just shall be blessed, when the name of the wicked shall rot, Prov. x. 17, with their marble monuments. He was well educated in learning, as at inferior schools, so also at the university:5
and from thence went to the court, and there served Mr. Davison, a godly gentleman, and secretary of state to Queen Elizabeth, and attended him on his embassage into Holland, and was employed by him in matters of great trust; as in keeping of the keys of the cautionary towns delivered up to him for her majesty, and things of the like nature. His master would always in private confer with him as a friend or equal. He afterwards lived in good esteem in his own country, and did much good, until the troubles of those times inforced his remove into Holland, and so into New England, and was in both places of singular use and benefit to the church and people of Plimouth, whereof he was; being eminently qualified for such work as the Lord had appointed him unto; of which, should I speak particularly, as I might, I should prove tedious; I shall content myself, therefore, only to have made honourable mention in general of so worthy a man. And here I might take occasion to mention, with admiration, the marvellous providence of God, that notwithstanding the many changes and hardships that this people, namely, the first planters at New Plimouth, went through, and the many enemies they had, and difficulties they met withal, that so many of them should live unto very old age. It was not only this reverend man’s condition, but many more of them did the like; some dying before and about this time, and some living, who attained to sixty years of age, and to sixty five, divers to seventy, and some to more than eighty, as he did. It must needs be more than ordinary, and above natural reason that so it should be; for it is found in experience, that changing of air, famine, and unwholesome food, much drinking of water, sorrows and troubles, etc., all of them are enemies to health, causes of much diseases, consumers of natural vigour and the bodies of men, and shortness of life; and yet, of all these things they had a large and long part, and suffered deeply in the same. They went from England to Holland, where they found both worse air and diet than that they came from; from thence, enduring a long imprisonment in the ships at sea, into New England, and how it hath been with them here hath already been shown; and what crosses, troubles, fears, wants, and sorrows they have been liable unto, is easily to be discerned, so as in some sort they may say with the apostle, I Cor. xi. 26, 27, “They were in journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of their own nation, in perils amongst the heathen, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils amongst false brethren; in weariness, in painfulness, in watching often, in hunger, in thirst, in fasting often, in cold and nakedness.” What was it then that upheld them? It was God’s visitation that preserved their spirits; he that upheld the apostle upheld them, 2 Cor. iv. 9, “They were persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but perished not; as unknown, and yet known; as dying, and behold we live; as chastened, and yet not killed.”God, it seems, would have all men behold such works of his providence, as these are towards his people, that they, in like cases, might be encouraged to depend upon him in their trials, and also bless his name when they see his goodness towards others. “Man lives not by bread alone.” Deut. viii. 3. It is not by dainty fare, peace, rest, and heart’s ease, in enjoying contentments and good things of this world only, that preserves health and prolongs life. God, in such examples, would have the world take notice that he can do it without them; and if the world will shut their eyes, and take no notice thereof, yet he would have his people to see and consider it. Daniel could be in better liking with pulse, than with the king’s dainties. Jacob, though he went from one nation to another people, and passed through famine, fears, and many afflictions, yet he lived unto old age, and died sweetly, and rested in the Lord, as many others of God’s servants have done, and still do, through God’s goodness, notwithstanding all the malice of their enemies, “When the branch of the wicked shall be cut off before his day, and the bloody and deceitful man shall not live out half his days.” Job xv. 32; Psal. Iv. 23.6
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Decease. 1664 1664 1667 1668 1670 1672 1673 1673 1675 1675 1676 1678 1685 1687 1683 1689 1689 1691 1692 1697 1699 1704 1705 1710 1688 1682 |
William Brewster, Julian Kempton (widow of Manasses), Gabriel Hallowell, John Downham (Deacon), Alice Bradford (widow of the governor), John Howland, Thomas Prince, Elizabeth Warren (widow of Richard), Ann Tupper (Sandwich), Dorothy Brown (Swanzey), Thomas Tupper (Sandwich), Edward Bangs (Eastham), Nathaniel Morton (Secretary), Robert Finney (Deacon), Mary Carpenter, George Watson, Priscilla Cooper, Thomas Cushman (Elder), John Downham (son of the Deacon), Thomas Clark (mate of the Mayflower), Mary |
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