INCREASE MATHER.
117
INCREASE MATHER TO SIR HENRY ASHHURST.

These for the
Worshipfull Sir Henry Ashurst, Baronett.
to
Sir,
s
I have a Great Request
make
;
to you.
And
am
per-
waded you will not deny me. The last night I was at Whitehall
& my L d
me
affiiir
Shrewsburyes
(the Secretary of State) Clerk informed
that this
day about
not only to
5 a clock in the afternoon, our
New England
Hee
will be before
the Comittee of forreign Plantations.
advised
me
attend there myselfe
with
me
&
of his
I therefore
but, to ingage some other Gentlemen to be owne accord mentioned your selfe. humbly pray that you will favor (not me but) New
;
England
so farr as
to condescend to this proposal
&
desire of,
Sr
Your
18. 1688[-9.]*
Servant,
Increase Mather.
February.
REPORT AND ORDER IN COUNCIL.
A report
Wee
from
the
Honorable
ds the L of the \_Com~\mittee for Trade Forreign pi.
S?
have in obed. to your Maj. Coml d of 13 instant consid d
the Petption] of Sr
W.
A[shhurst]
&
M 'I[ncrease[ M[ather]
l
pray-
ing that the Col. of Mass. N. Y: Con: Kod.

their respective Charters restored to
I. in
N. E. may have
them,
s
d
&
choose Magistrates
pmitted to take upo them the Gov* of
Colonies,
wee have
also
heard what the pet. could allege by their Council learned in the
Law,
&
bin informed by Sy R. S.J of the pceedings relating to
those charters.
* William and Mary had been proclaimed in England five days before. t This paper is in the handwriting of Increase Mather. t Undoubtedly Sir Robert Sawyer, former Attorney-General, who is
vacated.
Colonial Papers quoted
known
to
have
given to the Committee the reasons for which the charter of Massachusetts had been
by Dr.
Palfrey, vol.
iii.
p. 592, note.
118
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1688-9.
Whereupo wee most hdbly offer that as well in reference to your Revenue which is very much ccerned therein, as in csider of the neighbo r hood of the French, who have lately invaded your Maj
11
dominions
with
in those
r
p
to
ts
,
your Maj:
wd
be pleased to send forthr
anoth
Gov
1'
pvisional comission
Collonies,
&
N. E. in the place of S E. A. with a impowered to ^claime your Maj. in those

11
&
to take the
r
pts
r
till
furth
ordy
r p sent care of the Ad. of Gov* of those In which Comiss & instrucco ns it may be
exp ssed that no money shall be raised by the Govy & Councill r And wee likewise onely, which they w lately empowered to do.
most hdbly advise that your Maj: do thereupo give ord r
as
for pping,
lasting,
soon as
may
r be, such furth establish* as
may be
&
prsve the Rights
&
pglies of the people in
N. E.
&
yet reserve
such a dependence on the crown of E. as shall be thought requisite.

Council Chamb. 22 Febr.
His Maj: taking the same

that
it
into consider"
was pleased
r
to
com d
be referred back to the Coiiiittee to csid of

charter to be granted to the Inh*.s of
&
prpe a draft of
new
&
clauses as
this
may suit with & Kingd. & may pserve the

this
N. E. with such pt s be agreeable to the Laws & Gov* of

Rights
is
r
&
pties of the Col.
& reserve
such a dep. on
Cro[wn] as
advise[d]
&
that instead of [a]
room of S E. A. there be appointed 2 Com" [to take] upon them the Ad of Gov* there, with direcc ons immediatly to pclaime K. W.[illiam] & Q. M.[ary]. And his
r
Gov
to be sent in the
11
M.
is
graciously pleased furth r to ord that such of the Merchants

s
d
&
plant as are at present here in E. do forthwith attend the
Coiiiittee in
ord to their recommending to their

1'
dps
of
CoiTiss
for his
M.
by the
At
his
a Court at Whitehall, Feb. 26, 1688[-9],
most ex. M. & the
Ld
of
most hon. privy council.*
* This order of the King

11
in Council
is
printed in a slightly different form in Palfrey's
History," vol.
iii.
pp. 592, 593, note.
1698.]
INCREASE MATHER.
119
INCREASE AND COTTON MATHER TO THE CHURCH IN

1
CHARLESTOWN.
Honnoured and beloued,
Your
Letter
is
come
to
hand
wherein you aquaint us that you have Agred for the ordaining
Simond Bradstret
to
be your pastor, and desired that the
church whereto
we
stand related would send theire Elders and
right
some of theire brethren to countenance your procedings with the hand of their feloship.
We vnderstand
that
that the person
whome you haue
thought of
ordaining hath in soe
many words
declared that he doth not find
God
it,
requires persons to enter into covenant with a perticular
church, and that therfore he cannot with a good conscience comply
with
vnder the notion of a divine institution.
Our church has
likewise been informed that one of us, hauing sent ouer within
these few days to be satisfied about that matter, hath received an-
swer that although

yet
Bradstret hath sent vnto Andouer, (but

far or
is
unknowne
to vs
how
what way he became a member of

is
the church therein) for a Letter of recomendation, hee

theless not inclinable to enter into a perticuler
never-
couenant with yow,

a thing soe abound-
the church in Charlestowne.
Now
the doctrin of the church covenant
is
antly Asserted in the Scripture,

essentiall to the congregationall
and a thing soe fundamental! and

church dicipline, that wee cannot
all
see that the person,
which will vpon

is
ocasions decrie
it
as a
meere human invention,

tion, the pastor of a
qualified or capable to be with Edifica-
Congregationall church.
ar chosen in to office in the church, ought
And
to be
that they
who
members of
is
the church whereunto they are to be afterwards
ordained,
not onely what the churches of our Lord in this
country have comonly practised, but what the word of
God
assures
Conn., and grandson of the Governor of the
* Rev. Simon Bradstreet [H. C. 1693], son of Rev. Simon Bradstreet, of New London, same name, was ordained at Charlestown as
successor of Rev. Charles Morton, Oct. 26, 1698.
120
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Act:
[1698.
va was the practise of the primitive christian church.
6:
3:
Brethren looke ye out

reioyced
among
yourselues.
The holy Appostle

5:
when he beheld
the order in the church of Collosse, as
well as the stedfastness of theire faith Coll: 2:
but
it is
matter
of great sorrow that there are Attempts by any unreasonable
&
vnprofitable innovations to ouerthrow the order of the gosple,
which the Lord Jesus Christ hath owned

they did faithfully Adhere to
it.
in these churches
when
Giue us Leaue
said the
in
Loue and
faithfullness
to
recomend vnto
it
your serious consideration that Scripture 1 Cron: 15: 13, where

is
Lord our God made a breach vpon us because wee sought him not after the due order. It is an awfull word which is
written in 1 Timo: 5: 22:
Lay hands suddenly on no
man,, neither
be partakers of other mens sinns.
Wee are
it
afraid that if a person
be ordained your pastour who asserts your church covenant to be

but an humane invention, the effect of
will be
;
much
sinn,
from
which wee ought

these churches
to
kepe our selues pure
nor can wee behold the
holy truth and wais of the Lord Jesus Christ formerly owned in
now
struck at and Trampled vnder foot, and treated
with
many
fold contempt,
and not looke on our selves concerned.

it is
If the contempt of a church couenant must prevaile,

foresee
easy to
become of our churches, which wee would not have to bee while wee ar alive to doe what wee may to prevent it. And considering the great and Long variety of meanes that haue
what
will
ben vsed to obtain from the person
whome your
eyes are
now
if
vpon, a due compliance with the most Moderate proposals made

vnto him, and his continued and obstinate aversion to comply, hce should
now
at last onely out of intrist
goe contrary to
his
declared perswasions,
wee
feare that this alsoe
without vncomfortable consequences.

wlicrof
wee
are
ouerseers,
hath
would now not bee Upon the whole, the church with much vnanimity (though
with greife of heart that they are nececitated therevnto) declined

the sending of their elders
ings, as
&
Messengers to aproue your proced;
your
letters
hath desired
with the right hand of our fFeloshipp given therevnto,

receiue a better satisfaction
tioned.
wee dare not countenance them vntill wee about the things that wee haue men-
1698.]
INCREASE MATHER.
121
Wee commend
you
to the grace of Christ,
and subscribe, your
brothers in the faith and feloship of the gosple,
Increase Mather.
Cotton Mather.
Boston July
y?
.
2.
1698.
Indorsed, " ~D T Increase and
D' Cotton Mather's Letter
to the
church in Charles-
town July
2d 16.
."
[This letter
is
not in the handwriting of either of the Mathers.]
16
t
I
122
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1663.
LETTERS AND PAPERS RELATING TO THE

REGICIDES.
[It
has been thought best to bring together, in a regular series,
all
the papers
which
relate to the Regicides in this country, comprising the letters of General
Goffe * and his wife, Colonel John Dixwell,t Rev. John Davenport,! Rev. William Hooke,t and Edward Collins,t and also portions of several news letters, which we have placed in their chronological order at the end of the series.]
WILLIAM HOOKE
SK
,
TO WILLIAM GOFFE?
comes
to
I suppose
it is
you
will vnderstanel before this
your
hands how
with your old freind that was wont to be your Intel-
ligencer, yeerely.
You
will heere
how
[h]is letters miscaried,
&
mer, in Sussex, was, as
* William Guffe, the son of the Rev. Stephen Goffe, a puritan divine, rector of Stanis well known, one of the judges of Charles I., who signed the
partisan of the Parliament, in whose
He was a zealous Congregationalist and warrant for his execution, Jan. 29, 1648-9. army he enlisted, and raised himself', by merit,' to the
and
rank, successively, of quartermaster, colonel, and general. He was a member of Parliament, He fled from England, in also of the Protector's House of Lords, or " Other House."
II.,
anticipation of the restoration of Charles
in
company with Edward Whalley, whose
daughter he had married. Edward Whalley, who

f
$
is
several times referred to in the correspondence of Goffe, and

.
See notes attached to their respective letters. Rev. William Hooke [M.A. at Trinity College, Oxford, 1623] was several years vicar of Axmouth, Devonshire. He was forced to flee, for nonconformity, to New EngHaving removed to New Haven about 1644, he was land, and settled at Taunton in 1637.
chosen the pastor of the church in that place. One of his correspondents was his wife's near kinsman, Oliver Cromwell, with whom he was on terms of intimacy, and who, when he became Protector, drew him back to his native country. He sailed from New England
in 1656.
Cromwell made him

and lived
in obscurity
his
domestic chaplain, and conferred upon him the master-
ship of "the Savoy Hospital in the city of Westminster."

ejected,
At
the Restoration he was

in 1667,
and trouble.
He
died, not as
Trumbull supposes
but March 21, 1677-8. lie is the correspondent of Goffe
Hooke, his wife, was
sister of
Whalley.
who writes under the signature of " D. G." Jane The wife and children of Goffe appear to have
She
refers, in
resided, for a time at least, in her family.
her
letters, to
the Regicides, to
whom, and to several poor ministers, she often sends contributions of money and clothing. Her correspondence shows that she was a lady of sincere piety and compassion. She deserves to be remembered among the benefactors of New England. See her letters in
this
volume.
1663.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

fell,
REGICIDES.
123
into
whose hands they
canot write to you as
vpon occasion whereof he is obscured & formerly yet knowing your love and neerenes
;
betweene you,
who
&
supposing you
may be
carefull concerning him,
shared in the various fortunes of his exile, was also one of the judges
who
signed the
death-warrant of the king.
Though bred
a merchant, he took
up arms
in the service of
the Parliament, in the contest with Charles, and so distinguished himself in
many
battles
and sieges, that the Parliament voted him thanks, preferment, and pecuniary rewards. Cromwell, who was his cousin, held him in high regard, and committed the person of the king to his care. He also entrusted to him the government of several counties, under
the
title
of Major-General.
exiles arrived in Boston July 27, 1660.
The two
Though they
did not conceal their
by Governor Endicott and the principal citizens. They took up their residence at Cambridge, and attended public worship and lectures without disguise. When it was known that they were not included in the Act of Indemnity, the government became alarmed and on the 22d of February, 1660-1, the Governor summoned the Court of Assistants to consult with reference to securing their
characters, they were at first courteously received
;
persons, but the Court did not agree.
Finding
it
unsafe to remain longer at Cambridge, they
left that
place February 26;
and, having passed through Hartford, where they were hospitably received by Governor
New Haven March 7. A warrant was issued for their arrest, and sent to the western towns of the Colonies, but without effect. They remained concealed, for a short time, at New Haven, in the house of Rev. Mr. Davenport; but the Governor, having received a royal mandate for their apprehension, dated March 5, 1660-1, the Court were compelled to take more active measures, and gave commission to two zealous loyalists from England, Thomas Kellard and Thomas Kirk, to go through the Colonies in search of them. In this emergency they concealed themselves in a cave in a pile of rocks on a hill, about two miles and a half from New Haven, called West Rock. When they heard that Mr. Davenport was in danger of suffering, for having harbored them, they would have surrendered themselves to the Government, had it not been for the strenuous opposition of faithful friends; but they publicly showed themselves in the town to clear him from suspicion. Afterwards they retreated to their hiding place. In August of the same year, they went to Milford, where they lived in less seclusion tor two or three years. In 1664 they removed to Hadley, travelling only by night, and found a safe asylum in the house of Rev. John Russell, who had made arrangements in advance both for their concealment and comfort. Here they remained during the residue of their lives. Whalley died about 1676, and Goffe probably in 1680. [See Hutchinson's Hist, of Mass. Bay, vol. 1; Stiles' Hist, of the Three Judges; Judd's Hist, of Hadley.] Governor Hutchinson had in his possession the diary, papers, and letters of Goffe, which were once in the library of the Mathers, but were probably destroyed when his house was rifled by a mob, in 1765. The originals, from which* the letters in this volume are selected, were preserved, by having been previously separated from the larger mass, and bound together by Rev. Thomas Prince. Goffe and his wife corresponded, secretly, under the assumed names of Walter and Frances Goldsmith. He usually addressed her as his mother. A letter from him to her
Winthrop, they reached
8,
March
may
on
be seen
in
Hutchinson's Papers Relating

in
to
Ma>s. Bay,
vol.
i.
p. 453,
one from her to him

is
p. 432,
and another
Mass. Hist.
Hutchinson's History,
p. 532.
There
also a letter
from
his wife in
He appears to have rehim well informed concerning important public events. The extracts from such communications, which are bound up with the Mather Papers, were generally copied by his own hand, and are here printed, with the exception of those which are mutilated or of no especial interest. Several extracts from Goffe' s journal, in 1660, found among the "Winthrop Papers,"
ceived frequent communications from England, keeping
p "60. Goffe usually called his place of concealment " Ebenezer."

Coll.
series, vol.
i.
3d
were printed
in the
Proceedings of the Mass. Hist. Society for 1863-4, pp. 281-283.
124
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1663.
I was willing to write these lines to you in his behalfe,
&
to
wright
someth s of the matter on occasion whereof he
is
now
with drawne,
&c.
After a relation of the reason of his wrighting 2 sheetes of

side, still seeking the
it
paper close on every

therein,
Lord
for his direction
&
that the
Lord would make
a blessing to His people,

the saffe convayance
&c.
of
it,
& how & of

man
he had dealt with
My W: about
his miscariage in the bussines,
&
of ones playing Jack
a both sides.
He
concludes with these words,
I pray pitty the
poore
that miscaryed in his trust,
&c, and
then pceeded to
Severall censures
some other matter of Intelligence

there haue
as ffolloweth.
beene of
it
this
letter,
but
haue thought
might be a testemony, &c,

in
stile in
swer the prayers of the pen-man

spake his apprehensions of the
that respect
many vnderstanding men & God might anthat way. The Secretary
it
which
was written,
&
in
against the
in.
comended it, but saide it was Goverment as had beene written

Rupert should say
It
as
pnicious a letter
since His
it
It
is
saide that P:
came was not treasonit
Ma
tie
able,
but an History of things, &c.
seemes
it
hath beene
seditious.
throughly skaned.
They say of
it
also that
is
I
it.
dare say the Authers hart was honest
&
upright in wrighting
But
I hartily desire he
may
neuer come into there hands.

it.
They
bound
hand of
say there are severall coppies of
doe not yet heere of any

this letter is
Warrants out against him, but the bearer of

to appeare againe after his returne.
There was a
like it in the
speciall
God
man.
in this thing.
The
like hardly falling out in the
I once reade a story
somew"
History of
it
memory of Mf
Booke
time I
Fox, concerning Mf Bartlet Greene.

of Martyrs.
I thinke
it
You may
find
in the
is
the next story but one after that of
Philpots.
This freind of yours
&
mine was well the

as
last
saw him,
his
&
hope the Lord hath hid him

Severall meetings
r
he did Jerrimie after
Roule was read.
&
ministers have beene of
late discouered
& scattered. M Bridge was lately in the Cytty, & at his last meeting found out with the Company, by the ofFycers & by the courage & wisdome of a deare freind of his & mine there
;
present was well brought

all
off.
The
offycer
would haue dismissed
but him, but he was preuailed with through the goodnes of
God.
But Mf Bridge was

will heere of the
faine to leave the

in
Cyty the next day.

speake of great
Yow
Acts
preparing against refusers of con-
formity,
&
such as haue private meetings.
Men
1663.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
125
imprisonm ts p r muniries, and losse of estates, & ishm* into ffbraigne partes, except N: E: & Virginia.
fynes,
allsoe that there shall
lastly
Ban-
It is saide
be noe making over of deeds of Trust of

is
houses or lands to others after the Act
passed.
The people
of God are very sad, not knowing what to doe nor whether to goe. Yet many will forsake the land, make ouer estates, &c. They say there was lately a conspiracy in Ireland. Whether soe or not I know not. But seuerall there are apprehended & imprisoned heereupon. Many things I could tell you. But my purpose especially was to give you some acc of the afores d letter according to the knowledge which I have of it, out of my respect to the Author, & likewise to yo r selfe, having sometimes had the hapines
to
be acquainted with you.
I understand allsoe that your freind
hath some relations not far from you,
knowne
to you,
who would
be glad to heere he
is
well,
&
he the like of them.
I doubt not
but he would be willing you should comunicate this intelligence
with them.
I beleeve he did comunicate knowledge of affaires

I doe
formerly, that they allsoe might partake with you.

his
know
in this
mind,
I
& am &
therefore the
off.
more bold thus
to wright to you.
But
must breake
It is long since that I to
saw yo w
*
land, yet
you may please
remember mee.
I once heard you at

;
Stratfeild-sea,
have heard you allsoe in the Citty
&
have
beene allsoe at your house there,

times at
&
I have beene with
you
severall
M5 Thomas
Eaton's and
Mf Goodyeers.
Sir,
You may know
mee
heereafter by
D: G:
Letters are soe often broke up that
many
are loth to write there names.
The Lord be your pro-
tection,
&
Amen.
June
24: 63.
shew mercy & kindnes to you Yours to serue you,
&
yours,
now &
euer,
D: G:
The
isters
letter
was thought
to be a ministers, but
tell,
what
his
name
was, or where he lived they could not
&
though many minof,
were sent
it
for, as it is saide,
&
inquired
whose hand they
thought
was, they could not
tell.
There are many in the country heere

imprisoned, ministers
&
there excomunicated
&
&
others.
* Wood, in " Fasti Oxonienses," Bliss's edition, iv. 136, says that Goffe " frequent prayer maker, preacher and presser for righteousness and freedom."
was a
126
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1665.
JOHN DAVENPORT* TO WILLIAM GOODW1N.+

52
Most of
port.
to
nr
..
D 8
n. j
2 9
m?
1665.
d the intelligence rec
by
r
f|
II
8*z
till
vs before,
but that miracle of the
Dumbe Boy
I never heard
by
his re-
Did ever God speake soe loud,
&
shew soe
cleerely,
by
multiplied signes, in heaven, earth,
&
sea,
&
in
the Bodyes of
men, giving speech man knowes how?
to the
Dumbe,
&
hearing to the Deafe, noe
&
causing an Infant 18 weekes old, yea, an

approching, as he hath done
Oxe
to
to speake,
&
foretell callamities
England
since the late change of

like, in soe
government?
Noe
history
hath recorded the
few yeares.
And
the next age will
* Rev. John Davenport, one of the most distinguished of the New England divines of was born in Coventry, Eng., in 1597. After having studied five years at Oxford, he commenced preaching in Loudon at the age of nineteen, and was not long after made Vicar of "St. Stephen's Church, in Coleman Street. Here he distinguished himself by his " acco ipl shments as a minister and courageous devoteduess to his people in a time of Forced to resign his pastoral charge for nonconformity, he went over to pestilence."
his period,
Mr John Paget, over the English two ministers, in respect to the indiscriminate baptism of children, to which Mr. Davenport was opposed, led to a separation. He had been a patron and benefactor of the Massachusetts Colony from the beginning; and was at le gth induced, by letters from John Cotton, to remove to New England, and arrived at Bo-ton, in* the " Hector," June 26,1637. He was cordially welcomed by the nvnisters and churches, and invited to a seat in the Synod, which assembled at Newtown August 31 of the same year. The next Spring, at the head of a company of families from Massachusetts, he removed to New Haven. On the 11th of October, 1668, at the advanced age of upwards of seventy years, he was installed pastor of the First Church in
Holland, and was settled for a season as colleague with
Church
at
Amsterdam; but
a difference between the
Boston.
Hs
death took place on the 11th of March, 1670.
He was
buried in the
tomb
of his old friend, John Cotton.

portrait of his character,
full
account of his
in
life,
and an adm rable
historical
may
be found
Bacon's " Historical Discourses."
His connection with the Regicides has been already briefly referred to in a preceding
rote.
We
have ascertained that he
is
the person designated in the Goffe correspondence
by the character
SQ
Mr. Davenport bearing his
Two
among
t
letteis of
own
signature
may
be found in their order
the miscellaneous letters in this volume.

in
first
Will am Goodwin came over

a
He was
probably
Representative in the
the "Lion," and arrived at Boston, Sept. 16, 1632. General Court of Deputies in 1634, but removed,
in 1636, to
Hartford; and thence, about 1659, to Hadley.
He was
ruling Elder
both at Hartford and Hadley, and died

in 4 Mass. Hist. Coll.
J
vii.
March
11, 1673.
Several of his letters arc prh.ted
Mr, Davenport
to
Mr.
\ f
correspondence, as follows:
Goodicin.
We
<
k
have deciphered the characters used
in this
6
a
C
c
)
d
9
h
|nU-9^-7.v8T^3
1
u v
w y
th
ng
By Mr.
Russell was with vs before.
1635.]
LETTERS,
at the
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
127
wonder
Dedolency,
& stupidity
is
of this age, wherein soe few
discerne the signes of the times.
If that of the Jewes be true,
wee may
easily see
what God
bringing about in the world, even
the greatest changes that have beene since the I s *
coming of
Christ.
shall
The
witnesses that are
now
killed, shall arise shortly,
Home
be ere long ruined, Christ will take vnto himselfe his Kingdome,
which hath beene vsurped by Brutish men, the vilenes of whose

spirits
hath appeared in scattering the churches gathered vnto
Christ, in sylencing the faithfull Ministers, in imprisoning
&
ban-
ishing
the
inocent,
in
corrupting
Religion
with Antechristian
superstitions, in killing sundry that deserved better vsage for theire
zeale for
God, and
ffaithfullnes to the publicke
good,
&
in
adding
to all these, manifest contempt of
God,
&>
of the Covenant, for
the quarrell whereof
God
hath brought a double sword vpon them,
the sword of the Angell, in the

slaine
noysome
Pestilence, which hath
above 100,000 persons throughout the land, in 3 or 4

&> the
mounthes,
his anger,
sword of war.
By
is
these
God
if
&
his
hand
is
stretched out
still.
making way for N. England allsoe

is
hath cause to tremble, whose day
coming,
speedy repentance
&
reformation prevent not, for our backesliding,
&
changing our
in
waies, from the ancient pathes, to comply with

theire corruptions
:
Old England,
But
ah, alas for the distressed ministers, that
want food,
&
raiment, for
whom
sister
Hooke
* hath written to
me
that a collection]
might be made,
&
if
releefe speeded to
them,
wherein I bele[eve] you

It
&
sundry with you will not be wanting.

I could speake freely
would exceedingly refresh me,
&
But I had allmost forgot that I am wrighting a letter. The Lord lengthen your dayes, to see better dayes for the people of God.
fully S-z z.se zvee 8.rthyes
your U/'?b.urs.f
* Mrs. Jane Hooke, wife of the Rev. William Hooke, and sister of Whalley, the regiSee note attached to her letters. t " With those three worthyes your neighbours." Col. John Dixwell, one of the Regicide Judges, was at that time with GofFe and Whalley at Hadley, having joined them there in February, 1664-5 but no trace of him there can be found after that year. See note
cide.
;
tp,
letter of
James Pavids,
128
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1671,
WILLIAM GOFFE TO
.
. .
6:
.
1671.
. .
not
. . .
only a stranger,
eeve into
. . .
but a poor exile stranger,
divine
pie of
God
within
...
rock
among
the
...
it
therefore greatly concerns [us to a]ttend to
that wise saying, Strangers
must be no needlesse medlers.
Yet
as
[P]aull,
that
who was
not only a stranger but a prisoner in that ship
was sayling
in a
dangerous season towards
Rome
tho he had
by Divine Revelation tould the company their should be no losse of any man's life, yet, (knowing he was to share in the comon
danger) when he saw the mariners about to leave the ship, he
made bold
with
to say to the Centurion
&
to the Souldiers,
Except
faireth
these abide in the ship,
you cannot be saved.

That
tho. I
in these
Euen
so
it
mee
at this day.
do beleeve the Lord hath a peends of the earth in this

it is
culiar
mercy
for his
poor people
great "Houre of Temptation, yet seing thisN: E: Ship (whilest

sayling not towards but from
Rome)
tossed with a tempest,
&
not
without danger of being overwhelmed, and perceiving her

laborious Marriners at
ffaithful,
some disagreement among themselves, I

spirit to
am
con stray ned in
my
in
cry out,
Oh
it
yee Blessed Churches
and people of God
N: E: except those worthy Marriners (cutdropp into the sea)
ting off every bone of contention, letting
do agree in the shipp, you cannot be saved. I say it again, Except the Reverend Elders & Churches, with the Honored Majestrates
&
Deputies do vnite both heades
&
hearts
&
hands, in the
agreed,
carying on the work of Christ, in which you
are all
&
for
vnanimously oppose every

I need not
coiiion
adversary, you cannot be
saved.
mind you
that possibly there
may
be reason
you
to say, one to another

1.
what the Prophet saide

differ,
to the
King
tfoo:
of Israeli,
Kings, 20. 22.

wherein you
Alase, Dear Sirs,
As
yet
it
for the things
Blessed be God, you are feeding with Christ

is
among
the
lillies,
night,
& &
a dark night too, wherein both your selues
&
the
ts
elsewhere are conflicting O with stormes
&
fogS'S, Do ' whilest
dangerous rockes
(with them in
sands are lying on both hands of you, and
PaulPs shipp)
you are washing

untill
for
the
day
have patienc therefore one with another
the
Day
breake
1671.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

flee
REGICIDES.
129
and the shaddowes
Lamb
his
standing vpon
strength of the
Then shall you behould the away. Mount Syon, feeding & ruleing in the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord
then shall the true hearted Israelites abide and
follow the
see
God. more
And
clearly to
6,
Lamb
whethersoever he goeth.
5. 4, 5.
Rev: 14. 1 to
compared with Micah
In the mean
time I desire to be found
among
the n? of those praying saints that
are dayly crying vnto Jesus Christ, with the

ticles,
spouse in the Can-
Turn
my
Beloved, and be thou like a Roe or a young hart
upon the mountaines of Bether, or Division, as the margent renders it. Chapt: 2. 16, 17. My Beloved is mine & I am his He
:
feedeth
flee
among
theLillies, untill the
DayBreake and
the shadowes
away.
Turn,
my
Beloved, &c.
Postscript.
give his hearty
You have
Amen,
psall:
another freind yet alive, that desires to

these
to
weake Breathings
after love
&
peace
among
Bretheren, and
:
commends
to your meditation that
sweet scripture
133. tot:
Since the writeing of thes poor lines, I haue pvsed the Reuer d
Sy [nod's] preface to the plateform of Discipline agred vpon in the year 1649, (not remembring that I euer read it till now) and cannot but be much affected with what they vrge with respect to there Brethren of Differing Judgem ts in England & Scotland in
refference to a Brotherly forbearance one of another in disputable
things, not onely fro the Scriptures but their

euill
own example, &
the
consequences that were likely to ensue to the churches, both
in
O:
&
N: E., by
be
their Divisions,
and do heartily wish that your-
selves
may
now moved
11
to attend therevnto, not onely
by the
example of these your worthy predecessors, but also by the sad examples of those Brethr of whom they then spake, whose continued Divissions haue since brought vpon them, in a great measure,
the Distraction
&
Destruction of
all
the churches in both Nations,

spirit) that
which, (as
it
were with a propheticall
Reuer d Synod
did then forewarn
them of. But my sp* faileth me & my heart is overwhelmed within me, while I am lookeing vpon the languishing
spouse
:
must therefore turn me, & poure out my soul to her Dear Lord. Oh, Blessed Lord Je: shee whom thy soul loveth is
I
sick,
yea, so sick, that
many
of her phesitians
is
&
ffreinds, that
stand weeping about her, say there

17
no hope, others indeed say,
l.>0
THE MATHER PAPERS.

is
[1671.
there
yet some hope
But
thou the
Hope
of Israeli
and
is
this thy mournfull voyce,

clefts
(Oh
Blessed spouse) vttered from the
of the rock
is
&
secret places of the staires, so sweet to Christ?

it is,
as he
graciously pleased to say
vers. 14,
Oh
then,
How
will thy heart ere
long be ravished with his joyfull voyce, when

out of those clefts and say vnto thee,
he shall come to
Rise vp
is
call thee
my
love,
is
my
faire
one
&
come away,
is
for loe the winter
past, the rain
over
&
gone, the flowers appear on the earth,
the time of the singing of Birds

turtle
is
come, and the voyce of the
heard in our Land, &c., arise

ver: 10: 11, 12, 13.
my
love,
my
!
faire
one,
&
come away,
Oh
that our Hearts
were inflamed with love
for tho
many
all
waters cannot quench love, yet I
am
assured that were the Hearts

the
of Christians inflamed with sincear loue to Christ, and

saints,
it
would
certainly
Drink vp
&
consume many waters, even

to
arise in every
those Bitter waters of

society.
it
strife,
which are so apt
I shall therfore conclude with that well
known
(oh, that
were as well practised) exortation of the apostle, Finally Breth-
eren, farewell.
Be
perfect, be of
good comfort, be of one minde,
Live
in peace,
and the God of Love
&
peace shall be with you.
2 Cor. 13, 11.
Quere:
that the
is
1.
Are you
satisfied
in
Judgement, and Conscience,
War
If
against the Duch, as caried on by France
&
England
a just
War?
you be not
satisfied
Q:
2.
upon good grounds that the
War
is
lawful!, if
you partake
therein,- are
you not
in
danger to draw upon

all
your selves the

Q:
guilt of
much innocent
1:
blood, and of
the evill
consequences of an vnjust Warr.

3.
Consider also
K: 22.
4.
&c.
See how Jehosaphat's

his ships
hasty joyning with Ahab, though he afterwards enquired of the
Lord, had
broken
at
like to
have cost him
his life
But when
were
Ezion geber, then he had learned another lesson, verses
48. 49. with 2 Cro. 20, 35, 36, 37.

teach them a like lesson
?
May
not N: E:'s lost ships
Q:
4.
What
did the United Colonics intend by the publick read?
ing of the King's Declaration
Did they intend
to
proclaime
Warr
1671.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
131
against the
Duch
or onely to inform theire people that the
K.
was ingaged in a warr against them, that so they might not be ignorant of what concerned them in the matter of their trade, &c? If the former, then they have no cause to complain of any wrong the Duch have done them in taking their ships, or any other spoyle they have or may do upon them till a new peace be concluded with them, that declaration of War preceading any act of hostillity done against them by the Duch. But if they intended onely the latter, it seems to be necessary that they do declare the same for their own vindication since it seems that the Duch do look upon them as enemies that have declared open War against them.
;
Q:
5.
Whether
it
be not one main priviledge, which the United
Collonies have from the
K. by
their respective Pattents, to take

it
up armes
in such cases
onely wherein they themselves judge
necessary, and therein to have no officer, superior or inferior im-
posed upon them but such as they themselves shall constitute,

in theire respective jurisdictions.,
&c.
Q: 6. If the United Collonies, should by force of arms keep any Town or Towns on Long Island from becoming subject to
the Dutch, the
now masters of N: Y:, can they also assure to them any other priviledges respecting either Civill or Spirituall liberties,
what
7.
then what the

If not
will those
K. of England or Townes be
his Pattentees will allow
them ?
the better for such a reskue or
assistance? &c.
Whether therefore Townes upon Long Island

Q: from
since the late
governours of those
to
are
no longer able
protect them,
they were not better to submit to the present prevailing party
whom
it is
probable they
as they
may
obtain as good Liberties both
spirituall
and
civill,
[for]merly enjoyed then to engage
their bretheren of the
United Collonies in a warr for their sakes,
who when with

freed
great charge
&
hazard to themselves they have

liberties
them from the Duch, cannot assure them of better then are, it may be, offered unto them by the Duch.
Q:
8. If the
the safety of that great interest of religion
United Colonies in K; E. shall judge it most for and the hedge thereof
(the Civill priviledges granted
them by Pattent) not
to interest
them
the
selves in the present war,

;
notwithstanding the reading of
Ks. Declaration
and thereupon
may
be quarrelled with by
both party es, by the one for publishing the said Declaration,
&
132
THE MATHER PAPERS.

for not prossecuting of
it.
[1671.
by the other
all
Whether (they abiding

to themselves
faithfull to the great interest of religion
which the Lord hath above
nations, betrusted
them with) may not promise
safe
protection from
Him who
is
both King of Saints
&
King
of Nations.
Who
viz.
hath put words
into theire mouths to answer
every adversary that shall adventure without just cause to attempt
upon them,
in
Esa:
14. 32.
What
shall
one then answer
the messengers of the na[tion] That the Nation's
Lord hath founded

that
is, in
Zion, and the poor of His people shall trust in
it,
Jesus
Ch. who
in
is
the onely and cheefe corner stone, that
God
hath laide
Zyon
for a foundation, a stone, a tryed stone, a precious corner
stone, a sure foundation.
He
that beleeves shall not

is
make
it,
haste.
this
Esa:
stone,
in
28.
16.
if
The
true interest of N: E.
founded upon
&
the poor people of
God
in
NE
be true to
it
and
trust
it, it
may
with confidence be affirmed, that

all
shall stand as a
rock immoveable, tho:

together against
it.
the people of the earth were gathered

:
Zach
12:
and one would thinke that

dearest to him in
every gracious
soule should
ever long for an opertunity to be

or whatever else
is
venturing both estate

the defence of
it.
&
life
Sir,
I
God
desire
you
to
pray those deare
&
honored freinds
to
whom you
vpon
it,
shall deliver the
paper I put into your hands to write

cleft
an affectionate voyce from the

in
of a rock to the peo-
ple of
N. E., and
desire both yourselfe
&
them
to
weigh
it
whether that affirmative precept mentioned

be considered
in the negative,
in 2 Cor. 13, 11. if
be not sufficient to warrant the re-
peated conclusion before asserted in that weake paper, for surely

if the
God
of love
&
peece do not abide with us in the ship,
we
cannot be saved.
1671.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
133
MRS. GOFFE TO
For
HER HUSBAND.
these.
My Dear
friend Walter Goldsmith,
13 th of October, 1671.
Deare Child,
choych
time to
have ben abvndantly refreched

allso
by thy
letter of the
10 of Avgvst, as
I bles the
by the boock yov toock
the pains to writ for me.
Lord,
my
hands, I being
now
with
my
came in very good deare Aunt Jane,* to

it
home we
you wrot
are ingaged for her kindnes, she tock

to her
it
very kindly that
marcy we are all in health & dooe experanc much of the love & care of our good God, in soporting & providing for vs in shvch a day of tryall as this is. I regoyce to heare that the contry agres so well with yov & that you thrye so well, it tis the Lords blesing, & it tis marvosly in
returns thanks, throw
&
our Ies, that
children want.
we shold be provided for, when many of his dear The Lord make vs trvly thankful, & give vs hearts
be without what he will not have vs to inioy, thov
desiered by vs,
to be wiling to
never so
mvch
we
are to be at the dispose of ovr
Hevenly Father, & tho he exersise vs heare with hard things, Heven will make amens for all, it will not be long before we shall se him as he is, & be mad like vnto him hoe suffered for vs, that throv
his richovsnes
we may be made
safe,
righovs.
know
not whether this
may com
to
yov
all
&
therfore shall be the brefer, bvt I

let
am
wil-
ing to take
opportvnityes to
to
yov knov hov
it tis
with vs,
&
hov dear yov ar

if
me & yovr
3 sisers, longing greatly to se yov,
Lord se it good for vs, he will bring it to pase in his one The Lord help vs to svbmit to his will, & kep ovr hearts time. clos to him self. I have no good nvse to revife yor frend, bvt by reson of Abvndanc of rane & great that all relations are will winds, that hath ben with in this 6 weaks, hath don as is reported on good grovnds, as mvsh hvrt to the natishon as the great fier in London did. Oh the many wase God hath taken with pore England, fvrst in a way of marsy, & of lat sore Joygments hath, follod ovne vppon another, that mvch of the svbstanc of the land is
the
:
destroyed,
all
&
yet the hearts of pepell are not awakned.
Oh
that
that fear the
Lord would cry mytyly
to
God
for pore Ingland,
* Undoubtedly Jane Hooke, wife of the Rev. William Hooke, and
sister of
Whalley.
I,
134
for the sens of his
THE MATHER PAPERS.

one pepel are great,
sisters ar not
[1671-2.
& my
sens in perticeller,
bvt I trvst the Lord will pasefi him self vppon his dear son.
I hies the
Lord yovr
taken with the vanitys of the
times.
am
glad yov reseved what was sent.

tell
We
I hear
are fain to
be thrifty
&
therfore I shall forbare sendin

if in
what
it
tis
yov want, bvt
me,
for I shall
anny thing I can sarve yov, pray command dov it to the otrmost of my povr, if the Lord
permit.
beg yovr prayers

self,
&
promis mine,
&
with
my
indeared
Love
to thy
&
dvty
&
sarvis to all frinds,
committing yov
&
them
to the safe
protexon of the Allmyty, I take
my
leve,
&
tell
deth remaine
Yovr dear
&
Loving Mother
to
my
povr,
Fra: Goldsmith.
Shovrly tobaco
I hop to send
is
very good for yovr frend, bvt by the next

so svdden that I have not time.
som
perticeller derecsion, for I pvrpse to aske adis
vise of a ovld frend, bvt this
Yovr frend
that hath not wrot so long, intends to writ at the
Lord permit, many frends desire to be remembred The churches inioy mvch pes att to yov, & prays dayly for yov. London, bvt ar sorly parsecvted in the contry, the Lord apear for
spring, if the
deleveranc.
By
reson of the cold
if
yov wore a perreweg yov movt inioy

feld, the
more of
the Are, if so pray send for one.
I hear the
Ingens have chalenged the Englech in to the

his pepell.
Lord stand by
EDWARD COLLINS* TO WILLIAM GOFFE AND EDWARD

WHALLEY.
These For the
Hon
Gentlemen, at their Lodgings xoheresoever.
Much ho
know,
that
:d
& beloved Gentlemen, These

hath
are to lett you
God
moued
the heart of that worthy
&
gracious
j
* Edward Collins, freeman 1640, was deacon of the First Church in Cambridge, and representative for many years, from 1654. He purchased the plantation of Governor
Crndock
"
at
Medford, sixteen hundred acres of which he sold to Richard Russell.
He
died
at Charlestown, April 9, 1689,
aged 86 years. Cambridge Church Gathering."
See Savage's " Geneal. Diet.;" Newell's
1672.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

who
REGICIDES.
135
gentleman,
Mf
Ritchard Saltonstal,*
for
cals himself
your brother,
who
is
now gon
:
England,
whom
the good
voiage
hath
left
behind him for
Lord prosper in his your use, the sum of fivty

and intention should
but
pounds, which according to his purposs
have bin double the sum, but mett with an unexpected disapointment, but posiblely some addition
for present
may
be made afterward
my
order
is,
that the said fivty
pounds be delivered
into
your own hands.
Therfore this are to disire
convenient mesenger
order about
it,
yow can meet
with to give
yow by me your
the
first
positive
:
Not
els:
how or by what hand it shalbe convayed to yow but my Humble servis presented, commend yow to God
his grace,
&
the
word of
&
rest
Yours
Chaklstown, Jun:
1; 16:72:
to serve
yow
as able
Edward
Collins.
WILLIAM GOFFE TO EDWARD COLLINS.

To our Deare
fy
hono red ffreind
M
.
Edward
Collins at Charlestowne,
These.
Deare S r
that
it
Being
&
informed by yours of the I s June 1672,

.*
hath pleased the Lord to move the heart of our

ffreind
much
Honor*
leave a
vnto,
that
is
it
Dearely Beloved Br in Christ,

for o
r
M
it
R: S: * to
sume of money
(it
is
use, but
how much
will
to
amount
signifie
seemes) vncertaine.
These are therefore
o r Desire that the saide

into
may be put
Ml'
money, be it more or lesse, the hands of our Deare & Reverend ffreind,
John
Russell, Pastor of the
Chch
of Christ at Hadley, or such
person or persons as he shall appoynt to receive the same,

so doing, this
&
for
paper with the receipt of the
M? Jo"
Russell of
his assignes shall
be a sufficient Discharge to yourselfe or any
in 1630,
* Richard Saltonstall, jun., son of Sir Richard, came to New England, with his father, having been matriculated at Emanuel College, Cambridge, Eng., in Dec. 1627. He was admitted Freeman of Massachusetts Oct. 18, 1631, and the next month went back
to
England.
and Assistant in 1637.

in
In 1635 he returned to Massachusetts; was chosen representative in 1636, He sailed again for England in 1649. In 1680 he was once more
Massachusetts, and was again
made an
Assistant; but in 1682, returned to England,
and died in April, 1694.
136
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1672.
other pson therein concerned.
We
haue not more
at present
But
for all
your greate
&
vndeserved kindnesses (which the Lord
will not faile to requite) to subscribe ourselves
Your most
July: !: 1672.
affectionately loving
&
oblidged ffreinds,
W:
G:
WILLIAM GOFFE TO HIS WIFE.
Deare & Honor
1
?
Mother,
to
Yours
my hands
of the 14 th Octo.
&
23 Feb: 71 came both together

heare that
on the 12 th June
last,
with which I have been abundantly refreshed, rejoycing gi^ly to

it
is
so well with you,
&
your
little
;
ones, that the

that
all
Lord
to
is still
pleased to
keep
&
provide for you

safe to
&
mine
yourselfe last
sumer came
yo w
a great mercye, espe-
cially considering
how many hands
they passed through before
they came to yours, which I was not aware
haue informed
to you.
of. I am glad you me of it, for I would not make my letters too chary, Some days since your additionall paper of news came
also to
my
hands, wherein there
is
someth. that seems a

surely there
is
little
strange to vs
who
are affarr
will in
off.
But
a pad in the
straw which
heare that
God
due time descover.

to dear
all
am
very glad to
you are gotten so near good husband. The Lord requite
Mrs. Janes *
&
you
her
theire kindness to
&
yours, I have written a large letter to her as yo w may see. Pray when yo w have read, seale & deliver it. I hope having been so large
to her
you
will be pleased ther[efore] give
me
:
leave without offence
that I be the
briefer in this to yourselfe
His Mjitics Decleraat Boston, the
tion against the
Dutch having been published
mercan
chants
&
others are
much discouradged
it
fro trading, so that I
near of no ship going for England, yet I shall as soon as I can,
send
this to
Boston, that
may
be ready to go with the

it
first
op-
portunity.
for 1
But
in
what posture
are
cannot but tremble to
yow the Lord knowes, think what may become of poor Eng-
may
find
land,
whose
sins
grown
to
a great lleigth.
Yet the Lord

will,
that would have saved
Sodom
for the sake of
10 Righteous,
* Undoubtedly Mrs. Jane Hooke.
1672.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
137
I hope, be gracious to our poor native country, for the sake of the
many thousands
There
is
(as
it
may
be reasonably hoped) that are therein.
a great stock of prayers going up for you in this countrey,

will
which I doubt not the Lord

things in righteousnes
:
answer, tho:
it
may
be by terrible
is
Oh my
Deare Mother, now
the time, if
ever, to enter into these
chambers of safety mentioned, Esa. 26:
20: 21, or rather to shut the doors about you, (for I hope
you
little
were long agoe enterd into them,)

nation be overpast.
& to
abide therein
till
the indig-
For
yourselfe,
Dear Mother,
&
your
(whom the Lord hath hetherto so graciously sheltered under his own wing) I cannot but hope, yea I do in some measure confidently beleeve that as Hee hath deliuered & doth deliuer, so he
ones
will continue still to deliuer
you
in the
approaching storme which
many
felt.
feare
may
be more Dreadfull then ever yett the nations haue
But He that hath His right foot upon the sea, & His left upon the land, will so overrule all these motions that the issue of them shall be the advancem* of His own Kin^do in the
foot
ruin of Antich:
the
&
his adherents.
It shall
:
be
known
that
He
is
Govern* among the nations. Psa

this
22, 28,
&
that the
King-
doms of
selfe
world are the Kingdoms of our Lord

at
it,
&
his Christ
and tho: the nations be never so angry
He
will take to
Him-
His great power,

is,
&
reigne. Rev: 11, 15, 16, 17,
18; and
the 24 Elders (that

that
sit
the
vpon
their seates,
;
members of the shall fall upon their

day there
true gospel church)

faces,
& congratulate
king
His majesty
for in that
shall be a shout of a
among them.
at the first
But this place makes me sometimes to feare, that sounding of the 7 th Trumpet the churches may by reason
of the foregoing try alls be very

least
much
stript of their officers, or at
many
of them.
Because I
find in this place,
&
no other
in
the whole booke of the revelation the publick worship of
God
cele-
brated by the Elders onely, heres no mention of the 4 Beastes
(which are the ministers
&
officers
of the churches.)
Why
whats
become of the 4 Beasts, that should be the leaders in the publick worship, as yo w may see, Rev. 4, 9, 10. Surely think I, The gr*
storme that was imediately to precede the 7 th Trumpet hath driven
them
into sorrows
&
someway
or other devided
them from
their
at
congregations, that they are not at hand, in an orderly

least, as officers, to celebrate the
way
prayses of the
Lambe
att the first
Blast of the 7th Trumpet,
&
what you write of the

18
losses the
138
churches
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1672.
&
peo. of
the Difficulty of
God haue getting men
lately sustayned of that kind,
&
duely quallified to succeed in the
rome of those taken away, doth not a little increase these my apprehensions. But I am againe pswaded fro Chapt. 14,
1, 2, 3, 4, 5, that these
Breaches shall soone after the sounding

for that chapter carving
it
of the 7th Trump: be

history of the plainely that a
shall
made up,
fro:
on the
appears
Church
little
thence where the 11 th ended,
after the
sounding of the 7th T:, the

(that
is
Lambe
condithe
stand upo
Mount Syon
144000;
up.
in
a firm,
stable
tion,
&c) with
his
&
then the Breaches
made upon
churches shall be
as
it is
made
There eyes
shall see their Teachers,
Esa
30, 20, and then they shall sing a

before the 4 Beasts
the throne,
&
&
the Elders,
new song before ver: 3,' now that

thus appeare, for
the 14 th chapter begins where the 11 th ends,

tho: the 12.
may
&
13 chapters come between, yet they have the same

,
ending with the 11 th
for the
ch
12 chapter
is
a breefe repetitio" of
till
the whole state of the ch
from the primitive times
about the
slaying of the witnesses, or the end of the 1260 dayes of the
woman's being
in
the vvildernes
is
and the 13 th chapt.

)
treates of
the rising of the Beast (that
Antich:
&
his
42
m.
reigne,
&
making warr with

slayes them, of
the saints, during which time he
makes the 2
overcomes
witnesses prophesy in sackloth 1260 dayes,
&
at last
&
which the 11 th chapter speakes, upon whose riseing
&
assending after a great earthquake, the kingdom of the Beast
shall be
noumbred
&
finished,
&
thereupon the 7th
Trump
sound-
ing,
Of
c
!
Jesus takes to himselfe his gr*
powre
all
the 11 th 12 th
&
13 th chapters seem to have
one
& reignes, so that & the same end:
ing, bringing the story both of the church
&
of Antichrist unto
the period from
whence the 14 th chapt. doth proceed But a little time may make these things more piaine. I do but touch vpon them, that you may a little see how my poor weake thoughts are working about these things, & upon what grounds I cannot but
is
think the Lord

fore
it
about to do grJ things in the world, and there-
concerns every one of vs in pticular to be vpon our watch,
&
to
keep our garments least
stand before the Son of
we be found naked, & Man, when he shall come

to execute righteousness I cannot but be
not be able to
to
take vnto
1
him
his greate
power,
&
& Judgem
in
the earth.
Deare Mother,
Deeply sensible of your

it
greate and long continued affliction.
But
is
a great joy of
1672.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
139
in all
heart to
me
to find such sweet Breathings of the Sp* of

letters,
God
your previous
in a great
which manifests
83
to
mee
that the
measure kept you from the
evill
of this
11
Lord hath evill day and

eternall ad-
sanctifies all
your worldly Bereavm 1

the
that the
to
your sp
&
vantage.
Oh, Blessed be
is
it
what a mercy
Lord for this vnspeakable giflft Lord is pleased to give you such a
hearty Desire, (as you expresse in your last) to be contented to
want the enjoym* of that which God our Heavenly Father seeth
from vs though otherwise never so much desired. The Lord continue & increase that frame of spirit in yo w and I
meet
to withould
Beseech you pray earnestly that
it
may
be found in mee also.
Oh
that
we
could once come fully
&
freely
&
with a chearfull
all
heart to resigne up our selves to be disposed of in
our con-
cerm ts as
ness
shall
seem best vnto our most wise
&
most gracious
&
tender hearted fiather,
who hath
hetherto followed us with goodall
&
mercy, even
all
our Dayes, notwithstanding
our vn-
childlike
&
vndutifull cariage towards him, though he hath
made
great changes in our conditions,
&
hath vissited our transgression
with a rod
&
our iniquity with stripes, yet His loving kindness
he hath not taken from us, nor doth he suffer his faithfullnes to
faile.
That expression
in
your
first,
that
my
Deare
sisters are
not
much taken with
the vanities of the world, I read with

will not onely
much
joy,
'after
hopeing that the Lord
keep them fro? hunting
the vain things of this world, but will in his due time give all of
them heartes with Mary
to choose the better
p\ which
shall not
be taken from them, and that he that causeth the light to shine out
of darkenes will shine into
all their hearts, to
give the light of the
knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Je: Ch: But that which you write in your second concerning Deare Frank I cannot
read without teares, not of griefe but of Joy, for I have no greater
joy then* to heare that your children walk in the truth, as St. John
speakes (Epi: 3) to Gaius, and though as you write, wee must
be contented tho:
Epistle, ver.
we cannot
it is
as
yet
experience that in his 2
12, yet
matter of great joy
&
thankfullnes to
the
Lord
that
we do
in the
mean time
in her,
experience that which he
speakes in the same Epistle, ver. 4.

the
good worke he hath begun
Now the good Lord perfect & make it more & more
is
evident to your selfe
&
life,
others of his people that she
indeed
passed from Death to
&
that she hath joyned herselfe to the
140
THE MATHER PAPERS.

in
[1672.
Lord
Jer:
perpetuall covenant
that
shall
neuer be forgotten,
50, 5.
That so the Lord
also
may
be pleased to give vnto
her, in his house
&
within his walls, a place
&
of sons be cutt
&
off.
of daughters, even an everlasting

Isa:
name better then name that shall not

a
56, 5, that she being planted in the house of the
Lord may flourish in the courts of our God. Psa: 92, 13. Oh my Dear mother, it must needs be a great comfort and encouragement to you to see such fruits of your pious education of the children of your worn be, with whom you are still travalleing in Birth till Ch: be formed in them. Go on, Dear mother, psue with Dilligence the Blessed work you are engaged in. I hope the Lord will still make you a Teeming woman, & give you to see with Joy Christ formed not in one alone, but in the other two also. Let the sp* of faith & love, & bouldnes with the Lord be in yow (the Lord will allow you to be bould with him upon such an
account) which I haue read or heard was in a precious servant of
his,
who had many
children,
who
saide, that the
Lord had promhim

a
little
ised to be a
God
;
to
him
&
his seed,
and
he. would not abate
one of them
poore,
and
Oh
that
my
poor prayers
&
teares,
who am
a
broken, vselesse vessell,

gr*
might
also
contribute
towards that
worke.
r
would
also gladly ad to
fit
my
prayers for
them, exortations to them were I in a
capacity for such a worke.
But an Elder
B may
be so far bould with his Dearly Beloved
Systers as to speake to them in the words of Sollomon (with some
change of the <psons) Pro:

instruction of your
4:
Heare ye children
attend
to
(sisters)
the
mother,
&
know
vnderstanding.
She
will give
you (out of God's word) good Doctrine.
Oh
all
for-
sake you not her
Law.
Be you
the loving and obedient children*
of your Deare mother, or rather, continue so to be.
Lett
her
Blessed counsell
&
Holy Example
prevaile with
you
to
make
choyse of
God
in Christ for
your everlasting portion,
&
to choose
him
for
your Husband,
&
to give
vp yourselves with
all
full
purpose
all
of heart, to love
&
serve the
Lord with
your might,
your
dayes.
Now
God
the
God
of your father
&
mother, the
God
of Abr:
&
the
of Izack
&
the
God
of Jacob, even the
God &
three,
thither of
our Lord Je:
Ch. in Blessing, blesse you
all
* Addressed to his children.
As he
called his wife Mother, so he calls
them
sisters.
1672.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
141
to the
opening of your eyes,
&
turning you from Darknes to light,
&
by
from the power of Sathan vnto God, that you
givenes of sins, and inheritance

faith
r
may receive foramong them which are sanctified,
which
is
in Christ.
this
p sent
evill
That being kept from the Evill of world, you may be p served to his Heavenly
kingdo to who be glory forever
&
ever,
Amen.
Dear Mother, you will I know bear with my affections that have forced mee to crowd in a few words to my Deare Systers in
the midst of
nicate
my
Discourse to yourselfe,
best advantadge
who
am
sure will corauto those
them with the
you can
Deare
:
But must not enlarge further at this time, least my letter grow too Bigg, neither do I know when I shall get it convayed, it may be, before it go out of my hands, I may have someth: else to write, for we are in dayly expectatiu" to heare from England, & wee are even trembling to think what w ee shall Heare. Yet if wee would faine rest vpon the gracious promise, Psall: 112. 7: 8, He shall His heart is fixed, trusting in the not be affraide of Evill tidings.
Babes, that I
I
know
are the Dearely Beloued of your soule
Lord.
His Heart
is
established, he shall not be affraide, untUl he
sec his desire
vpon
his enemies.
You
you,
will pceive
by the enclosed how
it is
with Mrs. Jaines her
old freind,*
who
desires very affectionately to be
remembred
to
&
thankes you for your constant loue
&
kindness, &c.
He,
doth not cease to pray for you

It
&
yours, as I hope you pray for him.

to be a further blessing
may
r
be the
Lord may yet continue him

the
to his
Dear
relations he hath been so long absent from.
You
will
also
p ceive
how
Lord
is
pleased to send in supplies for the
carying on of a
stock in N: E:
little
trade here
among
the Indians
r
as the
is
r p sent
money (between my ptn

,
& my
selfe)
somewt
above 100
to
Debts p d therefore pray speake to Mrs. Jaines not send any more till shee be desired from hence, tho: wee do not
li
all
every year receive a fresh
Token, yet what wee weare
&
eat
may
every day put us in minde of her,
&
of her kindnes,
&
there-
r fore neither she, nor her labo of loue
can be forgotten by us.

to
All
the things sent by Fairewether are
come
hand.
Besides what
was written
in a little
paper by your
s
own sweet hand, -we have

mentioned in any
letter or
rec d 6 p* of gloves
&
40
in silver, not
* Whalley, Jane Hooke's brother, and Mrs. Goffe's father.
142
paper that
I
THE MATHER PAPERS.

is
[1672.
& some other, humbly thank you for the continuance of your motherly affection towards me, most uncome
you
to us
:
But
as to these things
:
must
referr
to the enclosed
worthy thereof, and

cold ayre.
in gticuiar for
your care
to fence
it,
me
against the
But
the
way you
<ppose will not doe

is
for I
must
tell
you the
aire of this countrey in the winter
exceding pearcing,
that a sickely person
must not dare
to venture out of Dores, tho:
neuer so well clothed, except the Lord be pleased to make the
Climate a
shall
little
more Tempate, which
also he
is
able to do.
is
now
earnestly begg your Mother's Blessing, that
the con-
tinuance of your fervent prayers to the Lord, as I cease not (after
my
poor weake measure) to pray for you

all
& my
my
Deare
systers,
sallu-
with
yours, day
&
night.
And
you
so with
accustomed
tations to all ffreinds, I leave

for,
all to
be watched over, provided
comforted,
&
saved by that great Keeper of Israeli
who
neither
slumbers nor sleepes, under the shadow of whose wing you

quietly repose yourselfe in the
may
in
day of Trouble
&
feare,
and say,
Tho:
peace
my
soule be
among Lions,
yet I will both lay
me down
&
sleep, for thou
Lord onely makest me Dwell
in safety
which that you may both say
&
do,
is
the fervent prayer of
Your most
Ebenezer, the 5 th
July, 1672.
affectionate
&
Dutifull child,
W:
Goldsmith.
In the yeare 64, about the time the Commissioners from England arived at Boston, with the shipps
&
souldiers that tooke the
Monadoes (now
called
;
N. Yorke)
fro the
Dutch, the moone rose

little
in a Totall eclipse
& now
this yeare,
on the 12 August, a
before noonf , the sun enters into the eclipse, which our
tell
Almanakes
vs will be also totall, a thing very rarely
known.
What
it
may
portend to
are
this
poor countrey the Lord knowes.

to the first
till
We
now come
August, having had no oppor-
tunity to send to Boston
now,
&
have nothing more to add
then what you will finde as a postscript to the inclosed.
We
heare there
is
another shipp fro E: come into Boston, but can not
heare fro any good hand what intelligence they bring with them,
onely
its
saide they
fill
saw the
2 great ffleets in sight one of another,
which doth but

be.
us with longings to heare what the issue will
My
Deare mother, I once againe begg the continuance of
1672.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
I
143
your prayers, for I have gr* need of them.

forget
know you cannot

towards your-
me, day nor night,
if
may
conclude from the continuall
workings of
selfe
my own
to
thoughts, affections,
&
desires,
& my
Deare
sisters,
&
the motherly affection you have heth-
erto
shewed
is
an vn worthy childe, that hath caused you so much
sorrow.
But I must
&
do leave you to the sweete embracings of
him who
your redeemer
&
your Husband, the chiefest of ten
thousand.
Indorsed, "
To mother
Goldsmith, July 5 th
& August
first,
1672."
WILLIAM HOOKE TO WILLIAM GOFFE.

These For
my
very good friend
M
.
Walter Goldsmith.
S*
rs
;
I wrote in the spring last past to a good friend of yours
and myne,
my
ber.
lett
M? Edw: R.* who, (I hope) hath by this time received And now, having an opportunity, I was willing to send
whom, with your
again
;
these lines to yourself,
friend * I daily
remem-
whether
am now far stricken in ever I may write^ to you

;
yeers, neer 72,
and know not

is
my
wife also
past her
great Clymacterick
friend f
yet pretty lively
&
vigorous
still.
neer
of yours
&
ours cohabites with vs, together with her
dear children,
at present,
who
are well, onely the middlemost
somewhat weak
but I hope will gather strength again.
We
live in
very good love together,

live asunder.
&
I think
scarce
know now how

;
to
As
for
myself I
am
in
competent health, onely I

Eccles:
I look
have that caracter of old age which Solomon mentioneth

12, 6, that
my
pitcher
is
broken at the fountain.
...
upon myself now
at the borders of eternity. I
The Lord prepare

sort
me
for a better world.
have had time enough to see the best

it.
of this,
&
nothing at
all
desireable in
The younger
it
who
are
are eager in the pursuite of these lower things will see their folly
when they come
to
my
yeers, if they see
not before.
We
* Perhaps Edward Whalley, who assumed the name of Richardson,

t Goffe's wife.
144
glad vpon
THE MATHER PAPERS.

all
[1672.
occasions to hear from you or of you,
&
that
it
goeth any tiling well in your parts, as accounting your welfare
our own.
least
As
touching vs,
to attend
we have now freedom
without the
molestacon
&
this liberty
upon the Gospel & ordinances thereof,* runs thorow City & countrey, peradventure, with
;
regrett to
highest
many but it is the fruite of And I think place among vs.
the fav r of there

is
Him who
is
in
no restraint upon
themselves,
any of whatsoever psuasion, no,

onely they
not
the
papists
may
not meet so publickly as others do,
&
it
is
well
they do not, for they are brisk upon that liberty which they do
inioy.
You
heare of the warrs between the French
&
Dutch,
which yet continueth,

of the Provinces.
& how
long
it
will hold
we know
not.
The
French have had many conquests upon the Rhyne, '&
in severall
They have taken
Vtrich,
[Utrecht?]
&
the
whole Province of that name, wherein are very many Papists,

I think they have taken a province or
&
two more,
&
severall cities
or townes,,& very strong holds, as Skenskanck, Nimigen, Swoll,
Rees, Emmerick by the
Coverden (the key of Frisland)
is
;
lately taken
Bp
of Munster,
who
ioyneth with the French
Crevecoeur
lately taken also,
Amsterdam
the
is
know) Arnheim. surrounded with water, which the Dutch have let
as I hear,
&
(for ought
in to secure the City,
about a league or two over round
whereby
City was at 1 st sorely distressed fo/ want of fresh

d
,
&
good
;
water, which (we heard) was sold at a very dear rate the gallon
but of
late, 'tis s
they have had great raines, whereby they have

the
been supply ed.
For
French entred
in a
dry time, which made
the rivers of the countrey fordable for their armies,
much
to the
their
disadvantage of the countrey.
As
for the
Rhyne
deep
rivers,
the
enemy made
between them
1
st
,
bridges of
& some of boates, & passed
over
with no greate resistance any where.
There hath, as yet, been
no pitched
army.
forces,
I
battle
for the
enemy hath
a numerous
suppose at
(I think)
with the accession of the Munsterian
&
10,000 of ours, over
whom
the
Duke
of
Mun-
mouth is chief'e, the army may consist of above two hundred The Prince of thousand, & they have done much in a little time. Orange is the Low Countrey's Generall, &, they say, behalves
* This refers to the declaration of indulgence in favor of Protestant Nonconformists,

issued in March. 1072.
1672.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
145
like to
himself well,
&
like a souldier.
Their state-government
is
be quite
lost, for the
countrey
is
much
discontented with thos gov-
ernments,
&
the people very mutinous, and quarrelling with their
politician, was wounded by some discontented ones, but not They are miserably killed.* I hear he is like to recover again. The Prince of Orange is out of order, which presageth ill. (I think) ge[ne]rally made Stadtholder, which is a place, title, & power which his Grandfather sometimes had, but of late yeers it was denyed to the family, & likewise renounced by oath, or ab-
Burgomasters; DeWitt, the greate statesman and

(they say) sorely
jured, but
now
the States have remitted the oath,

title
&
invested the
Prince with the said
to the satisfaction of the people very

is,
much.
The French King
as
'tis
said, returning into
France,
They speak of sending of more forces from France to supply the Army. The Prince of Condee received a wound which hath layed him by for a
having, they say, not been very well in health.
time, and whether he will be able to goe forth again I
know
not.
The Province of Holland

posts or passes into
It is reported
it,
is
not as yet invaded
there are severall
which are secured by the Prince of Orange.
&
in print, that the

left to
the French
King
Duke of Luxemburgh, whom comand a body of 18,000 men in the
Province of Vtrecht,
did send to the said
for
leave to at-
tempt one of the Posts or passes which at present are secured
by the Prince of Orange's Army, as not doubting but

to force his
to
be able
way
into the Province of Holland.
The Duke of
Hallifax,
Bucks:
his
&
ties
Earle of Arlington,
&
the
Lord Viscount
Ma
Plenipotentiaries to the
effected a
French
are newly returned
home.
They
Promisory Act between the two Kings,
not to treate or conclude without pticipacon

other's pretences.
&
inclusion of each
You have
heard, perhaps,
how we
set
upon
the
Smyrna
;
fleet
of the Dutch some moneths since, but

to
it
how they
is
escaped vs
rich fleet,
we then next hoped
have taken their East India
&
have been wayting for

in Friesland.
now
of late, but this
also
escaped by going the northern passage about Scotland,

gotten into
&
is
now
Emden
Our
fleet is still out,

fleet,
which had
not long since a terrible fight with the Dutch

suffered
both having
the Earle of
much
* This
in the fight.
The James (wherein

life,
refers to the first
attempt on John de Witt's
21 June, 1672.
19
146
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the
[1672.
Sandwitch,
since
many hundreds
Lord Montagew, was comander) was fired, & The Earle drowned, who was slaine & drowned. taken up upon our coasts, & his body brought to London &
enterred with great solemnity

slaine
&
hon r
Many men
of note were
on our part,
but
fleet
'tis
20 and 30, & many ships sorely torn, The French thought that the Dutch had the worst of it.
bet:
ioyned with us in the fight, but

they did
little,
we bore
the brunt of the bat-
tle
and sufFred
little
for
ought I hear, tho: they gave
terrible
names
to their ships, as
Thunder,
&
Lightning,
& Tem-
pest,
their
and severall other astonishing names.

condicon
is
But
as for the Dutch,
sad, tho:
is,
('tis
said) they begin to gather heart
little.
The
trueth
they have been a very covetous and earthly

adorers
of
generacon of
men
great
Mamon
compassing sea
&
land to gaine the riches of the world, the wealth whereof they
in, I
abound
think beyond any nation in the whole earth for their

this
pporcon.
And
hath
lifted
them up
in pride
&
arrogancy
to
the. despising of their neighbors,
&
drawing
their indignation
upon
rich
themselves, as entitling themselves,

yea,
The High
&
Mighty
severall)
States,
&
in the
East Indies, (where they have many greate

they write
(as
&
plantacons)
I have heard from

to Princes,
High
&
Mighty, Equal to Kings, Superior
&
is
Lords of the
Ocean.
And
this for
others
horid pride
God
now
pulling
down.
cruell to
Moreover,
their covetousnes is such that it
makes them
any that
shall
it
presume
to
meddle
at
in their trade in their

;
way,
for they
make
death to trade in their Southern Seas
&
you know very well what they did once

spirit (I feare) is in
Amboyna.
so
his
The same
time, but
them
to this day.
And
God
intent they are
upon
the world, that they will not allow

it
;
own
imploy much of
sight of the sun
as for the
about the world, openly, grosly, in the very
for they are
abominable Sabbath-breakers
&
Provinces.
powre of godlines, it is rare to hear of it in their And as for our King, they have most vilely abused
pictures
him by strange, base
&
is
representacons,
&
it.
that
these
many
their
yeers, that flesh

it is
&
blood
not able to bear

;
Touching
Certainly
drunkennes,
grown
proverbiall
&
for their long feast-
ings
&
is
compotations they have hardly their paralele.

highly provoked by them.
God
And now
greate are their in;
testine animosities
&
tumultuous stirrings
&
doings
the
common
people imputing their miseries to the Burgomasters, and the Boors
1672.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
147
refus g to let in the waters to
drowne the country,
their condicon
at the
being miserable eno: already.

retired to
The countrey people
begining
Amsterdam with
their cattle,
& now
are not able to find
there
how
to provide fodder
&
water for them, so that they are
forced to sell
the 20 th part of
them at very low rates, hardly, (as 'tis reported) at what they are worth. The Countrey which lyes for some leagues around that city
its
vnder water, will not be recovered in severall yeers to

state
former
&
vsefulnes, if there should be peace
the owners of the

set
land greately damnified.
There hath not been any

passes,
battle
between the Dutch

to
&
their enemies.
The Dutch have had enough

more than they could do
;
do to defend Townes
&
&
so
that their
enemy hath met with
little
or no check in their way, but
much in a little time, and 'tis thought with their gold & silver, as much as with their iron & steel, severall places yeelded by the treachery of their governors. The Dutch have had promises of assistance from the Emper r & severall German
have prevayled
Princes, especially from the Elector of Branderburgh, which are
not yet
come down
to
their
help,
but
'tis
thought they
is
will.
That which hath hitherto hindered, I suppose

of the
the
news
&
noise
Grand Seignio rs preparacons to come down upon Poland with a vast army to recover Vkrania out of the hands of the Pole, the King of Poland having not long since marryed the Emper rs sister, upon which account the Emperor will be consned [concerned] for Poland to ayde his brother in law,
&
as for the
Duke
of Branderburgh, he also hath promised assistance to the Pole, if
need be.
And
this, I conceive,
hath retarded the motions of the
Germane Princes towards

apprehend that the
jealous of the
the low Countreis.

is
But otherwise I
Emperr
much
displeased at the warr, as
French King,
;
the
Netherlands
&
of his aymes as g r ter matters than he takes it ill, no doubt, that the Bp of
,
&
Cologne
&
the
Bp
of Mvnster, being two of his Electrs

;
should
be assistant to the French in this Expedicon

fall
so that if the
Turk
not in upon Poland, I think there
is
probability of help from

if
the
Emper
',
who may perhaps come

is
too late,
he come not
themselves,
to be breaking
quickly.
Poland also
in a greate distemper
among
still
& &
cannot agree in their Diets, but are ready
them up in
m ch
discontent
&
passion as dislikg the Government,
some speech there hath been of deposing their King.
But
148
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1672-4.
must now draw towards a close, having now taken the waters & some physick with them for my distemper, & so am vnfitt to write onely I was willing to send you this paper, not knowing whether r There is, (I hear) one I may write to you any more. RichIf you know him, ardson * living in those parts where you are.
;
M
;
I pray salute
him with much love

Russell,f a good ma.
&
respect in
my name
&
like-
wise one
Now,
the Father of our
Lord
Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies be with you

friends with you, as
&
our good
many
as
know me.
rest
To
the rich grace of
God
The
in Christ
comending you, I
Yours
2? of
to serve you,
D. G.
Aug: 1672.
Boisleduc also
is
said to be besieged
by the Marshall Turenne,
a greate comander under the Fr:
King,
&
greate
to the
souldier.
Breda likewise blocked up,

de Chamilly,
&
Bommell surrendred
Marquis
termes,
&
it is
said also, that the inhabitants of Groningen,
before which the
Bp
of Munster lay, sent out to
demand
&
some
Ires add, that the place
hath surrendred,
&
is
in the
hands
of the said Bp.
They speak also of greate tumults in Middleburgh, the chief town (as I take it) in the Province of Zealand, into which the Bores in a tumultuous maner forced their entrance
and seised on
prisoners,
till
severall of the Magistrates,
whom
they
still
keep
they have satisfaction in their wilde demands.

is
The
of the
Duke
of
Orleans also
in
the
Army, and abundance
French
nobility,
Dukes and Marquisses and

7:
greate Mounshieurs.
Indorsed, " Rec'd 10 ml
1672."
WILLIAM HOOKE TO WILLIAM GOFFE.

These for
M
.
Walter Goldsmith in
New
England.
My
cised
beloved friend
Though
t
am
vnfit to write, as exer-
often vnder the painefull distempers of old age, yet I
am
* Whalley.
Rev. John Russell, of Hadley.
1674.]
LETTERS, '&C, RELATING TO THE REGICIDES.
149
willing once
more
to salute
you by these few
lines, that
you may
know
that I
am
yet alive,
other dear friend,
Father.
grief,
I have
& not vnmindfull of you and of my for whom & for you I daily pray to our heavenly been held vnder bodily exercises of paine &
vnder daily expectacons of
and
am now
my
leaving this
world and passing to a blessed eternity, through the rich

grace of
God
in Jesus Christ,
who
is
my
continuall study,
& free & the

;
object of my contemplacon & faith, & who is my All in All to whom be glory & honr for ever & ever. Your good mother, to whom you vse to write yeerly, is now vpon parting from vs,
which
is
no small exercise
to vs
but shee hath newly lost her

is
daughter Elizabeth, and marry ed her eldest, and

ing to live more privatly.
Salter
therefore will-
Her daughter*
is
well marryed to a
liveth well.
by trade, a gentleman, and one that
He
is
partner with a very dear friend of myne, a very wise

man,j- aged
&
godly
&
experienced, and a lover of his partner, and a
great help to him.
The time
on.
of the deliverance of this
young
man's wife doth
now draw
yeers, but
My
dear wife
is
yet living also,
but at present held under sharp pains.

for these
She hath had good health
many
we must
shortly part, each with other,
having been marryed together almost 44 yeers.

very active in serving the best Master,
She hath been
&
ministring to his dear
members.
She
is
not
now
fit
to write to
you, but remembreth her
most kind love and respects

is
to
you
&
to her very near relation

all living, if
who
notvnknown
to you.
Our
children are
he in N. E.
letters
be so, from
whom we
is
have not heard these severall yeers by

;
from him, which
a grief to vs
life
only
my
son Walter dyed about

his
3 yeers since, whose
was godly,
all
&
death- comfortable.
The
a
rest of
myne
here are
marryed, excepting
my
youngest
daughter but one, who
is like,
also, to
change her condicon within
moneth or 5 weeks.
here
I wrote not to
any
in
your country the

full
last yeer, as I
can remember, the seas being then
of trouble.
still
We have
made peace with Holland,

French
yet the wars do
con-
tinue between the
&
low Countries, in the beginning of

his life.
which the Lord S* John dyed at Utretch, and found kindnes (as
I hear)
from the French during
We
are here in a
low
* Goffe's daughter. Probably Mr. Vaughan.
See note to Goffe's
letter,
dated Aug. 5th, 1674.
150
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1674.
condicon, through God's hand vpon vs, which hath afflicted vs
with warrs,
broken our ships in Tarshish,
spoyled
in
afflicted
our merthe
chandize greatly, punished vs with

of
dreadfull fires
City
left
London, spoyled our trading, shut vp very many shops,
very
many new
built
houses vninhabited,
the
eastern
parts with great invndacons, winter after winter,
inflicted
much
of
poverty,
made money very

last
scarce, chastized vs with
immoderate
part
showers the
our harvest,
sumer, to
the
spoyling
of a
great
&
with the like raines and showers this winter
now
over, to the indangering of the harvest the

so that wheat
is
sumer now ensuing
grown of
late
very dear, about 10 s a bushell

;
other graine proportionably risen

feared.
sorts
;
and dearth
&
famine
is
much
There hath been

rottennes in oxen
is
also
a great death of cattle of most
&
kine,
&
sheep,
&
hogs,
&
geese, &c.
;
And mutton
and veal
late
sold at 7 d half
penny a pound of
bills
late
and beef
at a greate price.
;
The
of Mortality have also of

;
been doubled
near 700 a week dying lately
&c.
God
is
greatly offended with vs, and pursueth his controversy against vs.
many of our able ministers from vs, as M Greenhill, Mf Mallary, Mf Bridge, Mf Carr ryll, Mf Nye, Mr Loder, M Elmes, M? Wood, M Carter, M. Blake, & of late, M? Venning, and M Janoway, & some others. Dr. Owen succeedeth Mf Carryll his former fellowship ioyning D Goodwin is yet living, but hath not gone with Mf Carryll's.
hath of late yeers taken away
r
r
And God
forth Of
his
house for these yeers

is
nor hath your old friend,
from
whom
your mother
now
departing, gone out of his doors

is
about these 6 moneths.
Ireland
yet quiet, in which the Papists
had expectations of the conquest of the low countries.

iel
Mr NathanPastor to
Mather succeedeth
his brother,
(now dead)
in being
the church at Dublin.
The
professing party in that land have

in
had But
for
their liberty all along,
during the want thereof
England.
must hasten
to a conclusion.
The good Lord prepare me

;
my
approaching appointed change
&
let
His grace
&
mercy
be with you and yours, and

this will
my
dear friend with you.
I suppose
be
my
last letter to
you.
The Lord Jesus be with you,

hope
is
and manifest himself

I
to you.
self.
My
onely in him, to
whom
have resigned vp
my
Let His good Spirit be your Coun-
sellor
&
your Comforter.
Myne and my
wife's
due love
&
vn-
1674.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

;
REGICIDES.
151
* the same to Mf Russell. to My Rich Again and again, Farewell. The grace of our Lord Jesus be with you evermore. Amen. Yours to love you to the last D. G.
feigned respects
The 4*
of the 2 d 1674.
WILLIAM GOFFE TO [WILLIAM HOOKE.]
Most Dear
laste,
still
Sir,
lately received
yours of the 4 Apr.jalive,
&
rejoice
much, that you were then
and able
for
& willing
dis-
to write to
your poor freind notwithstanding the painefull

;
tempers under which you labor in your old age
which I ac-
count myselfe most deeply oblidged to you as well as for your
many former
precious lines
tho: not directed to myselfe
by which I have been often refreshed, and tho: I cannot, yet I am as;
sured the Lord will abundantly requite

that
all
the
Labo r
of love
you have showed to me & mine, and I hope you have accepted of some weake lines of mine that I have written to some
had been directed imediately
you.
to yourselfe
;
others, as if they
&
so
presume
this
that I shall not

late writeing to
need to stay vpon any long appoligie for
been
in
my my
Hopeing
that
you have hetherto
advocate with yourselfe from the reasons that have risen

Brest, which
your
own
may
not be so convenient for
me
to ex;
presse.
Yet I many times

hope
to shroud
is
feare I have been faulty in this matter

selfe
but I
still
my
under the mantle of your Dear
&
free love,
,
which
are
large enough to cover a multitude of faults.
Dear S r You
now
pleased to say, that you suppose this will

selfe,
be your last letter to
my
a word that cannot but affect
my
any
heart with sorrow, and cause

freind should be
me
to
weep
sore,
that so dear a
grown
so
weake
as not to be able to write
more, yet I will comfort myselfe, that that
Heavy word
all
is
not yet
spoken which made Paulls freinds to sorrow most of

vlt.}
(Acts 20,
and Hope the Lord
order things in His Providence, that I
may lengthen out your life & mine, & so may yet see your face once
* Whalley took the name of Kichardsoru

t
See the preceding
letter.
152
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it
[1674.
again even in this world, which hath indeed nothing in

Desirable then such faces
;
more
in the
mean time
I. shall
desire to bear
heart a due sence of those Bodily exersises of pain & you are held vnder & to pray the Lord, if it be His will, that so whilest the Lord is pleased to conto ease you of them But Oh tinue life it may not be altogether a Burthen to you. Dear S r How sweet & full of instruction are those words of yours, (give me leave to repeate them) when you say, I am now
upon
my
griefe
vnder dayly expectations of
my
leaving this world
&
passing to a
in Je: Ch:^
Blessed Eternity, through the rich
&
free grace of
God
who
is
my
continuall study,
is
&
the object of
my
contemplation
&
faith,
& who
by
my
all in all, to
whom
be glory
&
hono r
for ever
&
ever.
These are living words, well becomeing that Dyeing
whom they are spoken. Oh, that the Lord would write them upon my heart, & give me a profitable remembrance of
saint
them while
mortall
I have a day to live

to be
for
is
it
not the
Duty
of every
this
man
under the dayly expectations of leaving

the river of time then others,
to the
world, which tho: some be, in

a
little
the ordinary course of nature,
Higher vp
in
yet
all
are
sayling
downe apace
mouth of
it,
where
it
emptieth
itselfe
by a double streame
eternety,
into the ocean either of a blessed or miserable
&
into this
Dead Sea
all
of a miserable eternity do multi-
tudes of carelesse soules dayly flow clown in the great stream of the world, in which
men by
nature are swiming.
But Oh,
how
few, comparatively, are those that through the rich
&
free
grace of Godwin Ch: are taken out of the world's, and put into
the lesser streame flowing from the precious fountaine, the Blood
of Ch: by which alone
it is
possible for vs to pass into the Blessed
Eternity which
it
is
your Dayly expectation.

(since
How greatly then
doth
concern vs
all
we must
shall
certainely very shortly leave this

it
world whether we dayly expect
or no) to get into that stream
which may when time

at rest in the
faile vs,
lanch vs into that Blessed

shall be
eternity wherein without expecting
any more change, we
Bosom
;
of Ch: forever,
is all
&
to that
end pray
,
to the
Lord with David, (which

the
one as I conceive)
to lead vs in
way everlasting which were the very last words even now reading in course to myselfe & your old
* Whalley.
was but
freind* in
1674.]
LETTERS, &C., RELATING TO THE REGICIDES.

vlt:
153
Psa: 139,
ter course
and as a furtherance of
this great
worke, what betChrist,
can
we
take then (with you) to
make
the
Way,
the Truth,
&
the Life, our continuall study; of
who is whom, we
when we have once
attained a cleare and experimentall knowledge,
&
of our interest in him,
we may account
it
a shame to vs if
do not make him the constant delightfull object of our contemplation
&
faith,
and esteem him
to be our all in all.
But
alas;
evill
how
far
am
I from this temper, and
how doth Sathan,

after
&
it,
an
heart continually impede

especially to stagger
my
weake indeavours
faith.
faile not.
laboring
&
vndermine
Ch. hath prayed. that our faith
your praying time

(and
lastes, cease
not to
may
this paper, if it
be the will
But how well is it that Oh, Deare Sir, whilest help me by your prayers of God, reach you before
go before, I may not
you take your

faile
flight,) that so if
you
shall
to follow,
&
meet you in that Blessed Eternity where we

that
sits
may
glory
together with the whole assembly of glorified Spirrits give
&
honor to
Him
on the throne,
and forever admire

our good
&
adore the riches of
& mercy &
to the
Lamb
free love, that
hath wrought from everlasting, and will be working to everlasting,

for
:
Alase for
my
dear freind your loving Consort
it
greives
me
much
that she hath not been well, yea held under sharp paines,
vnfit to write to vs.
&
to
was thereby made
I hope the
Lord hath
since eased her of them,
&
that he will lengthen out her dayes,

selfe,
be a longer comfort to your
&
a further help to the poor
members of Ch:, vnto whom she hath allready ministered so much, & whose labour of love to his name therein her Heavenly Father
will
shall
not be vnrighteous
to forget.
No, assuredly her reward

I pray present
all
be great in heaven, nor will the Lord withould a Blessing
from herselfe
to myselfe
&
hers on earth neither.
my
affec-
tionate love to her,
&
with Hearty thankes for
her gr* love

desires to be
&
her old freind *
who
is
yet alive,
&
I have given to yourselfe and her, but cannot write. more full account of his condition to my Dear Mo: f to whom I must referr you. I shall onely ad, that notwithstanding all that
a
remembred
I have saide in her letter, I do not apprehend the near approach of

his
Death more now (save onely he

Whalley.
is
so
much
older) then I did
f Mrs. Goffe, his wife.
20
154
two yeares agoe.
the dead
is
THE MATHER PAPERS.

t
[1674.
He
is
indeed very weake
but
He
that raiseth
able to restore
if it
him
to
some degree of strength

His glory, the
again,
&
will
do
it,
may make
for
edification of his
people, and our best good.
He
complains of no pain, and hath
a good stomake, for the most part, to eate thrise in the day,
sleepes well the latter part of the night
&
&
morning, and troubles
not himselfe
much
with one thing or another that I can discern,
but quietly waites to see what the Lord will do with him.
I doubt, formerly his being too
ness,
But
much
troubled at his
especially
that of
his
vnderstanding
it,
&
own weakmemory & his

;
striving so long
and earnestly with
^now you
are not wanting to

tell
more increase it. remember him in your fervent

did the
prayers.
Pray
my
us.
dear ffreind that methinkes
we
misse a
letters
great part of our annuall refreshment which her kind
were wont
love,
to give
But we can
tell
how
the
to feed
&
must
rest therewith satisfied
when
upon Lord makes
her
her
not able to write to us.
Dear S r It is some exersise to me as well as to your selves, that my Dear Mo: was upon a remove from those good fTreinds But I with whom tslie hath for some time had her Lodgings. hope the Lord who tells all her wandrings and puts her teares into
,
his bottle, Will, or hath

will
been the cheife directer in that motion, and
provide some place where she may comfortably abide, and in a more private way, wherein I am confident she .wants not your
Help, nor your counsell

of
& prayers,
that those solleme dispensations
God
(the occasion of that remove)
may
be sanctified
&
blest to
her,
&
her poor afflicted family.
I pray, Sir, be pleased to re-
member my
of
affectionate love to that
good man,*
.the
adged pson
whom you
wrote,
&
pray him to continue his love
&
help-
fullnesse to his partner, f
and the young
woman
his wiffe, espeshi-
ally in the matters that concern their spiritual!
&
eternall welfare.
am
so far off the sea side, that I

J
seldome heare any thing of
your freind there.
I am very sory he neglects to write to you.

to those parts
There
is
a freind
now gon
whom
I have desired to
in trade before
* Probably Mr. Vaughan, the dry-salter in London, with whom Goffe was associated he joined the army of the Parliament. See the preceding letter of William t The husband of one of Gofte's daughters. Hooke, dated April 4th, 1674. J Perhaps Dixwell, who then resided at New Haven.
1674.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
155
enquire after him.
I should be glad to have something to write I perceive the

his
of *him that might be a comfort to you.

still
walking among you in the way of
judgements.
Lord is Oh,
that the iMhabitants of poor England would learn righteousnesse, and consider how applicable that is to them which is saide in
Isaiah 1,
from the 5th to the 10th

21.
I
vers:
and hearken to the

yet
counsell given, ver: 16 to
am
at a great distance,
methinkes I see the Lord shaking both your Earth
&
Heaven.
that can-
Oh,
that
He
would give vs grace
to seeke a
Kingdom
not be shaken, and to serve him acceptably with reverence
&
God is a consuming fire. The Lord hath many Righteous ones of late yeares, both in Old & New England, & therefore we may feare there is yet more evill to
godly feare, for our
taken away
come,
&
the rather because there are so few that lay

if it
it
to heart.
The Lord,
be His will, continue your

left,
selfe
&
those few of
His ancient servants that are

wasted vyneyard.
yet awhile to Labour in his
Methinkes I hear the Churches Crying to the

;
Lord, that they cannot spare you

lengthen out your
little
&
hope
He
will for their sakes
life,
&
renew your strength
to
do him yet a
more
service in
your generation, before you go henc
&
be no
more seen.
weake
lines.
But
I fear I shall tyre
I shall therefore
he that houldeth the
you with my too many rude & come to a conclusion, praying that seven stars in his right hand may be your
safe protector in all stormes,
&
enlighten, guide, and strengthen
you with might, by His

till
Spirit,
both in the inner
&
;
outward man,
you have made an end of fighting that good
fight in
which you
will
are engaged,
&
till
you have
is
finished
your course
and then
the Lord, the righteous Judge, put
vpon your head that Crown of up
righteousnesse that
allready laide
&
reserved in heaven for
you.
To His
grace I do again
&
again recomend you
& my
Beloved freind your Deare wiffe

I am, Deare Sir,
ffreind,
&
whole family.
Your most
affectionate,
& deeply oblidged W: Goldsmith.
Ebenezer, August
5*h
1674.
Your
more
to
old ffreind,
being asked whether he desired any thing
be added concerning himselfe, he saith I desire nothing
but to acquaint myselfe with Je: Chr:
&
that fullnesse that
is
in
156
THE MATHER PAPERS.

for those that
[1676.
him
Beleeve and have interest in him.
This sen-
tence he uttered with

clearnesse than vsuall.
Indorsed by Goffe, "
some stopps, yet with more freedom and
To M" D:
G. the 15 lh August, 1674."
WILLIAM GOFFE TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend
M
.
Increase Mather
Teacher of a Church of Christ
in Boston, these dd, in
New
jEngland.
Reverd and Dear S r
to
have received the

r
letters
from
England that you inclosed

fort to
Whiting, and give you hearty

It is a great
thanks for your continued care in that matter.
comdear
me
:
to hear so frequently
[from my] so far distant
&
relations
all
&
r
I esteem
it
a great mercy, that (through your care)
our
letters
have hetherto passed without anyone miscarying.

* writes that the last she received to have.
My
me
But
dear
Mo
wanted the outer covering they vsed

to
came safe But she
tho:
it
desired
do so no more.
I did then as
is
now &
at all other times.
I suppose their desire
that
;
mine may
be.
covered by your-
selfe as
judging
it
most
safe
and I Beleev a few words from
your
self to
Hook,
to inform
him of
the state of the countrey
would be very acceptable.
He
writes to
me
that the churches in
London have been very sensible of our great troubles here, and have sought the Lord sollemly on our Behalfe & I doubt not
;
but they will continue to help us by their prayers
&
councells to
improve aright these great Dispensations of judgement

which the Lord hath exersised upon us.
&
mercy
would indeed Help us

eye vpon vs
;
therein.
And Oh, that the Lord Surely God hath His watchfull
will
He
is
pleased to give us a breathing time, and he

be
seems to be trying vs once again to see whether we

children that will not lye, that so he
evil Is
may
be our Saviour from the

sinfull
we have
yet cause to fear
may
be coming vpon poor
N: E:
I have read over your late seasonable Exhortation.
But
His wife.
1676.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
157
was taken from me before I could read it a second time. Oh, that we could once in good earnest attend the many warnings the Lord is pleased by His servants the prophets, as However you will well as by his providences, to give vnto vs.
it
have comfort in your

that there
is
faithfull
&
painfull endeavo rs
I judge
great
cause of hearkning to your advice in the
matter
of
the
churches
renewing their Covenant,
and to be
There hath
deeply humbled for their former Breaches thereof.
been, doubtlesse, a great neglect of that mutuall watchfullnesse
which
all
the
members
are so
sollemly bound by their Cov* to

there a due care to keep
;
have one over another.
Were
one
another vp to a Holy gospel-like conversation
by timely, loveing
evill
and private admonitions, exhortations and reproofs, much
would be prevented, and much

without those Breaches
ings,
spirituall
good attained
vs.
and that
&
vnchristian Divisions and heart-Burn-
which have so frequently Hapned amongst
But Oh,
fruit-
that
God would
be pleased to poure out His Spirit from on high,
that the wildernesse

full,
may become
a fruitfull feild
even so
that in comparison thereof the

Isa: 32: 15.
counted for a forrest.

tion
is
now fruitfull field may be The great Houre of Tempta-
not yet over.

;
God
hath begun
& He
But
it
will
all
go on to shake
in order to the
terribly the earth
yea,
&
heaven
also.
founding of Syon.
The Lamb
his called
;
will, er
be long, appear upon
Mount Syon with

1:
&
chosen
&
faithfull ones.
Rev. 14:
in order to
&
17:
14 compared
and that among the Gentiles,
the Destruction of Babilon, the seat of the Beast; that so
by the
gentile-
defacing of the old Harlot, and the Beauty of the
Lambs
Bride, (Isa: 54, 11, <&c. compared with the foregoing part of the
chapter) the elder syster, the Jews, (Euphrates being also dryed
up)
be provoked & encouradged to embrace the Lord Jesus, Both Jew & Gentile become one glorious Bride, for the most glorious K[ing] who hath broken down the wall of partition
may
and
so,
and purchased her vnto himself by

glory ous
his
own
r
Bl[ood],
fTor this
day
let
us pray,
&
waite,
maugre
tarry.
all
opposition, (Let
men
p pare dilligently ; for and Devills do their worst) the
&
vission shall speak,
&
he that shall come, will come,
&
will not
The Lord Jesus hath been long standing with

the Sea
his feet
upon
&
vpon the earth (overuleing
all
the confused motions
158
of the
nations)
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Rev:
.
[1676.
10.
. .
2.
But he
will
shortly appear in
another posture, and
his step to the top of
Mount Syon,
leaving the earth and sea shakeing
&
trembling vnder his footin Rev: app [eared] in any of the

is
steps.]
Methinks I see a greater glory prophesyed of

first
14
the 5
verses, then hath yet
protestant nations of Europ, which yet

the Destruction of
to
be expected before
Rome,
for
which
my
it
soul longeth, and I
am
much perswaded that the Begining of

But oh, the
there,
in
will
be in Great Br[itain.]
terrible things that are to
be expected
God
will do
order therevnto, and Blessed are those that shall be
found worthy to escape the things that are coming to passe, and
Son of Man, or to accompany the Lamb Dear Sir, I Begg the continuance of upon the your Love & fervent prayers, that for the good will of him that Dwelt in the Bush, the Blessing may yet come upon the head,
to stand before the
Mount Syon.
the top
of the head of the poor
worm
that hath been so long

all
separated from his Bretheren and allmost from

ciety, yet
Humain
So-
he hath liberty,
day
&
night for yourself
&
I
all
yours to
some measure a heart to pray So recomending you the grace of our Lord Je: Ch:, I remain Dear Sir,
in
&
&
all
the Saints.
your very much oblidged
&
thankfull ffreind to serv
you
in
what
may
be able.
8'.
Ebenezer,
h 7.
1676.
i
was greatly behoulding

to this
to
M
if
Noell for his assistance in
my
remove
Town.
pray
he be yet in Boston, remember

I cannot but expect to hear of
my
affectionate respects to him.
some great thing from England. I beseeoh you, Sir, not to inany expression in my letters as if I complained of God's Dealings with me, for I am abundantly satisfied, that He hath done all things well. Not any one ingredient which my tender
terpret
hearted
spared.
&
wise Father hath put into

I Blesse His
my
cup, could have been

feeling
And
will
name
I have
some experimentall
hath been for
that every circumstance of
my
affliction
my
good
all
and well
it
be for
me
if at
length, being freed from
my
Drosse, I be
made
a partaker of His Holynesse.

to seale
As
of the
was going
vp
my
letter, I
was tould
that beside
your Exhortation, you have also taken the pains
to write a History
War, which
is
also printed.
But
I have not
had the Happy-
1677.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

know
.
REGICIDES.
159
nesse as yet, to see it; and

desire
it
;
not
when
I shall, tho: I
much
are
for I find
is
it
very
difficult to
attain
any
sollid intelli-
gence of what
great,
therein.
done abroad:
But
the workes of the
Lord
&
should be sought out of

Psal: 111. 2.
all
them
that have pleasure
I cannot chuse therefore but be shutting
one eye and peeping with the other through the ere vises of
close Cell to discern the signes of
my
my
Lords coming.
But Oh,
that I were prepared
&
in a readinesse to
go forth
to
meet Him.*
Dear S", I have rec? yours of the 17* May, with those from England, as also the 12* h left with you by N:, for all which
-
&
for all former kindnesses I return
is all
am
able to do.
you But you know
my
to
hearty thanks, which
who
I have referred
you
for Better
payment
who
will not be vnrighteous to forget
your work
&
labour of love that you shew to any, thd never so
mean, for you

in
his
names sake.
I have desired to sympathise with
your
late fiery Tryall.
But rejoyced much

affliction,
to hear that
you
had time to remoue

Bookes.
&
it
secure your cheife treasure, I
mean your
However
was a sharp
yet but your ffathers
Rod, who allwaies aimes

corrections,
at the proffit of his children in all his
&
I doubt not but your selfe shall abundantly ex-
perienc the truth thereof in being
made a
further partaker of his
Hollyness
pleased to
This
is
a day of Jacobs troubles,

his
&
the
Lord
vs
is
still
exersise
patienc
towards the persecutors of his
people, that cry vnto
him Day
&
night.
tell
But
let
remember
will
what our Lord hath
said,
Luke
18. 8, I
you that he
aveng
them
faith
speedily.
What
can be spoken more possitively to support
vnder seeming Delayes, yet
How
apt are
wee poor wormes
to faint whilest
Dear S r
we are waiting for the salvation of God. you know my try alls are considerable, & did you know
my
weakness, you would surely pitty,
&
is
pray earnestly for me,
seal,
bearing the arms of Whalley,
affixed to this letter.
160
even as I
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678.
am
pers waded you do,
But
full
I pray
is,
you do
it
yet
more
&
I
more.
The
great thing I aim at
that I
may
be more like
;
Comun[ion] with him that it a good living too & I Hope the Lords purpose is to teach [me] that Lesson by bringing & keeping me into this Desolat state. When [He] ch alured his ch into the Wilderness, (Hosea: 2. 14) it was that [He] might there speak comfortably vnto her, or to her
the
Je:
Ld
&
enjoy more near
&
may
:
learn to live
upon him
alone, and th[ink?]
Heart.
And truely I find

of neither,
it is
that
good
&
comfortable words from the Lord,
or any of his people are very refreshing.
But
alass, I
am worthy
of the Lords mercyes that I
am
not consumed,
yet are his compassions continued, I must acknowledg, and say
They are new every morning great is thy faithfullness. The L? is my portio saith my soul, therefore will I Hope in him. Dear S r to his grace I recoinend yo w & all yours & remain Your much oblidged & thankfull freind.
:
Ebenezer.
12.
m?
1677.
With my Humble
first
&
Hearty thanks
for all
your former favours,
I entreat your further care in convaying this to
Hook by
the
convenient oppertunity.

To
the
Reverd
M Increase
r
.
Mather, Teacher of a Church of Christ in Boston these present.
I have received the Rever d and Dear S r me very lately from my Dear Mo: for which,
,
letter
yo w sent
all
with
your
really
long continued kindnesse, I heartily thank you
and
am
ashamed
you
;
to think
it is
how
am
to
forced to be
still
so troublesome vnto
yet
to
r
some ease
me
to think that thereby fruit
may
that
evill
abound
good
your account.
I doubt not but
you have heard,

is
Hook
(after his long expectation)

rest.
gon from an
world into his everlasting
My
Mo:
writes,
that he being
16 78
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
161
dead, shee hath written to her ffriend (by
whom
I suppose shee
;
means your
self) to
send her letters to annother place
but did so
or place.
far forget herself as not to informe
me
;
either of
name
So that I am forced
to cover,
to send
my
letter (I
yourself with a naked superscription
mean the inclosed) to which I humbly entreat you
convenient opportunity, and you would be pleased to give yourself the trouble of writeing a few words to let me know what place & person it is that my Dear Mo: directs to, that I may know for the future how
first
and send away by the
also
that
to superscribe
my
letters to her.
it
As
for this, I
your care
&
prudence to give
a safe convayance
must depend upon which the

;
Lord hath
hitherto so exceedingly blessed that I do not
know
of
any one that hath miscaryed.
I pray Sir, be pleased to let
me
know whether you have heard any thing this yeer of Mrs. Hook. My Mo: hath mentioned her twise as intending to write or send
to
me, but I have not heard any thing from her.

Sir,
Dear
the
how bould
Thus you see, make with you, presuming upon my former
experienc of your great
&
underserved love, which I dayly pray
Lord
to requite a
1000 fould unto your Bossome,

all
&
would
greatly rejoyce if I could be
any other way serviceable vnto you.

hands that there
is
Dear
Sir, It is
now
that
concluded on
a great
day of tryall come,

where.
to
&
coming vpon the poor people of God every

more* throughly awakened
Oh
;
we were
&
prepared
meet the Lord, and to waite for him in the way of His Judgefor
ments
He
hath assured vs
in
his
word,
that
all
these
shakings are in order to the setting vp of His
own most
glorious
Kingdom. The Moon must be confounded, & the Sun ashamed, when the Lord of Hostes shall reign in Mount Zion, & in Jeru-
But here is the patienc But I shall not further interrupt your more serious thoughts with my weak scribling, only to desire your fervent prayers for him who ceaseth not to pray for your self, & all yours, & for the whole Israeli of God, and who is Dear Sir, your
salem,
&
before His ancients gloriously.
& faith
of tKe Saints.
most affectionat and deeply oblidged ffreind

Ebenezer, the 30* Aug: 1678.
21
&
serv*,
T: D.
162
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678.

These for yoare
selfe.
Octo: 23, 78.
Rever & Dear

d
Sir,
I lately gave
you the trouble of

this
.
letter
with one inclosed to
my
d
dear Mother, which should have
been sent by a ffreind that was to have returned to
Town, by
But he
whom
nilling
I
ill
hoped
to
have
rec
a few words from yo w

to give
it
went not, so I was forced
an honor d ffriend the

with his
trouble thereof,
who
saide he
would deliver
it.
own hand
this
&
therefore
to
hope you have rec d

with
a
I was forced to send

also;
(since
Sir, to
that
my Mo:
am
naked superscription, and
because I
ignorant both of the place

his death) to direct
&
nson appoynted
I beseech
My H[ooke]
letters
them
to.
you
vse your prudenc in the safe convayance of them, for th6
my
be of
little
worth, yet
my
dear Mo:
is
pleased to esteem
them a comfort
affliction
;
to her in this
day of her great and long continued

your great Debtors
for the help
it
&
we
are, both of vs in our
you have given vs

please to inclose
paper correspondence.
I should take
if
as a great kindnesse to receive a

it
word
or
two from you,

safely.
you
a
to
My Whiteing,
it
onely with this short direction,

It
(Thes
great
that
for M!"
T. D.) I hope
to
would come
would be
satisfaction
heare that you have rec d
my
letters,
;
and
you know the way of sending them to England & to be you how to direct them for the future. Dear Sir, I desire to bear upon my Heart continually the many great conespecially of your Jurisdiction, in cerns of this poor Countrey refferenc to the many awfull providences wherewith the Lord The Lord make them effectuall to hath been awakening you.
instructed by
;
that end, Blaste the wicked Designes of his
&
your Adversaryes,
and continue
his gracious presence in the
midst of you.
Israeli of
To His
re-
Grace I recommend you, with the whole
God, and
you
main Dear
Sir,
Your most
affectionate ffriend, oblidged to serve
T: D.
1679.]
LETTERS,
hear the
&C, RELATING TO THE

Thacher *
is
REGICIDES.
163
Wee
Surely
E d M?
lately dead.
Oh how many
!
eminent ministers of the Gospell hath N. E. lost in a few years

its
a matter to be trembled at.
I cannot but think the consequencyes of the late Bloody Battell

in Flanders (after the signing of Articles of
Peace) will be very
great, f
Methinks
it
lookes like one of God's great works, what-
ever Polititians Designs be.
I beg your fervent prayers, as having more need of them then

ever.
I have been long in the furnace, and yet
much Drosse
remaineth to be purged away.

To
the
Rev d
M
.
Increase Mather Teacher of a
Ch ch of
Christ in Boston.
Ebenezer 2 of the 2 m 1679. Reverd & Dear S r I vnderstand by a good friend whom you lately wrote, that you have been vnder the exersise
,
to
of
the various dispensations of Providence in refference to the infectious Disease with
which your Town, and your own family
in
pticular hath
therein.
It
been
visited,
and I desire to sympathize with you
could not but be a great exersise to yourself and your

all
dear consort, to have
your children (but one excepted) taken

it
with the disease.
But
surely
hath also been
much comfort
therein,
to
you both, that some of your children were so gently handled,

that all are recovered.
&
to
I desire to rejoyce with

behalf, as also to
prayse the
yourselfe
Lord on your
all
you pray him

all
&
to give both
&
yours the sanctified. fruite of

for
his dealings
with
you
&
them.
And
your whole jurisdiction,
Oh
that the
Lord
would help
all his
people there, to humble themselves vnder the
* Rev. Thomas Thacher came in the

Boston, June
stalled,
4,
1635.
He was
ordained at
February
16, 1670,
over the
"James" from Southampton, and arrived at Weymouth, Jan. 2, 1645, and afterwards inOld South Church, in Boston. He died Oct. 15, 1678.

f
The Treaty
fought,
of Nimwegen was signed in August, 1678. A few days afterward was between the Dutch and the French, the battle of St. Denis (near Mons).
164
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683-4-
mighty hand of God, and pray

every thing that
is
&
seeke His face,
&
turn from
displeasing to His holy majesty.
Then would
land.
he hear from heaven,
&
forgive their
sins
&
heale the
We
are here full of expectations of hearing
of Europ.
meet
Him
in
The Lord the way
help
us to
some great thing out be awakened & prepared to

I
of His Judgements.
am
;
also greatly
longing to heare from
my
poor, Desolat Relations
and whether
to
my
last sumer's letters got safe to
them.
It
was a trouble
me
and
that I
was forced
to
to send
them
direct
to yourself, so Barely Directed,

lines
and hoped
you,
(I
have received a few
from you concerning

for the future.
this
it,
how you would have me

Sr
,
to
pardon
my
them giving you
I Beseech
great
&
long trouble,
am assured you shall not loose your reward) and let me receive word or two from you by this Bearer. If I have missed it in any thing, vpon the least intimation I shall indeavour to rectify it, or reform for the future. Dear Sir, I earnestly Beg the continuance of your fervent prayers to the Lord for me & mine, as such as stand in great need thereof. I may truly say I make
in <pticular at least twise or thise in a
mention of yourself
before the Lord, to
day
with the whole Israel
whose Grace I recomend you of God, and remain, Dear Sr
&
all
yours
Your much oblidged and very

I sent
thankfull friend,
T. D.
you three
letters last suiner,
&
hope you received them.
JOHN DIXWELL* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reverent Mr. Increase Mather
att
Boston, these dd.
SR
I sent a letter to
you
in
closed for England.
I desire to
November last, with one inknow whether it was delivered,
* Colonel John Dixwell,

Charles, and an officer in the
army under
one of the judges who signed the death-warrant of King the Parliament and Protectorate, fled from EngJ
land at the Restoration.

to Hartley,
The
date of his arrival in
New England
is
unknown; but he came
and joined Goffe and Whalley the 10th of February, 1664-5. He probably remained there but a short time. He afterwards went to New Haven, and took up his residence there, under the assumed name of James Davids. In the New Haven records
1683-4.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
165
and whether you haue had oppertunitie to send that and another
I sent a
little
before.
If they
come
safe to
my
frinds, I
hope
this
summer somthing
any
the
letters sent
wilbe return'd to you for me.

lately
If I haue had
by these shipps
come, I intreat you to send
same by
this bearer.
I hartilie thanke
you
for all that frindly
respect I haue received from you, for which I
owne
my
selfe to
be
Your much
March 22* 1683 [4].
obliged frind and servant,
James Davids.
Mr. Wilson,* I hope was by a good Providence brought to New-Haven. Coming a little before winter to see his frinds att Milford, he was prevayled with to preach att NewHaven one sabbath, and after that for this winter. He is a verie hopefull yong man of good abillities. The iuditious sort are so
hereof,
farr satisfied with
The bearer
him, they are earnest for his longer stay, and
truly I thinke they will not
meet with a
better.
I suppose
you
his
may promote
a good worke, if you please to incourage him
&
ffather to his further continuance.
The Church,
&
also
some of
the cheife of the place in particular, have writt to his ffather about
it,
but I intreat you to take no notice you haue any thing from
me.
there
November 3, 1673, to Mrs. Joanna Ling, who died a few Bathsheba How, October 23, 1677. He died March 18, 1688-9, in the eighty-second year of his age. At his death, he made known his true name and character. His only son, Mr. John Dixwell, settled as a goldsmith in Boston about 1707. He was a Deacon and Ruling Elder in the New North Church, of which he was one of the founders,
is
a registry of his marriage,
weeks
after; then to
in 1714.
full
account of Colonel Dixwell
may
be seen in
Stiles's "
History of the Three
Judges." * Dr. Leonard Bacon, in his " Historical Discourses,"

" the
p.
160, says, that in the
year
1682 the church and town enjoyed, for one year, the labors of a Mr. Wilson,
this person
who came from
Bay," but of whom nothing farther is now known. We hazard the conjecture, that may have been John Wilson, son of Rev. John Wilson, of Medfield, baptized in Boston, July 8, 1648, who is known to have been for a season in New "Haven, and who was married, July 4, 1683, to a daughter of Rev. Roger Newton, of Milford. He may, for some unknown reason, have relinquished preaching.
166
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1661.
[The following extracts from news letters, found in this series of papers, and mostly transcribed by Goffe, are here printed in the order in which they appear in
the Mather Collection.]
W
S*,
TO WILLIAM GOFFE.
Newes Bookes from England
to
Having
the
rec'd the printed
the 10 th of Sept r last, I heerin send you the substance of them soe
farr as they relate to affaires there.
May
20th (61).
for the
The House of Peers concurred with
the
House of Com:
the hands of the
off the
Burning of the Solleme League
&
Ct.,
by
Hangman,
The same day the Par1 of Ireland Ordered that none be admitted into the Par but such as take the othes of Supremacy & Alleigance, & that noe pson that hath sate in any ptended High Court of JusMay 13 th (61) The Pari* of Scotland tice shall sitt in the house.
Record
1
in all Courts
& ordered that it be forthwith & places where it is Recorded
taken
made an Act
for a
Sollemne Anniversary Thankesgiving for
his
Ma
ties
Restauration to his Kingdomes, to be obserued the 29th
May.
tector's,
They
allsoe
made an Act
for
punishm 1 of Blasphemers
with death.
May
28, Severall Acts of the
Long
Pari*
&
the Pro-
were by the order of the House burnt by the hands of
the
com on Hangman.
May
the 29th, the Cov!

in
was Burned
in
severall places of
England, and caried

others
a disgracefull mailer
(fixed to
Horse Tailes) through the
streets, with the effigies of the
Protector,
lifie.
Hugh Peters, & And in London the

it
whom
it
it
they had a mind to

out of
all
vil-
Rable tooke
the Churches
where
tions.
vsed to Hang,
the 27th,
&
Burnt
with great shoutes
&
aclemaorder of
May
1
The Marques of Argile was (by
the Pari
ble of
his
of Scotland) beheaded,
&
his posterity declared
vncapa-
any publick Trust,

tcs
Ma
vse.
At
his
Land & goods confizcated to death he shewed much couradge & Resoluall his
&
Mr. Guthery minister of Steeling[?] and Capt. to be Hanged for making a Remonstrance sentenced were Giffen st pceedings in matters relating to the with others ag the Pari r Patrik Gelespe & others vpon there submission, were Church.
tion.
May
28th.
Cleered
The Pari of
1
Ireland,
p pclemation, Revived
the statute
for vsing
Conion Prayer, which Begins Thus,
Wee
the
L ds
Sp n
&
1661.]
LETTERS,
1
&C, RELATING TO THE

,
REGICIDES.
167
Temp!
&
Conions assembled in Pari*
&c
&
Ordered that every
member should
the
receive the sacram* according to the Ancient liturgie
of the Church established by
Law
&
that the Gov* be
Burnt by
Hangman. The King put

11
forth a Proclemation for the
obseruation of a
gen Fast throughout Eng: the 19 June,

erate
for the greate
&
imod-
Raine
fallen,
&
by the Advice of the
Bp ?
directs to
what
prayers
of such
&
Exortations are to be vsed to the people, vpon paine
punishmts as may be inflicted by law for neglecting the same. It was ordered by the Parliam*, that the L*? Mounson, ST James Harrington & S? Hen: Mildmay (who sate as Judges
of the late K.) shall be degraded of there honors
shall
&
Titles,
&
be drawn vpon sledges with Ropes about there necks, from

of
the
Tower
to be caried
there lives.
London to & vnder the Gallowes at Tiburne, thence Back to the Tower, there to remaine prisoners during The like was resolved of Mr. Wallop & Mr. Phelps.
psonall of the Judges, 21 that are Dead,
And
that a Bill be brought in for the Confiscation of the Estates,
both Reall
&
&
that a
Clause be inserted for the Execution of those 19 allready convicted
&
condemned.
:
Evidence
is
to be
brought in against Sf Arth:
Haslerigg
of the
S^
Hen: Vaine
&
Coll.
Lambert
are left to the try all
Oblivion
for a
& & all the other Acts of the last Parliam* & made .an Act free & volluntary pressent to the K. wherein it is puided that
Law.
This Pari* hath confirm'd the Act of Indemnity
noe pson not being a Peere shall in such

of 2001, or any Peere 4001,
sent excede the
&
that noe Comissions Issued
sume by
vertue of this
subscriptions for
Act be of force for the receiuing of any money or money after the ffeast of St. J n Baptist, 1662,
.
&
its
declared that noe Comissions of this nature can be Issued
but by Authority of Pari 1

into
And
that this
Act
shall not
be drawne
Example
for the future.
July the 14th, The Litturgie of the Church of England was

first
read in the French Church* of Westminster.
July the 30 th
His
Ma
ty
passed Divers Bills, to witt a Bill for securing

tes
&
r p serv-
ing his
practezes
Ma &
pson
&
Attempts, wherin
Goverm* against Treasonable & seditious its Enacted that if any pson after
lish
* " The French Church at the Savoy submitted to the rites and ceremonies of the Enghierarchy." Neal's " History of the Puritans," vol. iv., ch. 6*
168
THE MATHER PAPERS.

shall
[1661.
June 24 th (61)
or to deprive
compasse or imadgine the death of the K.

stile
or kingly name of the Crowne of this Realme or any other his Ma ties Domintie &c, such pson shall be adjudged ions or Leavy war agst his Ma & suffer as in cases of High Treason or if any pson shall affirme
&
depose him from the
Imperiall
that his
Ma
tie
is
a Herritick or a Papist, or that he indeavors to
bring in Popery,
&c,
is
disinabled to enjoy or exersise any place
or office, Ecles: Civill, or Millitary, (with divers other puissions to

large heere to insert,)
tituled
Bill for
all
Repeale of an Act of Parlr:
in-
an Act for disinabling
psons in Holy Orders to exersise

its
any Temporall power or Authority, wherein

Clause
enacted that every
&
thing therein be repealed.
Bill against
Tumults
&
disorders vpon pretence of p r paring or p r senting publick petitions tie or other Adresses, to his or the Pari*, wherein it is enacted
Ma
that noe pson after the 1" of August, (61) shall sollicite or pcure
the hands or consent of above 20 to any petition or other Adresse,
&c. to the K: or Parliam 1 for allteration of matters establishd by
Law
in
either in
church or
state, unlesse
consented to by 3 or more
if
;
Justices of the Country where the matter shall arise, or

1
arising
London, by the L d Major, Aid & Comon Counsell & that noe pson shall repaire to his Ma tie or the Par* vpon p r tence of
?
r p senting such petition, &c, accompanied with above 10 psons, vpon paine of incurring the penalty of 100 1 & 3 m. imprisonm 4
without Bayle or maineprize, for every offence, pvided that
this
Act
shall
not extend to debarr. any pson not exceeding 10 to
r tie p sent any Greevance to any member of parlf or the Kf Ma for tie Remedy there vpon, nor to any Adresse to his Ma by all or any
member
to his
of parlf but that they

1
!
may
enjoy there freedome of accesse

Bills
Ma
There were divers other
passed, which, by
reason of there miscariage in there
coming from Boston, I can
only give you there Titles, as foil

of the Militia to be in the
Bill declaring the sole right

r p sent Ordering
K.
&
for the
&
dis-
posing of the same.
A Bill
&
declaring the paines, penalties,
&c,
imposed vpon the estates
psons of Certaine notorious offenders,
accepted out of the Act of indemnity
&
oblivion.
1
Bill for ex-
planation of a clause q td in an Act of Pari made the 17 Charles I: intituled an Act for repeale of a branch of a stattute 1 Eliz: con-
cerning
Bills
Com"
for
Causes
1
eclesiasticall.
:
There are some other

his
of lesse concernm
heere omitted
Ma
tie
having passed
1661-2.]
LETTEKS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
said
169
to the
these Bills,
Adjourned the parliam* from the
30 th July
is
Nouem: following, & went All money Coyned by the Pari*

20
th
his pgresse into
Worstersheere
called in,
or the Protector
r
&
the price of gold inhaunced 18* in the pound to
p vent
exportation
of
it.
The K. hath
lished
H:
18:
allsoe sett forth a decleration
wherein he estab-
Bpps
in Scotland.
W: W:
At
a Gen"
10; (1661)
at
Boston the 27 th Novembi; 1661 *
It being obvious to all pious
&
serious psons
amongst vs that
wee
are called of
God
deeply to humble ourselves for the
many &
decay of
practice
gr* sins
&
evills
of the Country, as our vnproffitablenes vnder the

to vs, the
glorious
meanes of grace soe long continued

love, neglect
our
first
&
indisposednes to a
full
enquiry
&
of the order of the Gospell, the gr* ignorance

riseing generation to vanity, pphanes,
&
inclination of the
&
disobedience, the sinfull
indulgence in family gov* prid

love of the
rences,
&
exce[ss] in aparell, inordenate
w ld &
the things thereof, insenciblenes of Evill Occur-
&
in special
God's suffering
many enemies & vnderminers
to multiply complaints
ag st vs (to our soveraign
Ld
the
K.) the
impetuous, restles intrusions of heritickes
&
enemies to the waies,

of Antech:
.
wpp &
ordenances of God.
adherents to ruine
in the
The Cursed combenation
&
of
his
&
:
trample vpon
This
all
the sincere serv 4 3
God
w?
1
throughout
doth comend the serious

of like nature,
consideration of the affores d things, with others
together with the 'afflicted condition of the peo: of
God
elsewhere,
vnto
all
the churches
&
inhabitants of this Jurisdiction,
&
doe
appoynt the 2 d day of January next to be kept a day of sollemne

Humiliation
&
supplication vnto the

s
d
Ld
.
for a
through redresse
&
returne from the,
iniquities,
&
allsoe for the diverting such
Calamities as are coming vpon vs,
&
the peo: of
God, the Chn
world throughout.
By
From W. W.
I rec
d
the Court.
2
fi'
Edw. Rawson.
(61.)
is
[sic]
to
)veU9.^7:t the 15 th March
letters
from Boston which say that there
a Cetch from
Barbadoes arived there, which brings intelligence of C:

* Printed with slight variations in Mass. Records,
|
Wood-
vol. iv. part 2, p. 34.
From W. W.
to
Mr. Davenport.
22
170
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1661-2.
greenes ariving in the west of Eng: in 5 weekes.
The booke of
are
Mattins or the primmer, with

called in
all
Bibles with Anotations,

sit
by proclemation.
a peace with
all
The
B pps
in
the house of
Ld
9
.
There
fHeets
is
nations but the Turke,
ag st
whom
to
are gon, one vnder the
Ld
Peterborough to Tunis: the
other under
Gen Mountague
11
.
to Argiers.
There seemes
be an
Assosiation of the ptestant princes with the Pope, as the heade of

that
League ag st the Turke.
I leave to yourselfe to iudge.
Of w" evill consequence it -may be, Gen Monke is said to be out of

11
fauour,
&
is
retired
from Court
to live a private
;
life.
His most
is
intimate attendance
comanded from him

it
the ground of which
iudged to be some discontent of the nobillity, together with the

terror of his
owne Conscience
is
allsoe written
from Boston
quakers are
That the Presbiterians, Independants, Anabaptists,

declared enemies to the state
those 19
:
&
And
as to the K's Judges,

is
10 of
to be
Condemned (of whom Tichbourne

in every yeere
one) are pardoned
as. to there lives,
but adjudged to ppetuall Imprissonmf
&
drawne once
vpon Hurdles with Halters about there

att
necks from the Tower to the Gallowes

stand six Houres with their hands
Tybourne,
the
&
there to
&
faces
besmeared with blood.

;
The
Ld
Winsor
is
appoynted GovT of Jamica
L d Willoughby
Bartlet,
is
of Barbadoes, Sr William Bartlet,
now made
ap-
poynted for Virginia, Mr. Maverick and Mr. Jeffers who were
Solicitors for the
Gov
of N. E. are gonn to Jamica

;
appoynted for these Collonies

(with Capt. Dauies
as there attendance)
<fc
Bradstreete
& noe Gov?" & Mr. Norton
new
ship built there,
Hull the Goldsmith, are gon with them went from Boston the 10 th of Feb r in the & are sent as that Collonies Agents to the
King.
much agitation & C* opposition, have at last sent 2 messengers for En: Mf A: & Mf B: who went from Boston 10 th of Feb!" cQ;c. I pray God it may be for the best, the euent is doubtfull to me, seing wee have soe many false freinds & open enemies. From Barbadoes, by a vessell late
11
:
March 26, 1662, in a Letter from T for newes this. 10 th March G
9-UC ?.U to n 2
after
3V
the
come
in,
Letters mention a league with Holland, offensive
&
de-
* From Mr.
P Inchon
to
Mr.
Z)[venpor]f.
1662.]
LETTERS,
<&C.,
RELATING TO THE REGICIDES.
Ifl
Ambassadors of ffrance & Spaine. & 4 Spanyards. A speech of the Infanta of Portingall to be come into England, our Mf Maverick & Gifford to be gon to Jamica, & soe to come hither. But what becomes of the 19 Gent? in the Tower little is saide, or what the Parliam* hath done, or what concernes vs, there
fensive, of a falling out of the 2
about precedency, where 9 Frenchmen killed,
is
a deepe silence
There
is
to be a
n
meeting
att
Boston (the 11 th
u
March Instant) of Elders

Churches in
the
&B
called
by the
C* from
all
the
this Jurisdiction.
The 2
Q
&
ns
.
to be discussed are,
1
who
are to be the subjects of Baptisme,
2 ? whether according to
word there ought
to be a Consosiation of Churches,
it.
&
what
should be the maner of
The
.
inclos d
pap
is
a true coppy of
what our Reuerend Teacher (M. r Glouer)* deliuered, being exactly taken from his owne mouth. I heare there be many Humors what
he delivered abroade, but the enclosed
is
the full of all that he dd.
That which he takes

vnlawfull
:
for granted is, that kneeling in itselfe is not

it,
If you have any argts agst
as I doe
much
desire
them, soe I
know
they would be very acceptable to
My
Glover,
in
who
is
a very serious ho:
man,
&
would not willingly be

it
an
error, or leade
any other
into error,
being a great pte of his
care to fortifie vs agst errors

ferings
to loose
&
false doct:
&
to
ppare vs for sufto choose rather
&
evill
days, often calling vs to stand,
&
our dearest Blood then to pte with the least truth of Je:
CM
(the paper follow th .)
If a Prince Injoyne Kneeling at the Sacram*
& withall,
to
r p uent
mistakes in the minds of his subjects, doe publickely declare that
he doth
it
not as any pte of Deuine
pp
,
or of the Reuealed will
of Ch: in his word, but only
&
meerely as
an Act of Civill
Authority,
&
fFurther if sepated
from the Danger of introducing
popery or the like supstition, a private pson

soe
may
kneele at the
Sac*, as a thing Lawfull, being noe where forbidden, though not
Lawdable
if
&
decent, as being not practized
by Ch:
&
his
Ap
8
.
But
tion,
enjoyned as pte of Devine
W?p &
of the will of Ch:
&
Conjunct with the clanger of introducing popy or the

a Ch? ought, rather then yeeld vnto
to suffer the
it,
like supsti-
or give the least
Countenance thereunto
Losse of
his Life
&
all
out-
ward concernm
* Rev. Pelatiah Glover, second minister of Springfield, ordained June
18, 1661.
172
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1661.
\2.{\
(l
DaveU9.7 JuU:
*
:
A
many
breife Relation
of
some newes ffrom England
1:
That
of the people of
God
are imprissoned, very sad times feared
to be approaching:
(2) Corne is very deare, noe sect soe much favored as the Quakers, none soe much Trodden vnder foote as
:
the Presbiters
3.
Gr*
Grumbling
in
E:[ngland] I:[relandJ
all.
S.[cotland] but P. B. sayes theye will
still
The
30< h of the
p sent
not.
m.
December, feared
Coll.
for to
to be a bloody day, if the
L* p r vent
to
Sf
H. Vane,
Lambert, with some others Coniitted

:
come to Tryall The 1 day the Pari* sate, they gave the K: 20,000 i, as some Affirme. My Wharton bought this newes ffrom the Bay, inclosed in a letter which came by the way of Barbadoes One thing more I have heard by the way of Virginia, viz., Animi populi in Scotia Contra Episcopos amarescuntur et nonnulli interficiuntur Sed vix quicquam quod fertur credendum est. Concerning the 2 Collonellsf (who were formerly heere) theres noe speech lately:
Gernsey Castle, sent
:
\2-ft
8.7-jg
\T[2
to
2
(I
0veU97:J
is
I should be glad to heere of any designe goes on that
for
the West, in as
much
as I
am
sure, the Gospell
must goe West-
ward,
of
Isa: 59:
glory must be gr* in the West before the Jewes call, Rom: 11: I heere say many are for Florida. Mf Tomson New London hath pinised to send mee the substance of the
&
Combenation, with there names, I pray wright a

for
wd
or two, for I
my
pte would gladly see an open dore to goe forth.

writt to
One
mee from
the Bay,
&
saith that
Capt Breeden
wrights in a letter of severall Gouernors to severall places, but
Lord knowes who shall be Gov? of N: E: Independ'.' Presb: Anab: & Quakers counted all alike, & declared Enemies to the State & thousands are Removing, but he that wrights to mee had forgott the places name to which with other things as in
adds, the
;
;
other letters.
r. t Whalley and Goife. Mr. Daxevport. Walter Fyler, of Dorchester, came in the " Mary and John " in 1630. He was a Representative in 1661. Rev. William Thompson [H. C. 1653], was employed by the commissioners of the United Colonies, acting for the London Society for Propagating the Gospel. Savage's
*
\
From Mr. Dave/;or<, From Wa\\]ter Fyler
Jtww
to
Geneal. Diet.
1661.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
173
77-^
J
\^.fl
0: E.
o\
1662.
z'
28 o\
OC7 6-#
f
1661,
#-c-ve> #" 8o\
A9#.||
n 2 u-sn-u
7.
n? jgj-*
Wee are
supstition,
not without our Exercises heere,
&
I feare fiery
Try alls,
he that refraynes from Evill makes himse a pray. <pphanes,
&
&
false
w pp
is
:
cryed vp every day more than other,
&
that in the high places
Many
are
now
put in prison, Major

those
& my Brother Wm. is in the same prison. Both prissoners, & many other officers of the old Army, &c:
Haynes
Octob r
:
28, (61.)
13
7.
n2
^:t
28 0cto:(61.)
Sad
soe
it is
to heere
How
things are in N: E. the which doth dis-
couradge many that had thoughts that way.
The Bay
J
stirring
r p sent
much
:
for the
little,
Apprehending of
W: &
G:
signifie at
heere but
because they were so long with them,
&
then did
The state of things heere is sad, & the hand of God is & hath beene much vpon vs by great mortallity, & many good peo: Corne is now at 10? B & extaken away ex the evill to come.
nothing
11
.
pected to be dearer.
A
:
famine of the
it
wd
feared
att
the p r sent
our ministers continue, but

.delt
hath beene tould some they shall be

;
with alltogether
some have beene
set
r p sent we have more Lectures then ever vp by pticuler men, very eminent, as one
at
Wilkinson that preacheth

is
at such a rate as
he
is
not expected
to continue, but he
man
of great ptes
&
wisdome,
&
hath
beene a meanes of doing a gr* deale of good for the supporting

of the sp ts of the peo: of
God amongst
the fiery
Try alls
that are
coming vpon
vs.
There hath beene some that are
fallen, yet to
my
of
best
observation,
&
of others, that
there
seemes to be a
:
gr* Sp* of
Courage,
r
&
a sp* of prayer
&
of ffayth
The Deane
Westm
:
hath beene very zealous in cleansing the
Abby
there
hath been
many deade boddyes

Marshall,
taken out of there graves, neere
30
&
a place digged for them,
&
put
in,
most of them together
whereof
My
My
Stronge, Dy Twisse were some of them.
Newman
t
* Letters from 0. E. of the 28 of October, 1661, received to Mr. Davenport. f Mr. Lang to Mr. Davenport.
the
of
Aprill, 1662,
Mr.
Whalley and Goffe.
174
THE MATHER PAPERS.

in
[1661.
The Herb market

beheaded,
Paull's
Churchyard
is
moved.
I suppose
yo w have heard the Covenant was burnt in Scotland,
&
Lords
&
one Quirister, one of the

is
ds
.
was the M: of Argile.

with them in the house
The Parliam!
of Lords.
shortly to
is
sit,
&
the
PI! S
Sr this
sad but true, in a play was acted the Presbithe Independ. a pulpit seate vp,
terian ministers
&
it
prayed
were,
with the
ds
&
expressions of the ministers.

st
then
as
preached as they doe ag

the Downefall of
Babilon, quoting
many
Scriptures for
Babilon,
&
at
Last came some Souldiers,
&
puled one out of the Pulpit,
& &
then a
after
company of Ho: b" some space of time the lock of

[Two
& put him in a payre of & sisters bemoaning him &

God
thankes.
stockes,
prayed,
the stockes flew open,
&
. .
then the same before mentioned gave
All these
lines illegible.]
others themselves reported they were afrayde the house would have
tumbled downe, &c.

hath
bake.
I had thought of
passages since fallen out, but haue not
now
some other remarkable time, &c The Turke

:
made great spoyles in Transilvania, but since The Emperor's forces, with the other princes
tell
is
retreated
are Joyned.
I pray
sicke,
r
.
Jones
ill
Kussell
is
dead,
&
Ml"
Kowe
hath beene
&
is
very
at this time in the
Country.
fl*
8-U^.9
7.
n 2 g.* Octob!
'
24: 1061.
Only
Heere that there are

n
letters
ex the
Gov r
of Boston, with
the Relation of those
Gent that were sent from thence to your Collony, &c. These came by Capt. Lord's shipp. There is an extraordnary great plague at Constantinople, 1700 dead bodyes
;
caryed out of the Adrinople gates every day
Yett they say the
greater pte of the Citty was burned last yeere.
The Plague
is
much
in other Citties
&
Villages there.
gr* fflood att
Wallago
in Spaine,
which hath done much hurt
to psons, houses
&
vines.
Ilooke liues at Clapham, at the house of one
Gold, a Justice
of peace.
* Mr. Winthrop
to
Mr. Davenport.
1662.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
175
Newes
Section
(1)
sent vs the 9 th Aprill, 1662, as
foil:
(No 2)
A
who
letter
from
My Attwater
that
ill
to
his
Broth? informes that he

to
spake with a
saith
it
man
came from Eng:
Boston, by Barbadoes,
goes very
with the peo: of

f
God
that the
P &
l
pps
gave the K. 1,200,000
&
that he expects the next
newes
(or to
will
be <psecutions of them that doe not submit to the
Bpps
that purpose.)
A
man
letter att
from
My B pp
to his Brothy informes

5*.
that
there
is
Boston who came from England the
of Decern: last,
ill
s
by the way of Barbadoes,

the peo: of
&
saith that
it
goeth very
with
all
God
there,
&
like to
be worse, for the
B p?
are setting
vp
all
there Courts,
& whosoe
speaketh against them
& there waies,

for preaching
are imprissoned.
There were 3 ministers Hanged
against them,
escape.
&
others imprissoned, which he thinkes will not
from one
The same day came this following, which seemes to be that hapned att Hereford on Tuesday in London
:
sent
last,
r the 1st. of this p sent Octoby 1661. On Tuesday last, beeing the first of this p r sent Octoby 1661, about 2 of the clocke afternoone, there Hapned a gr* violent
&
storme to
itants.
arise, to the
first
Amazing
&
Astonishing of
all
the Inhab-
The
beginning was with a most terrable wind, which

it
continued for the space of 2 houres, with such vehemency that

forced the Tyles of the houses, in soe
;
much
that
none durst to
come out of there dores in the midst of which storme was blowne downe the steeple of a Church & many brave houses, the falling whereof hath killed some psons, but what they are or who they Then the Aire began to be darkned, but are, wee yett know not.
yet sudainely clearing ag: the peo: began to looke abroad,
&
soe
continuing for a while,
all
assuredly thought the storme to be
over, but contrary to there hopes, about 6 or 7 a Clocke in the
Evening, they were
solicited
r
with vnwonted Claps of Thunder,

fell
;
&
more
to
avgment
f
feares,
sently
such haile-stones that the like each Hailestone being about
vere never seene in any age before

the bignes
an Egge, which severall Gent" of quallity affirm e
(heere
sent in
London,) who
certefie that
they destroyed the
Cattell in the feilds,
&
did
much
other harme.
Then
iFollowed
176
a terreble
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
&
ffearefull
Earthquake, which continued allmost for
the space of J an houre, which soe
amazed the inhabitants
that
they thought the last day had beene come,

great Brightnes as
if it
&
imediately appeared
had beene noone day, but was p r sently overcast with a thicke Blacke Cloud, out of which appeared 2
pfect
Armes
&
hands, in the right hand was grasp 1 a great broade
sword,
blood
:
&
in the left a
Cupp
or Boule (as they conceive) full of
having glutted there eyes with Amazement,
&
filled
there
harts with gr* feare with behoulding these pdigeous apparitions,
more to astonish both them & us, appeared to there eyes a peice of Corne ground, ready to mowe, & a sythe lying by, from whence they heard a most strange & loud voice, which saide,
Woe, Woe,
that
is
to the land
&
to the inhabitants thereof, for
he cometh
to
come,
&
yo w
shall all see
him: at the conclusion of these
words the people made a greevous Cry, (as indeed they might)
& many women

in travell,
that
were with child (through extreame feare)
fell
but none soe wonderfull to be taken notice of as
rs
.
Margaret Pelmore, the Clarkes wife of the Townq, who

cure of the
for the
space of 20 weekes, wanting her bodily health, had sought for
D
all
rs
.
this
Margery,
at that
very instant
fell in
Travaile,
being exeedingly affrighted,
&
brought forth 3 Male Children,

;
which had
Teeth,
&
spake as soone as they were borne
the
1st saide, the

saide,
day
is
appoynted which noe

found
be corne enough to
man
can shun
the 2 d
where
where
will be
sufficient alive to
bury the deade? the
d
,
will there
sattisfie the
Hungry
all
&
&
needy?
As soone
1
as they
had spoken these words, they
ime-
diately gave
vp the Ghost,
all,
&
dyed, to the gr* Astonishmf
amazem
tell
of
and the mother of the saide Children doth
at this
time lye distracted,
&
Raging
is
in such
extreame mailer, as none can
yet whether she will live or dye.
The Truth whereof
witnessed by
\
Francis Smalmon,
tt o f Church Wardens. ) Hen: Grosse, Peter Piiilpott, Constable.
Nicolas Ffinch, T James Tulley, George Coxe, Jn? Groone, RobT Morice, Tiio: Welford: &c:
1661.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
177
A
Sect.
2.
|-77-#
16: of
\2?i
2
fl
7-
jg
* \^.fl 0:E. the 12* Oc7.6-^, 1661
Apr: Rec'd.
I have newly rec' d your very
acceptable
Lines which
Sam.
Wilson brought with him, & now vnderstanding of L* Seely his going by the way of Barbadoes, I was willing to send a few lines to you by his hands, &c. We have competent health, &c. My
youngest daughter newly recovered of the small pox,
r
&
is
at
r mine are in Ling for conveniency of Ayre, I p sent with somew" a low condition, as many others better then ourselves are,
&
yett able,
by the blessing of God,

I and
to subsist.
I often lodge in
Swan
man, God,
alley, but I live in the family of a
Rich Marchant, an honest
to
whom
my
wiffe
are very welcome.
The
peo: of
& the late ministery of estate, & under there severall

is
the gosp: are (generally) in a low

exersizes, suffering vnder the
name
all
of fanaticks, from the presbiterian
downeward.
But of
to
of
them he
most abhored, who hoped not long since
have sped
is
well for his zeal in indeavouring this gr t
Change
but
wofully
will
disappoynted
&
scorned beyound what I shall expresse.
You
,
heere by the bearer of the play of the Puritan before the Highest,
where were p r sent (as they say) the E: Manchester & 3 B p ? s and London one of them. In it were rep r sented 2 Presbiterians vnder
My Baxter & Mf Callamy, whose Habitt & actions prayers were made in imitation of the Puritan, with such scripture expressions as I am loath to mention, the matter such as might have beene vsed by any godly man in a right
the forme of
were
sett forth
maner
The
case of
Syon lying
in the
dust was spreade before,
<fec
&
God's former deliverances of his peo: vrged in such phraises as

if
would amaze yo w
yo w heard them, with eyes
lifted
vp to heaven,
one representing the Puritan put in the stockes for stealing a pigg,
him vnlockt, which he admires at as a wonvpon which he consults about his call, whether he should come forth or not, & at last pceived it was his way, & forth he comes, lifting vp his eyes to heaven, & w all of it, being falls to prayse & thankesgiving I canot tell yo
the stockes found by
derfull
&
pvidence
&
fruite of prayer,
large, but such as that
Puritan, were gr*ly
some p r sent, who were farr from liking the astonished, wondring the house did not fall
to
letter
from Mr. H[ooke]
Mr. Davenport, from 0: E:
the 12th October, 1661.
178
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1661.
vpon there heades. The play I heere, was taken out of one or two of Ben: Johnson's, &c for which Ben. would say, that, if he were damn'd, it would be for those 2 playes. I heere it hath heene acted againe. Playes are gr*ly frequented by the greatest, The Citty, & whole land is but Lectures are like to goe downe.
:
full
of sicknes,
is
many
places, parishes,
&
families gr*ly vissited.
Corne fayling very much & allsoe OrThe Turkish chards, beyound ordnary, much like Haggai 2: 16: Rogues at Argeere * stand out against our ffleete, to our g rt cost. Part of the ffleete is gon to Portingall, whence the Queen is shortly
allsoe feared,
A dearth
to come,
till
when
the pageants
made
for the
Coronation are
kept standing in the Citty.

recruited.
Profanes never Rifer, Supstition
Few in comparison frequent the places where the Comon Prayr booke is used, which takes little with any, but mulwhere there
it
titudes flocke
is
good preaching.
The
present Clergie
as they call
beastes.
is
full
of debaucherie, and such as are drunken
You
admire to heare what dayly wee doe of them.
The
papists have libertie enough,

it is
&
they are very
many
&
very bold,
thought the Rebels in Ireland shall have their landes agayne.

is
There
lately a
booke come forth of prodigies,
&
the Judgem*.8 of
God remarkeably
it
executed vpon sundry within this yeare
&
halfe
cannot be found
ers
1'
who was
?]
the Audio!' of
it,
but one of the booke
sell
lyeth [in prison
by
lette
what you have
lately
written from an old freind
vnderstood, I beleeve, as
country when he wrote
it,
it to this day. I vnderstand by your met with from Mf L: &c. The letter of yours to Mf Streete was not so well you desired, but the man was in the who sent it up to the Cyty, to be sent
by what hand he knew not, nor yet knoweth, who caryed it, & such were the times, that he durst not expresse matte rs as he would, but he fore sawe what fell out among you, & was willing you should bee secured as well as his other freinds, & therefore he wrote, that theyf might not be found among you, but provided
for
by you,
in
some
secret places,
&c.
My
wives relations here
are competently well, onely I heard lately as that her Neece had
an Ague.
hope yet
1'
all
wilbee well, though

,
now
yet
I heare (as I
still
am writing) of anothe God will suffer no man

* Algiers.
orde r to bee sent ove r

to touch you.
I beleeve
am
The
almost amazed some-
Regicides.
1661.]
179
times to see what crosse cape rs
breake
I
my
shinnes should I doe the like.
some of you do make. I should I hope by the next, yf
live, to write furthe r to
you.
n? 8-U*jg.9 8^.7-.*
That Mf H. did
wiffe being deade,
live
with C: Sydenham, but that Gentn
&
his
he
now
lives
in the house of one
G: an
honest man,
(that
is
&
a Justice of peace there,
&
adds that himselfe
M5 Winth.)
first
longs for the spring, that he might returne
with the
ships.
I heerewi th send yo w the 7 ^positions at the Synod in Boston, which were (some of them) disliked by 8 ministers, & sundry
messengers.
of
Thereupon the Synnod was ajourned
to
the 10^
June next.
Capt. C\'@<-
z\
By
a letter from Cap* Breeden
(who
is
made Govf of the French Forts,) \ they vnderstand he is to returne N. E. this Spring, & is accordingly expected about the begin? a| z there are 10 Pattents afoot for N. E: ing of May Out of Mercurius Publicus as foil: (London Sept. 30^ Munday) S!" Jn Frederick vnanimously chosen 1/ Major of London. On
to
:
Sattursday, 28, Francis

shreiffes of
1
Meynell
& Sam well
Sterling
sworne
London & Mid ? (Sept. 30) Count Brabe, Embassador extraordinary from the Crowne of Sweden, landed att the Tower where was a iFray
;
bettweene the Embassadors of France

kiFd,
&
his
Spaine, in which 7
notw standing the K. had sent
th
Koyall BF
the
men Duke of
Reg.*
Yorke's Guards of Horse,

of foote.
&
Companies of
his
owne
They disputed with sword
&
pistoll,
contrary to <pmise
made
before His
Ma
tie
,
&c.
* Mr. Winthrop
t Capt.
writes.
t Capt. Clarke saith.
Thomas Breeden was a merchant of large property in Boston, who was made Governor of his province of Nova Scotia by deputation from Col., afterwards Sir Thomas,
Temple, during the Protectorate, and again after the Restoration. In one of Breeden's London, he gave information of the arrival of Goffe and Whalley in Boston, which led to the mission of Kirk and Kellond as agents to procure their arrest by the Colonial
visits to
governments.
He
also saith.
180
THE MATHER PAPERS.

said
[1661.
(On Tuseday 4 th Octo.) The

audience in the Banqueting house.
in
Swedish Embassador had
(Octo. 21.) pclemation made
PaulPs
Ch rch yard
(according to an order of the
Ld
Mayor
Aid"
&
Conion Councell of the Citty

Requiring that
halfe 19 tb instant)
London) made on the Horrid Abuse of
that be-
the said
Ch (h yard by the Herb Markett

forth kept in the same, but in
be removed,
&
noe markett thence-
Aldermanbury
&
Broadstreete, &c.
last
,
(Westminster, 23 Octob r
Divers psons since Satturday
have beene comitted close prissoners to the Gatehouse,

expresse warants sygned by his
perticularly
WestmT by
Ma
ties
principall Secretary of State,
!:
Packer, Coll. Streater, Coll. Weelks, Maj. Glad-
man
Coll. Lidcot, Coll.

.
Ken rick,
Coll: Read, Capt. Chaffin
(London Octob r 15) John Berwick: D.D. & Deane of Durham, Ellected to be Deane of Paulls & the formallityes (or
:
follyes rather of it) largely described.
(Yorke, Octo: 30) I thought good
to tell
:
yo w how
my L d
of
Buckingham was
dent of
ree'd into his
comand, &c
(Oxford, Octo: 30.)
Dr. Olliver, Deane of Worster

in the Chappell there,
&
Presi:
Magd
is
r
Coll:
was Buried
&c
his
memory
Offices,
&
p cious to all that knew him, either in his Aeademicall Exersises, or when Domestick Chaplaine to that Re-
nowned Martir,
Wm L
Arch
Bpp
.
of Cant:
He
lived to see him-
self heade of the College he was Breade in, & his owne schollar High Chanceller of England, as well as of the Vniversity, (the now most Hon bIe Earle of Clarendon.) This was a true son of the Ch ch of England, who more learned then the whole Assembly
:
of our Canton Reformers,* yett was soe humble, &c: whereby he

is
distinguished from these troublesome Presbiters, that insteade of
bequeathing there Estates to the poore,

they pull
&
repairing of Churches,
downe ch clls
&
make
all
men
poore, whose last Wills

:
&
Testam ,s were the only bookes would please a Ch" Reader (Whitehall, 4 th Novemb.) James, Duke of Ormond made
U.
U of
Ireland.
7
th
,
(Novem:
Northampton)
S!"
for the Parli (viz.)
This Towne chose 2 Burgesses, Cha: Compton (brother to the Earle of
Northampton)
&
Sergf Rains ford.
(Whitehall, Novem: 9 th 1661.)
Newes
:
is
come hether of
the
Certaine death of the Prince of Spaine
* This probably refers to the Westminster Assembly; and the word
"Canton" may
contain a sneer
at
the doctrines of Calvin.
1662.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
181
A
Sect.
3:
-77-0 \2-[\
n 2 rg JuU:
2.*
2 of 4 mo. 1662,
I spake with
one that came from England in July

,
last.
He
tould
the
me
that
Brother to
came
into
Eng: with
was a
Queene Mother,
&
there speaking of his Bf said he
would not be saved, being noe Catholick. One j> r sent answered that the K: was noe Catholick, Ergo The occasion he replyed, 2 or 3 yeeres would shew what he was.
Traytor,
that he
&
of this discourse was one (a disaffected |>son) said that C: G:

a moderate
that the
liveth
is
was
man.
is
C. Seely saith R: P.
is
gon towards Germany, Hen: Cromwell

:
K.
favourably enclined to him, &c.
about the Court,
&
enjoy es
sea.
all
his estate
Coll.
Hewson
in
said to be deade
its
beyound
By
the
way
of Virginia I heere
(but they say
Treason to say soe) that things are as bad as

:
Queene Marie's dayes this came by a shipp which (My Hudson I have heerevvith sent saith) came from Eng. 12 weekes agoe. yo w some printed Acts. Memorandum. The Acts last mentioned were passed 30 th July 1661 the substance of most of them were sent by My W: W:
;
as in N: 1
7.
H2
(62.)
[Xj ex
2
fl
6#..<" t
the 13 Feb: (61.)
Sect.
4: 7 th
of 3
Trading
still
in the
memory
like to
of
ma
never soe bad.
Taxes
&
burdens
continue,
is
&
be more
&
more
is
increased, a famine of
bread
sorely threatned,
&
breaches with France, Holland,
&
the
Sweden, p
many
wise,
sober
me,
very
much
trade,
feared,
&
generallity of psons exceedingly discontented, multitudes for there
burning of the Cov*
& &
others for
want of
&
others
is
vpon
100
different
acco ts
yett in the midst of all there
a choyse
Sp* of ffaith, prayre,

late the
expectaco, comonly
among
the S*?
Of
Chancellor signified to the Parliam* that there was a desp te
plott to subvert the
psent
Goverm\
&
that
by 7 gen
examine
2.
Interests,
that
were vnited into one for the carying on

s
.
of that
High designe.
this p[lot],
12
Ld &
24 Conioners were a Comitte

*
f
,
to
letter
from Mr. Davenport. Jan:
To Mr. Davenport from Mr. Brookes.
182
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1661.
but, after severall Conferences, nothing did appeare but a piect

to raise a standing
Army
all
vnder the pretence of securing his

such plotters.
Ma
tis
pson
as
&
Govf against
But
the designe was,
some
say, to have forced on conformity:
&
w* not? foure as a
wickednes,
Blind clap 1 vp,
&
suppose will be
all
out before this come to
your hand.
coradged
Hell seemes to bee loose,
&
all
godlines flovves in like a flood,
&
is
much countenanced
great
& &
vnenvs:
by the examples
of
the
ts
ones
amongst
There are severall pbable
Argum
:
that noe
more of the K' s

is
Judges
shall be put to death

{
,
They
are in very great streights at
court for 200,000
ptely to pay the
army
that
kept vp in
Scotland, to settle Episcopacy, which are even in a pishing condition for
want of pay
other
&
s
.
ptely to sett a
ffleete
of 30 or 40 ships
against the Spring, that soe other nations

vs.
may
not Domineere over
Monk &
borrow
it,
Ld
of the Counsell came
downe
it,
to the Citty,
to
pleading that the
K. would give 10
g
rt
in the
100
for
it,
& that
there
he were better give 80 then goe without

little
ts
is
pbabillity of raysing soe
sum
but, at p r sent in this Citty,

:
where march
&
tradesmen are every day a Breaking

the same
letter as
Some
other passages in
on the anexed paper.

U-8fTU,* 12 Feb.
7.
f|2
/-|6-7 ex
W2M21
(61)
am
is
w sorry to see that yo should be soe

oft times
feares of
evill
what men can or may more than the

L:
wrote such a
doe vnto yo w
evill
much surprized with The feare of an

.
feared.
I heare of noe
w danger, nor doe I thinke any will attend yo for that matter.
Had
not
W:
pittifull letter over, the

it
Bussines 1
not:
thinke would have dyed.
What
may doe
to
him I know
they have greater matters than that to exersise there thoughts,

2
fl
&c
7.
I'WW
ex
H 2 ViU'^.t 12 Feb'
(61)
\Vee are very apt to be more affraide than wee ought to be or
neede to be: &c.

* To Mr. Gilbert from Mr. Robert Newman. t Perhaps William Leete, Governor of the Colony of
\
New Haven.
To Mr.
Gilbert
from Mr.
Yiner.
1661.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
183
7-
f)?
Fgj ex
fl?
&\)z2-%*
17 Feb. (61)
I doe not heere of any trouble like to be to yourselfe or
any
other about those matters.

tilings that
There
I
is
noe more speech of those

thoughts to
I can heere
of.
am Sparing & have
come
bef:
in C:
f
Pearce or Woodgreene, which they say will be ready
Apr:
tf 8-|
7.
-U
8?.
)
C'n- ex EIIVf'U-3
\
ill
oU-
. 7-2 Vl.z.
6T E^nU
3%
a certaine truth, that a young man, either

sicke, dyed,
in Scotland or Irland,
who, being
sitting in
& was
laide out for
the space of 2 or 3 houres, after the wards the maide

the
coming
into
terrified
a chair. She being amazed & came in & asked him how he did, what he would have, whether he would goe to bed, &c. He answered, he needed nothing, but was to dd a messuage, & then must be gonn, which was, 1, that there should be sore & sharp psecution of Gods people, 2, that within 3 or 4 yeere there
Roome, found him

went out,
his father
should be a glorious restoweration ag e
I reioyce to heare there
is
noe further psecution against
C".
8
,
but
its
not good to be secure,

14:
&c
7.
fV?
e*
2
f|
2&21
U-8(VU
London:
12m
(61.)
In most Countryes of England most of the godly ministers are

turned out, for not reading the booke
for the
Como: Prf
the
in
Lond: wee are

It
p sent at a better passe
the Par* hath beene vpon an Act
of Yniformity in
w pp
according to
s
Law
Established.
passed the house of
L ds How
with Bitts,
but was stopt at p r sent in the house [of] long our Liberties will continue God only knowes: who
Como
hath our times,
&
all
mens
harts in his
who
surfeited
ourselves
own hands. when we had

a
hill,
God
fids
vs
a full table.
Lately there was a strange apperition in Wales, vpon the 20 of
Dec:
last,
in
Mongomeryshire.
in order
Ypon
in the
afternoone,
were seene marching
an
Army
of Horsemen, Judged to
* To Mr. Davenport from Mr. Winthrop. t John Winthrop, Jr., did not return from his mission
Connecticut charter, until 1663.
\
to
England, after obtaining the
Mr.
Wilson,
He arrived who came from England
at Hartford in
June of that year.

Edmund, for
in one Foster, sent this to vs, by
a certaine truth.
To Mr. Davenport from Mr. Robert Newman.
184
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
be 1000, in 3 devisions, each devision had Ensignes,
&
they
marched 2 a Brest,
for 5 or 6 miles,
is
&
soe marched
in the sight of
many
Beholders,
I thinke
&
came
to a hill neere a
:
Towne, which
called
Castle,
&
there vanished
the next morning,
many
went to see if they could see any impressions of the Horse feete, but none could be seene its saide that many have testefied the it hath startled many of, &c. truth of this, to the K: & Councell
;
;
My
Brother
1
pp
hath
beene close prisoner

for.
in
the
gatehouse
Westm
is
':
14 or 15 weekes, I know not what.

to
By
a ship from
Holland
ds
Manhatoes, wee vnderstand that the old man's p r diction a fulfilling, for a loafe of bread which was wont to be sould for
is
now
is
sould at 2?
6d
is
much
sicknes
is
there,
&
alsoe the
plague
begun.
True
that saying of the pphett, they will not
see, but they shall see.
Trading
allsoe,
is
very dead there, as
well as in England.
Sect:
2
5.
May
the 15: (62)
Jn 3 C'n-
7.
v &
for
shewd
30
th
,
z'<&
9"(
a7
z'
Aiurnment of
parliam*
the Pari*, July
1661, wherein he gives the
many
thankes
there
many good
bills,
pticularly
that for the p r venting numerous petitioners. the sole power of the Melitia to be in his
for the Repealing of the
That of Declaring
Ma
tie
,
but especially
pps
house of Lords
&
saith
Act which excluded the B out of the it was an vnhappy act made in an vn-
happy time.
the 9
th
2 ly ,
A
his
pclemation of the Counsell in Scotland of
Jan: 1662, (grounded vpon the
Letter dated at
Whattj
28 Dec: 1661,
&
in
Ma
ties
pclemation for the reestablishing of an
Arch bp
all
& B pps
&
Scotland, dated the 6 th Sept: 1661) phibiting
Eclesiasticall
meetings, in
Sinods or Presbittres,
vntill
au-
thorized
is
ordered by the
all
Arch B pps
& B pps
wherein
gr* care
taken that
due Reverence
to the
&
:
respects, Assistance
&
incour-
agem* be given
3
1
pps
in the discharge of their Office
&
ser-
vice to his majesty in the church

?
narative of
500 Horsemen
1-
&
a Blazing Starr, seene neere
Montgomery, 20tb Dec

4.
1661.
Letter fro Brussells, that was printed in England, about
* Mr. Jn Davenport came
to vg
&
shewd
rs (he
King's Speech at the adjournment, &c.
Gutfe and Whulley were at that time concealed in the vicinity of
New Haven.
1661-2.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
185
to be
March 1660, wherein

plaguy Godly,
a Cavaleere saith they are
comanded
&c
fl
(pting the true spirrit of that Party.
V J^-fl
2<'2
7-
2
fl
.
"
JoU-*
z-
16 12
Mo
1661.
There
the late
is Hope that the prisoners in the Tower that condemned K. may escape with there lives, which they have beene neere
it
loosing, the Cofnons having past the Bill ag st them, but
sticks
with the Lords.
The
sp* of oposition to the
people as
it
was,
God seemes
give
litle
to ballance things, that
wee have yet some
But oh let not the Lords Remembrancers Here is greate Crying to God, & I hope the same spirit is upon the S ts with yo w a litle longer time will shew vs more then as yet we see, things are working to A period. My Reverend Respects, though vnknowne, to whom the Lord
Competent Liberty.
Him
Rest.
p serve, to the further Comfort,

Some more 9'="
S?,
&
the service of his church.
i(J
2
ft
6#"< ?
\1l'2
7'
2
fl
gft
know yo u
can't but long to heere
how
things stands,
heere with vs.
w I shall only give yo a few Hints
by which I know
Most good Ministers are yo w will easily vnderstand the whole. turned out, and as bad as yo w can Imagine put in there roomes, soe
that there
is
a sad famine of the
in
many
places allready,
&
thousands are
now put
f
.
off
with stones insteade of breade, &c.
The Churches of the S s meete but by stealth & by

ma: &c, as vt supra:
are mostly broke and scattered,

parcells, except
it
&
can't
be heere in London,
where they best stand there ground.
Trading in the memory of
Many &
signes
wounderfull have beene the strokes of
of the Carnall, pphane, supstitious Clergy of the nations,
God vpon many & many
&
wounders have beene seene

portending blood
in the
Heavens
&
:
on the
of
Earth,
all
&
:
warrs,
&c
Collection
which yo w
the
may
in time
have put into your hands, &c
Of
late
Ld
Chansellor signified,
&c
as vt
supra:
vp
his standard in the midst
Distresse
&
all sorts
of miseries are coming in like a flood vpon
vs, if the spirrit of the
Ld
doe not
lift
From Mr. Barker to Mrs. Jones. Some more passages in r Brookes
his letter to
Mr. Davenport.
24
186
of vs.
r
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
S yo w know when any sort or Ranke or Order of men have made it there bussines to Bring the Glory of God low, the
Interest of Christ low, His Churches low, His people low, His
Ordenances low,
&
all
His Concernments low,
God
hath found out

:
a thousand, thousand waies to bring such a generation low
ST
Other enoaoements
No.
3.
call
me
off,
&c
Sect*
1?
22: 3:
mo.
V .(|"-8-j2r
2
fl
8-
'Z a
:*
About
the midle of Jan.
last, in
the night, by a storme
&
lightning Whitehall
was on
fire,
which kindled neere the K? Bedchamber.

but hath done 10001 worth of hurt
They beate an Allarrum,

It
fearing least they should be burnt in there beds.

:
was quenched,
in the
Those men
Tower
have complied, and in some measure (at least) recanted, to the

grcefe of such as ffeare
God.
Wherefore
its
thought
not Honor them so farr as to suffer for His Cause, but
God will Mf Brookes

it.
(who hath spoken with them) hopes they doe

Since the printing of those last things,
dispensations of pvidence have been.
see
&
repent of
many
other miraculous
He
saith the
most pte of
the
House of Comons in parliam are men vnder 20 yeeres of The last Michelmas the to goe pswaded the with him to a hoore house, which he was vsed to ffrequent, & when ? ra *< 7-fl ? they came, the Hoore asked the D. what b ')\ brought her? Whereat the being displeased, would haue returned, but the D. p r vailed with him to g[oe] in the next day the comitted them to Newgate, where they were a weeke,
1
,
age.
'
&
D.
then
lett
out (i[t
is]
thought for that speech.)
He
saith the
often severall nights leaves his wiffe to seeke such places.
The
G )9Y
(
o\
'77
U 3 a7
I
2
fl
J S U
J
a quire o\
\
9 9'#
- U
\0-fl
Sect*
2.
67-U
G.7
-.90
84'77'U
2-[\
O: E.J
1.
21: 4:
4 mo.
fleete is -gon for the Q: who by order is prayed Churches by the name of Q: Katherine the rfleete that was sent in the end of sumer vnto her, she sent to secure Tan-
As
for
ncwes, the
for in
all
* Mr. Wilson saith aafoUoweOu

t
What Black Tom

in a quire
The Cqppy of a
letter
found
O: E.
at
Mr. Davenport's,
he had brought, of paper sent from Boston,
but, 1 suppose, written
from
1662.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

like to
REGICIDES.
187
geere, which
was
be surprized,
&
its
reported that the
Ld
Sandwich, Admirall, having noe order
fro his
Ma".6 to goe, de-
rived at first to
goe vpon the Q's comand, but she assuring to save
him harmlesse, went

borough,
&
secured
it,
vntill
the Earle
of Petersince with
11
Gen !,
1
gott
thither,
who went
thither long
is
strength of
to Jamaica,
6000 men.
The
Ld
.
Winsor
to be
gon Gen
diocese.
&
Govf
&
its
reported a
Bpp
hath the Barbadoes, the

his
Wesa
Bill
terne Islands,
its
&
some other pts

little
In Pari*
for the
Reported the houses a
differ,
for
the
ds
sent
to the
Comons
to settle a
good standing
Militia, in
pay
K/f safety
&
Nations,
up 2
the
bills
to the I/f
& its & they
Laide aside, soe the Comons sent

are laide aside alsoe
:
one for the

the other for
execution of the Traytors in the
Act of Indemp:
all
&
Chch Gov* with a
clause that
ministers that are not or-
dayned by
B pps
are limited to a time in
March next
:
to
be ordayned
&
to
conforme to the Gov* by

Si"
B pp
or be ejected
The
L d Moundied,
son,
Hen: Mildmay
&
to
M!"
Wallop were, the day the K:
drawne vpon a sledge

turned
Tiburne,
&
there staied an houre, with
ropes about there necks throwne over the Gallouse,

:
&
then re-
Lambert
&
Vaine are
in prisson
in
the West.
The
ds
,
its
reported, deny to passe the Bill for the execution afores d
bee: the
K: hath pardoned Downes
&
one Fleetewood, a K*
who
deserued death as well as the rest in the Bill,
&
all to suffer
none.
As
for ourselves the

first
Countryes Addrese the

to the
last
yeere sent by Capt.
Leveret, was
to the
r p se[nted]
Ld
Chauncelor,
all
&
by
his
meanes
K: who
still is
(notwithstanding
in[deav]o rs against vs)
pleased t[o] decline any determination against vs, in case

it
wee carry
[not]
?
as those that feare
Go[d &] Hono r

be[c]
the
K.
I doe
in
my
small Judgem* pceive any gr* feare of alteration of our gov*
&
old pattent,
&
the rather,
Jn Winthrop Ag* for Confor those ptes, with
necticut
&
N. H: hath gotten a new pattent

\
2
enla[rge]m* of there Jurisdiction:

quire o\
:U3 June: 17: 1662, in a
99'^ a7
*
fl
J.*
17: 1662, in a quire ofpaper
a.t
Found June:
Mr. Davenport's.
188
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
In a
|77'^
#-n
2
fl
Increase
\}'Z2 o\
1662 j^'C
6 . 7.U to ) Z' 20th ditto *
2
fl
(3 JuU
'
*'
>
As
some
allsoe to give
yo w some Breefe
ace* of
what I have
rec'
from
England touching Affaires there, I am informed that there is an Act for raising 2? <p An: for ever, on every fire And an hearth in the Kingdome, to augment the K' s revenue Act against all that refuse the Oathes of Alleigance & Supremacy, the 1 refusal is 51, the 2 d Confiscation, the 3 d Banishm*. The Act for vniformity in conformity is passed the house of Comons, but it lies in the house of Lords, where there hath beene falling out The Chancelor would have had severall <pvisoes put in, about it. wherevpo the L d Digby & he had such jarring that Digby had like to have beene sent to the Tower. The K: in his speech to the parliam*, March 1 doth Assure them that he is as Zealous for the Church of E: and as much p rjudiced against those that doe not love the Comon Prayer Booke as any of them. And bids them trust him for it that he will see vniformity in Religion setled. Last Decern, there were horses seene lighting downe fro heaven vpoa the ground in Wales & marching in a warlicke posture, to the Amazein of many behoulders. Vpon the 3 d of March it rained
freinds in
:
,
wheate,
&
Rye,
&
pease in severall places in Dorsett.

it,
godly
of
it.
Minister that saw
&
tasted
some of
it
writes
me word
The Tast thereof was very loathsome.

heere, of the
Likewise pticular
stories I
ds
appearing in the
way
of His pvidence against
some conforming
Coate,
ministers.
:
One handed
I
himselfe in his Canonicall
&
sursingle
another was soe troubled at his conformity
that he
grew
distracted, &c.
had allmost forgot
to
acquaint
yow
late
that the
Ld
Corbet, Coll. Okey,
&
Coll: Barksteed, 3 of the
Kf Judges, were taken prisoners in Holland by S?" G: Downing, who was brought vp heere in N: E:, & is now the lieu, quante degenere apo K's Agent in Holland.
.
I something feare whether the times
may
not be such heere, as
that I
must
fly for it ere
long aga[in] heere, as in England I have
beene faine to doe.
know God
is
faithfull,
&
can
&
will order
* In a
letter
from Mr.
Increase J fat her of Boston to Mr. Davenport June the
2,
1662. Iie-
ceired the 20th ditto.
1662.]
189
The malignants have ventured Kerne they have, yet but short homes. The Synod is to meete the next weeke againe, we tremble, & what is like to follow vpon it, if the L? in mercy doe not abate the Riggor of some mens count it a favour <fcc, if I
all
things as shall be for the best.

its
highly to Threaten, but
a go[od]
might receive your iudgem*. about the consosiation of Churches

ought to be a stated consosiation thereof.
concourrence
greife
it
. .
.
Its expresly against the
congregationa
. . .
11
Bretheren in England
&
a gr*
will be to all
such
...
know
[One
line mutilated.]
2
fl
Jo?U
gf*
the 21: 4
M?
(62.)
By C: Woodgreene wee heere that 40 passengers are come Major Bowrne,f & his family, and one younge minister, Bachelor;| as a Messenger sent by Dy Tho: Goodwin (who had
come over now
Estate,
if his
A
&
wife had not opposed
it) in
the
name
&
he-
halfe of sundry churches,
& many men

come
of considerable quallity
who have
a desire to
into this Country, if they

is
may
have any incouragem*

or
fro hence.
Capt. Pearce
comeing with 2
300 passengers.
...
2
fl
Section
3.
5:
Mo
L-3
1662.
72
fl
\2{\
2Z'2\.2\ LolP.U
the 27
March
'62.
Loving freind, &c, These to tention for N: H: by My Pearse, the

to set sayle,
certifie
yo w concerning
my
in-
Latter end [of] Aprill intends
Willoughby, Major Tomson, with there families,

in the
bound
for
Boston
same shipp.
Major Tomson
is
not re-
solved yet where to take vp his dwelling, whether in the Bay, or
more southerly
to Gilford.
Remember mee to M r Auger, & tell him his sister is coming with My Perse, with my Wife, & I pray let my house be cleere for vs The Society is newly come from Boston. There is lately sent from Holland these 3 that were of the Kf Judges. Cor. Oke,
:
* f
Mr. John Davenport. Major Nehemiah Bourne,

4, vii.
of Dorchester, Charlestown, and Boston,
who went
Coll.,
i.
to
Engix.
land in 1640, and entered the Parliamentary army. 268; and

% $
See 3 Mass. Hist.
60,
and
297.
Rev. James Allen.
From
Lang
to
Rutherford, London.
190
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1G62.
Corbet, Barkstead, were taken at Delph.

I hope there
is
Little safety vnder them.
noe such cause of feare as hath becne amongst

finished conserning there patten [t],
little
M
&
Winthrop hath allmost

it
whether
doth not take in N: H: a
time will declare
it
noe more
at
p sent
n2
\-n n 2 2Z'2\ -2}

Capt. Pearse
is
7.
^,
\2(\
6.-7-U,
July, 1662.*
expected heere the midle of July or before.
Your
to
freinds in the
Bay
are well.
Divers would be very glad
w see yo heere.
someth: that
not satisfactory to
at
I pceive what the Synnod hath concluded on is many. There was divers that did take offence
r
Chancey did deliver
at the
is
time of the meetI
ing of the Synod, but I beleeve he
a good sound man.
have spoken with him,

2
fl
&
he tould mee he would be glad to see
\$t f r ne
would exchange many words with him.
Heere
is
Gome
where
with Woodgreene one
Davie, J a rich March*,
&
brought
[h]is family
&
a great deale of goods,
who
is
not yet resolved

r
to settle,
&
heere came with him one
Allen a younge
man,
a very able teacher,
He
nath taught heere
who was recommended by Mf Goodwin. diuers times since he came. I heere Mr

till
Ilooke would have engaged him to come to N: H: but he will not

resolve yett to settle any wheare,
Mf
Pearse come.
is
Goody
Banister
is
come,
& many
if
passengers
expected with Capt.
Pearse.
Wee
intend,
God
please, to set sayle for
next 2 d day.
bleheade.
H 2 A||'27-U
& ?UU?
*
|'n6-07.U are gon
home the to Mar-
0i-ni n
,
o X 'U6,2-
>
/'
7.
n 2 JSln
b of
62.
Therefore I am thus bo 11 hi to salute yow & w how the L d w to send yo some papa of mine, which will tell yo hath wrought my Aprehcnsions, as to matters at home & abroad,
REVEREND S r
&
r doe the rather adventure to p sent the Latter to yow because I

,
*
t
From Mr. Rutherford to M*

.1//-.
Davenport, from Boston, the 1 July, 1662.
Davenport.
Sir John Davie, Bart., came over in 1662, "possibly," as I Humphrey Davie, son of Mr. Savage says, " to encourage Rev. James Allen." He was representative from Hilierica and Woburn, and an Assistant 1679-86. He died 18 Feb. 1689.
^
||
Mr. Allerton (f Hannah Lambertvii. From Mr. Oxenbrulye to Mr. Davenport.
1662.]
LETTEKS,
deare
&C, RELATING TO THE

to
REGICIDES.
'
191
know our
L? hath measured out

which seemes
yo w much of the publicke
&
active spirit
now
to
have expired in the most

consult
Men
sp ts
.
gen
(though pfessors) are of very pticular and narrow
&
seeke there
owne
things,
&
soe
how
to
keepe
the skin whole heere, or shift

rather then
every one for himselfe abroade,
how
in the highest
measure to Advance the name

Rather
in there
&
gos-
pell of our <pcious
Lord
Men
going forth, consult

rise,
with there daies feares,
& pp conveniences,
Were
the
then with there

it
&
generall concernes of God's people.
otherwise, those good
people that are
now vnder
Rod might by going
together into
an incouradging Countrey, raise a very noble worke for Ch.
&
give
him Livery
&
Seizen of the sweetest ptes of the Earth,

t)?
&
pvide
a comfortable refuge for there
of the lowest degree,
&
thus
wee
might be in the way that the

greate workes
Ld
will contribute someth: to those 3
wee waight
for in these last dayes.
The conuersion
must be before And this 2 d worke, with the Ruin the opening of Israeli's eyes. of Antechrist, may probably be furthered by a faythfull seed
of the Gentills in such a sprinkling
fullnes as
&
sowne
fore
in
Southern Collonyes.
I
And
to
that I have beleeued,
& thereto
have spoken.
am now in
readines to give a full Testemony,
by going with some honest freinds
Comawan, which Joynes
Suranam,
snow,
in
in the
goodly Continent of Guajana.

of the same plants
I have reason by living 5 yeeres allmost, where noe frost, or
& where much
&
fish
&
maner of
life
as
Guaiana, I say I have therefore some reason to know the p r fference of a warme plantation to a Cold, especially when good people
are generally poore,
&
when my
fitt
selfe
haue a winter of age vpon
my
back,
&
therefore not
to
Covet another of the Clime.

rather pleasant than
The heate of
teadious,
the Country by the constant Breezes (which in the

it is
day when Hott doe ventilat the aire) that
&
not soe sultry
&
troublesome, as the Hott sumers of
winter Countryes.
If any good soules of your ptes should by any pvidence be loos-
ened,
gers
&
Beckoned
to vs
off,
or likely to be soe,
1 opportunity
some
ffaithfull
messen-
coming
by the
might write
&
give such
if
satisfaction as
might make some Happy swarme alight among vs,
theL d ...
,
If I have noe other Advantage by this addresse to Deare ST expect your earnest remembrances of yow yett I req[uest]
,
. .
.
192
the worke
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
&
us in
it
before your father,

if
it
growes vp yet as a tender

all] flesh
plant in a dry ground, but

please,
the
God
of the [spirits of
he can find
. . .
me
a likely instrument,
to
&
this
:
handful of
corne
may come
.
shake li[ke] Lebanon
Ps: 72:
&
take that so
n 2 Jo?u
Ju
i
1662 -*
This day we rec'd the inclosed (viz. these in Sect" 3) from the
Bay, &c
to
one that came in the vessell informes that C: T:
f
:
wrote
J
Vsher, &c: to secure the <pson
&
Estate of Breeden
ac-
cordingly they pcured a warrant, Arested him,

estate, for giving ffalse information against
&
seazed on his
is
N: E: he
at p sent
vnder bayle
he asked for his accusers, they tould him in due time
they would prove the charge, which he then denyed, saying far be
it
from him to doe any thing against

in
his
good
ffreinds of
N: E:
He
in-
appeared
Boston
in a strange habit, with a
4 Cornered Cap
stead of a hat,
&
his
Breeches hung with Ribbons from the wast
downwards a
house.
the
streete
grf
depth, one row, over another like shingles on a
outcry, from one end of him a Devill, which was soe greate, that people woundering came out of there houses to see He went to visit the Governor, who gave what the matter was him thankes for the good words he had spoken for N: E: A Let2 2 L'3 7Au l'2 )T) March 4 th Informes that ter \2-{\ H
to
The Boyes when he came made an

the other, calling
the
Act
for
Conformity was then ffinished which (he saith) would

to
cause
many
remove
tf E|-aza^
Sect: 4
[\'Z2
2>f\
U^fW-U #
4 of 5
ra.
1662, 7.
H2
Jgjll
6 of 5 mo.
[166]2.
The reason why
there were soe few, not above 10 or 12 that ap-
peared to act contrary to what the Assembley voted, was because

they would allow every one his interpretation in the debate,
& thence
was too late they wished they had not done. There was scarse any of the Congrcgationall principles, but they we [re] layen at by some or other
it
*
J
sundry inconsiderately voted for that which when
Mr. John Davenport, July
6**
16G2.
Perhaps Colonel Temple.
^
||
Auêr, dated March 4'. h Mr. K/eazar Mather from Northampton the 4 of
1
Thomas Breeden, From M r Lang to
of Boston.
See note on
p. 179.
m.
1662, to
Mr. Davenport.
1662.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
193
of the Assembly, as relations of the worke of grace.

[of]
The- power
profession of
it
voting of the fraternity in Admission,
&c
vissible faith,
&
repentance (to vse there- owne words) as
was
intended by the Synod in 46, not to be looked at in such as were
Baptized in the church in reference to the Baptisme

Children.
of there
Newbery was one of the gr* Antagonists of the Congregationall way & order, tho. it not being the worke of the p'sent Synod to determine those matters, his many
of
Mf Parker
motions to consider whether wee were in the right ecleseasticall order,
were not attended.
All dissenting
is
esteemed intolerable,
& &
dissenters are
accoumpted
&
charged to be the Breakers of the
peace of the churches,
Adhaerents to Brownisticall notions,
what
not.
As
to let
touching newes from England, &c, yet
it
may
not be amisse
you vnderstand that C: Ok[ey,] Barkestead, & Mr Corbet are executed after the like maner that Hanson was, being dd vp [by] the meanes of S r Geo: Downing,* sometime of N: E: who was
.
Chaplaine in former times to C: O:
8 Bishops are deade, tho.
new ones mostly
in there
Roome,
rest.
Reynold turned
Apos-
tate, for [he] is as zealous for
Ceremonies
&
noe more mild to the

the house of
nonconformists -then the

yeare last past.
Strange multiplied prodigies the

of them,
Comons,
that
The King pfesseth, in his speech to he is as much for vniformity as any
&
hates those that are against Coinon prayer,
&
service Ceremonies,
with a perfect hatred.
Baxter and the B? of Worcester | are at gr 1
variance, as appeareth by there writing one against another.
Many
thinke of removing out of England, tho. they
know
not whether.
There
with
is
a Minister, one
Mf
Allen, come over lately (well ac-
quainted with
Mf Hooke) a Mf Th: Goodwin, who

it
Congregationall man,
reports that
for the
it is
&
if
one intimate
they had not
thought by the sober
Godly people,
sent soe
had beene better
Countrey
is
many
adresses
&
Agents, which
reported to be a discovto
ery of there pusalanimity
&
want of courage
stand for the cause
they came hither for.
Many
are expelled heere this sumer.
his second wife,
* Sir George Downing [H. C. 1642], eldest son of Emanuel Downing, of Salem, by Lucy, sister of Governor Winthrop, went to England, and was Chaplain to Colonel Okey's regiment, in the civil war. He was Ambassador to the Hague, under Cromwell, and after the Restoration. He was created a baronet, by Charles II., in 1663; and died in 1684.
t Dr.
Morley.
25
194
Bartlet* of Bidiford
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
&
his
son were shipt for N: E: but an Oath

afore they could get out of the bar-
was imposed vpon them both

bo
1
",
&
that stopt them, for they chused rather to dye in prisson

it.
then take
Sect.
5.
23 July.
a |'77-|! ex
IU
n2
?<
7.
M
it
as foll th 3*7- ) the last March,t 1662.
The
lately
Pari*
still
sitteth
the
BpP
are in the vpper house,

<pte
who
with the popish Lords constitutes a gr*
thereof.
There was
an Act ready to passe as
house, to bring destitution to
was feared, p r pared by the lower ejected ministers &c. which would
have vtterly vndon 1000 s them, there wifes

&c. for which
Scotland
is
&
ch",
&
s
filled
the
prisons with inumerable debtors, &c. but stopt by the Chancelor,

its
said he hath the
ill
will of the
Bp?
And now
vnder the same conformity with England
&
have the
.
Arch B p p who scrupled the renouncing of his Scotish ordenation, b [ut] was loth to Mr Lay ton (Dr. Lay ton's son) loose his dignity & soe submitted
Hirarchy,
Litturgy,
&
among them.
:
Sharp
is
is
another of them.
Dl*
Reynolds
is
Bp J
heere,
&
sticks at noth:
for
ought I heere, was seene [to] goe into

pps
:
his coajch in his
Lawne
sleeves,
&c
cally
&c The B of London & Worcester are much in favour. The Savoy hath beene the place of meeting of men Diametricontrary to those that met there, & made the confession
.
which I sent yo w
Wee &
they have throune
down our Rods, &
now
:
it
will
appeare whether will devoure the other in the end, &c
Then he gives a Caracter of Coll: Sydenham & his wife, &c then M r Gold: who hath beene a Traveler many yeeres in Ittaly, Rome, Constantinople, Egipt, Nile, &c: he is exeeding
pleasant
&
:
desirable
of Dr. Wilkinson he gives a

at Allhallowes,
&
:
good
one
Testimony
vnder him
allsoe
who Lectures
come
Lumbard
Streete, every
6 th day, to a gr 1 audience.
like to
Mr Arthur
ffree of his
pulpit
shortly to trade in your plantation
Wee
haue hetherto a lecture every weeke, wherein severall(?) of
vs take our turne,
&
near
[Tiro
lines defaced.]
* Rev. William Bartlet, of New-Inn Hall, Oxford, a nonconformist minister of Biddef>rd,
"a man
t
\
of great courage in the cause of
God," Bays Calamy, "was once imprisoned, and
at another time escaped

In a Ittttr
from Mr.
by the mistake of the officer." lie died in 1682. Ilooke.to Mr. Davenport as follow** dated the last March.
,
Of Norwich.
1662.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
195
DT Wili n with 2 more were invited to a neighbor's house to spend some time in prayer, whereby the Gent !, much cheered, prayed but at supp time was apprehended & caryed vs to stay supp, &c
1 :
to the
Tower,
&
is
there to this day,

his
&c
&c.
Wee
were
all
surprized,
&
particularly
Df Wiilk n
Wife, who having heard someth. in

1:
the close of the
Day on
Rev: 10:
in the line of his preaching neere
W"
Chappell,
Mr Walley apprehended &c None dare

:
preach in any place not consecrated, which occasioneth congregationall men to craue leaue of others of there way who have yet
temples to meete
place
place,
;
in,
&c
Caryl admits 2 companyes into his

:
this
wee thinke
will
not hold long
MF Bridge
hath noe
&c
& many
others as well as hee in Citty

his
&
country
M
is
r
.
Allen of
place,
Norw c?\ &
company
as yet
meete
:
in a conse-
crated
lieth
formerly purchased by themselves
Goodwin
T)
r
.
Close about Moorefeilds, as allsoe Mr. Walley.
Owen
medi[t]ating his remove out of the Land:
There hath beene
dayly expectation of the execution of the rest of the K' s Judges,
&c.
Hary Martin
since one
tould
the
Ld
1
s
.
if
,
he were put to death,
it
:
were not for murthering Ch: the
st
but for beleeving Charles 2
Not long
prisoned,
John James was Aprehended, examined, im-
Judged, executed, drawne, hanged

his
&
quartered,
&c
&, since
death one of the witnesses greatly troubled in con-
science, &c.
There
is
a sub
[One
line illegible.]
...
to
of the Gospell
among
vs a
little,
&
little
longer.
The
Presbiterians are in extreme contempt, &c, there former forwardnes
bring in the K: not at

att
all
regarded,
is
:
Morley
Odds, &c
My Callamy
MF Baxter & B p Lame man with one fall

&c
:
after another, that
he hath of late rec d

called
The B pp
of Exeter * hath
of late writ a
Book
:
Pillar
of Gratitude,
&c
a vaine
proud peece, &c

formation,
He
preached lately in the Citty on Acts: 17: 22,
in defence of the
Ceremonies.
Never the
like
since the
1'*
re-
for scandalous
psons,
Ignorance,
the clergy
:
drunkenes,
lying,
swearing, vncleanes,
&c
among
one being asked

the potts,
where he had lay en
all this
while, answered,
among
&c
Df Bolton
&c
The
& another of them B pps have sett vp 4
in his drinke saide he
was
in heaven,'
Lectures in London, but thin con-
* Dr. Gauden.
196
gregations,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
&
every one must stand bare
These men are more

:
gcn'! y disliked then ever,
even by good
vast somes,
&c
But
:
in the
They have gathered meane while Trade is exeeding low.

bad
&
The
Citty greately mistaken in there hopes
&c
Multitudes broke
and are vndone, &c
noe trading,
little
or noe
money
stirring,
&
come is very dear, & such a gentle winter that a famine is feared. The Citty swarmes with beggers, &c I feare to thinke what will
:
become of the Citty through the strange decay of Trade, of which is there a gen ! denyall Europe over, & much through rumors & expectation of wars, besides England lost their manufacture &c.
1
Many &
The Earle
boukl Poberyes even in the streetes of London, &c.

of Essex
&
Knight of the Bath

. . .
in or neere
:
London.
hall fired
On
the 18 of
. .
.
Feb r
a most violent
with liohtnin
.
. .
W
M
r
tt
with
house before, noe other house had
blown downe,
scarse any but

his
some damadge.
fell,
neighbours house
killed, 2
&
kild
The Phanaticks house stood, whilest Lady Saltonstall * M? Blith: a

:
Lawier
houres after he had beene jeering at
Bullockes
i a yeere
against such as prayed with zeale,

losse in walnut trees
in
&c
Hoskins 40
30,000
1 hurt in
Pembrookesheere, 30 shipps
K' s ship, 36 peece ordnance, in the Streights of & some bending, &c The noble Crownes, blowne downe Theeues that the same day Robd a Tanner of 7 1 & other th: &
the Texell.
;
:
kild him,
were the
L?
Buckelmrst, oldest sone of the L? Dorsett,

:
&
young brother of 17 or 18 yeers of age
Two more
of the
family of the Bellasis,
&
another of the family of AVentworth,

:
among whom
be parliam*
Kn
of the Bath
&
one or two of them are

d
to
men.
4:
A
1:
few dayes
after the
Page
day
:
Sheffeild kild in a Duell in the
L Morley kilH his Sauoy yard, on the Saboth

is
Hosea:
2:
3:
The
report
the Apparition of the

:
Horse nccrc Mountgomery, the white horses very white, &c This The Astrollogers opinion, the last contradicted by none, &c:
not beleeved, beim>; asked whence should the warr arise
seino;,
&c
17 prisoners in
it
:
Mongomery
gone
set at liberty
vpon the Knowledge of

Tangeere, given vs
Our
ships arc
to take possession of
the Portugall
vpon the match.
Our
shipps that went to Argeere,

nest,
have only put our hands
in a hornet's
they are enraged,

Her
18,
Perhaps Mary, the third nnd surviving wile of Sir Peter Saltonstall.
will
was
proved
gives
May 21, 1GG2. Tepys, however, in the name as " one La iy Sanderson."
his " Diary,"
under date of Feb.
1661-2,
1662.J
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
197
take multitudes of captives of Engl:
&
Dutch
The Queene of
Cromw[ell] (?)
Bohemia
is
deade, in England,* brought by

is
.
Ld
Prince Rupert
allsoe returned.
.
I thinke lodgeth att
White Hall.
is
Duke Monke
is
ill
of an
Ague
Bp Monke
.
Deade, soe
Walton of Chester, a linguist. He had a hand in the Polyglot Bible. Deane of Paulls deade. The organs are vp there, & gr want of singing men. The Hoboy man of Worcester, the dancing Child, the Owle, the Hound: the 6 or 7 pissing Doggs, & many such things make them rediculous. Many minis [ters] & other good men imprisoned & brought to asizzes. Croften in the Tower, Yavasor Powell in the fleete Jn? Simpson in the Gate house Mr Jessey was vnder restraynt, a vissitor of prisons, &c Dy Wilkinson, at one gathering rec d 220 1. M? Oxenbrige oino- to Suranam with the L d Willouby. Mf Malbon to Amsterdam
fc
r
.
Geoffrey dyed like a stout Christian.

:
My Galaspy
.
escaped,
&c Mf
can say
little
is
of any
Con
except some few, as
Jenkins,
who
s d
much
lookt on, sent for to the councell for
omitting to pray, though he said he prayed for a holy

raigne, one
&
hapy
a holy reigne.
Many
come
appostate,
&c
M
:
Callamy
pleades for moderation lest the Gospell quite lost,

for uniformity
&c
The Act
now ready
to
forth
It is
said the surplus,
X, &
kneeling will not be required, but the Cov* must be rejected.

for
The wayes made ready

Lent kept not
vs every day
2 d booke of prodigies
:
the Queene,
&
pajeants repaired
:
so stricktly, to <pserue the poore from starving
A
.
coming out
God
doth so wonderfully
The
. .
story of
.
Mf Cope
. .
about a boy
&
a girle possest
by the Divell,
the Councell.
:
Mavericke an enemie, but

.
Co: Temple a freind
he tould
[Two
found that no
Gov r nor
BPPS
lines mutilated.]
God's gr*
affaires this
.
day seeme
vs.
. .
to
be placed vpon our stage,
among Barkstea[d] by S r G: Downing

the gr*
.
&
to
be
times
.
you heard,
as
...
p
dead,
B pps &
.
tected
by the
of
. . .
The ... of Co: Okey & as in former the Duke onalls. Anabaptists soe now L d Major. The B p of Winchestr is
.
the
[One
line effaced.]
* Elizabeth,
Queen of Bohemia, daughter of King James
I.
of England, born 1596,
died in London, Feb. 13, 1661-2.
198
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662-
JOHN DAVENPORT* TO WILLIAM GOFFE.

^X:ve3
There was a Gen
1 !
&
3*. h
of 5 m: 1662.
Gen chosen for this Countrie to seize upon the Melitia for the King and a B? & a Suffragan, for Ecclesiasticall Goverm* but Mr Norton J writes, that
Gouern r
a Major
11
,
&
theye are not yet out of hopes, to pvent

is
it.
the
Govern
' 8
Name,
Sir Rob: Carr,
(a ranck Papist).
heart,
(among
vpon N: E.
the Godly) about vs,
There are great thoughts of what Imposicons wilbe laid
The Episcopal Goverm*

thorughout England.
is
by Act of Parliam* proclaimed
Exceeding great Taxes

There There
is
laid
upon the People.

Ministers with theire Congregacons,
great talke of
many
if
roome can be found for them. come over this yeare of about 30 yeares of age, a very able man & 2 Great March H of London with theire Familes, of 30,000. lb estate, godly men. I saw in a Letter this Day, that Corne in England is at 14. 15.
is
comeing ouer the next yeare

one
Allyne
||
?.
16. 17s a Bushell, the poor in great extremetie,

their releife.
&
little
care for
The King
Thefre]
is
is
engaged
to the
utmost, to promote Episcopacy.
great likelehood of
is
War, with France,

It
is
the French
Ambassador
is
gone home
in a rage.
to be feared that there
a sad scourge at hand, for England.
There were 9 ministers that went up

Orders,
to the
B?
to receive theire
&
returning to the Country to theire severall places, to

9.
put in execucon those Orders, 7 of the

dead, the 8 th struck blind, the
of God.
* This
t
were imediately struck
9*! 1
mad, a very remarkable hand
letter,
although without signature,

3'. h
is in
the handwriting of Davenport.
[Memorandum by GojJ'e.] $ Rev. John Norton, Teacher of the First Church in Boston, was sent with Simon Bradstreet, as agent of the Colony, to England, in February, 1662. They returned, September 3, of the same year. Sir Robert Carr came as one of four commissioners to reduce the Colonies to obedience, &c, &c, in 1664. Rey. James Allen came over from England in 1662. He was ordained Teacher of the First Chinch in Boston Dec. 9, 1668, as colleague with Mr. Davenport. He died Sept.
Received
the
of 5 m: 1662.
(j
||
22, 1710,
*[
aged 78 years.
Probably Humphrey Davie and Xehemiah Bourne.
1662.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

is
REGICIDES.
199
no hold
The broad Seale
bought
&
sould,
so that there
is
of anything granted to any man.
There are aboundance more particulars. (I suppose that

in
2
fl
is
ment
last
the Baye.)
Thus much
'
as the -sunie
of Intelligence which
/|.ve# * brought in a letter from the Baye, the 5*
weeke to Unto these

q
2
9^'3\
|
Day
JoU'
1.
f & is since come hither. I shall add 3. passages of Newes which I heard from & were reported to him by fl 2 ?y .U from
]
Au/-#
||
as folio weth.
all
The Charters of
the Cities
&
Corporacons, in England,
Bristol, or
are called in
2.
&
nullefied, except
is
London and
in
Yorke.
That Masse
tollerated thorough t
England.
Parliament
of ordering,
to the
it
3.
That by the House of Comons

11
was voted
disposing,
King should have the power mens person Estates, but when it came
that the
&
was opposed,
for
one of the
Ld
House of Lords, it stood up, & said that it was

s
known
he had bene faithfull to the
Interest, but could not con-
sent to that for he
must be
faithfull to his
own
Interest, his Wifes,
&
Childrens,
who would
thereby be undone (or to that purpose).

is
I heare that the Synod in the Baye,
broken vp without doeing

till
any thing,
&
have adjurned the meeting,
Octo: or Nov: next.
Sectn
3.
1:
January, 1662.
One Mr. Wats,

<&c.)
a mariner,
(who formerly
liued at Plimouth,
1
came lately from Virginia, informed 6? 6" 38* U If as foil That Capt. Higginson (brother to Mf Higg n of Salem) is come to Virginia, Comander of a new ship called the America, who came from Lond in the latter end of Oct. That the s^ Capt. informed him that things were very sad in Eng: & soe like to be, & that he wished himselfe in N: E: & would make what hast he could hether, after his returne into Eng: Moreover he s d that he informed him in severall pticular passages concerning affaires (viz:) That Mounke is confined vnto his chamber, in England
1
for not subscribing to the
Bp p &
.
that
its
thought they will take
away
*
||
his life.
Mr.
Glover.
Sj)ringfeild.
Mr.
Jones.
M\
Hudson.
Auger.
Probably Nicholas Auger, of
New Haven. The names
written by Daven-
port are erased,

T[
and the cipher inserted by Goffe.
Br: Baldwin.
200
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
&
That the Q: M: is at Greenwich, & hath erected the High Altar, that popery is acted as much as ever. That Prince R:
is
out of the Land,
&
is
in the Straightes.
That the Speaker friggot met with 2 Duch men of warr,
&
comanded them to strike for the K: of England, who answered they would strike for noe K: vnder the sunn, & the Dutchmen made the nriggot creep away, in danger of sinking, & with losse Moreover that the Dutch are well fitted with men & of men.
shipping for service.
That there are to the N of 8 or 9000 protestant people, Banished out of
some other country, who are come

plentifull
11
-'
to Holland,
&
there releeued.
England last sumer. the seamen against the K. And besides what this informer rec d from Capt. Hig" lie saith he spake with many other seamen, as well Bristol men as Londoners, who were formerly for the K: but are now discontent with
That they had a
is
Harvest
in
That there
a gen . discontent
among
him,
&
wish for another Cromwell.
He
saith those
that have
come
to Virginia, doe generally complaine of there greate Taxes,
&
&
sav that Cromwell sought the ood of the Land,
&c
That Trading
is
very low,
&
abundance doe leaue there houses,

its
doe turne the Key,
&
are gon,
not
knowne whether.
That theres very greate robbing

wnlke
in safety in the streetes,
is
in the Citty, a
man
can hardly
with a hat vpon his heade.

all
That there
a pclemation out that
that will not take the
Oath
to be subject to the
K.
&B
ps
.
must depte the land by such a
time, or els shall be accounted Traitors,
&
thereupo abundance
arc p r>ing to come to N: E: the next spring. keepes That the L: Fairfax is in England,
&
his
sent to
owne Charge, & hath 60,000 ready at him to come in, which he refused,
is, is
6000 men vpon Comand. That the K.
&
that that pte of the
Country where he
for
him.
& D. of Yorke were at AVoolledge with the seamen did require of them to take an Oath to be subject & of p who answered they were willing to serue him, to the K: & B but refused to subscribe to the B p & did expect to be free from
That the K.
the ffleete,
8
.
them, for they had formerly fought against them.

to the
The D. spake
hang foure or 5 hundred of them, & then the rest would conforme, whorevpo they tould the K: they and there
K.
to
1682.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

in
REGICIDES.
201
relations
had cause to curse the day
which they brought him

in,
&
his relations into the
land, or that they wished the curse of
God vpon
themselues for bringing them
&
soe continued in
The K. tould the D. it a Mutiny, & some men were killed. was a very bad word that he had spoken, enough to vndoe the Land & comanded him to be conuaied away, (and its
:
thought
if
he had not got away, the seamen would have killed

to pacefy the
him).
The K. endeavoured
seamen.
They dehis ships,
manded wages of him,

if
or threatned to runn
Its saide
away with
they were not paide.
they had only dyet allowed,
&
not wages.
They
:
allsoe desired there old officers, not willing to

:
serue vnder p r sent comanders who were land Captaines, not experienced at sea Noe seamen are <pmitted to come out of the
Land, but such

ping he can
;
as
Navegat the
he would have bought Capt. Higgisons
generally complained of the
The K. buyeth what shipThe seamen comanders of the K: ffleete as alsoe

ships.
:
:
of there Ministers, whose frequent practice they say
is
to
goe
,
among
the seamen,
&
come let vs goe to the Boyes to dance or whip one another naked before them seamen thinke they are not like to psp on these accounts, they say, how can they adventure there Hues, hauing noe succese in any
:
God dam you, I am come to saue yo w prayer, & many times made a company of
say,
of there designes with these
men ?
m? 62 * No
In a |-77\ ex
2
fl
U^fVU
(as I
su99. )
7.
f\\
gj
37" 3 25: 6
6:
Yesterday, being the 24 th August,
all
the ministers in Lond:,
&
in
in other places allsoe,
Act of vniformity
Londo,
a
who would not conforme according to the were put to silence, which did make such a hurry
Londo.
There was scarsely The peo: dislike the booke of comon it. They came into the meeting places, & them who read it. In one place the min.
as hath not beene seene heeretofore.

in all
good sermo
prayer,
hallowd
& disdaine & laught at

B? sent
& preach, durst not stay to doe his The people worke, but left the booke & gott himselfe away. tooke the booke & trampled it vnder feete, & tare it in peeces.
whom
the
to reade
What
these things will <pduce I
know
not.
These are sad th s :, soe

mo.
* In a letter from Mr.
Newman
(as I suppose) to
Mr. Davenport, dated 25:
62.
26
202
that
all
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Publike Assemblies are utterly Broken,
[1662.
meete
in private are
&
how soone
& those who many of them haled watched, & to prisons, may be taken I know not. The Lord helpe me to &
to be at his dispose in every thing,
lye at his feete,
&
to
is
make
out,
mee stand
fast in the faith
of the gospel 1.
I shall say
:
Mr. Carry 11
&
another put into his place.
noe more, but only desire
yours and the Churches' prayers
both for
my
selfe,
&
all
the
Churches
&
people of
God
I have sent yo w the 2 part of. pdigies.
n 2 Jo?U
Jgj
8-r as.
;
\.||.8^:
One Mr.
Foster
is
is
arived at Boston
by
letters
&
informations
the state of things
represented to be very bad with the peo: of
God
in
forme.
O: E: all good ministers put downe, that would not conThere are not above 10 in or about London that have
ill
'conformed; and
wickednes
a \'11'2 ex
all
Sad newes ex England,

in
2 7.U i7 is p )'vie a7 6. )f good minist r s put out, the heighth of

.
&
The tide soe turned that they say P. Eupert is L L of the Tower of Londo. if not of England, allsoe Browne (who was Lord Maior) Massey, L^ Fairechurch
state
1
&
broken
l
in.
fax
& many others either imprissoned or sought to be Monke Loosing his places & Titles of honor apace.
in a
|-77-j
imprisoned
ex
2
fl
?.
Q9
?r-Y
3vie
to
n 2 gj exb.7.\},t
the 21|
16G2.
Wee
them.
are heere in greate thoughts
&
trouble of hart for our

is
fFreinds in
England, because that which was feared
come vpon
The Candlestickes are remoued, the Glory is departed, & come vpon the people of God, to the vtmost. The rage of the Enemie, & the sufferings of the Saints increase more and more and this is for a Lamentation. And besides the Devisions
evill
;
N: E:
in the churches heere, with there strange
Degeneratings from the
pure waies of the Lord, either through feare, coldnes of hart, or
Lukevvarmnes,
bewitchings of the
;
world, or other
weaknesses,
or through wicked designes of the like missery heere.

* Mr,
t
I
some which things I say threaten The Lord keepe vs ex defyling our garm ts
,
John Davenport
ir riles
as folio teeth.
\t is Bttid.
In a letter from
In a letter
M from M
r
.
r
.
Davie at Boston, Humphrey Davie
to
Davenport, from Boston.
1662.]
LETTERS,
<&C.,
203
ex touching any vncleane thing,

that
to
&
redeeme vs from the Earth,
vnto God, a sacrifise (though it be God, through our Lord Je: Ch: Our freinds in England are in gr* doubt, & much in the darke what to doe, whether to ffly, or stand & abide the Issue, many, it is beleeved, will come in the spring, & I hope some of our freinds 0:E:&N; allsoe, & that my advice & pswasion of them, which I wrought about the time yo w were heere, will p Vaile. There gr* dowbt (I feare will be) whether in case of Changes of Goverm* & affaires heere, & at Connecticut (who seeme to be very forward therein) & of impositions whether yo w may be free, & what ground of hope there is to Escape the same. Though for my owne part I am willing & resolved to runn the adventure, & comitt my selfe to the Lord only as I 7. |3 T.8 a7 T. re 6:3 ? .'.#.* I having
the
first fruites
we may be
Death) acceptable
to
relation
fl'U
first
to e
others
7*7-
in

my owne
.
|
my
trade
&
being
6*7rus7*
S.z
oz'V
,| I
canot act freely, without advice

r
f|
&
i
consent
bussines
obtained, which I looke for, being in relation to

disposer,
I
my
?*
not
p'
though I
9-^C:ve
7*, %
and
o
hope
to heere that
our resolution
re ( flmay be brought
:
into action.
c
Comitting yo w
r
||
&
yours to the Lord, I rest

as 7.
h.z
.__. re
7.
iU7-U7.oU
2
fl
*. bisU- n'T
r
6-
<-97
^riva7-
In another |-7.7- ex
)vie
9
.
&
\ .r
fl
Safl8-||
J8-||.3
b'C?- z.t
?:_-* s
) .re
78. 8're
g 7. c'use 7.H(vr >: -s, & \.r o^-rs

a))J iU
7.
a||
6-
9.
cri97
7
(.77
8
:
&
.e
||
ex O: E: & Hf 6'C * w what with the I must assure yo

fir
( .fl"
,
pressing occasions of
my
bussines
the
&
the Deplorable
estate
of
our deere native Country, with

therein,
churches
&
C
people of Ch:
am
in gr* discomposure.
r
fl ?
The good Lord remember

.UvaiaUC
them
&
us.
3.8- U.8 brou^ 8.r). of a
iust
/.-5.T
*
J
||
As
I
told
yow
at
youre being heere.

is
Betx listed with other mens estates.
perceive
Mr. Bache
still
more
resolute.
Wee
both desire
letter
o r intentions as to this bisnes
may
be kept private.
to
In another
to
from
M<~ Dav\e
&
Mr. Samwell Bache, they desire Mr. Davenport
cause timber
be cutt for 2 dwelling houses,

:
&
two ware houses,
& for
others allsoe
who may
come from 0:
T[
rs
.
E & Mr. Bache added in a postscript. Dowse now brought word of a convaimce just going.

204
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[16G2.
A[}. Z 't ex
f|
)'vie 7-
fvj &Z.1
)'7.
ex
b. 7o[}.*
N:E:
The Gcnerall Court, who have read

had large debate what should be don,
lished
the King's letter,
&
have
&
it
whether
is
it
should be pubit
&
printed
:
but I doe not heere
yet ordered, though
be like to be
They have
great strugling,
to see
&
&
truely the eyes of
most begin
to be opened,
&
if
plainely the designe to exterright waies
pate the pfession and pfessors of the pure
of the
Lord, out of
all to
this
Collony,
not out of the Country,
&
I
to
make
receive the
2
marke of the beast

]j>lood
&
his
Image.
was tould
would lye
that
fl
U.7.U
J.( |*re ) 7. the c ..r7,| that if they
complied not
with the King's Letter, the

at their dores, or
guilt of soules
that should be spilt
vpon there heades.

lie
He
litle
thought where the
would
by that meanes, but indeed I pceive most
are convinced, but a timerous
&
fearefull sp* hath surprized
men
(and
it is
without cause) though some are desperately designed to
overturne Civill
&
Spirituall Libberties,
which
if
they doe effect
multitude of People
places of
& families will freedome, & the p sence

r
certainely
of the
to some other Lord with them, & woe
remoue
to these people then if the
Lord forsake them, but

to the
hope better
defile
things
there
Heere are a Remnant that have not (would not)

,
garm ts nor bow downe
Image of
Baall,
&
it
may
be the
evill.
Lord may heere prayer,

2
.
&
stand by them for pventing the
fl
.j^7.
U J
hath lost himselfe

will
much
|
in
the
Esteeme of
the
generallity,
&
doe more.
Yesterday halfe a dozen of the great
Church went
to
him and Mr. AVi
.U
&
E| >0 9-U,
in the
name
of themselves
&
others,
desiring that an assistant in the
ministry for preaching, might be chosen, (intending
Allen as
suppose) whom the Lord appeares much with, having given him Large rome in the hearts of the people, but some I heere have gon on the other side, & opposed it soc it is like to come to de;
bate,
&
<>'ettin<x
of hands.
I wish these things doe
not cause a
*
breach.
* Another from Mr, Dttvie
1
to
Mr. Davenport, without
date,
from
Boston.
Mr Norton
declared
to
the Court,
Mr. Norton.
Mr. Wifaon
&
Elder Pen.
1652.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
205
2
fl
IUC^-ase ftz'2
still
7.
ex
6.7-U,
^' 21, 8? 1662
I have your writings
in
my
hands.
I offered the
Synod
to
N: E:
read them, but
r
fl
U.^7.U
j advised them not to suffer me, where-
upon I
scribed.
let
them have a coppy

have given in yours
of them, which
was gen lly
tran-
&
Streetes Testimony vnto our
Gen: Court, with a preface subscribed by

Brother
Ch: Mi' Mayo,

r
.
my
in
is
&
myselfe, in the
name
of others of the Dissenting
Bn
the Synod, wherein
we
declare that
wee
fully concurr with
what
asserted by your selves in these papers.
Some
of the Court would
very faigne have had them throwne out againe, without soe
as reading them, but the
much
major
<pte
were not soe violent, they have

:
it was wee have done might be printed allsoe, but all the answer that could be obtained was that wee might doe as we would, but they would not vote for such a thing, & wee must count it a favour that wee were not Comanded
voted that what the Sinod have done shall be printed

allsoe that
moved
what yourselves
&
to
be
silent.
It
is
our purpose therefore to print what wee have
given into the Court, of yours

the cause desiring vs soe to doe.
&
ours, many that are true to The Gen: Court hath ordered
that the K's Letter shall be published, but they will not give
any
answer vnto
5th of
it,
before the next Gen. Court, which
is
in
May
next.
Allsoe they have voted for a day of Thanksgiving, to be kept upon
DecembT The last Contemptuously before the Court, slighting there authority, & requiring them in the K.'s name to assist him with 500 souldiers to goe against the Mahaukes, the Court sent him to prison, where he lay one night, but the next day Mr. Lake & Vsher giving bond for him,
,
Novemb
&
a day of Fast, 4th of
weeke Capt: Breeden, carying himselfe
insolently and
he was inlarged
There
the
is
lately a vessell
come from E: which informes vs
that
0:E;
Act
for
Conformity takes place

that there
&
is
psecuted with
full
viggor
&
activity,
are 96 ministers silenced in
there were strange Confusions
Londo, that vpon the 24. Aug: the people in

Pr. booke out of the Churches,
many
places taking the
Comon
&
kiking itvp
*
f
&
downe
the streetes.
to
One
Letter saith that Fairefax,

Boston, the 21, 8 mo. 1662.
*
Increase Mather
Mr. Davenport, from
Mu
Norton.
206
Booth,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1662.
&
Massey have withdrawne themselves,

<. to
is
&
that there
is
pclemation out against them pmissing 1000

bring any of them.
whom
soever shall
The Queene Mother
in the
Tower, with a
Company of French
P. Rupert
prodigies
stories
:
&
Irish
with her keeping garison there.
made Counstable of the Tower. Another booke of come forth, which is full of many strange & formidable
is
As
Court,
yett our wrightings
have not beene publickly read
in the
& now
I thinke they will Hardly vouchsaffe to give them
a publicke audience, whereby yo w

like
to
may
see
which way things are
be Carried,
&c
am
desired by a worthy fFreind to in-
reate yo w to let vs see
Df Vsher's pphesy, &c.
IU a
Sect: 6
|-77-rer
2.
RiCV^3
1*
f\ -
7-
\>t, 218m.62,
ex C
?'r|7.8U'*
its
Foster ex E: & by what I can heare more sad with God's people then wee can conceive of, for not a good ma may preach, &c & Mr Foster saith that a ma were
The
hd
.
hatli
returned
better
sit
at
home then
It is
to
goe
to meeting,
might he but doe
it
peaceably.
to
be feared that things will goe yet higher.

of the gates of the Citty to be pulled
The K: hath caused some

downe,
that
&
hath seazed on most of the
Amies
:
in the Citty,
&
he
was Lt. of the Tower (a very corrupt ma, & a great malignant) is now made Lord Maicr of the Citty & Prince Rupert is
High Counstable of the Tower, & he hath with him 800 French, allsoe Dover Castle must be put into like posture
Citties in
Irish
:
&
Divers
Engl: allsoe are pulled downe,
&
the Troopers will
come
some
by night
&
seaze on persons in there beds,
&
cary them to prisson

is
without giving an accoumpt for what,
&
there
1000
r
1,
say 10,0001 pffe red to those that can bring certaine, as Ffairfax
&
&
S? Geo: Booth, or bring Tidings
of them.
Foster saide
last
he heard severall
they, one
good ministers preach there farwell or

all,
serm"
&
spoke as dying men, saying they knew not
whether ever they might have an opptunity to speake in the face

of a Congregation more.
Mr
Slaughters last sermo was' on those
Avoids, Little Children kecpe
your selves from Idolls.
Good men
I/?
a Idler from Richard Miles
to his
fatfur, 21. S
m.
62,
from
Charleston-}) e.
1663.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

is
REGICIDES.
207
saith
are sadly vsed, alsoe in Scotland there
sad worke
The K.
Act of Conformity be submitted to, else he to swime once more with blood. The K. hath a sonne which walkes vp & downe with him, about 13
that he will have the
will
make
the Lord's
Land
yeers of age,
that
is
which he owneth.*
Some
speake of more, but
Certaine.
WILLIAM HOOKE TO JOHN DAVENPORT.

Sect?
D
1.
5 March: 1663.
,
R S Your weighty lines I have rec by this bearer. They have beene of use more waies then one to mee & for them I returne you my most hearty thankes. S r According to your desire I haue sent yo^ the newest, truest & fullest intelligence I can reach to. S r I haue sent you the King's DeclaraR
d
; , ,
tion!
of the 26 Dec:
62,
&
the
Parliament's
votes
upon
it.
The Decleration was 3 months a forming up. When it past the K s Councell there was but one against it, & that was my Lord Lautherdale, Secretary for Scotland. There was no application
made,
nation
either
by congregationall or presbcterian ministers,

this
for the
Midwiveing of
stood
Decl n into the

has beene
ld
.
The
these
Generallity of the
off
from the Act of Yniformity.

it
Trading was
yeeres.
growne deader then
knowne
;
many
The
Generallity of the people dissatisfied

the greatest dissatisfactions
&
those that were under
were those that had the best purses,

;
the best heades,
&
the best hands in the nation
&
the conse-
quences of puoking these too farre were allsoe consulted, and thus
Decl n was brought forth. By the votes of the Parl nt upon this Decleration, yo w see the Crowne & the Miter are ingaged.
this
The
erall
B pps
sent letters to
all
they accoumpted true sonns of the
Church, to come vp
& make
heade against the Decleration.

to be the
Sev-
angry presbiters of the House supposing Popery
game,
would not come up, soe that the
B pps
party in the House caryed
* James, Duke of Monmouth, born

t
in 1649.
Of Indulgence.
208
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1663.
it,
against the Court party, by about 200 voyces,
&
yet two of the

fell
greatest Proctors the Bishops had in the
House of Conions
in
with the Court
<pty.
The King
&
;
his
Councell are drawing up
Answers
to those votes of Parliam*
he being fully resolued that

the
his Decle"
shall
passe.
The Old Queene,
Lord Digby,
&
some
others that are one in spirit and principles with them, have
beene with the K. since the Parl ts votes were printed to desire him
not to
insist
;
upon any further
ly berry
then what at present they
doe enjoy
farr.
much troubled that they have put on things soe Counting how exeeding aversse the Parliam is to them, &
are
4
&
how
close they stick
upon there
skirts,
Ml* Prin
[Prynne]
is
to bring in a
& knowing that this day more severe Act against them
The
to
then ever yet was brought in, &c.
B pps &
the Coiiions are

;
now much
cially
troubled that things are brought to this extremity
espe,
seeing the
faine
K:
is
resolved
ble
carry on the
Decl n
;
they
would
make an hon
retreate if they
It is
knew how
and yett
they must retreate or be dissolved.
supposed they more

say, that if
all
fcare dissolving then they doe hell itselfe.
Wise men
they were dissolved, within a

Jaile for debt, except
0-
time they would be
in
40 or 50 of them.
The K:
is
fixt,
they
must bow or breake.

full
The K.
sent for
Callamy, Dr. Bates,
&
Dr. Manton, before these votes passed the House, giving them
assurance that a Bill should be brought into the
would introduce most of them
into there places againe.
House which The Bill

is
was accordingly brought

Yorke,
Bill a
into the
it
House of
the
ds
by the Duke of
in
&
it
is
supposed
will
be caried on.
There
that
sharpp clause against the Papists.

Caryl,
Dr. Goodwin,
Mf Nye,
&
&
one more of our Congregationall Brethren were
sent for by the
on the 27 day of the

to kisse.
last
mounth.
The K. gave
them
all
his
hand
He
was with them above an houre.

treated
He
stood
bare
all
the time,
&
them very graciously.

Prottestant Churches,
as
Dr. Goodwin
being there mouth by agreement, acquainted the
K. how
that in Doetrinalls
wee agree with

all
all
&
that
we have
in
our churches
parts of worship,
preach-
Word, & singing of psallmes, & the Sacraments, & then he shewed how our principles were consistent both with Eclesiasticall & Civill State. As for our differing from he answered that from Inthe Comon way in point of Discipline, stances abroad in other Nations. The King declared that he ever
ing, praying,
reading the
1663.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
209
was
&
ever should be against persecuting
men
for their faith
&
consciences, for that

allsoe
was of God, & men could not helpe it. He declared that he would not be K. of a party, but of the
whole,
that he
&
that he
would doe
all
he could for theire Libberty
&
would keepe
off all severity
from them.
Hee
allsoe adfor the
vized them to meete wisely,

present,
to
;
&
not in too great
Noumbers
till
they did see what the Parliament might be wrought

advized them to looke to there teaching, that noe
&
allsoe
offence
might
be
given that
way.
The K. caryed
;
it
very
ffrankly, freely, hartily,

his
&
candidly towards them

said
to
and declared and desired

he spoke
saide.
satisfaction
to
in
what they had
him,
them
be soe Charitable towards him as
to beleeve that
his hart to
them,
&
that he intended to act

to
what hee had

2
These things I know
be as true as 2
&
make
4.
1ST:
Sir,
about 3 weekes hence Capt. Pearce * will be going for

then, Providence permiting, I intend
to
E:
&
giue yo w a further ac-
coumpt of these things, & to send yo w a little token which at The Ffrench K. is going with an present I have not by mee. Army of 40,000 men against the Pope. The differences are
is noe ending of them but by the sword. The Parliament in Ireland have made 18 or 20 proposalls to my Lord Ormond, Deputy of Ireland, that hath vnited all different interests into one against the comon enemie, the Papists, who had thoughts &> hopes not only to swallow downe the purchasers lands,
risen soe high, that there
but allsoe the purchasers themselves.

sent or ready to be
I heare that a Herrald
is
sent into Scotland, to declare Comissioner

;
Midleton's place voyde
&
that
my Lord
Many
Lawtherdale
is
to be
Comissioner in his roome.
The
Nobillity there are
much
divided,
&
the people
much
dissattisfied.
thousands of the people,
especially in the west of Scotland
goe out euery Sabath day into

to
the feilds
where these ministers preach
them
a
that were formerly
turned out.
Scots
B pp
hath saide, that either the K. must giue

else
1
them Liberty and indulge them, or

There
is
make
;
Law to burne them.

&>
and has beene a very

It is
gr* sp
of Faith
Prayer abroad in
hath great things
that salvation
is
these Nations, especially in this Nation
& God
upon the wheele.
vpon
many 1000s
* The captain of the ship which brought Goffe and Whalley to
New
England.
27
210
THE MATHER PAPERS.

I have
Sir,
[1663.
hastning to them.
.
. .
not time to
inlarge.
Soe wishing
Worthy
|77t
Yours
in our
Sr
D. G.
In a
ex
(\*
d'r\-Y 7' }
>70
a7
on Don * the 1? August, 1663.
On
th the 22 July,
D. Yorkes
child f baptized.
K:
& Chancelour
Godfathers, Q: Mother,
&
the Q: Godmothers.
:
28 th The K: passed 20 Acts
2 Acts, one against Papists, the
other against Nonconformist [s], not being quite finished, (that of
the Non-Conformists wanting but once reading in the house of
Lords.)
The Speaker of
the house of
issue his pclemation for the putting of the old
Comons desired Lawes in
the
K:
to
execution
against Pap:
saith
&
Non: Conf: &c
the
K:
slightly thankes
them
&
he will take care, &c.
&
see that if
any thing be wanting,

is
someth: be prepared against next session, which

or 16
to be about
10 th
March
the
next.
Vpon
against the Phanatickes,
coming out of the K: Speech, some take Courage & apprehend 100 att M.T Cokin's Church,
.
&c: The Difference twixt Digby

stopp the
bill
&
the Chancelor
was seasonable
to
against the N: Conformists,

it,
&
the minds of the gr l
ones sufficiently taken vp about

the people.
Coll. Jephson,
either endeavouring to ingage
Major Bowen
&
one more executed in Ireland.

Dreadfull noyse of
bishop dyes in the time of theire Tryall.

in the
Guns
Ayre,
Ayre
att there execution, there
guard of 500 horse run
away, the
fell
Hangman
downe
7.
?,
&
seeing a sword p r sented against him in the broke his shoulder yett the men executed.
:
&
r fl
6|U flU
3.
soU' o\
ex Jer:
the 4th August,

7-
1663,
7'<-n
J
out o\
|77t
Gl'UfVU
jgj
2:
9* 1663.
Sect?.
My
father allsoe desires
ted to yourselfe.
what newes I have might be The pari! is progued till March next.
coiiiunica-
The Act
* In a letter from
t J
r Bayley to Mr. Davenport, dated at London. James, Duke of Cambridge, born July 12, 1663, died June 20, 1667. Mr. Blinman to his sorae, o/the 4 th August, 1663, taken out of a letter from Jer: Blin-
man
to .ifr.
Davenport,
2: 9"}<>
i663.
1663.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

feared
is
REGICIDES.
211
* ac-
of Confor: soe
much
not yet past
The E: of B:
cused Hide of 'Treason,

nothing
is
&
exhibited 15 Articles against him, but

last,
determined.
In June
for
on a Lords day in the even-
ing, at a place called
Blake Downe, in Somesetsheere, 2 Armies

3 houres or more, by
were seene flighting

3?sons.
many
credible
same County, was a wicked Miller Converted strangely (of which England Rings) who yet continues very hopefull. He saw strange sights, & heard some
a
little
And
before that, in the
words.
Divers godly ministers, some in Somersetsheere,
&
some
in Dorsetshire, are in prison for private meetings,
who
yet are full
of
Joy
&
Comfort,
&
continue preaching in there prisons, to the
many.| Heere is a sp* of prayer acting among the people of God The presbeterians still continue there Bitternes towards others of Gods people. There was a plot of the
greate good of
:
Presbeterian pty lately discovered in Ireland to surprize Dublin

Castle, for which 3 have been executed,
& how many
more may
was my fathers should be comunicated to yo w &c

be,
wee know
not.
It
desire that these things
Sect?
4.
6aO
^'ceives a |-77-r
is
March IP! dated

1
at |.n3.n,J Octo:
14, 1663, wherein he

ers for
informed that the Bussines about Comision:
N: E:
is
quasht at the Councell table
he allsoe then rec^ 5

:
more then forraigne Newes which alsoe was principally about New Hawsel, which was surrendered to the Turks the latter end of Septem 1663 On Wendsday, the 23 Septem. An Act was past in the parliam1
Diurnalls, wherein theire
was
little
',
of Scotland without one disenting vote
wherein, after a
flatter-
ing preamble, they say, soe in a flurther acknowledgem* of theire

duty, they doe
make humble
&
harty offer to his Majesty of 20,000

sufficiently
footemen,
&
2,000 horsemen,
Armed &
:
furnished with
40 dayes provision, to be raysed from the severall sheeres of the
Kingdome, according
*
f
|
to the ^portions foil

Bristol.
(viz.)
The Earl of
See note on
p. 31.
letter
B&che receives a
in
March
11 th dated at London.
Newhausel,
Hungary.
212
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Foote.
[1663.
Horse
Foote.
Horge
R XDeriy & Selkirke Berwicke Shires ) J Edenbrough principall V Hadington The Burgh of \ Edenbrough, Leith & >
The
1333148 0800074 0800074 0800074

0800-000
Linlithgow
Dumfreis
Wigton Air & Renfrew

Lanerick
Sterlin
333 800 800
42
88 88
&
Clackmanan
...
Forfar
ate
Fyfe
&
Kinrose
0266029 1000103
Perthe
1333176 1000148 0666088 1600176 1600176

)
Cathnes
&
Suderland
1066088
Kincarden,
port of
&
Marishall
800074
1066176
r te
of Inernes
The
rest of
Aberden Aberdeene
Argyle, Bute
&
)
0800-000
0666-000
& Banff
Eglin, Nairn
Dunbarton Orkney and

Zetland
)
&
this
J
'
1000088 0666088
side of Nesse
Seafort
&
Lovats
r te
of Inernes
Which
force are to be in readines as they shall be called for by
his Ma".6 to
march
to
any pte of
his
Dominions of Scotland, Ingany other

service, wherein his
land, or Ireland, for suppressing of any foraigne Invasion, Intestine trouble or Insurection, or for
Majesties Honor, Authority, or Greatenes
may
be concerned,
&c
N9
7:
Lempster, October
5.
On
Michellmas eve, about 8 at night, began the greatest Tem-
pest of Thunder, Lightning
&
Raine that hath beene knowne
in
these ptes, these

violent a
many
did
yeares,
&
the day following theire
fell
soe
Rain that
AfFter-Math,*
&
it washed away much p rjudice to
the ffallowes,
the country
:
flouded
the
Out of
the
Newes Bookes
as foil:
which wee
reef
May
th
1664.
Bristoll, Decern: 21:
Wee
kepe our Guards
still,
&
the quatill
kers theire meetings.
The Quaquers would not goe away

a pclemation.
an
ingenious souldier
made
Portsmouth, 24^ Dec: 1663.

[Teviot] went abord
This
Day
the Earle of Triueot
&
set saile for Tangier,
being accompanied
his
with severall vessells to Goasport, severall Troops vnder

encyes Coniand, to the same place.
Whitehall, Decern: 30:
of Yorke are in
Exel-
Theire Ma"? 8
but her
<pfect health,
& his Holmes the Duke Roy all Highnes sicke of the
meazles, which hindred he[r] receiving the Blessed Sacram^ pub-
The
after-grass, or second
mowings of
grass.
: :
1663.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

:
REGICIDES.
213
lickely
on Christmas day
but
now
rs
.
past
all
danger
She rec d the
Sacram* in her chamber

Decern: 30.
This day the
Com
of Oyer
&
Termf began there

the greate
Jorney for Yorke,
&
a short time will
now determine
question whether a plott or not:
Jan. 30: London.

least that
This day was sollemly obserued, &c:
&
Blood should not sinke the Regicides deepe enough, the
day was ushered in

his
&
&c
entertained with seditious practizes against

:
Sacred Majesty,
& by whom acted?

Roy all
but by the Ingratefull,
&
remorselese psecutors of his late
ffather.
Yorke, Jan: 30.

dresse, &c: but
This day puts the Cytty in a mellencholly some Phanaticks will needes open theire shops, &
make
it
a day of
Comon
Bussines
:
if
the plott had taken,
it
would
have been otherwise, &c
Since the late tryall of the Rebbells,
many Burglaryes
nill, is
&
Robberyes,
&c
t;
s
Our Gouernf,
Coll: Freche-
most
actiue for his

.
Ma
Interest,
&
that not only to the
s satisfaction of all the K. freinds, but conviction of his enemies.
Portsmouth, Jan: 31:
This morning S r John Lawson, with the

:
Embassador for Spaine were vnder saile, &c There are in company: the Resolution, the Bristoll, the Phenix & the Portsmouth
:
Hull
horse,
Febr:
3:
This
Towne
(after all reports) is free
from any
malignant desease.
Yesterday Peter Aclam, formerly a Major of
and a quaker, brought prisoner.

Castle, Febr: 22:
New:
to
Our Deputy LBut
vse
all
meanes possible
is
.
gaine the disaffected heereabouts.
there
. .
such a sp* of
lately lett out
Contumacy
the country
. .
&
.
disobedience not to be softened

foil,
of prison one Bale,

.
to the
Duke
of Yorke
Febr:
...
in
muster there
is.
They haue
most Bussy
spitefull
theire
weekely meetings
Every day discouering th[eire] designes, more then other.

ministers that are
-
The
now
the
the
&
the most followed are
those
that were
most
&
actiue
against our late
gracious soueraigne,
&c
London, Febr: 27.

that the Earle of
By
letters of fresh date

is
wee
are advertized
D ...
safely [arrjived at his
comand
The
It
Intelligences opinion concerning the late Plott

;
was begun by the Anabaptists
Hatched by the 5 th Mon-
archy
men
fostered
by the Congregated Churches, favored by the
214
purchasers
in fine
THE MATHER PAPERS,

;
[1663.
supported by the souldiers of Ollivers old

all
Army
&
caryed on by the concurrence of

:
Dissenting sects against

;
the Royall Interest

to law,
full
whose hatred
it
;
to
monarchy
whose opposition
&
the pfessors of
together with a virulent,
&
despightis
enmity as to the Religion established,
&
all
the Clergy,
soe
vndenyably proved, that noe

to
man
forever heereafter shall be able
open
his
mouth against soe

3:
cleare
an euidence
Portsmouth, Jan:
last,
1663.
Vpon Wendsday
it)
the 30 th of the
about 10 of the clocke in the morning, there appeared to the

a Comet although Whatever it was it
;
southward (as the people would vnderstand

afords plentifull matter for discourse
the sun shined at that Instant very cleere.

:
every
Sf
man
takes his measure from his
But in cases of this nature owne Imagination

is
W^ Pettyes double Bottomed vessell

letter
arived heere,
&
it
is
supposed you will have her at London shortly
In a
Tryall
from Yorke, Jan:
8:
1663,
its
saide, that
vpon the
it
did appear that the plott was generall, that there was an
oath of secrecy,
&
agents imployd to London,
&
the
West
of
Ingland for Assistance. one Oldroyds house at
That in June
Two
Agitators were sent
from Scotland to reconcile the Sectaries,

at
&
these were entertained
Dewsbery, knowne by the name of the
Devill of
Dewsbery
(since fled)
&
afterwards diuers meetings were

this
appoynted at a place called Stauckhouse in
county
where-
upon Marshden and Palmer were sent

the secret Comitte,
to
London
as Agitators to
rise the
&
at theire returne
brought orders to
12
1 1 !
Octo:
th
Assurance that the Insurection should be generall

to re-establish a
That the Designe was

istry,
Gospell-Monarchy,
&
Min-
&
is
to restore the
Long Parliam
1
,
as the only Basis they could
build vpon,
& lastly to Curb the Clergy, the Gentry, & the Lawers:
sume of
the whole matter
that Errington, Walters,
v
This
Its
the
alsoe saide,
&
Greatheade did
r Richeson of speake to seuerall discourses that they had with Rippon, about the designe, & the decleration of the cause of theire
Rising
&
Correspondence elsewhere,
&
of seuerall meetings at
Leedes, the Spawe,

son,
&
other places, with Richardson, Capt. Atkin-
&
other Agents, from London,
&
other parts
Seuerall of the prisoners were proued to have beene at Farnely
Armes, betweene one & two in the morning, the 12 Octo: last, which (as they say) was the day agreed for the Rysing.
Wood
in
1667.]
215
was ticularly proued by Walters, & others against Denham, that he was engaged in an agreem* to seize the Horses and Armes of the Lord Falconbridge, & of the Lord ffairefax of Gilling, and
It
that they
had designed
saith
to secure the prisoners they
tooke in Skip-
ton Castle
was ordered by his Majesty in Councill, Desbrough, Tho: Kelsey, John White, Jn? Grove[r,] m Burton, W? Scot, S r Robert Honywood, Junior, Tho. Cole Spurway, Edw. Radden, D r Edward of Southampton, Richardson, John Phelps, & John Nicholas of Mounmouthsheere,
Apr: 21
it
The Gazet
that Jn
&
every of them, are
named
& required
first
to returne into
England,
&
render themselves to some or one of the Justices of the peace

for the
county when they shall

that shall not returne,
arive,
by the 22 July next

them,
after the date of the saide proclemation, declaring
&
every
of
them
&
render themselues accordingly by
the
time prefixt, to stand

the forfeitures of
&
be attainted of High Treason,
&
vndergo
psons soe attainted, according to an
Act of the
late session of parliam* enacted for that purpose.
John Rathbone, an old Army Collonell, W Sanders, Henry Tucker, Tho. Flint, Tho. Evans, John Miles, W Westcot, and
John Cole, formerly
were indicted
found guilty,
officers, or soldiers in the late
Rebelion, &c:
of High Treason at the sessions in Old Bayly, & & condemned & executed at Tyburne on Monday,
30 th of Aprill, 1666. Parliam* prorogued from 23 Apr.
to the 18. Sept. 66,
The Seur
will, its
Bichi, another of his Holines
Nephewes by a
sister,
Beleeved, follow the same stepps,
&c
left
Rochell, Apr. 5.
sent in
Besides the 35 ships with there Convoy es,

there are
in St. Martins
March towards Madagascar,

of warr of 56, 48,
men
ffleete
36 Guns, Bound (as we say) with a of small ships with men for Martinico and St. Christo-
&
phers.
Monk:
Ld
:
Ashley, Chancelor of the Exchequer, ST Tho: Clif-
S r W. Coventry '& S? Jo: Duncom, all priuy Councelers made Comissioners for the execution of the place of done June the 1? 1667. the L d Treasurer ds L Day, the 22 of May, 1667, the pope * died. 69 of his age,
ford, Controler,
:
&
12 yeere of his papacy.

* Alexander VII.
216
THE MATHER PAPERS.

8
:
[1666.
The Duch come to the hope on the 9 th tooke the platforme of Sheerenes The 12, the K. receives the newes of the sad spoyle the Duch had made at Chatham. u The K: troubled att the Creditors violence hall, June 18. against some of his good subjects, that had lent him greate sums of money, &c on Fryday, 24 Instant, Towrnaw [TourBrussells, June 29
June
:
:
nay] was yeelded to the ffrenoh

~W"hall,
June 23.
June 26.
On
Thursday morning died the

:
Duk
call
of
[C]ambridge, eldest son to the D: York
dyed
at
Richmond.
the
tt
hall,
The K:
Issues a
pclematio to
parlianr:
Pembrook, May 18. There was Langhorn about 70 porpoises.

Wuhall,
lately taken in the
Riuer of
May
26.
On Wendsday
Dyed
14.
fall
last,
dyed
Duke
of Kendall, second son to his Royall

the 16, 1667,
at St. James the Highne D: Y.
May
the Earle of Southhampton.
Portsmouth,
May
The Penbrook
ffriggot
had the mis-
fortune att Portland to
foule with the ffairfax,
&
is
sunk.
But
all
the
men
saved, except 6 or 7 sick psons which were not

:
able to shift for themselues
Copy
of a letter ex
flr 8?-7' 3
7.
(\r
/ ")8-n,
da7'3 the 13 of August, 1666*
After
my
due respects premized, &c.
The
last
night a post
Governo rs from Boston. By comparing all the letters I can meete with, the sume of the surest inteligence is this th (viz.) That Hopefor Bendall came into Boston on the 5 Instant, & Capt. Peirce to Nantasket on the 7 th of the same. A good hand from Boston writes from Capt. Pearces mouth that the Duch fleete came to the Downes (when part of our fieete was gon towards ffrance vnder comand of Prince Rupert) & sunck 5 (or
came
into our
some say more) of our

Swift-sure are two.
best ffrigots,
whereof the Resolution
&
Vpon
both
returne of Prince Rupert the fight con-
tinued 3 dayes,
till
ffleetes
had spent there powder,
&
like
2 tired Cockes (as the phraise is) parted
&
went each there way.

the
Warr
proclaimed with the Dane.
Newes about
Jewes much
From
}fr.
Whiting
to ^^r.
Goodwin, dated the 13 of August, 1666.
1670.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

in
REGICIDES.
217
confirmed.
The plague spreading

its
sundry places in the Country.
And
as to ourselues
written alsoe that

for
Govern r Belingham
&
home to England, and three others whom the Bay counsell shall make choyse of, to speake to matters that concerne yo w there. This is, the sume of all I heere, which
Major Hawthorne are sent
I thought might not be vnwellcome.
By
a ship from
London
to Boston, ariving
19 Apr. from Lond.
in 6 weekes. 3 Letters.
To Mr Vsher.
Sf, our
raised
for
have agreed
to
8
.*
give the
King 7,500,000
2d
.
li
to be
by 3
bills;
ties
the l
130,000, as a subsidy of the supply

the
His
Ma
of
present
occasion,
addition to the excise; the 3^ 6,000,000,

all officers
600,000 by way of by an imposition upon

great-
Law &
Court.
The subsydy of supply being of
est
importance,
ffleet this
&
being intended to pay the K's Depts, and setting
out a
projected,
that
was first in consideratio, Many methods some would have poundage on all money at interest, was rejected some vpon trade, others said there was disspring,
;
couradgem* enough on that already.

stirred himselfe
ST J.
Coventry, a
man
chosen by indirect meanes to serve the Court interest, haue be-
much
against
them
in all this,
among
;
others he
moued
their
that the Players might be pticularly taxed
they being a
seruiceable to
sort of people that
have
gr*
moneys,
&
not at
1
all
Country, by trade or otherwise.
S r Jo Birkenhead made a
?
speech in their Defence,

serviceable to
His
Ma
tie
,
& saide they were psons that had & their pfession was his recreatio.
been
Cov-
entry desired him to explain whether he meant the men or the women, that were so serviceable (an vnhappy reflection of a prufor in a little while after, he dent man) & he hath paide for it was sett upon in the Euening, as he was going home, by a party of the K's Life Guard, who, it was thought, would have killed him, & did allmost as bad knockt him down wounded him in severall This was the last ajourn^ places, & allmost cutt off his nose. ment in Christmas Holydayes. The House of Comons, when they
;
mett againe, so highly resented this actio that they voted nothing
should
be done in the
money Bussines
imagine
till
;
they had received

they
sattisfaction
it
about Sir J: C: his Business

28
for
had traced
thither whence they could not
it
should proceed; J^$
218
THE MATHER PAPERS.
1670.
therefore were resolved the actors should be brought to condigne
punishment, &c.
One
of the persons was taken, but found to be
vnder Comand in what he did, yet will go hard with him.
The
House
pson that comanded the guard that night

in
is
is ffled,
;
&
he not coming
the
Banished foreuer vpon pain. of Death
which
is all
it
hath done in this Busines at present, except making

the future, to assault any
fellony, for
member
a
.
of the House,
to
which the
Lords have not yet assented.
This done they went againe to the
Money
it,
Bill,
&
have laide
peri on
all
lands.
The Lords oppose
&
;
say they will be assessed by Comissioners of theire own.

its
But
supposed they must comply,
it
being a most equitable

to his abillity,
way
every
man
will then
pay according
what other
pticulars that
Subsydary
is
Bill consists of, I
have not yet heard, but
I think some pte
upon some comodity.

it lies
The Comons have
quite passed the Bill,

it
now
in the
Ld's house, where, while
is
debating, the
;
K. hath
ill
tie
resolved to be every day present in
pson, &c.
but
this is
taken by that House.

to
One
of the Lords
moved
that His
Ma
might be desired
withdraw dureing the
Debate of
psedents
this Bussines,
which was regular,
&
according to former
&
reasonable, that theire
may
The
Ld
Lucas was bould,
&
saide he
be no awe upon any, &c. would speake his mind the
rather, because the

for this
Money
Bill.
K. was there. He saide he knew no reason The K. could not want money, for he had
are greater, saith he, than they were in
more giuen him

the Conquest.
since his Restoratio than all his predecessors since
The Taxes
the Usurper's time, tho: then there was a standing
Army
of
many
Thousands
in constant pay.
They
to
talk of invasions.
The Burhearts too,
upon the people crease them, the K. may chance

thens are so gr 1
at such
allready, saith he, that if yee in-
want both money
&
an exegency,
if it
should come to be true, for his p* he
could not see to what purpose this
money should be given
the
K,
sixe
except to
make some
pticular psons keep theire Coaches
&
horses, which were not able before scarse to keep a horse.
He
;
protested he loved
& honord the

so
K.
as
much
as
any subject he had
&
he
knew him
to
be a prudent, kind
&
till
;
good-natured prince,
hi[s]
&
a potent prince,
lockes
;
&
was Sampson,
which
Dallilah cutt his
but then he became as other

this purpose,
men
&
a great deale more
he spoke, much to
rellish
;
it's
like the
it,
did not well

tell
but theire being so
much
of truth in
could not
what
1670.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE
REGICIDES.
219
it, coming from a person of such vnsuspected Loyallty. The Bill is not yett passed by the Lords. In the mean time the Comons are upon the 2^ Bill, viz. that of the addition to the ex-
to say to
cise.
There hath been a discourse again revived about a compre-
hension,
&
one
M5 Crouch,
a member, sent for some of our N: C:
Dr. Jacomb, Mr. Steele

tould
&
some others gave him a meeting, he
them
his
Designe was to serve them,

to
&
he could wish
he might be an instrum*
make up
the
breach
&
&
Bn
,
reconcile
moderate men.
the last
He
saide if removall of these 2 th: required in

viz. renunciation of the C*
Act of vniformity,
the assent
&
consent to the Service Book, would do them any considerable
service,
&
comprehend any considerable N- of

House,
their
he would
moue
2
th:
it
to the
&
see
what he could do.
They thankt him
for his kindnes,
&
tould him, that if he could puaile for theire
&
3 more, viz.
X,
Surpluce,
&
Kneeling, att least for leav-
ing the 3 last indifferent

to give
&
without injunction, they did not doubt
him a
faire ace? of their

it
party: he answered, that would
neuer be, for
was not
to be expected that the
Parliam1 would
;
meddle with any thing but what they themselves have imposed
which were onely the 2
Crouch, Bee. he
first
;
things
&
so they parted
&
I do not
heare of any meeting since

is
many
of the N: C: being jealous of
a creature of the Arch B. of Cant:,
&
was an
active instrum* in
promoting the highest circumstances about Acts

Conventicles.
of
Uniformity
&, against
it
Others for the same
reason looke upon
as a Bussines not to be slighted

it,
&
are con-
firmed in the beleefe of the reallity of

other circumstances, cheefely bee:
it
from the consideration of and that
seems now to be the wisdo

it
of the
is
B ps
to strengthen their interests as Protestant,
high time to looke about them,
when
the Papists are so bould
as to
shew themselves above board,
&
those that before wrought

in the face of the
alltogether in the darke, dare
shew themselves
sun,
&
walk
as other
men.
So
devillishly
impudent they are in
Ireland, as to send over a petitio to the
K,
subscribed with 13,000
hand3, for the restoration of their estates, which they stand depriued of for Rebellio, by lawes
now
in force.
But
this is
not
all.
But one
ffather
Talbot,
lately consecrated
here at St. James'
Chappell, Titular Arch

for Ireland,
Bp
of Dublin, went imediately from hence

to Chester
&
in his
way
was met by a great N of
Cheshire
&
Lancaster Popish gentry, who conducted him to Ches-
220
ter,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1670.
&
treated with open respect
&
reuerence.
When
he arived
at Dublin, he impudently
showed himself
in his scarlet robes,
&
other pontifical! ibus
rode so up
his Episcopall Jurisdiction, vissiting
The
titular
Arch B?
of
;
& down in procession, exersising & administring confirmation. Armagh, & many Irish preists & gentlefor
men
is
attending of him
which peice of Boldnes our Parliam 1
have sent an expresse

be guessed
is
for
him,
&
intend to call him to acc.

is
He
may
expected here every day.

att their strength,
According as he
dealt with,
which they doubtlesse are confident
not small, else would not have appeared at this rate, as they
I
haue done.
party here,
preferm*
;
am
tould that Talbot

it
is
blamed by some of
his
own
all
who
acco
a vnhappinesse that he was put into that
being a hott headed man, say they, he will spoyle
The providence of God may so order it that he may so do indeed. The good Lord blow vpon all the Hellish Designes of those Imps of the Devill, & infatuate their counsells, that they may be brought to nought. The good Lord
by appearing too soone.
Blesse
&
prosper
all <psons
&
things that as meanes
&
instrum ts
may any way

honorable
be serviceable to the pcureing
&
establishing an
&
warantable accord
is
among
ptestant professors.
But
no peace with Rome,
the hearty Desire of
him who
is,
&c.
To n r_ Ox-Ubô /-ex*
As
for our affaires here,
dences, for
we
rest at noon.
lick places
we are vnder strange & amazing proviknow where Ch* feedes his fHock, & makes it to The last sum r [they] were hunted out of their pubstill
which were
fitted for
convenient assemblies,
&
retiring
;
moving up & down from one place to anot[h]er maner have we quietly & peaceably continued our oppertunities in very great m ( ?) though not with so gr* conveniency, d r to this very day. It hath pleased God that the present L M., S
into private houses,
after this
R. Ford, [1670.
fairely, that
Prince.] haue behaved himse [If] so candidly

but adore the gr* goodn s
&
we
;
cailot
&
power of God
therein, meetings being continued de die [in]

lestation at all
diem without any mo:
or
if their
have been any, yet not worth memoring

vs rest,
&
thus doth the
Lord giue
&
not onely in this Citty, but
To Mr, Oxenbrhlge, from
1670.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

natio.
REGICIDES.
221
in
most other places through the
Oh,
that
we might be
9.
edified
&
walk in the feare of the
Ld
&c. Acts.
We
have
be
enjoyed a most amazing

follow
&
stupendious winter calme.

not,
What may
reaso
to
upon
this
wee know
;
nor have
wee
anctiously solicitous
sidering
tho:
still
many
thoughts
of heart,
con-
how
the
Ld
hath given us the heades of the Leviathan, to
be meate to vs in the willdernes.
For our
ptes, to this
day we
befall-
have constantly our sessions, without any interruptio once

ing us.
shoulders,
The weight
of the worke hath laien
upon
my weake
Teach r
,
by reason of the adge

1*
&
infirmity of our aged
whose dayes are yet continued

have not much of his labo
to vs, for advice
&
councell, tho
wee
&
paines.
Through
the
L ds
goodnes
he continues us a habitatio for Himse.,
&
hath not
left
us without
witnes of His favour, in gr l successe of His ministry in this
&
additions to us,
&
it
is
not a
little
refreshing to us,
Ch ch when we
,
consider
how God
deales with -the
hearts
of
many
:
yo:
ones
making them to spring up as the willowes by the water-courses, & making good that comfortable promise, Esay 62 5. Indeed it
is
the more, considereing the gr* degeneracy in the nation, by the

all
countenance given to the Debauchednesse of

titudes of Playes, the snares of
sorts.
;
The mul-
Danceing Schooles
the frequency
of
Maskes
the impudency of siners
&
lewd psons of both sexes,
doe both increase the sins of the land,

sort.
&
snares of the younger
The patience of God is admirable. We canot but feare what judgemts are impending, yet there is a considerable remnant that mourn over iniquities among
The land
is
filled
with
sin.
is gon through the land. We are not the better judgem ts which have been tremendious, nor for mercyes which have been oblidgeing to repentance. There is hardly any
vs.
Prophanes
either for
session of Pari* wherein the phanatick party have not the
sword
whett against them,
&
arrowes ordained,
&
new
pit
digged.
;
But such
God, that no weapon formed prospers & they who have s d come let us cut them off from being a peo:, that the name of Israeli may be no more remembered, have seen
is
the goodness of
,
all
theire
designs,
hetherto, defeated,
that
is
they prevaile not;
yet the old enmity remaines, onely

intangle affaires.
God
is
pleased to perplexe
&
The
it
afflicted
:
peo:
gaine ground continually,
&
their afflictors loose
and God
;
wroth with the natio, pov;
erty increaseth, trade decay eth
lands are fallen
few
men can
222
THE MATHER PAPERS.

of any state they have.
[1670.
make much
Gr* Taxes are
now coming
is
again upon the land, as to reall
&
psonall Estates, for that
the grand bussines of the Pari'- to raise moneys.
Of
late their
have been some extravagances by

night,
life
guard men.
sett
Sir J. C. a
gr e zealot in the House, for the comon good, was
upon
in the
&
his
nose cutt,
&
greatly indangered, which hath inkindled

;
to a proverb,
Act preparing to secure noses & now its grown Looke to your nose; for more have been attempted. As for forraigne newes, I shall refFer you to the Gazets, which I herew th send you, tho: wee give little heed to them, generally supposing them to be written very partially. The ffr: & D: have
the House,
& an
Some suppose its like now to issue been p rparing for a war. in an acomodation, & then whether will the ffr: move with their
army,
is
the enquiry of most
men
&
;
various are men's guesses.

others cant beleeve that
Some
tho:
suspect a design
on England
faesable.
For our
are
;
iniquities
God may make them

Papists
a scourge to us,
in
we
naked enough, I doubt.

so that the
grow very bould
England
House of Comons have hot Debates about

is
restrayning the growth of popery, which
yet agitated onely in

to desire the Lds'
Comittes.
Since
this, the
Comons hath voted
concurrence in an adresse to his
Ma
tie
for a Proclematio to execute
Lawes
all
against Papists, that they will stand by his
Ma
tie
against
forraigne papall power,

viz.
&
haue provided meanes against the
growth of popery,
vents,
preventing schooles of papistry
&
Con-
&
Bp
giuing instances of these in the land,

;
&
of
B pps
chosen
by the Pope
in
perticular,
one Talbot,
chosen by the Pope,

sent for to appeare
Arch
of Ireland,
whom
the
Comons have
before them.
The Building
of the Citty hath been accurately,
beyound
all
imagination.
I wish the triumphantnesse
&
magniffefor the
cence thereof do not provoke
God
to further wrath.
As
religio of the natio, their are gr* attempts to reduce all Christianity
to morallity.
Men
are
grown weary of
all
the spirit uallity, purity,
life
& pow
of
it.
2 T: 3, 5.
broadly in print reuiles
Chaplain, J)^- Parker, the Arch: nice the Trases series of conversio,
ps
&
&
processes of regeneratio, in compunctio, humilliatio, &c.

all
<fc
calls
the late preaching
&
Divinity, a
new framed
;
sistimaticall
Dutch
Divinity, scarse heard of 50 yeares agoe sevearely

Spiritual]
&
quarrells greatly,
&
rebukes
distinguishing of grace
the Morall.
ffrom virtue,
&
the
man from
But
I can but touch these things.
1676.]
LETTERS,
&C, RELATING TO THE

things to write hereafter
:
REGICIDES.
223
I have
many more
if
God
lengthen out
my
life & yours, I hope to give you a more continued ace": of the main passages among vs, that you may know how to order prayer
for vs.
.
Mf Baxter
also undertaking to write the

his
Cure of Sisme, hath
written bitter reflections on
B
to
So hath Zach: Crofton,

Newgate, but
is
during the
Place.
thence.
last
this
Major, had liberty to preach publickly in
who Dukes
But
Major sent him
Bailed out
A
may
3* Letter.
France growes strong by sea as well as land.

bring forth
What
this
sumer
we know not. Besides our other gr* sins, Blood toucheth Blood. Most barbarous murthers in the street. The Papists very daring. They say a vaste N of the old rebells have
petitioned for the restoring their lands.
Coll:
Varney, a servant
of the D. of
ed
;
Ormond,
set
upon by 3
Irish in the street,

I
& wound-
who was
a well wisher to the English interest.
heard they
to the Peti-
tould him, which he denyed, that he saide

tion
5000 hands
was subscribed by Lackyes
&
footmen, &c.
Two
of the
Irish are taken.
The K.
is
much
troubled about the murther of
the Beadle of the ward.
I heare the IC: gave

perticulars about the
.
Boxe on
the eare.
The
growth
hath been made to appear clearely to the

voted to assist the
papall power,
D. Monmouth a in Popery The Comons have

in adres[sing]
K. with Hues
&
fortunes, against all foraine
&c, and
sent to the
Lds
to
joyne
His
Ma
tie
to suppres the 3 Conuents of Fryars, 1 in

e
Eng:
&
2 in
Wales, or
contra,
&
in
the 3 Boarding Scooles where youth, 50 in
one, are trayned
up
Popery,
&
to
send for Arch-B p Talbot.
There stood a Citation on the Chappell dore of St. James', 4

dayes, to site one of His
Ma
ties
subjects to
Rome.
They
are so
bould,
&
wee that have not rec d
the truth' in the love of
it,
have
cause to feare the vengance of the scripture.
In the Catalogue of Books sold by Nath. Ponder, 1676, at the
end of Anti-Sozzo,
14.
sive,
Sherlocismus Enervatus,
;
is
this title,
The Rehearsal transpros'd the second part, occasioned by two letters The first printed by a namelesse author,* intituled
:
* Dr. Parker.
224
THE MATHER PAPERS.

The Second,
1(373,
[1679.
Reproof, &c.
3,
a letter
left
at a freinds house,
G. and concluding with these words. If thou darest to print or publish any lye or Libell against Dr. Parker, By the Etemall God, I will Cut thy Throat. Answered by Andrew Marvell, Esq r r Compare this with what you find in L. his letter to Mr.
subscribed J.
dated Novem.
Oxenbridge on the other
side of this paper, concerning
Parker the
Arch
B pps
Chaplain, at this mark,
PETER TILTON(?)t TO WILLIAM GOFFE.

These for
M
.
T.
D. present.
Worthye AND MUCH HONOUR

but mention, dated
R
,
Yours
July
30
1679
which I cannot
ch
18; '78
I receaued, crying
selfe,
full
howe wellcome
and refreshing
to
my
poore unvvorthye
(which as an honey-
combe,
I
to use
your owne similitude,
of pretious sweetenes).
would you did but knowe, being a semblance or representation

of.
of what sometime though unworthy e I -had a ffuller iFruition

I sent
you two Bookes of Coleman's
Trial, Pickering, Ireland, &c,

:
with severall other papers relateing to the Parliament
allsoe a
;
list
of the names of the Knights and Burgesses returnd
which I
of a
I
would
intreat
;
you
to
send
me
it
being borowed,
only,
neighbour
I being desirous
S.
you might have a sight
thereof.
have here sent you by

a safe hand to convey
P. tenn pounds, haveing not before

being a token of the love and rememup'pon their hearts.
it, it
brance of severall friends
who have you

great
We
have lately only,

dreame, with which
&c, which
of, as
that
newes of the King's three-fould
his thoughts
%
presume Mf Russell
was sore troubled and amazed, hath given you a full account
understanding he hath written to Hartford, that I neede not
* See page 222.
copy of " Anti-Sozzo," by Benjamin Alsop, London, 1675,

title
is
in
the Library of the Massachusetts Historical Society, bavins:, in the catalogue of books
printed and sold by Nathaniel Ponder, appended, the

t
quoted above.
This letter appears to be

of Hadley, and
till
in
the handwriting of Peter Tilton.
He was
one of the
first settlers
in L680,
|
and afterwards
representative for several years from 1665, and Assistant See Savage's " Geneal. Diet." the usurpation of Andros.
its
Rev. John Russell, of Hadley.
.1679.]
LETTERS,
<&C.,

on which he suddenly dismissed
said, of
225
all his
is
tautoulogize in that matter
Ould Counsell, and hath chosen a new, of which Shaftsburie

President, to the great satisfaction, as
people.
'tis
Parliament
is
&
Surely the discouery of that horrid plott
wonderfull
last
and how the Lord befooled that desygne in adjourning and at

dissolueing the
Oukl Parliament
the reasons whereof I suppose
are with you, with the wonderfull
awakening and alarming the
whole nation thereupon, insomuch that the D. of Y: and others
was glad
doubtles
to be gone,
else
it
is
realye thought the people would
The Lord hath some great worke by all these revolutions at the dore. I know what is writt from England by good hands, which I have by me, viz. that the most sober and wisest there feare that Black
Cloude hanging over the nation
Interest,
will breake
have seru d him as sometime they did Dr: L:
uppon the Protestant

in
hostilitye
France haueing made peace with those
against them, and haueing
now nothing but
to
accomodate belately receaud
twene the Brandeburg r and the Svveede, who have

a great overthrow by the said Duke.
land and navall forces, he'canot,
is
To
disband his great both
tis
thought, with secureity, but

all
therefore ffeared he
may,
this
sumer, turne
his
strength
against England, to doe that by force and violence which should
haue binn done,
at least
begunn otherwise.
But the Lord
reignes,
and can soone stop the breath of that swelling, blustering vapour.
I should rejoice to heare this so hopefull a Parliament did once be-
ginn to espouse relidgion to themselves so as to

the kingdome,
that Popish
make
it,
meane
name, and
interest of Christ, their great concerne,
and
the
prelaticall tirranye that hath so
long binn such a
scourge to truth and bane to the churches' peace might downe.

Certainly
if
Lord beginn once

till
to overturne, he will
goe on, and
never leave overturneing
He
hath given the Kingdomes of the
world into his hands whose right they are.

asunder the
spirit that is in Princes,
Yea he
will
cutt
and be dreadfull
to the
Kinges
your
of the earth.
Deare
Sir,
I hope
God
is
makeing way
for
enlargement.
the
In the meane time
my
poore prayers for you are,
Lord would make your

:
heart glad with the light of His
Coun-
tenance, Acts, 2, 28
and that the Lord of peace would give you

all
peace
all waves
and by
meanes
2 Thes: 3, 16.
Remember
P. T:
before the
Lord, your vnworthye

29
ffriend,
willing to serve you.
Vale, vale.
226
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1670.
LETTERS OF JOHN COTTON.
JOHN COTTON* TO
These For his Deare
HIS MOTHER.f
and much Honoured Mother,

at her house, in Boston.
rls
Sarah Mather,
Plymouth December
27
1670.
Deare
and Much Honoured Mother, The

all
last
weeke I
received your letter with
the things
you
sent, for
your love
:
&
care in which
'sorry
wee
heartily thank
you
&
our cousen
was very
when
I heard
you were
left
alone this winter season, but,

it
Deare Mother, you know very well that

be above them, to place your heart
is
many
yeares
God
hath bin weaning you from creature comforts,
&
teaching you, to
&
your hopes upon a higher
&
more steady
obiect
how many
faile
times, alas!
how many
times,
have you found the streames

found the Fountaine to
to be
dryed up, but you never yet
you, when your flesh
&
your heart
hath failed you, the Father of mercies

still
& God
of
all
comfort hath
bin your portion, your Rock, both for protection from evill
and many following
&
son
* Rev. John Cotton [H. C. 1657] the writer of

preached at Wethersfield, Conn. In 1664, formerly his father's Church in Boston
this
letters,
was
of the distinguished Rev. John Cotton, of Boston.
He was born March
15, 1640.
He
first
but the next month, upon acknowledgment, was again received into fellowship. From 1664 to 1667 he preached at Martha's Vineyard to a congregation of Indians and white people, and acquired a good knowledge of the Indian language. He was settled at Plymouth June 30, The next year he went to 1669, and retained his pastoral office there till Oct. 5, 1697. Charleston, S. C, and, having gathered a church, preached there till his death, of the yellow fever, Sept. 18, 1699. His Church erected a handsome monument over his grave. Notwithstanding the early blot upon his reputation, he appears to have been ever afterWhile at Plymouth, he frequently wards a faithful and extensively useful minister. preached to several congregations of Indians in the neighborhood. The whole care of revising and correcting Flint's Indian Bible, 2d edition, printed at Cambridge in 16S5, was
for several offences;
May
3,
he was excommunicated from the First
his penitential
intrusted to him. Allen's " Biog. Diet.; " Savage's " Geneal. Diet.;" Mayhew's "Indian Converts; " " Records of the First Church, Boston." t Mrs. Sarah Cotton, the second wife of Rev. John Cotton, of Boston, was daughter of
to the vicar of
Richard Ilankredge, of Boston, Fngland, and the widow of William Story. Her marriage Boston took place April 25, 1632. After his death she married Rev. Richard
Mather, Aug. 26, 1656, and died William G. Brooks, Esq.
May
27,
1676.
Family records
in the
possession of
1670.]
JOHN COTTON.
good
all
:
227
he hath said,
for supply of all needfull
And you know

the
I
is
am
Jehovah, I change not,
creatures are changelings, there

is
noe trusting in them, but
God
same
for ever,
He
alwayes
abideth faithfull,
&
cannot deny himselfe,
&
therefore although
you are alone, yet you may have most of the best company, even of Him who delights to be most neere to his poore children when they are most destitute of creature comforts & supports The truth is, I am soe sensible of your lonesome condition, that I would come downe on purpose to visit you, but that I feare the
;
weather, that
is
soe uncertaine
&
hazardous in the winter season
you have a
beleve
rich treasury of
will
Gospel promises to resort unto,
&
more to remember, that a Christian whilest in this world must live by faith & not by sight. I write this letter not knowing as yet by whom to send it, but I hope I shall meete with some body ere long, My wife intends by him that brings this letter, to send you a pound of flax That 3 shillings I sent to buy my bookes, I now write to my Brother Mather to take them to himselfe to pay for Lockyer's pills I would entreat you to buy for me 2 skaines of black silk, 3 yds of
; :
God
helpe you more
&
black cotton ribband, 6 yds of greene galoom, 4 yds of black,

strong, course ribbon
;
if
you take them up
at
Mr Atwater's
* shop,
all
&
adde them to
my
account for the cloake, I will pay him for

;
together in the spring
cloake
wife f is very well satisfy ed with her the things I write for I intreat you to send by him that
my
brings this letter,
whom
I will desire to call
upon you
;
for
them.
Mine
& my
wive's duty to
you with love
to coz
Simons.
hum-
bly beg your daily prayers to
God
for
me, that he would keepe

good, though unworthy,
;
me
in his holy feare,
&
delight to doe
me
that I
may
be a blessing in
my
generation
I rest,
Your
Pray send me
send them.
Dutifull Sonne,
John Cotton.
:
a peice of sealing
wax
If any letters for us at
Mr. Atwaters from Connecticott, pray
* Joshua Atwater resided first at New Haven, where he was representative in 1652; next at Milfbrd; and was an Assistant and Treasurer of the Colony; afterwards removed to Boston, in 1659. Mr. Savage calls him a " busy trader." " His daughter Ann married Jeremiah Durnmer, the goldsmith of Boston, and was mother of the famous Jeremy."
Savage's " Geneal. Diet."

t
He
married, Nov.
7,
1660, Joanna, daughter of Dr. Bray, or Bryan, Rossiter, of
Weth-
ersfield.
She died Oct.
12, 1702.

228
Dec:
29:
THE MATHER PAPEES.
[167,5-6.
I meeting with
I send
young Kempton
I
that lives at
my Cousen
Cooper's,
for
my
letter
by him, praying you to get what I write hope

it
ready at
your house.
will not be
call
long before I shall

to take
meete with somebody that may

brim* them to
upon you
them
&
me
JOHK COTTON TO INCREASE MATHER.

These for the Reverend, his Deare Brother,
M
.
Increase Mather, Teacher
of a Church of Christ at Boston.

Plimouth, January
3,
1675.
167.5.
[Prince.]
:
you to blesse God with me for Mf Holmes * died Dec: 24 The I have many serious thoughts what poore people are desolate. I mean the meaning of the Providence of God is in his death.
healing mercy to
Deare Brother, me &
I desire
mine.
espetially as to the season of
it,
he being one of those
who impute
these dreadfull frown es of Providence to our dealing with the Quakers,
&
the late publick Fast, Dec: 2: (which
was
his last publick
worke, except the Sabbath after) he said in

of God's frowne upon the
his
;
sermon he was of
but he heard not
the same minde as to that matter, as formerly
Prince.] f Jan: 19: [Dec. I wish I the newes coming to us but the same houre he dyed.
could heare you prophesy good to this land
these wars
pleasure.
;
Army
I should then beleve
The Lord fit us for his good end. wee loose Cnpt. Bradford J wee loose a great part and I, most of my comfort as to man. I beseech of our glory
may have an
;
If
you, pray earnestly for* his life, & wife salute you, & our sister
prayers for us, I rest,
if it
be not too late.
Myselfe
&
cousen Cotton, desiring your
Your
affectionate Brother,
John Cotton.
sick,
Many
persons
&
families are here
still
&
deaths renewed.
* Rev. John Holmes, minister of Duxbury, was at Harvard College

not take his degree.
t
in
1658, but did
Savsige's " <Jeneal. Diet."

is
The reference
to the fierce biittle of the
Narnigansett
fort, in
which the English
wounded. the Governor of Plymouth, was severely wounded, j Major William Bradford, son of but recovered. He was afterwards Deputy-Governor from 1(382 to 1686.
lost
seventy
men
killed
ami
hundred and
fifty
1676.]
JOHN COTTON.
229
JOHN COTTON TO INCREASE MATHER.

These For the Reverend, his very Deare Brother
Teacher of a Church of Christ at Boston
Present.
24: 1676:
M
.
Increase Mather,
Plimottth, November,
Rev d & Deare Brother,
have bin very

to
sollicitous
to
answer your desires with reference
matter for your History,
&
did therefore goe on purpose to our
Gov "*
1
with
your
letter
Wednesday, who then promised me to devote the next day to waite upon you in looking for what he might have usefull in that respect, & speedily to write to you concerning Alexander,! etc, & also he hath in his keeping something drawne up by our Secretary, which he intends to send you or what is meet, out of it. Also I have desired & obtained of Major Bradford, a Booke in folio
last
;
written by his father, which I shall send by the
first
opportunity
Pli-
by water;
if
I cannot send
it
by land. J
The Journall of
mouth beginnings I could send you, but I thinke it needs not, for you told me some passages in it whence I conclude you have Major Bradford hath another printed Booke, which that booke. Its title is Good Newes he thinks would well contribute to you. But he cannot finde it. He will doe his enfrom P. in N: E: If he doe you shall soone deavour speedily to helpe me to it. have it. I told the Gov r the matter required hast. I hope you
;
||
will very suddenly heare
from him.
My
was,
Dearest, being sagacious, did immediately coniecture some-
thing was amisse, which necessitated discovery, the fruit of which
&
is,
much
greife
&
bitternesse of heart
after
some houres
Tim:
this
1:
of secret lamentation,
God brought
finde
to her that 1:
15
with some power, which sustaines her heart in hopes, that even
that gratious
word may
accomplishment on
subject.
* Josiah Winslow.
f
Alexander Pokanoket, or Wamsutta, brother of Philip, and son of Massasoit.

dated March 20, 1676-7, in relation to the circumstances of his death.
See the
letter
X
Probably Bradford's History, printed in the Collections of the Mass. Hist. Society. Undoubtedly Bradford and Winslow's "Relation or Journall of the beginning and
proceedings of the English Plantation settled at Plimoth in

called Mourt's Relation.
||
New England;" commonly
Governor Edward Winslow's " Good News from

in 1624.
It is also
New
don
printed in the Mass. Hist. Coll., 1 series, vol.
England " was printed in Lon8, and 2 series, vol. 9*
230
THE MATHER PAPERS.

i
[1676-7.
Amen, Amen.
him
I
Once
a weeke, at least, be intreated to send for

;
&
converse with him
Who
knovves but
God may make you

you would write a
his father?
would
intreat
earnestly of you,
that
cordiall letter to
my
;
afflicted wife, to quiet
her heart
&
strengthen
her faith in
sin
God
that one soe deare to her
may
be saved from
&
be accepted unto mercy.
Our
soules are troubled for him.
Wee
for
it
heartily wish his hastening out of the schoole, that he might
be under your roofe

this winter,
&
eye, etc.
I durst not be soe bold as to urge

it
but I hope, in the Spring
may
be attaineable,
&
that your sophisters

I
may
be good Tutors to him, you being
President.
hope you are npt supplyed with a Barrell of Beefe,

aboard for you out of
&
therefore doe put
my owne
store a
Barrell of choice Beefe, which
may
it,
be with you the next faire

neither doe I desire
child
winde.
now
into
set
noe price upon

for
it.
you
to
pay me any mony
hope
my
may
ere long bring
me
much more
your debt,
&
I
I shall
make
conscience,
God
help-
ing, to send to the full for your satisfaction, in Butter,
&
other
necessaries for a family

to save
&
hope about
this
time twelve-moneth
you much trouble
in laying in
your winter-provisions,
&
halfe in halfe of the prizes
My
selfe
&
you now pay upon those accounts. wife heartily salute you & yours, with our kinde
I thanke
love to our cousens.
you
for
my
late courteous enter-
tainement with you.
Wee
beg your prayers

2 or 3
it
for
me &
late.
mine.
strong
man dyed
here this weeke.
men more
be too
are judged
I rest,
neere death.
Sir,
The Lord awaken us before Your Affectionate Brother,

the booke.
John Cottox.
Clark posts away this
will bring
.
The Major hath found

Saturday sunset.
books.
M
a
I hope on
Monday
man
you the

These For the Reverend, his Deare Brother,
M Increase Mather,
r
Teacher
of a Church of
Christ, at Boston.
Per Capt. Paige.

19:
Plimoutii, January,
167G-7
Ui:v D
& Deare
Brother,
I
r
wrote
at
to
you
last
weeke by
Smith who was once school
your end,
&
informed you
1676-7.]
JOHN COTTON.
in
231
one
of
Gods holy hand
bereaving us of our deare
litle
it
pleased
God
last
Saturday to lay a sore Affliction also upon our
Good Elder,*
11 moneths
after,
bereaving him of his daughter,

delivered of a living son
who had
bin married
(3
& was
&
dyed within
houres
communion 4 or 5 yeares, ever The good man begs your since she was 17 or 18 yeares old prayers for him, who indeed never met with such an affliction before I hope you have received mine by way of Hingham, & desire to heare from you, you may write by M r John Alden,f who intends to returne this way to his vessell early next weeke I pray
she was godly
in full
: :
&
looke also for the paper of Queries I sent you about Nov. 27
some breife answer to them & if you have opportunity, desire Mr Thacher to give you the letters he had prepared to send me which came not. My lads went once & againe
please to returne
;
&
to his house,
but he was absent,
&
though that child by God's

blessing save the lives
Soveraigne hand be removed, yet directions in such a case (lying
by us) from persons of

of
skill,
may by Gods
many
others,
to
&
therefore I desire his lines,
&
pray present
my
due respects
him, with desires of his prayers for us.

is
Capt. Churchy
gone with some
to
Road
Island, his Leiftenant,
Jabez Howland
with others are to meete him at Rehoboth next
to be about an 100 English & Indians, the Lord succeed them. Your Jether is a pretty litle boy, about June next he is 7 yeares old it will be some time before he doe you service, but I hope he will be soon capable of good Instruc-
Tuseday, they intend
tion, he
can truly answer that Ques:
Who
made him?
My
if
selfe
&
Dearest heartily salute you
&
yours.
She
is
most
for
desolate and pensive,
&
did yesternight fall afresh to mourning, as
she had nothing else to doe, I hope your lines
may come
her direction
&
comfort,
& for
mine
also
our love to our Cousens,
Let us have your earnest prayers

Affliction, I rest,
for a sanctifyed fruite of this
Your
* Elder
Affectionate Brother,
John Cotton
Thomas Cushman,
and died
el<let
son of Robert, the pilgrim, was chosen Ruling Elder in 1649,
after Brewster,
t
in 1691,
aged eightj'-three years.

in the
Probably the
son of the pilgrim of that name.

Indian wnrs.
in
Captain Benjamin Church, distinguished
Jabez Howland, of Duxbury, was a lieutenant
King
Philip's
War, and
a repre-
sentative in 1689 and 1690.
232
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1676-7.

These For the Reverend, his Deare Brother,
Mr

Pli mouth March
19: 16?
:
Rev d & Deare Brother,

filled
I could
have desired
it
1'
kept your booke * a few days longer, whereby

with marginal notes of Erratas.
to have might have bin
& Magistrates] had some cursory perusall of the booke, the mistakes are Judged
Our Gov
to be
many more
then the truths in
it.
Our Gov r
&
Mag's doe
I
affirm that
Alexander was got home before he dyed.
am
in
a great straite abo[ut] your boy,f the Treasurer J hath obtained a sutable boy for your service, & the little one is r d to Ben:
.
Church againe
Jether
my
wife being gone westward I cannot cloath this

:
as I
would
am
in
doubt whether
it
be best [to] send

is now now want,
;
now him
fit
or not.
I incline to send him, partly because he
to cut
your wood,
&
goe to mill, which service you
&
Thesaur: goes
now
it
:
will not faile to give
to Boston, who I suppose will see you you him great thanks & acknowledgments for his
respect to
you
not
in
I decline sending him, because I have not
yet an order from you soe to doe,
What
I shall resolve in the
morn-
ing I
know
shil:
if
he come I suppose the
Boatman
will expect
2 or 3
for his passage,
though they
tell
me
not soe, nor will
they take ought of me, nor aske ought of you, but I thinke such a
summe must
noe more
:
be profered,
&
if it
be taken, I
clad,
am
glad
it
costs
you
I received
him meanely
&
:
cannot put on him more

I send
then these black rags for want of
my
wife
my
sister a i'ew
Egges
by the
last boat I sent
her some cabbages
&
cranberries.
I feare for want of a written order,
my John
might take them

give her a good
J: C:
home, but know not how it is. Hearty remembrance to you &
time.
sister,
The Lord
Pray
for
your Lov: Br:
The
writer evidently refers to Hubbard's " Narrative of the Indian Wars," which
was
t ^
printed in 1677.
Probably an Indian captive.

.Judges
viii.
J
J,
Constant Southworth.
20.
1676-7.]
JOHN COTTON.
March
233
20:
Deare Brother,
at present not to
Upon
after thoughts,
it
seems to
me
best
send your boy, because you desired
me
to keep
him
you had occasion to send for him, therefore by these I only informe you that the [boy] shall be readily sent you, when you
till
please to send for him.
now send your imperfect History Good Mr Newman* preaches our Election Sermon,
is
it is
not his
turne, but because he
newly come out of the
fire,
ergo he was
chosen.
Philips
If you have more

not.
boy goes now to be sold \ Almanacks then one,

:
etc.
if
not I desire
it
Major [Brjadford confidently assures me, that

de Alexandre* [there a]re many mistakes,
in the Narrative
lest
you should through misinformation print some mistakes on that subiect, from his mouth, I thus write Reports being here that Alex: was plot:
& fearing
ting or privy to plots against [the E]nglish.
Authority sent to
him was
come down, he came not, whereupon [Ma]ior Winslow J sent to fetch him, Major Bradford & some others went with him. At Munponset river, (a place not many miles hence) they found Alex: with about 8 men & sundry squaws, he was there
to
about getting canooes
he
&
his
men were
at Breakfast
under
same
* Rev. Noah Newman, minister of Rehoboth, son of Rev. Samuel Newman, of the place, was settled in March, 1668. Allen, in his " Biographical Dictionary," and Bliss, in his "History of Rehoboth," p. 57, say that he died April 16, 1676. The town
records give the date of his death April 18, 1678.

session of the Congregational
The date on a
is
silver cup, in the pos-
Church of Seekonk,
April 16, 1678.
Mr. Savage, in his

is
" Genealogical Dictionary," adopts the last date as correct. died in 1678; but
take,
it is
There
no doubt that he
the
strange that both Allen and Bliss should have
made
same mis-
and so great an error, as that of two years. The fire spoken of in the text refers, without doubt, to the burning of Rehoboth, by the Indians, in March, 1676, when forty houses and thirty barns were destroyed. Mr. Newman behaved with great courage in a conflict with King Philip in July, 1675, when he headed a small party of his congregation and a few of the Mohegans, in attacking and
pursuing him.
Mr. Hubbard, in relating this transaction, says "he deserved not a little commendation for exciting his neighbors and friends to pursue Philip, animating them by his own example and presence. See Bliss's "History of Rehoboth;" Allen's "Biog.
Diet."
t also
X
King Philip's son. See Davis's edition of Morton's " Memorial," appendix, p. 455; appendix to this volume. Major Josiah Winslow, son of Governor Edward Winslow, was governor from 1673
forces in Philip's
to 1680, in
mouth
which year he died, Dec. War.
18,
aged 51 years.
He was commander
of the Ply-
30
234
their shelter,
THE MATHER PAPERS.

their
[1677.
guns being without, they saw the English
coming, but continued eating,

Alex: freely
& M: Winsl:
telling their businesse,
&
readily, without the least hesitancy consented to
goe, giving this reason
why he came
him
r
not to the court before, viz.,
because he waited for Capt Willet's returne from the Dutch, being
desirous to speake with
lier's first:
They brought him
to
Col-
that day,
& Gov
Prince then living remote at Eastham,

at
those few magistrates

bly,
who were
hand, issued the matter peacea-
&
immediately dismissed Alex: to returne home, which he did
part of the way, but in 2 or 3 dayes after, he returned
&
went
to
Major TVinslow's house, intending thence
to travell into the
Bay
&
soe home, but* at the Major's he
water conveyed to Mr. Bradford's,

shoulders of his
men
to
Tetehqut
sick, & was by & thence carried upon the river, & thence in canooes home,
was taken very
&
about 2 or 3 dayes
after,
dyed
After this there was great solemnity in the Congratulating Philip's
coming
from
at
all
to
the crowne, by the flocking of multitudes of Indians
parts,
Sachems
;
&
others, with great feasting

1*
&
rejoycing
pose,
Mount Hope this caused the Gov Aug: 6. to doe as the memoriall
to call a
saith.
meeting on pur-

\_Th~]ese
\_F~\or the
Reverend, his Deare Brother,

CJirist at
Mr
Increase Mather,
Teacher of a Church of
Boston.
14: 1677:
Plimouth, April
Eev d & Deare Brother, Soe much confidence I have life you, that I durst to put my in your hands how it comes passe that you, my most intire friend, have endangered my losse my best friends here, besides all that reproach those concerned the Bay will lay upon me, you will enforme me in your next
; :
in to
of
in
went
last
Wednesday
to visit our
Gov "; who had

1
lately received
:
letters
from Mr. Ilubbert

saith,
& Mr
Dudley, informing thus
Mr
Hub:
Mr John
Cotton one of your preachers hath writ-
ten to his Brother Increase Mather, that
some of your magistrates
1677.]
JOHN COTTON.
were as many mistakes or untruths
in the
235
booke as
lines,
said there
this
he had from
Mr
Allen,
& Mr
Thacher,
who
said he heard the

to send to the
letter read,
&
of these ministers advised

:
him
Govr for satisfaction Mr Dud: writes sharply & reproachfully of me for what I wrote to you Our Gov r is angry, & sent for
:
the Treasurer, the day before,
&
:'
possessed him as
if
he were the
maine man
booke
tur,
whom
D:
I intended
but
when
came
to put
to the
Govr
told his honour, that divers magistrates spake of mistakes in the

:
Mr
& Mr
H:
desire our
Gov r
:
an Imprima-
&
to assert the truth of the
booke
I told the Govr; I hoped
he would returne noe answer that should entrench upon the truth
of
my
:
words, for I would assert that I had written nothing but the
the
said, the most considerable mistake he observed, was about the taking of Peter, & Moseleys taking prisoners as he went to Narrogansett, for he tooke none, but went by water from Prov: or Warwick, to Mr Smiths. Other mistakes were more circumstantiall I am at a losse what to write at such a distance my desire is that you would honestly tell me why you trusted J: A: havinge litle reason to expect but that he would make mischeife of it. I am certaine you intended noe harme to me, but if you doe
truth
Govr
not improove your piety

subject,
I
&
prudence
to suppresse discourse of this
am
hoping for your answer to

pray for
my
am,
last
de John
my
selfe
&
wife heartily salute you

;
God's dealing with her
& us & &
yours, longing to heare of

ours, I
Your
I
Affectionate Brother
John Cotton.
am
in great trouble of spirit,
straitened for time, soe that I
cannot write to you as I would about this matter, I lack to speake

with you, I hope
trate
my
r
letter
you keepe
close
I finde noe magisis
disowne
his
words,
write
:
&
therefo[re] truth
my
friend, but I
feare lest our
Gov
not write what I thinke

tence
is,
some kinde of Attestation, etc. I dare Pray write to me, what the very sen-
which I wrote about mistakes, verba[tim.~]
236
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1677.

TJiese
For
the Reverend, his
Deare Brother,
Increase Mather
Teacher
of a Church of Christ
at Boston.
Plimouth, June,
19: 1677:
Rev d & Deare Brother, As yet I heare nothing from answer to any thing in my you in 2 last letters to you, the Elder tells me, you say you have a paper of my fathers concerning Toleration, I have
it
it
not, therefore I pray
you not
to faile of sending
to
use
ford
me by this opportunity, it may now be of some considerable to me & others I thanke you for your booke, Major Brad:
&
Mr. Southworth returne you
like thankes for theirs, this
day I sent away

shall soone
Mr
Hinckley's *
:
& Mr
Walley's
f the other 3 to
be sent also
I doubt if
you had sent one

last
Mr
it
Arhis
nold he would not have had strength enough to have read

life;
in his
he
is
not yet dead, but told
me
weeke he expected
is
great change before our day of Thanksgiving (which
on the
morrow)
cease not to pray for him while he lives
In thoughts
about the Ques: propounded, some things occurre, which I desire
your Judgment about

not be agreed upon
Viz, whether a publick confession might
&
subscribed unto,
&
none
?
to be tolerated for
publick worship but such as consent therein
Whether they can

it
be tolerated that in their publick dispensations declare

sin or Antichristian for
to be a
any of
their
members
to hold
communion
with any churches that are not of their perswasion? such are to be tolerated
&
whether
gover-
who
revile
&
reproach the
civill
nment, the churches or ordinances of
Xt?
I
other things are in
my
hath
to
minde, I
shall be glad to
have your Judgment of these or any

:
other things relating to this matter
am perswaded God
this
put an opportunity into the hands of the Elders of
Colony
doe some good service for his name,

yet
&
though wee are very weake,

prassi-
who knows
in
dentiall
God who made this poore Colony renewing covenant, may discover something
but that
also about this matter.
of his
a holy
minde here
Rev d Mr. Walley

I perceive he
is
is
man
&
will
be our great leader.

:
very studious
about the Ques
pray earnestly for God's prescence with him
&
* Governor Thoinns Hinckley. Probably Rev. Thomas Walley,
of Barnstable.
1677.]
JOHN COTTON.
all
237
glory in the manageis
with
engaged, that
this
God may have some

:
ment of
behalfe
that
solemne
affaire
I perceive
John
under your roofe,

his
I need not say, you

:
know my
soules desire to
God & you on
By
a letter from Capt Oliver yesterday I understand
you preached a choice sermon June 10: in your owne meeting house; I hope you will not much borrow the helpe of young
weake Preachers,
he
till
a pretious sermon: Concerning Ger:
you have warmed the new house with many Hobart * (because it may be
may sometimes helpe you) I will write a true narrative, & it may be you may doe me right at one time or other He denyes to pay me rent & sayes I owe him 30 shil: Now Judge you I
: :
desired
him
to
preach for me, promised him some reward as
God
should enable me, but mentioned not a word of a particular

in
summe, though
him
my
heart I ever intended 10
shil:
a sabbath
but because he was forced from his worke, I had such respect to
as to write to our Elder, etc. to
move
for a contribution for
him, upon
my
motion they contribute
&
give him betweene 30
&
40
shil:
in silver,
&
because they looke upon him as low, our

shil:
Deacons added
&
gave to him 10
in silver
more, out of the

shil:
Church-Treasury,
&
when he came
to
Boston I gave him 30
in silver for his preaching here 3 sabbaths,
which was the utmost I
could doe
&
yet this disingenuous
man, though he had almost 4
d
,
could malapertly charge

that
is
till
out he will
me with owing him 30 shil: now, & pay me nothing, when I told him, I prom-
him noe particular summe, he reply ed, the bargaine is then yet to make: truth is, the case is soe with me, that I cannot forgive my rent, if ever ought be due to him for preaching for you, I must assigne you to take it, for I shall make conscience to pay
ised
you
as fast as I can for
Johns board
I write thus largly, being

if
desirous that this letter
may
be findable in your study,
ever
there be occasion to discourse G:
H:
thereabouts, either with or

;
without
siring
me
My
rest,
selfe
your prayers for
& wife heartily salute you & yours deus & ours, & hoping for a good full letter
John Cotton.
home
at Gro-
from you, I
Your
Wee
* Rev. ton,
daily expect to have your call of your servant
Gershom Hobart, son of Rev. Peter Hobart, of Hingham, was ordained

26, 1679.
Nov.
238
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1677.

These for the Reverend his Deare Brother
Plimouth, January
1:
1677.
Rev
&
Deare Brother,
Those
it
Gallants
that
said
at
Boston they would come were as good as

their
&
keep Christmasse, (you know where)
word.
How
was celebrated I know
not.
Taunton man must take the infection at Boston & goe home, and 3 or 4 dayes after come downe to Plimouth and soe to Duxbury, & there in a few
not.
it,
Our Gov r us I know
is
troubled with the gout.
What God
that a
is
doing with
Soe God would have
dayes dye of the small pox.

with any else but the
Wee
doe not heare that
it
is
begun
woman
of that house where the
man dyed
hath bin
ill
these 2 dayes.
The Lord
I
fit
us for His holy will.
I intreat of
you
to spare
my
it
cousen Cotton to buy these necessary
things mentioned in the note.
know not who

life
else to request
such a kindnesse of;

gratify
&
this
being a matter of
&
you
death, pray
to
me
herein.
Wee
also earnestly request of
send us
what is good to prevent it must be ordered & attended. If any oyle of tarre be to be had, if you send any I will send you money for it. My selfe & wife present due respects to you &
disease,
it
your Judgment of
&
how
persons visited with
yours.
Desiring your prayers for us, I rest,
Your
Pray let my Page his bond.
be due to
affectionate Brother
John Cotton.
exact copy of
cous: write
&
now send me an
Mf
will
must take some order about what shortly

I send forty-three shil: in silver to
me
therein.
buy
what the note mentions.
1677.]
JOHN COTTON.
239
JOHN COTTON TO INCKEASE MATflER.

For
the
Reverend
Mr
Mather, Teacher of a Church, at Boston, present.
Plimouth June, 25
1677
Revd & Deare Brother,

you)
Mr Shove
was
this
day at
my
house; as he passed along to Barnstable, (for your booke he thankes
&
told
me
that in
Mr
H's history, things are strangely
falsi-
owne words) he much commends your History, & sayes had Mr H: followed your Narrative he had showed more my request to you is, that you will prudently of your owne truth accord (unlesse you see weighty reason to the contrary) write a letter to Mr Shove, & desire him to acquaint you with the misI doubt not but he will takes he knowes to be in that booke
fied, (I Use his
; ;
readily grant your desires, for he freely asserts
many
things to be
it
notorious,
&
if
would be of good use

it
you had the particulars If you see meete

:
in writing, I beleive
to write to him, pray
doe
now by Mr.
Clarke,
soe you
&
send
it
hither, because here he will call
next weeke,
&
may
soone have an answer
Our due
salutations to
you
&
sisters
&
cousens, craving your
prayers, etc., for
me &
mine, in great haste, I rest,
Your
John Cotton.

These
For
the
Reverend, his very Deare Brother,
Increase Mather,
Teacher of a Church of Christ, at Boston, present.
Plimouth, October, 20
1677
Rev & Deare Brother,

d
Yours
:
I received
&
the bookes,
;
7 of those which
came
as
fast
first
are sold at Bridgwater I can

at
I will en-
deavour to
sell
as
is
I entreat
you
to returne
by
Will: Clarke,
who
now
Boston, an answer
in writing
Walley, probably daughter of Rev.

Diet."
* Rev. Gecrge Shove, of Taunton, married for his second wife, in 1674-5, Hannah Thomas Walley of Barnstable. Savage's " Geneal.
240
to
THE MATHER PAPERS.

following request,
[1677.
which I affectionately make to you Cousen Cotton,* your son, that he may live here with me this winter God hath given him grace, & his learning is above what those of his standing have usually attained
:
my
viz.,
concerning
my
unto, whence he
is
able to doe
good
to others
&
you know
it
is
recorded as the honour of your blessed father, that at 15 yeares
was called to be a schoole master, & why may not his Grand- son have it put into the records of his life, that before that All the worke age he was accounted worthy to be soe imployed
old he
:
I would engage
him
to should be to be
Tutour
to
my
John,j-
&
(if
Rowland's
soe
Teacher, he shall be sure,

all
God
helping, not only of
a comfortable board free of
charge, but returne in
March
'
you please) with 5 p d of silver in his pocket, though none else should improove him I doubt not but that many would be glad to improove his helpe for writing & ciphering, & would give
:
him a good reward

mentioned
for his paines, but I
would not urge
for
more
then you see meete at present, only assure you the reward above
shall be faithfully paid for the service desired.
Most
Deare Brother,
this
I professe I
have had
it,
many
serious thoughts of
motion before I made

;
&
cannot frame any Arguments
of weight in opposition
you cannot but thinke
my
wife
&
I
I (to
both
whom
him
he
is
deservedly very Deare) shall be as tender of him
as the hearts of his tender parents can desire, benefit

in his learning as
& although
cannot
you can, yet the Logicall
&
:
Theo-
Mr. Stone, which I tooke in writing from him may, I question not, be of good use to him in his studies I intended a more large & better studyed Invitation of my kinsman, but coming this day from Taunton, & the boat going before
loîcall notions of
morning, I
salute
am
cut short of
my
purpose
My
is
selfe
&
wife heartily
you
&
:
yours
&
him, pray be intreated to send

I hope the motion
me
a speedy
&
comfortable answer.
in
it
of God,
my
heart
is
much
pray for us, I am,
Your
It
John Cotton:
may
be his being here

:
may
prevent his having the small pox
this winter
God knows
* Cotton
t
Mather was then fifteen years old. Davis. John Cotton [H. C. 1681] was horn Ang. 3, 1661. His son Rowland [II. C. 1085] was horn Dec. 27, 1667.
1677.]
JOHN COTTON.
241
JOHN COTTON TO [COTTON MATHER].

Plimouth, December,
11: 1677:
Charissime Cognate,
love
1
am
heartily ingaged to
you
for
your
&
respect manifested in your Epistles iterated

(if
&
reiterated.
hope the next winter
God
till
then spare us) wee shall not

voce discourse as
to
need to write one to another, but
may vivd
now
hell
wee cannot
The power of Satan

is
in hurrying soules
;
through divine permission

execution was
loosen the rope
night after
dreadfully amazing
man
of Sandfull
wich about a fortnight since had his neck within the rope, but
prevented by his
:
Brother's timous
approach to
in the
Dec: 4
before day
&
till
some time
was here such a dreadfull storme,

:
as hath not bin
knowne
that
these 28 yeares, viz. Jan: 13: 1649
the sabbath before

first
it
your blessed uncle (now in heaven) preached his
sermon in
meeting house lately consumed.
In
this
towne
blew downe
one dwelling house
&
one barne,
&
killed nigh
an 100 geese,
it
which were next morning by sundry taken upon the shoareside,

could attend
was with us a day appointed for publick Thanksgiving, but very few
it,
a humbling providence
That man of Sandwich
who
he
is
the
weeke before had almost

(the top of
I
it)
killed himselfe,
was by the
fall
of his
owne house
:
almost killed in this storme, but
a while this winter.

:
send by Starkey for John to be with me Your paper-messenger at their returne shall be very welcome though your Aunt have noe salutations from you, yet by me she heartily salutes you, soe wee doe both, & your father & mother. The God of your father, love & blesse you foryet spared
now
ever, so prayes,
Your
Houses
this
Affectionate Uncle,
John Cotton.
in other
&
barnes
many were blowne downe
townes by
*
storme.
31
242
THE MATHER PAPERS:
[1677-8.

Barnstable, March
21, 16
7 7

d
am now
in pretious
My Wal-
ley's study.
Just going to the publick worship, this Fast Day.

expected before the morrow.*
His death
is
poore, bleeding,
mourning church.
I
The
post goes for his son; in great distresse,

affec:
am your
Bro:
J: C:
Our
glory
is
almost gone.
!
Ah
poore Plimouth Colony

his
AVee conclude
death before this come to you.

Plimouth, March 25
;
'78.
Deare Brother,
I tooke
The Fast Day above mentioned prooved

On
holy
soe
rainy, that they sent not that day to Boston.
Friday morning
my
last leave of that
man
of
God, who yesterday,
about the time of his usuall going to the publick worship, entered
into his aeternall Sabbath.
In the whole time of his languishing
he had sweet peace of conscience.
The peace
of
God
did rest
upon
that son of peace.

I asked
He
told
me
;
he found as much need of
Christ as ever.
part to the ministry.
His reply was

;
him what counsell from him I should imhe was not worthy to combut said his desire was, that the ministry
mend any
thing to them
their
would keep
istry, yet I
garments pure,
&
is
added, Methinks the Magistracy
walke close with God. Pie more decayed then the Min-
doubt not but the best minister in the country sees a
need
to reforme.
He
did solemnely incourage

;
me
with hopes of a
blessing
upon my ministeriall labours & said wee must part, but I leave you with confidence of meeting you againe with joy. Many young ones at severall times whilst I was there, flocked to
his bed-side, to
whom
he did with very great seriousnesse
&
solem-
nity of spirit give this counsell, that they should highly esteeme
of
&
improove the Covenant
(said he) not a small thing for
some have despised
it,
God had made with them. It is God to say, I am thy God, though hope they are now of a better minde.
24, 1677-8.
* Rev. Thomas Walley died March
1678.]
JOHN COTTON.
243
The children of the church have peculiar promises made to them, & a peculiar interest in the prayers of the church which are for their owne members. These individuall words & many more, did he more then once utter in my hearing last weeke to church-seed. That blessed mouth is now silenced.
Our church have appointed next Wednesday

His Funerall
last
is
for a
be.
solemne
fast.
on Thursday, where I thinke to
I wrote to
you
Monday, thinking
this
my
sons would soone have bin with you,
but crosse winds have hindered.
may have
sent this
&
that.
The first faire winde I hope you The messenger from B: to MT Walley
If he had, I had written
called not at
my doore
yester evening.
&
by him.
JOHN COTTON TO COTTON MATHER.

To
my
Beloved Cousen,
M
I
Cotton Mather,
at
his
Father's
house
in
Boston, be these presented.
Plimouth, July
11:
1678
Deaee Cousen,
speake, but
it
make noe
question but
it is
your turne to
being the longest day' in the yeare, I will spend a
few minutes to salute you,
&
your deare
parentis, desiring
& hoping
omnia
that at the returne of this boat

lines
you
will
bestow a few salutatory
upon me.
Election newes wee have have none but

Treat's *
was very choice great Acknowledgment. & esteemed by all Judicious, worthy of I shall be glad to heare that the Lord continues health in your family. Is the commencement & your commencing established? j Let us know whether the goods be come from O: E: My wife is Your fathers daily ill, the Lord knowes what the issue will be God love you & delight to blesse you, Soe prayes John Cotton. Your truly loving uncle,
ut priiis.
Mr
Sermon on Dan:
5:
27:
* Rev. Samuel Treat [H. C. 1669], son of Governor Robert Treat, of Connecticut, was
minister of Eastham, ordained in 1672.
f
Cotton Mather was graduated
in 1678.
244
It is very
tell
THE MATHER PAPERS.

long since I heard from Cambridge, pray
sons doe there, informe me,
if
[1678.
you can
how my
&
whether the small pox

I
be there?
Whom
doth Charlestowne call?
would know whether
Ratcliffe will take
wheat
for his
worke.

Tliese
for
the
Reverend his Deare Brother, Ml Increase Mather, Teacher of a Church of Christ at Boston.
Reverend & Deare Brother, It is soe long a heard of or from you, that I am almost sick of it, &
greedily embrace
this
Plimouth, July
15: 1678.
time since
doe there-
fore
opportunity to
salute
you,
hoping
thereby also to heare of the welfare of you

ing time by that infectious disease.
it is
&
yours in
this affect-
a day of health with us.
Through God's great mercy The Lord helpe us to improove it

to turne our health into
aright, that
wee may not provoke Him
sicknesse.
God
hath gratiously blessed meanes for healing those
distempers that were soe afflicting to
my
wife
soe that she hath

spetiall
now
her health comfortably.
It is a
day also of
mercy
Christ,
with me, through the rich

in respect of the sweet
&
undeserved grace of
God
in
with
me
in this
Church,
& hearty closing of the spirits of the godly & the great encouragement & advantage
Lord's worke.
I have found desire
is,
thereby I have to doe

afflictions
my
God by
by such
preparing mercy for me.
My
that
choice mercies I
may
be duly prepared for afflictions, which I have

of.
oreat reason to be in continuall expectation
The church
&
;
people
to
of Barnstable
appointed a Fast
last
Thursday on purpose
to accept their call
beg of
they sent
God to me
to
bow
Thacher's * heart
that
to carry
on the worke of
I never
day, which through God's helpe I did.
They
are exceeding unan-
imous
&
hearty in their desires to inioy him.
saw more
day
will
affection manifested
on such an account.
I suppose this
* Rev. Peter Timelier, afterwards minister of
Milton.
See notes by Rev. Thomas

4 Mass. Hist. Coll.
Prince, to a letter from Rev.

v. 28.
Samuel
Phillips to
Thomas Hinckley,
1678.]
JOHN COTTON.
to
245
I thinke
come one from thence

you may doe God
soe earnest
goe to Mr. T: for his answer.
&
His people good service in advising

Myselfe
&
per-
swading his father to be willing to gratify their desires
which are
&
serious.
&
wife present hearty respects

is
&
love to
you
&
my
yours.
I suppose your son
at
Cambridge.
Oh
all
pray for
mine,
poore sons there.
I beg your prayers for
me &
&
rest,
Your
Affectionate Brother
John Cotton.
.
I long for good newes of your Agents returne.
July, 16:
Last night I was called out of
my
bed by one of
my
neighbours,
who brought an Indian with him, who with the rest of Namasket Indians was this night run away from thence hither, by reason that yesterday a grown lad of Ketehte[qutt] (about 4 miles from
was fishing at the river & heard a gun, & then more guns, upon which, getting upon a hill not far from the wigwams he saw above 20 Indians assault those of Ketehtequtt &
Namasket)
fire
upon them
&
surround divers of them.
He
supposes
all
are
taken or slaine.
The
flying Indians beleve the
boy
saith true.
If our Lnglish at Namaskett, Bridgwater or Taunton,

in a vicinity thereabouts,
who
are all
hand us any confirmation of

it,
this story
before sealing
tale
;
you
shall
have
else
it
may
passe for an Indian-
but because of what was done about Natik wee are
now
prone to suspect some truth in such reports.
Before sealing, the truth of the matter comes to light, viz.

a scout of
their
Punkipaog Indians coming to
their
countrymen
fired
guns in way of salutation.
The boy
seeing this at a distance
was frighted
vanish, if
&
fled
with the other report.

a favour for
Soe
let all
such stories
God have
&
please to deale gratiously
with us
246
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678.

These for the Reverend his deare Brother
r
.
Increase Mother, Teacher

Plimoutii, August
26:
1678

d
wrote to you by
every
my
Cousen
our
John
last
weeke, since which, dear Cousen Cotton hath bin
our pleasant companion.

minerall spring,
He
frequents,
morning,
&
findes the sutable operation thereoff.
If you
had once tasted

mouth,
hereoff, I beleive
you
will leave
Linne
| for Pli-
&
then wee shall oft enioy your good company.

is
looseth not his time but
a diligent student.
;
He
is
Your son much de-
lighted with this pleasant aire
& now &

;
then intimates his feares
of going into the jawes of infection

71071
but he ownes himselfe tui
sui Juris.
He
is
thinking,
&
once said, he thought there
might be some
spetiall
providence in his being here detained.
My
John Cottons have to Hampton, whence I cannot soe conveniently transport him home by land, and I suppose it would not please you, neither am I willing, to send him home by the boats. I had much rather at their returne have. a commission, or at least permission for his stay till wee are weary of But if your fatherly wisedome him, & that will be long enough. & love say that he must returne to your house speedily, then at the returne of my horses I must (though against my, yea our Godly Mi affectionate desires) take care for his safe returne. Baker J dyed Aug: 22: at night, was buried Aug: 24: About a fortnight since came into our Harbour a Privateer under the command of one Capt. Daniel. The Master is Solhorses the 2
i
omon Blacklach, son to the old man once They stole away Rodes from New Yorke.
feare of
resident in Boston.
I doubt
abominations are here acted in secret by those
many hellish who have not the
God
before their eyes.
They pretend a commission from
* t
J
Probably John [IT. C. 1678] son of Senborn, the writer's elder brother. There was a mineral spring of some celebrity in Lynn. Rev. Nicholas Baker was ordained at Scituate over the first church in 1G60, and died
August
(j
22, 1G78, aged sixty-seven years. Mr. Savage mentions Solomon Blackleach among the sons of John Blackleach, of Salem, freeman in 1635, and an active merchant.
1678.]
JOHN COTTON.
and designe to take French
vessels in
247
your
the States of Holland,
Easterne parts.
Wee
heartily salute
a constant interest in
you & our Sister. Let me your prayers. I am,
&
mine have
Your
The Small Pox
of
it
John Cotton.
4 or 5 are now sick
Since John Sunderit.
is
increasing at Eastham.
that dyed of
it
since the
man
there.
lands grandson had that desease his

are both recovered,
owne son hath had

there
They
mercy.
&
none
else
taken, through
My Thornton
* hath
begun
&
practised the
Synods 5th Prop: in
baptising sundry.
There are 5 or 6 dissenting bretheren.
Your
booke of the 11 th principles

in
&
de
Bap:
I wish 20 of them,
Yarmouth, they might be of great
use, to establish the un-
setled, etc.
If you could convey this to Deac: Eliot, f Elder Bowles % might
soone have
it.
presents humble duty to you & his mother, love, etc. Pray send by this boat the footstoole I left & could not finde for want of sufficient morning light. Nath: I suppose knowes of it.
Your son

These for his endeared kinsman
Mr. Cotton Mather,
at his fathers house
in Boston.
Plimouth, November,
15: 1678.
Most Deaee Cousen, of God to you in that you

as the Palme-tree, that
I
are
!
greatly rejoyce in the goodnesse
made whole,
It
is
&
I fceleive
you are
your growth in grace will be more eminent
by the
Christ
late depression,
Amen
is
good
for a
man
to beare the
yoke in his youth,
&
happy
that soule that can take the
yoke of
upon
it.
The
gentlenesse of your Affliction,
&
your soe
* Rev. Thomas Thornton, of Yarmouth, removed

Mather's Church.
f t
to
Boston
in 1677,
and joined Increase

Boston,
Jacob
Eliot, of
John Bowles, of Roxbury, Ruling Elder.
248
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it,
[1678.
speedy deliverance out of
(wherein soe
much
;
distinguishing
grace doth appeare) laves you under a very great obligation to
endeavour to your utmost

enlarge you therein.
to be
doing for
God
&
the good
Lord
Your
Boston
bibles
:
letters I received,
but the bookes of which you write
are in the hands of another boatman,
who
is
not yet
come from
In your next,
for
tell
me what
the
binding of the two
cost,
they belong not to him that ownes the other,

distribute
&
I must righteously
the charges with

all
my
2 neighin
bours.
letters
Your
letter, I thinke,
answers
I desired of
you
my
sent before I
knew
of your sicknesse, except
Commence-
ment Theses, which

have not one.
Ordination, 27
salute
I pray send
me some
me
if
of,
by the next, for I
The
th
enclosed I intreat a speedy conveyance of, for
I earnestly desire him to meete
he can at
Mf
Norton's *
of this instant.
Myselfe
&
wife most heartily

etc.,
you;
soe doth John, Betty,
Rowland,
to
yourselfe
&
the rest of our Cousens.
The Lord
blesse
your generation.
you & prepare you Soe prayes

affectionate uncle,
be a rich blessing in
Your
John Cotton.
to Cos:
Pray send me word when your father writes

for I
Tuckney,f
would send when he doth.

at Boston,
Plimouth, December
2:
1678:
Reverend & Deare Brother,

to deliver
The
is
Gov
1"
promised
me
my
whole Indian salary to any to
whom
,
I should as-
signc
to
it.
I intreat
you
to take the trouble of delivering the note
him
&
receiving the
money which
22 or 23 p d I know not
* Rev. John Norton [H. C. 1671] second minister of Hingham, was ordained Nov.
27, 1678.
t
Jonathan Tuckncy.
See note
to his letters.
1678.]
JOHN COTTON.
:
249
I have hopes that 10 p d of what I may leave in your hands for your use upon the same account, you had the
which, certainely
20 p d of Cap* Hull, only I cannot

it,
at this time absolutely
ingage
is
because the hand of
the*
Lord
it
in this Infectious disease

is
now
as neere
my
house, as Sanders his shop
to yours
&
;
if it
please
God
to visit
my
family I doubt
will cost
me more
triall
:
then that in
otherwise I
necessaries from Boston, for such a time of

d
shall not soone call for that 10 p from you I am uncertaine of an opportunity of sending againe this winter, & therefore doe at
a venture charge this
word
to
ri3
of 10 p d upon you but I write not a Tappin about it, because you yet have it not, only I
bill
; ,
request you,
send to the
when you have received my money of the Gov r to widow to come to you to receive the money, & to give
it,
you a
receipt of
credit
&
withall desire her,
from me,
to give
me
soe
much
on her booke.
which I also wrote to P: as yet
it
My
last, in
is
by you unanit is
swered.
I would hope
will be successfull.
If I heare
not,
if I live till after
Feb: 17: I shall take speedy course to prepare
for a sute at Aprill Court, the
good Issue of which,

your
far me to
is
for recovery
of.
of Principall
&
Interest,
good lawyers doe assure me

selling
James
I sup-
Pemb:
pose
spare
it
saith
is
you are about you

to
G: White.
a mistake.
to helpe
it.
My
care hath bin,
&
will be, if
it, if
God
you
life,
money
telles
as fast as I can for
resolve to sell
He
speakes to
longer injoy the farme, but
me to know whether me not what termes my

.
he
may
hope
Brother
I
Cotton propounds to him, nor what you say thereabouts.
none of us
will aske lesse then
for I finde this
about 30 p d in silver per annum, other pay at the Tenant's termes comes not to much
more then
halfe the
summe
to
answer
my
ends.
Wee
more
cause
shall be very glad to hear that
&
more.
Wee
begin to
Cousen Maria doth recover looke for our day of visitation befor
it is
soe neere us.

all
My
cousen John could be very glad to

it,
heare that
your family were past danger of
then he
hopes
is
his
sick
Deare Cousen Cotton would keep him company when he but that is too great a favour for us to hope for, of it
:
yet a
mercy wee should abundantly blesse God however, our earnest request to you of triall now by writing communicate your experiences,
;
for in such a
is,
that
& tell
till
day you would us what you
doe every day, from the time they are taken

32
the height
&
250
afterward.
practice
THE MATHER PAPERS.

I doe account your observations
[1678-9.
from your ovvne

else.
may
be more usefull then any thing
If
you
also
will-
write the particulars you use, I will take care in season,

ing, to obtaine them.
God
With due
respects and love to you, desiring
your prayers for us, that

that
wee may
be prepared to meete
God
&
you may have a comfortable
issue of your present trialls,
I rest,
Your
John Cotton.
Lacksimons told me
last
weeke that M? Pynchon hath brought
over 20 p d due to his wife for 2 yeares rent from old Boston. If d come also ? Pray informe me about it. soe, why is not our 10 p
.

These for the Reverend his Deare Brother,
M
.
of a Church of Christ, at Boston.
Pltmouth, March
12:
Keverend & Deare Brother, I wrote to you last weeke by M Saffin. One passage in your letter I forgat to speake to, viz. my buying a house at Boston, which thing indeed was a reality
r
16^J.
the last yeare, for I had treaty with one

injoy his house)
(who
is
not likely long

is
to-
about buying his house

lot,
&
land, which
very
much
of
for a
Boston
neither doth
;
it
stand in
much more danger

if I
fire
then mine doth here

this
and
doe beleive
had come
to
Boston
I
winter as I use to doe

for
it.
when
the desease was not,
had made a bargaine
I therefore in
what I wrote I
pre-
tended not a thing that was not, but by what I

not any obstruction of proceeding with you,
desired in
to,
let
if
now
say, I intend
(as I
you please
my last)
to set
your lowest price you resolve to stand

Also
about sute, for I
& how
long you can waite for some of your money.
me know your minde

to recover the
safe
am
sollicitous to be in a
way
bond of P:
for
If he have since paid you, I hope
you have the bond
my
use
&
service.
By
the
Com-
missioners or this boat I desire to heare from you.
Last Monday
afternoone, just upon the great thunder-clap, died our poore Treas-
1681.]
JOHN COTTON.
251
urer.*
jaundice.
That day six weekes he was taken sick with a feavour & Major Cudworth f labours under the same distempers, & his condition is very doubtfull. The Lord raise up a succession of godly faithfull ones. With due love & respects to you & my sister, from myselfe, wife & cousen, etc. desiring your
earnest prayers for
me (who am
but crazy
&
infirme) I rest,
Your
John Cotton.
etc.
All of us present hearty love to Cous: Cotton,
Tell
him
wee thanke him

day
heartily for our
Almanacks.
his
Wee
are going this I wish Ens:
to Treas:s buriall,
&
ergo cannot write to him.

for I
Greene had
my
letter,
want
Answer, with the Cate-
chismes I wrote to him
for.

These for his endeared kinsman Sir Mather, at his father's house in
Boston, ddd.
Plimouth, April
19: 1681:
Endeared Cousen,
love
I have ever cause

&
it
to
acknowledge your
&
care of
my
dear child,
for that alone I oft
owe you a
letter of gratitude,
which though
writing
be slender requitall, yet being
the best I have at present, I desire

diate occasion of
may
be accepted.
The imme-
now
is
by you to acquaint your father,

dayes, but, for scanda-
that this
day past I spake with John Cooke, f. who was a member

this
&
Deacon of
church in
My
Rayner's
lous persisting in offence, he
was Excommunicated.
He
hath
* Constant Southworth. f Major James Cudworth, of Scituate, 1634, was an Assistant in 1656-8, DeputyGovernor in 1681, and the same year agent to England, where he died, soon after his arrival. In the early part of Philip's War he was commander of the whole force of Plymouth Colony.
J
John Cooke came with
his father in the

difficulties
Mayflower.
He was Deacon
at
Plymouth,
but removed, on account of

of Dartmouth in 1676.
with the Rev. John Rayner, and settled as minister
He was
passengers in the Mayflower.
living in 1694, probably the oldest survivor of the male Savage's " Geneal. Diet."
After a ministry of $ Rev. John Rayner was a graduate of Magdalen College, 1625. eighteen years at Plymouth, he removed to Dover, and died April 20, 1669.
252
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683-4.
which M? Clarke was Pastour.
Road Island of him who sent him that booke, superscribed, To Brother John Cooke of Dartmouth, (Russel's booke). He answered, one of them in Boston I asked him whether he had ever bin at their Lord's Supper? His Answer was Noe, but he had twice taught amongst them on two meetingsince joyned himself to the Anabaptist Society in
I asked
;
dayes,
at
&
that the church of which he was, at the Island,

all
&
that
Boston did hold Communion together upon
occasions.
This
Cooke never sought Reconciliation with this Church, joynes to communion with them at Boston. I would not have my name mentioned, but doubtlesse it is an aggravation of their sin, who can admit a justly Excommunicate to preach amongst them.
J.
the Anabaptists at R. Isle, holds
Due
respects
&
salutations to your parents, etc.

rest,
Praying that
you may increase with the increases of God, I
Your
affectionate uncle,
John Cotton.
Newes from O: E: would be
a kindnesse.

These for his much endeared kinsman, Mr. Cotton Mather, Preacher of
the
Gospel, at Boston.
Most deare Cousen,

sending
You
first,
make me your debtor by
soe
great a readynesse to comply with
my
desires in
any thing,
&
me
such good Epistles.
Had your 2ond

I should have
page had noe

lesse cause
worse intelligence then your

of greife then
ours also
did give
;
had
now I have. The Lord heale those breaches, & Our Gov r & Magistrates, being desired by the church,
to us,
some advice
it
in a
paper worthy to be written
in
letters of gold, (?we
judice), but our contentious Lord-bretheren
deemed
not worthy of hearing the 2ond time, or of desiring

be
left
a copy to
of
it,
which our mag's did take notice

in
of.
The Ch: went

cillj
apart,
&
have chosen 5 churches to meete

Bridgwater,
Coun-
18
(
!
instant,
Barnstable, Taunton,
Duxbury,
Marshfeild.
Your
&
your
father's prayers will not be wanting.
1685.]
JOHN COTTON.
them be more then ordinary, that I may
253
finde mercy from you heare of my
Oh,
let
God
in this day.
What
further proceedings
brother,
&
how
it is
with our son there, please to informe.
Our
Salutations are respectively to each of our Eelations with you.
Our
fathers
God
I am,
love you.
When
will
you come
to
us?
Yours
affectionately,
John Cotton.
Plimouth, March
I hope
11. 1683-84.
Mr. Eppes hath
my
letter I
left
with you for Cos:
Tuckney.

These for the Reverend, his Deare Cousen
M
.
Cotton Mather, Pastour
at Boston.
Plimouth, January
21: 1685.
was very welcome, as The good effects of your every thing is that comes from you being here are, &> are likely to be such, that I am sure you will never have cause to repent your last coming to Plimouth. Blessed
last
:
Rev d & Deare Cousen,
Your
be God, you
with thanks
left
a pretious savour that will render your next
appearance amongst us a joyfull day.
Your Almanacks
I accept
&
love, the
pay expected.
Wee
sit
longing
(&
yet
trembling) to heare what newes
MT Jenner*
brings,
who
this
time
etc.
12 mo: brought tidings of the condemnation of the Charter,
But God can make 86 Lord increase tokens

soe.
cheticall
it.
as peaceable as
for
85V hath
smiles
bin,
Amen;
is
the
good, a
spirit
of prayer
eminently
cate-
I rejoyce greatly to heare that
God
upon your
is still
worke.
I have, through grace, found a rich blessing in
My
M.r
.
Eliza, your
illnesses,
hath bin lately
&
exersised
with bodily
follow.
but I trust in free grace, soule-health will

:
Love's last sermons are her constant companion
Keep
her neere your heart
when you
are at prayer.
She presents
your tender
affectiqn-
due love
Respect
&
Respects to you,
;
& very thankfully accepts

(as
to her soule
Y[our] good mother
you are
* Thomas Jenner, of Charlestown, captain of a ship.
254
THE MATHER PAPERS.

threatens
[1687-8.
ately pleased to style her)
paper-representative.
I hope the good
much to mood
assault
will shortly
you by a come
Fathers'
upon
with
her.
You
have her
& my
hearty love by these presented,
due salutations to parents

fill
&
our Cousens.
Our
God
all
you more abundantly with His Holy Spirit,
&
crowne
in
your holy
&
painfull labours with that successe
&
blessing that
your soule
him,
est
desires,
&
give
you a cup brim-full of consolation
your most disconsolate houres.
He
is,
will
doe
it.
Oh
pray for
(my endeared kinsman,) who

strongest bonds
letter, deliver as the
Yours
as his
&
owne in neerJohn Cotton.
Cos: Dennis
former.

M
.
of a Church in Boston.
Plimouth, March
8,
B,ev
but
& Deare
Brother, I
16|.
wrote to you
it.
this
winter,
know
not whether you have received
I waite with
some
earnestnesse of spirit to heare of the progresse of your motions
towards O: E:, resolving I must come

before your going.
&
see
you
(if
God
permit)
fast,
This day past our congregation kept a
with reference to the present visitation, so that I
am
too weary
now
to write, but
Rowl: * going
to
night,
I have but leisure
to salute you,
&
to request, if the
attaineable that
his
you would now It would be a seasonable mercy from God collcdge debt.
if it
5 p d for his scholarship be favour him with it, to discharge

to
me
in
be
now
to be had.
If
it
cannot, I desire to be con-
tented,
&
is
must seeke some other way.
But
I conclude,
if it
lye
dis-
your power, your brotherly kindnesse
will helpe.
The
temper
escaped.
almost removed out of our Towne.

all
Hardly any have
pray for
Due salutations to you & me & mine. I am

Your
yours respectively.
John Cotton.
* Rev. Roland Cotton [H. C- 1685], afterwards ordained minister of Sandwich, Nov.
2, 161)4.
1688.]
JOHN COTTON.
255

These for the Reverend his truly honoured brother
M
.
Increase Mather
London.
Plimouth, July
9,
r
.
1688.
Eeverend & most Deare

brought noe newes
friends hope
last
Brother, Though M
arrivall,
Foy*
your
Thursday of your
safely at
yet
all
you are long agone
your desired Port,
&
in
spetiall service for
God &
His
interest, f
Very awfull
& considera-
ble changes haye attended poore Plimouth since your departure from
our Gurnett
by reason of the motions de Clark's Island, J the Committee of 7 men chosen by the Towne to manage that affair were at soe much charge as necessitated our people to ingage by
;
John Foy, mariner, of Boston. Increase Mather had sailed for England, April 7th. J Nathaniel Clark succeeded Nathaniel Morton as town clerk of Plymouth and secretary of the Colony, in 1685 He was appointed by Sir E. Andros a member of his Council, and became one of his tools. The story of his connection with the affair mentioned in the text is so well told by Dr. James Thacher, in his " History of Plymouth," that we give it in his own words: " The island in Plymouth harbor, called Clark's Island, contains a little more than 80 acres of fertile land. It was upon this island that the first Christian Sabbath was kept in New England, for it was the earliest resting place of the Pilgrims from amidst the storm which they encountered on the night of Friday, December 18, 1620. while coasting along the bay in their little shallop, before their final landing. These circumstances may have led our fathers to attach a superstitious reverence to this spot. It was neither sold nor allotted in any of the early divisions of the land, but,was reserved for the benefit of the poor of the town, to furnish them with wood and with pasture for their cattle. "The avarice of Counsellor Clark was attracted to this island, the hallowed ark that had rescued his fathers from the mingled horrors of a night-storm, upon an inclement and unknown shore, and in succeeding years the support of the destitute and the wretched. His master made the wished-for grant, and accordingly, on the 3d of March, 1687-8, it was surveyed and laid out for his use. Immediately, in defiance of arbitrary threatenings, and the heaviest denunciations, a town-meeting was called, and a firm and united resolution was adopted to reclaim the island at every hazard. A committee was chosen to collect subscriptions to defray expenses. Amidst the indignation of his townsmen and neighbors,
f
He immediately arrested the committee for levying taxes and they, together with the town clerk and minister of Duxbury, were bound over to the Supreme Court at Boston." In April, 1689, after the news reached America that the Prince of Orange had landed in England, and when the people of Boston had seized and imprisoned Andros, the inhabitants of Plymouth seized upon Clark, put him in irons, and sent him to England in the same ship which carried back He subsequently returned to his native town, where he was treated with his master. neglect and insult. Dr. Thacher has printed a portion of the above letter on page 154 of the
'
the Secretary stood alone.'

his majesty's subjects,
upon
second edition of his History. Clark's Island was sold by the town, in 1690,
to the possession of
it.
to
pay the expense of defending
its
right
256
free
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1688.
&
voluntary subscriptions to reimburse them,
&
also to vote
;
the securing
this
some Lands
till
the
money was
paid to them
for
Lorkin fetches the 7 men with a Writ, charging they had
resolved
& &
raised
Law,
&
the
the rate,
money upon His Majesties subjects contrary to Towne Gierke, godly Deacon Fance for calling for Mr Wis wall * for writing the paper to be subscribed
;
3 pd. 7 sh. a man, besides
all
personall expences that journey cost

shil:
them,
&
a
Wiswall nere 20
after his
goe
are
till
weeke
Lorkin made him pay halfe
more because he could not first arrest by reason of lamenesse, a crowne a day for that weeke all 9
:
bound over
to the Superiour
Court
at
Boston, July 31,
&
our godly brethren
&
neighbors are likely then to be considerably

I hope by these ships you
first
fined, besides all costs of Court, etc.

will
after
have a more substantiall Narrative, or by the

this
opportunity
approaching sessions.
was entered upon the good

O: E:
worke of
collection for something to be sent to a friend in
&
should, doubtlesse, have bin successfull therein, but this blow

is
hath soe blasted the designe, that there
not likely to be
money
enough
unlesse
to
keep our best

in
men
out of prison without borrowing,

to prevent
is
God
mercy appeare
pitty
the evils impending.
How much
Dcare
mention
wee need
&
prayers
manifest.
The good Lord
appeare for His name's sake.

Sir,
Last weeke good old

for helping
Eliot f showed
me
a letter
he had prepared to send to M? Boyle,
in
which he doth particularly
Sincere Convert
ticular
him in translating, etc. Shepard's Sound Belever, & moves him to some paracknowledgement of it. I greatly hope your interest in
my name,
&
friends to the Indian-worke
may
obtaine that for

is all
me
that
may
greatly shorten
my
;
debt to yourselfe, which
the grand worldly
trouble I have
&
unlesse this motion be successfull to attaine the

to
end desired I
that I
in
must be forced
your
letters,
goe to O: E:,
if liberties
continue,
is
may have something

for
to get out of debt.

if
Much
waiting
N: E:
which
they be incouraging for young
schollars to
come
over, I doubt the Spirituall famine
you prophe-
* Rev. Ichabod Wiswall, of Duxbury, having prepared a writing, for the purpose of was fined and suffered various He was agent to procure a charter for the Colony from indignities from the Governor.
establishing the right which the town had to Clark's Island,
the English government in 1690.

t
The Apostle
to the Indians,
whom
the writer had assisted in his translations into the
Indian language.
1688.]
JOHN COTTON.
come
speedily on this poore land.
257
Myselfe
sied of will
&
wife
most
heartily salute you, wishing
you
all
possible prosperity
in prayer.
&
safety.
Let me
&
mine be ever upon your heart
Our
good Elder presents due respects to you, & soejoe thousands more every day.
I take leave
&
prayes hard for you,
&
subscribe,
affectionate brother
Your very
John Cotton.

These for the Reverend M!" Increase Mather.
Plimouth, September
10, 1688.
Reverend & Most Deare Brother,

ings to hear of
After
&
restlesse long-
&
from you, yours by the
Isle of
Wight
affoarded
much comfort
can
tell
to all that
had bin praying
for you.
God
that
hath begun to show the greatnesse of his power
goodnesse
who
what
He
can, what
!
&
for
His name's sake
fully into
my
minde,
He will yet doe for His poore people, When I read your lines it came powerWee ought to lay downe our lives for the
if
not greatly deceived you you went & since also I could hardly perswade myselfe that you would adventure into the Royal prescence, with resolution, soe to speake & declare as you
bretheren.
Verily, good brother,

that Scripture
;
am
have
fullfilled
before
have done, but I
am now
fully
perswaded, that in a cloudy night
you had wrestled with the Angel by prayers &, teares & prevailed for a blessing, & thence was strengthned thus to plead with man. The good Lord grant the issue may be as comfortable
as
the
beginning
befall
is
encouraging.
Well,
feare
my
God
dearest
Brother,
assured
whatever
all will
you or become of N: E:
to,
Interest, I
will
am
have cause
&
all
that
acknowledge
you have now hazarded your life for the name of the Lord & for the sake of His litle despised flock in this wilderI doe not know, nor did I ever heare that ever any one nesse.
that
Jesus,
man run
this
soe great a hazard attended with such circumstances for

It will
people as you have doiie.
adde to your crowne in the
258
great day
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1688.
&
for ever,
whatever your
trialls,
conflicts
&
censures
The Lord strengthen your heart & hands in His worke, and grant you in this your service, the blessing of Abraham,
may
be here.
viz. to
be a blessing to this whole land.
How
farre
Plimouth case
was
carried the last Superiour Court, I suppose
W:
Ph[ips] as yet sub judice his

if infinite
est,
you heard by Sir but hard measure is ex-
pected
mercy prevent not. Our people are soe impoverished by the management of this unhappy Island, that the promises for my salary this yeare are thirty pounds short of what I had the last yeare & how much shorter the performances
power
;
&
will be I
know
for
litle
not, but hence
it is
that I can obtaine promises of
very
done,
litle
O: E:, though something I hope will shortly be
&
may
be better then nothing.
Some
difficulty there
was among the Commissioners many yeares agone about setling good old M? Eliot's salary, & once a lessening of it, he
writing to the Corporation obtained a
full establishing
is
of his yearly
revenue during
his journey's
life,
fifty
pounds.
The good man
hastning to
to betrust
end,*
&
telles
me
sincerely he hath
none
the
worke with
after his death
but myselfe.
If your occasions
&
interest invite to converse with the President
&
Treasurer,
&
can obtaine fixing such a

is
summe
for
me
at least
done, I hope you will soone be paid what I
when his owe you, which
you worke
is
indeed the greatest concerne
& &
difficulty I
have
in this world,
&
to
were
it
not for which I should not have troubled you with
some
lines as I
have done once
againe.
God
hath given a son
my
John.
dearest joynes with
My
me
in
most hearty salutations of you

for us
&
am
prayers for you.
Wee
beg your prayers
&
ours.
Your very
People being
is
affectionate brother
John Cotton.
left to their
Liberty, maintainance of the Ministry
likely to be
brought to nothing very speedily.

Boston
Sept: 21, 1688.
Deare
ing jy-
Sir,
Yester evening came the ship from London with

the hearts of
it is
such tidings as
filled
all
that feare
How
good a thing
to trust in
God,
God, with exceed& to committ
He
d:ed
My
20, 1690.
1 1688.]
JOHN COTTON.
to
259
to
our
way
God.
The good Lord who hath begun
show the
greatnesse of his power
&
goodnesse, in mercy perfect that which
concernes you and this His people by you, that being secured from
your enemies, you may returne with fullnesse of blessing to

place where constant
this
&
fervent prayers are going for you.

litle
I shall
account myselfe not a

freinds here,
obliged to you
if
among your many
you will give me a line, who am, Dearest Brother, Yours most intirely, John Cotton.
260
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1672.
LETTERS OF JANE HOOKE*
JANE HOOKE TO REBECCA RUSSELL.

These for 31rs Rebeckah Rvsall f at Hadly in New England. Pray Leav y" r Increase Maders at Boston in New England, to be sent. Letter with
month
24 day 72.
My
der beloved,
I & we
Lord
in to
al
do reioyce to her of yovr wel-
fare for sovle
&
body, as for the in
com
of the sperit yov are no
stranger to, blesed be the
for free grace
& mercy.
Conserning
yov both,| by ovr hands, we long Beloved thy to her how safe thay be arived <& com safe to yov. anchint kindnes to me & mine the Lord reqvite, I thank yov most
kindly.
what mercy s the Lord sent
Al your
in the
& our
freinds very wel, prased be the Lord.
You
has
are
delt
now
hands of a dre [dear]

estat,
&
sweetest fay r
who
wel for you in your low

;
&
given you
many an vnexhis dealings
pected mercy
it
is
good to
trvst in the
Lord, oh
&
dispensations has bin marvelovs for
you
to svpport
yov vnder your

svpplid with
present trials
his
&
absent from relations.
The Lord has
own
presence, that what yov have not yov lacke not.
Pray
if
things be
com
to
hand
let
vs her
& know
As
is
right factor for yov, ye or noe.

betr hands, as for Holand, that
for
whey r we have playd the Newes yov will her from
almost swalowed vp by the
French
&
the Bishop of Mvnster, the high
&
mity
stats the
Lord
for
has hvmbled
down
to the dvst, the sivill state quite broken.
As
O: E: we are
sinns
in expectation daly
when
the
Lord
will visit vs for ovr
&
horid blasphemie. as for the contempt of the Gospel by
parliment
&
highr powers, the Lord will never pvt that vp, thovgh
Noah, Job,
&
Daniel
&
Moses wer
here, they shovld bvt delivr
* Wife of Rev. William Hooke. See note on page 122. t Rebecca Russell, the second wife of Rev. John Russell, of Hadley, was daughter of
Thomas Newberry,
Warham
Bell,"
I
to plant
Mr. Savage says that " he was engaged to go with of Dorchester. Windsor, but died before his migration " but under the name " John Rus;
he locates him at Windsor, instead of Dorchester.

Goffe and Whalley.
This
letter,
though directly addressed
to
Mrs. Russell, was evi-
dently intended in part for the Regicides.
1677.]
JANE HOOKE.
261
bvt their
own
sovles.
Ovr
freind
Kate
&
Nane
kind
&
Kate very wel,

S: f has bin to
Nole *
wel
you,
is
very low of groth but his
M
to
saves he lerns his book prity
&
savors of the best good.
I her
how
al
from ovr blesed Creator.

please to
B.[ecky] pray for
me
that the
Lord wovld Lord

evle
for his
make known
me
his electing love.
Vpon
The
consideration
&
loking in to
my
sovle things are very sade.

faith
mercy sake fvrnish me with
&
patience aganst a
day that hasten on. Oh that Christ righteovsnes [may be] impvted to me or else I am vndon. Dere B. forget me not ner
my
great chang.
The Lord be with yov. Yovr Loving
Sistr
J.
H.
JANE HOOKE TO INCREASE MATHER.

ffor
Increas Mather Minister of the Gospell in Boston
New
Ingland.
Keverend
Sir,
The
last
day of the 5 mo.
my
husband did
reseve a kind letter from you, blesed be the

wel, but I was sorry to here that
Lord that you are so N. E. had made no better use
of the Lord's stroke upon them.

the afares of our brethn in N: E:
We
&
are
very
much inquiring much troubled to
after
here
of the great distreses that have come from the hethen slaying
&
murdering so many,
over dos mension,
&
firing so
many
for
plantations as your book sent
(many thankes
your book to me).
S r your
sorrowes
sisters
is
ours
&
your comfort ours.
I hop your brethn

truly I
&
I
here dos simpathise with you,

it,
&
am
sorry
when
think of
that
we have not rein our brethn no more, but

at the
:
this I
am sure of, we forget you not in our prayers Sf give me leave a little to speak to you
,
throwne of grace.
Great
&
very sad
is it
here.
this
Trading decay
&
our sins has
made
sade worke
among
us.
we cannot but see, the holy God is highly displeased with us becase we hav not brought forth frut sutable to abundance of mercyes resived, The Lord help us to set upon the work of reformation as wel as humiliation. Now had we bin a people as had
* Probably Goffe's wife and children, or near relatives. t Probably referring to the bounty of Richard Saltonstall, See letter of Edward Collins, on page 134.
Jr., to
GofFe and Whalley.
2f>2
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1677-8.
walked close with

love than
God we mou^ht
done.
have bin in a case to show more

will not hold out to tell
we have
But my paper
is
you the sad

saints
&
desperat cases that
among
the Lord's presious

!
who
crye daylie for help.
Poor Ministers
purses
that
it
the
Lord our
last [refuge]
must be looked
to,
made here
poor.
&
there, or else
starved, glad to get bd to eate
&
is
Children keep at
schoole by beging only.
Sr
I think
would have pleased divers

:
If
we had
the same lott as Ireland (
? )
Maders pray
for us.
is
Christ has said, in the world you shal have troubles,
& man
born for sorrows as the sparks that
fly
upward.
A
us,
sweet blessing
above the worlds glory
to
have our peace made with
God by
Christ.
Some
some
help.
think N: E: to be rich,
if
&
have no need, but I have told

fires
we should have
so
many
among
we would
cry
am
glad the old Cloathes were of any use to our brethn
with you.
Sr
I was willing to do a
the
little,
being incouraged by
Noyse.
Now
Lord preseve you
&
:
that
you may
live to see
N: E:
in her former state of plenty
I beg your prayr that I
may
6
live to the
Lord.
I m. 8 day. 77
am your unworthy
sisty
Jane Hook.

These for the Rev'd Preacher of the Gospell
ton,
M Increase Maders,
r
.
at
Bos-
New: England
the old
cloathes
Rev d S r
few more,
promise
Hering
it
how welcom
him
;
were to
those poor ministers the last yeer, I have adventured to send a
&
I toke order to
to
have
I
it
paid,
&
M!" Jese did
me
should be paid
it:
&
when
went
to inquir he told
me
he had forgot
Sir,
but I gave him 19 s to send after to pay.
Pray
be pleased to accept of two pare of gloves, which you
will reseve
your
self.
Those 5 poor ministers which Mr

of.
T ]S oyse
&
Mrs. Nowel did speak

I
beg your prayrs,

Sir
&
rem O: E:
I rest,
I fear have I don"
well?
Your
loving freind
Jane Hook.
4 m. 27, 78.
The mark
H O
1679.]
JANE HOOKE.
263
al
Sr,
if
I,
with the benefactors leav, pay

please.
to
be set at your
hous,
you

For Rev'd M: Encrease Maders
Pray bere with my confused former lines. What Lord has moved harts I have sent. Pray let Mr Nowel be Do rem. cloathes & mony I leav it to your wisdom & care. not forget my Hon'd and presious friends, who is now with the Lord, his grand child. Pray Sir, doe not forget your cousin Maders. The Lord has blessed your lettr sent to me & Hon'd Mr Davnport piece of his letter. Pray name me not, & I leave it to your wisdom and care & Dere Sir, you pend your letter so wel that I did show it to many presious soules. My kind respect
Revd S r
the
to
your dere wife.

Sir,
Your loving
freind
Jane Hook.
I have sent two pare of gloves to you,
&
two pare
for
my
unknon
1
freind
My John
Cotton.
mo. 5 day 79.

For
the
Reverend
M
.
Increase Mather, Pastor of one of the Churches in
Boston in
New
England, These.
Pev d S r
your
lettr
I thourough the Lord['s]
mercy have made know
here
&
there,
is
but such
full
is
the extremity of ,0. E. that
here are harts

strength
is
who
(all
of compasion
&
tendr affection, but
wanting.
Sir, a
few cloathes and 6 l in mony, you will

Sir,
reseve so
much
from a good God) by My Jese order.
I beg your prayers,

ordered.
Truly I
what the Hon'd benefactors has had not tim to mend them as I should. Oh
accept of
&
264
THE MATHER PAPERS.

beg your prayers.
20 s of
this
[1679.
mony
for Al r
Wilson
fit.
from
Mf
I Ginkins,
&
a coat.
The
rest as
you judg
Sir, the
Lord has taken presious My Galef to himself. present to N. E. I thank you for your book,
He
has give a rich
&
did give a good
man
your bro's book who said he would goe to Ierland
&
giv
it
himself, but he staid in
som
oth r country, and the last week he
brought the book

1 will send
it.
&
did not goe to Ierland, but as son as
may be
Blessed be the Lord that any increase of members.
All prase to the Lord.

tim.
Dere
Sir,
pray bere with
al
faults this
I have not ben wel.
I beg your prayer.
hav put the

2*.
bundel
&
the 6* into
MT
Jesee hand
&
to
pay
for the passadg, to
dispose as you shall se
fit.
Forget not your Broths, sone the

sister
(Sir) Your unworthy

2
ra. 7
Jane Hook.
day. '79.
23. 79.
K'd Augt

To
Increase Mather Minister in Boston.
Revd
the Lord.
Sir,
M
1
sially that the
I was very glad to resev your lines, but espeLord had answered prayer for your life, blessed be
You were
.
plesed to giv
me
an acount how that
mony
8 Davnport whose husband was Mf Davnport[s'] was bestoed, son of New Haven, very Strang % but I dare not suspect your care I am sorry to whom to do besto what the benefactors dos send. England was slow, foremerly so to forget the wars & fire, that old
:
but the last yeer
Hon d
r
.
Owin[s~\
Chu
did send, through the

told
is
Lord'[s] mercy a hansom present,

sent,
&
Ml Colins he
me
he had
but worthy
Mf Mader
since the last yeer here
extremity
of poor obiects, both ministers

sin
abounds excedingly high,
& poverty of al & among all sorts, & truly we may wonder fire and
heven, but the Lord
is
brimston dos not rain
down from
wonder-
* Rev. John Wilson, of Medfudd.
and
died in 1G77, was a very eminent theologian, philosopher, whole estate to the promotion of education, and his valuable See Quincy's " History of Harvard University," vol. i. p. 185. library to Harvard College. See the next letter. J Strange that she should be so poor as to need alms.
t
Rev. Theophilus
Chile,
who
philologist.
lie lelt his
1681.]
JANE HOOKE.
Pride abound [s], yet here
is,
265
in
full
of compasion to us.
London
& in the cou[n]try, presious people of the Lord that prayes mitily. My worthy freind, shal I say brothr, I beg your prayers, not like
to live long here.
lov to
my
soule.
Oh that the Lord would clere up his electing Rem my case I pray. Sir, the Lord's bene-
would not be aganst me. Pray speak to Mf John Wolly * for 10 a all from the Lord, & al those presious saints of the Lord which you did mension of; blesed be the Lord who does provide for his som time by raven birds. (?) I think I had som report from your letter I think, am- now at r M!" Jesse writing, or else from my freind John Cotton, how N: E: was wronged about their cruelty about the anabaptis pray let not Mf Wilson f be forgotten. Pray rein Old E, pray hard M!" Wilson send [sent] in a vesel with canbuires [cranberries]
factors I beleev
which
I sent here
& there to the benefactors,
very welcom, M. r Jacob

.
Jese factor.
I was desired by a benefactor that on[e]
rs
.
Stevens
a
somthing.
Pray
pray
Sir if she be a real obiect,
&
may have woman of good

mas[t]er
report, then let her have

ladies, but
let there
10 s
I [must] please
my
&
be great care taken.
If no need or
on[e] of a lose fram [loose frame] not a peny.
The Lord be with you,

your servant.
&
pray
for the
Lords doners
& me
My
love to your dere wife.

I rest
Your loving
siste[r]
I hop in Christ
Jane Hook.
10 lbs from Mr Jacob Jesey.
2 m. 14 day, 81.
From Bishop
gat.
Half
mon
[moon] aley.
* John Walley, son of Rev.
Thomas Walley,
to
in 1671, captain in the militia in 1679, assistant of
the council
named
in the
Royal Commission
Court, 1700-11.
was of the artillery company Plymouth Colony in 1684, and one of Andros in 1686. He was appointed one of
of London,
the Judges of the

f
Supreme
See Savage's " Geneal. Diet."
Rev. John Wilson, of Medfield.
34
266
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1681.

For worthy Reverend
M
.
Increse Maders, at Boston.
Revd S r
factors,
One N:
your com.
letters
sermon more.
The 4 ft from
the bene-
Mf
Jesse marchant, and so convaid to you by
My Wolly.
full
I have foloed I reseved
two
from you, in which you give a

laid out
;
acount
how
the benefactors'
mony was
which
letters of
yours I
have showed to divers of the doners.

divers of His people,
',
the
Lord has moved

.
&
have sent to you to be disposed of 10 R
Davnport be forgotten, whose husband fay.r (father?) was Pastor of New Haven. I wonder that family should be
Pray
let
not
rs
so low.
sent,
I suppose that N: E: has reseved

divers send,
&
&
as I here, there
is
a great
what Dr Owin ChU has chang in N: E:

is
Horid
prid, drukennes, whoreing,
comon prayer, which
for a
la*-
mentation,
to the blud
&
:
surly
you
&
us mvst look for to be wiped [whipped]
profanes.
Never so much light & menes nor never such horid The Lord is just & wonderfull patientt in staing so long
;
&
worthy Dr. Owin has much of
lat caled
upon churches
&
O,
the sines of churches,

to strik.
,that
&
sines of
members whets God['s] swords
rem
a speach of famos
with dedistation
when churches dos degenerat, & admiration. S r

N: E:
I
M? Davnport. It was this, then God look[s] upon them

I thank you for your book.
let
I should have bine very glad if
you would hav

profannes.
me know how
as
it
it
was
in
hav
affections for that place,
&
is
reportd
here, not from a few, prid

lb
of it for Mr Wilson, sent to him Lord has sent 4 r r from som other. from Eev d Ginkins, & 10 20 Cotr tone must have. S I am but a servant, not a peny of mine, I have it not as once. I beg your prayers, that the Lord would help me to bleve mor, & that the Lord would clere up His lov to my soule. Oh, my worthy freind Mf Maders how fare may one goe in profesion & yet com short. Hart sines are dreadfull sights, yet I hop: free grace. The Lord's benefactors has sent first 8 ft which when com you will reseve, by M? Jesse to Ml" Wolly 10 ft & now throng the Lord ['s] mercy 4ft which when you reseve will be 5 all from the Lord. Oh, M? Maders, a dreadfull strok hang[s]
more, 30?
&
My
worthy freind, the

s
;!
'
1683.]
JANE HOOKE.
Sines of sones
267
over our heads.
&
daughters cryes loud
My
Ginkins has sent a co[a]t for
My John Wilson.
save to
Oh
pray for your

Savior.
dying freind that I

I am,
may com
,
my
dere Lord
&
Your
loving Sister in Christ,
Jane Hook.
Blesed be the Lord, that has given you such a presious son.
Pray rem me kindly

though
cousen.
it
to
him
and that he
life.
may do
servis for Christ,
be with the lose of
I did resev a letter from Mrs.
Anne Pady.
I fere I hav not tim to write to your beloved O: E: lamentable poor cryes up & down. Your letter The black few old cloathes. cam very late, 5 m. 2 day '81. coat is from My Ginkins minister. S I hop you had som of that
r-
mony which Dy Owin Church

buries
sent ovr
you
to dispose of.
Cran-
welcom
O.
to the doners.
Mark W: H. From Bishop

gate Street, Halfe
mon
Aley.
JANE HOOKE TO JOHN WILSON*

For The Revd
M
.
Willson at
New England present,

THE LORD,
The Lord has
WOKTHY & DERE BELOVED

sent you 4*, 20 s of
it
IN
cam from your worthy frind

It
:
Ginkines,
&
so
3* from divers of the Lord's people, not on peny from
my purst,
you
will reseve
is
when
com
to
you 5 lb
all
from the Lord.
My
desire
that
you would
that N: E: beginns to be lik Old.
rem me in your prayers. We here I must be short. The Lord is

on
vs.
most righteous
the patince of
in
what he has
laid
Our
sines cryes for loud
strokes that others
my
fer
&
tremble.
Horid wikednes here.
Oh
God
that dos not rane
down
fire
&
brimston from
heaven.
Anti pop
:
he pleses
&
shall down, & the Lord Ranes, & dos what what ever the Lord has promised shal sertanly com
* Rev. John Wilson [H.C. 1642], of Medfield, son of Rev. John Wilson, of Boston, was born in England, September, 1621; ordained as colleague with Rev. Richard Mather, of
Dorchester, in 1649, and after two years, settled at Medfield.
268
to pase as
THE MATHER PArERS.

though
it
[1683.
were don
all
redy.
Be
very ernest in your
prayers to the Lord, that his people

false
may
not be caried
away with
I should
worship, bvt stand close to Christ pure worship.
be glad to here
said that he
how your
son dos doe at Newhaven,* becase you
r was gon thither to that Chu. Willson, great changes, the Lord for his Christ sake mak vs faithfull to the death.
My
lov to your wife.
Your Loving
Sister in Christ,
Jane Hook.
is,
sins
When y & lack

m 25 day,
.
have days of prayer,

faith,
my
case
these dreadfull heart
&
I have not those affection as I should in her-
ing the word.

3
83.
Mension
my
case thus, but not

street,
my
name.
from Bishop gat
Halfe
mon
aley.
* This reference confirms the conjecture expressed

of Rev.
in
our note,
p. 165, that the
son mentioned by Dixwell, and by Dr. Bacon, as having preached at
New
Mr. WilHaven, was 9on
John Wilson, of Medfield.
1674.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
269
LETTERS, &c, OF JOHN HIGGINSON.
STATEMENT OF JOHN HIGGINSON.*

Aug:
24: 74:
At
M
r
Mathers
in Boston.
I acquainted
ters that I
Nicholet f that I would acquaint him with
let-
had receiued from

to
Hill
&
Sally in Virginia,
concerning him, also 2 enclosed
letters
:
vnsealed directed to him,
which I should now deliuer
him
wherein there was matter for
his serious consideration, either for his
Repentance, or
if in
any-
thing he was vnjustly charged that he might take his course by
sending to Virginia to clear himselfe.
His reply was with much heat
&
height of spirit in
many words
&
&
in a scornfull
way
that he
ceiue
any such
letters,
would not hear them read, nor rehe knew what was in them, they were lyes,
out of malice to slurre him,
&
often repeating that the said
Hill
& Mf
Sally were lyars
&
drunkards
&
the drunkennest
men
?
in all Virginia
(& sometimes
Atheists)
&
he could proue them so,
saying what had any to doe to write to Virginia concerning him
&
what had they
to doe to write hither to slurre
him
Being desired againe

things,
&
againe that (according to his former
profession) he would be willing to conferr with Elders about such
He
frequently denyed
it,
&
sayd that he acted by the advise
of the best in the Country, mentioning the Governor
&
Major
* Rev. John Higginson, son of Rev. Francis Higginson, was born at Claybrook, Eng., He kept the Grammar 6, 1616, came over with his father in the " Talbot," in 1629. School at Hartford, and was afterwards Chaplain of the Fort at Saybrook. He went to Guilford in 1641, and assisted Rev. Henry Whitfield in the ministry. He left there in 1659, with the intention of going to England with his family; but the vessel in which he sailed being compelled to put into Salem Harbor, he was persuaded to settle over the church which his father had planted there about thirty years before. He was ordained in August, 1660, and continued the honored minister of Salem till his death, Dec. 9, 1708.
Aug.
See Historical Collections of the Essex

t
Institute, vol. 5, No. 1, p. 34.
See note attached to the next paper.
270
Hauthorn,*
THE MATHER PArERS.
[1675.
&
that
if
any would accuse him either in Church or

els.
Court, he would answer them, but not
Often saying Pish Pish,

lie
&
vsing scornfull terms
&
carriages.
for in
knew he had
the
Church
&
the
town of Salem
him,
&
the Country, often speaking disdainfully of 2 or 3

saying,
men
Salem,
Wee know them
well enough, &c.
He
when
affirmed that his comeing

it
&
snatching away his
Sermon
before contriued &, agreed
Verin, H: sitting by, was so was writing out by r vpon between Verin & him. He sayd that all the Protestants in Maryland could clear him, & especially 5 men whom he often mentioned, & sayd he would r r r r appeal to them, viz., Hull, Dent, Hatton, Hanson, r Thoroughgood, but he would not trouble himselfe to write to them, but that I might doe it. John Higginson, Sen.
r
M M
JOHN HIGGINSON'S APOLOGY.

An
Apologie of John Higginson, Pastor of Church of Salem, 8? Minof the Town by law, presented to the Hoitoured Committee of
Generall Court, mett at Salem, June
8,
ister
the
1675.
to discharge
Having
vnto Truth
in
my weak
Peace
in
measure endeavoured
my
dutie
&
Salem without the desired successe, finding
myselfe no longer able to bear the cumbrance, burden

onely to apply myselfe to the Church here for
&
strife
of
the place, I had no thoughts of troubling the Generall Court, but
my
Dismission
but meeting vnexpectedly at Boston with such a Petition of so

of the people of Salem,
many
&
seuen of them being church members,
&
his
that Petition attested by the Select
men
the contents therof
considered, I finde myselfe called to Imitate Paul's
Example
in
:
Apologies expressed
so I find
it
in the 22, 24,
&
26 Chapt: of the Acts
Euen
this
now my
dutie to present this
my Apologie
before
honoured Committee as a necessary means to clear the Truth
* William Hawthorne came in the " Arbella" with Winthrop, was Speaker in 1664, and Assistant for several years. lie was a major in Philip's War, &c. Savage's " Geneal.
Diet."
1G75.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
selfe
271
injurious reflections of
& my
from the misrepresentations
&
the fore said Petition.
And
first
you may pleas
to consider
whether divers things, as
they are expressed in that Petition, do not need to be enquired

into, that so the
1.
Truth may be vnderstood, as [M? Nicholet* was called by that L Whether that Expression L
Church
first in
& Town
a
to be
an Assistant in the work of the ministry]
A. Witnes one vote of the church

votes preeented.
do not need explication.

yet
For though its true that Mf N: was at Church Assembly desired to preach one year vpon triall
true that for the 2 d
.
its as
&
3 d year
He
hath continued preachtill
ing here, by a
the
call in
Town
meetings from year to year,
at last
this
Town
called
him
to continue during
tearm of
life,
&
all
without any regard to the Pastor or the Church here, whether they
would consent or
2.
not.
Whether it be so indeed minded as these Petitioners.

3.
that 5 pts of 6 in
Salem be
so
How
it
can be truly said (without any distinction) that M!"

the Pulpit,
still
N: hath
the
4.
left
when
its
known
to all that
this day.
he hath kept
same Pulpit
on Lecture dayes to
Whether
(as
there
was indeed such a Vniversall Vote of Church
& Town
they are
5.
is
affirmed) for the building of the meeting
howse
now
carrying on.
Whether Mf N: preaching abroad (in the manner as he hath done) be an Evidence that He is owned & approved by the
He was invited, 2, 1672. town of Salem, to preach for the Church there for one year, and again for a second year. When Mr. Higginson found that a majority of his people were about to invite him a third time, he called a church meeting, and stated that he was decidedly opposed to such an arrangement, that his colleague did not preach sound doctrine, and
* Rev. Charles Nicholet came to Boston from Virginia, April
the
by a vote of
created trouble in the Church.

his objections for the present.
After
much
debate, Mr. Higginson decided not to press
in March, 1674, when the wish was expressed that his colleague should remain, he said that " he should be passive, but not concur."
At the town meeting,
The
difficulties
between the
parties
were
at length
brought to the attention of the

Their report, signed by
regret the contention,
General Court, and a committee was appointed to consider them.
Gov. John Leverett and nine others,

declare the
is
dated June
10, 1675.
They
by a promiscuous vote of the town irregular, contrary to the wholesome laws of the Colony, and of a dangerous tendency. They advise a day of fasting and prayer, and that the Church settle their differences, allowing both ministers to officiate, and that when another society shall be formed, it should be done with harmony. Mr. Nicholet preached his farewell sermons in Salem, in April, 1676; and, being recommended to the churches of London and elsewhere, sailed for England. See Felt's " Eccleof calling and settling Mr. Nicholet
siastical History; " "
manner
Records of Massachusetts."
272
THE MATHER PAPERS.

fitt
[1675.
churches of Christ to be a
man
to be a constant Preacher
alone to such a People, in such a divided place
&
time as
this,
which
G.
is
their scope.
in saying that the
Whether they do not ouerspeak
Church
did acquitt
&
discharge
N: from every thing which either the

if
all,
Pastor or any of the members had ag st him. as
Mf N. had
(of which
been wrongfully dealt withall,

afterwards.)
7.
&
vnder no blame at
Whether
there
was indeed such a
necessitie
of
as
building
another meeting house for
Mf N:
preaching,
when
He
might
in
haue continued Preaching
in this
meeting house to
this
day, with-
out any hindrance from any (that I

his
know
of) except
what was
owne breast. Whether they are so willing to be governed by Law (as they profess) when they insist vpon having a minister called by a Town Vote contrary to Law.
8.
What
that
good old way
is
which
set
their Fathers lived
&
dyed
in before
is it
them, which they intend to
up
in their
meeting house,
not meet that the
way
intended by Mr. N:
&
them should be
known
10.
before they have the countenance
&
encouragem* of the
the sub-
Generall Court?
Who
these Petitioners are?
Whether most of
scribers
do vnderstand the matters contained in the Remonstrance,
&
whether some of them are not scandalous, the very Presenter
of the Petition to the Generall Court being a Church
member
lying
vnder a Publick Church censure.
But leaving these
&
other things in the Petition to the
Wisdome
Honoured Committee, I shall apply myselfe mainly to those passages which doe seem to render the Pastor of the Church to be the Blamable cause of the disturbance & division which now appears to be in Salem, Mr. N: being cleared by them
Integritie of this
in all.
&
You may
Salem
that
therfore pleas to observe, that in their Petition,

is
the case of
represented as
if
the difference between

all
Mr.
N:
& me had been

it,
but a Personall difference,

it
others being vncon-
cerned in
was from Vngrounded Prejudice that he was made an offender for a word, & that it was a Temptation on my
part that
made
the breach, which Temptation might

that they were bitter spirits that
make
a .2d
breach, &<$.,
&
Excepted against
him, &c.
1675.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
pleas to vnderstand
273
consider, that the mat-
Wheras you may

ter
&
N: was a mixture of things let fall in his publick preaching as were not agreeable to sound doctrine, which very many others as well as I did obserue & were vnsatisfyed
which was offencive in
in
:
&
for
my own
part this I can say in the presence of
God, that
out of a loving respect vnto him as a young man, whose gifts
might be profitable
lick that
if
He would
him
hearken to wholsome counsell,
I did manietimes speak to
in private of things let fall in

this in the best
pub-
& vnsafe, & & sometimes in manietimes by my selfe alone, & sometimes before others but finding that Pie did not hearken, & fearing lest the people here might
were vnsound
could, sometimes in a Placid,
;
manner that I a more serious way,
be endangered, I found
of this Church,
it
lying vpon
me
as
my
duty as the Pastor

thev did hear
year,
& Watchman
to take
of Soules, to give some publick
warning
to
them
heed both what
& how
&
this in
one sermon towards the end of the

:
first
&
in 2
Sermons
sermons towards the end of the 2? year

ready to produce,
the 3 sermons I have

if it
&
submitt vnto
triall,
be desired by this
honoured Committee.
This being taken offensively,
to Ml*
&
differences growing, J
.
c|i ( ]
.
offer
N: that so
farre as
concerned vs two (without engaging the

in the
offer to N: in
Church) we might have a Conference with some Elders
writing preseu e
Bay
to help vs to a right
understanding
&
reconciling
This
Mr N.
in the issue consented to,
&
promised to attend, (before

I
sufficient
witnesses)
it
&
for this
meeting
waited most pt of the sumer, but
was neuer pfourmed by him.
After
this,
Mr N:
if
in
a most
vnusuall way, preached 9 Farwell Sermons, as
he would be
in this
gone,
place,
which occasioned further motions
&
commotions
&
the Town-call for his

.
.
life
which the Petitioners mention,
vpon which he
the Pulpitt on the Lord's
Day.
.*
Not
to
speak
further of those motions which occasioned the l 8

.
Attempt of a
Church gathering at Linne, & a 2 d Attempt of a new meeting howse at Salem, both without any consulting with, or acquainting of the Church or Pastor here, but onely this, that I could not concurre with the
Town
call of
him
to preach longer,
till
he had
given some Publick Satisfaction for those things that had been
offenciue in Doctrine
&
Practise.
Though
had
really
&
cordially
in a
&>
acted in concurrence with others, as I did in his call at
first
church assembly, to preach as a Probationer for one year,

35
274
though
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1675.
He
went on preaching the
&
3 d year without any eon-
sent of mine or any call of the Church, but meerly vpon a

call, vet
Town
out of respect vnto peace, I was passive
&
did not oppose,
so that there
sitate
was nothing on
my
part (that I
know
of) to neces-
X.
&
others with him, to such kind of actings as haue
been so troublesome to Salem.
And
though
it
be grievous to
me
in
to repeat matters
silence,
which I had
con-
hoped might haue been buryed

Truth
at the
yet I
am now
strayned (by the foresaid Passages in their Petition) to clear the
& my
selfe, by making a brief Relation of the Reconciliation Church meeting, & how it came about I doe therfore
:
The
writ-
present the writing of Exceptions ag st
Mf X. Doctrine &
Practise,
sptions
5ctrine"&
resented.
(some few out of many which might have been produced) with the first letters of the names of some of the witnesses in the
Margine, which
whether
tion on
difference onely
I
present to this honoured Committee, to see
He was made
an offender for a word,
&
whether
it
was a
between him
my
part to insist
was a Temptavpon such things that he must be humme,

whether
it
&
&
bled
&
reformed both in the way of
his
preaching
&
Practise
nay
rather,
office, as
whether
Pastor
it
was not indeed an indispensible duty of

of Soules. to require
it,
my
& Watchman
what was
that
to
He
must be Humbled
for
past,
& Reformed for time

it.
come,
&
that there
was indeed cause
&
reason for
The
foresaid writing
was read over
at first together
(by
me
as
Pastor of the Church)
&
then a 2 a time the Particulars were read

.
one by one,
& He
had liberty
to giue his
to
Answer
to the severalls,
&
the Brethren also
had liberty
in
this
speak vnto particulars.

M!"
Some
at
howres being spent

severall times,
\cknoul-
way, I obserued that
X: did
&
with respect vnto particulars did expresse some-
thing of an Acknowledging, which being layd together was to this

effect
:
edgm*
that (though he had not a designe to bring in Errors, yet

let fall
having
such things,
;
He
did see cause to be humbled,
&
to
confess his weaknes
with respect to some of them he confessed

;
they were errors,
&
he did renounce them
with respect to
;
many
to be
of them, Pie confessed they were vnsafe expressions
&
in
some of
them
He
did explaine his meaning,
&
what he had obserued
offencive
effect in
I
He
should be more watchfull for time to come (to this

it
substance
was.)
did
indeed expresse
my
selfe
to
encline to
accept of
his
1675.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
as
275
Satisfactl0n *
after some what was past Consideration, some Brethren desiring it might be voted, it was so, & to my observation the Major pt. at least, did accept it as satisfaction for what was past. My own Reasons, though I did
Acknowled^m*
.
Satisfaction
for
not then, yet I see
it
needfull to expresse
now.
For
1.
there
was
in
something of an acknowledging on
matter.
selfe
his part.
2, I feared a
Breach
the Church, if there should have been a further prosecution of the

3.
All the circumstances of the Case considered,
(& my
having layen vnder the causles reproach of an Implacable
&
Irreconcilable
man
towards
Mf N.)
I thought
it
my
if
duty rather to
I confess
encline to Charity as the safest, then to a rigid severity.

that I
had
this scruple before the
meeting, that
Mr. N. should
incline himselfe,
&
be counselled by others, out of Policie to make
some acknowledging
&
it
should not be
reall, that
then
He &
they
might make some such vse of the
satisfaction given
&
taken as
if
now
the Petitioners doe, but I satisfied myselfe with this, that
I walked in Christian Simplicitie,

their Sin
&
others vse Carnall Policie,
would
find
them out
so I doe
so that I left the matter with
God
for the issue then,
&
now.
And
must say
in the presence of
God,
that as I
was
reall in
was glad that I might haue an opportunity giuen me (by such an acknowledge* of his,) that I might now with a good conscience manifest my concurrence with those that had desired his Preaching againe on the Lords day therfore I took the opportunity of the next church meeting (which was soon after) to propound unto the Church being together 1, whether there was not now some hope of Mf N. Reforming, & 2. whether it did not tend to Reconciling amongst our selues, to desire M_ v N. to preach againe as formerly,
best light, so I
;
;
.
what I did then, according to
my
Motion
leaching
a saine
-
(viz. another year
vpon
tryall,)
For though
I could not concurre
with' the
Town Votes
4
as being Irregular,
yet
now
(after his acif
knowledgm
as a
) I
shew'd
I say,
my
it
readines to concurre with the Church
they desired
it;
means
for Reconciliation, that I

left
was vpon hopes of his Reformation, & made the motion, the which
motion of mine was

about that
I
to
this
vnto further consideration.

effect, it is
How
me
it
came
motion did not take
not for
to say.
am
sure the hindrance

at
it
was not
in
me,
for
having born witnes
Truth I looked
as
my
dutie to be also studious of Peace,
that there might be Truth
&
Peace
in their conjunction in
Salem
together.
276
THE MATHER PAPERS.

since the matter
is
[1675.
Yet
brought about in a mysterious way
to
such a contrary Point (as appears by their Petition,
&
the
Roof
of the meeting house erected vpon the Green) I finding myselfe
concerned in the welfare of the Soules of

stay amongst them) I propound
this
People (whilest I
&
leave
it
before this
it
Honoured
Committee
M!"
as a
Sollemn Quere, Whether

in
be meet to settle
N. alone as an approved Preacher
a meeting
himselfe without further tryall,

his
&
till
there be
howse by more experience of
Reformation.
Considering what Doctrines he hath delivered
here,
&
what an acknowledgm* he hath made,

it
&
what Discipline
He
hath exercised in Virginia, &c. I leaue
with the wisdome

this
;
&
Integrity of the
Honoured Committee
ts
.
to
judge of
applying
my selfe to my owne concern m And here I craue leaue to adde

owne Remonstrance,
suffer vncler
;
something to one passage in
my
viz,
about the Reproaches
&
fals
reports I
wherin though I woidd not giue heed vnto euery
word
that
is
spoken, but committ
righteously, yet I look

false report
vpon
it
as
my cause to Him that judgeth my duty to take notice of one

Town &
Countrey,
liberties
raysed vpon
me &
spread in
viz.
(that I
am
a Presbyterian
it
&
haue taken away the
of the
Church) which though
be no other, then what in these times
many
of the Faithfull Servants of Christ are vndeservedly re-
proached withall,
M!" Norris *
&
that the
Reverend Servant of Christ, good old
was reproached with in Salem before me, as I have to r shew out [of] Church Records here, under Norris's own hand,
a copy of which I doe here present before this
[Honour] ed Comit
mittee
yet considering that

to cause obstructions
Satan hath made vse of

[to]
as
an
Engine
Church work,
&
to rayse the
present commotions in Salem, I look vpon
my
this
selfe as called to
make
this
my
Sollemn Profession before
Honoured Comthat I haue taken
mittee, viz.
That
been,
of
am
not a Presbyterian, nor doe I

the Churches liberty es.
know
way,
away any of
I profess
my
selfe to
have
&
that I
am
for the Congregationall
&
for the liberties
the Church, according to
my
best light
from Scripture
;
&
the
writings of our Divines of that
way
in both Englands
also that
Rev.
Edward
Norris, fourth minister of
Salem Church; ordained March
18, 1640,
and died
in 1059.
1675.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
277
I haue had a respect vnto the differing judging of
many good
people here, so farre as I could with a good conscience,

as
&
so farre
would stand with
my
office
work.
Yet
it,
if in
any particular]
be willing to
case in so long a time I haue missed
out of weaknes, I hope
through the grace of
God
in Christ Jesus, I shall
acknowledge
&
reform for time to
come.
And
what I haue
learned by Experience
&
by Events which I knew not before to

shall
haue been offenciue

aedificaXtionl
to any, I
endeavour so farre as
may
Extract
stand with a good conscience to prevent for time to come, because
&
peace of the wholl
is
more
to
be attended then a. An
.
particular person or case.
With
respect vnto this
my
profession
writing.
I haue extracted from the writings of our Divines of the Congreg:
way
in both
fess to
Englands the summe of that way, with which I prohauing also concurre, & shall produce it, if it be desired
;
manie things more

should be need.
to say in
my just
defence in this matter,
if
there
I craue leaue to adde but one thing more to

that wheras I gaue notice of
my
Remonstrance,
my
case in
Salem
to be such as I
had
left it
vnto the consideration of the Church, for them to giue
me
[Dis] mission,
it
&
to
that
from the Town's Petition I was
convinced
mission,
was
my
duty to
insist
:
vpon the
desire of
my
in a
D[is]-
&
to bring
it
an issue
I doe further inform this
Hon-
oured Committee, that since
my
comeing home I haue
church
meeting desired that I

because I did foresee
may
obtaine from them this or the like
dismiss" winch I doe here present, (as necessary in
my
case,)
&
Dismission
sitions pre-
&
haue found some
difficulty in
procuring a
Dismission from the Church,

comfort
if
:
&
yet cannot
stay here with
any
by the Advise of
to
&
which honoured Committee, they be consented agreed vpon by the Church & people of Salem (respectiuely)
this
therfore I doe herewith present 7 Propositions,
with a reconciling frame

being forgotten,
&
all
spirit
of love, that
all
former things
at the
we may
minde the same thing, aiming

:
conjunction of Truth
&
Peace
I doe'then consent to stay

in this place as formerly
;
&
try
if
&
wait vpon
God
in
my work
but
not, then I cannot consent to continue here, but doe
humbly
&
A
Paper
by the mediation & advise of this Honoured Committee I may obtain from the Church here my aforesaid Dismission, as that which is my Right & Due in my case, that when
earnestly desire that
I cannot stay as a Pastor, I
Dismission
P reseilted
-
may
not be kept as a Prisoner with-
278
out
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678.
my owne
is
consent, contrary to the liberty of a Dismission,

all
which
professed by
that are for the Congregationall way, to
be one of the
liberties of the
Church, as appears by
this writing
concerning Dismissions, which I doe here present.
And my
this
earnest desire
&
prayer to
God
is
(& my
request vnto
it)
honoured Committee that they would be instrumentall in
that there
may
be a Pastor after God's
owne
heart in this Church,

selfe,
of more wisdome
&
grace then
my
vnworthy
&
of better
acceptance with them,

there
&
of better successe
among them,
&
that
may
be Truth
&
peace in Salem foreuer.

free.
it
Let the oppressed goe
Is. 58. 6.
If thou mayest be free vse
rather.
as
1.
Cor.
7, 21. to
Here
am,
let
Him
doe to
me
seemeth good
Him.
this
1. [2.]
Sam. 15, 26.
Now
is
my
soul troubled.
this
Father, saue
me from
hower, neuertheles vnto

glorify thy
hower I am come.
Father
Name.
Jo: 12, 27.

let this
Father,
if it
be possible
cup passe from me, never-
theles not as I will but as thou wilt.
Mark
14: 36.
[Matt. 26, 39.]
John Higginson.
Salem, June
Indorsed
8,
1657. [75.]
to the
My Apologie
Committee, June
8. 75.
JOHN HIGGINSON TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reverend
M Mather,
r
.
Pastor of of Boston.
the
Church
at the
North
End
Salem, Sept.
30, 78.
Rev & Dear S

d
r
,
My
my
stay in Boston lately was so short
that I had not an opportunity to visit yourselfe as I

sired
;
much
de-
&
therfore take this opportunity to acquaint
you with 2
that though
things that have been in

in Sept: last year
thoughts.
The one
I did,
is,
Day
read the
& in March this year Lawes about the Observation
on' the
Lord's
of the Sabbath, as the
1678.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
enjoyns
it,
279
Law
all
ministers to doe,* yet
upon
my
it.
experience in
doing of
I have found a 2 fold scruple of conscience touching
the expediencie (at least) of ministers doing of

1.
There are divers penalties annexed
to those
;
Lawes, as 5 s
very unIt
a time for such as
10 s 20 s
,
&
in
come not to the meeting some cases Whipping, &c.
in
some other Lawes

I find
it
Now
suitable to a minister's calling
&
spirit to
mention such things.
& contempt of ill minded people, & to give them occasion to say this & that against the ministers. 2. It seems to be an injunction & imposition of such things as cannot be clearly made out to be the minister's duty, & it may be
seems
to
expose vs to the reproach
made
vse of by,
pose worser things.

those lawes this
we know not who, that may come after, to imVpon such grounds I haue omitted reading Sept: Now, becaus it concerns yourself & other
you
to consult with
ministers as well as me, I entreat
My
Eliot,
Thatcher,
F
.
Willard,
Mr
Allen, &c. as you see cause,
for
Whether it be not advisable (as our Deputies here think it is) some ministers to draw up a Motion or Petition to the Generall
Court, that they would pleas to alter that

isters
Law
so as that the min-
may
be freed from reading those
Lawes about
the Sabbath,
&
some
civill officers,
such as Select-men, Constables, &c.
may
be
appointed to read them,
&
that the ministers
maybe
if
onely required
to preach frequently (once or twice a year) about the observation
of the Sabbath, out of the

I pray set
Word
of
God;
you doe
so agree
my name
is,
to such a Petition.
first
The
ciples
2? thing
I have lately, again read over your
Printhe
about the subject of Bapt: which not onely I but
all
* In 1677,
May
24, the Court, in addition to

all
the Sabbath, ordered and enacted that
former laws referring to the violation of the laws for the sa notification of the " Sabaoth "
be twice in the year, namely, in March and September, publicly read by the ministers, on
the Lord's day, in their respective assemblies.
At
the
it
provisions for preventing the violation of the Sabbath,
same time, among several new was ordered, that the Inspector
in the
should apprehend any person making a noise during the day, or misbehaving in the
meeting-house, and put him in a cage, which the selectmen were directed to set up
market-place
in
Boston and other towns; and cause him to be kept there
till
the proper
examine him and give order for his punishment, according to the laws. The law requiring ministers to read the laws respecting the Sabbath to their congregations, was repealed October 15, 1679, and the constable or town clerk of each town was ordered to read them at some public meeting of the inhabitants. This change is in accord
authorities should
with the advice of Mr. Higginson given in this letter.'* We have not been able to discover any petition on the subject by the ministers to the General Court, such as Higginson
recommends.
See Records of Massachusetts, 1677-9.
280
churches
are
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
you
;
[1680-
beholden
to
for
as
a seasonable
service
to
the cause of Christ amongst vs
but having heard that

it,
M* Bond
(who they say

by the bearer
Bond's
is
comeing) wrote against
also that
you have
so farre as
answered him, I do entreat that you would pleasure

herof,
me
M* Gidny,
to
lend
me
the writing of
Mr
&
your Answer.
If you set
me
a time I shall but satisfy
myselfe, in nvsing of them,
&
return them safely by a safe hand.

in Christ Jesus,, I rest
So commending you to the Grace of God Yours unfeynedly,
John
IIiggixsox.
JOHN HIGGINSON TO INCREASE MATHER.f

For
the
Reverend
Mather, Pastor of the North Church at Boston.

[80-1. Prince.]
Rev d & Dear Brother,

at this time
is,
The reason
of
my
writing to you
I received a writing
from My Secretary, that the

as could
Governor
&
Council desired as
many Elders
it
might be
present at the Fast of the Generall Court, next 4th day, Jan. 5,
mentioning
me
as one.
I think
my
duty
to signify, that the

.
onely reason of
my
not comeing
is,
that finding the crazines
growing upon me,

Sabbath,
fitt
&
the uncertainty of getting a supply for the
if
I should be stayed there
by weather,
I find
my
selfe
un-
for such a
journey
this winter season.
I doubt not but the Elders
about Boston, &c. will be there,
&
there willbe no need of me.
Yet, because
it
is
not out of any withdrawing from the work
&
cause of
God
t& His people
now
is
labouring amongst vs.
No,
in
God
forbid that I or
any of the ministers should withdraw

desire
the least measure.
My
(through grace)
to
be found
amongst the Number of those that choose rather to suffer affliction And therfore I intend, with some with the people of God, &c.
brethren here to spend the same day in Fasting
as Ester 4. 16.
&
Prayer here,
And
because
have seen the King's

See note on
ft
letter, j
&
suppose that the
* Rev. Sampson Bond.

t
|
p. 96.
Answer about sending Agents." The King addressed an angry Jotter to the people of Massachusetts, Sept. 30. 1G.C 0, commandii g tln-in to send agent* to England within three mouths after their receptiou of
Indorsed by Increase Mather,
Killer's
1680-1.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
281
to
end
&
reason of [the] Generall Courts meeting at this time
is
consider whether to send
... &
. .
.
it
may
be they
may
desire adbriefly
vice of the Elders, therfore
fear of
God) expresse
re
&
plainly,
what seems
to
me
to be
...
Evidence to be our
duty in
1.
.
this case.
. .
We
.
nor our Agents doe Act or Consent to any thing

to yield
:
that
y tendency
. .
up or weaken
this
Government,
we should humbly yet plainly return Naboths [answer though] we should meet with Naboth's successe. 1 Kings, 21, 3. ... we should give away the Inheritance of
accord [ing]
ent
our Fathers.
2.
.
. .
[co]nceive that
.
.
.
it is
our duty both in conscience
&
pru-
dence to send
.
. .
duly instructed
&
limited both to
answer
tions ag* vs,
&
to plead the righteous cause of our Patent.
1.
According
to the
Example of God's people who pleaded

viz-,
against the[ir adversaries their Patent,
the Decree of Cyrus

4, 1 to 4:
mentioned
13, 14, 17.
in]
Ezra
6.
1,
.
1 to 5,
. .
and Chap:
&
ch.
5,
Chap.
2. According to Mordecai's counsell,

4, 8, 14.
&
Ester's practise, Est.
go
in to the
King,
&
if
I perish, I perish.
So
let vs
be
found in the way of our duty, leaving the events to God.
Let
poor
Him
do to vs as seems good in His si[ght.]

it
Sir, I leaue
with yourselfe to communicate these
my
thoughts, either to the Elders, or to the Generall Court as ther
may
may not be thought to have may be duty in such a case. I commend you to the grace of God in Christ Jesus & rest Your brother & companion in the Kingdom & patience of Jesus Christ, John Higginson.
be any need or occasion, that I
any withdrawings from that which
Also, I humbly conceiue, that whoeuer shall be called by the

Generall Court as the
fall
fittest
persons to be our Agents, they will
under Mordecai's counsell to Ester, Chap 4, 8,
&
14
The
16,
Lord give them the resolution & the same successe. Amen.
&
spirit
of Ester expressed v.
the order, for his speedv satisfaction, and threatening them with
summary measures
if
they
should refuse to comply.

tion, in
special General Court
was called
to consider this
communica-
Jauuary, 1680-1, at which agents were appointed.
282
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.

For
the
Reverend
,
MT
Mather, Teacher of the 2 d Church at Boston.

.
Rev" S r
As
I haue allwayes been thankfull to
you
for
your
;
former, so for this last book, about Prayer
&
the Sacraments
&
;
am
exceedingly satisfied in the sermons botli for matter
&
manner,
praying the Lord to adde His blessing for the

onely some both of Boston
aedification of
many
&
here think the sermons would haue
been more vsefull,
if
the Preface had been left out, but that

all.
not be the apprehensions of

closed
;
I haue
you make not too much hast, it the Number of examples you may consider whether intending
if
;
may now sent you the enmay be you may encreas
&
confining your collections to
may not insert those N. E. examples in Mr Janeway's treatise.* As you have in your hands a larg addition to Mf Grafton's story, f so I know you may haue a considerable addition to that of My Gidny, & it may be of some
E: you
others.
I have lately received a large
&
excellent Narrative of the Life
&
Death of My Eaton,
will
Governor of
New Haven,
to
be added to
the rest.
If you can contribute materialls for any other, I think
you
do well
2 Fathers' Hues
& that it will be & joyn them with
very advisable to insert your

the rest,
full
&
so to
Hy story of New Englands

So
Aug.
I
Worthies as
&
compleat as
make vp may
the
be.
rest
commend you
to the grace of
God
in Christ
Jesus
&
Yours unfeynedly euer

22, '82:
John Higginson.
lust as I had finished,
Moody came
in,
&
told
me
that he
hath kept 30 years' Almanacks together with fayr paper between

every year, setting
down remarkable Providences
so that I doubt
* Rev. James Janeway, a nonconformist divine at Eotherhithe, wrote an account of remarkable deliverances at sea, some of which relate to New-England mariners. t John Grafton, of Salem, a mariner, the story of whose preservation is related by Increase Mather, in his " Essay for Recording of Illustrious Providences," p. 20, et se q.
%
Theophilus Eaton came

In 1639
to
Boston
in
1637; assisted Davenport in founding

till
New
See
Haven.
was made Governor, and chosen annually note to a letter of John Whiting dated October 17, 1683. Richard Mather and John Cotton.
his death, in 1G58.
1683.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
283
not but besides those he hath sent you, you
from him.
dying or
may have many more For instance, he speaks of 26 men therabouts, cast away in their drunkennes, which calls to mind some
such cases here.

I forgot to
tell
bargain to have one of your books.

it
you Mr Henfield sayd he would make it in his I told him, I would mention
to you.

For
the
Reverend Mr. Mather, Teacher of

of Boston.
the
Church
at the
North
End
Salem, Febr.
5, '83.
Rev
wife,
unfeynedly thank sending her one of your

d
S?,
you
for
;
your kindnes to
my
last
books
&
to
me,
in
promising
thank-
to send
full to
me
another,
for
it.
if
I desire
it:
which I doe,
&
shall be
you
Since, by our subscription,
we haue submitted
to our 2 brethren
ourselves one to another in the fear of

for a finall issue, I
God,
&
hope there
is
nothing remains between vs but

all his disciples
that love
which our Saviour hath enjovned

I assure
one to
another.
you there doth not on
my
part.
I do also
unfeynedly thank you for your prayer for me, that the Lord would
prepare vs for the worst of times,
even to the death, that so

This falling in with the text
I have
& make us faithfull to his cause, we may receiue the crown of life I am upon, Mark 8. 35, on which
:
for Christ
& am preaching many sermons to prepare us for sufferings & his gospel sake, together with a letter I receiued last
week from Mr. Moody,* informing that after his negative Answer, he was bound ouer to giue his reasons at their quarter sessions on this very day, Feb. 5. The least he expected was 6 moneths imprisonment.
He
desires our
sympathy, counsels
&
prayers &c.
These
& many
I
other such like things, haue

selfe
which also
propound unto your

it
moued me to consider, to Mr. Allen, Willard, (&
&
Torry) whether
may
not be very vsefull to drawe up a short

Title as this in the Frontispice.
treatise to
make good such a
* Rev. Joshua Moodey was committed
to prison
Feb.
6,
1683-4.
See note
f , p. 57.
284
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the liberty of Christians, in
all
[1683.
The Divine Right of
things that
belong to the Christian Religion, according to the blessed Gospel

of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.*
This was the cause for
which our fathers came into

scribed,
this wildernes.
We,
their children
&
successors in the ministry of the gospel,
whose names are subResolving (by the
do professedly own the same cause.
grace of
God)
to persevere therin to
our lives end.
The
pear to
1.
usefulnes
&
seasonablenes of such a treatise seems to ap-
It
me upon such like Reasons as these. may be a means to vnite all the Ministers
is
of
N E
&
in the
cause of Religion, which
our predominant interest
cause.
For though we
are
many wayes
obliged to do our duty, to pre-
serue our Civill Rights according to the Charter of this Colony,
yet they are not to be confounded with, but distinguished from
our Religious Rights, which
we have
(not from men, but) from the
Charter of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and tho good

in their
men
is
differ
apprehensions about [the wa]y
&
manner of keeping our

not a
Charter, (as in the Gen: Court,) [yet I] would hope there

conscientious minister in
ion as expressed before.
2. It
NE
but will agree in the caus of relig-
cause of
may be a means to info ... n throughout N E of the God and which many do not understand, & be
. . .
both an encouragement to the godly people amongst us,
&
an en-
gagement both to Ministers & Christians to stand together, & be of good report among the churches & people of God abroad, &c. &c.
It
may
be also a terror to others, &c.
Mc
mon,
ters
thinks such a thing
may
be done within less than one ser-
&
of
being consulted or agreed on

this
&
subscribed by the Ministo,
Colony,
it
may
be sent
subscriptions of the Ministers in
& we may have the Connecticut & Plimouth Colony,

it is
&
it
in
Hampshire
Also
I
too.
I do also think the sooner

it
done, the
better.
do unfeynedly propound
to
your
selfe to
draw
up,
I
So
you being many wayes advantaged to doe such a commend you to the grace of God in Christ Jesus, &
thing.
rest
Yours unfeynedly
in brotherly love,
JOIIX HlUGINSON.
I send
you the verse which Mr. Moody sent unto me

"
Time
tua resagitur, paries
cum proximus
ardet
Vcaligon."
* Without any
humane
additions, inventions
&
imposifons.
IIigoinsox.
1683.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
I have written
is
285
What
The
Indorsed
with submission to yourselfe
&
the other
brethren mentioned.
spirit
of the prophets should be subject to the prophets.

14 d 83.
Red. 12

For
the
Reverend Mr. Mather, Teacher of

of Boston.
the
Church at
the
Northend
Eeverend
Illustrious
S?,
Being
lately at
Mr. Shepard's I understood
from him that you
do not confine yourselfe in giving Instances of
Providences to things done in N E: which made me remember 2 instances which I now send you to consider of them & do as you see cause. The persons credible, & I believe the The one is godly Mr. Sharp,* who was things to be certain. Ruling Elder of the Church of Salem allmost 30 years, often related it of himselfe, that being bred vp to learning till he was
;
18 years old,
draper in
inclination
&
then taken
;
off,
&
put to be an apprentice to a
London
he yet, notwithstanding, continued a strong

curiosity of heark-
ning
after,
& eager affection to books, with a & reading of the strangest & oddest
there
books he could get

his buis-
spending much of his time that way, to the neglecting of

ines.
At one time
came
man
into the shop,
&
;
brought a
book with him,

till
&
sayd to him, here
is
a book for you
keep
this
I call for
it
agayne, and so went away.
Mr. Sharp,
after his
wonted bookish manner, was eagerly affected to look into that book, & to read in it, which he did, but, as he read in it, he was
seized on
by a strange kind
[of]
Horror, both of Body

&c.
&
ininde,
effects
the hair of his head standing up,
Finding these
it,
seuerall times, he acquainted his master with
who
observing the
same
effects,
they concluding
in the "
it
was a Conjuring Book, resolued

in 1629, intrusted
* Samuel Sharp came
George Bonadventure "
with a du-
plicate of the charter of the Colony
He was
chosen Assistant at the
by the Governor and Assistants of Massachusetts. General Court in London, in October, 1629, when Winthrop
was chosen Governor;
but, being in
Savage's "Geneal. Diet."

" Salem Witchcraft," vol.
New England, he never took the oath of qualification. See a long note on the subject of this charter in Mass. Hist.
The remainder of
this
Coll., 4th scries, vol. 7. p. 159.

i.
paragraph
is
printed in Uphani's
p. 388.
286
to
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it,
[1683.
burn
which they did.
He
that brought
it,
in the shape of a
it
man, neuer coming
to call for
it,
they concluded
was the Devil.

heed what
He
taking this as a sollemn warning from
God
his
to take
books he did read, was much taken off from

confining hiraselfe to reading the Bible
former bookishnes,
&
other
known good books
of Divinity, which were profitable to his Soul.
The
other I heard at Gilford from a godly old
man
yet living.
He came
from Essex, and hath been
in
N. E. about 50 years.
estate,
There was in Essex, a man of a considerable

esteem amongst his neighbors,
&
of good
& in the country where
he lived, but
was ambitiously affected to be counted a wise man. Being under the power & predominancy of that sinfull distemper, God left him
so farre, that the Devil appeared to him,
&
promised him that vpon

all
one condition, he would make him famous for wisdome

try over.
the coun-
The
condition was, that

all
when he was
in Reputation for
instill
it
wisdome, he should take

neither
opportunities to
into the
mindes of people that came to him
for counsel, that there
was
after
God
nor Devil, nor Heaven nor Hell.
In the issue he
made a Covenant with the Devil, giving his Soul to him He continued so many years, upon the former Conditions.
in his
after
former course without any change, of a
civil
conversation,
doing no hurt unto any, but good unto

in his
many
&
all
by degrees grew
the country ouer
Reputation for a very wise man, insomuch as he was sought

his
unto for
called
Counsell farre
&
near,
;
&
he was
&
counted a wise
Oracles amongst the
man common
&
his
words were esteemed as

;
sort of people to
all
the while, for
many
years, taking all occasions
disseminate those
damned
principles of
Atheisme before mentioned,

till
&
yet was neuer sus-
some few weeks before his Covenant with the Devil was to expire, & then he was dreadfully awakened, & filled with Horror, & would often with crying & roaring tell those that then came to him that now he knew there was a God & a Devil, & a Heaven & a Hell, & so he unsaid all that he had formerly said that way, telling them also what he had done, & of his fearfull expectations of the Devils fetching away his soul at the time appointed & so he dyed miserably, as a spectacle of the Righteous Judgments of God. I commend you to the grace of God in Christ Jesus, & rest Yours unicynedly ever, Jo: HiGGiNSON.
pected to be a witch,
:
Salem. Aug:
17. 83.
1683.]
JOHN HIGGINSON.
287
I also had credible information of one in Leicestershire, in the
time of the
upon condition
&c. but I
Long Parlament, to be a Famous
that gave his soul to
the Divel,
Preacher, which he was for a time,
am
imperfect in the story.

For
the
Reverend Mr. Mather; Pastor of one of

Sir,
the
Churches at Boston.
Rev d & Deae

think
it
After my due
&
though
respects to your selfe. I
expedient to inform you that the church here hath agreed
upon
&
appointed Nov. 14, being the 4th day of the week, for the
in the
Ordination of Mr. Noys,*
year 60,
when I was
ordained, they did then send to one of the Churches at Boston

yet
now
there being divers neighbor Churches hereabouts, which

to
were not then in being, they concluded to send onely

neighbor Churches in this
the 6
County.
come
to all.
at such a time,
your presence
&
Yet if your selfe pleas to company will be acceptable

in Christ Jesus,
I committ
you to the grace of God Yours unfeynedly,
&
rest
John Higginson.
Salem, Nov
1. 83.
* Rev. Nicholas Noyes preached many years at Haddam, but was called to Salem, and Rev. John Higginson, Nov. 14, 1683. He was one of the promoters of the witchcraft delusion of 1692. He died December 13, 1717.
settled as assistant of
288
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1675.
LETTERS OF THOMAS COBBET.
THOMAS COBBET* AND ROBERT PAYNE f TO INCREASE MATHER AND THE NORTH CHURCH IN BOSTON.
To
the the
Reverend Honoured
M
S? 8?
Increase Mather, Pastor, together with the rest of
beloved .Brethren of the
North Church in Boston

your Lord
Grace, mercy
ours.
peace
bee multiplied, in Jesus Christ,
fy
Whereas
our dearely Beloved Sister,
ris
Judith Hacy, hath
the place of her constant
Abode
nearest to your Church,
&
hath
desired of vs, that she might have our Letter of recommendation
from our Church

virtue of the
to yours, that she might, in a
way
of Christ,
partake of the speciall ordinances of the Gospell with you, by
Comunion of Churches
this
Church
at Ipswich,
considering the piety of this her request, hath readily consented

thereto
:
&
therefore doe hereby
recomend
this
our Beloved Sis-
ter to you, desireing that she
may
partake with you in your holy

as one that
Comunion
in gospell ordinances,
we judge
Adorned
faithfull,
the same by her Gospell conversation Amongst us requesting of you, to wach over in the Lord & to tender her as becometh saints. And
to
&
have shared in gospell grace
&
mercies,
;
&
so praying that the gracious presence of the
Lord may bee with
you,
&
his speciall blessing
may
bee upon you, in All his gospell
dispensations
Amongst you,
desireing the benefit of your preuayle:
ing prayers for us here, in like sort
we
take leave, resting,
Your
fellow brethren
&
servants in the Lord,
Tho: Cobbet. Robert Payne.

With
the consent of the brethren of the
Church
at Ipswich, the 12 th of the 9 th , 75.
* Rev. Thomas Cobbet, was born

his degree on account of the plague.
in
England, and educated
at
Oxford, but did not take

afterwards, in
165(3,
He was Minister of Lynn, and
successor of Rev. Nathaniel Rogers at Ipswich.

t
Robert Payne, a Ruling Elder at Ipswich, and Treasurer of Essex county, a rich and
liberal
man.
1678.]
THOMAS COBBET.
289
THOMAS COBBET TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend
Increase Mather, Pastor of the North
Church in
Boston, deliuer this 1 pray you.
you & yours in the Lord, to bless Him for His great & you goodness to you & yours, in this time of His sad & sore visitation of Boston, that yet He hath spared you & yours, at least, as to your
Keverend & Deare
Sir,
I salute
desiring to rejoice with
in the
Lord,
precious Hues.
evill
And
it is
some refreshment
to
my
heart, in theise
it
times for sins
&
sufferings of ours, that the
Lord put
into
the hearts of the Comissioners of the Vnited Collonies at theyr late
meeting
at Hartford, to conclude of the
expediency
&
necessity of
a solemne day of prayer
&
humiliation, to bee kept at once
by
all
the respective churches in the three collonies, for the obtaineing of
the Lord's gracious expression
of himself unto t
&
continuance
is
of himself with vs, as in the six particulars by them
signified;
&
that our Generall Court so freely
&
fully consented to
that
pious
&
prudent motion of the sayd Comissioners, so far as

:
concerneth the churches of this Jurisdiction
being stirred vp to
;
an holy confidence
ciously honor
in the
which we are agreed to
mercy of our God that aske according to His will,
in the things
He
will
gra-
& O that the Lord & ecclesiasticall polities, in the respective Collonies, that spirit of grace & supplication, that the fountaine might be set wide & effectually open to them to wash in, from sin & from uncleaness. Although I
&
bee propitious to His servants.
all
would power upon
orders
&
ranks in the
civil
cannot get rid of
my
;
fears least
God's quarrel with
New England
means vsed
should bee continued
when
I consider that no externall

sins,
for reformation of our

ciuil
provokeing
:
whether by men, in way of
or ecclesiasticall
means
nor yet by the speaking hand of
God
in
His rods
I
&
Judgements, hath not yet attained our reformation,

other externnll
&
know no
tion but a
means left to further our reformasolemne renuing of Covenant with God by all & every
:
of our respective churches
which, alas, I see

;
litle
likely hood to
bee fully
science to
it
&
freely yeilded vnto
for
my owne
it
part I did in con-
my
duty, essay to persuade to
here,
& preached
;
about
occasionally from that Josh. 24: 14, six or 7 times

87
propound-
290
ing
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678-
many
positions about
it,
it
in
one or two whereof I indeauoured
to cleare
as
foretold to bee practised in Gospell times,
virtue
faine
of Gospell comands,
it
& &
haue had
put here into

it,
& by body of our church would practise, but two leadeing persons
the
so
it
in our church, startled at
sticks at present, but I
haue
peace in
it
(as I told
them)
in the discharge of
my
duty to
;
my
vtmost
ability, to cleare
vp the mind of God therein
&
if
they
had ought
to
to object against that (or

;
any of them)
would endeavour
:
answer the same
but hear of no objections
&
indeed, the
forme of that Covenant I drew vp, was with onely reference to

the six prouokeing evils which the Generall Court hath mentioned
&
published, that this church therefore, in a church way, would

euils,
ingage to doe theyr vtmost to reform the sayd
so far as
any
of them might bee found amongst any in our church,
&
to preuent
any others of them which yet appeare not to haue broken forth amongst vs as Quakerisme and sweareing. I thinke to transcribe
the
sume of what
I publicly deliuered, that any others
may judge
whether religion or right reason might afford any argument of

weight to
startle at
such a motion.
Deare S r
you
for
your seasonable
;
&
profitable sermon which
humbly thanke you sent me

;
preached from Esay 44

beleiuers' children
touching that sweet promise of grace to

in the dayes of the gospell
;
now,
&
the
it
Lord
to. so
increase your holy bread, in
&
by your distribution of
I
many
lift
of his for theyr spirituall good.
am
still
vnder that
Afflictive
hand of the Lord
in
my
dulness of hearing.
Good S
r
,
up a prayer to the Lord for me in that respect, that if he haue any further work for me to doe for Him, before I goe hence & bee no more, He would more capacitate me for doing & getting
good, than
now
am, whilst vnder

to strengthen
so
much
deafness.
&
so
desireing the
Lord
you more
&
more
in the out-
ward, but especially in the inward man, I rest
Your very owne,

Ips\v u this 12th of the 9
'',
in
Him,
Tuo: Cobbet.
78.
Good S r Remember my son Thomas,* whom we

,
report this
month from Barbadoes,
that in
tills
season of difficulty to
make
his captivity
* Thomas Cobbet was captured by the Indians in Philip's War. A long narrative of It is and redemption by his father is contained in the Mather Papers.
in
printed
the " Geneal. Register," vol.
7, p.
209, et aeq.
1681.]
THOMAS COBBET.
Lord would giue him
wind, for theyr safe
291
theise Coasts, the
&
his
company some
suitable gales of
&
seasonable returne to
theyr port
&
relations.

To
the
Reverend
the
of
fy my very Deare freind Mr Increase Mather, pastour North Church in Boston, Deliuer this with care Ipray you.
Reverend & Deare

respects to
Sir,
The
& &
to
remembrance of
my
Intire
you
to
rs
.
Mather,
your son,
Mf Cotton Mather,
newes of that
prasmised.
Sr
I receiued your letters,
therein the certain

for this
speciall
measure of your health

of the Hearer of Prayers,
twelmonths space, far
aboue what you had before, which, I conclude to 'bee a gracious
Answer
&
desire to returne unto
Him
from
the praises due to His blessed name.
r
,
I also receiued
you a booke of Mr Willard's

in
in
answer
to the late
Absurd
&
scandalous narrative of John Russel j and his Anabaptisticall crew
Boston
which fallacious
&
fowle mouthed Russel, although
suddenly taken away by Death,

ous narratiue, yet his Associats
cause
& &
not long surviueing his slander-
Abbettors therein will have no

conceits, beeing so fully an-
now
to bee wise in theyr
owne
swered according to theyr

Brethren
folly, in
&
by
this
good booke of
Willard's, whereby also I should hope that our eminently godly
&
freinds in
England, as also by the good Epistle

to
it,
to the
reader of that book,

satisfied, as
Annexed
they will bee so Abundantly
no more
to plead for the tolleration of such scandalous
Anabaptists amongst us.
And
as
you well say concerning
tolera-
tion of Antipedobaptists in the generall, here in
New
England, as
they are in Old, they might soone flock over hither thereupon so
many
as
would sinke our small vessel
whereas* in that greater
* Rev. Samuel Willard published Ne Sutor ultra Crepidarn, or " Brief Animadversions upon the New England Anabaptists Late Fallacious Narrative," with a preface by Increase
Mather,
f in 1681.
John Russell was a shoemaker, one of the founders of the first Baptist Church in Boston, in 1669, and its elder, or deacon. This Church was first gathered on Noddle's
Island.
His occupation explains Mr. Willard's
title.
202
THE MATHER PAPERS.

is
[1681.
ship of England, there
no such danger of those multitudes to
founder the same.

in the
And
I add,
:
what
sometimes publiquely spake
midle church of Boston

it
that theyr very principle of

all
makeing
infant Baptisme a nullity,
doth make at once,
our churches,
&
our religious, Civill state
&
;
polity,
&
all
the officers
& memso,
bers thereof to be vnbaptised,
churches to bee no churches
& to & so
bee no Christians,
&
:
our
we have no
regular freemen,
which by our lawes, are
to bee
members of churches
but
all
&
so
we
have no regular power

pernicious doctrine,
to choose
;
Deputies for any Generall Courts,

beeing, according to that
all
nor to chuse any Magistrates
non members of any true church, and
our
holsom lawes
&
orders
made
a nullity
downe,
&
all left
open
is
to state destroyers as well
& that hedge & the other
is
pulled
hedge of
church gouernement
broken downe therby, for we haue
no regular
officers
&
church rulers, nor any true church brethren,

to consent vnto
civil
in their fraternall
way
&
ratify the
same
so that
our very fundaments of
&
sacred order, here in
New Eng-
land, are at once thereby vndermined, and ouer turned,
&
what
it
orthodox
&
godly wise person, when he considers the case as
is
with vs, will say, that such principls, so circumstanced, beeing
openly vented,
&
obstinately persisted in, against
all
Admonitions
&
means vsed of conuiction, should bee
tollerated here?
As
for
the paper sent to put on praying christians amongst us, as those

in other churches here
&
elswhere, to spend one hour in priuate
prayer each 2d day of the weeke,

like
paper from
Mr
Wm
&
that about
noon
had the
Adams*
of
Deadham
lately;
& M?
elders met at my house f of Heading told the ministers in the end of last September, of that motion made to the praying
Brock
&
Christians in England, which I thought to bee a most pious motion,

&,
by such wise suppliants wrath may bee turned away from the
Lord's people both in Europe

ing,
&
America,
as I
&
have beene speake-
&
will, (the
Lord helping,
here to
haue opportunity) be putting

this
on such
like christians
make conscience of
it
duty,
backed with so 'many scripture Arguments as
is.
*,
I return
you many thanks,

I giue
as for
the
many good books

to
which you have sent me, so

*
I
many thanks
you
&
to
good
Rev. William Adams, the second minister of Dedham, was ordained Dec.
Rev. John Brock
ui*
3,
1073.
at
I
Isles
Shoals.
came over He was ordained
in 1637J
taught
a school,
and preached
lor a
tune
he
at
Reading Nov.
lo, 1G(J2.
1681-2.]
THOMAS COBBET.
(to
293
Mf Willard
this
whom
,
I pray
you present
at
my
Intire respects)
for
booke.
Sr
had
letters
spring last from
your good
brother,
My
.
Nathaniel Mather, pastor of the Church at Dublin,
&
to
from
rs
Bridges a member of that church,

if
againe to them,
knew
of any safe
& would way & hand
faine wright
by
whom
conuey
send
it
to
them.
if
If any vessel bee bound for Ireland, I pray
me
word, or
any vessel bee bound shortly
for
London, I
can then send any letters of mine for Dublin, as I did the other
yeare, inclosed in a letter of
my
brother John Hill, one of the

in Iiiuer
(
Treasury
office for the

;
Navy, dwelling
?)
street,
neare
Towre
Hill
between
whom &
for
M
,
r is
.
Bridges there are frequent

benefit of
fitting
entercourse of letters.
Good S r
Let me craue the

deafe
your fervent prayers
me, that the Lord would bee
of
me
dayly for
my
change,
who grow more

Lord
if
is
&
dim sighted
&
short breathed (although the
graciously pleased to help
me, aboue
my owne
strength, to carry on
my
publicp worke,
blessed be His name,) and that
he hath any further worke for
me
may recouer Answerable more here below. & am no And now the Lord Jesus bee with your spirit, & cause you to bring forth
to doe,
and to dispatch for him, I
strength before I goe hence
much
ministerial! fruit,
&
to
that which
may
remaine, according as
he hath ordeined you
doe
that whatsoeuer
you aske
to you.
his
&
your blessed Father in His name

I rest,
Ipswich,
this
He may
giue
it
In
Him
Your very owne

13th of December, 81.
Tho: Cobbet.

To
the
JReverend
to
fy
my
very worthy freind,
Mt
the
North Church in Boston,
bee these -presented.

this 18 th of the 3? '82.
.
Ipswich,
Eeverend & Deare

I received,
Sir,
Yours
of the 2 d of this instant
your good booke upon occasion of the sore persecution of the Saints in France,* wherewith I doubt too many
with
it
&
* " The Church a Subject of Persecution."

Protestants in France.
4to. pp. 24.
Fast Sermon on the Persecution of the
Boston: 1682.
294
professors to the
fected
:
THE MATHER PAPERS.

same
interest in
[1G82.
large
New England are too litle afLord who stirred vp your heart to such a measure of sympathy with those sufferers for Christ & pure
&
blessed bee the
religion, so far as to set time apart for
solemne humiliation in your

stirr
church,
&
to set forth that

:
which might
up other ministers
&
churches to doe the like
but I doubt not onely that
we
at Ipswich,
follow your good example.
backward to But I don't doubt, that the Lord Jesus will one day solemnely owne & graciously recompense what you have done & written. I thanke you hartily for your letter & booke now sent, & your many, very many other books & letters
but too
others in other churches will bee too
many
which I have received from you, which abundant kindness,
al-
though I [may] never requite you, yet I beg of the Lord, that he
who can
best doe
it
it,
&
in the best
way
&
season, would abundantly
recompense
to
you here
&
hereafter.
What you
is
inquire of
whether about 50 persons (as you have heard) have joyned lately
in full
comunion with our church here,
a mistake in the
Re-
porters.
I suppose of late we have had vpwards of 20 persons,
children of the church,
who have beene

call to
admitted into
;
full
coni-
union with
in our
vs,
but I canot
heart hath beene glad to see
&
mind any more heare of so good a
although
my
spirit stirring
young men
& weomen
As
for
to bee pressing thus into
Christ's
gospell kingdom.
my owne
particular estate,
my
son John
can particularly informe you
how narrowly
I escaped with
my
life
8 or 9 weeks since, by a dangerous rush
& fall from

my
a firey mettald
horse
&
its
but very lately that I recouered
voice to preach,
&
how weake
&
feeble
&
exceeding short breathed I am,
&
doubt I
am
inclineing to a lethargy, beeing so sleepy a-dayes, that
I to forget myself even in holy duties,
what I was saying or doing.
There were some unwary expressions in a letter of Mr Moodies written toward the end of the first month, 82, which so surely exerconceiueing thence that
my owne & my wife's heart for three dayes & nights at least, my son John was left, dead or dying at Barbadoes, because even my son Thomas, who heard of his
cised brother's safety in Barbadoes,
&
had a
letter
conveyed from John
to him, then at Saltartudies,* yet
Thomas
writ us nothing of his
* Probably Salt Tortuga, a small island on the north coast of South America.
Salmon's
"Modem
(Jazctteer."
1682.]
THOMAS COBBET.
,
295
safety
though he arrived
at Piscatoa divers dayes before
My Moody
was
told
writ to vs about
vs, that a
my
son
Thomas
his
concernments,
at
r
&
it
gentleman of Piscatoa, who was
Nubury about
;
the
Moody writ his letters to vs, whence John Cobbet was dead, &c & the ablest & wisest men we had here & at Chebacco, who had the sight and cpuseal of Mf Moodies letter, judged that John was dead so that my spirits were hurried. much & ran so much downe hill, that
22 of March, |1, when
that reported there, that
;
&
was ever
&
anon exercised with Fainting fumes, ready
to stop
was fane to pant a while to recover a free breathing, so that though I wanted sleepe & should bee sometimes disposed to it, yet those fainteing turns would too often put me by my naturall rest, so that what by my sore cough I had 6 or 7 weekes together imediately before and after my cough left me, with these
breathing, so as I
troubls I
my
grew very
feeble,
my
flesh
wasted to skin
&
bone, and
indeed I
am
still
very poore in
my my
body
&
feeble in
my
leggs,
although, thorough mercy, I lately sleep well a nights,
&
have
good stomach
to
&
digestion of
food.
to
But
possible the
Lord
brains
may have something more for me thought when I saw how narrowly
timber below,
doe for him, as indeed I
I escaped
haueing
my
dashed out by that great knaggy prop, morticed into a piece of
&
so put vnder the
maine beame of our barne,

his
aboue
which the horse with
me on
back
at first right against,

it
&
flung
me backward
off his back.
And
together with
it
forced
so as
out the prop from the timber into which

that prop suddenly fell
was
set below,
upon me yet missing
my
head,
felt
&
but
glancingly
fell
upon
my
shoulder, which, though I
not then
(being stounded with this rush
&
fall),
my
hearing more dulled,

first at
& my sight
more dimmed
&
bleeding exceedingly,
my
nose,
a great while,
&
after that,
with
much adoe was
stopped, then
4 or 5 howres
fell
after,
about 10 of the clock at night,

it
my
right eye
a bleeding so violently that
run into
my
mouth, but sending

diffi-
for the
Surgeon, by the blessing of God, that was with some
culty stopped.
Good S r
let
me
request your thankfull acknowl-
egement of the gracious dispensations of the Lord towards me in all these His orderings, none of which I see I could have beene
without,
evills,
&
&
haue through His mercy seene more of my owne more of His goodness & faithfullness than before,
heart's
&
in
that
you would beg of the Lord that
He
would renew strength
my
296
outward
for
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
&
inward man as
to
what service
I
He
hath for
Him
or His or
mine (which
hope are His.)
me to doe And the Lord

your holy
be abundantly present with

labours
His choicest blessings bee upon your good wife, your son, Cotton Mather, & all the rest of your
Administrations,
hopefull posterity.
I
Sir,
&
& &
assistant to
you
in all
am
yours in Him, vnfeignedly,
Tho: Cobbet.

To
the
Reverend and
my much
esteemed
fy
very good freind
Ml
Increase
this
Mather, Pastour of the
North
Church in Boston, deliuer
pray you.
Febr. 10.
'82.
Sir, I heartily salute you & yours in S r perceiueing by what is mentioned in the new year's Almanack * that you ar setting forth an vsefull tract upon occasion of the late Comet, what effects in Diuine prouidence
the Lord.
,
Reuerend & deare
have followed Comets, I longe for an opportunity to acquaint
you with a portentious

before,
sight, like vnto
which I never read or heard
namely, of a perfect crosse through the moone, with a
pretty long,
&
broad,
&
pale couloured streame like the coulour of

as
the late
Comet, though nothing so broad or long
that
was
in the late comet,
which streame passed thorough the moone from

to the south.
It
east to west,
&
from the north

litle
was seene the 25 th

by
anhis
of last December, a
after nine of the clock at night, secne
ten credible persons which were occasionally at
my
house
&
other credible person told

brother,
me
that the
same night he and
& another
credible neighbour being talking without doores,
they saw the same form of that cross thorough the

ter of our
moone
And a sis-
church told
sight.
me
that she beeing without doores that night
saw the same
Now when
I considered that the papacy of
Rome had
a cheife hand both in the signe of the cross,
&
in the
* See Boston Kplicmeris, an Almanack
for
mdclxxxiii.
1682.]
THOMAS COBBET.
up of Christmas,
it
297
superstitious setting
&
is
that such a cross should
bee seene on the night (which to them
a part) of theyr Christ-
mas day,
I wished that
did not portend a vigorous prosecution
&
spreading of popery, east, west, north,

it
&
south
but I the
rather propound
to yourself, that as
you may
see cause,
you
would further consider

same.
thereof,
&
&
give your thoughts about the
We
are waiting for the Lord,
for
some day peep of mercy

honoured Generall Court,
letters
from him, as
them, as
to speciall guidance of our in such
and theyr unanimous accord
an answer to
now
before
may
not in the least give

churches,
away what we have
as to our
the good hand of
& the liberties, civil & sacred, which, by God, & by virtue of our precious charter & patent, we have had this 50 years & upward looking unto Him
government
&
for a gracious
answer
to the prayers of his people, not alone in
other churches with you, &c. but here in Ipswich, which in 5 or six
private companies (as I, for
at
my
part) desired that they

for
would turne
that time theyr
wonted day of meeteing
other ordinary
worke into a solemne day of fasting

Generall Courts speciall guidance,
,
&
prayer,
&
pleading for our
&c, & the blessing upon our & the turning of his majesties & counsel's heart toward vs. I was one day at one single meeting of such, & prayed with them twice, & the next day when two companies met, & prayed with them also. And the Lord help you & vs who
messengers in Engl [and]
have [been]
loving his praying,
now
to abide not alone his pray-
ing, but his waitinge

to
men
&
all
woemen,
our times.
quietly comitting our All
him
in
whose hand are
Good S r
as
you have
beene in
my
heart often to cry for you by name, so let
me
craue
a roome in your heart, to pray earnestly for me,
who am,
Sir,
Your very owne
Tho: Cobbet.
298
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1676.
LETTERS OF JOHN BISHOP*
JOHN BISHOP TO INCREASE MATHER.

Rev d & dear brother,
to
My
my
cordial respects unto you,
&
rs
Mather your wife (my wife desiring the same).
I writ to
you twice by
flicted state,
Alden,
in
the later of which (as I remember)
I intreated your helpfulnes to
poor
sister
Lake
in
her af-
of your
& now renew that request, though I nothing doubt own christian forwardnes there vnto, without further motive.
fire J
&
no[w] hearing of the Lord's dreadful hand stretched out upon that
to the laying
place in a consuming
wast many habitacons,

\_sic~]
besides your meeting house,
&
your owning
dwelling house,
whereby yourself are a
sufferer in that sad calamity, but being
comforted (I doubt not) of your
God
in that fiery trial, yourself,
you wilbe the more
able to comfort others with the
same comfort,
I
who
for
are sharers in that or any other sharp affliction.

affliction
am
sorry
your great
&
losse,
especially if your bookes should
be burnt, as I hope they are not, for that losse would be greater
&
&
more irreparable then
all
the rest.
I pray let
me
any
hear
how
it is
in that respect,
&
the certain
number of houses
that
were burnt,
were
lost,
whether much goods withall,
&
especially if
life
or limbs impaired in that dreadful hurry, as oft times comes to

passe.
The Lord
vpon
is
proceeding
stil to
humble
his
poor wildernea
people, (if any thing at last

rection
correction, (as
may do) by stroke vpon stroke, corwe have had line vpon line, precept
in
* Rev.
John Bishop was
at
Taunton
1640.
Perhaps he was the schoolmaster who

fifty
assisted in ordaining William Ilooke.
He was
afterwards minister of Stamford, whither

years, and died probably in
he went on foot from Boston.

ber or December, 1694.
t
He preached
is
nearly
Novem-
Capt.
Thomas Lake,
in
of Boston,
with the Indians
New
England,"
pt.
mentioned by Hubbard (" Narrative of the. Troubles ii. p. 42) as having been killed by the Indians in
1676.
It
Maine in August, 1676. See the letter on pp. 300, 301. J The great fire referred to happened November 27,
that of the Mathers.
burned forty-six dwelling-
houses, and several other buildings, together with the meeting-house of the Second Church,
Increase Mather's
own house was
destroyed; but the greater part
of his library
was saved.
1676.]
JOHN BISHOP.
to
299
saying as in Zeph.
3.
upon precept)
that
teach. us
instruction,
Surely thou wilt feare me, thou wilt receive instruction,

!
& Oh
we might that our dwellings be not cutt off,, nor more desolation made in the land, that by continuall corrupting our wayes we make not this pleasant land desolate The Lord hath been proving us many wayes, by fire, by water, by sword, & mortality in many places, heavy burdens vpon all places. An horrid murther comitted among us, here at Stamford. A brother killing his own
!
dear
ill
sister,
a very good
requited, killed her with an ax, maulling
to
many
pieces,
Benjamin Tuttle,
him dearly, but was mashing her head in a barbarous & bloudy maner. It was one whom my sister Lake may possibly have known,
that loved
woman
&
but I must abruptly end,
wind
&
tide while
it
serves.
Holman calling in haste to The Lord sanctify all his
take the
dealings
with us unto us.
Amen.
Yours In
Christ,
John Bishopp.
Stamford, 2 m.
26. 76.

d ffor the Rev
fy
his
to
much
respected freind
M*

these.
a Ch ch of Ctt in Boston,
Eevd
to
Sir
yourself
to
& Dear Brother, Cordial salutacons in & M Mather my wife desiring the same.
rs
.
Christ
I was
glad
hear
of your good recovery
from your former great
weaknes,
& that
I hear nothing of your sicknes, in the late visitacon
of the Lord, in that place (as with us) by

tality,
much
sicknes
which gives
me
to
hope you are in health, as I
& mor& my family
at
&
r p esent, save my wife not well. We have been all down, some of us dangerously sick, but graciously restored. We
buried 6
?) in
one week in our

at
little
town
neer 20 this spring
about an 100 sick
once
besides
sundry slain in the war.
The sword bereaved abroad,

is
at
home
here was death.
The Lord
righteous in
all
His awfull dispensacons throughout the Country

submission, and studdy reformacon
as
we must acknowledg, with

life
of
&
maners,
;
&
the
r
getting
another
spirit
then grally
is
found with us
for the
p venting of further evils
&
calamities,
300
like else to
THE MATHER PAPERS.

come vpon
vs.
I
[16^
doubt not of your diligence to
stirre
vp hereunto, your readers)

I
&
to
the quickning your hearers (as
you have done
duty incumbent in these sad

all
&
"
evil times.
3
The
Sir,
good Lord evermore blesse
your endeavo
slipt
that way.
to
r
was formerly desirous, but opportunity
me,
have writit
ten vnto you, about the original of this unhappy
w ar, how
began,
&
whether our English were wholly inocent on that acas
count, viz. our freinds of Plimouth parts,

iustifye
being willing to
them against vncomfortable cerning them, which I was grieved

difficult,
&
dishono r able reports con-
to hear;
&
it
proved very
dissatisfying,
&
vncomfortable to conscientious parents
and other Relations,

tions vnto the war,
to send out their children,
&
other dear relaslain,
where many of them were
&
all
in
danger of
1"
their lives,
though that would not be the worst, but
the dishon would redound to the
Name
of God,
if
N. E. should
the
goe to
war
in
a bad cause, or not every way
iustifiable in
sight of
God
&
all
the world.
I was troubled
;
& many
more
that nothing
came
to cleare that matter

til
for
we knew nor heard
of any thing Printed,
of late
Mf Alden
told
me
there was,
&
wondred that we had it not. But now understanding further by him that the full state of matters is with you, I would intreate you to impart vnto me, as you may, what may be satisfying to my self & all others in this important matter. I must not ad but my desire of mutual prayers
to be continued, Resting
Yours
Stamford, 5
ra. 8. 76.
in Christ,
John Bishopp.

ffor the Reverend,
fy
his
to
much
respected freind
Increase Mather,
Pasto r
a ch ch of
1
GU
in Boston these.
Rev d S u
Yours of
And
that
m. 12. \\
I have received,
& am
glad
therby to understand that your bookes were p r eserved from those consuming flames, though some inconsidrable losse in that kind
sustained.
my
good brother Lakes bones
(at least)
1677.]
JOHN BISHOP.
301
were found
his wife's
&
brought to decent burial in Boston,* a renewall of

it
sorrow doubtles
must
be, yet tending to her satisfac-
tion in the thing itself.
am
glad to hear that the History of
N. E.
your
sent
is
on foot
&
processe been
made
fro
so far.
prosper endeavo r s to the perfecting the same, in due time.

letter I received
The good Lord S r in

,
one inclosed
Hook
in
Engld,
my
so
ancient choice freind, to

it
who
would make return,

as I
&
have herein
to you,
supposing you to have intercourse with him,
&
know how to send vnto him Atwater when living to help

I pray vnd r stand if
r
do not, but made use of

If
rs
.
therein.
you should not know,

r
M Atwater, that was, do know & will vnd take the conveyance, or M John Lake of Boston. Likewise must further intreat to send the other to M Blinman,
my
sister
Lake, or
who
I suppose you
may
likewise
know,
&
have acquaintance
withall, if not, as in the oth r case, to use the best

for a safe
meanes you can

a letter to -my
her.
conveyance thereof, there being in
it,
own
more
&
only sister in England,

r
w ch
would might reach
No
fro
at
r p sent but cordial respects, to yo self
&
Mrs. Mather
me & my
wife.
I rest
Yours
Stamford, 2 m.
13. 77.
in Christ,
John Bishopp.

To
the
r Reverend his well-respected good freind Increase Mather Pasto r to a Ch ch of Ch in Boston these dd.
l
Reverend
S*
Since
my
last letter
lately sent to
lett
rs
.
you by
one
fro
Skipper Alsop of Newhaven, I have received two
* His remains were not found till several months after he was killed. They were then brought to Boston, and buried in the cemetery on Copp's Hill, where the following epitaph
may
still
be seen upon his gravestone:
CAP?
THOMAS LAKE AGED 61 YEEHES AN EMINENTLY FAITHFVLL SERVANT OF GOD, & ONE
OF A PVBLICK SPIRIT, WAS PERFIDIOVSLY SLAIN BY e INDIANS AT KENNIBECK, y
AYGVST ye 14, 1676, & HERE INTERRED y* 13 OF MARCH FOLLOWING.
302
East
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1677.
&
the
otli
fro
Westchester men,
who
both beyond
my
ex-
pectacon, shew great affection
&
desire to enjoy the
word among
It
them, If
God may
favo r
them with a good
minister.
seemes
they have had consultac-on together in each place,

itants of
&
the inhab-
one plantacon with the other, about the matter.
They
being neer together,
&
in a sort (as they say) so belonging one to
the other, that they caiiot well act to a determinacon of the matter
at
whether place the minister
may
be,
&
to
vntil the
be
spoken
th
.
They both
desirous
Governo r may have one, makes the
matter more hopefull, both for the successe of the work,
&
the
comfortable subsistence of the workman, by what they have expressed.
They say they intend

hope you
to write to you, as I directed
them,
&
will be helpfull as
Lord may have in grown & growing up,

ever heard sermon in
you can, who knowes w* souls the such places, where may be many young ones
that never lived vnder the meanes,
all their lives,
&
scarce
some of them.
There
is
more
hopes of such then of those that have turned their backs on the
word, as these have not done, but
may
be ready to hear,
it is
& God
may open
their hearts.
Truly in
my thoughts,
in this kind,
worthy a good
mans consideracon,
worthy man
in the end,
&
labo r also of coming into these parts, to
prove the good pleasure of

shall so far
God
&
if
some
able
&
deny himself
for Cht, he shalbe
no looser
though he
may have
you can,
greater things elsewhere.

signify w*
likely.
I pray sir, help w*
&
hope there
is,
&
the
person
if
you know, that may be
I hope no want of
livelyhood or liberty shall send any back that
may come on
lately gathered
this
account.
There being examples of two Ches
on
the Island, viz. at

free allowance,
Jamaica
&
Huntington, with the Gov: good
&
as soon as asked,
&
that in the
way of N. E.
Congraal Ches, which liberty I doubt not but he

to
will readily grant
any other people,

of
&
able
good minister,
written
to
if
desired,
r
Our
neigh-
bors
Greenwich
* are in
having
Wiswal
(Ichabod
Wiswal)
going to sea, I have
some hopes of him, but hearing as I do of his little hopes that way, though I should be glad
* Rev. Tchabod Wiswall entered Harvard 'College in 1G54, but
left
in 1657.
He was
ordained at
of
Duxbury
in 1689.
in 1076,
and sent
to
England
to
procure a
new
charter fur the Colony
Plymouth
1677.]
JOHN BISHOP.
303
to
have him, or some other good minister so neer neighbo r to me.

r p sent but cordial respects. I rest Yours In Cht & fellowship of his Gospel,
No more
at
John Bishopp.
Stamford,
7
m.
10. 77.

To
the
Reverend,
to
fy
his
much
respected ffreind,
Increase Mather, Pasto r
a 0h ch of Oh* in Boston.
Tliese with care, dd.
Reverend S r
Salutem
me
a
:
in
r
Christo.
Our neighbo rs of
Westchester having sent
lett
directed to yourself, with request
of your helpfulnes vnto them for the procuring a good minister to
come among them
as the contents of their letter will

to their desire
stir
is
more
it
fully
show, I have, according

doable in their behalf.
(herewhall) sent
very considrable
vnto
you, not doubting but the Lord will

is
up your heart to do what
Their case
&
worthy
all
of compassion,
&
for
incouragm* of a good minister (above

still
they present) I think

that there
is
(as I intimated in
my
last
vnto you)
much
in this, that
&
growing up among them

or not so
in their lives,
having never despised nor

them,
it
many of the young ones grown may scarce have ever heard Sermon many as they have lived yeares, & so contemned the Gospel, if God give it to
more readily be embraced by them, & make the more impression vpon them. The novelty of the thing may bring them to hear, & the mercy of God may blesse the word unto them. Its hopeful if God send the Gospel vnto them, However it is our part to that he hath some souls among them. endeavo that the Gospel may be preached unto them under the
may
(possibly)
",
hopes of a
Who
my
2. 77.
can tell?
respects to
What
the successe
may
be.
I shall
not adde, but
rs
Mather.
Resting
Yours
Stamford,
8
in Christ,
John Bishopp.
m.
304
TUE MATHER PAPERS.
[16'

ffor the
Reverend his much respected freind

to
M
.
Increase Mather, Pasto r

these.
a Ch ch of Christ in Boston,
Stamford,
mo.
25, 78.
Reverend S r
r
Endeared
men
of
respects, &c.
These are
to
let
you vnd stand that the

you before winter,
minister to
West Chester (whose letter I seconded with mine own in their behalf)
sent
are
very sollicitous concerning the successe of both, as touching a
come vnto them,

you
to certify,
&
what ground of hope can be given
them would
&
I have received fro
you of such a thing, of which
intreat
by the next opportunity.
I received
a letter (through your careful! conveyance) fro good
M? Hooke,
of 6 m. 7, 77. wherein he certifyes of 40 ministers, in

the city within few years deceased a
list
;
&
sent
about
&
saith he hath
it
you
of them
* but fearing that
by mistake
might be put into

it
my
If
letter,
which was intended
for yours, I
have sent
is
to you.
it
be otherwise,
thing
is
&
he sent one unto each, there

itself,
no hurt done.
The
deplorable in
& the
more, as such tydings come
in conjunction with God's present dispensacon in these parts, both
yours
&
ours
whence God hath been
calling
home
several of
his faithfull labo ers,
&
is
threatning the removal of more, by
bodily weaknesses laid upon them,
&
oft "disabling
them from
their
work.
Mr. Street
some years
officer.
since dead,
&
that ch ch not yet
supplyed with a Teaching
Newton
J of
Milford crazy
&
feeble, having yet for present helpfulnes your hopeful kinsman,
whose settlement there
I heartily wish, or
in
somewhere among
;
us.
Mf Wakeman
of
ffiurfield
an hazzardous state
if
speedy
meanes be not afforded

things are against us,
&
blessed for his recovery.

all
All these
&
our sins are the cause of
our
evils,
chiefly that great sin of Gospel-sliting so coiiion in the country.
* See
f
letter of
William Hooke, dated August, 1677,
in this
volume.
in 1659, died April 22,
Rev. Nicholas Street, successor of Davenport at

Rev. Roger Newton, the
22, 1660.
New Haven
1674.
J
first
7,
August
^
He, died
June
1683.
minister of Hartford, afterwards installed at Milford, Savage's " Geneal. Diet."

in
Rev. Samuel
Wakeman
left
Harvard College
1655,
was ordained
at
Fairfield
Sept. 30, 1665, ami died
M irch
8,
1692.
1678.]
JOHN BISHOP.
,
305
Good S r
et
if
any intelligence of truth be with you of the captives
me to understand in a word. One word more, Whereas God hath given me 4 living sons (of eight I have had) & none of them brought up to learning, to my great grief, though two of them in a good forwardnes long since, but our Latin schole failing, & my estate too feeble to send them
ejusmodi, give
being in haste.
I have one,
forth, their progresse also failed.
now
entring in his
gramar,
hopes
ing.
whom
would
fain give learning vnto, so far as able,
&
if
shall strain
hard to school him hear, or send him to Boston,

be had of attaining
may
my farther
* of
end as to colledge learn-
I understand that
My Penoir
England, deceased, hath

his will
made
a bequeathment to the Colledge (considerable) for the incour-
agement
&
helpfulnes of schollers,
&
somthing ordered by
with respect to Newhaven that way.
I would earnestly request
you
to
inquire into the matter effectually,
&
that if
any thing
share in
appeare hopefull in that behalf, that

that benefit (which
,
my
poor child
may
would be a great comfort to me before my you would intimate the same as soon as may be, that I may be doing what I can whilst I live that some of mine,
death)
that
;
(if
God
please)
may
be serviceable in such a
way wherein
am
willing to devote
them vnto the Lord.

Yours
in Christ,
Thus comending you

rest
'
&
your holy labo r s unto the Lord's blessing, I
John Bishopp.
My
&
wife (with myself) presents her kind respects to yourself
rs
.
Mather.
I pray
you
se her, to
remember our dear love & respects to sister Lake when whom I would have now written, if time would
permit.
Our
family in competent health.
* William Pennoyer, an English gentleman of learning and piety, established a per-
manent fund
4
for
"cue
of those periodical distributions of
money
to indigent students, called
upon an pounds per annum, for ever; of which sum thirty-four pounds were appropriated for the education of two fellows Quincy's and two scholars, for ever, in the College called Cambridge in New England." History of Harvard University. His portrait was burned iu the fire which destroyed
Exhibitions.'
his will, dated in
By
May,
1670, he constituted a rent charge
estate in the county of Norfolk, in England, of forty-four
the library of the College, Jan. 24, 1764.
39
306
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678-

for
the

to
Increase Mather, Paste?

these.
a Ch
ch
of Christ in Boston,
Reverend S R & Dear Brother, Yours

I received
;
of 3 mo. 28, 78,
and as touching reports you enquire of (though in great haste, by reason of the vessels hastening away) I canot but make a short returne. There have been, doubtles things of a
prodigious n re
among
vs,
by which we should be awakened
but
it is
to [be] bewailed,
that the awful
workes of God are so va-
riously
&
vncertainly spoken of; as
many
times I find that
we
know
not what to beleeve, nor
how
to be affected as
we
should
with what
we
heare.
As
for the noise of a great
gun
in the air at
credited for a truth, but

for neernes of situacon
some of the Norwootuck Plantacons, it is generally reported & you may have more intercourse with them
&
relacon then ourselves so far westward.
Also
east
it is
said,
&
I have heard often affirmed that a noise of small
guns in the
air likewise
hath been heard in several plantacons more

us.
&
northward from
As
touching the Earthquake lately
in these parts, I can speak to that as being sensible thereof,
&
many
;
others in this
Town,
&
other
Townes
also perceived the
though more westward of vs it was more perceived, & same more eastward, lesse. It was on an evening after the Sabbath viz. 12 m. 3. 77. Likewise on 4 m. 20, 78, a like noise was heard here by myselfe & many others, who took it to be an Earthquake, rather then thunder, considering circumstances, though the
tcrrie-mocon not so perceptible.
On
the last day, same month,
here was a violent storme of hail in several plantacons, one west
&
others east of vs, that did
verily beleeve,
hail
though I forbear
it,
much damage to mencon
as
its
said,
&
all
I do
the quantity of that

thata
&
the effects of
it.
because I cailot fully beleeve

it
said of
At Stamford
was only a storme of wind
& &
rain,
&
that but short.

a great
This 5 m. 6
&
7 dayes,
it
pleased the Lord, after
&
ihreatning drought, to send a plentifull, sober
soaking
rain, that sweetly refreshed the earth
&
revived
its
dying product.
Praised be the Lord.
r
,
am
sorry to hear of the disease
among you
so prevailing
&
spreading.
Yet glad
for the Lord's
1679.]
JOHN BISHOP.
307
great goodnes in sparing your family so far.
With my
sister
Lakes
&
some other
freinds, sorry for
good Mrs. Dav:

in
&
her sick
children.
I pray Sir, signify a

is
word concerning her
your next,
for that I hear she
dangerous sick,
left
&c,
but I must seal vp

,
&
send away
lest all
be
behind.
to your self
&
rs
.
Mather.
Dear S r Committing you

.
my
all
kind respect
to the Lord's
gracious protection, I rest
Yours
Stamford,
5
to
pray for you,
John Bishopp.
m.
11, 78.

ffor the
Reverend
fy
his much-respected freind,

Ck?'ist in
M
.
Increase Mather,
Teacher of a ch ch of
Hoston,
these.
Reverend. S r
It hath pleased
My
&
cordial respects vnto
you
&
rs
.
Mather,
your dear consort
(whom the Lord preserve for your comfort.) Him who is the disposer of all, to lay me vnder
dear yoke-fellow,
children.
,
bereavem 4 of
to silence
my
great
breach upon
my
poor family, myself
But
it is
the Lord,
&
that calls
&
submission.
S r I received
2 bookes of yours, one

ffairfield,
with a letter to
my
brother
Wakeman
of
which I gave
I also re-
him.
ceived
The
some
other I kindly accept of as given to me.

letters
Blinman * of Bristol f with a fardle directed to you for me, which Joseph Alsop J of N. H. hath brought up. I would intreat your care for conveyance of the enclosed to My Blinman. I know not rightly how to direct it to him, as I suppose you can. I am glad the Lord hath so graciously
from
r
.
preserved you in so sickly

labo r s are continued
therevnto.
;
& & may
dangerous a season
&
that your
His blessing be continually added
I understand of your love to
my
sister
Lake,
&
her
son, in letting your son be an help vnto

estly desire to give
I se
it
growes to
him in learning. I earnsome of mine some learning, if I can attain it. be grally slited & neglected, which makes my
in this
* Rev. Richard Blinman. See note to his letters Prince. f i. e. in England. I Probably Joseph Alsop, Jr., of New Haven.
volume.
308
desires
THE MATHER PAPERS.

more
earnest.
[1682.
I formerly desired your help for promoving

if
that matter,
by seing
account or otherwise, at
If any thing
any encouragem 4 may be had on N. H. I perceive you were not vnColledge.

yet appear that way, your signifying
mindfull nor wanting, but waited an after opportunity that you

expected.
of
it
may
r
,
will be a further favo
&
stil
further obliging
Yours,
Stamford,
6 m. 12, 79.
me to continue John Bishop.

ffor the Reverend his worthy good freind
to
M*
Increase Mather,
these.
Teacher
a Church of Christ in Boston,
Eeverend S r & Dear Brother,

tacons in the Lord vnto you,
Kind
rs
.
&
cordial
salu-
&
good
Mather,
my
wife (that
wasM Willet)*
tilings withall, to
desiring the same.
I lono-
much
to receive
some
further lines fro you,
having received many, with
many good
my great refreshing. 1 was in great hope when N. H. ch h had made applicacon to your son, r Cotton Mather, that I should have seen him in these parts, but it seeraes
I heard that
the
Only Wise God hath otherwise disposed of him,

that
&
with-
held
blessing from
them,
for
for
their
further
humbling,
&
(I hope) preparing
in
them
what mercy, of that kind
He may
I desire
His time bestow on them,

afford
for truly there are a precious people in
that place, though vnder a dark dispensacon at present.
you would
them the help of your holy prayers,
&
what
further hel[p]fulnes
may
fall in
your way
for their supply.
What
you do
for
them, His poor church

as a kindnes
&
to
people, Christ will put to

himself.
account,
& own
done
I need say no
more, Christ and His interest (I know) lyes so neer your heart,
that
you
will be willing
to
do any thing
for
them.
What you
to all
understand from England

christians, as such I
&
is
of
common concernment
to hint vnto
would
intreat
you
me,
&
what of
the truth of that report of strange things
&
sights in
South Wales.
* Mr. Bishop's second wife was Joanna, daughter of Capt. Thomas Willet, and widow
of Rev. Peter Prudden.
His
first
wife died in 1G79.
See the preceding
letter.
1682.]
JOHN BISHOP.
sad,
309
It
is
we
canot
come
at the certainty of such things
we hear
many times. It is pity & most vnmeet that the Providence of God (especially in such awful works) should be either belyed or concealed. I am glad of so good a work in hand, for the recording Illustrious Providences, so conducing to God's glory
&
the
good of Posterity.
The Lord prosper
the
vnd r taking.
I receiving
a letter importing remarkable things, I had thoughts of transcribing the substance thereof,
larg
&
to
send
it
unto you, but

it
it
being
to
& my
time short, I have sent the whole as
came
my
hand, which having pervsed, you
may
please to return again.
Here was
also,
at Stamford, a notorious
drunkard who (in the
pursuance of that lust
&
seeking more drink, but being denyed as
having too much before) went forth in the night

the
&
was found
in
morning drownd dead

for,
in the mill river.
Being missed
;
at
home he was sought

was a sad
wishes,
but could not be found before
& now
spectacle to all beholders.
This was on 10 m. 22, 79.
I shall not further enlarge, but adding
my
kind respects, well-
&
hearty prayers for both your hopeful sones, with desire

all }ôur
of God's blessing on
seed, craving your prayers for
me
&
mine, I take leave
&
rest,
Yours
in the
Lord,
&
fellowship of the Gospel,
John Bishopp.
Stamford, 2 m.
11,
1682

ffor
the

to
Mt
a Gh h in Boston,
these.
Reverend
S*
&>
DExiR Bro.,
myself
&,
Yours
freinds,
I received,
what sent
Ml*
by Capt. Selleck
longing to
to
Chauncey, of your own
Wakeman & Mf Hookes good labo rs What was
&
be-
me
I kindly accept
&
what
to others, I
have conveyed
according to your mind.

sent by skipper
I have
also received lately

little
what was
brother
Alsop
viz.
your elaborate
Tract, de signo
to
Filij Hominis, &c. one to
my
self &> the other
my
Wakeman, which
I shall carefully
hand
to him.
I thanke
you
for
310
jour great loue
THE MATHER PAPERS.

in all the
[1682.
former
for
&
later expressions of
it
in this
way,
have
&
all
blessed be the
Lord
so to give out unto others,
the glory from you

desire as to a
& &
what you have received from Him, to the world. Let the Giver of all
vs,
&
r
all
partakers of the benefit.

the
What you
men
best
at
I
more exact account concerning

endeavo
young
Hempsteed, I
shall
your satisfaction therein the

but opportunity es of sending
can,
&
as speedily as I can,
to the Island,
&
having returnes from thence are not allwayes,
for. The Lord is still proceeding with us in by awfull & awakning providences passing over us, & Oh, that we might be awakned to purpose so as to repent & We have had of late, great stormes of turne unto the Lord
but to be waited
these parts
rain
&
wind,
&
somtimes of thunder
&
lightning,
whereby some
execucon hath been done by the Lord's holy Hand, though with
sparing mercy to mankind.
into,
M5 Jones
in
little
his
house at N. H. broken
&
strange
his
work made
one room thereof especially, wherein

before
;
one of
daughters had been a
&
no hurt to any of
the family, but the house only.
This was about the middle of the

at
4th month
last.
little
after which,
Norwalk, there were
nine working oxen smitten dead in the woods, in a few rods space
Greenwich (a smal town neer vs, on the west side) on the 5 mo. 13, (when we had great thunder & lightning), there were seven swine & a dog smitten all dead, & so
of ground,
after that, at
&
found the next morning, very near the dwelling house, where a
family of children were alone (their parents not then at home)
&
no hurt to any of them, more then amazing

goe next, who
fear.
great favo r
But what
are these but warning pieces, showing that men's lives
may
now have
so
narrowly escaped, &c.
I shall
not add but our due
&
dear respects to yourself

Resting,
&
Mrs. Mather.
Bisiiopp.
My
cordial love to
your hopefull sons.

in Christ,
Yours
Stamford,
G
John
m.
3. 82.
1682.]
JOHN BISHOP.
311

ffor the Reverend fy his much respected freind Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher to a Church of Ch in Boston, These.
(
Eev d S r & Dear
Bro.,
Cordial
respects
to
your
selfe
&
good wife, from myself

though a sickly time).
&
mine, &c.
In health (through mercy,
Not many sick with us. Other places some dead. I doubt not but you have heard of Mf fFoster's death, of Hartford. Many Indians (as we hear) dy thereabouts, with some English. I lately received your good things sent, (but no letter) two bookes of Practical Truths, &c. with a Catalogue of Harvard's sons, to myself & my good neighbo r
more
visited,
&
My Hanford,*
to
whom
am
sure (as to myself) they wilbe ex-
ceeding grateful,
be (as I hope).
when they come to his hand, which will shortly For myself I tender you my hearty thankes as
In your
last
for all former kindnes of that kind.
you
desire a
his
more exact account of some things menconed

letter as to the racers
in
My Jones
on the Lord's day.
I returned you
my
answere, of endeavoring to
therein,
my
vtmost
to gratify
your desires
&
accordingly writ to
My Jones
oft is)
about
it.
His answere
it
was, that, being sickly (as he

otherwise,
pacity.
he was not able to do in

besides his
as
&
which makes
it
more
difficult,
own
inca-
He
saith, that since the
matter hath been
much
talked of,
he perceives
truth,
&
some have endeavored to evade what may be the pretend that the young man w as sick before, &c. & that
r
there are few in that place that
make any
if
conscience at
all
of the
Sabbath,
&
therefore no
It
wonder
they be vnwilling to take notice
of such a judgem*.
seemes one of the yong

;
men
did not dy,
but continued very long in a sad condicon

that died, a great malignant,
&
the father of
him
&
scoffer
(as he heares)
who with
it
others (he beleeves) will strive hard to deny any such thing, &c.
Therefore be desires you would by no meanes print

further informacon, nor
gett fuller intelligence.
before
til
mencon So few
his
name
in the busines
he
are on God's side,
&
so hard a
in
matter
it
is
to
come
at truths
of this nre, whereby
God
His
* Probably Rev. Thomas Hanford, of Norwalk.
312
THE MATHER PAPERS.

ts
[1684.
Judgem
might be
glorified.
I purpose
to
do what
is
further
doable on
Stamford,
my
7
part in this behalf.
No more
at present, but rest
Yours
m.
16, 82.
in the
Lord,
John Bishopp.

ffor the Reverend Sf his respected good freind, Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher to a Church of Christ in Boston, These.
Reverend Sir and Dear Brother,

with the rest of yours,
in
his
Cordial
respects to
yourself, with Mrs. Mather, your dear wife, to
whom
the
the
Lord
blesse,
his
Mr. Cotton Mather, & make instrumental

your love
own hand,
for
good of
people in their gfaons.
Yours
to
I have received, with that further expression of

for
it,
me, the book of Remarkable Providences,
which I thank
you,
&
hope
God
will
have much praise by
& many much

God
good, by your so manadging

therein
&
improving those workes of
menconed.
for I
What you
write of a former sent, I suppose
The booke you was Mr. Torrey his sermon,* with your one for Mr. Han ford, I received three of them epistle before it. one for Mr. Chauncey, to whom I sent what was directed to them, & the other to myself, for which also I thanke you. As to your Colony & charter-concern, which cost some trouble, I perceive, judging (with I am glad in conclusion it was caried as it was
was a mistake,
sent
had no more of that kind.
me
last before this
yourself) in
my
heart, that to be the safest
&
best
way
&
so do
I have
face
the most solid
&
serious Christians
it,
among
vs, with
whom
had any speech about

can we pray
give,
for indeed, (as
you say) with what
God
to continue our priviledges,
when we
its
ourselves
them away.
Doubtles the Psalmist was not mistaken when
he
in
tells vs,
(yea, the Spirit of
God by
him,) that
in
better to trust
God
then in Princes,
&
safest to
walk
God's way whatever

in conclusion
the consequence
will turn
*
it
&
next turn,
when we know
God
to good.
to the General Assembly by Rev. Samuel Torrey, of Weymouth.
"A
Plea for the Life of Dying Religion," a sermon preached
of the Colony of Massachusetts,
May
16, 1683,
1686-7.]
JOHN BISHOP.
313
am
glad to hear of good Mr. Moodey's * enlargm*, after an
unworthy imprisonm*.
The good Lord continue
his
&
yours,
&
all his faithfull
servants of Christ their libertyes, to preach
&
No
hear the gospell,
&
help vs to yeeld obedience to the same.

I rest
more but
From
desire of mutual prayers to be continued.
Yours
N. Haven. 4 m.
10. 84.
in Christ,
John Bishop.

ffor the Reverend
Increase Mather,
these,
Teacher
to
Boston
M John Bishop.
T
.
a ch h of Christ in
Reverend
I
Sir,
& dear
brother,
Salutem
if
in
Christo.
know
not whether opportunity hath served to write you our
thanks for the two bookes (Mistery of Christ) sent to
Hanford
it
& &
myself.
If not,
it is
now high
time,
done double,
for
is
but
due, because a benefit to two.

all
I thank
you
my
still
share in this
former, your holy labo r s.
The good Lord
goe on with
you, that through him, you

in defending
in
may do
not only worthily but valiantly,

it is
&
vpholding as well as holding forth the truth as

to
side, to stand
Jes s
These turning times are Gods touchstone
shew who
are on the
Lords
with him
&
stick to him, to be stil
following
death.
Ch
1,
tho with the crosse on their back, faithfull vnto
Tis not mere profession will goe thus far, no, nor a sound
principle without a spirit of courage
&
magnanimity,
to
keep a
steady course
there will be
& make
much
straight steps to their feet allwayes.
But
halting,
&
heart fainting, found in them,
&
scarce-salvation only that Ch* afforded to them.

is
To
be in the Lord
one thing,
&
to be strong in the
Lord
is
another, according as
their faith in Christ
(who
!
is
their strength) is
weak or
strong.
for that other spirit
to say
we
are well able, (th6 allwayes in his

cities,
strength)
to
&
not be afraid of Anakims, nor high-walled
have
faith in
power, the
spirit of faith as well as
a principle of
1684.
* Rev. Joshua Moortey was released from prison, after thirteen weeks' confinement, in See note to his letters in this volume.
40
314
faith, that
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1687.
we may
say
&
do for God,
&
in
Gods way,
&
never
Christ
vnsay what we have said, nor vndoe what we have done.
&
his cause this
vp.
hope your happy
day requires such champions, & he can lot will be found among them,
raise
them
viz., those
thus faithfull, valiant for the truth.
what high
service they do to their
O, such christians know not Lord Christ. Your zeal hath
provoked very many, saith Paul of the Corinthians,

Praise only be spoken of you.
liberty,
&
all
to
God's
life,
The Lord continue long your
&
labo r s
.
&
adde the blessing of Increase to
the gifts
&
graces of his spirit vouchsafed to you.
Amen.
No more
but comending yourself
&
yours to God, with desire
of mutual prayers to be continued, I rest
Yours
Stamford,
1
in Christ,
John Bishop.
m.
9.
8.
My
kind respects to
Cotton, Nath.
& M
John Cotton,
your nephew, who married
my
neice,
their
The Lords
blessing be
vpon
match.
Anne Lake. Amen.

ffbr the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher

in Boston, these.
to
a church of Christ
Rev d
Sir
& Dear Brothr
Yours
of the 4 th I
received
yesterday,
17 instant, by Captain Selleck.
Sorry to here of
such comocons with you, upon the change come upon vs, which
may prove
r
to
be of sad consequence, unles our good
God
graciously
are stil in His hands, & what He will do p vent the same. with vs, & with this land, we know not, but we have cause to fear
We
the worst,
for
our vnworthy walkg,

without hearts to priz
&
that
contempt of the
Gospel and Gospel-libertyes so long continued

our hands, but ah
!
to us.
prize in
& improve it aright. The crown is fallen, & falling from our head. Woe unto us that we have siiied, & that our sins have been so multiply 'd & aggravated in the sight of our God Many are gospel-glutted, & growing
;
1688.]
JOHN BISHOP.
315
weary,
&
so
may
be shortly eased of that their burden.
The Lord
rebuke that worldly, earthly, profane

the country,
&
loose spirit
up
& down
in
&
give us to be instructed before laid desolate.

is
Sir,
you with us, to help bear up & keep off. When such are taken away, evil is coming on. The Colledge state (should you desert it, or be, as you say,
desire
my
&
hope
God
will yet continue
dismissed from
to be
it,
&
your carefull inspection at a period)

If a well-principled, steady
it,
is
much
lamented
&
feared.
&
standing
guid be not continued in or over

tion in all respects increase,
Tares will grow apace, corrup-
&
our glory depart from us.
Sr
you speak of a
to
little
book (as not knowing whether you had sent
it
me)
I never yet received

it.
any such nor heard of

it,
it,
but should be
safely
glad to se
If you please to send
I hope
it
may come
to hand, as all
your good things formerly sent have done,

fallen short.
;
&
none
so far
that I
know have
I blesse
God
for
your holy labo rs
&
gracious abilities
&
kindly thank you for making

Sir, with cordial respects
me
partaker of the benefit.
to
rest
yourself,
Mrs. Mather,
&
all
yours, I
comend you
to
God,
&
Yours
Stamford,
in Christ
&
the fellowship of His Gospel,
John Bishop.
Oct. 18. 87.

ffor the Reverend fy his much respected freind Teacher to a Ghh of Ctt in Boston
.
M
.
Increase Mather,
these.
Rev d
affairs,
Sir
Mrs. Mather,
& Dear & all yours.

;
Bro:
Cordial
much
respects
to
yourself,
state
I long
to hear of
your
will
&
&
whether your purpose held for O. E.
If so,
my
poor
prayers shall follow you
&
hope the Lord's presence
be with
you, to p r serve & carry you safe thither, protect & direct you there in all that he calls vnto ; & in due time to return you again unto
vs, enriched with
ample experience of
vs.
all
His promised goodnes.
If Providence dispose for your abode with vs, that also I trust
shall be in
mercy unto
Your
letters to
M?
Selyns I speedily
sent away, the next day after they
came
to
my
hand,
&
am
cer-
316
THE MATHER PAPERS.

them, under
lines to
(it
[1688.
tifyed of his receipt of

to
his
own hand,
in his return
me
for I writ a
few
him, to desire he would signify

late,
the same vnto me, though
seemes) they came too
&
so are
reserv'd for the next opportunity, as his

acccpi, sero
words shew.
scil.
lice
quas
nimis advenSre, abierunt
ultimce naves ante
trimestrem nee qucedam dabitur ansa, literas Matherianas mit-
autumno, hasce reservabo in have heard from himselfe you hoc tempus, &c. how the matter stands, before now. Your neighbo & brother Robinson (# quern) hath well behaved among vs, to the good
tendi, nisi siibsequente estate aut
But
I suppose
satisfaction of his imployers, as to his

his walk.
tians,
work,
&
all
others, as to
more chrismore of Christ might be seen in them that are, for religion runs low in the land where there is any face of it, & profanes gets up amain, is bold & bare-faced. The glorious Gospel of Christ vnder great contempt, which gives just ground to fear that all is going. If you will not, you shall not.
Blessed be the Lord
!
that there were
&
Christ yet stands,

is
next to going.
& but stands O what will
knocking,
&
standing,
we
say,
become of N. E. shortly?
The
rising
graon, the vngodly posterity of godly parents, pious
&
precious ones,
many
such I mean, whose ofspring are greatly

21.
degenerate.
scriptures
Jer. 2.
31. 1 Sam. 2. 12. Judg. 2.
10. are
of sad import, as applicable to our backsliden state.

in the steps of their
Tho, (through mercy) some take well &walk

faithful progenito
1-8
.
know sundry
I cannot but
such, p r cious families, thro,
remember God's eminent & stock from whence you are descended, & those of yours whom the Lord hath blessed. O blesse God humbly on this account. I willingly joyn with you
grace.
Among whom
blessing
mercy
&
upon your
father's family,
&
to
pray for others,
&
for
me &
you
mine,
&
the people of this place,
that the
Lord would
souls.
blesse His gospel vnto vs,
&
make
it
saving
many
I cofiiend
&
all
yours to the Lord,
&
rest
Yours
Stamford,
i.
ever,
John Bishop.
I.
m.
20. 88.
e.
1G87-8, For the beg. of April, 1G88, Mr.
Mather
sails for
O. E.
[Prince.]
1677.]
THOMAS JOLLIE.
317
LETTERS OF THOMAS JOLLIE*
THOMAS JOLLIE TO INCREASE MATHER.

r Increas Mather ffor The Reverend and worthy minister of the gospell, at the North- Church in Boston in New-England.
.
Much Honoured
soe
in
the Lord,
Soe
must
salute you,
though I never saw your face
in the flesh,
and though you never

respect (noe doubt)
to
much
as heard of raee.
You have
the countrey of your pretious ffather, which will incline
rather to hold correspondence with
you the some one here, and having

of the
the opportunity (with the encouragment) of the bearer, I
bold to begin
it
now.
The extraordinary account
make New-
England worthy es, which I ever had, and the entire accord I have with them in that pure yet peaceable way, wherein the Lord hath led them, have been the foundation of a more abundant affection to the N: E: churches than any people in the world. The late troubles you were in, gave us an occasion to know our own hearts The Lord is witness how deeply wee the better as to that thing resented your distresses and what dayes were sett apart for you as also how heartily wee rejoyced in your deliverance, and what a day of thanks-giving wee had on that account. I have also seen somthing you writt to Mf Petto, f which must needs make us sollicitous to know your condition and to hear of a better consequence Wee are atof your begun-salvation and begun-reformation. tempting somthing to the same purpose. Oh, that it may bee yea, wee all need to strive attended with the same success together in prayer that hee who hath begun a good work, would pform it untill the day of Christ. Hee who made all things and
: ;
;
* Rev. Thomas
Jollie, a distinguished
nonconformist divine, abundant
in labors
and
in
sufferings for the cause of
what he
called "Primitive Christianity."
He was
often im-
prisoned, fined, and ill-treated.

f
See Calamy.
letters in this
Samuel
Petto.
See note to his
volume.
318
saitli lice
THE MATHER PAPERS.

makes
all
[1677.
things new, let
him make Old England new,

old,
and renew New-England's dayes as of

Churches need
to
not only reforming
gett reformed,
but those
who
profess to bee
reformed have need of reforming.
For the Churches who are gott

fall into
out of their suffering state into their soverai^n state to
a
in
is
slumbring state
is
not soe strange
but that those,
who remain
a suffering state, should yet remain in a slumbring state, this
much more
slaying
strange.
Indeed I hope
is
;
its
but a slumbring, not a

its
time,
which
upon
us.
Indeed I think
not only
at
slumbring but fainting

night, in
all
O, that wee may hear the cry the Churches, to awaken us, and have the
midof
spirit
power
to revive his
work
in the
midst of us.
;
Wee
if
need the
stir-
ring up of fear as the strengthning of faith
the
earth.
come now hee shall find but litle of a right faith, Yet I hope every one is not soe fast asleep in security, soe fainting in this day of adversity The Lord hath sett watchmen upon Jerusalem's walls, who will not give him nor his people rest
:
Son of man or fear upon the
untill her righteousness
goe forth as brightness and her salvation

;
as a
lamp
that burnetii
untill
hee establish and make Jerusalem

I pceiv, hath given
a prais in the earth.

to give
The Lord,
you a
spirit
warning; cry aloud, and spare not: the hous of Jacob

to, as well as the
needs crying
with you
in
God
one thing more.
of Jacob. Let mee bee bold would not only bee acquainted with
you, and the condition of the people of

the true state of that question
God
with you, but with

the posterity
is.
among you about
of the church, and what the result of that matter
Whether
the Lord's
you doe not admitt them

supper,
sion
;
as
compleat members to
if
they bee free from scandalous sins of omission and comis-
if
they doe also solemnly

:
own
the Covenant with the
Lord
and
his people
though they give not a satisfactory account of the

their soules
work
of
God upon
if
and yet would partake of such

excercise disciplin
further priviledge?
Whether you
upon than
in
a church-way,
they neglect the duty and priviledg aforesayd?

the children of such to baptism, the imediate
Whether you admitt

aforesayd?
parents falling into scandall or neglecting to
own
the
Covenant
as
Pardon
I pray,
my
boldness in putting these cases to

I pray
;
you; I jpceiv you have been m[or]e conversant in them. you also to excuse my rudeness in stating the quaestion
forced to doc
it
am
in hast.
I pray let us
have a share
in the
Comunion
1677-8.]
THOMAS JOLLIE.
The bearer hereof
I cannot
319
will
of your prayers as you have in ours.

acquaint you what need wee have thereof.
as I would.
direct
it
now
enlarg
If you pleas to favour
mee with a
to
mee, but order
it
to bee left with
letter, you may Mf Jonathan Heyes
at the sign of the
Brewers
in Turnball street,
London.
yea, upon all the
The Lord grant unto you
further supplyes of his spirit and

;
caus that spirit of power to rest upon you

residue of his witnesses, that there
may
not only bee a cry at mid-
night to awaken the virgin-church to prepare for the Bridegroom's
coming again
but a voice crying in the wilderness to prepare his
way to those, whom hee never yet came unto. The Lord bee with you as he was with your
not
fail
ffathers
let
him
you nor forsake you,

Less [than] the
it is
least of Saints
and of mercy es,
Tho: Jollie.
Pendlton nigh Clithekow, Lanc:
2 d of 2 d month, 1677,

ffor the Reverend and
my worthy ffreind Ml Increas Mather, Teacher of a church in Boston in New England. Per Capt. Mich. Park in r the ship Black Cock, whom God p serve.
,
Reverend and Dear S r
Grace, mercy and peace from God

His Covenant obligeth
ourFfather through our Lord Jesus Christ, by the comunion of the

Spirit, bee multiplyed, according as
Him
and your occasion

seasonably, for
calls for.
I received yours,
which came very
wee were
to
have a meeting with our neighbouring

to render
Sister-Church concerning those questions the week after, and your
was of speciall use to us. Wee are bound first thanks to God, and also to return thanks to you on this
letter
behalf.
Our
seed,
quaestion was,
is
What
is
the Church-state of the Church's
and what
the Church's duty to
them?
Wee
could only
;
look on them as members of the universall Church

not procply under the disciplin
of a
particular
and soe
Church.
in regard of that generall obligation they are
vnder by the
Yet Cov-
enant, and
wee
also
by our calling; yea,
in regard of that speciall
320
relation they
THE MATHER PAPERS.

and wee stand
in to their parents,
[1677-8.
wee could hot
but judg ourselves bound to more duty towards them, and they
more bound
to us
than to others.
But
I waive this discours at
present, hastning to the consideration of your condition, which
you were pleased

your case
purpose
is
to give
some account
heart,
of,
and Brother Adams,*

Indeed
Pastor at Dedham, was pleased to write of more largely.
much vpon my
it
to
spread
and wee sett a day apart on before the Lord. I hope I may say to you
as the Prophet sayd to the people at Gilgall, 1
the later end, both for your encouragment and

tion.
Sam: 12, towards by way of exhorta-
to such
Excuse my boldness, that and in such a case. It
I take
is
my
upon mee to give counsell zeal for your good, (the
Lord is my witness) that doth transport mee on this wise. Wee must not only send up our prayers to heaven one for another, but seacond them with our counsells one to another, and to follow all with suitable endeavours. The advice I humbly offer for your
awakning
to
duty in the. reforming of your manifest

is,
evills
and
to
for preventing of threatning ruin
that a
Synod bee gathered
that purpose.
For
this
seems to
bee the cours which Hezekiah
with other godly princes took, and [in] our circumstances (seem
to
mee)
to bee the only
meanes
to prevent
your feares and promote
your desi[res.
if
. .
.
I] suppose your Magistrates are

;
Church-members,
at
church-officers generally
and soe may bee present

to stir
;
such a Synod
as Magistrates or as
Messengers of the churches.
There
will the
Teaching Elders be present

to their
up one another,
and
to stir
up the Magistrates
duty
consulting alltogether
for the effectuall carrying
on of the work.
Magistrates
The Prophetts Haggai
and Zechariah were but two, and yet how did the Lord by them
stir
up and help
and people.
How may
you strengthen one anothers hands, [as Aaron] and II ur did by Moses? Yea, how may the Lord there rais up his Phinehas to excecute judgment and soe the hand of God bee stayed ? If this [be the hand] of God let Him awake you to your duty this way and your discouragements Twill] abate presently. Lean not to the broken reed of Egypt, but trust in the Lord with all your heart
and bee doing good.
fainting
Soe
shall
you dwell
in
the land.
Our
and
and slumbring doe bring on each other.

* Rev. William Aclims, [H.
AVee
faint,
1671.]
1677-8.]
THOMAS JOLLIE.
;
321
I would hope the
soe
fail
wee
loyter,
is
and soe languish more.

;
slaying time
over
and that
its
but a slumbring time.
these cryes at midnight

as a
awaken
to gett ready for Christ's
Bridegroom,
ffear not these tayles

praslats
Let coming of the smoaking firetheir worst, if
brands.
Pagans and
all
and papists have done
not done
their wont.
I
:
may
not
let
my
thoughts
help
now
expa-
tiate herein as
they would
only a hint to
you herewith
at.
will not hinder this repentance
and reformation wee are aiming

this
If this hope had not somthing helped me, I had hardly born up
under
my
burdens
nor should I encourage attempts in
kind
as to Synod.
When
very
I had writt thus far, I received the bookes
you sent
the
titles
whereof and your respects in sending them must needs
bee very gratefull to mee, and doth deserv

the <pusall of them.
my
gratitude even before

first
am
desirous to take the
opportunity
of signifying
my
receipt of yours,
litle
and returning you most hearty
thanks.
But I must a
full
dwell upon the thoughts of the weighty
matters contained in one of your bookes, and therfore delay a
while such a
account of
my
apprehensions about them as you
may
expect
only this in the generall and in short at present con-
cerning the
interest of Christ
Comunion of Churches. I humbly conceiv that the is very much concerned in the Association of
I have therfore this
I to
Churches and accomodation of dissenters.
28 years, according
I have looked on
viseable
my
capacity,
and as
have had oppor-
tunity laboured to promote that affair, especially since the change
more needfull every way yea more adI have therfore both some respects. though effected endeavoured much, Citty Countrey and the in spirit & more more peaceable Indeed I think there is a litle.
it
as
and
feasible
in
peaceable principles
but alass
our want
and practices among professors generally is of a publique spirit and a spirit of life
the Church's good,
to doe for
God and
also.
what wee ought
to
doe
and might doe
Wee
severall
kept up our Association-meetings for

seasons,
viz:
some time
since,
at
it's
two
before the change and
but
now
a long while since I could gett a meet-
ing of the churches in these northern parts. nent worthyes (Eaton, Boots, Marshall,
Our
ancient emi)
are dead,
and Oh, that I could say the Lord

ffathers, that the spirit of
41
is
with us as
Hee was with our
our Elijahs did rest upon our Elishas.
322
THE MATHER PAPERS.

for our
[1678-9.
As
poor church, wee are by death reduced to a small and

:
weak number
Yea,
little
liklihood
of our
;
long continuance,
much
way
less of
renewing our dayes as of old
unless the
our infirmityes, enlarge our libertyes and

signally.
-
own
his ordinances
Lord help some

in
to,
Indeed wee have an encouraging instance
our
next neighbouring Church, which Ml Briscoe was pastor

another Church at a further distance, unto which
and
Mf Eaton was
Teacher.
These were brought very low, and the Lord hath not
only restored but multiply ed them of late years.

settled at
Mr
Briscoe
is
Toxt-heath-Park where he enjoyes
his publique liberty.
in the adjacent parts of YorkAbout Leeds and Wakefeild they have great liberty, and 2 or 3 churches more are gathered lately. I hint these things becaus I know you will desire to have some account of our condition, and that you may remember us accordingly. I hope by that time y[ou ha]ve received this you will bee satisfyed better upon what terms you stand with England and yet if the war goe on with France you fear from y seem to have more ground. But it is time to br that your bookes had most kind acceptance with mee and not only with God but men
There are some hopefull beginnings
shire.
shall
through His grace bee
for you.
Wee
I
doe solemnly and daily comend you to the Lord, in
whom
am
Your very undeserving and
dearly loving brother,
Tho: Jollie.
|Te]ndlton, nigh Clitherow, 18 th of 11 th m: 167.

ffor
the Reverend and my very worthy ffreind, M: Increas Mather, minister at the seacond church in Boston, in New-Enyland. Leav
this
and a book with M: Jonathan Heys, Street, London, To bee sent as abovesayd.
at the
Brewers in Turuball
Pendlton, nigh Clitheroav, in Lancashire, 15 th
of
Reverend and Dear Brother

your
letter
in
the
Lord,
m: 1070.
I received
It
with your sermon, and dearly thank you for both.
1678-9.]
THOMAS JOLLIE.
refreshing to
323
such a spirit working on
is
is
noe
litle
mee
that there
is
behalf of the rising generation, and that there

as to the success.
such an earnest
There
is,
noe doubt, ground to belie v, and
need to beg earnestly on that account. Wee have already here been joyning solemnly with you in that work, and shall bee engaging other churches what wee can. Noe doubt, also, there is
Church-care to bee exercised upon them otherwayes as to instruction
and
disciplin, soe far as they are capable,
were
it
'
but for
the sake of their relation to their parents

relation,
who
are in Churchto help in
and
whom
the
Church sure should bee ready
the Lord, especially
ment on
supadded
all
when it is a matter of soe great concernhands. The ministeriall authority and ability es
to
children of
what is only parentall must needs extend to the Church-members, though those children bee but yet in
and must needs engage a more
ministers of Christ to a particular
speciall
the Church universall,
presence of
God where
If
such ministeriall endeavours are faithfully
Church office, wee are by office to serv the whole Catholick Church as wee have occasion how much more those children whom wee are the more concerned for, upon the account of our relation to their parents. Such parents and posterity on
of.
made use
wee bee
of Christ in teaching
their part
also
must needs look on themselves

to
in their severall
capacityes under solemn obligations
doe their utmost in the

said children as
use of
all
meanes, as they expect the benefitts of the Covenant,

at present look
though wee may not
upon the
being under that speciall consideration of the Covenant in respect

to such particular Church-relation.
Surely the parents will not
bee wanting
to use,
in
doing their part as to the meanes themselves are

all
and bringing them under

if
Church-meanes, whilst their

fitt
it
Children are under their power,
such parents be
for
Comunion
and
faithfull in the
Lord's Covenant.
it
Yet doth
concern us in
the ministry to see to
that they doe their duty to their children
and putt us
parentall.
also into a capacity to doe ours to them, also that the
advantage of ministeriall help

is
may
bee accumulated to that which
Surely the children on their part must look on them-
selves as greatly obliged in
and by
purpose
their parents to
;
doe their duty
and use the meanes
to this
though as yet they have not

If with Ishmaell they
solemnly owned the Covenant in actuall giving up themselves to

the Lord, and such a particular people.
324
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678-9.
prove mockers, and with Esau contemn their priviledg after

ther grace, but
all
mcancs used and due time waited, they not only fall off from what they had.
fall
short of fur-
But you
will expect I
should give
my
apprehension concerning
the matter in controversy
amongst you.
Alass
am
litle ffitt to
give a judgment in matters which require far greater measures of

irrace
and
gifts
than I have received.
Besides I have not seen the

is
Synod-book, where the case (I suppose)
fully stated
Nor am
you are in. Indeed I have pused your elaborate, excellent peice upon that subject, and it hath been stirring abroad since it came to mine
upon
the place to understand all the circumstances
hands.
I must needs say, you were very

it
undertaking, and
to
hath been also helpfull
much helped in that, to mee in the Lord,

upon
Church, and
whom
bee
all
the glory.
I doe confess I have looked
children
when baptized
as admitted into the Universall
yet as thereby layd under an obligation to joyn themselves to a

particular church
when they solemnly own

its
the Covenant and they

seal.
expect the
full
confirmation thereof in
seacond
I confess
if
1 could not understand
how
the children of
Church-members,
rid
they bee accounted members of a particular Church, can bee denyed
any of the Church's priviledges or power, and how wee can

excoiiiunication.
live in neglect of fess I
if it
our
hands of them but in a Church-way, of solemn admonition and
Concerning the baptism of
their children,
who
Comunion of
saints in particular churches, I con-
have not been satisfyed, and soe have suspended.

is
Indeed
but wee
appear not to bee a neglect, the case
otherwise
seldom have such cases offerd here, and soe I have not come to
that result, which then (I hope) the
Lord would bring mee

fall
if
to.
If
they bee faithfull in the main they will hardly
short of that
which the church

also.
will
condescend unto,
they soe judg them
I doe think that pro-parents or others
may
give right to
children's baptism, if the propriety bee theirs,
and such children
bee in their power
by the same reason that Abraham's bought or
bond-servants were circumcised.

sett
all
Wee
have need to mark (or

the ordinances of
our heart) and behold with our eyes, and hear with our eares
that the
Lord
saith unto us,

all
concerning
all
this his
hous, and
the lawes thereof, and
mark
well the entring
in of the
hous with every going forth of the sanctuary, that wee

the charge of his holy things,
may keep
and not
suffer the stranger
1681.]
THOMAS JOLLIE.
325
44.
uncircumcised in heart or in flesh to enter therein, Ezek.
Concerning the Comunion of Churches,

tion
it
it
seems there
litle
is litle
ques-
among you.
I would there were as
among
us.
When
comes
to particulars
and practice thereon, wee are greatly a
wanting, the Lord knowes.
You
have indeed greater advantages,
yet wee have greater necessity thereof.
Wee
are
much
enfeebled
through the neglect of that Comunion and exposed also to

liverer.
much
danger, as Laish, for want of correspondence, did want a de-
Judg: 18.
hopefull
Some more
ment, and
yoke.
(it
members
are chosen into our
new
Parlai-
seems) as there might bee some

is lest
lifting
up of the
sitt
The danger
the Parlaiment be too good to
long
but of those things (I suppose) you

full
may have
a more ready and
account from better hands at London.
you herewith 2 treatises, which severall yeares agoe when I was a prisoner. I think the peice not worthy your pusall, much less can I think any recompens of your kindness to mee yet must I somwayes signify my acceptance and
I have sent
I drew up
acknowledgment of your singular respects
in those severall peice
you have sent

and prayers.
to
mee.
Let us especially bee
in each other's hearts
May
I but bee in yours, as
you are
in mine.
comend you to the Lord in whom I am Yours to love and honor you,
Indorsed,
Tho: Jollie.
" Reed Aug*
23, 1679."

ffor
the
Reverend
England.
M\
Increas Mather, Minister of the gospell in Boston in

bee left with
New
the
To
r
.
Jonathan Heyes,
at
the sign
of
Sun and Key,

,
in Red-cross
Street,
London, and sent as abovsayd.
KEVEREND S k AND MY DEAR BROTHER

I
IN
THE LORD,
must write
is
to
own my
litle
further debt to
you
though acknowledg-
ment
to the
but a
towards payment.
I not only received your
letter but the books, and must not only return thanks to you, but
Lord
also.
Blessed bee the Lord for what you see in your
326
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1681.
son, and that the church shares with you in the blessing.
I re-
joycc in your restoring (noe doubt) for a publique good, and that
but that hee should withall rais the Lord hath not removed you up your seed for publique service, what shall wee render to him
:
for both mercyes, that Elisha should bee raised
up and Elijah not
yet taken up.
must not say what I think. I need your help to prais the Lord for my mercy in both my sons, especially in him who is in the ministry you are sensible of the mercy, and soe
I
:
suitable for the duty.
I think
its
since
my
last to
you, that
my
son (I
istry,
call
him Timothy *) was solemnly
sett apart to the
min-
and inicdiately after, called to undertake a pastorall charge. That church had buryed two pastors since they were gathered, and
upon
their sending to the
Churches
at
London,
my
son was by
Mf
Griffith recoiiieded to
them, being dismissed from
Mf
Grif-
fith's
people, with
whom
hee was in fellowship, the church at

call in
Sheffeild to
whom
hee was recomended and dismissed did
the teaching officers of other churches (having none of their
own)
by virtue him to the work of the ministry and comitt to him the word of Then did the church unanimously clioos him into the Gospell. pastorall relation to them and call him to the work thereof. I
did
first
of comunion of Churches, who
solemnly senate
mention
very
this that I
may have your
sens of this order, which
wee
humbly conceiv
to bee according to
the rule of the gospell, and
much
for the healing of differences
among
gives
dissenting brethren.
It gives to the ministry all that they
can demand, as to their work

it
of setting apart to the ministry
and
all to
the people that

are to bee over
they can desire as to their free choice of those
who
them
in the
Lord
it
also secludes the classicall
power, and
se-
cures the congregationall
power
in
mannaging
all in
the particular
Church concerned, and by virtue of Comunion of Churches. The direct us and ours soe in the way so that there may bee noe unnecessary obstruction to the blessing on and with them but
Lord
that they
may
bee soe called into the ministry and carry in
it
that
all.
they
may
bee in the fairest capacity of furthest usefullness unto

last
Concerning the business of your

a good success thereof.
* Rev. Timothy
Synod, I heartily beg

in
for
AVee have here

church
our circumstances been

was
lined
Jollie, pastor of a
in Sheffield, in Yorkshire',
and imwilling
prisoned under the Five Mile Act.

to suffer for conscience' sake.
The
father rejoiced that he had a sou
who was
See Calamy.
1681.]
THOMAS JOLLIE.
327
endeavouring somthing to the same purpose.

better, our publique affaires (I beleiv)
Had
who
it
succeeded
In-
had succeeded
better.
deed I told
my
brethren at our last meeting,
did hang our
proceeding too
(I
much upon
the proceedings of the Parlaiment, that
humbly conceived) the
success of their affaires
would much
Alass
!
depend upon the success of the business wee had
in hand.
wee need otherwise

j)
spiriting to the
endeavouring ourselves and the
assisting of each other in the reforming of confessed evills,
and
forming of professed dutyes.
There are some principles, too
rigid
breach open
on one hand and others too laxe on the other, which keep the but our great evill is in our spiritts, and that wee
:
comunion soe far as wee might. I am thinking wee must bee forced at present to wave some as to our meetings taking those only, who walk more uprightly according to the truth of the gospell, and are of more gospell-spiritts, yet walking with others soe far as wee are agreed, and waiting for the Lord's furpractice not
;
The dispensation wee have been under much for the advantage of that wee judg to bee the way of the gospell, and if things work to more extremity, I hope it shall work us to more unity. You have an
ther revealing of himself.
these 20 yeares hath been
account of our posture as to publique affaires from better hands

I
mean from London, which is the stage upon which our tragady is acted. But why doe I say our tragady? It is not all sad, and all shall end well as to us. Nothing more fully designed, nor
more probable
bury
;
to bee effected, than the destruction of the

is
Ld
Shafts-
yet hee
quit
and
sett at liberty.
is
can better inform you of; which

county,
also
But these things others a wonder in this Popish

There
is
when publique
affaires are in
such a posture.
violent prosecution
of the popish recusants,
and noe psecution

off.
against protestant dissenters.
But
:
must break
are likly
Hold up
to feel the
is
your hearts and hands

fury of the adversary
:
for us
Wee
first
not but that I hope the angell
removed
;
betwixt the host of Israeli and the host of the Egyptians

that the
yea
Lord takes
off the
wheels of the Egyptians' chariotts and

I
doth fight against them.
comend you
to
this
Angell of the
Covenant and of the Lords presence, in whom I am Your very loving, though very unworthy brother,
Tho: Jollie.
Pendlton, Dec: 5 th
,
1681.
328
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1677.
LETTERS OF RICHARD BLINMAN*
RICHARD BLINMAN TO INCREASE MATHER.

These for his reverend friend
M Increase Mather Teacher

r
to the
second
Church at Boston in
New
England.
this bearer, I
RD &
deare
BRO:,
Since
my
former by
have
of
heard somth. that I cannot omit.

the prelats procurem*,
straitning
The Convocation summoned by

expectations
who went up with high
the
Non-Conforms,
as
&
providing for thems: had no
commission given them to convene

but looke on
it
wn
they came up.
I cannot
an
Answ
of prayers, which calls for prayses.
We
perceive few or no Acts of publ: concern yet agreed-on by

;
the 2 houses
&
whether they wiibe prorogued or Adjourned, or
when, we cannot yet learn

to-morrow being (as
for building ships,
Though a vacation seems to be neere, they call it) Good Friday. It may be you
;
wil heare in the next, of the Establishnr of the
Act of 600,000'',
&
we
of the Additional Bil for continuance of the
Excise of Beere, Brandy,
&c,
for
4 years more.
The onely wise
&
all
it
!
gracious God,
hope, wil appeare in his time in defeating
the plots of the

I have
r
Roman AntiX*
at
r
pray the Lord to hasten
no more
sent, but love
&
prayers.
Your
friend
& broth &c

April 12. 1677.
[No
sir/nature.]
Postscr: This post seem's to lessen the great victory of the French over the P. of Orange his Army. About 8000 killd on
both sides,
&
the
P army
s
that remained, safely retired
onely lost
a few great Gunns, with bag
&
baggage, which they could not
draw along with them.

Indorsed,
"Mr. Rich. Blinman.
Apr.
12.
1G77."
ioners,
* Rev. Richard Blinman came over from England, with several of his former parishand soon after reaching Plymouth, in 1(340, crossed over to Cape Ann, and changed
the
lh>
name
of the
town
to Gloucester, the city
afterwards removed to
Now
where some of his companions were born. London, and subsequently to New Haven. He went back
to
England
in 1659,
and died
at Bristol.
1677.]
RICHARD BLINMAN.
329

TJiese
r Increase Mather Teacher for his Reverend friend at Boston in New England.
to
a church
Reverend & deare brother,

I reed by this bearer
Yours
But
the
with your 2 books

I,
Sanders, for which I thank you.

litle
with
many
feare
others are grieved to heare, that so
Reformation hath
to
been wrought by the awful dispensations of
God
New
E:
&
doe
what wilbe the yssue of them.
Lord hath
a people
among you, whom,

as
is
I trust he wil never leave nor forsake.
heare, that your Agents in

desired,
it, if it
&
that
London, have not so good a Reception you wilbe like to lose your patent. The Lord
forbid
wil suit with his glorious wil,
&
that the unthank-
fulness,
r
&
malignity of a multitude amongst you,
may
;
never
vaile to deprive
you of
so great a mercy.
God
hath formerly
it
often blasted such endeavo r s,
&I
hope, will doe so
stil
being, a
thing wherin his glory
is
so
much concerned.
The Lord give

his
a mighty spirit of supplication, humiliation,
&
Repentance, to
own
people amongst you.

in the
The Earle
of Shaftsberry,
we
heare,
is stil
tower
the other 3 lords are at present out,
by an
act of grace, for their healths sake.

in
The
parliam*.
all,
is
to sit againe
Decemb r
next.
God
he
ruleth in the midst of
to accomplish his threats

fitted for
&
promises.
that
!
what
trialls
is
bringing upon us
is on his way we were better The Lord even to
&
this
day, sadly frowns upon us, in sending frequent raines in the

;
time of harvest
so that
much
corn
is
like to rot
&
it's
said,
much
is,
is
blasted,
it's
&
wil yield no bread.
And
;
our misery
&
sin
that
laid to heart
by very few.
The Lord seems
to say,
The
floore
& wine-press
shal not feed us
our corn in the season thereof.
w n God
now
at
hath fourbished his

is
& that he wil take away making mirth, even now sword against us. Cursed plays, by
We
are
which the nation
debauched, abound, which our city experienced
James's fayer.*
The
scarlet
whore mak's the nations drunk
with the cup of her fornications.
The Lord hasten her mine.
As
for forreign-news,
I can heare of no considerable action of
St.
James's Fair, which began on the eve of
St.
James's Day, July
25.
42
330
late
THE MATHER PAPERS.

;
[1678.
the armies waite one on another,

;
&
labo r one to prevent
another, of what they designe
but no battel.
Some
:
of our great
its thought at ones are lately gone into Holland, Germany, &c. Your cleare bro: & my their return, we shal see some alteration. deare correspondent in Dublin, gives the L? Capel a most honourable character, into whose place D. Ormond is gone, or going.
Mine with
eood friend
my
[wifes]
Elliot,
deare
love
.
to
you
&
&
yours
I
with our
desire
&
.
have occasion. [St]amford
shal
you
to give
is
my
loves to
his;
:
I heare his I have not
sister
living,
but have reed no letter from her

;
time to write to him
kn[owledge]
in
him have what you judge worthy his I had almost forgot to tell you to these lines.
let
s
th
beware of one Rigby, who (as he
married a daughter of
;
rl3
Longs of Charlestown
Tricks to your bro:
a meere cheat
r
who
I doubt wil
shew
his
&D
Harrison,
if
I prevent
is
him
not.
Many
r Elnathan Chancey * we meet with. N. E., who hath had advantages from his 2
such
like to return to
broth r s here for the
practice of physick.
I believe he
is
truly Godly,
sort, that
&
hath gained
good estimation here, with the better
know
him.
The Lord be with you, In hast I rest, Your Lov: friend,

Aug: 14 th
Indorsed,
1677.
.
.
.
R. B.
"
Unman, Aug. 14,1677."

These for
M
.
Increase Mather.
Reverend & Deare Brother,

an opportunity of sending
I
Its
now long
since I
had
left.
to
you.
I cannot begin
affaiera
where I
doubt not but you have heard of our
from other hands.

for pleading
3 of the 4 Lords formerly committed to the

this Parliam't to
Tower
be Nul, have had their liberty long since.

till
Onely
Shaftsbury deteind
this last session,
And upon
his
acknowledgem* of
his
which began Jan: 15, 77[8]. misadvised action in so doing

still in
&
his appealing to the
Judges, the House of Lords
Being,
physician of Boston, son of President Cliauncy.
1678.]
RICHARD BLINMAN.
331
who had committed

since.
him, he, upon his petition, not without the

litle
opposition of some of the house, was received, but hath said
We
have nothing- but Iumo rs of warrs against the French.

to defray the charge,
A Pol-bil already signed

;
which wil
rise to
an
unknown sum besides a considerable sum to be raisd on all the new buildings in the suburbs of London since 56. But its said, tie its given to make an actual war with France, which his ma hath
been often desired
to
proclaym.
Besides, another Act to prohibit
French goods
to surmize,
for 3 years, very strict, yet
some
Criticks are apt
we
stil
shal have
no war with France.
Ghent
&>
Ypres
in Flanders are lately yielded
up
to the French.
Volunteers have
been
erats.
&
are
raising with us to send over to help the Confed-
Some few
are landed at Ostend already.
guess they wilbe imployed nearer home.
land are in a very
afflicted condition
Some are apt to The Kirk party in Scotsome of the Scottish Lords
West
of Scotland, where
gone over
Scotland
to the
North of Ireland.
Divers of the Uplanders in
(its said) invited
down
to the
they act their Barbarism in plundering, ravishing, &c.
godly hearts here are much affected with their condition.

be you enough.
It
Many may
may
see
My
more in an inclosed paper, if I can get it time dear bro: Bartlet * (and your friend) I heare was to
wait to heare what hath been done.
restrain
be indicted at
this Assizes, I
Our comon
fears of
Popery doe not yet

There
some from perse-
cuting the godly.
people, blessed be His

cited to the
your peace.
is much peace in this City to the Lord's name tho some few have lately been B p 's Court, it's come to nought. Blessed be God for The Lord sanctifie the stroke & deliverance. Satan
;
knows
his
time
is
short
& g
rageth greatly.
that there were

!
a greater spirit of prayer, humiliation
&
Reformation on foote
bewayle.
Too much conformity

the
to the
world
is
found every where, which

I
some more serious ministers Lord is about to knock

to himself.
&
christians
believe
off the fingers of
many
professing
people, from the world, that he
may
take off their hearts more

is,
from creatures
Our
late
news
that the French have

;
deserted their present designe at
Mycena
in Sicily
&
hath laid an
Embargo on
all his vessels in
France,
&
English commodities, in imitation of
made an order against our what we have done against
* Probably Rev. Robert Bartlet, of Cadbury, Somersetshire.
332
THE MATHER PArERS.
[1678.
French commodities here,

day before which there
is
&
on our ships here.

is
On Thursday
to sit againe
;
next
the
;
our Parliament, alter a fortnight's Adjournm*,

to be a
all
day of Humiliation
in all
London
all
&
that
day fortnight over

This Post
Engl: to be seriously kept by
sub-
jects, according to the
printed
form of prayer
that shedbe pre-
scribed.
serted
we
;
heare that the French mounsier hath de-
Ghent
&
Ypres
which maks some think that we shal

fleet
indeed have a war with France, the French having also a gathering
in St.
Malows.
above,
is this.
On
there with the rest
news intimated the 13th of January last the 2 Arch Prelats of the Council, put to death one Mf James
of the Scotch
is
The sum
upon supposition that he shot at a B 7 or 8 years agoe.* And after they had imbrued their hands in his blood, the said Prelats marched with 5000 horse & foot into the land, to put them upon the Abjuration of the Gov & to make them give bonds not to goe to any Conventicle They designed not onely Imprisonment in house, field, or wood. & Confiscation, but death also to the refusers. And all the Gentry from 60 years old to 16, to assist when required, on pain of RebelAnd no man to goe out of Scotland-, upon the same penalty. lion. The first of Febr: they were marched from Edinburrough to Glasgow, which is said to be 40 miles. No man may take or keep a Tenant or servant that goes to Conventicles, as they call them. AVc have not heard this moneth past what is further done. On
Michel, an eminent servant of Jes: X*, as
p
said,
Tuesday next there

in
is
to be a general
muster of the new souldiers

is
James's Park.
You
see
I
d
what need there
of praying
&
humbling,
to
sat verba sap:
have no more at present but love

deare friends as you have oppor&, us.
you
&
yours, with other
R &
tunity.
The Lord in mercy be with you Your loving friend & brother,
?] 8,
1 rest,
[Xo
siynature.']
March
[April
1678.
Postscript, April 18 th
'78.
There
1'
is
a book set forth (a
1'
being offred to discover the
autho or printer) which gives an account of about 200 Parliam*
men by name,
that have been, as

to
is
said, bribed, with the
sums
&
offices
they have, or are
have.
One
lite
of them,
(as
we
Mitchell confessed the act, under a promise that Lis
should bo spared.
1678.]
RICHARD BLINMAN.
333
to
heare,
&
I doubt not the truth of it)
was inclosed
Deputy
unknown hand. Another d underhand dealing of some book that discovers (as is s ) much great ones but they are forbidden, & so we must be ignorant.
Coldston, a merchant in our city, by some
;
His
Ma
tie
hath adjournd the Parliam 1 againe for a fortnight,
till
April 29th.
What
now
the reason of
as
it is
not known.
There
is
lately
more out of Scotland,

Scotch nobility
you wil
see
by the inclosed,
you.
&
divers of the
at
our Court to complain against Laudordale.

tell
What
is
the yssue I cannot yet

it,
I shal desire
you
to send
the inclosed, or a copy of
to
M?
;
Fitch with
my
letter to
him,
&
to
the rest of what I have written
both you
!
&
he need be wary
whom you communicate

!
it.
pray
the
&>
cry mightily to
of the
God
that
for us
We
have no help but
in
name
Lord
made H. & Earth. truth among you.
The Lord be with you,
&
grant peace
&

These for
M?

in
to
a Church of Christ at Boston
New
England.
yielded
my former by this vessel, we heare that Ghent is not up by the French, as was reported. It is reported that the Dutch wil fal in with the French, who offer them larger tearms than
Since
formerly.
Great complaints against Lauderdale.
Above 60 of
Scotch nobility are said to be

his
now
at our court, to petition against
cruelties
in Scotland.
In particular, the Farle of Cassels

acted in obedience to
[Cassilis],
who hath very much
him and
is
the Council there, found such unjust dealing from them, that he
now
in
London,
&
hath presented the particulars of their rigorous
dealing with him, which I have not time to transcribe.
What
men
their
answer he
&
others have, I cannot
tell
you, but
its
said the Bar-
barous High-landers are disbanded.
Some
of our Parliam*
who were
onely way
pensioners, begin
I
now
to
speak at an high-rate, against

it
the Ministers of State.
am
apt to think, they see
is
to secure themselves
Its
from the odium of the people of

sent
this nation.
supposed, that the Farliam* wilbe
away
334
shortly
THE MATHER PAPERS,

;
[1678.
&
if
the Standing
Army
abide,
mode
of administration of Justice.
we may expect the French Some Justices, for imprisonup

to
ing Mass-Priests taken in their robes administrin^, have forthwith
been put out of Commission,
&
the priests sent for
London
&
discharged
which the house of Comons seem to be disconhave given 4 or 5 reasons to the Lords,
tented with,
&
why
(as
they judge) the Papists are of justice.
now
so bold,
&
evade the execution
I could not omit to give
affaiers, since
my
former.
You
you the estate of our present see what need we have of prayers.
is
Its
thought some great shaking

is
neere.
I believe that Earth-
quake, Revelation 11*
not far
(who
are indeed rather bruits
when the 7000 names of men than men) shalbe slain, & the remoff,
nant (or rest of men) shal have their eyes opened, be affrighted
&
give glory to God.
And
Yours
then woe be to
think of any more at present.
Accept of
cordially,
his love
Rome. who
I
is
cannot
&c.
May
20 th , 78.
Indorsed,
" M*
Richard Blinman. May, 1678."
RICHARD BLINMAN TO INCREASE MATHER. Reverend & Deare Brother,

last
hope you have reed
my
long since.
I
cannot
tell
you
all
that have intervened to
this time.
suppose you
may have had

since
sit till
divers things from other
hands.
Our Parliam* hath

5*?
sate,
&
was adjourned
till
August
to
but not like to

is
winter, unless the warre goe
on
against France, which
rendred so dubious as none knows what
make
of
it.
Many
of our souldiers lately raised are sent over
into the Spanish Netherlands.

is
The Duke
of
Monmouth,
its
said,
D. of York to follow. The Dutch have set the K. of France a day (which I suppose is now over, tho we yet heare not the Answeare) whether he wil deliver up Masgone over;
the
tricht,
&
&
the places he hath taken in Flanders
which he refused
skirmishes have
It here passes for
to
doe unless the D. of Brandenburg would deliver up to the

in
Swede what he had taken

been of
late,
Pomeren.
on both
Some
sides.
wherein divers
lost
1678.]
RICHARD BLINMAN.
(which
it
335
currant
Hurricane in the
may be, you know better than we) that by a West Indies, 8 French men of war, and 6 French
merchant men, were driven ashore
&
lost,
wherein were 1500

if true.
seamen But our

r
&
8000
souldiers.
An
eminent blast of God,
ears are so filled with contradictions
&
false reports, that
w e know
There
is
not
how
to credit the Reports
which come every post.

;
a great depth of Satan in Jesuitical caballs
but the All-
knowing God knows them all, & wil in the end, take the wise in their own craftiness. The Scots stil goe on with their meetings, notwithstanding all the cruelties they have met with, & its said, they increase, & many come in to them, who before stood off. A standing-Army is there concluded upon by the late Convention, & 70,000 h $ Annu agreed upon to mainteine them. Divers Herito r s refuse to seale the Bonds they would impose upon them,
concerning their Tenants.
What
in
like to
wilbe the yssue
we know
evil
not.
God
one.
wil doe His
own work
!
His own time,
& it
wilbe a glorious
But Alas
What
is
come before upon an
genera-
tion?
Prophane-ness abounds;
&
professo r s, for the most part,
doe not adorn the Gospel.

called
Many
of the Lord's
And
(that
yet
home of late, & we feare we shal how litle taken to heart? We heare not scarce of any are like to succeed them) of the young generation. Our
( ?) is
Ambassado r s are heare of more shortly.
Bp Guy
lately
againe pecking at the congregations in this city

I
but our magistrats are not very prone to serve him therin.
heard by one from Dublin that your bro: * was wel,
&
hath
a great meeting,
&
quiet, but I
have not received a
line
from him
a great while. Since the above written, I heare that the Treaty at Nimiguen
is
to yssue
in
peace or war, this weeke
whether of the 2
we
all
know
not.
Its said the
French-King
is
willing to deliver
;
up
in Flanders, save
Charle-Roy
&
Mastricht
both which he wil
also deliver up,
Pomeren.
You
can
see
tell
when the Swede shal have what hath been taken in Our Parliam* is againe put off till the 29 th instant. our state, & I suppose you know your own better than I
Yet
I shal adventure to give
you.
you
this hint,
under
the Rose, that I feare an Inhabitant of your countrey would faine
be
Ld
paramount over
all
the colonies.
Sat: verb: sap:
God
* Rev. Nathaniel Mather.
336
hath Masted
all
THE MATHER PAPERS.

designs formerly,
[1678.
them
&
to establish the
I have no
more
to
& I hope he wil goe on to blast good he hath begun in the wilderness. If any thing arise before this adde at present.
it
r vessel sayle, I shal endeavo to give
you.
I cannot
1'
now
;
write
to
Fitch nor
My
ll
d
deare love to
friend
whom rememb & excuse me. M? yourself & yours, with my wives also & to our
Russel,
to
Elliot
&
other friends, desiring the
Lord dayly
[No
for
you,
&
desiring the like for us.
In hast, I rest
Yours
August
9, 78.
in
X*
&C
signature.]
I have heard since, that
God
hath eminently executed judgem*
on many of the Barbarous High-landers,

since converted,
& many
others of
them
&
the rest of
them gone.
1676.]
SAMUEL HOOKER.
337
LETTERS OF SAMUEL HOOKER*
SAMUEL HOOKER TO INCREASE MATHER.

These ffor the Reverend
Increase Mather in Boston, ddd.

till your last came whereThankes for both. Through
Reverend S r
I thought longe
gift.
with I received your good
grace, Indian motions are greatly hushe
amonge
us.
The
last re-
port which cometh to mee, (which
is
Indian newes) but said to

of them
be true,
is,
that a divine
Hand
:
hath followed those of our enemies
who went Albany-ward

sicknes
;
som
multitudes
swept away by
If
others resigned
up
to the
hands of Inglish or
Mohawkes,
or both.
Fuller intelligence will shortly be had.
opportunity serve, an exact account of your easterne motions and

particularly of that concerning Capt.
Lake
would bee acceptable.
I have heard occasionally that
revived
which in the
refreshing and Joye.
My Oakes is in som good measure midst of many sorrowes is som matter of I heare there is much sicknesse and som
more death than ordinary at Hadly. The bloudy flux hath been amongst us but, thankes bee to God, not much mortallity. At this time a very malignant and dangerous feaver is wanderinge
;
here abouts.
God seemeth
not to have finished His controversy
with the land.
We
have a long time been chastened.

I
Oh
that
wee might bee taught out of His law.

Yours
Octob. 12, 76.
adde no more, but
thankfuJ love, with desyres of prayer, and remaine

affectionately
S:
H:
* Rev. Samuel Hooker, son of Rev. Thomas Hooker, of Hartford, was ordained at Farmington in 1661, as successor to his brother-in-law, Rev. Roger Newton, f See notes on pp. 298 and 301.
43
338
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
[1679.

\_To~]
lite
Reverend
M
.
Increase Mather, these, Boston.
Reverend S r
Yours
:
of
May
28 I received yesterday,
to-
gether with your instructions concerning Renewal of Covenant
Thankes for both As you a better account

:
for things in our colony, I wish I could give
We
are greatly beholding to
God
:
for our
magistracye, the countenance of which bodeth good

istry also
Our Min-
sure
(at least diverse of
them)
&
I hope
God
will
For reformation. I wish I could on good grounds saye more, and yet there may be more than I am advantged to obHowever there is cause to waite with Hope, in as much as serve Afterward chastisement yeildeth the peaceable fruit of rightiousnes. My son cometh in company with these Indisposed for the r Wigglesworth being at greater Leisure y n I heare Colledge. som others (becaus of his rare preaching.) is thought a man very To him I thinke to Idoneous for such instruction as he needeth. moue for his Helping Hand. If you see nothing incongruous,
never forsake.
: :
please to promote
it
and
at all times
by
all
meanes further
his
of, &c: If Tekel bee not upon Whereas you tell me in the beginning of yours that it is a longe time since you received any Letter from mee I doubt not (but that your Time is short,) you might haue but If I be chid, and both of us mend, It said some thinge else
good
It
:
concerning the settlement
all
may
bee well
is
best of all
With
best respects I remaine
Yours assuredly,
June.
5. 77.
S.
Hooker

To
the
Reverend
,
M
.
Increase
Mather, in Boston, These.
Reverend S u
See
I perceive
by
Ffoster * that Tutor Oakes
ith yourself are like to have a considerable influence into his
* Kcv. Isaac Foster.
letter
of Increase Mather
oil p.
93,
and note
\ to
the same.
1679.]
SAMUEL HOOKER.
339
is
motion,
now under Hand.
The gentleman
visit,
a stranger any fur-
ther than by heare say, and what glimmerings of acquaintance
now
vouchsafed in this running
but giving respect to the
testimony that passeth upon him, and Considering
dence of
God
hath pointed the people
how the proviwith much unanimity to

The people have a
it
desyre him, I can not but request you seriously to consider what
may
be most acceptable to
God
in the case.
longe time, beene in an unquiet, unedifying posture, and
will be
an excellent and very acceptable service unto God,

to
to bring
them
it
Peace according
to
Truth
doe
&
according to
what appeareth, I
Therefore, if
see no
man more
like to
it
than this gentleman.
him come to us. No doubt but he will in the beginning meet with some difficulty but I hope God will helpe through
bee, let
;
may
it,
and friends
will not faile to take part of his burthen.
I sup-
pose you will heare by better hands of the great breach made upon
Hartford, by the death of Mr. Haines,*
this instant.
who departed
the 24 of
The Holy One of Israeli teach to profit. when any line of yours hath come to mee. The reason I presume is best known to yourself. Praye for us, and Yours truly, I remaine S. H.
I
know
not
May
28. 79.
[Suppose Samuel Hooker.
Prince.]
[The following indorsement upon this letter is in the handwriting of Increase Mather Having discoursed with Mr. Foster, upon his Invitation from the congregation
:
at
Windsor,
&
finding that his spirit (not without raising, in his

. . .
owne &
or
appre-
hension very momentous
is
altogether averse fro a closure with that motion,
wee dare not advise him
to accept thereof, as conceiving that his call is not clear.
Vrian Oakes. Sam. Nowell.

I[ncrease] M[ather.]
Sam^ Torret.
Thomas Graves.!
* Rev. Joseph Haynes, of Hartford, [H. C. 1658] son of Governor John Haynes, sucMay 24, 1679, aged thirty-'
ceeded Rev. Thomas Hooker, at Hartford, in 1664, and died eight }r ears. Savage's " Geneal. Diet."
f
H.
1656, et Socius.
340
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
SAMUEL HOOKER TO JAMES FITCH.

To
the
Reverend
M
,
James
ffitch, sen:
Pastor
to
the
Church of
X in
c
Norwich.
Reverend S k
in that
The Inclosed M
of
Higgensons
to
mee, and
yours to him, came to

last.
my
hande (as I remember) upon

returne to him.
it,
our Election daye
I have not beene altogether unmindfull of
the matter, although not as yet
made any
little
For the
designe
little
it self,
I can contribute but
to
being (as you know)
more then Infantulas when it pleased God to take him from Besides, what may be said of my wantinge a heart to improve the little time I had to observe what otherwise I might.
my
heade.
who may supplye my defect Ml" Higginson's motion to mee cometh with som strength, and the rather becaus (as you may perceive) he ploweth with your heifer. Yet I am not wholy unmindfull of what M? Tailor told mee in his (which together with these cometh to you). The narative itself, therefore, I now returne to your hande, to bee kept longer or sent sooner, as in your wisdome you shall judge meete, who have the
Happy
it is,
that there are others
greatest interest in
it
with thankes for your kindnesse both to
the deade and the livinge.
[Mr. Cl]arke, of
fathers pu[pil
?
whom Mr
Taylor
speaketh, I thinke, was

not,
if liuing,
my
and] doe beleeve would

if
unwillingly take his part upon [de]sire, or

it
Con-
sideratis Considerandis
bee thought best
Mf Hubbard
should
doe
it,
yet perhaps
is
it
macy
before
that
or
may
bee betwixt
would not bee counted unbecoming the intiM? Higginson and your self, if
you send him the enclosed, he should bee desired to give you a sight of what himself, good Mf Eliot, or any other as far as with him have done. This would not be unacceptable to mee, tho too
great for
mee
to aske.
But
in
in these things I
doe but chatter.

to that
I freely leave the whole
your hande.
The Lord guide

in
which
shall
most conduce
S.
to
His glory
14:
whom
I remaine,
Your unworthy
June:
82:
servant
Hooker
1677.]
SAMUEL PETTO.
341
LETTERS OF SAMUEL PETTO.
SAMUEL PETTO* TO INCREASE MATHER.

These ffor the fiever d
M Increase Mather, Pastor of

r
the
Church
at Boston
in
New
England.
With a book.
Yours I received with the book concerning the was long before the book came to hand. I heartily thank you for it. Also this week I received another letter from you bearing date mon. 2. d. 23. 77. & am much troubled to hear of your sustaining such a loss by that fiery dispensation it is our duty to say it is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good. You haue tryals one way & I another way, lately one of my daughters is become a prodigal, & about 10 dayes ago resolved to go beyond sea, hath obscured her selfe in order to that end, so as I haue been searching for her all this week in London & cannot find her she was a sempster in the city & might haue lived well,
,
Deare S r
it
warr, but
but on a suddain
the
is
bent to ramble
. . .
&
is
hath sinned highly against
Lord by falsehoods
which
my
great affliction,
&
in-
deed the greatest tryal that ever I mett withal in the world, pray for us.
I haue 11 children more,
O
an
some of them (blessed be

all
the Lord) are gracious, I long to see Christ formed in
of them.
is
I shall be glad to hear that the warr with the Indians
at
end.
The Comet was

it,
seen here a few nights, there
is is
no book
said to be
it,
written upon
only about a sheet of paper, which

it,
no true account of
count of
with
it,
yet
if I
can find
;
it
I shall herewith send
although not worth the sending

it
r
I have enclosed an exact acI also intend to send
which I had from a good hand.
D Owen
of the reason of faith, with hearty thanks for all
your love.
* Rev. Samuel Petto was a student of Katherine Hall, Cambridge. After his ejectment from Sandcroft, in Suffolk, he was pastor of a congregation in Sudbury, in the same counHe was highly esteemed, and gave some attention to ty, where he continued till his death. natural philosophy. See Calamy's "Nonconformists Memorial."
342
THE MATHER TAPERS.

to
[1678.
As
newcs here
is little,
the Parliam* in the spring did pass

to a
some Acts,
pleased
&
urging the
King
warr with France, he was

till
dis-
&
till
required them to adjourne
July. 16, then they ad-
journed
the
towards the winter.

for affirming the
Three of the Lords who were in

1
Tower
Parliam
to
be dissolved are released.
There hath been no through battel between the Confederates the Ffrench this ... of Orange attempted the taking of
.
&
.
drew
off againe.
I cannot inlarge only Mon.
r p sented
to
you I
rest,
[Signature destroyed."]
6. d. 31.
1677.
SAMUEL PETTO TO INCREASE MATHER.

Hiese ffor the Rever d in
r-
M
.
Increase Mather, Pastor of the Church at Boston
New
England.
to
With a parcell.
Deare S Since my last Owen of the Reason of Faith)

,
tion of the Troubles in
New
you (with which I sent Dr. from you, your RelaEngland from 1614 to 1675, & a
I received
to
sermon therewith which were very acceptable

thank you
for
me,
&
I heartily
them, also I sent the two to
Mf Wesgate which
acknowledge
last, it
were directed to him,

your kindness.
If
&
he intendeth by a
letter to
you
sent a letter to
me
is
with these
misin a
carry ed, for I received none.
When
I did last write I
was
great distress about a prodigal child,
who
since returned to us.
O
&
beg that she

I
&
all
my
children
may
returne to
God
through
Jesus Christ.
haue 12.
Some
of them the Lord hath owned,
I long to see Christ

I shall
formed
in all of
them.
be glad to hear that the Indians are wholly supp r sed in

restored there.
affaires in this part of the
N. E. & peace The publick

countenance.
part of
world haue a very sad
The K. of France
as Gant, &c.
1
this
Spring hath gained a great

the
ff landers,
The Parliam here hath been very urgent with

with the Confederates in a warr with {France,
Bill, in order to a warr.
K.
to join
& hath
granted a Poll
Marquis, 40"; Earl, 30";
Viscount,
1678.]
SAMUEL PETTO.
;
343
Knight, 10"; Gen-
25"; Baron, 20"; Knight of the Bath, 15*

tleman,
1".
Every person
1?
except g they receive almes or be not
worth 50".
proclaimed,
Many
thousand of souldiers are raised, but no warr

think
there will
& many
They
be none.
The Parliam*
have run so high as yesterday they were Prorogued for about 10 dayes.
are greatly afraid of Popery, complain of the
growth of
it
because Papists are not prosecuted (as other dis-
senters are)
upon those Acts against Recusants,
&
if
any be pros-
ecuted, Justices are turned out of comission for doing

lately
it. They made an Address to the King for the removal of some evil Councellors upon which the King spake to the House of Lords
;
as followeth.
My
Lords,
have received an Address from the house of
Conions of so extraordinary a nature, that I cannot choose but be

highly offended at
for a
it,
&
therefore haue resolved to Prorogue
them
few dayes, that they
may
consider of
it,
&
behaue themselves
to be sensi-
hereafter
more
respectfully.
I have lived long
enough
ble of the consequences of such Addresses.
I assure your Lord-
ships
am
very well
satisfied
with the dutifull
&
in
respectfull
carriage of this house towards me,
&
hope by our next meeting
you
will
haue considered what advice to give

easily guess
me
the present
conjuncture.
By
these things
here in
you may old England.
what condition we are
in
I Have herewith sent you three books
Christianismus Chris-
tianandus,* and
debated
another
pecially
Mf Ny's paper, f of a question which is much here, and many eminent persons are against him or of mind also Mf Troughton of Divine Providence, & es;
of
p'determination &
W. Troughton
Concourse;
on
which hath been a

viz.
late controversy
between some worthy psons here,

striketh in
My How
& My
If I
Gale. J
Mf
Gales' side.
knew what
other such' bookes would be acceptable to you, I
would send them.

I can only add cordial salutations to you,
&
rest
Yours,
S. P.
May
14, 1678.
* This book
f Philip
|
relates to
the state of the

is
kingdom of France.
Christianissimus (not
Christianismus as in the text)
the most Christian King.

case of great and present use," in 1677.
Nye
published "
Rev. Theophilus Gale.
344
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678-9.

These ffor the Rever A
M Increase Mather, Pastor

r
.
of
the
Church
at
Bos-
ton, in
New
England,
I received which beareth date
Reverd & Deare

Octob.
tion,
9,
Sir,
Yours
I
1678, with the sermons relating to the rising generato
which I assure you are very acceptable

hearty thanks for them.
me
at
&
I returne
London, & so cannot send any other in requital, but possibly about 3 or 4 moneths hence, (if the Lord continueth life and liberty) I may if you would be so free as to let me know what would be acceptable to you, I should take it as a favour. I did not think that you were of the same opinion with some of those which I last sent (no more
my
am
not
now
am
I) but I thought
good
to let
you know what
is
controverted
here.
Mf Humfreys
late
is
an ingenious
man
the
same who formerly
did write for large admissions to the Lord's table,
&
Conformity here did write a book
for re-ordination,
who since the (& is still,
I suppose, of the same mind) yet himselfe being re-ordained or
submitting to Episcopal ordination hoping thereby to continue his

publick preaching. This his owne re-ordination (in some matters referring to it) so disquieted his spirit, as it was like a heavy rugg upon him, that he could not (without sweating) lye under it, nor cast it off, till he had made a recantation even in print, so tender a thing is conscience, if God setteth home any thing upon it, how small soever it may seeme to be in itselfe. So that he is not a Conformist. The same man hath written other
liberty of
small pamphlets as a inidde way,

fication, introducing
1.
Of
Election
2.
Of Justithe
workes into
it,
3.
Between the
Law &
Gospel.
As
to the other I
r
am
mostly of the same mind with jôurselfe,
tilings are
That such p cepts proceed from the holy nature of God, & some good & therefore comanded, as others (in institutions)
are
comanded
& so are good.
But
as to the
it is
punishment threatned,
understand
if it
floweth ex just it id naturali
difficult to
how
See
in
Calamy's " Ejected Ministers," (sub nomine) an account
of this matter.
1678-9.]
SAMUEL PETTO.
substitute,
345
if
any redeemer, any

that be asserted, or
tion unto
ly,
any Saviour could be admitted,
how
the
Law
could be relaxed, or the obliga-
punishment dissolved, for those Agents who act naturalto act necessarily,
seem
&
if
the nature of
God
puteth upon
such proceeding against
the sinner himselfe, that he
would put a barr in Yet I only propose this
must not the punishment fall upon must punish the very sinner, & this the way of our redemption by Jesus Christ.
sin,
for solution
As
About
for
Rever d
Owen,* he
for
(I
am not j>emptory. am confident) is

this
is
not dead.
7 ber
he had a sickness, but the Lord restored him,
&
hope hath further work

nothing of his death
him
to
do in
world.
It
I have heard
is
& so
do conclude he
alive.
hard to see
how
such a loss should be repay red.
We
have need of such
men
to stand in the
gap
in this
day of Jacob's trouble.

is
I suppose you have heard that a peace

fFrench
concluded between the

said) with the
&
the
Dutch
&
Spanyard,
&
(as
its
Em-
perour.
Our
greatest newes
is
at
home.
About October there was a

It
discovery of such a hellish plot

party, as I think
is
&
designe of the Popish Jesuiticall
not to be paralelled in any history.
was
to
take
away
the
life
of the King, to subvert the government, destroy
the Protestants
&
Protestant Religion, to restore Popery.

it
Many
of
Papists in
all
parts of the land concerned in
under an Oath of
not
secresy upon taking the Sacrament.

their designe to kill the
Some mi^ht
did,
know
King, but others

(the
&
held correspon-
dence with
as
it is
Le Chase [Chaise]
these
King
of ffrance's Confessor,)
to carry
&,
said obtained great
sumes of money
on
this
wicked
designe.
Amongst
was one MfColman, who was

it).
tried, con-
demned,
ers stand
ft
&
executed
(probably he expected a pardon, having
formerly been a servant to D. Y., but missed of
Three othpriests
condemned, but not yet executed, others are imprissoned.

to be tryed.
4 or 5 Lords in the Tower are

Jesuites are taken
this
Dayly,
&
&
fresh discoveries
made.
was Mf Oates, who, (being an active both beyond sea & here in the designe, by the Popish party. But at last God extorted it from him. He confessed it to some
not believe it; but a Justice of Peace, (viz, Sir
The first who revealed man) was imployed
who would
Ed-
* Dr. John Owen; died Aug.
24, 1683.
44
346
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678-9.
mund Berry
Godfrey,) took his depositions at large
&
was very
active in the matter.
Some
is
priests
&
Jesuites trepanned him into
Sumerset House (as

murdered,
ditch,
since confessed)
&
there he
was cruelly
in a
&
after
some dayes was carried out

lull.
&
found dead
upon Primrose
last
Proclamation issued out promising

in conscience) confessed,
pardon
to those that should in
such a time give a true account of this
murther, at
one Ml' Bedlow (touched

before not only
&
gave a further discovery of the plot.

. . .
These two and many others
have been
King
. .
.
&
Councell, but the

letters
. .
.
of Comons.
Upon
searching
were
House of MT Colman
Lately one
that discovered transactions for severall,
but those which
concerne the two last yeares could not be found.
Prance, a silver smith, confessed the death of Sir
Edm. Bury
w as moved
r
Godfrey, with the manner of
it,
&
many
other things, afterward

first
unsay ed
truth,
it,
since hath discovered that
what he
confessed
&
that
some
Jesuites,
by promises
&
threatnings
him
to
unsay
it.
And
promote
thus the murther of that Justice which they designed to

their to
work,
meanes
bring
God many
hath turned upon themselves as a great

of their workes of darkness
to exclude to
light.
The Parliam* made an Act

excluded by
this, others
such as were Popishly af-
fected out of the houses, unless they took a Test.
Some were
r
took
it.
Other
Bills they
p pared against
Popery,
&
about disbanding the Army, which was raised upon the
occasion of warres lately in Flanders,
&
concerning the Militia,
but these were not passed.
Instead thereof the Parliament* was
prorogued
untill the
4th day of next moneth, called ffebruary, to
the great trouble of very
many
& now
we hear
of a further Pro-
rogation untill the 25 th day of next moneth, called ffebruary, to

the astonishment of not a few.
Before either of these
(its
said) one in the house of

to read
first
Comons
last
made a
verses,
speech,
&
desired
them
Jerem. 40. the three
&
It
Ierem. 41, the three

is
verses,
&
left
the application to
in
them.
a time
of great fear
&
danger
England.
Its
said that
some of
;
the Popish party give out that their designe
goeth on
but
God
hath marvellously appeared in causing their
own tongues
The House
to fall
upon themselves,
as Psal. 64,
which seemeth
of
Comons having impeached
the Lord Treasurer.
[Xote by Petto.]
1678-9.]
SAMUEL PETTO.
347
It is God, his own work, to bring forth must be acknowledged to him, & it hath been in a wonderfull way. Bat the crying sins of the Nation & want of reformation here (which you complaine of in N. E.) doth much
to be a token for good.

it
these discoveries,
threaten vs with a storme of judgment.

willing to give us up.
The Lord seemeth unfurther discoveries,
Lately some persons of considerable estates
(yet Papists as
last
is
said) are
come
in to
make
&
week
a trunck or truncks of papers are found
upon a search
is
in a merchant's house, which, probably, will give a fuller account
but I must write a volume

forth
;
if
I should write
what
already
come
much more yet behind. you may easily discern that it is a day of Old England's trouble, so as we stand in more then ordinary need of
there
is
&
By
these things
N. E. prayers. I hope you will improve your

on
this account.
;
interest both in
heaven
&
earth,
am
sorry to hear of a want of reformation in
N. E.
&
should be glad to
know how
those
Lawes run
there
(which we haue heard of) for the restraining pride in Apparel
&
otherwise.
If they be printed by themselves, a friend here

to see them.
would be glad
I rejoyce to hear of mercy to I am too tedious in this letter. you in so hopefull a Son & that the grace of God hath appeared (Blessed be God) I also see His to any other of your children. image on some of mine. Help by your prayers, for the rest. So
;
with cordial salutations p r sented to you I rest
Y
Mon.
11. d. 21, 167$.
rs
,
S. P.
I shall be glad to hear that this cometh safe to your hand.
Mr
Oates
very
is
very active,
&
doth great service in this matter, knowing
many
of the Popish crue.

;
Here
are great feares of an inva-
sion of the fFrench
that
King
hairing a great
armada
at Brest for
some designe.
Direct your letters as you did the last
;
to be left with
Mr
Kett,
Merchant
in
Gravel lane in Hounsditch, London.
348
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1681-2.

These for the Rever d Mr. Increase Mather, Pastor of the church at Boston,
in
New
England.
IIon ked S u
to the
I received yours with the sermon, Heaven's Alarm

for
World,
which
I heartily
r
thank you.
I did also direct a
few
lines to
you, with
Stockton's* book entituled Consolation

it.
in Life
&
Death.
It pleaseth the
I hope you received Lord yet wonderfully
to preserve
England from
under
the Popish-Sham-Plots. the

that
Many
attempts they haue made to cast

as they call them, but
odium upon the Presbyterians
name
the designe hath been also apparently against the sober-
est Conformists.
Yet wonderfully they haue been
hitherto defeated
&
disappointed.
How
long
it
will be thus
sins are so great that they threaten that the
we know not. Lord may give
Our
us up
into the hands of enemies
yet he
spareth us,
&
He
seemeth unwilldoth deferre his
ing to give us up.

anger.
I
It is a great
mercy
that
suppose you have heard that the Earl of Shaftsbury
&
others
were charged with Treason,

to a Tryall
;
&
Jurys passed upon them
in order
but the Jurys found such selfe-contradictions
among
the witnesses, that they found

set at liberty upon. bail.
Ignoramus,
&
so the persons were
We
land.
need your earnest prayers in
New England
for
Old Engadd
The dangers
still
seem
to be very great.
rest
I can only
my
cordiall respects to you,
&
Yours,
Januar. so called, 16, 168^.
Sa: Petto.
I intend to send you another of

best Interestf
r
.
Stockton, entituled
The
when
it is
finished.
* Rev. Owen Stockton, M.A., of Christ's College, Cambridge, was a Nonconformist divine of eminent piety and learning, and a tutor in the University of Cambridge. The
book referred
t
to in the text
was published
after his death.
He
left
a manuscript bearing this
title.
1684.]
SAMUEL PETTO.
349

d ffor the Rever
M
.
Increase Mather Pastor of the Church at Boston in
New
England.
Boston.
Ever hon red S r
I received yours with a book of Comets &

& haue & much reMr. Torrey's
* Plea for dying Religion,
if
of remarkable Providences, for which I heartily thank you
been exceedingly satisfyed in the reading of them,

freshed, as also with
now,
for
if
ever,
is
a seasonable subject;
which you were here, you would
think so.
I return
my
hearty thanks to yourselfe
&
also to
him
your lab rs therein.
It
was but
lately that they
came
to
my
hand.
to
That de Signo
filij
hominis I never received.

silent,
It is
much
my
griefe that I
it
haue been so long

for
but last year I did not judge

I doubt not but
convenient
you had information by persons which came over, viva voce, what condition we are in that live in old England, both as to civill & religious liberties, & I must still referr you to such information for your satisfaction. I think it not expedient to write any thing concerning it, but I suppose you hear enough to put you in New.England upon crying mightily to God for those in Old England which are of the same principles with your fathers who first were planted in N. E. Indeed the open prophanenes of multitudes here, & the height of their opposition against the power of godlines, yea, against the very form of it, call for general bitter lamentation & God hath many wayes eminently witnessed against the sins by manifest Judgments. Indeed the last winter was so terrible, that for extremity of cold, & the long continuance thereof, & this last sumer for extremity of
your
selfe or
me
to write.
heat,
&
the long continuance thereof, the oldest

like.
man
alive hath not
experienced the
road of his
go out of the ordinary providence in such things, even as the sins of men
to
The Lord seemeth

Also I
seem to be so unparelelled.
there are
am
credibly informed that
new
signes in the heavens, that about 9 dayes since, three
* Rev. Samuel Torrey, of Weymouth.
350
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1684.
suns appeared, one red as blood.

is
And what
in
is still
worse, there
no appearance of a deep humiliation
any
sort of
men,
for the
crying sins which provoke the Lord to wr&th against us, even
against his sons
tion.
&
daughters.
This
is
&
shall be for a lamenta-
I herewith send you
know
state,
two bookes, one of Mr. Asty, & another of, nor his name, concerning the future might be acceptable to you. thought I intended which I
not the author
They may folto haue sent more, but cannot obtaine them. low afterward, the Lord permitting, if I can get them. One is
now
sutable to the designe concerning Providences, a remarkable in-
stance of Witchcraft, but I cannot yet gett
it,
though I haue
dili-
gently caused
it
to be
sought
for.
I cannot enlarge, but presenting cordiall salutations to you,

to
&
Mr. Torrey, desiring you would send me any writings, as of your own, so of his, whose sermon I read with great satisfaction. I would indeavour to requite them with some or other of like value, r So I rest, if the Lord p serveth life & liberty. Yours, Sa: Petto.
Octob.
8.
1G84.
Mr. Wesgate
>s
dead.
He
died very suddenly.
1678.]
JONATHAN TUCKNEY.
351
LETTERS OF JONATHAN TUCKNEY*
JONATHAN TUCKNEY TO INCREASE MATHER.
Much respected S r I take the boldnesse, being encouraged by my good cousen your Brother in law, Mr John Cotton, f to give
,
you the trouble of a few

be an
inlet into
lines,
hoping
&
desireing that they
may
acquaintance with your

in.
self,
which
indeed I shall
count myself happy
In the
first
place I give you thanks for
your Relation concerning the warrs, which I have perused with

satisfaction,
& am
only sorry, to hear by
my
Cous. Cotton that
(since your history) warrs were renewed, latter end of last yeer.
My prayers are that God would yet be gracious to His People with you, & not let man prevail, but rather that the Heathen may be
judged
in
His sight.
What
controversy the Lord hath with His

to Rev.
* Jonathan Tuckney was son of Rev. Dr. Anthony Tuckney, Assistant
John
Cotton, in Boston, England, and after Cotton's removal to New England, vicar of Boston. " He was accounted a prodigy for his natural talents and his proficiency in school-learning."
See Calamy.
course, to
He appears to have been cousin to John Cotton, of Plymouth, and, of Mary or Maria Cotton, the wife of Increase Mather; for which reason he somewe have
:
times addresses the latter as " cousin."

[Since the above was written,
obtained the following genealogical items from
our friend William G. Brooks, S. H. S.

the researches
in
The connection between John Cotton and Anthony Tuckney has been made evident by made by H. G. Somerby, Esq., for Hon. Caleb Cushing.
John Cotton
in his will
mentions his wife, her house
Boston, Eng., and his brother

r
Mary Coney. Now, John Cotton married for his second wife a widow, Sarah Story, 25th April, 1632, who was undoubtedly the widow of William Stor} whom she married 1 May, 1619, and who had died in March, 1627-8, buried March 19. If so, her maiden name was Hawkridge or Hawcrit, and she was the sister of Mary Hawkridge, who married Thomas Coney, and of Elizabeth Hawkridge, who married John Coney, 16 Dec. From the will of Anthony Hawkredd, of Boston, dated 12 Aug. 1626, it is evident 1624. that Elizabeth Coney and Mary Coney were his daughters; and though Sarah WheelConey, and
sister
,
But this Anthony by William Tuckney, of Kyrton, Co. Line, in his will, dated 29 Jan. 1610-11, and this was the father of Anthony Tuckney. We therefore conclude, that Anthony Hawkridge married a Tuckney, aunt of Anthony T., and that Sarah (Hawkridge) Cotton was first cousin to the said Anthony Tuckney. This pedigree, though necessarily conjectural, is fully borne out by the facts remaining; and extensive search in the Lincolnshire records gives no names or dates which can renwright
is
not named, there can be no doubt that she was another child.
is
Hawkridge
called brother-in-law
der the scheme in the slightest degree questionable.

t Kev.
John Cotton,
of Plymouth.
352
THE MATHER PAPERS.

we canot
[1678.
professing people there,
at this distance so well discern,
but I desire that

so
it
may
be
God Himself would taken up. For our own

full
discover
it
to
His there, that
Nation, truly
we
it.
are ripe for
mine, we are so
the
of sin
us,
&
so impenitent in
And what
Lord hath
There
nor
Lord may doe with
we have cause
to think with trembling.
But onely
pleasd to
there are grounds of hope, that seeing the
make
us his people, he will not quite forsake us.
are those (Blessed be His

dealt falsely in His
Name)
;
that have not forgotten
Him
Covenant
though they have suffered (& do)
hard things.
end.
wife,
He
enable their faith
&
patience to hold out to the
I do much congratulate to your selfe, my good Cousen your Gods great blessing in the extraordinary pregnancy & hope-
fulncsse of your eldest son,
whom
I pray
God
continue to both
your comforts,
&
aboue
all to
the Glory of His
own Holy Name

from unmindnot be if in any thing
&
the
good of His Church.
I shall be heartily glad to heare
you.
full
&
have a share in your prayers.
And
I shall
of you, according to
my
poor
ability.
And
may
be usefull to you here, I shall be very ready to
my
utmost
to serve you.
Thus Deare Cousen, comending you

rich
&
your en-
deavo rs
to
Gods
Grace
in
Christ, with hearty salutations to
you both
to
&
all
yours, desiring the conveyance of the inclosed
my
Cous. Cotton, I take' leave
&
rest
Yours
Hackney,
April
3,
in all affection,
1678.
Jonathan Tuckney.
Please to superscribe your letter for

Saltonstal at
me
to
be
left
with
Mr
in
Horsey 's, Merch*, at the Blackmores head Pater Noster Row, London, & it will come to me.
Indorsed,
Mr
"Tuckney. Apr.
30. 1G78."

For
his
much esteemed Cousin
M Increase Mather
r
.
Teacher of
the
Church
of Boston, in
New
England.
since
Deare Cousin,
I wrote to
you about two months
&
therewith sent you two bookes of
my
father's
labo r s, one
Eng-
1681-2.]
JONATHAN TUCKNEY.
353
Determinations * (as
Jish
sermons, the other Latin Prelections
&
also
two
for
my
Cous. Whiting
and two for
my
Cous. your Br.
I having a I hope may be come to hand. by the Bearer hereof, could not but salute you & signify desire of this converse with you. What state our publick affairs are in, our friend the Bearer can better & more largely
John Cotton), which

fresh opportunity
inform you than I in
this hast
&
straits.
earnest in our prayers to

gospel,
God
for
His Church
But we had need be & the interest of His
when enemies
are so busily plotting
&
endeavouring,
&
confidently expecting
ruine thereof.
to persevere
&
tantum non boastingly foretelling the The good Lord grant His people faith & patience not deny Him, whatever may come. We are in
I shall be right
&
our family in reasonable health through mercy.

glad
.to
hear of you
&
yours
&
other friends in N.
England
I
&
am
God's goodnesse continued to you, especially in

in
spirituals.
some hast of sending away

in
this.
Therefore excuse brevity

respects to
rememb r us
your prayers.
With hearty
you
& &
yours I comend you to
God
&
rest
Your
Hackney, Sept
9,
affectionate cousin,
1679.
Jonathan Tuckney.
JONATHAN TUgKNEY TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
his respected Cousin,
Increase Mather, Teacher of a
Church in
Boston in N. England, these I pray
sent.
Deare Cousin,
letters
Yours of Dec.
;
14t81
for I
I received,
for.
&
your
Heaven's Alarm to Earth, which I return you thanks have miscarried betwixt us
receipt of your (not Result of the late
Some
had sent you word of Synod, 1679, 1680, but)

Renewall of Covenant.
Call to the Rising Generation, Relation of the Troubles from In-
dians
from An.
1614
to
A. 1675,
&
* After the death of Dr. Anthony Tuckney, forty sermons, on several occasions, were published, and a book of " Praelectiones Theological," containing all his theological exercises while
College, and where he

t
in which he was a Fellow of Emanuel some years employed as a tutor. Rev. Samuel Whiting, of Lynn.
he was at the University of Cambridge,
was
for
45
354
These T received
in
THE MATHER PAPERS.

January,
lfif
[1684.
&
&
sumer following sent you
word of
sermons
it,
and 2 quartoea that

English,
putt out of
my
Father's (40
in
&
Prelections
Determinations in Latin)
;
which
hope you
at
though I Cousen John Cotton receiving those I sent him the same time. Your Diatriba de signo Filii hominis I never
I
never heard from you since that you received

did,
my
did see
nor
hear of;
when
call
Though your peece

from
efficacy
of Prodigies
may hereafter, I shall impart. may possibly have been prevented
by some we
here Latitudinarians, by a treatise
of a Cambridgeman's (Spencer by name) that came out at first some three years after the King's coming in, that would argue them of van
.
that inferr from thenc.
We are
here but in pendulous

issue all well,
condition as to publick affairs.

tinue your peace
The Lord
&
liberty.
Popish
spirits are at
work,
& con& .some
disturbances of meetings, but at p r sent quiet. God work out His own glory. I shall be right glad to hear from you, or to
gratify
you
in
any thing
did) to
in
my power
I
here.
If
(as
now you
it
my
me.
cousin Whiting at the Bell
you please to send in Laurence

with saluta-
Lane,
tions
will
come
self
to
from
my
&
wife to
comend you you & yours,
to
God &
rest
Your
Hackney,
affectionate cousin,
Jonathan Tuckney.
Febr. 25, 16 1|-.

For
his
Reverend
fy
Dear Cousin
Mr
Increase Mather at his house in
Boston, These 1 pray, with a Booh.
Deare Cousen,
at the Bell in
A few dayes
my
after
my last
sending to you, in
July, being (upon occasion) at
my
cousen John Whiting's shop

letter of
Laurence Lane, I mett with your kind
May
-8,
together with your
new peece
you
for,
of Illustrious Providences;
sent by the
Author
to
unworthinesse.
Both which
send
I
I heartily thank
&
whereas you desire to

it
see Dr. Spencer of Prodigies, I have procured

it.
you,
&
herewith
was
it
in hast
when
I took
it
,
at the
at
London
Bookseller's
shop, I think
was
I
in Paul's
Ch. y d but I
r p sent forget where,
&
the price.
And
am
in hast
now, therefore of that
hereafter.
1684.]
JONATHAN TUCKNEY.
355
I would have procured you a later peece, of an
Anonymous
this
Author, that accords rather with your Notions

matter,
(as I
&
Sentiments in
&
against Dr. Spencer's, going somthing a middle way,
by
my friend
understand) but I did but just see

it
it
in a place,
&
have forgot the place where
was
to be sold.
But of
that also
against another opportunity of writing.
What you
are pleased (kindly) to intimate, (though breefly,)

in, in case
of the danger your churches are
God
should permit the
hedge of Civil Government to be broken up, gives

that complaint
me
in
mind of
&c, ad
& prayer of the church we find in Psal. 80, 13, 14, finem, & so indeed of the whole Psalm, very sutable to
God
in
the times.*
mercy
inspire the people with the
same
faith
&
spirit
of prayer that the Jewish church of old then exerted, and
powre out also a spirit of Reformation more fully & generally upon Professors, & then, no doubt, but when we are prepared for Mercy, we shall not be long without it.
Hearty salutations from
all
my
whole-self to your whole-self,
&
to
our cousens your hopefull offspring.

all
And
the
God
of our
Fathers be
our portion.
faithfull
The hearty
vote of
Dear Cousen,
Your
Hackney, Aug:
(though unworthy) kinsman,
Jonathan Tuckney.
29. 1684.
Postscript, Septemb.
3.
1684.
D. Cous.,
self are
letter of
I so be, but with
am my
bold with you (who should (or rather may)

friends,
among whom
(I assure you) your-
not the least).
I have thought (since
my
writing that
August 29, (wherein
I inclose this) myself, to read over

it
Spencer of Prodigies before I part with

us
life,
from me.
If
God
lend
it
health,
&
peace
till
next spring, I then intend to send
you.
And
know
I desire
you
to accept
is)
from
it
me
is
in
Exchange (which (you
the
old
saying
that
no robbery) another Latin
piece of the same author's concerning
Urim
& Thummim
what
:)
they were.
I bought the booke

it,
11 year[s] since
(& above
(of the bookseller that printed
by name Walter Kethley,
at the
Bishop's
Head
in Paul's
Church yard)
& have
74.
read
it
two or three
* As
late outrages in
France doe of Psal. 44
&
[Note
by
Tuckney.']
1684 was
the year of the Dragonnades.
356
times over.
I desire
THE MATHER PAPERS.

you would please
at times to accept
it
[1684.
from me, as a
gratitude for
small testimony of the great respects I
owe you,
&
your several books, that

entreating this further
you have pleased to se[nd me] kindness that (when you have once read it,)
send
you
will be pleased, inter nos, onely to
me your
thoughts
of the peece, whether

willing,
solid
&
rational,
or no; and then,
God
you
shal
hear further from

I have not
me
concerning the author,

J. T.
in
concerning
whom
now
indeed time, nor, as you see,
paper for to write.

Please to pardon
Iterum
all
vale.
Tuo.
I
mala scriptura.
am
som
hast.
1678.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
357
LETTERS OF JOSHUA MOODEY.
JOSHUA MOODEY* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Rev?
M Increase Mather Pasto

r
to the
2? ch. in Boston pr*.
PORTSM?
6 (3^0) 78.
Eev?
S*
Our church
is
not yet got over the difficulty about
ffryer,f
he desires to joyn with us, severall of our Brethren
are not free, the reason bee: that scandall lyes
upon him by the
Accusation of the Wench, with sundry other circumstances which
make
or to
shall
the vulgar believe
it,
the best are very jealous.

it
Wee
(if
have
offered
him deny
it
eith to confesse
it
&
manefest repentance
(if
Guilty)
solemnly before the church

us.
Innocent)
&
is
either
satisfye
He
answers he
is
not free to doe either,

it,
&
counts
cent in
hard measure to bee put upon

till
saying that hee
Inno-
Foro
proved guilty, which a bare Accusation cannot
doe,
&
therefore
why
should wee trouble ourselves any farther.

it.
We
are in
some
strait
about
I thought if I had
the Election to have consulted the Elders thereabout,
come down to & it was the
Agreement of our Church the last time wee discoursed it that I If should so doe, that wee might gain further light how to act. or consult your thoughts with others also, mee send you please to & send mee theyr thoughts also wee shall bee ready to attend
the
mind of X*
so farr as
it
requested the bearer,

conferr with you,
M
is
Ric:
shalbee revealed to us. I have Martyn, one of our brethren, to

at large to acquaint
who
able
more
you with
* Rev. Joshua Moodey [H. C. 1653] was ordained at Portsmouth, in July, 1671, first He was imprisoned by Cranfield in February, 1683 (see note on p. 57), and, after three months incarceration, was driven to Boston, where he was invited to remain as assistant to the Rev. James Allen, at the First Church, in May, 1684. The same year he was invited to the presidency of Harvard College. In 1692, he returned to his former ministry at Portsmouth, and died July 4, 1697. t Nathaniel Fryer, mariner, was Representative in 1666, and captain and Councillor
minister of the First Church.
in 1683.
358
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1679.
r I had an hint from the matter than I could at p sent write it. Church Covenant, which your the you in a letter about- renewing
church had done

f
please to favour
mee
in a
few
lines
with the
it.
ptic
Grounds
that
you acted upon,
&
the
manner of doing
I shall >e very ready to promote aught that

cation of the eh.
may
lead to the Edifi-
&
our farther stablishm* in the
way
of
Covenant, especially in these shakeing
&
backslideing times.
Gods The
I
Lord
sanctify his
solemn
visitations
sins,
upon our land
for our good,
pardon
&
purge away our
&
then heal our sicknesses.
should be thankfull to hear what newes from England, wee are in

great ffeares of a change of
Gov r t
in all
among
ourselves,
least.
&
then,
actum
est
de nostrd Ucclesid,
to bee
appearance at
But the
what
Great Shepheard
ever
will look after his fflock.
I beg your pray rs that
wee may obtain mercy
found
faithfull,
&
bee
I
fitted for
may
occurr.
My
service to
rs
Mather.
am
Jo.
Yours
affectionately, to serve you,
Moodey.
JOSHUA MOODEY TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Rev* Mr. Increase Mather TeaclC
to the 2
Church in Boston.
7 (2 mo.) 1679.
Revd
Sir,
There
to
is
is
a lad,
Joseph Walker by name, that
is
an Apprentice
one John Endicott, a Cooper, who "lives at your
end of the Town.
The
lately
ffather of this lad,
whose name
is
also
Joseph Walker
joyned to our Church,
&
the rest of his
children baptized with us.
the baptizing of that, I told
The ffather discoursing with me about him my thoughts, & it is his desire &
doe
it, it
mine
is
that
you
will please to
being that which (I suppose)

are at a distance.
ordinarily done
among churches where psons

1
Wee
not long agone baptized a child that was an Apprentice here,

If there should
the Bearer.
I
the mother being joyned to the 3 } church in Boston.
bee any obstruction in the way, pray send
mee word by
Sam: Keies, who is also a Brother of ours, & whom sired to dd the letter himselfe. I rejoyce to hear of
of the distcmp
have de-
the abatem*
among you,
&
it
is
much
abated with us also.
1683.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
sin
359
The Lord graunt

us.
may
abate also, lest some worse tiling befall

it
Wee
have had about 97 sick of
in our
Town,
&
have
buried 20.
Judgements.
The Lord awaken, humble, & reform us by all His The Death of the Gov r * is much affecting to us, &
Should bee thankfull
to
wee
are at a very great losse in these pts for the fixing of our
thoughts for another choice.
have an hint
from you thereabout.

as hee
&
you comes out of Town. I crave the Benefit of your prayers, remain, Yours in all love & service,
I have desired the Bearer to call on
Joshua Moodey.
Service to Mrs. Mather.

To
the
Hevr f Mr.
Increase Mather pastor
to
a church of Christ in Boston.

14. (5) 1683.
Rev S I rec my hearty thanks for

k
,
rd
yours per your couz. Cotton,

the Intelligence therein.
&
return you
I have received a
letter
from London
lately,
wherein I have
a,
confirmation of
it.
It
seemes to mee great newes,
&
undoubtedly there are great

help us to be doing our
things a doeing in the world.
The Lord
work
also.
I have had
much
converse with your Couz: Cotton.
He
hath
been severall times at my house. The people there like his preaching very well, & are willing to keep him. His ffather wrote mee
by him,
&
desired
mee very
it,
earnestly that he might board at

;
my
house,
&>
goe up on the Satturday to preach to them

disliked
but the
people
much
&
there were other Inconveniencies also

at
that obstructed.
Mr. Emerson was
my lecture
last
sevennight,
&
I dealt as thoroly with
him
up
as I could, about
Tuesday what
you
desired,
& am
in daily expectation of
quickly, I shall rather
make
a journey
to
If it comes not it. him on purpose, then
not pleasure you therein.
About
that at
G. Walton's
because
my
Interest runs low with
* Governor John Leverett died March
16, 1679,
aged sixty-two years.
3G0
THE MATHER TArERS.

Mr. Woodbridge
shall send
[1683.
the Secretary, I have desired
to
endeavo r the ob-
taining
it,
&
if I
can get
it,
should bee any difficulty thereabout,
it <p the first; Tho if there you may doe pretty well with
what you have already. One tiling more I make bold to suggest to you. The bearer of She belongs to our her name is Whidden. this is a poor widow Shee hath obtained Church, & hath a son in Algiers, a Captive.
;
from the Gov' an order for a Brief to be read in our 4 Townes to make a gathering toward his Redemption, & fearing it will not be
what shee may get there. I was not her CounselP" in it, but when shee came & begged of mee a few lines, could not deny her. If you see meet to take
made up
here,
is
come
to Boston, to see
notice of her,
wilbe a good work,
& among yours to promote her design, I believe it & acceptable to X*. I dare not urge you, any
it
more then
as
I durst deny her, but leave
to
your Considera to doe
God
shall direct.
is
There
is
nothing new
among
I
us
only I hear that our Gouern r
going your
way next weeke

for us.
&
has
left
your Mr. Ffryer

Jo:
his
Deputy.
Pray
am
Yours obliged
to
my
power,
Moodey.

To
the
Rev rf Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher

Boston, pr".
to
the
Second Church in
Rev kd S r
gratify
J
I
in
23. (6 "o) 1683.
am ashamed
to
have been so long ere I could

for.
you
your desire as to a coppy of what you wrote
was very earnest with Mr. Emerson, & at length obtained the enclosed, which I transcribed from Mr. Tho. Broughton,* who
read to
mee what he took from
the
it
mouth of
fuller
the
woman &
is
her
to
husband,
&
judge
it
credible, tho
bee not the half of what
be gotten.
1
I expect from
to the
him a
&
farther acc-
before
come down
Comencem*.
My Indeav also
have not been
* Thomas Broughton was a rich and active merchant, in Boston.
1633.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
to obtain the other, but find
361
If more may it difficult. or else come, must take up when I expect with what you had from mee at first, which *was the sume of what
a-wanting
bee gotten, you
may
was then worthy of notice, only many other pticular actings of like nature had been then & since. It began of a Lord's day, June ll*! 1682, & so continued for a long time, only there was some respite now & then. The last sight I have heard of was the
1
carrying
away of
seuerall
were laied up, yea, lockt

least,
Axes in the night, notwithstanding they up very safe, as the o[wn]er thought, at
dissatisfied,
which was done

to
this spring.
As
your Query about Mr. Ffryer, our church was

but after some time wee did doe that,
;
(some of them) so that we could not admit him

table with us
;
to the Lord's
&
since hee
it
hath not attempted to joyn with us
&
am
if
he should, I doubt
would scarce passe

I heartely thank
freely with all.
sensible that things are

fairly to
not as they should bee, but see not a
way
mend them.
that
you
for
your kindnes to the
woman
for
came
to
fro
you,
&
doubt not but that you will have a better reward
you.
God, than I am threatened with fro man The Lord be with you. Pray for Yours affectionately,
Before sealing of
comending her
J.
to
M.
this
my
letter,
came
accidentally to
my
hand
enclosed, that I had fro
William Mosse of Newbury, concerning

If
it.
the troubles at his house in 1679.
it
may
bee of use to mee,
you may please
to
puse
&
return

25. 8 b/
1683.
Rev
rd
r
,
I have enquired concerning that person's being a
member
of Excett r church,
&
find that
you were mistaken
in
your
(I
Informa, hee never did joyn to the church, nor was even
suppose) accounted a
full, carefull
man
of so
ch
Religion as that any watch-
church would have admitted him.

to to bee heeded,
There are sundry reports among us of new things that seem

bee matters of witchcraft, but reports are
46
little
&
3G2
I have not
THE MATHER PAPERS.

had time
to
[16S3.
goe thither to bee more

at
satisfied,
r
&
therethis
fore shall not trouble
you with any of them
am
fully certified of.
On
the 5 th Sept r last
p was
sent.
this
Only
monstrous
birth
brought forth at Newichuwenocp by the wife of one

the waste
Plaisted.
From
downward
it
was
like
anoth child
1"
&
a female.
Above the waste all defective or misplaced. The Head extraordinary large & no skull or Bone in it. The face as biff as a womans face. It had no right Arm, but somw* like a Teat, some say finger where the Arm should have come out. The left Arm extraordinary long, the hand reach8 down
knee.
like a
to the
No No
The
Nose, but somwhat like nosethrills,

eies
& those
in the forehead.
The two
mouth, but a
eares,
upon the two cheeks. little Hole & (if I mistake not) misplaced also. one und the chin, the other at the top or near the
1'
top of the head.
very short neck.
Somwhat on the Breast like a Kidney. The Belly seemed as if it had been ript open,
&
the Bowells
w
It
out,
&
eithr
by one
side, or
on the Back.
s
came before its Time. Had life w n born, but soon died. The psone had been 4. or 5. yearcs married, & this w the
child.
first
This
is
the best that I could gather up,

will
but
if
you think
it
worthy of your notice I
goe up
&
discourse with the midwife,

it.
&
send you what you
may
report about
Tlio I doe not at all
question the substance of what I have written, yet one would be
exact in such a thing to eu[ery] circumstance.

that told
sober
woman
will say
mee of
it s'
wn
have told you the thing, you
you have seen it already in the Times, every thing out of order. Doubtles you have heard how matt rs are with us, I beg your
pray"
Yours
in all love
&
service,
J.
Postscript,
M.
30. (8) 83
You may
opportunity
;
discourse the bearer about matt"8 ,
& may
if
credit him.
1 have desired
him
to
(ttt
this
with his
own hand,
by him also
may
please to send,
safe.
you an ought occurs from

to give
abroad or at home,
&
it
will
come
J.
M.
1683-4.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
363

To
the
Rever d Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher

Boston.
to
the
Second Church in
for
poor N, E. (which are also cordialls), I blesse

for.
God
&
thank you
fore
Sometimes I think of getting out of Prison beis
my
mo. (one quarter of which

be mistaken.
now
mee
over) bee out, tho

privately (sed hoc
possibly
may
Some
hint to
inter nos)
shall
that if I will engage to goe out of the Province, I

liberty.
J
have
am
somthing jealous whether
it
bee safe to
make such
sitated to
a promise, th<3 I see evidently that I

it
;
must be necesit is
doe
am
ready to think sometimes that

it.
better to
doe
it
than to pmise I will doe
Some
say,
sume of mony
will fetch
And
is
yet
so
mee out, but I am not in the least inclinable to that. mee thinks to lye here & doe so little service, when help much wanting elsewhere, dissatisfies mee on the other hand.
two
letters,
I lately rec d
one from the church of N,
Haven, a
;
2 d from 3 Magistrates there, in order to

<fe,
my
removeing thither
may
add, a 3 d
&
I
4 th from Bro: Whyting
&
Collins to back
theyr motion.
I
But
am
at present too fast fixed for
moveing.
to B.,
am much
obliged for your plainnes about
my
coming
&
can say truly that I believe that the desire of your company wilbe
mee, that
mee, as myne can bee gratefull to you. Pray for may have Grace from the Ffountain to demean myself as I ought while I am in Prison, & direction from the Great Counsels, that when the Lord lets mee out, I may goe whether he
as attractive to
I
would have mee,
&
serve
him
as I ought, unto all well-pleasing.
Cease not to remember
Your
affectionate
ffr
to serve
at
you,
5,
J.
83-4.
M.
So
Joshua Moodey, who was committed to prison this was wrote about Mar. 20. 83-4. Prince.
Portsmouth, Feb.
If one
Mr. John Rawlings brings
this himself,
&
leisure to admit
any discourse with him, you
will find
you bee at him serious
&
Hee hath been a Puleing Elder of the ffrench church Hee is often with us, & you may hear from in South-Hampton. him more fully how matters are here. Hee is sober & credible.
pious.
It is not at all safe that this letter should
be exposed.
364
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1688.
JOSHUA MOODEY TO INCREASE MATHER*

To
the
Rev rd
Mi. Increase Mather, Preach*
of
the
Gospell,
rst
,
London.
Bosxox,
Kev d & Dear S r
10. (5) 88.
I,
among
the rest of your ffriends, doe not
envy you the great peace & quiet which wee hope you doe enjoy with utmost freedom, countenance & successe, in your work of
preaching, while wee are circumstanced as you will hear more
fully
fro
other hands.
How
far
you have had opportunity

I
to
<psue the
main end of your voyage
know not,
all
but sure you would
see cause, if
now
with us, to bee vigorous, as
we
rs
see
more need
no weapon
!)
every day to pray for a blessing upon

in the behalf of the cause
endeavo
that are used
&
servants of Christ,
&
that
formed (& Oh, how many new ones are daily forming them may prosper.
I have a great marty letters to write,
against
&
know
others will send
you
all
pticulars,
&
therfore shall forbear to add
ought on that
head.
Much
doe I long to hear your sentiments of things
now
you are on the spott, & have by converse with others, (I would hope with j\I r fHavell) increased your knowledge in those matters. When I see how fast sin growes among us, & how little Humiliation under the
hand of God
to this
day
to
&
compare the face of

place in N. E. as
things with the open designs of the Adversary, I fear sometimes
whether
Asia.
God
bee not about to say,
Goe
my
lie hath already said concerning Shilo, Jerusalem,
&
Sometimes I correct myself, but surely
Ch have many
the 7
in
sad
m Phips you will you talk with S r hear strange things, & be amazed to see how matters goe in some respects, tho they are no worse pbably than you lookt for, & posBut sibly not yet quite so bad as I have a good while feared.
thoughts thereabout.
When
need exceedingly your advice about

is
my
going
to
Ports
which
vehemently urged by
to take counsell
my
church
it.
&
people,
&
is
the next
week we are
mee,
about
The church
dear to
ot
&
I could bee glad to be with
them, but the circumstances
my
removeing hence
&
being there are tremendous to mee.
Pray
* Increase Mather was
in
England
at the date of this letter.
1688.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
daily.
365
* to advize that if
for
mee
am
is
desired
by Dr. Cook
r
.
you
get sight of
try, in
a paper sent $ M
Blackwell, referring to this Coun-
which there
till
an hint of getting proxies
&
possessions
confirmed
gerous,
the day of
Gov
rs
arrivall,
may
bee noted as very dan-
&
.
it
may
bee rather such as were under the power of

will be prejudiciall to
Gov
'
&
comp y
Tho. others
sundry
33 tic
rs
,
to
him-
self,
because hee was dispossest of his fFarm the Satturday before
the
Gov r came.
The Lord strengthen your hands while endeav rg

Sion,
&
.
lab rg for this poor but dear people of the
wild rs
God
will
remb you
for
good
at that day, for
to build up Lord in this all you have

all well,
done, suffered, ventured for Hi's House.

matters are well carried on.
Yours are
in
&
Your son growes
wisdom
r
&
fav r
with
God &
all
good men.
God
helps him
wond
fully in his
work.
The good Lord bee with you.

obliged
D
&
r
,
cease, not to
pray
pticularly for Sir,
Your much
Dear
to Capt.
&
indeared fP d
bro:
Jo.
Moodey.
Sir, hasten
back as soon as you may.
Give
my
service
Hutchinson.

To
the
Rev rd
M
.
Increase Mather,
pr
st
,
London.
Boston, 4
(8) 88.
Rev rd
Sk
Your very welcome

;
letter, rec
&
read often,
& prayer. Mf Lee j is in Town wee spent the 2 d Instant in your study, & had his comp y part of the day with us, where wee had (blessed be God) a good day of Prayer for you, & hope in God's good time to have in the same place a day of Praise with you. Of the health & pspity of yours you will hear fro them, &
has aiforded matter of praise
(tho going out tomorrow)
.
g I shall not enlarge there.
* Elisha Cook, of Boston, was a physician and politician.

in 1681-3,
He was
Representative
an Assistant
for the
in
in
1684-6, of the Council of Safety in the Revolution of 1689,
and agent
t
Colony
England
in 1690
and 1691.
Rev. Samuel Lee.
See note
to his letters in this
See Savage's " Geneal. Diet." volume.
366
THE MATHER PAPERS.

,
[1688.
Your acceptance with His Maj tv

stand
like
&
the
great
to
(Friends
to
by you,
with
the
large
<pmises
made
all
you, make us
men
that dream.
What
then
when
the things that are
spoken of shalbc done?

bee?
doing
Court,
I will
not say,
How
can these things

lett to
&
doe pray that

great
my
unbelief
may be no
works.
the Lord's
such
&
stupendous
I
consider
&
am
I
chew upon what
Only when I doe have heard of the modes of

that are
&
the unaccountable intreagues
on foot
in the
world, I
willing to believe with discretion,

all
if at least
there bee
any room
fFaith.
for discretion in
those things that are matters of
am
apt to think that that which wee call discretion must
bee barred here.
We
that
have been much alarmed by the Report of

in a
Judge Palmer
you put
paper of complaint in sundry
Articles against the
Gov
r
,
wherein you had overshot yourselves,
&
it,
were fain very humbly
to supplicate for the liberty of recalling

difficulty,
which was obtained with much
&
not without a great
shirr to yourselves.
copy of the Articles came over with some
marginall notes of the names of sundry witnesses, some of which
have been
&
are concerned to think whether

till
it
w as
T
so prudent
&
kind to expose them

lieve that
the pinch came.
I was very slow to be-
you could
coiiiit
such an oversight as to put in what you
could not or would not stand by, especially considering (besides
your own Prudence) the good Counsell
&
conduct that you had in
your
in
affairs
oth from
Heaven
&
earth.
Also your utter silence

it
your
letters
about
it
it
gave us hope that
was but a sham.
And
an ugly sham
ffists
has proved, having dampt the spirits
&
closed the
of you can't imagine
how many.
from a
letter
Tho
from
ourselves are satisfied
both from the premises
&
Mr N.
that there
is
nothing
in
it.
wee
are in
away unexpectedly from hopes of saying somthing to that which you called
If the ship steal not
letter before shee goes.
us,
the
worst pt of your
You
will hear of the removeall of
one of the worst enemies that
* John Palmer wns a " troublesome enemy " of Massachusetts, a

Council of Andros, and appointed by Dongan,
member
at
of the
Commissioner to manage the affairs which office he forced the inhabitants

England
a
York, a of the County of Cornwall, or Province of Maine, in

to
who succeeded Andros
New
buy
at extortionate prices
lie is
new
patents for their

in
lands, and appropriated large tracts* to himself,
mentioned as having obtained
commission as Chief Judge of the Supreme Court. He is the author of "Impartial Account of the State of New England." See Hutchinson's Ili;-t. i. 871 Palfrev's Hist. vol. iii. 533, etc.; " Revolution in New England Justified."
j
1688.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
367
I & Mr. Morton had in these parts (the Grand-one lives yet up his measure) the concernm* of which may be more to us than wee can at present see. I mean Mr. Mason,* who died in the N. York Journey with the Gov r The Indian War broken out you will hear of more pticularly by persons that come over, & it will one day bee openly known, as
you
to
&
fill
it is
now
suspected
who made
it
too.
(cpbably)
without provocation
&
instigation.
They would not have begun The cloud looks

terrible to us.
very dark
&
black upon us,
&
wee are under very awfull circum-
stances, which render an Indian
Warr
Wee
ported)
that
cannot
tell
what
to
hither in the capacity of
make of M! Palmers coming over Supreme Iudge, (as it is comonly refair,
&
yet that your business should seem to look so

his
&
you should know nothing of

it.
coming, or
if
you did know
should not give us a hint of
We
much
that
know how
to reconcile these
things, that there should be so
favor at Court for us,
&
that
yet such a
is
man
should be sent over in such a place of trust,
who
But
so
much
disaffected to us,
&
it
should be carried so closely
as to be concealed fro yourself, tho so conversant at Court.
there are
many
things ordered for the best by Providence which
we cannot
reconcile.
th:
Wee
what
to
have a very strange
among
us,
which we know not
make
of,
except
it
bee Witchcraft, as
we
think
it
must
needs bee.
3 or 4 children of one Goodwin, a Mason, that have
been for some weeks grievously tormented, crying out of head,

eies,
tongue, teeth; break g theyr neck, back, thighs, knees, leggs.
feet, toes,
&c.
&
then they roar out,
Oh my
head,
Oh my
neck,
&>
it.
from one part
to another the pain runs almost as fast as I write
The pain
is
(doubtles) very exquisite,
&
the cries most dolorous
&
affecting,
&
this is noteable,
that two or
more of them cry
out of the same pain in the same part, at the same time, pain shifts to another place in one, so in the other,
&
it
as the
& thus
holds
* Robert Mason, grandson of John Mason, the patentee of New Hampshire and ViceAdmiral of New England, represented New Hampshire in the Council of Andros, the Governor referred to in the same sentence. He attended the latter in his visits to Connecticut to assume the government there in October, 1687. He is mentioned as having been present at a meeting of the Council of Anclros at Hartford, November 1, when the Charter government of Connecticut was dissolved. The story of the hiding of the Charter the evening before, by Captain Wordsworth, in the hollow trunk of the famous Charter Oak, may be seen in Trumbull's " History of Connecticut," i. 371. He died in 1688.
3G8
them
for an
THE MATHER PAPERS.

hour together
[16S8.
&
more
&
when
the pain
is
over they
are gen-
eat, drink,
walk, play, laugh, as at other times.
They
erally well a nights.
great
many good Xtians
spent a day of
prayer there.
Ml'
Morton came over,
&
wee each spent an hour
in prayer, since
which the parents suspecting an old
woman
&
her
(laughter living hard by, complaint
was made to the Justices, & far, that the women were comitted to prison compassion had so & are there now. Yesterday I called in at the House, & was informed by the parent that since the women were confined the
so that
children have been well while out of the House, but as soon as
any of them come into the House, then taken as formerly
now all home they

well.
theyr children keep at their neighb rs houses.

are imediately afflicted,
little
If any step
&
while they keep out are
have been a
an hand in
it,
larger in this narrative,
because I
know you have

devill has
studied these things.

it
Wee
cannot but think the

It
is
by some instrum*.
an example
in all
the parts of
not to be paralleld.
You may
inquire further of
at first,
M
lie
Oaks, whose Uncle administred Physick to them
&
may pbably
inform you more fully.
There are
also
sundry
in the
Country that remain distracted since the measills

lately
last spring.
Some have
another man.
made away with themselves, one Red-coat & rememt) Dr. Owen on Luk. 13, 5 They are
1*
1 1
!
solemn warnings
&
p sages.
1-
S r Wee
,
are daily looking to heaven for you, unto
Him
that has
will
the Hearts of
Kings
in
His Hand,
&
&
are waiting for

till
what he
us.
further answer.
I hear the ship goes not
to-morrow.
Wee
think to meet anon after lect?

I
&
hope you may hear of

sincerely
am
yours, affectionately
J.
Moody.
*
I heartily thank I retaliate with
you
for
your kind Remenru 00 of Sam:
which
my
blesse
hearty Ivememt) 00 of your ingenuous Sam:
The good Lord
them both.
[II.
* Samuel Moodey
C. 1689].
1688.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
369

To
the
Rev' d
Mr Increase Mather, London, f
M Edw:
r
Oakes. Jr.
D.
G. (?)
9, 8, 88.
Rev d &
DR
SR
have dd
if
my
letters to
the
bearer,
Mr
of
Oakes, only add, that
you can
in all your opportunities
wait g on his Maj^, find a season to thrust in an happy word for
poor N. Hampshire, who are under lamentable circumstances.
Mason
is
dead, but his sons survive
&
possibly
may
bee worse
than hee.
harrassed,
siderable
You know how
the poor people have been unreasonably
&
to raise
one family on the ruins of half a dozen con-
Townes looks hard. Tis my affection to my people that has drawn this hint fro mee. I leave it to your Consider? &
pray for God's presence to bee with you, your parting prayer,
&
you need no more.

I
am
yours at heart,
J.
Moodey.

*.
To
the
Rev d
Increase Mather, pr s? London.

8,
(11 mo,) 88,
Rev &
d
R
,
Wee have
&
so
this
day remembered you,
&
fit
car-
ried
your pson
& concerns before
the
Lord
in prayer,
having spent
for
the day in our course at

the
mercy expected,
My Willard's.* much needed,
Sure wee are not

or else after so
many good
to give us
words
a
&
large pmises, somthing

r
would have been sent
p sent Relief against those things that are grievous, till matters may be more formally fully done. I pray that my unlittle
&
belief
may
bee no Hinderance.
By
this
bearer
my
couz. Joss
Appleton, I hope I
great comp^ of
may write safely, shall g say men (it's s d 400) that lye at the
that besides the
eastward to doe
this
* Rev. Samuel Willard, of the Old South Church, Boston. volume.
See note
to his letter in
47
370
nothing
this
THE MATHER TAPERS.

dismal] season,
tell?
[1688.
there
is
a Presse
for
200 more,
bee seen by
what
for,
who can
There are no Indians
to
them, nor any service to bee done (some to have strengthened the
Garrisons might have done well).
There are strange conjectures
which I dare not write

wasting Indian war.
but I very
much
rs
,
fear a dreadfull, lengthy,
Althings look that way.
If ought
may
bee done for the maintenf of minist
&
pticularly for recouering
the old Arrears for which they had formerly contracted, It
would
bee a very Beneficiall thing to many.
And
about this swearing

it,
on the Book
their minds,
if
there bee no check to the imposeing
much
mischief will follow, as you
may
easily see.
They'l get Jurys to
were fined
what can they not doe? Sam: Bridge * & sundry the other day on that ace? Also another thing, let a
&
pson bee complained

groan under them.
to
of,
brought before them,
&
th6 nothing bee
found against him, the
flees are so
unreasonably high the people
The Carters
for a
in the
Town were
lately ordered
app
r
,
to
answ
charge of Extortion (possibly they ask
somthing more
for theyr
work, since they are not pmitted to goe
with iron-bound wheels on the paved streets, being at great charge
by wearing out a p r of new wheels presently.) Deacon Eliot pleaded it strongly with them, but to no purpose. I hinted to C Sewall the story about Deacon Ffraery covented & bound over with sureties for forbidding Rati iff J to read Coirion
"f
11
Prayer
ffrary
at the
grave of old Lilly.
to speake,
hand, when at
The relations desired Cap. had requested the parson to forbear before the House. But he went on, & being hindered
&
complained
but
to
Justice Lidget, Ffoxcraft
&
Bullivant,
||
who
so
it,
treated M!" Ffraery.

left
Now when
Execut rs
the deceased did not desire
the buriall to the
&
they forbade
it,
meethinks
it
* Samuel Bridge was a carpenter of Boston, and

1(179.
member
of the Artiller}-
Company
in
t X
See note on
p. 247.
first
Rev. Robert Ratcliffe "was the

15,
Episcopal minister settled in

in
New
England,
in-
ducted dune
108G.
"He
had come
the frigate
h ime, no doubt, at the end of three years,
when
his
and went patron Andros was overthrown."

'
Rose,'
May
15, 168G,
||
Samuel
Lilly,
merchant, of Boston.
See Hutchinson's Hist, of Mass.

Andros.
i.
356.
prisoned in April, 1689, as an adherent of Andros.
was imBenjamin Bullivant, a physician from London, was made Attorney-General, and acted under Andros; was one of the two first Wardens of King's Chapel.
Col. Francis Foxcroft
Col. Charles Lidgett
was
in the interest of
1688.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
371
King, the
is
should not bee imposed,
&
Attourny, saith
it
will cost
what a case are wee all in. him 100 mark, & that hee
is)
bound
to
doe
his
duty (I mean Ratliff
&
&
the
K.
<pclamation will not re1
lieve him.
Cap. Ffrary
is
bound
to the
good Behavi ",
&
!
wilbe so
for a 12,
(A
fearfull
reproach
snare).
What
does the j>clama
for liberty of Consc. doe, if such impositions are allowed
This
is
a very tremend 8 thing to us.
And
the shutting up shops on
X'mas
are
day,
&
driving the
%
out of the school on

in
Xmias Holydaies
on Thirsday.
very grievous.
These Raptim
my
lect
The
Lord hide you under the hollow of His hand, direct, p r serve, return you with a gracious Answer of all prayers that are made for you night & day.
I
am
yours, daily thinkg of
&
pray g for you,
J.
M.
If somthing could be done for the poor Province of
N. Hampsh.
&
Mein,
it
would be a good work.
Be
sure to take effectuall course to secure yourself ag 8t
Ran-
dolph, &c. ere you
come
off.
Also a
so
Law
it.
publisht that
many
daies ere they goe
off.
men must needs set up theyr names You may see the Inconvenience
&
design of
JOSHUA MOODEY TO SAMUEL NOWELL.

To
S?,
self
M
.
Samuel Nowell, pr 8t London.

Boston,
19, 9, 88.
D
am
hope you have rec
mine
since your
last,
though I
own my
able.
behind-hand, because you write couple-game, which
sume apace, while I am fain to send one at once, as I Your last, about the downfall of the Turks, & theyr The Lord perfect that hastening towards a period is great neues. If he that was to last for a year, a month, a day & great work. an hour * bee the Turkish Empire, which begun in 1300, then he passes away about 1691, & then woe to Babylon. And the mine of
swells the
* See Rev.
ix. 15.
372
the Turkes
THE MATHER PAPERS.

by
intestine Jarrs
is
[1688.
a paralell to the Lord's dealings of

to
old with such kind of
Enemies
His people.
is
Your
large ace
,
of the Earthquake in sundry places

rather because
tions in the
.
also very
tremend 8
&
the
hath given us those as presages of great Revolu-
There have been sundry Earthquakes in this land pticularly a very remarkable one yesterday was 3 this sumer weeks, at N. Bristoll, of which Mr By field * the other day gave
;
mee
a very solemn ace,
he being an ear-witnes of the same.
Wee
have also by letters from our garrisoned ffriends from Pascataqua to Casco, as also by word of mouth Informa that both at York & Casco, at sundry times many gunns have been heard, &
they have thought the next
Town
or Garrison has been engaged
by the Enemy, but have sent round about & could hear no tideings of one gun shot, & g? conclude they were the noise of Guns in the
Air
in
is
which must needs bee reckoned awfully pdigious. The Gov pson is lately gone forth, Mr Lawson gone Chaplain, & there a considerably Army prest who are gone eastward, where the
r
;
poor people are wofully harrassed.
It will
one day bee known
whence
with us.
sadly.
sexes.
this
war
rose.
It
hath also been a solemn time of sicknes
Many
have died of a malignant ffeaver which yet rages
Sundry choice psons, both old
&
young, of
all
ages
&
Some have lain longer time, sundry snatcht away suddenly, among many others 2 of Mr[s.] Shippen's daughters, & One Pierce, son to the widow Pierce that lives by then herself. Mr Is. Walker (the only child of the good Coll. Shrimptons.f
widow)
ford,
Cn
Smith, Harry Benning,
Sedgwick, old
Rains-
old Br.
is
younger \
Dr Bailey the languishing under a Consumption. The Lord awaken,

Clough,
multis alijs.
r
cum
humble
&
reform us.
withall shake to hear
you give of matters with you, but you say (what I alwaies feared) viz., the uncertainty of some men that make fair pmises, but are very short
I rejoyce in the hopefull ac
* Nathaniel Byfield was a proprietor and one of the first settlers of Bristol, in Plymouth County; a Representative, Speaker of the House in 1693, a judge, and one of his Majesty's
Council.
t
See Hutchinson,
ii.
211.
cil
Samuel Shrimpton was captain of the Artillery Company in 1694; one of the Counof Andros, "hut not a partaker of his tyranny," and one of the Council of Safety in
t
1689.
Rev. Thomas, younger brother of Rev. John Bailey, of Watertown, died Jan. 21,
1689,
aged thirty-five years.
1688.]
JOSHUA MOODEY.
I wish
it
373
in pformances.
may
prove bettf,
Many seek
Lord.
the Ruler's favo r , but every man's
& hope that it will. judgment is from the
As to publicp news concerning the look of matters with* us, it would be imprudent & needles both to run such an Advent as medling with those things, you will 3? the bearer C? Sewall have
1'
such a
full ac
little
vivd voce,
of your psonall concerns, but pray that the
I hear
Lord
will
direct, assist
&
succeed you,
&
the
way by him
r
directed in Truth
may be expected to bee attended with successe. Mf Allen's daughter is married to M S. Danforth of Taunton,* and Mf Saffin f has lately married Mf Lee's eldest daughter. This week C n Blackwell is going to take possession of the Gov rt
of Pensylvania, for which he has a Comission from
I beg the continuance of correspondence as
Wm Pen.
;
you may
&
with
my
hearty, daily prayer for you, I
am
J.
Yours
in heart,
M.
* Rev. Samuel Danforth, of Taunton [H. C. 1683], ordained

daughter of Rev. James Allen, of Boston.
in 1687,
married Hannah,
He t John Saffin was a Representative from 1684 to 3086, and Speaker the last year. was a judge of the Supreme Court in 1701. His third wife was Rebecca, daughter of Rev. Samuel Lee, of Bristol. The account of his separation from her is in Baylies' Hist,
iv. 56.
See Savage's" Geneal. Diet.;"

i.
Baylies' Hist.; Letter of Cotton Mather; Mass.
Hist Coll.
J
137.
p. 60.
See note on
374
THE MATHER PArERS.
[1678.
LETTERS OF JOSEPH ELIOT.
JOSEPH ELIOT* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend
his
T Increase Mather Teacher good friend Church in Boston, these.

.
to the
Reverend S r
and your books,
received before or in winter
your
letter
for
which I heartily thank you.
In perusing your
;
book of Answer of Prayers I found some things very considerable but one thing I much wondred at, that whereas you give an account of prayers and answers as in the Massathuset, Plimouth,
England, there
so
is
not one word referring to Conecticut, nor
is
it
much
as
mentioned in the whole discourse that I can remember.

for
I suppose
believe
it
you wil say it was was not any desighn
want of
intelligence,
and so
at concealment, but yet
had
it
not
been highly expedient to have sent into these parts, and have understood what trade of prayer was here driven by the Saints,
before
you had printed
but yours
may
;
been honored
want of which easy duty I know not might have in manafraid to too or forward yet I am be busy
;
for
be amiss of some things whereby
aging such pleas as not being altogeither unacquainted with the

deceitfulnesse of heart,
which under pretence of Xt's honor we
seek our own.
It
cannot
now be
all
recalled
but I could heartily
wish, that in things of publique and universal import there might
be no precipitation used, but

narratives.
things maturly waighed, and the
best intelligence gained, least the world have crudities instead of
But
I need not inlarg
upon that matter.

stil.
I hear you
is
are under a sad visitation of the poxe.
The Lord's anger
not
turned away, but His hand

witli
is
stretched out
We
may even
trembling stand and wait to see what
God
wil doe with poor
New
name
England.
of the
For my own part I durst not but hope in the Holy One of Israel. I perceive in your book conC. 1658], son of the Apostle, was ordained at Guilford in 1GG4.
* Rev. Joseph Eliot
[II.
1678.]
JOSEPH ELIOT.
..
375
cerning Church Children you have taken up T) v Owen's notion
about baptisme.
could be set clear.
I think
it
would
solve
many
it
difficulties
if it
am
perswaded the Doctor hath more to say
about
it
than yet he hath spoken, being; but as

said, laying
is
were
and
what he hath
one
tiling
with another, to the best of
my
apprehension,
if
not far from contradictory.

stir
glad
you or any body would

Church of God.
orate his notions on that subject.

to the
I would be very him up to elucidate and elabI hope it would be of great use
I hear
God
hath
among you by
taking away Mr. Sheapard.*
made a great breach I know not whither

I hope his friends wil
he had any thing provided for the presse.

not be wanting to search, that so
if
there be, right
may
be done
both to him and to the world.

within this few days that
it
There was a man

to observe
telling of
me
was Strang
Colledge
what a black
in
run of things had folowed the

to the doctor.
businesse
reference
We
to
have in these parts some fears of new trouble

it
from the Indians,
I have not particularly heard.
communicate
and at the eastward, would thank you if you would me not only your own but your European newes
is
& how
with you
when
it
comes
to hand,
I shal not further inlarg at present but
with dear remembrance to your self and yours, remain
Yours
Guil: 3 May.
78.
in our Savior
Joseph Eliot.
Note by who found it
I.
Mather.
" Received
May
18, 78,
brought
to
me by Mt Johnston
in the street."
JOSEPH ELIOT TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reverend
M
.
Increase Mather,
Teacher
.
to
the
2?
Church in
Boston, these dlr

Guil: July
Eeverend S r
17, 78.
received your late letter safely delivered to
me, and not dropped
in the street as
mine was.f
As
to that first
* Rev. Thomas Shepard [H. C. 1653] was son of Rev. Thomas, of Cambridge. Ordained at Charlestown, April 13, 1659. He died of the small-pox December 22, 1677. t See note by Mather to the preceding letter.
376
businesse
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678.
my
scope was to intimate
that
before such kind of
treatises are
I
put forth as contain aliquid

it
commune,
the affairs
mean, or concerns of a people,
is
requisite that there should

in
be such a collection of materials as

are liable to suffer injury
may
some measure reach
in
the extent of the whole, without which both persons and things
;
and as that was
my
scope so
it
is
stil
niv apprehension, acording to which level I think both your dis-
course of prayer and of the late warre were put forth with too
much
this I
precipitation,
is
and that your other book of the former troubles
of the country
farre
more elaborate aud comprehensive

so farre as they goe, but could
yet in
all
have not the
least
thought of disparaging the usefulnesse of
the truths and
...
have wished
that the readers might have been advantaged with the rest, that
by
no great expense of pains might have been superadded hcec oportet

facere
et ilia
non omittere.
I perceive you have

I say
come
in the
way
of sundry pieces of the Virtuosi.
per
se they
;
doe elaborate
more and greater things than those you mention yet concerning the longitude memory fails me, if I have not read somthing of that I would earnestly entreat kind on foot these sundry years (?). you, out of a pitty to a famished man, to send me such treatises historical or philosophical as you have by you, especially that concerning the designes of a French government in England. I shall
carefully return you.
And
as a pledge of
it
my
care, at last I
now
send you your Hudson.
I have kept
long, not so
much
for the
sake of the book as for the learned annotations in the margine,
which
am perswaded
that
wil prove
an antispleenetick medicine, be-
yond most
letter at
you have tryed, especially in coniunction with the the end pinned on by your brother and carefully preserved
I suppose also after a view of
to part with
it.
ever since by me.

easily be
it
you wil not
perswaded
Now there is
I did
one thing in
my
mind
that I
would propound
to you.
some years agone see
papers of weekly edition after the manner of the Gazets, under the
name
of Philosophical Observations by
Society.
John [Henry] Oldenburgh,
Those of them that I saw contained relations and passages exceeding worthy the knowledge. Now if you
Felow of the
could see
it
though
your way to send know not whither

so
for the
whole of these Collections,

stil
they are
continued, not having
seen any these 6 or 7 years, I
am
perswaded you would not repent
of your cost, especially
if
much goodnesse might accompany
1678.]
JOSEPH ELIOT.
to
377
your injoyment as
that will be glad
be helpful to your poorer sort of neighbors

sit
to
down
at
the reversion of your table.
I do not remember that you
returned any word whether you
had met with the story of the

to be
late
brave Turkish Vizier.
If
it
be
had I am stil very desirous of it. If you have Gorsius(?) works by you, doe so much as send out a discours which is
as I
taining Exhortations to
remember about a quarter or 3 part of the book in conyoung people, and think if it may not
it.
deserve translation, at least the substance of

it
know
not but
might operate the more

it
to
consider that such livly passages
are fetched as
were out of the dark bowels of Popish times.

it
I have latly seen a smal treatise in verse, such as
is,
not over
Heliconian, yet honest, printed at Boston, against the Quakers,
by one B. K.* whose name I cannot unridle. The continuance of the poxe, winter and summer upon you is a very sad and something unusual dispensation.
As
at
to fears of a
it.
new warre from
the
enemie,
we
see not
much
cause of
By any
thing apearing
to our view that
murther
New London we
cannot discern to
;
have any root of danger, but a mere private act of malice

desire
yet I
we may
not be secure especially while the blow upon the

is
Natique Indians
aparent, and carries a hazardous look in

is
it.
The
than
blast
it
upon wheat
it is
more prevalent
this
year in these parts

or
hath been for sundry years past.

better to fal into the
It
is
may
:
be a sharp
into
scourg. yet
hand of the Lord than

thus
the hand of man.
begin I scarse
a
litle
we shal not into both know how to make an end. Were

I hope
satisfie
when I
I with you,
time would not
me
to inquire about the posture of
the ministry and people at Boston, which seems
somwhat odde,
your engine
is
but such things are not so
fit
for writing.
When
comes from London
to advance speech so incredibly
come,
if it
wil promote any thing toward our confabulation at this distance,
* There
is
a book in the Library of the Mass. Hist. Society,
by
B. K., entitled "
The
Progress of Sin, or the Travels of Ungodliness," portions of which are in verse, published It is probable that the treatise referred to is by the same author. in London in 1684.
Benjamin Keach published in 1675 (or 1676, Bod. Catalogue), a dialogue, in refutation of Quakerism. He sometimes wrote under the signature " B. K." " Winthrop Papers," Mass. Hist. Coll. vol. 6. t In the letters of Edward Howes, in the Series iv. pp. 500 et seg., reference is made to " Magnetical engines " that will sympathize In a note on page 500, the editors say, " This would almost seem like a at a distance.
foreshadowing of the magnetic telegraph."
48
378
or
I
THE MATHER PAPERS.

were much nearer than that you mention
in
[1678.
if it
your
letter,
should think the better of Squire Morland
* as long as I tedious.
to
had
occasion to think of such things.

therefore,
But
I shal
grow
the
remembrance of choicest respects
With, yourself and
wife, and desire that our hearts may be stirred up in mutual prayer lor each other, that we may be prepared for our changes and ina-
bled
I
for
our duties
through grace and strength from

in
Jesus
remain
Yours ever
Him
Joseph Eliot.
JOSEPH ELIOT TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the reverend
Mr
Increase Mather teacher to the 2 d church in

JJoston, these.
REVEREND S r
received your letter

all
in
winter, with
an
almanack and some verses, for

contained 2 objections, and
in
which I thank you.
My
me
letter
hopes you wil not refer

tel
,
to the
mercy of the schoolmaster, I wil

about them.
you
my
further thoughts
To
is
that that
was the 2 d as
I placed
them, you give

should rise
sundry answers, which

viz:
I readily
own have
than
a fair look of satisfaction,
that
it
no more strange that

heavenly Jerusalem,
himself,
I
Gog and Magog

that
against
the
the
angels
should
rise against
God
&c,
yet I must say that such answers

is
reach not so fully as
could wish, for there
none of them a
ful
proportion to the case in hand, though the instance of the angels
comes nearest
but I
am
willing to
that looks Seripturally rational [?].
make most of any thing Then for the other objection

in case of
Concerning the burning of the world, and the impossibility of an
unmiraculous continuance of the wicked,

flag-ration,
I
a ofeneral con.
.
.
did not observe any thing in your letter

I
towards
an answer.
it.
would therefore be glad
to
have your thoughts vpon
2 things I can see sayable vpon it; 1 that the world
may
be
* Sir Samuel Morland, a diplomatist, and distinguished for his mechanical genius. He was honored by Cromwell with several offices, but having srone over to the King was made a Knight and Baronet, and, alter the Restoration, Master of Mechanics to Charted II. He invented an urithmeticul mnchine, etc.
1683.]
JOSEPH ELIOT.
379
supposed to suffer combustion but in part, as wel as the dead to

receive a resurection but in part, were there any countenance for
it
in scripture
a 2 d thing
is
that
it
may
and
be taken for a metaphorinsists
ical
combustion which that Allin you mention

,
upon, but
truly if the Chiliasm are proved ( ?)

stil
if
no better answers I shal
remain
in
my
hesitation
furthermore I do not see into the
reason of your so
much
insisting in
your
letter
vpon the
distinction
of the personal apearance of
Xt
and the personal raigne, alowing
the state of that Jerusalem to be perfect heaven, I reach not

is
what
gained by the distinction, or lost for want of
it
a
is
new heaven
not so cleare
I have not
&
to
earth I can freely graunt, but a sinlesse heaven
me
as for
Medes
;
coniectures of
Gog and Magog,
seen that peece
if it
be by
it
self in a
volume, I should be very
glad to obtain a sight of

of this letter, one of
it, if
you would send any by the bearer

though I have myself read
the revelations,
my
neighbors, Stephen Bishop, I should
return
it
safe in about a years time,
...
of Mede, as his
comment upon
. .
apostacy
of the latter times, chappel exercises.
I sent for
all his
works,
but these
were
all
.1
. .
prefer
him before any I have

I
seen for the solid satis
understanding.
.
am
glad your
book gives so much content alread[y]

of
ring of the Church

at
God
is
the great thing
we should aim
in
our
is.
Your
sons verses are wel spirited, but in

his poesy.
my
thoughts he wil never
win the laurel for
am
usualy afraid
when
I see
young
men ...
be drawn out by a few partial admirers to their

:
own
I
disadvantage
the state of
the country stands very ticlish.
should be glad to hear there were a spirit of
...
or courage
amongst you and of a sound mind. The Lord help us ail, that we may prepare for what looks out upon us and yet look up to
the
God
of our salvation.
This
is all
at present.
am
yours in the gospel
Joseph Eliot.
Gdil: 16 Marc[h]: 83
380
THE MATHER TAPERS.
[1678.
LETTEES OF SAMUEL MATHER.
SAMUEL MATHER* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend
Mr
Increase Mather Teacher
to
a Church of Christ at
Boston.
Honoured S r
I
Yours of May the 10,

for.
I received, for which
thank you.
I could bee glad that I were nearer to
you
that
I might the better advise with you about
my
settlement, which I
have long longed
I have not time to enlarge
now,
bee:
it
is our lecture weeke, and the whole work for a long time hath lyen As for the motion on me, by reason of Mr. Newton's f illness. I know not where nor about Bastable, I doe not encline to it.
when
I shall settle.
;
am
not fully enclined to accept Milford's

give
motion as yet
setled
nor can I
if
now
my
reasons.
I desire earnestly I long to be

in a great
your prayers, and
there be opportunity, advice.
somewhere,
I fancy
much, retirement.
feeble.
am now
place,
&
am
little
&
The
if
;
people's great respect to
me, much undeserved, makes mee slow to give them a denyall.

Tie a godly Society
it
we have,
but
My
may do work
it
for
Jesus
is
enough
that
any where
will serve
yet
;
is
my
But
all,
duty to have
I cannot ento
respect to a comfortable subsistence
and many things I could
name
large.
make me
hesitate about this place.
Wee
I
are in health.
duty
& my
wife's
yourself
and aunt.
particular.
Our
love
&
respects to our cozens
&
Cotton, in
S.
am your unworthy
kinsman.
M.
Miu.o.May
*
II.
20, 78.
C. 1G71.
Eldest son of Timothy, of Dorchester.
He preached
for a
time at Deer-
field, till
the destruction of the
people to Hatfield,
16*2.
t
till he was ordained at Windsor, in He was one of the first Trustees of Yale College, and died March 18, 1728. Rev. Roger Newton was the first minister of Hartford, dismissed in 1657. He came
town by the Indians in and preached there and elsewhere
1675.
He went
with the surviving
to Boston, to Bail for
England,
in
October; but the ship being detained by head winds, the
superstitious captain consented to his being left behind, on the supposition that his presence
may have had some
connection with the " cross wind."
He was
afterwards settled at
Mi, lord, Aug. 22, 1660.
1678.]
SAMUEL MATHER.
381
SAMUEL MATHER TO INCREASE MATHER.

Reverend S r
ing, &c. that
,
received
your
letter
;
together
with
the
books you sent mee, for which I thank you
as also for the cloath-
you have been a meanes to procure for me. Very wellcome will they bee, if they come to hand. I have need enough of them, but how to get them I cannot tell. I could not come to the Bay this Summer, the state of my little family is such that I could not leave it, tho' I could much desire to see you, and to speake with you about my settlement, concerning which I am
not yet fully resolved.
I have offers enough,
among
others an
invitation unto Braineford,
which
tho' a small place, yet capable
of enlargment,
makes
it.
& it is no How God will

my
such despicable place as conion fame

dispose of
for
me
know
not.
My
soul
longs for settlement.

ter in a
Pray
mee, that
God will
order the mat-
way
of mercy, and that I

generation.
Jesus Christ in
may bee fitted As for Milford
to
doe work for
2 things princi-
pally discourage
their
mee from abiding there: (1) The smallness of maintenance. (2) They being of that perswasion wee call
I have no time
antisynodalianer.
now
to write to
my
father.
els,
When
you have opportunity remember
my
duty.
I have not
but subscribe myself
Your
Mi: Nov.
4,
poor, unworthy and
much
obliged kinsman,
S.
Mather.
1678.
Honoured S r
since, to
I received a few lines from yourself sometime which I wrote an answer but missed the opportunity of
,
sending
it,
and now I write again.

to
As
for a
Tombstone about
which you wrote
mee, I know not that any of Dorchester ever

it,
spake to mee about
or whether any can bee had from hence.
The
pit,
out of which they are wont to be gotten,
now
faileth
is
much,
so that
when, or whether ever
it
will afforde another
un-
382
certaine.
I shall not
for
THE MATHER PAPERS.

bee unwilling to doe what
is
[1687-8.
meet
for
my
part.
As
your going to England, I have nothing to say, save
that I shall according to
my
poore manner beg the presence
&
protection of the
God
of heaven,
&c
Remember my duty
is
to
my
Aunt,
for
my
loving respects to
my
Cousens, and cease not to pray
yourself,
him who is, and forgets not that he and your unworthy nephew,
9,
many wayes
obliged to
S.
M.
Winds: March
168}.
1678.]
COTTON MATHER.
383
LETTERS OF COTTON MATHER.
COTTON MATHER* TO JOHN COTTON.

[November, 1678.]
t
pudor" upon my delayes of doing you that service that duty does as much oblige as you desire, but that I am made brazen-faced by excuses sufficient to bear mee out.
I
should
fling a " proh
I wonder what you impute of yours which are in
my
non-transmission of those things

I
my
hands
to.
know your candor
will not
charge
me
with Idleness.
Your
all,
courtesy will not Implead
me
for
forgetfulness,
you without reason will not accuse mee of unwillingness to serve you in what I may, even usq e ad But if I am of age to speak for myaras, & if possible, there. self; sickness, which had the first part in hindrance, was succeeded by uncertainty of conveyance, and that again seconded by other
avocations.
in seeking
testify,
&
most of
How
frequently
&
unweariedly I have been engaged
Plymouth
boat, if noth. else, yet
my
old shooes wil
become an other Lutetia (q. Luto sat,a\) do proclaim that they wanted a pair of GoI would bee more loshooes when traveling neer the Dock-head.
in this time,
is
who
when Boston
frequent in Letters Testimonial of

either fling salt
my
gratitude, if I could but
on the
tail
of Time, or gett the wind and tide to be
favorable to
the
my
designs, which possibly
may
in a sense bee before
Greek Calends. Never was it such a time

filled so fast.
in Boston. to tell
Boston burying-places
never
It is
easy
the time wherein
we
did not
* Rev. Cotton Mather [H.C. 1678] was the eldest son of Increase; born Feb. 12, 1663, settled, as colleague, with his father in the Ministry of the Second Church, in Boston, May 13, 1685. He is too well known to require an extended notice.
and
swer.
John Cotton, to which it is an anwas written at about the time which we have assigned to it, fur the reason that that time accords with the date of John Cotton's letter, and also because the small-pox was then raging in Boston. It is certainly a very remarkable letter, from one so young as the writer was at that pet This letter
It is
is
written on the back of the letter of

it
without date, but we infer that
riod,
J
about
fifteen years.
Referring to the
muddy
condition of the
way
to the dock.

384
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
[1678.
use to have the bells tolling for burials on a sabbath day morning
by sunrise
in"*.
to
have 7 buried on a sabbath day night, after Meetcoffins crossing
To have
;
each other as they have been carried
in the street
To have,
know not how many
each other close at their heels,

6, 7, 8 or 9 in a day.
is
To have 38 dye
corpses following
in
;
one week,
at this day.
it first
since
Yet thus hath it lately been and thus it Above 340 have died of the Small Pox in Boston To attempt a Bill of Mortality, assaulted the place.
of. grass in a
and number the very spires

have
a parity of difficulty
the gradual
Burying Place seem
to
and
to
in
accomplishment
... At
first
mercy of God
First,
my
father's family
was observable
&
remarkable.
my
Brother Nath gently smitten, and I more
gently than hee, and

the order
is
day of the
fears gr*
my Sr Sarah yet more gently than I. But my sister Maria, w on the same month & month that my father was visited with the same disease
broken on
ill
;
21 years agoe, was taken very
the
symptoms grievous and our
Sometimes light-headed, but her father prayed down

and her pox having turned a day or 2 agoe, shee is spemque metumque locata, that spes bears down the
mercy
for her
now
so inter
scales.
visited.
So
that of
fit
my
fathers Septenary of childr:,
4 have been
God
&
prepare for the 3 stroakes that are yet behind.

for all of us,
Let us not want the help of your prayers especially for him who is
Sir.
Not more your Nephew than desirous Your ... & servant
to be
C.
M.
with the exception of two that are designated in respectively, are from the " Winthrop Papers." has
series,
[The next
letter of
Cotton Mather, and
all
those from
him which
follow in this
notes attached to them,
It
heen deemed proper to
introduce
them
all
into this collection, in order to bring together,
among
the
"Mather
Mr.
Papers,"
those of this
member
of the Mather family which are available.
"Winthrop has kindly furnished them for this purpose.]
1682.]
COTTON MATHER.
385
COTTON MATHER TO JOHN RICHARDS.*

To The Worshipfull John Richards, Esq Residing at The Sign of the Ship, in Fan-church-street London p Cp*. Edw rds
.
Worshipfull Syr
of a rude Epistle,
Although
to give
you the Interruption

tanta JSfegotia,
Quum
tot sustineas, et
may
the
have an hand in producing almost as bad an Effect, as the Applause of the Spectators did upon that Gallant Actor,
whom
Death with the Multitude of Roses which they threw upon him, Yet many considerations Encourage mee, & Embolden mee, some e'ne Enforce mee, & compell mee to do what in this Literary Address I do For, Not to mention the
people
stifled
to
kindness which on a late occasion I received, by some some weeks
Entertainment in the House, that Laments the Absence of you, as
Owner; & for which, I think, somewhat of Acknowledgement may well bee made unto yourself; And, Not to insist on the Relation that God has given mee to bear unto the particular church which may Look upon itself as happy in having
its
Master,
&
your worship a
Member
of
it
I shall only call to mind, That
when
a person of great worth in a Graecian city
was entertained
the the
with the various presents of innumerable persons, one

Rest, having Nothing Else, took up a Palm-full
street,
among of Water from
that;
& signifyed as much respect & this too, not without good
full
as he could, with the offer of
acceptance.
And
truly,
Syr
May my Hand
by
us,
his Inspired
of water, prove Like Solomons Cold Waters to
a thirsty soul, as good
Newes from
it
a farr countrey are called
Pen
I shall count
one of the best services to

in
which
my Ink
can be putt.
When
any are engaged
Action for
!
wee think wee have comission enough to cry, Courage Cheer up But, Excellent Syr you are Employed in a concern, wherein the Thoughts of this whole Land are call'd to be upon you
! ! !
And
therein
it is
not Improbable that you meet with mountains of
* John Richards
came over
in 1644.
of the Second Church,
that of the Mathers.

He married
an Assistant in 1680.
He was a rich merchant in Boston, and a member He was Speaker of the Deputies, and also first, .the widow of Adam Winthrop, son of Gov. John
Wiiithrop, of Massachusetts, and next, a daughter of Gov. John Winthrop, of Connecticut.
He was
chosen an agent to England, in March, 1681-2.
49
386
Difficulty
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
you are involved in wonderfull Intrecacyes & you have a field for the Exercise of the Wisan Angel of God, & of more grace then one Man is wont dome of Yctt now, Bee Strong, O Zerubbabel, saith the Lord to have It was a Moses-like, for I am with you, saith the Lord of Hosts.
;
that
Labyrinths
that
&
a Paul-like
Act of
self denial in
;
you, to forego
all
the Inviting
Enjoyments of a pleasant Home to venture over the perillous Atlantic Ocean, & to appear at a Court, which I shall not attempt to put right Epithites upon, on the behalf of a sinfull, & unworthy Land.
The Heathen indeed could give now,

;)
&
then an Instance
Patrice, which made the But whereas yourself in your present undertaking were, I know, spring'd by a Motive which never entred into an Heathen (tho: never so much Heroic) Breast, give mee Leave to write your Atchievement, because more ChrisHon r able Great Tho: I may pertian, to bee more Noble
(a Codrus, or a Curtius
it
of that
Amor
subjects of
justly admirable.
haps receive such a check from you, as Constantine gave to him,
Qui ausus
vice
est
Imperatorem in Os, Bcatum dicere.
And
you
in
as
Divine considerations nrg'd you to comply with your present ser;
so I doubt not but Divine Cordials will refresh
it.
I doubt not but you
now
&
then with the sweetest satisfaction in
retired Reflections think for
whom,
&
with what Issue, you are
Encountring so many bleak Northern Winds.

It is for the Brethren,
Why ?
For Whom ?
whom
;
the Apostle would have us, if need
bee, to lay
down our Lives

His Inheritance
for,
A people
that are dear to

;
God
&
Christ
His peculiar Treasure
The Apple of
His Eye
people that has been a Burthensome stone
&
Breakneck formerly unto them that have sought the Ruine of it; & whom the Lord (who Loved this Jacob) has in Stupendous Instances (Syr you remember the years of the Right Hand of the Most High !) appeared for in the Mount Demonstrating that Hee'
!
brought 'em not into a Wilderness to destroy them therein A people that (to add no more) are continually Lifting up their Hands in the Mount, praying to, & wrestling with. Him that sitts upon the
;
floods as King Worthy Agents
forever, for the welfare

;
&
success of their
Two
of
whom
yourself
is
one.
is
And
;
so, It is for the
Lord Jesus Christ Himself; whose
Interest
lying at the stake;
who
is
afflicted in all the afflictions
of His people
;
Who
sais
What
yce did unto them yce did unto
Mee
&
will not Lett the bestowal
1682.]
COTTON MATHER.
387
of a cup of cold
Water on
!
a Disciple, go unrewarded.
!
And
with
what Issue ?
pectations
is
Shall
wee suppose the worst
plead for, condemned

!
Yourself frustrated
The Counntrey you of your End & Ex!
Tho: meliora speramus.

:
Nay
still
your Judgment
!
w4th the Lord
&
Your Reward
is
with your
God
You
shall
who is the King of Kings, Hee serv'd his Generation according to the Will of God and that, Well Done Good & Faithfull servant It shall by your obliged countrey be written over your
be dismissed with that Applause from the Master
:
!
people, keep
Grave (out of which the good Lord in great mercy to this poor you Long!) Pater Patriae or Here Lyes one of New Englands Friends Shields Gap-Men And oh the Infinite Ioy that will fill you forever, when the Sceculum Mercedls takes place & you come to another court Even the general Assembly of the First-Born & the Spirits of Just Men made perfect where you shall Rest from your labours, & your Works
;
! ! !
shall follow you.
the sea
But what am I doing ? Surely I now do but pour Water into & only disrest you with things that you wanted not my
;
mention
of.
And
as for the state of things with us, there are not,
I suppose
many Remarkeable
things besides
what you may hear
from other,
Hands then mine. Of more particular passages there have many hapned worthy of serious Notice Among which, the Newes of Mr Taylors sad Death I suppose you have already been surprised with. And He only annex, That within
better
;
&
Two
or Three
Dayes before the Day wherein
I write this,
Diverse
at
strange,
&
sudden Deaths have fallen out.
Mrs. Brattle dyed
an Hours Warning,
&
was
this
was found Dead

Barrel of
in his field.
Day Buried. Of a couple
A
of
man at Concord Men overtaken in

Night, rolling a
Barrel ran over
Drink, at Boston,
.
One was on the Satureday, at Cyder down a Cellar, he falling, the

him
to death imediately.
him,
&
bruis'd
Another, after hee had
been spending a great part of the Sabbath (yesterday) in drinking

at a private
House, return'd
in the
Night towards
his vessel
which
Lay
near one of our Wharfs, but his Drink was so strong as to
was miserably drown'd. And then, as for more public occurrents, you will not want my Intelligence That Cp!2 Cranfield is come to his government in New Hampshire where his deportments have been so
throw him over the wharf,
there the poor wretch
&
388
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
cunning (I mean Colloguing
to strange Degrees of Closure with him.

11.*
DO
Initial
if
!)
as to
win the hearts of
his people
But the Insolent Tobias,

applicable to that
(there are Three or
Four Names equally
Canine
Letter!) was born to do mischief; Tho: the poor

it
man
has been of later months very, very pittifully of
&
discomposures in his
family [Mis
by
straits,
wife in particular
now Lyes
near death,
she ben't already as before wee are aware, wee are
prone
to
wish her husband.]

is
And
hee that makes disturbances in
a greater Family,
but retaliated by such a punishment.

in the state that formerly
;
That
the Colledge
is
is still
lately
;
come
is
to
make
only Mr. Rogers f a Little Trial of what it is to be a presi-
dent
&
at present without his family at
Cambridge, where
they this week proceed to the ordination of

their pastor.
That our dear church has been

many
to
it,
;
Mr
N. Gookin
as
of Later time blest
with the Admission of

their
who have
hopefull signs of
But in the Town there has been a very great Disturbance, by Mr. Bonds coming hither; from whence hee is now gone again, under the quality of a
being such as shall bee saved
Snuffer.
well.
And
in general, AfFayrs with us are not otherwise then
But having
l
suffered
my
pen to ramble thus
farr,
remem-
ber myself y it is Time to beg your pardon for the Trouble I have given you in this Tediose scrol. I do so And having
!
humbly presented my
your worthy collegue,
] I
service unto the worshipfull

et
Mr. Dudley,
;
in
Onere,
et
in Ilonore
I do,
with
cart y sighs to the
most High
God
for the preservation of
your your
Health, for the success of your Design,

person, take Leave to subscribe myself,
&
for the lleturn of
Worshipfull Syr
Boston-, N. E. 18*
Indorsed,
Your Humble Servant, Cotton Mather.

JanJ
r
.
1G82.
rec'i
4.
"M*
J>
Cotton Mather
1G82.
Answered
Mr
a
Clarke. Febr. 82."
Evidently
I.
covert allusion to Randolph.

first
7.
John Rogers was

bat declined.
chosen President of Harvard College, to succeed President
Hoar,
in
li7ti,
After the death of President Oakes, he

to letter of
was again chosen,
in
1682, and accepted.

}
See note
Thomas
Danforth, dated Dec. 28, 1682.

at
Rev. -Natl a del Co.. kin

.<,
[II.
C. 1G75J
was ordained
Cambridge, as successor of Rev.
Urian Oa
Nov.
1"),
1682.
Rev. Sampson Bond.
See note on
p. 96.
1686.]
COTTON MATHER.
389
PAPER IN THE HANDWRITING OF COTTON MATHER.*

These
I.
things are Evident

is
The countrey
are in great
to
Distress'd in
many
points, that call for
an
Agency.
Wee
vice
Enough
Hazard of losing our Colledge we have Adawaken us, to Look a Little better after that great
;
among us. The Charters of our Colonies are in Extreme Danger also to be lost we have Advice of their coming under a Parlaimentary conconcern of Religion
;
sideration in
circumstances, which threaten to settle us on the

rest of the Plantations.
same Foot with the

It is likewise
Necessary, that there be
made
a True Representa-
tion of our condition, to the
King
&
the principal Ministers of
State; Especially in those points, wherein His Majesty
may
have
been misinformed concerning us

if
and wherein
tis
intimated, that
we
don't give His Majesty satisfaction,
we may
hear further in
that uncomfortable and Irresistible way, of
Acts of Earlaiment.
these our
Who
can think, That the writing of a Letter or Tv/o, will be a

Application to the Court of
!
sufficient
England under
great Necessities
II.
It
is
very probable, That no
little
good may be obtained, by
a suitable
Agency.
Tho it be many wayes a Disadvantage to us, that we have had no Agent in England, for a considerable while, yett it is not altogether too late. The mischiefs impending over the Colledge, may
probably be Retrieved.
-A few Leading
enced, a
men
in the
Parlaiment being informed and
influ-
World
of
Hard Things, may be
staved off; which else
our
own
best friends
may
bring upon us.
If a
New
Governour be not yett appointed, (as we have cause

is
to think there
"that shall
not) the
King
will probably favour us
w th
one,
be Nominated by our Agents.
It is
impossible to assign an exact date to this paper.
It is
probable that
it
was writdescribes.
ten in 1686, not long before the arrival of Andros at Boston, as governor.
colon}'
The
state of the
and
college, at that period,
was similar
to that
which
this
memorandum
Cotton Mather was even then beginning to look towards the appointment of his father as
an agent
to England.
390
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1691.
In case of a
pects,
)
New War
breaking forth (w ch Every body Exus considerable services

;
our Agents
may probably do
Slaves,
and
such as
pences.
may
be of more value in the very kind, than all their

are
Ex-
Wee
Now
is
without the
Habeas
it
Corpus-Act.
Agents may by
III.
their sollicitations
perhaps gett
allowed for us.
our Time.
If
Yea,
Now
or Never.
la v'd, ahead v too long.

it
we
delay,
till
Wee have deNew Governour arrive,

Countrey,
will
probably bee too late forever.
I don't see, but Faithfulness to the Interest of the

will oblige us all to
concur for the forwarding of

is,
this matter.
All the Objection
The charge
of the Agency.
little
If Agents find they can do nothing, they will putt us to so
charge,
it
won't be worth our speaking
of.
If they can do some-
thing, t'wil be worth our charge.
Besides,
Wee
have already
Five hundred pound in the Treasury, particularly devoted unto the

service of an
Agency
for the Colledge
w ch
is
not yett laid out.
COTTON MATHER TO JOHN RICHARDS.
My Dear
vinced,
Major, You are doubtless, as well as I, conTime for churches to do some Remarkable That it is a
Thing, in the matter of Returning unto
God
and perhaps you
have lately Read, what I have writt upon that Article.

I
now send you,
a Recognition of the Duties, to which our Cov;
enant has obliged us
and of the Evils, wherein wee are most

in
Danger to forêtt our Covenant. The voting of such Recognitions,

Covenant, and yett
the
it is
such Terms as are here laid
before you, do's most effectually obtain the
Ends of a Renew'd
where those persons
find
a thing so agreeable to the sense of even
Weakest
Christian, that I cafiot imagine
that have needlessly scrupled
Renewal of Covenant, can here
any objections.
The Vast
Benefits of our Voting such an Instrument
(when
it
has undergone any Alteracons that shall bee found Necessary) in
our church, are too considerable to bee in this place Reckoned up.
I'l
now only
say, I beleeve
God would make
it
an Occason of
1692.]
COTTON MATHER.
Blessing to us, and a Medecine for such cures
fitt
391
much
would
among
us, as
us for every Blessing.
If the church pass this vote, I would use my cares, that Every Comunicant should have a copy of it for his constant Monitor, in an holy conversacon.
;
I putt
it first
into
your Hands, because
my
value for your per-
son and judgment (which I have in print everlastingly signalized
unto the world) will cause mee either to proceed or Desist, in the
Design
the
Lies much upon my Heart. And more Exact Thoughts upon it because, if
w ch
I desire
you
to use
I have your counte-
nance I
am
sure I shall have the Imediate Concurrence of all this
people, to do a thing that would bee as great a Compliance with

the Loud calls of God, as any that I am capable 1 think also, that I am somewhat Awake.
of Devising
;
and
If I bee not hindred, I
may
.
perhaps wait upon you in the Even-
ing for further Conference.
I
,
am
C.
Dear and Hon' ed S r Your Approved Serv?
Mather.
13d 12m 1691 [-2]:

Indorsed,
The
first
Day
in
my
Thirtieth Year.
1691.
Cotton Mather's Let to Maj r John Richards

1

Boston. 31? 3- 1692.
I could not have asked you as I now do to Honoukable S?, Excuse me from waiting vpon you, with the vtmost of my litle skill & care to assist the noble service whereto you are called of God
this
week, the service of Encountring the Wicked Spiritts
in the
high places of our Air,

confederates,* were
it
&
of detecting
&
confounding of their
not that 1
am
it
Langishing vnder such an
overthrow of
my
health as
makes
very dubious that

:
my company
may
prove more troublesome then serviceable
the least Excesse
of travell, or diet, or any thing that
may
discompose me, would
* John Richards was one of the Judges
in the witchcraft trials, at
Salem;
392
at this
THE MATHER PAPERS.

time threaten perhaps
vet
la
[1692.
my
life it selfe,
as
my
friends advise
af-
me
fair
&
hope before you can get farr into that misterious
which
now
before you, I
fare as to attend
your desires,
may with Gods blessing recover so which to me alvvayes are comands.
In the meane time, least I should be guilty of any sinfull omis-
what no good man amongst vs can decline, Even to do the best I can for the strengthening of your honourable hands in that worke of God, whereto (I thank him) he hath so
sion in declining
well
fitted
you,
as
well as called you,
I thought
it
my
duty
breifly to offer
I.
you
my
poor thoughts on
this astonishing occasion.
am
not
th
out very lively hopes, that our good
prosper you in that vndertakeing which he hath put
God will you now vpon

:
His people haue been fasting

tion
:
&
praying before him for your direc-
&
your selves are persons whose Exemplary devotion disan

thus full of wonder, as he doth usually
poseth you to such a dependance on the wonderfull Councellor, for

his counsell
in
affair
answer with the most favourable assistances.

pardon
ryes,
You
:
will
easily
me
that I do not back
my
thoughts with confirming Ilisto-
it is
not a sudden letter that will admitt them

;
&
it
would be
too like ostentation to produce them
nevertheless, I cannot for
once forbeare minding of the famous accidents at

land, where a fast
a
Mohra
in
Swede-
was kept among the people of God, because of
much like ours, making Havocke of the Kingdom, was iniediately [followed] with a remarkable Smile of God vpon the endeavours of the Judges to discover & Extirpate the Authors of that Execrable witchcraft. Wherefore be Enstupendious Witchcraft,
couraged.
II.
And
yet I must most
humbly beg you

it
that in the
Managem*
of the affair in your most worthy hands, you do not lay
vpon pure Spectre testimony then

isfyed or
will bear.
haue good plaine
legall
Evidence that
more stresse When you are satthe Daemons which
molest- our poore neighbours, do indeed represent such
&
such
people to the sufferers, tho this be a p 'sumption, yet I suppose you

will not
reckon
it
a conviction that the people so rep r sented are

It
is
witches to be iniediately exterminated.

divells
very certaine that the
haue sometimes rcp r sented the shapes of persons not onely
innocent, but also very vertuous.
Tho
I believe that the just
God
then ordinarily provides a
way
for the
Speedy vindication of the
persona thus abused.
Moreover I do suspect that persons who
1692.]
COTTON MATHER.
in
393
haue too much indulged themselves

cious Ebullitions of their soules,
to the
Malignant, Envious, maliexpose themselves
may vnhappyly
they haue
Judgment of being rep r sented by
Divels, of
whom
they
never had any vision,
&
with
whom
this
:
much
lesse written
any Covenant.
a progresse be
so rep'sented,
would say
If upon the bear supposeall
of a poore creatures being rep'sented
by a Spectre, too great

be thereby openned for
li-
made by
it
the Authority in ruining a poor neighbour
may
be that a doore
may
the Divils to obteine from the Courts in the invisible world a
cense to proceed vnto most hideous desolations vpon the repute
&
repose of such as haue yet been
Kept from
is
the great transgres-
sion.
If mankind haue thus far once consented vnto the Creditt of
Diabolicall rep r sentations the
Door
opened
Perhaps there are
wise
&
good men, that may be ready

Caution,
to stile
him
that shall adthis
vance
this
A Witch
Advocate, but in the winding vp
caution will certanly be wished for.

III.
Th6
tis
probable that the Divels
may
(th6 not often, yet
sometimes) make most bloody invasions vpon our Exterior Concernes,
w th out
any Witchcrafts of our fellow Creatures to emI
power them,
his
&
do Expect, that as when our Lord was coming

us, there
in
humane Nature among

it
was a more
sensible
annoyance
of the Destroyer vpon our

thus
will be just before
Humane
Nature, then at other times,
our Lords coming againe in his
Humane
Nature, when he will also dispossesse the Divels of their Aereal Region to
there
is
cause
make a new Heaven for his Enough to think that it

:
raised there
is
Neverthelesse
a horrible Witchcraft which

is
hath given rise to the troubles wherewt h Salem Village
at this
day harassed
&
the indefatigable paines that are used for the
tracing this Witchcraft are to be thankfully accepted,
&
applauded
tranin,
among
sacted
all this
people of God.
this
IV. Albeit the buisines of

treason there
Witchcraft be very
much
vpon the Stage of Imagination, yet we Know,

is
that, as
an imagining which
is
a Capitall Crime.
& here also
the buisines thus
managed
in
Imagination yet
Imaginary.
The
Effects are dreadfully reall.
may Our
not be called deare neigh-
bours are most really tormented.
Really murdered,
&
really ac-
quainted with hidden things, which are afterwards proved plainly to
haue been Reajityes.
I say then, as that
man
is
justly
Executed
for
an Assassinate, who in the sight of

50
man
shall with a
sword
in his
304
hand stabb
hour
his
THE MATHER PAPEKS.
[1692.
neighbour into the heart, so suppose a long traine
layd vnto a barrel] of

is,
Gunpowder vnder
the floor where a neigh-
&
suppose a
fire
man
witli
a match perhaps in his mouth, out
of Bight, set
off, this
vnto the further end of the traine, tho never so fare

is
man
also
to be treated as equally a malefactor.
Our
neighbours
infernal)
at Salem Village, are blowne vp after a sort, with an gunpowder, the traine is layd in the lawes of the King-
dome
of Darknes "Who gives fire to
limitted
by
God
himselfe,
now
is
the question
is,
this traine?
&
by what
acts
the match ap-
ply ed? finde out the persons that haue done this thing,
acts in doing
it,
&
be their
either mentall, or orall, or manuall, or
what the
Divel
will,
I say abeant
quo digni sunt.

in the
V. To determine a matter so much

is
Darke
as to
Know
the guilty Employers of the Divels in this worke of darknes, this

a worke, this
is
a labour.
is
Now
first
a credible Confession of
the guilty wretches
one of the most hopefull wayes of coming at

it
them,
&, I
say a credible confession, because even confession

is
selfe
sometimes
not credible.
But
a person of a Sagacity
many
times
thirty furlongs lesse then yours, will Easily perceive
what Confes-
sion
may
be Credible,
&
what may be the
result of onely a deliriis,
ous brain, or a discontented heart.

obtaine this Confession.
All the dificulty

I
how
to
For
this
am
farr
from vreing the
vn-English method of torture, but instead thereof I propound these

three things,
first,
AVlio can tell but
when
the witches
their try alls, they
may
be so forsaken, as to confesse
come vppon The all.
Almighty God haveing heard the appeales of our Cryes to Heaven, may so thunder strike their soules, as to make them show their Deeds. Moreover the Divels themselves who aim at the entrapping of their own miserable Clients, may treacherously depart from them in their Examinations, which throwes them into such toyling
emnly
Besides, when you come solGods name, to Exhibit your selves as his Vicegerents & when you come to forme a most awfull tipe of the last Judgm*.,
vexations that they'l discover
in
all.
;
whereat the Divels of
all
things tremble most, even they also
may
be smitten with such terrors as

departure from the miscreants
may
contribute a
little
to their
whom
they haue entangled.
An
some
vnexpected confession,
driven.
is
that wherevnto Witches are very often

is
Secondly, I
am
ready to thinke, that there
usually
Expresion
or behaviour, whereto the Divels do constantly oblige the
1692.]
COTTON MATHER.
395
Witches, as a Kind of Sacrament, vpon their least failure wherein

the Witches presently loose the thus forfeited assistances of the
Divels, & all comes out. Please then to observe, if you can finde any one constant schoeme of discourse or action, whereto the suspected seem religiously devoted, & (which may Easily be done by the cofnon policyes of conversation) cause them to transgresse
That, a confession will probably then
com on
apace.
Thirdly,
what Ever hath a tendancy to put the witches into confusion, is likely to bring them vnto Confession too. Here Crosse & Swift
Questions haue their use, but besides them, for
not be vnwilling, that an Experiment be
my
part, I should
made whether accused make

the witches
partyes can repeate the Lords prayer, or those other Sistems of

christanity,
which
it
seemes, the Divels often
vnable to repeate,
th
out ridiculous Depravations or Amputations.

if
The danger
of this Experiment will be taken away,

it,
you make
which
is
no Evidence of
they cannot,
but onely put
it
to the use I mention,
that of confounding the lisping Witches to give a reason
Even with prompting,
repeat
posures, the like I would say of
some other
why those heavenly Comexperiments onely we
may
case
venture too far before

if
we
are aware.
VI. But what

is
no confession can be obtained, I say yet the
far
from desperate.
For
if
there haue been those words ut-
tered by the witches, Either by
way
of threatening, or of Asking,
or of Braging, which rationally demonstrate such a
Knowledge of
the wofull circumstances attending the afflicted people, as could
not be had,
th
out some Diabolicall Comunion, the proofe of such

to fix the guilt.
words
is
Enough
that haue been given vnto Spectres,
Moreover I looke vpon wounds & received by Witches, as

with other things, to
not fond of assaying to give
carryes with
it
intimations broad enough,
in concurrence
bring out the guilty.
Thd
am
such wounds, yet the proofe such

is
when given
what
very palpable.
Once more, can

say thus much, I
there be no poppits found out?
am
thinking, that
bodyes to be their Poppetts.
& here I would some Witches make their owne If therefore you can finde that when
is
the witches do any thing Easy, that

full that
not needfull
(&
it
is
need-
I put.in that clause, "not needfull," because
it is
possible
that a prestigious
Demon may
if
imitate
what we do, thS we are

thing, presently
none of His) I say
you
find the
same
&
hurt-
306
fully,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1692.
done by any vnseen hand, vnto the bodyes for you haue catched a Witch. I adde, them, of the sufferers, hold why should not Witch-markes be searched for? The propertyes,
&
more
violently
the qualityes of those markes are described by divers weighty

writers.
I never
saw any of those markes, but
it is
doubtlesse not
impossible for a chirurgion,
when he
sees them, to say
what are
become once apparent, it is apparent that so farre in their wickedness as to admitt gone these witches haue most cursed Succages, whereby the Divels haue not onely fetched out of them, it may be the Spiritts of which they make vehicles, wherein they visitt the afflicted, but also they haue infused a venmagical 1,
if
&
these
them which Exalts the malignity of their spiritts as well bodyes & it is likely, that by meanes of this ferment they would be found Buoyant (if the water-Ordeal were made vpon them.) VII. I begin to fear that the Devils do more easily proselyte
into
as of their
:
ome
poore mortalls into witch

a sinfull child of
craft,
than
is
comonly conceived.
When
man distempers himselfe with some Exorbitant motions in his minde (& it is to be feared the murmuring Phrensyes of late p'vailing in the country, haue this way Exposed many
to sore
Temptations) a Devil then soon present himself vnto him,

the
&
he demands are you willing that I should goe doe this or that
for
you?
visitts
if
man
once comply, the Devil hath him
now
till
in a
most horrid snare,

he
the
& by
a pmission from the just vengence of
God
the
man
with buffettings as well as alurements,
forlorn
man,
att first onely for the sake of quietnesse,
but at length
out of improved wickednes, will comission the Divell to do mischeife as often as he requires
it.
And
for this cause
it is
worth
considering, whether there be a necessity alwayes by Extirpacons by
Halter or fagott,
into
every wretched creature, that shall be hooked
some degrees of Witchcraft.
What
if
some of the
lesser
Criminalls, be onely scourged with lesser punishments,
&
also put
vpon some solemn, open, Publike

Divil?
I
&
Explicitt renunciation of the
am
apt to thinke that the Divels would then cease
afflicting the
neighbour-hood
whom
if
these wretches haue 'stoo'd (?)
them vpon,
bear,
&
perhaps they themselves would
now
suffer
some imif
p'ssions from the Divels,

til
which
they do, they musj; be willing to
the
God
that heares prayer deliver them.
Or what
the death of
some of
the offenders were either diverted or inflicted,
according to the successe of such their renunciation.
1692.]
COTTON MATHEE.
find
397
your Hon-
But I
my
free thoughts, thus freely layd before
our, begin to haue too

fore adde
much freedome
in
them.
I shall
now
thereto
no more, but
my
humble
&
most fervent Prayers
God who gives wisedome liberally, that you & your Honourable Brethren may be furnished from on High, with all that wisdome,
the
as well as Justice, which
is
requisit in the thorny affair before you.

will
:
God
will be with you.
am perswaded He
& with
that per-
swasion I Subscribe
my
selfe
S r Your very devoted
Servant,
C.
Indorsed,
Mather.
" Mr
Cotton Mather, an Essay concerning Witchcraft.
1692."

For
the
Honourable John Richards, Esq.

Boston, Dec.
14. 1692.
Honourable S%
before
Many months
;
are
now
past, since I laid
Your Honour
my
judgment,
my
Desire, and with
Gods
Leave,
my
purpose, to Administer the Baptism of our Lord, unto
such as were Instructed and Orthodox in the Christian Religion,
&
should bring Testimony signed by more than one
among
the
people of God, that they are of a Yertuous Conversation, and

should after their
jection can
themselves
Names have been publickly propounded (and obnot bee made against them,) openly and seriously give up to God in Christ, according to the Terms of the
their study to prepare
Covenant of Grace, with a Declaration of

I
themselves further for the Table of the Lord.
have intimated unto you, that I look upon such persons, as
Yisible Subjects in the
Kingdome
of our
Lord Jesus
Christ, altho'
they have not proceeded so far in Christianity, as to be constituent
Members of the corporations, the particular Churches in that Kingdome and I haue intimated that Baptism is an Ordinance that
;
belongs to Visible Christians, or those that are visibly of the

Catholic Church, before and in order to, their joining to a particular.
398
In
this
tiling,
THE MATHER PArERS.

the scripture-pattern seems plain
I
;
[1692.
and among
the people of
God,
have the concurrence of the most Able, the
most learned, and the Generality, an
Army
to a
man.
Now
that
might
after
many
a prayer,
&
Fast,
&
that
after a thou-
sand most sollicitous
Thoughts, know
the
way
God would
people, to
have mee to take, I was willing to Try the mind of the dear whom I am related; and this with as little clamour, or
Dispute as
putt into
men
may bee. Accordingly, the Instrument, which I once Your Worthy Hands, I gave to two or three Discrete who carried it unto almost Every one of the Brethren beI
longing to our Church, that were not then abroad at sea.

directed not their
coming
to you,
because, I told them, I would
myself do that part.

sign with their
in
But
they, almost
Hands,
their Desire that I
Every man of them, did would immediately putt

or four, that
Execution, the perswasions
&
proposals, wherewith I had Enter-
tained them.
Indeed, there were three
forebore
signing the Address, which the church thus
made unto mee; but
even of these, one told mee hee agreed unto

another told
my
perswasions,
to
&
mee hee thought
I sinn'd
by Delaying
proceed
unto the practice of
my
proposals.
Breefly, I have Seventy-five
Hands (whereof Three

pose
I
are of their Majesties Council) and I sup-
could for asking, have
when
I will,
Ten more,
sollicking
mee
to
go on.
Tis a good part of a year ago, That this
Thing was done
have Ever since,

in that horrible
lett it
Rest.
But when
have seen that the
Divels have been Baptising so
many
of our miserable Neighbours,
Witchcraft, for the Extinguishing whereof,
God
has
I
made
more than ordinary use of your Honourable Hand,

it
must
confess,
has Encreased
my
uneasiness, under that sin of

live.
Omission, wherein I reckon myself to
I cannot bee well at
Ease, until the Nursery of Initiated Beleevers, out of which this
Garden of God
well as with the
as I should,
is
from time
to time,
to
bee supply'd with the
Trees of Kighteousncss, bee duely Watered, with the Baptism, as
Teaching of the Lord.
would mark,
as
many
claim
that the Destroying Angels,
may
have
less
unto them.
I
is
do most fully Agree with you, That no unregenerate person,

as has been described,
to bee Baptised.
ify "d,
But then, I also think that a person so Qualand one so sensibly submitting to the
1692.]
COTTON MATHER.
399
Lawes of our Lord, should not bee pronounced, Unregenerate. Except I own that such persons may bee Baptised, I declare that
they are, Visibly the subjects of the Divel
;
but I think, that
is
to
do them a very
If
it
visible Injury.
bee said,
I
Why
then don't they come to the Table of the
Lord?
Doubts
Infidels,
answer,
First,
Because they are themselves under

;
&
Fears which discourage them
&
for us
to
punish
those Doubts and Fears in them, with declaring of them to bee

or to have no other consideration in the
Infidels have, is, in
Kingdome of
God, than the

able.
my poor
opinion, very unreason-
Secondly, Because the Supper of the Lord, requiring not
only Grace but some growth in Grace,

Confirmation, for those
Initiation,
&
being a Sacrament of
who have
;
heretofore in Baptism had their
wee may
justly expect
more
positive Attainments, for
the one, than for the other

tised.
and so the primitive Churches pracI answer,
But where
shall
wee stop ?
our Brethren have signed,
setts a sacred
&
The Instrument, which a glorious Bound if

:
wee go Hitherto
fairly
&
no further, wee
to
shall
It
bee safe
&
none can
demand
us to go any further.
was
in part for this cause,
that I
was willing
if
have
this
Instrument, so circumstanced
namely, Because
you should have a pastor, who may not bee so concerned for purity of Administracons, as I hope you have alwayes found, & may yett find, mee to bee, you may have an Everlasting Clog upon all Endeav r s of any man, to prostitute an Ordinance. In short, This Dispensacon of Baptism, to such as have Received the Messages of the Gospel, which I bring unto them, unto whom I am to seal the Truth of the covenant so received by them,
hereafter
in the
Baptism of that Covenant,
it is
properly
My Work. And
have therefore so cautiously stated the whole matter, that I avoid

entangling any of our Brethren
who may bee
scrupulous in any
Act which they may not

in all
see Light for.
And
yett I Resolve also,
my
Admissions, to have the particular Assistances of two

;
more of our understanding Brethren and particularly of some that have been most scrupulous of Enlargements untilwee have a consistory of Elders more fully settled. I am Even now & then Visited,, by well-disposed people, who, I beleeve, have the Fear of God in them; & these tell mee,
or three or
;
400
>S
r
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1092.
Your Ministry has broke our Hearts for us; wee would of Jesus Christ: it is not by Baptism Dedicated are ours, or wee, (rouble that a to us
,
willingly become the professed Servants

r
unto J Urn
bee
forcd
to
Will you Baptise us? 8 if you can't, wee must seek that Blessing elsewhere, & so leave your
,
Ministry, which wee would not leave upon any other Terms It is true, wee should come to the Lords Table; whatsoever.
our Weakness, wee dare not; pray, don't punish & whenwee are a Little Better confirm d weakness; us for that in Christianity, wee shall come. These persons, I do in ray Conscience judge, that I ought to
but such
is
Baptise
istry,
and
yett, scores of such,
have I banished from
my JVIin;
meerly because I have been loth to go against the sense of

very
but
Two
Good men, whom
I value at so high a rate
and
of These, Dearest Sr
You
are the cheef.

to
Quere, Whether my dear
Major himself would not advise mee
do otherwise?
Say,
my
Excellent Friend, say, whether this be not
Hard!
!
God
forbid,
that ever I should pollute the Sanctuary
But,
I think the
way of
the Lord, which I have offered,
is
the most
ready way to prevent fear'd pollutions.

bee able to hold up
until] I
For
this
my
part, I shall not
my Head,
I
before the whole Christian

in
World,
do more than
it
have done
regard; no, nor can I
answer
unto the L. Jesus Christ Himself, before whose JudgI
ment-seat
Atfayr.
sett
myself,
when
am
going to take any steps in
this
All that I
J
now
ask of
my
Ever-honoured Richards, to
but thus much.
it
whom
Tell
have signalized
I
my
perpetual Respects, before the whole world,

to Dissent from,
is
& whom
nice,
can't
if 1
Endure
That
proceed in what I propound,
will bee
(tho' per-
haps not Easy, yett) not Grievous to you. Tell mee, That if I go on, You will still hold a Joyful Comunion with mee, in the
points wherein
wee are agreed,

in
&
not bee Royl'd in your Heart
about those wherein wee are not.
For ray
part,
I observe
it,
That the more men grow

ncss in
Grace, the more they abate of Rigid-
many matters where Extension of charity is to determine. And yon being now grown to an High Degree in grace, and apace
Ripening
for
Heaven,
reference to this very matter.

the church has in
little Encouragement with Say then, Ought I not to do what the most Explicit manner call'd mee to?
it
gives race no
1693.]
COTTON MATHER.
this,
401
And
when
I
tis
my Burden,
that I have so long Deferr'd the

all
Doing of
it?
am
confident,
That almost
men
living
would
my Major then say it. And so lett mee not want that countenance in the Work of God, which upon all other Accounts you have alwayes comforted mee withal. God has made you a Singular Blessing, & Honour, to mee and I am very Confident of my having Heaven itself, a little while hence,
say, I ought.
Lett
the sweeter for your being there.

us, cause
Pray, Lett what
no Diminution of that Satisfaction.
is now before Upon some Tem-
poral Accounts, I suppose, few Ministers of our
Lord
;
in this
poor
Land, have been more Incomoded than

I
I have been
and yett, as
mee not bee Inconvenienced upon Spirituall Accounts, and I never shall. But lett what will happen, I will bee of Your Honour, and of Madam Your vertuous
never did Complain, so,
lett
Consort,
Sf a very Sincere Servant,
Indorsed,
C.
Mather.
" 1692.
r
.
Cotton Mather to J Richards Esq."

To
S*
the
Honourable John Richards Esq.
The Brethren of our church, have Agreed, that they

with Gods Leave,
;
will
To morrow,
at
Keep
to
Day
of prayer,
this
all
together,
my House
and had not the Rain hindred
Afternoon, I had
it
;
waited on you at
as to have bid
Your Lodgings,
have advised you of
as well
I bless
you welcome home,

of the sick,
is
fro'
your
late
Journey.
;
God, the Distemper has almost

smallest
left
our Island
in our
* I suppose the
;
Number
it
now
Neighbehood
and
all
the sick, are, I hope, like to Recover.

I suppose,
to lett
will
The Coast
being so safe,
do well on such an opportunity as To morrow,

to
your old Northern Friends,
whom you
have had so
many
* The " Mill Creek" made the north end of Boston an island.
51
402
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1692.
Endearments, bee sensible, that you have not altogether forgotten

them.
self,
With my Humble Service to Madam Richards I subscribe myC. Mather. Your Servant, Sr
5.
Sept.
1093.
Endorsement by Richards, (?)" Will Winthrop dyed. Monday Sept 25. 93. Was taken sick friday 11 dayes about 2 aclocke afternoon of the bloody flux. Joseph Winthrop Dyed thursday Sep* 28. 93, about 4 a clock in the mornbefore.
ing,
"
was taken sick of the same disease 7 dayes before. Both buryed Sep*. 28. 1093. about 5. clock afternoone."

To
the
Honourable John Richards Esq.
Honourable S r
The Govern
having sent unto the Justices

late
h
-
&
Select-men of the Town, (as the

his
Act requires)
7
h
-
to
come
there
unto
house
this
Evening between 6
&
that he
may
have their Approbation to lay before the Council, about our build-
wood * on the Vacant Ground near our Meeting-house mee to desire your company there, a little before the Time prefixed. There will bee some occasion for one of Your Wisdome and Caution in general, & knowledge of this matter in particular, to bee upon the spott. And, I pray, Rub up your Memory as far as may bee, that you may Talk stoutly, if there
ing with
;
lice directs
bee need for
this business
services
to
was necessary there should bee no Delay, of some Reasons you understand. With my best your Vertuous & Honourable Consort, I subscribe
it.
:
It
for
myself, Sr
[To Day]
Indorsed,
Your
sincere Serv*
C.
Mather.
" No date.
T
.
Cotton Mather to
J.
Richards Esq."
* An Act was passed in 1692, to prevent accidents by fire, that no wooden building should be erected without a license from the Governor and Council.
1699.]
COTTON MATHER.
403
COTTON MATHER TO MRS. JOANNA COTTON*
My
tresses
dear Aunt, You have cried unto God Behold how Hee extricates you
!
Boston
23 d 8 mo. 1699.
in
your Dis-
Wee
can expect no vessel from Carolina this winter

is
and I
suppose there
none going from
New England
thither.
By way of N. York wee- have Letters of Advice from thence. They inform us That by an infected vessel, arriving at Charlstown, 'the horrible plague of Barbados was brought into the Town. About the Latter end of September, it had been there, little above a fortnight. In this little time, it had made an Incredible Desolation. I think many above an Hundred were Dead, and so many more lying at the point of Death, that the Dead were carried unto
their
Graves
in Carts.
Mf Fen wick, and

Pastor,
withal.
his
others, write that all the ministers in Charls-
town, were Dead, but they mention the Death of their precious
In
;
my
uncle, as the most killing Disaster, they
had yett mett
their confusion, they tell us not the precise

it,
Time of
only that
is
Death
nor do they relate any Circumstances of
hee lay sick
Two
Days, and hee Dy'd the Third, which

will
the
period, whereat the sick of that pestilential Distemper use to dy.
That circumstance
join with
make you think
of Lazarus,
and you'l
the
mee
in
hopes That
my
uncle was one
whom
Lord
Loved.
I need not say unto you,
how near
the Death of so beloved a
Friend goes to the Hearts of

a special manner to mine.
like him.
his Relatives in this
I had not
Town, and in many Friends on Earth
But in the midst of our sorrowes, on this deplorable occasion, wee have not only the general consideracons of Christianity to bee our Consolations, but wee have a peculiar satisfaction in the Lord's accepting my uncle to Dy with Honour in the service of the Gospel As it was no great mercy (I beleeve) unto Plyand kingdom
* Wife of Rev. John Cotton, of Plymouth (whose death at Charleston, S. C, is reand daughter of Dr. Bray, or Brian, Rossiter. It appears that she remained at Plymouth after her husband's departure for Charleston, in 1698. See note on
ferred to in this letter),
p. 226.
404
mouth,
Pa-tor
THE MATIIER PAPERS.

for their Laborious,
to be driven
[1707.
from them, so
and good-spirited, and well-tempered it was a great Mercy unto my
uncle to bee employed in gathering a church for the

Christ, in a Countrey that
Lord Jesus
hands, that
had never seen such a Thing, from the
Besmning of
the world.
Wee
understand from
all
hee was extraordinarily serviceable to the Interests of Religion, and

that hee enjoy 'd great esteem,
and as great success.

short of sixty, and having seen
in all
And now
at last,
being so
little
his children, all so far,
and so well, brought up, there are
these things, very sensible mitigations of our Calamity in loosing
him.
However none
and an
Affliction,
of these things
make
it
cease to bee a calamity
which
calls
upon us
to
Humble
ourselves,
and
prsepare for our

supplications.
own approaching
change, and abound in agreeable
Your
Distress, about your
voyage
to Carolina,
being thus at an
to Direct
end, I pray the everlasting
Husband of
the
Widow
So
you,
and Comfort you

approve myself
in
every other Distress, (for one seldome comes

all.
alone) and give a comfortable Issue to
I subscribe
and
Your kinsman,
&
servant,
Cotton Mather.
COTTON MATHER TO WAIT WINTIIROP.

Honourable Syr,
you,
You
21* 9
that have alwayes had all possible,
both private and public Demonstrations of
my
sincere
Esteem
for
may wonder
thought
it
that I have lett a
week
roll
away, without wait-
Joy unto you, and your Happy Consort. to lett you know, That nothing but my want of Health, has hindred me and my wife from doing that part
ing on you, to wish
1
my Duty
of our Duty.
Wherefore, instead of a personal Visit, I will pray you to accept

for the present,
my
written Congratulations.
saies,
Otto de
Guerick
That
fifty
cyphres headed with one

fill
Figure, will contain the
Number
and the
of poppcy-seeds, that would

stars.
the vast space between us
1707.]
COTTON MATHER.
405
I may declare to you, That I wish you, and the Lady that makes you Happy,* more Blessings than could be Numbred in the
Septendecillions aforesaid.
My Letter
all fili'd
with Figures could
not
Number them.
!
Tho' Earth has not, yett Heaven has, so many for you
Heaven,
from which you cannot be

will excuse
far.
;
I will confess one thing more
tho'
you
will smile at
me.
You
me,
if
you don't see me presently.
I durst hardly bee
seen walking to your
End
be overpast.
I wish I
just
Town, until a certain Indignation punishment upon me, for the Fault of a
of the
Letter I wrote Six or Seven years ago.
knew the best wayes Your most hearty

T> T
.
of approving myself, Syr,

serv*
Co. Mather.
Indorsed,
" No date.
Cotton Mather's Lett? to Wait Winthrop Esq."
COTTON MATHER TO JOHN WINTHROP.

16? 10 1707
SR
tis
If there
be a Family in the World, which I have enall
deavoured alwayes to treat with

the
possible service
and Honour,
Winthropian.
If there be a person in that Family, for whose welfare, I have
even travailed with
Agony
tis
You; whereof
the walls of a cer-
tain Bibliothecula in the
World, are but some of the many wit-
nesses.
As
it,
Happiness to you, so I must now do unto the Vertuous Lady, whom you are making your Consort, f
I continue to wish
all
And,
as
from the Beginning, you know, you had

aiid
all
possible
Encouragements
wherein I
suffered,
commendations from me,
to
the Match,
am now,
wishing you Joy, so the Late calamity I have
by a cruel Incivility offered me in England, cannot hinder me, from all the Dispositions of personal Good Will, unto the Family, unto which you are becoming Related.
* Wait
Still
Winthrop married
his second wife, Catharine,
widow
of John Eyre, and
daughter of Thomas Brattle, Nov. 13, 1707. t John Winthrop married, Dec. 1C, 1707, the day of the date of this daughter of Gov. Joseph Dudley.
letter,
Ann,
406
But
THE MATHER PAPERS.

shall I not rather
[1707.
chuse to putt my Wishes, into the Terms would use to his New Married Henry, the Excellent Philip much Happiness; I wish you much Friends Others wish you Holiness; 'Thai will make you sure of Happiness!
;
am
glad, the duty I have done, to the character

finds
and
Memory
of
I
Your Honourable Uncle,*

is,
any Acceptance with you.
confess freely to you, That, contrary to
my
usual conduct on
such Occasions, (which
To
stay
till
such a thing be Desired by
others,) I have myself Desired, and I do again Request, the publication of

it.
do
it
for
an hundred Reasons, needless to be mentioned
I will
only mention one that comes after the Ninety-ninth.
Our
paltry Newes-Letter,
when
it
Reports the Death of that meri-
torious Gentleman, takes care, that not so
much
as
One Honourit
able
Word
shall be
of,
spoken of him, an omission,

to be
like to which,
was never guilty

of
No, not when such a Blockhead

spoken
of.
as old
While
is
Marshfield, was
The
:
publication ought also
to
be
seasonable, that
to say
Immediate
Not putt
111
off, till it
may
be censured, as the Ill-timed
Address of Condolence, was by the Emperour Tiberius.
We
must not incur the

will print
Grace of a Duty, Quod mora tardat.
The Famine of paper creates a Difficulty. But One Hheam, more than Two Hundred copies; which may doubtless be found in some store-house or other. And so many Copies, may present Every Magistrate, and Minister, and Deputy in Conand Reserve some Number for other necticot colony, with one particular Friends, both here and in England. I Remember, when Johannes Brevis, mightily desired to be turned into an Angel, he mett with a Rebuke, & returned with this Temper, Homo sum, Alienum nil Hominis a me puto. My desire to have you continued here and to do what Spirits do not, forbids me to wish your being turned as yett into an Angel,
;
(any further than the Angelical Disposition of serviceableness to

a glorious
CHRIST
will
make you one;)
But
I heartily Desire,
* "Winthropi Justa."
necticut,
t
sermon
at the
Funeral of John Winthrop, Governor of Con-
who
died in Boston Nov. 27, 1707.

in the harbor of Cape Cod, in Church, at the age of sixty-four years. There is a the " Boston New6-Letter " of July 24, 1704, He died July 20, 1704.
Peregrine White, born on board the " Mayflower,"

in Brattle-street
Nov. L620; baptized

brief notice of
him
in
1711-12.]
COTTON MATHER.
407
(what I do indeed with pleasure see daily accomplishing) that you may be turned into Your Uncle; be a Lover of your countrey,
and Inherit the true Spirit of a Gentleman.
The
dreadful Elegies, or Epitaphs (or What-shalPs-call-ein
!)
whereof you gave

so far, that, tho'
me I am
the sight this
Day, moved
my
Indignation
an old man, I could hardly forbear a Verse
of
my
own.
shall understand, that
I have some Thoughts of adding such a thing, at the end of
your Sermon, when I

hands.*
it
is
in the printers
With my Hearty
Your
Service to the Major-General, and his Lady,f
I take Leave to subscribe, Syr,

true Friend
&
Serv*,
Co. Mather.

To my honoured Friend
M John
r
Winthrop, in N. London.
Boston. 23? ll.17ii.
My dear Friend, Neither your Distance,

us, has caused
nor your Silence,
nor the Congelation which an unusual Winter has brought upon
me
to forgett
you
of which, I only waited for a
proper opportunity of conveyance, to give you a Testimony.
Among
forgo tt
Old Virginians, one that had been well huskanaw d every thing that was before it, & begun the World anew
the
y
& was
thought
fitt
for public services.
We
have, in the severity of

Yett, I hope,
our Winter, undergone a sort of Huskanawing.
we have
not quite lost the

better
Memory
of one another.
What
Token
of an Established Friendship, can I present
you withal, than a Rainbow. J

seldome seen in the Winter.
Tis true, a
Rainbow
is
;
a Meteor
yea, and
surprised.
But if you now see one you won't be see it come into your own chamber too It will be an omen of nothing but Love.
;
*
t
Latin epitaph
is
printed at the end of the sermon,

405.
II.
Wait Still Winthrop married his second wife Nov. 13, 1707. See p. In Two Essays, I. The Gospel % " Thoughts for the Day of Rain. The Saviour with His Rainbow." 16mo. pp. 64. Boston: 1712.
of the
Rainbow.
408
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the same time, I Enclose in the packet,
[1711-12.
At
I
my Fishermdn*
had not appear'd unto you, Like Peter with my Fishers But Coat about me, (a New Form of Appearance for me,) if it had not l)een to ask you, that you would please to bestow the Book upon some Fishing-vessel, (if you have any such, as I suppose
you have,) belonging
to JV.
London.
;
Of
as
sist
you will expect nothing from me inasmuch you have your Honourable Father, & other Relatives, to subpublic affaires,
upon, for your Intelligence.
Only,
I
peace,
A peace/
is
now
all
the cry.
That we have a very deep sense of the Calamity, you suffer, from a more than ordinary mortality, in your Colony. We mourn for you, we pray for you we are studying, how you
ought
to add,
;
and we may be the better
for such grievous
&
speaking Dispensa-
And, we rejoice tions. your Family To which

;
in the particular preservation of
you and
I always wish all
the Blessings of
Good-
ness from our great
&
r
our dear Saviour,
I am, Syr,
Your hearty Friend

Indorsed,
&
Serv,
Co. Mather.
1
:
" 1711-12
C.
Mather
to J.
W. Esq
."
COTTON MATHER TO WAIT WINTHROP.

Boston, 16?
7"?
1712.
S?,
thing
Tho' you have

it
been a long while out of our sight, (we
long!) you have not been one
Day
out of our mind.
Your
sickness bespoke and produced our more particular prayers,
public as well as private, on your behalf;
covery engages our most affectionate prayers to the

Life.
And your happy ReGod of Your

is
May
you
live
still
usefully,
and see what
Emphatically,
self;
who saies of himGood Old Age; Cui Senectus melior quam ipsa Juvenilis: or such an one
such an one as Drusius's,
Samuel
Blather, in the
list
of his father's publications, at the end of his "Life," &c.

in 1711.
mention! ''The Fisherman's Calling," published
1712.]
COTTON MATHER.
409
as Leonttnus's,*
live so long,
who
at 107, being asked,

;
why he was
willing to
answered
senectutem accusem; or
Quid nihil habeo propter quod meant I will rather say, such an one as Abra(like himself)
ham's; whereof Calvin

est,
Excellently;
Tenendum
prmcipuam partem
et
bono? senectutis,
in bond conscientid,
Unde sequitur, nonquod Deus Abrahce promittit. But then, lett us enjoy as much of you in it, as may be Return to us, before the sun is gone too far from us. You will probably find us in peace. The Reason why we have no Ships from Europe of a long while, we suppose, is, Because of the peace in view The peace being so near a conclusion. The Queen's two speeches, & the Addresses of the Parliament thereupon, I suppose will satisfy you that the peace is no longer to be doubted of. It must be some very strange thing indeed, that should now defeat it. But it will not appear very strange to you, that there is little care taken of our Holy Religion [in] it. I can guess, what your Expectations are because they are so near
Tranquillo, consistere.
nisi in veros Justitiai cultores competere
!
Animo Sereno
my
I
own.
am
not willing to impose upon you our Newfound-land stories.

in the British
That the Forces

into
pay would not obey the orders
for
disbanding (Except the 15.000 proper Britons,)
&
were taken
pay by the Emperour
&
the
Dutch
&c.
That the Govern r
of Dunkirk thereupon delay 'd to surrender the city to the D. of
Orm.
That the Allies had a great Advantage over the French,
might have been masters of Quesne [Le Quesnoy?],f & then have gone to Paris, (which they say, some of Pr. Eugene's
people did, within a few miles of
the
it,)
&
but unto their astonishment,
That, at home, the D. of O. produced orders not to fight. Ferment is far from abating but the merchants all hale up their ships, & there is a total stagnation upon all Trade, until men see what it will come to. And, that nothing will content, but the Head of the D. of M. The Doubtful channel thro' which these things arrive unto us, The first ships will give us better obliges me to suppress them.
;
Illuminations.
*
t
i.
e.
Gorgias of Leontini.
lost again.
It is
Le Quesnoy was taken and
probably the place meant.
52
10
THE MATHER PAPEES.
[1712.
In the
pillaged of
meantime, you see Monserrat, all in Ashes, & absolutly and all the rest of the Caribbee Islands, all its Riches
;
Expecting an assault from a Formidable French Squadron, reinforced by Du Cass [Ducasse] , which, tis questionable, whether
[Rev. xvi. 7.] any of them can stand before. Good Lady, your With my hearty service to
children,
&
your honourable
I take Leave now to subscribe, Your Honours, Most sincere & Faithful Serv*
Co. Mather.
Indorsed,
" D*
Cotton Mather to Maj! Gen Wait Winthrop."

1
.

Boston,
6?8"
1712.
S?
Your
:
hopeful Recovery
is
to
me
a matter of
my
most
hearty Thankfulness, to the Glorious Lord,
Health
of the
and so
it
will be
who is the God of our Esteemed by many others. The Deaths
Gentlewomen, your sisters, in which I condole with you, do putt a sensible Accent on the Mercy of your prolonged Life. And you need no Advice of mine, Syr, with what considerations
to
entertain
the
Repetitions of the Visits

is,
\i>\iv
Family.
to be as
seem
The Truth Good Times
to
made by mortality to The Times now in our next View, dy in, as any that we have seen in
the whole period of our Pilgrimage
The Wrath of God, against

It
was
al
a sinful & Woful World Peace, waves rcekon'd a Good Thing; The Word, Peace, im!
plies all
good.
But there
is
now
a
a peace accomplished, at which

that reaches
the
reluctant Nations
make
Hoar
up
to
Heaven;
Waves unto the very Welkin. The War produced a Distress of Nations and great perplexity. The peace distresses them with a ten times greater perplexity. They apprehend,
they toss their
thai the
world
is
delivered up, for the united

to
power
"of
France,
it.
and wealth of Spain,
impose what chains they please upon

Torrent of Slavery, popery,
They Expect an
fusion
!
Irresistible
&
con-
171 2.
COTTON MATHER.
r
411
Loyd,
the aged Bishop of Worcester, Eighty Eight years

;
up in an Horse-litter and waiting on the Queen, warned her against a peace with France, and told her that
old, gott himself carried
France was devoted of God unto Destruction
in
expounded certain prophetical Scriptures unto her,
Four Years, & & would by no
means have her involve herself & kingdomes, in the Fate of such an enemy of God. But her Majesty had not studied the Revelation so
much
as
my
old Doctor
In the House of Lords, there were Forty two, who made a protest, That for certain Reasons they feared the D. of Ormond
had some orders, that restrained him from giving Battel
there had been very
as betray'd the
111
;
if so,
Advice given to Her Majesty

Cause
;
and such
Separate
Common
&
had a Tendency
to a
Peace, which had been in parliament declared, Foolish, Knavish,
and Villianous. The States of Holland,

their having
presented a Memorial to the Queen, on
found
it
actually so.
And
they declare, that this
being done, without the knowledge of the Allies, and at a Time,
when they had
the bravest
in
Army
which had been seen since the

to the
War
begun,
& &
is
Force much superior

the Force of
Enemy,
is
&
with the
Ordinary Blessing of God,

Decisive Action
to an
this
;
they might have expected a very

all
Humane
Ties
hereby brought
will after
End
no Treaties, Alliances, or Obligations,

possess'd
in the
be of any Significancy.
Dunkirk
that the
by our famous General Hill,*
to assure us,
Q? speech will be complied withal. The Allies are allow'd to come into the peace on those terms, by the fourth of September ; When, if they do not, we shall finish it
Terms
without them.
The Dutch have since the withdraw of our Forces from the Grand Army, been grievously beaten by the French which tis thought, will praecipitate them into what they had no great mind
;
unto.
It
it
was putt
to the
Question in the House of Commons, whether

for the
should be insisted on, in the peace at Utrecht, that the other
powers of Europe, should be Guarantees

sion.
Hanover- Succes-
And
so,
it
was
'carried in the
Negative.
the troops in the abortive Canadian ex-
* Called
probably, because he
commanded
pedition in 1711.
412
2>r Fleetivood,
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the
[1712.
Bishop of S
Sermons,
with a preface, in which he
memory
House
tious,
of
of
K. W. & Q- M. & Commons, voted this preface

it
Asaph, printed some old payd some Honour to the justified the Kevolution. The
l
to be Malicious
and Fac-
and ordered
of the
at the
to be burnt
by the
Common Hangman,
the
and
the
Sheriffs
City
to
attend with
Serjeant of their
House,
Execution.
This was done, on Jun. 10. the pretenders Birthday. In Scotland, a violent party, kept that Birthday, in very riotous
Excesses
and
at
Edinburgh and Leith,
sett
up
his
Arms, with
Flags, and J. R. 8.* upon them.
This
is
the
summ
of our story, besides what our weekly peece
you withal. I leave you, Syr, to your own Remarks upon these things. but I know not, I was going to urge your speedy Return whether I should not rather sollicit you, to find out some Retreat in in some Village of the Colony where you are now sojourning
of Blockheadism
will please to* favour
; ;
which I may
ly
sheltered with
you, until, the Nubecula citb

;
transitura, shall be blown over
and
until the
Old Bishop of
Worcester's period.
For
We
must expect here,
all
the Efforts of
an Arbitrary Gov-
ernment, in the Hands of Infuriated Flanderkins. Except,
the
Watchers,
&
the
Holy Ones,
obtain what they are asking for.
You
Your
will
give
my
Son
services to the
Governour
in
your present
Neighbourhood,
to him, in these
&
lett
him
see, all that I
have written.
valuable
will also please to
Look on me,
as writing
Free comunications to
his
Honourable Father.
May
the Glorious
One
graciously preserve you to the world,

;
&
return you to your Friends in this place
Especially to
Your Honours, Most
affectionate Friend
&
Serv 4 ,
Co. Mather.
Indorsed,
" 1712.
is,
C. Mather's Let! to
Wait Winthrop, Esq "

1 :
* That
King James
VIII. [of Scotland], the

to
title
by which, even
after the
Union, a
Scotch Jacobite
might choose
designate the Pretender.
1712.]
COTTON MATHER.
413
COTTON MATHER TO JOHN WINTHEOP.

Boston
S?,
;
25* 10m 1712.

-
You
are of too distinguishing a Palate, for to need
my
You me
sense of the Yile
Eomance, which you ask

opportunity of extorting
freely,
my
opinion
of.
'
only wanted an
a Letter
from
which yett alwayes comes

addressed with
it.
when
tis
you, that are to be
pleasure in seeing
in this case can be
sellers,
ties,
And your Friendship inclines you, to take my opinion harmonize with your own. Which
no other than
this
;
That some wretched Bookall
needing a penny to support their Necessities, or Sensualiover.
printed a vendible Fiction, G-rub street
But such
is
the matter of the Ill-shaped Fiction, that their profanity therein
The whole is a most Impious is beyond all measure prodigious. Blasphemy against the Great God, and His Glorious Christ & a And the Detriment Villianous Banter upon the Heavenly World that such things do to our Holy Religion is wonderful and such
;
as all
good men cannot but Lament
&
Resent exceedingly.
They
are an Addition to the Evils of our
Day.
done?
late,
Day,
in which,
what
is
to be
The Enclosed Printed

it
Letter, will a Little inform you.
And
indeed,
little
contains the
Sum
of our Intelligence.
We
have of
Accession to the
Accounts I formerly gave you.

the
Lett what you have here, go into
Hands
of your more pious and praying people.
Give
my Service to your Honourable Father

the
that I long to see him.
May
you,
and lett him know, The Sun is returning to us. Glorious One multiply the Blessings of Goodness to
;
&
yours.
ST,
I am,
Indorsed,
Your
th
Sincere Serv!,
Co. Mather.
W.
Esq? "
" Dec? 25
1712.
C.
Mather
to J.

414
THE MATHER TAPERS.
[1712.

Boston.
19"?
11?, 1712.
Honourable
his
S , The French King being once at play with

R
kinsman, the Prince of Conde, the Game went much against the prince. Whereat he being, as Losers use to be, out of humour, struck a Louis d'or then in his hand against the Table. It prov'd
a Glass counterfeit
Louis d'or,
&
broke to peeces.
Whereat
the
Prince, with a further concern cried out,
long shall we be undone by False Lew[i]s'sf

countenance
but only turn'd unto
Heaven help us! The False Lewis
How
could not wholly conceal some Resentment of this pungency in his

;
M.
Colbert, and say, Pray,
cousin, take care, that the Prince have no more bad
Money
putt upon him!

Tis true
;
We are undone
alas,
!
by False Lewis's.
far
!
And
his Influences
filled
have extended,
with Falsehood
There
how
What
Courts has he not
are
among
the rest,
some False Things,

it
which I have heard 'em say, are never true. But, by our Last Advice from Europe,
looks as
their
if
a blind,
&
mad
I
Nation, were beginning a
little to
open
Eyes
iv.
&
come
to themselves.
am
in continual expectation to
hear of Dan.
13, 14,
which
will bring
on a mighty Revolution.
The Ch.
selves off
of E. by their Late
Act of parlaiment, have
cutt them-
from the communion of the Catholic Church,

it.
!
&
cease
to be a part of
This looks but ominously, upon that unre-
formable Society
be the
A coalition with the Gallican Church must now

;
bound
Game. And yett, I have more than once heard of a Vessel and so we shall again. for Home, suffer Shipwreck
of the Letter of the
Our Reprinting
followed
;
Aged
jV.
(7.
Ministers
putt our High-fliers, into a Strange Ferment.
namely,
You know what
Williams's virulent Vindication of the

r
;
C[ommon] P[rayer] Worship and D Kings heap of Sophistries & Calumnies. My Aged parents Remarks * hereupon, did not
* Increase Mather published
"Remarks upon an Answer
to a
Book against the Com-
mon Prayer'
in 1713.
1713.]
COTTON MATHER.
415
produce a hundredth part of the clamour, he Expected.

people are generally gratified, edified, established.
Our
is
The Ch. of E. party resolve to publish no more. Harris under some Attrition, for his unhapjriness, (that's the word)
in
writing his Preface , which was indeed almost universally decried.
Our Newbury-Faction
nothing, but
all
are
coming
off,
and putting themselves
under the conduct of one of our Ministers.*

peace
For
the rest, I
know
& Quietness.
;
Our Winter proves Comfortable

your Company,
to render
it
and we want nothing but
more
so.
May
the
Gracious Lord, prolong your Life, prseserve your

;
Health, and Return you to your Friends
Among whom
Co.
you have
none more heartily
affected, than, Syr,
Your
Indorsed,
Sincere Serv*,
to
Mather.
" D?
C.
Mather
W. W.
Esq! "
COTTON MATHER TO WATT WINTHROP.

To
the
Honourable Major- General Winthrop, (now) at
New
London.
Boston, 2? lm 1713.
Honourable S
we know,
from us
unto us
;
r
,
You
mean
afflict
us,
by keeping from us.
But
that in the
time,
it is
a pleasure unto you, to hear
and what
is
a pleasure unto you, must so far be such
we
will therefore take the pleasure of

;
now and
then
writing to you
And we
will try to write something,
even when
we have nothing to write. Our European Stories, run much upon such Things as these. The Imperial & the Dutch Embassadors are said to Return with
great Expectations from the Czar of Muscovy, relating to the design of carrying on the
War
against France.
The E. of
Strafford, having been
two months
in
England, was
impatiently Expected at Utrecht, with the
New
plan of the Peace,
which had been so long projected.
* See
J. Coffin's
" History of Newbury," sub anno 1712.
410
THE MATHER PAPERS.

address from a
[1713.
An
Borough
in
Scotland thanks the Queen for
hopes that when she her favours to* the Episcopal party there, ohangefl her Temporal Crown for an Eternal, the Scepter will fall
a< Ripe Fruit,
&
by her care, into the hands of a Legal

is
and Right-
ful Heir, (which every body knowes what that
Scotch for,) and
was Graciously Received. There seem to have been strange Experiments designedly made
of late,
in all parts
of the Xation, to find the strength of the
Two
Mobs, the Sigh Church Mob,

Benefice this disperses that;
&
the
Low
Church Mob.
is
At one
At
another, that
too hard for this.
Quorsum
hesef
much Talk, about a Duel fought between the the Lord Mohun, about a Law-Suit. The Duke Hamilton, former finding himself mortally wounded, made it an opportunity to thrust his Sword up to the Hilt in the unguarded Body of the
There has been
&>
other.
So both perished; and proclamations are out, to take up

a
our General Mackartny; as a Second unto one of them.*

1
am now on
New
side of the leaf,

;
and so
may
take the Liberty
to divert Biarly
you, with a short story
which therefore will not neces-
belong to any thing in the t'other page.

old
Xou knew
Nobleman,
Major Thompson.
He
had a story, that a young
travelling with his Tutor, visited a
Church
in Italy,
and
viewing the Epitaphs, ask'd his Tutor to read one of them, which
He read TtonvloAoloOfjoTtov, [a word, whereenough to know the Etymology.] The Nobleman enquired what the English of it? And the Tutor answered, The World is well rid of a Knave. And so my old Major, was used, when he heard of the Death of certain persons,
was not very Legible.
I
of
am
not learned
only to Lift up his hands, and say Populokolothropon.

others also, would qucrc
it
.
And
Major Thompson's Greek, as they called

most affectionate Respects be presented, if it be worth the while, a sight of
son
on such occasions.
I
would ask, that

1
my
to
Govern Saltonstal;] and
my letter given him. And unto the Gentleman your
To whom
I suppose myself
duel,
|
A letter from Mr. Maocartney, giving an account of the proceedings relating to this which took place Nov. 16, 1712, was published in London in 1713. Gordon Baltonstall [U. C. 1684], minister of New London, ordained Nov. 25, 1651,
in 1724.
and Governor of Connecticut from 1707 until his death,
1714.]
COTTON MATHER.
417
to
Writing, when I direct myself to you

sent the Little
in, only
And
whom
I also pre-
Books enclosed
in the packet.
One
of them steals
:
by the advantage of its just coming out of the press otherwise, I hope, none in your Neighbourhood can have occasion
for
it
May
it,
the
God
of your Health graciously Restore
it,
&
confirm
&
again bring you to us, I am,
Syr, Yours in
many Bonds
Co. Mather.
March
2<i
Indorsed,
" DoctT Cotton Mather's
Lett*"
1713."

To John Winthrop Esqr. N. London.
Boston, 30? lm
1714.
My
me
dear Friend,
It appears to
me
a very long while since

will ere long, oblige
I heard from you.
But
I assure myself,
you
with one Letter, that shall be for Quantity enough to pass for
three.
And since I am shortly writing for London, unto, you know who, I renew my. Request unto you, that ycu would enrich me, with as ample a Description of the Moose in this Countrey, as you can give me Their Stature, Colour, Temper Way of Breeding & Feeding Dimensions of their Horns And as many curiosities
; ;
about them, as you can possibly think
of.
We have
no
late occurrences
among
us,
worth mentioning, but
what you have from a better Hand. The churches of this Town Keep a Day of Thanksgiving this week, for the Recovery of so many sick in the sad Winter that has
passed over us,
&
the seasonable supplies of our Necessities.
I Entreat yours,
&
your Ladies, Acceptance of the enclosed,

Sincere Serv*,
from,
S r Your
,
Co. Mather.
Mr. Winthrop.
Indorsed,
" Dr Mather's Lett- March 30$ 1714."

53
-1
nir:
matiier papers.
[1714.

To
tin-
Honourable Major- General Wintlirop.
Munday
S
.
The poor Manuscript, for which my parent

a
sollicited
is
your
Honour
Lo8t,
week ago, (and

that
it
I three
Dayes ago,) possibly
not so
bill
may
be found.
Your Honour will think me Importunate, and (I fear) Impertinent in my Renewing my sollicitations for the Manuscript. It is not any Fondness for the mean composure, that produces this Importunity, hut a certain Cogent Reason, that at this Instant
is
needless to be mentioned.
One
I
of Such Cogency that if the paper be not found this Day, must look on myself as directed to undergo the Trouble of
it
Transcribing
over again
which cannot be done without some
Trouble
s>
c<:
my
doing as the prophet didby his Lost Roll.
veral other words,
Adding
in the
room of
those,
whereof I have no
reserved Copy.
I
earnestly wish your Health, and hope your present Indisposi-
tion will prove but a short

I
and sleight one.

yours,
wish also
to
you,
&
to
myself too, a preservation
from the
Venom of lioxbury.* and am Your Honour's Very Hearty
Serv',
Co. Mather.
Endorsed,
"D
Cotton Mather's Lett
1"
no date."
[Probably 1714.]
COTTON MATIIER TO JOHN WINTHROP.

To John Winthrop Esqr
^
,
TW the Letter,
me by
'
Boston, 2? 5
1714.
which your kindness (for which I thank
you, intended
a Traveller,
was never delivered;
yett I
This reference
is
to
(Joveruor Joseph Dudley
1716.]
COTTON MATHER.
in
419
answer
to
received
what you favoured me withal, upon a Philosophical Enquiry.
my
Request,
And
in
answer
to yours, I enclose a large Letter

;
from one of
the Secretaries of the Royal Society
which you will please to

consort; with a small
return unto me, by a safe Conveyance.

I tender
my
Respects to
Madam, your
Essay, upon a Lesson wherein I beleeve her to be a glorious proficient.
And, am,
Sr
Your
hearty Friend
&
Serv*,
Co. Mather.
Indorsed,
" Dr. Mather,- July 2? 1714."
My
dear Friend,
Philosophor
Si
Boston, 15?
VHIm
1716.
Philosopharis, bene
est ;
Ego
quoque
tho' very indifferently,
and not
likely to
do so much
more, without your friendly Assistences.

It appears to
me, a very long Time, since I enjoy'd the pleasor .other conversing with you.
ure, of one
way
But
tho'
no In-
fraction has been
made on
the Constancy of our Friendship, on
my
part, I
am
impatient that there should be any longer Intermission
of
its
Intercourse,
I hope, anon, to find out something or other that
may
be an
agreeable Entertainment, for one of your Polite Genius

tion.
&
Educahon-
At
present, all that I can
command,
is
Book
of
my
Dy Woodwa7'ds * which you will allow to Return by a safe A n(j cjror] lth hand, after it has been a. few months with you. him7 But how oblig'd would both he and I be, if Your Inquisitive Ingenuity employing the Liesure of a Gentleman of Êrudition (which you are) for that purpose, would make as full a Collection
our'd
as
may
:)
be of the Fossils
(the
Names
written on each
!
little
Bunand
dle
to be in
Your ]Vame, transmitted unto him
Favour us
lett
also, with as
many communications
as
you can
not the various Treasures of Natural Knowledge wherewith
* Probably John Woodward, M.D., an eminent naturalist and physician, 1665-1728.
420
v,i are enriched,
Tin-:
matiier papers.
-rowing Richer
[1716.
*
&
are daily
&
Richer, ly by you
!
uncomplicated.
True Winthrop, cannot but be generous
Give me the true story of your PdUm's feeling

t.
what was done
his
Ann
at
is
a distance.
Bui Buch
the calamity of our

all
M
my
as
Theology,
is
swallow'd up
will
poor Letter too,
Time, that philosophy, as well Yea, I am afraid, Politicks. to such a Friend even welcome, hardly be
in
it.
you are. without something Political in

I
nn ill
not insert
any thing, that you
may Expect
But
ago.
is
to find
among
to
the Antiquities of our Boston-News-Letter
I will
mention
you
a curiosity
in
an occurrence, which
Divine,
in a Letter I received
from a famous
German
Two Dayes
There has been
of late a strange, & The little Jews, of the Jewish Children, in the city of Berlin. from Eight to Twelve years of Age, fly to the protestant Ministers, that
miraculous motion from* God, upon the minds
they
may
it
be Initiated in Christianity.
They Embrace
it
with such Rapture, that when they see the
Name
of Jesus, in a
Book, they
kiss
an hundred times;
and shed floods of Tears
upon
'/><
it.
No
;
Methods used by their parents to reduce them, are

;
effectual
but they say to their parents

to
We
This
shall not return to you,
Time for you
come over
to
us!
German
Divine, sees
*
;
happy auspices
in this
rare occurrence.
We
(
are at last bless'd with the Arrival of a

to
Xew Governour
who appears
)f
be of a very easy, candid, gentlemanly Temper.
what principles, you shall guess, when you see shortly, a Serin his
mon which was preached
audience, by one chosen to entertain
him
in
the pulpitt, at his first Arrival.
And now,
upon you.
There
the
tion^
is
Syr, (Jive
me
in
leave,
to
impose a further Trouble
famous plant,
your vicinity at Lebanon, known by
Name
of Culver's Poot;
Eldest
in
Famous
f
for the cure of
Consump-
My
Daughter
has been for above

to us,
Six months,
but with odd
to
Languishing,
what appears
a consumption
circumstances, which our Physicians,

1
know not what
make
of.
have a strong Disposition to become furnished, as soon as ever I

I
can,
say, as soon as ever
can, with a Little Quantity of Culrer' s
>
eraor Shute, the Buccessor of Dudley, arrive.
at
Boston, Oct.
171G.
4,
1716.
K
.
>
'
tther,
born Sept.
l,
1689 j
<ii.'
I.
Dec.
16,
Her
father's
sermon on
waa published under
tlie title
of " Victorina."
1716.]
COTTON MATHER.
I
as
all
421
Root,
sires,
Know
to
no such
likely
and speedy way, to obtain
my
dethat
make use of your Friendly Mediation.
You
releeve
the world,
&
carry on the Glory of a Family sent into
the world on purpose to heal
&
help
its
Maladies, will I know,
apply yourself to forward the Relief of your Mather, with as

alacrity as
much
any in the world. That I may facilitate the affair, I enclose a short Letter, to Mr. Culver, with a Book or Two, which I entreat you to convey unto him, with all possible Expedition and act, as if you were doing for one of your own Family.
May
the
the Glorious Lord, multiply unto you, and unto your
Hon-
ourable Family, (for the
New Hopes
whereof, I congratulate you,)
Tokens of His Favour.
I am,
With
Sf
hearty Respect
Your most
affectionate
Friend
&
Servant
Co. Mather.
Mr
Winthrop.
Indorsed,
1716 Dr.
Cotton Mather's Letf
DEPOSITION OF ANN GRIFFIN AND RUTH WEEDEN.

Boston,
New
England.
13d ix.
1716.
In perpetuam
rei
memoriam.
M
in
Susanna Crawford being married unto an husband involved many Debts, was willing to reserve some Treasures of her own,
RS
for her
Daughter
ls
Mary Pain, whom

useful
she had by a former
Hus-
band.
There Lived with her, a young woman, called
Ann
Griffin,
who was many wayes

also
&
Endear'd unto her
and knew her
purpose to bestow these Treasures on her Daughter, for
whom
this
rs
she
had a very hearty
affection.
When
rs
Crawford Lay a dying,
Ann
Griffin
thought
on
Pain some accounts the fittest opportunity to transfer unto what was designed for her and, accordingly she took out of the Box, in which they were, peeces of Gold, and Golden Instru;
ments, and considerable Quantity of Silver money
but in such a
manner, as
it
to
remain very Ignorant of what she took, (only that
was
all
that
was there) and putting
all into
an Earthen Pitcher,
422
she covered
em
THE MATHER PAPERS.

them with water
hot'
[1716.
to
prevent any enquiries from such

street,
might happen to meet
in the
and convey 'd them
to
Pain, with an Account that these were the things her mother
for her.
bad intended
After the Death of

to
rs
.
Crawford, there were some Neighbours,
rs Pain so far hearkwhose Evil Insinuations and Instigations rs Griffins not having ened as to countenance evil surmises of (halt faithfully with her; and in her passion to deny that she re.
M M
membered her having received

6ed,
certain particulars, that
were speci-
&
have been since acknowledged.

Impressions,
Several times under these
passionate
Pain uttered her wishes, That her
rs Mother would appear, and sett all to JZights. And Griffin had no Remedy, but to committ her cause unto God; who judgeth
righteously.
Sonic time about the latter
End
of the Last Year, one whose
Name
a
is
Hulk Weeden, lodging
in the
r
House and Bed with
rs
Griffin,
about break of Day, being aw ake, while

in
rs
Griffin
was
saw the Apparition of the (who had been dead above five years first at the foot of the Bed, from whence it came up to the before, hit Bide thereof, where now she lay. She had on her a suit of a \\ Trite Apron a White Neckcloth Btriped Calaminco a Laced pinner oo her head; and a fresh Countenance. But all over so
-hep
the bed by her side, plainly
Deceased
)
Mn
Crawford,
luminous, that tho' the

as
well
as
the
enlightened.
that
money!
and without any more Words disappeared.*

took
the
Room were darkened with window-shutters, Remainders of the Night, the whole Room was n Weeden to this Effect, I gave Ann She said unto
first opportunity to ask her awakened Crawford had ever given her any money. Whereupon M Griffin told her That she had; That is, that a w Crawford had expressly bid her little before she dyed, Keep
Weeden
Friend, whether
rs
for her
own,
a Little
Summ
of
Money,
that she
had
in her hands.
And
then also gave her a a Ring, that she wears ever since.
The exactness with which

'>!*
remind! One
writt.-n
the ciroumstanoes attending this apparition are described, the fictitious account of the appearance of Mrs. Veal to Mrs. Bargrave
iv Foe, and prefixed to Drelinoourt's "Christian's Defence against the as a recommendation of that work. The costume of the apparition is described with equal minuteness in both cases, and Mrs. Veal is represented by De Foe as that she " would have two Broad-pieces given to Iter Cousin Watson." The work of Drelinoourt, with this ace rani prefixed, was published in many successive editions,
by
Death,*
1
and "a- reprinted
in
Boston
in 1744.
1716.]
COTTON MATHER.
added unto
this, the
423
Griffin
rs
.
Weeden, That she supposed the
summ was
Four Pounds.
After
Times, whereof no Account could be given.
House underwent various Disturbances at several And it was observed,

chiefly
That the Disturbances wishes had been uttered
happened,
just
after
passionate
for
rs
Craw/or ds Appearence.
of this last October
rs
;
At
in the
Last, on the
Twenty ninth day

Griffin
Early
M Weeden, going to Rise, there was another plain Apparition of M Crawford unto M Weeden. The spectre now had a White Sheet on her,
morning,
rs
rs
being Risen and gone, and
rs
which covered her from Head

ered
;
to
Foot
only her Face w%s uncov-
and paler than
in the
former Exhibition.
Tho' the
Room
was now darkned, very near as much as formerly, yett the Spectre had such a Light attending of it, as rendered not only rs that, but other objects visible. The Spectre spoke to Weeden
to
this
effect.
Go
tell
my Daughter,
that
Ann
has faithfully
delivered all that she
was
to
deliver unto her,
and
that if she do not

:
Ann, and replied, Go to

clear
right her,
I shall
appear- unto her also
rs
Weeden
look
her Yourself!
Displeased, and said,
The Spectre seem'd at No, you must go! Go you.
this to
rs
Weeden
intimated, That she doubted, she should not be beleeved.

this the Spectre
To
answered, That the mention of
Two Tokens would

The
other
make her
come
to
be beleeved; The one was, That a young man should

this
to the
House
day, with a Letter,
fy
for a picture.
was, That
Ann had now

hers.
in her poss[ess~\io7i
which once had been
a necklace offair Amber, The spectre added, That Ann had misshe shall satisfy
taken the sum of Money she had spoken of; It was not
It
was
but three.
Go
to
Ann,
fy
you; that
;
Four Pounds ; it may be
known it is true. One thing more she added which was, That her Daughter had received the Arabian Pennies, (whereof, it rs seems, it was known that Crawford had a considerable Quanbut part of the Discord had arisen, from their not being tity
found among the money delivered unto
rs
Pain,) but not in the
rs Left Weeden in money. a swoon upon her Fright, wherein she continued, as she supposes,
Whereupon
she disappeared
And
near an hour.
Upon
about a
recovering from the swoon, she
first
asked
rs
Griffin,
Young Man coming
to the
House.
And
r*
Griffin
made
her sensible, That while she was in her swoon, a young
man who
424
From
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1716.
c:iinc
New
picture.
Griffin
York, had been at the House with a Letter, & for She then repeted the rest of the Spectral Discourse. informed her, that she had the Necklace mentioned,
\\:u\
which
Pain
presented unto her.

till
But
this
was a matter,
to.
which Mrs Weeden had been,
now, a stranger
And
then
Mrs Griffin, who had never till now, counted or Touched, the money which Mrs Crawford had given her, going on this occasion to examine it, found that she had been mistaken; and the spectre It being but Three pounds. in the right Upon discourse with Mrs Fain hereupon, the Difference between her and .Mrs Griffin was healed A Mutual Reconciliation Ensued;
;
and Mrs Pain declared her Entire Satisfaction in Mrs Griffins

Fidelity.
This Relation being distinctly
Read unto
;
rs
Griffin
and
rs
Weeden, from
whom
it
was dictated
they both declared, that
it is,
unto the best of their
knowledge and judgment, a True Relation.

concerned
in, are truly
Bach of them Declared, That what parts of the foregoing Narrative they are distinctly
Related.
is
More
particularly
Ann
Griffin declares,
That what
related of
her Justice to
Mrs Pain, and of
the
money given
is
to her
by Mrs
Crawford,
is
the very Truth.
Ruth Weeden declares, That what
related of
the Spectral
Appamtions,
is
the very truth
and that she had no Knowledge of
the money given by Mrs Crawford unto Mrs Griffin, or of the young man coming for the picture, till Airs Griffin informed her, at the Time specified in the account above given of it.
And
sion, to
both of them do with
all
solemnity declare, That they are
not in the least
measure guilty of the least contrivance or colluin
impose on the Beleef of any person,
any one Article of
the foregoing Narrative.
To
the
Truth of
this
Declaration,
Ann
Griffin,
and Ruth
1
:
Weeden made oath, on
this thirtenth
day of November, 1716.

P?
Before
me Edw: Hutchinson. Jus
[Tin- foregoing paper, with the exception of the

line,
and the signature,
is
in the
word "thirtenth" iu the handwriting of Cotton Mather.]
171.6.]
COTTON MATHER.
425
COTTON MATHER TO JOHN WINTHROP.*

SR
You
Boston. 19? 9? 1716.
have extremely obliged me, in every
line
of the
copious Letter, with which you last favoured
me
and with what

the use of
accompained
the Root
for,
it.
The poor Damsel

:
is
Languishing
is
But has begun
whereof the success
with God*
May He
we
praspare us
&
carry us thro: the Sacrifice to which
are called on this
occasion.
I comfort myself with hopes, of having the Honour, of that
mediation, by which there will be convey 'd from you, with due
Ackowledgments of your Name
&
character
&
Family, many
a full
valuable comunications, to our Masters in
London.
shall allow
it,
Among
these things,
when your Liesure
account of the frequent Earthquakes, about your
Hadham (which
of late years they say have ceased,) would be acceptable.
We
are blessed with a

;
Governour
of incomparable candour
&
Goodness
with the
And
now have
the pleasure of entertaining you,
first
Lecture that entertained him, after his Arrival.

in wishes, that
You will Join with me, may be multiplied.
our Tokens for Good,
I have added a curiosity Entituled, Pietas Hallensis ;
which
* John Winthrop [EL C. 1700], the son of Wait Winthrop, was born in New London, August 6, 1681. He was a distinguished member of the Royal Society. He went to England in July, 1726, to sustain an appeal to the King in Council, which he had made
from a decision of the Court in Connecticut adverse to his claim to the large landed estate Wait Winthrop, left to them by their father, the first Governor Winthrop, of Connecticut, and which he maintained was inof Fitz John Winthrop, his uncle, and of his father,
tended by them to descend undiminished to himself.

setting aside the decision of the Colonial Court, and
decree was obtained in 1728,

sole heir, according to
;
making him
but " a subsequent and agents of the Colony, confirming Winthrop in He his possessions, but allowing the law of inheritance in the Colony to remain in force. became disaffected with the Colonial government, and the course he had taken rendered him unpopular at home." He never returned, and died at Sydenham, in Kent, it is said August 1, 1747. See Miss Caulkins's "History of New London." See his letter of 15. 8 mo. 1716. t His daughter Katharine. Colonel Burgess, who had been appointed Governor, was in% Gov. Samuel Shute. duced by Jeremiah Dummer, agent of the Province in England, and by Sir William Ashurst, to resign his commission for the sum of a thousand pounds to Shute. He arrived
the English law of primogeniture.
decision
The decree was never enforced
was obtained by the
friends
in October. 1716.
54
.jjt)
THE MATHER TAPERS.

to permitt
it,
[1717.
if
yon please
I should ask that
it
may Return, by
some
Bafc hand, in
a fortnight or two.
May
the Blessing of
1
God
our Saviour be upon you, and your

,
honourable Family.
am, S r
Four most hearty Serv*
Co. Mather.
'Win rHBOF.

SR
,
am
J
very sorry, that by a Eeturn of
my
for
old
Aguish
pains in
my
lead
&
face,
it is
become Impossible
;
mee, to pay
you the Duty of a Visit,
in
your present Illness
which I pray the
L. Jesus Christ,
to
Releeve
&
Remove.
However,
lift
:
send you, almost
which
will doubtless
all the Febrifuge, that I have do you good service, if the Blessing of
;
Heaven accompany it. Take Ten Grains at a Time and I hope, in a few Times taking you will bee cured of the Bite which the Serpent has given you. Then you'l Thank our 'Great Serpentkiller. I am The most Hearty Servant of Your Health,
C.
To M
V.I"U-< il.MI'.M.
Mather.
W. WlNTHROP.
date.
If*
Indorsed,
No
Cotton Mather's LetU "
(oTTON MATHER TO JOHN WINTHROP.

Ql
Boston. 8? II? 1717. with great concern, that I have heard of the Loss,
"is
which you, and your Honourable Family, have sustained in the teath of [an] only son.
I
Loss to be
it
Repaired by none, but

that
Him who
chuse
!
inflicted
it.
And may be so, in the way To entertain, and if it may

>n the
He
shall
be, to edify,
your Excellent consort,
Badness which this Death
may
give unto her, I
make her an
1717.]
COTTON MATHER.
427
humble Tender of my Victorina.* God will have have us Dead unto the world and therefore He kills our dearest Enjoyments in it. A Death so exemplified in the case of my dear Yictorina,
;
that I hope,
it
may
be not unserviceable.
But madam knows the way to pour out a soul unto the Lord, (as her Names-sake did,) and so be no more sad. I continue my Instances with you, my most valued Friend; That you would Employ your philosophical Genius & Gentlemanly Liesure, in collecting for me such comunications, as I may
transmitt unto
my
masters, with a due
Honour
to the
Name
of
him who
shall so
supply
me &
Enrich me.
May
our Glorious Lord multiply His Blessings on your person

;
&
and honour you with Dispositions & opportunities to do a great Deal of good in the world even, as others in your Family
Family
before you.
I am, Syr,
Your most hearty
serv*
Co:
Mather.
qucesivimus.
Ollam auro refertam, non adhuc invenimus, nee quidem

Indorsed,
" April
1717'.
M' Mather
to
John Winthrop."

15
d ix.
E
,
The Providence
of our
God most
sensibly Interposing,
has Again, putt upon

I could not have a
;
me
the Honour,
of doing Justice to a
Family, to which I have alwayes had a strong Attachment, f
more candid
&
constant Friend, than
Your
Honourable Father And I shall be ever proud, of paying my due Acknowledgments unto his merit, in the most public manner that
is
possible.
I find,
that Elogies go
down
best,
&
have the most kindly

at the Desire of Mrs. Katharine
* " Victorina.
Sermon preach'd on the Decease and

16mo.
Mather, by her Father.
pp.86. Boston: 1717." t Cotton Mather had published a sermon, entitled " Winthrqpi Justa" on the death of Governor John Winthrop, of Connecticut, in 1707. The sermon to which this letter refers,
{is
having been preached at the funeral of Wait Winthrop, in 1717, was afterwards printed
title,
under the
"
Hades look'd
into."
28
operation,
I
THE MATHER PAPERS.

when they
this
[1718.
are concise,
&
comprehend much
Truth
of.
in a little.
Speak
If
but what every one Felt the
you do
poor sermon the
Honour of passing
thro' the
press, the Booner the Better.
(Perhaps
Philips* might order

of,
the press which he
is
more particularly master
to
do
it
out of
hand
of them
(
)
I
Because the season of such Things, adds unto the Beauty and von know Tiberius's compliment unto the Trojans.
Blessings prevail even above those of your prothe Glorious Lord, long preserve you,
may pour
I
genitors
And may
&
Assist yon, to tread

in
in their
Excellent Steps,
&
prove a Blessing
Your Generation. I am, Sr Your most hearty Friend
&
Serv'
Co. Mather.
This Minute, Crump, (who is Mr Philips's printer) happens to come unto me, upon an Errand, And he tells me, That if you think fitt to have the work done, in a large, fair, decent- char-
acter,
(which
is
all
he has unemploy'd,)
he will with
all
his,
heartily,
immediately go on the service proposed.

entirely leave all to
But
your Discretion.

Boston, 21
?
n. m 1718.
The
P
Enclosed came to hand Enclosed, scarce a minute
ago, by a Ship to Rhode-Island.

I
hope, your correspondence being thus begun with so great a
.Man as
Woodward, (and
;
in
him, with greater than he,) will

I shall be
be agreeably cultivated
I
Wherein
proud of having the
[onour of a Mediation.
That
yon may enjoy something of a Philosophical Repose, in the midst of a crooked & Froward & Barbarous Generation,
I
have Lately
I
aa
can
Whereof,
f
made
as
Effectual an Application in your service,

I
know
not,
Whether your Honourable
Father-in-Law
has informed you.
John Phillips, n bookseller in Boston. John Wlnthrop married, Dec. 16, 1707, Ann, daughter of Governor Joseph Dudley.
1718.]
COTTON MATHER.
429
We are newly entertained with the Tidings of as prodigious and as Tremendous a Destruction upon Mankind, as has been
known
for
many Ages
and they that have been destroy'd have
been mostly our Brethren.

not only a great part of the
On Dec. 24. (their Christmas-Eve,) Low Countreyes, but all along the
cities,
German
treys,
shore,
laid
&
beyond Hamburgh, whole Towns,

the stopped Rivers
Coun-
were
under water, by the N.
W. Winds
;
bringing in
the raging ocean
&
upon them
Hundreds of
perished
Thousands of people, & Numbers that can't be guess'd at, have and the other Damages are beyond all computation.
:
[Rev. xvi. 3.] May the Glorious Lord multiply His Blessings on you and
yours.
I
am, S r
Your
hearty Friend
&
Serv*
Co. Mather.
Mb
Winthrop.
Indorsed,
" 1718.
Dr
Cotton Mather to
J.
Winthrop, Esq? "

Boston.
4. *
VI. m 1718.
My
very dear Friend,
quoque JPhilosophor.
of a Letter.
Si
Philosojpharis,
bene est:
Ego
I have a great
Exemple
last
for thus beginning
But, alas, I must change the

I meet with so
word, unto Philos-
ophari Vellem.
many Employments
But
&
Obstruc-
tions, that this is all I
can pretend unto.
I hope very
:
to subsist
upon your curious and candid communications
much From
Above
which, I beseech you, Lett not the Follies of a few Barbarians

divert you.
Be
patient under
his
them
them.
Dabit Dens
quoque jinem
and
or, I will rather say,

this,
by His Blessing
generous good-
on your patience, and meekness, and wisdome,

ness, very quickly too.
&>
Intelligence
Our News-Letter will bring you the substance of our foreign To which I will only add, My Fears of Trouble
;
from the Pretender, are not over. However, at New London you may be less afraid of him, than if you were at Old.
430
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1718.
and inform you, tender the Enclosed unto your Acceptance; Quarters that I That theprapasalt meet with Subscriptions, from
I
could never have imagined. May our glorious Lord multiply His Blessings on your person,
(
lonsort,
am, S r Your affectionate Friend
&
Family.
&
Serv!
Co. Mather.
Mi: Winiiikoi'.
My
me
2
a
dear, Don't send packets for

c<:
me
to
Campbel.
10!
I count a Letter of yours ever worth
The last cost more than
that,
costly
we have a cheaper way, lett us use it. That way may do now & then But not to make a Trade on't.
lint
since
Endorsed,
" 1718.
Cotton Mather."

Mr. Winthrop.
Boston.
25.
d
VI. m 1718.
My VERY DEAR FRIEND,

faction, that
I
It
is
with unspeakable
Dissatis-
have heard something of the Uncivil and Barbarous

I hoped, that
usage which you Buffer from your Connecticotians.
my
lie
strong Applications and Large Remonstrances to your
Govin
ernour sonic while ago, might have putt a period unto them; and
gave me cause
(*
;i
to think,
that there will be nothing

all
I
wanting
since
linn
true zeal to do
you
possible service.
But
your
uneasy circumstances do (as

give
this
me
(
Leave earnestly to
am told) still continue, you must Recommend unto you, A Removal unto
'avital City
of our province.
Here, you
will
have the most valuable opportunity of a conver-
sation with Friends,
you love above
all
the
who love you most affectionately, and whom men in the world, and such as will soon
for your being Serviceable, as they have been from you whom are descended. Here you will soon be apprised of Methods and people, whereby your plentiful E&state, may soon be brought unto Improvements, that will render
it
make way
yet!
much more
considerable.
1718.]
'
COTTON MATHER.
will
431
the Enjoyments, which a
Here you
be accomodated with
all
Christian, a Gentleman,
&
a Philosopher can wish for.
And
as
Happy, I
will add,
you have a singular Inclination to see and make me your coming to this Town, will be a vast
Addition to
my
Happiness.
I conjure you, to shew this Letter to
Madam
your Consort,
to
that so she, who is one of the best of women, & one you can deny nothing, may lay hold on the occasion, matter so highly agreeable to, S r
,
whom
to urge a
Your hearty Friend & Your kinsman Edwards hopes

scribers, as
Servant,
that
Co.
Mather.
his
you will be one of Three or Four Governours are already.

to
Sub-
If
you
please,
to
send the proposals about the Psalterium
Americanum,*
Governour Hunter;
It
may
be, he will do, as
four Governours have already done.
DEDICATION BY COTTON MATHER TO JOHN WINTHROP.

TO JOHN WINTHROP, ESQ?
SK
Tis by you (who made a part of

and methods,
for a
the Auditory,) that the

uttered in a Great
wishes
Good new year,
Auditory, come to be
now communicated unto many more, who

Hearing of them.f
is
were not present
at the
This furnishes me, with an agreeable opportunity, more in the

monitory strain, than in that Adulatory one which
Essential unto Dedications, to Express
become almost
my
more particular Desires

is
on your Behalf;
That not only This may prove a Good Year unto you, [That
to say,
Year wherein you

see
may
you may
many
such years, and,
do much Good /] but also that
Serus in caelum redeas.
* " Psalterium Americanum.

Churches,"
etc.,
The Book
of Psalms, in a Translation Exactly conformed
unto the Original; But All in Blank Verse, Fitted unto the Tunes
was printed
in
Boston, in 1718.
J.
Edwards
is
Commonly used in our named on the titlepage as
one of the four booksellers for whom the work was printed. " A New Year Well begun. An Essay offered on New Years Day. 16mo. pp. 29. t Boston: 1719." We print this dedication from the original, although it is prefixed to the
tract,
which has become
rare.
4.)
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Thai a country, whereto your Family has afforded so
[1718.
patriots
and
ornaments,
[And Especially
Three
THROPS,] besides your Honourable and meritorious from you also receive many Services and Benefits.
von,
of
many John Winfather, may
Thai the Talents wherewith our Glorious Lord has furnished
may he All so Improved, as to have a Good Account given them, when the Story of our Lives, is to be told over again. Finally, That you may be Blessed in your offspring, as well as
the continuance of that Excellent Consort with you,
bo Enriched
;
in
by
whom
you arc
a
But above
all,
Blessed with
CHRIST,
and such Spiritual Blessings, as

r
,
He
Soul full of has for us in his
Heavenly Places*
Tims prays, for you, S Your hearty Friend & Serv*

19.
[The Author
:]
2*
xi.
m 1718,
COTTOX MATHER TO JOHN WINTHROP.

SR
in it,
,
A
in
Small Accident
it
last
Night, which yett had no

little
Harm
any further than that

detain
gives occasion for this
Schedule,
me this Day, from the satisfactions I proposed with Dining with the Best of Governours,* and the most Bincere and candid Friend in the world.
will
you,
will
submitl (even with an Indian patience)
unto any pun-
: Tho' it be a most [nvoluntary Action, or what rather my passivity in it, will not allow to be called an Action; it being the Effect of a very Kidnapry.
ishment, that
may
be ordered me, for this Desertion
yon Judge, that Good Manners require it, I request that Hi- Excellency may this morning be informed of my crime; who perhaps may then fill his Hospitable Table with Better-affected
[f
(
'oinpany.
Ha
ern., ur
is
be a
that
sometimes visits me; If our dear GovMan, so lovely in many Excellent Qualities, What .MAX, who is GOD, & the Governour of all Worlds!
that
* Governor Slmte.
Thought,
See
p. 425.
1719.]
COTTON MATHER.
433
as thou
,
My
dear child, Think as often
&
as
Highly of Him,
canst.
I am, His Excellencies, Hearty Servant, and,
Sr
C.
Your most
Mid- Week. 11
?
constant Friend,
Circa hor.
7.
Mather
xi 17l|.
Mr Winthkop.
Indorsed,
" 1718.
Cot? Mather to J. Winthrop."
r
,
I have begun with sending you,

will prepare
that peece of
my
dear
Sr Richard,* which make a great figure
in
my Album
you Amicorum.
for the rest.
You and He,

Boston. 30 ?
1719.
S*,
this
Having
it is
scarce a
moment
of Time, yett I must improve

to
peece of a moment, to render
obligations which
my Thanks you multiply upon me.

me
you
for the vast
And
God
impossible to lay greater than those which I

serviceable. unto the
feel, in
your contributing to make

in the world.
Kingdome of
May
the Blessings of
Goodness be showred upon you

obliged Friend
&
yours.
I am,
S r Your most
,
&
Serv*
Co. Mather.
We
If
are
now
sure of a
War
with Spain ;
And
lett
men
say
what they
give
will, it will
be a Bloody one.
to him.
Rev. xvi.
3.
you shew
this
passage to your Honourable Govern? I pray
my
most humble service

Boston. 18
?
Ill
1719.
My very dear Friend, After a Thousand Endearments, that which you have added in making my New Year j an useful
one,
is
an Article of a Thousand.
See note to
letter dated 1718-19, Jan. 2.
* Sir Richard Blackmore.
55
434
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1719.
May
be so
We
shall
th.it
arc united thus, in doing of
Good upon Earth,

World. more Good?
in the
Kecompences
&
consolations of the Heavenly
But
we not be thus
associated in the doing of
And
last
in serving
our admirable Saviour?
First,
pardon me, that I beg of you, a few more copies of your

;
publication
having been too prodigal of those, with which
your Bounty has already favoured

better
me
but resolving to be a
Husband of
I
the rest that your
Favour may allow me.
But then,
Steward
long for the pleasure

for the dispensing of
&
Honour of being your
&
Agent,
such Noble Medicines, as
may
render you a Blessing in our Neighbourhood, as well as your
(ungrateful) own.
More than
Enrich
so
ingenious pen, as
many
must pray, that you would preserve with your as you can, of your observations, and
;
me by comunications of them who shall esteem them of more value, even than the Two Tubs you have told me of. great number precious Things will be lost, if your pen be not the preserver of them. I must be always dunning you in this Article. I would with all my Heart, give the public, as Learned a Dis-
sertation as I can, of the Millennium; only the
Expence of such
Things makes them not easy
to.
be accomplished.
Our Whigs
and make
Hut
than
I
are
a secure, careless, presumpteous Generation;
light of the Invasion,

(Jr. Britain
which was hourly Expected at
Every part of
I
&
of Ireland, at our Last Intelligence.
fear, the
Invaders have a stronger correspondence at home,
we
are aware of.
have written to the Bottom, and have only room to add, what you arc ever sure of; That I am, Sr, Yours most affectionately Co. Mather.
Dear Mi- Thacher,*

tion
is
anon, at least with the
not without some view of a good RecepNew North, in Boston.
B r. Peter Thaoher [II. with Rev. .John Webb, in the
('.
IG'JC]
was
called from
Weymouth
to settle as colleague
New North
Church, Boston, Jan. 20, 1720.
1719.]
COTTON MATHEK.
435

Boston, 30
d
dear Friend, indisposed me put me

;
My
Your
&
IX
1719.
Late Illness has very sensibly kept me, in considerable & continual
me out of it, by giving it me under your hand, that you are Alive, and that you are Better, yea, and that you have gott Good by your Illness.
pain.
I beseech you, to fetch
you Account of it may be Authentic as well as punctual, and pray have your Name (which I would snatch at all occasions to do Honour to) incorporated into it. Yea, if you can, lett it be written with a Quill, which the wing of the Bird shall afford you.
as punctual a Description, as
In the same Letter, give
me
can of your Water- Dove,* that so
my
I hope, very quickly to transmitt unto you, what I remitt this
winter unto the Royal Society.

to entertain
In the mean time, I have nothing
you
withal, but the First
Complements which were

which,
ever paid in our countrey, to the Fifth of November ;|

doubtless, will be
in
Whiggish enough to gratify you. I condole with you, and with Madam, the Low state of Health, which your Honourable Father is Languishing. J The King is Expected Home, the latter End of December, with
[i.
an universal peace,
Thess. v. 3.]
the
The most Glorious Peace of all, from wished for you & yours, by S r Your most hearty Friend & Serv*
,
King of Kings,
Co.
is
Mather.
Mr. Winthrop.
When
me
shall
S r Richard
return
some of
my
Neighbours dun
for him.
* See note
t
J
to the
next
letter.
The anniversary
of the
Gunpowder
Plot,
and of the landing of William
III.
Gov. Joseph Dudley died at Roxbury April 2, 1720. The writer refers to a publication by Sir Richard Blackmore, Kt, M.D.
430
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1719-20.

Boston. 11
d
XI m
1719.
B
,
Inasmuch
(alter
as the
Favour
I received from
you the Last

calls
Week
lett
my
forwarding of
my
last packett,)
for the
Quickest as well as the Deepest Acknowledgments, I could not

this
Post lleturn, without

it
;
my Acknowledging
that I have
Kcccived
and that I have nothing to keep
me from
starving
under the bitter cold of the season, Except I sweat under the
Load of your kindnesses, whereof I

sensible
fair
;
am
extremely
&
forever
and that I have assigned our dear Soogelande, a very
LodjnnG; in our Biblia Americana, with an honourable mention
&
character of the generous

forth unto us.*
Hand, which
like another
Noah, sends
him
I beg, that your Goodness would continue your comunications
And hope
but that
you will not find me a Debtor utterly Insolvent, I shall anon pay something in the pound, of what I owe
that
to so generous a creditor.
* This reference to the " Biblia Americana " led us to search in the original
script of that
manuMass.
work, which has been elsewhere noticed as being

water dove."
It is
is
in the library of the
Hist. Society, for the description of the "
among some
:
vations upon the dove that
Noah
sent out of the ark, and
as follows
curious obser-
"A Discovery made of the Dove employed by our Father

"
Noah.'''
We
are annually visited in our country of

little
New-England,
at the Beginning of Winter, with a

off
Water-Dove, that stays for a

Bea, without returning
while on our shore near the Sea, and then goes

till
again to the
any more
the Return of the year.
Tis one of the loveliest of Birds
that fly, and a Dove in every thing, except what qualifies it for the element it is desigued for. The Cook and Hen are paired, as our Doves use to be. They are of a deep Azure-Colour; spotted and Btreaked with white. The Cock has a fine Topple crown, & feathers of a deep Yellow under hll wings. The Hen is blue, & full of white spotts all over her Body. Their noise is a little BUperionr to that of the Doves on the land. Their cooings differ a little from these about as much a< the voice of a Wild Goose from that of a Tame one. Their soft, yett sprightly murmurs, are more like the gentle cadence of waters than the melancholy Notes of our Common Turtle. They differ from the Doves of the Land in this; that their Bill is a little flatted; and they have the membranes between their Toes, wherewith waterfowl use to be accommodated. When they swim about OUT ihorefl they Often OOme upon the land, and they are very frequently seen to have in their Bills a nail Branoh of our long-lived Cedar, which is green with us all the winter & grows on our Beaches U well U 00 our Mountains. They are as delicate a Dish as we can be Regaled withal; sweet and med a Royalty among our Natives. Our Indians call them Coecoe-on-Sogelande; which is
:
a-
moon
,,
as to sa\
John Winthrop," have been scratched witli I pen an. almost Obliterated in the original] from whom I haue this communication, together with Iba Rgreeabk right Of the Bird, OOnoludee with this Remark, That be sure, they are one sort of Dove that bond a shelter In the Ark ami it is Rational to suppose that so wise a Pilot as Admiral Noah right sand forth a Fowl that could swim as well as Hie, on the Great occasion we have been apprised Upon the whole, confess myself proselyted unto the opinion That This was the Dove; This 'hat bane now in my Study before me."
1'ri.
i,
M'
.l>,!ni
I
Th, U( tiîr of the Great Rain. This Wintlirop." [the words " ingenious," and "
,
is
a
r
little
surprising.
And my
ingenious
1719-20.]
COTTON MATHER.
437
Tis dreadful cold.

splitt, in
my
very stove.
My Ink-glass in my Standish is froze & My Ink in my very pen suffers a conserves only to tell
live)
gelation
but
my
you, That by the
much more. For it next post, you may (if we

witt
hear further
from me.
In the mean time,

ble are therein formed,
& &
at
all
times,
my
all
Affections to
you
&
yours retain the Heat of midsummer, and
the wishes imagina-
working
for you, with,
Sr
Co. Mather.
Your
affectionate Friend
&
Serv 1
I hear of no Ships, that are suddenly bound for
England.
They're
all
gone.
My dear, Hast thou not yett with thee one of S r Richards volumes, His "Essayes" * in prose? Examine thy Library.

Boston. 18-iXI
1
? 17^9.
My
Day
One
dear Friend,
As
an Appendix to what I wrote
this
Se'n night, there
now pray your Acceptance, two
of our latest
publications.
of which
is
but a postscript unto what your Goodness gave
unto the public a year ago.

If I live,
it
won't be long before you will receive more agreea-
ble Entertainments from me.
In the mean time, and always, I beseech the Glorious Lord,
That
Sy
He would
multiply His Favours on you and yours

perpetually obliged Friend
and am,
Your
& Serv*
Co. Mather.
Mr. Winthrop.
* "Essays upon Several Subjects. Blackmore.
2 vols.
8vo.
London: 1716."
By
Sir Richard
438
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
[1720.

Boston. 9? Ill 1720.
My dear
Friend,
This
day
se'n night
I received
by the
hand of a post, (whom I never saw before,) a packett with Two for which he makes me pay (tho' more than Letters from you than I shall always count well spent for more no you designed)
;
the least line of yours,
which
I ever sett a value upon.

is
In one of your Letters which
Dated, Jan. 13. you say,
I noio
to
you for a safe conveyance, a Small Alas, This Box never came ]Jr Woodward*
inclose to
;
Box directed to me was

;
never delivered
nor did I ever hear of
it,
until
(as I
!
said)
This
Day
Se'n night.
So
111
do our people serve us
I would gladly entertain you, even with packetts of
New Things
letter,
;
But
first
at this time, I
go not beyond the bulk of a single
be-
cause I would not putt you to an I know-not-what Expence

request you over again so to settle the
But Method of our Corre-
spondence, as (these hard Times)

I
may
be least expensive.
do most heartily again
&,
again condole with you and your

Father. f
Excellent Consort, the Death, of her Tender
The
Honour done him
at his
Death, cannot but be a comfort unto the
surviving Relatives.
The Disturbances
sions,
in our poor foolish
Boston, on various occaare
both political
&
Ecclesiastical,
what you cannot but

for.
have some knowledge of; and be heartily troubled
The unhappy Apostasy of some among

to
the Dissenters at
home,
Arianism, or
others,
to
Gentilism, and the Laodicean Temper of
many
the Hearts of
who are not yett gone into their Heresies, has filFd Good Men there with sorrow & with Horror. The Holy One has ordered it, that a Letter of mine, written
upon
1
that subject, has been published & scattered and has proved an Incredible Service to the cause of Truth, which was labouring. And the complements upon me for it, are contrivances to fetch over thither, the meanthe last Fall,
thro
the Nation,
Desl
man
in
our countrcy.
John Woodward, M.D., an eminent naturalist and antiquary, and FelloW of the
i:
\
i]
Booiety; born, L686; died, 1728.
Got. Joseph Dudley died April
2,
1720.
1720.]
COTTON MATHER.
439
Peace is the word, among the Nations of Europe, only the Russian Leviathan, wants an hook in his Jaws. I hear, the King of Prussia, has one, (of an hundred Thousand men) ready
for him.
I wish
all
possible,
;
(&
especially all Spiritual)

*
Blessings, to
you and yours
and am, S r Your assured Friend
&
Serv*
Co. Mather.
My
tion to
Friend, can't you recover the missing volume of
S r Rich.
Blac~kmors Essays ?
Have you thought

your Son
?
yett,
what
special obla-
make,
for the Life of

Boston, 4?V>
1720.
My
very dear Friend,

:
Your
very kind present, Behold,
I have consecrated unto a Service, which I
am
sure you will be

;
pleased withal
And
this I did,
not because I abound in Riches
for I encounter with
Domi,
In
exposes
many straits and wants, and, Res angusta me to many Difficulties, but for this very Reason,
it
Because I thought
this
a Service that you would be pleased withal.

I have had the Experiment of
publication,
my
dear
Franchius renew'd unto me.

but being at an utter loss
For, having prepared the Treatise,

to publish
it,
how
Just Then your
Bounty arrived by which most substantial piety.

;
it
comes abroad
for the service of the
I propose to lodge your
Coheleth*
;
(for tis yours)
in such
hands as
it
may be most
useful to
Especially the colledges, here,
&
in the
Lower Saxony.
And
I pray, that you would give
me
your Direction, how to send you a Dozen or Two, to pass

your Hands, to yours
thro'
at New Haven. manner next unto my own son, I intend these Instructions for yours, (whom you shall give me leave also to Adopt for mine !) who, I hope, will begin to Read, before he is
But
in a singular
*"Coheleth."
Boston: 1720.
16mo.
pp.46.
440
THE MATHER PAPERS.

years old, and begin to Live, before he
is
[1720.
Two
Four,
&
give you
the Bear! of a erlad Father with his
wisdome.
.
That
it
may be so, is the hearty prayer of, Sy r Your most obliged Friend & Serv*
a suspicion
Co. Mather.
have
(hearing
out,
I
before
this
week
is
Gresham- Colled ê.
If I do
by the edges,) that may receive some Curiosities from

it is
yett only

To John Winthrop Esqr.
Boston, 15?
My
VERT dear Friend,
Within
these
Gresham-Colledge ; by Thai some former packetts from them hither, have unhappily miscarried But that the Gentleman whom I almost look'd upon as head is yett Living. The Account which you desire, of the En;
received packetts from
V* 1720. Few Days, I have which I am sensible,
gagement wherein
his life
it.
was
in
danger, you shall here find as
he bimself has given
With
pray you
ledge
Tia
at
a
is
it,
you have a dozen of your own
little
to
take the Trouble of distributing;
Books; which I But Lett your Coi-
Newhaven have some
share in the Distribution.
Blessing wherewith a gracious

witheld from the most of
which
this
God has Enriched you, men who have the wealth of

Blessing infinitely superiour
world bestowed upon them;

the wealth
of that Great & growing Interest, with which you bave been Talented; That you have the Excellent Wisdome to consider what Good you may do with your substance; & how
to
all
you may with
it
glorify
Him,
it.
to
whom you
Beleeve that you must
anon give an Account of

For
my own
part,
have always thought, the publishing
&
the
Dispersing of Books, calculated for the
Good
of Mankind,
to
one of the most comprehensive

that
It
&
Admirable ways
Do
was Good,
can be thought upon.

the
Gentlemen, whose Wise Expences run in
this channel,
1720.]
COTTON MATHER.
441
should sometimes have
made unto them an handsome Dedication

little
of the Books, which are by their goodness brought into operation

in the world,
it is
but a very
to
of the
Acknowledgment
;
that
is
due unto them, thus
Erect statues for them
Their Best Re-
compence
will be
something of a Superior Nature.
The
assistance
which your Generosity has given unto

has laid
to look
my Poor
Token
be
Essays to
for
Do Good * in their way, obligations. And I have been willing

Good, That
as
me
on
under lasting
as a
it,
we have been
:
united in services,
as
we
shall
united hereafter in Enjoyments

to
And
we Together Endeavour
make This world
Better,
we
shall
Together see the Blessedness

I be-
of a Better World.
I have no patience to think of your leaving Âmerica.
you come to any such Resolution. But if you'l come to Boston, I want words to Express the satisfaction. Here you shall Do Good Here you shall have all that in such a poor world as This,
seech you, advise with the Town-Clerk of Ephesus, before
your Soul (which soars
after what is Higher,) will wish for Here you shall see Friends that will prize you, embrace you, employ you and it may be, such as may be better than all Europe unto you. Think of it. And continue to Love, S r
;
,
Your Constant Friend
C.
Mather.
You
the
take your share in the
Joy of
the Reconciliation between
Two Gentlemen
to
beyond-Sea.
is
In your Great Grandfathers Life, there
an Account, how
this
Countrey had like

an
have been oversett, by a controversy about
Hog ;
introducing a contention about the Governours Nega-
tive.
We have
had
this
week, a very
critical
Time among, us-; wherein
the Crisis has turned favourably for us.
* " Bonifacius, An Essay upon the Good that is to be Devised and Designed by Those who Desire to Answer the Great End of Life, and to Do Good White they Live," was printed in Boston in 1710. " History of New England, t See a long account of this famous lawsuit in Winthrop's with Notes by James Savage," vol. 2.
50
112
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1720.
COTTON MATHER TO JOHN YVTNTHROP.
My [^VALUABLE
from
FRIEND,
My
glowing AiFection to you,
yova vrrv Childhood, uninterrupted

qoI
Day, has
been upon those Terms,
Amo
the
&
Inviolable
te,
to
this
Nbn possum
Acupon
dia
r>
Quare.
In your Descent, In your Temper, In your

I
complishments,
have seen a Reason, But there have been added
hereunto, the obligations which your kindnesses have laid
me
I
wherein,
!
Oh! may
arrive
to
Honour of Recipro-
cations
hope, you have received the packetts which I sent you a few
:
weeks ago
I
Both a Number of Coheleth
And
also
v
.
Wood-
ward?8 pamphletts.
now send you a copy of my late Letter to the Doctor, (to be returned, when you have perused it,) which, I hope, he will apply
to
his Vindicators,
as well as to his Adversaries;
For they
are
both of them too Liberal of Scurrilities.

But (now we talk of Scurrilities!) much 'Less than the venomous (Vew, by whom our unhappy Province is at present governed.
And
this
introduces a pcecc of kindness in me, which
well count unpardonable; Tho', I
know you
will (as
you may you do all

sufficient
my
Trespasses
pardon
it..
My. True way of shaking off a VirER,

and Eternal Confutation of
,do, to hurl a friend, for
all
will
be a
that
whom
Malice (at the Highest/) can you have the kindest Regards
;
A
tions.
It
contusion to the Serpents, and a confusion to
all their Sibila-
was never dispersed

Patriarch the Last
in this countrey,
tho' printed
(after a
wretched fashion) at London, about Nine years ago.
Our
week readd
it;
It gratified
it
him!
It
Ravished him!
He
expressed his Desires to have

will write a preface to
it.
published.
And
me,
his
venerable
I
Hand
had
at
But he asked
I
is
How
nir
could gett thro' the charges of the Impression.

I
Replied,
tn
"That
than a
JVew London, a Friend, who
better
'could
times
who never thought, that he over-load me with his Favours A Friend, who had several helped me through my Designs to serve the Kimrdome of
Brother;
Friend
1720.]
COTTON MATHER.
443
'
God, and the cause of Piety. He does for me, as the brave 'Ambrose (a person of Quality thereby made famous,) did for
Origen.
'his
And
his
Goodness on such occasions
is
inex-
'haustible.*
In pursuance of
this Declaration, tho'
you have so
at
it,
lately assisted
if I
my Coheleth, my
Ink
will not
Blush
(tho' I should)
again grow so very Impudent, as to

Assistance, towards the charges of
sollicit
for a little
of your
happen
ours.
to
an Impression, which may do some Execution among your Vipers, as well as
I know, you do but love

projections to do
me & Thank me,

the world
:
for all proposals of
Good
in
which Goodness will be

unto yours, after you
Eewarded, not only unto you, but shall be gone unto a Better World.
also
May
our Glorious Lord multiply the Blessings of Both Worlds

all.
upon you
I am, S r ,
affectionate
.
Your most
Boston, 29?
Friend
&
Serv*
Co. Mather.
VI
1720.
P. S.
Have you
a perfect Account of a late whirlwind
among
you, which I
am
told of?
Mr. Winthrop.
My
nullos
dear, dear, very dear Friend,
And,
O mi hi
post
memorande!
go handle your Vipers.
Now
you
If you want any more of your Antidote, send

shall
me
word, and
have your order.
London, I have not yett received (but am in minutely Expectation of) some Return of our Philosophcal Communications, And you must be master of all
the ships just
By
now
arrived from
that I shall be
owner
of.
inferred that
* " The Right Way to shake off a Viper," was printed in Boston in 1720. Winthrop was induced to yield to the author's flattering appeal.
It is to
be
HI
THE MATHER PAPEBS.

the
[1720.
When
\; r
not
,
great
r8i
l
he hurt
I
Moses was pestered with * Generation of himself by Speaking with his Lips what should
the warning. often find cause myself, to think of
so too.
r
,
there.
Pray,
my
dear,
Do you
Ami
Loves to, S Btill allow a Bhare in your all times, at you loves A Friend that
24.
I7ii<
>.
Co. Mather.
Boston, Oct
Wim BBOP.

Mr, Winthrop.
Boston. 26?
X?
1
1720.
My dear
brings
Friend,
kind
as in duty
It is
but just now, that the post-boy
me your
:
(but short) Letter, which was dated five
weeks ago
t<>
always bound, I
sett
myself Immediately
answer your Desires.

That
/
I
But
it is
hardly any otherwise, than by
telling you,
cannot yett Answer them.

have yett had of the Remittances I made the
R.[oyal] S. [ociety,]
is
All the Return
Lasl
February
-
to the
an obliging Letter
of
Chamberlain, Aug. 31, whose words are, 'I thank you for your Noble Entertainment with which so many of my Friends 'were Regaled, before I could gett a Snap for myself, who hungrcd
.Mi
.
&
thirsted
for
it,
that I had not the pleasure thereof

late to
till
very
to
'lately,
and indeed too
communicate the same pleasure
'your Illustrious Brethren, the Gentlemen of the R. S.
who have
as I
'always
long Kceess at this time of the year.
As soon
'had perused your learned Letters, I Immediately communicated

tin in
'
unto
S'
Isaac Newton, our Excellent President;
And
he
has referred them to the most
Learned Mathematician and Great
'Traveller,
'
Hallev, whose Report I expect with no small

1
Imtheir
patience.
But, as
beleeve,
you expect to be informed of
'
Destiny, with respect to their coining to
my
hands, I was resolved

are safe arrived."
'not to Blip the opportunity of telling you,
They
And
1
verily,
had Reason
to
wish for some Information;
For
was made Bensible, that the captain to
whom
committed
my
1720.]
COTTON MATHEK.
445
packetts, prov' d a base, false, ungenteel Fellow
ycleped,
Brown,) who returning

fit
not thought
to
answer
my
(a sorry Rake, N. E. confessed, That he had desire, but had however putt my
;
to
'Em over for lost. The Advice of their being received, was Good News from a far Countrey to me, and enough to content me for the present.
packetts into the Post-office.
I gave
So was what Mr. Dummer sais to me, about my Chkistian Philosopher. (That's now the Title.) His words, Sept. 12. are "Your Book is compleatly printed but I don't yett publish
;
'it,
because in the Recess of Parlaiment,
all
people of Distinction
it
'are out of
Town, and
if it
should come abroad now,
would be
a peece of Besides,
'an old Book before the parlaiment meets.

'I have not yett determined
willing, both of us, to stay a
shall be
This
is
'prudence that the best Authors are obliged to use.
upon the Patron.

little.
So we must be
And
your stay,
my
Friend,
no longer than
with a
my
own.
of piety,
I have newly received large packetts from Tranquebar in the
East-Indies
New Testament & some little Books
printed in the
first
Damulic Language
Missionaries there
&
character
which are the
things that ever were printed in those parts of the world.
The Excellent
give
(who
are strengthened with an

1
.
accession of Three, lately gone from
me
is
to
Franckius, to them,) understand, That they perfectly conform to my poor

their proselytes,
Advice about the Religion in which they instruct

which
the very
Excisus.*
same that you have in the Lapis e Monte God prosper them wonderfully of This also perhaps
!
more
I
hereafter.
am at this time, at work upon an Essay, which I shall entitle, The Angel of Bethesda. f Pliny was not the first who observed, JSTos optimos esse cum Inftrmi sumus : Excited by this
observation, I do
the children of
upon most of the Destempers commonly afflicting Men, offer the Sentiments of Piety, which the
Distempered are thereby the most Naturally, and Rationally and

Religiously to be led unto.
But then upon each
Article.
I sub-
join such powerful and parable % specificks, as in
my
Reading or
in 1716.
* " The Stone Cut out of the Mountain," English and Latin, was published
16mo, pp.
26.
" The Angel of Bethesda visiting the Invalids of a Miserable world," 16mo, pp. t was published at New London, in 1722. See Brown's " Vulgar Errors." X Kemedies easily acquired.
17,
]\h
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
for the cure of these
[1720-21.
otherwise,
have mctt withal
Maladies; with
it
I am not without Hopes, that proper cautions upon occasions. Acceptable Essay. and may prove a very serviceable
When
father
have thought on the circumstances wherein your GrandFather
&
(and now yourself,
and anon I hope, your
A&canius) have come to my place in their Travels, I still have I dont had in view, The Angel of Bethesda, appearing there. know, but I have somewhere in print used the expression concerning them,
flatter
li'
this little
myself something of
will be
Book should ever come abroad, the same Title may belong unto it.
The Hook
will
l)e
expensive.
more than a dozen sheets, and the publication But my dear Franchius has taught me, to go
on with useful undertakings, and beleeve in a glorious

for the
CHRIST,
is
carrying of them thorough, with seasonable Interpositions

It
of His Almighty Providence.

ished,
may
be,
when
the
Book
it
fin-
that Glorious Lord, will find

I
some "way
to bring
forth,
which
1
am
ll
not as yett aware
of.
was
linking to have sent
you may have a perfect Idea of

might favour
you a sheet or two of my Design: As
my MSS,
also that
that
you
me
with such communications, as you might be will-
ing to have published for the

able mention of the
good of mankind
with
my HonourBut
Hand from which

still
they come unto me.
we
I
are bo
111
served
in the
methods of conveyance, that I sus-
pend
for the present.

I
t
have no .more to add; but that I send you, according your direction, a few more of your Vipers. And wishing you and yours, all the Blessings of Goodness. I am Syr,
to
think,
Your
Mi;.
affectionate Friend
&
Serv*
Co. Mather.
Wivi HHOP.
COTTON MATHER TO JOHN WINTimOP.
My
vi:i;v
I
DBAB Friend,
Boston. U'} I 1720-21

It
is
with an inexpressible Satis-
faction, that bear of a SOX* born unto you, to carry on the Jointed dSviternity of your Honourable Family.
* John
Still
Winthrop.
1720-21.]
COTTON MATHEK.
447
I can easily excuse your being so swallowed up in this
New
all
and
other
Great Enjoyment, as for a while

Friends
least
;
to
seem forgetful of
even of him, who will compel you to reckon him not the
among them.
I Earnestly pray, that this
Hope
of your Family
may
live,
and
may do
That
worthily in his Day, and
may
tread in the steps of his
worthy Ancestors.
this Blessing
may
be continued unto you, and

first
all
of us,
I beseech you,
Sacrificer
;
my
Friend, in the
to offer
place,
to
become a Noble
if
and be Ready
up your Isaac,
the glorious
God call for it; and be strongly pers waded, that if a precious CHRIST, the son of GOD, be yours, you have what is far Better than a Name of Sons & of Daughters.
And, one thing more Think, what shall I Render to the Lord? Think on some SPECIAL SERVICE, to be done for for the kingdome the House of God, who is building your House of your SAVIOUR, who has another subject of His Kingdome,
; ;
thro' you,
added unto His people.

liesure, to
You
enclose
scribe,
been't yett at
peruse the copies of
my
late
Remittances to our Masters in the Royal Society:

(at this time)
So I only
then sub-
a copy of one of them

little
And
with a pretty
Quill taken from the wing of

the
Your
Water- Dove,
(and with
all
Simplicity
&
Sincerity of the
Dove,) Syr,
Mr. "Winthrop.
Your
obliged Friend
&
Serv*,
Co. Mathek.

Christian Philosopher (blown off the last Winter to Antigua) is newly arrived. And tho' I am not myself made owner of more than one, yett our Bookseller has one HunFrom which, to detach one at the small Expence of a little, dred Dirty, Ragged Ten Shilling Bill, is but a very small Acknowledgment unto an Invaluable Friend, unto whose Generosity I have been endebted for more than as many pounds. It afflicts me very much, that I cannot hear from a Friend so
Syr,
;
Our
1JS
THE MATHER PAPERS.

But
if
[1721.
dear to me.
it
cannot be want of Love.)

as
want of Health, be the Reason, (I am sure, I should be glad, that the Christian
PmLOSOPHEB may do
1
much
for
my Friend,
as
Livy and Gurtius,

their lost
they Bay, did tor the persons of Quality,

[ealtfa
who recovered
by Reading of them.
spiteful
Town,
&
a poison'd Countrey, can't extinguish
my
poor Studies to
hinder
do Good in the world, (tho' they unavoidably

unto them, which they might have
gett
had
:)
my doing of the Good And therefore as I can
any time
for
it,
am
slowly
proceeding with my,
Angel of Bethesda; whereof,

it,
I think I
formerly gave you some Account.

Hut, alas, what will become of
J
after all.
The
Booksellers,
they'l
beleeve,
must see forty or
fifty
pounds engaged, before

bids
venture on the Impression.
My
tilings
admirable
to
Dr Franckius,
the
me, proceed
&
prepare,
serve
Kingdome
Glorious
Lord
will in the
God; and never doubt; our proper Time raise up Friends, & find
of
out ways, to bring
them forward.
Among
other surprising Inputt

it
Btances occurring in his

ll.art of a
own Experience, God

contributions.
into
the
Generous young person of Quality,

with
to assist his
undertakings,
Faith nor
ful
marvellous
But
own
neither
my
my Good
works, are equal to those of that Wonder-
Man.
Wherefore
despairing of
in
my
Angel's becoming
visible
(any
it,
Otherwise than
M8S.)
here single out one chapter of

;
for
your present Entertainment

the Novelty
Because
thought the Curiosity with

to a
of
it,
would be really Entertaining

I
Gentleman
of your
Sagacity.
London, of my
I
have yett no more Direct Returns from Remittances thither above a year ago, than what
have told you

I
of.
When
have them, you shall share in them.

Blessings from the
wish you (and yours)

;
all
God
of Patience
&
of Consolation
and am, Syr,
Yours
Boston, Apr.
17,
as ever,
Co. Mather.
1721.
1721.]
COTTON MATHER.
449

To
My
Worthy Friend,
Mr
John Winthrop,
at
New
London.
I
My
pray,
to
dear Friend,
lett
Shall I ever hear from
you again?
my
sufferings
from a Barbarous,
&
Bloody People, help
make you patient under yours. But look oft to an infinitely greater pattern of Patience. Your Govern will exhibit unto you, my Letter to D r Woodward; which after you have perused, lett it in a Months time
1"
return to
me
again, [But by a Safe
Hand
!]
I present unto your Lady, a

lished.
little
Treatise or two, lately pub-
After the miraculous Defeat of the late Attempt upon
my Life,*
Angel
(which I daily expect a Repetition of,) I could not but preach a
Sermon on
of
the
those words, This Night there stood by me, the
God, whose
to give
it
am,
& whom I
:
serve.
I have had some
Thoughts
the public
But I
don't
know
yett whether I
shall (or can,) or no.
God
istry.
grant unto you
&
yours the Benefit of the Angelical Min-
I am, S yr , Yours forever,

Mr. Winthrop.
Co. Mather.
We have
in a
an
Army
at this time
preachers of the gospel, old
Mr
Several under the Inoculation. Walter f & his Family, intend it
day or two.
* At the time of the excitement against Cotton Mather, on account of his zealous advocacy of inoculation, a "granado" was thrown into his window. t Rev. Nehemiah Walter [H.C. 1684] was ordained colleague with Rev. John Eliot,
Oct. 17, 1688.
57
450
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1721-2.

To
My
Worthy Friend,
12
<i
John Winthrop at [New London.']

1721
[2]
:
12.
Boston, or The Tents of Kedar.
.My
DEAB Friend,
I
Entring
with a
withal.
this
Day
into the Sixtieth year
of
my Age,
hope you will congratulate

I shall
fill'd
my
near Approach to
that
this
World, where Base World is
full
Joy
see the Keverse of
what
more Abusive or Distastful to you, than But both of us must learn to be all New England is to me. patient, & rejoice in conformities unto our Lovely Saviour.
Connccticot cannot be
am
strangely disappointed of
my
justly expected Returns
from
But allow me to say, I find it almost as hard to hear from New-London, as from Old, Tho' what comes from thence to me, is always as cool Waters to a Thirsty Soul. Our press now brings forth, you see what If you have any left of your, New Year well-begun : * Be so good as to bestow half a dozen on me. And, pray enrich me with as many Communications as you can, that may go into my Angel of Bethcsda. Employ your licsure bravely & nobly, & as a Philosopher. Tell me also, what you think of your Christian Philosopher, now you have talked with him. And continue to love, S Your hearty & constant Co. Mather.
London.
r
,
Mi:
WiNTimor.

To my worthy Friend,
M John
r
Winthrop
N. London.
Wondring that I have not Enjoy'd the one word from you, since my last & large Answer to yours, many weeks ago; the Wonder ceases upon the sorrow
satisfaction of
My dear Friend,
tton
Dumber
of copies to
Mather published a book with John Winthrop.
this title in
1719.
He had probably
sent a
1721-2.]
COTTON MATHER.
451
which
is
given me, by the Advice of your having been under the
an unhappy Sickness. But then this sorrow also abates, upon my being advised, that you are upon Recovery. May the Lord our Healer perfect & confirm your Health, & bring you as Gold out of Every Furnace.
arrest of
I have been myself confined for Three
Weeks about
the Latter
111
End
But
of
of January and Beginning of February, by a very

it)
Turn,
(which had a Fever in

I
whereof
am
again in the public
am not yett wholly Recovered. And Returning to the use Service.

I
it
my
pen, I could no longer forbear using
in
my
old
way
of
telling
you,
how much
I love you,
&
love
&
long to hear from
you.
We
have no point of Intelligence here worth comunicating,
which you have not from other hands.

der which
fills
For the Malice and Slan-
this
poisoned
city, is
not worth Reporting to you.
A Letter of
caps,
and Men
that love
mine to Piscataqua said, That Ideots and Fuddlemake a Lye, now govern us, and American fy
(worse than African) monsters, were bringing the City into a

Snare.
To
gratify one,
whom
I ought never to contradict, I
unawares
&
d s )
;
unjustly confess'd, that the expressions were too keen,
&
I ask'd pardon of the
Men,
(or Representatives,) to
wife (tis
of the Gentlemen to
whom
wrote
it,
sent
whom the my origi-
nal Letter
their
and who took
me on
the sudden, at a Disadvantage in
clamourous way, wherein I own myself not a Match for

I soon had cause given me, to Repent of
them.
my
Repentance
and our best
men will Demonstrate &

its
Justify the characters I have
betow'd on those Evil Men.
But patience must have

it
perfect work.
I pray,
my dear,
Lett
have so in you, as well
in,
Your most hearty

Boston, Mar.
13, 1721. [2]
(tho feeble) Friend
&
Serv*-
Co. Mather.
I pray your Acceptance, of the last

lished.
little
thing that I have pubit.
I suppose, good Mr.
Adams
will see
452
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1722.

All that I have yett received from VERY dear Friend, London, is only what putts me in Hourly Expectation, of receiving something or other, that may be some little Entertainment for
My
For I have hitherto nothing but that which Tantalizes me. But unto what must I ascribe it, that I can hear nothing from Your the Friend, whom I am so often dunning for his Favours? vexatious Neighbours will not lett you grow so Rich, as to gett the Gout, Else, I should complement you on That in your Hand, as
you.
the probable cause of your Quill being so seldome there to gratify
me.
I
But prithee ease
my
Enquiry
no more
after the cause
by convincing
and, Lo, as a
me, that the
TJii?ig itself is
in Being.
was looking out something
to treat
you withal
lett
Fore-runner to some other Things, I single out a Chapter, in
The
Angel of Bethesda
which, I pray,
;
Return by a
safe con-
veyance within a month
with your sentiments upon
my Nishmath
Ciiajim,* which you always
know my
value for.
But
at the
same time,
I cannot forbear a
Touch upon our Grand
concern.
Pamphilus, I can wish nothing better for you, than to be filled with that Excellent Spirit, which was in your predecessors for many Generations and which will Enable you gloriously
;
My
to
triumph over the Folly

will
&
Malice
&
Ingratitude of a Despicable
& Furnish you, to be, as you have been, a Blessing to a Multitude. I am aware of my Impertinency in it; And yett, I will be so Impertinent as to tell
also Dispose
World; And which
you, That I thought

at all interfere
it
would be not
Desires
at all ungrateful
with
my
& my
unto you, or Designs for you, if I should
ask you to
perusing
my
employ a few Minutes on some Lords-dav Evening in short Essay of Divine Afflations.! Which, when
you have done,
I will take leave to add, That I am now in a Manner out of Books of Piety to be dispersed in the Pastoral Visits
:
And,
if
your Good Neighbour,
& my
all
old, faithful, useful
and
"XiMniitl.-Chajiin,
\t
tlio
probable seat of
diseases,
and a general Cure of them,"

in 1722.
mentioned among the books published by Cotton Mather Blether," by bis son Samuel Mather.
I
See " Life of Cotton
" Divine Aillations.
An
Essay
to describe
and bespeak the Gracious Influences of
tbo lb.lv Spirit."
Printed at
New
London, 1722.
1722-3.]
COTTON MATHER.
453
Green, would venture on the printing of the Book, I would immediately pay for Fifty Shillings worth, and afterwards, if I live, take off some further Numbers This you may say to him or, in your own time lett the poor Manu-
Constant Friend,
Little
script return.
It must be a very long Letter indeed, that Thousandth part of my Good Wishes for you.
shall express the
But
ness
;
in short, I wish to
you
&
yours,
all
the Blessings of
Good-
and am,
Syr, Yours in the most Inviolable Frendship,
Co. Mather.
Boston, Apr.
23. 1722.
By
in the
the Computation last October, there were dead of the plague
South parts of France; Three hundred

5, 6.
&
forty thousand.
Kev. XVI.
MY
bene
DEAR,
!)
& NEVER
Friend,
Forgetful
est,
Ego quoque
me, how I
Si Terrena
Sum.
FORGOTTEN, (BUT I HAD ALMOST SAID, Spemas et Superna queeras,
conatus
Do,
tic
tell
shall entertain
Intelligence has nothing but Folly

that increaseth
& gratify you. & Baseness in

;
Our Domesit.
And
here
He
Knowledge, increaseth Sorrow.
nothing of That.
The Foreign
is
bad Enough
So I'l offer you But a formidable
&
comfortable passage in the Second of Daniel, which has the
word Consume, in it, is now upon a Speedy Accomplishment. I send you a Little Mantle, which the season may commend
unto you.
Lett us
for the
now
consider,
what
special service
may we
further do
Kingdome
of God.
Our Friends
lished
;
of the R.foyal] S.[ociety] do strangely neglect us,
(or packetts miscarry.)
I hear of
many
things of mine pub-
but I never saw them.
We
must no longer
it
lett
our Letters go into the Post-office
they render
so very chargeable.
i;,l
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1722-3.
again Bay, Tell me, what you would have me do earnestly ask for multiplied Blessings of Heaven, on your
person,
&
consort,
&
S
r
,
offspring.
And am,
Co. Mather.
Yours
as ever,
I1..-I..N, .Ian. 10,
17'
Mi:.
WlNTHBOP.
I ever send
Did
Seventh
you a
Little Disertation of
mine, upon,
Son?
passage in one of your Letters, Looks

it.
as if I
did
tho' I don't
remember, that ever I did
My Worthy
(which I take
it
Friend,
The
feeble State of your Health,
for granted, is all that hinders

is
your making some

teipsum.
Return
to
my
Repeated Addresses,)
it
a matter of Concern to me.
I will not think

will rather look
enough
to say, Mcdice,
Cur a
But
all
And
withal
;
1 will
up to the Lord our Healer for you. humbly move, that you be sure to stick unto
the
Bales of Health
&
Cure, which our Nishmath Chajim concludes

that of a
especially,
Mind Kept
in
a perpetual Tran-
quility.
must importunately Bequest, That

first
my Two
Manuscripts
The
Nishmath- Chajim ) and The Seventh Son, may, by some safe hand,
&
the
opportunity, be return'd unto me.
I have no copy of
them, and I have more than ordinary occasion for them.

I have this Bequest also to
lately discovered a
add
That whereas I hear there
is
New
Snake, who commands
&
governs the
Battle-Snakes, and upon their not observing order strikes them
Dead, with a Bone, which

please,
ticular
lie
has instead of a Battle, you would
when your Health

Account of
arc
still
allows, to obtain
&
remitt a very par-
this
Animal.
We
a Hairs.
kept in a Strange Darkness about our European
Inoculation goes
on
&
prospers,
The New Uproar, which

at
keeps the King at home,
&
keeps the
Camp
Hide Park
still
1722-3.]
COTTON MATHER.
is
455
going on,
bles here,
variously talk'd about.
ceased in France , except at Avignion.
The plague is almost entirely Our New Scene of Trouwill terminate.
I Long,
God knows when & how Long to hear from you.

to,
,
it
I pray lett
me
at last extort
from you that Satisfaction
S r Your most hearty Friend,

I have not yett one Line from any of
Co. Mather.
correspondents in the
feel it
my
E.
S. only
Mr. Chamberlain,
tells
me
(and I
from other
circumstances,) That
my XII
And
yett I have never to this
him have been published. Hour seen them nor have they that
Letters to
:
have published I know not how many other things of mine, ever
given
me
fc
the sight of
them
(or else, they have miscarried.)
I have done, I have done, with Expectations from This World.
I wish I had you in my Neighbourhood. It would make up the Loss of Another Winthrop, removed into the common. And what ? Has my Friend forever done with me ? must I
never hear from him any more

of his Communications
to be
,
will he never enrich
me
with any
will
he supply
me
with no Remarkables
added unto
this
my
Curiosa Americana ?
S r By
time you have perused, The Christian Philosopher.
Well, Names-sake, Tell

agrees with you.
me now, how
far,
(or whether at all?)
it
Lett the enclosed afford you some Entertainment

yourself, that
and comfort
Mundungus's.
you
live out of the
way
;
of Sawny's
&
what the Names of your Animacules are, I know not. Be patient and be very Good full of Goodness.
;
And
con-
tinue to love
Your Loving
Boston, 12
a 1.
&
constant
&
cordial Friend,
Co. Mather.
1722. [3]
Oblige
me
so far, as to tell dear
Tim,* when you see him, that
I wish he would send to his Brother (for
me) a Number of
all
his
Good Lessons for Children.

Three of your,
And
if
they be not
gone,
Two
or
New
Years.
MK WlNTHROP.
* Timothy Green,
printer, of
New
London.
45
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1724.
[The following
letter is
from the Belknap Collection.]
COTTON MATHER TO JOHN WOODWARD.

'from Rev'. Cotton Mather to Dr. John Woodward, probably the ( Jopv of B Letter Note prefixed to this letter by Dr. Secretary of the Royal Society in London.
1
|
/;.
Iknap.]
(A Tide
Sir,
it
;
fy
Storm of uncommon circumstances,

is
to D*.
John WoodHoard)
The reading of a storm

it
not so bad as the feeling of

civility to
I shall therefore think
no tresspass on
entertain
you with a short relation of a storm & tide, wherein these parts of the world saw what no man alive remembers to have seen be It was on February 24*? fore, & suffered incomputable damages. philosophers observed an un1723, [4] when our little American
common
concurrence of
all
those causes which an high tide were to
be expected from.
& moon
together
The moon was then at the change, and both sun on the Meridian. The moon was in her perigee,
his,
and the sun was near to
having past
it,
but a
little
before.
fell
Both the sun
&
moon were near
the Equinoxial, and so
in
with the annual
&
the diurnal motion of the terraqueous Globe.
There was a great fall of snow & rain, the temper of the air was cool and moist. & such as contributed unto a mighty descent of
vapours
;
a cloudy
atmosphere might also help something to swell

Finally, the wind
it
&
raise the waters.

first
was high,
&
blew hard
&
it
long,
from the southward, and
threw the southern seas in a

:
vast Quantity to the Northern shores
Then veering Easterly

;
brought the Eastern seas also upon them

to the
and then,
still
veering
northward,
us.
it
brought them
of
all
with yet more accumulations
upon
high
day,
They
raised the tide unto
an height which had never

us.
it
been seen in the

in
at
memory
man among
The
tide
was very
the night, but on the
day following,
being the Lords
noon,
it
rose
;
unto the country
two feet higher than ever had been known and the City of Boston particularly suffered
from
it
incredible mischiefs
&
losses.
It rose
two or three
sail in
feet
above the famous
Long Wharf, and
flowed over the other wharves
and
streets, to so surprising
an height, that
we
could
Boats
from the Southern Battery to the rise of the

Street,
Ground
in
Kings
&
from thence to the
rise
of the
Ground ascending towards
1724.]
COTTON MATHER.
It filled all the cellars,
457
the north meeting house.

floors of the
&
filled
the
lower Rooms in the houses & ware houses in town. The damage inexpressible in the Country on the Inside of Cape Cod. The tide rose four feet, & without, it rose ten or a dozen feet higher than ever was known. At Rhode Island & Piscataqua they fared as we did in Boston. At Hampton the sea brook over its natural Banks for many miles, & continued runing over for many hours. Almost all over the Country the artificial banks of the sea were broken down. The marshes were overflown and
overwhelmed, mighty stacks of hay, some removed, some destroyed,
many
acres of
marsh ruined, being
either torn
up
thro'
the rage of the water, or covered with the sands from the Road.
is the sum of the story, if there be nothing in it worthy to be remembered than as waters that pass away (or anything like the memorable November Storm, that filled the English world with horror twenty years ago,* & whereof a Large book was written) yet it may lead a person of your sagacity to some considerable speculations, and more particularly, tho' I have mentioned what our small philosophers here may dream for the causes of such occurrences, yet you will also consider how far the subterraneous heats & steams below the bottom of the ocean rising thence and passing thro' it, and causing the deep to boil as a pot, may farther However, as for a tempest, so for a Letter contribute unto them. about one, you may think the shorter the better, it shall therefore now be over. I will add no more, and you shall be sensible of nothing more but a swelling tide of esteem & affection for you, in
This
the breast of, Sir,
Your
September
hearty friend
&
Servant,
C.
M.
2A%
1724.
Indorsed,
" Copy of a Letter from C. M. To Dr John Woodward."

Mather may
refer
* De Foe wrote an account of the Great Storm of November, 1703.

to this.
58
45fi
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1725.

Having passed thro' a Winter of much Feebleness (and SR some Employment) it appears high time for me to Kenew my Acquaintance, with a Friend, who would have been in my Debt for I
,
know not how many Letters, if his Vast not much more than cancelled it.
civilities to
my
son had
He
now making,
Such
is
would have joined with me, in the Acknowledgments, I am if he had not been at this Time, at seventy miles
distance from me.
my
penury, that I have nothing to send you, but,
first,
a few of our
latest publications.
And
lett
then
my Humble
Request
&
Advice, that you would not
your mind be disturbed, much
less,
your Health Impaired, by
you may be Mal-treated withal. I know not how better to address you on this occasion, than by letting you see, how one whom you love well is used And if the % Best Man in Connecticot Government, will use a poor minister, as I have been used, you will not wonder, if Inferiour people treat you as I have heard they do. With the Help of Heaven, I conthe Base usages
;
coct all with patience.
And
I shall find the
God
of patience, to
be the
I
God
of Consolation.
know
not hoiv better,
Yes, I
do.
Sett before yourself the

as the sheep before the
Exemple of the
shearers.
glorious Lord,
who was
We
No
have no Intelligence, worth a straw.
I was going to say,
Intellect.
Inexpressibly Happy,
ministration.
We
are like to continue one year longer as

in our
Lt Govern
,* wise
&
we are, Good Ad-
You know what
I wish
,
you
And That
am,
S r Your most
Boston, -May
1.
cordial Friend
&
Serv*
Co. Mather.
1725.
Mk. Winthbop.
William Dummer.
1725.]
COTTON MATHER.
459

To
My
honoured Friend,
Mr
John Winthrop,
New
London.
I. 6.
An Illustration Extracted from the
Biblia Americana.* on Mar.
"The
' '
custome of eating Buds of Trees, or of that Fruit which

is
the Italians call, Oarobs, and the French Careages, and which
the same whereof the Prodigal desired for to eat his Fill with the
'
Swine, (Luk.
XV.
16.) and should be rendred, Carob-bean, was
common among the prophets of old, and poor 'may be seen, Prov. XVII. 1. which as L. Capellus
'
very
people
as
is
observes,
'
to be rendred, Better
'
'
Germans call this But the most exact Travellers, who have been in the Holy Land, as Brochard fy Sandys, and company, observe, That passing
1
a Mouth-ful of Carob-beans. Whence the Fruit JAANS Broot, that is John 's- Bread.
is
'
near Jordan, they have found a kind of Fruit or Pulse, that the
there Eat, which they call by the
'Monks
' '
Name
of Locusts.
And
it
Sandys, describing the Wilderness of John Baptist, adds, That

to a mistake
abounds with Trees called Locusts ; which doubtless gave occasion

;
Word Axoideg and the Latin, same Animals, which we call by the 'Name of Locusts, It seems plain to some, That John Baptist lived on the Carob-beans and Wild-honey. Whereof consult Knatchbul, 'and you may hear a further Entertainment.
'
Because the Greek
'
Locustce, signify also the
'
Knatchbul observes, That the xeoarsa (so called, because of

'
their being, Refiex, sicut comic) are at this called
S Johans Brot,
1
'among
'
the Germans.
They take
it
for granted,
That
his Diet in
the Desert
was upon the Frondium Summitates.

and adds
this
Yea, our Sandys
'relating his Travels in Judse, describes the very Desert

'
where the
Baptist chiefly sojourned

only the Locust-tree
;
Remark upon it Beholding

;
'
Galen,
'
who
lived in a countrey, to
which may be the same with the Carobtree. which they brought the KeraEst parvi sued Edulium.
tium from Syria sais, Egi edeaâ xaxoyyiiov.

Presented unto
my worthy Eriend r John Winthrop, on the occasion of a comunication, wherewith he (by a Second hand) obliged me.
Indorsed by John Winthrop,
" Doctf Mather about

is
the Fruit I sent
him which
John Baptist
eat in the Desert of."
* The manuscript of the "Biblia Americana"

ciety.
It consists
in the Library of the Historical So-
of illustrations of the scriptures, from Genesis to Bevelation, in six
large volumes.
It is
a work of vast research, and contains a huge mass of curious
lore.
],;,,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1725.
STATEMENT BY COTTON MATHER.

Om
S,, nll
t
Instance of the Hardships,

i,,
which
the
Dealings of
the people
the
Countrey run into.

I
II
well
Infelicity
the Estate of
was betray'd into the Indiscretion and Administration upon of letting my Name Stand, for an Nathan Bowel, and how unaccountably some have
known, how
treated me,
It
is
who
betray'd
me
into
it.
also
well-known, how my
Attorneys, having almost gott
managed in the Countrey, underwent a strict Examination, by Four as acute Gentlemen as sitting one could be found by the Judge of Probates; who, after and Twenty days or Times upon it, and seeing Vouchers for Every thing, found Every thing so well done, that their Account
thro' as
knotty a Business as ever was
received an Authentic Allowance.
by some, who treated me, as if they design'd all that was possible of the Reverse to what they owed me, issued in such a Growth of Bad
lb.wever, the Loss of
Time
occasion'd chiefly
Debts owing
to
the Estate, as very
much
to enfeeble
it,
for the
it.
paying of the (comparatively) few Debts that were
owing from
One
of these
Debts, was an Obligation
for Fifty
pounds, with
to
[nteresl for
Bome few years,

mine
in
to be paid in Silver,
from Howel,
a Friend of
Hartford*
this,
For the Discharge of

to II""-'
find
I
,
an obligation of
Mr
Lilly the father

all
for
Fourscore pounds with Interest, was

to oiler.
that I could
any where
Mr
Lilly, the son, tho' I suppose the
Law could scarcely have eompell'd him to it, generously paid unto my Hartford-Friend, the sum of One Hundred and twenty six
pounds
al><>\e
:
>
his
Attorney, by his order, insisted on
my
paying
'iin nty
pounds more, above the One Hundred and twenty

;
8lX, which had been paid him
that so, the obligation to
him
at
for
Fifty pounds with Interest, might be fully answered, l'.\tra\a[ga]nt price whereto silver is risen at this day.
the
Hereupon,
could unto
that
wrote
in as
Decent
&
as
Humble
of the
a Manner, as I
my Hartford-Friend; and
sum,
in
I petition'd
him, t Remitt
remaining
consideration
Vast oppression
which the Depreciation of our Bills of credit, had brought upon
1725.]
COTTON MATHER.
461
us all ; and which had already made one Hundred & twenty six pounds be paid for Fifty, & a very few years Interest wherein
;
all
that
would not have Judgment without Mercy, should be

little
willing a
fering.
to share with one another, in the Epidemical Suf-
I Remonstrated unto him, that tho' I never was, nor Expected, nor desired to be one farthing the better for the Estate into the
Administration on which I was betray 'd, yett I had actually paid
between Three
& Four
hundred pounds,
of Creditors
purse, to answer the
Demands
my own poor upon it And that I

'
of
was a poor man, and had nothing left in the world, but a Few Books, and a little Houshold stuff & plate, that I could call my own ; and that if I paid this Twenty odd pounds, it must all come
out of
my own Empty
pockett.
I prevailed with an Eminent Gentleman or two in the city, to
little
and Requests on my behalf, and represent, how would be for his Reputation to use the severity of the Extortion upon me. This all signified, Nothing None of all this, [Nor the Eighteenth chapter of Matthew/^ made any Impression on the
add
their Letters
it
Gentleman.
But
the
Gentleman
counting
me
too
mean
or,
a person to receive
a line from him, sends those orders to his lawyer, upon which, I must Either pay the
Twenty pounds,
six,
Go
to
prison.
So I
Lillies'
have paid out of
my own
purse, the Twenty, above

to
Mr
One Hundred & twenty

and a few years
of
Interest.
answer the extremity, for Fifty,
This I have not hitherto told in Gath; and I scarce ever speak
it
;
nor do I
cause I perceive the

it
now mention the Name of the Oppressor : Beman is exceedingly Decried and Censured for
it.
among
the few that have unavoidably heard of

;
And
I would
know how, overcome Evil with Good. And my cause is to be silently Left with Him, who hears the Cry of the oppressed: The Silence will it may be louden the cry. I would hope to meet with him in Paradise, who would
not hurt him
I would rather,
if
have
laid
me
in Prison, that he
might force
me
to a point,
which
yett further conforms
me
to
Him, who Restored what He took
not away.
me, when I
must believe, That tho' he had no compassion on had paid him, what was in all conscience Enough,
I
469
THE MATIIER PAPERS.
[1725.
but extorted from a poor Minister, a considerable sum of money which be knew, could never be with the Justice commonly used Among Genuine Christians required from me, yett he has those
Apprehensions, which place him without the reach of that word;

1:
Cor:
rs,
\i.
9.
Be
not Deceived; Neither covetous nor Extor-
shall inherit the
Kingdome of God,
1678-9.]
JOHN WHITING.
463
LETTERS OF JOHN WHITING*
JOHN WHITING TO INCREASE MATHER.


Boston.
Church in
Rev d and Dear

to informe that the
Sir,
The
particular errand of these lines
is
two Congregations in Windsor having mutually
ingaged themselves to submitt to the advice of a Councill in the

difficulties
depending among them, they are accordingly advised to
a re-union and walk in the Congregationall
way
according to
Synods 48 and 62
and
att
for their further settlement to seeke out
for another minister,
Mr Woodbridge
by some, not
is
being
left to his liberty
and
Mr. Chancy looked

eminently pious
so throughly furnished to lead
so great a people, tho: his doctrine

:
sound, and his conversation

the matter
The Councill (under whose guidance

and perswasion
( ?)
yet remaines) have proposed your kinsman

(in
whose
piety, parts
Mr Samuell Mather, some that know him

fall
are greatly satisfied) and in case of non-concurrence in him, to
Mr
ffoster f
of Charlstown.
Mr Mather
is
they
not in with
(though the Church, as I heare,

Councill
generally for him).
The
desires
that
you would be pleased (with the Rev d

ffoster
Mr
Oakes, to
whom
I have also written to that end) to intimate
in a few
words whither Mr
be free from ingagement, and
then,
how
is
qualified in respect of godlines
and learning, (we are
strangers to him on all accounts) and particularly what his judge-
ment
in respect of church order;
whether indeed declaredly
Congregationall, that being of considerable weight to the settle-
ment and welfare of that people, as well as the comfort of their neighbours. I beseech you S r , according to wonted candor and
* Rev. John Whiting [H. C. 1653] w a tutor of the College, but called to preach at Salem, in 1657. He remained there two years without being settled. In 1660 he went to Hartford, and was ordained as colleague with Rev. Samuel Stone.
f Rev. Isaac Foster.
See
p.
93 in this volume.
l'".l
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1678-9.
There are some account of him therein. (though Congregational! thoughts that Mr Mather's being indeed who him, from thoughts Synodically) is thai which diverts their You have the summ of the their enquiry.
fcithfalnes, give us an
vras
first
oomended
I
to
matter, wherein
earnestly intreate a plaine
We
desire to
mourne with them
that
then, (especially Baints) that are in
and speedy answer. mourne, and sympathise with The Lord pitty and sorrow.
^
New Eng*.* Alas, what have we done? Our God if you humble and helpe: Xews would be very welcome, especially King: Harty have any certainty in that great busines about the
heale poore
respects from, with desire of prayer for
Yours sincerely
Babtford,
ffeb: 27. 78: [9]
in our deare Saviour,
Jn Whiting.
REVEREND Sb Mr Whitting in
dain
.<:
Being
r
desired by the Councill to joyne with
desiring of yourselfe
&
Oakes
to
grant us
information concerning M
not
known by me
Foster; the opportunity being so sudtill just now, I can oncly request your
favour herein, which will greatly oblidg
Your humble
servant,
John ALLYN.f
.IOIIX WIIITIXC;
TO INCREASE MATHER.
To
lv'i.v"
the
Rev*
M
;
Increase Mather in Boston these.
AND DEARE Sin, Yours

came
to
of 9 bcr 18 with the inclosed
proposal]
thai
j
hand
for
it
which
into
it
I hartily
thank you, and rejoice

to sett so
the Lord hath putt

:
your heart
good a work
going
and
have eommunicated
to sundry,
will
be very readily eomplyed with, by
teares
and feares upon their harts.
am perswaded it is them that beare Sion's The Lord himselfe reward

and
his
richly to yourselfe
and yours
all
your labours in
work.
The
*
1
Written while Randolph was making trouble
in
England.
John
All
n,
of Windsor, and also of Hartford.
See note on
p. 87.
1682.]
JOHN WHITING.
from N. H. were
till
465
time since, but have
the contents of them,
letters
left
with
waited
now
for a conveyance.
me some As to
I shall be glad
so neare us.
if God make way for your son (Mf Mather) to come They were once (you know) a beautyfull Society,
.
. .
I doubt not
some fade upon their glory, number of precious soules among them, and if God vouchsafe to still the paroxysme (which I hope is in good measure done) there may be a comfortthere hath been
is
still
and thou[gh]
[there]
a considerable
able being, with an advantage to
much
service for Jesus Christ,
in so considerable a place, wherein there are
Lord
I
direct
His way to them,
if it
be His
all
will.
many soules. The To His guidance

.
and grace I coniend you
in this
and
your concernmts
In hast,
am
Yours
sincerely, in our dear
Sav r ,
John Whiting.
Hartf: Janry
23, 1681. [2]
I thank you for the matter sent by J: B:

thing.
I exspected no such
My Joseph
letters that
Eliott hath lately lost his wife.*

also,
rs
.
Garner
be con-
(sometimes Stone)
gone
to
Heaven.
The
come
inclosed with this, I request
may
veyed, as soon as conveniently you can.

To
the
Rev d Mr. Increase Mather
Teacher of a Church in Boston,
these dd.
It was an a[iF]liction I was forced to some converse with you. I thought myselfe necessitated to hasten, having left a sore sicknes begun here, which Most families visited, many since hath grown to a great height. sick and weake and some sleep (about 9 or 10 grown persons in our towne) wherof M5 Foster \ (as you have heard) is one, a
,
Eevd and Deare S
r-
leave Boston without
* Rev. Joseph
dained in 1664.
Eliot,
His
first
[H. C. 1658], of Guilford, son of the "Apostle " Eliot, was orwife was Sarah, daughter of Governor William Brenton, of
Rhode
Island.
f Eliza, late in 1681.

%
widow
of Rev.
Samuel Stone, of Hartford, married George Gardner, and died

p. 93), died
Rev. Isaac Foster, of Hartford (see note on
Aug.
20, 1682.
59
450
surprising and
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
God
I
rcry
us. circumstances considered; very awfull stroake to the to nigh been hath wife has spared my family, though my Lord. the againe, blessed be f death, but now abroad thank you for your books (Latin and English)
(
hartily
lately sent
The Lord continue your life and labours for the M Sam: Mather sticks somewhat about good of many souls. Windsor Synod principles, and by that meanes his settlement at to meete Elders This day some of the seemes yel uncertaine.
me.
r
discourse
him.
Affectionate respects
is
all
at present,
besides
desire of prayer for Yours sincerissime in our deare Saviour,
John Whiting.
Sabttobd, 8'r
25, 1G82.

Thete
for
the
Red*
Increase Mather, Teacher of a Church in Boston.
An
account of
Remarkable passage of Divine providence that happened in Hartlord, in the yeare of our Lord 1GG2.*
Tin: Bubject was

godly
that
Anne Cole
(the
daughter of John Cole, a
man among
afflicted
us, then
next neighbour to the
afterward Buffered
for witchcraft,)
man and woman who had for some time
been
and
his
in
some
feares about her spirituall estate;
Two
of her brethren also were very lame, one of

to
this
day,
knee-joint of one leg having
Otherwise well for
many
yeares.
them so continuing no motion, but She hath been and is a person

with
a pleasant
esteemed
pious,
faith
behaving
hcrselfe
mixture of
that were
humility and
under her heavy sufferings, professing (as she
did sundry times) that she
knew nothing of those things
spoken by her, but that her tongue was improued to express what was never
in
her mind, which was matter of great affliction to her.

is
Since the abatement of her sorrows she
joined to the church,
and therein been

also married to n
humble walker for many yeares. And since good man, hath borne him severall children, and
a
Thta oaie
li
related, t>ut in a
in hll "
l.wiv
!>>r tlie
oondenaed form and different words, by Increase Mather, Recording of Illustrious Providences," clmp. v.
1682.]
JOHN WHITING.
467
in her constant
way aproved
:
of
all
observers
herselfe truely godly to the charity
The. matter
is,
That Anno. 1662. This Anne Cole (living in

fitts,
her ffather's family) was taken with strange

(or rather the Devill, as
'tis
wherein she
judged, making use of her lips) held
a discourse for a considerable time.
The
generall purport of
it
was to this purpose, that a company of familiars of the evill one, (who were named in the discourse that passed from her) were
contriving
how
to carry
on their mischeivous designes, against
some and especially against her, mentioning sundry ways they would take to that end, As that they would afflict her body, spoile her name, hinder her marriage, &c, wherein the generall answer made among them was, She runs to her Rock. This method having been continued some howers The conclusion was, Let us confound her Language, she may tell no more tales. And then after some time of unintelligible muttering, the disuse passed into a Dutch tone (a family of Dutch then living in the town) And therein an account was giuen of some afflictions that had efballen diverse, among the rest a young woman (next neighbour to that Dutch family) that could speak but very little
;
(labouring of that infirmity from her youth) had mett with great
sorrow,
As
pinchings of her armes in the dark, &c. whereof she

in
had before informed her brother (one of the ministers
Hartford)
In that Dutch -toned discourse there were plain intimations given,
by
whom
and
for
her.
Judicious
what cause such a course had been taken with r Stone (who is now with God) being by, when
it
the latter discourse passed, declared
in his
thoughts impossible
that one not familiarly acquainted with the
Dutch (which Anne

times such kind of
Cole had not
at all
been) should so exactly imitate the Dutch tone

:
in the pronunciation of English
Sundry
discourse was uttered by her, which was very awefull and amazing
to the hearers
:
Sam Hooker was

11
present the
said,
first
time, and
Joseph Haines,* who wrote what was
so did the Relator

after the discourse
also,
when he came
began.
Extreamely violent bodily motions she

life
into the house,
some time
many
times had,
even to the hazard of her
in the aprehensions of those that
* Rev. Joseph Haynes [H. C. 1658], son of Gov. John Haynes, successor
Hartford, in 1664.
to
Hooker, at
lf,X
THE MATIIER PAPERS.

:
[1682.
saw them
And
fitts.
very often great disturbance was giuen in the
publick worship of
also strange
God by
Once
her and two other
women who had
in speciall,
on a day of prayer kept on
that account, the motion
and noise of the afflicted was so terrible, that a godly person fainted under the appearance of it The consequent was, That one of the persons presented as actiue
:
in the
forementioned discourse
(A
lewd,
ignorant,
considerably
aired
woman) being
court sent for
upon suspition of witchcraft, the myself Haines and e to read what we had written
a prisoner
;
which when
Mr
Haines had done (the prisoner being present)

in the discourse)
she forthwith and freely confessed those things to be true, that she
(and other persons named

the dcvill.
had
familiarity with
Being asked whither she had made an express covenant
with him, she answered she had not, onely as she promised to
goe with him when he called (which she had accordingly done
sundry times) But that the Devill told her, that at Christmass they
would haue a merry meeting, and then the covenant should be r drawn and subscribed Thereupon the forementioned Stone
:
(being then
in court) with
much weight and
earnestnes laid forth
the exceeding heinousnes and hazard of that dreadfull sin.
And
of the
therewith solemnely took notice (upon the occasion given)

derill'fl
Loving Christmass.
at
A
more
ingly
person
the
same time present being desired, the next day

it
particularly to enquire of her about her guilt,
was accord-
done, to
whom
she acknowledged That though
when
Haines began
Bfl
to read, she
could have torne him in peices, and was
much
resolued as might be to deny her guilt (as she
before) yet after he had read awhile, she
was
as if her fflesh
had done had
been pulled from her hones (such- was her expression) and so
could not deny any longer.
She
also declared that the devill first
appeared
forme of a deere or faune, skipping about her, wherewith she was not much affrighted, but by degrees he
eontriod talk with her;
at
to her in the
And
that their meetings
were frequently
the
Hi.h
in
a place
(neare her
own house) That some of
company
one shape, and some in another, and one in particular in the >hape of a crow came Hying to them.
came
Amongst Other things she owned

use
>f
that the devill
had frequent
her body with

:
delight to her
much seeming (but indeed
horrible, hellish)
1682.]
JOHN WHITING.
"
469
This with the concurrent evidence, brought the
husband to
their death as the devill's familiars,
woman and her and most of the
other persons mentioned in the discourse
made
their escape into
another part of the Country.
After this execution of some and escape of others, the good
woman had
therein with
affliction
:
abatement of her sorrows, which hath continued sun-
dry yeares, and she yet remaines maintaining her integrity, walking
much humble comfort, after The works of the Lord are

Sir,
her so sore and amazing

great, sought out of all
them
that have pleasure therein.
Kev d and deare
I had thoughts of sending the precedent
account before now, but I could not (nor yet can) find
my
papers
wherein I wrote what came from

to insert the
it is left
An
Cole in her
fitts.
it
:
However
you think
I have gathered up the maine sum, and

fitt
now send
it,
if
whole or any thing of

with you
:
stance,
not varying the sub-
with, wherein I haue
There are some other Remarkables I haue some acquaintance moued others that know them more fully, to
:
giue an information
The
Lord be with you, succeeding

:
all
your holy labours
to his
honour and the good of souls
fforget not
Yours
Hartf:
10* r 4. 82.
sincerely in our deare Saviour
Jn? Whiting.
Indorsed,
"Ann Coles Case 1662."

These for the Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher
to the
Church
Rev d
S?,
received yours of the
6*! 1
r
instant,
and thank you
for the intelligence therein giuen.
Gou Eaton * and Haines f were
* Theophilus Eaton was Deputy Governor of the Baltic Company in London, and agent of King James at the Court of Denmark. He came to Boston with Rev. John Davenport in 1637, and went with him to found the settlement of Hew Haven. He was
made Governor The account
in 1639,
of his last hours
and each year afterwards till his death, Jan. 7, 1658. is given by Cotton Mather, as follows ("Magnalia,"
He f John Haynes came from Essex County, England, to Boston, in September, 1633. was chosen Assistant in 1634, Governor the next year, and again Assistant in 1636. In
470
both milking
Burprifle
:
THE MATHER TAPERS.

in the
[1683.
day, and both died in the night by a suddain
my
t'till
last,
have communicated your desire to Capt: Ffitch. Since here is another dreadfully tremendous providence fallen
I
out in the death of poore

life
?)
and Borrowfull death
is
Mr. Stone, the short of whose sinthis. Sam Stone (the son and
11
beire
of
Mr. Sam" Stone, the

abilities,
first
Teacher of the church in

in severall places,
Bartford) whose
naturall
and acquired, were so conthose that heard him, as to

a great matter
siderably raised, that he preached
some yeares
with
Book
general] acceptation
29): "
'it
among
to Die well, but I am we have our Life to use it ml/, and so when Death puts an end unto that, it will put an end unto all our Cares. But boring Excellently managed liis Care to Live well, God would have him to Die well, without any room or time then given to take any Care at all for he enjoyed a Death sudden Having Worshipped God with his Family after his usual to .very <>ne hut himself manner, and upon some Occasion charged all the Family to carry it well unto their Mistress who was now confined by Sickness, he Supp'd and then took a turn or two abroad for his Meditations. After that he came in to bid his Wife Good-night, before he which when he did, she said, Methinks you look sad! Whereto left her with her Watchers bereply'd, Tht Differences risen in the Church of Hartford make me so; She then added, n go back in "in- Native Coin/try again ; to which he answered, You may (and so she did) but I shall die here. This was the last Word that ever she heard him speak; for ii"u r. -tiring unto his Lodging in another Chamber, he was overheard about midnight fetching a Groan: and unto one, sent iii presently to enquire how he did, he answered the Enquiry with only Saying, Very III! And without saying any more, he fell asleep in
II. p.
>
Be would
/
often say, Soine Count

well.
it
.<(//-
ti.<
grt
ni'i/t,
to
Lire
All our Care should be while
In
tin-
"
Winthrop Papers," Mass.

l'ier-on,
'
Ili-t.
Collections, vol.
in
vii.,
pp. 457
ei seq.,
poem, by Rev. Abraham
on his death,
which are the following
lines:
there
is
He had
a quick passage
Wat
well
&
sick,
up to heaven and dead iu houres seven."
removed to Hartford, Connecticut, and was made the first Governor of to which odice he was frequently re-elected till his sudden death, according to Trnmbnll and .Mr. Savage, March 1, 1653-4, but as is more correctly stated in a letter from Elder William Goodwin to John Winthrop, Jr., in Mass. Hist. Collections,
the Colony
in
1
May.
1687, he
;:>-*,
tih series, vol.

bull's Hist, of
It
i
vii-,
before January 10 of that year.

M:i*s.
1
See Savage's Geneal. Diet.; Trumvii.
Conn.;
list. Coll.,
4th series, vol.
reply
probable that Mr. Whiting referred to these sudden deaths of the two Governors, in to an inquiry by Increase Mather, who was preparing his book of "Illustrious
in
Providences," published
In the letter
Is
1684, in
which they are mentioned, as well as some other
facts
furnished by Mr. Whiting.
Elder Goodwin, above referred to, the account of the death of Governor given ai follows: "I was, with some others, in a conference with him in the suening of that night wherein Iu- dyed: & he was as ohereful, & spake as fresh & freely
<>l
Haynet
euex he did,
in
my
hearing) in his
life:
&
the like
lie
did at supper
&
duty at home,
&
rent so to his bed:
and yet not long
after the
midtyme
of the night, he accomplisht the
greats
that his wife,

hil
works of exchanging this life for a better, the which he did so seweet & so silent, who lay by him, & being awake, had no other intimation thereof but onely short breathing, & had onely the liberty to aske him how he did, but he gave no word
1683.]
JOHN WHITING.
of his
471
long since
a
fell
the gift part
work
therein
He
into
course of notorious drunkenes, pretending
certaine
infirmity
of body with an inocent and necessary use of strong drink to

relieve
isters,
him against
it,
so as no endeavours of magistrates,
min-
&c,
could reach him to any conviction, but he continued an

;
habituall drunkard for sundry yeares
yet
still
professing and
defending himselfe to be as faultles therein as the child unborne.
His precious, godly mother (whose
life
before she dyed) through the greife she receiued
was sometimes hazarded, by hard words

to obserue
it,
and wretched cariages she met with from him on the forementioned
account
:
whence some that had occasion
feared an
untimely end would ouertake him, unless an eminent repentance
were giuen.)
censure,
till
His mother desiring the churches forbearance of
a solemne day were kept for
him
which
.
it
.
was accord.
ingly done* by sundry ministers and other faithfull

refusing to be there [be] cause,
(as he said)
himselfe
* May. 81.r
Whiting.]
he would not dally
with
God
in
desiring conv[iction]
about a matter, wherein he

[after]
knew
himselfe fully cleare.
Whereupon
much
patience
and pains used, the church proceeded to an ex[communica]tion, in which state he continued without any repentance or reformation
manifested to his dying hower.
He wasted
his
whole estate (lying
and him by his worthy fFather) to satisfy and serue that sordid lust, and so dyed in debt Upon the 8*? of 8 ber 1683, he went from the house where he lived, about noone was among his companions first at one, and then at another Taverne, and thence went in the evening, to a ffreinds house, where his discourse was bitter and offensiue to some present but going thence, the night being very dark, was found the next morning dead in the little Riuer that runs through the town of Hartford having He fell down upon the Rocks, and thence missed the bridge. rowled, or some way gott into the water at a little distance, and
in a very comfortable house, a considerable quantity of land,
a good Library,
left
there lay dead at breake of day.
A
7:
terrible instance of the in-
fatuatings of sin, and fearfull severity of Israel's

it
;
Holy One against
that in this dreadfull example,
proclaimes
the comand,
Eccles:
amongst many others, loudly 17, and the threatening:
Proverb: 29, 1.
I haue giuen you the
sum
of this lamentable story.
The Lord
1
!
.1
17
THE MATHER PAPERS.

this
[1683.
make
awful] death powerfully instructive and

liue
i
awakening
to
those thai
U
ten
any thing
in thia or
may
be of pnblick usefulnes, I leaue
any other passages I have formerly writit to your prudence, only
requesting a conoealement of
my
name, and what you judge unrelating to

all
meete under present circumstances for a publick view, especially

in
the matter
assist
of the
Wakemans,
Bishop B:
The Lord
good of
and succeed you in

unto his glory, in
your holy labours for the

I
BOllles,
whom
am
J* Whiting.
Yours
lhi:iioi;i., 8'"
r
sincerely,
17, 1G83.
request the kindnes of a speedy conveyance to the inclosed.
1679.]
JAMES FITCH.
473
LETTERS OF JAMES FITCH*
JAMES FITCH TO INCREASE MATHER.

Mather, Pastor of a Church of Christ at Boston.
Reverend S r
had sometimes a most rich oportunitie of

doctrine of Godlines, but
it's
knowing the mysteries of the

manifest that I profited
too
little,
:
quicquid recipttur,
recipitur
secundum modum
portunitie of
lique veiw,
recipientis
and something of
this the
im-
me
to
my people have prevailed with me to expose to puband you are pleased, from undeserved love towards promove the printing of my Chatechisme. I* am but a
my
poore instrument to hahde to our people

I have received from
infimum locum habet

ffreind doeth love
and
Instructers in Christ,
that
is
my
what instrumentum place, and the more any

their posteritie,
&
&
&
honour
me
or any of
my
labour,
it
shall re-
member me
forever.
in the presence of the infinite
&
eternall
One,
my
Maker, Redeemer,
What
& Comforter, my All & in All, to whom be glory vaine & vile nothing I am. S I humbly beg
r
the continuance of your prayers for me,

place with a
little flock, is
my worke
in this solitary
too high
&
harde for me, and
my
sighs
to the Ffather of mercies,
who
is
the Ffather of lights, are that
he would reward your labour of love, and continue to bless you r in your Publique & Domestick concerns & S I remaine yours to
:
serve
t>
my
poore power,
May,
'79.
James Ffitch.
Norwich,
23*
He
* Rev. James Fitch came over in 1638, and was first settled at Saybrook afterwards removed to Norwich with a large part of his people, in 1660.
in 1646.
00
474
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.

These for the
Reverend Mr. Mather Pastor of a Church of Christ Boston p rs.

Sir,
at
REVEREND
to this place.
The
enclosed
contains
Providences, of which
we have beene
experiene'd, since
some observable we came
What
;
of these will be sutable for a Record, acord-
ing to the Pious designe intended, I must leave to a better iudg-
ment then mine

full in counsell,
onely, I having this oportunity, I could not

this, to the
omit the mentioning of
Praise of
:
&
excellent in
working
My son hath
Him who
is
wonderalso with
him
my
explanation of our Rulers' advertisment in the time of

of the
the warrs, and something I have written in the defense
upon occasion of a Replye I was desired by * our Govern to make to some Answers one John Rogers had made to some Queries respecting the 7 th day Sabbath, propounded by our Govern I have beene desired by the Govern & severall
Christian Sabbath,
1-
".
",
magestrates
that they
&
Elders,
who were
present at the reading of these,

;
may come
tion at present
these writings,
be,
more publique veiw but my determinais, first, humbly to beg your advise concerning both and after I have receivd your advise, and, it may
to a
r
may gaine a fairer oportunity for the printme have a few w ords from you in plaines, whether these my poore writings, as the time now is, had best, all of them or any of them, be printed. I am a poore prisoner of affliction but who am I, that the Lord doeth visit me? I feele many tremblings because of the Ark. I can easily beleive, for yourself & many others, that your God will enable you to doe valiantly for his namesake. I feele hard work to beleive for myby a
little
delay, I
,
ing them.
Good S
let
self.
I pray,
pray for me,
&
1
I cannot forget to pray for you,
in
my
HV"
poore mancr.
So, S
"
',
I remaine yours
humbly
to serve,
in
our onely Lord

Aprill,
8:],
&
Savio
James
Ffitcii, Sen:
Norwich.
* Robert Treat.
1684.]
JAMES FITCH.
475

These for the Reverend [if Increase'] Mather, Pastor
Christ at Boston.
to
a Church of
Revernd S k I return many thanks for your books, but I am sorry that your book of Remarkable Providences was no larger, seeing God hath given vs many occasions of enlargment. But I
,
cannot be silent concerning a late wonderfull experience of the
power
soule.
&
pitty of our Saviour towards a poore
tempted
&
deserted
There was a maide, descended of very Godly parentage,
the
whose education hath been so blessed to her, that she hath feared Lord from her childhood and being approved of all, she was admitted to full comunion with our Church but in her later time
;
;
in a
& was most most blasphemous maner, especially in the time of religious dueties, so that her Phancy, cogitation, & memory were hurried & captivated by the Evillone, that I thought she was neer to a being
violently assaulted
vexed with Diabolicall sugestions,
possessed, as could be,
&
yet escape.
I ioyned with her ffather
&
some
relations in a private fast, but obtained

all
no present answer,
at the prayers,
but she saied that
the day long that Satan
mockt
and held before her minde most blasphemous images, & Atheisticall misrepresentations of God & the things of God, so that she concluded there never had been any thing of saving grace wrought
and despaired that it would be. At last I propounded to that they would keepe a day of ffasting & prayer, Church the principally upon this occasion, and partly upon an occasion of some uncomfortable difference which had fallen out between some & we having agreed upon the day, the Envious One Brethren and this poore dejected soule could hardly be raged the more, perswaded to take what food was necessary for [the] preservation I sent to her, that I might speak with her onc[e] more of life. When she came, at [h]er first coming into before the fast day. my chamber, she saied she was come, but. to no purpose, for her hope was cut of. I onely replied, Come, let us reason together, that every sin & Blasphemy shall and heare what God will say this is be forgiven, except the sin against the Holy Ghost; and reasoning no otherwise the word of the Ever living God.
in her,
;
47G
than
of
I
UK MATHER PAPERS.
[1684.
had formerly done her heart was melted, she wept bitterly Godly sorrow opened,
I
the
&
flood-gate
plentifully.
asked, what the matter was, at this time.
Her answer was,

at the
all
Bhe
frit,
there was such repelling & scattering of gospell peace & composure temptations, and
a a
wraderd what was come
to her,
amazed
change she
those violent
bearing rule in
her heart,
yeare, in
and hath
I
in a
steady maner held
it,
now
about halfe a
a greater degree of firme composure then before she
was
thus buffeted.
if
ad no more
at present,
but I have thought that
ever I see the rod of Christ's strength in

vision of
it
my
chamber, I had
in loving,
some
at this time.
I loved
my
studdy the more for
many dayes
trusting,
after.
O, that
I could be the
more enlarged
live
is
;
&
obeying
my
Lord, as long as I
&c.
As concerning John Rogers, his madnes He is fallen to Quakerisme, and ioened

prevailed with his
manifest
now
to all.
with Banks, and hath
Quakers,
for
(
but
aged Parents
to
dance among the Singing

is
my
son will informe you more then

:
needfull
me
at this
time to write
So, with
my
cordeall desires that
iod
would
;
bless
you more
&
more
in
your domestick
&
publique
concerns
1
beging the continuance of your prayers for me,
remain e, Yours to serve in our comon Saviour,
James Ffitch.
July 1"
-I
1681.]
SIMON BRADSTREET.
477
LETTERS OF REV. SIMON BRADSTREET*
SIMON BRADSTREET TO INCREASE MATHER.

N: London, April 20* 81.
Rev
your
it is
r
,
I
to
think I
never yet sent you
my
thankes for
if not,
last Letter,
&
doe
your book against the Anabaptists,

it.
time
now
I rember in your letter you say, that

in
you doe not vnderstand of any
your parts against the Xtian
of, and most Anabaptists I have known either deny it, or qvestion it. However, if there was a fair opportunity, I think some elucubrations of that nature might bee of great vse I am apt to think
;
Sabbath, I beleive there are far more then you are aware
among good
tain the
christians there
is
not one in a hundred able to main-
Xtian Sabbath with any strenght.
Their vsuall arg ts
are, practise of the
Chhs
&
Xt's Resurrection, both of which

sophister
are good
&
from both an
idle
would drive them,

to prove the
&
run them into a hundred absurdities.

well
filled
Three sheets of paper,

change,
that
it
by a dexterous
&
is
;
able
hand
it
under those 3 heads,

ought
;
De
it
licito,
that
may; De jure,
De
facto, that
all
am
apt to
think would profit

etc.
the world
more then
forgott
Dr. Owen, M*. Baxter, M.r Hughs,
have written,
tho: they deserve
more then thankes

,
for their paines.
But I have
my
self.
S r I have read your sermon,
occa-
wonted manner send to begge one, (that I saw being only vpon loan) haveing not hetherto mettwith any repulse, which is no small encouragement to beggars. Whatever you print, I ever pro mis
sioned by the dreadfull Comet, and
now
according to
my
in. You have made me so to beleive. newes wee have the same you have, & as late as last I am not fond to Ffriday, by one that came then from Boston.
myself an Interest
ffor
settled at
* Rev. Simon Bradstreet [H. C. 1660], son of the Governor of the same name, was New London, Oct. 6, 1670. He died in August, 1683.
478
belcivc
THE MATHER PAPERS.

what
is
[1681.
said at present, if
any strange reports should abuse

it
&
impose upon
my
reason,
it is
only because
is
engraven with a
pen of iron & the point of a diamond vpon my spirit (& has been so several! yeares) that dreadfiill times are coming upon our Nation
in
a special] manner, tho:

at least.
doubtles Calamityes enough upon*
all
Christendom
fFor ourselves here, I
am
far
from thinking
but
wee
shall bee at rest in the evil
day,
it
was
so formerly,
I am sorry the great Contilings were not then as they are now. &c. in the Bay, are making rods for servators of your priviledges,
their
is
own
backs,
&
the backs of others.

11
,
Some
say
my
fFather
to be layd
by
this elect
as too great a freind to Caesar, not
caring for or regarding the concerns of your H.publ. &c.
I think
they cannot doe him a greater kindnes.

that
God
forbid the reines of
poor Colony
should bee
under his hand.
P. T. in the
skill to
N. West, with others of the same complexion, that have

guide a plow-tail,
may
bee the
fittest
men
to steer a
C[ommon]
remember in Rome of old, some were fetchd from army & so vice versa, & why not as good now? It is plain wee need no enemyes to conspire our rvine. Our sins & follies will doe it too fast. S r pray let me vnderstand by the bearer what newes you have from England by private letPerhaps some ships will bee arrived before his return, ters, &c.
Wealth.
I well
the plow to lead an
&
please to comvnicate your thoughts of your
own
affaires,
both
with reference to England and
among your
is
selves.
I would fain
know how
Justices,
that cursed Bratt Toleration
favoured by your
I have
&
whether the old stand firm, &c.

but
new made much

I mvst not
Inquiry but haue had no satisfactory answer.
r
,
adde
at present,
yourself
&
good
my own & wives hearty love & service to Cosen (to whom pray give the inclosed) hoping
for the
yov never forgett us

so rest
best things in
the best
place,
&
Dear
Sir
Yours
I
in great truth,
S:
Bradstreet.
am at present, I thank God, indifferent well, but far from God knowes, and whether I shall ever have the health I have had is with Him who healeth all our diseases, who sends forth His word & does it. Mr Ffitch f is very infirm; has not preached
well,
* Gov. Simon Bradstreet. See note to his letters. t Rev. James Fitch, of Norwich. See note to his
letters.
1683.]
SIMON BEADSTREET.
times
it
479
late.
many
this
winter,
not
at
all
of
If
God
should
remove him
would bee a great blow
to the Colony,
&
the ruine,
almost, of that town.
The
death, sicknes and infirmitiey of so
many
forgett
ministers has an awfull aspect with
him
in
your prayers;
nor
it.
Sr
you
will not
poor me, not to bee named
with him.
SIMON BRADSTREET TO INCREASE MATHER.

[I
suppose this dated about March or April 1683.

E
,
R &
D
dear S
My
Prince.]
abiding InI received
weak hand (through
my
disposition,) will not suffer
me
to write
many
lines.
the verses
&
Almanacks you
sent,
&
thank yourself
your sonne.
I think his verses were in time
& my cosen & tune, & his Alknow what

,
manack
is
too,* only I must confesse I see, (tho: I well
said
by some) no
religion in
Hebrew mo ths
nor irreligion in
calling a vessell Castor
&
Pollux, &c.
fall
Sr
I send you herewith some papers I received the last
from Barbadoes, from a Gentl. I was severall years since acquainted

with.
I shall also inclose his letter, and have nothing further to

it,
adde about
but only to hear your judgment of

it
it.
I sent
him
word
it
I purposed to send
to
yourself,
who had much studyed

If any of
that point,
&
to give
it
an account thereof by the next.
bee misplaced,
c
will easily bee regulated
by the
if
figures.
The
Rom
against the masse might well bee printed,
any would bee
at the charge.
S r wee have no newes here but what comes from you, and some of it as to Cranfeild's motions, &c, hath an ill aspect, but I hope He that sitts in Heaven will turn all such counsells into foolishnes. If wee can keep God our freind, no matter who are our enemies. But I fear this is our great wound wee are making
,
God
our enemy,
if
&
that
I think now,
trates
ever,
it's
&
Ministers to
upon many accounts, too long to write. the time for N. E., especially for magisputt on all the armour of God, that they
may
stand in the evil day,
&
not to desert or betray the cause
* Mr. Cotton Mather published an Almanack
for 1683,
begs with March. [Prince.]
480
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Sir, I
[1683.
they have so long espoused.
cannot adele at present but
my own &
my weak &
wive's service to yourself
&
cosen, with respects to
my
in
cosens your children, desiring your dayly remembrance of
me
low
estate,
&
so rest,
Dear
Sir,
Yours
in
much
truth,
S.
Bradstreet.
your discourse
Sr
I hope
you
will send
mee by
the
first
[szc]
about Cometts,* with your Sermon upon the last Comett.

Please to keep the papers safe, I send, for if they obtain no Imprimatur, I have promised to return them. S r The author of these papers is an Englishman, but born in France, & as he told me, he lived in Paris near twenty years before he knew any other place. I note this only that yov would excuse some words which are neither good French nor English.
,
SIMON BRADSTEET TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the Her'
1
Mr
Ch h of
Christ in Boston.
24. 83.
N: London, April
& dear S u Yours of April the 2 d with the myself & Mr. Ffitch & the letters, I received last night.
lv
D
, .
books to
I shall
take the very

letter.
first
opportunity to send Mr. Ffitch his book

great debtor upon these accounts,
&
the
r
,
am your
&
desire
to bee so
serious
still. I beleive this discourse you sent me will have as and solemn an influence upon those who read it, as many
practicall
Sermons
to
in a larger volfi.
am
glad any putt
it
into
your heart
spend some time on such a subject, & think you deserve more then thankes for the paines you have taken.
you would say much what Imprimatur, if any would joine with yourself, I doc not perceive you are fond of its seeing the light. The knack (?) of the masse, (if yourself would regulate the presse, & putt it into some better forme, & those who can spare money
I sent, I expected
As
to the
MSS.
you
write.
As
for the
Printed 1688.
Prince.
1683.]
SIMON BKADSTEEET.
481
would vndertake the matter,) I am apt to think may doe some good. But you are better acquainted with the humors of the people than I am. I expect every day, by a ship belonging to this place, to hear from Mr. Row, & perhaps I shall have the scripts he mentions in his letter. As to what you hint of my kinsmans Almanack, you seem to presse it too hard. I was as
innocent as yourself in your reply.
Wee
all
three agree in the
matter, nor did I think otherwise than what you say, as to his intention,
&c.
nor doe
my
words (as well as I renib r ,) import
any thing
further.
Before this comes to your hands you will hear
of the death of our Governor.*
God
is
able to
make up our
losse,
but our choice runs very low, both as to Governor, &c.
what you mention as to speciall providences in this Colony, &c. I suppose you have an account already. As to this pticular
Sir,
place, I could send
such a Journall) but

reflect so
you many things (having for many years kept many of them, and the most considerable,
surviving freinds
;
much upon
&
(if
relations, that I
doe not
account
it
prudent to meddle in them
yet I purpose (if I live a
few weeks) to send yov one or two,

providences in this place.
will not suffer
it
not more,) of very sole
My
weaknes
&
hast of the messenger,
now.
Sr
let
me
hear often from you, what newes you have, &c.
As
coming on vs, & the world, &c. I be[lie]ve no two psons in the world are more agreed. Pray for me & S. B. mine. I am, yours,
to
evil times
* William Leete, Governor of Connecticut, died
at Hartford, April 16, 1683.
61
,\s-2
TIIE
MATHER PAPERS.
[1G81.
LETTERS OF JOSEPH DUDLEY*
JOSEPH DUDLEY TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
reverend
M
.
d Increase Mather, Pastor of the 2
Ch h : of
in
Boston.
Reverend S r
others, hath
litle
discourse from your
self,
&
;
more from
Informed
me
of unkindness
&
Distance grown between
your
John Cotton, your Kinsman & mine for which I am deeply sorry, knowing that your resentment & representation & for that, he is a person of thereof will tend to his utter mine good Descent, & hopes, & I think of present good Improvement
self
and
r
.
&
if
God
please hereafter,
may
be of
I
much more,
am Concerned
to Intreat
your favour for him.

so, but
am
Ignorant of perticulars
&
would be
is
pray you on his behalf to Consider that what he

is
&
hath of vallue in him, which I hope
not a
litle, is,
under
God, of your own Making, & it is an argument to be used to good men, as unto God, destroy not the work of your hands.
Remember
is
flegg
(1
Neck.
that he is young, & if he should strive to fly before he you may laugh at, him, but not suffer him to break his I have written to him to advize a retrenchment of any
aversation
grown from
work
r
,
yourself,
&
shall further
say
when oppordeny
J.
for
tunity presents.
lii
In the mean time I humbly pray your favor for

in his hands,
in
&
the
&
which you
will not
my
self,
who am, S
Your humble
Boxb. Deccmb.
12, 1681.
serv*,
Dudley.
* Joseph Dudley
lo
[IT.
C. 1665], bod of Governor
Thomas Dudley, was Representative

X. H. 1686,
L678
6,
Assistant from 1676 to 1685, President of the Colonies of M;iss. and
\v:i<
of Andres's Council,
and imprisoned here

Isle
at the Revolution.
hi
1680,
was Deputy Governor of the
of
Wight
he
eight years,
He went to England and came back in 1702,

1715.
with a commission as Governor, which
office
tilled till
November,
1684.]
JOSEPH DUDLEY.
483
JOSEPH DUDLEY TO EDWARD RANDOLPH.*

D.
I
to
R.
Dec.
1,
1684.
wrote you my
will
willingness to sustain
some place
in the
Regu-
lation.
You
Body
bee very easily capable to recommend your best

will bee such
Friends,
who
also as
may
bee acceptable to the
of this people.
111
Lett not particular persons be shutt up from Redress of

Issues here.
I would bee glad that the Placita cor once might bee shut up,
except the Treasonable Libel, which I can gett no copy
of.
Here
St.
is
a strange Spirit in some of the people, towards
Mf
[oughton]
self,
my
Bu.[llivant] J but beyond all account against f of which, if the New-Settlement should take no notice,
will fling
&
however they may bee disappointed, they

for joy, that
up
their caps
wee are neglected.

first
If his Majesty should at
betrust the
persons
among
us, I
am
sure the charge
Governm* wholly to would be the less, & I
beleeve the service performed to good satisfaction, both to His
Majesty
&
people.
* This letter, and that which follows, together with one or two letters of Edward Randolph, which will be found in their proper place in this volume, are from a connected series of extracts from letters among the Mather papers, in the handwriting of Cotton Mather. The whole series is indorsed by Increase Mather, " Extracted out of Ires written
by Mr Randolph and Dudley."

t
William Stoughton [H. C. 1650] went
to
England, and was, by order of Parliament,
created a Fellow of
New
College, Oxford.
to 86;
was an Assistant from 1671
preached the Election Sermon in 1668; Commissioner of the United Colonies, and agent to
He
England; of the Council of Andros, but fell in with the popular tide at his deposition, and was nominated Lieutenant Governor. After the recall of Sir William Phips, he beSavage's " Geneal. came chief magistrate, and again after the death of Lord Bellomont.
Diet."
%
etc.
Benjamin Bullivant was a physician from London, made Attorney General, acted un-
der Andros, was imprisoned at the revolution, but remained in
New
England.
484
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1686.
JOSEPH DUDLEY TO EDWARD RANDOLPH.

D.
I suppose, notwithstanding
to
R.
June
7,
1684.
all
the Delayes
you complain
of, if
ties
Mf Atturney General
suit,
please, Trinity
&
make
Way
for his perfect
Term may end His Maj When I may exSatisfaction.

at
pect to satisfy myself.

I have since sometimes
lor's.
Drank your Health
my Dame
may
Tay-
Wee
much.
well
know
that your Influence
&
Industry
prevail
S r Wee drink your Health, & are Your most humble Serv ts
J.
D.
Thaddeus Mackarty.
JOSEPH DUDLEY TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend
,
Increase Mather, at
Cambridge.
upon you where these may & where I have reason, amongst & beyond many others, to give you my sincere thanks for your care & service. I have humbly to offer you
that he wayts
find you,
Reverend S r
My son acquaints me
at the Colledge this day,
litle
sober
& &
well disposed son,*
who though very yong,
if
he
may have
tollerable
;
the favour of admittance, I hope his learning will be

for
him
I will
promise that by your
& my
Care, his
God, his Mother, the Vniversity shall not be ashamed to allow him the place of a son at seaven years end. I pray you will please to appoynt a time when he may wayt on you to be examined, which his Brother Thomas f may
Industry,
the blessing of
own
&
prepare him for.

I
April]
2C>.
am S
r
,
your serv 1
J.
Dudley.
86.
* Afterward Chief Justice Paul Dudley [H. C. 1690].

t
Thomas Dudley
[H. C. 1G85].
"
1689.]
JOSEPH DUDLEY.
485
JOSEPH DUDLEY TO EDWARD RANDOLPH.

To Edward Randolph,
Esq'.
SE
I
I
is
made my Excuse yesterday
to M.r
.
West
* for
my
in
ab-
sence.
am
this
morning
ill
&
uncapable to ride.
You have
is
already a coppy of the letter you desire, f
&
that which
my
hand
Give
not
Mather's
own
writing, but only his subscription.
What may
be done by the one will alike be done by the other. humble Service to his Excellency .J I wish his health while I want my own,
my
Your
15 Dec. 1687.
serv 1 ,
J.
Dudley.
Memorand.
the President,
that this 29 th
Decemb. 1687, 1 was
at
Koxbury with
who owned the Inclosed to be a true coppy of Mr. Mathers lfe, And At any tyme on occasion he would have the Originall In court. Giles Master.
JOSEPH DUDLEY TO COTTON MATHER.

To
d
the
r
,
Reverend
M
.
Cotton Mather at his house in Boston.
Rev S
where I
sistance.
am
told that this
morning
is
a last opportunity
for the rolling
away
the stone from the
am
buried alive, in
mouth of this Sepulchre, which I yet trouble you for your Asto
The Committee of
could yet be
the
Deputy es being
Make
their return,
and the House accordingly
to pass their resolve, if
S r William
||
moved
to
speak to the House, of which I understand

it
he hath yet been prevented, I beleive
might obtayn.
live if I
Besides
any bonds I will give them

depart from
restrayned.
my
is
oath, if there be reason, not to
my
answer
to
which I cannot
must be here
My
Sr
,
chief serv*
yesterday run away,
&
have
no body
pends.
to steer
my
husbandry, upon which a great family de1
I am,
Your
21 June, 1689.
affectionate se ?
J.
Dudley.
in 1689.
* John West, secretary of the government of Andros, was sent home with him
t See
page 100.
J
||
Andros.
Sir William Phips.
Called King's Attorney in SewalPs Diary.
IXi;
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
LETTERS OF JOHN AND THOMAS BAILEY*
JOHN BAILEY TO INCREASE MATHER.

M Increase Mather, Minister

r
of
the
Gospell in
New
England, present.
Limerick,
May
27, 82.
Reverend & Dear Sir,

Mf Edw d Willy
in
I, lately, at
the desire of
my
Cousin,
(the bearer herof) wrote to your worthy Brother
Dublin on
his behalf, giving
him
as fair
&
faithfull
an account
ends in this
as I
was
able, both of
him
&
;
his, of his
reasons
&
great
to
& &
weighty undertaking
his interest in
and with
for
all
begged your Brother

both as to the out-
improve
you
him
&
his,
ward
(for
inward man.
of mine to
it
All which he has most readily granted,
which I thank him,)
&
has in his to you given the contents
(I pceive)
him,
which may now save me much

your door, of doing for them
I had thought
labour, and I hope
will not stick at
what
lyes in
your power to do.
somewhat
freely
&
largely to have
unbossomed myself unto you, tho a stranger, but

off
am
at
r p sent taken
by bodily
illness,
&
so
am
it
forced to be
silent.
The
wofull, sinfull
for
&
me
sinking condition of these nations

to tell you, I leave
would be too large now
to the bearer.
How New
England
is
aimed
at (tho thats not the present
work of
* Rev. John Bailey began to preach at Chester, prisonment

)i<>t
in
afterwards went to Ireland, and abode at Limerick fourteen years.

for
England, at the age of 22. He He suffered long im-
nonconformity, although he was unblamable and inoffensive.
"Though
ejected from
any
living,
he was prevented from enjoying one."
his diary describe his character: " I desire to get three tilings,
ties of life,
His own words in patience under the calami-
next
life.
impatience under the (moral) infirmities of life, and earnest longings for the that I may not be of the number of them that live without love, speak withlife."
first
out feeling, and act without
Samuel Willard, at the third, John Sherman, at Watertown, and July 17, 1693, as assistant minister of the First Church in Boston. He died Dec 12, K'.'.iT. Cotton Mather, at his desire, preached his funeral sermon on Psalm 31, 5. Hi> younger brother, Thomas, accompanied him to this country, and acted as his assistant at Watertown, where he died, Jan. 21, 1689. See Calamy's "Nonconformist's Memorial;"
in 1683;
He came over
preached
as assistant to Rev.
or <ld South,
Church; was
settled, Oct. 6, 1686, as successor to
Mather's
"
Magnalia,"
etc.
1682.]
JOHN AND THOMAS BAILEY.

I
leave that
to
487
the adversary,)
my
good friend
Archibald
Ereskin by
letter to acquaint
England.
God
has, of
who hath very lately been in and by His grace, lately made a people
you,
here that once was no people.
Mr. Willy
&
his very
good wife,
of God.
My Tho. Key &

vissibly,
first
his
growing wife
for heaven, to us,
gave up themselves
to the
Lord and then
by the
will
I hope they will take care to walk as becomes the gospell.
They
have been of use

at last.
&
comfort to me.
I hope they will not faile
me
Many
advices and well-wishings goes along with them.
Its likely to
prove a very sad parting.

it.
The Lord
carry
tell
me
with
soul advantage through
My
poor people cannot
how near
There has of late yeares crept in, just Poligamy of old, a spirit of too much vanity & unallowed liberty amongst Professors themselves, both in their spirit & habit
dear they are to me.
as
if this
&
you see
in
any of them, I doubt not but
it
will
be easily
cured by a serious, secret
&
sweet admonition
for they
have been
always tractable,
gaine or pleasure.
litle
&
would not willingly grieve
me
for the greatest
Tho
these nations are probably within a very
God by an outstretched hand from heaven appear for them, yet I greive (at p r sent) few or
of desolation and ruine, unless
none, at least in this Kingdome, inclined unto or concerned about
removeing, excepting
this place,
and the generality of the people
here, over whom the Lord has set me. I cannot tell what the mind of God is in it, but if I would have now removed, many of my people would have rejoyced to have gone with me and only
;
stayes with
far as
me
as
an act of love
&
self
deny all.
My
Willy, so
we, according to the judgm 1 of charity can judge, goes

religious
upon a
&
conscientious account, chusing to leave his
posterity under the gospell, so that I hope friends will be raised
up
for the
good of him
&
those that goe with him.
ministry they
may be
I
cast I
know
not, but hope
Under whose some will be

all
found ready to watch over them in the Lord, administring

ordinances to them.
am
sorry to part with his eldest son
Kich d ,
who
has of late come hopefully in at the call of the Gospell, tho I hope I
always sober, being well educated.

of his eldest daughter, Sarah.
may
say the same
Oh
!
that their convictions
may
ri s
.
not
be
lost,
but
r s
!
may by some good
help or other be ripened unto
saving conversion
&
eternall life
My
dear Cousin
Willy
&
also
Key
are sometimes drooping
&
discouraged, but I do
488
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.
not doubt they will meet with some

that will speake to their heart
&
Son of Consolation or other take them by the hand. Pardon,

I canot but be conis
(dear S r ,) this sickly
&
confused scrible.
alass,
cerned for
my
poor soules, but
my
heart
too sick
&
too
full to write.
The Lord save you from Jesuitts & all other evill Instruments the Lord save you from heart formality & the secret love of this world; the Lord help you to maintaine your old peace & purity, enabling you to walk worthy of the many priviledges you do enThis and much more is the hearty joy unto all well pleasing. pray r of him for you all, who is Your unworthy Broth in the work of the Gospell, Jo: Bail ye.
;
1"
I hope I need not to beg your prayers for us.
Who
can forgett
Kingdomes, that ever was heard of them?

these lovely
in
them or has read or
I gott
my brother* (who is
Pardon, I pray,
occasionally very vsefull to
me
I
in the
Gospell) to transcribe these lines, I not being well,

better.
this
&
he writing
trouble I putt you to.
am
totall stranger to
every body else there.
I cant but
make more
in heaven,
bold with you then another vpon the account of

tion to
(viz.)
my
strong Affec-
&
great Intimacy with your dearest Br.,

r
now
Sam. Mather,
ffarewell,
Deare S r
THOMAS BAILEY TO COTTON MATHER.

For
Rever A Mr. Cotton Mather, minisf- of the Gospell in Boston in New-Engld America, pr Amicu Q. C. D.
his
honoured Freind
the
Worthy &
the lines
kind S
n
,
Your
Limerick, June
6* h , 83.
very kind lines I received by

I
dear Bro. Willy, Feb. 6 th , whose face
was
to read.
I have often heard of

it,
was glad to see, & N. E., & long agoe,
but never took no great heed to
only as psons too often dis-
* Rev. Thomas Bailey. See his letter next following, and also the notice of him, in connection with that of his brother, affixed to this letter.
1683.]
489
your
late
course of things remote
&
at
randome
but of
late, since
troubles begun, since which ours have begun
&
continue, there
have been more serious discourses about

turbances were
there
it,
for
during your disof you,
frequent
&
fervent remebrances
I suppose the kingdom throughout, in country places as well as

others,
& many
God
solemn pticular occasions

for
&
opportunitys set
apart to seek
you, God's interest in generall, and N. E.
especially being dear to all his,

spirit
&
a great measure of sympathy
&
of prayer I well remeber was seen that time amongst his
people here.
Since your troubles ended, ours begun, which has
awakened the minds,
&
opened the eyes of many,
&
made them
from
90 Ps.
is
to look about them, to see
where God's chambers

alas
!
are, wherein they
may
hide themselves.
But
to
where
shall
we
fly
his
presenc; from his vengance,

Its best for us
poor guilty runagades from

to his place
God?
1.
draw nigh
God,
&
grace.
Lord, thou hast been, not has found, a place.

surest sanctuary in the world
His name
will
the
we we
shall [have] trouble,
be we were
be fightings
we
will, in
X*
alone
is
peace.
Within or without
shall create
shall never
&
feares.
If others do not,
ourselves exercise.
If not in the macrocosm,
want it in the microcosm. Not but that there are places in the earth more desirable, peacable & safe than others, & that its lawfull, nay, a duty to fly. But how few amongst us in flying, take the right way, or begin at the right end of their work? They come to God, & look to Him in the last
place, 5 Hos. 13, 15.
we
How
his
might
God
Oh,
fulfill his
threatenings
24
Isa. 15, 17,
18; 30, 15, 16.
that these nations could

;
follow their leader

Jer. 1
;
&
1.
;
orders
;
2 Chr. 7, 14
!
37 Ps.
,
3.
15 Gen.
17, 1
but, alass
dear
do well, no saying
will do,
we must
into the
S r we shall not fires, we must feel
the smart of God's displeasure, before
we
shall learn righteousness.
Oh
left
the insencibleness, security
&
profanity of the most pt of
men, & oh, the nonproficiency of professors. We have very much God, & now he leaves us. How many fall of, & fall away. How blind & mad, deceived & deluded are our conforming clergy
;
all
for the
Duke
of York,
all
against
Dissenters, filling their

insist here,
pulpitts with railings, but I
need not
for both
will
fill
my
brother Willy
ears
&
the constant tidings from
Old Engl d
your
&
hearts with these things.
Scotland has suffered sore
&
long,
many
suffering death, so that the

62
enemy has done
his
work
490
there.
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.
assembly meetings, they are broken to pieces, sine d But Oh their pruwhich they fell upon their work in Engl dence, patienc, & courage, the good heart & hopes they seem to
No
have
&
retain,
&
poor we, in Ireland, are quiet and in peac, en-
joying our libertys as formerly,

pittyed.
& truly, S
r
,
we
are the most to be
Our neighbouring
nations are suffering greatly, but
we
are sinning greatly.
Oh
!
that
our peace,
ligations
in this
our day.
we knew the things "that belong to Oh the many mercys we have, & ob!
we
lye under
Oh, what
!
shall Ireland render to the
Lord
how much wisdom & grace do we want & our case require to the due managem & emprovem* of such circflstantiated libertys & priviledges as we enjoy. Our turn to suffer will come. God is calling Old Scotland & Old Engld
for all his benefitts ?
Oh
to
it first.
His old
disciples, the people of his Holiness here has

litle
but enjoyed the sanctuary a
while.
We
are but young,
weak,
open
unexperienced, not yet accustomed to such yokes.
We
are be-
holden to the Papist for our libertys, for they have publick
masses,
&
&
they cannot for shame medle so with us as otherwise
they would.
these nations.
Some
But
Is
are inclined to think

will
God
will
wholly forsake
God
give up so great a people, the 1000 d
pt of which can never remove?

great
Will he do nothing for his

spirit
name ?
God's pouring forth a

his of late
<pts,
of prayer night
&
day amongst some,
yeares spreading the gosp. into
many
of the blind
bordes,
&
it
corners of Scotland
&
Engl d ,
to the gaining of
many
to the faith, blessing
many
with hopes,
courage
&
resolution to stand to
these and such like premisses to

Is
it
by it is there any thing in draw such a conclusion from?

;
&
not
now
betwixt Protestant
&
Papist
Have we
not prom-
ises for the
Kingd 8 of
the world becomeing the Kingd. of
X}?
Have
not these nations shaken off a papall yoke,
& many
king-
domes besides? Is it not concluded to be now under AntiX ts begun mine? Certainly He will not leave them nor forsake them, so long. 54 Isa. 7, 8 89 Ps. 30; 77, 7, &c. But I must divert you no longer. It is not for any good frame I am in,
;
that I thus enlarg, for I never
was worse, never so diverted,

of late,
dis-
joynted, distracted,
so.
reel
&
afflicted as
But
it
to pass
by psonall, nationall,
in
Batisfyed
is
abundantly
N. E.
is
doubt
so.
European matters, I what you write of N. E., for no not N. E., great decay of the old
& &
yet like to be longer
1683.]
491
primitive purity, humility
&
holiness,
which
;
easily
may be through
no doubt, no more of God's p r sence then N. E. These things may be easily reconciled, for it may be the most holy place, tho not so pure as at first. Most places & psons degenerate, & rather grow worse then better & God has upon that account a controversy with all his people. Also I have heard, & so you write, worlimindedness to be one of their evills but you have a remedy for these that we have not, a godly 'magistracy had we that here, we should as much outdo you every ways, as you outdo vs. Ireland may compare with most places for rich soyl, plenty of most things, & a very moderate clymate for cold & heat. Could we but procure a Magistracy suitable to what might [sic'] of a ministry, I know none might compare with us, for there are no doubt some 1000 ds of able ministers in Scotland & England. Ireland has but
the flocking in of others from other pts
yet,
&
place has
few,
it
being but a planting, as

is
it
were, in that respect, though the
North
very
full.
As to our 2 familys
;
now
with you, men-
tioned in yours,
we were
sorry to part with them, being relations,
&
some of the chief of our Xtians
my
sister
Willy
&
country
woman Key,
have a good
troubles in
being 2 experienced souls, of which sort I hope
we
many
yet behind.
As
I begun, so I
may
end, your
N. E.,
&
ours in O. E.
made us mostly
to bear us in
your thoughts, so now our dear kinsfolks

there, will
&
Countrifolks being
&
always does enlarg our hearts in prayer for you.
hope they
all.
will carry as
becomes the gosp.
I have wrote to them
After thanks for your lines,

rest, as I
& my
&
love to yourself,
&
beg-
ging your prayers, I
ought,
Your
ffreind
Serv 1
T. B.
JOHN BAILEY TO INCREASE MATHER.

These ffor
the
Minister of the Gospell in
Reverend my worthily respected ffreind Mr, Increase Mather, New England present att Boston in N. E.
Limerick, June the
12*h 83.
Willye
Most dear & Reve S (whom I was very glad

d
r
,
did by the hand of
my
cousin
to see) receave
your courtious
&
492
THE MATTIER PAPERS.

th
[1683.
christian lines, bearing date Oct. 9
82.
It rejoyceth
me
greatly
to heare of the safe arrival] of those 2 poore ffamilyes in
N. E.
&
that
God
his
hath graciously given them ffavour in the eyes of that
pious people.
Oh,
that they
may
be enabled to walk worthy of

well pleasing
!
God &
I
many fold
kindnesses to
all
In particular
most hardly thank you (my very Dear Brother) fFor your great readines to help any of them, at any time, in any thing that lyes
in
your way
all
which I not only vnderstand by
letters,
but by
word of mouth. Indeed you* should not be a right Lancashire Mather if it were in any wise otherwise. I am sorrye to vnderstand both by you & others, what endeavours have been vsed in order to the hurting or hindering of you as to civill & spirituall You are in the handes of the wise & ffaithfull God, libertyes. whose pathes (ever, all of them) are mercy & Truth to his own
people.
God
seemes to have a controversy with his pfessing
people everywhere.
Where shall we hide ourselves this evill day? Or where may we think of being vsefull to the name & glory of God for a litle while ? Alas every door, almost, is shutt already. God is now teaching us dayly to depend vpon himself for all the good we stand in need off. Oh, that N. England may be enabled of God to walk closely with him, & to maintain purity in worship & in walking, that so mercy & goodnes, peace & truth may follow
!
them
all
the dayes of their
life.
Before this storme blow over,
I suppose greater light will be afforded to vnderstand the
book of
the Revelation then hitherto hath been.
As
for the present case
of England
here,
&
Scotland,
will be
&
what
is
likely ere long to overtake us

letters to
Mr
Willye
more then a score of
you, being
an eye
&
care witnesse of
also for their saks)

ffor
many things. This poor people, (& I had many Inclinations, nay, almost Resolutions
off,
N. E., but were taken
or at least delayed, by Providence.
But this is too large now to speake off. Mr. Willye will acquaint you more ffully then I now, at this distance, can. I desire to rejoyce with you in the great mercy I understand you have in your The Lord prosper him in his worke, & give him to obtain sonn. mercy to be ffaithfull. My hartye love to him, tho vnknown.
I
had thought to have written
to
him, but at present

is
am
indisposed
every way.
ilather,
My
poor wife at present
in
Dublin to see her

this pritty while.
Mr. John Price, who she hath not seen
The
last night,
per post, they, both of them, desired most affec-
1683.]
493
remembered to you. I do most hartily thanke you, (Dear Sir) ffor your very kind & unexpected tokens of love, I meane, those serious, seasonable, & pfitable books of your own writing. Nothing could have been more welcome to me. The
tionatly to be
Good Lord
greatly succeed
all
your holy labours in studye, pulpitt,
&
presse.
am
sorry e I can1 retaliatt, being cast in the end of
the kingdome, at a great distance
nrom Books,
well.
especially
letter
new ones.
from him
is
Your worthy
lately,
brother in Dublin
j>
is
had a
&
wrote to him
post, the last night.
to be very
badd
in this place, tho at present
Our case we have our
likely
libertye.
Let us have your prayers.

badd by houlding down
My
head.
love
&
service to
Mrs. Mather.
which grows
I must conclude, having a humour
fFallen into
my eye,
my
No more now,
but that I am, Jo: Bail ye.
Yours
in the fFaith
&
ffellowship of the Gospell,
Mr. Ersskin, who of

books you sent him.
late is
very
be kindly remembered to you, with
much out of town, many thanks for
desired to
the good
494
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
LETTERS OF JOHN RICHARDS.*
JOHN RICHARDS TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the Jev?
M
.
Church of Christ in
Joles.
Boston in
New
England.
p T Mr.
Tho.
Dear S r
London, Aug.
I could
21; 1682.
not omitt this oppertunity of saluting yow
&
giving yo w .my hearty acknowledgement for your great kinde-
nes to,
&
care of,
my
wife,
&
family, in
my
absence, of which
still
am
pticularly enformed by her, which I trust yo w will
continue.
care dis-
Your
severall papers comitted to
me, I have with
all
posed according to direction, onely
been in towne since our
arivall.
My Collins's, who hath not Many of this Citty being now at
Tunbridge, at the waters.

Ireland,
is
I heard lately that your brother, in
well.
One
of his church was lately here, but I missed

till
him, not hearing of him

here,
as
to
litle
after
he was gone.
Jealousy es
Affaires
the
publique, very perplexed.
&
ani-
mosityes encreasing.
Dissenters suppressed, their meetings pre-
vented by soldiers, or they
many
to
times seized
&
proceeded against,
by
fines,
&c.
The Duke
of
Yorke had
of the
like to
have been
lost
on
the Sands,
in his
voyage
Scotland to fetch the Dutchesse.
Escaped narrowly.
but
is
Many
men
lost,
the frigott staved;

is
since with his
Duchesse arived at St. James's, where shee
brought a bed of a daughter.

is
The Quo Warranto
ag* the Citty

to the choice
to be tryed next terme.
Great strugglings here as

is
of Sheriffs.
The King
resolved to regulate that election, to
in 1G44, with his father.
* John Richards was a wealthy merchant of Boston. He came over, says Dr. Palfrey, Mr. Savage says that his father came in the "Mary and John," with his sons James and John, and was of Dorchester, in 1630. John was of the Ar-
tillery
for
company in 1644. He was a captain and major; a Representative successively Newbury, Hadley, and Boston. He was an Assistant and a Judge of the Supreme
"
Court.
hig)i friend of
of Massachusetts,
Liberty." He married, first a step-daughter of John Winthrop, and next, a daughter of John Winthrop, of Connecticut. See Savage's
iii.
Qeneal. Diet.; Palfrey's Hist. vol.
p. 342.
He was chosen agent

declined,-
of the Colony to
Eng-
land, ui the place of William Stoughton,
who
March
16, 1681.
1682.]
JOHN RICHARDS.
The
495
present
prevent such Juryes as haue been formerly chosen.
Lord Mayor
is
dissatisfactory to the Citty.
There
the
is
a peace
made
with the Turke, but our captives are to be ransomed at the price they shall please.
It is reported
that
Emperor
is
coming
downe with a great Army

truce with the Turke,
affaires
against the French,
&
hath procured a
designe.
vnder great
may attend this What ever is disadvantages.

that he
Our
off.
objected or re-
ported against us findes great creditt,
&
is difficultly
taken
We
in
are rep r sented such a people as need great Regulations.

if
I
is
feare,
mercy prevent not, the
dissolution of our
Goverm*
intended.
Sr
It is a
hard service
;
we
are engaged in.
We
stand
need of helpe from Heaven
&
trust
yo w
&
all
God's
faithfull
ones
among you
will be dayly petitioners at that
Throne
require.
in our
behalfe, that
wisdome
&
councell
&
all
supply es of Grace
be afforded, as the matter from time [to] time

is
may
may God
18 th
againe threatening a sinfull world by tokens of His displeasure,

I
a blazing star appearing againe in the heavens.

the blaze about a yard long.
saw
it,
instant, about the north-west, nee'r 8 of the clock in the evening,
Great
is
the patience
& long-suffering
of God, that
is
so often warning before

pticular
to the
He
brings desolating judg-
ments.
For more
at
r
newes as
to our affaires, I referr to

.
what we haue given

to
Honred Governr
am
straitned as
time,
respects to
must beg your excuse. Pray present my p Mrs. Mather, My Cotton & your family, Turell,
sent,
Doctor Stone, L*
Way,*
&
such of our brethren

prayers to
&
sisters as their
may
be occasion, begging
all their
God
in
my
behalfe.
I cannot enlarge at p r sent, further, but to subscribe serv*, Your obliged freind John
&
Richards
Mr Dudley
selfe
engageth
me
to present his kinde respects to
your
&
good
rs
.
Mather,
r
&
your son
Rogers,
Mr
Cotton.
Pray give
my
kinde respects to good M!' Eliott,
my
cossen Torrey,
P sident
Mf Willard, MJ Hobart, Mr Andrew,

at the
Mf John Cotton, of whose dayly remembrance Grace we are very confident.
Throne of
* Kichard Way, of Dorchester, was a cooper, and " a man of substance, a lieutenant, and served at Castle Island, under Roger Clap also Farmer-General of the imposts in 1674."
;
496
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.

For
the
Rever? Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher
to
Boston in
New
England, These.
pr
a Church of Christ in r John Foy.

Sept. 25, 1682.
London,
Reverd S r
came
to
Your kinde
me
lines per
my
hand the 20 th
recomending
instant.
Mf Plaice, And I hereby
of July 27 last,
render you
thanks for
hath been
so lovingly to Doctor
Owen.
my He
left
much
out of towne since I came, so that I have not yet
spake with him.
I have been at his house once or twice,

I
&
some
letters
which
brought for him
but not seen him but once
in the Pulpitt.
Neither have I yet seen Mr. Plaice, nor received

letter to
w that booke yo mention, so have not been to deliver your

the Doctor.
I really rejoice
(&
principally with yourselfe) that

,
God
to
is
so farr yet
owning
his
owne worke among yo w
&
adding
it
yo w such as are meet to stand in His house.
Methinks
is
sometime encouragement to me, in the middest of other sorrowfull

thoughts, that
God
is
will not yet give
vp His poor people, but
re-
member mercy
truth
their
is
for us, all our provocations
notw standing.
th
The
our case
come
to a Crisis.
They
;
are resolved here of
way, and put us
to a hard choice
either to
empower psons
here fully instructed

tions of our
&
commissionated, to accept of such Regula-
Government as shall be propounded, &c, or else a Quo Warranto will within 4 monethes proceed against our CharThe whole of our proceeding, & their conclusion as aboue, ter. w I have given to Cap! Fisher & haue desired him to show it yo w & take your Advice. The Lord direct yo '& us. We had last weeke M? Knowles & some other friends at Ml" Collins's house in a solemne day to commend our case to God. We hope we haue many prayers goeing for us amongst yo w I am sorry to hear the Colledge is yet unsettled, as to a P r sident. Pray please to put
,
.
the corporacon vpon chuseing a Treasurer.* yo w my vote for Ml' Sam No well, f whose
1
I doe hereby give
name yo w may
cutt
* John Richards was Treasurer of the College from 1669 to 1682, and again from 1686
to 1698.
t
till
Samuel Nowell was chosen Treasurer of the College
in 1682,
and remained
in office
1686.
1682.]
JOHN RICHARDS.
497
If
out here,
&
my
put in for me,
if it will
be admitted.
God
should
lengthen
life to returne, I shall
not accept that trouble againe.
Here
will
moneys due which I shall enquire after, but whether it not be needfull that some power be sent me from the Coris
poracon to receive
doe no hurtt.
Taylor.*
I
&
discharge, I question.
To be
sure
it
will
am amazed
at that tragicall
newes about
1
!
What
in
are poore creatures if
God
leave us to ourselves.
Of
all
men
Boston I could not haue guessed

is
Taylor to be
of others.
the author of such an Act.

sideration of
It
is
I desire to be ledd into the con-
what
in
my owne
heart
by the
fall
devine grace that putts
&
maintaines the difference.

best
All the
newes from hence yo w

the Govern r
the
.
will gather
from the papers sent

seizure of
his
Duke
of
The great thing now talked of is the Monmouth, p r a Sergeant at Amies, in

on accompt of a Riott.
prog-
resse in Cheshire,
Many
towne
Gentleni
&
&
others manifesting their affections to him, are said to haue ex-
ceeded
due measures.
He
this
is
expected
in
this
night.
Great endeavours in
Citty pty)
Citty on
both sides
(the
Court
about election of Sherriffs.
Can
the Court prevail,
fitt to serve the King would be procured, which some are affrayd of. About Bristoll the Dissenters miserably harrassed. They say 1,300 prosecuting now upon the Acts
Juryes more
against
Non
Conformists.
Meetings much disquieted here
but
they yet continue their course.

the
How
long they will be suffered
Lord knowes.
I desire to bewayle
my
neglect in that diligent
improvem* of those quiet sabbathes that I sometime enjoyed with yo w Pray God sanctify all providences to eternall good.
.
Present
my
due respects to
to all the
rs
.
Mather,
Cotton,
Maria,
with the rest of your family,
&
all
our Brethren
&
Sisters, as
yow
have occasion
other friends
family.
;
Reverend Elders, Colledg Corporacon
&
&
pray Sir, continue your love to

,
&
care of
my
Not else but to subscribe, S r Your assured loving freind & serv*,
r p sents
John Richards.
My Dudley
Mather, &c.
his
kinde respects to yourselfe
&
Mrs.
* William Taylor, of Boston, an active and enterprising merchant, became melancholy, and died by suicide, 12th July, 1682. f Gov. Joseph Dudley was in England at this period.
63
498
This day
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
Plaice brought
me your
who
on Dr.
Owen &
p'sented his,
I p r sently waited I suppose will writer yow as
bookes.
much.
attend
it
Shall take time to deliver the other with the
first,
but the
ships being ready to sayle
am
very buisy writing.
Possibly
may
before the ships goe.

For
the
Rev d
M Increase
r
Mather, Minister in Boston In N: England,

Jn.
These.
p r M*
Grafton
via Barbadoes.
London, Decern. 12 th
1682.
Rev S
espetially
r
,
The
many
favours I stand indebted to yo w for,

of,
your continued care

enforceth this
and kindnes
to
It
my
is
family in
my
absence,
acknowledgement.
likewise
some
refreshment, amidst the Sorrowfull circumstances that I labour
vnder, to converse sometimes, though but in this way, with those

that are so deservedly deare to
me on many
accounts.
And judgdoe hereby
ing this
salute
ncs,
may
be the
first after
the long
&
silent winter, I
yow ,
&
give yow to vnderstand, that through God's good-
&
helpc of your prayers, I
am
yet vnder the enjoyment of
mercyes, even in the midst of dificultyes & feares w that doc attend us. I trust yo & all friends will not be wanting
health
& many
to
me
in that kinde.
It is
one of
my greatest
comforts
&
releefs to
consider the stock of prayers are goeing for us.

there
tree
is
is
As
to our affaires
nothing
new
it,
since our last, onely that one Thaire of Bran-
arived with fresh complaints, tho

receive
it
we haue
not yet rec d
any order about

full
onely by information.
ministers
It is a
sorrow-
time
with
the
Dissenters, their
prosecuted with
much violence, on the Act of 40f p moneth and other Acts. M* Baxters house broken open, & his person & goods seized,
(he was afterwards released).
escaped.
Mead's goods seized, but he
M* Cookaine,
Patridge, their goods seized.
Mf
after
Franklin
& M.
James imprisoned,
&M
Wise.
Others sought
faine to conceal themselves,

-ut
&
convey their very household stufe

to preach
of the way.
Borne lectures.
Yet many continue
on the Lord's dayes,

is
&
How
farre they will proceed
to be feared.
1682.]
JOHN RICHARDS.
are about to excomunicate such Dissenters as
499
They
their parrish churches,
&
receive the Sacrament.
come not to Here hath been

espetially
much labour with
corporations in
reference to their Charters.
Many
haue submitted
to the King's pleasure.
Some,
London
&
Oxford, abide the Try all, which proceeds but slowly.

is
Bermuda's Charter
this citty to gett
ests.
vnder Quo Warranto.
Great endeavours in
Mayre
&
Sherriffs suitable to the different inter-
Att last Sir Will m Pritch[ard] was sworne Mayor, & My North & Rich Sherriffs, who on Novem. 29 th last entertained
the
Duke of Yorke at a great Treat in the Citty. The Duke of Yorke recovered this last Terme, one hundred thousand pounds
against
My
Pilkinton, one of last yeares Sheriffs, on an Action of
/Scandalu?n
selfe
&,
Magnatum.
in the
Said Pilkinton hath surrendred him-
lyes
King's Bench Prison.

they
The
like
Action
is
/
depending against one Arrowsmith an Apothecary, of 50,000
The Whigg
j>ty (as
call
Earle of Shaftsberry gon to
them) are vnder many feares. The Holland. They want their Ignora-
Juryes. My Fergoran, [sac] a minister, gon to Holland; They say he wrott the No Protestant Plott. The Earle durst not abide it when he pceived who were like to be Maior & Sheriffs. Prince Rupert dyed Novem. 29 th past. Marquesse of Worcester made Duke of Beaufort. Viscount Hide made an Earle, (they say of Rochester.) Marquesse Hallifax made Lord Privy Seale. Coll. Ley (they say) to be made an Earle. Duke of Orman made an English Duke p r the same name or title. There happened, about a fortnight since, a great fire in Wapping, 6 or 800 houses
mus
(some say more) consumed. It burnt from about 11 of the clocke Sabbath day night, till 3 or 4 the next day could not be suppressed though there was much endeavor; many houses blowne up, &c.
;
Much jealousy
yet
to
that
it
made appeare.
rs
.
was done by some evill hand, but nothing Not else at p r sent but with my due respects
;
Mather
&,
your family,
Your assured
Pray give
their constant
& all our freind & seiV,

My
Eliott,
Society, I rest
John Richards. My
Willard,
my
service to
my
Brother
J. R:
Allin, with all the Elders, as there
may
be opportunity; begging
remembrance
at the
Throne of Grace.
to
Sir, I
have one thing to propose
you
1
as to our
:
concemes
That you would discourse the Govern
',
&c. about
Dudley
500
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.
would send over
myselfe arc of opinion that it might be well if the country a dismission of us from further employm* in their
concernes, thai might he enclosed to Major Kob* paper to be delivenl to vs when we should call for
to
Thomson,
it,
as a
&
see cause
make
r
vse of
it.
It
might possibly be of use

it,
in case
we
durst
not write to the Country about
least
it
should be discovered.
Dudley
will also hint
it
to
some
freind.
Pray keep
this pri-
vate.
J.
R.
JOHN RICHAKDS TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Rev* Mr. Increase Mather,

land, These.
att his
house in Boston, in
New Eng-
pr
Capt.
David Edwards.
London, Apr.
20th. 1683.
Eev d S r
litle
I wrott
you Decern,
is
last,
per Mr. Grafton, per via

Since which, there
is
Barbadoes, which I hope

alteration,
come
to hand.
either in publique,
or in
our private concernes.
Tilings
much
at the
same passe,
as to the Publique.
The meeting
Constables
of the Dissenters prevented as

oilier
much
as
may
be,
&
is
watchmen attending
at the doares of the
wonted meetins:-
places generally, keeping
them out
that they
meet not, which
intended as a kindnes, rather then to suffer them to meet,
&
then
apprhend and prosecute them, the King pressing it upon the Lord Major & Authority in the Citty impartially to execute the lawes
against them.
Many
arc excomunicated for not attending att their
Parish Churches,
in that case
&
takeing the Sacrament according to
provided,
it is
&
Capias's out against some,

;
&
will
Lawes come
out against many,
thought
which
will be very hard,
&
put
all,
them
they
to
still
their witt's
end what to doe.
But notwithstanding
continue their meetings, Lord's dayes

houses, shifting places
&
Lecture dayes,
hath been very
mostly
in private
&
the time of the day,
that they
may
be the lesse observed.

1
Doct!"
Owen
sickly ever since
came
hither almost,
seldome preacheth.
He
& Mr. Lee thanke yo w

them.
J
for the
booke, by
will write
my
hands conveyed to
.
suppose they haue or
yow
I have
minded
Mr. Edwards of the Instruments* for the
Towne
of Boston, as
Probably mathematical instruments.
1683.]
JOHN RICHARDS.
501
is
you desired me,

in
&
haue spoken to one Mr. Colson, who

assist
an
be
eminent mathematitian, to
him (who helped Mr. Stoughton
what he brought
for the Colledge.)
&
the thing
is
like to
effected.
Many
I
of the things bought already.

it
ledge Bookes, I shall doe in
what
I can.
As for the Money is scarce
Col-
with
me
But
to
here.
I
came
so
away
that I could not ^bring
much with me.
am
laying out,
&
if
I can procure
money,
shall likewise see
that accomplished.
answer when
be sure to gett the money ready, I shall draw upon yo w Lett it be lodged in Mr.
.
Yo w must
Danforth's, or your hand, or

shall
some other
in
safe hand.
I thinke I
it.
draw on
this
yourselfe, haueing onely your order about
As
to
our
affaires,
we
are held
still
doubt what
God
intends with us.
Haue
winter been sometimes in hope of some comfortable
issue, but againe cast behinde, (especially since our last ship
New
in,
from England,) things beare hard upon us, fresh complaints layd
easily credited. It
is
&
a time of patience.
fitt
The Lord
give
grace suitable to our dayly circumstances,
His people for mercy,
then should I hope the time would not be long.
However, (as it was seasonably vrged this morning, at an eight a clock lecture, by one Mr. How, a very able man,) it hath been said, we know all things worke together for good to them that love God & (saith he) shall we question it now? Make sure of your love to God, & beleive the same still, even vnder the saddest circumstances. I must needs say it is The Support, under those many thoughts of heart that attend me day by day. Pray, S r lett us still have
; ,
your fervent
intreated
&
faithfull prayers.
Who
can
tell
but
God may be
&
say, that this likewise shall not be, not to our Ruine,
Pray continue your care & kindnes to my family. The Lord will reward yo w & I hope I shall acknowledge w againe. Present my due respects it, if God give me to see yo d w to the Rev Elders, as yo may have occasion, & to the Brethren
but Refinement?
,
&
Sisters of our church
I trust they are not wanting to us, nor
themselves, in their constant addresses to the Throne of Grace for

assistance in,
&
good
r
issue of, our affaires.
I shall not give yo w
further trouble at p sent, but with

selfe,
my
hearty respects to yourfriends, &c.

:
good Mrs. Mather, Mr. Cotton, our Cambridge
rest
Your
obliged freind
&
servS
John Richards
My
ledge.
pticular respects to the President
&
Fellowes of the Colif it
Put them
in
minde of chuseing a new Treasurer,
be
502
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it
[1688.
not already done, and pray see
effected.
We shall
send Gazetts,
which
is
the best for forreigne intelligence, which the
Govern
1"
will
w the perusall of. Mr. Dudley presents his rereadily give yo w spects to yo & your Son Mr. Cotton.

For
the
Rev?
Increase Mather, in London.
Ive,
To
he left with
M
,
John
clt\
London.
Capt
Andr w
Belcher.
2'}
Boston
in Nijw
.
England, July
1688.
Rev
last,*
R
,
I wrote yo w by
MW
r
m Wheeler
of April
11th
vntill
since
which there hath been no oppertunity direct
now, that I know of. Not long since My John Eliot shewed me r chant, which a letter from one M? Joseph Paice of London,
signifyed the
Lady Holworthy's
in
desire of informacon
how much
was received
New England
to the Colledge, j to said Paice that
&
on account of S r Mathew's Legacy how disposed of. To which I have answered

1
hither
Major Rob Thomson (at my request) remitted twelve hundred thirty-four pounds, two shill. six pence,
;
our money
&
;
it
not being feazable to lay
it
out in
Land
here, to
yeild an yearly rent (as he intimates) because the
Incomes would
improved
be very
litle
It
hath been put out at interest,
&
profitts
towards maintenance of Fellowes, Schollars of the House, &c.

I
wrote him also that yourselfe (who had been P'sident some
yeares) would apply to her Ladyship, at least to returne thanks

for
former favours, &c.

1
all
which I thought meet

1*
to acquaint
The comencem is to be managed this yeare by M! Hubbard of Ipswich. The Govern sent to M* Lee to do it, who likewise intended, but was not possitive in his answer, & so Hubbard is to manage it, hath been here about it. I am not yet" dismissed from my Treasurer's place; but of late some orders
with.
yo w m
* So M
I'kinck.
i
I.
Mather
sail'd before
Apr. 11, 1688,
&
he says he
sail'd in April,
1688.
Sir
piety,
in
tli"
Mathcw Hoi worthy was a merchant of Hackney, of great wealth, charity, and knighted by Charles II., in 1665. His bequest was the largest to the College seventeenth century. His name was given to the Hall erected in 1812. He died in
Quincy** " History
T-.
of Harvard
University."
1688.]
JOHN EICHAEDS.
1"
503
have come from the Govern to
me
to act in severall pticulars.
What
tions,
is
intended I cannot yet gather.
The
health of your rela-
&
in
other <pticular affaires yo w will receive by better hands.

to blesse
We
haue reason
God
for the helpe

affaires
yow
left
with us, I
& comamongst us. How ever we cannot but long for your good company, & hope yo w will be industrious to hasten your returne. I beg your prayers, & comitting yow & your affaires to Devine
meane
your son, who carry es on
very prudently
fortably
Guidance, subscribe
Your
friend
&
serv*,
John Richards
10th
last,
My
strong
cousin
Humphry Luscombe * dyed June feavour. Lay by it but a weeke.

* Major Humphrey Luscomb, of Boston.
of a
504
THE MATHER PArERS.
[1682.
LETTERS OF THOMAS DANFORTH*
THOMAS DANFORTH TO INCREASE MATHER.

Increase Mather Pastor of the North Church

at Boston.
Cambr.
28,
10
1682.
Rev d S r
ledge
The order
given
f
Mr Hayward
saw not
to receive the Col-
Papra and Accounts
vntill this
evening after
that the Overseers parted,
where I do not observe any order that
he hath to take care of the Colledge Edifices

ings,
&
Presidents Lodg-
which
is
a part of the Treasurer's office, and if neglected or
putt into such a

the issue,
way
as to
make
that
work
difficult, will not,
in
be found the best method.
And
although I do heartily
desire to quitt that trust, yet cannot with
honor to my Acceptance therof from Capt. Richards,): consent that any pra3vious desire of mine should be made the Basis of the present change. Yourselfe well know, a new Treasurer was actually chosen, before I expressed any of
my
Desires to yourselfe, or to any other Person.
But vndcrstanding from yourselfe the strenuous Desires of the Fellows, that the Pap's might be lodg'd in some other hand; As also being inform'd that Insinuations were more privately hinted to the Ov'seers (or some of them at least) that had a
p'sonall Reference to myselfe
in
;
my
*
Desire to quitt that trust.
was & still am much heightned But this matter may be easily
with his father 'in 1634, was Representative Deputy Governor from 1679 to 86, and again after the usurpation of Andros. He was President for Maine in 1680, and a Judge of the Supreme Court in the Witchcraft Trials in 1692. He was named Treasurer of Harvard College in the Charter of 1650, and held that office eighteen years. t Danforth, after leaving the office of Treasurer, in 1669, took, by desire of the Overseers, the office of " Steward and Inspector of the Economical affairs of the College," which he held till April, 1682, when John Richards sailed for Europe. He then had "all the accounts and papers concerning the college" placed in his hauds. These he held till January, 1682-8. Quincy's " History of Harvard University"
to in 1G57-8, Assistant
Thomas Danforth came
New England
from 1659
to 78,
See note to his
letters.
1682.]
THOMAS DANFORTH.
by your
positive order for
505
salv'd
my
deliv ry of the Papers, leav-
ing out those words, of

all
my
;
desire therof.
And
I shall not at
dispute the matter any further, but most readily
&
thankfully
yeild obedience thervnto
only wheras I receiv'd the
Pap r s
in
the presence of the Corporation,
&
the Colledge Treasury being
Conc r nment, I do desire that with the like clearness I may deliver them again or, that the Ov r seers or Corporation will please to appoint their Committee, in whose presence it may be acted, & receive my discharge, for so it was when I deliver'd them to Capt. Richards. I have not yet had time to visitt the President, but intend it in
a matter of
:
the morning,
&
in case
he declines the time appointed for his Inwife's
stallment,* I shall immediatly give yourselfe notice therof.
Sr
with
myne
& my
kind salutes,
&
tender of
many
thanks for your reiterated respects,

in this
&
tender sympathizing with vs
day of our sorrow, begging the continuance of your Pray-
ers, that
we may know how
aright to sanctifye the

&>
name of
the
Lord therin, & be made more by all the Lord's dealings with Your sorrowfull Freind
more partakr s of His Holyness vs, I take leave & am Rev d S r

,
&
servant to
my Pow
r
,
Tho: Danforth.

These ffor the Reverend Mr. Increase Mather at Boston, dd.
Decemb k
30th, 1682.
Rev
r
,
Yesterday according to the appointment of the
Overseers, the President was inform'd of the time by them ordred

for his Installment,
wherevnto he did not manifest any ComplaIn the College Catalogue, the date of his accession to the office
is
* Eev. John Rogers.
of President of the College
given as April 10, 1682.
Quincy, in his "History," says he
was chosen and inaugurated in 1683. Mr. Savage, in his " Genealogical Dictionary," asThe reference in the letter of Danforth proves the correctness of Mr. signs the same date. Quincy's statement with regard to the inauguration, but not as to the choice. He was chosen by the Corporation, April 10th, and approved by the Overseers, April 20th, 1682. He appears to have been in Cambridge October of that year, but was not installed till
Aug. 14 x 1683. He died July 2, 1684. In a letter of Cotton Mather, dated Nov. 13, 1682, on page 388, Mr. Rogers is said to have " lately come [to Cambridge] to make a little trial of what it is to be a President." 64
506
ceney,
1
THE MATHER PAPERS.

but hath
[1682.
promised to signifye his desire therin to the
.1
'
Governo
the
fifth
".
So that now
Resolve.
it
will
rest
with yourselves to
give your
finall
On
I
day, as I came home, I called at your house, that

little
might have discoursed a
with yourselfe, as to the contents
of those lines I sent you yesterday; wherin I could but breifly

hint
I
what
at
;
I intended,
yet I hope
you
will fully
comp r hend what
aim
and
am
accordingly
way ting
for
your order, which I
shall
most thankfully imbrace. I am, S r , Yours,
T. D.

IViese
ffor the Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, in Boston, present.
Cambr.
8. d
11, 1682.
- [Prince.]
by Ffay, from Capt. Richards, he r signifies his desire that a Tre may be setled in the Colledge, and that lie shall not againe susteyne that place and also that some
a letter
;
Rev? Sir,
In
moneys
are to be receiued in Engl.,
which will require that the
corporacon
receiueing
fitt
r
impowr some meet person to give discharge, upon the same. For the latter of these, I know none more
,
then
Capt. Richards, and for Tre r
he doeth nominate
&
p sent to the Corporation Mr. Nowcll, whom he saith, he judgeth will be a good Tre *, he thinks, may possibly be p r vaeled with,
1
&
and truly
It will
do not know where the Coll. will be better provided.
be necessary that without
much
delay, yourselves, to
whome
the sctling of this affaire doth belong, do meet

in.
&
take order there,
With
all
kind salutes I take leave, and am, S r
Yours,
* Capt. Richards' Letter was dated at London YV r 25. 16S2. volume.
T. D.
Pkixce.
See the
letter in
this
1686.]
THOMAS DANFORTH.
507

These for the
Rev d
M
.
Increase Mather, President of
Harvard
Colledge,
ddd.
Cambr.
9.
9.
1686.
was discharged your service as Steward for the Colledge, which is now more then 13: weeks, you well know that I was then put in expectation of a speedy opportunity to give up my accounts & of some orderly way for the obteyning what should be found due to my selfe upon the just ballance. I have been ever since waiting when I should have had notice to attend the same but from that day to this I have not had the least intimaccon of any further actings therein and knowing none that I may more properly address my selfe unto then your selfe, my request to you is that I may not be further delayed. I know you cannot be ignorant that I am a great sufferer, many ways, by the neglect thereof, and happily in the issue you will find
,
Reverend S e
When
that others are
no gainers.
And
,
also I not unsensible

is
(if reports
be true which I hear) that the delay of this matter

such wise as
improved in
God
:
hath no hono r nor will
it,
I fear, be comfort to
some
your
in the close
selfe,
;
I should gladly have had

to call in at
some conference with
had you been pleased
my
house, going or
coming but fearing a disappointm* (as hitherto) I am bold to give you the trouble of these lines. I have no more to add at p r sent, but the very kind salutes of him that is & shall remaine S r Yours to serve so far as you shall give me leave, Tho: Danforth.
!

For
the
Reverend
M
.
Increase Mather, Pastor of one of the
Churches at
Boston.
Cambr.
8.
9.
87.
Rd S r
&
propound
tion for a
Referring to an Address to his Matie I do humbly desire that no mention may be made of the Proclama,
gen aU
tolleration, there will be
no need of touching upon
508
it
THE MATHER
PAPERS."
[1687.
in the least,
&
am
assured
many dangerous
$* I do
rocks will be
the conse;
shunned thereby.
For
my own
that
more dread
quences thereof, than the excecuccon of those pnenall lawes

1 only wall ag Popery)
(the
are
now
designed to be cashired,
wee may without breach of charity conclude that the Popish Countime will shew more, God Almighty bring them cells are lay d. deep Our Pasto r * in his proposall to our church, nameing to nought. the Proclamation, I told him I did highly distinguish between
:
being thankfull for our Libertyes,
&
for the
Proclamaccon.
If
wee had never heard thereof, yet wee owe thanks both to God & man, were it but for the liberty of our sabbath. Wee are in a dream if wee imagine that X' and antiX* will be reconciled. ts Lambes. Anti is none of that woolfe that shall feed with
The promise
is
that the
of the earth,
God
will put
it
into their
hearts to hate the
Whoare,
& &
to
burn her with
fire.
Amen,
Amen.
Come
Ld
S
r
,
Jesus,
Come
ffr d
quickly.
I beg your pardon,
&
remaine, Dear
Your
serv*,
Tho: Daneorth.
In the Life of Dr. Increase Mather it seems that the following Adresses of Thanks to K. James for his Declaration of Liberty of Consience were carried over by s d Mather, who went away Apr. 7, 1688 arriv'd at London, May 25 & on May 30, presented the Address to the King. Prince.
; ;
* Rev. Nathaniel Gookin [H. C. 1675] was minister of Cambridge at this period.

1682-3.]
SAMUEL BAKER.
509
LETTERS OF SAMUEL BAKER.*
SAMUEL BAKER TO INCREASE MATHER.

W[atesfield,] Jan.
Revd S r
writing.
I
am
I
30* h 1682, [3.]
am
obliged to acknowledge the rec* of letters

last.
from you since

I
my
My
if
infirmities
hinder
my
frequent
it,
therefore the
more large when I do attempt

have opportunity while in
books your
which I design once a year,

Tabernacle.
this
am
also endebted for the

It
is
advise
of being come safe to hand.
my
trouble I cannot be wel
enough
to read all
you send,
for they are very acceptable.
The
Lattine peice I have skil enough to understand, but not health,

for I converse little with books but
as read to
mee.
I only ob-
serve by the
way Mr.
Allen's mistake,
who
said he
it
was with me
when admitted
Brother.
it
at the University.
I guess
may
be true of
is
my
if
I should be glad to hear
how
he does
&
employed,
be he I received in London during the plague, for I knew not
A minist
rec d
what was become of him. But to return from this digression, r to whose perusal I recofriended the book De signo jilii
hominis, returned
me
a very
full acc
of the Author's worth
&
learning conspicuous therein.
As
to Revelation notions, I have
much
is
satisfaction
from Dr. Goodwin's Expos: of that book
which
newly printed.
Your
other book of sermons do judg
very seasonable here, as with you.

ally read in
my
I had most of them occasionFamily instead of Repetition.

in
Another I rec d
through,
answer to the Anababtists, in vindication

I desired
of proceedings against them,
Mr. Petto
to peruse
it
&
give you his sence, but from
my
:
cursory veiw
the
when
I thought on that Scripture,
The Servant of
Lord must be
meek
&
gentle with
them who oppose, &c
however the things
* Samuel Baker, Esq., of Watesfield, Suffolk, Eng., is called by Calamy "the famous.' His funeral sermon was preached by Rev. Samuel Petto, of Sudbury.
510
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682-3.
may
had
I
be justifiable, I thought the managem* more likely of success,

it
more
footsteps of that spirit.
is
was much pleased to see the names of those who had comenced I your College, with some of which I have been acquainted.
its
wish for
future
flourishing
acceptance of the Presidentship.

the ministry
qualified that
cV
is
you had seen your way plain The scarcity of good men
to
in
much to be bewailed. way where opportunity
The Education of persons serve is much to be desired
Here I cannot but subjoyn a caution how you in N. E. entertain strangers and employ them in preaching work, fur I have heard some debauched young men of parts & good education, when become prodigals, have gone thither pretending sobriety, engaged in that work for a subsistance, which a sufficient
promoted.
Testimonial might prevent.
sent last winter miscaried.
Sr
am
sorry the smal
Tracts I
My
nephew R. was
confident
you
woul[d] receive them,

will
else I
had sent others, which I suppose

Protestants
state of the
now be
too late.
being I doubt not
The sufferings of the French known to you, as also the present
That of Dr. O. of Repentance I send now, as stil Conformist for the Nonconf. newly printed, relating some of their sufferings, which may affect
Empire.
seasonable, with a 4th plea of a
you, though but a very few instances of their

are
afflictions,
which
now
generally renewed by a fresh prosecution on the Stat, of

for absence
20 p mo. now turned

charge but
from Ch: made against Popish Recusants,

viz.
against Dissenters, and nothing accepted [on the] disfull
Conformity,
hearing
service
&
receiving
In some great places also meetings are almost wholly prevented by the watchfulnes & severity of them who suppress them, Sacrament.
especially in
Norwich
&
Bristow, and lately begun in the suburbs

places .destroyed.
of
London: The meeting

is
furth
1'
progress
Sheriffs
there
daily
expected for as the present
Ld
Major
&
are such
whom
the Dissenters opposed in their Election, so after a
great
strift in
the choice of a
it
Comon
Councel, the parties in
it
are
so near a ballance as
may
be greatly more than probable the
major vote
may
be gained for a resignation of the Charter, the Con-
Bequences whereof any wise
man can
is
foresee:
Norwich
&
some
other corporations have resigned already, and in the

alteration of the
new Charter
Aldermen, &c,
is
made,
&
power of nomination
hereafter reserved as
said
...
In Scotland I was lately told
1682-3.
SAMUEL BAKER.
that
511
by one who came thence,

the Test
:
150 ministers]
. .
...
.
for refusing
the meetings generally suppressd
come not
hither
now
[Several lines mutilated.']
I
last
know not what to add but that a new Comet appeared here Dec. in North E., tapering upward S. E., much of the form
The
light
of the great one in smaller proportions, yet exceeded any for 20
was not so bright as [It] was seen in the evening for about 3 weeks. S r I should be glad to hear by you how religion flourish in N. E. I perceive by worthy Mr. Oakes's sermon he thought it in the wane. I would be glad to have the Synod's opinion of Reformation, & means of its you once
years past, the last excepted.
some
others, but the star
&
stream larger.
,
sent me.
if
I lent [and] so lost
it.
Also be willing to understand

I think of one thing as I
those proposals had any good effect.
am
of
writing this, not impertinent to ask, viz. the truth

it,
&
reason
why
the traders with N. E. generally complain here they

failures in the people of
meet with such

scarcity of
N. E. dealings
as discourit
it
age trading thither,
&
reflect
on their profession.
Whether
be
I
money
I
or also unfaithfulnes in dealing occasions
know
not, but I wish I be misinformed only,
&
the report be
at
groundles.
am awar we
us.
have
faults too
many
home, and
need your prayers on that account.

sufferings
I wish I could tell

is
you our
the root
fer-
had amended
worldly, carnal spirit
distemper whence
much bad
fruit
do spring.
We
need your
vent prayers, as our sufferings are like to encrease, for grace

sutable.
Since I wrot the last side, tarrying for the ship, order
is
given in
is
London
;
to suppress all meetings.
The Comon Councel
said to have voted thanks to the last
Ld
Major
for his
good
:
service last year
carried
by 33
votes,
which shews
their strength
only 2 wards were not determined as to their Election, which
is
not like to alter the case
and [the] Earl of Shaftsbury
is
said to
be dead in Holland, Dr.
Owen
very
ill,
&
feared will not recover.
Kidneys. Mr. Yinon the 35* of Eliz: lies a prisoner his 3 months, then must leave the King's dominions or suffer death. Thus, S r I have given yo w a prospect as I may of
His complaint the stone
&
an ulcer
in the
cent, a
London
minister, convicted
512
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1684.
our state at present, which

beloved, 1 rest,
may
tire
&
trouble
you
in perusall.
Shall add no more, but saluting

cM
you much
in the Lord, as honoured
Sr
Yo
rs
affectionately,
S.
B.

TItese
for
the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, Minister of Boston in New England, dd.
the Gospel in
Sept. 2?
84.
Dear S
last
r
,
I
as
am
endebted to you for two
rs
,
one received
not disposed
sumer, another
this,
which were very acceptable, though I

obligation.
have not acknowledged

to
my
Indeed I
am
write
rs
formerly,
and have nothing worthy of you.

indeed,
helpful
The little book of Providences, I received. There are, many remarkable, and our acquaintance with them may be
to our faith in liveing
on the same
life
God on
all
occasions to preis
serve
&
save.
The
other of the
of dying religion
exceeding
in
seasonable.
May
the
Lord
please to revive his

is
work of grace
the hearts of his people.

uality, faith, love,
It
sad to observe the decay of spirit-
and holines, whilst yet professors are suffering

Earthly mindednes prevails much.
for conscience sake.

life,
Pride of
want of love
to the truth, to the bretheren, formality,
even in
such as refuse to worship with a form.

little
Complaints there are, but
true sence of duty, practically to reform persons, families, or
churches.
The Lord knows how
to
purge that which wil not be

it
He sitts a refiner, and throughly. You hear, I doubt

purged.
senters
as
ly
has gratiously promised to do
not, the sufferings of such Dislately
do not comply,
have
encreased
universally.
They
in
under great reproach

estates,
&
affliction,
weakned
&
broken
their
&
am
in
in
in
their
spiritual
priviledges
restrained,
&
scattred,
and nothing
prospect but greater troubles.
I have
afflic-
my
share, as I
very willing to take
my
lott
in the
tions
accomplishd
of
the rest of the Bretheren,

1 continue
and having ob-
tained help
God,
witnessing to the truth of the
1687.]
SAMUEL BAKEK.
it
513
If
gospell without fainting, finding
a faithful word.
we
partake
of the Suffering,
it is
we
shall also of the Consolation.
I bless
God
not for evil-doing, but well-doing.
And
it is
my
rejoycing in
my own &
in simplicity
others behalf, the testimony of our Conscience that
&
godly sincerity, by the grace of God,
we have had
our conversation in the world, and more abundantly towards our
However, we are misrepresented by some I have nothing to write yw in particular. Mr. Ames, the son of Dr. Ames is yet liveing, but strangely disabled for work, by a weaknes in head, that he cannot
Superiors
&
Governors,
enemies of the Protestant Religion.
bear discourse, nor able to pray in his family, yet looks well, eats
and sleep [s.] so
its said,
he
is
little
better than he was.
I have given Mr.
Epps order
it,
to send
you,
1.
An
Acc of
the present state of the Prot.
Religion,
supposed by Dr. O.,
though I guess you have

his Meditations of Glory.
for
2.
which reason I do not send you
A defence
4.
of his 12 arguments in
answer
to Baxter.
3.
The Dr's Escot

of one Mr.
reprinted, with a Catalogue
at the end, of all the Dr's books.
A little book against HealthHenry Dorney, who was an
drinking.
5.
The
life
Elder of Mr. Row's Church, whose Discourses
&L
rs
in
it
I pre-
sume you
will value.
Let us abound
in
prayer for each other as

all
sufferings abound, that
we may be
strengthned unto
patience
&c. and Christ be magnified.

I remain Yours
[Indorsed,
Suffolk."
[Signature erased.]
"I suppose Prince.]
this Lett? is
a Samuel Baker, Esq. of Wattsfield
Hall, in

These for his
much Respect? frf
Increase Mather, MinisV of the
Gospell in Boston,
New
Engl?
S*
There
L
rs
is
no
fault in
any person but

rs
my
it
self that
you haue
not rec?
from mee of
bee. I wrot not,

silence.
y and of that bee. I judged
late
as before.
The only reason was

prudence to keep
1
Neither can I recov r
sireous to salute you,
and
my former freedom, yet very dereturn my acknowledgm for the books

65
514
I
THE MATHER PAPERS.

rcc'!
[1687.
haue
I suppose
I
none haue miscarried, and

I
am
sorry for the
cause
why
am
like to rcceiue no more.
am
glad to see your

I only wish
son so well furnished with Evangelical knowledge.
he delivered
truths in your
stile,
in that plaines of expression
most conduce to edification. You haue, I wish the also, the spiritual skill of speaking words in season. I know manuscript you mention may haue the desired success.
which the Gospel teach
not what return to
Burnett's
the
&
make %* herewith
his
in this kind sent.
more acceptable than of Dr.

haue, I doubt not, heard of
You
man, and
is
book
There
will give
is
of his travells.
send, but
a book late wrot
you a pleasant diversion with acc by a Frenchman, would

it,
scarce to get, and I haue only seen
but not
my
own.
He
is
large in giueing characters of Antichrist,

;
and exhas
pounding many things of the Rev.

AVittnesses,! which he take
to be
as of the slaughter of the
doing in France.
He
many
notions ingenious,
deliverd with
&
others carry great probability of truth, but
somewhat too much confidence,
&
it,
not so closely
is
argued to clear the proof as might be, yet the book
much
read
&
J
esteemed, therefore I had better not mentiond

it,
unles I could
procure
which
shall endeavor, if
am
not ccrtein.
His
Ma
tie
it be not prohibited, whereof haue favourd Dissenters with crreat
Liberty here. The cheif want is of Preachers. There are some young men, too many of them Baxterian in their notion, very few
close in practice with the Congregational
way.
I haue as eminent
young Treacher of 22 years
old, in
my
family, as I haue heard
of,
but I fear will spend himself too fast in the work.
Another
as I wish
that lived with
me
before
him
is
a Pastor of an antient Ch. about
Leeds, in Yorkshire.
I cannot giue
;
you
so
good a report
of the success of Preaching

but a
little
but
we have enjoyed our Liberty

I hope fruit,
time, and
it
is
yet but a sowing time.

forth
with patience,
l
may be brought
&
reaped with joy.
There
be g cause of humblings, that there appear so much of what the envious one hath sown among professo's. I know nothino- materially
here to add.
am
very glad to hear of your welfare,

in all Capacities
still
&
in
wish you
Religion
maybe
continued
shall
of usefulnes, and hope
&
Learning
flourish in
N. E.
Petto
is
* Prohiil.lv Rev. Gilbert
Burnet's (afterward Bishop of Salisbury) "Travels through
Switzerland, Italy, and some parts of Germany."

t
Kotterdam: 1CS7.
Rev.
xi.
7.
1687.]
SAMUEL BAKER.
who, I suppose, writes
Sy,
to you.
515
Comitting you to divine
health,
Protection, I rest
Your
Affect, fr?
S.
B.*
S r Pray
,
London,
He is I am
what you send to My Sam. Eead, Merch* in Lawrence Lane. very careful to convey what he receives, to mee. told the price of the French book is 8 There is no
direct to be left at the Bell in
s
.
reason for such dearnes (being a thick 8)

prohibited selling here, for
it
only
;
it
is
to
be
was printed
in Holl?
therefore I do
not send
it.
" Since this letter was wrot there Indorsed in another hand, r from you to Baker, w ch shall bee forwarded to him."
is
come a packet!
* Conclude Samuel Baker of Wattsfield-Hall, Suffolk.
Prince.
51G
THE MATHER. PAPERS,
[1684.
LETTERS OF SAMUEL SEW ALL*
SAMUEL SEWALL TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mathei
Boston.
23. 82-3.
Boston, March
Honoured
thoughts what
Sir,
if
If you think
a fair
I
it
not inconvenient, I have some

?
I should print the Colledge-Laws
that so every
r
student admitted
may have
Admittatur
to
keep
j>
him, in
memory of his Admission. copy, many borrow Laws to

for
know
that to avoid writing qut a
present at their Admission, which they

is
are fain to return agen awhile after, which
very mischievous,
by that means, they are without both Laws

stitch't
&
Admittatur.
I supose the Colledge-Orders are not very bulkey, so I could have
some what
up
in
Marble-Paper,
&
(considering the fewness of
shall part with) afford
them
at a very easy rate.
Sir,
Your
friend
&
Serv*
Samuel Sewall.
SAMUEL SEWALL TO COTTON MATHER.

For
his
much esteemed Friend Mr.
Cotton Mather,
pr. Eliakim
M.
Boston, Xr.
Sir,
Would
25, 84.
intreat
you
to send
me
the
little
book you spake
of to me, which Dr.
Owen
writt of the
Glory of Christ.
Please also, in stead of some Kecreation,
when you can spare

He was
its
* Samuel Sewall came to

Assistant in 1684,
6,
New
England, with his mother, in 1661.
chosen
and
6,
when
the Charter was abrogated, and again, in
restoration,
from L689 to 92. He was appointed to the Council in the new Charter by William and Mary, through the advice of Increase Mather, and made a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1692. lie was a supervisor of the press in 1681, and "printed the catechism with his
own
hand.' 1
Sec Savage's " Geneal. Diet."
1688.]
SAMUEL SEWALL.
517
the time, to give
me
your Reasons why the Heart of America
may
not be the seat of the
New-Jerusalem.
warrants
The worthy Pastor of

an Inquiry.
Newbury,*
Arguments,
ing to
that I
in his fourth letter to
Mr. Meade, (which I thank you
for directing
me
to,)
me
in such
Your
briefly laid
down under
several heads, will be refresh-
me to have them to consider of. Desiring your Prayers, may be found in Christ, not having my own Righteousness,
who am,
Sir,
I take leave,
Yours,
Sam.
Sew all.
My
son Sam:
is still sick.

For
the
Rev d
M
.
Increase Mather in London.
Boston,
Revd
Sir,
New
Engl., July
inst.
24, 1688.
writt to
London of
the
16 th
r
by Belcher,
of Charles-
giving an ace? of the serving of several Writts of Intrusion, on
Colonel Shrimp ton

place, for land
j-
for Dear-Island,
;
on
Lynde
town, for land of his there
and on Mr. Russell
of the same
of his near old Abraham's.
My Lynde
quickly
made
his
peace with
My James Graham,
the Attorney-General.
My
Russell folio w'd not long after, prevaild with by Mr. StoughI was urg'd by
ton's advice.
my
friends
two contrary wayes
but atjast have this day petition'd for a Patent for Hogg-Island.
My Dudley, Stoughton &

averse.
several
principal
men having
taken
Patents, and intend to doe it; some of which were formerly most
I had resolv'd once to have come to you by Bilbao, in
by whom I send this, but when it came to, my friends would by no means part with me, my wife being very near her time. Twere good if you could come to know whether persons
My
Curtis,
* Probably Rev. William Twisse, D.D., vicar of Newbury, in England, who published " Fifteen Letters to Mr. Joseph Mede." See Sewall's " Phcenomena qucedam Apocalyptical
second
edit., p. 29.
on p. 113. Joseph Lynde was of the Committee of Safety in 1689. James Kussell was Treasurer of the Colony and Assistant in 1680, and subsequently he was a Counsellor under the new Charter, and Treasurer of the Province.
t See note
%
518
THE MATHER PAPERS.

The Judges
to
[1688.
are thus to be compcll'd to take Patents.

as tell
us we should be cast
and Apealing
did as good England does not
hinder the Execution going forth.
The
generality of People are
very averse from complying with any thing that may alter the Tenure of their Lands, and look upon me very sorrowfully that I
have given way.

the east end of the
There was. a Gallery erected last Thorsday, at Town House, from whence His Excellency's *
published, 8
new Comission was
two a clock the Lecture began,
Governour speaks of setting Deacon Bracket was buried
Companys being in Arms. About r Lawson f preached. The forth for New-York next Thursday.
this day.
'Tis finally said that the
Chh
$ shall
be set between the School-House

of the Council urging
it,
&
Capt. Townsend's
corner,
many
just full
up with
r
.
Moodey's gate, where
cut off the
upon
the cartway that
way between my fence & now is, into the ground.

and so are yours so
far as I
might not stand would have wholly Jn? Coney's, and have stood
that so
it
it
ferent well,
know.
We are all indifWe have had a

the spring.
very showery
summer
fail
hitherto,
which produces good suplyes of
Grass
but Aplcs
I
much by reason of worms in am, Sir, Your obliged friend & serv*,
Sam. Sewall.
* Sir
Edmund Andros.
Deodate Lawson preached
for
t Bev.
some time
at
Salem
Village,
now Danvers, and
afterwards at Scituate.
society of that denomination
The first when Randolph brought with him from England Robert Ratcliffe, an Episcopalian clergyman. The meetings were held for a time in private houses, and next in the Town House. Applications were made for the use of one
J
This, without doubt, refers to the
first
Episcopal Church edifice in Boston.
was formed
in 1G8G,
manded
ami another of the meeting-houses, but were strenuously resisted. In 1G87, Andros dethe key of the Old South Church, that " prayers might be said there." The Church remonstrated, but in vain, and the building was occupied by the Episcopalians from March 26, 1687, till the Revolution in 1689. In the mean time they constantly kept in view the erection of a church for themselves. "Judge Sewall,'' says Drake, in his
History of Boston,"
'
"was
several times applied
to, to sell
a piece of land at Cotton Hill,
(an eminence near the soufherly termination of Pemberton Square, and nearly opposite the
gate of King's Chapel burying ground,
named from
its
having been near the residence of
John Cotton.)" The house was at length built on the site of the present King's Chapel. 41 The land was probably taken, by order of Andros, out of the common burial place which was given to the town by Mr. Isaac Johnson."
1688.]
SAMUEL SEWALL.
519

For
the
Reverend
M
.
Increase Mather at London.
Honoured Sir, On which I am much oblig'd.

England.
to Bilbao, I writt to
Boston, N. E. Oct*
8,
1688.
,
Septr 21. I reed yours of July 6 th
by
Am
glad to hear of the likelihood you
have of succeeding in the great concerns you manage for New-
you p r C. Belchar, of mine

<p
& my
friend's
concerns relating to our Properties, and since
My
Curtis, sailing
&
from thence
it
to Bristow.
In the
last I
acquainted
you, that tho I thought
very hard measure to be serv'd with a

friends not agreeing in their advice,
Writt of Intrusion
yet
my
;
I petition'd for a Patent rather than to stand suit with the King.
This was done July 24th

his
and July 30th the Governour * took
journey to New-Yprk, East

is
& West
Jersey, Albany, from

troubles falling in,
which voyages
not yet return'd.

it,
The Indian
which were begun, as I take

slain at a place
July 30th, 4 or 5 Indians being
calPd
Spectacle
Pond near
Springfield
Road.
of
Since that, several English

all
men have bee[n]

at
tis
kilPd at Northfield,
five
;
Squawkheag
and since
North-Yarmouth four or
Also, an Engl,
whom
Justice Gendal, one: but

kill'd
thought sixteen or seventeen
Indians were
toll'd into
kill
in the skirmish.
man was
the woods, at
New-haven, under pretence of assisting to

People are much
a Dear, and was himself, by the Indian Inviter, butchered in
a cruel maner.
alarm'd, and in
The murderer aprehended.
many
places dwell in garrison'd houses, to their
great anoyance and impoverishing.
Two
Presses have been [in]
Boston, 32 sent the
first,
&
sixteen the second out of this
to help those in distress in the eastern parts.
To[wn,] The Lord provi[de.]
The Gov r
& Mf
is
till
Secretary
West being
absent, with other of the
Council, here
nothing done as to Patents, so have not any thing

[I] see
farther to add,
how
I shall be us'd.
Have
petitioned
only for the Island.

like to
Am
so sensible of the miseries this people
undergoe,
if that
course be follow'd, that I shall be very

to
wi lling to give
more than comes
my
share, if
some general way
* Andros.
520
THE MATHER PAPERS.

I
[1688
of Relief might be obtain'd.
was
so concern'd, that I had cast
on the sea to come for England before petitioning, but knew My wife was delivnot how to get away [from] my friends. August 15th, If my many Land-ties vlt* son a of ered safely
my
self
make an Essay to 'Tis see my native country, while some that I know are there. much that nothing was said of Judge Palmer f in any letter, who He hath is like to make a great figure here under that character.
(that I
know
of) hold
me
not, shall goe near to
so artificially reporterd the Articles
(as they are call'd)

;
against
the
Gov r
.
as tends to considerable disadvantage
tho
My
Nowell's,
of
21, gives check to a considerable part of his Relation.
...
of Cambridge was bur[ie]d last Friday.
Supose
[Two
lines mutilated.,]
from whence I
lately
came.
Supose you will have a your

.
fuller acc
My Mather.
Engl d
am,
friends.
My
service to
r
.
Nowell,
&
p my New-
Praying
God you may

friend
hapily finish what you have I take leave,
so well b[egun,]
Sir,
especially about Property,
who
Your
&
serv*.
Sam? Sewall.
* Joseph Sewall [H. C. 1707], afterwards minister of the Old South Church. Judge first wife was Hannah, daughter of John Hull, the mint-master. t John Palmer was of Andros's Council, and took sides against the people for rising against Andros. He brought from England a commission to be Chief Justice. Savage's
Sewall's
" Geneal. Diet.;" Hutchinson's " History,"
i.
371.
1683.]
JOHN SOGERS.
521
LETTERS OF JOHN ROGERS*
JOHN ROGERS TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, in Boston,
these.
Hono red
that
Sir,
Not
to
:
trouble yourself with any impertithe purport of these lines

is
nencyes, service premised
to signify-
we
desire here a meeting of the Corporation the next

if either
;
week,
either
itself
on Tuesday or Wensday,
of them, or the thing
may
suit
your conveniency
this side
to those concerned in Boston,
and I entreat you to signify it and we shal be careful to give notice
of
it
to those
you,
&
succeed your labors.
In the mean time, God keep Pray for him who is Ynfeignedly Your humble servant & friend, Jno: Rogers.
on
with us.
83.
*
.
Cambridge,
Sir, I
24, 9,
hope an answer by bearer.
JOHN ROGERS AND OTHERS TO INCREASE MATHER.

Reverend
to give
signify
Sir,
We
are heartily sorry that

lines
;
we
are enforced
is
you the trouble of these

our
great
the purport whereof

stated
;
to
dissatisfaction
with the
time
of the
whereof
the occasion Comencem*, on the first Wensday in July next is, that upon that very day wil fall out a grand Eclipse of
* Rev. John Rogers [H. C. 1649] was born in England in 1631. Was both a physician and preacher. He occasionally assisted Rev. Mr. Cobbett, and Mr. Hubbard, at Ipswich. He was chosen President of Harvard College in 1676, but declined; was again chosen in 1682, and accepted. See notes on pp. 388 and 505.
66
522
the
Last
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Sun,* whir]) was not foreseen, or
meeting of the Corporation.
of
it,
[1684.
at least,
thought
What
reflection
upon the wilbee vpon

of,
our oversight
have
.-till
or
upon our
persisting, notwithstanding
it,
we
the opportunity of correcting

;
before the
Almanack
come
in
it,
forth
as also
how
is
obstructive the Eclipse wilbee as to the
busines of the day,

but reckon
us,
it
very obvious.
Wee
If,
are not superstitious
very inconvenient.
therefore, yourself shal
joyne with
BEono ed
r
(
and improve your interest once more with the
Overseers, to alter
and confirme the day on the 2 d Wensfirst
day
in
July, or for this p'sent turne on the

2'
1
Tuesday
in July,
or the forementioned
Wednsday,
al
it
shal be
most grateful and
obliging to us.
Sir,
praying a blessing upon
your labo r s, and begging your
prayers for us,
we
kisse
your hands,
friends
&
are
Your
&
servants,
J.
Rogers.
Samuel Andrew, f
Jno. Cotton.
Cambridge,
9,
10, 83.
JOHN ROGERS TO INCREASE MATHER

Reverend
late
Sir,
the
kindnes
in
enrich
[Tie
mee
frith
these pay my humble Thankes for your Booke you were pleased to do me the hono r to by the hand of Mr. Cotton, and kisse your hands.
1
By
further occasio' of
it,
my
present writing,
that are
is
to signify that the
time requiring
veer to comence Bachelors are ordered these three next weekes, to attend the two first daya of every the said weeks, in the Hall, the pleasure of
this
the
yong men
racfa
Gentlemen
whom
la
it
concernea
I
t.
make
tryal of their suffito
ciency, according aa
appointed.
had purposed
have sent
after
P ildent .l-.lu, Bogere died July -J. 1684, the loring the eoUpee of the ran to which he refers in the letter. tt bj the almanac f , thai year to I:U -,.
|
day
Com-
TheCommem
first
been held on the
Tuesd
B. 0.1678
:
" ,r " t,
;
,,,
1
'"-
C '" ;7 "
owof
3
the College
thorn,
wae a Fellow and Librarian oft Hampton, where he was ordained Nc
1684.]
JOHN ROGERS.
word the
last
523
yourself
vent.
Thursday, not thinking of the Fast to pre-
Sir, I shal give
your more weighty occasions no further

all
interruption, but
comend
your studyes
to the blessing of [the]
Almighty, with requests of reciprocal prayers for us, and always

shalbee
Yours truely
26. 2. 84.
in Friendship
&
service,
Jno: Kogers.
Camebkidge,,
524
THE BATHER TAPERS.
[1G84.
LETTERS OF EDWARD RANDOLPH*
EDWARD RANDOLPH TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the Hi Hi-mill
Mr. Increase Mather,
deliuer.
Boston Dec. 13?
1683.
SB
tyme
in
found the
Gou
last
night willing that I should carry
ouer to Mr. Boyle, one of Mr. Ladd's compasses, which was some
Bince disordered
by a storm
at sea.
it
I beleiued
it
had been
the
Town
it
House, but hearing

deliuered to
to be in
your custody, desire I
may haue
dispose of
my
brother, the Bearer hereof, that I

I
,
may
it
as designed.
am, S r Your humble ser*.
Ed. Randolph
EDWARD RANDOLPH TO SAMUEL SHRIMITON.t

Whitehall, July 18*
in
.
84.
receiued your kind lines,
&
thank you for your care

a very indiscreet letter,
my
affaire.
Mr. Nelson
early
life
i
hath sent
me
Lb
known. His first appearmessenger from the King, bringing the royal demand* for agenta to be Benl to England, and charged with the duty of Inquiring into the condition of the country, &c., Sec He continued for the space of more
certainly
of Randolph aothing
in
nncc
in
few-1
lb
March, 1676,
as
a .special
than
tblrtei d
be the M evil genius of the Colony," going back and forth between maker of mischief. Be was a zealous promoter v, and the principal Instrument of depriving Massachusetts of its charter i! lialrj hated the people, and was aa heartily abhorred in return. lie Doua during the tyranny of Androa; and, at the Revolution of 1689, was immmon gaol for several weeks, and afterwards sent home. It is' said that t Indies, Bliot'sBiog Diet.; Palfrey's Hist of N. E. ; Hutchinson's
yean
to
tnd the
mother country
Ann.
onoll of
Androa
in
uneii of Safety in 1689.
the foremoel
actors
in 1687, "but not a partaker Bavage's Qeneal. Diet. the Revolution against Androa in
ftweh and
Indians, and long imprisoned at Quebec Hist Coll. Series iii. vol. i P 190
1684]
EDWARD RANDOLPH.
he had not
it
525
but
if
set his
name
to
it,
I should -haue guesd from

his
whence
came.
I will not steale
away
the
mother, nor be conall
cerned with any where he has to do.

country,
I find
are
mad
in
your
and that
Mr.
Mather,
Bellowes of Sedition
&
Treason, has at last attained his end in setting his fools a horseback.
If they do not
mend
their
manners, some of them

to
may
ride to the divill.
~No better
newes could come
me
then to heare
man
was putt out of the Election. The fitter his Country in an honorable station for they haue declared him so. I hope in God all will do very well, except your madmen endeavour to run the people into a Rebel-
Mr. Dudley
principally
to serue the
King
&
lion.
You haue Mr.

sent to
it.
Amsterdam,
a copy of
sent to Mr. Gouge of Major Dudley I desire him to let you haue Pray haue a strict eye upon my daughter [s] Betty
;
Mather's letter *
& &
Mary.
is
Their sister Jane hath shewn them a very bad example,
a lost child to me.
God
giue her grace to repent.
I found
Mr. Foy could not bring ouer a horse as you expected. Pray haue a little patience, & you will haue choice in a little tyme brought you ouer. My seruice to Madam Shrimpton, and to all our freinds. I have no newes to send you ouer, onely that S r Edw d Dering, one of the Lords Comm rs of the Treasury, is dead and so is S r George Downing. I send my brother ouer to succeed my Bro: Gyls, and Mr. Thatcher is no longer to be
;
concernd, as I
trouble,
now
writ to him.
1',
am
in great hast
&
greater
&
remain, S
Your assured
Mr. Shrimpton.
freind
&
Serv
Ed: Randolph.
EDWARD RANDOLPH TO SAMUEL SHRIMPTON.

July
26. 1684.
1
!
SR
haue also receiued yours of Boston,
which I heartily thanke you,

line speakes great loue
&
for
for June 5 1 your cautions therein. Euery

,
&
freindship.
am
prepared to answeare
at
Gov. Cranfeild
&
Mr. Dyer's reports of me here

* See
p.
home.
As
to
104 in this volume.
tiii:
MATHER TAPERS.
[1684.
the
French wine,
value not any of their discourse.
I onely wish
you had as much more now by you. Sir, I haue not tyme to write particularly to your lady aa I ought, but I intreat her to giue
credit! to
me, when
assure her that nobody in your Colony will
iturbd in their worship;
but
when
I heare
how
foolish
your
people haue been
in
their late
Election, I cannot but very
much
blame Brother Allen, who cannot fcrbeare blowing the bellowes. fa natural] to him to be medling in Gou*, & now lett the party see
what
a
monster they haue made of their magistracy, composed of

A:
flfooles
knaues.
am
extreamely solicitous that Mr. Dudley
might
have the sole Gou* of X.
Eng d
for
derstands the constitution of
your country,
&
no man better unhath more loyalty

in
it,
A
in
I
respect
it,
I
to
it
his
MatiM
all
affaires,
but I dare not openly appeare

is
[east
be
thought there
some private design

taken,
r
"it
am upon
a-
occasions hinting his meritt to
his freinds.
Hut
yet there arc no resolutions

or
a
distinct
wheither one
Gou
ouer the whole,
Gou
over your Colony, to be
allowed of by his M;i n ", with the addition of N. Plymouth:

that
le
&
till
under consideration twill be very improper to make any applications about it. S r be confident no tyme or opportunity
,
shall be lost to
promote Mr. Dudley's

I
interest, for in that all
our
happines consists.
am
;
certain things
awhile ago would haue
been easily brought about

triued
their
security.
but now your people have madly conEuery body here that is generally well
inclined to your Country are so startled, that I am forced to take pain.- to convince them that the late proceedings are not the act
copy of Mr. Nelson's Major Dudley, committ to am vnwilling to expose him for Mrs. Tayler's sake. the lire. Pray present my hearty respects to your lady, and once more I make my Bolemn protest, that if your ministers do not preach vp
(
oi
the
whole
oloiiy.
Ben(j y ()ll inclosed a
letter,
which, when read

I
& shown
to
rebellion,
as
lately
in
Mr. Newell* did

late letter,
in his Artilcry
till
Sermon,
&
all
Mr. Mather
th< ir
his
they
a
may preach
they and
bearers are tyred.
But thats
thing very naturall to them.
Phfllp'i
.11. -i' Charlestown, was never Bottled as a minister. He was War. Assistant in 1680, and Treasurer of the Colony in 1685. He v. it!, [ncrease Mather in hi. sgenoy, and died at Loudon in tho Artillery Bleotion sermon in io;>.
1684.]
EDWAKD RANDOLPH.
527
to see
Mr. Ffoy has been very diligent in all his affaires. I hope him in a better imploy, when your Country is once setled.
Sr
give
my
Blessing to
assured friend
my
Daughters,
&
remain,
Sr
Your most
&
most humble
seru*
Ed. Randolph.
Fryre* hath lately putt in Articles against Mr. Cranfield, which render him here a very ill man, & in tyme will do his busines. I heare not one word from him, Mr. Mason, f or Mr. Chamberlain.
:J
Mr. Shrimpton.
<
EDWARD RANDOLPH TO SIMON BRADSTREET.

To
the
Hon d Symon
.
Bradstreet
Esq r Gov r
. .
most gratefully receiue the favour of yours of the 7^ of June, which I shall improve to the benefitt of your
,
Hond S E
Sep:
4:
1684.
Country,
if
their
continued provoking his
Ma
tie
by
their
idle
phancyes do not render them
at last vnfitt to receiue that favour
&
grace, which has been so often tendred them.
Nothing as yet can be done
till
the beginning of next term,
and then, in case they should tyme enough send over new power to their Atturney to plead, upon his appearance, it will but in-
But what care your people ? They have the it as long as they can, knowing they shall never be troubled more in that station. S r you excuse me, that altho' I know you are Gour yet I discourse of the managefment] of your Gour*, as if you were not concernd in it. Truely I am glad they take it off from you I
flame the reckning.
Gou now, &

1
,
will hold
am
sure the whole miscarrige ought to be truely placed, and that

suffer because
no innocent person in your Colony ought to
some
men, great
professors, have inspired a faction to act contrary to

in 1666,
* Nathaniel Fryer, of Portsmouth, was a Representative

in 1683.
f
|
and of the Council
Robert Mason. See note on p. 367. Richard Chamberlain, of Portsmouth, was Secretary and a Councillor under the
Provincial Government in 1682.
528
THE MATHER TAPERS
[1684.
their
duty to their King, and the good of that country they have
to
Its
Bworo
govern.
\crv true Mr.
Mather did deny to lett me haue the to trouble your selfe to write about,* (aremember,) lie telling inc there was another whose polarity This that was in the State House in Amsterdam. was altered, to assure it, but.meyou that I discoursd him about is enough thinkes he mistook his subject, if he intended to improve his inS
r
,
compasse you were pleased

I
t<:
tereel in
Amsterdam,
1
&
procure that
Compas
to be sent to
th
r
Eng d
when
In his letter to
Mr. Gouge, of the 3 of the 10

lines
month, he
severall
reviles the
Governm he
It's
under, taxing your
Hon &
of the magistrates with
little lesse
then perjury
&
vnfaithfullnes to
your Country.
then no wonder you &, the seuerall of the
Magistrates had so few votes at the nomination,
when one
I take
of
medrim had
hope,
so magisterially prejudgd
you
all.
ootice of his reflecting

I
upon
he
the proceedings of affaires in

is
no Eng?,
upon
occasion,
his
able
to
assertions,
&
politick
his
obseruations
make good his but when S

;
severall
1*
Lionell
Jenkins askd
ing
it
me what
name was who wrote

I
the letter,
&
find-
to be
iit
Mr. Mather, (as

thai -tar-gazer:
<!'
could well informe him) he said,
What,
more
lasl
that halfe distracted
man? &
tooke no
notice
him, (as
lie
deserued).
all
with you,
called)
.
you were
I was alarumd with a soribled paper (as

I
remember when
reflections
twas
abounding with
treasonable
upon
his
& radecenf
I
discourses of your
lion!',
I
&
of,
others, but the
Author
it
;
doI being proved,
nothing that
heard
came
letter,
further of
hut
haue by
he
me Mr.
to
Mather's originall
promised
would write
good Mr.
which he Kick by a ship which

,
would sayle about 3 weekes hence,

letter he has treated
(as iu the letter)
in
which
me
very
much
in
vnlike a good christian,

I
much
lease a minister of
.-""' 1,im
<
God's word.
Butt
thank
his
God
I heartily for-
thai
of but one of the letters your Agitators carried about the Colony before your last Election, there
"' subjects.
I
).<
& haue endeavoured may repent of so great

beleiue,
noe way
disquiett,
but pray
a sin against the

1
King
& many
had
would be found very
*"
lr[Uv
'
,r
difference betwixt the matter of those :m v thing bring an unexpected alteration in your
.
little
Randolph's Letter of Doc.
13, 1688.
1684.]
E*DWARD RANDOLPH.
occasioned by those
529
ecclesiasticall administration, its
who would
to assure
blow up
kindling.
into a flame those dissentions they
haue been so long a

letter,
I haue been obliged to produce this

ill
some of the Lords how

heads of the faction
opinion of you.
his
your
Hon &
1'
magistrates
who voted
for a dutyfull submission to his

;
Ma
tie
,
etc.
are resented by the
the
better to confirm their
Lords ps good
am,
in that libell (for I cannot, in respect to
Ma
t! e
.
call it a letter,)
Country.
said to be a mortall enemy to your Could any thing be contrived of more dangerous concriticall
sequence at such a
minute, as this paper.
All the enimyes

a
you haue, (if you haue any) could not give so mortall your ecclesiasticall affairs as this for what prince will
;
wound
to
suffer their
subjects to be instructed
by such Teachers, when one of the

all this
chiefest
vents abroad into the world for great truth,

courses as these.*
that
is
such seditious disall
After
my
busines shall bee to gett
past buried here in oblivion, praying -heartily that your
people
may
study to be quiett,
sett
&
in all
duty
&
obedience submitt
of them (I feare)
to those
powers that are

is
ouer them.
Some
if
beleiuing their liberty
as large as their consciences.
I shall not
faile,
by way of Barbados,
be carried.
opportunity of ship-
ping present not here for Boston, to give your
your
all
affaires are here like to
I pray
Hon advise how God grant it may

r
answear the expectations of the good
Colony, and end in your perfect peace

the hearty prayers
& prudent people in your & tranquility, which are

ser*,
&
endeavours of S r ,
obliged
Your very much
&
most humble
Ed: Eandolph.
humble seruice to your lady, to Mr. Willard & his wife, & to Mr. Dudley Bradstreet. f S r Mr. Chickley was at Virginia, loaded tobacco there, carfrom thence went to ried it to Glascow in Scotland, sold it there
My
,
* This opinion of the fatal effect of the letter attributed by Randolph to Increase may be regarded as having a bearing upon the question of authorship. If any enemy of New England would desire to give " a mortal wound to its ecclesiastical affairs," that enemy was Randolph himself. Does not his avowed anticipation of such a result indicate a motive which might have induced him to resort " to such a trick " ? Does it not show that " the play was worth the candle " ? f Dudley Bradstreet, son of Governor Simon, was Representative in 1670, 90, 91,. colonel of the militia, of Governor Joseph Dudley's Council, though a patriot, and a mem-
Mather
ber of the Council of Safety in 1689.
67
530
Rotterdam, where
ought
lie
THE MATHER PAPERS.

loads,
of,
[1684-6.
&
is
to be taken care
for the
bound directly for Boston. He Lords of the Treasury haue
DOtiee hereof.
beleiue,
Perhaps sonic of his saylers
may
betray him.
I the
master of
where you have ground to suspect, you his pink enter upon oath.
may make
will
John
Ffrosl has been in Holland, but
whence he
come
to
von, or from what port, I

notice of also.
know
not,
but he ought to be taken
I write not this to
Mr. Thatcher: they are too

:
nigh related to
have any good done vpon a distant information
E. E:
The
in
following extracts from letters of

in
Edward Randolph
are printed as found
the
Mather Papers,
the handwriting of Cotton Mather.

1,
See note to
letter of
Joseph Dudley, dated Dec.
1G84.
There are several other extracts
in the series
which have been printed by Hutchinson.
R.\_<inih>lph~]
to
the Lords.
Dec,
3.
1684.
\
There nre dangerous principles among them, which Ml' Mather

maintains
It'
&
propagates.
that
great
Body of people by misunderstanding be once
broken
dispersed into the Southern plantations, the French will
oertainlj
I
now above these 60 years, & so at length become masters of all his Maj ttea AVest India plantations, which by the Benefit & Advantage of those many Harbors in that Countrey may bee obtained.
eased by hi- Majesties subjects
/i.\_(i/i(f<>/j>//^
by degrees swallow up that great Countrey, planted
&
to
the
Treasurer.*
Aug.
23. 1686.
Liberty of Conscience,
ihi-
will
much
obstruct the
Settlement of
place.
The commission sent hither was but Temporary,

t"
&
served only
unhinge the Cofiion wealth, which for

a
many
years was usurped
&
managed by
Faction.
The Bar]
Of Koehe^ter.
'
1687-8.]
EDWARD RANDOLPH.
JR.
531
to
Blathwait.*
May
His Excell, has to do with a perverse people.
the council at hand, Except
holt]
21, 1687. is
r
Here
none of
Mr
Mason,
&
myself,
&M
B. [rock-
&
Usher, f
who appear
lively for his Majesty's Interest.
Nothing has been wanting
in his Excell., to bring all things to a
good posture, both private & public. He Discharges the Duty of an Excellent Govern r But this people are Rivetted in their way,
.
&>
I fear nothing but Necessity or Force will otherwise dispose
them.
JR. to
Pen.
Nov.
9, 1688.
This Barbarous people [the Indians] were never civilly treated by the late Governing who made it their Business to encroach upon their Lands, & by Degrees to drive them out of all. That was the ground & the Beginning of the last War. His Excell.
has
all
along taken other measures with them.
I hope the proto such
clamation, &> the Indian's confidence in the

as shall submit,
Governrs favour
may
putt a stop to their present Rage.
I hear
ciples at
My Mather and
such like
men
of Antimonarchical prinI confess, if being
home, are complaining against mee.
the occasion of subverting their old Arbitrary governm*
(&
thereby
putting a stop to the persecuting spirit raging every where in this
countrey) bee a crime, I must submitt.

* Printed in Hutchinson, vol. i. p. 354. t John Usher, stationer, published the laws of the Colony. He was a Counsellor under Andros, and Treasurer of the Province of all New England and afterwards, having removed to Portsmouth, was made Lieutenant-Governor of New Hampshire. Savage's
;
Geneal. Diet.
;
532
THE MATHER TArERS.
[1684.
LETTERS OF SIMON BRADSTEEET*
SIMON BRADSTREET TO
//'>/
EDWARD RANDOLPH.
att
Edward Randolph^ Esq*
Whitehall.
8t.h
Boston,
Decemb?
1684.
Snt,
receiued yours of 4
cspctially
th
Scpt 84, for which I returne
you many thanks,

use for the peace
it
for the
endeav r you say you will
and welfare of
this place
and people here, which

confident
you can be instrumental]
to effect, I
am
you
will
neuer
have cause
to repent thereof.
I canot chuse but have a naturall
loue and affection to this place

-pent BOe great a pt of
pretty hard
I
and people, with

tho I have
I
1
whome
I have
my
life,
measure from some of them.

by
his
this
am
is
sometyme mett with afraid, (by what

passed against our
heare)
that
tyme, some iudg
charter,
but
if
Ma"' would be graciously pleased out of his

to
princely clemency,
pdon what
is
past,
and
to
contynue the
ttefl
goflm'
lure
in
Midi a
way
not
as
is
intimated in his
seftall
Ma
as
gracious
declaraSon, to which myselfe and

a
x
'
of the magistrates voted
submission,
h n
(
doubt
but
it
would conduce
much
to his
r
,
dignyty,
pffitt,
and satisfaecon, as the sending over
;i
Grooernr , which would be chargeable, and the people here you lenowe arc generally very poor, vnles some few in Boston, and,
of
mod mum
thifl
them
not
Boe
rich
as
they are
thought to be.
with the [ndiana and late -rent tyres have
The much impouerished
Country, and the nnproffitablenes of trade euery where doeth
'
nu
:
!l?
'
'"
'
N1
England In March, 1G03, received the degree of A.B. Of A.M. 1624; came in the fleet with Winthrop, was IWO, before embarking, and continued in that office forty-eight
in
'
born
Md
ed ma...
ttty-Oorernor from 1678 to 78, Governor from 1G79 to 86, and* again Dr. Palfrey juftly drsrrii.es his charaoter as "a blameless and wellooneelenttoai Puritan, and e painstaking officer, eminently trustworthy
I
the favorite of the moderate

p.
party."
See Savage's Geneal.
Pi Ifrey'i
EDet ofN.E^
880.
1684.]
SIMON BEADSTKEET.
discourage
533
solemnly pfesse that
ouer, which I
all
much
owne
faults
his
and I have heard
sefiall
in their irregular trading they have seldome or never seene their
againe,
and are resolved wholy
to giue
it
should be hearty ly glad they would.
I hope amongst
the
wee
tie
are or
may be charged
with, the service
wee haue done
Ma
in subdueing
and secureing (with the expence of soe
much blood and

greife to see
treasure) soe large a trackt of land anexed to the
Crowne of England,
will not be wholy forgotten. It is noe small and heare the myserable condicon of our neighb rs of
Hampshire, sometyme a hopefull

in a
;
&
flourishing plantacon, but
now
maner vndone noe face of trade, nor much care of anything else there owne vessells being afraid to come into their owne port, from whencesoeuer they come, as some of them haue declared to my selfe. But enough of this I suppose you will heare more from others. This makes our people dread the like condicon. I am sorry to heare what you write in reference to Mr. Mather. Some few weekes before I receiued your letter, there came ouer a coppy of a lettr that went under the notion of one of his, but he
;
;
possitiuely denyes
it,
and sayth every lyne of

is
it is
forged,
is
much
concernd about
indeede,
it,
and sayth hee

is
much abused
thereby.
And
my
chary ty
such, that though I
am
that
afraid that hee
might write something inconvenient to

think him soe foolish and absurd to write
that letter, especially in referrence to
hither,
his ffreinds, yet I canot

all
is
contayned in
Mr. ffurgisson, inviting him pmysing welcome and safty as was shewed to Goff and Whaley, which hee could not say with any reason or trueth, fFor
of them, but being att
they were never hid or secured here that ever I could heare of.
As for my selfe, I never saw either Haven upon Comission, with my
New
his
brother Denison,*
r
when
Ma
ties
pclamacon against them came ouer, wee p sently sent

warrants to
all
forth
pts for their apprehencon,
(hearing they
had bene in those pts not long before,) and had they bene apprehended, would vndoubtedly haue bene sent prisoners to England, but
this
what became of them afterwards, I could neuer heare to day. I could be glad to see a coppy of that letter of Mr.
Bradstreet married for his

his death in 1682.
* Daniel Denison married Patience, daughter of Gov. Thomas Dudley, and Simon Daniel Denison first wife, Ann, another daughter of the same. went through every rank in the militia to the highest, and was an Assistant from 1654 till
See Savage's Geneal. Diet.
\u
Mather's, thai y
It Lb
v
'
III
MATHER PAPERS.
w have by y ,
if
[1G84,
Bay y
w y thinke
it
convenient.
might make some vse of it. of our agitators letters that they sent abroad for the
possible
I
I neuer
saw any
last eleccon,
haue heard there were more then a few, and noe doubt full of Btrong reasons and arguments; but they fayled in part of Mr. Dyer* hath bene here euer since the their expectacon.
l.ut
spring, with a
isaioners of the
r large ('omission, as hee p tends,
from the Comhis
CuStomes,
brought
to place
and displace any of
Ma
ties
officers relating to the

in
Customes
nice
in
letter
hee
from the
America; indeed hee is styled Comrs Surveyor and

,
Search' general], but whither his Comission be soe large as hee

declares
it
is
canot
tell.
suppose hee will act to the vtmost

I told
end of
it.
When
hee came
first,
him Mr. Thatcher was the
Deputy, whome
I
some discourse hee was willing to contynue, and soe gaue him his oath as the Deputy, & euer since, shipps and vessells doe penally enter and take their clearings from him, but Mr. Dyer seizes vessells, and makes them pay custome or
after
I
..
composicons,
siderable
thereof,
canot
tell
whither, whereby hee hath gott a conas
some of money,
noe
am
informed.
A
tics
just account
receiuer,
doubt
.<:
hee will render to his
Ma
it
but
whither seizing
i
receiueing his
Matks
dues pply belong to him,
doe
yet
let!
fully
all
ynd'stand,
rest as
but thought
they doe
I
T -'"t
to
things
till
was wee
best for the

see
how our
mayne buaines wilbe determined. doubt not but hee hath and will >cn<l many informacons and compl1" against the Country, and il may be BOme against yourselfe, as once hee intimated to mee bee would, but none against nice, whoe hee sayth hath done as much f"r bis Ma 1, Bervice as can be desired or expected. Howeuer,
I
could be -lad to heare what informacon hee giues, and
assure myselfe that those honorable gentlem.

will
whome
hee informes
not
condeme without hearing.
Here came
into this port a
Ffrench pryvatere to recrute his

('apt.,
Bhipp, being very leakey. The one Michael Andreson, Mr. Dyer incouraged much for her amission to come in to repaire, and sometyme after seized her as
pyrate, & presented a large libel] against the said Capt. as a most notorious pyrate, but could prone noothing considerable, and
,n,,
demanded
the 5s.
]>
tun, which
was not thought due by the

Port in *1680.
hutch in
William Dyer wru .surveyor of the Customs and Searcher of the
tf
1687.]
SIMON BRADSTKEET.
535
Council, shee comeing in neither to trade nor bring passengers.
Much more might

being very late
be said to
this matter,
but
my tyme
forbids mee,
att night.
Capt. Ffrost arriued here 16. October, a month before I rec.
your
letter,
entred from Amsterdam, noething but ballast.
Mr.
Chickley came in a weeke or 10 dayes after the receipt of yours,

entred from Whitehauen, shewed his clearing from thence, which
I could not disproue, but doubt whither ever hee
not.
came there or
I comended the strickt examinacon of both these cases to

,
Mr. Dyer and Mr. Thatchr but what they haue done therein I doe not yet heare, but am informed that from Mr. Wharton and Mr. Paige hee receiued a considerable some, as much as their custome or something like it, telling them that hee hath power so to doe by his instruccons, for the first tyme. S r I haue sent 8 coppyes of bonds taken here of shipps for England, but S r G. Downeing being dead, I know not well whome to write to. I pray p r sent them with my humble service to some of the honble Comissionrs It is possible one or two of them may be duplicates of what was sent the last yeare. I haue many others by mee for these pts and N.foundland, which I shall mynd Mr.
,
.
Thatcher
of,
that they
may pduce
theire certificates, &c.
I sup-
pose you wilbe tyred with reading, as I
am
with wryting,
Noe
more
therefore att p r sent, but that I
am
Your very
loving ffriend
&
humble serv 1,
S:
Bradstreet.
England
is
Mr. Thatcher
of cheats.
tells
mee they haue
sent informacon into

clearings.
in reference to sefiall certificates
&
The world
full
SIMON BRADSTREET TO
[Between 1686
&
1689.
Suppose in 1687 or
8.
Prince.]
K
,
I have no other
Nor
is
Ires that
wilbe vsefull for you but what I
shewed you.
Mf Rawson
* yet
come home, soe

to 1686,
that I
know
Deeds
* Edward Rawson was Secretary for the Colony from 1650 for Suffolk County for many years.
and Kegister of
THE MATHEB PAPERS.

not what arc in his hands.
I
[1687.
J
i
hauc bene soe interrupted since you

that
lyttle I intended,
mi
here,
that
have not finished
nor
begun any matt' of argum' to well he done till all nor can
it
proue our right
&
tytle to
our lands,
their obieccons be
is
r
knowne.
doe
think."
can add any thing which

breife
not in your
Nor owne
thoughts.
followeth,
orentlem
:.><)
&
The
1.
heads that are in
my
<p
sent thoughts are as
The grant
of the Council of
2.
ec
their assosiates.
their assignee,
1
more
Plymouth to the 6 The K. confirmacon to them & which was the Genall Court, & im-
poured by the Patt to dispose of the land here to the best advantage of the people
not
&
our
Plantacon, which wee have done,

it
& know
second
3 ly
how
to
doe
it
better if
were
to be
done againe.
the Indians,
right
&
tytle
is
purchase from
&
the grant
.
from them of their right, which certaynely was something.
Our
Possession and
improuem
for almost
not give right to land in a wildernes,
60 yeares. If this will where neither the King nor
any Christian had euer any property, I
know
not what will.

of, is
The onelv
vrae
it
objection insisted
upon that I heare

1.
our lands
were not granted under the scale of the Company.

accessary that soe
it,
Ans: Nor
1
it
should be.
Our Patt doeth not
require
ifl
then-
maner of disposeing to our liberty. Nor any lawe of England that requires vs here in this case to
but Leaues the
-rant land- under the seale of the company.

for
i-
Nor
It
is
it
is
it
necessary
ppropryat of land
in
Engl: soe to doe.

is
true,
where land
be done by
conveyed by drvdc
a seale
essentiall;
but
may
liuery
I:,u -'
&
seizen,
tell
as
well
:
without deede or other wryting, as the

in
kca
vs
and Coppy-hold"
lands
but
the
evidence
for
their
Court
England have noe other Roll or a coppy of it.

r
When
:i
'r-
Will the Conque' made himselfe

)[
\
of the land, hee
o-
av e
'
A{
of
it
to his
Nobles
in
&
followers, but without
any
seale,
for there wafl
none used
yeares after, which Bhewes

Without scale;
yet
&
it'
many seoores, if not hundreds of noe is strange thing to convey land there should haue bene an error or omission,
Engl:
it
seingthe grant'
&
grantees iudged
it
good
to
&
it
rest satisfyed
it;
therein, nrhoc shall question or hath

if
any thing
a seale,
doe with
and
noe thing be -ranted

-rant'.
it.
for
want of
the
then
reverts all to
to
the
But
I
what hath
hath
his
K. or any vnd r him

all
doe to
question
lee
graunted
grant
his right,
under the great

a seale.
Seale
of
Engl:
so
oanot fade for want of
1689.]
SIMON BRADSTREET.
if
537
Againe,
want of a
seale
was an error yet being soe comon an
error of soe long standing,
&
of such vniu r sall concern^,
it
ought
to be accounted none, as I thinke the say.
law doeth,
in
such cases,
Lastly, if want of a seale be a defect, the law for confirma;
tion of all grants, in the yeare 84, helpes all
as for other ob-
jeccons, as I doe not
know what
they are, soe I
know
not
how
to
answer them.
till it
be
As for their lands comeing shewed how they doe soe come, is
S
r
,
to the
K. by escheat,
S: B:
not worth answering.
I am,
your willing
serv* in
what I may
first
In poynt of Equyty, our great sufferings

soe
&
last,
&
losse of
mayntayne our owne right, &> the K. interest, & the vast charges wee have been att in pryvate and publ buildings & improvemts ought to have its iust consideracon and would it not seem a strange thing that a peece of ground in the wildernes not worth 5? but by buildings, &c, worth 50CK, should become the K's, I know not how. Wee may be sure soe iust a prince will
many Hues,
to
never allow
it.
I thought to haue returnd onely a word or two,
&
soe
made
use of your owne pap.
SUMMONS TO
At
SIR
the
EDMUND ANDROS.*
in
SK Town,
,
Ourselues
&
Town House
Boston, 18
Aprill, 1689.
as well as
many
others the Inhabitants of this
places Adjacent, being surprized with the peopl's sudfirst
dent taking to arms, in the

ignorant, are
motion whereof wee were wholly
drawen by the present exigent

for quieting
& necessity to
acquaint
your Excellency, that

ting the Countery,
ly
&
security of the people inhab-
from
the eminent dangers the[y]
many wayes
;
open
it
&
are exposed vnto,
and
for
your own safty
Wee
judge
necessary that you forthwith surrender and deliver up the
* There are two contemporary copies of this summons contained in the collection of Mather Papers, neither of which has the autographs of the signers. The orthography, both of the document and of the names attached, differs greatly in the two copies; and that of the names has been printed in accordance with the mode of spelling used by the persons whose signatures were affixed to the paper.
68
538
THE MATHER PAPERS.

1
[1689.
Governm &
ffortifycations
to bee preserved,
to
bee disposed off
according to order
&
direction from the
Crown
of England, which
security from m or soulders, in gentl violence to yourselfe or any other of the the taking endevour will they assured are else estate, or
u svddently exspected
pson, or
may
arriue, promissing all
the (fortifications
by storme,
if
any opposition be made.
Simon Bbadstreet
Wayt Wixthrop
Samuel Shrimpton William Browne Bartholomew Gidney Adam Winthrop John Foster Isaac Addington Peter Sargent
William Stoughtoh Thomas Danforth John Nelson

Elisha Cook
John Richards David YVaterhouse

To Bib Edmund
[ndoreed,
Ajtdrob.
to the Gov'.
" Sumone
S T Edmond Andross.'
.
MMi)\ BRADSTREET TO JOHN HAMPDEN, JUN*

Far
the
Honourable [John]
Hampden,
TJiese.
RlGHT
your
II<>\'>
S",
We
cannot be enough sensible of the

this
wonderful! goodness of
God towards
poor Land, in stiring up

of your
Bono
illegal
",
person BO advantaged
in respect
Hono blc
Station and ooble Virtues, to take notice of
and Resent the case
and
proceedings againsl this Colony, in the depriving us of
our ancient Charter Government and the

ledges thereby enjoyed, without
Franchises and privi-
any Legal process, or Opportunity
given for hearing, procured by the false and malicious Insinuations,
Calumnies and misrepresentations of some notoriously Infamous

and Vile men.
Now
a
according to Information) by the Resolves

said proceedings declared
of the Honorable
to be illegal
House of Comons the

grievance, which
and
we hope by
the flavour of
God
and countenance of your Mono' hath ere this time been drawn into
QrandBOD of the famous John.
1689.]
SIMON BRADSTEEET.
539
an Act of Parliament, for the nulling of that Judgement entred

against
us.
And
that in this day of General Restoration of
Charters and English Liberties
we
shall not
fixt
be forgoten, nor
in our
left
without our Share therein, but be again
and setled
former
,
For which we have addressed their Maties humbly praying the continuance of your Hono rs Favour unto this poor people in promo veing the same, we haveing been under sore
Charter Governm*.
Oppression and almost ruin'd by an Arbitrary Governm*, which for
some time past hath been set over us, of which [we] have written more at large unto S r Henry Ashurst, and of the Revolution hapning here, and manner of our proceedings since Gi veing your Honor our hearty thanks for your imerited kindness towards us,
;
Praying
scribe,
God to requite it doubly into your bosome, Honoble S r Your most humble & sincerely devoted Servants,
In the name
We
sub-
&
behalfe of the Councill and

S.
Representatives of the Colony.
Bradstreet.
Boston in
New
England,
8 June, 1689,
.Mil
THE MATHER TAPERS.
[1687
LETTERS OF SAMUEL LEE*

\
SAMUEL LEE TO INCREASE MATHER.

r lncr. Mather, at his For Thr A't'cV his highly respected ffriend These. Boston, house at the North End of
Aug
Deaiie
25. 87,
Mount Hope.
call
,:
Mather,
2 things
in
your
letter
for
an
The 2 books were sent your kind excuse for delay. answer, time since, but not some wrote I to whom son, good \our to mention it, which then could not children, the knowing it from
&
now
Bion.
intreat
you
to send for
:
Afl to
my
(
D*
Anne
them from thence. thank you for your love
in her admis-
We
would not offend neither Jew nor Gentile, nor any

rod.
t<>
Church of
ter
She Btands with us onely transient, & her respecself stands still, till you be pleasd to give st so with all, unles some of the 1 which is It dismission. your w.i- occasioned by necessity or else we had bin beaten, in limine.
relation
your
It
w&B highly designed by

foments
whom you may
please to judge,
&
yet
.-till
resisted him,
I
& ferments what he can. But God hath graciously & we increase throu' his benignity in peace & love:
with various humors in neighboring townes
am compassed
bill
I
&
Hands,
blissed be
God, the fogs
fly.
I have had a long dis-
ceptation,
cant call a disputation, with a stout Anabaptist.
But,
blessed be
hifl
holy name, they give ground.

to see
it,
am
invited to the
& hope next week what work may enter.

Hand,
u-l
with the Lords leave,
want strength of body.
& try lam in a
educated
at
Lee, the flxsl minister of Bristol, R.I., was born in London in 1625, and Oxford, where lie received the degree of Master of Arts in 1648. He was
i
living in
in
London
t<>
in
1662; and, after a residence of

in
some years
in
Oxford-
anoved
land.
1879
Newington-green, near London, and

to his native
June, 1686, to
New
Eng-
Being desirous of returning
country, he embarked in 1691, but
was
Otptured bj a French privateer, and carried into St. Malo, where he died soon after.
1687.]
SAMUEL LEE.
541
Frontire.
ries
You had
need incourage vs with Amunition

to begin to think of
&
auxilia-
some learned, holy, discreet man, that might undertake at Newport. But no more at r sent. My hearty son, ancient Lov: love your good to my to p
from Heaven,
ffriend,
&
Allyn,
&
to
my
Beloved Brethren,
Moody
&
Willard, intreating your pray rs for strength everyway, with hearty

respects to
tasted,
my with my
deare
wives.
sister,
of whose Turkeyes I have so often
Yours
affectionately in the
[I
Lord,
S. L.
conclude
Samuel Lee Pkince.]

For Ms highly honoured ffriend,
Incr. Mather, These
neere the North
in Boston,
p sent.
8,
14, 87,
Mount Hope.
Deare
Mather,
Methinks
its
very comfortable to see
your hand,
there.
&
with divine pmission,
My
had I Dove's wings, I would soone see your face, & & supply, which you can more easily have good ffriend Mr. Morton * has bin here. I thank
him, but [he] runs up

denly runs back.
left
downe here from place to place, & sudThat truly I was much troubled at. Once he
&
me among
the beares at Cambridge,

:
& now
Love.
among
Yet I
the spiritshall
uall beares in
Rhode Island
but
all in
hope
when you come, you
will give
me some more
bit
of your company.
;
Theres no discoursing under a

deemer.
of
waxe
but meeting at
Heaven's gate with the same petitions, through our gracious ReI found great respect from the Ilanders, as Paul speaks,
no
little
kindness at Malta.
One
desired
me
to speak for a
young
;
scholar or student to live in his house,
&
teach his children
man
but I think will give onely dyet at p r sent. If any good ffriends would help for about 10 l a y. for clothes :
of some quality
:
we might
begin some work there I hope.

,
I have preacht once
there to a few, with kind resentm*
& I took occasion by the
Judges
* Rev. Charles Morton.
THE MATHER PAPERS.

in
[1687-8.
going
there,
&
would
fain
have pswaded
M! Morton;
:
since the
but his love to gidenl told him lie would provide for his place intend to give some his Apology. I other things were hie wife & him BOme account in time, God willing. My hearty love to your
good Bon,
kind wife
wife and d
&
cSc
1
acquaint him
to all
lie
is
in debt a letter to
me.
To your
Lord,
our Brethren in the Ministry,
&
in the
my
"
p'sent their hearty rcsp., especially
Anne,
&
so does
your truly Lov. Br.
&
seiV in the
Ld
[Samuel Lee.
S. L.
Prince.]

For- his
highly esteemed ffr\_iend,~\
M:
I.
Mather in Boston,
these
I pray.
Febr. 15, 87.
Deabe, Good
heartily
I
Mather,
it
Your
hearty letter I rec d
as
utrisq alms, d; in into sidco pectoris. am glad & Borry of your motion to England, nostri Jute farrago Hl Hi. I doe earnestly desire to sit up one night with you.
&
embraced
\\
our
supply of my place, which if you or r would engage M? Metcalf or Parry to come for 2 or should endeavour to come to you toward the end of Babaths, n.xt moneth, by the will of God. Another is I expect some
things hinder as yet.
Ms
.*;
tilings
from England
too.
in
.May,
is
&
that will double
my
trouble to
oome then
if
I
Another
the difficulty of travell to
me.
gel
l\"
supply by that time, with your loving help,
&
But some
of
"in-
from being put

begin
seale,
t<.
when they come up to you, since my house is as farr in equipage now, as in Octob. last: onely hopes
I
Bpring.
off int.. int..
lam shutt an Angle from your company; but not from a conrereation with you above the circle of human affaires. In hast,
remitt,
which
There be many things uncomittable it* the Lord pmitt, to enjoym*.
to a languid
longing
my
letter
Bhould quickly Bee you, subscribe deliberately

\\\
Your psevering
&
throu grace, Br.,

[Sam Lee.
1
.
S. L.
Pkixce.]
1632.]
JOHN COTTON.
543
MISCELLANEOUS LETTERS AND PAPERS.
JOHN COTTON* TO HIS WIFE.

To my deare wife
res
Sarah Cotton dd
this
with speede.
Deaee wife & comfortable YOKEFELLOW,
If our heavenly
Father be pleased to make our yoke more heavy, then wee did so
soone expect, remember (I pray thee) what wee have heard that
our heavenly Husband the Lord Jesus, when he
selves
first
called vs to
fellowship with himself, called vs vnto this condition, to
Deny ourtruely
first tast
&
to take
up our crosse dayly,

this
is
to follow him.
And
(Sweete Heart) though

yet a
cup may be brackish at the

their greatest
Cup
of Gods mingling
doubtless sweete in the bottome, to
such, as have learned to
make
it
Happynesse, to parto. it.
take with Christ as in his glory, so in the way, that leadeth
Where
enough)
am
for the present, I
am very fitly &
welcomely accomrest
odated, I thank
till
God
so as I see, here I
might
(desired
my
freinds at
home
shall direct fFurther.

it
also to see thee here, but that I think
not safe yet,
till
They desire wee see,
how God will deale with our neighbo rs at home. For if you should now traveyle this way, I feare you will be watched & dogged at your heeles. But I hope shortly God will make way for thy safe
coming.
Meanwhile send me now by

to vse.
this
Bearer, such linnen as I
am
If Margarett be
fitt
to
come with
this Bearer,
whither I shall
* Rev. John Cotton, born at Derby, England, Dec. 4, 1585, entered the University of Cambridge at the age of fourteen years, took his degree of A.M. at Trinity College, in 1606, and was made a Fellow of Emmanuel. Having preached twenty-one years at Boston, in Lincolnshire, he came over, with several of his parishioners, in the " Griffin," and arrived at Boston in N.E., Sept. 4, 1633. He was ordained Teacher of the Church in Boston, Oct. 10, 1633, and died, Dec. 23, 1652. This letter was printed for the first time in Young's " Chronicles of Massachusetts " but we have inserted it here because the original is in the Mather Collection, and because in the copy made by Dr. Young the spelling is modernized, and there is a slight omission.
;
544
*
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1647.
direct him, she
may come behinde him vpon my mare,

Boston: which
if
vnlesse she
desire to stay with sonic other, at

hir herein.
I
she do, helpe
1rav
you goe
to
my
mother Hauered
&
comend
it
my
hearty
Respect
hir at
to
ii
&
iy
love to hir, ec the rather, because I
had not time to see

will not be
all for
coming
out.
To many
other freinds
meete
Bpeake of
me now.
The Lord watch over you
good,
&
reveale himself in the guidaunce of all our AfFayres.
So with
my
1632.
I
J.
love to thee, as myself, I rest, Desirous of thy Rest
&
peace in
Octob:
3,
Him,
C.
When you
it
have read
my
Ire to
Margarett, seale
it
vp
&
give
her.
ready to
Once againe, Farewell in the Lord. come with him now, he may come for
If she be not yet

hir the
nextweeke.
SAMUEL STONE* TO THOMAS SHEPARD.

To
hi* dear Brother,
Thomas Shepard, Pastor of

at
the Ch.
of Christ
Cambridge, dd.
Eabtfobd, July
10,
[1G47.
Mather.]
Dearest Brother, God brought vs safely to Hartford, but when came hither, God presented to me a sad spectacle. r Booker f looked like a dying man q ocj rc fuscd to heare our
I
prayers
for
him, but tooke him from vs July 7, a
little
before
Bamuel Stone
is
said to
^ Emmanuel
Ho
<
lollege in L6S8
'"""'''
have been bom at Hertford, England. and 7, and came over in the " Griffin "
He took
in 1633
his
with
teacher of the ohnroh at Cambridge the llth of October
>ker being ordained pastor at the

la
same time,-and
its
with Hooker to Hartford, which
said
to
have* received
in 1686 removed name ont of regard to his
J* amDrtdge.
<
'
* <" Wendi
sustained the same offices as formerly to the church in

]
M
'
'
? ';- * Nptt ' oeonnt * *"** " the celebrated John Eliot. ** He afterwards m and preached at Delft and Botterdtm He died of an epidemical fever,
"d
1.
Emmanuel - " B"l
lollege,
where he took
his degrees in
leotnred at Chelmsford, England, but of hi. aversion to some ceremonies," and taught a
1647.]
SAMUEL STONE.
545
Our sunne is set, our light is eclipsed, our ioy is darkened, we remember now in the daye of our calamitie the pleasant things, which we enioyed in former times. His spirits & head
sunne-set.
were so oppressed with the disease that he was not able

presse
before
to ex-
much
to vs in his sicknesse, but
had exprest
to
M
!
Goodwin
my
returne, that his peace
was made
in heauen,
&
had con-
tinued 30 years without alteration, he was aboue Satan.

the vpright
Marke
liued a
man,
for the
life.
end of that
man
is
peace
He
most blamelesse
him.
I thinke his greatest enemies cannot charge
He
hath done
his
much work
for Christ,
& now
is
rests
from
his
labours
&
workes follow him, but oUr losse
great,
&
bitter.
My
losse
is bitter.
I gaue thankes to
world but
my
selfe
As
place.
his abilities
my God dayly for his helpe, & no man in the knowes what a friend he hath been vnto me. were great, so his love and faithfullnesse were
in the world.
It is
very great.
I can neuer looke to haue the like fellow-officer in his
There are but few such men

least I should
I will say no
difficultie to
more
seem
to exceed.
an extream
to behaue myselfe vnder the hand of God which me [in this] speciall manner. Pray for me in this stresse, for I am astonished at his amazing puidence. I cannot complain of God, who doeth all things well the Lord shew me what his mind is, that I may be rightly affected with this losse. I pray suggest, what you thinke may be the mind of God in it.
me
to
know how
strikes
Hooker was taken with the same sicknesse, that night when came to Hartford, & was very neer death, she is yet weak It would haue been a great aggravation but, I hope, recouering.
ris
of our miserie
once.
Little
if God had blotted out that pleasant familie all at ris Cullick dyed that Sam: Shepard j is well. Bets Goody the schooldame day when I came to Hartford. r Warum's [Warham's] children is dead, with some others, 2 of
are
dead.
My
wife J
is
sicke
&
weake.
and
I
settled
am
at
not
well.
* William Goodwin came

representative in the
first
in the
"Lion"
in 1632,
Cambridge; was
General Court in Massachusetts, but removed, in a few years, to
Hartford.
He was
a devoted friend of Hooker, but unfriendly to Stone.
He went
after-
wards
Diet.
f
;
to Hadley.
He was
Ruling Elder both at Hadley and Hartford.
Savage's Geneal.
Trumbull, Coll. Rec.
Samuel Shepard [H.C. 1658], son of Rev. Thomas Shepard of Cambridge, was born October, 1641. His mother was Joanna, eldest daughter of Rev. Thomas Hooker. He is undoubtedly the young person referred to in the letter. | His second wife was Eliza Allen of Boston.
69
546
THE MATHER PAPERS.

troubled with heat
but
the night
[1653.
am
&
faintnesse.
The
last night I
all
had some
but
rest,
before I co'd
not sleep
the
night,
Blumber
niv
& dreame.
r
God
giues
me
warning, to p[rep]are for
chang.
riie
life.
glorious pr[esen]ce of
Xt
in
heauen
If
it
is
much
better then
We
[at]
wait for that blessed hour.
had not
shall
been for
ten
this
r[ea]son, I
know
not [wh] ether I should have writ-
any
tiling
this time,
be[ing] unfit to write.

r
We
doe what we can, to prepare

tliat
Hooker's answer to Rutherford,
to
it may be sent before winter, I purpose to pceed in the answer Dr Crape but whether I shall finish it & get it written out fair before winter, I know not, & when I haue done that I shall th[en]
take further advice.
If
it
should not be readie before win[te]r,
bee not offended,
if
I doe
in
it
what I can,
also.
if
you
will send
me
Salt-
marsh
shall
...
him
If I have the whole winter,
you
may
think whether
may
not be comely for you
&
myselfe
&
some other Elders to make a few verses for Mr. Hooker & inscribe them in the beging of his book, as if they had been his funerall I do but propound it. verses.
fr:
t:
S[am:] Stone.
Remember me
I
to
pray remember
Mr. Dunster, Mr. Danforth & your Elders. my love to Mr. Collins & Mris. Bradde.
L"
to
Endorsed,
" M'
s.
Stone his
my
Grand Father Shcpard."
JOHN DAVENPORT* TO MRS. SARAH COTTON.

(DEABB Mks. Cotton,) The departure of our freinds being more suddaine then I expected, I wanted opportunitie of saluting
you, by
\n.iv
my desire, yet now, hearing of another of transmitting these lines, I am encouraged to put pen to paper, to express niv sincere love to you, in the Lord, and to your
letter,
according to
familie,
praying you
to
be assured, that I doe as heartily wish

as to
all
good
to
yon and yours,
my
selfc
and myne, which I would
Eta note on p. 126. Sarah Story, wife of Rev.
John Cotton of Boston.
1662-3.]
JOHN DAVENPORT.
547
most gladly make visible, by reall and suitable effects, if I knew how, and had power in my hand answerable to my desire. But this is your comfort, that whatever deficiency is in the creature, there is
Allsufficiency for
you
&
yours in God,
who
is
your
God &
Father in Christ Jesus, by an everlasting Covenant, whereby he hath made ouer (as it were, by a deed of gift) his Allsufficiency,
in respect of the fruite
&
benefit of
it,
unto you, thorough Christ.
Yet seing
it
hath pleased the onely wise
God
to
make men
his
instruments, that His goodnes
may
be diffused
&
coniunicated unto
us in that order, and by those outward meanes, in the comunion of

saints,
which he vouchsafeth and suiteth
to that
end
it
will
be
well pleasing in his sight that you improve that channell,
&
those
all
conduit pipes for your comunion with that blessed fountaine of
know you haue plentifull helpes, daily, at hand, which you doe well, in that you make vse of them, according to the opportunities which God graciously affoardeth unto you. And, if I may be of any use to yourselfe or to any of yours, be
good.
kind, I
Of this
assured that your interest in
me
is
such, that the intimation of
your desire
will
haue the force of a strong in[ga]gement upon
me
or
for the performance of

shall be within
any
office,
and service of love, that
is
my
compas.
In the meane time and ever, (with

&>
my
wife's
most affectionate salutations) I heartily comend you
yours to the grace of our Lord Jesus, in
whom
I rest
Your
Newhaven,
assured thanckful freind,
John Davenport.
the 25 th d. of the 6 th m. 1653.
JOHN DAVENPORT TO JOHN COTTON.*

To
[John
Cotton.']
11* m. I received the 9* day of the 12. m., and having so good an opportunity, by so safe an hand as M* Sam: Streete, I returne such Answer as I can to your
,
Deare S k
Yours dated
the 17 th of the
Letter, wherein I observe with thanckfullnes your kinde acceptance
of
my
loving freenes, in expressing
my
deepe sence of your

See note on
p. 226.
sinfull
* Rev. John Cotton of Plymouth.
548
THE MATHER PAPERS.

I
[1662-3.
could aot have approued
my
faith fulnes to
God,
to jrou,
&
to inv
owne conscience,
I
if I
had neglected such a season
of BO Bpeaking to von, as
did, that being the first opportunity
which was given
me
fit
of treating with you, ore tenits, about such

to
matters as were not
be comittcd to wrighting, which might
fall
into other hands, to the blemishing of

to
your name, which I desired
preserve unspotted
by me, while I sincerely endeavoured the
healing of your soul.
How
often
have I fervently desired that as

conversation, which
to be his
you beare boath your

virtues of Christ,
in
father's
names, so you might hold forth the
the spirit
&
eminently
shined
in
him
Tims you would be knowne

double interest,
in
son morally,
by imitacon, as well as naturally, by generacon, which would have

given you
a
the hearts of God's people,
knew, Loved,
&
at
highly honoured your blessed Father,

in
who who being

in
dead would thus have lived

his
you, as worthy
Hooker doth
good son,
be so,
may
Bins,
Nor am I out of hope that yet it Lord convince you powerfully of your former & humble you effectually for them to justifie wisdomes counFarmington.
if
the
Bels
I
by your holding forth publickly your unfeined repentance, as
told
you Origen
did, with
it
many
teares,
that scandal
might be
remoued, which while

hit-inof n
remaines, will be to y.are/m; to hinder the

in
acceptance of your exercise of guifts
preaching, with men,
&
the a
from God.
You promised you would send me

is
Copie of your publick acknowledging which
reported to be slight,
refer?-
unsatisfying,
.\.
that
you would propound some things in

I
ence to your case, for further aduise. But
you
haw
done neither, whereby
am
dissaduantaged from
giving you that
hclpe which otherwise I might have done, with

It
God's assistance.
"
"
is
temptacon from Satan to hinder you
from propounding your case, upon

'
(i '"l
1,:
'
in
1
h* hoping that
the
"
knowne
a secret expectacon to see more God, who helped me before to speake as inward frame of your heart, will againe direct
of your heart though I be For though if you had acquainted me with your troubles, & the grounds of them, & the effects, my bowellfl would have bene troubled with you & for you, & from B true sympathy should have endeavoured to asswage your griefe, or to direct your apprehencons, or otherwise to speake
I,ll,
me
to
speake some thing

V
-
to the troubles
acquainted with them.
suitably to
it,
'""'
CMe
ef
il
is
Q0t Grod'a manner, nor
may you
expect
to
1659.]
SAMUEL MATHER.
549
reveale to his serv ts , by imediate inspiracon, the cases of others,
which, by his ordinances, they aught to expresse, themselues,

seek helpe in from others that the comunion of saints
served
&
may
be pre-
Thus you see howSatan tempteth you to tempt God. As for me, be you assured that in any way of God, you shall finde me really ready, upon all occasions, to be helpfull to you as the case may require. Farewel & account me, as I am, Your true freind in the Lord, John Davenporte.
exercised
&
among them
mutually.
N. H. the 23: of the 1* m. 166|.
SR
sent
to
I thanck
you
for
my
letters to
your Father, which you
me by Edm:
them
according to
my
desire
&
your promise.
Some
I recd
Toolie, & some by Jacob Molines, with your letter. If any yet remaine with you, you will further oblige me if you send
me.
Iterum vale.
SAMUEL MATHER* TO INCREASE MATHER.
to
Dear Brother, Yours [from] Weymouth, April 5, is come my hand. The reason I haue not written to you of late hath been
want of tyme, partly because I intended
to
partly for
have gone to
Engl, myselfe, partly because 1 knew not, neither doe I yett
know
not
how
to direct
my
letters to
you, but.cheefly because I was in sus-
pence about the money which I wrote to you of in

;
my
last,
knowing when I should gett it but at last it is ready for you. Your name was continued upon the list another quarter, after you Ten pound I have kept to pay my Brother, that beevent away. ing so much upon your account in his shop, which I would have There is therefore 40 u paid myselfe, had not this money come in. left for you. Part of that he oweth mee. Let me heare from you about it when you have opportunity. As to that of Mr. Hudson I never wrote any thing concerning the Church Covenant, and [there]fore what my mynd is about that matter, I suppose [Mr.] H.
* Rev. Samuel Mather [H.C. 1643], eldest son of Rev. Richard Mather, after studying went to England, and having preached in England, Scotland, and It eland, was settled in Dublin and made a fellow of Trinity College. He died in 1671.
for the ministry here,
550
THE MATHER PAPERS.

not.
is
[1659.
knoweth
nesse,
it
ka
for
that
which
wrote of [spiri]tuall Blind-
much
lease
do where applyed by mee to any godly presbyterian, opinion about the Covenant, to all that [arc] not of my
too true concerning though the thin- is true enough in itselfe, and are malignant and but ,,,. who ,all themselves presbyterians, in the world, I persons If Mr. Budson know no such profane.
doe,
persona whose lives
&
Conversations witnesse
it
that they
an- blind in spiritual! things,

terians.
though they
call
themselves presby-
Xour
logical
animadversions, which
you sent
to
my
Mr Moll, I Mr Huds. might have m[ade] a more charitable conhave made an >t ruction of mv meaning, it is not soe much I that harsh censure, but rather Mr Hud. that hath made an harsh conbrother Nath. lor
to nice.
pray you also to send a copy of them
Btructio of
what
I said, so I rest
Yours,
April. 20. L659.
S:
M.

For Mr.
fiic:
Mather
at
Barnstable or elsewhere.
Leave
this
with Mr.
George Thome, Preacher of GodPs
word
at Wet/mouth.
Post payd.
r
DbarE BROTHER,
glad to Bee you here
Yours
&
to
is
come
to
my hand w
in
you speake
were
city
of your thoughts of coming to see Ireland againe.
I should bee
if it
have you setled in Dublin,

I
in
of
my power to effect my love to you,
it,
and
should be glad to do
it
not onely out
but to the publike

(
good also of this poore
&
natio.
Bui the new
fomissioners (as I
am
told,) have voted since
theyr coining over that there shal bee but 4 ministers in Dublin,
which, though
few, for foure
can hardly thinke they would resolve to have so

too few by halfe, yett that they will diminish the
that are
is
Dumber of those
I
now
for
in
here, and dismisse severall of

I
them,
do not doubt
partly because
heard one of them say that 6
ministers would be
enough
Dublin, and two at Christ church,
and partly because they are

in
such straits for money, for they are
arreare with
the
ministers, with
is
quarters, and ao
money
yett to bee had, so that I
some 3 quarters, with mee 2 am in some
1661.]
SEABORN COTTON.
want of
I
551
son hath been here
strait for
my
salary.
Dr Winter's eldest
a long tyme.
meane not Jos. of

it
the Colledge, but an elder then
hee, and I have heard his

settle
[fa]ther speake to the Comissioners to

is
him
in Dublin, but
not [yett] done, insomuch that I
believe he wil go to England.
Dr
Winter's order
parliam*
. .
.
was procured by some of him remoove from hence.
his freinds in
England, who would

is
I thinke
theyr designe
to
have him
notes
...
till
to the Council of State at Whitehall.
Mr Richardsons
with you
...
. .
am
content you keep them with you for a tyme
my
to
you [heare] further from me about them. I have written to about your money, and I have also sent a receyt you, though not surne you desire, but of 80 pound, bebrother
.
was almost so much, it was 75, not indeed ten went to my brother Howard, but of this surne of 80 you may abate to my brother Nath. what you shall thinke fitt. If this receyt which I have sent bee not come to your hand, and my brother Nath.'s letter to him, send me word and I wil send you another. My wife, remembers her dear Love to you & to my
cause the whole surne of your
. . . 11
brother Nath.
& his wife.

wholy
Shee
is
neare her tyme.

it
I have thoughts
the next sumer of seeing England, and

Ireland, and settle
in Engl.
it,
may
bee I shall then leave
If they thus neglect to pay want of subsistence for myselfe and family. The state being thus behind hand with mee, your money is the greater kindnesse to mee, for which I do (as I have cause to do) give you many thankes. Deare brother, the Lord bee with you. I pray lett mee heare
mee
I shalbee forced to do
for
from you as
oft as
maybee, so I
rest lov. brother,
Your
Sept: 10. 1659.
S.
M.
SEABORN COTTON* TO SARAH MATHER.f

[Deare] Mother,
It hath
been some exercise to
my
heart
that I have not for a long time heard of your health
&
wellfare,
* Eev. Seaborn Cotton [H.C. 1651], son of Rev. John Cotton of Boston, preached first Windsor and other places, and was ordained at Hampton in 1660. of Boston, married Rev. Richard Mather, f Sarah Cotton, widow of Rev. John Cotton August 26, 1656.
at
552
though
THE MATHER PAPERS.

I
[1661.
have enquired of many, yet they could not certainly informe mee, & therefore I have hoped your health, because had it been otherwise, I should undoubtedly have heard of it from you or
mi
Sister.
At the present, through the goodnesse of God,
my Fam-
ilv is in
health,
it
& my dear
it
childe doth
to
much
thrive
selfe.
&
I
that see
Judge
much
that
resemble your
grow; they desire you to
blesse
God
with me,
though many have been srckein our
T..w ne, vet our Family have
had theyre Healthe.

It troubles
[God] hath taken
away Mr Dal ton from

affected with
it,
us,
&
me
to see the place so litle
am
sure It
was
...
to mee,
&
brings a great
deale of
more labour upon mee, [with] out any more incouragement Of his sicknes.se & death I have written to my from the people. where Father, you may see it. Deare Mother, I hope to see you in March, it' I can get any cloathes to weare, & money to bring
mee
1
to jrou, for at
present I
am
allmost naked of both.
However
mos1 earnestly desire the continuance of your prayers for

cloathing with the white robes of the saints,
my
spir-
ituall
&
filling
with
the gifts of
nice
t<>
His
spirit,
who
alone can
fitt
me
for his
worke,
& enable
my never to be forgotten Father Myselfe & wife present our duty to you, hath <lone before mee. with unfeigned thankes for all your Love, & our Love & respects our Brother Increase & sister & couzens. I should be glad to
serve
my
generation, as
t>
heare of any Newea from

also
"I'
my
Bister
I
my Brother John, if you have any, as Mary, about the changing of Her condition. In
take leave
the
meane time
rest,
Yoiir most dutiful] SOU,
SEABORNE COTTON.
Hampton,
Jan. -7. 1661.
SEABORN COTTON To [NCREASE MATHER.

1
>r. \i:i:
BROTHER,
in
The occasion of my now writing

late awful] effects of the
is,
to <nve
you an exact account of the

hand of God,
to tM
All disposing
our owne doorea
bringing his sore Judgement of the sword, home The Lord of his Infinite goodnesse sancti[fy
:
dispensation
to
is
all
of as,
Inhahitants in this place.
The
bein<r
trothofthe matter
in
B[ubstanoe?].
The
last
Wedensday,
1677.]
SEABORN COTTON.
553
June 13, about 20 Indians

(as
it is
(as appears by theyre trackes, [althoujgh
not above 15 persons seen by any of our living men.) having

credibly said) crossed Pascataqua River the
till
weeke
before,
woods between Greenland & us at length, some time before noone espied two of our men (Ben Hilliard, who in the late warre had accidentally slaine his coinander, about Rehoboth, & Caleb Towle)
keeping close
the day before mentioned, in the
:
:
&
who were
(as
returning
home from keeping
garrison, at Oyster river

safe,
sundry of our souldiers did the day before
from other
them sat upon a plaine about a mile from our outmost houses, they soone espied 4 Indians attempting to get before them, & others coming upon them to surprize them, whereupon the freindly Indian having no gun, fled to a swamp at the left hand, was hotly pursued by Simon, at last Simon caught hold of
a freindly Indian with
garrisons) while our two men,

to take tobacco,
&
downe
the Indian's shirt, but he slipping out of coate
&
shirt, left
them
with Simon,
&
got further into [the] campe,
till
at length hearing to the
the Indians by theire shot ingaged elsewhere,
H[e came]
nearest place of our
Towne, where our Warders received him.
[The] Indian informing them of the danger of the other two men,
Our Towne was Alarumd,
& men
called
;
home from
only one
theyre worke
to attend the service against the
Enemy
Abram
Perkins,
upon the same plaine forementioned, would needs venwho going out at ture to his house, though sufficiently warned his backe doore, was iffiediately shot downe dead, (His wife & children having been removed to Towne before) the Enemy scalped
who
lived
him,
&
bowed
his
gun, broke the stocke
&
locke,
&w
they could
spoile of axes or goods left, that they did.
This report being heard by our Warders, hastned the march of
about 12 of our
men
to the house,
among whome Edward Colcord
& Abram
wall by
Drake, Junior, being troopers,

lined with Indians,
&
venturing too neare
the Indians, before the foot came up, found the House,
it,
&
stone
who
shot
many guns
at
them,
wounded both theyre
horses, shot
Abram Drake through
the right
hand, as he was presenting at them, so that his gun fell from him, Edward Colcord was shot through the but rescued by the foot.
bowells, rode
night.
home with
his
companion,
&
died Christianly that
The Enemy, knowing they had wounded

70
these two,
mounted over
55
THE MATHER TArEKS.

(
[1677.
I,
the wall to ceize
?)
them, but our foot coming on,
made them
get
behind theire Btone defence, our men plai'd vpon the Enemy with theyre Bhot, for about a[n] houre, an Indian could no sooner looke
vp over the
bullets
fly at
wall
but
a bullet or
flew
at
him
&
they
let
j
'
our men, some of which went through severall of our
men's cloathes, but, through Infinite mercy, wounded no person, at Length our Captaine sent out Henry Eoby with about a dozen
more
that
to assist
our men,
in
&
to get
on the Indians backes
if
possible,
they
might
incompasse them,
&
fight
them before
&
behind, two of our
men
that
were ingaged before also fetched a

shot of the
compasse
&
got on the same side of the stone wall with the Indians,
&
did
before the last party could
Enemy gave
come within hoope[s,] marched to some
Enemy,
the
further deserted houses,
BOme small damage, but were so eagerly pursued, & shot at by our men, that at a place called North hill bridge, they forced the
Enemy
theire
to leave theyrc
packes,
&
guns
&
aiiiunition they
had taken
to fly for
from the two travelling

lives,
homewards, before mentioned,
&
much fish & some porke of theyre owne behind them, what damage wee did them is uncertaine, they have
leaving
been quiet to
tlu in,
this
1(>
of June, our
men
in partyes
have sought
but ca[nnot] find
them, but since have found

surprized,
&
buryed our
two men whome th[ev]
first
who were heard

wounded
to fire at the
Knnnv BOme
theyre dead
time, but at length were
&
taken,
&
cruelly
tortured while alive, as appeares by
vpon sumo of what yet wee know & feele, our men have been searching the woods daily but cannot find any. Wee are upon our guard, expecting them in some part,
thereof
many simptomes
Bodyes:
this is the
or other of the
Townc daily, cSc hitherto have had no helpe from [neigh] bour Townee, but from the Lord alone, in whome is our lope & ( onfidenee. [Dear] brother, I begge your fervent prayers, A the prayers of ]l saints, as for the who[le] Towne, so for my
1 :l
Belie
this
&
family, that
wee maj bee kept from
sin
&
suffering, in
day of distresse,
& may
;
have
sanctifyed vse of this sharpe
visitation:
When
Bhall
further
certaine
in
newes
shall
occurrre,
God
AfFec-
willing,
[nfofme you
the
tionate Salutations from us all, to
meane time Hearty you A- yours, I am

obliged Brother,
&
Four
Samptom, June
18,
truly loving
cC
Seabokne Cotton.
L677.
: ! !
1671-2.]
SAMUEL WILLARD.
555
SAMUEL WILLARD'S* ACCOUNT OF THE STRANGE CASE OF ELIZABETH KNAPP OF GROTON.f
briefe account
of a strange
Sf
unusuall Providence of God, befallen

Groton, per
to
Elizabeth
Knap of
me Sam
11
Willard.
This poore & miserable object about a fortnight before shee was wee observed to carry herself in a strange & unwonted manner. Sometimes shee would give sudden shriekes, & if wee enquired a reason, would alwayes put it off with some excuse, & then would burst forth into ifrioderate & extravagant laughter, in such wise, as some times shee fell on to the ground with it
taken,
my selfe
ill,
observed oftentimes a strange change in her countenance,
but could not suspect the true reason, but conceiued shee might
bee
shee
&
therefore
divers
times
;
enquired
how
shee
did,
:
&
but
alwayes
answered,
well
which made mee wonder
upon Munday, Octob. 30, 71, after this maner (as I received by credible information, being that day my selfe gon from home*) In the evening, a little before shee went to bed, sitting by the fire, shee cryed out, Oh my legs & clapt her hand on them, iniediately Oh my breast, & removed her hands thither, & forthwith, Oh I am strangled, & put her hands on her throat. Those that observed her could not see what to make of it whither shee was in earnest or dissembled, & in this maner they left her (excepting
the tragedy e began to unfold itselfe
! !
the pson that lay with her) complaining of her breath being stopt*
The next day

foolish
shee was in
a strange frame,
(as
was observed
by divers,) sometimes weeping, sometimes laughing,
& many
cellar,
&
apish gestures.
In the evening, going into the
shee shrieked suddenly,
&
being enquired of the cause, shee an;
swered, that shee saw 2 psons in the cellar where upon some went downe with her to search, but found none shee also looking with them at last shee turned her head, &> looking one way stedr fastly, used the exp ssion, What cheere, old man? which they that
;
at the Old
to 1707.
* Rev. Samuel Willard [H.C. 1659] was South in Boston, March 31, 1678.
t Cotton
first settled
at Groton,
and afterward
installed
He was
Pro-Praeses of the College from 1701
Mather
briefly refers to her case in the " Magnalia,"
Book vi. chap.
7, p. 67.
THE MATHER PAPERS.

wen- with her tooke
for
:i
[1671-2.
fansye,
& &
soe ceased; afterwards (the
Bame evening,)
(
the rest of the family being in bed,
shee
was
as one lying in the room saw, related) suddenly throwne downe
shee herselfe also afterwards
into the midst of the floore with

lit,
violence,
&
taken with a violent
was
raised,
&
with
much adoe was

day;
shee kept out of the
whereupon the whole family fire from

fits
destroying herselfe.
After which time she was followed with

in
from thence
till
the Sabbath
which shee was violent in

strange agitations, scarce
:
bodily motions,
to
leapings, strainings
&
bee held in bound by the strength of 3 or 4
violent alsoe in
roarings
ish
&
BCreamings, representing a darke resemblance of hell-
torm*"
&
frequently using in these
fits,
divers words, somesin
times crying out

Nov.
i.
money, money, sometimes,

the case
&
misery with
other words.
On
"Wednesday, being in the time of intermission

shee was
in,
questioned
about
with reference to the
cause or occasion
of
(I
it,
shee
seemed
to
impeach one of the

her likenesse
ueighbor8,
pson
doubt not) of sincere uprightnesse before

shee,
God,
habit,
as
ptic
though
cither
or the devill in
&
ularlv her riding hood,
stricken
her that night.
had come downe the chimney, Shee was first taken violently, which
was the occasion of her being cast into the floore; whereupon
those about her sent to request the pson to come to her, who coming unwittingly, was at the first assaulted by her strangelye, for though her eves were (as it were) sealed up (as they were alwayee, or for the most pt, in those fits, & soe continue in them all t this day) shee yet knew her very touch from any
though no voice were uttered, & discovered it evidently by her gestures, soe powcrfull were Satans suggestions in her,
other,
God was pleased to vindicate the case & justify the even to remove jealousyes from the spirits of the pty concerned, & satisfaction of the by standers; for after shee had gon to prayer with her, shee confessed that she beleeved Satane had deluded her, c<: hath never since complained of any such -apparition or disturbance from the pson. These fits continuing,
yet
afterward
inocent,
(though with intermission) divers, (when they had opportunity) d upon her to declare what might bee p the true & real occasion
of these amazing
fits.
Shee used many tergiversations

to
this
till
&
excuses,
^tending Bhee would
&
that
he
put
it
off to another,
at the
young pson, who coming, last, on Thurdsday night, shee
1671-2.]
SAMUEL WILLARD.
557
brake forth into a large confession in the p r sence of man}', the That the devill had substance wherof amounted to thus much
:
oftentimes appeared to her, p senting the treaty of a Covenant, and pffering largely to her, viz. such things as suited her youthfull
r fancye, money, silkes, fine cloaths, ease from labo , to
show
his
her the whole world, &c.

first
That
it
had been then 3 yeers since

discontent.
appearance,
occasioned by her
That
at first
;
his apparitions
had bin more
rare, but lately
more frequent
yea,
those few weekes that shee had dwelt with us almost constant, that
she seldome went out of one roome into another, but hee appeared
to her urging of her,
&
that hee had presented her a booke, writ-
ten with blood of covenants
such
there
&
;
such (of some wherof

that he urged
made by others with him, & told her we hope better things) had a name
to
upon her constant temptations

it
murder
her pents, her neighbo r s, our children, especially the youngest,
tempting her to throw
into the fire
on the hearth, into the oven,

to
it,
&
that once hee put a bill
hooke into her hand,
murder
I
psuading her I was asleep, but coming about

the staires, at which shee
well,
shee met
my selfe, me on
was
affrighted.
The time
&
observd a strange frame in her countenance
&
remember saw shee

to
endeav r ed to hide something, but I knew not what, neither did I

at all suspect
any such matter

herselfe,
&
that often he
psuaded her
make away with
&
once she was going to drowne herselfe

it,
in the well, for, looking into
shee saw such sights as allured her,
&
was gotten within the curbe,
&
was by God's providence pre-
vented.
lect
;
Many
other like things shee related, too tedious to recol-
but being p r ssed to declare whither she had not consented to a covenant with the devill, shee with solemne assertions denyed
it,
yea, asserted that shee had neuer soe
much
this
it
as consented to dis-
co r se with him, nor had ever but once before that night used the
exp r ssion,
ritions
What
cheere,
old
man?
her
;
&
argum*
she
used,
that the providence of
God had
to
ordered
soe, that all his appa-
had bin
frightfull
yet this shee acknowledged,

:)
(which seemed contradictory e, viz

delayed her going
that
when
it
shee
came
to
our house to schoole, before such time as shee dwelt with us, shee
was darke which psuasion to have his company home, & wee observed) upon that shee could not, when hee appeared, but goe to him one evident testimony wherof wee can say somthing to, viz. The night
in the evening,
till
home
his
558
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1671-2.
before the Thanksgiving, Octob. 19, shee

that
was with another maid
boarded
a
in
the house,
where both of them saw the appear-
mans head & shoulders, with a great white neckcloath, looking in at the window, at which they came up affrighted, both into the chamber, where the rest of us were; they declaring
ance of
the case, one of us went
ran
downe
to see
who
it
might bee, but shee
immediately out of the doore before him, which shee hath
since confessed,
was the Devill coming to her; shee also acknowl-
edged the reason of her former sudden shriekings, was from a sudden apparition,
&
&
that the devill put those excuses into her
mouth
&
hid her soc to say,
and hurried her into those violent (but shee

laughters
:
Baith
feigned
forced)
shee then also
complained
against herselfe
of
many
sins, disobedience to
;
pents, neglect of
attendance upon ordinances

hut this pticular (of a
relation
attempts to murder herselfe
& others
;
covenant) shee utterly disclaimed
which
bitter
seemed
faire, especially in that it
was attended with

all
teares, selfc
condemnations, good counsells given to
about her,
especially the
youth then present;

Lancaster for
&
an earnest desire of prayers.
Shee sent
with her,
to
M
I
Rowlandson, who came

fits,
&
prayed
fol-
&
gave her serious counsells; but shee was

notwithstanding, with these
still
lowed,
all
this
&
in
this
state
(coming home on Frvdav)

from her, whenever
concerning which
I
found her; but could

r p sence shee
sret
nothing
came
I
in
fell
into those fits;
fits,
find
this
noteworthy.
Shee knew
&
understood what was spoken to her, but could not answer, nor use
any other words

lit
l>nt
continued, for
of
all
ti"ii
that
the forementioned, money, &C, as long as the when shee came out of it, shee could crive a relahad been spoken to her: shee Avas demanded a
in
reasOD
the
Bin
why
shee used those words

p'sented her
to
her
fits,
&
signifyed that
Devill
with sneh things, to tempt her,

her.
X misery
terrifye
& with Shee also declared that shee had

shapes,
Beene the Devills,
in their hellish
&
more Devills than any
One there ever saw men

heard
her
in
the world.
at
declare on
Saturday
a
Many of these things I night. On the Sabbath the

of her stomacke
in
Phyeitian came,
natnrall,
who judged
maine pt of her distemper to be

fumes
to
arising from the f'onlnesse
uesse of her blood, occasioning

fanflyes;
her brairie,
tryall
& corrupt& strange

administra-
whereupon
(in
order
,v:
further
&
tion) Bhee was
removed home,
the succeeding
weeke shee tooke
1671-2.]
SAMUEL WILLAED.
559
fits
physicke,
&
was not
in such violence handled in her
as before
;
but enjoyed an intermission,
&
gave some hopes of recovery
in
which intermission shee was altogether sencelesse (as

co very e) of her state, held under security e
to our dis-
&
hardnesse of heart,
pfessing shee had no trouble upon her spirits, shee cryed Satan
had
left her.
solefne
little
day was kept with her, yet

efficacy
it
had then,
Nov.
8.
(as I apprehend,)
upon her
had
left
Shee that day again
exp r ssed hopes that the
devill
her, but there
was
little
ground
to thinke soe, because she
remained under such extreame
sencelessenesse of her
exercised with
owne estate, & thus shee continued, being some moderate fits, in which shee used none of the
till
former exp r ssions, but sometimes fainted away, sometimes used
some
struglings, yet not with extremitye,
the
Wednesday
folfits
Nov. 15
lowing, which day was spent in prayer with her, when her
somthing more encreased,
&>
her tongue was
for
many
houres
together drawne into a semicircle up to the roofe of her mouth,
&
it.
not to be remooved, for some tryed with the fingers to doe
From
thence
till
the sabbath seuen night following
she con- Nov.
26.
tinued alike, only shee added to former confessions of her twise
consenting to travell with the Devill in her company, between
Groton
&
Lancaster,
who accompanied
:
her in forme of a blacke
dog, with eyes in his backe

times leaping up behind,
sometimes stopping her horse, somekeeping her (when she came home
&
with company) 40 rod[s] at least behind, leading her out of the
way
into a
swampe, &c, but
still
no conference would shee owne,

with her was because shee would
that this
but urged that the
devill's quarell
not seale a covena* with him
was the ground of her Besides this nothing observable came from first being taken. her only one morning shee said God is a Father, the next morning, God is my Father, which words (it is to be feared) were words of p r sumption, put into her mouth by the adversary. I
;
&
suspecting the truth of her former storye, pressed, whether shee
never verbally promised to covenant with him, which shee stoutly
denyed
lence
only acknowledged that shee had had some thoughts soe
to doe: but
on the forenamed Nov. 26, shee was again with viofits,
&
extremity seized by her
in such wise that 6 psons
could hardly hold her, but shee leaped

pforce roaring
if
&
yelling
her heartstrings would
& skipped about the house extreamly, & fetching deadly sighs, as have broken, & looking with a frightfull
560
aspect,
to
I
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the
[1671-2.
amazem1
&
astonishm*
of
all
the
beholders, of
which
was an eye witnesse.
The Physitian being then agen

was Diabolicall, refused
where-
with her, consented

further
to
that the distemper
administer, advised to extraordinary fasting;
upon some of God's ministers were sent for. continued extreamly tormented night & day,
noon
:
Shee meanewhile
having
this
added on
Munday
&
till Tuesday about Tuesday morning, that

|\
shee barked like a dog,
&
bleated like a calfe, in which her organs
were visibly made use of: yea, (as was carefully observed) on
Munday
Kov. 28.
night
&
Tuesday morning, when ever any came neere the
all, yet would shee come into the house. On Tuesday, about 12 of the clocke, shee came out of the fit, which had held her from Sabbath day about the same time, at least 48 howers, with little or no intermission, & then her speech was restored to her, &
house, though they within heard nothing at
barke
till
they were
Bhee exp'ssed a great seeming sence of her state

teares,
many
;
bitter
sighings, sobbings, complainings shee uttered

sins fore
bewailing
of
many
mentioned, begging prayers,
&
in the
houre of
prayer expressing
much
in
affection.
any thing behind

Satan,
reference
to
I then p ssed her if there were the dealings between her

all,
when she agen pfessed that shee had related

in
& &
declared thai
thai
those
fits
the devil] had assaulted her
many waves,
came downe the chimney, & shee essayed to escape him, but was riezed upon by him, that hee sat upon her breast, & used many arg* with her, ft that he urged her at one time -with
bee
persuasions and promises of ease

shee had done enough
in
&
great matters, told her that
what
slice
had already confessed, shee
might henceforth serve him more securely;
anon told her her
time was past, cM there was no hopes unlesse shee would serve
him
little
&
it
was observed
respite
moments Others to make

Bhee had done.
in the time of her extremity, once when a was granted her of speech, shee advised
their peace with
God &
It is
use their time better than
The pty advised her

Shee replyed,
also to
bethinke herselfe of
forme. The next day was solemnized, when we had the presence of Mr Bulkley, Mr Bowlandson, ft M' Estabrooke, whither coming, we found her returned to a sottish ft stupid kind of frame, much was prest "I"" her, but no affection at all discovered; though shee was
too late
1
making her peace.
little
or nothing exercised with
any
iits,
&
her speech also con-
1671-2.]
SAMUEL WILLARD.
though a day or two
after,
561
tinued
shee was melancholye
&
being enquired of a reason, shee complained that shee was grieved

that so
much
pains
was taken with

:
her,
&
did her no good, but

till
this held
her not long
&
thus shee remained
Munday, when
Dec.
4.
to
some neighbo r s there present shee related something more of her converse with the devill, viz. That it had bin 5 yeers or therabouts, since shee first saw him, & declared methodically the sundry apparitions from time to time, till shee was thus dreadfully
assaulted, in which the principall was, that after
many
assaults,
shee had resolved to seale a covenant with Satan, thinking shee
had better
-doe
it
then be thus followed by him, that once, when
shee lived at Lancaster, hee p r sented himselfe desired of her blood, shee would have done it, but wanted a knife. In the
&
&
parley shee was prevented by the providence of
God
interposing
my
r
father
2 d time in the house hee met her,
&
presented her
a knife,
&
as she
was going about
it
my
father stept in agen,
&
enquired for the knife, it p vented, that when shee sought was not to bee found, that afterward shee saw it sticking in the
top of the barne some other like passages. Shee agen owned an observable passage which shee also had confessed in her
;
&
& &
first
declaration, but
is
not there inserted, viz., y* the devill had

shee
often pffered her his

in ptic:
service, but
in
accepted
fire,
not
&
once
to^ bring
her
chips for the
shee refused, but
when
them
shee
came
in shee
;
saw them
sitting
affraid,
& this I remarke I on, & she turned away
in
also declared against herself,
lye by the fire side, & was by the fire spake to her to lay an unwonted manner. Shee then her unpfitable life she had led,
tell-
& how justly God

ing them, they
had thus permitted Satan to handle her,
little
knew what
a sad case shee was in.
I after
the truth
left her,
asked her
of
concerning these passages,
&
shee
owned
them
&
declared that
now
shee hoped the devill had
but being prest, whither there were not a covenant, she earnestly
pfessed, that by God's goodnesse shee
doing that which shee, of herselfe,

assent to,
had been p r vented from had bin ready enough to
was no such thing. The same day shee was agen taken with a new kind of unwonted fitt, in which, after shee had bin awhile exercised with violence shee got her a sheet [ ?] & went up & downe, thrusting & pushing, here & there, & anon looking out at a window, & cryed
shee thanked
there
71
&
God
569
out
a
THE MATHER PAPERS.

of a
witch,
[1671-2.
appearing
in
strange
mailer
in
forme
the
of
dog downward, wth a womans other whiles, that slice appeard in her whole likenesse, & described her Bhape & habit: signifyed that shee went up
head,
declared
perBOO
the
the
&
chimney
&
went
her
way, what
impression wee
re
in
day
of the
chimney, in similitude of a dog's paw, by the
operation
of Satan,
&
of.
in the scar [ ?] of a dog's
same
place:
she tould
I
I shall not conclude,
there was, as
mysclfe saw in the chimney in
going in the though something the same place where

In
this
Bhee declared the foot was set to goe up. Bhee handled that night,
tures,
mailer was
&
the 2 next dayes, using strange ges-
complaining by signes, when shee could not speak, explainshee

cV:
ing that
was sometimes
;
in
the
chamber, somet. in the
chimney,
anon assaults her
sometimes scratching her breast,
beating her sides, strangling her throat,
&
she did oftentimes

:
Beeme
to
our apprhension as
if
if
shee would forthwith bee strangled
She declared that
the pty were app'hended shee

till
should forth-
with he well, but never
then.
Whereupon
her father went

her,
&
paired the coming of the
woman impeached by
who came
downe
I
to her
on Thurdsday night, where (being desired to be psent)
observed that she was violently handled,

cSc
&
lamentably tormented
but having
it,
by the adversarve,
psong coming
in,
uttered unusual shriekes at the instant of the

fast closed
;.
though her eyes were
experience of such former actings, wee

waited the issue.
made nothing of
but
was sought to, to signifye something, whereby the innocent might bee acquitted, or the guilty discovered, & hee Answered our prayers; for by 2 evident &
therefore
oleere mistakes* she
God
was
clcered,
&
then
all
p'judiees ceased,
&
:
she never
more
to this
day hath impeached her of any apparition
In the forenientioned allegation of the pson, shee also signified that
somet. the devil alsoe in the likenesse of a little boy appeared together with the peon. Fryday was a sad day with her, for
Bhee was BOrely handled
that there
with fits, which some pceiving pressed was something yet behind not discovered by her, & shee
fit,
after a violent
one
3 houres, did first to afterwards to many, acknowledge that shee had given of her blood to the Devill, & made a covenant with him whereupon
holding her hetweene two
&
&
was sent
lor to her
c<:
understanding
how
things had passed, I
found that there
Wftfl
no roome for privacye, in another alredy
: ;
1671-2.]
SAMUEL WILLARD.
563
made by her
matter,
soe publicke, I therefore examined her concerning the
&
found her not soe forward to confesse, as shee had bin
to others, yet thus
much
came
I gathered from her confession.

to dwell with us,
That
after shee
one day as shee was
alone, in a lower roome, all the rest of us being in the chamber,
she looked out
of
a old
at the window, & saw the devill in the habit man, coming over a great meadow lying neere the
& suspecting his designe, shee had thoughts to have gon away, yet at length resolved to tarry it out, & heare what hee had to say to her. When hee came, he demanded of her some
house,
of her blood, which shee forthwith consented to,
cut her finger,
&
with a knife
told
her she
Hee caught the blood in his hand, & then must write her name in his booke. Shee answered
little
shee
could not write, but hee told her
he would direct her hand
&
his
then took a
it
sharpened sticke, and dipt in the blood,
&
put
into her hand,
&
;
guided
it
&
shee wrote her
name with
that
helpe.
What was
the matter shee set her hand to I could
not learne from her
but thus
much
shee
confessed,
;
the
terme of time agreed upon with him was for 7 yeers

shee was to be faithfull in his service,
one yeere
&
then the other six hee
would serve her & make her a witch. Shee also related, that the ground of contest between her & the devill which was the occasion of this sad providence,
was
this, y* after
her covenant
made
were
the devill
showed her
hell
&
the darned,
&
told her, if shee
not faithfull to him, shee should goe thither

there.
&
:
bee tormented
show her heaven but hee told her that heaven was an ougly place, & that none went thither but a company of base roagues whom he hated, but if she would obey him it should bee well with her but afterward shee considered with herselfe, that the term of her coven* was but short, & would
Shee desired of him
to
;
soone bee at an end,

shee must
at last
&
shee doubted (for

to the place hee
all
the devills pmises)
come
had showne her,
feared, if shee
to a shamefull
its
;
were a witch, shee should bee discovered end which was many times a trouble on her
;
& withall & brought

spir-
This the Devill pceiving, urged upon her to give him more
of her blood,
&
set her
hand agen
to his booke,
which shee re-
fused to doe, but ptly through promises, ptly by threatnings, hee
brought her at
after
last to a
left
promise that shee would sometime doe
it
which hee
not incessantly to urge her to the pformance
564
)ncc lice
THE MATHER PAPERS.

(
[1671-2.
of
it.
met her on the

the devill
staires,
still
&
often elsewhere pressing

it
her with vehemencye, but shee
put
off, till
the
first
night
came to her & told her he would slue was taken, when Slice told him shee would not doe it; hee Dot tarry any longer. Answered Bhee had done it already, & what further damage would agen, for shee was his sure enough. She rejoyned, bee to doe shee had done it already, & if shee were his sure enough what need
it
it
Ji
hee to desire any more of her

night, and agen
whereupon he strucke her the

2d as
is
first
is
more
violently the
above exp rst
This
the Buffie of the Relation I then
had from her, which
at that time
Beemed
to
hee methodicall.
These things she uttered with great
affection, overflowing
of teares
&
seeming bitternesse.
I asked
of the Reason of her weeping

-inns,
cSc
&
bitternesse, shee
complained of her
&c. but
giv-
some
this
in
pticular, profanation of the sabbath,
nothing of
sin of
renouncing the govern^ of

I therfore (as
God and
ing herselfe up to the devill.

it
God
helped) applied
to her,
&
asked her whether shee desired not prayers with
&
it,
for
her.
Shee assented with earnestnesse,
&
in prayer
seemed to
bewaile the Bin as
God
helped, then in the aggravation of
&
afterward declared a desire to rely on the

in
Christ
Shee then also declared, that

or
mercy of God the Devill had deceived
power
&
her concerning those psons impeached by her: that hee had in

their
it
likenesse
resemblance tormented her, psuading her that

they hare her a spleen; but he loved her,
was they:
that
&
would
free her
from them,
&
pressed on her to endeavo
1"
to brino-
them
forth to the censure of the law.
In this case I
I
;
left her,
but
(net being Batisfied in
some things)
still
promised to
visit
her agen
the next day, which accordingly I did
her (though her speech

teares dryed
but coming to her I found remained) in a case sad enough; her
up& senecs stupifyed,
&
(as
was observed) when I
could get nothing from her,

to a to
&
therfore applyed myselfe in counsell
her; shee regarded

place,
ae
it
not,
but fixed her eye steadfastly upon

the
Bhee
was wont when

a
Devill
her,
which was
in
griefe to
I
her parents,
her.
&
p sented himselfe brought mee to a

the
Stand;
sabbath,
>:,,:m
,
this
condition
left
The next day, being

or
whither upon
])
any
hint
given her,
any advantage
"" kr
il
uP<>n her, shee sent for
mee
in hast at noone.
Coming
to her,
shee imediately with teares told
belied the Devill, in
that shee had saving shee had given him of her blood, &c.
me
; ;
1671-2.]
JSAMUEL WILLARD.
565
of
professed that the most of the apparitions shee had spoken
were but fansyes,

entreated
tions.
as
images rep r sented in a dreame, earnestly
me
to beleeve her, called
God
to witnesse to her asser-
would willingly hope the best, & beleeve what I had any good grounds to app r hend. If therefore shee would tell a more methodicall relation than the former, it would be well, but if otherwise, she must bee content that every one should censure according to their app r hension. Shee promised soe to doe, & expressed a desire that all that would might heare her that as they had heard soe many lyes & untruths, they might
I told her I
now heare
it.
the truth,
&
engaged that in the evening shee would doe
I then repaired to her,
declared thus much.
& divers more then went. Shee then That the Devill had sometimes appeared to
it
her
that the occasion of
was her discontent,
that her condi-
tion
displeased
her, her
to
labo r was burdensome to her.
Shee
was neither content

Devill would
be at home nor abroad,
&
had oftentime
strong ^suasions to practice in witchcraft, had often wished the
come
to her at such
&
such times,
&
resolved that if
hee would, shee would giue herselfe up to him soul
&
body
but
(though hee had
oft
times appeared to her, yet) at such times hee
had not discovered himselfe,

from such a thing.
tion,
&
;
therfore shee
had been p r served
I declared a suspicion of the truth of the rela-
&
gave her some Reasons
but by Reason of the company did
not say much, neither could any thing further be gotten from her
but the next day I went to her,
&
opened
my
mind
to her alone,
&
had
I
left
it
with her, declared (among other things) that shee had
used preposterous courses,

shee
&
therfore
it
was no marvell
tendered her
all
that shee
bin led into such contradictions,

if
&
the helpe
could,
would
make use of me,

shee
&
relate
any weighty
&
serious
if
:
case of Conscience to me.
more privately Shee
promised
shee
me
shee would
at all
:
knew any
thing, but said that then
knew nothing
but stood to the story shee had told the
foregoing evening
r
&
indeed what to make of these things I at
p sent know not, but am waiting till God (if hee see meet) wind up the story, & make a more cleere discovery. It was not many dayes ere shee was hurried agen into violent fits after a different
manner, being taken agen speechless, & using all endeavo r s to make away with herselfe, & doe mischiefe unto others striking
;
those that held her
spitting in their faces
& if at
any time, shee
566
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1671-2.
bad done any harme or frightned them, shee would laugh iniediately; which fits held her sometimes longer, sometimes shorter.
Pew
thai
occasions shee bad of speech, as

a
when shee could speake, shee
oomplained of
hard heart, counselled some to beware of sin, for

to this,
had brought her

for her,
bewailed that soe

so hard hearted
many
prayers had
up wrought upon her; but being asked whither shee were willing to Thus shee continued repent, Bhaked her head, & said nothing.
bin put
still
i'
&
shee
&
no more good
LT.
till
tin
next sabbath in the afternoone
on which day in the mornhad but

little
ing, being somthing better then
at other times, shee
company tamed to make more full discoverye of

before,
with her in the afternoon,

himselfe.
when
It
the Devill began
had bin a question
whither shee might cpperly bee called a Demoniacke, or

:
was then put out of Questestifye) by drawing out of her mouth most frightfully, to an extraordinary her tongue Length & greatnesse, & many amazing postures of her bodye, &
pMHi possessed of the Devill
but
it
tion.
Shee began (as the psons with her
then by speaking, vocally in her,
w hereupon her
T
father
&
another
neighbo* were called from the meeting, on
whom,
(as soon as they
came
in
in,) he railed, calling

to
going
hear a blacke roague,
them roagues, charging them for folly who told them nothing but a
peel]
of lyes,
I
&
deceived them,
& many
like
exp r ssions.
till
After
came & heard the same voice, a grum,low, vet audible voice it was. The first you are a great roague. I was at the salutation I had was, Oh first somthing daunted & amazed, & many reluctances I had upon my spirits, which brought nice to a silence & amazement in my spirits,
exercise
was called, but understood not the occasion,
till
(
at
last
,
God
C0rage.
heard
I
my
groanes
&
gave
me
both refreshment in
Ibrisl
&
then called for
a light, to see
whither
it
might not
appeare
a counterfiet,
& observed
as
if
it
not any of her organs to
moove;
then
to
the voice
was hollow,
issued out of her throat.

I challenged
tell
Hee
agen called
it
me
great l.lacke roague.

all
him
appear; but
I
the
Answer was, you

on myselfe,
to
the people a
make company
of Lyes,
reflected
&
could not but magnifye the
goodnesse of God, not

bifl
Buffer
Satan to bespatter the names of
pple with those sins which hee himselfe hath

(
pdoned
in the
blood of
vV
'hrist.
Answered, Satan, thou

his
art a lyar
&
a deceiver,
God
will vindicate
ownc
I
truth one day.
Hee Answered
a pretty blacke
nothing directly, hut said,
am
not Satan, I
am
1671-2.]
SAMUEL WILLARD.
is
567
I
boy, this
sat
still
my
pretty girle.
I have bin here a great while.

to
;
and Answered nothing
these expressions
but when
hee directed himselfe to mee agen
Oh
you blacke roague, I do

These manner of exp r sr
not love you, I replyed through God's grace, I hate thee; hee
rejoyned, but you had better love mee.
sions filled
some of the company there p
sent with great conster-
nation, others put on boldnesse to speake to him, at which I

displeased,
was
& advised them to see their call cleere, fearing least by his policye & many apish exp ssions hee used, hee might insinuate himselfe, & raise in them a fearlessenesse of spirit of him. I
r
no sooner turned
agen,
to bee
my
backe to goe to the
fire,
but he called out

little
Where
it,
is
that blacke roague
gone?
I seeing
done by disco r se,
&
questioning
many
things in
my
good mind
concerning
I desired the
company
to
joyne in prayer unto
God
when wee went about
that duty,
&
were kneeled downe, with a

hee cryed
out,
voice louder then before something,
hold your
tongue, hold your tongue, get you gon you blacke roague.
are
you going
to doe,
you have nothing
to
doe with me,
What &c, but
through God's goodnesse was silenced,

time of prayer, but as soone as
it
&
shee lay quiet during the
was ended, began afresh, using the former exp r ssions, at which some ventured to speake to him. Though I thinke imprudently, one told him, God had him in
chaines
;
hee replyed, For

:
all
my
is
chaine I can knocke thee on the
head when I please
hee said hee would carry her away that night.

stronger than thou.
Another Answered, but God

rejoyned, that's a ly, I
I agen advised
He
presently
am
stronger then
God
left
at
which blasphemy
to
them
to bee
wary of speaking, counselled them
get serious persons to watch with her,

to
&
her, contending her

Dec. 19.
Tuesday following shee confessed that the Devill entred into her the 2d night after her first taking, that when shee was going to bed, he entred in (as shee conceived) at her mouth, & had bin in her ever since, & professed, that if there were ever a Devill in the world there was one in her, but in what manner he
:
God
On
spake in her she could not

forthwith be carried
tell.
On Wednesday
bay
r
night, shee
must
to
Dec. 20.
downe
to the
in all hast,
shee should
never be well,
till
an assembly of ministers was met together
pray with
with
&
for her,
it.
&
in pticular
M
it
Gobbet
her friends advised
me
about
r I signified to them, that I app hended Satan
never made any good motion, but
was out of season,
&
that
it
f.i'.s
THE MATHER PAPERS.

a thing
[1671-2.
was not
now
fiezable, the season

if
being then extreame cold,
&
Bnow deepe, that fits Bhee must needs her

the
in
shee had bin taken in the
woods with
pish.
On Fryday
in the
evening shee was
taken agen violently,
&
then
the former voice (for the sound)
was beard
a
her agen, not speaking, but imitating the crowing of
".eke, accompanied with

ridiculous,
many
other gestures,
some
violent,
some
which occasioned
then
my
going to her, where by.signes
she signifyed that the Devill threatned to carry her
away
in
that night.
God waa agen
sought for her,
&
when
prayer, that
a liar, in pre-
expression was used, that
God had prooved Satan

to
serving her once when hee had threatned to carry her away that
night,
&
was entreated soe
doe agen, the same voice, which

are a roague,
had eeased 2 dayes before, was agen heard by the by-standers 5

times distinctly to cry out,
but the
Oh, you
and then ceased

fits,
whole time of prayer, sometimes by violence of
some-
times by noises shee made, shee drouned her
owne hearing from

Since that
;
receiving our petition, as she afterwards confessed.
time shee hath continued for the most
speechlesse
her
fits
coming upon her sometimes

mission,
often,
sometimes with greater inter-
& with
great varietyes in the
manner of them, sometimes
by violence, sometimes by making her sicke, but (through God's goodnesse) soe abated in violence that now one pson can as well
rule her, as formerly 4 or 5.
her
fits
She is observed alwayes to fall into when any Btrangers goe to visit her, & the more goe the
fits.
more
bin
violent are her
As
to the
frame of her
spirits,
shee hath
more averse
lately to
good counsell then heretofore, yet some-
time Bhee Mgnifves a desire of the
Thursday
last, in
the evening, shee
companye of ministers. On came a season to her speech,

agen disouned a Coven*
to bee discontent,
&
as
received
from them with her)
with
tin'
Devill, disouned that relation about the knife fore
tioned, declared the occasion

the temptation- to
of her
fits
menowned
murder; declared that though the devill had power of her body, shee hoped hee should not of her soule, that
rather continue soe speechlesse than have her speech, DO better use of it than formerly shee had; expressed that
she had
&
make
bad
Bhee was
sometimes disposed
to
doe mischiefe,
it,
laid hold
of her to enforce her to
&
& was as if some had double strength to

entered.
her owne.
That shee knew not whither the devill were in her or

slice
no:
if
hee were,
knew
not
when
or
how he
That
; :
1671-2.]
SAMUEL WILLAKD.
( ?) as if
569
a string was
when
shee was taken speechlesse, she fayned
tyed about the roots of her tongue

vitalls,
&
reached downe into her
&
pulled her tongue downe,
&
then most
when
shee strove
Jan. 12.
to speake.
On Fry day,
in the evening shee
was taken with a
passion of weeping
at length she sent for
& my
sighing, which held her till late in the night me, but the unseasonablenesse of the weather owne bodily indisposednesse p r vented. I went the next
&
morning, when shee strove to speake somthing she could not, but
was taken with her fits, which held her as long as I tarried, which was more than an houre, & I left her in them & thus she
;
continues speechlesse to this instant, Jan.

fits
;
15,
&
followed with
concerning which state of hers I shall suspend
my owne
thoughts
:
Judgment,
&
willingly leave
it
to the censure of those that are

:
more
1
learned, aged,
&
Judicious
only I shall leave
my
in resp.
of 2 or 3 questions which have risen about her

:
viz.
Whither her distemper be reale or counte'rfiet I shall say no more to that but this, The great strength appearing in them, & great weaknesse after them will disclaime the contrary opinion for tho a person may counterfiet much, yet such a strength is beyond the force of dissimulation Whither her distemp bee 2
: : :
naturall
or
Diabolicall.
latter,
suppose
the
r p mises
will
strongly
enough conclude the
ts
,
yet I will adde these 2 further argu-
1.
The
actings of convulsion,
to,
are (as psons acquainted with
which these come nearest them observe) in many, yea

to these actings
all
:
the most essentiall pts of

*J.
them quite contrary
Shee hath no wayes wasted in body, or strength by

though soe dreadfulle, but gathered
these
fits,
flesh exceedingly e,
&
hath her naturall strength when her

3.
fits are off, for the most pt Whither the Devill did really speake in her. To that point which some have much doubted of, thus much I will say to coun-
termand
this
app r hension.
1.
The manner of exp r ssion

makes mention
moving
of) to
dili-
gently observed,
&
could not pceive any organ, any instrument
of speech (which the philosopher
have any
motion
at all.
Yea, her mouth was sometimes shut, without open;
ing, sometimes open without shutting, or
& then both I &

fits,
others
saw her tongue
(as
it
used to bee when shee was in some
when speechlesse) turned up circularly to the roofe of her mouth. 2. The labial letters, divers of which were used by her, viz. B. M.
P. which canot bee naturally exp r ssed without motion of the
72
lips,
570
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1688.
without anv such motion,

alU.
which must needs come within our ken, if observed, were uttered if shee had used only Lingualls, Guttur-
&c: the matter might have bin more suspicious: 3. The reviling termefl then used were such as shee never used before nor rinoe, in all this time of her being thus taken: yea, hath bin
a
1
waves observed to speake respectively concerning mee.
4.
They
were exprBeiona which the devill (by her confession) aspersed nice, <\c others withall, in the houre of temptation, j>ticularly
shee had freely acknowledged that the Devill was
to her in the
wont
to appear
house of
God &
divert her mind,
&
charge her shee
should
5.
not
give care to what that Blacke coated roage spake.
Wee
observed
when
the voice spake, her throat

fist.
was swelled
shall
formidably, as big at least as ones

leave to the censure of the Judicious.
These argumts I
4.
Whither shee have coveis
nanted with the Devill or noe, I thinke this
a case unanswerable,
her declarations have been soe contradictorye, one to another, that
wee know not what

administers
would
alsoe
to make of them, & her condition is such as many doubts charity would hope the best, love feare the worst but thus much is cleare, shee is an
; ;
object of pitye,
&
I desire that all that heare of her

Slice
is
would compas-
sionate her forlorne state.
(I question not) a subject of

to bee
hope,
&
i>
therfore, all
a nioiiuin
<>r
1
meanes ought
feare
used for her recoverye.
Shee
of divine severitve,
&
the
Lord grant
that all
that see
he.uv,
may
&
tremble:
Amen.
S.
W.
SAMUEL WILLARD TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
thr
Rwer4
r
.
Increase Mather, in London, dd.
Boston, July
\[\\
i
10, 1688.
i;
, I
hope, (in answer to wishes

in
&
prayers) these
is
lines will
Oi
meet you safely arrived
England.
What
the state
allaus
among
Qfl
since
i
your sailing hence, you will receive

pticular I desired
1
fr Other hands.
What
ended
(o
your consideration
acquaint you with
it.
might be recomhave comunicated to your son,
who
will
If
God
shall see
meet
to
improve
1673.]
MARY HOAR.
for better service I shall rejoyce
;
571
but I
you there
am
sure there
is
need of your presence here,

dubious about
&
still
the
more
since
;
we
are very
Moodey's tarriance among us

r
I was desired
by
Sergeant* to p sent his respects to you & signify, that he hath given order to M* Jno. Ive, Merchant, of London, to pay you*
My
ten pounds, in case
Wee
have
lost
you see occasion at any time to call for it. good Mr Brock, f who died June 17 th & it is to be
,
feared there will be difficulties attending the settlement of another

in his place.
Disco r agm ts upon the hearts of the ministers inthat a licentious people take the advantage of a
crease
by reason
is
liberty to withold maintenance
from them
putting
;
&
it
is
to be
feared
N. E.
before
now
with her
own hands
shee had
despised
&
forfieted
away the Gospel which Deus [avertat] omen.

meanwhile
shall
r
,
I shall rejoyce to hear from you,
&
not
cease to implore heaven's protection
&
prosperity to attend you.
Leaving you
bro
in those everlasting arms, I
am, S r Your unworthy

,
&
fellow serv* in the
work of
Christ,
S.
Willard.
MARY HOARJ TO BRIDGET HOAR.

To her Esteemed Sister
ris -
Bridget Hoare at Cambridg[e~\ In
\_N.E.~\
Loving Sister Hoare,

arrivall at
||
I cannot but congratulate

may
your safe
tended to
New England, and God's my dear brothers and your

hands of a stranger, which
goodness soe greatly ex-
good selu:[?] which God

is
grant in mercy to continue to you.

left in the
I perceive our sonn John
be of some evel conse-
quence
if
not timely prevented, and therefore I doe look upon
my
* Probably Peter Sargent, merchant of Boston, a strong opposer of Andros, and member of the Committee of Safety; also of the Council under the
f
new
charter.
Rev. John Brock [H C. 1646] taught school and preached at the Isles of Shoals. He was settled at Reading, Nov. 13, 1662. His death took place, according to Mr. Savage,
June
%
is
18,
but according to Mr. Willard,
17, 1688.
Mary Hoar was probably

Bridget Hoar
the wife of Daniel, brother of President Hoar.
The
letter
dated from Hull in England.
was
wife of Rev. Leonard Hoar, President of Harvard College, and
daughter of John
||
Lisle, the Regicide.
She came over with her husband,
in July, 1672.
;,; J
THE MATHER PAPERS.

concerned (soe farr as I
distance) to
[1676.
self as
am
such
make
it
my
capable to deserne the evill at request to you to pr[evail] with
revive him into your owne own famuly, that he may my school in the same towne, he under his own ey, and to goe to of a good school master, where yon cannot doubtless be destitute child, which shall be the to benefitt which would be of singular to my husband kindness owned as a Bingular testimony of your r yea more freer then to know will cherefully pay my Bro
Bro to
(who
a stranger) to his child,
and
to her that is
Sister,
Your Loving
Hi
ll,
Mary Hoare.
April
9,
1G73.
SAMUEL NOWELL* TO JONATHAN BULL.f

For
his worthy friend
r
.
Jonathan Bull of Hartford.

Sept:
25*
76.
Hon' S
1
:,
The day before the

my
but
little
arrivall of this bearer,
M
&
r
.
Bull,
it
had written a letter to

you
worthy friend
r
.
Whyting,
was
for your Bake, in regard I did not
know how
to direct a
few lines
;
to
& we have
it'
of news material! stirring amongst us
there being DO ship
arrived lately from
EngM.
men
to
Some rumours
France
there arc, as
there were likely to be a breach between
&
as, by reason of some some of our merchants
insolencys of their
;
of war in plundering
but I suppose our great

it
men do
well un-
derstand one another, that

land
is
will
come
no breach.
Poor Hol-
basely bet raid
by that young Prince, but they
know
not
how
the
to
be rid of him.
is
Now
de Buiter
is
dead the Commonwealth

In the last
(action
but low.
The Dane doth

foiled
p'vaile wonderfully against
Sweed, having
the
him both by Sea and Land.

thus.
fighl
Sweedish Admiral! was overset in the

lost
fight,
&
about
800 men
in her.
licet,
The manner of
enemy a
it
As
they came up
all
with the Danish
the Admirall bid the
seamen unlash
the
guns on one
side, to give the
broadside,
&
after
the guns
H. C. 1668].
Sec notes on pp.
4%
and
626,
and Appendix.
fcon of
Thomas
Bull of Hartford Captain in 1690.
1676-7.]
THOMAS THORNTON.
it,
573
to
were
loose, he, forgetting
did call
upon them suddainly
make
a tack for some further advantage, which they did,
&
all
the guns
being loose, ran over to the other side, with which the ship overset.
She had
in her
120 guns.
set
Some
other ships falling fowle

;
one upon another were
on
fire
had a great
buisinesse
losse.
As
for ourselves in
by the enemy so that the S weeds New Engld, we are fearing a

will deale with us in our
r p sent
Generall Governour.
is
How God
uncertaine.
if
I suppose
you
will
judge
it
conve-
nient to remove,
any such thing should happen, as that a

;
Governour should be sent

head be once
will
laid I
allthough
if this
man
live
who
is
Govif his
ernour at Boston,* I believe the country will oppose, but
do question, whether he that shall come next

to
have
spirit
enough, or interest enough,

I
shall
withstand the
Authority of Old Engld.
endeavour to give you as

r p sent leave you under
timely notice as I can from thence of whatsoever shall happen.

I resolve to see your relations,
that
&
so at
Shaddow where you have been
safe hithertoo.
So
desiring
your prayers, I rest
Yor
very humble serv 1 ,
Sam l l Nowell.
.
THOMAS THORNTON t TO INCREASE MATHER.

Thes To
the
Reu d Mr
.
Mather, Teacher in
the
Second Church in Boston.

of
it.
Ipray
take spetiall care in the deliuery
.Boston.
salute,
Thes few lines ar Reverend Sir, whom I cannot but say that I do
to give
you and humble
highly reuerence and es-
teem in the Lord for your worke sake, haueing had a sweet tast by what I haue heard from you and read in thos tokens of love you bestowed on me. Truely Sir, the present age is to full of compliment without substance, yet I would not be taken to be such an
one
for I delight not in being ouer busie in giving tittles vnto
* John Leverett. f Rev. Thomas Thornton was of Yarmouth from 1663 Boston and joined the Second Church.
to 1677
when he removed
to
")7
THE MATHER PAPERS.

:
[1676-7.
any
writ
Yet
:
at tins
time I pray
let
me
be exeused in what I
in
now
trust the Spirit of the
Lord hath made way

:
mine heart
to entertaine
you ther with indeared Affections

in
on thing wherby
von baue gained much rum

find in
my
heart
is
from the faithfullnes I
your minestry and in your writing, in so
much
that
you
bend your Btuddys to strike at the sins of thes backsliding rims.
An
vnii
other thing which others with myself taketh notice of that
do endeauor to be exemplary unto other in your conversation

in
and
the habite of
your wife and children.

the glory,
I speak
it
to this
end
that (rod
may haue
:
and you encoriged in your way of
well doing
for I see that in
some ministers of the gospel that

be of such a famsort of minesters
:
doth not well become ther so holy a calling: whose wifes and
childeren ar
ily as
iii
habit
more
like courtyers then to
thay ar
in spetial in
some of the yonger
As
the
to
the Spirit of the
same
spirit will
Lord hath moued on you, dear Sir, so I trust still Abid on you, wherby you will be inabled
like a
lift
up your voyee
I trust
trumpet
in crying
down
the sins of the
thus.
that
lie
God
will not
withdraw
as for
his holy Sperit
from you, but
will enable
all
you
:
to perseuire
and hold out unto the end
against
opposissions
And
Gods
ffatherly chastiseing rod
by the
rince
late fire that
broke out, I dout not but you will in expeall
find
God's promise made good to you and yours, that
things Bhal
work together
for
for good.
And
trusl the
as
your
will
lost
of your Synagogue or meeting place, I

so on the hearts of
Lord
moue
some of
his people,
that ther will [he] ere long,
another bult.
Sir,
haue her inclosed sent
my
is
son Theophilus,* a letter of
dismission by the apointment of the
Church of Christ
tender of souls
:
in
Yarmouth.
from
I
Thoughl
know
.-peak to
on that
Yet fatherly
affections will be
working;
I
By a
to
letter I did lately receiue

is
my
bod Theophilus,
let
persaue that he
deiected in spirit, therfor,
dear Sir,
blesse
me
beseech you
take the
more care of him
God
BO long as he
wase with us, he wasewell beloued of the

at
most choyce bretheren.
Beuerend
Sir,
no more
present but
wife's, presented to
your
self
my best respects, with my and your dear consort, leauing you to

in 1074,
Theophllna Thornton waa of Maiden

at
and the preceding year was one of a
tv.
party of pioneen fur Mttling
Worcester.
&
1676-7.]
RICHARD CHISWELL.
575
the protection and direction of our euerliueing, emortale, vnchangable
good God,
in Jesus Christ our Sauiour,
Yours
to
seme
6:
in the
1676:77.
bond of the gospel,
Tho: Thornton.
[YarJmouth, March
RICHARD CHISWELL* TO INCREASE MATHER.

London, Eeb.
16,
167|.
S R , I
wrote
sell,
rec'
yours of July 19^,
&
have in
Mr
all
Vsher's Cask
the books you
p* Anderson, in the Ship Blessing, sent

for,
you
&
have returned 8 of your Principles, which I cannot

.
last
having charged myself with them at 12 d p book in my accompt stated, I have discounted for them at the same rate
&
in this.
I have added a few
new
things of good note which I hope
will be pleased with, the first of
I sent you in the last pcell,

present.
&
you them is an answer to a Pamphlet which makes no small stir here at
Hales
of Eaton,
is
&
Stillingneet
are
very
famous.
Walker
done.
of Baptism
said to be very learned
&
exceedingly well
The two books
of Contemplations were writ by the
Lord
Cheif Justice Hales, a person

phy, Physick, Mathematicks,
who
for all kind of learning, Philoso-
&c,
as well as
Law,
(his proper
profession,) and for most exemplary piety
&
untainted integrity'
uprightness, has not le[ft] his fellow, nor

leived, ever his fellow in our
was
there, as
tis
be-
English Cou[rts] of Judicature before
him, the whole nation mournes for the loss of him.f

audit or
lively
That Great
is
Good
Steward's account, in the

life
first
vollume,
a most
&
exact character of his
&
practice to his dying day,
&
so great an honour
&
esteem doe
all
good men here beare
to his
memory,
that I
know
not any two books have come forth these

in so short a time, as
20 yeares, that have sold so great a number
* Richard Chiswell, a noted bookseller in St. Paul's Churchyard, London, was Hborn His epitaph, in St. Botolph's, Aldgate, commends 4, 1639, and died May 3, 1711. him as "a man worthy of great praise." Dunton, in his " Life and Errors," p. 280, styles
Jan.
him the "Metropolitan Bookseller of England, t Sir Matthew Hale died Dec. 25, 1676.
if
not of
all
the World."
576
these
THE MATHER PAPERS.

two vollumes of
little
[1676-7.
his,
though published without his consent,
the one a
I
before he died, the other printing
when he
died,
&
doubt not but when you have read them you will like them
received the two coppies of your history of the ^Varrs in
,
also.
New Engl d
came
to
for
which I heartily thank you,
&
two
also for your
Brother, which I sent last
week away
first
for Dublin, but before these
mv
it
it
hands (at least a month before) a friend of mine by

of them that
it
accident met with the very
came over
it
to
England,
&
brought
to
me,
&
caused
to
be printed, but some people
here
made
too
much
their business to cry
downe,
&
sayd a
better narrative
was comeing, which did very much disappoint me,

hundred of them
:
so that I never sold 5
yet as a token of
my
thankfullness to you for your respects, I have sent
you two dozen

had
not,
of them
title is
That they are without the Exhortation mentioned in the
because the
Coppy
I received
from
my
friend
it
&
there was Dot then another
coppy come.
S
t->
r
,
rejoyce with you for that the
Lord has been pleased
so far
vanquish your enemies: Poore soules,
Oh
that their eves
were
opened
tin-
&
they convinced
how
they
everlasting goepell, which the
owne mercies, even Lord has brought into their Land,

resist their
:
&
people that wish
&
pray for their eternal] happiness
sure the
time will
come
that they >hall be called, the
Lord have compassion

the hearty
upon them,
i*
-
hasten the accomplishment of those gracious prornit.
ihit
r
concern
The God of
ffriend
Israel
keep you,
is
of
Your
I
&
servant,
Ric. Chiswell.
Vshcr without order, which I put loo may >ee them at his shop, & I hope may help some of them off his hands, by recomending them to your publick Library, (specially the new ones, which cannot be
in to
lill
have sent a few books to
up the Oaak.
there
already,
pticularly
Df Caves Lives of the Fathers,
& D
CarvV Chronological] account of ancient time, which are both

exceeding
here.
irel]
esteemed by the most learned
&
ingenious
men
1677.]
JOHN WESTGATE.
577
A
D
r
Coppy.
Postage of 2 Pacquett wherein Letters for your Brothers

.
s.
d.
0.
1.
Tuckneys Sermons, 4?
0.
0.
8. 0.
2.
1.
Straight gate to heaven, 12? bound,
Hotchkis reformation or ruine, 8? Discovery of Pigmies, 8

Horologicall Dialogues, 89
0.
0.
0.
1.
1.
Homes Cause
of Infants maintained, 4?
parts, 89
0.
0.
Whiston on Baptism, all 3 State of Northampton, 49

Barbets Chirurgery, 89
5.
6.
0.
life,
0.
1. 6.
Tozer's Directions to a godly
129
0.
0.
Leybournes Dialling, 49 Hook's Motion of the Earth, 49 Stephenson's mathemat. compendium, 129 8 First principles of New England, 49 returnd
0.
0.
3.
1.
0. 0.
2. 8.
Added.
Pacquet of advices to the
men
of Shaftsbury, 49
0. 0.
1.
King & L? Chancellor's Speeches.

T> r Stillingfleet's Letter to a Deist,
.
0.
2. 2.
3.
6
6 6 6
89
0. 0.
0.
M> Hales
Hornecks
(of Eaton) his Tracts, 89
Law
of Consideration, 89
Walker of Baptism, 129 Eules of Health, 129

Family Physitian, 129 Judge Hale's Contemplations, 2 Vol. 89 24 Warrs of New England, 49
Catalogue No.
7. 8. 9.
0. 0.
0. 0.
3. 1.
1.
10.
10, fol.

7.
JOHN WESTGATE* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
his
Honr d friend,
Increase Mather, Teacher of a Church of Christ
in Boston in
New
England.
Deare S r
lived
The sad condition of N.E. (where sometimes I some years) have been much upon our hearts, we have had
,
many solemne
we heard
the
dayes of humiliation,
&
the 25 of Janil7 last
we
had a solemne day of thanksgiving
for the
great
deliverances
Lord had given you.
This was very general
among
* John Westgate was of the Artillery Company

England.
in 1641,
and afterwards went back
to
73
578
THE MATHER PAPERS.

the congregational] churches in City
to
[1677.
all
&
countrey round about,
we Bending one
which
wafl
another,
&
agreeing of the day before hand,
also kept
by many of the Baptist congregations; In
which day, (understanding your deliverance was not perfected)
we
not
onely blessed
God
for
the
mercy you had
received,
but
pleaded with
God
to perfect
your deliverance,
&
help you to a
I thank
r
through
reformation both in Church

for the
&
comonwealth.
von heartily
History of the warrs you sent to
Petto for
me, & am exceeding glad that therein I see you are pressing after
a
general] reformation,
which
if it
be accomplished, you are like to
be a flourshing happie people, but if
you
faile in
this, I
fear (as
yon have declared

for
in
your book)
God have
yet other
Judgem
ts
N.E. though the sword should be removed; one sad one I
hear already you have met with in your
Town
of Boston by
fire,
burning down your meeting house,

houses
ton
:
&
a matter of 50 dwelling
in particular to
fire
i!
In which rod of the

the
Lord he speaks
Boscalls
(whom
to a
Enemy
could not reach with
&
it
sword)
&
you
a
through reformation in your Town, you being set up as
Beacon upon the top of a mountain, being as

to
all
were a City in
comparison
other
Towns,
all
&
have three distinct churches
furnished with officers, in which respect your lights in your candlBticke should give light to
the neighbour
Towns
&
Churches
round about yon
But when they see your famous
Town abound
with drunkennesse, swearing, excesse in apparrel, etc. what encourthere for Towns round about you to follow your .example, Bgem & BO you contract the guilt of their sins upon you. Your Town LB the Beat of Justice, from whence Laws to other Towns proceed, what Deed have you therefore to take heed to make none but
1
ifl
wholsome Laws, agreeing with the word of truth, such as you may' be sure you can answer before God another day? In order to
which
y<u are to
observe the golden rule of Jesus Christ, as you

to
would
that
men should do
you even so do ye
to
them,
&
to
observe the direction of the Apostle, together with his caution Gala. :>. 1, 15, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thy self. But
1
vV devour one another, take heed ye be not consumed > one of .another. Dear S'\ 1 pray be not offended at my plainyour Fathers with much hazard, diffeculty & danger went
'
r bite
to
(even when up the pure worship of God, &

that wildernesse
it
was a nicer wildernesse)
to set
to
enjoy the libertie of their con-
1677.]
JOHN WESTGATE.
you had need therefore
viz.
579
science
this
to be certain in the
one thing,
how
far liberty of conscience extend,
knowledg of & to what
persons, before you go about to execute Law*s for the suppressing
of them.
I dare not
be an advocate to plead for the cursed Gendistirbed the peace of
eration of Quakers,
who have much

same
your
comon-wealth
If they be of the
principle with
them amongst
us, they neither
own
the Scrip turs of truth, nor Christs dying for

;
sinners, but set
up a Christ within them

yet let
to say
no more of them,
all,
I look upon their religion here amongst us to be no religion at
but a heape of confusion

bread
me
tell
you N.E.
suffers
much
in this country for imprisoning
many of them, &

:
feeding
them with
&
water,
&
not suffering their relations to minister to them,
&
putting others of them to death
Though
am
apt to conclude
it
their offence
was more heighnous, then they make
in their
books
wherein they reproach you,

churches, but
&
that they did not onely disturb the
made
a breach in the peace of the comon-wealth, yet
I could heartily wish, you had printed a narrative of your pceed-
ure with them together with the grounds thereof:
And
also in a
due testimony to be borne against them, (as your book hint[s] the
magistrats would have done)
which I conceive
to
is
intended by
making a law, due care would be taken

limitations, that such as
(if
have such bounds
&
have estates among you,
&
live
peacably
any such there be) may not
suffer so deeply as the perverse
obstinate ones.
But
least
you may think I say too much about

them,
this sort of people, I shall leave
&
desire to speak a
few
words about or
tists)
in behalf of the Baptists
(comonly called anabap-
who have
formerly suffered imprisonm* in your
Town, &,
:
if
I be not misinformed, banishment
from amongst you also

if it
now
why you
should be so offended with these people,
be meerly
for their difference
from you in Judgement

I
&
practice, I cannot
yet understand
But
& how
sorts of
they carry
know nofrwhat your baptists are with you, themselves. I finde we have in England three
all
them, some, especially in London, that strain the principle

of us as unbaptized
of baptisme so high that they look upon

persons,
&
little
better then heathens,
&
will not joyne in prayer
with the most eminent of our congregationall ministers, though

they be providentially cast into a family together. us are sober, moderate men,
in
their
Others amongst
&
manifest the power of Godlinesse
conversations,
&
these
upon our
occasionall meetings,
580
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1677.
we joyn hand 08, they do

1
&
heart with,
the like by us,

us
& call some of them out to pray with & we would not have the difference in
many
have
Judgem between
B
make
the least breach in affection; for
of these we look upon

third
sort
to be eminent pretious holy men.
We
(but thev arc not many,
&
most of them
at
London)
that
take into fellowship those that are
Godly
&
desire to joyne
with them, though they

insrlv together,
come not up to be baptized, making no difference between the one
& walk lov& the other.

(who
is
Now
it
you should make a
Law
against these baptists
other-
wise are sober
&
quiet
men) you had need be well advised what

exactly
disent
;
you do,
&
had need be sure your way of Governem 1
right both in substance
&
circomstance,
when none must
from you but they must be in danger of suffering by your laws

for let
me
tell
you (though I
am
not of their
Judgem
they have
expresse serinturs for the baptizing of beleivers,

put you upon
it
&
if
they should
show one expresse scripture for the baptizing of Infants, I fear you would be forsed to say with eminent Mr. Daniel Rogers in his practicall Catechisme, I must confesse there is no expresse seripture for the baptizeing of Infants, &o: But you will tell them you can prove it by consequences drawn from scripture;
to
v\.
what
if
they
in
bo
much
tell you they cannot see with your eyes, nor finde your consequences as you seem to do, & that Cht
being more faithful] over
his
house then Moses, they therefore

its
expect that every gospel ordinance should have

tion,
gospel Institu-
&
thev can finde

to
in the
Scripture no Institution but to such as
appear visibly
faith;
he beleivers,
if
&
that
upon the profession of
their
may
thev not,
thev live peacably
among you,
I
injoy the
afraid I
liberty of their consciences
without disturbance?
am
one
may
ering
he accounted too bold in proposing these things, but consid-
God
all
hath not
made men nor

light,
christians all of
that all
size,
nor
given
a like
measure of
are
all
&
the Saints though of
different
Judgem*,
of the family of heaven

all
&
shall injoy
Bweef
COffiunion
together to
eternity, I could wish they
might
be
live quietly
Ajb
Lovingly here on earth.
for the State of things
amongst us
I
it
is
bad,
&
like to
worse, a particular account whereof
shall leave to
abetter pen, I
part,
having already outrun

if
my
intended hounds.
it is
For mine own
the trouble of (t<n\< people rise higher,
no more then I have
been perswaded of for
many
years, in order to the Saints deliver-
1677.]
JAMES FORBES.
581
in the
ance
&
advancment
&
for the bearing
up our hearts
day
we have ground to beleive that in the evening time it shall be light. As you have not, & I hope shall not mis of our prayers for you, so I question not but we have & shall have your prayers for us, that our tossed State may enjoy a quiet harbour.
of our trouble,
My
best respects presented to your self

I understand
&
your dear yokefellow,
whom
(with
rest,
was one of pretious
Cottons daughters
of a child, with the
whom
I sometimes lived)
whom
knew
& am
exceedingly rejoiced to hear that
Seaborne
&
John inherit so much of their Fathers spirit. Thus comending you to God & the word of his grace, I rest Yours to love & serve in our Lord Jesus,
John Westgate.
Harlestone
(in Norff.) the 8 of the 3
m: 1677.
SF Before the sealing of

that told
me
there
my letter a friend came to my house was a narrative printed about your acting with
the Quakers, which he hath praised to lend me.

Indorsed,
"
R<?
15 7 m 1677."
JAMES FORBES* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reverend
Mr
Increase Mather, Teacher of a church in Boston,

TJiese.
Char. Feat.,
Your
Amicable Epistle, together with your
narrative of the warr and 2 sermons,
came
safe to
my
it
hands, for
as
which I return you heartie thanks, and I do interprete

after so
an ex-
pression of your friendlie respects to me, at so great a distance, and
long a silence.
is,
The advantage
it
[that]
redounds to you
to
by your kind token

fy the
that
was an excitement unto me

for saving
magni-
Adorable Grace of God,
your land from the
sword of such a savage Adversarie, and
for following yourself
with such a series of favourable providences, and not wanting that he that hath begun the good work
untill the
my
prayers are
day of Jesus X.
In regard you desire
may perform it to know some-
* Rev. James Forbes was educated at Aberdeen, where he received the degree of A.M., and was admitted at Oxford, ad eundem. He preached at Gloucester Cathedral, was ejected for non-conformity, confined in Chepstow Castle in consequence of Packinton's He was finally recalled, and ministered plot, and subsequently imprisoned several times.
to his
own
people
till
his death,
having served at Gloucester about fifty-eight years.
582
w'
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1677.
<>f
tho state of our affairs in this place, be pleased to take this
short account thereof.
After
my
suffering a 12
months imprison-
ment,
for
was constrained by a violent hand to remove from hence Bome time, and assoon as the heat of persecution was over, I returned upon the first encouraging providentiall call, and so have
I
continued
now
for severall years, carrying
on the work you saw

are from time to time
here, as well as the times give us leave,

hicrhlie
we
threatned, hut to the Astonishment of all that
know
us,
we
in
are marvelouslie preserved,

the
face
and a publick table spread
for us six
of our enemies.
The bearer having bin nigh

will
month under my min'ie, is able to give you a more and full Account of particulars than my time at present
mit, for I had hut short
satisfying
per-
warning of
his s;oino;,
and I
am
goin^ out
of
Town upon
I
bussines, and
knew not
of this opportunitie, but did
intend to write to
you more
largelie, the first
time I went to Lonif
don.
have heard nothing of yours, de 2 Messie adventu,

after
by
your next you would have me enquire

serve you therin.
relating to
1
1
I shall be glad to see
it, I will most readilie what you have on the anvili
your young generation, but without charge

practice,
to yourself.
is
to
he feared manic of them do degenerate from their aodlie

in
Ancestors
from them
ternall
in principles, if
manic here wish none of you "may degenerate you lay not too much stresse upon exsafe.
Church priviledges, you are
My
all
occasions call me.
Cordial]
that
respects to yourself, yours,

I
and
Christians with
you
know me,
am
Yours
in the best
bond,
James Forbes.
GlouC, the 28th of8d .Men. 1677.
Mem.
by
I.
Mather.
"
!{-.'
Sept. 28. 77."
WILLIAM IIOOKE* TO INCREASE MATHER.

These For the Rev* M' Increase Mather, P*cher of the Gospel at Boston in
New
Rev" S
iii
KuijUind.
Last,
1 received your letter dated (I think) in May , which you acquaint as with the trouble that the Eastern Indians do create you. Thus God is pleased to lengthen out your
exercise through a cruell, perfidious
&
blasphemous generacon of
* See note atlixed to his letter, p. 122.
1677.]
WILLIAM HOOKE.
I
583
very bruitish men.

r
am
sorry that
you write no more comfortalately a letter

it
bly concerning Keformacon,

pasto at Stanfford,
that
& I had
ftom
Bishop,
who
writes concerning
much
after the rate
you have done.
I have sent you inclosed herein a catalogue
of the Ministers that dyed, most of them, in ,& neer

these 10 or 12 yeers.
London
within
to
This I think
is
like to
be
my
last letter
you,
little,
my
at
stomack fayles me, I have no appetite to any food, or very
any time, the keepers of the house begin
to tremble,
&
is
the strong
men
to
bow
themselves,
&
the grinders cease because
they are few,
&
the clouds return after the raine,
&c,
yet
pleased to enable
me
to
is
weak,
our
& my
breath
p ch hitherto, but my spirits are growne very short. I hope through the grace of
r
Ld
Jesus Christ to be with him ere long.
Ben*
is
yet alive,
&
at
all
not very long since
my
wife received a letter from your brother
Dublin.
must conclude; The Father of Mercies,
& God
of
Consolacon be with you,

;
&
bless
your studies
&
labours in his
work
In him I rest
Yours
The 7*
of the 69*1677.
to serve
you
to the last,
William HooK.f
The names of
of London.
1
the Ministers
who dyed
of late yeers, in the City
Greenhill.
Carryll.
D D
r r
Wilkinson.
20
21
2
3
Mr
4
5
6 7
M M M M M M
r r r r
Malloiy.
Bridge.
Nye.
Loader.
Venning.
Blake.
Carter.
8 9
MrElmes.
r
10
11
M*
M M
Pearse.
12 13 14 15
16
17
Mr Wood.
r
Tukey.
Pledger.
Wells.
Mr
My
Carmichell.
18
19
M M M
Cawton. Calamy. Farnworth.
M M M M M M M M M M M M M M M
Seaman. D< Tuckney. r Wadsworth.

r
r
22
23
Kentish.
Fitten.
24
25
26
Harrison.
Jesse.
27 28
r
r
Jan aw ay.
Fowler.
Willis.
29
30
31
r
r
West. Stoneham.
Light.
32
33
r
r
r
Whitaker.
Bacheler.
34 35
36
37
Robothom.
Spinage.
Mr Mr
Cob.
Lancaster.
38
39
M
* Rev.
t
Haviland.
40
William Benn.
See note,
p. 31.
Mr. Hooke died March
21, 1677-8.
584
THE .MATH Kit PAPERS.
[16"
Mr Bacheler betook himself of late to Hackney, where he dyed. And D" WiUrinfton dyed at Clapham, but he p r ched weekly at London. The mosi of these were men of great worth. And severall
dyed of
late
in
the
r
Thompson,**
r Countrey; These few occur? at p r sent, 43 47 r r 46 r 46 Fownes, Sames. Nevetjt Stallam,
We
And
J)
r
have none to succeed such as these from either Vniversity.

there are severall other Ministers not like to continue longis
M' Moors
now .84
veers old, and
growne unable
77
th
for his
;
work;
five
Goodwin hath
well nigh finished his

;
yeer
his
is
am
moneths short of him
1'
Knowls
is
now about
76 th yeer.
'
Owen,
yens
valetudinarioue and crazy, often
down, he
now about 60
There are a
it
old, as severall other of
our City-ministers are.
few that teach Vniversity learning, but the benefit of

lit
appears
lie
as yet.
So
that one 7 veers
more
is
like to
make
a very great
change both
been very
in City
&
country.
Of
late,
Annesley hath been
recovered from a most dangerous distemper,

ill,
&
Barker hath
bo hath
Thankfull
Owen,
both of them yet but
weak.
might also have added to the catalogue,

1J
Carter,
Sen, and
Arthur Jackson.
is
[The following List

1
on another piece of paper, attached to this letter:

1 1
M'Greenhill.
M' Pierce.
M'Carryll. M' Mallary.
Mr Wood.
1 1
1
1
1
"Wilkinson..
j
M M
Bridge.
\vr.
M Loader. Venning. M Elmes.
M
\l
D' Seaman. D^ Tuckney. Tukey. M' Pledger.
Blake.
Carter.
20.
LO
M' Wells. M' Carmiehell. M' Caw ton. 10.
M Wadswortl
M' Kentish.
\l
r
Bacheler.
M' Fitten.
M' Harrison.
M' Jesse. M' Janaway.

M' Fowler.
If*
Willis.
M<
r
West
M Stoneham.
M' Light
88.
M> Whiteaker.
13
1677.]
SAMUEL WAKEMAN.
in
585
These dyed
or nyne yeers,
and neer the city of London within these eight

severall others in the countrey.
&
Since the writing the catalogue above, I have called others to
remembrance,
viz.
1
1 1
M M
r
r
Kobothom.
Spinage.
M'
Cob.
Carter, Sen*
1 1 1 1
M M M M M M
r r
Lancaster.
r
r
Farnworth.
Haviland.
r r
Calamy.
Jackson.
9.
All these dyed since the turn of the times.
SAMUEL.
Theesse ffor the
WAKEMAN* TO INCREASE MATHER.
Reu rd
lincrease Mather,
Bosto,
pr
M John
r
Teacher of a
ch.
of X*
att
Stone.
FFAIRFIELD, 27* 7*
77.
Reurd
up the
Sir,
Be
pleased to understand that

at
aboue a yeere
since (though in a
spirits
day of trouble
home)
it
pleased
God
to stir
of some well affected persons amongst us to con-
tribute so. what to the releife of to the distressed saints (ministers
&
to
their children in speciall) in the other
England.
I had thought
haue improued
it,
my
bro:
Lake
or
Attwater upon the account

for the conueiance
of sending
but
God hauing taken them from us (& understanding

:
by
my bro:
Bishop that he makes use of yours
Hooke) I am bold to trouble you upon this you to superscribe the letter inclosed to the Eeurd r Willia Hooke, minister. I know not wither to direct it, & together with it to send that small matter of money which together with it I hope will will be safely deliuered to you by
of his letters to
r
occasion, intreating
according to his receit here in sent to you.

* Rev.
r
,
I craue excuse
left in
Samuel Wakeman was admitted
to
Harvard College, but
1655.
He was
ordained at Fairfield, September 30, 1665.
74
.VST,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1677.
for inv
being troublesome to you, yet perswading mys: I shall obit
taine an easie pardon,
being upon such an Acco 1
Sr
I kindly
fruits of your own wel bestowed me by my bro: Bishop, as also for that of your own, which you gaue me when last with you. & I would request
thanke yon
For those
books (the
paines) which you sent
you haue any of those by you (I gaue that I had of you to a bod of mine who is gone from me) that you would send me one of Some important truths I remember not the title exactly. them.
of you,
if
about Comic [r]sion, or somwhat to that purpose.

to send
I shall be carefull
you what you
shall signifie to the price
of
it,
by the
first
opportunity, for I must be bold to desire a line or two from you, of

the reccit of
what
haue now
sent.
Not more, but
Yours
sincerly in our deare Sauiour,
that I am Sm l Wakeman.
Indorsed by Increase Mather.
"R? 1 184
77."
SOLOMON STODDARD* TO INCREASE MATHER.

Rev" S k
,
I Received the
Booke you
sent,
which
is
profitable
:
&
of very good use, for which I return

still
you hearty thankes
at
prefenf tilings are
Captives
their feet
among us; we have yet no news of the men those two that were travailing towards Canada have frozen & lye lame at Albany we had news yesterday
:
from Hartford that the Pequod Indians in their hunting have met with & taken 18 enemy Indians in the Nipmug country; &
their lives
among them one Pacomtuck Indian: these Indians, on condition may he spared, have promised to conduct them to four
more;
score
&
Capti
:
Denison
is
English
A
;
Indians
we he.ue of
severall
gone out with two hundred solemn accidents that have

it;
fallen out
some murthering thcmselvs, others attempting

solemn passage
in
in
it.
be-
Bides that other
Plimoth Coll: there seems to be

in
is
something more than ordinary

I
hear M' Miles f

to
fill
still
preaches
Boston: I fear
it
will be a
meanee
that
Town, which
>.",.
allready full of unstable per-.

j
note on page
Rev. .lolm Mihs, minister of the First Baptist Church.
1677.]
ELIZABETH MOULDER.
:
587
sons, with error
I looke upon
it
a great judgment,
God
seemes
therein to lay a stumbling block before
men, that such

:
as received
not the truth in love might beleive a lye
let
all
due meanes be
:
used for prevention
my
:
family
;
is
in health,
through mercy
M
&
Wise
is
come
to
to Hatfeild
sister
my
wife presents her love to you,
with
me
my
thus desiring your prayers , I Rest
Your Loving Brother,

N. Hampton, Nov: 29:
77.
Sol:
Stoddard.
ELIZABETH MOULDER* TO INCREASE MATHER.

Thes ffor
the
ister
Reuerend and much respected frind Master Mathers, Minof the Second Church in Boston, thes deliuer.
From London,
the 13 th of March, 1677.
Reuerend
for
Sir, My humble and kind respect

;
unto you and
your louing wife your lou to

requit
and I humbly thank you

both for soul and body.
in
for all
your kindneses,
me
I hope the
Lord
will
you
for
your lou
shewing kindnes to
me
in a Strang land.
I bless the Lord I have found good by your prayers.

rid
We
did
upon the wings of your prayers to the Ielawaite [Isle of Wight] in 5 weeks. But in going in there our ship rid upon a rock, and there the Lord was pleased to shew us what He could do to us. The ship did Jogle and beat and shak, that We thought the ship
But I bless God, He deliver[ed] Thes be mercies still to ingag us to prase His holy name. I came from thence to my Mother in 3 dayes, but my Brother and others went round about. They ware a Mounth a coming to Grauend [Gravesend]. It was bitter weather, the Temes [Thames] was frosen up. Dear Sir, I hope you doe not forgett me in your prayers, though far from you and out of sight, yett neer in your mind. My mind is with you all, and my prayers shall be to God for you and all thos chosen, elected by grace unto saluation. The peace be to the brethern, and loue
would haue been
split in shiuers.
us saffe of without any damage.
* There
was a family
of
Quakers
in Boston,
named Moulder,
in 1672.
Nicholas, a mer-
chant, was persecuted by Governor Bellingham, and went back to England.

writer of this letter
Probably the
was connected with him.
588
with
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Pailih
[1678-9.
from
God
tlie
Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Grace
be with
Sir,
I
them that lone the Lord few lines from your hands as great kindnes if you will he pleased to write, Master Loyde will derict your letter Dear Sir, I fear God's Anger will break to my cosen for me.
all
Jesus Christ in sencerity.

;
shall tak a
out
against ua in this sinfull land, wors then
away many of His imbasiders for home another servant of his, Master Coton, one that will be dearely mist amongst us, a dear seruant of God, that hath -pent his self gaining of souls to God, and I trust he will se the Our ministers haue been disturbed much, put trauel of his soul. into prison; but now they are a littel quieter. We bless God,
hath taken
to call
Sodom, becase he God, and is about
our Minister and our Congregation hath not been disturb[ed] att
all.
Blessed be
God
for
His mercies.
So I
resting, praying for

is
your health and priviledges to be continued to you, for there
many enemies abroad, but our God keep your Land in peace. Your louing frind,
in
whom we
trust
is
able to
Elizabeth Moulder.
I should be very glad
My
ily, all
kind lou to your sons and daughters.
to here
from you
all.
My
kind lou to Mistres
the rest of our brethern
and
sisters in
Lake and her famChrist. The Lord]

all euills.
keep US close to Himself, from sin and Satan, the wors of

I
hope
to Bee
you
all
with Joy in the world to com, where

Sir, If
is
we
shalJJ
littel(
.
never be Beperat any more.
you be pleased
to take a
notices of the barer* becaus she
stranger in your land, but
OOd woman, and
shall be abiid<>- to you.
THOMAS WATERHOUSE* TO INCREASE MATHER.

W: Cheating,
24'
1 '
12
Deake
:,
Novemb:
a
78.
[February, 78-9.]
30th
received
a
my
son's letter
which
mentioned your renewed kindnes, with
token of your love, which
Rev.
rbomai Waterhouw,
ptJIan, Curat* at
his
Stortfort; but
km] for the Hen Dgland, and taught school

I
graduate of Cambridge University, England, was first a Coddenham, and subsequently had a living near Bishop oeremoniea abated. Upon the breaking out of the civil
at Dorchester.
lornmt, and died
at
Ofi public lohool in Colchester. CfMttog, about 1680. See Calamy.

r
He He became
afterwards went
a firm non-con-
1678-9.]
THOMAS WATEKHOUSE.
ships
589
coming up & of our wagon I could not receive till the 22 of this 12 ? and lest the first ship should passe without my thankfinT acknowledgment, I hasted these to give you many thankes for the kindnes of this & former yeares, for your
by delay of the
th
good labor
&
paines for the publique good
especially for your
pleading with
God & men
the case of
them
that least plead for
themselves, the Rising Generation.

all
I should be glad to heare that

satisfied in a point
dissenting brethren
among you were
of so
great a concerne between the children of the Church of Christ
& the
heathens.
Indeed whilst I perused your book I had many thoughts
why
full
the parents in the Question so qualified were not admitted into
comunion,
&
so their children baptized without
any dispute
mind.
I
in
your churches,
& discoursed
with diverse Nonconf: Ministers,
of
whom some
had been in N.E:,
&
found them of
my
wrote to the onely person of N.E. that I knew in London (i)

Collins), but never received answer from him.
(Mr
I wrote to one
his
who had been many

ing to
y: in
N.E:, who returned
answer acord-
my thoughts.
to a friend, (without the least acquainting
to desire his
by you him vpon what occasion,) thoughts wither such persons were not to be admitI likewise sent the Question as stated
ted to the Lords Supper.
My
friend
was
in straits of time, yet
pretty largely sent
me
his thoughts.
When my
son David was to
returne to
N.E.
was desirous
to
haue wrote unto you, but upon
very
strict search I
could not find your book, nor any of
my papers
eye upon
on that concerne.
those
Very
lately, accidentally, I cast

file
my
my friends letters,
on a
among
others letters,
& hoping they

to
may
not be unusefull to you I herewith communicate them, though
I assure
you I never had the
least consent of
my friends
commu-
nicate their private letters in this matter.
I promise myself a canthat affaire.
did acceptance
&
|>usall
of these
when you reveiw
My
that
prayer shall be unto our gracious
God
for
you
&
yours,
&
by his H: Spirit he would lead his heritage into all truth. Let your prayer be also for me & mine. My onely (surviving) son is with you, directed by me thither, rather then to the Indies
for gold, to trade for the pearl of vnvaluable price.
God make him
the wise merchant to find this obtaine this
&
to part with all, self
&
all,
to
&
live
answerably.
Sir, I
Your favour
have called
& help in
off
order here-
unto I shall highly prize.

the public concernes
my
thoughts from
we
are all engaged in, to communicate these
590
into
THE MATHER PAPERS.

your bosome
for
[1678-9.
yourself.
What you may more

England
T.
freely
GOfnunicate to others concerning the condition of
foil owes
apart by the hands of your assured ffriend,
W.
THOMAS WATERHOUSE TO INCREASE MATHER.

Your love, letter & bookes came very acceptaDear Sir, my hand & heart; I returne you many thankes for the
in,
in
bly to
same, with a breif account of the state that England wintered
&
which your
letters
found
it.
Before these come
to
your
hand, 40 yeares passing since I was in N.E., no ship since or

before
coming from you found Engl:

;
in such a desperate trembling
condition as this last
nor did ever ship from us bring you such
astonishing tidings
call to
giving you from
Dan
to
Beersheba so loud a
hasten you to the Throne of grace with prayers, teares
&
thanksgivings for the
Land
of your ffathers' births,

all
&
(saying the
I have writ
Lmedeate)* sepulchers, and

unto
that
is
precious therein.
my
Bon David | to
I
show you
the large account he hath.
"The
Ions of
the
Commons, Octob.
the 1, Resolved as followeth.

this
"That upon
"This Ho.
is
Evi[dence] which hath appeared to

is
Ho.,
of opinion that there
&
hath been an execrable
"&
" tor
hellish Plot contrived
&
carried on by the Popish Recusants,
Assassinating
the
&
murdering of the K.,
&
for the subverting
"of
Goverment
the
&
destroying the Protestant Religion
now
"by Law
seemed
in
established."
Hereupon
Commons impeached
7V principal
the
Lords,
&
they were
Conspirator, in a letter to a Jesuite, Confessor, to the Ffrench King, from whom it would soon " AYe have here pass t< Rome wrote thus. a mighty work
the
Tower.
"upon our Bands; no

"
phaps, the utter
[esse then three Kingdomes & by that, subduing of a Pestilent Ileresie which hath
;
Meaning his father, Richard Mather, whose sepulchre is in New England. David Waterhonse, of Boston, was oneol the patriots in 1689, and a signer of the demand :-> V. ..In., t.. give op his authority and the forts. He also was a member of the Mr. Barege does not mention his extraction. Committe Safety. It is probable that he
is
the person referred
t.
in
the text
1678-9.]
THOMAS WATERHOUSE.
this
591
" " "
domineerd over great part of
Northerne World a long time.
There were never such hopes of success since the Death of our
Queen Mary, as now in our dayes. When God hath given us a who is become (may I say a Miracle) zealous of being the Meaning 16 "Author & Instrument of so glorious a work." dô/y. You need no more to discover the damnable gulph into which England was sinking, when you know, that though this wretch,
" Prince,
frustrated in
all
his
endeavors
&
hopes of pardon, was cut in
peeces by the hand of Justice, yet so
many
heads, hearts
&
handes
were engaged in the Plot, that we were in danger least the Massacre which began in the most cruel & barbarous murdering of a worthy Justice of Peace in Somerset House, on the 12 th of October should take place, as
it
did in Ireland 40 y: before

restles
for not-
withstanding the Parliament was
night
&
;
day,
using
K. KMome & Relig: yet it could not, (so powerfull was the Enemy) obtain the raising the Posse Pegni, .nor the laying downe the militia then in pay, voted
mighty endeavors
to save the
,
needfull to be disbanded for the public safety
but was
first
on a
suddaine prorogued
to
&
then dissolved,
sixt.
meet at Westm:, March the
new Pari: summoned In the meane time Engl:

a
&
great
work
is
to serve the
Providence of
God
in choosing a Pari:,
in repenting
&
turning unto God, whilst our enemies psue their
Designe in burning the City, &c.

heard of Engl:
this
That the
first
tidings yt>u
year was not that Engl: was drowned in a
& wholly subjugated to the Power of Rome, is a miracle- of Mercy, calling unto you for thankfulnes that we may not yet be so, calls for the Assistance of your prayers
deluge of Protestant blood
:
that the
Posse Coeli may be
raised, that the
Great
&
Glorious
Name
by
of the
Lord our God may not be blasphemed, His Truth
&
Heritage rooted out,

Anti-christ.
Sir,
&
the Abomination of Desolation restored

t
I must close,
&
send away
my
letters
phaps they may
stay at
London
while the Par: begins,
&
from thence you
may
Our
hear of some good beginnings but quicquid id est timeo.
hainous sins cry aloud.

erously
The
treacherous dealers deal very treach-
&
Jesuitically.
God
grant the ship an early
&
a safe
&
speedy passage unto you.
Volet ocyor Euro, that before the
Decree bring
us,
forth, before the fierce
anger of the Lord come upon
you may hear
&
gather .yourselves together to seek
&
obtaine
592
THE MATHER PAPERS.

as [srael, thai
[1678-9.
mercy
God's bearing their

ting the
N.E. may haue another notable instance of prayers in saving and delivering us, & exalt1
Kingdome
Your
friend
of our L'
Jesus upon the Ruines of Babylon.

yours,
is
That
God would
blesse
you
&
the prayer of
and brother,
Tho: WATERHOUS.
W: Creating.
Feb: 27* 78.[9.]
WILLIAM STOUGIITON* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reverend
Increase Mather, Minister of the
Gospel, these in
Boston in Neiv England.
March 13* 167|.
HONOURED & Dear S

nesse
u
,
am
not unsensible of the kind-
& undeserved
respect that your several letters testify, to
an
unworthy one,
thanking you
lesse
&
heartyly wish I might enjoy the opportunity of
&
all
my
;
other good freinds in person.

liere
success-
delay & detainment
spun out
to so great a length is
it.
become very exercising

he thai
nor can
all
we
yet see to the end of

it
But
bath ordered
it
this
while can overule
in the best
Beason, for which
we
iif
are wayting.
What
changes or troubles
we
may first sec we The whrrlcs of

I
know- not.
>
i
Things are earryed on citato curstt. Providence were never more to bee regarded
at
;i-
awful]
in (heir
lull
motions then
this day.
Our comfort
is
that
they are
of eves,
&
that the spirit of the living creatures is in

will
them.
Forreign
affairs
discover themselves more,

is
now
the
spring tyme, and season lor action

Bee
coming on,
a
A:
we
shall then
what
it
the
peace this
last
winter
concluded will
Bignall
prove;
&
whether
will bee
any thing more then
opportunity
&
advantage
for the
French, A those that depend on them, to pursue

A-
Borne tatal designee against these nations
the Protestant interest.
God
bath very wonderfully appeared

in
in
bringing
Plot.
trivance* to light
the discovery of the
many hellish conSome few have

more considerSee
been already tryed A

mu,
at
tip-
executed.
More,
A;
those
date of tins letter, in England, us
Agent of the Colony.
1678-9.]
WILLIAM STOUGHTON.
shortly be brought
593
able
we hope may
upon the stage of publick
justice
&
receive their due reward.
Our
eyes are much, under
God, upon the present Parliam*. But the rub they so soon meet with, & which is not yet removed, as to their choyce of a speaker,* doth occasion many thoughts of heart. Those of New
England
here, that are at liberty to be returning, doe

in
much
please
themselves
hastning their despatch hence,
&
that they
may
retire so farre off
from what
is
here feared,
&
seems so near to
been
come upon
dition
the nation.
also prove,
But
the
Lord alone knowes what your conlate
may
&
whether that cup which hath of

of,
put into your hand to drinke behind in

it.
have not yet the bitterest part
When
I read your letters
&
tnose of some other
freinds that are pleased to expresse themselves freely to
me,
&
consider
how
things are working at present, not only here, against
you, but also amongst you, I
am
not without
many
anxious
thoughts
&
heartaking fears.
more
peculiarly trouble me,
&
the
The state of the colledge doth more because I see not what
It is
way man
things will be
to goe
redressed.
hard to find
&
procure a
over from hence that
may
be generally acceptable.
left
There have been two considerable legacies

sons, of late deceased, that will
by two worthy perto the

;
Society, the one a legacy of a 100CK in
much conduce mony

to bestow.
good of that
the other a good
&
very considerable Library of Bookes, which I was instrumental
to prevaile with a freind of
myne
But
end,
if
the
Govwhich
ernment of the Colledge be such as attain not
its
&
so sloth
&
vice
&
a heap of disorders be flowing in,

in
all will
be
lost,
the
Lord
mercy prevent, that
my
eyes
may
never see so wofull

dealt so favourably
a day.
I heartily rejoyce that the

;
Lord hath
with your family

the great
&
beg that
his mercies to
you
as well as to
&
sore bereavements of others
may be
sanctify ed to you,
that you may more & more prosper in your publick worke. That sermon of yours which you sent over finds singular acceptance, & I hope will be good seed, springing up apace amongst I comend your those that were more neerly concerned in it.
&
person, family
&
holy labours to the rich blessing of a gracious

,
God
&
begging your fervent praiers, remain S r

Affectionate freind
Your
&
servant,
William Stoughton.
choice.
The king
rejected their
first
75
594
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1679.
NATHANIEL MORTON* TO INCREASE MATHER.

Tn
the
Reverend and
his
much Esteemed ffrind,
M
.
Encrease Mather,
Teacher of a Church of Christ att Boston.
These
sent.
Reuerend
is
Sib,
It
is
a great favor to this land that the

life,
Lord
of
pleased to preserve youer
and the
lives of divers others
your fellow labourers in the minestrey, att such a time,

is
when hee
pleased to take
;
away soe many
vsefull Instruments, both in
Church and State

others,
service for His Iloly
whoe really aime att doeing name and interest in this wildernes many minding theire owne interests more then the Great Concernes
soe few remaining
;
of the
Lord Jesus
the consideration wherof, with other

this
sympland,
tomes of the Lord's displeasure against His people in

minnestreth cause to the godly to feare that
seen
its
New England
little
hath
best daves.
Dear
Sir,
when
would a
looke back
&
some of our Churches were in and compare them with theire p'sent estate,
consider what
close with the antients,
theire first beoinino-s,
the Reedification
I must in some sort whoe mixed their joy with lamentations att of the Temple of God of old, and although wee
must not discontentedly

of
God
:
as to say
these
IS
it
yett
now in any wise controle the providence why is it that the former dayes were better then wee may in an humble and bewailing way, say, Why
in
(
soe?
and
some
sort
comply with our Englis[h] Poett,

Alas that I was borne soe
late,
George Withers;
else
saith hee)
or
BOC Boone;
to sec soecleare,
soe bright a morne, soe darke
an afternoone.
in all
Notwithstanding
humbly conceive
it
good
for vs,
the darkest dispensations of

ie
it
God
towards vs, to have one

of
were
(fixed
on the Justice of God, soe the other on the

us.
Mereve of ( rod towards

in
The Church
the gall
God
the
lamentations of Jeremiah,
althoc they
j
useth this meathod remembered theire
affliction, the
in
remembrance, and was humbled

it
Bay
ie
the
haueins them them; yett they imediately Lord's Mercye they were not consumed, because His
theire soule
in
wormwood and
Nathaniel Morton
of
ohm
with hie father George, in the
"Ann,"
in
1623.
He was
Plymouth Colony from 1646 till his death, in 1GS5. He was the compiler of mortal," baring bad the benefit of the manuscript of his uncle, Gov. Bradford. Savage's QeneaL Diet.
[(
1679.]
NATHANIEL MOKTON.
;
595
great
compassions fayled not

is his
they are renewed every morning
faithfulnes.
It is a great
left vs,
mercye that wee have yett some

faithfull des-
Godly Majestrates
and some holy, learned,

left
pencers of the word of
God
us
and some names in each and frequently conlife

;
church whoe walk closly with God, and are oftens in prayer before
God
for
mercye
for the
Remnant
;
that
is left
versant in other holy exercyse
soe as the
of Grace
is
in
some competent measure vpheld amongst them

specialties
with
many
other
of God's mercye, both Civill and Sacred, continued

I
vnto vs.
humbly propose,
It
alsoe,
that
it
would be nessesary
or
withall, seriously to look forward to
what
is
may
be before vs,
r p mitt other
or coming towards vs.
may be
it
that the
Lord
will
Lords
to
Rule over us, and lord
over our consiences, and that
the case
may
left
be soe sad with vs, soe as wee

tell
prophett
vs to
us
how longe
the time
to God's dispensation of old to his people,
may not haue a may be according ere wee may expect

;
deliverance.
The
frequent contrivances
of
adversaries
abroad
against vs, and the mischeivous Indeauors att
home
against vs, soe
audaciously attemping to
fier
our Magasine in the eye of the coun-
trye, doth bespeake great troubles towards vs, if the
Lord prevent
not.
calls
Hee
hath hetherto graciously vouchsafed deliverance, which
for great
and solleme thankefulnes, throughout the whole

Sir, I crave
r p don for
land.
Beloved
not haue expressed, saue that I

those few that, I
my boldnes, which I would am p swaded that you are one of

r
may
soe say, which naturally takes care for the
concernes of
New
England.
I doe not mension these thinges to
Informe you in any thinge, but rather hope wee have obtained a mutuall motiue by this comunication, to be much att the Throne
of Grace, with the more faith and feruer, to find grace to healp in
these needfull times.
Deare
is,
Sir, a <pticular or
propose vnto you, which
that
you would
please, (if
two more I would you shall

on foot
if this
see matture cause and reason) to be Instrumentall to sett
and put forward a Generall History of

time.
New
England
may
be thought by the Judicious, (youerselfe and others) to be the but I freely acknowlidge that the times are full of trouble
;
I suppose
retaine
it
may
be soe managed, as
therin.
Sir,
may
preuent trouble and yet
faithfulnes
I feare
most of the ancient
Intelligent men are departed and marching apace of the stage of this world, in each Collonie, and soe a great oppertunitie wilbe lost,
596
THE MATHER TAPERS.
[1679.
and there are another Generation ariseing that will (in all likelyhave little Behce of the Nessesite and benifitt of such a 1;
1
worke.
18
If
could understand from youerselfe that such a worke
begun, or likely soe to be, I would contribute a small matter of

Finally,
[ntelligence omitted in the Memoriall.
Deare
Sir, I
haue
thought
ers
it
to be a
high favor,
I
if I
might obtaine a stocke of praysaints,
goeing
tor
mee, and
hope I haue from some of the
with wlionie I haue had speciall acquaintance.

the like of you,
selfe to lye
Might I obtaine
beloued Sir, I should willingly acknowlidge
my
vnder yctt a Greater obligation to you.

to
I have Great
sinfull, sor-
Need of healpe from God

row
I
guid mee through this
full
world, into His everlasting kingdom.
humbly take
my
leaue of
you
beseeching
Now, Deare Sir, God to lead and

all
guide you through
all
youer troubles, comfort you alwaies in

faithfull
your Disconsolations, and continew you to be a
and wise
Steward of the Misterys of the Gospell, and that the Lord Iesus
when hee cometh

Bhalbe, Beloved
to
you may
the
find
you soe doeing
which I trust
Sir,
prayer of youers in the profFession of
the Gospell of the
Lord Jesus Christ
Nathaniel Morton.
From
Pm
MOUTH
in
New England,
desire to be
the 8th of the sixt month, 1679.
Beloued Sir,
remembred vnto youer good son,

I
Cotton .Mather, vnto
whom
doe by these p r sents p r sent
my
loue,
and due respects.
ABRAHAM KICK* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend Increase Mather,

Boston in
New
England,
Pastor of a Church of Christ M: John Clarke. Q. D. G.\ ;
at
Amstkkdm:
15th
Decemb. 1679.
Reverend Sib,]
Wliarton
doubt not but you have by Mr Richard John Usher, heard of the death of our late Pastor,
;u
Mr. Kirk,
N..
v
thll
who a Btyled "the Eminent," dated "Hague, the To ber Royal Highness the Princess of Orange, &c," in a
|
'
"'' The emigration of French Protestants " ; "' / " Ume, and French phrases might have become
'
to
Holland
current.
1679.]
ABRAHAM KICK.
597
Reverend M? James Will[iams]. The good Lord teach us to He dyed in Sepheare the Rodd, & whoe hath appoynted it.
tember
last
;
of his Will
& haveing appoynted myselfe as one of his Executors & Testament, did open your letter to him, dated the
last, in
26 th August
a treatise to publish for you.
which doe observe you had formerlie sent him I suppose M*' Williams did write
you
by Mr William Harris, whoe departed from hence the beginning of Septem[ber] last, & hope is arrived
-about sayd concerne,
with you ere
this.
We
more
are sorrie to, heare the sad
newes of the
all to profitt
late dreadfull fire
in Boston.
The Lord
sanctiffy] the dispensation to all that are
neerlie concerned,
&
teach us
thereby.
If the
inhabitants of the earth will learne righteousnes
when God's judgethat as
ments are abroad, ho we much more should His people learne

righteousnes thereby.
The
Scriptures intimates to us,
sinnes of the latter dayes will be the greatest, soe the judgements
of the latter dayes will also be the

trebles
greatest.
God
doubles
&
His stroaks when
He
begins to deale with Nations
&
Peo-
ples, in our dayes.
When He sometime since dealt with the Land of our Nativitie, He contended with them by a terrible Warr, a sweeping Plague,
&
a dreadfull Fire, one treading upon the heele of another.

latelie dealt
Soe
when He
a ruinous
with these United Provinces,
He
;
sent
them
Warr, a verry great hurricane, that did exceeding much damage to many Citties & Townes & a verry great and terrible inundation of water, that was judged to doe as much d[amage] & spoyle, as was done by all the ffrench Warr, &
destructive
all
&
these al[soe one]
us, soe with [you] alsoe in
upon the heele of another. And as here with Newe England. You have had Warr,
Small-Pox,
&
.
[Fire,]
. .
& these
alsoe,
one upon the heele of another.
Surelie ho we
be,
we may
say, that the
Lord
is
holy in
all
His wayes,
&
righ[teous] in
all
His workes, New
&
that
He
afflicts
pamphlet
entitled
"A
Brief Relation of the State of
England, from the Beginning of
that Plantation to this Present Year, 1689." The pamphlet has been republished in Force's " Collection of Historical Tracts," vol. iv. No. 11. In this letter Mr. Kick pleads earnestly on behalf of " the people and Church of God in New England," and prays that "the heart of her Highness
may
be
moved
to take the first opportunity to help
them
to the Restoration
of their Antient Patent, Priviledges and Liherties."
Mr Kick
to Increase
is
the person at whose
house
it is
stated (in the letter on page 105,
imputed
Mather) that the Earl of
Shaftsbury died.
.598
THE MATHER PAPERS.

then our sinus deserve.
Is
[1683.
lease
there not in the land of our

a groweing lukefor
nativitic, in these
Provinces
first
& in
[New] England,
I
wanne,
&
looseing
love?
begg your excuse
my
thus
right
inlargeing about these things.
G[od] grant we may make a
Lmproovement of them. Our Church here have given their call to Mf Robert iferguson lie is eminent in partes & grace. Thinges to the office of Pastor.
looke with a verry
w;i\
ill
face in
England.
The Lord
finde out
some
compose the mindes of the people there, that are now full I shall not further enlarge, but comof distractions & fcares. mitting you to the protection of the Allmightie, doe take leave &
to
abide
Reverend
Sir,
your friend
&
Serv*
Abraham Kick,
If
liams,
upon the advice you may have received from Mf Wilyou finde that I can doe anything about the busines of your
that
is
Booke
on me.
to be published,
you may
freelie lay
your comands
ABRAHAM KICK TO INCREASE MATHER.

Amsterdam,
Mi:.
5 th August, 1683.
BhoBBABE Matiikr.
Reverend Sir, I hope the bookes sent by Mr. John Pecke came safe to your hand, although I have had noe advice from you thereof. The bearer hereof is my sonn John, who hath a
long time sollicited me, for leave to goe to
having
New
England, not
is of opinion (from the information he hath had of your place) that it may be of advantage to his health, insomuch that at last I have con-
had
his
health here for
many
yeares,
&
Bented to his request.

to
I earnestlie request that
favour
me
with
your counscll
&
advice to
you him
will please
in the best
thinges,
verry wondcrfull.
offers. The dispensations of God are The Turkes have made an incursion into Europe, with a considerable Army, & have besiedged Vienna, & are like to take it. The Emperour was forced to flee in hast, * ithoul baggage, to Lintz. The Protestant Earle Tekley [Tekeli]
as
opcrtunitie
1681.]
SETH FLETCHER.
599
hath an
Army
of about
60 thousand men marching towardes
Poland, joyned with the Turkes.
The People
in
Vienna are
in-
raged against the Jesuites, as the cause of their misserie in
prompting the Emperour to prosecute the Protestants in Hungarie.
The
Protestants in Ffrance have petioned the
their priveledges,
&
are about
will be,
God knowes.
King there about 4000 in Armes. What the issue In England things are verry darke. The
all
great Jehovah will turne
these wheles to the carrying on his

glorie.
owne
designs, for his

all
owne
friend
I have not time to enlarge,
only the tender of
due respects,
&
abide
Your
That which
the books.*]
is
&
Serv*,
to
Abraham Kick.
pay
due to me, you may please
my
sonn, [for
SETH FLETCHER f TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend
Increase Mather, these.
Elizabeth Towne, March
25, 1681.
M?
Increase Mather.
Reverend
I saw you in
to
Sir,
You may
May
upon
28,
that
please to call to
mind
that since
March (or
Aprill) the yeare past, I wrott a Lettr
you beareing date

10,
1680,
10.
&
another before that,
May
1680.,
May
(especially) being about

is
M
&
Gershom Hobarts
16ss. 6d.,
which he
indebted to mee,
the
Trapps Exposition
(in
from Romans
remote,
to
end
of the
bible
Quarto).
in
it.
I never heard from
you
since
what hath
to seeke
been done
of Cash, of
am now more
&
so the
more
New York
being not such a place for the production
money as Boston is. Be pleased therefore to acquaint Bateman at the drawbridge foote, what you have done, or like
* Torn.
f
to
These words added by Prince. first preached at Wells as early as 1655, and afterwards, at different times, in Saco, from 1662 to 1675; subsequently at Southampton, L.I., and in Elizabethtown, N.J. He married Mrs. Mary Pierson, of Southampton, the marriage contract being dated May 30, 1681. He died in August of the following year. His name is erroneously given as " John Fletcher " in the " Collections of the New Jersey Historical Society," This letter has been printed in Folsom's " History of Saco," p. 134, but vol. i., p. 168. from an incorrect copy.
Rev. Seth Fletcher
Ill
I!
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it.
[1681.
doo, or are Inclined to do about
I have been
much
mollested
with Quakers here since I came,

another.
thai Sc.-t,
T<>\\
New
ones comeing in one after
Vpon Feb.
15.
last past,
is
one of which two
upon the motion of two of Schoolem to some children in the

1-
m\
by Nation a Scott, by name John Vsquehart, by former
profession (as fame

Bcholler
lie
makes known
to
mee) a Popish
preist.
doth professe himselfe to be,
&
I find that he hath the
Latine tongue.
taine an
The
bnisinesse of that day was, for
mee
to
main-
Assertion, viz., That a Quaker, liveing
&
dying as a
Quaker (without repentance), must find out a New gospell, which might aford them hopes of salvation, for what God had revealed
in his
holy word, there was no salvation for

I
them
in their impenidis-
tent condition.
tinction
opened the termes, Explicated by way of
of Seducers
&
Seduced,
&
so their sinnes,
&
likewise
what repentance God expected from the one
&
the other sort, which
being done (although there were four or five more Quakers in the
throng, yet none appeareing in the cause to oppose, but the Scholler afores'
1
&
a Chirurgion), I
demaunded of them what they had

:
to say against
the Bcholler
my Explanation Instead of speakeing pertinently, (whom I understood had been at the Vniversity foure
tell
or live
cares) beginns to
their
the people a story of Moses, Ezra,
& Habbacuck,
Beverall
being Quakers.
Whereupon haveing given
the people an acc of the buisines of the day, I proceeded to six
Argum*8 by which
liveing
to
Quaker
J
ing to what
in
& God hath
dying as
make good my Assertion, viz., That a Quaker (without repentance) accord-
revealed in his word, he could not be saved.
every argument demaunded what part of the argument they

in stead of
would deny, but

ening nice that
an answer, there was raileing, threat-
my
destruction was nigh at hand.
To prove
the
Minor,
continually produced their
own Authors,
& severall things
out of their Rabbies bookes, which so exceedingly gauled them that

thru they
a:
Bet
themselves
to
Burning, singing
like)
&
reeleing their heads

to disturb
bodies
to take
(Antique [antic]
whereby both
mee,
&
of the people from attending to what I had to say, for
the maintaineing of the Assertion.

ere
Since that (I heare) I must
Long be proved to be no
t.
Minister of Christ,
&
they haue
attempted
against
raise as great a party at
Road Hand
'&
Delleway bay
mee, as they can.

heare of
Nay more,
it,
then so England
&
their
freindfl there shall
&
in speciall Will:
Penn,
whom
1681.]
ABEAHAM PIERSON.
601
mentioned once (& but once) & that but in my fourth Argm*, Namely his denyall of Xts being a distinct person without us, from
his
booke
intitled Counterfeit
affaires,
Christian, p. 77.
As
for
newes
about Comonwealth
,
I saw a proclamation of the old Gov-
erno rs forbideing upon perill the graunting any Obedience to those

in present
power, promiseing open Courts shortly
One Proclama-
tion
March
day
was put up here (at our meeting house, upon Sab: morn, 6: 80-1. but before morning exercise taken down, & t}ie
York.*
after sent to
Sir,
What
the issue wilbe,
God
(in time) will
discover.
to the
no farther to enlarge, I take leave, comitting you

Israel, remaineing,
Keeper of
Yours
to serve
you
S.
in
Love,
Fletcher.
I saw
March 9, gave mee
at his
Abraham Person f in health, upon Thursday morning, own house the next day r Allen (in health also)
;
a visit at
my
house.
ABRAHAM PIERSON J TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reuerend Increase Mather, Teacher of a church in Boston in
New
England,
these.
Ketjerend Sir, My seruice and cordial respects to yourselfe and Mrs. Mathar premised, we haue heard the sorrowfull tydings
of your great sicknesse, and the danger of your remouall thereby
from an unthanckfull world

* See
f t
but since, to our refreshment, of the
Hildreth's "History of the United States,"

i.
ii.
51, et seq.; Collections of the
New-
Jersey Historical Society, vol.
See note to his letter next following. Rev. Abraham Pierson [H.C. 1668], son of Rev. Abraham, successively minister of Lynn, Southampton, L.I., Branford, and Newark, N.J., was settled as colleague with
his father at the latter place,
March
4,
1672,
and
at Killingworth, Conn., in 1694.

5,
He
was the
first
Rector of Yale College, and died
May
1707.
While these sheets are going

:
through the press, we notice in a contemporary journal the following paragraph
College Memorial. Graduates and students of Yale College, and the officers and members of the New Haven Colony Historical Society, propose making an excursion to " Old Killingworth," now Clinton, on Wednesday next, [June 17, 1868,] for the purpose of placing a memorial stone near
College were taught.
site where the earliest Senior Class of the ceremony is the meeting of the General Association of Congregational Ministers of Connecticut at Clinton, two hundred years after the formation of the church in that place. It is expected that the stone will be placed by President Woolsey.
the residence of the
first
Rector of Yale College,
the
The occasion
selected for this
76
602
THE MATHER PAPERS.

:
[1681.
Lord's [me]rcy in your hopefull recouery
The Lord
for [th]
.
perfec[t]
.
upon that account, and goe on continuance. Sir, more then a

. .
.
to
.
shew
further
fur-
made bold
to giue
you
ther trouble
ing a question I before wrote to
you about,
in
[a Lletter I sent by Mr. Samuell

lie
deliuered
it
with bis
;
Walker of Boston, who tould me owne hand.* I haue not yet receiued any
I
answer from you

be
the reason whereof, I have apprehended, might
your long
sicknesse.
if it
do againe
earnistly
request
your
in
answer thereunto,
Allin, son to
M^
Allin of
may be, by Deadham
the bearer hereof,

disceased,
My John
to
whom
the
great pity and mercy sent ouer from England the last
Lord summer,
our "neighbours
to
att
Woodbridge,
in
this
Prouince,
who
sent
England
for supply.
The Lord hath
graciously looked on the

to
is,
condition of that people, and sent a

triously seek their eternal welfare.
man
them who doth indusaccording to the expe-
He
rience
we haue had
is
of him, such a one as of
to say, he
a faithfull man, and one that feareth
whom we haue reason God aboue many

;
able also to teach others.

parte
He
is
now
intending a voyage into your
upon bussinesse.
I hope he will find encouragement
you, in his returne to the poor people to which he belongeth.

further att present, but desiring
your feruent prayers

;
to
among Not God for

difficul-
me,
ties
for his
mercy, presence, blessing and Assistance
my
being greatly increased, I take leaue and subscribe, Sir,
Your unworthy
Nswobx
in
brother,
24: 1081:
Abraham Pierson.
New-Jaroey,
May
THOMAS SIIEPARDf TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
A"
.!/'
Increase Mather, Past r to the Ch. in Bosto.

[1681.
Prince.]
:
July: 24
K" S'\
(lie
With
is
the enclosed I have
made bold
to
send to you
it
account of the pics' dang r of Hartford Colony, as I rec d

I
very
in the collection of " Mather Papers" a long here letter in the handwriting of Pierson, bat without signature, "respecting the true interpretation of Dan: 12," which is probably the paper referred to. It lias ad been thought expedient to print it in this
folmne.
Thomei Bhepard [B.G.

dained luooessorto his rather,
16T6], son of Rev.

6,
Thomas, of Charlestown, was
or-
May
1680.
1682.]
THOMAS SHEPARD.
from a Ministr of
over ourselves.
theirs of note,
603
is
lately
"
which
as follows,
viz*.
The gentlemen here have
advice from England, of wrath impendare informed that the
ing
"
We
.
D. of Hamilton
had a Patent, bearing date 1631, for 60 miles square on the E. " side of Counecticot Riv r The Duke's son, viz* the E. of Arran,
" has lately sold the
"
Patent to one S r Francis

r
V non,
r
for a farthing
an acre, which some here have cast up to amount to 2500^:
&
we
"
S Francis
is
pursuing the matt at Court.

heare from the Court conc r ning
We
it."
are afraid
" shall quickly
I have not had time to transcribe the enclosed for you, which makes me transmitt the originall, but my kinsman tells me he will do it So I am Tho: Shep d Yours to s r ve, in all I may,
:
THOMAS SHEPARD TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Rd M
r
.
Increase Mather,
Pasf
to
a Ch. in Bosto.
:
Charlstown
Dec
20, 82.
RD
SR
I have searchd
in 1667, but find

this account.
some of my Fathr 's pans for the Comet no mention of any then, but March, 1668, I find
in the evening after sunset, about seven of the
day
saw the stream of a Comet whose head was allready set, or at least wise, by reason of the dusky ness about the Horizon, not disenable the extremity of its stream was extended as far as the
clock, I
:
11th bright star of Eridanus, next from the bright star of Orion's
left foot:
it
was very
st
clear,
&
large almost as that comet in
1664
&
1665 was, as
3<jay,
to the stream thereof
when
biggest.
j saw ^-e
ream rideing over
that 11th bright star afores d ,
but the cloudiness of the skie hindred an exact observation thereof.

4? at about f of an houre past 7 , I apprehend I
the comet,
saw the head of
&
that
it
was even setting

left it
at that time, but the haziness
about the horizon
at
some uncr tainty.
The stream was

left
extended unto the middle between the bright star of Orion's

foot,
&
the bright star of his right thigh, but lay under the same,
* See Palfrey's " History of
New
England,"
iii.
439.
604
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it
it
[1681.
crossing through Lepus his cares:

1
did ride a
little
above that
hli star in flu:
Eridanua afores
d
:
was
fully as
broad (in the
widest pt of the stream) as a line which the 3 bright stars of Orion*- belt
5' 1,
make in length. The stream seemed
to
be exactly in
all
respects
as last
night.
6d as the last night; excepting that the stream in

Beeined (were
it
its
direction,
but continued so far) to
make
it
more acute angle

to that
with neer toward the bright star of Orion's right thigh.

th 8 dl as on the 6 day at night, except that
was directed
bright star in Orion's thigh afores

star, if
it
d
,
almost making an Angle at that

line centring therein,
were drawn out to meet with a
but
not
much
of the stream could be disc r ned
(how
far
it
extended)
because of the light of the moon.

reason of the increase of the
so near to the time
Not seen
after this night
by
you
moons
of,
:
light, or clouds.
This beino;
you spake
ass ed
r
I have
with
it
in
answer to your desire

s vit
r
r
Your most
in
made bold So I remain what I may,
to trouble
Th: Shep d
HAWAII JONES* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To the
Retf*
M
:
Increase Mather Pastor of the North
Church
at
Boston, these jfsent.

Ivi:n: UNT
S'
T
in
am
bold
to
present
few lynes to your
worthy
self,
being
how
the prophet caried to the
by the feat. widows mite,

not
it
t
you remember Sunamite woman, who caught him Some scripture haue bin mouing in my hart; the
I beseach
in
distres of spirit.
allso, east
the net, allso,
my
goodnes extendeth
I
thee, but to the Bants, the exselent ones.
remember
allso
is
writ in, the
Lord accepts the
will if
we doe
the best
we
can.
Now the conserna of sants X sinners, together with the conserns of my one pore SOule & my pore children is of great wayt to me.
parish of St.
Hannah Jonas, youngest daughter of Governor Theophilna Eaton, was born in the Andre*, Ilolborn, London, and came over with her husband, William Jones.
tu his letters.
See note
1681.]
HANNAH JONES.
of thrusting a fathfull laborer into this vinyard
is
605
the
The work
Lords one work.
He
holds the stars in His hand.
am
looking
fear.
vp with some hopefull exspectasion, tho hope be mixed with
Somtimes I
feel
myself so under the pres of unbeleav that
me
cry, mournfully,
More
fath,
more
fath.
that
makes the Lord would

it
moue your
hart
&
the harts of the rest of the desipells to intreat the
Lord for me & many more, crying hard after him upon this acount, that when he hath answered in that matter of fath- which is plesing to God, allso puerifieth the hart he allso will say, Be it unto you euen as you will. A man after the Lord's one hart, to be set over
;
this
congregasion will
fullfill
our desirs, that building, strengthenus.
ing, conuerting
work may goe on among

so hopefull
;
Now, S r
has the
Lord given you a son

from the wombe
has the
Lord sanctyfyed him

It
&
fitted
him
in his tender age for his serais.
may
the
we have stayed till Shelay was grown. Who knowes but Lord may now caule you as it wear to ofer up your Isaack to
be
the seruis of
be the case,
God God
in this laungushing, dieing church

will
&
if
that
perswad Japhet
to dwell in
the tents of
Shem, he
up.
will
perswad yourself
&
him
&
that church to yeald
him
very
What
tho ther
may
be
many
hart.
dificultyes that
may seem
heuye to one so young

you, weeping
&
tender, yet the apostell sath,
what doe
is
&
breaking
my
am
not onely ready to be

;
bound but
to
dye for the name of Chr[ist]

I can speak
is
whose yoke
esye
&
burthen
;
light.
it
from experienc.
What
tho he
be young
the promis
abell.
sure.
r
,
He
shall not be
tempted aboue
to be
what he
is
Now, S
or
tho I
am
worm, not worthy

is
regarded by
God
by men, yet senc
it
put into
my
heart to
ventur to give you the trubell of these scrales, exorsise pasience so

far as to read them,
you can desern any thing of the sperit it, tho it come from a child, bold to tell you how I now make tho I weaknes and couer my haue bin observing God in His prouidences. The Lord has seemed to caule me to fowlow him in the dark for more then 7 years, but hath layd on some incorregments by His word & by His prophets.
if
&
of God, I beleau you will not reject

;
That word in the 42 of Isayah, ve 16

s
allso Isaiah 35, verses 3,
4, 5, and 6, together with
of our neaybor Elders
many others. who preached out
Allso the Lord sent one

of those words
;
know
my
thoughts conserning you are thoughts of peas to give an
exspected end.
Another, out of those words,
After too dayes
606
he will bind us up,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1681.
&
the third
day we
shall
Hue
in
His
sight.
could menshon diners more, but this
may
sufise to let
you know
my
hopes are grounded on the Lord's word.

I
I allso obserued,
when
was
last at
Boston I went into a shop, just ouer aganst
my
lodging,
or very near, intending to stay no longer then I
chose a pare of specktaculs, having no acquantance, but in that
time came in your son,
who I neuer saw
before.
The Lord knowes
my
hart was
full, so that
;
I marueled I shuld so fix
my
eyes
upon
one I did not know

a great traueler
;
it
being so unusiall with
me who
haue bin
he wear
but I could not forbear asking him
if
not a Mather.
was indeed
in
so taken with his behauor, being so
graue
&
becoming
it
my
aprehensians, that I haue often spok
& &
thought of
sence, but not onse

fix
imagened that he shuld be the
person our eyes shuld so far
upon
but when our brethrn

us,
mesengers wear sent
to look
out for
my
pore
crys, sobs
&
tears, together
with
many
others were layd at the feat of our
dear Redeemer
in our
&
Interseser for pardon, pity and compasian to us
low
estate,
of His seruants,
tlier
& that he would & send them bac

Lord answered.
grant them fauour in the eyes
with an oleaf [olive leaf] in
hope conserning your son.

r
The oleaf was the spark of Lord would not quench this spark, but increas it & our hopes untell we injoy the substance hoped for. Good S be tender of pore sorrowfull weak ones. Sorrow lias not onely mayd us stoop but bow down, euen as that daughter of Abraham whom Chrfist] loosed. I beleau you desire
mouths,
the
&
that our
to be in all things conformabell to Chr[ist]
your head.
He would
him
to us,
self to
not break a brused read.
Truly S
r
,
I hope
God
has prepared
diners of us to be tender of your son, if

as of our one Hues
He
r
,
will bring
and
soules.
Now S
I will fors
my
is
conclude,
&
desir to
:
make my
adres to the
Lord who
God
hearing prayers
promiser,
to
Him
shall all flesh
come.
He
sober,
is
a fathfull
I look
&
I
a fathful performing
God
of truth.
To Him
on
I lis
Him
wayt,
&
desire to
be wachfull
&
&
hope in
mercy
to the end.
He
will not all

1
way
chid, nor keep his anger
for eucr.
self
&
son.
& servis to your good Mrs. Mather. Allso my harty comendasians to your The Lord make him instrumentall to binde up broken harted
Farewell, dear S
'.
My
deu respects
ones
it
&
to refresh the
weary.
Hear
are
many
redy to imbrace him,
the
Lord
will
send him, with louing harts
&
armes,
&
to say,
1682.]
HANNAH JONES.
is
607
I beg your
Blesed
he that comes in the name of the Lord.
excuse for giuing you this trubell.
I was intended to have bin so
bold as to haue given you a uiset when last at Boston, but was
toulde at that time
asions
till
it
was not conuenient,
& my time was short & oc-
The good Lord giude you by His prudent counsell he bringe you to glory & ad many years to your life, yea, crown
many.
life
your
with louing kindness
&
tender mercy
t
that your strength

frind
may
be renewed like the eagels.
So prayes your pore
&
servant,
Hannah
12, 1681.
Jones.
Newhausn, Desember
Postscrit.
sath your son
is
I hearing of one that comes from your parts

so dear
who
&
presious to your sosiety that
it
will be
a breaking thing to part with him, I

that
it
am
so tender in that case, if
may
not be without so great a wrong to others.
that
the Lord would perswad you
&
in
them but
to leand
him
to us.
Hath not
the
Lord ned of him
some sence ?
HANNAH JONES TO INCREASE MATHER.

These ffor the Reuerant
r
.
Increase Mather, Teacher of the Second
Church of Ghr. in Boston.
Reurnt S r
reseaued your louing
&
grasious
letter
&
tokens, for which I doe return most harty thankes, as allso for the
book you sent me the voyeg before. I hartely beg the continuance of your prayers that your indeauoyrs may be blesed by the Lord I take it hearin you are conformabill for the good of my soule.
to Chr.
your head, who has undertaken to cary the lambs
in
His
say,
bosome,
&
gently to lead thos which are with young.

is this
may
from whenc
fauoyr, that such a pore, weak, worthies, sheap-
hardles lamb, as to the creatur, shuld haue any
roome or acseptI
ance in your hart.
am
not worth minding or looking after.
doe truly take
it
from
free grase,
& am
euen redye often to shout,

Hith-
crying grase, grase, from the foundasian to the top ston.

erto
my
harty peticians are,
&
by grase
shall be, that the
Lord,
008
THE MATHER PAPERS.

hath put
[1682.
who
it into your hart to show such kindnes to me, will remember Hia promis, & not sufer you to loose youre Reward. The Lord knowes I doe not want will to reward you fully, want abillety therfore your reward fals well, falling into but
allso
such a hand.
Conserning your presious son, who has a hie esteem in

I
my hart
what
am
well satisfied with the Lord's dispos.
1 .
I can truly say I
finde no repining thought in that mater.
I often think of
:
Dauid sade with aplycasian, 2 Samuell, 2. 24

have greved
sliuld, in
vers 17.
It
would
me
att
my
very hart
if
any of
my
pore indiauoyrs
sufferings.
the least, haue furthered his sorrow

it's
&
methinks
pitty so tender
&
grasious a plant shuld be put
upon
I
if
shuch hard work as
now
I think he would haue bin if he had
come
the
hither.
haue seen more of that matter then I knew

then what I haue seen, yet I did beleau
sliuld see, yet I feared
Lord caulcd him
hither,
He would
strengthen him,
&
no dout
but
a great
many
hear would haue thought themself bound to tender
him
as ther Hues,
&
healp to the utmost to eas his burthen
diuine
wisdome saw
I
it
not best for him.

:
We
wear not prepared

to prepare
is
for such a
mercy, no nor yet
its
with the
Lord both
&
bestow.
alone.
may
say, Lord,
what wayt I for?

is
My
hope
in
Thee
I doe firmly beliau what you say
tru indeed, ther are
sins not seen nor
bewayled as ought, which hinders mercys.

all fullnes
We
surely have need of prayers for souerane grase.
It pleased the
Father, that
in
Chr. Jesus
shuld dwell.
If the
reseau of His fullnes,
&
Sr
,
gras for grase.

I
that we might Lord healp us
not
we
are undun.
am
The wanes run over me

reliau.
so fast
woman of a sorrowfull spirit. that I am often crying, in deep
waters, Lord, sane or I sink.
rest
remancs.
times of what
to the
Job
satli,
A weary traueler indeed. Some Lord bring me safe to it. I think somI know Thou wilt bring me to death &
I
for
it,
house apovnted
but
I
for all lining.
sometimes find temptasions

it.
to wearines,
I
doe obhor myself

hast into
Death
is
a dark entry.
dare not
I
make oner much

it
least
through short spirited-
nea
be forsed through
is
without a candle.
S r I may
,
tell
you,
such
my
present sorrowful]
senee of our state, that if tears

I shuld
lines
would make impresion on paper
need no ink.
blesed be
let
But why
Rok.
am
that
so cast
it
doun?
The Lord
&
my
might pleas His blesed magesty to
me
recouer strength
1682.]
HANNAH JONES.
609
&
see
more.
His anger turned away before I goe hence & be seen no He can open blinde eyes, and giue Repentance & Remisian
I
of sins.
may
not inlarg, for divers resons.
to wright to your self, & will giue you some acount of some things which I supose may not be unusefull to you in your good works, but consenting the Ring of Rye, I neuer heard of it. Sure I am inclined to think if so it was not in N. H. but some whear els. Conserning the Lightning my husband has giuen you acount, as allso of an Earthquake,* but with it some intimasian that I may giue some further acount, which is
My
husband intends
this.
Our Reverent deseased Teacher, My

allso sade the
Street,
sade this to
solid persons
me, he
same
to too other
graue
&
in this town, which told
me
of
it.
One was our

I
How, now
your
self.-
at rest;
the other
MyDauis,
Ephraim supose both known to

brother
To me he
sade as fowloweth.
As I was in my study I was mayd very sensibill of an earthquak which shaked my study so that I was somW* af[r]aid it would fall; my books wear shaked, & I went presently down
stairs,
&
met my, wife coming out of the orchard
in at the
bac
dore.
I asked her if she did not take notis of an Earthquake
Presently brother Henman came in to me & sayd, you not minde an earthquake? I sade yea, I was made sensibill of it. Then he sade, it was so obseruabell that it shaked down the peuter in ther house but this earthquk was not heard
she sade ho.
Sr
did
of any whear but in our too houses, onely as a confirmasian of the

truth of
it
in
My Baches
warehouse, at the waterside, some or one
took notise of a barrell trunling to
& fro.
Truly
it
did take impresian
me out of my house, & let them that think God may shake My H. out of his in I doe liue obsearu it. His time. Mr. Street was, when he tould me this, remoued out of
on me,
& God
has shaken
his
house to his sons,
&
not long after died.
New hauen,
Conserning N. P.f
it is
[Sejptember
8,
1682.
a tender case with me, because he

son.
was
my
honrd
father's
sister's
His father was a godly fathful
minister of the gospell, tho greatly aflickted in
some of
his chil-
* See William Jones's

f
letter,
dated
1682.
p. 612.
Nathaniel Park.
See letter of William Jones,
77
610
dren,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
him preach, & I was brought low apeared. Onst I had some disby aflicksion. A broken hart coura with him, for he came to London to uiset me when I was bercued of my worthy brother Hopkenes ;* & his discours was so
&
in
tliis
son espeshally.
I once heard
think any obseruant Cristian might truly judg he
graue
&
Cristian like, that I haue often blesed
God
for his uiset,
&
Bomthing he then sade stok

haue pased through
by me, namely
changes,
this:
Cousen, you
many
& may
pas through
will not
many
chang
his,
more, but
you chang not towards God, God towards you, & then you nead fear no changes.
if
A sister of
&
if
lines
now
be
in Boston,
my
cousin Purmont, N. P.,

;
she had one

it
mother but not one father
&
am
tender of grieuing her, as
may
if I
it
shuld give an acount conserning him I shuld,
she
understand
came from me, but

if
would prefer the glory of God

is
above any considerasian,

thcrfore I thought
it
may
but understand what
my
duty,
prudence to desire some aduise from you

I doe think I
before I did giue any acount of that matter.
am
advantaged to giue a true Relasian of his
life
&
of his death,
aboue most liuing upon knowlidg

is
&
informasian, but
my
capacty
as disaduantagous, if yourself
upon
it
searious considerasian can
or will aduise
me, I
but
shall
wayt
for
&
forbear prosee'ding
till
haue
it.
Sr
canot
admire you shuld
onst
haue
me
in
your
thought as to that Memoriall, it was so far beyond one thout of mine. Indeed 1 haue often thout I could neuer be sufisently
thankful]
to
that the
Lord would put an opertunyty

it
into
my
into
hands
wash
J
c\c
feat or
giue a cup of cold water.
I take this as onely

it
your
your
you,
lone,
hart,
deserued none; sure

1
was the Lord that put
am
truly thankful! to
God
in
my
pore mesure,
&
to
but
will
asure you I was richly rewarded, for cold water I
reseaued
many
a cordiall of greater value then the world to me.
Too
of the
last
wear
these.
for
news.
You
are
mourning
I will tell you Mrs. Jones good want of a Pastor. Chr. Jesus wall
daughter of Gov.Eaton, sister of the writer of this letter. London, came over, in 1G37, with Davenport and Eaton, and settled at Hartford. He was Assistant in 1689, and afterwards Governor, in alternate >il. John Haynes, till he went back to England in 1652, where he was a member Of Cromwell'fl parliament lie was a munificent benefactor of Harvard College. Qnincy's BJsL "f llarv. I'niv.
:i
Edward Hopkins married

a
Be was
wealthy merchant
in
1681.]
WILLIAM JONES.
611
be your pastor.
leau with me, which was cast into his

farewell,
saue
my
was he sade he had one porsian to mind to leau with me as his the 2 salm, last uers, ading he did beleau the Lord would children & my husbands too. Thus with harty thankes
last of all
The
your loue & seruis, & due respects to your self & Mrs. Mather & your son the Lord increas & strengthen both you & him more & more, & grant both may serue your generasians acording to His will. So prayes yours in Chr: H: J:
for all
;
WILLIAM JONES* TO INCREASE MATHER.

rd ffor the Rev Mr. Increase Mather, Pastor of the North Church of Oh.
at Boston.
Theise.
It was noe smale refreshing to by the Returne of our Messengers, we had an accompt of the mocon they made about your worthy son, which gave som hopes of his being attainable, towards spring therefore the Church
,
Reved & Worthye S E
vs, that
having appointed theire Comittee to prosecute the mocon to the

vttmost, they have written
your son himselfe.
now againe to yourselfe, Good S r consider our case, &

,
&
alsoe to
tender the
weake of
this
poore Church, which seems to depend
much upon
the yssue of this
Assay
for settlem*, after
above 7 yeares stugle
about a pson, by a solemn hand of
God
is
layd aside, soe that

the likelyest
now
our supply with a hopefull Instrument

future settlem* in
let in
way
to our
peace, but a disapointm* or

to furthr hazard.
:
long delay
more temptacon God,

if
We
doe heare soe

it
;
may much
favo r
&
soe well of your son
that
we
should count
nry
gr*
from
this
greatly Refresh
place.
among vs & it wold we may enjoy his m many poore drooping, but yet p r cious soules in
at
this
There are
tyme 3 hopefull psons of the

to the
youngr
sort, that stand
propounded
Church,
&
know
of
He was
* William Jones is said to have come to Boston in the same ship with the Regicides. Assistant and Deputy Governor of the Colony of New Haven, and afterwards, in 1678, Assistant of the United Colony of Connecticut. His wife was Hannah, youngest
daughter of Gov. Theophilus Eaton.
See the preceding
letters.
612
THE MATHER PAPERS.

more young ones
this
is
[1682.
or 5
in
,
are looking that
us
place
Sr
that
towards
as
us.
many oth will follow, the thing we aime at, if the This at least I wold make bold
if
fall
way; & I hope among nry we had a setled Lord incline your son
any thing should

in
out to
r p sent, that if obstruct your son's inclinacon towards
to
order to settlem*, which

his p'sence to
we should be
till
sorry for, yet that

r
we have may sec
help for a tymc,
eith
that Ch. with yo
cause to recall him, or
we be otherwise
supplied, in all
I have sent which we have our eyes, under God, upon yourselfe. to cast willing is She wife. deare from my inclosed a few lines wilnot are they that but Soe wold many others, in her mite.
ling to be troblesom.
And
that I
may
not be soe I shall conclude

,
only with due respects to yourselfe
&
r deare son, rest-, S
Yours
IIaktfoud.
15.
in Christ to his
power,
Jones.
10b r 1C81.
WILLIAM JONES TO INCREASE MATHER.

ffor the /?>>'
Mr
Increase Mather, /
att
</sfo
of
the
Second Church of Christ
Boston, Theise.
[
. . .
1682. Prince.]
reced.
Rev & Deare

concerning
the
ace'
Sir,
Yours
desire
1
of
Aug
22 th
As
yo
xv
of Remarkable Providences at
N.
II.,
pmit. give an
am very willing to doe what is with me, as tyme will As to the case of Nath Park; my wife & others can ace' lof that, it being before my tyme.* As to that
! :
gr
8th of
of thunder, lightning & raine which was on the June last my wife ec I were on our journey that day from Norwake to Stamford to give a visit to our good ffrend M" Bishop.
1
storme
By
that time
a
abonl
we were com to a little house in the mid way, set vp month before, the storme began: & before we could
furniture of our horses: other
to thai violence that
well get in the

the Btorme
company with us;

it
grew
had we bin but a quarter of

without gr*
this letter
a mile
from the house we could not have reacht

the letter of
Hanoab
tones, dated Sept. 8, 1682, near
which time
must
ten written.
1682.]
WILLIAM JONES.
life.
613
that shelter just in the
till
hazard of
the storme was over, would hold vp but a little raine we had in the rest of our journey to Stamford & did observe many vast & great Oakes blowne downe & torne vp by the roots som in the road, that stopt vp the way. But som dayes after, on our returne we found a dredfull destruccon of trees, all the way from Stamford, from towne to towne, & especially betweene Milford & Newhaven, in
nick of tyine, where
But God brought vs to we stayd som houres

:
hoping
it
one place within about 3 miles of Milford in the rode

heapes of mighty Oakes turned vp by the roots
afterwards in the rest of the
;
&
neere
it,
but not
many
way
to
N. H.
At Norwake sundry
at or near ffairfield,
Barns blowne downe, a new house vnfinisht
and
side
forst
out of
its
place
&
at Milford,
barnes
at
&
one
building
much damaged.
befell
I heare not of
much
N. Haven.
That which
lightning
my
house was by a dreadfull thunder clap

at least, before that
&
:
som tyme, an houre
storme cam
returne.
&
thus
it
was, as I vnd r stood,
&
found on
my
The
thunder
&
lightning struck between 2 gable ends at the west end

<pt
of the house, broke of a
of a collar
beame
but to
that
if
went along
the outside
atop by the chimney on which the sparrs rested, as
had bin cloven of with beetle

the maine of the
&
wedges
little
damage,
Alsoe
it
for
beame remaines
as if the
in its place
&
use.
brok
&
burst in the middle spar with the bredth of about 2

to top
;
shingles,
from bottom
shingled most
doe.
roofe had bin
slit.
clapt on since
my returne of my house
<pt
covers the whole.
I had lately
One board new
but that gutter, which I intended to
But noe
of the roofe else hurt,
&
noe signe of damage
to the chimney; which might have bin beaten downe.
was nextly observable was that the thund r & lightning did noe harme either to the chimney or a little closset
Now
that which
just vnder that breach ner to the floore
&
closset
under
that,
where
I had
my powder
in a
bag hanging vp on the

clossets
wall.
I say did noe
hurt, not in those
two vpper
&
ffloores, till it
cam downe
There
(how, we fannot find)

it
to the lowest closet in our parlo r .

:
broke
&
burst out a stud into the yard
&>
blew or rent of the
clabboards within
split or
&
without, drawing the nailes, but not a claboard

;
missing, that I can lerne

its
for the stud
was
set together,
naild in
fore
place,
&
the claboards within
&
without naild on beit
my
returne.
Alsoe the closset dore out of the parlo r into
G14
THE MATHER PAPERS.

;
[1682.
being wainscot, was throwne open

the
&
being lockt with a padlock
hook was
This
forst out,
is
&
lock throwne into the middle of the
roome.
the whole as I
vnd r stand
it
not.
This was mostly
remarkable, that but a very

in
little
before, one of
my daughters
:
was
the closset, but
God p
;
served her by His good providence as
He
did vs in our jorney
as alsoe our
whole family
that
non had
any hurt, nor were they any more sensible of the thunder crack that fell in the other <pt of my house where they were, then
people abroad were, nor suspected ought that was don
[of]
till
anoth*
my
family going into the parlo

l
1'
pceived
it.
Blessed be
l8
God
for his
gr goodnes
&
*
nicy in preserving vs
all.
One
or two ptic
more
I shall
mencon.
rs
The
it,
.'
concerning
a Monster Calfe scene heere
many y
it
since, I think since
Rev rd
to
M! Davenport went hence.

brought to
I hearing of
well,
caused
it
be
my
house, viewed
&
then writ downe as fol-
io weth, viz!
166f (one heere in the writing named) had a cow, which being with calfe, they were forced to draw the calfe from her with a horse, the hind r <pts coming out
.
That on the 23 th of
ffeb
first
which don
it
appeared to be a monster, for the calfe had two
pfect heads,
comely,
to the
&
well
shaped in
all
pts,
but the
one
head standing
forward.
one side
;pt
&
the other to the other side, neith r
The back
joined
of the heads
soe
that
downeward almost
backward;
old
to theire
mouths
together,
one eye of each head lookt

their eares all
Btraighl foreright,
&
theire oth r eyes
vppermoet
in their
pper places
in the heads.
The
the"
haire
all
over
well growne,
as of a calfe a
month
the neck joined to the
middle betweene both,

in
1
&
excepting the heads,

other Calvs.
neck
&
body
all
other
,pts
of
it
like to
Thus much
I find
writ.
Alsoe
lis
I
l>v
have bin credibly informed by an ey wittnes
&
seen as
said
many,
a
that in a garden in this

in the pfect
c
towne some yeares agoe
there
grew
cabbage
forme of a cutlash, which, when
people began to talk of

fell
descant upon, was cut dowpie.

c
Both
nor
"in
I
before our divisions
trobles in
N.H.
It
is
shall not say

;
what,
might thinke the p'sagc was.

earthquake,
beyond me
whal
an
som
years
before
our deare
&
reverend
Teacher died, might import, which earthquake non took notice, & were sensible of* but his familves & next neiohbo r s. Tis like
in v
wile
ni.i
give
\<>'A
more
ptic r ace'.
1681.]
SAMUEL TORKEY.
615
11
I have had
my
observations
upon more gen
changes, with
respect to the whole land, with the Awfull dispensacons of
God
towards us.
Blazing starrs
;
&
solemn warnings from H[e]aven of
late yeares given vs
but have not tyme to enlarg.

plaine on intimacon of
:
small
poem and very
There is a some frends heere, I
sent to
my
Brother
Hamon
:
who
:
sent h to the
Rev d My Oakes
for the returne
call for it
for his consideracon
to
be either for more publicp use or to be
returnd, but
My Oakes dying
There
is
though I have writ
of
it, it
is
not don.
I hav writ to
My
Cheevers to
&
send
it
me.
soule conflict
&
an appendix to it, concerning a Xtian in darknes. If yo w please to speak or send to either

it
yo w can pick any thing out of publicp sp*, I am very willing yo w [may]
of both,
if
that
may
suite
your
have the pvsall, but

be menconed.
returne
it.
my name in any talk about [it] I desire may not And if yow pleas [e] when you have don with it to
must break
off.
With due
&
cordiall resp ts to yourselfe
&
ptic r ly
your deare
in the
Lord
&
p cious son, could be glad of a If
&
whom
now &
I highly
& yours, love & hono
then from him, were
it
but once in a yeare.
Good
him,
Sir, think of vs for supply.
If any hopes that
My Daniell
Gookin might be
attaind, I find a
good concurrence wold be about

Restg S r
,
&
I hope maintenance to his content,
Yours
in Christ ever,
[jsf
signature.]
My
fro
due respects to the Rev d Mr. Allin,
&
Eliot, &c.
Indorsed by Increase Mather,
" Thunder-storm, in N.
Haven Colony;
1682.
Mr
J."
SAMUEL TORREY* TO INCREASE MATHER.

[Weymouth.
Prince.]
you
Rev & Dear S

d
* Kev.
k
,
These
Brethren, the barers, bring
(together with these) the result of this

Samuel Torrey was brought
Chh
es
transaction about
He was
others,
at
it
to New England by his father in his early youth. Harvard College three years, and would have graduated in 1650, but left, with He first is said by Dr. Eliot, because the term was lengthened to four years.
preached at Hull, and was afterwards ordained at Weymouth, Feb. 14, 1665. He preached the Election Sermon three times, and was twice chosen President of the College, but Savage's Geneal. Dwt. Quinctfs History of Harvard declined to accept the appointment.
;n;'
the mather papers.

in
[1681.
me,
an Address to the Overseers.
It
is
wholy of
old
their
own
making & managem* without me.
Our good
1
Elder Bate
much
(although under extreme decays of nature), hath laboured with in it; together with many integritie & fervency of sp
elder
others, both
&
younger,
who would
I thinke
gladly have bin

it is
more
largely expressive of their hearts.

its
I
much
better spirit
than worded, from
the
most, although I suspect
Letter
worded
1
than
spirited
1
may be from some few; you will know

it
Bomew
better
what
to
Judgm
Our
to
make of
W:
['<]
sence of it.
politicians
first;
thought
when you have had L: it not soe good mantill
ners for the
Chi
speake
but to be silent
it
they were
bin, to
spoken unto.
very politicke modesty
would haue
haue given the business pgress.

selves
I suspect they
in
pswade them-
&
;
others that
tv:
you have not bin
very good earnest in the
motion
that the labour of
an Adress might haue bin spared.
Whether
Otherwise
It
J
be worth your while to do any thing to

leave to your consideration.
joined with the
pswade them
told).
They
objected not in
publicp, but
\<
t
chh
fFreely (as I
am
am
I
much
I
to seeke of the
minde of God, concerning myselfe.
lope
I
am
syneeielv willing
&
desireous to be at His disposall
wait upon
Him
1
for further discouerys of
His
will
by your advice;
faythfullness in
&
the
therefore depend
much upon your wisdome
&
managem
come up
of the matter, unto such an issue either
way, as
I shall
may
not
the
be without dishonor to
this
God, or disadvantage
to
me.
weeke, but expect some instructions from you by
Returne of the Brethren; of which I pray you not to fayle.

it
Whether
will be best for
you
to pffer
what
is
sent to the
Over-
seers pr8ently, I leave to you to consider. Not else at this time, but my desire of your prayers. I shall ever remaine, S r ,
Voids W:
12: 81
intirely,
[S.
g
Torrey.
X:
Prince.]
; :
1681-2.]
ICHABOD CHAUNCY.
617
ICHABOD CHAUNCY* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Rev nd
fy
his estemed ffriend
M
.
Increase Mather, at his house in
Boston, in
New
England,
these, together
with a booke.
Bristoll, 17
168j_.
[Suppose Febr.
17.
Prince.]
.Eev nd S R
rec d yours of 7 ber 17
1681,
&
give you
my
hearty thanks for your inclosed prints, as alsoe for your Intelli-
gence about N.E. affayres.

respondence with you,
I doe heartily embrace a yearly cor-
&
therefore shall, as breifly as I can, give
you an ace 1 of our publick affaires. I doubt not but cofrion fame hath acquainted you how great a cloud the ptestant Interest is vnder in all Christendome, & more especially in this land
how farre Popish counsells have p rvailed, & doe daily p r vaile among us. The Ffrench King (the great Engine of the Jesuites
at this
Counsels
day) and like to be ffiagelUi Europaz, influencing all the & Courts of Europe, & more especially in thes Islands
his
&
as
an example, psecutes the ptestants, which which are

to leave
his
owne them
tyes,
subjects, to the greatest extremityes, enforcing thousands of
dominions
to which,
by publick pclamations
we have shewed
ourselues very kind, pmising
&
yet, at the
it
them great imunisame time (which seemes a great mistery)
have thought
nation,
necessary to <psecute ptestant dissenters of our
owne
&
of the same pswasion with the Ffrench, to the greatest

I suppose
is
extremity.
Y[ork] (who
hath
there
made
by
all
in
you what egress the D* Ffrench King) Scotland; having established his owne succession
I need not tel
one in counsels
&
interest with the
the strength humane laws can give, the poor dissenters being brought very low, & all manner of severKingdome of that The same man's counsells act all our ity vsed towards them.
publick affaires
almost
all
places of trust &> profit being conferred
on
his
devoted friends, favorites

to baffle the
&
servants.
What
attempts have
been used
Popish plott
&
to cast the
odium of it upon
* Ichabod Chauncy [H. C. 1651], son of President Chauncy, studied medicine and theology, went back to England, and settled as physician at Bristol, where he was " prosecuted under the 35 Eliz.," and banished. In 1664, he was sent to Newgate for four
months, and then removed
to Holland.
Calamy.
78
618
Tlir.
MATHER PAPERS.
[1681-2.
the dissenting
ptestonts
among
us, the small piece I have sent

1
vim
will give
you a more pticular ace
than I can; which
is,
in-
deed, the epitome of the cheifest intregues & transactions that have passed among us since the breaking out of the Popish Plott.
Discontents are very great
among
us,
&
if
we may measure our

must needs be very
rs r prognostics^ by our Savio p diction (that a nation divided within
itself
must come to desolation) misery

:
&
ruine
nigh us
for the spirits of
men
are (especially in this place) boyled
up
vras
to the
height of enmity
&
rage one against another, that there
never a greater between the
Jewes
it
&
;
Samaritaines
comon
r p sent
conversation being almost destroyed by
which makes
hath
at
the ease of Dissenters in Bristoll worse than in

in
any other place

all
Engl: for a malignant,

is
psecuting
spirit
the power,
&
now employed
to the
utmost to crush the dissenting party in
this
place, (there being
none in power that dare take them by the

:
hand or owne their cause)

against
US,
all
lawes are here put in execution
nay more than lawes, for men are suffered to act their
to
owne
wills
the ruining of us.
All our publick meetings are
Buppr88ed, our publick places ruined;

imprisoned
A<
ft
:
of 20
many have been & are many are exeoniunicated others are indicted upon the // mensem for not coming to church, (of these there
;
arc about
fines
L60 or 170),
&
all
exspect
it
every day; besides great

at conventi-
that
:
are severely levied
upon those they take

this will
cles
Boe that (if the
Lord interpose not)

;
not be a place
for
any Dissenter very long

imagine
unless he will resolve to'be ruined or
prostitute his conscience;
&
whither to goe from these troubles
is
rv hard to
tho the case of Ln*!
[London?] be
at
;
somewhat
N.E, must
you over
M'
(
better than ours, I
doubt
t'wil
not be long soe
p sent there
being great attempts

not fare
made upon the charter & liberty; & I doubt much better, for we heare they are about to send
Governor,
)
&
if
it
be the person
we
heare
named
(viz.
raufieM
he
ifi
very base Tory.
We know him wel in Bristoll,
owe
a good pt of our ealamitys to his interest here & at Court. Bnt the oaracter give of him, keep to yourself. As to fforraine
I
affaires, they are not in a
"'
'I"'
much better condition than at home with hand of the Lord hath been very heavy lately upon the
a
Dutch, by
grievous inundation, destroying multitudes of Townes,

tifi
A people
(as
tifi
Bald above 10,000, & hath impouerished them more supposed) than the late Ffrench Warr. Tis supposed,
:
; ;
1683.]
ICHABOD CHAUNCY.
between them
619
alsoe, there will speedily be a rupture
&
Ffrance,
as alsoe that tVill not be long ere the Ffrench king will overrun
Fflanders.
But of
these things I beleive
you are wel informed
therefore lest
my
pen should outrun

rem.
ffr.
itself,
He break
off,
tho
abruptly,
in
&
coniend you to Grace, earnestly desiring an interest
your prayers,
&
Your assured
&
serv*,
I.
Chauncy.
The D. Y.
your
is
speedily exspected at Court out of Scotland.*
If you write to
letters to
me by way
r
,
of London, be pleased to direct
my B
Isaac Chauncy,
who
will
lives in
Blew Boar
to [peruse]
Court, in ffriday Street, London.

to
if
He
convey them safely
me. Be pleased to lend thelitle book to

he desires
it.
my brother
ICHABOD CHAUNCY TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mather, Pastor of a Church of Christ in Boston in N~ew England. These.
Revnd S r
now
in
Eyther through
my
buisiness or inaduertency missing
the oportunity of writing to you this year from Bristol; being
London, I thought necessary

you
to transmit
you a few
:
lines,
to returne
hearty thankes for your kind token
(I
mean
your small book) wherein I pceive you have taken noe small
paines
;
&
your proofs seem to
me
to carry
noe smal evidence
with them.
The good Lord grant us

him
that since
wee
are under soe
many
visible tokens of Christ's appearance, that
we may
give
all
:
diligence to be found of
in peace, without spot

r
&
blameless
I sent the other to
your
in
Ireland,
which he alsoe rec^

goe among us
You may
exspect possibly an ace*
how
all
affaires
but you'l have a farre better account from your worthy agents,
which I perceive are returning with

are
speed
&
indeed things
come
to that passe that tis hardly safe to write

11
any newes
but
all
only in gen
things looke very dark not only with us,
f Arrives
at
Newmarket, March
4.
81-2.
Prince.
020
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
the professing ptcstant part of the world,
& we
fell
have reason to
exsped
of
the greatest
in
sufferings that
ever
upon the Church

fall
Gods we
Engl:
espec:
being like to
under the lash
of a provoked
& Moody
aduersary.
The
late plott* is like to
prove the greatest advantage to our popish aduersaryes, that ever They have now obtained God'fl providence put into their hands.
the thing
they have
been indeavouring this
many
yeares
Tis
pbable,
ace 1 of
after
it,
some more leading men are taken

parliam
l
off
upon the
all
will
be called
(which
will, in
call
is
likeli-
hood be according
will
in
to the
bring a Test upon us,
mind of them that answerable to what

all
them) which
Scotland, which will in

!
probability rout
put upon them 4000 s among us:

is
but, alas
whither shall
;
we
fly
is
from
this
storm, which
like to
be
soe universal
& when God

is
shutting
up
all
doores against us?
Our
\crv
case in Bristol
;
very sad.
All our meetings, almost, are
broken
all
penal
lawes put in execution against us, that in a

fly,
litlc
while multitudes must eyther

I
conforme, or be vnr
done, but Alas
many, nay most of the p
sbiterian
dissenters
have chosen thoroughly to conform.

hi
briefe,
our temptations are like to try the strongest of us,

that
&
we need your prayers

tion.
we may be kept
in this
houre of temptain
We
alsoe tremble bee: of the ark of

is
God
New
E: con-
ridering what
threat ned
&
c<;
begun against them.

refuges of lyes.
.
Surely
that
God
is
taking away
all
our props
Oh!
we might
be Iherby brought to trust the stedfastly upon the Lord. Thus requesting your constant remembrance before the [Lojrd, OOfnend you to the protection of the Almighty, who rem:
.
.
1
"i
our unfeined
fr:
&
Br
in
our Lord Jes:

[Signature destroyed.]
I."ni.os,
Aug;
12, 83.
WILLIAM PECK TO INCREASE MATHER.

To the
Emf4 Mr
Tnoreate Mather, Pastor of the 2 d

Boston, Thvise.
Church of Christ
at
REV
'
c\.
DBABX S\
'
reced your letter,
&
it
did
as a
communihumbling
:,,
''
U) tlu
Church.
'
We
cannot but look upon

plot,
The Uyo-IIousc
discovered June 14, 1683.
1682.]
WILLIAM LEETE.
621
providence to meet with one disapointment after another, considering the condicon
we
nry
are in, for altho: all seeme to be off
from
Mr. H. as to in this place, and the contest about setling him to be at an end, as an yssue of divine Providence. And the Church agreed to look out anothr way. Yet what new difficultyes
ply)
it
:
may arise (in case we should be much longer without a supwe have cause to feare and therefore pray yo w to consider And if any hope be yet left concerning your worthy son, we
;
desire yo
w wold favo r our mocon
for
on furthr consideracon
If
we have now
jo w
writ (the inclosed) to your church.
God make
them instrum ts therein, or if that faile, by some other sutable pson to provide for vs Wee, & ours, yea the Rising O Generacon among us will have cause to bless God for yo w S r think of vs, & speak & doe what yo w can. Improve your
: .
&
interest with
God,
&
godly ffrends,
&
specially the
l
Rev "
1 1
Elders,
is,
on our behalfe.
desire
r
'Tis a sad thing soe gr a
Congregacon
as this
should be without setled

a
nry
soe long.
I shall not enlarg, but
few
lines,
r
,
by the bearer,
Alsop.
With due
resp ts
p sented, Rests, S Yours in Christ Jesus,

17 Apr. 82.
William Peck.
w please, I
his
Postscript.
mind,
If
our
mocon p r vailes
r
not, if yo
pray move on our behalfe to Al Minor, that we
may know
&
what
to doe,
by
this
returne of our vessell.
WILLIAM LEETE* TO INCREASE MATHER.

These ffor the Rev/f Jlr Increase Mather, Pastor of the Second Church at Boston, gj M*. Ben: Davies.
BAbtfoed, July
ED
s
,
5 th 82.
Hox S By your late kindness receiued of that worthy sermon preacht upon occasion of psecution in ffrance, you have
multiply ed obligations vpon
* William Leete,
Assistant of the
me
for thanksgiueing, both to
God
;
for
of Guilford, signed the plantation covenant of

;
June
1,
1639
;
was an
from 1661
sistant
to
Xew-Haven colony from 1643 to 1557 Deputy Governor in 1658 Governor 1665 on the union of the Xew-Haven colony with Connecticut, became As;
till
1669, then
Depnty Governor
to 1676,
and from that time, Governor,
till
his
death at Hartford, April 16, 1683.
Savage's Geneal. Diet
622
the
THE MATHER PAPERS.

work
t'ov
[1682.
pdon
& to your sclf'e for the coppy sent, otherwise to begg my bo seldome & slender gratitude formerly. But yet
done
in this createth a
the Benoe of the well
boldnes to
sollicite for
further improuement of those guifts
&
graces that
God
;
hath be-
Btowed vpon you, as Talents for your Master's vse

both Capacity
you haueing
&
opportunity for the presse, aboue most of your

This, I say,
brethren ministers.
makes me
to suggest
my
weake
thoughts
of so
the
cc
Considerations vnto your meditations, about the Causes

pgresse
little
made
in reformation
worke,
&
turneing to
life;
Lord by
sincere Conversion of heart
&
Change of
not-
withstanding those solemne strokes and divine dispensations
we
haue
beene long vnder.
May
it
not be that a
comon
it,
pfession
&
resting in formalityes
is
&
moralities (which are but outsides of
religion)
like to
be destructive to the power of
&
to increase
the decay of first loue in

in
many
N: E: by gendering a p r sumptiue fframe accounting of themselues thereby to haue attained to be

in
Abra: seed
p r veledge
&
yet
haue not that
faith in deed,
:
which he had while he was as

unlesse
calling
yet
vncircumcised
doubtlesse,
we be pinched with
the sence of a necessity to
make our
&
election sure,
by searching markes of examination,

:
&
to
to
know that Ch. is in vs of a truth, &c the fformer is like make our pfession vaine & saplesse & so hazard reprobation,
;
&
God-forsakeing
but such truths, strongly droue on,
&
applyed
by the Almightyes Anne, might shake

foundations of nicer
Comon
pfesso
& ouerturne & surely it is
the sandy
a duty to
r practised by all hearers, seribe smartly p ssed by ministers ously & with much prayer, to awake slumbering virgins to rowse
&
&
from
Laodicean temp:
But why goe I about
to
show the
Beers, or teach
my
I,
teachers by such hints, which they farr better
understand than
arise
a poore broken vessell
yet this boldnes did
from
all
my
I
sence of your humility, Condiscension

part,
&
Charity, to
in
take
in
good
&
by thinkeing, that I
feele
some thing
myselfe,
&
Is
haue somewhat obserued in others, of that Tendency: not from arrogance or conceit, which God fforbid & how;
&
euer,
lei
I
God
be honoured, His worke
pmoued,
& &
soules pfited,
though
sincerity
be contemptible:
And
let
me haue your
prayers for
&
let
vprightnes in this more difficult age,
worke aboue
me
I
yet
me remaine
&
be app'hended by your selfe, as indeed
am, &
^
desire to be,
our Cordial!
lo:
ffreind
&
sciV,
Will" Leete:
1682.]
THOMAS HANFOKD.
623
Postscript: I also haueing lately rec d from Mr Whiteing's hand another booke & token of respect, viz: Diatriba de Signp
ffilii
Hominis:
know
not what further returne to make, but
thanks,
&c,
unlesse to adde
sert of a Lattin booke, being
some Apology for growne so rusty
my owne
inde-
in that lingua,
it might be reprinted in English for the benefit of Towards the charge whereof I shall willingly be a subscriber haueing had a tast of what you so printed about the Calling of the Jewes ; which I borrowed & red, tho: I haue it not by me now:
with wishing
N: E:
THOMAS IIANFORD* TO INCREASE MATHER.

r ffor the Rev ?
Increase Mather, Teachr to a Gh h of

these be dd.
X<
att
Boston
Reverend S r
love
all
Scribo
betweene
epistolas
rarissimus;
&
I
possibly
,
too seldome, at least to your worthy selfe, to
whome
owe hono r
&
respect,
&
the testimonials therof
upon seu r all accounts,

Reverend
obliging,
among which
I would not exclude affinityes arising

a
from a broth r hood

Brother of yours,
Naturall,
&
Pious
upon which I remenvb once the affinity (cognationis) was owned betweene us. which, (if you please) I desire may bee continued however I heartily desire that
selfe,
;
& my
Christian Brotherly loue
may
bee continued, in order whereunto
I haue adventured these few lines to you, to signify
my
all
desire of a
Roome in your heart, (which I doubt not feare God & loue His name (quod saltern
ren in these remote parts
in
:
is
open to
that truly
cupio) of your Breth-
which I vnd r stand
& am
I
confirmed
by your application
to our
good neighbo r s (the Reverend Mr
Bishop, |
Mr Wakeman,J &c.) betweene whome

leisure serue to send
am
placed.
r
,
I hint this for your information, that if at any time your heart
incline,
&
any few
lines or
Remembrances of
and was afterwards of Norwalk.

nation.
f Rev.
X
* Thomas Hanford came from England not later than 1643, taught school in Eoxbury, He sometimes preached, though he never received ordi-
John Bishop, of Stamford.
See note affixed to his
letters.
letter.
Eev. Samuel
Wakeman,
of Fairfield.
See note affixed to his
;lm
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1682.
vuur Lone (to one tarn indigno) you
may know where
to find
mee.
You may
able
;
sume the
least epistle
from you will bee very accept-
&
fen words of intelligence to one so disadvantaged by dishelp to excite to the duty of such a
tance
may
day of trouble;
&
r seeking the advance of the g at interest of & The dispensations of God are awfull & OUT neat Lord Jesus.
unite hearts
pray
in
tremendous
;
all
the world ouer.
His Judgemts are abroad
&
at
home upon all places & persons for probation or punishm*. The Lord awaken & prepare His people for His pleasure. There th was in our woods, within three miles of the Tow ne, on June 14 r by the influence of which nine a Btorme of lightning and thund
T
working oxen were strook dead at once in a small compasse of
ground neere lying one

ing against Hifl people.
i at
to another.
The Lord
is
variously testify-
The
last yeere,
drought was our Judgem*,
psent
r
God
is
threatning us with excessive
&
unseasonable
raine, to p vent our harvest.

sins
;
The Lord
in
mercy turne away our

selfe I
& His anger from us &, poure tencv & prayer upon His people. As
out a mighty spirit of penifor
my
need
&
craue
an interest in your pray's, that the Lord would help an end in

that great worke, of which I see dayly cause to say, agog ravxa rig
ixatog
;
&
the
Lord carry you
<fc
all
His labo rr s through His

I salute
work, & giue successe to His praysc.

Loue, & good M': Mather:
joycing
in
you with hearty
&
your son, M? Cotton Mather, re-
your Comfort
in
such a hopefull sprout.

<fc
God
hath
given mee
not
2
K) children, 5 sons
5 daughters; I
but as yet I see
how
to
bring up one of them to learning.
am
initiating
my
yongest at home, quoad possim;

Capacity
with
to carry
but I
shall bee in a
them on.
know not how farre I I must (& desire to)
leaue the matt'
God,
Good 8
cVr.
r
;
pardon
my
boldnes
in
troubling you with these rude lines,
let
mee
but
intreat
you (non
semper
COUflin
sal inn)
not to leape ouer
mee
1 '
in
your leisurable greetlet your nreind & though (not of Eever-
in-- by lines or otherwise, in these parts;

\)vv.
accounted
among
the
Xumb
end) yet of Brethren, & one who desires to bee Yours in the ll'aitli A- (Fellowship of the gospell,
Tho: Hanford.
Noitw w.k
:
l.V
1 '
July
L682.
Perihipp Alaopof n. n.
1683.]
THOMAS HANFOKD.
625
THOMAS HANFORD TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Rever d Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher

These ddd.
to
Ch h of Xt
at Boston,
Eeveend & much respted S K
Having
so
patt an oppor-
tunity by Bro: Alsop being in our harbo r , preparing for a voyage
towards the Bay, I could not forbeare (though somewhat straitned

for time
through the approach of the sabboth,) to send you a few
lines in testimoniall of
my
so
loue,
&
respects to you, for your loving
remembrance of mee,
the
distant
&
vndeserving, by your loue
token, in your booke of practicall truthes, which I receiued from
hand of
my
good neihbo r
litt all
r
good Mr. Bishop.

soon r
;' ,
Sr
I should
haue returned you

safe
thankes
at
but
opportunity es of
conveyance are seldome
hand
&
therefore I
was
faine to
do
it
by Mr. Wakeman, who was going towards you as I was

to write
going to Hart [ford] so that I had not time

hee did salute you with the
respects.
by him.
I
I hope
rememb [ranee]
of
my
it,
hearty loue
&
it,
However,
It is a
if
hee fayled, or forgott
now doe
&
en [treat] your acceptance.
I haue nothing of
[all
Newes
to impart
to you.
cloudy
&
darke day
o]ver the Christian world.

;
I p r sume you are deeply sensible of it [full] people were more sensible of
&
oh that God's fayththat
it,
the
praying sp*
might bee more up
and fayth upon the wing, that wee might say

:
Nubecula est c[ ] transibit. The Witnesses must bee slaine. but they shall quickly arise when The pray[ers] & cryes of saints (doubtles) shall help slaine. usher in their resurrection, when God shall appeare in his glory,
as Athanasius of the Julian storme to build
up Sion, hee
will turne to the
pray r s of the destitute,

pray r might get aboue
&
it,
will not despise their prayer.
The
spirit
of the adversary riseth
high.
Oh
r
that the spirit of fayth

it.
&
&
ou come
Wee
to
as yet,
(through mercy) have peace,

it
&
peaceably enjoy our liberty es, yet

trembling,
behoues us to rejoyce with
&
to
Moses say
yee
sit
r p pare for our changes & tryalls, as minding Gad & Reuben, Shall your brethren goe to war, &
still?
Wee
are under the frownes
&
Rebukes of God's
angry Providence.
The Lord
is
breaking in upon us with breach
upon breach,
&
bringing us low for our iniquity.

79
At Spring wee
626
lost
THE MATHER PAPERS.

r r
[1682.
meek & wise Moses, our hono ed Go?no ;* of late God sc: Mr. Newton, f & at preshath iikcn away a praying Aaron ent, (as I heard yesterday,) Reverend Mr. Bishop is very sick, of The Lord in mercy spare him (if a flux, & i'cauo'isli withall. may not haue sorrow upon sorrow; that wee it bee His pleasure)
a
t : :
&
see
-rant ns this allay of

r our Teach s.
all
our
affliction
that yet our eyes
may
our
Many
Congregations
&
Plantations
in
Colony are
worth
at present destitute
of setled ministry;
3 principall
places, Hartford)
:
N. Haven,
laborers
&
Milford, beside Branford, Killings-
Windsor ministry not yet settled.

into his
<fc
vest thrust forth
The Lord of the Harharvest. Good S r improve

,
your interest in Heauen,

requested
Earth
also, (as
&
haue occasion administered,) to
you are at any time promoue the good of

let
vour neighbour in this behalfe: I

request a
little
may
not enlarge: only
mee
roome
in
your heart,
&
share in your prayers,
&
few lines from you, as liesure will serve.

nes to writing doth fayle
eyes,
My
prones
&
prompt-
mee much, through
the dimnes of
literati
my
ad amicos. The God of all grace bee with you. Unto Him I comend you & yours, desiring to share my loue & resp ts amongst all
therefore I
lesse frequent
&
am
in scribendo
your Relations
&
next to yourselfe, to your second

,
selfe,
& Rever1
end Mr. Cotton Math r

leaue of you,
a-
&
leauing you
all
with Israelis keep ', take
Rest
firiend
Vour loving
V.ku
\i.k,
&
Broth
1"
in Christ,
Tho: Hanford.
22* June, 1083.
DANIEL GOOKINJ TO INCREASE MATHER.

Tins,'
fur the
Reverend M: Increase Mather; To

/<>
bee
comunicated if hee
ddd.
please,
the
Corporation of the CoUedge.
&EUEREND Sm
[in]
I was desired by Bro Eliot to put you , mind of your promise to him to moue the Corporation of the
who
died at Hartford, April 16, 1683.
William Lcctc,
June 7, 1683. was born in Kent, England, whence he went to VirBmta in lM0< In 1,i44 he came to Boston. He was Representative in 1649, Assistant from L669 to the. usurpation of Andros in 1686 (except for the year 1676), and Majort
BoY. Roger Newton, died at Milford,

Die]
QooUo,
of Cambridge,
V. to ^
1681.
lie
died in 16S7, aged seventy-five years.
The " Apostle."
1682-3.]
ISKAEL CHAUNCEY.
(w[hich I]
627
Colledge
vnderstand meets this day) to confer a

;
Scollarship
Eliot f ceased.
upon John Eli[ot] * an orphan son to My John sometimes Pastour 4 of Cambridge village lon[g si]nc deThis lad
left
is
also grandchild to
Mf
Eliot
& my
selfe
His father
ward things
in
last desire at
him but smal matters (exept his bookes) of outorder to bring him vp to learning, which was his his death. Therefore I in treat you, let him bee
;
remembred if their be an opertunity good worke, acceptable to God in Ch*,
which wilbe (I hope) a
&
a kindnes to your freind

for
&
seruant,
who am
not able to doe
much
him
Daniel Gookin, Sen.

September 12 th 1682.
,
ISRAEL CHAUNCEY TO
INCREASE MATHER.
Teacher
to
These ffor the Reverend Mr. Increase Mather,
a Church of
Xt
in Boston.
Revd
Sir,
Since
the receipt of yours I have not had any

till now. June; [1682,
:
opportunity to send an answer, eyther by sea or land
The storme happened upon
the tenth day of
Mather.]
Fairfield,
it
began between two and three of the clocke.
It con-
tinued about two howers.
The storme reached

it
Stratford, Milford,
N. Haven
and
was very violent
in every
one of these
places, but especially in Milford,
down by it,
two
foot
where three barnes were blown and one house new-built, that was fourty foot in length,
well enclosed, was
moved from
:
the foundation at one corner, near
and an halfe
six miles
but the greatest strength of the Storme

is
was about
*
above Stratford, as
evident by the dreadful
conclude this
is
the
same John
Elliot
who took
his 1st
Degree
in 1685.
[Prince.]
reference in the letter makes it certain, and not merely conjectural, that he person intended. He was " a man of some distinction " at Windsor in Connecticut.
The
Eds.
is
the
t Rev. John Eliot [H.C 1656], son of the "Apostle," who was ordained at Newton, then Cambridge, July 20, 1684, and died Oct. 13, 1668, at the age of thirty-two. \ He was the child of Eliza Gookin, daughter of the writer, the second wife of Rev.
John
Eliot, of
Newton.
Rev. Israel Chauncey [H.C. 1661] was the youngest son of President Chauncey, and was ordained at Stratford in 1666.
G28
havoek that
the -tonne.
THE MATHER PAPERS.

it
[1682-3.
there made, for the compasse of halfe a mile in
left standing, which is not greatly shaken by The strongest oakes are torne up by the rootes, some two foot, some three foot and more over. Young saplings that were not BO big as a mans middle were broken off in the midst. This Btorme came out of the west, and the wind did before the It was attended with a end verc somewhat toward the north. The very noise of the wind in the woodes was such violent rain
bredth scarce a tree
that those that were in
it
could not heare the
fall
of a tree a few
rods from them.

in the air,
Great limbs of trees were carry ed like feathers

that were at
an incredible distance from the trees they were broken
off
from
Many
worke
in the
woodes were
in great
danger, [and] had no

into
way
to preserve themselves but

trees.
by running
open planes where there were no
The strength
St rat {'old River,
it
of the storme passed along east and
by south over
and so between Milford and N. Haven, and there

into
passed
away
the
Sound towards Long-Island
Many
thousands of trees are blown down, both above and

place before specify ed, but in the
below the
compasse of that halfe mile the
greatest Btrength of the storme was, for here there
was almost an
universal destruction of
so naked, that
all
the trees, leaving the place
upon
hils
verv few trees are found standing:
And this is the description of the storme: Upon the sixteenth day of Jan: 1682-3, the wife of Moses Dimon of Fairfield was delivered of three children at a birth,
viz:
two daughters and a son, and they are

I
all
living at
my present
writing:
interest in
shall not further divert
your thoughts.
mine, I rest
serv',
Intreating an
your prayers
for
me and
friend
Vour ever obliged

Si
and
Is:
Cpiauncey.
km rOBD
IV1>.
i'>"'
1682-8.
1682-3.]
EDWARD TAYLOR.
629
EDWARD TAYLOR* TO INCREASE MATHER.

These ffor
Rev r f Mr.
Increase Mather, Teacher of the North- Church of

Christ in Boston.
With care.
Westfield,
22*. l m
1682.
Rev
de
e
,
After
all
due respects, these

so
lines are in
answer to
a few lines I received before winter from yourselfe inquiring after
an Haile Storm.
that I have
Yours came
upon
the closing
till
had no opportunity
to write,
the
up of winter, sumoning of the

could not send
late Generall Court,
&
then I wrote to you, but

;
we
then neither, by reason of the weather
&
in that
hath been down,
it
was
cheifly in attendance
in,
Maj* Pynchon upon a private intrest,
which he being concerned

(as report gives forth) at
&
not accomplishable to his minde,
New London,
he was necesitated to go
is
from thence to the Bay,
&
now, being there

if
some motion
to
the Bay, I proceed to answer your desire,
you have not had a
more
full
1
account before
this.
26? 5 ? 1682, the Haile Storm was; of which I have nothing down in my diary of any lightning, & therefore with us it was not terrible in that respect. Here it was of no long continuance, &
the Hail stones were mostly like musket bullets &.wallnuts; yet
many
there were like hen's eggs, 3 or 4 inches about, gasht in

:
with hallows
distances
&
fell at first like
Company
of Stones rapping at
Thus here. But at Springfield, in the upper end of the long meadow, it was most dreadfull, where the Haile were, a great deale of it, pieces of ice, some 7, some 9 inches about, falling with such violence as they struck the shingles off of some houses, & holes in the ground that one might put ones hand in, beating down & destroying severall Acres of Wheat, Indian, Mowing grass, &c, laying all down as if timber had been rowled over them. The substance of this account I had of Majf Pynchon, & some particulars of it of another that
upon the shingles of the house.
saw the Haile there. You inquiring after other things, I proceed. 16? 6? 1681 About 2 hours after twilight Mr. Younglove &
:
* Rev.
Edward Tajdor [H-C.
went
to Westfield to preach, the
1671] was born in Leicestershire, England, in 1642. He same year of his graduation at college, but was not settled
there until Aug. 27, 1679.
THE MATHER PAPERS.

1
[1682-3.
Serg Norton of Stony-Brook (alias Suffield,) saw arise under the North Star, :i light in the sky like the broad streamer of the Blazing Star,
bill
paler,*
which passing southward, had
its
fore
end
verging Bomthing westward,
&
hook
at
it
turning Eastward,
making
compass
it
appear just
like a sithe,
onely the hook had not a pro;
portionable length to the stock or sneath

a third
which they judged
to
of the Horizon,
&
in about 3 quarters of an hour

till
pass over their heads into the South,

it
the tops of the trees hid
out of their sight.

lousin Glover's.
th
1 i;
This I had of Mr. Younglove himselfe, at
681.
Saturday, a strong, smoaky, hot, ffainting vapor
thickened
the
Aire,
through which the Sun darted
its
beams,
about 9 a'clock in the morn, of various colours at once, as green,

blew, tawny,
28*?
&c
10? 1681.
a
At Mattatuck, about 16
streake in
miles S.
W.
from
flarniington, about 10 a clock at night, there
or
men,
black
was seen by about 6 the Skie like a Rainbow, passing
from S. \V: to \. K.,

appcar'd.
this
&
continued about three hours,
&
then dis-
This
it
time
had, at p r a second, (yet credible) hand. About was credibly reported with vs that the Quakers vpon
I
Long-Hand were on
met together,
the Lord's
day
to
have an horse race %
&
being
&
the Riders
mounted
for the
Race, were dismounted
again by the All Righteous, of an angry, offended Justice, striking
them with torturing pains, whereof they both dyed, the one the
next
day, the other 3 or
dayes
after.
This I write to you as a
report.
You may inquire into the truth. But I shall not adde. mo desirous to inquire alter your advice & direction con-
cerning the printing a Manuscript of Mr. Daniel Denton's,

.Milled with
who
Stamford, and was Mr. Mitchel's Pedar gogus or tutor, he having fully prepared a small treatise by his own hand, about 353 pages in 8?, for the Press, before he dyed,
at,
the
Chen
Btiled
Divine Soliloquy, or. the Mirror
of,
1.
Created Purity,
2.
Contracted
(all
in
Deformity,
3.
Restored
Beauty,
&
4.
Celestiall
Glory,
handled
it.
which are Piously, Solidly, Pathetically,
&
Practically
good Language).
Press hath been sought after for
Mr: Fforster demanted discouraged the owner, as being aboue his ability. Mr. Sherman a Mr. ffigginsoo, wh<> have perused it, incorage its printing, & al>o think it will carry it>elfe through the Press, & I am perswaded
the price
by his bod
now with
us, but
1683.]
JOSHUA SCOTTOW.
if
631
in the case, I
much. Wherefore, S r desire the same of you, &

as
,
you could help
would
script
shall, if
you
desire, send
you the
to pervse.
But I
shall
not adde, onely desire your prayers.
I remain
Your
servant,
Edward Taylor.
JOSHUA SCOTTOW* TO INCREASE MATHEIt.

Narrative of the death of
the late
Squando, Sagamore of Saeho.
In the
to
latter
Casco,
&
end of the last yeare, (82) he left Sacho, & went from thence towards the Ffrench, p r tending his
removall was because of disorder of drinking
among
the Indians,
last
which he could not reforme.
In the begining of the
winter
news was brought to vs that he had hung himself, being some time before dumpish & melancholique, he having formerly told the Indians, & allso did then tell his wife that God told him if he hung himself, he should the next day Hue againe, & never should die Which God he said was the Englishman's God, & did more. appeare to him frequently, soe as he could see him when he would.
He was
in
his
man
of a grave
in
&
ponderous
spirit,
& much
reformed
course
abstinence from rum,
strong drink, tobacco,

of a courteous
plurality of wives,
r
&
gnally was a
man
&
civill
conu sacon towards the English (except in times of war).
He
was a strict observer of the Saboth, from even to even, & gnally would not out in that day, & hath told myself & others that this course & reformacon of his was the effect of his vision of the English man's God's apping vnto him after a great fit of sicknes who came to him as a Minister, in blacke clothes, & told him if he did soe as above he should be happy & goe upwards, but if he did not, he should goe downeward & be miserable. His death was but a litle after the death of that famous scourge in God's hand,
;
Symon, who being accidentally very dangerously shot by an Indian, & his arme broken by the blow, & was about two yeares
called
* Joshua Scottow, merchant, of Boston, was an agent for Latour in transactions with our government, and a proprietor at Scarborough after Philip's War. He is well known
as the author of two curious tracts relating to the early history of
New England. He
died
Jan. 20, 1698.
033
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.
kept alive by charming

r\l
&
sucking of his wound, having been carthe Ffrench, soe that his
life
to
in
notorious
Powaws among
was
such misery, as some of the Indians, being enquired of
how
be did after his wound, replyed that he
was worse then dead.
Another Arch-Enimy of the English in the war, named Peter,

WB6 drowned,
allso,
as the
Indians doe report.
One Andrew,
another notorious instrum 1 of mischeif in the war, with about five

or six of theire Cheiftaines, togither with the
impudent Mog, who

were slaine
:
was soe bold

before
to
write himself the

it
Indians' Gnall,
in the yeare
my
house at the seige of
have an Acc of the death of Simon, Peter,

Satan's Emissaries, togither with that of
& Mog &
Thus you Andrew, three of

1677
Squando, who
were also very greatly instrumentall in our

all
late troubles.
Soe
let
thine enimies perish,
Oh Lord
r
,
What
have wrot above, you
may
credibly report,
&
pardon
occaons
I
all
my
not
pfenning of
my
my
pmise sooner.
it
Surprise of
p'ventcd
my
not doing of
before I went
out of towne.
pray (/sent mine and

freinds
wives respects to Mr. Willard, our wellfare.
&
&
brethren
who
serv
4
shall inquire after
I sub-
scribe mysclfe
Your humble
Sa k. i-iiim
oil'
1
'
Josh: Scottow.
S';"
liitti.
...
If
of the method, ground

to
<fc
reason of our church gathering,

it.
the
Lord bring mee
Boston, I shall deliver you

it
If he
doc not, please to inquire for
in
my
:
desk at Sam: Checklies,
being a quire of pap stitched togither
pdon
my
hast.
J. S.
THOMAS CULLEN* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
fhr ttevefiend
Mr. Increase Mather in Boston,
f a freind,
7" 1683.
Q.D.G.
REVEREND
R
S",
Your manyfold
Novemb:
Chowan.
respects to myselfe
comands
greater returne than this amall

.-it
Bcrifole,
which
is
due from
my
promise
U
Boston,
nrv departure.
'" "i'"ti''y
the writer of these letters.
There was a James Cullen

relative.
of
the time of Philips war,
who imiy have been a
1683.]
THOMAS CULLEN.
633'
Wee
had, by Providence, a good passage, being but eight days

to land, but
from land
no sooner
ariv'd, but the
unwellcome news
of the death of one of
my
kinsmen presented
itselfe.
This year has been very epidemicall in these parts, as also in

Virginia,
dy'd.
many
last
proportionable to the
number of
which there
the people have

to the
The
Aug: storme has been very
fatall
is
come
both here
&
in Virginia, in the last of
an act forbid-
ding the importing of any sort of graine, or other provisions, as

I
am
crediebly inform'd, for
many
are wholly destitute, of graine
especially.
Here
also, as
some
say, an act
is
to
is
be made, to prohibite the

the 2 d day of the Court,
it.
carrying out of Indian Corne.
This
how
it
will be I
know
not, thd
some
are very earnest for
This year has here been very prejudiciall to wheat, especially as

to blasting,
insomuch that
little
good wheat
is
seen in this Country,
neither
is
there one fifth part
made of what was expected.
I also both gather'd

last,
&
eat ripe mulberys about the 12 Octob:
then I saw both blosoms
&
apples on the trees, of a
groth, I mean.
tell
This
Sum
has been very unseasonable, as

all
me.
;
What
all
Providence means by
these things, I
to
new many know
not
but surely, that very consternation
which seems
be upon
the minds of
lution
for the
fly
is
men, sheews that some more than ordionary revoto, or
happening
upon the whole Universe.
I could wish
wings of a Dove, but
man
is
borne to trouble as the sparks
upwards.
S r not haveing
,
to enlarge, being hastned

is
by the departure of
the vessell, (whose master
Mr. Prout's sonn) I abruptly take

servise to yourselfe)
leave, (begging pardon for this worthless prolixity, with the tender
of
my
most humble respects
&
&
rest (onely
intreating
your constant remembrance of me)
Yours, S r, to
serve in what I
may,
[Signature destroyed.]
My
servise to
SF, a
your sonn, desireing excuse for

lines
my
promise.
Reverend
few
from yourselfe or sonn

worth tendering
11
.
if
opertunity pre-
sents, will be very gratefull
This country affords
little
please to except of six bush
wheat su
80
your servise.
I have orderd Mr. Joseph Pro
G34
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683-4.
THOMAS CULLEN TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Rever* Mr. Increase Mather, liveing in Boston.

Janu: 30* h 1683, 4'
Chowan.
REVEREND S u son. & partly for

presume
bo as to
The
my
we
vessell, partly
through the winter sea-
other reasons, delaying her departure hence, I
add these, to these inclosed
lines, to give
you to
understand of
my
(through mercy) well being, as also to tender

respects to your selfe.
the most obedient of

parte are
fire A:
r
,
we
in these
much
late,
troubled for the late bad accidents in Boston, as to

rejoyce
rec
d
other ways, yet
its
no worse, th6 bad enough.

letters
have of
p Boston,
in his
some
from
my
father,
by
which
partly vnderstand the afflictions
&
the miseries of the
innocents.
God
due time, out of

it
his infinite
mercys, deliver
I hope, the
them,
&
fitt
those for
whome
he shall call to
it, is,
prayer of every sincere Christian.
This winter in these parts has proved an extream cold winter.
The
like
has not been

all
known
since
any English have inhabited

(for
here, as
say.
could be glad to heare
Mr. Randolph's
power
&
proceedings,
how affairs goe, we hear he

you
&
is
of
in
N.-Engld ,)
I
if
not too troublesome.

willing, to be so
hope,
God
:
happy
for
as to see
in Aprill or
May
next
one Mr.
Lamb, who,
lost
ought I know,
in
may
be the
bearer of
this,
haveing
his
vessell
these parts,
comes to
Boston
for
another; with
whom,
at his returne, I
think,
God
lines,
willing, to
J
come.
shall
weary you no longer with these

r
,
my
troublesome
office) to
bill
am, S
&
shall be (yours in
any Christian
comand,
Thomas Cullen.
My
good
Bervise to
your Bonn
by the next
vessell I think to be as
as
my
promise
to himsell'e.
1683.]
BENJAMIN TOMPSON.
635
BENJAMIN TOMPSON* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend Mr. Increase Mather,
at Boston,
dd.
Keyerd
Mather,
Most
humble and kind
salutations
premised to yourselfe and yours.

It is not so
much an ambition
of Honour, as of a full imployment,
and
its
comfortable attendants, which have
moved mee
to try
what
interest a branch of
an auncient Lancashire Christian, and your
most precious and renowned friend and fellow sufferer may find, with your Christian selfe, who influence so many others. I had
by
my
brother a copie of
New Laws,
one wherof being for multi-
plying Schooles, in observance wherof I thought you would not bee
backward, or
to you, as
in
any other designe of publicp good.
My
yeare
being up in the place where I am, I
am
bold to present
It
my service
first
your parishioner
&
Schoolemaster.
being the
time of offering myselfe in like case.

for
if
Whether
the place bee open
mee
or not, I begge that no forreigner or stranger
may have
it,
those of our
owne Countrey and acquaintance may

sit
fitt
the same.
And
though I
unimployed,
My Loyalty is
Altho
still
the same,
Whither I win or loose the game, True as a Dial to the Sun,

It
bee not shin'd upon.
If you have an hora vacua in the long winter nights, vouchsafe
a minute in a line to, and the rest in prayers for
S r your
,
hearty and humble friend
&
serv*,
Benj. Tompson.
25, 9, 83.
S r the Cold apologizeth

,
for the scrawles.
* Benjamin Tompson [H.C. 1662] was son of Rev. William Tompson, of Braintree; was a physician, schoolmaster, and poet. He was teacher of the Boston Grammar School,
and, in the year 1700, of the
Grammar School
in
Roxbury.
636
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1683.
ACCOUNT OF TRANSACTIONS IN EUROPE,

London
Mi:,
10
l
.
1683.
'83.
December,
The
was
relation that Coll: Sidney,
when upon
the Scaffold,
for
tooke leave of a Minister as one of his ffriends,
was a mistake,
upon
tion,
further enquiry I find that if

it
he bowed to any of that Func-
in
gen11 ,
as
lie
stood amongst other company, the
said
Mr. Sidney alltogether neglecting the assistance of any divine,

Borne dayes before his execution, he, in a slighting
and when one of the Church of England payd him a Christian

visit,
manner
told
him they were
all alike,
and he had no occasion for them:
that having
made
his
peace with God, he should have nothing fur-
he came upon the Scaffold. make any kind of speech, more then hapned on the delivering of his paper to Mr. Sherriffe, which he desired might be communicated to the people, and that upon some answer made him by \Mr. Sherriffe, or proposall that it might then
ther to Bay to
Man when
Neither did he
be read, that he hoped there

ernin',
was nothing
it
in
it
against the
Gov-
or
Buch like expressions;
is
by some that were neare
affirmed that
SO
Lone as
till
Mr. Sydney resolutely replyed, he would not stay was read, and that if he did not like it, <rrve it it
it
him againe, and he would teare

It
Lb
in pieces.
is lull
,
reported, that
the said paper
of reflections against
stufft
t!"
Ld:
Howard
of Kstriehe [Escrick]
and also
with ex-
pressionfl
It
savouring of Republican principles.
is
further reported of
him
that
some time between

fitter
first,
his beino-
Convicted and Executed, he did jocosely say, a

himselfe could not be pickt out to be executed;
man
then
because he
was aged, and
in
course of nature could
not have lived lono-
Becondly, for that he had no wife and children to cry after him, or Buffer by his death.
Concerning his Body this further is observable, as soon as his head had been held up round the BCaffold, and declared to be the head of a Traytor, the Eead & Body were wrapt into a scarlett
cloth, putt
into a coffin,
and
in
oarryed to Joyners Hall, where the
hearse drawn with six horses Head being washed and sewed
on
to
Body, was afterwards putt into a richer coffin, reported be excessive costly, and is since carryed downe into Kent, or
to
the
1683.]
ACCOUNT OF TRANSACTIONS IN EUROPE.

to be interred
637
some place neare Tunbridge,

of his Family.
amongst the Ancestors

.4
Concerning the D. of Monmouth, I knowe not well what to

write, or, if I did,
it is
would not medle therewith any further then that is hapned to his great favour at Court, and being dismist therefrom, is said to be gone to keepe his
reported an Eclipse
Christmass at
More Parke.
Various discourses have been concerning one Johnson, and most

of them untrue.
What
I heare of
it is
as followes, (viz.)
St.
That as
his
last
Ma
tie
was going through
James's Parke on
Thursday
care
with his customary Attendants and Guards, one

like
Johnson, habited
some country gent
cryed out he did not

if
who knewe he had
fought against the King, and
any were
offended thereat, they might
hand upon his Horse Guards,
come out and fight him, laying his sword, upon which he was seized, carry ed first to
&
afterwards committed,
but behaved himselfe

say he hath
either as a reall or counterfitt
mad man, and some

little, this
been formerly taken as such.
Of
Forreign newes wee have but
day's Gazett having
given an ace* of a
Warr
proclaimed by the Spaniard against the
French.
ace* of the
The Latine Gazett publisht at Cologne give[s] some further dammage done by the Turkes then hath here been
That during the siege
at
publique.
Vienna, and before they, had
left
the
Enemies Countrey, they had taken away prisoners out of Hungaria,
Austria, and other adjacent parts, 6000 old
Ancient, 14092 young
Women,
all
the eldest of the
not exceeding 26 yeares of age.

Children of both sexes,
Men, 11215 of young Women That they also tooke 56093

and not con,
under
five yeares of age,
tented therewith burnt downe and layd in ashes 14933 Castles,
Townes and
souldiers,
villages,
&c.
for
French Commissions are dayly given out and as to sea

that Mounsier
raising
more
given
affaires there, orders are likewise
D. Quesne [Duquesne] take
care and have six
Men
of
Warr more equipped
against March, to adde to the former
Fleet.
638
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1684.
TIMOTHY WOODBRIDGE* TO COTTON MATHER.

To His much respected friend Mr. Cotton Mather, in Boston.
Hartford,
Aprill 14. 1684.
Worthy
breast,
r
,
My
now
I
debt has lyen like
a burning coal in
my
which
I
till
have not been able to give myselfe
relief.
Methinkfl
boldnesse better encouraged.

</>'<n/rrm
made very bold with you, but truly I never found It makes me think that this is the
is
confidential that
avertive, for I find that of
open face
can thanke you for the

that?
effects of
my
boldnesse, but did I say,

it
effects of
No,
surely, I looke
upon
the communication of
your goodnesse,
otherwise.
&
should derogate from the truth, should I say

it
Truly
in
with a
little
pains can I gather the fruits of
some sommers
heats,
product of your time
& take the sweetnesse of that hive that is the & industry. From it may others learn that
No, nor yet its God, nor its providences. AYhen I read the remarkeable changes of the
the reason offered seemed very likely, yet
if,
N: E: does not want

wittnesses to both.
com passe, methought

left
this
Sl
doubt
in
me,
thro heat, the polarity
is
changed, ex ad-
verso,
that only as in the
experiment of the Load stone, whence
one of them. But seing I The excuse (in my opinion) of the remarks of Norwich, was very timely. They seem to be of that degree of which, if all were written, there would be more volumes then Readers of them in the world. Here is little newes.
arises the western site of the lily as in
have begun,
You
shall
have more.
Mr. Whiting
< his relations
here have lately entered suit for a very
considerable parcel! of land formerly belonging to his father, sold
by his mother after his father's decease,

without any molestation,
&
possessed near 30 year
first Judgement of Court, hut the defendants, (according to the custome here) have cut. red a Review, so execution is stopt. It has joggd all the attorns
ol
&
has recovered the
the whole ant heap,

in
it.
&
Me
almost every body seemes some wayes to

is
be concerned
Nath:
going on the morrow to ordain Mr.
Chancy
a
at
Hatfield.
By
the beginnings,
it
is
feared
we
may have
Bickly
summer
this
year.
Beits avertat omen.
till
ll.v.
Timothy Woodbridge [H.C. 1675] was minister of Hartford, but not ordained
Nov. l\ L686.
1684.]
JOSHUA CHURCHILL.
hear here that
639
We
my
couz: J: Cotton has an invitation to N:
London.
It is a place of convenient situation
&
healthy.
I could
be well satisfyed in his neighbourhood,
&
if
he has a designe of
setling (all conveniencyes considered) the invitations are promis-
ing, but every one thinks himselfe in best state
when
best pleased.
Sr
I dare beg
no more books, but

it
may have
a pasport for
is,
at
you have any newes, you Mr. B: Davises, which will highly
if
,
engage him who
Worthy S r
Yours aboundantly,
T.
W.
JOSHUA CHURCHILL* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
his
Reverend Friend Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher of a Church of Christ in Boston in New England.
Reverend & Honrd Sir, me a letter from her son, who

ill,
This
day Mrs. Loder shewed
writes that
you were dangerously

This put
length
to
but they were not without hopes of your recovery.

to a great stand, being betwixt feare
me
and hope.
At
hope overcame
living friend,
my
feare, so I put
pen to paper, to write
my my
&
yet whether I write to a dead or living friend,
know
not.
.*
Yours of May I s & 17., with 3 bookes I receaved, for which I heartily thank you. I have often wondered when letters
&
bookes have been sent to
my
brethren, I could not be favoured
with any.
I think I had as great respects for you as some- others,
but
sattisfied
myself with
this, that
I deserved not so
much
respect
as they, for
who and what am
If so choice* a vessell as the
A pi.
Paul
said,
he was nothing, much more
may
I,
and indeed
If I
I desire to be vile in mine
own
eys, as I
am
so in myself.
am known of Christ, its of meere under all my sense of unworthynes.

20, 21.
grace, and this supports
me
5
;
Blessed be
God
for
Eom:
Your
lines
were sweet
to
me,
tho: short, the former
&
later,
* Rev. Joshua Churchill was Assistant of Rev. William Benn, at Dorchester, England.
640
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1684.
hut the shortnes I impute to your great worke

calls
&
busines, which
for all
time, labour, thoughts, and all
little
enough, tho: that
vuu may
and
bifl
live
many days
&
yeares to serve our deare
Lord Jesus
is,
people, under your oversight, for Jesus' sake,
&
is
shall
be, while
tliiI
von
&
I live,
my
earnest prayer.
I cannot flatter, but
-hall Bay, that I heartily rejoice in the
character that
given
of vmi, ami in the grace of

increase
God
in
you;
&
this I pray, that
you
more
A'
more.
The bookee you sent, I have eaten,

I
&
they are sweet unto me.
rejoice to heare of so
sweet an harmony between Moses
& Aaron,
and Buch joint pursuit after reformation as I perceive by Mr. Fitch,
whose
hold.
harvest.
Bpirit,
judgm &
1
ability I
am
exceedingly pleased to beinto his
May
gi\ -e
I
the.
I
Lord
thrust forth
more such labourers

for
Tho:
never saw his face, yet I highly honour him.

high respects
Pray
him
my
to
& loves. As
your own bookes,
though
could, yet 1 will not

it
A because
is
you
comend them, becaus they are yours, write. They are such as are exceeding
it
acceptable to me, especially the latter, because
agrees with
my
own
I
sentiments, tho 1 never digested them into that method, as
you have done.

do.
I
In some notions, I cannot go with you, in most,
am
sure our
Ld
will
come, and I desire
&
pray for
first
it
heartily, but I think before that day, he will

() that
I
come
to
me.
may, (rood
inv
Sir, pray that I
may
be found doing,
&
so
doing
Jt
:is
ijom may
little
o wn
A:
receave me.
is
but
that I can do, not throug age, for I
am
but in
my
eight
&
fiftieth
yearc, but from the time
&
circumstances that
attend us.
()
how glad should
I be, if I
in
were but a Dore-keeper in the
house of the Lord,

try,
&
a capacity of free exercise of

it
my
is
ministo
without the eloggs that attend
here.
Conformity
me
insuperable, andTNon-conformity ruining, although I desire to dissent with all peaceablenes. If J could tread upon N. E. ground,
J
have often thought

arty to
should
fall
I
down
&
kiss
it,
and were I
at
lil..
serve the Lord there,
think I should be thankfull, tho:
it
were hut with hread A water.

ly
liiin
I
But the Lord shall choose for
me, and
de-ire to be determined.
all
The Lord overrule

the
revolutions
his
&
rotations at this day, for
bringing forth
1
the
good of
chosen,
I
and advancem*
&
enlargem of the Kingdom of Christ.
earnestly pray for the
1684.]
SAMUEL CRADOCK.
641
continuance of your peace
&
liberty, sacred
&
civil
your order
&
fellowship
with the course of the word for the conversion of
many
of the Heathen to Jesus Christ.
I greatly rejoice with you in your comfort from your son

daughter.
&
am
[I]
Blessed be
God
for a 2 d birth to us or ours.
The
Lord
bless
you
&
your offspring with you.

I beseech you,
am
affraid I
tedious
live, let
&
troublesome.
Sir, while
you
&
us keep up a correspondence this way.
Any
thing from
Mr. Mather,
my
dear friend, letters or bofeks,
&
both will be welthey would
come, very welcome to me.

I cannot say, such
&
such give you their service
have done
it,
had they known of
my
writeing, or could I walk
abroad, (which I doe not, warrants being in severall hands for
my
apprehending, upon the Corporation Act;) but this I can say,

I
to
& my
wife give
you our great ^& due
respects
&
loves, as also
good Mrs. Mather, whom I honour bee: your wife, & ever to be remembred Mr. Cotton's daughter. This I say, too, I pray for you without ceaseing, & I beg your fervent prayers for me & this people. The Allmighty be with you. The Mighty God of Jacob defend you. The Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen. Yours in our dear L d Jesus, Joshua Churchil.
*
Dorchester
in Dorset,
Aug
25, 84.
My
service to
Mr. Loder,
my
cofrtryman.
SAMUEL CEADOCK* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reverend
my
Church in Boston in
[ffrom
Worthy Friend Mr. Increase Mather, Pastor of a New England.

[at]
Mr
Sa[muel] Cradock: living
Wickam
brook.
Note by an unknown hand.]

Sept. 23: 84.
Wickam-brook,
Reverend & Worthy

letter
Sir,
I received your very obliging
by
my
good freind Mr. Eps,
&
therewith several worthy
* Rev. Samuel Cradock, Fellow of Emmanuel College, Cambridge, nephew of Governor Matthew Cradock, became heir to Walter Cradock, of Wickhambrook, where he preached gratuitously, and taught " young gentlemen of note " for the University and the ministry.
81
642
Treatises,
THE MATHER PAPERS.

which
I
[1684.
highly value,
I
&
return you
my
most hearty
thanks for them.

that
Sir,
have a great honour
non una nomine.

first
My unkle,
N.E., & Mr. Mathew Cradock, was one
&
respect for
of the
&
most most considerable Planters there,
&
the
first
Governor therof constituted by Patent,

as he designed in his last will
at this p'scnt, a
&
had things bin carried
&
testament, I had had, I suppose,
considerable interest
among you.
name
!
But the Lord
hath, by his wise providence, otherwise disposed of that affaire,
&
otherwise provided for

is
me
blessed be His
But, S r there
,
another consideration, far greater than these, which works in
me
a very great kindnes,
&
high valuation of N.E.
You
are rep r -
sented to us to be a people that walk so religiously,

to the rule of the
&
so agreably
word, that there are not so
ple together
of)
anywhere upon the globe of the

the
generality,
('tis
many thousand peoearth, (that we know
that
for
live
more Christianly, soberly,
&
righteously then
reported) you do.
May
the
God
of heaven
be your Protector
liberty es.
still,
and secure your religious

will better
&
civil rights
&
As
for us,
you
understand our condition by

is
some passengers then from me.

odity, yet I think I
Newes
tell
here a prohibited
at
cofxi-
may
venture to
you that some
London
have lately bin fined for not taking the oath ex officio; &, if I mistake not, that oath was one great occasion of peopling, with
Englishmen, the American strand.*

that
',
am
glad to understand
you there have kept a solemn Fast

in
for the
poor distressed
Protestants
France.
hope you do not forget some other
nations, that need your prayers also.
As
for the affaires of Europe,
made a Truce for 20 yeares, with Spain, the United Provinces, Emperor & Princes of Germany. What the design of it is, is not certainly known, but variously The Imperial Army, under the Duke of Lorrain, is conjectured.
the K. of Prance hath lately
beseiging Buda
in
Hungary.
If they carry that city,
&
beate the
Turkish forces that are thereabout, (as we are given to understand
I!loal
ww
afterwards settled at North Cadbury.
He was
ejected for non-conformity,

is
above 18000/. by
gives
his fidelity a. his conscience.
There
a portrait of
him
in
and Calamy,
who
him the highest

is
praise for learning, piety,
and charity.
books,
among which
thai referred to at the close of this letter.

<>i
He published many Wood, in his "Athena?
Oxonienses," says be took his degree

*
M.A.
at
Oxon, Oct.
20, 1649.
rhis passage reoalli
George Herbert's couplet,

'
Religion standi a tiptoe in our land,
Bead]
bo
I"
to
Itneriean strand."
1688-9.]
SAMUEL CRADOCK.
all
643
be driven
the j are like to do) the Turks, in

quite
likely hood, will
out of
all
Hungary.
The
last year,
about this time, the

formidable army,
Turks beseiged Vienna with a most vast
&
&
all
people generally thought they would take that city,
&
overrun
Germany. But the Lord of Hosts soon defeated that vast army by the Polanders & German forces, & since that time the Ottoman
interest hath declined daily.
However
things go in the world, our

reigneth.
comfort
is,
The Lord God Omnipotent
Sr
to
for a small requital of
your worthy Treatises, I
am
bold
to
sent
you with a poor book of myne, that hath made

in" this
shift
creep into the world

"N.
troublesome age, viz.
my history
of the
it
T. methodiz'd.
I hope Mr.
Eps
will take care to
conveigh
if
to
you.
I shall be glad of correspondence with you,
&
you please
to favour
me
with any letters from you, you
may
please to direct
them
law,)
to be left for
me
.
with Dr. Palmes (a Physitian,
my
son-in-
who
lives in
.
.
Dyer's Court, in Alderman-bury, London.
Sr
I ernestly
your prayers,
&
so with
my
Sr
,
hearty respects,
&
service to yourself, desiring the
Lord
to prosper all
your pious
endeavours for the
...
his church, I remain,
Your most
faithfull freind
&
servant,
Sa:
Cradock.
SAMUEL CRADOCK TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Reverend
M Increase Mather, M
T
.
at
r
.
Whiting's in Copt Hall Court
in Throgmorton Street, London.
March
Reverend
were pleased
the
to
Sir,
21, 8|.
I received your kinde letter, wherin
you
answer
my objections concerning N.E.

j.
am very
glad they are so flourishing a Plantation, P
hope
&
pray that
Lord may be pleased to restore them their former Priviledges. As to what I wrot concerning the street of the great City,* I
perceive the French are apt to beleive their country to be that

street.
And
they think the dreadfull persecution in their country
* Kev.
xi. 8.
THE MATHEE TAPERS.

I
[1688-9.
to
be eminently the Slaying of the Witnesses.
But
if
they date
that slaying from the Annulling- the Edict of Nants, I
am
afraid
fro
they will
finde themselves mistaken, the three years

(
&
an half
thai time being
think) neare expired.

is
But
it)
Sr, as to
your con-
jecture that
Britain
that street,
& that those
that suffered in
83
i
about the Presbyterian Plot (as they called
were the Witnesses
characterized in the 11 of the Revelation, I cannot so fully -agree.
For those Witnesses were slayn with a witness,

to rise again
till
&
are never like
the Resurrection.
civil
But there was a great
slaughter, both of Magistrates
&
as
Ministers, at one blow in the year 62, which
some looked upon

that slaughter
indeed the slaying of the Witnesses.

the resurrection
three years
that,
But unto
&
was
to follow
it,
they cannot well accomodate
But in these difficult things every pious man, seeking direction fro God, must conjecture as well as he can. S I am fully of your minde that Mr Durieu in his Interpretation of the Vials is greatly mistaken. But I heare of a book, newly printed, upon the Revelation, written by a learned man, that
an
half.
r
,
&
lives not far fro hence, viz.,
Dr. Christner, which I long to
see.
heare also, that the
Bp
of
Asaph hath some elucubrations upon
that book, which he intended to publish, but whither he hath d"on

it
or no, I cannot
tell.
Sr, I hope, with the Lord's leave, to see
you
ere long, intending
(God
-hall
willing) to be in
London about
freind
the beginning of April.
adde no more at p'scnt, but that I am, Sir,
Your assured
S',
J
&
servant,
Sa:
Cradock.
to restore
hear this p'sent Parliament
is
making an Act
the magistrates that

also
i"
please, in
were outed about the year 62, & if they would the same Act (which they might do in a few lines)
restore the ministers

a
in
who were then
ejected (which methinks
would be
suppose,
lint
peice of piety
&
national Justice)
it
we might
of
then, I
a true sense, call

it
a Resurrection
the Witnesses,
whither
would be that intended
in -the Revelation, I
much
doubt.
1704.]
MICHAEL WIGGLES WORTH.
645
MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH* TO INCREASE MATHER.

These for the
Rev rd and hon rd Mr. Increase Mather Pastor of Church in Boston. At his house. With care.
the
North-
Revd
Sir,
received your loving lines,
and having
seri-
ously considered the contents thereof, as I find great cause to
thank you and other worthy friends, for your & their good will & good opinion of me, yet as to myself, I cannot think my bodily
health and strength competent to undertake or
manage such a
weighty work as you mention,

to
if it
fit
were desired, nor have I reason
judge myself in any measure

I,
upon other accounts.
Wherein, so
fore
hope the Colledge

fitter
&
Overseers will think of and apply
themselves to a
doing,
is
person, and that they
may
speed well
and
shall
be
my
prayer,
who am,
Sir, ever
Yours
heartily to
hono r and serve you,
Michael Wigglesworth.
Maldon,
Octob. 27. 1684.
MICHAEL WIGGLESWORTH TO INCREASE MATHER, f
Revd & Dear S k

self,
am
right well assured that both your
your son
&
the rest of our Bretheren with you in Boston

spirits
have a deep sence upon your

divine displeasure that
of the awfull symptoms of

this
we
lie
under at
Day, both
in respect
of this long and so oft renewed warr, that hath been so chargeable
&
distructive to us,
and also now in

unless
this sore
drought which hath

is
already brought a famine upon our Catle, and

greater
like to bring a
:
upon our
selves,
God
appear spedily for us
* Rev. Michael Wigglesworth [H.C 1651] was ordained

than twenty years.
at
Maiden
in 1654.
After
preaching eight or nine years, he was forced to relinquish the care of his pulpit for more
far restored as to enable
During this period he practised as a physician till his health was so him to resume his ministerial labors. He was a Fellow of the college; preached the Election Sermon in 1686; and wrote the " Day of Doom." See note on page 94. f This letter is from a miscellaneous collection of papers in the archives of the
Massachusetts Historical Society.
646
doubt not but yu are
the people
to
THE MATHER PAPERS.

all
[1704.
endeavouring to find out and discover to
the causes
t..
of
Gods Controversy, and how they
are
be removed,
help forward this difficult and necessary work,
give
fear
me have
to
impart some of
my
serious
&
solemn thoughts.
(amongst our many other provocations) that God hath a Controversy with us about what was done in the time of the
Witchcraft.
I
fear that innocent blood hath

their
been shed
&
that
many have had

Judges did
hend then
to
hands defiled therwith.
I believe our
Godly
act Conscientiously, according to
what they did appre-
he sufficient Proof:
But
since that, have not the
Devils impostures appeared?
&
that most of the Complainers
&
A eusers
that
it
were acted by him in giving their testimonies.

it
Be
it
then
was done ignorantly.
Paul, a Pharisee, persecuted the
chu[r]ch of God, shed the blood of Gods saints,

mercy, because he did
it
&
yet obtained
how doth he bewaill it, and shame him self for it before God and men afterwards. 1. Tim: I think and am verily perswaded God expects that we 1: 13. 16. do the like, in order to our obtaining his pardon I mean by a
in ignorance
;
but
Publick and solemn acknowledgment of
it,
and humiliation
done by
all
for
it,
&
the
more
;
particularly
&
personaly
it
it
is
that have
been actors
ual to turn
\\
the
more pleasing
his
away
rath
from falling
God, and more effectJudgments from the Land, and to prevent his upon the persons and families of such as have
will be to
been most Concerned.

I
know
this
is
a JVbli
in
Me
tells
tangere, but what shall
we do?
musl we pine away

the Counsel of
our iniquities, rather than boldly declare

us, Isaia: 1: 15,
God, who
When
you make
many
in
prayers I will not hear you, your hands are full of blood?
Therefore
the
God Commands you and me &

Cry aloud, spare
not,
[sai.
all
lift
our fellow Labourers
Ministry,
up thy voice
like
trumpet,
58, 1.
he true as I have been often informed, that the
Moreover,
if it
families of such as were
been ruined by taking
Condemned for supposed witchcraft, have away and making havoke of their estates, &
1
Leaving them nothing

lies
for their releiff, I believe the

this
whole Country
under
Curse
to
day, and will do,
till
some
effectual
course he taken by our honored
Governour
&
If
Generall Court to
it
make them some amends and reparations.
be objected, our
charges are exeding great and heavy already, and
we cannot add
1685-6.]
JOHN BUTTERWORTH AND WM. INGRAHAM.

But what
if this
647
to
them.
verry thing be none of the least of those
evill
things that have brought us under these sorrowfull circum;
stances
and that they cannot be removed

performance of
Gradualy, as
till
we have put away

:
this evill?
If the thing were agreed upon, time might be taken

it
for the
God
shall enable us
if
and
am perswaded God would

Sir, I desire
d
soon make us able,
we were but
willing.
you would Communicate these my thoughts to the Rev Mr. Willard and the rest of our Bretheren in the ministry, as you shall have oportunity, and if they do Concurr in
*
their
apprehensions, that then

;
it
might be humbly spread before
his Excellency
and,
if
he see Cause, before the General Assembly

I have, with a
at their next sessions.
weak body, and trembling

;
hand, endeavored to leave
my
testimony before I leave the world
and having
leave this
left
it
with you
life
with
(my Rev d bretheren) I hope more peace, when God seeth meet .to
I shall
call
me
hence.*
I remain, your Faithful friend
&
fellow
Watchman in the Lord, Michael Wiggles worth.
Maldon,
5 month, 22 day, 1704.
Indorsed,
" Michael Wigglesworth's Letter."
JOHN BUTTERWORTH AND WILLIAM INGRAHAM TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reuerend Mr. Increase Mather, Teacher

Boston, these
to
a Church of Christ in
sent.
Swanzey, March:
3:
168|.
M? Increase Mather,
vnfained
welfare.
Keuerend &
that
f
much Esteemed.
Our
Love
Sir,
&
respects presented to you, heartily wishing your
we make bould
request
is,
with you to request a fauour of
you, knowing your affections to the soule concerns of peopel in

distresse.
Our
wheras that worthy Instrum1

hath been with us,
if
of Christ, Mr.
James Browne,
& we
to
haue
his
had som
tast of his abillitys,

10, 1705.
and hope
please
God
moue
* The writer died June

t
James Brown was at Swanzey an Assistant in 1665. Mr. Savage says he was perhaps the preacher, put by Mather in his third Classis, at Swanzey. The person mentioned* in the letter was probably younger than the above-named, who had a son James of whom
;
we know nothing except
that he died at Barrington in 1725.
IMS
THE .MATHER PAPERS.

com & many
vs.
[1686.
bearte to
the
abid with us,

soules with
it
will
be
much
you
to God's
Glory
&
good of
whom we
have been intence to preto stand our friend
uaile with, c^
to
humbely
&
earneastly request
mediate for
We
haue heard from his own mouth the high
r estimation he hath of you selfe

(
&
your aduice, together with the
ionsideration of
<>t
]iK nt
your affections and pitty to peopel under Bereauewhich makes vs make thus bould with you to Gospel, the
to
intreate
you
improue your Interest in Reuerend

It
is
Browne on our
desire his
behalfe.
matter of encouragm* to
in this
James him that
there are so greate a
number
Towne
that doe earneastly
comin
to settel
amongst
us,
&
some of the opposite

of our neighbouring
party that haue heard him, declare themselves well sattisfied with
his
ministery.
And
alsoe the Inhabitants
Towns
take a good liking of him,

vs.
if
&
heartily desier his settelm*
amongst
1
further
Argument
is
the Consideration of our
own
Condition,
there should be a failer in the accomplishm 1 of his

it
settelm with vs,
will not only
be a discouragm* of them that haue

;
been intence for the obtaining a Gospel Ministery amongst vs

but
ters
it
will
much encourage them
that are enemies to gospel minis-
&
the ministery, AVee humbelly and earneastly request
you
seriously to consid r our present condition, vnder the seuerall circumfor vs, & wee pray God requite your labou* of loue, espessially your labou rs to turne many to
Btances,
cv_
to
doe your Indeauou
Righteousnes, that you

that
to
may
be crowned with the accomplishm* of

is
promise to shine as the Starrs for euer, which

for
our prayer
God
you
&
so take leaue at
in all love,
sent, but
remaine
Yours
John Butterworth.
Will: Ingraham.
RICHARD LOBB* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
l In'
ll<
reread
M'
luereiise
Mather in Boston.
REVEREND S
,:
London, 8^
I
Aprill, 1686.
wrote you at large not long since by the
ship Carpenter, which brought
me your
letter,
with the severall
*
(
l:
chard Lobb,
:i
merchanl
<>f
London, married the widow of the Rev. John Thompprison,
onof Bi
I.
.:.,
who
died
in
March
},
1676-6.
William Benn, D.D., and
sister
of the wife of Nathaniel Mather.
She was daughter of Rev. See pp. 31, 69, 61, and 65-
1686.]
RICHARD LOBB.
you then
sent, to
649
refer you,
parcells of bookes
which I
&
I would
pray you to favour
me
with an Answer thereunto.
The
the
true state
of affaires with us you will understand by
Morton,*
is
company
in
the bearer,
Mr
Penhallow,f comes.
It
whose behalfe our bro: Mather wrote you the last would earnestly request you to assist him in getting a place
in whose same person year, J and I

in
your
Yniversity.
He
;
hath earnest desires to be a scholler, and very
willing to devote himselfe to
yong man
but his freinds
worke of the ministry, and a pious cannot allow him sufficient for his
if
whole mentainence, therfore
any help can be procured for him,

it
I would pray you to endeavour to get

,
for him.
S r I would pray you to advise me in what circumstances the Church of Christ is with you, and what grounds you have to hope
for the continuance of
your Gosple Priviledges
and how matters
stand relating to
your Charter.
Also, I pray give
me
your
selfe
all
thoughts, whither an honest Godly

in
man might
advantage him
your Towne by selling
all sorts
of wooling drapery, with

if
such things as belong to men's appearell, and

a
man may have
what goods may be most proper to bring with him, that may turne best to accompt. Concerning these things you may take advice of some of your Trading
mind
to
come
into your Country,
acquaintance.
Some understanding
in these things
may
be very
driven
necessary
for
though Professors here may have no inclinations to
leave their native country out of choice, yet they
may be
thence by force, or by the severitys of the enemy s of Godlines.
I received a parcell of bookes about a fortnight since by on
My
Harrys, directed to our Bro: Mather, which I have sent him.

letter
I have not rec? any

past
;
from
my
is
Bro: Mather for 8 moneths

in health
;
yet I hear by others that he
but I wrote by a
fiemd who went to Dublin about a moneth

expect a letter from him.
r
since,
by whome I
I shall not enlarge any further at

rest
sent.
Tendring you [my] dear Eespects, I
Your most
affectionate freind,
Kichard Lobb.
* Rev. Charles Morton. See note on p. 59. t Samuel Penhallow arrived at Charlestown in 1686, went to Portsmouth, was Counsellor, Secretary and Treasurer of the Province, Judge of the Supreme Court, and historian of the later Indian Wars.
X
See the
letter of
Nathaniel Mather, dated Dec. 31, 1684, pp. 58-61.
82
i;;,()
THE MATnER PAPERS.
[1686.
RICHARD LOBB TO INCREASE MATHER.

London,
Ki:\
7 th
March, 1686.
EKED S
B
,
I rec
and kindly thank you for Mather, which I shall take care to send to him.
your Booke by the hands of Mf Bolt, it, also some other bookes for my Bro:
',
I suppose that
:
you are willing

all
to
understand the
affaires of the
Church with us
prosecutions of dissenters in this Citty are prohibited by His
Majesty's special! directions to the Magestrates, and
expect a proclamation concerning hack ward to

fearcs of
ill
it
we doe speedily are very N.C.M. but our

good of the converall
make use
of the liberty graunted them, pretending
consequents.
But
I suppose the
sion, but of
one soul, will greatly overballance

;
the
ill
conse-
quents that can be imagined
Majesty
ill
to
and the same God that inclined his graunt us the liberty, is able enough to protect us from
Our greatest safety is to be found in the way of They doe not say tis unlawfull to preach publickly, but very inexpedient, for that the liberty is not graunted us out of good will, hut to carry on some evill designe. But God may graunt it
consequents.
our duty.
out of good will, to promote the good of souls for the effectuall
calling
of some of His Elect by His word
&
spirit
and the
designe of
will
:
God shall Some Baptists
be accomplished,
let
men
designe what they
appear in their publick meeting-houses, yea,
such as preach up the Arminian principles, and great Multitudes

quietly attend on their ministry: if the
Orthodoxe Ministers
as publickly as they,
to
will
not
now appear to preach the Gosple many young people will be seduced
There
is
how
embrace
their Errors.
only
ffaldo* of the Congregationall perswasion, that

Slater's Meeting house in Kope-Maker 2000 people attending on him every saboth,
.
preacheth publickly in
Ally, and hath almost
and
hope with good success

;
the hearers giveing very great at-
tention
hut his brcthercn are greatly displeased with

all
him
for it;
but indeed
their
arguments ag st public preaching savour noth-
ing hut of flesh
&
blood.
When we
ofer to put the hopes [and]
probabilitys of the conversion
&
[sic']
souls into the scale with

see
heir
arguments, they are
silent.
Thus you
how
things stand
Rev. John Faldo
wu
pastor of a congregation in London, at Plaisterer's^Hall, and
was
sfitnoed tor non-run!'<>rinity.
1686.]
JOHN WALLEY.
Pray wrestle with
Gr. to
651
with us.
give us hearts to improve the
oportunity that
God
hath put into our hands.
The
dissenters
have their liberty already by proclamation, in Scotland; a coppy

of which I here inclosed send you.
Last post I rec? a
letter
from
Bro. Mather, which gives a

therfore I inclosed send
it
full
account of the affaires of Ireland,

frett
you.*
exceedingly at our liberty.
Our Conformist ministers The Bishop of London hath

it.
peti-
tioned for His Majesty's favour, but cannot yet obtayne
My
Bro:
j*
that
was
in trouble hath gotten his pardon, under the brode

to his
seale,
and preacheth againe any

farther.
owne Congregation.
I shall
not inlarge
Tendring you
my
most
affectionate
respects, I rest
Y,
.E: L:
JOHN WALLEY J TO JAMES ALLEN, INCREASE MATHER, AND

SAMUEfL WILLARD.
To
the
Reuer*
James
Allen,
M?
Increase Mather,
and
r
.
Samuel
Willard, in Boston.
Bristol, the 11* May, 1686.
Gentlemen,
some
there
is
There
is
a few lines subscribed by myselfe
&
others that I suppose you will have the perusal of,
&
though
not oppertunity fully to lay things before you, yet I
know
not but without comeing to perticulers you
may
I
see reason not to
encourage Mr. Woodbridg staying with us.

that he
is
am well
satisfied
;
not like to have a quiet
&
peaceable settlement
nay,
those that are estimated by
him
to be his greatest freinds
&
most
* See the
letter dated
Feb. 26, 1686-7, on p. 65.
note, a sketch of whose life f Probably Stephen Lobb (son of Richard), a preacher of may be found in Wilson's " History of Dissenting Churches," vol. iii. See also Macaulay's
Company in 1671, and removed to Barnstable in 1683, was engaged in the settlement of Bristol, Assistant of Plymouth Colony in 1684, and one of the Council of Andros He was chief military officer in the expedition against Quebec in 1690. Savin 1686.
captain in the militia in 1679
;
" History of England," chap. vii. in England, was of Boston, of the Artillery X John Walley, born
age's Geneal. Diet.

Rev. Benjamin Woodbridge, son of Rev. John, of Andover, was born in England; probably came over in 1663; preached some years at Bristol, and afterwards at Kittery.
652
THE MATHER PAPERS.

own they doe not
see
[1686.
desire his settling, yet they
any probability
of
but
it.
t
You may
is
here somewhat of our motions by

to be said that
1
Mr
Byfeild,*
if
he re
more
probable he will mind, but
put
upon proofs by
Woodbridge's not owning or denying, wee must
desire time, not exspecting this
would be the manner or the season of [ssueing, but rather an opportunity of adviseing, That I may a little give you the [sta]te of some things with vs please to consider
That here are
in this
Town
14 [or 15
r
f]
men
now
that have been
members of other churches, more Interest in these hath brought
Woodbrid[ge] instead of getting

it
to that
that but 3 that
I can perceive can act for his settling.
Among them
18
in
that are the Proprietors, soe called, being about

to vote
number, though they are not willing
him out of
Town,
ie
yet I cannot perceive, as things are circumstanced, thatther
above 5 or 6 that act for his settling.
Take the Town as a Town, & I know not whether it will not be good to see who they be, & how many that are for recalling & further encourageing him, both which I perceive he exspects. For M Woodbridg's first call, which he hath built vpon ever since, was
r
when, indeed, wee were not a Town,

concerned as
(
& were not
a Third soe
many
now
are.
)ur designe
is
in the
paper wee have some of vs subscribed
&
sent,
not to give an account of
satisfyed, but that

palis-
you may
see
how many in the Town are disthat many of them who are princi-
exspected to act in church matters arc not satisfyed,
& though
there be hut 7 of the
14 I mention above have subscribed, yet I

be true.
can
It
make out what

is
I there write to
exspected there, should be a
Town
meeting, though those

it,
Mr Woodbridg reckoned when he went away should promote

have been cold
in
it
since, but they
have rec d a note from

-
Mr
Woodbridg
returning, to
that
surely will
put them that are desirous of his
be vpon action,
&
it
will be
with lesse offence for

not satis-
them
that are tor
him
to appeare, then for others that are

It
fied to act against him,
hath been a great wrong to

was a proprietor and one of the
in
MfWbodfirst settlers
Nathaniel
Byfield, born in England,
of
B btol,
of the
for wbiofa
!!
he was
Representative
1691, and, after the charter of 1692,
Speaker
use,
Judge of Probate and of

.
Common
Pleaa for the
new county
of Bristol, and
m
|
ity'a Connoil.
Savage's GeneaL Diet.
Erased.
1686.]
JOHN WALLEY.
it
653
bridg, he hath allways reckoned his Interest greater then
is.
Some make
there are that are sincerely for him, no doubt but if he will
it
his
own
act to leave vs, I doubt not but matters with vs
would quickly be quieted, more then the charge of makeing Ml* Woodbridg satisfaction for what he hath laid out if he demand it But if wee part, I am for will render the thing greivious to some.
:
things wee are capable of that can rationally be required For my own perticuler I can truely say I never have managed any perticular controversie with him. I endeavored his settlement & promoted his Interest, & boare with many discour-
doeing
of vs.
all
agements as long as I thought I ought or could doe with a good

conscience.
It
was
allways
my
vnhappiness, that whatever I
managed,
really designing his benefit, other constructions
were
made
to his
of
it
by him
but that I easyly gott over,
& thought he should

it
act for himself, or they for

satisfaction.
him
that he thought could doe

little
more
I have slited or took
notice of
many
affronts I
have mett with, but some word he hath said of
late that
I have heard him speake, some
own
others,
&
that I beleive I can
make out
the rest, that I
must needs say
I take not well
from him.
discredit
How
me
farr of late he hath
been guilty in spreading a false report of
in matters that
if
have been much to

need were.
my
dainidg
&
might be made out

charge
haveing designs as deep as
That he should charge me with the bottomlesse pitt That he should

;
mee not onely
that
my
designs tended to
it,
but that
it
my
design was to ruin this town, whereas on the contrary

ciently appears I
for the
suffi-
have rather adventured the undoeing of myselfe
good of the
Town
That he should charge mee that be-
cause I was sometimes ready to iu sty fie
my
sincerity in all our late

in
motions respecting him,

others charge
secret
&, that I
had peace
my
conscience, lett
mee how they would, That he beleived inward guilt lay on mee that made me speak
;
I had some
soe
much
of
my
peace in these matters
&
then that at a
Town
Meeting, when
of the
there
was a peaceable
it is
issue in ade of
some
affairs
Town,
which
said he
is
troubled at, that he should say he questioned
whether I had any thing to doe to voat there.

charges
for,
These
&
other such
&
reflextions I never deserved
from him, or had he reason

of,
but these are things that I have not had account

little
or heard
but a
while,
&
therefore not in the least to be reckoned as
any part of the ground of
my
former vnsatisfyednesse with him.
To
goe about to give an account of the occasions
&
reasons of
my
.;,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1686.
dissatisfaction,
it
& by
what degrees
it
came
to that heighth that
now
if
is,
would be
a larger taske then I
can
now goe about;

is
but
what
Byfeild hath to offer be no ground, I doubt not but I
shall be able to
say that
&
I
more when there
oppertunity.
These
lines are writt in hast.
Be
is
pleased to put a candid construction
thereon.
thanke
God
hope I can truely say I would be found

duty, could easyly passe by personal
doeing of that which

injurvs.
It
is
my
not the matter of maintenance or any thing of any
such nature, but an assured,

that his settling here
is
&
I thinke well
grounded confidence
not like to be with love
&
peace
&
any
competent satisfaction to those that are principally aimed at for

carrying on church
settling
affairs.
If he
come againe
;
there
is
no hopes of
be in some
church
affairs that I foresee
if it be, it will
Strang
&
vnvsuall way,
&
if
there be not a settlement of those
matters according to the practice of other Churches, what sober

that are
men
among
I
us that can, will endeavour to

to
remove from
vs,
&
wee exspect no sober man

be vndone.
late,
come
to vs,
&
our place indeed will
have mett with several losses
&
disapointments of
&
I
unexspected dealings from some men, but I reckon this not

the least of
among
all.
my
in
troubles.
I hope
God
will
doe mee good by
Bhonld earnestly desire
&
gladly accept a few lines from

Shall not
you, to advise
me
any thing you thinke necessary.
add but
my
service
for
&
hearty respects to each of you, desireing
your prayers
tion,
cSc
mee, that I
may
be kept in this hour of tempta-
that I
things that
place.
may may be
be directed in
my
duty
&
found doeing those
for the glory of

ff 'rcind
God &
the best good of this
Your
&
serv"
John Walley.
JOHN WALLEY AND OTHERS TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reuerend
M
not,
Increase
Christ in Boston,
To
Mather Teacher of the Second Church of be Communicated to the Church. in
Honoured, Reuerend
li
& reloued
our Lord Jesus,
is,
we doubt
this Place,
Dr. Btiles'e
by the Churches, and
faithfull in
Christ sadly
observed, that there arc vcrie uncomfortable disagreements amonir

us
iii
which haue an Euill
&
perillous tendency.*
account of the gathering of the church at Bristol, in the Proceed-
the Massachusetts Historical Society, 1864-65, p. 219;
and Baylies's " History of
New Plymouth,"
vol.
ii.
part !., pp. 49-62.
1686.]
JOHN WALLEY.
(with grief
655
And
we speake
it)
of such a Nature they are, and

is
such an influence they haue, that our peace
much
impaired, the
worke of Christ Obstructed, our quiet settlement in a way of Church order and Gospell fellowship for the present wholly hindered, and the
Name
of
God much
dishonoured.
And
for
although some of us (of God's abundant Grace, and not

in us)
any worth
have sometime tasted the Good of Communion

if
with
God
in
His ordinances, which
our hearts deceiue us not,

Spirits, that
Leaues such an impression vpon our

willing to
we would be
Deny
our selues to the uttermost, Rather then become
Guiltye of not doing what

abillityes
God
Requiers of vs, to our seuerall
&
in our seuerall Capacityes for the
Enjoyement
thereof,
and the
settleing of a gospel
:
peace and order
yet soe
it
Church and Ministrie here in a way of hath pleased God to denye His pres-
ence and Blessing with our Endeauors for some years past, that
our Essayes hitherto haue bin sucksesles, and our Condition at this
time
do therefore Earnestly Request your selues in our present difficultie to affoard us your helpe, by your Elders and Messengers, vpon the third Wednesday of July
is
very deplorable.
We
next,- that
being here at that time Assembled,] they
may
fully
hear
Consider our Case, and giue us ther Counsell [&] Aduice in the Lord, who, we hope will open our hearts To Receiu[e] it
;
&
in order
whereunto
we
intreate
your prayers, that we
may
see,
and
be humbled for our sins which haue bin a prouocation to God,

that the
&
Lord
will Graciously be Reconciled to us,
&
accept us in
the
Lord Jesus, in whom we Your Assured

th
,
are
friends to serue you,
Bkistoll, June 28
1686.
John Wallet Natha^ Byfield Nathaniel Retnells* Nathaniell Bosworth John CaryI
:
Hugh WoodberyI
For our
selues
&
in the behalfe of sundry others.
in
* Nathaniel Reynolds was of the Artillery Company in 1658, and probably a captain Philip's War. He was for a time at Bristol, but is on the Boston tax-list of 1695.

-fr
John Cary was from London, Eng., one of the early
settlers of Bristol.
Hugh Woodberry was one

His
of the founders of the church in Beverly.
Mr. Savage
appears to have been, as usual, right in his conjecture that he was the same
afterwards near Taunton.
man who was
name appears among
the
first settlers
of Bristol.
556
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1686.
.JOHN
for
the
COTTON* TO INCREASE MATHER.
Reverend
Increase
Colledge.
Mather, President of Harvard
K REVEREND & Honoured S
&
was
this
morning
th
Maj r
this Dudley, t who had then concluded (as accordingly he did) tt approved by (examined & morning to wait on you w his son, J M Leveret & myself) to ask your advice, & if you saw good,
r
his son- admission.
Your
letter
the import of
it
was accepta-
what there is not of answer to it in his to yourself, he will Bupply when you shall give him opportunity of discourse, r Whartons, & will meet with Pages or lie will be found at I mentioned to yourself where you shall please to give notice.
ble to him,
him the matter of the Countrey's benevolence, which he thinks may be obtaind if presently voted, &c. I wish, S", that may be
throughly prosecuted,
&
as to the
Comencenv:, that advice taken
which
lias
so diligently bin sought
by
J.
Sr
Your SeiV,
Cotton.
Cambridge, May
17, 8G.
M' Leverett discoursed

thought
in
it
his uncle
Cook
as to the premises.
&
he
most proper (& that which was expected) for yourself
move
* Rev.
it.
John Cotton [H.G. 1G7S], son of Rev. Seaborn, and grandson of Rev. John, of He was also a Fellow of the College. He was ordained at Hampton as successor of his father, Nov. 19, 1696, and died March 27, 1710. t Joeepb Dudley, of Koxlmry, President of the Colonies of Massachusetts and New
Boston, was Librarian of Harvard College at the date of this letter.
Bampshire.
|
Paul Dudley [H.C. 1690], afterwards Tutor and Librarian of the College, and Chief
tin-
Justice of
Province of Massachusetts.
at the
Joho Leverett [H.O. 1680], afterwards President, and

"i
date of this letter a
Tutor,
the College.
it
1686.]
DANIEL HEMINGWAY.
657
DANIEL HEMINGWAY* TO INCREASE MATHER.

ffor
Increase Mather, Preacher of the
Word of God
in Boston in
New
England.
I pray
deliver with Ga\re.~\
Bolton, June the
4th, 1686.
Deare Couzen,
These
my
lines
cometh greeting you, having
such an opertunity of handing them by a good neighbour

corns to be an inhabites in your contrey,
whome
which Lines are to

sisster
aquaint you
how
nearly
wife
is
related vnto you, vidz. her
grandmother on the mother
side
was Abigal Holt, and
vnto
your mother, f and by mariage changed her name to Isherwood, and by that Husband had two Daughters, whereof Ann, the
elder
sons and
is
Daughter Married John Holme of Bolton, and had by him 3 one Daughter, which Daughter, through Providence,
wife.
my
She was the
Widow
of one
Sam Mather when

all
Married her, and by him had 6 Daughters,'

I Married, wherof 5 are but living now.
first
Living when
The
ancesstours of her
Husband come from Winnick.
It is
now
allmost nine yeer
was Married, and have had by my wife 6 chilldren allso, wherof 3 sons and one Daughter is Living, so that mine and wife's Children are nine, all very heallthfull and comely. My wife hath 2 Brothers, both living in Dublin, and members of your
since I
Brother's Congregation.
This Accompt
may
serve to satisfy
is
you
of -the Relation betwixt
my Wife
and you, which
Troth.
And now
riten
Coz, I desire you to Read these few proposals vnder-
and give
me your Answer
Lay
vnto them by the
first
and in so
doing you will

1.
is,
a very great obligation
upon me,
is
vidz.
Whether your church

from Cerimonies or
disipline be such as is Reported, that
free
Humane
inventions, as
imposed upon
Churches Elswhere.
2.
Whether
the Constitution
of your
Contry be Agreeable
with persons that come from hence, about 37 and 43 years old,
also children
born here, whether your Contrey Agree with them.
* Daniel Hemingway, a mercer and draper

the Mather family, as stated in this
f
letter.
in Bolton, Lancashire,
was connected with

Holt, Esq., of
Rev. Richard Mather's

in Lancashire.
first
wife
was Catherine, daughter of Edmund
Bury
658
THE MATHER PAPERS.

Whether
a
[1686.
3.
Tradsman,
live in
as in
my
way, which
is
a mercer and
woolen draper,
may
your Contrey, of such a calling and

is,
maintain a considerable familly as mine

I
Bringing over 2 or 3
the
[undred pound.
1.
Whether
person
Brought up
it
in
Trade of Roling
Tobacco and cutting and ordering

live
after the
London way, may
and inaintaine a familly with you, Bringing over the value as

Lastly,
above writen.
Whether imployment for Weavers and such Like be had with you if the come. please you to returne som Answer to these few proposals by the very first,, with what further Adition is meet for
5.
Handy
may Couzen, may it

crafts
discovering the nature and Benifits of your Contrey vnto vs

the
for
Encoragement of som Honest
&
Industrious famillys to
strange that
com
vnto you.
You may
think
it
litle
we make
these
Enquires, wherby wee seem weary of' our native contrey, which
hath been Reported a
Land
flowing with milk and Honey, but the

;
onely this, that old England away Abundance of mercy, and is now cut short of its The gospel seems to be withdrawing from former priviledges. vs great Revolutions both in Church and State Affairs. But I forbear, not knowing whose hands These Lines may fall into
(reasons herof) I willingly omitt
hath sined
before they
com
to yours.
But Cozen,
any
in
one word,
if
it
please the
Lord
to
give
me
Encoragement by your letter, Then doe I fully purpose to dispose and pak away my Concerns here, and I and my Whole familly will Cast ourselvs upon Providence, if so it may please the Lord to Condukt us saife over vnto you. Then I hope
we may be
that
helpful]
and Comforts one unto Another.

induce
Cozen;
which
doth
chiefly
me
is
mine and
wife's
Large
posterity,
is
and how wee
may
place in a land where the gospell
purely
preached without Coruption or

is
Humane
inventions of
Teachers, and where Religion
thus
Holden
forth both in Life
and Dockterin.
There
a
is
my
Hart's desire to place
my
Chilldren
spirit-
Thai they may have

ual priviledges
|
share of such soule
Advantages and
Thai they
may
be vsefull in their generations, and
Answer
the
End of
I
their Creation,
praise and glory of
God.
Cozen
To shew forth somthing of the 1 am very Bold and Large in

1 cannot yet forbear,
my
Epistle.
Beseech you pardon me.
1687.]
DANIEL HEMINGWAY.
659
but further Aquaint you, that the prayers of the faithfull servants
Old England (is for the peace, wellfare and prosperity of your New England. That the Lord would multiply his Blessings, both Spiritual & Temporal vpon you) and give you peace Round About from the Heathens, and Enimys of his Church, is the prayer of him who is, Dear Cozen, Your Loving Kinsman, Though vnknown,
of
in
God
Daniel Hemingway.
Cozen.
Your
Letters to me, direkt
it
for
me, to be Left
at
Mr
Nathaniel Hullton's Warehous, at the Bear
&
ffountain in
Lothbery, London, and to be sent to

Lancashire.
me by
the post to Bolton in
DANIEL HEMINGWAY TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
r
.
Increase Mather; Teacher of a Church att Boston in
New
England.
These dd.
Bolton, Oct,
12, 1687.
Dear Cozen,
latter
Your
letter
dated
May
last
is
rec d
in the
end of July.
The Booke you mention

and
for
not yet
com
it
to
my hands.
pleased
Cozen, I thank you for your tokens.

to proclaime a full
And now
hath
God
free Liberty of the Gospell in
our England.
are so with
Blessed be God.
:
We
are hearty sory that things
you
our prayers
is
your enlargment.
is laitly Dec*!
.
The Lord
grant
it.
Your
this
nerest relation here
daughter
of Abigal Holts
Her
town
:
wifes
and died in
name was Ellen Holme. She livd good woman.* The berer is Rich. ProkI would not omitt
ters Brother,
whome
is
with you in Boston.
such an opertunity of sending a line to you.

favour
Pray do me the
in
like
when such
oppertunites offers, that I

be.
may
hear of your well-
fare as often as
at
may
Captain Sedden
last
is
good health
blessed be
is,
was
God.
our Meeting-House in Bolton
Friday at an Excercise.
;
My wife
Your
Cozen,
and whole familly

is
is
in
good health
health and wellfare
heartily desired,
by him who
Dear
Your most Afektionate Kinsman, Dan. Hemingway.

* See the preceding
letter.
liflil
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1686.
JEREMIAH PECK* TO INCREASE MATHER.

Far
the
reverend
Mir,
Increase Mather, Pastor to the
Church of Christ in
Sellech.
Boston, These,
per amicum.
Captain
REVEREND
Bpeedy Bayling
& Louing
:
Sir,
wrote to youself more largely
the other day, but not so largely as I would, fearing the vessells
& now
haue I not time to enlarge,
my
eldest
sonn
being taken very siek,

I
&
hailing been so
from about the time

day
is
wrote
my
other letter to yourself:
also the next fourth
appointed in our Colonie for a day of humiliation, publiquely, so

that I request your
pardon of
is
my
brevity.
Sir, the occasion of the
addition of these few lines
to request
your favour towards the Son
of Captain Jonathan Selleck f of Stanford. The Captain himself wisher to good men, Is a well a courteous Gentleman, es-
&
pecially
estate,
to
Ministers,
therefore
a friend to learning;
better
man
of a good
&
the
advantaged to carry on such a

is,
designe as he hath in part undertaken, that

of his second Son, J in the colledge
that in these times, especially in
I
:
the good education
there are few set apart for
our western parts, wherefore, Sir,
make
be.
bold to request that encourage[ment]
may
be giue what
may
time,
The young man hath dwelt

I,
in
my family
me
a considerable]
instead of a better, helped

:
him
in his initiation into the for severall years partly
Laiinc tongue
irith
but he hath been fro
M: Watson of Hartford,
I
&
partly with
so
Mi Harriman||
of
N. H.
hope, Sir, he hath
made
good a progress that admisI doe not

to
sion to his fellows in the Coll.
may
be granted to him.
know nor haue I heard that the young man is giuen but. I take him to be of a good naturall temper
:
any vice
&
seems to
Jeremiah Peek
confirmation
in
is
the Catalogue.
marked by Mather, says Mr. Savage, of H.C., but without He taught school in Guilford from 1656 to 1660, and after-
wards
at
at New Haven. He preached at Saybrook, Newark, and Elizabethtown, N.J., then Greenwich, and last at Waterbury.
tathan Selleck
was
a merchant, [nnholder,
Mayor, and a Representative
in 1670
and
{
L<
John Selleck [H.C.

fl
1690].
L6fl L661]
ateon
H.c. [H.C.
was schoolmaster
at Hadley,
and
for
many
years a*
rd. lord.
John Hantaan [H.C. 1667

tied
Mbethtown
in 1800,
taught school and preached at Borage's Qeneal. Diet.

|
New Haven, and was
set-
1686.]
JEREMIAH HOBART.
affection for learning
:
661
haue a good
I hope, Sir, through your care
&
of
influence he
all
grace
souls
;
may be well disposed of. So desiring that the God may be with you, & yours, & bless your labours to
I subscribe myself
many
Y
From Greenwich, Anno.
Sir,
86.
rs
in w* I
may,
Jeremiah Peck.
June
21.
I suppose the Eeverend
Mf Bishop now
writes to you,
therefore
am
I silent concerning him.
JEREMIAH HOBART* TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reverend
M Encreas Mather, Minister

r
.
in Boston.
These
sent.
amicu.
Q.
D.
C.
Reuerend S r
After
&
due salutations
etc.
to
yo r selfe
&
wife,
wisheing you accumulation of divine blessings,

perousnes in health
&
all
other pros-
weal of body,
These are to p r sent
my owne &
wife's hearty respects to yourself
&
all
yours, withall intimating, that not any want of loue &. good-
will hath stopped
my
;
pen since I saw your
face,
from aduiseing
you
in this kinde
but S', I considr
my owne
tenuity
&
incon-
siderablenes amongst
men
in riseing times,
haue been the rather
willing to submitt to a poor

therein.
low degree,
&
bear divine indignation
Sy I
am
in
glad to hear of your prosperity,
&
that
God
carry es
to read,
you on
His great work,
&
that
you have vacancy
study, write, not impeded
by the vrgent
labo r
is
&
emergent necessary
cares of providing for your family.

It is not so with us.
We
&
study what
we may, but our
encouragement
is
small.
God
trying
&
exerciseing us with lax-
* Eev. Jeremiah Hobart [H.C.

ordained at Topsfield, Oct.
settled there in 1682;
2,
1650], son of Kev. Peter Hobart, of
Hingham, was
installed
first
1672; dismissed in 1680, he went to Hempstead, L.I.,

to
was
and again dismissed, went
Haddam, and was
Nov. 14,
1700.
662
orders
THE MATHER PAPERS.

in
all
[1686.
nee
lawes,
justices
bat our
of*
the
1
We had good agreem's, & some good civill. Don: appearing omnia in possum iere: & our peace & undr officers sunt ejusdem farina.
I
Worthy S
pathy as
:i^
',
write not to complayne, but as I haue a
Sym-
to
pour mutations, so hope you are not without bowells
to
ours.
The
truth
is, its
a day of Jacob's fears
&
troubles.
The
paseios of the Gospell are great, the
Churches billows high,
our feares are come upon us,
&
it is
the howre of teutation.
God
Allmighty grant
we may
you
keep,
&
that
N. E. may keep the word

short
of his patience, that will proue our safest conduct.
Dear
Sr, I hope
will accept
my
&
all
poor
lines,
haueing
by reason of the shortnes of the opportunity no leisure to study

adornement.
I haue a childe,
(my
son,
&
the sons I haue) in
Boston; I should rejoyce

giue him counsell.
you would shew him some respect,

is
&
Hee
now
a freeman.
I pray
be the Lord's freeman.
I hear well of him,
&
hope you
God he may may take
an occasion in loue to aduise him.

Sir, here
is
yong man, one Elkana Pembrook,* the -bearer
hereof,
persecuted Stranger,
who
I veryly hope
is
godly,
&
respected
much by
christians both here
&
at
Huntington.
You
may do
\B
well to shew respect to him.
willing to lab r
&
work.
Sr,
I hope
He is by trad a Weauer, you may kindly aduise him.
&
Thus, llevercnd
tiling
craueing excuse for
my
impertinencys in any
mentioned,
&
begging earnestly your remembrances at the
throne of grace, for

Jesus,
the
I
contend you to
lo blesse
*Sc
c\:
me & mine, for diuine blessings in Christ God & the word of His grace, praying
water
all
L<>nl
your holy Labours, to the glory of
lis
name,
the
good of His church,

in the
&
your good account.
I take
leauc, euer remaineing

Sir,
Yours
Chief Shepheard,
Jer: Hobart.
Bbkfst*, Long-Island, August
23, 1G8G.
pray
Sr
let
my
most kinde loue be giuen to your good Son,
my
Couzin Cotton Mather.
Deus benedicat
ei.
Be was afterwards one of the founders of Brattle-street Church
in
Boston.
1686.]
JOHN EMERSON.
663
BENJAMIN BULLIVANT* TO SAMUEL GREENE.f
Greene,
am
'comanded by
Ml" Secretary
Eandolph
to
give you notice that you doe not proceed to print any
Almanack
whatever, without haveing his approbation for the same.
Yo
Boston: 29 Novemb
r
rs
Ben: Bullivant.
1686.
JOHN EMERSON % TO INCREASE MATHER.

These
For
the
Reverend
Increase Mather, Teacher of the North Church

at Boston.
Reverend
last
Sir,
Having
heard from you since I writt
my
Letter unto you, concerning
my Son, my
make
bold to trouble
you agayne with these few

to intreat
lines, to
intreat
be offensive unto you, that I put
son to
M
if
you that it may not r Mortons & also

;
your favour so
farr, as to give
your approbation
(as
for his
going thither. I should have been very glad

vayled with your
I then told
selfe
I could have pre-
upon that account,
you may remember
you)
that,
to
have him under your speciall
&
peculiar watch,
and since
others
;
have beene indeavouring
to prevayle with
some
Sir,
& now
that I have prevayled with
Morton, pray,
in the matter,
be not offended, but please to favour

if it lyes in
me & him
and
my
power, I hope I shall be willing to requite your
meane time, leave it and your selfe to him (who hath sayd that such a kindnesse as a Cup of Cold Water given to any of his shall not loose its reward) to reward you for
kindnesse, and in the
* See note on
f
letter of
Joseph Dudley,
p. 483.
Samuel Greene, born in England, came over with his father, Bartholomew, in 1632. He was town clerk of Cambridge, captain of the town militia, and a printer fifty years. He was employed in connection with Marmaduke Johnson (sent over by the Society for
Propagating the Gospel) in printing the Indian Bible. See letters of Increase Mather and others, and | Rev. John Emerson, of Gloucester. note on p. 111.
Rev. John Emerson [H.C. 1689], afterwards of Manchester, Newcastle, and Ports-
mouth.
664
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1686.
any kindncsse that you cither have, or shall shew to mee, or any
of mine.
And
leave,
after all
due Respects
Sir,
to
your
selfe
& Mrs
Mather take
and Remayne,
Yours unfeinedly,
(,i,m est. Decern: 81. 1686.
John Emerson.
RICHARD .HENCHMAN* TO COTTON MATHER.

For
the
Reverend
M:
Cotton Mather at Boston, These.
Yarmouth, Febru:
1686.
is
K eve hex i) S n
that which alone
Your
ever readines to favour
my
requests
emboldens
me
to
runn upon the score, which I

is
am
I
as farr
from being able to quitt, as your self
from desireing
which are not
should,
To
its
a truly kind spirit, in things especialy
burthensom
promise of
to perform, a
squemishly insinuateing an excuse by a

is
being the last time,

his
next door to that of the Papist, with a Lord, thou knowst

this
who concluded
that
I
I
prayer to his
beggar.
Dom:
am no common
is
Grant me but
one Request,
descended
all
and
do hereby promise to trouble thee no more.

in this
There
Town
one Ml' Nathanael Hall,f a
man
of eminently religious parents,

children, being nine sons,
who were very happy

;
in
their
men
of singular good report, enlarged
understanding and religious withall

is
Among whom
this
Nathanael
rekoned to exeell
bullet
AVho
in the late
warrs received a wound,
(the
remain8 in his body) that has taken away, in a great

little
measure, the use of one of his arms; for which he hath bin
Otherwise considered than to have a license granted
him
to
keep
a
an Ordinary
in
this
Town,
of which, though he might
make
gainful] living, yet not a peaceable,
through the
difficulties
& temp-
war. 1- to Beaton,
f
a schoolmaster at Yarmouth :\t this period. He went afterand next to Worcester. Nathaniel Hall was a captain in the Indian war under Church, and fought with great In defence of Falmouth, September 21, 1689. He kept a tavern, and practised as a
Richard
Henchman WES
physician, as ihla letter mentions.

ii
re/erred to above.
He removed
in
to
He married a daughter of Rev. Thomas Thornton, who Bingham, and thence to the Delaware River. See
letter.
Qeneal. Diet,
connection with this
1686.]
KICHARD HENCHMAN.
employm* exposes
to,
665
tation that
increased likewise
by the great
dissatisfaction therein his wife expresses,
who
is
a daughter of M'
Thornton's, a
this
woman
singularly pious, and
whose greviance under
circumstance has often represented (to
my
fancy) David's
sojourning in Meshech,
&
in the tents of
Kedar.
But ad rem.
This MF. Hall, through the mentioned disaster that befell him, had
an oppertunity not only of gaining some

his
skill
skill in
other arts, but by

attained that
experiments upon his

in
own wounded body hath

effected
Ch[i]rurgery, wherby he has
such cures, as
have discovered him a real Artist.

with Instances, ;phaps you
informed.
Ml'
I shall not here trouble you
may
ere long be otherwise

little
&
better
Thornton
his
Brother has not a
put him on to
remove
to
Boston, and there wholy to give himself to the practice

in.
of that Art, which he has bin, by his few tryals, so happy
But being an humble stranger to his own abilities', and somewhat fearfull of removing, without very good grounds, to a Strang
place, together with his
own
&
wives loathnes to leave their aged
parents,
who
are very affectionate to them, and a people too where
he
is
well beloved
&
esteem'd, he hath bin heitherto retarded
yet
declares his willingnes, through the tediousnes of his present
em-
ploy, to break
all
these cords, and gett away, might he have any

his Brothers.
enceuragement from some others in Boston besides

I thought therefore in a few words to
recommend him
to
your
self,
who, I
am
Confident,
will,
on acquaintance, be well
is
affected
will find
towards him,
a person so
who
(if
my
opinion
worth any thing) you
very well qualified as to be worthy of
it,
man
rational in discourse,
and whose
and
in,
ability to receive will delight
to converse with him,
to help
you him about some things which

to satisfy
he wants knowledge
and yourself is abundantly able

if
him about.
Church.
His design also being,
he removes,
to settle at the
North-end of the Town, and himself
&
wife to join
to
your
His purpose
pass,
is
very shortly for Boston as soon as the vessell can
by
whom
it,
I shall send a letter to yourself, that from hishand
you may, being thus prae-informed, have an occaThese therefore (Rev d Sir) are sion to take knowledge of hirr. to desire you that, in the premisses, you would give him the best
receiving of
entertainment
&
encouragem* you can.
And
if
sionally before hand, lighting
on
84
his brother Ml*
you should occaTim. Thornton,
666
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1686-7.
discourse with him, you
may
S
r
thence meet with better information

,
Concerning him.
nefl
desire,
that in the multitude of your busi-
you
will not forgetl
this
thing, nor
me
in
your prayers who

El:
needs them more than any other can.
Your humble
serv',
Henchman.
TO JOHN BAILEY
hear your day of temptation
(?),
March
I
6.
1686
7'
is
begun, but Rev. 3
10, con-
tains
1
your Security
&
Relief.
is
dare not say our Triall
over, th6 at present the two last
verses of Isa. 51,
seem here
to be signally accomplishing.
'
Licenses arc granted to Dissenters,

freeing us
both Minist
&
people,
;
from the Penall Lawes, Civill
&
Ecclesiasticall
since
which
even
<>iir
Bonds are loosed, our meetings open,
&
wee
at liberty,
in
86.
And, (which is more) a spirit of zeal is come upon the people, who now flee as Clouds, & as Doves to theyr windowes. This change is 80 surprisingly sweet that I w ish it turn not itself
r
into a Tentation, to
Lond
ner'.-.
make us oblivious of impending Danger. In many meetings are open, 1000 people in a place. PinHall is now fitting for Mr. Singleton & his Congregation.
,
I
From Dublin
have
letters this
day of a Proclaim published
to
randfl
tter, or transcript of a letter (there being another copy, with slight variations, Mather Papers, with interlineations by Increase Mather), was evidently in the thi Rev. John Bailey oot many months after its date. The following memoare indorsed apon it in his handwriting:
the
Danlell,
i
John; the wife of Dan: Stone, viz. Joanna & her 3 children, viz. David, ft Dorcas; a ohildofJohn Barrington, viz: Mary; the children of Deeks, [John Dix] John, Bdward, Joseph, ahigaill, ft Deborah; ft the 2 children of John Gale, viz., Anna,
did "t
.1.
-i
ill
Jones,
\i/.
11."
me
lettera date
Maj
21,
ft
one 28."
In
fflftli
down
the
"
Boston marlagee
the Bblio."
1
\\
.
learn
from Bond's "Genealogies of Watertown,*
that the wife of Daniel
Stone,
all
with her three children,

I
named
as above,
and the two children of John Gale, were
June
i.'.
L687.
John, the son of Josiah Jones (born
March
19,
1686-7),
and
in" time.
rof John Harrington (born May n. 1687), probably received baptism The first memorandum undoubtedly refers to the administration of the B rhe letter was probably written from England. The handwriting y, Identified, but nearly resembles that of Joshua Moodey.
1686-7.]
ANONYMOUS LETTER.
all
667
secure
psons in theyr properties
&
liberties,
&
giveing them
the free Exercise of theyr Religion, they persevereing in theyr
Allegiance,
and liveing peaceably under the Gov rt
This hath
not only staied the flight of
many
life,
that
were coming over hither,
but inspired them with

to send
new
so that they have written to

telling
mee
them over more Ministers,
me
the fflelds are
now
white there to the Harvest.
As
for
my
self,
m my work.
nature.
I am so opprest with numbers, that I even faint In our Ecclesiasticall * Mills, the stones grind one
another for want of matter.
These are things of an astonishing
And if indeed
it
the reviveing time of God's poor Witnesses
be come,
wilbee as the Morning light, a growing thing.
But I
remember,
I
Qui ad pauca respiciunt, de
facili pronunciant.
am
waiting to see more of this Admirable

will (I believe)
Work
of Providence,
which
now
in a
little,
time confirm or destroy the
scheme I gave you of my thoughts.
Our Enemies doe now behold

1'
us with invidious eies, but cannot hind us.
A
rs
spirit of Life
from
God
is
evidently entered both into minist
&
people,
&
this in
the very Junctre of time.
Gr
troubles
must be expected.
all
The
outward Court
will
is
(even in
to
Bp
Usher's sense) be trodden down.

these
An
Earthquake
be feared, but
things
confirm
us, if so be the work goe on, & the Lord's work & serv ts be r p served in the storm. Pardon me (I beseech you) if I bee a Rememb the change of our condition is sudden, little too warm.
1'
great,
&
astonishing to us.
'Tis as impossible to suppresse
Hope
&
Joy amidst such appearances of God as wee now behold, as it is to If I am raised in my spirit forbear laughing, when one is tickled.
to
of
any higher pitch of Hope & Comfort, 'tis my zeal for the interest my dear Lord & his Concerns that hath raised me. O, pray,
pray, watch
lish,
&
pray, plead
tail
&
cry, give
Him
no
rest
till
he estab-
&c.
The
of the storm
may
reach you, but the Heavens
will clear again.
It little
moves me what the intentions of men
may
be.
May
I see the Gospell at liberty,
&
the Captives let goe,
the Instruments of Cruelty taken out of our enemies' hands,
&
souls
thus flocking to the Ordinances,
&
hear the cries of the
new
crea-
tures under the word, I will never cast away my Confidence, nor becloud such a glorious work of God with jealousies of the Aims
of
Men.
*
i.e.
[No signature
Prelaticall.
or address.']
Bailey,
Tin: BiATHEB
PAFEBS.
[1687.
TO INCREASE MATH. M*
Iacr. Blather.
For
the
Red*
SB ,
Capt.
to
hear M:
& M" Hook

to
of
Dublin are coming
hither.
Black,
spake
My Wilk. about your adressing,
&
in
it
mentioD the Colledge.

fr3
Hook
being come
in,
MT Wilk had
letter
M?
in
Straten, the minister that sends

it
the bookes over.
The newea
is
as follows.
TTe are here surprized with a
Declarat. of Generall tolleration of Religion f without any Excepought to be tion.- or Limitations. Liberty is acceptable to all,
&
abused by none.
wish
we may make
a good use of
it.
But
so
much
dence
fashion
&
selfishness appeares, that I fear
our libertys will
not be long lived.

it
Some put
trust in princes
&
have great confibest natured
will
last his reign.
But tho we had the

understood that
principles
this
Prince in the world,

interest
;
&
that
was
his true
yet
we
that
know Popish
it
&
practices cannot
at, to
is
be over confident that if
do not attain the end they aim

lawes
gel a Parliam* to take off pcnall
&
the Test (which

it
the
great
thing they aim at by

it
it)
and they judge
their interest to
take
away
doubt
its
not their Evangelicall temper (as some
fulsome
continue
flattering
it. it.
addresses
speake) that will engage
them
to
made
ptys,
for
There hath been great arts used to o-et addresses The more wise, sober, thinking sort of men of all
least
have been
1
for
it,
&
appeared as
could ag*
it.
But some rash, weak headed

it.
been most forward for
There are
full.
much as well they men of all ptys, have many meetings, publique
so
more than
restrained
i'\c\-
&
generally
The people have been
&
ill
used by the church men, that they break from
them apace (which much angers them).

great earnings of
it.
I
The
Papists
make no
on,
do not hear of one Mass House set up in
London
tfould
Bince the Declaration.
They want matter

it.
to
work
&
but
expose their nakednes by
I should not
much
fear
tho they had a
Mass House
in
every street, they will never do
much
that
way, &
th.-
their priests (that
abound here) are our over-
an.
following letter ere in the
same handwriting, which resembles that of
[April
liv
I'kim
i;.j
1687.]
ANONYMOUS LETTEK.
I
669
seers.
know
3 or 4 that daily attend our place, but
we have
no
affront for
them,
&
I hope they shall beget no just accusation
Our Church-men say, we must preach against them, No, we must leave that to them, its their proper province, but we will endeavor to preach X* unto men's
against
us.
Popery.
tell
hearts,
the^y
&
to
stem the tyde of Atheism, irreligion,
&
profaneness
have
lett in
upon
us,
and
to bring people to a sence of retheir disci-
ligion,
pline
& this will be a better fence against Popery then & ceremony s (wherein they only differ fro us &
of Terconnell
is
harmonize
with them) which they cry up as the great fence against Popery.
The Earl
so high in Ireland, that
most of the
English get away or
The King's Customes are not a fourth part of what they were. They are sending for him back & sending over another. The Duke of Albermarle, (now my very next neighbor) is coming within this fortnight for
sit still
&
do nothing.
Jamaica,*
priests
civill
&
is
engaged, (against his will) to take 12 Popish

in.
with him in the vessell he goes

ts
None
are
now
put in
or military
imploym but professed
Papists.
TO INCREASE MATHER.
For
the
Rever d
M
.
Incr. Mather.
Tuesday
night.
S*,
Being
is
to preach
to-morrow, I could not wait on you.

f has,
There
a paper of
newes My Wilkins
I have not seen
writes to
which he has promised
me to
if
lend you to-morrow, about 9 or 10 of clock you

for
it.
may have
it
you send
it, it
being lent to the Coffee
house.
Mr Dunton
pains to get the true account

r
My Wilkins as follows. I have the how the King rec d the Address that
-
was p sented by the Presbyt. ministers in London, which must needs be a novelty with you, becaiis here in London not one in
ten
knows the
circftstances of
it,
for it
was never printed, nor
* Embarks Sep: 15:

f
87.
Prince.
Richard Wilkins, of Boston, a bookseller from Limerick, nominated for postmaster after the overthrow of Andros.
670
never
!>
Tin:
uatheb papers.
it
[1687.
will.
The Address
r
self
it.
you
in
will
have in the Gazett.
they
of [the] ministers p sented Bfrid, Great Sj, W"e are
When
they came to the
King
in the
come
our
own names
&
names of our Brethren,

called
&
r
in
behalf of our Hearers, comonly
Presbiterians, to
in
p sent your Majesty with our
most humble
thankes
the forme of an Address.

did.
The King
Gentlemen,
viz.,
d
,
Kead
it
Sr
which he
found
2
Then
effects
the
King
d
,
have already
good
of
my
Declaration;*
The easing
1
&
pleasing of
my
subjects;
you here speak of

It has
the empire over conscience.
been
my restoring to God my judgm a long time
that none has or ought to have any power over conscience but God.
I
understand there are some jealous amongst

this
in
my
subjects, that I
have done
-real
design, but
you look
to tell all
like
Gentlemen of too
Gentlemen, I
all
ingenuity to entertain any such suspicion.
protest before you,
&
of,
desire
you
manner of people of
live to see the
psuasions as you have opportunity, that I have no other design

than what
I
spoke
&
Gentlemen,
have a
hope to
day
when you
shall
as well
Magna
Chart, for the liberty of
your conscience, as you have had for your propertys.
Gentlemen, do you preach so to your hearers, that they good Ktians, & doubt not but they will be good subjects.
I
And now, may be

after, the
Thus ends
all
the circumstances of this Address.
Soon
r ministers of Westminster p sented another, of which address Ml" r Akop was the p senter, who read a speech that so extraordinarily
"leased
I
the
I
Bang,
I
that
the
King
sent to
him
for a
coppy of
it,
which
fear
shall
\\ ill
not be able to gett.
But when M. Dimton

it,
comes home; he
you.
attempt the getting
that he
may
oblidge
Bayly, Dr. Oates, Ml Morton, &c.

the
When
Ministers
his
r p sented the Address, they went to kneel,
&
the
King held out
hand, and told them they should not.

[No
signature.']
'
Declaration dated Apr.
4,
1GS7.
Prince.
1688.]
WARHAM MATHER.
671
WARHAM MATHER* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For
the
Rever d
S?,
M
.
Increase Mather, resident in London.
Reverend
One
occasion of
mt
.
my
was
being in your family

at the usual time.
at this present is the
Commenc
It
My
Lee was letter came not to hand till the Governour took his not answering him for a refusall. The enclosed will give an account what was done therer in. expect not your return before winter. we It will be S profitable for me to know what advice you think it will be best for me to follow, relating to a remove for England, before that time, for it is not likely I should sell what estate I have here for the worth thereof at short warning. I delivered the Books I received from yourself according to order. They came forth desired, as being a testimony for opposed momentous truths I am yet made a greater debter, by those for me. Hitherto we have had very suitable seasons to the time of the year. What Commis.
Hubbard of Ipswich was appointed President over it. sent to by his Excellency to undertake that office. The
sions Cpt.
Foy hath brought

as well as we.
into the
Countrey from
his Majesty,
you know
a 9th,
My
father's family is in health, after
their affliction
by the meazels.
name.j-
God
hath added to our sisters by
Hannah by
Letters from
my
Cosins will inform

is
yourself that your family with
my
Reverend Cosins,
Warham
in health.
From your
July
6,
obliged nephew,
[Suppose
Mather.
W. M.
Prince.]
Boston, 1688.
*
f
Warham Mather
Stodflard, of
[H.C. 1685] was son of Rev. Eleazer, of Northampton.

for her
Warham's mother, Esther (Warham) Mather, married,

and
is
second husband, Rev.
Solomon
21, 1688,
Northampton, and had thirteen children.
Hannah was born April
the youngest
named on
the
list
given by Mr. Savage.
672
THE MATHER PArERS.
[1G88.
NATHANIEL MATHER,
DEAB BROTHER,
before
Jk.,*
TO COTTON MATHER.
going for
M* Harris being here now,f and

M
r
I came to Ml Grafton, I chose to write by him. Boston Day. Lecture was which Last; Wednesday on \)v. SwinertonsJ
Alter Lecture,
dined at
Noyce's, where they read the
Answer
of the Ministers of Boston to

well of
it
;
George Keith, and approved very
M
it
Noyce greatly desired

with mee.
lyes
would desire you that you would send a Copy of it; to see it, and did hope that I had brought
Ilee greatly desires to see Potter on the
It
on
my
study Table.
it
should bee glad
pleased to send
by Mf Grafton.
for
On
number 666. you would bee Thursday I went to M?

if
Moulds, and do go every day to him to dress

est lv
my
hip
do earn-
desire
your prayers
mee who am
Your humble Servant and Brother, Natiianael Mather.

August
14, I'iss.
Pray remember
|
me
to sister
it
Mather.
By
4'liis
& the nexl Let*

11 &
seems
as if Letters carne a
I.
Mather
to Boston,
between Aug.
Aug.
81,
1688. Pkince.]
Endorsed, by Cotton Mather,
" X.
Mather, Jun r ."
Nathaniel
Mather,
Jr.,
second son of Increase, a young
man
of
much
promise
[II. G.
L686].
at
He was eminent
to
alike for his linguistic

t
and
scientific attainments.
He was
author,
the age of Bixteen, of
he "Boston Ephemeris, an Almanack for the year 16S6."

to
He
appears
have gone
-.
to
Salem
place himself under the care of a physician, and he died

is
His epitaph in that place
as follows:
Memento mori.
Bi>
Nathaniel .Mather.
Deo'd October y
17<<.
1688.
An
aj'd person
that bad seen but nineteen winters

in the world.
The " Short Address to the Reader" Bamnel Mather, London, Feb. 5, 1G88-9." The writer states that he was the brother of Nathaniel. This Samuel was born in August, 1G74 [H.C. 1690]. He inu-t have sailed with his father, Increase Mather, who was agent for the Colony to England,and who embarked in April, 1688. He refers in the address to his having taken
His
lit'.-
was written by
his elder brother. Cotton.
'
hia brother
ii
"not
year ago."
in
to
!
be published,
the
Qgularfacl thai
fifteenth year.
The manuscript of Cotton was undoubtedly sent autumn of 1688, it having been finished Oct, 29 of this "Address to the Reader" should have been written
itfa
in bis
i\
t
'
Balem.
O, a
physician of Salem, died Jan.
6,
1690-1.
1688.]
NATHANIEL MATHER,
JR.
673
NATHANIEL MATHER,
Jr.,
TO COTTON MATHER.
M
.
Cotton Mather in Boston.
Dear Brother,
that
I received Mr Potter and

Some
much
troubled, that
the account of the

;
answer of the Boston Ministers to George Keith
and the news
came
in
my
Father's Letters.
are very
here, particularly
Mr
H.* and Mr N.f
what was written want of wise-
in that Letter should bee divulged, especially at that
dom
in
Mr E. who,
was once
they say here at Salem, gave publick thanks
for that great
mercy that Mr M. had 3 times bin with the K, and

in his Closet with him.
his designs,
that hee
bear an
Will not those who make such an Improvement of it as may bee hurtful and Prejudicial to him? I must again desire of you to send mee a Book, viz. my Ames*
111 will to
him and
Medulla.
It stands in
my
second shelfe.
Would you
putt yo r selfe
to the trouble to send
mee word what
Articles of Religion they
were that George Keith Opposed

Ministers of Boston.
in that
Paper hee sent
to
the
Dr. Swinnerton desires to read that volume
of the Transactions that treats of Volatile Alcalies.

as I
The Book,
remember, had on
it,
before the Title, those words

It
is
Laudanum
Helmontii Junioris, written by yourselfe.

N.
about the 100 th
Mr Higginson
earnestly desires to see
Knoxes History of the

you
will
Island Ceylon (which lyes on

Travels.
my
Father's Table) and Taverniers
Now
as for the former of them, If
send
it
you
ex-
will oblige him.
Butt as for the
latter, it
being so Choice a
to
Book
it
and so well bound, that I should bee almost sorry

posed to any Damages.
have
Butt
if
you
will
send
it,
I'le
take what
Care I can about
it.
Mf H.
will read
them onely when hee
is
weary of studying, and

little
they have more in them then hee will bee able to read, that
while that I shall bee at Salem
and I will not leave any book
behind mee.
I earnestly desire your prayers for mee,
Your
Salem, August
who am N. M.j
31, 1688.
Mf N.
spoke to
Mr
Rolfe to gett Rowland to go to Saco.
* Rev. John Higginson. t Rev. Nicholas Noyes. % Nathaniel Mather, Jr., died at Salem a few weeks after the date of this
note on the opposite page.
$
letter.
See
Roland Cotton [H.C.
1685]..
85
g74
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1688.
P.S.
r
,
Pray remember nice to Sister Mather. Have you bought Jurieu? I wish you would send him
if
you have.
Indorsed by Cotton Mather,
" N. Mather, Jun
r ."
JAMES ALLEN* TO INCREASE MATHER.

These for the
Rev rd Mr.
Increase Mather, in London.
Boston,
3d, 88.
Bev
land,
in
bd
and
Deare
S*,
The good news of your

&
safety in
Eng-
r of the gracious p sence of God, that hath bin so manifest succeeding your way so clearing \<mr carrying hence,
&
&
&
endcavo
it
there, as
,s
it is
matt of much
r
Thankfullnesse to
God
it,
so
laves
engagcm
upon
all
God's people here to expresse
among
other
waves, in this as one, in the acknowledging you as an

,
rd instrument the Lord have favo
&
raysed for some publick

,
&
emi-
nent use
&
benefit to his people.

so
by your psonall kindnesse,

tin-, as
S r I am one, who as obliged looke upon my selfe concerned in

bee continued and increased.
to blesse
God
for you, so to congratulate the blessings of
God
with you,
&
pray they
may
Wee
blesse
long tor your assuring your great undertaking, wee
may
will
God
full
together with you.
How
things are with us,
account
all
by other handes.
aifayres
have That the God of heaven who
you
governs
would further guide

true
fr
tl
&
succeede your way,
is
the hearty prayer [of]
Your
&
brother,
James Allen.
rs
My
service to
S r William Phipps,
Blackwell
&
rs
.
Vsher,
when you
sec them.
* See note
||
on
p. 198.
1688.]
JAMES ALLEN.
675
JAMES ALLEN TO SAMUEL NOWELL.

These for
r
.
Samu Nowell
l
in London.
Mr. Nowell.
Worthy & Deare S r

this
is
have answered two of yours,
&
to
your
last, for
which I heartily thanke you.
The
r
best
account wee have fro yours of those great motions of

that tend to the fullfilling prophecies, I
P vidence
second
am
satisfied that the
wo must
it
passe before the ruine of Antichrist, in the west.
And
seemes by that hand that so hee
may
rise to that height
whence
his downfall
must bee
is
meethinkes the decay of the Turkish
Emhis
pire suites well with the yeere,
month, and day, the terme of
standing, which
call
391 yeeres, according

if
to account of a propheti-
yeere
&
month, which,
period.
that bee true,
Knowls
saith that his
beginning in sole monarchic was in the yeere 1300, ends in 1691,
&
therefore neere
its
Two
things the Scripture seemes to
foretell, as the
tion to his
meanes of Antichrists or spirituall Babilons exaltasitting as a Queene that shall see no sorrow,* as hee
deemes, his pvayling over the Turk

former dominion, as hee did after the
&
first
recovering fro him his
wo f
J
fro the Saracens.
And
fayre
his treading
under foot the Outward Court,
which hee
is
in a
way
to doe.
Then comes
little
the
3d wo, quickly,
of faith
utterly to
destroy him.
things.
A
its
time will give us greatr light in these

spirit
In the meane time a

hastning.
&
prayer will bee a

as
good signe of
Things are with us much
you
left
them
onely the motion of the Heathen Eastward lookes awfully.

the rest there are in
Severall of the English have bin killed,

garrisons
;
&
considerable
Army
is
gone hence against the

Lett
accesses to the
Indians.
Mine, with
my
wives due respects to yourselfe.
mee haue your Remembrance in your neerest of Grace, who am Your assured & obligd ffreind,
Nov.
20, 88.
Throne
James Allen.
* Rev.
X
xviii. 7. xi. 2.
Rev.
Rev. ix. 12. See Palfrey's " History of New England,"
iii.
568.
676
THE MATHER PAPERS.

deare love to
[1688-9.
Mr Mason & his wife. I have twice written To brother Hutchinson, if there, I answered cC had DO Answer. And & wee expect him home this wint bis, but had do reply To Madam Vsher & r Wharton. to >' William Phips
Mv
'.
JOHN PHILLIPS* TO INCREASE MATHER.

T<> the
Reverend
r
.
Increase Mather in London, dd.
Charlestowne,
the 4th January, 168|..
IiEVEKEM) Sik,
to
Yours of the 29th of 7 b P r last f came safe

to
my
hand.
was joyfull
fauour
heare of your being in good health,
a> allsoe the great

fare blessing
&
loue of our good
God
to
you
in soe
&
prospering you in your great vndertakinge for this

,
some disapoyntm ts which cant but be exspected in soe great a concerne, we hop & beleue that the esue will be great good to the pore people of this Land. We must wait & that patiently. It is good for us to hop & quietly to wait tor the salvation of God. You are laborrino; & working. rod's people in X: E: hop are praying, & the Lord is the herer Lett us work, we shall rep if we faint not. of prayers. Your contented going through what you did heere att your geting ofe, did
pore X: E:, and notwithstanding
(
greatly help
me
ever sence to hop
&
beleue that
you
"m
your great vndertakeing, and that he would

in
I
God would Bless mak you the
only Instrument
his
hand
to deliuer this
pore Land, which I
hop he
will doe.
am
sorry to heere of the death of Ml\Nowell,f
& ame
entreat
afraid
your
to
Belfe
may
be not soe cherly since.
Lett
me
you
not
a
be malleneoly.
God
is
will in his
time Returne
you
I
to us
with
great Blessing.
Your famalie
better of
are all in health;

it
d
ia
l>e
the Lord.
Deare
Xatli.
then any of us.
lb-
at
resi
with his Lord Christ,
&
with the spirits of just
men
and f
John Phillip was a representative from 1683 to 1G8G; of the Committee of Safety, tli<- Council ondei the new charter. It was at his house that Increase Mather was
M the
'\r
.'i'
his tailing for

it
England,
if
in April. 1688.
Menu
M'.
Nowell died at London before
7^
29,
1688.
PlIM
'
1688-9.]
SIR
ROBERT THORNER.
that hath done
it.
677
mad
perfect.*
It is
God
.
Now
let
us submitt.
nedfull for
Sir, be not discoradged.
I hop what
money may be
our afare will be gotten.
Mine with my
wifs heartty
Love
&
Respects to you
&
your son.
Comitting you to the Lord, with

I ame, Sir,
all
your great afares,
Yours
to serue to
power,
John Phillips.
SIR
ROBERT THORNER f TO INCREASE MATHER.

To
the
Reu end
Increse Mather, in London.
Southampton, 14 th March: 1688.
Reuerend S Meeting just now with a few lynes from good Mf Sewall,J acquainting me with his purpose of going for London
,
to
morrow,
&
of seeing you there, I take a few minnetts, having
inded noe more tyme at p r sent allotted me, our Lectuer calling me to it. Since I saw you in London, I haue bene neare the graues
mouth, but the Lord haue in a way of wonder restored to some

competent measuer of helth, for which pleas to help
me
in giuing
Glory
to the
Lord of Glory, who

to see
is
Infinitly
worthy of high
your
prayses.
S?, I
was greatly refreshed
your
fFace, &> did cale at
Lodgings
&
your excelent Brothers

at
(whom
had the ffauor of
some acquaintance with

I beseech you, giue
Rotterdam, 26 years agoe,
to
whom,
my
most canded
&
affectionat seruice,
&
his
good
wife,
who was
the daughter of the most heuenly
Mf Benn,||
* See note affixed to the letters of Nathaniel Mather, Jr., p. 672. f Sir Robert Thorner was " one of the earliest and noblest benefactors of Harvard College. He was a maternal uncle of Thomas Hollis, and, by appointing him one of his trustees, he introduced the college to the notice of the greatest of its patrons, and became the cause, as well as precursor, of the rising upon our horizon of that constellation of benefactors bearing the
name
of Hollis."
Quincy's Hist, of Harv. Univer.
See the
latter part
of this letter for an interesting reference to his intended legacy to the college.
| I
conclude
1662-3.
this
i.e.
II
Prince.
p. 31.
was the Hon bl Samuel Sewall, Esq.
Prince.
See note on
678
THE MATHER PAPERS.

I
[1688-9.
whom
of, ^v
had alsoe the honour of some intimate

visit
&
inward knowledg
was with him vpon a

seruice to
litle
before her being called
up
to
rlory.
My
affectional
M?
Sewall,
whom
it.
had purpossed to
your expresses
have sene, but Prouidence did not soe cast

Deere S r
,
must begg you
to be sparing in
of thankee to
to
me
for thos poore thoughts I
have had with respect

things
the
Ilauoi'd College, becaus
my
cercomstonces ar changed by the
All wvs One, soe that I doe not

(
know how
may
in
issue.
r p sent
)nly this I take leaue
to-
say to you, I
am
same
when I saw you, & as when I made that setlement I if the Lord see it good, I should be London most glad to see you before you goe out of England. If your a flayers will allow you to com this way, you shall be most welcom to me, & good M? Sewall likwayes, if you can soe cast it as to come to my cottage in Bugly,* pray lett me know it in your tyme. I shall wayt your coming, & pray your Councell in my designes of
purposses as
shewed you
in
charity.
However, deare S r
I shall not forgett that

set
Nursery of Lerning
&
piety,
upon which God, I hope, haue

I
my
harte for
meny
most
yeeres past.
am
forced to be abrupt
excelent trend, which pleas to forgiue,
& rude with you, my & beleeue I am
Yours
1
in
our hiest Lord,
Robert Thorner.
am
sensible of
my
debt to you for the token of your lone sent
me
formerly, being the fruit of your diuyne labore.
JOHN LEUSDENf TO INCREASE MATHER.

Translation
<>/
<i
letter
from John Leusden
to
Increase Mather.
vou
Mom- Reverend, Mich to bee Respected S?, in America, and thither on the 30 th of March I
I sought
sent
some
'There wta a Bugley, near Warminster, in Wiltshire. John Leosden was an eminent Oriental scholar, Professor
-
of'
Hebrew and Jewish
Antiqnitii
ii
trecht
If
published
many hooks ami

languages and
assisted in various editions of the

in Oriental versions.
Ol
and
i
N.'\v
Testaments
i-
in the original
rhifl
translation
in
the handwriting of Nathaniel Mather, of Dublin
and London.
1688-9.]
JOHN LEUSDEN.
679
books, viz* a
New
Lexicon, a Compendium of the Greek
New
Testament, two Psalters in Hebrew
and English,
and one in
lately
Hebrew
cated to
&
Latine.
The Psalmes
in
Hebrew
&
English, I dedi-
heathens,
My Eliot, & those four and twenty Preachers, now christians. The Psalmes in Hebrew & Latine
I have
in
Whether you received those books America I know not. That letter of yours, written fro London on the 24 th of December I received the 16 th of January. That letter which you had written to mee from America concerning the
inscribed to your Kev^ name.
Conversion of the Indians, hath been read here with great rejoysing,
&
translated into the
French language,
in
&
published in print.
I will send
I lately you a Copy of it received moreover two American Bibles, two American Grammars, & other American books, as also the Indian's A. B. C. and some
French, with the books.
others, all
which our Neitherlanders look on with great admiracon.
They were sent over to mee by that Hono r ed Gentleman, Mf Richard Wharton,* on the 8 th of July, 1687, but I received them a long
time after, namely, the following year, 1688, on the 20 th of July.
tender you
many
thankes for them.
Within these few months
I have received a letter fro the East Indies,
namely
fro the Island
Ceilon, from
whence the Pastor of the Citty Columbo writes
to
mee
concerning the Conversion of the Indians in a certeyn part of that

Island Ceilon, called Jaffenatpatan [Jaffnapatam.]
inhabitants of that Island are two hundred thousand
The heathen
&
four score
thousand,
thousand
& of those there are converted & baptised, & four score thousand, & some hundreds.
These relacons,
one hundred
In the space
of 3 years there have been baptised there forty thousand, namely

in Jaffenatpatan.
&
those which you give us

It
wee
doe read, not without astonishm*.
books that one
My Mather came
lately
was lately fro America
in our to
News
England,
&
suffered shipwrack,| but
was saved.
now
almost think that you
My Mather. If so, I give thanks to God, who saved you in such a perill. I have written to you largely into America, and that in the name of our University, in answer to your letter You now concerning the conversion of the American Indians.
were that
*
Richard Wharton was one of the Council of Andros,

to
who opposed
his measures,
and
went
f
England
to
complain of him in July, 1687.
The
ship " President," in
which Increase Mather
sailed to England,
came near being
wrecked among the rocks of
Scilly.
580
desyre
(
THE MATHER PAPERS.

fifty
:
[1689.
Hebrew
which
I
Psalters for the use of the students in
Harvard
lolledge
would now have

of
Psalters
it
sent, but because

is
you doe not
express what
kind
which you desyre, whether
Hebrew
them.
&
Latine, or
1
Hebrew
&
English, therefore I have not sent
For
have already put forth three sorts of Psalters, viz\
Hebrew
&
Latine,
Hebrew
&
English,
&
Hebrew
it is
&
Dutch.
As
soon as you shall write back what Psalters

will forthwith
that
you desyre, I
send them over to you.
fro
Yours,
i
Much honored ST, Farewell, John Leusden.
im.ciit,
l| of January, 1G8.
PHILIP,
LORD WHARTON* TO INCREASE MATHER.

For M: Mather,
at
Copt hall Court,
dd.
Saterday night,
6:
Apr: 1689.
M* Mather,
Since
you
saw you I heare that the King has
appointed a Councill to be at
Hampton Court on Monday, | by

you may forbeare
to
which I perceive he conies not to Towne, as I thought he would,
and therfore
shall wish
I
I give
this notice, that
come
on Monday eveninge, and I intend to give you notice at what time

I
your comeing hither.
have sent you the inclosed, that you
may
sett
it
right as
you
sec occasion,
to
&
I desire
you
to bring
it
with you
when you come

P:
me.
Your
frind
and servant,
Wharton:
* Philip, Lord Wharton, distinguished himself on the side of the Parliament in the
civil
mm.
lie
died in 1G9G, and
was succeeded by
his son
Thomas, Comptroller of the
HuiwhoM, and a ft t>r wards t April B. Pium OB.
Karl and Marquis of Wharton.
1717.]
JOHN WINTHROP.
681
JOHN WINTHROP TO COTTON MATHER.

Copy of a
letter
from The Hon. John Winthrop, Esq% of New London,

Rev,
jy.
to
Mather of Boston.*
at Boston.
1 ;
To
the
Rev? Doctor Cotton Mather, present
New London, Sept 12* 1717. Sir, Being from home the last post day, when your letter arrived here, I am now to thank you for it, & to make answer to what you demand of me. The observations I made of the prodigious storm of Snow in the doleful Winter past are many. But I
mention but but two at this time, and they are these. That snow spangles which fell on the Earth appeared in large sexangular Formes, sen nivem sex Radiatem ; Et stellas has niveas observavi prout A.strologi vulgo adspectum depingunt Sextilem* The other is, that among the small Flock of Sheep that I dayly
shall
the
folde in this distant part of the Wilderness,
(for I
am
a poor
sheperd) to secure them from the wild rapacious Quadrupreds of

the Forests
;
that
after
the unusual
&
unheard of snows, the

in great
afores* animals
from the upland parts of the Country were
numbers
forc't
downe
to the sea side,
among
us, for subsistance
where they nested, kennell'd,

their necessity,
rify'd
&
Burroughed
in the thick
swamps
of these ample pastures, nightly visiting ourr pen
&
yards for
&c, &
the
Ewes
big with young being often ter-
&
surprized,
more
especially with the Foxes, during the
deep snows, It had such impressions on them, that the biggest part
of the lambs they brought forth in the spring are of Monsieur
Reignard's
complexion
&
colour,
when
their
dams
all
either
white or black.
The storm continued
so long
&
severe that muldrifts.
titudes of all sorts of Creatures perrished in the

lost at
snow
We
our Island and farmes above Eleaven hundred Sheep, besides
some Cattle
&
horses Interred in the snow.
And
it
was very
at Fishers
strange that 28 dayes after the storme,
Our Tennants
Island pulling out the ruins of one hundred sheep, out of one
snow Bank
foot,
where the snow had. drifted over them 16 found 2 of them alive in the drift, which had layn on them
in a valley,
is
* This copy
contained in the " Belknap Papers," belonging to the Massachusetts

i.
Historical Society, vol.
p. 24.
682
that time,
THE MATHER PAPERS.
[1717.
all
others thai
drift
and kept themselves alive by eating the wool off the as sopn they were taken out of the lay dead by them
:
they shed their

at the
own
fleeces,
&
are
now
alive
and
fat,
and I
in a
saw them
Island the last week, and are at your service.

its
The Btorm had

Bhells
Effect also
after
it
on the Ocean; The sea was
mighty ferment, and,
came ashore,
in places
was over, vast heaps of the enclosed where there never had been any of
his trident also
the Boil near before.
Neptune with
drove in great
full
schooles of Porpisses so that our harbor

;
&
River seem'd to be
came on shore, but kept a play day of them among the disturbed waves. As for the Golden fleece, the Hider & his partners intended to settle in this town, after they had made a few more wreck voyages, and have come back undiscoverd like And as for my intrading men as I was told by my author.
but none of these
;
how to accomplish the 'Business, without discovering it to anymore; but he was so needy that 1 believe lie had never so much money together, as to carry
former, he was always plotting
&
contriving
him down,
&
keep him there any time for the purpose,

lie
&
a few
weeks before he dyed,
was proposing
r
,
to
me
for a
new Tryall
and discovery of the thing.

faithfully,
S what I know about it I have truly, & ingeniously communicated to you, & hope by some
other,
means or
you
for
you may
in I
time be the better for
it.
I thank
your publications.
have mentioned to
my
honest neigh-
bour, Timothy,* the imprinting them, without mentioning your
name
\ciii
in
the matter, encouraging
him
to the
work, at the Quick

;
of BO large a
number of
the
first
impression
[but he has
now
become
of
printer to his
Worship, Esq. Gurdon, who has some
inrlu-
ence on (he press here,

i
&
think the Sqier has no over high rate
In
family of
I)'
Winthrop, Esteem for

"ion will think so too if
M's family, nor
their
correspondence,
as
much
of him as your Cousin

1
Rose.
have given
I
you ever com to know Rowland doth, but this under the dose of your Febrifugium to one of our
it is
Town, which
mentioning
hope has cured him of a malignant fever, and

I
an excellent remedy ob dolorem Lienis.
am
indebted for your

I
my name
inU
F.R.S.J atGresham.
am an
obscure
'
Timothy Green, of New London. The linOB inclosed in brackets are erased
I
'
in the
copv.
his
i
'.
appointment afterwards took place. Bblknap. iham College, the place of meeting of the Royal Society.
1733.]
JOHN WINTHROP.
683
person, less than the poorest of your Servants,

before princes,
&
not
fit
to stand
but
am
contented to
lie
hid
among
the retired
philosophers.
I am, with great regards, Sir,
Your most
obedient, faithful,
humble servant,
J.
WlNTHROP.
Indorsed,
" Letter from Hon.
J.
Winthrop
to T>\
Mather of Boston, 1717."
[The following papers, relating to the connection of John Winthrop with the Royal Society, are printed in 3 Mass. Hist. Collections, x, 121, 122'.]
John Winthrop of New-England, Esq 6 Grandson of the learned John Winthrop Esqre who was one of the first members of this Society, and who
1
'
in conjunction
with others did greatly contribute to the obtaining of our

the [Royal] Society in
its
Charter
To whom
many
early days
was not only
indebted for various ingenious communications, but their

contains
to the
live.
Musseum
still
testimonies of his generosity, especially of things relating
Natural History of
New
England, where he afterwards went
to
This Gentleman hath not been backward in following the example
of his Grand-father, having himself sent over several curiosities to the

to present many more, as well as to become a constant when he returns to America Wherefore as he desires to become a member of this Society, as he is a person well skill'd in Natural Knowledge and particularly in Chemistry, we whose names are underwritten do recommend him as a person likely to be a very usefull Member
Society,
and intending
Correspondent,
to this Society.
Hans Sloane. Alex e Stuart. Signed^ Rob t Nesbitt ^ Cromwell Mortimer.

.
London,
Jan*y 10, 1733.
This a true Copy,
Thomas Stack.
[Labelled "
L. S.
Recommendation
of
London
10.
Jan? 1733.
John Winthrop, Esq'
to the
Royal Society."]
liSl
TOE MATHER PAPERS.
[1734.
Thanks of
the
Royal Society
to
John Winthrop, Esq.
[Extract from the Journal Book of the Royal Society for improving Natural Knowledge, London, June 21, 1734.]
Wmthrop
presented severall Curiosities from
New
England, as con-
tained in the following List, which being read, he
had the thanks of the
Society; they being

the
3G4
articles, as
appears by the Catalogue of them in
same Journal-book, page 459, &c.

Testat r
Cromwell Mortimer, M.D.
R.S. Seer.
[Seal of the Royal Society in red wax.]
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
A PROPHECY.
A Prophecie
which hath beene manuscript in
my Lord Powis ffamilie
above 60 years.*
About
the time that one shall bee

three,
Joyned unto three times
And
3 times (10) with 4 times two

shall be
Amongst them
much
adoe.
fall,
An
Eagle's heade that time shall
Scattered will be the young one's
all,
Then shall a (0) swell full greate, His name CC: takes the Seate,
And shall doe mightie things before He be removed from the Shore.
But two times 4 with 3 times six, Doth in another world him fix Then quickly after you shall spy
The Eagle backe againe
to fly
And
shall himself
bedeck againe
With feath r s of his fath r s traine Till Heavy times shall make men say
Ofttimes, Alas
!
&
Welladay
And wish
that they a death might finde
For something trouble

Till after all a
sore their
mind
Cloude shall Come,
&
almost Darken quite the Sun.

in that time Actions shall bee
And
The
Chiefly Carried on by three,
Cross, the Surplice
&
the
Crown
down.
Strive
who
shall put each other
Greate Treachry
Shall
&
bloodshed then
store of
Sweep away great

is
men.
to the narrative of
* This " Prophecie "
in the
same handwriting, and appended
Titus Oates, referred to in the note on p. 19.
The whole paper
is
much
mutilated.
688
APPENDIX.
The
lyon
&
blue flow' shall seeke
Quite to destroy the Heretique sheepe. And England will be hard bestead
Before the miter hence bee ridd.

(False
Ireland
it
Contrives
Our woe
Bui zealous Scotland doth not soe.

l.ririn
againe,
& One &
Six
And And
Till
10 times 7 begins those tricks.

BOe a time shall last full sore
you have numbered yet One

for 4 more.it shall abate
4.
And
To welcome in a happy state. Then better every day will bee

But noe more K.
in
England
3 times 3
see.
When
With Then
8 times 8,
G
&
&
2 shall
joyned bee,
shall be sacrieficed C.
R.
In dust shall lye the errand whore
Disdained of
all like to
Jane Sh[ore]
.
And
J.
all
the brats turned

.
R. shall into saddle

furiously to
And
Rome
shall ride
His principle no longer hide.
The Pope
shall
have a fearful
.
fall
&
never trouble more
And
Nor England's people he that Chanceth

yeare (8/>),
enthral.
to
Survive
T<- Bee the
Shall see this land begin

()
England wonder, which hath never been

shall highly for the
3 Queens in England shortly shall be se[eu]
Two Dukes
Bach
crown contend
shall bring
England's monarch to an end
lii>liops -shall fall into
contempt and scorne
&
[f
Gospel! Angells shall the Church adorne
eny ask
how
this shall
Come
to
pass
The
fox shall ride the goose, the goose, the Ass.
Finis.
1676.]
INDIAN CAPTIVES.
689
ton's
[The following extracts are printed, with variations, in Davis's Edition of MorNew England Memorial. The Order of the General Court is in Mass. Col. Eecords, V. 115.]
At
a General Court specially called in Boston, 6 Sep r 1676.
There being many of our Indian Enemyes seized

possession,
& now
in our
The Court judgeth
it
meete to refer the disposal of

it
them
lish
to the
honoured Council, declaring
to be their sence that
such of them as shall appear to have imbrued their hands in Eng-
blood should suffer death here,
&
not be transported into for-
reigne parts.
2.
The Question being propounded
to us
whether Philip's son be a child of death
our answer hereunto

in
by our honoured
Deut. 24. 16.
every
rulers,
is,
That we do acknowledge that the Rule

" the children
["The
shall
"fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall
be put to death for the fathers
man
be
"put
tal,
to death for his
own
sin."]
is
moral,
&
therefore perpetually
binding, viz., that in a particular act of wickedness, though capithe
punishment, by the
tion,
Crime of the Parent doth not render his Child a subject of yet, upon serious consideracivil Magistrate
;
we humbly
conceive that the Children of notorious traitors,
rebels
ers
&
murderers, especially of such as have been principal lead-
&
actors in such horrid villanies,
&
that against a whole

therein,
Coun-
try,
Yea, the whole Interest of God
may
be involved in
the guilt of their Parents,
&
may, Salvd republicd, be adjudged
to death, as to us seems evident by the scripture Instances of Saul, Achan, Haman, the Children of whom were cut off by the sword
of justice for the transgressions of their Parents, although con-
cerning some of those Children
it
be manifest that they were not
capable of being co-actors therein.

Plimouth, Sep r
7.
Samuel Aknold. John Cotton.
1676.
N3.
I hope you have seen
my
Letter to the Governor,

I should
if it
had not
effectual
been out of mind when I was writing

thing about Philip's Son.
It
is
have said some-
necessary that
some
87
690
course be taken with him.
APPENDIX.
This makes
[1676.
me
think of Hadad,
who
I
was
Little
child
when
his Father,
Chief Sachem
of the Edomites,
was
apt
killed
to
by Joab,
& had
not others fled
away with him,
am
David would have taken a Course that Hadad proved [1 a scourge to the next Generation. haue should never
think that
Kings
II.
17]
Y
Boston,
I
Increase Mather.
October 20, 1676.
To John
lotton,
Plimouth.
N
I
4.
long to
is
know what becomes

difficulty in
of Philip's
8, 9,
Wife
&
Son.
there
some
Psalm 137.
though I think
specialty
it
know may
be considered whether there be not
some
&
somewhat
extraordinary
in
it.
The Law, Deut.
24. 16,
compared with the
commended Example of Amasias, 2 Chron. 25, 4, doth sway much with me In the Case under Consideration. I hope God will
direct those
whom
it
doth concern to a good issue.
Let us join
that his
our
j
travels at the
Throne of Grace with

all
all
our might, that the
Lord would so dispose of

Jerusalem
in
public motions
&
affairs,
this
wilderness
;
mountain of holiness
nacle thai shall not be
may be the habitation of Justice & that it may be a quiet habitation, a Tabertaken down. James Keith.
Bbidgw
'br,
>c!.
80. 1676
To John
!otton.
Plimouth.
JOHN ELIOT AM) OTHERS TO THE CHURCHES IN DUBLIN.

To
the
Churches of Jesus Xt in Dublin,

you,
8f
fy
faithfuU Brethren, mercy unto

muUiplyedL
his ser-
peace
fy
lure be
Revd & dearly beloved,

vants
in
"'
That God who rembers

&
E:
their
low estate, because His mercy endureth forever,

refilbers bis
w1 "'
wn*h
bo
for
mercy, hath in a gracious
glorious
way done
poor
New
people, having revived his
1676.]
JOHN ELIOT AND OTHERS.

in
691
work
the midst of these years of Trouble, that of late
we
have seen.
of the least,
And amongst that the God

to stirr
other tokens for good this
is
none
His Holy Spirit

dence, that hee
land, to pray for vs,
of our Fathers hath bin pleased by rts of the S ts in E. & in Irevp the which we can not but looke upon as an evi-
who walks
in the midst of the
golden Candlesticks,
hath
still
a tender care
&
favor towards these His churches.
And
thanks be vnto that

into
S*.
8
God who
did sometimes put an earnest love
the heart of Xtians to endeavor the relief of impoverished

in those days, in that
.
He
hath put
it
into
your hearts not
onely to pray for these distressed
&
(sundry of them) almost

that have bin deep sufferthis
destroyed Churches in N. E., but also to minister such a liberal

distribution unto
ers
by the
late
them & vnto all men, comon calamity which
land hath bin bleeding
vnder.
God
hath brought vnto vs in safety that vessel which was
loaden with your charity, whereby you have

cerity of
proved the
sin-
your Love to the Lord Jesus,
&
to this
His people.
And
although the Lord hath fully answered your and our prayers
in sparing
His people thus, that the Heathen should not have

;
dominion over them
yet your gift was most seasonable, there
being multitudes amongst us that are great objects of charity.
And
the grace of
God bestowed on you
hath abounded unto the
riches of liberality, so as that the bowells of
many
S'f
(yea of
hundreds) are refreshed by you.
Many
are under the deeper obli-
gations to acknowledge this your bounty, in that no churches in
Europe have comunicated with us, as concerning giving & receivyou only. Surely, the Lord Jesus, who looked upon the ts charity of the churches in Macedonia towards the poor S at Jeruing, but
salem when famine did there prevayle, as pleasant

the poor
fruits, will so
esteem of what hath bin done by the churches in Dublin towards
S ts
in
N. E., yea
&
the administration of this service the thanksgivings of
hath bin to the glory of
God through
many.
Jesus
We
C
1
can (through grace) believe that
we
shall
hear the
Ld
Himself (your
Ld &
in
ours) speake of this exceeding grace of

shall give a
God
in you, in that
day when those who

the
cup of cold
water to a disciple
loose his reward.
Name
of a disciple, shall in no wise
Then
shall
your Faith
&
the blessed fruits of
it
be found vnto prayse,
&
honor,
&
glory.
In the meane time wee

overseers,
&
the churches of which the
Holy Ghost hath made us
g92
APPENDIX.
others also) de-ire to bless
all,
[1682.
<
you
in the
Name
of the Lord, pray-
ing for vmi
&
in special for those that have bin
most emiall
nently forward in
thifl
liberality
to
that the Lord would supply
yonr wants, according

Jesus Christ.
the Riches of his grace
&
glory,
by
in-
Now He
that mmistreth seed to the sower, both
minister bread for your food,
&
multiply your seed sown
&
crease the Bruits of your Righteousness.
So we
rest,
Yours
in
our Lord Jesus, John Eliot.
James Allen. I[ncrease] M[ather].
Thomas Thacher.
Boston, N.
mo 1676. E. IT' of ll ,
In the name
&
at the request
of the Elders
who
are
wont
to
meet at the Lecture in Boston.

[This paper
is
in the
of the contributions for the relief of sufferers

Bi
handwriting of Increase Mather, and is in acknowledgment by the Indian war, sent from Dublin,
9.]
mentioned
in
the letter of Nathaniel Mather, on p.
THE CHURCH AT NEW HAVEN TO INCREASE MATHER.

To Ou
Mr
Increase Mather, Pastor, to be comunicatcd to the hono
rd
.
fy
Beloved the Second Church of Christ att Boston, Theise.

17 th 2d
1682.
& Beloved in our Lord Having formerly made our & PEACE be multiplied, Address to the Rev Mf Cotton Mather, a worthy Member of your Society, and (for a tyme limited as we understood in ministry)
IIono'": Rev"?
Jesus, grace,
mi:i;< v
among
tor,
\<>
w
,
as
an Adjuvant to his hono rd father your
hoping, at the end of that tyme to
Rev r Pashave attained him for

(l
.
the
Bupply of
)
our gr
&
pressing necessity.
Insteed thereof,
we found disappointment. Now, although by reDewing our moron to yourselves about that worthy & p'cious [nstrumenl (which wo should have don when we first made our Addresses that way) we have little or noe hopes to r vaile, as to p him, yn aol knowing what God may doe, nor how far the sence
(to oui- -.mow
1682.]
THE CHURCH AT NEW HAVEN.
693
your harts,
of our inexpressibly sorrowfull condicon
may
affect
w with a compassionat slmpathy with vs therein, and incline yo to
deny yourselves (being soe richly supplyed as yo w are) to help a poore church of Christ in eminent daunger of vtter ruin & desolacon for want of able
make this applicacon to your se[lves] What this Church hath bin, when formerly organized, with eminent Instructors,] is not now our That is busines to mencon, least we should seem to glor[y]. Wee now are well knowne to yourselves, & other churches. Sion (if in our humiliacon state we may soe accompt ourselves) sitting in dust with our teares, (many of vs at least) vpon our cheekes, crying out with that mournfull Prophet, Lam: 1: 12: 13,
leading;
Mf
n
&
we
are bold to
to all other chur[ches], of Christ,
Behold
&
see if there be
any
Sorow,
like
our Sorow, &c.
ffor besides the
solemne bereavem ts
sins, as
God
an
hath brought vpon vs in His just displeasure for our
effect
(consequence at least) of our said bereavement,

&,
Wee
have bin sorely rent
torne with divisions about one Instrument
for above 7 yeares past, nor
any hope of thorough healing, as to
outw d appearance, but by a good supply of And it is the judgm* of all the Rev r f Elders
about us, that our cure
that
n y for f
settle m*.
&
godly frends
&
resettlem* in love
way, yea,
&
it
is
o[ur]
must come owne aprehencons generally vpon the

peace,
&
place.
it
But
to continu[e]
much
longer as
we
are (in the yssue)
may hazard
the be[ing]
of the church,
ffor
although by a
signall
hand of G[od] we are
set at full liberty (at present)
from
him w[ho] hath bin the occasion of our

in that
trobles,
and the church

;
generally well agreed to look out for other supply
yet a dela[y]
may
prove daungerous,
and renew old temptati[ons].

it
And
then our case will be worse then ever

to give
was.
Thus we have made bold

circumstances, hoping
it
yow some hints of our p r sent may help to stirr up your compassionat
resentment of our present condicon, and by the gracious movings of the Spirit of God in your harts put yo w on serious thoughts
what
to doe for vs, as a poore Sister-Church

if
wanting Breasts,
according to that Cant. 8. 8,
not by a resignacon of that choice

,
r w yet by your earnest p cious servant of Christ among yo rs pray to God in solemne & speciall manner, on our behalfe, and
&
by the
joint endevo rs of
your Rev rd Pastor with yourselves
&
694
APPENDIX.
Soe we committ yo w to
[1683.
other Eldere for our Supply.

the
God &
to
Word
of
Qa
rrace,
and rest
Yours
in Christ Jesus.
Subscribed by the Comittee apointed by the Church of

\
.
at
Haven,
William: Peck. Thomas Munson. Moses Mansfilld. John Cooper. John Winstone.
|
This paper, except the signatures,
is
in the handwriting of
William Jones.]
THE CORPORATION OF HARVARD COLLEGE TO SAMUEL NO WELL.

For
IIono'" SlB,
the Worship/nil
Samuel Nowell, Esq.

the Corporation elected Treasurer
You being by
pro tempore,
care
effectual
of the Col] edge,
in the
absence of Capt. John Rich-
ards, you are hereby requested

1.
&
ordered,
the
To
(
take
that
vote of
the corporation
respecting sonic further encouragement for the Fellows Resident

a!
the
olledge, bearing date April 10, 1682, be duely performed

the
first
and
lie
thai
money due
to the Colledge,
which
shall
by you
received, be disposed of for that end.

2.
To gather
in all
debts due upon
bill
or account, that
all
make
debts
not
allowance to the Colledge,
&
to
renew the security of
that are
.").
above three years old.
The votes which the corporation has formerly passed, respect-
ing the disposal of the

in the firsl
Revenue coming
;
in to the
Colledge, being
place duely attended
you are desired
to take care, that
OUt-houses,
&
what other things are necessary for the President's
accomodal
i
ion be provided.
al
Boston, March
-J'.',
lcs:*,.
in the
handwriting of Increase Blather.]
1686.]
JOHN CORY AND OTHERS.
695
JOHN CORY AND OTHERS TO JAMES ALLEN AND OTHERS.*

To
the
Rever d
M: James
Allen,
r
.
Increase Mather,
and
r
.
Samuel
Willard, Boston,
[1681,
1684-5.
The Town of Bristoll was granted. Feb. 2, M* Woodbridge in his Letter

,
to Gov. Hinckley, says
is
fallen
an unhappy Difi nc &c.

1687.
May
R.
3.
The Chh
there 1st Gath d ,
&
probably the R.
My Lee y n
installed
1'
1st Pastor.
169
1695,
June
M. Lee left y. 12, My John Sparhawk
ordained y r 2 d Pastor.
Prince.]
children of
Whereas God who men, hath
setteth the
in
bounds of the habitations of the
His soveraign wisdome disposed soe many
of vs to this place as he hath, wee doe desire to be found doeing

those things in our several places
&
capacities that
may
be for the
glory of His name, the promoteing the Interest
&
as
Kingdome of
it is
Jesus Christ,
the soe
&
to
be laying of such foundations as might be for
good of our
it
selves
&
our Children after vs,
&
our duty
hath been our earnest desire that wee might enjoy not onely
other the ordinances of Jesus
the preaching of the word, but
Christ
&
allthough from time to time wee have been in the vse
of means in order there vnto (yet, to our greife) wee find things
more
&
more vnlikely
for
obtaining the same,
&
our motions
wee thinke, by him who should same. The Rev d Mf Woodbridg, in his have most encouraged the paper he left with the Town, speaks of his return, if it might be
therein have been hindered, as
with peace, incouragement
&
ioynt concurrance, neither of which
wee thinke he
will procure. &>
when wee have been
discourseing
about gathering a church in this place, he hath not been willing to
promote the same

scribers,
in
any way, without he could see some certainty
of his being settled &> called to office therein.
haveing had opportunity to take notice of
And wee the subMy Woodbridg,

his settle-
his
methods
&
designs
among
vs,
have reason to thinke
ment here
will not be for the glory of
God,
vs,
his
good, nor ours
he haveing had
many
oppertunities wherein to have had a compe-
tent, comfortable
* This
attached,
letter,
is
&
quiet settlemtt
among
&
he never haue-
in the handwriting of
with the exception of the signatures of the other persons whose names are John Walley.
696
ing embraced the same,
fall
APPENDIX.
[1686.
&
being he would not be perswaded to
in
therewith,
rather in
makes vs ready to thinke that his worke will ye some other place then here, & that he is not the man
doe vs good by.
thai (hhI intends to

in
as a minister
by a major part of the
And if he should be voated Town (which wee quesit,
tion) or
imposed upon us by others, wee must beare

as
&
desire
settle-
wee may,
ment,
becomes Christians
but to be active for his
have any hand in calling him to office wee must be excused in. It is our greife that things \Yee are troubled for him as well as for fall out soe among us. ourselves, & doe solemnly declare it is not out of any prejudice to his person or any perticular interest or controversie of our own, but the keeping of a good conscience in the. discharg of our duty wee owe to God, to the Town, to ourselves & one to another; & any thing wee can doe for him that wee may & ought to doe, wee would not be wanting in, & wee doe beleive that if he would make it his own act to leave vs, it would be the readyest way to settle vs, & wee trust God will provide for vs. To give the reaespecially to
&
amongst
vs,
sons of our discouragements

necessity lyes
upon
it,
decision of matters
is
wee have not now time for, but if any wee think wee should have time, & if the to be by a council, wee thinke it ought to
In the meane time your councel
is
be vpon the place,
&
there will be best oppertunity to understand
the state of things with vs.
&
advice to vs
to
&
prayers for vs
earnestly desired, by your servants
OUT power,
John Cory.
Hugh TVoodberry.
Nathaniel Reynells. Natiianiell Bosworth.
John Walley.
Nath: Byfield.
Il\
the Lett? following,1* This

|
fore.
seems to be wrote on
May
11, 1686, or
little
be'
Prim
b.]
letter ol
John Walley, dated "Bristol, the 11th May, 1686," on pp. 651-654.
1687.]
ADDRESS OF THE CONGREGATIONS IN
N. E.
697
ADDRESS OF THE CONGREGATIONS IN KING JAMES II.

To
the
NEW ENGLAND TO
Maj y
in
.
King's Most Excellent
The Humble Address of many Congregations

Sir,
New
[England.]
adorn
That
princely Goodness and bounty which did
one of your Roya[l Anjcestors, caused his subjects to honour him

with the Glorious Title of the poor m[an's] King.
And
it
is
mentioned as the Chief Glory of a Great King in Israel (in t[hat]

resembling the King of Kings) that
Hee should
deliver the needy,
spare the poor, and redeem them from violence.
This hath your
Majesty done by your Late Gracious declaration for Liberty of

Conscience, which
is
Come down
on your subjects
like rain
on the
mo wen
Grass.
all
Therein you assure them that they shall bee maintheir properties
tained in
and possessions
and Confirm unto

your Majesextend to these
them the
free exercise of their Religion.

is,
Wee know
should
tyes pleasure
that your Indulgence
utmost Ends of the Earth, Since you have

proclaimed in this part of
properties and possessions are dear unto
Your Dominions.
Commanded it to bee As men, our Civil us, butt much more our
declared
Religion, as
wee
are Christians.
Your Majesty having

if
that no disturbance of any kind shall bee given to us therein,
Wee
wee do not accept such Royal Grace so Generously Expressed, with all humble Thankfulness to God and the King. And Your Majesty having promised as that this Liberty shall Continue during your Reign over us Majesty your has made it our duty, so the Scripture has made it our Interest to pray that your Reign may bee long, and prosThus do wee, with all perous. Lett the King live forever.
should render ourselves most unworthy,
;
possible Testimonies of the Highest Gratitude, Subscribe ourselves
Dread Soveraign,
Your most Loyal

In the
&
Obedient Subjects.
Name
of
many
Congregations in
Your Majestyes
Territory
&
Dominion of
New
England.
APPENDIX.
[1GS7.
ADDRESS OF THE CONGREGATIONS

L687.
IX N. E.
TO JAMES
II.
To the King's Must Excellent
Majv
.
The humble address of
the
Congrega8 In N. E.
Mw
IT
PLEASE rOUK MajT,

bin
Since the beams of your Royall

coiiiunicate their
Clemency have light & warmth

ness
(
so vastly influentiall, as to
to this remote corner of the earth,
&
your Good-
no l[ess sp]lendid than your Greatness) hath .amplified itself

as
to
bo
farre
a
comp'hend your poor
&
despicable subjects, at so
great
distance as
declaration, in
N. E. within the compass of your gracious which we have assured security of the continuance
of our Liberty of Conscience in the

ble
Worship of God,
&
peacea-
enjoym of our ppties

1
&
possessions, than which nothing can
be dearer to us in this world,

(
&
not only so, but you have also
by giving pticular order for the ^claiming of this your Kingly
Indulgence
to
among
vs)
it,
made
far
us sensible, as of the well intentions
vfl
you have entertained for more degenerate & brutish than the Barbarous Natives wee converse among, should wee not with
grasp ns within
:
so of a speciall care
It
would argue us
greatest thankfulness, expresse our

nity,
deep resentm1 of such an
iiiiu-
which (next under (rod) wee are properly beholden to your

for.
Maj 3
Deign then, Great S r

to cast a
to
fill
vp your already suplative

by)
goodness,
benign ey upon these our best expressions of

else to signalize
it
real] gratitude,
who, (having nothing
re-
Bolve, by our earnest wishes
&
hearty prayers, to do our utmost to

long,
obtein
that
your reign
may bee
peaceable
&
succesfull,
all
joyning hereto our utmost endeauo rs so to demean orselves in

things, as to
-<!\
make it manifestly appeare that wee are, as wee <pfess S Your Majestie's most Loyall & most obedient subjects.*
1 '
[Suppose
in
Octob'or Novemb* 1687.
Peincb.]
This address
i>
in the
handwriting of the Rev. Samuel W.illardt
1688.]
MEMORIAL OF DISSENTERS OF NEW ENGLAND.
699
STEPHEN MASON TO INCREASE MATHER.

For M? Increase Mather.
Deare S r
Just
as
you went from the
booksellers, I with
Made
you,
Bl
were there [to] wait on you,

fearing a letter by the
&
suppose you took

;
coach, or must haue overtaken you i[n]
Cheapside
but missing
faile,
&
penny post might
came
hither to let
you know
that this
&
that he assures her that

to
day P. was at her lodgings, you need not doubt all things [shall be]
.
done
saith
your content, and that he
will labour in
it,
but not above

of
it,
board, [&] so as
it
My
Blaithwaite shall
first,
;
know nothing
but
wilbe about 10 daies

all
because of the present rejoycing,

tels
which hinders
customes,
buissinesse
&
her that N. E. people have
been represented as such who haue wronged his Majesty in his
&
He
an odd humoured people, which occasioned what

aduised her to goe to
hath been transacted in N. E., but that he will undeceiue his

Majesty.
my Lord
Bellasise, as a per-
son
much
in fauour,
which she resolues to doe on Thursday next.

to succeed
Praying the Lord

Sy,
your endeauours, I remaine

1
Yo r
sincerely affe* ff
11 June, 1688.
&
seru
fc
Ste: Mason.
Newington Green,
MEMORIAL OF THE DISSENTERS OF NEW ENGLAND.

[Suppose Jiine
1.
1688.
Prince.]
An
Humble Memoriall of
the present
Condition of the Dissenters of
New-England.
That your Matys

England
are
Subjects there dissenting from the Church of
by much the greatest & wealthiest Part, & were the tys Plantations, that Proclaimed your First of any of your Ma ty Ma their True & Lawfull Soveraign. That notwithstanding
they happily flourished under their former Goverm*
,
yet upon
7< 10
APPENDIX.
[1688.
your
Ma ,vs
Coinands, they cherefully Submitted to the present
Form
the
of a General!
Governo r
Yet such has bin

Conscientious
&
still
is
the Artifice of
to
Church of Englande Party
some who belong traduce the most peaceable
to
&
Men
as Seditious
&
disaffected to Royall
Goverm*.
And
in this
such
is
the present Case of your
Maty
Dissenting Subjects
your Plantation.
to sett apart
Three minBoston,
For that they are not suffered

Thanksgiving
:
Days of Prayer and
&
no, not even for the Blessing of your Gracious
Londoodoe Declaration for Liberty of Conscience,
SSy
Fncouraged
trary.
to
Nor were the People, there make humble Addresses of Thanks, but the Con-
That the Service of the Church of England has bin forced into
their
Meeteing Houses.
Btmn
S-MUfll,
.
That there have bin threatnings to punish any

give to the value
-.
.
Man
that should
Theoph"
Fnw-v,
of
Two
pence to maintaine a Nonconformist
&
lerenl]
Minister.
NewipgBttwuo
thls
-
That they have bin fined
&
Imprisoned because they were
Scrupclous of Swearing, otherwise then according to the Ancient
Custome of
to
this
your
Ma
t7 8
'
Plantation, by Lifting up their
Hands
heaven
&
not by the Booke.
isnmii
That the Dissenters Lands there are Measur'd out,

BUCD as are for the Church of England,
in
&
given to
KJbha
Hutchlnon,
now
to
improve
&
others denyed Liberty j j
their Property.
to the
can witt
That whole Towns,

arc
Ruine of many hundreds of Familyes,

their
rwed]
now vnder expectation of having they give money to Repurchase them.

'
Lands
seized, vnlesse
John fMfi
hat
'
t,u>
mil
ttrethers
by BOm
in
have no
can attest
tO this.
ts being told ^ Rre unJer fe 1 01^ Fears & Discouragem Groverm1 that they are no better then Slaves, that they J * Iitle to Property or English Privilidês, & they are
"
treated accordingly
Sonic being Imprisoned without Assigning any Cause, others (We'd to pay such Fines as inferior Officers please to extort
&
from them.
[A
}xir<i</raph erased.]
That
it
is
cofiionly discoursed that the College built

in
by Noninto
Conformiata
tin'
New England
shall be taken
from them,
&put
bands of BUCh as are of the Church of England.*

Tlio last paragraph
ia
in
the handwriting of Increase Mather.
1688.]
PETITION OF INCKEASE
MATHER AND OTHERS.
701
PETITION OF INCREASE
MATHER AND OTHERS TO KING

JAMES
II.
To
the
Kings Most ExceW. Maf*.
The humble
Petition of Increase Mather, SanrY
No well, &
of your
Elisha
Hutchinson, on behalfe of themselues

Loiall Subj in
s
& many
Maj tys
New
Engld,
Humbly Sheweth
That since the dissolution of the
inconveniences have
therein
late
Governm*
there,
many
& will attend

,
your Petitioners, unlesse relieved
by your Maj ty
in order
whereunto they humbly propose to
your Maj tys Consideration the heads in the Paper annexed, which
if
your Maj ty
an
shall vouchsafe to
Grant
& confirme
to
them, will (as
your Petitioners humbly conceive) be for your Maj tys Interest,
&
effectuall
meanes
for the settlem* of that
your Colony.
will,
And
therefore they
humbly pray
reliefe.
&
hope that your Maj ty
out of your great Grace, give such speedy Orders

will be for
therein
as
your Petitioners
And
your petitioners, etc:
[April 6, 1688. Mr Increase Mather goes for England. May 30. Has his 1 audience of K. James II, in private & June 1. his 2 d audience. & I suppose on July 2, 1688, presents this Petition to K. James 2 d as it seems by
st
;
>,
Dr. C. Mather's Life of his Father.
Prince.]
[The following paper is placed in the collection of manuscripts immediately this petition, and is probably " the Paper annexed," referred to therein.]
after
That
his
Ma** subjects in
all
New England may
be quieted in the
possession of
property, both in houses and lands, as they
enjoyed them before the gouuerment was changed, on the 24th

lands
May, 1686, and that the may be confirmed.

That there be
antient records there setled for
title
of
liberty of conscience in matters of Religion,
and
that theire former methods of swearing in giueing of Evidence
may
71)2
ArPEXDIX.
and
their
[1688.
be allowed
.-ill
meeting houses
left free to
them, accord-
in"- to the Intentions of the builders thereof. s That no lawea may he made nor mony raised there, without the
(
lonsent of a general]
Assembly, as
it is
in the other plantations.
That
all
Townships may haue
liberty to assemble
and mannadge
Vol-
the buissiness
of theire seuerall precincts,

to receiue
as under the former
Gonuernment, and haue power

untary contributions.
and dispose of
all
That the Colledge
at
Cambridge
in
New
England, with the
Revenues thereunto belonging, be confirmed in the hands of a

President and fellows as formerly.
Wee humbly
the great scale.
Petition, that these things
may be
confirmed under
WARRANT FOR THE ARREST OF INCREASE MATHER.

Suffolk
ss.
By Vertue
of his May*? Writt of Capias to
me
Directed, Return-
able before his
May
ts
Justices at the
Next Superiour Court of

in
Pleas, to be held in
Boston on the Last Tuesday
January nexte,
you
shall
Arest Increase Mather to Answer
To Edward Randolph
Esquir: of a Plea of Trespas uppon the Case, to the PlantifF's
Damage
live
hundred pounds.
3
Da
1
-
the 24 th of Dece.
&
in the
Thirde year of his May*. Reigne, 108 7.
James Sherlock, Sher

Veria
11
.
Copia.
Thomas Larkin.
TO INCREASE MATHER.
Aj
to the
Action of Defamation
Please
pticular
To know
Action
in that
that as to
things incertaine or dubious noe
can
he
cofnenced vpon.
Now
'tis
noe where
asserted
Lfe that Edward Randolph was the fforger of that

(that belike the
Lie.
As
to that
Jewes
Name was
either
Edward
1688.]
PLEAS IN THE CASE OF RANDOLPH AGAINST MATHER.

'tis
703
or Bernard Randolph
;)
not pticularly appropriated to
Ed-
ward Randolph,
:
soe that for the incertainetye thereof noe Action
can lye at the Suite of
Edward Randolph, and one

is
of the Ran-
dolphs be ng detected of such villanye
lately fled to save his

is
Eares, which cannot touch Edward, and that Randolph
a great that
'tis
Knave
is
too genall to
Comence an Action vpon, and

is
suspected that he
may
;
be the author thereof,
too genall
still
to
mainteyne an Action
bee, for that the cpper
vit
and
words
as to
an Action
for
words,
it
cannot
for such action are (JRefulit,
p palaDni
Lre
but
&
publicavit in auditu quamplurimorum subditorum

verbis, videl\ <&c.) then writeing of a
Regis in his anglicanis
barely to one, I cannot vnderstand to be a publecation, altho the
pson to whome the Lre was Writt doe shew

he
it
to severall
may
But
be said to publish, &c.
let
them
first
pr6ve the Lre to be yours, which you need not

(riiodo JEt
owne, and you may safely plead, That you are not guilty
& forma
hoc,
vt querens ver sno [versus #]

se
eum
queritur.
de
poh
sup. patriam, &c.
In hast, I
am
Yrs,
C. C.
PLEAS IN THE CASE OF EDWARD RANDOLPH AGAINST INCREASE MATHER.

[Betw* 1686
&
1688.
Prince.]
Pleas held at
Superio Court held at Boston, for the County
the last
&> Dominion of New England, Tusday in January, in the third Yeare of his Majesties Reigne, James, by the grace of God, of England, Scotland, ffrance & Ireland, King, Defender of the ffaith, &c. Before Joseph Dudley, Esq r Cheife Judg, William Stoughton, Esq r Judg,
of Suffolk, in his Majesties Territory
and Seuerall of his Majesties Justices of the Peace County of Suffolke
for the said
Memokand.
That
on the
last
Tusday
in January,
in the
Third Yeare of the Reigne of James the Second, by the grace of
God, of England, Scotland,
ffrance
&
Ireland,
King, Defender of
704
APPENDIX.
Before
[1688.
the ffaitb, &c.
tlic
Judges
in
& Justices of our

County
aforsaid,
Said Lord the
King,
at
Boston aforsaid,
the
Came Edward
Randolph,
Esqur
by Georg ffarewell, Gent., his Atturney, and
brought here into

in the
Court
his Certaine Bill against
Increase Mather,
Custody of the
the Said
into
Sheriff,
which
said Bill ffolloweth in these
words, Viz!
And
came
Increase Mather,
by Giles Master
his
Atturney,
the Said Superio* Court of Pleas held at
Boston aforeJoseph
Baid, for the
County of Suffolke
r
,
aforesaid, before the Said
Dudley, Esq
Cheif Judg,
&
m Stoughton Esqr
Judg,
&c,
and defend the fforce

[ncrease
&
Injury when,
&c, and Say
the Said
Mather
is
not guilty, and of this puts himselfe vpon the
Country,
And
the Said
Edward
likewise.
TVnerfor[e] a Jury
of Twelue good
as followeth,
&
Lawfull men of the Visne, whose names were

late of
Georg Turfray,
Boston,
Adam Winthr[op,]
of
the
<>('
same place, William Hobby of the same place, Gervish Ballard the same place, Robert Howard of the same place, John Pinchon
of the same place, William Gibson of the
same
place, Simion
Stodard of the same place, Bozoone Allin of the
same
place,
Humphry Parson
same
place,
.
of the same place,
Thomas Stanbury
of the
Duncan Campbell
is
of the same place.
And
the Jury
Who
.
. .
within
made
beinir Called
Came who
Therefore
beino-
Chos
.
.
Say the truth of the matter within Contained So
Oaths that they find for the defendant.

the Cost of the Said
......
.
granted that the Said Increase the defendant Shall Receive for
Court
in all
Againsl the Said
Edward Randolph
Plaintiff.
And
the Said
Edward
in
mdij.
INVITATION TO ATTEND THE FUNERAL OF SAMUEL
NOWELL.
ffor the Reuerend Mr. Mather.
ReuerEND S", Von are desired to accompany the Corps of M Samuel] Nowell, minister of the Gospcll, of Eminent Note in NVw England, deceased, from Ml" Quicks meating place in Bar-
1688-9.]
PETITION OF SIR WILLIAM PHIPS, ETC.

at
705
thlomew Close, on Thursday next,

afternoon p r cisely, to the
Two
of the Clock in the
new burying
place
by the Artillery
ground.
By
was
r
.
7 bI 29, 1688,
alive
John Phillips's Letr to r I. Mather,* it seems as if r Nowell died bef & by sd NoweH's Bond to r Stephen Mason it appears that r Nowell on Aug. 30, 1688. [Prince.]
.
PETITION OF SIR WILLIAM PHIPS AND INCREASE MATHER TO KING WILLIAM IILf
[Dr. Cotton Mather, in his Life of
gr
Sr
W?
Phips, says that in the Spring of 1689,
^"m phip Sj
w ith
Instructions from none of the least considerable Persons at

to
it.
White Hall, what service to do for his Countrey, hastens back Prince.] dress must therefore be Presented ab*. Feb. 88-9.
The
foil 8
ad-
To
the
K's most Excellent Majesty.
The
Petition of Sir William Phips, Knight, and Increase Mather,
Eector of the Colledge at Cambridge, in
New
England,
Humbly
sheweth,
in
That four Colonies
New England
their
have had their charters,
which did empower them to chuse

sent to govern
dinary wayes taken from them, and Sir
owne Rulers, by extraorEdmond Andros has bin
them by an
if
illegal Coniission.
And
it
of late
we
hear that the Indians, animated by the French, are making warr
upon them
in general.
and
that Territory should be lost,
would prove
very prjudicial to the English nation,
&
to the Protestant Interest
Wherefore as an
bly pray that
effectual
Remedy
against these evills,
we hum-
Goverment
in
Sir Edmund Andros may be removed from his New England. And that your Majesty will please
to declare that all their charters being restored to them, they pro-
ceed in Administrations of Government as before any
Quo Wargiven
ranto were issued against them.

to the former
Also, that order
may be
Governors in the several Colonies in
New England
to proclaim your
Majesty as King in that part of your dominions.
And
your petitioners, &c.

* See the
t
letter in this
is
volume,
p. 676.
This petition
in the handwriting of Mather.
89
f06
APPENDIX.
[1689.
[Suppose between 1688
&
1690.
Prince.]
when they
A CHARGE DRAWNE AGAINST M? JN VSHER.

Imp':
lie
was one of the
Memb s
r
of the Covncill
made
the
Act
entit'd
an Act for Establishing severall Rates, baring
date the Becond of
March, 1G86,
for
Raising of taxes on His
Majesty's subiects without their Consent.

2ly.
in
Jle Isued out \\r a r ants
by virtue of the said Act and not

vaste
HLa Majestie's name, requiring some of the Inhabitants of the
Baid
Culleny or
te itory
to
collect
svmes of moneys on
the pepole acordingly.

3.
And gave Warants

to his vnlafull
to the Respective Offisers so chosen to
[dijstraine on the Estates of the said pepole that did refuse to
comply
their
demands, wher by
demands.
their
howses were
rifled,
goods taken from them, and the Bread out of their chilldren's
Illegall
mouths, to anser his

4.
He
sat in
Court when many of the said persons so required
Defused to act,
by virtue of the said arbitrary power, and acord-
ingly sentence pased against

cruel
them
for grate fines
and long and
Imprisonments
for their not acting

Illegall actions,
by
virtue of said power.
Dogether with
many
whereby he made the pore
pepole in said Collonys to groane vnder ther hard and crvell
bondage.
And
mer w
since the pepole have Reinvested themselves in their for-
rights,
and ordring him
to atend their Court,

it's
he hath need
that he
from Justise, and being here in Inglad,
humbly prayed
may
ti<
I
be aprehended and secured for what Justis our Royall Majes-
and the
allso
lion'
Parliment shall think
fitt
for such his ofences.
He
Retained the moneys so taken from their Majestys sub-
jects. Wee hvmbly pray that care may be taken that they may have their goods and estate restored to them againe, beim* so \nj\Mlv taken from them all which charge will be proved against him in dve time.
;
1689.]
COMPLAINT AGAINST SIR EDMUND ANDROS.
707
MATTERS OF COMPLAYNT OBJECTED

ANDROS.*
AG?-
SIR
EDMUND
[About 1689.
r
:
PRiNCE.f]
1 That he did exercise Government over sev al Colonies in N.E., whose Charters had no Judg* entred ag? them, nor any sur-
renders thereof made.

2.
That hee raysed money not only on the Massachusets Colony,
but in other Colonies, contrary to their Laws, as well as the

of England.
3.
Laws
That he
&
a few with him, imposed what
Laws
or orders
they pleased, without any consent of the People, either by themselves or Representatives.
many, denying that the people there had any propeity, but sayd that all was the K's.
4.
Hee invaded
tho property of
5.
Hee punished
those that did oppose his Arbitrary proceed-
ings,
6.
&
imprisoned several without showing any cause.

Intelligence arrived in
When
NE,
that His present
Maj 7
(then Prince of Orange) was landed in E:
To
del[iver the w]hole
nation from Popery and Arbitrary Government,
S r Edmund
did
what he could to keep the people ignorant of it. And the man which brought the P. of O. his Declaration into the Countrey, was on that account sent to prison; the Prince's Declaration being
&
called a Treasonable
7.
&
seditious paper.
The people were

;
necessitated to secure
him
for their
owne
as
safety
for that both Indians
&
French
testified that
he designed
by them
8.
to cutt off the English,
matters were so
managed
gave too great cause of Jealousy.

In some pticulars he went beyond what by the Illegal and
Arbitrary comission, granted by the late
K. James, he was emWheras hee
powered
Taxes,
to do, for his
Comission directed him to continue such
&
impositions as were then in force in N.E.,
imposed on Plymouth Colony a Tax never before known amongst them, and on the Massachusets Colony what was repealed before
* There are two similar papers, bearing this title, among the Mather Papers, one being the original draft in the handwriting of Increase Mather, the orthography of which has
been followed in printing. f "After Feb. 13, 1688-9, draft by Mather.
&
before July, 1689."
Prince, in a note
to the original
71 IS
APPENDIX.
[I 689
tin-
Quo Warranto
urged
B
against their Charter.
When some
it
of his
council
clause in his Comission, he replied,
might be
his to the
false written,
(
for his Instructions
were otherwise; and altho might be according
'<>fnissi<>n
a
directed him
to act as near as
Liu
ers,
of E., yet Juries were packed of such as were [no freehold-
and some were forced to answer in another County, & not in that where their pretended crimes were coniitted, contrary to the
Laws of England, only to serve a malicious design. Hee made Laws without the concurrence of the major part of his. Council.*
ANSWER OF THE COUNCIL TO THE DECLARATION OF THE

REPRESENTATIVES OF MASSACHUSETTS.
Boston, the
10:
May,
1689.
In
Answer
to a Declaration,
drawn up
&
at
signed by Ebenezer
1
Prout, as Clark of the Representatives of the sev
Townes of
the
Massachusets Colony
yeare
in
N: England, dated
Boston the day
&
aboyes*, declaring that the
Gov
*:,
Dep*: Govf
&
Assist:
chosen
&
sworn
1
in
May
1686, according to Charter Rights,
&
the
Lipt
the
then
sent by
the
Freemen
of the sev
Townes,
to be
Grovermn now setled

(56
in the afbresf
Colony.
There being only
psons as the Representatives of 43 Townes

s
l
&
&
.
.
Villages within the
Col:,
&
the Return from s^
Townes
places being defective
&
uncertaine in a full representation of

1 ;
the minds of the places thereab

.
we think
&
it
necessary that the
of
s'.
sev
1 1
.
Towns
in
&
Villages do meet fully,

that the oth
s d
&
r
:
expressly
Bignifie
their
minds
1
the matter;
Towns
11
&
places within
s'
Col: [havjing no knowl; of the
Declaration, be
notified in their [respjectivc places to

tants, to manifest their
convene their sev

to the
Inhabi-
minds relating
same.
And
3 of the late Assist: resident in the Col: being absent, that
there be opportunity to consult
together, being but 13,
them; and the whole number, if That the pp by thems: or Representatives
Tin- tot
tin-
MDtenoe
is
not in the original draft by Mather, but
is
added, in his hand-
writing, to
other oopy.
1689.]
VOTE OF THE GOVEENOR AND COUNCIL.
709
[c]huse such
&
so
many
as they shal think convenient to joyn
with them [for] the conion safety
&
the conservac: of the peace,
&
the exercise of such farther Acts of Authority as shal be necessary,

accord?
to
any emergency,
Government.
until
there can be a
more orderly
settlem* of
Thurs: next, the 16 of
May
inst: is
agreed upon to be kept a
day of Fasting
&
Prayer,
&
inst:
is
Wednesday
the 22 of
11
May
agreed
-to
be the day for the
Eepresenta: of the sev
Townes
&
vilages of this Col: to
meet at
Boston, at 2 of the clock.
Agreed upon by the Hon d Cou: for Saf: & the Eepre: of the Towns. Signed by Isa: Addington, Clerk of the Council, & Eben: Prout, Clerk of the Eepresenta:
Indorsed,
:t
CouncilTs Act,
May
Councils Ans: to Representatives/' 10, 89."
and, in another place,
"
The
VOTE OF THE GOVERNOR AND COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS

BAY.
June
f\
).
7:
89.
In answ r to the earn sf mot"

.
&
requ 3 of the Eepre:

.*
now assembled in the Convention, that the Honf S: Br: * Esq. Thomas Danf: & the Assistants now sitting in Coun: would be
pleased by vertue of the powf
11
&
authority devolved on
them by the
,
Eepre: of the sev Tow: of the Col: to accept

Charter rules, by the
Govm*
accord?
to our
So
name
of
Gov
1*
&
Coun: for the Ma: Col:

to the
exercise such author: as
was form rly used, accord?

as
Lawes
made by o r Chartr Gov*, excepting such to the Laws of Eng: until we sh: receive
of England.
may
be judged repugnt
farthf ordf
from the Crown
the Eepre:
The Gov? & Counc: having read & consid^ the abovesf vote of who also declared that they could not proceed to act in
until they
any thing of Publ: concern
had a concession thereunto,
Voted
their consent to accept the exercise of
Goverm* accordingly.
* Simon Bradstreet.
to
APrENDIX.
C 1689 '
OBDEB FOR TOWN ELECTIONS.

Boston, 13 June, 1689.
:
By
It
the
is
Gov
r
.
&
Council
&
Convention of the Representatives
Townes in this Jurisdiction may as Constables, Selectthey shall see meet, respectively, make choice of to do before the wont men & other Town Officers, as they were this ehang of the Gover! in May 1686, according to the Lawes of
declared that all the
C.lony then
in force;
&
the psons so chosen

1
are hereby
im-
powred to act in their seuer / places accordingly. Past. 14: 4: 89, Voted in the affirma: by the Repre:, as attest,
Eben: Prout,
Indorsed,
Clerk.
"
14: 4: 89,
Ord
8
:
for
Towne
Elections."
ORDEB OF KING WILLIAM
III.
IN RELATION TO SIR
EDMUND
ANDROS.
[1689.
Prince.]
their
Being informed, that in the Territorie of
New
England,
Charters have of late been taken from them, viz., in the yeare
1684
&
since,
illegal]
and S r
Edmund Andross
hath been sent thither
with an
and arbitrary Comission,

fitt
We
that
have thought
to recall the said
S r Edmund Andross
it is
from the Govermcnt,

the
severall
&
do hereby declare, That
our pleasure,
Colony s of
New
England have
their Charters
restored to them,
And
in
that the Governours
and Magistrates which

1684, should
were by Charters
i
those Colonys in the yeare
mediately take the Govermcnt upon them, and proceed in
Admin-
i&traSonfl of
Govermcnt according
to their
former Constitutions.
1689.]
ORDER RELATING TO
SIR
EDMUND ANDROS.
711
OKDEE FOR SENDING

To such as for
the
SIR
EDMUND ANDROS TO ENGLAND.*

take Care for preserving the Peace
Time being
and
Administring the
Laws in Our
Colony of the Massachusetts
Bay
in
New
England in America.
Duplicate
Whereas S r Edmond Andros, K* Late Governor of Our Dominion of New England, has been seiz'd by some People in Boston,
and
is
detein'd under Close
Confinem 4
there, together with
Edward
Randolph, John Trefry, and Divers others, Our Subjects,

have humbly requested us that they may be either
Who
Dupiicat.
sett at Liberty,
or sent in safe Custody into England, to answer before us what
may be
the said
others
objected against
them
We
do hereby
will
and require that
S r Edmond Andros, Edward Randolph, John Trefry, and Our Subjects, that have been in like manner seiz'd by the
;
sd People of Boston
and
shall be at the Receipt of these
Our
on
Commands
Board the
detein'd there under Confinem*, be forthwith sent
first
shipp bound hither, to answer before
Us what may
safely
be Objected against them, and that yo w take care that they be

Civilly used in their Passage
from
New
England, and
Con-
vey 'd to Our Royall Presence.
Given
at
Our Court
at Whitehall, this Thirtieth
Day
of July,
1689, in the First year of Our Reign.
By
His
Mar Command
s
[Sealed with the Privy Seal.]

Indorsed,
late
" Order from King William & Council to send S r Edmund Andross, and, in another place, " Orders for sending S* Governour, home, 1689.",
Edmd Andros
to
England, &c."
* The original order, from which this is printed, bearing the signatures of King William and the Earl of Nottingham, is in the archives of the Massachusetts Historical Society. A contemporary copy is also in the possession of the Society.
712
APPENDIX.
[1688.
CHRONOLOGICAL MEMORANDA BY THE REV. THOMAS PRINCE, PREFIXED TO THE SEVENTH VOLUME OF THE MATHER PAPERS.
\\
INDEX TO UNDERSTAND TIIE ORDER OF THE FOLLOWING PAPERS.

June
Apr.
28.
7.
1687.
Capt.
Phips knighted, (pn)
1688.
Mf Increase Mather goes aboard the ship, which bares away for England, with his youngest son, Mf Samuel Mather, (cm) Apr. 27
issues
6.
K.
another Declara. for Lib 7 of Consc

at
110
.
(si)
May
up
Mf M. goes ashoar
London, (cm)
Weymouth, with
his s
son,
&
hastened
to
18.
1,
May
May May
of
The
s
d
-
ps
sign a Pet n to the

(si)
K to dispense with
in the
c the distrib
&
read
Declara.
25. 30.
Mf M. M? M.
arrives at
London, (cm)
1st attends
il
on
K
He
James
then
Hall, with
an Address
the N. E. Ministers, of
Long Gallery at WhiteThanks for his Declara

11
Indulgence, &c.
(cm)
presents
an Address
il
Pli-
mouth. (cm)
June
1.
M! M.
Bring
7
is
admitted to the K. in his Closet,

in writing the things
when
the
K. says
8.
to him,
me
which trouble you. (cm) June

15.
The
June
Bp
'
sent to the
Tower
not
for refus8 , &c. (si)
10.
The Pretender born.

plead
guilty,
June
The
to
Bps brot
(si)
to the
Bench, bat
cleared, (si)
&
admitd
bail,
This sumer S r
W? Phips
returns to N. E. as
June 29. High Sherrif,
after 5 years absence,
(cm)
July
M: Mather admitted to the K. in his Closet, where he presents his 2. Memorial of the grievances which filled his countrey with the cry of the oppressed; and Petition (1) for a Magna Charta for an everlasting Liberty of Conscience; (2) for a confirmat n of the ppl s Title to
their
(:{)
Lands which had been brot under such an abominab. contesta?

an assembly, (4) for a Charter for the College, (cm) Comissioners issue an order to all Chancellors, &c.
for Lab* for
July
12. Ecclesiastical
r
to cn<i
in
&
transmit an ace' of
16.
what chh" the Ks Declara" of Lib y of Conscience was read, them on Aug. 16 follw 6, (si)
Ab' July
(Set-.
m Phips sails for London, I suppose in Capt Belcher. M! Moodeya & SewalTs Letters.) Henry Ashumt of Waterstock in Com. Oxon, Esq., created a Aug. 21. Bardhet (si)
Aug.
Sep.
24.
The K. declares
in
Council his Resolu. to call a Pari' to meet
Nov.
!.
27,
& Write
are issued, (si)
Mem.
tli
to the
Count Davaux, the French Ambassad' at the Hague, presents a States Gen., on their g armam' by Sea & Land, & declares
l
at
the
Isl act
of hostiP comitf by their Troops ag3 the

'
of G. B., his
(si)
Masf w J
look on as an abeol' Rupt" of Peace with them,
1688.]
CHRONOLOGICAL MEMORANDA.
Sept. 21.
713
of Consc
,
a Declara. that he intends a Legal Estab* of Liby would inviolably preserv. the Chh of E., & is conten a that Rom. Caths rem incap. of being membrs of the H. of Comons. (si)
1 110
The K. pub
-,
11
Sep. 23.
The K.
3
3t
receivs certain Intelligno that the Prepara" of the

(si)
Dutch
are inten ag
Sep. 26.
Eng.
his Promises,
Ml Mather again & begs that
waits on the K. in his closet,
Thanks
Jiim for
says, I
matters
may be
8
expedited.
The K.
d:
King had auth3 the L. Lieut of the sev. counties to rest' the Dep. Lieut? that were displaced, & the L. Chancel, to put those into comisn of Peace ag who had been laid aside, (si) Sep. 28. A Proclam. pub3 giv g ace' of the intended Invasn & Holland,
will take care the
Th. be d n with exped? (cm)
This
the
declares he
requir8
all
prsns to prep' for the
Defn0
of their Countrey
&
the writs
for callg a Pari4 are revoked, (si)
Sep. 29. Sep. 30.

Oct.
1.
Proclama. for a gen. Pardn pubd
(si)
The B p> of London's suspens" taken off. (si) The P. of Orange pub! a Declara. with the Reas08 of his intended
Exped. to Eng.
(si)
2. 3.
The Chart" of London restored, The King desir g the advice of

&c: 9
(si)
the
A.B P
is
of Cant.,
118
'
of Lond.,
ps
attend the K. with 10 Propos
as the best
means
its
to
restore his affairs.

call a Pari*,
5.
The
substno
to let the
Law hv
cs
&
(si)
The ComisD
for Causes Ecclesiastical dissolved, (si)
Popish Magistrates displaced,
& Protestants put in their room,
(si)
A
12 15
Pub. Form of Prayr composed by the Abp. during the

311
appr
of an Invas
11
(si)
its
An
The
ordr for Restor8 Magdalen Collg to

P. of
Rights, (si)
3 repres by his nuncio,
Wales
(si)
christen'd.
The Pope,
G. father,
16
M! Mather
tells
attends the K. once more in his closet,

,
who
positively
'
him, Liby
Prop y the Collg

,
:
&
all
he had prom3 should

11
be imedy confirmed
P. of Orange's
17.
& it
,
seem'd indeed on the Point of being
executed, but on the false
Expedn
there was a
Rumour of a Divers given to the Demurr put upon it. (cm)

anc*'
Proclama. pub 3 for Restorg Corpora8 to their
Charters
18.
Franch (si) Mf Rich3 Wharton at London writes

Lib 3 Rights
, 8
-.
&
to
Govr Hinckley,
r
,
by
way
of Dartmouth, I wrote a few lines,
&
acq
you what
endev 8 had been used for Relief of N. E. The expecta" of Invasn the demands of the P. of Orange, advice of the Bps, & Discontent of the ppl. had quite brokn the* old measrs &
,
proc 3 the Restora. of the Chart1 of London,

11
now
actually
under administra as formerly, & all the other Cities, Corpora8 & Borroughs in Eng & g* Revolu8 seem to be hasten 8 on out
:
of which N. E. may, I hope, find deliv no
n G. hath tak away
1
.
Nowell by
D^ Ml Mather,
90
Captain Huchinson
&
myself have
714
APrENDIX.
sundry times b n within
,
[1688.
this
week, to wait on the K; who hath

d
often assur'd us our propert" shall be contin
&
confirmed,
the Coll*
&
Revenue rem
in
is
11
in the
hands of a Prsesid'
& Fellows,
8
,
&
Lib1 enjoy'd
mat* of Relig",
&
in order thereto the
Attorney Gen.
(of which
ceedings,
order'd to xam. the

to get
Gov rs Comis
Opin
11
we hope
sails
a copy) our
& Instruc complaints, & his Pro118
& to
&
report the same with his
&c.
of
Oct. 19.
I\ of
Orange
a Holland with ab' 50
Men
is
War, 300
Transports,
ab'
14322 Land Forces, but
driven back
by a storm,
28.
(si)
L. Vise' Preston
land, (si)
Seer7 of State, in room of E. of Sunder-
Nov.
1.
P. of Orange, with the

at
Tor bay
in
Dutch Fleet, Devonsh (si).

1".
sails
agn
&
on the 5 th lands
INDEX.
N D E
X.
A.
Aclam, Peter, taken prisoner, 213.
notice Addington, Isaac, 538, 709. Addresses of the Colonies of
Ames, Rev. William, D.D., 513. Anabaptists, 44, 477, 509, 540. In Rhode Island, 252. In Boston, 291, 579, 586.
re.,
Adams, Mr., 451. Adams, Rev. William,

and Connecticut
II.,
of,
292,
320.
John Russell's narrative, Samuel Willard, ib., re.

Andreson, Capt. Michael, 534. Andrew, an Indian, slain, 632.
answered by
New Plymouth
to Charles II., 55 ; of the England to James Congregations of
Andrew,
New
Mr., 495, 522. Notice of, ib., re. Andros, Sir Edmund, 114, 115, 118, 255,
re.
697,698.
516.
to
"Admittatur," Harvard College,
Agency
ther,
England, paper by Cotton Mathe, 389. to
on
Agents appointed
England, 1680-1, 28].
See " Monk, Albemarle, George) Duke of. George." Alden, John, Jr., 231. Alexander VII., Pope, death of, 215. Alexander Pokanoket, death of, 229, 232,
233, 234. Algiers, expedition to, 170, 196. Allen, Eliza, 545, re. Allen, Hannah, 373, re. Allen, Rev. James, 95, 96, re., 97, 189, 190, 193, 198, 204, 235, 279, 283, 373, 509, 526 ( ?), alley Letter from John 541, and others. From John Cory .and others to, to, 651. To 695. Letter to Increase Mather, 674.
365, 366, 367, 370, re., 372, 389, re., 482, to. 483, re., 485, 502, 503, 524, re., 531, 571, re. Usurpation of, 651, re., 669, re., 671, 705. 370, 517, 519, 700. His commission read 518. His journey to York, 519. Summons to, 537. Petition for the removal Matters of complaint against, of, 705. 707. Order of K. William III. in relation to, 710. Order for sending him to England, 711. "Angel (The) of Bethesda," by Cotton Mather, 445, 446, 448, 450, 452.
New
Annable, John, 5. Anne, Queen, 409, 411, 416. Annesley, Rev. Samuel, D.D., 584.
Anonymous
letter to John Bailey, 666. Increase Mather, 668, 669, 702.
To
Answer of the Council to the Representatives

of Massachusetts, 1689, 708. Antisozzo, sive Sherlocismus Enervatus, 223. Apaffi, Michael, Prince of Transylvania, 43. Apparition of Mrs. Susanna Crawford, 421424. Of Mrs. Veal (by Defoe), 422, re. Apparitions reported, in Montgomeryshire,
183, 184, 196.
Samuel Nowell,
Allen, Allen, Allen, Allen,
675.
Joseph, 52, 53, 56. Mr., 601. Rev. Thomas (Norwich), 195. William, his " Biographical Dictionary " cited, 233, re.
Allerton, Isaac, 190. Allin, Bozoone, 704. Allin, Rev. John, 602, 615. Allin, John, Jr., 602. Allin, Mr., 379, 499.
Allis,
Appleton, Jose, 369. Argyle, Archibald Campbell, Marquis of, beheaded, 166, 174. Arlington, Earl of, 1672, 145. Arnold, Rev. Samuel, 236. His opinion as
to the disposal of Philip's son, 689.
William, 79. Allyn, John, notice of, 87, re., 93. Postscript by, to a letter of John Whiting, 464. Allyn, Mr., 541. See "Allen, James." Almanack, 1683, 296 1684, 522. Almanacks, by Cotton Mather, 251, 253, 479. By Nathaniel Mather, Jr., 1686, 672, re. With notes by Joshua Moodey, 282. Not to be printed without license from Randolph, 663. Alsop, Benjamin, 224, re. Alsop, Capt. Joseph ( ?), 301, 307, 309, 621,
Arran, Earl of, Lord Deputy for Ireland, 57. His claim under the patent of the Duke of Hamilton to lands in Connecticut, 603. Arrowsmith, Mr., 499. Arthur, Mr., 194. Ashhurst, Henry, 5. Ashhurst, Sir Henry, Bart., 539. Letter from Increase Mather to, 117. Created a
baronet, 712.
Ashhurst, Sir William, 425, re. Ashley, Lord, Chancellor of the Exchequer,
215.
625.
Alsop, Mr., 6^0.
Ames,
Mi., 513.
Association of Churches, 321. Asty, Mr., 350.
718
Atkinson, Cant, 214.
ruin. -I'll.
'
INDEX.
Bishop, Lev. John, 585, 586, 623, 626, 661. Letters to Increase Notice of, 298, n. Mather, 298, 299, 300, 301, 303, 304, 306,
307, 308, 309, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315.
28, 29, 40, 41,
Atwater, Mr.. 176, 801,

Atu.it
Aubrey, lira. Rachel, 16, 21, M, vi Aubrey, William, 40, ., 47.

M... L89.
Bishop, Mr., 175, 625. Bishop, Mrs., death of, 307. Bishop, Mrs. Joanna (Willet), 308, 612. Bishop of London, his suspension revoked,
713.
B.
,609. Extract from a letDavenport, i&. Kxtractfrom
1.
[{
it. r
to John tO, 21
Bachelor, Rev. Stephen (?) death
of,
583,
Lndrew,
i
79.
Bacon, Rev. Leonard, D.D., his "Historical Discourses " ited, ')">, n. Emigrates to Bailey, Rev. John, 372, n. N. England, 37, 50. Notice of, 480, n.
i
Bishops, imprisonment of the, 1688, 712. is in Scotland, 172, 184. Blackleach, John, 246. Blackleach, Solomon, 246. Blackmore, Sir Richard, 433, 435. His " Essays," 437. Blackwell, Capt. John, 60, 02, 64, 365, 668. Notice of, 60, n. Blackwell, Mrs., 074. Blake Downe, Somersetshire, strange appearance at, 211. Blake, Rev. Mr., 150, 503, 584. Blathwait, William, extract from a letter of
Letter^
by, Bailey,
to
Increase
letter
to,
Anonymous
ib., a.,
Blather, 480, 491. GOG. Memoranda
Edward Randolph
to,
531.
007, n.
Rev. Thomas, 02,372,488, 008, n. Notices of, 872, a., 480, n. Letter to Cottun Mather. 4-^s. Baker, Lev. Nicholas, death of, 240. Baker, Samuel. Esq., notice of, 609. Letters to Increase Mather, 509, 512, 513. Bate, Mr.. 218. Ballard, Gerviah, 704.
Banister, Mrs., L90. :ii. insnrrection in, 42. Baptism. 69, 876, 397.
Bliuman, Jeremiah, extract from a letter of, to John Davenport, 210. Blinman, Rev. Richard, SOI, 307. Extract from a letter of, to Jeremiah Blinman, 210. Letters to Increase Mather, 328, 329, 330, Notice of, 328, n. 333, 334. Bliss's History of Rehoboth, cited, 233, n.
Blith, Mr., 196.
Bohemia, death of the Queen

Bolt, Mr., 650. Bolton, Dr., 195.
of,
197.
Bond, Henry, M.D.,
Watertown
his " Genealogies of " cited, 066, n.
Baptist Congregations in England, 578,579, 050. Barker, Lev. Matthew. 584. Barker, Mr., letter to bars. Jones, 185.
L:irk-tea.l.
197.
Bond, Rev. Sampson, letter from Increase Mather to, 96. Notice of, ib., n. In Boston,
CI., apprehended, 188, 190, 193,
Barnstable, church in, 242, 244, 380. Bartlet, Lord, 170. Bartlet, Rev. Robert, 331. Bartlet Lev. William, 194. Notice of, ib., n. Rev. William, 1>.1).,208. Baxter, Richard, L08, 177, 1 j3, 195, 223, 477, 518. Arrest of, 498. I'.a\ lies' " History of New Plymouth " cited, .. 664, n. Bayly, Mr.. 670.
1
by Cotton Mather, 441. list of, borrowed by Richard Mather, Sent by Richard Chiswell to Increase Mather, 577. Booth, Sir George, 206. Boston, fire in, 1679, 22. Estates in, 250.
Books,
76.
388. " Bonifacius,"
Fire in, Nov. 27, 1676, 298, 578. Fire in. 1677, 341. Sickness in, 1688, 372. Small
pox in, 1678, 383. Sickness in, 1693, 401. Act regulating the erection of wooden buildings in, 402. Storm in, Feb. 24,
1723-4, 45G. Mathematical instruments for, 500. Arrival of a French privateer at, 534. Rising in, against Andres, 537. Condition of,' in 1077, 578. Boston Ephemeris, 1683, 296. Boston Ministers, answer of, to George Keith, 672, 673. Boston News-Letter, 406, 420. Bosworth, Nathaniel, G55, 690.
purchased
Bedlow, William,
Belcher,
:,
17,
846.
Capt Andrew,
602, 519.
Belknap, Rev. Jeremy, D.D., 450.

n.
n.
Notcbv,
"
Hell,
Belknap Papers," 466, 681, Andrew, 51.
Beliamont, Earl of, 488. a. Bellingham, Gov. Richard, 687, n. Agent t" England. 217. Bellingham, Samuel '!:!, 70. BendaU, Hopefor.216. Benn, Rev. William, D.D., 81. 583, 648, n., Notice of, 81, a. I'm oiling, Henry, Berwick, Rev. John, D.D., 180.
1 -
Bourne, Major Nehemiah, 1S9, 198, Bowen, Major, execution of, 210. Bowles. John, 247.
Boyle, Hon. Robert, 256, 524. Brabe, Count, 179, 180.
n.
Brachygraphy,
10, 12.
>"lv, 6 16.
" Biblia
Americana,' by Cotton Mather, 436.

1
from,
'
it
a. 'Mill Of, ib.,
ib.,
Illustration
;;.
from,
Bracket, Dea., burial of, 518. Bradde, Mrs., 540. Bradford, Gov. William, 228, n. His "History of Plymouth Plantation," 229. Bradford, Major William, 233, wounded, 228,
229, 230. Bradstreet, Dudley, 529.
'
Bk
In,
Sieur, 216.
Notice
of, ib., n.
INDEX.
n., 113, 478, Agent to England, 170, 506, 529, n., 709. 198. Letter from Edward Eandolph to, 527. Letter to Edward Randolph, 532. Notice Letter to of, ib., n. Sum, 535. mons to Sir Edmund Andros, signed by, 537. Letter to John Hampden, Jr., 538. Bradstreet, Rev. Simon, Charlestown, 119.
719
Bradstreet, Gov. Simon, 109,
Calvin, John, 409.
Campbell, Duncan, 704. Campbell, James, 430. Capel, Arthur, Earl of Essex, Capel, Lord, 330.
7, n.
Notice
of, ib., n.
Bradstreet, Rev. Simon, New London, noLetters to Increase Mather, tice of, 477, n. 477, 479, 480. Brandenburg, Duke of, 334.
Branford, Conn., 381. Brattle, Thomas, 405, n. Brattle, William, 111, 112, 114, 699.
Breeden, Capt. Thomas, Governor of Nova Scotia, 172, 179, 192. Notice of, 179, n. Imprisoned for contempt, 205. Brenton, William, Governor of R.I., 465, n. Bridge, Samuel, 370. Notice of, ib., n. Bridge, Rev. William, 124, 150, 195, 583, 584. Bridges, Mrs. 293. Briscoe, Rev. Mr., 322. Bristol, Earl of, 211. Bristol, Eng., Quakers at, 212. Persecution
of dissenters in, 618, 620. Church in, 651-655, 695. Britton, Capt., 41. Brochard, Mr.. 459. Brock, Rev. John, 292. Notice of, ib., n., 571, n. Death of, 571. Brockholt, Anthony, 531. Brooks, Mr., extract from a letter of, to John
Bristol, R.I.,
Davenport, 185. Brooks, William G, 226, n., 351, Broughton, Thomas, 360. Brown, Mr., 445.
n.
Brown, Sir Thomas, 445> n. Browne, Rev. James, 647 (notice

648.
of, ib., n.),
Browne, Mr., Lord Mayor of London, 202. Browne, William, 538.

Buckhurst, Lord, 196.
Buckingham, Duke of, 1672, Bulkley, Rev. Edward, 560.

of, ib., n.
145, 180.
Bulkley, Mrs. Grace (Chetwode), 13. Notice Bulkley, Rev. Peter, 13. Bull, Jonathan, letter from Samuel Nowell to, 572. Bull, Thomas, 572, n. Bullivant, Benjamin, 370, 483. Notices of, 370, n., 483, n. Letter to Samuel Green, 663. Bullock, Mr., 196. Burgess, Col., 425, n. Burnet, Gilbert, Bp. of Sarum, his Travels through Switzerland, &c, 514. Burton, William, 215.
Butler, James, Duke of 223, 330, 409, 499.
Capellus, L., 459. Carob-bean, 459. Carmichell, Rev. Mr., 583, 584. Carr, Sir Robert, 198. Carter, Rev. Mr., Sr., 584, 585. Carter, Rev. Mr., 150, 583, 584. Cary, Dr., 576. Cary, John, 655. Notice of, ib., n. Caryl, Rev. Joseph, 101, 105, 150, 195, 202, 208, 583, 584. Cassilis, Earl of, 333. Catechisms, by New England Divines, 55. Cave, Dr. 576. Cawton, Rev. , 583, 584. Ceylon, conversion of the natives in, 679. Chaffin, Capt., 180. Chamberlain, John, 455. Extract from a letter of, 444. Chamberlain, Richard, 527. Notice of, ib., n. Chamilly, Marquis de, 148. Charles I., King, 122, n., 123, ., 195, 687. Charles II., King, 122, n. 166, 181, 182, 184, 186, 188, 193, 195, 198, 199, 200, 201, 207, 208, 209, 210, 212, 213, 215, 216, 217, 222, 223, 224, 331, 333, 343, 378, ., 494, 497, 502, ., 524, ., 525, 526, 528, 529, 532, His letter to 533, 534, 536, 590, 591, 688. Massachusetts, 204, 280. Troops offered to, 211. Issues a proclamation to call Parliament, 216. Charleston, S.C, sickness at, 1699, 403. Charlestown, result of a Council at, 1678, 91. Letter from Increase and Cotton Mather to the Church in, 119. Charter of the Colony of Mass. Bay, Writ of Quo Warranto against, 51, 117. Duplicate of, brought over by Samuel Sharp, Of Connecticut, 187. 285, n. Charters, city, in England, proceedings against, 45, 46, 199, 206, 510. Chauncey, Rev. Israel, letter to Increase Mather, 627. Notice of, ib., n. Chauncy, Rev. Charles, Pres. of Harvard College, 190, 205, 627, n. Chauncy, Elnathan, 330. Chauncy, Ichabod, notice of, 617, n. Letters to Increase Mather, 617, 619. Chauncy, Isaac, 619. Chauncy, Mr. 312, 463. Chauncy, Rev. Nathaniel, ordination of, 638. Checkley, Anthony, 46, 529. Checkley, Samuel, 633. Cheevers, Mr., 615.
Ormond,
180, 209,
Chetewode, Mr., 13, 16. Chickley, Mr., 535. See " Checkley." Chiswell, Richard, letter to Increase Math-
Butterworth, John, and Ingraham, William, letter to Increase Mather, 647. Byfield, Nathaniel, 372, 652, 654, 655, 696. Notices of, 372, n., 652, n.
Notice of, ib., n. er, 575. "Christian Philosopher (The)," by Cotton Mather, 445, 447, 448, 450. Christianissimus Christianandus, 343. Christmas, 296, 297, 468. Observance of, under Andros, 371.
Christner, Dr., 644.
Calamy, Rev. Edmund,
177, 195, 197, 208, 341, n., 344, n., 351, n., 509, n., 583, 585, 588, n.
Chronological Memoranda, by Rev. Thomas Prince, 712-714. Church, Capt. Benjamin, 231, 232, 664, n. Church covenant, 549.
720
Church
INDEX.
Cooper, Anthony Ashley, Earl of Shaftsbury, death of, 100, 105, 511, 597, n. Imprisonment of, 327, 329, 330. Released on His departure for Holland, 499. bail, 348. Cooper, John, 694. Cooper, Mr., 228. Cope, Mr.. 197. Corbet, John, 2, 4, 5. Corbet. Miles, apprehended, 188, 190, 193. Cory, John, and others, letter to James Allen
relation of children, 828, 824, Churchill, John, Dukeof Marlborough, 409. Churchill, BeT. Joehna, letter to Increase
Math
.:'>.,><.
Clap. Soger, 405, n. Clark, John (Rhode [aland), 262. (lark, Mr.. 280, 280, 840, 388. Clark, Nathaniel, 266. a. Clarke, 'apt. John, 170, B06. Clark's bland, controversy respecting, 255,
Clifford, Sir
Thomas,
872.
5s:],
216.
:
Clough,
Ci.lifc
.Mr..
Lev. Mr..
>r,.
n., 667. Notice Increase Mather, Accident to, 295.
Cobbet, John, 204, 206. Cobbet, Rev. Thomas, 521,

of,
and others, 695. Cotton, Mrs. Anne (Lake), 314. Cotton, Elizabeth (?), 253. Cotton, Mrs. Joanna, 253. Letter from Cotton Mather to, 403. Cotton. Rev. John, Boston, 11, 36, 45, 110,
126, n., 226, n., 236, 282, 351, n., 518, n., 544, n., 548, 549, 581, 641, 646, n. Letter to his wife, 543.
288,
Letters to 280,201, 208, 206.

n.
Cobbet,
Thomas,
Jr.,
captivity
448.
among
"Coheleth," by Cotton
C.kin. Mr, 210.
200, 204, 295. the Indians, ib., n. Mather, 439,
His
442,
Colbert, M., 414. Colcord, Edward, killed by Indians, 553. Cold, extreme. 1688-4, 848, 684, 635 171920, 437. !ole, Anne, case of, 466-4G9. Cole, John, 466. lole, John, execution of, 215. Cole, Thomas, 216. Coleman, Mr., 224. College Laws, proposition to print the, 516. Collins, Edward, 122, 261, ,, 264, 546. Letter to Gofle and Whalley, 184. Notice of, ib., ;/. Letter to, from William Goffe,
; <
Cotton, Rev. John, Plymouth, 18, 28, 114, 234, 263, 314, 351, 353, 482, 495, 522, n., 552,581. Letter to his mother, 226. To Increase Mather, 228, 229. 230, 232,. 234, 236, 238, 239, 242, 244, 246, 248, 250, 254, 255, 257. To Cotton Mather, 241, 243, 247, 251, 252, 253. Notices of, 226, n., 403, n. Letter from Cotton Mather to, 383. Death of, 403. Letter from John Davenport to, His opinion as to the disposal of 547. Philip's son, 689. Letter from Increase
Mather
690.
to,
ib.
From James Keith

Hampton,
to,
Cotton, Rev. John,
230, 232, 237, Let244, 246, 258, 359, 482, 522, 622, 699. ter to Increase Mather, 656. Notice of,
ib.,
n.
186.
Collins, Rev. John, 680. Collins, Mr., 4:4, 406.
Notice
of, 67, n.
Collins, Lev. Nathaniel, 363. Colman, Mr., 846. of 1667-8, Thomas Shepard's accounl of the, 608. Of 1677, 841. Of 1680, B2, 206, 177. Of 1682, 495, 611. Comets, 40, 101, 214, 480, 406.
('Hint
Cotton, John (H.C. 1681), 240. Cotton, Margaret, 543, 544. Cotton, Mary, 552. Cotton, Mr.,' 588. Cotton, Kev. Roland, 240 (notice of, ib., n.). Invited to Saco, 673: 244, 254, 682. Cotton, Mrs. Sarah (Hankredge), 226. Letter
from John Cotton to, 543. From John Davenport to, 547. From Seaborn Cotton
Commencement
621, 622,
n.
at
Harvard College, 1684,
to, 551.
1688, 671.
to New England, 142, 211. Prayer, 188,206. Statute tor using the, revived, 166. Communion of Churches, 325, 326. Compass, polarity of the, affected by a storm at mm, &c., 624, 628,688. Compton, Sir Charles, 180.
Commissioners
Common
Cotton, Rev. Seaborn, 246, n., 581, 656, n. Notice of, 551, ii. Letter to Sarah Mather, 551. To Increase Mather, 552. Council at Charlestown, 1678, 91. At Plymouth, 1683-4, 252. Council of Massachusetts: answer to the Declaration of the Representatives, 708. Covenant burnt in Scotland, 174.
Conant, Dr.. 108. Conde; Prince of, 145.

oney, Elizabeth, 861, Coney, John, Mary. 861, n. lone)
(
I
Covenant, renewal of, 338, 353, 358, 390. Co\ enanters, persecution of, in Scotland, 331,
n.
332, 335.
<
<
Ckmnrming
loney, Mr.. 861, n. Ministers, 188!
Conformity, \.t for, 102,205,207,210. Congregations in New England, addresses from the, to James [., 607, 808. ticu! Colony, charter of, 187, 190, Duke of Hamilton's claim to lands
1
Coventry, Sir John, assault upon, 217, 222. Coventry, Sir William, 215. Coze, George, 176. Cradock, Gov. Matthew, 134, n., 641, ., 642. Cradock, Lev. Samuel, notice of, 641. n. Letters to Increase Mather, 641, 643. 'His
History of the ized," 643.
New
n.
Testament method-
Cradock, Walter, 641,
in. e
Consociation of Churches, 30. kmstantinople, plague in, 1661, 174. Cook, Dr. EEflha,262 865. Notice of, ib.,n.
1
Cranfield, Edward, 860, 887, 525, 618. persecution of Nonconformists in Hampshire, 57, //., 363, 479. Crawford, Mrs. Susanna, apparition of,
424.
His
New
421-
Crispe, Dr., 546.
INDEX.
Crofton, Rev. Zechariah, imprisoned, 197, 223. Cromwell, Henry, 181. Cromwell, Lord, 197. Cromwell, Oliver, 122, ., 200, 214, 378, n.,
687.
721
;
Declaration of Indulgence, 1663, 207

144.
1672
Crouch, Mr., 219.
liberty of conscience, 67, 114, 507, 508, n., 666, 668, 670, 697, 698, 700, 712. Deer Island, 517. De Foe, Daniel, his narrative of the appaII. for
Declaration of James
Crump, Mr., 428. Cudworth, Major James, 251.

ib., n.
Notice
of,
Cullen, James, 632, n. Cullen, Thomas letters to Increase Mather,

:
632, '634. Cullick, Mrs., death Culver, Mr., 421.
of,
545.
"Culver's Root," 420, 425. " Curiosa Americana," by Cotton Mather,

455. Curtis, Mr., 517, 519. Cushman, Robert, 231, n.
Cushman, Elder Thomas,
231, 257.
Mrs. Veal, 422, n. His account of the storm of Nov., 1702, 457, n. Denhtim, Mr., 215. Denison, Maj.-Gen. Daniel, 533, 586. Notice of, 533, n. Denton, Daniel (Richard?), his "Divine Soliloquy," 630. Dent, Mr., 270. Dering, Sir Edward, death of, 525. Desbrough, John, 215. Dewitt, John, attempted assassination of, 1672, 145. Digby, Lord, 188, 208, 210. His arrival in London, 213. Dimon, Moses, 628. Directory, order of the, for the ordination of ministers, 53, n.
rition of
D.
Dalton, Eev. Timothy, death of, 552. Damulic language, New Testament printed
in the, 445.
Nicholas, remarkable occurrences to, 86. Dissenters in New Hampshire, persecution
Disborough,
of, 57, n., 479. In Bristol, 618. In England and Ireland, liberty granted to, 666, 667. memorial of the, England, Of New
Dan by, Thomas,

19, 346, n.
Earl
of,
impeachment
of,
699.
Danforth, Danforth, Danforth, Danforth,

'
Mrs. Hannah, 373. Rev. John, 38.

Mr., 546.
Rev. Samuel (Taunton), 373. No-
tice of, ib., n.
Danforth, Hon. Thomas, 388, n., 501, 538, 709. Notice of, 504, n. Letters to Increase Mather, 504, 505, 506, 507. Daniel, Capt., 246. Darby, George, 62. Davaux, Count, 712. Davenport, Mrs. Abigail, 264. Davenport, Rev. John, 122, 123, n., 184, 187, Letter to Wil190, 263, 266, 469, n., 614. liam Goodwin, 126 (notice of, ib., n). To
,
" Divine Afflations," by Cotton Mather, 452. " Divine Soliloquy," by Denton, 630. Dix, Abigail, baptized, 666, n. Dix, Deborah, baptized, 666, n. Dix, Edward, baptized, 666, n., Dix, Elizabeth, baptized, 666, n. Dix, John, 666, n. Dix, John, Jr., baptized, 666, n. Dix, Joseph, baptized, 666, n. Dixwell, Col. John, 122, 127, n., 154. Letter to Increase Mather, 164. Notice of,
ib.,
n.
Jr., 165, n.
Dixwell, John,
Dongan, Thomas, 366, Dorney, Henry, 513.
n.
181,
192,
202.
To William
.
Dove
Goffe, 198.
To Mrs. Sarah
To John Cotton, 547. Walter Fyler, 172. From Robert Newman, 173, 183, 201. From Mr. Lang, 173. From John Winthrop, Jr., 174, 183. From William Hooke, 177, 194, 207. From Mr.
Brooks, 181, 185.
house, 186.
188, 205. 203, 204.
Cotton, 546. Letters to, from
Dorsetshire, strange appearances in, 188. of Noah, 436, n. Dover Castle, 206.
Dowden, Lemuel,
Dowries,
,
47.
From Humphrey
Letter found at his Letters from Increase Mather, Davie, 202,
Davenport, John, Jr., 264, 266. See " Dixwell, John." Davids, James. Davie (Davy) Humphrey, 190, 198. Notice of, ib., n. Extracts from letters of, to John Davenport, 202, 203, 204. Davie, Sir John, 190. Davies, Benjamin, 621, 639. Davies, Capt., 170. Davies, Sir John, indicted for high treason,
29.
Davis, John, his edition of Morton's "
Me-
187. Sir George, 188, 193 (notice of, ib., n.), 197. Death of, 525, 535. Dowse, Mrs., 203. Drabicius, Nicholas, predictions of, 43. Dragonnades in France, 355, n. Drake, Abram, Jr., 553. Drake, Samuel G., 518, n. Drelincourt, Charles, fictitious narrative prefixed by De Foe to his " Christian's Defence against the Fears of Death," 422, n. Drought in England, 1704, 645. Drusius, Johannes, 408. Dublin, relief sent from, to New England, 1676 9, 56, n., 690. Ecclesiastical com; Letter from John missioners in, 550. Eliot and others to the churches in, 690. Dublin Custle, plot for surprising, 211. Ducasse, 410.
Downing,
New
morial"
Deacons,
cited, 233, ., 689.
Davis, Mr., 609.

office of, 11.
Duditius, Andreas, "QuinquecclesiensisEpiscopus," 50, 55. Dudley, Ann, 405, %., 533, n.
'
91
INDEX.
Dudley, Jew ph, Governor of Massachusetts,
5,
Elizabeth,
Klines,
497,
in
;-j.
I
' .
of,
: ,
it.
in, n ase Math* r to, 486,n., 188. Notices of, rs i" In"' ase Mather,
>l
Queen of Bohemia, death of, 197. Rev. Mr., 150, 583, 584. Emerson, Mr., 359,360. Emerson, Rev. Jolm (Gloucester), letter to, from Increase Mather and others, 111.
Notice
of,
$.,
n.
Letter
to
Increase
.,
I.
wa
l:.
i-l'
r,
l|
b,
Matlier, 663.
,,
otton Math(
486.
Confine-
Emerson, Rev. John (Manchester, &c.), Ill,

(notice
of. !b.,n.),
iii'
Dudley
Emerson, Rev. William,

II. .n.
112, 663. his "History of the
Du
I
ley,
Pa
,
Notice
of,
first
Church"
cited, 96, n.
Endicott,
688, . Gov. Thon Hi mas [H.C. 1686], 484. Duel between the Duke of Hamilton and
,
.
John (Boston),
358.
England, immorality in, 221. ther on ?i Colonial agent
Cotton
in, 3b9.
Ma-
[.or
Mohun,
r, r.
...
416.
.
Dummi
urn:,
Ann. 'i'i~ n. J< n mi ah, 227, n. my, Jr., 227,

V.
Epiphanius, 11 Episcopal Church in Boston, 518. Service of the, intruded into the meeting-houses in Boston, 700.
.,
425, n.
Eppes (Eps), Mr.,
253, 513, 641, 643.
'i
p,
illiam, 445, 468.
Duncom,
:
Sir John, 216.
r.
Henry, President of Harvard Col,,546.
Ellington, Mr.. 214. Erskine, Archibald, 487, 493. Essays to do good," by Cotton Mather,
441.
Dunton, Mr. [John], 669, 670. Duppa, Brian, Bishop of Wiuchester. death
i
Essex, Arthur Capel, Earl Notices of, 7, n. 196.
of,
7,
101,
105,
r.
Essex
Institute,
Historical
Collections of
Duquesne, M., 687.

Durien, Mr., 644. Dutch, their proceedings in Bantam, 42. Naval en\\ ar with the, 130, 136, 216. menl with tin-. 198. Their successes
in the
I
the, 269, n.
hames, 216.
at,
Duxbury, Bmall pox
238.
Dyer, Mr., 626. Dyer, Mrs. Mary, 58. Dyer, \\ illiam, 534 (notice
of, ib., v.),
535.
Estabrookc, Rev. Joseph, 560. Eugene, Prince, of Savoy, 409. Europe, transactions in, 166-224, 636. Evans, Thomas, execution of, 215. Everard, Edmund, 20. Excommunicato Capiendo (De) the writ, 42. Exeter, church in, 361. Eyre, Mrs. Catharine, 405, n. Eyre, John, 405, n.
F.
E.
Earthquake
in
New Haven,
1
<
cticut,
in.
1.
3,
009, 614. 1677-8, 806.
In
At
V
East Indies,
2.
In
Haddam, Conn., 425.
F-mall-pox at. 247. c< aversion ol the natives in the,
'.7'.'.
Eac-similes of the signatures of King William III. and the Eurl of Nottingham, 711. Fairfax, Lord, 200, 202, 205, 200, 215. Lairweather, Mr., 141. Falconbridge, Lord, 215. Faldo, Lev. John, 650. Notice of, ib., n. Farewell, George, 704.
Eaton, Hannah, 604, .. 611, n. Eaton, Mr., death of, 821, 322. Eaton, Theophilus, governor of New-Haven Death of, 2,-2, Colony, 804, ., 611, //. Notice <>f. 469, n.
.
Farnely Woods, 214. Farnworth, Rev. Mr., 583, 585.

Last, general, in England, 19 June, 1661, 167. Appointed in Massachusetts, Jan. 2,
Thomas,
126.
Eclipse of the sun, .inly 2. L684, 521, 522. ol Nantes, revocation of the, 1; i. dwards, Capt. David (V), 886, 499. Edwards, .1.. 481. Eliot, Dea. Jacob, 247, 870. Eliot, l:< \. John, Roxbury, 16, 17. n., 21, 96, 268, 279, 880, 886, 340, 496, /'-. i44, 616, 626; nnd others,
1
1661-2, 169. Observed by the General Court. -Ian. 1680-1, 2!^0. General, 1678, 289. Appointed in Massachusetts, 10S9,
709.
Faunce, Dea. Thomas, 256. Lay. Air., 506. Felt's ' Ecclesiastical History of Massachusetts," 271,
11.
t-.
Eliot, K. v.
..
churches John [H.C.

tli.-
in
l
1
Dubl
n, 61 0.
Fenwick, Mr., 403. Ferg ran (Ferguson), Mr., 499. guson."

Ferguson,
Lev.
499, .".:;:;. 598. Fifth of November, 435.
See" Fer-
66], 627:
Notice Notice
Robert, 59, 102, 104, 107,
/'.
John [H.C. L666], 627.

.. .
Finch,
K< \.
1'..
John,
1
.!>..
1.
bis
Biographical
..
tionan
1
i
616, //. -l h. notices of, 874,

:
d, 52
".,
466,
/'.
Mather,
of,
..1
hi- wif<
irah,
death
466.
Daniel, Earl of Nottingham, facsimile of the signature of, 711. Finch, Nicholas, J7ti. Fire in Boston, Nov. 27, 1676, 298, 574, 57S. L677, L59, 341. 1679, 22, 597. Lire at Whitehall, Jan. 1662, 180. At Wapping, 16^2, 499.
INDEX.
Fisher, Capt., 496. "Fisherman's Calling, The," bv Cotton Mather, 408, n. Fitch, Capt., 470. Fitch, Rev. James, 333, 336, 478, 480, 640. Letters to Increase Mather, 473, 474, 475. Letter from Samuel Hooker to, 340. Notice of, 473, n. Fitten, Rev. Mr., 583, 584. Fitz-Harris, Edward, 20, n. Fleetwood, Dr., Bishop of St. Asaph, 412. Fleetwood, Mr., 187. Fletcher, Rev. Seth, letter to Increase Mather, 599. Notice of, ib., n. Flint, Thomas, execution of, 215. Folsom, George, his "Hist, of Saco," 599, n. Forbes, Rev. James, letter to Increase Mather, 581. Notice of, ib., n Force's " Collection of Historical Tracts," 597, n. Ford, Sir R., Lord Mayor of London, 220. Forster, Capt. John, 17, n., 183, (202?), 206. Forster, Mr., 630. Foster, Rev. Isaac, 93, 338, 463, 464. Notice of, ib., n. Death of, 311, 465. Foster, John, 538. Fowler, Rev. George ( ?), 583, 584. Fownes, Rev. George, death of, 584. Fox, John, 124. Foxcroft, Col. Francis, 370. Notice of, ib., n. Fov, Capt., 671. Foy, John, 255, 496, 525, 526. France, persecutions of Protestants in, 43, 293, 355, n., 510, 617, 621, 642, 643. War threatened with, 198, 331, 572. Victory of the French over the Prince of Orange, 1677, 328. French invasion threatened, 347. War with, 1712, 409, 411. Plague in, 1721, 453. Designs of, in America, Preparations for war by, 591, 530, 705. 592, 637. Franckius (Francke), Dr. August K., 439, 445, 446.
723
Gendal, Justice, killed by Indians, 519. General Court of Massachusetts, debate in the, on the King's letter, 204, 205. Geoffrey, Mr death of, 197. George L, King, 435. Gibson, Mrs., 61, 62. Gibson, William, 704. Gidney, Bartholomew, 538. Gidnev, Mr., 280, 282.
,
Giffen"; Capt., 166.
Gifford, Mr., 171. Gilbert, John, 14, n. Gilbert, Mr., 14. Letter to, from Robert Newman, 182. From Mr. Viner, ib. Ginkins, Mr , 264, 266, 267. See " Jenkins." Gladman, Major, 180.
Glover, John, M.D., 4. Notice of, ib., n. Glover, Mr., 630. Glover, Rev. Pelatiah, 171, 199. Notice
171, n.
of,
Godfrey, Sir Edmundbury, murder
of,
17,
345, 346, 591. GofFe, Elizabeth, 149. Goffe, Mrs. Frances ( ?), 122, %., 123, n., 140, 143, 149, 153, 154, 156, 160, 161, 261. Letter to her husband, 133. Letter from William Goffe to, 136. Goffe, Rev. Stephen, 122, n. Goffe, Col. William, 59, 103, 107, 127, 156, 166, 172, 173, 179, 184, 198, 199, n., 260, Letter to 261, n., 533. 128. To Edward Collins, 135. To his wife, 136. To William Hooke, 151. To Increase Mather, 156, 159, 160, 162, 163. Notice of, 122, n. Letters from William Hooke to, 122, 143, 148. From John Davenport From Peter Tilton to, 224. to, 198. Gold, Mr., 174, 179, 194. Goldsmith, Frances. See " Goffe, Frances." Goldsmith, Walter. See " Goffe, William."
,
"
Good News from New England," by Edward Winslow, 229, 230.

150, 189, 190,
Franklin, John, 47. Franklin, Mr., 498. Frary, Theophilus, 370, 371, 700.
Frechenill, Col., Governor of York, 213. Frederick, Sir John, Lord Mayor of London,
179.
Goodwin, John, 237. Goodwin, Rev. Thomas, D.D.,

193, 195, 208, 509.
Goodwin, William, 79, 545, 584. Letter from John Davenport to, 126. From Mr. Whiting to, 216. Letter from, to John Winthrop, Jr., cited, 470, n. Notices 545, n.
of,
126, n.,
French Church in the Savoy, liturgy of the Church of England used in the, 167.
Frost, Capt. John, 530, 535. Fryer, Nathaniel, 357, 360, 361, 527.
tices of, 357, n., 527, n. Fvler, Walter, letter from, to "port, 172.
No-
John Daven-
Goodyear, Mr., 125. Gookin, Maj.-Gen. Daniel, letter to Increase Mather, 626. Notice of, ib., n. Gookin, Rev. Daniel, 615. Gookin, Eliza, 627, n. Gookin, Rev. Nathaniel, ordained, 388. Notice of, ib., 11., 508, n. Gorsius, (Gorscius) Jacobus, 377. Gouge, Mr., "forged letter to, falsely attributed to Increase Mather,* 59, 100,"' 101, 104, 108, n., 112, 113, 525, 528, 533. Governor- General to be sent to New Eng' land,* 198, 526, 573. Grafton, John, 282 (notice of, ib., n.), 498, 500. Grafton, Mr., 672.
G.
Gale, Gale, Gale, Gale,
Abigail, baptized, 666, n. Anna, baptized, 666, n.
John, 666, n. Rev. Theophilus, 343. Death of, 264. Notice of, ib., n. Galen, 459. Gardner, Mrs. Eliza, death of, 465. Gardner, George, 465, n. Gauden, John, Bishop of Exeter, 195. Gedney (Giclney), Bartholomew, 538. See
Graham, James, Attorney-General, 517. Grammar Schools, Boston and Roxbury,

635, n.
" Gidney." Gelespe (Gillespie), Patrick, 166, 197.
..
Graves, Thomas, 339. Greathead, Mr., 214. Green, Bartholomew, 663,
n.
INDEX.
Green, Samuel, letter from Benjamin Bulli%;,: Notice of, ift., " imotbv, 468, 466, 32.
I
Hatton, Mr., 270. Havered, Mr., 544. Haviland, Mr., 583, 585.
(,i.
oe, Bartlet, 124.
Greenhill, Bev. William, 160, 583,584.

Griffin,
Gresham Ann,
I
ollege, 440,682.
di
position
of,
421-124.
Griffith, Mi"..
<
Hawkredd (Hawkridge), Anthony, 351, n. Hawkridge, Elizabeth, 351, n. Hawkridge, Mary, 351, n. Hawkridge, Sarah, 351, n. Hawthorne, Major John, 270. Agentto England, 217.
hroone, John, 176. lenry, 176. Grover, John, 216. k, Otto de, 404.
I
Hawthorne, William, 270. Notice of, ib., ft. Haynes, Gov. John, 339, ft. Death of, 469,
470. 339.
Notice
of,
469,
ft.
Guiana, 191. Guthery, Bev.
Haynes, Rev. Joseph, 467, 468.

.Mr.,
Death
of,
ICG.
Notices
,
of, ib.,
ft.
467,
ft.
Hayward, Mr
JI.
504.
Hazelrig, Sir Arthur, 167.
Hebrew Psalters for Harvard College, Hemingway, Daniel, notice of, 657, w.
ters to
680.
Let-
Habeas Corpus Act, 890. Hacy, Mrs. Judith. Letter of recommendation of, from the Church at [pswich, 288,
Increase Mather, 657, 659.

letter
Henchman, Richard,
ther, 664.
to
Cotton Ma-
Notice
of, ib., n.
Haddam, Conn., earthquakes in, 425. "Hades looked into," by Cotton Mather,
427, n.
Hadley, Church
in,
78.
Sickness
at,
80,
Bail-storm, July 26, 1682, 629. Hale, Sir Matthew, his ' Great Audit," 575. His death, ib. Hales, John, of Eton, 575. Halifax, discount, 145, 499. Hall, Cant Nathaniel, 664, notice of, ib., ft. Halley, Dr. 444.
Hamilton, James, Marquis of, patentgranted 1681 to for lands in Connecticut, 603. Hamilton, .lames, Duke of, his duel with Lord Mohun, 416.
.
Henfield, Mr., 283. Heiiman, Mr., 609. Henrietta, Queen of England, 200, 206, Henry, Rev. Philip, 406. Herb-market in London removed, 180. Hereford, storm at, 1661, 175. llewson, Colonel, 181. 1 eyes, John, 319, 322. Hibbins, Mrs. Anne, 58. Higginson, Capt., 199, 200, 201. Higginson, Rev. Francis, 269, ft. Higginson, Rev. John, 199, 340, 630, Statement by, 269. Apology of, 270. ters to Increase Mather, 278, 280, 282,
1
208.
673.
Let283,
Hamon, Mr., 616. Hampden, John, 688, . Hampden, John, Jr.,

Hampton,
I
Notice of, 269, ft. Highlanders of Scotland, 331, 336. Hill, General, 411. Hill, John, 293.
285, 287.
Hill, Mr., 269. Billiard, Benjamin, 553.
letter
from
Simon
Bradstreel to, 588. X.I I., attack of the Indians upon, '.7 7. 552 564. Hnnford, Thomas, 811, 812, 818. Letters to In. rease Mather, Notice ot, 628, 626.
Hinckley, Gov. Thomas, 236, 244, ft., 695. Near, Bridget, 571, notice of, ib., n.
Hoar. Daniel. 571,
ft.
Hoar, John, 571. Hoar, Rev. Leonard, President of Harvard

College, 571,
rt.,
Hankredge, Richard, 226. Hanson, Mr., 270. Harrimnn, John, 660. Notice of, Harrington, Sir James, 167. Harrington, John, 666, n. Harrington, Mary, baptized, 666,
1
572.
ib., n.
Hoar, .Mary, letter to Bridget Hoar, 571. Notice of, ib., n. Hobart, Rev. Gershom, 237 (noticeof, ib., tc.),
599.
n.
- 1
Mr., 872.
Harris, Thomas, 5. Harris, William,697. Harrison, Dr., 880, 688, 584. ll.ii \ b, Mr., 8 19.
i
Hobart, Rev. Jeremiah, letter to Increase Mather, 661. Notice of, ib., ft. Hobart, Mr. [Nehemiah], 114, 495. Hobart, Rev. Peter, 237, n., 661, n. Hobby, William, 704.
Hog
Island, 517.
Harvard College,
i22,
98, 264, 815. 888, 889, 888, ifl 506* B06, 507, 610,
Holland, inundation
698,
I.
616,
//.,
626, 627, 846,
671, 677, a., 7oo, 702, Notice of the " Theses," lection of l.V\ Samuel Torrey '- rri ddent, 99. Removal of John Emerrom, 1. Petition in behalf of, 18.
.'
in, 429, 597, 618. Condition of, 1676, 572. Calamities in, 597. Hollis, "Thomas, 677, n. Hoiman, Mr., 299.
12,
7i
i
i.
Holme. Ann, 657. Holme. Ellen, 659. Holme, John, 657. Holmes. John, 19.
Theses," 1678, 248. \\ illiam Pe yer's bequest to, 806. Catali fgue "i 1682, mentioned, 8M. Sir Matthew orthy's donation to, 502. Sir Robaorn< r'a donation to, 878, Hebrew
"i
I
Ho mes, Rev. John, death

Holt, Ahigail, 657. Holt, Catherine, 667, ft. Holt, Edmund, f>">7. u.
of,
22S.
ni
for,
680.
Election
terry*
of
Samuel
I.
Holworthy, Holworthy,
I.
adv. 602.
Sir'
Matthew, his donation
to
Kowell
aaTn
tourer pro
INDEX.
Honywood,
Sir Robert, Jr., 215.
725
by, 290,
Hook, Mr., 668. Hook, Mrs., 668. Hooke, Mrs. Jane,

tice of, 127,
re.
re. War with the, 300, 576, 664. Sickness among the, 311, 337. Randolph's account of the treatment of the, by the col-
133, 136, 141, 161.
No-
Letters from, to Rebecca Russell, 260. To Increase Mather, 261, To John Wilson, 267. 262, 263, 264, 266.
England, 262. to 133, 156, 174, 179, 190, 193, 260, 298, re., 301, 304, 309, 585. Letters to William Notice of, 122, re. Goffe, 122, 143, 148. To John Davenport, To Increase Mather, 582. 177, 194, 207. Death of, 160, 583, re. Hooke, Walter, 149.
Her donations
New
Hooke, Rev. William,
Attack by, upon Hampton, Conversion of the, 679. 1677, 552. Indian wars, Mather's Historv of the, 158, Relief to sufferers 342, 353, 576, 578, 581. by the, sent from Dublin, 9, 690. Indulgence, Declaration of, 207, 666. Infant baptism, 580. Ingraham, William: letter to Increase Mather, 647. Inoculation for the small-pox, 449, 454.
onists, 531.
Instruments, mathematical, bought for Har-
Hooker, Rev. Samuel, 467. Notice of, 337, re. Letters to Increase Mather, 337, 338.
To James
Fitch, 340.
Hooker, Mrs. Susan, 545. Hooker, Rev. Thomas, 337, re., 339, re., 546, 548. Notice of, 544, re. Death of, 544, 545. Hopkins, Edward, death of, 610, notice of,
ib.,
re.
Horsev, Mr., 352. Hoskins, Mr., 196.
How, Ephraim, 609. How, Mr., 343, 501.

Howard, Lord, of Escrick, Howard, Mr., 551. Howard, Robert, 704.
Howell, Nathan, 460.
636.
vard College, .500. Intrusion, writs of, 517. Inundations in Holland, 429, 597, 618. Ipswich, church at, 288, 290, 292, 294 v 297. Ireland, relief sent from, to New England in 1676, 9, 56, re., 690. Condition of, 1686-7, Conspiracy in, 125. Propo63, 64, 65. sals of the Parliament in, 209. Strange appearances in, 210. Plot discovered in, 211. Particulars of the plot, 213, 214. Religious liberty in, 490. Prosecution of nonconformists in, 550. Isherwood, Abigail, 657. Ive, John, 502, 571. Ives, Mr., 13.
Howes, Edward, 377, re. Howland, Lt. Jabez, 231. Notice of, ib., re. Hubbard, (Hobart), Nehemiah, 114. Hubbard, William, Sr., 4. Hubbard, Rev. William, 4, 5, 91, 340, 502,
521,
re.,
J.
Jackson, Rev. Arthur, death of, 584, 585.' Jackson, Homer, 42. Jacombe, Rev. Samuel, 219. Jafmapatam, conversions in, 679. Jamaica, L.I., church gathered at, 302. James I., King of G. Britain, 197, re., 469, n. James, Duke of Cambridge, baptized, 210.
671.
His narrative of the Indian
Wars, 232, re., 233, 234, 235. Hudson, ,376. Hudson, Mr., 181, 199, 549, 550. Hughs, Mr., 477. Hull, Hannah, 520, re.
Hull, Capt. John, 170, 249, 520, Hull, Mr., 270. Hulton, Nathaniel, 659. Humfreys, Rev. Mr., 344.
re.
Death of, ib., re., 216. James, Duke of Monmouth,

207,
re.,
25, 26, 27, 144,
223, 334, 637.
James,
Duke
of
York,
Arrest of, 497. afterwards King
Hungary,
42, 43, 105.
Hunter, Gov. Robert, 431. Huntington, L.I., chui*ch gathered at, 302. Hurricane in the West Indies, 1878, 335. Hutchinson, Capt., 365. Hutchinson, Edward, 424. Hutchinson, Elisha, 676,. 700, 713. And
others, petition to
King James
II.,
701.
Hutchinson, Gov. Thomas, his " History of Massachusetts Bay " cited,. 109, re., 110, re.,
123, 531,
re.,
II., 30, 42, 179, 181, 186, 200, 201, 208, 212, 213, 216, 225, 334, 345, 369, 489, 494, 499, 507, 508, re 591, 617, 619, 651, 669, 670, 671, 673, 680, 688, 699, 703, 704, His declaration- for 707, 712, 713, 714. liberty of conscience, 67, 114, 115. Memorial presented to, by Increase Mather, 114. Addresses to, by the congregations in England, 697, 698. Petition of Increase Mather and others to, 701. James, John, execution of, 195. James, Mr., imprisoned, 498.
,
James
New
re.,
366, 534,
re.,
re.
370,
re.,
520,
re.,
524,
re.,
530,
Janeway, Rev. James,
Hyde, Edward, Earl of Clarendon, Hyde, Viscount, 499.
211.
150, 282 (notice of, ib., re.), 583, 584. Jeffers (Gifford?) Mr., 170. Jeffreys, George, Chief- Justice, 30, 45. Jenkins, Sir Leoline, or Lionel, 102, 107, re., 113, 528.
I.
Jenkins, Rev. Mr., 197, (Ginkins), 264, 266,

267.
Immorality in England, 221. Impressment in Boston, 370, 519. Indian captives, 231, 232, 233. Action of the General Court in relation to, 689.
Indian language, translations into the, 679.
Indians, hostility of the, 85, 370^ 377, 519, 582, 586, 675, 705. Erroneous reports of the, 245. Capture of Thomas Cobbet, Jr.,
Jenner, Capt. Thomas, 253. Jephson, Col., his execution, 210. Jessey, Jacob, 264, 265, 266. Jessie, Rev. Henry, 197, 262, 263, 583, 584. Jether, an Indian captive, 231, 232, 233. Jewish children converted in Berliu, 420.
Johnson, Isaac, 518, n. Johnson, John, notice of, 76.
26
Johnson, Mr Johiwton, Mr
Jollie,
INDEX.
Land-titles of the colonists, 536. Lang, Mr., 173. Langhorn, porpoises taken in the river of, 216. " Lapis e Monte excisus," b}r Cotton Mather, 445. Larkin, Thomas, 702. Laud, William. Archbishop of Canterbury, 180, 225. Lauderdale, John, Earl of, 207, 209, 333. Lawson, Lev. Deodat, 372, 518. Notice of,
ib.,
LetRev. Thomas, notice of, 817, n. Increase Mather, 817,819,822, 825. 826. of, ordination Timothy, Rev. Jollie,
ten
to
[mprisone
.i
.
I.
ib.,
Lett
.
185. Notice of, 604, n. J4, 607. Mather, n " John, baptized, ,;,
Mrs.
Hannah,
to In srease
'
,;
/'. Jones, Josiah, 66 Jones, William, 17 ;. L99, 811, G04, n., 694. by lightning, 810. Nostruck house His . Letters to Increase Mather, 611, n.
>,
n.
611, 612.
Lawson, Sir John, sails for Spain, 213. Layton (Leighton), Robert, Bishop of Dunblane, 194.
Jonson, Ben, 178.

Jurien, Peter,
.In-tin
>''
t.
Martyr,
11,
12, n.
Le Chaise, 345. Lee, Anne, 540, 542.

Lee, Rebecca, 373, n. Lee, Rev. Samuel, 365, 373, 500, 502, 671. Letters to Increase Notice of, 540, n. Mather, 540, 541, 542. Installed at Bristol,
of,
K.
K. B. against the Quakers, 377.
695.
Katharine, Queen, lî, England, 197.
l s 7.
Arrival
in
Keach, Benjamin, his work against the Quakers, 377. n. 858. S imu Keith, George, answer of the ministers of
I.
Leeds, meetings at, 214. Leete, William, Governor of New Haven and Death of, 481, 626. Connecticut, 182. Letter to Increase Mather, 621. Notice
of, ib., n.
ton to, 672, 678.
Keith, James, letter to John Cotton, relating to the disposal <>0 Philip's son, 690. Kellard, Thomas, 123, ., 179, n. Kelsey, Thomas, '21"). Kempton, Mr., 228.
Lempster (Leominster), storm at, 212. Leontinus, Gorgias de, 409. Leu-Men, John, letter to Increase Mather,
678. Notice of, ib., n. Leverett, John, Governor of Massachusetts, Death of, 359. 13, 187, 271, ., 573. Leverett, John, President of Harvard College, Notice of, 111, 112, 114, 656. 656, n. Ley, Col., 499. Lidcot, Col 180. Lidget, Col. Charles, 370. Notice of, ib., n. Light, Rev. Mr., 583, 584. Lightning in New Haven, &c, 310. Lillv, Mr., 460, 461. Lilly, Samuel. 370. Ling, Mr., 177. Liste, John, 571, n. Lloyd, Dr., Bishop of Worcester, 411. Lloyd, Mr.. 588. Lobb, Richard, 59, 61. Letter to, from Nathaniel .Mather, 65. Notice of, 64% n. Letters to Increase Mather, 64S, 650. Lobb, Richard, Sr., 651, n. Lobb, Lev. Stephen, prosecution of, 651. Notice of, ib u. Loder (Loader), Rev. John, 150, 583, 5S4, 641. Loder, Mrs, 639. London, proceedings against the city charter of, 45, 46, 618. Lectures set up in. 196. Robberies in, 196, 200. Storm in, 196. Proceedings of Charles II. against, 206. Rebuilding of, after the lire/ 222. Suppression of meetings in, 510, 511. Deaths of nonconformist ministers in, 5S3-585. Plague ami lire in, 1665-6, 597. Proceedings against the charter of, 494, 496, 499. Suspension of the Bishop of, 651. Restoration of the charter, 713.
,
,
Kenrick, Col., L80. Kentish, Rev. Mr., 683, 5S4. Kethley, Walter, 356.
K.
it.
Mr., 347.
Key, Mrs.. 187, 491. Tin. ma-. 187. |\.

\
.
Kick, Abraham, 101, 105, 107, 528. Notice Letters to Increase Mather, of, 696, n.
Kick, John, 698, 599. King, Dr., 414.
Mr.
Kirk.
371.
n.
King's Chapel, Boston, 518,
Thomas, 128, />., 179, n. Knapp, Elizabeth, accounl of the ease Samuel Willard, 665-570.
Kiiat.hi.nl. sir Norton, Bart., 459. Knowles, Mr., k96, 684, 675. Knox's listory of Ceylon, 673. . by Increase Mather, K
I
of,
by
4rt,
101,
Kotterus, Christopher, predictions
of,
48.
Ladd, Mr.. 624. Lake, John, 801. Lake, Mrs 2 18, 269, 801,
.
8 15, 307, 588.
Mrs.,
1
-I
Dorchester, 68.
apt Thomas, 586. Notice of, 298, n. Murdered by the Indians, 800, 801, 887.
Hi- epitaph, 801,
I
n.
..'.inli.
.Mi
Long. Mr., 330.

1-7.
Lambert, ol 167, 172, Lamberton, Hannah,

itruction
r.
Long
302.
II, u.
Island,
131.
Churches gathered on,
of,
by Indi
Rev.
Lord, ('apt.. 174. Lord, Richard, notice
of, 87, n.
INDEX.
Lord's Supper, ancient
727
mode
of administra-
Letter (with Increase Mather) to the church
Bichard Mather on the tion of the, 12. frequency of administration of the, 72. Solomon Stoddard on the, 83. Lorkin, Mr., 256. Lorraine, Duke of, 642. Louis XIV., anecdote of, 414. Love, Mr., 253. Lucas, Lord, 218. Luscomb, Major Humphrey, death of, 503.
Charlestown, 119. Notice of, 383, n. Letter to John Cotton, 383. To John Richards, 385, 390, 391, 397, 401, 402, 405. Paper relating to the appointment of an agent to England, 389. Letter to Mrs. Joanna Cotton, 403. To Wait Winthrop,
in
"Lux
517.
e Tenebris," 48.
Lynde, Joseph, writ of intrusion served on,

Notice
of, ib.,
ri.
To John 404, 408, 410, 414, 415, 418, 426. Winthrop, 405, 407, 413, 417, 418, 419, 425, 426, 427, 428, 429, 430, 431, 432, 433, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439, 440, 442, 443, 444, 446, To 447, 449, 450, 452, 453, 454, 458, 459. John Woodward, 456. Statement by, 460. Nathaniel 33. Mather, Letters to, from
M.
Macaulay's History of England Maccartney, Gen. George, 416.
cited, 651, n.
From John Cotton, 241, 243, 247, 251, 252, 253. From Thomas Bailey, 488. From Timothy Woodbridge, 638. From Richard Henchman, 664. From Nathaniel Mather, From John Winthrop, 681. Jr., 672, 673.
His "Magnalia" cited, 17, n., 555, n. At* tempt on his life, 449. Almanack by, 479. His invitation to New Haven, 692. Mather, Bev. Eleazer, 9, 33, n., 85, n., 205, Letter to John Davenport, 192. 671, n. Mather, Mrs. Esther ( W arham), 671. Notice
of, ib., n.
Magdalen
College,
its
rights restored, 713.
Maglaine, Archibald, 29. Magnetical engine, 377, n. Maine, province of, 371. Expedition to, under Andros, 372. Malbone, Rev. Samuel, 4, 197. Mallory, Rev. Thomas, 150, 583, 5S4. Manchester, Earl of, 177. Mansfield, Moses, 694. Manton, Rev. Dr., Thomas, 208. Map of New England, by Cotton Mather, 9. Marlborough, Duke of. See " Churchill, John."
Mather, Rev. Increase, D.D.,

n., .,
Marshall, Mr., 173, 321. Marshden, Mr., 214. Martin, Henry, 195. Martyn, Richard, 357. Marvell, Andrew, 224.
I., Queen, 181, 591. II., Queen, 117, 118, 412, 516, n., 539, 596, n. Mason, Mr., 676. Mason, Robert, 527, 531. Death of, 367 (notice of, ib., n.\ 369. Mason, Stephen, 705, n. Letter to Increase Mather, 699. Massachusetts, debate in the General Court of, on the king's letter, 204. Action in relation to the observance of the Sabbath, Proceedings against the charter 279, n. of, 51, 117, 532. Land-titles in, 536. Letter from Gov Bradstreet to John Hampden, Jr., in behalf of the General Court of, 538. Answer of the Council to the DeclaraVote of tion of the Representatives, 708. the Governor and Council, 709. Order for town elections, 710. Massachusetts Historical Society, 224, n. Collections and Proceedings of the, cited, 123, n., 229, n., 285, n., 373, n., 470, n., 524, n., 654, n., 683, 684. Massasoit, 229. Massey, Mr., 202. Master, Giles, 794. Memorandum by, 485. Mather, Mrs. Abigail, 672, 674.
5, 108, n., 109, 110, to., 113, 114, 117, 121, 227, 234, 247, 260, 269, 293, n., 339, 364, n., 383, n., 414, 442, 470, n., 483, n., 485, 502, 508, n., 516, n., 525, 526, 528, 531, 533, 534, 552, 597, n., 627, 663, n., 666, n., 672, ., 673, 692, 694, 700, 704, 705, 707, n., 708, n., 712, 713.
Notices
of,
5,
n.,
89, n.
,
Letter to
John
Mayo,
Mary Mary
89. To 90. To Jonathan Tucknev, 91. To John Whiting, 93. To Michael Wigglesworth, 94, 95. To Sampson Bond, 96. To Samuel Willard, 97. To Samuel Mather, 98. To the elders of the church in Weymouth, 99. To Joseph Dudley. 100, 112. Forged letter imputed to, 59, 100, 104, 108, n., 112, 113, 525, 528, 533, 534, 597, n To James Allen, 110. To John Emerson, 111. To Charles Morton, ib. Petition in behalf of Harvard College, 113. Memorial of griev-
ances presented to James II. by, 114. Petition, with others, to the Committee for Trade, &c, 116. Letter to Sir Henry Ashhurst, 117. Report and order in Council in the handwriting of, ib. And Cotton Mather, letter to the church in Charlestown, 119. Letters to John Davenport, 188, 205. Letters from Nathaniel
Mather
to, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 28, 32, 34, 37, 38, 40, 41, 44, 46, 47, 51, From Richard Ma52, 56, 58, 61, 63, 67.
ther, 76. From John Russell, 79, 82, 84, 86. From William Goffe, 156, 159, 160,
162,163. From John Dixwell, 164. From John Cotton (Plymouth), 228, 229, 230,
Mather, Mrs. Catherine, 657, Mather, Rev. Cotton, D.D.,

109, 268, 379, 497, 605, 660,
n.,
n.
9, 34, 108, n. 114, n., 121, 238, 240, 243, 246, 251 291, 308, 312, 313, 352, 365, 373, n. 380, 424, 465, 469, w., 479, 483, n., 495 501, 502, 503, 505, n., 530, 555, n., 596 606, 608, 611, 621, 624, 626, 634, 647, n. ., 662, 671, 672, 674, 682, 701, 705
232, 234, 236, 238, 239, 242, 244, 246, 248, From Jane Hooke, 250, 254, 255, 257. 261, 262, 263, 264, 266. From John Higginson, 278, 280, 282, 283, 285, 287. From Thomas Cobbet, 288, 289, 291. 293, 296. From John Bishop, 298, 299, 300, 301, 303, 304, 306, 307, 308, 309, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315. From Thomas Jollie, 317, 319, 322, 325. From Richard Blinman, 328, 329, From Samuel Hooker, 337, 330, 333, 334. 338. From Samuel Petto, 341, 342, 344,
728
Prom Jonathan Tuckney, i. From Joshua Mood
INDEX.
861,
to attend the funeral of Samuel Nowell, 704. 420 (notice of, ib., .), Katharine, Blather,
i,
tation
Prom Joseph El From John Mather, 880, 881. Whiting, 168, 164, 166, 166, 469. From
I
rora
424. 427.n.
Mather. Maria (daughter of Increase), 249,

884, 497.
From Rev. From v John Joseph Dudley, From John Richards, 186, iiBaitej 602. From Thomas 507. From SamFrom Samuel n, Baker, 509, 512, 518. '.17. 619. From John Rogers, Bewail, 616. 22. From Edward Randolph, 524. From .in Gov. Bimon Bradstreet, 682. Samuel Lee, 540,541,542. From Samuel Cotton, From Seaborn Mather, 649, 660. rom Samuel Willard, 570. From Thomas Thornton, 578. From Richard From John Westgate, 577. Chiswell, 676. James Forbes, 581. From William From Samuel Wakeman, Hooke, 682. rom Solomon Stoddard, 586. From From Thomas Elizabeth Moulder, 587. From William Waterhouse, 688, 690. From Nathaniel Morton, ton, 592. 694. From Abraham Kick. 596, 598. From Seth Fletcher, 699. From Abraham From Thomas Shepard, Pierson, Jr., 601. r 602. 808. From lamiali Jones, 604,607. From From W illiam Jones, 611, 612. From Ichabod Samuel Torrey, 616. Chuuncv, ''-17. 619. From William Feck, From William Leete, 621. From Thomas Hanford, 628, 625. From Daniel From Israel Chauncey, 627. Gookin, 626. From Edward Taylor. <w. From Joshua From Thomas Cullen, 682, Scottow, 681. From Benjamin Tompson, rom Joshua Churchill, 689. From SamFrom Michael uel Cradock. 641, 648. From John Buttersworth, 646. worth and William (ngraham, 647. From Rii hard Lobb, 648, 660. From John Walley, 661, 664. From John Cotton (II. C. 1678 666. From Daniel Hemingway, rom Jeremiah Feck. 660. From Jeremiah Hobart, 661. From John Emer.i.un.
i
it h,
178,
i:i.
176.
Simon
Bradstreet,
i
477, 479, 480. From -. 48*.
Mather. Mrs., 520. Mather. Mrs. Maria (Cotton), 12, 14, 16, 21,
36, 38, 41, 45, 58, 62, 66, 67, -84, 85, 88, 97,
..
228, 298, 351, 552, 664.
232, 235, 247, 251, 263, 265, 268, 299, 303, 305, 307, 308, 310, 312, ., 358, 380, 493, 495, 497, 499, 574, 581, 601, 606, 611, 624, 626,
296, 315, 501, 641,
Mather, Rev. Nathaniel, 31, ?., 150, 293, 330, 88 J, 486, 493, 494, 550, 576, 583, 619, 623,
648, n., 649, 650, 651, 657, 677, 678, n., 692. To Increase Letters to John Rogers, 1, 4. Mather, 5, 7, 9, 10, 13, 14, 15. 16, 17, 18, 22, 28, 32, 34, 37, 38, 40, 41, 44, 46, 47, 51, To Cotton Mather, 52, 56. 58, 61, 63, 67. Notice of, l,n. 33. To Richard Lobb, 65. Epitaph of, in Bunhill Fields Cemetery, Severe illPortrait of, 28, 40, 45. 2, n.
ness of, 38. Mather, Nathaniel, Jr., 33, 34,' 247, 314, 384. Notices of, 672,?i., 673, n. Letters to Cotton Mather, 672, 673. Death of, 676, 677. Epitaph of, 672, n. Mather, Rev. Richard, 1, n., 2, n., 226, n., 240,
282, 549, n., 551, n., 657, n. Letters to
.1
To Increase Mather, 76. 69, 72. by him, 1647, lb. Notice of, 69, n. Mather, Rev. Samuel, Dublin, 1. 77., 9, 18, 23, Alleged portrait 31, 32, 35, 43, 150, 488. His sermons on the Types, 43, of, 18, n.
,
List of books borrowed
Letters to In45, 47, 50, 54, 57, 60, 61. crease Mather, 54!'. 550. Notice of, 549, ??.
Mather, Rev. Samuel. Windsor, Conn.,
34, 64,
463, 464, 466. Notices of, 34, ,/., 380, n. LetLetter from Increase Mather to, 98. ters to Increase .Mather, 380, 381. Mather. Samuel (II. C. 1690), 368, 677,712. Notice of, 672. //.
Bon, 668.
I
Anonymous
FromJohn
letters to,
668,669.
rom Warbara Mather, 671.

(.7 1.
From .lames
Phillips,676. From Sir Robeii Thorner, 677. From John Leusden, 678. From Philip, Lord Wharton, 680. From the church at New Haven,
Allen.
2. rom John Cory and others, 696. rom Stephen Mason, 699. Anonymous
I
Mather. Rev. Samuel, D.D., 408, n. Mather, Samuel, (157. Mather, Mrs. Sarah (Hankredgo), letter to, from John Cotton of Plymouth, 226. Mather, Sarah, 384. Mather, Timothy, 9, 15, 18, 34,.,380, n. Mather, \\ arham. 86. Letter to Increase Mather, 071. Notice of, ib., . Maverick, Samuel, 170, 197. Mayo, Rev. John, 205. Letter from Increase Mather to, 89. Notice of, ib., n.
']''>,
Mead,
Mr.. 498.
8,
letter
t... 702. Wary of, cited, 81, a., 66. r. Portrait of, senl t<> his .brother Nathaniel,
1
Mede, Joseph,
ters to,
."(17.
43, S79.
79.
Dr. Twisse's
let-
28.
His
S.Ofurroyp(Upia,
f
49,
101,
a,
180.
Meekins, Thomas,
Metcalf, Mr., 642.
Hi- Relati
the wars with the Indians, His voyage 581.

.
642,
266, 267, 815, 816, a., 7oi, ., 712. Note by,
His" Essay torthe Recording of Illustrious Providences,"

Illness
of,
An.
166, n., 176,612,612,. of, from shipLetter to John Cotton, reto the disposal of Philip's son, 689. others, petition t<> James IF. 701. .; for the arrest of, 702. Pleas in Randolph against, 7o3. Invi
Meynell, Francis, 179. Middleton, John, Earl of, Commissioner to Scotland, removed. 209. Mildmay, Sir Henry, 167, 187. Miles. John, execution of, 215. Miles, Rev John, 586. Miles. Richard, extract from a letter of, 206. Millord. church in. 880, 381. Mill creek in Boston, 401, n.
.Mineral Spring at Ministers, 198.
Plymouth, 246.
INDEX.
Ministers, nonconformist, deceased in and about London, 304, 583, 584. Minor, Mr., 621. Miscellaneous Letters and Papers, 543-684.
729
of,
Nevet, Rev. Rowland, death
584.
Newberry, Thomas, 260,
n.
Newbury,
New
ecclesiastical dissensions in, 415. England, a Governor-General to be

to, 526, 573.
of,
Missionaries in India, 1720, 445. Mitchel, Rev. Jonathan, 7, notice

33, 630.
of,
ib., n.,
sent 594.
History congregations
595.
to
Condition of, 577, 593, Addresses from the
of,
James
II.,
697, 698.
Mitchell, James, executed, 332. Mog (Mugg), an Indian, siain, 632. Mohra, (Sweden), witchcraft in, 392. Mohun, Lord, his duel with the Duke of Hamilton, 416. Molines, Jacob, 549. Moll, Mr., 550. Monk, George, Duke of Albemarle, 170, Embarks for Ja182, 197, 199, 202,- 215. maica, 669. Monmouth, James, Duke of, 25, 26, 27, 144. Monstrosity, 362, 614. Montague, Gen., his exped'n to Algiers, 170. Montgomeryshire, reported apparitions in, 183, 184, 196. Moodev, Rev. Joshua, 110, 282, 284, 294, 295,"518, 541, 571, 666, n., 712. Imprisonment of, by Cranfield, 57, n., 283, n., Notice of, 357, n. Letters to 313, 363. Increase Mather, 357, 358, 359, 360, 361, 363, 364, 365, 369. To Samuel Nowell, 371. Moodey, Samuel, 368. Moon, remarkable appearance about the, Dec. 25, 1682, 296. Moors, Rev. Mr., 584. Moreland, Sir Samuel, 378. Notice of, ib., n. Morice, Robert, 176. Morley, George, Bp. of Worcester, 193, 195. Morley, Lord, 196. Mortimer, Cromwell, 419, 683, 684. Morton, Rev. Charles, 119, n., 367, 368, 541, Notice of, 59, n. Letter 542, 649, 663. from Increase Mather and others to, 111. Morton, Mr., 670. Morton, Nathaniel, 255, n. His " New England's Memorial" cited, 233, n., 689. Letter to Increase Mather, 594. Notice
of, ib.
11.
Order for the restoration of charters to, 710. "New England's Memorial," by Morton,
233, n., 596, 689.
New Hampshire, 371.

formists in, 57, 533.
n.,
479, 700.
Persecution of nonconCordition of,
Newhaiisel, surrendered to the Turks, 211.
Haven, church in, 308, 363, 605, 611. Letter from the, to Increase Mather, 692. New Jersey Historical Society, Collections of,
599, n., 601, n.
New
New
London, murder
at,
377.
Newman, Rev. Noah,

mouth
tice of, ib., n.
preaches
the
233.
Ply-
election sermon, 1677,
NoMr.
Newman, Rev. Samuel, Newman, Robert, 173,

Gilbert, 182; to
233, n. 182. Letter to
Mr. Davenport, 201. Newman, William ( ?), 173. New North Church in Boston, 434.
News-Letters, extracts from, transcribed William Goffe, 166-224.
by
Newton, Sir Isaac, 444. Newton, Rev. Roger, 165,

notices
of,
n., 304, 337, n., 304, n., 380, n. Illness of, 380.
Death of, 626. "New Year (A) well begun," by Cotton

Mather, 431, 433, 450.
Nicholas, John, 215. Nicholet, Rev. Charles, 269, 271 (notice ib., n.), 272, 273, 274, 275, 276. Nimwegen, Treaty of, 163, n., 335.
'-1
of,
Nishmath-Chajim,"
452, 454.
by Cotton Mather,
Nonconformists, 56, 65, 66. Silenced in London, &c, 201, 202, 206, 510. Bills passed against the, 210. Persecutions of, 211,
326, 327, 331, 486, n., 489, 490, 492, 494, 497, 498, 500, 510, 511, 512, 543, 580, 588, Relief sent 618, 620, 642, 649, 650, 658. England, 585. Liberty to, from granted to, 666, 667. Nonconformist ministers, deceased in and about London, 304, 583, 584, 585. Norris, Rev. Edward, 276. Notice of, ib., n. North, Mr., 499. Norton, Rev. John (Boston), 4, 204, 205. Agent to England, 170, 198. Notice of, ib. n.
Moseley, Capt. Samuel, 235.

361. Moulder, Elizabeth, letter to Increase Mather, 587. Notice of, ib., n. Moulder, Nicholas, 587, n. Moulds, Mr., 672. Mounson, Lord, 167, 187. "Mourt's Relation," 229.
Mosse (Morse) William,
New
Mudge, Martha, 94, n. Mudge, Thomas, 94, n. Mugg, an Indian. See " Mog." Munson, Thomas, 694.
148. Mutiny of seamen at Woolwich, 200. Mystery of Christ, 313.

of,
Munster, Bishop
N.
Namasket
Indians, 245.
Norton, Rev. John (Hingham), ordination Notice of, ib., n. of, 248. Norton, Sergeant, 630. Nowell, Mr., 263. Nowell, Mrs., 262. Nowell, Rev. Samuel, 95, 158, 339, 366, 520, 700. Chosen agent to England, 84. LetChosen ter from Joshua Moodey to, 371. Treasurer of Harvard College, 496, 506. His Artillery Election sermon, 526. Notice
'
Nantes, revocation of the Edict of, 644. Narragansett fort, attack upon the, 228. Naval action with the Dutch, 200. Neal's " Hist, of the Puritans " cited, 167, n. Nelson, John, 524 (notice of, ib., n.), 526,
538, 700. Nesbitt, Robert, 683.
496, n., 526, n. Letter to Jonathan Bull, 572. Letter from James Allen to, 675. Death of, 676, 704, 705, 713. Chosen Treasurer of Harvard College pro tempore,, 694. And others, petition to James II., 701. Invitation to Increase Mather to attend the funeral of, 704.
of,
92
;;n
INDEX.
Parker, Rev. Dr., chaplain, &c, 222, 224. Parker, Rev. Thomas, 193. Notice of, ib., n. Parks. William, 76. Parliament, proceedings of, 167, 194, 210,
217, 218, 219, 325, 328,' 342, 343, 346, 412, Prorogation of, 215. 590, 591, 593, 644. Parry, Mr., 542. Parson. Humphry, 704. Partridge, Mr, 498. Payne, Robert, letter (with Thomas Cobbet) Notice of, ib.,n. to Increase Mather, 288. Pearse (Pierce), Lev. Mr., 583, 5S4. Peck, Lev. Jeremiah, letter to Increase
OrNicholas, 262, 872, 678. Notice of, ib., n. 584. 2 -. 848, 688, Nye, Rev. Philip, B,
I:
..
rion of, :-:.
0.
Edward, Edward,
8.
Jr., 868, 860.
Oakea, Mr.,
Urian, President of Harvard College,
8, n.,
I
888, -i
4W
464,
"H.
,;
i"'-
Oaks,
Dr., 8.
Oates, Titus, 20, 21, 102, 107,846,847,670, Hi.- narrative of the Popish riot,
19,
>k< v.
Mather, 660. Notice of, ib., n. Peck, .lohn. 598. Letter to Increase Peek, William, 694.
B.
Oail! of Allegiance, 200.
Mather, 620. Pelmore, Mrs. Margaret, 176.
apprehended, 188, ISO. 193. 197. Oldenburgh, Dr., Secretary of the Eo}-al
< <
nl
Pemberton -James. 249. Pembrook, Eikanah, 662.
I,
t\. 876.
Oldroyd, implicated in the Plot, 1668, 214. (.Mil South hurcb occupied by the Episcoali.n B, und< r Andros, 518, n.
<
I
Oliver, Capt.. 287. Oliver. Rev. Dr., death of. 180. Oliver's " Puritan Commonwealth," 109, n. Order in Council, Feb. L688-9, 117. For Town Elections, 161:9, 710. In relation
to
Sir
Sir
Edmund Andres, ib. For Bending Edmund Androa to England, 711.

in St.
.
Notice of, ib., n. Pendleton, Lancashire, church in, 322. Penhallow, Samuel, conies to New England, Notice of, ib., n. 59, 649. Penn, Elder James, 204. Extract Penn, William, 61, n., 373, 600. from a letter of Randolph to, 531. Pennoyer, William, his bequest to Harvard Notice of, ib., n. College, 305. Pennsylvania, John Black-well appointed Governor of, 373.
Pequod
Perkins,
Indians, 586.
Organ
Paul's Church, London, 197.
Abram,
slain
by
Indians, 553.
632.
548.
Orniond, James Butler, Duke of. Deputy to Inland. 209, 228, 880, 409, 499. Owen, Lev. John, D.D., 48,68,101,105,150,
341, 342, 345, 3G8. 477, On 198, BOO, B10, 511, 618,616, 584. Baptism, 876. Qwen, Thankful, 684. bcenbridge, Rev. John, 197. Letter to John Davenport, 190. Letters to, from 220, 224.
].:..
Peter, an Indian, 235. Peter*, Hugh, 166.
Drowned,
2'M,
2<;i;,
2ii7,
Peterborough, Lord, expedition to Tunis under, 170, 196. Petto, Lev. Samuel, 317, 509, 514. Notice of, 341, n. Letters to Increase Mather,
341, 342, 344. 348. Pettys, Sir William, arrival of his vessel at Portsmouth, 214. Phelps, John, 215. Phelps, Mr., 167. Philip, Sachem, 229, n., 233, 234. His son sold into slavery, 233. Philip's son, question as to the disposd of, 689, 690. Philip's War, 2, n., 300.
Oxford, proceedings against the Charter

499.
<
of,
>\
ir
..V
Terminer
!ommissioners, 213.
Parker, Col., 180. Packinton's Plot, 681, n, Paddy, Mrs. Anne, 267.
Mr., 288, 666. lohn, 126, 11.
Lev. George, 03. John, 428,705. Letter to Increase Mather, 676. Notice of, ib., . Phillips, Lev. Samuel (Rowley ), 244, n. Philosophical Transactions of 'the Royal SoPhillips,
Phillips,
loseph, 602. Paige, Mr., 280, B86. Pain, Mrs. Mary, 121-424. Paine, N illiam, 1. uotice of, Palfrey, John G., bis "Hist
cited, LOS, n.,
9
.
i&.,
<>t
n.
ciety, 376, 673. Philpott, Peter, 176. Phips, Sir William, 25S, 364. 483, n., 485, 674, 676. And Increase Mather. Petition to King "William III., 705. Knighted, 712. Returns to New England, ib.
N. England"
Pierce
Pearce), Capt., 188, 189, 190, 209, 216.
866, n., 494, 1, n 582. // 608, n., 675, //. Palmer, John, !hi< f-Justice, 300 (notices of, ib., a., .'.-J", a. 867, 620. Palmer, Mr., 21 1. Paine I, Li. hard, 61, .
a.,
,
LIT, ., 118,
Pierre, Mr., 372. Pierce. Mrs , 372.

l'iersi
11,
<
|,
Pierson, crease
602,
u.
Lev. Abraham, 470, n., 601, n. Rev. Abraham, Jr., letter to InMather, 601. Notice of, ib., .,
Palmes, Dr., Palm.-, Jonathan,

PapiBta
in
21.
Dublin, 62, 68, 04.
In England,
ipt Michael, 819. 812.

i,
Pi( rson, Mrs. Mary, 599, n. " Pietas Hallensis," 425. Pilkinton, Mr.. 499. Plague, in London, 1665, 127, 509, 597. In Constantinople, 174. In France, 453,455. Plaice, Mr., 496, 498.
INDEX.
Plaisted, William, 362. Pledger, Rev. Elias, 583, 584. Pliny, 445. Plot, Popish, 1678, 19, 20, 345.
731
Quick, Rev. John, 704. Quincy's " Historv of Harvard University "
cited, 264, n., 305, n., 502, n., 504, n., 505,
In 1663, 213,
214, 590, 591, 592, 617. Rye House, 620. Plymouth Colony and Town, Bradford's
Quo Warranto, Writ
History of the Plantation of, 229. Bradford and Winslow's " Relation or Journal,"
&c,
229.
Storm
in,
1677,
Small-pox in, 247, 248. Controversy respecting

255, n.
Church
Clark's
in,
241. 252. Island,
615, w., 677, n. of, against the Charter of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay, 51, 117, 532, 536, 538, 705, 707. Against the City Charter of London, 494, 496, 499. Against the Charter of Bermuda, 499.
n.,
R.
by a storm
Radden, Edward, 215.
.
Polaritv of the compass affected
at sea, &c, 524, 528, 638. Poll Bill granted by Parliament, 342. Ponder, Nathaniel, 223, 224. Poniatowski, Christina, 48.
Popery, 590, 591, 668. Porter, Samuel, of Hadley, notice of, 85, n. Portsmouth, church in, 357, 364. Potter, Rev. Francis, 672, 673. Powell, Vavasour, imprisoned, 197. Powis, Lord, 687. Prance, Mr 20, 346. Presbyterian Ministers in London, address of the, to James II., 669. Presbyterian Plot, 211, 644. Presbyterians, 211. Preston, Lord Viscount, Sec. of State, 714. Pretender, The, 429. Birth of the, 712. Baptism of the, 713. Pretender's birthday celebrated in Scotland, 412. Price, John, 56, 492. Prince, Gov. Thomas, 234. Prince, Rev. Thomas, 123, n., 244, n. Notes by, 33, 34, 45, 76, 113, 114, 220, 228, 307, 316, 339, 363, 479, 480, 502, 506. 508, 513, 515, 535, 541, 542, 599, 612, 615, 616, 617, 627, 668, 669, 670, 671, 672, 676, 677, 680, 695, 696, 698, 699, 701, 703, 705, 706, 707. Chronological Memoranda by, 712-714. Pritchard, Sir William, Lord Mayor of London, 499. Proctor, ( Prokter), Richard, 659. Prodigies seen in Ireland, 210. In Connecticut, 306. In Maine, &c, 372.
,
" Rainbow, the Gospel of the," &c, ton Mather, 407. Rainsford, Mr., 372. Rainsford, Sergeant, 180. Randolph, Bernard, 102, 112, 703.
by Cot-
85, 102, 103, 106, 108, n., 109, n., 110, n., 112, 113, 388, n., 464, n., 634, 663, 702, 704, 711. Letters from Joseph Dudley to, 483, 484, 485. Notice of, 524, n. Letter to Increase Mather, 524. To Samuel Shrimpton, 524, 525. To Simon Bradstreet, 527. To the Lords of the Committee, 530. To the Lord Treasurer, 530. To William Blathwait, 531. To William Penn, ib. Pleas in the case of, against Increase Mather, 703. Randolph, Betty (Elizabeth), 525. Randolph, Giles, 525. Randolph, Jane, 525. Randolph, Mary, 525. Ratcliffe, Rev. Robert, 370 (notice of, ib., w.),371, 518, n. Rathband, Mr., 32. Rathbone, John, execution of, 215. Rawlings, John, 363. Rawson, Edward, 40, 44, 47, 169, 535. No-*
tice of, ib., n.
Randolph, Edward,
Rayner, Rev. John, 251. Read, Col., 180. Read, Samuel, 515.
Notice
of, ib., n.
"Prophecie, A, which hath been manuscript

in
my Lord Powis ffamilie above 60

of,
years,"
Regicides, 213, 611, n. Letters and papers relating to the, 122-225, 260. Sentence passed upon the condemned, 170, 182. Proceedings relating to the, 185, 187, 195, 213, 533. Arrest of certain, in Holland,
188, 189, 193,
687.
Prophecy, fulfilment
675.
Protestants, persecution of, 43, 200, 293, 355, n., 510, 599, 617, 621, 625, 642, 643.
Prout, Ebenezer, 708, 709, 710. Prout, Joseph, 633. Providences (remarkable), 309, 312.
Rehoboth, burning of, by Indians, 1676, 233, n. Representatives, answer of the Council of Massachusetts to the, 708. "Revolution in New England Justified"
cited, 366, n.
Prynne, William, 208. Psalterium Americanum, 431. Purmont (Pormont), 610. Pynchon, Maj. John, 250, 629, 704?
of,
Reynold, Lord, 193. Reynolds, Edwai'd, Bp. of Norwich, 194. Revnolds, Nathaniel, 655 (notice of, ib.,
696.
n.),
Notice
81, n.
Rich, Mr. 499. Richards, James, notice of, 81, n., 494, n. Richards, John, 400, 402, 504, 505, 506, 538,
694, 699.
Chosen Agent
n., to,
Q.
Quakers, 172, 228, 337, 476, 579, 581, 587, n. In Dublin, 56. Relief sent by, to New England in 1676, ib., n. At Bristol, Eng., 212. In Elizabeth Town, N.J., 600.
Notice of, 385, from Cotton Mather

n.
401, 402, 405. 494, 496, 498. lege, 496, n. Richards, Mrs. 402.
to England, 84, 494, n., Letters 385, 390, 391, 397, Letters to Increase Mather, Treasurer of Harvard Col-
On Long
Queries,
Island, 630.
by Col. William Goffe, 130. Quesnay, Le, capture of, 409.
Richardson, Dr. Edward, 215. Richardson, Mr., 214, 551. Richeson, Dr., 214.
INDEX.
"
ikoofTa Viper," by
Saltonstall, Lady, killed, 196. Saltonstall, Mr., 352. Saltonstall, Sir Peter,196, n. Saltonstall, Richard, -Jr., his
Goffe
II /'//.,
and Whalley, 135,261.
donation to Notice of>
n.
I.
of,
m
; I
I.
tt. r i.i
I,
Lord Treasurer, Randolph t". 680.

II
680.
of
ration, 606.
to,
1,
.
irvard College, Letters
from Nathaniel Mather

v
!..
Notices
/'.
81,
. 622,
ther,621, 622.
His
622,
:.
176.
laniel, 1, n.
,48, 508.
//..
S\
iv,
or Brian, 227,
.:j7, n.
408, n.
Saints (Samms?) Rev. John, death of, 584. Sanders, Mr., 829. Sanders. William, execution of, 215. Sandwich. Karl of, 187. His death, 146. Sandys, Mr., 459. Saunders. 'hief-Justice, 45. Savage, Hon. James, 441, . His "Genealogical l)irtionarv" cited, 110, ., 172, n., 224 .. 226, ., 227, 7i., 239, n., 247, n., 251, n. 260, n., 265, n., 270, 7?., 285, n., 304, n. 889, ., 365, n., 370, n., 373, n., 470, ., 483 ??., 494, ., 495, ,., 505, n., 516, n., 520, n. 627, n., 629, ., 531, n., 532,7?., 533, n., 544 n., 545, n., 571, n., 572, n., 574, n., 590, n. 594, n., 615, n., 621, 7?., 626, n., 647, n., 649 //., 651, ., 652, n., 655, n., 660, n., 661, n.
(
6G4,., 671, v.
668, 560.
1,
Mr., 174, i'i. 618.

J<
:
|.h.
1
ii.
Mrs. Mary,
I
RovalS
:.n
Difon, 419,
186, 488, 440,
Savoy, Conference at the, 165S, 36. Sawyer, Sir Robert, Attorney General, 117. Notice of, ib., n. Schools, laws for multiplying, 635.
Scot, Mr., 23. Scot. William, 215. Scotland, the Liturgy in, 194. Preaching in Act passed the fields in the west of, 209. to raise forces for the king's service in, 211. Meetings suppressed in, 511. Persecution of dissenters in, 617. Liberty granted to dissenters in, 650. Scottow, Joshua, letter to Increase Mather, (narrative of the death of Squando), 631. Notice of, ib., n. Seal, the Great, 199. Seaman, Rev. Lazarus, D.P., 583, 584.
Nomination Wiothrop as a Fellow of the, 682, anks by the, to John
Winthrop,
Pi
..i
the rowi
nee, 124, 181, 197,200. Constable 216. Death of, 499.

-.
\\ rii
of Introsion Berved on,
l:
I,
Mr., 174.
.
Jonathan, John, 126,

to
186,
18.
161, 224,
7s
.
Sarah Mather,
"
1
r,
79, 82, 84, 86.
NoN'-
Seamen, mutinous conduct

.
of,
at
Woolwich,
262,
_ II.
200.
r.
Second Church
Letter
in
Boston, 385.
from
Notice
Rttanell.
of. i&., .
Sedden, ('apt., 659. Sedgwick, Mr.. 872.
Lord William. 101, 106. ml, .Mr., too. Hooker's answer
Seek,
to,
('apt., 181. Selleck, John, 660. Selleck, Cap! Jonathan, 309, 314, 660.
No-
l:
I
tice
l'l
'.
of. ib., n.
7.
s.
,278,
it
aws
for
the public assemblies,

ol tip
.
.:i l.
Defence
"I
1
"i
tli.-,
by the Anabap;
.
Selvns, Rev. Henry. 315. Sergeant, Peter, 571. Notice of, ib., n. Seventh day sabbath, 474. " Seventh son. The,'' by ( !otton Mather, 454. Sewall, Rev. Joseph, birth bf, 520. Sewall, Hon. Samuel, 870, 373, 518, n., 677, 678,700,712. Notice of, 516, n. Letters to Increase Mather. 516, 517, 519. To Cotton .Mather, 616. His " Phamomena
im Apocalyptical 517, n. Writ of intrusion Berved on, ">19. Sewall, Samuel, Jr., 517. Shaftsbury, Earl of. See "Cooper, An-
a.
<
iiur.
ii,
Dublin,
thony Ashley." Sharp, .lames.* Archbishop of St. Andrews,

1
1
.
,62
;
i't.
Murder
of, 24.
Sharp, Samuel, narrative by, 285.

delusion
Ii
Notice
of,
ft., n.
Sheep buried
at 171'' 17. 881. Sheffield, Mr., killed in a duel, 196.

1
in the
snow
New
London,
nuecti-
Shepard, Mrs. Joanna, 546, it. Shepard, Samuel, 545. Notice
of, ib., n.
INDEX.
Shepard, Rev. Thomas, Cambridge, 375, w., 545, n. Letter from Samuel Stone to, 544. Shepard, Rev. Thomas, Charlestown, 91, n., Death of, 375. Notice of,-*., n. 602, n. Shepard, Rev. Thomas, Jr., of Charlestown, 285. Notice of, 602, n. Letters to Increase Mather, 602, 603. Sherlocismus Enervatus, 223. Sherlock, James, 702. Sherman,. John, 114.
Stiles,
733
Rev. Ezra, D.D., his " History of the Judges " cited, 165, n. His account of the gathering of the church at Bristol
cited, 654, n.
Stockton, Rev. Owen, 348. Notice of, ib., n. Stoddard, Mrs. Esther, 85, 587, 671. Notice
of, ib., n.
Sherman, Mr., 630.

Shippen, Mrs., 372. Shorter, Sir John, Lord Mayor of London, 68. Shove, Rev. George, 239. " Notice of, ib., n. Shrimpton, Col. Samuel, 113, 538. Notice of, 372, n. Writ of intrusion served on, 517. Letters from Edward Randolph to, 524, 525 Shrimpton, Mrs., 525, 526. Arrival of, in N. Shute, Gov. Samuel, 432.
Stoddard, Hannah, 671. Stoddard, John, 85, n. Stoddard, Simeon, 704. Stoddard, Rev. Solomon, 83, 671. Increase Mather, 586.
Stone, Stone, Stone, Stone, Stone, Stone, Stone, Stone,
Daniel, 666, n. Daniel, Jr.. baptized, 666, n.
Letter to
David, baptized, 666,

Dr., 495.
n.
Dorcas, baptized, 666, n.
Joanna, baptized, 666,
n.
n.,
Mrs. Eliza (Allen), 545.
England, 420, 425.

Sickness at Stamford, Conn., 1676, 299. In Hadley, 337. In Boston, 1693, 401. At Charleston, S.C., 403. In Hartford, 465. In Hampton, 552. In Virginia and North
Carolina, 633.
Rev. Samuel, 35, 463,
467.
His
"Body of Divinity," 33, 240. Transcript of, by Rev. Samuel Willard, 33, n. Letter to Thomas Shepard, 544. Notice of, ib., n.
Stone, Samuel, Jr., death of, 470. Stoneham, Rev. Mr., 583, 584. Storm at Leominster, Eng., 1663, 212. At Plymouth, Dec. 4, 1677, 241. In Connecticut, June 30, 1678, 306; in 1682, 310. In New England, Feb. 24, 1723-24, 456. In England, Nov., 1702, 456. In Connecticut, June 8, 1682, 612. In Norwalk, June 14, 1682, 624. In Milford, &c, June 10, 1682,
.
Sidney, Algernon, behavior of, at his exBurial of, ib. ecution, 636. " Signo (De) Filii Hominis," by Increase Mather, 43, 44, 309, 349, 354, 509,582, 619,
623.
Silliard,
Mrs
25.
Simon, an Indian, 553. Death of, 631. Simpson, James, Brachygraphy, 10, 12. Simpson, Mr., imprisoned, 197. Singleton, Rev. Mr., 666. Slater, Rev. Mr., 650. Slaughter, Rev. Mr., 206. Sloane, Sir Hans, 683. Small-pox at Duxbury, 1677-8, 238. At Eastham, 247. In Plymouth, 248. Death of Rev. Thomas Shepard, of Charlestown,
In Boston, 1678, 383, 597. by, 375, n. Inoculation for the, 449, 454.
627. Of hail, July 26, 1682, 629. Of snow, in Connecticut, 1716-17, 681. Storv, Sarah, 226, n., 351, n. Story, William, 226, n., 351, n. Stoughton, William, 37, 38, 76, 483, 494, n., 517, 538, 703, 704. Chosen agent to England, 84. Notice of, 483, n. Letter to Increase Mather, 592. Stow, Mrs., 96. Stratford, Thomas Wentworth, Earl of, 415.
Smalmon,
Francis. 176.
" Stray
Smith, Capt., 15, 372. Smith, Mr., schoolmaster in Boston, 230. Smith, Richard, 235. Smith, Samuel, 79. Notice pf, ib., n. Death
of,
Straten, Mr., 668. Sow case," 441. Street, Rev. Nicholas, 205.
Death
of,
304.
Notice of, ib., n. His account of an earthquake, 609. Street, Samuel, 547.
Streeter, Col., 180.
82.
Snow-flakes, forms of, 681. Snow-storm in Connecticut, 1716-17, 681. Southampton, death of the Earl of, 216. Southwell, William, 41. Soutbworth, Constant, Treasurer of Plymouth Colony, 232, 236. Death of, 250. Spain, war with, 433. Sparhawk, Rev. John, ordained at Bristol,
695.
Strong, Mr., 173.

Stuart, Alexander, 683. Subsidy granted, 217, 218.
Sunderland, Earl of, 25, 30, 714. Sunderland, John, 247. Surinam, 191. Swanzey, church in, 647. Swedish Admiral, loss of the, 1676, 572. Swinnerton, Dr. John, 672, 673. Notice
672, n.
of,
Spaw, meetings
at,
214.
Spencer, Dr., 354, 355. Spinage, Rev. Mr., 583, 585.
Sydenham, C, 179, 194: Synod of, 1649, 129, 193.
Of
Spurway, Mr., 215. Squando, Sagamore of Saco, narrative of the death of, bv Joshua Scottow, C31, 632. Stack, Thomas, 683.
Stallam, Rev. John, death of, 584. Stamford, Conn., sickness in, 299. Stanburv, Thomas, 704.. Starkeyj Mr., 241. Starr, Rev. Comfort, 3. Notice of, Steele, Rev. Mr., 219.
Sterling, Samuel, 179.
189, 190, 192. 193, 199, 205, 247. 96, 320, 326, 353, 511.
1662, 83, 179, Of 1679,
T.
Talbot, Romish Archbishop of Dublin, 219, 220, 222. Talbot, Richard, Earl of Tyrconnel, 19, 65:
669. Talcott, Maj. John, 87.
ib.,
n.
Notice
of, 88, n.
734
Jr., death of, lition to, 17". 212.
.
INDEX.
tc;
Occupied
7
:,
I
in' nt
of,
under Andros,
:.
I.
letter to Increase
''.
Ma-
ther,
Notice
184.
.l.-.-itti
I
of,
a-
Tavlor, Mrs.,
.
Um..
of. I.v
,:,
,|.
.
Miiri.l.-,
37. 49,.
12,
598.
Made
Treat, Robert, Governor of Connecticut, 248, ., 474. Treat, Rev. Samuel, Plvmouth election sermon, 1678, 243. Notice of, ib., n. Trefiy, John, 711. Triplets born, 628. Troughton, Mr., 343. Trumbull's " History of Connecticut" cited, 367, n., 470, n. Tucker, Henry, execution of, 215. Tuckney, Rev. Anthonv, D.D., 351, ., 352, 353, ., 354, 583, 584. Tuckney, Rev. Jonathan, 248, 253. Letter
to,
from Increase Mather, 91.

.,
Notices
of,
Temple, Temple,
Sir
rhomas,
179,
..,
192, 197.
Mr
William, 80.
Letters to Increase Mather, 351, n. 351, 352, 353, 354.

ib.
r,
Dr.
;.
James,
266, n.
r,
bis
history
of,
of Plyin
Tuckney, William, 351, n. Tukey, Rev. Mr., 583,584. Tulley, James, 176.
Turell, Lieut., 495.
settlement
7-;.
.
Bos-
ton,
ThHcber, Rev. Thomas,
281, 279, 692.

!&.,
n.
Invited
Turenne, Marshal, 148. Turfray, (ieorge. 704. Turks; defeat of the, 371, 643, 675. cesses of the, 598, 637, 643.
Suc-
to Barnstable, 244. Mr., 526, 680, 684.
ird,
198.
Thompson, Bev.
.'
John, notice
ilt-.-itli
of,
31, n.,
Tattle, Benjamin, murders his sister, 299. Notice of, ib., n. Tuttle, John, 2. Twisse, Rev. William, D.D., 173. His " Fifteen Letters to Mr. Joseph Mede," 517.
'II1..111I
it
Tyrconnel, Richard Talbot, Earl

11.
of, 19,
65,
L.v. Mr.,
.
if,
-"84.
669.
Thomp
dote
lb. fit.
602.
of,
.
Anecof,
Tyrone, Earl
of,
conspiracy
of, 24.
116.
ThompsOD, Rev. William,
172.
Notice
u.
Uncas, Sachem o*f the Mohegans, 81, 83. Uniformity, Act of, 29, 188, 197, 207. Upham, Hon. Charles AV., his " Salem Witchcraft" cited, 285, n.
"
.
Thorn
1
r,
,11, 660. Sir Robert, letter to Increase
Ma-
Notice
of, ib
a.
Notice of, to., n. 0, Theophilus, 674. Thornton, Rev. Thomas, 247, 664, ., 665. Notices r to Increase Mather, 678.
7-:.
Trim and Thummim,

I
355.
slier.
Bishop, 206.
n.
Thornton,
imothy, 666.
:.
Usher, -John, 192, 217, 531 (notice of, ib., n.), 575, 576, 596. Charge against, 706.
of Rain," by Cot-
Mr., 270.
r
'
the
'.
Day
n.
Usher, Mrs., 674, 676. Usquehart, John, 600.
ton
Thunder storm
J,
.
in
New-Haven Colony, June

I
612.
V.
Vane. Sir Henry, 167, 172, 187. Varney, Col., assault upon, 223.
Emperor,
.
16.
Mr.,
17".
I.ctt.r to
William
Vaughan,
1
Mr., 149, 154.
v
1
Venning, Rev. Mr., 150, 583, 584.

loo 1."
.
by Cotton Mather,
of,
1
126.
n.
1
I>.
laration
.
letter to
.
increase
Ma-
'
e of, ib
11.
Tompson,
L.
WW
196.
.
Chosen
16,
I
n.
1.
ard College, 99. Notice Hie election sermon, Letter to Increase Mather,
l
Verin, Billiard, 270. Vernon, Sir Francis, 603. Victorina," by Cotton Mather, 420, ., 427. Vienna, Biege of, 1683, 48, 637. Vincent, Rev. Mr., imprisoned, 511. Viner. Mr., 182. Virginia, emigrants from England to, 200. Vote of the Governor and Council of Massachusetts Bay, 1689, 709.
w.
Wadsworth, Capfc. 867, n. Wadsworth, Lev. Mr., 583, 584.
to the
French, S16.
'.
710.
Wakeman,
626.
ant
of.
Lev. Samuel, 304, 307, 309, 623, Notices of, 304, n., 686, n. Letter to Increase Mather, 585. Walker, Is., 372.
INDEX.
Walker, Joseph, 358. Walker, Mr., 372. Walker, Samuel, 602.
Waller, Sir William, 25.
Whitehall,
735
Walley, Hannah, 239, n. Wallev, Major John, 265, 266, 695, 696.
Letter to of, 265, ., 651, n. James Allen, Increase Mather, and Samuel Willard, 651. And others, letter to Increase Mather, 654. Walley, Mr., 195, 243. Walley, Kev. Thomas, 236, 239, n. Death
Notices
of,
242.
Wallop, Mr., 1;?7, 187. Walter, Rev. Nehemiah, 449.

-
Notice
of,
fire at, 1662, 186. Whitfield, Rev. Henry, 269. (London), 354. John Whiting, Whiting, Rev. John, 156, 282, n., 363, 572, Letter from Increase Mather to, 623, 638. Letters to Increase Mather, 463, 464, 93. 465, 466, 469. Notice of, 463, n. Whiting, Mr., 216, 643. Whiting, Rev. Samuel, 353. Notice of, 91, n. Wigglesworth, Rev. Michael, 338. Letters from Increase Mather to, 94, 95. Notices of, 94, n., 645, n. Second marriage of, 94,95. Letters to Increase Mather, 645. Elected president of Harvard College, and declines, ib. Death of, 647, n.
"
n.
Walters, Mr., 214, 215. Waltoir, G., 359. >. lton, Mr., 197.
Wilkie, Capt.,41,46. Wilkins, Richard, 668, 669. Notice of, ib., n. Wilkinson, Rev. Dr., 173, 194, 195, 197, 583,
584.
Wamsutta.
See " Alexander."

Notice
n.
Warham, Rev. John, 85, n., 545. Water-Dove, 435, 447. Waterhouse, David, 538, 589, 590.
of, ib., n.
Willard, Mr., 571, n. Willard, Rev. Samuel, 56, 95, 279, 283, 293,
369, 495, 499, 529, 541, 632, 647, 651, 698, n.
Waterhouse, Rev. Thomas, notice of, 588, Letters to Increase Mather, 588, 590. Watson, Caleb, 660. Notice of, ib., n. Watts, Mr., 199.
Letter from Increase Mather to, 97. Notice His "Animadversions upon the of, ib., n. His acAnabaptists' Narrative," 291. count of the case of Elizabeth Knapp, 555-570. Letter to Increase Mather, 570.
Way,
Richard, 495.
Notice
of,
of, ib., n.
Webb, Rev. John, 434, n. Weeden, Ruth, deposition
421-424.
Weelks (Wilks), Col., 180. Weld, Rev. Mr. (Dublin), 47, 53. Welde, Rev. Thomas, his " Short Story," Welford, Thomas, 176.
59.
Wells, Rev. Mr., 583, 584. Wescot, William, execution of, 215. Wesgate, Mr., 342. West, John, Secretarv, 485, 519." West, Rev. Mr., 583,"584. Westchester, Church at, 302, 303, 304. Westgate, John, letter to Increase Mather,
577. Notice of, ib , n. Westminster Abbey, 173. Westminster, address of the ministers
of, to
James
II.,
670.
Westminster Assembly, 180. Weymouth, letter from Increase Mather to the church in, 99. Church in, 615. Whalley, Col. Edward, 59, 103, 107, 129,
141, 143, 148, 151, 152, 153, 155, 172, 173, Notices of, 122, n., 127, n., 184, 260, 533. 133, n. And William Goffe, letter to, from Edward Collins, 134. Wharton, Mr., 172, 656, 676. Wharton, Philip, Lord, letter to Increase Mather, 680. Notice of, ib., n. Wharton, Richard, 598, 679. Notice of, ib., n. Extract from a letter of, to Governor Hinckley, 713.
Wharton, Thomas, Earl and Marquis

680, n.
of,
Wheeler, William, 502. Wheelwright, Surah, 351, n. Whidden, a captive in Algiers, 360.
Whidden, Mrs.,
360.
Whig
Partv, 499. Whitaker, Rev. Mr., 583, 584.
White, G., 249. White, John, 215.
White, Peregrine, death

ib., n.
of,
406.
Notice
of,
And others, letter from John Cory and others to, 695. Willet, Capt., 234. Willey, Edward, 37, 38, 45, 46, 56, 486, 487, 488, 489, 491, 492Willey, Mrs., 487, 491. Willey, Richard, 487. Willey, Sarah, 487. William the Conqueror, 536. William, Prince of Orange, afterwards King William III., 117, n., 118, 145, 328, 412, Petition of Sir William 516, n., 539. Phips and Increase Mather to, 705. Lands Order in relation in England, 707, 714. Order for to Sir Edmund Andros, 710. sending Sir Edmund Andros to England, 711. His expedition to England, 713. Sails from Holland, and lands at Torbay, 714. Williams, Dr., 414. Williams, Rev. James, death of, 596, 597, 598. Willis, Rev. Mr., 583, 584. Willoughby, Lord, Governor of Barbadoes, 170. Willoughby, Mr., 25, 189. Wilson, Rev. John (Boston), 204, 267, n. Wilson, Kev. John (Medfield), 165, n., 264, 265, 266, 267. Notice of, ib., n. Wilson, Rev. John (New Haven), 165, 268. Wilson, Samuel, 177, 183, 186. Wilson's "History of Dissenting Churches" cited, 651, n. Windsor, Conn., church in, 98. Invitation to Rev. Isaac Foster to settle at, 338. Differences in the church of, 463. Windsor, Lord, Governor of Jamaica, 170, 187. Winslow, Gov. Edward, 233, n. His " Good News from New England," 229, 233, n. Winslow, Gov. Josiah, 229, 233 (notice of, ib., n.), 234, 235, 238, 248. Winstone, John, 694. Winter, Dr., 551. Winthrop, Adam, 385, n. } 538, 704.
734
.
INDEX.
death
.11
John,
Jr.,
l
of, B8.
it
i.
to, 170,
J12.
Occupied
l.v
the Ei glisb,
i
Travel
-i-~.
illegal
:
ni.-iit
of,
under Andros,
:.
ird, letter to Increase
Ma-
ther,
I
.
',
a-
Tavlor, Mrs., W4. Taylor, Wm., death

ric,
of,
by
suicide, 887, 497.
Count
de, 42, 598.

.,
Made
Prince of
-
unir;ir\-. 18.
[-nomas,
17'.',
192, 107.
Temple, Sir William.

rl
80.
of,
212.
i.
Dr.
l.
James,
his
history
of Ply-
mouth
Thacher,
ton,
cited, 256, n.
Peter, settlement of, in

7''..
Bos-
Thacher, Rev. Thomas,

to
231, 279, 692.

,
Notice Barnstable, 244.
of. ib
u.
Invited
Thstcher, .Mr., 625, 680, 534. 498. r, Richard, Thompson, Rev. John, notice
.
of,
31, n.,
r.
Thompson, Rev. Mr., death of, Thompson, Major Robert, 600,

dote
of, (?),
684. 602.
Anecof,
Treat, Robert, Governor of Connecticut, 243, n., 474. Treat, Re^. Samuel, Plymouth election sermon. 1678, 243. Notice of, ib., n. Trefry, John, 711. Triplets bom, 628. Troughton, -Mr 343. Trumbull's " Ilistorv of Connecticut" cited, 367, n., 470, n. Tucker, Henry, execution of, 215. Tuckney, Rev. Anthony, D.D., 351, n., 352, 353, rl, 354, 583, 584. Tuckney, Rev. Jonatban, 248, 253. Letter to, from Increase Mather, 91. Notices of, Letters to Increase Matber, ib. ., 351, n. 351, 352, 353, 354. Tuckney, William, 351, n. Tukey,Kev. Mr., 583, 584. Tullev, .lames, 176. Turel'l, Lieut., 495. Turenne, Marshal, 148. Turfray, Ceorge. 704. ~1, 643, 675. Turks,' defeat of the, Suc543. cesses of the, 598, 63' Tut tie, Benjamin, murcJrs bis sister, 299. Tuttle, Jobn, 2. Notice of, ib., n. Twisse, Lev. William, D.D., 173. His "Fifteen Letters to Mr. Joseph Mede," 517. Tyrconnel, Richard Talbot, Earl of, 19, 65, 069. Tyrone, Earl of, conspiracy of, 24.
,
416.
Thompson, Rev. William, 172.
Notice
u.
Thomson,
Mr..
<
".
6.
Thorn, Rev. leorge, 11, 61 Thorner, Sir Robert, letter

Notice "I. ih Thornton, Theophilus, "'74.
.
fjneas,
to
II.
Sachem of the Mohegans,
81. 83.
Increase
Ma-
Notice
of, ib.. n.
Uniformity, Act of. 29, 188. 197, 207. Upham, Hon. Charles W"., bis "Salem Witchcraft " cited, 285, n.
[Trim and Thummim, 355. Usher, Bishop, 206. Usher, John, 192,217, 531 (notice of, ib., .), ">7">. .">76, Charge against, 706. 596. Usher, Mrs.. 674, 676. Usquehart, John, 600.
Thornton,
r
K<
t..
\ Thomas, 217. Increase Mather, "'7;;.

.
Notices
7:. n.
Thornton, Hmothy,
i.
'";;,.
Mr., 27o.
'
rhoughts
for the Day or Rain," ton Mather, "7. n.
bv Cot-
Thunder
-,
Btorra in
New-Haven
lolony,
June
1,612.
V.
178( ?).
Emperor, 406.
Letter to William
urne, Mr., 170.

224.
1
Vane. Sir Henry, 167, 172, 187. Vsrney, Col., assault upon, 223.
Vau-han, Mr..
141',
L54.
W
-
Venning, Rev. Mr., 150, 583, 584.

for
1
.
G
1
1."
by Cotton Mather,
letter to
of, ib
.
126.
ttion of, 1687,
|>
Benjamin,
Notice
VVil
I
Increase
Ma-
n.
Torapson, Rev.
n,
Major,
195.
Chosen
Venn, Milliard. 270. Vernon, Sir Francis, 608. " Victorina," by Cotton Matber, 420, n., 427. Vienna, Biege of, 1688, 18, 637. Vincent. Rev. Mr., imprisoned, 511. Vim r. Mr., L82. Virginia, emigrants from England to, 200. Note of the Governor and Council of Masaachusetta Bay, 1689, 7U9.
Harvard College, 99.

16,
19.
u.
Notice His election sermon, Letterto Increase Mather,
W.
Wadsworth, Capt. 367. n. Wadsworth, Rev. Mr., 583,
584.
rrendered to the French, 210.

.
I>
ird,
ii".
I,
710.
Wakeman,
ant
of,
,618.
ml
Rev. Samuel, 304, 307, 309, 623, Notices of, 804, ., 585, n. Letter to 625. Increase Mather, 585.
Is.,
Walker,
372.
INDEX.
Walker, Joseph, 358. Walker, Mr., 372. Walker, Samuel, 602.
Waller, Sir William, 25.
Whitehall,
735
Walley, Hannah, 239, n. Walley, Major John, 265, 266, 695,

Notices
of,
696. Letter to 265, n., 651, n. James Allen, Increase Mather, and Samuel Willard, 651. And others, letter to Increase Mather, 654. Walley, Mr., 195, 243. Walley, Rev. Thomas, 236, 239, n. Death of, 242. Wallop, Mr., 167, 187. Notice of, Walter, Rev. Nehemiah, 449.
ib.,
fire at, 1662, 186. Whitfield, Rev. Henry, 269. Whiting, John (London), 354. Whiting, Rev. John, 156, 282, n., 363, 572, Letter from Increase Mather to, 623, 638. 93. Letters to Increase Mather, 463, 464, 465, 466, 469. Notice of, 463, n. Whiting, Mr., 216, 643. Whiting, Rev. Samuel, 353. Notice of, 91, n. Wigglesworth, Rev. Michael, 338. Letters from Increase Mather to, 94, 95. Notices
of, 94, n.,
645, n.
Second marriage
of, 94,
95.
n.
Walters, Mr., 214, 215.
Walton, G., 359. Walton, Mr., 197. See " Alexander." Wamsutta.
Warham, Rev.
of, ib., n.
John,
85, n., 545.
Water-Dove, 435, 447. Waterhouse, David, 538, 589, 590.

Waterhouse, Rev. Thomas, notice
of,
Notice
588, n. Letters to Increase Mather, 588, 590. 660. n. Caleb, Notice of, ib., Watson, Watts, Mr., 199. Way, Richard, 495. Notice of, ib., n. Webb, Rev. John, 434, n. Weeden, Ruth, deposition of, 421-424. Weelks (Wilks), Col., 180. Weld, Rev. Mr. (Dublin), 47, 53. Welde, Rev. Thomas, his " Short Story," 59.
Elected Letters to Increase Mather, 645. president of Harvard College, and declines, n. ib. Death of, 647, Wilkie, Capt., 41, 46. Wilkins, Richard, 668, 669. Notice of, ib., n. Wilkinson, Rev. Dr., 173, 194, 195, 197, 583, 584. Willard, Mr., 571, n. Willard, Rev. Samuel, 56, 95, 279, 283, 293, 369, 495, 499, 529, 541, 632, 647, 651, 698, n. Letter from Increase Mather to, 97. Notice His "Animadversions upon the of, ib., n. His acAnabaptists' Narrative," 291. count of the case of Elizabeth Knapp, 555-570. Letter to Increase Mather, 570.
And
others, letter
from John Cory and
Welford, Thomas, 176. Wells, Rev. Mr., 583, 584. Wescot, William, execution of, 215. Wesgate, Mr., 342. West, John, Secretary, 485, 519. West, Rev. Mr., 583,"584. Westchester, Church at, 302, 303, 304. Westgate, John, letter to Increase Mather, Notice of, ib n. 577.
,
others to, 695. Willet, Capt., 234. Willey, Edward, 37, 38, 45, 46, 56, 486, 487, 488, 489, 491, 492Willey, Mrs., 487, 491. Willey, Richard, 487. Willey, Sarah, 487. William the Conqueror, 536. William, Prince of Orange, afterwards King William III., 117, n., 118, 145, 328, 412, Petition of Sir William 516, n., 539. Phips and Increase Mather to, 705. Lands Order in relation in England, 707, 714. Order for to Sir Edmund Andros, 710.
Westminster Abbey, 173. Westminster, address of the ministers
of, to
sending Sir Edmund Andros to England, 711. His expedition to England, 713. Sails from Llolland, and lands at Torbay,
714.
James
II.,
670.
Westminster Assembly, 180. Weymouth, letter from Increase Mather to the church in, 99. Church in, 615. Whallev, Col. Edward, 59, 103, 107, 129,
141, 143, 148, 151, 152, 153, 155, 172, 173, Notices of, 122, n., 127, n., 184, 260, 533. 133, n. And William Goffe, letter to, from Edward Collins, 134. Wharton, Mr., 172, 656, 676. Wharton, Philip, Lord, letter to Increase Mather, 680. Notice of, ib., n. Wharton, Richard, 598, 679. Notice of, ib., n. Extract from a letter of, to Governor Hinckley, 713.
Williams, Dr., 414. Williams, Rev. James, death

598.
Willis,
of,
596, 597,
Rev. Mr., 583, 584. Willoughby, Lord, Governor of Barbadoes,

170.
Willoughby, Mr., 25, 189. Wilson, Rev. John (Boston), 204, 267,
n.
Wilson, Rev. John (Medfield), 165, n., 264, Notice of, ib., n. 265, 266, 267. Wilson, Rev. John (New Haven), 165, 268. Wilson, Samuel, 177, 183, 186. Wilson's "History of Dissenting Churches"
cited, 651, n.
Wharton, Thomas, Earl and Marquis

680, n.
of,
Wheeler, William, 502. Wheelwright, S;irah, 351,
n.
Windsor, Conn., church in, 98. Invitation to Rev. Isaac Foster to settle at, 338. Differences in the church of, 463. Windsor, Lord, Governor of Jamaica, 170,
187.
Whidden, a captive in Whidden, Mrs., 360.
Algiers, 360.
Whig
Partv, 499.
Whitaker, Rev. Mr., 583, 584. White, G., 249. White, John, 215. .White, Peregrine, death of, 406.
ib., n.
Winslow, Gov. Edward, 233, n. His " Good News from New England," 229, 233, n. Winslow, Gov. Josiah, 229, 233 (notice of,
ib., n.),
234, 235, 238, 248.
Notice
of,
Winstone, John, 694. Winter, Dr., 551. Winthrop, Adam, 385,
n.,
538, 704.
:;;.;
INDEX.
Wise, Rev. John, 587, 700. Wise, Mr imprisoned, 498. Wiswall, Rev. Ichabod, 256, 302. Notices
,
Winthrop, Mr*. Ann. 40r,,n.. 419, 449. Winthrop, Mr-. Catharine, 406, n. Winthrop, FitzJohn, Governor of ConnectiDeath of, 406. 407, 482. cut, 426,. Winthrop, John, Governor of Massachusetts,
270, re.,
:.
of,
286,o., '886, ., 432, 441, 404, n.,

-Jr.,
n.
Winthrop, John,
cut.
Governor of Connecti-
187, LOO, 886, a., 426, a., 427, a., 432, Letters to John 470, a., 194, a., 888. Extract from a letnport, I7t. L88.
266, ., 302, re. Witchcraft, 285, 286, 287, 360, 361, 367, 391397, 398, 466-469, 475, 504, re., 555-570, 646, 647. Wither, George, 594. Witnesses, slaying of the, 514.
Wood's " Athenoe
et
Fasti
Oxonienses"
cited, 125,?i, 642,71.
Note relating to, 188, re. ,179. Winthrop, John, I.K.S., marriage of, 405. Letters from Cotton of, 426, a. MatheT to, 406, 407, 418, 417. 418, 419, 126, 127, 128, 429, 4:;", 481, 432, 433, 7, 188, 180, 440, 442, 443, 444, 17, 140, 460, 462, 468, 464, 408, 459.
:
Wood. Rev.
Woodberry,
655, 695.
re.
Mr., 150, 583, 584. Hugh, 655, 696.
Notice
of,
Woodhridge, Rev. Benjamin, 463, 651-655,

Notice
of,
65i,.
Letter
t<>
<
tattoo
for
Mather, 681.
in
mendation
membership
His recomthe Royal

to,
Society, 688.
Thanks
of the society
Woodhridge, Rev. John, 651, re. Woodhridge, Mr., '360. Woodhridge, Rev. Timothy, 458. Letter Cotton .Slather, 638. Notice of, ib., re. Woodgreen, Capt, 169, 183, 189, 190.
to
Winthrop, John Still, birth of, 440. Winthrop, Joseph, death of, 402. ' Winthrop Papi rs," The, cited, 377, 470, re. Letters of Cotton .Mather from the, 384462.
Woodward, Dr. John, 419, 428, 438. Letter from Cotton Mather to, 456. Woolsey, Rev. Theodore D., D.D., 601, re. Worcester, Marquis of, 499. Writs of Intrusion, 517.
Winthrop, Bon. Robert C, 884, re. Winthrop, Maj.-Gen. Wait Mill, 426,n.,427, a., 482, 588. Second marriage of, 404. 407. Letters from Cotton Mather to, 404, 408,
HO, 110, 41 l. 416, 418, 426. Winthrop, William, death of, 402. " \\ inthropi Justa," by Cotton Mather, 406,
407, 127, a.
Y.
Yale College, 380, re., 601, re. Yellow fever at Charleston, S.C, 1699, 403. Young's ''Chronicles of Massachusetts,''
543,
re.
Younglove, Mr., 629, 630.
ERRATA.
Page
3. Bote.
28,
.. ..
One 2, for " I860 " read " 1650." Una 26, far " M." read " Mr."
1.
1.
29, BOte, line lit. Bote, line

l
far " 1662," read
"1866;" and
line 3, for
" England " read "Ireland."
for
.,
..
:. note, line l. 188, line 1. for I, line 21. for read D211, line 1. dele the brackets,
William Bubbard" read till the blank with " 3." read n
"NehemiahHobart."
..
niul after the title of the letter, insert, " These for his Dearly Beloved Cousen, Mr Cotton Mather, at his fathers house in Boston." 201, Bote >. Use 1. after "ahoemaker," insert "son of John, who was." Day." and put "July 25" in brackets. 9, oote. del* the comma after iihetitnte a comma for the aemloolon. line 12. Insert a comma utter " Qraoe." Ine 8, Inaert a comma alter EUchards." " read " Govern*." 2, Una 18, for " Qorern line 28, tor ''thing" read "think."
1
..
alter [elands." L0, line 2. delt fane 120, line 82. insert a period after " OonanmptionB." " after " line i. loaerl 124, Bote, last In the."
I
comma
tine I", Insert a Remloolon after " Oriape." iBe "'. in art a period after " way " and for ubfititute n for the period after 682, lion 89, for "another" read matter."
comma
"wee red" read "was made,"

" tonld of."
"a
.".
line 21, line 22,
Una
16,
him." ubetltuta a period far the comma after "imprudently." fat " Dorian " read Dorian."
rabetltute a
comma
far the period after "
JOO

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ALLEN COUNTY PUBLIC LIBRARY

3 1833 01101 0433

Digitized by the Internet Archive

974.4 M386c Ser.4, v .8 1169696

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY.

PUBLISHED FOR THE SOCIETY

Officers of the Society, elected April Resident Members

Honorary and Corresponding Members Members Deceased Editorial Preface

Letters of Nathaniel Mather

Richard Mather John Russell

357 374 380

Letters of Thomas Danfortii Samuel Baker Samuel Sewall John Rogers

Mary Hoar Samuel Nowell

Abraham Pierson Thomas Shepard, Jr., Hannah Jones

Lord Wharton John Winthrop

Mather and others

Paper annexed to the PeHtion

Charge against John Usher

MASSACHUSETTS HISTORICAL SOCIETY^

CHARLES DEANE, A.M

HON. RICHARD FROTHINGHAM, A.M

Hon. James Savage, LL.D.

Hon. Lorenzo Sabine, A.M.

Thomas Aspinwall, A.M.

George Ticknor, LL.D.

Hon. Robert C. Winthrop, LL.D. Hon. Charles Francis Adams, LL.D.

John A. Lowell, LL.D.

Lothrop Motley, LL.D.

Hon. Charles H. Warren, A.M.

Rev. Nathl. L. Frothingham, D.D.

Oliver Wendell Holmes, M.D.

Hon. William Minot, A.M.

Henry W. Longfellow, LL.D.

Hon. Peleg W. Chandler, A.M.

Jacob Bigelow, M.D.

Rev. Lucius R. Paige, D.D.

Hon. George T. Davis, A.B.

Hon. Solomon Lincoln, A.M.

Austin Whitney, A.M.

Josiah G. Holland, M.D.

Hon. Richard Frothingham, A.M. Hon. Nathaniel B.

Rev. Charles Brooks, A.M.

Henry Wheatland, M.D.

Rev. Alonzo H. Quint, D.D.

Samuel F. Haven, A.M.

Joseph Palmer, M.D.

Hon. George Tyler Bigelow, LL.D.

Hon. Caleb dishing, LL.D.

William Brigham, A.B.

Henry W. Torrey, A.M.

Hon. Emory Washburn, LL.D.

Rev. William Newell, D.D.

Hon. Charles Hudson, A.M.

William H. Whitmore, Esq.

George B. Emerson, LL.D.

James R. Lowell, A.M.

Hon. Benjamin F. Thomas, LL.D.

William C. Endicott, A.B.