Nevv Englands first fruits in respect, first of the conversion of some, conviction of divers, preparation of sundry of the Indians, 2. of the progresse of learning in the colledge at Cambridge in Massacusets Bay : with divers other speciall matters concerning the country.

NEW ENGLANDS FIRST FRUITS; IN RESPECT, Firſt of the Converſion of ſome, of the Indians.

Firſt of the Conviction of divers, of the Indians.

Firſt of the Preparation of ſundry of the Indians.

2. Of the progreſſe of Learning, in the Colledge at CAMBRIDGE in Maſſacuſets Bay.

WITH Divers other ſpeciall Matters concerning that Countrey.

Publiſhed by the inſtant requeſt of ſundry Friends, who deſire to be ſatisfied in theſe points by many New-England Men who are here preſent, and were eye or eare-witneſſes of the ſame.

Who hath deſpiſed the Day of ſmall things.

Zach. 4.10.

If thou wert pure and upright, ſurely now he will awake for thee: — And though thy beginnings be ſmall, thy latter end ſhall greatly enereaſe.

Iob. 86, 7.

LONDON, Printed by R. O. and G. D. for Henry Overton, and are to ſold at his Shop in Popes-head-Alley. 1643.

NEW ENGLANDS FIRST FRUITS: 1. In reſpect of the INDIANS, &c.

THe Lord, who uſeth not to be wanting to the deſires of his Servants, as he hath not fruſtrated the ends of our Tranſplanting in ſundry other reſpects; ſo neither in the giving ſome light to thoſe poore Indians, who have ever ſate in helliſh darkneſſe, adoring the Divell himſelfe for their GOD: but hath given us ſome teſtimony of his gracious acceptance of our poore endeavours towards them▪ and of our groanes to himſelfe for mercy upon thoſe miſerable Soules (the very Ruines of Mankind) there amongſt us; our very bowels yerning within us to ſee them goe downe to Hell by ſwarmes without remedy.

Wherefore we judged it our duty no longer to conceale but to declare (to the praiſe of his owe free grace) what firſt Fruits he ha • h begun to gather in amongſt them, as a ſure pledge (we are conſident) of a greater Harveſt in his owne time. And wonder not that wee mention no more inſtances at preſent: but conſider, Firſt their infinite diſtance from Chriſtianity, having never been prepared thereunto by any Civility at all. Secondly, the difficulty of their Language to us, and of ours to them; there being no Rules • o learne either by. Thirdly, the diverſity of their owne Language to it ſelfe; every part of that Countrey having its own Dialect, differing much from the other; all which make their comming into the Goſpel the more ſlow. But what God hath done for ſome of them, we will declare.

1. MAny years ſince at Plimmouth Plantation, when the Church did faſt and pray for Raine in extreame Drought; it being a very hot and cleare ſun-ſhine day, all the former part thereof; An Indian of good quality, being preſent, and ſeeing what they were about, fell a wondring at them for praying for raine in a day ſo unlikely, when all Sunne and no Clouds appeared; and thought that their God was not able to give Raine at ſuch a time as that: but this poore wretch ſeeing them ſtill to continue in their Prayers, and beholding that at laſt the Clouds began to riſe, and by that time they had ended their Duty, the Raine fell in a moſt ſweet, conſtant, ſoaking ſhowre, fell into wonderment at the power that the Engliſh had with their God, and the greatneſſe and goodneſſe of that God whom they ſerved, and was ſmitten with terror that he had abuſed them and their God by his former hard thoughts of them; and reſolved from that day not to reſt till he did know this great good God, and for that end to forſake the Indians, and cleare to the Engliſh, which he preſently did, and laboured by all publique and private meanes to ſuck in more and more of the knowledge of God, and his wayes. And as he increaſed in knowledge ſo in affection and alſo in his practice, reforming and conforming himſelfe accordingly: and (though he was much tempted by inticements, ſcoffes and ſcornes from the Indians) yet, could he never be gotten from the Engliſh, nor from ſeeking after their God, but died amongſt them, leaving ſome good hopes in their hearts, that his ſoule went to reſt.

2. Sagamore Iohn, Prince of Maſſaqueſets, was from our very firſt landing more courteous, ingenious, and to the Engliſh more loving then others of them; he deſired to learne and ſpeake our Language, and loved to imitate us in our behaviour and apparrell, and began to hearken after our God and his wayes, and would much commend Engliſh-men, and their God; ſaying (Much good men, much good God) and being convinced that our condition and wayes were better farre then theirs, did reſolve and promiſe to leave the Indians, and come live with us; but yet kept downe by feare of the ſcoffes of the Indians, had not power to make good his purpoſe; yet went on not without ſome trouble of mind, and ſecret plucks of Conſcience, as the ſequel declares: for being ſtruck with death, fearfully cryed out of himſelfe that he had not come to live with us, to have knowne our God better: But now (ſaid he) I muſt die, the God of the Engliſh is much angry with me, and will deſtroy me; ah, I was affraid of the ſcoffes of theſe wicked Indians; yet my Child ſhall live with the Engliſh, and learne to knew their God when I am dead; Ile give him to Mr. Wilſon, he is a much Good man, and much loved me: ſo ſent for Mr. Wilſon to come to him, and committed his onely Child to his care, and ſo died.

3. Divers of the Indians Children, Boyes and Girles we have received into our houſes, who are long ſince civilized, and in ſubjection to us, painfull and handy in their buſineſſe, and can ſpeak our language familiarly; divers of whom can read Engliſh, and begin to underſtand in their meaſure, the grounds of Chriſtian Religion; ſome of them are able to give us account of the Sermons they heare, and of the word read and expounded in our Families, and are convinced of their ſinfull and miſerable Eſtates, and affected with the ſenſe of Gods diſpleaſure, and the thoughts of Eternity, and will ſometimes tremble and melt into teares at our opening and preſſing the Word upon their Conſciences; and as farre as we can diſcerne, ſome of them uſe to pray in ſecret and are much in love with us, and cannot indure to returne any more to the Indians.

Some of them will not be abſent from a Sermon or Family duties if they can help it; and we have knowne ſome would uſe to weep and cry when detained by occaſion from the Sermon.

Others of them are very inquiſitive after God and his wayes; and being themſelves induſtrious in their Calling, will much complaine of other ſervants idleneſſe, and reprove them.

One of them, who for ſome miſdemeanour that laid him open to publique puniſhment, ran away; and being gone, God ſo followed him, that of his owne accord he returned home, rendred himſelfe to Juſtice and was willing to ſubmit himſelfe, though he might have eſcaped.

An Indian Maid at Salem, would often come from the Word, crying out with abundance of teares, concluding that ſhe muſt burne when ſhe die, and would ſay, ſhe knew her ſelfe naught for preſent, and like to be miſerable for ever, unleſſe free Grace ſhould prevent it; and after this grew very carefull of her carriage, proved induſtrious in her place, and ſo continued.

Another often frequenting the Houſe of one of the Miniſters at Salem, would tell him the Story of the Bible, even to his admiration, and that he attended upon the Word preached, and loved it; and how he could tell all the Commandements, and in particular each Commandement by it ſelfe, and how he laboured to keep them all; and yet for all this (ſaid he) [Me are, and walke in fire] that is, when I die, I muſt to Hell: That Miniſter asked him why? he anſwered, becauſe I know not Ieſus Chriſt, and pray'd him earneſtly to teach him Ieſus Chriſt, and after went out amongſt the Indians, and called upon them to put away all their wives ſave one, becauſe it was a ſinne againſt Engliſh-mans Saviour.

Another Indian comming by, and ſeeing one of the Engliſh (who was remote from our juriſdiction, prophaning the Lords day, by felling of a tree, ſaid to him, Doe • ou not know that this is the Lords day, in Maſſaquſetts? much machet man, that is very wicked man, what, breake you Gods Day?

The ſame man comming into an houſe in thoſe parts where a man and his wife were chiding, and they bidding him ſit downe, he was welcome; he anſwered, He would not ſtay there, God did not dwell there, Ho •• mock, (that is the Devill) was there, and ſo departed.

One of the Sagamores, having complaint made to him by ſome of the Engliſh, that his men did uſe to kill Pigeons upon the Lords day, thereupon forbad them to doe ſo any more; yet afterwards ſome of them did attempt it, and climbing the high trees (upon which Pigeons in that Countrey uſe to make their neſts) one of them fell down from off the tree and brake his neck, and another fell down and brake ſome of his limbs: thereupon the Sagamore ſent two grave old men to proclaime it amongſt his Indians, that none of them ſhould kill Pigeons upon the Sabboth day any more.

Another Indian hearing of the fame of the Engliſh, and their God came from a far to ſee them, and ſuch was this mans love to the Engliſh and their wayes after he came acquainted with them, that he laboured to transform himſelfe into the Engliſh manners and practiſes, as if he had been an Engliſh man indeed; he would be called no more by his Indian name, but would be named William; he would not goe naked like the Indians, but cloathed juſt as one of our ſelves; he abhorred to dwell with the Indians any longer; but forſaking all his friends and Kindred dwelt wholly with us; when he ſate downe to meat with us, if thanks were given before he came in, or if he did eat by himſelfe, conſtantly he would give thanks reverently and gravely, he frequented the word and family duties where he came, and gat a good meaſure of knowledge beyond ordinary, being a man of ſingular par • s, and would complaine that he knew not Chriſt, and without him, he ſaid all he did was nothing; hee was ſo zealous for the Lords day, that (as it was obſerved) if he ſaw any profaning it, he would rebuke them and threaten them to carry them to the Governour.

All which things weighed, we dare not but hope, that many of them, doe belong to the Kingdome of God; and what further time may produce, we leave it to him that is excellent in Counſell, and wonderfull in working.

4. There is alſo a Blackmore maid, that hath long lived at Dorcheſter in New England, unto whom God hath ſo bleſſed the publique and private means of Grace that ſhe is not only indued with a competent meaſure of knowledge in the myſteries of God, and conviction of her miſerable eſtate by ſinne; but hath alſo experience of a ſaving work of grace in her heart, and a ſweet ſavour of Chriſt breathing in her; inſomuch that her ſoule hath longed to enjoy Church-fellowſhip with the Saints there, and having propounded her deſire to the Elders of the Church, after ſome triall of her taken in private, ſhe was called before the whole Church, and there did make confeſſion of her knowledge in the Myſteries of Chriſt and of the work of Converſion upon her Soule: And after that there was ſuch a teſtimony given of her blameleſſe and godly Converſation, that ſhe was admitted a member by the joynt conſent of the Church with great joy to all their hearts. Since which time, we have heard her much admiring Gods free grace to ſuch a poore wretch as ſhe was; that God leaving all her friends and Kindred ſtill in their ſinnes, ſhould caſt an eye upon her, to make her a member of Chriſt, and of the Church alſo: and hath with teares exhorted ſome other of the Indians that live with us to embrace Ieſus Chriſt, declaring how willing he would be to receive them even as he had received her.

5. The laſt inſtance we will give ſhall be of that famous Indian W •• uaſh who was a Captaine a proper man of perſon, and of a very grave and ſober ſpirit; the Story of which comming to our hands very lately, was indeed the occaſion of writing all the reſt: This man a few yeares ſince, ſeeing and beholding the mighty power of God in our Engliſh Forces, how they fell upon the Pequits, where divers hundreds of them were ſlaine in an houre: The Lord, as a God of glory in great terrour did appeare unto the Soule and Conſcience of this poore Wretch in that very act; and though before that time he had low apprehenſions of our God, having conceived him ſo be (as he ſaid) but a Muskett • God or a God like unto a flye; and as meane thoughts of the Engliſh that ſerved this God that they were ſilly weake men; yet from that time he was convinced and perſwaded that our God was a moſt dreadfull God; and that one Engliſh man by the help of his God was able to ſlay and put to flight an hundred • n • an • .

This conviction did purſue and follow him night and day, ſo that he could have no reſt or quiet becauſe hee was ignorant of the Engliſh mans God: he went up and down bemoaning his condition, and filling every place where he came with ſighes and groanes.

Afterward it pleaſed the Lord that ſome Engliſh (well acquainted with his Language) did meet with him; thereupon as a Hart panting after the water Brookes he enquired after God with ſuch inceſſant diligence that they were conſtrained conſtantly for his ſatisfaction to ſpend more then halfe the night in converſing with him.

Afterwards he came to dwell amongſt the Engliſh at Connecticus, ſtill travelling with all his might and lamenting after the Lord: his manner was to ſmite his hand on his breaſt, and to complaine ſadly of his heart ſaying it was much machet, (that is very evill) and when any ſpake with him he would ſay Wequaſh, no God, Wequaſh no know Chriſt. It pleaſed the Lord, that in the uſe of the meanes, he grew greatly in the knowledge of Chriſt, and in the Principles of Religion and became thorowly reformed according to his light, hating and loathing himſelfe for his deareſt ſinnes, which were eſpecially theſe two Luſt and Revenge, this repentance for the former was teſtified by his temperance and abſtinence from all occaſions, or matter of provocation thereunto. Secondly, by putting away all his Wives, ſaving the firſt, to whom he had moſt right.

His repentance for the latter was teſtified by an eminent degree of meekneſſe and patience, that now, if any did abuſe him, he could lie downe at their feet, and if any did ſmite him on the one cheeke, he would rather turne the other, than offend them: many trialls hee had from the Jndians in this caſe. Thirdly, by going up and downe to thoſe hee had offered violence or wrong unto, confeſſing it, and making reſtitution.

Afterwards he went amongſt the Indians, like that poore Woman of Samaria, proclaiming Chriſt, and telling them what a Treaſure he had found, inſtructing them in the knowledge of the true God and this he did with a grave and ſerious ſpirit, warning them with all faithfullneſſe to flee from the wrath to come, by breaking off their ſinnes and wickedneſſe.

This courſe of his did ſo diſturb the Devill, that ere long ſome of the Indians, whoſe hearts Satan had filled did ſecretly give him poyſon, which he tooke without ſuſpition: and when he lay upon his death bed, ſome Indians who were by him, wiſhed him according to the Indian manner, to ſend for Po • ow (that is to ſay) a Wizzard; he told them, If Ieſus Chriſt ſay that Wequaſh ſhall live, then Wequaſh muſt live; if Ieſus Chriſt ſay that Wequaſh ſhall dye, then Wequaſh is willing to dye, and will not lengthen • ur his life by any ſuch meanes. Before he dyed, he did bequeath his Child to the godly care of the Engliſh for education and inſtruction and ſo yielded up his ſoule into Chriſt his hands.

I cannot omit the teſtimony of Mr. Sh a godly Miniſter in the Bay, that wrote to his Friend in London concerning this Story, his lines are full plain and pithy his words theſe,

Wequaſh the famous Indian at the Rivers mouth is dead, and certainly in heaven; gloriouſly did the Grace of Chriſt ſhine forth in his converſation, a yeare and a halfe before his death he knew Chriſt, he loved Chriſt, he preached Chriſt up and down, and then ſuffered Martyrdome for Chriſt; and when he dyed▪ he gave his ſoule to Chriſt, and his only child to the Engliſh, rejoycing in this hope, that the child ſhould know more of Chriſt then its poore Father ever did.

Thus we have given you a little taſt of the ſprincklings of Gods ſpirit, upon a few Indians, but one may eaſily imagine, that here are not all that may be produced: for if a very few of us here preſent, upon very ſudden thoughts, have ſnatcht up only ſuch inſtances which came at preſent to hand, you may conveive, that if all in our Plantations (which are farre and wide) ſhould ſet themſelves to bring in the confluence of all their Obſervations together, much more might be added.

We beleeve one mean amongſt others, that hath thus farre wonne theſe poore wretches to looke after the Goſpell, hath been the dealings and carriages, which God hath guided the Engliſh in our Patent, to exerciſe towards them: For,

1. At our entrance upon the Land, it was not with violence and intruſion, but free and faire, with their conſents and allowance the chief Sagamores of all that part of the Countrey, entertaining us heartily, and profeſſed we were all much welcome.

2. When any of them had poſſeſſion of, or right unto any Land we were to plant upon, none were ſuffered, (to our knowledge) to take one acre from them, but do uſe to compound with them to content.

3. They have had juſtice truly exerciſed towards them in all other particular acts; that as we expect right dealing from them, in caſe any of them ſhall treſpaſſe us, we ſend to their Sagamore, and he preſently rights us, or elſe we ſummon them to our Court to anſwer it; ſo if any of our men offend them, and complaint and proofe be made to any of our Magiſtrates, or the publique Court (they know) they are ſure to be righted to the utmoſt by us.

4. The humanity of the Enghiſh towards them doth much gaine upon them, we being generally wary, and tender in giving them offenſive or harſh language, or carriage, but uſe them fairly and courteouſly, with loving termes, good looks and kind ſalutes.

Thus they having firſt a good eſteem of our Perſons, (ſuch of them as God intends good unto) are the ſooner brought to hearken to our words, and then to ſerve our God: wheras on the contrary, the wicked, injurious and ſcandalous carriages of ſome other Plantations, have bin a mean to harden choſe poore wofull ſoules againſt the Engliſh, and all Religion for their ſakes; and ſeale them up under perdition.

Yet (miſtake us not) we are wont to keep them at ſuch a diſtance, (knowing they ſerve the Devill and are led by him) as not to imbolden them too much or truſt them too farre; though we do them what good we can. And the truth is, God hath ſo kept them, (excepting that act of the Pequits, long ſince, to ſome few of our men) that we never found any hurt from them, nor could ever prove any reall intentions of evill againſt us: And if there ſhould be ſuch intentions and that they all ſhould combine together againſt us with all their ſtrength that they can raiſe, we ſee no probable ground at all to feare any hurt from them, they being naked men, and the numb • r of them that be amongſt us not conſiderable.

Let us here g • ve a touch alſo of what God hath done and is further about to doe, to divers Plantations of the Engliſh, which before that time that God ſent light into our coaſts, were almoſt as darke and rude as the Indians themſelves.

1. Firſt at Agamenticus (a Plantation out of our juriſdiction) to which one of our Preachers comming and labouring amongſt them, was a meanes under God, not only to ſparkle heavenly knowledge, and worke conviction and reformation in divers of them, but converſion alſo to Chriſt in ſome of them, that bleſſe God to this day, that • ver he came thither.

2. Then after that, as Sauco Plantation, which is an hundred miles from us, divers of that place comming often into our coaſ • s and hearing the Word preached, and ſeeing Gods goings amongſt his people there, being much affected went home and lamented amongſt their neighbours their own wofull condition, that lived like heathens without the Goſpel, when others injoyed it in great plenty: hereupon with joynt conſent two of their chiefe men were ſent in all their names earneſtly to intreat us to ſend a godly Miniſter to preach the Word unto them; which was doe accordingly, not without good ſucceſſe to the people there, and divers places about them.

3. After this, towards the end of laſt Summer, foure more Plantations ſome of which are divers hundred miles, others of them many hundred leagues from our Plantation) hearing of the goodneſſe of God to his people in our parts, and of the light of the Goſpel there ſhining; have done even as Jacob did in the Famine time, when he heard there was bread in Egypt he haſted away his Sonnes for Corn, that they might live and not die: in like manner three ſeverall Towns in Virginia as alſo Ba • bados, Chriſtophers and Antego all of them much about the ſame time, as if they had known the minds of each other did ſend Letters and Meſſengers crying out unto us as the man of Macedonia to Paul, Come and help us and th •• with ſuch earneſtneſſe, as men hunger-ſtarved and ready to die cry for bread; ſo they cry out unto us in the bowels of compasſion for the Lord Jeſus ſake to ſend them ſome helpe. They tell us in ſome of their Letters that from the one end of the Land to the other, there is none to break the bread of life unto the hungry; and thoſe that ſhould doe it, are ſo vil • , that even drunkards and ſwearers, cry ſhame on them.

We had thought (but only for the ſwelling of our Diſcourſe) to have ſet down their Letters at large, which they wrote to all our Churches, which ſpake with ſuch ſtrength of reaſon and affection, that when they were read in our Congregations they prevailed with us, that for their necesſity we ſpared the bread from our own mouth • to ſave th • ir lives, and ſent two of our Miniſters for the preſent to Virginia; and when the Ships came away from them they left them in ſerious conſultation, whom to give up to the worke of Chriſt in the other three places alſo.

We heare moreover that the Indians themſelves in ſome of the places named did joyne with them in this their ſuit.

Now from what hath bin ſaid, ſee the riches of Gods free Grace in Chriſt, that is willing to impart mercy even to the worſt of men, and ſuch as are furtheſt off cry out with Paul, On the depths, &c. and let heaven and earth be filled with the glorious praiſes of God for the ſame.

And if ſuch as are afarre off, why ſhould not we that are nearer preſſe in for a ſhare therin, and cry out, as Eſau did with teares to his Father, when he ſaw the blesſing going away to his young • r brother, and himſelfe, like to loſe it: [Oh my Father h • ſt thou but one bleſſing, bleſſe me alſo, even me thy firſt borne, bleſſe me, oh my Father.] Elſe theſe poore Indians will certainly riſe up againſt us, and with great boldneſſe condemn us in the great day of our accompts, when many of us here und • r great light, ſhall ſee men come from the Eaſt and from the Weſt, and ſit down in the Kingdome of God, and our ſelves caſt out.

2. Let the world know, that God led not ſo many thouſands of his people into the Wilderneſſe, to ſee a reed ſhaken with the wind, but amongſt many other ſpeciall ends, this was none of the leaſt, to ſpread the light of his bleſſed Goſpel, to ſuch as never heard the ſound of it. To ſtop the mouths of the profane that calumniate the work of God in our hands, and to ſatisfie the hearts of the Saints herin that God had ſome ſpeciall ſervice for his people there to doe, which in part alr • ady we begin to ſee, and wait upon D • vine Wiſ •• me, to diſcover more of his pleaſure herin, and upon his Grace to effect, which we b • leeve in his time he will ſo doe, that men ſhall ſee and know the wiſdome and power of God herin.

3. Shall we touch here upon that apprehenſion which many godly and wiſe have conceived, and that from ſome Scriptures compared, and from other grounds, and paſſages of Providence collected that (as it's very probable) God meanes to carry his Goſpel weſtward, in theſe latter times of the world; and have thought, as the Sunne in the afternoon of the day, ſtill declines more and more to the Weſt and then ſets: ſo the Goſpel (that great light of the world) though it roſe in the Eaſt, and in former ages, hath ligntened it with his beames; yet in the latter ages of the world will bend Weſtward, and before its ſetting, brighten theſe parts, with his glorious luſtre alſo.

4. See how Gods wiſdome produceth glorious effects, from unlikely meanes, and make ſtreight works by crooked inſtrumen • s: for who would have thought, that the chaſing away hence ſo many godly Miniſters, ſhould ſo farre have promoted the praiſes of God, and ſhould be a meane to ſpread the Goſpel, when they intend • d to ruine it: they blew out their lights and they burn clearer: their ſilencing Miniſters have opened their mouths ſo wide as to ſound ou • his glorious praiſes, to the uttermoſt parts of the earth, ſay with the Pſalmiſt, This is the Lords doing and it is marvelous in our eyes.

5. Deſpiſe not the day of ſmall things; let none ſay of us as thoſe ſcoffers did of their building • eruſalem, • hat will theſe weak • ewes 〈◊〉 ? but learne to adore God in all his Providence, and wait to ſee his ends.

6. Lend us, we beſeech you (all you that love Zion) your prayers and helpe in heaven and earth for the furtherance of this great and glorious worke in our hands; great works need many hands, many prayers, many teares: And deſire the Lord to ſtirre up the bowels of ſome godly minded, to pitty thoſe poore Heathen that are bleeding to death to eternall death and to reach forth an hand of ſoule-mercy, to ſave ſome of them from the fire of hell by affording ſome means to maintain ſome fit inſtruments on purpoſe to ſpend their time, and give themſelves wholly to preach to theſe poore wretches▪ that as the tender Samari • a • did to the wounded man they may pitty them and g • t them healed that even their bowels may bleſſe them in the day of their viſitation, and Chriſts bowels refreſhed by their love, may ſet it on his own ſcore, and pay them all againe in the day of their accompts.

NEW ENGLANDS FIRST FRUITS: 2. In • eſpect of the Colledge, and the proceedings of Learning therein.

1. AFter God had carried us ſafe to New-England, and wee had builded our houſes, provided neceſſaries for our liveli-hood, rear'd convenient places for Gods worſhip, and ſetled the Civill Government: One of the next things we longed for, and looked after was to advance Learning and perpetuate it to Poſterity; dreading to leave an illiterate Miniſtery to the Churches, when our preſent Miniſters ſhall lie in the Duſt. And as wee were thinking and conſulting how to effect this great Work; it pleaſed God to ſtir up the heart of one Mr. Harvard (a godly Gentleman, and a lover of Learning, there living amongſt us) to give the one halfe of his Eſtate (it being in all about 17 • 0. l.) towards the erecting of a Colledge and all his Library: after him another gave 300. l. others after them caſt in more, and the publique hand of the State added the reſt: the Colledge was, by common conſent, appointed to be at Cambridge, (a place very pleaſant and accommodate)▪ and is called (according to the name of the firſt founder) Harvard Colledge.

The Edifice is very faire and comely within and without, having in it a ſpacious Hall; (where they daily meet at Common Lectures) Exerciſes, and a large Library with ſome Bookes to it, the gifts of diverſe of our friends, their Chambers and ſtudies alſo fitted for, and poſſeſſed by the Students, and all other roomes of Office neceſſary and convenient, with all needfull Offices thereto belonging: And by the ſide of the Colledge a faire Grammar Schoole for the training up of young Schollars, and fitting of them for Academicall Learning, that ſtill as they are judged ripe, they may be received into the Colledge of this Schoole. Maſter Corlet is the Mr. who hath very well approved himſelfe for his abilities dexterity and painfulneſſe in teaching and education of the youth under him.

Over the Colledge is maſter Dunſter placed, as Preſident, a learned conſcionable and induſtrious man, who hath ſo trained up his Pupills in the tongues and Arts, and ſo ſeaſoned them with the principles of Divinity and Chriſtianity that we have to our great comfort, (and in truth) beyond our hopes, beheld their progreſſe in Learning and godlineſſe alſo; the former of theſe hath appeared in their publique declamations in Latine and Greeke, and Diſputations Logicall and Philoſophicall, which they have beene won • ed (beſides their ordinary Exerciſes in the Colledg • -Hall) in the audience of the Magiſtrates, Miniſters, and other Schollars, for the probation of their growth in Learning, upon ſet dayes, conſtantly once every moneth to make and uphold: The latter hath been manifeſted in ſundry of them, by the ſavoury breathings of their Spirits in their godly converſation. Inſomuch that we are confident, if theſe early bloſſomes may be cheriſhed and warmed with the influence of the friends of Learning and▪ lovers of this pious worke, they will by the help of God, come to happy maturity in a ſhort time.

Over the Colledge are twelve Overſeers choſen by the generall Court, ſix of them are of the Magiſtrates, the other ſix of the Miniſters, who are to promote the beſt good of it and (having a power of influence into all perſons in it) are to ſee that every one be diligent and proficient in his proper place.

2. Rules, and Precepts that are obſerv • d in the Colledge.

1. VVHen any Schollar is able to underſtand Tully, or ſuch like clasſicall Latine Author extempore, and make and ſpeake true Latine in Verſe and Proſe, ſuo ut a • unt M • rie; And decline perfectly the Paradig • m's of Nounes and Verbes in the Greek tongue: Let him then and not before be capable of admisſion into the Colledge.

2. Let every Student be plainly inſtructed, and earneſtly preſſed to conſider well, the maine end of his life and ſtudies is, to know God and Ieſus Chriſt which is eternall life, Joh. 17.3. and therefore to lay Chriſt in the bottome, as the only foundation of all ſound knowledge and Learning.

And ſeeing the Lord only giveth wiſedome, Let every one ſeriouſly ſet himſelfe by pray • r in ſecret to ſeeke i • of him Prov 2, 3.

3. Every one ſhall ſo exerciſe himſelfe in reading the Scriptures twice a day, that he ſhall be ready to give ſuch an account of his profic • ncy therein, both in Theoreticall obſervations of the Language, and Log ••• , and in Practicall and ſpirituall truths, as his Tutor ſhall require, according to his ability, ſeeing the entrance of the word giveth light 〈◊〉 giv • 〈◊〉 underſtanding • o the ſimple, Pſalm. 119.130.

4 That they eſhewing all profana • ion of Gods Name, Attribu es, Word Ordinances and times of Worſhip, doe ſtudie with good conſcience, carefully to retaine God, and the love of his truth in heir mindes elſe let them know, that (notwithſtanding their Learning) God may give them up to ſtrong a •• uſions, and in the end to are probare minde. 2 Theſ. 2.11, 12. Rom. 1.28.

5. That they ſtudiouſly red • eme the time; obſerve the generall houres appoint • d for all the S • udents, and the ſpeciall houres for their owne Claſſi: and then diligently attend the Lectures without any diſturbance by word or geſture. And if in any thing the doubt, they ſhall • nquire as of their fellowes, ſo, (in caſe of Non ſatisfaction) modeſtly of th • r Tutors.

6. None ſhall under any pretence whatſoever, frequent the company and ſociety of ſuch men as lead an unfit, and diſſolute life.

Nor ſhall any without his Tutors leave, or (in his abſence) the call of Parents or Guardians, goe abroad to other Townes.

7. Every Schollar ſhall be preſent in his Tutors chamber at the 7th. houre in the morning, immediately after the ſound of the Bell at his opening the Scripture and prayer, ſo alſo at the 5th. houre at night, and then give account of his owne private reading 〈◊〉 reſ • id in Par • icular the third, and conſtantly attend Lectures in the 〈◊〉 all at the houres appointed? But if any (without neceſſary impediment) ſhall abſent himſelf from prayer or Lectures, he ſhall b • e lyable to Admonition, if he offend above once a weeke.

8. If any Schollar ſhall be found to tranſgreſſe any of the Lawes of God, or the Schoole, after twice Admonition, he ſhall be lyable, if not adultus, to correction, if adultus, his name ſhall be given up to the Overſeers of the Colledge, that he may bee admoniſhed at the publick monethly Act.

3. The times and order of their Studies, unleſſe experience ſhall ſhew cauſe to alter.

THe ſecond and third day of the weeke, read Lectures, as followeth.

To the firſt yeare at 8th. of the clock in the morning Logick, the firſt three quarters, Phyſicks the laſt quarter.

To the ſecond yeare, at the 9th. houre, Ethicks and Politicks, at convenient diſtances of time.

To the third yeare at the 10th. Arithmetick and Geometry, the three firſt quarters, Aſtronomy the laſt.

Afternoone,

The firſt yeare diſputes at the ſecond houre.

The 2d. yeare at the 3d. houre.

The 3d. yeare at the 4th. every one in his Art.

The 4th. day reads Greeke.

To the firſt yeare the Etymologie and Syntax at the eight houre.

To the 2d. at the 9th. houre, Proſedia and Dialects.

Afternoone.

The firſt yeare at 2d. houre practice the precepts of Grammar in ſuch Authors as have variety of words.

The 2d. yeare at 3d. houre practice in Poêſy, Nonnus, Duport, or the like.

The 3d. yeare perfect their Theory before noone, and exerciſe Style, Compoſition, Imitation, Epitome, both in Proſe and Verſe, afternoone.

The fift day reads Hebrew, and the Eaſterne Tongues.

Grammar to the firſt yeare houre the 8th.

To the 2d. Chaldee at the 9th. houre.

To the 3d. Syriack at the 10th. houre.

Afternoone.

The firſt yeare practice in the Bible at the 2d. houre.

The 2d. in Ezra and Danel at the 3d. houre.

The 3d. at the 4th. houre in Treſtius New Teſtament.

The 6th. day reads Rhetorick to all at the 8th. houre.

Declamations at the 9th. So ordered that every Scholler may declaime once a moneth. The reſt of the day vacat Rhetoricis ſtudiis. The 7th. day reads Divinity Carecheticall at the 8 • h. houre, Common places at the 9th. houre. Afternoone.

The firſt houre reads hiſtory in the Winter,

The nature of plants in the Summer

The ſumme of every Lecture ſhall be examined, before the new Lecture be read.

Every Schollar, that on proofe is found able to read the Originalls of the Old and New Teſtament in to the Latine tongue, and to reſolve them Logically; withall being of godly life and converſation; And at any publick Act hath the Approbation of the Overſeers and Maſter of the Colledge is fit to be dignified with his firſt Degree.

Every Schollar that giveth up in writing a Syſtem, or Synopſis, or ſumme of Logick, Naturall and Morall Phyloſophy, Arithmetick, Geometry and Aſtronemy: and is ready to defend his Theſes or poſitions: withall ſkilled in the Originalls as above ſaid: and of godly life & converſation: and ſo approved by the Overſeers and Maſter of the Colledge, at any publique Act, is fit to be dignified with his 2d. Degree.

4. The manner of the late Commencement, expreſſed in a Letter ſ • nt over from the Governour, and diverſe of the Ministers, their own words theſe.

THE Sindents of the firſt Clasſis that have beene theſe foure yeeres trained up in Univerſity-Learning (for their ripening in the knowledge of the Tongues and Arts) and are apprved for their manners as they have kept their publick Acts in former yeares, our ſelves being preſent, at them; ſo have they lately kept two ſolemne Acts for their Commencement, when the Governour, Magiſtrates, and the Miniſters from all parts, with allſorts of Schollars, and others in great numbers were preſent, and did heare their Exerciſes; which were Latine and Greeke Orations, and Declamations, and Hebrew Analaſis Grammaticall, Logicall & Rhetoricall of the Pſalms: And their Anſwers and Diſputations in Logicall, Ethicall, Phyſicall and Metaphyſicall Queſtions; and ſo were found worthy of the firſt degree, (commonly called Batchelour) Pro more Academiarum in Anglia: Being firſt preſented by the • r • ſident to the Magiſtrates and Miniſters and by him, upon their Approbation, ſolemnly admitted unto the ſame degree, and a Booke of Arts delivered into each of their hands, and power given them to read Lectures in the Hall upon any of the Arts, when they ſhall be thereunto called, and a liberty of ſtudying in the Library.

All things in the Colledge are at preſent, like to proceed even as wee can wiſh, may it but pleaſe the Lord to goe on with his bleſſing in • hriſt, and ſtir up the hearts of his faithfull, and able Servants in our owne Native Country, and here, (as • e hath graciouſly begun) to advance this Honourable and moſt hopefull worke. The beginnings whereof and progreſſe hitherto (generally) doe fill our hearts with comfort, and raiſe them up to much more expectation, of the Lords goodneſſe for hereafter, for the good of poſterity, and the Churches of Chriſt Ieſus.

BOSTON in New-England, September the 26. 1642. Your very loving friends, &c.

A Copie of the Queſtions given and maintained by the Commencers in their publick Acts, printed in Cambridge in New-England, and reprinted here verbatim, as followeth.

Spectatisſimis Pietate, et Illuſtrisſimis Eximia Virtute Viris, D. Iohanni Winthropo, inclytae Maſſachuſetti Coloniae Gubernatori, D. Johanni Endicotto Vice-Gubernatori, D. Thom. Dudleo, D. Rich. Bellingham • , D. Ioan. Humphrydo, D. Iſrael. Stoughton • .

Nec non Reverendis pientiffimiſque viris Ioanpi Cotton • , Ioan, Wilſ • n • , Ioan, Davenport, Tho. Weldo. Hugons Petro, Tho. Shepardo, Collegij Harvardenſis nov. Cantab • . inſpectoribus fideliſſimis, caeteriſ que Magiſtratibus, & Eccleſiatum •• uſdem Coloniae Preſbyteris vigilantiſſimis,

Has Theſes Philologicas, & Philoſophicas, quas Deo duce, Praeſide Henrico Dunſtero palam pro virili propugnare conabuntur, (honoris & • bſervantiae gratia) dicant conſecranique in artibus liberalibus initiati Adoleſcentes.

Benjamin Woodbrigins. Georgius Downingus. Gulielmus Hubb • rdus. Henricus Saltonſtall. Iohannes Bulkleius. Iohannes Wilſonus. Nathaniel Bruſterus. Samuel Belinghamus. Tobias Bernardus.

Theſes Philologicas.

GRAMMATICAS.

LInguarum Scientia eſt utiliſſima.

Literae non exprimunt quantum vocis Organa efferunt.

3 Haebraea •• t Linguarum Mater.

4. Con • onantes & vocal • s Haebreorum ſunt coaetaneae.

5. Punctationes chatepha ae • yllabam proprie no efficiunt.

6. Linguarum Graeca eſt copioſillima

7. Lingua Graeca eſt ad acc • ntus pronuntianda.

8. Lingua Latina eſt eloquentiſtima.

RHETORICAS.

RHetorica ſpecie differt a Logica.

In • locutione p • rſpicu • tati cedit ornatus, ornatui copia.

3. Actio primas tenet in pronuntiotione.

4. Ora • oris eſt celare Artem.

LOGICAS.

UNiverſalia non ſunt extra intellectum.

Omnia Argumenta ſunt relata.

3. Cauſa ſine qua non non eſt peculiaris cauſa a quatuor reliquis generalibus,

4. Cauſa & Effectus ſunt ſimul tempore.

5. Diſſentanea ſunt aeque nota.

6. Contrarietas eſt tantum inter duo,

7. Sublato relato tollitur correlatum.

8. Genus perfectum aequaliter communicatur ſpeciebus.

9 Teſtimonium valet quantum teſtis.

10. Elenchorum doctrina in Logica non eſt neceſſaria.

11. Axioma contingens eſt, quod ita verum eſt, ut aliquando falſum eſſe poſſit.

12. Praecepta Artium debent eſſe 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 .

Theſes Philoſophicas.

ETHICAS.

PHiloſophia practica eſt eruditions meta.

Actio virtutis h • bitum antecellit.

3. Voluntas eſt virturtis moralis ſubjectum.

4. Voluntas eſt formaliter libera.

5. Prudentia virtutum difficillima.

6. Prudentia eſt virtus intellectualis & moralis.

7. Juſtitia mater omnium vi • tutum.

8. Mors potius ſubeunda quam aliquid culpae perpetrandum.

9. Non injuſte agit niſi qui libens agit.

10. Mentiri poteſt qui verum dicit.

11. Juveni modeſtia ſummum Oranmentum.

PHYSICAS

COrpu • naturale mobile eſt ſubjectum Phiſicae. Materia ſecunda non poteſt exiſtere fine forma.

3. Forma eſt • ccidens

4. Unius re • non eſt niſi unica forma conſtitutiva.

5. Forma eſt principium individuationis.

6. Privatio non eſt principium internum.

7. Ex meris accidentibu • non fit ſubſtantia.

8. Q • icquid movetur abalio movecur.

9. In omni motu movens ſimul eſt cum mobili.

10. Coelum • on movetur ab intelligen • ijs.

11. Non dantur orbes in coelo.

12. Quodlibe Flemen • um habet unam ex primis qualitatibus ſibi maxime propriam.

13. Putredo in humido fit a calore externo.

14. Animanon fit extraduce.

15. Vehemens ſenſibile deſtruit ſenſum.

METAPHISICAS.

OMne ens eſt bonum.

Omme creatum eſt concretum.

3. •• icquid aecernum idem & immenſum.

4. Bonum Metaphyſicum non ſuſcipit gradus.

Thus farre hath the good hand of God favoured our beginnings: ſee whe • her he hath no • engage • us to wait ſtill upon his goodneſſe for the future▪ by ſuch further remarkable paſſages of his providence to our Plantation in ſuch things as theſe:

1. In ſweeping away great multitudes of the Natives by the ſmall Po • a little before we went thither, that he might make room for us th • re.

2. In giving ſuch merveilous ſafe Paſſage from firſt to laſt, to ſo many thouſands that went thither, the like hath hardly been ever obſerved in any Sea-voyages.

3. In blesſing us generally with health and ſtrength, as much as ever (we might truly ſay) more then ever in our Native Land; many that were tender and ſickly here, are ſtronger and heartier there. That wheras diverſe other Plantations have been the graves of their Inhabitants and their numbers much decreaſed: God hath ſo proſpered the climate to us, that our bodies are hailer, and Children there born ſtronger, wherby our number is exceedingly increaſed.

4. In giving us ſuch peace and freedome from enemies, wh • n almoſt all the world is on a fire that (excepting that ſhort trouble with the Pequits) we never heard of any ſound of Warres to this day. And in that Warre which we made againſt them Gods hand from heaven was ſo manifeſted, that a very few of our men, in a ſhort time purſued through the Wilderneſſe, ſlew and took priſo •• rs about 1 • 00 of them, even all they could find, to the great terrour and amazement of all the Indians to this day: ſo that the name of the ſ • equits (as of Amaleck.) is blotted out from under heaven there being not one that is or, (as leaſt) dare call himſelfe a Pequi • .

5. In ſubduing thoſe erronious opinions carryed over from hence by ſome of the Paſſengers, which for a time infeſted our Churches peace but (through the goodneſſe of God) by conference preaching, a generall aſſembly of l • arned men, Magiſtraces timely care▪ and laſtly, by Gods own hand from heaven, in moſt remarkable ſtroaks upon ſome of the chief fomenters of them; the matter came to ſuch an happie concluſion, that moſt of the ſeduced came humbly and confeſſed their Errours in our publique Aſſembli • s and abid • • o this day conſtant in the Truth; the reſt (that remained obſtinate) finding no fit market there to vent their wares, departed from us to an Iland farre off; ſome of whom alſo ſince that time, have repented and returned to us▪ and are received againe into our boſomes. And from that time not any unſound, unſavourie and giddie fancie have dared to lift up his head, or abide the light amongſt us.

6. In ſettling and bringing civil matters to ſuch a maturity in a ſhort time amongſt us having planted 50. Townes and Villages, built 30. or 40. Churches, and more Miniſters houſes; a Caſtle, a Colledge, Priſons, Forts, Cartwaies, Cauſies many, and all theſe upon our owne charges no publique hand reaching out any helpe: having comfortable Houſes, Gardens, Orchards, Grounds fenced, Corne fields &c. and ſuch a forme and face of a Common wealth appearing in all the Plantation, that Strangers from other parts, ſeeing how much is done in ſo few yeares, have wondred at Gods blesſing on our indeavours.

7. In giving ſuch plenty of all manner of Food in a Wilderneſſe inſomuch, that all kinds of Fleſh amongſt the reſt, ſtore of Veniſon in its ſeaſon. Fiſh, both from Sea and Freſh water. Fowle of all kinds, wild & tame; ſtore of Whit-Meale, together with all ſorts of Engliſh Graine, aſwell as Indian, are plentifull amongſt us; as alſo Rootes, Herbs and Fruit, which being better digeſted by the Sun, are farre more faire pleaſant and wholſome then here.

8. In proſpering Hempe and Flaxe ſo well, that its frequently ſowen, ſpun, and woven into linnen Cloath: (and in a ſhort time may ſerve for Cordage) and ſo with Cotton-wooll, (which we may have at very reaſonable rates from the Iſlands) and our linnen Yarne, we can make Dimittees and Fuſtions for our Summer cloathing. And having a matter of a 1000. Sheep, which proſper well, to begin withall, in a competent time we hope to have wollen Cloath there made. And great and ſmall Cattel, being now very frequently killd for food; their skins will afford us Leather for Boots and Shoes, and other uſes: ſo that God is leading us by the hand into a way of cloathing.

9. In affording us many materialls, (which in part already are, and will in time further be improved) for Staple commodities, to ſupply all other defects: As 1. Furres, Bever, Otter, &c. 2. Clapboord, Hoops, Pipeſtaves, Maſts. 3. Engliſh Wheat and other graine for Spains and Weſt Indies; and all other proviſions for Victualling of Shippes 4. Fiſh, as Cod, Haddock, Herrings, Mackerill, Baſſe, Sturgeon, Seales, Whales, Sea-horſe. 5. Oyle of ſundry ſorts, of Whale, Sea-horſe, &c. 6. Pitch and Tarre, Roſen and Turpentine, having Pines, Spruce, and Pitch-trees in our Countrey to make theſe on. 7. Hempe and Flaxe. 8. Mineralls diſcovered and proved, as of Iron in ſundry places, Black-lead (many other in hopes) for the improving of which, we are now about to carry over Servants and inſtruments with us, 9. (Beſides many Boates, Shallops, Hows, Lighters, Pinnaces) we are in a way of building Shippes, of an 100, 200, 300. 400. tunne, five of them are already at Sea; many more in hand at this preſent, we being much incouraged therein by reaſon of the plenty and excellencie of our Timber for that urpofe, and ſeeing all the materialls will be had there in ſhort time. 10. In giving of ſuch Magiſtrates, as are all of them godly men, and members of our Churches, who countenance thoſe that be good, and puniſh evill doers, that a vile perſon dares not lift up his head; nor need a godly man to hang it down, that (to Gods praiſe be it ſpoken) one may live there from yeare to yeare, and not ſee a drunkard heare an oath, or meet a begger. Now where ſinne is puniſhed, and judgement executed, God is wont to bleſſe that place, and protect it, Pſal. 106.30, Ier. 5.1, Ioſ. 7.25 with 8. 1. c con • ra E • a. 20 21. 11. In ſtoring that place with very many of his own people, and diverſe of them eminent for godlineſſe. Now where his people are, there is his preſence, and Promiſe to be in the middeſt of them, a mighty God to ſave, and to joy over them with ſinging, Zeph. 3.17. 12. Above all our other blesſings, in planting his own Name, and precious Ordinances among us; (we ſpeak it humbly, and in his feare) our indeavour is to have all his own Inſtitutions, and no more then his own and all thoſe in their native ſimplicity without any humane dresſings; having a liberty to injoy all that God Commands, and yet urged to nothing more then he Commands. Now Where ſoever he records his Name, thither he will come and bleſſe, Ex. 20, 24.

Which promiſe he eath already performed to very many ſoules in their effectuall converſion to Chriſt, and the edification of others in their holy Faith, who daily bleſſe God that ever he carried them into thoſe parts.

All which blesſings named we looke upon, as an earneſt-penny of more to come. If we ſeeke his face, and ſerve his Providence, wee have no cauſe to doubt, that he for his part will faile to make ſeaſonable ſupplies unto us.

1 By ſome meanes to carry on to their perfection our ſtaple trades begun.

2. By Additions of Ammunition and Powder.

3. By maintenance of Schooles of Learning eſpecially the Colledge, as alſo additions of building to it, and furniſhing the Library.

4. By ſtirring up ſome well-minded to cloath and tranſport over poore children Boyes and Girles, which may be a great mercy to their bodies and ſoules and a help to us, they being ſuper abundant here, and we wanting hands to carry on our trades, manufacture and husbandry there.

5. By ſtirring up ſome to ſhew mercy to the Indians, in affording maintenance to ſome of our godly active young Schollars, there to make it their worke to ſtudie their Language converſe with them and carry light amongſt them, that ſo the Goſpell might be ſpread into thoſe darke parts of the world.

Ob. But all your own coſt and ours alſo will be loſt, becauſe there can be no ſubſiſtence there for any long time. For,

1. Your ground is barren,

Anſw. 1. If you ſhould ſee our goodly Corne-fields, neere harveſt you would anſwer this your ſelfe. Secondly, how could it be thin, that we ſhould have Engliſh Wheat at 4. s. per buſhell, and Indian at 2.8. and this not only for ready money, but in way of exchange. Thirdly, that in a wilderneſſe in ſo few yeares, we ſhould have corne enough for our ſelves and our friends that come over, and much to ſpare.

2 Obj. Your ground will not continue above 3. or 4 yeares to beare corne.

Anſw. Our ground hath been ſowne and planted with corne theſe 7.10. • 2. yeares already by our ſelves, and (which is more than can be ſaid here of Engliſh Land (never yet ſummer tild: but have borne corne, every yeare ſince we firſt went, and the ſame ground plant • d as long by the Indians before, and yet have good crops upon it ſtill, and as like to continue as ever: But this is, (as many other ſlanders againſt that good Land againſt all ſenſe, reaſon and experience.

3 Obj. But you have no money there.

Anſw. It's true we have not much, though ſome there is, but wee having thoſe ſtaple commodi • ies named, they will (ſtill as they are improved) fetch money from other parts. Ships, Fiſh, Iron, Pip • ſtaves. Corn, Bever, Oyle, &c will help us with money and other things alſo.

2 Littl money is raiſed in coyne in England, how then comes it to abound, but by this meane?

3. We can trade amongſt our ſelves by way of exchange, one commodity for another, and ſo doe uſually.

4. Obj. You are like to want clo • hes hereafter.

Anſw. 1. Linnen Fuſtians Dimettees we are making already. Secondly, Sheepe are comming on for woollen cloath. Thirdly in meane time we may be ſupplied by way of trade to other parts. 4th. Cor •• vant. Deere, Seale; and Mooſe Skins (which are beaſts as big Oxen, and their skins are buffe) are there to be had plentifully; • hich will help this way, eſpecially for ſervants cloathing.

5. Obj. Your Winters are cold.

Anſw. True, at ſometimes when the wind blowes ſtrong at Nor-Weſt: but it holds not long together, and then it uſeth to be very moderate for a good ſpace. Firſt the coldneſſe being not naturall (that place being 42. degrees) but accidentall. Secondly, The cold there is no impediment to health, but very wholſome for our bodies, inſomuch that all ſorts generally, weake and ſtrong had ſcarce ever ſuch meaſure of health in all their lives as there. Thirdly, Its not a moiſt and foggie cold, as in Holland, and ſome parts of England, but bright, cleare, and faire wether, that men are ſeldome troubled in Winter with coughes and Rheumes. Fourthly, it hinders not our imployment, for people are able to worke or travell uſually all the Winter long, ſo there is no loſſe of time, ſimply in reſpect of the cold. Fiftly good fires (wood being ſo plentifull) will make amends.

6. Ob. Many are growne weaker in their eſtates ſince they went over.

Anſ. Are not diverſe in London broken in their Eſtates? and many in England are growne poore and thouſands goe a begging (yet wee never ſaw a beggar there) and will any taxe the City or Kingdome, and ſay they are unſubſiſtable places?

Secondly their Eſtates now he in houſes, Lands, Horſes, Cattel, Corne &c. though they have not ſo much money as they had here, and ſo cannot make appearance of their wealth to thoſe in England, yet they have it ſtill, ſo that their Eſtates are not loſt but changed.

3. Some mens Eſtates may be weaker through gr • at and vaſt common changes, which the firſt planters eſpecially have bin at in makeing the place ſubſiſtable and comfortable, which now others reape the fruit of unknowne ſummes lye buried underground in ſuch a worke as that is.

4. Some may be poore (ſo we are ſure) many are rich, that carried nothing at all that now have Houſe Land, Corne, Cattel, &c and ſuch as carry ſomething are much encreaſed.

7. Ob. Many ſpeake evill of the place.

Anſ. Did not ſome doe ſo of • he Land of Canaan it ſelfe yet Canaan was never the worſe and themſelves ſmarted for ſo doing. Secondly ſome have been puniſhed there for their Delinquencies, or reſtrained from their exorbitances; or diſcountenanced for their ill opinions and not ſufferd to vent their ſtuffe: and hence being diſpleaſed take revenge by ſlanderous report. Thirdly, Let ſuch if any ſuch there be as have ought to alleadge, deale fairely and above board, and come and juſtifie any thing againſt the Country to our faces while we are here to anſwer, but ſuch never yet appeared in any of our preſence to avouch any thing in this kinde, nor (we beleive) dare do it without bluſhing.

8. Ob. Why doe many come away from thence?

Anſw. Doe not many remove from one Country to another, and yet none likes the Country the leſſe becauſe ſome depart from it? Secondly, few that we know of intend to abide here, but doe come on ſome ſpeciall buſines, and purpoſe to returne. Thirdly of them that are come hither to ſtay, (on our knowledge) ſome of the wiſeſt repent them already, and wiſh themſelves there againe. Fourthly, as ſome went thither upon ſudden undigeſted grounds, and ſaw not God leading them in their way, but were carryed by an unſtayed ſpirit, ſo have they returned upon as ſleight headleſſe, unworthy reaſons as they went Fiftly others muſt have elbow-roome, and cannot abide to be ſo pinioned with the ſtrict Government in the Common-wealth, or Diſcipline in the Church, now why ſhould ſuch live there; as Ireland will not brooke venemous beaſts, ſo will not that Land vile perſons, and looſe livers. Sixtly, though ſome few have removed from them, yet (we may truly ſay) thouſands as wiſe as themſelves would not change their place for any other in the World.

FINIS.