their primitive structure and fashion. In a word therefore, only to satisfy the reader how a Christian church. could in any tolerable measure carry on the public worship of God without suitable officers, as was the case of those people of Plymouth, we must know that those|| were a serious and religious people that knew their own principles, not like so many of their followers in some parts of the country, properly termed Seekers; of whom it may be said, as our Savior Christ sometimes said of the Samaritans, "ye worship ye know not what." Now these knew and were resolved on the way of their worship; but in many years could not prevail with any to come over to them, and to undertake the office of a pastor amongst them, at least none in whom they could with full satisfaction acquiesce; and therefore in the mean while they were peaceably and prudently managed by the wisdom of MR. BREWSTER, a grave and serious person that only could be persuaded to keep his place of ruling elder amongst them; having acquired by his long experience and study no small degree of knowledge in the mysteries of faith and matters of religion, yet wisely considering the weightiness of the ministerial work, (and therein he was also advised by MR. ROBINSON,) according to that of the Apostle, "who is sufficient for these things?" he could never be prevailed with to accept the ministerial office, which many less able in so long a time could have been easily drawn unto. Besides also several of his people were well gifted, and did spend part of the Lord's day in their wonted prophesying, to which they had been accustomed by Mr. Robinson. Those gifts, while they lasted, made the burden of the other defect more easily borne, yet was not that custom of the prophesying of private brethren observed afterwards in any of the churches of New England besides themselves, the ministers of the respective churches there not being so well satisfied in the way thereof, as was Mr. Robinson. The elders likewise of the said churches or the most judicious and leading amongst them, as Mr. Cotton, &c., that were not absolutely against the thing, were yet afraid that the wantonness of the present age,

these ||

would not well bear such a liberty, as that reverend and judicious divine, the great light of those churches, expressed to a person of great quality, to whom he bore no small respect, a few hours before he departed this

life.

CHAP. XII.

The general affairs of the Colony of New Plymouth, during the first lustre of years, from March 25, 1631, to March 25, 1626.

ALTHOUGH the dispensations of God towards his people under the gospel be not like those under the law, in respect of the outward prosperity, so as any time it could be said as in Solomon's reign during the time of his building the house of God or his own palaces, that there was neither adversary nor evil occurrent; yet did the Almighty water this new planted colony with many blessings, causing it by degrees to flourish, taking root downward, that it might in after time bring forth fruit upward. For now the spring of the following year was come, they began to hasten the ship away, which had tarried the longer, that before it had left the country, it might carry news back of the welfare of the Plantation. The ship's company also, during the winter, growing so weak that the master durst not put to sea till they were better recovered of their sickness and the winter well over.

Early in the spring they planted their first corn, being instructed therein by their friend Squanto, and had better success therein than in some English grain they sowed that year, which might be imputed to the lateness of the season, as well as their own unskilfulness in the soil. But the month of April added much heaviness to their spirits by the loss of Mr. John Carver, who fell sick in that month, and in a few days after died. His funeral rites were attended with [as] great solemnity as the condition of that infant plantation would bear; as indeed the respect due to him justly deserved, if not for

the good he had actually done in the foundation of their Colony, yet for that he was like to have done, if God had spared him his life; he being a gentleman of singular piety, rare humility, and great condescendency; one also of a public spirit, as well as of a public purse, having disbursed the greatest part of that considerable estate God had given him, for §the§ carrying on the interest of the company, as their urgent necessity required. Extreme grief for the loss of him, within a few weeks, hasted the removal of a gracious woman, his wife, which he left behind. At his decease the eyes of the company were generally upon Mr. William Bradford, as in the next place fittest to succeed him in the government: wherefore, as soon as ever he recovered of his great weakness, under which he had languished to the point of death, they chose him to be their Governor instead of Mr. Carver, adding Mr. Isaac Allerton only, to be his Assistant. The second of July following, in imitation of David, who was as ready to acknowledge kindnesses received, as to ask or accept them in the time of his distress, they sent Mr. Edward Winslow, with Mr. Stephen Hopkins, to congratulate their friend Massasoite, by the late league firmly allied to them, partly also to take notice what number of men he had about him,' and the other Sachems, as likewise of what strength they were. They found his place forty miles distant from their town, and his people but few in comparison of what formerly they had been, before the great mortality forementioned, that had swept away so many of them. They returned in safety, giving a good account of the business they were sent about; adding moreover what they understood of the nation of the Indians, called Narragansets, seated on the other side of the great bay, adjoining to the country of Massasoit a people many in number, and more potent than their neighbors at the present juncture, and grown very insolent also, as having escaped the late mortality, which made them aspire to be lords over their neighbors.2 On that occasion, the establishing of their peace with the natives near about them was much furthered by an Indian, called Hobbamacke, a proper lusty young man, 1 Them in the MS.-H. 2 See Winslow's narrative of this journey to Pokanoket in Young, pp. 202-13.—н.

VOL. V. SECOND SERIES.

6

and of good account amongst the other Indians in those parts for his valor. He continued faithful and constant to the English until his death. The said Habbamucke, with Squanto, being a while after sent amongst the other Indians about business for the English, were surprised about Namasket, (since called Middleborough,) by an Indian Sachem not far off, called Corbitant, upon the only account of their friendship to the English. The said Corbitant, picking a quarrel with Habbamucke, would have stabbed him, but he being a strong man, easily cleared himself of his adversary; and, after his escape, soon brought intelligence to the Governor of his danger, adding withal that he feared Squanto was slain, having been both threatened on the same account; but Captain Standish [being] sent forth with twelve or fourteen men well armed, beset the house, and himself adventuring to enter, found that Corbitant had fled, but yet that Squanto was alive. Two or three Indians pressing out of the house when it was beset, were sorely wounded, whom notwithstanding the English brought to their chirurgeon,1 by whom, through God's blessing, they were soon cured.2 After this exploit they had divers congratulatory messages from sundry of the other Sachems, in order to a settled amity, and Corbitant soon after made use of Massasoit, as a mediator to make peace, being afraid to come near himself for a long time after: the Indians also of the Island Capowake, since called Martha's, commonly Martin's, Vineyard, sent to them to obtain their friendship. By this means the Colony, being better assured of a peace with their neighbors, improved the opportunity to acquaint themselves with such of the Indians that lived more remote, especially those of the Massachusetts; for which purpose they sent thither a boat with ten men, and Squanto for their interpreter, on September 18th following, in part to discover and view the said bay, of which they had heard a great fame, and partly to make way for after trade with the natives of the place, for having lived with the Dutch in Holland, they were naturally addicted to commerce and traffic; and which at this time was very necessary for their support. Therein they were kindly

'Mr. Samuel Fuller.-H.

See an account of this expedition in Young, pp. 219–23.—н.

entertained by the natives of that place, wishing, it seems, they had been seated there'; but he who appoints to all men their inheritance, and sets to the inhabitants of the earth the bounds of their habitation, had by his Providence otherwise disposed of them; and by his purpose reserved that place for such of their friends, as should come after. Thus far those people had experience of the outgoing of divine favor, blessing their going out and coming in, and giving them encouragement, so they might be instrumental to lay a foundation for many generations. But the remembrance of the cold winter the year before gave them an item that it was time now to fit up their cottages against the same season, now fast approaching upon them, which they suddenly attended after harvest, for now their old store of provision being by this time all finished, they welcomed the first harvest fruits with no little joy. The hand of Providence also in the beginning of winter increased them, as by sending in great plenty of fish and fowl to their great refreshing. The ninth of November ensuing added thirty-five persons more to their company, which was no small rejoicing to the first planters, nor were the new comers a little glad to see such plenty of provisions beyond expectation. The commander of the vessel was one Mr. Robert Cushman, an active and faithful instrument for the good of the public; yet herein was he overseen, that he so overstored the Plantation with number of people in proportion to the provision he brought with them, for the whole company, having nothing to trust to but the produce of the earth, and what they could procure by fishing and fowling, they were in great strait for provision before the return of the next harvest; nor had they at this time any neat cattle, to afford them any present relief or future increase; nor did it appear they had any benefit considerable by other creatures. Presently after the dispatch of this ship," whose stay in the country was not above fourteen days, the Narragansets sent an uncouth messenger unto the Plantation, with a bundle of arrows tied together with a snake's skin, not much unlike that which sometimes the Scythians of old sent to the Per

See an account of the voyage in Young's Chronicles of Plymouth, PP. 224-9.-H.